Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

3 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

---DENBIGH TOWN COUNCIL, --

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Dyfynnu
Rhannu

DENBIGH TOWN COUNCIL, The monthly meeting of the Denbigh Town Council was held on Tuesday evening, when the Mayor (Mr A Lloyd Jones) pre- side I, and there were also present. Aldermen Robert Ow^u, "W Rccp.cr, and. 11 Humphreys Roberts; Councillors V* Meliard, John Davies, Roger I ijce, Bua/ .1 on<-■ s (, i iilth Jones, T A Wynne Edwards, A t, Evans. -L Hfwel. Geo; with t! ,c town cl(-iMr -?y Jones; town clerks clerk' Mr E .Parry; medical ollicer, Dr Griffith* Williams Roberts surveyor, Mr Job;. Davies inspector, Mr W Windsor; accountant, Mr Ellis Williams. TilE -\L],I)I(Al. OFFICER RKHCKES THE coixcin. THE I'AVTNf. OF YARDS AND THE HEAI.TH uF T11K BOROUGH. The Medical Otlicer submitted his montnly report as follows: 44 r>ur;no- the month seven deaths have been registered for the boron eh proper, three out of the seven being infants. All the deaths are from ordinary causes. Seven deaths are reported to me as having occurred at the Asylum during the month. Jv,|. the same period nine births had been registered, six males and three females. A Case of typhoid at the Infirmary has been notified to me. The number of births and deaths give as the annual rate per thousand and ia-7 respectively. 1 am sorry to have to make a complaint against the Council for the very lax way in whicu .hey pass the specifications of all new buildings. They or their officers should be satished that all yards are made impervious, so that thev can be swept, washed, and kept clean, all waste water pipes from bath and scullery should have a plumber's trap. As it is. in this the twentieth century, new dwellings c are allowed to be occupied with the back yards covered with cinders only., which will become a nuisance and a source of danger, arising from animal and vegetable decom. position, owing |to the inability o: the, tenants to keen them clean. Houses built in the Fron are let, and the back premises are simplv covered with ashes- It places the Sanitarv Inspector in a very unenviable I position, he having to serve upon the I landlords notice to icctsfy miners n^,w buildings. In future it would be well for the owners of new buildings, and belore thev have power to let them, to receive a certificate from the Surveyor stating that the property is entirely to his satisfaction, the property is entirely to his satisfaction, according to plans and spocilieations." Mr Boaz Jones said he did not think I they had received any complaints from their officers with regard to this matter— at least this was the first time for him to hear anything about it. He thought they should have hall some reports from the o(Tie,.r-s before they were blamed by the Medical Officer. The Mayor thought. it would be well to bring "the doctor's recommendations before the building committee. Mr Meilard Is there not a bye-law Much prevents people letting new houses until they are inspected by the Surveyor. The Mavo? Yes, that io 80. Mr James Hughes said he would like to know whether there was a bye-law which provided that yards should be paved. I Mr John Davies: There is nothing said in the bye-laws about paving. i Mr James Hughes said he happened to know the houses whiah the Meoi- caJ Ofticer had referred to. and had something to do with the erection of them. He looked carefully ihrough the specifi- cations and failed to iiJlÜ anything in the way of paving i )r these yards, The matter was brought be .1. the owner of the house, but as the couti Victor had not provided for paving in his-contract, he could not be called upon to do so. He had no douot that the owner intended paving the yards I later on, It was simply an oversight on the part of the person who prepared the specification^. Mr Iveepi'er: Has Mr Davies given a certificate that these houses are according to the pl -is I)assede The Surveyor: No. Mr Humphreys lioberts But that would not meet the point. Mr Meilard I propose that the Town Clerk write to the owner and draw his attention to the matter. Mr Boaz Jones seconded and the motion Ii was carried. tub TAHI.IT or BCRTAL i kes AT DF.NBIGH. IfONCONFORMIST OBJECTiONS. THE jUfcCTOR'si SUGOESTlONS.jj A i a meeting of the ('eaiotery Comm ittee. t held on the 4th day of June. Present, the I Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Robert ( wen, j John Davies, Rogor j i-yce, and James j Hughes- The Town Clerk read his corres- j pondence with the Secretary of Stato on I the subject of the adopt ion by the Council j Burials Act, 191)0, to be paid to ministers I, of religion for services rendered at burials in tiie t V-metery, and it was resolved "That a copy of the Table of Fees adopted on the 10th day of April last be sent to the various t ministers concerned and that they be asked ■Whether they agree thereto, or i £ aot, to set out ully iu what respects they disagree, so that the matter may be again laid before the Secretary of State. The Town Clerk announced that he had received replies ft,he ministers repre- senting different denominations in the town as to their opinions with regard to the new (f table of burial fees. The IocR: Roman Catholic piliesu wrote stating that he had I no objection to the fee-a proposed. The Rev James Charles, wxithi £ on behalf of himself and brother ministers, j Pegged to state that they adhered to their i former decision forwarded to them some t time ago. They did not consider it iiecessiry to adept a tabic- of tees at the Cemetery. Besides, they considered that I a compulsory fee for religious services was fcot in harraony with the spirit of the Gospel. Tiie vector of Denbigh, Rev Daniel Davies, said he was authorized by his Colleagues to make the following repiarks: In their opinion there was no sufficient reason for fixing a higher fee for burials