Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
5 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
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ASSIZES. CARNARVONSHIRE. These assizes were opened at Carnarvon on Saturday, before Mr. Justice Grantham, who, before the Court opened, attended divine service at Christ Church, when a sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Wil- liams (the High Sheriffs chaplain). His Lordship was accompanied by the High Sheriff (Mr. R. M. Greaves), the Under Sheriff (Mr- Casson), and a number of police, under the charge of Deputy Chief Constable Harris. In charging the Grand Jury, of which the Lord Lieutenant (Mr. J. E. Greaves) was foreman, his Lordship remarked that this was the first time he had the privilege of coming to Carnarvonshire to assist them in the administration of justice, and it gave him great plesure to find that the country was so free from crime. He hoped that it was not merely an exceptional circumstance that, passing through the northern part of the Principality, as he was doing, be should find in every county scarcely any crime. At Dolgelley he though he should have to try the ladies, there being so many of them pre- sent in court (laughter), Again, in the county of Carnarvon he was gratified to see that there were only two or three prisoners, charged with offences of a comparatively light nature, and this, to him, compared most favourably with his experience in English counties, where he was accustomed to try some eighty or ninety prisoners at the same time. BIGAMY. Mary Elizabeth Davies, 34, of Conway, pleaded guilty of marrying John Twist while her former husband was alive. John Twist, 34, also pleaded guilty to aiding and assis ting the other prisoner, by making a false entry, to the effect that she was a spinster. Sergeant Griffith, who had known the female prisoner while stationed at Conway, gave her an excellent character. He added that her former husband was a drunkard, and conducted himself brutally towards her, and on more than one occasion she had been obliged to seek police protection. Mr. Charles H. Darbishire, one of the Grand Jury, also volunteered to bear testi- mony to the good character of the male pri- soner, who was in his employ. The Judge observed that both the police and the Grand Jury seemed to have con- spired in favour of the prisoners, and the circumstances of the case were such that he was inclined to enter into the conspiracy (laughter). The prisoners were ordered to be imprisoned for two days, being therefore immediately discharged. MANSLAUGHTER. Francis O'Toole (22), an inmate of the Conway Workhouse, was indicted for the manslaughter of Evan Davies, an old man seventy years of age, who at the time of his death was also an inmate of the workhouse. It seems that a slight disagreement occur- red between the prisoner and the deceased as to putting out some fires. Deceased gave prisoner a slight kick, whereupon the latter retaliated in a similar manner, inflicting'in- juries which resulted fatally in thirteen days. When first charged by the police the prisoner admitted having given the kick, but said he thought the deceased had his side to him at the time. Mr. Trevor Lloyd (instructed by Mr. Por- ter) prosecuted, and Mr. Theobald (instruc- ted by Messrs. Nee and Gordon Roberts), at the request of the prisoner, undertook the defence. The jury found the prisoner guilty, but recommended him to mercy on account of the provocation he had received, and the Judge gave efiect to the recommendation by sentencing him to one months' imprison- ment. ACTION FOR SLANDER. Before his Lordship and a common jury, an action was heard in which Owen Owen, a farmer, residing at Cwmdyli, Beddgelerc, claimed from William Roberts, another farmer, residing at Bwlch, damages for al- leged slander. Mr. Honoratus Lloyd (instructed by Messrs. Carter, Vincent, and Mostyn Ro- berts) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Herbert Williams (instructed by Mr. Thos. Roberts) for the defendant. The allegation was that at Pengwryd Hotel, which was then occupied by the plaintiff's mother, the defendant, in the pre- sence of several people, said that he had lost two rams, and that they had been stolen by the plaintiff, adding that John Evans, a Llanberris butcher, had informed him that he had the horns polished up. This state- ment the defendant repeated on two other occasions. The defence on the pleadings was that the words complained of were not published, or, in the alternative, that, if spoken, they were privileged. Counsel argued that the state- ment was not slanderous, being, as it was, but a simple repetition of a story told him by the butcher, and it imputed no dishonesty to the defendant. The jury found for the plaintiff, damages five guineas. MONDAY. A TRANSACTION IN BANK SHARES. Henry Roberts, accountant, Bethesda, claimed from T. J. Hughes, chemist, of the same place, the sum of iT75, being the amount of a call which the plaintiff had had to pay on thirty shares which he held in the National Bank of Wales, and which he had sold to the defendant on the 19th of June, 1894. Mr. J. Bryn Roberts, M.P. (instructed bv Mr. Twigge Ellis), appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. E. J. Griffith (instructed by Messrs. Jones and James) for the defendant. Mr: Roberts, in opening the case, said that the defendant, at the time he bought the shares, told the plaintiff that he intended to re-sell them. The latter asked the defendant to give him something to show that he had bought the shares. Thereupon the defen- dant wrote a memorandum, dated the 19th of June, 1894, as follows: Fro-,n T. J, Hughes to H. Roberts.