The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

MID-AERON. BULL CLUB.—A meeting of the Committee was held on Tuesday evening with Mr Jenkin Jenkins, Glanwern, in the chair. The only business was the drafting of rules of management. There was a good number present and a few rules were drawn. Power was given to add and modify them as occasions arise. All present expressed themselves satisfied with the three bulls. Fresh applications are daily made for the service of the bulls, but those of outsiders cannot be granted until after all the requirements of the Society had been first satisfied.

ABEKAYKON. FUXERAL OF Miss HOOKE.—The remains of Miss Hooke, late mistress of the Aberayron County School, were interred in Henfynyw Churchyard on Thursday, March 17th, amidst manifestations of exceptional regard and grief. A very large con- coarse of people gathered at Dolaeron, where she died. The Rev J. M. Griffiths conducted a brief service at the house. The chief mourners were Messrs Alfred and Harry Hooke, brothers, Mr George Whit-, fiance, and hismother, MrsW hite, Mr and Mrs Gwyuoro Jones, and Miss Richards, Dol- aeron. The procession was formed in the following order: Clergy, medical attendant, Dr Davies, c undertaker, Mr Thomas Davies, Holy Trinity Choir and pupils of the County School under the charge of Mr Findon and Miss Evans, the suc- cessor of Mus Hooke, hearse, mourners, general public. At fhb Churchyard, the ohoir and pupils lined the walk from the entrance gate. The Revs J. M. Griffiths and D. W. Davies, robed, met the corpse at the gate. The lesson was read by the 4. Rev D. W. Davies and the rest by the Rev J. M. Griffiths. The hymns sung in church were On the Resurrection Morn and For Ever with the Lord," aud at the grave, 0 Pryniau Caersalem," led by Mr Evan Lloyd, Pecgarreg. Mrs Griffiths, The Vicarage, presided at the har- monium and playei" The Dead March in Saul." There were a large number of choice wreaths from friends far and near and the interment took place amid sig s of deep feeling. On the following Sun- day, tne Eiigl's!) service at Trinity Church was arnngtd as a memorial service for Miss Hooke. There was a full attendance of the staff and ch ldren of the Coonty School and of the Noncon- formist frieoda and admirers of the deceased in addition to the usual worshippers. The Rev J. M. Griffiths preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon on the text Psalm xxxix, fourth verse. Mrs Griffiths The Vicarage, presided at the har- monium and played "'The Dead March." The savice throughout was very appropriate and sympathetic. 1 BOARD OF GUARDIANS. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23RD. — Present: Mr James Evans, chairman; Captain D. Rees, vice chairman Mrs Leah Jones ana Mrs Rees, Aberayron Messrs J. M. Howell, Heufyi yw J. C. Jones and L. Evans, L'anar'h; E. iivans, Llantihangel Aherarth Jam. Williams, Dihewyd; J. Jones, Oilcetmin James Thomas, Llansilio L. James, Ciliau; B. C. Jones, clerk D. Davies ana W, Jtlvaae, relieving officers; G. Evans, master. Statistics.—Number of inmates in the House, 12; last year corresponding period, 13. Vagrants re- lieved during the fortnight, 38 last year coirea- ponding period, 49. Tj Two Illegitimate Children-Hanuab Jones, aged twenty five years, and her I"egitimate child were admitted into the House from the parish of New Quay by an order of the Relieving Officer. The chil i as net affiliated and the Master, in his re port, said that the mother of the child hoped that the Guari-ans A ould assist her in doing so. The ) Mast. r also reported tr-afc Mary Griffiths, aged thirty years, and her illegitimate child were ad- mitted mto the House from the parish of Llan. llwcbaiarti by the order of the Relieving Officer.— A committee, 'jons-iating of Mrs Jones, Mrs Rees, Mr J. Jones, Rnd the Clerk was appointed to see and the woman Hannah Jones with a view of taking steps to affiliate her cnild. Later on, the sub-Commi'tee submitted a report, wheu it was resolved that there was a piima face casa against the person named by Hannah Jones as being the father of her child.— Upon the motion of Mr J M. Howell, seconded by Mr J. Jones, it was resolved to engage a solicitor on behalf of the woman.—A committee, consisting of Messrs J. C. J. M. Howell. J. Joues, and the Cl-rk was appointed to confer with a solicitor in refttencr to the cise of Mary Griffiths, whose affiliation order is bei g ap- f t: pealed against at Petty Sessions. Correspondenc, -A lett-r wa-i read from Mr D. cr Vulcan Evans, P- Dg»rnisaf, B-t'ta.nia, stating that he kept a child called Anue Ellery without receiv- ing any assistance. He now applied for a contri- ?t!bufcioa. It transpired that the stepfather and mother of toe child v.ere anxious to obtain posses- 1 tion of the chil l, bus had failed. Under these circumstances, it was resolved not to grant any money to tie applicant. Proposed Light Railway. The Board resolved itself t.) a meeting of the Rural District Council when the following letter was read from Henry Allan tewitrd, secretary if the Light Railway Commission :— 1 am directed by the Light Rail- ,j.; way Commissioners to inform you that an applica- tion has b eu made to t.eni for an order to aUiHrse the i rop,)s,(! Vale of Rhddol Light Rail- wiiy-AberayrolJ xtensioo-and to state that the Commissioners will on Monday, tiie 4th April, at > 9-45 o'clo.k. opeu an enquiry a, th.) Town Hall, Aberystwyth, f< r t'ie purpose of possessing them- selves < f tuch information as ttiry may consider mat rial or uteful for determining the expediency of gratiLi g the application.Is was resolved th,t Mr John M. Howell and the Clerk should attend the enquiry on behalf the Abe,ayron Rural Dis- trict Council. Provisions.—A co rmitte co, sisting of Mrs Jones, Mr James Williams, and Mr Jas. Thomas, was appointed to select; trom the tenders tor the supply of provisions which were awarded as fol- lows :-Flour, nc r-atme1. soap, tobacco, &c., John Llewellyn beef, E. Elias Davie-) mutton, Ben Williams bacon, Morgan James coa!s, Captam Williams; milk, John Davies, Feathers Hotel; sugar aud cheese, Wm. M. Jones; haulage of fatones, David Thomas.

THE POLICE AND POLITICS. SIR JOHN DUNNE AT A PARISH MEETING. The following article appeared in the Police Review and Parade G ssip of March 18th.—If the old proverb—one man may steal a horse whilst another must not look over the fence -is Lot all accepted principle in ethics, it follows that no lfesa a personage than Sir John Dunne has created a precedent y that shatters to atoms the judgment of the Chief Constable of Cardiganshire. For the information of any uninformed local readers in Cumberland and Westmorland we may re-state, briefly, what was fully reported in the Carlisle Journal of the bth inst., that a police constable of the Cardiganshire Force was attending a parish meeting when a temporary difficulty arose because the Chairman was one of the candi- dates nominated for election on the Parish Council. The said Chairman bad to vacate the chair or cancel his nomination. Failing any other available substitute, the meeting elected the constable to the chair, and he took it, acting practically pro forma, helping his brother parishioners out of a difficulty, imparting no bias, and influencing nothing and nobody. For this "offence" his chief conatabla (illegally, as we contend) fined him ten shillings, and the Standing Joint Committee sanctioned the punishment. The hardship of the case was not in the fine itself or the amount of it, but in the disgrace attending it. The constable had a clear good-service record of fifteen years broken by this infliction, i Our opinion was ask as to the legality of the punishment, as was that of our contemporary the Justice of the Peace. Both journals con- curred that the punishment was illegal. We did not approve the wisdom of the constable siact, but the circumstances were peculiar and exceptional, and we think it should have sufficed lor the Chief Constable or the S.J.C. to make known their wishes, or to adopt a new regulation for future guidance. The dignity of a county chief nonstable, however, is of primary importance, and it was deemed essential to its maintenance that his authority should be held paramount. So the punish- ment stands. And now another example has occurred in the distant oouuty of Cumberland. Sir John Dunne, who, as a repre- sentative of the police, not long since received the congratula- tions of the entire British Constabulary upon his jubilee honour of knighthood, recently attended a parish meeting at Wetheral, where the question of the conversion of the parish into an urban district was uppermost. Sir John was strongly opposed to the change, and according to the long report in thf Carl-isle Journal of the Sth i-st., he took a very active part in tne discussion and proceedings. The parish had previously petitioned for the chlonlle and the County Council had conceded the request after the usual enquiry by the Council's Local Government Committee. Eminent counsel had unsuccessfully opposed the change under instructions from the Carlisle Rural District Council, and all that now re- mained to be done was for the Local Government Board to confirm the order of the Count3 Council. At this stage Sir John Dunne comes upon the scene as the instigator of an adverse petition, asking the Local Govern- ment Board n..t to confirm the order and at the parish meet- ing in question, a resolution was proposed approving the con- version and urging the County Council to take the steps necessary to secure the completion of the order. To this re- solution Sir John Dunne moved an amendment, alleging in- creased rates and other objections to the change. He also made an able speech, introducing many questions of local controversy that were hotly debated in the meeting. In the end the original motion prevailed, but Sir John Dunne dis- puted the Chairman's ruling, demanded a count of the meet- ing, stood in front of the Chairman and urged those who voted for the resolution to keep their hands up whilst the negative vote was being counted, and subsequently entered into a disputatious correspondence with the Chairman which was also published in the Carlisle Journal with the report of the meeting. A letter to that journal also alleges that two large brakes were sent round by Sir John to bring up the voters against urban powers and that he was a party to impro- per steps to nise a contingent TO pack the meeting. Now in view of the severity meted out to *he Cardiganshire constable, the alleged conduct of Sir John Dunne must by comparison be deemed highly imprudent, unles" "nat blasphemy" with a common private is virtue with his kBifcbtly chief. If the constable deserved a fine of 10s and the consequent damage of his record, Sir John deserves a fine of R,100 and who shall say what punishment besides ? We know absolutely nothing beyond what the newspaper report tells us of the merits of the question in dispute. Sir John's may be the only wise, loyal, and patriotic view of the case. The honour of the Queen and the safety of her Majesty's dominions may be at stake through the self-governing ambi- tion of these Wetheral parish upstarts. It may be asked, who should interfere in such matters if not the Queen's knight and the Chief Constable of two counties? We will suppose the strongest case possible in Sir John's favour. But we still think, as we expressed ourselves with regard to the Cardigan constable of the ranks, that it is not prudent, icdeed most undesirable, that paid officers of the peace should ,i< i:-i„ interfere'n such matters. Nevertheless, whilst we vere treatment or we nunaoier conscanie, tarsh measures for Sir John Dunne. On „,rmer deliverance, it is only a case for the 5JA.V imnittee to express to Sir John their dis- 'te a regulation for the future that no Bv having constabulary shall be allowed to parti- T?I aggressively in national or municipal Ianner'entitled to record their votes, to attend forwarder time, and to exercise generally their on ali orprivate citizens. They should not, how- TVT F participate in public agitations, but observe X X an aloof and impartial attitude.