talcing place before two o'clock, as com- pared with those taking place after that hour. They officiated at M per cent of the tar.crus in the parish, and were able to stat,e that during the last iirc- ;cars it was farelv a funeral had taken place before J () clock. The dist.inct,ion which the Council drew between morning and afternoon was therefore practically meaningless. They I cr in favour of a uniform fee. The ^°uncii made no distinction between Parishioners anu non-parishioners. This. *-ljey thought, was a most important ^mission, which, no doubt, they would able to rectify. He would suggest that fhe scale be to ministers of religion ior. ^torments (parishioners), 2s lid for non- parishioners, 5s. Mr Gee said ho thought if they could the ministers of .religion, who were *«»lly most interested |a this matter, into "Ocae unifora, statea&tt of views, then there would 5e no lurUer difiicalty, He ^°uld suggest that thn Rector's letter be Referred to the other ministers, and the". Uiey might have a uniform report' to send the court shore. He would propose "'it. R Humphreys ftoterfe said fee coin- th w'th what th« Reeier vtotMl, and lre gu.. his suggestions were very good, diff Cou^ nGt see the object of making a ore;. ;e between morning a&d afternoon services, and lie thought it was only fair to charge more for the burial of non- j parishioners. He did not bee the) good of j bandying these letters to and fro. ( The Town Clerk said it was his duty as | their clerk to report this fact that if the [ ministers did not agree, it was for the Council to tell him to let the Secretary of State know that fact, and if they did not agree then it was for the Secretary of -i g A. State to n?%ke a table himself. Mr Jb lies Hughes: I take it that this Council perfectly competent to arrange a table of fees without any reference to the I ministers, and that it was quite an act of courtesy to agk. them for their views. Mr Gee: (lil no, we were directed to do so. Mr Wynne Edwards thought that a little talking over of the matter by the ministers would soon make them unanimous and he 1 seconded Mr Gee's motion. J Mr Boaz -lones said that if the fees were adopted, it would be quite competent for the ministers in any particular cases, t" I return them. He moved that they adopt the s 6d as a standing fee for all times, r, I and 5s for non-parishioners. I I Mr John Davies seconded. Mr Howel Gee said the Secretary of State had asked them to consult the ministers, and if the ministers sent in vary- ing reports then the Secretary might take the matter into his own hands and fix upon a table of fees which would he more objec- I a table of fees which would he more objec- tionable to all of them than anything which either the Church of England, Noncon- formist, or Iloman Catholic ministers had suggested. Therefore he thought the best plan was to get the ministers to agree, and then the Secretary of State would simply adopt the table of fees which had been unanimously decided upon. The Town Clerk said that as it was now there was a disagreement between the suggestions of Mr Charles and those of the (vector, and if lie was to report anything he would have to report that fact, and the Secretary of State would have to make the table himself. He would like instructions therefore to say as to whether they were I agreed or not. j* [^ ITuroyhreys Ivobcrts said he chough! the best. plan would be for the Town Clerk to write Mr Charles pointing out that they were required to fix a .scale, and that the Council are of opinion that a scale of *2? (id and 5s would be reasonable, and would I recommend that fee to the Secretary of State. Mr Gee said he did not see why they should put themselves in antagonism to the other ministers and accept the parson's dictum. Let. them decide it amongst them- selves. He did not think they should commit themselves one way or the other. Mr Robert Owen said he would second Mr Humphreys Roberts' motion, as he thought it. was the only way to get out of it. He agreed with the Nonconformist ministers, but it appeared they were obliged to have a tabb> of fees, and he thought the best thing would be to write to Mr Charles to that effect. Mr A 0 Evans seconded Mr Gee's motion, Mr Wynne Edwards having mean- time withdrawn. He (Mr Evans) did not see why they should rush tin's t I i i i) r-- through at one particular meeting- Mr Humphreys Robei-ts' amendment was then put, when seven voted for it. Upon tho motion being put, six vews were re- corded, and the amendment was therefore carried- THE PROVISION OF A NEW RITIII>J<; HALT. COUNCIISULB A. o. KVANS PROTESTS AGAINST A F17RTHKR nEln. A STATEMENT ON BOKoGCH Al KAfRS. At a meeting of the Market Committee, held the oth day of June. Present Mr Boaz Jones (chairman), the Mayor, Messrs Humphreys Roberts, W Keepfer, and j Criith J ones. The Surveyor read his further report upon the condition of the Market Hall roof, and it was resolved ,Ellat in view of the fact that the roof is in such a bad state of repair as to require a heavy outlay annually, it is desirable to re- construct the root and thus save an expense which is greater than the amount which would be paid annually as principal and interest in respect of a loan to cover the cost of such re-rooling, and that .the Surveyor reports that by taking in tho Assembly Rooms and placing a gallery over the stalls, &c., accommodation can be made for a Public Hall tj hold 1,700 people at an expense of abort E750 additional to the cost of :re-I'ooflnl! this coniiiiiti-ce recom- mends that the rough plans prepared by the < Surveyor bo submitted to the Council for approval, and that a auiaii committee be to assist the Surveyor in sub- fitting plans and specifications for liual approve" Mr Boaz Jones proposed, and Mr Griffith Jones seconded, the adoption of the report. Mr Gee said he observed that it was I stated in the report that the Surveyor they shoalu all as a council