Prestatyn Weekly

Date of Election. As forecasted by '^Quilklriver" a fort- night ago, the date of the polling for the Flint Boroughs will be January 20th, and that of the county of Flintshire January 27th. The latter will be almost the last constituency to be polled for the new parliament.

Marriage. Pritchard—Williams.—January 9th, at the C.M. Chapel, Gerlan, Bethesda, by Rev John Owen, B.A., Bonydd, and the Rev Ezra Junes, Prestatyn, the Rev John Pritchard, M.A., B.A., Cesarea (late of Prestatyn), to Miss Williams, Bodffordd House, Bethesda. The best man was Rev H. H. Roberts; B.A., Capel-curig, the bridesmaid being Miss Mary Williams (sister). Miss Williams, Post Office, presided at the organ. The wedding presents, which were costly and useful, numbered over 200, which showed how highly both stood in the esteem of their friends. The happy couplo left for London amidst the congratulations of their relatives and friends.

LIBERAL MEETING. Speeches and Pictures. A crowded audience attended the Liberal meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday, and the political cartoons shown by limelight were much appreciated. A stirring speech of half-an-hour's duration by Rev F. Jewell was punctuated by the applause of his enthusiastic auditors, and the Rev J. Kelly stated his views in Welsh to the great approval and satisfaction of his listeners. The words of several election songs were thrown on the screen by Mr Llew. Wynne, and, set to well-knowu tunes, were sung with great gusto. There was no sign of op- position.

A Bag of Money subscribed for amongst a large nnmber of friends in the district, was lately presented to Mr John Roberts, Tyn-y-caeau, Gwaen- ysgor, amid many expressions of goodwill and appreciation of his services to the public. Mr Roberts is well known' as the conductor of numerous concerts in aid of charitable objects, and whose witty remarks have been the life of many a meeting.

For the Young Folks. Thursday next will be a red letter day' to the youngsters of Prestatyn, for on that evening a Christmas Tree will be erected at the Town Hall, and hanging from its branches presents of toys, fruit, cakes, etc., to be dis- tributed free to all the children of the town. Any contributions towards the above will be gratefully received by Capt Miller, Miss E Hickson, Mrs Thos Williams, Mr Freeman, Mr Littler, Mrs Thos Jones, and Mr W. Ingle- field.

Incorporated Society of Musicians. At the examination of the above society held last December, Miss Jessie Jones and Miss Alabaster, pupils of Miss W. M Clements, were successful in Pianoforte Playing, Grade m. .L

Prestatyn Free Church Council and the Election. At a meeting of the Prestatyn United Free Church Council on Monday, it was decided to draw up a series of questions, affecting religous and social matters, to be placed before the two candidates for this parliamentary division. These questions relate to 1. The Education Act. 2.—Temperance Reform. 8.—Chinese Labour. 4.—Welsh Disestablishment. It has been arranged to discuss the candi- dates' replies at a public meeting, to be held in Prestatyn next week.

A Voice from Prestatyn. Amongst the Messages to Voters from Free Church leaders published in the British Weekly this wook is one from the Rev Dr. Townsend, which reads as follows Every patriotic elector must strain every power in behalf of religions freedom and equality, moral progress, and social uplift. The crisis is crucial, and must be improved.

Man of Many Tongues. The death is announced of the Rev R. Ambrose Jones (Emrys ap Iwan), of Rhewl, Ruthin, a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist. He could speak several languages fluently, and on one occasion when supplying the pnlpit of the Prestatyn Chnrch, having been informed that there were French visitors pre- sent at the service, he delivered a short discourse in the French language, to the great surprise and delight of the irench visitors. 0

