Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

ABERYSTWYTH CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. Though the weather was dull the attendance at this annual show held in the Royal Pier Pavilion on Wednesday afternoon was far larger than those recorded on any previous occasion, upon which together with the excellence of the show itself the committee and all concerned are to be highly congratulated. This year's president was Mrs Loxdale of Castle Hill. The chief officials were Messrs Edward Evans, J.P. (chairman), T. H. E i war da (vice-chairman) of committee; treasurer, Mr Rufus Williams, Lion Hotel. Invaluab!e aid was rendered by the hon. sees. Messrs H. Sheraton and J. Purton, while Mr E. J. Davies made an able and courteous secretary. The opening took place shortly after two o'clock, when there was a large company present, including Mr and Mrs Loxdale, the Misses Jones, the Mayor (Councillor Hopkin&), Mrs Parry, Lledearde Miss Parry, Marine Terrace; Alderman E. P. Wynne, Councillor R. J. Jone?, the ex-Mayor and Mrs E. H. James, the Yicar of Aberystwyth, Mrs and the Misses Williams, Mr and Mrs Powell, Nanteos Mrs am} Miss Williams, Ffynon Ca.radog, Miss Harries, Miss Loveden Price, Principal and Mrs Roberts, Mr Edward Evans, J.P., Rev. J. E. Lloyd. Mr Edward Evans introduced Mrs Loxdale, who said it gave her great pleasure to be present, and in declaring the show open wished it every success. The Mayor, on behalf of the society, then pre- sented Mra Loxdale with a handsome bouquet of white and yellow chrysanthemums. He said the show was a credit to the promoters, and he hoped they would be repaid by having a good attendance. He then proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Loxdale. Mr Edward Evans secosded this, and it was accorded heartily, and Mrs Loxdale then presented cups and medals to the winners. An inspection of the exhibits was then made. The pavilion is admirablysuited for the holding of such a show, and the wealth of bloom and the variety of colours had a very pleasing effect. The exhibits were not quite so numerous this year, but probably the wet and stormy weather lately experienced was accountable for the decrease, many of the usual exhibitors were not represented this year. The quantity and size of tbejjiooms were as good as could be seen in any show in the country. Tho groups of chrysanthemums and mis- cellaneous plants were excellent. The bloom which took the prize for the premier bloom was the propeity Of Sir Pryse Pryse (gardener Mr Win- stanley). Sir Pryse also took several other of the chief prizes as may be seen from the list of awards. The silver medal and L3 for out blooms was awarded toMp H. Austin, and the bronze medal and £2 was secured by the Countess of Lisburne (gar- dener Mr Hazledine). The Countess of Lisburne secured first prize for grapes; Sir Pryse Pryse second, and Mr Palmer third. Major Bonsall secured Several other firsts. In the way of entertainments, Mrs Barry Taun- ton (who was presented with a bouquet on behalf of the society by Mr Ed. Evans), and party gave a dramatic fancy entitled "Dream Faces" in the afternoon, and the 'Welsh' Wizards gave songs, sketches, &c. The judges were Mr Milner, Port Talbot; and Mr Gvrbble, Plas Machynlleth; and Mrs Loxdale judged the table decorations. DIVISION A.