know what was I in that report. before they adopted the I conclusions of it. Some of them were anxious that this matter should be deterred for the present if it could be done without serious loss to the Council, and he would t iike to hear what the present state of the I reof was. Mr Hughes said he could not see Mr I Gee » object in wanting the report. Jt was aot necessary, for all the resolution would I imply would be the appointment of a small commit toe to draw up a special report, Humphreys Roberte said there was some difficulty in rending a report of that I kind at a public meed:)- Gf rhe Connci). because it they adopted it and proceeded to invite tenders they knew the position tbev place themselves i ii. He thought if Mr Gee had no confidence in the comm if tee, and suggested that they made « report which had no foundation, thev had better refer it for coiisideration to a meeting of the Council in commit fee." Mr Hughes said he would rca.itul Mr Gee that a vote had already been taken In the Council on the subject, and it was in oonsequoiice of a further resolution which was passed that this matter was referred to the market committee. That committee had considered the matter, and it now came before them in the form of a request that a special committee be appointed to deal with the matter. Mr A O Evans said he was sorry to have to suDtnit an amendment. He that the present was a lit and proper "time to go in for a*; expenditure of £ 1 oovl' Vt reconstruct the Assembly Room' md convert it into a pubue hall to accomodate 1,700 people. He did not sec that a hall 1,700 people. He did not see that a hall with that accommodation was wanted The object ill view, ho took it, was to have a public accommodate something like 3,500 or l,<X>0 people, one which would answer the purposes of an Eisteddfod in the Borough. They had halls at the present time which would accommodate a good time which would accommodate a good I number of people, ana why should they go to this expense to provide sv hall which would only accommodate 1,700, and would I I therefore be of no use for an Eisteddfod or I meetings of sucft a kind- It was suggested ) ftt a previous rrtfe .• that 'here would be 3 revenue coe to the expense, and there was a tetter suggesting that someone was proposing to pny V2(" tor the use of the bali (be did not know for bow many years), but that (')uld not com- j pensato them for the expenditure. At i the present time they were committed to other schemes, and they were com- j pelled to attend to tho drainage and the j outfall sewer, and he took if that these would cost the Borough about £ -4,000. They were also committed to the castle water supply, and they were considering the question of a new lire engine. That would z- mean altogether an expense to the Borough of something like and if they were I going in for another £ 1,000 for ,L public hall, it would mean something like half the present debt on the Borough. He believed the present debt was something like aud by going in for these other matters they would incur a further debt, of about £ 7,000, He did not see, under these circumstances, why they should go in for a public hall at present, and he was going to move that the question of the erection of a public hall be deferred for twelve months, pending the development of the sewer and the drainage. He could well see why they should go in for a hall if they were fairly out of debt. There were years yet to run for the new smithiield to be paid off. In going round the Borough they would find in the outlying districts that there were great complaints by the farmers as to the rates. The rates now were about 4s in the £ and that was quite high enough in a Borough like Denbigh, where the rateable value was not increasing. He bad figures handed to him that day which showed that whilst in 18!j$ the rateable value of Denbigh was £ 82,207, now it was €32,200, so that there had been a reduction ot 1:61 per annum. In seaside resorts, where the rate- able value was increasing year by year, and where there were inducements for the provision of large halls, he could see some reason in launching out and incurring the responsibility, but thi; was not so in Denbigh. If they incurred an expense of this kind it wouid have to be borne by the present ratepayers. They could not hope for any great increase in the rateable value I of the Borough. Then, what did people call for when they wanted a new hou^e't The lirst thing they inquired about was the rent, and then they asked the particulars. What did that mean ? They wanted to kno, the state of the house, its accom- modation, and the rates and taxes, and if they were to.Ul that the rates and taxes in all inland town like Denbigh were to be 5s or Cis. it would scare them away, and they could scarcely hope for people to como to the town. In that case there would be a considerable loss in the capital value of promises belonging to substantial rate- payers in the Borough, and the loss would fall upon them as much as upon anyone else. It did not matter much to him I individually, nor perhaps to other members I of the Council, whether the rates lll- creased, but it did matter to the large farmers of the Borough who paid some of them, about £400 or =f5'JG a year in rent. If they went ir for these improvements, along with those they were compelled to go In for (drainage), it would mean something like an addition of 4d in the £ on the rates. They would have to pay back the loans which they -ot-Id.require in years, and that would £ 2 70 in principal all(1 interest per annum, which was equal to id in the f, What would that mean to a person paying £3ÚO rent ? It would mean about £ 10 a year. This was a very serious I' increase, and persons of that character could very ill afford to pay that sum for a speculation with the ratepayers' money for the purpose of satisfying a few people in the borough by building a public hall, which