The Tenby Observer Weekly List of Visitors and Directory

TENBY MAYORAL BANQUET., SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION LAST NIGHT. INTERESTING SPEECHES. At the Royal Gate House Hotel last (Wednesday) night the Mayor of Tenby (Captain David Hughes Morgan) entertained the members and officials of the Corporation, the magistrates, clergy, and ministers of other denominations to dinner, the following being the menu :— Soup. Clear Royale. Leek Broth. Fish. Turbot. Lobster Sauce. Fried Soles. Entree. Chicken Patties. Braised Sweetbreads. Removes. Saddle Mutton. Jelly. Duckling. Brussels Sprouts. Cauliflower. Potatoes. Game. Pheasants. Chips. Salad. Sweets. Borough Pudding. Trifle. French Pastries. Savoury. Welsh Rarebit. Dessert. Coffee. Liqueurs. WINE LIST. Sherry-Amontillado. Claret-Olmteau Larose, 1878. Hock-Liebfraumilch Chainpagne-Krug & Co., 1900. G. H. Mumm, 1900. His Worship, wearing the gold chain of office, presided, the guests present being:—The Deputy- Mayor (Mr Councillor T. Tucker) Aldermen Chiles, Griffiths, and Leach; Councillors Farley, Stokes, George Thomas, Truscott, Lord, W. H. Thomas, Mason, Palmer, Sandercock, Davies, and Morrison John Thomas and Thomas John (Ser- geants-at-Maoe). Officials-Messrs. Newton, Mor- ley, Eastlake, Lyons, James Bowen, H. M. Allen and E. Leach (Overseers). The Rector (the Rev. N. C. Ram, M.A.), the Revs. J. D. Fowden, G. C. Rowe, Father Carew, T. Lodwig Evans (Baptist); Messrs. T. P. Hughes (President Tradesmen's Associa- tion), W. Cecil Williams, A. R. T. Williams (Naval Survey), Wilfred Reea, H. Sandercock, junr., and James Hughes. Councillors T. Tucker and F. B. Mason occupied the vice-chairs. The duty having been declared off tobacco, a long and interesting toast list was gone through. In proposing the toast of The King," the Mayor said that every loyal Welshman and every loyal citizen of the Borough of Tenby would drink the health of His Majesty, King George V., who, although he had been on the throne but a short time, ruled with great tact and discretion. (Applause.) The toast was received with musical honours. The Queen, the Queen Mother, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family was next submitted, and received with warm enthu- siasm. Mr Councillor W. H. Thomas submitted the toast of "The Bishops and Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations," and in doing so said he believed that the majority of the members of the Council present in the room had had the pleasure of shaking hands with the Archbishop of Can- terbury, who some time ago paid a visit to Tenby. Many of those present had listened to the present Bishop of St. David's, and they had heard him with admiration; and he (the speaker) dared to say that the Bishop would have liked if their admiration had gone a little deeper. With regard to their present Rector, they had all heard him, of course, very frequently, and with very great pleasure he (the speaker) felt sure. Some of them had the privilege of knowing the Rev. Father Carew, and he was certain that those of them who did not hold the same theological views as the Rev. Father would at least give him the credit for aiming at the same thing. (Hear, hear.) They all felt sure that the ministers of all denomina- tions had but one object in life, and that was to win sinners to the right path. He coupled with the toast the names of the Rector, the Rev. G. C. Rowe, Rev. J. D. Fowden, Rev. Father Carew, and the Rev. T. Lodwig Evans (Baptist minister). The Rector of Tenby, responding to the toast, said that as the Rev. Lodwig Evans was also down to respond he proposed to reply for the Churoh of England, and he did not intend to say anything in regard to the Bishops, although he could sing their praises in very many words. With regard to the clergy of the Church of England, he considered them the hardest working class in the country (hear, hear), and what was more they had not, up to the present, at any rate, gone on strike for a twenty four hours week- (laughter)—and he hoped that they never would. He would just like to say something with regard to the Church, because, as they are aware, they were at the present time face to face with some very serious social problems; and his belief was that the Church, as the keeper and guardian of the Christian spirit, contained a solution of these social problems. At the root of nearly all their social problems was self. Selfishness would be found to be the source of them it might be on the part of the rich or the poor, but selfishness was. the source of their social troubles. