The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE NAVY. At a time when political feeling runs high in the House of Commons and the consti- tuencies, it is matter for satisfaction that the foreign policy of the nation is a neutral zone—outside the range of party controver- sies. During recent negotiat:ons concern- ing events in the Near East Sir Edward Grey has commanded the absolute confi- dence of the country, and the Opposition leaders have v'ed vith the supporters of the Government in acknowledging the dig- nity and restra'nt which he has shown as the representative of the King's Govern- ment. Lord Lansdowne, the Foreign Sec- retary in the late Conservative Administra- tion, and Sir Edward Grey, who succeeded him, have been in perfect accord not only in relation to more recent events, but also concerning Macedonia, the Congo, and other international problems. This is as it should be, for whatever differences may ex- ist concerning domestic politics, it is surely desirable that in dealing with foreign nations party differences should not be allowed to impair the influence of British statesman- ship. And what is true of the external affairs of the Kingdom is scarcely less ap- plicable to national defence, for Conserva- tives, Liberals, and Labourists, have a com- mon interest in maintaining the security of our coasts. But whatever ultimate differ- ences may arise concerning our second line of defence, it is of vital importance that the nation should be of one mind in maintain- ing our traditional command of the seas. Mr Balfour, during his Prime Ministership, endorsed the opinion of the bluewater school of naval experts that with an adequate navy to defend our coasts an in- vasion in force by any foreign Power would not be possible. This probably is also the opinion held by the present Govern- ment. But it need scarcely be pointed out that if sole reliance be placed upon the Navy, it is indispensable that our fleets should be maintained at a standard of un- questioned and unquestionable supremacy." The late Prime Minister (Sir Henry Camp- bell Bannerman), his colleagues when they entered office indulged the hope that a beginning might be made in a mutual re- duction of armaments, but the proceedings at the Hague too plainly showed that there is still a lack of confidence among the Powers which prevents even a short step in this direction. And there is no doubt that the recently published "Interview" of certain Englishmen with the German Em- peror has deepened the conviction in the minds of British statesmen of both politi- cal parties that the only course open to us as a nation is to fully maintain the rela- tive strength of the British Navy, so that we may be prepared for any emergency which may arise. Mr Asquith's speech at the Guild Hall was very outspoken on this point, but his subsequent declaration in the House of Commons was even more definite, for in re-affirming the adherence of the Government to the two-Power stan- dard he accepted the definition that it means a preponderance of ten per cent over the combined strength in capital ships of the two next strongest Powers." So far then the leaders of both political parties are agreed in principle, and though it is possible there may still be some difference as to the extent of next year's construction pro- gramme, it may be safely assumed that it will include several ships of the Dread- nought class. The Prime Minister has been questioned during the week as to whether the Government will renew their overtures to other Powers to place a check upon the growth of armaments, but his re- ply was in the negative and he pointed out that steps had already been taken in this direction. Now, while we yield to none in our desire for peace and goodwill among the nations, we share the general opinion of our countrymen that nothing is to be gained by repeating representations which have not proved acceptable to other States. Germany, in particular, has made it abun- dantly plain that she intends to carry out the programme for which she has obtained Parliamentary sanction regardless of what other nations may do. The only course open to us, therefore, is to look to our own defenceg and without any unnecessary os- tentation to make such additions to the Navy as will maintain its relative strength compared with the other navies of the world. By such means we shall no only en- sure the safety of the nation, but also guari (ourselves against periodical panics. The Only Way. Apropos the note which appeared in this col- umn last week with reference to the purity of milk "The Hospital" in its current issue states that "every medical officer of health knows that existing administrative supervision utterly fails to secure anything approaching to hygienic, sup- ply. Perforce, and as a makeshift, he has urged that milk should be boiled or pasteurised as some measure of protection against the foul iniquities of milk as it is. He is only too conscious that the machinery at his disposal fails, and must fail, to secure Clean milk." Our contemporary sug- gests that the only plan "to treat the milk supply as the water supply of largo towns has been treated. Whether the monopoly should be vested in an authorised company, a local authority, or a specially constituted authority is a larger ques- tion. As sanitarians, it is enough that we insist upon the only practical solution of an important hygienic problem. With an organised control over the whole milk trade of a locality, inspired from within by the ideals of the sanitarian, there would be an economy in the cost of distribution and a vast improvement in purity and quality of what, after all, is more a prime necessity of life than either coal, gas, or electricity." 