would not answer the purpose they have in view. If they had an Easter eisteddfod they would want a hall to xccotnmodaie 3,500 people, whereas the one they were proposing would only accom- modate 1,700, and it was therefore of no jarthly use. There would not be a meet- i ing at which that number would attend I nice in twelve months. They were there- fore speculating £ 1,000 on what was i nothing but a waste of money (" No, no.") > riireats had been held out as to what was to happen to him if he did not support this movement, but he cared nothing for the threats or the consequences (hear, 1 hear). He conscientiously believed that there was no occasion to incur such a responsibility as some of their friends wished them to commit themselves to, and he therefore felt compelled to move an amendment to tho report to the effect that the question of the reconstruction of the Assembly-room and the preparation of the j plans be deferred for twelve mouths. Mr Howel Gee said that failing the pro- • iluction of the report which he had asked 1 for. he had pleasure in seconding the amendment. He felt that he, a3 well a? ] amendment. He felt that he, as well as ] 3ther members of the Council, ought to • Irriow l that "l to be known, of t1.i:j I j matter before giving a vote. He did not i 11 see why anything should bo kept in the 1 dark. i Mr Robert Owen said he was very sorry J for the speech Mr Evans had made. H did not think he was serious, but had done < it more for a joke than anything else (laughter). Mr Wynne Edwards Hear. hear. 1 Mr Robert Oweu I hope that you will ■ reconsider this matter carefully," and i i venture to say that this is the most- UD- businesslike speech Mr Evans ever made in I this Council (no, no). Mr Evans: Let Mr Owen bring facts. M:r Rob( t Owen: I w!taW like to know whether, if that property belonged to Mr 1 Evans, he would make such a speech as he I has to-day ? Mr Evans Yes, he would if he had to pay £ 1 JiOO away. Mr Owen: I am sorry Mr Evans made the remark that tioe public hall was in- tended tor a few. I am certain that if a poll wire taken the- majority of the iate- payers would be in favour of it. Sav what you like, a hall to hold 1700 would be big enough for the purpose. J suppose the Eisteddfod was about the biggest meeting t held in Denbigh, and there were only 1,500 tickets sold for the afternoon, and the number present would be 1700. I hone t the Council will look at it from n business I point, of view. We all know roof is rotten, and m a short time it will come I down without any pulling. We are all supposed to bo the representatives of the ratepayers and to do the best we can for their benefit, and I am therefore sorry to see Mr Evans making a speech like this (laughter). Mr Wynne Edwards: They always say that "coming events cast their shadows before," and 1 can only hope that the very eloquent speech Mr Evans has made is a confirmation of the "eport which we hear that he is very shortly going to buy a site and build a splendid house upon it, and that he will be ono of the largest rate- payers, a.nd also that we shall have an opportunity of welcoming Mrs Evans there at an early date (laughter and hear, hear). At the same timer, I think a very proper suggestion has been thrown oat by Mr Humphreys Roberts, and I beg to propose that the whole matter be adjourned to a meeting of the Council in Committee. Mr John Dn. vie said he thanked Mr Evans for the splendid speech he made, and ne thought they should pause and consider before they went forward with this matter. He did not say that they did not require a town hall, hilt thev all knew very wel that the present site was not a desirable oue, for It w&a Impossible to Lave- a good entrance there. He did not see the necessity for a .^a!! of the sizo which it was Proposed to build, when thev already had the Drill Hall. Mr Humphreys Roberts: Mr Evanp in his remarks appear^ to t)roat the matter as n we were going to spend £ 1000 in pro- vidinga mussc hall (lxujhter). [ Mr Evans No, no. J Mr Humphreys Roberts: Well, an eis- t-eild,lod hall. It he had only read the If report be would see that it say-: the Z750 additional would make it up into £ 1000, J but the other £ 850 is absolutely required. M r Gee: Why does Mr Humphreys Roberts give us a garbled report ? He picks the eyes out of it aud gives us bits here and there. Why don't we have the whole report ? The Mayor: I am not in favour of having the report produced before the meeting of the whole Council. Mr W Meilard: I second Mr Wynne Edwards. Mr Evans said he thought he had a right to reply, as an attack had been made upon to reply, as an attack had been made upon him personally (iaughter). He could hardly think that Mr Robert Owen was serious in saying he had made an unbusinesslike speech, for he was not able to controvert bingte argument he advanced in favour of the amendment to the committee's report. It was au easy matter to say that a person had made an unbusinesslike speech, but when that person sat down without offering a single reason, it took a considerable dis- count off his remarks. Ho should have expected Mr Robert Owen, when he made such a sweeping assertion, to have paid him the compliment ol at least answering the reasons he had advanced. He might sav that everything he (Mi- Evans) said, wero facts, and not a single thing could be denied. Mr Owen had referred te the whole of the ratepayers. The 1st of November was not so far off. Let them wait until then and have this question put to the ratepayers as a whole, and not to a to the ratepayers as a whole, and not to a few in High Street who bad been discuss- ing the matter from shop to shop (laughter). Mr Robert • "wen: And from omce to oil ice (renewed laugh te r). 