-Open. Group of ;chrysanthemum-, 1 Sir Pryse Pryse, Gogerddan 2 R. Websdell, 3 James Purton. Three pants of chrysanthemums in pots, Japanese, 1 J. Websdell, 2 Sir Pryse Pryse. Three plants of ct ysaWfliismtitns in$)<» £ &, inourved, 1 J. Websdell, 2 Sir Pry.. Pi ysef. Group of miscellaneous plants, 1 Sir Pryse Pryse, 2 J. Websdell. Six primulas in f ote, 1 F.R. Roberts, Penywern j 2 Major J. J. Bon- salfi Six cyclamen 111 pots, 1 F. R. Robeits, 2 Sir Pryse Pryse, 3 James Purton. Cut blooms (12 Japanese, 12 incurved), 1 Sir Prysa Pryse, 2 H. Austin, 3 Countess of Lisburne, Crosswood. 12 Cut blooms, Japanese, 1 Sir Pryse Pryse, 2 Coun. tess of Lisburne, 3 H. Austin. 12 cut blooms (in. curved), 1 Sir Pryse Pryse, 2 H. Austin. 12 cut Japanese blooms in vases, 1 Sir Pryse Prvse, 2 H. Auatiu. 12 cut Japanese blooms, 1 Sir Pryse Pryse, 2 Countess of Lisburne, 3 R. J. Charlton, Doldowlod. Six cut Japanese blooms, 1 Sir Pryse Pryse, 2 F. R. Roberts. Penywern, 3 R. J. Charlton. 12 cut blooms (incurved), 1 Sir Pryse Pryse, 2 Countess of Lisburne, 3 H. Austin. Six cut blooms (in&urved), 1' Sir Pryse Pryse, 2 Countess of Lis- burne. Bouquet of chrysanthemums^ 1 Countess of Lisburne, 2'James Veary, Northgate street, 3 W. H. Palmer, Queen's Hotel. Three bunches of pom- pones" Sir1 I'ryse Pryse, 2 F. R. Roberts, 3 T. tl. Edwards, Queen's road. Six table plants, 1 Coun- tess of Lisburne, 2 Sir Pryse Pryse, 3 J. Websdell. Three blooms, 1 Sir Pryse Pryse, 2 F. R. Roberts, 3 R. J. Charlton. Two bunches of grapes, 1 Coun- tess of Lisburne, 2 Sir Pryse Pryse, 3 W. H. Palmer. Three disheaof dessert apples, 1 Major J. J. Bonsall, Fronfraith, 2 James Purton. Thiee dishes of culinary apples, 1 Major J. J. Bonsall, 2 Jawes Purton, 3 Sir Pryse Pryse. Three dishes of pears, 1 F. R. Roberts, 3 Sir Pryse Pryse. Collec- tion of vegetables, 1 II. Austin, 2 James Yearey, 3 Sir Pryse Pryse. SPECIAL PpJZES.—Floral decorated dinner table, 1 R'lfus Williams, 2 Mrs Williams, Queen's road. S x pots, of Roman hyacinths, 1 Major J. J. Bonsall, 2 Mrs G. W. Parry, Llanilar. Premier bloom and best plant for A.C.S. certificate, Sir Pryse Pryse. Chrysanthemum plant for A.C.S. certificate, Mr Wellet. AMATEUR CLASS.—B. Six chrysanthemum plants, 1 S. J. Bennett, St David's road; 2 T. H. Edwards, Queen's road. One chrysanthemum plaut, 1 S. J. Bennett, 2 H. Shera- ton, TanyCoed, 3 W. H". Griffiths, Llanbadarn. Six out chrysanthemum blooms, 1 W. H. Griffiths, 2 Mrs G. W. Parry, Llanilar, 3 T. H. Edwards. Three cut chrysanthemum blooms, 1 E. D. Morris, Penlltvyn, 2 T. H. Edwards, 3 H. Sheraton. Col- lection of vegetables, 1 W. H., Griffiths. COTTAGSKS' CLASS.—C. Collection of vegetables, 1 E, Edwards, The Croi-s, Clarach 2 E. Williams, Rhydyfelin. Col- lection of vegetables, 1 G. H. Cad man, Llanilar 2 William Roberts, Penffordd; 3 W. H. Griffiths, Llanbadarn. Two dishes of potatoes, 1 W. E. Edwards, The Cross, 2 E. Edwarda, 3 W. H. Griffiths. Chrysanthemum plant, 1 W. H. Griffiths, 2 G. H. Cadman, 3 D. Evan Powell, Dolfeinen. Three cut chrysanthemum blooms, 1 E. D. Morris, Penllwyn, 2 D. Evan Powell, 3 W. H. Griffiths. Two dishes of apples, 1 W. H. Griffiths, 2 G. H. Cadman, 3 J. Felix.

