The North Wales Times

SPECIAL BOROUGH POLICE COURT. SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST AN OLD MAN. At a special police court, held on Wednesday, before the Mayor (Mr. Tumour) and Mr. T. J. Williams, Thomas Jones, stonemason, Charnell's Well, Denbigh, was charged in custody with com- mitting an indecent assault upon Catherine Myfanwy Jones, daughter of Isaac Jones, of 11, Charnell's Well, on Saturday night, the 14th in st. Mr. Moseley (of the firm of Mr. Foulkes- Roberts) appeared to prosecute on behalf of Inspector Thomas, of the N.S.P.C.C., and Mr. A. O. Evans defended. Catherine Myfanwy Jones, the complainant, said she was 13 years of age on the 19th of September last. About 8.30 p.m. on Saturday she saw the prisoner standing in the door of his house. He asked her whether she was going to town again that night, and she replied that she was not. He then asked her whether she would go into the house, to which she replied that her father had told her to make haste home. The prisoner then got hold of her by the hand and dragged her into the house, and then shut the door. He then sat down on a chair, and put his arm round her waist. After describing the assault, complainan t went on to say that prisoner pushed a threepenny bit into her hand, and asked her not to tell anybody. She cried at the time, and then went ho.ue. Cross-examined by Mr. Evans: I was ex- amined by Doctor Jones the same night. I remember my father coming with Sergeant Farrell to prisoner's house, but I did not hear Thomas Jones say that they had better get me examined by a doctor. I have been in the habit of going to the Baptist Chapel, and collecting money for the missionary society. The prisoner promised to give me some money towards the society, and he carried out his promise. Replying to the bench, complainant said he gave her a penny fortnight last Saturday, and also one on the Saturday night the offence was committed. To Mr. Evans: Prisoner did not promise to give me 6d. towards the missionary society, but told rr-e he would give 3d. to make up a sixpence. 1 have not made any complaints of this sort against anyboiy else. People in Charnell's Well do not say that I am an un- truthful girl. v Ann Jane Jones, wife of Isaac Jones, was the next witness called. She said that the girl was sent out on an errand on the night in question, and returned about 8 30 p.m. She was crying ancTmade a complaint to her. Witness then informed her husband. Isaac Jones, father of the complainant, said that in consequence of what his wife told him, he sent for the police. Sergeant Farrell came down and went with him and his daughter to the prisoner's house. In the prisoner's presence his daughter made a statement and accused prisoner of indecently assaulting her. In reply, prisoner said, If I dragged her in, there must be a mark on her arm,'and then suggested that a doctor be called to examine her in his pre- sence He denied having assaulted her. On the Sunday night following, prisoner called at his house and wanted to have a conversation with him with reference to the case, but witness refused to talk it over with him, as the matter was in the hands of the police and the Inspector of the Society. Sergeant Farrell said that, in consequence of information received, he proceeded on Satur- day night to 11, Charnell's Well. He saw Thomas J*nes at his house, and told him that a complaint had been made against him. Pri- soner said that the girl had gone into his house to collect some subscription for the Baptist mission and that he gave her a threepenny piece. Shortly afterwards, Isaac Jones and his daughter followed. The complainant made a statement to the same effect as the one she made in the court that day. Jones said it was n.ot true, and added, 'If I have done anything to her, there would be marks upon her. I will have her examined by a doctor, that's fair enough, isn't it.' Witness then advised the father to have the girl examined by a doctor, which was done. He apprehended the prisoner on the previous night on a warrant. Prisoner denied the charge. He was slightly under the influence of liquor on the night the offence took placj. The complainant was sobbing when lie saw her at the house on Saturday night. Some argument took place here as to the question of calling the doctor. Mr. Moseley argued that it was not necessary to call medical evidence, inasmuch as the charge was only one of indecent assault and not of having carnal knowledge of the complaint. Mr. Evans, on the other hand, contended that it was absolutely necessary to call the doctor, before the charge could be sustained. Cross examined, Sergeant Farrell said that the prisoner, although slightly under the in- fluence of drink, knew perfectly well what he was doing. It