The North Wales Times

STREET OBSTRUCTION IN DENBIGH. Editor of THE NORTH WALES TIMES, rrti SERIOU A^0VE A subject that ought to have the I)^.8 C°hsiderauoii of the Corporation of of OBAF AS SOME °F those who are guilty C° 'FATING our public streets are intimately ^0UBFCF I OUR MUNICIPAL machinery, it is TO {,E » P9rhaps, whether the matter is likely IMPRO EN UP with the view of securing an «UBJEPREIN8NT. it is not my wish to raise this MEAT 80 AE t° be a further source of DISAGREE- IN^- AR,T^ wrangling in our Town Council 'HAT TH^8' W1^ CERT&INLY go so far as to say ^IGH EXtent to which the tradesmen of Dan- it A NA.RE encroaching upon our public streets, of the first water. I do not pre- °UR ? KNOW what arrangement exists between lattER P keepers and the Corporation. The FR0,N 38 FAR AS I know, benefit greatly ^TTE ^TITUDE granted to tradesmen in the QUEAT-R °* blocking up the parapets, but the TIOU T°N^ WOULD ask is, whether a slight ADDI- CT 0 THE finances of the borough, is a suffi- IENCA RECO^pense for the undoubted Inconveu- °{ by the public at large on account TT°LI'"TH 1 RE*ER • PERSONALLY, I do thac it is. Why therefore should As F LANS 8UFFER THIS inconvenience ? THE C, AS NIY observation goes, Mr. Editor, T^E FI?8^0M °f placing boxes, hampers, etc., in DAY EET is on the increase, and on a market TH0R' ANybody who has need to traverse our HETYJIV^HFARES has to be exceedingly careful, or °NE Q. UQconsciously find himself colliding with fr0FTL these reprehensible objects. Speaking LEAVE own experience, I have continually to thPARAPEtsin order to avoid these goods, OBEJS 6 NECESSITY of paying this enforced CONJJN^CE to A number of wooden boxes is be- I VE ?10RE than I can really stand. tioll ellture, in all humility, to call the atten- FTUD TR °UR ^0WN Councillors to the matter, OUR that they will forego any privilege TEAMEN may have in favour of the public. I am, yours truly, A. B.

PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY— Before Messrs. J. Herbert Ro berts, M.P., J. Duncan Miller, J. Lewis Morgan, W. T, Mason, and Dr. Wolsten- holme. THE DEFAULTING ASSISTANT OVER SEER OF ST. GEORGE. Mr. Amphlett (Messrs. Porter and Amphlett), acting for Mr. Witliam Griffith, Government Auditor for North Wales District, applied for the committal of Abel Davies, for non pay- ment of E107, the amount of rates collected by him as assistant overseer !or the parish of St. George, and not accounted for. The case was heard against Da vies at the last Court, when a distress warrant for the amount named was made. P.C. Rigby now went mto the box, and stated that when he went to execute the warrant, be found the defendant had no effectB, and he now returned the warrant nulla bona. Mr. Amphlett then went on to say that the defendant had been guilty of n serious offence- one amounting to felony in fact, but the Dis- trict Auditor took the more merciful course of proceeding against him by civil law, and not criminal. By doing th:1 t, a chance was given to the defendant to pay tke money, but he had not done so. The maximum punishment they could inflict was three months imprisonment, with hard labour, and he applied that the full penalty be enforced, as the loss would fall on the ratepayers of the parish. Mr. Crabbe, for the defendant, said that this was one of the saddest cases that had come under his cognisance. Abel Davies had been assistant) overseer for many years, and his father before him, and they had been for yeats using one rate to pay the other. At last, mat- ters went so far that this was the result. The man had a wife and family, was without money, and could not geb work. Mr, Amph!ett said that the ratepayers would be the losers. That was not so, because this man had guarantors. This man's troubles were brought a.b..mt by tho fact f-hat he was not sufficiently educated to keep the books properly, and he really did not know how he stood until his books had been audited. Under all the circumstances, he ap- pealed to their worships to impose a nominal penalty. Mr. Amphlett said that the father had been dead for twenty years, and it was a pity to drag his name into the matter now. As to the sureties of this man, he did not wish to say anything. But he was afraid that his remark that the loss would fall on the ratepayers must stand. Mr. Crabbe remarked that if the sureties were not substantial ones, it was the fault of those who accepted them. Mr. Grimsley (Clerk to the Guardians of St. Asaph Union), replying to the court, said that now proceedings had been taken ugainst the de- fendant, and it was found that he had no effects, they were in a position to proceed against the sureties. The Chairman said that having regard to all the circumstances of the case, they would take until the next court to consider the matter. PROPOSED STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN PUBLIC HOUSES. THE JUSTICES DECLINE TO LOOK AT PLANS. Mr. Henry Taylor, solicitor, Chester and Flint, applied to the court on behalf of the Northgate Brewery Company, Chester, to re- ceive plans of proposed alterations to the Ferry Hotel, Foryd, near Rhyl. Mr. Taylor said that the Brewery Company, had lately acquired the Ferry Hotel, a one storey building, wh.ch they proposed to con- vert into a convenient hotel, at a considerable expenditure of money. At present, the acco. modation was very inadequate, and it was pro- posed to add a large luncheon room, and a num- ber of additional bedrooms, for the convenience of visitors, more especially during the Volun- teer encampments at Foryd. Mr. Lockwood, architect, of Chester, was in court, and he proposed to call him to prove the I plans. The Chairman asked why the applbation was not on the list? Mr. George (the Clerk), said that it was the rule to send notices of intended applications to him, and he put them on the list. But in a great many cases, the practice was nob to send such notices. Mr. Miller said they could not approve or disapprove the plans. The owners would carry out the alterations at their own risk, but still, I he could not see any objection in looking at the plans. After some .discussion, Mr. Miller said lie would like to sea the phns, and thjy wera handed up. but when Mr. Taylor proceeded to examine Mr. Lockwood, The Chairman said that the Court had de- cided not to look at the plans. They would be considered at the annual licensing sessions. Mr. Tayior said that the plans were brought before the Court as a matter of courtesy. There was no law on the subject, but it was the prac- tice when it was proposed to alter public house property, to first submit plans to the licensing justices. He had offered to do so in this case, and asked the Clerk to make a note of it. Mr. Crabbe, later in the sitting, said that he had a plan of proposed alterations a the Hes. keth Arms, but after the decision of the Bench in regard to Mr. Taylor's application, he was almost afraid to put ib forward. But he was instructed to do so. He appeared for Mr. Allinson, tbe landlord of the hotel, ftnd the Countess of Dundonald, the owner. The pro posed alterations only affected the bar, which it was intended to extend. He had shown the plans to Inspector Roberts, and he agreed that the house could ba better supervised by the police if the proposed alterations were carried out. The Chairman said they could not, make any distinction between the two cases. But Mr, Crabbe might be assured that if the alterations proposed to be carried were in the interest of the public, they would be considered at the proper time. TRANSFERS. On the application of Mr Crabbe, the licen- ses of the Hesketh Arms Hotel were transferred from Mr. G. H. Slack, Rhyl, to Mr, J. R. Allinson, late of the Black Lion, Llanfair that of the Black Lion was transferred to Mr. Crewe, late of Blackpool; and that of the late Glynn Arms, Pensarn, from Mr. Hill to Mr. Smith, of Ormskirk. PROPOSED DIVERSION OF FOOTPATHS AT LLANDDULAS. Mr. E. A. Crabbe appeared for Mr. R. W. Wynne, Coed Coch, to apply for an order to divert certain footpaths in the parishes of Llysfa?n and Llanddulas. At the last Court, Mr. Crabbe had applied that justices should view the footpaths in ques- tion, as required by law, and Mr. Mason and Dr. Wolstenholme had accordingly viewed the place. The application was adjourned for the pro- duction ot the owner's consent in writing to the diversion of the paths. AN ASSAULT CASE DISMISSED. Edward Jones, son of Eunice Jones, charged Charles Ellis. confectioner, with assaulting him, on the 31st of December. The lad stated that as he was standing in front of the defendant's window, Ellis came out aud took hold of him by the shoulders, and pushed him through the shop to the back, where he asked what his name was. Some men came to the back, one of whom took hold of the defendant, and he (complainant) was released. The mother stated that the man who had in terfered, and another, had promised to attend the Court to give evidence, but they were not present. Mr. Ellis said that considerable annoyance was caused by boys congregating in front of his window. On the night in question he called P.C. Pendlebury to remove a lot of boys. Im- mediately the officer had turned his back, the boy Jones, whose name he did not then know, came back with another boy, and when asked to go away, defied him. He took him to the shop, and to the back for the purpose of send ing for the police. Before he could do so, Mr. Williams, the Harp. pushed the back door open, and the boy was allowed to go. He did not beat the boy. Mr. Mason said that the boys were at times very aggravating, and he asked Inspector Ro berts if frequent complaints were not made to the police. Inspector Roberts said that complaints were made. The case was dismissed,) Mr. Mason re- marking that it would have been better if Mr. Eilis had no] taken things mto his own hands. DREADFUL CRUELTY TO A CAT. Ann Williams, Pontydd, Towya, was sum- moned by Inspector Toyne, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani- mals, for cruelly illtreating, abusing, and tor turing a cat on the 6th of December last. Defendint did not appear. Catherine Bartley, wife of Samuel Bartley, Pontydd, Towyn, stated that on the 6th of last month, she had occasion to go out of her house, which was next door to that of the defendant. Hearing a cat screaming in the defendant's house, she looked in through the bedroom wmdow, and saw defendant beating her (wit ness') cat with a stick, and the animal was jumping up to the window to escape from her, When the witness went to the kitchen, and asked for her cat, which she had been beating, defendant replied that it was her own cat that she had been beating, for stealing meat. When she got the cat next day, she said that its ribs and shoulder were laid bare as if by burning, P.C. Rigby said that in consequence of com. plaints made by Mrs. Bartley, he went to see the cat on the 7th of December. He also saw the defendant, who admitted beating the cat. There was a wound on the animal's side as it it had been burnt, and defendant admitted that she had scalded the cat. She had done so be- cause tha cat had jumped on her table and ate some of her food. Inspector Toyne deposed to going to Towyn on the 11th of Decemher, to see defendant. He asked her to go with him to see the cat. She did so. When he saw the cat it had a raw, bare, wound extending from the shoulders to the rils, which were exposed and blood and mat- ter exuded from the shoulder. It was in such a state that he asked Mrs. Bartley to do away with it. Mrs. Bartley, replying to the Court, said that the cat had not been destroyed. She felt that it was cruel to keep it alive, but thought it would be necessary to do so uutil the case had been heaid. They had arranged to destroy the cat as soon as the case was over. Defendant was found guilty, and a fine of 5s. and 14a. costs was imposed, or 14 days imprison- ment with hard labour. Inspector Roberts remarked that the defen- dant was a very old woman. The Clerk-Then without hard labour. NO LIGHT. William Davies, Cefn Castell Farm, Llanddu- las, was fined Is. and 6s. 6d. costs for driving a shandry without light on the 7th of December, at 8. 20 p.m. on the Abergele ro id.