0 Uanrwst Council and Tariff Reform. Free Trade principles were denounced by Liberal members f the Llanrwst Urban District Council on Friday evening. A discussion arose as to whether the market stalls outside the Town Hall should be let to "foreigners." It was stated that at present the stands are monopolised by strangers, and, on the ground that this was un- fair to the shopkeepers who pay rates, it was urged that tho stall charges be increased. In other words, the reformers contended that the "foreigners" should be taxed so that "home in- dustries" should have an equal chanco in tho com- petition. "We had this matter before us seven years ago," said the Rev. Cynwyd Williams, "but nothing has been done, and the foreigner is still with us, paying no rates or rent." "Quite right," assented Mr Albert Hughes, who advocated dou- bling the tolls because the present arrangements were injurious to the trade of the town, and con- sequently aggravate the unemployment problem. Thu3 supported, the Rev. Cynwyd Williami formally moved "that we as a Council authorise the collector to let no space to strangers." Mr D. J. Williams, however, warned his colleagues that "if the strangers were stopped from selling on the Square it would be a hardship to the gen- eral public, who were enabled thus to purchase goods at a cheapor rate than at the shops. The general public should be considered as well as the tradesmen." In this way the discussion went on, and it was eventually decided to take no step, pending the receipt of the new bye-laws governing markets and fairs, which, according to the clerk, "will give the Council power to act in accordance with the best interests of the town." From a Tariff Reformer's point of view the de- bate was distinctly entertaining. » » The New Court House at Colwyn Bay. The Colwyn Bay justices formally entered into possession of their new court house on Saturday, when there was a fuller Bench than has been seen for some years. As the Chairman (Mr Kneeshaw) said the buildings are a credit to the county, in point of appearance and suitability, but it was somewhat disappointing to find that nothing had been done,, since the County Coun- cil met in August, to remedy the defects in the acooustic properties of tho court-room. With characteristic thoughtfulness Mr Kneeshaw pro- mised the reporters to speak as loudly as pos- sible in order that tl ey should not' bo handi- capped, and, despite a severe cold, he faithfully redeemed his promise throughout a protracted sitting. It was, however, most difficult to hear the evidence of many of the witnesses. The roof of the court-room is curved, and it is a singular fast that the accoustics of most if not all public halls thus roofed are unsatisfactory. Though spacious, the room is not so large that this defect should present much difficulty to rectify, and un- til that is done -4he hall will lose much of ite usefulness. Colwyn Bay residents are contem- plating the first sitting of the county court in the building at a no distant date, for the endless red-tapeism which threatened to throttle the movement has at length been torn asunder. We understand that the court of Quarter Sessions are also to be invited to make use of the room. » » A Common-Sense Clergyman. The complaint is frequently made—too often with good reason-that the average rector or vicar of a rural parish, fails to get into touch v: i> his parishioners, and to earn their confi- dence as well as their respect. He is, of course, "all there," on Sunday, and duly pays visits to his people. The Rev. Charles Hutchinson, rector of Rayne, in Essex is, however, a noble excep- tion to the rule. A keen and sympathetic student of human nature, he recognises that men want something more at the hands of their clergymen than sermons, prayers and lectures. So he has inaugurated a series of winter entertainments for men in the school-room of his church. There is a hearty welcome for all who come; smoking is not only tolerated, but encouraged by a freei supply of tobacco; and there is beer for those who like it, and teetotal drinks for abstainers. The entertainments are light, breezy and amusing, whilo there is an utter absence of "that goody-goody, talky-talky" which is too often obtruded on the working-man under the shallow pretence of entertaining him. So far the experi- ment has been a success; for more than one doubtful character has shown signs of improve- ment while the wives of the rector's guests are loud in their praise of a scheme which, in their own phraseology, keeps their husbands out of mischief. The Sunday of the Future. When the Licensing Bill was introduced, its sponsors gravely asserted that it was "a great temperance measure," and its supporters rejoiced that, by its provisions, Sunday closing of licensed premises would be "brought within measureable distance." The first contention has been knocked on the head by the Club clauses of the Bill, which are a distinct encouragement to ex- cessive drinking. The second is shown to be utterly fallacious by the terms of .the new clause which, in spite of the angry protests of teetotal M. P.'s the Government insisted upon inserting after clause 18. Should the Bill become law, public houses will be open all day on Sunday, and all night too, should the licence holder de- sire it. The day will be divided into th ee per- iods. One in which anyone can ^o if and con- sume the alcoholic drink, or drinks of his choice. A second during which he can only obtain such drinks as an accompaniment to a meal; and a third period-quite unlimited by "opening" or "closing" hours, during which anyone can obtain solid refreshments, with such non-alcoholic drinks as they may order. There would really be no- thing to prevent a man demanding admittance to a public house at any hour of the day or night, ordering a bottle of soda-water, and "lacing" it liberally with whiskey from a flask carried in his pocket! And where does the professed desire of the teetotallers that those employed on licensed premises should have Sunday as a "day of rest" come in? As the law now stands, barmaids, bar- men, potmen, etc., work seven hours a day on Sunday in London, and six hours in the provin- ces. Under the clause they might be called upon to put in twenty-four hours work every Sunday, and every public house would be like that well- known Caie Bauer, in Berlin, which since it was first opened, years ago, has never closed its doors for an hour. An Unexpected Blow. The decision of the Government to leave the barmaids alone, and to permit them to earn an honest living in the future as they have done in the past, has roused the ire of the "Alliance News," who angrily declares that the action of the Government "came as an unexpected blow" to those charitably-minded persons who were anxious to throw some 20,000 hard-working young women out of work, with no prospeots of finding other employmentf Says the "News:" "The moral seems to be that one can put no more faith in Governments than in princes "-rather rough on a Premier who has proved himself to be the most obedient servant of the U.K.A. But 1 the anti-barmaid movement is not to Iw alan- doned. "When, in the not distant future," we are told "the House of Commons has the pro- poeal before it, and is better informed about it, the decision will almost certainly bo reversed." Will At

