The North Wales Times

WELSH MARKETS. DENBIGH, February 3.—No trade in corn to-day Fresh butter, from 16l to 17d per tô; small tubs' 15d to -d per pound; large tubs, 13d to 131d. Beef,15d to 9d; mutton, 7d to 9d lamb, Od to Od veal, 6dto 9d. Eggs, 12 to 13 for a Is. Ducks, 43 6d to 5s Od per couple. Fowls, 3s 6d to 4s Od per couple. Oatmeal, 2d per pound. LLANGEFNI, January 28—Oats, from 15s Od to 15s 6d per quarter; potatoes, from 2s 3d to 2s 6d per cwt; butter, 15d to —d per lb; wool, 7d to 8d per pound fowls, 2s Od to 3s Od per couple; ducks, 3s 3d to 4s 6d per couple. Young pigs, 10s Od to 14s Od each fat pigs, 3d per Th. Eggs, 16 for a Is. LLANRWST, February 2.—Barley, 9s to 9s 6d per 147 pounds oats, 5s 6d to 7s 6d per 105 pounds oatmeal, Sis to 36s per 252 pounds; fresh butter, Is 4d to Is ôd. per pound. Fowls, Is 6d to 2s 6d per couple. Eggs, 14 to IS for a Is. RUTHIN, February 2.—Wheat, 9a 6d to 10s Od per hobbet; barley, 6s 6d to 8s 6d per hobbet; oats, 5s Od to 6s Od. Butter, fresh, Is 4d to Is 5id per pound salt butter, lid to 12d per lb. Fowls, 2s 9d to 4s Od per couple. Ducks, Os to Os per couple. Eggs, 13 to 14 for a Is.

A 'BREACH OF PROMISE' BILL. AFTER the disastrous defeat of the last Education Bill, we were perhaps rather prepared for a revival of the contro versy in a somewhat confused form: and the proposals of the Government, as put forth in Mr. BALFOUR'S speech on Monday night, certainly offer ground for good work on behalf of progressive education. The new bill promises to be even more vulnerable than the old, at-id it is without doubt a better indi- cation of the true inwardness of the clerical demands in education. It seems to be a short cut, and may, as in the case of Paddy the Piper, occasion a delay. It was understood that the bill would be a short one, and that it should be passed before the 31st of March, in order to secure the promised financial aid for the Voluntary Schools during the cur- rent year. That was not the case we only get a resolution to the eSect:—' That it is is expedient (a) to authorise the payment out of moneys to be provided by Parlia ment, of an aid grant to Voluntary Schools not exceeding 5s. per scholar for the whole number of scholars in those schools (b) to repeal, as regards day schools, so much of section 19 of the Elementary Education Act, 1876, as imposes a limit on the Par- liamentary grant to elementary schools in England and Wa'es; and (s) to make pro- vision for the exemption from the rates of Voluntary Schools.' This means the giving of Y,616,000, to- o gether with other advantages, to the Volun- tary Schools, but it also means much more than would outwardly appear, and much less than the House was led to anticipate on the withdrawal of the late bill. Mr. ACLAND aptly characterised the bill as a breach of promise' bill, and his quotations from speeches and articles, especially those of Sir JOHN GORST, amply demonstrate the difficulties of the Government in attempting to satisfy the demands of the clerical section of their supporters. And with reference to this, one would like to know the reason why Sir JOHN GORST has been so un- ceremoniously cast off, and whether the explanation is to be found in the atti- tude taken up by him in more than one recent article on the Education question. In November, writing to the Nineteenth Century, Sir JOHN GORST said In any grant made by the Exchequer to country schools, it would be difficult to defend upon any principle of justice its restriction to those under voluntary management.' This, coupled with the intention of last year's bill and the present proposal as laid down by Mr. BALFOUR, seems to show why Sir JOHN has been ousted; and it certainly shows that the attitude of the Goverment towards what Mr. BALFOUR was pleased to call school board schools,'is really not what that gentle- man would have us believe when he said that the temptation to add to the question of the relief of Voluntary schools, the ques. tion of relieving the necessitous Board Schools was a most tempting one.' There may be many things that, in the language of a politician who also poses as a writer of some repute, are rather 'tempting tempta- tions' to 'gentlemen on this side of the House,' but the country will require stronger proof than Mr. BALFOUR was able to give that the relief of necessitous Board Schools is