The North Wales Times

ST^ASAPIL BOARD OF GUARDIANS. COMPARATIVE PAUPERISM. FRIDAY, present,Messrs. Edwin Morgan (chair- man), John Williams (vice chairman), Joseph Roberts, Denbigh; John Lloyd (Lodge), Hen- Ilan; Rev. J. Adams, Tremeirchion; Mrs. Rawlins, Messrs. Robert Morris, W. Conwy Bell, Rhuddlan John Vaughan, Miss B. Evans, Abergele; Messrs. Thomas Ellis, Meliden; Thomas Morgan, Cwm; William Jones, Llan- nefydd; John Roberts, (Geinas), Bodfary; Jo- seph Lloyd, Cefn T. Howes Roberts, M ss Bennett, St. Asaph; Mrs. Mary Jones, Messrs. William Wynne, Rhyl Charles Grimsley (clerk). Mr. F. T. Bircham, Poor Law Inspec- tor for Wales and Monmouth was also in at- tendance. THE HOUSE. The number of paupers in the house last board was reported to be 133 admitted since, 6; discharged, 13; remaining in the house this day, sl27. Corresponding date of last year, 113; increase, 14. Vagrants relieved during the past fortnight, 87, a decrease of 37 on the number relieved during the corresponding per- iod of 1896. Gifts of papers for the use of the inmates were acknowledged from Mrs. Easterby, and Mr. Robert Jones, Probate Office. The Ladies Visiting Committee reported hav- ing visited the house, and finding everything, in order. A MAN DETERMINED TO BE AN INMATE. The Medical Officer's report book contained an entry to the effect that several able bodied men in the house would be tit for discharge in a few days The Clerk pointed out that a pauper named Williams, of Denbigh, was very reluctant to leave the house, and when discharged, found ways and means of getting in again. It tran- spired that the man was in the house then. He was ordered to leave before, and on that occasion he went to the Relieving Officer at Rhyl, and sought an order for the workhouse. The officer refused to give him one. Thereupon he went to 'aptain Keatinge, one of the over- seers of the poor in Rhyl, who gave him an order for the house. The master, when the pauper presented himself, consulted the clerk, and he bearing in mind what had transpired in the board, advised the master to refuse admis- sion on the order, and refer the man to the Relieving Officer. The Relieving Officer gave the pauper an order for the vagrants ward, and the man was taken in and discharged on the following Monday. Then he went to Denbigh, and saw the Relieving Officer there, who sent him down to the doctor. The doctor certified the man was suffering from hemorrhage, and thought an operation would be necessary and the Relieving Officer gave an orde.' to the man to go to the Infirmary. The house surgeon gave him something as a remedy, and in consequence of what he was told the Relieving Officer gave the man an order to go into the workhouse. The workhouse doctor reported that the man was suffering from a slight ailment now, but there were many men outside suffering more than what he did, and had to earn their living. It was decided to leave the matter of dis- charging the man to the doctor and the master. DENBIGH INFIRMARY AND THE DIAMOND JUBILEE. A letter was read from the chairman of the Denbigh Infirmary enclosing a resolution passed by the committee of that institution suggesting that an effort be made to wipe off the debt remaining- on the institution, as a method of celebrating the Queen's Jubilee. Mr. Joseph Lloyd asked if it was intended that they should take something from the rates for this object. The Chairman thought that that was what was meant. They did not say so in the letter, but he supposed it meant that they should in- crease their annual subscription for this year. The Clerk did not think so. He rather thought it was intended that the matter should be brought before the guardians in their indi- vidual capacity. Mr. Joseph Lloyd said there were 22 parishes in the union, and it would be a good thing for the guardians to bring the matter before their own parishes. No doubt the infirmary was of great benefit to all the parishes. Mr. Howes Roberts said that circulars had been sent to the chairmen of the different par- ish councils. Mr. Joseph Lloyd observed that it would be all right then. The parish councils would take the matter up. Mr. Wynne asked if they had