PENRHYNDEUDRAETH. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, TUESDAY, MARCH 22ND.-Present Mr John Jones, J.P., Ynysfor, chairman, presiding Mr Owen Jones, Festiniog, vice. chairman; Mrs Casson, Portmadoc; Mrs Morgan, Festiniog Messrs Daniel Evans, Bedd- gelert; R. O. Williams, O. R. Hughes, and J. Pugh Jones, Dolhenmaen; Cadwaladr Roberts, William Powell, Robert Jones (Blaenan), Robert Jones (Llan), and Owen Jones (Llan), Festiniog William Jones, Llandecwyn Robert Richards, Llanfair; Ellis Edwards, Penrhyn Thomas Davies, Talsarnau E. Bowen Jones, Llan- frothen Evan Davies, Maentwrog Richard Roberts and William Evans, Trawsfynydd M. E. Morris and Morgan Jones, Ynyscyn-1 haiarn Mr Thomas Roberts, clerk Mr David Jones, assistant clerk; Dr J. R. Jonei, medical officer; Mr D. J. Jones, master; and the Re- lieving Officers. Out-relief.-The amount expended in out-relief during the past fortnight was 1242 5s., as com- pared with f.268 Os. Id. for the corresponding period of last year. Amount required for ensuing fortnight, E249 in respect of 1,028 paupers, as compared with 914 paupers for the corresponding period of last year. Relief.—The Relieving Officer reported having paid f,3 3s. 3d. in relief, attendance, and funeral expenses to a woman living at Bethel Bach. The woman gave birth to triplets, who afterwards died and were buried by the Union. -On the proposition of Mrs Morgan, seconded by Mr "adwaladr Roberts, it was agreed that the Board should not ask for payment of any of the JE3 allowed by the Crown towards the expense the Union had been put to. Mary Brenton.-It was reported that the expense of burying Mary Brenton, who was alleged to have been murdered on the mountain, was £ 2 0" 3d.— The Clerk stated that from enquiries he had made he found that the parish of Festiuiog must bear the expense. Attendance of Members.-The Clerk submitted a list of the attendance made by the Guardians during the past three years. Tne possible number of attendances was 85. The following was the number made :-Messrs Cadwaladr Roberts, 81 W. Jones, Llandecwyn, 79 M. E. Morris, 78 Daniel Evans, 77 Owen Jones, Erwfau, and the Chairman, 74; 0. R. Hughes, 71 R. 0. Williams and Thomas Daviee, 68; E. Davies, 63; W. Poweil, Owen Jont s, L'an, and Mrs Casson, 61 R. RichartAs, 60 R. Jones, Blaenau. 59 D. Tegid Jones, 56 E. B. Jones, 55; G. Jones, 51; J. Lloyd, 50; Morgan Roberts, 49 R. Jones, Lla.n, R. Roberts, and William Evans, 38 Morgan Jones, 36 E. Roberts, 30; R. G. Pritehard and E. Edwards, 29; E. Lloyd, 23; and J. Pugh Jones, 13. A Room in Dispute. — A long discussion took place respecting the room in dispnto at Festiniofj between the Clerk of the Festiniog Urban Councd and Mr Thomas, relieviug officer, but no resolution was passed. Clerk of IVorks. -Fourteen applications for the post of clerk of works were received and a com- mittee was appointed to consider them and report.

COKWEiS BOARD OF GUARDIANS, FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH. —Present: Dr D. R. Jones (chairman) Messrs John Hughes, John Edmunds, R. R. Roberts, Godfrey Parry, and Mies Hughee, Corweri Messrs John Jones, Gwyddelwern; W. E. Williams and Thomas Owen, Llangar; Henry Davied and Rev Ivan T. Davies, Lisndrillo Messrs Richard Jones and John Williams, Bryn- eglwys WilliltmEllis and John Roberts, Llan- gollen (Rural) Miss Edwards, Mrs Richards and Mrs Roberts, Llangollen (Urban); Messrs J. D. Jones and Ellis Jones, L aofihang-1 G M. Henry Herbert, Llan^wm Rev J. E. Jones and Mr P. W. Roberts, LlartyFilio Messrs R. Edwards, Dolywern Thomas Hughes (clerk); E. Derbyshire and E. Fonlkes (relieving officers); R. Williams (master.) Statistlcs.-Out-relief administered during, the past fortn'ght. Corwen district, per Mr E. Derby- shire, £ 60 15s 4d to 236 paupers; corresponding period las year, f60 7s lid to 269 paupers. Llcn- g lien district, p-r Mr E. Foulkes, f58 12s 01 to 262 paupers corresponding period last year, 957 17s 0d to 261 paupers. Numbe, ot iumates in the House, 50; corresponding week lasi/ year, 65. Number of vagrants reliever' during the past fortnight, 45 corresponding fortnight last y-ar, 40. Clerk's Application for increase oj Salary.-The CI,"rk having at the la>t meeting applied for an increase in his salury on account ot the' great increase in his work during the past three yeats, it was decided to take the matter into consideration at this meeting.—Mr W. E. Williams said Mr Hughes had acted as clerk to the Board for seme years, during which period lie hits been very painstaking and obliging, and his services merited the beF-t consideration of the Guardians. Considering the increase in the work and the amount paid to the late Clerk, be had no doubt but that Mr Hughes was inadequately pJlid and he proposed that his salary be advanced;CIO per annum, so as to bring it equal ti what was paid the old Clerk.—The motion was seconded by Mr Henry Davis and carried unanimously. Workhouse Improvements. -he improvements proposed ti be carried out at the Workhouse were finally settled upon and the Clerk was directed to advertise for tenders. The Mold Conference. Dr Jones, one of the dele- gates appointed to attend the conference held at Mold on March 14th, gave a general resume of the proceedings. The meeting was convered to con- sider tb" feasibility of the proposals made by the County Councils' Association for the extension of the 4s grant to lunatics and idiots confined in places other than lunatic agylurns the erection of addi- tional wards at the respective workhouses of the several unions combination of unions for the pur pose of maintaining an institution at which not only chronic lunatics now at the asylum and those in the wards of workhouses with whom the respect- able poor inmates have of necessity to associate, as also epileptic pauper cases (in and out-door) of tne several uoions could be maintained. The following resolutions were adopted (1) "That in the opinion of the conference it is highly desirable that an in- stitution should be provided for the reception of certain classes of imbeciles and epileptics at present at the North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum, Denbigh, and in the North Wales unions(both i8 and out door) and that a grant of 4s per head per week should be made towards their maintenance in such institution." An amendment was submitted that each union tkestep9 to provide additional wards at their respective union workhouses. The resolution was carried by a large majority. (2) "That in the opinion of the conference the Jesuit College, Mold, visited by the delegates, is a suitable build- ing for conversion into premises for such a purpose, provided it can be purchased for a reasonable sum." This motion was declared lost by one vo'e (3) That the county councils of the five North Wales counties be asked to take up the provision of such an institution and that copies ot the foregoing resol- utions be sent to the several county councils and hoards of guardians within the five counties in North Wales maintaining the Counties Asylum at Denbigh." This was carried unanimously.—Upon the motion of Mr R. R. Roberts, seconded by Mr Henry Davies, the delegates were warmly thanked for attending the conference. Tendersfor Protisions,&c. -The following tenders for supplying the Workhouse during the next six months were accepted :-Messrs J. Parry and Co., grocers, tea, pure coffee. English crystal sugar, IoL-Af sugar, split peas, currants, raisins, rice, candles, white pepper, tapioca, Welsh oatmeal, finest cheese, home-cured bacon, Sunlight soap; Mr Lewis Edwards, butcher, beef and mutton Mrs Humphreys, The Queen's, best bread, new milk, butter milk, aod fresh butter Mr J. Watkin Jones, coal merchant, coal; Mr Jonathan Davies, Commerce House, drapery goods. Relieving Officers' Slaries.-It was resolved to take the Relieving Officers' salaties under con- sideration at the next meeting. CORWEN UNION. APPROACHING ELECTION —The following are the names of persons nominated as rural district councillors and guardians for the several parishes in the Cor wen Union. The figures denote the num- ber to he elected for each parish withdrawals and t old members CORWEN (seven). *David Edward, Wesley- place *tJohn Hughes, The Plas "Hugh Hughes, Bridge-street fLydia Hughes, Fron- hyfryd tD. R. Jones, 1, The Terrace tJohn Jones, Tycerrig, Glyndyfrdwy Robert Jones, Hafod John Lloyd, Plasynddol; tGodfrey Parry, Llancarrog +R. R. Roberts, 6, The Terrace "John Roberts, Owen Glyndwr Hotel *Ellen Roberts, Crown Hotel "Humphrey Rees, Bridge- street *John Williams, Dee View. BETTWS G.G. (one).-tEdward Davies, Bodyn- lliw. GWYDDRLWERN (three).—Isaac Hughes, Hafotty- boeth John Hughes Hendrebryncyffo Williams W. Lloyd, Brynmyfyr E. R. Owen, Tynycelyn R. Wynne, Clegir Canol. (We have not been able to ascertain whether there were any withdrawals or not in this parish). LLANGAR (two).