The North Wales Times

ST. ASAPH. WOMEN'S LIBERAL ASSOCIATION. At the meeting of this association held last Friday evening, at Bryngobaith, an address was delivered by Mrs. Bertha Evans, Caerwys, I., on 'Women's Suffrage.' INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF FUND. At the various places of worship here, last Sunday, collections were made towards the above fund. Upwards of £ 40 was collected, and the amount was handed over to Mr. T. Howes Roberts, chairman of the Parish Coun cil, who forwarded it on Monday to the Lord Mayor of London, to be included in the Man- sion House Fund. LITERARY SOCIETY. The meeting of this society was held last Wednesday evening, the Rev. Jonathan Jones presiding, when a debate took place on the question, 'Is it fair that public money should be given to support schools which are not under public control?' Mr. J. P. Jones opened the debate on the affirmative side, and Mr. H. Thomas led on the negative. Other members who took part in the discussion were Messrs R. Griffiths, O. Hughes, David Hughes. Isaac Clayton, W. H. Jeffreys, and H. R. Hughes. On being put to a vote, it was decided by a large majority that it is most unfair to grant public money to schools without being ac- companied by public control. THE WAEN COURSING MEETING. The above event, after having been postpon- ed for a considerable time, owing to the recent frost, came off on Thursday. The weather was most unpropitious, and heavy showers of rain fell at intervals throughout the day. This, however, did not damp the enthusiasm of the sportsmen, and the sport was followed with keen interest and appreciation by a large num- ber of people. Nine dogs entered for competition, and were the property of the following gentlemen :— Messrs David Knowles, Denbigh: J. Williams, Brookhouse, Denbigh; Henry Williams, Wern Ddu, St. Asaph: John Edgar, Denbigh; John Williams, Plas Uchaf, Llannefydd; R. Hughes, Fronheulog, Llanfairtalhaiarn; J. Rowlands, Rhyl; Thomas Roberts, Lleweni, Denbigh, and E. T. Humphreys, Goblin, Denbigh. I The races took place on Glanclwyd, Wern Ddu, and Tyddyn farms, where plenty of hares I were to be found. Mr. J. D. Jones, Bodoryn, Abergele, and Mr. John Williams, Brookhouse, I officiated as judges, and placed the dogs as follows:—1st prize, Mr. Hughes, Fronheulog; 2nd, Mr. John Williams, Brookhouse; 3rd. Mr. David Knowles. Mr. Henry Williams, Wern Ddu, was the slipper. We might say that those who enjoyed the sport are greatly indebted to the kindness of Mr. W. C. Jones, of Llanerch Park, who holds the shooting rights over the land, and who pre-erved all the hares for the purpose; and in addition to this, gave to a large company an excellent dinner at the Railway Inn, St. Asaph, later in the day.

