Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

A MENACE TO NATIONAL SAFETY. ONE of the most important lessons taught by the census returns relates to the rapidity with which rural districts are being depopulated to increase the congestion in the great centres of industry. Whilst the population of the country as a whole is increasing, that of purely agricultural districts is either at a stand-still or on the down- grade. A host of complex problems spring from these conditions and demand solution and it is surely a subject for grave reflection that our law- makers should not pay more attention to them. As a matter of fact, conditions which lead to the greater part of the country being gradually denuded of population and going out of effective cultivation should be of just as much con- cern to any government as matters relating to the perfection of military strength. No chain is stronger than its weakest link; and existing conditions appear to be forging a very weak link indeed in the chain of Empire. As decade by decade rural populations and rural industries dwindle-for, in this connection, there is no standing still, we are either advancing or retiring -the self-sustaining power of the kingdom must be affected in a corresponding degree. What possible good is the most perfect army system in the world once it is deprived of its com- missariat ? And it must be borne in mind that there is ever the danger to face that circum- stances may arise when Great Britain will have to rely upon her own internal resources should those that now flow into the country from abroad be interfered with by any combination of events. How long, supposing all foreign supplies were cut off, could Great Britain keep starvation from the door? Very few weeks if not days would suffice to exhaust our resources. The most impregnable fleet, the bravest army, would be powerless against such a menace. Of course our fleet might keep open for our commerce the "highways of the ocean;" but of what avail would this be if we were boycotted abroad, and the doors of international granaries closed against us ? To assert that the Colonies could supply the needs of the Mother Country, for any length of time, is pure nonsense; there is no guaranteed sufficient source of supply in case of extremity; and we might be brought to our knees through the insanity of persistency in solely manufacturing all kinds of products in great centres of industry, which may accomplish much but which cannot feed a starving people, instead of cultivating to the highest possible degree of perfection that soil which God gives to every nation as its richest national asset. We do not decry the importance of maintaining British commercial and industrial supremacy; we do deny the wisdom of main- taining it to the detriment of that which is of even greater importance. "What," it may be fairly asked, "are the magnetic attractions that draw, to an ever increasing extent, the rising generation from rural communities to urban centres?" We suppose it is the knowledge that there the pulse of civilized life beats quickest, there the most desirable openings for brain and muscle present themselves, there may be discovered the shortest cuts to fame and fortune. Then there is the illusion that urban activity, as the direct anti- thesis of rural stagnation, renders life better worth the living; and that, in some way or other, the countryman, after mixing with his fellows in an urban environment, gets his agricultural angularities rubbed off, and becomes better fitted to aspire to a high position in the social scale. It is for these things, that in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred are the veriest shadows, hundreds of thousands year by year are dropping the substance, and the country suffers as a consequence. Admittedly the present generation of farmers remain on the land; but they are not so numerous as the past generation; and the census returns of a decade or two hence, when those now engaged in agriculture shall have passed away, will have a far more deplor- able story to tell. As a matter of fact the rising generation, taken as a whole, is leaving the land; and already agrieulturists state they experience great difficulty in securing the trained assistance they require. So the condition of depend- ence upon outside soQrces of supply increases year by year, and the menace to the safety of the nerve centre of the Empire increases. We have heard a good deal, in the last few weeks, regarding the danger that must follow in the train of depleting the national coal supply but relatively this danger is a minor one compared with that which follows in the train of a waning agricultural industry. As a matter of fact the national coal deposits are all but inexhaustible, whilst the feeder of the national food supply, so far as Great Britain is concerned, is approaching the vanishing point in the homeland. How are these conditions to be remedied ? We must not only prevent rural population from leaving the land, but we must endeavour to get a substantial percentage of urban workers back to the land. In order to do this it is of the first importance to demonstrate to those who are attracted by the centripetal force of large towns they