Rhyl Record and Advertiser

THE REPRESENTATION OF FLINTSHIRE. RESIGNATION OF MR. S. SMITH, M.P. THE OUESTfON OF .SUCCESSOR.. 0:1 Satnrdav afternoon a meeting of the Flint- shire Liberal Association was held at the Town Hall, Flint, for the purpose of considering a letter received from Mr. S. Smith, M.P. Alder- man M. A. H.alli, J.P., presided, and amongst the local delegates present were Messrs. S. Perks, J.P., J. L. -Muspratt, J.J' R. Llewelyn Jones, Elwy Williams, J.P., S. J. Amos, C. Jones, Hugh Edwards, J. \Y. Jones, R. Jolley, H. Percival Williams, (1. W. l'arry, John l'rirn- ston, Thomas Whitley, J.P., Captain GriblArt, of Rhyl Dr. Easterby, St. Asaph; Messrs. John Hughes, Robert Jones, and Thomas Jones, Prestatvn, 0:C. There was also a large repre- sentation from the other polling districts in the county. Mr. Harding Roberts, secretary of the Associ- ation, read letters apologising for non-attend- ance. Among these was one from Mr. G. A. Parry (Mold), who referred to the rumour that Air. I. Herbert Lewis, the member for the Rooug'hs, might stand for the county division. In his humble opinion, he wrote, there was danger in such a course. In the first place the lioroughs ad no right to choose a candidate for the county; also it was dangerous at all titles to change horses when crossing a stream. Further Mr. Lewis now held a safe seat, and that which might be a safe eat for one might be dangerous for another. Mr. Harding Ro- berts added that he wrote to Air. Parry stating he was not aware that the Boroughs had inter- fered in the matter at all. Air. Roberts men read the following letter:- Orchill, Draco, Perthshire, July 24th, 1905. My dear Ilarcmg Roberts,—1 think the time has come when 1 ought to write you definitely aijout my position. I have delayed thus far at the earnest request of my constituents, who wished to avoid a by-election. I am sorry to say there is no chance of my being able for more public work. This last illness has been the most serious, and for a time my situation was very precarious and recovery seemed oubtful; but now my doctor thinks a real -improvement ha:, set in, and that I may have at least a partial iccoverv. This may be so, but 1 have not the least hope that I shall be <e for work again. There is a general ex- pectation of a dissolution of Parliament at early date. I feel sure it cannot be long 1 -tponed, for the Government is a house divided against Hself, which on the highest authority cannot stand. Whether it comes this autumn or early next year is uncertain, but I beg to intimate to my constituents that I shall not seek re-election, and that I must retire from a service in which I have enjoyed their cordial support for seventeen years. It is a cause of real sorrow to me to sever the bonds of friendship which held me to Flintshire for so manv years. No member could have had a more happy experience than has fallen to me. I have never had a differ- ence of any moment with mv constituents, and I do trust that my successor, whoever he may be, will be equally fortunate. May T take this opportunity of saying how desirous T am of seeing a strong, united Liberal party in the next Parliament ? The country is sick of this reactionary Government, which has blurred and blotted all the old landmarks of our national progress for the past century. It yearns for the old Liberal ideals of peace, retrenchment, and reform, for the full devel onment of civil and religious liberty, and for tha continuance of the Free Trade policy un- der which we have grown and prospered for sixty years. I anticipate a great Liberal victory if our partv works cordially together, and for Wales particularly I anticipate the return of the largest Liberal majority of our time. Kindly read this letter to the meeting and delegates, and believe me, vours very truly, SAMCKI. SMITH.' The Chairman said he was glad to see such a large and representative gathering. He dwelt up_n the necessity of being united, and said they must stifle small differences and work for a common object (applause). Whoever be- came their candidate must be returned by a large majority (applause). Air. S. Pen;s,J.r., proposed That this meet- ing of the Flintshire Liberal Association re- ceives with the mo-t profound regret the decis- ion of Air. Samuel Smith not to seek re-election. It recalls with gratitude the innumerable ser- vices he has rendered to the Liberal party in the county of Flint during the 17 years he has represented that constituency, and the Associa- tion offers him its deepest sympathy in his illness and expresses the hope that his valuable life may long be spared, artd that in. other capacities he may be enabled to continue to take a sympathetic interest in the well-being of the county he has so well and faithfully served both in and out of Parliament. He said he was sure he was only expressing the views of evervone present that whoever m.ay be the suc- cessor of Mr. Smith, Mr. Smith would always live in their memory as a faithful and consis- tent representative of that county (applause). Air. J. L. Muspratt,J.P..in seconding, said he was sure that however great the pain it to Air. Smith to sever his connection with that county, to those of them who had worked with him for the last seventeen years the pain was still greater. Hut having had his services so long, they had felt stronger and better Liberals since he had represented the county, and who- ever succeeded him would have a hard task to accomplish to obtain in the same degree the amount of devotion and respect which they felt for the gentleman who would shortly cease to be their member (applause). Air. J. Heruerl Lewis, M.P.,in Mipporting the motion, referred in sympathetic terms to Air. Smith, whose coileague he had been for over eleven years. He personallv would feel the separation very keenly indeed, and he only washed it nad been possible for them to keep Mr. Smith as their representative hear, hear). However, considerations of health were para- mount, and to his infinite regret he was obliged to retire. Mr. Smith had given a quarter of a century of his life entirely to the public ser- vi.—not merely the fag end of his life after the claims of business and all social obligations bad been discharged, but the whole of his life. It had been a distinction for Flintshire to have been represented by such a member (applause). Mr. Smith had always regarded it as a great ht nour to be associated with Flintshire, and he (Mr. Lewis) could easily imagine the pangs his colleague would suffer at having t sever his connection with a constituency he esteemed so highly. He cordially associated himself with the words that had been spoken or. that memor- able occasion (applause). "he motion was carried unanim nsiv. ír. Elwy Williams (Rhyl) said the retirement of Mr. Samuel Smith was not only a great loss to the county, but to the country. He was one of the greatest social reformers in Parliament, his high moral character and stsdfastness of purpose earning the deep respect and admira- tion of all his fellow-members lavmlausel. THE QUESTION" OF SUCCESSOR. Th.e meeting proceeded to consider the ques- tion of selecting a candidate. ■Ir. Thomas Parry, Aloid, saM ihev should first of all offer the seat to Mr. Herbert Lewis, the member for the boroughs. As a county elector he had not heard expre--ed any wish on the part of the boroughs or Cie countv to dictate as to what course should be pursued. The interests of the county and the boroughs w-re practically identical and li;e.