Llandudno Advertiser and List of Visitors

THE QUEEN'S LOVE OF MUSIC. Queen Alexandra's favourite recreation is music, a taste which is shared by her sister, the Empress Marie of Russia, who is to he her Majesty's guest for the next few weeks. Not ony is the Queen a fre- quent attendant at the Opera, but whilst in London, scarcely a day goes by that she does not hear some of the compositions of the great composers. Th-s enthusiasm for music is shared by many people in Society, but not perhaps to the same extent as formerly, and private musical parties are not nearly so numerous or popular as they used to be, skating and other amuse- ments have more or less taken their place. The pianist, unless he or she is quite a phenomenon, is almost a drug in the mar- ket. The majority of people do not care for technique when it is too marvellously developed, and the violinist, or the singer is preferred, but concerts, whether public I or private, do not attract as they used to, and very few of them can be said to be genuine successes.

"Mountains and Mankind" LECTURE! BY MRi. J. M. ARCHER THOMSON, M.A. The third lecture- of the present season was given on Tuesday evening1 last in the school hall of thei John Bright County School, and in addition to the members of the school, there was a good attendance of members of the public, who were ad- mitted by ticket. Quite a respectable sum will be. realised for the purchase of pictures for the central hall. Mr Thomson is not given to self- advertisement or he would be known as the greatest living authority of the moun- tains of North Wales. On many of the now numerous routes up the chief peaks he has been the pioneer, while his ascents of Snowdon and its various arms by 'face,' 'buttress' and 'gully" climbs number several hundred. He has also done much exploration in the Alps with other skilled friends without the assistance of guides, and it was to the Alps that he took us in his admirable lecture. The. mountains, the lecturer said, have been in most ages objects of wonder, love and a-we. If we turn to the pages of literature in which we find mirrore-d the thoughts of the past we find that the Greeks and the Jews, to whom we owe so much of what. is grandest in the world of letters, made frequent and reverent refer- ence to mountains. They were entwined with the Hfe and history of the nations. To the Jews Moses gave the law after being withdrawn from sight on Sinai, while from Mount Pisgah he view the pro- mised land and there died and was buried in a spot not known to man. The Greeks built on the cliffs a temple to theDelilan Apollo, god of prophecy, while on the lofty -Olympus they imagined that Zeus and his attendant deities dwelt high above the common world. The middle ages were times of superstition, and it is possible that the many mountain deiaies of pagan times were now converted in imagination to elves, hobgoblins and terrible dragons breathing fire that winged their way from icrag to crag. Science has driiven away the hobgoblins and demons, but the lee- turer, with a fine caricature of a glacier, reproduced from an old print in posses- sion of the Royal Society, showed how the dragons still existed, but now crawled only in the 'valleys, breathing no longer fire, but water, their backs stilli scaly with moraine and crevasse) and still exacting their toll of human lives. A number of slides showed the main features of glaciers and their formation. The lecturer very clearly explained how the crevasses were made, and by the end of the lecture we felt we understood some- thing about the history of the glacier dragons from their birth in the neve to their watery death. Especially well did Mr Thomson ex- plain the presence of moraine in the centre of the glacier. Many of the elders I ¡present. must have gained some insight into his abilities as a teacher as he patiently showed how lateral moraines of branches become the medial moraines of the main glacier. One admirable slide showed a glacier T—table in position, a giant block of stone being supported on a pedestal of ice. As the south side melts under the- heat of the sun the table- top tilts 'and after a time slides, from its ped-estai. A second slide showed what the lecturer describe as "A domestic -catas- trophe—the T—taible upset by 'the sun and a-ir' In a second portion of his lecture Mr Thomson took us upon a mountain exped-i- tion up the Finster-Aar-horn, the highest mountain of the Bernese Oberland. We started from an inn, climbed through the forest-clad slopes of the hills until we reached our glacier. Here we were, much annoyed by a pertinacious tourist who dogged our steps. We warned hi an of his risk, and soon were gratified by seeing him disappear in a snow-drift. Leaving him there we marched on to the hut up the glacier. Arriving here towards dusk the leader went on to prospect, while we prepared a meal, for which we found some materials in the hut, while some we had j brought up in our rucksacks. This over, we turned in, turning out again rather unwillingly in the dark at one o,clock. Leaving the hut at 2 a.m., after making a futile attempt at breakfast we