The North Wales Express

NOTES OF THE WEED, 'I Conservatives of Carnarvon and Ban- le bave been very active during the past days. Meetings of a private and public aracter have been held by them, and seems to point to the fact that are bent upon doing all they possibly to defeat Mr Lloyd George, the popular th f°r the Carnarvon Boroughs, at a +tDext 8eneral election. Mr George is fef ^eir side, and his attitude with erence to the war has made them more than ever to gain their object. ey rely mainly on Liberal defections for *n*;Cess at the poll, and they try every fond earnient to win the affections those Liberals who disagree Ath Mr Lloyd George upon the war 5Qestion. Conservative meetings are now as "Imperial demonstrations," and • Party have been generous enough to Liberals to attend, thinking they faith ^ecome proselytes to the "Imperial" One of these "Imf>erial demonstrations" held 011 Thursday night at the Car- arvon Drill Hall—a building which is °sely associated with everything that is j^Hservative. Of course, there were the 8ual decorations — primroses, flags, and ■Hinerettes. galore — and these, together £ *th a little music, served to cover "a mul- *^de of something that we cannot de- scribe." When the Conservatives lack elo- ^Uence and oratory, which is often the case, «, 6y indulge in a little music, always of a <(Patriotic" character. They like to howl v*od Save the Queen" and "God Bless the rince of Wales," but it is beneath their SSftity to sing "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." his noble song they leave for Liberal gatherings, and Liberals of the right sort always delight in singing it. Welsh Lib- erals love their native country, but Welsh conservatives are a class who despise the c*aims of Wales. One of the mottoes above the platform ?t the Drill Hall was the trite one "Patriot- ism before party." This naturally led one t° think that the speakers would expatiate patriotism, and would leave party pol- itics severely alone; but this they did not **°- We were led to believe that the Con- 8ervatives had given us everything that was worth having, in fact, our very existence seemed to have been due to the "wise ad- ministration" of Tory Governments. The Principal resolution, which was proposed by "rofessor Alfred Hughes — a gentleman Who suffered a severe defeat in the Arvon division at the last election-had reference to the war, but the subsequent speakers **igressed from the subject' to such an ex- tent that one had forgotten what the re- solution was about. Professor Hughes, ^ho is a fluent speaker, saoid that one had to go to the extreme corners of the kingdom to find men who spoke against the war, and instanced Dr Clark, Mr Courtney, and Mr Lloyd George — three Liberals — but he bailed to mention Sir Edward Clarke in the ^jstreme south. The reason why is obvious. Sir Edward Clarke is a Conservative, and he resigned his seat rather than change his Opinions in regard to the war, which he be condemned. The chairman of the meeting—or rather *6 demonstration—was Mr Lloyd Hughes, Coedhelen, who spoke at considerable fength on a variety of subjects, and Amongst them zoology. At any rate he informed his hearers that the Transvaal or the Orange Free State was at one time in- vested by all kinds of strange animals, \V'bich he enumerated. He regretted the attack made upon Mr Lloyd George at Bangor, but "thought that he had largely brought it upon himself; and he could hard- ly blame the men who tried to prevent pub- lic speakers from uttering sentiments which Were little short of traitorous." He also • added that there was no other country in the world where such freedom would be given to public speakers. Very likely not; Jt is to the freedom we enjoy that Britain Owes her greatness. It is idle to talk of what might have happened 150 years ago. We live in the present, enjoying the glor- IOUS inheritance won for us by our fore- fathers. When Mr Lloyd George first came out as a candidate for Parliamentary honours, the Conservatives spoke of him in disparaging terms. He was described as quite an or- dinary solicitor unable to speak English! But the Conservatives have had many a ^de awakening since then, and their views have undergone a complete change. "They do not," said Mr Lloyd Hughes, the other night, "deny his great intellect and power." It would be foolish on their part to do so. His eloquence is so captivating and his in- I fluence so great that the Conservatives feel ,that they must get him out of the way, by hook or by crook — and the present is the opportune time — otherwise Conservatism Will become a thing of the past in the con- stituency. Mr Lloyd George is no craven, and "he is bold enough to say that he be- lieves the war to be unjust" despite what Professor Hughes and others may say to the contrary. When the time comes Lib- erals will, no doubt, sink their little differ- ences and again return Mr Lloyd George at the head of the poll. The Bangor Conservative meeting was held on Friday night, and, as' at Carnar- von, no attempt was made to create a dis- turbance. In this particular the Liberals are wiser in their generation than the Tories, who show their appreciation of the right of free speech by smashing windows and inflicting personal violence. The Pen- rhyn Hall, where the meeting was held, was decorated with the inevitable primrose; I and in order to prevent the proceedings be- coming insipid a little music was intro- duced. The speakers included Mr E. Gray, M.P., the educationist, Professor Hughes, and Mr Morgan James, B.A. The last-named gentleman addressed the Car- narvon gathering) and much of his speech. at Bangqr was a repetition of what he said the previous night. Professor Hughes, in criticising Mr Lloyd George's recent speech at Bangor, said it was an appeal to senti- ment, "which covered a multitude of ig- norances." This statement was met with cries of "No, no," and the speaker cor- rected himself, saying that "it covered a multitude of things which he did not know how to describe." Mr Gray is evidently a great believer in Mr Chamberlain, "who had been," in his opinion, "as meek as Closes and as patient as Job." At the tail ^nd of the meeting Mr Lloyd Carter, soli- citor, the probable Conservative candi- date, came forward to address the audience, and was greeted with cries of "The new Member." Speaking to a resolution pledg- ing the meeting to do its utmost to defeat the candidature of Mr Lloyd George at