The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

PERSONAL. The Duchess of Westminster, who, with the Duke, has now returned to Eaton from the South of France, will give a ball at Eaton on February 22nd. Mr Osmond Williams, says a London correspond- ent, will probably sucoeed the late Mr W. R. M. Wynne, of Peniarth, in the Lord-Lieutenancy of Mcrioncthshi re. The Duke of Westminster will to-day (Thurs- day) preside at a Unionist meeting at Frodsham, Cheshire, in support of Mr Harry Barnston, the prospective candidate for Eddisbury. Lord Bal- carres, M.P., will also speak. '!he Countess of Powis has had to cancel her engagement to preside at the annual meeting of the Welshpool Victoria Nursing Institute, in consequence of being confined to bed with an attack of bronchitis. The Rev. Canon T. Edwards (Gwynedd), vicar of Aber, will be the special preacher on Febru- ary 28th at the National Festival, commemora- tive of the patron saint, at St. David's Welsh Church, Lime Grove, Manchester. The Prime Minster has accepted Sir Alfred Thomas's invitation to dine with the Welsh Liberal Parliamentary party at the beginning of the session, and the dinner has now been fixed for Wednesday, February 24th, at the. Devon- shire Club. FORTHCOMING WEDDINGS, The marriage has been arranged, and will shortly take place, between Lord Dalmeny, eldest son of the Earl of Rosebery, and Miss Dorothy Grosvenor, youngest daughter of Lord Henry Grosvenor. The bride-elect, who is in her nineteenth year, is a cousin of the Duke of Westminster, her father being the third son of the first Duke of Westminster. A marriage has been arranged and will take place at Easter, between Charles Douglas, eldest son of Colonel C. E. Stanley (late Grenadier Guards), of Penny Bridge House, Ulverston, and Adela Grace, third daughter of Colonel F. A. Walker-Jones, J.P., of Beddgeiert, Carnarvon- shire, residing at Burton, Westmorland.

— A National Conference on Land Values, in London, on Monday, adopted a resolution urging the Government to make a substantial beginning with such reforms in this year's Budget. Captain Sol by and the crew of the White Star liner "Republic," which was lost after collision with the steamer "Florida," landed on Monday from the "Baltic" at Liverpool. At the meeting of the National Rifle Asso- ciation, held in London on Monday, it was an- nounced that this year's Bisley meeting will be held from July 12th to 24th. The Earl of Cheyleemore, who presided, declared that the bull's eye target was not doomed.

