The North Wales Weekly News

Carnarvon :Countyr fCouncil. MORE COMPLAHNTiS OF EXTRAVA- GANCE. The quarterly meeting of the Ca-marvonahdre Cbonity Council was held on Thursday, Mr. J. R. Hughes (Chairman) presiding. COUNTY OFFICES. The Surveyor's Committee reported that they had appointed a stib- onnn ittce to consider E. scheme of additions to the County Offices at Carnarvon, embracing offices, a council cham- ber, and Lavatory, the figure of ^*4,000 being mentioned as the probable cost. Several axieimbers raised a protest against the imitation of a scheme to cost that amount, and Colonel Darbishire, Chairman of the Com- mit-oo, stated that the Committee were merely considering the scheme, and that the Council were not in any way committed to any building whatever. SMALL HOLDINGS. Mr. J. Jones Morris submitted the reports of the Allotments Committee, and in doing so, said that they had not been abl- to negotiate for any small holdings, although eight applicants for simiall holdings, as a consequence of the steps taken by the Committee, had had small holdings provided for them by one of the owners in the district in which, they lived. The Committee. hoped that more applicants, would be satisfied in the same way. Wdth regard to a proposed pur- chase of land, they found that it could not be effected at the price demanded without putting a burden on the rates, and tihat would not be legal, neither would the Committee think of doing it f)r a moment. EXPENDITURE ON SCHOOLS. ■Mr. Richard Thomas (Carnarvon) moved that three loans for the enlargement of the schools at Llamllyfnd, Talysam, and Dinas be not ap- proved, and oonitended that expenditure had been growing at such a rate that under no cir- cumstances should it be further added to. Since 1905 the salaries of teachers had increased from £ 43,000 to £ 53,000, and the total annual ex- pendituire had gone up from Z51,554 to ^67,000, an increase of ^So00, whilst in the same period the mortgage debt had been increased from ^83,000 to £ 113,000, or by 7*30,000 in three years. Mr. H. C. Vincent seconded the motion. iMr. T. W. Griffith said that though be was a staunch Liberal, he felt it his duty to support the motion. Mr. D. P. Williams, Chairman of the Educa- tion Committee, pointed out that the expendi- ture in the case of the three schools named by Mr Thomas was essential, as unless these schools were improved the Board of Education would refuse the grants. For the motion 13 votes were given., and against it 32, and it was declared lost. The approval of the loans was tiben granted. NEXT YEtAiR'S RATES: AN ALLEGED DEFICIT. A remarkable discussion, ensued with regard to a deficit of £2,201 which Mr. H. C. Vincent declared existed, but which had not been shown on the provisional estimate for next year pro- duced by the Finance Committee. Last year, he said, they told" the ratepayers they were going to make a rate for county purposes of (iy2d. in the pound, but when they issued the precept for the second instalment of the irate they asked for 4d. in .the pound, making the rate for the year really 7%d. They now had an estimate for 8d., whereas he was sure they would need iod. Regardless 0If party, the finan- cial position must be looked into. There was a deficit of 62,201, of which no account was taiken in the estimate, and he could only conclude that it was being added to some overdraft. Mir. Richard Davies, Ghaormian of the Finance Committee, pointed out that the estimate before the Committee was only provisional, and until the end of the financial year they would not know what the deficit would be exactly. The year began with an adverse- balance of rI,733, and they were making up the deficit gradually. During the current year they were providing Zi,g,oo towards a working balance, but at the end of the current year the account would be practically square, without any working balance at all, though it had been provided in the esti- mate. Mr. J. Jones Morris said that after that ex- planation Mr. Vincent was shown to. be perfectly correct. After some further discusisdom,, at the sugges- tion of the Chairman, M.r. Richard Da vies agreed to defer the estimates until the April meeting of the Council, when the figure for the completed financial year ending March 31st would be available.

