Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald and North and South Wales Independent

QUAliKV BLAST AT LLANBERIS *< COCK "-FIGHTING WITH DYNA- MITE. North Walc:-i is getting <iuto famous of late years fur the number of the big blasting '•operations catr *<! or.t siate quarries. 'The quanv iwritU* think nothing now-a- davs of cijH-in- •« or two of blasting powder in a ba-iard ivck so as to get it out of the way an I mus allow the men to. get at the good shite bed undemeatn. These great explosions have almost invariably been .attended with success—a thorough practical knowledge of the nature of the rock to be removed enabling -the managers to arrive at a precise idea or the amount of lesL-^ance which the explosive would be likeiv to CH- counter 011 all sides. The complete success of such vast undertakings as these great blasts .go very far indeed to prove how thoroughly those responsible for them have studied not onlv the" ni> r outward technicalities oi • quarry engiuee "llg but the science of geology itself, for no 111," can carry out a big blast- ing operation .> ith any degree of success unless he knows well the quality, hardness, ,and resisting power of the rook he has to deal with. The strikingly successful blast at the Cilgwyn Quarry, a few months ago, illustrate this, where five tons of ordinary black powder brought down an enormous mass of bad rock. But the most striking -example of all is the ever-memorable Talcen Mawr explosion in the Penrhyn Quarries. 'That occurred just twelve months ago, and the magnificent -spectacle then presented before the tvre've thousand onlookers will never fade from the memory of any of those who were privileged to witness such a vast upheaval. Shortly after the Talcen Mawr affair the daily papers announced that a still bigger blast was to take place almost immediately at the Dinorwic Quarries. That was twelve months ago and the blast mentioned only took place last Saturday. That is pretty good—for the dailies The blast was in- tended to remove the last and biggest cone of that great ridge of hard granite known by the quarrymen as the "Big Cock." The back of the ridge had been broken in 1886, or thereabouts, by a blast, leaving the object of the present explosion standing Tike an immense pillar or fortress in the middle of the quarry, in what is known as the Wellington department. Men had been engaged in the work of preparing the tunnels and shafts inside the rock for some •six weeks. From a tunnel that ran length- wise through the' rock, six small tunnels were cut at right angles, each terminating with a shaft sunk to a depth of about 12 or 14 feet. Three tons and a half of the best dynamite, equal to the explosive power of thirty tons of ordinary black powder, Were distributed into those shafts, each shaft being connected by means of two instan- ,71 taneous fuses with a twenty-minute time fuse running out of the chief tunnel, and the whole of the shafts and tunnels were securely closed up with stone so ItS to pre- vent the dynamite spending its explosive power in the wrong direction. The rock between these tunnels and one "face'" of the pillar was 18 yards thick, whilst it was about 40 yards thick 011 the other side. Shortly before three o'clock 011 Saturday, a train arrived at Gilfach Ddu on Mr Assheton-Smith's private railway, conveying 'Mr, Mrs, and Miss Assheton-Smith and a. large party, among them being Lord Pen- rhyn, Lord Mostyn, Lord Alexander Paget, the Hon. F. G. Wynn and party. Hem. Claud Vivian, General Hawkey, General Varelest, Col. Spencer, Col. McGregor, Mr and Mrs Henry Duff, Mrs Shaw and Mr F. H. Baxter (Liverpool), Mr Woodmas, Mr E. A. Young (chief manager of the Penrhyn Quarries), &c. The party pro- ceeded over the "Bala" bridge and took up ^heir position on the slopes above Cwm on the Snowdon side of the upper lake, where there were some hundreds of Quarrymen and others already scattered about on the road and lower elopes of Snowdon. The direct air line distance from that spot to the scene of the explosion would be a little over half-a-mile, and had ordinary black powder been used it is just Possible that the crowds of spectators might have been in some danger, but as dynamite charges do not "shoot" missiles there was practically no danger to the spectators. About twenty minutes past three) the time fuse was fired, the men in the quarry giving the signal by shouting the usual -quarry call of "firè." In seventeen minutes afterwards there was tow deep rumbling sound from the direction of the quarry, followed by a slight clap. Some assert that there were two claps distinctly heard. The rock appeared to many people as if it were hfted off its base. Clouds of smoke and the tumbling over into the galleries of "Hafod Owen" of some few thousands of tons of J"ock completed the picture. The blast, however, blotted out but a small spot in ^he landscape, and the pilar, looking at it from the }>osition occupied bv the majority °f the spectators seemed to have escaped' Unscathed save for one corner. The ex- perienced persons among the spectators at once came to the conclusion that the blast had not been a complete success, for instead Of removing the 228.000 tons which the dyke was estimated to weigh, the three tons and half of dynamite had only removed a few thousand tons. From a spectacular Point of view, at any rate, the blast cer- tainly fell short of the expectations. The whole arrangements had been planned *>y the Hon. "\V. W. Vivian, manager of the quarry, and carried out under his personal Supervision. Mr Vivian informed the re- presentatives of the press at the close of the day lust he was very well satis ;e.l wi the results, and that if rain came dow: rather heaviliv during Sunday it might com pleto the work of the explosion.

