Barry Dock News

BARRY DISTRICT COUNCIL. PROPOSED AUGMENTATION OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. SEQUEL TO THE EDUCATION COMPROMISE. OFFER TO LEASE THE ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL. A long agenda had been provided for the monthly meeting of the Barry Urban District Council, held at the Council Chamber, Gas and Water Offices, Barry Docks, on Tuesday evening last, Mr J. C. Meggitt, J.P. (chairman), presiding, and there were also present Mr J. A. Manaton (vice-chairman), Dr P. J. O'Donneil, Messrs J. Milward, James Jones, T. Walters, 0. McCann. W. R. Lee, T. Davies, John Williams, Dr Sixsmith, Rev B. Evans, J. E. Levers, D. Morgan, W. J. Williams, S. R. Jones, and J. D. Watsoa. MR LEE FAVOURS ATHLETICS. Mr W R. Lee said he should like instructions to be given to the Surveyor to get the grip at Romilly Park filled in, so that it might be used by youths for the purpose of cricket and football. Mr Manaton seconded, and hoped the work would be carried out before the end of the summer. He suggested that the Surveyor should ascertain the cost, and submit the same at the next meeting of the Public Works Committee. This was agreed to. BACK LANES. Attention was drawn by Mr Lee to the channel- ling in the lane between Porthkerry-road and Princes-street, which was three to four inches above the surface. Mr Manaton said there were several lanes in the same condition, and he thought the Surveyor should report on the whole matter. It would be unwise to get the work done right away without knowing the cost, as it had not been provided for in the estimate. Mr Watson did not see why the matter should I be delayed. The channelling in the High-street lane was dangerous to traffic, and he would be glad if it were removed to the side. Mr Milward was of opinion that it was an ex. ceedingly dangerous procedure to have the work done at once. It was resolved to ask the Surveyor to report on the lanes generally. THE ACCIDENT HOSPITAL STAFF. Dr Sixsmith called attention to the fact that the staff at the Town Accident Hospital consisted of six ladies, whilst at present there were only two patients. It was, be considered, a preposterous state of affairs, and moved that the Council should enquire into the matter to see if they needed a ataff of four nurses and two ladiea-iu-waiting. (Laughter.) It was a terrible state of affairs. Rev B. Evans: We do not know what moment other patients may come in. Mr Walters asked how many were the largest number of patients ever treated at the hospital at any one time ? Dr Sixsmith replied that eleven was the largest number. The Chairman remarked that if a serious accident occurred, and several patients required attention forthwith, what would they do ? Were they going to send these patients to Cardiff ? It might be that at present there were few patients at the hospital, but they must remember that there had been as many as eleven patients there at the same time, and who knew what minute the same number wonld be brought there again. If they had a public institution like this inadequately staffed it would be a disgrace to the town. The Hospital Committee consisted of members of the Council and members of the local Medical Associ. ation, who, he believed, would see that there was no waste of money by an excessive staff. Ample provision should be made for any emergency that might arise. Mr Lee concurred with the Chairman. The staff was for day and night work, and they could not expect human beings to be like machines, "touch the button and go ahead." The Council had elected him a member of the Hospital Com- mittee, but he was sorry to say that owing to the inconvenient hour of meeting he had not been able to attend. He would like someone elected in his stead.- Dr O'Donnell said it was incorrect to say there were four nurses at the hospital, one was a pro- bationer, The nurses had night and day duty, and he did not consider the staff were one too many. That the number of patients was small was merely a coincidence. He remembered the time when they had to remove patients, who were able to be removed, to the Hamadryad Hospital at Cardiff, and other places, to make room at the Town Accident Hospital. If they did away with some of the.. nurses, they would have to get a special nurse, which would cost considerably more than they paid at present. COMMITTEE'S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Mr Manaton referred to the decision of the Health Committee in declining to be responsible for any expenditure incurred by the Licensing Committee in connection with seamen's lodging houses and matters relating to the Beach at Barry Island. He was of opinion that the money voted in the estimate to the Health Committee should be returned. He moved this. Rev B. Evans seconded. Dt O'Donnell explained that bills were presented to the Health Committee of which they had no knowledge. Mr Manaton's proposition was agreed to. TIME OF COMMITTEE MEETING. The Council approved of a resolution of the Health Committee altering the time of meeting from 7 to 3.30. FREE FROM TUBERCULOSIS. In the minutes of the Health Committee, it was pointed out that a cow had been reported as being believed to be tuberculous, but