The North Wales Times

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY I 1TH, HOUSE OF LORDS. The Earl of Dudley moved the second read- ing of the Companies Bill. He explained that it was referred last year to a Select Committee, but the Committee were unable to complete their labours from want of time. A second reading waJ given to the bill, and it was refer- red to the same Committee as before. HOUSE O'F COMMONS. Sir W. Wedderburn asked the Secretary for India why the proposal for the establishment of an agricultural bank made by the Viceroy in Council in 1884 was not sanctioned by the then Indian Secretary. Lord G. Hamilton replied that the reasons which induced the then Secretary of State to withhold his sanction were correctly stated in the Parliamentary papers relating to the sub- ject. When the Poonah scheme was negatived, the Government of India was invited to bring forward a revised scheme, and he was in hopes that a practical scheme for making a beginning with a system of agricultural banks might before long be brought forward. Z, Answering Mr. T. Bayley, Mr. Powell Wil- liams said considerable payments had been made to the War Office by the Chartered Com-, pany on account of the troops lent to suppress the recent rising, but the details could not be given. In addition to that, the Company provided for the sustenance of the Imperial troops employed, besides meeting heavy charges for transport. The whole question of the claims to be preferred against the Company was under consideration, but it was expected to be settled in this years account. Mr. G. Balfour, in reply to Mr. Field, said the Government would be ready to introduce a bill amending the Compulsory Education Act, 1892. as regarded Ireland, provided they re- ceived assurances that such a bill would be treated as non-contentious but if the bill was to be nade the battle ground of lighting the question of excluding the schools of the Chris- 7-. r'lers, it would be impossible for the hovernment to ask the Houfe to spend the time necessary to pass the bill into law. In reply to Mr. Dillon, Mr. A. J. Balfour •said the Commission to be appointed on the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland would be asked to inquire and report how much of the total expenditure which the State provides might properly be considered to be expenditure common to Eng- land, Scotland, and Ireland, and what share of such common expenditure each country was contributing after the amount expended on local services had been deducted from its true revenue; how the expenditure on Irish local services which the State wholly or in part pro- vides compares with the corresponding expendi- ture in England and Scotland, and whether such Irish expenditure might with advantage be readjusted or reduced; and whether, when regard was had to the nature of the taxes now in force, to the existing exemptions, and to the amount of expenditure by the State on local services, the provision in the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland with regard to particular exemptions ar abate- ments called for any modification in the finan- cial system of the United Kingdom. Mr. Balfour stated, in reply to Mr. Labou- chere, that he did not think it would be an advantage to introduce the bill to aid neces- sitous Board schools before the division on the second reading of the Voluntary Schools Bill. The Board Schools Bill was ready to be brought in as soon as a proper oppor- tuuity' occurred. J Mr. Balfour afterwards moved that the several stages of the Voluntary School Bill should have precedence of the orders of the day and of the notices of motions on every day for which the bill was appointed. He claimed that in taking all the time of the House till the bill was disposed of he was only following the precedents set by every Government in the past. The Education Bill was of so simple a character that he thought its stages need not be very prolonged, and if that forecast proved to be accurate the sacrifice asked from private members would be extremely trifling. If, on the other hand, the Opposition thought they could not fulfil their duty to their constituents without discussing the bill at great length, then it would be obvious that the necessity, for adopting this course had been forced on the Government, not by their own wish, but by the attitude:of the Opposition. Mr. J. A. Pease moved that Wednesday next be excluded from the operation of the resolu- tion. Mr. Paulton seconded the motion. Sir W. Harcourt said the demand now made was far beyond any which a Government had made under similar circumstances. The division they were going to take was a declaration that in order to hurry the Education Bill through the House of Commons before the country had had time to examine its provisions the Govern- ment were resorting to proceedings which had never been adopted before. As