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. Father Carew expressed his sincere thanks for the way in which the toast had been proposed and honoured. He had only been in Tenby a short time, about three years, and he came as a stranger to their gates, but he could sincerely say that he had never met a pleasanter lot oi people than at Tenby. (Applause.) The Rev. T. Lodwig Evans also responded, and said he had been in Tenby long enough to remem- ber a great many changes in the civic history of the town. He had known some splendid men who had devoted their services to the borough in the Town Council, and comparing the condition of Tenby with what it was twenty years ago- when he first came to the town-he thought the improvement bad been immense. (Hear, hear.) The Rector in proposing the toast of The Aldermen and Councillors of the Ancient Borough of Tenby," said he did not know why he had been asked to propose this toast he felt rather out of his element in doing so, not because he was a tee- totaler, for now-a-days toasts were drunk just as cordially in soda water or lemonade as in cham- pagne, and the teetotaler was not now looked upon, as he.believed he used to be in days gone bye, as the wet blanket at a feast. But the difficulty he had in- proposing such a toast was what to say, because he would not like to make the aldermen and councillors blush to the roots of their hair by singing their praises. (Laughter.) He thought the aldermen and councillors of Tenby were a most capable body of gentlemen and if he might speak as an experienced man of the world-not in a wicked sense-he thought that perhaps the dan- ger which their public men were in at the present time was that of losing their independence, their personality, and individuality. Now, each of these things had been given us by Providence, each of us had got a personality, an individuality, and created within us a sense of independence. He thought that if public men allowed their individuality and personality tojbe merged, as it were, into a corporate body, then the town or the country was the loser. Might he plead for a spirit of independence among their public men ? (Hear, hear.) Proceeding, he said he knew it was often considered as being very difficult for one man on a corporate body to assert his independence, and be remembered at the last General Election how the services of one of the finest of men were lost to the State in consequence of this. If they did assert their personality and independence it was at some cost and some risk of losing the posi- tion in which they found themselves but still might he plead as their Rector for a spirit of independence among the aldermen and councillors of Tenby ? (Applause.) Alderman Leach, responding, said be was both the youngest and oldest member of the Corpora- tion, the youngest in the sense that he had only that day been re-elected an alderman, and the oldest in that he had been connected with the Town Council since 1888, when he won his first contested election. He took a great deal of pride and pleasure in serving his. native town, and could go back to fifty years ago. As a Corpora- tion they had spent a good deal of money, but he thought they had spent it wisely and well. They had got a well sewered, a well watered, and well regulated town, and he thought they were more prosperous than they were fifty years ago. (Applause.) Alderman Chiles said he could go back ten years further than Alderman Leach, he remem- bered Tenby sixty years ago, and could pretty well recollect everything connected with the town, for he had not been out of the place during that time. (A Voice: "What about the Grand National and Ascot ? Laughter.) Councillor George Lord said he always tried to do his best for the town of Tenby, in which he had a great interest, as in it lay his livelihood. Councillor Sandercock also responded, and said there were not four other gentlemen in the town whom he held in higher esteem than the four Tenby aldermen. With regard to the coun- cillors, they were capable of speaking for them- selves. He had been reminded by a candid friend that he had seen and heard little of hi m in the papers as a member of the Council, but (said the speaker amid laughter) it was not the man who blew the trumpet the loudest or thumped the big drum the most who always did the work; it was the quiet, thinking man. Councillor Stokes also responded. He said he first became connected with the Tenby Town Council in 1865-45 years ago-which was a long time to look back upon, but still it seemed only like yesterday that he came to Tenby. During that time he had made and lost many friends, as they all must; but he would not touch on tender subjects, because he might forget himself, and that he never liked to do, especially at a con -4 U vivial meeting of that kind. Speaking to the toast, he could assure His Worship that the aldermen and councillors always did their very best for that beautiful place. With regard to what the Rector had said about a man retaining his individuality and personality he (the speaker) agreed with him to a certain extent, but on the other hand if a man found his views were not in consonance with the majority on the Council, then he thought it would be far better for that man to sink his individuality and bow to the decision of the majority, otherwise it was impos- sible to get through the work. They had had gentlemen in the Town Council who thought they knew better than anyone else, but they had soon found