Llandudno Advertiser and List of Visitors

OVERCROWDING THE RHOS TREVOR. BOARD OF TRADE PROSECUTION 1 AT CONWAY. REMARKABLE EVIDENCE. At Conway Police Court on Monday, before Mr Henry Kneeshaw and other magistrates, Samuel Stuart, captain of the o ) d "Rhos Trevor" pleasure steamer, owned by the Mersey Trading Company, was charged with overloading his steamer on August 6th last. The captain's address was given as 45, Norfolk Road, Kentish Town, London, N.W. Mr Charles A. Jones, of Carnarvon, appeared to prose- cute for the Board of Trade, and Mr R. S. Chamberlain, Llandudno, defended. Mr Charles A. Jones said the case was brought under section 283 of the Mer- chant Shipping Act, 1894. The steamer was a small passenger boat which, he understood, made trips for the benefit of visitors and others in the neighbourhood of Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, and Llan- dudno. On the day in question, August 6th, there was a trip advertised from Rhos Pier to the Menai Straits. The vessel was to start from Rhos Pier, take up passengers at Llandudno, and proceed to the Straits. At Rhos she took on board 327 and at Llandudno 453, or rather he should say that those were the numbers who afterwards disembarked at these places. The total number she was authorised to carry was 463. The police received an intimation that the vessel was overcrowded, and accordingly they pro- ceeded to the Llandudno pierhead and counted the people as they came off, after- wards proceeding by the boat to Rhos and counting those who left her there. It would be seen that she had 317 on board more, than her complement, and had any- thing gone wrong the loss of life would have been something too awful to con- template, because passenger vessels were only provided with lifeboats and lifebelts for the number that the vessel was licensed to carry. The Act of 1894 was intended to prevent overcrowding on such vessels, and the same section gave the master power to prevent it and to punish any per- sons who tried to force themselves on board against the captain's orders. More- over, the gangways were such that only one person could go on board at a, time, .q e, and the captain might have removed the gangway without difficulty when he found that he had his proper number on board. HUDDLED TOGETHER. LIKE! SHEEP Albert E. Dawson, 73, Station Road, King's Heath, Birmingham, who said he was a district councillor for that neigh- bourhood, said that on August 7th he was staying at Oolwyn Bay as an officer of the Church Lads' Brigade, who were in camp there. On that day the Rhos Trevor advertised a "Special long trip to the Menai Straits," and he accompanied a party of 60 to 70 of the lads for the trip. Their average age would be 16, so that they were kg lads—practically adults. For those he booked he paid 9cl. each, and 6d. for the saloon deck. There was no rush when they embarked, and no diffi- culty in controlling the people going on 1-1 board. It appeared to him that the steamer was full when it left Rhos, and at Llandudno many more passengers board- ed her. There was, again, at Llandudno no rush. The passengers embarked in the usual way across the- gangways. The witness stated that the people were hud- dled together like sheep, and it was im- possible to sit down. STEAMER LIKE A PIG STYE. Inspector Thomas Owen, Llandudno, said that the steamer was expected back at Llandudno at 6 p.m., and about twentv minutes before that hour he saw the Mer- sey Trading Company's agent at the pier- head, Mr Codman, and and told him that he had had a. complaint from a. gentleman that the steamer was packed, and that, in his opinion there were scores too many on board. "I told Mr Codman," con- tinued the Inspector, "that Sergeant Wil- liams and I meant to count the number disembarking, and that he could do the same if he thought fit. I asked-the pier- master not to put out more than two gangways, so that the sergeant and I might be able to count the passengers cor- rectly. By the gangway that I took 214 disembarked, not counting the- children in arms. I asked permission to go on board the Rhos Trevor, so that we nrght com- P'lete the counting, and Mr Codman said, "Yes. by all means." We left. the steamer first on her arrival, and counted the pas- sengers again there. By the gangway I Wat there 167 disembarked. The stea "er was in a. filthy state, owing to so mar reon-le- having been sick. It was like a pigsty. I never saw a boat in such a st *e 'n my life." S Edward Williams, Llandudno. sair: he took the stern gangway, and 239 disr harked -it Llandudno, including one chj arms and seven or eight small chi' ^n. At Rhos 158 disembarked, in- clu hs baby in arms. He heard Cap- tai, ^u—t remark to Inspector Owen, wh 1, letter spoke to him about the might as well try to stop the Nir ^dls as to try to stop the" pas- ser c^minof on." declared positi^elv, ir- yr- piv Chamberlain, L that not one S'n ^nger boarded the -teamer at El" 'nr Rhos by the gangway they w f- Vng. IT. Jones-Rees, of Colwvn Boo 1-, also counted the passengers le Rhos Trevor at R.hos P:er, ar 1- total 330, including four or fiT QVld young children. %s A. Jones: TI-i at is slightly! in the others. APTAIN'S. STORY. art, giving evidence in Irs o" stated that as soon as +he 51 alongside the Llandudno FO go below, and when he e t. the people were rushing r i found out that he was able at Llandudno to cr,- ;-+(0 s 281 lads of the Church Brigade had booked from Rhos to Llan- dudno at 9d. each. The full fare down the Straits was 2s. 6d. When he return- ed from below there were three gangways out, and the people were rushing on board. There were not sufficient of the pier authority's men to stop them. He did stop them with the aid of Mr Oodman, the agent, and some went ashore. When he got past the Orme's Head the purser came to him and told him that they had got too many. He then said: "Well we cannot help it. If I have taken them away from the pier I will take them on their journey." When he returned to the pier he did not count the passengers, as zn he decided to accept the officer's figures; but he would swear that 50 or 60 went on boa.rd at Llandudno for Rhos. He pre- sumed they were those who had booked to Llandudno, and who had return tickets. Mr Charles A. Jones: Even allowing that you took 50 or 60 from Llandudno to Rhos, you would still be 250 over your quantum. The defendant replied that if the boys had gone ashore as he expected they would do, he would only have been four or five. over his complement. Mr Chamberlain said the captain had told a straightforward tale. He had lc been rushed into this offence against the law, and could not do otherwise than leave himself in the hands of the. Bench. Mr Dawson was recalled, and stated that though he did not intend his figure of the number of Church Lads on the boat to be more than an estimate, he did not think they were anything like 260, and those who were accompanying him certainly booked for the Straits. c THE DECISION OF THE. BENCH. The Chairman said: We think the case is clearly proved, and that it is a, case in which a very serious accident might. have occurred. We should not be doing justice in the case unless we fined Captain Stuart almost as heavily as we can. The full fine we can inflict. is £.20, but we have de- cided to impose a penalty of 215 and costs, the costs to be all the costs that the L icleuk certifies aT payable.

