The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

CARDIGANSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. ANNUAL BUSINESS. The annual meeting of the Cardiganshire County Council was held at. Lampeter on Thursday, May 14th, there being present: Aldermen ib- Jenkvn Lewis, Llanon; W J Lloyd, Nantcwnlle; Colonel J R Howell, Pantgwyn; Edward Evans, C M Williams, Aberystwyth; J T Morgan, Maesnewydd; E Lima Jones, Aberayron; E J Price, Morfa Ma wr; Sir Marteine Lloyd, Bron- wydd Thomas Morris, Panteeirifawr; Councillors E J Davies, New Quay; D C Roberts, Peter Jones, Robert Ellis, Cap- tain T Doughton, J H Davies, Benjamin -a Jones, Aberystwyth; Evan Davies, Aber- bank; Major Price Lewes, Tyglyn Aeron; John Davies, J M Howell Aberayron; Tom Parry, Llandyssiliogogo; Joseph Parry, Goginan; R S Rowland, Garth; Thomas Morgan, Ysbytty; the Rev Dan T?vans, Troedyraur; Morgan Evans, Oak- ford; Hugh Herbert, Nantcwnlle; 0 Beynon Evans, Cardigan; the Rev W Griffiths, Maenygroes: D Morgan James, Llanrhrstycl; J C Harford, Falcondale; E A L fowell, Llanfarian; Sir E J W Parry Pryse, Gogerddan; the Rev T Arthur Thomas, Jenkyn Jones, Llandyssul; Colonel H Davies-Evan3 Highmead; A P Howell, Bow Street; Thomas Watkins, Aberporth; Principal Bebb, Lampeter; Griffith Davies, Penybryn; William Evans, Ponterwyd; Walter T Davies, Cribyn; Richard James, Borth; David Evans, Llanwnen; D L Jones, Esgerhendy; Dr J James, Edward Evans, Talybont; D J Wil- liams, Tregaron; the Rev Wm Richards, Llanon Messrs Evan Evans, clerk J D Perrott and D Lloyd Lewis, treasurers; David Davies and T E Owen, surveyors; and the Chief Constable. The Chair. On the proposition of the Rev Dan Evans, seconded by the Rev T Arthur Thomas, it was unanimously agreed that Mr 0 Beynon Evans, Cardigan, should be appointed chairman for the ensuing year. The Chairman, in thanking the Council for his election, said he would do his best to keep up the traditions of the office and to merit the confidence reposed in him. He knew it was an office of deeds more than words, especially that day when there wa3 a long agenda to go through. Mr J M Howell proposed a vote of thanks to Mr H Q Fryer, the retiring chairman, and Mr Morgan Evans, in seconding the proposition, said it was a matter of regret to those who had been on the Council many years to break up their connection with Mr Fryer. The proposition was agreed to. Condolence. Tho Chairman proposed a vote of con- dolence with the family of the late Alder- man Dr David Lloyd, Adpar, which was seconded by Sir Marteine Lloyd who said he had known Dr Lloyd ever since he was a boy at Newcastle Emlyn. They had been on the Council together for many years and as brother magistrates a.t Penrhiwpal. His loss would be keenly felt. The proposition was agreed to in silence. Clerical Error. Mr Lima Jones said there was an error in the minutes with respect to the loan of £318 for.improvements to Aberarth British School, three-fourths of which would be charged on the parishes of Henfynyw Lower and Llanddewi Lower and Henfynyw Upper was made contributory to the extent of one-fifteenth of all loan charges, although the school was situated in Llanddewi Upper. Mr D C Roberts said it was a clerical error and would be rectified by the Clerk. Appointments. The twelve representatives of the Coun- cil on the Standing Joint Committee, the members of the Finance and General Pur- poses Committee, Main Roads and execu- tive committees were all re-appointed. Tho Public Health and County Assessment committees were also re-appointed with the addition of Captain T Doughton on each committee. With reference to the standing committee for small holdings and allotments, Mr E J Davies said there was disappointment be- cause the Committee had not done the amount of work expected of them. In other counties many applications for small holdings had been considered and he under- stood they were taken up in several cases. In Cardiganshire, nothing seemed to have been done so far. He thought the best way to administer the Act would be to entrust its administration to the main roads com- mittees. He proposed that that should be done, because the present Committee had not done so much work as was expected of them. Tho Committee summoned a meeting early on Monday morning at Aber- ystwyth when it was out of any reason to expect members from the lower part of the county to attend. It was a physical im- possibility for them to do so. 4 Mr Jenkyn Jones having seconded the proposition, the Clerk said the Committee met twice. Applications were slow in com- ing In. At the Committee's second meet- ing forty applications were received and he had since received fifteen, making a total or fifty-five. The Committee now recommended that the applications should be. inquired into by members of each union. Members of Aberystwyth union had met and had asked all applicants to appear be- fore them. He took it that the same course would be adopted in other unions. The Llandyssul Committee would meet next week. a. His experience of the Committee was different to that' of Mr Davies. The Inspector told him that Cardiganshire was more forward in this matter than any oountv in Wales. (Hear, hear.) • Mr E J Davies—The report in the press is different. Mr Tom Parry sa-d one application had been granted in Carmarthenshire at the time of the recent conference. Mr C M Williams objected to the Com- mittee's work being mixed up with that of the main roads and suggested that the county should be divided into districts. Sir Edward Pryse (chairman of the Com- mittee) explained that they recommended that power be given to co-opt additional members. It would entail a great deal of extra trouble if the work was referred to the main roads committees. He did not mind in the