LIVERPOOL. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) LIVERPOOL, Thursday. The Literary Society of Newsham Park Chapel. —The Rev. John Williams, C.M. minister of Princes Road chapel, delivered a lecture on "John Wickliffe and his Times," on Friday evening, under the auspices of the above society. Kensington Congregational Chapel. -Anni ver- sary services were held in this place of worship last Sunday, when the Rev. William Owen, of Webster Road C.M. chapel, preached morning and evening, and the Rev. W. Wynn Davies, Everton Brow, in the afternoon. Everton Liberal Cltib. Mr. A. Chilton Thomas, barrister-at-law, delivered an interes- ting and instructive lecture, on Wednesday evening, at the above club, his subject being 'The Planks on which we rest.' Despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a good attendance. Plenydd' in Liverpool.-On Monday evening, Plenydd' and the Rev. John Hughes ( Glanys- twyth) addressed a meeting at David Street chapel, presided over by the Rev. William Jones I (pastor); and on Tuesday evening, 'Plenydd' and the Rev. W. Wynn Davies addressed ano- ther meeting at Chatham Street chapel. Death of a Welsh Dock Board Employee.-There used to be a Welshman, of the name of Mr. Morris Humphreys, in the employ of the above Board who, after 30 years of faithful service, had retired on superannuation, which kept him in comfort for his remaining years. The vete- ran, however, has just died; and his remains were followed to the grave by his sons, and his niece, besides a number of very old friends. A New Chapel at St. Helens Junction. On Saturday evening and throughout Sunday, the 30th and 31st ult., the opening preaching ser- vices of the new C.M. chapel of St. Helens Junction were held, when the Rev. W. Morris Jones, of Crosshall Street chapel, Liverpool, preached to a good audience on Saturday eve- ning; and the Rev. J. Peron Jones, the minis. ter of the church, joined him on Sunday, when both preached to good congregations throughout the day. Collections were made towards the building fund. Christian Endeavour Convention.—The Rev. E. R. Barrett, B.A., the popular minister of Norwood Grove Congregational church, has in- formed me to-day that the Rev. Francis E. Clarke, D.D., intends to attend the Convention, which is to be held in Liverpool next Whitsun- tide. The Christian Endeavour is a noble move- ment. Already 4,214 British branches have been enrolled in this country, and I am given to understand that by next Whitsuntide, it is further estimated they will have increased to 5,000. A Widow Lady found Dead by a Postman.- While delivering his letters at Shotwick (Ches- shire side of the Mersey}, on Monday, Robert Griffith, a rural postman of the Nsston district, made a shocking discovery. He knocked re- peatedly at the house of Mrs, Burton, a widow lady who lived alone in a cottage and, finding that he could obtain no answer, looked through the window, when he saw the old lady lying dead upon the floor. She was over 85 years of age. Mount Zion Chapel, Princes Avenue. — The Sunday School anniversary of the Welsh Wes- leyans, on Princes Avenue, was held last Sun- day, at the above chapel. The special preacher for the occasion was the Rev. David Young, of York, who based his remarks in the morning on Galatians vi., 2nd and 5th verses and in the evening, he preached from Acts v., 15th verse, emphasizing in particular the following clause: —' That at the least the shadow of Peter pas- sing by might over-shadow some of them'—his subject being Unconscious influence.' At the miscellaneous meeting, in the afternoon, the most successful scholars were awarded prizes; and appropriate addresses by Mr. Young, and others, were also delivered, which were inter- spersed by the rendering of several musical items by the children, under the leadership of Mr. Cadwaladr Owen. The 23rd Psalm was recited before the evening sermon by one of the scholars (a little girl of the age of nine). The English Presbyterian Church of Wales.— I was pleased to find that a large number of officers, and others, had gathered together from various churches to the ordinary business meet- ing of the Lancashire and Cheshire Presbytery, which was held on Tuesday, at Catherine Street Presbyterian church. Reports were received from Liverpool, Wrexham, and Chester dis- tricts, bearing upon the work of the churches; and one excellent feature was pointed out, namely, the general desire cf all the churches to form an efficient library in connection with their Sunday Schools. A most gratifying re- port of the work in thetCatherine Street Church was given by the pastor, Rev. John Thomas, B.A. It was shewn that during the past 18 I years, this church had collected towards various agencies the sum of £ 16,000, or nearly ;Cl,ooo a year. The Presbytery gave permission to boiid a new church at Rhostyllen, near Wrexbaai. The Rev. H.. Williams, Rbos, was elected secre- tary ef the Ministers' Fund. A letter of transfer, given to the Rev. D. Treborth Jones (from the Manchester Presbytery), was read and subse- quently Mr. Jones was accorded a cordial wel- come to the Presbytery as pastor of the City Road Church, Chester. An address on 'Foreign Mis- sionary work' was also delivered by the Rev. Principal John Roberts, Khassia Hills, India. On this occasion, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered at the opening of the Presbytery, under the presidency of the Rev. John Thomas, B.A. 'Mars' lea.viny the Mersey.—This linge levia- than battleship left the Mersey at Wednesdov noon. It is one of the largest ever constructed for the British Navy by Laird Bros., Birkenhead. She is illuminated throughout with 900 electric lights, and equipped with six-search lights of 30,000 candle powpr. The quick-firing' gurs number 50 in all. The enterprising firm of Messrs. Laird Bros., iu the equipment and con- struction of this one vessel of war, have distribu- ted at Birkenhead no less than a. quarter of a million in wages aloLe during the past 32 months. The Welsh National Society.-B.v the special invitation of the committee of the Liverpool Gym- nasium, a large number of the members of the Welsh National Society witnessed, on Tuesday evening, a demonstration of physical drill, sports, games, &c., which was given by the members of the Gymnasium at their institution, in Myrtle Street. Dr. Hugh E. Jones, of Grove Street, pre sided over a large number of visitors. The pro- gramme included 'dumb-bell, bar-bell, and club exercises, together with team races, bicycle maze, and exercises on the rings, trapeze, horizontal bar, parallel bars, German horse, and high jump- ing, Mr. J. Hope Simpson (chairman of the Y.M.C.A.) proposed, end Councillor Jonathan Parry (of Chatham Street chapel) seconded a vote of thanks to Dr. Hugh Jones for presiding, which was carried with acclamation. 11 Mr. James Venmore at the Liberal Club.—Mr- James Venmore is a Welsh gentleman, residing at Parkside, 27, Anfield Road. He is an elder at the C.M. church at Antield, whose minister is the Rev. Owen Owens, and is a brother of Mr. William Venmore, Beech Hill, 71, Anfield Road (chairman of the Liverpool Monthly Meeting for 1896). These two brothers, Messrs. W. and J. Venmore, are well known in the North End of Liverpool as house and estate agents. On Wed- nesday evening, the 27th ultimo, Mr. Venmore appeared as a lecturer at the Everton Liberal Club, and gave an interesting and instructive lecture, under the auspices of the Everton Liberal Association, on 'The Payment of Members.' Mr. Venmore argued that the non-payment of mem- bers deprived Parliament of the services of some of the best men in the country, and limited the area of selection of candidates. On the contrary, they could, by the payment of members, secure local men who fully understood the needs of their own districts. Until the payment of members was adopted, the working class could not be re- presented in Parliament. Working-men were the only class who, in order to secure Parliamentary representation, were compelled to tax themselves for that privilege. He submitted that, as Mem- bers of Parliament were servants of the State, they should be paid out of the Imperial revenue and that the introduction of paid members would greatly improve the House, and materially im- prove the despatch of legislation. They wanted men to go to Parliament to do their best, and do it in earnest; not necessarily orators and philoso- phers, but men of business, expert in watching finance; and forming into Acts of Parliament principles that had already been resolved upon by constituencies, who would not submit to their measures being bandied from one House to ano- ther for weeks and months; and at the end, thrown out altogether. He firmly believed that payment of members must, sooner or later, be adopted, as it was the inevitable result of the ex- tension of the franchise, and the spread of educa- tion. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Venmore for his excellent lecture.