power to in- crease their annual subscription. The Clerk said they had with the sanction of the Local Government Board. Mr. Wynne said he thought it would be a very proper thing for them to assist in the clearing of the debt on this excellent institu- tion, and he would propose tliac they increase their subscription this year to ten pounds or ten guineas. The Chairman remarked that the clerk thought the letter was addressed to them as in- dividuals. Mr. Wynne did not think so. It was ad- dressed to them as a board. Mr. Joseph Lloyd said it was not a right thing to propose that a portion of rates should be devoted to this purpose without notice on the agenda. Denbigh was already relieved of 9250 a year under the union chargeability, and they should not dip further into the rates to support the infirmary. Mr. Wynne gave notice that he would move the resolution at the next meeting. COMPARATIVE PAUPERISM. HEAVY OUT RELIEF IN THE UNION. Mr. Bircham said he desired to say a few words to them. He would have to report to the Local Government Board that there was a slight increase in pauperism in Wales and Mon- mouth. In North Wales, however, there was a slight decrease. In South Wales there was a depression in the tin plate industry. There was a slight decrease in agricultural Unions, but he did not see that the decrease affected St. Asaph union, the pauperism of which was four per cent of the population. Of course they took the pauperism on one particular day, but if they took the average of those who passed through the mill of pauperism say during six months it would be rather more. It would be 4-J per cent of the population He did not know that there was any particular reason why St. Asaph should stand in the 45th place of the 53 unions. There were only eight unions in the whole dis- trict with more paupers in than the St. Asaph union. He would give them a few figures. The total pauperism of Wales and Monmouth was 3.2 per cent of the population, that of St. Asaph union was 4 per cent. The total cost per head on the population for mainbenance in in-and-out relief for the whole of Wales was 3s. lld., for St Asaph, 4s. 8fd. In the whole of England and Wales the pauperism was 2.8 per cent of the population, and the cost of maintainance per head of population was 3s. 3J. In North Wales it was 3.8 per cent, and I the cost 4s. 9d, per head of the population. In the South, the rate was 3 per cent, and the cost 3s. 6d. But this rate per head Wj the whole amount spent in the pglia* not poor, but what vas simply t/he they gave for food find, el- • .uenance—what When they took into -othing for the poor. asylums, salai'iQS'V account the lunatics in P-ain.e to cqllgtw, workhouse loans., &c., it to Is. pflV .,erable more than that. It came foofl head of the population. So that for >- and clothing absolutely the poor got only 5s. out of 7s. The rest was for administration and lunatics. But that was not the total col- lected for poor rates. There were a great many things connected with the poor rates over which the guardians had no control, which came to another 5s. per head of population. That was interesting to them as they could tell People that out of 12s. they only spent 7s. ■But he had to say that when the cost of out- door relief in that union amounted to £ 8,000 a Year, it was a matter that demanded serious e-Olligideration. There was one suggestion he wv? L make, and that was the question tv. sufficient time and care was devoted to aese cases of application for relief. He was perfectly certain that a little more care and time taken in searching into what was really behind the scenes and what became of the doles they paid in out relief would show that there were a good many who ought not to get any at all, while some did not get adequate re- lief. He asked them to give careful considera- tion in this matter. He had been around many relieving officers' districts in North Wales, and they would be surprised as to how the money was spent. If guardians were made conversant with the manner in which the relief was spent they would be able to effect considerable revi sion. His suggestion to all Boar-is of Guardians was that relief