Dr O'Donnell now explained that Dr Neale, the medical officer of health, and Mr R. W. Hall, veterinary surgeon, had examined the animal and found that it was free from disease. SANITARY CONVENIENCES AT THE DOCKS. Mr S. R. Jones asked that the Clerk (Mr T. B. Tordoff) and the Sanitary Inspector be asked to present a report as to the sanitary conveniences at the Docks. Dr O'Donnell: It has been done. The Chairman Are you satisfied with that answer ? Mr Jones No, I should like it done again. There was no seconder to the proposition. DRINKING FOUNTAIN AT THE ISLAND. Mr Manaton explained that a sum had been provided in the estimate for a drinking fountain to be erected near the Marine Hotel, Barry Island. It was a nuisance for visitors to be obliged to go to the houses for water to drink. He moved that the fountain be erected. The Chairman That does not arise from the minutes. ,T. Mr Manaton (pointing to a heading Lighting Barry Island"): It deals with something at the island. Mr Milward Yes, light. Mr Lee To be in order you had better put a lamp by the side of it. (Laughter.) BEGGAR'S WELL ALLOTMENTS. Mr Lee moved that the whole of the roads at Keggar's Well Allotments be put in order, the Surveyor having reported that the cost would be £ 180. Dr O'Donnell pointed out that the question of the proposed new road would affect the matter, and at present they only had tenants from year to year. Mr Lee thereupon withdrew his proposition. ANOTHER PARCHED BOAD. Mr S. R. Jones asked how often the water carts visited Woodland-road ? He had heard several oiomplitints in the matter. As chairman of the Health Committee, Dr O'Donnell replied that they were having similar applications from every street in the town. The Surveyor was doing his best with the limited number of carts at his disposal, but alterations had been made in the stand pipes which would enable the carts to cover a greater area. Rev B. Evans remarked that he had lived in Woodland-road some time, but the previous day was the first time he had ever seen a water cart in the locality. PRIVATE IMPUOVEMENT ACCOUNTS. Mr Manaton enquired what had been done in con- nection with the private improvement accounts. A resolution had been passed that they be collected, but this had not been done, and the Council had to pay interest. Certain persons had appeared before the Finance Committee and made suggestions as to how they could pay, but these suggestions had not been complied with. He moved that instructions be given to the Finance Committee to go into the matter. Mr Milward seconded, and it was agreed to. MONEY NOT WELL SPENT. On a letter from the Urban District Councils' Association asking the Council to appoint delegates for the annual conference coming up for consideration, The Chairman said he attended the Conference the previous year, and was in a position to say that it was really money not well spent. He moved that the letter lie on the table. Mr Milward seconded, and it was agreed to. DELEGATION OF POWERS. Dr Sixsmith asked whether it had been resolved by the Council not to delegate powers to the Education Committee. The Chairman replied that the Council had decided that the powers given twelve months ago should be discontinued, but any further powers would have to be delegated afresh. NOT IN ORDER. Dr O'Donnell pointed out that the Building and Accommodation Sub-Committee, which was only appointed for three months, had appointed a chairman for twelve months. Dr Sixsmith That shows how necessary it is that we should not delegate any powers. It was agreed that the action of the sub-com- mittee in the present instance was not in order. SIZE OF HALL. Mr W. J. Williams enquired why the proposed hall at High-street Boys' School had been reduced from 60ft. to 40ft. ? Rev B. Evans said it was because they would thug get an extra classroom to accommodate fifty children and a storeroom. HUGE WASTE. Rev Ben Evans stated that a vast amount of obsolete books and tons of old slates were stored at the Fire Station, and the Surveyor had been instructed to dispose of the slates, the other material to be destroyed at the Refuse Destructor. Mr Lee I would suggest that the slates be taken to Beggar's Well Allotments to make the road. (Laughter.) Mr Milward suggested that they should be given to little children, but the Council objected. ANOTHER MISTAKE. Dr O'Donnell: I see that the General Purposes Committee of the Education Committee have appointed a chairman for a year, whereas they are only appointed for three months. This was also declared to be out of order. FURTHER DELEGATION OF POWERS. The General Purposes Committee having re- solved that it be a recommendation to the Education Committee to ask the Council to delegate powers to the Committee to appoint teachers, and deal with requisitions from teachers for school apparatus and material, Mr W. J. Williams moved that this clause be deleted. Mr S. R. Jones seconded. If they intended going into the matter they should have it before them. Mr Milward believed that if they were going to deal with the matter at all it should be as a whole. Dr Sixsmith said they were there just as the Education Authority, and should do what the Act of Parliament called upon them to