The North Wales Weekly News

Liberalism in Conway. THE LORD ADVOCATE'S NON. APPEARANCE. Conway Town Hall was packed to its utmost capacity on Tuesday night on the occasion of a Budget League demonstration, and it was esti- mated that close upon 1,200 people passed through the doors in expectation of hearing an address by the Right Hon. Alexander Ure, Lord Advocate for Scotland, who was announced as the chief speaker. Admission was by ticket only, and a band of stewards saw that no suspicious lady entered without having a responsible es- core. Long before 7.30 p.m., the advertised time for the meeting, all the seats available were taken, including seating accommodation for about 200 persons on the platform. There "were large contingents from Llandudno, Degan- wy, Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay, Pen- maenmawr, Llanfairfechan, and Bangor. There was also a special train run from Llanrwst for the convenience of the stalwart Liberals from that district. When Mr T. C. Lewis, President of the Lib- eral Association, was about to take the chair, there was a tremendous outburst of cheering, but when the vast crowd found that he was alone, it soon subsided, and by the anxious look on the face of the chairman, and those re- sponsible for the meeting, it could be detected that something had occurred!. The first utter- ance of the Chairman was I am sorry Mr Ure has not yet arrived. I have just been to Llandudno Junction expecting to meet him by the 6.33 train, but he has not come. The tele- gram I have had from him is rather vague. It says Shall arrive by the 5.8 from Chester." The Lord Advocate, so far, has not come, but we hope he will before long. I understand that the trains are running very badly to-day." Iin his opening remarks Mr Lewis said that the meeting that night would be one of the most eventful in the annals of the old town of Con- way. It was the first meeting held in connec- tion with the fifth electoral campaign, of one whom they all honoured and respected as a patriotic Welshman, a distinguished statesman, a man of high character and capacity, or, to use the choice ducal language of the Duke of Marl- borough, that demagogue from Wales," the 1,1 Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Loud and continued applause.) Little did they think twenty years ago, when they selected Mr Lloyd George, that a Budget League demonstration would be held in Con- way in support of a comprehensive and benefi- cent Budget to be known henceforth as Mr Lloyd George's Budget. (Applause.) The speaker went on to refer to the robust Liberal- ism and high character of the Lord Advocate. The meeting was also being held on the historic evening on which they were hourly expecting the news as to the fate, not of the Budget, that would live—(loud cheers),—but rather the fate of the House of Lords. (Hear, hear.) It was that which was in the balance that night. The battle being declared, the Commons would draw the sword, and the Liberals leaders, Mr Asquith j and his colleagues—(cheers),—would not allow the war to end until the words once used by Mr Disraeli would prove to be true, and be for ever henceforth established, namely, The House of Commons is the State." (Cheers.) The House of Lords must be made to recognise this. (Cheers.) It was passing strange that so great ananomaly as the House of Lords had been al- lowed to exist, and to exercise power in these I democratic times, a house of legislators, elected by nobody, representing nobody, and responsible to nobodv. The speaker also referred to the fact that Nonconformists now constituted the majority in the land, and yet the House of Lords was so unprogressive and so much out of touch with the trend of the times that out of its 600 members, only two or three of them were Non- conformists. (Shame.) Concluding, he said that the British nation had in its Chancellor of the Exchequer not only a man of great capacity, of proved administrative ability, and exceptional initiative power and driving force, but also a man who possessed the moral courage to utilise -these gifts to their fullest extent, and if the Gov- ernment were supported at the General Election. —(A Voice: "They will be." Cheers)—this great measure of Mr George's would undoubtedly be the means of pushing on social reform, and when in years to come they were asked what Lloyd George did for the nation, they would be able to confidently reply What did he do? He pushed us on half a century." (Loud cheers, and shouts of Well done, bychan.") Dr. M. J. Morgan, J.P., then moved a vote of confidence in the Government approving