districts be divided into small sections so that they should be able to go over them at. certain times every year, say twice a year, and not all on the same day For in- stance, it was utterly impossible to revise the Rhyl list in one morning. He should like a group of the rural cases and a few managabla Rhyl cases to be made to expire *on a certain day, and to be subjected to revision. He no- ticed tuey had a new relieving officer, and he thought they should be careful with him at the start, as he noticed that the information given in the book was not so perfect as it should be. They could not be too strict about that. If they did not mind trying the suggestions he had made, and make their relief at fixed per- iods, they would effect an alteration. They would find in cases where an old woman got two or three shillings a week, given by the guardians in kindness, as they thought, to keep her out of the workhouse, that the money was not spent as it should, not through any fault of the pauper, in keeping up a home for the old woman, but spent by people preying upon her from the outside. He thought the fact they had 1,390 )ut door paupers at a cost of £5,379 a year was sufficient justification for him to ask them to spend time in properly re- vising and inquiring into their list of perman en t paupers from time to time. He was sure they would take what he said as an intention of doing good, and not in a spirit of carping criti- cism (hear, hear). He had had 25 years experi- ence in this work, and was convinced that a great deal of saving could be effected in out- relief. Wales prided itself on the system of outrelief, or rather they were more partial to it than in England, and they should justify that policy by giving adequate relief to those deserving and stopping those who were a bad example (applause). The Chairman said they were much obliged to Mr; Bircham. They were always pleased to try to carry out his suggestions, and those he had made that day would have their considera- tion. Mr. Joseph Lloyd remarked that they had during the past 10 years, effected a reduction of £1,000 a year in the out relief and if Mr. Bircham visited them more frequent, they would be able to make still greater reductions (laughter). Mr. Bircham It is not a bad sign, when I do not visit you frequently (renewed laughter). The Vice-chairman said that after what they had heard from Mr. Bircham, he would give notice of motion, that he would at the next meeting, move that a special day be appointed to revise the lists of permanent paupers once or twice a year.

DOLGELLEY. WESLEYAN LITERARY SOCIETY. The members of the society in good num- ber, assembled on Friday evening, February 26th, and partook of a 'Meat Tea' prepared in a most creditable manner, under the su- pervision of a ladies' committee, consisting of Mrs. Williams and Miss Evans, Maes-y- ffynnon Miss Jones, Mjfcnt Pleasant, and Miss C. Barnett, Tan-y-flybnon. A meeting followed, the Rev. & P, Jones presiding, Stirring addresses wer<s ftiade by Messrs. C, William^ tj&erynwch; W. Williams, Maes- y-ffynnon Lewis Lloyd, Upperfield Street, and John Barnett, Tan-y-flynnon. Musical contributions at intervals were given by Miss E. A. Pugh and party, and excellent recitations by Miss Evans, Maes-y-ffynnon, and Mr. D. J. Lewis, Plascoch. A very en- joyable evening was spent. PRESENTATION. On Thursday evening, at a., public meeting in the Wesleyan chapel, Mr. Jehn Lloyd, solicitor (now of Towyn), was the recipient; of a handsome office^ desk' of the Cutler's patent, in walnut, suitably inscribed upon, as a small token of their acknowledgment of his valuable service to the cause, especially in connection with the church music. Rev. S. Parry Jones presided., Complimentary speeches were made by the"chairiman, Messrs. W. Williams, Maes-y-ffynnon; Tom Parry, Fron Aran; Lewis Williams, Penrhyn House; R. Barnett, and Mr. 0. O. Roberts, Board School. The presentation, on the request of the committee, was made by Mr. Williams, Maes-y-nynnoB, in choice terms, and Mr. W. D. Pugh (horn, sec.) handed also a list of the subscribers, &c The desk was supplied by Mr. T. H. Roberts, Parliament House. A