least bit what would be done. The Rev Arthur Thomas proposed as an amendment that the Committee should be re-elected. At present it was in embryo form and just commencing operations. He suggested that the Committee should be given another year to see what they would do. Mr Harford seconded the amendment and urged that the work could be done more effectively by local oommittees, before whom the applicants with the landlords and agents could attend, than by the main roads committees whose members did not know the local circumstances. On a division, the amendment was ear- ned by twenty-three votes against nine- teen. Mr W J Lloyd proposed another amend- ment that the Committee should consist of the whole Council rather than be con- fined to a selected few, and was seoonded by Mr Edward Evans. Mr Parry did not think the Council un- derstood the difficulty. He was expected to be in New Quay on Tuesday, in Aber- ] ayron on Wednesday, in Lampeter on Thursday, and goodness knew where on Friday. (A Member, "At home," and laughter.) The Main Roads Committee met at Llandyssul for an hour and there was nothing else to do. It was a tax on the time of members to work the Educa- tion Act. Two only voted for the second amend- ment which was defeated and the Com- mittee was then re-appointed. The Printing and Advertising and Weights and Measures Committees were re-appointed, as well as the visitors to Car- marthen Asylum, the Rev T Arthur Thomas being appointed in the place of the late Dr Lloyd. Major J J Bonsall was re-appointed as conservator of the Dovey Fishery District. Sir Edward Pryse desiring to withdraw his nam3; Mr Henry Bonsall was appointed in his place and Dr H J Fleure, Aberystwyth College, was appointed to re-place Professor Ainsworth Davis on the Fishery Board. Mr Henry Bonsall was re-appointed conserva- tor of the Wye fishery district. The Revs William Griffiths and J Hugh Edwards were re-appointed representative members of the Court of Governors of the South Wales University College, and on the proposition of Mr Morgan James the Rev Rosser Evans, Congregational min- ister, Aberamman, a native of Cardigan- shire, was appointed in the place of Mr Augustus Bngstocke. Miss Jones, Pantyderi, Llanbadam-road, was appointed a manager of the Aberyst- h County School in the place of Miss Maria Jones, who has resigned. Dr Brooke, Aberystwyth College, was re- appointed public analyst. With reference to the official agricultural analyst, the Clerk said the Board of Agri- culture declined to sanction the appoint- ment of Mr H Ward, Aberystwyth College, as deputy to Mr Alan Murrav who was in Canada, because he did not possess the necessary qualification. Mr J H Davies (registrar of the College) said that was nothing but a piece of red- tapism on the Board's part. Although he worked for three years as Mr Murray's assistant, Mr Ward was not qualified be- cause he had not paid £1 Is. and joined a society. He has taken steps to do so now. Mr Ward wa.s then re-appointed Mr Mur- ray's deputy. Dr Abel Evans, Lampeter, wrote revok- ing the appointment of Dr D George Lloyd and appointing Mr D F Lloyd, solicitor, as deputy coroner, and the arrangement was approved. By an open and almost unanimous vote, Mr Evan Davies, Gilfachronw, was elevated to the aldermanic bench in the place of the late Dr Lloyd. The Rev T Arthur Thomas and Mr Morgan Evans were also nominated. Correspondence. Under an Act recently passed, the Board of Agriculture issued an order to appoint a new board of conservators for the Wye fishery district. By that order, Cardigan- shire will not have power to appoint a conservator. Mr Bonsall, who had been re-appointed as the Council's representa- tive, could act until the order came in force. On the proposition of Mr Jenkyn Jones, seconded by Mr Tom Parrv it was agreed to support resolutions passed by East Suf- folk County Council and Denbigh County Council soliciting relief of local rates by making application to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for an addi- tional grant owing to the new administra- tive duties imposed upon local authorities and the increased expense of maintaining main roads. It was also agreed to support a resolu- tion from the Glamorgan Chamber of Agri- culture urging the Local Government Board to alter the law so as to reduce the weight. carried by and the width of the wheels of motor vehicles and also that tho cost of road maintenance should be borne by national taxation instead of local rates. Mr Peter Jones—Anything from the Im- perial Exchequer will be welcomed. The Cardiff Naturalists' Society wrote calling attention to the fact that the golden eagle had been shot in Cardiganshire and asking that that noble bird should be included in the schedules under the Wild Birds Protection Act, and that the orders under that Act should be printed in English and Welsh. This course was agreed to on the proposition of Sir Marteine Lloyd, sec- onded by Sir Edward Pryse. A letter was received from Llanddeinol Parish Meeting asking for powers to re- pair public paths as there was no Parish Council, and on the proposition of Mr Mor- gan James the application was granted. Llanon Parish Council applied to the County Council to enforce the Shop Hours Act, 1904, and the Clerk explained that on a previous occasion a similar petition was received from Llanon tradesmen and was referred to the Parish Council. The Rev W Richards proposed that the Act should be put in force and said all the shopkeepers in the parish consented, ex- oept one. Mr W J Lloyd having seconded the pro- position, Mr Morgan James asked what effect it would have, and the Chairman replied that persuasion would be best; but if the Act was enforced all shopkeepers in the parish would be compelled to