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A " 1 \'EnSAHY 01' TIE RECHA…
A 1 \'EnSAHY 01' TIE RECHA mTE j '• )u M uiday last th-; members of tin*: local ti nt <.r lodge of Rocbabitcs held their ann'versaryiht.hc Temperance Hall. The name of the tent is Cam- bria's < !lory,v and it is in a most prosperous st?te The nrst portion of the eeb;brat!on of theanniver? sary M;IS a meat tea, which was of a very liberd ami sumptuous description, ami reneeted n'at credit upon Mr Dodd, of Uw Cocoa Rooms Hndi- street, to whose experienced care the catering was I left. The urns at the various tables, which were laid crossways of the hall, wci- presided over by scveial ladies whose inteiest in the Temperance v. oi k thus took a very practical form. From the appearance of those friends who partook of the things, all dIll well and the waiting arrange- n?nt?, toanks to good management. ,,?ere as per- tmtasp<tssih]e. j At 7.:{0 a puL!ic meeting w?s )ield, which was ? Mel) attended, there being upwards of 500 persons l'n:ent. The Rev. D. Howc!), vicar, presided, and was supported on the pJatform by the Revs. 1. •Tonkins, H. J. Haffer, D. Rli" ys-denkins, Messrs. .1. H. Rawlins, J. W. Jones. Samuel Ellis, W. Lester, T. Cunliffe (deputation), and Mr John Smith, the indefatigable and obliging secretary. After hymn 37 in Sankej's collection had been "1111, the Rev. 1). lthvs Jenkins offcre(I prayer. The Vicar said he should reserveany few remarks that he had to make until the close of the meeting. It ITa \'C him very great and sincere pleasure to be present that night, l'leasure to his very heart, for he was heart and soul in the work of Temperance. (Apphnv-e.) Mr James Davies then sang, "He wipes a tear from i v. ry eye," in a feeling manner, and was ac- e-.mpanl'd on the piano by Mr C. W. Thomas, who -),-te(I as accompanist to the songs with his usual skill and ability. A number of letters had been received by the secretary from gentlemen in the neighbourhood, r^retting inability to attend the anniversary, in- cluding the following from Sir R. A. Cunliffe, Bart., :\1.P. House of Commons Library, August 17th, 18S0. DKAII SIR,—I heg to acknowledge your letter of 10th, II liieh seems to have been delayed in reaching me here. I shall he very glad to attend if possible, the meeting of the Cambria's Glory Tent Anniversary, on Monday, 30th, in accordance with the invitation you have been good enough to send me from your committee; but the present state of public business obliges me to give only a qualified promise as I fear it is uncertain to say within several tlavs at what period the important work now before the House wi I lie finishe(I.-I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, he Mr J. Smith, Secretary. R. A. CU.NLII FE. Mr John Smith, the secretary, then read the following report :— CIIAIIIMA.v, LADIES AND OKXTLEMEN',—At this, our aunual gathering, it falls to my lot as secretary of the Tent, to u nder some account respecting our p sition as a Benefit Society. And it may not lie out of place to state that it is now upwards of:38 vea, s since the present RechabiteTent was I' first opened in Wrexham, and during that time, notwith- standing the many obstacles it has had to encounter, it has ;d\v;ivs been able to hold its own, and it now forms one of the most iinpoi taut Tents in the Chester district, which comprises uleven different Tents or clubs with a meUlher- >hip of ;ibrut ;>5il, and a total worth of £1,:S2. The object* of our Society are, first—promotion and spread of teetotalism secondly, to raise funds by a gradu- ated scale of contributions, in order to ensure to its mem- bers a > payment in sickness and for insuring a sum -f money to lie paid on the death of a member or his wife; aid thirdly, t >r providing members with assistance when travelling in search of employment. The Order has adopted the ;;radu-Jed scale of contributions as a permissive measure, and the laws are certified and registered accord- !)).; to Act ot Parliament. Its funds are established on the j share principle, and a member can have from two to six shares in the sick fund, which would secure to llilU from 5s to Jos per in sickness, according to the number of shares talcn The funeral fund is also in shares, anil a 1 member can have fr4iiii two to four shares for himself and wife, which should secure from £ 10 to £ 20 at death. So that a persun can adapt his payments according to his means. I Each member only pays for the amount of shares he secures, either on his own or his wife's account, that is he nllly pay:, for what lie gets, and gets what he pays for which is a more just and equitable principle than charging all alike, whether married or single and every total ab- stabler, of sound constitution, is eligible for membership, and none other, for this is really our stronghold, and we have proved it to be a safe guarantee that total abstainers are less liable to sickness than the drunkard, or even the moderate diinker, and such heing ,the case, all we ask is, that total abstainers will join our ranks in preference to •tiler societies, where there is no difference made betwixt the teetotaler and the non-teetotaler. And as a proof of this, nm' own tent fully bears out, we have had no death amongst our members since August, lSjü-more than four years ago. Our members are those who are the least likely to require sick benefit, not sir, that we ever sin-ink from paying members when sick, for all our pay- ments are mule promptly, and we hold that when a member pays his contributions into a Friendly Society, when he is Ln health, he has a perfect right to claim his sick allowance when ill. At the end of last year we numbered UK) members, the average age being a little over 3;; years, the number of members who had been ill during the year was 24. The total worth of the Tent was < £ 381 J8s (hi, this is exclusive of the funeral fund which is upwards of £ 250, making a total worth per member of £3 15s lid. In conclusion, 1 trust the report recommends itself to all teetotalers as a good, sound and beneficial order, with- out enumerating the noble principles of total abstinence from all intoxicants, and perhaps I may be allowed to state that it cannot be excelled, if equalled, by any other order based on temperance principles, or otherwise, and only cequiries personal and eollective efforts to make the Tent even mere prosperous in the future than it has been in the past. The Chairman said he hoped they had all paid attention to the report which had just been read, and to one item he should like to direct their special attention, which was the fact that no mem- ber had (lied since 1 S7G! (Applause.) That was, he thought, an irresistible argument in favor of temperance, which should be well known by all. (Hear, hear.) A (flee Party then sang I- Ftii- Flora decks. The glee was rendered in a very nice manner. The Chairman then introduced the deputation, Mr Thomas Cunliffe, editor of the I'cchd.Mtc Maya- and (rimrd' ian. ii- ) io -as receive d with Mr CunUi! P.H.C.R., who was received with applause, said it gave him great pleasure to come from Lancashire to Wrexham in order to say some- thing in favor of Rechabitism. (Hear, hear.) The Order was Republican, for the youngest member might become one of the highest officials in the Order, but at the same time they were intensely conservative, not Conservative with a capital C— but in the way in which they protected the in- terests of the Order and also the members. After briefly detailing its origin, he went on to give some facts with reference to it. The Order which he was there to represent had about thirty-five thou- sand members connected with it, and it had branches not only throughout Great Britain and the Channel Islands, but if they went to the Auti- podes they would find a large number of Rechabites there under British, jurisdiction. In the Victoria district, which was established a few years ago, the members at the present moment numbered i about six thousand, with the same results in favor of total abstinence as had been obtained by the i Order in this country. He desired it to be dis- tinctly understood that the Recliabites were not in antagonism to any other existing friendly society. The Oddfellows, the Foresters, and other kindred associations had been, and still were doing a great and important work in this country, and the Recliabites took all that was good belonging to those other societies, but left out that which, in their opinion, was bad. And they contended that experience had gone to prove that by their ab- stinence from intoxicating drinks they had a de- cided I'?wer rate of mortality and less sickness, and that when sickness overtook them they recovered sooner and lived longer. (Hear, hear.) AV- haten-er others intended to do, his intention was to live as long as he cou ld—(hear, hear, and lau-liter)-aiid if those v. hom lie was addressing desired to do the s^me, all they had to do was to join the Recha- bites. In the early days of the Society the charge made against them was that they were certain not to live very long, but now the complaint against them was that they would not die. (Laughter and applause.) It was always a very difficult thing to make statistics interesting, but if they would bear with him for a few minutes he thought he could furnish them with a few facts concerning Rechabitism which they would find worthy of their attention and consideration. In connection with other friendly societies they had been en- j deavouring. for some time past, to determine, by means of the best statistics they could obtain, which society it was most desirable to join, be- cause he supposed it would be at once admitted that if a man could become connected with a society in which the mortality was only twelve per cent., it was far better than joining one where the mortality was 24 or 26 per ecnt., seeing that the chance of living in the one was about double that of the