are in reality flying from evils that, we do not desire in any way to miuimise, to meet others they know not of. It is here the legislature may fittingly interpose. That broad and comprehensive measures of reform in our land laws are necessary is a fact admitted on all hands; but a grave feature in. the situation is that, in the past, attempts that have been made have all too frequently been made in the direction of improving the position of the capitalist rather than that of the labourer. Legislation by the present Government in the direction of rendering more acceptable the position of the small holder and the man who depends upon the primal industry for his very existence, has been practically nil. They have too many "friends" to conciliate and reward; and "Hodge," left out in the cold, has had far too frequent reminders that, agricultural pursuits, so far as he is concerned, must lastingly spell industrial subordination. This is one great factor influencing his determination to clear out." We have no desire to review the land legislation of the past decade its fruits, in the direction of driving the labourer from the soil, indicate its character. But, though legislation may do much, just as it may leave much undone, to popularise rural life, it is not wise to expect everything from legal enactments. We find that "the unknown which is the magnificent" to many minds, attracts to the towns; and it becomes a question as to how far it may be possible to bring to the country some of the saner pleasures and advantages that form the centripetal power of large centres of industry. Obviously many features of urban life are, and must remain, outside the possibilities of rural existence; but is all being done that might be done in the direction suggested? Again is all being done that might be done with a view to inducing those whose lot is cast amid a rural environment to take that deep and intelligent interest in the character of their surroundings which alone will enable them to estimate what they abandon when they make the exchange from country to town? Do they appreciate to the full their healthier and happier conditions of life as compared with those of people in city pent"? Do they realise the beauties, fresh from the Creator's hand, which they exchange for the squalor and too often the misery that abound in amongst the haunts of men "? Do they grasp the fact that the artificial in existence is, after all, but a poor substitute for the natural ? To some extent, perhaps, they do; might they not be taught to do so to a greater extent; and, being so taught, might they not hesitate, more frequently, before making the change? The framers of the new Elementary Education Code appear to have realised something of this when they conceived the recommendation in favour of instructing children, by observation, in the peculiar attractions of their local environment. It is an oft' quoted statement respecting the Londoner that he knows far less of the chief features of the Metropolis than the periodical visitor from the provinces; and the reverse of the proposition is approximately true in its application to the country. It is the visitor from the smoke and chaos of town life who discovers and appreciates most keenly rural beauties and attractions and possibilities. It may be necessary to have experienced the depression of the gloom in order to appreciate the glories of the sunlight; but, however this may be, it remains an out- standing fact that until by legislative or educational means rural populations are induced to remain on the land and to cultivate its riches to the full a menacing cloud will hang over the future of the Empire and imperil the security of its nerve centre.

NOTES AND NOTIONS. Respectable Tradesmen. A CORRESPONDENT forwards us a rather novel suggestion. He proposes that a substantial prize be offered to the resident in Llangollen who draws up the best list of twelve respectable local tradesmen, on the same lines as publications reeently offered rewards for the selection of the hundred best books. There is an element of novelty in the matter, but, we fear, the "sphere of operations" is too limited to permit of its being taken up without causing a good deal of heart-burning and friction. However, there is no reason why, in view of future needs, the Urban authority should not classify our commercialists. A Council is popularily supposed to have neither l. soul to lose nor a body to kick; and for this reason it may do many things that the mere rate- aayer would hesitate even to allude to. In the' :ace of the dictum that it is necessary to secure ;he signatures of twelve respectable tradesmen n order to convene a meeting of ratepayers, it s well that we should know who the people are vho wear the wedding garments. —* "What Shall we Do With our Boys?" WE fully sympathise with the desire of those who seek to secure for pauper boys leaving the Corwen Workhouse the best possible openings in the world. Therefore we are glad that the Guardians decided last Friday to advertise with a view to securing suitable appointments. By adopting this course they are by no means reflecting upon the suitability of the occupation of those who made application for the service of the