found the world in darkness, our only light a feeble candle-lantern carried by the leader. At this early hour the sounds and sights of the glacier were most unusual, and we felt much relieved when the first rays of dawn Ibegan to illumine the peaks. The glorious colour-effects on rock and snow, as point after point was bathed in rosy red, deep purple and tender pink, brought us to a halt, and we stood spell-bound. When the day was fully come, on we went, as a hard day's work lay before us. Crevasses yawned all round us as we reached the ice fall, and we had to pass them by all manner of stratagems. W.e stepped over them, we jumped, we laboriously descended into and climbed out of them, and at one- point after beat- ing the snow of a snow-bridge we lay prone and wriggled over. However, the ice-fall and its great seracs once- passed we were on tihe higher glacier and at once made for a col, or depression in the moun- tain-ridge, by which we intended to attack the ascent. Our line of ascent was along a snow arete, or ridge, and for dizzy heads the sensation was at times appalling1. Only confidence in our leader and the moral support of the- rope -could have induced us to continue the, climlb. Imagine ice-slopes tilted at an angle of 450 to 60 degress across which we had to pass with our feet iin steps cut out by our leader with his axe, where a whole party might- easily slip—to fa,T\l, thousands of feet on to a. glacier below. At one point indeed one member of the party did but he was held up by the rope, and after some delay caused by his cutting steps to regain hvs former position we went b-oldlv on. Our final approach lay along a narrow ridge, rendered somewhat dangerous by an everhangingj lip or cornice of snow. Here we still had to cut our way, though, at times this work was made easier by the leader choosijng the top of the ridge where he cut a path some four inches wide. At- tention to balance, we were told, was very necessary here. Inattention would pro- bably have meant a swift descent down a nearly vertical ice-slope to instantaneous death on the glacier far below. Had the leader slipped the only hope for the party would lie in the second man throwing himself instantly down the opposite side of the ridge. However, at length we gained the summit, and thence had glorious views of myriiad peaks, of gla-ciers and of the swirling clouds that rolled over the valleys, and here and there eddied round the rocky aretes, At this point in the lecture we were shown some very remarkable views of mountain summits, including the Matter- horn, Dent Blanche, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, La Meige, Pic Zinal, and others. The most wonderful, however, was that of an unnamed and unclimbed mountain in the Himalayas, rising grandly to a height of 28,000 ft. from a glacier 17,000ft. above sea-level. This picture had never before been shown to any audience. Our descent soon began, this time by the rocks. The lecturer had pressed into his service views of many mountains—in various parts of the alps as well as in Cun-iberla,nd-to illustrate the difficulties that may be met with in a rock-climb. It is in this work that Mr Thomson specially excels, but photography is often impos- sible. One picture of a chimney-climb, however, took away the breath, the muscular energy required appearing to be very great, while the least mistake would be attended by grave possibilities. For the rest, we scrambled down as best we might, our 'leader' now occupying the post of honour in the rear. A very hearty vote of thanks was pro- posed by the Rector, and seconded by Councillor James J. Marks. This was very heartily received, and was followed by three ringing cheers from the boys. The lantern was well manipulated by Mr Owen, of Clifton Road, assisted by Master Tom Bevan.

LLANDUDNO AS IT WAS, A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF LLANDUDNO. (By Mr John Roberts, Bryn Celyn). It is interesting from our position to- day to survey the time when the town was in the process of developing, and the fol- lowing record of the proceedings of the Town Commissioners to the younger generation, will undoubtedly prove some- what like a dream. We find that in June 1857 the Commissioners declared the fol- lowing public highways repairable by the Commissioners, viz. Conway Road from Bartley's library to the turning to Bryniau Farm. Bartley's library was situated in the premises now occupied by Messrs. Stead and Simpson, Lower Mos- tyn Street. This was the library and stationer's shop which Mr Bridge, of Con- way, opened in the first instance, and sub- sequently kept by the late Mr Samuel Bartley, who was apprenticed to Mr Bridge, and after serving as an assistant for some time took the business over for himself. Llovd Street and Clonmel Street from the Parade to Mostyn Street. .