—I hereby certify that I have this day bought 30 shares in the National Bank of Wales, and in the evem of a call being made I undertake to meet all responsibilities on these shares.' That day the defendant paid £3 15s. for the shares at 8s. 6d. per share. Nothing more was heard from the defendant with regard to the mat- ter until August, 1896, when a call was made upon the plaintiff who took the notice of the call to the defendant. The latter, how- ever, declined to pay the call, stating that the plaintif" i had given him to understand that no call would be made. The plaintiff was called, and said that he became a shareholder in the National Bank of Wales in the year 1890. He bought the shares for £520. He received dividend for three years, the first being 10 per cent. In May, 1893, the Bank sold its assets, &c., to the Metropolitan Bank. When the Na- tional Bank of Wales came to .grief, he sold his shares to the defendant for 2s. 6d. each. A blank form of transfer was produced, and sigised by the witness. The defendant said that he had no inten- tion of making use of the transfer at the time, as probably he would be able to re-sell shortly, whereupon ths defendant drew ou | he undertaking referred to by counsel, and ilso paid him-' £ 3 15s. Witness heard lotting further about the matter until a call vas made upon him in August last year. Some days after the receipt of the call he ;ook it to Mr. Hughes, who, upon seeing the lotice, smiled and said he would have nothing to do with it, adding that he would spend all he had before he would pay the all. The Judge I am afraid if he spent all he 1e had he would have nothing left to pay ;he call (laughter). Witness, continuing, said that the defen- lant charged him with having deceived him, .nasmuch as he knew that a call would be nade. Witness denied that he knew any mch thing. The notice was left there, but ;he defendant said that it would soon be re- ;urned, together with the scrip for the shares. The defendant was a shareholder in the bank at the time he bought witness's ,hares. The defendant had also bought a aumber of shares from the Rev. John Jones, Bethesda. Cross-examined by Mr. Griffith, the wit- iess said that he understood from the de- fendant that the Rev. John Jones had paid the call made upon him. Witness's wife knew that he was the holder of these shares, and was uneasy about them, but it was not true that he gave that as a reason to the de fendant why he was desirous of disposing of the shares. Witness admitted that at the time he disposed of his shares he had some tear that a call would be made. The Judge: That's quite evident, other- wise no man would think of selling Xio shares for 2s. 6d. each. Mr. E. J. Griffith said that the defence was simply that at tie time the shares were sold, the plaintiff was repeatedly asked rwhy he sold, and whether he had any informa- tion as to a call about to be made. The plaintiff replied that he had no such know- ledge, and, acting upon the faith of that re- u presentation, the shares were bought. The defendant being a chemist could not be ex- pected to know as much about money mat- ters as the plaintiff, who was a bank accoun- tant. The Judge: If the defendant knew that these shares were a drug in the market he would know something about them (laugh- ter). Counsel, proceeding, said that the Rev. John Jones, manager of the bank at which the plaintiff was accountant, attended a meeting of managers at Llandudno, and ob- tained certain information about a call to be made. This information Mr. Jones ten- dered to the plaintiff, and in a fortnight afterwards the shares were sold to the de- fendant. If the jury were persuaded of the truth of this statement, they must irresis- tibly come to the conclusion that the plain- tiff was in possession of information which was not accessible to the general public. The undertaking given by the defendant was drawn at the request of the plaintiff in arder to satisfy his wife, who was uneasy about her husband's liability. The defendant gave evidence corrobora- tive of the foregoing statement, after which he was cross-examined by Mr. Bryn Roberts a.s to his experience of financial businesses in which he was interested, including one or two loan discount societies. The Judge With the usual terms of 5 per sent per month interest, I suppose ? (laugh- ter). Mr. E. J. Griffith objected to the defen- dant's connection with other matters being inquired into. The Judge I bslieve, Mr. Bryn Roberts, you have asked enough to show that this gentleman knows his way about in financial matters. To the defendant: Why were these shares ;tdd at half-a-crown each unless there was the risk of a call ? The defendant I cannot tell you. The Judge I thought not. The defendant: I would not have minded the risk if only the truth had been told me. The Rev. John Jones, manager of the Metropolitan Bank at Bethesda, spoke to a meeting of managers which he attended at Llandudno, at which the general manager gave it as his opinion that a call would be inevitable. This information witness im- parted to the plaintiff, but he had particu- lar reason* for not making the same gene- rally known. Witness sold his own shares in the National Bank of Wales to the defen- dant, and also paid the call which was after- wards made. Mr. Bryn Roberts then submitted that there was no case of fraud proved, and the Judge also ruled that there was no evidence of such fraud as was an answer to the action. The jury found for the plaint iff for the full amount. CLAIM TO AN ANGLESEA PROPERTY. Before the Judge and a special jury, an action was brought by Mr. Richard Jones Edwards, Bunker's Hill, Russell County, Kansas, against Edward Hughes, 3, New Street, Menai Bridge, and Ellen Williams, Clwtglas, Penmynydd, to recover the pos- session of a farm called Brynteg, Llandeg- fan, which was in the occupation of the de- fendants, and a declaration of title was also claimed in respect to certain other. proper- ties in the possession of the defendants. The plaintiff-claimed as the heir at law of Thomas Edwards, who lived at Brynteg up to July, 1895, when he died intestate. The plaintiff, who was the eldest son of the de- ceased's only brother, John Edwards, was a resident in America, but had frequently visited his grandfather's home