The Barmouth and County Advertiser and District Weekly News

BARMOUTH COUNCIL. Special Meeting. The Proposed Llanaber Road Widening. More About the Poor Rate Increase. I Cellfechan Farm Tenancy. A special meeting of the Council was held on Friday night. Present: Messrs. J. Pryce Jones, J.P.(chairman) William Owen, Henry Freeman, Edward Williams, Rees Jones, Rbys Jones, Francis Morris, D. 0. Hughes, J. Llewelyn Davies and Robert Lloyd Williams; with Messrs. R. Llewelyn Owen (deputy-clerk), and T. R. Parry (surveyor). THE BOWLING CLUB. A deputation from the Bowling Club, consistirg of Mr Gwilym Davies, Waverley Cafe, and Mr, G. E. Owqn, Wern, appeared before the Council. Mr Gwilym Davies, who acted as spokesman, said that the new bowling green on the Recreation Ground was now in course of construction, and the Committee Nere given to understand that the Council bad in their possession It gate and railings which bad been in nse lately at the Bank Buildings, but now stored at the Council's yard. The Committee would be very grafeful if the Council would lend same to the Bowling Club with a view of having them fixed roubd the new bowling green. They would be properly looked after. Mr G. E. Owen said that the Bowling Club were thankful to the Council for the assistance they had given them in the past, whioh bad encouraged them to ask for more. On the proposition of Mr Rhys Jones, seconded by Mr Hecry Freeman, it was decided to accede to the request of the deputation, and that the Surveyor should see into the matter further. The deputation then withdrew, and thanked the Council for their kindness. THE LLANABER ROAD WIDENING j SCHEME. I At the invitation of the Council, Alderman T. Martin Williams, J.P., Councillor R. W. Jones, Meirion House, and Councillor John Roberts, Ripon j House, attended the Council The Chairman explained that the local members on the County Council bad been invited to meet the Council with reference to the proposed widening of Llanaber Road, and to have a further explanation bow matters now stood. He was under the impression that the Council could not proceed with I the Llanaber Road Widening Scheme, aa the Road Board had dscided not to sanction any more money for any schemes. That was how the Council had understood the matter, and therefore the scheme had been dropped. There was a small balance due to the Council from the County Council for the improvement already carried out at Ceilwart. It would be well if the Coun- cil could get some information as to whether there was any sum allocated to Barmouth to carry out the proposed scheme. Councillor R. W. Jones said he was rather in the dark over the matter, and more light could have been given by the Couuty Surveyor. Alderman T. Martin Williams said the County Surveyor knew all the infor- mation concerning this question. In the first instance, the Council would have to prove that there was a number of workmen over military age who were out of employment, before they could start on the scheme. If that could be done, there would be a possibility for the scheme to be proceeded with. The allocation of money allowed for the road widening scheme at Barmouth was still available. The Chairman—What is the amount of the allocation available? The Surveyor said he thought it was X300. Alderman Martin Williams said it was more than that, but be could not say exactly what the amount was. The Surveyor said be bad seen Mr Vaughton, the County Surveyor, who informed him that theCouncil would have to obtain the sanction of the Treasury before the scheme could be started. Mr Henry Freeman enquired what did the County Sarveyor say to Mr Parry previous to that statement. The Surveyor said the County Surveyor bad informed him that he was afraid that the Barmouth Council would not get the money for the work if the scheme was not proceeded with at once. I The Chairman—Matters are very ambiguous. Mr RbyB Jones-Did the County Surveyor know about the meeting that night ? The Surveyor— Oh Yes The Chairman said] he could not see how the Council could go on any further with the question that evening as the County Surveyor was not present. The completion of the whole scheme would cost a good deal of money to the rate- payers, and the Council should be care- ful how to deal with be matter. He thought it would be much better to adjourn the matter so as to have more light on the question. Alderman Martin Williams Are there many men over the military age unemployed ? Mr Rees Jones said that after the* completion of the Bowling Club con- tract there would be about twelve men over the military age unemployed. Councillor R. W. Jones said be thought that would be a good point in favour of Barmouth. Mr Edward Williams enquired who bad arranged the meeting that evening. They bad nothing to go by after all. The Surveyor said he bad arranged the meeting with the Coaaty Surveyor, I who bad promised to be present. In reply to Mr Henry Freeman, the Surveyor said be bad arranged the I meeting with the County Surveyor the ¡ previous Tuesday. 1 The Chairman said there was nothing else to do but to adjourn the meeting. On the proposition of Mr Henry Freeman, seconded by Mr Edward Williams, it was decided that the County Councillors should arrange with I the County Surveyor to meet the Council to discuss the matter further. ) THE POOR RATE INCREASE. I Before the County Councillors with- drew from the meeting, Mr William Owen said 'he was very glad that they had met the Council but he would like to mention one matter and that was with reference to the increase in the Poor Rate for the six months ending March. The increase bad created some feeling in the town, some ratepayers went so far as to threaten that they would not pay the increas un- less some explanation was given on the matter. He could not understand why the County Council should saddle them so much with rates at the present time' There was a feeling in the town that a ratepayers meeting should be convened to have the question explained. Perhaps the local County Councillors could give some light on the matter or have it explained before the ratepayers. Alderman T. Martin Williams said the different county committees bad passed to cut down expenses as much as possible, and