,a. CORWEN. THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ASSOCIATION. The first annual meeting of tbe local branch of the Soldiers and Sailors Families Association, was held at the Reading Room, on Monday afternoon, under the presidency of the Hon. Mrs. W-vnn. There were also present the Rectors of Corwen and Llangar, Rev. Ivan T. Davies, Mr. L. Lloyd John, Mrs. Pugb, Mrs. W. Jones, &c., with the hon. secretary (Mrs. Lloyd John). The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, The Secretary submitted a statement of receipts and expenditure, and various sta- tistical returns tor the year ended 31st of December last. They were carefully exa- mined and approved, and ordered to be sent to the county secretary for transmission to London, The total amount expended in 1900 in relieving local cases was XIB 8s. 4d. Some discussion took place as to terms of member- ship of the branch, and it was resolved to fix the amount at 2s. 6d. The members of the committee residing in the various parishes of the division were reque&ted to bring the claims ol the Asso c.ation (of which tbe Princess of Wales is president) to the notice of their friends and acquaintances.

LIVERPOOL. INTERESTING WEDDING. A pretty wedding was solemnised on Wed- nesday at the Prince's Road Chapel, Liverpool, between Alderman W. R. Jones, Holyhead, and Miss Rebecca Hughes, the youngest daughter of Alderman Samuel Hughes, A.mlwch. The Rev. John Williams officiated. Mr. J. E. Frimston, Manchester, acted as best man, and Miss Maggie Jones, Llanfaethlu, as bridesmaid. Among those present were Alderman Samuel Hughes and Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Howel Gee and Mrs. Gee, Miss Annie Jones, &c.

Jupiter is 1,387 times as big as the earth, but only 300 times as heavy. A cynical old bachelor says that the best way to propose to a girl is to make the proposal in writing, and then burn the letter.

