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

How the Bricks Fell Down. ALLEGED DAMAGE TO THE HOLYHEAD ROAD. At the Conway Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, Mrs Jane Jones, of Penmaenbach, was sum- moned by Mr F. A. Delamotte, Borough Surveyor, for having, as was alleged, during the last six months dug down the banks which were the securities of the main highway from Conway to Holyhead. The proceedings were taken under the Highways Act. Mr Baylis, of the office of Mr Thornton Jones, Bangor, appeared for the Corporation and Mr R. S. Chamberlain defended. Mr Chamberlain objected that Mr Delamotte was not authorised to take those proceedings. He had not properly described his authority in the summons, nor had he said under what Act he was proceeding. Mr Baylis said that Mr Chamberlain's objection was a mere quibble, as Mr Delamotte was known as the surveyor to the Conway Corporation. The Chairman held that there was nothing in the objection. Mr Delamotte gave evidence to the effect that the defendant had been digging and carting away material from the field beneath the high road, thus weakening the wall which supported the road, and causing a fall of the wall and a few yards of the road itself. The road had since had to be fenced off, and lights displayed there by night to prevent accidents. The defendant was warned on the 25th July as to the seriousness of the offence, and promised not to take any more away, and to refill the hole which had been dug but she had allowed more stuff to be taken away, and the consequence was that the wall fell on August nth. Mr Delamotte described the road in question. The defendant had taken away the sand for building purposes, whereas she could have had it quite close at hand by paying for it. He called on Mrs Jones on the .25th July, and she then thought that as the field was her own she could do what she liked with it; but she then promised that the stuff should all be put back. She, or somebody, took some more away .after- wards, and the wall fell during the storm. About eight or nine yards of the fence wall and several yards of the retaining wall fell, and six square yards of the road fell with it. Cross-examined The damage would cost £20. He should say that the wall had never been down before, and the digging had now got within a yard of the foundation. He had never had com- plaints about the culvert, which went under the road, being blocked, but Messrs Worthington, the owners of the Ship Inn, had written with reference to that which went under the railway. He had not the figures by him upon which he based his estimate of the cost of repairing the datnage. Mr Baylis claimed that Mr Delamotte was competent to make a mental estimate of such cost. David Morris, a labourer, had seen a man named Thomas Jones, and two or three others, carting material away from the field. He spoke to them at the time, and asked them not to dig it too near the wall, for fear of bringing the wall down. Mrs Jones, he knew, was selling the sand. Mr Chamberlain submitted that they should have summoned the people who committed the act of carting the stuff away, and there was not a tittle of evidence against Mrs Jones. The case was dismissed.

Penmaenmawr Historical Notes. In the Penmaenmawr Parish Magazine for August appear the following interesting historical notes from the pen of the able Vicar of Penmaen- mawr, the Rev. David Jones. ST. SEIRIOL'S CHURCH. "In our last issue we gave an account of the rebuilding of the Parish Church. In this we intend giving an account of the building of St. Seiriol's Church, which was opened for Divine Service on Tuesday, June 2nd, 1868. It has seat- ing accommodation for about 600 people. The building, except the porch and tower, cost some Zd.,ooo, wh Ile the site was estimated at £520 4s. 2d., and was the gift of the Dowager Lady Goring, who expressed her approval of the church being dedicated to St. Seiriol. The hand- some silver Communion vessels of this church were presented by the late Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, and consist of two patens, two chalices, and one flagon, all beautifully chased and bearing the monogram I.U.S. The vessels were executed by Lambert, Coventry Street, London, and cost £50. The font was given by Mr Kneeshaw. The following circular, dated June 30th, 1867, was signed by the Rev. Henry Roberts, Vicar, and by Messrs. Vernon Darbi- shire and Henry Kneeshaw, churchwardens. In consequence of the great and rapid in- crease of the population of the Parish of Dwygyfylchi, the accommodation in Church has become quite inadequate to the wants of the place, especially during the summer season. This, together with the great distance of the present church (two miles) from the bulk of the people, has rendered it necessary to make fur- ther provision at Penmaenmawr, in the Western end of the Parish. It was, therefore, proposed to build a new church near the railway station, on a beautiful site generously given by Lady Goring, to contain 500 sittings, at an estimated cost of ^3,000. As this sum must be all raised by voluntary contributions, the promoters are compelled to make a general appeal for aid in supplying the wants 01 the locality, and the