of the Budget and in opposition to the taxes on food. He said that the conflict between both Houses had at last reached a crisis. It was well known that the House of Lords were always opposed to fostering the liberties of the people. He felt proud that the crisis had come about-(loud ap- plause)—and that it had come about in connec- tion with the Budget of the people, which had been introduced by their worthy member. Continuing, the doctor said This abominable- (laughter, and hear, hear) I don't know whether that is too strong. (Shouts of C £ No, no; pile it on.") I say it again. (Renewed laugh- ter.) We should decide at the next election to abolish this abominable anomaly. Y mae Tyr Arglwyddi wedi cyfiawni mesur ei anwiredd." (Loud applause.) In a rousing Welsh speech, Mr J. P. Griffiths, Regent House, seconded. He quoted the Roman bard Cicero, Whom _the gods wished to de- stroy, they first make them mad." The House of Lords has gone made, and the next step is de- struction. (Loud and continued cheers.) It required something more than passing a resolu- tion. The sword should be taken from the scab- bard, cleaned, and sharpened to fight the battle. (Applause.) The Rev. Daniel Hughes, Pontypool, received a rousing reception on rising to address the meeting. He at once took on with the vast audience. He referred to several of the draw- ing room puns made by Conservatives with the name of Mr Ure. There was now a slight disturbance at tue back of the hall, and the disturber was quietly ejected, and Mr Hughes created roars of laugh- ter by asking whether the ejected was married to a suffragette, or only engaged to one. He was afraid that he was speaking to the con- verted, but sinners came in occasionally among them. They were now passing through a time of transition. There was a tremendous political crisis, and it behoved them to keep their brain clear, nerves steady, and heart pure, that the right may conquer. (Applause.) He con- sidered it a stroke of genius that an. insignifi- cant lawyer from the Welsh hills should make it possible to split the House of Lords. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) Of course, he knew something about quarrying. The blast would go before long, and the bulwark anomaly would be brought to the ground, and they would be called upon with their shovels and barrows to clear the refuse away. (Hear, hear, and laugh- ter.) The speaker went on to cleverly describe what a Budget was, stating that it was merely a bag into which money was put. When they wanted money from the bag they could not get it out without putting it in; and they could not put it in without getting it out of some other bags. (Laughter.) That was the whole difficulty, where to get it from. It was not the foreigner who paid the tax on tobacco, but the consumers. Now, in the same way, if a tax was put on wheat, then bread would go up as to- bacco did. He referred to a political opponent speaking in Blackburn, who said that if a ten per cent. tax was put on wheat, they need not pay more for the bread, and old joker shouted I say, guvnor, put on fifty per cent., and let's have bread for nothing." (Laughter.) He considered that a man must be taxed for the up- keep of the State in proportion to the benefit that he received from the State. (Hear, hear.) When the Conservatives wanted an election, there was always some phantom navy coming to swamp our shores. (A Voice The Daily continued Mr Hughes. It is the Daily Wail now. (Laughter.) Supposing the Germans came over and captured this country, what would he lose? (A Voice: "Nothing. ) Quite true, said Mr Hughes. But at the same time, he thought that Wales would be better off educationally under the Germans than under the Saxon. The taxing of land values was the crux of the whole Budget. He went on to re- fer to several cases in which fabulous sums were asked for land which had been developed by the public. He was glad to think this w,as only a beginning, and the Lords now said they were going to nip it in the bud. But it was no bud. It was already a well-rooted tree, and to tam- per with this tree, will be to find some of them that night having committed suicide by hanging themselves on its branches. (Loud laughter, and cheers.) The speaker referred to the case of a bootmaker in Llanelly, who wished to put in a new shop window, and the agent of the estate told him that he must put the windows in according to his plan, which would cost £400, and they would grant a further short lease, and whereas the ground rent had been £4" per annum, it would now be £4°' (" Shame.") It was a shame; a