The Weekly News and Visitors' Chronicle for Colwyn Bay Colwyn Llandrillo Conway Deganwy and Neighbourhood

Now, gentlemen, upon the unmistakeable facts which are before you, you can have no hesitation in finding as your Verdict that -77 JOHN WILLIAMS' Boots and Shoes are the very best value that money can buy. Men's Boots from 3/11 Women's do. from 2/11 NOTE ADDRESS:— 12, Station Road, COLWYN BAY. Printed and Published by R. E. Jones & Brothers, at their Printing Works, 3, Rose Hill Street, Conway, and Published at the Central Library, Colwyn Bay.

CONWAY. farish Church (Sunday Services): 8.0 a.m. Celebration of the Holy Communion. 9.45 a.m. Welsh service. 11.15 a.m. English service. 6.0 p.m. Welsh service. 10.30 a.m. daily, Matins. St. Agnes: 6.0 p.m. English service. WesLeyam Methodist Chapet.-(Eiiglish Services).- Next Sunday: Morning 11.0, evening 6.30,Rev J. Taylor, Hull. A GOOD PLACE FOR BOOTS.-For the best and cheapest of all classes of Boots and Shoes go to Joseph Jones, Berry Street, Conway. Best Shop for repairing. adv. loq- CONWAY HORSE SHOW.—On Friday afternoon, February 28th, at the Guild Hall, at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Conway Horse Show, the Vice-President (Mr W. F. Jones) in the chair, the conditions were revised, and routine business was transacted. The Committee grate- fully accepted offers of special prizes from the President (Colonel Platt), the Vice-President, Councillors J. W. Tosdevine (Secretary) and A. W. Jones, and Messrs John Jones and Sons (Llandudno). CHIT-CHAT REMINISCENCES OF SWISS TRAVEL. -At the Guild Hall, Conway. at eight o'clock next Tuesday evening, March loth, the Vicar of Conway, (Rev J. P. Lewis, M.A.) will give before the Conway Literary and Debating Society, chit- chat reininiscenses of his journey through Swit- zerland, illustrated by limelight views. THE CAER-RHUN ESTATE.—Colonel and Mrs Gough have again with their usual kindness granted a reduction of 10 per cent to their land- tenants on the Caer-Rhun Estate, on the half- year* rent due September 29th, 1895, and paid on February 5th last, a kindness greatly appreci- ated by the tenants. THE P.R.A. AT WINDSOR.—On Thursday, February 27th, Sir John Millais, H.R. C.A., went to Windsor, to receive the Queen's ratification of his appointment as President of the Royal Aca- demy, and to be invested with the chain of offioe. The chain and medal attached, are massive articles of pure gold, and Sir John had technically no property in the chain until after investiture. The Secretary of the Academy, therefore, accom- panied him as temporary custodian of Sir John's badge of office. BILINGUALISM AND THE CONWAY GUARDIANS. The bilingual question in Wales was exemplified in a striking way at the Conway Board of Guardians. The proceedings are carried on to a great extent in the Welsh language. Thereupon an English monoglot guardian resigned his seat, because, as he said, "he could be scarcely expected to vote upon a question he did not understand." But this is precisely what happens to monoglot Welshmen when they serve on public bodies where English is spoken. The difficulty confronts us at every stage of Welsh public life. In county council, district council, and parish council, thelanguage difficulty is to lie met. But nowhere is it so prominent or so fraught with danger as in the law courts. The litigant, the witness, and the juror are victims to the presentsystem. The Welsh monoglot litigant, especially if he be professionally represented, is seldom furnished with an explanation of what is taking place in a language he does not understand. The Welsh juror is in a still worse position. He undertakes most important functions respecting the freedom and property of his fellow citizens. But how often it happens that he cannot follow the case with such understanding as will enable him to return an intelligent verdict. He ought either to have the evidence and addresses translated to him or to be excused from attendance. It is a farce to summon to serve on juries, men who cannot appreciate the data upon which they are invited to form their minds, and why shonld they be put to inconvenience and trouble in going to a distant town when their presence in the jury box can be validly objected to? This grievance ought to be authoritatively settled one way or a ii other. -Liverbool Mercury. 2ND V.B. ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS. The annual meeting of Officers of the 2nd V. B. R.W.F., was held, 011 February 29th, at the Castle Hotel, Conway. It was announced that the War Office have consented to the Battalion's division into two regiments, the one to include Companies domiciled in Flintshire, and the other to include the Companies having their head- quarters in Carnarvonshire and Anglesea. It was decided that the Battalion should next summer encamp at Towyn (Merionethshire). After the meeting, justice was done to a dinner catered by Miss Dutton, the chair being occupied by the Mess-President (Surgeon-Major R. Arthur- Prichard), and the toast list including, in addition to the customary loyal toasts, The Immortal Memory of St David." CONWAY-CUM-LLANDUDNO GOVERNING BODY. At the Conway-eum-Llandudno Local Coverning Body (Intermediate Education's meeting, at Conway, on Wednesday afternoon, March 4th, the Chairman (County-Councillor C. H. Darbishire, J. P.) presided, and there were also present County-Alderman Elias Jones, Councillor Dr Morgan, the Rector of Llandudno (Rev John Morgan, M.A.), and Messrs J. P. Griffiths, W. Bevan, and John Owen (Hon. Clerk), together with the Headmaster (Mr Thompson, M.A.) The Headmaster reported that the attendance at the School was good, and that matters were working smoothly. There were three applicants for the permanent paid Clerkship, and from among these the Body elected Mr James J. Marks, M.A., solicitor, Llandudno. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr John Owen for his services as Honorary Clerk, the Chairman, Alderman Elias Jones, Mr W. Bevan, and the Rector of Llandudno, acknowledging how greatly the District was indebted to him for the establish- ment of a School. The Chairman reported that the.e was in the Bank a balance of L344 18s. 9d. CONWAY AND LLANDUDNO PETTY SESSIONS. CONWAY, MONDAY, MARCH 2ND.-Before H. Kneeshaw, Esq. (Chairman); Dr K. H. Bold Williams Dr Dalton; County-Councillor C. H. Darbishire; Major Ephraim Wood; and Owen Rowland, Esq. BOGUS BONA-FIDE TRAVELLERS." Wm. Sloane and Hugh Williams, both Pen- maenmawr quarrymen, pleaded guilty to talsely representing themselves to be travellers, at the Ship Inn, Penmaenbach, on February 9th.—Wm. James Purvis, landlord of the Ship Inn, said that the defendants came to his house on Sunday, February 9th, and, in the witness's presence, signed their names in the visitors' book as being from Llanfairfechan. They told the witness that they had slept at Llanfairfechan the previous night, and he then served them with liquor. — Supt. Rowland having stated the record of similar cases against Sloane, the Bench fined Sloane Zi and costs and Williams 5s. and costs. NEIGHBOURLY AMENITIES. Mrs Ann Jane Hughes, of Mount Pleasant, Conway, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault- ing Mrs Ellen Thomas, on February 8th.—The complainant gave evidence that the defendant met her coming out of the house of a neighbour (Mrs Rowlands), and asked her what she had been jangling abont her. She replied that she had not been jangling about her, and thereupon the defendant hit her in the face with her fist. After- wards, the defendant struck the witness with an umbrella. The witness was attended by Dr Morgan for three weeks.—Mrs Rowlands cor- roborated.—The defendant denied the assault, and said that all she wanted was to have peace. The complainant had broken her window.—The Magistrate's Clerk (Mr James Porter): You should summon her then.—The defendant I will summons her. -The Bench inflicted a fine of 5s. and costs. RAILWAY CASES. R. Mansfield Griffiths, of Katherine-street, Stanley-street, Chester, pleaded guilty to having travelled without a ticket from Llandudno to Llandudno Junction, on January 2nd.—Mr Fenna appeared on behalf of the Railway Company, and stated that the defendant had said "contract" when asked for his ticket, and when again chal- lenged he offered to pay the fare. He had paid his fare from the Junction to Llandudno in the afternoon, after it had been demonstrated to him that his main-line contract-ticket was not avail- able on the Llandudno Branch.—The defendant said that it was through sheer inadvertence that he had said "contract" in the evening.—The Bench found the case proved, and fined the defendant 10s. and costs. Arthur Thomas, picture-framer, Conway, pleaded not guilty to a charge of beating Edwin Brown-Jones, booking-clerk at Conway, on Jan. 18th and pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk and using obscene language at Conway station.—Mr Fenna appeared for the prosecution. -E. Brown-Jones said that on January 18th he noticed the defendant coming drunk from the 7.53 p.m. train. On the witness asking him for his ticket, the defendant struck him. The witness had to remain on the platform, and, after the train had gone, he again spoke to the defendant, who said that he was going to complain of being insulted, and, after being told that he could not see the station-master, again struck the com- plainant.—Wm. Norman, Telegraph Inspector, corroborated, and said that there was no provoc- ation.—John Francis Braggins, stationmaster, gave evidence as to the Company's Bye-laws being duly on view in Conway station on the day in question.—The defendant denied the assault, saying that he was carrying two parcels. —The Bench fined the defendant 5s. and costs on the obscene language and drunkenness charge, and tos. and costs on the assault charge.