building having been commenced, they hope the public will, at once, liberally subscribe the sum still required to complete the work contracted for.' The above is a copy of a circular first issued in 1863. The hopes then entertained of raising the estimated sum for building a church in Penmaenmawr have not been realised. The church, which should have been completed last year, is still unfinished, and under the most favourable circumstances cannot for some time to come be made available for the performance of Divine Service. Further contributions are therefore urgently requested.' The committee contains the following names: -The Lord Bishop of Bangor, chairman His Grace the Archbishop of York; Earl Grosvenor, M.P. the Very Rev. the Dean of Bangor; the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P. Rev. Henry Roberts; Arthur Mills, Esq., M.P. V. Darbishire, Esq. Captain Kneeshaw; J. E. Norton, Esq., M.D. Murray Gladstone, Esq. W. A. Darbishire, Esq. Mr. Wright; Mr. Duncan.' "About the year 1883 the following undated circular was signed on behalf of the Committee by the Rev. J. A. Howell, vicar and chairman, and Messrs. Kneeshaw and John Davies,. secretaries. More than twenty years ago an effort was made to provide additional church accommoda- tion for the English residents and visitors to this favourite seaside resort. The result has been that a beautiful and commodious church has been erected at a cost of nearly /4>000- The church was opened for divine worship on June 2nd, 1868, but the debt upon the building was not paid off until the year 1871. The church is not yet complete it sorely needs a porch and belfry-tower; the bell at present is suspended in a primitive and unsightly wooden structure apart from the building. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone) in a speech which he made on the occasion of the laying of the corner-stbne by Mrs. Gladstone, kindly promised to supply a bell, on the condition that a tower was built to receive it. The following extract from the speech which he made on August 20th, 1867, will show how favourably this object was then regarded by him He had himself been connected with the work (the build- ing of the new churchl from the beginning, and if he should be permitted, he would make them a present of a bell. He liked a bell; it was a delightful thing, and a bell in a place like Pen- maenmawr, between the mountains and the sea, would be particularly pleasant, and he should be most happy to present them with one. But they would remember one thing, that a bell was of no use without a tower to put it in and before he gave the bell they would have to build a tower. If, therefore, they accept his offer of a bell he should consider it a pledge on their part to build the tower, and so finish the church." This was in 1867 and the work has not yet been car- ried out. The Committee, therefore, respect- fully, but earnestly, appeal to the parishioners and the numerous visitors, who avail themselves for the sake of health and recreation, of this very attractive summer resort, possessing a beau- tiful church, with frequent services, for help to enable them to bring their important undertaking to a successful issue. Last year 160 were col- lected at least Z400 more are required to build the tower.' The porch and the bell tower were com- pleted in 1885. The outlay on this part of the building was £1,493 16s. 6d., which, added to the previous expenditure, including value of site and Communion vessels, bring the total cost up to £ 6,064. We have no means of ascertaining the cost of the font, the bell, the clock, the organ, and the four stained-glass windows, which would probably swell the total expenditure to a sum con- siderably over £ 7,000. The bell, which was duly presented by Mr. Gladstone, was manufactured by Taylor & Co., bell founders, Loughborough, and bears the date 1884. Its key is E. It measures about 48 inches across, and weighs 2icwt. The clock was given by Mrs. Kneeshaw, and was manufactured by Messrs. Bailey & Co., South- port, and bears the date of 1885. The central east window, which has four lights, was erected in 1880 by Mr. Kneeshaw, in memory of his parents, and of his brothers and sisters. The east window in the south aisle was put up in memory of Emily Gibson Hill, and bears the date of December 1st, 1883. The two windows in the north transept were put up, the one in memory of the late Mrs. Horton by her husband, and the other by Mr. and Mrs. Watts-Jones, in memory of their youngest child who died at sea, November 3rd, 1885. The organ was got, we believe, mainly through the exertions of the Misses Gladstone, daughters of the late Mr. Murray Gladstone, who did so much for the church during the time of his residence in the parish. He contributed ^830 towards the erec- tion of St. Seiriol's Church. It is interesting to note that the aggregate amount collected in St. Seiriol's Church during the last 26 years (1876-1901) is £ ^11,546 13s. id., or arlt average of ;114 2S. O7'd. a year. We regret to say that since 1900, when they reached the sum of f4,54 6s. 6d. the collections have steadily de- creased, till they fell last year to riqi 1.3s. 4d., or £ k2 8s. 8d. below the average for the last 26 years."