other. In his own district at Bolton,a manu- facturing district where they certainly had not so pure an atmosphere as in Wrexham, but were lost in smoke and dirt, they were able to shew the ad- vantage of abstinence principles in a way that was very marked, when compared with the Odd-fellows, J against whom, of course, they had nothing to say, except that they allowed their members to partake of intoxicating drinks. In a year in which fever was raging-in lSi4-the Rechahitcs in Darwen J had 104members, and only three deaths, while the Odd-fellows had nineteen deaths out of 020 mem- bers the rate of mortality in the former case being IS per thousand, and in the latter .51 per thousand. The pu blicans in Darwen, that year, died at the enormous rate of 1.10 per thousand, shewing that the scourge which they administered to other people sometimes came back upon themselves. one Rechabite that died there ere eight publicans, and he thought this alone was sufficient to shew the advantage of such an Order as that whose principles he was there that day to ad\ocate. I he sickness in that year was even more marked than the mortality, for white the- Recliabites, ,ho ¡ charged a lower fee than the Odd-fellows made a gain of about ,tit! on the year, the Odd-fellows made a loss of over £ 90, their members I stricken down by fever in much larger proportion than the others. It was just the same when they had the cholera in the North. Those who took the drink were swept away those who abstained from it were free from the disease. The iiiot-talit3, of any friendly society was verv much better than the ordinary mortality of large towns; that was to say that the ordinary mortality of large towns varied from oO to 36 per thousand while the murtality ûf frienillv societies generally was about 24 per thousand. But tl\"t of the Recliabites, taking the whole country round, was not more than 12 per thousand. (Applause.) He did not know that he could put before them any- thing more conclusive than this as. all argument in favor of Rechabitism but v.iany other statistics could be produced, all tending in the same direction. Some people, for instance, considered that it was not fair to single out a particular year in which j ever had prevailed, for the purposes of comparison; j and. therefore, in order to test the question they grouped together a larger area of members, with the result that the year IS71;, while the illol-titlitn- amongst the He1;lbitt,s was at the rate of 41i pel' 3,»00 members, the death-rate among the Odd- follows in the same locality was 7-> per It was clear, therefore, that from whatever point of view the matter was judged, the advantage was on the si do of the Recliabites, and he put it to them' confidently that, if they wanted to join the !)Cst friendly society in existence, they must join the Recliabites. (Hear, hear.) The speaker then de- tailell at considerable length an account of a scries of meetings which had been held in the Isle of Man. He pointed out that out of the 2(5,000 souls on the island '2,000 w ere members of the Recliabites, I I} so every eighth person lie met was a participator in the benefits of that order whose claims lie was advocating that night. What were the advantages to be gained by joining the Order. There were little sickness, and, when illness did come, there was a shorter spell of it. He hoped lie had said enough to make them members, and if any present belonged to drinking friendly societies he would say to them, come out from amongst them and join us for we will do you good." (Applause.) After a few words from the Vicar with regard to a club he joined when he was assistant curate in his first parish, and the meetings of which were so detestable as an occasion for drinking that he soon severed his connection with it, the following pro- gramme was then gone tlirou-(,h Song, Ian the Life-Bo:it Rev. J. Jenkins Song "The better lantl" Miss M. Lewis Glee The Sleigh "The Glee Party St)n The Village Blacksmith "Mr Jas. Davie" Song Jack's Yarn" Kev. J. Jenkins Air from Blodwen Miss M. Lewis Glee "He made all Nature Free "The Glee Party Rev. H. J. Haffer then proposed a vote of thanks to the deputation, and in the course of his remarks said that Mr John Bright once stated that great measures were only to be obtained by a repetition of the facts over and over again, at all times and in all places, in season and out of season. So was it with the temperance question. (Hear, hear.) Mr W. Lester seconded the vote of thanks with great pleasure and pointed out how practical a matter it was. The proposition having been put to the meeting and carried, Mr Cunliffe briefly returned thanks. an d carr i e d i Mr J. H. Rawlins proposed, and the Rer. D. Rhys Jenkins seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, who, in replying, said that he was sorry to have to break his word, but like the Irishman in the story he had lost his spach." The question was whether or not that was the best of friendly societies, he would ask them to think the question over as a matter of business. It was every man's business to assist in reclaiming the drunkard." (Applause.) The meeting then broke up. ———— —————
iQUARTERLY MEETING OF THE…
QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL. TCE^DAY, ArctrsT 31st. Present Alderman E. Smith, mayor Alderman J. Beale, Alderman Y. Strachan Councillors J. F. Edisbury, G. Bradley, Walter Jones, John Wil- liams, Richard Jones, C. Huxley, and F. Jones Mr Thomas Bury, town clerk; Mr J. W. M. Smith, borough surveyor; Mr D. Higgins, in- spector of nuisances. THE OENEKAL DISTRICT RATE, THE LATE COLLECTOR, &C. It was resolved to rescind the resolution passed at the last monthly meeting of the Council that the general district rate book be left at the office of the Town Clerk, and be opened for public in- spection on and after Tuesday, the twenty-fourth day of August instant, and that on the thirty-first day of August instant, at the Quarterly Meeting of the Council, the general district rate be made, and that the Town Clerk be requested to give the notice required by law of the intention of the Council to make the said rate, and when and where the statement thereof will be disposed for inspee- tion, and in lieu thereof it was ordered that the said general district rate book be left at the office of the Town Clerk, and be open for public inspec- tion, on and after Tuesday, the twenty-first day of September, and that on the twenty-eighth day of September, at the monthly meeting of the Council, the general district rate be made upon the estimate approved at the last meeting, and that the Town Clerk be requested to give the notice required by law of the intention of the Council to make the said rate, and when and where the statement thereof will be deposited for inspection. The Town Clerk explained that the reason for-, this course being adopted was due to the fact that; the new collector for the Guardians had not been able to obtain the rate book from the Overseers of the Wrexham Regis until within the last day or two, and in order to avoid trouble hereafter it had l been thought desirable to postpone the making of the general district rate until they were in a position to follow the poor rate, because if the estimates did not correspond in amount with the names of the parties it might lead to future difficulty and trouble. Referring to the minutes of the Finance Corn- mittee, the Town Clerk gave particulars connected with the unauthorised collection, from the Great Western Railway Co., on the part of the late Borough Collector, of a portion of the rate of February, 1880, the receipts for which were in the ) Town Clerk's possession. The Town Clerk said another instance of a similar character had since come to light, and after some discussion, the recommendation of the Finance Committee to prosecute the late collector was confirmed by the Council, the matter, however, on the suggestion of the Town Clerk, being subsequently referred back to a special meeting of the Finance Committee. THE liYE-LAWS. Mr Walter Jones asked what progress the com- mittee appointed for the revision of the borough bye-laws were making ? He happened to introduce the question of the bells before anybody else, and several people had been asking him what had been done in the matter, and whether the Council really could do anything ? The Town Clerk said the revision was as nearly as possible completed, and he hoped by the next meeting to be able to produce the revised bye-laws for the approval of the Council. They would then have to be deposited for inspection and the usual formalities gone through. In reply to Mr John Williams, the Town Clerk said a special bye-law had been introduced in order to meet the coal bell nuisance. Aid. Beale also hoped a clause would be inserted under which the nuisance arising from wheel- barrows and perambulators being wheeled on the parapets could be dealt with. The Town Clerk replied that it would be quite open for any member of the Council to move the introduction of any special matter they might think necessary. The revision of the bye-laws, i however, was not a matter confined simply to the bell-ringing and one or two other comparatively small matters in themselves, but the entire bye- laws had had to be revised, and a number of new matters had to be introduced, and it was therefore a work which could not be done hastily. (Hear, hear.) Mr Walter Jones suggested that every member should have a copy of the bye-laws in his possession for a month, a suggestion which was considered'- very desirable. Mr F. Jones asked if the Council had any power to seize any of the sacks of coal offered for sale and which were called cwts, but which were defrauding I the poor people all round the town ? Could any- thing be put into the bye-laws which would enable them to deal with this matter ? The Town Clerk said this was an offence which would come under the common law. Mr F. Jones