The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

A Disgrace to Womanhood. Horrible Cruelly at Llanfalrtalhairn. Painful Details. A SHOCKING case of child neglect was heard by the Abergele magistrates on Saturday, Mr Her- bert Roberts, M.P., presiding, the defendant being Sarah Ann Jones, of Rardd Fawr, Llan- fairtalbaiarn, the mother of nine children. Five weeks ago the woman was confronted, and it was chiefly in consequence of the sad condition of the newly-born baby that the Society for the Prevention, of Cruialty to Children prosecuted. Defendant, who apparently was in a statu of collapse,—-moaning and crying—wa.s accommo- dated with a chair. She was given a glass of water, and attended by two women, evidently neighbours. Mr E. A.. Crabbe, wino appeared for the Society, said; it would probably be fresh in their worships' minds that. at the last court, a sum- mons was returnable, in which, the defendant was charged with persistently neglecting her children. Just before the court-day the woman was confined, and consequently he (Mr Crabbe) withdrew the summons. So far as the Society were concerned, no further proceedings would have been taken against her had she behaved herself as a decent mother would do under the circumstances, but as it came to their ears that the defendant was endangering the life of the infant through persistent neglect, the Society felt it their duty to take out another summons.. The woman was so offensively dirty in her house and habits that no one would help her, and as she was unable to look after them the children were sent to the workhouse. A Sbockiiis* Discovery. On the 5th of November, the- Society's in- spector, accompanied by P.C. Bythe-11, visited defendant's house, and found it in a deplorable and disgraceful condition. Defendant was' in bed with the baby. The bed was a mass of filth, and the floor was in the same disgusting condition. The children were wretchedly clad, although their bodies were fairly well nourished and free, from vermin. Their general health, however, was so bad that it jeopardised tneir lives. They appeared to be sent out in all kinds of weather to beg, and on this day their clothes were wringing wet. The husband was an agri-cultural labourer earning i&s a week. Unfortunately, owing to his wife's drinking habits, he could not give her any money, and was- obliged to buy the food himself. Some- times his work kept him from home nearly all week, and in his; absence the children, were neglected. She lay in bed nearly all day, and let the house, and everything in it, get into a deploration condition. After her confinement It was expected that she would, in a wask or so, get about and look after things, but in- stead of that, she stayed in bed. She did not even wash and chanlge her newly-born baby, and if some of the neighbours had not taken it away the baby would have' died. These were, shortly, the facts of the case. A Flaw in the New Act. Defendant was dealt with some time ago by the Society, and as a result she had grown stubborn and obstinate, and refused to do any. thing. One good thing would be to send her to an inebriates' home; but, unfortunately, the. new Act did not give the Bench that power unless through the intervention of the husband. But, as a matter of fact, there was not an inebriates' home in the whole of North Wales. Parliament delegated certain powers- to County Councils in this direction, but they did nothing to put them into force. Inspector William Jones, of tihe S.P.C.C., said the defendant had nine children, including a baby born two months ago. Two of the children were twins. Witness described the state1 of the defendant, her children, and the house, when he paid a visit on the 5th of Novem- ber. The bed coverings were absolutely black with-filth, and on the bed was a piece of bread. The smell in the room was shocking. The children and their clothing Were dirty, but their bodies were fairly well nourished. Witness said it was a mystery -to him how they lived in such surroundings. Defendant's excuse was that her husband refused to give her money, and that he bought the food himself. Such conduct, in his opinion, was- sufficient to injure the health of the children. In answer to the Clerk, defendant said she was too weak to look after her children. She asked for the services of a doctor, and could not get one. Mr Crabbe said they had been acting under the instructions of Dr. Jones, of Llanfair, who said the defendant was perfectly strong. Begging in the Wet. P.C. Bythell said the defendant's children were always begging in the village. They were very ill clad. Witness went with the Inspector to the house, and found it in a horrible condi- tion. On the day of their visit, the children had been out begging. It had rained heavily, and they were wet through. When the chil- dren had food given to them, defendant would seill it for p'gs' me:at to get drink. Drink ap- peared to have been the cause of all her trou- ble. Mr Crabbe": Can I -call the .husband, Mr George? I am in doubt about it. The Clerk: T don't say, you can't, but it would be very cruel. Mr Crabbe I won't call him then. Inspector Roberts spoke of the dirty state of the defendant, her children, and uer surround- ings. The smell in the house was abomina- ble. Mary Jones, wife of David Jones, xynewydd, who was subpoened to give evidence, said she Called )to see the defendant, and found the newly-born baby in a dreadful state. Its clothing had never been -changed for some days, and its body was raw and bleeding. Its tonigue had fastened to the roof of its mouth. It was a wonder the baby did not die. Defendant hysterically exclaimed that she was too weak to look after the baby. The Bench then, retired. On returning into court, the Chairman said they considered the case proved, and as it was the second offence, they inflicted upon the. defendant the maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment. .linn, 1

