Prestatyn Weekly

Reasons for Extension. Sir Frederick Harrison said the branch had been little used hitherto, as there had been no development. The population was increasing now, especially in Prestatyn, and the deputation spoken of had represented strongly that a passenger service would be of advantage to the district. For that reason the directors decided that the line should be opened for passenger traffic, and so far it had given satisfaction. The extension now proposed would not have been undertaken if it had not been for the existence of the embankment made by the father of Lady McLaren, and for the fact that Sir Charles McLaren was interested in the development of the district and was very favourably disposed towards this extension. The receipts last week per train mile from the motor-car on the Dyserth branch came to Bid.. and the cost of working to 1/4id., so that there would be a considerable loss in the winter from the traffic. A large proportion of the passengers would be tourists. Sir Frederick was cross-examined by Mr Bromley as to the bridge which was asked for at Dyserth station. Mr Bromley suggested that a powerful company like the London and North-Western should not grudge an expendi- ture of J62,000 for the public safety, to which the witness replied that the advocate was addressing the gallery, and that the desire for a bridge was rather sentimental. It was quite unnecessary. But where the public safety was concerned his company never took cost into consideration. Mr H.|D. McLaren, M.P, gave cordial sup- port to the scheme on the ground that it would help the farmers by conveying coal and other supplies up to the Newmarket plateau, and by giving them and the cottagers an easy means of reaching Prestatyn and Rhyl with their supplies. Replying to Mr Bromley he said that he did not think that the proposed Mid-Flintshire Railway and this project com- peted with each other. If he thought this light railway would exclude the other and larger undertaking he would not support it. The Chairman That scheme is not before us. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.

Mr. Elwy Williams' Mecca. Mr Williams If the Newmarket people want to go to Rhyl the mid-Flint scheme will take them direct, but by this railway there will be a considerable detour. Mr Rickards Could you not leave the Newmaiket people to look after themselves -They come to us when they want money. Have they no mind of their own ?—Yes, but perhaps it is not so well trained as our mind (laughter). I am not against this scheme. I am in favour of anything that will do good, but I do not want the two schemes. Mr Rickards :—You are not against us, but you want the other one (laughter). Mr S. Evans, county surveyor, gave evid- ence to the effect that, for the public safety, a bridge was needed at Dyserth. Mr Bromley strongly urged the Commis- sioners not to grant the Order for twelve months. It was a strange coincidence that after having allowed their powers with respect to the Dyserth branch to be dormant for forty years, they should suddenly make use of them just when there was news of the Mid Flintshire scheme. If this Order was issued it would be used by the Company as a ground for opposing the new line in Parlia- ment. Evidence was given by Mr Conwy Bell, who was called by Mr Grimsley, as to the need for a bridge at Dyserth. The road from Newmarket was very steep and bounded by high banks, and he feared that cyclists and motorists would collide with the railway gates. He was heartily in favour of the scheme in all other respects.

Telephone No. 3y3. Telegrams, "Jewell, Prestatyn." FRANK JEWELL & Co., Auctioneers, ESTATE AGENTS AND VALUERS, Collectors of Income Tax. Sales by Auction of all classes of Property. Valua- tions made for Probate, Mortgage, Transfer of Tenancy, and other purposes. Rents Collected and Properties Managed. Insurances effected in all the principal offices. Auction and Estate Office- HIGH STREET, PRESTATYN. J. LLOYD JONES, (From Clay and Abraham, Liverpool, Chymists to the Queen), DISPENSING AND FAMILY CHYMIST. THE PHARMACY, PRESTATYN. Prescriptions carefully compounded nnder the per- sonal supervision of the Principal. Telephone No. 3yl. HOW DELICIOUS IT IS Is the delighted opinion ex- pressed or implied by all who try our Famous TELYNO TEA (REGISTERED) at 1/6, 1/8, and 2 per lb. SOLE AGENT W. J. Williams, The Stores. A. E. WILLIAMS, Pastry Cook and Confectioner, HIGH STREET, PRESTATYN. Wedding & Christening Cakes made to order. Tea Rooms. Luncheon Rooms. Pic-Nio Parties catered for. T. Parru Williams & Go Painters, Decorators, and Glaziers. -0- Plain and Fancy Window Glass always in Stock. BRISTOL HOUSE, Prestatyn. FOR HIGH-CLASS Grocery & Provisions, Bread & Confectionery GO TO nu PROVINCIAL STORES (Corner of Nant Hall Road), Telephone 5x. PRESTATYN VAN DELIVERIES DAILY. A. W. JONES, Proprietor. THE CROFT MISS & MRS JONES Confectioners, HIGH STREET, PRESTATYN. Boarding and Commercial House. Parties Catered for. Well-aired Beds. HUGHES & WILLIAMS, Sewer & Road Contractors STAFFORD HOUSE, PRESTATYN. Estimates Free. W. WILLIAMS & SON, Monumental & General Masons, High Street. Prestatyn. RESIDENCE i 8, ROSLYN TERRACE.

