Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

WREXHAM TOWN COUXCIL. I A monthly meeting of the Council was held es Tuesday afternoon, and there were present- The Mayor (Mr R. Lloyd), Aldermen Beale, Thomas Jones, J. C. Owen, Councillors W. Sher- ratt, 1. Shone, Thomas Roberts, E. Lewis, J. Oswell Bury, J. B. Mnrless, T. Ingham, and W Rowland. TEE PROPOSED FLAGGING OF 19 REGENT-STREET. A SHINE." Alderman Qwen, in reference to the motion passed at a committee meeting to fag the foot- path in Regent-street, proposed that the footpath should only be put down as far as Mr Heaton's house, and that the owners be requested to con- tribute a portion of the expense. The original proposition was to put down flagging to the extent of 3ft. wide, but he thought the whole footpath should be flagged. Mr Sherratt seconded the motion. Mr Murless disagreed entirely with the pro- posal, which he characterised as a piece of reck- less extravagance. He stated that at Oswestry some kind of shingle was put upon a portion of the footpaths, and the result had been highly satisfactory. Mr Oswell Bury said that he had seconded the motion at the committee meeting, he being anxious to do anything that would improve the footpath, which certdftnly was at times (1 great dis- grace to the town. Since that time, however, he had re-considered the subject, and had seen that it would be necessary to widen the road and the footpath. He thought that instead of flags they might use small screened macadam, which, if properly laid down in the first instance, and suf- ficiently rolled, would make a clean and dry foot- path. They would then have no occasion to ask the owners of adjoining property to cen- tribute. Mc Shone was in lavour of the original pro- posal and spoke of the dreadful state of the existing footpath. The Mayor said he thought he coald expllrin why Mr Murless opposed the proposition. It was perhaps because a good footpath would interfere with his omnibuses. {Loud laughter, and No, no," and absurd.") He had no doubt it would interfere with them. He urged them to support the proposa l, which, if adapted, would result in a clean footpath, and a diminution in the number of complaints and another result would be that persons would prefer walking to riding in the 'buses. (Renewed laughter.) Mr Murless him- self never walked on the footpath he always went in the 'buses. He had told him (the Mayor) at the Finance Committee that the money ¡ would be better spent upon the road. ¡ Mr "Aiarless.: Mr Mayor, do not say what I I hav not said. You are misquoting me alto- gether. Neither do I ride in my 'buses I in- variably «alk. The Mayor: I may say farther that at the meeting of the General Purposes -Committee, the ^eutiemen present were all unanimous in favoir of this. Mr Bury-wished to have the whole length flagged. It was under consideration whether the flagging should be carried to Eger- toE-street, King-sfcreet, Grosvenor-road, or to the station and Mr Bury said No, do not go in for any part of it; go for the whole of it." And now he comes here and opposes it. Mr Bury: And I have explained why I have done so. The Mayor You have not explained yourself at all. Parties outside have been making an impresaõion upon yon, sir. (Laughter.) Mr Bury (indignantly]You have no right to say anything of the sort or to tax me with- The Mayor i Allow me I am speaking. Mr Bury I don't care. I am here—— The Mayor: Sit down! Mr Bury: I shan't sit down. Yoa said pres- sure had been brought to bear upon me outside this Council, and then had interfered with my vote at the Council. That is not so. I have as clear a conscience as you, and I have come here to do my duty as well as you. (" Order, order.") He (the Mayor) has no right to say that pressure had been brought to bear upon me. It is enough to disgust everybody in tbia Council. Mr Sherratt We ought not to be taxed in this way. Oar motives are pare enough, I am sure. Alderman Beale: It is a great pity to see so much temper displayed. The Mayor I am here to tell the truth; and I cannot understand how any gentleman can come here at one meeting and be so much in favour of the proposal, and then at the next meeting to be opposed to it. I want you to understand that I bare 110 interest whatever in Hope-street or any part of that street, but I want something done that will pat an end to the complaints that are con- tinually being made. Persons from other towns say that this is a miserably dirty town, and that is the result of our having such dirty footpaths. The cost of putting the fiigi; down 3ft. wide from Mr Allington Hughes's office to the station will be 9115 lis 4d; but half that sum will be saved if the flagging is not carried farther than Gros- venor-road. Mr Shone observed that it would probably cost as much to put down the material spoken of by Mr Marless as to put down the flags, which would be much more durable. The Town Clerk, reading from the minutes, said that at the meeting at which the proposal had been adopted there were present-The Mayor, Alderman Jones, Alderman Beale, Alder- man Owen, Mr Bury, Mr Shone, Mr Ingham, Mr J. M. Jones, and Mr Williams. Alderman Owen remarked that he had not voted. Alderman Jones was sorry that there had been such an exhibition of feeling, and he thought it would be much better for them to discuss these questions coolly and calmly. He bad been in favour of flagging the entire width of the foot- path, but he had been informed that the expendi- ture would be too heavy. However, they could not improve the town unless they expended money. Complaints were being made everlastingly about the dirty state of the streets, and especially the road leading to the station. For their own credit they ought to keep that portion of the town clean, and so get rid of the stigma which was attached to Wrexham of being a dirty town. Mr Murless (addressing the Mayor): As you have mentioned my name, I feel it my duty to say a few words in reply. In the first place, I was not aware that you were interested in this motion when I made the remark at the Finance Committee. When the Town Clerk read out the estimate, I said, If that comes on to be con- firmed I will vote against it;" and I declare to you upon my honour, that when I made that re- mark I did not know who was the proposer of the motion. And I really am surprised, sir,— The Mayor You did know. Mr Murless: When I heard the Town Clerk read it out in the estimate of the expenses of the ensuing six months- The Mayor It was not mentioned at all. Mr Murless Certainly it was; and it was then I said I