The North Wales Weekly News

Queen. Victoria was a strong believer in teach- ing Welsh as well as English in Welsh schools. On the 3,rd of March, 1849, she wrote to the then Marquess of Lansdowne: The Q'-een 'ca" takes this occasion of repeating her hope that Gaelic willI be taught in future in the Highland schools as well as English, as it is really a great mistake that the people should be constantly talking a language which they often cannot read and generally not write. Being very partial to her loyal and good Highlanders, the Queen takes much interest in what she thinks will tend more than anything to keep up their sim- plicity of character, which she considers a great merit in these days. The Queen thinks equally that Welsh should be taught in Wales as well as English." Lord Lansdowne, in reply, under- took to continue instruction in the Gaelic with the English language in the Highland, as well as Welsh in the Welsh schools, and to have a view to it in the choice of inspectors."

St. Asaph (Flint) Rural District Council. THE SAFETY OF BATHERS AT PRESTATYN. SUNDAY TRAMS. Mr. Edward Williams presided over a full at- tendance of iffiemibèrs of this Council on Friday. THE CONTROL OF PRES'TATYN FORESHORE. A letter was Read from the Prestatyn Urban District Council asking the Council to sanction an agreement whereby the former body would have the control of a portion 01 the foresho.re in the parish of Meliden, and were seeking Parlia- mentary powers to that effect The Clerk (Mr. Grimsley) explained that the Prestatyn Council only wished to be able to con- trol the bathing and boating on the foreshotre in view of one or two accidents having occurred, which might have been averted had that Council proper control. A large portion of the Prestatyn foreshore was in Meliden parish, including the favourite place for bathing. He could see no- thing against it. Mr. George Williams said he was in favour of zile the agreement, if it was distinctly understood that in future Meliden would not lose any of its authority over the portion in question. Mr. Conwy-Bell pointed out that a drowning fatality occurred last summer, when much com- ment was made upon the lack of bathing regu-ia- tions. The Prestatyn Council now wished to ac- quire these regulations. The only question was whether Meliden might not in future develop right down to the foreshore and become a larger place than Prestatyn. It was decided to assent to the agreement, but the CIcs-k was instructed to watch the Council's interests. THE COUNCIL AND THE REV. WILSON JONES. The Rev. Wilson Jones, who was recently fined £5a:nd costs by the St. Asaph Justices in respect of a prosecution initiated by the Coun- cil owing to his failure to remedy some sanitary defects on his cottage property, wrote asking the Council to remit the fine on condition that he did the work. He was given to understand that the fine would only be a nominal one. He considered that the St. Asaph tradesmen were very dilatory, otherwise the work would have been done before. The Chainman pointed out that it was a mat- ter for the magistrates, who had made short work of it. (Laughter.) The Clerk said nothing had been done by the rev. gentleman up to the time of the proceedings, beyond getting estimates from different local tradesmen. The Chairman said that if he were a St. Asaph man he would strongly resent the imputation cast upon the tradesmen of the city. Mr. Lothian did resent those imputations, which he stated were groundless. No action was taken.. [ £ NOTHING BUT STONES." A .Letter from Miss M. Pennant was read call- ing attention to the alleged unsatisfactory state of the road to Bodfari, adding that she was not alone in thinking that the roaus were abomin- ably" mended in that district. She enclosed two stones which she had picked up from the road. he Chairman, amidst some merriment, ex- plained that when he arrived at the workhouse that afternoon he was told that there was a parcel for him, and he was beginning to tbnik that soane kind friend had sent him a present. But, alas! on opening it, it only contained two bare stones, which were before them. After Mr. R. Lloyd had explained, the matter was left in his hands. THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY FROM RHYL TO PRESTATYN. As the proposed electric railway from Rhyl to Prestatyn will run through a large portion of the area contrOllled by the Council, their views were solicited upon the subject. Mr. William Morris moved that no Sunday trams be allowed, because they were not wanted. Mir. G. Williams, in seconding, said that in his district they were afraid of the bona-fide traveller—(laughter),—and they would have to employ more policemen. (Laughter.) Mr. Conwy-Bell did not agree with penalising a company that was going to bring a lot of money into the district. Other traffic was per- mitted, and to be consistent they should allow the trams to, run on Sunday. Mr. Morris said he was against all Sunday traffic where it could, be dispensed with. The Chairman said the question of Sunday drinking was at the bottom of the motion, and a clause ought to be inserted prohibiting the com- pany from carrying drunkards on the trams. (Laughter.) Mr. Conwy-Bell maintained that Sunday trams would not make much difference as to Sunday drinking, as people would have drink if they wanted it. The Chairman stated he was against Sunday drinking, as he thought they had quite sufficient in the week. (Laughter.) The Free Church Council were at the bottom of the movement, and it was not always to their own interests to follow that body. Mr. William Morris strongly resented an im- putation being cast against the Free Church Council. The motion was rejected by a majority of four, and it was decided to. appoint a committee to watch the interests of the Council.