ABERYSTWYTH CORPORATION FINANCES. MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. The ordinary; monthly meeting of the Ratepayers' Association was thrown open to the public on Tuesday night, when the subject for discussion was the report issued by the Association on the state of the Aberystwyth Corporation finances. The Town Hall was well filled amongst those present being Dr. Harries, Dr. Morgan, Capt. Dsughton, Capt. Jenkins, Messrs Thomas Griffiths, J.P., J. D. Williams, S. Green, Durrant, Dd. Phillips, J. J. Jones, T. H. Edwards, Isaac Griffiths and D. C. Owen. The chair was occupied by Mr Rufus Williams, Chairman of the Association, and he was supported by Messrs Fred Morgan, J. Gibson, Sr., J. Gibson, Jr. and J. C. Rea. The Chairman said the Association had been in existence for two years and looking back over their work there was nothing to regret. It was not called into existence, as some people seemed to think, with a view to "stating" the Town Council, it was called into existence to help the Town Council and to help the ratepayers to help them- selves and they claimed to have done something in that direction. The Chairman then referred to the attention paid by the Association to the abstraot of accounts and the matter of the markets. Mr Fred Morgan then gave a synopsis of the report issued by the Association on the finances of the town. He went on to make a comparison be- tween figures of 1892 and 1902, whereupon Mr D. C. Owen asked, Are they correct figures (hear, hear)—The Chairman said every oppor- tunity would be given later on for anyone to dis- cuss the figures (hear, hear ).-Quoting figures from the Corporation abstract of accounts, Mr Morgan said the ground rentals received by the Corporation in 1898 amounted to £9858s 3d, and inl902JE2,6971a 7d. In 1892 the interest and investments amounted to JE12 16s Id, and in 1902 £ 158 3s 9J. In 1892 the total amount collected for water rate was z62,236, and ia 1902 £3,915, an increase of nearly 80 per cent. The produce of a penny rate had also increased 50 per cent. A consideration of the report would explain why the present ratepayers had not received the benefit they should have done from the increased rentals of the Corporation estate and increased water rate. The first matter dealt with in the report was the spending of revenue for capital purposes, thus placing a burden oa present day ratepayers, a portion of which should be borne by future generations. Instead of investing the fines received for the renewal of leases, the money had been used each year. There were four funds in connection with the Corporation, and they would naturally think that each fund would have a separate sinking fund and that the proceeds of each investment would go into each particular fund, but instead of that the whole was bulked and placed into the borough fund account, which, as they knew, was a milch cow (laughter). Speak- ing of a sum of z6240 which should have been received from the County Council for the main- tenance of main roads, and zP,67 12s from the same Council for salaries of officers, which did not appear in the Corporation accounts, Mr Morgan said they would like to know where that money had gone to (applause). Mr Morgan then derlt with the sup- plementary report issued by the association and proceeded to refer to the transfer of money from the waterworks account to the general district account. He said the general idea was that there was only about £3,000 or £ 4,COO due on the water account, but according to the abstract the indebted- ness was £ 18,570. Thq ratepayers had to pay nearly J6200 a year income tax on profits made on the water. This was done in order that they might hand over money to the general district account, so that they might say the general district rate was 3s 9d but they did not tell them that they helped that rate to the extent of Is in the £ from the water rate. The Town Council again said there were £ 700 worth of stock in the harbour, but he defied the Council to point out to him 700 pence worth of stock there. Mr Morgan referred to other stock and, workmen's dwellings which he said had cost more than was stated. Proceeding he alleged that members of the Council supplied the Corpora- tion with goods and he asked if that was a right thing. (Cries of no, no, and why don't you proceed against them ?) He proposed the following resolu- tion That in view of the state of the Corporation financed disclosed by the report published by the Ratepayers' Association, this meeting requests the Town Council to hold an enquiry open to the rate- payers in reference to the statements therein con. tained" (applause). Mr J. C. Rea seconded the proposition, and said that the abstract of accounts shewed an absolute want of system which would be a disgrace to any business man in the town (applause.) Mr Gibson, senior, followed. In the course of his speech he asked why had the water rate been kept up instead of the improvement rate. He was afraid the reason wag that those people who took water by meter had been saved from paying their fair share of the improvement rate. If he was making a statement that was wrong, do not let the Town Council pretend it was not worth answering (applause.) Three men had gone out of the Council because they had not