Prestatyn Weekly

THE NEW SURVEYOR. Mr C. L. Roberts, the new Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector for Prestatyn, served his articles as a civil engineer with the present engineer and surveyor to the Colwyn Bay Council (Mr Wm. Jones, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E.), with whom he has been connected for the past 10 years. Mr Roberts has gained considerable experi- ence in all matters connected with the duties of the profession, and Colwyn Bay being of such recent growth this has given him excep- tional opportunities of becoming acquainted with the needs of an up-to-date health resort. Among other matters in which Mr Roberts has been closely engaged at Colwyn Bay are: The designing and construction of the prom- enade and sea defence works erection of the isolation hospital; pjanning and laying out of a new cemetery; construction of new water supply works; sewage disposal works, etc., etc. Mr Roberts has also had much experience in the sanitary inspector's department, and is thoroughly well versed in all sanitary matters. He is 25 years of age, an Associate of the Royal Sanitary Institute, and is acquainted with both Welsh and English languages. For the past three years Mr Roberts has been meteorologist to the Colwyn Bay Council, and in that capacity the duty devolved upon him to draw out and complete the daily, weekly, monthly and annual weather reports for transmission to the London and provincial papers. Mr Roberts' application was accompanied by many very commendatory testimonials from gentlemen of high standing who came into contact with him -whilst carrying out his duties at Colwyn Bay.

CHRIST CHURCH LITERARY SOCIETY. A well-attended meeting of the above society was held on Monday night, presided over by the Vicar, when Mr W. Inglefield read a paper on Socialism." Mr Inglefield dealt with his subject in an exhaustive manner, and touched upon the sorrow and suffering which was brought about by unemployment. During an observation on Protection, the speaker said that every country had its poor, and its unemployed, therefore why try to take each other's trade when no country had too much. He also spoke on the evils of competition, on infantile mortality, which was greatly due to poverty. and asked why eight millions of people should go hungry in a rich country like ours. From Mr Inglefield's remarks it was gathered that the unequal distribution of wealth was the crux of the whole matter. He strongly objected to royalties, and condemned the present system which enabled some men to draw thousands of pounds from localities to the support of which they did not contri- bute anything. The speaker went on to say that there was a great deal of misconception as to Socialism. As Socialists one of their great aims was that there should be a fair chance for every man -the uplifting, not the dragging down of Society. Socialism was not Godless as some people tried to make out, for it numbered amohg its supporters many men of high standing in the church and elsewhere. A short discussion followed, at the conclu- sion of which Mr Inglefield was heartily thanked for his able paper.

The Fiscal Debate. It was reported on Thursday morning that in consequence of the illness of Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain the fiscal debate in the House of Commons has been postponed till next week.

Disestablishment. Mr Samual Evans, M.P., has given notice that he is to introduce in the House of Com- mons an Established Church (Wales) Suspen- sory Bill to prevent for a limited time the creation of new interests in Church of Eng- land bishoprics, dignities, and benefices in Wales and Monmouthshire, and also a bill to provide for the enfranchisement of leasehold places of worship.

The Morgan Shipping Combine. This great combine which created such a stir four years ago, and which it was feared would greatly injure shipping interests of this country, appears, from a New York news- paper paragraph, to have lost over db'1,000.000.

House of Lords and Chinese Labour. Lord Milner defended the Chinese ordinance and his South African policy generally. He was strongly opposed to granting self-govern- ment to the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The Lord Chancellor in replying s.iid "With all his heart he associated himself with the Prime Minister in his branding of Chinese Labour as semi-slavery.

The Guide to Prestatyn. It was announced at the Council meeting last week that the local committee con- nected with the recent publication of the I. Historical Guide to Prestatyn," are in need of fuuds to defray the balance of cost. For this purpose a concert is to be held, the following committee being appointed to take charge of the arrangements Mrs Linnell, Miss Hickson, Messrs. Thos. Jones, T. Parry Williams, G. W. Jones, E. T. Williams. F. Jewell, H. R. Hughes^ John Hughes, and T. H. Jones.

Prestatyn Eisteddfod WIHIIT JUNE 4tb, 1906. 1—MALE VOICE CHOIR COMPETITION. Test piece, "Gôf y PeÙtref" (" The Village Blacksmith") (Dr. Parry). Prize £10 10s., and Baton for Conductor. 2.—MALE VOICE CHOIR COMPETITION (Confined to North Wales). Test piece, Comrades Song of Hope ,(Adams). Prize £4 4s., and Silver Cup for Conductor. 3.—JUVENILE CHOIR COMPETITION. Test piece. "Y Tylwyth Teg" ("The Fairies")* Prize 24 4s., and Silver Cup for Conductor. SOLOS, etc. Adjudicator: CAEADOG ROBERTS, ESQ., F.R.C.O., &c. Secretaries R. HUGHES, Station House, Prestatyn. D. HUGHES, Greenwich House, Prestatyn. Syllabus Id., by Post lid.