vote of thanks to the officers of the com- mittee, and tohcollectors, moved by Mr. Williams, Maes-y-ffynnon, and seconded by Mr. J. Williams, closed a successful meeting. THE CRICKET CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of members was held on Friday evening, Mr. C. E. J. i Owen, Hengwrt U chat' in the chair. The hon. secretary (Mr. Furlong), submitted his annual statement of accounts duly audited by Mr. D. Owen, showing a balance of Ril 3s. Id. in the treasurer's hands. The secre- tary explained that the committee had voted a sum of £5 towards repairing the house in the Bowling Green, and that a substantial addition was being made to the pavilion.—The following officials for the en- suing year were then elected :-President, Mr. J. Vaughan, Nannau; vice-presidents, Messrs. Leigh Taylor, C. R. Williams, Capt. Bailey, R. E. Lloyd Richards, Munro Ed- wards. Captain, Mr. C. E. Jones Owen. Vice-captain, Mr. T. H. Roberts. Hon. Treasurer, Mr. R. H. Lloyd (National Pro- vincial Bank). Hon. Sec., Mr. J. R. S. Furlong. Committee of management, Messrs. David Owe%R. Jones Griffith, E. C. Owen, Ellis Edwards, Dr. Griffith, Dr. Richards, G. W. Kinman, E. Williams, and J. E. Jones.—A vote of thanks to Mr. Vaugban, the president, was passed, on the motion of Mr. D. Owen, seconded by Mr. Furlong. A similar vote was also extended to Mr. C. E. J. Owen, the captain, and the other officials. LECTURE. Last Saturday evening, at Bethel (C.M.) chapel, the Rev. Hugh Pugh, Aberffraw, deli- vered an instructive and interesting lecture on 'The Religious Revival of 1859.' The Rev. Parri Huws, B.D., presided. The rev. gentle- man occupied the pulpit at the same chapel on the following Sunday. WESLEYAN LITERARY SOCIETY. The weekly meeting of this society took place last Friday evening, Rev. S Parry Jones presiding. An able paper on Week-day Re- ligion was read by Mrs. Williams, Maes-y- ffynnon, followed by a discussion on the same subject. A vote of thanks to Mrs. Williams for her excellent contribution closed the pro- ceedings. SOCIAL GATHERING. Last Wednesday afternoon, the Sunday School Teachers, Scholars, and members of the Band of Hope at Bethel Chapel, held their annual tea meeting, when a large number sat down at the tables. In the evening, a compe- titive meeting was held presided over by Mr. R. Mills. Mr. O. O. Roborts, Board School, acted as Musical Adjudicator. PROPERTY SALES. The Castle Inn' and premises with adjoin- ing shop was privately sold last week to Mrs. H. F. Carpenter, of the Cambrian Brewery, for the sum of £ 1,590.—The Skinner's Arms was also disposed of privately for £ 1,000, the purchaser being Mr. Ellis Evans, the present tenant. It is rumoured that other licensed premises will shortly be in the market. POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS. The seventh of the series of these entertain- ments was held at the Public rooms on Friday evening last. Mr. R. Wynne Williams, J.P., presided over a good attendance. The follow- ing programme which was creditably rendered throughout, was gone through Pianoforte Duett. Song Miss Wynnie Jones. Song Mr. C. E. Wordsworth Recitation Miss Lloyd. Violin Solo Miss Nesta Wyn Edwards. Song Miss Kate Evans. Recitation Mr. Harvey Jones. Song Mr. Edwards, Glasdir. Song Mr. T. S. Fitchard. Song Mr. John Pugh Jones. Song Mr. H. O. Williams. Glee T'is the last rose of summer' Miss Maggie Jones and Party. God save the Queen. The accompanists were, Mr. M. W. Griffith, Mus. Bac., Miss Blodwen Williams, and Mr. John Roberts. PLOUGHING MATCH. The first ploughing match under the iuspices of the Dalgelley and District Ploughing Associa- tion took place last Wednesday in a field close to Penmaenpool Station. The weather was exceedingly unfavourable, but nevertheless, the attendance was considered satisfactory. The judges were :— Ploughing, Mr. Henry Davies, Tyfos, Cor- wen Mr. R. Hughes, Rhosigor, Talsarnau; Mr. Evan Jones, Gwynfynydd Trawsfynydd. Turnouts, Mr. W. H. Davies, Bala. The following were the prize winners. CLASS I (open).-Igt. prize of £5 divided be- tween Mr. R. Williams, Pantmawr, Trawsfyn ydd, and Cadwaladr Jones, Tvddynymerched, Trawsfynydd. CLASS II (limited to competitors residing with 10 miles radius).