do. He did not think it would be a wise thing to disenfranchise themselves. Rev B. Evans stated that the Committee were not at all anxious to get any powers, other than would facilitate the carrying out of the work of education in the town. At present they could not even advertise for a teacher without the sanction of the Council. They were held responsible for carrying out the work of education in the town, and if they did not do it properly the members of the Council would be the first to speak against them. The majority of those who had spoken had not been on the Committee, and did not know the I difficulties they had to contend with. It was not for the sake of the Education Authority as such, but for the carrying on of the work of education that they asked for these powers. Mr Manaton supported the Rev B. Evans, remarking that even last year's committee, with full powers, found it difficult enough to do the work. He hoped the Council would delegate the powers asked for. Dr O'Donnell said by the minutes of the Educa- tion Committee there were vacancies in several of the schools still the Committee were not in a hurry to fill the vacancies, but recommended that they be left till the summer holidays. They did not advertise, but sent members to ,training- colleges and engaged teachers wholesale to start next August. That certainly did not show any hurry in the appointment of teachers. He considered if they gave any powers they should be the same as before-all or none. The Chairman said if the powers asked for were not delegated they would make the work of educa- tion infinitely harder, much more difficult, and more ineffective. The chief difficulty in regard to education was to get the best possible teachers. There was no doubt about it, that the head teacher made the school what it was, and good teachers would not wait from four to seven weeks for appointment, and the inevitable result of delay would be that the best teachers would be lost to the town. It was impossible to bring every matter before the Council from the Education Committee. Everybody who had experience of the late School Board would say that the work would have been much more ineffective if the Board had no power to appoint teachers. Dr O'Donnell, Dr Sixsmith, Messrs Milward, Watson, S. R. Jones, W. J. Williams, James Jones, Lee, McCann, Walters, and Morgan voted for the amendment (which was carried), and the Chair- man, Rev B. Evans, Messrs Manaton, Levers, John Williams, and T. Davies against. REQUISITIONS. Dr O'Donnell, in referring to the minutes of the Education Committee, stated that only the requisitions which were struck out, in connection with St. Helen's School, appeared, whereas those which were granted did not appear. Rev B. Evans replied that what was granted appeared in the requisition book, which was the mode adopted by the old School Board. Dr O'Donnell: Would it not be well to have both in the minutes ? ROMAN CATHOLIC MANAGERS' REPORT. On the motion of Mr W. J. Williams, seconded by Mr Morgan, it was resolved that in future a report of every meeting of the managers of St. Helen's Roman Catholic School should appear in the minutes. DEFECTIVE CHILDBEN EDUCATED FHEE. On the minutes of the managers of the special class for defective children coming up for con- sideration, Mr Levers asked if these children were treated free ? The Chairman They are, by resolution of the Council. Mr Lee And a very good resolution, too. Rev B. Evans, referring to other classes for defective children which had come under his notice, said that in this instance ladies cooked dinners for the children free. Mr Milward That would be a good thing for the Twentieth Century Club. It would be well to recommend it to them. AGE, LIMIT. It was stat^ m the minutes of, the Education Committee that reference having been made by one of the head mistresses to the admission of children to her school, it had been decided to refer the matter to the Building and Accommodation Sub Committee also the question of limiting admission to the schools to children over four years. Dr Sixsmith moved that the paragraph be deleted, and that the age be fixed at five years. It was pointed out, however, by Mr Manaton that this was only a suggestion, and not a recommendation. NO TIME TO CONSIDER. The minutes of a special meeting of the Educa- tion Committee were then presented, but Dr O'Donnell remarked that the standing orders of the Council provided that three days' notice should be given before any matter could b, considered at that meeting. These minutes he received at a late hour on the previous night, nut now they were asked to consider the same. 