remarked that nobody appeared to take the trouble to test these sacks. Aid. Strachan said lie had the means of weighing ¡ the sacks, but that lie had invariably found them rather over weight than under. Mr John Williams Ah, that's only lately. Mr F. JoLes I am glad to hear that from Aid. Strachan. I have found them otherwise. I know the trade and how it's carried on, and it's not carried on in an honest way by a great deal. Aid. Beale said he had heard many complaints, but they were from parties who were opponents of the dealers themselves, and it therefore often savored of partiality. F. Jones Well, I deal in coal myself, but I don't, sell it in the bags. I don't think it is giving the public their fair rights. j SAItli.Vril DESECRATION. Mr rrank Allmand wrote a letter to the Council strongly complaining that an "itinerant photo- grapher had been allowed to erect a booth in the Beast Market, opposite the old Primitive Ietho- dist Chapel (now used as a Mission House in con- nection with Chester-street Congregational Chapel), and that this artist openly desecrated the Sabbath by taking photographs to the great hindrance and annoyance of persons worshipping in the chapel re- ferred to. j The Town Clerk said if the party referred to ,vas I a discreditable person the simplest remedy was to give him notice to quit. He apprehended it would be the wish of the Corporation that no tenant of their's should in any way conduct themselves on a Sunday to the hindrance, of persons worship- j ping. Mr Bradley I don't think the Corporation should encourage Sunday trading, even of an artis- tic character. (Hear, hear.) After some further remarks, it was resolved on the motion of AM. Beale, seconded by Mr Jno. Williams, that the person referred to by Mr All- mand receive notice to quit, unless he discontinued the practice objected to. THE NEW STKEETS' EN?rn:Y. The Town Clerk announced that the local en- quir", as to the new streets scheme would take place on Wednesday next, the Sth September inst., i] when the estimates would go before the Inspector1 Major Tulloch. He (Mr Bury) had thought it ad- visable to secure the attendance of Mr Glennie I wh" had gone over the estimates, in order to call t hitr. as a witness before the Inspector. f A DESIRABLE PUliLIC IMPROVEMENT.—THE BFfTEI. I SHOP CORNER. The Mayor, ill introducing the resolution stand- in" ill his name, on the business paper, said it I-e- i ferred to a subject which he was sure would com- mend itself to them all. They would see. however, that if the* resolution was adopted, it would neces- sitate the expenditure of a considerable sum of i money but ho believed that in the expenditure of whalever sum it might be deemed desirable they should pay for the acquisition of the property named in his resolution the money would be very i well spent inasmuch as it would enable the Council to atfect a very great and long needed improve- ment. (Hear, hear.) For years they had had complaints made of, and most ugly names given to, the dangerous corner he referred to—indeed lie was surprized more- accidents had not occurred there. j Scarcely a day happened but there was nearly a collision at this particular point, and were it not forthestreet Icafers-wlioivotildappeai- to have their usessometimes-callillgout, vehicles must frequently come into collision. The Council had at the present time an opportunity, which might not occur again for generations, for acquiring the property in question, as they were no doubt aware the premises occupied by Mr Kendrick and Mr Jones at the corner of High-street and Chester-street was j shortly to be submitted to public competition. He I was sure they would all agree, and from what he had heard expressed by the residents that very day. there was a great wish existing that they should purchase the whole or so much of this pro- perty as might be required to effect the improve- [ ment. Personally, he thought it would be desir- I able to purchase the whole of the property and then take what they required to make the street the width they might decide it should be made and also to provide sufficient pathway and that they should either offer the remaining portion to the existing tenant who would have the opportunity of making a good place of business and he would no doubt be very glad to meet the Council in a spirit of fairness. He therefore begged to move-" That a committee be appointed to consider the desir- ability of purchasing the whole or some part of the property advertised to be sold by auction on the 10th proximo, situate at the corner of High-street and Chester-street, for the purpose of improving those streets, and with power to the committee, on behalf of the Urban Authority, to bily the pro- perty or some portion of it, at such price, and on such terms as the committee may deem expedient." (Applause.) j Mr John Williams had much pleasure in second- ing the motion. His association with the town of Wrexham had now extended over a period of 30 years, and the corner referred to had alway been a crying evil. He believed it was the general sentiment of the ratepayers of Wreaham that the present was a most desirable opportunity for carry- ing out this improvemeilt-(hear, hear)—and he had therefore very great pleasure in giving the Mayor's resolution his support. (Applause.) Mr Richard Jones did not think the committee should have full power to decide without first bringing the matter before the Council. The Mayor, however pointed out that the sale of the property was on the 10th inst. and that there was, therefore no time to brini: the matter before the Council, unless they had a special meeting. Mr Bradley said lie rose to support the motion with the greatest force he possibly could in that Council. The present opportunity for the improve- ment of the town was one which they certainly ought not to miss, and he thought they would be guilty of a dereliction of duty if they omitted to make the purchase, (Hear, hear,) As regarded the cost, of course it would no doubt be a very ex- pensive purchase, but if the property was worth anything to anybody it was to the ratepayers of Wrexham. (Applause.) He had some idea as to the cost, and as he should not be able to be present at the time the committee met, he now wished to express his opinion upon the matter. He advised j the committee to take into their confidence a firm of qualified valuers, in order that they might be screened from any condemnation that might come upon them hereafter. (Hear, hear.) Alderman Beale was also in favor of purchasing the property which he had known to be a very great eyesore for a great number of years. Mr Walter Jones likewise supported the resolu- tion, observing that one of his earliest recollections was connected with Wombwell's Managerie taking the lamp off the comer referred to—(laughter)—and he often heard the remark made-" What a pity that corner cannot be straightened He should also like to see that other corner by the Town Hall straightened" as well (Hear, hear.) They had now a good opportunity of making an improve- meiit let them therefore not miss it, or they would regret it ever afterwards. (Applause.) After some further discussion the following gentlemen were appointed to act on the committee proposed by the Mayor :—Alderman E. Smith (Mayor), Alderman Owen, Alderman Beale, Alder- man Strachan, Mr W. E. Samuel, Mr John Williams. %nd Mr C. Huxley. EGERTON-STREET. I Mr Bradley rose to move a resolution, of which he had given notice, with regard to Egerton-street, the terms of which were as follows :—" That inas- much, as Sir W. W. Wynn is not willing to give 1 up altogether the desired strip of land in Egerton- street, forming a part of the Savings Bank yard, but has expressed his willingness to concur in a lease of the ground at a nominal rent for the remainder of the Savings Bank lease, the Town Council resolve to accept the offer with thanks, aii(I carry out ths improvement in the manner I already proposed ito the Savings Bank Trustees." He did not think this resolution needed one word from him to recommend it. They had a letter now lying on the table from Mr Vaughan-Williams respecting the quantity of land which he had given up when setting his building back, which he did at the instance of the Board. He afterwards made a communication tc the Council stating that lie should be very willing to give that land free provided the Council set back the Savings Bank yard in a line with Mr Vaughan-Williams' frontage. He Mr (Bradley) thought they ought to meet that offer with the consideration it deserved, and inasmuch Sir Watkin's agent had offered the land upon certain conditions, they should accept those conditions. That part of the town was constantly increasing in importance and he was sure that all who were living at the expiration of the lease would be thankful that the Council had carried out this improvement. (Hear, hear.)