Prestatyn Weekly

Homes. The scholars of the Council School last year collected £5 1/- towards the late Dr. Barnardo's Homes. This year, owing to slackness of trade, they were only able to collect £1 16/1. It is hoped, however, next year, to break the previous record collection. The people of this place arc noted for shewing their sympathy in a practical form, and the homes is a popular institution among them.

BYGONES. Contributions to this column will be welcomed, and may be made direct to Mr T. Edwards, Brynteg, Chester, who invites residents and others to send any information relative to Prestatyn district which they may possess.

TALAR GOCH (continued). A combustible pitch was found to issue from a fissure in the south end of the 180 yards level iu the South" Joint; a banded red and white deposit) from the water in this level consisting of alternate layers was con- sidered to be sulphur and oxide of iron. In one of these strings Calamine, locally known as "Coke," was formerly worked, and rone of the day-levels in Graig Fawr was called the Coke-hole. It was found in the shallow parts of the veins only. The uses of Calamine was known to the Romans, but the knowledge of it was after- wards lost, until the middle of the eighteenth century. The highways were commonly re- paired with it, and when its value became known the roads were turned up to recover the trodden wealth. In the Drift of Talargoch have been found bones of various animals. The remains of ox and stag were frequently found in the year 1815, at the depth of 60 yards. In the gravel at from 40 to 70 yards from the surface horns, teeth, and bones have been found. Two bones found 63 yards below the surface accompanied by marine shells^are pronounced to be the astralayus of a large, and the humerus of a small, deer; they are now in the museum at Carnarvon. In sinking a shaft at the east end of Talar- goch, two whole shells of Purpura lapihus, were found but a bed of gravel at the wes- tern end abounded with broken cockle-shells. A specimen of the ilium of a bison, found in Talargoch is now preserved in Chester Museum/. At Tremeirchion where bones were dis- covered of the rhinoceros, ] mammoth, reindeer and horse, show that they were introduced into the caves before the great submergence which led to the deposition of the high-level marine sands and gravels, and therefore also before the deposition of the upper Boulder deposits of this area, and providesfreason for believing the bones found at Tremeitchion to be of the same age as those found beneath the Drift at Talargoch. A wedge 5i inches in length found in the deep fissures of Talargoch was almost en- tirely incrusted with lead ore. It had pro- bably lain in a stream, which had deposited the particles of lead on the iron. A wedge was a small pick-axe. Strabo, one of the ancient writers mentions (Lib iii lib iv) that tin, lead, and iron had been raised by the native Britons and exported from a very remote period. The ores of zinc and copper were probably the discoveries of the more skilful Romans. Several methods were adopted of working minerals. 1. By cutting open trenches to discover superficial veins, or beds of shode ore. 2. By sinking^shafts (the plttèi. of Latin authors.) 8. By driving levels (the cuniculi of Latin authors.) Fuller in his Worthies of Wales, attributes only the first '*or trenching method to the Romans," and the second, or sinking shafts to the Saxons'and Danes, and the third or driving levels was not practised until about 1600 A.D. But on this point the author must be incorrect, as the Romans and other people were too skilful and sagacious to adopt so superficial^ method. The vein of ore when once discovered would be undoubtedly followedlnto the bowels of the earth. Pliny strongly expresses it in lib xxxiii Imus in viscera ejus (telluris) et in sedes manium opes quacriuaus that is into the region of departed spirits. There was not, of course, any gunpowder in those days, but other less expeditious methods were used (see "Talargoch" in the Prestatyn Historical Guide.) The rocks were intensely heated and water was either poured, or conveyed by pipes, into the crevices, and the effect may be easily judegd, especially in limestone rocks which abound in this district. Where the ignition had been sufficiently vehement to disengage the two component gases of the infused water, they may in their escape display an expansive force, similar though in a smaller degree to that of gun- powder. The effect of the hydrogen, one of the ingredients of water, in spontaneously pro- ducing dreadful explosion in mines, has been too well known, take for instance the ex- plosion on February 3rd, 1675, at Mostyn Colliery, also a similar explosion at the adjacent pit called Hanmor, or Hanmere, forty years ago commonly called fire-damps, to distinguish it from azofc, or the suffocating damp. The quantity of gunpowder necessary to display such an extraordinary force as this effected by the liberated hydrogen can scarcely be calculated. (To be continued.