'J-:1_- "n.) 7í 'L.. Air r,>au*«iu. ,l it naci oeen discussed in the office at all, it had been because the shop people had come there to try and convert him to their way of thinking (laughter). Mr Roberts had said that the I £ 750 was additional expenditure. If they were going to spend this money to convert I the place into a public hall, they would have, to turn the butchers aud others out ("No, no.') W hat would the Market Hall return them then? Let. them take I Ruthin for instance. [A member Do not compare us with Ruthin (laugliter) He I did not wish to compare the two towns in ether matters, but in this he would do so. The butchers in Ruthin, and the principal tradespeople, had gone out of the Market, Hall into the town, and the Market Ilall returned a very small revenue to the rate- payers. The same thing would occur in Denbigh. One gentleira i had premises in Vate-t-treet, and others would see the ad- visability of turning out of the Market Mali as SOOIl as they could. Mr Roger Pryce nrged the desirability of negotiations being carried on with the owners of the Farmers' Inn with a view to its purchase, so that, they could remove the Vegetable Market and have a public hull worthy of the town and on a site which would command a good entrance. This 1J. also ehable them to widen C r') Mr Wans: Wo can take it into con- sideration again. Mr Boaz Jones rose :tn speak, when Mr Evans asked whether he could do so the second time. The Town Clerk: He is the mover of the resolution. Mr Boaz Jones then Faid that Mr Evans had said that the hall was only to accom- modate 1,700, but it would actually accom- modate 2,200. The amendment that the matter be deferred for twelve months was then put, when four voted for it. The resolution was then put, when eight votes were recorded, Mr Wynne Edwards; Now I propose that the matter be referred to a meeting of the Council in commit teg. Mr Meilard seconded, and on beinrr put this was carried without opposition. Iltu: BRIGADE JOINT COMMIT TICK, FlRt; KNOXXK. At a meeting of the Fire Brigade (Joint) Committee, held on the 4th day of June. Present, Mr R .Humphreys Roberts (chair- man), the Mayor. Messrs Robert Owen, < John Davies, T A Wynne Edwards. Roger Prvcc, and James Hughes (representing I 1 the TOiVii Council) Messrs R W Lloyd, J 1 M Davies, L W S, \V J Nott, J P ] Joyce, and \V B Hughes (representing the 1 Brigaded The present unsafe and i unsatisfactory condition oi' the lire engine was fully reported upon and discussed, and it was resolved "Thai Messrs Humphreys 1 Roberts, the May,ir. T A Wynne Edwards, I James Hughes, K W Lloyd, J M Davies, j A. and L W Sr»y)o be appointed a special com- i uiitteo to draw up specifications of a 'steamer' which would be suitable for < oui !• luuwiu^ UUUillry, auu that tiie same be submitted to the engineer of some prominent fire brigade for his suggestions thereon, and afterwards to re- port to this committee." That a circular letter be sent to Fire Insurallec Companies as to their contributing towards the cost of a new steamer, or undertaking to pay for the use thereof at all fires which may occur in or out of the Borough."—Confirmed. CAsTJÆ WATEH sri'i'JA i. O.M MITJ'KK. At a meeting of the Castle water supply special Committee, held on the 5th day of June. Present: The Mayor (in t,ho chair), I. Messrs I Humphreys Roberts, Boaz Jones, I lo.vol Gee, and James Hughes. Tho Town f Clerk submitted the draft agreement with the Water Company for the supply of water- to the Castle district, and subject to certain alterations therein as to the extension of area, &c.. the same was approved.— Confirmed. LY ,r. i T. ¿'rT'n.' IU.UJHJ If.r, *J At a meeting of tiie Sanitary Comm ittee, j held the 10th day of June. Present. Dr I Lloyd (chairman), Messrs Griffith Jones, J James Hughes, Howel Gee (for Mr Robert ] Owen), and Wynne Edwards (for Mr i Griffith). An apology for non-attendance < was received from Mr W D W Griffith. 1 The Inspector read a special report upon his inspection of Mrs Adams' premises, Nos. 104 and 10(5, Vale-street, in company i with the Medical Officer, and it was re- solved "That official notice be served upon Mrs Adams to abate the several nuisances mentioned in the Inspector's report within sevcQ days.Confirmed. THK ERECTION OF WORKMEN'S DWELMNUS. PI,ASs FOR THIRTY COTTAGES 1'ASSKIL. COtTNCinLOR OO.MTUMK.\Tj;I> ON HIS WORK. t The following report was submitted and agreed to :— At a meeting of the Highway Committee, held on the 24th day ot May, 1901, present Air R Humphreys Roberts (obairman), the Mayor, Messrs. Hobert Owen, John Davies, T A Wynne Edwards, Griffith Jones and James Haghes. The Surveyor read his report as to the proposed improvement on Castle Hill by widening the lane leading from the Burgess Tower to the top of Bull- lane (and sabmUted a plan), from which it appeared that Mr Edward Williams was prepared, in order that the Town Council might carry out the improvement to sell for the sum of R60, the plot. of ground at the Tower Hill end of the said lane, COn- I fining 283 square yards or thereabouts, I and coloured blue and pink on the plan, 1 possession to be given in three months after I Written notice, all the wooden erection on the said plot to remain his property, the 't conveyance to be made direct to Mr R Daries, who will give to the Cc-anulil, a stf:" j I of laud the whole length of the lane, con- t,aining 222 square yards or thereabouts, and coloured blue and yellow on the plan, tor the purpose of widening the lane to a uniform width of 15 feet; the Council to contribute the sum of :£40 towards the pur- chase money. The Committee, after iu- specting the site, resolved—" That in view of the fact that Mr. Robert Davies is about to build a large number of houses on his land adjoining the laiie, the Council agree to the terms above set out provided Air Davies will take down the present, boundary I' wall and give the Council possession of the said strip of land coloured blue and yellow within one month aiter notice Iron] the Council, and build a substantial wall with I unclimbabie iron railings upon his new boundary, and