The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

THE PROVINCIAL INSURANCE C OM PANY. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PROPRIETORS. The annual general meeting of the Shareholders in the above Company was held on Tuesday last, February 28th, 1865, at the Wynnstay Arm. Hotel, Wrexham. Mr Thomas Barnes, M.P., the chairman of the Com- pany, presided; and the following other gentlemen were also amongst those preeent--Mes.rs. T. B. Acton, J. R. Barnes, Geo. Bradley, J. Bury, A. Bury, Rev. James Dixon, Messrs. A. Dillon, T. Edgworth, A. W. Edwards, Rev. Samuel Evans, Messrs. Chas. Griffith, T. T. Grif. fith M. Gummow, Chas. Hughes, J. A. Hughes, R. V. Kyrke, Jos. Jackson, J. James, E. LovatV J. Mauley, T. MinBhall, C. Napier, W. Overton, Captam Panton, Messrs. Tho< Painter, R. Peters, E. Powell, Wrexham; R?' Powell, Holt; Messrs. G. Powel), R. Potter, R. C. Rawlins. E. Rogers, S. Sheaf, Wm. Snape, E. Tench, Robt. Williams, Thos. Williams, &c. The following report, which had been previously circulated amongst the proprietors, was taken as rpad. "REPORT. "The present is the Twelfth Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of this prosperous Com- pany. ?The income for the year was ninety-five thousand four hundred and sixteen pounds, seven shillings and ninepence, a sum very little short of the amount which, at the commencement of the year, it was sanguinely an- tfcipated would be reached. Every fair and legitimate effort for extending the Company's business has been made, and the result is a larger amount of new business than has accrued in any on* year since the establishment of the Com- pany. "Beyoml this large increase of the business, and the ac- tive steps successfully takeu;to secure the appointment of new agents during the year, nothing appears to call for special remark except the amount of losses sustained in the Fire Department. The past year will be memorable among the Insur- ance Offices of the United Kingdom for the extent of fire losses, especially during the latter part of it. "The Shareholders will be glad to hear that, as usual, every claim has been promptly and liberally met, and that consequently the Office continues to be distinguished by its punctuality in the settlement of claims, whether in Fire or Life. This honourable course, while it is the only one the Shareholders would approve, materially assists the agents in their efforts to extend the operations of the Company and to add to its business. IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT £ s. d. 11,593 new policies were issued, The total Fire premiums for the year being 3 60,S73 8 7 The Fire losses being 41,064 13 0 15 THB Lira DEPARTMENT. There were received during the year 827 Proposals for the assurance of ISM IS U U 636 Policies were issued, assuring 150,166 0 0 The annual premiums on which amount to 5,261 3 11 The Life premiums for the year amount to 28,115 19 1 Claims were paid upon 43 Policies, amounting to 9 IN THB ANNUITY DEPARTMENT The premiums received for the year amount to 3,085 9 8 IN THB AOENCT DBPABTMBNT Four hundred and twenty-one agents have been ap- pointed, during the year, throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, many of whom have given valuable earnest of good business to come. "The London and Glasgow branches continue to make extensive progress. "During the year William IVnght, Esquire, one of the directors, retired from the direction, and the Board elected James Richardson Barney Esquire, to fill the va. Caney ??he directors retiring by rotation are Edw. Tench, R. V. Kyrke, and J. R. Barnes, Esquires, who offer themselves for re-election. The directors' attendances during the year have been 550. ^"The directors recommend the usual dividend at the rate of flo per cent per annum (free of income tax) on the paid up capital of the Company. THOMAS BARNES, Chairman. "ANTHONY DILLON, Secretary to the Company." The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, fy,u 'd-Ever since he had the honour of appearing before them as Chairman of the Company, it had been his hap- piness to have to address them in words of congratula- tion, and he did not think he had any reason to change that tone in the present year, though he should perhaps have to take a little different ground to that which he had taken in years past. Every year since the com- mencement of the Company they had so much success that they had good reason to congratulate themselves. The past year had been a little different in its character. As the Shareholders would have seen from the report they had had very heavy losses. No insurance company could expect to go on year after year without meeting with such losses at some time, and the directors of every insurance company knew that there were occasionally years in which the losses from some cause or other were unusually heavy; and every life insurance company knew that there were reasons of great morality, and when those reasons occurred they very naturally affected the interests and apparent prosperity of the companies but even notwithstanding those somewhat untoward cicumstances the Shareholders of the Provincial In- surance Company had this year occasion to congratulate themselves, and to look with satisfaction upon the result of the year's operations From the accounts which had been presented to the Shareholders, it would be seen that the Directors carried over a large balance-that there was a very large increase in the balance over that of the previous year. Last year the balance brough forward was .?1IS,567, and this year the balance that would be carried forward was jEl?,32o, and when they ?w the result in such a p'ar as that which they had iust passed through he thought they ha. very gre?t oc- ffi ? be satisfied. (Hear, he.r.) 1 here was very ?occasion for him to say much, because the rep.rt ?esoiu an account of the proceedings of the year, ? the various points were given so \tr) sinkingiy in the report that it was not requisite for him to say much. There were, however, one or two pomtsuponwh eh he might perhaps be permitted to speak. In the hrst 1 la he would just draw attention to the progre.s which u Company had been making, and to the character of that progress. They had progressed, as the Shareholders knew, and their progress had not been ot a spasmodic and uncertain character—going back one year and ad- vancing rapidly in another. It had been a steady con- tinuous progress f.ioiil the commencement, and each year's progress had been in somewhat the same ratio a-> that of the preceding years. The premiums in the Fire Departmei t had increased regularly and with so much rapidity that the Fire Premiums of the year just con- cluded were five times the amount of those received in 1859. That showed that there had been very great pro- gress since the year 1850, and it woul l be found that in each of the intervening years, there had been progress made. That prol"s had of course not been made with- out very great effort, their officers were active, and the ditectors could testify that it consequence of that activity that they witnessed the success they then re- joieell over. They had also energetic agents, but wherever they went they found competition. They did not complain of that, and he only named it in order to show that the progress which that company had m; de, had not been made without very great effort. Last year, as they would remember their becretaiy predicted something like the amount of business which ho exl,(Ct. ed would be done in the year then ensuing. A kn d of mystic hand was