Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

AFTERNOON MEETING. Mr R Jones Griffith, Ooedcymer, presided over this meeting in the absence of Mr C E J Owen, Hengwrt ucha. Dr Jones-Morris, Portmadoc, con- ducted, and there was not a dull moment during the whole meeting. Fretwork pipe-rack, Mr Wm Morris, Pantycelyn. There was only one party for the duet, tenor and bass, Flow gently, Deya." After the rendering, Mr Bennett asked if anyone could inform him whether the competitors were amateurs or pro- fessionals. The response was speedily given that they were amateurs. This elicited from Mr Bennett the remark, Then it is a bad look out for professionals." If be was at any other place besides an Eisteddfod he would take them to be pro- fessionals.-The names were given as Gutyn Eifion, Garn, Dolbenmaen, and Richard Jones,ILlanfrothen (applause). LADIES' CHOIR. The pieces in this competition were (a) The Nightingale's Voice" (D Emlyn Evans), and (b) Llwyn Onn," and the prize offered was £8. Two choirs competed, viz., Nantlle (conductor, Mr T Jones Owen) and Llanegryn (Mr Owen Jones). Mr Bennett said the second choir (Llanegryn) was very unfortunate in having a false start, in the second piece and an equally false intonation in both pieces, which put them out altogether. He had, therefore, no difficulty in distinguishing between the two choirs. No 1 choir sang very prettily. He thought their rendering of Ash Grove," beau- tifully arranged by Mr Emlyn Evans, was singularly enjoyable, and it was a pleasure to listen to them (applause). THE CHAIR SUBJECT. The subject for which a beautifully-carved oak chair was offered was Thomas Edward Ellis, M.P." Ten compositions were sent in, and they were declared to be very good, especially the four best. The composition sent in by Meredydd Delynor" was adjudged the best. On being called upon the Rev John Owen, Dyfnallt, was found to be the sucsessful bard. The corn gwlad was sounded and Gwilym Ardudy and Gwynoro led him to the platform where he was installed according to the ancient rites of the bards of the Isle of Britain, Llew Meirion conducting the proceedings. Thrice Peace was called for, and a satisfactory response was received on each occasion. Bardio congratulatory effusions were delivered by Gwilym Ardudwy, Simon Jones,William Williams, Demetrius Owen (Cynfal), and Llew Meirion. Mrs Dr Edward Jones, Caerffynon, invested the successful bard.- It was announced that the chair subject for the next Eisteddfod was Hell." The President explained that he was in the chair in the enforced absence through illness of Mr C E J Owen. Having congratulated those present on their exemplary behaviour he sat down amid loud applause. The bass solo was for any piece from the works of any great master. There were four competitors. The competition was between No 1 (Mr Isaac Jones, Abergynolwyn) and No 4 (Mr Richard Jones, Llan- frothen). No 1 sang Revenge." Mr Richard Jones distanced all his competitors and the adjudicator had pleasure in awarding him the prize remarking that he should be glad if it was two guineas and not one. Capt Bailey and Mr W N Griffith awarded the prize of C4 for a music stami to Mr Demetrius Owen, Llanbrynmair. A prize of X2 was offered for the "Cywydd' (verse) on Ing." That sent in by Mr Wm Evans (Artro) was adjudged to be by far the better. The prize was awarded to Mrs Eryri Jones, Garn, Dol- benmaen. The subject of the chief essay was The com- parative influence of Philosophy, Science and Theo- logy on moral progress." The best out of six com- petitors was the Rev J Edwin Davies, B.A., curate of Arthog, who was awarded the prize of £5. In the second choral competition there were six choirs competing on the test pieces (a) Y ffrwd and (b) 0 agor fy llygaid (D C Williams). The prize was £ 10 and a medal to the conductor, the latter given by Mr G 0 Williams. The choirs com- peted in the following order :—MachynIIeth (con- ductor Mr John Williams), Aberystwyth (Mr T E Harris), Wnion (Mr David Rowlands), Llanegryn (Mr Owen Jones), and Trawsfynydd (Mr Edwin Lloyd). The adjudication of Mr Bennett was again listened to with the greatest interest. He did not exactly approve of the choice of the pieces for the choirs; they were somewhat commonplace, and they did not give the singers and the conductors an • opportunity to distinguish themselves. Apart from choir No 4 (Llanegryn) which sang a quarter of a tone flat nearly all through, there was not a false chord in the whole performance, but it was sung correctly. There WetS nothing that would cause them to "sit up," but something very like a re- markable exception was presented by No 3 choir, which had the grip from beginning to end of both the pieces and never relaxed. He thought that when that was said of any choir and when it could not be said of any other, the inference was obvious. The marks he had given the choirs were as follows out of a maximum of 20 :-Machynlleth, 15 Aber- ystwyth, 14; Wnion, 18; Llanegryn, nil, having thrown themselves out of it Trawsfynydd, 13. This latter choir had a good deal to learn and could learn it. The prize was thus awarded to the Wnion (Dolgelley) choir, amid the greatest enthusiasm. This concluded the afternoon meeting,