| PERSONAL. Lady Elizabeth Hughes-Hunter has left Plas Coch, Anglesey, for 50, Chester Terrace, London, S.W. Sir Roger and Lady Palmer return to Cefn Park, Wrexham, this week, from their Irish seat. The Rev. Richard Owen Williams, M.A., of Rose Hill, St. Asaph, late vicar of Holywell, and for many years Burial Dean of Holywell, haa left estate valued at £4356. Mr John Leigh Taylor, of Penmaen Ucha, near Dolgelly, who died on Tuesday, aged 79 years, was a J.P. and D.L. for Merionethshire. lie was for many years connected with the cotton trade in Manchester.

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. Mr Ifaldane announced on Monday that a new t department had been constituted at the War Office to look aiter the affairs of the Territorial Army. lAird Lucas was the head of the depart- ment, and would represent the Territorial Force on the Army Council. Working in conjunction with General Mackinncn, he would complete the organisation of the force. • 4th (Denbighshire) Royal Welsh Fusiliers.— The under-mentioned officers, from the 1st (Vol.) Royal Welsh Fusiliers, are appointed to the batt., with rank and precedence as in the Vol. Force:- Surg.-Capt. R. Drink water, and Surg.-Lieut. J. Wr. Anderson, M.B. (April 1st). » » 5th (Flintshire) Royal Welsh Fusiliers.—Sec. Lieut. C. C. Trevor-Roper to be Lieut. (Sept. 29th). 7th (Merioneth and Montgomery) Royal Welsh Fii.siiiers.-Surg.-I,ietit. W. R. Williams, from the 5t.h (Vol.) South Wales Borderers, to be Surg.-Lieut, with precedence as in the Vol. Force (April 1st).