writing all imaginary hgure which Mr. Dillon's sanguine expectation led him to helie™ lepre- sented the amount of business they would ootam to. He was thought sanguine at the time, but the amount was little short now of that which Mr. Dillon last yair thought it would be-possible for them to obtain to. So near was it ia fact that he thought they might congra- tulate themselves that the predictions of their secretary had been substantially realised. The annual increase of the premiums of the Company for some years past had been nearly equal to the total amount in the year previous to 1859. So much for the progress, and no doubt they (the Shareholders) had looked at the losses of the Company 116 the Directors had done with a good deal of anxiety. The directors were anxious to do, but which none had yet done namely, a business consisting of all profits and no losses. They could not always tell, however, where there would be fire, and where there would not, by they exercised as much judgement and discretion as they possibly could under the circum- stances, rejecting that which they believed to be bad, and accepting that which they believed to be good. He believed that the reports of every Insurance Office for the past year showed that the losses had been un- usually heavy. If the losses of the Provincial Com- pany had been peculiar to themselves they might fairly be said to have been wanting in discretion, but when they found that their experience was just the ex- perienceof other offices-and that some even had had very much greater losses, they might fairly infer that it was one common thing which had affected them all, and from which the Provincial could not expect to have exemp- tion. From the announcement of the office down to the year 1864 the average losses in the fire depart- ment had been about 47 i per cent. and the losses upon the last year had amounted to 73 per cent-being an in- crease of more than 50 per cent. upon the average loss of previous years. Bad as that appeared, however, it had been worse with some other companies. Some he believed, had had to alter their dividends in consequence of their losses. There was a little consolation-and he knew they would feel it to be such-to be told that they had such knowledge of having escaped losses. There were cases known to them where fires had, during the year 1864 only, destroyed property which had been presented to them for insurance, and rejected, and in which, had they taken the insurance the losses would have amounted to upwards of £ 8,000. They might congratulate themselves therefore that they had escaped those losses, and he knew of one himself that he believed was not included in that estimate-for it neverdid come before them as a positive proposal, but which was in- tended to have been offered to them, and had it been accepted a fortnight or three weeks earlier than it was intended to offer it to them would have involved an ad- ditional loss of something like £5,000 or £ 6,000. In the Life Department also the progress of the Company had been eminently satisfactory. The amount of the Life insurances for the year 1864 was the largest they had ever had with the exception of one year. It was greatly above the average of the three yearsimmediatoly preceding—though 1863 wa sa remarkably good year—in the number of policies, the amount insured and the premiums paid. That indicated that the progress which they were making in the Life department as well as that in the Fire department was steady, and he believed it was perfectly safe. As the Shareholders kuew, they were not a very large Company, but it was very satisfac- tory to the directors—and he felt it particularly so him- self, seeing that his connection with the office had been more recent than that of some other directors, to find that the office was making what he thought was very sound progress. It was gradually growing into an im- portant office. There was very little doubt about that, and in a few years they would find it ranking amongst some of the most important in this country. The amount paid for claims during the past year was larger than in previous years but the year which had just passed had been a year of remarkable mortality—almost as bad as two years which had been notorious in the bills of mor- tality—the year 1847, when there was an infectious in- fluenza, and the year when there was Asiatic cholera prevailing. In both those years the mortality was great, and it had been almost as large in the year just past. Yet, in spite of that, their payments had not absorbed their premiums, and after meeting all their claims upon that department they had a large balance to carry over. There was another point which seemed to him very satisfactory, and one upon which they might congratu- late themselves. Last year, the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, when speaking upon the Annuity Bill, glanced at a number of life insurance offices, and in his speech he stated that an office which was twelve years old ought to have an accumulation of 33 per cent. of its gross premiums in hand in order to be in a safe and sound position, and the hon. gentleman indicated that there were a number of offices that did not possess that, inferring of course that they were not very sound. After hearing that speech he (the Chairman) felt a little anxious to know in which category the Provincial stood. Hav- ing obtained from the Secretary a copy of the report, he and his coadjutor in London were especially gratified to find that, according to the accounts, the Provincial was in advance of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's esti- mate, for instead of having an accumulation of 33 per cent. they had 50 per cent. of the premiums. They might therefore consider themselves as very sound. (Hear, hear, and applause.) He thought their agents might make some little use of the fact in order to show those who did avail themselves of the Provincial, that they had at all events a very sound Company to rely up- on. In conclusion he had great pleasure in moving that the report and the statement of the receipts and dis- bursements ef the Company be adopted. Mr. T. T. Griffith seconded the motion, and ably en- forced the advantages of life assurance. Several questions of detail having been put by Mr. Acton, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Daniel Jones, Mr. Napier, and Mr. Evan Powell, and satisfactorily answered by the Chairman and Mr. Dillon, the motion was put to the meeting and unanimously adopted. Mr. Bury, one of the Auditors, remarked that the books and accounts were well and efficiently kept, and the most complete supervision was exercised by the Directors, and he believed that a better regulated esta- blishment did not exist. On the motion of Mr. Overton, seconded by Mr. Bradley, it was unanimously resolved—" That Richard Venables Kyrke, Edward Tench, and James Richardson Barnes, Esqrs., be re-elected Directors of the Company that Mr. John liury, of Wrexham, and Mr. John Jones, of Chester, public accountants, be re-elected Auditors for the ensuing year; and that £ '25 each lie paid to Messrs. Jones and Bury for their services during the past year. -tn d Mr. Ro.