MATURE JOTTINGS. SEPTEMBER- 30.—It is not usual to see the great crested grebe on our coasts before the inland meres are frozen, when they perforce resort to the open waters in order to obtain food, but that the rule is not without exception is evident. On the 25th, and 26th, and again to-day, I watched a crested grebe, fishing in Llan- dudno hay.2- though the view I had of it to-day was much more excellent than on either of the other two occasions. It had not the crest and tippets which are characteristic of the nuptial plumage the bird, however, could not so very long ago have lost either of these smart ornamenta- tions, for just a, month back all of the grebes which I saw on one of the Cheshire meres were lacking none of the spring adornments. The bird need not experience difficulty in obtaining food; at present there is plenty of small fry in the bay. R. W. J.

A. WELSH VICAR FOUND SHOT. The quiet village of Northop, Flintshire, was shocked on Monday morning to learn of the tragic death of its vicar, the Rev. Clement Todd Davies. Mr Davies, who was aged 58, took the services as usual on Sunday and appeared to be in good health. It seems that he passed a, sleep- less night and complained of pains in the chest. He left his room about, "eight on Monday morning and told his wife he would be back directly. He failed to re- turn, and Mrs Davies, who went to search for him, found him lying uncon- scious in the vicarage garden with wounds in his head and a revolver by his side. A doctor was summoned and the vicar was f carried to the house, where he died in about an hour. The Rev. Clement, Todd Davies wa,s ordained deacon in 1881 and priest in the following year by the Bishop of St. Asaph. He was formerly curate of Llanycil, Flintshire (1881-2) Rhyl (1882-9), and vicar of Caerfallwch, Flint- shire (1889-97). He was a scholar of Jesus College, Oxford, and took his B.A. degree in 1876, proceeding M.A. in 1879. The living of Northop is valued at, £ 270 net and a, house, and is in the, gift of the Bishop, of St. Asaph. On Tuesday night the Flintshire Coroner held an inquiry concerning the Vicar s death. Mr Davies's sister and one of his sons said the vicar had had an apoplectic fit in June. His parents had had similar seizures, and he feared his usefulness wa-s ceasing. He had also suffered from insomnia, and although lie appeared to be well during Sunday's ser- vices he passed a bad night. The jury returned a verdict of suicide during, temporary insanity.

