The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

FLINTSHIRE. Strenuous Battle for Supremacy at Rhyl. Exultant Progressives. Supporter's: of the Progressive policy in regard to the Education Act controversy in Rhylarô exulting over ,the tiiurnplhs they have obtained iixi the South and West Wards. On the other ",hand, the adherents to the provisions of the AOl, i.n its entirety, will not be daunted in their effoxts ito further, if possible, counteract the Nonconformists' influences in whatever proceed- ings will ensue when the County Council of Flintshire will assemble. But, there are' the undisguised intentions of the Progressives to be more solidly pledged to further resistance, if the Hoard of EÓucaÜon do not relax and con- form to the wishes of the majority of the Council. With the victories in Rhyl and the surrounding districts., thie education ail contro- versiies have not, terim."Inat,edi by any means. Th ere is, however, no doubt, that the argu- meints advanced against increased! financial bur- den's upon ratepayers of Rhyl, if the' C'buirch Schools are to be supported and provided for out of the rafces, materially influienced the elec- tions of Saturday last in the town. Even the smallest hint at additicnal rate's foir the town, no matter fox whatever purpose, is sufficient to raisie an GUlcry at the preslenrt junc-tur-e of affairs. Many of the, electors listened to. those forcible arguments, and if there be a surprise awaiting Z7, them by the eventual closing of certa in schools, and compelled to erect others at great cost, they will probably need to "grin anå abide." The Nonconformists and Liberal candida ties asserted whh no uncertain voice that the schools cannot be closed capriciously, or for insufficient rea- sons. Much, stress has been laid upon the Board of Education memorandum. That docu- mient practically constituted' their retort 'to the Church party threats. Yet, if the Bishop of St. Asapih's promou.mcement, that if the lawfuil funds are withheld; they will find no alternative bul: to close their schools, becomes a matter of actual fact, irate,payers in Rhyl and elsewhere will be confronted with a serious problem. Whatever is the final 'solution to the whole question, everyone will cherish the hope that the pockets of the ratepayers will not be: too severely taxed, and that tihe educational ad- vantages will not be curtailed to- t'he detriment of the children, whose spiritual welfare is of much concern to the Church, and Nonconfor- mists alike. The Polling. The polling in the South and West Wardis opened at eight o'clock. The booth for the first-named wiard was situate at the Corn — A- change, Town Hall, and for the 'latter at the Christ Church Schools, Crescent-street- Throughout the morning and' afternoon t'he ^oil- ing proceeded de'sultorily, and pleinhaps this wa,s accounted for owing '[0 the elections Itakiing place on a Saturday. As the evening ap- proached the, monotony was relieved, When many of the workingmen of the outlying districts of the wards visited the booths to record their votes. Several veh-oli-,s were requisitioned to convey burgesses to the viciniity of the ballot boxes, and the scrutinies of the personating agents were most exacting. In more than one instance, it is stated, those attentions were rewarded. QUiitlea "string" of willing workers wfrf busying themselves in the interests of thle respective candidates, whilst the candidates made periodical visitations to the polling ,gtat.ci,is, and committee rooms. Comparatively little excitement prevai'ed in the early stages of the work, but towards the close of the poll special electioneering efforts were put forth by bCJlth parties to induce the hesitating and 'equivocal voter to do the needful. Though quietly conducted, it was an election in which almost superhuman endeavours were resorted to for votes; in fact, it was a battle a l'outrance. Declarations. Immediately after eight o'clock the votes were counted at the places where they were recorded, t'he first result to be .announced being that of the West Ward, by Mr R. Bromley, the pre- siding officer. Only a handful of spedtators were present at the time, but the figures, which were as follows, whilst creating surprise, were received with cheers — T. D. Jones (L). 