answered it (hear, hear):-and the- remainder would go out if they did not answer (applause.) He proceeded to say that if the report issued was not a perfect one it was .1 the fault of the Town Council, who bad refused to supply information when asked. Was it right of the Town Council to refuse information to the ratepayers when they were crying to understand their eWIa business (" No. ") When the markets were altered it was distinctly understood that the to-- Is collected at the markets were to be used in im. proving the markets. There had been no improve- ment the money had been put into a common sink- ing fund. That must be altered, the markets must be altered, the fiuances must be put on a proper basis, the abstract of account? instead of being a sort of Chinese puzzle must be intelligible to the ordinary intelligence of the people of the town (apf.L-mse). He defied any man to understand the Aberystwyth abstract < f accounts. It took men of education weeks and weeks and then they failed to unravel that puzzlo and the Town Council maintained discreet silence as if they were Egyptian sphinxes—(laughter and applause)-or some other ancient and perfectly dead creation (laughter). He had no objection to paying rates, but they had a right to know what they got for the rates and how the affairs of the Corporation estate were managed or mis-managed. If the Town Council did not do that thing they must ask the Local Government Board to hold an enquiry and they must get to the bottom of the business (applause). Votes of thanks to Mr Fred Morgan for present- ing the report and to the Chairman for presiding terminated the meeting.

♦ ABERYSTWYTH BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—MONDAY. A meeting of the board was held, there being present Mr John Evans, chairman, presiding, Mrs E. H. Jame", Mrs Evans, Mrs Colby, Rev T. A. Penry, Messrs B. E. Morgan, Edwin Morris, W. Thomas, Aberystwyth; Edward Jones, Cvvm rheidol; T. Jenkins, Cyfoethybrenin; John Jones, Llanbadarn Upper; W. Mason, Lluncynfelin Evan Jones, Llanfihangel Upper; D. Davies, Ltanfihangel Lower; Evan Lewis, Llanrhystyd Haminiog; D. James, Trefeurig; with Mr Hugh Hughes, clerk, and Mr Llewelin, assistant clerk. STATISTICS. Out relief paid by Mr Vaughan £ 57 03 Id to 182 recipients, being an increase of £ 5 9s lid in amount of relief and an increase of 14 recipients compared with the corresponding fortnight of last year, per Mr T. Morgan X52 63 to 160, being an in. crease of z63 in relief but a decrease of 4 recipients, '31 n per Mr J. J. Hughes C43 15s to 149, being an in. crease of 93 Is in relief and of 4 recipients. THE VAGRANCY LAWS. A copy of a resolution adopted by the Court of Quarter Sessions for parts of Lindsey in Lincoln- shire was read in reference to the present methods of dealing with offences against the Vagrancy Laws and the proposals for amending the laws by the establishment of labour colonies upon the lines found to be successful in Belgium. Mr W. Thomas said the board should support alterations in the present vagrancy laws. It was agreed that the House Committee should consider the matter and report to the board. FRENCH NUNS AND THE PURCHASE OF THE WORK. HOUSE. A communication was received from a firm of London solicitors asking the guardians if they were prepared to sell the workhouse premises and if sold would they let them have immediate possession. It is believed the negotiations were on behalf of Fremch nuns, a number of whom are already housed in different parts of the county. The Rev T. A. Penry said he noticed that the Swansea board had off erel them the premises if they took over the care of the inmates (laughter). — Mr Ellis Morgan said the letters were considered by the House Committee. They considered whether they were in a position to sell the old premises and erect new, and in the end they came to the conclu- sion that they could not entertain the proposal.- The clerk was instructed to reply to that effect.— Mr D. Davies protested against the discussion being in English and said he might as well go out of the room if this were continued. The members might have been born in Australia (laughter.) TH* HOUSE. Number in the House 35 against 43; vagrants relieved 70 against 29.—The Rev T. A. Penry sub- mitted the report of the House Committee. The Committee recommended that 27s 6d be voted the Ladies' Boarding Out Committee for the purpose of obtaining some clotbicg for a girl who was going out to service. The Committee recommended that the clerk should examine the Workhouse boundaries. it was thought there was some intereference with the rights of the Board in that matter. lIe moved the adoption of the recommendation.—Mr Wm. Thomas seconded the proposition and this was agreed to. A resolution was received from the Chorlion Union, Manchester, in favour of petitioning the Government to introduce a bill making legal any reasonable expenditure of Guardians, having for its object the benefit of the community generally. COLLECTION OF COUNTY RATES. From the Kingston Union, a resolution was re- ceived in favour of requesting the Local Govern- ment Board to repeal so much of 15 and 16 Vic. Gap. 81. as makes it incumbent upon Boards of Guardians to collect the County rates.-The matter was referred to the House Committee.