was the prisoner's own sugges- tion that the girl should be examined. Mr. Moseley said that was the case for the prosecution. Mr. A. O. Evans, in addressing the court for the defence, said the charge was a very serious one against a man in the prisoner's position. Hitherto he had borne an irreproachable char- acter, and had reached the advanced age of nearly 70years without any charge of this kind or any other grave charge having been brought against him in a court of law. He had a blame- less character and bore a blameless life. He ventured to say that this was a. trumped-up charge against prisoner, and he could not help commenting upon the fact that the doctor had not beenicalle to sustain that charge. This should not be a persecution against the prisoner but a prosecution conducted in a fair spirit. Whether the doctor's evidence would be against prisoner or in favour of him, the doctor should have been calied to give the court the benefit of the examination which he had made. But it was a significant fact that the doctor had not been ealled. It was the duty of the prosecu- tion to do so, of course, and notfof the deience. Because the theory advanced by the prosecu- tion could not be sustained by the examination of the doctor, they choose to leave the doctor behind, and, consequently, had to leave the charge entirely uncorroborated by a material evidence. The only person who tendered any evidence at all was the little girl herself. But there had not been the slightest tint of evidence to corroborate her evidence. In a charge of that kind, it was necessary, and indeed, essen- tial from a point of law, that there should be corroborative evidence. The law never con- templated to take away a man's character, sim- ply because a little girl, 13 years of age, chose to make such a serious charge against him. The court had now to consider whether any corroborative evidence had been given to prove that there was a prima jacie case against the prisoner—whether it was such a serious charge as a jury would be likely to convict. He (Mr. Evans) contenoed that a prima facie case had not been made out, and that the jury would never convict upon the evidence ten- dered- Prisoner himself had stoutly denied the charge, and denied it the very same even- ing as the alleged offence took place. He denied it not only in the presence of the father and mother of the girl, but also in the presence of the sergeant who arrested him. And another very important fact was, it was prisoner him- self who had suggested that the doctor be called to examine her. He should like to know whe- ther that fact strengthened the theory put for- ward by the prosecution. Nothing of the kind, but on the contrary it showed that Thos. Janes was an innocent man. He not only denied the charge, but this denial of his was supported by the application that the doctor should be called to examine the girl. Another thing, there was no probability of the theory of the prosecution being true. The public thoroughfare was pass- ing close by, and there were four cottages "Jith several children there, and it was not likely that the prisoner would have attempted to commit the offence with which he was charged. If the child was an innocent girl, as the court was asked to believe, it was a very strange thing that she did not scream out when the prisoner attempted to drag her into the house, and was it, he should like to ask, at all probable that he would have dragged her in from a pub- lic thoroughfare, and hold this conversation with her close to the door of a neighbour. The thing was absurd. Be thought such a charge should never have been brought before the court, and especially so as the prosecution could not call a doctor to substantiate their evidence. He ventured to say that Thomas Jones had not assaulted that girl, and hoped that the court would allow him to leave the room without a stain on his character. The prisoner was then foimally charged, and pleaded not guilty. The court was then cleared, and on the re- admission of the public, The Mayor said: Thomas Jones, the court have given this case their fullest consideration, and we have come unanimously to the decision that a prima facie case has not been made out against you, and you are, therefore, discharged for want of corroborative evidence. Mr. Moseley asked that the costs of the pro- secution be allowed, inasmuch as it had been taken by a public society. The Mayor If we have power we will allow the costs. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. George Ellis, a native of Welshpool, was charged in custody by P.C. Pierce with being drunk and disorderly in Panton Hall the pre- vious night. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined 2s. 6d. and 8s. 6d. costs, in defanlt 7 days.