dastardly shame. Talk about confiscation. This was the worst form of confiscation that he knew. (Ap- plause.) What had the landlords been doing fee generations? (A Voice: ''Stealing.") Yes, they had been thieves. Thev need not mince matters. If this coming election was bitter, they knew who had already introduced the bit- terness, and they would not forget it. (A Voice: Not likely; and Rub it in.") What did Mr Lloyd George propose to do, but to. be correct and just; and as Dr. Clifford said, Christian. He proposed now to tax the taxer. (Hear, hear.) Turning into the vernacular, Mr Hughes cap- tivated the- audience. He said they had been trodden under the heels of the dukes for cen- turies, and there were no rubber heels then. (Laughter.) They had now understood their tactics, and before the people would again sub- mit to them, there would be a civil war. One of the prophets said that the abomination of the land shall be swept away. The brush was doing its work that night. (Applause.) The best tracts of country were deer forests, and if a deer did not become wild like its lord, they pulled it out, probed it and pushed it to make it run. (" Shame.") It was a shame, and an abomination but that was the delicacy of the over-lordship of the country. But they might be probed before long no.w-(cheers),and made to run. (Renewed cheers.) The cornering of the soil of the countrv,.he said, was certainly one of the most devilish procedures. Football clubs might suffer, and the soup in the kitchen might be thinner this Christmas; but person- ally, he did not want their charity. He wanted justice. (Loud applause.) Concluding very fine address amidst loud applause, the speaker likened the House of Lords to the wild asses of the wilderness, and added that the neople of the country were now going to put them in train- ing. The Chairman, at the close of Mr Hughes's speech, said he had received a telegram in the following words from Mr Ure, which had been handed in at Crewe —" Regret missed connec- tion. Block on line. Will try and fix another day." Mr Ure is to speak at Pwllheli next week, and the Chairman said he hoped a date next week would be arranged. Mr J. P. Griffiths, the organiser of the meet- ing, then announced that all who had purchased reserved and platform tickets would be sent a ticket when the date was fixed for Mr Ure's visit. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Henry Jones, Deganwy, the following resolu- tion was enthusiastio.ally carried—" That this meeting expreses its joy and satisfaction that the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George has no inten- tion of severing his connection with the Carnar- von Boroughs, which is has represented so long and so honourably, and pledges itself to con- tinue to him its most earnest and enthusiastic support. It also congratulates him upon the great ability, courtesy, and couraee that he has displayed in conducting this year's far-reaching Finance Bill through Parliament." A vote of thanks to the Chairman and to the Rev. Daniel Hughes terminated the meeting.

Abergele Sparks. The first of the winter's "Pleasant Fridav Evenings" under the auspices of the Ship Cafe Literary Society, was held in the spacious lecture room of that institution on Friday evening, the Rev. J. H. Davies presiding over a "full house." A concert had been advertised for this occasion, but as several of the songsters had dis- appointed the Executive, most of the evening was taken up by the splendid readings of Miss Gittins and Mr. W. P. Morris The Chaiunan said that it was very encouraging to see so many present. At the same time, he would sincerely like to see the young members of the Cafe pay a little more attention to matters educational than to amuse- ment pure and simple. The following programme was then gone througn :—Solo, "'Galwad y Tywysog," Mr. W. P. Morris Heading, Sam Weller's love-making to his Valentine as depicted by Dickens, Miss Gittens; Solo, Yr Eneth Ddall," Mr. Jos. Hughes Reci- tation, Modryb Sian," Miss Roberts, governess to Sir Herbert Roberts' twin sons; Duett, -'Excelsior" Mr. R. Roberts and Mr. W. Vaughan Reading the humorous doings of Wil Bryan," out of Daniel Owen's masterpiece, Rhys Lewis," Mr. W. P. Morris The Budget Song," composed and sung by Cybi, to the tune of Land of my Fathers" (" Hen Wlad fy Nhadau"), encored. The following are a few verses of The Budget Song":— (Tune: Land of my Fathers). Come, listen, ye voters, I'll sing- you a song, That is, if your faith in the Budget is strong-, You'll join in the chorus, of that I've no doubt, So harken, get