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NOTES OF THE WEEK.

4TH BATT. WELSH REGIMENT,

[No title]

LOCAL AND OTHER NEWS.

"A LOW LEVEL." !

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Pembrokeshire County Council.…

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Pembrokeshire County Council. SWIMMING TO SCHOOL. LLANSTADWELL CHILDREN'S DIFFICULTY. INCREASE OF 4d. IN THE RATES. HEAVY LOCAL CHARGES. A quarterly meeting of the Pembrokeshire County Council was held at the Shire Hall, Haverford west, yesterday, when the members present were Dr George Griffith (chairman), Mr J. Howard Griffiths (vice-chair- man), Sir Owen Scourfield, Sir Charles Philipps, Col. Ivor Philipps, M.P., Archdeacon Hilbers, Rev W. Powell, Rev Henry Evans, Dr Style, Col. W. R. Roberts, Messrs J. V. Coiby, S. B. Sketch, W. Lawrence, J. Whicher, G. P. Brewer, E. H. James, Hugh Saunders, W. Robinson, Evan Thomas, J. Harries, W. T. Davies, H. E. E. Philipps, W. G. Llewelhn, W. Grieve, T. John, J. F. Lort Phillips, W. G. Eaton Evans, Hugh Williams, B. G. Llewellin, J. T. Fisher, J. White, Dan Davies, Llewellyn Rees, J. H. Harries, E. D. Jones, George Chiles, E. Robinson, Thomas James (Glanteg), C. W. Rees Stokes, Benjamin Powell, A. W. Massy, G. B. Bowen, William Beddoe, James Hutchings, Charles Young, W. Palmer Morgan, J. C. S. Glanville, T. E. Thomas (Trehale), and S. J. Lloyd Lewis. VOTES OF CONDOLENCE. At the outset the Chairman referred to the death of the Rev Lewis James, who devoted the greater part of his life to public work. He paid a tribute to Mr James's efforts on behalf of intermediate education, and he moved a resolution placing on record the great loss the county had sustained by Mr James's death. He also referred to the death of Mrs Thomas, wife of Mr John Thomas, Trevigan, and said they all deeply sympathised with their colleague in his great affliction. Alderman Watts Williams seconded, and the resolution was agreed to, all the members standing. CLARBESTON ROAD STATION. The Clerk read a letter from the G.W.R. Co. acknow- ledging the Council's resolution regarding the provision of a properly equipped station at Clarbeston Road. The Railway Company intimated that the matter was under consideration. The Chairman welcomed the receipt of that letter. He hoped the work would soon be carried out because the waut of suitable accommodation at Clarbeston Road entailed very great inconvenience. RE-APPOINTMENTS. Mr Mathias Thomas was re-appointed returning officer, and Mr Richards inspector of weights and measures. The Chairman congratulated Mr Thomas on the efficient way in which he carried out his work. Sir Charles Philipps moved the adoption of the report of the public works committee, whose recommendation that a sum not exceeding X120 be granted for the carry- ing out the work of the Trevaughan Bridge, Whitland, providing the Narberth District Council carry out their portion of the work. OFFICE ACCOMMODATION. I With regard to office accommodation the committee t reported that they had further considered this question. They thought it might be arranged to build temporary accommodation on the garden adjoining the Shire Hall, if the garden were leased by the County Council. The committee decided to adjourn the whole matter to a special meeting. INCONVENIENT AND EXPENSIVE. Mr S. B. Sketch again drew attention to the incon- venience and expense owing to the absence of a lock-up at Pembroke. Prisoners had to be conveyed from Pem- broke to Pembroke Dock, and in addition to the expense, the inconveniences inseparable from this were consider- able. Mr Dan Davies said this was a serious matter, but Sir Charles Phillips assured the Council that the matter was receiving very careful consideration. At present Mr C. F. Egerton Allen had been deputed to make enquiries with regard to a site. A NEYLAND IMPROVEMENT. There was a lengthy and interesting discussion on a report of the public works committee regarding the provision of a bridge at Church Lakes. The committee reported that the question had been adjourned for further consideration. Sir Ci a-les Philipps mentioned that he was at Neyland on the previous day, and saw the Beach Road improve- ments, which had been carried out very satisfactorily, but it was still incompleted owing to the lack of the proverbial ha'porth of tar. Continuing, Sir Charles pointed out that Neyland and Llanstadwell were separated by a narrow inlet, with the result thalt during high tides both places were absolutely cut off from each other. Children could not go to school without swimm- ing, a great many were prevented from going to church, and all the people of Llanstadwell were unable at these times to go to their own town of Neyland. He now moved that the council empower the committee to make the necessary arrangements with the Neyland urban council with a view to getting the work done as quickly as possible, as it would be a real boon to that part of the county. Col. Philipps seconded, and expressed the hope that the scheme brought forward would be a definite one for the provision of a county bridge. It was competent for the District Councils and for the parish council to help, but the time had gone by when that could be done. The county council were personally responsible, and a county bridge