MOLD. FOOTBALL. The local team on Saturday last, engaged the Llay Hall Swifts in the return encounter under the auspices of the Wirral League. The game was anything but Interesting, the local men taking matters in an exceedingly easy fashion, and much to their surprise the visitors showed up, and scored a simple goal. Mold pulled themselves together, but it was a long time before they could equalise, which was done through Eaton. Nothing further was done up to half time. On resuming the homesters instantly began to press, and put on another goal, and eventually won by two goals to one. As above stated, the game was anything but interesting, the home team especially the for- wards, taking matters very easy, the backs and half backs were particularly energetic, and but for this the result might have been different, the visitors (although they were penned in their goal in the second half) breaking away on two or three occasions, and getting within an ace of scoring. URBAN COUNCIL. [Crowded out last week.l The monthly meeting of this Council w held on Wednesday, the 11th inst.. present, the Chairman, Mr. W. P. Jones, and Councillors J. T. Morgans, W. Wright, J. E. Davies, H. J Roberts, T. Lloyd Powell, Thomas Lewis, G. H. Simon, T. Foulkes, T. Parry, J. B. Marston, R. Jones, Dr. William, medical officer, and Mr. G. H. Bradley, clerk. Councillor R. Jones asked what had been done in respect of the property in Wrexham street ? The Surveyor said he had nothing to report. He saw that afternoon they were putting a few panes of glass in the windows, and the only thing to be done now was to put up a hoarding in front. Asked why proceedings were not taken, the surveyor said he understood it was tbe clerk's duty. The Clerk said it was no part of his work and if the surveyor looked at his appointment, he would find he had to prepare all statutory notices. He (Mr. Bradley) certainly used to help the late urveyor-ït. was friendly assis- tance, and he never at any time considered it his duty to prepare the notices, and it was certainly not part of the Clerk's work. Councillor H. J. Roberts said he should like to see the officers of the Council working better together. The Clerk in reply said there was a little friction a short time ago, but they now better understood one another. The Council discussed the memorial to the County Council on the latter taking over the main roads, and the clerk intimated that the reply was likely to be favourable. The Surveyor in submitting his report stated that the net receipts from the last fair were 6s.: he had two men employed in collecting the toll and they could be worked elsewhere more pro- fitably. He read correspondence relating to a building at Ty Ucha, which had been condemned by the medical officer as very injurious to the health-of the people who lived adjacent, and said that something should be done. The Council were unanimous in their decision that steps should be immediately taken to com- pel the owter to put his property into a proper sanitary condition. The medical officer saidhe had not received the necessary returns to enable him to complete his report, but he stated that a slight outbreak of fever had taken plaee in the town he had taken an empty house and isolated the case, and his action was approved. Mr. Buckson, solicitor, Warrington, made a claim of 2s. a yard for damage tol his land in Maesydre on the construction of the sewers. The Surveyor said the land in question was worth nothing like the money. The Clerk was instructed to offer Is. per yard. On the recommendation of the Finance Com- mittee, Mr. Joseph Jones had his remuneration for collecting the races increased from £ 25 to £ 35 per annum, and also an honorarium, of £ 10 for pAst services. The Clerk submitted claims against the Connci' amounting to C5. 15s, which were rot o i the agenda, and a strong opinion was ex- pressed, they should not be paid unless received in proper Lime. SCHOOL BOARD. I The monthly meeting was held on Wednes- day. Present :-The Rev. W. W. Morgan (chairman), Messrs. P. P Hughes, Lamb, Bithel, Gittins, Prince, J. T. Morgans, Catherall, T. J. Humphreys, and the Clerk (Mr. H. Goodman Roberts). The report of the last pupil teachers' ex. amination was submitted. It appeared that out of five candidates, only one had obtained the grant. It was thought that the report was anything but satisfactory, and it was hoped the results in future would be better. A resolution was passed that the pupil teach- ers who had sat for the scholarship examina- tion should still continue their instructions at the central classes. Out of four applicants for the vacancy at Leeswood Schools three attended, and a selec- tion made; also for the vacancy at the Mold School, the appointment was postponed. The Board changed their hour of meeting in future from two to three In discussing Mr. Prince's notice of motion, it was proposed that the Visiting Committee of the Mold Schools should in future be divided between the Mold members and the Revs. E. Bithei and J. T. Humphreys; also, that an At- tendance Committee outside the Board be ap pointed, and report monthly to the Board. The Clerk reported that, during the recent storms, both the Mold and Buckley Schools had been damaged, and it was oidered the necessary repairs should be done forthwith.

