Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

Penarth District Council. THE DEATH-TRAP AT WEST COTTAGES. MR STRONG AND HIS DRAINS. THE BUTE AND RIGHT OF WAYS. DISPUTED PRIVATE IMPROVEMENT CLAIM. The Public Works' Committee met on Monday night. Mr Snell presided, and all the councillors were present, save Messrs S. Thomas, T. Bevan, T. S. Lloyd, and E. Rees, Mr W. L. Morris said with reference to the level crossing that before the new bridge be erected at the top of Rail xvay-ter race steps should be taken to compel the T.V.R. to provide either a more convenient bridge where the present one now is, or to provide watch- men at the level crossing. He was very interested in the matter, and did not intend to let, it slide. The Board of Health had deputed General Hutchinson to visit the spot and report thereon. The fact that the crossing was re-opened was ample evidence of the legitimate right of way to the public, but the General's pro- nouncement that be did not consider the bridge met the public requirements was unheeded. Mr Beasley at that time suggested the erection of a new bridge, and he (the speaker) was of opinion that Mr Beasley would support the scheme, inasmuch as he had actually refused, and furthermore declined, to remove the present bridge 50 yards lower down. al- though by so doing the existing crossing would be abolished. He moved that the Company's hand be forced. Another member having remarked that Mr Wadley very recently ran in front of a train and snatched up a child from the permanent way, The Clerk was instructed to write the Board of Trade to ascertain if anything further could be done in the matter. A letter was read from Mr Strong, demanding within 24 hours documents appertaining to the rer cent drainage of his house now in possession of the Board. Mr Strawson explained that Mr Strong refused to re-drain his house to the front sewer now hid at his own expense, inasmuch as Mr Court had certified to his present drain being in conformance with the bye- laws. The Surveyor stated that be had Dot seen Mr Strong on the matter, but the main drain was five inches above the myphon trapping Mr Strong's house. Mr Strawson: He's willing enough to connect at the Council's expense, bat not at his own. The Surveyor: Whoever was responsible for the old drain levels in Mr Mathias's contract is respon- sible for the other. The Clerk thought it was nothing to do with the Board, but he would look up the minutes and docu- ments.—Agreed to- The Surveyor reported having received a letter from the Llandaff and Dynas Powis Highway Board, asking the Council to co-operate in preserving as a highway or public footway the path running through Green Size, which the Bute alleged was private property. The matter was about to be referred, when Mr R. Bevan suggested, as it was a very important question, the members or a sub-committee should acquaint themselves with the matter. c 1 The Clerk remarked that the Bute bad recently prosecuted alleged trespassers on this path, bnt the magistrates had non-suited the plaintiffs. The Surveyor observed I 'h,,tt four-fifths of that land was within the Council's jurisdiction, and to retain that recognised right of way which he always used when having occasion to go in that direction, because it was very convenient, was a matter of the utmost moment. Mr R- Be van's suggestion i-as adopted, and he, together with Messrs J), Morgan and J. y. Strawson, was appointed to investigate and report on the matter. It having been discovered that the timber of the Dingle bridge was lotten in places, The Surveyor had taken upon himself, after con- ferring- informally with certain member, the respon- sibility, to avoid any mishap., of replacing those por- tions and substituting two new trestles. The Committee approved of this course. The Committee recommended the passing of the following plans :-Five houses in Diagle-ioad for Mr Stamp, six in Cogan-place for Mr Hancock, addi- tions to house in Stanwell-road next to Dr Rees's, alterations to house at the corner of Hickman-road and Windsor-road belonging to Mr Tape, and altera- tions of Mr A. Stevens' house in Beach-road. With reference to Mr Tape's plans, a question of air space was left for the Surveyor to decide. The Surveyor reported that the private improve- ments in Archer-road, Sully-terrace, and Arcot-lane were nearly finished, and that 175 yards of the Windsor-road fencing bad been completed. Mr Morgan stated that he had hitherto been unable to confer with Mr Andrews with respect to Ludlow- lane uriaal. Mr Morris again brought forward Mr Smith's claim fer money owing on certain private improve memg. He considered it hard lines that Mr Smith should lose his money. ) Mr Guy: Who generally pays the private im provement mcney ? The Chairman The Clerk. Mr Guy Mr Smith said he had been paid by Mr Jenkin Llewellyn, as the latter was one of the four owning the property. Mr W. L, Morris thought it strange Mr Llewellyn should pay the money. Mr Guy Perhaps Mr Smith bad it from the Col- lector and not from the Board, owing to a private arrangement ? Mr Snell: There was no contract existing with the Board. Mr Purnell: Mr Smith never applied to me for the apportionment- The Clerk: I will search the books to ascertain if there was a contract, Mr Snell: At that time I acted for Mr Harris, who was ill, but not at the commencement, only at the completion of the work. Mr R. Bevan desired light on this subject. Had Mr Smith allowed ten years to elapse before apply- ing to the Board ? Mr XNI". L. illorris: He has applied many times. To ray certain knowledge he has applied three times. The matter was left to the Clerk.