should be erected there, and erected quickly. The Chairman said that when application was made for this bridge it was stated that it was the direct road to Milford Haven. To connect the both places, however, a bridge was needed at Castle Pill. He did not consider that the bridge at Church Lakes was absolutely necessary for Llanstadwell, but if both schemes were carried out he should support them. He could not, however, support the Church Lakes scheme singly. Rev. W. Powell described the Castle Pill Bridge as a white elephant brought forward to block the Neyland scheme. The Chairman, amid cries of order, rose to object to that assertion. ltev. W. Fowell, continuing, saia tnat a few years ago the public works committee passed a resolution recom- mending the adoption of a scheme to cost between £ 1,200 and XI,400, and he pointed out that some £JOO had already been spent on the scheme. It only needed this Bridge to complete tho scheme. The Chairman had referred to this Bridge as a matter of no great urgency, but he described it as extremely urgent. Within his own recollection people had fallen into the tide at this spot. The late Mr Trewent nearly lost his life there-on the public road—and children risked their lives if they attempted to cross the place on the way to school. After going to two-thirds of the expeuse he hoped the scheme would not be blocked now. Mr W. Howell Walters said he distinctly recollected mentioning the fact when the repair of the Neylaud road was before them that the next thing would be to complete the job by the erection of a, Bridge. Members were very much annoyed at his suggesting it, and now that they had do-ie this work no doubt the erection of the Bridge was the logical outcome of the scheme. He proposed that it be an instruction to the committee to consider the erection of the two bridges. Sir Charles Philipps read a joint letter from the Neyland urban council and the parish council of Llaustadwell pointing out the peculiar circumstances of the case. The letter referred to the fact that all the Nonconformist places of worship were situated at Neyland, and that this road linked the two fishing ports of Milford and Neyland. Col. Philipps: I would urge that the two proposals come before the committee. Sir Owen Scourfield ifelt that the Neyland bridge was the more important of the two, and the sooner the Church Lakes Bridge was put in hand the better. A great many more people used the Neylaud road than the road at Castle Pill. Mr H. E. E. Philipps said there was a very strong feeling at Neyland and Llandstadwell in favour of the Church Lakes scheme. He understood that the Neyland Council were quite prepared to meet the County Council in the matter. Col. Roberts said that although no doubt the proposed bridge at Church Lakes was an urgent matter, only three months ago it was first represented to the County Council as urgent. As the erection of both bridges were now to be considered, plans should be prepared, and enquires should be made as to what contributions were to be raised locally. The Chairman would bear him out in saying that Milford Haven was prepared to raise a considerable sum for the purpose of providing the people of the district with a bridge at Castle Pill. They should also know how far the Neyland and Pembroke councils were prepared to go. Until this information was forth- coming nothing could be done, but he hoped the whole question of the two bridges would be discussed Jat the next quarterly meeting of the County Council. Sir Charles Philipps urged that there should be no delay, and asked that the committee should be empowered to bring forward a scheme for sanction at the next meeting. The committee were instructed to bring forward a scheme dealing with the erection of bridges at Church Lakes and Castle Pill at the next quarterly meeting. CONDITIONS LESS STRINGENT. A communication was read from the Pembroke Rural Council asking the County Council whether they wouldj». increase the grant in connectioi^vith the improvement of a road at Carew and St. Florence, or to make the con- ditions less stringent. It was pointed out that one mile of road had cost £ 420 to improve. Col. Ivor Philipps said that the expenses in connection with the county main roads had not increased. The high-water mark was. reached in 1903-4. Proceeding, he said that in his original scheme he proposed that the road should be taken over in sections. The money given to the Rural District Council was very small. The Pembroke Council had done some very good work, and Mr T. John, who was mainly responsible for this, deserved their best thanks. The committee, added Col. Ivor Philipps, had decided not to take the road referred to in sections, but he.would support an amendment to the effect that the Council take the road over in sections, provided the improvements were carried out to the satis- faction of the Surveyor. Sir Charles Philipps. in seconding the adoption of the report, said that so far as he was personally concerned he was at one with Col. Philipps, Mr John had made out a strong case, but the members of the committee agreed that it would be impossible to act in the manner sugges- ted by him until the main roads scheme was altered. He proposed that the District Council undertake to complete the road