Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

DOVEY, MA WDDACH, & GLASLYN FISHERY BOARD. POLLUTION OF THE DOVEY. A meeting of the above Board was held on Thursday at the Police Station, Barmouth, Mr H Bonsai!, Aberystwyth, chairman, presiding. There were also present:: Messrs W R M Wynne, Peniarth; 0 Slaney Wynne, Dolrhyd C E J Owen, Hengwrt; Edmund Buckley, Barmouth; R Prys Owen, Byffiryn> C E Muuro Edwards, Dolserau; Morris Thomas, Corris; Lewis Lewis, Barmouth; E W Kirk'by, Llanfendigaid D G Jones and Dr Roberts, Pentiniog; Rees Evans, Llanbedr J Bullock, Dinas Nlawdd wy; W R Davies, clerk; and R Barratt, assistant clerk. ELECTION OF A MEMBER. Mr 0 Slaney Wynne (returning officer) declared that Mr E W Kirkby had been elected a repre- sentative Liember of the Board by a majority. DOVEY RIVER: ALLEGED POLLUTION. Mr E Evans, water bailiff for the Doyey River, reported that the water had generally been very "ow, which was insufficient for fish to travel. towards the end of October there was a freshet and a good number of nice looking sewin ran up. For weeks afterwards no fish came up on account of the low water, but about the last week of 1899 there came a flood and since then the water had been high continually. Some large salmon came up with this flood, and he had noticed that they had not gone very high up the river. He had not seen any big fish higher than about Aberangell. He had seen numerous sewin in the upper reaches, which, if left alone, would soon stock the river. The condition of the river as far as contamination Was concerned was very good with the single exception of what escaped from the Dylife Mines. He had paid a visit to the mine and found the water going direct to the river without passing through filter beds. The filter beds and the water course shonld be thoroughly cleaned. —Mr Munro Edwards said that he had not the least idea of the nature of the mine tnentioned above, but he thought it would not be amiss to write to the manager in regard to the pol- lution of the river, with the object of having the vil remedied. He proposed a motion to that •effect.—Mr W R M Wynne, in seconding, said he knew the mine had been a source of great evil to the Dovey in days gone by. They were lead mines and consequently very mischievous.—Mr Munro Edwards said he had not the desire to impede the owners of the mine in giving employment to men but simply to protect fishing.-Dr Roberts asked if it was practicable to protect against pollution ?— Mr Wynne replied that it was. 1.1he late Lord Londonderry had been instrumental in doing a great deal of good in this way.—The proposition Was then agreed to. GLASLYN RIVER. The Water Bailiff for the Glaslyn River reported that the spawning had been better than had been the case for the last four years. There had been less poaching owing to the flooded state of the river. Poachers had, however, been troublesome in the upper portion of the river, and he suggested that an assistant be appointed during the spawning season. —The matter of appointing an assistant was left to the local committee. FISH IN THE DYSYNNI. Mr Wynne, who said that he had seen the water bailiff, reported that at the end of the year there was a good run of large salmon. One of the bailiffs had stated that there was more fish in the river this season than for the last seven years. Mr Kirkby had done his best by engaging a private keeper on the upper part, and between him and the man employed by the Board the river was well looked after. Very little, if any, poaching had been done.—Mr Kirkby endorsed all that Mr Wynne had said. There had been practically no poaching this year from the lake down to Abergynolwyn.— The Chairman said this was the most satisfactory report received. THE CLOSE SEASON: PROPOSED CHANGE. Mr W R M Wynne said he had received a letter from Mr Steadman, Dinas Mawddwy, suggesting that the season should be open until the end of November. He thought it would be to the advan- tage of fishing as three anglers would be equal to one keeper. There were as many good fish up in November as at any time of the year. Mr Wvnne said that some years ago the season was open to the middle of November. He questioned whether the Board of Trade would sanction a change.—Mr D G Jones said he quite agreed with the writer. He was a man who knew something about fishing.—Mr Kirkby said he had seen spawning fish at the end of July. He thought it would be advisable to have the season open until the end of November for the simple reason that no one fishing with rod and line, as far as the Dysynni was concerned, had a chance of taking salmon in the upper waters until the end of October. This year they did not go up until the middle of November, and had been spawning up to the end of the year.—Mr Wynne then gave notice of a motion to the effect that the season be extended until the end of November.—Mr Morris Thomas said it was too soon to condemn the old arrange- ment. It had only been in force four years. ALLEGED POAChlNG. Mr Wyatt reported that the police were taking up an alleged poaching case at Nant Gwynant, and he wished to know if the Board would prosecute if the evidence was considered sufficient.-The Clerk advised the Board in view of the amount of their receipts not to take the case up. The right step had been taken in informing the police. LICENCES. The Board of Trade wrote informing the Board of the procedure to be adopted in order to improve shilling licences for trout fishing. As regards the exemption of the Cambrian Angling Association, they said that no particular district could be exempted. The way to come over the district was to issue general" licences to the Association.— The Clerk advised the Board to do so, ard after Rome discussion the Festiniog members, who were against the proposed change, consented to it after an explanation from the Clerk. SIZE OF MESH NETS DECISION IN FAVOUR OF THE BOARD. The Clerk read a letter from the Board of Trade stating that after consideration of the report of their Chief Inspector of Fisheries they formally sanctioned the by-laws made by the Board en- larging the size of the mesh to be used above Glandovey bridge from 2 to 2 inehes, changing the weekly close time for netting, and altering the ecale of licence duties for salmon fishing in the whole district,—Mr Morris Thomas proposed a vote of thanks to the clerk for his successful and very able advocacy of the case on behalf of the Board, and a sum of £10 10s was voted to him. FINANCIAL. The Clerk stated that the sum in hand after the credit of accounts was CI112,9 lOd. It was decided to divide this sum between the districts as follows Dolgelley, P,21 lis 7d; Machynlleth, C46 6s 9d; Llanbedr, £2 6s 2d; Towyn, X12 17s 6d; Maent- wrog, X12 13s 3d; and Portmadoc, Cl5 7s 7d.