close. Mr Peter Jones asked the Council to take a broad view, because it seemed rather cumbersome to put the whole machinery in force because one person did not alquiesce, although a shop just outside the parish could not be affected. If the people felt so intensely, they could if they wished boycott the shopkeeper who kept his shop open. It would be absurd for the County Council to tell the shopkeeper that he must manage Ids business in the way they told him. Replying to the ev W Richards the Clerk said the Parish Council could not enforce the Act. Mr Thomas Watkins thought it was waste of time to discuss the matter further; but Mr C M Williams said the Council ought to legislate according to the unani- mous feeling of local people who wero pioneers in that matter. Sir Edward Pryse said it was a large order for the Council to embark upon but Dr Lewis contended that there was no cumbersome machinery. They simply said Let it be" and be it will. (Laughter ) Llanon ought to be congratulated rather than pooh-poohed on being pioneers. There being no amendment, it was agreed to enforce the Act. & With regard to the Council's resolution that Llandyssul should be soelt officially with an "u" instead of "i," the Local Gov- ernment Board wrote that the initiative should have been taken by the parish authority. The Rev Arthur Thomas said the neces- sary step would be taken. The Post. Office had already adopted the alteration. A resolution from the Lancashire and VV estern Sea Fisheries Committee suggest- mg 3. contribution for scientific work in addition to the small amount levied' at. present, was referred to the Finance Com- mittee. Tr8i.xl'c^ C^mstablo was instructed to publish a copy of the new swine order 1908 'he Board of Agriculture for With reference to a communication from the Board of EUucation threatening to withdraw grants owing to the detention of teacher candidates in intermediate schools beyond the maximum age limit Mr D C Roberts said the Education Committee had referreJ the matter to a small committee and on his proposition they were authorised to apply for an amended scheme before June 30th. Main Roads and Bridges. On the report of the Northern Commit- tee, presented by Mr William Evans it was agreed to apply to the Great Western Company for a contribution toward the expenditure entailed in maintaining the roads over which the Company's motor buses travel, and the Clerk was requested to enquire whether or not claims have been made by other councils against pro- prietors of motor buses for repair of roads owing to motor traffic. Referring to a recommendation that the Surveyor should embody in his report all dealings with widening main roads and to consult members of the Committee before undertaking any work of road widening, Mr J H Davies said pieces of roadside waste had been closed in recently and the Surveyor had obtained permission from landowners to widen the roads in other plaoes. In addition to the Surveyor em- bodying them in his report, he suggested that a record should be kept of all those transactions. This was agreed to and the Committee's report, as already published, was adopted. Mr William Evans presented another report dealing with the main road at Borth. Last year the Main Roads Com- mittee decided not to proceed with the work of protecting the road unless owners of adjoining property contributed at least one-half of the cost. Since then, the sea had encroached within six yards of the road and the property owners had offered to contribute at least JE400. The Execu- tive Committee recommended that the Main Roads Committee should be author- ised to proceed if it was found necessary that part of the work should be done dur- ing the summer. The Surveyor estimated the whole cost at :£820, of which .the county would be responsible for one-half. Mr W J Lloyd—Is the Council bound to keep that road? Can we not dismain it? It is an enormous cost. The Chairman—You are opening a large question. Mr Lloyd—I think our Clerk has said that we are not bound to do it. Perhaps it would be better and cheaper for the Council to remove the village and the road to some place of safety. (Laughter.) Mr Peter Jones supported the report and said that last year considerable dam- age was done by the sea which would have a serious effect on the road and entail great expense. Seeing that the advantages would be distinct and direct to the pro- perty owners, it was felt that they ought to contribute at least one-half the outlay. There was a large number of owners of small tenements and it wa3 difficult to have combined action. However, they had arranged amongst themselves to take the responsibility of contributing half the eost. The road was an important one, be- cause it was the only means of communi- cation with Merioneth and Carnarvon, without going into Montgomeryshire, be- cause if the road was not kept in order the river Dovey could not be crossed with- out going to Machynlleth. Binz the means of communication between the southern and northern parts of the Prin- cipality, it behoved the Council to keep the road in as good a condition as possible. He looked upon the scheme now pro- pounded as final and, therefore, proposed that the Standing Orders should be sus- pended in order to refer the matter to the Main Roads Committee according to the report. They were hopeful that there would be no further difficulties. As far as the property owners were concerned, he feared many of them had expended more than the annual value of their property in defending it against the sea. The Chairman thought if the owners had previously agreed to contribute the work would have been undertaken before. Mr C M Williams said the Council had practically agreed to carry out the work and he supported the recommendation