Cheap printing at the 'Herald' Office. -I

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A PROTEST AGAINST THE EDUCATION BILL. A CONFERENCE AT CAIIXAIIVOX. A representative conference of the Xon- cunfoniiist; churches and public bodies of Carnarvonshire and Anglesey was held at tho Guild Hall on Friday afternoon, to dis- cuss and protest against the new Education Bill submitted to the House of Commons, by the Government. The conference had been convened by the Carnarvon Nonconformist Council, of which Mr Beriah Gwynfe Evans is the secretary. There were over 200 dele- gates present, and Alderman D. P. Williams, J.P. (chairman of the Carnarvonshire County Governing Body), Llanberis, presided over the proceedings. THE DELEGATES. Among other delegates present were: — Carnarvon Ministers and deacons of all denominations. The Arvon Monthly Meet- ing Principal J. Price, Bangor; Mr D. P. Williams, Llanberis. Ueyn and Eifionydd Monthly Meeting Rev J. Owen, M.A., Ciiccieth. IJeVn and Etfionydd Quarterly Meeting: Rev A. J. Davies, Llithfaen. The Anglesey Baptists Quarterly Meeting: Revs T. E. Williams, Gaerwen, and J. Gwyddno Williams, Brynsiencyn. Llangefni School Board: Messrs Robeli Jones (vice-chairman) and G. O. Williams (clerk). Smyrna (I.), Llangefni Rev D. M. Jenkins and Mr John Ellis Jones. Ebenezer (W.), Diangefni Messrs John E. Jones and R. H. Roberts. Dinas (C.M.), Llangefni Two delegates. Rhosymeirch Two delegates. Cavel Mawr Rev D. Rees. Gorphwysfa, Llanberis: Rev G. Tecwyn Parry. Balem, Carneddi-road, Bethesda: Mr Robert Thomas. Penygroes: Messrs Humphrey Williams, Lewis Williams, Rev D. Thomas, and Mr W. Jones. Waenfawr Mr Owen Evans, School House. Dublin Rev John Lewis. Criccieth Liberal Asso- ciation Rev M. E. Jones. Seion, Llan- beris Messrs John E. Jones, Glanydon; Owen Owen Hughes, R. E. Jones, Boden- ydd. Cameddi Mr Griffith S. Griffiths. Newborougli Mr Hugh Hughes. Bethel, Penygroes Rev William Williams. Pen- dref, Bangor Professor J. M. Davies. Salem, Llanllvfni Rev G. Ceidiog Roberts, Messrs G. Williams, Bodydrain; J. B. Davies, Board School and J. Parry, Compton House. Baladeulyn, Nantlle: Rev M. Williams. Caergeiliog: Mr Benja- min Williams, Felin. Menai Bridge: Rev E. Cynffig Davies and Rev R. Chaites Jones. Holyhead Revs R. P. Williams and W. Griffiths. The Bangor Baptists: Professor Silas Morris and Mr John Matthews. Ysgoldy, Llanddeiniolen Rev O. G. Owen (Alafon), Messrs Griffith Williams, Fron- chwith, and R. O. Williams, Tynewydd. Llanberis Revs Jolm Owen Jones and W. R. Jones. Bryn'refail: Rev Richard Jones (Glan Alaw). Bontnewvdd (C.M.) Rev R. Humphreys and Mr R. B. Ellis, Bronant. Chwarelgoch: Rev J. Williams Davies. Criccieth (W.): Rev M. E. Jones. Salem, Penmaenmawr Mr Robert Williams. Llan- 11 echid: Rev T. Dennis Jones and Mr Richard Evans. Fourcrosses Mr D. R. Daniel. Dinorwic: Rev Puleston Jones. Cwmyglo Rev T. J. Teynon. Conway: Rev T. D. Jones, Councillor H. Owen, Snotttyn, and Councdllof John WMIiams. Chwilog Rev D. S. Jones. Bethesda (W.) I Rev T. Hughes. Portdinorwic: Rev W. Jones. PwllheBI L?J>eVal Avtsodiation Messrs D. Griffiths, Hirwain House W. J ones, Eifl Temperance Hotel; Morris Ro- I berts, South Beach; E. R. Davies, Dr O. Wynne Griffith, and Mr W. Anthony. Penlan Church, Pwllheli: Mr Richard Jones, bookseller, and Rev O. L. Roberts. Pwllheli Baptists Rev S. P. Edwards. Drwsycood, Nantlle Messrs Hugh Jonea and Henrv Thomas. Pisgah Messrs Grif- fith E. Hughes, Tycapel, and David T. Williams, Pencaesion. Carmel Rev Wil- liam Davies, Messrs John Jones, Thomas W. Jones, and Griffith C. Jones. Bont- neiA-ydd Messrs Evan Jones, Pentreuchaf; I Thomas Jones, Digbeth-terrace; George Ew1.11 s;, Bieimov-torraca; and William- M. Jones, Bryngwyrfai. Saron, do. Messrs John Williams, Llanwnda; Griffith Owen, LIajMagdalen William Owen, Efailyihos; and the Rev L. Williams. Maesydref, Pen- isa'rwaen Mr Isaac Jones. Bozrah. do. -• Mr William E. Williams. Capel Helyg Rev T. Williams. Salem, Portmadoc Rev W. J. Nicholson and Mr Robert McLean. Cilgwyn, Penygroes Mr John Williams, Blue Bell, and Mr Robert O. Owen, Talv- nant; Waenfawr: Rev W. P. Williams, chairman of the school board. The Meth- odist Church, do. Rev L. Williams, Messrs Evan Evans, and W. Gadlys Williams. Tabernacle, Penmaenmawr: Rev C. Wil- liams. Horeb, do. Mr Samuel Williams. Newborough Rev W. Jones. Messrs R. P. Jones, G. B. Jones, and Hugh Hughes. Bangor: Professor Silas Morris, Professor D. M. Davies, &c. Colwyn Bay: Mr T. C. Lewis, &c. Bethania, Bethesda: Mr D. D. Williams, Tanybryn, &c. Llajiberis Rev J. Evans Owen, Mr R. E. Jones, &c. Talysarn