CARNARVON COUNTY FINANCES. £21,035 REQUIRED FROM THE RATES. EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING. MR VINCENT CRITICISES THE BUDGET, WHICH IS DEFERRED. GLOOMY OUTLOOK FOR THE RATE- PAYERS. The outstanding featuro of the meeting of the Carnarvonshire County Council to-day week was the vigorous criticism of the financial estimates by Mr II. C. Vincent, the outcome of which was referring the whole of the financial statement back to the Finance Committee for further con- sideration. In submitting the estimates, the CHAIRMAN of the Finance Committee said that the amount required from the rates was L21,03,1 as against £18,765. That would involve a rate of 8d in the pound. The estimates were really pro- visional and would come up for confirmation at the April meeting of the Council. Mr H. C. VINCENT said, with reference to the financial statement of the county just laid before them, that he desired to ask the Chairman of the Finance Committee one or two questions which arose upon them, the replies to which, as it ap- peared to him, might put a very different light upon the true financial position of the county, to that which appeared upon the face of the statement. He would ask the Chairman of the Finance Committee to carry his mind back to the financial statement which was laid before the Council in September last. From that state- ment it appeared that the actual receipts for tho year ending the 31st of March, 1908, were £ 40,978, whilst the actual payments during the same period amounted to £ 43,179. Deducting such payments from the receipts a deficit of L2201 was obviously arrived at, which had to be provided: for, in some way or another. Now, he had studied the accounts with the greatest care, and was un- able to find that any such provision had been made or that the debit balance had been shown or referred to in any subsequent account. It might be that he had not brought that intelligence to bear upon the financial statements, which he ought to have brought, and. therefore, before he made any statement upon the subject he lesired to ask the Chairman of the Finance Committee the question whether the balance of JB2201 w' ich he had referred to was in fact brought forward to the debit of the county in the accounts or estimates for the year 1909; because, if not, it appeared to the speaker to be obvious that the. estimates for that year must be deficient to that extent over and above any deficiency there n ght be found in March, 1909, on the estimates w rich were actually provided for, and, if so, the pro- visional estimates now put before them for the year 1910 would have to be largely increased. Before proceeding further he would therefore risk the Chairman of the Finance Committee to reply to the question which he put to him. The CHAIRMAN said that he thought Mr Vincent had better ask all the questions that he had to ask then, and make any statem«4|$he bad to make, and the Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee would then reply. Mr VINCENT submitted not, and said that he desired to save the time of the Caunicl. He said it would be idle for him to waste it by making a statement which was founded on what rmght be a wrong assumption of facts. Mr RICHARD DAVIES (Chairman of the Finance Comiriittee) said he thought Councillor Vincent was right, and that if would be better for him to answer the question as well as he could, then. The fact was that there was a defi- ciency of J61730 in the working of the year 1908, but as against that they had a surplus of B1373 from the previous year. Mr VINCENT said he did not wish to inter- rupt Mr Davies, but in arriving at the deficiency for 1908 of the sum, which he made to be £ 2201, not £ 1730, he had already taken into account the credit balance of £ 1373 from the previous year to which Mr Davies referred. But for that bal- ance, the deficiency would have been over £3500, Mr RICHARD DAVIES, after consultation with the treasurer, said the estimates were only provisional. It was impossible for the committee to estimate exactly what the expenses for the year were going to be. He had already explained1 about twelve months ago that a somewhat serious mistake had been made. The committee ha.d estimated for a working balance of E8000, but it subsequently, for reasons which he explained at the time to the Council, was reduced from that sum to L1300. He was sure that Councillor Vin- cent, would do him the justice to admit that he did not keep this in any way from the Council, but that he informed the mof it as soon as ever it came to his knowledge. He then proceeded to explain that for the year ending M'rch, 1909, they rovided a working balance of £1900. Mr VINCENT said his point had nothing to do with a working balance, which, he understood, was merely a provision for possible contingencies during the current year. That had no connection with a deficiency which arose during a past year. Mr RICHARD DAVIES continued to say that the committee had hoped that in course of time they would work themselves right by means of the working balance. He complained that Mr Vincent had given him no notice of his question. If he had had notice he would have been pre- pared to deal with it. He could only say then that it was impossible to estimate accurately tho expenses of the year. Mr VINCENT then spoke at considerable length. He said the Council had heard Mr Davies' explanation. The fact was Mr Davies had not tackled the question at all. He had told the Council that there was a great deÆlI of diffi- culty in estimating the possible expenses for the coming year. The speaker did not question that, but he was not dealing with problematical ex- penses for a coming year, but with actual receipts and actual payments for a past year, and an actual deficit in the working of that year, which had never been met in any way, or been brought forward into the accounts of the followin -v year, with the result, that the true financial position of the county was not shown on the stf1t,.p.m0'1t which had been laid before the Council. He said he took it that the same rul.?a applied to a county au- thority as to an individual, and if he had an income of £40,000 a year (which, he was sorry to say, he had not) and spent £ 43,000 during that year his experience was that he would have so much less to spend, or would have to provide in some way for his extravagance in the following year. But in this statement of the Council's ac- counts, the deficiency he had spoken of was simply ignored, and lost, he presumed, in some one or other of their numerous overdrawn ac- counts. The amount, which was a large one, some £2200, representing nearly a penny rate, was not allowed to figure upon their financial statement at all, and the county was kept in ignorance of its existence, so far at any rate as the financal statement they were now consid- ering was concerned. The estimates for the year must be at least that much short of what was re- quired, and the rate of eightpence, which they pretended to be sufficient, could not in fact be sufficient, and he submitted that it was not deal- ing frankly or fairly with the ratepayers of the county not to inform them of the true position. Let them review the position to-day as contrasted with that which was presented to them last year. It was then, he did not like to say pretended, because that sounded offensive, but it was said that the amount required from the rates was £16,000, and that a 6d rate for the year was sufficient. He then pointed out that the working balance had disappeared and prognosticated that the estimate was wholly inadequate- By Sep- tember last he was proved absolutely right, for not only had the working balance entirely dis- appeared, but this large deficiency in the working of tho past year was definitely ascertained, but even without making any provision for that de- ficiency the estimates h-cl to be amended so as to charge the rates with ;C!S,OjO instead of £ 16,000, and the rate had to be increased from 6d to nd. And now it appeared that even tha.t 4 f was not sufficient. They now had before them the provisional estimates for the year 1909 and 1910, and it was as clear as the day that these were as inadequato as those which were made for the previous year. It was true that they were now increased to 8d in the JB, the highest rate they had ever had, but, as lie had pointed out, and, indeed, as was now practically admitted by the Chairman, no provision had been made for the deficiency which they knew not problematically, but actually had occurred, of £2201, which had been entirely omitted from the accounts, and if they were to judge from their experience of last year it could not be doubted that thov would re- quire a rate of at least 9d or lOd. What, then, was the use of pretending to the ratepayers that eightpence was sufficient? Let them lay the true facts before the ratepayers, and take f.n"ir judg- ment upon them. Mr Vincent proceeded to say that in his view the whole position i-gs a very serious one. Contrasted with 1907 the county rate was nearly doubled, without taking into ac- count at all the education accounts, which have increased enormously. The Council were laying burdens upon the ratepayers too grievous to be borne. H" said that without respect, to creed or rarf.v. Whether red hot Tories lika him^lf or red hot Radicals, it was their bounden duty to the ratepayers to tell them the true facts as to the financial position, and to take serious counsel together to see whether the affairs of the county could not be conducted on some more economical basis, or at any rate that the present reckless expenditure should be checked and brought with- in something like reasonable limits. Mr JONES MORRIS thought that in fair- ness to the committee, the question should be referred back. Mr J. R. PRICHARD seconded, and said that Mr Vincent's remarks involved a very ser- ious charge. Mr T. W. GRIFFITH The resolution would be equivalent to a vote of censure on the com- mttee, Mr C. BREESE said he thought Mr Vincent had made out his case, and the accounts ought to be referred back. It was ultimately decided, unanimously, in view of Mr Vincent's statement, to refer the whole financial statement back to the Finance Com- mittee for further consideration.