their level. Councillor Tucker then submitted the toast of His Worship the Mayor," and referred in eulo- gistic terms to Captain Hughes Morgan, whose name he said was a household word in Tenby. The Mayor, rising to respond, was accorded an enthusiastic reception. He said that although he had interests in another county he would spend as much time as he could at Tenby and do all he conld to further the interests of that ancient borough. (Applause.) It had suddenly struck him that a story which he heard over in Ireland was rather appropriate to the town of Tenby. Pat called at a certain house and asked if Mike was in. Mike's wife said he was not at home, and asked Pat if he would have a cup of tea, at the same time asking him to hold the baby whilst she made it. Whilst Pat had the baby in his arms Mike returned, and said How are you getting on Mike?" to which he replied "I'm just about holding my own." (Loud laughter.) Now he (the Mayor) did not want Tenby to only hold its own, but to go ahead. (Hear, hear.) He first came to Tenby in 1888 and was very much struck with the place, and since that time he and his family had come more or less frequently. He felt he could honestly say that the members of their Corporation were individuals with but one ambi- tion in life, and that was the furtherance of that ancient and historic borough. (Applause.) Councillor Lord gave the toast of The Magis- trates," to which Alderman Leach and Coun- cillor Tucker responded. Councillor Tucker submitted that of The Officers," coupled with the names of Mr G. Lort Stokes (Town Clerk), Mr George Lyons (Rate Collector), Mr T. M. Eastlake (Borough Accoun- tant), Mr James Bowen (Borough Auditor), Mr George Lord (Mayor's Auditor), and Mr A. J. Newton (representing the Borough Treasurer), all of whom suitably acknowledged the toast. Councillor F. B. Mason proposed the toast of the new Councillors (Messrs. Davies and Mor- rison), and in doing so thanked the Mayor for the very pleasant evening which he had given them, remarking that if they had had more of this kind of thing the Council would perhaps not have felt the opposition complained of. Two new councillors had been elected on November 1st, and he (the speaker) hoped with the Rector that they would not forget their individuality and independence. With all due respect to some of the ancient members of the Tenby Corporation he asked them to give fairplay to the new members, who were elected by the people the same as they were long ago. Like the older members the younger ones would try—at least he had tried for two years—to do what was right and fair. He asked them to remember this instead of being hard on them. They were working for what they believed to be the true interests of Tenby. (Hear, hear.) Mr William Davies was a new member, who at the first time of asking had been returned at the head of the poll. He was a member of an old Tenby family who be should think built half of the town and at the first time of coming out he had received the place of honour. With regard to Mr Morrison he (the speaker) could say that he had known and appreciated him for sixteen years. During that time he had been his great helper-he might almost say partner—in doing what seemed to them the best in the interests of Tenby. If they did not happen to agree with everybody they only asked for a fair hearing, for he (the speaker) could respect an opponent as well as appreciate a friend. He for one had no wish to impose his views against those of other members, but he had got his own ideas, and he was very much obliged to the Rector for what he had said "about retaining one's individuality and independence. Councillor Davies, responding, said he could assure them that he felt it an honour to belong to that ancient Corporation, but it was still a greater pleasure and pride to follow in the footsteps of his late lamented father, who had had the honour of being a member of that Corporation. During the time his father was a member he endeavoured to keep up the traditions of the family, and he (the speaker) would try to follow in the "same way. (Hear, hear.) His vote would at all times be given in the interests of the ratepayers, and his whole aim would be to do all he could for the benefit of his native town. (Applause.) Councillor Morrison also responded. Although, he said, he was very closely associated with Mr Mason in business, he did not think that fact would influence him in any way or warp bis judg- ment when it came to giving his vote as a Town Councillor. He should vote with but one object in view, the best interests of the ratepayers. (Applause.) The health of the Deputy-Mayor was then toasted after which the company sung the National Anthem and Auld Lang Syne." During the evening Messrs. T. P. Hughes, A. R. T. Williams, G. H. Sandercock, W. Rees, and Harold Sandercock contributed to the musical programme, Mr W. Cecil Williams accompanying. The whole of the arrangements of the dinner were ably carried out by Miss Oaten, the mana- geress of the Gate House Hotel.

