The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

,For SaJe- Various. -R OOFING TILES. A CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY oi SECONDS and THIRDS of Excellent Quality on SALE, for immediate Removal' —Price and Sample, apply ROSEMARY HILL TILERIES COMPANY, SILVERDALE, STAFFORDSHIRE. Telephone: No. 38 (Newcastle). 8891 OR SALE, 10,OW Scotch Firs, 5,000 Larch, and 3,000 Spruce, all very fine trees, and healthy. F ,for -price, &C., apply RUTHL.N CASTLE ESTATE F31CES. 8905 -KEW SO-N('?.I'enor or Soprano Solo, Colwyn Bay -rown" Eisteddfod Calan, 3904; "Deep dark Jordan" to. Ar Lan," etc.), Is. 6d. Music-sellers or C. E. EVANS, Dwygyfylchi School, Penmaenmawr. 8886 MOKED HADDOCKS, HA.M CURED, direct from my curing house, fresh daily, 121b. for 3/3, carriage paid Satisfaction guaranteed.—LEN COOPER, Fish Curer, Grimsby Docks. 8892 OR SALE.—StiTRUBS in variety. Roses, lead- ing sorts, from 6s. per dozen Privet, two years old. 3s. 6d. per 100; three years oJd, 4s. 6d. per 100. Wallflowers, to name, transplanted, 3s. 6d. per 100. Daisies, double red, Is. per doz. Few tons good flay, raJso White Oats; good stuff.-A. JENKINSON & SONS, Cefn Nurseries, Llangellynin, near Conway. 8871 HRISTMAS PRE SEN TS.-Pocket Electric C Lights, 2s 3d each Pocket Electric Torches, 5s Light Watch Stands, 7s 6d and 10-?, 6d each; Electric each; Handsome Electric Candlesticks 10s 6d; post free.-Telephone No. 0275, "LANCE," 9, Tudno-street, Llandudno. 8852 PATCHWORK.-20 Lovely PiushesTls Id; 140 Silks, Is Id.—BABBS, "Ashley," Mountsorrel, Loughboro'. 8851 T7I0R SALE.-A NICE CHINCHILLA KITTEN. JD —Apply LANGSIDE, Old Colwyn. 8841 PRIME CLOVER and Ryegrass Hay, 75s per ton. Meadow Hay, 70s trussed, delivered on rails.. Baled Wheat Straw, 45s per ton. Oats or Barley 'Straw, 42s 6d per ton on rails. Seed, Wheat & Barley, sample and prices delivered. Short White Oats, 6s. 6d. per hobbet, delivered any station, in ton lots. Prime Eating Potatoes, 77s 6d per ton, on rails. Land Salt, for dressing grass and wheat land, 14s 9d per ton, delivered any station in 5 ten lots. Molassme Meal for feeding, £ 7 per ton. Indian Meal, lis 6d, Indian Corn, lls 3d per 240 lbs. Bran, 4s 3d per 100 lbs, delivered any station in 2 ton ldts. 8-?imples on application.-E. T. HUGHES, Stores, Rathin. 7080 01?-WORKIN .G f?or-S-,tle.-A Go Bay. -8A EDWARIDS, Pheasantries, Colwyn 3y CO'FCH SEED POTATOES; also Lancashire S grown from Sc,,tch Seed reference to previous customers when required.—Apply JOHN D. RAWLINE. Caledonian Buildings, Tithebarn St.. Liverpool. 8796 KAA CARNATION LAYERS for Sale, well- O U Vf rooted, and including every well-known variety, 9s per dozen, carriage paid.—ALLETSON, Argoed House, Mold. 8752 GENTS' Free-WheelBICYCLE, £ 4 hand SEW- ING MACHINE, 30s.; both excellent con- dition.—Address G.P., c/o Pioneer Offices, Colwyn Bay. 8692 OR SALE. — Good GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT TREES; also RASPBERRY CANES.—Apply PENBHOS COLLEGE, Colwyn Bay. _8413 ? ENUINE?Welsh Oid Oak Furniture. Several of \3T the very Old Welsh Style. Three-piece Cabinets, Sideboards, or Dressers, Chests, Settles, Chairs, Clocks, Rushlight Holders, Brasses, Curios, Old Lustre and other China.-Paxticulars, JONES, 49, Denbigh-street, Llanrwst. 5817 *\T7I]RE NAILS, Mixed 8s. per cwt.; 281bs., 2s.3d.; V Screws, mixed, 30s. per cwt.; 281bs., 8s.; wire ,cut, wrought and malleable nails, tacks, shoe nails, rivets, &c., wholesale prices.—MIDLAND NAIL WORKS. 25. Rea-st., Birmingham. John F vne, Proprietor. 8595 Situations Wanted. R. H. FORDER, Ruthin Castle Estate Offices, can recommend a young man as single-handed GARDENER, willing to make himself useful. Good knowledge of outdoor gardening. 