ready, and shout Lloyd George, Three cheers for the Budget and George He fears no foe; the world must know That George is the King of Wild Wales. Lloyd George taxes 'bacca and whisky ,but see, He marches a;ong without taxing our tea; The Budget goes through without taxing our bread- Lloyd George taxes Landlords instead. Lloyd George is an imp in the eyes of the Dukes, Whose acres came to them by tricks and by flukes They storm at the Budget, they squeal and they bray,' But squeal as they will, they must pay. The Tariff Reformers feel sore and so sad; They try to deceive us with" logic run mad; But people won't relish a tax on their" grub Cheap food Ah my friends, there's the rub Speaking at Leeds, on Monday, Sir W. P. Hartley said that the Primitive Methodist Church did not support foreign missions as it ought to. Middle- class Methodists should not spend too much on themselves in luxuries," was his concluding ad- monition. Candidly, I am of opinion that England does more than her share in support of foreign missions, especially when you come to think of the countless of thousands of men, women and children who are starving in this country for the want of the bare necessities of life. My motto is Fill the stomachs of the Britishers first, and think of the foreign missions afterwards. Did you ever hear of how the buffalo came to be created ? According to an Egyptian tradition, it happened like this, said the Rev. Robert Williams, Towyn, on Thursday evening: When the Devil saw a cow for the first time he denounced it as being the ugliest animal in creation. He was then given a free hand to try and create a nicer-looking animal himself, and the result of his handiwork was the ugly buffalo. I wonder if it was the same Old Nick that created the first militant Suffragette in attempting to give to the world a handsomer quadruped than the laughing hyena? It looks like it. I apologize to his Satanic Majesty if I am doing him a frigid and calculated injustice. SEARCHLIGHT.

■1 J, Choose your Gifts early. Choose them rightly.' ft. f R. E. JONES & BROS. | M Respectfully invite your inspection of their CHOICE SELECTED STOCK of J Xmas Presents and Novelties, ;| nV WHICH ARE NOW READY, I V1 CONSISTING OF i Leather Goods. Children's Annuals. A'j Bags, Purses, Writing Cases, Wallets, "Bo-Peep,' "Child's Own Magazine," .'A1 (i Photo Frames, Albums, Birthday Books, Children's Friend," Chatterbox," J Poets, Fountain Pens, etc. Little Folks," "Prize," etc. 1) ( Playing Cards. Xmas & New Year Cards. i Hi De La Rue's, Whist and Bridge Scoring Choice Selections; also Boxes in great lU and Invitation Cards. variety. r |/| Table Decorations. Fancy Stationery. A f|| Dish and Dessert Papers, Japanese Block and Fancy Calendars (latest iVi ))) Serviettes, Ham Frills, Confetti, etc. designs.) j|| ( DIARIES & ACCOUNT BOOKS of every description for the year 1910. J Sample Books of PRIVATE GREETING CARDS sent out on |j( )/) application to any address. Prices from 2S» per doz. I'II j|f CALL IN NOW AND CHOOSE FOR YOURSELVES. All orders receive prompt attention, 'A1 Iff Note the Address: 'A'| j|| R. E. JONES & BROS., "Weekly News" Office, j II\ S, STATION ROAD, ,) ))} And at ROSE HILL STREET, and COLWYN BAY. i'|ij BANGOR ROAD, CONWAY. .1

Liberalism in Wales. PROSPECTS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION. LIBERALISM AND LABOUR. The principal business of the Executive Com- mittee ot the Welsh National Liberal Council, which met at Shrewsbury on Saturday, was to receive reports as to the state of Liberal organ- isation in Wales and to nut some finishing touches to the preparations for the general election. The Liberal prospects were re- ported on every side to be excellent, and the advanced state of political educa- tion and organisation in Wales leaves little to be done in any of the constituencies. With a splendid fighting policy, a united party, and popular entihusiasm for the Budget and against the Lords at a high level, the Welsh Liberal leaders hope to hold all the ground won. at the last general election. More than that it is impossible to do in Wales, for already ever) seat in Wales and Monmouthshire is held by a Liberal or a Labour member. There was a representative attendance at the meeting on Saturday. In the absence, through indisposition, or Lord St. David's, Mr. E. Thomas (Cardiff) presided, and the delegates in- cluded Mr. J; W. Summers (Liberal candidate for Flint Boroughs), the Rev. T. E. Williams (Newtown), President of the Welsh Baptist Union, Mr. J. R. Hughes (Carnarvon), Mr. R. Roberts (Llandudno), Mr. C. E. Breese (Port- madoc), Miss