CARDIGANSHIRE JOINT POLICE COMMITTEE. The quarterly meeting of Cardiganshire Joint Police Committee was held at Lam peter on Thurs- day. There were present: Mr Morgan Evans, chairman Messrs D C Roberts and C M Williams, Aberystwyth; Nicholas Bray, Goginan Ed Jones, Elgar; Major Price Lewes, the Rev J M Griffiths, and Mr J M Howell, Aberayron; Messrs John Powden Evan Richards, Penuwch; David Davies, Felindre; Lieutenant Evans, Llandyssul; Messrs J Powell, Blaenwern H C Fryer, clerk; Howell Evans, chief constable and W Davies, surveyor. SALE OF DRINK TO CHILDREN. A petition was read from Aberystwyth against selling intoxicating drink to children.—It was re- solved that the Chief Constable request publicans to discontinue the practice in the common interests of morality and good government. CHIEF CONSTABLE'S REPORT. The Chief 'Constable reported as follows:— Gentlemen,-I have the honour to report for your information that the present state of the Force is as follows One chief constable, one deputy chief constable, one superintendent, five sergeants, and thirty-two constables. I append a copy of the allocation return, which shows the present dispo- sition of the Force; also a return showing the num- ber of persons summoned and apprehended, nature of crime and how dealt with, for the quarter end- ing 31st ultimo, together with a return showing the distribution of cases proceeded with under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Acts within the several petty sessional divisions for the same period. The total number of persons proceeded against during the year was 1,173, which shows an increase of eighty-two as compared with the corresponding year (1898). I append a return showing the num- ber of officers and constables in each class, as well as their pay; also a return of constables doing extra duties, with allowances for the same. On the 22nd October last I promoted P.C.'s Lewis Davies, 21, to the rank and pay of a merit class constable; Richard Jones, 11, to that of a first- class constable; and Charles Charman, 30, to that of a second-class constable. On the 20th November last P.C. Thomas L Rowlands, 13, was promoted to the rank and pay of a second-class constable. About five p.m. on Saturday, the 25th October last, a young pony attached to a milk cait, belonging to a man named James Stephens, was left unattended to near Messrs Stead and Simpson's boot shop in Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth. Just at that time the Lion Hotel 'bus was ,'coming down the street, and by its noise the pony bolted away at a terrific rate down the street. Near the London and Pro- vincial Bank in North Parade happened to be P.C. John Jenkins, 23, who pluckily rushed at the animal's head, and while endeavouring to check its progress he was thrown some yards away and had a narrow escape of being run over. Fortunately, however, he succeeded in reducing the speed of the pony and diverting its course and it was easily stopped a few yards further on. The plucky action of the constable was highly appreciated, as it was done at considerable risk, and some of the onlookers spoke to me of his conduct in high terms. The streets were rather full of people at the time and the action of the constable, I have no doubt, averted some serious accidents. Under the Act 22 and 23 Yict. C 32, S 24, and Sec. 24 of the Police Act, 1890, you are empowered to grant gratuities to con- stables for courageous acts, and although P.C. John Jenkins, 23, did not actually succeed in bringing the animal to a standstill, he nevertheless ran a great risk, and I have therefore pleasure in recommending him to your kind consideration. The time has again come for supplying constables with new clothing and I therefore beg to apply for permission to advertise for tenders in the usual way. As the contract should be given out before your next meeting, I hope you will appoint a committee with power to open and accept tenders as is usually done. I visited all the police stations during the quarter and am of opinion that the police stations at Aberayron and Aberystwyth should now be painted. I also beg to state that neither the wall nor shed at the bottom of the garden at the Cardigan Police Station (referred to in my report of the 7th July last) have yet been repaired. With those exceptions, I found every- thing in order. Eleven occasional licences and ten extensions of time were granted during the quarter. The Chief Constable's report was adopted. With regard to Talybont Sessions room, it was resolved to ask the magis- trates to meet on Saturdays instead of on Thurs- days, whereby they would obtain the continued use of the schoolroom, as magistrates' meetings would not then interfere with school work. The appointment of an extra policeman was agreed to, Mr D C Roberts observing that he did not think an extra man was wanted, but the Home Office was able to force the Standing Joint Committee to make the appointment. It must be