an amendment to Mr. Pease's amendment, Mr. Lloyd-George moved to exclude all Wed- nesdays from the operation of the resolution. Mr. Morton seconded the amendment, which was accepted without a division, but the House divided on Mr. Pease's amendment in its amended form, and it was rejected by 256 votes to 129. Mr. Carvell Williams moved to omit the words the several stages,' but this was defeated by 257 votes to 123. Mr. Lloyd-George rose to move a further amendment, when Mr. Balfour moved that the question be put. The Speaker ac- cepted the motion, which was carried by 258 votes to 119. and the original resolution was then passed by 255 to 117. Mr. Balfour then formally moved the second reading ef the bill. I Mr M'Kenna moved as an amendment that no bill will be satisfactory to this House which does not provide for poor board schools as well as voluntary schools.' Mr. Herbert Roberts seconded the amendment. Mr. Mor- ley said they were now engaged upon a most I serious controversy. Underneath all this dis- cussion there were very grave and solemn issues. The bill was simply a skeleton bill, and was framed in a worse spirit than the measure of the last year. 1< The debate was adjourned.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. Lord Londonderry asked the Government if their attention had been drawn to a speech delivered at Cahir by Mr. W. O'Brien, denounc- ing land grabbing and advocating the boycot- ting of persons who availed themselves of their just rights,' and whether the Government were taking any steps' in connection there- with. Lord Londonderry remarked that he had been given to understand that the question would be answered in the negative. He confessed to a certain feeling of disappointment at this, but having seen the policy pursued in Ireland, he could not say he was altogether surprised. The policy of the present Chief Secretary was to conciliate his political opponents at any cost. His Lordship hoped the Prime Minister would investigate the matter for himself, and if he consulted his supporters in Ireland they would tell him unanimously that never had a Conservative Chief Secretary initiated a policy so ruinous to Irish interests as the method of the present Chief Secretary, of 'killing Heme Rule by kindness.' Lord Ashbourne, in reply to the question, said he thought great injustice had been done to the Chief Secretary. One reason why there could not be a prosecution was that no note was taken of the speech, so that it would be impossible to bring the language used home to Mr. O'Brien. The Local Government (Elections) Bill was read a third time. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr, Wolff asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department had been asked to intervene in the dispute between the Linotype Company and their workpeople, and whether the latter had absolutely refused to leave the matter in dispute either to the con- ciliation or the arbitration of the Board of Trade. Mr. Schwann also asked whether it was not a fact that the Board of Trade had not approached the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in reference to this dispute, and that the officers of the Society were actually having an interview with the manager of the Linotype Company when a telegram was received from ths directors stating that the matter had been referred to the Board of Trade; and whether the right hon. gentleman was aware that three of the directors and the secretary had since visited Manchester, and that an amicable set- tlement had been come to. Mr. Ritchie said it was not correct to sug- gest that the intimation as to the reference to the Board of Trade was received while the meeting between the representatives of the Engineers' Society and the manager was taking place. In consequence of a communication from the Linotype Company Mr. J. Burnett was sent down to Manchester to endeavour to bring about a meeting between the masters and the men. That was in accordance with the policy invariably pursued by the Board of Trade in such matters. The result was that a meeting between the representatives of the employers and the men was arranged, and a settlement was arrived it without any stoppage of work. Mr. Curzon, in reply to Mr. Flynn, said the Foreign Office had received no confirmation of the statement made by M. Delyannis, the Greek Minister in France, to the effect that the Christian. Governor of Crete, Georgi Pasha Berovitch, was an able and excellent man, but that the Sultan had sent a military commander after him with secret orders to thwart his action and excite the Mahometan population of Crete against the reforms. Asked by Mr. Stevenson what was the latest information from Crete, Mr. Curzon said the latest reports were to the effect that Christians were attacking Mussulmans in villages near Sitia. It was stated that many Mussulmans had been killed, and that