—1st., John Owen, Tyddyn- mawr, Trawsfynydd; 2nd, John Jones, Hen- gwrtucha, Dolgelley; 3rd, Thomas Rees, Dol- gwartheg,Dolgelley; 4th, divided between W. Pugh, Penycoed, Dolgelley, and G. A. Griffiths, Gwerngwawr, Dolgelley. CLASS III.—For the cleanesb and neatest team on the ground in old harness. 1st., J. Williams, Penycoed, Dolgelley; 2nd, Mr. Owen, Hengwrtucha, Dolgelley. The arrangements were creditably carried out by a committee of which Mr. W. Edwards, Ces- ailywin Mawr, is the president of the year, and Mr. Edward Williams, Clifton House, secre- tary. The competitors in the evening were en- tertained at the Market Hall, and the commit- tee sat to a sumptuous repast at the Skinner's Arms. SPECIAL PETTY SESSIONS. Friday last, before Mr. R. Wynne Williams, and Mr. J. Meyrick Jones. P.C. Davies, Di- nas, charged Evan Lloyd, Garthbeibio, with having been drunk at Dinas Mawddwy while in charge of a horse and cart. The defendant being an old offender was fined 20s. and costs John Buch a tramp, was charged by the same officer with begging, and sent to prison for 14 days. PETTY SESSIONS. Tuesday, before Messrs. O. Slaney Wynne (presiding), Dr. E. Jones, R. Ll. Richards, Dr. J. E. Jones, R Wynne Williams, Thomas Ed. wards, Francis Jvans: and J. Meyrick Jones. OBSTRUCTING THE PATHWAY. I Griffith Owen, stonemason, was charged by P.C. Breese with having obstructed the path- way on the Railway Bridge by leaving thereon I a cask. t Or the CASE beift^IED, Mr. White, foreman at the gas works explained that the defendant was amongst others employed by them, in the relaving of mains near the Railway Bridge. The'cask was temporarily moved on to the, pathway. It was quite unintentional. The bench dismissed the case on payment of osts, which Mr. White promised to pay. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. William Jones, William Williams, and Wil- liam Roberts, three young men, were charged with being drunk and disorderly in Eldon Square on the 27th ult. The latter defendant was unable to appear, owing to illness, and a medical certificate was produced. Each were fined 5s. and costs. Peter Jones wa,s charged by P C. Morgan with the same offence. The constable stated that he was called to the Stag Inn, and there found the defendant very drunk. He had to use force to ejectl him. He had not been served there with drink. Mr. R. Guthrie Jones (who appeared for de- fendant) expressed his regret, and a fine of 58. and costs was imposed. ALLEGED ILLTREATMENT OF A HORSE. Richard Jones, farm servant at Llwyndu, Mallwyd, was charged by P.C. Davies, Dinas, with having beawn a horse violently and un- necessary. Mr. R. Guthrie Jones defended. P.C. Davies stated that he saw the defendant on the 3rd inst, illtreating a mare, by beating her across the back with a stick. He would be "bout 150 yards distant. When he got up to him, he expressed regret. There were marks on the mare's back. The mare, he was after- wards told, was in foal. For the defence, Griffith Griffith and John Roberts were called, who proved being in com- pany of the defendant at the time. The mare refused her collar in going up hill, and the de- fendant had to give her a lash. No force what- ever was used, and there were no marks. David Evans, the defendant's employer, stated that he saw the mare within half an hour after the occurrence. He was certain there were no marks. Defendant was most kind to animals, and had been in his service for 5 years. The bench having considered, the chairman said they were of opinion that there was not sufficient evidence offered by the prosecution, at the same time the constable had done his duty in bringing the matter forward. The case would be dismissed. THE QUEEN'S LONG REIGN. At the last Urban Council meeting, the con- sideration of the best means of commemorating the Queen's long reign received much atten- tion. Mr. John Edwards, Dr. John Jones, and other members, advocated the erection of a cot- tage hospital. After much discussion, it was decided to request the Mayor to convene a public meeting to fully consider the matter, and to decide on various suggestions.

