Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

TIPYN 0 BOB PETH." I I (w. DO XOT NSCaBSABIlX BRAJM IBJB OPINIONS l BXPBBSSBS BY W36KTTBB3 IN THIS COLUMN.] I Water Supply Problems. I Much attention is being paid to-day to water supply problems. This only accords with the fitness of things when the country is faced with schemes of reconstruction and building extension to meet pressing requirements must,, on the very nature of things, depend very largely upon an adequate supply of pure water being forthcoming to meet the requirements of dwellers in the proposed new residences that, unfortunately, still remain very much- in the air. Whilst these problems are com- mon to the whole of the country, some of them have peculiar application to the Vale of LIangollen; but, apart from this, it is a matter of comment throughout Wales in general that, whilst so many of the populous centres in England are drawing upon the limitless resources of the Welsh mountain to meet the requirements of their teeming mil- lions, so many of the small towns and villages of the Principality find it difficult to, bring their comparatively modest supplies up to modern medical and sanitary standards; and, altogether impossible, without adopting what to them must appear heroic measures to pro- vide for anything in the nature of the con- siderably increased demand which building extension, on a considerable scale, must in- volve. « « • » Contrasts. 1 A striking illustration was supplied near Chirk the other day when, although residents in a mining village were without water for household use, and colliers actually threaten- ing to down tools unless their needs were attended to by the local authority, a scheme came before the Council by which the Corpor- ation of Warrington proposed to tap the watershed of the river Ceiriog and, laying pipe lines amid the inount.%ins,ito supply the Lancashire centre with Welsh water. Al- though, according to published information, this somewhat ambitious scheme, upon which two million pounds was to have been spent, has since been withdrawn, the proposal illus- trates the point the writer desires to make, viz., that, whilst teeming centres of popula- tion, many miles away from the mountains of .Wales, are dependent upon the boundless re- sources of the Principality for their supplies* of the essential fluid" rural Wales is in difficulties. It is, of course, impossible for small rural communities to contemplate huge schemes, involving immense expenditure of capital, such as those adopted by many Eng- lish corporations exploiting Welsh water but the striking anomaly remains that whilst Wales supplies the wherewithal to quench England's thirst in so many instances she can. not obtain the wherewithal to quench her own. Liangolion's Outlook. w I At Llangollen the water question is a very important one and, as has been very frequent- ly pointed out in this column, upon its satis- factory solution much of the future progress "of the town will depend. The present system is admittedly unsatisfactory to meet the re- quirements of a dry season; and, records of bye-gone summers, when the services Qf the fire engine were required to pump up water to fill the Vivod reservoir, and of the imposs- ibility of securing a sufficient" head" to reach to higher elevations, stimulate reflec- tions when read in conjunction with state- ments aS to millipns of gallons running to waste in the Surrounding mountains. Of course anything in the nature of a dog-in-the- manger policy would be intolerable; but may there not be some means by which Llangollen and neighbouring small authorities, might ar- range to secure supplies-a mere drop in the bucket so to speak—from the pipe lines of big English undertakings. To get a sup of their own back in this way would be good policy; and it is gratifying to find the Chirk authority were fully alive to the possibility when the abandoned Ceiriog proposals were being considered. A broad and open mind must be brought to the consideration of the water question at Llangollen; and no dis- position to refrain from cutting the losses of the past should be displayed if opportunities present. 4., I. In the Rural District. I In the Llangollen rural district the situation appears to be even more pressing than in the urban. The lack of adequate provision at Garth is one of the stock subjects of discus- sion at the monthly meetings of the authority and has been for many years. A portion of the parish is absolutely waterless—unless householders are prepared to carry the fluid a considerable distance to their homes—and the medical officer of health has, times with. out number, threatened to report the author- ity to the Local Government Board unless they get a move on. Nothing, however, has been done; although it might not be imposs- ible to secure water, at any rate for a part o? the village, by arranging to ta it from pipes that run in the heighbourhoo t supply larger eommunities. Water, by some means or other, Garth must have and, until it is available, it is almost premature to discuss building extension. At the adjacent village of Vroncysyllte