CORRESPONDENCE. -4 a.- TENBV MAYORESS' FUND. To the Editor of the Tenby Observer. Sin,—Allow me through your columns to thank the ten ladies who so kindly undertook to collect for the above Fund; and also the general public for their generous response in subscribing the handsome sum of JE38 6s.—Yours faithfully, MYRA TUCKER, Bank House, Tenby, Mayoress. November 8th, 1910.

THE BOROUGH TREASURER'S SALARY. To the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIR,—In your election address you said that you would join with others in a demand to know the reason why an absent Borough Treasurer was paid a salary of £200 a year and I hope, now that you have been returned, you will keep your pledge. This affair is one of the scandals of local muni- cipal life, and the sooner we as ratepayers are told what it all means the better we shall be pleased. In a former letter I asked what services were given in return for this salary of JE4 per week, and whether the money actually went into the pocket of the gentlemen to whom the cheque each quar- ter is made payable. These are questions which still await an answer, and I hope you and those members of the Council who can lay claim to being free and independent will press for an answer to them at the earliest moment. To think that this comparatively large sum of money should be paid away year after year with- out any apparent value being received in return is enough to cause the deepest indignation in the mind of every ratepayer. Why should OUT money be thrown away in this extravagant manner; our rates are surely heavy enough in all conscience without being added to in this fashion and all those of us who voted for yourself and Mr Davies hope that you will keep hammering away at the matter in the Council Chamber until the town is plainly told what the money is paid for. Certainly it cannot be for services rendered, because the Borough Treasurer does not reside in the town, and therefore cannot be expected to do anything to earn this salary. Even if he did do anything for it, he is being paid at ten times the rate his predecessor was paid for holding the same appointment! Whichever way one looks at it it is a most unsatisfactory state of things, and it is now high time that we as ratepayers had some light shed on the subject. It is as well that we should remember that this £200 a year means a rate of 2!d. in the £ for each and all of us and why should we be called upon to pay such a thing? Affairs at Tenby are not so prosperous that we should be burdened with an extra of this nature. Therefore, let some determined effort be made to put an end to this unnecessary and wasteful expenditure. That is the hope of Yours truly, ANTI-INCCBUS. Tenby, November 8th, 1910.

MASON'S STREET MAP OF TENBY, showing all the streets and public buildings in the town North and South Sands, etc., should be in the hands of every visitor. Price 2d. To be ob- tained from all local newsagents or at the Observer Office.

The result of the Municipal Election at Tenby on November 1st must be gratifying to all those who are anxious to see the affairs of the town con- ducted in a sensible and legitimate manner. To me it will be a great en- couragement to continue the policy I have steadily adopted since the rate- payers were good enough to elect me one of their Councillors. To the best of my ability I have worked for what I honestly believe to be the true in- terests of all. I am against favouritism or secrecy. I hold that the representa- tives of the people should give the fullest explanation as to bow public moneys are expended, and the reasons for so doing. I hope to see every mem- ber of the Tenby Corporation acquire the habit of fearlessly expressing his opinion upon all subjects brought be- fore the Council also that every public matter should be settled in the Council Chamber and not in the Town Clerk's office or other private place. Surely, I cannot be considered unreasonable for insisting upon these points. Yet, I have incurred so much enmity, that without reasonable excuse the police were or- dered to put me out of the polling booth on November 1st, and a disap- pointed supporter of the Incubus" even went so far as to demand that I should fight him in Tudor Square, much, of course, to the amusement of the whole population. # What is the true explanation of this puerile behaviour? Can it be that the majority who have for so long mis- managed Tenby really believe that even assault and battery is their peculiar privilege that the laws of the country are to be used or defied solely at their pleasure that the people are not to be allowed to record their votes without intimidation; and that any man who dares to demand fairplay all round is not only to be publicly insulted, but liable to personal assault at their sweet will ? In calling attention to this, most of my readers, I am sure, will under- stand that I am not in search of sym- pathy. Thank goodness, so far I have been able to hold my own and return as good as I receive; but I