at Brynteg. The defendants were his cousins. It was intimated that for the defendants the ques- tion of legitimacy would be raised, and that it would also be contended that the plain- tiff was not the man who visited Brynteg ten years ago. "Mr. Bryn -Roberts, M.P., and Mr. Trevor Lloyd (instructed by Mr. R. Jones Roberts) were for the plaintiff, and Mr. Honoratus Lleyd and Mr. E. J. Griffith, M.P. (instruc- ted by Mr. S. R. Dew), for the defendants. After the close of the plaintiff's c, se, a con- sultation took place between the judge and counsel. His Lordship, in directing the jury to find for the plaintiff, who had agreed to accept the verdict in this case without costs, said that th* plaintiff had taken a very proper C3, course in proving his legitimacy, whilst at the same time the defendants were quite justi- fied in costing the claim. Judgment was accordingly entered for the plaintifi. ACTION AGAINST A MEDICAL MAN. Before the Judge, without a jury, the hearing was opened of an action in which Mr. S. R. Dew, solicitor, Bangor, sought to recover from Dr. Gray Edwaras, also of Bangor, expen- ses incurred by reas n of the alleged negligence of the defendant as a medical man. The case is creating a large amount of local interest and there was a large attendance of medical men belonging to the distrect. Mr. Honoratus Lloyd and Mr. Bryn Roberts, M. P., appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Marshall, Q. C., and Mr. E. J. Griffith, M. P., for the defendant. in presenting the case for the plaintiff, Mr. Lloyd said that on the 41 h of October, 1895, a boy, tix years of age, son of the plaintiff, was taken ill. On the following day the defendant was caUed in, and stated that the child suffered. from a sore throat, and suggested that he should be poulticed and fed upon slops. Be j ilso ordered that the child, who was then sleep- ing with a nurse and some other children, should be removed to another room. These iastrucbions were carried out, but no improve- ment was noticeable. On the following day, the defendant again called, and continued to do so for several days, but the child's parents were not satisfied that he made any progress. On the 8tli the child seemed to be in a very distressing state, its mouth being open, the glands inflamed and swollen, the head rigid, and the skin discoloured while there was also an offensive discharge from the nostrils. In spite of what the plain tif fregarded as the serious character of the illness, the de. fendant at each visit gave assurance that it was neither dangerous nor infectious. A trained nurse was engaged, and as the patient still con- tinued in a bad state, the plaintiff insisted upoa consulting another medical man, Dr. Williams, of Holyhead, who was an old friend of his. He came to Bangor on the llth, but prior to his arrival the boy was dead. Under the circumstances, Dr. Williams did not go to the plaintiff's house, but from the symptoms described to him by the plaintiff, he expressed the opinion that the child suffered from diph- theria. The plaintiff was terrified by the news, being aware that no precautions had been taken further than that three or four days previously Dr, Edwards had sent one of plaintiff's children out of a certain room in the house. There were five children in the house at the time, three of whom were sent to another house in the neighbourhood. The day after the death of the child, the plaintiff and defen- dant met the sanitary inspector of the borough when- the defendant stated that the child suffered from a malignant sore throat and not from a disease which required notification. A day or two afterwards a oixirnoriths old baby of the plaintiff sickened frogi an affection of the throat and died on the 12th November from laryngitis, coupled with bronchitis. Two daughters of the plaintiff were also taken ill, and were pronounced by other medical men, who were summoned, to be suffering from diphtheria, and similarly a servant girl became ill with the same disease but these cases were not fatal. In the month of April, the plain- tiff heard of a certain conversation which had taken place between the defendant and Mr. David Owen, a solicitor, in the course of which it transpired that on the day the boy died antitoxin, a remedy invariably used in cases of diphtheria, had been administered to him. On the strength of this, the plaintiff wrote to the defendant, complaining of the want of precaution exercised by him, an allegation which the defendant indignantly denied, and he also communicated with a medical man, who had seen the patient on behalf of the de- fendant, as well as with the trained nurse who was in attendance, with the view of ascertain- ing the course of treatment adopted, but his efforts were utterly futile- Counsel explained that the action was not brought to recover damages in respect of the death of the boy, but rather to recover expenses, estimated at jE75, incurred by reason of the want of pre- caution on the part of the defendant to safe- guard the other children. After a lengthy hearing, lasting until Thursday, the Judge, in delivering his verdict, said he failed to see that the plaintiff had proved that the child died of diphtheria, and that there was negligence in the precautions taken by the doctor, with the knowledge that he had or was expected to have as to what the child was suffering from. He was sorry to say that he thought that the ca¿,e origina- ted from the too hasty statement made by one of the witnesses, but he did not think that Dr. Wil- liams, of Holyhead, the witness in question, inten- tionally did what he had done. Charges of a serious nature had been made against not only the defendant, but also against Dr. Farley, who were accused of having surreptitiously administered what some thought a dangerous antidote in cases of diphtheria. To his mind there was absolutely no foundation for the charges. Judgement was entered for the defendant, with costs. -u-
7T A RHYL AUCTIONEER'S BANKRUPTCY.