difficulties are also being ex- perienced in maintaining an adequate supply; and, although nothing in the nature of a water famine is being experienced, villages are suffering considerable inconveniences; and all this whilst millions and millions of gallons of water are running to waste—holi- day making, so to speak, amongst the hills of Wales. By the way, was it not at Vron, in the past, that the returns from water receipts enabled councillors to do. without levying a rate? No Places for Pussyfoots." I I Passing along the lJee Valley to Corwen ¡ one finds matters there in a far from satis- factory state although, near Cerrig-y-druidion .j the Birkenhead Corporation have huge works designed to supply that town with millions I of gallons of Welsh water when the piping ar- rangements are completed. There appears to have been some slight improvement during the paist twelve months—" but oh, the room for more!" Some short time ago matters had become so difficult of arrangement, that it was necessary to send round the parish bellman to-, notify householders when they could take water and when they must refrain from doing so; and, for several months prior to the time when the National Eisteddfod was due to open its sessions krthe town, and whilst preparations were being made to enter- tain huge crowds, the problem of how to ounnlv- them with water was one that gave the author- ities perhaps more anxiety than ony other. As a matter of fact the showers that arrived with August just, and only just, saved the situation. I have heard that, at some of the inns in the locality, neat whiskey was served "neat" as the watered spirit called for, simply as no water was obtainable with which to dilute it; and cream, an inch thick on milk was common at Corwen break- fast tables during Eisteddfod time. Apart, altogether from the sahitary inconveniences which this water shortage in rural Wales is causing look you how it cuts the ground from under the Pussyfoots!" What good pur. pose can Mr. Johnson serve in rural Wales by urging the natives to drink water only when there is so little to drink? "Pussyfoots" must steer clear of Llangollen and Corwen. ] AP' Pealedto the Camel. I Last week the writer asked Jini Jones I what she thqught of the South Wales legal lights who expected North Wales sheep dogs to understand (South Wales Welsh and pro- nounced their inability to do this or to res- pond to-signals in English or in whistling as proofs of their general unfitness, and she writes in the vernacular the letter printed in another column. The sum and substance of her con- clusions are that the sheep dogs are more to be pitied than blamed-poor things. At the same time she gives a humorous illustration of the theory that animals have nice ears for language quantities. The statement, vouch- ed for by a Welsh corporal, that the camels with the expeditionary force in Xgypt on a particular march, after the manner of their kind, and at a critical period, one and aH took the hump. They refused to budge an inch one way or another. Hick, hick shouted, the Cheshire officer commanding thdm, en- forcing his observations with the prod, but I withouti avail. The camels refused to move. It was then that a Welsh-speakipz corporal I butted in. Ich! ich!" he exclaimed; and the result was electrical. The camels at once fose and prepared to pad the hoof, giving many indications that they understood the Welsh injunction! Doubtless, as Jini has so frequently contended as Welsh was the language spoken in tlie Garden of Eden the lcb! icJi! of that Welsh corporal appealed to some trait which the camel inherited from remote ancestors. The moral of which pre; sum ably is that if Welsh persuasion is potent enough to move a camel as it was to cause discord in Eden, it is the best possible lane- uage with which to conduct sheep dog trials It must, however, be the pure Welsh of the North I IÍL. HWFA GLYN. I

— In response to numerous requests from our Llangollen readers, we have decided to revert to nfirw TtT?? ?Tr? A ? 7" THURSDAY as V' PUBLISHING DAY for the "Llangollen Advertiser." ■ j "V: • The new Arrangement will begin ? Next Thursday. f ■ ■ Will Readers. Correspondents and Agents please note that the "Llaqgollen Advertiser" will be published On THURSDAY AFTERNOON. PEG. 4th: and thereafter on Thursdays instead of Fridays.

To meet the overcrowding at the Wrexham County Schools the' Governors -are erecting huts" The cost is estimated at about £3,700" and there will be accommodatibn for 90 scholars. Judge Bryn Roberts has appointed Mr. D. E. Humphreys Roberts, solicitor; of guthill, registrar and high bailiff of the county'courts of Denbigh and Ruthin, in succession to his father (the late Mr. R. Humphreys, Roberts). An action has been heard before Mr. Justice P. Q. Lawrence in the Chancery Division, in which Sir-Owen Edwards, owner of the Tyny- maes Farm, Merionethshire,, and his tenant, Mr. Hugh Humphreys, sought an injunction restraining Mr. Robert Peter Williams and Mr. William Williams, owners of the adjoin- ing farms, from so diverting a stream as to deprito Tynymaes of the benefit of the water.