> with each °ther, and both representatives -mould be in harmonv with and interested i- the county generaiiv. Mr. Herbert Lewis, a. t.iough he was technically the member for the roughs, had lir t in the past confined his attention to his own constituency, but had loc.ied after the county as well (applause). X*r.er all the cir- V-umstances he thought it was their duty to inquire whether Air. Lewis felt inclined to ac- cept the seat. If he was, then trey should offer it to him as a reward for his r'mthful services in the past. Mr. Parry said he formally propose that the Association ii:* Mr. Herbert Lewis to become the candidate Flintshire. Dr. Williams seconded the re-, nation. Mr. Lewis' past services entitled hin: the honour of promotion. They could n ("e sight of the fact that they were passing through critical times, and that the Labour vote in the county was to be seriously reckoned with. There had been rumours fiving about that the Labour element were not altogether satisfied with the state of affairs, and that it w?.< not unlikely they would run an independent candidate of their own. A voice Quite correct. Dr. Williams: Quite correct? Yen" well. tie supports my argument (laughter). He was sure, he added, no man could carry the Labour vote with him better than Mr. Lewis. He had I been looked upon in his own constituency as a Labour candidate, and he (Dr. Wiliiams) could not help thinking that there might be little I trouble with the broough electors before they would let him go (laughter). Air. T. Lindop, Buckley, said he had no auth- ority to vote for any particular candidate that afternoon. He did not think it wise definitely to select a candidate without submitting his name to the bulk of the electors (hear, hear). Air. Elwy Williams said no one would work harder than he would do if Air. Lewis was selected as their candidate. At the same time ci it was hardly fair to have brought Mr. Lewis before a public meeting. The wiser course would have been to hold a private meeting, where views could have been exchanged with gieater freedom than in that meeting (hear, hear They certainly could not get a stronger candidate than Mr. Lewis, but they must re- CuTmse that possibly there might be a difficul- ty m bringing about the transfer. The boroughs would have to be reckoned with before any decision could be arrived at. Therefore, let them take no rash step that afternoon. Mr. S. J. Amos (Rhyl) said he also felt it was rntair to bring Air. name before the meeting, and he questioned whether that meet- ing had the absolute power to select a candi- date. They all knew the county was a safe 5.:>:0:. Aloreover, it was an exoensive C;12- much more expensive to work than the boroughs. It would he a calamity to the Welsh Parliament- ary party if bv means of a mistaken policy they chanced to weaken the representation cf either the boroughs or the county. Personally, he did not knew who could carry ths borough seat like Air. Lewis'. Mr. Wright (Queen's Ferry) suggested that the question be referred back for consideration by the various local associations, who could select a name or names. Mr. T. Lindop, Buckley, asked if Air. W. II. had been approached in the matter. Mr. Harding Roberts said no one had been approached. Mr. Lnclop said he had heard the name of Air. Lever mentioned favourably several times as a candidate who would likely receive the unanimous Labour vote. Mr. T. L. Muspratt said it had been hinted that the Association should look out for a can- didate who would spend largely not only dur- ing the election time, but afterwards. He knew it had been mentioned in private conver- sation in various parts of the count}-, but he for one hoped the Association would put its fool down upon such a thing (hear, hear). No mat- ter who the man was, he should not be asked to anything beyond his services and his e an, tone If thev got a good candidate t, represent them, they should not try to gauge the depth of his pocket. If they did, their choice would be restricted and they would perhaps not be so well reoresc-nted as they won! otherwise do (hear, hear). Mr. Parry (Mold) proposed, and Mr. Amos seconded—'That this meeting, in view of the fac; that the regrettable retirement of Mr. Smith renders the selection of a Liberal candidate immediately necessary, requests the local Asso- ciations to meet for the purpose of suggesting a suitable candidate or candidates whose name or names shall be submitted to the secretary at a given date, with a view to his selection by this Association at an early date.' Mr. G. W. Parry (Rhyl) said that eighteen year;- ago he happened to be travelling towards Chester, and there came into the lompartment in which he w-as travelling a young man—that youn^ man was Air. Herbert Lewis. It was at the beginning of the election of Lord Richard ( He needed no phrenologist to tell him of the character of that man. He in- rtantlv took it in, and he had not been mistaken in it applause). When it came to a question, of selecting a candidate in succession to Lord Richard Grosvenor, he happened to mention the name of Air. Herbert Lewis, but in the dis- trict f Rhyl no one would be acceptable but Air. Smith, and they vere delegated to vote tor that gentleman. At the meeting at Alold the feeling was so strong in favour of Air. Lewis that he was within seven votes, of being elected. He was in favour of Air. Lewis at the time, and now that Air. Smith, who had served them so iaithtuily and whom them valued so highly, was about to retire, he (Mr. Parry) had a chance of returning to his first love, feeling that it was impossible to find anyone to contest the county who would be more acceptable to the party generally than A!r. Herbert Lewis (applause). A voice: Is Air. Herbert Lewis willing to accept the invitation ? C Mr. j. \V. Jones (Rhyl) said it was useless L I I going before the different associations with anv names before they knew what -Air. Lewis would do. Perhaps that gentleman was not prepared to accept the invitation. Let the meeting have an indication of his feelings in the matter in order to convey them to those thev represented, (hear, hear). < Mr. Herbert Lewis. then explained his position to the meeting, but by request the reporters did not take a note of his speech in order, as the hon. member remarked, to allow him greater freedom of expression. In effect, Air. Lewis consented to stand on certain conditions. After some further discussion, the resolution was passed. It was also resolved to hold an- other meeting of the Association at Flint on September 5th.