THE opposition of the County Council to the proposed Newmarket extension of the Prestatyn railway did not amount to much. Mr Elwy Williams, of Rhyl, who was spokes- man for the Connty Council, wished the con- struction of the line to be postponed for twelve months for the purpose of giving the Great Central Railway an opportunity of pro- ceeding with the scheme for a mid-Flintshire railway. Mr Elwy Williams' 44well-trained"(!) mind saw that a single line one-and-a-half miles long would interfere with a new main line across the country, which avowedly, if constructed, would not interfere with the railway to Newmarket. The real reason of the opposition was patent to all, and was stated by Mr Elwy Williams himself. If the Newmarket people want to go to Rhyl the mid-Flint scheme will take them direct." The n ld I new extension will not take the people direct to Rhyl, which Mr Williams and all Rhylites want. We should have expected better things of our own County Council. +—

THE epidemic of school disputes, after having spent itself in Gwaenysgor, Llanasa, and Gwespyr, is now approaching Prestatyn. We were not aware, until the proceedings of the Education Committee meeting at Mold were published, that any rivalry," beyond a perfectly friendly, legitimate, and healthy rivalry, existed between the two Prestatyn day schools. Mr A. M. Ralli, C.C., may be, and no doubt certainly is, perfectly well-meaning in the interest he takes in the schools of the district, but his influence has not, so far, been conducive to peace. And peace is what all true educationists want at the present moment. Let us sink all our differences for the time being, and wait until khe new government have had an opportunity of altering the law. They may possibly find a solution of the problem which will be agreeable to all.

Visit of Rev Elfet Lewis. The annual preaching meetings in connec- tion with the Welsh Congregational Church will take place on Sunday and Monday, 11th aud 12th inst, and the ministers announced to take part includes the Revs. H. Elfet Lewis, London, and Rhys J. Hughes, Bethesda. The services will be held as follows In the Avenue Chapel on Sunday at 10, 2, and (3 in the same place on Monday at 10-30 and 2, but at 6-30 the service will be held in Bethel Wesleyan Chapel. Doubtless a large number will avail themselves of the opportunity of listening to Mr Elfet Lewis, the distinguished writer.

Girls' Friendly Society. The annual entertainment which is given by members of the Prestatyn branch of the Girls' Friendly Society will this year be held on Wednesday evening, February 8th, at 7 o'clock in the Church Room. The proceeds will again be devoted to providing several sick members who reside in one of our large towns with a country holiday.

The Golf Club. We understand that the agreement between Lady McLaren and the above club for the leasing of suitable ground has now been signed, so that the work of forming the links may be immediately looked forward to. A meeting is to be held in the Council Chamber to-night (Saturday) to confirm the agreement, receive applications for membership, elect officers, committee, etc.

Beyond a Joke. The scene which was witnessed in Prestatyn on Monday night was considered by many to be a step beyond the bounds of fun. What was to all appearance a coffin, covered with leaves, borne upon the shoulders of four young men and preceded by one who was apparently a minister, was paraded about the streets to the accompaniment of hymn-tunes sung by the "mourners." This turned out to be merely a political demonstration. Well!