now that the owners had decided to comply with their wishes. The Executive Committee's recommenda- tion was agreed to unanimously. Mr Tom Parry presented the Northern Committee's report and stated that a sub- committee considered the application of St. Dogmell's Rural Council for a. contri- bution toward the erection of a bridge over the Teify at Llandygwydd. They found there was need for a bridge and, having considered the nature of the traffic, recom- mended a footbridge at the estimated cost of £305. With the cartage and buttresses, the Surveyor estimated the total cost not to exceed £.380. It was stated that to cross to the other side it would be neces- sary to go round Llechryd, a distance of seven miles. Tho Committee did not feel justified in recommending a more expensive bridge for vehicular traffic. Colonel Howell said the Committee felt that a carriage way would be too expen- sive having regard to the traffic, as it would be necessary to make and maintain a road through a meadow. Sir Edward Pryse also supported the recommendation and it was decided to contribute one-thiràoi the cost, provided Pembrokeshire contributed the same amount. The offer of land by Mr Charles Fitz. williams to widen the main road opposite the schoolroom at Blackbird, near Llan- dyssul, was gratefully accepted and, on the proposition of the Rev Artiius Thomas, the Clerk was directed to ask when the land would be available. A vote of thanks was also passed to Mr R S Rowland, Garth, who has given the land necessary to widen Pont LJanio bridge free, the Rev Arthur Thomas saying that was the proper spirit. Aberayron Light Railway. In the finance Committee report it was stated that Mr Cooke, of Bristol, solicitor for the promoters of the Lampeter-Aber- ayron and New Quay light railway, at- tended the meeting and stated on behalf of the promoters that it was proposed to proceed with the construction of the first portion of the railway, between Lampeter and Aberayron; that the Treasury had arranged to make for that purpose a loan of £20000 at three and half per cent., to be repaid by instalments extending over a period of twenty-five years, the first lll- stalment of the repayment to be postponed for two yea rs from the commencement of the work of construction; that several ten- ders had been received, all cash contracts, and the promoters were inclined to accept the tender of £67,208: that the whole cost of the railway amounted to .£81,000; that 1 the cost of the remainder of the lin that from Abravron to New Quay, would be larger in proportion to that of the portion now proposed to be made; that the pro- moters applied to the Council to advance- £15,000, £11,250 to be secured by deben- tures and £3,750 to bo taken in ordinary shares, and were applying to the Lamoeter Town Council and the District Councils of Lampeter HuraJ. Aberayron Urban, and Aberayron Rural for an advance of £5 000 to be secured in like manner; that the Treasury loan and the proposed loans of the County and District Councils would rank pari passu; that the maximum capi- tal of the undertaking was £80,000, includ- ing maximum debentures of £50,000; that the landowners who have been approached by the promoters with regard to the railway had agreed to sell their land for that purpose at agricultural value; that if the loans wero made, the capital would have been secured with the exception of £ 2,000, or thereabouts; that the Council should ad- vance £6,000 at the expiration of two months from the' commencement of the work and the remainder in instalments at such times as should be agreed upon. Sev- eral questions were discussed and as the scheme appeared to the Committee to be satisfactory, it was resolved to recommend the Council to make a loan of £15,000 for the construction of the first portion of the railway, namely, that between Lampeter and Aberayron on the terms and condi- tions indicated in Mr Cooke's statement, or such other terms and conditions as the Council may determine. Air Harford had notice and movoj the following motion :—" The Treasury having agreed to advance by way of loan t20,OOO towards the construction of a railway from Lampeter to Abera27roa on condition that the County Council and local authorities agree to vote a .similar sum for the same purpose out of the original rmm of £30.000 voted by the County Council and local authorities for the whole line of the Lampeter, Aberayron, and New Quay Light Railway Order of 1806 which the Treasury agreed to meet with a loan of £30,000, that this County Council do agreed to vote the sum of £ 20,C00, either by way of loan or as part of the share capital, or partly in one way and partly in another a.s the Council may determine (£15,000 being made a charge against the County Council and £5,000 against the»-ftrban and rural authorities of Lampeter and Aberayron) towards the por- tion of railway from Lampeter to Aber- ayron." He said the question had already been fully considered and the money granted. It was not a new scheme and he merely asked that a portion of the amount previously passed should be allowed toward the construction of the first portion of the line. Nothing would be done until the entire capital was in hand, but it wa.3 somewhat difficult to obtain all the re- quired capital. Not one of the four con- tractors was prepared to undertake the whole scheme at once. One of them was prepared to go as far as Felinfach and then to Aberayron. When the railway was earning, he was prepared to continue the line to New Quay. Only two of the con- tractors gave an estimate for the entire length. Since then the promoters had placed the matter before the Treasury, the contractors, and the Great Western Rail- way Company, as well as the local authori- ties. Each and all of them were