We Stand Corrected. In our report of the Council meeting last week, we inadvertently stated that Rev F. J owell had proposed and Mr Thos Hughes seconded that a gate be allowed over the road leading to the sandhills. We have been informed that the exact wording of the minute read at the meeting was as follows :— That in order to meet Lady McLaren's wishes in the matter, that the Council fixes the gate there themselves."

An Annual Event. The concert provided by the children of the Council School usually held at this period of the year takes place on March 29th, when in addition to many musical items'a, school play will be performed. The distribution of prizes will be a feature of the evening, and a juvenile string band will play selections. J. Bevan Evans, Esq., M.A., Director of Education, is to preside.

Mr. Gilbert Hughes. The departure from Prestatyn of Mr Gilbert Hughes, of the N. and S. Wales Bank, is matter for regret both in musical and social circles. The Choral Society, of which for over twelve months he has been one of the secretaries, will lose in him one of its chief supporters. A small token of apprecia- tion, in the form of a silver cigar case, was presented to Mr Hughes on the eve of his departure, and the good wishes of all Pres- tatyn friends will go with him to his new sphere at Llanrwst.

Council Election. There is every indication of a keen contest for the four seats on the Council at the forth- coming election on April 2nd. In addition to the likelihood of three of the four retiring candidates seeking re-election, half-a-dozen other names are mentioned as aspirants for municipal honours. Some say that the infusion of a little new blood" into the Council Chamber would be of advantage to the ratepayers.

Social. On Thursday next a social and musical evening is to be held at the English Pres- byterian Schoolroom, and Mrs J. R. Jones (Derwen) is announced to preside. The proceeds are to be devoted to church funds. Preaching Meetings. The annual preaching meetings in con- nection with Bethel Welsh Wesleyan Chapel were held during Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. The ministers taking part included Revs R. LI. Jones (Denbigh), J. Wesley Hughes (Oswestry), and D. Gwynfryn Jones (Llandudno). All the services were largely attended.