£ omeponbence+ [In no case are we responsible for the opinions expressed in this column.] To the Editor of The Weekly News." THE COLWYN BAY DISTRICT COUNCIL. SIR,-At the District Council Election in November 1894, I was a candidate, but I didn't get elected. After the uproar was over, at your suggestion, I thanked the ratepayers who had voted for me. I have since seen one of that small number who peruse in your columns the reports of the meetings of the Council, and I feel another duty pressing on me with ever increasing force,—it is to thank those ratepayers who were so kind as not to vote for me in November 1894. —Yours obediently, WELL OUT OF IT. Colwyn Bay, March 2nd, 1896. THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE. Dear Sir, There is letter in you last week paper that I not quite understand it. It say that the Primrose League entirely independent of Party Politics." Well indeed This seem very funny to me. I was always think it was thorough Tory to the back. If this not right, why Mr Paterson so jubilee over the General Election ? Seems Mr Paterson want throw dust in our eyes. No, no, we not quite so silly as swallow such non- sense. Mr Paterson say the Primrose League want Maintenance of Religion." Yes they want Maintenance of Bishops and Rectors by Noncon- formist Tithepayers. And they want Maintenance of Anglican (which not much different to Romish) teaching in Schools out of pockets the poor. But they got Joe Chamberlain with to reckon and I believe he say"Not for Joe." Mr Paterson's party not show much anxiousness about the Mainten- ance of the Christian Religion in Armenia any way. Then he want Maintenance of the Imperial ascendancy of the British Empire. Well we Liberals not want "ascendancy." We want live and let live," and we not see no reason why Russia not have part in the Pacific Ocean or Black Sea which not be frozen all winter. Rus- sian bad enough but Chinee and Turk much very worse. What Mr Paterson say about Siam ? And he want Maintenance of Estates of the Realm." If this take in Bishops in House of Lords we not agree with him. No. What for Esgob Llanelwy there any more than Thomas Parry, Llys Aled ? This here Primrose League want Maintenance, Maintenance all the time. Why they not keep themselves like the Free Churches do ? No, No, Mr Paterson, we Welsh too hard in the head for you, you see. We know quite well why you like the General Election, you think it mean more maintenance of the Rich by the Poor more main- tenance of the Navy by them that it's the least use to. More maintenance of Sasserdottle (I do not know if spell the word right) Teaching out of Evangelical money, and more Maintenance if Wrong against Right, of Vested Interests against Merit, of Rich against Poor, of the Ascendancy of the Few against The People," but look out and take to heart Montrose, Lichfield, South- ampton.—I remain, yours truly, North Wales, JOHN JONES. Feb. 29th. DEAR MR EDITOR,Mr C. Paterson's letter, in your last issue, has attracted my attention an I I think calls for recognition from one holding different views and opinions ot the things upon which he touches. I consider his remark "that the principles of the Primrose League are entirely separate from Party Politics" to be quite misleading, if not absolutely incorrect. The Primrose League, to- day, is, and, as a matter of fact, always has been, a Tory Subsidised Organization, and Tory throughout "de ca *> en pied." In view of this fact, his gracious invitation, to all true Liberals, to join the Glorious Company of the Apostles of Light and Liberty, bears a serio-comic aspect and is simply unadulterated bluff. If Mr P. would cite a solitary instance in which the assist- ance of the Knights, Dames, and Squires, not to speak of even the Rag, Tag, and Bobtail, of the Primrose League, was rendered to a Liberal, I should be obliged. Anyhow, any Liberals who may be tempted to join his Band on the strength of his persuasive eloquence, the Primrose League are welcome to. Mr P., in quite a little burst of Patriotic Fer- vour, sings the praises of our Beloved Lands (which is pretty expensive in Colwyn Bay) and some thirty-nine odd millions or so of us, don't own a sou's worth. One mighty Empire (and one person out of every five in London finds a pau- per's grave). Our national character as a guar- antee of Civilisation (and in Colwyn Bay, — where people are supposed, at least, to be civili- sed,—a woman, last week,almost drank herselfto death with drink purchased in the town). These panegyrics are the old Tory Battlecries, and, indeed, boil down all the speeches of the Tory Party and the Primrose Leaguers, and the residuum is simply bigotry and despotism. The Fear and Reverences we have invested our Contemporaries with is a delusion and a snare. Fear does not always inspire Reverence, but some- times Hatred. Apart from that, I object to the spirit of the statement, and I should like to ask Mr P. when the present Political "Barnums" intend to animate Abdul Hamid with some of the Awe which they evidently keep" on tab.To my mind, England has been guilty of a gross viola- tion of a most solemn covenant entered into by her own express wish and desire and, by shirk- ing her responsibilities and obligations, has par- ticipated in a series of most appalling crimes in Asia Minor, which rather drags the Mighty Em- pire through the mud, and somewhat tarnishes the fair fame of the beloved land's character as a guarantee of civilisation. Mr P. has administered a side slap at Social- ism, but it may interest him to hear that Lord Salisbury is a Socialist and, in order not to leave him in doubt on the subject, I should ask him to peruse the noble lord's Land Purchase Act for Ireland (a rotten measure enough, and which, although law, slumbers very peacefully), which is, in its essential bearing, a flat and un- mistakable piece of Social is ni, -goi tig, indeed, much further than many modern avowed Socialists would care to go. The most potent element of national life is home life and, without doubt, to my mind, unless the latter be healthy, good, pure, and,' noble, the former, as an inevitable consequence, suffers, and I assert that our English home life of to-day is slowly but none the less surely being shorn of all its beauty, under-mined and des- troyed by the baneful influence of the Liquor Traffic, and I don't mind adopting the Balfourean Theory,-on this point,—and referring it to authority. Now I do know what the Tories and their myrmidons and faithful henchmen, the Primrose League, have done to ameliorate this dreadful curse, they simply worked for all they were woi-Lti, at the late Election, for the brewers and publicans, and, thanks to their efforts, one of the most beneficial and useful measures ever put before the Commons, for reforming the Licensing Laws, has been shelved for an indefinite period. Perhaps, however, the Members of the Prim- rose League have never personally investigated the mattei, were they to do so, they might come to the conclusion that there was a good deal less in the result of the late Election to thank God (which same were an excellent phrase until it became ill-sorted) about qu'à n'en maudire le Diable.- Yours faithfully, FIDUS ACHATES.