strongly in favour of commencing the line as far as Aberayron. The amount the Council were asked to vote that day was £ 20,000,of which £5.000 would come from the local authori- ties. "What he wanted them to do was to vote two-thirds of the money already pro- mised for two-thirds of the line which it was intended to make. All the figures had been most carefully considered by the Fin- ance Committee who were satisfied that the scheme -was a good one and that the necessary capital wa-s obtained. There was a mistake in Mr Cooke's statement in the Commrttee's report. He stated that the maximum capital of the undertaking was £80,000, including maximum debentures of £ 50,(XX). in a letter from the Treasury it was explained that the promoters could not issue more than £10,000 debentures, beside £20,000 granted by the Treasury anJ £20,000 by the County Council and local authorities, unless the capital required, or utilised, exceeded £100,000. If it exceeded £100,000, then would be issued in debentures; but the directors had given an undertaking that they would not in any case raise more than £10,000 in debentures, outside the amou-nt of £40,000 granted by the Treasury and local authorities. Three or four objections had been made at differ- ent time? regarding the line. One was that the landowners had not taken suffici- ent interest and another was that the land was to be paid for in cash, instead of shares. Dr Lewis had then come to the help of the promoters by suggesting that the amount required to pay for the land was so small that it was not worth up- setting the scheme for that reason. The landowners had agreed to take qualifying shares as directors. They were bound to take £200 in shares and a considerable portion of the capital had been subscribed by local landowners. They had given every facility and four had agreed to act as directors. He hoped the Council would, as the Finance Committee were, be satisfied that the landowners had done their duty in helping the line. He thought they would also say that the local authorities had also met the case very fairly. The urban and rural authorities of Lampete'- who had given him great support and kind- ness, passed unanimous resolutions voting £1,000 each and he understood that the Aberayron authorities were also prepared to fulfil their promise. The promoters appealed to New Quay to look with favour- able eyes on the scheme. Nothing had altered with regard to Now Quay aud the lino was still designed to go thero. They asked New Quay to support in making the line to Aberayron first, being firmly con- vinced that if that was not done there woukl be no railway either to Aberayron or New Quay^ He himself had contracted a considerable financial responsibility in the scheme and with a friend had intended throwing it over owing to the difficulty of carrying it out but the contractor was so convinced of its practiacability that if it was made to Aberayron first he could carry the whole scheme through and now the had succeeded with the Treasury and the local authorities he felt sure the County Council would not upset a scheme which would do so much good to the countv Knowing the immense expenditure caused by the motor buses, he did not think thero was a single member who would not rather pay the interest on £15,000, even if the- railway was a complete failure from be- ginning to end, than the enormous cost of £3,000 a year to repair the roads from the motor traffic. There was no question that the roads were totally unfitted for the motor buses and never would be fit. He did not know of any road in England which would be fit for them. No doubt the buses had been a great help, but he had seen how they broke up the road at Clifton and between Bristol and Thornburv. The road between Abergavenny and Brecon cost £80 per mile to maintain, while the roads in Cardiganshire cost £20 or £25. In reply to a series of questions asked by the Clerk, the Company's Solicitor had supplied the following information:—The Great West- eran Company had offered terms for the management and for working and main- taining the line, but had added a condition which the promoters had informed them they declined to accede to, and they an- ticipated that the Great Western Com- pany would waive it. The agreement with the Great Western, or any other com- pany wofild be in perpetuity and they wished it to be understood that if the Groat Western did not accede to their terms the promoters would be at liberty lo make other arrangements for working the line. The Treasury had already an- ticipated that, because they had provided that in the event of a railway company not working the line further capital would have to be raised or arrangements made for hiring rolling stock. The promoters had satisfied themselves that forty per cent of the gross earnings would enable them to pay the instalment of principal and inter- est. They considered they might not be in a. position to repay the loan to the County Council to the same extent and at the same time as they pay the Treasury, bnt they would certanly repay the loan by instalments either out of the income or out of the share capital as raised from time to time, but the interest on the loan would rank pari passu with the Treasury interest. It was proposed that the pro- moters should have power to issue deben- tures to the extent of about £6,000 in respect of the outlay of £80,000. Those debentures would be issued to the public in adTcRtion to the loan made by the Government and local authorities, but in any case the promoters would not be allowed to issue more than £10.000 deben- tures in respect of £100,000 expenditure. Those debentures would also rank as pari passu. In their opinion the interest upon the loan and upon debentures would rank in