Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
27 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
--BOROUGH ENGINEER. ! -
BOROUGH ENGINEER. PBOPOSAL FOR HIM TO RESIGN DEFEATED BY SMALL MAJOIITY rillV ATE PRACTISE FUI) TO BE REFUNDED. At Wednesday's meeting of the Swansea Council the position of the borough engineer wtfc the subject of an important discussion, 11113 Mayer (Alderman Lee) presided. Mr. David Davids introduced the matter by moving an amendment t-o a minute of the Waters and Sewers Committee, which amend- ment was in effect that Mr. Wyrill be a-sked to iisign. In the first place, Mr. Davios said he had not a panicle of feeling with re- gard to the borongb engine, r except the feel- ing of a 'member of the Council towards an official. In fa.ct, be did not know any task mere disagreeable than the one which he was n undertaking from a sense of public duty. There had never been the slightest differ- ences between hIm and Mr. Wyrill, and therefore be (Mr. Davies) was speaking and acting in hIS capacity as a member of the Council towards Mr. Wyrill in his capacity as borough engineer. Some time ago a gub-conjmittee was appointed to inquire into certain, statements with regard to Mr WyriJL That sub-committee met on two or three oc- casions. At this stage the Mayor called Mr. Wyrill to hint and privately told him that he could retire from the Chamber if he cared to do so. The borough engineer decided to remain, and returned his seat. Mr. Navies (continuing) said that he much preferred for Mr. Wyrill to remain and make preferred for Mr. Wyrill to remain and make any correction to the rema.rks that he thongtt necessary. The sub-committee he referr*. d to was called to obtain* cei tain JIl- foru-auon, and various comments were offer- ed in the Council Coun. Colwdl asked it certain allegations were true or not. And ne <Mr. Davies) might say they were true. And Atderman, Morris also suggested. that the composition of the sub-committee was such Uiat they could not expect justice to be done. That to say that the sub-committee wa*s not capable of doing its duty, assuming the allegations were tme. And he had in mind another time when there were complaints in tbe Strewte Committee over certain at Morriston, and when he (Mr. Davies) mad.> the remark that if the allegations! against those men were true they ought to be dismissed, Mr. Owen agreed in that remark. He simply mentioned that in order to say tihat be was there to advocate precisely the same kind of treatment to the man rho cleaned the roods at a small daily wage and the highly-paid official of the Corporation. They ought not to draw a distinction be- tween salaried men and the men with the daily wage. (A voice: "Agreed.") He knew ihf-re had been several things said in favour of Mr. Wyrill. He was told that he had beni for 26 years the borough engineer of Hwansoa, and that he had done during that time some excellent work—that some of the .best reservoirs they had got in Swansea had been designed by him. He (Mr Davies) wanted to do Mr. W yrill every possible jus- tåæ. He >vas told he also really respon- Fibl;- for the Cray Waterworks. There was that fact, and he gave him every possible I credit foi it. And he desired to add that jjjg impression was that Mr. Wyrill was a h.ghslv competent engineer. To. him he wjw- iucfi a fast horse; he could run well, but was a jibber. (Laughter.) His complaint then of Mr. Wyrill was not that he Wa.f incompetent, but that he had so mis- managed his duties that he hnd destroyed the cormdence of the members of the com- mittee—certainly he had lost his (Mr. Davies1 ■ onfidence. In other words, that Mr Wvrill had not given the service which tÍhj Gorpoi nt.inn were ent it led to ex- pect. In this cODnectiou he might say le.-t it should be. said that he was associated wUh what appeared to 'be a merciless pro- cedure- that earlier in the year he took a prominent part in a debate to temper iud'Tnent with mercy in the case of another Corporation official. In that case it had the most happy results, and if he had the slight- est nope that Mr. Wyrill could also be cured of his defects he would be quite happy tc -ive him the same trial as was given to that ether official. When he was member of the Council before his present term he was not member of the Waterworks Com- mit-tee, but he could recall two things in rejard to 'Mr. Wyrill. The first was the disclosure of hopeless mismanagement and wastage in connection with the Cray Water- works, and the manager (Mr. Dix) wa,s di.s- missed. He (Mr. Davies) said then that if Mr. Dix's head wa." to fall then tHe head of the Borough Engineer ought to fall also, because he had produced month after month: a dt'rT showing that he had been going to the Orav almost daily, supervising the work, and vet for months that mismanagement was going on, and there was rfti-t the slight- hint from Mr Wyrill that it was going on. The other thing he remembered that ■was brought before the Council was this: The Council had entered into a large con- tract for the supply of cement to the Cray Works, running into scores of thousands of tons. In f)\I;1.t contract there was a pro- tective olaai.se by which the Corporation could go into. the open market if notice was giver, before 10,000 tons had been supplied. When that time wa.s thought to have ar- Tl ¡yJ, and other offers of a more favourable na' nre were made, it was found that the Council could not exercise its option became Mr. Wyrill had not given timely notice, so that the option had disappeared. Now when he became a member of the Water Works Committee a vea.r ago, one of the first things thev had to onsider was the matter of the I Rond^clds drainage. They passed unanim- ously a .-«cheme for bringing relief to some hundreds of people from the recurring flood- ing in that district. They were unanimous about it. Meeting after meeting went by, and at almost every meeting some question was acted with regard to the matter, and when at length surprise was expressed that no reply had been received from the Local Government Board, the disooverv was made that no application had Keen made T -> the™ for sanction to borrow the money, because tbe plans were not ready. A„d so, bv reason of the dilatory methods of the Local Government Board, and the dilatory methods in the Borough Engineer's department, work- wbieh ought to nave been in hand months asro had a week since orijy reached the staee that, tenders could be accepted for it. And before that d^ne the committee had to tie Mr- V, yT1" own to a certain date when the plans must be read v. He had scarcely body makm^ the delay in tbe Borougb l\h^ Z,r], and the result deaj Gf whicli ouffht to Tvliev Rum- mer. and which V* the fields neonlo months n oie hey Wouy b Peor" y^en serious]v del.n. Iwt that it jthout the knowfil was <kxng ^mH.hr.g^ .ttee. He or authority of the com ^ot gomg into controversial tr>ere were no differences of <>T*and ,,vl,idl Corporal ease he prejudiced i;nble to a lid ''Son"8 thai^igW X'm an hrrnwht (lrgaIn..c;t gt .themf' the water supply to the vario'-1- abso- it was found that the figure? n lutely untrustworthy. Nearly ^hev statistics were found to be v1?i" Wvrill were not kept, it was true, by iiia,t" his himself, but surely he should their subordinates in bis department de. work. He had reminded them of V b>y over the Sandfields' drainage 9t at the same time that district wiv? ?T1 _a ir'g from this cause. Mr. Wy«'!l „ doing two things that were utterly f rary to the terms of his contract. ,J1 v a Water Bill promoted by the R«ral District Council, and a rival 1 n0 Ammanford District Council- The Swansea Corporation, having a monopoly of the supply in an area wanted to confer)"0 It 30 InQch as possible,:and SIO offered cxpfw^^?? two Biiis. **We was a four*" party, the Swansea District Council, whose interests were in direct conflict with Swansea's interests. Swansea were inter- ested in the matter as sellers of water, and desired to keep the area ot supply to them- selves, and so negotiations were opened with the Llanelly and Ammanford bodies. In tl)c case of the Llaneily Council, they could not go to Parliament without help, as they wanted certain leveliings which the Corporation had got. Swansea consequently asked them to put in a protective clause in their Bill, and they immediately con- tented, and the opposition was withdrawn. Subsequently it was discovered that the Borough Engineer, who had been told to give limited information, had in his pocket a telegram asking if ho could be retained by the Llanelly District Council to give evidence in favour of the Bill, and that he had already wired a reply. Mr. Wyrill did not say one word or give one hint