N.S.P.C.C. The monthly meeting of the Executive Com- mittee of the Oswestry, Montgomeryshire, and Aberystwyth branch was held at Oswestry on Wed- nesday, Mr A. Wynne Corrie presiding. Inspector Burdett reported that during Ootobar twelve frash cases had been inquired into, nine of neglect and three of ill-treatment, relating to the welfare of 31 children, viz: 20 boys and 11 girls, and were dealt with as follows :-Prosecutad, 2 warned, 8; and dropped, 2. Sixty-four supervision visits were paid. He had visited Llanfair, Welshpool.Ellesmere, Aberystwyth, Newtown, West Felton, Llanfyllin, C.st)e Caereinion^ Berriew, Llansaintffraid, etc. Mrs Craven of Sherwood, Oswestry, had presented a number of toys etc., for distribution, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded her. The Chairman explained that Mr O. P. Gasquoine, hon. secretary, had found it a necessary condition to his retaining office to supply clerical assistance, and it was unani- mously resolved to supply a clerk for the necessary time at the rate of £ 6 per annum. It was stated that the Central Executive in London had cordially assented to this course. The arrangements for the -annual meeting at Oswestry were discussed, and it was decided to hold it on Thursday, January 28th, when Mr Wynne Corrie will preside, and the Rev. B. Waugh, director of the society, is to be invited to attend. The hon. secretary was directed to invite subscriptions from the branches of the Co- operative Society in the branch area, as is doue in many other branches. On the motion of the Chair- man, seconded by Mrs W. H. Thomas, it was re- solved to draw the attention of the Central Exe- cutive,to the danger to children caused by the use of flannelette underwear and the absence of fire guards, and to invite them to consider whether literature could be published by the Society cautioj- in, pfreiits on. these points. The newly elected Mayois of Oswestry, Welshpool, Aberystwyth, Llauidloes, Montgomery and Llanfyllin were elected vice-presidents of the Branch.