-ers seconde d 5 6 Mr. Alanley next moved, and Mr. Rogers seconded, a motion to the effect that the thanks of the proprietors be presented to the Directors, and that the sum of £ 000 be paid to them for their services during the past year. The resolution was carried nem. con. The Chairman said he had next great pleasure in proposing that the thanks of the Shareholders be given to their excellent secretary, and the other officers, for the services which they had rendered to the Company during the past year. He was aware that he was speak- ing in the presence of the secretary and other officers, and probably it would not be seemly for him to say all that he thought and felt with regard to Mr. Dillon, but he believed lie should be saying nothing but what they all knew when he said that the success of the Company was in a great measure owing to the ability which had been shown by Mr. Dillon, and to that gentleman's devoteduess to the interests of the Company. Mr. Dillon had worked hard, and his heart was firmly set upon the success of the Company. It was something more than his hobby; it was almost his life's work. lie (the chairniau) believed that Mr. Dillon gave himself to the work with very great diligence, and that he and the other officers had made the Provincial what it now m Mr. Painter said lie had very great pleasure in second- ing the motion, and being probably the senior director, hecould speak from long experience and from close ob- seivation of the zeal and attention of their secretary. Pn-ha 's there was not one of them more frequently in ti e office than he (Mr. Painter) was, and none per- haps were more competent than he to judge of the faithful and energetic services there rendered. He might mention that an advance of £ 10,000 upon the f-re premiums of the Company did not at all represent the amount of new business which was obtained during the year. The number of dropped policies was very treat indeed. In the experience of every company it was found that changes were continually taking place, and the consequence was that a great deal of business which had been obtained was diopped every year, and fresh business had to be got to replace it. He thought that when they considered that fact, they would be able to form some idea of the immense labour which was ne- cessary in order to obtain that business. Mr. Charles Hughes supported the motion. Mr. Dillon in acknowledging the compliment, said that was the twelfth time he had had the honour, the pleasure, and the privilege of acknowledging that vote. As he had observed on previous occasions, there was nothing so encouraging as at the close of their annual meeting to have such a resolution passed, especially when it was passed so cordially and so unanimously as upon that occasion. He might also remark, that the Provincial Insurance Company occupied their minds from one year's end to another, and he could assure them they did their best to promote the interests of the Company A pleasing, and to his mind an important future connected with the service was the fact that, whilst every officer was kept to his work, and did his work well, there was perfect harmony throughout' the service lle thought no company could flourish unless it was harmoniously carried on mdoors-(hear hear)- and as far as that went, lie thought he might safely say that they were "A baud of brothers." As long as their services were so recognised by the shareholders they would never fail to do their duty to the utmost of their ability. (Applause.) On the motion of Mr. T, T. Griffith, seconded by Mr. Daniel Jones, thanks were unanimously voted to the chairman, and tho Compliment having been briefly ac- laowledged, the proceedings terminated.

CONWAY. II The Dowager Lady Erskine, of Pwllyorochon, hai with her accustomed kindness, caused £30 worth of coal to be distributed amongst the poor of the parishes of Conway, Gyffin, and Llandrillo.

LLANDUDNO. IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS' MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Commissioners took place on Monday last. Present-Rev. J. Morgan, chair- man; Messrs. W. F. Chapman, W. Pritchard, Thomafl Parry, Isaiah Davies, Joseph Jones, Leonard Row, R. Farrant, James Williams, Evan Hughes, Thos. Roberts, W. Jones, John Hughes, and Wm. Williams (Creu- j ddynfab.) finance.—The Finance Committee reported that they had examined bills to the amount of £ 33 14s. 6d., and recommended the same to be paid, viz., labourers on road, £ 12 5s. 6d.; tiunk, £5 13s. 6d.; drain by Ty-1 draw, £ 1 10s.; R. C. Tomkinson (printiiag);C 14 5s. 6d. Tenders for cleaning the town.-The Clerk said he had advertised Ifor tenders to clean and cart away the refuse of the town, when the following tenders were sent in :—Mr. W. Evans—to do all the work for 60s. per week, when they require another horse will put one on at their command. Mr. Atkinson, 2 horses and cart 10s. per day, 1 do. 6s. per day 1 do. do. 3s. per half day. If required in the night, Say 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock in the morning, 4s.; or from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., 3s.; men and horse for water cart per day, 5s. 6d.; do. half a day, 3s. Mr. James Hughes-For the supply of horses, carts, and drivers for the removal of sweepings, ashpits, privies, &c., and all required to be done as stated in the placard for 5s. 9d. per day or night as required. Mr. Chapman moved, and Mr. Farrant seconded, and it was unanimously resolved, that Mr. Atkinson's tender be accepted. New Lamps.-The Board at their last meeting deter- mined that new lamps should be placed near the Adelphi Hotel, and in Gloddaeth-street at East Back Mostyn-street, the consideration of which was referred to the Lighting Committee. Mr. Hughes, one of the Committee, only reoom. mended that one lamp (near the Adelphi) be at present fixed. He thought the finance would not allow of any more. Mr. Row proposed that another be placed in Glodd- aeth-street, which was as much required in his opinion as the other. It appeared to be the unanimous opinion of the Board that the lamps spoken of at the last meeting were re- quired Out the subject having been referred to the Committee, it was again referred to them for final de- cision. House Drai)zage.-The Surveyor was called in and interrogated as to the drainage of two houses, which he was directed to do at the last Board. The Surveyor said he never had instructions to dram tee houses, whatever decision the Board came to. The Clerk referred to the minutes, which contained specific orders to the Surveyor to drain two houses in the town, as an experiment. The Surveyor persisted in saying that he never re- ceived any instructions by the Board. The Chairman said he had previously told the Sur- veyor to come and examine the minutes and all the books belonging to them, if necessary, which were per. fectly accessible to him. He was now ordered to proceed with the works with- out delay. The sewage af the Tozon.-A motion stood on the books by Mr. W. Williams, wherein. he gave notice that he would propose at this meeting that a number of the Commissioners should proceed personally to Hyde, to inspect the works in operation at that place. But he had since found that Lord Robert Montagu had been allowed to introduce a bill to the House of Commons upon that very question and he thought it better to defer the motion which he he intended to bring forward that day till a future occasion. After few words from Mr. Parry, Mr. Chapman, and Mr. E. Hughes, the subject dropped. Heane fo)- the town.- Mr. James Williams brought before the Board the subject of providing a proper place for the keeping of the hearse for the use of the town. Mr. Raw, seconded by Mr. l'arry, proposed that ap- plication be made to the Mostyn Trustees for a site whereon to build a yard and house for the use of the Commissioners. Agreed to unanimously. The meeting was then adjourned to March 13.