—— At Limerick Quarter Sessions- Oin Saturday Judge Adams stopped the trial of a case owing to 011I3 of the jury being under the influence of drink. 1- Swarmls of locusts which swept over Kru- gersdorp, Transvaal, recently destroyed all the vegetables planted by the troops stationed there.

The New Licensing Act. Mr J. Herbert Roberts, M.P. Corrects a Wrong Impression. Abergele Free Churches and "their Worships' Discretionary Powers." THERE promises to be a revival of the once regular opposition against licensed premises in Abergele at the next brewster sessions in Feb. ruary, if the proceedings at last Saturday's Police Court afford any inkling of the position of affairs. At the opening, the Chairman of the Bench, Mr Herbert Roberts, M.P., referred to a doubt- ful clause in the new Act. He said the Bench wished to make clear one, or two points. There seemed to be an impression abroad that clause 6 was not retrospective; in other words, that before the clause was operative, three convic- tions for drunkenness must be recorded in the present year. As a matter of fact, only one conviction would be sufficient to put this clause into operation, and the police ouight to be ac- quainted with the fact. Inspector Roberts: We understand that one conviction is, sufficient to bring the person under the Act. The Chairman said no doubt the, police would ie-any out that part of the Act without any inti- mation from, the Bench. If the police had any objection to make affecting the structure of any licensed premises, it should be understood that notice of such objection was to be: served upon the licensees beforehand, so that it could not be .said the objections had been sprung unex- pectedly upon them at the annual licensing ses- sions. It was only fair that notice should be given, as plans would be necessary in some cases. Mr Crabbe asked whether that would apply to any opposition offered, by outsiders. It had been customary at previous licensing sessions for .mini'sters and clergymen of the various: de- nominations to attend, and without any pre- liminary notice, make certain objections. He thought the Bench would insist upon notice of every kind being given beforehand. The Chairman I don't think we, as a Bench, have any jurisdiction over the public, but no doubt means will be taken for making objections known. Mr Crabbe: I take it, sir, that you won't take notice of any objection unless previous notice has, been served upon publicans. The Chairman: We make no statement upon that point. It was announced that the, annual licensing sessions would be held on the 5th of February. ry- A Petition. The Rev John Roberts, Baptist minister, Abergele, then stepped forward, and read the following resolution, which was passed at a meeting of the local Temperance Society, held at the Calvinistic Methodist Schoolroom on the 12th December: "That this meeting, repre- sentinrg the Free Churches of Abergele and Pensarn, desires to draw this attention of your worships to the fact that there are far too many licensed houses for the sale of intoxicating liquors in Abergele and Pensam, and, therefore, respectfully urge that your worships, without delay, will consider the desirability of exercis- ing your discretionary powers in effecting such reduction as is desirable in the interests of the public." The Clerk: Have you anything more to say? The rev. gentleman said he only wished to add that much had been done in the direction pointted out in the resolution by other benches throughout the country, and they desired their worships to do something similar in Abergele, where there were too many houses for the re- quirements of the district. The Chairman, in reply, said the .bench would give the necessary weight to any evidence of public sentiment upon a matter of that kind bearing upon public order. +. —