LATEST NE W S. .1.JLJ- (J. I By wire this {Friday) ajl&rnoon. I Central Novrs Age. cy. Capetown, Thursday. Several thousand Boers who were treck- king to German West Africa have now turned south, to assist in the invasion of Cape Colony. They have reached Griqua- town. Onsland, has altered its name in hope of evading the regulation prohibiting its cir- culation in districts where martial law has been proclaimed. New York, Friday. The Sun reports that an American Line has purchased the Atlantic Transport Line. The coudition of the Bishop of London is this morning very critical. r, Timothy Cadogan was executed at Cork to-day, for the murder of Mr. Bird, land agent, at Bantry, last February. Cadogan, who was banged at Cork for the murder of Mr. Bird, attempted to commit suicide early this morning, but was preven- ted by warders. A rag gatherer, named Woods, was execu- ted at Belfast to-day, for the murder of his paramour.

TIVX-XIK N?%rmmrl. (Continued from Page 3). FRIDAY. BOER ATTACKS ON BRITISH POSTS. ALL REPULSED. HEAVY LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES. THE ENEMY ASSAULT A CONVOY. 11 KILLED. THE CAPE INVASION. SEVERAL SKIRMISHES. The following despatch from Lord Kit- chener was posted at the War Office yester- day:- Pretoria, Wednesday. On the night of the 7th the Boers made similtaneous and determined attacks on all our posts at Belfast and at Wonderfontein, Nooitgedacht, Wyldfontein, and Pan. A dense fog prevaikd, and taking advan- tage of the cover that it afforded, the Boers were able to creep up close to our positions. Heavy fire continued till 3.40 p.m., when the Boers were driven off. One officer, Captain Fosbery, killed, and three wounded 10 men killed, and 59 wounded. Boer loss heav., 24 dead being counted. A convoy taking supplies to Gordon's Brigade north ol Krugersdorp was attacked Brigade north ol Krugersdorp was attacked by Beyer's commando yesterday. The Boers I were driven off, leaving 11 dead on the field. Our casualties, four men slightly wounded.

RUTHIN. (Other News on Page 7). A ENTERTAINMENT. EV«FIJNRAN<* ENT8I'TAINMENT was held oa Thursday HEX;. AT the Institute, Llanfwrog. K.epo r week. EAR MEETINGS. •NTE\V YEAR PRAYER MEETINGS. WEEK week every chapel held their annual EVERV °. PRayer. Meetings have been held RYNight. 0N THE WORKHOUSE TREAT. tre^ ~:ailr8^ay evening, the annual Christmas k°iUe 8 ^veu to the inmates of the Work • A report will appear next week, A, BILLIARD MATCH. d*y at d match was commenced on Thnrs W, r, the Conservative Club, between Mr. R. ar. LlOyd Denbigh, and Mr. Tottill. There Tottiii0 ^^ches to be played of 1,000 each,Mr. After conceding his opponent by 300 points. °uta lntere3ting exhibition, Mr. Lloyd ran DloZT1 jner by 160 points. The next half wil pl*yea at Denbigh. A, MUSIC. thl Tnt local examination in commotion "thin t London College of Music, held at Pian0{ he following pupils were successful:— |*ir Qy01^'8! senior section, Gwladys G. Evans, g°bert0Ve» Thomas, Castle Street; and t °^el]a Beech. Pianoforte Intermediate, JfUa naP Plarris and Gwladys Maysmor Gae, ^rimervUg^e8' ^inor House. Pianoforte Pupils ot A?- Handerson, Glandwr. All are fiXahiiiiD Lloyd, Market Street. The er was Dr. Orlando, Mansfield. XHE BIBLE SOCIETY. ^°ve SUu ^1 meeting in connection with the 148 tile Town Hall, on Thursday. aM ^h&acellor Bulkeley Jones presided, t>* • E(jSQPP°rted on the platform by the Revs. Pa,reil+ ^ai'da, Oswestry (deputation from the 7; Wiin„0ciety). Isaac James, David Jones, E. T Rohn^8' ^oses Roberts, and Councillor T. °hes v,1 ,» and the Secretary, Mr. R. A. u^ess Street. The Chairman in a brief r d <lon0ei Fed to the good work the Society S. fi(iv5UrinK the past century. The Rev. °^°Wed Kai(is addresBed the meetings and was ? the Rev. Moses Roberts. 'At th D PRESENTATION. fVe» a 8ChOOl room, on New Years 4 for tk 'he church members was 5 ? Ilev p PUrPose of presenting the paBtor, a" van Stephens, with a purse con- Cl"ibe(i bv ? m°ney which had been sub- r>?Co8nitinn members of the church, in Urch} an~| his faithful services to the sla8e. the occasion of his recent mar j5Cce88 of t,lesses were then delivered upon the A/t ^hich hh c^1Qrch daring the past century, y j following persons took part:— k?Des» Pra« 1?v^es> Thomas Williams, Thomas thpPheug. rS,1^ Dowell, and also the Rev. Evan j 0 berg "fort? |.atter gentleman thanked the ^eir ^r. kindness towards him, and TO\y assistance. othe°U?CILLOR T0 THE RESCUE- a meniber of our Town Couu- comfortably by the fire, when his «ars were assailed with a loud shoats of I Murder, Police.' Seizing substantial stick, he at onca rushad forth with gresfc gallantry to the assistance of the unfortunate sufferer. Happjiy, before he had the opportunity of doing any execution with his familiar weapon, one of the party into whose midst he had rushed calmly informed him that there was no danger of violence, but that hid shouts wera only the oaLcome of frolicsmue humour Under this cooling explanation, the gallant Council lor returned back to his blazing hearth with bitter feeling of disappointment, having been deprived of the opportunity of inflicting a severe drubbing upoa trie supposed culprit.