BALA. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. THE ordinary meeting was held on Friday last, when there were present Mr. D. Jones, J P. (chairman), Mr. R. LI. Jones (vice chairman), Messrs. R. W. Roberts,:J. W. Robprts, J. LI Ll. Owen, G. Rees, J. Vaughan, Evan Jones, Edward Jones, D. W. Jones, and T. R. Dakin (assistant clerk). The Collector bad paid into the Treasure's hands during the month, £55. There was a ba- lance due to the Treasurer that day of £101 15s. 9d. ESTIMATE. The estimate for the ensuing vear was submit- ted. The repair of highways (other roads), sewe- rage, street improvements, lighting, and manage- ment expenses amounted to 9294 10s. The general district rate calculated at Is. 6d. in I the £ would amount to E,)07 2s.; rent of property, L37 Us.— making the total "mount of receipts f434 13s. Deducting the expenditure as above from the receipts would leave a balance of E140 3s. The water rate was estimated to amount to E292 I6s., and the expenditure on water rate account (including repayments of principal and interest management and repairs), amounted to £ 230. This left a balance of £ 62 16s. on water rate account. The combined balances of general dis- trict rate and water rate accounts amounted to 9202 19s.. estimated to be the balance in hand on the 31st March, 1S98. RATE FOR 1897. Mr. R. Ll. Jones proposed that the general district rate be Is. 6d. in the £ for the ensuing year. In making this proposal, Mr. Jones said that he had heard that an amendment was about to be proposed to lower the rate. In a town like this he considered the rate was very low, and plenty of work could be found on which to expend the money with advantage. Besides this, it was a difficult matter, when the rate was once lowe- red, to afterwards increase it. The improvements in High Street alone required a large sum of money. Mr. Vaughan seconded. Mr. R. W. Roberts proposed that the rate should be Is. 5Jd. in the f. His contention was 2 that there was an ample balance in hand to justify this, and that instead of levying a rate towards the Public Library, the I d. in the £ remaining 2 would be sufficient for that purpose. The amendment, however, was not seconded. The motion proposed by Mr. R. Ll. Jones was then put up and carried. PUBLIC LIBRARY. Mr. R. LI. Jones enquired wether Mr. Thos. E. Ellis, M.P., had replied to the communication sent him on this matter. The clerk replied that he had not, although he had written him twice on the subject. A letter was read from Col. Evans Lloyd ad- hereing to his promise to subscribe 95 annually for five years conditionally, upon the Act being put into operation by levying the rate thereunder, &c. A vote of thanks was accorded him. The Library Committee then submitted a form of letter to be sent out inviting subscriptions. The letter was to the following effect The Council having adopted the Public Libra- ries Acts, have determined to start a Free Circu- lating Library, and beg to appeal to all friends of the movement for subscriptions towards the same. Col. Evans Lloyd, Moelgarnedd, has generously promised to subscribe £ 5 annually for five years. The Council hope that the support received will justify them in extending their un- dertaking, so as to start a reading room in the near future.' Upon the motion of Mr. R. W. Roberts, secon- ded by Mr. J. W. Roberts, the report was adop- ted. REMOVAL OF BALA JUNCTION. The Committee appointed to consider the best I means of dealing with this question reported that all the various public bodies to whom commu- nications had been sent, urging upon them the desirability of co-operating with the Council in petitioning the Great Western Railway Company to remove Bala Junction, having answered expres sing their willingness to co operate, the Commit- tee suggested that the following circular letter should be sent to each of the directors of the com- pany, and to others as decided before :— 'The Junction is felt to be a very great incon- venience by all, without exception, who have occasion to travel on these 1ine; and the Council are most anxions for the sake of the town especi- ally, and the public at large generally, that the Great Western Railway Company can see their way to do away with this Junction, and run all the trains direct to BR' I ,a. It was resolved, upon the motion of Mr. Evan Jones, seconded by Mr. W, D. Jones, that the report