one of them. Mr. BALFOUR was at first magnificently lofty; he could even afford to dare the House with the statement, I We on this side of the House have always been in favour of relieving hard-pressed ratepayers,' a statement calculated to brand his utter- ance as somewhat insincere even were there no opening for the Opposition reply that the Government relieved the landlords at the cost of the ratepayers. Such pomposity, however, but poorly conceals a'previous hu miliating failure, and Mr. BALFOUR was forced to climb down. He spoke about the great extravagance of education as con- ducted by Board Schools.' The Opposition would not have this, and Mr. BALFOUR came down to 'occasional great extrava- gance,' and then to great cost' only, and this tendency to tone down is further evinced in one of Mr. BALFOUR'S closing sentences, If the bill does fail, I shall feel that the Government have done well to in- troduce it.' Does this mean -that Mr. BALFOUR and his colleagues anticipate another defeat in their attempt to sacrifice the educational interests of the country to those of the established Church ? We fancy that it does, and it should be easy for an united and determined Opposition to deal with this bill as successfully as they dealt with its predecessor, inasmuch as the pre- sent proposals are shorn of the pretence of doing justice to the weak Board School with which the former proposals were accom- panied, the issue being thus narrowed so as to be almost perfectly in keeping with the dictum of the Prime Minister about cap- turing the Board Schools. In any matter likely to produce a debate, it is perhaps well for a man to define his standpoint. How well he does it is another matter. Mr. BALFOUR says Of course, every shilling that goes to the school that does not require it, or goes to the school that requires it less than another school, is pro tanto, not used to the best advantage.' Now this supplies a good standard of criticism of the Govern- ment proposals. It would appear from these words that the main concern of the Government is to further the cause of edu- cation in the country generally, but. a per- usal of Mr. BALFOUR'S speech reveals nothing more than a desire to assist one class of schools—which is a totally different aim. Schools, it is true, should exist and that only for the purpose of education, and, not to quibble with words, any measures directed to benefit certain schools should be taken as intended to benefit education, but that this is not the present intention of the Goverment is evident from the words of Mr. BALFOUR quoted above. He has to deal with two classes of schools; he admits that 'every shilling that goes to the school that requires it less than another school is not used to the best advantage;' he also admits that there are necessitous Board Schools, to relieve which was to him a very tempting temptation.' Now, if the whole of the Voluntary Schools are taken, there are amongst them many which requi 0 the shilling' much less than the small rural Board Schools, yet, the Voluntary Schools only are proposed to be dealt with, and the case of the Board Schools, the 'tempting temptation' notwithstanding, is but an object which ought to be dealt with at a very early date by the Imperial Parlia- ment,' This, indeed, seems a very 'piece- meal fashion of carrying out the principles laid down by Mr. BALFOUR, and the coun- try must see that a vast sum of money is not only not used to the best advantage of edu- cation, but deliberately used for the benefit o sectarian schools. But this is not the only point upon which the Government proposals have been limited to suit the tastes of the clerical faction. Last year's bill admitted the principle of representative control, but the present proposals do nothing of the kind; the 17s. 6d. limit is to be abolished; Volun- tary Schools are to be exempted from rates, and a grant of 5s. per scholar is to be made, but the people will have no voice whatever in the control of the schools. We remem- ber that some people spoke of the democra- tic element introduced into last year's bill, discovered in the local authority proposed to be given under that bill that has gone; and the 'authority responsible for distri- bution under this bill must necessarily and obviously "fee the Education Depart- ment.' Again, there is some obscurity about