of it to the committee that he had accepted a retainer, and it was only from the Llanelly District Councii officials that they learned that Mr. Wyrill had been acting as their engineer ever since ..he death of the late Mr. Morgan Davies, and that that Council were absolutely relying upon him and could not go on without him. To show the posi- tion, Mr. Davies explained that an aPP* cation from the Ammanford Council asiceo for information, and then Swansea de- cided t-o be neutral. The Llanelly Distric Council had already spent thousands of pounds, and without the assistance of J- Wyrill that expenditure would be was e( and as soon as Llanellv gave the Pro^ 1 clause the Swansea District Council otterea opposition to it on the ground that -y had been deprived of a competitive^ "'T'' and so incidentally they were § Swansea Corporation. It was that there should be a joint confeiei^. Information was then District Wyrill bad been reUunod bj the totaot Council, and when they met to what to do with toe oprx)suiono^^ District Council, they were conaonte.1 by report prepared for i>hat bouy by • J wthoutP the knowledge of his committee. rd not a settlement been effected, and if the parties had engaged in a Parliamentary fight, that report would have been iatal to the Corporation to this extent that they could not put the only witness in the box available to them because Mr. Wyrill had committed himself to the District Council in his elai>orate report. Mr. Wyrill, too, had been employed bv a. contractor suing a friendly public body at Maesteg, and had been retained by that man as ail expert aigaanst the Maesteg uistrict Council. And that case occupied 23^ days in preparation, a week in London aitiug for the C<L.e to come on, w-d two days further —more than a month of time. Mr. Wyrill's suggestion was that he had not taken his hoiiiays, and that he was entitled to the time. And in that connectioii Mr. Davies said they ought to have a record of the holidays taken by their officials. At the present time they oould not refer to any re- cord; every man seemed v> go just when he wanted and to choose his own length of time. If a workman stopped away the mat- ter was put on record, and he wanted the officials treated in the same way as the em- ployes of private firms. The Corporation wciv entiilva to t.:e rail service ot their ser- vants Mr. Wyrili suggested the reason why he undertook the work was that he thought he could undertake the same, for in the year 1888, before the duties of sur- veyor and engineer were divided, Mr. WyriH applied for an increase, and it was then refused, he (Mr. Wyrill) stating that he understood from them that he thought hÐ was in order m doing what he had done- The speaker stated that in perfect fairness, to Mr. Wyrill. lie (Mr. Davies) did no think Mr. Wyrill was entitled to place tha* construction, in view of his contract. Davies then proceeded to say that -1 • Wyrill had stated he had the conaen Mr. Hoger Thomas (a former chairin^u the Waters and Sewers Committee) fa to Maesteg. A member of the ■ asked Mr. Thomas, and the lattør ha.d saId, "Yes, I did." The speaker lii-st objected to any chairman giving such leave to an^ o cnil, and se<x>ndly. did Mr. Thomas that it ueant a month's work? Air. levies wanted the moral driven home that ^every official was expected to do his work »airly, and fully render his moneys worth ana (tC- cept the same responsibility as a private servant- Thei«e wae not a single memoer of the committee who, while not approving or the drastic proposition, bat who wished that he should be penalised. Various suggestion^ had been made in that way; one was that the money so earned should be returned to the Corporation. In conclusion Mr. Davies said Mr. Wyrill was an intelligent man, and he should have been able to see that he Wa £ preparing a way for serious consequ^ unless he believed—as some seemed to be- that the members of the Council were only colourable imitations of employers. Jt ,va;. their duty to act. in the same manner' a«' public men as they would do in their private capacity. Aid. W. Morris seconded, and said he had known such facts as Mf Davies had quoted for some time. The representatives of the public were the masters of the officials, and they had a duty to perform to. the rate- payers as well éU; the officials. Their officials they should treat as any private employer would. It was true that some officials ■-reated the Corporation representatives as noneniities but that wa* not to be toler- ated, and if the representatives had not the courage of their convictions, and act ac- cordingly, then they had no right to the suhrag of the people. In Um matter the speaker quite concurred with every ar- gument adduced by Mr. Davies. He main- tained no official of the Corporation had* any right to enter into private business without first consulting the Corporation. Every official received "good screws," and should a committee let an official give expert evi- dence the question of payment should be considered. Officials had certain work to do and certain hours in which to work, and if an official did not comply he should be sent about his business. Thev could not complain, the speaker thought, if Mr. Wyrill had given his services, say, after five o clock. The Mayor hoped the deliberation* would be as brief as possible. Mr. Hopkin defended Mr. Wyrill "to save him from professional destruction." \[r Wyrill had undoubtedly committed an of- fence, but it was not criminal, and was simply one of want of discretion. Mlr. Wyrill had saved the ratepayers from £25,000 to £30.000 in the arbitration case some years a„o "of Baldwin and Yerburgh v. the Cor- poration. There was no superior to Mr. Wvrill as a water works engineer in the country. The first thing Air. Wyrill did Wat, the building of the Upper Lliw Reser- voir—a standing monument to his ability. The dam at Cray, which :111', Wyrill bad de- signed, was the finest in the history of en- gineering works in that • direction. The speaker wanted that one little chance given which every person was entitled to receive. The one little hope to look forward to, and he appealed to members not to let Mr. Wyrill's life be eternally black and damned. He pleaded for the engineer, though he ad- mitted they knew his weaknesses as admin- istrator. Aid. Solomon pointed out that in the case of another official another method was tried with success, and he wanted the same treat- ment extended to one official as another. If it was understood there was to be no quarter, no second chance, very good but until that principle was adopted he could ?°'t go to the length proposed. Mr. Wyrill had rendered them 23 veairs of service, and had been blamed, for one thing, for not 0 £ *ting on the business method at the sult^ earlier. But to lie logical the oon- oft(jm*\ • Rngineers were also liable. How W;H th t-bey find a good professional man He ■ Wors^ tiommercial man in the world, should nl», ^u',c agreed that the Council future, arJ ,r"ake it perfectly clear for the Wvrill b-i^i i'V should condemn what Mr. Mr. W. jj lp, and suggested arwi. me^v" ,.f u boino- +i, 'Kjther amendment, the e-iect av the iunf >,Mr- Wyrill be ordered to i u earned front wt the re™™ce P-Poraiion, and that m P i | i v Slrtlilar the Council would have no alternative but to dispense with his servi^ Hon. Odo Vivian said it was „ ^ost dis- agreeable duty j^ had rforuv The snb-ctannnttee had been accused of aminms, bat tbare was no such, bad. that Mr. W yTill had been retained did not come from Mr. Wyrill in the tiist in-stance at tdl, as he proceeded to explain. Preced- ing, tile Hon. C'do Vivian saiu he aid not wish to say anything against Mr. yrill's integrity, but what tiie ijpe^kei was not only the Engineers wisdom and strength in being able to advise the Council, but he had his uoubts as to his capacity as a,u- engineer. No member would cieny Mr. vs'yrill was not a strong man, and the committee were continually at loggerheads with him when, if they had a man in whom they had absolute confidence, they would not be in that position. The speaker did not know if anyone would say Swansea was properly managed from an engineering, water and drainage point of view. There had been no sea-vice reservoir outside the town, and again they were supplying the town off the mains, and if they bad all accident to the mains the supply to the town would dry up. Concluding, the Hon. Odo Vivian .'