he believed there would be a substantial reduction in the county rate in the near future. He was quite prepared to attend a ratepayers meeting and give full details on different matters. Mr Robert Lloyd Williams said itVould be some advantage if the local County Councillors would attend a ratepayers meeting and give an explanation to the ratepayers. The poor rate of 2/4 in the £ levied for the winter months was a { heavy burden on the ratepayers. He proposed that the County Councillors should convene a ratepayer's meeting. Mr Henry Freeman said he was very glad to see the County Councillors pre- sent that evening and by such co-oper- ation they would understand each other better. He believed it "was a step in the right direction, and be thought that it would be a good thing if the County Councillors would meet the ratepayers occasionally and give a report of their stewardship. He should like to throw it out as a suggestion to the County Councillors. Councillor R. W. Jones-We are en- tirely in your bands. Mr D. O. Hughes said it would be to the town's advantage if the County Councillors would convene a public meeting and be hoped they would act on the suggestion thrown out by Mr Freeman. The Chairman thanked the County Councillors for their presence and hoped they would come again soon. Mr William Owen said he hoped that they could see their way clear to convene a ratepayer's meeting so that the foul air could be cleared on certain matters. The members then withdrew. I THE TENANCY OF CELLFECHAN FARM, I. Surveyor reported that some members of the Council had met Mr Humphrey Williams, the tenant of Cellfechan Farm, and that the following proposition had been proposed by Dr J. Pugh Jones, and seconded by Mr Robert Lloyd Williams, that the clause regarding the mentainance of fencing should be amended as follows That, the ordinary repairs to fencing be main- tained by the tenant, but any damage which might be caused by, visitors, fire, etc., or any other extraordinary damage will be borne by the Council." Mr Humphrey Williams, the present tenant, attended the Council, and on being asked whether be agreed that the above should be inserted in the agree- ment, said he objected to that clause being inserted at all. The Chairman said it was a custopi by all to have a clause of that kind inserted I in the agreement, but if Mr Williams objected to that wording being inserted, the Council might change it and have it inserted that the tenant should be responsible for the wear-and-tear of the farm. Mr Humphrey Williams said he objected to have anything of the kind inserted m the agreement. He did not think that the Council would gain any- thing by having the clause inserted in the agreement. Mr Robert Lloyd Williams said the Council could leave out the clause from the agreement. The Chairman said it was usual to have such a clause inserted in all agreements, and he saw no barm in having a clause inserted pertaining to wear-and-tear on the farm. Mr William Owen said the farm belonged to the town, and therefore it was the duty of the Council to do what was right a,nd fair. He helieved that Mr Williams should meet the Council and agree to have the clause inserted in the agreement. Mr Humphrey Williams said be could not agree to have the clause inserted, and he could not see how the Council would gain anything by having it inserted. Mr Francis Morris thought that the Council ought to leave the clause out of the agreement. Mr Mr Robert Lloyd Williams con- curred. Mr J Llewelyn Davies said the Coun. cil could not rescind the resolution already passed without the consent of the proposer, who was not present that night. The Chairman said it was only the usual thing to have that clause inserted in all agreements. In reply to Mr D. O. Hughes, Mr Humphrey Williams said his objection to have the clause inserted was that it might some day «nd in a lawsuit. Mr William Owen-It won't come to that. The Council have had quite enough of lawsuits in the past about matters. Mr Henry Freeman said they were not in order as all the members were not informed that the matter was to be discussed that night. The Chairman said there was only the Llanaber Road Scheme on the agenda sent to the members, and be thought that under the circumstances it would be better to adjourn the matter until a further night. Mr Robert Lloyd Williams proposed that the Council should rescind the resolution already passed. Mr Rbys Jones said they were not in order to do that. Mr J. Llewelyn Davies said the Cellfechan Farm question was not on the .agenda. There would sure to be some bother if the resolution was rescinded without all the members knowing. On the proposition of Mr William Owen, seconded by Mr Henry Freeman, it was unanimously decided to adjourn the meeting until Monday night. The Council sat for two hours.

MONDAY NIGHT'S MEETING. An adjourned meeting of the Counail was held on Monday night. Present: Messrs. J. Pryce Jonas, J.P.(chairman) Edward Williams, William Owen, Rbys Jones, J. Llewelyn Davies, Robert Lloyd Williams, Henry Freeman, Rees Jones, D. E. Davies and Dr. Pugh Jones; with Messrs. Llewelyn Owen (deputy-clerk), and T. R. Parry (surveyor). THE CELLFECHAN FARM TENANCY. Mr Humphrey Williams, tenant of Cellfechan Farm, appeared before the Council with reference to signing the agreement for the tenancy of the farm. At the previous meeting, held on Friday night, the Council had under discussion the necessity of inserting a clause that the fencing should be maintained by the tenant, but any damage which might be caused by visitors, fire, etc., or any other extraordinary damage would be borne by the Council. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Humphrey Williams said be had given the matter due consideration and he could not submit to have the clause as drawn out by the Council inserted in the new agreement between himself and the Council. The Council would gain nothing by having the clause inserted. In reply to a question, it was reported that no such clause was inserted in the agreement by the previous owner. A long discussion then followed on the matter. Mr Robert Lloyd Williams said if the clause was not inserted in the previous agreement, let the Council leave it out,