the next election, he said he believed that Mr Lloyd George had had notice to quit. Mr Carter, however, did not say who had given him notice to quit. The Liberals have not; and it will not be in the power of the Conservatives to put the notice into effect to meet the wishes of Mr Carter. While the Carnarvon Conservatives were holding a demonstration on Thursday, the Party leaders nt .Bnnrror were feasting. Tn proposing tnw toast of the "Conservative cause" Mr David Williams said that "ignor- ant Radicalism was just now in the ascen- dant" in the Carnarvon Boroughs. In the light of recent events at Bangor this is certainly an extraordinary statement to make. Ignorant Conservatism, which ap- pears to be in the ascendant at Bangor, is responsible for the breaking of windows at the Penrhyn Hall, for the attempt to pre- vent free speech, and for the attack on Mr and Mrs Lloyd George, on the occasion of the last visit of the member to the city. Mr J. R. Pritchard deserves the warmest thanks of all who value free speech for having called attention at the Joint Police Committee on Thursday to the disorderly behaviour of the crowd at Bangor, when Mr Lloyd George addressed a political meet- ing at the Penrhyn Hall, and to the cow- ardly attack made upon the member. The Chief Constable said that no one regretted the assault more than he did, but after all it was not altogether the fault of the police. Mr Lloyd George did not leave the hall in the carriage, but became mixed up witn the crowd, and it was then that the unfortun- ate occurrence took place. As to the smashing of windows, this was a very diffi- cult thing to prevent, and he did not think there was anyone who could say who inflicted the damage. The crowd, although noisv, was not savage, and he took the re- sponsibility of rot interfering with it. As the result of the discussion raised in the Committee greater precautions were taken at Carnarvon on Tuesday night. There was greater activity displayed by the police, some of whom were in private clothes, and every attempt at disorderly conduct was nipped in the bud.

LOTAI JOTTINGS. (BY A RAMBLER.) The Young Men's Christian Association is an admirable institution. Branches are to be found in nearly every populous town in the kingdom. Not only tEat, go where one will all over the world one is sure to come across the "Y.M.C.A." There exists a certain amount of free- masonry among the members of this asso- ciation. An introduction from one branch to another makes, any young man quite at home at once in a strange place and amongst strangers. The good which it does is incalculable. There is, perhaps, no society in the land which does so much to counteract the baneful influence of public houses on young men. The rooms are made attractive and bright. The or- ganisation is flexible and adapts itself to modern requirements. It is quite free from any sectarian or political bias. It combines in itself the pleasant, the in- structive, and the elevating. As such there is no institution in our midst more worthy of support. The Carnarvon branch has not been es- tablished very long. Still it has already enrolled about 180 members. The meet- ings held throughout the winter have been eminently successful. Ministers and pub- lic men belonging to nearly, if not all, the denominations in the town have been in- vited to address the young men on various subjects. Mr de Gruchy Gaudin. (the president), who has, been most untiring in his efforts on behalf of the association, has started a French class, which is attended by several young meh. The method ad- opted by Mr Gaudin to teach French is modern and certainly the best. Young me* who wish to acquire this language should attend the classes, and with a little application they will soon become ipron- cient both in conversation and composi- tion. There are also in the rooms all kinds of games to amuse those who have no delight in literary pursuits. Alto- gether, the Y.M.C.A. is an institution which should become very popular and flourishing in Carnarvon. The system under which the Carnarvon Fire brigade work is rotten to the core, and I make told to say so after what I saw on Saturday afternoon when a disastrous fire took place at the extensive slate1 and marble works at Messrs Hugh Jones and Co. at the slate quay. I do not blame the men indi- vidually—they did their work as well as might be expected under thre circumstances, but simply the system. The men have not beten trained, and it will at once be admitted that it is of the greatest importance that fire brigades should be well disciplined. I should like to know whethler the members of the Carnarvon Fire Brigade meet once a month to go through the necessary course of drill. Why was not the manual brought to work, on Saturday P The force of the water at the scene of the fire was so small that it was a matter of impossibility to arrest the pro- gress of the fla.mes,. Lack of discipline "Was also evident. The men d-idlnot seem to know their duty. At Bangor the Fire Bri- gade is a very efficient one, and why should it not be at Carnarvon? I trust that this matteT, which is a serious one, will receive the attention of the Town Council at their next meeting. A periodical, named "The Arvonian" has just been put into my hands. It is issued in connection with the Carnarvon County School. Some of the articles are very in- teresting, and especially the one entitled, "Thte Library Window." It appears that the writer sat on a wet Saturday at the library window watching the coming and going of all sorts and conditions of men, and he givels his impressions. The description of the "young man who is quite a. type of the class he represents" is good, but I do not agree with the statement that the "traeth- awd' he has sent in, for which he expects a prize at the local "eisteddfod" would pro- bably bd found verbatim in the "Gwydd:on- iadur." I believe that young men of this class are as able to write original, essays as the writer of the article in question. The description given of the "big man of his village" is not a happy one, and I fail to understand why he should be a deacon more than anything else. Perhaps the writer is the son of a deacon, and, there- fore, thinks that all "big men of the vil- lage" must be deacons first and anything else after. The nose of the big man of the village is said to be radiant — "indigestion, of course"—surely a suggestive remark that is unworthy to be applied to a deacon.