The Proposed New Station The petition for a new station between Meliden and Dyserth has now been sent to Mr Turnbull, the superintendent of the line. The signatures number about 200, and as the concession would entail but little expense on the part of the Railway Company it is hoped the wished-for new station will be soon in evidence. In fact the site has already been surveyed by officials of the company, and there is every likelihood of the request being granted. n

Competitive Meeting. The friends connected with the Welsh Wesleyan body are arranging to hold a competitive meeting on am extensive scale at Dyserth on Christmas Day. The list of subjects has just been published, and comprises several musical items, recita- tions, essays, etc. Mr J. Evans Hughes, Pren Gwyn Villa, Dyserth, is the secretary, from whom particulars can be obtained.

The Motor Service. The inhabitants greatly appreciate the additional service of motor trips, and the need of a late train on Saturday nights was amply proved last week, the car on that occasion being crowded with passengers returning to Meliden and Dyserth.

Bible Society. In connection with the local branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society (of which Mr John Williams, Bryn Estyn, is secretary) a united prayer meeting was hold on Tuesday evening in the Wesleyan Chapel. Addresses appropriate to the work carried on by the Society were delivered by Mr Wm. Morgan (Bryniau) and Mr Isaac Hughes, and several others engaged in prayer. 0 0 1

Monthly Meeting. The Welsh Wesleyan monthly competitive meeting was held on Thursday night when Mr Eamis (Prestatyn) oc^ipied the chair. Some interesting competitions took place, and these meetings are undoubtedly proving very helpful to the young people, bringing out as they do latent talent, and being a means of preparing the children to take part in meetings of a more important character.

Coming Event. On Monday evening, the 20th instant, a concert is to be held in the C.M. Chapel, presided over by Mr R. Lewis (Prengwyn), and an excellent programme has been arranged.

Newmarket. Railway Extension. The L. and N. W. Railway Company intend to apply for Parliamentary sanction to an extension of the passenger line which is now in operation between Prestatyn and Dyserth. In a bill which the Company are promoting they have "indexed" the new loop which they seek power to construct from Bodfari, on the Mold and Denbigh line, to a point on the Denbigh to Rhyl line, presumably near Trefnant.

Talacre School. A scholar from the above school, named Buddug Evans, has received the award highly commended for needlework at the Welsh Industries Exhibition, Swansea. This is the second time during the past three months that this school has received distinc tion for needlework.

Benefit Concert. The benefit concert in aid of Thomas Williams, Gwespyr, was a great success, and was said to be one of the best held for a con- siderable time. The artistes included Miss Roberts, Mr Alun Nicholson (tenor), Mr F. Nicholson (baritone), Mr Wm. Jones (bass), and Messrs Harry Jones and J. H. Jennings (comedians). Mr Howard (Holywell) was an efficient accompanist. In his remarks from the chair, the Rev. W. Loyd Protheroe said that the members of the Gwespyr Band were to be commended for their praiseworthy efforts in getting up and making this benefit concert a success. The conductor was Mr Bulcock, J.P., and the proceeds realised a substantial amount.

Gronant. The Weleyans of Gronant announce a concert in connection with the clothing club on the 20th of this month. The chairman will be Mr Lewis Williams, M.E., and the programme will be sustained by artistes of 0 repute, both local and from a distance.