ST. ASAPH BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The fortnightly meeting of the St. Asaph Board of Guardians was held at the .Board Room, St. Asaph, on Friday. There were pre- sent Messrs. R. Llewelyn Jones (Chairman), Gwilym Parry (Vice-Chairman), R. Griffiths, R Davies, r. Roberts Jones, J. frimston, J. llritc-l-iarcl, j Kerfoot, T. Evans, T. P. Hughes, W. S. Roberts, R. Alorris, W. H. Hughes, O Owen, W. Jones, P. Mostyn Williams, Hugh Roberts, J. D. Jones, W. Conwy Bell, J- Lloyd, T. Howes Roberts, E. Alorgan, "-c. THE HOUSE. The Alaster reported that the number of in- mates in the House last Board day was 120; admitted since, 6; discharged, 6-; remaining in the House at the present time, 120. The number of vagrants relieved during the past fortnight was 122, as compared with 92 corres- ponding period last year. GIFTS TO INAIATES. The Alaster reported that through the thought- ful kindness of Miss Fenton, Anghorfa, St. Asaph, the hospital ward had been presented with a most valuable invalid chair. Airs. Lux- more had visited The house and had kindly left sweets for the children. Parcels of illustrated and other papers had been received from Mrs. Wigley, Bryn Polyn Alawr Lady Campbell I)Iits ileaton, etc. On the notion of the Chairman seconded by Mr. R. Davies the usual vote of thanks was act circled. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. I A letter was read from the Clerk, Air. Charles Ciimsley acknowledging tli«? o'e of :,ymp.itny which the Board had passed with him i.n his bereavement consequent on less of his woe. THE PROPOSED DIVISION M" THE ST. ASAPH RELIEVING D'STiviCT. Nir. Howes Roberts submitted the report of 1 he visiting committee with reference to the ¡ letter of the Registrar General as to the division of the St. Asaph Relief and Registration distriict lie said that the committee recommended that the ccnsidertion of the matter be adjourned for two months, because they had an idea T,) r tiiat instead of having four relieving officers that the" could so re-arrange the districts as to do with three at the present.. Mr. R. Griffiths inquired on what grounds were they asked to adjourn the matter. Mr. T. Howes Roberts replied bees use it was thought that within the next two months they vo.-uld be able to settle the whole thing satisfactorily. Mr. P. Mostyn Williams seconded the pro- position of Mr. Howes Roberts. He thought 1 that in two months the matter would right itself without any further trouble to the Board uf Guardians. Mr. T'11n Frimston failed to see anv grounds for delaying especially if it was meant to upset what had already been decided upon bv the Board. The Board had come to the conclusion to divide the district and had adopted a certain scheme which had been submitted to the Regis- trar General and practically accepted except a<< regards just one portion of the district. It appeared to him that the recommendation of the Committee was only an: attempt to shelve the matter.and to try and get rid of what thev had originally intended. Fle could not gather fiorn the remarks of the proposer and seconder what rgound's they had for recommending the delay. The seconder said the matter would right itself in two months, but he should require some better information than that before he could vote for it. Mr. T. Howes Roberts said it would be re- membcrcd that when some time ago the St. r Asaph Relieving Officer complained that his I district was too large to allow of him satisfac- torily performing the whole of his duties, it was suggested that the parishes of Bodfari and Tremeirchion should be taken from his district Tremeirchion should be taken from his district and added to the Denbigh district. The officer said if that were done he would be able to undertake satisfactorily all the duties. But it was suggested—he did not think that the Den- bigh Relieving Officer was responsible for it- that the Denbigh Relieving Officer could not undertake any more duties than he was per- forming at present, and it was then suggested that the St. Asaph district should be divided, Rhyl, Dyserth, Prestatyn, and Aleliden making one district,, and the rest a new and a separate district, and that an additional officer should be appointed. Since then the Relieving Officers 1 had talked the matter over amongst themselves, and the St. Asaph Officer now appeared to be rather sorry that he had said anything about t. Cut they were in hopes that before the expiration of two months things would be arranged satisfactorily to ail parties. j Air. J. Frimston hi what way ? Air. T. Howes Roberts replied that they hoped to be able to so arrange matters that the work could be done bv three Relieving Officers instead of four. Of course it was all a ques- tion of economy. He admitted that in the long run efficiency was the truest economy, and if it could be proved that they could not do the work efficiently with less than four Relieving. Officers, nobody would more readily fall in with that arrangement than himself. But the view of the committee was that the work could be efficiently done by three officers, which would mean a saving to the Union of £100 a year. He thought if the Board adopted the recom- mendation of the committee it would be to the advantage of the Union in every way. Mr. R. Griffiths said he took it that in another six months the Board would be able to rescind the previous resolution. It seemed to him that that was the object of the delay. Iv Air. J. Frimston failed to see from what had been said that there were any grounds whatever for the postponement. This matter had arisen originally in consequence of the inefficient way in which the work was carried out, and the Finance Committee were asked to specially con- sider the matter, and they did so and spent many hours over it, and recommended that the St. Asaph district, should be divided in two. That recommendation was sent up to Headquar- ters. and it was now only a question of settling one small matter between themselves and the Registrar-General. Officials in Lon- don did not understand the district so well as they did, and he thought if matters were ex- plained properly to the Registrar-General he would see that the Guardians had taken the right view. This sort of thing had happened before with Local Government Board officials, but the views of the Guardians had always pre- vailed in the encl, and they would do so with the Registrar-General if they would only stick to their guns. L Air. Alostyn Williams said that Air. Frimston did not seem to take the proper view of the matter. The proposed addition of Rhuddlan to the Rhyl district would make the disparity in the rateable value still greater than it was be- fore. The Rhyl district would have a rateable value of £ 85,000 as against £ 30,000 for the Si.' Asaph district. That was a great and most unreasonable disparity. The Registrar-General understood the question very well, and some deference should be paid to what he said. The Registrar-General had taken a stand, and he could not be moved from it. The Chairman We have not yet