257 F. J. Gamlini (C) 237 Majority 20 The candidates briefiy returned thanks to the electors land the presiding officer, and the news of this somewhat unexpected Progressive vic- tory and a gain of a seat was quiickly commu- nicated to a crowd assembling opposite the Town Hall. There the effect was electrifying, loud cheers being given. Mr T. D. Jones, on arriving üutside the hall with his prominent supporters, was greeted with much cheering, and, shoulder-high, he was carried to the Lib- feral Club, where the demonstrations were re- peated. Shortly afterwards, Mr A. Rowlands, the pre- siding officer, declared from: the Corn Exchange doorway the result of the South Ward contest. T'hie street wa:scrpwded with several hundred excited voters and spectators, and jubilations rain high when, there were evidences of Mr R. Llewelyn, Jones' success. The figures wete R. Llewelyn (cmes (L) 276 J. H. Ellis (C) 202 M aj orit y 74 Candidates and their Successes. There was a gTeat outburst tf cheering when the acatu-al figures became known, for there were significant indications that this contest was viewed with no small importance. It was fully recognised it had been a gallant fight by Mr Ellis to oust Mr Jones from the covetied posi- tion of representative. Had the result been a reverse for Mr Jonies, it would have been a great blow TO the Progressives' cause, inasmuch as, occupying the position of chairman of the County Council Education Committee, he was dete.med one: of the "leading lights" of the Council's resistance 'to the Education Act. Be- sides, Mr Jones has held the chairmanship of the Flintshire- Standing Joint Police Committee, and, as a prominent educationist, is identified wrath the -management of the county -and other schools- of Rhyl. Mr Ellis was a worthy oppo- nent, and thi-s fact alone enhanced fhe victory of Mr Jones. When the cheering had 'subsided, Mr Jones, addressing the crowd, thanked the eliec-tors for the honiour they had done him, and hoped tha.t all who had been concerned would be good friend's now that the. elections were over. Mr Ellis and himself were friends, .and he hoped they would all try to pull together for .the bene- fit of Rhyl and iits ge,neral welfare. Mr Jones was afterwards carried shoulder- I high by his enthusiastic supporters, along VVell- lington-road and High-street to the Liberal Club, and was followed, by a cheering crowd, who sang "For he's a jolly good fellow." Nearly tw-o- thousand persons, ilt 'is computed, congregated opposite the club. The enthusi- asm increased when the two newly-elected representatives appeared at the windows of the institution. Address:ng the- assemblage, Mr R. Llewelyn Jones said he was delighted to learn the grela,t success in the Wesit Ward. The electors of both wards had shown they belileved in a national system, of education—(cheers)—un- trammelled by any sect. He heartily congratu- lated the eibcito-rs that they had realised the position the town would be placed in under the unfair and so-caliled Education Act. (Cheers.) He hoped they, as representatives, would be able to assislt in saving the ratepayers paying larger rates for elementary schools throughout tihe county. (Loud cheier-s.) He especially thanked the voters of South Ward and his work- ers, for having returned him1 for the- fifth time to represent them on the County Council. Bury the Hatchet." He did not want to refer again to the unkind, unfair, and untrue statements which had been made about him. He. desired, now that the elections were over, to bury the (hatchet, and wanted to. be friendly wi'[h all tho:s,e who had, up to eight o'clock that eviaming, done their ut- most to prevent his being returned as the repre- sentative. (Loud cheers") He was glad, not only for the stake of Flintshire, but for Wales, th,a,t (the electors: were "falling in line" with thoeie, of Pembrokeshire: and other counties, in insisting that if they were forced to pay rates to certain: schools, they should have a proper voice in their management. (Loud dheiers.) Mr T. D. Jones, who was also- loudly cheered, said' the ejections had been fought for princi- ples, liberty, and justice. The West Wiard had declared it required that the, Act should be -amended, and he hoped he would be able to rendler considerable service to Rhyl ratepayers on that matter as well -as upon others. (Loud cheers.) In the club, Mr R. Llewelyn Jones, Mr T. D. Jones, Mr ward (High-street), Mr R. Joiley, and t'hie Rev. R. Richards (Bath-street) addressed the gathering relative to the work accomplished in Rhyl that day. The members and friends of the' olub re- mained :some time, when telegraphic messages intimating successes in-other parts of the county were enthusiastically received. The Voting. Owing to the singular characteristics of the contests, it is not proposed to make any com- parisons with previous election results iin the town. It may, however, be of interest to state that the number of voters on -the register for the South Ward is 588, that of that number 478 polled, and consequently from one or moire reasons there were no votes left unrecorded. The register for the. West Ward conta ins the names of 613 persons eligible to vote. Out of that number 494 voted, and II9 persons did not exercise the privilege of silently pronouncing theiir opinion on the question before the elec- torate. ST. ASAPH. In thus city the whole weight aindi .powerful influence of the Church Party was vested iin the proceedings:, and there were every indica- tions that the Conservatives had fully