The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

SMALL HOLDINGS ACT IN CARNARVONSHIRE. PEASANT PROPRIETORSHIP. LIBERAL PRAISE FOR CONSER- VATIVE LANDLORDS. CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT'S BOON FOR FARMERS. (From a "Pioneer" Reporter.) 'A special meeting of the Carnarvonshire County Council was held on Saturday to consider the question of sma-R holdings. In view of the forthcoming 8&0 of certain outlying portions of the Pamrhyn and Vaynol Estates, it had been tuggested by Mr Ellis Davks, M.P., that Section 17 cf the Small Holdings Act, passed by the Conservative Government in 1892. might be put in operation., enabling the tenants to purchase fcheir own holdings. This was the purpose for which the present special meeting was sum- moned. There were present: Mes&ra Maurice Jones (in the chair), R. 0. Jones (vice-chairman), YV. J. Pajry. Robert Thomas, Cricoiech; J. Jones Morris, W. Pierce, J. R. P ritoha.ro, J. R. Hughes. H. 0. Hughes, Ivor Parry, Robert Hughee, W. Conway. P. Mclntyre. H. Ltoyd Carter, Ralph Fisher, R. Roberts, G. 0. Jones, Dr. Owen, Messrs Iniigo Jonee, R. B. Ellis, W. George, Abel WiUiama, D. Davies, R. O. Hughes Thomas Jones. W. H. Williams, R. E. Jones, Robert Evans, Henry Parry, ELiis Da- vies, Rev. RheLdiol Roberts. Dr. Wiiliams, Pem. joaohno; Colonei the Hon. H. Lloyd Moetyn, Rev. W. Morgan, OoL Lboyd Evanb, Messrs T. Roberta, Iasard Dav1æ, the Rev. Ceidiog Ro- berta, Dr. Griffith, Pwilhedii; Rev. 0. G. Owan, Meesrs T. C. Lewis, D. H. Danes, and Hugh Owen, Glynnog. Mil ROBERT THOMAS. Cricciebh, as ohiaar- tnaui of the Small Holdings Committee, pre- sented the fodtawing report of that body, betid the previous Saturday, at which Mr John Owen, representing the Board of Agriculture, had at- tended — FUNDS FOR PURPOSES OF SMALL HOLD- INGS ACTS. The CLERK submitted the following letter re- ceived from the Public Works Loan Board, dated November 1st, stating: I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 31st ultimo, and to inform you that this Board have power under the Small Holdings Act, 1892 and 1907. to ma.ke loans to County Councils for the purposes of the former Aot, i.f recommended by the Local Government Board, for any period not exceeding 80 years and 50 years respectively, and that the rate of interest which this Board are at present empowered to charge is 3 per cent, per annum, whatever the period, that being the minimum rate fixed by the Treasury for Lcthns on the aeou-rity of iocal rates. It must not be assumed that this Board would lend for the (ull period recommended, that being a matter for their decision wh-en the application is before, them.—I am, air, your obedient servant, Ben- jamin Allen, chief clerk." A deputation of farmers from South Carnar- vonshire, introduced by Mr Rhei'dioL Roberts, attended before the oommittec. The deputation consisted of the following: Mr Witiam Prit- ohard, Penoarth, Ch.wi.og; Mr James Hughes, TyddyntaJigoch, Llanengan; Mr Owen Griffith Jones, Muriau, Llangdan; Mr J. R. Jones Ty- engtLn, Sarn; Mr DanieJ Jones, T re facts, Sainn; Mr R. G. Jones, Cefnpenooed Llanarmon, Chwilog; Mr Owen Jones, Factory, Aberdaron; Mr Griffith Evans, Tydu, Llannor; and Mr Ro- bert Griffith, Cmgirgooh. MR PRITCHARD. speaking on behalf of the -deputation, expCiained tihat tthey had been appoint- ed at a rneetang he|Id in Pwflheii to represent the tenant farmers in L'eyn whose farms would ly be put up for eaJe, and that their object was to request the County Council to assist them under the provisions of the Small Holdings Act Vf 1892. In one parish alone (LLanengan) there were no fewer tha.n 53 holdings to which the Act applied which would be offered for eaj'.e. Mr Pritchard was supported by Mr Jamee Hughes, Mr Owen Jones, Mr Griffith Evans, and Mr Robert Griffith. The deputation having withdrawn. the com- mittee discussed the matter at length, and it wae iteBOitved t'ha.t this committee recommend fchait the County Council take immediate steps to obtain funds to be advanced to the purchasers haldiingB under Seotion 17 of the Small Hold- ■*gs Act. 1892. It was allso reisolved that this committee is of Opinion that there is a. demand for the establish- Juant of Small Holdings in the county, and re- ooaxtmemd those tenants whose buildings are about to be solid, to approach their landlords with the ▼ierw of coming to terms with them as to price, and tthat for tine purpose of securing that such price be a. reasonable one, this committee ap- point persons to co-operate with such tenants In the negotiations |pa* the purchase of such. ■BMtU holdings, and that this oommittee also apply to the Boa.rd of Agriculture for the assist- ance of an expert valuer free of expense to the county to carry this reGotl-utaon out. It was further reserved that the members of tfeis oommittee be the committee to co-operate (with the tenants. The deputation were thereupon requested to return to the meeting, and weM informed of Che action which the committee proposed taking, and thair desire to assist in every possible way in putting the Acts into operation, and that if the deputation required any informa.tion or guidance it could be had from the chairman of the oommittee or the clerk. The Clerk was directed to ask the County Couirv- cite