I IF-ItTlys I PURE CONCENTRATED | COCOA!

BANGOR NOTES. The discussion at the Joint Police Commit- tee on Thursday relative to the recent as- sault made upon Mr D. Lloyd George, M.P., has served to set people talking of the meet- ing addressed by thd popular member and its effects upon the electors. I have the authority of a prominent Liberal for stat- ing that Mr George's speech has been thle means of converting many Liberals who were inclined to be anti-Boers. Everyone I have met strongly condemns and deeply regrets the attacks made upon Mr and Mrs Lloyd George. These are said to be due to a very small band of young ruffians who mingled with the crowd, and who might have been cleared out by the police with very little trouble. Some of them were manifestly under the influence of drink. The rest of the crowd had come to see as they generally do, and not to do anything. The character of the crowd may be gauged from the fact that no attempt was made to break the windows of the Cafe, and such a pro- minent opponent of thte war as Dr Prioel marched in and out of the Cafe with no further insult or injury than a few cries of "pro-Boer." For the last few years thd old students of the colleges of the city have taken thte op- portunity afforded them by the Eastetr Holi- days to visit the haunts of their student days. This year has proved no exception, and at Wicklow House there was a jolly party of old Normalites. These men all belonged to the same year, and they make a point of coming down to Banger a t the same time. The city has also seen the faces of a good numbetr of the old students of the University College. The Old Students' As- sociation, holds its reunion -pt Easter, and on this occasion the meetings began with a reception and fnded with a dance. The' Association is doing splendid work for it brings together a number of old students who are engaged in active pursuits in all parts of the country and unites tbe'm in common action cn behalf of the college. It also enables the members to spend a most pleasant holiday together and to escape from the towns and the cities to the country for a few days relaxation. Besides this the Association gives a prize of R5 annually, to be awarded by the Senate of the College as it deems best, and it will probably have something to say to the movement for a new and suitable home for the college. A Welsh contemporary, the "Goleuad," states that the valet of the late lord Pen. rhyn informed a correspondent that his lordship carried one book with him wherever he went. This book, it is said, was the Eng- lish edition of the Calvinistio Methodist "Confersson of Faith." I wonder if this is true. The late lord was, I believe, a man of wide sympathies, and his reflations with his workmen were on the who Id very good. I have often heard it said that he warned his employees' leaders that they must not expect such generous treatment from his SOU. A pleasant little ceremony took place in the Library of the Normal College on Sat- urday last. One of the most popular of the tutors of this college is Mr John Thomas, B.A. Many students have fallen under the charm of Mr Thomas' genial manner and his noble qualities, and their loyalty to him has clung to them through their after-life. Strange scenes have beehi witnessed on the last nights of the sessions, when the senior students bid farewell to thd college, and many a man who is now in a high position in the country remember those few last words of Godspeed which Mr Thomas uttered and which brought the tears into the byes at the moment and have since 'been a precious memory. Of late Mr Thomas' health has not been of the best, though, like the hero hie is, he refuses to leave his favourite work. His many old students resolved to show their appreciation of him by presenting him with a testimonial. Mr G. J. Williams, H.M. Inspector of Mines, was the secretary of the movement, and on Saturday Mr Tho- mas was presented with a purse of 200 guineas, while Mrs Thomas was presented with a handsome solid silver tea service. The little ceremony was private, but I learn that Mr Marchant Williams, of London, presided, and that thd purse was presented by Mr Edward Roberts, H.M. Inspector of] Schools, while the tea service was handed to Mrs Thomas by Professor Phillips, D.Sc. The speeches were most flattering, and the whole ceremony very interesting. I join with the old students in wishing long life and happiness to the "Factor." I am gratified to find that thd Mayor has adopted my suggestion to open an Indian Famine Fund in the city. The mere''an- nouncement made in the Council is, bow- ever, far from sufficient to draw attention to the matter which deserves the immediate attention of all humanitarians. The letters of the "Manchester Guardian" correspondent show a most lamentable state of affairs, and these) would undoubt- edly under ordinary circuinistancee rouse the sympathetic interest of thousands. Now the war fund and the hospital funds are monopolising attention. We hope, however, that th £ re are many hundreds of our readers and others in the ci,tv who will send in their mite to the fund. A general effort, even though the subscrip- tions be small, would result in a-good round sum for the starving Tyots, our fellow citizens in India. The pier entertainments. came to an end on Friday evening, and I find thlat the at- tendance during the Easter week was very satisfactory, considering the state of the weather at