Gee (Denbigh), the Rev. Fuller Mills (Carmarthen), and Mr. J. Hugh Edwards (London). The letters of apology for absence included one from Mr. Herbert Lewis, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Govern- ment Board:, who. was detained by political en- gagements m his own costituency, and another from Mr. Hugh Lewis (Glanhafrem) announcing on behalf of the Liberal Montgomeryshire that the differences between Mr. J. D. Rees, M.P., and some of his constituents had been settled, that the Liberals 111 the Boroughs were thoroughly united, and confidently hoped to hold the seat. NORTH WALES QUESTIONS. Apart from the general business done, two points of special importance to North Wales were raised. The first affected the arrangements for the annual meeting. This, it was under- stood, had been provisionally fixed to be held at Llandudno, but there was a suggestion that this arrangement might be cancelled and the meeting ern transferred to some centre in South Wales. Against any such suggestion the North Wales delegates are understood to have made very strong representations, and finally a friendly compromise was arranged. The annual meeting will, as originally arranged, take place at Llan- dudno, but not until after the general election. In the meantime a national convention is to be held at Cardiff in the second week in Decemr ber, at which the Chancellor of the Exchequer will speak. Llandudno is outside Mr. Lloyd George's constituency, and he felt that if he spoke at all in Wales outside the Carnarvon Boroughs the best centre would be Cardiff. The suggestion, I am told, was a voluntary one, and Cardiff Liberals, though delighted at Mr. Lloyd George's visit, are in no way responsible for it. The second matter was the appointment of Consultative Sub-committees ,for North and South Wales At present the arrangements for meetings and speakers have to be made by the Council's officials in South Wrales, and the plan has for some time been found to be very incon- venient by the Liberal leaders of North Wales. Mr J. R. Hughes (Carnarvon) stated very frank- ly the objections, from the North Wales point of view to, the oentralisation of authority in these matters in the extreme south, and had no diffi- culty in making out a case for placing the ar- rangements for North Wales in the hands of North Wales Liberals. Here, again, a friendly arrangement was arrived at, sub-committees be- ing appointed for both North and South to take charge, in co-operation with the officials, of propagandist work and to adapt it to the special needs of the different constituencies. The North Wales Committee will consist of Messrs. C. E. Breese (Portmadoc), R. Roberts (Llandudno), and J. R. Hughes (Carnarvon). "BRIBERY AND C:ORRT-), ETOIN." The reports, both formal and informal, sub- mitted to the meeting were of an entirely favour- able character. The conditions at present point, though of course no formal compact has yet been made, to a working arrangement between Liberalism and Labour by which the danger of splitting the Progressive vote will be averted. In his general report the Secretary, Mr. W. H. Hughes, stated that the work of registration had been well performed this year, and that large Liberal gains were reported by most of the agents. In the forthcoming general elec- tion it will be absolutely necessary to organise a strong speaking force for Wales, and I have taken steps already to ascertain who may be relied upon to give a considerable portion of their time to the work until the end of January. It has come to my knowledge that in some of the constituencies bribery and corruption are not unknown, and I would strongly advise that in the coming election every effort should be made to. detect and stamp it out. Let me in conclusion," the Secretary said, express: my most earnest hope that the solid phalanx of Liberal and Labour members from Wales and Monmouthshire all be maintained, and that to secure this end a wide tolerance will be shown by all the forces of progress, so as to avoid the spectacle of Progressive seats being thrown into, the hands of the ducal party, and that everyone of us will realise the respon- sibility of the position, and, feeling it, do our duty." THE BUDGET CAMPAIGN. The Council's lecturer (Mr Edgar Jones) was able to give me some interesting impressions of the state of political opinion in North and South Wales. "-Of course," said Mr Jones, "thei supreme question is now the Budget. I find that its land clauses are better understood in South Wales than in North Wales, probably for the reason that in the great mining