the formation of associations of Voluntary Schools which shall have the right, not to control the distribution of this money, but to advise the Department how that money can best be expended.' Mr. BALFOUR'S contention hat these associa- tions can have no other object than to pro- mote the efficiency of the schools which form them, while individual managers may allow that question to lapse, seems on the face of it plausible enough bat the special provi- sion enabling the Education Department, to refuse assistance out of the aid grant to a school which unreasonably refuses to join an association' is open to question in more than one lespect. The schools which will associate will thereby become pos- sessed of an undue power, and those which will refuse will be penalised. An attempt was made on Tuesday night to bring the necessitous Board Schools within the scope of the resolution, but the amendment was defeated, and Mr. BAL- FOUR'S proposal was carried. Notwith- standing, the prospects of the new Educa. tion Bill are not particularly bright. The country is gradually grasping the significance of the fact that the days of clericalism are over; and let us hope for ever therearedis- sensions among the Government's own sup- porters, we have practically, as Mr. ACLAND pointed out, three education ministers, and no two of them agreee. The Opposition should be united and determined, and the fate of this new proposal should be a more disastrous failure than that of its predeces- sor. The controversy in which the whole subject of the Act of 1870 would be recast' may be nearer than Mr. BALFOUR and some of (his friends pretend to believe it only rests on a determined Opposition to serve education by bringing it about, since no- thing but the degradation of the Board Schools will satisfy the reactionary party.

SLINGS AND ARROWS. IBY A YEOMAN OF THE GUARD Although the Church and Tory party in the Ruthin Board of Guardians have not succeeded in preventing the Local Govern- ment Board from. sanctioning the appoint- ment of Dr. David Lloyd, Denbigh, as medical officer for, the Llanrhaiadf district of the Union, they have, apparently, been busily wirepulling behind the scenes. The fact that Dr. Lloyd has only been appointed for a year, and not for three years, as is customary, proves that influences have been at work. Although I should not think of stating that Tories as men, are underhanded, I have no hesitation in fsaying that as a party they are so. The most upright and concientious gentleman in his private life, will agree to most unworthy proceedings, when he acts with the Tory party. There is a distinct and separate code of morality for the Tory gentleman and the Tory poli- tician. What a man would not for the world do in his private capacity, he will readily acquiesce in, as a member of their party.' The remarks of Mr. Justice Grantham at the Ruthin Assizes, have brought to light some more wirepulling on the part of Tory and Church people, who seek with avidity any and every occasion to fill their otherwise comparatively empty Churches. Why should the Mayor of Ruthin, who is a Nonconformist, and the members of the Ruthin Town Council, the majority of whom are also Nonconformists, voluntarily perform an act of obeinance to the Church of England? For be it remembered, it is because it is the state church that some of the Judges attend it at Assize times. It is one of the attempts still made to prove that the state law and state religion are connec- ted. Welsh Nonconformists do not believe in a State Church. They ask that the church should be disestablished. And I venture to say, that when the Church of England in Wales is disestablished, then the great objection of Welshmen to attend this Church on State occasions will vanish. No one knows better than the Welshman the real connection that there ought to by between law and the gospel-a connection and unity of principles and objects, both striving, although by different ways, to benefit the human race.

WALTHAMSTOW ELECTION. SPLENDID LIBERAL VICTORY. Polling took place in the Walthamstow division on Wednesday, and the result was declared shortly after midnight. It dis- closed a magnificent victory for Mr. S. Woods, the Liberal candidate, by a majority of 279 over Mr. Dewar (Conservative). At the general election there was a Conserva- tive majority of 2,353.