«.id a competent man would have no fear in resigning as regards other employment. One official recently left, and was now occupying a high place "m another town. Mr. Livingston said he was not a hard man, and he wished some way could be found ether than the one suggested. Mr. Wyrill, he mentioned, had never expressed sorrow, and had attempted to justify the position he had taken up During nis ex- penenoe he hod Iiever ,u^wn gucli a negleet of public business HiS wtus the ca~se with the engineering ciepajtment. Mr. Loveil s.ud tbey should not allow the consideration of a h'u'iiv-placed official to weigh with tiiem Thev were there to do the best for the whole community, and he did not tliink if thev adopted the resolution of the committee it" would be in accoidanoe with the views outside. The question ot the Engmeer's abilitv had not been raised that a« regards" the drainage question the Council had always been divided. pie Mornston service reservoir q uestion, too, be reminded the Council, had been oon- damiwyi and aften-wards approved. Mr. Wyrill, he submitted, was lacking m lucid explanation." Many of the members per- liaps lacked that quality, aJid if they were pd to that test. ■ j. Mr. Tutton said if th-ey dispensed with Wvrill's services were they going on with the drainage sdieme that he had 1 pre- pared' If so they would be availing them- selves' of m. Wyriii;s services and con- demning the man, Where then would be the Council's oon«sten<y.' Did they tmd f u -+U f,he Cray: lie did not admit -t "'J Perhaps Mr. Wyrill lacked tact and diplomacy and instead of writing a ceri i in letter in the first place if he had come md'fcaid what he had done, and if he had ,/m ,.nZ he was sorry, he thought they done wrong J „ve hoaio the last of the matter. M°U Wvrill had b»en described as a highly pa.id official, but the speaker did not think had been. one. Ald. Martin said )11'. Wyrill contended 1 tj,e teims of his contract had been re- laxed 1° <^se of tlie Maesteg matter the Engineer t.he consent of t.he then chairman- The remedy was a simple one— to withdraw any idea of relaxation and make the Engineer understand he was ex- pected to work on the terms arranged. Mr. VVyrilI's competency had been called into question, lhe reservoir at Upper Lliw was the most satisfactory of the old ones, and in the constructioin of the Cray l-eservoix tiii- Consulting Engineer had never touched Mr Wyriil s design as a design. In 1886 Mr. Wyrih suggested a service reservoir a& Moriiston; in 1801 he called attention to it again, and in 1305, in giving evidence in connection with the second line of pipes, he brought, it u.p again. It was the lin- gnie,^ s le.onirneuaauon that a service reser- voir be put on Kilvey Hill. It was part of the Cray scheme that a i-eservoir should be placed on Town Hill, and Mr. Wyriil had put Cwm- ctoiikin into a service reservoir for the town. To say that Mr. Wyrill had never recom- mended a service reservoir showed that the man w ho said so knew nothing about the matter. The speaker thought the Brynmili outlet was at the bottom of the proposal, and Mr. WyriU held the view that any reasonable man would hold on that matter. Mr. Colwiill said if Mir. Wyriil "pegged" out they would have to get another engineer. The question was whether the Engineer was expected to devote the whole of his time or whether lie was allowed to take private practice. It seemed as though Mr. Wyrill could do as he likea. NIL Wyrill might be a good engineer, but no one would say his estimates were reliable. How could the Council dra.w a distinction between officials and workmen? Were they going to con- done one and penalise anoother? If it was condonod they must apply the same prin- cipie all round. Mr. Sinclair pomted out that it was ex- pected that when they had the Cray water vheie would be a continuous supply. Mr. Tutton said they had not finished yet the second line of pipes. .Mr. Sinclair said as regards Coedsaeson drainage the committee did not know what was going to happen. ,v Mr. Hemmings said while he should be sorry to take drastic action yet he felt it was his duty to vote for the amendment. Mr. 11. W at kins said the suggested punish- ment was out of proportion to the offence. Mr. Ruthen said Mr. Wyrill was not to blame at all for the drainage of the Coed- saeson Estate. The fault was to be found in the constitution of the Waters and Sewers Committee, who had practically ordered him to disapprove of tue pia<u A& reg-ards the water supply, if there WaiS three times the supply some parts of the town would be on short supply under the present condition*. O^e Oxford-street, it had been found, had a leakage of 1,600 gallons pea- hour. After Aid. Payne had spoken to the effect that in his opinion the penalty proposed was too severe, Mx. Merrells said his difficulty was to decide between duty and sympathy. How- ever, he had his obligations to perform to the town, though he hoped some way micdit be found so that Mr. VVyrill eould be °re- tained as consulting engineer. Mi-. Owen aiao did sentiment to stand between him and HIlS duty, ajid iu-g<yj tliat Mr. Wyrill should be treated exactly as they would treat the orrinaiy tx>r|xna tion workmen. Mr. darker, the chairn^n oi the Watere Committee, tsaid lie tiiougu e discussion i»ad amply justified the committee m bring- ing forward tlie subject- I nere nad been no lack of judgmeut, as Mr- Wynl. had Joet the entire confidence oi the committee. The sub-committee had done its work honestly and straightforwardly> and whether Mr. Wyrill be dismissed or not he thought th€ public would see there h-iid been no personal bias in the matter, and that what had been done was in their interests. 1.& corpora- tion officials ought to be kept to their duties like ordinal'y Employers treated tneir offi- cials. It liad been saw* that once a Cor- pwation official aJways a Corporation offi- ciaJ, but. he did not want to go mto that. Mr. Wyrill might, over the \\ater Biil^ haw cost the Swansea l>u»cil thousands of pounds, but fortunately his connection with them was found out in time, and with re- gard to the Engineer's saku'J, it that was not sufficient tlien he should have been given more money, whilst any implied ar- rangement that he was to be aJlowed to do private work should have been told SUc- oeeding committees. He though* Mr. WvriU was ill-advised in siting the letter be did to the committee, and believed that if he had made a frank statement, as Mr. Tutton had suggested, they would not have bad the discussion they had. The Mayor said he had f^llovv^d closely for the last six or nine months of their Engineer, and also the doings of the Waters Committee, whose ™eat h<e noted fT<jm time to time. He .taken a serious view of Mr. Wyrill s positaoo, but i had realised tliat up to nine months ago he had rendered the most, valuable tjervic^ to the town. bad told the Engineer Ul }lig offico his opinion of him, a'nd. betause he had not information tor and other things Mr. Wyrill had baougnt upon himself the resolution t £ ,a^ day. Still, lie would not, for one wrong act dis- oh;wge a man when he h^d done hundreds of good ones, and thought that alter tibe lecturing that day the Engineer would prove a better official. He was be on the lenient side and give Mr. Wynll another chaaice. In reply, Mr. WyriJ1 thanked the Council for giving him the opportnnity of saying something on the matter, aod .saId that one I of the speakers had sumrned up the pevsitioa by saying that the charges, appeaard. to b»' baaed upon certain co-called by a ceitain councillor. It would oe ^'eb to enquire into the arguments to see u wiey were founded on facts, l't was stated tnat there was delay in his department over the drainage scheme, and tliat no plans ooula te got ready for the Local uovernmeiit Board for a long time. In reply to that, lie would sav that on December IGtn, 1G07— nearlv a year age-—those plans, were reauy from "end* to end, and the estimates ready and presented to the Waters and Sewers Committee. -Air. Wyrill consulted the min- utes and went iiit-o cletail, showing, as he said, that CikJ work was proceeded with, then stopped, and another sc.'ieme brought forward, and finally the old scheme adopted. That was really not his delay, whilst one- half of the work in Brymnill-lane was done, and yet it was stated that the work had not bVeii commenced. Tlmi. was an element iiitrodii -3.1 to prejudice him. Further, he had ask.