The Manchester and Liverpool District banking Co. Ltù. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Com- pany, heM at the Head Office, Spring Gardens, Manchester, Sir Edward Donner, Bart., Chair- man of the Bank, presided. The other Directors present were Messrs. A. Bennie, E. B. Dawson, Myles Kennedy, J. F. Knott, John ParkSj Edward Partington, William Smith, and Messrs. P. J. Ramsay, and A. A. G. Tulloch, the Man- aging Directors. After apologising for the absence of Mr. George Barbour, Mr. Edward Tootal Broadburst, Mr. J .F. Cheetham, M.P., and Sir William Mather, the Chairman delivered an address, in the couse of which he said The business of the bank has been very satisfactory for the half-year, though the period has been notable for low rates end curtailment of trade. We are able to pay the usual dividend. We are placing Cio,ooo to Reserve Fund, £ 5,000 to Pension Fund, and carrying forward to next account £ 53,482 5s. 2d. The reserve fund is now £ 1,705,000—about 90 per cent, of the paid up capital. We hope to go on increasing it, at least until we bring the two amounts level. You will observe that the gross profits, after providing for all bad and doubtful debts, are slightly less than at June, being Z295,558 as against £ 298,655. The total ex penses, including income tax, are also less, namely £ 113,789 against £ 115,851, leaving a net profit of 6234,382 for the half-year as against £ 233,513 at June. 21 The notable reduction in the value of money during the whole of the year 1908 was more pro- nounced in the second half and consequently the profits have been adversely affected. The aver- age bank rate was £ 2 10s. in the second half, against f,3 10s. 6d. in the first half of the year. The cash in hand, money at call, investments, and bills, in all £ 12,582,000, are equal to 56 per cent, of our deposit liabilities that ig to say, for every £100 standing to credit of our custom- ers on deposit or current account we hold £ 56 in a readily available focm. The Chairman moved a resolution that the re- port and balance-sheet of the last half-year be adopted. Mr. E. B. Dawson seconded. The resolution was carried unanimously.

NAT. TEL. NO 13. Telegrams: PWLLYCROCHAN," Colwyn Bay. THIS First-alaaa Family Hotel is most beauti- fully situated in its own finely-wooded Park. ^v'V" in the Bay of Colwyn, commanding splendid IPIr 13^2* V views; within a short Drive of Conway and | '< Llandudno, and a few minutes walk to the *r!$r W" Beach and Station. A most desirable winter 1 residence, nicely sheltered, also heated through- out, Electric Light. Separate Tables. POST HORSES AND CARRIAGES. LAWN TENNIS. GOLF. BILLIARDSJ SEA BATHING. PWLLYCROCHAN HOTEL. COLWYN BAY. (THE LATE RESIDENCE OF LADY ERSKINE.) 17 COLWYN BAY HOTEL, N. WALES. LONDON & NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY (HOLYHEAD LINE). Telegrams: Colwyn Bay Hotel, Colwyn Bay. Nat. Telephone No. Q. ?" Excellent service of Express Trains from Manchester, Liverpool, Midland Counties and the Soutn V Delightfully situated on the border of the Bay, NaNBN within a few minutes' walk of the Colwyn Bay > Railway Station. f Jill ,1 ^tj 4. COFFEE ROOM, DRAWING ROOM, LOUNGE & BILLIARD «. ROOM on the Ground Floor, overlooking the Bay. ELECTRIC LIGHT THROUGHOUT. TAFC NP-"JP* *J The private grounds and terraces form an attractive During' the Season," COACHES start from'the Hotel to v> '»• V' Bettw J-Coed, Llandudno, Conway Castle and other places of inreresJ in the district. COT- WYN SAY AS A WINTER RESORT 1 — £ is strongly recommended by eminent Medical Men 'Idness and dryness ofits climate. the m: A REDUCED WINTER TARIFF. 18 MISS THORPE, Manageress. i JIAeib*• opole« TELEGRAMS: MP.TROPOLE, CoLwYN BAY". ..JL.W..