Xmas Tree. The promoters of above regret that the name of Mr Parry Williams, who kindly gave a number of useful and fancy articles, was inadvertently omitted in their notice re above. It might be also mentioned that Miss Hickson and Mr Linnell gave the two trees.

Opposition from Rhylites. At the Town Hall on Thursday the Hon. A. E. Gaythorne-Hardy, Colonel S. F. O. Boughey, and Mr H. Allen Stewart (with Mr A. D. Erskine, secretary) attended as Light Railway Commissioners and held a public inquiry into the application of the L. & N. W. Ry. Company for an order authorising the construction of an extension of the branch line from Dyserth to Newmarket. Mr A. Rirkards, K.C., appeared for the Company, instructed by Mr C. de J. Andrewes, and among the officials of the Company pre- sent was Sir F. Harrison, the general manager. Many of the Urban and Rural Councils of the neighbourhood were represented, and also the Flintshire County Council. In opening the case Mr Rickards said the proposed light railway would be about Ii miles long, and would be a continuation from Dyserth to near Newmarket of the Com- pany's Prestatyn to Dyserth branch. It would cost, according to the estimate pre- pared, £ 9,388, of which £7,717 would be for works and £1,fl66 for purchase of land. The line from Prestatyn to Dyserth was authorised in 1866, and was opened for traffic in 1869, but it was then only constructed for the conveyance of goods, and it was not till August 28th last that it was opened for pas- senger traffic in response to a petition signed by over 2,000 persons, which was presented to the Company in May last by a deputation introduced by Sir Charles McLaren, M.P., and Mr J. Herbet Lewis, M.P. Since then

30,000 Passengers had been carried. At the opening ceremony on August 28th it was suggested by Mr Thomas Jones, the chairman of the Prestatyn Council, that the line might easily be extended to Newmarket. This pleasant village was situated in a very pretty valley frequented by visitors in the summer, and the traffic on the proposed line would be principally derived from the visitors, at any rate for the present. Dyserth Parish Council, Cwm Parish Council, Holywell Rural District Council (subject to protec- tive clauses which had been agreed to), and Newmarket Parish Council had all un- animously supported the project. With regard to the landowners, a peculiar feature of the scheme was that the line would belaid for a large part of its length upon an embank- ment made 20 years ago by the late Mr H. D. Pochin, father of the wife of Sir Charles McLaren, M.P., with the view of a railway being formed up to Newmarket. That embank- ment was the property of Lady M'Laren, whose son, Mr H. D. McLaren, M.P., was present at the inquiry and would support the Company in their application.

The only Objections came from the Flintshire County Council and the St Asaph Rural District Council, the latter being based entirely upon their opposi- tion to a level crossing near Dyserth station. They asked that a bridge should be built over the line at this point, but that, counsel sub- mitted, was quite unnecessary, and would cost £2,500, which would be prohibitive. It would really entail an extra expenditure of about a fourth of the whole cost of the line, including what would be paid for the land. The road in question was not a main road. and was but little used. To warn motorists and cyclists of the existence of the level crossing a notice would be put up at the roadside, and the semaphore by day or lamp by night on the gates at the crossing would be visible 90 yards away on the Newmarket side and 140 yards on the Dyserth side of the line. Furthermore, the Company would agree to the insertion in the Order of Section 3 sub- sections 7 and 8 of the Railways Clauses Act, 1863, which left it in the hands of the Board of Trade to call upon the Company at any time to substitute a bridge for the level crossing if that was thought advisable in the interests of the public safety. Further than that he did not think it reasonable to expect the Company to go. Mr Thornhill, Chief Engineer to the Com- pany, gave evidence describing the existing branch, and in reply to Mr Bromley (who appeared for the County Council) said the terminus of the line would be half a mile from Newmarket, and a considerable depth below that place. To have taken the terminus to Newmarket itself would have meant much steeper gradients.