Association for their consent to the sum- mary of the powers and duties of the County Council under the Smail Holdings and AMotmefnta Acts, prepared by the Right Hon. H. Hobhotsee, being translated into Weish; and in tihe event of such oonserrt being given, that the Gummary be translated and circulated among farmers and interested in the subject. Resolved that it be recommended that aill the Pa.rish Councils in the county be invited to convene special meetings of thedr Councils to oonaidar the administration of the Small Hold- ings Act, 1907. and that, if the Parish Council wish it. arrangements will be for mem- beris of the County Council to attend the meet- ings a.nd explain the provisions of the Aot. POWERS UNDER SMALL HOLDINGS ACT. In moving the adoption of 1:00 report. MR THOMAS entered into a somewhat involved ex- planation of the Act of 1892, together with re- ferences to the Act of 1907. Under the first of these Acts the County Council was empowered to assist tenant farmers of a certain class to purchase their own holdings. The qualifying conditions were that the farm should either not exoeed 50 acres in extent, or if it were larger that it should not be assessed for income tax purposes a.t more than £50. The tenaint of a farm coming within these limits was entitled under Seotion 17 of the Aot of 1892 to to the County Council for assistance in purchasing the farm, provided he could first ma.ke terms wtiith the landlord. There were no compulsory powers. Neither the tenant nor the County Council could compel the landlord to sell. But if the farm were solid, whether by auotion ot private treaty, and the tenant hims.e;:f became the purchaser, the County Council could then advance on loan to the tenant up to four-fifths of the purchase money. The loan would ca.Try a low ra.te of interest, and be repayable as to capital and interest in yearly instalments spread over a period not exceeding 50 years. The Public Works Loan Board would find the money for the Council, and the present rate of interest wag 3 per cent. The County Council was, however, empowered to charge on the tenant another ten per cent. to meet the exoencea in- curred by the Council in the matter. Thoee were the main features of the section of the Aot of 1892, it was now proposed to put in force in the county. Then there was the new Act of 1907 which, though it did not apply fa*tns now in question, required to h; r.iit :n operation. He trusted the Council would adopt the new Act, if only to keep the Board of Agriculture from interfering in the business of the County. For, if the Council itself did not take steps under that Act, the Board of Agriculture itself watej empowercid to do the work and to charge the County Council. The Council could delegate its powers to a. com- mitted, and as a matter of faot it had already appointed its Allotments amd Small Holdings Committee. The Act too provided a sum of to meet the expenses of putting this new Aot in operation, and as the Act only came into force on the first of January next, while the financial year ended on March 31st, this £100,000 was realilv available for three months' work optier Aot He hoped- therefore, the Coun- cil wou:d unanimously dieter mine to adopt the Act, and they need not be deterred by anv fear of the exoenee. ALDERMAN ABEL WILLIAMS seconded. He saa-d he did so because there was nothing Socialistic in tiheee Acta. Socialism, as he under- itood it, undermined all the principles of law LOO. order. He could never support that kind of W'sn, But these Acts related to the land, "ur ^V^}d ^W«d to man. 4 Socialism if they liked, but he did not call it ttecausc it undermined no principle i wore toe issues of both a Conservative "and i Litxru Government, and tihat r;roltd that rhay no essential prin > ,>v. 9:>() ot Books told them that the Ore? vor iad fiver the earth to the sons of men. Another erse, however, said that the earth was rc.w in the possession of the ungodly. He advised Mr Iesard Davies to find where that verse Thar it was quite true was proved by 'he latest mid territori.al freak in another coun' He was glad of this opportunity of recogrr t.he very ia:uab:e services rendered ll this n,atte." theii honourable member, Mr Eliis Daiie* (at.f.'auw). In saying this he was vyu.i.g the feelings of the farmers of L-eyn, in whoso lll- terests Mr Davies had made very great exertions (applause). He had guided them wisely and wol1 in thit; matter. He (the speaker) .had be- gun to be reconciled to the honourable member until he road big speech to t.he farmers at Pwll- heli, when he said that he mistrusted the Liberals of that Council. Most of the Liberals whom Mr Davies mistrusted had been Liberals before Mr Davies could distinguish, his right hand from bits left (laughter). MR H. LLOYD CARTER rose to support, when MR J. R. HUGHES roe.9 to a point of order. He understood that the rule of that Council was that no person financiaiiy interested in any matter coming before the Council had a right to vote on that question. He believed that Mr lloyd Carter was professionaly engaged on be- half of one party to these eales. The CHAIRMAN said that rule diid not appiy to the present case. AN APPEAL TO CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS. MR LLOYD CARTER said he