-tThomas Owen, Cwm issa tWo E. William, Gwerolas. LLANDRILLO (three).—tlvan T. Davies, Penrhos; Robert Evans, Hendwr; Owen Evans, Central Stores; John Hughes, Dudley Arms; .W. Williams, Llawrcilan. LLANSANTFFRAED G.D. (one).—E. P. Jones, Cil- eurych. CERRIGYDRUIDION (three).—"Agnes Davies,Bron- afallen David Ellis, Tymawr Cwm John Ellis, LUethwryd "fRobert Hughes, Tynywaen .Wm, Hughes, Brynffolt; Hugh Hughes, Tai'nfoel; + W. A. Jones, White Lion Hotel; tDavid Jones, Bryn- saint; "Ellis Jones, Pentrecwm; John 0. Jones, 11 -1 I onop uwcnaled; VV. ii. Jones, rtas loiyn wu. S. Mainwaring, Bwlchybeudy; *John Owen, Tai. uchtt'ncwm John Roberts, Clustyblaidd. LLANFIHANGEL G.M. (two).—tJohn D. Jones, Cysulog fEllis Jones, Tynymynydd. LLANGWM (three).—tHenry Herbert, Cymro; "Robert Jones, Ffynonwen Simon Jones, Cwm. oerddwfr; William Kerr, Maesmor; S. Parr Lynes, Garth meilio; *D. R. Thomas, Gaerfechan, BRYNEGLWYS (two).-t Richard Jones, Tynywern; Maurice Jones, Tynycelyn tJohn Williams, Bryn- taugor; G. F. C. Yale, Plas-yn-Yale.-We have not been able to ascertain whether there were any withdrawals in this parish or not. LLANGOLLEN URBAN (five, guardians only).- Edith Barker, Peoybryn Hall; "Elizabeth Green Davies, Poplar House; Thomas Davies, Church- street th&rriet C. Edwards, Hand Hotel; Joseph, Nauson, Tregwern tMary Pugh, Dolavon tMartha M. Richards, Old Banli; tSusanah Roberts, Fronhyfryd. GLYNTRAIAN (two).-tJohn Evans, Caedecws Thomas Jones, Tynycelyn. LLAN3ANTFFRAID G.O. (two).-Samuel Davies, Frongoch F. R Rooper, Bronydd. LLANARMON D.C. (one).—Henry Hughes, Peny- bryn.

A movement has been started by some of the Welsh residents in Manchester for presenting a portrait of the ex-Lord Mayor (Mr Alderman J. F. Roberts) to the city, in commemoration of bis hav- ing filled the office during the year of the Queen a Diamond Jubilee.

MERIONETH COUNIY COUNCIL. ANNUAL MEETING. The first meeting of the newly-elected Council was held at the County Hall, Dolgelley, on Thursday of last week, when there were present Alderman Edward Griffith, Dolgelley, chairman, presiding; Alderman Roger Hughes, Bala, vice-chairman Aldermen W. P. Evans, Festinog John Hughes, Corwen A. Osmond Williams, Deudraetb; Evan Jones, Bala Dr Edward Jones, Dolgelley E. H. Jonathan, Festiniog Lewis Lewis, Barmouth Coun- cillors D. Edwards, Liansantffraid; W. Foulke- Jones, Corwen Northern; John Jones, Gwyddelwern Edward Jarrett, Llandrillo John Parry, Bala John Thomas, Llanycil John Lloyd Jones, Lanfor Thomas Jones, Llandderfel; Robert Edward Roberts, Llanuwcbllyn Dr John Jones, Dolgelley Northern William Hughes, Dol- gelley Southern; John Roberts, Dolgelley Rural G. Price, Llanfachreth; John Evans, Barmouth Charles Williams, Llanaber John Davies, Dyffryn E.W. Kirkby, Llwyn- gwril W. R. M. Wynne, Llanfihangel F. H. Bulloch, Mawddwy Morris Thomas, Corris J. Pughe Jones, Taly- Ilyn E. P. Jones, Teigl J. Lloyd Jones, Diphwys D. Griffith Jones, llhiw D. Griffith Williams, Bowydd Humphrey Roberts, Cwmorthin William Davies, Ystradau E. B. Jones, Llanfrothen William Evans, Trawsfynydd D. Tegid Jones, Trawsfynydd John Bennett Jones, Talsarnau Robert Richards, Harlech R. C. Anwyl, Pennal; H. Haydn Jones, Towyn Humphrey Jones, Towyn Rural; and William Jones, Aberdovey Messrs Robert Jones, clerk Joseph Holl, assistant clerk J. R. Richards, treasurer J. M. Jones, county surveyor Major Best, chief constable, and Superintendent Jones. ATTENDANCE A letter was read from Alderman J. Hughes Jones re- gretting inability to attend through indisposition. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN. After the forms declaring acceptance of office had been handed in to the Clerk, the Chairman announced that the next business was the appointment of chairman for the ensuing year. Mr H. HAYDN JONES, Towyn, amid applause, proposed the election of Dr Roger Hughes, Bala (last year's vice- chairman), chairman for the ensuing year. Mr W. P. EVANS, Blaenau Festiniog, seconded the pro- position which was carried amid further applause. Mr EDWARD GRIFFITH then rose and said before retir- ing from the chair in favour of Dr Hughes, he. wished to thank them most heartily for their support during the past year. He also wished to return thanks for the hon- our they had conferred upon him in appointing him chair- man last year. He trusted that he had done nothing whilst in the chair that would lower its dignity. (Ap- plause.) In vacating the chair in favour of his venerable friend, Dr Hughes, he felt sure that the dignity of the chair would be maintained by him and the business transacted in a smart, business-like manner. (Applause). Dr ROGER HUGHES, taking the chair, returned his thanks to the Council for the honour they had conferred upon him, and he hoped with their assistance in some degree to justify their selection. He hoped to do so, he added, by the undoubted gift of silence which he pos- sessed. (Laughter.) This was a very material qualifica- tion in a chairman, and he further trusted that he would be able to conduct the proceedings in a conscientious and impartial manner. (Applause.) Dr Hughes afterwards returned thanks in the vernacular. Mr D. G. JONES, Festiniog, proposed a vote of thanks to the late chairman for the able and impartial manner in which he had conducted the business of the Council dur- ing the past year. (Applause.) Mr J. BENNETT JONES seconded the proposition which was carried unanimously, after which Mr GRIFFITH briefly acknowledged. APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN. The CHAIRMAN stating that the next business was the appointment of vice-chairman, Mr JOHN EVANS, Bar- mouth, proposed the election of Mr E. P. Jones, Fes- tiniog. to the vice-chair for the ensuing year. Mr D. G. JONES, Festiniog, seconded the proposition which was carried unanimously. ELECTION OF ALDERMEN. The Council then proceeded with the election of seven county aldermen to hold office for the ensuing six years. The aldermen retiring by rotation were :-John Hughes, Edward Henry Jonathan, Dr Edward Jones, Evan Jones, Lewis Lewis, Andreas Roberts, and Hon C. H. Wynn. After the voting had taken place and the votes recorded, the Clerk read the following letter from Mr C. H. Wynn, Rhug On retiring from the County Council I feel that I should tender to you and those members of the Merioneth County Council who I have worked with dur- ing the past nine years, my sincere thanks for the kind- ness, indulgence, and good feeling they have universally greeted me with. I assure you and them it will ever to me be a great pleasure to look back upon and if through my term of office I have become acquainted-and I hope made friends-with many members of the County Coun- cil who otherwise 1 might never have known, I shall feel that this in itself is sufficient recompense for any expen- diture of work and time consequent upon my late mem- bership of the Council. Wishing you all well.—I remain, etc., C. H. Wynn." The voting was as follows Hon C. H. Wynn, 35; Evan Jones, Bala, 34 E. H. Jonathan, 34; Andreas Roberts, 33; Dr Edward Jones, 33; Lewis Lewis, 32; William Jones, Talsarnau, 31 John Jones, Ynysfor, 2 John Hughes, Hafodfawr, 1; O. Slaney Wynne, 1. The CHAIRMAN declared the tirst-named seven duly elected aldermen. SELECTION COMMITTEE. Mr MORRIS THOMAS proposed that the following should be appointed committee to select members of the various committees :—Messrs W. Foulkes Jones, D G. Jones, W. P. Evans, John Evans, Dr John Jones, John Parry, H. H. Jones. E. Parry Jones, and Thomas Jones, J'landerfel. Mr HAYDN JONES moved an amendment that the old Committee should he re-elected but Mr M. THOMAS pointed out that the oid Committee of which he was a member had done duty for three years. Mr Thomas's proposition was eventually agreed to. QUARTERLY MEETINGS. After the minutes of the last Council's meeting had been read, Mr (t, WILLIAMS proposed that the quarterly meeting of the Council for the ensuing year should be held on the first Thursday in June, September, and December and on the third Thursday in March. Alderman LEWIS seconded the proposition which was agreed to. FINANCE. Dr EDWARD JONES, chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, brought up the report of this Committee. He stated that the balance sheet for the last quarter was submitted to a meeting of the Committee held at Bar- mouth on March 2nd. The receipts were Balance in hand as per last statement, November 15th, 1897, £ 4,272 6s Id. Rates paid by unions in county Corwen Union, £ 203 13s lid Machynlleth Union, £ 140 12s Id Festiniog Union, X695 9s 9J Bala Union, .