should vote against that part of the estimate. I know how the observation was drawn from me. But however you could stand on your legs as you did just now, and say that I had said that it would be more advisable that the money should be laid out upon the road, I can- not imagine. I certainly suggested that the road should be made good, and that as the season was advancing it should be done at once; but not a word about repairing the road instead of the foot- path. We are all agreed that the footpath re- quires to be repaired, and that too very much. Bat I do hope, sir, you will not misquote me again, and that you will not say that I ride back- wards and forwards to the station in my 'buses, whereas I invariably walk; and I think the gentlemen here who know me best will support that statement. Mr Sherratt: I -can bear testimony to that at any rate. Mr Murless It is ridiculous trash The Mayor You said that the money would be best spent upon the road, and I sat next to you. Mr Murless I certainly said no such thing. In reply to Mr Lewis, The Snrveyor said he had obtained about seven tons of the small metal from Col. Cooke, of which they had seen a sample. It was now being tested on the footpaths, and it appeared to answer very well. Mr Lewis moved that sufficient of the metal should be procured to cover the footpath in question. Mr Bury seconded Mr Lewis's proposition.. The Mayor remarked that to flag the whole width of the parapet would cost about 2250. If half the footpath nearest the kerb were flagged, they might leave the remainder to be done by the owners of the adjoining property., in fact, they might call upon them to do it. The Surveyor said it would cost from sSM to 214 to cover the footpath with the small metal referred to by Mr Lewis, but he could not say how long it would last. The motion of Mr Owen was lost by six (the Mayor, Messis Jones, Beale, Shone, Roberts, and Ingham) to five (Messrs Bury, Lewis, Rowland, Murless, and Owen), Mr Sherratt de- clining to vote. The Mayor moved, and Alderman Jones seconded, that the original minutes be confirmed. Six voted for and six (including Mr Sherratt) against the motion, which was declared carried on the Mayor giving his casting vote in its favour. t PRIVATE DRAINAGE. I The notices which had been served upon the owners of-, certain houses in the borough requiring them to construct proper services and drains for the private drainage of such houses, not having been complied with, it was ordered that the Town Clerk advertise for tenders for the execution of such work, the expense to be charged to the owners. THE SJSIIHFIELD QUESTION AGAIN POSTPONED. I Alderman Jones moved-" That inasmuch as Mr Willcock's croft cannot be obtained for a Smithfield, the Beast Market be adopted for such pnrpose that the plan already prepared by the Surveyor be approve d, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to advertise for tenders for carrying out the work." Mr Jones said they were all unanimous as to the necessity ef a Smith- field, and -the only obstruction was the want of a suitable site. They had gone over all the town, and yet hatl jailed in obtaiuing one. The land belonging to Mr Willcock would be a very ap- propriate place, but the member of the family who was most interested in it would not allow the land to be disposed of. All this time, those who were connected with the trade of the town felt greatly the want of a Smithfield. At the first fair of this year-lie had heard a farmer say., I have brought a number of pigs to this fair, bat the accemmodation is really so bad that I am de- termined to take them to Oswestry and if I sell my stuff there it means that I shall spend my money there:" Thus it would be seen what a danger there was that the trade of Wrexham would suffer for the want of proper accommoda- tion. A great deal had been said as to the Beast Market being too small, but he did not believe it was' too small, and it would be ample if arranged according to the plans of the Surveyor now on the table. It was very central, and therefore, it would meet with the approval of the farmers and butchers. Some time ago they had obtained a new lease of the Beast Market, and that had given the Council power to place there permanent buildings, such as would be required in a Smithfield. Alderman Beale seconded the motion. Mr Murless was as anxious as Aid. Jones to see a Smithfield in Wrexham, but there were now no circumstances in existence which had not been quite as urgent five or ten years ago. He admitted that they required a Smithfield very much, but they were all very well aware that there were two plots of ground in the immediate vicinity of the Beast Market which could at no very distant day be purchased. He woald cer- tainly vote against any proposal to enclose the Beast Market, and thereby prevent its being used as a place of recreation, and for holding the Mareh fairs. Mr Sherratt agreed with the objections raised by Mr Murless. It was wrong for that Council to take away public rights, ani the rights of private individuals, by monopolising the Beast Market for the purposes of a Smithfield. Those who had private property in the neighbourhood had vested rights, and if the Council interfered with those rights they would get their heads into a hornet's nest. The sooner they had a Smithfield the bet- ter, but let them adopt a proper way of obtaining it. There were plenty of pieces of land which could be got. (Aid. Jones: Where, where ?) He did not think it policy on the part of members to mention plots of ground it was not for them to say why, where, and from whom land could be got. He thought that they should wait, and he had no doubt that they would be rewarded for waiting. He maintained that it would be the height of folly to interfere with public and pri- vate rights by abstracting the land belonging to the public in the manner contemplated. Mr Shone objected to the plans which had been laid on the table by the Surveyor, and one reason why he did so was because he saw that it was intended to erect an auction mart in front of his father-in-law's premises. (Laughter.) As Mr Sherratt had pointed out, by adopting the mo- tion, they would come in contact with various existing and contingent interests. He was sure that his father-in-law (or any one else who might have had the same land) would not allow the plans to be carried out now proposed. The Surveyor stated that the plans now before them were the same that be bad presented in March last. The quantity of land that would be set apart for the Smithfield would be about one