thirteen villages had been burnt. ► Mr. Stevenson asked when it was expected that the Joint Note containing the scheme of reforms agreed upon by the six Great Powers would be presented to the Sultan. Mr. Curson said the scheme of reforms had not so far been agreed to by the Great Powers, but only by their representatives at Constan- tinople. It had not yet been received in final form from the latter, and it was therefore im- possible to say at present when any communi- cations arising therefrom might be made to the Sultan. On the motion that the Speaker leave the chair and the House go into Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates, Sir A. Acland- Hood resumed the discussion on the Brigade ot Guards. The officers and men, he assured the House, had no objection to foreign service as foreign service. The only objection to the scheme was on the score of efficiency. The scheme was that the future establishment should consist of 7,227 rank and file, and on the basis of the average number of recruits requir- ed during the past five years the number neces- sary to keep up that strength would be 1,900 per annum. The only way of obtaining that number of recruits was by permanently lower- ing the standard of the Guards, and once that was done no one could deny that the standard of efficiency would be lowered. Sir H. Campbell- Bannerman contended that Mr. Brodrick had justified the scheme on some- what different grounds from those which were put forward in the House of Lords. Lord Lansdowne appeared to speak of the propos- al as being of a hypothetical and tentative character, and used an almost apologetic tone. Mr. A. J. Balfour denied that there was a word in Lord Lansdowne's speech which laid it open to the interpretation that the War Sec- retary did not believe in his own proposals. The motion that the Speaker leave the chair having been agreed to, the House went into committee. Mr. Brodrick moved that a number of land forces not exceeding 158,744 be granted to Her Majesty for the service of the army during the ensuing year. The number was larger, he said, than had ever been voted since 1815. He afterwards explained to the Committee what the Government were doing to improve the efficiency of the army, militia, and volunteers. Mr. Labouchere subsequently moved to reduce the vote by 4,200 men, the number of our troops in Egypt. Mr. Dillon seconded the amendment, which was rejected by 134 votes to 20. The vote was then agreed to, and the House shortly after- wards adjourned.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. Lord Salisbury, replying to a question by Lord Kimberley, made a brief statement upon the Cretan crisis. Reforms in the island had been arranged, he said, and were being carried into effect when the Hellenic Government, ap- parently forced by the opinion of its subjects, intervened. It had sent ships and troops to Cretan waters. The Powers all, without any exception,' the Prime Minister continued, were of opinion that this wasamostilladvised act. As soon as there was any indication that it was in meditation they protested against it, and they have since expressed their opinion in very earnest language to the Greek Govern- ment- The Powers retain their opinion of the utter unwisdom of the acts that have taken place, and, I think, have no disposition in any degree to sanction it. Her Majesty's Govern- ment retain the attitude which they have observed of keeping in concert with the other Powers of Europe and acting together with them. Our naval officers have received instructions to take no isolated action, but" to concert with the naval officers of the other Powers.' Lord Salisbury added that the 'con- certed sympathy of the Powers' remained complete, and he had no ground for thinking it would be diminished, or that the Powers had any intention of departing from the policy they had hitherto pursued. Lord Onslow, replying to Lord Reay, made a statement with reference to experiments in protective inoculation against the plague in India.. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. Curzon, answering Sir H. Vincent, said the Government were not of opinion that any reason existed to press forward negotiations for a new treaty of commerce with Turkey. Previous negotiations had shown clearly that such a treaty could only be concluded on the basis of some increase in the Customs duties at present levied on British goods in the Ottoman dominions. Answering questions put by Mr. Perks and Sir C. Dilke, Sir. M. White Ridley said there could be no question of a railway company adopting or declining to adopt the Truck Act. He understood that some railway companies hail preferred to relinquish altogether the right to impose fines rather than carry out the e, stringent conditions which the Act imposed. I Mr. Ritchie, replying to Mr. James O'Con- nor, said that up to the present his communica- tions