two boys now of age to go out of the House. As the Rev. Ivan T. Davies says, it is the duty of the Guardians to do the best that they can for those who, unfortunately, drift into the House through no fault of their own. This they do not do if they accept the first offer that comes along certainly they would not pursue a like course if they were dealing with the future of their own children. We agree with Mr. Williams that sharp lads are required on farms; but there is no reason why every sharp lad should turn agriculturist, any more than that all should follow commercial pursuits. It must ever be borne in mind that the lads find themselves in the position they now occupy through no fault of their own and it is for the Guardians to see that they are not handicapped thereby in the race of life. I A Curious Contention. IT is rather surprising to find one member contending that proposals advanced are in the direction of treating the children of paupers better than his own are treated. An assertion of this kind can only be met by the statement that he should treat his own children better. It is a levelling up and not a levelling down that we require in these days. It is hard to say how many good and useful members have been lost to society-and it must be remembered that it is the community as a whole and not the unit that is the loser-by the old order of things that withered away under the scathing denunciations of Dickens. Happier conditions, fortunately, have arisen. There should to-day be no impedi- ment in the way of the lad from the Workhouse attaining a high position in the world if he has the necessary ability to do so. Certainly he should not be handicapped by having the pauper taint tagged on to him after he leaves the Work- house and if it be possible to place him in a position to start in the race of life on an equality, say even with the sons of Poor Law Guardians, there should be no hesitation to endeavour to render him the necessary assistance. The Corwen Board have not been slow to take steps in this direction in the past; and it is to be hoped they will not change their wise policy in the future. + The Welcome to the Volunteers. THE reception engineered by Captain Griffiths to the five members of the Volunteer Service Company R.W. Fusiliers passed off with eclat. Llangollen rose to the occasion; and it is doubt- ful that, even had the Mayor and Town Council" smiled on the event, that the demon- stration would have been more striking. There was no attempt at "mafficking;" everything was done decently and in order and those who have known the town for half-a-century assure us that they cannot call to mind any occasion on which the public have indicated their feelings in a more marked manner. It was good to see, for the nonce, party barriers pulled down and, with scarcely a notable exception, all sections of the community combining to honour the contingent of brave men who have recently returned from the front. Of course, Saturday is an unfortunate night, so far as the convenience of tradesmen is concerned, on which to hold a dinner; and there were other circumstances that necessitated the Company moderating the exuberance of its verbosity. However, the affair was a grand success; and we do not suppose the quar- tette of Urban Councillors who participated in it will have any cause to regret their temerity. 4 Employers' Liabilities. MRS. JONES had the spmpathy of a large sec- tion of the public in her action to recover damages for the loss of her husband and is to be congratulated upon the verdict obtained, that is if congratulations may ever follow upon cir- cumstances allied to much that is sad and tragic. It is difficult, however,.for the mere onlooker to satisfactorily explain to himself how it came to pass that there was such a conflict of sworn testimony. It is easier to assert that there has been collusion on the part of the witnesses-as Mr.Cartwright asserted-than it is to demonstrate the truth of the contention. It strikes us that the attitude assumed by His Honour is the correct position to take up. He was not prepared, he said, to conclude that witnesses perjured them- selves because their evidence in Court differed from statements previously made on oath. Whether the deceased was guilty of contribu- tory misconduct or not lay in the length of time he permitted to elapse between lighting a fuse and returning to investigate an unexploded charge of gunpowder. At the inquest witnesses appear to have stated deceased returned within the pres- cribed time; in the County Court they said the regulation time was permitted to elapse. His Honour, however, whilst ruling that wilful and deliberate misconduct had not been proved, did not assert that, had it been proved, plaintiff would have been disqualified from recovering compensation under the Act. Cockertonia. IT is by. no means wise to suppose that the alarming Cockerton judgment will have no appli- cation to local affairs; always, of course, pre- suming that the Government is short-sighted enough not to remedy the flaw in the statute which it undoubtedly indicates. It will be a thousand pities if the splendid work carried on by the Science and Art Classes,under the direction of Mr. H. Lewis, is in any way