also pay the cost of the conveyance from Mr Edward Williams to I himself, and of the agreement with the Town Council." The Borough Surveyor submitted plans of thirty workmen's dwellings proposed to be erected on Castle-hill by Mr Robert Davies, Market Vaults, The plans were in accordance with the bye-laws, and he re- commended that they be passed subject to the Council coming to an agreement with the Water Company as to the supply of water. Mr H Humphreys Roberts proposed and j Mr Meilard seconded, that the plans be approved of. MrKeepfer: Buf what about the water! being there ? ¡I Mr Meilard: We don't say anything about the water. Mr Roger Pryce said he did not think there would be any harm in referring those plans to the Building Committee. There was no reason for rushing the iiiiiixi through. Mr Wynne Kdwards said if these plans had been for one or two houses they would have passed them straight away, and lie did not see why they should not pass these now when they wcr e satisfied they were in accordance with the bye-laws. He thought 1 it was most unreasonable. Mr R Humphreys Itoberts thought iLl: would be most cruel to defer the adoption 1 of these plans. Mr Davies had been I deterred for about t wo years owing to the ( want of water in the Castle district, and to j 1 detain him a. day longer would be iiiolit cruel. 1 Tne motion was then carried and the £ plans were passed. [ The next, item on the agenda was the i consideration of the question of the Work- I men s uwemngs ACT. Mr Wynne Edwards: I think these houses lind better be erected as a memorial i of that committee I think it is about dead now, isn't it? (laughter). The Town Clerk This does not stand in my person's name. It was ordered te be put on the agenda for this meeting. Mr Roger Pryce said he took it that the x-ason this question had been shelved was >u account of members of the committees not turning up. Things had been inanipu- ated very well, he must say there was a lark hOr1: which had been running round :he course (laughtor). He could see a good leal. Mr Wynne Edwards was very ilever, so was Mr Humphreys Roberts. A liseussion was to have taken plsco at the ast Council meeting, but the scheme had jeeu intentionally hindered and hampered :rom going on. He ventured to say this tn(I he could prove it, word for word, tli about the Castle scheme and everything, ft was a big thing ro say, but he was jositive of it. He was anxious uot to xaggerate on this question but it was lifficult^to speak too strongly. They Lad lad the reports of their Sanitary Inspector, j )f their Collector, and of their Medical )fficer, and they all tended to urge the Jouncil to proceed and do something with ,his question, which had been on hand for ) hree years. It would cost them nothing lu adopt this scheme, the plans j vere ready, and they had not c:ven isked for tenders or clone anything! ,0 bind themselves. The Medical! officer suggested whether, If the present nsaiiitary dwellings were put into proper -epa,r, it would, not meet the f utiLre'clen-,and or houses. He said omph^ticuily no. The (resent property owners had had ample ipportunities of repairing their property t they felt, so disposed. It was anticipated rotn the eernmenoemeiit that it would not remunerative, but at the end ei 30 or 40 ears the houses would be the property of he ratepayers. The fact remained that iot a single suitable cottage for an m-uitan xd his family oouid be had at a reasonable cut at this very time, and if there was one he applications ior the same were (-nor- nous, one tenant out-bidding the other. le appealed to the Mayor, as captain of his municipal ship and to all the other members o £ the Council who had been fleeted to scrVt: tho ratepayers generally. awaiteu noiu i.iio ietuurgy tuey nau I alien into and come to the rescue in re- noving the serious monopoly that existed I vith regard to this question. Let- no icrsonal or private interests hinder them! rom doing the duty they had to perform, j t was the bounden duty of the I Council as the sanitary authority to step! n. They had the Local Government •oard meeting them at every point, rhey were willing to entertain their ippfications and were continually writing o know what steps they had taken since i ,he adoption of the Act. He must say that .0 considered some of the information given sy the Surveyor was w'-ung altogether- Il had put down the price of the land fit, is lid, and he (Mr 1'ryce) had Ii. on the! it authority available that Is would be a :alr price for the land which was lying idle tt the Sruithfield. There was land at the bottom ot the town which was more adapted cr building purposes and which was bought: 3y Mr Humphrey Jones, butcher, for 8d [H i yard. A public body too was more ible to money for thi" purpose than any private individual. They did not seek to nake a profit, like the private speculator or contractor, but only to remove a greivancc which had existed for years in the town. He took it that if Acts of Parliament were wiopted they wero not meant to bo dead letters, but that they as a public body should take advantage of them. If they were to grapple with this question they would not be sorry for it. If Mr Hobert j Owen were to inquire into the condition of the working classes and sec how they were rack-rented and otherwise handicapped, he would be one of the best members of the Housing Committee (laughter and hear, hear). Let the worker be properly housed, ami it would make his home brighter, and make him a better husband and better citizen, and lift him up from slumdom. It behoved them to grapple earnestly with this pressing and most vital question. There were the Mayor, Mr Wynne Edwards, Mr John Davies. and ex-Councillors R Henry Roberts, and J Simon Roberts who were all willing for the scheme. Mr Roberts and himself opposed the Panton Hall business, for no Government Inspector would grant money to build houses in a modern Babylon (loud laughter). If was nothing more nor less. They all knew the working man on the 0th of November and v*enw and shook hands with him and pro- mised him everything, and here, after makiug all these promises to carry this thing forward, they were proposing to cast it on one side. There was nothing better in a public man than to perform what he had promised, or at le!