IMPORTANT TO FLINTSHIRE. GOVERNMENT INQUIRY AT CHESTER. Mr. E. Peers Burd and Colonel J. E. Marsh, R.E., opened an inquiry on behalf of the Local Government Board on Wednesday, in Chester Town Hall, into the application by the Chester Town Council for the extension of the muni- cipal boundary of the borough. The Council wish to incorporate the Hoole urban district, part of the parishes of Great Broughton and Newton-by-Chester, and part of the parishes of Saltney and Sealand, the two latter parishes being in the rural district of Hawarden. Mr. Balfour Browne, Q.C., and Mr. Eldon Bankes appeared for the corporation, and among those opposing the application were Mr. E. Honora- fcus Lloyd, on behalf of the Cheshire County Council, Mr. Collingwood Hope, on behalf of the Flintshire County Council and the London and North-western and GreatWestern Railway Companies, and Mr. Edmund Sutton, on behalf of the Hoole Urban District Council. In opening the case for the petitioners, Mr. Balfour Browne said the total area of Chester was 2,862 acres, and the area it was proposed to add was 1,082 acres. That was, therefore, the most moderate extension that had been submitted to the Local Government Board for tome time, so far as area was concerned. The population of Chester was 37,850, and the population of the five areas it was proposed to add was 7,355. Therefore the total population of Chester, after the addition, would be 45,205. The rateable value of Chester was £ 197,792, and the rateable value of the outside districts was £ 29,944. The sewerage arrangements of the outside districts were deficient, and he conten- ded that if they left those places outside they would become in time of epidemics a very serious menace to the city. The districts it waasought to incorporate had a community of interest with Chester, and it would be an advantage for them all to be governed by the same body. At the present time, the corpora- tion of Chester was not the owner either of the gasworks or of the waterworks, and, although he believed that many people in Chester were perfectly satisfied with the water supply, he believed tha*; in these days the people of Ches- ter would not altogether favour the taking of water for .drinking purposes from a r.rer liable to be impregnated with sewage. He said that not only because of the general trend of public opinion, but because he knew ot the efforts Chester had made already to put that source of supply above suspicion. Some day the water question in Chester would have to be dealt with on the lines abandoning the river, and going to some purer source of supply. If Chester were left as it was, it would have to fight the battle for the outside places. Why should not these districts come in and assist to tight the water question, and, he might alsa say, the gas ques- tion, and the tramway question, which was im- minent. Alderman H. T. Brown, chairman of the Cor- poration Extension Committee, gave evidence at length, stating that the particulars with re- gard to the districts it was proposed to add were as follows:—Great Boughton, area 57 acres, population 500, and ratable value 1,596 Hoole Urban District, area 331 acres, popula- tion 5,000, and ratable value 916,944; Newton by Chester, area 134, population 1,000, and ratable value £5,500; Saltney, area 185 acres, population 800, and ratable value £ 5,250; Sea- land, area 375 acres (which, excepting 70 acres, is the property of the corporation), population 55, and ratable value £ 650. The witness con- tended that the extension of the city boundary would facilitate development and the improve- would facilitate development and the improve- ment of bridges and roads, and also in sanitary matters. Cross-examined by Mr. Collingwood Hope The town council, in their memorial, stated that the outside districts depended upon Ches- ter for fire extinguishing appliances. He was not aware that there were fire engines at Sandy- croft Foundry and the Black Works, Queens- ferry, which were used for public fires. He knew there was Sunday closing in Flintshire, and that in the portion of Saltney and Sealand it was proposed to add to Chester there were nine public houses and beerhouses. He dared say that if the district were incorporated these public houses would be open on Sunday. The corporation suggested