Correspondence. THE ABUSE OF POLITICS: A PROTEST. To the Editor of the" Prestatyn Weekly." Sir,-I have been deeply pained at reading the reports of disgraceful proceedings at some of the policital meetings held lately, and I am therefore constrained to write on the subject before our election in this neighbourhood takes place. I? I deplore such unworthy features in electioneering as the interruption of party meetings, whereby brains lie at the mercy of bellowing lungs and empty heads. I consider politics as the greatest of sciences, which controls the destinies of the nation, involves countless issues, vast interests, and demands the brain, and soul of our best men. We need to set our faces against every unjust and unscrupulous method. Politics ought to be regarded as a duel between evil and good. Let us try to master the questions that arise. and on which there must inevitably be two or more opinions, before pronouncing strongly on them, and let us respect the judgment of those who differ. Never let us flmg hard names, or launch spiteful criticisms, or overstep the bounds of expression which one gentleman may use of another. Let us fight fair as men did in the old days, coming out friends again after hard knocks and heavy falls, because no dirty tricks and crafty methods had been used. We must keep clearly before us that if our religious sentiment does not save us from vicious conduct in our policital contests, not only, is it not worth having, but is sheer hipocrisy, claiming to be genuine and yet committing some of the worst offences against truth, charity, justice and honour.—Yours truly, Kersland, JOHN MILLER. Prestatyn,

Had he got a Licence? At the Liberal meeting on Thursday night 11 a, speaker, in denouncing the late Government, said the people were fooled over the South African war. This country was sold, and 'Joseph' was the auctioneer."

Gwespyr and Talacre Talacre Schools are now open daily. The new Schoolmaster engaged by Sir Pyers and Lady Mostyn—Mr John Owen, a member of the Calvinistic Methodist denomination-will take .up his duties at Talacre as soon as his present engagement terminates. In the meantime Mrs Owen, his wife, will do what she can, assisted by a teacher from Liverpool who arrived on Thursday, and whose religious 0 convictions have not been enquired into. Sergeant-inspector Va!e conducts drill. Lady Mostyn makes a point of not being present when the register is called. L, Miss Wood, the only teacher mutually approved by the County Council and man- agers, will arrive next week, and on Monday the school will be held in the lower room, if satisfactorily disinfected. Towards the end of the month Lady Mostyn intends, all school matters being duly settled, taking a holiday in the south of England. The following notice was circulated in Gwespyr on Saturday: County of Flint. Take notice, that a public Elementary School will be opened on Monday next, (January 8th, 1906), at 9-80 o'clock in the morning, at the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel Gwespyr." [FROM A CORRESPONDENT.] The Talacre School was opened on Monday morning at 9-30, when sixty children were present. This was done so as to got the names on the registers. The number present was very satisfactory, as many did not know that the school would be open. The school- master was not present, as he has to fill in his notice to the County Council, but Lady Mostyn is doing her best to get someone until he can come. Mr John Owen of Bagillt and Ffynnongroew Council Schools (who has splendid testimonials) has been engaged to be Schoolmaster. The Council's temporary school was opened at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Gwespyr, on Monday, at 9-30, when thirty-four children (mostly infants) were present. Mr Morris, of Holywell County School, is the schoolmaster, assisted by Miss Morris, of Gronant Council School. P.S.— Mr Morris is only here for this week. Miss Lombard late head-mistress of Talacre Schools, is leaving here for Flint Roman Catholic Schools. --+-

New School Opened at Gwespyr. [FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.] < The Flintshire County Council opened a public Elementary School in the C.M. Chapel last Monday, January 8th, for children of Gwespyr !,and the neighbourhood. The new headmaster opened the school at 9-30 Monday morning. The prospects are very satisfactory and encouraging, the transformation of the inside of the chapel has made it comfortable and attractive for the children. It is well supplied with maps and school requisities. Many of the parents have risen to the occasion by showing the courage of their convictions in sending their children to the council school. The attendance is already from 40 to 50. I congratulate the County Council on their promptitude and courage in this matter, they deserve and have the sympathy of the bulk of the Llanasa parish ratepayers.