DENBIGH. Sudden death.-On Monday, an old man, of the name of Thomas Edwards, was found dead in his house at the Castle. He was a native of Holywell, but had lived in Den- bigh for some years. The Philharmonic Society.-We under- stand that this society has decided to give a second concert this season. The works selected for performance are Cambria5 (Dr. Parry), and two motets by Sebastian Bach. Examination Success.—Edward Mills, son of Mr. E. Mills, Chapel Place, Denbigh, has just passed very successfully the First or Preliminary Examination of the Pharma- ceutical Society of Great Britain, and has been duly registered as a student apprentice of the society. He was prepared for this examination at the County School, (Mr.'Ste- phen Edwards, M.A., Headmaster). Scriptural .Examination.- In connection with a Competicive Meeting to be held un- der the auspices of the Sunday School of Capel Mawr, on the 12th ins rant, a written examination took place on Thursday even- ing, when about 40 sat. The subjects were a period of the life of Christ for the junior divisions, and the history of Gideon and Samson for the senior. The examiners are the Rev. H. O. Hughes, Henllan, and Mr. David Williams, Alavowlia. Colonel Hughes, of Ystrad, and the Penrhyn Quarrymen.—We are given to understand that Colonel Hughes, of Ystrad, has, in view of the lockout at the Penrhyn Quarries, au- thorised Mr. Robert Davies, Gomel, his agent at Bethesda, to sell milk at a cheaper rate to the quarrymen during the present crisis. This reduction, we understand, amounts to about £5 Iper week, and the kindness of Colonel Hughes is highly appre- ciated by the workmen and their families. Smoking Concert,A- highly successful smoking ^concert was held at the Liberal Club Rooms on Tuesday night, under the presidency of Councillor W. H. Evans. Messrs. Edward Jones and Joseph Roberts had been appointed conveners, and with characteristic energy and enthusiasm, they provided an excellent programme. It had also been decided by the c rnm-ittee that each member of the club should be asked to bring with him to the entertainment a pound of same kind of eatables, and as a re- sult of this request, a large quantity of sand- wiches, cakes, cheese, tea, coffee, &c., was received, and in the course of the evening, each member was supplied with a cup of tea or coffee, and an abundance of the other good things provided. The arrangements were carried out by Messrs. J. Morris Davies, T. A. Roberts, and James Jones, and they are to be highly complimented on their suc- cess. Songs were given by Messrs. D. Da- vies, Richard Roberts, R. G. Jones, J. Ro- berts, G. E. Jones, T. Godfrey Edwards, Walter Roberts, J. Morris Davies, Joseph Roberts, Edward Jones, and Howel Gee. Mr. Salusbury, as usual, was the accompan- ist. The cues won at the recent Billiard Tournament were also presented to the winners.

SUDDEN DEATH IN THE STREET. INQUEST AT THE INFIRMARY. ON Tuesday, a very sudden death occurred lin Love Lane. It appears that a gentleman named John Roberts, a native of Denbigh, but having lived for some years at Llandudno, had come to visit some of his friends at Denbigh. When going up Love Lane, on Tuesday, he was ob- served to fall opposite the Britannia Inn, and expired immediately. The body was removed to the Infirmary, where an inquest was held this Friday) morning, before Dr. J. R. Hughes, and the following Jury:—Mr. Ernest B. Barron (Foreman), George Jones, David Lloyd Davies,. Edward Wynne, William Drury, John Jones, Christmas Lewis, T. O. Jones, R. E. Davies, W. Hughes (Britannia), Richard Williams, W. Parry Williams, W. Marsden Davies Wil- liam Hughes, and William Wheeler. Sergeant Challoner said he believed the body now lying dead was that of John Roberts, Madoc Street, Llandudno. He had nothing else to add besides that the niece of the de- ceased identified the body in his presence. Mrs. Hannah Williams, 28, Chapel Place, said that deceased came to stay with her on ( Saturday last, abouj five o'clock. He did not complain of any illness, and did not take any medicine. He did not leave the house on Tues- day until about 2-30. She did not see anything like a bottle of drink, medicine, or poison hidden in the house. He said he was going for a walk up Love Lane, and down through the Castle back again. She did not see him alive after that. John Williams, car proprietor, Love Lane, said he saw deceased walking up towards the Britannia Inn, on Tuesday. He had a stick in his hand. When opposite the Conservative Club, he stopped, and looked at the building. He then went on and stopped, looking down towards Swine Market. Witness noticed no difficulty in deceased's breathing when he stood there. Deceased went towards the Britannia, put his right hand on the wall, and slipped down. He was near the door, and fell half into the doorway. Witness next saw them carrying deceased in, and he went for the doctor. According to his opinion, deceased was perfectly sober, and looked strong and healthy. Mr. George Jones May I ask why you took such notice of the deceased, Mr. Williams ? Witness: I generally look at strangers The Coroner Waiting for a job (laughter). Witness As he was rather a venerable look- ing old gentleman, I took notice of him, but did not speak to him. John Henry Gibbs, excise officer, said he happened to be at the Britannia Inn about, 3 o'clock on the 2nd inet. He heard a noise, and saw the deceased lying across the path just inside the door. They lifted the body up, and brought it in. There was just a gupwhen he lifted np his head. They told some gentleman J who stood by to go for the doctor, who arrived in about live minutes. The doctor said the man was dead. By the Foreman: The man made no remark or utterance at all. Dr. James Hughes: On Tuesday, the second, I was called about 2 30 to the Britannia Inn; I went straight up, and found the deceased lying on his back on the hearthrug. He was quite dead. Death, in my opinion, was due to sudden failure of the heart's action. The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of death from failure of the heart's action.