Hywel Cefni, &c. Ebenezer: Rev W. H. Williams, &c. Criccieth Mr R. Thomas, chairman of the County Council, itc. Tregarth, Bangor: Rev Hugh Jones, &c. Penygroes Mr Thomas W. Williams, Ac. Portdinorwic Mr J. Hughes, Gwyn- dre, &c. Llanrug: Rev J. Eiddon Jones, Messrs R. O. Williams, and J. Hughes GENERAL DISCUSSION. ° The Chairman, in opening the proceed- ings, said that the more he read of the bill the more he disapproved of many of its provisions (hear, hear). He would not at- tempt to review the whole of the bill, but would refer very shortly to it as it affected the school board and voluntary school sys- tems. It was clearly an attempt to retard the progressive educational teaching given in our best Board Schools; and !o confer upon denominational schools special privi- leges, which they as Nonconformists object- ed to and condemned. The Government evidently felt that denominational schools were lagging behind the Board Schools in efficiency; and the bill was an endeavour to level down the Board Schools to the stand- ard of the Voluntary Schools (hear, hear). All true educationists would feel tint this could not be allowed, particularly in face of all the foreign competition this country had r.ow to contend with. It was also a gross Ir-iustice to subsidise all Voluntary Schools out of the moneys of the taxpayers, and to withhold similar grants from the Board Schools, and particularly without giving the people who provided suhc money any voice in the control of such schools (hear, hear). School boards for the last twenty-five years had rendered invaluable services in awaken- ing and promoting in their respective par- ishes a lively interest in education, and whatever might be their shortcomings, he would prefer entrusting the education of a parish to, say, five popularly elected per- sons (though neglected their education might be) rather than to one man self-appointed (applause). It would also be a great dis- aster to limit the expenditure of school boards as proposed (hear, hear). The question of expenditure could safely bo continued solely in the hands of the school boards, whose actions were reviewed every three years by the ratepayers. A great deal was made of the religious dif- ficulty that existed. Personally, he believ- ed that this was imaginary, and that the Government wore creating it (hear, hear). The general prhlic, he believed, were con- tent with the 11m of Biblical teaching now oiiven ajlmost ■ niveirsallyl in our Bolard Schools, and a!; disturbance of the settle- ment of 1870 would only end in diminishing rather than increasing the amount of relig- ious teaching now given in "our elementary schools (hear, hear). Should the religious clause of the bill be carried, he believed that in the appointment of teachers the best in- terests of tho teaching of the schools would be sacrificed to denominational needs (hear, hear). Tho proposed plan of giving religious instruction would much disorganise the work cf the schools (applause). Mr W. G. Thomas (chairman of the Car- narvon School Board) said that it was most important that all Nonconformists should become familiar with the proposals of the new Education Bill, which were (with a few exceptions) of a most revolutionary and reactionary character, tending in their effect to cripple the efficient education of their children, to stir up sectarian strife, and to bolster up the power of the clergy at the expense of disregarding the just right of the people to manage and control all schools sup- ported by public funds. The most objec- tionable proposals of the bill* were those dealing with control, grants, and religious teaching. It was proposed to establish a County Education Authority, in Sir John Gorst's words, "a separate education* depart- ment for each county and county borough." Fancy 16 separate Education Departments in Wales, each with its own code of regula- tions, staff of clerks, &c., and inspectors! Why not appoint the Welsh Central Board as an Education Department for the whole of Waties ? That would be a step 111 the right direction, and doubtless be accepted by the Welsh nation. They were told that this Education Authority was to supplement and not supplant, whereas it would necessarily supplant a number of existing school author- ities, while the dissolution of over a thou- sand school boards (being those in places of under 1000 population) would be one of its first results (hear, hear). The proposals with regard to the grants were objectionable be- cause in the case of 4s special aid grant a preference was given to the so-called Volun- tary Schools, while only some 127 