and one-fifth acres, and if subsequently enlarged it would be about one and a half acres. Taking as a basis fortnightly fairs, he considered that the size of the Smithfield would be sufficient to meet all demands with the exception of the horse fair, which might be carried on in the adjoining street, which would be 36 feet wide, or on the ground that would be available if the brook were covered over. However, if the plans were adopted, some other provision would have to be made for the March fair. In the Smithfield, there would be room for four auction pens, moderate in size, and these could afterwards be enlarged coasiderably. He recommended that a wall should be built all round. It was not absolutely necessary, but it would greatly facilitate the collection of the tolls, which he presumed would be in the hands of the Council. Provision was likewise made for a weighing machine, and a water supply for the cattle. There were already sewers in close proximity to where the pens would be, and drain- age would therefore be much facilitated. The es- timated cost was about jE950, and of that sum about JE250 might be put down for the wall. The Town Clerk intimated, that the Council paid 210 a year rent for the Beast Market, and that the lease would expire in 1904. Mr Lewis, the solicitor for Mr Wilcocks, had informed him that they must not despair of getting the croft, as he thought the difficulties in the way might be overcome. Mr Ald. Beale said he had waited upon Mr Wilcocks, sen., who was 80 years of age, but he would not listea to any proposal to sell the land. However, the nephew, to whom the property would ultimately come, was quite wilting to part with it. Ald. Jones then observed that he would not press his motion for the present. THE EXTENSION OF EGERTON-STREET. I On the motion of Ald. Jones, it was agreed to I offer the Rev. Canon Cunliffe JE60 for the land I required for the extension of Egerton-street. THE STATE OF HOLT-ROAD. I A letter from Mr Geo. Davies, road surveyor, informed the Council that the road from Wrexham to Holt wonld be attended to, especially that por- tion of it which was within the borough of Wrex- ham. The reason why it had been left unre- paired so long was the want of sufficient funds. NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE RURAL SANITARY AU- I n THORITY. I Mr Hub Davies, inspector of nuisances for the Rural Sanitary Authority, had written a let- ter in which he impressed upon the Council the necessity of considering the matter which he had to bring before them, and which would, ere long, deeply affect the health of a large number of people within and without the borough of Wrex- ham. A scheme of sewerage had been laid be- fore the above Authority to carry off the sewage from the cottages erected, and to be erected, at Rhosddu Colliery and houses at Rbosnessny. If the sewer were constructed, it would be the natu- ral course for the drrainage from the land (belong- ing to Sir R. A. Cunliffe) now being sold for building purposes in Rhosddu. As a part of the sewer would pass through a portion of the borough, and would relieve the Council of the difficulty of sewering that part of the town, it would be only fair for the Council to construct the length of the sewer which wonld be within the borough. Mr Bury, as clerk of the Rural Sanitary Au- thority, stated that the outfall would not be at Hafodywern, but upon land which was not in the occupation of CoL Jones, who had already too much sewage. The Authority wished to know if the Council would contribute their share of the cost of the sewer, which would also drain their property in Rhosddu. This would be advanta- geous to both parties. The Town Clerk observed that Col. Jones, by his agreement with the Council, had a right to all the sewage of the borough, and therefore nothing could be done without his consent. He under- stood that he would not consent. He did not complain that he had too much sewage; he wanted more. What he did complain of was the quantity of effluent water. He (the Town Clerk) I suggested that there should be a conference of the two bodies, and that Col. Jones be asked to be present. Mr Murless enquired if there was any part of the borough which could not be drained into their own sewers ? Would it cost less to accede to the proposal of the Rural Sanitary Authority than to alter their own drains? The Surveyor said there was no outlet for the sewage which would come from the property to be built on Sir Robert Canliffe's land. The only way was to lower the sewer at Lambpit-steet and continue it to Sir Robert's land. The cost would be about £ 1,100. He could not say what the cost of the other land would be. The Town Clerk was instructed to ask the Rural Sanitary Authority to submit plans, to be referred, first to the Surveyor and afterwards to the General Purposes Committee. THE MUNICIPAL AND BALLOT ACTS. A circular letter from the Town Clerk of Sunderland asked the Council to adopt a petition to Parliament asking that several amendments should be made with reference to municipal elections. It was agreed to forward such a netition. PROPOSED WIDENING OF HOPE-STREET. I The Surveyor produced plans of the proposed setting back of the property about to be erected in Hope-street by Mr Low. The Council (he said) had suggested that 36 yards of the lands should be taken to widen the street, but Mr Law had asked him to enquire if the Council would take more, and he was perfectly willing to agree to any terms that might be named by a competent valuer, to be selected by the Council to value the land. He (the Surveyor) had shown on the amended plan before them the street to be in line with the front of the Northern Bank and the extreme point of the Talbot Inn corner, which would give Hope-street a width of not less than 36 feet at all points,—a 20 feet roadway, and two footpaths of 8 feet each. The total area of land required would be 70 yards. On the motion of Mr Murless, seconded by Mr Sherratt, Mr Low's proposal was accepted, and I, Mr Tench was appointed to value the land. THE ACCIDENT IN HOPE-STREET. I Mr J. Oswell Bury said that morning a some- what unfortunate accident had occurred in Hope- street at the building erected over Messrs. Ed- wards's Vaults, and one which might have been attended with fatal consequences. Two large coping stones had fallen, crashed through the scaffolding, and fallen upon the footpath beneath. He wished to know if it was not stated in the f bye-laws that when a .building was proceeding the footpath should be protected ? The lown Clerk: There should