8906 HOTEL BAR.—Well-educated Young Lady, tall, good appearance, requires Situation in First- class Hotel Bar; good references.—Apply, DESMOND, c/o Pioneer Offices, Colwyn Bay. C3D ENT'S AGENCY, RHYL—Best in Wales.— Servants, Male or Female, Apartments, Lodgings. Houses, Drc. C4N Situations Vacant. W~ ANTED—Experienced GENERAL SER- VAN T for small private family wages £ 16; must have good references.—Address MRS. FOWLER, Glandwr, Trefriw. 8910 tiO WROOM AND FANTTY -COUNTERS TAP PRENTICE Wanted.—Apply W. S. WILLIAMS, (Llanrwst) Ltd. 8907 GENERAL SERVANT Wanted; age over 22; part washing and plain cooking; one child; bright kitchen; no cellars; wages E14 or more to trustworthy person.-DA-VIES, 2, Seabank-road, Egre- mont, Liverpool. 8903 TRONG YOUTH WANTED for the GROCERY TRADE, must be willing and able to make himself generally useful, abstainer, good character, .and able to drive.—Apply FREELAND STORES, High Btreet, Prestatyn. 8898 WANTKD.—Three smart Junior Welsh ASSIST- ANTS, two IMPROVERS, and several APPRENTICES for branch shops; early advance- ment to those anxious to get on; good references indispensable.—Apply, stating wages and full par- ticulars, to WILLIAM PEGLER. Pontypool. 8889 ENERAL WANRED, must wash and plain cook; good home; fare paid; £ 16.—BOWDEN, 20, Pepper Street, Chester. 8899 PWLLYCROCHAN HOTEL.—Experienced WORKING GARDENER required; good character and references indispensable; cottage pro- vided—Apply in writing to J. M. PORTEB, The Estate Office, Colwyn Bay. 8884 d^K-GENERAL WANTED: three in family Housemaid kept.—MRS. COOK, Oakfield, Aber- gele. 8893 WANTED. — Experienced GENERAL SERVANT two in family.—Apply MRS. WA^RILLOW, Hillside, Abergele. 8894 WANTED, a Respectable COUPLE; Man to look after two Cews, Pigs, and assist in Garden; Wife to manage Dairy and Poultry; wages, JE1 and Cottage.—Apply Mas. PORTER, Berthlwyd, Conway. c23D [RONMONGERY.— RHYIWEN JONES & DAVIES, Rhyl, require an IMPROVER for their Fur- shing Ironmongery Department.—Apply, stating 3 and experience. c23D T ANTED.-COOK-GENERAL, (plain cooking), early in January; age from 26 to 30; must ood references; good wages, no washing.— 'NS. DR. PRICE MORRIS, Old Colwyn. 8869 r> at once, a KITCHEN-MAID.—Apply 'ANT, Rhos-on-Sea. 8867 once, a thorough good COOK; must .nd an early riser.—Apply MRS. Caerwys. 8849 FREEH FREE! Avoid g employment for fees.-En- information to NORTHERN Leinster Gardens, Rnn- 8830 *an d-b an Ii??portant ?le pt' i e n the rernuners- dre?i3 LEE, c/o Pioneer 8794 Office, Bodfor-street, BOY, with a know- Apply by letter. Medical. URSING INSTI'TUTION, ABBFY ROAD N LLANDUDNO. Nurses: Medical, Surgical: Maternity, or Mental, promptly sent to cases. Mass- age and Electrical treatment. Patients received. Tel. 160. 6643 T~ HE MEDICAL HOME, Coed Pella Road, Col- wyn Bay. Hospital-trained nurses supplied, electricity and massage, nursing appliances.- MATRON. Telephone 24. 8523 Coming Auction Sales Advertised in The Pioneer." January 5-Fortnightly Sale at Vale of Clwyd Auction Mart, by Mr. 3. F. Byford, Ruthin. January 6-Talycafn Mart Periodical Sale of Bullocks, Heifers, Cows, etc, by Messrs Robert and Rogers Jones, Llanrwst. January 19-Freehold Shop, Dwelling House and Land, known as Bodhyfryd, Dyserth, by Mr. Joseph Williams, Rhyl. Early ill January, 1904-Brickmaker's Plant & Machinery, of the Pant-y-Graianog Brickfield, Conway, by Messrs Robert and Rogers Jones, Llanrwst. Jan. 20, 21, 22-Horse8. Cobs, Ponies, &c., at North Walas Repository, Wrexham, by Messrs. Frank Lloyd & Sons, Wresham and Sc. Asaph. Early in February-Antique and Modern Furniture, &c., at Mount View, Bettws-y-coed, by Mr John Davies, Blaenau Festiniog.