'I he report, he added, involved the expenditure 01 several thou- sands of pounds for new schools, and the Council should be given due time to consider the recom- mendations of the Committee. The Chairman said it was a matter entirely for the Council to decide whether or not they would discuss them that evening. On being put to the vote, it was agreed not to consider the minutes that evening. Rev Ben Evans When shall we consider them ? There is no doubt about it we have been tampering with the schools for the last three years. The Chairman ruled Mr Evans out of order, and the matter dropped. CONSTITUTION OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. On the agenda was a motion standing in the name of Mr S. R. Jones, to the effect that an amended scheme for the constitution of the Education Committee for the Urban District of Barry be prepared and submitted to the Board of Education for approval. Mr Jones therefore pro- posed that the membership of the Education Committee be increased from nine to thirteen. Dr O'Donnell objected to this, remarking that this was a resolution of which no notice had been given. The Chairman pointed out that the motion to be discussed was the one on the agenda. Mr S. R. Jones Very well, Mr Chairman, if I cannot hang my hat on one peg, I will on another. He then proceeded to propose the resolution as it appeared on the agenda, and stated that as far back as 1882 there were nine members of the School Board, whereas in the present year; the Education p Committee was constituted only of nine members. The number of schools in the towa in 1892 was, eight; at present they numbered 20. The number of children on the registers in 1892 was 2,700', in 1904 there were 6,571. The total staff in 1892 con- sisted of 62 teachers this year they consisted of 246, with 16 vacancies to be filled. The population of the town in 1892 was 13,882; at present 28,708. He was strongly of opinion that the number of members of the Education Committee should be increased. On the Building and Accommodation Sub Committee, and General Purposes Com- mittee, there were four mhers respectively, but if the number of members of the Educa- tion Committee were increased, say to 13, it would allow six members for each of these committees, with the Chairman ex-officio. It might be said that the School Board had full control, and the Education Committee had not but he would remind the Council that the Education Committee had still to do with the greater portion of the work connected with education. Rev B. Evans seconded. There was; no doubt that the membership of the Education Committee was not sufficient at present. Mr Milward said it seemed to him that this was drawing a herring across the path of some of them.. He had no hesitation in saying that meetings had been held in a chapel by certain members of the Education Committee. In that case he might talk till he was black in the face, and matters would remain just the same. (Laughter.) It was no use opposing any propositions that had been previously decided in this way. Dr O'Donnell did not object to an increase" in! the membership of the Education Committee. It was stated that with an enlargement of the Council, there might be an enlargement of the Education Committee, but they were now in practically a similar position to every other com- mittee of the Council. They might have a considerable amount of work to do, but evidently they had a great deal of superfluous energy, for a number of meetings had been held which the Council had not heard of. They had a self- imposed task of meeting at a chapel near at hand. Rev Ben Evans said he had never heard of any meeting of the Education Committee being held in a chapel. 000. Dr O'Donnell: I have it is a matter of-poramon knowledge. .00 00.0 00 0- Mr Manaton I don't know what some of the members have done, but the Education Committee have certainly not all met in a chapel or in any such place. Dr O'Donnell I take it that the only difference is that the meetings have not been called by the clerk. Rev B. Evans: Nor by the chairman. Dr O'Donnell, proceeding, said this was only quibbling over words the fact remained. It was not only known to members of that Couneil but to a considerabie number of the ratepayers, who had seen some of the members of the Education Committee filing out of a chapel, two by- two, straight from the meeting. Mr Lee conscientiously objected to the resolu- tion, especially after what transpired at the first meeting of the Council. On being put to the vote, the resolution was carried by a large majority. Mr W. J. Williams then moved that a sub- committee of nine members be appointed to prepare a scheme. Mr Manaton seconded. As an amendment, Mr Milward moved that the whole Council sit as a committee to deal with the matter. The majority of the Education Committee would assemble and arrange things in their own usual way. They should give a chance to other members of the Council who were not quite in accord with their own ideas. This was seconded by Dr O'Donnell, but was lost on being put to the vote. The Chairman, Revs B. Evans. and T. P. John, Dr Sixsmith, Messrs Manaton, S. R. Jones, W. J. Williams, T. Walters, and T. Davies were then appointed to constitute the sub-committee. APPROACHES TO BARRY DOCK AND STATION. Dr Sixsmith then moved that the Barry Railway Company be asked to erect a footbridge from the end of Lower Pyke-ftreet on Dock View-road, to No. 2 Dock, and to improve facilities at Barry Dock Station for ingress and egress of passengers and vehicles. In reference to the former, a foot- bridge was greatly needed, especially for workmen, who under present circumstances, had to walk a considerable way to get to and from their work. As to the Railway Station it was pointed out that his Honour Judge Owen