was glad to sup- port the motion before the Council and he would make a special appeal to the members of his own political party to give the mot-ion thedlr unanimous support. He was one of those who had always believed that a man occupying such holdings as those now in question should be helped to acquire his own land (hear, hear). Mr Abel Wi hams had referred to the dangers of Socialism. He believed that to have a large number of smad landowners hn the oountry wowld be the best possible barrier against that danger (applause). It was a Conservative Governmeaut winich passed the Act they were now going to apply. The present Liberal Government hpd passed another Act, a.nd Mr Eiiis Davies had endeavoured to induce the Government to ex- tend the provisions of this new Act. Mr Ellis Davies had be-on seconded., or at least supported, in that attempt by the leader of the Conserva- tive Party in the House of Commons. But the Government, probably for financial reasons, had been unabl,eto acocpt Mr Ellis Davies's amend- ment. He now mentioned these facts becausei he found to his eurprire by a report in a local newspaper that Mr E-iiis Davies, in a speech at Pwliihieii., had stated that hiis attempt to amemd the new Aot had. proved a. failure because of Toryism. If Mr Eiiiiis Davies had been correct- ly reported he had no more to say except that it struck him as very strange tha.t Mr Eaiili Davies should attribute his failure to Toryism when he had aotually been supported by tihe Tory Party. He hoped the Council that day would vote unanimousLv for the prinoiole con- tained in the motcon before them-the of enabling ernolli tenant farmetns in certain cases to purchase their own holdings. He hoped, however, the Committee in dealing with this matter would deal with each case on its merits. There were oases in which it would be desirable tha.t a man should have money advanced by the County Council. There might be other cases where that course would be in- advisab'e. For instance, a man might have a Large family and a small stock, a.nd amy able with difficulty to struggle on. It would hardily be a kindness to such a man to burden him witiii a perpetual liability. In another oase a ma.n might have saved a little money and be wiping to give a fair price for his land if he could obtain the necessary assistance. In such a aase it was the duty cf th Council to encourage and to help him. Reference had been made to landlords a.nd landlordism. WeN, there were good landlords and bad landlords (hear, hear). This county was to be congratulated on possessing exoepticm- ailly good la.r.dorcLs (applause). He wished espeoia'iy to refer to an instance which he was sure would appeal to every member of thait Council. When some of the sales were a.bout to take prLaoe in Lleym, a number of tenant farmers whcce places were about to be solid, approached a oar tain landowner in the neigh- bourhood. and asked him to buy their farms to prevent their failing into other hands. That showed the farmers' trust in the gentCeman he was referring to (hear, hear). That gentleman had no deslire of hlis own to purchase thoo farms" but at the urgent request of these farmers he did so (hear, hear). That gentleman, he was glad to say, was a member of that Council—(ap- plause)—and he thought the Council was to be congratulated on having among its members gentlemen of that stamp (hear, 'hear). He feiLt sure the landowners of the county would sym- pathise with what the Council now proposed to do, and he hoped the farmers would be encour- aged by the action the Council, was taking (ap- plause). SYMPATHY AND OO-OFERATION OF ALL PARTIES NEEDED. MR P. McINTYRE hoped he might be allowed to say a word ate a. representative of a. dlass who ha.d been referred to during that discussion. Speaking as an agent for landlords in tha.t and the neighbouring county of Denbigh he must protest against some of fhe remarks which, had been levelled that day against landlords. If they wanted to make the present attempt success- ful they must obtain the sympathy and co-opera- tion of all parties, of the landlords as well as others (hear, hear). Some of the remarks made use of that day were, he was sorry to say, not calculated to eeciwe that hearty co-operation. In particular he did not think the landlords in thi, part of the country daserved the descrip- tion given of them by Alderman Abel WilSiams (hear, hear). He speaking from personal knowledge, say that liiand'lords were prepared to siympaithise with and to encourage the attempts to enable tenant farmers to acquire their hold- ings (applause). H wouldnBtJa¡nœ one caee within his own knowledge, that of a fairly large estate,, where the landlord had been prepared to sell the farmte to the tenants, and to allow three-fourths of the purchase money to remain en mortgage at three per cent. (loud applause). Ho was sure the landlords in that part of the country ware prepared to afford facilities for carrying out the present proposals—(applause)— but he would again say that in order to ensure this certain expressions to which they had listened that day ought no longer to be used (-hea.r. hear). MR THOMAS ROBERTS, Aber, con- fessed to' a feeling of very grave anxiety as to possible dangers. His mind was quite clear on the matter, and