GRAND EVENING CONCERT. The evening concert in connection with the Eisteddfod is sustained by the Idris Choral Society, under the able leadership of Mr 0 0 Roberts, Board School. This Society has been established nearly thirty years and it is a source of great pleasure to learn that the members come from all parts of the district around Dolgelley. The work which was decided to perform this year was Cowen's St John's Eve (the poem by Mr Joseph Bennett). The principal vocalists engaged for the occa3ion were:—Soprano, Miss Maggie Davies, London; contralto, Miss Lizzie Teify Davies, Lon- don; tenor, Mr Maldwyn Humphreys, A.R.C.M. bass, Mr Ivor Foster, London and the Orchestral Band solo flautist, Mr W L Barratt (the celebrated flautist) London accompanists, Miss B Williams, Mr W H Pyemont, and Mr M W Griffith, Mus Bac. The persons represented were :—Nancy (a village maiden), Miss Maggie Davies; Robert (a young villager), Mr Ivor Foster; Margaret (an ancient dame), Miss Lizzie T Davies; the Young Squire, Mr Maldwyn Humphreys. The whole performance is deserving of tho highest commendation. The expectations of the most sanguine were more than gratified, and time after time the vocalists had to bow their acknowledgments to the audience for their marks of appreciation of their renderings. Miss Maggie Davies received the heartiest welcome to the town, whilst Mr Maldwyn Humphreys is as much of a favourite as ever, and was vociferously applauded. Mr Ivor Foster justified his selection, and sung the parts allotted to him in an admirable manner. Miss Lizzie Teify Davies is posseased of a sweet and powerful contralto voice. The per- formance cannot be praised too highly. The Chairman, in addressing the meeting, said the Eisteddfod dated from the very earliest times, and its object was to promote prose, poetry, and song, &o. In the year 608 Cqd- waladr, who was king of Britain, made several regulations and arrangements for the bards, and compelled them to use better music. The next step, he believed, was in the time of Gruffydd ap Cynan, who was the leader of the first Royal tribe of Wales, and who ordered that no bard would be allowed to sing or recite unless he had passed the Eisteddfod, i.e., taken his degree. It was very proper that there should be some order of that kind. About the year 1176 a very powerful Prince in South Wales invited there all the bards of Wales, and one book gave it that as many as 10,000 bards attended. He was very glad to say that it was recorded that the North Wales bards carried the day (applause). In the time of Eliza. beth a most interesting Commission was appointed for the management of the Eisteddfod and the bards. The meeting was held at Caerwys, and the original Commission was still the property of the Mostyn family, one of the oldest families in Wales. Having referred to the fact that he had been made a bard at Wrexham Eisteddfod some 18 years ago, and given the name of Ap Idris, and having expressed a hope that the disastrous war now being waged in South Africa would be brought to a speedy and peaceful conclusion, he took his seat amid loud applause. Mr Ivor Foster next sang Down the Vale" in good voice for which he was loudly applauded. Miss Maggie Davies afterwards appeared to sing Hear the gentle lark (flute obligato by Mr W L Barrett). Her beautiful rendering sent the audience wild with applause and she had to appear for the second time, and gave Peidiwch a dwyed wrth fy nghariad," a comic song composed by Owain Alaw. Miss L Teify Davies gave (a) Avanera," (b) Canzonet Bohemian (with orchestral accompani- ment), and she again brought the house down, and responded with Myfi sy'n magu'r baban," which was sung in quite an orignal style. The rendering of "River of Dart" by Mr Maldwyn Humphreys was the siginal for loud and continued applause, and he responded with a patriotic song referring to the Queen as having reigned for over 60 years, which was received with an outburst of loyalty. It being too late to go through the selection from Mendelssohn's Elijah," the chorus Be not afraid" only was taken. The whole performance was a grand success. The greatest credit is due to Mr 0 0 Roberts and Llew Meirion, who carried out the secretarial duties with such conspicuous ability.

MERIONETHSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SHOW. GENERAL MEETING AT DOLGELLEY. The annual general meeting was held at the County Hall on Tuesday afternoon. Present:—Mr R Jones Morris, Talsarnau (voted to the chair) Messrs Evan Evans, R Pugh, Cynfal; R Roberts, Rhydygarnedd — Edwards, Penmaen farm R Williams, Maesygadfa; J R Jones, Pentremawr; J Owen, Rhosigor; E Jones, Eryl Aran W Jones, Tynybryn David Evans, Bryullic Ed Roberts, Llanfechrith; C Dunham, Dolgelley; J Roberts.. Perfeddnant Henry Evans, Escuan; and Edward Griffiths, Dolgelly, with Mr E M Roberts, Talsar- nau (general secretary). Very few members attended in addition to the management committee. The secretary read the approximate balance sheet which showed total receipts C685 12s 5d, including balance at the beginning of the year, £112 12s Od subscriptions, X191 6s admission receipts, £2.41 5s 9d; and special prizes given, £77 16s 6d. The txpenditure included X262 prizes awarded. The balance in hand after paying all expenses was X143 4s 9d. The meeting received this announce- ment with applause-The Chairman felt sure all the members were thankful to Mr Roberts (sec.) for bringing the society up to the very satisfactory state it was in at present (applause).—Mr Jones, Eryl Arun, concurred, and proposed a vote of thanks to the secretary.—Mr Henry Evans seconded the proposition, which was supported by other members, and carried with acclammation.—Mr Roberts, in responding, thanked the members for the assistance they had given them. He was glad to do all he could for the society.—Mr Edward Griffiths, Dolgelley, and Mr Wm Morris, Bala, were re-appointed auditors. — Votes of thanks were accorded Mr Romer Williams, president for the past year, and Mr Henry Evans, Escuan Hall, vice- president.—Mr John Roberts asked whether some better arrangements could not be made for the conveyance of beasts to and from the show.—The Chairman believed there was an improvement last year, and other members said there had been less delay and inconvenience than in previous years. — It was agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the Secretary.—Mr Jones, Eryl A] an, said the Bala Local Committee had passed a resolution asking the General Com- mittee to make a representation to the County Councils of Denbigh and Montgomery, in order to make better arrangements for the removal of sheep from one county to the other.— According to the present arrangements sheep have to be dipped be- fore leaving one county, and again within five days after entering the other county.—It was agreed that the secretary should write to the County Coun- cils asking them to take the matter up, and that a deputation from the committee should attend the County Council.—A meeting of the Management Committee was then held, Mr Jones Morris again in the chair.—It was decided to hold the next show at Harlecit on Friday, September 14th.—The Har- lech Committee recommended that Mr Oakley, Plas Tanybwlch, should be asked to accept the presi- dency for the year, and this was agreed to.—The Dolgelley Committee, who had the selection of vice-president, recommended Mr D Evans, Bryn- llin.-This was agreed to. — Mr Jones Parry, Dolgelley, was re-appointad treasurer, and Mr Roberts secretary.—The Secretary said the Bala Local Committee had passed a resolution suggesting that the General Committee should confine the prizes offered for root crops to the district in which the show was held. It was felt that the roots should be judged in the fields. They also recom- mended that the roots selected should vary accord- ing to the district, and that the competition should be in the district where the show was held. It was too expensive for judges to go through the whole county to judge root crops and when roots were brought to the show they could not say whether they were raised by the exhibitor or not.—Agreed to consider the matter at the next meeting.-A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meet- ing to a close.

p MERIONETHSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. A CLEAN SHEET. The Hilary Quarter Sessions were held at the County Hall, Dolgelley, on Tuesday morning, Mr W R M Wynne, Peniarth, the lord-lieutenant, pre- sided, supported by Mr A Osmond Williama, Deudraeth, deputy lieutenant, and the following magistrates :—Messrs 0 Slaney Wynne, J Leigh Taylor, Dr Edward Jones, Edward Griffith, J Chidlaw Roberts, E Wilkin, R Wynne Williams, C E Munro Edwards, and Major Scott. VISITING COMMITTEES. The Hon C H Wynn, Rhug, and Mr R D Roberts, Corwen, were appointed to visit Ruthin prison, and Mr A Osmond Williams and Mr E B Jones, Ynysfor, to visit Carnarvon prison. It was reported that there were no prisoners from this county in the prisons. GRAND JURY. w"I The following were sworn on the grand jury :— Messrs Richard Mills, Dolgelley (foreman); Lewis Edwards, Barmouth; Griffith Ellis, Dolgelley; Ellis Evans, Llwyn Mill, Brithdir; John Evans, Last Inn, Barmouth Lewis 0 Evans, Barmouth W E Ellis, Barmouth Griffith Griffiths, Barmouth; Hugh Evans, Llwynwcws; Humphrey Jones, Nant- ymynach Morris Jones, Dyffryn; Cadwaladr Lloyd, Dolgelley; Henry Miles, Dolgelley; R Mor- gan, Bryncrng; T Morgan, Dolgelley; D Owen, Graigisaf; William Parry, Crynllwyn; Griffith Powell, Tyddyngronwy; John Price, Brithdir; John Roberts, Perfeddnant; Jonathan Rothwell, Barmouth. THE CHARGE. The Chairman, in charging the Grand Jury, wished them all a Happy New Year. There were no prisoners for trial, and he would remind them that in the four past Quarter Sessions of the last year of the old century they only bad two prisoners, one of whom was acquitted, and the other was for a most trivial and simple offence. They would agree with him that this immunity from crime might long continue in the county. He believed the adjoining county of Denbigh was almost equally free from crime. Referring to the war, he thanked the county for their liberal response to his request for subscriptions to relieve the wives and families of those who might be hurt or lost iu the war. He had also to thank the county for their very kind and liberal response to the appeal made by his wife, Mrs Wynn, on behalf of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association. It was not for him to refer to the cause of the war, but as was most eloquently said by Dr E Jones at a meeting held in that hall some time ago, when they got the Ultimatum from the Boers and threat from the Boers to attack cur colonies and our brother subjects they were bound in every way to defend them.—The Deputy Chairman fuily endorsed all that had been said by the Chair- man. It was most striking and welcome to find so many men of all ranks and conditions willing and eager to come forward to serve their country, by personal service or pecuniary contributions. Of all the aspects of the present situation be thought this wonderful spirit and energy of the nation was the on3 which they most admired and he believed it was something exceptional and peculiar to this country. It was delightful to see that they were as eager now to uphold the interest of the country as the days of Elizabeth and the stormy times of the 18th century.—The Chairman said that he had gone over the Chief, constable's report, and on the whole it was very satisfactory. There had been a slight increase in drunkenness, principally in the neighbourhood of Festiniog. He thanked the Jury for their attendance. WHITE GLOTES. The Under-Sheriff (Mr J C Hughes) said he had received a letter from the High Sheriff (Mr RE LI Richards, Caerynwch) requesting him to ask the chairman to accept a pair of white gloves.—The chairman accepted the gloves, and asked the Under- Sheriff to convey his best thanks to the High Sheriff. He hoped the county would for a long time be free from crime.—The Under-Sheriff said that was the sixth occasion in the course of the last three years he had performed that pleasant duty.- The Court then rose.