priority to tho uistaiment in repayment of the loan by the Treasury. The Coun- cil might assumes that the capital waa now H-actically subscribed. He (Mr. Harford) hoped thosie ansv^er^ would satisfy the Council on the points raised. Before the line could be commenced £6,000 would have to be deposited in London, if the Council supported the scheme, as security that the line would be and arrange- ments had been made for that amount in addition to the capital already raised. Replying to Mr Tom Parry, v who asked as to the amount of interest, Mr. Harford said the Treasury had reduced it from three and three quarters to three and a half per cent, and the Treasury had agreed to make the advance as a result of the Board of Trade's inquiry into the financial conditions of the scheme. Every possible means had been taken to safeguard the Council's interests. He thoroughly be- lieved, if the Council adhered to their original promise and, instead of withdraw ing the money already voted, would vote tho amount he now asked for the first portion, that the railway would be com- menced this year. Mr. Morgan Evans, in seconding the motion, said he was personally sorry that the branch to New Quay was delayed. The railway would then go through his district, but he looked at the question from a broader point of view and hoped the CouncJ would also look in the same way. They wero there to represent the whole county. Sir Marteine Lloyd also supported the motion. He looked upon New Quay as his old love, but after Mr. Harford's speech ho felt assured that if the line- was commenced as far as Aberayron it would be corJtintwdto New Quay and he would not let it rest until the line was ex- tended to New Quay. Afterward, they would probably have a railway to Cardi- gan, with a station at Llwyndafydd. (Laughter.) He hoped the Council would unanimously support Mr Harford who had taken the greatest interest in the scheme and had worked hard. Were it not for Mr HarfoYd, there would be no sign of a light railway in the middle of Cardigan- shire. Mr. E. J. Davies* said he was sorry to take up a rather antagonistic attitude. He moved an amendment to the effect that the Council should insjst upon the promoters adhering to the original scheme for which the Council voted £30,000, namely, that the railway should be made from Lampeter to Aberayron and on to New Quay. In the first instance the line was intended as far as Aberayron only, but New Quay people approached Mr. Harford and pleaded for an extended scheme which would render greater ser- vice to the county by extending the scheme to New Quay. As New Quay was a growing watering-place, it was likely that the railway would be greatly helped if the scheme was extended. Mr. Harford treated them calvalierly and would not listen to their request, but the Council by the requisite majority refused to grant Mr. Harford's application for the scheme to Aberayron only. Afterward the pro- moters included New Quay and the Coun- cil felt that the new scheme presented more 'advantages to the county and had a better chance of earning interest on the money they were prepared to invest. On account of the eidarged scheme and the greater service the extension would render by opening up the county, the Council unanimously passed a grant of £<>0,000 to mieet the Trea.su.ry grant of an equal amount. The scheme had been simmer- ing for the past two or three years. Mr. Harford had been optimistic throughout and New Quav people expected to hear that they were invited to the cutting of the first sod: but now the extension was lopped off and the scheme curtailed by making the line to Aberayron only. Pub- lic opinion in his district was strong and definite on the question. Rightly or wrongly, they believed that the extension to Now Quay was not a genuine one and was never intended to be carried out. In the resolution they saw the issue of the subterfuge scheme. That was the opinion prevalent in the district. At a large and representative meeting a resolution was pasped asking the Council to insist- on the whole scheme being carried through and not let it be split in sections. Tttie Rev. Arthur Thomas seconded the amendment and said the bulk of the rate- payers whom he represented felt strongly against the motion. The Rev. W. Griffiths said that negotia- tions had been made with the Great Western Company for a line from Llan- dyssul to New Quay, but were dropped on the understanding that the line from Lampeter to Aberayron would be extended. also complained that Mr. Davies, who had been appointed a director on behalf of the local authority, had been summoned to one meeting only and was not in a position to know the ins and outs of the proceedings. Why should he not have been taken into confidence and informed, why it was impossible to extend the line? After the local authorities were mort- gaged no further contribution could be expected except £1.000 from New Quay and it was taken for granted that if the line was made to Aberayron it would sstop there, while the doOl: woul closed against other companies going to New Quay. Mr. D. C. Roberts supported the motion as one who was not personally interested in the railway, except 30 far as it was of public benefit" and from the point of view that they were desirous of opening up the reunify by having a light railway. He had supported all the movements brought before the Council in that direction and was glad to support the scheme for start- ing the railway between Lampeter and Aberayron. He was disappointed the promoters had not been able to carry out the full schemo as far as New Quay, but he took it from what had been said to the Council and the Finance Committee that the portion to New Quay was in no sense abandoned. Thfere would certainly! be greater