bad, in coming to the Local County Court every month, to go to Barry or Cadoxton Station for the reason that be could not get a vehicle anywhere near the station approach at Barry Dock. The position was really very serious. Mr McCann, who had greatly felt the incovenience, seconded. The Chairman then intimated that two peti- tions, signed by 280 persons, had been received in favour of the proposed resolutions. Mr W. J. Williams supported. He did not believe what the mover had said with reference to the difficulty of getting a vehicle near Barry Doek Station. However, the resolution would give the Barry Company an opportunity of expressing their opinions to the Council on the matter. Mr Manaton said that it was not asking too much of the Company. It was a disgrace to have such a railway station in the centre of the town. They should respectfully let the Barry Company consider that they had responsibilities to the town as well as to their shareholders. (Hear, hear). Dr O'Donnell also supported, remarking that provision had been made for proper approach to the dock in the Barry direction, which was not needed as much as at the present place. He would suggest that a deputation -wait on the general manager of the Barry CMnpany in the matter. The Chairman said it was twenty years this summer since the Jilin was first authorised, and he hoped the Company would celebrate its majority by the erection of a suitable new railway station at the Barry Docks. (Hear, hear.) The present structure was a disgrace to the Barry Company and to the town. The resolution was agreed to, and the Chairman, Dr O'Donnell, and Dr Sixsmith were appointed to act as deputation in the matter. FAIR TRADE CLAUSES. In the name of Dr Sixsmith stood a motion that the fair trade clauses inserted in the Council con- tracts be deleted, with a view to the same being amended. The Chairman pointed out that if their fair trade clauses were deleted that evening, they would be without any such clauses, inasmuch as they could not discuss any new scheme without notice. Dr Sixsmith agreed to defer his motion till the special meeting of the Council, which was to be held, and would in the meantime give notice for the consideration of new clauses. A SWrNG GATE. On the motion of Mr McCann, seconded by Mr Milward, it was decided to ask the Barry Railway Company to place a swing gate at the end of the footbridge at the top of the old dock, on the Barry Island side. NO REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SANITABY CONFERENCE. Dr Sixsmith moved that Dr O'Donnell, chair- man of the Health Committee, be appointed to attend, as representative of the Council, the conference of Sanitary Authorities at Folkestone in July, and that his expenses be paid by the Council. In Dr O'Donnell they had, a gentleman who was an expert in the cause of sanitary scienoe, and to send a representative to the conference was, in his opinion, true economy. In seconding, Mr Manaton said he attended the conference last year, and it had the effect of broadening his views considerably. He would suggest that the Surveyor be also asked to attend. On a vote being taken the motion was lose. SOCIALISM, CONSERVATISM., RADICALISM1, AND ANY OTHEB ISM. The following resolution was next moved by Dr Sixsmith — H That the Barry Urban District Council views with regret and alarm the introduc- tion of a Bill by the Government which is an in- sidious attempt to establish the drink monopoly, a direct violation of the rights of. the community, and tending to the permanent injury of the temporal and moral condition of the people,. and hopes that the present representative of South Glamorgan will offer strenuous opposition to the measure." Poverty, drink, and crime, the mover said, went hand in hand, and nothing had more to do with burdening the rates than the liquor traffic. It was, therefore, he considered, the duty of the Council to oppose the present Licensing. Bill of the Government. Rev B. Evans, in: seconding, said he viewed the matter not from, a temperance but from a rate- payer's standpoint. The Bill proposed to take away the authority of the local magistrates, and transfer it to Quarter Sessions-. He contended that local, magistrates knew local circumstances better than the justices at Quarter Sessions: There was, he pointed out, one public-house to every 293 of the population, but according to the Law Reports one house for every 900 persons would be sufficient. The present measure meant simply closing^he door against any reform. Mr Manaton agreed with the resolution, which was a drastic one, but not drastic enough for him. He would suggest that instead of hoping that the member for South Glamorgan would oppose the measure, they should request him to do so. Dr Sixsmith agreed. Speaking in opposition to the resolution, Mr Milward said: there was hardly one political party now in existence of which the mover had not been a member. He had been a supporter of Sooialism, Conservatism, Radicalism, and he did not know what he would come to next. (Laughter.). Dr Sixsmith Nihilism. Mr Milward I hope I won't have to say. that. He considered the present Bill was an honest and: legitimate attempt to deal with the question of licensing