The Board of Trade returns for January 0* a decrea&o of £ 2\352,020 in m-riports all e*f' £ 5,604,721 in exports as compared with last J An old colliery tip slipped down the mOu side in the Rhondda Valley early on Friday- demolished four houses. All the ,oc°liy. escaped except a boy, who was killed in t>^ Mrs Berrington, whose death has occurre Cardington, Bedfordshire, in her 103rd year»^(? believed to the the oldest member of the leyan body. For Chronic Chest Complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, l/l £

Che Welsb Coast Pioneer." LARGEST CIRCULATION ON THE COAST. THE SALE OF THE 41 Welsh Coast Pioneer" Amounts to an average which, if tested, will show an- CXCLSS OF SEVERAL THOUSAND COPIES WEEKl OVE At OTHEii dedi-if PAP.it Branch Offices: LLANDUDNO MOSTYN STREET LLANkWSr WATLINO STREET RHYL 29, HIGH STREET. ABERGELE CAX LON HOU6E. WE BEG TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT IN FUTURE, OWII.G TO PRESSURE UPON OUR COLUMNS, ALL LISTS OF WEDDING PRESENTS WILL BE CHARGED FOR AT ADVERTISE- MENT RATES.

RHYL-PRESTATYN TRAMWAYS. A few months ago the Rhyl Urban District Council, in common with all other local authori- ties concerned, adopted with somo enthusiasm a resolution virtually welcoming the promotion of a scheme for the construction of a tramway between Rhyl and Prestatyn. Thus encouraged, the promoters set in motion the machinery which even in the earliest stages of such undertakings is of a very costly character. The preliminary arrangements appeared to be making very satisfactory progress, and there were good prosjjects of a speedy consummation of the scheme. To the surprise, no doubt, of the public, the Rhyl Council decided to Monday to oppose the project at the forth- coming Light Railway Commissioners' inquiry. Stiil more strange does this fact appear when the Council's reasons for doing so are considered. The first reason given is "that there is no de- mand or necessity for the railway." Surely the Council do not seriously mean that in the face of their own declared views a few months ago. If they do, however, they will havo an oppor- tunity during the election, a week or two hence, of consulting the views of the ratepayers on the matter, and unless we are mistaken it will then be their turn for a surprise. The second point urged is that the width of the roadway along the Parades is such that to run tram cars over it would be dangerous when the sea front is crowded with visitors. This is unquestionably the strongest argument against which the promoters have to contend, so that the stvength of the other points may be realised. At first sight no doubt it appears reasonable to say that young children and invalids would be endangered by the cars on crowded roads, but in this matter Rhyl is in a position to gain valu- able knowledge from the experience of its near neighbour, Colwyn Bay. When the same com- pany set to work upon the Llandudno-Colwyn Bay tramway (scheme they were confronted by the very determined opposition of a section of Colwyn Bay residents, who urged that to run the trams through Conway-road woukl be suicidal, on the ground that it was the principal thor- oughfare, a main road, practically thronged with visitors during the summer months, and, more important than all, that at certain points the roadway was only about twenty feet from curb to curb. The cars have been running over Conway-road right to the top of Station-road for over 12 months now, and the best commentary on Colwyn Bay's opinion of the trams to-day is the fact that the residents of that section of the town not served by the cars have been for months clamouring for an extension of the line to their own neighbourhood, notwithstanding the distinctly unsatisfactory condition of the roadway in that district. In fact, those who most strenu- ously opposed the Colwyn Bay scheme eighteen months ago are to-day warmest in advocating the Old Colwyn extension scheme. If Cclwyn Bay residents have been convinced that the cars are no danger in their narrowest and busiest thor- oughfare the citizens of Rhyl may rest assured that they would be at least equally harmless on their splendidly-wide seafrotit. To Llandudno and Colwyn Bay the electric car service has proved an inestimable boon, and it is to be earnestly hoped that the Council will in no ca- pricious spirit neglect this favourable opportunity to obtain the convenience of a similar service, which should do much to replenish the electricity department's exchequer, and contribute largely to road and gencrol improvement funds.

TUBERCULOUS DAIRY COWS. The campaign initiated for the eradication of tubercular-infected dairy cows is making consid- erable progress throughout the country, and a report just issued by the Manchester Tuberculosis Committee furnishes abundant evidence in justifi- cation of the movement. It is estimated that from 30 to 40 per cent- of British dairy stock ia suffering more or less from tuberculosis. How far that affects the public health is conjectural, However, since the Manchester Committee set to work in 1901 there has been, we are told, "a decided reduction in the tubercular death-rate." Improved sanitation and healthier conditions of life generally have no doubt helped in the same direction, but the committee can produce ciata of an unquestionable character which substanti- ally support their claim to having contributed in a large measure to the improved state of things. The danger from tuberculous-infsotod milk in Manchester has been reduced Accorli.ig to statistical returns from a percentage of .3.6 in 1903 to 6.76 in 1907. No later figures ..re ot, p- able, but as there has been a steady decrease during the four years preceding 1907 it may be assumed that last year marked a still further improvement. Of 1013 cows examined in 1901 fourteen were found to be suffering from tuber- culosis of the udder- In 1907 of 2547 oows ex- amined only 28 were found to be affected. The real difficulty confronting the reformer is the expense which the work entails. To effectively solve the problem, all infected cows should ap- parently be destroyed, and some idea of what this would mean to the country may be gathered from the statement that it would cost Manches- ter nearly E200,000 to slaughter all the affected beasts supplying milk to the city. In addition to that there would be the heavy outlay on re- constructing, overhauling, and disinfecting all cowsheds accommodating affected cows, and the maintenance of a staff of properly qualified vet- erinary surgeons. It is estimated that a national scheme would involve an expenditure of about r 1;15,000,000. Public opinion may not yet be ripe for so expensive an undertaking, but vve me being gradually educated up to it. "So far as Manchester is concerned, we are told, "judging from the progress made in recent years, the time is not so very far distant when, compara- tively speaking, no infected milk will arrive on the market. Not only has the quantity of tubercular milk decreased, but tuberculosis in the udders has been found to be in a less advanced stage, which implies a reduction in infection." A reduction in the tubercular death-rate aid a germ-free national milk supply are worth fight- ini,, for.