The Opposition. Other evidence having been given for the promoters, Mr Bromley opened the case for the Flintshire County Council. Mr W. Elwy Williams, chairman of the Parliamentary and Railways Committee of that body, said that the Company were asking for a term of five years in which to complete the light railway. The other railway, which Mr Rickards had alluded to as being in the air," was almost a certainty. It would have been brought forward in the next session of Parliament but for certain changes of route which were desired by landowners. That being the case seing that the London and North-Western were asking for five years in which to make this bit of a line, it would be no hardship to them if the Light Railway Commissioners delay the granting of the Order for twelve months, in order to see if the other scheme was proceeded with. If it were not, he would have no further objection to offer to this scheme. The terminus of the light railway, as had been described, would be half a mile from Newmarket, and there was a narrow by-road leading up to that place on a gradient of one in 21. He recollected the time well when, forty years ago, the London and North- Western got the powers for the Dyserth branch. He had to suffer a little bit by it. Since then, however, the company had done very little with the branch, but as soon as they heard there was something else in ths air they were ready to do anything. The Chairman There is no other scheme before as. Mr Rickards No sir. Only in the air," (laughter).

Commissioners' Decision. Other witnesses having been called, the inquiry closed. The Chairman said the Order asked for was granted, subject to the question of the bridge. The Commissioners would visit the spot, and would communicate their decision on that point to the parties. It is stated that assuming the Commissioners are satisfied that a bridge is for the present unnecessary, the construction of the extension to Newmarket will be put in hand at once, and that the line will be ready for traffic by next season.

The Motor Railway. This week Chapel Street Station," con- structed at the end of Maes-y-groes, has been made use of for the first time, and the car now stops here on each journey. The same fares will operate as to and from the main station, and this new stopping place will doubtless be of great convenience to those residing in the locality. Whilst writing on this subject we might mention that it would be well if the Company could see their way to erect some sort of shelter at these way-side stations. Of the four stopping places on the route, Dyserth is the only one thus provided, and to have to wait for any length of time at the other places during inclement weather is decidedly unpleasant.

Rehearsals are now being regularly held in the Presbyterian Schoolroom. The tenors and basses have of late been very diligent in their study of the work under notice—Handel's 44 Messiah," but the sopranos and contraltos are not to be commended for their regularity of attendance. Perhaps this little hint will be sufficient to rectify this seeming want of attention on the part of our lady choristers.

Auction Sale. On Tuesday Messrs Frank Jewell and Co. conducted a sale by auction of the household furniture at the two bungalows known as Peatswood, Meliden Road. A large company attended the sale and good prices were realised, most of the lots offered being in new condition and of modern design.

The British Parliament of To-day. The "Toronto World" says: "Democracy is opening up on big lines in England to-day. The British House of Commons, that meets almost immediately, will be the greatest democratic assembly in the world. Washing- ton and Ottawa are mossbanks compared with it." There are fifty men of the artisan class in the New House. Rumour points to Mr Keir Hardy as the man who will be appointed leader of the Parliamentary Labour party. Dealing with the unemployment question in the forth- coming number of the 41 National Review," Mr Keir Hardy shows how with ever-in- creasing wealth the area of poverty enlarges. "This phenomenon," he says, of increased production and decreased demand for workers is world-wide in extent, and as a consequence the unemployment problem bulks more largely in the public eye with every passing decade." He does not ask for subsidised workshops, but for measures dealing with afforestation, waste land, the acquirement of land by local authorities, the organisation of agriculture in the form of small holdirgs worked 0:1 some co-operative basis after the Danish model, and by other means. TLesj at all events are practical suggestions for the solution of a difficult question, and it is very likely they will occupy the attention of the new Parliament.

The King and the Opening of Parliament. The King, it is announced, will open in person the Parliament about to assemble, notwithstanding the Royal Family's bereave- ment. The Queen, however, will attend the late King of Denmark's funeral. It is thought by some that the King is pleased with the turn of events—the advent of the Liberals to power. His Majesty has shewn this in various ways, besides the determination to open Parliament.

The Government and Education. In a speech delivered on Wednesday last Mr Birrell, president of Board of Education, said that it would be a glorious thing if one of the first works of the new Parliament were to settle the religious difficulties which had stood in the way of the education of the people. Mr Birrell has a difficult task before him, and it is to be feared that he will not be able to satisfy the Church party, as any Bill brought forward acceptable to Noncon- formists must include provision for ensuring public control of rate-supported Schools, and to do away with tests for teachers.