ILL-TREATING DONKEYS.—At Conway Police Court on Monday, Joseph Astoll, Jubilee-street, Llandudno, plead- ed guilty to cruelty to a, donkey.—In- spector Gibbs said he saw the defendant beat- the donkey with the whip produced p several times over the hind quarters. When accosted, defendant said he was beating the donkey because it kicked him. Witness said he did not see any mark of I ni the donkey having kicked him, whereupon the defendant replied, "No, he kicked me yesterday."—The Oh airman said they must put a. stop the cruelty in Llandudno, and they imposed a fine of 10s. and costs. —For causing a donkey to be worked in an unfit condition, Robert Hughes, a donkey owner, was fined 10s. and costs. Mr H Zaloude-k, of the firm of ZalüudBk aticl

I Co., Mostyn Street, the leading Ladies' Tailors, r has just returned from London and Paris, which centres of Fa/shion he periodically visits. It is to thedr keenness and enterprise in search of all that is new and recherche- that this Firm has earned so wide a reputation as Fashion Artists and Costumiers. |

general meeting of the M-ostyn Habitation of the Primrose League will be held at the Mostyn Art- Gallery on Tuesday, October 6th.z- at 3 30, when an address will be given by Mr H. Ca-rev, Prov. Sec., and it is hoped that all members and friends will endeavour to1 attend. HOLLER SKATING AT THE HIP- PO,DR,OMEI.On Thursday next there will be a, ladies' gra.ceful skating com- petition., when three prizes will be award- ed to those who are- adjudged the win- ners. The- prices of admission will be the same a,s usual, and no extra charge will he made for seats. With so many capable and really graceful lady skaters that Llan- dudno- possesses, the judges will have con- siderable difficulty in making their final selection, and an exciting contest, is assured. Skating -commences at 7, and concludes at 10 30. The compet-iton will take place- at 9 o'clock prompt. Regular patrons decla-re the skating surface was never in better condition than at the present time, |