—The resolution W" seconded by Aid. Beale and carried unanimously "HOSDDU ROAD. Mr Bradley, a.gain rising, said he had on the business paper two notices of motion in succession, which was rather an unusual circumstance. The second proposition, however, which he had to bring before the Board was this That the part of Rhosddu road from Nelson terrace to the borough boundary, being ct, present in a dangerous state for foot passengers, be widened and put in a satis- factory condition, and that it be an instruction to the Borough Surveyor to prepare a plan, specifica- tion, and estimate, of the necessary work, for the approval of the next Highway Committee." When- ever any member of that Board visited this partic- ular part of Rhosddu road, lie was sure they would agree with him in saying it was in a state which was disgraceful to the Wrexham Corporation. (Hear, hear.) On the one hand, they had a toler- able approach up to the end of Nelson terrace, where it had been widened and improved at a con- siderable cost, but between that point and the borough boundary it was in a perfect state of chaos. On the other hand, in the comparatively small township of Stansty, the Stansty ratepayers had exhibited a very praise- worthy amount of public spirit in widening the road as it passed through their township, and making it a really first-class suburban road—(hear, hear)—and he thought for the Council to leave their borough road in the state in which it was, immediately n contact with the improved portion referred to. was a standing disgrace to them. (Applause.) Every time he passed the road he was really ashamed of going along it, and he thought every member of that Board, if they took the trouble to viuit the spot, would realise the same feeling. He hoped, therefore, the Council would agree in the wisdom and desirability of the resolu- tion he had just proposed. (Hear, hear.) Mr Walter Jonc-s had much pleasure in second- ing the resolution, which he thought it most de- sirable should be carried out, the portion of road in question being simply a nuisance and an eye- sore. Ald. Strachan, in supporting the resolution, said he remembered ■-he time when the land was offered by Sir Robert Cunliffe, and manv were the com- mittee meetir g-j held on the subject. The field, however, wr- •: sold at last and came into the pos- session of Mr Thomas Jcnes and Mr Charles Glas- codine, and the thing fell through. He hoped, however, ir the <jnt!einen named were still in possession, the Council would be more fortunate, because the improvement suggested was ver" v much needed. (Hear hear. ) The Mayor ha-4 also a great deal of pleasure in supporting ths motion. He, too, reinembere(I some five or six years ago before this piece of land referred to Wrt ouilt upon or laid out for building I purposes, that Sir Robert Cunliffe was generous enough to make the Council the offer of a yard in width to enable them to widen the road on condi- tion taat they should build a wall. A committee went there to inspect, but through the advice of one member (thc-n in the Council) the thing was allowed to drop, and he was sure they had always regretted, it ever since. (Hear.) They had now another opportunity of obtaining this land to carry out the proposed improvement, and he thought they should avail themselves of it. He agreed with lr Bradley ths c it almost amounted to a disgrace to see ? good road like Stansty, and to think that Wrexham, as a progressive town, should allow such a disgraceful state of thing to exist as that pre- sen ted by tho condition of the road immediately adjoining. (Applause.) Mr John Williams, as one who occasionally "took his walks abroad," likewise supported the resolu- ¡ion, observing that it was, as 11r Bradley had said, t standing disgrace to the C> vporatioc that their particular pprt of the road could not compare with ;ho portion running thvough tb.- township of stansty. V-r. ) The resolution was then put and carried. Mr Bradley suggested that it would perhaps be better that the High way Committee should treat with the question of the land. FROM fiROVE PARK TO GROVE ROAD. I Mr Bradley, in introducing another subject before the Council, said sometime ago, in connec- tion with the^^ootpaths' Committee, it was con- templated chequered-tiling Rhosddu Lane, from Grove Park to Grove Road, but the committee deemed it undesirable to do anything to that part of the footpath, unless they could obtain some little land from Mr Low, of Roseneath, for the widening. The Borough Surveyor had prepared a tracing shewing that it would require something like from SO to 100 yards from Mr Low and 40 from Mr Kennedy for this purpose, and Mr Low had offered to give his part of the land if the Council would carry out the work and build a wall. He (Mr Bradley) had sent the tracing to Mr Low, and had asked him to reduce his offer to writing, which he had done, stating that he was willing to give the necessary land for straightening and widening the footpath in Rhosddu Lane, in accordance with the plan accompanying his (Mr Bradley's) letter, which he returned signed. Mr Samuel had undertaken to see Mr Kennedy on the subject, but it appeared from a communication received from Mr Samuel that Mr Kennedy de- clined to give up his land for the purposes of the propused improvement. This, therefore, was rather an unfortunate complication. He, however, beg- ged to move that Mr Low's offer be accepted, and that arrangements be made for carrying out the work, as Mr Low desired, in the months of Sep- tember or October. Alderman Strachan seconded the motion, observ- ing that he thought they should accept Mr Low's kind offer with thanks, and the resolution having been carried, it was subsequently agreed that a deputation consisting of the Mayor, Alderman Strachan, Alderman Beale, and Mr W. E. Samuel, should wait upon Mr Kennedy with a view of securing his land also. ALDERMAN STRACHAN. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Mr Bradley, Mr Alderman Strachan was unanimously appointed member of the several committees to which his respected predecessor, Mr Robert Lloyd, had previously belonged, Mr Alderman Strachan briefly acknowledging the honor conferred upon him. ♦
THE BERSHAM COLLIERY EXPLOSION.…
THE BERSHAM COLLIERY EXPLOSION. THE ADJOURNED INQUEST. On Thursday morning, the adjourned inquiry in reference to the recent explosion at the Bersham Colliery, by which nine men lost their lives, was held at the County Buildings, before Mr B. H. Thelwell, coroner, and the following jury:—Messrs Robert Roberts, foreman John Salisbury, William Robert Griffiths, Edward Tunnah, David Yates, William Edwards, Wm. Henry Simpson, Stephen Jones, R. Jones, John Prince, Benjamin Lloyd, Richard Phennah, Daniel W. Robinson, John Jones, John Owens, and Robert Green. The men on whose bodies the inquiry was held were:— William Pattison, manager Robert Lloyd Edward Owen John Jones James Roberts Thomas Evans Evan Parry I Joseph Matthias I There were present during the inquiry Mr Hidl, I H.M. Inspector of Mines Mr Hedley, Assistant Inspector Mr N. R. Griffith, Wrexham Mr J. H. Walker, mining engineer, Wigan; and a number of colliery managers from the surrounding district. Mr Ellis, solicitor, Wigan, appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of the proprietors of the colliery. Mr J. H. Walker, Wigan, who was first called, said he was mining engineer to the Bersham Colliery Company, and he knew the manager of the colliery and the four firemen. Had acted as consulting en- gineer to the company since March last, and now produced the working plan of the mine made up to the week before the explosion. What had been done since the explosion was also shown on the plan. The explosion took place in the No. 2 heading west of the No. 1 pit, and took a course which he (witness) described on the tracing. Had gone through the whole of the workings, with Mr Edward Lloyd Jones, mineral agent, on the 27th and 28th July, and found the workings in good order and the ventilation very good. There was no gas to be seen in any of the places, with the exception of the No. 3 level on the east side. The fireman's book was for the most part blown away, it having been kept in an office in the mine close to the down-cast shaft. The books were often kept in the mine in this way. Produced the ventilation report book made up in the manager, Pattison's, handwriting on the day of the explosion. The name of the mine was the main coal, and the depth of the pit to the main was 418 yards, the distance from the pit eye to the point of the ex- plosion being 335 yards. The diameter of down-cast pit was 10 feet 6 inches, and the up-cast 13 feet. The ventilation of the mine was effected by a Guibal fan 30 feet in diameter, and the total amount of air tinM- ing through the mine on the day of the explosion was 43,110 cubic feet per minute. This quantity was, in witness's opinion, amply sufficient; and of this 5.980 cubic feet would pass into the west side and 11,0-10 in the east side 23.400 was the total on the north side. BJ Mr Hall: Mr Pattison always made the venti- lation measurements. By the Coroner The explosion took place about 10 o'clock on the same day the workings were examined by the manager, who had written to Mr Barnes stat- ing that the workings were in good order. Had known Mr Pattison since February last. By Mr Hall: Gunpowder was used in this particu- lar part of the pit. The Coroner By your sinction ? Mr Walker Yes. The Coroner I suppose you could stop gunpowder if you thought necessary ? Mr Walker Yes. By Mr Hall: The whole of the colliers u "ed Mens- ler's safety lamps, and there were no open lights al- lowed in the pit. The next witness was John Williams, who said he was a collier, and had been at the Bersham Colliery about four years off and I on. Knew all the men who were killed. Went down the pit at two o'clock—the evening shift—on the date of the explosion, and went into the workings in com- pany with his brother. Could not say whether the I place was previously examined by the fireman. They worked on up to eight o'clock in the evening, but saw no gas before it ignited. There was no gas where witness himself was working, but in the next place, about five yards distant, there was. Edward Owen, one of the deceased men, called out to him that the gas had fired, adding, let's go, lads, to put it out." Witness then went to the place and tried to brush out the gas with a piece of brattice-cloth, but did not succeed in doing so, and they had to give it up and ascend to the surface. Believed the gas had ignited1 at a blower—a middling strong one. Had seen four shots fired when he was down the pit; the first shot II being fired as soon as they went down bv Edward Owens, who also fired the other three about eight I o'clock. The shots were fired in witness'own working- place and in the adjoining one, and the gas had in- stantly ignited from the last shot that was fired. The shots were fired one after the other