7T A RHYL AUCTIONEER'S BANKRUPTCY. At the Bangor Bankruptcy Court on Friday, before Mr. Registrar Glynne-Jones, the ad- z, journed public examination was held of John Thomas Daniel Evans, auctioneer, estate agent, and valuer, Rhyl. The gross liabilities are scheduled at £7,640.28. 6d., and the unsecured debts at £ 1,621, 8s. 8d., against assets estimated by the bankrupt at £ 873 14s. 3d. Mr. Gamblin, solicitor, Rhyi, appeared for the bankrupt, who was examined by the Official Receiver (Mr. Li. Hugh-Jones) at some length upon his cash ac- count. In reply LO questions as to a large num- ber of erasures and alterations in his books, the bankrupt stated that they were all made before the bankruptcy, owing to his having found er- rors in them. He would swear that none were made afterwards. Asked whether it was always his practice to scratch out the items with a penknife instead of crossing them out, the bankrupt replied, 'I would suit myself about that; they were my own hooks, and I would do whatever I liked with them.' The bankrupt was next examined as to the purchase of a plot of land at Rhyl, which was conveyed to his sis- ter, the purchase money being £ 161. He at lirst declined to-answer, on the ground that it was a matter that did not concern him, but he subsequently admitted that he had given his own cheque for the purchase money, and that the property had been conveyed to his sister at his suggestion. He admitted that the counter- foil of the cheque had been torn out of his cheque-bonk, and that a book which contained an entry of the transaction was also missing, and upon bi-ing asked to explain this he re- plied, I have no explanation at all to make.' He admitted having written a letter to a Rhyl solicitor as to a mortgage he was endeavouring to raise upon some property, which he stated in the letter he had agreed to sell to Mr. Gar- ner. The Official Receiver: Had you agreed to sell the land to Mr. Garner? The Bankrupt: No. The Ofiicial Receiver Why did you say you had ? The Bankrupt: I was seeing what mortgage I could raise. The Official Receiver: Yon wanted A:400 on mortgage? Bankrupt: Yes. The Official Receiver lb was to to be iepre- sented tha, Gamer had bought for a certain sum, when as a matter of fact he had not bought at all. Is that so? Bankrupt: I could not tell you new. 1 can't bring it to mind. The bankrupt was then examined as to his dealings with a Liverpool accountant with re- gard to some property at Rhyl, which had been bought at the end of 1892 for £ 283. In 1894 he went to Liverpool and saw the accountant in question, and entered into an arrangement to sell him the property for £ 660. He drafted a leter in the following terms, which the ac- countant was to write to a solicitor at Denbigh: — Mr. J. T. D. Evans, Central Office, Rhyl, iH- duced me to purchase above upon the assurance that he would find a ready market for it. Mr. Evans asked me in a letter a week ago if he could act for me in the sale and development of this property, and from inquities I have made I hear that he is a very pushing and up- A. right young man, and have therefore agreed for him to act as my agent in Perhaps you will let me have your opinion on this mat- ter in confidence.' The Bankrupt admitted that this person had no interest whatever in the pro- perty, and wi?,s a nomisal purchaser only. The Denbigh solicitor advanced £ 480 as a mortgage on the property. The Liverpool gentleman re- ceived £ 1 for his services in the matter, but later on he expressed a desire to be relieved of all responsibility in the matter, and a contract was thereupon entered into by which he agreed to purchase the property back for 9-760. He paid several visits to Liverpool on the subject, and drafted several letters which the so-called vendor was to write to him. In one letter he said You do not mention in your letter for what purpose you require the property. If you are buying for yourself, I do no b mind selling at reasonable profit; but if you are simply baying for resale at a profit, I think you should place me in communication with the intending purchaser.' Other letters having been read, the Official Receiver asked, What was the object of all these letters? Bankrupt: I really could not tell you. All I wanted to do personally was to relieve him of the responsibility of the mortgage. But why did you write all these letters ? For that purpose, I suppose. Bat they had nothing to do with the pur- pose—that is clear. That is what I wanted. You wanted to have them to show to the solicitor, in order to get a further advance upon the property ? No, not for that purjuse. Or for the purpose of showing them to another purchaser ? No. Then for what purpose were they drafted ? —(No answer). They were copied out by this parson's