prepared themselves for tlhe opposition that was launched into their midst by the Nonconformists. Col. Howard; sought re-election, and was supported by the upholders of the Education Act and the Bishop, as well as all the clergy. On the otnar hand, Dr Lloyd was deemed a popular oppo- nent in the interests of Nonconformity, and furn the Progressives' struggles against the Act. Judging by what has transpired, there was ap- parently some cute electioneering finessing. The addresses of the candidates were mot circu- lated, or theiir contents divulged until soimewhat "late in the day," that of Dr Lloyd's being dis- tributed about Wednesday last. To certaiin statements made in the doctor's address, the Bishop felt constrained to take exception, and as -there was. convened a public meeting of the electors and supporters of the Act to 'be held on Friday evening 'in the schools, his lordship invited the, doctor to attend. However, the in- vitation was declined, and, no doubt under the circumstances Dr Lloyd's attitude received the acquiescence of the Nonconformists as a body and all who were opposed to the Church iin the contest. The1 meeting was' Considered a thor- oughly successful and influential one, and the powerful persuasiveness and, to soime, the con- vincing arguments which dominated the Bishop's address, upon the salient points of the controversy, combined to coinsolidaJte the- vote of the Church Party. The election was not devoid of its little inci- dents, and: the manifest earnestness of the workers -of either party. Some vehicles were used for a few voters. Mr H. N'eville Wililiams officiated as presiding officer at the polliing booth, which was located at the National Schools. There were 406 voters on the lists, and as an uinimistakeable evidence: of the, k-een- ness of the contest, there were 370 votes record- ed, thus leaving only 36 ab stent ions from vari- ous causes. The. result of the poll was declared as fol- lows Colonel Howard 208 Dr Lloyd 162 Conservative majority 46 1 The result was. well received. PRESTATYN. Here, in the Prestatyn division, which in- ciliud-es M'e'liden and Dyserth, there was a spir- ited contest for victory. The Progressive can- didate was Mr Thomas Williams, a Liberal and Weilsh Wesleyan, a member of the Urban Dis- trict Council, and a popular tradesman. Hie was the chosen: o'f the party, and the Noncon- formists, t-hree weeks ago, since which no effort was spared to secure hds rp-iturn. Later o.n, the Conservatives, who ware apparently unable to secure a candidate who- would thoroughly champion their cause and su,pp,or,t of the Edu- cation Act, were confronted with the candida- ture of Mr Edward Williams, builder, Meliiden. He is also a Wesleyain and a Nonconformist, but placed himself before the constituency as an Independent, yet in favour of the. Act. This was sufficient for Conservative purposes, and coinsequenitly his candidature was supported by the Vicar, Rev O. J. Daviies, and the "rank and file" of 'the Church Party. It is, however, a patent fact the Nonconformists are a prepon- dierating quantilty, with the aid of the Rev Dr Townsbeind, who is iso well identified with the Free Churcfh Councils of the United Kingdom, and the oilier determined action of the remain- ing denominational ministers. The polling proceeded quietly during the allotted hours at the National Schools, Meliden, and the Town Hall, Prestatyn. At tlhe first-named booth, Mr J. Hughes (clerk to the Urbwnl District Council) acted, as presid- ing officer; and Mr A. F. Roberts1 at the Town Hall. The declaration was as follows — Thomas Waltiaims 283 Edward Williams 227 Progressive majority 56 1 There are 661 voters on the regaster for me districts, and of which number 510 proceeded to, the poll. RHUDDLAN. The quietude- of this -small town and the dis- trict comprising the electoral division, was dis- turbed by the zestarnld enthusiasm displayed in the election, which resolved, itself into a "battle royal" betWlelflllMlr C. Jones, a formelr County Council representative and a Progressive, and Mr W. Conwy Bell, a Conservative,, farmer, ainid land agtent. Both are active, m'elmhers of the community of Rhuddlain, and -each inter- e:sted 'iln it-he welfare of the place. The votes were recorded at the N ati on all Schoolroom, where Mr H. Parciival Williams, solicitor, officiated in the ,capacity of presiding officer. The: Nonconformists realising tih-e great issue affecting'themselves used evetry effort in support of Mr Jones, and there' was no ques" tioning the sincerity of their work in the course .of the day. The supporters of Mr Bell were never disheartened, and at the close of the po-il several felt convinced Mr J ones had been run hard. The result, however, was declared as fol- lows — C. Jones 194 W. C. Bell 147 m. Progressive majority 47 mere are 392 voters registered, ana only 341 voted, thus 'leaving 51 votes 'unrecorded.