A Penmaenmawr Poulterer's Property. "CHARLEY BATES" UP-TO-DATE. Before Dr. R. Arthur Pritchard, C.C. (in the chair), and Alderman Ephraim Wood, at Conway Police Court, on Friday morning, John Kavanagh and Robert Thomas Williams were charged on remand with stealing gold and jewellery from Mrs. Mary Jones, of No. 1, Station Road, Penmaenmawr. Superintendent Rees conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police, and Mr. W. Huw Rowland, of Bangor, defended Williams, whilst Kavanagh stood alone. It appeared that on the 21 st of August Mrs. Jones left Penmaenmawr to go to Llangefni market, leaving the two prisoners at home. Before Mrs. Tones left, she went to her cupboard and took out some money, leaving some behind. On her return, she again went to the cupboard, and found it as she had left it, securely locked, but a sum of [q in gold was missing, also 14 American coins and some jewellery. She acquainted the police of her loss, and Kavanagh was subsequently arrested at Chester, with about 1"4 in his possession. He had then pawned a gold watch belonging to. Mrs. Tones, and also bought a new suit of clothes. When charged with the offence, he said "Yes," adding that Bob, the other prisoner, h.;d pre- viously arraneed to go awav with him, but had not done so, that he had given Bob a gold ring, and an American dollar, which Bob still had. Williams was subsequently arrested and taken to Conway, where the articles named were found in his possession. Mrs. Mary Jones, poulterer, of No. 1, Station Road, Penmaenmawr, said that the prisoner Kavanagh was working for her and living on the premises, and Williams lodged with her, and occasionally worked for her until the 21st August. She went to Llangefni on the evening of the 21st of August, and before she left the house she locked in the cupboard fo in f!old. two is notes, and a cheque for 14 os. 2d. When she returned on the following dav she found the cupboard locked, as she had left it. On opening it, she missed the gold, but did not miss anything else until she went to another cupboard, where she had left her jewellery, including a gold brooch, fourteen American silver coins, some gold ear-rings, a keeper ring, and other trinkets altogether worth £ 7 or £ 8. She also missed the gold watch, produced, which was valued at f. 4 10s. TOOK PITY ON AN ORPHAN. Cross-examined by Mr. Rowland She asked Williams to stop there that day, as he was not fit for work. After she buried her husband some time ago, she heard of Williams in Bangor, and took pity on him, as he was an orphan. He had been with her for five or six months, and during that time she found he was a poor, harmless boy, neither strong of intellect nor will. She 7,' never questioned him about the disappearance of her property, as she did not suspect him, so that he told her no lies. The only thing that Williams said to her was that he was "afraid Jack (meaning Kavanasrh) had done something." George Henry Kearle, pawnbroker, of IO. Foresrate Street, Chester, said that on the 22nd of August he took the gold watch into pledge, ..and advanced 17s. 6d. on it. for which the docu- ment produced was the "ticket." He could not swear to prisoner's identity. Superintendent Rees said that on the 22nd of August he received the prisoner Kavanagh into custody from the Chester police at Chester, and charged him with stealing fq in gold, a gold watch, and other articles of jewellery. Kavanagh ,,h replied that it was 18 in all, seven sovereigns and two half-sovereigns. He then said he would tell the truth, and how it happened. Bob, who bad duplicate keys of the cupboard, took out the money, he said, and gave it to him. Bob then went to another cupboard and took out a gold watch. American coins, the brooches, &c., and gave them to him also. Kavanagh said that he then handed back the gold ring and the dollar to Bob, and then met Tones the barber," with whom he went to Chester. At Chester, Kavanagh pawned the gold watch for 17s. 6d. and bought a new suit of clothes, and thought he must have given two sovereigns to Jones, as he did not think he could have spent all that money. A sum of £4 14s. I%d. was found upon Kavanagh, together with 14 foreign coins and the other articles mentioned, with the brooch and the pawn ticket. The Superintendent subsequently went to Penmaenmawr, where he saw Williams, and told him that Kavanagh had said that he unlocked the cupboard and took out the money and jewel- lery, but Williams made no reply. When • charged with stealing those things jointly with the prisoner Kavanagh, Williams said that if the Superintendent would come to the stable he would show