Gronant. Wesleyan Meeting. Llanasa circuit quarterly meeting was held here January 3rd, Rev D. Meurig Jones pre- siding over a strong representative gathering from the churches of the circuit. Statistics and accounts for the quarter were taken, officers thanked for service rendered, and elected for the next twelve months. In the Schoolroom, attached to the chapel, Mrs Owen, Wesley Cottage, and daughters, had tea provided for the representatives. A hearty vote of thanks, proposed and seconded by Rev T. G. Turner and Mr A. Williams, was given to Mrs Owen for her kindness. The following resolutions were unanimously passed :(1) Congratulating Mr J. Herbert Lewis (2) Supporting the County Council's policy of providing school accommodation for the children of Gwespvr, and pressing on the nonconformists of Gwespyr to send their children to the Council School.

A Political Conundrum. What is the difference between the story of Joseph in Egypt and Joseph of modem times ? One was put into a hole by his brethren, and the other put his brethren into a hole. So it was said at Prestatyn on Thursday.

Incidents of the Election Campaign. At this moment we are without a solitary M.P. in the land, and the government for some days wiirbe a government on sufferance only. The leaders have issued their election addresses, and if they perform as well as they promise, we shall he making rapid strides towards the Millennium. There are always in this country—I jjmean Great Britain-a large number of the electors who want to be 17, on the winning side, and judging from the z, reception Mr Chamberlain and Mr Balfour have met with at some meetings, the bulk of the electorate have made their minds up that the Liberals are going to win this election. Bishops and Bishops' sons do not as a rule support Liberalism, but we have one Bishop -Bishop of Hereford — declaring that he would not vote for his own brother if he sup- ported Tariff Reform as recommended by the Tory leaders. Mr Gibson Bowles has distinguished him- self in a style befitting the time of the great Irish agitator who described Disraeli as a lineal descendant of the impenitent thief on the cross. Mr Bowles' wrathful tirade was directed against the idol of Birmingham.

Heckling ex-Ministers. It is quite a new experience for an ex-Prime Minister to be heckled as Mr Balfour has been this week at Manchester. He had to undergo a very severe examination at a meeting of the East Manchester electors on Tuesday night on the subject of Chinese labour.

Mr. Balfour Nervous. It is said that Mr Balfour is nervous as to the result of the coming election in the division for which he is a candidate.

The Great Issue. There is no doubt now that this election will turn upon the fiscal question—and this is an issue of great national importance.

France and Germany. That one of these two countries must be eager for some excuse to quarrel with the other is very plain from the official White Book just published in Germany, and I am inclined to think it is Germany. The states- men of the latter country have been more ready to place reliance upon what the wily Sultan of Morrocco has stated with regard to the method of naval diplomacy in that country, than upon the explanation offered and the repudiations made by the Foreign Minister of France. Germany must know very well on which side the probability of telling the reverse of the truth lies, but it seems as if she does not want to know or care to know so long as it would afford her some excuse for picking a quarrel with France. Germany possibly thinks that Russia's extremity is her oppor- tunity. It is to be hoped, however, that German statesmen will cool down before they enter into the Conference which is about to bo held. A war between these Powers might lead this country into trouble.

Coming Event. A concert in connection with the Wesleyan Chapel is announced for Thursday next, to take place in the National School. The programme will consist of items hy the Rhyl Amateur Band, and also several artistes, an enjoyable evening being assured.

Political Meeting. On Tuesday night a meeting was held at the school in support of the candidature of Mr Harold Edwards. Mr D. Roberts, Prestatyn, presided and the other speakers were Mr James and Mr John Asher. The back portion of the schoolroom was filled with youths, who (in company with others) kept up a continual run of interruptions, so that it was impossible for those who have votes to take an intelligent interest in the proceedings.

CHRISTMAS TREE at the Prestatyn Town Hall, Thursday next, at 6 p.m., FREE admission to all the Children of Prestatyn.