LATEST WILLS. MR o. W. JONES, FLINT. Mr O. W. Jones, chemist and druggist, of Apothecaries Hall, Church-street, Flint, left £1132. MR FRANK TAYLOR, SANDYCROFT. Frank Taylor, of Buck nails, near Watford, Hertford, of Taylor and Sons, civil and mining engineers, Queen-street Place, E.C-, and head of the firm of the SanaK croft Foundry Com- pany Ltd., machinery manufacturers, Sandy- croft, Hawarden, a well-known racehorse owner, £ 253,732- MR EDWARD DIXON, CHESTER. Edward Dixcn, of Chester, late head of the firm of Messrs T. Dixon and Co., timber mer- chants, of St. John-street, Chester, £ 57,487. Mr Dixon's will has been proved by his nephews, Mr T. H. Dixon, the Clappers, Gresford, Den- bigh, and Mr W. Rog'ers, 104, Watergate-street, Chester, at B57,487 gross, and £ 51,478 net. Testator bequeathed £100 each to his butler Barnsley, his coachman John Henshaw, and to Mrs Mary Dutton, widow of his gardener, and £100 each to his executors. The residue is to be divided into twelve parts, one of which is to go to each of his nephews and nieces, Wil- liam Arthur Dixon, Thomas Henry Dixon, Phyllis Ann Granger, Florence Hope Stewart, John Rogers, William Rogers, Catherine Patter- son, John Harrison, Henry Taylor Harrison, Georgina Harrison, the ohildren of Emma Simpson, and Emily Last Smith, the share of the said Emily Last Smith to be R500 less than the others.

MR HAROLD EDWARDS' CANDIDATURE FOR FLINT COUNTY. CONFLICTING RUMOURS. Considerable speculation, and not a little feeding, has been aroused (sa \is the "Liverpool Courier") in Flintshire over the retirement of Mr Harold Edwards from his candidature for Flint County. Up to the present no explana- tion has been given to the rank and file of the pa,rty, and so deep is the dissatisfaction that the members of the St, Asaph Constitutional Club haV3 expressed their intention to take no part in the next County Council election. A rumour has been spread that Mr Edwards' retirement is the result of the wo.rk of the "Confederates," but that is not the fact. Ho is a consistent supporter of Mr Balfour on tue question of Tariff Reform. He has put in three years' strenuous labour, and has won the esteem of the great mass of the electorate. Our St. Asaph correspondent states that he has been informed on excellent authority that the members of the St. Asaph Constitutional Club as a body have taken no action in the matter, and although as individuals they have talked over the position of affairs it has never once been suggested that anything should be done in connection with the County Council election. They are very much attached to Mr Edwards, and feel sure that any pressure that has been brought on him to resign has not oeen done with the consent of the members of the Flintshire Constitutional Association, as no meeting has yet been held. All. new candidate would have tc receive the recognition of tiiiat body. In St. Asaph the position of affairs cannot be explained, and further than what has ap- peared in the public press the members of the party know notxiing. For several weeks past rumours were prevalent of a contemplated change, but not a word has come from head- quarters on tho matter, so that whatever is said must bo accepted with a, ceitain amount of reoorve.

COMMERCIAL TRA VEL LERS' ASSOCIATION. The monthly Executive Committee meeting of the North Wales branch was held at the Station Hotel, Bangor, on Saturday, Mr Chas. Palmer presiding. Amongst those present were: M eesrs W. T. Williams, H. Davies, Bangor; E. | N. Jones, Carnarvon; M. H. Parry, Penmaen- mawr; O. W. Roberts, Llandudno; W. G. Mobley, A. E, Bethel, II. V. D. Davies, Tunna, Gwesyn Price, Colwyn Bay; together with the hon. secretary, Mr T. G. Humphreys. The following were elected as members: Messrs W. J. Parry, Bangor; E. B. Jones, Chester; E. P. Williams, Rhyl, and H. Williams, Carnarvon. It was decided to hold the next quarterly meet- ing at Rhyl. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Mr E. G. Evans, the report of the recent federation meeting at Oldham was held over until the next meet-in e. •

OBITUARY. if ale The death occurred on Saturday of Mr W. Corbet Yale Jones-Parry, of Madryn, Carnar- vonshire, and Plas-yn-Yale, Denbighshire, the head of an old and well-known Welsh family. Mr Yale Jones-Parry was the reresentative in this country of the ancient family of Yale, who bear the same arms as the Wynnes of Peniarth, and a member of which founded the celebrated University of that name. His cousin, the late Sir Love-Jones-Parry, M.P. for tho Carnarvon Boroughs, bequeathed the Madryn Estates to him. Mr Yales Jones-Parry, whose funeral will take place in the Yalo Chapel at Bryneglwys to-day (Thursday), had been a magistrate and a deputy- lieutenant for Denbighshire for over 40 years, and he was also a magistrate for the counties of Carnarvon and Merioneth. He was by pro- fession a barrister-at-law, and was understood to be the oldest living member of the North. Wales Circuit. He was one of the first com- missioners sent out to the Australian go Id fie Ids- He was present at the storming of Palermo in 1848 by Garibaldi. His long life of nearly 84 years had been far from uneventful. Deceased leaves three sons and .one daughter —Col. Jas. Corbet Yale, D.S.O., Mr Thos. Parry Osborne Yale, Mr George Frederick Cunningham Yale, and Miss Yale-Jones-Parry.

