Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

25 articles on this Page

Advertising

Family Notices

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION. I…

News
Cite
Share

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION. nv bllE municipal election in Llanelly this year as presented gratifying features in at least one espect. We refer to the deep-seated interest  the ratepayers in the contests conducted in tlle various wards. This is a healthy sign, < s ?Yting to an eminently satisfactory condition of "ff4i"s, a condition at once the pledge of  ef"e'el't administration and the guarantee of a ? discharge of the duties appertaining to the '? of borough councillor. From one point of '\>Jew, a contest in each ward, or in any ward, is J^onynaons with the least expensive form of local government, for these contested elections represent an element of cost which would obviously be absent if the void caused each year in the representation of the town were filled by an amicable arrangement among the gentlemen disposed to seek the suffrages of the electors. There is, however, an obverse side to all this. The indifference dissociable from the amicable arrangement described would in- evitably foster a like spirit on the Council itself, with the eventual result that the small gain registered by the absence of a contest would be speedily counterbalanced by a lax and inefficient administration of public affairs. This being the case, we do not regret the ex- penditure incurred by the local authorities in carrying out the details necessary to enable the ratepayers to express their views on the constitution of the Council, and through the constitution of the Council, on public affairs. The contests this year have on the whole been sharply and vigorously conducted. In this connection an exception has to be made in the case of Mr. BILODID,, who, as a matter of fact, did absolutely no electioneering. We imagine that the relative interest of the three contests will be accurately stated if the fight in No. I Ward is represented as having been the soul and centre of the triple campaign. There was a special interest attaching to the contest here by reason of the fact that Mr. BLAKE appeared in the electioneering amphitheatre for the avowed purpose of removing Mr. JOHN GRIFFITHS from the circle of our administrators. Mr. GRIFFITHS has not been removed. One of the surprises of the election, indeed, was the singularly weak stand made by Mr. BLAKE, as the old members were returned with handsome majorities. While in no way failing to appreciate the qualifications of Mr. BLAKE, and the ability with which he would discharge municipal duties if elected to the Council, we cannot say that we regret his failure to unseat either of the old members. Mr. To-Ni HUGHES has been a splendid public representative, having served on the Council with distinguished success for a dozen years. The ratepayers very properly concluded that he was not a man to be neglected. As we observed last week, his defeat would mean a public calamity. His intelligence, shrewdness, and experience, have served the town in excellent stead in the past, and his triumphant return to the Council is a fact eminently gratifying to all, irrespect- ive of creed or party. Mr. JOHN GRIFFITHS, having regard to his long and faithful period of service on the Council, was also entitled to a renewal of public support. We are glad to know he got it. Mr. GRIFFITHS is passionately devoted to the administration of public affairs. There is not a more faithful member of the body than he is, and if unblest with large endow- ments of culture and finesse, nobody will doubt his thoroughness, fearlessness, sincerity, and conscientiousness. In Ward II.,Mr. BRODIE, the retiring member, was the uusuccessful candidate. The Council will miss, in conse- quence of his rejection, a man of unquestioned ability, and of sterling character. He made, however, little or no eflort in order to ensure his re-election, and his candi- dature was, doubtless, to some extent, dam- aged by his connection with the Stepney Estate as local solicitor. Mr. ARTHUR EDGAR DAVIES headed the poll in this Ward with a magnificent majority. In respect of his candidature, at any rate, the public have expressed their views in no uncertain voice. We have confidence that he will justify the trust reposed in him, He is a keen business man, with a shrewd head on his shoulders, and he will be of real service on the Council. Mr. W.KNOYLE,the other successful candidate in this Ward, has valuable qualifications for Council honours. The capability he has shewn in the management of his own business will find ample scope for exercise in .the administration of public affairs. In Ward III., the retiring members found little favour wiili the rate- payers, both Mr. OWBN CHARLES and Mr. DAVID THOMAS being defeated by the new men, Mr. COOMBS and Mr. J. DAVIBS. Both the new men are untried in municipal life. Both, however, have good credentials, and we shall watch their careers with great interest. The work before the Council in the ensuing year is exceedingly heavy, and in redemption of their pledges, if not for their own reputations, the members will be expected to devote to town affairs their best and highest powers.

LOCAL INT E LIJGENCE.

I BURRY PORTJQRICKET CLUB.…

THE CO CJNTY COUNCIL I - 0

RETURN OF MR. AND MRS-1 GWILYM…

LLANELLY CHORAL SOCIETY. I

FOUND DEAD AT LLANARTH-NEY.

THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. I

PURCHASE OF THE ROYALTY THEATRE.

PRESENTATION TO MR. J. W.…

DOCTOR FOR MOREWOOD I S. I

DISTRICT NEWS. I

r MAGISTRATES' COURT.

THE ASHBURNHAM COMPANY TO…

COAL TRIMMERS' WAGES AT LLANELLY.

THE LIBERAL CANDIDATURE OF…

JENNINGS' MEMORIAL FUND.

THE TINPLATE INDUSTRY IN CARMARTHEN.

ELECTION NOTIONS. ♦

THE CRACKED SOSPAN.

I 11 A MUSICAL FESTIVAL AT…

WOMEN'S AMBULANCE CLASS.

A LICENSING CASE. ♦