COMMAND Eft OF THE WELSH DIVISION. GENERAL LLOYD ON THE WAR SCHEME. General Francis Lloyd, C.B., D.S.O., accom- panied the new Mayor of Oswestry, Mr Da.vid Jones, to Zion Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, on Sunday morning, and nt the subse- quent reception in the Mayor's Parlour, the General, responding to a vote of thanks, said it was Lis pleasure to inform the Mayor that he has just been called to high command. He had received an order, which would take effect on January 26th, to take up the command of the Welsh Territorial Division. Although he would havo a good many m3!8r<¡ to serve in the re- presentatives of the 12 Welsh counties, as well as of four English ones, he should have but one aim in view, and that was to do the best he could in that situation. Thp, office he would shortly assume was one which could be made useful by strenuous exertion. In one of the hymns they had sung that morn- ing. they prayed God to guard and bless the Fatherland. The great All-Father had from time immcmorial only helped those who had helped themselves, and it was only by helping them- selves that they could hope to protect those hearths and homes so dear to them. These were times of great rapidity, and before they could tell, almost indeed within a very short time after a declaration of war, the enemy might be at their gate. and they could only meet a contingency like that by a well-organised tcrritorr army. It therefore became their duty to carry out the great- scheme which had been evolved by one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of War Minis- ters. He considered the scheme a feasible one, but its accomnlishment would involve hard and strenuous work on the part of the military offi- CN3 appointed, and, most of all, on the co-opera- tion not only of the Territorials themselves, but also of the civilian element.

CARNARVONSHIRE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. GYFKiN CHURCH SCHOOL. At the meeting of the Carnarvonshire Educa- tion CoinmiUee to-day (Thursday) loLiov, ing local matters will be dealt A-utli;- GYFFIN CHURCH SCHOOL. The Building Committee report that a letter has been recoQivoo from the correspondent of the Gyflin Church Sohooi, in which he intimated that he would be happy in consideration of a liberal commission to oiler to negotiate witih the Ecclesiastical Authorities for the purciha £ c of a, corner of this glebe wiier«-.n to build the Coun- cil school, pj-ovidjd the committee undertake to make the like generous terms paid for the site of the new Council school at Penmaohno- He trusted that the committee would not allow the opportunity to slip as the promised disestablish- ment bill in the next session of Parliament mar, deprive them of a genuine bargain. With re- gard to the requirements of the committee in the matter of ventilation, the) provision of addi- tional accommodation, and the provision of se- parate cloakrooms for tho sexes no propsala were made. A petition was read from 45 par- ents and ratepayers residing in the Llangtlynin and Gyflin districts, urging the committee to make suitable. provision for greater educational advantages for t!he children of these districts- It was resolved that the petitioners be asked to submit proposals with regard to suitable alternative sites upon which the new Council Sohooi proposed to be built by the committee, might be erccted. NEW ROAD AT LLANDUDNO. A communication was read at the Building Committee from the Craigydon and District Land Company suggesting that the obligation imposed upon tihe predecessors of the Local Education Authority, viz.: the Llandudno School Board to construct half the road known a3 "Riviere Avenue," adjoining the school, be now discharged, it was resolved that tenders be obtained for tihe work, and that the Chairman be autihorissd to accept a tender, after consulta- tion with the School Managers. TEN YEARS WITHOUT A SINGLE ABSENCE. Sohooi Attendance Committee reported that Evelyn Brown, of the Craigydon School, has a complete record of tcn years' full attend- ance, and she is to be presented with a framed certificate. PENMAENMAWR CHURCH SCHOOL. Reporting on this scthool, the H.M. Inspector states that the organisation and discipline are exceedingly good. The headtea.cher and his staff have cheerfully worked to overcome the groat difficulties ari' ing' frqm overcrowded rooms and unsuitable desks. The soh-erne of work has been drawn up with, t.he greatest care, and the methods of teaching and the attainments of uhe scholars merit high praise. Singing is an ex- ception.aliy good feature.

LLANARMON EDUCATION DISPUTE. For some time past the parish of Llanarmon- in-Yale has been in a turmoil, which recently culminated in an inquiry held by the Denbigh- shire Education Committee as to the need of a new school at Graianrhyd. The ratepayers are divided on the question, and as the Committee of Inquiry have not yet reported the whole mat- ter remains in abeyance. On Monday, however, the School Attendance Officer at Ruthin reported to the managers that the dispute had materially affected the atten- dance of children. He could not persuade par- ents in the Graianrhyd end of the parish to send their offsprings to school, and nothing remained but to institute wholesale prosecutions. Mr Robert Jones, one of the representatives of the parish, said the question had affected the whole parish, and no one seemed particularly anxious to keep up the attendance.

THE CHURCHES. NEW ARCHBISHOP OF YORK. The King has approved the nomination of the Right Rev. Cosmo Gordon Lang, D.D., Bishop Suffragan of Stepney and Canon of St. Paul's, to succeed Dr. Maclagan in the Archbishopric of York.

An unusually interesting romance reached its climax in the House of Larde yesterday, when Albert Kirby Fairfax substantiated his claim to tho title of Lord Fairfax of Cameron. A proposal ra to be brought before the Senate of Cambridge University that any undergraduato must have a licence from the university before be cam keep a JDOtcw cm.