¡ Mostyn Street from Church Walks to the north side of Glocklaeth Street. North Parade from Tygwyn to the St. George's Hotel. Church Walks from North Parade to the Old Road. It will be observed from the foregoing that hardly any streets had been adopted on the west5 side of Mostyn Street, and the Parade from St. George's Hotel east- wards was unadopted Church Walks from the Old Road westwards was also unadopted. In October 1857 the Commissioners felt that they and the town were growing in importance, for we read in the record of their meeting of October 26th:—"That it was decided to ask the Chief Constable of the County if the town was not entitled to an additional police officer as the popula- tion had advanced to be over 2,000 in number." We find that the amounts collected for licences for the season of 1857 was as follows:—30 donkeys at Is., Pl 10-s. 11 ponies at 2s., £1 2s. 14 boats at 2.5. 6d., j51 15s. 50 bathing machines, at 2s. 6d., £ 6 5s. fines for impounding, £ 1 Is. 6cl. The rateable value of L- andudno in 1857 was Y,7023 9s. 4cl.. The rates were levied as follows:—2s. 6d. in the pound for houses and 7 c1. in the pound on land 2 total, £ 990 8s. lJd, Total amount col- 42 lected, JE888 15s. 4^-cl., leaving arrears to 2 the amount of P,10,1 13s. 6d. Some items of account are as below. May 4th, 1857. Paid accounts as follows — Samuel Lloyd for last year's public pump, JE1 2s. 7d. Edward Polin, police officer, one month's pay, R3 4s. paid to the two auditors, £ 2 2s. expense of elee- tion, R3 19s. Id. The Samuel Lloyd mentioned above was an ironmonger, plumber and painter. He married Elizabeth Brookes, one of the daughters of Mr Geo. Brookes, Victoria, Inn. Hiis first shop was in Church Walks, Burleigh House, now kept as a green- grocer's shop. In a short period his bus: ness extended, and he erected those exteii- sive premises, Vardre View and shop, Mostyn Street, which in those days were in the best position in the town. We be- lieve that as an assistant, to Mr Lloyd that the late Mr Wm. Bevan first settled in our town. Looking at the above figures it will be observed that the expense of an election in these tiines was a very nominal affa'r. Of course the i'n come was small, therefore the outgoing expenses had. to be so accord- iugly. It is m,-th some interest that we observe the appointment of the first town porters. The record runs as follows: I Commissioners meeting held July llth, 1857 :—"The following persons were ap- pointed to act as town porters Thomas Jones, Bodavon Row; John Jones; Maesyfachre-lllj and Francis, late hair- dresser." It was also directed to procure one dozen badges for porters of brass with straps with "Llandudno Commissioners Porter" engraved. The first named was a well-known man to the old residents and visitors, and was known as Thomas Jones, "Sun," probably some one may remember that he was run over by a butcher's cart many years ago and killed. Mr Jones was a very good- natured man and was greatly respected. The John Jones named was the late John Jones, King's Head. Mr Jones act- ed as caretaker of the Market Hall for many years; he was also the town crier. The early visitors of Llandudno always enjoyed listening to Mr Jones, He pro- bably announced ¡"The steam yacht Fairy will make an excursion trip to Beaumaris, Bangor and Menai Bridge" many thousand times. Who Francis, the late hairdresser was, we are at a loss, and also why his surname was left out. How- ever, that is a correct copy of the record.

THE ADVERTISER SAYS That the Easter Sailings of the North Wales Steamship Company commence on Thursday, March 24th, 1910. That the St. Tudno will sail daily from Liverpol to Llandudno and the Straits from March 24th to March 29th. That on Easter Monday the St. Elvies will also sail for Llandudno, reaching the Pierhead at 12 15 and leaving at 4 45. That regular daily sailings for the season will commence on Wednescla-v, Mav 11th. y j That in tihe "Daily Graphic" of Monday last several capital photographs appear- ed of incidents in the international hockey match, England v. Wales, at Cambridge. That one of the Llandudno players, Mr C. Jones, could be very clearly distin- guished in two of the pictures. That Mr Ernest Bone also played for Wales. That the above players have played in the three international matches this season. That- the resolution by Mr Wm. George at the Carnarvonshire County Council meeting relating to Crown Lands does not raise the question for the first time, That the whole question was the subject of various resolutions and much dis- cussion at the Llandudno Urban Coun- cil some few years ago. That Mr Rtifehard Bellis, who was then a me-mber of that Council, collected a great deal of information on the sub- ject. That resolutions were passed, various conferences held, and Welsh members, County Counciils, and other authorities were invited to co-operate in order to secure Government action. That the Members of Parliament express- ed their interest and intenElQn of doing all that was possible to secure some de- finite result, Tha,t a few meetings were held and then all interest seemed to gradually evaporlate for nothing of a definite character was done, and very little enduring enthusiasm was shown by either the County Council of Carnar- vonshire or any other Body. Tha,t we note the Llandudno Concerts Ex- tension Committee have fixed Saturday, October 15th, as the date of the pro- posed Musical