be adopted. The same committee wa.s requested to confer with the clerk as to other minor matters connected therewith. APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL MANAGERS- It was proposed by Mr. D. W. Jones, seconded by Mr. J. L) Owen5 That Messrs. Roger Hughes and J. Parry, be appointed representatives on the Local Governing Body of the Bala County, School. MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH'S I REPORT, f The following is an abstract of the report for the year ending December, 1896 :-— For 1896, the number or hirthu was 38, Rate per 1,000, 23'42, as compared with 37 births, or a rate per 1,000 of 22'81, in 1895. The number of deaths last year was "4. Rate per 1,000, 20 96, as compared. with 38, or a rate per thousand of 23'42, in the previous year. About foity cases of t fever were notified during the year, all of which were of a mild typa, none proving fatal. Evo-y precaution was taken, iacluding the closing of sehqfQs. There was also one ca;-e of erysipelas notified, which likewise was a mild case. There have been several nnTÇ" honses erected -during the year, special attention being paid to the sanitary arrangements. A few houses have been reported during the year and they have been put right. The drainage system is in good. order, aismtec- tants and flushing having been carried on for many months on account of the scarlet fever out break. A new drain has been made over the whole length of High Street, which will be the means of removing the pools of rain-water that was such a nuisance to :oot passengers. I also be- lieve that new parapets are to be constructed in course of time, which will also add greatly to the appearance of the main street, as well as the com- ort of the inhabitants The water supply is abundant, and the quality excellent. The water-pipes have been cleaned, and there is no fear of there being any scarcity of good water. The slaughter-houses are kept clear, being white washed periodically, and no matter allowed to stand and get putrid. The privies are kept cleaner Ithan they have been for years. Several have been done away with, and new ones erected. Pigstyes are also kept as clean as practicable. The inspector is also careful not to allow any dung heaps to stand in corners and decompose. The ashes are collected twice a week, by a cart, and taken some distance from town. I hope the Council will not be satisfied until the improvements in High Street have been com- pleted.' BOARD OF GUARDIANS. SATURDAY LAST. Present Mr. Evan Jones (chairman), Messrs. J. M. Jones, Thos. Jones, Daniel Roberts, Evan Evans, Robert Jones, J. Thomas, T. Davies, Mrs. Parry, Miss Parry, J. R. Jones, clerk, T. R. Dakin assistant clerk. The balance in the Treasurer's hands was re- ported to be e79 3s. 2d. The balance in relieving officer's bands wns f5 7s. During the fortnight, 938 5s. 6d., had been expended in relieving 176 out door paupers, as against 941 Ss. 6d. to 187 last year. THE HOUSE. The master reported that the number of inmates in the Workhouse last week was 37, as compared with 24 last year. 34 vagrants had been relieved during the fortnight, being a decrease of three on the same period last year. Sir H. B. Robertson had presented tree plants for planting on part of the Green, along side the road to the house and a vote of thanks was ac- corded him, as well as to Mr. Thomas Jones for gratuitous cartage of same. On the 29th February, a tramp, called John Power, suffering from bad eyes, was admitted, and is still in the house. On the 27th February, Morris Hughes, slater, was admitted, suffering from bad feet. VISITORS. Visited the house, and found everything, as usual, clean and orderly.J. Thomas, T. Davies March 6th, 1S97.' 5 ASSISTANCE FOR MATRON. Mrs. Parry brought forward her motion, as to obtaining help for the matron. She would like to have a person who would sleep in the same room as the old women who were ill and bed-ridden. There were in the house now many bad cases, which required nursing. It was too much to expect Mrs. Roberts to do all, Mr. J. Thomas seconded. In supporting, Miss Parry said there were cases which required continual attendance, which could not be reasonably expected of Mrs. Roberts. It was passed that a servant be engaged. After further discussion, the matter, as to the persons to be appointed, the terms and salary was adjour- ned to the next meeting.