PROPOSED FIRE BRIGADE. We are pleased to understand that rat last active steps are being taken to provide the town with a manual engine and other suitable appliances for extinguishing fires and to form a Fire Brigade. The matter has been under the consideration for some time, and a scheme for raising the necessary funds has just been sanctioned. With this in view, a Com- mittee has been appointed, consisting of Messrs. John Edwards, David Meredith, Tom Parry, John Griffith, with R. Barnett, Queen's Square, as hon. sec., to whom all subiscriptions are to be sent. Several active volunteers have already expressed their readiness to join the brigade. The estimated total cost is about £150. It is to be earnestly hoped that the owners and residents of the town and district will immediately respond to the appeal for funds jn aid of such a worthy movement. We are informed that Mr. J. Leigh Taylor, The Cljffe, and Mr. R. E. Ll. Richards, Caerynwch, have already forwarded a contribution of f5 each. LITERARY SOCIETIES. The weekly meeting of the Wesleyan Liter- ary Society was held on Friday evening last, Mr. R. Brown presiding. An interesting debate took place on Whether the apparently increased devotion to Fiction could be justified!' Messrs. A. E. Evans, Maesyfiynnon, A. M. Jones, Mount Pleasant, Messrs R. Barnett, Tanvffynnon, W. J. Jones, Cambrian Terrace, D. Barnett, R. Roberts, the Chairman, and others contributed t8 the debate. At the C. M. Literary Society, a debate occurred on The Land Question in Wales,' the subject being ably opened by Messrs. 0. O. Roberts, Board School, and R. C. Evans, Cax- ton House.