ABERGELE. 1-11-1-1-Nl-1--l-1-11-1-1- SCIENCE AND RELIGION. SPEECH BY MR. J. H. ROBERTS, M.P. The second part of the winter session of the AbergeSe Mutual Improvement Society, meeting in the County School, was opened on Wednesday evening with a lecture by Mr. Senior on 'The Breath of Life,' illustrated with experimencs. Mr. J. Herbert Roberts, M P presided, and, in opening the proceedings, said that he was a great believer in the good work done by literary and debating societies He contended that the formation of these literary societies would be found to be a necessary corollary of their sys- tem of intermediate schools. Their subject that evening was a scientific one, and was connected with a question of absorbing and inexhaustible interest. There was a consensus of opinion among present day educationists as to the necessity of giving a larger place to the technical side of education in the tuture than in the past. It was obvious that this was imperative under the existing conditions of our social organisa- tion, but perhaps it was not sufficiently realised that it was also rendered necessary by the ever- increasing importance of science in the life of the country and of the world (applause). From the standpoint of civilisation regarde t as the knowledge and mastery of the forces of nature, the century just closed was unique. All know that from this point of view greater progress had been made during the last century than during the whole previous Christian age. It had been a period of great epoch making dis. coveries in the realm of science which had com- pletely revolutionised the life of the civilised world, and it was impossible to foretell the new triumphs which lay before them in the coming century. One thing, however, was certain, that science would take a foremost place in the mind and action of the next hundred years, and it behoved them one and all to become acquainted, as far as possible, with the general principles of this rich and intensely interesting realm of knowledge. It was a question often asked what would be the effect of the expanding influence of science upon tne religious thought of the country. Speaking for himself, he had no fear in this direction. Science rightly understood was but the handmaid of rei,,gion-(applause)- a mirror by which they were enabled to see more clearly the trace of the Divine in Nature's handwork. So also with tne laws of science. If natural selection taught the possible develop- ment of the human frame from lower forma of life, it also taught that the possession of intel- lectual and moral faculties could not have been so developed, but must have had another origin, and that the only adequate came for this other origin lay in the spiritual world (applause). The discoveries of science were but new revelations of the Divine order of the w rid, and steps by which the human race could rise to highe r things.

FLINT. NONCONFORMIST UNION, United prayer meetings are being held this week in each of the different Noncon- formist places of worship alternately. The meetings have been exceedingly well at- tended up to the present. Next week a series of united preaching services will be held in Caersalem chapel English and Welsh alternatively. DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MRS. WILKINSON. We are sorry to record the death of Mrs. Wilkinson, wife of our respected townsman, Councillor Wilkinson, which took place on Sat- urday night, at the early age of 35. The Town Hall flag was hoisted half-mast, and much sym- pathy is manifested towards Mr. Wilkinson in his sad bereavement. The funeral took place on Wednesday, when a large number of people attended, the procession being headed by the Mayor of the Borough. HOT-POTS. SEASONABLE GENEROSITY. On Monday last Mrs. JDr. Mould, of Cornist Hall, entertained about 215 of the poor children of the town and district to a hot-pot dinner given in the Town Hall. In addition to the hot pots each child was pre sented with a piece of bun loaf and an apple. The children thoroughly enjoyed their treat, and expressed their gratification at the kind manner in which they bad been entertained by giving several rounds of cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Mould for their kiudness. The hot-pots were supplied by Mr. W. M. Evans, and the distribution of tickets, &c., was en trusted to a committee of ladies, under the personal supervision of Mrs. Mould. SUCCESSFUL CONCERT. A very successful and enjoyable concert was held at the Town I-lall on Wednesday night last week. Mr. C. P. Mitchell, Bryn Edwyn Hall, presiding. The artistes were Madame Georgina Hughes, Miss Maggie Wilkinson, and Miss Alice Collins, Messrs. Harry Collins, Sam Hayes, and Jim Davies. Mr. E. G. Evans, Star Tea Co., gave several recitations in good style, and Miss Croft ably presided at the pianoforte. During the interval the chairman gave a short and in- teresting address; and on the propositio/i of Alderman Hall, seconded by Dr. J. Humphry Williams, a hearty vote of thanks was ac- corded to the chairman for presiding, and it was announced that he had contributed liberally towards the funds. The proceeds were in aid of the funds of the English Wesleyan Church.