MUSICAL NOTES. By Peter Edwards, Mus. Bac. ("Pedr Alaw"). "ENID," A NEW OPERA. MB VINCENT THOMAS: It may be thought a, daring thing to say, but it is certainly true that Wales has not so far produced a musician bear- ing the surname "Thomas," who has produced music of a higher order than the young composer in question. And he seems to excel in that de- partment in which Welsh composers generally do not, viz., instrumental music. He is a very young man, and interests himself in music as a hobby, yet he has produced three grand operas-all on Welsh subjects. Of his present work-not heard at the time of my writing,—viz., "Enid," I shall speak next week. The libretto is from the pen of that well-known Welshman, Mr Ernest Rhys, editor of the Camelot Series of books, as were the librettos of the preceding operas. » Mr Vincent Thomas, although a native of W roxhani, docs not speak Welsh, nor is he—to. my certain knowledge-a very ardent Welshnian-- yet he his a liking for Welsh subjects. I suppose" the great financial loss he sustained through lack of support from the Welsh people of London when his previous operas were produced, has somewhat embittered his feelings towards his "people." It is therefore sincerely to be hoped the London Welsh will amend their ways by directing their steps towards the Court Theatre, where "Enid" is being produced this week. The young composer is brave in venturing to present his work at a West End Theatre in* such times as these. Ma TUDOR OWEN: I was pleased to hear this baritone sing at the Pavilion, Rhyl, last week. A few years ago, when an amateur, he was al- ways a dangerous rival to competitors at eistedd- fodau, being generally successful. His new or- ganisation at Blnennu Fest.iniog-a ladies' choir —should be often heard of, if their ability tq sing is equal to his taste and ability to direct) them. < < ACCOMPANYING: At a recent concert in Wales, the importance of a good accompanist was very clearly demonstrated. What a player should not do is to take his or her own time, compelling the sirufcr to follow. The accompaniment must al- ways be subordinate, and the player must possess a sound knowledge of music, coupled with a poetic spirit. < MB FURNESS WILLIAMS: This brilliant young tenor has until recently been studying under Mr lies, the tcacher of Miss Laura Evans. Mr lies tells me he exnects great things from Furnesg W illiams—who is now studying opera in Milan. Ruthin will yet be proud of her musical son t

THE "W ALPURGIS NIGHT." This famous work was commenced by Mendel- ssohn, in the year 1830, after his visit to Goethe; but it was not finished for twelve years. It will doubtless be interesting for many of my rendt/s to know what that impetuous genius, Hector Berlioz, the French composer, thought of the work when he first heoarJ it at the famous Ger- vnndhaus Concerts, in Leipsic, in February, 1843. He says: You must hear Mendelssohn's music in order to have an idea of the varied resources the poem offers to a skilled composer. The vocal and instrumental effects are marvellously inter- minglod in an apparent confusion that is tha very acme of art. Just as Mendelssohn was leav- ing his desk, in the utmost delight at having pro- duced this work, I came forward in rapture at c having heard it. The meeting could not havo been better timed; and vot, after we had ex- changed the first greeting, the same sad thought struck us both simultaneously: "And is it twelve years? 'Twelve years since we dreamed together on the plains of Rome?" "Yes. and in the baths of Caracalla." "Ah! always joking! always ready to laugh at me "No, no; I hardly ever jest now; it was only to prove your memory and see if you had for- given all my impieties. I jest so little that at our very first interview I am going seriously to aski you to make me a present, to which I shall at- tach the highest value." "What is that?" "Give me the baton with which you have jusb conducted the rehearsal of your new work." "Willingly, on condition that you send mo yours." "I shall be giving copper for gold; but never mind, I consent. And Mendelssohn's musical sceptre was brought to me forthwith. The next day I sent him my heavy oakon staff, together with the following letter, which, I think, would not have been dis- owned by the last of the Mohicans himself:— "To the Chief, Mendelssohn. "Great Chief We have promised to exchange t.omahaKks. Mine is a rough one--yours is plain. Only squaws and pale-faces are fond of ornate weapons. Be my brother and when the great spirit shall have sent us to hunt in the land of souls, may our warriors hang up our tomahawks together at the door of the Council Chamber." It is my intention from time to time to give the musical readers of this paper a short article requiring their careful consideration. I invite correspondence upon any point suggested there- in. This week I submit the following.

THE POWER OF MUSIC. It has been proved, again and again, that music has a wonderful power over the mind of man; and such is the influence of mind over the body that,, in some mysterious way, the latter benefits by the operation of musical sounds upon tho former. There is a still more wonderful thing to note: in the case of I the balance of thinking power has been disturbed— music still exerts its influence upon such mind. In our large asylums music is becoming largely used. I have not been able to watch its effect upon imbeciles. I should like to note its influ- ence upon a bad case-to see whether it crm do what the doctors' "nasty stuff" cannot do. There is no doubt music can bring to mentally afflicted ones moments of lucidity which are helpful in that they point in the direction of a restored balance of mind. The imbecile seems to have gone back to the earliest stage of infancy; his thinking power is in its feeblest stage. He is, as it were, once more an infant. We know that the latter often acts as an imbecile does. We also know that music helps in the education of the infant—helping it to be- come less and less irrational in its acts. Whether it does this to the grown up imbecile must, of course, depend upon the state or condition of such; but I maintain that, among other influ- ences, music can and does help to restore the mental balance, if that is possible. But the ques- tion is: will music do this without the aid of physic? Is it a better remedy than physic? In some mental cases, even doctors admit that it is. They even advocate doses of M ()7; rt and the like, 's instead of doses of physic! This is not surprFs- ing when one considers that physic acts directly upon the organs of the body, whereas music's direct appeal is to the mind; and I again say that if mind holds sway over the bodv, it follows that that which has the greater influence over tho former should have a like influence over the latter. Hr-re I must rais« n nmnt against music. It has been urged of Lite" -v-n in Colwyn Bay- that music of a certai'i nd is dangerous to the mind. Wagner's a" Tch.aikowsky's has been cited as such. I am not going to tiv to atgjo the matter here;; but 1 admit this much, if a certain kind of music has power to help in re- storing the balance of mind, it is quite possible that music of another kind may disturb the bal- ance of mind of a sane person Such music would naturally bo of a weird kind—driving the mind into a despondent state; causing it, as it were, to wander into a chaotic condition. There- fore,'just as there must be order of rhythm, of thought; beauty of melody and harmony in music which is to give pleasure to the mind of the rational, the same elements in music are most ijMy to to restore the mental balance of aftlicted ones. r This subject is worthy of the consideration ot musicians, and especially of those members of the medical faculty who are interested In the Divine arV I shall welcome their views upon tins in- tensely interesting subject. I also invite particulars of tho of musi- cians in North AVn.lcs. They v u he.-o me to make this column interesting.