mention the matter in order that the ratepayers of Tenby should properly realize the dan- gerous position which the rulers of the town have thought fit to take up. The return of Mr William Davies at the head of the poll, and Mr R. L. C. Morri- son in the third place, has given these pugnacious gentlemen a lesson they will not easily forget. V iF It was my duty on polling day to sit up on the Bench usually occupied by the magistrates, from which elevated position a fine view of the voting could be obtained. It was a new experience, and I was struck with the great im- portance and value which must attach to an election by ballot fairly con- ducted. High and low, rich and poor, enter the room, give their names, have it verified on the Register, obtain their voting paper, retire to a curtained booth, place on the paper crosses to denote the men whom they wish to be entrusted with the government of the town, and after folding the paper de- posit it in a sealed tin box over which the police stand guard. Their votes are counted in the presence of a number of suitable representatives, and the result publicly declared by the Mayor of the town. What ctffi be more satisfactory? The fly in the ointment, I venture to think, is the permitting of a personal canvass, and I should like to see it pro- hibited by law. If the personal soli- citation of votes was punished by a substantial fine, I believe election by ballot would be a magnificent institu- tion. I am glad to be able to inform voters that at least one candidate (Mr Morrison) affixed his private seal to the parcll containing the counterfoils of the ballot papers and marked Register, and no doubt in due course of time their destruction will be called for, as was done in the case of my own election in 1908. One little incident may, I think, amuse my readers. After the poll was de- clared a ratepayer asked a Corporation official, who is well known for his promi- ness and fussiness in public affairs, '•'What are the numbers ?" The official testily replied, "Look on the wall!" The answer was, I think, the best that he could possibly give. The "writing on the wall" had to be displayed the numbers polled by the successful can- didates appeared in plain figures; and the reading of them should be a warn- ing to the Incubus to set their house in order, otherwise their days may not be long in the land. Happier times are coming, I hope and believe. ff. The annual meeting of the Town Council took place yesterday. The re- tiring Mayor declared he had had a most successful year of office, though a voice from the corner of the Council Chamber sometimes tried his patience. I was very much tempted to" let him hear that voice once more; but the annual meeting in accordance with ancient custom is called for mutual admiration purposes only, so I held my peace. Fox populi, t-ox Dei; and the people's voice upheld that from the corner on November 1st. Our new Mayor, Captain D. Hughes Morgan, made an excellent impression on the Council after assuming the robes and taking the chair. His speeches were to the point, his promise of fair play all round, and his votes to be given solely in the interests of the ratepayers, were well received gene- rally particularly so by the occupants of the corner. Last night His Worship gave us all a good dinner, which is surely a much pleasanter arrangement than the old fashion of converting the Council Chamber into a tap-room at high noon. I believe the banquet will be voted a great success by many beside F. B. M. Tiaim 11 TATLER."

ANNUAL MEETING. THE MAYORALTY. APPOINTMENT OF CAPTAIN HUOHES MORGAN: ELECTION OF ALDERMEN. The annual statutory meeting of the Tenby Town Council took place in the Council Chamber at noon yesterday (Wednesday), with the out- going Mayor (Mr Councillor T. Tucker) in the chair, the others present being Captain David Hughes Morgan (Mayor-Elect), the Deputy- Mayor (Mr Councillor C. Farley); Aldermen Williams, Griffiths, Leach, and Chiles Coun- cillors Stokes, W. H. Thomas, Lord, Palmer, Truscott, Mason, Da vies, Sandercock, George Thomas, and Morrison; together with the Town Clerk (Mr G. Lprt Stokes), the Borough Ac- countant (Mr T. M. Eastlak.), the Borough Surveyor (Mr Bertie Morley), and Mr James Hughes (from the Town Clerk's office). The Mayor, wearing the robes and chain of office, rose after the stroke of twelve, and, ad- dressing the Council, said that his term of office as Chief Magistrate had now expired, but before relinquishing same he took that opportunity to thank them all very sincerely for the very kind and valued assistance which they had rendered him during his year of office. He felt it was a great source of satisfaction to have sat in that chamber as Mayor during his year of office without any serious opposition or bickerings though, truly, there had been times when it had taken a certain amount of patience when he heard a voice in the corner—like the voice of thunder—which came to him (the Mayor) as a warning, like the crack of a carter's whip, just