Births, Marriages, and Deaths. BIRTH WHP.WAT.-OH the 28th December, at Prestatyn, the wife of Mr William Wheway, of a daughter. MARRIAGE. DAVIES—HOSKINS—December 23, at Carmel C.M. Chapel, Conway, by the Rev Robert Roberts, of Colwyn Bay, Thomas Davies, son of the late D. H. Davies, Tyddyn Dchaf, Ch wilog, to Martha Annie (Matty), the second daughter of William Hoskins, of Colwyn Bay. 8»82 DEATHS D WIES—Oft December 20r,h, Annie Davies, 62, Wellington Road, Rhyl, aged 6 months. EDWARDS—On December 21th, Hannah Edwards, 23, Queen's Court, Rhyl, aged 70 years. EDWARDS—On the 29th ult., at Alpha Villa, Elwy-street, Anne Edwards, aged 82 years. EVANs-On December 28, Robert Evans, Bryn Cottage Tremeirchion, aged 1 month. FURBER-On the 3lst ulc., at 48, High-street, Rhyl, Ellen Furber, aged 78 years. JONEs-On December 23rd, Hannah Maria Jones, Penisa- rmynydd, Cwm, aged 2 years. JONEs-On December 25th, at the residence of his daugh- ter, 7, West Parade, Rhyl, in his 81th year, John Jones. JONEs-On December 28, John Jones, Tanyrallt, Meliden, aged 52 yeats. LAWLESS—On December 25th Margaret Lawless, 24, Edward-street, Rhyl, aged 79 years. OWEN-On December 23rd, Jane Owen, Mount Villa, Warren-road, Rhyl, aged 43 years. PICKERING-On the 30th ult., at 9, Victoria-avenue, Prestatyn, Eleanor Pickering, aged 60 years, PICXERING-ON December 30, at her residence, Victoria Avemie, Presta,tyn, Mrs Pickering, widow of the late Mr William Pickering, aged 60 years. EOHKUTS—ON December 55, Margaret Roberts, Brynhy- fryd, Waen, ageii 86 years. SUMMERSKILL On December 28, at her residence, Nuremberg House, Presratyn, Nancy Summerslrill, widow of the late Mr James Summerskill, formerly of Eccles, aged 74 years. ROBERTS—At 101, Crosby Road South, Seaforth, aged 8 years, Edith Myfanwy, beloved daughter of R. Roberos, F.R.C.,V.S., Lond. late of Abergele and Colwyn. C-23D EOBKRTS—December 21, aged 43, Catherine, wife of J. H. Roberts, stationmaster, Corwen. VATJGHAN ROIBF, RTs-December 21, fit Minafon, Blaenau J^sutiiog, JVssie, wife of Dr. W Vaughan Roberts, and dvughier of the late Richard Owens, Rhiaiwa, Anfield Road. WILLIAMS—December 21, at her residence, Bodafon, 6, Bulkeley Terrace. Beaumaris, aged 78 years, Catherine, reliet of the hue Cupt.iiu Thun.as Will :«m Beaumaris 11- -11

Funerals Completely Furnished by I D. ALLEN & SONS, II STATION ROAD, COLWYN BAY. II TELEPHONE 0197. Telegrams—Allen's, Under, akers, Colwyn Bay. II 4717" Crawford's SCOTCH Shortbread The Cra-,vford Quality. HIGHLAND. Thick Cakes. LOTHIAN. Thin Sections, Sugared on top. AYRSHIRE. Thin oblong Cakes, Sugared on top. Sold by Grocers and Bakers everywhere.