within about 15 minutes. By the Foreman Went through the "bolt-hole" to assist the men in the next working-place. By the Coroner The first shot was fired at two o'clock in the place where William Hughes was work- ing, the second in witness' own place, and the third in the same place where the first was fired. By Mr Ellis The flame was on the face of the coal, and it came from behind the last shot that was fired. By Mr Hedley Saw the direction from which it came when trying to brush out the gas. The second shot fired had not quite done its work, but the gas following the third shot came from the back of the coal through the fissure caused by the shot. The fire was about three-quarters of a yard from the ground and the height of the level about five feet. William Hughes' place was on the upper side of the witness'. Did not notice anything in the appearance of the place to show him that the fireman had made an examina- tion. There were blowers in the face of his level occasionally and witness saw them sometimes. Shots were never fired when any blowers were to be seen. Had not worked in any part of the mine except the levels in question. There were two shots fired in Wiiham Hughes' place, and there was a fourth shot in witness' place ready to fire, but it was not fired. All the stoppings were built in the bolt-holes except the one through which the gas had come, and the stopping were built in the usual way. When witness came up the pit, Mr Pattison tapped him on the shoulder saying, "givE me your lamp, my lad, and I'll g; down. tt T\x« xr~n TT,»n  ?t jLi?n u«uany pub out D lowers by using the b,att ice cloths, but the blower in question was in ? difficult position to get at. By the Coroner During the time witness had worked at the pit he had never heard of any com- plaint from anyone as to the general working of the | pit. I By Mr Hedley Was too much terrified at the time to notice any difference that might have taken i place in the ventilation. John Hughes, collier, had been at Bersham, off and on for about two years. On the day referred to he was working in his brother's place. Four shots were fired that afternoon, the first shot being fired (in his place) about 3.30, the second about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour afterwards, and the third about 8 o clock in the evening. After the last shot, the blower of gas ignited. The fireman, E. Owen, asked witness to help to put out the blower, which they tried to do with a brattice, but failed, and hey then went up the pit. By Mr Ellis The fireman came in the course of his usual rounds, to fire the shot, and had examined the place before a shot was fired. | By Mr Hall During tiie three months witness had been working in his own particular plac& in the mine. he had only seen some small blowers lighted by shots, and the fireman had often refused to fire the shots when gas was present. Mr Hall Is it not a fact that gas can be constantly seen bubbling out of this particular Place—comin? out in little blowers? Wit ness: Yes. Mr Hall Is it zif.t when the gas is coming out in little blowers that the fireman refuses to fire the shot? Witness By i;-gas" I mean blowers." By Mr Hall: The place had not been so bad that I i couldn't work m it-that is during the last three months. I wouldn't fire a shot, but was not actually stopped -.vorl,-inl-. Mr Hall: Then how would you get the coal with- out firing a shot ? Witness By putting up new bratt-icinc; t., clear the place of the gas. Mr Hall: Hp\v did the fireman e the place when be Cfom in to fire the =. hnt ? Witness He had a small light in his lamp and 1 examined the place around, and said it was right. Mr Hall: Did he open his lamp or use a wire? Witness: He opened the lamp. Mr Hall When was the bolt-hole cut through ? Witness In the morning shift. Mr Hall: Had you been at work the day previous ? Witness Yes, the night hift previous to that day. Mr Hall: Did you find the ventilation better or worse after the bolt-hole was cut through ? Witness Better. Mr Hall: Was it satisfactory ? Witness According to my opinion it was all right. Mr Hall Within the last three months have you seen other of the working places in the mine ? Witness Yes, those nearest to me, now and then. Mr Hall: Have you seen any gas in them ? Witness No. Mr Hall Do you consider this pit well ventilated ? Witness I believe so. Mr Hall How long have you been a collier ? Witness Ten years. Mr Hall: Where else have you worked ? Witness Hafodybweh. Mr Hall: Is it better or worse than Hafodybwch ? (Laughter.) Witness Bersham Colliery is cooler than Hafody- bwch. A Jurvman Have you been in the habit of firing shots in the absence of Edward Owen. Witness: No, never. Q: You say it was Edward Owen you left last try- ing to doubt the fire ? A: Yes, Edward Owen was left there, the fire being too strong-to be put out. Q: Did you see anybody about named Anthony Da vies ? A Yes. Q Where did you leave him ? A: He came out with me. Another Juryman Was it you or Edward Owen that fired this particular shot ? Witness I fired it, but Edward Owen was close by. The Coroner You had the authority from Edward Owen to fire it ? Witness; Yes. A Juryman Did Edward Owen light the touch- paper and say, If you like, you can fire it your- self?" Witness He was sitting at my side and said, Its all right, you may fire it." The Coroner There's not much art in firing a shot, is there ? Witness: None whatever. Mr Hall: Whose lamp had you ? Witness: Edward Owen's. Mr Hall: Where was Edward Owen when the shot wss fired ? Witness At my side. Mr Hall When you lighted it ? Witness: Exactly. Mr Hall: Did you both go to the same place to wait for it going off ? Witness Yes. Mr Hall Where was that ? Witness To the next place to us. Mr Salisbury (a juryman) Were they cutting there or blowing on the heading ? Witness They were holing. Mr Salisbury There was no cutting whatever ? Witness: None. Mr Salisbury Was there one shot there that didn't throw ? Witness The first shot effected very well. Mr Salisbury They were obliged to put another to finished it ? Witness: Yes. Mr Salisbury And that is where the gas ignited ? Witness Yes. The Foreman Was it on the same side ? Witness No. A Juryman Seventy went down at first-did any- one send them up ? Witness No, they went up of their own accord. The Coroner From all parts of the north side ? Witness I can't say for the whole, I saw a good, I many of them. Mr Hall How did they know about the fire ? The Coroner Ah, that's the job Witness: Two cages went up twice, holding eight each time, and when they got to the top I went home. The Coroner No, but was there any particular order for the men to leave the pit ? Witness I can't say, only for my own place. I didn't hear any orders whatever. The Coroner Did you tell anyone there was gas blowing ? Witness Yes. The Coroner Who did you tell ? ) Witiiess: Those who were coming out the same time. Mr Hall But someone must have given the alarm in those far-away workings ? Mr N. R. Griffith It is usual to knock the air door. d The Coroner Did you hear anyone knocking at the door ? Witness Yes, I heard it distinctly. Mr Salisbury: Why didn't the fireman fire that shot himself according to his duty ? The Coroner said according to the rules there must be a properly appointed person to fire the shot, and the fireman in this instance had authorised the witness to do so. Mr Simpson (juryman) But had the fireman power to do so ? That's the question. The Coroner Certainly. He's the very man who has the power. Mr Robinson (juryman) I apprehend he must be authorised by the manager ? The Coroner Is it so, Mr Hall ? Mr Mall: 1 should say it is a question whether the fireman has such authority. The Foreman said the manager, and not the fire- man, should authorise the firing of the shot. Mr Hall: It's a bad practice for the men to be allowed to fire their own shots. but in this case the fireman seemed to have been through and examined the place. i Mr Ellis: The man simply fired the touch-paper— there's no art in that. Mr N. R. Griffiths remarked that the fireman's would be the only lamp that the shot could be lighted at. Witness (in reply to the coroner): My lamp was shut, and Owen's was the only lamp that was opened to fire the shot with. Mr Simpson What do you fire it with ? Witness Cotton. I Mr Simpson Did you light it Witness No. Mr Simpson Who did ? Witness It was Owen's lit the cotton and gave it to me to fire the shot. Mr Simpson How far was Edward Owen from yon when the shot was fired ? Witness Close to. Mr Hall: And did you run away or walk away? Witness Walked away. Mr Ellis The man did exactly his duty. Mr Robinson He was not an authorised person unless he received a written certificate from the manager. The Coroner I don't think the Act goes so far as that. Mr Ellis The Act says the shot shall be fired by a competent person, and the Special Rule says the man must be authorised to fire the shot; and in this instance Ed. Owen is the competent person" under whose direction the shot was fired. Joseph Jones, collier, Bersham, was next called, and said the first shot was fired at half-past three. Two shots were fired about eight o'clock in the upper part of the seam at Wm. Hughes' place. Witness fired one shot by Ed. Owen's orders, John Hughes, the last witness, firing the second also by Ed. Owen's orders. Ed. Owens was always sitting by when they fired a shot, and they had never fired a shot without the fireman's orders. After the firing of the last shot the gas lighted, and they tried to put it out with a piece of brattice, but could not do so. Everybody then got frightened and ran away, all but Edward Owens, who sent witness for some water to the eye of the pit. W^itness, however, could not reach the water to Edward Owens on account of the smoke. Witness tried to reach Ed. Owens another way, but by this time the alarm was given that everybody was running and that there was danger. Witness then went away