\st to mke an honest endeavour to do so (hear, hear). If the majority of the ratepayers were against this scheme he did not think he would J' have been returned to the Council Oil the last occasion. It was this very question have been returned to the Council on the last occasion. It was this very question i which carried him through. He hopod the Council would not shelve this question, but that they would agree either to have it discussed at a public meeting or at a meet- ing of the whole Council in committee. His aspiration was this-he wished the good of the people, through the people, and by trusting the people. He wished to destroy privilege and monoply, whether of class, sect, or person when it was hurtful to the people, and he held that it was righteousness, justice and freedom which made a people. Mr Gee said that ns soon as the com- mittee they had appointed brought in a report, by which he could see that there was a fair chance of adequate remuneration for any expenditure on the part of the ratepayers, he would be very pleased to support it. He had been waiting for this report for three years. ¡ Mr Wynne Edwards said here were plans shewing that 14 houses were enough, and I since then a gentleman had come forward and .proposed to build l10 could not therefore see the necessity ;of going any further. II Mr Robert Owen said he had been attending committees several times and he could see the thing would not pay. and they had no right to do a tiling which would not pay back the ratepayers. Cnder the circumstanccs he proposed that, the I matter be done with. He could not sit down without giving Mr Roger Pryce a good word. He had worked hard for it and he was afraid they had not treated him very straiglitly. He knew he himself was as bad as any of them (oh, oh. and laughter), He had been thinking of this several I months but he had not the nervo to say so in public. That was a fact and it was a Pact-f or a c-ood manv of them. I Mr Pryce Mr Owen says they won't pay. We don't know whether they will or not. i for we have never gone into the figures. Mr Wynne Edwards said he would second the motion. He thought Mr Pryce had made a great mistake in one remark. He (Mr Wynne Edwards) said that owners did repair their property, and he should like to appeal to their officers as to whether this was not wrong. He thought Mr Pryce had done a very good work, and called attention to a very great want in the town, and the result, he thought, was that a large number of houses had been built. He would like to know how many houses had been built in the town since he took up thi* question. He thought he (Mr Pryce) had therefore done very good service to the ratepayers (hear; hear). He considered it was better for private people to build. houses than to do so out of public funds. j Everything built by public money cost more than it did if built privately. Taking into consideration the large number of houses which were empty (he did not say they were all at the present moment fit to Live in, but some were going to be re- paired), and taking into consideration the j iinount of building going on. he thought it f1 xa,; a very inopportune time for them o think about building houses. He would recond the resolution, but thought it should be am ended te, the ettect that they leave C the matter for a year oi years to see the result of the building going on now. Mr Owens I have no objection. Mr Evans said he had been a member of j' the Workmen's Dwellings Committee and]' Lately the chairman, and he was responsible or the resolution which was passed at the 4 .ast meeting, and now ho was not sorry thai [ ;hoy passed that resolution. Matters had j lOW come TO a head, and brought people )ut in their true colours- One or two had J idmitted that they had not been altogether j traightforward on this question, and one tad to say that he was as bad as any! If thorn (laughter). There had been neinbers of the Council who had more 1 )1" less committed themselves to this question. Personally he had not done so Mr Oven: Questicn). Mr Owen oould :J iring any data to contradict him he was j iiite willing. i. -Mr Meilard: Chair, chair ■ Mr Evans said he was convinced that here was a necessity for workmen's dwel- ings. Tho question had so far been open n his; mind, and he had been waiting tor j .n opportunity of making np his mind Lastly upon the question. They knew thai J t present the price of building nitiferialli 1; vas dear, and he did not think any fault ould be tounawith luc ounoynr for the j u-icc he had put on the land. lie believed j hat they went into the estimates and ound the houses could be erected for £H}¡i ( iach, and the amount of rent they would. r expect to receive was £ 10. Now could ;hcy get £ 10 for the class of houses j mg^ested ? If they could not lie did not j; Jsink they were justified in puttiag their, mourners to tne wheel to have tnese 1' iwelliugs put up. Then again, was there! i need for these houses in the Borough ? j [t behoved them to consider very seriously J whether they would he justified la going in ior this expense. They eould not say tha hey could look after workmen's dwellings ) is weJl as individual owners could, and i here would undoubtedly be expenses to i them as a Council which would not occur j to private owners. With these, and The I' astablishment charges, they must consider j what would be the revenue they would be able to get from the undertaking. He was i not aware that ,herè had been any increase in the, census, and that was a feature which I should be