Is Penarth Road a Public Highway 7 u- On Monday, at Penarth Police Conrt-before Mr J S. Batchelor, Mr J. Pyke Thompson, and Major Thornley—James Evans, haulier, Saltmead, Cardiff, was summoned tor causing an obstruction on the Penarth-road, near Llandough Hill, on the 20th of May last P.O. Morgan stated that he found the defendant's carts, laden with bricks at the side of the roadway, with no horse attached, for over 10 minutes. It was unattended the whole time, and a tiap had to stop in order to allow a 'bus to pass near the spot. Mr George David, solicitor, who appeared for the defence, in the course of his cross-examination of the witness, elicited the fact that the horse usually attached to the cart was at the time assisting another cart up the hill- Witness had previously cautioned defendant and another haulier named John Elliott against the practice, and the latter bad been also summoned. Mr David, for th3 defence, raised the point that this roadway was not public in the sense implied by the statute, inasmuch as it was not repairable by the public. It was well kncwn as a private road, repair- able by the owner (the Marquis ofBate). The Chairman stated that it was desirable to have an adjournment of the case to afford consideration of the important point raised. Mr David asked before this was done the Bench shoald decide upon the facts of the case after hearing his defence. Major Thornley: I can speak personally as to this being a very great nuisance. The carts are left there for an unreasonable time, and at times completely block up the highway. The only thing is for the Brick Company to purchase an extra horse. At the present time it is a very great nuisance. Mr J. S. Batchelor: We will adjourn the case until next Wednesday week. A similar charge against the man Elliott was also adjourned.

Singular Accident to a Little Girl. On Wede-sday evening, as a little girl, about seven or eight years of age. the daughter of Mr R?m, Plassey-street, was carrying in a basket a couple of 0 bottles of aerated ginger beer, one bottle burst, and cut the back of her hand- Mrs Payne, who happened to be close by and saw the cut, obtained from Mr Ball, milkman, a wet towel and bandaged the hand, and ac- ia I r companisd the child home. The parents at once took her to Dr Rees, who found it necessary to sew up the wound.

Shop Assistants' Annual Outing. On Wednesday the Penarth Shop Assistants held their annual outing. the place visited being Cheddar. At 7.40 the party mustered on Penarth Pier, and from hence were conveyed on board the Scotia kope of Messrs Edwards, Robertson and Co.'s famous pleasure steamers) to Weston. Here awaiting them at the Pier were brakes, aho provided by Messrs Edwards Robertson and Co., to carry the excur- sionists to their destination. A delightful drive through charming scenery was much enjoyed, and when Cheddar was reached, about 11-30, the felt that the inner man wanted replenishing. Ihey pIoceeded at once to Lewis's Restaurant, where dinner was laid out in excellent style. A few short speeches followed dinner, and then the company paid a visit of inspection to Cox's Cave and other places of interest in the neighbourhood- Tea was partaken of at Lewis's, and at, six o'clocK they started on the return iourney- Only a very short time was spent at Weston before the sea trip home was commenced, which was to complete a day's outing, the memories ot which will take a lOllg" time to efface. The Committee desire to place on record their appreciation of the ex- cellent arrangements made by Messrs Edwards Robertson a ad Co. for the convenience and comfort of the paity. Thanks are also due to Messrs Evans Limn, and Whitby, chairman, secretary, and treasurer respectivelv, and also to the committee, tor their efforts to make the event such a grand success.

Public Health of Penarth. HEAVY DEATH RATE FOR MAY. The Public Health Committee of the Penarth Dis- trict Council was held on Monday night, Mr H. Snell occupying the chair. The Medical Officer reported that during the month of May there were registered 45 births, 23 males and 22 females, corresponding to a rate of 40 per 1,000 per atnum; 24 deaths also occurred, making a rate of 21-3 per 1,000 per annum. Of the causes conducing to this abnormal mortality, 3 were due to whooping- cougb, 1 influenza, 5 respiratory diseases, 1 phthisis, 2 heart disease, 3 convulsions, 3 cancer, and 6 to dis- eases not necessarily classified. Twenty-two of the deaths happened in Penarth, 2 in Cogan, and none in Llandough. Of those who died 6 were under 1 year, 4 between 1 and 5 years, 2 between 5 and 25, 2 be- tween 25 and 60, and 10 60 years and upwards. A notable feature was that of those 60 years and up- wards the ages were 60, 60, 63, 66, 69, 77, 79, 79, 82 and 83, There was, however, no disease specially prevalent among these old people, and nothing dis. quieting over the mortality. There had been a few cases of measles and influenza, but nothing suspicious about the sanitary conditions. Altogether the present state of the public health was better.

"Beware of False Prophets" A SCRIPTURAL DEFENDANT AT PENARTH. On Monday, at the Penarth Police Court, an elderly tramp, nanwd James Dunn, of no fixed residence, was brought up in custody, charged with being drunk and disorderly at Cadoxton on Saturday night last. The prisoner was found by P.O. Harris disturbing a Salvation Army gathering opposite the Royal Hotel. Prisoner, with his hat off", stood in the ring-and cursed and swore, causing a great crowd to assemble. Prisoner stated that he was asked by the Salva- tionists if he would like to be Ic saved," and as he was a Church of England man before General Booth was ever known he heard them say Christ was this and Christ was that, and as be believed them not he told them to "Beware of false prophets-" Mr J. S. Batchelor: You are fined 5s and costs, or seven days' imprisonment. Hare you any money to pay? Prisoner; No, sir; I will go down.