X_*l r VO. LU. VA ipiimwe ot p c n i art We regret to announce the death of Mr William Robert Maurice Wynne of Peniarth, Merioneth, which occurred at his London resi- dence, 26, Buckingham Gate, on Friday. Mr Wynne was the son of the late Mr W. W. E. Wynne by Mary, second of the three daugh- ters and co-heiress of the late Mr Robert Ag- lionby Slaney, of Walford Manor and Hatton Grange, Shropshire. He was born on Feb- ruary 15th, in 1840, and educated at Eton and for a time held a lieutenant's commission in the Scots Guards. He succeeded his father as Conservative member for Merioneth in 1865, a position which he occupied for three years. He became Lord Lieutenant of the county in 1891, and was High Sheriff in 1886; he succeeded his father also as Constable of Harlcch Castle, and was chairman of quarter sessions. He was one of the largest landowners in the county, his estate comprising' about 9000 acres, and he bad the reputation of being most considerate to his tenants. He was a liberal patron of the Welsh National Eisteddfod and kindred institutions, and took pairtlcular interest in achaeological subjects deal- ing with the Principality. Mr Wynne was the owner of what is re.-axdcd as the premier col- lection of Welsh manuscripts, both in extent and quality. It consists of the oldest manu- scripts of the laws of Wales in Latin and Welsh, the oldest versions of the Mabinogion as well as the Arthurian and other romances, and the oldest and; only perfect copy of the Holy lirail. The collection is made up of 519 works in Latin and Welsh. Four-fifths of the books formed the well-known Hengwrt collection, which was brtouighil together by the antiquary Robert Vaug'han, of Nannau. At the deat4 of Sir Robert William Vaughan the collection was be- queathed to his friend Mr Wynne, who had it removed in 1859 to Peniarth. Ten years ago the collection was catalogue under the direction of the Historical Manuscripts Commission. Mr Wynne married Winifred Frances, daugh- ter' of Mr W. Kendall, and widow of Mr R. I. Williamson. He leaves no children.

SHEEP DOG TRIALS AT LLANBEDR. A POPULAR MEETING. A large number of spectators assembled at Llanbedr, Talycafn, on Thursday, to witness the sheep and dog trials, which proved a pronounced success. The officials were: President, Mr W. R. Roberts, Ddolgastell; vice-president, Mr W. Davies, Ferry Hotel. Patrons: His Excellency Governor of Jersey; Sir C. McLaren, M.P., Col. T. Gee, Major G. R. Ashley, Messrs E. Jones- Owen, J.P., R. Ellis, J.P., A. K. Ludlam, G. Barker, H. J. Bilrgess, W. G. Holland, H. E. Hiles, J. Barber, J- Hartley Bibby, A. Carson, D. Jones, J. Porter, Barker and Rogerson. Mr Isaac Jones, Tuhwnt-i'r-gors, was the chairman of the committee; vice-chairman, Mr T. J. Jones, Maen Bardd; treasurer, Mr Thomas Jones, Rowlyn Isa'; and secretary, Mr John Hughes, Gwernfolin, who accomplished his task to the satisfaction of all concerned. The judges were: Messrs W- G. Roberts, Cam- arnaint, Llanfairfechan; David Williams, Ardda, Talybont; and Evan Williams, Rhos, Capel Curig. time-keepers: Messrs E. Griffiths, Brynpair, and M. Griffith, Penybryn-terr. Starter: Mi- Thomas Hughes, Gwern y Felin, Talybont. Stewards: Messrs Thomas J. Jones, Maenybardd, Roewen; W. Roberts, Llwyn Gwaen, Llanbedr; John Williams, Bronygadair; T. H. P, Jones, Cefn; W. Jones, Pant-y-Llwch; and M. Jones. Rocwen. THE AWARDS. The awards were as follows:— Class J. (open to all comerSi)-lt prize £ 4 and meat carvers value 15s, presented by Mr Tudor Williams, ironmonger, Llanrwst)-34 com- petitors: 1, Mr F. Evans, Llwynedd; 2, Mr W. Roberts, Abermigneint, Fostiniog; 3, Mr R. Wil- liams, Ilafodty, Graigwen, Trawsfynydd; 4, Mr D. Roberts, Cae Glas, Maentwrog. Class II. (open to dogs not previously won 1, 2 and 3 prizes)—1st prize 1;2 10s and silver teapot, presented by Mr R. G. Owen, jeweller, Llanrwst)-49 competitors: 1, Mr T. J, Jones, Maen Bardd, Roewen; 2, Mr W. Lewis, Cao Haidd, Nebo; 3, Mr W. Williams, Coed Brain; 4 and 5 divided between Mr W. Pritchard, Pyll Du, and Mr M. Stobart, Coed Mawr; 6, Mr O. T. Owena, Camarnaint. Class III. (confined to the parishes of Cacrhun, Llanbedr and Dol.-arrog)-lst prize, case of sheep dip, presented by Messrs W. Cooper and Nephews, Berkamstead; 2nd prize, electro-plated teapot, presented by Messrs J. Barratt and Co., Middleton; 3rd prize, pair of frames, presented by Messrs Hughes and Burrows, ironmongers* Llanrwst; 4th, table lamp, presented by Mr E. Lloyd Jones, ironmonger, Llanrwst; 5th, alarm cleek. presented by Mr R. Berry, jeweller, Llan- rwst)-14 competitors: 1, Mr W. Pritchard, Pyll Du; 2, Mr J. Roberts, Penbryn, Tynygroes; 3, Mr T. Jones, Rowlyn 4, Mr W. Pritchard, Pyll Du, Talybont; 5, Mr M. Jones, Erw, Roewen- An umbrella, presented by Messrs W. S. Wil- liams, Ltd., Llanrwst, to the best commander was awarded to Mr T. Jones, Rowlyn. .¿