LLANRWST. _r- We are sorry to have to record the death of Elizabeth Morris, Tan-y-graig, at the ripe age of 87. She was well known, having acted as letter carrier in town for over 20 years, al- though she was illiterate, she carefully dis- tributed all letters without any mishap. Sudden death.-On Friday evening, Mr. John Evans, a retired grocer, died most suddenly at his residence, Conway Terrace, about seven o'clock. Mr. Evans was at Mr. Isgoed Jones' shop, chattering freely, purchased a paper, went home, sat on his usual chair, and expired i immediately, presumably from heart disease. He was a successful grocer for a considerable number of years, and much respected. Mrs. Evans died only a few months ago.

CATTLE MARKETS, AND FAIRS. LO-NDON.-Hay and Straw. February 2. Fair supplies, and trade dull at the following prices: Good to prime hay, 60s to 88s Od; inferior to fair, 40s to 55s good to prime clover, 70s to 96s Oct. inferior te fair ditto, 45s to 65s.; mixture and sainfoin, 50s Od to Sib Od.; straw, 208 to 39s per load. LIVERPOOL— John^s Market.— February 3.—Beef, 7d to 9d per lb; mutton, 6d to 9d; veal, 7d to 9d.; fresh butter, is 3d to 13 4d per pound salt, 12d to 14d per Th.; eggs, 93 6d per 120; potatoes, 3d to lOd per peck. DUBLIN, Feb. 4. —Prime heifer and ox beef, 52a (jù to 57s 6d; ditto, second, 45s Od to 50s Od per cwt; inferior, 40s Od to 45s Del pec cwt; prime wether mut- ton, 6d to 7d per lb; ewe, 5^d to 6Ad choice veal, Sid to 9d per pound. SALFORD4 February 2. -There was a slight decrease in the number of cattle on offer, A good dernasd was experienced, and l ist weeks full prices were maintain- ed. The supply of sheep was about 1,000 under that of last maeket day. There was a better demand, and sellers obtained aticat 2s each advance on last week's prices. The supply of calve was larger, and buyers not very numerous. Trade slow, and prices, though not quotably lower, tended in favour of the buyer. Cattle, 5d to 6d per lb; sheep, 5^d to 8d per lb.; calves. 5d to 7 cl per lb. LONDON, February 4 —The cattle trade has been quiet. The supply of beasts was less than usual. There wag a slow trade, with a drooping tendeacy in values. A few fat beasts from Norfolk were on offer, the top price for which was nominally 4s. 2d. to 4s. 4d per 8lb. The supply of sheep iu the pens was only moderate, being 220 less than on Thursday last. Calves—short supply, tiade dull. Pigs were dull. Quotations as foll, wo Beef choice, 2s 4d to to 3s Od per 8 lb secondaiy, 3a 4d to 3s 8d; prime large oxen, 3s lOd to 4? 2d; ditto Scots, &c., 4s 2d to 4a 4<i; coarse and inferior sheep, 3s 4d to 4s Od second quality ditto, 4s. 2d to 4s 8d. Supply :-English- Beasts, 100; sheep, 1,230; calves, 25; pigs, 115; and sailch cows, 15.

