Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

MERIONETHSHIRE ASSIZES. The winter assizes for the county of Merioneth was held at Dolgelley on Thursday, before Justice Phillimore, who attended church in the morning, and was attended by the Hon Harold Finch Button (sheriff), Mr J. C. Hughes (under sheriff), and the Rev Mr Harris (chaplain). ttSANB JURY. The following Grand Jurors were in attendance The Hon C. H. Wvnn, Rug (foreman), Messrs Owen Slaney Wynne, C. E. J. Owen, Edward Griffith, E. O. Vaughan Lloyd, J. Hughes Jones, M. Lewis Lewis, J. Chidlaw Roberts, E. Robert Jenkins, J. Leigh Taylor, H. Haydn Jones, W. Jones Morris, R. Wynne Williams, Thomas Edwards, G. H. Ellis, R. Jones Morris, G. F. Scott, J. Franklin Bailey, H. Johnson Wright, Dr. John Jones, John Evans (Barmouth), H. H. Shuker, and T. P. Jones Parry. THE CHARGE. Addressing the Grand Jury, the Judge said he was glad to see that notwithstanding the inclement weather they had been able to assemble in full number and bestowed upon them and the county a mead of congratulation, which they had no doubt often heard from His Majesty's Judges. The record of the absence of crime in the county, which had been supplied to him by the Deputy Chief Constable, was a striking one. He need hardly remind them how slight that record had been for a long time. In 1903 there was only one trial for the year's assize, and not a single case for the quarter sessions, and that was an evidence of the law-abiding habits of the county. Unfor- tunately this time there was not a clean sheet; for there was asimple and plain charge which would have to be dealt with. Referring to the allowance recently made for professional evidence, he said some payment should be made to such witnesses so that they would be no losers by their duties. If the new Act did not get so far as that, it was something that a scale had been made in certain cases. Another matter he wished to bring before the Grand Jury was the provisions made for the defence of poor prisoners. Those who had discussed the Act hastily had not ap- proached it properly for it might work well and serve an useful purpose. Although the Act had been criticised unfavourably by the Chairman of the Middlesex Quarter Sessions, and the Recorder of London, he admitted it was impossible for a Chairman of Quarter Sessions or a judge of Assize to exercise jurisdiction when he had no means of knowing whether a man was poor or not. It was local magiatrates who would know whether a man was so poor that he ought to be defended. It hardly happened that a prisoner stood for trial without counsel to defend#him, even if the Judge had to order his defence, but it was not that. A prisoner should have the advantage of having his counsel before trial alild of bringing witnesses. They knew it was the rarest thing for one to be convicted when innocent owing to the care taken by judges and justices. Still, there were cases where public sentiment would be satisfied and the prisoner's own feelings would be satisfied if he had the best defence, and if there were any such cases in the county it would be exceedingly fair if the magistrates carried out the provisions of the Act. DISHONIST RAILWAY SERVANTS. Thomas Tinsley, stationmaster, and Charles Edward Fisher, railway porter, both committed on bail at Bala Petty Sessions, surrendered to a charge of unlawfully confederating to defraud the Great Western Railway Company. Defendants pleaded guilty to the charges pre- ferred against them. In his opening remarks, Mr Trevor Lloyd, who appeared for the prosecution said that Tinsley issued railway tickets from Frongoch, where he was station master, to Festiniog, where they were supposed to be nipped, but the tickets were sent back by the younger prisoner and then re-dated and re-issued. It was found that one ticket had been issued three times. On the day the offence was discovered ten tickets were in the process of being sent back. According to Timley s state- ments that had been going on for a month, but having been carefully examined by detectives it was suspected that the fraud had been carried on for about two years. Tinsley was the master- mind and bad drawn Fisher in. There was no actual evidence of Fisher having received any of 'the proceeds. With this exception Fisher had been r- -a etraielitforward man. His had been so good that he was recommended for an increased salary. For the defence, Mr Griffith said prisoners were both respectable men, and the Judge said lie gathered that the railway offences against Tinsley were not so numerous, and were purely manage- ment offences and not upon the point of dishonesty. Continuing, Mr Griffith emphasised the fact that Tinsley bad been for over twenty years in employ- ment of a company which was most rigorous in its selection of servants. He was 40 years of age, a married man with three children. Tinsley had admitted he suggested the fraud to Fisher and therefore took the responsibility upon himself. As far as the depositions laid before the Judge were concerned, the offences did not go further back than a month and it was a clumsy fraud at best. One of the tickets found was being sent for audit. Tinsley was Fisher's uncle, and during his employ- ment had contributed about £ 65 toward three funds the provident fund, pension fund, and also in case of death his widow would be entitled to a certain amount, and his total contribution nearly ap- proached in amount a year's salary. He had now lost all the benefits of those contributions and had already been punished for his offence. Fisher earned 18a 6d a we.k, atvd W Wm at Festiniog since February, 1900, being previously a grocer's assistant. Of Tinsley documents were produced speaking of him as a churchwarden and of his aetivity in connection with the religious work o the parish. With regard to Wisher, testimonials were signed by 46 tradesmen of Festiniog, and by nearly 200 quarrymen bearing testimony to his good character. Morris Evans, manufacturer of cattle and house- hold oils, Festiniog, was called and spoke as to Fisher's honest and reliable nature. Since be had been suspended, witness took him into hia employ- ment, and he had given him every satisfaction. The Judge And are you ready to keep him in your employment ?—Witness Yes. Mr Trevor Lloyd explained that Fisher's salary was 27s. a week with a house and garden. Addressing the prisoners, the Judge said it was a serious and grave case. If their scheme bad not been detected in time, they would have defrauded the Company of a. considerable sum. What made it worse was Tinsley's position, although under authority, yet above a subordinate whom he bad tempted. The Judge hoped that that subordinate's character would not be ruined, although he bad lost a good place through Tinsley's miserable games. Such offences were not easily detected, but when detected they should be made an example of, so that those occupying positions of trust should know what would befall them. He hoped that would be a lesson to Fisher. The law thought it desirable that young men should have an opportunity of redeeming themselves. Tinsley was aentenced to eight months' im- prisonment with hard labour, and Fisher was bound over in £10 to come up for judgment when called upon, and I hope," his Lordship added, that you will not be called upon again." SINGULAR BREACH OF PROMISE ACTION. Robert Rowlands, Festiniog, sued Mrs Ellen Parry, of the same place, for damages for an alleged breach of promise of marriage. Mr Samuel Moss, M,P., appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Bryn Roberts, M.P., for the defendant. Mr Moss said the plaintiff was a quarryman, 65 years of age, and a widower, and the defendant was a widow, 45 years of age. In September, 1902, the plaintiff began to pay attention to the defend- ant, and after refusing him once she afterwards accepted him. On the 11th March, 1903, she pro- mised to marry him, and on the 14th the plaintiff, according to the defendant's arrangement, went to publish the banns. On his return he found her in great distress because her brother was against her breaking up her home. On the 27th March she wrote him a letter positively breaking off the en- gagement and asking him to forgive her. After the breaking off of the engagement the defendant brought some allegations against the plaintiff. He did not claim any specific damages, and if the de- fendant would withdraw the allegations his in- structions were that the action would be withdrawn. After a short consultation Mr Moss and Mr Roberts informed his Lordship that the oase had been amicably settled, the defendant withdrawing all allegations and the plaintiff withdrawing the action. The Judge made an order that both parties were to pay their own costs.