considered. Mr Xeepfer: No. a decrease. I Mr Evans said if there had been a de- crease; that was an argument and a strong one why they should not go in for this pro- posal just at present. Mr Pryce had worked* this matter weW and ably, and he had. as Mr Wynne Edwards had said. opened out the minds of individual owners to euterprizes of the kind, and they ha.d nc doubt taken the question of the erection of these buildings in hand in consequence of I the persistent way in which Mr Pryce had advocated the question. He had deserved I a considerable compliment for the manner in which ho had worked in the matter. Under the circumstances he would support 1 the proposal toO defer the matter for twelve months. Mr Gee said that as far as he could see t all the members of tho committee who were appointed to carry out the. scheme, had been themselves convinced rhat it was not ¡ workable. Mr Robert Owen iiad stated that thought he was in favour of it at first, he could not see his way out of it financially. that thought he was in favour of it at first, he could not see his way out of it financially. Mr A 0 Evans went in for it and was com- mitted to the lips (laughter, and chair, chair). He could only say this that if a I gentleman took the chairmanship of a com- mittee to carry out some speciflc object, I then be did not think ho had any right to I take that office unless he was in sympathy with the object. Mr Evans: A very bad argument Mr Gee. Mr Gee: All I can say is that it is a verv extraordinary proceeding. If members of the committee were proposing to choke off this matter, how were they as poor I outsiders who had never been on this ¡ splendid committee Mr Evans: You have been. Mr Gee: No, not for a day. Not- on this particular committee. Mr Evans Mr Howel (j-ee is one of the 1 dark horses. He is the darkest of the lot, the blackest too (laughter) Mr James Hughes said he would give in tti no one in hi* desire to see working men I I provided with good and healthy houses, but 5 lie could not understand for a moment that i the providing of H houses by the Council 3 would be a sort of panacea, for all the evils Mr Roger Pryce had been picturing to t them that day. Surely if by pri\ ate enter- prize they get a lot more houses than the Council were prepared to build, he lake J to 5 see the necessity for the Council to go to the expense of carrying out the provisions of the Workmen's Dwellings Act. There f could be no doubt that work carried out by I a public body must if necessity be a great i I deal more expensive than when carried oat t Iv private owners. When he became a member oi the Committee he d'd so with an open mind and never committed himself one way or the other. He was quite prepared, I if there was a lack of proper houses in tne town, to support the scheme, but he ha.d i never yet been convinced that, such was the case, and now that these house. "ere i going to be provided, the necessity f. the Council to move was at an end. They should also look at it from a, business point of view. I If the houses were to cost the sum the fSuryeyor had mentioned in committee it was not at all likely they could expect working men to pay a rent which would ) give them a fair return for the outlay. With regard to Mr chairmanship oi committee, he might say that he v as appointed very much against his will at a small meeting, and as there was no one else there who would take theloflice he very I' kindly tilled the gap. Mr Roger Pryce said they all knew very well why he refused the chair, for they all knew what it was meant for. He was Dot going to be closured in that way. All the things that had been .said that day had been kept back until these plans were pro- I duced. Other members having spoken," Mr Roger Pryce asked what about, the ) unseen tyranny—he was using Lord Penrhyn's term—that existed in the town. When repairs were carried out at the instigation of the otlicers of the Council, the landlords took care that there should be an j increase in the rent. corresponding to the proportion of the expense incurred, and he could give, an instance of a house v here a man always paid seven guineas as rent, being compelled now to pay ten guineas because certain repairs were bound to be carried out by the landlord. He begged to move as a last resource that the matter be deferred to a committee of the whole Council, and to be discussed immediately after the public hall question. Mr Pryce, before a division was taken, turned to the reporters and asked them to take a note of the voting, so that the working men would know who their friends were, Tne remark was received with laughter by the other members present. Upon a di vision only four members: voted in favour of Mr Pryce's amendment, viz. Mr Pryee, Mr Meilard, Mr A (I Evans, and Mr Boaz Jones: and for deferring it for 12 months six voted. This question will Therefore remain in abeyance for tl,, next twelve months. I THE COUNCIL AXD THE ASTTUJJ COMM IT EK. A letter was rend from Mr W Barker, clerk to the Committee of Visitors of the Norih W- I— Counties Lunatic AsyiumT regretting the decision arrived at by the Tovui Council in regard to the drainage question, and the exemption of the Asylum from. the Sanitary rates, and stating that that course would necessitate the referring of the correspondence to the Local Govern- ment Board. It was pointed out in connection with this matter that the Asylum Committeft had appouitcd a deputation, to wait upeii the Secretary of State. Mr Humphreys Roberts urged that such a. deputation should not be received without the Town Council making some eSort to present their views also. It was ultimately agreed to write to the Secretary of State asking him not to receive a deputation from the Asylum Committee without intimating the fact to the Town Council. mihe business tlum terminated. -+-

DENDIGH TEACHER ELECTED VICE-PRESIDENT…

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