FATAL MOTOR ACCIDENT AT LLANDUDNO. INQUEST ON THE: LATE MR. JOHN RAINSFORD. MOTORIST AND THE! STOPPING OF OARS. An inquest into the death of Mr John R,ainsford, who was knocked down and killed on the parade by a motor car, was held by Mr Coroner P'entir Williams, on Friday last. Mr W. H. Jones, chairman of Llandudno Council, being elected fore- man of the jury. Mr R. S. Chamberlain was present on behalf of the family. John James Rainsford, son of deceased, identified the body, and said his father was 74 years of age, was a very active man with his faculties unimpaired. His eye- sight and hearing were both good, and he was nimble on his feet. George Cecil Bell, a visiitor staying at the Lyric Boarding Establishment-, said he saw the accident, which happened about a quarter to three the previous day. He was standing on the steps and saw the motor come along and heard the sounding of the horn. Almost simultaneously he, saw the man fall. When he first saw the car it was only about six yards away from deceased, who was walking across the parade. The car was not travelling faster than six miles an hour. A cab was stand- ing on the promenade side of the road, and the deceased was also on that side of the road, which was the wrong side for the motor to be on. He thought there was plenty of room on the other side for the car to pass, but could not definitely say there was, because his view was obscured by bushes. He could not say if there was anything in the road to hide the approach of the car from the view of deceased, who when he saw it appeared to hesitate and get confused. He did not see what the motorist did, and thought the deceased was struck by the bonnet of the car, but had since ascertained that he was struck by the mudguard and thrown beneath the car and the front wheel passed over his body. Immediately the accident occurred he took his wife into the house and then went to the spot. The motor car was then standing about thirty yards beyond the spot, so he could not say in what space it was pulled up. In reply to Mr Chamberlain, witness said a letter addressed to 98, Mulgrave Street, Liverpool, would always find him. Questioned further by Mr Chamberlain, he said deceased was struck down close to the promenade, and in his opinion there would be plenty of room for the car to pass on its right side even if there was another vehicle in the road. It -was clear that the motorist was not on his right pla-ce in the roadway. P.O. Charles Ross sa,id he was called to the spot where the accident happened opposite Mbsttyn Crescent, and proceeded there with the ambulance. Deceased was then lying on a. sofa in the hall of one of the houses with Dr. Craig in attendance. The spot where the accident happened was pointed out to him. It was on the left hand side as going in the direction of Graigydon. When he was there he saw no reason for the car being on the wrong side of the road. Richard Simmonds, Elm Place, Alder- shot, was called, and said that he was the driver of the car, and that when opposite Mostyn Crescent he collided with deceased. His wife was with him on the car, and they were coming down very gently from the direction of the, Little Orme. He had got into the, wrong side of the road in order to avoid the town 'bus which was being pulled up on his side of the road to change horses. After passing the 'bus another vehicle came on the same side, and after passing that he was working back his proper side when the accident happened. "The old man stepped into the road about twelve yards in front of the car," continued witness. "I blew my horn, and shouted with all my might, and put the the brakes down hard. I could have stopped in aonther six yards, as I was not travelling more than six miles an hour." The Coroner We were told at a -certain inquiry this week that a car could be pull- ed up in its own length when travelling even fifteen miles an hour. Witness I have not- proved that to be true. My car is a heavy one, weighing thirty-three hundred weights, and would travel further than that on its own impetus. It could not be stopped dead as might, be possible with a small car. The Coroner It was said over and over again at Bangor that it could. Continuing his evidence, witness said that deceased stepped off the footpath without looking to the right, or to the left. When the car was within a yard or two, of him he realised his position, hesitated, and then turned back. He was, however, struck by the mudguard in the stomach and both wheels of the car passed over him. If instead of stopping he had kept, straight on witness believed he would have cleared him. Reverting to the pulling up of the car, Mr Chamberlain said he had been told in court that any motor car could be pulled up almost instantaneously. Witness. My own experience does not tell me that it can, sir. Hugh Evans, cab driver, 3, Back Madoc Street, was the next witness, but he could not throw much additional light on the- matter. He, however, said the accident happened near the middle of the road. He did not see or hear the motor coming, but did hear the deceased shout and then saw him fall beneath the wheels. He was the first to reach' the deceased. The only words he said were, "I'm done now." He was carried into the house opposite, but- died almost immediately. In explanation of deceased not hearing the a-pproach of the car, Mr Simmonds said it was a very quiet runningi one. The Coroner That would increase the danger. Mrs Eidith Walton, wife of Mr Arthur Walton, stockbroker, Warwick House, Asht.on-on-Mersey, also gave evidence confirming that as to the speed of the car. In reply to the Coroner, Mr Simmonds said that shortly before, the accident his speedometer registered just under ten miles an hour, but, the speed had subse- quently been reduced. The Coroner then summed up the evi- dence, and said that all the; witnesses agreed that the car was travelling at a very moderate rate. He pointed out as bearing on the question of the right or wrong side of a road that, a, motor-car had a perfect right, as had every other vehicle, to travel over any part, of the road, according to circumstances. It seemed to him that the motorist in this case had done all he could to avert an accident, and had Rainsford not hesitated an accident probably would have been avoided. Under such conditions it was difficult for a motorist to know exactly what the right thing to do, and a decision had to be come to instantly. The posi- tion was similar to that of two pedestrians meeting in a street. There is a momentary hesitation on the part of both, and then a collision. He did not see how the- jury could come to any other conclusion than that the man met his death by an accident. The jury returned a verdict of acci- dental death, and expressed their sym- pathy with the family. Mr Simmonds asked to be allowed to say how greatly distressed he and his wife had been by the accident. The Coroner: We are all agreed that you did all you could to prevent it, and have been very humane in the matter and behaved like a thorough gentleman.- (Hear, hear.) The funeral took place on Monday at the Cemetery of St. Tudno, and was of a private character, but all blinds were drawn as a mark of sympathy for the widow land only son of deceased.