Lighting-up Time. Jan. i—Friday 4 58 p.m. „ 2-Saturday 5 o 3—Sunday 5 1 „ 4-Monday 5 2 If 5—Tuesday 5 3 „ 6-Wednesday 5 4 „ 7-Thursday 5 5

The Flint and Denbigh Hounds. WILL MEET Saturday, Jan. 2nd .Traveller's Inn Wednesday, Jan. 6th Talacre Saturday, Jan. 9th Maes Elwy at 11 a.m.

Forthcoming Fairs. THE following are the fairs for January:- Amlwch, 4 Llanershymedd, 6; Llangefni,7; Carnarvon, 2; Abergele, 20; Denbigh, 12; Llangollen, 12 andl 26; Ruthin, 5; Wrexham, 4 and every, Monday; Caerwys, 26; Flint, 2 Holywell, 1; Mold, 6; Bala, 16; Corwen, 19; D-olgelley, iS. -=-

News of the World. Wednesday was the forty-third anniversary of the death of Macaulay. Earl Nelson passed a restless night, and was weaker on Tuesday. The Earl of Halsbury, the Lord Chancellor, has arrived at Cannes for a short stay. The panic among Jews in many Russian. cen- tres, owing to the fear of renewed; Kaschineff excesses, is increasing.

The Education Muddle. CHAOS is almost a mild term to use in connection with the present position of affairs in Flintshire and Denbighshire educational circles. We cannot quite understand why-and this point is puzzling a good many people-the Board of Edu- cation should single out these counties as the two authorities they hope to make an example of for their audacity in pledging themselves to the" no-rate policy. Other counties have passed similar resolutions, and are being allowed to administer the Act in the way they propose. Under the circumstances it is natural that some irritation should be occasioned by the unexpected action of the Government. It would have been fairer, not only to the Education authorities, who should have all the assistance possible, instead of being hindered by postponements, in the arduous labours upon which they have embarked, and this through no choice of their own, but also to the old authorities whom they have superseded, and who will have to continue in office until the Board of Education shall fix the appointed day. To argue that the County Councils should obey the law is perfectly correct as far as it goes Unfortunately, the great majority of Welsh people, through their representatives, are not content with the Act as it stands. Many prominent Church- men, both elesdeal and lay, are also dubious as to some of its working parts and if their wighes were consulted it is quite possible an amendment of the Act would be submitted in a short time. It is only too apparent that the postponement of the appointed day is intended by the Board of Education to operate as long as the attitude of the County Councils remains what it is. Therefore those interested in the administration of the Act may take it for granted that unless the managers of Voluntary schools succeed in inducing the powers that be to forsake their stiff-necked attitude, the appointed day may be post- poned until the 30th of September. The most sensible course to take aiong the sea of trouble looming ahead is for the Church party to couch their proposals to the County Council in as respectful a vein as possible. Nothing is to be gained by a game of bluff, or by following in the foot- steps of the Berriew Church School, who went out of their way to repudiate the authority of the Montgomery County Council. Both interesting and important was the discussion initiated by Sir Watkin Williams Wynn at the special meeting of the Den- bigh County Council on Monday. Sir Watkin did not rise to propose an amend- ment to the Provisional Education Com- mittee's recommendations, but he made an heroic and despairing effort, as it were, to induce the Council to reconsider its decision. Are we really wise," said the speaker, referring to the Council, "in doing what we are doing, or are we running our heads against a brick wall, and shall we not by and by have to climb down piece by piece ? I feel sure we are not occupying a wise or a dignified posi- tion. This postponement is a warning to us, and it is to give the Councils some time to reconsider their position On the whole, the speech was a weighty and a well-directed one and many on reading it will regret that so influential a Church- man as Sir Watkin was not at home when negotiations for a compromise were in pro- gress. He admitted the main points were agreed upon, and said there were only two or three other little points which with a little patience might have been adjusted. He was very firm in his repeated assur- ances that the Council would have to climb down, and that the law of the land would ultimately be enforced, statements which did not seem to impress the Council to any great degree. The chief spokesmen for the Noncon- formists were Mr Lumley and Mr Dodd- the latter