NEW YICAR OF BRYN- YMAEN. I JThe Rev. Robert Owen, B.A., vicar of Bagilit, haa been offered by the Bishop of St. Asaph and haa accepted tihe living 01 iirynymaen, near Colwyn Bay, rendered vacant biy the preferment of the Rev. Merdith J. Hughes to Prestatyn. Mr Owen was appointed deacon in 1880 and priest in 1882. He has held the living of Bagilit, which is valued at JB160 net, since 1890. The net value of the Brynymaen living is E210. As most of our readers are aware, the church was built by the late Mrs Froet in memory of her husband, and waa opened in 1899. Mrs Frosti also built the vicarage, and gave largely to- wards the endowment fund. Situated in one of the most heaitfhy spota in the neighbourhood, and wit-hin easy reach of Colwyn Bay, the ohurdh is very largely frequented during' the summer months by visitors.

The largest ball-con in Britain asoended on Wednesday morning- from the grounds of the Crystal Palace, in onarge of Mr A. E. Geudron, with the objeoii of breaking the record for long- dwtenoft ballooning.

THE BISHOP OF ST. ASAPH AND THE CHURCH. DISESTABLISHMENT PROPOSALS DENOUNCED. VIGOROUS ADDRESSES AT THE SHREWSBURY CONFERENCE. At a representative conference of Churchmen from Wales and blie Border Counties, held in Shrewsbury on Tuesday, a campaign against the tiueafeened Bill for tihe disestablishment of the Churc-lh in Wales waa opened. The Bishop of Liciiiieid presided, and tiie speakers included the Bus hup of St. Asaph, tiie _bi.-y.iop of St. David .s, Mr A. Griffith iiossuawen, and Mr P. P. Peunanft. The Bishop of St. Asap,4, speaking at the afternoon Conference, remarked uiiat fifteen yea,rs ago a mooting was held in that town to dLx-ii:>s the wine subject. under the whauow ot the uune impending: proposals. Much water had flowird uncloGI." tho bridge since liken, and the cir- cumstances under winch the suDject now to be QiscJ dniieied profoundly both in character ana in tone from those of 15 yeaiTB ago. Tlhen it was demanded that the Church in Wales should be dise.stu'olijsihed and disendowed bew- tlie it was an ahen Church, because it was all an ti-national Church, becuiuie it was a hcpeleis failure, be- cause It waa a barrier to the true interests of VvitieB. Chuirolimetn took exception to those ac- cusations- If the Church in Wales was alien it waii only as alien in time and in origin as Christianity itaelf (applause). Tihe accusation of failure was largely built upon charges im- ported from the seventeenth or eighteenth cen- turies and applied—without dates—to the nine- teenth century (laughter). Those charges when dated and whan tested were found now to have been both inaccurate and inconclusive. The eighteenth oenturv, which might be described as the mythical period in Wc.kh histcry—(laughter) —oi' course supplied most of those charges. In- vestigation had reduced the saints and heroes of that century to more modest proportions. Some of them were men of dubious character. Some of them were devoutly earnoa: and good men; many of them wore very perverse and self- willed men; a.nd while he desired to give com- plete jus (nee to those leaders of revivals in Wales during the 18th century, he wished them to particularly remember the fact that the movements alike in their leaders and in their language were not Welsh but English (laughter). It might have been due to the "toyalty and the fidelity of Wales during the Commonwealth that the wreckage wrought by the Commonwealth was more complete in Wales than in England. Throughout the 18th ccntu.ry the Church in Wales was painfully but persistently rebuilding her edifices and re-establishing* her organisation, and among the bishops and the clergy were some of the most devout and moist eminent clergy in the Anglican communion during that century. But to-day they were living in the 20th century, and the official investigation to which reference had been made had finally put out of court the chargie of hopeless fa' lure- (applause)—and, in brief, notheng c,f the old accusations remained. The Solicietor-General the other day made a striking remark, more strik- ing perhaps than he himself realised at the time, when he raid that the case for Welsh Disestablishment and Welsh Disendowmerit was now pnst arguing, and that seemed to be quite true in the sense that all wie old arguments we.'t' dead and no new ones had been started (laughter and applause). He would be told to look at the political representation of Wales. Welshmen were not too- modest to tell the world what they wanted, and general elections were the time that people selected for making known to the world their wants; but the late Prime Minister came own to Wrexham to encourage his supporters with hopes and with promises for the future, and there was not even a hint in his speech about the one tilling- which they were told was the one burning question in the breasts of Welsiunen. In 1892 in the speeches of the Liberal candidates for Wales the one conspicuous topic was Disestablishment and Dis- e-nclowment; but in their speeches at t-he general election of 1906 the one topic conspicuous bt. its absence waw Disestablishment and Disendow- monti- Welsh Disestablishment was ap-jiare-ntly a proposal for which the best method of advanc- ing- it was silence (laughter). THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE CHURCH. He observed that the Liberation Society an- nounced the other day a campaign not merely aga.inot the Church in Wales, but against the Cnuich in England and Wales. He suggested that the case agUinst tihe one was quite as strong us the case against the other (applause). From different quarters it was contended that tihe State should have nothing to do with reli- gion. Tiiey were told that in the schools the obligation of the State wias adequately dis- charged wiien it provided for secular instruction. It was proposed that the most powerful influence on, human life and character should be excluded. He rocognii»od that a hard and fast line couJd not be drawn between the secular and the re- ligious, that tiioro waa not, to to speak, a scientific frontier. The ethical instructions which had appeared in the elementary code during- the last two years was closely formulated upon similar clauses in the curricula of the schools in France, and so had a distinctly ra- tionalistic bias. The whole thing was permeated wjtn tha fallacy that men could be instructed in virtue. To those who believed that the faith of Christ. a-Iono could give authority and sanc- tion to the motive and the principles on which character must be buiit up, the conception of a secular Sta-to was inadequate and pernicious (appluu.e). For that reason Disestablishment' seemed to him to be a proposal brought with nothing less than disaster to the State. It was, of course, very easy to talk about a free church in a free State, but he would ask whether those who cried for that freedom achieved for them- selves a freedom for which Churchmen could have any anxiety either to emulate or to envy? Ho had long been convinced that when the English people realised the far-reaching conse- quences involved in these proposals of Disestab- lishment and Disendowment, it would be a very long timo indeed before they gave their their acquiescence to them (hear, hear). "The .str-ngtih of the Established Church is enormous," 1, Said Dr. Jowctt, the late master of Bailiol Col- 1" "and far greater than that of the Crown." Tiiere was theiio a principle which could be applied to tho Principality of Wales- He submitted that the Principality of iles had no more right and no more claim to sever the connection between Church and State than it had to repudiate the monarchy (applause). He had been talking I about Disestablishment, but that was not a thing people in Wales cared about. What they want? ed was monov (laughter). But the endowments of ihfs f j'n Wales differed from the en- A-if-ti: of the Nonconformist Churches, which slightest objection to endowment— -,f:-r', T i their antiquity- only, and ho had always (bought that length of title added to tjio strength of the title (hear, hear). He no- ticed that already in South Wales, wl^re they had some very keen people, that the endowments of the Chu.rch had been oar-marked fo.r certain educatioinal purposes and projects (laughter). He was very much interested to see that forecast. WELSII EDUCATION. Nobody objected to money oeing" spent gene- rously in the caifcc of education, but he had followed education in Wales pretty closely for the last thirty years, and at the present time money was being spent there with a lavish hand upon the elementary and intermediate schools, and even on the col logos, but it was being spent with results by no means proportionate to tno expenditure oi money (applause). The member for Anglesey^ he noticcd, had used an argument which for a certain type of mind.vould have a cons'.derable charm; he called it a bread and butter argument, and lie showed his constituents how much bread and but tier they would have if they would only disendow the Church in Wales. There was a certain agreement in that suggestion, and in the Solicitor-General's state- ment that they wanted the endowments in order to have a feast. It did not eeem to him a very happy illustration or one quite worthy of the subject. He did not think people in England realised what the condition of tho Church in Wales was at the beginning of the eighteenth century- He found a record in his own diocese papers that in the year 1729 there were only twelve parsonage houses in tho diocese that wore habitable. The structural value of the churches and schools and parsonages at the pre- sernt time was largely due to voluntary effort— (hear, hoar)—and he did not think that anyone who looked at those churches and schools and parsonages to-day could say the Church had been a neglectful or a care less Church (applause). Looking at the matter as a Welshman, he asked himself what was the one great institution in Wales? Not the National Eisteddfod. The National Eisteddfod waa something which the Bishop of St. David's started in 1834 after it had been dead for three hundred years. The only one great national institution in Wales, tihe only great institution which linked them with the paat and with the great moral and religiom life of the nation, was the Chureh in Wales (applause). Merely from the pokrt of view of a Welshman, he would regard it as a disaster to lend the slightest countenance to any fs proposal for disestablishing and disendowing the Ohw-oh in Wales (applause). PROTEST AGAINST DISESTABLISH- MENT. The Bishop of St. Asaph, at the public demon- stration in the evening, moved:—"That this meeting solemnly protests against any attempt to sever the organic connection of the four Welsh dioceses with the rest of the National Church, or to alienate to secular uses endowments which have been given to the Church for the mainten- ance of religious services, ministrations, and teaching, and which have from their origin and for centuries been devoted to those purposes alone, and that this meeting further records the unfaltering determination of Churchmen and Churchwomen to maintain the most strenuous opposition to any proposals for the Disestablish- ment of the Church in Wales." His Lordship said the Liberationists talked about Disestablish- ment, but it was the money they wanted. The Welsh Cathedrals had been restored at great cost during the last fifty or sixty years, but if Mr Asquith's Bill had become law those Cathe- drals might have been put up for sale ("Shame"). It was a shame, and surprising that in this coun- try, where they talked about liberty, freedom, and justice, such a proposal should be made. He was very much afraid tha.t the new Bill would reflect much the same character. The Disestab- lishment and Disendowment of the Church in Wales, if it took place, would be a barrier to the Kingdom of Christ. The motion was seconded by the Bishop of St. David's, supported by Mr Griffith-Boscawen, and carried.