Festival. That Mr H. Smith, laJe of Mr G. F. Forrester, Mostyn Street, has taken over the hair dressing saloon at Mr n, Herbert's, Tobacconist, Central Mos- tyn Street. That he hopes to renew his acqaintance with those requiring the services of a well-tri,ed and capable tonsorial artiste That in the Arvon division the election expenses of Mr Wm. Jones were £ 460 2s lid., and Mr Arthur Hughes, £.1051 5s. 2d. oX- That in South Carnarvonshire the ex- penses of Mr Ellis W. Davies were JB322 Os. 3d., and Mr Priestley, P,973 Is. That the T'hwaites v. Seed billiard match, held at the Washington Hotel, on Wed- nesday last, ended in. favour of Seed by 31. That at one time Thwaites was leading by sixty odd points, but easing up, Seed by several nicely played breaks over- hauled his opponent and ran out the winner as stated. That a return match has been arranged for Wednesday evening1 next at the Con- stitutional Club. Time. 8 o'clock. That the full amount received in connec- tion with the Dr. Barnardo's meetings held at the Imperial Hotel and the Town Hall on February 15th is now offic-iallv given as being £ 21 3s. That the second and final "long night" ■ of the season in connection with Miss Henderson's dancing instruction class was held at the Bijou Cafe on Thursday evening last. That there was a large assembly, and the floor was in excellent condition. That the Waltz Cotillion was particularly well carried through by lady and gentle- men members of the class and their friends. That the catering of light refreshments by the management of the Bijou Cafe left nothing to be desired, and That this Assembly Hall is likely to be associated with dances for many sea- sons to come. That the arrangements for the vocalists for the coming season of the Pier Con- certs are now practically complete. » That Mr Webster Millar, that most pleas- ing of tenor vocalists, commences with the opening concert on Thursday even- ing, March 24th. and remains until the 30th. That at the first special the services of Miss Perceval Allen, who has been gaining fresh laurels at London con- certs, have been secured. Tha.t on Good Friday a matinee concert will be given by Madame Ada Crossley. That the concert party also includes Miss Edith Evans, Messrs. John Harrison, Hamilton, E-arie, M. Leon Sametini, M. Pierre, Augieras, and S. Liddle. Tr That the Hippodrome Skating Rink will, it is rumoured, be opened for Easter- tide. That the Motor Garage Co., Ltd., are anticipating a heavy demand for their charabanc trips during the first holiday of the- year. That a Thorough overhauling has been earii-ed out on all their cars. That the Llandudno Coaching Company have also been hard at work during the last few weeks, setting their house in order, and putting their steeds in trim, That both visitors and residents will hardly recognise the interior of the pier pa vision. That it has been in the hands of the L; architect and builder for the last few months. That the change for the better is most marked. That seating accommodation for at least 500 more has been added. That the new gallery is a decided im- provemenL That various opinions are naturally held as to the acoustics. That at present it is all so much con- jecture, and until it has been tested the disputants are quite in the dark. That we venture to predict a big surprise is in store. That the roof has had a thorough over- hauling, and many mysterious draughts of the past will have disappeared for all time, That Captain John Roberts and his crew have now got the pier jetty ship-shape, and ready to take the Mauretama along- side iif required. That the North Wales S.S. Co., Ltd. have completed their sea trijp arrangements for the opening of the season. That the bi-weekly competitions at the Pier Bojoscope continue to prove a great "draw." That the theatre is generally well filled on these occasions. That in addition to the chance of winning a substantial sum of monev those present are given a capital pictorial entertainment. That the North Wales Advertising' Board us commencing their campaign. That the cover designs and views for the handbook which it is proposed to issue were submitted to a meeting of the com- mittee. That it is expectecl that over one hundred thousand of these handbooks will be circulated. That the Llandudno inhabitants unite in their deep expressions of sympathy with Alderman John Owen and Mrs Owen in the loss of theiir son at the early age of seventeen years. That he was a bright, intelligent lad, but unfortunately had not enjoyed good health for many months.

LOCAL APPOINTMENT. The licence of the Albert Vaults, Rhyl, was on Tuesday, on the application of Mr Joseph Lloyd, granted to Mr H. J. Roberts, of Llandudno, the successor to the late Mr Andrews. Mr Roberts has been appointed Messrs. Allsopp's local agent, in succession to the late Mr Andrews.

Joe "I have got a good job at last, Ben, me boy." Ben "What be doin' f Joe: "Oh, I'm a cashier in a p'lic orfis, and a rattling good job it is." Ben "A cashier in a p'lice orfis, Joe. What's that? I never 'eard of that afore. Whats yer dootv?"" Joe "Duty! I counts the coppers as they come in."