THE POACHING AFFRAY ON THE CORRIS RIVER. The charge of infliciting grievous bodily harm upen James Griffin, river keeper, and Edward Parry, gamekeeper, preferred against Edward O. Hughes, John Williams, David Jones, Rowland Whittington, William Pugh, David Owen, David Jenes and John Jones, quarrymen, living in the neighbourhood of Towyn, came before the Towyn Bench last Friday. This was the third hearing, and great interest was taken in the proceedings. In the first case two of the men were fined ;E5 each for poaching. On the occasion of the second hear- ing the keepers were charged with shooting the men. The keepers were committed to the quarter sessions. The present hearing con- cerned the complaint of -the keepers against the men. The following gentlemen were present on the Bench:—Captain Beadnell, Messrs. R. C. Anwyl, H. Davies, M. Lewis, J. Robinson, Haydn Jones, and Meyrick Roberts. Mr. Martin Woosnam (Newtown) appeared for the keepers, and Mr. A. J. Hughes (Aberystwyth) for the defendants. James Griffin was the first witness called. His story was that on the 11th of January he was aroused by Parry, who accompanied him up the side of the river Dula.s. Here they found nine men carrying a lighted torch and huge spears. Their faces were blackened, and they were peering into the Crooks looking for fish in the pools. The keepers here divided, Parry crossing the river to take the men on the bank, and Griffin following along the road which skirted the river. Crossing a field, Griffin caught the men up, and called upon them. They turned round in a body, and called upon him to stand back. He refused to do so, and went towards them. The men lifted their weapons and came forward in a threatening attitude. Griffin then produced his warrant, and the men retreated up the river side. He followed them and attempted to take a spear from John Williams, and in doing so he received a blow from an unlit torch on the side of the head. Turning round, he struck his assailant to the ground. He then made an effort to get hold of a sack carried by one of the men, but was struck by a lighted torch, and Whittington called out that if he crossed the fence they would kill him. He eventually crossed the fence, and shouted to Parry, the other keeper, to come. to his assistance, and, proceeding to- gether, they got to the men in the next field. Here a very severe struggle took place, and he was assulted on all sides. Williams, one of the defendants, struck him a violent blow on the forehead, and he was rendered insensible, and remembered nothing more until he found him- self in bed. He identified two of the men, Whittington and Williams, and now was able to recognise the rest of the defendants. He had since the affray been under the hands of Dr Davies, of Machynlleth. In cross-examination, the witness said that he was not asked the question at the previous hearings as to the production of his warrant, neither did he remember his advocate admit- ting that no mention was made of the warrant. Mr. Woosnam interposed, and said that he did mention that the warrant was produced, and he intended calling the clerk to prove it. The witness admitJed that this was the first occasion upon which he had said anything about his warrant. The men were on their way home when he followed them, and he denied that they called upon him to leave them alone. Edward Parry, gamekeeper, said that he called Griffin up that night, and they went in search of the poachers. Parry was struck to the ground, he got out of the scuffle, and sar Griffin lying on the ground with the nine rr around him striking him with spears and str 'eR Griffin shouted, For Ged's sake, T ves" they are killing me.' The witness caP For God's sake don't kill the man, o- v, „ The men ran away, leaving Gnffln t • where he w«to™d 1^ ned to his home. Hewasjn a dazed conditioIU and his face was burnt, ana £ here I g wounds on the head- xbid witness was the one committed at the ^ond hearing on the charge of shooting tne nine men but be protes- ted that he knew n Jthing about the men having been shot until a éw davs afterwards. Frank Sha^ ender keeper, in eross-'exatK/ina- tion, adpx^d %bat Parry fired four shots, two in the air and two in the direction of the men? but ha did not uear until afterwards that the men were sliot. & TJ*e ^e]nc}1 committed the nine men to take their trial at the quarter sessions.

Mr. John Dunns and Mr. G. G. Kirklinton SrcS"rfaOd!PU'TLi0Utena*t8 °f ¡ of A cyclist who has been touring along the Riviera complains of the universal scourge of dogs. Personally, he found that the best and only absolutely saie method of keeping a do? off oneself was to bring a dog of one's own.