he wished to know whether, uinder the course it was now proposed to take, it would not be possible for some persons to take advantage of the section to buy their neighbours' fa-rms ("No, no"). He was not so sure about that. The aotion now proposed to be taken was taken in view of forthcoming sales in Sourth Carnarvon- shire. What was there to prevent a man buying his neighbour's farm by theheJp of County Council money? MR J. JONES MORRIS: The Act is clear. The purchaser may be the tenant himself. MR T. ROBERTS: There might be ways of getting over that. and all he w concerned about was to protect the sitting tenant. If that were mad.3 clear and beyond doubt he thought the motion should have unanimous support. Speak- ing from personal experience, a mam who owned his own land made the best use both of his land a.nd his money. He did not spend money lavishly or uselessly, but laid it out to tihe beet advantage for the improvement of the land, and making it more productive (hea.r, hear). When a man found he could make an acre of land which formerly was only able to keep a calf capable of keeping three head of cattle, lie felt a pleasure which could not be described. Such a man was paying interest on his own capital, and was in a position to pay his servants well. Whichever way they looked at it. it was an ad- vantage alii round when a man was able to farm his own land. MR ROBT. THOMAS said he was afraid there was something in what Mr Thomas Roberts feared as to the possibility of a farmer trying to purchase his neighbour's holding, but" the Council might in that case refuse to advance mo ney. CARNARVONSHIRE THE PIONEER IN THE MOVEMENT. MR ELLIS DAVIES' TRIBUTE TO LORD PENRHYN. MR ELLIS DAVIES, M.P., who was received with applause, said he wished it to be clearly under- stood that the Council could only advance money to, the actual tenant purchasing his own holding. Of oourse there was nothing to prevent a land- lord turning out a tenant, and Jetting the land to another who jnight have made a previous ar- rangement to purchase, and who might then apply to the County Council. But the Council was not compelled to advanoe money in that or indeed in any case, and wouLd thus be able to judgo every case on its merits. He was de- lighted to find that the present proposals to assist tenant farmers to acquire their own hold- ings was so warmly supported. from both sides of that Council, and to be assured that all were bent upon making it a success (applause). Though this Act had been in faroe for fifteen yeaiu he did not know of a single instance whe.ro any County Council had applied the particular section under whioh they were now proceeding. Carnarvonshire was therefore the pioneer in this particular movement (applause). It would be perhaps, to explain that there was no connection whatsoever between what they now proposed doing in Carnarvon- sire and the new Act of 1907. They were pro- ceeding now under the Act of 1892, and not under that -of 1907. It was only where a tenant had contracted with his landlord to buy his fa,rm that they could proceed1. It has been suggested that perhaps a tenant might be induced to give a.n unreasonable sum in order to get his hculdling. If the County Council thought the purchase money an uhraasonablie amount, it need not ad- vance the tour-fifths, and this would serve as a deterrent in cases where a.n unreasonable sum was asked for the land. But where the price was a. reasonable one the County Coun™.i -JJ\ advanoe the money at a cheaper rate of interest than, the tenant could get it in the open market (hear,'heair). The yearly repayment of capital and interest combined would probably be very little if anything more tbram. the present rental. Dealing with what Mr Carter had £ ia:d he wished the Council to understand that Mr Lljoyd Carter was labouring under a misappre- hension inasmuch as he was mixing up two tcftallly different matters. On one of these points he had received the support of the Con- servative leader and had divided the House. On the other point he had moved to give the County Council power to buy land which it then let to any tenants it liked. The position, if that amendment ha.d been carried, would be this: tho County Council OOUl..d buy the land, it could let that land to whom it liked., and the tenant woud be free from the worry which now sometimes accompanied tenancy. He moved that amendment in a committee cf 60 members, including several Welsh members-but he had failed to find even a seconder (Oh! Oh !). It was to that point he referred at Pwllhefli when he eaid that his failure was due to Toryism in the House of Commons — though he did not specify in which pa.rty (laughter). But they were all now practically agreed as to the benefits whioh woud result from the action they were now going to take (hear, hear). As Mr Tho- mas Roberts had pointed out the tenant who pur- chased his own holding wou'd be increasing his own wealth by improving his farm and making it more productive. He would be also increasing the rateable value of the county and so bene- fiting the ratepayers generally. Dealing with the remarks of AiLdierman Abel Williams he felt it was hardJy fair to call a member of that Council! to account i,n the Council, for what that member might