is chairman of the Education Committee—both of whom spoke in a spirit of cheery optimism, which certainly did not reveal" troubled minds racked with anxious care." They felt inclined to express gratitude for the delay which had' been occasioned by the Board of Educa- tion's extraordinary move, and viewed the position of affairs with feelings of equan- imity. The discussion did not carry the matter forward towards any finality, so far as a settlement of the dispute was concerned but the debate was worthy of note on account of the prominence given to suggestions for settlement. It was first broached by Sir Watkin, who, however, in a subsequent speech, explained that he did not suggest any further efforts in this direction, but, on the other hand, Captain Griffith Bosca wan expressed himself strongly in favour of a little give-and-take on both sides. Bearing in mind the atti- tude of Bishop Edwards, and the con- ciliatory views held by his lordship's most influential laymen, we may fairly echo Sir Watkin's query, Who was it who upset the attempted arrangement ?" In Flintshire we believe feeling runs high. Great indignation is felt in certain circles at the unexpected set-back, —a feeling which is not lessened, but rather aggravated, by the fact that other Welsh counties are pursuing the even tenour of their way. The Board of Edu cation are guilty of unpardonable favour- itism in making flesh of one and fowl of the other, and it is this injustice which has aroused so much criticism of an uncompli- mentary kind. Is it possible the Board of Education did not fully realise the deter- mination of the Councils to resist those clauses relating to public control at all costs, or was it that they were timid of entering upon a struggle, the result of which it is not impossible to forecast ? Those counties who have safely passed the rubicon are to be congratulated at having sailed into comparatively smooth waters. To those Councils who have been thrust back just as they were stepping into their new responsibilities, a position of status quo is anything but satisfactory, not only to the authorities themselves but to the school managers and teachers. Rhyl at'Christmas It is always .gratifyting1 to- record :any particular feature which redounds 'to the credit of the pub- lic of Rhyl, and the maintenance of law and! order. The one under notice has special refer- ence itoi the extremely ordlerly character of the working classes, of the town, and the visitors from t'he country districts on Christmas Eve and Bank Holiday. Beyond the' accustomed hilar- ity betokening the season and its accompanying festivities, there was nothing observable in t'he principal fhorougTifare.s to excite the adverse comment of t'he moslt decorous or law-abiding resident. Light Police Duties. Many reasons, have been assigned! of recent years' by Stipendiaries and Recorders, in our large. towns, for the fluctuations of crime, or serious offences brought undler ¡['he' notice of the police to be dealt with summarily. When,J,radfe has been brisk, and wages plentiful, it has been hinted that these material factors, amongst tha artisan classes 'have facilitated !the: spending power of those, classes in channel's .of an un- desirable nature. Whether the evils of the drink traffic .are on the wane, or the- increase, we leave the question' to be dealt wit'h by statis- ticians. who arei ever ready to, place them in the light best adlaptedl to their' adivocacy. It, how- ever, remains a pleasant fact that the police of Rhyl did noft find their time, occupied during the holidays in dealing with cases' of drunkenness oar disorderly conduct. Not one' case, arising out of the holiday festivities, was, heard at the Police Court on, Tuesday. Seasonable iutriiy. When the' pinch of poviertLyasserts itself and becomes generally cognisant to the charitably- dlisposed ladies and; gentlemen of the town, there is always forthcoming the necessary !hel,,j at Christmasiáde ;for the assistance of the sorely-d-ilsitress,d. Mendicity in its multifarious forms, necessitates the, most careful investiga- tions before' thfere- are bestowals of doles; and no doubt indiscriminate g,iving,p-re-sixm,ably with the best intentions, deters1 some personsl from including their names in! the list of subscriplpions for the relief of the poor. We do not for one, moment state that the committee of ladlies and gentlemen- who distributed the. relief tickets re- cently did not discharge their task with shrewd- ness to avoid helping th-osei who were undeserv- ing. iBut, there are. considered some persons in necessitous circumstances w'ho1 might have1 been pleas'ed to have received a. little timely