be proper hoarding. Mr Oswell Bury I believe the place has been left open all the time, and that no steps were taken to protect the property. The Surveyor said that when the builder com- menced to pat up the coping he (the Surveyor) had given orders that the footpath should be blocked. However, the order had not been at- tended to, and the barricades were at times taken away. Alderman Jones But if the barricades were left, would not that be tantamcunt to closing the Yaults ? The Sarveyor said it would. He added that two rails had been put across the footpath several times. The Mayor remarked that he was under the scaffolding a minute or two before the accident happened. He should like to know from the Sur- veyor whether the coping was safe ? If it were not safe, he thought they ought to take some steps to have put it farther back. It appeared to him that it was exceedingly unsafe. The Surveyor said he would give a little ex- planation, although he was not in a position to give a full explanation. His attention had been called to the coping and the wall on the previous day. He found that on the plans submitted and passed by the Council the wall was to be 14 inches thick, but on going up to inspect the COpiBg on Monday, he had ascertained that the wall was only nine inches thick. On the plans, the coping was shown as having a bed of 21 inches, but he found that it only had a bed of 15 inches. He had waited to see the architect (Mr Turner) for the purpose of getting an explanation, but he had not seen him until after the accident happened, and it was scarcely to be expected that he would then be ready to go fully into the matter. How- ever, he (the Surveyor) intended to make the closest enquiries, and to ascertain why the plans had not been adhered to. Alderman Jones asked if it had not been possible to ascertain the thickness of the wall before the accident happened ? The Sarveyor said it would have been possible, but he had not gone to the top of the scaffolding to see since it had been taken so high. Of course he was supposed to do so, but when there was such a pressure of business as there had been lately, he had not time. Alderman Beale: You depended upon Mr Turner, who was an old surveyor, and whom you supposed to know all about it ? The Surveyor: Yes. I have since given him notice to set the coping back at once, preparatory to an inspection and formal notice being given. On the motion of Mr Oswell Bury, seconded by Mr Sherratt, the Surveyor was instructed to see that the bye-laws were strictly enforced in this case. At a meeting of the General Purposes C om- mittee held on Wednesday, Mr Turner (who was in attendance with the cemetery plans) said he saw from the papers that some notice had been taken by the Council of the accident which bad occurred and he wished to put matters right and show on whom the blame rested. He would now lay on the table the plans which had been passed by the Council on the 30th of July last. The plans were signed by the chairman, the con- tractor, and Mr Clark. Mr Turner then pointed to the place where the weakness existed. The front wall was to have been 14 inches in thick- ness, and on reaching the cornice, complete de- tails had been given to the contractor to show exactly what was to be done. However, the con- tractor near the top reduced the wall hy 41 inches. It might easily be imagined what the effect of this would be, especially as regarded the project- ing cornice, which would in consequence have less bed for its support. These plans had been in the possession of the contractor, and after the accident, he (Mr Turner) had great difficulty in getting them again. The Mayor Is it your opinion that the acci- dent happened in consequence of the wall having been reduced by 4! inches ? Mr Turner: Certainly. The Mayor: And the responsibility rests upon the contractor (Mr Samuels) ? Mr Turner: Yes, and he quite sees it. We are now going to take the cornice down again to the wall plate, and put it back. It would not have cost the contractor 5s more to have carried out the plans. Mr Rowland asked if the placing back of the coping would render improbable the recurrence of a like accident ? Mr Turner and the Surveyor both said that with the proposed alteration the cornice would be perfectly safe. The Surveyor intimated that he would make a report on the matter. DEATH OF THE TOWN CRIER. I The Mayor said the Town Crier (John Jones) was dead—he had died at the very time the Council was passing the bill for his new suit of clothing. He proposed that the Town Clerk should advertise for another man te fill the post. Alderman Beale seconded the motion, which was carried. It was mentioned that the salary was J61 a year and clothing, the total cost to the town being about J67 or 28 per annum. THE LIGHTING OF CHESTER-ROAD. I The burveyor reported that it would require seven additional lamps to light Chester-road. They would cost jE28, and the maintenance of them during the winter months would require, exclusive of cleaning, lighting, and extinguishing, the expenditure of about £ 20 per annum. Mr Murless moved, and Mr Oswell Bury seconded, that the report of the Sarveyor be adopted that in addition, the lamp at the end of Eagle-street be removed to the end near the mea- dows, and that the lamp at the corner of Mount- street be put at the bottom of Stony Hill. However, on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Alderman Jones, it was agreed that the General Purposes Committee should visit the places named. do

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE. I A meeting of the above committee was held on Wednesday afternoon, and there were present- The Mayor, Alderman Beale, Alderman J. C. Owen, and Mr Rowland. The business was to take into consideration the amended plans of the cemetery chapels and lodge and Mr Turner, architect, was accord- ingly in attendance. The amended plans were then explained by Mr Turner, but the alterations that had been made in the original plans were immaterial. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Alderman Beale, the plans were passed, and orders were given that advertisements should be inserted asking for tenders. It was stated that owing to the formation of the ground, the lodge could not be built upon the left side of the entrance gate and chapel; and it was agreed, after some discussion, to put it to the right of the entrance, at a point where the ground was level with the turnpike road. The committee then proceeded to go through the specifications, which were read by Mr Turner and approved.