£:3\H 48 6d Festiniog Union (second instalment), X5567s 10ci; Dolgelley Union, £ 392 Is 3d total, X2,379 9s 4d. When the accounts were submitted before the Committee, Corwen and Machyn- lieth Unions wpre in arrear with the lid rate, but they had since paid. As the sums had not been passed by the Committee, however, they could not be included in the total. From the Treasury, per the Local Government Board, the following sums were received :-November 26th. licence and estate duty, C133 3s 8d January 7th, do., 1669; February 4th, do., £ 669; February 24th zC669 December 4th, customs and excise duties, £ 397 Decem- ber 3rd, conveyance of prisoners to gaol, £19 2s 8d February 23rd, do., S22 7s 3d making a total of zC3,783 9s Id. The £ 397 paid on December 4th would be handed over to the County Governing Body towards intermediate education. Continuing, Dr Jones said the fine and fees per justices' clerks amounted to Y,64 8s 9d Hurst Mines, Limited, licence for traction engine, XIO Chief Con- stable's railway fares, 5 3d bank interest allowed, £19 10s 10d rents for encroachments per County Surveyor, 8s 6d half-year's rent for County Court, £7 10s making a grand total in receipts of £ 10,537 8s 8d. The payments were made up as follows:—Miscellaneous bills and salaries passed at last council meeting, E7b"7 2.1; less two cheques to Evan Jones, warder (£1 12s), unpresented, £ 3 4s North Wales Counties Asylum, X621 Os 8d local authorities account, main roads, X248 Os 8d; to the County Governing Body, rate at id for technical educa- tion, X349 8s lOd do., difference under old assessment, X77 118 2d do., customs and excise duties, £ 397 to the County Surveyor in respect of main roads and bridges, XI,000 criminal prosecutions, S22 lis lOd cheque un- presented by Mr Evan Jones, £1 12s; to Lord New- borough in respect of Blaenau Festiniog police buildings, £100, and to Ellen Williams in respect of the same ac- count, £125, bringing the total up to £ 3,706 3d 2d. The payments on the police account were ;-Chief Constable, police pay, £646; police contingencies, X120; conveyance ot prisoners, ;E.30. The balance in hand on the county fund on February 26th, 1898, was X6,041 5s 6d. This sum with the payments made consisted of the grand total of XIO,537 8s 8d. Referring to the police pension fund revenue account, Dr Jones said the total receipts amounted to £ 70 15s 4d. On the payments side there was a balance overdrawn, as per last statement, Novem- ber 15th, amounting to X.132 18 Id, whilst LISO 6s Id had since been paid in pensions to ordinary constables, bringing the total payments on this fund to £ 312 7s 2d and leaving on February 26th, 1898, an overdrawn balance amounting to jE241 11s lOd. Since the Committee had met, however, they had received the grant in respect to this fund, amounting to £ 253 Os 8d, from the Govern- ment. In connection with the police pension fund capital account, zC999 8s had been invested in 1892 in Bank of England stock, X298 2s Id at cost, and there had been no transaction since. That was the balance sheet for the quarter. Dr Jones then proceeded to read a list of bills, &c., recommended for payment by the Finance Committee. Before going into the figures, he desired to call the attention of the Council to one item for £2:30. recommended to be paid Mr Robert Jones, the clerk, for acting as clerk to the Joint Education Committee which was formed in November, 1889. They had fully con- sidered the matter and came to the conclusion that they could not grant to the Clerk for so many years' service to the Committee less than £ 230. The work was of an important nature as they were aware and :they could not see their way clear to recommend less than the sum named. Proceeding, Dr Jones said the total sum recom- mended to be paid in salaries and remuneration was X646 10s 6d. In the police pay account, they recommended payment to Major Best, chief constable, quarter's salary, £ 60 18s 9d Superintendent Thomas Jones, ditto, £ 30 9s 4d Major Best, travelling allowance for quarter, £ 12 10s Od Superintendent Jones, ditto, £12 10s Oct. The payments to police pension fund included XI lis 3d deducted from pay of the Chief Constable and of 15s 8d from the pav of Superintendent Jones. In pensions, they recommended payment for the ensuing quarter or .t IDS to Evan Jones, late warder, and X3 17s to Anne Evans, late gaol matron. The Committee also recommended payment to John Vaughan, one year a instalment of asylum loan, due April 8th, XW; to John Vaughan, half- year's interest on asylum loan ( £ 100), due April 8th, £ 2 8s 4d and income tax on loans, 3s 4d. Dr Jones said the next instalment of.C5o to Mr Vaughan on the asylum loan would be the last instalment to be paid. He added that were it not for the heavy expenditure to be paid to Mr Vaughan, the Council would be entirely out of debt. North Wales Lunatic Asylum, maintenance of patient, £ 4 19s 8d and quota for repairs, wages, <fcc., £ 38 13s total, £ 43 12s 8d. Quarter's water rent for Dolgelley, Festiniog, and Corwen, 41 17s 9d shire halls and judges' lodgings, £ 31 3s 5d; reformatories, £ 2 12s Festiniog Petty Sessions rooms, rent of rooms from July to February, L5; under Contagious Diseases (Animals) Acts, X2 14s; printing registration of electors, X53 los 6d establishment charges, X36 3s 5d other payments, C132 6s lOd making a total in respect of salaries and mis- cellaneous bills for the quarter of XI,135 10s 9d. In respect of main roads, the Committee recommended pay- ment of zC475 3s to Festiniog Urban District Council; £ 96 18s lOd to Barmouth Urban Council; X410 4s lid to Towyn Urban Council; and X231 8s to Mr Baxter for new patent improved steam crusher, bringing the total in respect of main roads account to XI.213 14s 9d. In respect to the exchequer contribution account, the total payments to be made to the poor law unions in the county would be zC2,905 Os 7d rural district councils, £ 116 5s Id urban district councils, 91!26 5s 5d; and public vaccinators, £ 12 6s; total, £ 3,159 17 Id. Dr Edw. Jones then referred to the loan account in respect to the North Wales Counties Asylum. As they wereaware, A:2,148 had been paid out of the county fund towards the cost of enlarging the asylum, and the Finance Committee thought it was only fair that this sum should be trans- ferred to the credit of the county fund from the first in- stalment of the loan about to be received from the Public Works Loan Commissioners for asylum purposes. Pro- ceeding, he stated that the fourth instalment to be paid by the county to the asylum for additional accommoda- tion amounted to £ 1,781 5s, then there was £ 415 12s 6d due in respect of the third instalment for water supply which, with the account of £ 2,148 8s 9d, brought the total to £ 4,345 6s 3d. The County Council had only power to borrow t7,977 and when that had been expended they would have to make further application. The Committee recommended payment to Mr Edward Griffith, returning officer, for conducting the county council election fo X124 10s. being S2 10s each in respect of forty-one dis- tricts uncontested and £12 in respect of one district con- tested (Llwyngwril). The Committee recommended pay- ment of X30, balance of precept payable April 30th, 1898, in respect of Western Sea Fisheries district. The other orders to be passed was Chief Constable for police pay, X480 do, for clothing, £ 140; do, for contingencies, X130 do, for conveyance of prisoners, total X785. They also recommended payment of X148 Os 9d in respect of police pensions and of £ 850 to the County Surveyor for wages, team labour, and materials, on account of main roads and bridges for the quarter ending June. 1898. The total amount recommended to be voted for payment was £ 7,292 3s 4d, compared with £7,290 4s 2d in the March quarter 1897. Dr Jones then proposed the adoption of the report. Mr E. P. JONES seconded the proposition Mr MORRIS THOMAS thought the members should be furnished with a copy showing the receipts and payments for the quarter with the agenda. This would facilitate matters, and moreover at present the members were not able to grasp the figures as read. The CHAIRMAN said a detailed report was published once a year. Mr MORRIS THOMAS—Yes, but the money has then been spent. He added that he made no proposition on the matter. The report having been adopted, Dr Jones read the re- commendations of the Finance Committee. The Com- mittee recommended that should there be a deficiency in the police pension fund at the close of the present financial year, viz., March 31st, 1898. the amount of such deficiency (if any) be transferred from the county fund to the credit of the police pension fund." The recommendation was adopted, as was the recom- mendation that the sum of X2,148 8s 9d, being payments made out of the county fund towards the cost of enlarging the Asylum, should be transferred to the credit of the