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FOOTBALL. 1. THE LEAGUE. Goals. P. W. L. D. F. A. PTS. Sheff. United 11 9 2 0 28 17 18 Sheffield Wed. 12 7 2 3 16 9 17 Aston Villa. 12 7 3 2 24 16 16 Manchester C. 11 8 3 0 19 14 16 Sunderland. 12 7 4 1 24 16 15 Newcastle U. 12 7 4 1 20 16 15 Everton 12 6 5 1 20 15 13 Wol'hampton. 11 6 5 0 15 22 12 Stoke 11 5 5 1 26 18 11 Notts Forest.. 11 4 4 3 22 16 11 Notts County 13 5 7 1 16 27 11 Middlesbro'gh 11 4 5 2 23 18 10 Bury 12 2 4 6 18 22 10 West Br'm'ich 12 3 6 3 11 15 9 Blackburn R. 12 3 7 2 11 20 8 Liverpool 12 3 8 1 20 29 7 Small Heath.. 13 2 8 3 14 26 7 Derby County 12 2 8 2 18 29 6 THE COMBINATION. Goals. P. W. L. D. F. A. PTS. Chester 10 8 1 1 34 12 17 Birkenhead. 9 7 1 1 18 10 15 Broughton 9 5 2 2 23 12 12 Oswestry. 8 6 2 0 21 13 12 Wrexham 9 5 3 1 22 15 11 Nantwich 6 3 2 1 16 9 7 Witton 8 2 3 3 14 16 7 Tranmere 6 2 3 1 13 18 5 Rhyi 8 2 5 1 13 19 5 BaDgor 7 2 4 1 16 22 5 Chirk 8 1 4 3 16 28 5 Winsford 10 1 8 1 12 29 3 Middlewich 8 0 6 2 8 23 2

FRIENDLY MATCHES. LLANIDLOES v. LLANDINAM.-These teams met on the ground of the former on Saturday in a friendly game. There was a fair number of spectators present, notwithstanding the bad state of the weather. Mr J. E. Mills acted as referee. Tom Hughes started for the homesters against a strong wind, and ran nicely towards the visitors' goal, but Woolley cleared, and gave to Humphreys, the latter going nicely and gave to Watkins who tried Di Jones with a swift shot, which he just managed to clear at the expènpe-of a corner which was not improved upon. Llaindinam kept up the pressure, and kept in dangerous range of the home goal. but Stokes and Morgan defended well. C. Smith got possession and made a fine individual effort, but was robbed by Jones when about to shoot. Watkins and Thomas broke away and went at a dangerous pace, and looked like scoring when Davies robbed the former and gave to C. Smith, who tried Griffiths hard, but he could not be beaten, and T. Hughes later tried again, but he placed over the bar. From the goal-kiok E. Humphreys secured and when near in centred nicely, and Watkins securing, shot, but Stokes saved at the expense of a corner. This was fruitless, and the homesters' right wing went off nicely and forced a corner. This was nicely placed and the ball was seen to be dangerously hovering round the visitors' goal. At last C. Smith from a pass by Tom Hughes scored a lovely goal. From now until half-time play was very even, bothgoalheepers were tried in turn but no further scoring took place. The second half was resumed with Llandinam suffering the loss of one man who was accidentally hurt during the first half. The visitors were first to attack and in less than three minutes E. Humphreys equalised with a splendid shot. This made the homesters pull together and Cleaton and Evans worked well down the field and the former only missed by very little space. The homesters kept up the pressure and Griffiths had to concede a corner, from which Tom Hughes scored No. 2. The visitors next had a try and Watkins, Humphreys and Thomas showed a pretty bit of football and Watkins netted for the second time. Play now became exciting and the homesters' forwards tried hard to beat Griffiths and Hughes from a corner kick put the homesters ahead. The visitors were not to be daunted, and Watkins was going dangerously but was robbed by E. Davies, who drove hard down the field, but Rees replied with a goodpaslito Humphreys, who called upon Jones to save, and later Watkins relieved by placing behind. Play went to the other end, and A. Evans made a splendid attempt and deserved to score, but the visiting custodian was in good form. A few minutes later C. Smith scored No. 4 for the homesters. Llanidloes kept up the pressure and in a short time they were made more sure of a victory through Cleaton adding a fifth point. J. Jones later tried Griffiths, who made a splendid save. The same player a little later had an open goal but shot wide. C. Smith scored, but was ruled off side. The home- sters had most of the play from now until time, but no further scoring took place. Teams:- Llanidloes: Goal, Di Jones; backs, Stokes and Morgan; halves, Edwards, Davies, and Hewitt; forwards, Jones, Smith, Hughes, Cleaton and Evans. Llandinam: Goal, Griffiths; backs, Wool ley and llamer; halves, Moore, Rees, and E. Jones; forwards, E. Humphreys, C. Hamer, Watkins, L. Thomas and J. Humphreys.

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