—-——♦ THE NORTH WALES ASYLUM. STATISTICAL RETURNS. A quarterly meeting of the Committee of Visitors of the Asylum was held at Llandudno Junction on Monday, the proceedings being of a formal character. The chair was occupied by Mr PJP. Pennant, who, with Mr Elwy Williams, respresented Flintshire, and the other members present were the following Messrs J. Watkin Lumley (Colwyn Bay), T, Will. iams (Llewesog), and A. Foulkes (Abergele), repre- senting Denbighshire Mr H. Clegg, Mr T. Evans, Dr E. P. Edwards, and Mr R. W. Roberts, represent- ing Anglesey; Dr Roger Hughes, representing Merionethshire and Messrs P. E. Story and E. A. Foulkes (Eriviatt), representing the subscribers; with Mr W. Barker, clerk and steward. It was reported by the Clerk that the number of patients on the books was 792, of whom 55 are private and the remainder pauper patients. Of the latter 199 are from Denbighshire, 165 from Flintshire, 97 from Anglesey, 193 from Carnarvon- shire, and 83 from Merionethshire. Denbighshire is entitled to places in the institution for 19 additional pauper patients, but all the other counties have already exceeded the allotted accommodation—Flintshire by 30 patients, Angle- sey by 13, Carnarvonshire by 15, and Merioneth- shire by 2. The average weekly cost of main- tenance of the inmates per head during the past quarter was 9s lOjd, or id less than in the corres- ponding quarter of last year. Dr Cox, the medical superintendent, reported that 56 males and 49 females were employed at the Asylum. The Chairman reported, in private, as to the progress of the new buildings and the arbitration with Mr Warburton, the original contractor for the extensions. Mr J. W. Lumley had given notice of his intention to propase that the two deferred blocks for male and female pauper patients be now proceeded with, but the question was deferred to the next meeting of the committee.