sanctioned by the Main Roads Committee, and that the Council take over any main road in section as soon as each portion is placed in order to the satisfactien of the Surveyor provided the sections are continuous. Colonel Roberts seconded, and described the pro- position as a most admirable one. He thought that to impose undue burdens on local ratepayers was what they =not sanction for one moment. The only difficulty in his opinion was a legal one, but the Clerk would be able to advise them on that point. Mr Howell Walters contended that the scheme as it stood was much more practicable than it would be if the proposition were carried. Mr W. Palmer Morgan called the Council's attention to the hardship the Narberth Rural District Council had to contend with under the scheme. In Narberth, he said, they were prevented from making any progress. The most important thoroughfares in the town were not main roads. The Clerk said there would be no legal objection to the proposition if it were provided that the roads be taken over from one part to another without leaving any sections between. Replying to Mr Palmer Morgan, whose remarks were supported by Mr W. Lttwrence, Col. Ivor Philipps, explained then were more miia roads in the Narberth District than in any other part of the county if the rateable value were taken into consideration. In years gone by Narberth had the benefit of the roads being controlled by the Council. Furthermore, the road rate in Narberth was the lowest in the county. After some further discussion Sir Charles Philipps's proposition was carried, Mr Howell Walters being the only dissentient. COLONEL YORKE'S VISIT. Mr Hugh Williams referred to the recent visit of Col. Yorke, Board of Trade Inspector to Trefgarn, to inspect the unfenced portion of the railway which had been complained of. He said that the Inspector was in the position of an arbitrator between the Great Western Railway Conrpauy and the Council, He came down in a saloon carriage apparently a3 the guest of the Railway Company. He (Mr Williams) did not wish to cast any leflectiou, for in spite of the attention of the Company to the requirements of the Inspector, he might have given his opinion without any bias. However, he should have visited the spot in some other way than under the auspices of the Great Western Railway Company. The matter then dropped, the committee's recommend- ation to again call the Board of Trade's attention to the matter being carried. A WORKMAN'S WAGES. The surveyor (Mr Arthur H. Thomas), reported that one of-the sweepers working with the roller met with an accident on the 14th of March last which necessitated his absence from work for some time. A claim had been msde out for compensation and a sum of 98 lid per week had been granted during disablement by the insurance company. Mr W. Lawrence proposed that the man's wages be paid in full. Rev. Henry Evans What is the use of having a Main Roads Committee if we decide to reverse the recommenda- tion they submit. Mr Howell Walters: We, as representatives of the ratepayers, do not feel we are justified in giving a mau more than he is entitled to by law. Col. Ivor Philipps I hope the Council will not take this step. The matter should be left in the hands of the Committee. If you do not trust the Committee, well, change them. Mr W. T. Davies We, as a Council, should be model employers. The man will not be able to use his finger again. It was decided by 24 votes to 15 that the matter be referred back to the Main Roads Committee. THE ESTIMATES. The principal items in the estimates for the year ending March 31st, 1911, on the general county account included 17,500, police expenditure, XI,500 salaries and pensions, 96,425 main roads, X3,575 grants to Urban Councils and maintenance of additional main roads, C500 small hold- ings. The estimated expenditure in connection with Elementary Education included £ 30,400 salaries of teachers, X300 medical inspection of children, 1300 cookery, contribution to training elementary school children. INCREASED RATES. The finance committee recommended that a general county rate of 9d in the £ an elementary education rate of Is 1, rate of Is Hd, a higher education rate of 2d, and a Welsh intermediate education rate of id, a total increase of 4d. Commenting upon the various recommendations Mr Brewer said that there was an increase of aid. in the county rate, this increase was necessary in order that they should have a working balance. During the past 21 years the rates had only been 9s 31., and during that period S43,234 had been handed over in subsidies to local authorities for the relief of the rate?. There was an in- crease of 2td. in the £ as compared Wii ihat of last year in the elementary education rate. P. rabrokeshire was not alone in that this rate was some what increased. The average for the whole of Wales for last year was Is 9 £ d, the total for Pembrokeshire working at Is 9d or a half- penny below the average. The committee would only be too pleased to reduce the rates, but any attempt at en- deavouring to do this would surely result in a subsequent inefficiency. It was absolutely essential that there should be a certain level of efficiency, and therefore the rates could not very well be relieved unless by a grant from the Government. He