attempted to do so. Mr. Alostyn Williams: I think we have. I think the far better coyrse is to leave matters in the way proposed. Mr. T. 1'. Hughes said they were fully satis- fied that three men could do the work. Thev were quite willing that the present Relieving Officer should live in Rhyl, 'for that, he under- stood, was the great grievance of the Rhyl people, and they were also willing that the Denbigh Relieving Officer should take over the parishes of Bodfari and Tremeirchion. The Denbigh Relieving Officer was perfectly willing to that course, and the St. Asaph Relieving Officer said he could do the work if that were done. At present he had to devote one day in each week to go to Bodfari and Tremeirchion, and that day he would be able to devote to other districts. He did not think that there was anything very extraordinary about the work he had to do. Other people had to do it before him, and the proportion of paupers then was not comparatively very much smaller than it was at present. Mr. J. D. Jones thought it was hardly worth while loosing so much time over the matter. If it would right itself in two months, why not agree to the postponement. Mr. R. Griffiths said he was of opinion that someone had been writing to the Registrar- General behind the backs of the Guardians. It appeared to him that his views were exactly the same as he had heard expressed on that Beard. If anyone had done so, it was very underhanded work. The Chairman We have no evidence of that. Mr. 1'. Alostyn Williams: If that refers to me. I deny it in toto. Mr. J. Frimston proposed as an amendment that the matter be adjourned for a fortnight (. nlv. Mr. R. Griffiths seconded. Air. Frimston said he was a member of the Finance Committee, and he had not been sum- moned to the meeting. Air. Alostyn Williams admitted that the mat- ter had been considered by the Visiting Com- mittee and not by the Finance Committee, the Visiting Committee having been called in error. The Chairman said in that event he must rule the recommendation of the committee out of order, and the Finance Committee must take it up de novo. Mr. E. Alorgan said that Air. Griffiths had made a sweeping charge against the'Board, and he ought to substantiate it or withdraw it. Mr. R. Griffiths T cannot withdraw it. The Chairman But vou don't mean it ser- iously ? Mr. R. Griffiths Certainly not as against the Board. The Chairman And for want of proof you withdraw it ? T-if' Griffiths: Certainly. The matter then dropped, it being understood that it will be again considered bv the Finance Committee. THE INCREASE OF COUNTV RATES. A circular letter was read from the Knighton nion recommending that the Countv Councils of Denbigh and Flint be informed that owing to the enormous increase in the county rates, the Guardians could not see their way to collect such rates, after the expiration of the current half-year, and request them to issue their pre- cepts direct to the overseers. The Chairman said he understood that this matter was before the last lfieeting, and its consideration was adjourned to that meeting. Mr. J. D. Jones thought that seeing that the overseers and assistant overseers were at pre- sent under the control of the Board, it was far better for the ratepayers than if the Comlty C ouncils had to deal with the overseers direct. He thought that the present was much the more satisfactory arrangement. Mr. R. Davies asked did the Guardians coll- ect the county rates as an act of grace, or were they bound to rl o so bv law the Chairman We are bound to do so by law. The Clerk said that the President of the Local Government Board had been asked a question on the subject, and he had replied that it was the duty of tHe Boards of Guardians to raise the money as required by precept, and if they failed to do so the County Councils had ample power to obtain the money from the overseers with an addition of ten per cent. It was resolved that the letter should lie on the table. NORTH WALES POOR LAW CONFERENCE A letter was read from Air. P. Harding Ro. berts, secretary to the North Wales Poor Law Conference, enclosing particulars of the North Wales Poor Law Conference which is to be held at Blaenau Festiniog in Sep- tember, and inquiring the names of the dele- gates that would represent the üoard, also ap- plying for a subscription towards the expenses. It was resolved to pay the annual subscription of 10s. 6d.. and to name as delegates the Chair- man, Vice-Chairman, Miss Bennett, Airs. Robt. Jones, Air. Alostyn Williams, Mr. R. Griffiths, and Mr. Thomas Evans. Several other mem- bers also expressed their intention of being present. THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE RE- PRESENTATION OF PARISHES. A letter was read from the Denbighshire County Council in reference to the application for art increased representation for certain parishes in the Union, and asking particulars as to the increase of Guardians applied for. ft was resolved that the Finance Committee should deal with the matter. < V A C CIN A TIO N R E TI" R N S. The vaccination returns were submitted. There were no unaccounted for cases in either Denbigh or Abergele. There was no report from the St. Asaph district, the Chairman re- marking that the Guardians evidently desired to perpetuate this state of things. The Reliev- ing Officer was called in, and said that the re- port would be ready by the next Board day. THE ST. ASAPH RELIEVING OFFICER. The St. Asaph Relieving Officer applied that the Beard should aliow him the expense of his deputy for a fortnight, during which time he had taken his (the Relieving Officer's) place while suffering from a diphtheric throat. The Board acceded to idle application. DR. ABEL PARRY'S SEAT. The Clerk reported that Dr. Abel Parry's seat I was vacant in consequence ot his ccmtinitea absence from the meetings for more than six months. It was resolved to excuse the rev. gentleman's absence. 1 p A LEFT-HANDED BRUSSER. An aged and familiar couple, Patrick Flynn and hi, wite. appeared before the Board and applied that their weekly relief of two shillings and sixpence -hould be increased. The Chairman remarked that the couple would be very much better if they came to the House. Air. Thomas Evans: If they come here they cannot live together it is very hard lines to separate a man and his wife. Patrick flvnn (s(,IeTiiil%,) Whom Corl binds together let no man put asunder (loud laughter). Asked if he could do any wor.1\ Flynn re- plied that he could not use his right hand he had only his left hand. The Chairman And with that hand you are a regular brusser. The police say that you are worse than a man with half-a-dozen hands. After the applicants had retired, the Chair- man said they were doing very wrong if they encouraged this class of people. Mr. T. P. Hughes: I propose we give them three shillings a week. Air. Thomas Evans T second it. Mr. J. Roberts I think he has managed to have quite enough to drink with two and six- pence. Mr. Thomas Evans: Let him have it in the name of goodness. The Guardians declined to make any increase.