Births, Marriages, Deaths, &c. Announcements of Births, Marriages, Deaths, or In Memoriam," are inserted at the following charge: One Shilling if prepaid; One Florin if booked. No announcement will be inserted unless accompanied by the sender's real name and address (not for publi- cation, but merely as a guarantee of good faith). BIRTH. On February 28th, at Penlan. Colwyn Bay, the wife of Robert E. Lord, M.D., B.Sc. (Lond.) of a daughter.

our "limited circulation," "which is likely to > remain so to lose even a single subscriber), we repeat to Mr Blud our offer of throwing our t columns open to him in order that he may (if he c will) state definitely what the "grave and serious < charges" against the Cowlyd Water Board are. I With respect to Mr Blud's assertion that our i paper is not of an independent character, but ) merely the mouthpiece of one man," that our 1 circulation is limited to a small number and likely to remain so;" we are, personally, of opinion that these remarks are libellous but that is a matter for the proprietors and their lawyers, and not for us, to consider. However, in the interests of our advertisers, and for the information of our readers, we may state (and, in stating it, we are speaking of what we know), that, though our circulation does not equal that of The Times or the Daily Telegraph, still, it is fully on a par with most, and exceeds some of that of our contemporaries in similar places, and, it may please Mr Blud to know, forms a substantial item in our receipts. (W. may also tell our readers, in strict confidence, that we have secured, only this week, three more new subscribers!" Well, we come now to another assertion of Mr Blud's, namely, that our paper is not of an independent character, but merely the mouthpiece of one man." In plain English, this is not true, and we can assure Mr Blud that we would as promptly assail the public conduct of any other members of the Colwyn Bay District Council, as we have assailed the policy with which Mr Blud has connected himself, were we of opinion that that conduct was opposed to the interests of the ratepayers." But may we ask Mr Blud who the one man is, of whom, as he alleges, this journal is the mouthpiece?" It is certainly the mouthpiece of the Editor (who is one man ") but only as that Editor conceives he is voicing the opinions and convictions of the ratepayers, when in accordance with the dictates of the public weal and the public interests. Has Mr Blud any other one man in his mind,— any outsider, who is not the Editor of this paper? If so, let him name him, and not skulk behind a cloud of inuendo, easy to make and difficult to refute. We again offer to Mr Blud the use of our columns to expose this "one man" of whom he asserts this "paper is the mouthpiece," and, although Mr Blud imagines our circulation to be limited, and likely to remain so," we can assure him that amongst our readers there are many whose opinion is worth having even if ours is not. Just one personal paragraph. We beg to assure Mr Blud that we are anxious to help him (or any one else) to further the interests of Colwyn Bay," but we will not cease from expos- ing what we consider the mistaken courses ANOTHER EISTEDDFODIC SUCCESS.—On Thurs- day, February 27th, the Rev W. Evans Jones, the well-known Bard Penllyn," of Colwyn, was informed that he had composed the best "Prydd- est in memory of the late Mr Owen Williams, of Bethel, near Carnarvon. This is the fourth Eisteddfodic victory of Penllyn this year. ENGLISH BAPTIST CHURCH, COLWYN BAY.—At 11.0. a.m. and 630 p.m. next Sunday, March 8th, two sermons will be preached at the English Baptist Church, in connexion wth the Pastor's settlement. In the afternoon the Revs H. H. M'Culiagh and John Edwards will deliver addres- ses at a united special Children's Service, held (at 3.15) in connexion with the Sunday School Anni- versary. On the following Wednesday, March nth, after the annual public tea-meeting (held, at 6.0 p.m., in the Church), the Pastor (Rev H. T. Cousins, F.R.G.S.) will deliver a limelight lecture on Spurgeon's "John Ploughman's Pictures." BACHELORS' SUPPER AT COLWYN. At the bachelors'-supper and entertainment, the Old Colwyn Welsh Baptist Schoolroom was crowded to excess, and every one present was in the best of spirits. The following ladies and gentlemen presided at the various offices most ably :—Mrs R. Jones, Pen y Bryn Mrs Da vies, Fair View Mrs Davies, Bryn Cenin; Miss Evans, Llys Meiriadog Mrs Llew Jones, 7, Church Walks Miss Mary Williams, Plough Terrace Mrs Evans, The Stores Miss Davies, Plough Mrs George D. Williams, Nelson House Mrs John Jones, 15, Church Walks Mrs John Williams, Rock Cottage Mrs R. J. Lewis, London House; Mrs James Williams, Elian View Mrs Roberts, Arvon Cottage Mrs Crosby, Colwyn Bay Mrs Lloyd, Fair View Miss Roberts, Colwyn Bay Mrs Davies, Mona Villa Mrs Parry, Talhaiarn House Miss Burnham,-the captain being Mr Lewis (London House). At 8 o'clock, a concert was held, at the Chapel, and, under the presi- dency of Mr Lloyd Evans (Colwyn Bay), the fol- lowing programme was ably sustained:—Anthem, Cyfodwn ac Esgynwn i Seion," St