& .Jm, .A9 N 'TIONAL No. ,88. COLWYN IBKY. FIRST CLASS. One Minute's walk from Railway and two minute from Promenade and "-u PERFECT SANITATION. SPACIOUS PUBLIC ROOMS. DRAWING, WRITING, AND SMOKE ROOMS. dr I-,I p7M i LOUNGE. RECREATION ROOM. BILLIARD ROOM (2 Tables, DINING ROOMS (Separate Tables). EXCELLENT BALLS, DINNERS, AND RECEPTIONS CATERED FOR. Electric Light and Bells throtighout. STOCK ROOMS. MOTOR NEAR Hotel Porters meet trains. i rr Manageress, MISS G R 1S I'11E 19 .M'p- CONWAY. OAKWOOD PARK HOTEL. The most daintily equipped in the Principality. f 18-Hole Golf Links, laid out by Alex. Herd. Play every day. Beautifully situatef V*" » on the Old Coach Road J. t* <*4* 2 c half-way between Con way and the head the Sychnant Pass. -t Elevated and bracin > ✓ ■> 1 •*&& position. Mountain a f > 1 « *X Sea breeze from tar f i, points of the compass, J A ^^P»rv v • | Tennis, bowling gree) and billiards. *? i'i Electric Light v- j throughout. JPS2' "?V~ i Alfresco Afternoon Tes on > J Oakwood Park Lawri 1 "*♦ t Hotel 'Bus meets » > MHI Trains. f <^2§i — j. y J*' Telegams: —»»!■ "OAKWOOD, CONWAT Telephone No. :1.0;. Mrs. BAILEY, MANAGERESS. 20 Pias-y-Coed Boarding Establishment 21 MRS. BRACKSTONE, Proprietress, THE DINGLfc., CúL JvYN BAY. LOCKYER'S PRIVATE HOTEL, MARINE ROAD, COLWVN BAY. Old Established. S- TANDING in its own within two minutes' walk Boom= of the Sea, near the Pwllycrochan Woods, in the west end of Colwyn the Bournemouth of North Wales. Special Terms for W mter Season. Under personal management of MR. MRS. LOCKYER. Telephone No. 01&¡. Telegrams: LOCKYER, COLWYJf BAY. 22 9J z Q¡ "Ç1 g Bma' < S D '<; g. 6 f-i. E-oQ Z > 00 s: C/) 5- H fog. tr: D t" Z w lq ø lb Z ø 0 6 o S 4: tj o f' g, Q J. FRED FRANCIS, THE IEWS, COLWYN BAY. OSUCCESSOR TO EDWIN JONES.) 23

Conway County Court. A FARM BEDiiOOM. This Court was held on Thursday, before His Ilonomr Judge Moss and the Registrar (Mr. R. S. Chamberlain). LLANDUDNO TE:LEPHONE BILL. John Roberts, of the Royal Oak Bottling Stores, and formerly licensee of the Stanley Hotel, Llandudno, was sued by the National Telephone'Company^ for the sum of £ ig 4s. gd., due as rent for the telephone, which was. in- stalled at the Stanley and Royal Oak Hotels, and for local calls and Post Office fees. Mr. E. E. Bone appeared for the Company, He said that the defendant, in September, 1907, entered into. an agreement and acquired a direct line from the Rcyal Oak to the Llancludno Ex- change. The agreement was that he was to pay £ 8 in advance each year, and the usual ex- cess fees. A fortnight later, he entered into a similar agreement with respect to the Stanley Hotel. The first year's rent was paid in ad- and last October the defendant wrote stating that he had to give up the Royal Oak Hotel, and that he understood the new licensee would take on the 'photnie. The rent for the second year by this time was due about three weeiks. After perusing the agreements, His Honour asked what the defence was, and Mr. Hallmark replied that it was because the Company were aumg for rent in advance in both instances, and that neither his client nor any one else had had an opportunity of using the telephone because the Company took it away. He contended that the agreement was an unreasonable one which should not be forced. His Honour, in giving judgment for the plain- tiffs, siaid it was a rather hard case that a man should be compelled to' pay for the use of the 'phone for a year, when he had only used it for a few days owing to his leaving the house. Mr. Hallmark said that the summons in that case had been issued by the Company's solicitor in London, and he (Mr. Hallmark) had been served with notice that the agreement could be inspected in that office in London. He (the speaker) could not be expected to. go to London for that purpose. However, the agreement had been sent to Mr. Bone, and he thought it only reasonable that an opportunity should have been given to inspect the agreement in Mr. Bone's office in Llandudno. He (M.r. Hallmark) should like His Honour to express an opinion on that matter. The Judge: That should have been done. Mr. Bone said he would convey the matter to the proper quarters. A VALE OF CONWAY DISPUTE. An action of importance to farmers and their employees was heard, in which John Jones, a farm labourer, living at Bodhyfryd, Roe Wen, claimed £6 135. 