Flintshire Baptist Union. THEbi-monthly meeting of the above Union was held at Denbigh "on Thursday, March 3rd, 1904. The vice-chairman, Mr Geo. Williams, Den- bigh, presided in the absence of the chairm-anl. After the meeting had been ope,nedl by a hymn and prayer, the following work was gone through. The final arrangements for the sing- ing festival of the Flintshire Baptists to be held at Ffynongroew, on May 30th next, were, made. The conductor will be the Rev. W. Evans, G. and L., Blaenycwm, Rhondda Valley. It was decided to ask the following to give th-eijr services as soloists during the festival: Messrs H. Avan, Jones, Leeswood; R. Trevor Jones, Rhtyl; Misses M. Roberts, Holywell; and L. Cybi William's, Rhyl; while nhe Revs. T. Shankland, Rhyl, and J. Lewis, Denbigh, were appointed to addre'ss tlhe meetings. I't was passed that the festival secretary should correspond with the churches, in order to ascer- tain whether they desired -that any arrangements be made for cheap- trains, if so, what number were they prepared to guarantee to that object, and that a .reply be sent by March 22nd next. The scheme for the improvement of the fes- tival to be seat to the churches for their appro- bation and sanction, an-a that a reply from each church be sent to the festival secretary before the next meeting, so as to enable the committee to consider such, replies and report thereon to the conference. The heartiest thanks and ap- preciiat on of the. conference was, tendered to the secretary, Mr Wm.. Parry, Rhyl, fo'r having n' at hsi own expense prepared and printed a finamÓa statement of the last festival. The, secretary of the Sunday School called attention to the-coming Scriptural examinations, and: desired that in every cas.e of the large num- ber of candidates, the various churches would ensure the due. appearance of all Whose who had already promised; good and profitable work had been dOine last year, and, the. present bids fair to equal if not surpass tha!t which has al- ready been accomplished. The, Cate-clh-ismtal and oral examination was dee ded to be held n Thursday, April 21st next, and: the appoint- menft: of examiners to be entrusted to the secre- tary. The report of the* Education, Act missionaries to the Baptist Churches of Flintshire was next heard, and good' work had thus, been, accom- plished by them these had been appointed at the various meetings to visit all the places of worship of tlhe. :Baptis,t Denomination, to. in- struc.t them, as: to. how they .should adt in the County Council elections as regards the Liberal and Nonconformist policy. It was also passed, that we, as the represent- atives of the, Bapltist Un;on of Flintshire, protest most emphatiicaily against Mr Balforr's attempt to ilnlterfere with the discretionary powers of the Licensing Magistrates, and' against any measure that may be brought before Parliament witih, the ly 11 same object. Also against giving out of the rates a'nd taxes, any compensation to. the trade. And also against the introduction of Yellow SlaveTy inlto our colonies, thus sullying the' good name' of our country and flag, and' infl ct- juga grave injustice upon the whites of South Africa. And praying upon all the Progressive forces of our land tOUlnite against this retro- grade Ministry and. its iniquitous policy. That the Secretary shouldi forward a copy of the above to the M.P. for Flintshire. It was also decided that the afternoon services of the yearly meeting of the Union to be held next May, should be given to the diiscussion of the subject "A new commandment I gtive unto you, that ye love one another." The opening of the subject to be entrusted to the Rev J. Lew's, Denbigh. The Rev T. Shankland was appointed to preach at the next meeting. The conference voted its best thanks to the church and its pastor for their hearty- welcome and splendid preparation, the conference, terminate,d by prayer. In the evening the Rev. B Evans, Rhuddlan, preached a powerful and eloquent sermon.

—— Leap Year Day, as an extra working day, has cost the- .state in France 6385,000. Dr. Boselli, of Sal-somaggiore, Italy, as- serts that he has found the waters of that spa distinctly radio-active. Mr Luther Buribank, an American horticul- turist, has produced a new hybrid potato, of the colour of a carrot and sweeter than any other variety. —— King's Lynn has a citizen named-Henry Cozen who- combines the professions of sand- wichmani and money-lender. A serial from' his pen will commem,ce in. "The Gentlewoman" nexlt week under :the title of "Unlovely Man." The first chapter is on Adam.