Paul's Choral Union (Conductor, Mr William Williams); song, Hen Gadlef Morgan," and, as an encore, Mae nghalon yn Nghymru," Mr Llew Davies impromptu speech-making competition song, The Flowers' Message," Miss Jones (Llysfaen); duett, Music sweet shall flow to-night," the Misses Jones; song, Fy ngwlad fy Ngenedig- aeth," Mr W. Davies song, Deigryn ar fedd fy Mam duett, "Y Lili a'r Rhosyn"; anthem, "Enaid Cu," St Paul's Choral Union"; finale, Hen wlad fy Nhadau." COLWYN BAY LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. -On Tuesday evening, March 3rd, the fifth general meeting ot the above-named Society was held at the Public Hall, where a lecture was delivered by Mr Newstead, F.E.S., Curator of the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, upon "British Birds, their habits and wanderings," illustrated by about too lantern-slides, mostly taken from the exhibits in the Grosvenor Museum. In spite of wet weather, there was a good attendance, both of the members and of the general public. The President (Mr A. O. Walker, J.P., F.L.S.), in introducing the lecturer, stated that the Society was only formed in October of last year, four meetings had been held since that time, and the number of members was now 83 this would be the last meeting of the Winter Session, but it was intended to hold Field Meetings (commencing in May) during the summer, up to October, the commencement of the next Winter Session. Mr Newstead then proceeded with his lecture. After dealing with the distribution of the swallow tribe and their migrations, he referred to the snow- bunting, a bird which inhabits the extreme North, and which occasionally appears on our shores during the winter. A group (containing a specimen recently obtained, near the Dingle, at Colwyn Bay) was shown on the screen. A strong appeal was made, by the lecturer, to the ladies present, to abstain from wearing the feathers of the egret, vhich are used extensively in feminine headgear, —a practice which occasions great cruelty to the )irds, which are killed in such large numbers luring the breeding season, as to threaten the ;ntire extinction of this beautiful species. The ecture was listened-to throughout with great nterest, the superb grouping of birds, which had seen specially prepared by the lecturer himself, aeing greatly admired. WELSH THEATRICALS AT COLWYN BAY. [FROM A CORRESPONDENT]. On Thursday, February 27th, a dramatised version of the popular Welsh novel "Rhys Lewis," was performed in Welsh, at the Public Hall, Colwyn Bay, by an amatenr Company styled The Cambrian Dramatic Company," and hailing from Llanrwst. The performance of plays is quite a new departure in Welsh life, but, judging from the reception deservedly given by a large and thoroughly representative Welsh audience to the playing of Rhys Lewis," it may safely be predicted that the departure has come to stay. And why not ? The Welsh, even in an alien tongue, are renowned for their histrionic and musical abilities. Speaking of the play as a whole, the writer of the dramatised version may be congratulated on the production, especially when it is considered that the novel Rhys Lewis is one which no one but a plucky amateur would attempt to dramatise. That the writer is an amateur, there can be no doubt, the positions, long speeches, and dialogues being often at fault, and the division of the play into seven Acts (which Acts are further divided into thirteen scenes), leaves no question as to the authorship still, as an amateur, the author is certainly deserving of praise. The acting in nearly all the leading parts was remarkably well done, but the arrangements were bad from first to last. Let the Llanrwst amateurs give more attention to detail, and not let bad management spoil what is otherwise a well-played and interest- ing drama. To give a summary of the play, which is without a plot, and which took over three hours in representation, is out of the question, but a few remarks are certainly called-for to point out some of the inexcusable mistakes in the management. The curtain rises to the hero Rhys," a boy of 12, who tells us of his boyhood, his friends, his mother, and his big (collier) brother Bob, thereby at once introducing his audience to most of the principal .characters. The first Act goes off verv. v- "urrtenly Rhys appears -ars) a d,jpearance, whilst 111s mother and brother (who appeared with him in the first Act), are not a day older,— in fact, have not changed a ribbon or a collar, much less a wrinkle. Next is seen the unpardon- able offence of one person taking 2, 3, 4, and 5 different characters in the play, and even going so far as to appear in each one without any attempt at making up," and, worse than all, acting the different roles in the same costume for example, Bob the Collier of a few Acts gone, is now the College Student (and aspirant for pulpit honours) in the same suit as did duty 15 years ago for the Collier. His acting in the Student's role was as bad as his representation of the Collier was good. Wil Bryan, the Hero's Friend, is a good part, and was well done, but the speeches are too long, and should be cut