county fund from the first instalment of the £5,000 loan about to be received from the Public Works Loan Com- missioners. The Committee also recommended that a county rate of 4d in the pound (compared with 4d last half-year) should be levied for the half year ending September 29th next and that the sum should be made payable as fol- lows 2d in the pound on May 6th, 1898; and 2d in the pound on August 6th, 1898. The recommendation was adopted and on the recom- mendation of the Committee, it was agreed that a rate of !d in the pound should be levied under the Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1889," in respect of the local financial year ending March 31st, 1898, as a contribution towards the expenses of carrying the Merioneth Inter- mediate Education scheme into effect; such rate of id in the pound to become payable on May 6th, 1898. Dr JONES remarked in regard to this matter that it was not a question of favour, but a matter of justice. Dr JONES next moved, on behalf of the Committee, that application should be made to the Local Government Board for their sanction to borrow a sum not exceeding £2,500 to meet the costs of new police buildings, magis- trates court, &c., at Blaenau Festiniog. This was a seri. ous item without douht, but in this matter the Council were under the control of the Standing Joint Police Com- mittee. The matter had been under the consideration of the Police Committee for the past eighteen months. Festiniog was a populous district and it was felt that they were entitled to a suitable building for holding petty sessions and meetings of the County Council. The matter was referred to a joint committee of the Police Committee and County Council, which met several times at Blaenau Festiniog and went carefully into the matter. They re- commended that the necessary arrangements for procuring a loan should be made. Plans were submitted which were approved of and it was agreed at the Police Com- mittee meeting to apply for the loan of £2,500 for carry- ing out the work. This loan, with the loan of £5,000 for the Asylum, would he paid in half-year!y instalments ex- tending over thirty years. Mr WM. JONES, Aberdovey, seconded the adoption of the recommendation which was agreed to unanimously. The CLERK said the loan would be procured at 21 per cent and Dr EDWARD JONES, in reply to a question said this would be equal to a rate of id in the t. MAIN ROADS COMMITTEE. The report of the quarterly meeting of the Main Roads Committee, held at Dolgelley on February 28th was hrought up by Alderman Evan Jones. The Council ad- opted the accounts for maintaining main roads as con- tained in the report of the Finance Committee. The Committee submitted the following recommendations That a sub-committee consisting of Alderman Edward Griffith and Councillors John Evans and John Pugh Jones he appointed to assist the County Surveyor in ex- amining and checking the main road accounts of the Towyn Urban Council; convener, Councillor John Evans. That a reply be sent to Mr Theo. Rowland of Orme View, Menai Bridge, that the County Council ap- prove of the project to construct a light railway from Corwen to Bettws-y-Coed, along the Shrewsbury and Holyhead-road, subject to all details of such scheme being hereafter submitted to and approved by the County Council. That the County Council he moved to rescind the resolution passed at the last meeting with reference to Erwent Bridge, Llanuwchllyn, with a view to the matter being referred back to the Main Roads Committee for further consideration. That the report of the County Surveyor upon the main roads and bridges in the county be adopted. That the estimate of the County Surveyor of the cost of maintaining main reads and bridges during the ensuing quarter, amounting to X850, be approved. That the report of the County Surveyor upon the main road claim of the Barmouth Urban Council be adopted and the sums recommended by him deducted from the claim. The Committee appointed to enquire into the advisability of dismaining the following main roads, viz.: (1) The road leading from Tanybwlch Railway Station to Garrea, Llanfrothen, length about three miles'; (2) the road from Bontnewydd to join the main road leading from Festiniog to Bala, length about one and a half miles; having recommended that such roads be not dismained, that the report be adopted. That.no further action he taken towards dismaining the Happy Valley- road. That the report of the Sub-committee appointed to inspect barn Hir, Llanbedr, be adopted. The Sub- committee appointed to inspect and report upon the pro- posed improvements to Bontfawr Bridge, Dolgelley, having sul,mitted the following report, viz.: (1) That it is desirable to start the curve as near the front of the abutment of the bridge as possible and we have asked the Surveyor to the Urban Council to prepare a plan showing this alteration and send one copy of the same to the County Surveyor and another copy to the Engineer of the Great Western Railway Company and that the County Surveyor should prepare an estimate of the cost of such alteration. (2) We would recommend that such a sum of money be granted to the Urban District Council as will be equal to two-thirds of the cost of altering the bridge as suggested above. The cost to be calculated on that part of the alterations which will reach from the abutment of the bridge to the end of the curve (about sixteen yarQs);" that the report be adopted. That the claim of the Bala Urban Council to payment of zC405 15s 7d for constructing footpaths and otherwise improv- ing the main road leading through the town of Bala, be left for determination by the Local Government Board. That the permission given to the Postmaster General to erect and maintain a line of telegraph along the follow- ing main roads, viz.: (1) From Talsarnau Railway Station to Talsarnau Post Office (2) from the bridge over the Dysynni River to Llanegryn (3) from the boundary of the Towyn urban district to Abergynolwyn, be con- firmed. Councillor John Pugh Jones having moved that all quarterly meetings of the Main Roads Com, mittee be held at Dolgelley," it was agreed that the matter be deferred until the next meeting of this Com- mittee. The Dolgelley Rural District Council and the Parish Council for the parish of Llanfihangel-y-Pennant having applied for an order declaring the district road between Pont-y-garth, Llanegryn, and Aberganolwyn a main road, that a sub-committee consisting of Council- lors John Jones (Dolgelley) and William Jones (Aber- dovey) with the County Surveyor be appointed to inspect the said district road with a view to its being declared a main road and report thereon to the next meeting of this Committee; convener Councillor William Jones. In reply to Dr Edward Jones, Alderman EVAN JONES did not believe the contemplated improvements to Bont- fawr would cost more than £:30 and of this sum the County Council would have to pay X20. Considerable discussion occurred in regard to the claim of Bala Urban Council for payment of £ 40515s 7d for constructing footpaths. Mr JOHN PARRY, Bala, thought the Bala Council should have a fair answer to their application. Did the County Council refuse their claim ? If they did, they ought to reply to that effect, so as to enable Bala Council to apply to the Local Government Board to arbitrate in the matter. Several members spoke in favour of refusing the claim, but Mr EDWARD GRIFFITH pointed out that the County Council were not against paying a reasonable sum. They, however, considered the claim of Bala Council excessive. It was a matter for the Local Government Board to settle. Mr THOMAS JONES, Brynmelin, said the Main Roads Committee were anxious for the County Ccuncil to de- termine the matter. It was a test case and that was the reason why it was recommended that it should be re- ferred to the Local Government Board. The recommendations as made by the Main Roads Committee were then adopted in their entirety. Mr BENNETT JONES said the Main Roads Committee re- ported continually that the question of holding all the meetings of the Committee had been under consideration. The inclusion of this item was quite unnecessary as there was no recommendation made: Mr W. R. M. WYNNE, referring to the recommendation as to the district road between Pontygarth, Llanegryn and Abergynolwyn, said he would have something to say on the matter when the sub-Committee presented their report. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. The Committee of selection presented their report and the following were appointed on the different Com- mittees Standing Joint Committee :-Alderman E. H. Jonathan, Dr Edward Jones, W. P. Evans Councillors W. Evans, John Davies (Dyffryn), Morris Thomas, Thomas Jones (Brynmelin), and R. E. Roberts. Finance Committee :-Aldermen J. Hughes Jones, Edward Jones, Andreas Roberts, and Lewis Lewis; Coun- cillors William Davies, John Parry Jones, Edward Griffith, R. D. Roberts, W. R. M. Wynne, H. Haydn .Tones, Charles Williams, G. H. Ellis, Evan Jones, R. Richards (Pensarn), and J. Bennett Jones. Main Roads Committee:—Alderman C. H. Wynn, Councillors Thomas Jones (Brynmelyn), John Parry, J. Jones, J. Jones (Ceinog), Edward Jarrett, E. Bowen Jones, Dr Robert Roberts, D. G. Williams, D. Tegid Jones, Dr John Jones (Dolgelley), J. P. Jones, John Evans (Barmouth), H. Bulloch, and William Jones (Aberdovey) Footpaths and Waste Lands Committee :—Alderman Lewis Lewis, Councillors William Hughes, John Roberts Griffith Price, Humphrey Jones, David Edwards John Thomas, John Hughes, John Lloyd, John LI Jones, Humphrey Roberts, W. Jones (Penbrynissaf) an^ t> Pritchard. °d tr" Sanitary Committee Councillors DrCharlpo Dr Robert Roberts, G. H. Ellis, W. R. M W^i ri; John Jones. John Lloyd Jones Vnne, Dr Roberts, John Davies (Dyffryn), and W. Evans (Traws- iynyad). Standing Committee under the Allotments Act, 1890 -Aldermen Evan Jones, W. Jones (Penbryn-isa), John Hughes (Corwen), Councillors Humphrey Jones (Towyn), rp' J1"1' \ir £ r • t>i. Anw>'1> John Lloyd Jones Morris Thomas, W. Hughes (Dolgelley), R. G. Pritchard, Humphrey Roberts, and R. E. Roberts. County Rating :—Aldermen John Hughes Jones, E. H. Jonathan, Fvan Jones, and W. P. Evans, Councillors William Hughes, D. G. Williams, D. Tegid Jones, John Evans, William Griffith, and R. E. Roberts. Western Sea Fisheries Committee :-Aldermen J. Hughes Jones and Lewis Lewis, Councillors Charles Williams, John Evans, W. R. M. Wynne, and William Jones (Aberdovey). Joint Committees.—The appointment of joint com- mittees to deal with all matters arising under the Local Government Act, 1894, between the county and adjoining counties was as follows :-Merioneth and Denbigh, Alder- men C. H. Wynn and Evan Jones, Councillors John Parry and W. Foulkes Jones Merioneth and Carnarvon, Councillors E. Bowen Jones, John Parry Jones, David Griffith Williams, and David Griffith Jones; Merioneth and Montgomery and Cardigan, Aldermen Edward Griffith and John Hughes Jones, Councillors H. Haydn Jones and R. C. Anwyl. Agricultural and Technical Education Committee Messrs John Hughes Jones, Wm. Jones, and J. Pugh Jones were elected on the Agricultural and Technical Education Committee of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. THE CONDITION OF THE ROADS. The report' of the County Surveyor was read and stated that 400 tons of stones had been crushed by the new stone crusher at a cost of 9d per ton. The cost formerly was 3s per ton. A great quantity of broken stones had been put down in each district in the county. The roads on the whole and taking into condition the bad weather were in fair order. His estimate for the ensuing quarter was L850, compared with A777 corresponding period last year. Mr R. C. ANWYL complained of the condition of the roads in the county and said they were far from being a credit to Merionethshire. It was mistaken economy to keep them in their present condition. He referred in particular to the road between Pennal and Corris, which was in a disgraceful state. The stones for the road had been deposited in the channel, with the result that the rain water ran in streams down the road. He could only criticise the system in vogue as slovenly. The road was looked after by a feeble old man af seventy. Mr Anwyl was continuing, when his remarks were drowned by stamping of feet. He attempted to proceed, but the stamping continued and he eventually sat down, Mr Morris Thomas appealing in vain for order. The CHAIRMAN trusted that the Main Roads Committee would carefully consider the lecture they had received. Mr MORRIS THOMAS confirmed what Mr Anwyl had said and complained of the action of the Surveyor in not listening to any suggestions made by members. The condition of the Montgomery roads was far superior to the condition of the Merioneth roads. Mr J. P. Josim spoke to; the same effect and said the road mentioned by Mr Anwyl was in a shameful condition. (Laughter.) Mr JOHN EVANS also spoke about the refusal of the Surveyor to listen to any suggestions. Unless the Surveyors did their work properly they should be all done away with. On the proposition of Alderman JONATHAN, seconded by Mr R. E. ROBERTS, the matter was referred to the consideration of the Main Roads Committee. AGRICULTURAL ANALYST. It was unanimously agreed to re-appoint Mr J. Alan Murray agricultural analyst. CONFIRMATION. The appointment of Hon. C. H. Wynn, Dr Rogers Hughes (chairman), and Dr Roberts (Isallt), as visitors to the North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum for 1898 was confirmed. COUNTY GOVERXINO BODY. The following were appointed to represent the County Council as representative governors upon the County Govern- ing Body under the Merioneth Intermediate Education Scheme :—Dr Edward Jones, Dr Hughes, Messrs H. Haydn Jones, W. T. Jones, Hon. C. H. Wynn, A. Osmond Williams, E. P. Jones, Morris Thomas, W. Evans (Trawsfynydd), W. P. Evans, Andreas Roberts, R. Richards, and J.-Parry (Bala.) FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS. Arrangements in regard to polling in the election of guar- dians, rural and urban and parish councillors throughout the county were made. The date for polling will be April 2nd, excepting in the case of Bala Urban, Bala Union, and Penllyn Rural district. UNIVERSITY COURT. Mr T. E. Ellis, M.P., was re-elected member of the Univer- sity of Wales. SEA FISHERIES. The CLERK announced that he had received no further com- munications as to the proposed amalgamation of the Western Sea Fisheries district with the Lancashire Sea Fisheries dis- trict. TALSARNAU AND PENLLYN The report of the Sub-Committee appointed to adjust cer- tain matters arising between the Parish Councils of Talsarnau and Pen rhyndeudraeth upon the recent division of the parish of Llanflhangel-y-traethau was submitted and approved. SUPERANNUATION ALLOWANCE. A resolution passed by the North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum to grant a superannuation allowance of £ 1 per week to Mrs Hannah Jones, head female attendant and sempstress. on her retirement after thirty-six years' service, was ap- proved. ASYLUM LOAN. On the proposition of Mr HAYDN JONES, seconded by Alder- man EVAN JONES, it was decided that the seal of the Council should be affixed to a mortgage of the county fund to secure £ 7,977 and interest to the Public Works Loan Commissioners, being the amount authorised by the Local Government Bonrd to be borrowed for lunatic asylum purposes, and also that the seal of the Council should be affixed to the order for certificate for the sum of t5,000, being the first instalment of the loan. APPLICATION. An application by Mr E. Furrell of Chester for a licence to use a steam traction engine in the county was granted. ERWF.NT BRIDGE. In accordance with notice, Mr JOHN PARRY moved :— That the resolution passed at a previous Council, in refer- ence to the Erwent Bridge. Llanuwchllyn, be rescinded and, inasmuch as offers of contributions towards erecting a stone bridge have since been received, that the question be referred back to the Main Roads Committee for further consideration." Dr EDWARD JONES contended that as the matter did not arise out of the report of the Main Roads Committee, the motion-was out of order. The CIIAIRMAN, amid applause, ruled the motion in order. It was seconded by Mr R. E. ROBERTS and carried. SANITARY CONGRESS. On the proposition of Alderman E. H. JONATHAN, Mr Charles Williams and Dr Jones, Blaenau Festiniog, were ap- pointed delegates to attend the Congress ef the Sanitary In- stitute, to be held at Birmingham in September. POLLING FIXTURES. Mr JOHN DAVIES, Dyffryn, moved that the Council provide fixtures for polling- purposes within the county. The town of Chester provided them at present. Mr HAYDN JONKS said the motion, if adopted, would mean increased expense to the county. There was no seconder to the proposition which fell through. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Mr Osborne Williams read a telegram received from the Hon IJ. H. Wynne returning his warmest thanks for re-electing him as alderman. DOLGELLEY EXTENSION. Dr JonN JONES asked if the committee appointed to go into the application of Dolgelley Urban Council -as to the extension of the district had yet met ? It was stated in reply that the Committee had not been con- vened, but a meeting of the Committee would be held shortly. The Council rose after a sitting of nearly three hours.

All letters must be written on one side -if the paper and accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, bv* as a guarantee of good faith.