-d for assistance which was declined, though subsequently temporary assistance was granted, and yet the contracts were such that if it was private work he would have employed double the ist.aff. He had only got the final plans i-eady by working at night. Then it was stated that in accept- ing private practice he was acting in direct violation to his terms of service. In 1887 his terms were altered, for he made an application for an increase in salary which was not entertained, but it was cleaxly understood that if he had any opportunity of doing private work he should do it. Not only that, members of his committee had even suggested certain privale wort. though whenever any such work did offer itself he had spoken 'to the chairman of the com- mittee about it. Mr. Corker: Do you refer to me? The Engineer Öh, no: long before this committee. I^1.8 Mayor: I was going to put Mr. WynlI nght it is net in recent years. The Engineer said he was only endeavour- ing to show how the practice arose^and had been allowed ever since. The whole thing was open and above boaro. lie denied that he had been 23 days away in connection with the action taken bv the Ma.esteg con- tractor, and explained that what he told the sub-committee was that he had been reading the matter up and other things for days, but it should lie said that the whole of that time was after office hours, ••i-nd not in the Corporation time. l'nfor- innately the case went into the courts, and dragged on for seven davs. Then in regard to his work in connection with the Water LHHs, that occupied 35 days, a.nd again every minute of that time was his own and not the Corporation's. However, he certainly thought that precedent had established the fact that he could take in private work. Looking over past events he could not but say that it was want of tact on his pajt not to have spoken more freely to the members tv» .committee, but as the friction over the drainage scheme 'became more and more Pronounced it made him shrink into his office more than he should have done. It drove him off the committee, though he wanted to speak about those things freely. 1 lie re was not that frankness between them that there should have been, but somehow the seemed to go against it. The vote was then taken, and Mr. Davies' amendment lost by 14 to 20 votes, the names being :—For (14): Messrs. Morris, Dd. Williams, Colwill, Corker, Dd. iavies, Hemmings, Latimer, Livingston, Morrells, Mcly neux, Owen, Sinclair, Thoirtp- and Vivian. Against (20) Mayor, Howell Lewis, Martin, Matthews. Payne, Solomon, Wm. Williams, Philip Davies, T. xt Devonald, Dommett, Grwvnne, Harris, Hopkin, Bfn Jones, Lovell, Miles, ^uthen, Tutton and Howel Wat-kins. Mr. Miles thon submitted the following further amendment :—"Borough Engineer— In view of the fact that he did, in violation of his contract with this Corporation, en- gage to do certain work for other bodies, he is herebv ordered to pay the amount so earned into" the coffers of the borough, and that he be informod tliat in the event of any recurrence of similar circumstances this Council will have no alternative but to dis- pense with his services." The Mayor did not think any further dis- cussion was needed. Mr. Tutton pointed out that he was not satisfied tltore had been any violation of the terms of service. Mr. Harris: Is it not possible to ref-eir this back to the same sub-committee? (Cries of "No.") The vote was taken, and the amendment carried by 30 votes to three. For: Messrs. Howel Lefwis, Matthews, Morris, Payne, Solom<m, Dd. Williams, Cadwa-lladr, *Coi- will, Corker, Dd. Davies, Philip Davies, T. J. Davies, Dommett, Gwynne, Harris, Hemmings, Hopkin, Ben Jones, Latimer, Livingston. Lovell, Merrells, Miles, MOly- neux, Thompson, and Vivian. Against (3) Mayor, Martin, and Wm. WTilliams. Messrs. Tutton and Devonald did not vote.
SWANSEA MUNICIPAL REFQRM MOVEMENT.…
SWANSEA MUNICIPAL REFQRM MOVEMENT. 'THE *'1V £ T KS 0F THE PLATFORM. As reference 18 frequently made to the above it will be of mtei'eat to indicate to the public the five planks" m the plat- form. Sympathisers are urged to support any caodida.M who, being a iruui of busiii-esas capacity, is prepaied to endorse the plat- form, regardless of whatever views, political or roliffioufi? ay hoid. L The prevention of wasteful expenditure -(a) upon crude schemes; (b) avoidable litigation; (c) useless deputations, etc. 2. Higher efficiency in the public service. 3. Government audit of all public 3¡C- coums. 4. Fair representation of the watds on the aider manic beoch. 5. The fullest publicity ill regard to public affairs. The general committee includes the fol- lowing names;- The Hon. Odo Vivian, chairman. Mr. Edward Mills, vice-chairman. Mr. J. Corfield. Mr A. F- Eden- k,ir. W. H- Edwards. Mr." F. Gage. L Mr. John Glasbrook. Mr. Joseph Hall. Mr. J. R- Leaver. Sir It. A. Morris. Sir Griffith Thomas. Colonel J- W. Williams. Co-lonel J. Ropea- Wright. Colonel LJ. Morgan, hon. treasurer, Brynb^U11- Mr. L. G. Jeffreys, hon. searetary, 2, Gwydr Gardens. Executive (omnllttee;- The four officers as above. Mr. J. Corfield. Mr. A. F. Edep. Mr. W. H. Edwards. Mr. John Glasbrook. Sir Griffith Thomas. Colonel J. R. Wnghi.
ENVOY'S EXPERIENCE.
ENVOY'S EXPERIENCE. POLICE TAKE HIS PCRSE AND RANSACK HIS LUGGAGE. MAGNIFICENT RECEPTION BY THE CROWD. (Reuter Foreign Special). Belgrade, Tuesday.—General v'ukotitoh, tlte Envoy .Extraordinary of the Prince of Monteiifeg'iO to Kin" Peter, arrived here at noon to-uay. The following official account of hit, experiences at, Agram has been issued: General Vukotitch travelled from Monte- negro by way of Fi unite, and on arriving at Agiain he was ordered from this train by gendarmes and conducted to the Prefecture vi Police. There he was searched, and his purse and everything else he had in his possession taken from him. At the same time his baggage was completely ransacked. He told the gendarmerie officers his name, explained his status, and showed them the passport and the permit delivered to him by the Austro-Hungarian Legation at Cettinje, but all without any effect. He was, how- ever, allowed to send a telegram to Baron von Aehreaithal, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, complaining of the treat- ment he had received as a violation of international usage, and after some time an order came from V ienna for his release. The General was detained by the police for seven hours, and was delayed in his journey for fourteen hours, as he should have arrived her-e at 10 o'clock last evening. The affair has caused great excitement here. After the arrival of General V uL titch the University students, with banners, and a vast crowd gathered in front of the hotel in which he rs staving. The Genera] came out in Montenegrin costume and thanked the demonstrators for their ovation. Cheers were given for the Prince and Montenegro, and when the General entared a carriage to drive to the palace, in order to be received in audience by the King, the students unharnessed the horses and dragged the carriage as far as the Ministry for" Foreign Affairs, followed by an excited crowd.
TURKEY'S DEMANDS.
TURKEY'S DEMANDS. "STATUS QUO" IN EASTERN ROUMELLA Constantinople, Tuesday —I learn that tbe Cabinet last night decided to demand the s-t at us quo in Eastern Itoumelia and a guarantee of the integrity of the other European pro vices.-—("Daily Chronicle.")
--. -------.----SILF-DESTKUCTIQN.
SILF-DESTKUCTIQN. Every act, every thought, every rush of passion, every emotion, every movement of muscle or mind uses up some of the sub- stance of our bodies, just as every stop ill walking helps to wear out our shoes. Food repairs the loss to some extent, but the power to digest food grows less from year to year with use. That is t,he reason, sooner or later, we Itnwot die. Now take note. The faster you live, the more you waste; the more you throw away, the sooner you come to the end. Once more. The great waster, the great thief of life is illness. Then, you may lost in a month what might have lasted a year, and (remember!) not merely of flesh and strength, but of the power to get it back. Here is wbere Mother Seigel's Syrup does it wonderful work. It gives you back lost power. Not all of it, for then you oouiki live on for ever; but most of it. Convincing proof of this is afforded by the oaso of Mr. James S. Morton, of 233, Lymington Avenue, Lordship Lane, N-, who writes thus on July 17t.h, 1908: "In the winter of 1903-4, I was engaged upon a very arduous task which sometimes occupied me 18 hours a day, and on three or four occasions right through the night. Before it was completed I began to suffer from biliousness and indigestion. The pam at my chest after eating was unbearable, and my sight so much affected that printed lines seemed to me blurred and confused. Not until a friend of mine advised me to take Mother Seigel's Syrup did I find any relief. When 1 had taken about half of the second bottle, the pain after eating was less intense. By the time I had taken eight bottles of the Syrup my ailments had oom- p'k/tely left me. Indigestion is now no more to me than a painful memory." Mother Seigel's Syrup is also -prepared m Tablet form, as Mother Seigel's Syrup Tablets. Price 2/9.