have eaid outside the Council (hear,, hear). For it frequently happened that the person so charged could not reply without putting himself cut üf arder. lIe was quite prepared to justify anything he might have said, whether in the Council or outside, but. the Coun- cil was not the place to oali a member to account for anything he might have said outuide (hear, hear).. He was very glad indeed to find this Act taken up in so friendly a spirit by both p'1.rti.e:s in that Council (applause). And .110 took this opportunity cf saying that he was glad to bo able to do justice to the kindly feeding manifested by the great landlords of Carnar- vonshire (applause). He wished to refer parti- cularly to the repre^entativea of Lord Pen.rhyn in thereoeillt saleii, when they showed a desire that the temunt should be allowed to secure his holding once the reserve price was reached (loud applause). Ho thought that it was due to Lord Penrhyn and his representatives that this faot should be mads known to the Council (renewed appf auijo). MR THOMAS JONES, Portdinorwic, was sure the landlords sympathised with the tenants, and it was a pity anything should have been said that day to cause irritation, THE QUESTION OF VALUATION. The CLERK read the following letter .received from the Board of Agriculture in reply to a. request that the Board would send a valuer to visit the holdings proposed to be purchased:— Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 3, St. Jaanes's-squa.re, London, S.W., 7th November, 1907. Sir,—I a.m directed by the Board of Agri- culture and Fisheries to advert to your letter of the 4th inst., and to say that the Board regret that they are not in a position to affmd your Council the assistance for which they ask. The Board have no authority to appoint valuers in connection with any prooeedings which a County Council may take under Section 17 of the Small Holdings Act, 1892. Qr to pay the expenses of valuation and in any case valuations so made would not) ipso facto be acepted by the Local Government Board1 in canticle ring applications for a loan under the Smali Holdings and Allotments Act 1907. I am to add that the Board doubt whether it is necessary in every oase for your Council to employ a valuer in connection with applica- tions under Section 17 of the Act of 1892; that seotion requires that the County Council should be satisfied that the title to the holding is good, that the sale is made in good faith, a.nd that the prioe is reasonable, but evidence on these points might be submitted by the tending purchaser which wiould be sufficient to satisfy the County Council. I am. Sir, Your obedient servant, A. W. ANSTRUTHER. Assistant Secretary. INTEREST ON THE LOANS. Replying to questions put by MR WILLIAM PIERCE. The CLERK said that the precent rate of interest on loans would b3 3J, per cent. The County Council would be entitled to charge an additional 10s per cent, to meet expenses .incurred iin the matter. But the County Council was not going to moke a profit in the matter. They would only charge the tenant the actual expenses Mt- curred. Replying to the REV. WM. MORGAN. The CLERK said the purchase by the tenant at a.n open sale would be "am agreement with the landlord'' within the meaning of the Act. The tenant must have oonue to a.n agreement to purchase before the Council could advanoe the money. MR LLOYD CARTER said that people would want to know exactly what the amount of their liability in respect of annual repayments would be. He moved that the clerk prepare the neces- sa.ry tabulated statement. This was agreed to. It was also resolved to issue in Wekh a sum- mary of the Act translated from a. pamphlet issued by the County Council's Association, that body having given its consent conditionally upon the source being acknowledged. TO BENEFIT THE LABOURERS. MR WILLIAM GEORGE moved that an addition be macte to paragraph 6 in tihe committee's report, requir- ing Parish Councils to report within a month to tho clerk of the Council as to the steps they had taken in the matter of allotments. They wan/ted to benefit the labourers as as the farmeTB. Thrls was agreed to. Replying to the REV. WM. MORGAN, The CLERK said that eadh tenant purchasing his own holding would have to make his own terms, and pay the usual octets of purchase, etc. The Council wouLd advanoe four-fifths of the purchase money only. MR ISSARD DAVIES assumed that the Coun- cil's solicitor would enquire and satMy himself as to the title before the money was advanced by the Council. The CLERK assented. Repaying to further questions, Phe CLERK saod the Counail must safeguard itself so far as possible against lass. Still1 if a loss was mado, the amount would be refunded1 by the Treasury. MR J. JONES MORRIS hoped that no persons would take advantage of the readinesfe of the County Council to advance money to tenants to send up the price or anything of that sort. A question having been r.ji.itscd as to the re- maining one-fifth, and how the tenants could obtain that, MR JONES MORRIS said he understood that bank managers in the county were prepared to advise their directors to act on the principle of co-operative banks and to advance the required money to a.n association of which the tenants roqwirtimg the money were members.