reform in an, honourable way. Mr W. R. Lee hoped every local authority up and down- our beloved land would support such a resolution as-that which had been proposed. This was a grand, opportunity for free men, believing in sobriety, to enter their emphatic protest against the Bill. The liquor traffic was the greatest curse of the land, and the country would- be in a better position, in every respect if it were done away with. Hie was not of the same opinion as Mr Manaton. He believed in-every man being a free agent. If Colonel Quin felt honestly bound to vote for the Government, let him do so. The people would have aa opportunity of expressing. their disapproval when the day of reckoning came. He hoped the resolution would be agreed to most heartily. In reply to Mr Milward, Dr Sixsmith said he had certainly been a supporter of Colonel Wyndham-Quin bat he had never been a Conservative. He was born a supporter of the principles of Wilberforce and of Cobden, and would not support anyone who became a renegade from: these principles.. Mr Milward I rise to a point of order. This is not a,, political meeting. The Chairman A personal attack has been made upon Dr Sixsmith, and he has a right to reply. Proceeding, Dr Sixsmith said he had voted for Colonel Quin as a temperance advocate, as a free trader, and as an opponent of slavery, but the present Bill was an attempt to establish a drink monopoly, and he was opposed to it." On being put to the meeting, the resolution was carried by 14 votes to two. It was decided to forward a copy of the resolution to Colonel Quin, to which Mr Milward entered his objection. VACANCY ON THE HOSPITAL COMMITTEE. Dr Sixsmith was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Hospital Committee. LIFEBOAT DEMONSTRATION. The Council decided to, accept the invitation of the committee to take part in the Lifeboat Demonstration on Saturday, the 25th instant. WORKMEN'S TRAINS. Mr W. Mein, secretary of the Barry Railway Company, wrote stating that the directors had decided not to make aay extension for the present in the arrangements for granting workmen's cheap tickets on the Barry Railway. THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE MANAGERS OF THE. ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL. Mr W. J. Williams then moved That it be an instruction to the Education Committee to write the managers of St Helen's Roman Catholic School Barry, to ask if they are prepared to rent their School Buildings to them for five days in the week during school hours, for secular education pur- poses only, and that if such arrangement can be made it would obviate any further difficulty so far as the present managers and the Education Committee are coucerned. The Managers could give religious instruction out of school hours, and the children at the same time would receive the best secular education Their reply to be in the hands of the clerk four weeks from date of writ- ing." In support of the motion, Mr Williams said he was glad the compromise had been re- scinded. Barry was the only black spot in the whole of Wales under the Education Act. They wanted to deal liberally with the managers of St. Helen's School, and to give them an opportunity to come to peaceable terms. The school had been built entirely for the purpose of dogmatic teach- ing but they, as ratepayers, were not prepared tQ pay for that. If the managers came to terms, by- I granting the use of the building, the difficulty at present existing would be at an end. H* wu determined to do all he could that not a farthing of the money of the ratepayers should go towards the maintenance of a school where ssetariaa religious teaching was imported. H& was ex- ceedingly anxious that the matter should be settled in a peaceably and satisfactory manner If Roman Catholics wanted their children to have a good education, they should grant a lease. of this build- ing to the Education Committee for secular purposes. Before the compromise was entered into the school was efficient, and not starving as I had been suggested. If they wanted religious teaching, they should have it after school hours, Mr John Williams seceded, remarking tts&t he did so for the sake of ———waa———inrmiiiium im n n Mr McCann said he was sorry to see Mr Williams agaiu attacking St Helen's School. It was to his mind, aud to the minds of many others in the town, nothing short of systematic persecution. The Catholics paid sufficient rates to support their school, yet they were not supposed to have any conscience or any claim to consideration. In all other towns in England the salaries of teachers of the Roman Catholic Schools had been raised, but the Barry managers were not in a position to offer higher salaries. He would never agree, so far as he was concerned, to the letting of the school to the town. He considered if Catholics were fit to pay rates, but to receive no share of the rates, they should be treated as aliens right away. j Dr Sixsmith said there was no question of religion involved. As ratepayers they paid for secular education for the children and not religious, and to his mind the opposition given to the motion was absurd. Mr Manaton also supported the proposition. Mr T. Walters said if