CORRESPONDENCE. CRUELTY T'O ANIl\TALS BILL (No. 2) Lately Entitled "Spurious Sports Bill." To the Editor Sir,—Owing to pressure of business in Parliament, no progress was made, last Session with the above measure. It is to be hoped, however, that no long time- will elapse before it is enacted. T'he Bill is of a reasonable kind; strik- ing only at those pastimes which the general public regard as indefensible; viz., hunting park-deer, rabbit coursing, and shooting birds from traps. As education advances, it, is inevitable that current forms of sport should some of them, come in for revison. But where a sacrifice has to be made-, it is only right that it should be distributed equitably among the several c-la-sses- of sportsmen. That this is the- principle pervading the Bill must be patent to everybody. The measure, would not destroy sport. The lover of cross-country riding might follow a "drag," the rabbit courses have his whippet-raee, and gunners their a-rti- fical pigeon-shoot. When the Bill comes again before- Par- liament, no doubt it will have a strong backing from the R.S.P.C.A., as it had in 1896, when the Society begged its branches to assist in getting it passed into' law. There is an additional reason now why the RuS.P.C.A. should so act, im- portant changes in the Bill having: been made in order to meet this Society's wishes. Touching the carted-deer hunts I may say just a word. Last season few cruelties were chronicled in the Press. This does not imply that. less so-called "accidents" occurred. It arose from our slackening in some degree the heavy labour involved in tracking them out and obtaining de- tails concerning them. Humanitarians cannot continue this work for ever. From information that reached me respecting the doings of one pack at any rate I am quite certain that the usual number of cruelties took place. These events can- not be avoided, whatever precautions hunt-staffs may resort to. I am, sir, your truly, J. STR-ATTON. Wokingham, Berks. September 22nd 1908.

THE SHOOTING SEASON. To the Editor Dear Sir,—Now that the shooting sea- son has -commenced will you allow me a small space in your paper in which to plead for the Seagulls. At many places their lives are protected by an acknow- ledged law which true sportsmen respect, for not only are, the birds good scavengers but many of the inhabitants entertain a very real affection for our feathered friends, especially during the, winter, when they become so t-a-me. Perhaps some older resident can inform me whether the same sort, of protection is given to the gulls here, or whether an amateur sportsman with a gun can slaughter or drive away the birds under the name of sport. Last Tuesday afternoon I was down on the Con way Shore, and may also mention that there were a dozen or more people dotted about the beach and round the lake. A man came .down carrying a gun, and sat on the stones half-a-dozen yards from the lake, with the evident intention of shooting at. a large group of gulls stand- ing on the sand 20 or 30 yards away. Fortunately for the- gulls, a resident ran forward and frightened the- birds away, and someone else threw a stone among them with the same idea.. It is the first time, I have seen the gulls fired upon on those sands; and considering they are so tame, their very confidence ought to be a protection against such cowardly treat- ment. I will not consider the point here, of the folly of using guns on a, public beach, where children and dogs are con- tinually playing. Perhaps the parents of the children will see to it, for if one man can practise there, others will quickly fol- low his example but would not true sportsmen condemn the practice of firing at short range into a, group- of partly tame birds. Far better to go to a farmyard when the farmer requires the hens killed). for market. If the poultry were driven. into a small space the chances of killing, H would be just as certain, and those that H were injured with scattered shot could be put out of their misery at once, instead of being able to fly away to their nests as the H gulls would do, with a broken leg or other H injury to linger in pain before dying of starvation. I hope the friends of the gulls will see this sort of thing does not happen H and do all in their power to prevent the H birds being molested on the sands. As a H rule a man who fires under those- condi- H tions has not the skill to hit a. bird flying. H T'hanking you for your courtesy in-- H allowing this to be inserted. H I remain, yours faithfully, H A LOVER, OF BIRDS. I