assist- ance, but who refrained seeking it for obvious reasons. benevolencti. Benevolent institutions or societies are exis- tent all the year round in many towns for the purpose of relieving '[he aged, and' those whose impecunious, circumstances, have arisen, owing to untorseen adversities. In every community there exists' numerous suc'lJ., cases olf persons struggling to -exist in the sear, and yellow leaf,, at t'he .same time having heailcrending reflections of the past. Philanthropic organisations for the' permanent relief of tradesmen and others in old age, and in the deprivation of the more than ordinary necessaries of life, are manifest in places not one hundred: miles distant from Rhyl. The, axiom that the many can well help the few receives striking .exemplification in the work of those institutions—work, the charac- teristics of which are humane and kindly. It issU'ch in,s'titu'[liüns'whichc'Ome to t'he aid of the cases referred to at Christmas time. Rhyl Council and the Prestatyn Brigade. IL seems, a pity that any contention: should arise in regard to payment for jhe services' of a firei brigade. At the recent great fire: at Rhyl their neighbours at Prestatyn rendered yeoman service, with their brigade, and sent in -a bill of -f,io; but the. Rhyl Council had the bad taste to repudiat.e liability. The Prestatyn folk were naturally indignant, and rut their late. monthly meeting it was decided' to renew the- claim, and to- ask'thei Rhyl 'Council to forward the 'bill on to the the insurance office. Refusal of payment in such a ûase, seam's to savour of unmitigated- in- gratitude, says the "Chester Courant" and might lead to awkward circumstances in any future outbreak. Rhyl as a Health Resort. Among the most ardent supporters of t'he Free) Library movement at Rhyl, where a consider- able divergence of opinion, exists as to the de- sirability of adding even one penny additional rate for maintenance purposes, upon already overburdened ratepayers, are two ex-postmasters of that, town-—Mr Asher and Mr Batho. Fifteen) years have passed; away since, Mr Asher left Lo take charge of thei Carmarthen offic,e. in South Wales, and some time ago' he retired from the service on. account of ill-health. A few months back Mr Asher made1, his reappearance at Rhyl, and many old friends to hear of his intention to settle down there permanently. Following Mr Powell, who. succeeded Mr Asher, came Mr Batho, and although the latter was soon marked out for promotion, yet he stayed at Rhyl long enough to attain a popularity which has stuck \to him ever since. Singularly enough Mr B-atho\after leaving Rhyl also became a martyr to ill-health, which necessitated his leaving the service. Finding that the invigor- ating and' bracing atmosphere of the popular Welsh watering place agreed with him so' well, be decided to take up his abode' there for good, and at the present moment two former post- masters of Rhyl are, enjoying a well-learned re- tirement amidst the scenes of their erstwhile labours. This is very eloquent testimony to the efficacy of continual ,sunshine and bracing sea air which Rhyl possesses. Return of Principal Raicnel. Principal Raichel is back again at Ba;ngor after his American; tour, -and is "being warmly con- gratulated by his many friends in the city, as well as -by the college staiff, on his return. Though he has had a very competent isubst,ituto in Dr Phillips during his absence, his resump- tion of work will be welcome to all, for just now the College has some great problems to face, and, in addition to itis own internal affairs, there is the yet larger question of the action to be taken by the three Welsh Colleges jointly with the object of securing increased Govern- ment grants. C.E.T.S. and Compensation The scheme of compensating publicans who are deprived of their licenses, without any fauh of their own,' which finds acceptance with the committee of the Church of England Temper- ance Society—and no doubt with the Society generally-—conkains the elements of the plan' which is likely to find most acceptance with the public. Most reasonable people recognise the hardship of any publican being ruined without some kind of compensation; and, as the trade does not take the matter in hand itself, and as the magistrates continue to exercise their dis- cretionary powers to grant or refuse a licence, it becomes incumbent on the part of the, State, from which the Licenses flow, to -sfcep' in as regu- lating authority. The fundamental require- ments of the Church Temperance Society are that an ample compensation fund be provided, not only out of the rates, but by the trade itself, and that the; scheme should contain a time