♦ THE KING TO VISIT WALES. ABERYSTWYTH TO BE INCLUDED. The news that the King has decided to pay a visit to Wales during the spring months has given the greatest satisfaction to the residents of the Coast towns, and more particularly to the towns on Cardigan Bay. It is unefficially stated that the King, in company, it is expected, with Queen Alexandra, will take a cruise along the Welsh Coast, visiting Cardigan Bay and landing at Aber. ystwyth, Barmouth, and other places of interest for the purpese of making motor trips through the grand scenery for which this part of the Prin- cipality is famous. Should this turn out to be true, it is to be hoped that the County Councils will make special efforts to get the roads into good con- dition in order that his Majesty's holiday might be made an enjoyable one. At Aberystwyth it is confidently expected that the Kiag will perform the opening ceremony at the new promenade, which has now been completed. As Protector of the Welsh University, a title assumed by his Majesty when he ascended the Throne, he has shown a deep interest in the efforts of Welshmen to foster the love of education amongst their ohildren, and this interest is closely shared by Queen Alexandra, who opened the AlexandraiHall of Residence at the time the King was installed as Chancellor of the University.

«. — DAROWEN. A large quantity of flannel was distributed to the poor of this parish this year as usual. The Marchioness (D) of Londonderry and Mrs Howell, Craigydon, Aberdovey subscribed most generously to the fund. Tea was provided for the recipients at the rectory. The Rector and church wardens distributed the flannel.

A LL SERVANTS Wanting Situations should ICL. advertise in the COUNTY TIMES, which is rea a every household in a very wide area

FOOTBALL. THE LEAGUE. -I Goals. P. W. L. D. F. A. PTS. Sheff. United 22 12 4 6 47 32 30 Aston Villa. 22 12 5 5 48 32 29 Sheffield Wed. 21 11 4 6 28 16 28 Manchester C. 21 12 5 4 43 32 28 Newcastle U. 23 11 8 4 33 34 26 Everton 21 11 7 3 38 23 25 Sunderland. 22 11 8 3 41 34 25 Wol'hampton. 21 10 7 4 30 40 24 Blackburn R. 23 9 9 5 33 33 23 Notts County 23 9 11 3 26 42 21 Bury 22 5 7 10 33 33 20 Middlesbro'gh 21 6 8 7 33 30 19 Notts Forest.. 22 6 9 7 38 40 19 Stoke 23 7 12 4 43 42 18 Derby County 23 6 10 6 41 41 18 West Br'm'ich 22 4 11 7 19 37 15 Liverpool 22 5 14 3 31 46 13 Small Heath.. 21 4 12 5 21 39 13

THE COMBINATION. Goals. P. W. L. D. F. A. PTS. Chester 14 10 3 1 43 19 21 Oswestry 14 10 4 0 32 29 20 Birkenhead 13 8 3 2 25 18 18 Wrexham 15 8 6 1 36 25 17 Bangor 13 7 5 1 42 34 15 Broughton 12 6 4 2 26 19 14 Nantwich 9 6 2 1 29 12 13 Witton. IE 3 6 6 24 31 12 Chirk 15 3 8 4 31 47 10 Tranmere 11 4 6 1 20 28 9 Rhyl 11 4 7 0 17 25 8 Middlewich. 14 2 9 3 15 35 7 Winsford 14 2 10 2 16 34 6 +