WELSH FREE CHURCH COUNCIL. f A NEW CONSTITUTION AND NAME. The opening meetings of the annual confer- ence of the National Free Church Council of Wales was held at Rhyl, on Wednesday, pre- sided over by Major David Davies, M.P. In presenting- his report, the Secretary (the Rev. J. Roberts. Cardiff) said excellent work had been. done amongst Welsh munition girl f workers. Through the generosity of Mrs. Herbert Lewis the council were able to main- tain. a Welsh Sister to work amongst them. On the question of depositing the regimental col- ours in safe keeping, he pointed out that these hi,di -been formerly lodged in the keeping of the churches, but he had been in communication with the War Office urging that the coloura should be placed not in churches but in public, buildings. He pointed out that the colours had been fought for and carried by men who di/d not belong to any one particular denomination, and that their resting place should be a public building. The War Office had replied that the matter was entirely in the discretion of the commanding officers of the regiments concerned, but the Free Church Council were not content to allow the matter to reset there and would » take further action in the matter. Speaking of the Welsh Church Settlement, Mr. Roberts said a majority of the deputation to the Prime Minister felt that as disestablish- ment became a fact in March next and its out- ward token, disendowment, in the transfer of the tithe, the churchyards and the glebe from the church to the public, no principle for which Wales had long contended was violated. The night's meeting considered a draft new constitution, and it was unanimously decided to call the organisation the Council og Evan- gelical Churches of Wales." The Baptists, Calvinifitic Methodist, Congregational, WelS- leyan Methodist, Primitive Methodist, and ,United Methodist churches, the Society of Friends, Scotch Baptists, and the Welsh churches in England were accepted as eligible for representation on the council, who-will have power to invite any other body of Evangelical churches to become members. All Free Church Federations of North and South Wales, become members of the council, and. through them, all Free Church, Councils. but in future the term "Free Church" will 'be dropped and Evan- gelical Church" used instead. The council will be affiliated. and will co- operate with the National Council of Evan- gelical Free Churches in London, but shall have complete autonomy so far as matters relating to Wales and Monmouthshire are concerned. It was decided that the council shall consist of nine each of Baptist, Calvinistic Methodist, Congregationalist and Wesleyan Methodist re- ldresentative's, four Primitive Methodists, three United Methodists, two Society of Friends, one Scotch Baptist, twenty-four representing the Evangelical Federation, of Wales and Mon- mouth, and twelve co-opted members, making a body of 83 membere. The Council will meet at least once each year, such annual meeting being called the assembly. On the motion of Mr. William George, sec- onded by the Rev. David Davies. the assembly was given power to discuss and express opinion and make declarations of policy upon question. affecting the life and well being of the churches and the nation, all resolutions passed at the annual assembly to be referred to the council. for consideration and action. The obiects of the council are to be identical t with those of the National Council of Evan- e-ehcal Free Churches. London, subject to aU matters aft?ctinz religiouB. moral, and soc? welfare of Wales being viewed from its own natioaI and Evangelical standpoint and the council un<?r ?0 <ircum?ances int?S with or contravening the accepted be?SriM practices of any Evangelical denomination The council will; not interfere with the interests of ;idsron e!iceot ?  tionir consent. At the resumed cittins on Thursday Mnmr DavId DavIes, iM. agam presldl\lg, Tesolutioiis Nat'o?psas&eci pledging ,?uppoi?t to the, League of N atlOns, dedanng the controyei-sy co?niM the Welah Church ActdeJinitey do5edM?? ing. appreciation of the Education A?%?!ug fjsrsx, and condemning gamMing  8p011;. I 'T" J. _EIE,'s ADDRESS. I T,, 1, I I .u l'L\on,>IHlèH '(68 Major David Davies, M^ .P said their great endeavour ?,ho d be to the, spl-iti al unity of the Christian oohhm mXonef s. The bid .differences which Sd dIvIded them did not, and would not apS to the rising S?ration, and the result. oPS war and the. experiencesl the, young men had passed through tended tJ givo them a broader outlook of things in geiiei -a]- The points: of difference were insignificant compared with the principles for which the churches stood, and they should be prepared t4 co-operate for the general welfare and not waste their time split- ting hairs on what were non-essentials: In the hrst place they might co-ordinate and co-operate in their training colleges for ministerial students. T In that way they would secure the best possble training and education for their students. Let the churches pool their resources and in that way vastly improve their train- ing and get a better system of education In iv. Lecond place such a movement would break down barriers and prejudices. The work of looking after their aged and distressed ministers was also one in which there should be closer unity. He suggested that they might appoint a committee to go into these tWngs. Now that the .Welsh Church Act had been passed into law, was it not possible to come to a better understanding and to co-operate with the newest of free churches in Wales? The controversey was > now closed, and they must endeavour to bring about co-operation with the Church in Wales in the spiritual interests of the community at large. If the subject was approached in a proper manner hp believed there would be a ready response. THE LIQUOR TRADE. Continuing the President said it was high time they turned their attention to the future of the liquor question and had a clear understanding as to the fjuicy to be pursued. as far as he could male out the Liquor Control Board wa at an en.d,a,nd the. question was what was tc take its place.- Were they to submit to the new proposals of the liquor trade or werethe to unite temperance reformers on one solid anc sound" policy? His own view was that to bring about prohibition they must nationalise. The Labour party were starting campaigns fot nationalisation, and he felt tho Temperance party should go in for the same thing with local option. I AGAINST NATIONALISAION. UntDe general question, he did not believe iu nationalisation for industries, because he be- lieved that it spelt ruination for the industry concerned. That' was the very reason why he suggested nation alisat-ion for the drink trade. Some people said it would be wrong to nation- alise the drink trade because it wm an eviL 1;?t the. get rid of all cant and humbug. The State had derived millions of pounds in taxation from it, and the only difference wouU- be that they would get the money by means of national- isation, and would eventually, through clearing away. vested interests, which always blockefi the way in the House Commons, bring about pro- hibition. Major Davies also urged the need for providing facilities for healthy recreatiort.