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Abergele Recreation Ground. SHOULD THE COUNCIL PROVIDE ONE? A stirring debate on the aborve question took place at the Ship Clafe on Friday evening, Mr. T. Samuel, B.Sc., in the chair. The opening debaters were Mr. W. Davies (affirmative) and Mir. R. P. Chambers (negative). -NIT. Davies, in his opening remarks, asked "Should local Councils- provide1 means; of re- creation for yoiung people?" He maintained that they should and for several reasons. The Local Government Act of 1894 expressly pro- vided that the Urban and Parish Councils may purchase, or take on lease, lay out, plant, im- prove, and malrita-in lands as public walks or pleasure grounds, and may support or contri- bute to support public walks or pleasure grounds provided by any person whomsoever." Mr. Davies went on to say that every County School in this country lias adjoining to it a piece or pieces of land to be used as. a recreation ground. If, therefore, the children who could afford the luxury of a County School education were thus privileged, was it right that the poor children should be debarred from having some- where to play upon? If they played in the streets, they risked being taken before the magi- strates for infringing the laws. In Lancashire, open spaces were provided, with seats, swings, and parallel bars, for the use of boys and girls, while bowling greens were made by the Coun- cils for the benefit of the mein. Glve,n a recrea- tion ground, there would be less loafing on street-corners in Abergele and everywhere else. Healthy recreation meant the development of the child morally and physically. (Loud cheers.) Mr. R. P. Chambers said that the Council having the powder to provide a recreation ground was not proof that it was their duty to do. so. For such a place as Abergele the luxury of a recreation ground would mean a heavy and a permanent rate. And .they must not for get what the upkeep of it would cost. It came to this, that those who would have to pay for it would not use -it. 'Children between 14 and 21 years of age did not contribute towards the rates. Abergele, with its beautiful walks could well do without a recreation ground. Walking up the sides of the mountains would be far more con- ducive to good health than a few yards of a playing patch. Children generally left school at the age of 14. Well, supposing there was a recreation ground in Abergele, what would be the consequence? Boys of that age would never think of looking for work and forming a char- acter. They would, instead, idle their time away in playing. The curse- of the present day was too much play. It was decidedly not the duty of the Council to provide a recreation ground. (Applause.) Then followed the supporters for and against —mostly for, with a huge emphasis on the for. Mr. W. E. Jones went the whole hog" against the last speaker. Mr. Chambers, said he, declared .that sport was detrimental to the formation of good character. Such an argu- ment could not hold water. Recreation kept young people out of mischief. The Ship Cafe proved that up to the hilt. (Cheers.) Recrea- tion meant healthy exercise by way of reading, football, cricket, running, &c. He had played football for many years himself, but he felt that he was getting a bit too old for the game now. Nevertheless, he was not too old for golf. (Laughter.) Vet them not .think that football simply mearut kicking the ball helter-skelter all over the held. A good footballer must have brains, ai-id grasp the situation at a glance," said Mf. Jones. Cricket trained the eye and the arm, and was beneficial .to the lungs. Conclud- ing, Mr. Jones said It is a bit off that there is not a recreation ground in Abergele. We want a field, and we are willing to pay for it. (Cheers.) Councillor W. P. Morris said that he was also in favour of sport, but he diisliked profession- alism. Moderate recreation had a tendency to improve man morally and physically. The animal nature in main ought to. be developed and the strict iruiles of different games tended to make him subservient to discipline. Man's higher nature would in consequence develop. If the body is the home of an angel, then a soul must have a healthy body to live in," added Mr. Morris. All the greatest intellectuals were in favour of recieation. Colleges and uni- versities provided means of recreation. IXJCSI Councils should also do so. (Cheers.) Money should not .stand in the way. Money ought to be sacrificed on the altar of duty. (Loud cheers.) Show me a child who never played., and I will show youi an idiot," said .Mr. Morris amidst much laughter. Mr. J. R. Ellis was of opinion that thene was too much play going on in these days. Let those who were calling for a recreation ground remember that it would cost money. When he was a boy the children used to enjoy themselves by running over the mountains and playing on the sea shore. A recreation ground in such a small town as Abergele would mean a 6d. rate. The money could be better spent by way of making the town more attractive for visitors. (Applause.) Mr. Tom Owen said that a recreation ground was not necessarily for boys and girls only. It would be a boon and a blessing to old people as weill. Clubs in connection with the ground would contribute enough money for its upkeep, so that no expense would fall on the Council. Mr. Edward Williams, Vice-Chairman of the Council said that the matter was difficult to decide offhand. A recreation ground would probably cost about £ 2,000. He was of opin- ion, however, that some such ground was needed in Abergele. He had played as much as any- one in his time, and although he was now an official of his chapel, he would go a long way to see a good football ma/tcli. (Applause.) .Councillor H. E. Prichard also spoke in favour of plenty of good healthy .sport. On the matter bedng put to the vote, the affirmative carried the day by an overwhelming majority. On the motion of Mr. W. E. Jones, .seconded by Mir. R. P. Chambers, the Chairman was ac- corded a hearty vote of thanks' for presiding. SEARCHLIGHT.