himself. Did not see Owens on the pit bank again. Mr Ellis said that Owens did not come out of the pit alive. Witness (continuing): Did not see Pattison, as he (witness) was leaving the pit. By Mr Hall The shot which ignited the blower was lighted by John Hughes, witness and Ed. Owens (fireman) being present at the time. Did not. hear that there was any danger attending the firing of this particular shot, but he (witness) went away because he was afraid of the smoke taking fire and lighting the gas in other places. By the Foreman Was of opinion that the calamity had occurred through the blower referred to. The inquiry was adjourned at mid-day, Mr Harns, one of the proprietors of the colliery, arriving durhi a the interval. The first witness taken after the adjournment was James Owen, collier, who said he knew all the men who were killed. Went down the pit at two p.iii.. to work in the north seam level, and about nine o'clock he and others were called by some one to come a-nd help to put the fire out. Edward Owen, fireman ordered him to fetch a barrel of water, whj?h he brought and took through a door as far as he could; for the smoke. On returning he met the manager and Joseph Mathias, but no words were exchanged between them. Had never heard any complaints of the way the colliery was conducted, and he considefed j it as well conducted a colliery as any he had been in. Had never seen any standing gas where he worked, but had seen blowers. Had been a collier 40 years and had been accustomed, when seeing blowers, to wedge the coal down. By Mr Ellis: The fireman always carefully examined the place before a shot was tiled, and if a blower was seen he (witness) had to wedge the cstial down. Took the water-barrel through the door, leaving the manager, Pattison.. on the other side. By Mr Hedley Was sure that he had shut the dosr. The smoke was very bad and was whits, not black. There nsiglit have be&n a small blower or two ha-re and there,, in the place where witness worked on t.M day in qi?tion. Did not think such a small blower as he referred to would la? for a f(ztBigl-it? Shots were fired when the gas was coming off from the leeders. Edward Owen fired witness's shots that morning, but did not say anything about the r which wa* eoming off in witness's place. The blower did not light at the shot. Only saw a blower in his place about once in three months. Mr Hall: Did you aver see any gas in the long wall waste ? Witness: No. Mr Hall: Do you mean to say you never saw any gas in that waste ? Witness I nc-ver went up to see it. Mr Hall: But did you never see any. without going up to see it ? Witness: No, sir. Mr Hedley Why did the ifreman give you instruc- tions to shoot on the buttock way instead of the straightway? Witness I don't know, sir. '¡ The Coroner Had you any opinion of your own v Witness Yes. Because we were afraid of knocking the timber down. (Laughter.) On being pressed, witness admitted that it was his -vr. opinion, that of thp fireman. that it was the safest way to work for fear of igniting the gas in the [ go. o "oJ "n t'J I Mr Ellis remarked that this system of workin-, whether good i-i- bad had been disC'.ntiaued for some months. In reply to Mr Hall, witness said it would have been an advantage to have had the tramway in the in-take for the purpose of getting the wtter-barrel down to the blower. Henry Matthias, a collier and father of one of the deceased, next gave evidence and said there was a little gas where he was working but it was cleared out. Two shots were fired by Joseph Matthias after the gas was cleared out. Considered the colliery a well-con- ducted one, as far as he knew. Had never had any complaints to make. It was a dangerous colliery to work in—there being a great deal of gas it-and it required, and, he believed, received, careful manage- ment. Mr Ellis remarked that when there was any gas the Meusler lamps in use at the colliery immediately went out. In reply to Mr Hall, witness said there were a great many blowers in the mine, which it would never pay either man or master to work without gunpowder. By Mr Hedley Shots were fired although feeders were present, and there was a feeder coming off a fortnight after the accident; that feeder must have been a pretty strong one. Mr Robinson: The powder was driving the place, not the pick ? Witness: Yes. Mr Salisbury: Therefore you would have to find I the feeder, after the shot went out, and not before, unless the gas was standing. Thomas Steen, collier, was working in a wicket on the east side of the north Level, and about eight o'clock in the evening John Hughes came and asked witness and his partner, Evan Parry (one of the deceased) to come and help to put the fire out. He went, but the place was filled with smoke, and both he and his partner ran back for their lives. The facing of the coal was on fire, which kept increasing, and witness heard a man named Anthony calling out, and he went back to help, the man, who was smothering in the road. The wind rushed through the workings, and the doors clapped violently, and witness felt sure there would be an explosion, because he knew of standing gas close to his wicket, Three days before, Joseph Matthias had told him to put posts and rails up to prevent persons going into a place where Matthias said there was 20 yards of gas. He (witness) could speak of three wickets on the main' air road which were full of gas. By Mr Ellis This was six months ago. but he was afraid of the gas being in these old workings on the day of the explosion. By the Foreman Knew personally that the gas was in the three wickets referred to, and about the time of the explosion he was afraid that when the wind turned round it would draw the gas on to the fire. By Mr Ellis: Had been eleven months at the colliery, and often saw Mr Barnes, but had never told him of this accumulation of gas in the workings. It was quite true that he had refused to work in restor- ing the ventilation after the explosion, on account of a difference between himself and Mr Barnes as to waffes. Mr Ellis: What do you mean by the wind turn- ins ? Witness: When I went through the door I went for about eight yards down to the opening. I -tayed there four or five minutes talking to Evan Parry, The smoke was coming straight down the level when I went in first, but it afterwards seemed to stitie and turned back the way it came, causing the doors to rattle. Mr Hall You said, when asked why you did not tell Mr Barnes of the accumulation of gas in the mine, that you could give your reasons, but you were then prevented doing so. Will you gi"e them to me now Witness: Yes. Mr Hall: Well, why ? Witness Because if anybody did tell. he would get the sack off the ground straight. The Coroner You say that if you had made a complaint about the gas to Mr Barnes, you would be sacked ? Witness Well, most likely. The Col oner: Well upon what grounds do you ¡ make such an improper-I was going to use a stronger word—assertion as that, sir ? Did you ever know of a man being sacked by Mr Barnes for making a com- plaint to him ? Witness Oh no, sir. Coroner Then why did you suppose he would I' sack you—eh ? Witness I never said Mr Barnes would sack me. The Coroner Then who would ? Witness: Well I should be shifted—there's so many —— The Coroner (interrupting) Well, well, I think we've had enough—I'm quite satisfied Joseph Roberts, Chirk, the next witness, said he had been working at the Brynkinalt colliery, Chirk. It was about the 14tli June twelve months since he had worked at the Bersham colliery. The Coroner Oh, oh Twelve months ago By Mr Ellis Had left the colliery because he was afraid of the gas. This was about twelve months ago. The Coroner thought it was of no use occupying the attention of the jury with what took place twelve months ago. It could in no way affect the present enquiry. At the request of Mr Ellis, however, the coroner here read a paiagraph which had recently appeared in the Minimj Journal which stated that the Bersham colliery was so full of gas that a shot was scarcely ever fired without gas igniting. The paragraph referred to the state of the colliery twelve months ago. Mr Ellis said the present witness Roberts was the man who had supplied the information contained in the paragraph, and it had been thought right to sum- I mons him as a witness in order that he might exnlain whether such was the state of the colliery now. The man had not been at the Colliery since twelve months last June, and to make such a statement as had ap- peared in print was a very it-&nf.-tir thing to do, as the impression would be that the man was working at the colliery at the present time. The Coroner fully concurred in these remarks, Mr Barnes explaining that the circumstances were now entirely different, inasmuch as at the time the witness worked at the colliery the pits were not connected. This witness made a very persistent demand to have his "expenses allowed him, as he had paid Is lOd for his railway fare, besides losing his time. They could not expect him to work for nothing, and he should like to know who was to be his pay-niastei be- fore he started work ? The Coroner said that the county would allow him nothing, but he was bound to appear in answer to the summons. Witness But you can't make me speak The Coroner: But I can send you to gaol for a month till you find your tongue (Laughter.) Mr Barnes remarked that it was scarcelv light for the witness to act in this manner after he (Mr Barnes) had paid the expenses of Roberts' brother's funeral and had taken the youngest boy on at the colliery when he had nowhere to turn (Hear, hear.) He would, however, pay the witness's expenses himself if the Coroner would fix the sum. Witness remarked that he was a poor man and could not afford to lose time for nothing. Mr Barnes subsequently handed Roberts 5s, and after some few remarks from the Coroner, the inquiry was further adjourned until Tuesday at 10.30 a.m.