WREXHAM LIBERAL ASSOCIATION. _I On Tuesday evening, the annual meeting of the members of this association was held in the Reading-room, Bank-street, which the committee have been able to secure for the purposes of the association. Mr Charles Hughes presided, in the absence of Mr Low, who was unable to be pre- sent in consequence of a prior engagement; and there was a large attendance of members. THE ANNUAL REPORT. I Mr Tilston read the annual report of the executive committee, which showed that the objects of the association were being successfully carried out. These were to provide for official expression of the Liberal opinion, and maintain the Liberal representation of the Denbighshire Boroughs; by careful attention to the register of voters; by a division of Wrexham into dis- tricts for registration and election purposes; by the diffusion of political information by means of meetings, lectures, pamphlets, &c.; and by the cultivation of political union through the establishment of a permanent Liberal reading- room in Wrexham. The matter of registration had received careful attention, and their efforts had resulted in a gain of seven votes. The reading-room was now ready for use, and would be started free from debt. However, the general expenses of the association would now be heavier, and a hope was expressed that the members would be liberal in their subscriptions. Allusion was made to the loss sustained by the lamented deaths of Mr Pilkington and Mr Evan Powell, and by the removal of Mr T. E. Minshall the report concluding as follows It is impossible to conclude this report without a passing allusion to the change of leaders consequent upon the re- signation of Mr Gladstone, the loss of whose leadership will be great, characterised as it was by such earnestness and ability. It is to bt- honed that the choice of his successor in the House of Commons will be wisely made, that iu the choice the measures to which he is likely to give his hearty sopport should have more con- sideration than the personal position or charac- teristics of the man, and that whoever is chosen he may be able to lead the party to the complete accomplishment of Liberal aims." The Chairman moved, and Mr Bradley seconded, the adoption of the report, which was then agreed to. The accounts of the treasurer (Colonel Jones) were also passed, on the motion of Mr N. R. Griffith, seconded by Mr Gill. THE RETIREMENT OF MR. GLADSTONE. I Mr Bradley said he had a resolution to pro- pose as to Mr Gladstone's retirement, and one which he thought would be very acceptable, com- ing from one of the leading constituencies in the Principality. It was as follows That this meeting expresses its regret at the retirement of Mr Gladstone from the leadership of the Liberal party, its high sense of his personal and public character, and its gratitude for the distinguished services which he has rendered to the country in its political, financial, and ecclesiastical reforms." (Applause.) He would add that the resolution be inserted on the minutes, and a copy sent to Mr Gladstone. With reference to the new leader, he hoped, whoever he should be, he would be able to reconstruct the Liberal party on a sub- stantial basis. (Applause.) Colonel Jones seconded the resolution, and said it was not necessary to say one word as to Mr Gladstone's abilities and labors, which were well known to all. He wished, however, to call attention to Mr Bright's speech, which seemed to have fallen short of the expectations of some. Mr Bright was looked up to as the great prophet of Liberal policy, and it was anticipated that he would have some great war cry to proclaim. He (the speaker), however, agreed with Mr Bright that it was the policy of the Liberals now to sit still, and that it would be a great waste of power to meddle in matters. They would do better to bide their time, and try to educate themselves and the world around. Of course, it was as well to look forward to the future, the great question of which, though a long way off, was perfect freedom of instruction of every kind. (Applause.) He protested against any inter- ference with anybody's doctrines, and also against paying for other people's religion. Dis- establishment would come, but he believed if they left it to the Church, it would disestablish it self. (Applause.) The leaven was working thoroughly. The on y practical difficulty was as to what should be done with the money. In con- clusion, he said he thought Mr Gladstone coald not have retired at a better time. If he bad re- tired before, he would have been missed more, if he had kept in office longer, the man who was to carry the great measures of the future won!,l not have had the time and opportunity to be edu- cated for the post. (Applanr e.) The Chairman added a few remarks, in which be said that what little Mr Gladstone had said during last session had told more on the minds of the people than all that be had done in twenty years, and now the fruits of his work would be- gin to fructify. He thought that now was the time for a new leader to successfully commence his duties. (Applause.) The resolution was then put and carried wi:h acclamation. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr Low was re-elected president, Mr Chas. Haghes as vice-president, and Lieut.-Col. Jones as treasurer. Mr N. R. Griffiths and Mr R. C. Rawlins were elected honorary secretaries, and Mr Tilston re-elected secretary. The executive committee of 24 was also elected. VOTE OF THANKS TO MR MINSHALL. mr iN. R. Griffith proposed a vota of thanks to Mr T. E. Minshali (on his removal from the town and retirement from the post of honorary secretary) for his services to the Liberal cause in Wrexham. He had been the prime mover in the formation of the Liberal Association, and was al" ways most energetic in the promotion of any object tending to the welfare of the town. (Ap- plause.) Mr Samuel Jones seconded the resolution. He had known Mr Minshali in connection with various objects of good in the town, other than the Liberal Association, and had always found him losing no effort to do good to all in every way. The preat exertions he had made on be- half of the working men of Wrexham, had won their gratitude, and it would accompany him wherever he went. (Applause). The Chairman and Mr Gill supported the motion which was carrie I with cheers. Mr Minshall, in returning thanks said that what he had done in the town had been from a genuine interest in its welfare. He had always striven to organise and systematise as much as possible the various institutions he had been con- nected with, and thus make them more capable 0 good. (Applause). The proportion of Liberal ism in Wrexham was no doubt very great, but there was always a want of organisation, and is had been anxious that they should Idse nothirg from the want of it in the future. He nrgett them to reconcile their differences and carry out their objects unitedly, heartily, and sincerely Crotcheis could never be allowed if they wished to loyally carry out the objects of the Associa- tinn as laid down. (Appiause). He hoped al! Liberals would rally to the association, and so make it representative of the party. If it a members were confined to a few they would only be doing mischief. Each one present should therefore strive to get as many Liberal friends as possible to join, and have the organisation as complete as possible, so that when an election came, they would only have to turn the steam on. (Applause). THE NEWSROOM. The following newspapers, &(- were agreed to be taken for the Newsroom- DAILY PAPERS.