PROPOSED DISMAINING OF ROADS IN MERIONETH. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD INQUIRY AT DOLGELLEY. On Wedesnday, at Dolgelley, Mr. Bircham, the Local Government Board Inspector, con- ducted an inquiry into the application of the Merioneth County Council to dismain certain roads. There was a representative atten- dance, including the Hon. C. H. Wynn (chairman of the Main Roads Committee), Mr. E. Griffith (ex-chairman), Mr. Thomas Jones (Brynmelyn), Mr. W. R. M. Wynne (Lord Lieutenant), Mr. O. Slaney Wynne, Dr. Ed. Jones, Mr. W. M. Davies, solicitor, Mr. R. Jones Griffith, solicitor, Mr. J. Morris Jones (county surveyor), Mr. Haydn Jonev (Towyn), Mr. E. Gillart (Machynlleth), Mr. W. Jones (surveyor to the Dolgelley Urban Council), Mr. Pryse House (surveyor to the Towyn Urban Council), with a number of other repre- sentatives of the local councils. Mr. Bircham, in opening the proceedings, said he was directed to hold two inquiries in the County into the application of the County Council as to the dismaining of certain roads. They were confined at the present inquiry to the application concerning two roads, one which led from the town of Dolgelley in the direction of Llanegryn, about 13 miles in length, and the other a road leading from Towyn through the Happy Valley of Peanal, about 6 miles in length. They would now deal with the first mentioned. The Hon. C. H. Wynn explained the reasons in favour of the application. He said the County Council maintained that there were considerable mileage in the county which were very little used, and may be reasonably dis- mained. There was an alarming increase of expenditure per mile in the Urban District Councils within the county. He admitted that this road for the first 4 miles was considerably used, but beyond that it was practically unused, and nothing whatever had been done to it for years. The council did not consider it their duty to report on parts of the road, but to submit it as a whole. He handed in certain papers and statistics bearing upon the applica- tions. Mr. E. Griffith, Dolgelley (a member of the Main Roads Committee), corroborated. Mr. J. M. Jones (county surveyor), also sup- ported the application. He said the Urban Councils were expending by leaps and bounds, and he believed that to be one reason why the [present application was made. He objected also on the ground that the County Council should not repair two parrallel roads leading to the same point. Nothing had been done to the upper portion of the road for 38 years. The distance to Towyn he admitted was much shorter by this road than by the other. Mr. W. R. Davies next submitted his ob- jections on behalf of the Dolgelley Urban District Co.uncil. Mr. R. Jones Griffith followed on behalf of the Rural District Council, who had passed strong resolutions on the subject. They ob' jected most strongly for the first five miles leading from Dolgelley to be dismained. This part had always been a main road, and was considerably used by tourists for the ascent of Cader Idris, and for vehicular traffic. There were two quarries within the limit, and along which considerable traffic was going on. He had evidence from farmers, &c., proving this read to be considerably used. Mr. R. M. Wynne, Peniarth, gave evidence. Dr. Edward Jones, Dolgelley, said the Coun- ty Council were very undivided on the subject. He had himself moved an amendment at the Council's meeting, to the effect that the road after the 5th milestone should be dismained. His amendment was negatived by two only. Evidence was further given by the Hon. JC H. Wynne, Mr. E. Griffith, and the County Surveyor, regarding the application to dismain the road leading from Towyn to Pennal. Mr. W. R. Davies appeared to oppose on behalf of the Towyn Urban Council. Messrs. W. R. M. Wynne, H. Haydn. Jones, E. Gillart, Machynlleth, and others, supported the opposi- tion.

SPECIAL POLICE COURT. MONDAY.—Before Messrs. S. Perks (in the chair), J. Y. Strachan, and Abel Jones. THEFT OF FOWLS BY A WOMAN. Emma Williams, charwoman, Victoria Road, was brought up in custody charged with having stolen five fowls, the property of E. P. Griffith, poulterer and game dealer, Sussex Street, Rhyl. Mr. Griffith identified the fowls (produced) as his property, and said he missed them from his fowl house in Mill Bank, on Satur- day morning. He valued the fowls at 12s. When he missed the hensile gave informa- tion to the police. John Greeg, carter in the employ of Mr. Mullins, skin merchant, deposed that pri- soner called at his house on Friday evening offering hens for sale. After some conversa- tion he agreed to buy them, and they were brought to him on Saturday morning. He paid 6s. 6d. for them. Inspector Williams said that in conse- quence of the information given him by Mr. Griffith, he examined the fowl house, and found it had been broken into, entrance having been effected by forcing the staple. of the lock. He then called on last witness; and in consequence of what he told him, he went to prisoner's house in Victoria Road. He charged her with having stolen five hen. the property of Mr. Griffith. In reply she said Yes, I did steal them on Friday night, and sold them for 6s. 6d. to Mr. Greeg. I was very hard up, or I would not have stolen them' Prisoner pleaded guilty, and the prosecu- tor stated that he bad no desire to press the charge. It was the first time he had lost anything from the fowl house. The Inspector, replying to the Bench, said there was nothing against the prisoner pre- viously. She was a hard working woman, wno gamea ner uveunooa by charing. The Chairman said the Bench considered they were taking a lenient view of the case in the sentence about to be passed, because this was prisoner's first offence, still they must protect people's property, and she had brought herself within reach of the law. Prisoner would have to go to gaol for 21 days with hard labour (sensation in court).

Mathematical calculations show that an iron ship weighs 27 per cent. less than a wooden one, and will carry 115 tons of cargo for every 100 tons carried by a wooden ship of the same dimensions, and both loaded to the same draught of water.

FLOWER SHOW. A meeting of the persons interested in the above was held on Wednesday evening. Major Webber presided. Mr. Edwin Roberts, trea-u- rer, produced the bnlance sheet, showing the amount of Lll to the bad. It was decided to hold a show this year, the date fixed being Thursday, July 22nd. Major Webber and Councillor W. Wright were appointed joint treasurers, and Mr. Lewis E. LIord, hon. sec.