would suggest that they should join in other Councils in making a representation to the Government, and insisting upon a more generous treat- ment in regard to contributions. (Hear, hear). Mr W. P. Morgan seconded the adoption of the report which was carried without discussion. REDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS. Amongst the recommendations of the Local Govern- ment Acts Committee was one in favour of an additional county councillor for Fisbguard. Moving the adoption of the recommendation, Mr J. Howard Griffiths pointed out that LIanwnda was developing very rapidly. The assessments were going up by leaps and bounds—from £ 8,560 in September 1909 to X8,,960 in the following March. They might reasonably calculate that the electorate would increase in the same ratio. At present there were 628 electors in the parish of Fishguard. Mr Llewellin seconded the adoption of the report. He said that although there were only 628 county council voters on the register, there were at least another 100 ratepayers in the parish. These would all be included in the list of voters for next year. Col. Roberts thought it rather premature to increase the number of councillors for Fishguard on the basis of population. At present Fishguard had only 628 voters, and if it were to have two members on that basis Milford would cortiiinly be entitled to three representatives. The whole question of a redistribution of seats ought to be considered. The rateable value of Milford Haven was increasing by leaps and bounds, and very shortly, if not now, they would be entitled to a third member. Mr W. Greive agreed with Col. Roberts. On the basis of rateable value and population Pembroke Dock would also be entitled to additional representatives. Replying to Mr Sketch, Mr Llewellin said that Llanwnda was not included in the present application. Mr Sketch Xo doubt we shall receive another application from Goodwick. Mr Saunders pointed out that the average number of electors in each division was 381. If Fishguard were granted another county councillor the average there would be 311. The average for Pembroke Dock was only 337, and that Borough was therefore over- represented. Mr Chiles remarked that when Milford applied for a third representative it could be considered. Mr Hugh Williams saw no reason why an objection should be taken to Fishguard having additional representation simply because some other districts were said to be in a similar position. They all knew that at the present time Fishguard was increasing more rapidly than any other part of the county. By the end of this year they anticipated that nearly 800 voters would be on the register. The average of each division in the county was only 381. Mr G. B. Bowen, while not opposed to additiona representation for Fishguard, advocated the whole question of redistribution being dealt with. The vice-chairman intimated that, if the members of the Local Government Act Committee consented, he was quite prepared for the whole question to be re-considered. Mr Llewellin refused to consent to that course being adopted. It was not practicable, he said, to group Llanwnda and Fishguard. Mr J. Harries supported the recommendation. He said that whole streets of new houses were being built at Fishguard. Being 21 votes to 19 the whole question of redistri- bution was referred back to the committee. THE ANGLE ROAD. Mr J. F. Lort Phillips called attention to the Angle Road, and said it was a great injustice to Col. Mirehonse that the committee should not have visited the spot. The road at present used by the public at Angle was private property. Mr Egerton Allen said there was very great doubt whether this was a private road, and some of them thought it was rather the duty of Colonel Mirehouse to remove the obstruction than for the Council to provide means of communication. It was decided that a committee should visit the spot, in order to report at an early date. SMALL HOLDINGS. Ibe small noiuings committee reported having made arrangements for taking the Rosemarket vicarage glebe on lease on September 29th next at an annual of rent of X47 10s, and had made arrangements for erecting a new dwelling house on Ashdale at a cost of S235. The committee also reported having agreed to purchase, subject to the consent of the Board of Agriculture, from Mrs A. Lort Phillips, Ashdale Lodge and fields for X630. The property consists of some 18 acres of land (including 6J acres of standing timber) together with four cottages I and gardens, and adjoins the Council's farm of Ashdale. The committee had decided to withdraw the compulsory order they made for the acquisition of part of Barnlake Farm as there were now not sufficient applicants left to whom the land could be let. The committee further reported that they were carry- ing out repairs and adaptations necessary on the St. Dogwell's Estate, and recommended the Council to raise the loan of X1,000 required for this purpose in four in- stalments of X250 each. The committee had appointed a sub-committee to consider and report on the class of persons to whom small holdings should be let. The committee also intimates that they had also had under consideration the desirability of acquiring several properties. The report was adopted.

I Churchwarden's Money.