Prebendary Carlile has received from the King a donation of 100 guineas towards the Ohuircih Army's fund for alleviating the distress of the poor in the Metropolis and the United Kingdom. All transatlantic records have been broken by the Cunard liner "Mauretania," which ar- rived at Liverpool yesterday from New York, having maintained a speed of 25.20 knots per hour on the voyage.

MUSICAL NOTES. By Mr Peter Edwards, Mits. Bac. ("Pedr Alaw"). MISS HARRIETTE EG AN. This week I have pleasure in presenting my Teaders with a portrait of Miss Harriette Egan, of "Dolydd," Oefn Mawr, Ruabon. It is the first of a larg'e number of portraits which I hope to give in this column, from time to time. Here I have already called attention to geve- ral promising singers, and it Hill always be my dwiÍre to hell) such in their career. The "Pioneer's" encouraging word shall never be withheld from those who show merit, nor shall it be given to those who lack it,whatever their station in life. » • I oonfefis I had not heard of Miss Egan prior to the Rhyl Eisteddfod of Boxing Day, 1908, but I understand she has for some time past taken a prominent—and, generally, a success- ful—part in Eisteddfodio competitions. Of her early history but little has been given to me. She necd not have feared giving me the date of her birth, as she is evidently quite young— doubtless but little over twenty years of age. Miss Egan is a teacher by proiession, devoting MISS HARRIETTE EGAN. her spare time to llluSjo-as a recreation. She commenced in a small competitive meeting, and althougSi unsuccessful in her first attempt, was encouraged to go on. Since then she has taken prizes at most of the Eisteddfodau in Wales. For several years ehe has been a pupil of Mr Wilfrid Jones, of Wrexham. Two years ago she passed a preliminary test for a free scholar- ship at the R.A.I., and at the final test was recalled. Miss Egan possesses seven medals and two cup, won at competitions. She has taken the prize twice at the Corwen Eisteddfod, a feat of which she ought to be proud. Here are a few extracts from newspapers about her singing: "A Celt of the Celts, endued with all the .latent fire of her race. Miss Egan singK with a fervour which touches the finer feelings no less effectively than her ac- curacy pleases the ear."—"Aberdeen Gazette." Again "The singing of Miss Egan holds every- body spell-bound. Her voice rings true. It toucheSl the human soul."—"Aberdeen Free Press." Further: "Miss Egan awakened great enthusiasm by her remarkable singing, and soon won all hearts. She is a It pical Wekh girl, and possesses the real Celtic) fire in her singing. The dedication of her vocal powers to religion has had a remarkable effect in her own native country, and that influence is one of the most important factors in the success of the Palace Aberdeen Theatre meetirf.gs,People's Jour- nal." Her ambition is to excel in sacred and ora- tories music, and one can beiieve her capable of making' a name for herself in such, after read- ing the accounts of some remarkable revival meetings held by her and Mr Hugh Jones in Scotland about two years ago. Surely her heart must be in her work when one reads the fol- lowing in the Aberdeen papers: — "A young married woman was the next to make confession, which she did in a flood of tears, and singing in a telling' and beautiful voice, "Oh, the peace," Miss Egan, whose singing made a profound impression, was deep- ly moved, and after the meeting she wept with joy because of the results of the gathering." I trust this sing'er—who deeply impressed me at Rhyl Eisteddfod Last Boxing Day—will often be heard at our leading North Wales concerts, and p-redict that those who hear her will desire to do so again- RHYL TEST CONCERT. This concert, held in the Town Hall, on the 4th instant, was a decided success. Twenty-one singers underwent the ordeal at the preliminary hearing', of which the committee decided to al- low thirteen to sing at the concert. The ad- judication, was (following that on the recitations) given in Welsh, and I regret now to learn that there were many present who did not under- stand Welsh. In these circumstances, perhaps, some of our English readers who were present may like to have the following very brief sum- mary of the adjudication upon the twelve ren- derings :— No 1. T. II, J .—song, "The children's home." A young &inger of great promise, but voice requires attention. Phrasing not correct- First portions of song rather laboured in style. No. 2 Baritone—song, Cymru, fy ngwlad." Intonation sha-ky on one or two top notes— which should be produced without such motion of the body. Slow movement rather mechani- cal, but much appropriate spirit elsewhere. No 3. Baritone-song, "Lead, kindly light." An excellent attempt, althoug'h some of the words were not enunciated satisfactorily. Much religious feeling, especially in the latter part. I liked the voices of Nos. 2 and 3. No. 4 Baritone—song, "Thou'rt passing hence." The most finished performance of any so far- It was a pleasure to listen to it; every bar and phrase well thought-out. No. 5 Alice—song, "April Morn." An excel- lent soprano voice. Articulation and enunciation good. Intonation good. Runs, generally, not smooth enough. The expression in the phrasea to syllable "Ah" requires further study. Apart from this it was a very good rendering. No. 6 Soprano—song, "A Dream of Home." Another excellent soprano voice; singing with much intelligence; but ono felt more could have been made of the expression. The tempo was a little too hurried occasionally. Otherwise the rendering was good. No. 7 Contralto—song, "The Raft." An ex- cellent voice, but the lady should acquire a. steadier tone. There were places in this song where that would have been an improvement. Reading and the pronunciation as well as phrasing not faultless- There were many excel- lent, points in this rendering. No. 8 Soprano—song, "A Dream of Home." Not quite so resonant a voice as Nos. 5 and 6, but runs smooth and clean. Intonation, phrasing, etc., good. The expression was satis- factory throughout, and the entire piece had been well studied. An excellent performance on the whole. No. 9 Song, "Unwaith eto yn Nghymru An- wyl," a ballad. A homely piece, fairly well sung. It was, however, rather too mechanical generally. Not quite up to test-conocrt require- ments as a song. No. 10 Baritone—song, "Tead, kindly light." This singer gives promise of good things. When the voice is more developed the singer will make a mark. The upper notes were of doubtful in- tonation, and phrasing not correct. The latter part of the song was very effective. No. 11 "Thora"ong, "The Children's Home." A nice voice, and if the lady had ac- quired more self-possession on the platform her rendering would doubtless have shown less hurry than it did. The reading and intonations were slightly at fault. There were some good points in this rendering. No. 12 Contralto—song, "The Enchantress." A rich voice. The singer should produce a more "forward" tone. Whon that is done the words will be much clearer. Had these things been more satisfactory on the present occasion I should have given the lady a second place in the competition She will yet take prizes I The first prize, a handsome silver cup, the gift of Mr John Brookes, the energetic secretary, was awarded to No. 4, Mr J. Morris Jone., of Rhyl; the second, a beautiful medal, going to No- 8, Miss Myfanwy Owen, of Towyn. I had heard Mr Jones before, but never to such good ad- vantage. Miss Owen will also be again heard of, I have no doubt. » « "Y CERDDOR." There is nothing particularly interesting in the February number of "Y Cerddor" apart from Mr Jenkins' short article on Hugo Wolf. The other articles are "Mendelssohn's Centenary" and "Tuan Gwyllt." Mr J. Owen Jones' portrait is given, and the efforts of thia organist to help himself are well worth noting. One feels that the chorus herein, "Cydunwn a'r nefolaidd dyrfa lan," is very long drawn-out, however good- < "ELECTRA." This latest work of Richard Strauss was recently produced in Dresden before the elite of musical Germany, but the libretto is described as "ghastly," and the music is said to be the most difficult ever written. The violins were divided into first, second and third throughout—eight players for each division. Eighteen double- basses are used. Think of it! Eight clarinets, eight horns, seven trumpets are used, besides other instruments. The big drum was-sometimes struck with a birch rod, and a gong was played upon with a triangle rod, in order to produce "a terrible buzzing noise!" REALISTIC MUSIC. President Cleveland once visited a certain town during a severe hailstorm. A brass band, rather demoralised by the storm, stuck bravely to its post and played. "That is the most realistic music I have ever heard," said the President. "What are they playing?" asked his secretary. "Hail to the chief"—"with real hail!" SANTLEY. After a certain performance of "Elijah," in which, as usual, Sir Charles sang the part of Prophet, he was coming down the stairs leading from the orchestra to the west-end door of the Albert Hall when he overheard the following con- versation between an old lady and a young man:- Young Man: "Well, dear, what did you think of it?" Old Lady: "My dear, it was really de- lightful." Young Man: "Was it not a wonder- ful performance?" Old Lady: "It was, indeed. There was only one drawback; in my opinion there was too much of Elijah (Sir Charles Sant- ley, of course) and too little of Mr Edward Lloyd."