a sort of reminder of what would happen if he did not run straight. However, he would let that pass. Continuing, he said he must say that he was awfully pleased that he was on such friendly terms with one and all; and it would always be a source of satisfaction to him to look back on his year as Mayor as the proudest of his life. It had been a very short year, and everything had gone most pleasantly. During that time he had tried to serve the Council and the ratepayers faithfully and well, but whether he had succeeded in doing so it was for them to judge. He could not do more than he had. He did not think he need say anything further beyond again thanking them for their very great kindness. Proceeding, His Worship said that the time had now arrived for the appoint- ment of his successor. The coming year would be one of very great importance, what with the Coronation and other things and it had been thought necessary to seek a gentleman from outside to take the office of Mayor, and under the circumstances that seemed the best thing for that Council to tdo. They found that- they could not get what they wanted within their ranks, and having gone outside to seek he had no hesitation in saying that they had found a gentleman who was one of the very best. (Applause.) He had therefore much pleasure in proposing that Captain Hughes Morgan should be elected Mayor of Tenby for the ensuing year. He felt sure that Captain Morgan was a gentleman who would discharge the duties of his high office with credit to him- self and honour to the town. (Applause.) Mr Farley seconded, and said he quite en- dorsed what Mr Tucker had said regarding Captain Morgan. Mr Mason—The carter's whip says "Hooray The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried with acclamation. Captain Morgan, after having made the usual declaration, and taken the oath of allegiance, addressed the meeting at some length. He felt, he said at the outset of his remarks, it somewhat difficult to thank them, as represen- tatives of the town of Tenby, for having so graciously elected him Mayor for the ensuing year. It was an honour of which he felt proud, chiefly for two reasons, the first of which, how- ever, was not very important; it was that it come upon him as a surprise when he was asked to fulfil this important office in a most important year. In the second place, it was an honour which he considered very great to be chosen from outside their Council, when standing there and looking round, he saw so many able men- men who had served the ratepayers of Tenby truly and faithfully—from among whose ranks they could have chosen one to fulfil that office during the coming year. He therefore felt proud, that having gone outside the Council, their choice had fallen on himself. When he looked at the history of the town of Tenby he saw that prior to 1835-he did not think there were any records of their Mayors previous to that—down to 1882 they were precluded by Act of Parliament from going outside their Council for a Mayor; but since 1882 they could go out- side their own members, and he believed that he had the honour of being the first upon whom this honour devolved. In passing the Mayor referred in eulogistic terms to Alderman Clement J. Williams, who had been. Mayor of Tenby many times, and whom he was very pleased to see present that day. He expressed the hope that Alderman Williams was restored to health and that he would be amongst them for many years to come. (Applause.) Now, continued His Worship, the charter of the town of Tenby was a very ancient one, going back to the reign of Henry IV., as far as 1402 consequently, he (the speaker) was for the year 1911 the 509th Mayor of the ancient and historic town of Tenby. (Applause.) When he undertook to accept the office of Mayor of the town he felt that it was one of great responsibility, espe- cially when they had staring them in the face two most important events—the Coronation of King George V. and the Investiture of the Prince of Wales at Carnarvon. With regard to the Coronation, it would during that time be- hove them as representatives of the ratepayers to truly honour such an occasion by celebrating same in some particular form, and which would probably leave its mark in the minds of the rising generation. Then they came, in the second place, to a most important event con- nected with Wales, the Investiture of the Prmce of Wales at Carnarvon. They had been told that this had been done before, but, as a matter of fact, Edward II. was born at Carnarvon and his Investiture took place at Chester, so that really this particular year (1911), would be the first time such an Investi- ture had taken place in Wales. Now, he had said very nearly all he was going to say, but one thing he was very pleased to hear from the lips of the ex-Mayor, his remark with re- gard to the debates in that chamber. They may have been stormy, or they may not; but he (the speaker) should like to say that as long as he occupied that chair he should always welcome