-Times, Daily Teleyrafh, Daily .Yeu:s, Standard, Liverpool, Mercury, Manchester .Exa,tA!ner, Birminghaia Pout. WEEKLIES.- W),exhant Adve)-tiser, Wrexham Guar dian, Oswestry Advertizer, Liverpool Mercuru, Publ Opinion, Punch, Fun, Illustrated London Velv8, Rt;y- nolds' Newspaper, Christian World, Penn i Ilh^trat'il Paper, Baner ae A mserau Cymru, Herald Cymravj Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald, Examiner, Enjiiiet r, Engineering, Alliance News, Dover Chronicle, In- quirer, Saturday Review, Spectator, Midland Count's Herald, Bee Hive, Builders' Weekly Reporter. 'NION Tll LY. -British Trade Journal, He raid oj Peace, Canadian News, Gardeners' Magazine, F:,¡. cial Rejormer, Free West, Printers' RaJ ^t.-r,' tL-c, &e. Some of the above are supplied free by friends or the publishers. It was also agreed that chess, draughts, and dominoes be supplied, and that the rEtJill be open from 8 30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Some other matters of detail were then tl-s- cussed and the proceedings terminated. 0

I WREXHAM SCHOOL BOARD. A meeting of the School Board was held yes- terday. There were present—Mr C. (chairman), Mr J. Pryce-Jones, Mr Coleman, Mr C. Rocke, Mr J. James (clerk), and Mr Lindop (visiting officer). The following report was rea.1 by Mr Lindop :— To the Members of the Wrexham School Board. GENTLEMEN,—In my last report I called attention to the fact of a number of children having left our elementary schools and gone to dame schools for the purpose of escaping the notice of the visiting officer as no returns of the attendances are made by these schools. I have since found that in Wigan two mem- bers of the School Board visited the various Itmt- schools in that town, and drew up a report as to their efficiency, the sanitary con tition of the rooms the schools were held, Ac., and they also succeeded in in- ducing the mistresses of those schools upon which they reported favourably to keep a register of the tt- tendances, and to supply the visiting officer with such information as he required. several ot the cases to be brought before yorr notice to-day are of an aggravated character. Fore- most amongst these is the case of Henry Mitchell Victoria-place, Famrlon-street. This is the third time that he has had notice to appear before the Board in addition to which he has been summoned before 'the magistrates, convicted, and tined. The case of his neighbour, Thomas Lloyd, plasterer, is one that el's for a good deal of reprehension. He is a man in re- ceipt of good wages, but no amount of pressure hitherto brought to bear upon him has had the effect of making him send his children one trhe of their time to school. The case of T. Hayes, Uvmt-streeV ought also to be singled out for special notice. IP, like some of the others, has previously oceilpit..i the, attention of the School Board, resulting in a promise to send the children to school, a promise which was partially kept for a time, but for some weeks past the only school they have attended has been the EagJes Meadow, where a lot of lads are wont to congregate daily for purposes which scarcely come under t?he? of educational. The other cases are Thomas Wy4»' saddler, Victona_place; Richard CoHev, for?m? \ictona-place; Peter Owen, Hiahtown T? Huughiand, Fairheld-street; Ueo,?Th?s n.'So" Bellevue-road William Owen, tahourer Tu:?-??? child gone to school since the uotice has been ?rv?"' Martm Bowlin, labourer, Harrison's-court Farn('cn- stieet, Sa.nh Wdson, Owens'.s-courtBeas'/?k'? Edward Cah.H, labourer, Isle ? Man W?am Hirr' phreys, bricklayer, Erddig-ro?d Enzibe-? Pr "T Pic^n-terrace, gone to ?h.ols'ince' t?n?e tL served. The establishment of fortnightly fairs h? h .) the effect of further lowering the ;.vera"e attpn iar, ,*■ the Boys' National School and the Infant School, ,n tM sr istf Sc:l is dose¡l a" from theDRnw fe ^uith«re ,weer.*«> abUnt from the RnvQ, -hl LL —-j ? 'j?A??iun  numher of whom failed to put in anpp?Se?n?? day following,-I have the honour to be, bcntlemfn) your obedient and humble^ervanT t0 January 28th, 1875. j.L??p. A number of parents who had been sammouttl were in attendance. The Boanl st:oJJgly :m- pressed npon the parents the neccssky of rhtir sending their children !o school regnlarly, aad in timated their intention ef enfarcing 0 a re o alar attendance. n=1L FINANCE. 01118 wcre passed for Mr Potter, 12. 61 Hughps and Piienua", 49.; Mr Lindop, £11: School Board Chronicle, 6-. 6d. LETTERS. A letter was read fiom Mr J. Lewis, c:mp'ain- mg of the departure from the a>aal d..v monthly meetings, »nd making titfni cha: -ea without; the sense of the Board being taken af:"f notice. The Chairman suggested that; a copy :1 the resolution be sent to Mr Lewis, to°gether wr"^ the I ames of the mem! ers pr. a,.ut. c",Ir P Jon s aadersto. d the. Mr Uwis was prese. ¡1t that meeting. Several I'1]. m." rs and theCle-k said he was nct. Mr R,cke seconded the motion, which was agreed to.-A long letter from C 0 :tl Jones, with regard to the annexation of Aben- baryto Wrexham for Scbo >1 Board purpcseg, and a letter also from the Edi c ttion Pep-rtmeit on the same subject, wt-re read. It ,V3 decided to defer the consideration of the subject nntil next meeting.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. 1 [WEATIER PERMITTING.] SIR W. W. WY.WS HOUNDS MEET ON Saturday, January 30 AJJers? Monday, February 1 Kuyton-e!eve;i-t, vul Tuesday, Februarys. :Friday February 5 'Prtr Saturday, February S.Hmly B?Ii ?'t? a ur a Each day at 10.30. "? THE RUTHIN HARRIERS WILL ME^T ftv Thursday, February 4 Crown, Llal, At 11 a.m. THE FLITSHIRE liTR?ItRS WILL ??? r-? CN Tuesday, February 2 Friday, February v :Pa<lt'swr.o,l Monday, February 8  Saturday, FebruarylS ???? I ?try 4ch day a.m. Satur?y, J SJ' C. H. WILL ??T c? Saturday, January 30 I At U?: ?<'Y.tr?