Advertising
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LLANELLY DOCK IMPROVEMNET.…
LLANELLY DOCK IMPROVEMNET. The improvement of the dock entrance at Llanelly has now been completed at a cost of £ 288, and when the cement is properly hardened scouring will be continued with a view of clearing the channel. There has been scour for three years, in coneequertjoe of the damage that was being caused to the entrance. The cement now laid down will prevent amy further damage.
DEATH OM MR. JN0. iWDON-Ud).
DEATH OM MR. JN0. iWDON-Ud). Swarasea. Roman Catholics and many others will leaan with regret of the death on Th-utadav morning, at his residence, 83, Oxford-street, of Mr. John McDonald, aged 64, for upwards of 33 years district traveller to Messrs. Fulton and Co., wine and spirit merchants. Deceased leaves a widow and three sons, Rees and Charles (of Messrs. ^^u&oo's), a,ni? Duncan (of Loodoni.
ST. DAVID'S DIOCESAN CONFERENCE.
ST. DAVID'S DIOCESAN CONFERENCE. For the convenience and benefit of those attending the St. David's Diocesan Confer- ence at Tenby, the reception secretary has arranged with the Great Western. Company for members of the conference, upon pro- duction of membership tickets aA booking oftiœs. to grant return tickets at a fare and a quarter for the double journey.
--TRY THIS TQ-DAY.
TRY THIS TQ-DAY. A SnfPIÆ CURE FOR ALL FORMS OF NERVE AND BODILY WEAKNESS. COSTS A FEW PENCE. The following are amongst the roany thousands of well known and influential people aLl over the country who are dadiy testifving to the unique merits of Dr. Casisell's Tablets as a cure for weakness, loss of flesh, and nerve, stomach and kid- ney troubles. Dr. Rarasay Colles, J.P., LL-D., 48, Rri.ii oeis-square, liayswater, writes, "a and reliable remedy for nerve and bodiJy w-eakness. Major. Gen. Sia- John Campbell, C.B.. 4, Pa-rk-place, London, "remarkably effective." Ladv Briggs. Uharies-skreet, London Bays* "most efB<ajcious. Madame Qara Noveltlo Davies, 143, Snt4ieiria»d Avenue. London, the famous Weilsh pruna-donraa, writes "sate, pleasant a.nd effective for nerve and digestive troubles." Dr. Bot- wood, ph.D.. 74, Miicklegaite, York, says a really trustworthy household remedy." Dr. CaaseLl's Tablets the family doctor now in thousands of British hornes, can be obtained for 10 £ d.a Is. 1¥!. and 2s. 9d. of all chemists
EX-SWANSEA PLAYER'S DOWNFALL.
EX-SWANSEA PLAYER'S DOWNFALL. SAD CASE AT EOW-STREET. A sad eajt»e was uiifoi<ied at the Bow Street London Polioe Court before Sir Albert de Butsseu on ha,,u.-oay, when Albert Edward Freear, 29. who is well known in Swansea, was charged with embezzling £58. t.he monies of his employer, Mr Harvey de Gros, who trades as Gladiator Motor Company. Ixmgacre. It was stated for the pi-ost-cution that prisoner was employed as storekeeper and it was part of his duty to receive sums oi money on behalf of his employer. A little time ago Freear absented himself from his duties and a few days later he wrote to the manager confessing that he taken sums amounting to beween .,¿4C and £50, He also expressed his regret for what he had done and said that hoe had hoped to refund the money. hut had found that it wa.s imp06sibl" to do so. This confession led to an eJiamin- ation of his books, further irregularities were discowred, artd tbe total amount miss- ing sound to be £58. Prisoner made a long statement to the magistrate in which he .said that he bad had a deal of trouble aiid was tempted as he had a wife and three children to support. Sir Albert de Rvtzen passed sentence of four months imprisonment. It will be remeni ^ered that Freear, a few seasons ago played for Swansea and Aber- avon and that he is an ex-Irish Interna- tional three-quarter. He afterwards joined Hull Kingston Rovers (Northern Union) team.
SWANSEA OXF0BD-STB E E T SCHOOLS.
SWANSEA OXF0BD-STB E E T SCHOOLS. MR. MABTIN'JS "FACT." At Wednesday's meeting of the Swansea Town Council, Mr Cadwalladr drew attention to an Edu- cation Committee minute in which consent was asked by the hon. secretary of the Ox- ford-street (Schools to the appomunenx of a young lady its a pupil teacher. The clerk reported that he had informed the young lady she was not qualified for the position. Mr. Cadwidladr said it was very difficult to work in the schools under the present con- ditions, and there were 66 more children than they had teaching power for. He moved that the matter be referred back with instructions to provide an additional mistress until the school is ready. Mr. Corker seconded. During discussion Mr. Martin declared that curates and others had been going round to parents asking them to send their children to Oxiord-street Schools. jitr. Cadwalladr No. Mr. Martm It is a fat,. -Air. Cadwalladr: Prove it. Mr. Martm How to account, for it you must explain, but it is a fact. The amendment was loet, the voting be- ing For 19),. — Messrs. (aawalladr, Corker, i>d. J: avies, Henimings, Hopkin, MolvneuX, bin,c. ir' ^ompson, Vivian. Agairtot-"i16nr' H°wel I^wis, Mar- tin, Payne, LW- Williams. Wm. Williams, Colwill, T- J- devonald, Gwynne, Harris Alilas, Owen, Ruthen and 1 uaon. The Mavor and Mr. Livingston did not vote.
KONTENEU30 ENVOY SEARCHED
KONTENEU30 ENVOY SEARCHED AUSTRIANS' AEBITRAR i ACTION A message received by the "Daily Post" from the Press Association on Wednesday morning stated that Reuters Agency had had no information of a reported fight be- tween Turks and Bulgarians.
_.-----------------PICTURESQUE…
PICTURESQUE IRELAND. ME. RICHARD K'^R'S LECTURE AT SWANSEA. There was a splendid attendance at the SwaJisea Albert Hall on Monday evening when Mr. Richlrd Kerr,. F.R.A.S., delivered a "V.M.C.A." lecture on "Pic- turesque Ireland." The lectu-re was full of genuine, rich Irish humour. The audience greatly appTec'a^(l the Tri-'i witticisms. It was illustrated by a series of magnificent- photographic views, which themselves spoke of the beauty of Ireland.
A SCIENTIFIC WONDER.
A SCIENTIFIC WONDER. THE SECRET OF A FAMOUS HEAL- ING-BALM AND SKIN-CURE. The re-discovery of a secret that has lain hidden in the dust of 20 centuries is an event full of fascinating interest, anti the story of Zam-Buk, the now world-uiimea first-aid and skin-cure, will always enlist attention. Zam-Buk is the virtual descen- dant of those wonderful and mysterious herbal balms by the use of which the manly athletes of Ancient Greece and the stal- wun gladiators of Rome ensured the healthi- ness and ready-healing of their skins. Many are the attempts made of late to produce a perfect balm for the skin, but undoubtedly the greatest success in this direction has been achieved by the discovery of Zam-Buk. In the course of the investigation, which was long and costly, many disappointments had to be suffered, but when at length the long-sought for secret stood revealed and success was realised, Zam-Buk was welcomed in mansion "and cottage, and the people of two hemispheres immediately realised that they' had been placed in possession of a unique cure for skin complaints. The reasons for this triumph of science are simple and few. Taking a lesson from the Ancients, the proprietors of Zam-Buk first of all wisely decided that the ideal balm must be purely herbal and contain not the slightest trace of rancid animal fats or poisonous minerals. This was felt to be necessary on the score of high medicinal efficacy, apart from the better "keeping" quality of a puiely herbal preparation. Thus Zam-Buk is made solely from rich and pure essences obtained from certain rare medicinal herbs. These juices or extracts are prepared and refined by ingenious scientific processes, and then so skilfully blended that a unique, effective, and yet perfectly natural preparation for dispelling skin-disea..<;e is secured. Zam-Buk has an affinity for the human skin such as no ordinary ointment or lini- ment can possibly possess. Besides sooth- ing pain and allaying irritation, it possesses unique antiseptic and germicidal qualities which virtually chase disease germs out of their hiding-places in the skin tissues; at the same time it purities the pores and in- vigorates the natural functions of the skin in a way that no other preparation can. Zam-Buk: solves in a perfect manner the problem of always having handy at home or at one's work an ever-ready and reliable first-aid for cuts, burns, scalds, bruises, lacerations, scratches, etc. Zam-Buk is without equal for eczema, ulcers, piles, bad legs, ringworm, scalp sores, festering sores, sprains, stiffness, poisoned wounds of all kinds, breakings-out, face sores, chafing, sore feet, diseased ankles, and all itching, irritation and inflammation. Zam-Buk is a daily need in every house- hold and is sold by ail chemists, at 1/li,, 2/9, and 4/6 per box. or from The Zam-Buk Co., Cow Cross Street. London, E.C.