MADAME DOUGLAS ADAMS' ANNUAL CONCERT. This popular event which is looked forward to by all in the neighbourhood as being the great musical treat of the season, was held at the Town Hall, on Monday evening last. The attendance was quite in keeping with the excellence of the concert. The place had beeu very artistically ar. ranged, the decorations being exquisitively taste- ful. A short musical programme was followed by a selection from an instrumental quartette compris ing the following :—Piano, Miss Dora L1. Parry Flute, Mr. W. H. R. M. Johnson; Solo Violon- cello, Mr. G. F. Collinson; with Mr. Horace Hazelden as conductor. This was the introduction to a grand opera.tic performance of that tragic opera 11 Trovatore,' The artistes were Miss Emily Parkinson (soprano); Madame Douglas Adams (mezzo-soprano); Mr. Dudley Buck (tenor); and Mr. W. Llewelyn (bass). The respective characters were taken as fol- lows :— 'IL TROVATORE.' Count de Luna. Mr. W. Llewelyn. Manrico Mr. Dudley Buck. Rviz Mr. Joseph FouIkes. Zingare Mr. Owen. Ferrando Mr. Meredytb. Leonora Madame Emily Parkinson. Ines Miss Ethel F. E. Johnson. Azucena Madame Douglas Adams. The performance of each of the characters was meritorious in the extreme, and fully sustained the wide fame which the respective artistes hwe so deservedly gained for themselves. Mrs. Douglas Adams was also well represented by several of her punils who show plenty of evi- dence of the skilful training they have received at her hands. The concert throughout was of the highest order and was worthy of the support of all in search of a musical treat.

FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. OPPOSITION TO THE RAILWAY BILLS. A special meeting of the above council was held at the Town Hall, Mold, on Wednesday, February 3rd. convened mainly for the pur- pose of opposing, in the present session of Padia- ment, three Railway Bills affecting the interests of Flintshire and North Wales generally. They are as follows One entitled—' A Bill for conferring further powers upon the London and North-Wes- tern Railway Company, in relation to their Chester and Holyhead Railway, and for other purposes.' Another entitled—'A Bill to relieve the Wrexham, Mold, and Connah's Quay Rail- way Company from obligations in relation to the undertaking of the North Wales and Liverpool Railway Committee, and to vest that undertaking in the Manchester, Sheff- field and Lincolnshire Railway Company, and for other purposes.' And a third entitled A Bill to enable the Manchester Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company to make new railways to confer further powers upon that com- pany, the Cheshire Lines Committee; and the North Wales and Liverpool Rail- way Committee; to make further provi- sion with reference to a Joint Station at Nottingham with the Great Northern Rail- way Company; to provide for the conver- sion of the company's ordinary stock and for other purposes.' There were present Alderman Dr. W. Easterby (presiding), Lord Mostyn, Lord Kenyon, Messrs. W. Elwy Williams, W. Y. Hargreaves, Joseph Hall, W. Astbury, G. Blane, W. Davies, Captain Goodman Ellis, H. Lloyd Jones, Peter Jones (Catch), J. Garner, Samuel Davies, G. A. Parry, R. G. Griffiths, Robert Roberts, J. Bellia, E. S. Taylor, Rev. W. Smallwocd, J. Roberts (Well. house), T. Parry, P. P. Pennant, T. Parry, R. J. Jones (Bagillt), E. T. Edwards, H. G. Roberts, R. Roberts (Foryd), and T. H. Ollive (deputy clerk. INDISPOSITION OF THE CLERK. The Chairman stated that he was sorry to say that the clerk, Mr. T. T. Kelly, had caught a chill the day previous, after attending the Rail- way Conference at Conway, and was unable to be pre,'eat that day, THE LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY BILLS. It was decided to take the bills for discussion in the order given above, and No. 1, was therefore considered first. Councillor J. L. Muspratt proposed that they oppose the Bill. They had met at Conway the previous day, and had decided to do the same thing at the Joint Committee. He thought that every member would know the absolute necessity of opposing the Bills in Parliament. The present Bill affected thsm very materially, for it proposed to put the cost of maintaining the bridges in the county upon the shoulders of the ratepayers, in- stead of it being found as under the Railway Clauses Act by the Railway Company. Alderman Samuel Davies seconded. He consi- dered that the action of the Railway Company with regard to the Pres-tatyn Bridge was sufficient to justify them in opposing the Bill. Councillor J. Beliis, Hope, pointed out that an- other important matter was that of Level Cross- ings. At Hope there was one which was most dangerous. The Railwy Company had lteen aR- pealed to on the matter several times, but they bad taken no notice of it. There was a school close by but they would not listen to anything that was asked. They should be called to book. Further he would mention the unsatisfactory accommodation at Hope Junction, where it was sufficient to starve any one to wait in weather such as there was at present. Lord Kenyon What are the provisions of the Bill ? The Cliairmnn I do not know. Councillor W. Elwy Williams said be would answer that question in the negative by advancing what the Bill did not provide. Last year's Bill provided a great deal more than the present one. The present one provided a great deal more bridges in Flintshire than the other one did; it proposed to widen the company's line and to widen their 'level crossings, in some instances double, which, of course was doubling the danger. Again, it proposed to widen the bridge over the road at Queen's Ferry, so that it would make it almost like a tunnel; but there was no provisions for lights in it. Then they proposed to widen and divert a road at Mostyn. Last year, the Council had suggested and gone in for certain things, and the Railway Company granted them, and the Council withdrew their opposition but the pre- sent Bill did not even place them in such a good position. With regard to the question of rates, the Carnarvonshire people were as keen on that point as the Flintshire people aird were unani- mous in opposing the Bill, to get the same power of rates on the new line ae on the old and also that they considered the Railway Company's maxi- mum powers were higher than they ought to be. He wished to say, on behalf of Mr. Herbert Lewis, that it had been misconstrued that that gentle- man had made a n istake when he stated in his remarks at the previous meeting that the chaiges of the Railway Company on the Chester and Holyhead Line were 25 per cent. more than on other main lines of the company. The Railway Company said that was not so; and mentioned their lines from Crewe to Scotland northwards, and the line to Buxton, where their powers are