all debates, because he believed that debates without opposition were no good at all. A good, healthy spirit in opposition was desi- rable If at any time during his year of office he was called upon to give his vote one way or another he should endeavour, as he had always tried duriug his public career, to act as inde. pendently as possible, and give his vote, which may or may not be acceptable to either party, from what he considered the point of,view of the ratepayers and the interests of Tenby. (Applause.) He simply asked them during his year of office that they would give him all the assistance they could and which they had given in the past to other gentlemen who had occu- pied that chair. He felt that if they gave him that assistance that he would be able when his term of office expired to look back upon the year as one of the happiest in his life. He again thanked them one and all for the great honour which they had done him that day. (Loud applause.) It was announced by the Mayor that the next business before the meeting was the election of aldermen (although no mention of the fact appeared on the agenda) in the places of Alderman John Leach and Alderman Clement John Williams, whose term of office had ex- pired. Under the new Act, as they were no doubt aware, continued the Mayor, aldermen could not vote for the new aldermen. Mr Mason enquired whether as councillors they should not have had some notice that aldermen were retiring and that there would be an election. Until he came into that Chamber did not know who were the retiring aldermen. On the notice of meeting sent him there was no mention of it. He certainly thought that it should have been put on the agenda. It was a rather important matter. Now that he had called attention to the matter he would leave it at that, but he gave notice that he intended later on to bring forward a resolution with regard to the election of aldermen. The Mayor thought that it would have been wiser to have put the matter on the agenda. Mr Mason enquired whether Messrs. Leach and Williams were standing again. The Mayor—I believe they are. Mr Mason thought they ought to know for certain whether they were or not. He wished to know whether the aldermen remained in the room while the voting was going on. It seemed a queer sort of arrangement altogether. He did not understand what he was doing. Mr W. H. Thomas explained to Mr Mason that it had not been the custom of the Council in the past to nominate candidates for the alder- manic vacancies. Each member of the Council was at liberty to write down the names of any two gentlemen inside or outside the Council whom he thought most worthy of the position. Mr Mason—That is much more satisfactory. May we write the names of anyone we like on our papers ? The Mayor—By all means. The voting then took place, the proceedure being the handing round of printed forms on which councillors were invited to vote for two aldermen, and attach their names to the same. When the papers had been collected and read out by the Mayor it was found that the twelve councillors had all voted for the re-election of Messrs. Leach and Williams. The Mayor—I have much pleasure in an- nouncing that Messrs. Williams and Leach have been appointed aldermen of this Council. (Applause.) The two re-eleoted alderman then made the customary declaration of office. Alderman Williams said he thanked them very much for electing him as aldermau. (Ap- plause.) Alderman Leach said he was extremely obliged to them for unanimously re-electing him, and would endeavour to render the same services to the town in the coming year as he had done in the past. (Applause.) Alderman Leach moved, and Mr Tucker seconded, that the salary of the Mayor should be fixed at the usual sum of £20. The resolution was carried. The Mayor—What I shall do with that money I don't know exactly. (Laughter). At this stage of the proceedings the Mayor was reminded about the appointment of a Deputy whereupon he asked Mr Tucker to accept the office. The Mayor, in making the appointment, said that for many years it had been the custom in that Council to appoint the out-going Mayor as Deputy, and he felt that he ought not to deviate from that custom. In asking the ex-Mayor to undertake the duties. he said that he had fulfilled them to the satis- faction of the townspeople generally and with honour to himself He (the Mayor) therefore felt that he could not do better than ask Mr Tucker to accept office as his Deputy. He would have great pleasure in appointing him if he would accept it, because he felt that he should require his assistance. As they were aware, he (the Mayor) had a great many interests in Breconshire, but he was going as far as possible to devote as much time as possible to his duties in Tenby, because he felt that one should not undertake offices of that sort unless they were prepared to carry out a great part of the duties. (Applause.) When he was absent he felt perfectly certain that he would have a worthy representative in the