MERIONETHSHIRE JOINT POLICE COMMITTEE. The quarterly meeting of this committee was held at Dolgelley on Tuesday. Dr Edward Jones presided, the other members present being the Hon C H Wynn, Messrs A Osmond Williams, 0 Slaney Wynne, R Prys Owen, E H Jonathan, R S Wayne, Charles Williams, John Davies, William Hughes, with Mr R Jones (clerk), Major Best (chief con- stable), Supt Thomas Jones, and Mr J M Jones (county surveyor). CHIEF CONSTABLE'S REPORT. Indictable offences, nil; non-indictable offences Persons proceeded against 195, corresponding quarter last year 137; convicted 163, last year 117. Larcenies Proceeded against 8, last year 7 all convicted. Value of property stolen Y,2 9s 9d, recovered C2 8s 8d. Vagrants relieved at the casual wards during this quarter numbered 683, as compared with 825 last year, a decrease of 242. Thirty-seven vagrants had been proceeded against during the quarter, as compared with 21 in the corresponding quaiter, and 64 for drunkenness as compared with 40. Three publicans were pro- ceeded against for breach of the Licensing Acts, of whom two were convicted and the other discharged, as against two proceeded against and convicted in the corresponding quarter of last year.-As to the decrease in vagrants the Chairman said that prob- ably one reason was the establishment of a common lodging-house at Dolgelley.—In reply to Mr 0 S Wynne, the Chief Constable said there was a great increase in the number of those travelling, this being perhaps caused by the mobilisation of the Militia and the Reservists. As to drunkenness the increase was mostly in the Festiniog district, and he attributed it to the fact that the men received good wages.—Mr Jonathan: The same old place. The increase is always at Festiniog (laughter).- The report was adopted. SHEEP SCAB. With regard to the reference made in the Chief- Constable's report as the time of the police being taken to inspect sheep scab, the Hon C H Wynn said it was a serious matter. Was it necessary for the inspectors to be police constables ?-The Chief Constable said the constables had been made in- spectors in order to save expense. Probably if others were appointed a remuneration would have to be paid them.—The Clerk said it was not necess- ary for the inspectors to be constables.—Mr E H Jonathan said the matter was now engaging the attention of the County Council.— After further discussion it was decided that the clerk should con- vene a meeting of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Committee of the County Council with the view of having an inspector from outside the police force appointed for the districts affected to relieve the police force when necessary. COUNTY SURVEYOR'S REPORT A BREEZE. Mr J M Jones reported that the top of the dome and vane on the county ball at Bala was out of order, and as he had met a steeplejack in the town he asked him to examine it and send in a report and estimate of the necessary repairs, which he did, his estimate amounting to X6 10s. He asked the meeting for an order to have the work carried out. The Towyn magistrates had complained of insufficient ventilation of the magistrates' room, and he had given instructions to have additional ventilation put there.— Mr 0 S Wynne inquired if anyone from Bala could do the necessary repairs to the dome of the Bala County Hall, and the County Surveyor replied in the negative. He bad, fortunately, met a steeplejack in the town, who went up to the place.—The Chairman What do you think of the estimate. Is it not yery high ?— The County Surveyor said he reckoned it very cheap.-The Hon C H Wyun How did he go there ?-The Surveyor: I do not know, sir; I did not see him.—Mr Osmond Williams: If you have not been up there, and if you do not know what is necessary, how can you say that the estimate is a reasonable one ?-The County Surveyor said he could say for a distance of five miles that the jolt was worth the sum asked.—Mr Osmond Williams considered the remarks of the surveyor very un- satisfactory. He should certainly not make statements of that kind.-The letter of the steeple. jack, a man from Merthyr Tydfil, enumerating the several things necessary to be attended to, was then read.—Mr Osmond Williams said the County Surveyor ought to be able to guide them as to what was a reasonable price for the work. He ought to have inspected the place himself and not rely upon a man who no doubt was eager for the job.—The County Surveyor said the matter was not one an ordinary man could attend to. He considered the estimate a very cheap one. If he had to send for a man he would charge X5 for the instruction. They would not expect him (the surveyor) to do the work of a steeplejack.—Mr Osmond Williams: I think you ought to be able to give an estimate.— Mr Slaney Wynne How high is it. I do not think the County Hall is so high as all that ?—The Sur- veyor I have been higher several times, sir. The difficulty is to get there.—Mr Osmond Williams then proposed that the matter be deferred and that the surveyor be asked to submit an estimate.—Mr W Hughes seconded. — Another resolution was moved by the Hon C H Wynn that a committee be appointed to visit the place and that in the mean. time the surveyor should visit the place and report to this committee.—The original proposition was withdrawn in favour of this, which was carried. POLICE FEES. Twenty guineas was granted to the Chief Con- stable for checking the justices' clerks returns of fines and fees.

PERSONAL. Lord Castlereagh received on Saturday, at Wynyard, the seat of Lord Londonderry, deputa- tions from nineteen representative associations in the county of Durham, who presented him with addresses and a fine piece of plate, in commemora- tion of his recent coming-of-age and marriage.

regarded as a good omen of its influence in the future. Let them all do their best to help this grand old Welsh Institution so as to make its influence of the highest character. He was con- vinced that that day's meeting, and all the meet- ings of the Eisteddfod Meirion, would strive for that high ideal (cheers). Thirteen epigrams were sent in on the sublect Cysgod," but Tafalog declared that not one of them was worthy of the prize. For translating from Welsh to French there were two competitors, and Mr Thos Darlington, H.M.I., declared the composition sent in by Miss Gwyther, Barmouth, to be the best.