down considerably. This actor would have been well advised to have let alone the other parts he took, namely the Policeman and (later) the Student. Rhvs cannot be congratulated on his rendering of Daniel Owen's hero, and he will do well to study the character so beautifully portrayed by the able Welsh novelist. The principal part in the play, is that of the village cobbler Thomas Bartley, and the part is well cast. The player, whoever he may be, is a comedian of very rare ability. The power of sustaining tor over 3 hours a part in which some of the most difficult bits of satire are coupled with a true interpretation of Welsh character, is a feat worthy of the best amateur. The only mistake this actor made, was using certain articles of apparel which had previously been introduced to his audience by Wil Bryan. The Llanrwst amateurs will con- siderably improve their show if they will procure a scene for Bala," a few more costumes, &c., and get different pieces of bacon for Bartley's presentation to Mari Lewis when Rhys is in his 12th year, and for the presentation to Rhys at College fifteen years later. A COLWYN BAY SENSATION. SEQUEL TO A ROMANTIC MARRIAGE. Considerable excitement was caused at Colwyn Bay on Monday afternoon when it became generally understood that a man well-known in Colwyn Bay had been arrested by Sergeant Bresse, ot Bangor, assisted by Acting-Sergeant Henry Jones, of Colwyn Bay, on a charge of making false attestations before a Surrogate in respect to a recent marriage he had contracted with a young lady stated to be of Irish birth, and possessed of some means, and who last year is said to have won a valuable scholarship at one of the North Wales schools. The prisoner, it was further stated, would be brought before the magistrates on the following morning, when it was expected that some sensational evidence would be forthcoming. The manner in which the capture was effected, reflected the highest credit on Sergeants Breese and Jones, who were acting on the instructions of Superintendent Harris, of Bangor. POLICE PROCEEDINGS. At the Bangor Police Court, on Tuesday, March 3rd, before Messrs. Thomas Lewis and W. Pugh, David James Morgan, alias Captain Foster, was charged with knowingly and wilfully making a certain false declaration and signing a false notice or certificate, to wit, an affidavit re- quired by the Marriage Acts, for the purpose of procuring a marriage between himself and Paulein Annie Sadlier,—to the effect that he had resided at the Liverpool Exchange Inn, Holyhead-road, Upper Bangor, for the space of fifteen days prior to the 21st November, 1895, which was untrue. The prisoner was arrested at Colwyn Bay on the Monday night, at his house, and on Tuesday the young lady named appeared in Court with the prisoner, crying bitterly. Mr S. R. Dew prosecuted on behalf of the police, and said that the offence was perjury in fact, being made so by statutes (which he read). Continuing, Mr Dew said that the prisoner had resided for some time with his sister at Colwyn Bay. He seemed to have visited Bangor and gone to the Liverpool Exchange, and there saw the proprietess of the Liverpool Exchange, and gave her the impression that he intended to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the house. However that might be, the fact remained that he asked the landlady to say, if she were asked, that he had been staying at the house for five weeks. The landlady would give evidence to the effect that, as a matter of fact, the prisoner had not stayed there a single night. Mr J. H. Roberts, Clerk at the Diocesan Registry Office, having produced a copy of the marriage licence, the Rev. W. Edwards, Senior Vicar of Bangor, Surrogate, gave evidence as to the making by the prisoner of the usual affidavit in connexion with the issue of a licence for marriage, which the witness duly filled in on the prisoner's information. Before the prisoner had sworn to the affidavit, he signed it in the witness's presence, and afterwards the witness administered the oath to prisoner. The affidavit produced, was that made on that occasion. It described the prisoner as a widower, and the lady as a spinster, of Avoca," Hawarden-road, Colwyn Bay, and under 21 years of age, and stated that the consent of Mrs S. L. Ritchie, the young lady's guardian, her father being dead, had been obtained to the marriage. The witness would not have issued that licence had these declarations not been made. He made inquiries at the Liverpool Exchange Inn, and subsequently solemnised the marriage at the Cathedral. By Mr H. Rowland, who appeared for the prisoner:-The witness said he read the affidavit out to the prisoner before the prisoner signed it, and in reply to his questions the prisoner said that he was in the habit of going to Colwyn Bay, but the Liverpool Exchange Inn was his Bangor address, and he had lived there five weeks. Mrs Walker, of the Liverpool Exchange Inn, identified the prisoner, who came to her and asked if the house was to let, and she replied that she thought it was. He, however, declined to look through the house. Later the same day, the prisoner, came in again, and