SWANSEA MOTOR CAR ON FIRE
SWANSEA MOTOR CAR ON FIRE GLYN NEATH ACCIDENTS: OCCU- PANTS JUMP OUT. A motor-car belonging to Mrs. M. Evans, Wyndham Hotel, Swansea, driven by Mr. David Evans, who was accompanied by Messrs. S. L. Evans, George Cann (Orange- st.reet, Swansea), and Sullivan, Jersey Beach Hotel, Aberavon, had a serious mishap on Thursday a.bout a mile and a half from Glyn Neath. They were going up a hill, and finding the gear wa.s too high to climb it was changed to a lower gear, but the car, instead of going forward, descended backwards down the hill. The occupants jumped out, and the car ran into a bank and caught fire until nothing was left of it except the en- gine and framework. It lies in a dingle a-bout thirty feet below the road. Mr. Cann was slightly injured in jumping out.
-.-..--; SWANSEA CHILD'S DEATH…
SWANSEA CHILD'S DEATH FROM BURNS- PATHETIC AFFAIR: PEATED WTTH1 MATCHES. An inquest was held at Swansea Hospital on Thursday on the body of Francis Henry Bird (3), son of Victor Arthur Bird, tram conductor, 97, St. Helen's-avenue, who died on Wednesday from the effects of burns. The mother said on September 15 the child came to her bedroom and on returning to his room must have taken a box of matches with him. She heard a scream and when she went into the room found him in flames. A verdict of "Death from Shock" was re- turned.
SWANSEA INSURANCE SUPERINTENDENT
SWANSEA INSURANCE SUPERIN- TENDENT SUMMONED BY MERTHYR GUAR- DIANS. MAINTENANCE OF WIFE "A RIDI- CULOUS AMOUNT." At Merthyr on Tuesday David Stephens, insurance superintendent, Mansel-terrace, Swansea, was summoned by the Merthyr Board of Guardians for non-payment of £3 4s. 9d., due in respect of the mainten- ance of his wife and child. Mr. E. T. James, clerk to the Board, said the wife was admitted to the infirmary on September 17th, and the child was born on October 6th. The parties were separated by agreement, which he produced, and which stated that the defendant agreed to pay his wife 7s. a month. This, said Mr. James, was a ridiculous amount- Defendant, who was said to earn £2 10s. a week, was ordered to pay the money claimed with costs
[No title]
My. John Evans, 12, CLarerioe-terrace. is fulfilling a contract to send out to Chicago, U.S.A., by the s.s. Cedric, a number of bigh class tumbler pigeons. The birds from his lofts have done remarkably well a.t 311 shows where they have been ex- hibited.
Advertising
FREE TO LADIES. A SAMPLE of the MOST RELIABLE REMEDY ever discovered for Irregularities and Suppressions, from any cause, can be had post free. Guaranteed effective in a few hours. Impossible to fail. Delay is dangerous. Send at once to Nurse S. C. MANN, 49. Frith-Street, London, W. The Ladies' Friend and Guide to Health oiso free. (Send 00 money). 216
-------------RESOLVEN CHILE).
RESOLVEN CHILE). FATAL FALL: CLIMBED A WALL. Nellie Morgan (5), daughter of w iiliam Morgan, Gored Cottages, Itesoiven, was climbing a wall on Monday, when sue tell six feet. A piece of stone coping fell on her, in- flicting such severe injuries that death took place in about twenty miautes.
-------SWANSEA Y.M.C.A. EAIAAR.
SWANSEA Y.M.C.A. EAIAAR. DRESSES WORN AT THE OPEN IN G CEKEMONY. "GWYNETH" CHATS ABOUT THE LADIES' GOWNS. At the Swansea Y.M.C.A. live days' bazaar, which commenced on Tuesday after- noon, those present at the opening ceremony included the Hot.. Elaine Jenkins, Mrs. Aero a Thomas and Miss Thomas, Mrs. D. Harris, Rev. W. Talbot Rice, IVi'r.s. and the Misses Benson, Mr. and Mrs. Howel Wat- kins, Miss Effie Watkins and Alias Ethel Watkins, Mr. and Mrs. i-I..Bellingham, Mrs. Morgan Williams, Mr. and Mrs. n. W. Jones, Dr. and Mrs. Eben. Davies, Mr. Joseph Hall, Mrs. F. Edwards, Mrs. Arthur Davies, Mrs. W. H. Essery. Mrs. D. Mat thews, M'fs. H. D. Williams. Mi. and Mrs. J. Jones, Mrs. T. P. Richards, :Mrs. B. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Williams, Mrs. W. Edwards, Mrs. Poi.tifex. Mr. and Mrs. Hew. Jenkins. Mr. and Mrs. Astley Samuel, Councillor Cadwalladr, Mr. and Mre. R. Lewis, Miss Powell, etc. The at tendance was an excellent one. After Mr. D. Thomas, M.A., Mus. Iiac., had given an organ recital, a liymn had been sung, and prayer offered by the vicar. The Chairman (Mr. Howel Wa.tkins) speke of the good work being done by the association. In September. 1906, the mem- bership was 450, whereas to-day it Wa.8 768, representing a 1JrogUf-s of 70 pèr cent. Side by side with the social and physical culture development they hr.d had the development cf real reliffious activity, which J-md not been neglected in any way. Mr. Watkins proceeded to sneak of the valuable work 1(}n2 by the lady helpers. (Applausre.) h- }Ten. Elaine Jenkins, who was pre- ,t, -1 wit 1, brmrmet r>t. the handy of little Miss DiJys Jones (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Jones) then declared the bazaar opfen in a graceful speech. Mrs. Fricker then sang, after which Mr. Joseph Flail proposed, and Dr. Eben- "'1;CT Davies seconded the usual voles of thanks. WHAT TEE LADIES WCRE ON THE OPENING "DAY. The Hon. Elaine Jenkins wore a black silk eo!ienne Empire gown, and the very becom- ing hat worn with this gown was a large black one with black ostrich plumes and ospreys. Mrs. Charles Wright wore a very becom- ing gown of rose colour cloth made In the Empire style. The bodice wa.s trimmed with cream lace, while the skirt was prettily tucked and finished with a broad band of velvet at the foot Mrs. Aesron Thomas came in a pretty beaver costume, braided by hand, and a dainty touch was added by the lace under bodice. The hat was of navy silk, trimmed with tulle, and large plume of the same shade. Miss Aeron Thomas had a very stylish mole-corded velvet coat, and dainty lace blouse, and the hat was of the lai'ge Cloche persuasion, and was trimmed with Nole and Saxe chiffon in a large choux. Mrs. Ernest Davies looked charming in a heliotrope Empire gown, with a feather boa of the same tone as the gown, the accom- pany chapeaux was of helio velvet, while a large ostrich feather was carelessly drooping on the hair. Mrs. R. Jones looked very smart in a grey silk gown trimmed with cream lace. With this gown she wore a cream hat trimmed with a large pink rose and tloraJ chiffon. Mrs. T. P. Richards wore a black and white silk gown, and a black silk coat, and her bonnet was of black crinoline and white osprey. Mrs. Dr. Ebenezer Davies came in a black gown a.nd silk lace coat, and her French bonnet was composed of cream lace and vio- lets finished off with an osprey. Mrs. David Harris choose a very smart black gown, with handsome Honiton lace berthe. Her large (Cloche) Fiat was of silk, trimmed with tulle and feathers. Mrs. Richard Lewis looked handsome in a striped silk gown, trimmed with cream lace and passementerie. Mrs. G. S. Jones had a pretty gown of pale blue eolienne with sleeves and vest of crea.m net. Little Miss Dilys Jones (who presented the Hon. Elaine Jenkins with a bouquet) looked charming in a French frock of cream silk and Val. lace. Mrs. H. S. Smart was attired in a pretty blue floral voile gown, trimmed with cinna- mon brown silk, and her beat was of cream straw, trimmed with a large choux of chif- fon. Mrs. Trevor Williams was handsomely gowned in golden brown satin, and her hat was of the same satin, finished off with a large plume. Mrs. Owen John looked lovely in an old rose cloth gown, and a large black chip hat with large black wings and roses to tone with the gown. The Misses Kerr looked exceedingly pretty in gowns of cream voile and guipure lace, and large black hats with wings. "GWYNETH."