THE PENRHYN LOCKOUT. A SEVEN hours debate in the House of Commons, concerning the management of his quarry, would, we should think, prove rather distasteful to such a person as Lord Penrhyn. Distasteful or otherwise, the debate has taken place, and the country is now in possession of the facts of the case. The debate serves to show how sadly out of harmony with the trend of the modern con- ception of social conditions are the ideas of Lord Penrhyn about the rights and obliga- tions of property. His Lordship has made an inexcusable mistake, and the mistake shows what manner of man he is. For anything we know to the contrary, Lord Penrhyn's ancestors may, in feudal times, have been boors of the roughest type; the title is pitiably modern. But if his fore- fathers were precluded from enjoying the privileges of feudalism, it seems that Lord Penrbyn has decided to make up for it, or at least to attempt to do so Unfortu- nately for him, the privileges of the titled classes are now largely held on sufferance, hence the impossibility of the success of his attempt, and indeed, his action is bound to materially assist in the utter downfall of the order of things which be has tried to per- petuate. Mr. William Jones in opening the debate, admirably presented the case of the men; be was at once temperate and strong, and in his speech the one fact stands out clearly that the men are honourably fighting for the right to com- bine. Fact after fact testified to the desire of the men for conciliation and to the open manliness of their fight; 'on the authority of the police,' Mr. Jones said, 'offences were just now fewer than before the strike.' In these days, when Professors who have time to air their opinions in newspapers and magazines assert that Wales is barbarous despite her proximity to the most civilised people in the world,' it is well to note this fact. Three thousand men who, though they 'speak Welsh,' can act in this manner under such circumstances, are men to be proud of, and we challenge the whole tribe of Mahaffies and Bromley-Davenports to point to anything that equals it in any other country. Mr. Bryn Roberts ably seconded Mr. Jones, and Mr. Lloyd-George put in some stubborn facts. It is evident that Lord Penrhyn approached the men on the assumption that they were, as Mr. Lloyd- George pointed out, a set of liars, coming to mis-represent facts. From a person who exhibits such strong attachment to the feudal idea, we could have scarcely expec ted anything better perhaps, but even a lord who draws his wealth from the honest labour of these enlightened quarrymen should know the characters of those who live around him better than this; and should even by common politeness be restrained from 'shouting at them and bullying them.' Mr. Douglas Pennant made the best defence he possibly could for his father, and his speech really was the only thing resembling a substantial contribution to the debate on behalf of Lord Penrhyn. There was, how- ever, in the speech no justification of the course taken by his Lordship; it was con- fined to mere assertions that the Workmen'* Committee of 1885, 'interfered in many ways with the working of the quarry.' As Mr. Douglas Pennant seemed to regard this as a strong point in fauour of the course adop- ted by his father, !-a should have at least at- tempted to substantiate the charge. This he did not, and it is rather too much to ask us to believe that the 'present Lord Penrhyn determined to do away with the committee' because there were 'complaints that the complaints sent in were not forwarded to the authorities.' No one who is not influenced like Mr. Bromley-Davenport, by the some- what irrevelant considerations of personal friendship' would believe that Lord Pen rhyn is such a champion of the workers' rights so as to do away with a committee simply because it was charged with sup- pressing unsuitable complaints, which, accor- ding to Mr. Douglas Pennant himself, was what it should do, it having 'obtained re- cognition from the management on the un- derstanding that it was only to be a com- mittee to receive complaints, and see whether they were fit to be forwarded to the management, or whether they should be suppressed as unsuitable.' For the substan- tiation of all these charges, Mr. Dougla, Pennant quoted a speech made by one of the leaders of the men during the present strikes In that speech the quarryman was described as the king of quarries, and the speaker slid that he was glad that the North Wales quarrymen were sympathising, and with an effort might again put the king on his throne. This, Mr. Douglas Pennant said, showed that the committee was intended to interfere with the management in every pos sible way. It shows nothing of the kind but it does show that the natural poetry of the thoughts and expressions of these toilers are unconceivable to the dull, prosaic minds of horse-racing peers and their sons. Mr. Bromley-Davenport's speech was full of invective, its only material point being the the attack on the Board of Trade, which was completely destroyed by the straight- forward speech delivered by Mr. Ritchie, President of the Board of Trade. Mr. RitchiC:s speech greatly strengthens the