ex-Mayor. (Applause.) Mr Tucker said he would have very great pleasure in accepting the honour as Deputy Mayor, and in the absence of Captain Morgan it would be his pleasure to serve him faithfully "and well. Mr Stokes then moved a vote of thanks to the out-going Mayor, and spoke in eulogistic terms of the manner in which Mr Tucker had discharged his duties as Chief Magistrate. They could not, he said, have had a better Mayor than Mr Tucker had proved himself to be. He had shown the greatest courtesy and tact in the conduct of the work, whilst his attention to business had never been excelled to his (Mr Stokes's) knowledge—and he spoke with forty years' experience of local municipal life—by any Mayor who had sat in that seat. He had performed his duties as Mayor of this ancient borough in a very able manner, and he proposed that he be accorded a hearty vote of thanks. (Applause.) Mr Farley, in seconding, said he had been the ex-Mayor's Deputy, and therefore knew what great pains he had taken during his year of office. Mr Tucker suitably expressed his thanks for the vote, which was carried unanimously. Referring to his interest in municipal affairs, he said he had married into a municipal family, and it must have got into his blood. (Laugh- ter.) He had only been a member of the Corporation for a few years, but he had always taken a deep interest in the town of his adop- tion. During the time he had been in the Council he had endeavoured to the best of his ability to keep the old coach going. The next business was the election of officials. Mr Stokes, in eulogistic terms, moved the re- appointment of Mr George Bowen as Harbour- Master. Mr Bowen had held this post since 1865, a period of 45 years, and a more devoted servant that Corporation had never had. Mr Sandercock seconded the proposition, which was carried unanimously. Mr Truscott proposed the re-appointment of Mr George Lyons as race collector at a salary of £80, and in doing said that he had proved him- self a trustworthy and faithful servant. Alderman Griffiths seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr George Thomas proposed that Mr Bertie Morley be re-appointed Borough Surveyor. He had (said Mr Thomas) watched Mr Morleya career since he had been one of the Corpora- tIOn s officials, and he had proved himself effi- cient, and well worthy of their approbation. Mr W. H. Thomas, in seconding, also paid a warm compliment to Mr Morleys abilities as Borough Surveyor. Before the resolution was put Mr Mason said he wished to say that al- though he had confidence in Mr Morley, as Surveyor, he should give some undertaking not to carry on expensive works without the sanc- tion of the Council. Members knew to what he (the speaker) was alluding—it was to the large sums laid out on the South Parade, re- specting which Mr Morley had as yet given no explanation. The Mayor—I hardly think that we can go into that matter to-day. Do you move an amendment 1 Mr Mason—I don't want to move an amend- ment. The Mayor—You can bring it on at another meeting. Mr Farley-May I be allowed to explain ? The Mayor—No, I don't think so. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried. Alderman Chiles proposed and Mr Mason seconded, and it was carried, that Mr T. M. Eastlake be re-appointed Borough Accountant and rent collector at the remuneration of two per cent. on the harbour and estate rent received. On the proposition of Mr Mason, seconded by Alderman Griffiths, Miss Noot was re- appointed hall keeper and ringer of the Curfew Bell. Alderman Leach proposed the re-appointment of Messrs. John Thomas and Thomas John as sergeants-at-mace, observing at the same time that they were both an institution in Tenby and he should not like to see them dispensed with. Mr Stokes-l have great pleasure in second- ing they are both old friends of mine. The resolution was carried. Mr Morrison moved the re-appointment of Mr R. H. Tuck as Meteorological Superinten- dent, and that a hearty vote of thanks be tendered him for his voluntary services of the past year. Mr Truscott seconded and the motion was carried.

As in former years, it was agreed that the whole of the members of the Council should constitute the various committees, this being carried on the. proposition of the Mayor, seconded by Mr Stokes. Mr Tucker moved, Mr Truscott seconded, and it was agreed that February 6th, May 8th, August 14th, and November 9th should be fixed as quarterly meeting days next year. The Mayor announced that the meeting now stood adjourned until Monday, November 21st. His Worship then invited the members to dine with him at the Gate House Hotel that night, remarking that he was dispensing with the whiskey, etc., during the middle of the day as had previously been the custom on Mayor's day. Mr Mason-A very great improvement to whiskey, champagne and stodgy cake in the middle of the day. After an invitation from His Worship to accompany him to Divine service at St. Mary's Church next Sunday morning, the proceedings stood adjourned.