The Welsh Agricultural Society. 1 S 0'C'e'^ THE objects of the Welsh Agricultural which; has just bee,n formed, are as foJW (I) The bo-lding of a large cenitral b show open to the world, with so-ire sJ:¡jec prizes confined) to Welsh farmers. of the show being t0 bring the best of stl as id the. midst of the Welsh farming classes, s o at give those who. have inot an o,ppo,rt tending the large shows of the k nuuo:1' a afli' once a year of having- a look at the best t" mals, and by confining 'there special prJ JlCotJf farmers, to induce them to: exhibit an'd age them; to breed up to a better s: £ in W To assist entire horse, pony, and, bull c means of grants throughout Wales. 3- an agriciulturaal journa'l in Welsh, and uf free to members. 4. To assist throughout the Principaii'ty in every W'éLar power. The subscriptions are £$anl^' e*c% constitutes a governor; ;61 a membr, t!Je, for tenant farmers or occupiers maki^S living by farming in Wales, for whom t ^j#' bership .subscription is 1 os 6d. AJiyoJ, ill ing to join the above society should1 fi ,tgrJ certain form, and p,ols,t it to. L. Pryse, a Llanfarian, Aberystwyth. vv,eill, Amongst many others, the- fojllowi^S known landowners and agriculturists have already become members of, or P .A g,rlc¡J ¡ their support to, the Welsh National JeIj( tural Society:—The Earl of Powis \y:e*n&lA the socieky), Lord Tredegar (Lord;$ Monmouth), Lord Harlech, Lord L Llang^attoek, Lord Henry Vane-Ter»1Pe Hon. S. Orm-esby Gore, the A Deve-reux, Sir Richard Green Price, ° Powlett Milibank, Bart. (Lord Radnorshire), Sir James .Joiicey, Bart., Charles McLaren, Bart., M.P., Sir Bart., the Right Hon. Sir Henry Fletch P.C., M.P., General Sir James H-J > V.C., G.C.B., Colonel Cornwall is Lieutenant of Denbighshire), Col0l\ (I/>, Lookwood, M.P., Mr W. R. M. Wy'1^ g. Lieutenant of Merionethshire), Greaves, Mr Marshall Dugdale, the (pr of Mackintosh, Mr David Davies, J*1' Howell, Mr Alfred Brown, Mr Ed,, Mr H. A. Christy, Mr W. Forrester Sciott, Mr J. A. Doyle, Col. Ivor C.M'.G., andi Mr John Naylor.

— + English Congregational North Wales. A Forthcoming Meetings at Co^y #' THE programme has been drafted nua'l assembly of the English Cong^^id.s Union of North Wales, which is i'° b>;11¡JJ!aYI Colwyn Bay on Wednesday and March r6 and 17..1y 0$ At the first session of the assein< Wednesday afternoon,, various ,riePfe « will present their reports, and: tb6 ^ii' q{ (representatives for the ensuing /e 4^^ •elected, O'ther business, such as the a ,new rules, being tra-ns,a,cit!ed 'ts, J V' In the evteinling Mr Herbert R° .gfid will pr-esiide at the public lneeti:rio> dresses will be given by the 'R«v fa &° Jones, of Penartih, an'd the Rev of London. g,ss,e Next morning, the Chairman of de 0? Che Rev T. Lloyd, of Coiwyn Bay, go- bis address, and the Rev A. ganiising agent ,o.f the London s peifl ciety, will discuss the needs and c rVfl&r4s„t$9' organisation, the subject being a'f t" to the general consideration of 1 reie^,C[ofi0^ Resolutions willl be submitted several social questions, includ^"? I3 J>/ traffic, the Education Act, the il! 0 question, and. the evil of cigarette 'Jf} .8f1 'Children.. Mir W. J,. Parry, of Beth-esda, is t'd a the luncheon which will fo,il,o,w, ar tet, OCA' ence on Chrs'toan work will be b'e tfr'f, the Rev Dr Adeney, Principal 0 shire: College, will give an a-dd'J? jal jj "Conditions of success in no#*3 1 i&PrfSP Dr Adeney is to- preach the 'anin'Unjjit'ed c° the evening, and at the close a nion service will take Place.