with the Railway Association with a view to bringing about some alteration in the structure of railway carriages, so as to dimi- nish the facilities for murder and outrage which the existing railway carriages afforded, had been without effect. Several questions were put to Mr. Curzon with respect to the position in Crete. In reply he stated that on Saturday the Government heard that many native Christian families had left Hcrkalion without hindrance, under the protection of the foreign ships of war; that pillage in the town had ceased, and that British subjects were not molested. On Sunday they heard that the Greek Vice Consul had embar- ked, and requested the British Vice Consul to take charge of his archives, and to protect Greek subjects. The Great Powers, who were acting in complete harmony, were taking every step that lay in their power to chfCk the spread of disorder in Crete but in the present state of the island it was almost impossible for them to communicate with the interior The British naval officers had received instructions to take no isolated action, but it would not be proper for the Government to publish at this stage the communications they had had with other Powers without the consent of those Powers. He was not prepared to state whether the British fleet would interfere if the Greek troops attempted to land, nor could he consent to have inferences drawn one way or the other. The Note from the Greek Government pre- sented to the Foreign Officer on the 11th inst. by the Greek Charge d'Affaires contained allegations which would be much disputed, and could not properly be laid on the table of the House except in conjunction with other papers on the same subject. Asked by Sir W. Harcourt whether he was in a position to make a statement as to the present state of affairs in Crete, Mr. A. J. Balfour said that in the opinion of the Govern- ment it would not be at all expedient in the public interest that at the present moment any statement should be made with regard to affairs in Crete beyond the statement already made by the Under Secretary, to the effeet that the Government were working in most cordial co-operation with the representatives of other Great Powers. The Under Secretary hoped to lay a Blue book on Crete on the table of the House in a few days, and that Blue-book would contain the programme of reforms decided upon by the Great Powers. Sir W. Harcourt asked whether it would contain recent correspondences. Mr. Curzon said the papers to be presented were those ordered to be printed at the end of August last. Sir W. Harcourt said the House had been informed that certain arrangements were made by the Great Powers for a reform in the administration of Crete so far back as August of last year. No papers had been laid on the table; and what he wished to have was a state- ment of those arrangements. Mr. Curzon said the Blue book would con- tain full information as to the arrangements made last August. The delay in the publica- tion had arisen through entirely unavoidable causes. Mr. A. J. Balfour informed Mr. James O'Connor that there was no probability of the Government, as a result of the tranquil state of Ireland, bringing in a bill to repeal the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Act, 1887. He also informed Mr. Brookfield that Military Manoeuvres Bill would not be proceeded with this session. The debate was resumed on Mr. M'Kenna's amendment to the motion for the second read- ing of the Voluntary Schools Bill, to the effect that no bill would be satisfactory which did not provide for Board schools as well as Voluntary schools. Mr. Channing was the first speaker. The Solicitor General, replying to Mr. Mor- ley's speech last Thursday, said Mr. Morley admitted that his view was that the State should not recognise any educational institu- tion which to any extent partook of a sectarian character, but as the country had declared against that view, he must accept the fact. The country had indeed declared against that view, but while accepting the coir try's decision with sombre acquiescence, Mr. Morley had no policy of his own to propound. It would be mere pe- dantry because the opinion of the country was not ripe for a final settlement of the question not to do what was wanted now, and not to take those steps which the Government believed would solve the difficulty for many years to come. The real ground of opposition to the bill was that the enemies of Voluntary schools desired that the process of painless extinction of those schools should go on. But this mea- sure, though it could not be considered as final in its character, would enable Voluntary schools to keep up the light for many years to come. In the course of the debate, Sir E. Lockwood remarked upon the fact that the House had not heard a word from Sir J. Gorst, who represen ted the department responsible for the bill; and said he hoped, before the debate was finished, to hear the Vice-President give the House the views of his department. Sir J. Gorst subsequently said that if the House had any interest in the views of the Com- mittee of Council on the bill, he would endea- vour to make them known. He went on to give the Committee of Council's explanation of the different portions of the bill. The dabate was again adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. The Royal assent was given by Commission to the Local Government Elections Bill. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR having obtained per- mission to move the adjournment of the House, in order to call attention 'to the present critical condition of affairs in the island of Crete, and the conduct of Her Majesty's Government in reference thereto,' commented upon the extra- ordinary fact that, while the representatives of the Government in the House were refusing any information with regard to its Cretan policy, on the ground that it would not be to the public advantage, the Marquis of Salisbury was, in the other House, making a statement which was certainly a considerable enunciation of the policy of the Government. Mr. O'Connor said he believed that had it not been for the inter- vention of Greece, the condition of Crete would have gone from bad to worse. Mr. DILLON seconded the motion. Mr. BALFOUR deprecated, not in the in- terests of the Government, but in the interests of the JDretans, in the interests of the Asiatic subjects of the Porte, and in the interests of Europe, the continuation of the debate. The Government were ready to meet charges of maladministration, whether at home or abroad; but a heavy weight of responsibility rested upon any Assembly which, like the British House of Commons, was uncontrolled by any outside power, which must shape its action entirely in accordance with its own views of what was right or wrong, which had the power of pressing the Government for information at a time, per- haps, when information should not be given, and which had the power to discuss policy at a time when policy ought not to be discussed. He asked the House to exercise that self-control which it had so constantly exercised in past times, and to defer to a future occasion the condemnation of the Government, if the Government was to be condemned—to defer, at all events, the discus sion of the policy which the Government were pursuing in this grave and difficult crisis in our foreign affairs. But one of two policies was open to the Government-the policy of letting matters go on in the Turkish Empire as best they may, and the policy of attempting to re- form, as far as reform was possible, the un- happy condition of the various populations in that Empire by the united action of the Powers. Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT said there was one thing upon which he thought the Opposition must come to an understanding with the Govern- ment. Was it to be the case in a critical con- dition, which, as they had been told, might lead to a European war, that statements which affec- ted the whole foreign situation were to be made in a manner that they could not criticise? The situation was intolerable. Everybody was to know except the House of Commons. He under- stood the substance of Lord Salisbury's state- ment to be a condemnation of the Government of Greece. If that was the policy of the Govern- ment, his opinion was, that it did not represent the opinion of the English people. He hoped Government would remove the impression un- fortunately made by the statement of the Prime Minister, that the spirit which actuated the conduct of the Government was one simply of censure of the Government of Greece. After some remarks by Mr. Labouchere and Sir E. A. Bartlett, Mr. O'Connor asked for and obtained leave to withdraw his motion. By 250 votes to 128, a motion by Mr. BAL- FOUR for the suspension of the twelve o'clock rule, in order to finish the second stage of the Voluntary Schools Bill was carried, and the debate on that measure was resumed by Mr. Cripps. II Among the subsequent speakers were Mr. Mundella, Sir F. Milner, Mr. T. P. O'Connor, Sir A. Forwood, Mr. Yoxall, and Professor Jebb. Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN closed the debate for the Opposition; and Mr. A. J. BALFOUR having replied, the motion for the second reading was carried by 355 votes to 150.

In the case of Isaac Cohen, 23, indicted at the Old Bailey, London, on Friday, for the abduction of a young Jewess from White- chapel, London, the prisoner was found guilty, and theCommon Sergeant sentenced him to 18 months' hard labour. The barque Majestic, Liverpool, has arrived at Barry Dock, Pont-y-pridd, and Captain Reyburn reports that Andrew Davies, chief mate, a native of Liverpool, who appears to have taken spirits of salts by mistake, was found dead in his cabin.