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Llandudno Conservatives Aggressive. MR. ARTHUR HUGHES ATTACKS MR. LLOYD GEORGE. The annual ball and whist drive in connection with the Mostyn Habitation of the Primrose League was held at the Grand Hotel, Llandud- no, on Friday night, over 250 guests being pre- sent. Mir. Arthur Hughes, of London, the Con- servatdve candidate for Arfoo at the last election, was present, and in the course of the evening delivered a short address. On Saturday night night, Mr. Arrtltur Hughes addressed a crowded meeting of members at the Constitutional Club, at which Mr. R. S. Chamberlain, the President, occupied the chair. Reviewing the career of the Government, Mr. Hughes said that the feature that stood out most prominently was their failure to pass their most important legislative proposalshe Li- censing Bill and ,their several Education Bills. To some extent this was due to the direct ac- tion of the House of Lords, and various threats had been made of retaliating upon that unfor- tunate House for its action. The House of Lords could take this stand with impunity, be- cause the Government in bringing forward its legislative propoisal-s left out of consiSeration that great principle of justice which must be the foundation of all stable legislation in England. (Applause.) That gave the House of Lords such a backing in the country as effectually to prevent the Government from facing the ultimate tribunal that must judge their conduct. He did not leave out of sight the credit that must be theirs for passing the OLD-AGE PENSIONS BILL, but the idea was not theirs. It was the idea of that great man, Mr. Chaa-nberlain. They had had the credit of passing the Bill, but they had not yet found the money to meet the expense of it. Thiis would have to be done in the forth- coming Budget, and it was an open secret that the Cabinet was at its wits' end in solving the dtifficuilty of making both ends meet in the Budget, which was in Mr. Lloyd George's hands. At the present moment this was the most im- portant matter before the country, and the battles of the next session would undoubtedly be waged around it. The matter of national finance, whether this Government remained in office or whether it was replaced by another, Was the thing that they would hear most about in tihe fofrthcomintg years. Every boardroom of a London banlk discussed nothing else. The question of the national credit was of the highest .importance at the present moment. What had Lloyd George done to improve it? A few days ago he visited the city, and tried to alleviate the panic in financial circles which he knew existed by referring to his statement as to robbing henroosts as a mere joke. In his case was it a mere joke? He (the speaker) would be glad to think that a political reforma- tion had taken place in Mr. Lloyd George's mind. (Laughter.) 'He still thinks," said Mr. Hughes, .that London financiers will appreci- ate his financial jokes. (Laughter.) How is he going to solve hi's Budget difficulty? We know that he and his bosom friend, Mr. Winston Churchill, last summer thought it was a simple matter. Their plan was the old device of Radical Chancellors when in need of money, to starve the army and navy. It is somewhat strange that .after these months of cudgelling his brains by !Mtr. Lloyd George as to how he could meet the deficit that in these last days the Manchester iguar,dia-n to which paper we look for the workings of the inner mind of the Radi- cal party, has had important articles upon the necessity of retrenchment both in the army and navy. This has been followed with great in- sistence by the London Daily News.' We know from experience that this uiiitv in the journalists of the..Radical party is most probab- ly due to some influences from the Cabinet. The 'Gu,ad!ÎJéln says we must not go in for build- ing Dreadnoughts, because if they a,re built in a very few years they will be out of date. That argument means .that we are not to buy boots to-day because after wearing them they will be- come worn out and useless. (Laughter.) I feel sure of this, that any starving of the army and navy will be strenuous opposed by the whole strength of the (Conservative party. (Applause.) Hut this does not end their difficulties. There is the great question of UNEMPLOYMENT, which has been poirutedly brought to the atten- tion of the Ministry. When the deputation waited upon the Premier and Mr. John Burns, in December last, these members of the Cabinet admitted that there were then 40,000 men on the register of the unemployed in London alone, and that 20,000 of them were skilled .artisans. We know that money has been voted and is being used by Mr. John Burns to alleviate the dis- tress to some extent, but this is only a vicious form of charity, and offers no solution of the difficulty. Have the Liberal party an'solution.? Mr. Asq, ijith said, I can assure yo uthat the Gorvem.ment is alive to the necessity of bringing forward proposals going to the root of the mat- ter,' but neither he nor Mr. Bums had any solu- tion to offer, and that is why we still say that Tariff Reform holds the day." (Applause.)