position of the men, and correspondingly weakens that of Lord Penrhyn. Mr. Bal- four was far below the level of Mr. Ritchie, he did not. ask for immunity from criticism, but peevishly resented it notwithstanding. The whole debate has shown the utter weakness of Lord Penrhyn's case, it has shown that the men all along have been for conciliation, and that his Lordship has de- cided' to do away with the committee.' The strike, of course, continues, Lord Penrhyn has so far successfully flouted the Concilia- tion Act about which his own party boast so much, and there is but the hope expres- sed by Mr. Ritcliie I that the negotiations which have been broken off may be resumed.' Meanwhile, the country knows all the facts; it is known that the men fight for the right of combination, that their fight is the fight of labour generally; that they are honest, honourable, and enlightened men, and that their employer is unable' to understand a people whose poetic genius lends to their conversations a charm and their public utterances a brilliance of their own. Know- ing this, will the country do its duty by the men 1

-+- THE ANNUAL MEETING OE THE FREE READING ROOM. THE LIBRARY TO BE REPLENISHED. THE annual meeting of the Free Reading Rooms was held in the library of the Insti- tution on Monday evening, February 1st. Mr. E. A. TUrllour, the vice-president, was voted to the chair, and introduced the pro- ceeding with a few brief remarks, after which lie called upon the Honorary Secre tary, Mr. Joseph Roberts, to submit the Working Committee's report and the finan cial statement for the year 1896. The report showed that the subscriptions amounted to £ 19 9s., being less by £4 than those of the preceding year. A friend had generously paid off the adverse balance of £19 9s. that previously existed. On the motion of the vice-president, se- conded by Miss Griffith, Plas Pigot, the re- port was adopted, and discussion was in- vited. > Mr. William Parry asked respecting the proposal to renovate the public Reading Room, what the intention of the committee was, and he was informed by Mr. Cottom that it meant the papering and colouring of the appartment. The committee subse- quently visited the room, and it was noticed that it sorely needed decoration. Mr. S. T. Miller suggested that new bur- ners should be placed on the gas brackets, and it was thought by Mr. Tumour that the incandecent light would be a great improve- ment, andjpeople could read with more plea sure. Mr. Miller thought it would be a very desirable improvement, provided the brackets could be secured so that the mantels would not be rocked. It was the moving of the mantels which increased cost, and was there- fore an objection to the burners. The com- mittee was left with power to act. Mr. Stephen Edwards, M.A., asked for in- formation as to why the annual concert in aid of the rooms had been abandoned, and Messrs. Cottom and W. Price spointed out that a rummage sale had been held, and was more profitable, because of the low outlay to promote one. Mr. William Parry sought information as to what class of books the committee thought it advisable to purchase to replenish the li- brary, and was informed that it would be principally works of fiction. Mr. Parry took exception to the need of spending money for novels, and he thought it was outside the province of that institution to cater for that class of reading. Mr. Roberts, Love Lane school, said he and his wife had read several of the works of fiction from the shelves of the library, and he was prepared to say that they were both entertaining and instructive. Mr. Cottom spoke of the utter uselessness of filling the shelves with books on science, &c., and said they were not read, whilst the books of fiction were quickly and;frequently taken from the shelves. Mr. S. T. Miller could not help thinking it would be difficult for a voluntary institu- tion of that description to keep a supply of fiction for young ladies who appear to have a great deal of time to spend in reading, and who, he thought, must be in a position to subscribe to the lending library at the book- stall or elsewhere. There were monthly periodicals which, in his opinion, were far more to the advantage of young people to read, such as The Engineer, The British Me- chanic, Carpenter and Builder, and such like Journals that would assist the technical in- struction of the frequenters of the room. Mr. Tumour said he would be glad to give a number of books if the committee thought them.worth accepting. His offer was accepted with applause. It was resolved to leave the selection of R5 worth of books in the hands of the com- mittee. A letter was read from Mr. Gold Edwards, the president, begging to be excused from attending. Amongst those present was Miss Griffith, Miss Gold Edwards, Miss Townshend, Coun- cillor W. H. Evans, and W. Keepfer. If you require your PHOTOGRAPHS taken in the best style, at moderate charges, go to D. & A. HUGHES, Photographers, Mold. Clubs, Schools, &c., by appointment. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Joseph Roberts, the Hon. Secretary, whose services were acknowledged to have been valuable and untiring, and he was unanimously re- elected.