its beginning. There seems to be a general consensus of opinion that these entertainments are of a much higher and better character than those of last year. The fun was free from vulgarity and the singing was of a high order. An effort is being made to secure the services of the Pierrots for the season of July and August, and if the terms are fairly satisfactory I certainly hope an arrangement may be made. Nothing would tend to popularise thie pier more than a series of really good and inter- esting entertainments. The attack made upon the School Board at the last meeting of the City Council has caused some flutter in the dove-cots. In some circles it is thought that thie attack was J needed and will lead to good results, but in educational circles, and amongst persons who take the greatest interest in the moral and educationakwelfare of the city, the at- tack of the Mayor is described as unwar- ranted. I certainly think that he acted unwisely, and shoveii a lack of the caution which usually marks his actions.. For the attack was made without a proper enquiry into the facts of the case. It was evident from the Mayor's speech that he had not taken the trouble to makd an inspection of the books of the Board, which is not only the privilege but the duty of every citizen and ratepayer. As a matter cf fact, the Council had no to discuss such' questions. The Board is an elective body, and is responsible to the ratortayen in tha same trajaid to the same extent as the councillors themselves. I am not of course denying the fact that the in- crease in thd School Board rate is startling, land should be most thoroughly enquired into. But let us not lose sight of the fact that at the same meting in which these gravd criticisms were made, the critics were urging the Council to ratify a contract with Lord Penrhyn for a lease of Siliwen Baths on the understanding that at least jE2000 should be spent upon them within the next five years, when such a scheme of expendi- ture had been scouted a few weeks pre- viously. We should not forget also that Ithousands of pounds have been spent on a pier and other so-called improvements which will not benefit the bulk of the people, while the Council object. to providing the sons and daughters of the artizan and the labourer, or rather all the children of the city with the best education th'at the country can give. Surely this is class legislation with a ven- geance. As for the comparison between the Vol- untary and the Board system. I fear that the Mayor and others are always forgetting that thle Board has to do the work that the Voluntary School will not do, and has to supplement its efforts in all directions. For instance, I believe the Board pays a good salary • for an attendance officer, who acts for the Voluntary Schools as well as the Board Schools, though he gets not a penny from the former. Then the Board pays for the education of children in the schools of Llpnddetiniolen, who naturally would have had to be provided for by the Voluntary Schools, and keeps at industrial schools from 14 to 16 children, the majority of whom come from the Voluntary Schools. In fact, I think;the Mayor and his Councillors will find that wherevefr they care to go, when there exists a Board system and a Voluntary School side by side, the burden of the work of providing the education rests upon the Board, and thd Voluntary Schools comes in and shares in the benefits. There were two incidents in the "Im- perialist meeting" on Friday which deserve a good deal of attention. Thejirst was the refusal to Mr Henry Lewis, rae chairman of the previous meeting in the hall, of the right of public speech in defence of that meeting. In reply to a. vote of thanks, Mr Ernest Gray launched forth into a bitter at- tack upon Mr Lloyd George and thle holders of the previous meeting, and even went the length of apologising for and condoning the disorder and the brutal attack upon Mr George. He quoted Mr Balfour's phrase about the "limit to human endurance," and said when men saw their country sold by traitors they could not help doing things which they afterwards regretted.. Mr Lewis wished to reply to these remarks and the attack upon the Liberal leaders, but the noise raised by the audience and the objec- tion of Mr Lloyd Carter silenced all protest. The land of freedom, indeed! We are fast degenerating into a state of slavery. The other incident was the mobbing of a number of students and young men at the back of the hall. This was directly after Mr Gray's apology for disorder, and un- doubtedly due in some measure to it. For the war fever easily leads to acts of violence -if it has the support of men of some posi- tion. These young men had done nothing except cheer Mr Lloyd George's name dur- ing the evening, and when Mr Gray spoke, interrupted his speech with some pertinent remarks. Thus when he was speaking of the privacy of the previous meeting, one raised' a cry "Why not" public? Then when he referred to a Swiss historian, an- other called "What about MommsenP" Again, when Mr George was declared to be a traitor the speaker was asked "What about Sir Edward Clarke?" But the,aud- ience, composed as it was of a large num- ber of youths from Hirael, would not stand this and took the matter into their own hands in spite of the appeals of the chair- man and Mr Carter. Such is always the result of appealing to the lowest passions of men. The talk an the city anent the "Imperial- ist