said that he would take the house. Then he said, "Perhaps some- one will call. If anyone does will you say I have been staying here five weeks ? He said that he had come from Colwyn Bay, and that he was going to marry a young lady from Colwyn Bay. On the following day, the prisoner called again, and asked whether anybody had been. In the meantime the Rev W. Edwards had called, and she informed the prisoner of the fact. She in- formed the clergyman that the prisoner had re- sided in the house for five weeks. Mr Dew applied for a remand, but Mr Rowland objected, holding that the case had been carried as far as possible, and he (Mr Rowland) was pre- pared to go on at once. He asked what was the other evidence for which they were to wait ? Mr Dew said that it would not be prudent in the interests of justice, to say what further evidence he intended to produce, but it was such that very serious developments might be expected,—very serious indeed. His friend could apply for bail, but he was instructed by the police to ask for a remand. The young lady, who had all along sat by the prisoner's side, supported by the prisoner's arm, now broke into audible sobbing. After a little consideration, the Bench fixed bail at 1: 100, the prisoner in L50, and two sureties of £25 each. Mr Rowland asked that one bail for L50 instead of two for £25 might be accepted. He had one ready. At this stage, Mrs Griffiths, the prisoner's sister, walked into the witness-box. Mr Dew I strongly object. We have facts from the Sergeant of Police, and I ask for two sureties for the bail already mentioned, and if any lady who attempted to resist the Sergeant when he entered the house to effect the man's arrest is offered as bail, I shall certainly object. Mrs Griffiths (from the witness-box) I will answer any questions you like to put to me, Your Worships. Mr Rowland What is your name ?—Agnes Marion Griffiths. What property have you ?-I have 24 houses, some of them of £50 rent, and one of my own valued at £3000. Mr Dew I should like to have her sworn. I have certain information with regard to this lady, and I strongly object to her as bail. The Chairman We iiccd "Ot say, Mr Rowland, that the bail must be satisfactory to the police. Mr Rowland Well, they are seldom satisfied, sir. Mrs Griffiths was then sworn, and repeated what she had already said, and was then cross- examined by Mr Dew. Have you a husband ?—Yes. Does he claim this property?—No. Has he ever done ?-No. Does he receive any portion of the rents of this property ?—No. You are the sister of the accused F-Yes. Have you had a distraint levied by the police for rates ?—They have come on me six months before the time. Have you had a distress ?-No, I never had a dis- tress. I have had a summons. Was a distress issued after the summons ?—Not to my knowledge. It could not be without your knowledge, madam, and didn't you threaten to scorch the police for it ?- (A pause). The Chairman: Were you summoned for rates?— Mr Amphlett came on me for rates, and I offered to pay by instalments The Chairman: Really, haven't we got enough property ? Mr Dew: No, sir. I submit that a woman sum- moned for rates, and who has a distraint levied on her goods, is not a proper person as bail. (To the witness): Was a distress put in ?—Yes, but I paid it. She added that a certain person had her money, and made use of it, but he soon sent the police out when she went to him about it. Mr Dew Did the police come into your house r- They came into my house, but they soon went out again. Did you tell the Sergeant of Police who came to arrest your brother an untruth, and say that your brother was not there ?-The witness replied that she understood her brother and his wife had gone out, and the servant girl told her they had gone out, and she told the Sergeant so. Did you tell them they had been gone half-an-hour? —I thought so. Mr Rowland Well, I submit to the Bench that if this woman is not good enough for bail, it places au unnecessary restriction upon this man'e liberty. Mr Dew said that the London Stipendiaries, in granting bail always insisted that it should be after notice to the police, in order that the police might have an opportunity of ascertaining whether the bail was satisfactory or not He thought he had elicited enough from that lady, in spite of her fencing, to show that a distress hnd been levied upon her. The Chairman Could there not be a bad season ? Mr Dew Well, a bad season could not affect a lady with all these £,50 houses, and I venture to say that, notwithstanding any had season, if this lady possesses these houses, she would never, for the sake of her own credit, have suffered the police to enter her house. Then I put it to you the Sergeant says that she put every obstacle in the way of the arrest of this man, and I hold that, since she wanted to prevent this man's arrest, she would willingly sacrifice £ 50 to enable him to get out of the way. The Chairman Well, since the police so strongly object, we must adhere to our first preposition. The prisoner's wife here sobbed: Oh, do let him off. Do let him off. Ultimately the Bench agreed, and remanded the accused till Tuesday next, bail being accepted, him- self in .