—. — CONWAY. .r THE CORPORATION. The monthly meeting of the Corporation of Conway took place on Wednesday afternoon the Mayor (Mr. Alderman Hugh Jones) presiding, Mr. J. P. Griffiths asked why the name of the Mayor was ommitted from the printed list of justices. The Mayor said he did not know, but he had also observed that the name of the chairman of the Rural District Council was cmmitted. Dr. M. J. Morgan, the ex mayor, said that perhaps the reason was that the names only of the county justices who attended were inclu- ded. It was reported that loans of £ 1,220 and £1.226 for sewerage and water supply works, and for the public library, had been allowed by the Public Works Loan Board. It was resolved to transfer these sums when received to reduce the loan account of the bank. The Market and Fairs Committee reported that the railway company had agreed to run a train from the Junction to Conway at 2 30 p. m. every Friday, and back from Conway to the Junction at 4 15 p.m., to connect with the Conway Vale trains. The Llanrvst Urban District Council are to be approached with a view of the two councils jointly fixing their fairs on regular dates to prevent clashing. Mr, Delamotte, the surveyor, was requested to obtain information as to the methods adopt- ed in other places for the lighting of harbour marks like the perch at the entrance to the Conway harbour, and that he reports after- wards as to the best way of lighting the perch. Rear Admiral Jones Parry wrote that hs had written to Trinity House asking for a bell buoy to be placed by them to mark the passage into the Conway river. On the motion of Alderman Hugh Jones, seconded by Mr. Edward Roberta, it was resol- ved to petition Trinity House earnestly in sup. port of the application. Mr. Stafford Howard, of the Office of Woods and Forests, wrote that he did not propose to make any claim to any waste land in the parish of Dwygyfylchi other than that leased to Messrs. Brundritt, as to where there had been a dispute which was now settled on terms with the Corporation. It was resolved that all the land belonging to the Corporation in the borough or in the dis trict of Conway detached-a part of Dwygyfyl- chi parish-be indicated on the borough map. The Sanitary Committee recommended that Messrs, Chamberlain and Johnson, solicitors, be informed, in reply to their demand for pay- ment of Mr. Conway's claim for a sewer made by him and others at Degaawy, that the Coun- cil repudiated any liability. Mr. A. J. Oldham moved, and Mr. John Hughes seconded, an amendment that the Com- mittee be requested to pay the fair amount due. This amendment was defeated, and Mr. J. E. Conway Jones moved as a turther amendment that the matter be again fully considered by a special committee, to which Mr. Conway should be invited. Mr. Robert Davies seconded this and after a discussion, the amendment was carried. The Council agreed to allow working men attending the series of Gilchrist lectures in the Town Hall during the next two months to cross the suspension bridge for that purpose toll free,