areas the people have a perpetual object-lesson in the miming royalties, &c., which are drawn by the ground landlords. In the South the people see land taxation in the concrete, not merely in theory, and therefore they were ready at once to appreciate the tremendous value of those clauses in the Budget. In the North the popu- lar interest in the Budget is steadily extending as its provisions are becoming better known. SOME INTERESTING DETAILS. There were several matters of interest in the practical business that came before the com- mittee. It was reported that consultation had taken place with representatives of the libera- tion Society and the National Free Church Council in reference to a united disestablish- ment campaign. While quite willing to co- operate with both organisations the executive decided to retain direct responsibility for its own .arrangements in the matter. Some considera- tion was given to the proposal to appoint a Free Trade lecturer for Wales, but it was felt in toe end that better results would be obtained by obtaining the servicesi of a larger staff of speak- ers. Fortunately, although some /800 had been expended in the last six months, a good balance is still available for this purpose. The question of having political songs written for the election was referred to the Literature Committee. Miss Gee was asked to prepare an appeal to the women of Wales to be issued as a leaflet. A vote of thanks was passed tOo Lord St. David's for his speech on the Budget in the House of Lords, and if was decided to issue the more im- portant points as a leaflet. Between now and the date of the general election a vigorous cam- paign on the questions of the Budget and the Lords is to be carried on in the constituencies, and particular attention is to be given to those constituencies which the Tariff" Reform party have singled out for attack.

CARNARVONSHIRE CLUB'S CHRISTMAS MEETINGS. The Carnarvonshire Golf Club, whose links are at 'Conway, will this year hold a Christmas meeting. Monday, December 27th, will be the open day, when a 36-boles stroke handicap will De held for a prize value £ 5 5s. In connection with this competition there is an optional sweep- stakes of half a crown, which also is the amount of the entrance fee. Entries, together with com- petitor's lowest handicap, verified by their club secretary, must be sent to: the Hon. Secretary not later than December 23rd, after which no entry can be accepted. Partners will be drawn, and play .starts at 9.15 a.m. The members' ^hnstmas meeting will take place on the two ioilowing days, December 28th and 29th. Any temporary members can enter for the half-crown optional sweepstakes on these days, should they wish to do so. J

COLWYN BAY v. PRESTATYN. The above match took piace on Saturday over Colwyn Bay links, and resulted in an easv won fur the home team by matches 7 to 1. P. N. G. Holmes.. 7 & 5 I G. T. Linnell 0 I). M. Peacock 6 & 4 I E. D. Drake 0 H. F. Ashhv. 3 & 2 I J. F. Conoily 0 VJV Fnrrington 6 & 4 i R. Morrel „ Wm. Jones 4&3 x ]). Griffiths 0 J- £ .au'kllei: •• •• 4&2 1 T. B. Griffiths o S" 3 & 2 i Hug-h Hug-hes 0 "• Peake o G. F. Heap (2 up) 1 7 t

■» JBdOSfi <> KgawBC-ite—- Hockey Match on Roller Skates (By "ANIATEUR HOCKEYITE.") Colwyn Bay opposed Bangor Dreadnoughts on the Bangor Skating Rink last Saturday. Teams:- Colwyn' Bay—Jack Davies, Harold Wildman, Jim frindlay, Archie Davies, and Jim Jones. Bangor—A. Goodal, Allen Owen, L. Eltring- ham, C. Fairchild, and R. Fairchild. Bangor were without one of their best players, namely, Noel Dew, who is an expert skater. The Bangor team played a good game, hut of course they get considerable practice. The best player on the rink was Cyril Fairchild, who did almost all the scoring. This player is also an excellent skater. Colwyn Bay would be a good team if only they could get a little practice, for they gave a geod exhibition on Saturday, the best player being Scottie jim I'indlay. The Colwyn Bay forwards might have scored a few more goals if the goal-posts had been white as it was, they were of the same colour as the railings around the rink, which made them rather hard to locate. It is to be hoped that Bangor will have that fault remedied in time for the return match, and it would be an advantage were a white hall to be used. Colwyn Bay played well when the fact is taken into consideration that they have never had a single practice, and had only played on roller skates once before. Still the visitors had an enjoyable time, for which the best thanks are due to the Dreadnoughts." Result: Bangor, 7 Colwyn Bay, 2.