interfered with and, whilst we may not be prepared to entirely dispute the legality of the now notorious ruling, or to state that it may be impossible to allocate to a more suitable body the duty of sanctioning these payments, what we fear is temporary dislo- cation that must retard progress. It is certainly alarming to witness the completeness of the cave in at Liverpool, and the necessity for turning many thousands of pupils adrift; and the question will naturally occur to many minds, "Is it wise that this should happen ?" Certainly it is not in the best interests of educational progress-this can scarcely be contended-and if it is in the direction of legal effectiveness, one naturally wonders why so many years have elapsed without producing a Cockerton. It is a dangerous thing to swop horses when crossing the stream," but it is even more risky still to take out the horses and leave the coach entirely without motive power. We are inclined to agree with Mr. Yoxall, who counsels the local authorities to pursue the even tenor of their way and let the Department do its worst. ♦ Sheep-dog Trials. IT is highly satisfactory to note the heartiness with which the fixture, that has become par excel- lence the event of the year for local sportsmen, continues to retain its hold upon public sympathy! Despite the fact that they had to face all the draw-backs that accompany unpropitious weather last year, the organisers of the event come up smiling, prepared to do their part in making the meeting of 1901 the most successful in the history of the society. It is for the public to mark their appreciation of this sustained enter- prise by increasing the subscription list, and thus demonstrating that they are at one with the patrons of the enterprise in desiring its contin- uance. As a matter of fact, these Sheep-dog Trials form a brilliant exception to a very unsatis- factory rule so far as the maintenance of events of the kind in Llangollen and district is con- cerned and they provide the people of the neighbourhood with an excellent opportunity of demonstrating their ability to keep alive an organization capable of performing a very useful work. To Captain Best, of course, belongs the credit of bringing the Society to its present vigorous condition of life; and he is entitled to look to the public to support him in extending its sphere of usefulness in the future. We do not think he will look in vain.

LOCAL AND DISTRICT. Mrs. Roberts, Post Office, Carrog, lost fOu r cows and other animals last week, through, it i supposed, their having eaten water hemlock. A movement is on foot to aid her to purchase others., A list of subscribers to the Volunteer Testi- monial Fund will be published in the Advertiser next week. The cups will be presented to the fiva men who have returned by Mr. G-. H. Robertson, Plas Newydd, in the front garden of the Royal Hotel, on Saturday, at 6 30. The Great Western Railway Company adver- tise Whitsuntide excursions from Llangollen to the West of England on Friday, May 24th to South Wales on Whit-Monday to London and the South of England on ths 24th to Chester, Liverpool, eto.r on Friday and Saturday and day trips to Balar Dolgelley, etc., on Whit-Monday. We desire to congratulate Dr. Frederick Driukwater upon his appointment as house-surgeon at the Wrexham Infirmary. At the last meeting of the Court of Examiners of the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of England, Dr. Frederick Drinkwater, who is third son of Dr. Jas. Patchett Driukwater, M.R.C.S., E., L.S.A., passed hit examination and obtained the Diploma of both Colleges. The anniversary services in connection with the Glynueiriog Wesleyan Church were held on Sunday and Monday, May 5th and 6th, when eloquent sermons were delivered by the Revs. T. Owen-Jones (Tryfan), F.R.H.S., Llanrhaiadr; Os Madoo Roberts, Llangollen and Mr. E. Arthur Morris, Cerygydruidion. There were large con- gregations and good collections. The meetings were held on Monday evening (by kind permission) in the Zion Baptist Chapel. We are requested to state that the letter printed in the Advertiser last week from signalman Sidney Davies, from Klip River,was not addressed to his parents, at Llangollen, but to Mr. Christm»» Roberts, station-master, Glyndyfrdwy. 1 A report of the proceedings at the annual festival of the Calvinistic Methodist Sunday School of the Llangollen district, held at Aorefair, Oil Monday, will be found in our Welsh columns. At the session of ministers and lay delegates to the North Wales Wesleyan Synod, at Bangor, on Wednesday, an application from the Corwen circuit, for the appointment of an additional minister, to reside at Cerrygydruidion, was unani- mously agreed to, Mr. E. Jones, Hirwain, under- taking to contribute £10 per annum towards his support. In the list of lay representatives appointed to the British Conference, which meets at Newcastle, in July, we find the name of Mr. E. R. ParrVf Llangollen; and amongst those elected in similar capacity to the Llanidloes Welsh Assembly, those of Messrs. E. D. Jones, Llangollen, and Dr. Edwards, Corwen. It was reported that the total amount promised to the Centenary Fund in North Wales is £15,041, of which nearly el2,000 has already been paid.