II" THE HAPPY VALLEY AND THE. I MINSTRELS. ■ To the Editor. I Sir,—Mr Churchill's letter to your con- H temporary would give the impression that H the Grand Theatre is only open at Whit- H suntide and in August, but this is far H from being correct, as the season this H year has extended over thirteen weeks; it I is a pity that he didn't acquaint himself- I with the facts before writing to the news- | paper. The Proprietors of the Grand H Theatre have no desire to act- as dogs-in- I the manger, but they have a perfect right I ZD I as large ratepayers and permanent- resi- H dents to ask that some consideration I should be shown to them and the large I amount of capital they have invested. I The minstrels, who are here in the summer ■ I only, should be content with the generous I licence granted by the District Council, I to perform all over the town and in the I Happy Valley nearly the whole day long, I and should not seek to encroach on the I evenings also, and thus draw audiences I away from the indoor entertainments. I Yours, etc., I ALFRED G. PUGH. I

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? To the Editor. Sir,—Some time in the beginning of last month I read in one of our local papers a report, of some of the Com- mittees of the- Council in which there was a long list of "Anticipated Work" for the- forthcoming winter. I notice that several of these works have been confirmed by the Council, and to be done as early as possible. Now I have asked several mem- bers of the Council why should these works be delayed, as undoubtedly they are, without being by this time- well in hand, as there are scores already of men out of work, and the ranks are still swell- ing. The members of the Council re- pudiate all blame, and throw it on the officials. Now I should like to know who are masters of the situation, is it the Council or the officials ? C Another thing I should like to ask is, who controls and decides when our offi- cials are to take their holidays? I am. given to understand that four of our prin- ciple officals were not to, be found at their work last, week, and that at, a time U; when there are urgent and important mat- ters being considered by the Council. Again I ask who is responsible ? Yours, etc., AN ENQUIRING RATEPAYER. e

CLASHING OF' DATES. To the Editor Sir,—I wrote to you at the end of last. winter season suggesting that some means should be sought to hinder the clashing of various events in Llandudno—-concerts, lectures, tea parties, etc. I am sure it; would be to, the interest, of all concerned to find some solution to the, problem. The only one that occurs to me is that the Llandudno newspapers should keep ai Register of events in prospect which could be referred to by any secretary or other before fixing upon a date. If the Editors would be good enough to do this, they would confer, I think, a signal ser- vice on the community. Yours faithfully, LEONARD H. EDMINSON, Tanybryn.

PROPERTY SALEi.-On Friday last Mr T. W. Griffith conducted a, sale of property at the Marine Hotel, Llandudno, in the presence of a large and representa- tive company. Bangor House, Church Walks, let at £60., and leasehold for 75- years from 1893 (perpetually renewable) at a ground rent of 5s. per annum, was sold to, Miss Davies, Church Walks, for £ 900. Two cottages, a yard, stables, coachhouse-, and haylofts at Warehouse- street, bringing in a, total rent of £ 56, and leasehold for 99 years from 1877, at a ground rent of £ -7, were withdrawn at £ 700. The apartment house, No. 1, South Para-de., leasehold for 99 years from < 1856, at a ground rent of P,3, was with- drawn at 21,500. Bronwendon, a villa in Church Walks, let, at £ 45, and lease- hold under the renewable system from 1878, subject to a ground rent of 10s. 6d., was withdrawn at £ 800. The last lot, consisting of the villa in Church Walks known as Stella, similar in accom- modation and as to tenure to the previous lot, was withdrawn at 21,000. Messrs Dickson, Barnes, and Dickson^ of Chester, were the solicitors for the vendor of the first two lots, and the solicitors for the vendor of the remaining lots were Messrs Nunn and Co., of Colwyn Bay. — R.oss' Naval Telescopes as used in the

Navies of Great Bcritain, Japan, France, Ger- many, Italy, Austria, Turkey, etc. Agents, Winter and Co., Chemists and Opticians, 3, Mostyn Street. Call and see them. Use our Want-Ad. Columns, and you will't wonder why you didn't do it before. Printed and Published by the Proprietors Frank Edge and Alec. G. Moy, at the "Advertiser" Printing Works, Market* Street, Llandudno. A