THE BGONJF HEALTH. HOW YOU MAY REGA IN IT, IF LOST, AND—KEEP IT. There is no greater single source of happi- ness than that which comes from the possession of good health. An invalid though be possess £100,000 cannot be reaily happy. Therefore, every man and woman should seek the boon of sound health- Now what is health? It is the orderly working of alj the bodily functions- TEie nourishment and1 strength of your body I and brain depend on the proper digestion of your food. Indigestion is the chief ailment of the human race. It starves your system- You become weak, nervous, anaemic, while impurities, due to deoomposition of tihe undigested mass in stomach and bowels, paas into your blood and poison your whole system. On the first indication Off digestive weakness take Moitheir Seigel's Syrup. It will tone and invigorate your stomach, li ver and bowels, cleanse your blood, and ensure perfect diges- tion. perfect health. Mrs Farrow, 3, Livingstone Place, Bar Street, Norwich, writes: "I lost appetite, and suffered very much from pains in the stomach and wind- I had iheadadhes very Off ten and was troubled greatly with constipation. Then I began to have pains in my back, too- But at lasit I was ad'vised to take Mother Seigel's Syrup, and that cured me." Mother Seigel's Syrup cures Indigestion, Biliomanees, Constipation, Headache, Wind, Palipitaibion, Oppression at the Chest, Loss of Appetite, Pains after Food" Nausea. Dizziness, and tlhe many other ills that arise from a dis- ordered state of the dige(Sitive system.

THE 3/6 BOTTLE CONTAINS THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS THE Illi SIZE. Mother Seigel's Syrup is now also prepared in Tablet form, and sold under the name of Mother Seigel's Syrup Tablets. PRICE 2/9—ONE SIZE ONLY.

THE ADEQUACY OF THE SUPPLY. The Rector of Penmachno (the Rev. B. Jones) at this point wanted the inquiry to include con- sideration of whether there was a sufficient supply of water in the village, as tihey were often without it. He thought that was really tho cause of so many sicknefies there. It was a very serious thing. The Inspector said he was strictly enjoined not to express an opinion. Do they want more expense? The Reotor: For goodness sake, no. We would rather be without a reservoir at all. Several documents relating to the contract were at this juncture handed in to the inspector. The Inspector: I think the costs of your soli- citor were taxed by the Clerk of the Peace. Why was that? Mr Owen: It, was in pursuance of section 249 of tho Public Health Aot. Replying to the Inspector, Mr Owen said he never received any excess expenditure form from the Local Government Board. He was told that there were no deviations, and that was why he informed the Local Government Board to that effect. Who owns the site?—Lord Penrhyn. And what do you pay for it?— £ 2 a year on a lease of 60 years. M,r E- W. Roberts asked whether the solici- tor's oasts were decided to be paid that day. Tho Inspector: Is there any reason why it should not be paid1? Mr R. R. Owen: It wndl come before tho Council again on its return from the Local Government Board- I can't see how we are not going to pay because it has been taxed. Mr E- W. Roberts: The sciUsitor went with the bill himsolf to Carnarvon. 1 think the Council should have been re-presented there. The Inspector: The taxing master is bound to an authorised soaliei, and you would not get a penn-y altered if you were present. Mr Roberts: There are some items in the bill which are not right. The Insr.ector: I would not "ursuc the mat- ter any further. A hoartv vote of thanks was accorded the Inspector for the able way he had condkwjbed the inquiry on the motion of Mr E. W. Roberts, seconded by Mr J. Lloyd Morris. The Inspector returned thanks, and said ha hoped that would be the last trouble they would get into- The inquiry then closed-

A SUBSTANTIAL PREFERENCE. (To the Editor of the "Pioneer.") Sir,-In your .issue of the 170h ult., urwtor the title of "A Substantial Preference," an able article appeared .relating to the new Australian tariff. The writer feels constrained to emphasise the true case of fiscal advantage the Australians have conceded our superannuated free import- ing oounbry. A more remarkable exempkifica- tiOlll of Colonial magnanimity in its endeavour to extend preference to a country which has de- liberately "slammed, belted, and barred" its doors against Colonial Reciprocity, could not be found in the history of any Empire. Our Radical precis throughout the country affected righteous indignation at the mailed-fist, of Pro- tection, which they declare t.he Australians are promulgating against the defenceless mother country. The concession of five and tern par oent. preference to British products is con- temptuously pooh-poohed as infinitesimal, and the United Kingdom free list, whereby the greator proportion of our exports to the Antir podes are exempted from duty, is conveniently disregarded. It is common knowledge that at the recent Colonial Conference OUT Imperial envoys were politely informed that we oould offer them nothing-in response to their united appeal for reciprocity, in view of whien will any thinkling