Conway Rural District Council. The Cowlyd Water Question. The Council's Financial Position. A MEETING of this Council was held on Friday. There were present Mr G. O. Jones (chairman), Messrs W. F. Jones, Robert Eilis, Hugh Owen, John Jones, J. W. Ravnes, J P., Rogers Jones, Edward Williams, Richard Jones, with the clerk (Mr T E Parry), and Mr Levi John (sanitary inspector) The Cowlyd Water Scheme. The sub-committee (Mr John Jones, chairman) appointed to deal with the question of laying additional water mains to supply water for the Colwyn Bay area, reported that at a meeting held on December 19th, a report presented by Mr Foulkes Jones, the Council's solicitor, was care- fully considered, and the following recommenda- tions were discussed :-(i) That this Council are against going to arbitration, and (2) that the whole of the mains within the respective district be taken over by the Joint Board. It was ordered that Mr Fou'kes Jones communi- cate with the clerk when he desired to consult the committee again. Favourable Financial Position. Mr John Jones, chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, reported a credit balance due to the Council of c971. OLit of that sum the Cowlyd Board precepts had to he paid, and they were thus left with a balance of £ 2 0$7d on the right side. They had still uncollected a total sum of £ 5 4s odd. They estimated their expenditure until March 25th next at something over {sao, the estimate being based upon their expenditure for the same period last year. If the whole of their uncollected monies were collected they would be, financially, almost clear. The committee, were, however, inclined to think there would be some little diffi- culty in securing ail the money before their financial year expired. However, he felt certain they would be in a far better financial position than last year.. The report was adopted. The Bridges. A leMer from fhe Sr, Asaph Rural District Councii, in refe; once to the new Bridges of Dawn and Mi iyn y-Pcrson, concerning the question 6f expenditure, was referred to the Finance Com- mittee. Messrs Rayncs, Rogers Jones, Hugh Owen, and Edward Williams were appointed as a sub- committee to inspect ihe .nevviy erected bridges, members of She St. Asaph Authority being also invited to attend at the same time. Vita! Statistics. The Medical Officer of Health reported ri births: and 5 deaths, making a death-rate of 9-0.per 1,000 in the Conway rural district during, the month with 5 births and no deaths in the G!an Conway district for the same period.

Suggested Smallpox Precautions in Flintshire. An Indifferent Council at St. Asaph. AT Friday's meeting of the St. Asaph (Flintshire) Rural District Council, Mr. J. R. Williams in the chair, the medical officer (Dr. Lloyd Roberts),in his report, said smallpox was becoming much more prevalent in the country generally, especially in large centres. Having quoted the newspaper re- ports of outbreaks during the past week in Wales, as well as just beyond the border, he said it was highly desirable that the Council should at once make arrangements for the reception of any case that might occur within the council area. The effect of the medical officer's recommenda- tions upon the chairman was by no means agreeable, and, thinking no doubt that he might be better em- ployed than in pondering them, he promptly quitted his seat, and made himself useful as stoker, in which capacity he wrought very industriously at the fireside for a minute or two, much to the amuse- ment of the other members. "Go and make your suggestions to the Flintshire County Council," he exclaimed. You know how they have treated us already upon this subject, after we have gone to the trouble of providing a hospital." ö Mr. E. Morgan expressed himself in similar terms, adding that, in view of the County Council's shabby treatment in regard to the hospital they had just got rid of, if they were faced with an emergency of this kind, the officers would have to make what shift they could. The Medical Officer You don't clear your- selves of responsibility in that way. The Clerk (Mr. Charles Grimsley) The Council have already informed the Local Government Board that they are unwilling to take any further action in the matter. The Medical Officer then suggested that the re- sponsibility of providing a hospital be urged upon the County Council, .and the chairman, and Mr. j Morgan said that, as far as they were concerned, the responsibility would rest with the County Council. The discussion then ended. +