SUNDAY AT HOME. SERVICES BY GRAMOPHONE. By means of the gramophone the church service is now brought into the homes of those who for various reasons cannot at- tend church, and already it is possible to hear privately the beautiful and solacing Morning Prayer. The late Canon Fleming conceived the idea of delivering the ser- vices into a gramophone so that invalids who could not leave their homes, or people who lived many miles from a church should be able, nevertheless, to listen to a fuil choral morning or evening service. So impressed was that distinguished Church- man with the value of this idea that he went down to the offices of the Gramo- phone Company in the City Road to read the Morning Prayers, in order that the re- cords could be made, in spite of the fact that the hand of death was already upon him. It had been his intention to conduct both the morning and evening services, re- citing them into a recording gramophone. He was only able to read the prayers in the Matins, and to select several psalms and hymns which lie considered suitable to any gathering, however few or numerous, on any Sunday. Of the mner, he chose the 23rd, "The Lord is my Shepherd" the 42nd, "Like as the Hart"; the 148th, "0 Praise the Lord of Heaven" and the 150th, "0 Praise God in His Holiness." So far the selection of hymns reproduced on the gramophone is small. Amongst the seven- teen in the list are such as "Abide with me," "Lead, kindly light," "While shep- herds watched their flocks by night," "Ilark, the Herald Angels sing," "On ward, Christian soldiers," "Jerusalem, the Golden," "0, come all ye faithful," II Once in Royal David's city" and "Ten thousand times ten thousand," all well-known everywhere. A representative of the Daily Tele- graph" called at the Gramophone Com- pany's offices on Monday week, and Mr W. H. Green very courteously put on the records of the Morning Service. It must be admitted that the "gramophone service" was gone through most becomingly. It is in eight sections, each of which occupies four minutes in the delivery—that being .Y I the usual "run" of a single record. The opening sentences, the General Confession and the Absolution, which fill the first re- cord, were read by the Rev. J. R. Parkyn, of St. Andrew's Church, Wells-street, W., assisted by his choir, as also was part 2, which included the Lord's Prayer, the sub- sequent responses, and the venite. Other parts contain records of the psalms already mentioned, sung by the choir. Here would fol!ow#the First Lesson, which, of course, could be read by someone in the place where the service was being held. Part 4 is the Te Deum Laudamus, sung by the choir, and it would be followed by the Second Lesson while part 5 comprises the Jubilate Deo, the Apostles' CiccJ, Prayers nd Responses. Parts 6 and 7 cjn- s'st of the prayers which como after the Collect for the day—the Collects for Peace and Grace, the prayers for the King and Royal Family, for the Clergy and the people, a General Thanksgiving, a prayer of St. Chrysostom, and the Grace. Canon Fleming himself read the prayers for these two parts, and to those who knew and ad- mired his clear, firm voice, instinct with reverence and convction, such records will be full of interest. In a sense peculiarly applicable it may be said, "He, being dead, yet speaketh." When these productions are played at some distance it requires no stretch of imagination to fancy oneself in some re- mote corner of a sacred building. While at present the records are of the Church of England Service only, there is nothing to prevent the reproduction of the services of all creeds. It is further intended to repro- duce sermons of well-known divines, and arrangements are already in hand for this purpose. One clergyman has already de- livered a sermon of the fixed limit of four minutes' duration into a recording gramo- phone. Of course the difficulty is to con- dense an address into some 600 words- that allows for the preacher speaking at the rate of 150 words per minute. These church-service records can now be purchased at £ 2 for a set of eight and the hymns for 3s 6d each. Several anthem* and carols can also be obtained, the prices being 3s 6d and 5s 6d per record. If there is a sufficient demand for these services, it is intended to reproduce other hymns and psalms, the Litany, and anti-Communion service also, for use at home. It is interesting to note that the popu- larity of the gramophone is daily in- creasing, both at home and abroad. Gramophones have been heard in all parts of the world, and it is believed that these records of church services will be much appreciated in the Colonies amongst the farmers living many days' journey from the nearest church. At home the instru ment is particularly popular with the work- ing classes. It will doubtless surptise many to read that the working man pur- chases many records of sacred songs and oratorios. Our representative was in- formed that thousands of such records are annualy procured by this class, who, to their credit, buy comparatively few comic song records, and it is hoped by those who are carrving forward the scheme which Canon Fleming inaugurated that they will in time come to purchase the church ser- vice, which it is intended to keep bright and attractive with tuneful sacred music.