6d., in respect of balance of wages due from Evan Hughes, Ynyswent, Roe Wen. Mr. James Porter appeared for the plaintiff, and said that defendant had engaged the plain- tiff as a farm labourer, the engagement, accord- ing to the custom of the country, to terminate at a month's notice. Plain-tiff found, after a short time, that the work did not suit him, and he handed in a notice to leave in a month's time. The defendant objected to the notice, and the plaintiff got a friend of his to write out another ifns Welsh. At the end of the month, plaintiff left the farm, but he was paid no wages. Plaintiff bore out this statement. In reoly to 'His Honour, Mir. W. H. Ellis, Llanfairfechan, who appeared for the defendant, said that the defence was that the plaintiff was not entitled to terminate the enga,gement until the following May. The. Judge: You don't seriously contend that. Take the case of a domestic servant. Do you suggest that neither the mistress or the serv- ant can terminate the OOlrlitJraCit before the end of the year ? Mr. Ellis In the case of a domestic servant you can but not so in the case of a servant in husbandry. The Judge: Not if you are miserable and un- happy, and cannot do the work? Mr. Ellis: Of course, unless he can show good cause. Replying to the Judge, plaintirf said he gave notice because there were long hours of labour, and the sleeping accommodation, was poor. The Judge: In what was was it poor ? Plaintiff: I could not see in the bedroom, day or night, until I opened the door, because there was no shpe of a window there. (Laughter.) I complained about it to the defendant, but nothing was done. The room is situated over the granary. Witnesses gave evidence of the custom pre- vailing to terminate an engagement such as that entered into by the plaintiff in a month's time. For the defence, it was contended that the plaintiff had not fulfilled the terms of the agree- ment entered into, to remain in Hughes's em- ploy for twelve months. Defendant, in the box, said the only reason given by the plaintiff for leaving was that he would not talk and lark with him. Replying to Mr. Porter, the defendant ad- mitted that there was neither chimney nor win- dow in the room wlhetre pla(intiff slept, but it was quite habitable. He had offered other employees to sleep in the house, but they all refused, and said they preferred to sleep in the room above the granary. He had put in a counter-claim for loss sustained to crops in consequence of Jones terminating the agreement. His Honour decided to give plaintiff judgment on the claim amd the counterclaim. He said that if there was any reason for complain even a de- finite engagement for a twelvemonth Could be terminated. In the present case, he bad grave doubts as to whether there was an engagement for any special term. The complaint by the plaintiff as to the bedroom was reasonable ground for giving a month's notice. Not for a moment could he entertain the counterclaim off the defendant.

A SOLDIER STATES. Mr Prifchart. Cunningfton, Essex, says T served thr,itigh Nile Expedition and late Boer War. Suffered from backache and kidney complaint. Paid pounds to' doctors. Two Roxes Holdrovds cured me." Holdrovd's Gravel Pills are a positive cure for Gravel and Pains in the b ck, Bright. Dropsv, Disases of the Kidnevs Gout. Sciatica, is. ijd, all Chemists, post free 12 Stamps.—HOLDROYDS. MEDICAL HALL, Cleck- heaton, Yorkshire.