CHURCH BAZAAR AT PRESTATYN. SPEECHES BY LORD AND LADY MOSTYN. A two days' bazaar was opened at the National Schools,Prestatyn, on Tuesday the proceeds of which are to be devoted in aid of the fund for enlarging the Paiish Church. This has been rendered necessary owing to the rapid growth of the parish and the great infiux of visitors during the summer months. I The scheme is estimated to cost ,f23co and towards this there is a sum of 130 in the Bank, and the St. Asaph Diocesan Building Society have voted £100 towards the fund as an expression of their sympathy. The arrangements for the bazaar were carried out by a Committee of which the Vicar (Rev. O. J. Davies) was chairman, Mr Churchwarden Scott, the hon secretary, assisted by his Co-warden, Mr W. H. Coward, J.P., and their arrangements were of the most complete and satisfactory deicription. Mr. Hughes, N. & S. W. Bank was the hon. treasurer. Valuable assistance as stewards was rendered by Messrs. E. H Parry, J. O. Clarke, J. B. Linnel, Robert Hughes, A. Parish, C. Haworth, R. J. Tickle, J Davies, Joseph Jones, Edwards, AV. Glass, and Smith. There was an exceptionally large and attractive collection of saleable goods on the various stalls embracing a variety of useful and ornamental articles,as well as refreshment, flower and fruit stalls. The alls were all temptingly laid out and the roomst most tastefully decoratedr The following is a list of the stallholders:- Fancy Stall-Mrs Scott. Mrs E. Wimberly, Miss Davies, Vicarage, Misses Livesey, Misses Jones, Fern Bank, Miss Davies, Fern Bank, Mrs E. Williams, Miss A. Radley, Miss Warfolk, Mrs Gratton, Miss Howe, Mrs. E G. Bradley. Fruit, Flower, and Produce Stall—Mrs Morgan, Misses Lyne, Miss A. Thornton, Misses Marlow. Fish Pond —Mrs. Broad, Miss Wimberley, Miss Coulthard. Goods Stall—Mrs. Jones, Freelands. China Stall—Miss Edith Coward, Miss Hilda l Marlow. Sweets Stall—Miss L Coward, Miss Ettie Coward. Refreshment Stall —Mrs Coward, Mrs Linnell, I MGs Jones, Ashdown, Miss Gorbett Jones, Plas, Miss Higgins, Irs. Richards, Miss Healey, Aliss Skelton, Airs. Tickle, Airs. David Hughes, Miss Foden, Alisses Swift, Airs. Alarlow, Alisses Afinton, Alisses Sheffield, Miss Jones, Boswell House, Airs. Hewitt, Miss Hewitt, Miss J. Will- iams, and Miss Bracegirdle. Palmistry—Aliss Hughes and Miss Wood, Newcastle. Bran Tub—Aliss Summerskill, Miss Hughes. Among the supplemental attractions were Alin- strel entertainments by Mr. Jimmy Charters' minstrels, a confetti battle, and competitions in hat trimming, home-made cake, home-made bread, best hand-knitted socks, best pincushion, and best dressed doll, the adjudicators being Airs. Owen, Dyrerth N'icarage Irs. Williams, Aleliden Vicarage Mrs. Switham, Willow Cot- tage Mrs. Tindall, Wylfa and Airs. Cunning- ham, Liverpool. Musical items were contri- buted at intervals by Miss Howe, Miss Alarjory Dunning, the Rev. T. Jenkins, Rhvl; Miss Bibby, ihyl; Miss l'ochin, Airs. Redman, and Miss Huye^. There was a large and fashionable gathering at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, which was gracefully performed by Lady Alostyn, of Mostyn Hall, who was accompanied by Lord Afostvn. Among those, present were Dr. Durant, the Rev. John and Airs. Uwen, The icarage, Dyserth; the Rev. and Airs. Williams, The Vicarage, Aleliden; Mrs. Broad, Miss Jones, 1, las Airs, and Aliss Sheffield, Airs. Thorn- ton, Mrs. Tindall, Dr. Wimberley, Airs, and Aliss Wimberley, Airs. Coward and family. Miss Jones, Gronant Road Mrs. and Aliss Hewitt, Miss Man-nix, Rhyl Aliss Vizard, do Aliss Oldham, Airs. Hunt, Airs. Griffiths, Leyton; Air. S. and Miss Perks, Rhyl It .D. Ro- berts, do. Airs. Pritchard, do., &c. The Vicar, who was heartily received, thanked Lord and Lady Mostyn for their kindness in coming there that day, and for the interest and sympathy they had always shown with Church work at Prestatyn. People were under the impression that Prestatvn was a very modern place. It no doubt was a place of modern development, but it was a fact that in the year 1167 it possessed a castle. A'isitors at Pres- tatyn would find it an interesting occupation to try and discover where that castle was. But the Welsh people did build a castle there, and they had an English invasion, and they took it away from them as they had taken most things. The English invasion still continued, though not with the sound of the hoofs of hor- ses and the clashing of arms. It was an invasion which they were glad to welcome, and that day they were engaged in a work which was to help them to provide accommodation for the English visitors who come into their midst. The fact that an enlargement of the Parish Church was rendered necessarv was almost en- tirely due to the invasion of the English people, and it was a work which would entail an ex- penditure of about £ 2,300. They were not very rich in l'restatyn. They had no rich people living in the parish with the exception of one or two. But they were trying in Prestafyn to as far as thev could contribute their share towards the cost. They had now in the bank a sum of £ 130. and the St. Asaph Diocesan Building Society had kindly promised a sum of £100, so that they required a further sum -of £ 2,070 to defray the cost of the work which they had decided to carry out. As the result of that bazaar they hoped to be a little nearer the goal (applause). Miss E. H. I'ari,N-, at the close of the Vicar's speech, presented Ladv Alostyn with a basket of flowers. Lady Alostyn, who had a very cordial wel- come, expressed her pleasure at seeing so many present. She hoped that the company inclu- ded a large number of buyers, and that they Avould secure the beautiful articles which were so profusely and tastefully arranged on the various stalls. That bazaar was being held for a very excellent object, viz., the enlarge- ment of their Parish Church. The necessity for that enlargement proved that not only were Church wwrkers increasing, and especially since their present Bicar had come to their midst, but it proved also that Prestatyn was making rapid strides and was becuming a most popular seaside resort (applause). She hoped that that bazaar would be very successful, and result in a good round sum towards the object in view (applause!. It had given both Lord Mostyn and herself great pleasure to come there that afternoon. She had a very pleasant task to perform, and that was to declare that bazaar open (applause). Air. T. J. Scott proposed a vote of thanks to T.c)rd and Lady Alostyn for their presence. All knew the interest which they took in Church work in the diocese. He had been present at many meetings in which Lord Alostvn took part, and could testify to his interest in Church work. He thought they were specially in- debted to Lady Alostyn for the graceful way in which she had performed the ceremony that day (applause). Air. J. B. Linnell. J.P., said he had great pleasure in seconding the proposition, which was heartily carried. Lord Mostyn, in acknowledging, said it Had given Lady Alostyn and himself great pleasure to come to Prestatyn. He congratulated the promoters on the tine day they had had for the bazaar, and upon the large gathering that had assembled at the opening ceremony. He thought that gathering testified to the fact that Church work in Prestatyn was progressing in a most satisfactory manner. He was reading their Parish Magazine as coming along, as he was anxious to see what was being done in Prestatyn. He was glad to find that their pre- sent Church was too small, and that they were endeavouring to enlarge it in order to provide accommodation for the great influx of visitors that came to Prestatyn. As one having some property in l'reetatyn, and therefore as one interested in its material welfare, he rejoiced at the evident progress it was making. He noticed that the Vicar in the Parish Magazine made the remark that if every visitor that came to Prestatyn would only, give a shilling towards the fund they would very soon be able to en- large the Church. He believed that Prestatyn had a great future before it, for with the pos- sible exception of Llandudno—(laughter)—he thought it had the finest air on the North Wales coast (applause). He thanked them sincerely for their kind vote of thanks. He hoped they would make that bazaar a big success, and support in every way the excellent work which the Vicar was, and had been doing ever since he had come to reside amongst them (applause)'. Business then immediately proceeded with, and briskly carried on to the close of the bazaar. The bazaar on Wednesday was opened by Mrs. Walton Evans, wife of Archdeacon Evans, The Canonrv, St. Asaph. In introducing ATrs. Evans, the Rev. O. J. Davies, vicar, announced that the takings of the first day, exclusive of subscriptions and ticket money, was £ 70 (ap- plause). He had also received a letter from Lord Mostyn enclosing a cheque far JB5 towards j the funds (applause). In acknowledging a vote of thanks to Airs. Evans, Archdeacon Evans delivered an interest- ing speech on church building in the diocese. He remembered Prestatyn without a church, school, or parsonage. He also remembered Colwyn Bay without a church, and Old Cohvyn with but one. At present church building in the diocese was quite fashionable, and no doubt a good deal of it was due to the great influx of what he always called the Saxon invaders (laughterj. In connection with that invasion they experienced a difficulty of which their English friends knew nothing, namely the bilingual difficulty. They had two languages, Welsh and English, and whilst possessing, ample accommodation for the Welsh population, it was becoming year aftere year a mere difficult question to know what to do with the influx, which was growing greater every year, of Eng- lish visitors. At Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, and Llandudno they had built additional churches for those invaders, and at Old Colwyn last week they opened one of the most beautiful churches in the diocese. They must have a go-od Church of England service for visitors. Thev were ac- customed to hearty services at home, and they expected them when they came to Wales. If the people were anxious for the temporal welfare of Prestatayn they must build a nice church and provide good musical services. Tn- glish people would not go to a badly ventilated church or schoolroom where they were packed together like sardines (laughter.) They liked plenty of light and fresh air. English people as a lule were not so hot headed as their Welsh neighbours, but they possessed deep religious convictions, and the father of I a family would not go to Prestatyn or anywhere else if his family could not have the privilege of attending good church services. The major- ity of the upper classes who came into AVales were church people, and if Prestatvn wished to succeed as a watering place let them build a good roomy church as soon as possible(applause) Lodging-house keepers and tradesmen should assist the movement to the uttermost, and if Sir Charles AlcLaren had the welfare of the residents at heart he would—as he (the speaker) hoped he reallv would—come out and build a semi- cathedral. He wished the bazaar every success.