clerk and signed by him. Yes. And handed to you? Yes. They were ne-.rer posted to you at all ? No. What was the object of all this fictitious cor- respondence? I wanted to get the property back again. The Official Receiver: This is the most unsatisfactory case I have ever had to deal with. The conduct of the bankrupt has been most improper. The Registrar (to the bankrupt): If you arte not ashamed of yourself yon ought to be. This is as near a fraud as anything can be. In reply to further questions, the bankrupt admitted that the net result of all these tran- sactions was that a first mortgage of f400 had been obtained upon the property, and a second mortgage of £ 150. The land had been valued, and he considered it worth the money advanced upon it. The Official Receiver Then why assist the valuation with all these bogus letters?—(No answer).— The examination was further adjourned.
---_.----ABERGELE.I
ABERGELE. -r- LITERARY SOCIETIES. At the C. M. Debating Society which as- sembled on Thursday evening last week a dis- cussion took place on 'Single or married life which is the happiest.' The leaders were Messrs Edward Lewis and Isaac Morris. A large majority declared for married life. At the Wesleyan Society held on Friday evening, the Rev. Ishmael Evans of Rhyl, delivered a power- ful address on 'The Welsh pulpit, its influence on the nation.' The address was listened to with much interest by a large audience, and the reverend gentleman was warmly thanked for his services. SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING. The quarterly meeting or the Wesleyan cir" cuit Sunday School Union was held at Abergele, on Sunday, under the presidency of Mr. J. H. Jones, Llanfairtalhaiarn. The reciting from the connexion al catechisms, and of portions of scripture by members of the Sunday School were remarkably good. At the evening meeting addresses on various aspects of Sunday School work, were delivered by Mr. T. E. Roberts, Llysfaeu, Mr. T. Roberts Moel- fre,. Mr. Owen Jones, Llanddulas, and Mr. David Roberts, Bettws. URBAN DISTRICT COU-NCIL. SERIOUS INDICTMENT AGAINST THE SANITARY ARRANGEMENTS. The usual monthly meeting of the Abergele and Pensarn Urban District Council, was held on Monday night, when there were present:— Messrs J. Copping (chairman), Thomas Wil- liams, D. Carty Hughes, John Edwards, Thomas Evans, Pierce Davies, J. B. Rogers, Canon Evans, and Mr. E. A Crabbe, deputy clerk. LANDERLESS HOUSES. On the report of fehe Inspector of Nuisances being read, Canon Evans moved that if be an instruction to the Inspector to ascertain the number of houses in the town that were without landers, and to report thereon to the next meeting. The chairman seconded the motion, and said the Mesiical Officer had frequently called at- tention to this defect. The fact that houses were without landers was detrimental to the property as well as a great nuisance. The resolution was agreed to. THE SANITARY SYSTEM IMPUGNED. A GRAVE INDICTMENT. The Deputy Clerk read a letter from the Local Government Board, enclosing copy of a. letter from Mr. W. T. Mason, J. P., Brook- lands, to that Board and requesting the coun- cil to furnish explanations upon it. Mr. Mason's letter, which was dated January 1st, 1897, was, as follows. e I feel it my duty to call the attention of the Local Government Board to the defective condition of Sewers at Abergele and Pensarn. Abergele is situated about one mile from the sea, and the sewer passes through Pensarn on its way to the shore. At its outlet, and between Abergele and Pensarn, the carrying capacity of the sewer is much smaller than in the town of Abergele. Consequently, when anything more than an ordinary shower occurs, the water backs up from the sewer, and floods cottages and cellars in all directions. In Crown Court, the houses were all flooded a short time since. And at the present time there is either rheumatic fever or whooping cough prevailing in every house. On four occasions during last year, kitchens, larders, and cellars at this house were flooded to the depth of a foot, and when the water subsided, a deposit of sewage covered the floor to the depth of nearly an inch. During the heavy showers I have seen water at the manhole between Abergele and Pensarn rise to the height of at least two feet. The river Gele, which passes through the town, would carry off a large quantity of water, but it has for years been the receptacle for all kinds of rubbish, and has been a nuisance instead of an advantage to the town. I have written to the Urban District Council with regard to the sewer, and in the case of the river, and suggested that a culvert be placed on its bed, but the members never get beyond squabbling on the subject and saying that something must be done. A