POKTMADOC. THE BEDDGELBRT AND POBTMADOC RAILWAY.—This line of railway, the first sod of which was only cut on Thursday week, is being prosecuted with unusual rapi- dity, as the Messrs. Jardine have already engaged be- tween forty and fifty men, so that about the half of a mile is already made. The work for about four miles will be very light, with a slight gradient, but afterwards it will be very heavy. Snip LAUNCHES.—On Saturday evening last two large vessels, one a brig, and the other a brigantine, were launched in a most successful and splendid manner at the harbour of Portmadoc, amongst a large concourse of spectators. The brigantine is a beautiful model, built of the best oak, by Daniel Griffiths, shipbuilder. She is 158 tons register, and 300 tons burden, and is entered A 1 at Lloyds for 12 years. The ceremony of christening was performed by Mias Anne Watkins, sis- ter of the captain, Mr. W. Watkins, the name given being New Blessing." The vessel is copper fastened, and altogether is one of best vessels ever built in Port- madoc. The New Blessing" is intended for the foreign trade. The brig, which is likewise a large and noble vessel, was built by the Messrs. Pierce and Eben- ezer Roberts, Portmadoc, and is 190 tons register, and 830 tons burden, and is classed A 1 at Lloyds for 12 years. She is owned by Captain Evan Hughes and his brothers. She was christened "The Magna Charta" by Master Owen Henry Jones, of the "Sea Chief." We repeat, that the launches were most successful and satisfactory; and the vessels do much credit to the ship- builders, of the Port, and to the Port itself. POLICE COURT, Tuesday, Feb. 28-Before John Jones (Ynysgain) and U. Griffith, Esqrs. Drunkenness in Portmadoc.—A. tramp, who gave his name as Thomas Dougherty, was brought up in custody charged by acting Sergeant John Thomas with being drunk and disorderly m the Port on Saturday night. Before taking him to the lock-up the police started him to go over the embankment, as he said he wished to go to Penrhvn but in a short time he ventured to town again, and would not be quiet.—Convicted, and fined Ös. and costs, and as he had no money to pay the fine, 14 days' imprisonment. Another man, named Richard Roberts, a navvie from the Croesor quarry, but who is an Anglesey man, was in custody charged with a similar offence, committed in High-street, Portmadoc, on Monday evening last, by P.O. Hughes (Xo. 31). The defendant, it seems, who was in drink, amused himself by playing the clown on the public streets, and would not desist when requested to do so by the police, so that he collected around him a crowd of noisy and rude children. When taken into the lock-up. it was found that he had £ (! 4s. 9d. in his pocket, and he stated that when he came to the Port on Saturday he had ill about him.—Fined 2s. Cd. and the costs, 7s. 6d. The money was paid, of course. PETTY SESSIONS, Friday, Fobruary 24th, 1S85,— Before John Jones, Esq., Ynysgain, and O. Griffith, Esq. A man named Richard Owen was summoned by Ser- geant Griffith Roberts for being drunk, and also for refusing to quit the Britannia Vaults, Tremadoc, on the 13th instant. The complainant stated that on the day in question he was called in to the Britannia Vaults, where lie saw the defendant drunk and disorderly. He refused to quit the premises when ordered to do so by the land- lady (Mrs. Williams) and himself, so that he (the com- plainant) was compelled to turn him out by main force.—Convicted, and fined 2s. 611., with 9s. ûJ. costs. The money was paid. The I'cutrefcliii AjRliatioit case.—'This case, which was di311Ü-¡1 at the last sessions, was brought on ag.iin.this day, as the complainant, Laura Williams, had obtained another summons against the defendant, Richard Owen, who, however, did not put ill an appearance on this oc- casion. "Laura" gave pretty much the same evidence as she did on the first occasion, and called Ellen Pierce as an additional witness in corroboration of her statements. Thio witness failed, however, to satisfy the magistrates, and the application for order was again refused.

MAENTWEOG. ONE EFFECT OF THE LATE THAW.—One day last week It fruiterer from Tremadoc, named Charles Jackson, and | who regularly attends Fusoiniog market, was returning I home, the night being very dark. He safely arrived at the bottom of the Festiniog hill, near Talybont, with his horse and cart (he was riding), when the horse and cart dashed against an enormous stone, which had fallen from the side of the hill closu by right into the middle of tho road. The horse was seriously inj Ilrccl, so much so as to be rendered useless the cart. was smashed to pieces, and a good deal of the fruit was scattered upon the road and spoiled. Luckily, however, Jackson and another party escaped without much injury—thanks to their rood fortune. The stooe in question had been considered dangerous for nomo time past, but it was al- lowed to rewaiu 1111tH the eveiiiiigilILi(lvd to,Nvlieii it was luosened by the thaw, and fell into the road. It was se- veral tons in weight.

In this department as a full and free expression ot opinion Is accorded to correspondents, the Editor wlahes W to be ala- tlnctly understood, that he holds himself responsible for none. All letters should be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but to a guarantee of good faith.]

A GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR WALES. To the Editor of the North Wale) Chronicle. I I .1.1.- Sir,-Will you permit me to say a tew woras on uie above subject through the medium of y.ur valuable columns. The subject is now under discussion in one of the most influential Welsh papers, the Baner and Amterau Cymru; and I hope that a most important step will soon be taken towards forming the same. But as the greater number, by far, of Welsh mines and quarries belong to English proprietors, and as your paper cir- culates among all classes, your kindness in publishing a few remarks may possibly be of great importance. No one surely can doubt for a moment the utility of such an Institution for Wales; and the only wonder to many, like myself, must be-how the Principality, with all its wonderful display of geological phenomena and mineral wealth, should be so long without one. Wales is an immense mineralic country: I doubt whether there is under the sun a country of so small an area, that contains so much mineral wealth. South Wales can take pride in its valuable reservoirs of iron, coal, lime- stone, and lead; and the North, while comparatively destitute of them, can easily be contented with its splendid veins of oopper, lead, mundic, silver, gold, and slates in abundance-of which last-named the quarries of Col. Pennant and Assheton Smith in Carnarvonshire present the noblest specimens in the whole world, as they employ little less than 3000 men each, and realise a princely income for their respective proprietors. There are also three slate quairies opening near Llwyn. gwril, of which one belongs to Dr. George Alfred Walker—the well-known agitator of intramural bury- ings, and talented author of the Grave-yards of Lon- don" —that can hardly fail, in course of time, to become very extensive and profitable'quarries. Now, with all these advantages, is it not natural to enquire-can we not, ought we not, and why have we not a flourishing geological society in connection with Wales ? Do her brawny and rustic sons not possess requisite abilities, or are they deficient in point of energy and mental appli- cation to study and master geology » This obviously is not the case. We need only point to the number of Welsh candidates who pass the medical examination so creditably; the number of young men who obtain honours and degrees at some of the English colleges, many of whom have obtained their hard-earned know- ledge by pursuit under difficulties; together with the quantity of worthy compositions produced annually by the great national gathering, The Eisteddfod," and the productions obtained through the instrumentality of literary associations less presumptuous; all these argue conclusively that there is ample literary ability to sus- tain one. The reason why Wales has been ere long without a Geological Society may be, amongst others, that the poetic art has been cultivated very extensively, to the seclusion of more profitable studies. Poetry, although one of the finest of arts, is not over scrupulous of deal- ing in dry facts, realities, and the severer studies; it rather gives- Airy nothings, A local habitation, and a name." Geology, moreover, has been pitifully neglected by those that ought to have made it their especial study. It is impossible to state the vast amount of good this would have effected, and the greater amount of evil it would have obviated; the hearts it would have exhi- larated, and the sorrows it would have allayed; the worthless speculation it would have eradicated, and the legitimate enterprise it would have encouraged. In a word, no one is wholly competent to make a selection, give an opinion, or undertake the management of a mine or quarry, without having a knowledge of geology in general, and of his own immediate vicinity in par- ticular. Indeed one's heart has often swollen with sym- pathy, and we have been tempted to weep tears such as angels weep" on passing by so-called mines and quar- ries, the position of which every known law in nature clearly indicates to be worthless, and to see thousands of pounds spent on a barren rock-the which, if pro- perly employed in the right place, would have brought back good premiums to the pockets of the adventurers; and all this owing to the absence of a little knowledge of the fundamental principles of geology, and of the laws and freaks of nature. I know that several of my A. B. C. Darian fraternity will be highly offended with me, even for thinking, much more suggesting, such a no- tion; but "the truth is powerful, and will ultimately prevail," viz., several mine and quarry managers are so ignorant of the laws of the earth they .undertake to de- velope, as the fata morgana is destitute of substance; and there are several popular notions prevalent among miners and quarrymen, the which, if some eminent phi- lanthropist were to gather up and consign to the con- fines of oblivion, he would confer an inestimable boon on several of his fellow-creatures, and raise for himself an immortal monument. It is on this account that we respectfully invite the mutual co-operation of all in- terested in the mineral welfare of the Principality, to aid in forming a Geological Society for her. Our appeal has already been favourably responded to by several illustrious gentlemen residing in Wales; and we hope ere long to see it a reality. With your kind consent I will write a few words on the subject again shortly. SAMUEL JENKINS, Dinas Mawddwy. Quarry Inspector.

A WELSH-YANKEE'S OPINION OF ENGLAND AND AMERICA. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. I Sir,—The Yankee Davenports may be considered pretty cheeky ecimens "f their class—" remarkable men, sir," in their way and generation and they have succeeded very "neatly" in hocussing poor blind, fat, easy-going John Bull, out of a stiff sum of hard cash but I question whether they possess the powers of thorough humbug more than has that shining light, who held forth" the other day to the quarrymen of Bethesda—"Mr. Jones, late editor of the Drych (('J' Gwylkdydd, a newspaper (in Welsh) circulating in America." Yes, sir This very remarkable man, sir," has dis- covered one or two things which most people in this aristocratic-ridden country were in ignorance or, and upon which he undertook to explain to the dull and I uninformecl people of Bethesda. He has fouiitl out, sit-, that there is more genuine liberty in the Northern States of America than there is in this country that the working; man here has no chance of even earning a decent livelihood; that anybody can soon become a large freeholder in Yankee land—where all men are equal (save the mark !), and where there are no rents, no taxes, no state chmch, and above all and more than all-no Queen with £ 1500 a-day, and no bloated aris- tocracy to swallow up the earnings of honest, hard- working men. But this is not all that this "Friend of the working man" has discovered. He has found out that though one half the States it superlatively good the other half is abominably and hopelessly bad. There is the most perfect freedom in one section, and the most abject slavery in the other—yes, sir! Mr. Jones understands the true objects of the present war, however it may puzzle Lord Lyons, Earl It ussell, or any other benighted Britisher. The North is not fighting for empire and the South for independence"—nothing of the kmd, sir! Slavery is at the bottom of the war," and that is its true cause, whatever may be said to the contrary." To be sure it is, for has not Mr. Jones, late editor," said it ? Thererfore, 0 ye lJethesdaitus, hasten to New York, enter the Federal armies, assist to re-es- tablish Northern supremacy, and then, at least, you will be free from British oppression, and the insolence and extortion of the aristocracy of England. Do this, and then you will gain the esteem and regard of the "Late Editor" of a Welsh paper somewhere in America! But how about Mr. Jones himself—what brings him back into this land of slaves and badlv-paid labour? Why did not he remain in that highly-favoured land— the home of the oppressed—when he was there ? Don't Welsh papers" pay well in America ? Or does he find lecturing quarrymen at Ixime an easier matter than cu l- tivating land in America—or what is it ? What ob- jection has he to becomiug a large landed proprietor on such very easv terms, and of settling for life amongst, his beloved Northerners ? It seems rather suspicious when a publican refuses to drink his own home-brewed beer, or when a doctor refuses his own physic—very suspicious. If America be a second Paradise, why did lie turn his back upon its delights and pleasures ? Well, sir, all this is very fine, and very—nonsensical but 1 see there were some in Bethesda who mistook the chaff for genuine wheat, as they cheered most heartily. They would not give Qneen Victoria £ 1500 a-day—not they, loyal and careful souls One thing, however, is certain, and that is, if I were the Editor of the NuKTH WALKS CuROXfcr.t:, and Mr. Jones chose to send such impudent and vulgar rubbish for insertion, it would at once be consigned to the waste paper basket. He was once ail editor himself—why not start a paper in Wales, and defile his own columns with the miserable slime ? Yours rcspectfullv, ANTLHUMBUC.