hope of getting to New Quay if they got to Aberayron first. If they could move in the direction of light rail- ways supported by public funds, it would certainly be a strong case for the extension of the line or for a new line to New Quay. He did not think the motion would in any way prejudice the case of New Quay in future, but would be a strong support for another scheme. He quite sympathised with the New Quay friends who had good grounds for their disappointment; but un- less they could for the moment sink their local feelings they could not make forward movement with big schemes of that kind and if they did not move forward it would bo so much of a disappointriient to the promoters that he was "afraid that part of the county would never have another scheme. Financially, he believed the scheme was a sound one. Of course, the Council took some risk, but if they never recovered a penny of the amount advanced it would not cost the ratepayers more than three farthings in the pound for forty years and the ordinary farmer would not have to pay more than 2s. 6d. or 3s. a year, but there was every reason to hope that the railway would earn enough to pay interest on debentures. That being so, the charge on the county would be very small and he was in favour of spend- ing that small amount in order to benefit the county. By supporting the line to Aberayron they were likely to have a rail- way from one direction or another to New Quay and he trusted that Mr. Davies would give way in order to have a unani- mous vote, because he believed the scheme was in the interest of the county. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Tom Parry said the end of every song was What will the burden be-" He was surprised to-hear they must wear that bangle for forty years. He thought twenty or thirty years would be better. He disputed Mr. Harford's statement that they could repay £20,000 in twenty-five years at three and a half per cent. He was prepared to stick to the original scheme, although the burden would be considerable on an agricultural district. The line from Lampeter to Aberayron would mean 'in the pound. Mr D C Roberts—No. Mr Parry—It* will. I have calculated it. Mr Roberts—So have I. (Laughter.) Mr Parry said it depended on the ratable value of the parish. Who were the directors Mr Harford spoke of? Who were the contractors? Who were the landlords? Who valued the land? He had been told that the landowners re- fused to allow the Council's valuer to value their land, and yet the Council was asked to plank down £20.000, a maximum of sacrifice to the ratepayers and a mini- mum of loss to the owners whose estates would be developed and whose rents would be raised of necessity. He was net satisfied. Major Price Lewes, in supporting the motion, said the history of railways showed that they developed traffic, i brought people into the country, and helped to enrich the county by increasing the ratable value. If the M. and M. Rail- way had been built as a light railway under modern terms, it would have been able to pay its way. Mr C M Williams expressed hi.s dis- appointment that the railway would be taken to Aberayron only. He opposed voting the money when the advantages to be derived from the scheme would be com- paratively small. Any member could see at a glanoe that if the. scheme was divided, New Quay could say good-bye to any hope of having the line completed from that source. How in the world could Mr Harford pretend to say that this was only a section of the work when practically all the money would be swallowed in mak- ing that part ? From the estimate of the cost, which had been before the Council, the from Lampeter to Aberayron pro rata was something like fifty-eight per oent., and from Aberayron to New Quay forty-two per cent. He had not heard whether there was a redjuction in the cost of making the line, but it seemed that the percentage was just the same. How was it proposed to use tie t naUlry grant of £ 20,000? The whole uf it would be used in making the line to Aberayron. When the scheme was put before Railway Commissioners, the final application was in respect of the complete line to New Quay. He was sorry that the informa- tion before the Council was so meagre. Practically, there was nothing before them. They were asked to vote that money in the dark. They did not know who was the contractor. They knew nothing abjut him. ° Mr. D. C. Roberts—The name was gnen to us at the Finance Committee. Mr. Williams added that the Council ought to have more information before voting £15,000. They ought to have been taken into confidence. If it was a bona- fide intention to extend the scheme to New Quay, the money ought to have been divided pro rota. The Treasury grant of £20,000 would be like £11,500 for the Aber- ayron line and £8,500 for New Quay. Mr. Harford—Tne original grant from the Treasury was £30,000 for the whole scheme. Mr. Williams said the amount before the Council now was £20,000 and they were dealing with that. Dividing the cost pro rota, provision should have been made for making the line to New Quay on the same basis as to Aberayron. Who would raise the additional capital? If they could not succeed in completing the line, he did not think the Council would be justified m having it piecemeal. He anticipated that as soon as the railway was completed to Aberayron there would be an applica- tion for an increased grant for the line to New Quay. Was that just to the Council ? They were all agreeable to adhere to the original scheme. He had no faith in the present scheme and from the evidence before them there was no prospect of New Quay secur- ing a railway. It was no use for farmers and business men to complain. TTiey were told that the cost would not mean a penny in the pOUtld, but every penny added to the increasing rates. It was the last straw that broke the camel's back. The county rates had been increased to Is. 5d. Every penny must count and make the burden more difficult. If the scheme was completed, let the Council adhere to the bargain. Mr. Davies and the New Quay friends had been very moderate. Was it not reasonable that Mr. Davies., as a dir- ector, should have been taken into con- fidence? Mr. Davies knew absolutely no more than the Council, and the Council knew precious little. In the dark they were asked to squander £15,000. He ven- tured to make a strong appeal to the Councvl to panise before dividifag thje money without having the line to New Quay. If they could not suoeeed in carry- ing out the whole scheme they would never succeed. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Peter Jones said if the Council considered the question step by step they would have no alternative but to support the resolution. First of all, they were agreed as to the advantages and necessity of a light railway. They were also agreed that jt was nScessary to have assistance outside the contribution from the imperial exchequer an the one hand and from the local rates on the other hand. If by pass- ing the resolution they found the whole capital and made it possible to carry through the whole soherne in its entirety, it would be a reasonable thing to do; but they had to bear mind that they must work in co-operation with the contractor and the railway company who would take over the working of "the line. He would like to have a railway running alcmg the whole length of the coast, but it was no good wishing for things like that, because they were not feasible and mot possible. Owing to the effect of motor traffic on main roads, the county had to bear a larger sum than they would have to pay toward the railway, assuming it was a failure from beginning to end. Apart from the policv of going in for light rail- ways, especially when passing through a beautiful district. let them consider it as a purely economical question. The road from Lampeter to Aberayron entailed nearly £600 a year on account of the motor traffic, an amount which would more than cover the contribution toward the railway. He was delighted to see his friend, Mr Parry, as am economist. It reminded him of a. friend in Aberystwyth who complained of the water rate. It was pointed out to him that he only paid twopence a week and had water for all his family, but he forgot what he spent for himself in the evening. (Laughter.) The farmers of whom Mr. Parry spoke complained of a penny in the rate, but forgot that they spent so lavishly in other directions. They did not oonsider they would have a good re- turn from the railway which was a wise expenditure. The Council were all desir- ous of extending the line to New Quav and, if possible, to Llandyssul, but the question was whether the line went ion the right direction. If theyl wanted a railway to New Quay, let them support it to Aberayron first. They were now twenty miles away from New Quay, but with a railway to Aberayron they would be within about seven miles. Ho trusted the Council would unite in what was best for the county aind not be too parochial. They must take a comprehensive view of what was to the benefit of the county. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Harford, replying to the discussion, did not think the ca.se could have been put more lucidly and convincingly than it had been put by Mr. Roberts and Mr. Peter Jones. The four local landowners who had agreed to take shares as direc- tors wle Colone4 Dav^es^Evans, High- mead; Captain Vaughan, Brynog; Mr. Gwynne, Monachtv; and himself. With regard to the loan, he read a letter from the Treasury agreeing to advanve £20,000 to meet a loan of an equal amount from the local authorities and to be repaid in twenty-five years, the rate of interest being three and a half per cent. The contractor was Mr Nuttall of Birmingham. Mr. C. M. Williams seemed to have con- fused the figures which was rather unusual (Laughter.) The original grant was £ 60,000| of which £30,000 was from the Treasury and £30,000 (rom the local authorities. Tho distance from Lampeter to xVberayron was thirteen arnd a half miles, and from Aberayron to New Quay seven and a half. Taking two-thirds of the cost for the Aberayron section, there would be re- maining £10,000 voted by the local auth- orities and £10,000 from the Treasury. With regard to Mr. E. J. Davies, he ex- ceedingly regretted if information had not been given to him. He invited him to at- tend a meeting of directors, but Mr. Davies did not attend. He also wrote a long account which he handed to Major Price Lewes, who was in possession of all the information, and asked him particu- larly to inform Mr Davies. He could only tfrologi-so jjfl he 'had not all tho information possible. Mr. Davies accepted the apology. He had not felt it as a personal matter. \Y]¡.-1Ie felt was that the way he was dealt with supported the suspicion with circumstantial evidence that the offer to New Quay was not a genuine one and that it was a move to bring New Quay into line. Mr. Harford again apologised if he had unwittingly kept any information from Mr Davies and New Quay people.. Unless they made a start to Aberayron. they would never get the railway to New Quay or anywhere else. The resolution was thp,n put to the meeting and was declared carried with cheers. Thirty-two votjed for the resolu- tion and eleven for the am^ndmrmt. Mr J. M. Howell was appointed as the Coun- cil's representative on the directorate. The Finance Committee were asked to arrange. terms and conditions for the loan, its well as the payment of prom- ised toward the preliminary expenses of tae railway.