A GRAND CONBERT at Wynnstay is announced • ?? columns to-day, in aid of the Ruabon Cot- tage Hospital. 1,T D.K.V.—Tbe nex' drU' will take place at ,i.e barracks on Taesday evenin, at half-past on Tuesday evening, at half-past ? THE V?LrxiEER BALL.-The hon. sec. begs to ?.nowtc-'i?e tbe receipt of £ 1 h, from S. P. ? „ E-q towards the Volanteer B?)l Fuud. p??u. SANITARY AUTHORITY.—A special meet- ?. t ,?s h?!d at the Workhouse on Thursday, 1 ing expected that by that day a definite reply  .?) be received from Me8rs. Longueville, '? ?d Williams, soticitor?, Oswestry, 8S to J d tÍJe niece of laud at the Pant nquired for an out- fir part of the Rhos sewage. There were g, ,_Mr W. Low (in the chair), Mr S. T. ??"h Mr T. P. Joaes-Parry. Mr E. B. SamaeJ, :If D. Kashotham, Mr J. Barton, and Mr J. ? ?,.?. Messrs. Acton and Bury intimated K had had an interview with Messrs. t!J:o' d W II' ville,Jt)ii(,s, and Williams, and their sur. VC- 'r but no reply had yet been received stating tCI .J 'CIM' SUM. The mutter was then adjourned tJtbt ordinary meeting to be held on TaeisdiLv. f x i DISTRICT HIGHWAYS Bl.&ItD.-A c of this board was held at the Wynnstay on Tuesdav mcrning, and there were fjj"—Mr S. T. Baugb (iu the chair), Dr. f:Ila«bon), Mes?rs. Clayton, Milligan, Mur- i (li mbon), S. Harrison, Brereton, Woolrich I' ..u^tou) Woolrich, Edwards, Sesswick, Wil- -,and Mr Low, ex officio.-The an. statement of accounts was iaid before the and was ordered to be printed. It was Rr" ,,i to make the following supplementary calls: Hovab, £ i; Broughton, £ 94; Brymbo,  t-iclnsham Above, ?6; Gresford, £ 5$ ?. v 1 £3; H?t,f37; Marchwie!,fM; ? ???y, £ 5.—Mr S. Harhson advocated the s of tLe read in the township of Goarton 1\.i. 1_:11- .L £ tiJt' jMiiiit where mm ?<&uu was xmea a snon ^ia! tuck He said that at the same place two J • jicrid?ms bad occurred within the last five ? H' believed that the land adjoining might ,>I. H G K s'i'v lit had fr-m the Hon. Geo. eDyoD.-Mr ? 1: clerk said it had been thought unfair to 'In" 1 J "I the expenditure on Gourton bet the re- F <t ,L I [' "f adj oining townships did not seem "I d to bear a?y part of the expense.—The I. ell. d t 1.' h T .vivjirdecs wpre advised to bring the matter be. • j.,< iiiiiat it tats of the townships concerned. •*U'I 'Vi Icoefe drew attention to a dangerous pond -?' ? ?? bye-road leading to Stryt-yr- ? fME Cock Bauk.—The Surveyor was in- ,? ?? :n report upon the place complained of. ACCIPEST IN HCFE-STREET.—For £ „v.v. ks past a large building has been in .ir? of predton fur Mr Joseph Clark, over the 'ts cccaped by Messrs. Edwards, in Hope- tt.,?-. The i?uiUfjn had been taken to a great h. ¡gh:. Rnd in front bal been placed a quantity ? C??ng, cMrr.?d up suSieientty high to en-  the copin-. The co p iiicy a?t :i? wjrkmeu t3 nx the coping. The coping ?.,?. each wei?ued 7 cwt. to 'I cwt., and these nr" i ied ou a qaantity of brickwork which itself j v. i: onght forward some distance in front of the liue of me wall. Tllus the over-hanging mass jp;.r:red to non-critical eyes to be mott danger- or. Hiid that their fears were not grDundle?s was -ii-jkc i by an accident which occurred just before cut o'clock CL Tuesday afternoon, and which for the being caused considerable consternation in tin vxiuity. The workmen were not on the sc.<. £ i<M;iig, it being the dinner hour, but some of tilt-ill wIre standing on the parapet beneath, and utlwrs were standing at ihe door of the vaults, wLicii had been kept open whilit the work was iu r>ryare?9. Suddenly, and without the slightest two of the large coping stones over- lift!;iuc;it and Ml from a height of thirty-five feet will, a c:asii, bringing with them a considerable futility of the brickwork. One or two of the icaff'hiing poles were snapped like matches, and a' ,d deal of the planking was likewise dislodged hi"! t -me down. At the moment, several men v< iv sanding underneath and there were one or two extremely narrow escapes. One young fel- Io-.v wii.. if emid y d in the vaults had his hat ami i:Oiit tcrain-ti" by one of the stones, bet he amii; j :ri'd, Two other men, however, w- r iuock"d down by the debris, and it was tiionu't:t at first that certainly one of them was killed. Th broken spars were cleared away as q jick*v as possible, aud it was then found that ¡"I" n jaries sucainea by the two men were noth- iujre ihuu a few slight braises. Two other wfn, eu^'igci iu the cellar below, were likewise hnr;, iltit not seriously. The falling timber had smu«ljeii through the wooden door in the foot- pith, and some of the splinters had caught them. Tiji work wa-j suspended, and the trafie was Kojijud for a couple of hocrs, as it was thooght tb: more of the coping might come down in like mealier. The accident formed a subject of dis- fiifSion at the meeting of the Town Council in 'u afternoon, to a report of which in another colauiu we refer our readers. T IE CouTr ExPF,DzTr-.r F-. -LOCAL ITEKS.