meeting" is, that the Tories were un- usually enthusiastic; that the war fever has stirred them to new ways; that Tory meetings held in Bangor are usually very flat; that Professor Hughes did not attack Mr Lloyd George's speech of the previous week; that he thought he did; that he is likely to be Mr Lloyd George's opponent at the next election; that he won't get in; that Mr Ernest Gray is a good platform speaker; that he spoke with two voices; that the first part of the speech did not "catch on"; that it was too moderate to suit the Tories; that the latter part was fiercely jingoistic; that it pleased the Tories therefore; that Mr Lloyd Carter was greeted with great enthusiasm; that he was hailed as the new candidate; that his speech reminded one of that of the Ghost in "Hamlet" that the audience were much disappointed because it did not come off; that it shattered the hopes of the local Tories that the meeting was burdened with too many speakers; that the speeches were too long;* that the persons chucked out were not pro-Boers; that one was the local secretary of the Welsh Hospital Fund, and that he had a nasty blow in the eye.

CADBURY'S COCOA, on the testimony of the "Lancet," "represents the standard of highest purity." It is entirely free from all foreign substances, such as kola, malt, hop, &c., nor is alkali used to darken the colour (and so deceive the eye). Dr An- drew Wilson, in a recent article in the il- lustrated London News," writes: "Cocoa i<* in itself a perfect food, and requires no additional drugs whatever." CADBURY'S COCOA is absolutely pure, and should be taken by old and young, at all times and in all seasons; for Children it is an ideal beverage, promoting healthy growth and development in a remarkable degree. In- sist on having CADUBRY'S, as other Cocoas are often substituted for the sake of extra profit. Sold only in Packetr tnd TO TUfl DEAF. — A rich lady cured of her Deafness and Noises in the Head by Dr Nicholson's Artificial Ear Drums, gave jBoOOO to his Institute, so that the deaf people unable to procure the -ar Drums hay have them free. Address, The Nicholson Insti- tute, "Longcott," Gunnersbury, London, W.

Letter to the Editor, THE POLICE AND MR LLOYD GEORGE'S MEETINGS. Sir,—I am one of a great number of people, especially Liberals, but not only Liberals, who think that the manner in which the police failed to do what they were there to do, at Bangor, on the occa- sion of Mr Lloyd George's first meeting at that town, was a disgrace, and I wish to give public expression to that feeling. I saw the crowd assembled at Bangor on that occasion, and I honestly think that it did not at the outside number more than three hundred, and that it was made up, principally, of youths of from fifteen to eighteen years of age. Now, there was present at Bangor on that occasion, some- where about eighty of the finest and most stalwart members of the police force of the three counties, and yet this small mob of larrikins appears to have had the town at its mercy for a couple of hours, during which it smashed a large number of win- dows at the Penrhyn Hall, and assaulted in -the most ruffianly manner not only Mr Lloyd George, but several of his friends, and even his wife. And yet the police (close on eighty of them be it re- membered) could not only not stop them, but actually has not arrested a single member of that crowd of hooligans. Truly a commendable picture! Remembering all this, it appears to me, as it does to many others, that the Police Committee, in its discussion on the subject, did not rise to the height of its plain duty in the matter by a long way. Neither does it appear to us, that the Chief Constable's explanation of the failure of the police to put a stop to, or rather to prevent the disorder of the mob on that occasion was at all satisfactory, and the fapt that the question should have been allowed to drop so quietly by the Police Committee is a matter of surprise. They ought at least (and I say this without the slightest wish to be vindictive), to have severely oen- sured' the responsible parties in this mat- ter for their ineptitude on that occasion. But, sir, having had my say on this point, let me add that I was in Carnarvon on Tuesday night when Mr Lloyd George's second meeting was held, and having seen how the police were handled on that occasion, I feel bound in common fairness to give praise where praise is due, and that is to Col. Ruck, the Chief Constable. You wilf observe that I have not attribu- ted blame for the Bangor fiasco to anyone. Col. Ruck took the whole of the blame for it on his own shoulders, but, "that is a way we have in the Army," and I have little doubt that Col. Ruck, an old Army man, in taking the blame on his own shoulders, was carrving out that chival- rous custom. But, as I have said, honour to whom honour is due. Col. Ruck's ar- rangements for the maintenance of order in Carnarvon on Tuesday evening were of the finest kind, and, more, were perfectly effective. To use a military phrase, they were tactical arrangements of the most perfect) djescription. When Mr Lloyd George came out of the hall, there was & crowd of quite 2000 grown up people massed in the street, half of whom at least, were, presumably, PAostile to the hon. member and many of whom would doubtless have been glad to have repeated the Bangor scenes had they dared. But immediately the hon. member and his friends made their appearance, the