TREMADOC AND BEDDGELERT LIGHT RAILWAY SIR,—Under the heading of Xremadoc and the Beddgelert Light Railway in your issue of last week appears an account of a meeting held at Tremadoc, ef which I was chairman. The account is inaccurate so far as the voting was concerned, there being a majority in favour of the railway and not against as stated in your report. As the local election is now being fought on the sole ques- tion of the light railway, it is of importance that the rate- payers should not be misled as to the feelings of the mrious districts interested.—Yours, etc., HENRY ROBERTS. CAMBRIAN RAILWAY RATES. SIR,-I know from your editorial remarks made from time to time that you take a great interest in railway rates. Last week I received an application for the rates per steamer on agricultural seed from Liverpool to Aber- ystwyth, thence to Llanfihangel and other stations on the Cambrian line. I found the rate from Aberystwyth to Llanfihangel, a distance of six miles (owners' risk), to be 7s Id per ton and other stations about the same propor- tion according to distance, which rates I am sure you and your readers will agree with me are simply ridiculous, the consequence being that the farmers have to pay several shillings per ton more for their seed ttan they should do. We get very little more for bringing the seed a distance of about 140 miles than the Cambrian Rail- ways charge for conveying it six miles. The rate per the Manchester and Milford Railway on agricultural seed to Strata Florida, a distance of fourteen miles, is 7s Id, the same as the Cambrian charge for six miles.—Yours, etc., ISAAC GRIFFITHS, Secretary, Aberystwyth and Aber- dovey Steam Packet Company. March 16th, 1S98. WOMEN AS POOR LAW GUARDIANS. SIR.-A friend has forwarded to me a cutting from the last issue of the Cambrian News giving an account of the meeting of the Liberal Association held last Monday evening for the purpose of nominating guardians for seats on the Aberystwyth Board. In that notice, Councillor D. C. Roberts, the chairman of the meeting, is reported to have said that Mrs Jessy Williams, St. David's-road, was outside the borough and was therefore not eligible for a seat on the Board for Aberystwyth, while other women who had been nominuted were also ineligible in consequenoe of being married and therefore having no votes." Mr Roberts would appear to he unaware that there have been married women guardians for over six- teen years past. Mrs M'llquham of Staverton, near Cheltenham, whom you personally know, has been a guardian in the Tewkesbury Union ever since 1881, although during the whole of that time a married woman living with her husband. In her case, the rival candidate appealed, after her first election, to the Local Govern- ment Board of that day to set aside her election on the express ground that, being a married woman, she was incompetent to act as guardian. The Local Government Board declined to enter upon the question of the marriage status, but quashed the election on the ground of an informality in her nomination and ordered a fresh election. Mrs M'llquham was again returned and has been re-elected on each successive occasion ever since. Another married lady was also elected guardian the same year and the number of married women guardians has steadily increased from that time to the present. The question, however, was absolutely set at rest by the Local Government (England and Wales) Act, 1894, which, in section 20, expressly enacts that "no person shall be die- qualified by sex or marriage for being elected or being a guardian." When Mr Roberts argues that because married women have no votes (I presume he refers strictly to votes for municipal or county council elections, since in all other local elections in England and Wales married women do vote when duly qualified and in Scotland vote also in municipal and county council elections) and thertfore are ineligible for a seat on a board of guardians, he seems to overlook the fact that the same section above cited provides that "a person shall not be qualified to be elected or to be a guardian for a poor law union unless he is a narochial elector of some parish within the union or has during the whole of the twelve months preceding the election resided in the union. I these ladies have been nominated on the residence qualification their nomina- tion is valid despite the opposition of Mr D. C. Roberts. I venture, therefore, to hope that none have withdrawn on that ground. I must ask your readers specially to note that residence for twelve months within the union is a sufficient qualification of itself. If, therefore, Mrs Jessy Williams, though outside the borough, resides within the union, her qualification is also sufficient. It is a pity that gentlemen who undertake to advise women should not in the first instance take the trouble to make themselves acquainted with the actual state of the law. —Yours, etc., E. C. WOLSTENHOLM ELMY. Congleton, 19th March, 1898. MARRIED WOMEN AS POOR LAW GUARDIANS. SIR,-Kiridly allow me to correct the grossly misleading statements of Mr Councillor D. C. Roberts, as reported in your last issue, in reference to the supposed disqualiifcations of the Aberystwyth women poor law guardian candidates. Married women have sat uninterruptedly for poor law guardians since 1881 and one of the chief benefits of the Local Government (England and Wales) Act, 1894," was that by making "residence" a qualification, it enabled many women who did not actually pay rates (such as wives and daughters) to become eligible for election. It was largely due to the creation of this residential qualification that the number of women guardians rose from under two hundred before the passing of the Act to nearly nine hundred immedi- ately afterwards. Another valuable result of that Act was that it confirmed by statute law that equality of rights and duties which had existed for the sexes from time immemorial in parochial and poor law government. if Mrs Jessy Williams and the other women, whether married or single, who are nominated, have resided for over one year within the Aberystwyth Poor Law Union they are eligible for election. Also if any of them, married or single, are on the parochial list of electors for any parish within the union they also are eligible. My own qualification (on which I am just returned unopposed) is that of a parochial elector within the union.j my place of residence being just outside the union. Mr Councillor D. C. Roberts is, I believe, the president of the Aberystwyth Liberal Association and I am surprised that he should know so little about the position of women under the Local Government 1894 Act, or was that gentleman trying to draw a red herring trail before the noses of the electors? Anyhow I sincerely hope that no women candidates have been gulled by his extraordinary statements. Before this I trust that. the ladies have been legally nominated and I hope that the electors of Aberystwyth will do as has so often been done in other towns, viz., return them at the head of the poll. No modern question has so progressed by leaps and bounds as the return of women for poor law guardians, the public being generally profoundly convinced of the desirability of women having a voice in the domestic management of workhouses and in the supervision of the women and children therein. In anticipation, I beg to thank you, Mr Editor, for inserting this letter and also for all the generous and valuable help which your paper has from time to time rendered to the cause of freedom and justice for women.—I am, etc., Staverton House, HARRIETT MCILQUIIAM. Near Chetlenham. OF INTEREST TO WOMEN. SIR,-I have been greatly shocked aud distressed at the article in the Cambrian News of February 18th which a friend has sent to me. It would require a volume to expose the injustice and cruelty of it. I can only write a few words. These are the points that strike me :— (1) The writer can see no difference between a common prostitute and a married woman who marries for a main- tenance. The conditions are totally different. The prostitute, however much to be pitied, is univer- sally held in contempt by the men who nevertheless are mean enough to employ her. They know that the life she is leading will inevitably result in disease and moral degradation—they know that the Ancient business she is following is one that strikes at the root of men's respect for women and is one of the chief causes of the low wages which they obtain as compared with men-I mean virtu- ous women. They know that the Ancient business" in all ages has been the cause of one of the most loathsome diseases which men are subject, a disease which they con- stantly communicate to the women who have married them and even to the children they beget. They ought to know that numberless unhappy women are driven in- to this vice because of the much fewer chances they have of getting a living than men have. (2.) Now turn to the other side and suppose the case of a woman who has married for a :maintenance. What does a maintenance" mean for a married woman ? Does it mean, as in the case of the poor prostitute, food and strong drink and riotous living, lewd conversation, and the tempting of the man who seeks her society into habits which have degraded and lowered the moral standard of the whole sex ? It does not. There are women-very, very few-who prostitute themselves in marriage. There are more men who do so. To begin with, the man seeks the woman because he likes her and wishes to pass his life with her. What is a "maintenance" for a woman who marries a man, perhaps, without caring much about him? She marries that she may live an orderly quiet life that she may bare children. She has serious duties quite apart from the mere sexual relation. She keeps her husband's home, performing the duties which in the case of any other woman would not only be paid for in food and drink, but also in wages. In numberless cases she her- self brings in money by her labour and helps to maintain the household. She is legally responsible to the State for the maintenance of her husband and children. Bear in mind also the condition to which all women are reduced by the law. The strongest passion with most women is not the sexual passion, but the maternal. The law, however, does not permit any woman to gratify this maternal lunging for children except under conditions which are either socially (as in the case of the prostitute) or legally degrading (as in the case of the wife). The law says to every woman "Bring forth a child at your peril. If it is illegitimate, we will brand you and it with dishonour. If it is legitimate, you shall have practically no control over it, except at the pleasure of the father." Every detail of its life and education in health, morals, and religion is under his control and it will be worse for you if you do not agree with your husband's opinions to understand that you have no power to alter or even mcdify his decision. If you are a Protestant and he a Catholic, he can order his children to be brought up as Catholics, even if he has given his solemn promise to you before marriage to bring them up in the religion of their mother. He can appoint a guardian for them after his death to prevent you from making any alteration in the arrangements he has decided upon. (3) The article says that women have always possessed an alternative" which enabled them to avoid hard work and fears. This in face of the fact that savages have always held war in honour and that they have con- stantly forced women to do the harder work of bearing burdens, toiling in the field, hearing and rearing children, whilst the men amuse themselves with hunting, shoot- ing, and frolicking Even in this civilised country the married women's share of the work is far harder, more unending, with less-variety and longer hours than the man's. Who asks for an eight in '113 s' hour's day for the overworked mothers of the working classes ? They suffer broken nights. If there is not enough to eat it is the father who gets the first share, then the children, and lastly the mother. Even in the middle classes the vast proportion of married women work at least as hard as their husbands and have fewer holidays. The wife stays at home to look after the little ones, or she is sent to a dull seaside place with them whilst her husband takes his pleasure on the Continent. Her work is never done. (4) "There is no reason, if women want to be free as men are free, why they should not go out into all loathsome and dangerous occupations and die as men die?" That is exactly what they are doing, the only difference being that most of these dangerous occupations that are better paid like miain<; are reserved by the law for one sex. The truth is there are so many women willing to undertake these loathsome occupations that they can be beaten down to wages that men would entirely refuse and men are always in consequence, under the pretence of the women's health, trying to shut them out of the dangerous trades" in which there is so fierce a competi- • vi very fact of their being willing to accept such miserable wages as they get for many of these" danger- ous trades" shows how much they hate the "alternative" which they are supposed in the gross imagination of this article to prefer. But is there no reason why women who may be- come mothers should not be compelled to live in pollu- ting, unhealthy, and loathsome surrouudings ? Is the bringing of healthy, well-formed, and moral men and women to the world of less consequence than the breeding of fine horses, sheep, or cows? Who would sub- ject a domestic animal about to have young to the foul air, poor food, and terrible overwork to which so very many poor women are condemned ? The world is out of joint. But the men of the world deserve the fate that has overtaken them in poor stunted bodies, weak brains, and low moral natures, so long as by their laws, the laws they have made, the customs they have forced upon Bociety, they treat with ignominy those who have brought them into the world. I cannot really say any more. I begin to doubt whether we shall ever be able to expect just or merciful judgment from men. Meantime, if the women had to do without men entirely or men without women, which would suffer most? They don't know how wretchedly dependent they are upon us. We could be very happy if there were not a man in 4he world. At least, I often think so.-Yours, c. M. BRIGHT.