FRENCH MONKS IN ENGLAND. STARTLING FACTS AND FIGURES. Rustics of Devon, Cornwall, Essex, Berks, and many other counties of England have within the past three years had occasion to stare in surprise at the quaint costumes that have appeared among them from time to time. The explanation, says the St. James's Gazette, is that monks and nuns during the period mentioned, expelled from their native France, have, unnoticed as far as the majority of the British public is concerned, effected a peaceful invasion of our shores. The following table has been compiled from Roman Catholic sources, and speaks for itself as to the growth of religious establishments in England: Houses Houses of Year. of Men. Women. Total. 1836 — 16 16 1842 3. 20 23 1850 11 41 52 1860 37 123 160 1870 67 232 299 1900 266 572 838 1903 283 635 918 The figures for 1903 are up to March 31st. Since then the numbers have increased, and to-day there are in Protestant England 685 convents and 305 monasteries compared with 377 convents and 215 monasteries in Roman Catholic Ireland. Nor is this all-new convent schools, to the number of 47 were started last year, and the pupils, numbering in all 3,455, are receiving the strictest of educations in the Roman Catholic faith. As though this progress was not sufficient, a fortnight ago Dr. Bourne, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Southwark, extended an unlimited invitation to the heads of the expelled Congrega- tions in France to "come over and take up missionary work in his diocese. The answer to this invitation has been general. This enables the Bishop to open up thirty-one new missions in South Louden alone. The invasion does not end there, however. We find that the French Fathers of the Soudan are to almost immediately take up their residence at Sidcup. and accommodation is being found for other orders at Hastings, Seaford, Brighton, and other towns. One hundred and five Benedictine monks are to settle in their new home at Woolhampton, near Reading, next month; whilst in the Isle of Wight the Church of Rome has been exceedingly active. The Island swarms with monks and nuns. Early last year sixty-five monks arrived at Appuldur- combe Park, near Ventnor. These have since been augmented by three batches of twelve, twenty-two, and seven. Last June twelvemonth eighty nuns of the same order took up their quarters at North wood House, Cowes. These, too, have been augmented by thirty-seven. Clarence House, near Osborne House, has received several large batches of French nuns this year, and, although exact figures are not obtainable, local authorities put the number at considerably higher than 100. Less than two years ago by a month thirty-three Benedictine nuns arrived at Wanstead. They had no followers then, but now their adherents muster nigh on 200. A month ago seventy-seven Dominican monks, expelled from France, settled at Edmonton, Middlesex, and news is just to hand that another party of refugee Benedictines are entering into possession of the Leasowe Castle Hotel, overlooking the Mersey channel. Recently French orders have established them- selves at Pwllheli, Canterbury, Newhaven, Farn- borough, Burntash, Chertsey, Bodmin, Penzance, Hayle, Newton Abbot, and the East End of London, but the exact numbers of each establishment at present are not procurable. A dozen Roman Catholic buildings are in course of erection in Devon. Hard by the little village of Martin, on the borders cf the New Forest, more Trappist Fathers are settling as fast as boats can get them from France. Already nearly eighty have arrived, and report has it more will follow shortly. A beautiful church is about to be built, too, at Swanage, where 187 monks and nuns, all expelled from France, have arrived. Possibly the most remarkable fact about these expelled orders is the fact that most other Popish European countries will have none of them. They tried Spain, Alfonso insisted on their civil authorisation. In Portugal the populace stoned a shipload of monks on the quay at Lisbon, and forced them to re-embark. A law has been passed in Switzerland prohibiting their admission, and Austria, Germany, and Italy have turned the exiles back.