SELLING SPIRITS ON A SUNDAY. SMART CAPTURE AT CEFN. At Ruabon Petty Sessions on Friday. John Ambrose Matthias, Holly Bush Inn, Cefol Mawrr was charged by P.C. J. O. Williams with opening his licensed premises on Sunday, April 28.—Tkera was a second charged of selling whisky and ale on the same Sunday.—Defendant pleaded not guilty.- P.C. Williams said be received inductions from P.S. Lee to watch the Holly Bush Inn. About 4 .al11. on Sunday, April 28, he and P.C. J. Roberts eon- cealed themselves near the Holly Bush Inn, as they suspected Sunday trading was going on. They remained until 9-20 when they noticed John and James Beesley, coming up a' back road- One remained behind to keep a look out. The other came towards the rear of the Hollv Bush Inn. and then waved his cap as a signal. jPresently man named Percival employed in the Public house came out,and after receiving some orders returned to the house. He came back in a minute or two with a bottle of whisky, and he received a coin from one of the men for it. After receiving another order, he again returned to the house. During hl" absence some of the whisky was drunk. Percival then returned and handed Beesley the two bottles of beer (produced), which were fresh drawn- Beesley received some change. His brother officer collared the man with the bottles (produced), brought him to where they were concealed. Witness then went to the back door of the Holly Bush Inn and asked to see defendant. Percival refused to answer witness's questions. conversation, however, took place between Percival and Mrs. Matthias in his presence. He said-, -The Clerk said if defendant was not' present witness could not give that conversation.—Cross- examined by defendant They did not let eithet of the Beesleys see them. They were concealed in the orchard. There had been complaints abou5 Sunday trading. Witness could not see biOS (defendant) because he was in bed. He saw the money passed.-P.C. John Roberts gave corrobora, tive evidence.—Defendant said he knew nothing Of the affair, and it was committed without biB knowledge. He had since found out that it was pre-arranged thing between his ostler, Percivsd and Beesley as soon as he (Percival) got down of Sunday morning he said he would supply bin* with some drink. Percival then told defendant s wife that he had taken the liberty ef supply'^ Beesley with some drink because he said he was d'' —Mrs. Matthias corroborated this statement, added that she reprimanded Percival severely f0' sapplying the drink.—-The Chairman said defend*^ would be fined £ 1 and costs, but the licence not be endorsed this time.—On the application ot D.C.C. Jones, the second charge was withdraw0 on payment of costs. +

GLYNCEIRIOG SCHOOL BOARD. The first meeting of the newly-dected Board held on Friday evening, when there were the Rev. J. L. Jones, Messrs. Edgar Foulkas, Jones, Jonah Phillips and Hugh Griffiths.— clerk produced the certificate of eleefcion.—On tb* motion of Mr. Hugh Griffiths it was unanimously resolved to elect the Rev. J. L. Jones chairman *ot the ensuing triennial period, and Mr. E. vice-chairman. Both gentlemen thanked the for the honour done to them and Mr. Foulkes, the course of his remarks, said the Board greatly indebted to the excellent sehool staff aBi the clerk, and he thought everything connect with the Board was working satisfactorily- wished to direct particular attention to the i3 that the late Board during its term of office* B° withstanding considerable improvements to the school, had reeeived less from the £ 83 than the Board elected six years ago- attendance officer wrote regretting his inability attend and forwarded the monthly lists, were examined, and the clerk was instructed s. write to several parents threatening proceeding —It was decided to charge 10s. 6d. each time school pianoforte is hired out of school, and 4s. in addition if required for two meetings on same day and 7s. 6d. for the ase of the pianostor in the school, the money to be devoted to the sen funds. A fee of 12s. 6d. is to be charged ll:-Iig9 instrument is removed to another .0 Emily Roberts wrote to say that she had passed King's Scholarship Examination and her ser were retained at a revised salary according to «c — H.M. Inspector wrote saying he proposed hoi a labour examination on June 22nd.