District News. .- , , - _…
District News. '-r-I- _r- LLANGOLLEN. PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY—Before Major J R Barnes, (chairman), Sir Theodore Martin, Major Tottenham, R. M. Biddulph, Esq., and C'apt. Best. ?<?/ Z)??.v ?/-?'<'?.?S!awson v. Ellis and Ellis; v. Slawson.—There were several summona?s ind '? cross-summonses between these uarties and their fa iiilies.- \ir Marcus Louis appeared for the Slaw- sons, and after some discussion all the parties but one j! were bound over to keep the peace. TresiMM.—'Thomas Evans was summoned by Major Tottenham and Mr Roberts for trespass and for cutting ferns on some land at Llechwydd. Mr Marcus Louis appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Ashton Bradley for the defence.—Mr Louis said that he appeared in support of the informations and under- stood that Mr Bradley contended that there was a i question of title in the matter, and that their worships' jurisdiction was ousted. He would, however, be able to call witnesses to prove that rent had been paid and that Major Tottenham had exercised undisputed rights on the land in question. He believed there had been some fictitious (leetl or other executed under which the defendant claimed.—Mr Bradley said that he thought, with his learned friend's permission, it would be better for him to say what he had to say at that point, as it might be necessary for him to apply for an adjournment, and it would be scarcely fair to Mr Louis to hear his witnesses and make the applica- tion after. He produced some receipts for rent, and argued that it did not matter whether or not the de- fendant actually 11,1 a right, hut it sufficient to oust the jurisdiction of the Bench if lie had hona Jidr reason to believe that he had a right, and the fact of his paying a rent was the best possible proof that lie had such a belief. After some further argument, the matter was adjourned to the next meeting, each nartv to pay their own costs. Fishni; Samuel Roberts, stonemason, Guefron, and John Jones, tailor. Hall-street, Llan- gollen, were charged with fishing in weekly close time in the river Dee on the Kth August. They were also further charged with netting without a license. Mr i Duncan, (Chester, prosecuted, and Mr Ash ton Bradley i appeared for defendants,—David Jones, who said lie was a gamekeeper, deposed that on the in ones- tion he saw defendants and another, whom h- f ul-d to recognise, netting in-the ship pool, naar the Chain bridge. He called out to them, and they threw stones at him, and threatened him.—By Mr Bradley I have i no doubt as to the identity of the two men. I .-a vthe-i first on the road and then at the rivet*, i lost of them between the rood and the river. Th., JUenl saw at the river were thc-defendants. P.( i. Williams and he went to (ieufron. Defendant Roberts eame up close-! to them. The Cori&table deinancSed his name, where- upon he took a pf^rcel from his pocket, which he thr* over the hedge ar.d then ran amy. Th-v both chased him, but failed to- catch him. They then searched the garden, and found two newly eaught fish (produced) in a handkerchief which thev took down t- Insi-etor Humphreys. He and the officer afterwards west to- w arels Jones' house. Saw some men go in thresh the door, light candle, and go upstairs. CoUd not swear, liowevar that it v. as Jones. It was jhen be- tween two and three in the morning. Afterwards we went back iiid found the two fish produced Was sure the man was def&ndant Roberts. They were not in defendant s own garden. I am not a river watcher but was asked by 036 of the watchers to keep a 1( out -Mr Br?-y: Tho?h you on 'Ms ?c?nn ?w.aawtci hod T at tll rl ?el I believe you have been watched at the river.-Pendant: Yes.-Mr Bradley. Ha.e you Men convieted and fined for poaching? Ye? -Mr .Bradley And you are ?M<iuest2d to w?h the "? ?'? Bradey: Cm the principle ??- '?.' I catch ? thief." Laughter.) W Willi, -?ai(I he was a police-con- st(-aibt le a7 the time in LIangc?n, gave corrobora- tive te?omony.—On being examined by Mr Bradley he s:>d he had been in th0 force about a fortni'ght. bn? Uechned to say why he left, or whether he v. as dis- (ii-sed.-Mr Braalex,, for the defence, said that he I had intimated that the defendants were ill bed 1t the time mentioned, and that he shouhn^T^ this by the evidence of son? of the t0 ''?? this by the evidence of sons of the defend an 1;. Thi it may be said that such evidence was "e ex'tent parthJ, yet he a.ked their worships t,. to -"().?lie e.tetit I I f h b I I, 11< } ?ider the evidence of these boys as a^iinsttj C('I1. old poacher and a person, who, aftcr a brin-? '"? ?n in the police force for a ft)rtni li s I:T creer the force. He caHed Roberts' "n, who d. ,?? i?t the f(,ree. He calle(i R,)I)erts' 1.41111. 'Qd saw his father in bed at the time the alleire1' nce was said to have been committed,—Evan 1 an'1 John Jones, sonf of the other defendant ?-?'? swore that their father was also in bed at thalt( <" "??"" 'V I I 'ct Une Mrs Evans, Waterloo Inn, said that both df-f?) left her house at eleven o'clock that nicht' —r"?" prosecution for nshin? without a license each defe;he ant was called by Mr Bradley for the other "??" denied having been out nshin?on the night in ?-??- The magistrates, after rather a long con?ulta.t!' each of the defendants 10s, and 2? 6d for eachf-t? the first cases, and k4 10s and costs, in the ..th ?' This being licensing day, and the pol' havin :ae, report to make, all the old hcen¡;es were renewed '?'