limit. The Christmas Box. The origin, of the "Christmas, box"—like many other Christmas customs-is directly traceable to the, Church. At one time, at the Christmas season, a box was placed in the; churches for receiving donations,for the poor. It was opened the day after Christmason Boxing Day, in fact—and so universal was the custom to place donations i;n. this box that masters andi mis- tresses were in the habit of giving their servants and employees sums1 of money for the Christ- mas box. The diversion, of this contribution from its -earlier and more, sacredi object is largely the growth of the last century. Clergy Fund Falling Off. It is very regrettable news that the subscrip- tions to the Queen Victoria Clergy Fund are falling off, tllou.,h, the object of the fund is to endeavour that all the working ministers of the Church shall receive1 payment adequate for the moderate requirements of .themselves and their families. What, perhaps, is even more remark- able- is the lukewarmness of the majority of bishops and clergy themselves in not seeing that at least once a year an offertory in every cnurch in the country shall be held for this, object. Yet in one diocese, where 350 churches—about rlait of the. total number—held such offertories a few years ago, to-day only forty-seven churches are doing so. Judge Grantham and the Publicans. It is not customary for a judlge to enter into public discussion, as Mr Justice Grantham has done with the. Croydon publicans, but that out- spoken occupant of the Bench, has certainly given his critics some- grave facts u-pon, which to ponder. If it be the case, as he maintains, that the majority of a. long, list of murders and other outrages are traceable to publicans having supplied liquor to men. who were already and manifestly drunk, then there must be a large number of licence-holders who have no right whatever to hold that responsible position. Pub- licans are quite entitled to defend the reputa- tion of ilhie,ir calling, but it is hardly wise for them, to try and) shield those members of it whose conduct will not bear scrutiny. It is un- fortunate tha;t the rancour introduced into dis- cussions. of the liquor question, prevents so many on both sides from, taking a. practical and sensible view. So long as. there are people who maintain that all use or sale of intoxicants is immoral, it is not surprising to find the publi- can facing a'll his critics with the same defi- ance. At a meeting of the Wrexham District Coun- cil it was decided to ask the Llangollen Council to join with their Council in; the erection of a smallpox isolation, hospital for EasiL Denbigh- shire. The Rev Lewis D. Jenkins, rector of Bala, has accepted the living of Llangollen, re.ndered vacant by the appointment oÆ the Venerable Archdeacon Wynne Jones to the vicariate of Oswestry. Mr Gly.nne Williams, headmaster of Friars County School for Boys, Bangor, has decided to add Welsh as an optional subject to the school curriculum next term.. The Friars School is one of the most conservative as it is one of (the most ancient and famous, schools in the Principality, and this step a-s of extreme interest and importance to the cause, of Welsh education generally. THE following days, h'ave- been, fixed by the judges for the Winter Assizes:—North. Wales (Mr Justice. Phdllilmore) Welshpool, Monday Janu- ary i i Doligelly, Wednesday January 13; Car- narvon, Friday, Janu'ary 15; Beaumaris, vVedl. nesday, Jan, 20; Ruthin, Friday, January 22; Mold, Wednesday, Janu.arY27; Chester,Monday, March 7 Cardiff, Monday, March 14.

The King of Denmark is laid up with a cold, but is no-t seriously ill. An explosion, with nine: deaths, was the result of some Italian peasants near Naples' playing with dynamite on Sunday. In some parts of the country ten degrees of frost have been registered. In the Fens skating races are being looked forward to. The enthronisation of Dr. 'Bourne, the new Romaic Catholic Archbishop of Wetsminster, took place in the new Cathedral on Tuesday. The mansion owned' by Sir Edmund Leech- mere, which was destroyed by fire, was Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, and not Rhyddl Court. As a result of the auditors' report wages in the Soukh: Wales iron, industry will be, reduced under the sliding scale arrangement by 2 per cent. from January ist. Mr Alfred B. Camp'bell, soni of the Rev. H. Campbell, of Netftleton Rectory, Lincolnshire, has been found drowned in, the River Teign, at Teignmouth, where he was. staying. From January 1st the limit of the amount for an inland money order .will be raised1 from- ^10 to ^40. For orders payable abroad the ill Temain at ,fio -antil futthler notice. amount wl.