SWANSEA OUTRAGE.¡
SWANSEA OUTRAGE. KING'S DOCK LABOURER SAVAGELY ATTACKED. William. Snowden, labourer, of No. 5, Gelli-street, Port Tennant, whilst returning to work at the King's Dock after having been to tapper late on Wednesday ni,ght, w as savagt*ly attacked by a man after de- manding food and left unconscious. Snowden is now lying at the Swansea Hos- pital suffering from a severe se;Up wound, and r Thursday morning was reported to be still in a temi-conscious state. He says the man asked him if he had any food, and Snowden replied, "Yes, but none to give away," whereupon he was struck in the chest and remembered no more.
CORPORATION ACCOUNTS
CORPORATION ACCOUNTS STRONG PLEA FOR GOVERNMENT AUDIT. COUN. THOMPSON'S MOTION DE- FEATED. At Wednesday's meeting of the Swansea Council, the Mayor presiding, Mr. Thompson, in moving a resolution in favour of a Government audit of municipal accounts, made a most convincing speech, in which he urged upon the Corporation that between the two systems of audit—that ot the Government audit and the elective au- ditors' system—the comparison was greatly in favour of the former. lie quoted by way 01 comparison of the duties and powers from "The Encyciopoiaia oi Local Government Law," edited by Mr. Schoheld, the author of the well known work on "Private Streets Act, 189:2," etc., and urged that the whole trend of modern legislation was in favour oi a Government audit. County Councils, Education Authorities, Asylums Visiting Committees, Urban and Rural District Coun- cils, Boards of Guardians, etc., were named as bodies whose accounts wore subject to Government audit, Mr. Thompson saying that su^h audit applied to all local authori ties of recent creation. The qualifications of Government auditors and elective audi- tors respectively were detailed, the point being emphasised that a Government audi- tor was required to devote the whole of his time to the duties of the office,, which was not the case with elective auditors, whilst, as to the comparative powers, Air. Thomp- son, quoting Mr. Schofield, said that a Government auditor had to see that all books of account were kept in proper form, Government auditor had to see that all books of account were kept in proper form, that the particular items of expenditure were stated with sufficient detail, that every voucher was properly produced and marked, and, about all, that he should reduce such payments and charges as were exorbitant, and surcharge monies not properly accounted for or lost by. negligence, upon the person who had to account for the same, or whose negligence or improper conduct had caused the loss, and should disallow and strike out lull ravnients as were not authorised by law. Further—and Mr. Thompson laid par- ticular emphasis upon it—enquiry should be made whether there were any lands or tene- ments, or stock, or other property from which' an income was or might be derived, and if so whether the income obtained was the fair value or produce of the property. Where there was such property—and, said Mr. Thompson, Swansea had got such pro- pei-ty—a Government auditor was required to have a register of such lands and tene- ments produced at the audit, and also an inventory of stock or other property. Those important checks were compared with the extremely vague and indefinite provisions as to the powers of elective auditors in respect to whom it was not. clear whether they could «:: production of minute books, ap- pointments. and bonds of insurance policies, I etc. Cases, said Mr. Thorn-on. had been known where elective auditors had been re- fused access to certain documents. Mr. Merrt'.lls disputed this. Mr. Thompson, continuing, also urged that elective auditors had no power to take any action in cases of failure tc pay over monies belonging to the Corporation, and there was no power given to surcharge nor any means of enforcing their decisions. Dealing with the question of illegal ex- penditure, Mr. Thompson showed how ne- gative were the powers of the elective au- ditors, compared with those possessed in the case of a Government audit, where the remedy was speedy and cheap, and said on that point that again the balance oi com- parison was overwhelmingly in favour of the Government auditor. The power to in- spect public accounts was treated in a sim- ilar comparative way, and then a§^t° the cost of the two systems he shewed that the cost to the Corporation adopting a Govern- ment audit was less than the cost of the present system. If adopted in Swansea at least 110 extra burden would be cast upon the ratepayers. Tunbridge V< eds, Bar- mouth. Southend-on-Sea, and other places were named as having gone in for a Gov- ernment audit of municipal accounts, and with regard to the Plymouth Corporation Act. 1904, that was only obtained on con- dition that the Corporation accounts should be subject to a Government audit. A sim- ilar provision was made in the case of the Swindon Corporation, and to oome nearer home the Merthyr Tydvil Steam Confirma- tion Act, 1905, embodied a. similar provision. Swansea might entertafti the suggested change, he thought, by means of a Provi- sional Order. In conclusion, Mr. Thompson quoted Mr. Schofield, when he declared that the system of the audit of accounts of Muni- cipal Corporations had been very much dis- cussed in recent years, but the concensus of opinion clearly seemed to be that the exist- ing system was far from satisfactory. The Joint Select Committee on Municipal Trad- ingj "with respect to those audits, said that the evidence showed no effective system of audit was supplied. The elective auditors were ^nerally speaking, poorly paid, or little interest was taken in their election. and although in some cases they were able to lay a finger upon a particular irregular- ity. it was not clear that they could not make the same discovery in the capacity of active ratepayers. No complete or contin- uous audit was ever attempted by them. With those opinions Mr. Thompson beaj-tily agreed and submitted his resolution. Mr. Hemmings "seconded, and said a Gov- ernment audit would certainly lie more satis- factory than the present system. Mr. Tuttcn said if they were spending Government, money he could quite under- stand a Government auditor having cont. >1, but were they going to allow themselves in the- expenditure of their own money to be controlled by an outsider. The speaker did not feel disposed to go any further under this departmental control. They proposed to call someone in to demonstrate that they had not sufficient sense to spend their own money. Mr. Tutton deprecated departmen- t.al interference, and if any town should go against it it was Swansea. They could not get a more able accountant for auditor than Mr. Cawker, and it was a doubtful compli- ment to sro outside. Aid. D. Williams said Mr. Thompson had not given the experience of any Corporation who had got a Local Government Board au- ditor. Mr. Williams spoke of the experi- ence of Plymouth, as given in the Munici- pal Journal." and said after hat he was not Ung to be a party to the change it was, the speaker alleged, an attempt from the Anti-Municipal League to prevent the people trading: and it was a move to stop munici- pal enterprise. If the peap e were capable of selecting their representatives, were they not equally capable of selecting elective au- ditors to look after their finances? One who himself felt the burden of the rates would have greater interest in looking into the finances than a man called in from outside. Aid. Morris moved the question be put. i^r Tutton seconded. yr. D. Davies said he wae entitled to gpeak. and proceeded to say that he- did not attach any importance to the opinion of the Plymouth Council as quoted by Alderman David Williams. They well understood there were Councillors in Poplar and other districts who were even more opposed to a Government auditor than the Council of Plymouth. The speaker was thinking of the ratepayers, and it was in the interest, of the ratepayers he was sup porting Mr. Thompson's proposition. It had been s;.o,iQ there had been nc borough yet- with the experience of a Government audi- tor. but wuat about the London boroughs. Did not a Government, auditor bring about the disclosures they had read of? And tlie talk a-bout the report of a Government all.Jdi tor not being to the liking of a Council; was the report of the elective auditors at Swan \<ea to the liking of thl CouncilJõi-s? The defect, of the elective auditors report was that it had no practical effect of any