Correspondence.'-Jf-" - ,-,-…
Correspondence. Jf-" J- ,r. BURIAL FEES. SIR,-I have often wondered why there should I an extra charge made for interment in the Dissent" portion of the New Cemetery, and on inqui/n, appears that the Vicar lays claim to some porti ):li that extra charge. Will any of your re:\ùer (/ out to me and the rest of the parishioners, chapter J I I V. an,! verse of the law giving our Vicar power to char ?n e extra fee. May it not be a very old obsolete :J!l e which was tested by a late Vicar of this IJarih' charge burial fees for burials at Rhosddu, which ck d .0 'alIn was disputed some 70 years ago or more and aUow? by the then Vicar to drop into disuse, and h? ne ed J d Y & Vet been revive d since.—Yours, &c., j' ^"er DR. WILLIAMS' SCHOOL, DOLG ELby SlB,—You will, I trust, allow me a little your next issue to call attention to a matter whioh vitally concerns the religious welfare of many NVelll families, It has just come under my notice that th hymn book now used in the daily prayers at Dr ivil liams' Endowed Schools, Dolgelly, is a Unitari publication. Its principles, however, are not professiS on the title page, and this makes its introduction int the school doubly dangerous and, I may add, dishonest The book is styled The children's hyinn and ch ani book, compiled by a committee of parents anl teachers." In the preface there is a reference to Gd z, Holy Child, Jesus and it was this that awoke tn, curiosity to examine the book. Tiurning to the "IntU of subjects I found, under the letter J. the follow- "J f'h t G d' H I"}' (I", ing: Jesus Christ, see God's "Holy Child jes The implication in the first inverted commas shoull be especially marked. But it is in the hymns them" selves that the doctrine—or, rather, the lack of dnc. trine- becomes at once apparent. Of the good hymns bearing upon the Divinity of our Saviour !)„{ only are most omitted from the collection but which are included have been shamelessly parodied to suit the particular belief of the compilers. A few instances will shew this. The reader will rer\v'ni*e the alterations in the words I have italicised No. 183, Father, tender Shepherd hear uie." and 18fi, Sun of my soul, thou Father dear." To crov ■! all, the last lines of the Doxology (No. WO), are j in- verted as follows :— Praise Him. ye heavenly host above, Praise Him, »>y for all lh* bur. As an example of the Socinian spirit pen adiry the book the first verse of No. 166 may be cited God of Jesus, hear me now Take the meek disciple's vow Thou so good, so true so kind, Fill me with the Saviour's mind These quotations, fairly given, shew the danger which the daughters of many Welsh families are exposed in an establishment where we should rather look for a reflection of the Trinitarian sentiments generally and so deeply fixed in the nation's heart. The matter does not involve the question roli-i „u f .t d' I ')l.- liberty except in so far as it displays a ruthless! aliu-e of that liberty, and I feel it my duty to protest agalr.-t this insinuation of foreign tenets into (-)ursiiiii,I Rightly conducted, Dr. Williams' "cllOol will great and lasting boon to Wales but the iiKitutinn cannot attain this good end so long as laxity of Ldid —according to the national stanrlard-remaill-l feature of its devotional services.Yours, &c\. Z BERSHAM AND ITS WATER I SIP.I find that the Rural Sanitary Auti. ii itv■. their last meeting, after discussing the above nutter came to a decision, having heard only one .-ide the question. Mr Fitz-Hugh in making his statement had it- ten, or chose to ignore the fact, that during the lust dry season, some five or six years ago, the"whole ,.f the available wells in Bersham were either dry (.I. low as to be of little use, and we were not permitte'l to take water from the well, which it has been alleged affords me a reasonable and good supply, until Mr Fitz-Hugh had been supplied with what water he required, and I had to send a distance of a mile I.r more for my supplies. Since the above-mentioned time the nue^tion i water supply has been before Mr Fitz-Hii,,Ii his agent, but nothing has been done. I have iirvt.r asked Mr Fitz-Hugh nor his agent to get the water laid on at an expense to himself, but what I asked the agent and Mr Fitz-Hugh himself at an in- terview I had with him, at his request one siiii.iav after Divine Service, was their assistance, to help WK to get a proper supply of water laid on hr the Wrex- ham Water Company, both to Rhostyllen and Bersham, at the former village there being only an intermittent supply of about thre" uu-irtur* an hour per day, and the district could be supplied with- ont any expense to Mr Fitz-Hugh or .-my.?e eKe except those who used the water. Th" Water C"Ul' I pany being willing to do all that they possibly cuM 1 with the aid of the Sanitary Authority. I Mr Fitz-Hugh states that there is a w dl under my house, I have heard that at one time there was, hut it has been stopped up or diverts [ an,1 i- nut to be seen. The nearest supply is over 200 yards, .r by a sn~|. path and awkward stile, about 150 y u-ds, hut I j should be sorry to ask my servant to hrim: « ^ri'h I of water by that route. j The water from this supply contained ;i I;i!e nuia- ber of grubs, insects, and short grass, :lP!ll""I;t]' f¡"'lJI the mouths of animals grazing in the :it Id, Mr Inez-Hugh was satisfied that the water wa- ulltit ("r drinking, for he discontinued the u-=.- of it..•»; 1 i interview above referred to, he off-r- d n the well at the Caia for my own drin'< 1 i :*• let it be known in the viUage. S)m-f thi- ?r i t been before the Sanitary Authority tin' w.-ii ha- cleansed and lenovated, Air Fitz-llngh. ^U'l'! anticipating a isit from the autti?,i-it, i; •' I any time from ? surrouudin?.? .-iuhjt-c'. t ? )' Mr Fitz-Hugh informed me that he d: h: •• water analysed but it was some years ag>>. I ask the Chairman of the Sanitary i. • j would consider taking water in a bucket < I allowed to take a cart to the well > ;• large family for drinking, domestic purp'N Wi' slopping, garden, horse and cow, a and if he considers it unreasonable ',(1 my my landlord and the Sanitary Authority t • me in obtaining a proper supply of v at"). There could be obtained ample evi i .'i benefits to the villages of a good supp'.y ot v I should be sorry to bring upon others quences which I, who care little for Mr ibis property, have brought upon mys.'lf. i*. said that the rain water might be utili/-•d, h- j- the defective state of my roof spouting and the can only be taken into account in v(.,r. I must correct Mr Hugh Davies upon ,I, was not at my request that lie visit'd iny 111: J understood that it was upon instruction- tl i" • officially received,— Yours truly, Wv. I1— P.S.—I can truthfully state that I have n ary interest in the Wrexham Waterw rk- J
-LIVERPOOL CORN MARIvil 1'-
LIVERPOOL CORN MARIvil 1'- LivEuroo! With fair attendance onr Market ?j?er.- ??' little enquiry for wheat, flour "lnw "¡Ik', J 1.if;; remain uu?ltered. Indian corn, new mixed '?"l ?s?o?sC?d. Beans, E-;yptl?n. 7s '?t ?' Peas, Canadian, 7s 3d to 7s 4d. < hit- and unchanged. Weather very fine.
LONDON CORN MARKKT
LONDON CORN MARKKT ,Ir' I.OXMOX, iii: '• Wheat dull, lower to sell, flour inactive rather weak, other articles about same.
Advertising
Late Advertisement. r_' Sale of Ojl'-goivg Tenant's Share of ft *<• Inn, Gyft-llia, mar MR LT,OYD !Ms been instructed '? Mr .Vim ■' iti. SELL by AUCTIO, at the W^-ew' Ctyfe?ia.nn Monday September Kith, the ,?.. of e-cellent WilFAT:- I.OT. A. R. P. 1" 1.- CaeMIow.. ? 0 0 Fallow tw .-third 2.—Top Field 4 0 0 Fallow tw tlur^ The Straw to go .)L ??leat?J'elock- ?. ?lasse" Wve -chain <. -l-' A 11"-0I:' C ;jwynn, 'J: ,Ul r" 1 'ttittchhMtw??.w.) stated that ttt-Y'?'t"' '"? ?. j Eained at luueh by the \Yn sham te:m. Th?t "?? t.? formed asij-ih?uH have :wen, the n-piesent Vitle It-,t(t (itt e:ic-I fo,r Viuuh. FLORIf??E!—FOR T'TS TEETH ,\p ??: few (lrt'¥'<' :1' few (11*4lp6 of the lict-titl wet toot h-brush pmluces a ;>u u ;iit m ■ 9 thor4iii 'nlN the teLih f'?': ?- '?i"' ? ?)j or imparities, harder:* the gunv, p:- ?'?? ?" .?'!? .1||  decay, g ives to the. ?"eth a p?a!" t:?u-?.-? .'?* .?"' :?! and. 'a <1eli?htful ?r.?r.?c? to the ? ?.  .?. j movt-s ,ll unpleasant ?.!<?c n.r!.?!'? j .?) "Thr- <??.?.?ii?'' teet-hor tn b?cc.5S)u?ke. ?'  ?i?n? comp'?e?in part ?f Hone .-and ?. ■ is delicious to ihe taste, ind the  coverynfthe?ge. Pr!co 2s t;.i, -li" 7 f^r.'•>; 1  < 3 perfumers. "Prepared ?y Hei?y !i", ;| Oxford-strF.At. Loiiclor, tn k Oxford-strr.dt. London. • ■' 3 TtiF. ClicAl?F-sr STATLG-,)?RY ill t?. -? &t GARHA'?-?JoXE?'s, 1, Church-?nL-?t. ???<? Printed at the ??f?and €<?'? P" '?'° y, J ment, "AdvertMer"Oitn;f(hite n.'nhi-: Square, AVrexham, in the C?r.n':y 'n.„) ?  published oil Fridays and Satur«V-y t t|,e i • -'i .? p\i 1S e 011 Frid?ya and -"?!ti' rs !*• •) J cmcea. and also at the Establishment 0i Fii>\ 3 Price, High C't t 1\1 11 in th" ?" }.'Ir? nee, 19 ree 0 t, In L ('T\Idl, ?  the shop of Mr Erasmus Edwards, -fj;  County of Merioneth; at Mr C.?.?' ?.i?' I Os\esky, in tj.Ie County û iL,1fÍI1 ;>:¡:1,' :ll'¡lo:"er, I mentcf MrWm. Astou, M?kt-t:???-?c)'. ?' -?! ruenl- cf Alr IS County of Ch?ter: bv SE!,)?A ??°? .,?- a?t I Wrexham, aforesaid ;CH.u?-' '??' V:  Cross, 03wetry. aforesaid: and G' o?-t"? .? Jffl 1 Park, Wrexham. 9