The tug Tiger, which recently sank while on a trial trip, was taken into mid-harbour. Greenock, on Saturday, and was pumped dry and floated on the incoming tide. After a search no trace of the three missing bodies was obtained. George Steel, twenty-three, a labourer, was, at the (Terkt'iiwell Police-court on Saturday, ordered fourteen days' hard labour for having assaulted a barmaid named Louisa Worrall because he was refused liouor.

(f 11 The Best Proof. i Experience establishes the fact j I that Van Houten's Cocoa is not only the Highest in Quality and the most delicious I in flavour, but also the most economical in use. Buy a tin and prove this for yourself. i I vannouteri coa II, Ðt & goes farthest. _U-uuO.u n

JOCKEY SHOOTS HIMSELF. Shortly after eleven o'clock on Tuesday night Leo Krempiin, the well-known German steeplechase rider, who has also ridden in this country, told some companions, at Newmarket, that he intended to shoot himself. They, considering the remark made in fUll. took no notice. Shortly afterwards I Krempiin walked on to SOUlt. open ground near, I called the Severals, and was seen to fire a revolver on to the ground and then into the air. Im- mediately after he placed the weapon to the left side of his head and fired, bespattering his cap with part of his brains. When picked up lie was quite dead. No reason can be assigned for the act.

SHOCKING MURDER CHARGE. John Gallagher, colliery labourer, and Emily Swann, widow, have been committed for trial at, Barnsley charged with the murder of William Swann, glass-blower, the husband of the last-named prisoner, at Wombwell. Gallagher used to lod«e with the Swanns, but had been ordered out of the house. He and Mrs. Swann were together one evening when the deceased came home from work. It was alleged that on two occasions struggles took place, and that Mrs. Swann egged on Gallagher to kill her husband. Swann was found dead in the house with four of his ribs and his chest bone broken, though the actual cause- of death was a clot of blood on the brain. WhCt arrested at Mid- dlesbrough Gallagher said: "It was Mrs. Swann who used the poker."

HAS STITCHES IN HIS HEART. John Long, a Kingsland tailor, owes his life to a marvellous feat in surgery. Seme two months or more ago he was admitted to the London Hospital with a wound in the chest. He had been stabbed, and an examination shewed that his heart had been penetrated. The doctors decided that the only I chance of saving the patient was to stitch up the wound in the heart, and this deiicate task was per- formed by Dr. Richard Warren after the wound in the chest had been enlarged. For weeks Long was in a serious condition, but on Tuesday he was able to appear at the Worship-street Police-court to support a charge of attempted murder preferred against Jacob Blitz, thirty-live, stick-dresser, who was committed for trial. Long,who was apparently in the best of health, said that on finding himself stabbed he snatched a stick from a bystander, rushed after the prisoner, and struck him two or three times on the head.

» BIGGER BATTLESHIPS TO BE BUILT On Tuesday Princess Louise, the Duchess of Argyle, will launch his Majesty' first-class battle- ship Dominion at Barrow, and then the whole of the King Edward YII. class of batteships will be afloat. Their successors on the stocks are not yet started, and will not be until the commencement of another financial year, in April next. There are to be three of the new class, to be bnilt at Chatham, Portsmouth, and Devonport respectively, and they are to be "improved" King Edwards. The limit of size and weight in battleships and armament, says the Pall Pall Gazette, does not appear to have yet been reached, for the new vessels are to be of no less than 18,000 tons, or about 1,500 tons heavier than the King Edward class. They will be the first battleships of the new designer at the Admiralty (Mr. Philip Watts), and the most notable departure in their construction will be seen in the armour- plating for the sides of the hull. An armour belt of lOin. Krupp steel, tapering away to 6in., will be continued the whole length of the broadside. This is the first time this has been attempted in the battleships of any country. Four submerged torpedo tubes, four 50-ton wire guns, eight quick-firing 27- ton guns, and twelve 6-inch guns are included in the armament—a battery of enormous capacity. A speed of nineteen knots, in spite of immense weight, will be stipulated for.

WEST-END BURGLAR HUNT. Between four and five o'clock on Tuesday morn- ing an exciting hunt for a suspected burglar took place in three residences in St. James's-square, London—those of the Bishop of London, the Earl of Derby, and the Duke of Norfolk. Screams were heard by the police in the small hours proceeding apparently from the house of Lord Derby. Then the servants rushed out in alarm, declaring that there were burglars on the premises. A large force of police soon assembled, and thoroughly searched the mansion; but meeting with no success they made an inspection of the roof. For several hours THE HrXT WAS CONTINUED, when it transpired that the house of the Bishop of London next door had also been entered by a thief l or thieves. A large number of servants assisted the police in their long search, which now extended I to the house of the Bishop. Nothing up to then had rewarded the party. Towards noon, however, mysterious noises were heard by the servants in Norfolk House, which adjoins that of I the Bishop, and a hasty survey shewed that burglars had been at work on the premises. Certain rooms appeared to have been turned nearly upside down in the endeavour to obtain possession of valuables. Everything in the shape of a cupboard or a box that might be considered a likely place in which to keep costly articles had been broken open and ransacked. Finally sucepss rewarded the efforts of the searchers, for a man servant DISCOVERED IN THE COAL CET.I.AR of the Duke's house a man of the labouring class who had no business there. The servant promptly turned the key on the intruder and kept him locked in until he summoned the police. The man was apparently asleep, and was lying among the coal. Beside him were some valuables packed up ready for removal, while his pockets were filled. The bundles that he had made ready contained a quantity of plate. On being removed to Vine-street police-station lie declined to give any information about himself. He treated the matter lightly, and laughingly said that he came down the chimney. He is a man apparently about thirty years of age. Painters and other workmen have lately been engaged upon some houses in St. James's-square, and the ladders left by them may have been found by the intruders of considerable assistance to them. The man arrested alleges that during the search a constable flashed his lantern on him, but failed to notice him.