For the first class PHOTOGRAPHS, go D. & A, HUGHES, Photographers, Mold. Clubs, Par- ties, Schools, &c., by appointment. Mederate charges, w

The Dean of Bristol has arrived at Dawlish, accompanied by Mrs. Pigou, and will stay there for a fortnight for the benefit of his health. At the Old Bailey a youth, named Barnard, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of another boy in Mr. Wheatley's home, and sentence was ostponed. P

TEA PARTY AND CONCERT. A Tea Party and Concert in connection with the English Congregational church was held on Wednesday last. There was a \ery good attendance atlboth meetings. The con- cert was held at the Town Hall when the following artistes took part, and acquitted themselves in a most creditable manner, viz:—Miss Ruth Grounds (gold medallist), Liverpool Miss Hales, Chester: Mr. Hol- land, Chester Mr. R. Parry, Flint; Mr. E. B. Christopherson, Flint; Mr. T. Greenfield, Flint; and the Bagillt Brass Band. Miss Craft, accompanied on the piano in her usual excellent style. The mayoress presi- ded, and delivered a short and appropriate address. In the interval she was accompanied on the platform by Madam Souberain-wbo took the audience by surprise by kindly volunteering her services as an artiste, and was greeted with a storm of applause the Mayoress accompanied her on the piano. The Mayoress was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for her presence in the chair, as were all others who had assisted at, both meetings. A GENEROUS ACTION. At a meeting of the School Attendance Com- mittee held in the Town Hall last week, Mr. W. E. Bithell submitted the financial report of the Town Hall clothing guild from which it appeared there was a. deficiency of £ 24 odd; it was stated that there remained a balance of XS in hand from the Distress Fund of 1894-5, and it was decided to appropriate this balance to- wards liquidating the deficiency, and Alderman Dyson generously remarked that he would clear off the remaining balance of £ 16. AN INDIAN FAMINE. The Mayor(Ald. S. K. Muspratt) at the ur- gent request of the Lord Mayor of London, convened a meeting at the Town Hall, on Mon- day evening last, for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken towards alleviating the distress caused by famine among our fellow subjects m India. There were only a very few present; it was decided however to open a sub- scription list at once, the mayor himself head- ing the list with a subscription of £Ô. THE LATE REV. JOSIAH JONES. Sympathetic references were made at the several Nonconformist churches on Sunday last, to the somewhat sudden death of the late Rev. Josiah Jones, and motions of sympathy and condolence with the family of the deceased were passed. The Caersalem church were also the recipients of a letter of sympathy from C.M. church of Mold, condoling with them upon the loss of a faithful and energetic pastor. Memorial services will be held at Caersalem church next Sunday night, when the Rev. John Owen, Mold, will preach, also at Bethania in the afternoon, and at the English Presbyterian church, Chester road, at night on the same day, when the Rev. David Edwards will preach. NONCONFORMIST UNION. A meeting of the above union was held last Monday, at the Baptist chapel when the fol- lowing officers were elected :—President Dr. J. Humphrey Williams. Vice presidents, the various Nonconformist ministers of the town. Secretaries, Messrs. J. Morris Ellis, and S. T. Edwards. Treasurer, Mr. John Bellis. This union has already done good service in various ways, especially by creating a bond of sympathy between the different denominations, but we believe that there is ample room for still further usefulness, by a concentration of their forces to withstand the attacks which are continually being made against the noble traditions and great principles of Nonconfor- mity, and a systematic endeavour to teach the masses of the people, a large proportion of whom never darken the door of a place of wor- ship from one year's end to the other. The introduction of the Education Bill into Parliament, the monstrous iniquity of which has been so cleverly exposed by the amendment which Mr. Lloyd-George proposed on Tuesday night last, ought also to receive the serious consideration of the union, with a view to en- lighten the public as to its nefarious designs.