— Iu addltiou to the general abstract printed in eur :nker;ifing columns, we cull the following local i: :1I:> frolD the statement of the receipts and dis- bursements of the county and police rates for the year ,-uding Michaelmas, IS71, and which has just published. Amongst the receipts were tue police flops, which were: Bromfield and 2, 31; Llangollen, jE33 15s Si; liu iii:i. £ 3i 18s 0i; Isidulas, JE13 93 9J; I cidultts, £26 12s 3t; borough of Wrexham, illl 3s 3d; borough- of Denbigh, je6 12s 6d. Fioiu 'Vrexiiam was received £39 6s on account of jiedUrs' certificate-, and Cll 17s 4d for damping weights; from Denbigh, 915 2s au] 13 from Llanrwst, for stamping, JE4 8s lid. The payments in respect of the militia barracks ] cam- to £ 51 Is 81, which included a gas bill for £ H Th" corouer of the Wrexham dis- trie; received fl70 as salary and JE63 14s for iuciiU'Ltul expenses the coroner of the Denbigh di^ricr. >50 and £ 15 15s 2d: and the salary p-¡ to the Holt coroner was £2 .25. Inspecting wei-hts and measures cost L18 » t:> O e., p. year's rent of room for the inspector of Helmuts at Wrexham, £ 30 at Denbigh, JE15. ;-rvices and journeys made by the cattle -ti-pecMrs was paid James Williams, JE1; John Ldw.vcis. £ 1 17, 6d J. C. Bushnell, 96 15s; 2Ld T, Ksanedy, Wrexham, JE55 65 Od. Mr J. L-wis, Wroi-iiam, received for business dene tu!. r the Jury Act, £ 16 3- Cd Mr Richards, n flj 7. Mr Adams, Ruthin, 29 17-s m rdrry Jones, Denbigh, f7 6s Mr Griffith, Llturws- LE 19^ 6i; Messrs Sisson end George, ^lf: £ 3-1-: SIr Allington Hughes, Wrexham, i:l IJJ; for expenses incurred under the L •'i'.L-At: Mr Adams, £ 2 5s Ed Mr M. £ 2 l'Jg ol Mr Parry Jones, jE3 14s 9i jlt r si«Hon and George, £ 3 ls t'd; Mr J. L 117 17s 5d. To the chief constable, d-mi -ciuvf constable and Superintendent Tudge ilJ given to each for forage of horse. Fr<IIIl Alr Lewis and Mr J. Allington Hughes received £ 41 Os 6d and JElC 1, 3d re- E p -(.i!I*- IY on tile superannuation account, those futns ii-.Bj" r derived from fines. The materials fur I'n-rii labour cost E127 7s 10d, and the ???"U realised £ 195 17? 10d, making the "? ?' ir L.tnd (?n this account £ 8B ?3 ld, £ 14 ??? ?? in ? preyioas year. BoLrr <IF GUARDIANS.—The weekly IEof this board was held on Thursday, and u:r. ",pre present: Mr S. T. Baugh (chairman), i A. Peel (vice-chairman), the Rev. R. O. Capt. White, Messrs. J. Kenrick, 1. "J!i rs, D. IttLsbotham, J. Barton, A. W. Ed- Parsonage, R B. Samuel, E. Rowland G. PY. I. Shane, and Mr W. Low, and Mr T. lie,- l'arr t-x.oF co.-? y, Nlr E. E. Wright In his resigna von of the post of relieving r'w'"c^ ? ?? eight years. As he ':1.1I',r. wbidl he bad held eight years. As he /w/l"ted i to enter cpon the duties of his new sitaa- t" a". early as púsBible, he should esteem it a if she Board would dispense with his eer- \'Jf", 10 two or three weeks instead of requirin g to" ¡:sual month's notice.—Et was agreed to ae- .cl 1 :e resignation and to advertise for a ane- ce the salary to be at the rate of £ 80 a year. 1 ) Haster eported that the sick wards were Qvl,r.crrjwded, and there were two or three cases T^cpiving wards waiting to pass through, r" DII.Qies, medical officer, said that every av ,,14 e placc in the house was filled. There Wa" a case cf epidemic erysiplas in the house eu certaiuiy ought to he isolated. Epidemics W..r.. ,.outiunally happening in the house, and yet tL, r fre 110 !E'Jans of effecting complete separa- tiu i he Masitr stated that there were 222 in- m the bouse, which was certi&ed to ac- ?.?.d?e265; ?ILthe vacaut room could not _M.de a?i?bte because the sick and icnrm Wo¡¡ Id have to be taken through the men's lrT'F-~Tbe Visiting Committee were re- ^1 Sed to report upon the matter.-The Magter •i-fted that there were in the house 222 in. R ?? last /ear 234, ?grants relieved 37.—The Edwards, Berse DreHnconrt, asked per- tt.' Jr 0 to exhibit a magic lanrn to the inmates ofth touse. The eMrdians usented to the Dronn ? ™a* ?? ? wife were appointed, th- < °??  look after the boiler at ?salary of 12 We apanmente, and raticM. j?nd his ?"'? e fW $ ?r to act u mk. I GARDEN AND AGRICULTURAL CATALOGUE.—We have received a copy of the catalogue of garden, agricultural, and flower seeds just issued by Mr Y. Strachan, High-street. It is extremely well got up, and contains a considerable number of illus- trations, which enables buyers to form an idea of the size and peculiarities of the various veget. ables and seeds referred to. PROFESSIONAL.— We are glad to see the name of Mr T. W. Price, of the Sbepton Mallet Gram- mar School, son of Mr T. G. Price, and grand- son of the late Rev. Hugh Price, of Wrexham, among those who have passed successfully the preliminary examination for the diploma of mem- ber of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December, 1874. THR PROPOSED TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. CANCN CUNLIFFE.-The following is a cdpy of the reply of the Rev. Canon Cunliffe to Mr Bury, vestry clerk, on beipg informed of the intention of the parishioners to present him with a testi- monial Wrexhatr, Jan. 22,1875. My DEA F. BURY,-On thinking over the purport of your visit to me this morning, I have come to the decision that I must decline to receive any testi- monial from my parishoners on resigning the vicarage 4>f Wrexham. Will you please to convey this, my wish, to the gentlemen forming the Committee, and assure them that however grateful I am for their kind inteutions towards me, the approval of the parishoners of the manner in which I have ministered among them for the last 48 years (as testified by the late vestry) is the most cratifvincr and cheerintr testimonial I ran receive.—Yours faithfully, receive.—Yours faithfully, GEORGE CUNLIFFE. John Bury, Esq.