LANDLADY BECOMES LODGER AND LODGER LANDLORD. MEETING ON LLANDUDNO PROMENADE AND ITS SEQUEL. At Chester County Court, on Monday, Sir Horatio Lloyd had before him an interpleader issue somewhat unique in character, in which the parties were Messrs. Samuel Bartley and Son, of Llandudno, plaintiffs and execution creditors, and Mary Booth, a widow, at present residing in Chester, and lately at Llandudno, defendant, the claimant being William Hender- son, painter and decorator, now of Chester, and lately of Llandudno. Mr. R. S. Chamber- lain, Llandudno, appeared for the execution creditor, and Mr. W. H. Churton, of Chester, for the claimaib. It appeared that Mrs. Booth was the wife of a Birmingham silversmith. Two or three years ago her husband was taken ill, and it was deemed expedient that she should take a lodging house at Llandudno, where he might join her if he recovered. He died, however, and Mrs. Booth, who had a daughter then about four years of age, continued at the lodg- ing house, Ormesdale, Craig y-don parade. Afterwards she removed to The Dales, Oxford road, LI indudno, which she carried on as a lodging house. Early last year, Henderson, who then belonged to Birmingham, went to Llandudno to work as a painter; and with a partner of his, named Bradley, casually met on the promenade Mrs. Booth and a Mrs. Jeffreys. Henderson and his friend became visitors and eveniuaily iodj, era at The Dal. s. Aftur many mcn-bs bad passed Mrs. to b-, p essed by her -remr-org, snd she applied for an a imursslrati -n r-r i^r at the O-nway court; but .»s her ii tbibties exceeded £ 50, the o>-der cooJd not be granted. Litter sue decided to give up the house. Messrs. RHtley put a ilhn in possession for a debt which she owed them, wüen they were met by a claim from Sender- the lo .'ger. The proceeded by ar- rangement between the parties, and the money \V¡¡S paid into -curt pending the decision of tuis interpleader issue, the question practically which his Honour lHd to -ec-de bemg whether, as s, matter of fa t, Henderson had bought a quantity of furu ture from Mrs Booth. The value 01 the furniture whi-h he alleged he had purchased from her was between jE40 and £ 50, and in his evide'Jce.n snpport of bi claim he produced a sum her of receipts given to him by Mrs. Booth. He said th t in June of last year he left Liandu ipo for B-rmiogham, a business wrts slack in the former plae.e, but he said he still went down occasionally for the week ends to enjoy tha sea air (Laughter) He returned to Lluntiudno tor good again on August Bank Holiday, and ugam lodged with Mrs. Booth. When site said she war. giving up the house, he removed to Chester, and went to live at 90, Tarvin road, to wnich address he consigned from Llaodnd.o several article* of fnrmtare which he had brought with hum 'fom Birming hum. Two d iys later Mrs Booth came to Chester and as she had no home to go to, he took compassion on her, and took her to live at his hoass until she found a sit/nation and she was there still In the course of the cross- examination of the witness the following ques- tions were put :— Mr. Chamberlain—Where did you first meet Mrs. Booth? Witness—We picked her up talking up and down the promenade What conversation took place ?-.Oaly ordin ary c tnversation. I asked her notuing more than were dici she live And did you, roS the result of that, visit her at her hoase?—Yes, we did. D<d you have any eotertainmect when you got there?—Yes, we had food and drink, and a tune on the piano (Laughter) Mr. Ciiamberlain (to witness)-Have you ever told anybody that Mrs. Booth was your wite?—No. Do you know that she has represented her- se)f as your wife --N ut that I know of. Were you living as man and wife at Llan- audno?—No, never. Why did yon bring her to Chester to stay with you ?-I told her she could come to Chester if she liked. Waat is she paying you per week?—She has got nothing to pay, I offered her a home. I put it to you whether you were not living with this woman at Llandudno, aad are living with her now, as man and wife?—No certain- ly not. No improper relations?—No improper re- lations. Although she is a woman you knocked pnp against by chance on Llandudno promenade?- IIIJa. May Booth, the defendant, then entered the box, and corroborated Henderson ia several particulars, adding that she had a partner in the lodging-honse business at Llandudno, in the person of Mrs. Jeffreys. They iurnished the house jointly. That was the first house she went to, and she had to leave it because the house was bought over her head. Mrs. Jeffreys was with her at the second house, and Dales until June. Henderson came to live at her house a week before last Easter. Mr. Churton-ls it true that you ever had any improper relations with Henderson?—It is a fabrication of untruths (Laughter). Mr. Chamberlain—Have yo" never represent- ed yourself to Mr. Robert Roberts, and others, as being the wife of Mr. Henderson ?-No. Have you neve; m-ide that representatioa to anyone?—I may have said jocularly. Did you hear of my getting marritci a^ain and I kept it np as a joke. Where did you go for the honeymoon ?—I have not been (Lacghter). Where did you go at Whireuntide last year on a bicycle?—To Birmingham. With whom?—With Mr. Rend erson-(iauoh, ter)—but Mrs Jeffreys was with us. And another gentleman ?—Yes (laughter). On bicycles?—Yes. You had only made his acquaintance in March, and you bicycle out with him at Whit- Bunt.,i,de ?-Yes, but Mr. Henderson is not the only one I have ridden out with You swear upon your oath that to no creditor, and to no one representing a creditor, hive you ever represented yourself as being married to Mr. Henderson?—Never. That you will swear?—I'll swear. Have they invented it ?—They have invented it, but it is nothing to what they have said against me at Llandudno, simply because they knew I had no protector (laughter). When are you leaving Tarvin road?—When I can get somewhere to go to; either to the union or anywhere else. You can go to the union from Tarvin road at any time if you are destitute, you know.-I am, then. But you have no present intention of leaving Tarvin Road ?—I certainly have. I can't live on other people all my lifetime. I have my child to look after. In giving judgment, Sir Horatio Lloyd said, with reference first of all to the claim of the goods which Henderson alleged he bought from Mrs. Booth, he found they amounted to 943 lis. 7d., between the 24th March and 11th August. Claimant had stated that after paying all his expenses at Llandudno he might have had over out of his earnings £ 1 or 25s. a week. Taking him at his own figure, he could not have possibly had the money to pay for the furniture which he said he had bought. Even by giving him credit for saving 25s. a week, plus £ 3 in his pocket when he reached Llan- dudno, the total came to a great deal less than he alleged to have paid Mrs. Booth. That was one element in the case, but there were a great many others. He (the Judge) had come to the conclusion that the s^ called title of this man to these goods was an absolutely fictitious one. He did not believe he had bought a la. worth, and his (the Judge's) own opinion was that the re- ceipts which had been produced were prepared between Henderson and Mrs. Booth as a fraud. Thaj was his deliberate opinion, and he said distinctly as to those goods be found for the execution creditors (Messrs. Bartley); as to other articles of furniture he was not at liberty to disbelieve Henderson, for very likely when he came to Chester he did buy a few little odds and ends for furnishing, but what he claimed as having bought from Mrs. Booth he (Sir Horatio) disallowed. Therefore as claimant succeeded as to some articles, and failed as to others, the fairest way would be for each party to pay their own cests but under all the cir- cumstances he should direct that the claimant Henderson should pay the hearing fee and the possession money. Mr. Chamberlain—I take it the money in court belonging to the claimant will be used for that purpose? Mr. Churton says we shall see as to that again, but I ask the question now. The Judge—If the Registrar is what I take him to be he will help himself firit (laughter).