BOROUGH SESSIONS. BEFORE the Mayor (Aid. S. K. Muspratt), Ald. Dyson and Mr. E. Hughes. 'SHORT WEIGHT.' GUESSING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. Thomas Erasmus was summoned by Superin- tendent J. Ivor Davies f<>r offering for sale a g bag of coal which was 121bs. short of the weight specified on the label attached, contrary to the County Council bye-law. Superintendent Davies said that on the 21st of last month he met the defendant in charge of a lurry drawn by a horse. On the lurry there were several bags of coal, each bag being la, belled as containing 1121bs. There was no weighing machine on the lurry, so he asked the defendant to put a few sacks down for the pur- pose of testing if they were of the correct weight. On weighing four bags he found they were 301. together 391bs. light, one of them being 121bs. short and it was with respect to this one that he had taken action. The defendant said he had the scales en the cart in the morning until dinner time, when he left them off as he wanted more room on the lurry. The Bench: Did yon weigh your bags of coals ? Defendant: No, sir. The Bench: You merely guessed the weight. Defendant: Yes. Continuing, the defendant said he was very sorry that the coals were not full weight, they were the last of a waggon, and he was in a hurry getting them out, this was how he came to guess the weights instead of weighing them properly. Supt. Davies also summoned Messrs. D. andT. Erasmus for neglecting to carry scales on their lurry, contrary to bye law, and repeated the evidence given above. Mr. David Erasmus said he was exceedingly sorry, that they had omitted taking the scales with them on that particular load, he assured the bench that they had no intention whatever of defrauding the public. The Chairman said there had been serious complaints all rouncl t.he town about shortness in weight of coals sold, and the fact that the defendant had been previously cautioned made the case worse, the defendant must know that wages in the town of Flint are very hardly earned, and to give short weight was one of the greatest sins that a man could do, it was robbing the poor. Under the circumstances, the bench felt they would not be doing their duty unless they made an attempt to put a stop to this kind of work, and he regretted that they would be compelled to line the defendant 91 in each case, and 12s. cost in the first, and 15s. costs in the second case. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Robert Jones of Cross Row was fined 2s. 6d. and costs for being drunk and disorderly and threatening to assault the police. Mary Old- field, fined Is. and costs for being drunk and disorderly. George Conway, for a similar offence,, was ordered to pay the costs, and Moses Roberts of Sydney Street was fined 5s, including costs. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. John Ellis, Tradesman Row John Burke, George D. Kenrick, Robert Price, Oakenholt, were all summond for neglecting to send their children to school; in the case of Robert Price, a fine of 2s. 6d. was imposed, and orders were issued against all the other defendants. M The chairman remarked that ifJ any ofjfchem came before him again the full penalty would be imposed.

PHOTOGRAPHS,—Now is the time to have our Photograph taken. Moderate Charges Clubs, Schools, Parties, &c., by appointment, D. & A. HUGHES, Photographers, Mold.