MARRIAGE OF MR. MICHAEL BIRD. ON Wednesday, January 20th, in St. Mar- garet's Church, Ayr, a large and fashionable party assembled to witness the marriage of Miss Margaret Meredith, Elmwood, Ayr, and Mr. Michael Bird, excise officer, of Hal- stead, Essex, son of the late Mr. Michael ael Bird. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father William Casey, assisted by the Rev. Frederick M'Clymont. During the arrival of the guests, selections were given on the grand organ by Mr. T. D. Tipping, organist to the Marquis of Bute. TheVride, who was given away by her father, was richly attired in an ivory satin duchesse, trimmed with chiffon and sprays of orange blossom. She wore an exquisite veil fast- ened with a wreath of orange blossoms, and carried a beautiful shower and trailing bou- quet of orchids, lilies of the valley, and other choice flowers. The only bridesmaid was Miss Meredith (sister of the bride), who looked well in her pretty blue silk Bengaline frock, white satin vest, handsome pearl em- broidered bolero, and picture (1830) black velvet hat lined with white satin and long tulle strings tied under the chin. Her bou- quet was also composed of orchids and other beautiful flowers. The bride's mother was attired in a handsome gown of black and heliotrope brocaded silk, with chiffon vest, fastened with brilliant buttons. Her bonnet was a very smart one, ia black and helio- trope. Mrs. Lawrence (sister of the bride), looked very pretty in cornflower blue silk bengaline, white satin vest, pearl embroi- dered bolero, and large picture hat. Mrs. Hennessy, of Denbigh (sister of the bride- groom) wore a pretty gown of brown and green brocade, white satin vest, and picture hat of black velvet. The bride's travelling costume was a neat tailor made gown of blue cloth, with handsome velvet hat trimmed with chinchilla fur. The best man wa,s Mr. Matthew Meredith, jun. (brother of the bride). As the party was leaving the church, Mr. Tipping played, in his well- known masterly style, the Wedding March.' The presents to the bride and bridegroom were numerous and handsome. After the interesting ceremony, a recep- tion was held in the King's Arms Hotel, where about seventy guests partook of the wedding breakfast, the caterers setting a sumptuous menu on the tables, and it was much enjoyed. The handsome wedding cake was a triumph of the confection er's art.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. | THE above board was held on Tuesday last. Present: Messrs E. Jones Williams (charman),. O. Lloyd Jones, T. Williams, Matthew Roberts, R. E. Jones, D. Hughes, David Williams, W. Evans, J. Pritchard, E. Roberts, W. Jones, E. Edwards, and J. Jones. The attention of the sanitary inspector was called to the overcrowding in Barrow St. Ordered that a certain family at Penmachno be removed to Carmarthen Union, unless they grant relief, to be advanced on their behalf. Mr. O. Lloyd Jones gave notice that he will ask for a list of attendance, and also to call the attention of. the guardians to their duties. On recommendation of Dr. Evans, it was resolved that vaccination be postponed until April, on account of illness.