MAYOR'S DAY AT CONWAY. POPULAR FUNCTIONS. Yesterday (Wednesday) waa observed at Con- way as Mayor's Day. The newly-elected Mayor (Dr. M. J. Morgan, J.P.), accompanied by the aldermen, councillors, and officials of the Cor- poration, attended Divino service at Carmel C.M. Chapel. During the afternoon, all the places of business were closed, and a half-holiday was granted in all the schools of the borough. About 2.30 p.m., the Mayor's procession, head- ed by the Borough Band, started from the Guild Hall, and proceeded along Castle-street, High- street, Lancaster-square, and Chapel-street, to Carmel Chapel, in the following order: The Borough Band, detachment of the local police foroe under the command of Supt. Win. Rees, the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor, with the mem- bers of the Fire Brigade forming a bodv guard. Members of the Corporat'on, including: Alderman Edward Roberts, Councillors Edward Jones, Henry Jones, Fred J. Jones, Dr. Wm. Carter, Robert Jones, J. E. Conway Jones, John Wil- liams, and Hugh Jones. The magistrates: Messrs J. Adey Wells, Owen Rowland, and John Dowell. The Free Church Council, including the following Nonconformist ministers,—The Rev. Evan Jones, Carnarvon; the Rev. Wm. Jones, the Rev. T. Gwynedd Roberts, the Rev. Phillip Price, the Rev. Wm. Edwards, the Rev. O. Sel- wyn Jones, the Rev. S. T. Jones, the Rev. Henry Jones, the Rev. Fortescue Hubbard, the Rev. Luther Thomas, the Rev. J. O. Jones, and the Rev. Menai Francis. Corporation employees: Messrs T. E. Parry (clerk), Isaac Parry (deputy- clerk), Hugh Parry (accountant), F. A. Dela- motte (surveyor), T. M. Jones (oollector), and the workmen of the Council. In the procession were also Messrs D. O. Wil- liams (chairman of the Colwyn Bay Urban Dis- trict. Council), A. G. Rogers, A. J. Kaye, J. G. Tuxford, Clarence Whaite (president of the Royal Cambrian Academy), Robert Evans, Deganwy; J. T. Jones, Castle-street; James Stott, Oakwood Park; J. W. Hughes, solicitor; J. T. Morgan, Deganwy; R. Greenfield, F.R.H.S., Wm. Ki- wards, R. Cynwal Jones, Wynne Roberts, I C. Lewis, J. P. Griffiths, Wm. Hughes, Wm. Allen, schoolmaster; Robert Jones, Union master; H Evnns, Bodhyfryd; Wm. Wiliams, >;n ->vii;g officer; Robert, Davies, Deganwy; i ties. Abra- ham. J. Hooson, John Roberts, Castle str jet ■ .1 E. Jones, postmaster, Deganwy; J. Powtdf, I IFn- dudno Junction; H. W. Hughes, do. I Ed. Jones, etc. Carmel Chapel was crowded to its utmost ca- pacity with a representative congregation, and as the Mayor and his retinue entered, the organist played an appropriate voluntary. The Rev. Wiliam Jones was the presiding minister, and the following took part to the service:—The Rev. O. Selwyn Jones, the Rev. T. Gwynedd Roberts, the Rev. Fortescue Hub- bard, and the Rev. Luther Thomas. The collection, which amounted to £ 7 43 7d, was in aid of the Conway District Nursing Fund. The Rev. Evan Jones, Carnarvon, president- elect of the National Free Church Council was the special preacher, who based his remarks on the 1st and 2nd verses of the 127 Psalm: "Ex- cept the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." Refer- ring to the Corporation, the preacher said that except the Lord be with them, they could do nothing. They represented a city of no mean order in Conway; they had been chosen by their fellow citizens to guard its prosperity. By being so chosen they were entrusted with the welfare end prosperity of their borough. Tliev had elected one to be their chief magistrate, who had previously filled that high office with dignity and respect.. He trusted that the town of Con- way and its Corporation during the coming year would do nothing to dishonour the Lord. He wished all a very prosperous year and God's blessing upon their efforts. At the close of the service the procession was re-formed, and proceeded to the Town Hall. THE TEA PARTY. In the Town Hall the Mayor and Mayoress entertained about 300 guests to an excellent re- past, which was admirably catered by Mr Fred. Jones, Grosveaor Restaurant. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion with an, abundance'of chrysanthemums, kindly lent by Mr Albert Wood, Bodlondeb, and Mr R. Green- field, Tynycoed. The Deputy Mayor (Alderman Netherwood), in proposing a vote of thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress, said he felt sure they would all join in congratulating their Mayor and Mayoress upon attaining such a high position (applause). He hoped that their Mayor's year of office would be one of great prosperity to the borough. They had sixteen members on the Council, who all had the best interests of the borough at heart. Dur- ing the coming year he hoped they would be able to inaugurate entertainments in their ancient Castle, which would be the means of attracting people to the borough. A proposition would be brought before the Council early next year to the effoct that all ratepayers who reside in the bor- ough shall have free access to the Castle (ap- plause). The Castle ought to be made a pay- ing concern, and they could make use of the town band and give promenade concerts in the ancient building. He felt sure that with such a broaditiltide(I Mayor the suggestion would receive every consideration (applause). Alderman Edward Roberts seconded the vote of thanks. The Mayor (who was received with loud ap- plause) said that on behalf of the Mayoress and himself he thanked both speakers for their kind remarks, and all present for the hearty manner in which the vote of thanks was passed. He felt that at tho commencement of their municipal year it was well for them to acknowledge the Divine Providence in their public as well as in their private life (hear, hear). They would, during the coming year, do all in their powor to further the interests of the inhabitants of the borough of Conway, but to accomplish their aims they needed the help and confidence of the burgesses. If there was at any time any grievance the Council would be glad to know it., and to roeeive any suggestions for improving the borough. He reminded them that the Council meetings were open to the ratepayers, and it was desirable that they should attend oc- casionally. Mr F. A. Delamotte, who wore the uniform of chief officer of the Fire Brigade, was the mar- shall of the procession and also M.C. at the tea meeting. -<