higher. He would, however, draw the Council's attention to the fact that it was for special rea- sons that the Railway Company got those powers, therefore it was perfectly correct what Mr. Lewis hud said as regards comparing the main line from Chester to i,T.Iolyticai, with., the company's main line from Crewe to London (hear, hear). There was no further discussion and the chair- man put the resolution to the meeting. No one voted against it, and it was declared unanimously carried. THE MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD & LINCOLNSHIRE RAILWAY CASE. Bills Nn. 2 and 3 were then put together. Councillor Muspratt proposed that they oppose those Bills ots the same grounds as the other. He thought that "the County Council should oppose any Bills that interfered with the perfect rights of traders. At this p -ilit, Alderman W. Davies (Caer- gwrl"), remarked that they should remember that at the last meeting a little discussion took place bfttween Mr. Herbert Gladstone and himself. He made a statement with regard to the Junction at Hope, which Mr. Herbert Gladstone contradicted. He wished to know whether any letter had been received from Mr. Herbert Gladstone upon the matter withdrawing that contradiction, or whe- ther he was present to support the same ? The C:erk: No. Mr. Davies I stated that this Junction rwith the London and North Western Railway had been stopped by Sir Edward Watkin and Mr. Evan Morris, because I know, for I was present when the question was put. The Chairman But we are on the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay, and Manchester, Sheff- field and Lincolnshire Railway now. We have nothing before us now with regard to the London and North Western Railway. Mr. YV. Davies: But it concerns it, and refers to this matter. The Chairman: Very well. Mr. Davies: I stated that this line would have been opened if Mr. Piercey had lived a fortnight longer, and it would have given a good connec- tion from Wrexham and Noith Wales to Chester. It would have given a quicker service, and it was in aid of that service that the line was made. The line bad been made, but the rails had not been put down. Mr. Gladstone pretended that he (Mr. Davies) had been pumping his head against the Great Western Railway Company but what he said was, that that line had been practically made, and everything done, if the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company fulfilled their agreement The rails were there. and everything ready to be done; and thea Sir Edward Watkin comes, and Sir Evan Morris puts a stop to the whole thing, and the Junction was stopped, In 1890, the London and North-Western Railway Company applied for running powers and they then promised in Com- mittee that the Junction should be made. Seven years had since elapsed, and they were now as near to gettingjithe thing finished as they were then. Mr. Gladstone could not have been aware-, as to what bad taken place with regard to this line. He (Mr. Davies) would tell them what the Company themselves, in 1887. said. It was this A new Junction with the London and North- Western Railway has been commenced during the half-year, and is nearly completed. This Junction will greatly facilitate the passenger traffic to Chester.' Mr. Piercey would have given the London and North-Western Railway Com- pany running powers to Wrexham therefore, he thought that they should see that the Junction was made. It would be real competition to get a line through from this part of Flintshire to run into Chester. As there was no letter from him. and as be was not present, Mr. Gladstone should have admitted that he was wrong in contradic- ting what he (Mr. Davies) had said. Alderman Pennant said that they must bear in mind that those oppositions were rather expensive things (hear, hear). He supposed they cost at least some hundreds of pounds each; and if they could get their object without going to the expense of a Parliamentary opposition, he supposed that they would do so. Last year, so far as lie could remember, they passed a resolution to the same effect that they had done that day. Then they went to the London and North Western Railway Company, and they had what they required. He sup- posed the same course would be taken on the present occasion; and if they were able to come to terms with the Railway Company, then they would save the ratepayers the money that they otherwise would have to take out of their pockets. He supposed that they would ap- proach the M. S. and L. and W. M. and C. Qy. Railway, Cos.—he did not know whether they were two names for the same thing or not, on the question that Mr. Davies had mentioned of Junctions and Sidings. It was rather an im- portant question; and as they were advanta- geous points for the London and North Western Railway Company, it seemed to him that at the same time they could act as a sort ot 'go between,' or third party between the two Companies. It was possible that they might be able to get something out of the London and North Western Railway Company as an equivalent for putting the screw on' with the M. S. and L. or Connah's Quay Railway. Those were points that they ought to keep in view. They must bear in mind that they had certain objects to gain, and their objects were not to spend money on lawyers in a Parliamentary Committee room, because they run up their Bills pretty quickly, and they were very large. With regard to the maintairianee of the Bridges, etc., that was really an important point. They should keep all those things in view, and look at the objects to be attained, and attain them if they could without spend- ing the ratepayers' money (hear, hear). The Chairman observed that unless the Council opposed the Bills, they would have no locus standi. Alderman Pennant said he quite understood that if they passed the resolution, they would have a voice in the matter, but he hoped that it would be excercised with discretion. It was extremely important that the line from Ches- ter to Holyhead should be doubled. During the summer the traffic to Rhyl, Llandudno, and beyond, occupied the present two lines, and the consequence was, that the stations in Flintshire such as Flint, Bagillt, Holywell, and so forth, had to use the passing trains, and it was quite impossible to organize 'Slow' traffic stopping at those stations. When there are four lines, then there could be the slow traffic for intermediate stations, and the other traffic would be carried independently to the big watering places, and Ireland, so that the double line was very important matter to Flintshire far and above the fact that it involved an expenditure of 960,000 within the County. Alderman Davies argued that if they allowed M. S. and L. to pass this Bill it would mean that they would have the same trouble to get to Birkenhead as they had at the present time over the London and North Western Railway. He beleived it was a bogus thing altogether. He spoke there representing some little inter- est of his own in the W. M. and C.1 Qy. Rail- way, and also in the interests of the beneficiar- ies of the late Mr. Piercey, who are still the largest owners in the W. M. and C. Qy. Rail- way, holding over E90,000, of Preference Stock. Once the M. S. and L. Railway Com- pany got the line.into their own hands they would shew them no mercy. The resolution was unanimously agreed to. THE CHARGE OF THE OPPOSITION. The Chairman moved, and it was agreed to, that the opposition be placed in the hands of Messrs. Kelly, Keene, and Co., solicitors, Mold, and that the cost thereof be paid out of /the County fund. WANTED A CEMETERY. A small committee was appointed to make enquiries, and to report to the Finance Com- mittee. Concerning an application for Cilcain Parish Council for a loan of about 9-200 for providing a Cemetery.