DIOCESAN INSPECTION. To the Editor of the North Males Chronicle. Sir,—I have now read in your worthy publication I three letters on the above subject, two written by a "Schoolmaster" and one by A lute Inspector of schools." The Schoolmaster in hta first letter very justly com- plained of the shortness of time for preparing for ex- amination. If The late Inspector" or any other In- spector consider 4 months sufficient time to prepare the lubjegtIJ on the programme they must know but very little of teaching. I am a schoolmaster. My school is subject to Diocesan as well as Government Inspection; and I candidly assert that to do justice with the subjects of the programme of the Bangor Board of Education it would occupy at least six months of my time. Now my salary chiefly depends upon the parliamentary grant, and the whole weight of such grant is carried to the sides of the secular elements of teaching—how then, can I give the prominence which it deserves to religious teaching I I am not expected to be content with merely chewing the Diocesan Report for 12 months, I must attend to the subjects that will pay me best. The Schoolmaster" very justly observed that "if a thing is worth doing at all it is worth doing well." The thing wanting is Mr. Time, and Messrs. Inspectors wili find improvements in the state of the schools they examine. Perhaps your correspondent, Mr. Editor, was not aware of the many difficulties which schoolmasters have to surmount in their daily round of studies when he made the remark that it is unskilful workmen who get bad reports. It is a sad mistake, it has much more to do with the parents of the scholars than the teacher. I know for a fact that parents have objected to the catechism being taught to their children, and indeed so many ought. I have no less than 40 (from an average attendance of 70) who have not been baptized in the Church of England, and why should they in answer to the second question say, They did pomise and vow three things in my name, &c." Again, irregularity of attendance proves a great draw- back to the progress ot a school. These remarks I mak e, in order that the Inspectors may take them under their consideration in summing up their reports. I decidedly appreciate the exertions made by the Bangor Board, for I myself consider school keeping as a part of God's plan for the moral and religious training of his reasonable creatures, and so does every teacher or ought to. Blame not therefore, the teacher, rather blame the pedantic logician" Lowe, who would have had if possible, as complete a secular system of instruction in our Church of England Schools as the most determined infidel could desire for us. With deference to the Inspector's dignity, and kind regards to my brother scholmasters, I am, respectfully, &c., I SOMEBODY-OR-OTHER. I

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. I Sir,—Your correspondent "Q" appears to me to be a very ecceatric, and I must say a very unreasonable logician. He first of all inserts in the "Chronicle" an ostentatious kind of a sentence, in which he asks a ques- tion, the answer to which could admit of no possible doubt, even in joke and yet, because the answer is jocosly given, namely, that hanging does not prevent murder, he at once assumes that the writer must be an Irishman What nation would he suppose I belonged to, if I were to ask him this-does, or does not, the sun rise every morning in the east ? Now, of course, his question, ridiculous as it was in itself, indicated a line of reasoning on the subject of capital punishment, with which I, and no doubt, the great majority of your readers at once understood, viz., that as hanging does not entirely prevent murder, hanging is of no use, and ought, therefore, to be done away with. He did not, nor has he said this distinctly; but if this was not the real meaning of his question, then I maintain his first letter had no meaning at all. I am quite conversant with all the arguments employ- ed by the advocates for the entire abolition of capital punishment, and I believe them to be all fallacious. One will depict to you, in glowing colours, the brutal scenes witnessed at the very foot of the ocaffolcl-the blasphemies, thefts, &e.; and he thinks when his task is done, and he has completed the enumeration, he has settled the entire question. Another solemnly tells us, that hanging a man for murder is nothing less than judicially committing another murder; and this, as we all know, the sixth commandment tells us not to do. A third invokes, the spirit of Christianity, the precepts of which enjoin that man must not retatliate for evils done to him by his brother, but that when a person "smites you on one cheek" you must "turn to him the other also." This class of reasoners, too, dwells largely upon the Sermon on the Mount, in which the old doc- trine of retributive punishment is apparently abrogated and annulled. "Q" seems to take his stand upon the admitted fact that capital punishment does not prevent murder. I say "seems" because he has not hitherto plainly stated what he means, and we can only arrive at his stand point by implication and assumption. He says, and I can well believe his perception is not very far-sighted, that he does not see what connection the question of "whether fining a 5s. and costs" for getting drunk has to do with that of whether hanging puts a stop to mur- der ? Men are by the present law "hanged by the neck" for committing wilful murder, and men are like- wise fined for getting drunk, and yet neither processes has the effect of putting an entire stop to either. How, then, stands the argument ? Brietiy thus. We punish crimes and faults commit- ted against society, by ifnes, imprisonment, and death; and yet these penalties are found not to effect the (pre- sumed) object intended-that is, the abolition of them. Are we then, on that account, to abolish the entire cri- minal code, and to leave every man "do that which is right in his own eyes." Is the burglar, who breaks open ones house and take away whatever his fancy may suit him, to go unpunished, because imprisonment or penal servitude is proved not to deter, in all cases, from bur- gbry-or because it is aid down as a principal in the Sermon on the Mount, but if a man "takes away your coat," you must give him your clock also ? Is the drunken ruffian to disturb a whole neighbourhood, and to insult and abuse quiet and inoffensive people for the same reasons and on the same grounds ? Is the harden- ed fellow to murder at will and to wreak