man dieny the contention that the Australians have treated U6 far better than eveir we deserved? On the 15th of November I note the Liberal Association in your district wilEt dioouæ the question of Tariff Reform. Will you peirmit me to subjoin a. few pregnant, points in this oon- nection which may possibly escape coneddorartion. In the first plaoo, it will be peirtinent to ask: From what condition of things does the preserat cry of Socialism ema»Da,tei? Is it from a. bliss- ful. self-satisfied security and ount-entment beeccl on the existence of a (system of free imports, or is it an inordinate outburst of national dis- conte/rut arising from increased pauperism, in- creased unemployment and tradie depreesioai generally ? Seoofndly: Have we got free food in this country to-day, or is it a fact tihat we do now pay taxes on tea, coffee, cocoa, wines, spirits, sugar and dried fruit, most of wihaoh we cannot produce' ourselves? And wha;t conceivable difference wouild it make to the British taxpayer if these duties on the necessaries of life we dlo not products ourselves were transferred to the articles of food and manufactured goods we can produce ourselves? Thirdty: Did the reoemt war tax of Is per quainter on corn raiise the price of bread? Is it not a notorious fact that since the removal of the war tax, bread has actually increased in price? Fourthly: Will any iso-caLLed free trader ex- plain how it is that according to Mr Arthur Chamberlain capital is leaving the country at an accelerated pace and helping to supplement the industrial effioiency of our protectionist rivals? Mr Arthur Chamberlain made thiB interesting discovery trace the present Government have been in office whom he supported, having succumbed to the. medley cf terminological in- exaotitudies which was the dominating factor at the last election. Can our free trade apologist intelligently deny that our present fiscal system encourages the merchant at the expense of the mana-facturer-anct who is the most valuable na-tiional asset out of these two? A tin pot com- mission man will start an office sefliing American, German and' othelr foreign manufactures, whose wages bill amounts to perhaps JS5 a week, but who sells as much stuff as a. manufacturer can make who employs fifty hands, who has to pay wages, who has to pay income tax and rates and ta.xœ higher than any country in the world! Then we point to our Board of Trade returns and observe the plendi'd turnover wo are dmng! Whan our countrymen disabuse their minds of the stigma. of party prejudice aind economic pedantry, will they discover that our present system conceives a doctrine of minimum develop- ment, as against the surely forthcoming system of tariff reform which involves the mere concrete and organic conception of maximum develop- ment; more/workshops, less workhouses; more employment, less emigration; mere Sociiail Re- form, lees Socialism.— A polo gising for this tres- pass, I am. air, vours faithfully, FAWCETT NEWELL. Harold House. Aston Ma,nor, Birmingham,

SEVERE SCALP RINGWORM. A Girl's Wonderful Cure by Zam-Buk Mothers, you can easily imagine the deep distress of Mrs Clara Whiting, off IS, -At;h.eIst.om Road', Folkestone, wilen her pretty little five year old daughter Agnes, was suddenly attack- ed by ringworm which disfigured and tortured her for months. You can imagine Mrs Whit- ing's awaul anxiety during tnose months, and you can also imagine her intense thankfulness and joy, when, in the course of a few weeks, the unique Zam-Buk treatment gave her little daughter a complete and1 perfect cure. Read her own story of this wonderful cure told by her recently to a representative of the Folkestone E x press." "It was nearly a year ago," she said, "that my little daughter Agnes contracted some form of ringworm at school, which destroyed her lovely curly hair, but this., thanks to the won- derful euro by Zam-Buk, has now grown again. Tlhe disease was not the ordinary ringworm, but a very bad running sore whioh covered1 aid the side of her head, and gave out a most offensive smelll- Then great scabs formed and I had to haw all her hair cut off- "I tried all sorts of chemists' remedioo-zino ointment, soft soap, and precipitate ointment- but with no beneficial effect- Her head got so bad that I diet not know what to do with it. She would scream when I washed it, and the blood would stream from her h^.e.d- "At last I read in an Ashford paper an ac- count OI a similar case, and there was a picture of a little girl very much like mT" own, who had been cured by Zam-Buk. So I got a box out once, and began to use it. To show you how bad 900 was I may tdll you that I uIs-ed two boxes in one week. To my delight it seemed to do the child's head good almost immediate- ly, and in a week or two there was a mflnifeet improvement. I had to wash her head twice a diay and apply Zam-Buk as the discharge from the somes was too horrible to describe- "Eventually the sores all disappeared, and the hair grew again as thickly as ever- I had despaired of hor hair ever growing again, but thanks to Zam-Buk forming a new skin it is now thick and beautiful Rgam. Of all chemists, la Hd and 29 9d per box.