the offer was accepted it would elear away a lot of ill-feeling, and would minimise the strained relations existing between the Roman Catholics and other portions of the community. He certainly thought this resolution was in the right direction. Rev B. Evans remarked that in the provided schools it was simply Bible teaching for half an hour. He would defy anyone to say that they Nonconformists had ever asked the State to pay for religious instruction in their schools. They believed., as the Roman Catholics believed about them, that Roman Catholicism was a heresy. He trusted that the managers would treat this resolution sympathetically. The Roman Catholic religion could be taught, but not at the expense of the ratepayers. They objected to paying for any dogmatic religion in the schools. He hoped their Roman Catholic friends would see the matter in this light, and give religious teaching outside of school hours. Dr, O'Donraell, referring to the remark which had been made that none of the Free Churches had ever asked the State to pay for their religious teaching, said he did not know whether the Wesleyans were included in the Free Churches or not, but they, at least, had schools at present where they taught their own particular dogmas and tenents-. There was no proselytism in the St. Helen's Schools, for the children all belonged to Roman Catholic parents, who knew and desired what was being taught to their children. Dr Sixsmith had told them that the question did not involve religion at all, and in the next sentence he said he had a conscientious objection. If religion was- not involved, he could not see where the conscientious objection came in. He believed that this resolution was only part of the pro- gramme which had been determined upon at those meetings held by members of the Education Com- mittee in, places other than those in which the committee meetings were usually held. A definite policy was laid down that the Roman Catholic Schools were, if possible, to be crushed out of existence. They had heard over and over again that their opponents had great regard for the welfara of the children of the Roman- Catholic School, and yet no one would suffer but the children by the policy of harsh treatment which was being put forward that evening. The fact that Roman Catholics paid ratea at all seemed to be ignored altogether. Why did not Nonconformists teach a particular form of religion at the schools ? Because, being so divided,. they could not agree upon any form. The Nonconformists agreed, however, by way of compromise,, to teach certain passages of scripture which did not involve any of their sects. They taught a translation of the Bible with which the Roman Catholics did not agree. With equal right he could say, therefore, that he objected to public money being spent on an indefinite religious instruction to the children. Mr S. R. Jones moved as an amendment that the period- in the resolution be three weeks instead of four. He strongly objected to any religious dogmas being taught at the ratepayers' expense and repudiated the statement made by Dr O'DonneU that Wesleyanism was taught at the: schools of that denomination at the expense of the. public. He would like the education of the town to be placed on one common platform. The oppor- tunity was now given, and he would urge his friends, the Roman Catholics, to accept it. Mr J. D. Watson seconded the amendment, remarking that if the resolution was passed, the Roman Catholic School would be pat on a par with the other provided schools. Mr Manaton said the managers were not masters of the situation and it would be rushing the, matter to limit the period to three weeks. He. hoped they would give fair-play and plenty of time to the managers to arrive at their decision. The amendment was then withdrawn. Mr W. J. Williams, speaking in reply to the discussion, maintained that no Government had a right to pass a law which interfered with a man's religion, A law had been thrust upon them,.aud they would have to fight hard to resist it. It} was, truey he was sorry to say, that the children would have to suffer if this resolution was ignored,t .but.. there never was a fight for principle in which someone had not to suffer. In this case the, children were bound to suffer, through the fault of their parents. St. Helen's School was built when there were plenty of other schools in the town, and it was erected for the main purppse of teaching religious dogmas. It WaJJ unfair, therefore, to ask anyone who did not, believe in that religion to support its teaching in the schools. It was time that Barry should line-up with, the rest ef Wales, and nothing would satisfy him personally but complete control of St. Helen's School and the abolition of religious tests. Mr Mifward, Mr McCann, and Dr QVDonn&ll voted against the resolution, the remainder of che members present being in favour, the resolution being carried by 13 votes to 3. THE OWNERS' FAULT). In reply to a question by Mr John Williams, Mr Manaton said that the Council had: endeavoured for several years to get Guy's-road: mads and paved, but the owners had objected; to the work being done. The Council then discussed several, important I questions in camera.