Disestablishment. MR. ASQUITH AND THE WELSH MEMBERS. The Prime Minis.ter has accepted Sir Alfred Thomas's inviitation to dine with the Welsh Liberal Parliamentary party at the beginning of the session, and the-dinaiex has now been fixed for Wednesday, February 24. at the Devon- shire Club. Though the dinner is a private one, it is quite probable that Mir. Asquith may taike advantage of the opportunity to explain to the Welsh members the intentions of the Gov- ernment in regard to the Welsh Disestablish- ment Bill. It is known that the Chancellor of the .Exchequen" at recent Cabinet meetings has most strongly urged the claim of the bill to priority in the coming session. It will un- doubtedly find a place in the King's Speech, and, failing,, a-n immediate campaign again the Lords and an early dissolution, its position will, without doubt, he made secure before the close of the session, notwithstanding the other pressing demands made upon the Prime Minis- iOOr for Parliamentary time. t

Colonel Platt and the Primrose League. A LLAN FAIRF ECHAN ADDRESS. The Primrose League held a public meeting in Llanfairfechan Town Hall on Thursday even- ing. Colonel Henry Platt, C.B., presided. In opening the proceedings he described the con- ditions of the people in the West of Ireland, which he had just visited. He said that the people were so light-hearted they might seem millionaires, but they actiaallv lived on next to nothing, and hardly ever saw a sovereign. The land was not able to keep the population, and so many of them emigrated. It was a remark- able fact that when people emigrated they al- ways wenrt. to protected countries. He (Colonel Platt) thought that was a point which they ought to bear in mind in view of the coming great struggle between Tariff Reform and Free Trade—namely, people who emigrated invari- ably went to a protected country. (Applause.) He thought there was a slight glimmer of light beginning to show in promise of the settlement of the Irish question. Colonel Platt continued to deal with the Government and its measures. They had three times had an Education Bill, and they always failed, and the question, in his opinion, would never be settled until the two sides were willing to meet each other with a bona-fide view to a settlement. But, said the speaker, with great emphasis, as regards our side, we can never agree to any settlement un- less we are assured of religious education being given to the children by those who believed in it, and also that the parents of the children shall be at liberty vo choose the religion which their children are to be taught. (Loud cheers.) Again, the Licensing Bill that was thrown out by the House of Lords was only a sham, a political dodge to get votes. If the present legislation and the present tendency to reform, in the way cf TAKING LESS DRINK. which was now so evident throughout the nation were left alone, the evil of intemperance would be righted. (Hear, hear.) When the House of Lords threw out that Bin they were fulfilling their purpose by interpreting the wishes of the people. As to Tariff Reform, he maintained that those highly-protected countries, America and Germany, were making far more marked progress than we were in all the markets of the world, and therefore it followed that Free Trade had ceased to be an advantage to us. The difference between Tariff Reform and Free Trade was that the latter was always looking back; it was always telling them what it had done. It never told them what it was going to do, as Tariff Reform did. Welsh people for many years had been Radicals, and he would like to know what particularly they had got out of it. It was an absolute fact that the trade of the earth was decreasing. But who had de- creased in trade the most? Why, Free Trade England, and that in the ratio of 6% per cent. to 2^2 or so. As to unemployment, how was wank to be found for our people when goods made by foreign workpeople were brought into this country, when goods made in this country by our people had to pay a high duty to get into other countries? Having touched upon tihe subjects of the Army and Navy and old-age pensions, Colonel Platt went on to deal with Socialism. To adopt that doctrine, he said, would be absolute ruin to this country. It was the MOST AWFUL NONSENSE that had ever been put before reasonable beings. But he did not think, after all, they could al- together be surprised at it when they came to thing of the enormous number of unemployed in the county, and that we had a Government which said it could not solve the problem. When the present Government went out of power and its epitaph was written, he thought they would find it would be something like this They will lie beneath the moon, They will dream beneath the sun, They lived a life of going to do,' They lie—with nothing done." (Loud laughter and cheers.) The Rev. W. Morgan, Vicar of St. Anne's, Bethesda, and Mr. M. E. Nee, Organising Sec- retary of the Carnarvonshire Constitutional As. sociation, also addressed the meeting.