£50 and two sureties in .£2iJ each. COLWYN BAY EISTEDDFOD. A musical Eisteddfod was held, under the auspices of the Welsh Wesleyans, at the Public Hall, Colwyn Bay, on Monday, March 2nd, when the Hall was crowded to the doors. The Presid- ent was Mr Fras. Nunn; the Conductor, the Rev Hugh Hughes (Carnarvon); the Adjudicators, Mr Wilfred Jones (R.A.M.), and the Revs H. Hughes, O. Evans, and T. C. Roberts; and the Accompanist. Miss Nellie Lloyd. The Artistes were Miss Gertrude Hughes, R.A.M., and Mr Wilfred Jones, R.A.M. The quickstep com- petition took place at one o'clock, Colwyn Band being the only competitors, and carrying away the prize. The only competitor in the Brass Band contest in playing the Gems of Albion" was the Colwyn Brass Band (Conductor, Mr Edwin Jones), which was considered fully worthy the prize (£7 7s). In the competition in singing the Welsh Air 11 Dafydd y Garreg Wen," the prize was awarded to Mr R. J. Roberts, Colwyn Bay. In the Juvenile Choir competition, the test-piece being Dysg i mi dy ddeddfau (D. W. Lewis), the prize ( £ 2 2s. and a silver medal), three Choirs entered, namely, Colwyn Bay Choir, Colwyn Juvenile Choir, and Penmachno Juvenile Choir, the prize was awarded to the Colwyn Bay Juvenile Choir (Mr J. Ll. Roberts). In the recitation competition, The children and the frogs," the prize was awarded to Master Lancelot Owen, Trefriw. In the duett competition, "Y Rhosyn a'r Lili," the prize was awarded to Messrs Llew Jones and Elias Evans (Colwyn). In the soprano solo competition, "LIythyr fy mam," the prize was awarded to Miss Nellie Ann Roberts (Fern Bank), a special prize being awarded to Miss Eliza Jane Wynne. In the quartette competition, Gwnewch i mi feddrod," the prize was awarded to Mr R. J. Roberts's Party. In the chief choral competition, Enaid cu mae dyfroedd oerion (Isalaw), for a prize of k5 and a silver medal, five Choirs were in the contest, and sang in the order namedAbergele Glee Choir, Colwyn Choral Society, Colwyn Bay Choral Society, St Paul's Choral Union, and Warren Road Choir (Rhyl); the prize was awarded to the St Paul's Choral Union (Con- ductor, Mr Wm. Williams). The afternoon meeting, after the passing of a vote of thanks to the President, ended with the solo rendition of "The Land of the Harp," by Miss Gertrude Hughes. The president of the evening meeting, was County-Councillor T. C. Lewis (of the Sycamores, Colwyn Bay), ex-Chairman of the Carnarvonshire County Council. Colwyn (the successful) Band opened the programme with a selection; the Bandmaster was invested by Miss Gertrude Hughes, and applause greeted the announcement that the Band were giving a guinea towards the funds of the Eisteddfod. The President then addressed the audience, referring to the Gorsedd and its antiquity. The next item was the test- piece, by the successful Juvenile Choir, and, this having been most effectively rendered, the Con- ductor was invested by the President. Miss Gertrude Hughes gave a rendering (in Welsh) of The Holy City," the translation being by the Rev H. Hughes; in answer to an overwhelming encore, Miss Hughes sang Entreat me not to leave thee," and again was warmly applauded by the large audience. In the pianoforte competi- tion (for competitors under 16 years of age), "Lays of Cambria" (W. S. Roberts), for a siiver medal, three competed, the successful pianist being Miss Sarah E. Edwards, Conway. The successful Choir (St Paul's Choral Union), then, under the leadership of Mr W. Williams, gave an able rendering of the test-anthem" Enaid Cu" (Isalaw), the Conductor being afterwards invested by Miss Gertrude Hughes. Mr Wilfrid Jones sang I fyny fo'r n6d," and was warmly applauded. In the senior solo competition, Bedd Llewelyn (Emlyn Evans), the prize was divided between Mr Ed. Davies and Mr Llewelyn Jones (Colwyn), Miss Gertrude Hughes investing the two. The successful duettists favoured the audience with the test-duett, and were invested by Miss Lloyd (Colwyn). Miss Gertrude Hughes came forward and sang The Nightingale's Trill," and, in answer to another overwhelming encore, "Bwthyn yr Amddifad." The baritone competition, "Y Fellten" (E. D. Lloyd), took place next, and, after a keen contest, the prize was awarded to Mr J. O. Davies, Colwyn Bay. Miss Nellie Ann Roberts, the successful soprano, sang Llythyr fy mam," the test-piece. The successful Quartette Party (Messrs R. J. Roberts and Party), gave an able rendering of Gwnewch i mi feddrod," the successful Welsh Air competitor afterwards singing Y dyddiau gynt." Miss Gertrude Hughes sang Waiting," with much pathos, and fairly captivated the audience. Mr Wilfrid Jones sang "The Storm-Fiend." After the usual vote of thanks to the President, the Choir sang Cyfodwn ac esgynwn i Seion" (Tanymarian), and the most successful St David's Eisteddfod ever held at the Colwyn Bay Public Hall terminated.—The Committee and Secretary (Mr Owen Jones Roberts) deserve to be compli- mented on their energy. The two Presidents (Messrs F. Nunn and T. C. Lewis) each kindly gave a donation of ,C2 2s, towards the Eisteddfod fund.