car- riage was surrounded by policemen. In front of it, marched a compact mass 01 men; on each side walked a double file of officers, and behind it came another solid phalanx of men in blue. Thus sur- rounded, the crowd was kept clear of the carriage, which moved, surrounded by the police, quietly into Bangor road, and for some distance up that road. Then, the police in front suddenly dispersing, the carriage was as suddenly put to a full speed ahead, and the rushing crowd fol- lowing could neither catch up to it nor in any way get near to it, by reason of the detaining force of police on either side, and in the rear, and thus with per- fect smoothness everything passed off well. I repeat, it was a triumph of police management, and Col. Ruck deserves aU the credit for it. Why similar steps were not adopted at Bangor it is hard to say and bootless now to inquire, for Tuesday night has removed all apprehen- sions that might have been felt than in a serious emergency both the police and their Commander-in-chief might be found wanting, for the way in which Col. Ruck controlled and kept in subjection that great crowd, and absolutely prevented +"e slightest breach of the peace prover. beyond a doubt that he is a man fit for the post, and a man capable of dealing successfully with the gravest emergencies. This being so, I set Carnarvon against Bangor, and cry, "quits," as far as I am concerned.—Yours, &c., A LIBERAL.

A young woman named Bessie Hersee was committed for trial on Thursday by the Llandudno magistrates charged with a series of thefts from lodging-houses and dwelling-houses in the neighbourhood. Evi- dence in six cases was heard, but it was stated that there were twenty other charges against the prisoner, who had carried out the thefgts in a most daring and systematic manner.

Bangor School Board. PROPOSED SENIOR STANDARD SCHOOL. ,If The monthly meeting was held on Wed- nesday evening at the Rechabite Hall, under the chairmanship of Principal Price. The other members present were Dr R. W. Phillips, M.A., Principal Silas Morris, M.A., Professor Arnold,Mr Huw Rowland, Mr David Williams, and Mrs H. O. Hughes. GLANADDA NEW SCHOOL. The Clerk (Mr A. C. Downes) read a let- ter from Mr R. W. Jones, St. Paul's School, accepting the headmastership of the Glan- adda new school, and thanking the Board for the confidence they had reposed in him. IMPROVEMENT OF ATTENDANCE OF

CHILDREN: IMPORTANT RECOM- MENDATIONS. In compliance with a resolution passed by the Board, a conference of all the head- teachers in the school district of Bangor and members of the Attendance Commit- tee was held on April 4th. |or the purpose of discussing what steps should be taken to improve the attendance of children at school. Mr T. J. Williams presided. After considerable discussion, it was resolved to make the following recommendations to the Board: (1) that the Attendance Com- mittee be respectfully requested to attend the meetings of such committee regularly, as it was understood that on many occa- sions there was no quorum to transact the business on the agenda. (2) That circulars be drafted by the Clerk and Mr T. J. Wil- lipjns calling uon parents to send their children regularly to school, and stating that in cases of failure to comply with this request, the parents would be proceeded against, such circular when drawn out to be laid before the Board for approval and afterwards printed andesent to all parents. (3) That when parents come before the At- tendance Committee, &n<d the cases are bad ones; the members should there and then sign, the neeessary forna'&'Bthorismg the at- tendance officer, with the approval of the head teacher, to take proceedings if and when the attendance again falls off. (4) That the medical men in the town be re- quested to fill up certificates of illness at a reduced fee of six- pence .as is done in Colwyn Bay; and that certificates be only accepted from medical men. (5) That proceedings be taken against- tradesmen and others who employ children of school age. (6) That the Board autho- rise the prevention of migration of children from school to school under the Board ex- cept after the midsummer holidays, and when the family removes from one part of the town to another. (7) That the teachers supply the next Attendance Committee with a list of very bad attendants during February and March, indicating in their opinion the worst cases. (8) That children be not admitted to school unless the parents fills in an admission form to be sup- plied at every school. (9) That it would be advisable to convene another meeting of members of the Board, school \managers, magistrates, and head teachers. (10) That the head teachers assembled at the con- ference wish to thank the Board for conven- ing this meeting, and !Mrs Hughes and Principal Silas Morris for. attending and taking part in the discussion.—Dr. R. W. ituihpa understood that there were fifty to sixty parents present at the meeting who neglected! to send their children to school. He thought that the conference was arranged between the head teachers and the Attendance Committee with the view of finding whether some expeditions method could be devised for bringing recalcitrant parents before the magistrates. — The Chairman suggested that a small committee should consider the recommendations, and formulate something out of them. — Mr Huw Rowland! considered that the recom- mendations should be discussed by the At- tendance Committee.