THE CAPE INVASION. VIGOROUS RECRUITING. BLUEJACKETS AND MARINES GUARDING CAPETOWN. REPORTS OF FIGHTING. THE DUTCH TRANQUIL. Capetown, Wednesday. Entrenchments are being thrown up across the Cape flats from False Bay to Table Bay. Colonel Grenfell is closely pursuing the invaders in the Mtddleburg district; but the Boers have succeeded in evading an en- gagement. It has now been ascertained that the re- ports of the engagement between the cyclist corps and the advance budy of the Boers in Cape Colony are unfounded. The troops of the Western Province Mounted Rifles will proceed to Picquet- berg road to-morrow morning, and two more in the evening. Various drafts which are to proceed to the same destination are being hurriedly equipped. Recruiting for the colonial defence force goes forward with undiminished vigor, and satisfactory re- ports are being received from the country districts.

RHUDDLAN. FUNERAL OF MR. IVOR ROWLEY CONWY. On Wednesday the remains of Mr. Harford Ivor Rowley Conwy, the youngest son of Mrs. Rowley Conwy, and the Jate Captain Rowley Conwy, Bodrhyddan, were interred in the Rhyl Churchyard, The funeral was of a pri- vate character, but a large number of the ten. antry and others assembled in the church, where the service was conducted by the Revs. J. Owen, vicar of Dyserth, andT. Ll. Vaughan, vicar of Rhuddlan. The coffin was borne from the Hall on a draped lurry, and workmen on the estate acted as bearers. The deceased, who was a promising youth, was only 17 years of age at the time of his death. He had come home from school for th.3 Christmas holidays, and was taken seriously ill in Christmas week, the rent audit, which had been fixed for the 2th of December, being postponed in consequence. He seemed to rally afterwards, but last week suffered a relapse, and he died during Sunday night.

ELECTRIC TRACTION ON THE UNDERGROUND LINE. A special meeting of the Metropolitan District Railway Company was held cn Monday at Westmin- ster to consider the raising of an additional capital of £ 500.000 and the creation and issue of £ 166,000 of debenture stock, authorised by the Company's Acts of 1897 and 1900. Mr. J. S. Forbes presided, and said the position of their undertaking had become desperate owing to causes over which neither the directors nor the proprietors bad any control- the omnibus competition and the development of electric traction on the Central London Railway. It had now been proved that their line could be adapted to electric traction at a very moderate cost, and in a very short time, and the capital asked for would -enable the directors to get the work done within the amount of the vote. z;1 After some discus- sion, resolutions for the raising ot the capital above- mentioned were carried unanimously.

On Christmas Day in America, shops are usually open for two hours in the morning.