ST. ASAPH. CHURCH DEBATING SOCIETY. At the meeting of this society held on Thursday evening, a very interesting ac- count was given by Mr. Wm. Ellis, Sack- ville House, entitled 'My Travels.' CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPE- RANCE SOCIETY. On Monday evening last, a public meet- ing and musical entertainment was held at the National Schools. The Rev. Archdeacon Thomas presided, and a very able address was delivered by the Rev. O. T. Davies, Rhyl. THE NEW BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S. The news of the appointment of Canon John Owen, to the bishopric of St. Davids was received in the City with general satis. faction. He is exceedingly popular here having been Dean for many years, and after- wards one of the four canons. LITERARY SOCIETY. On Wednesday last at the C.M. School- room, a lecture was delivered under the auspices of the above society, by the Rev. David Jones(W.),Denbigh, the subject being Eneideg.' The Rev. W. M. Jones presided, and there was a good attendance. A few remarks were made on the subject by the chairman, the Rev. Jonathan Jones, and Mr. Moses Roberts. THE DIAMOND JUBILEE. A Committee appointed to consider the best method of celebrating Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, to report to a public meeting to beheld next Monday evening, have decided to recom- mend a treat to all the poor and the children in the place, and to engage a brass band, and have sports on the appointed day. Any balance that may remain of the subscriptions they re- commend to be devoted to form the nucleus of a fund to improve the Common. RESIGNATION OF THE CATHEDRAL'S ORGANIST. Our St. Asaph correspondent telegraph's that Mr. Llewelyn Lloyd, the organist and choir master of the Cabhedral, has tendered his resignation to the Dean and Chapter, having accepted a lucrative appointment under the firm of Messrs Dash and Co., the well known Brewers. Mr. Lloyd succeeded the late Mr. Atkins as organist, &c., some years ago, he having previously acted as Mr. Atkins, deputy with great credit to himself, and satisfaction to the Cathedral authorities. For the last two or three months, Mr. Lloyd has been seriously ill bub we are happy to announce that he is now much better, and hopes to be convalescent in the course of a few days. No doubt his friends and admires will be sorry to lose the services of such a genial and kind hearted man, whilst, at the same time, con- gratulating him upon his appointment to such a responsible position.

PARISH COUNCIL. A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday night. There were present-Mr. T. Howes Roberts (Chairman), Dr. Easterby (Vice Chairman), Messrs. H. A. Cleaver, Robert Jones, J. C. B. Luxmore, J. C. Jones, and T. F. Roberts (Clerk). LIGHTING THE CITY. On the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, the question arose as to the position of the Council in respect to the control of the lighting of the city. It was explained by the Clerk that the Council had taken over the du- ties of Gas Inspectors, and the minutes of the gas and lighting business would have to be kept distinct from the minutes of the Parish Council as such. Dr. Easterby suggested that they might ap- point a Lighting and Watching Committee of the Council, instead of the whole Council act- ing as Gas Inspectors. Mr. Cleaver considered it would be better for them to carry on as they were for a time. He had no doubt that sooner or later the work would be much simplified, so as to be carried on in the usual way by a Committee of the Council. I Mr. R. Jones doubted if they had power un- der the Parochial Government Act to delegate the duties to a Committee. > The matter dropped. THE CAE BRYN FOOTPATH. A letter was read from Mr. Grimsley, Clerk to the District Council, in reply to an applica- tion from this Council that gates be placed at both ends of the Cae Bryn Footpath. The District Council could not accede to the re- quest, because the placing of gates on the path would be an obstruction to foot passengers as well as to other purposes. 