Financial and Commercial Outlook. LONDON CITY AND MInLAND BANK. 'THE AMALGAMATION WITH THE NORTH AND SOUTH WALES BANK. Mr. E. H. Holden, M.P., Chairman and Man- aging Director, presided at the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the London City and Midland Bank held on Friday. After ex- pressing his regret at the abesnce of Mr. Arthur Keen, their late Chairman, who had attended those meetings for 30 years, he went on to. say that the year 1908 had economically been ex- actly opposite to, 1907, the latter being a year of great industrial activity demanding a large ex- tension of credit, which created a strong com- petition for gold throughout the whole world, and in order to obtain an adequate amount of this commodity to satisfy OUT own domestic needs, the bang rate was maintained at an aver- 'age of about [4 18s. Sd. per cent. for the whole year, against £ 3 os. 3d. in 190S. The year 1907 would have been a rich harvest time for bankers bad they not been compelled to use their extra profits to write down, their investments. In 1907 there were large profits and large depreciations, but in 1908 there had been small profits and no depreciation,, and this year there might be small profits and some appreciation. The industrial activity of America seemed to be the centre around which the industtrial activity of other countries encircled. The result of this activity was a large increase in the price of all com- modifies. These prices were so high that other coruntries were able without difficulty to sur- mount her tariff wall. The commerce of all countries was so interlaced that when high prices ruled in one country they had high prices in other countries. When these prices became so. high that tariffs became inoperative, then they had a species of FREE TRADE ALL ROUND, and the exports and imports of all countries in- creased. It was pointed out at the meeting last year that when a fall took place imports would fall, which meant, of course, that the exports of our country, which formed a portion of the im- ports of other countries, would also fall. They now saw how true this statement had been. 'Having quoted figurels corroborating this, the Chairman went on to say that there were two binds of credit—one which was used for the purpose of carrying 0 ncommerce and industry, and the other which was used for the purpose of holding securities. Experience had told them that these, two kinds of credit could not be main- tained at a maximum at the same period, be- cause there had not been up to now sufficient gold to support them. The year 1907 was a year in which the commercial credit was at its maximum, and the securities credit at its mini- mum. The commercial credit had gone down with a shock, and the shock had been so sudden that it had thrown down the value of money in the principal countries of the world. The securi- ties credits had not yet had time to increase so as to raise the value of money, but they saw that their use was rapidly increasing, for in this country during the last year they had had issues of capital amounting to no less than ^226,500,000, in Fr,anoe ^139,240,000, and in Germany ,^i55)577,ooo, making in the aggregate for those three countries ^521,317,000. They were all hoping that trade would show some improvement so as to create a demand for com- mercial credit, but they did not see much evi- dence of this at present, only perhaps to some extent in the case of the United States. The railways in the States, since the restrictions of 1907, had practically received all the money they had asked for. This had reacted on the other industries, and brought about a slightly im- proved trade. Did it not follow, then, that some demand must anise ere long for the commodities in respect of the large, amount of loans which were being issued in this and other countries? It was in this direction they must look for im- proved trade and improved bankers'' profits. This country was not alone in industrial depres- sion. The commerce and -industry of Germany had received a great blow from the banking de- bacle last year in the United States. Having mentioned other factors accounting for the re- duced profits of bankers generally, he said that their bank paid the usual DIVIDEND OF 18 PER CENT., added 640,000 to their bank premises fund, -fio,oo,D to their officers' pension fund, and were carrying forward 176,000, The Board were quite satisfied with the profits they had made during the exceptional period of 1008. The re- sources of the bank had increased during the year to the extent of 63,000,000. (Applause.) The acquisition of the North and South Wales Bank would prove to be a very valuable adjunct to the bank. He moved the adoption of the re- port. Mr. W. Graham Bradshaw seconded, and the resolution, was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Simpson Gee moved that the thanks of the meeting be presented to the General Man- ager, the Secretary, the Branch Managers, and others officers of the bamk for their continued attention to the duties of their office. (Ap- plause.) Upon the judgment and loyalty of these officers, the prosperitv of the bank, he said, was largely dependent. (Applause.) Mr. W. Graham Bradshaw, in seconding the resolution, said their profits had been very ex- cellent and their bad debts very small indeed. The usual congratulatory remarks from the shareholders, terminated the proceedings.