Dyserth and Newmarket Railway. At a meeting of the Holywell (Rural) District Council on Friday a letter was read from the London and North-Western Railway Company enclosin,g a draft order for the extension of time allowed them for the compulsory purchase of land for the construction of the above rail- way (in Flintshire) authorised by the Com- pany's Act of 1906, and requesting to know whether the Council assented to or dissented from the Order. It was decided to assent to the Order.

Yn ol pob tebyg bydd galw mawr am Y Geninen am Ionawr nesaf, oherwydd bydd ynddi un ysgrif beth bynnag fydd yn debyg o I dynu sylw mawr.

Conway Corporation. The Mayor (Councillor-John Williams) presided over the monthly meeting of the Corporation yesterday (Wednesday). The other members present were Aldermen Dr. R. Arthur Prichard, A. Netherwood, Edward Roberts and W. M. Sever, Councillors Hugh Owen (Deputy-Mayor), James Porter, Dr. W. Carter, A. J. Oidman, Fred Jones, Robert Jones, Edward Jones, Dr. M. J. Morgan, James Stott, and A. G. Rogers, with the Town Clerk (Mr T. E. Parry), the Borough Engineer (Mr E. A. Delamotle), the Borough Accountant (Mr Hugh Parry), the Gas Manager (Mr Dixcn), and the Rale Collector (Mr T. M. Jones). AN APOLOGY. Upon the minutes of the previous meeting, Councillor Oldman said he desired to make an apology. At a meeting he asked a question whether it was not a fact that an arrangement had been made, and had appeared on the minutes, that a certain 250,000 cubic feet of gas had been agreed upon. He did not wish, under any circum- stances, that his question should be an unfair in- sinuation or a reflection upon the character of any one. especially as it happened at an election time. At the time he had in his mind the minutes of the Council for the 7th July, where in it stated that Councillor James Stott offered to take 250,000 cubic feet of gas, and he now found from inquiry that day that the Committee and Councillor Stott had agreed upon 500,000 cubic feet. He desired, through the Mayor, to apologise to Councillor Stott for the apparent and unconscious reflection upon his character in the matter. He did this voluntarily and freely. Councillor Stott thank Councillor Oldrnan, and accepted the apology. LOOKING AFTER THE POOR. The Gas and Lighting Committee reported that owing to a large stock of coke at the gas works, the price be reduced to 13s. 4d. per ton until further notice. Councillor Robert Jones said that he had under- stood that there was a diíferenc. in the price of coke supplied in large quantities, and that sold to the poor people who went to the works to fetch their hundred-weight. He suggested that it be a recommendation to the Gas Committee to reverse matters, and allow the poor people to have it 2d per cwt. cheaper now than those who took large quantities at 13S 4d per ton. Winter was coming on, and coal was dear. Alderman Netherwood explained that the com- mittee had under consideration the poor people of the borough. It was felt that preference should be given the poor ratepayers before those who took 60 or 70 tons awry at a time, and they agreed that any poor person going to the gas works for coke was to be served at the the same price as those ordering 60 tons. He assure them that the Gas Committee were anxious to help the poor in the matter. Councillor Robert Jones said he still adhered to his suggestion that the poorer classes should be allowed to have the coke cheaper than the rich classes. Councillor James Stott asked whether the Gas Manager could inform the Council what weight of coke had been fetched from the works by the poorer classes, and whether they fetched the" coal. If that was so he would fall "in with Councillor Jones, but they must fetch it, This would not be extended to dealers who were s-elling about the streets and making a profit. The Gas Manager said, in reply, that the aver- age fetched from the Gasworks was about a ton per month. Councillor Stott said it ought to be understood that they should fetch it from the works at this price. Let thep oor have the real benefit of it. It was agreed that the Committee should take the matter into consideration. The Borough Engineer reported that an appli- cation had been made by Mr. Conway, on behalf of Messrs. P. & H. Lewis, Ltd., timber merchants, for a supply of gas to Deganwy Wharf at a reduced rate, as they proposed to use gas for power and other purposes, and estimated that their consumption would be about 800,000 cubic feet per annum. It was decided to recommend the Committee to make a reduction of 6d. and to offer the supply at 3s. net. The Council ennfirmed this. The Borough Engineer now reported that Mr. Conway had agreed to the terms of the Council.