11 Mr. Cleaver remarked that it was obstruc- tion they wanted. The Chairman said he tried to explain as graphically as he could to the District Council, how a bull had found its way to this footpath (laughter). Mr. Robert Jones said that what they asked for was a kitch-catch, which would not be an obstruction to foot-passengers, but would pre- vent animals going over the footpath. Could they not appeal to the County Council to com- pel the District Council to place gates on the path. Mr. Cleaver thought they had better make another appeal to the District Council first. On the motion of Mr. Robert Jones, it was resolved that the Clerk write again to the Dis- trict Council to say that they did not ask for gates, but' kitch catches.' And if they thought those would be too expensive, would they place three iron pillars or wooden posts at each end of the path, to prevent animals getting on. DEPOSITING RUBBISH ON THE COMMON. A letter was read from Mrs. Roe, Penybont, asking the Council to do what they could to prevent the annoyance and nuisance caused by the deposition of rubbish in front of her house on the Common, opposite the Deanery. The Chairman said that what was complained of was quite a nuisance. Mr. R. Jones: Who had the 'cheek' to put it there ? I The Chairman said that was what they wanted to find out. There was quite a midden there. Mr. R. Jones said Sergeant Pearson would soon find out. He proposed that the Serjeant I be instructed to make inquiries. ° This was agreed to. Mr. Cleaver called attention to the bad state of the road across the Common near the same spot, which was almost impassable. This state of things had been brought about by the cart- age of stone by the County Council, and by the District Council. The Clerk was instructed to cail the atten- tion of both authorities to the matter, and to acknowledge the receipt of Mrs. Roe's letter, and to inform her that steps would be taken to abate the nuisance she complained of. THE INDIAN FAMINE FUND. The Chairman read a circular letter signed by the Lerd-Lieutenant of the County, the Chairman of the County Council, and the Mayor of Flint, touching the Indian Famine, and ask- ing that funds be opened by all authorities in the county as auxiliaries to the Mansion House Fund. He, however, said that St. Asaph. had done pretty well. They were rather before- hand there, and had made a collection before they were asked. Collections had been made in the Cathedral, and other places of worship in the city, and contributions :d been made privately, and he, in his capacity as Chairman of the Parish Council, had sent the amount of the collection ( £ 37 3s. 9d.). And he thought it was understood by the donors that no further calls would be made upon them. Dr. Easterby said that when the circular wm sent out it was thought that many people may not have had the opportunity to subscribe to this very laudable object, and the opening of funds in the several localities would provide that opportunity. The Chairman said that of course he would be happy to receive subscriptions, and to for- ward them to the proper quarter. On the motion of Mr. Cleaver, it was decided. that a letter be sent to the Lord-Lieutenant, stating the facts of the case at St. Asaph.

THE CLWYD AND ELWY BOARD OF CONSERVATORS. ANNUAL MEETING AT ST. ASAPH, ATTACK ON THE RIPARIAN OWNERS. On Monday, at noon, the annual meeting of the Clwyd and Elwy Conservators was held in the Council House, St. Asaph, under the pre- sidency of Dr. Easterby. The other Conserva- tors present were Messrs. J, L Muspratt (Rhyl), John, Roberts (Trefnant), Ellis Wil- liams (Denbigh), Thomas Jones (Spring Gar- dens), W. D. Walthall, T. S. Watts, and the Clerk—Mr. Fred Wall is. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. On the motion of Mr. J. Muspratt, seconded by W. D. Walthall, Dr. Easterby was unani- mously re-elected Chairman. STATE OF THE FINANCES. The Clerk submitted the annual balance sheet, and remarked that there was an increase on the amount of money in hand as compared with last quarter, owing to the dismissal of one of the water bailiffs. The receipts were—Bal- ance in hand 31st of December, 1895, Z-5 9s.; Salmon ILicenses and Subscription, £ 58; Ditto Salmon Nets, £ 35; Trout Licenses, £74 8s. 6d.; Penalties on Prosecutions, zEl 8s. 6d.; Bank Interest, £1 5s. Voluntary Subscriptions, El 2s.; Total, 9178 9s. 5d. Expenditure—Clerk and Treasurer's Salaries, X5 5s. Wages of Water Bailiffs, jEI14 5s.; Travelling Expenses (Water Bailiffs), £ 1 8s. 10d.; Commission on Sale of Licenses, 95 3s. lid.; Costs of Prosecu- tions and Law Expenses, JE9 15s. 10d.; Miscel- laneous Expenses, £ 8 7s. 8d.: Total, £ 14416s. 3d.; Balance in Hand, X33 13s 2d. The Chairman remarked upon the satisfac- tory state of the balance sheet. Mr. Walthall It is of great importance. How many nets does that represent ? The Clerk: Ten nets, sir, £ 3 10s. a net. There is an increase in the rod licenses, but the net licenses are the ssme as last year. Mr. Thomas Jones I notice certain gentle- men subscribe a donation to the Board, and they have a license out of it. The Clerk A gentleman pays £ 2, and takes out a license. Mr. Watts It has been a custom for many years. Ever since I was on the Board. The Chairman It depends how it is put down on the books. I think we ought to pass a re- solution asking the riparian proprietors to