member of the Council who lives at Pensarn told me a short time since that the houses in that neighbourhood were frequently invaded by sewer gas. The chairman and his colleagues think that good government consists in keep- ing down the rates. This of course is all very well up to a certain point, but becomes a ser- ious evil when carried to the extent it is at Abergele. There is also another defect with which the Council do not concern themselves. In this small town, with a population of under 4,000 we have four slaughter houses, surrounded on all sides by dwelling houses. Cases of fever are by no means uncommon, and only last week one of the most respectable tradesmen in the town, whose house adjoins a yard in which there is a slaughter house, died of typhoid fever. I sincerely hope the Local Government Board will inquire into a state of things, which is a source of constant danger, not only to the health of t'he inhabitants of Abergele but also to that of hundreds of visitors who stay here during the summer month.: Mr. Thomas Evans: I move that it he left on the table Canon Evans said it was their duty to take notice of the letter. The Local Government Board required an explanation of it. Two months ago it was resolved by that Council to carry out certain suggestions that he made with a view of diverting the surface water in the neighbourhood of Park house, and so re- lieve the town drains of storm water. But so far as he could see nothing had been done with the exception of fixing two grids of a common jerry kind that he would be ashamed to own. Why was not the work carried out properly, so that Mr. Mason and others could see that they were in earnest?' Mr. Thomas Evans said the committee had baken the matter in hand. They could not do it at once inasmuch as the grids had to be made. They had ordered the grids, which would be there in a day or two. The Clerk: They are here sir. The Chairman agreed with Mr. Thomas Evans. Work like this could not be carried out like making sermons, the things had to he made. With regard to Mr. Mason's letter he said it would be impossible for any sewage matter to get to Crown Court. Mr. Mason's yard was seven feet lower than the court, and if there was only a foot of flood in his cellar, it would not be possible for sewer water to be in Crown Court. They had nothing to do with the Gele river, and this year floods had been exceptionally heavy every where, but there was tengfcimcs more said about it in Abergele than in other places (hear, hear). Mr. Thomas Evans observed that in all the years he had been a member of that Council, and the Local Board before it, lie had never heard of a complaint from this particular house. But this year they had had floods upon floods Mr. Mason had written a lot of non- sense, and he had come there to speak his mind and would do so, caring for no man, whether he was a J. P., or any body else. Mr. Jnhn Edwards It would be impossible for sewage to get into his cellar or they would have been flooded at Pensarn. The Chairman said that as soon as the weather permitted the work included in Canon Evans resolution would be carried out. Would any one move a resolution with regard to the letter ? Mr. J. B. Rogers said he had a word or two to say with regard to it. The communication contained a very serious charge. It was deliberately false to say that the person refer- red to in it died of typhoid fever (hear, hear). He died of rheumatic fever. Besides there was a row of houses between his house and the slaughter house mentioned. Dr. Wolstenholme, the councillor referred to by Mr. Mason, told him that what he said about sewer gas, had reference to a particular house in Pensarn and not to all the houses there. Regarding the water in the cellars, they in Pensarn expected to find that especially at high tides, and the conditions of things generally bad beengrossly exaggerated in the letter under discussion. Mr. Thomas Evans There is hardly a word of truth in it. It wa.s suggested that a committee beappoin ted to act in conjunction with the deputy clerk to draw up an answer to the letter from the Local Government Board, Mr. Crabbe said that the letter contained a serious indiebment against the town. Would it not be better for the sake of the town to court an enquiry, and compel Mr. Mason to prove his words. An inquiry would not cost much. The expenses of a commissioner from the Local Government Board, would be about all they would have to pay. Mr. Thomas Williams moved the adoption of the clerk's suggestion. The Deputy Clerk Then a reply should be L- he sent to the Local Government Board, saying that the letter of Mr. Masongreatlyexaggerated 9 the state of things, and the council courted an inquiry. Mr. Rogers, to save the cost of an