school boards will participate in it, and it is even doubtful whether those poor Board Schools will benefit at all. There is no security that the teachers for whom this extra grant is in- tended will be any better off, and no pro- vision that religions tests as applied to Church School teachers are to l>e abolished. The 17s 6d limit is done away with, which will he a temptation to the withdrawal of all subscriptions to denominational schools. These voluntary subscriptions have already been reduced from 8s 843d per head in 1877 to 6s 6^d in 1894. The rates on denomina- 4 tional schools are actually to be paid out of the amount of precept' due to the school board. All this is done with public money, without the people having the management cf the schools that receive it ("Shame"). After stating there is no religious difficulty, Sir John Gorst actually proposes to provide for the teaching of religion by every de- nomination in their day schools' The spec- tacle of a school divided into several different denominational classes will do more than anything else to make religion ridiculous in the sight of the children, and the importation of teachers from the outside for this purpose will tend to disorganise the discipline of the schools (hear, heiar). AVho demanded this bill? Neither the parents nor the ratepayers. The demand came from the clerical party of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. Why did the clerics ask for it ? The only reply is that they wanted more money and more power, and unless this desire is resist- ed, we shall rue the day that we allowed our- selves to be bound by the priests (applause). In Wales, at the general election, thev had bv a large majority decided for the Disestab- lishment and Disendowment of the Church of England in Wales, but instead of bread, this Government offered them a stone, instead of a fish, a serpent. If this bill does pass the a fish, a serpent. If this bill does pass the second reading (which no doubt the Tory majority can accomplish) then their Welsh party in Parliament shou'd move an amend- ment to exclude Wafes flU III its provisions. By every means in their power, let the Non- conformists of Wales resist this measure by which "The parson rules, the people pay, and the child suffers" (loud annlause). The Rev T. Dennis Jones, LIanIIechid, said the bill ,1., disastrous boih root and branch. Some people could not realise that it was so drastic, but it behoved them as a conference to enlighten them on the ques- tion (hear, hear). The Rev W. G. Jones, LIantbedrog. ob- served that the bill was all that Roman Cath- olics. the clergv. and the Church party de- sired, and it was their duty Nonconform- ists to awaken the country from one end to the other to realise the true outcome of such a drastic measure (hear, hear). Principal John Price, of the Bangor Nor- mal College, said that while he agreed that the bill was undoubtedly directed against unsdc»tarian etfhools, vet there were two things in the present controversy which he disapproved. One was the tendency to depre- ciate the position and work of the County Councils, which, in Whales at any rate, had worked with excellent results. Doubt seem- ed also to exist as to whether Voluntary Schools did really suffer from intolerable strain, but he knew as a fact that it was only by the most strenuous efforts on the part of the clergy that many schools were made supporting, and the clergy, as far as their zeal in this matter went, might with advantage be Imitated by Nonconform:1:- n. the interests of education. The lÚl -iu more power and control to the clergymen, and it behoved them as Nonconformists To use everv means to modify—there wa.- no doubt that the second reading would par- and eliminate the most dangerous and poison- ous clauses from it (applause). The Rev William Jonci;, PqrtdinoTwie, maintained that the religious ii given in Board Schools was superior to that given in Voluntary Schools (hear, hearV ° The Rev Rees Davies, Cysegr, Llanddein- iolen, observed that. if the bill had fur its object the increase of expenditure in order to get more efficiency in the elementaly school they would say nothing against ir but that was not the case. It was merely a bill to endow Voluntary Schools and feed the Church of England in Wales (applause). The Rev David Rees, Capel Mawr, main- tained that what they required was a system of national education which would lie free from all sectarian taints and compel aE child- ren to attend t.iose schools. If the authority was to be vested in County Councils, let them have all power (applause). Mr E. R. Davies, solicitor, Pw-lhoo. pointed out that the bill removed one in- justice and created one more (liear,^ hear). He suefested that they should as Noncon- formists attack the weak points of the bill. with a view of having it modified. The Rev J. Owen, M.A., Criccieth, main- tained that all schools should be controlled by the taxpayers. He did not agree with Vt Davies. The bill, according to his reading of it. replaced justice by injustice and op- pression (applause). The Rev D. H. Williams, M.A.. Fhen- ezet, condemned the bill and severely criti- cised th? proposed County Education Airh.