subscribe. I believe we have only two mem- bers. The Clerk Mr. Watts, £ 2, and Col. Mesham two guineas. Mr. Walthall said a gentleman who fished a great deal in the local rivers told him, the other day, that he should be happy to give a subscription, but he had heard that the Board did not wish to receive voluntary subscriptions. If, however, it was not the case he would be glad to subscribe a guinea a year. He believed a good many gentlemen would subscribe if such a report was contradicted. He suggested that a circular be sent out to those who take out licenses. Mr. Jones: Have you given us the approxi- mate number of riparian owners ? The Clerk: No. The Chairman We can make the list our. selves. Mr. Jones Especially those that fish. Mr. Walthall: I am not speaking of casual visitors, but people who live in this neighbour- hood and who fish every day. The Clerk explained that last year Sir George Cayley was a subscriber, but Major Birch had replied that he did not intend to continue. Mr. Jones, of Llanerch, who also subscribed £ 10 last year, had not yet sent anything. Mr. Jones: I think it is very mean on the part of the riparian owners who can well afford to give something towards maintaining the river in a proper way and keep it free from poachers, and who have got the privilege of fishing on their own land and the land of others without asking permission of anybody-not to subscribe. We, the public, actually keep river- watchers for their benefit, and they subscribe nothing. Mr. Watts: Does that remark apply to land- owners? Mr. Jones: Yes. Mr. Walthall said the landowners were obliged to keep their own gamekeepers to watch the river. Mr. Jones said that last year the paltry sum of f4 was paid by those gentlemen, whilst the Board had to maintain two bailiffs to prevent poaching and damage to the river. It was very unkind and unfair on their part not to sub- scribe more, and pressure should be put upon them to make them acknowledge what the Board were doing for them in the shape of pre- serving the rivers. The public should have justice. The Chairman said the subscriptions had gradually fallen off during the last five years. Mr. Walthall: The idea has got abroad some- how that we don't receive voluntary subscrip- tions. I don't refer to the landowners, but to those gentlemen who fish almost daily. The Chairman: For whose advantage is the river preserved? For the riparian owners or for the public? Mr. Jones: Evidently the law is for the ri- parian owners. I have always been arguing that the public have a right to fish if they get licenses, but most of them are refused permis. sion point blank, and I am sorry to say that our late Chairman—Capt. Conwy-said he would never give permission. But it is too bad to go on in this way. If a man is respect- able he should have permission to fish without interference. Sir William or his a.^ent may not be at home, and then the day is gone, es- pecially if they have come from a distance. That is why so few licenses are taken out. If the rivers were free to the public we should have three times the number of licenses taken out. As long as no permission is given, how can we expect people to buy expensive licenses? Mr. Watts: We have plenty of fishermen. In fact as many as the rivers will stand. Mr. Jones The rivers are made for the pub- lic, and not for the select few. Mr. Ellis Williams Mr. Jones is no fisher- man (laughter). Mr. Jones I am arguing it out for the pub- lic good. Mr. Ellis Williams I have fished in the neighbourhood for 25 years, and never been refused. The Chairman Riparian owners never refuse permission to respectable people. Mr. Walthall: They never do. Mr. Watts No respectable person has been refused. Mi.vElle s Williams: I have no difficulty in getting permission. Mr. Jones: You are living on the spot, and you know who to go to. But people who come from a distance don't know where to go. Mr. Williai-ns: You should communicate with the Secretary. There are five or six miles of free fishing on the Clwyd. The whole of the river from Rhewl to Glanywern is practically free to anybody. Mr. Jones Strange fishermen don't know that. Mr. Watts Are there many of them ? Mr. Jones: I hear the complaint very often, I heard from workingmen in the neighbour- hood of St. Asaph that it is too much bother to Isk for permission, so they go to the public house instead. The Chairman They have permission to fish on certain afternoons. Mr. Walthall: I think it is thrown open as far as the Junction two days a week. The Chairman: On Wednesdays and Satur- days I think. Mr. Watts: I think Sir William throws it open two or three days a week. The Chairman referred to the minutes con- taining a resolution passed in 1895 asking the