understood, however, that the extra man would meet the demand of the Home Office in regard to New Quay. Aberayron Council was granted the use of the County Hall for the purposes of a public library conditional on making good all damage. One week's extra pay was granted to P.O. John Jenkins (23) for stopping a runaway horse in North Parade. Tho Chief Constable was requested to proceed against persons leaving horses on the streets with. out any person in charge. OCCASIONAL LICENCES. Mr J M Howell, Aberayron, called attention to the action of Mr Thomas Griffiths, Aberyst- wytb, in signing, out of court, occasional licences for masonic banquets contrary to the resolu- tion of Quarter Sessions and the Standing Joint Police Committee. Some months ago Mr Griffiths had been asked to conform with the resolution and he (Mr Howell) wished to know if any reply had been received. The Clerk (Mr H C Fryer) replied that he wrote pretty strongly to Mr Griffiths and received no reply of any sort or kind.—Mr J M Howell then moved that the Clerk should write and ask Mr T Griffiths to conform with the usage of the county magistrates. —Mr Williams said the Lord Lieutenant was opposed to the granting of licences or extensions out of sessions.—Mr Morgan Evans (chairman) said it prevented uniformity, for Mr David Thomas bad granted an occasional licence out of sessions for a fair and the booth to which it was granted was kept open one hour after the others had been closed. -Mr D C Roberts did not think Mr Thomas Griffiths was altogether to blame. The licence was probably left to the last minute and Mr T Griffiths probably thought it would be hard not to sign it. He thought the landlord ought to be asked to see to it in future that application was made in good time at the sessions.—Mr J M Howell said the county magistrates had loyally conformed to the resolution, and if they saw the intelligent leaders of the county at Aberystwyth disregarding it, they would do the same. He therefore pro- posed that Mr T Griffiths be asked to conform. -Mr Edward Jones seconded the proposal and it was agreed to.

-+- THE ATTACK ON LADYSMITH. FULL DETAILS. LADYSMITH, January 6th. The enemy to-day made a determined effort to capture two positions—Cassar's Camp and Wagon Hill, the latter a lofty eminence to the south-west —the possession of which would have brought them within rifle range of the town. Caesar's Camp was held by the 1st Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. The position was separated from that of the Boers by a rocky ravine. In the early hours of the morning, under cover of the darkness, the Heidelberg commando suc- ceeded in evading our pickets, making their way through the thorn-bush, and reaching the foot of the slope. At half-past two the alarm was raised by our sentries, but before the full extent of the danger could be realised, the outlying sangars had been rushed, and their defenders slain. Hearing the firing, two companies of the Gordon Highlanders went to the assistance of the Man- chester Regiment. It was at first thought that the Boers were concentrating on the southern slope, where they had already secured a footing on the plateau. Here, however, their advance was checked by the steady volleys of our Infantry and the deadly fire of an automatic gun. Lieutenant Hunt-Grubbe went out to see if any aid was needed by the troops stationed on the ridge near the town. He was unaware that the enemy had already captured the breastworks, and called out Sergeant!" He received the reply, Here I am, sir and then suddenly disappeared from sight. Captain Carnegie, suspecting a ruse, ordered the Gordons to fire a volley and charge. The enemy thereupon fell back precipitately, leaving behind them the officer whom they had captured with so much presence of mind. The Lieutenant was quite unhurt. By this time it was evident that the camp was being assailed both on the left flank and on the front. By daybreak reinforcements of the Gordon Highlanders and the Rifle Brigade had been harried up to the fighting line. Lieut. Colonel Dick- Cunyngham, who was leading the Gordons out of camp, fell mortally wounded, being hit by a stray bullet while still close to the town. The 53rd Battery of Field Artillery, under Major Abdy, crossed the Klip River, and shelled the ridge and the reverse slope of the front position, where the enemy were lying among the thorn bushes. The shrapnel, which flew over our heads, did terrible execution. It effectually I.eld the Boers in check, and rendeied it impossible for them to send reinforcements to their men through the ravine. The enemy fought throughout with the most stubborn courage, being evidently determined to take the camp or die in the attempt. Their six-inch gun on Umbulwana Mountain and its smaller satellites, threw over one hundred shells at Major Abdy's battery, and at the troops on the hill. Our men, howeyer, were not less gallant and resolved, and the enemy were pressed back step by step