his deadly vengeance upon any one against whom he may feel vengeful or embittered, simply because punishment, even the greatest punishment, will not have the effect of preventing all other ruffiaus from occasionally doing the same thing, and daring the vengeance of the law? Whatever your correspodent's meaning may be, his ar- gument (if argument it be) leads to this, and it leads to nothing else. Is he-is anyone—prepared to go this length and to carry out the principle to its full practical issue ? But it will be said—I dare say '-Q" will say it in fit- ture letters—Oh, but we don't mean this exactly; we don't for a moment mean to say that society must not be protected by laws, or that criminals who rob and steal and murder, should go unpunished entirely—Oh, no. What we intend to maintain is this—that hanging is unjust, barbarous, and cruel, and opposed to the whole spirit of Christianity; and besides it is ineffective; and, therefore, it is wrong, and ought to be abolished. To this I reply—upon what grounds, do you punish for one crime and not for another ? Fining a man "live shillings and costs" for getting drunk, and hanging a man for wilful murder rest upon the same foundation, only that the degree is different. If the principle said to be laid down in the Sermon on the Mount (and which, I most thoroughly and conscien- tiously disbelieve) that you must not resent personal injury, nor punish a man for the robbery of your cloth- ingoryourgoods,thenit it is as much opposed to the spirit of Christianity to imprison a man for felony as it is to hang him for murder. I defy" Q," if he La a reason. able man, to gainsay this, or to discriminate, as it re- gards the principle, between one kind of punishment and another. If retributive justice is to be entirely ignored as belonging to a different and an anti-Christian dispensation, then all punishment, and for whatever crimes, must be done away with. I again ask—"Is "Q" prepared to carry this out? I am fully aware that the advocates of the abolition of capital punishment will shelve this point in the argu- ment, and probably ignore it altogether. It would suit their purpose to do so, and they are not bad hands at declamation, though they, by no means, shine in ratio- cination. Yet it lie; at the bottom of their chief argu- ment, namely, that taking away litilliit, life for murder is opposed to the spirit of principles of Christianity, and is only an antiquated remnant uf the old barbarous mosaic laws. '-N'.)%v, iii order that this question, which is of passing importance just at the present time, may be fairly sift- ed, and argued in your widely circulated paper, f will JIIt propose for discussion two or three propositions bearing upon the point, and upon which, in fact, the whole matter hinges. 1. Is the violent taking away of a man's life, who has violently taken away the life of another man, unjust in itself, and repugnant to our sense of natural justice ? 2. Has or his not its justice and necessity been recog- nised by all civilised nations, in all parts and in all ages of the world ? 3. Is it not strictly enjoined in the Old Testament; and does not Jehovah threaten, with his utmost displea- sure, the Jews, if they, for any reason, or under any circumstances, fail to strictly carry out the law ? T 4. Is tliei-c any law on the subject given in the New Testament, or anything written or said which may fair- ly be construed to clicolilitcll;Ilcc it 5. Does it follow that because punishment for Piiy crime or class of crimes does not do away entirely with those crimes, such crimes should go unpunished; or that such failure evidences the lion-deterre effect of punishment, or s hows that crimes would not be much more numerous and widespread if punishment were al- together abolished ? ¡ I propose, in future letters, to argue each of these propositions in detail, and then "Q" will have an oppor- tunity to state his opinions (if he have any), and to »1]0„ the public to judge whether he be "a sickly sentime4. talist" or not. Yours truly, JUSTICE. February 28th, 1864. [We shall decline any further correspondence on thfc subjeat.-ED. N. W. C.1

I- mmptrial PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS-FRIDAY. The Lord CHANCELLOR brought in a bill to regulati the remuneration of attorneys and solicitors. HOUSE OF COMMONS-FRIDAY. A motion for the second reading of the Liverpool Licensing Bill was opposed by Mr. LAWSON, who moved as an amendmeni that the granting of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors was a matter which ought not to be dealt with in a private bill. The motion also opposed by Mr. Horsfall, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Wal. pole, and other members; and supported by Sir George Grey, Lord Stanley, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Finally, the motion was negatived without a division. In reply to Mr. Maguire, Mr. LA YARD ssid that the Emperor of the French had been requested to mediate between the Governmentss of Monte Video and Brazi^ but no similar request had been made to her Majesty's Government. The latter did not intend to take any part in the quarrel. In answer to Mr. Watkin, Mr. CARDWELL said that he had not entered into any correspondence with the Government of the United States respecting the passport system. Mr. BERKELEY asked if the Government intended to bring in this session a measure to prevent corruption and to protect voters at parliamentary elections. Sir G. GREY having replied in the negative, Mr, Berkeley gave notice of a bill on the subject. On the order for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. HENNESSEY moved an address to the Crown which stated—" That this house observes with regret the de. cline of the population of Ireland, and will readily sup- port her Majesty's Government in any well devised measures to stimulate the profitable employment of the people." In the course of the debate which followed, the CHA. CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER showed that many of the complaints made by Irish members were unfounded, and Sir R. Peel quoted official statistics which proved that Ireland was progressing satisfactorily. HOUSE OF LORDS—MONDAY. Lord TAUNTON presented petitions trom Australia, praying for the immediate and permanent abolition of transportation to that colony. Earl GRANVILLE said the question had been finally settled. Within a period of three years transportation to Australia would entirely cease. The other business transacted by their lordships was