—After further dis- cussion it was decided to accept the third recommendation subject to amendment, and the fourth recommendation was adop- ted. The consideration of the other re- commendations was deferred. The ques- tion of migration of children from school tc school was ordered to be placed on the agenda at the next meeting of the Board for discussion. PROPOSED PURCHASE OF LAND NEAR ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL. A letter was received from Mr R. C. Trench, stating that he could not recom- mend Lord1 Penrhyn to accept the offer of E300 by the Board for a piece of land near St. Paul's School. No less than jE350 eould be accepted. It was stated in the course of the discussion which ensued that the original price asked for the land was JE400, and it was resolved to again com- municate with Mr Trench offering JE300. GARTH SCHOOLS. H.M. Inspector of Schools reported hav- ing examined these schools and found the tone and discipline thoroughly sound and satisfactory. A general instruction was given which was yearly improving, and the teachers individually and collectively dis- played a laudable anxiety to promote a generally efficient school. Reading was relatively the least advanced subject, but the scholars wrote remarkably well, and were more than ordinary well informed. In the Infants' School the work was well conducted. As the result of systematically arranged courses of instruction, careful preparation of lessons and intelligent teach- ing the scholars were making very satis- factory progress. The classroom was by no means well ventilated. The total grant earned was JE359 7s 2d. PROPOSED SENIOR STANDARD (BOHOOL. The following letter was read from the clerk to the Friars syndicate: —"In reply to your letter of the*23rd February, I am instructed! to state that the syndicate are prepared to sell the freehold of the site of Friars School with the garden at the back, IJtIld whatever land may be required in front at 4s 6d per square yard, with JE600 addi- tional for the school and other buildings. Probably the total area of aboutl two acres would be required. If so desired by the Board the Syndicate would be willing to accept an annual chief rent equal to l-27th of the purchase money, giving the Board the op- tion to redeem at 27 years' purchase. This would make it unnecessary for the Board to make any contribution to a sinking fund -in respect of the land and buildings, or how to provide the purchase money. When the present somewhat high rate of interest for loans is reduced,theBoard might then advantageously redeem." — The following notice of motion stood on the agenda in the name of Mrs H. O. Hughes: "That im- mediate steps be taken towards establish- ing a senior standard school in temporary premises." — After some discussion Mrs Hughes said that when she thought of tem- porary premises, Friars was quite out of her mind.— Mr Huw Rowland Have you passed any resolution in favour of estab- lishing such a school in the Board? — The Chairman: Yes. Mrs H. O. Hughes said that her idea was to hold the school in tem- porary premises for a time, just the same as the county school had started. They had a public meeting which of its kind was most important, and one of the most in- fluential held atBangor at which the estab- lishment of a senior standard school in the .town was favoured. It would be absurd to let it drop. — Mr Huw Rowland inquired whether, by the resolution already passed, the Board had actually commdt^od itself to proceed with the establishment of the school or was it only a pious opi ai m. — Dr Phillips proposed that pending the conclu- sion of the present discussion in Parliament regarding the status of higher v.udE> schools, the Board defer the mac-.er He said that he was all the more eag-r to pro- pose that the question should be deferred because of the terms offered by the Friars syndicate, which the Board could not pos- sibly accept. He alluded to the fact tha*. the Town Council had bought land in the town at 3s 6d a yard. — Mrs Hughes, in se- conding, said that the proposal meant that the question would come up again, when they knew what the status of the schools was likely to be. — The resolution was un- animously carried.

LATEST NEWS BY TELEGRAPH. (CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY.) "OBSERVER" OFFICE, THURSDAY. THE MARCHING MOVEMENT. Dewetsdorp, Wednesday, 4.50 p.m. It is confirmed now beyond a doubt that the enemy became scared by the near ap- proach of General French's column, and thereupon determined to evacuate their strong lines. Dewetsdorp was seen to be abandoned soon after daylight, and our scouts reported tbiat the enemy were trek- king towards the northeast to the number of several thousands. Immediately after their departure had been confirmed our troops were ordered to occupy the evacuated posi- tion. All the various columns are pressing for- ward. We now -hold the western line of communications thoroughly, and at this hour our men have so far advanced that there is only a small loophole whereby the enemy can escape from the net that is rapidly being drawn around them. General Run- die's force is still in pursuit of the enemy. The Boers hampered with waggons and guns are unable to move quickly, but on the other hand, their line of retreat is through much broken .ground, leading itself splendidly to rearguard defensive action and preventing our cavalry from being employed to advant- age.