Dan Leno is progressing favourably, and has been able to visit his home at Balham for an hour or two. It is expected he will be sent at the end of the week to a south coast watering-place. For smuggling saccharine to the value, with duty, of £336, Enoch Skidmore was fined £ 336— the maximum penalty-at Wigan, with the alter- native of six months' imprisonment. Leaning out of a window to throw a piece of coal at a barking dog, Joseph Charlton, of William- street, Hampstead-road, London, lost his balance, fell 30ft., and was killed. Fired by witnessing a wrestling tournament, a waiter and a "boots" of an Edinburgh hotel attempted a practice match, which resulted in the waiter falling and fracturing his right thigh. In a great fire at Genoa the other night, in a noble- man's stables, a stable boy who slept there was burnt to death, and nine valuable horses were roasted alive. Nitit. passive resistors, including three Noncon- formist ministers, were summoned at Blyth, Northumberland, on Tuesday, and orders made against them. At the conclusion of the cases the defendants and their friends marched to tll- Market- place singing hyms.

LADY DOCTOR" DISAPPEAKS. Considerable mystery surrounds the disapper. ance of Miss Sophie Frances Hickman, a fully- qualified lady doctor employed temporarily at the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's-inn-road, London. Miss Hickman, who is the daughter of Mr. E. > Hickman, of Courtfield-gardens, South Kensington, went to the hospital as a locum tL.tois. occupying the position of one of the resid-nt lady*doctors, who was absent on holidays. her duties on Friday last week Miss Hickman, it is presumed, went to bed. but next morning was missed from the hospiral. None of the employees had seen her leave, and as the day wore on and there was no sign of her reappearance her family were communicated with. Visits t; relatives and friends of the missing lady in Lendon failed to clear up the mystery, and up to Tuesday no trace of her had been found. Miss Hickman's family has communicated with S'-ot.land-ynrd. the officials of which are now also active ly engaged in the search. Miss Hickman is described as a rather robust- looking your.g woman.

A CAMBER WELL TRAGEDY. An inquest has been held at Camberwell respecting the dcatlis of Elizabeth Stow, aged twenty-two, and her sou, Henry Leonard Stow, aged nine months, who died under painful circum- stances on Saturday morning last, at 214, Albany- road, Camberwell. Walter Stow, a warehouse man, said the deceased woman, who was his sister-in-law, together with her husband and their child, resided with witness at 214, Albany-road. Recently she had been greatly depressed owing to the illness of her husband, but she had never threatened suicide. Witness last saw her alive at 12.15 a.m. on Saturday iast. On rising at 6.30 the same morning he saw his sister-in-law hanging by a rope from the stair banisters. Siie was fully dressed. Witness cut her down, but she was then dead. Thomas Stow, another of the deceased woman, living at the same address, deposed to finding the body of the dead child lying in the bath, covered with water. It was stated that, the husband was too iil to attend the inquiry. From a statement made by him it appeared that his wife went to bed at 2 a.m. on Saturday, when the child was sleeping near to them in a basket used as a cot. The husband went to sleep, and did not hear his wife leave the room. She had appeared ^worried on account of his illness, but her husband had never heard her threaten violence. Dr. Oldneld stated that in the case of the woman death was due to strangulation from hanging, and in the case of the chiid to asphyxiation irom drowning. The jury found that the mother first murdered her child :nid then committed suicide when temporarily insane.

CLUB STEWARD'S REVENGE. John Smith, described on the charge-sheet as a "collier," who had been caretaker at Cudworth Village Club and Institute, has been charged at Barnsley with wilful damage to property of the club to the extent of £ 200, by destroying cigars and by liberating a large quantity of beer.—Mr. Muir Wilson, in opening the case, said the defendant had been steward at the club for four-and-a-half years, but the committee last month decided to get rid of him. The following day the committee went to the club to carry out tiie decision, but the decision had got out, and the defendant had prepared a reception for the committee. the members arrived at the club they found that twenty barrels, of fifty- four gallons each, in the cellar, had been destroyed by the corks being knocked in, and the cellar was flooded to a depth of about 2ft. Forty gallons of Irish whisky, twenty gallons of rum, &c., had been dealt with in a similar way. Accused also took 8,000 cigars, 160 3d. packets. and 300 Id. packets of cigarettes, to the back of the club, and with the aid of petroleum set them on fire. There were men who saw him do the damage, but they did not try to interfere with him.—Evidence was given bearing out Mr. Wilson's opening, the secretary stating the cost price of the beer was k55, forty gallons Irish whisky Z30, twenty gallons rum R,15, and eleven gallons special whisky value Lll.-A witness, who said he looked on whilst the damage was being done, and tried to persuade Smith not to do it, said Smith told him he was having his revenge out of them.—The defendant was sent for trial at Wakefield Sessions.

The first application for summonses against passive resisters at Cambridge was made on Tuesday by the overseer, who took one district, to begin with, which includes all the principal opponents to the payment of the Education rate in the University and town. The summonses are returnable next week. Two men have been arrested at Windsor on a charge of robbery committed at the races. They are alleged to have stolen a purse, containing £35, from a gentleman. They were traced to the Great Western Station and captured in a train about to proceed to London. Another man said to have been concerned in the affair escaped in the crowd. The men in custody were taken to Clewer Police- station and remanded. 1 LADY'S DEATH ON CADER. The death took place on Monday,near the summit of Cader Idris, of a young lady from Bradford, named Jessie Lilian Priestly, twenty-two years of < age. Miss Priestly, in company with two other ladies, left Dolgelley about eleven in the morning for the purpose of climbing Cader Idris. When but a short distance from the summit she became il!, and expired before medical help could be procured. The police were quickly informed, and the body was removed to Dolgelley to await an inquest.

PEASANT RIOTS IN CROATIA. Fresh Croat riots are reported from Zaprasic, where, in connection with the celebrations of the Austrian Emperor's birthday, about 1,000 peasan'* assembled in front of the station buildings and cut up a Hungarian banner. As they resisted the elTorts of the gendarmes to disperse th»mi the gen- darmes finally fired on them, killing thro*1 c.nd wounding many others. Disturbances also occurred at Komesina, where a shop belonging to n Jewish tradesman was plundered. On the arrival of the military the peasants received them with showers of stones, whereupon the soldiers fired, killing two and wounding others. ja

The mutilated body of an unknown man was found on Saturday beneath the wheels of one of a series of waggons which were being drawn along the street, railway at Liverpool Docks. It is thought that lie met his death whilst attempting 1o get a cheap ride. A seaman was killed by the breaking of a low- rope as the Le Franeiise. the French Antarctic Expedition vessel, was leaving Havre on Saturday.