that the sewage of the Flintshire part of Saltney was turned crude into the tidal Dee. It was also a fact that the Saltney sewage within the city was turned crude into the Dee. The corporation thought they would be better able to deal with the sewage of Saltney if the whole district was amalgamated under one authority. Mr. E. Noel Humphreys, chartered accountant, a member of the Hoole Urban Council, gave evidence strongly in favour of the amalgama- tion of Hoole with Chester. The inquiry was resumed on Thursday. Evidence in support of the application was given by Mr. David Dickenson, an ex-member of the Hoole District Council; Mr. J. Culli- more, J.P., solicitor; Mr. George Avery, school attendance officer, Chester; and Mr. F. J. Beckett, city accountant. The latter stated that the total income of the city was 97,353, and after making deductions from that, the net balance was £ 3,907. This surplus would not pay the interest on the debt of the corporation, but speaking roughly and including the revenue from the electric light, it would pay about three-fourths of it. The total debt of the city was now over £ 200,000. Evidence was also given by Mr. W. Shone, assistant overseer, and Mr. I. Matthews Jones, city surveyor. Mr. Samuel Smith, town clerk of Chester, also gave evidence, and in cross-examination said he hoped there was no intention on the part oi the corporation to purchase the Chester waterworks. He thought the same might be said with regard to the gasworks. The tram- ways question would shortly exercise their serious consideration, as the first 25 years'lease of the tramways company expired Diiis year. With regard to "he water supply of the part of Sealand the corporation wished to annex, the greater portion of the district was agricultural land and except for the purposes of the infec- tious diseases hospital, in course of erection, a water supply had never been considered to be wanted there. A water supply had been taken to the hospital, and it was, of course, available if required. Mr. Collingwood Hope, barrister, represen- ting Flintshire, asked why Chester went into Wales at all. Mr. Smith replied that the reason was simply because they were obliged to buy a block of land. They bought it tor £63 an acre, and they considered it an advantageous purchase. There was nobody interested in that portion of Sealand., except Mr. VLtgars, the own-r of about 70 acres. I' he (the witness) was in Mr. Viggars' position he shouid feel h,s toes trod upon a bit. He had already intimated that he thought some c«>n-i i ration should be "hewn Mr. Viggars. H di 1 not think there was any occasion for the sau e considprtion tobe shown to the railway companies. o'onsileral)le rating difficulties existed at present on account of the ill-defined boundary between Cheshire and Flintshire. Mr. Hope: Have you hid any d ffioulf v with regard to Sunday closing? Well, I am not clerk of the magistrates, but I have heard of it. Do you think the difficulty wi I lie lessened if the nine public houses in this part of Flintshire are incorporated in England ? I think there will be considerably less difficulty. Less difficulty, and more drinking, is that it (laughter). I think rather the contrary. These nine public houses are shut at present on Sundays. If this place is brought int Che- shire they will be open, I presume, on Sundays! Yes, during proper hours. Mr. Hope: Very well; we will draw our own inference. Replying to a question concerning the purity of Chester water, Mr. Smith said he was per- fectly satisfied with Chester water as it was, after all the expert andengineeringevidencehe had had and he could not hein thinking that, pending the inquiry, at all events, whether Thamos water as to be allowed to continue, they might certainly leave the Chester water alone. This closed the case for thp corpoiation. Dr. Vacher, medical officer of health for Cheshire, gave it as his opinion that the affairs of Hoole were exceptionally well mnaged. Mr. S. M. Howard, from the rating depart- ment of the London and North-western Rail- way Company at Euston, said if the incorpora- tion were sanctioned it would increase the contributions of the Great Western Riilway and the London and North western Railway Company by jE350 a year. After other evidence, the inquiry was ad- journed.