St. Asaph Petty Sessions. Stealing Holly from the Bodrhyddan Estate. Licensing Cases. ON Monday, before Major Birch (in the chair), Col Howard, C.B., Dr Easterby, and Mr R. C. Enyon. A Happy New Year. The magistrates having taken their seats, the Chairman wished the members of the bar and the press a Happy and Prosperous New Year, a com- pliment which was reciprocated by Mr F. J. Gamlin, the senior solicitor present. Transfer of Licences. Mr F. J. Gamlin applied for a grant of licence in respect of the Railway Inn to Mr Greenhouse, a I new tenant. He had served notices according to the new Act. As the police offered no objection, the grant was allowed. Upon the application of Mr Joseph Lloyd, the licence of the Bull Inn, St. Asaph, was transferred from the name of the former licensee, now I deceased, to his widow, Dorothy Jones. The Plough Hotel Licence. A MAGISTERIAL WARNING. I Mr Joseph Lloyd applied for the full transfer of the licence of the Plough Hotel, from Mr Thomas Hughes to Mr F. H. Darwin, late of Rhyl. He said it was the wish of the new licensee not to conduct the hotel merely upon the lines of a low drinking shop, but to raise its status. Mr Darwin had been the manager of a large works, and 11 9 although he had not been in the business, his wife had, for a number of years. Mr Lloyd handed in testimonials from the chair- man of the Urban Council of Fenton, and several magistrates. Superintendent Jones said Mr Darwin was a very respectable man. He had seen all the testimonials, and they all spoke very highly of his character. Mr Lloyd, in answer to the Bench, said there was no agreement as between landlord and tenant, Mr Darwin having bought the leasehold, which had eleven years to run. The Chairman, in granting the application, said the police had had their eye upon the Plough Hotel for some time. They were all perfectly aware that it had been badly conducted of late, and the new tenant now had a good chance of bringing back to it, its erstwhile respectability. If any case, how- ever,.came before them, it would be severely dealt with, so he hoped Mr Darwin would take notice of the warning. Stealing Holly from Cwm. Three youths, named W. Jones, 40, Victoria-road, Rhyl, Peter Davies, and John Hughes, of 28, Morfa Bach, Rhyl, were summoned for stealing holly from the estate of Mrs Rowley Conwy, Bodrhyddan, at Tirhwch, Cwm, on the 15th of December. Mr Gamlin, who prosecuted, said the defendants were observed cutting holly from a hedge on the side of the road, and putting it in a donkey cart. Mrs Rowley Conwy would only be too glad to give a little holly to anyone applying for it in a proper manner, but she was bound to protect her property, and in order to do so she was obliged to go to the expense of engaging three or four extra men about Christmas time to protect the holly. She had brought forward the case merely as a warning. Defendants pleaded guilty, and were fined as follows :-Jones 2s 6d and costs, and Davies and Hughes is and costs. Drunkenness. Evan Foulkes, Penycob, St. Asaph, labourer, was fined 2s 6d and costs for being drunk and dis- orderly on the 3rd of December. P.S. Langdon proved the case. John Williams, farmer, Waen Meredith, was summoned by P.S Langdon for a similar offence. P.S. Langdon said the defendant was creating a disturbance near the Smithfield. At six o'clock witness was sent for from Messrs E. Buckley Jones and Co., and at the back of their premises he found the defendant lying down incapable. He took him to the police station, and at eleven o'clock he let him out. A fine of 2s 6d and costs was imposed. Dr Easterby warned the defendants that if they were convicted twice again they would come under the operation of the new Act.

—— THe United States is anxious to collect a little claim of a million and a half from Korea for a railway built and not paid for. We seem to be in for permanent partnership in an inter- national debt-collecting agency. -—— A Nonconformist Citizens' League has been startbd at Rochdale with the object of resisting the Education Act by members refusing to pay that portion of the rate which will go to the support of private and sectarian schools.

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