him where the ring and the dollar were. They went to the stable, but nothing was found. Williams was then taken to Conway, and at the Police Station he took the ring out of one boot, and a dollar from the other. Afterwards, the prisoner Kavanagh, who was in the same room, said, "You know, Bob, that you took the money out of the cupboard and gave it to me?" Williams replied, "Yes." On searching Williams, 19s. iod. was found on him. Cross-examined: As far as he could see, Williams was not quite strong. He was of weak intellect, and probably of weak will. Mr. W. Huw Rowland then made a pathetic appeal to the Bench on behalf of Williams, who was a boy without father or mother. Some kind friends at Bangor were, however, interested in his case, and had briefed him (the speaker) to come and do what he could for him. He had no wish to prejudice the case,but it was quite evident that Williams was quite under the thumb of Kavanagh. Williams had a good character, for he was not a bad boy; but under the in- fluence of a bad boy he could be made to do mis- chief, as he was on J the borderland between know- ing right from wrong. The charge was explained very clearly by the Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. James Porter), and Kavanagh replied that he wanted to be tried by a jury. Then you plead not guilty?" asked Mr. Porter. and you will be tried at Carnarvon at the next quarter sessions." Guilty then cried Kavanagh. Mr. Porter cautioned him as to the gravity of pleading different pleas, and put the charge again, whereupon the prisoner replied firmly, Guilty of stealing £8." Mr. Rowland said that he had nothing to do but plead "Not guilty" for Williams. Mrs. Jones was asked if she would take Williams back, when she grew excited, and said

For the convenience of LADIEII, SOUVWALLS SANITARY TOWELS are now sold in packets containing hau-dox. Size 1 at Sixpence. Local Agents :—Fred J. Sykes, Chemist; D. Williams & Co.. Central Buildings; Joseph W. Adamson, Station Road, Colwyn Bay. W. Hughes, Conway. Sold also in Packets of one doz. as follows:—Size i, is.; Size 2, is. 6d. Size 3 and 4 (differing in shape), 2S.; by all Ladies' Outfitters, Chemists, etc., throughout the world. 644-113

"La Poupee" at Colwyn Bay. WELCOME RETURN OF MISS MURIEL ALLEYNE. La Poupee" is always welcome wherever it goes, but nowhere has it been more cordially received than at Colwyn Bay this week. The intrinsic merits of the bright comic opera ensure popularity as a matter of course, but for us in Colwyn Bay the visit of Mr. E. Lockwood's company had a special interest, as the title role was sustained by a Colwyn Bay lady in the person of Miss Flora Middleton Stanley, or, to give her stage name, Miss Muriel Alleyne. The piece was capably staged at the Public Hall on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and was played with great success to crowded houses. The very difficult automatic part of the Doll was cleverly sustained by Miss Muriel Alleyne, whom everybody voted as charming. All the other characters found excellent representatives. INTERVIEW WITH MISS STANLEY. During her visit, Miss Stanley stayed at Glenroyd, St. Paul's Terrace, where she very kindly received the representative of the "Weekly News." Bright, chatty, pleasant, Miss Stanley is as charming off the stage as before the foot- lights, and she readily consented to give some particulars of her very successful career. Her childhood's days were spent at Felixstowe, near Manchester, and Oaklands Hall, Godley, her father being Mr. Dean Stanley, a mining and civil engineer. In 1889, Mr. Stanley unfor- tunately met with some reverses, and it was then that the family came to Colwyn Bay. This place was selected because Miss Stanley was then in delicate health, and the fame of the superb climate of Colwyn Bay was well known. Miss Stanley spent twelve happy years at Colwyn Bay, so that it is with sincere pleasure that she now returns to it, even for so short a stay. In 1894, her father went to South Africa to manage a large coal property near Johannesburg, but four months afterwards he was thrown from his horse and killed on the spot. It was at that time that Miss Stanley decided to adopt a stage career. She was successful at a singing competition held in Riviere's Concert Hall, Llandudno, and a few weeks later she was given an engagement to sing mezzo parts in grand opera. She first appeared in the part of Lagarillo in Maritana," and afterwards in Faust," Cavaleria Rusti- cana," and "Daughter of the Regiment." Hay- ing completed a little more than four years in grand opera, she was engaged to play 0 Mimosa San in The