inquiry, moved that an explanation be sent to the Local Government Board; and if that was not satis- factory they would ask for an inquiry. Mr Thomas Williams In the face of the letter it is very necessary to have an inquiry. Mr. Rogers' motion was ultimately agreed to. DRAINING PWLL COCH WHO IS TO 'PAY THE PIPER.' Canon Evans, referring to an item in the minutes of the last meeting, in which it Avas recorded that Messrs Mill ward and Son, ottered to lay an ISinch pipe under a cottage of theirs at Pwlleoch, said he was under the impression that Mr. Mi 11 ward ought to bear the expense himself. If he remembered rightly it was understood when the cottages were first built that Mr. Millward was to make the drain under them good. if it was thereafter found to be insufficient. He would ask the clerk if there were any papers in the offiqe bearing on the subject. The Chairman said he could bear out what Canon Evans said with regard to the drain. The clerk observed that the matter was on the agenda for discussion that night. At a later stage in the proceedings Canon Evans said the question as to who was to pay was a moot one. The channel was blocked, and now the question was who was to make it good. They must take time to consider who was to rectify the mistake made by M'f. Mill- ward in placing too small a drain to carry the water aAvav under his houses. Mr. Thomas Williams asked if Pwll Coch was ever flooded before the erection of these houses. The Chairman Very little. Mr. Pierce Davies said the Local Board had passed a resolution authorising Mr. Millward to make a 12 inch drain under the cottages. In 1893 the Board made an 18 ineh drain through the Bee Field to Mr. Millward's drain. The Chairman An 18 inch pipe to a 12 inch pipe. The clerk having referred to the books, said the resolution of the late Local Board only hound Mr. Millward to keep the drain clear, and he did not think they could compel Mr. Millward to enlarge it. Nothing but an agree- ment between him and the late Local Board to that effect would be compulsory, and he had failed to find any documents in the office be- yond the resolution on the minutes. As the matter had come under discussion he (the deputy clerk), said he would read a letter received from Mr. Millward since the last meeting, withdrawing the permission to make a drain or culvert of any description under the houses. Canon Evans: Then there is an end to it. The Chairman observed that if they decided to carry out the drain, he did not purpose to cake that letter as final. It was signed by Mr. John Millward, whereas the father was the master. He would write to ask the father. Mr. Pierce Daviesohjected to such a course. It was an insult to one of their most respected tradesmen to treat him as an impostor. The Chairman disclaimed any such inten- tion. Mr. Pierce Davies. said he was bound to use strong language. Mr. John Millward and his father were partners, and he had every right to sign letters. The clerk went on to say that in the face of that letter, when Mr. Bell, engineer, Rhyl, called in response to the invitation of the council with regard to the drain, he asked him to prepare an alternative report as to the drainage of Pwll Coch. Should he read that report ? A Member Are we prepared to go on with the work? If not it is no use ren.dingthe report. ° Ca,non Evans asked were they satisfied who was to pay. The Chairman replied that for himself, he was not at all satisfied. Mr. Carty Hughes The ratepayers must pay for the new drain. The Chairman That is a question. Mr. Thomas Williams Is there anything in the previous resolution on the subject that will help us. Mr. Crabbe said that Mr. Millward was to keep the drain clear, and he thought that that gentleman had performed his bargain. He did not think the resolution Avould bind Mr. Millward in the present case. That was his opinion, but of course, if they disagreed with his opinion, they could Jay the matter before the Council. Mr. Thomas Williams: Are the council go- ing to help Mr. Millward, or has Mr. Millward offered to help the council in this matter. The Clerk Oh, Mr. Millward has offered to help the Council. On the proposition of Mr. Pierce Davies, Mr. Bell's report was read, and the matter was adjourned for further discussion. THE HOURS FOR POLLING. A letter was read from the Local Govern, ment Board intimating, that in future the hours for polling at an election in this district must not exceed eight NEW BYE LAWS. The clerk to the County Council wrote ask- ing to be furnished with a copy of the bye-laws As it is intended to publish new bye-laws, the matter was deferred. THE FREE USE OF THE TOWN HALL Was granted t. the Police, Railway officials, and Postmen, for the purpose of holding a smoking concert en Thursday.