A Carnarvon Hero Returns Home Among the invalided home from the war who arrived at Southampton last week was Driver John Williams, of the 66th Fifeld Battery, a native of Carnarvon. A South- ampton paper — the "Hampshire Indepen- dent"—says he was the most interesting personage amongst the soldiers, and was immediately sought for. The "Indepen- dent" adds: —He saved one of the two guns at Colenso, when Colonel Long's Artillery Brigade met with their disaster. He was amongst the sick, having received' a shock to his nervous system through a horse falling on him. It seemed quite a pain for him to converse at any length, so a portion of the story of his gaJlant act was furnished by a comrade, who was also an eye witness. On the day that General Buller made his first attempt to cross the Tugela, Williams went in action with his battery at 5.40 a.m., serving No. 1 gun. In the course of the fight he lost six horses, which were all killed, the last falling on him and pinning him to the ground. In this painful posi- tion he remained for several hours, unable to move hand or foot. He was eventually released at five dclook in the evening, when the retirement was ordered, and though weak and faint and severely shaken he vol- unteered to save his gun. Seizing two stray mounts he rode to the weapon in the teeth of a terrific fire and succeeded in bringing it safely out of action. He was h't by two bullets, which carried away his revolver and water-bottle, but inflicted no personal injury. Williams was within 20 yards of the late Lieutenant Roberts when the latter was shot dead.. "Taffy" was highly complimented on his gallantry by the General commanding, who has recom- mended him for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, which he will no doubt obtain. Driver Williams will arrive in Carnar- van 9.25 to-morrow (Friday night), from Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot. The Vol- unteer Artillery will meet him with band and torches.

"Imperial Demonstration" at Carnarvon ATTACK ON MR LLOYD GEORGE, M.P An "Imperial demonstration" was held at the Drill Hall on Thursday, under the pre- sidency of Mr Lloyd Hughes, Coedhelen. The hall had been tastefully decorated. The general arrangements were carried out by a committee, of which Councillor R. Thomas, J.P., was chairman, and Mr H. Lloyd Carter and Mr M. E. Nee the honorary secretaries. The details, boweverwere, entirely entrusted to Mr Evan Morgan. The floral decorations were arranged by Mrs Williams, Church street; Mrs Evan Morgan, Miss Courtney, and Miss Bradwe'n, and Mr T. Jones (custo- dian of the club). The Chairman, in the course of an address, said it was very painful to him to have to refer to Mr Lloyd George. He regretted tho attack made upon that gentleman at Bangor, but thought that he had largely brought it upon himself. Personally, he had found Mr Lloyd George a pleasant gentleman. They did not deny his great intellect and power, but when a, man went against patriotism and his country it was time to speak some words. and thosd very severe words. He could hardly blame the men whto tried to prevent public speakers from uttering sentiments which were littld short of traitorous." It would be impossible to prevent the public from expressing its disapproval except by the presence of a military force and under a military government. There was no other country in the world whtere such a thing would be permitted, and it was on account of the freedom which he enjoyed that Mr George dared to vote against supplies for South Africa (applause). He was told that I had this happened 150 years ago Mr George would have been placed in the Tower of I London-(laughter)-but they did not want that; they had a better way. The position of this country must be upheld at ail costs. JVir Chamberlain had acted in the best in- telrests of the country, and when the next general election came round he hoped that the Government wofcld he a. powerful Conser- vative one (applause). Professor Alfred Hughes proposed tJllt following resolution: ■—"That in the opinion of this meeting the war is a just and neces- sary ond, and must be carried on until finished by the absolute surrender and dis- armament of the Boers, and that the ulti- mate settlement should be! based upon equal rights being granted to all white men under the supremacy of the Imperial Govern- ment." Thle speaker went on to say that, there was perfect unanimity in this country as to thd cause of the war. They had to go to the comers of the kingdom to find men who spoke against the war. They had to go, for instance, to Caithness, in Scotland. But the members for that constituency, which was the most Radical in thle country, dare not go there to address his electors. It was certain that there was someone more bold in that part of the country. Hd hon- oured Mr Lloyd George for hlis pluck, but did not horicur him on account of his judg- ment. They must also go to another corner of the kingdom to find men like Mr Courtney speaking against the war. It was the opin- ion of prominent Liberals that the Trans- vaal Government was absolutely corrupt. The member for Anglesey, Mr Ellis Griffith, held this view, and he knew more about South Africa than Mr Lloyd George (cheers). Mr J. W. D. Barron seconded the resolu- tion, and said that he considered Mr Lloyd Georges speech at Bangor an insult to the memory of Britain's dead sons in the Trans- vaal. He regretted that Mr George had been struck,but whlat could be expdbted when a man rushed where angels feared to tread. If Mr George was so fond of the Boefc-s let him go out there—(laughter),—and he was certain they would give him a long leave of absencd (laughter). Mr D. Morgan James supported the resolu- tion, which was carried unanimously.