Robert Owen, Ffynnongroew. A New and Varied Stock of CHINA of every description. Tea Sets, Dinner Sets, Toilet Sets, etc,, at low prices. Please note that in future this establishment will beclosed at 7 o'clock on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The PRESTATYN WEEKLY may be had from Mrs. Hugh Jones, Ffynnongroew. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Centenary. The proposed meetings to celebrate the centenary of the British and Foreign Bible Society had to be postponed for a week, owing C, to unforeseen difficulties. We expect to have some excellent meetings, seeing the 0 grand unity that exists between the various denominations in the place. The altered order of meetings will now be as follows Nov. 13, 7 p.m. Moriah, (C.M.), Rev. H. Harris, Vicar. Nov. 14, 7p.m., All Saints', Mr R. Owen, Kidderminster House. Nov. 15, 7 p.m., Bothania (W), Mr Owen Owen, Tanlan.

Information. The population and rateable value of the following parishes, according to the last census taken in 1001, was as follows Population. Rateable value. Gwaenysgor 205. £ £ 20. Llanasa 2,912. £ 21,795. Newmarket 444. JL'1,8H8. Whitford 8,244. £ 19,579. The parish showing the greatest increase in population and rateable value is Llanasa.

Concert. A well attended concert was held at Moriah (C.M.) Chapel last Wednesday Evening, in aid of the Clothing Club connected with the Sunday School. The chair was taken by Mr W. Jones, Liverpool, while the liev E. G. Turner, conducted in his usual able manner. The officials of the concert deserve to be congratulated for their efforts in improving the musical taste of the place by introducing some of the best talent in North Wales. The artistes included the following well known singers :— Miss Josephine Williams, Llangefni, Miss Pearson, Messrs. Griffith Jones (Gutyn Eifion) Garn, Dulbenmaen, Ed. Lloyd, W. Davies, and Meredith Williams. Piano solos were ren- dered by Misses H. J. Roberts and Laura Jones and duets by Miss Sylvia and Master Pownall. Recitations were given by Mr J. Price Jones and Master Hywel Jones, whilst the able accompanist for the evening ZD was Mr T. E. Jones (Chapel House). Hearty votes of thanks to all who assisted were proposed by Rev. O. B. Jones and seconded by Alaw Madog. That the concert was greatly enjoyed by the audience was shown by the frequent encores given. ID

Traveller. Mr B. Lloyd, late analyst at the Mostjn Ironworks, now representing Messrs Stothert t, and Sons, paid his first visit to the village on Monday. ❖

NOTES BY "REX." Hygiene, derived from the Greek Hygieia, the goddess of health, seems to be a science which is receiving greater attention than ever just now, and well may it be so, when one considers that a great deal of sickness could be prevented by a proper study of this important science. It Includes a great many subjects, such as Food- its preparation and preservation, impurities of air and water, diseases of different kinds, etc. The subject I propose to deal with this time is Ventilation "-a subject sadly neglected in this village both in its relation to the home as well as places of worship. In houses the only means of ventilation pre (1) the windows, which should be always wide open when the rooms are not occupied, and partly so when occupied, and (2) the fireplaces, which in bedrooms are, sad to say, generally securely closed up with boards papered over. Were people to allow the fresh air to circulate more in these rooms and not close up their fireplaces sickness would not be quite so common. Again, ventilation in places of worship is quito as much neglected as in the home. I only know of one place of worship in Ffynnon- groew which possesses any kind of ventilator. Theatres in all towns are splendidly equipped with the most modern appliances for the purposes of ventilation, and why not places of worship ? It is no wonder that worshippers often complain of drowsiness when one considers that the fresh air of a building is soon con- sumed by the lamps and human lungs, and turned into that poisonous gas called carbonic acid gas, which is inhaled over and over again, unless it has a proper outlet in the ceiling, where being light, it rises. To keep this piosonous gas at -06 per cent, each per- son requires 8000 cubic feet of pure air for each hour he or she remains in a buildiug. Would opening windows improve matters ? Certainly not. In the first place, the poisonous gas under the ceiling would be driven downward by the cold heavy air, and in the second place, a draught would soon be felt, as the cold air descends on the heads of people sitting underneath such windows. As there is no outlet in the ceiling, neither cold nor bad air can escape as it should do. The only cure is the fitting up of up-to-date ventilators. It is greatly to be desired that the Parish Council would arrange to have a few lectures on hygiene, light on this most important science being very much required. ♦