kind. The speaker had proposed a permissn e clause to be inserted in the Corporation Bill of 1902 giving power to call in a.n auditor j 1 if they cboce. Probahiy the Cbrpora&A ^.would be going to Parliament next Session and Mr. Davies wanted to insert such a pad- missive clause as indicated. Elective audi- tors bad no control whatever and oauId not be interrogated. The trust of the public as regard the elective auditors' election had been referred to, but was it not a notorious fact that but for the personal canvassing oi a candidate not one-twentieth of the elector- ate would vote at all. Aid. D. Williams said the same thing ap- plied in a municipal election. Mr. D. Davies asked if it was not a fiact that local feeling ran stronger in Morriston than in other parte of the borough, and the ratepayers there were practically able to secure the return of a mac, the poll gen- erally showing that, the people at large took no interest at all in the election of elective auditors.. And then as to the suggestion of being under the control of the Local Gov- ernment Board. The powers of a Local Government Board auditor were limited strictly by law, and a Government, auditor had no right to interfere with anything the Council did within the law. The power of such an auditor only commenced when the Council went outside the law, and did ir- regular things. Mt. Davies did not suggest there was an element of the same kind at Swansea as had been disclosed in places like Poplar, but because of that the Councfl ought to be more anxious to press for a Government auditor and so give the rate- payers the security they ought to have. By the disclosures recently at Poplar and else- where the confidence of the ratepayers throughout the kingdom had been shaken, and it was now the duty of Town Councils to build up that confidence again. He vae surprised to hear anyone say that the move- ment was a reactionary one. Why it wa.s embodied in every measure passed in Par- liament by the Progressives in recent years. Every new lnxiv was saddled with the ob ligation to provide a Government auditor. The new Education Bill—not the old one— included this provision, and Parliament had not created a single public body in re- cent years without compelling them to in- cur this obligation. And talk about the interference of the Local Government Board, why the sohools accounts were subject to a Government auditor. Mr. Tutton Government money. Mr. D. Davies asked were not the rates collected in Swansea, and proceeded to say that a large proportion of the Council's ex- penditure was represented by rates, and yet that expenditure was subject to a Govern- ment auditor. The money of the Board of Guardians, also raised from the rates, was subject to a Government a-uditoT. He sug- g'isted that the proposal was an undemo- cratic movement, was a play upon wards, and a perversion of the meaning of wards. The absence of auditors was part of the old system auditors wer part of the new sys- tem, by which the public were protected from wrong of every kind. Alderman Solomon sa.id he was in favour of a Government auditor, but only at such time when that Government auditor was a competent person. Auditom, he reminded them, would have power to surcharge moneys which the Council, representing the people, considered necessary. What would a Local Government Board auditor say. for instance. to voting a special grant for the reception of the Church Congress delegates next year? And, after all, about 95 per cent. of the sur- charges were allowed on appeal to the Local Government Board. Mr. Livingston supported. He was strongly in favour of the principle of a Government au- ditor but in view of the far-reaching 000- sequences of the suggested change, he pro- poscd the election of a sub-committee to 000- sider the whole question. There was no seconder to this. Mr. Colwill said as a rule many of the gentlemen who held Goyernment auditors positions were legal gentlemen, and he pro- ceeded to argue that they had the power in their own hands, instancing the Cockerton case. If the Council parted with the powers they possessed then municipal enterprise would have a serious check indeed. Mr. Me r re Lis asked if the Council waa afraid to trust itself, and if the people wem afraid to trust its representatives. He maintained everything done by the Council had been perfectly within the four corners of the law. but a Government auditor would place such interpretations on the law as to constitute almost a law himself. There were many things the Council did Which, with the advent of a Local Government Boa.rd auditor, wouid be outside the law. Take the Dust Destructor. Did they think a Government auditor would allow the Cor- poration to sell a ton of mortar unless they had special powers? Why, the Council would be cribbed in every particular, and they would become the slaves of a dictator and autocrat. Mr D. Davies: Are we in educational matters ? Mr. MerrelK spoke of how Mr. Wicna3i had been surcharged 6Jrd for a tea at, the Industrial School. Mr. Thompson Excellent principle. Mr. Merrejls pointed out that no Govern- ment auditor discovered the Poplar scandal. Tire amendment of Mr. TIK)mTwxmi waa lost on a vote as foJIow!" :-For (6): Messrs. Corker, D. Davies. Hemmings, Molynetcx, Sinclair and Thompson. Against (12): The Mayor, Aid. Morris, Payne, Solomon, D. Williams, Messrs. Colwill. Gwynne, Harris, Hopkins, Merrells. Owen, Tutton. Mr. Livingston did not vote. The Council rose at 10.20 p.m.
BLACKMAIL SENTENCES.
BLACKMAIL SENTENCES. LITTERS SENT TO MRS. JOEL. PRISONERS PLEAD GUILTY. At the Old Bailey on Thursday CharieB Win born (30). farrier, and Arthur Thomas, Canham (22), farrier. Manor Paxk, were sen- tenced to five and three yeans' penal servi- tude respectively for feloniously sending to Mir. J. B. Joel letters demanding £ 500 by menaces, and for sending to Mrs. Joel a let- ter threatening to murder Mr. J. B. JoaL Botlh prisoners pleaded guilty. Chief Detective Inspector Collins said the prisoners had hitherto borne good charac- ters. The police had no knowledge of any society in this country known as the 'Cam- erista Movenero," which words hea.ded the letter to Mrs. Joel, and the only othetr letter known to have been written in that name was one dated December 27th last, which was received by the Earl of longdate. It contained the following passage — "Sir if you require any of the property that was taken from Barlerthorpe Hall, they will be returned to you on following condi- tions :—That you send jei50 to a place to be named hereafter. Also give us your word of honour that you will in no way try to dis- cover oa- trap us during the transaction. On reoeipt of that sum we promise to send the whole of the goods by messenger. Detective inspector Collins added that last December the Ea.rl of I>onedaie's house at Barlevthorpe Hall, Rutlandshire, was en- tered by burglars and considerable property stolen. On receipt of the letter Lord I>ons- dale caused a notice to be inserted in a daily paper, and he heaird no more of the matter. Justice Bingham, in sentencing the prison- ers, said the offence was a very serious one and was getting too frequent. He thought if there was anything to choose between ao- cused, Winborne was the principal instigator of the letters.
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Mr. Kel-r, bv way of introduction, dealt with the affinity of Irishmen and Welsh- men, an/i 6poke of the great men Ireland had prodUICed-Lords Egberts, Beresfotd, Well- ington, etc- Ireland, he said, was not a •nrtrv of wwnrds. He then touched on the poverty existing in Ireland—esve in the [rr eat i n d nstrial cent-req-but. nevertheless, the Irishman was always vivacious. He (Mr. Kerr) could' not ma;ke out why people went to Switzerland for their holidays with- out first visiting Ireland. "Leave the priests. religion and the Virgin Mary alone," he said, "and you can go where you like and have what you like." The early history of Ireland was also touched upon, and its educational establishments, and the civilising influence of. Irish missionaries over the inhabitAnts of Scotland and Eng- la,nd. The descriptive touIr through Ireland 00- gan at Dublin Bay, and reference was made to the round towers, abbevs, natural bridges, groups of seven churches, ancient crosses, castles, etc. Mr. Kerr gave most interesting legends and theories. rejecting the groups of seven churches and the Giants' C-awseway. The lecture was interesting throughout., and greatly enjoyed. The Mayor (Aid. 1--00) presided.