Llanbedr Sheep Dog Trials. FULL LIST OF AWARDS. It has been the custom for upwards of thirty years to bold sheep dog trials at the little village of Llambedr on New Year's Day, but this year, owing to a isimilar event taking place in a neighbouring village, the event was postponed to Thursday .last, when the trials were run. The arrangements were in the hands of an experienced committee, and throughout the day everything worked with perfect smoothness. The President was Mr. W. K. Roberts, DdoO- gastell, with Mr. W. Davies, Ferry Hotel, Taly- cafn, as vice, and both gentlemen paid a visit to the field and remained for some time. The Chairman of the committee was Mr. Isaac Jones, Tuhwnti'rgors; Mr. T. J. Jones, Maen Bardd, Vice-Chairman Mr. Thos. Jones, Rowlyn Isa', Treasurer, and Mr. Johnny Hughes, Gwernfeilm, Talybont, the Secretary, who carried out his duties without a hitch. The judges were (Mr. Evan Williams, Rhos, Capel Curig; Mr. David Williams, Ardda, Talybont,, an-id Mr. W G. Roberts, Camarnainft, Llanfairfechan. Their decisions in all classes ga/e perfect satisfaction The contests commenced at an early hour, and owing to. the large number of entries the last couple of dogs were worked in semi-darkness. Taking the day on the whole, the working was by no means satisfactory. This, however, can be excused to a great extent, owing to the high wind that prevailed throughout the day, often accompanied by torrential rains. Such condi- tions made it exceedingly difficult for the dogs to hear the orders or whistle, with the result that instead of bringing the sheep through the required obstacles, they were hurried down in the everyday fashion. At times, however, one had a glimpse of smart work which, when on the eve of completion, would be frustrated by one of the sheep breaking away or leaping a boundary fence. The open class was the most disappointing, the local and class 2 doing by far the best work of the day. Some dogs who have been prize winners for many years, were obliged to take a beating from less-known op- ponents. 1 he following were the successful competi- TOTS Class III., confined to the parishes of Caex- hun, Llanbedr, and Dolgarrog, for dogs not pre- viously won a prize (13. ran) 1 and 4, W. Prich- ard, Pylldu; 2, J. Roberts, Penybryn; 3, I. Jones, Rowlyn Isal 5, M. Jones., Erw. For the best commander in the class: Mr. T. Jones, Rowlyn l,sa'. ClaSls II., open to dogs not having previously won first, second or third prizes (3.1 ran) I, T. J. Jones, NLien Bardd, Roe Wen 2, W. Lewis, Cae Haidd, Nebo, LIanrwst; 3, William Wil- liams, Coedybnain, Llanrwst; equal 4, W. Prich- ard, Pylldu, .and M. iStobart, Dolwyddelen 6, 0. T. Owens, Camarnaint, Llanfairfechan. Class I., open to all corners: 1, F. Evans, Llwynedd, Llanbedr, Ruthin; 2, W. Roberts, Abermigneint, Fesbiniog; 3, R. Williams, Hafoty, Craigwen,, Trawsfynydd 4, D. Roberts, Cae Glas, Maentwrog The awards were announced at the Bull Inn, where the officials and committee sat down to an excellent dinner prepared by the host, Mir. W. Owen.

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