EVENING CLASSES. To the Editor of the Prestatyn Weekly.^ DEAR SIR,-Did our young men appreciate what was done for them last year ? Did not some of the classes started have to be aban- doned for want of attendance, and some others never got a start at all ? Out of a membership of nearlv thirty pupils who attended the ambulance class seven or perhaps eight presented themselves for examination, some others only absenting themselves after they bad, for a selfish motive or through ignorance, shamefully treated Dr. Owen, who spent so much time and did so much for them. Then again, is it not so that the teachers 0 have only recently, if they have yet, been paid for their services ?— truly, OBSERVER -+-

SUNDAY SERVICES AT FFYNNONGROEW. ALL SAINTS (Church of England).—10-30 a.m. (English), G p.m. (Welsh) Rev. Howell Harris, B.A. MORlAH C.M. OHAVEL (Weish).-10 a.m. and 6 p.m.. liev. It. E. Morris, Wrexham. BETHAXIA WESLEYAN CHAPKL (Welsh).—10 a.ui.' Mr li. Hughes, Civin; 6 p.m., liev. E. (i. Turner. Ffynnongroew (?) SILOAH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (Welsh). — 10 a.m., Mr Thomas, Bagiilt 6 p.m. Rev. Dr. Pan Jones, M.A., Ph.D., Montyu. TABBKNACLK BAPTIST CHAPEL (Welsh).—10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Student frcm Bangor. ST. ANDREW'S CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (English), -10-30 a.m. and (j p.m., Rev. R. J. Stevenson. PBNIBL WSBLEYAN CHAPEL (Welsh), Pen-y-ffordd. 10 a.m., Mr. Wm. Griffiths, Gwespyr 6 p.m., Rev. E. G. Turner, Ffynnongroew (?) GWYHFA C.M. CHAPIU, (Welsh), Rhewl Fawr.— 10 a.m., Sunday School; 2 p.m., Rev. R. E. Morris, Wrexham; 6 p.m.. Prayer Meeting. NOTE.-By an oversight the namn of the Rev T. W. Jones was inserted last week under the head of All Saints Church. Obviously this should not have appeared.

RHEWL FAWR, FFYNNONGROEW, Concert at Gwynfa Chapel. A very successful concert was held at Gwynfa C.M. Chapel on Saturday. Mr Lewis E. Williams, M.E., was anuouaced to preside, and Rev. Howell Harris to conduct, but un- fortunately both gentlemen failed to attend owing to unforeseen circumstances. 0 Mr Joshua Evans presided, and apologised for the absence ot Mr Williams, who had, however, sent a handsome donation towards the funds. Mr Thos. Jones, Ffynnongroew, conducted. The chief attraction was Miss Myfanwy Jonev, London, who delighted the audience with her singing. The rest of the programme was well sustained by the following local artistes Misses Marian Jones, M. J. Pearson, Messrs Edward Lloyd, Frank Nicholson, Alun Nicholson, James Williams, Ffynnongroew Male Voice Choir, conductor, Mr T. Williams. Two pianoforte duetts were given by Master 0 and Miss Pownall. Recitations were given by Miss Edith Roberts, Mr J. Pearson, and Master Hywel Jones. Mr T. E. Jones ac- companied the whole of the singers. The names of those taking part are so well known that it is unnecessary to particularise, but we may say that all acquitted themselves with their usual ability. The secretarial duties were carried out by Miss Brooks, Pen-y-ffordd, who left no stone unturned towards making the concert a success.