A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE. The pro- prietors of the "Queen," the lady's newspaper, with the Christmas double number, will present each reader with a beautiful work of art, in the form of a Rembrandt gravure reproduction, 28 by 23 inches, of the original expressly painted for the "Queen" by the well-known artist, Arthur J. Elsley, entitled "Out of Reach," a charming little child protecting a kitten from fox terrier puppy. The picture is artistically produced on proof paper, and as a real work of art is worth many times the sum charged, being, without doubt, one of the finest plates ever given away with a newspaper. The Queen" newspaper will, as usual, be replete with most interesting matter, appropriate to the season of Christmas, and contributed by titled ladies well-known in society. Lord Roeebery, in opening a College Hall in connection with London University, said the funotion of a University was not merely to pump knowledge into units boy teaching, and extract it afterwards by examination, but to produce mem who were going to take a part in the vast fabric oi society within these islands.

PRESTATYN GAS WORKS* PROPOSED PURCHASE BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. The Urban District Council of Prestatyn age promoting a Bill in the forthcoming on ag Parliament i'or powers, amongst other tiiingsij to acquire either compuisonly or by agreement' the local gas undertaking. The full extent of the powers which the Council are seeking may! be gauged by a perusal of the Paxliaiik-ji turjy notice, which appears in our advertisement columns, and in the course they are now taking;, the Comical axe following the lead of other municipal authorities, who tind that, aa uiem administrative area develops and the population in it is more advantageous to the rate- payers that such undertaking's aa public light- ing and water supply should be tiie property of the municipality. Hitiierto, the manufactuxtS and su-pply ot gas at Prestatyn has been lett to, private enterprise, and such is the case in other towns in Nortib VVaies. But, however satisfac- tory the undertaking is carried on under private owiissrship, the general trend of public opinion is in favour of the municipalisation of lighting concerns. 'line works at Prestatyn axe owned by Lady McLaren, who, aooording to a letter gent oo bar behalf to the Urban Council, solicited the co-operation of the local authority in an appli- cation she proposed to make for power to in* crease the capital of the gaz undertaking with the view to improvements, extension of mains, etc. After discussing the matter in committee on Monday the Council decided to ask Lady McLaren if she was prepared to sell the works, and if so to name a price. They further de- cided, as we have already stated, to seek Par- liamentary powers themselves to acquire the undertaking Prestatyn is rapidiy oevclopinjp and becoming yearly more popular as a visitors' resort, and like other enterprising and far-seeing, local authorities, the Prestatyn Urban Council are showing themselves fully alive to their re- sponsibilities. Whilst the cost of carrying on and developing the gas undertaking will be met out of the rates, tha ratepayers should not lose sight of the fact that all tne profits from the concern—and it is generally the most profitable department in municipal trade—go directly to relieve the burden of the rates. Local autho- rities, also by virtue of the large powers they potsoss, are enabled to carry out a good deal of work, and to incuir expenditure which can- not be expected to conne within the province of private companies. The ratepayers of Pres- t.atyn in considering the wisdom of the policy pursued by their representatives on the Council can profit by the experience of other towns in North Wales where the acquisition of gas worlca has proved decidedly beneficial to the public. FRIGHTENING THE RATEPAYERS. A correspondent writes:—It appears to be the particular province of some people in the town to raise a scare without, either rhyme or reason, and the latest rumour is that the Council by; their new Dilil will involve the ratepayers in untold expense. The public, unfortunately, are generally too ready to beiievo that their rates axe to be increased, and they seldom sit down and calmly think that councillors have as much interest m the town as any other ratepayer. Yesterday, I was informed, with all seriousness, by a resident that if the Bill passed tihe Council would at once spend a gtreat deal of money in building a new Town Hall, and in other way a launch out on extravagant schemes. The ex- penditure on the water works was pointed to m being an instance of what might take place. People, however, seem to forget that though the Council are soliciting power-s by most up-to-date seaside resorta, it does not follow that they will in the immediate Lil re exercise them. It would cost .e Ccurn ii justt as much to promote the Gas Bill by itself as to promote a Bill of an omnibus character, and by taking the course they have the Council are really saving money, as it would be a very ex- pensive process for them to go to Parliament separately for every individual power they .re- quired.

FESTINIOG LOCAL EDUCA. TION COMMITTEE. A meeting of the above committee was held at Blaenau this day week, the Rev. J. R. Parry in the ohair. The attendance in the urban district was satisfactory, except in a few cases. It was re- solved to prosecute unless the children attended better. In the rural district, which included Trawsfynydd and Penrhyndeiuclraeth, there were 1045 names on the books, and the aveTa-ge at- tendance was 916. In the Churdb schools the names numbered 243, and the attendance aver- aged 203. In the urban district there were 2109 children, with an average attendance of 1925, showing a decrease of 65 in number, and 27 iol attendance. In accordance with a notice of motion, Mr Hugh Jones proposed that the scaJe of the charges paid to school cleaners be revised. He considered that the amount paid for the work was wholly inadequate. Mr Jones went min- utely into the matter, and moved that the ques- tion should be further considered by the Finance rv.rv-.itw.—Several members supported the motion, the Chairman observing that the pre- sent niscoo of payment was of the "sweating system" type. The proposal was passed. The Rev. John Owen proposed that no enter- tainments should be held in the schools except those organised by the teachers, except with thai special permission of the committee.—The Chairman agreed with the metion.Several members disapproved of the way strangers were permitted to have tihe use of the schools, but re- commendted that local people should have per- mission to hold entertainments in the bw"ldiqm towards local purposes.

NORTH WALES STOCK AND SHARE LIST. Reported by Messrs Warmsley, Jones and Co 29, Eaata ga.te Row (North), Chester. Consols 84i Bank Rate 21 per cent Wrexham and Present Eaat Denbigh- Price., ahire Water Co. Consolidated Stock .165-170 „ 41 per cent. Cons. Pref. SLock 113—115 „ „ Ordinary SLock 120-122 Hawarden and District Water Co X10 Shares, fully paid 6—8 Nat Prov. Bank of England, Ltd £ 75 Shares, 910 10s paid 371—38 £60 Shares, LI2 paid 44 1-4 3-1 North and South Wales Bank, Ltd. £ 40 Shares, X10 paid .32t-32t Parr's Bank, Ltd gloo Shares, £20 paid .87 -87 1-8 Lloyd's Bank, Ltd. JE50 Shares, de8 paid 32 £ —32J Bank of Liver- pool, Ltd. £ 100 Shares, X12 10s paid 37l-37f Walker, Parker, and Co., Ltd. £10 Ordinary Shares .3 -3. 11 4 per cent. Debentures 83 -88 Victoria Pier and Pavilion Co., Colwyn Bay, Ltd. 41 Ordinary Shares 10j—12^8 Halkyn Drain- age Co £10 Sharee, fully paid 171-181. Hulywell Hal- kyn Mining and Tunnel G Ltd £1 Shares, fully paid .9/-12/- Maikyn Min. ing Co., Ltd. 21 Shares, fully paid 20/- East Halkyn Mining Co., Ltd JS1 If fully paid 4—8 South Halkyn Mining Co., ltd £ 1 „ fully paid 7/6-12/6 JE1 „ 4/ 6/- New North Halkyn Mines Ltd. 21 Ord. Shares, fully paid 25/—32/5 Nortb Hendre Mining Co., Ltd £ 2 10s Shares, fully paid 2J—2} Pantymwyn Mining Co., Ltd. El Shares, fully paid 7.8-1 Talacre Mining Co., Ltd. El Ord. Shares, fully paid ) „ „ £ 1 Pref. Shares, fully paid United Miners j Co., Ltd £1 Ord. Shares, fully paid L'anarmon Min- J ing Co., Ltd. £1 Ord., fully paid j 91 Pref., fully paid

The death is announced of Mr William Tur- nook, for many years clerk to the Cheste* Bcajd of Guardian*. i