unimportant. HOUSE OF COMMONS—MONDAY. The Marquis of HARTINQTON stated, in repiy to Colonel Gilpin, that the army returns of February I showed a decrease of 4,000 men as compared with the return for last year. No increase of the present strength of the force was contemplated by the Govern. ment. In answer to Mr. Scully, Sir G. GREY said the Lord Chancellor intended to introduce a bill for the registra- tion of titles to land in Ireland. Mr. WIIITE inquired whether the Government intended to grant a subsidy to the Company of African Merchants, to enable them to place trading steamers on the Niger. The CHANCELOR of the EXCHEQUER replied in the negative. The debate on the condition of Ireland was resumed by Mr. Roebuck, and continued by Sir H. Cairns, Mr. Lowe, Sir G. Grey, Sir S. Northcote, and other mem- bers. Lord PALMERSTON promised that the Government would earnestly consider any favourable proposal for t!:e benefit of Ireland; but Mr. Hennessey pressed to a division his motion for an address to the Crown, and was defeated by 107 votes against 31. HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY. The business transacted in the House was uuim- nortant. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY. The Metropolitan Sewage Bill was referred to a select committee. Mr. DILLWYX gave notice that on March 28 he should move a resolution respecting the unsatisfactory con- dition of the Eatablised Church in Ireland. In reply to Mr. Gave, Mr. LA YARD said the attention of the Government had been directed to the debate which took place in the Spanish Senate last month on a proposition for declaring the slave trade piracy, ari instructions on the subject had been sent to the British, minister at Madrid. Sir J. moved the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the conotitution of the Com- mittee of Council on Education, and the system under which the business of the office is conducted. The right honourable baronet explained that he had two objects- first, to obtain such a reorganisation of the department as would make it better adapted than it now was to the important object it had to discharge, and, secondly, to secure that the department 8hould be so organised (if it was to be rearranged) as to enable it to extend assistance throughout the whole of the country. Mr. WALTER moved as an amendment the addition to the motion of the following words ,And also into the best mode of extending the benefits of the Governmen: inspection and the Parliamentary grant to schools at present unassisted by the State." After a good-tempered discussion, in which Mr. Lowe and Mr. Bruce took part, the motion and ameiidmeu: were agreed to.

RESIGNATION OF LOHD LYONS. The Times says-The public will hear with great regre. that Lord Lyons has been compelled, by the state of hi; health, to resign the post .of British Minister at ash- ington, which he has tilled for six years with so much ability and judgment. The mere physical labour which has been entailed upon him would alone be enough t^ account for the necessity of his resignation. The suc- cessor of Lord Lyons in this momentous post will be Sir Frederick Bruce, who at present holds the office oi Minister in China, but happens opportunely to be in England. His first employment was when attached t) the late Lord Ashburton's special mission to WaôlÜng ton in 1842, when the famous Ashburton treaty was ne. gotiated. Subsequently, for a year, he was Lieutenan- Governor of Newfoundland, and from 1S47 to 18-31 hte was emoloyed in various posts in South America, Four years after this he went with his brother, Lord Elgin, to China, and has sitice been entirely employed in tha: country. By a fortunate coincidence he will arrive i- America just when Mr. Lincoln will have entered upon his second term of office. It will, perhaps have ru opportune significance that a new Minister should thus be accredited to the United States at the comment ment of this new period in her annals. A %il,l f,lilef I -n; had a little time ago possessifin or tue American miu- that England and France contemplated a sort of under- hand recognition of the Confederacy on the ith Marei* by acknowledging Mr. Lincoln as the president only those states which had taken part in hi, electiun. Thl arrival of a new minister accrediteel to the Governing whose authority we still acknowledge will be a more conspicuous evidence of the fallacy of these strung1- anticipations than the return of Lord Lyons. It may, perhaps, be made more evident that, instead of in auy way slighting their Government, we are paying it the distinct attention of selecting a new minister to repre sent us.

BRYNMAAVR. I On Thursday, the 23rd ult., a ea party ys given m theTovnHaU Brynmawr, isonth the proccuK of which was for the Pasiorat Aid booiety—tlie society tint- simoorts a curate in this town. there was also a German tree exhibited with various things for sale on it. iVe ivei-e glad to sec so many gathered most of them were very respectable people-gentry am! tradesmen of the town and lieignbourhood, as well as JargiJ nnmùer of the working clas. The whole number winch partook of tca dunng the afternoon was near hve hundred aud it seems that everything was provide' for them in the heat style. The ladies who kindly served on the occasion with their trays were the follow- jnrr Uritiiths and Miss Kirshaw Mrs. Lloyd, Bush Hotel, and Mrs. Habakkuk; Miss Thomas an-1 Mrs. Tuckett Mrs. Meredith and All's. Lillwail; Mi-- Hieb. and Miss Ricks; Mrs. Irving and Mrs. Tlioni.v-: Miss Bluett and Miss Harris. In the evening at 7 :)11 a most eloquent, learned, and interesting lecture oil the "Introduction of Christianity into Britain," was deli vered by the Rev. Dr. J ames, Panteg, which gavetK greatest satisfaction to the large audience present The chair was taken by the Rev. J. Morgan, of IteuiMit The following clergymen were present:—The Hew- A.Griffiths and 1). Lewis, Llanelly; J. Jones, Iiryn- luawr J. Morgan, "N'antyglo J. Hopkins, EbUv V»«- J. Morgan and J. Parry, Hmllfol't. At the do,e of the meeting a vote of thanks was proposed to the leetllre,r by the Rev. J. Morgan, Nantygio, and seconded by • Moore, Esq., lleaufort-street. After the Rev. A. Gi-if. fiths had returned thanks to those who had asswted u, selling tickets, to the ladies who had kindly served wi the tea, and also those who had contributed anything to the tree, the dox..logy was sung, and the ,ipl)earailce of being high" audience dispersed with the appearance of being IIlul: pleased with the excellent lecture.