ST. ASAPH. ,r-r-r- LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. The members of the above society whicti is in connection with the Church Institute, held a musical evening on Thuislay la-t. ani it was both well attended, and thoroughly enjoyed by those present WOMEN'S LIBERAL ASSOCIATION. The Committee of the above invited the mem- bers to the Annual Social meeting and tea, on Thursday evening last, at 6 o'clock, when a very large attendance was the result. After tea the members enjoyed themselves with songs, speeches and games, whilst the eatables were excellent. HOCKEY MATCH. The above game, whioh is practically un- known in the city, was played at Elwy G) ove Park on Saturday last, between the Oolwyn Bay and Mold teams, and resulted in a draw of two goals each. Being, as hitherto stated, an unknown game here, it evoked great interest, especially among our football players, and a good number of spectators assembled. DEBATING SOCIETY. At the above societ,, which is held at the C.M. schoolroom, under the presidency of the Rev. Jonathan Jones, the subject under discus- sion was, Is the confessional dangerous,' Mr. R. Griffiths, Arsylifa, in an able paper cham- pioned the affirmative side, whilst his opponent who is also a strong debater was Mr. Owen Hughes, station. The other members that spoke were Messrs. Henry Thomas, David Hughes, W. H. Jeffreys, John George, R. Hughes, &c. STEAM ROLLER. The above which is the property of the Flint Urban District Council is at present employed on High street Some time ago we mentioned that it would work upon this hill Oft the com- mencement of the new year. It arrived here on Wednesday morning, and dragged the street up; on Thursday the Flintshire County Coun- cil steam roller arrived together with the above, for the purpose of rolling the stones put on the street. No doubt it will be a work that will greatly improve ic, and other places in the city will undergo the same process. MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. On Sunday last, during the storm that broke over the district, Mr. William Hughes and his wife, Pant Evan, had gone to the shippon to milk the cows, when they heard a peculiar noise. Although the building to all appear- ance was as soiind as a bell,' Mr. Hughes' wife thought of going out to see the cause, when Mr. Hughes thought of waiting to try and find the cause. Had Mrs. Hughes gone, no doubt it would have been a fat it step as the roof came bodily down just as she thought of leaving. A heavy oak beam fell right between the two cows that Mrs. Hughes had just moved from. But the corner that both husband and wife were standing was not touched. A house in Luke street of this city is also severely damaged by the late storm.

TEMPERANCE MISSION AT RUTHIN. During the present week, a series of meetings are being held at the Town Hall, under the auspices of the Nonconformist Temperance Union, which some years ago was formed in the town, and which since its inception, had done an immense amount of good. The arrangements were carried out very successfully by a committee, compri- sing representatives of all the Nonconfor- mist denominations. The members of the committee arcs as follows:—Revs. Dafydd Jones, J. James, Evan Stephens, and R. Lewis, Messrs. D. Jones, Mount Pleasant; William Williams, St. Peter's Square Joseph Pritchard, Mill, Ruthin R. Goodman Jones, Porth y dref; R. Roberts, Clwyd Street; Henry Wiiliams, Well Street; L. G. Thomas, North and South Wales Bank John Williams, Well Street; Peter Williams, Well Street; Mrs. J. Clarke Jones, Mount Street; Mrs. Ed- wards, Bronwylfa Mrs. Lewis, Misses M. Thomas, Well Street; M. A. Williams, Grammar School House: M. E. Owen, Mount Street; J. Davies, Clwyd Street; Tuckerman, St. Peter's Square; M. Jones, Park Road, and Williams, Park Cottage. The other officials were, Mr. Henry Hughes, treasurer, and Messrs. Henry Roberts and W. S. Williams (joint secretaries). Mr. E. Davies acted as conductor of the singing throughout the meetings, and Misses Lizzie Owen, Lewis, Amy Gee, and Jenny Jones as accompanist. The first meeting was held on Monday evening, when the room was almost crowd- ed. The Rev. Evan Stephens presided, and addresses were given by the Rev. J. D. Owen and the Rev. Evan Jones (W.), Den- bigh. On Tuesday, Mr. Thomas Griffiths, Stanley House presided, and the speakers were the Revs. E. R. Jones, Brymbo and R. Roberts, Rhos. On Wednesday, a Women's meeting was held, presided over by Miss Hughes, Corwen, the speakers being Mrs. Lias Davies, Llangollen, and Mrs. Davies, Clwt y bont. On Thursday, the Rev. Isaac James was in the chair, the speakers being the Revs. J. Charles, Denbigh, and Dafydd Jones, Ruthin. It is calculated that 21,000 people sleep

l nightly aboard the steamers on the Thames.