LOCAL LAW CASE. In the High Court of Justice, before Mr Justice Hawkins and a special jury, the case of Mcllqu ham v. Boundy and others was down for hearing. It was an action brought by Mr James Mcllquham of Aberystwyth, iron merchant, against Messrs Boundy, Bainbridge, and Davies with reference to Cwmyatv.yth Mines and was down for hearing on Tuesday, the 22nd March, before Mr Justice Haw- kins and a special jury. Mr Co :k, Q.C., and Mr Griffith Jones (instructed by Messrs Smith, Davies, & Co. of Aberystwyth) were for the plaintiff, and Mr Dickens, Q C.. and Mr Ellis (instructed by Messrs Jennings, Son, & Allen of Leadenhall- street, London), fur the defendants. At the re- assembly of the Court after lunch, Mr Cock in- formed the Judge that a compromise had been come to between the parties, the plaintiff to be paid 11,600 in respect of his intertstin the Cwmysrwyth and Ringside Mines subject to c-rtaiu deductions amounting to about £160 It is understood that substantially the agreement was that action was to be fctayed, all imputations to be withdrawn.

THE CENTRAL WLSH BOARD. LIST OF EXAMINERS. The Executive Committee of the Central Welsh Board have appointed the following examiners for the year 1898, namely: —In mathematics, Mr R. Lachlan, Sc.D., late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; in geography and geology, Mr A. B; Badger, M.A. (Oxon), lecturer on geology at the Midland Institute, Birmingham, and to the Oxford University Exten- sion Delegacy in history, Mr T. A. Walker, M.A. (Cantab and Vict.). LL.D. (Cantab), fellow and tutor of and lecturer in history in Peterhouse, Cambridge in scripture, the Rev R. J. Rees, M.A. (Oxon), B.A. (Lond.), Cardiff; in English language and literature, Mr W. Macneile Dixon, LittD. M.A., LL.B. (Dublin), professor of English language and literature, Mason College, Birmingham; in Latin and Roman history, MrJ. Mortimer Angus, M.A. (Cantab), professor of Latin and comparative philology, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; in French, Mr F. Spencer, B.A. (Lond.). M.A. (Cantab), Ph.D. (Ltipsic), profe-sor of the French language and literature, University College of North Wales, Bangor in Welsh, Mr Thomas Powell, M.A. (Cxon), professor of Celtic, University College of South Wales and Monmouth, Cardiff; in Ureek and Crttek history, Mr R. S. Conway, M.A. (Cantab), late fellow of Gonville and Cams College, Cambridge professor of Latin, University College of South Wales and Monmouth, Cardiff; in German, Mr E. L. Milner-Barry, M.A. (Cantab), examiner in German to the University of London in mechanics and physics, Mr D. E. Jones, B. Sc. (Landon), district inspector under the Science and Art Department, Cardiff; in chemistry, Mr H. Lloyd Snape, D.Sc. (London)4 Ph.D. (Gottxngen), B.I.C., F.C.S. (London and Berlin), Uni. versity College of Wales, Aberyst.vyth; in botany, physiology, and hygiene, air J R Ainsworth Davis, B.A (Cantab) # vv'i biology and geology, University College of V) ales, Aberystwyth; in domestic economy, Miss Hester Davies, the University College of South Wales and Monmouth, Cardiff; in agriculture, Mr Alfred Eichholz, M.A., M.B. B C (Cantab), fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge in book keepIIIg, Mr John Thornton, the Collegiate School, Learning ton. The following have been appointed to conduct oral examina- tioris:-Fretich and in English subjects of the lower forms- Mr T. K. Brighouse, M.A. (London), University College of Wales, Aberystwyth Miss E. M. Cunningham, Victoria Col. lege, Belfast; Miss Kennedy, Wolverhampton Ladies' College; Mr A. G. Latham, M.A. (London), the Durham College of Science, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Professor Victor Odger, Bed- ford College, London and Professor Frederic Spencer, Ban- gor. The following have been appointed to conduct practical examinations in science Mr F. D. Chattaway, M.A. (Oxon), D.Se. (London), Ph.D. (Munich), lecturer in chemistry in the Medical School of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London Mr D. E. Jones, B.Sc. (London), Cardiff Miss L. E. Walter, B.Sc. (London), A.G.G.I., head of the Science Department of the Central Foundation School for Girls, London.

PWLLHELI AND RHYL LIFEBOATS. Mr Justice North had before him, in the Chan- cery Division of the High Court of Justice, last week, a petition, under Lord Romilly's Act, for the sanction of the Court to a change in the scheme of a bequest under the will of Mr Richardson of Pwll- heli, Carnarvonshire.—Mr Dibdin, who appeared in support of the application, said that Mr Richard- son, by his will, left a sum of £ 10,000 to the National Lifeboat Institution for the construction and maintenance of two tubular lifeboats, one of which was to be stationed at Ceal and the other at Pwllheli. The Pwllheli boat was last year removed to Rhyl and was now at that place, but was unfit for service. The other tubular boat, built in ac- cordance with the testator's request, was at New Brighton. The tubular boats were now, however, obsolete, the men desiring boats of the St, Ann's type. It was said that a tubular boat was of little use at New Brighton, as it could not sail out against a wind and had to be towed out bv a tug. That often meant that a tug had to be tele phoned for from Liverpool and that caused half-an- hour's delay. There were now only these two tabular boats in the service of the institution and 295 boats of other types. They had tried to Had other parts of England where tubular boats could be used, but it had been found impossible. The will requires that one boat should be called the "Henry Richardson and the institution intended, if the Court sanctioned the change, to retain the name of the donor for one of the boats. Mr Justice North thought he coald make the order asked for. He did it on the principle that the legacy would not answer any purpose at all unless a lifeboat of another type was substituted for the lifeboat required by the legacy. Under those circumstances, he thought that the institu- tion might very properly replace the tubular life- boats provided by the testator by lifeboats not of a tubular kind. He should require the institution, however, to keep as near as they possibly could to the intentions of the testator.

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—Approximate return of traffic receipts for the week ending March 20th, 1898 Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., £1,855; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, E3,195 total for the week, E5,050 aggregate from commencement of half-year, 1:48,918. Actaal traffic receipts for the corresponding week last year: Miles open. 250 passengers, parcels, &a., 91,803 merchandise, minerals, and live stock, E2,926 total for the week, C4,729 aggregate from commencement of half-year, £ 47,938. In- crease for the week :—Passengers, parcels, &c'J 952; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, L269 total for the week, £321; aggregate from com- mencementof half -year,;C-. Decrease for the weeki Passengers, parcels, £ —; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ -m total for the week, £ Aggregate from nriencement of half-year, £ Aggregate in' Passengers, parcels, &c.,f, mercbandis. rals, and live stock, £ 883 j total for the la' £ —; aggregate from commence- ment of halt'-v er, £880, Aggregate decrease, passengers, parcels, &c., E3 merchandise, minerals, and live stock, E- total for week,E- aggregate from oommencemeat of half-year, £