FRIENDLY MATCHES. U.C.W. Y. R.W.W.—On Saturday afternoon, on the Vicarage Field, Aberystwyth, a friendly en- counter took place between the Aberystwyth College and the Royal Welsh Warehouse (New- town) teams, Mr J. C. Rea being the referee. There was only a moderate attendance. The teams were:—R.W.W.: Goal, G. Eagles; backs, <0wen and Bird half-backs, Evans, Jones, and Pheby forwards, Wilmot, Morris, Evans, Rees, and Morris. U.C.W.: Goal, J. E. Jones; backs, D. J. Roberts and Joe Davies; half-backs, S. O. Owen, Jonathan Davies, and D. J. Morgan; forwards, T. R. Evans, Gower, Arthur, Harries, and J. E. Edwards. New- town played with the sun at their backs in the first half. The Collegians were the first to become aggressive, and Owen and Bird were called upon to defend. D. J. Morgan looked like scoring for the College, but he shot too hard, the ball going wide of the goal. The Collegians showed better foot- ball, while Newtown could not settle down and in. dulged in hard kicking. From a free-kick and a scrimmage in front of goal Eagles saved smartly on two occasions. Arthur, Gower, and T. R. Evans showed up well, and D. J. Morgan made a good half-back. In about 10 minutes, following pres- sure by the Collegians, Jones headed through his own goal in endeavouring to clear. Newtown made a determined attack after this reverse and the College goalkeeper had to run out to clear. They renewed the attack and Wilmot put in a grand shot, Joe Davies clearing by placing the ball into touch. Nice passing on the part of the College forwards took them into the Newtown goal, and T. R. Evans finished with a hard oblique shot. The ball struck the upright and rebounded into the net, thus making the second goal for the College. Newtown essayed a run but the half- backs cut their career short, and the College again attacked, a couple of fruitless corners falling to them. A free kick was awarded the Warehouse- men, but the College custodian fisted the ball away. It was, however, returned by Pheby, and a scrimmage resulted near the College goal, but a free kick was given against the visitors and play went to the other end, Edwards and his partner making a good run. Eagles saved smartly from Harries. Half-time arrived with the College leading by 2 goals to nil. The Collegians again asserted their superiority, and it was not long after re-starting that they obtained a third goal. Gower put in a swift shot, and Eagles tried to stop tbe ball by kicking ifc, but be missed his object and the ball went into the net. By long kicking the visitors got near the home goal, which had a narrow escape. The College defence, how- ever, prevailed. Newtown now pressed for a while and obtained a corner kick, which Joe Davies cleared, and soon after J. E. Jones had to fist away from Rees. The College transferred play and netted the ball, but the whistle bad gone for off-side." Soon after Jonathan Davies scored a beautiful goal with a long shot. Newtown shewed improved form, and pressure on the College goal nearly led to its downfall. The game resulted in a win for the College by 4 goals to nil.

— ♦ PROPOSED NEW WELSH RAILWAY. LANDOWNERS JOIN HANDS. The proposal to construct a new line of railway from Dinas Mawddwy to Llanuwchlyn on the G.W. line has been talked of before but nothing has been done beyond the survey of the land, and so far as the public was concerned nothing more was heard of the matter, but recently great strides have been made tewards the achievement of this object, and later indications point to a realisation of the ob- jects of the promoters at no distant date. A glance at the map of North Wales will show the great advantages such a railway will have for residents in Cardiganshire, and the weit and south ends of Montgomeryshire and Merionethshire having business at Chester, Birkenhead, Liverpool, Manchester, and North Wales towns generally. To reach these places the more popular route is via. Ellesmere and Wrexham, or Whitahurch and Crewe, entailing a somewhat long journey although expedited to the full resources of the excellent service of trains now run by the Cambrian Railways Company. By the new route it is confidently expected that the journey will be done at least 90 minutes under the scheduled time. Such a saving of time is naturally an important matter for business men, but it is net alone on this ground that the promoters will leok for a return ef the money invested. The tourist traffic from Liverpool and Manchester is increasing each season, and great efforts are made by the Cambrian Railway Company to bring these hwliday loving folk to the seaside in the least possible time. Fast as the summer service is. the journey is still a long one and presses tediously on the city man. It is unavailing to plead the grand at- tractions of the Cardigan Bay scenery, and many thousands are each season lost to the coast towns simply because the fast trains of other railways carry them to the Lancashire and other holiday resorts. To catch this traffic is one of the ohief in- centives for constructing the railway. The existing line of standard gauge measurement from Cemmaes Road to Dinas Mawddwy skirts the Dovey Valley until it reaches the mountain passes. From here it will pass along the side of Araa Valley reaching qhe village ef Llanymawddwy and descending to the junction with the Great Western Railway near Bala, and on the main line for Rnabon. The whole distance to be constructed is only eight miles, an insignificant length having regard to the great im- portance of the scheme. Se far everything in the way of surveys has been made and the more important question of funds is being dealt with. All the landowners along the route with the exception of one farmer ha.ve con- sented to take shares in payment of the land. Of course Aberystwyth is the town which will chiefly benefit by this new route, as it will be the means of bringing much heavier tourist traffic from the north and when Aberystwyth benefits, tha ether towns along the coast derive a good share of the patronage of the visitors, who either by coach drives or daily excursions on the railway generously distribute their patronage.

WEDDING CARDS. "JEW SAMPLE BOOK now open to inspection at the Oouuty Times Office, Welshpool Printed and Published by David Rowlands, of 21, Berriew Street, Welshpool, in the County of Montgomery, and at Towyn, in the County of Merioneth.—Thursday, January 21, 19C4.