^r- ity. The Rev R. P. Williams, Holyhead, sug- gested that thev should petition against t ie bill, not only from every district, but also from every chapel in the respective counties. He was not very certain whether it. would he out of place to introduce the matter into their Sunday Schools, as was done with the Sundav dosing Act. The Rev Mr Hughes, Bethesda, agreed that it was the duty of Nonconformists to ficrht the bill to the last. The Rev Evan Jones, Moriali, Carnarvon, in a powerful speech, called upon the Non- conformists of Wales to stand shoulder to shoulder and obtain the best possible educa- tion for their children, and that under public control (applause). He moved "That this conference of delegates elected bv Noncon- formist churches and public bodies in the counties of Anglesey and Carnarvon con- siders the new Education Bill, as proposed by Sir John Gorst, to be bad in principle, reactionary in its aims, and likely to prove disastrous in its effects. The conference condemns the principle of concurrent endow- ment involved in the measure, the continua- tion and the increase of grants of -puh'ic money in aid of denominational schools, the further extension of that priciple by local grants of public money in aid of denominar tional colleges, the injustice of selecting de- nominational schools for preferential treat- ment, restrictions upon the usefulness and effectiveness of existing school boards, and the discouragement it offers to the extension Off the school board system and the placing of the educational machinery under the control of a non-representative authority not directly responsible to the ratepayers. The confer- ence places on record its conviction that no- thing short, of a universal system of free compuTsory unsecta|rian education directly controlled by properly elected representative hooies can be accepted as satisfactorv, and calls upon the Welsh members of Parliament to offer the most, uncompromising opposition to the passage of the bill in its present form through the House of Commons, and to make every effort to secure the exclusion of Wales from the operation of so luijust a,nd injurious a measure. That copies of this resolution be sent to the local members of Parliament, to the Whips of the Liberal and the Welsh members of Parliamentary parties, to Sir W. Harcourt. the Prime Minister, the leader of the House of Commons, the present and the late Vice-presidents of the Council, and Mr Chambeilain." Professor J. 1.L Davies, M.A., Bangor. seconded the motion, in a speech which ap- pealed to the Nonconformists of WRIes to rally to their standard and fight the bill to the very end. The motion was unanimously passed. Mr Anthony (mayor of Pwllheli) moved the next resolution, which was seconded by Mr John Hughes. Portdinorwic, and adopt- ed. to the effect that the conference respect- fully invite every school board and every other popularly elected body in the two counties to pass strong resolutions condemn- ing the principles of a bill so repugnant to Welsh feeling, so unjust to the taxpayer, and <50 opposed to the great principles for which Welsh Nonconformists have always contended. On the motion of the Chairman, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr Beriah Eyans for so ably organising the conference. On the motion of the Chairman, the Car- narvon Nonconformist Council was asked to watch the progress of the bill, and prepare amendments accordingly. THE EVENING MEETING. In the evening, a crowded meeting was held at the Guild Hall, under the presidency of the Rev 0, Davies, D.D. Among others en the platform was the Rev J. Hirst Hollo- well. secretary to the Educational League off the Free Churches. Mr Beriah Gwynfe Evans read telegrams from Mr D. Lloyd-George, M.P., and Mr J. Bryn Roberts. M.P., and a letter from Mr W. Jones, M.P., regretting their inability to be present. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that if the new Education Bill was be- fore the country at the last general election no seat in Welles would have been lost (ap- plause). It was suggested that the bill con- tained some good feature.?, and that it was a good measure for Wales. As for himself, he did net think that the bill contained any good (hear, hear). Even if it did—if it was not good alii round- he would not like" ales to become too zealous for it (applause). Its principle was rotten, and they in Wales did not require support unless the principle was sound (applause). He appeale^ to them to stand staunch and firm to theicfN011 conform- ity (applause). The Rev Daniel Rowlands. Ml A., Bangor, moved:—"That this meeting condemns the preferential treatment accorded to denomina- tional schools under the new Education Bill as an injustice to the districts which already bear the burden of local rates for the pro- motion of popular education, and as calculat- ed to unduly retard the development of the school board system and to lessen the effec- tiveness of existing Board Schools." The rev gentleman said that there never was such bribery and corruption in connection with Tammany Hall, America, than was accom- plished in this country last year by the money of brewers, publicans, and clergymen, in order to return the present Government into power. At the present moment they seemed as if they were about to enjoy the fruit of their activity. The Government had brought the Education Bill forward with a boldness and presumption beyond anything that they ever expected (hear, hear). The school boards must be done away wit.i. What for ? For the simple reason that they accomplished good work (hear, hear). The Board Schools had raised the school attend- ance from 1.000,000 to five millions—(ap- plause)—and the efficiency of the education imparted in the Board Schools was not de- nied (hear, hear). He condemned the pro- posed establishment of the County Educa- tion Boatd, and preferred to leave the authority in the hands of those who had so successfully carried out the Education Act of 1870 for the last 25 years (applause). The Rev Lloyd Bryniog Roberts, in sec- onding the motion, characterised the bill as a measure to check and capture the Board Schools. rpOIl being put to the meeting, the resolu- tion was unanimously adopted. The Rev J. E. Hughes, B.A., moved:- "That this meeting deeply regrets that the new Education Bill has put an end to the compromise of 1870 in the matter of relig- ious teaching in day schools, records its opinion that the new proposals will prove injurious to the cause of popular education, and tend to foster sectarian prejudice, and reaffirms the fundamental principle that there should be no State aid to denomina- tional inst, ttit ions." Mr Hugh.e.s severely 1 criticised the bill, and charged the Govern- ment with a breach of the compromise ar- rived at in 1870, and known as the Cowper- Temple clause. The Rev D. Stanley Jones, Salem, Car- narvon, seconded the motion. In his apin- ion, the measure only contained one prin- ciple, that of endowing the sectarian schools (hear, hear). It was a measure that went direct against the spirit of the age. The spirit of the age was to progress in every- thing (applause). But the bill of Sir John Gorst reduced the standard. Grxl forbid that they should abide by it before first uttering their protest in a manner that would ring from one end of the country to the other (loud applause). i The Rev J. Hirst Hollowell, who on rising to support the resolution was received with rounds of applause, severely criticised the bill, and said that they wanted to reduce clerical authority and extend popular author- ity. They wanted the deposition of the one man and the enthronement of the people in the management of the schools (applause). Where the people's money was taken to- wards education, they should have a voice in the control of the schools, and see to the education of their children (applause). One bishop had recently said that he would be afraid to die if his schools were transferred I to the school board (laughter). Indeed, if he (the speaker) were to talk such nonsense and rubbish, he would be afraid to live (loud laughter and applause). Was he not aware of the fact that upwards of 800 see- tarian schools had been handed over to the school boaids (loud applause). Justice in- deed Justice would be to remove the clerical despot from the schools of England and Wales (applause). Another point was th& fact that the bill was not before the country at the last general election. If it was, 116 ventured to say that the Government would not have been a Government that dav (ap- plause). Why did they not submit the bill to their constituencies ( (hear, hear). What- ever about that, he ventuied to believe tha.t it had at that moment but few friends (ap- plause). He objected to the bill because of its preferential treatment to sectarian schools. He also objected to the proposal to supersede elective authorities by co-opta- tive ones (applause). In many places the co-optative authorities would be comjvos-ed of squires and parsons or their agents. An- other objection te the bill was that having placed the County Education Authority in the position of the Education Department, he believed that the schools would not be so efficient (hetar, hear). But his primary ob- jection to this County Committee was to place^ a local body for the first time in a position to subscribe, money towards sectar- ian schools (applause). It was a bill for the relief of the subscriber and not the rate- payer Clear. hear). It was a bill to give eff- ectto iniquitous bargain between the Church of England party and the Roman Catholics at the last general election (cheers). It was true that the school boards of Wales, with 125,000 children in average attendance, would scarcely get anything out of the bill' whereas sectarian schods, with 86,000 chil- dren, would receive £17,000 a year from the public Treasury. Under the old bill neces- sitous school boards were supported, but under the present bill that support was al- most entirely taken away. For instance, in the year 1893, 4000 attended the sectarian schools of Anglesey, as compared with 6000 which attended the Boaid Schools. Under the new bill the former would get £800, and the latter £ 28, but out of this £ 28 the sum of JE22 would be deducted under the ex- isting grant. So that only E6 would be left ("Shame"'). The sectarian schools of Breek- onshire would get £ 1200, and the Boarc Schools £88, and lose £77 ("Shame"). Car- diganshire sectarian schools, with 5000 chil- dren. would get £1000. while the Board Schools, with 9000 children, would only re- ceive E470 less £ 250 ("Shame"). In Car- narvonshire, the sectarian schools and the Board Schools were attended bv about an equal number of children, namely. 13.000. The former would receive B2600 in addition to the money which they received now. and the latter £ 900, less J5620 ("Shamed. The sectarian schools of Denbighshire would re- ceive £2800 a year, and the school boards £ 326, less £ 260. The sum of £ 400 would be paid to the sectarian schools of Merioneth- shire, while the Board Schools, with twice the number of children, would receive onlv E190, less £90 ("Shame"). But to crown the whole he would point out Montgomery- shire. In that county, the sectarian schools would receive J51800. while there was not a single, school board within the county thai would get a sixpence ("Shame"). It'was a bill to help the school boards to commit suicide (hear, hear). In conclusion, he ap- pealed to them to do their duty. It was not- enough for Mr Lloyd-George to do his in Parliament, for he would do that—(loud ap- nlause)-but it behoved them to sustain hhz. by every means in their power (Ioiki ap- plause). The JRev Hugh Hughes moved, and the Rev W. R. Jones seconded, and it was un- animously passed :—"That this meeting en- ters its emphatic protest against the exten- sion in the new Education Bill of the in- jurious policy of making grants of public money to institutions not under publie con- trol, and records its conviction that any change in the present system of popular education should be in the direction of mak- ing it free, compulsory, unsectarian, and I under the control of popularly-elected auth- orities directly responsible to the ratepay- ers. Dr Parry moved, and Mr J. H. Thomas seconded, the following resolution, which was unanimously ^adopted "That this meet- ing trusts the Welsh representatives in the House of Commons will offer the most sbren- uous opposition to the new Education Bill in its present form, and failing its modifica- tion in the directions indicated in the fore- going resolutions, calls upon them to use every endeavour to exclude Wales from the operation of a bill so repugnant to the feel- ings and so opposed to the principles of W elsh Nonoonformists. T.ie usual votes of thanks concluded the. proceedings.

The Bishop of Bangor is suffering from the strain of overwork. His lordship has travelled to various parts of his diocese prac- tically every day for the past six weeks, holding confirmation services, and he hag f-imalar engagements which will keep him. fully occupied till the end of May.

THE NEVV" r> h o t o rf li, a. i j h y Brings to light visions of contentment and happiness in the Mazawattee Teapot.