St. David's Day. Commemoration at Prestatyn. First Annual Dinner. A patriotic touch was given to Prestatyn life on Thursday by the holding of a St. David's Day Dinner." The function took place in one of the rooms of the Raven Restaurant capable of seating about fifty guests, the which, being unequal to the task of holding all who assembled, a few were accommodated elsewhere. Many prominent residents, ministerial and lay, were present, and apologies were read from others unavoidably absent. The menu, described on gold-printed cards, was as follows Cawl Serch-Afalau. Lleden-Chwith Ysnodenog a Sibr. Buchgii; Khoatiedig a Chywion. Pasteiodd Afalau. Gludgeuledion a Melusion-Hufenaidd. Caws a Chresdeisenau. This was satisfactorily gone through, the eatables themselves, and the manner of their serving, being everything that could be desired. There was a total absence of alcoholic beverages. Dr Townsend expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present at the first annual dinner at Prestatyn in commemoration of the patron saint of Wales, St David, whom he spoke of as being a beautiful character, and a great Christian leader. Tea and coffee were at this point handed round, and the toast list wfs then proceeded with, The King, Queen, and Royal Family being given from the chair. Dr Townsend spoke of the loyalty of Wales to the King, and said they had reason to be proud of the work his majesty was doing for the uplift of the empire (hear, hear). The speaker also referred to the part taken by the Queen in the relief of the unemployed. The toast having been duly honoured, Mr Goronwy Jones gave the toast of the evening, "The Memory of St. David." That day, said Mr Jones, was the anniversary of the death of St. David. It was usual to commemorate the birthday of a Saint, but there was a good deal of uncertainty as to the date of the birth of St. David, although all were agreed that March 1st was the day of his death. He was a great religious and social reformer, in addition to being a great patriot, and one of St David's maxims was very applicable to some phases of the. unem- ployed question to-day if a man will not work, neither let him eat." Mr Jones went on to refer to the naturally religious turn of mind of a Welshman, and said how he loved to hear any great preacher. The speaker concluded his remarks by reading a poem, composed by a friend, on St. David. The toast having been honoured, Mr Robt. Jones read an ode to St. David, which he had composed while in the room. Miloedd heno ganmolant —ein Dewi Gwr duwiol diffuant, Daw swyn ysbryd, Dewi Sant, A'i hoff enw wir ffyniant. Rev. Ezra Jones gave the toast of "Future Wales." He was certain there was a bright prospect for Wales, and spoke of the great educational facilities in this country now as compared with years ago. Mr Jones spoke of the religions aspect of Wales, and he felt oonfident no Sunday golf would be tolerated here. Our National Institutions should have been proposed by Mr H. R. Hughes, but in the absence of that gentleman, Mr Robert Jones filled the breach, and he mentioned several matters which were looked upon as national institutions in some countries, but were not recognised in Wales. He also spoke of St. David, the eisteddfod, the bards, etc. The next toast, My Language, Country, and Nation," was entrusted to Rev. Ben Williams, who pointed out that in spite of attempts made long ago to destroy it, the language still survived. In the latter part of the toast Mr Williams said we were indebted to a Welshman for the first University at Oxford, and other important institutions. Rev. Lewys Davies in submitting the toast of the "Fair Ladies of the Land of Song," spoke of the high ideals which womanhood should aim at. Rev. F. Jewell replied on behalf of the ladies in a humourous speech, saying that it was rather incongruous that they should be toasted." He also spoke of everything in Wales being imbued with song. The Town and Trade of Prestatyn was proposed by Mr A. W. Jones, who, speaking as a resident of 22 years, specified some of the matters in which the town had progressed, and predicted a bright future for it. Mr Thomas Jones, J.P., responded, pointing out the fact that Prestatyn differed to many places insomuch as it had a scarcity of drunkards and loafers at the street corners. In an interval between the speeches, the chairman made one or two good suggestions, one being that steps be taken to have Gilchrist Lectures at Prestatyn. Another was that we should have more permanent magistrates here. He sympathised with Mr Coward in hijS serious illness. Mr Pennant Williams proposed a vote, of thanks to the chairman, the artistes, and Miss Higgins. He also made a formal proposition that the excellent suggestion regarding Gilchrist lectures be followed up, and that Dr. Townsend be asked to wait on the Gilchrist Trust whilst in London this week. Mr Linnell seconded, and the chairman promised to do his best regarding the lectures. During the evening an enjoyable pro- 0 gramme of music was sustained by Miss F. I Jones, Miss E. Wright, Rev. Lewys Davies, Mr H. P. Jones, and Mr G. W. Jones. The proceedings terminated at 10-45 with the singing of the Welsh National Anthem by Mrs G. R. Junes, the company joining heartily in the refrain.

THE REV. T. P. BULLEN AT TRINITY CHURCH. The home missionary anniversary services at Trinity Church were well attended on Sunday, when the Rev T. P. Bullen preached eloquent sermons on behalf of missions in the slums of our large towns. The preacher gave many instances of the need for continual effort to reclaim the masses, and the response on the part of the congregation to his appeal was shown by their liberal contributions to the offertory. On Monday Mr Bullen delivered a lecture on Humours of the Railway to a large audience, during the course of which he pictured the travelling public and their methods in a new and humorous light. Railway officialdom came in also for a share of the lecturer's wit, illustrations of their indistinct manner of calling the names of stations drawing smiles from the audience. Many anecdotes, more or less authentic, were related, in one of which the typical Irish- man figured, who, not being accustomed to booking-office procedure, determined to follow the lead of the lady in front. Maryport, single." being successful in procuring the required ticket, our friend astonished the clerk by announcing with confidence Michael O'Flanagan, married t"

Indian Army Control. With reference to the dispute between Lord Curson and Lord Kitchener on the matter of Indian Army Administration, Mr Morley has decided that all matters before reaching the Commander-in-chief must first pass through the hands of the Secretary of the Army Department. General satisfaction is felt in India with Mr Morley's decision.

Magnificent Offer of a Welsh M.P. Mr David Davies, M.P., having bought the Hotel Cambiia, a splendid building at Aber- ystwyth, which is said to have cost 50,000 to erect, has offered it for a theological college to the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Connexion. The idea would be to unite Bala and Trevecca Colleges under one roof.

Mr. Balfour. Mr Balfour was returned for the City of London by a majority of 11,340, the figures being as follows :— A. J. Balfour 15,474 T. Gibson Bowles 4,134

Payments of Members. Mr Field iskjd the Prime Minister whether he would consider the advisability of intro- ducing a measure to enable the payment of election expenses and a fair salary for atten- ance to members of the House, payable from the Treasury. Sir H. Campbell-Ban nerman replied The matter is under the considera- tion of His Majesty's Government."