DENBIGH, FLINT,' AND MERIONETH…
DENBIGH, FLINT, AND MERIONETH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. The half-yearly meeting of the Baptist As- sociation for the counties of Denbigh, Flint, and Merioneth, with which the Welsh Baptist churches of Liverpool are affiliated, was held last Thursday at Ruthin, under the presidency of the Rev. D. Williams, Llangollen. There was a large attendance of ministers and dele- gates, the Conference membership representing 107 churches. After a short opening address by the Chair- man, the Rev. H. Evans, late of America, the Rev. 0. M. Owen, of the Pastoral College, London, who has settled at Holywell, and the Rev. T. Roberts, of Ffynnongroew, were wel- comed to the Association. Letters of transfer were granted to the Rev. T. James, late of Lixwm, and the Rev. W. A. Jones, Eldon Street, London. The church at Greenfield, Holywell, obtained permission to collect from the churches of the Association towards a new chapel. The Baptist Bible Translation Society was heartily commended to the churches of the Association, and the local unions were re- quested to take the matter up. The Conference endorsed the suggestion con- tained in a letter from the North Wales Tonic Sol-fa Association, namely, that tonic sol-fa classes should be established in connection with the churches, as this was likely to lead to an improvement in the congregational singing. The secrecaries of the local unions gave their reports, from which it appeared that these unions, established three years ago, were doing very good work in the development of the churches and the infusion of new life into them. It was shown that in each centre musical festi- vals and Sunday School examinations and home mission funds had now been established. The Secretary of the Liverpool Welsh Baptist Union stated that they were looking out for ground on which to build a new chapel at Seacombe, but so far they had not been suc- cessful. A vote of sympathy was passed with the secretary, the Rev. E. K. Jones, of Brymbo, on the recent death of his mother also a vote of sympathy with the Rev. Alfred Morrie, of Calvary, Festiniog, who is just convalescent after a very severe illness. It is expected that he will resume his ministrations on Sunday. The following churches applied for the Association annual collections for weak churches: Bethesda, Coedpoeth, Llansaniffraid, G. D., Ffynnongroew, and Colwyn Bay The Chapel Deeds Committee requested and obtained permission to defer their report. During the interval, the delegates were en ter- ta.ined to luncheon in the schoolroom, the tables being attended by the ladies of the Ruthin congregation. The Rev. Isaae James, pastor, and the church members, gave the visitors a, cordial welcome, and the hospitality offered was general in the town. At the afternoon sitting, on the motion of the Rev. H. Cernyw Williams, of Corwen, the Conference unanimously entered its protest against the action of the Education Depart- ment in appointing a stranger who has no knowledge of the Welsh language, nor any sympathy with the Welsh national" aspirations, to be the chief inspector of schools in Wales. The following motion, aJao by Mr. Williams, was likewise passed unanimously: In view of the expressed demand of the supporters of the so-called Voluntary Schools, we desire to renew our protest against any further sub sidising of denominational schools, and if any attempt so to do be made by the Government, we call upon all friends of liberty, equity, and justice to resist it to the utmost of their power.' The annual meeting was fixed for Harlech on June 14th to June 16th, the Revs. Moses Roberts, R. G. Roberts, and J. M. Edwards (Festiniog) being appointed to assist in making the arrangements. The Chairman, the Secretary, and the Rev. H. C. Williams (Corwen) were formed into a committee to deal with the Welsh Baptist College question. A resolution was passed heartily approving of the general arbitration treaty between Great Britain and the United States, and re- joicing in the Christian advancement which it indicated. The resolution also called upon the churches to support the Peace Society. The Conference expressed its satisfaction .P I that a new Baptist church bad been started at Corris, and Avelcomed the Rev. W. G. Owen, the missionary there.
.. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Ruthin Town Coun- cil was held at the Council Chamber on Friday. The Mayor (Mr. Ezra Roberts) pre- sided, the following members being also pres- ent Aldermen R. P. Davies, and T. P. Roberts Councillors G. F. Byford, Theodore J. Rouw, W. Jones, T. J. Roberts, and Thomas Williams. with the Town Clerk (Mr. William Lloyd), the Borough Surveyor (Mr. P Morris), and the Inspector (Mr. John Morris). APOLOGY. The Mayor read a letter from Councillor J, Roberts stating his inability to he present, as he had to attend a meeting of the County Main Roads Committee at Denbigh. BYE-LAWS. The Mayor said the first subject they had to take into considerntion was the new bye-laws. At a previous meeting, it had been decided to take the matter in hand at once, and the present meeting had been called to consider the question.* The Town Clerk said he had some modarn bye-laws sent out by the Local Government Board which might be adopted in Ruthin. He had also a copy of the hye-iaws which had been adopted at Wrexham. The Mayor said that the modern bye-laws might be all very well in themselves, but not always applicable to' a borough town like Ruthin. They should consider ho-.v far they were applicable to their own particular case. He Avas of opinion that every member of the Council should have a copy of the proposed new bye-laws, and also of the old ones. They should also be provided with copies of bye-laws adopted in similar town?. The Council should take up the matter in earnest, and deal with it carefully, because they were now going to establish rules which would be in force for a great number of years. It was a matter for them to see that their adoption would be a benefit to the town. Mr. R. P. Da,vies said the subject of the bye- laws was a very old one. It seemed to him that the best course would be, iirst of all, to ascertain where iihey were deficient, with regard to the bye laws. He was of opinion that even at present they had a remedy for every case that might happen in the Borough, and to go in for new bye-laws would be a great waste of energy, and cause considerable expense to the ratepayers. Of course, they would have to publish the new bye-laAvs Avhen adoptsd, and thab alone would entail heavy expenditure. Unless they could do some good, what use Avould it be to spend money? With the aid of the acts already in force, he thought, they had sufficient control over all cases that were likely to occur in the Borough. The Mayer said he should like the Town