until, at length, those who were left of them broke and fled in utter disorder. A terrific storm of rain and hail, accompanied by peals of thunder, had burst over jthe camp during the fighting, and served to swell the streams into raging torrents. In their efforts to escape, numbers of the enemy flung themselves into the current, and were swept away. The struggle in this part of the field was now at an end. The final was a terrific fusillade all along the line, the crash of which almost drowned the incessant thunder above. Meanwhile, a more exciting contest was in pro- gress in the direction of Wagon Hill. At two o'clock a storming party furnished by the Harri- smith commando crept slowly and cautiously along a donga in the valley which diyides our posts from their (camp. A few well-aimed rifle shots killed our pickets. Taking advantage of every inch of cover, they then gradually reached the crest of the height. Here the Light Horse were posted, but were forced to retire before the Free Staters' advance, there being no breastworks for defence on the western shoulder of the hill. With little to impede their progress, the enemy came to an emplacement, where they surprised the working parties of the Gordon Highlanders, Sappers, and 60th Rifles. Lieutenant Digby Jones, R.E., collecting a hand- ful of men, made a gallant effort to hold the position but numbers were against them, and after a stubborn resistance, they were driven back, and the enemy got possession of the summit. Even then, however, the Free Staters were afraid to venture far, or to face the heavy fire from the sangar. It was here that Lieutenant Macnaghten and thirty of the Gordon Highlanders were taken prisoners, though not till every man of them was wounded. At five o'clock Colonel Edwards, with two squadrons of Light Horse, arrived on the scene, and the 21st Battery Royal Field Artillery, under Major Blowitt, came into action, preventing the storming party being reinforced from the Boer camp. At the same time the 18th Hussars and 5th Lancers checked the movement from the Spruit on our right flank. Nevertheless, our position at this point had be. come critical. Our men had retired for cover behind the northern slope, while the enemy had made their way into the pass dividing them from the hill. Major Bawen rallied a few of the Rifles, but fell while leading them to the charge. His example was at once followed by Lieutenant Tod, but he met with the same fate. The enemy were making good the footing they had already secured in the emplacement when Major M Wallnutt, calling the scattered Gordons together, charged in and drove them back. Having thus cleared the ground, he joined Lieutenant Digby Jones in the newly-prepared emplacement on the western shoulder. A pause ensued for the time, but the Boers were not finally beaten. Taking advantage of the storm that was now raging, they essayt d to capture the position by another rush. Three of their leaders Reached the parapet, but were shot down by Lieutenant Digby Joues and Major Wallnutt, the latter of whom also fell. The renewed check effectually discouraged the assailants, and the deadly duel was now practically at an end. Nevertheless, small parties of the braver spirits kept up a murderous fire on our men from behind the rocks. The moment had evidently arrived to strike the final blow, and Colonel Park quickly issued the necessary orders. Three Companies of the Devonshire Regiment, led by Captain Lafone, Lieutenant Field, and Lieu- tenant Masterson, made a brilliant charge across the open, under a terrific fire and fairly hurled the enemy down the hill at the point of the bayonet. In the course of the struggle Captain Lafone and Lieutenant Field were killed, and Lieutenant Mas- terson received no fewer than ten wounds. This was the fitting close to a struggle that had lasted sixteen hours, during which eveiy rifte and gun had been brought to bear. Our position was now secure. The attacks on the north and east had also been repulsed, and the grand assault had failed all along the line. The Boers lost heavily, and admit that the en- gagement was the most severe blow their arms had sustained since the opening of the Campaign. They were confident of their ability to capture the town, and had called up reinforcements from Colenso to assist at the expected victory. Our own losses are, I regret to report, also con- siderable. Lord Ava was mortally wounded early in the morning while accompanying Colonel Ian Hamilton to the scene of action. The garrison can now await the coming of relief with renewed confidence. DURBAN, January 16th. The list of casualties among the various corps of Natal Volunteers, in the fighting at Ladysmith on the 6th inst., has only just been published. The Imperial Light Horse suffered heavily, losing twenty-four killed and twenty-five wounded, while the Natal Volunteers lost six killed.

jgALTER AND RO-WLANDS, GENERAL PRINTERS, "COUNTY TIMES" PRINTING WORKS, [ I 'WELSHPOOL.