0- Markets. SHREWSBURY GENERAL (Saturday). -Fresh butter, is. 3d. to is. 4d. per lb; egg's, 5 tor is.; pigeons, is. to is. id. per couple; rabbits, is. 6d. to is. xod. per couple; chickens, 5s. to 6s. per couple hares, 3s. 3d. each partridges, 3s. per brace pheasants, 4s. 6d. per brace geese, 6s. to 7s. each sucking pigs, 7d. per lb.; wild ducks. 4s. per couple carrots, 2i!bs. for ijd.; old onions, id. per lb. or 7lbs. for 6d.; potatoes, 2s. to 2s. 6d. per cwt.; tomatoes, 5d, to 6d. per lb.; apples, 2d. to 4d. per quarter: celery, 3 Jd. to 3d. per stick cauliflowers, ad. to 3d. each grapes, is. per lb.; cucumbers, ad to 4d each cabbages, id. to 2d. each beetroot, 2 tor id. FARM PRODUCE. LONDON HAY AND STRAW (Tuesday).—At the Whitechapel Hay and Straw Market to-day, lighter arrivals met a fair inquiry. Quotations: Best clover, 85s. to 95s., and inferior, 70S. to 80s.; specially picked hay, 85s. good, 70s. to 80s, inferior 55s. to 65s.; mixture and sainfoin, 805- to gos; and straw, 27s. and 33s. per load. BUTTER. CORK BUTTER (Tuesday).—Moderate supply, keen demand, and stiffer prices. Firsts, 10,S,. seconds, 95s., thirds, 90S.. fourths, 84s. Mild cured Superfine, 107s., fine, 100s. choice boxes, 98s. Fresh Butter, 109s. to 91s. CATTLE. LIVERPOOL (Monday).-There were a few less cattle on offer to-day, and mostly of a rough description. A better demand for prime beasts at about 10s, per head over last week's prices. Rough bullocks and cows were, however, much lower, and experienced a very slow a nd dragging trade. Sheep supply practically unaltered. The proportion or good sheep was much below the average, and trade for this class was little different from last week, the tendency beiu°- a "am firm. Rough classes easier. Quotations Beef 6kf tc?4d. and mutton 7d. to 4jd. per lb. At market 1313 cattle and 5636 sheep. BIRMINGHAM (Tuesday).—Poor shyw of beasts and sheep and demand not very active. Best Herefords, 7d.; Short- horns, 6Jd. t ) 6:ïd.; bulls and cows, 4W. to 5d,; wether '4 sheep. 6!¡d. to 7d.; ewes and rams, 4jd. to S}d. per lb. Pigs continue scarce, and demand brIsk-bacons, liS. 4d.; cutters, lIS. 6d.; porkets, I is. gd. to 12S.; sows, 10s. per score. WOOL. BRADFORD WOOL (Tuesday).—The buoyance of the raw material market is having the effect of keeping values very firm in Bradford. Topmakers are not eager for business even at to-day's quotations, but they are not inclined to advance prices until they get hold of more raw material. There is a healthy inquiry all round with plenty of orders about, both in tops and yarns, at a fraction below quoted prices. CORN. LIVERPOOL (Tuesday).— heat, small supply, about kd. to Id. under Friday-Hard and Soft Winter 9s. 2d.; Barusso- 8s. 3Jd.; futures- December, 8s. 7kd; March, 7s. 7%d,! Maize, quite, about Friday's prices; New Northern, 5s. 8i}d.; Plate, 5s. 6d.; futures—December, 5s. s^d.; Beans, Chinese, 28s, gd. to 29s.; Peas, Canadian, 7s. gd. to 7s. rod.* Oatii, white, 28. 7td. to 2s. gld Flour, unchanged,