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J F. A. CONNAH, Having tiken up his Residence in COLWYN BAY, will be pleased to give his personal attentioa to any estimates required for the REPAIR, SUPPLY, or UP-KEEP of CYCLES, MOTORS, MAIL CARTS, BATH CHAIRS, AND ATHLETIC GOODS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. Any of the above can also be had FOR HIRE by the Hour, Day or Weelc. INVALID CARRIAGES A SPECIALITY. Hnmber, Swift, Raleigh, Singer, Wearwell, Balmoral, and Royal Welsh Cycles, supplied for either CASH, EXCHANGE, or for EASY PAYMENTS. HUMBER CYCLES can all be fitted with the Humber Cardner Three-speed Gear and the Oil Bath. RALEIGH CYCLES were the first Cycles to be regularly fitted with the Three-speed Gear and set the fashion in this respect, while for years they have fitted the Oil Bath on them. &12 12s. Od. SINGER'S GRAND MODELS have the Perfect Oil Bath as a standard in its equipment as well as either Two or Three-speed Gear. SWIFT CYCLES are also in the van of Speed Gears, Oil Baths, and other Up-to-date Pointl so get my quotations before you decide upon your New Mount. Liberal Allowances both for Old Machines and for Cash. FRANK A- CONNAH, NORTH WALES CYCLE AND MOTOR CO. AFERGELE ROAD, COLWYN BAY. 3 IV, u t 'S:- ,0,0, 'rn'<A m\ ",0, ,0 r t'hejj f. a6fà, ;u. Sunlight the Savetime There are many ways of spending t.' leisure moments. The difficulty is to secure leisure. Use Sunlight Soap It does most in the shortest time and thus affords the rest you desire. iB-1,000 Is offered for any adulterant found In Its composition. In Double Tablets, at 3d., 3d., 2d. and 2dL LEVER BROTHERS, LIMITED, PORT SUNLIGHT, ENGLAND, THE NAME LEVER ON SOAP IS A GUARANTEE OF PURifY AND EXCELLENCE. 1 t THE 20th CENTURY SEWING MACHINE EL (wr He He You You Seen Tried It ?; ,JU P 1 (t The latest and best type of Family Sewing II Machine. Made by British Workmen in a British Factory. C, Absolutely the lightest running and most silent lock-stitch Sewing Machine. q Th new BOBBIN EJECTOR is a marvel of ingenuity., No more an-noyance,, no trouble. A simple pressure of the finger on the ejector instantly LIFTS THE BOBBIN within easy reach. This is ONLY ONE OF MANY improvements peculiar to this machine. THIS SIGN I BY YOU MAY KNOW AND i CAN F-IND SINGER SHOPS IN EVERY CITY II LOCAL ADDRESSES: II II Conway House, Castle Hill, Bangor I lea Church Street, Blaenau Festiiiiog ■ 20 Pool Street, Carnarvon | 13 Sea View Crescent, Colwyn Bay Sefton House, Market Street, Holyhead B 1 Beatrice Street, Oswestry I 126 High Street, Portmadoc I 18 Sussex Street, Rhyl I E

DENBIGH BOROUGHS. CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE SELECTED. A meeting of d-ele^ates, representatives of the Conservative party m the Denbigh Boroughs, which comprise Wrexham. Ruthin, Denbigh, and HoDt, was baLcf at Wrexham, to-day week, under the chairmanship of Colonel Cornwallis I West, when the Hon. W. G. A. Ormsb^-Goro. aon of Lor<iJ Harbeoh, was unanimously selected as the Conservative and Unionist candidate to contest the seat at the next general election- Mr Ornisby-Cone, it is understood, is a. Tariff Reformer, and proposes to commence hia campaign at oace- He is twenty-two years of age, and hsus just graduated as a Bataheicxr of Arts at New College, Oxford.