Geisha," and in the year before last she was specially engaged by Mr. Henry Dallas to play that part for the first time in Calcutta. The Geisha was a big success in India there were crowded audiences, and the artistes were overwhelmed with bouquets and flowers and valuable gifts, Miss Stanley being such a favourite that, as she laughingly re- marked, she positively had to get an extra basket in which to carry her presents. During an extended Eastern tour she appeared in the title roles in The Runaway Girl," The Daughter of the Regiment," The French Maid," and as Stephanus in The Sign of the Cross and Rebecca in Pink Dominoes," so that her triumphs include grand opera, musical comedy, comic opera, low comedy, and the drama. From Calcutta she went to Renboum in Burmah, and from there to Singapore and Hong-Kong, being at the latter place when the Chinese troubles broke out at Pekin. Of the many plea- the recollections which Miss Stanley retains of that memorable tour, not the least interesting is that of a pretty incident at Hon-Kong. The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Welsh fusiliers were stationed in the town, and their band joined in the orchestra for the performances. It became known to the officers that Miss Stanley had lived for some years in Wales, and, to her sur- prise and delight, when she came on next evening they presented her with a Welsh harp formed of roses, and standing five feet high. Needless to say, the recipient of this delicate compliment was deeply touched. From China Miss Stanley journeyed to Manilla, in the Phillippine Islands, and reached there when the American War was in progress. The members of the comnany were not allowed to venture beyond five miles out of the town for fear of being shot by the Phillippinos. Miss Stanley's impressions of Manilla were not favourable, and she cannot recommend anyone, 'to go there in search of restored health. She returned to Hong-Kong, where the company remained for a month, and she gave a benefit, which the Governor attended, and at which Mr. Alec. Marsh, the well-known baritone, kindly sang. On the 31st May, last year, Miss Stanley returned home via Italy and France, visiting en route the Paris Exhibition, and she arrived in Londan on July 7th. Then she was engaged by Mr. Lockwood to play Alesia and the Doll in La Poupee," and has been touring all over England and Wales ever since. Two years ago, a deep sorrow fell upon her, the death of her mother, and then the family gave up their home at Colwyn Bay. Oh, Colwyn. Bay is a delightful place," enthusiastically remarked the talented lady; and I can assure you when out in the Far East it was always to Colwyn Bay that my mind turned when I thought of the old country. Colwyn Bay was the on- little spot that I held most dear." Asked which was her favourite part, Miss Stanley said she liked that of 0 Mimosa San best of all, and the Doll came next, and in fact she had appeared in the latter role upwards of three hundred times.

CIRCULATING LIBRARY, 8, STATION RD.. COLWYN BAY.—NEWEST BOOKS. Printed and Published by R. E. Jones & Bros, at their Pr'l'„ ing- Works, The Quay, Conway, and Published a Central Library. 8, Station Road, Colwyn Bay.

that Williams would not have done anything except that he had been led by the rogue." Eventually she said she would take Williams back. Mr. Rowland placed himself unreservedly in the hands of the Bench, and advised Williams to plead Guilty," which he did. A PLOT. Kavanagh said that on the night in question he went out at a quarter to ten, and returned at a quarter past eleven, when Williams told him he had found some gold. He counted it, and found it was £ *] in sovereigns and two half- sovereigns. They had previously arranged together that they should run away, and he said to Williams, "Are you coming?" and Williams replied, All right." He then gave Williams the ring and the dollar out ot a box. Next morning he again asked Williams if he was coming, and he No." Proceeding, Kavanagh pleaded that he never knew that there were any keys to open the cupboard, and he thought Mrs. Jones took them with her always. Williams had before opened a cupboard, and discovered some whisky. Superintendent Rees said there was nothing known against Williams, but Kavanagh had been charged with drunkenness both in Liverpool and locally. The Chairman said that this was a very grave case indeed. Kavanagh would be sent to prison for three months, and Williams bound over in the sum of fin to come up for judgment when anything was found against him. Mrs. Jones' kind promise to take him back had had great weight with the magistrates.