In a report to the Local Government Board on boarding' out pauper children, a lady in- spector says that nothing but emigration, re- moving the children as far from the ii-n;on as possible, will save the children from bad rela- tions and associatlona

WHAT I WANTED TO BE. i WELL KNO .V A MEN TALK THEIR BOYISH AMBITIONS. —r i Some of the most distinguished nieDd<| the day have had boyish dreams of a different career to that which they followed; Sir Felix Schuster, the financier, for example, confessed to the er that his earliest ambition was to a great musician. As a young boy," Sir Felix Schuster, I was, as I axn intensely fond of music: at the age 1- twelve, however, I suffered from ism in my fingers which made it impossi^- for me ever to hope that I could acquire ? ficient technical skill to become a profe0a al pianist. Only for this fact I might yb devoted myself to the career of a musici*?^ Admiral Sir Edmund Fremantle oil jl other hand has entirely realised his ambitions. As a boy," said this guished naval officer, even before I to school at the age of nine, I resolved to sea, and attain what distinction I c0y. in the Navy; I never had any other aD^ j< tion. I determined to like the Navy, jj: did. like it from my entry at the age 01 £ till I retired as a full admiral at the age 65." A ROBBER KNIGHT. e1 Mr. Louis Parker admits that he nef fulfilled his boyish ambition, and perhaps f: is just as well that this is so. My ish ambition," said Mr. Parker, was to j a robber knight, and live in a totally i" a\ cessible castle on the Rhine, and swoop 4. on the passing wayfarers, strip them of their possessions, and put them to with revolting tortures. Alas, I have °Jj| incompletely succeeded, but there is J | time." -ji I find it difficult now to recall about the aspirations of my boyhoed," Sir Yansittart Bowater, 1 remember, ever, clearly enough having a great j| to become a soldier and distinguish ^1 in arms like my ancestor, General Sir ward Bowater, who was killed at Water! I think I may say I was always ambitious^ succeed, and was never content until I become captain of my football club and kot eleven. My present ambition is to 1 come Lord Mayor of London." I THE STOWAWAY. In my early boyhood," confessed Melton Prior, the famous war correspo Irf ent, to the writer when taxed on the s V iect of his youthful ambition, "I bec9^ after reading a large number of tales adventurous character, filled like many other lad with a great desire to meet l t' some adventures myself and so after deb. ing a little while the best way to in search of them I hid myself on board steamer plying between Boulogne and don. The only adventure I met with, ever, was that I became so cruelly sick I greatly rejoiced when my hiding P was discovered by one of the sailors. I taken before the captain who read me a vere lecture on the folly of my conduct, a^jl set me to perform a great deal of hard ^jj, disagreeable work during the remainder the voyage. I came.home at last in grace, but was soon reinstated in my position in the family circle. I was just 111 ? years old at the time." j} Mr. Louis Wain's greatest ambition aSjr very young boy was to climb to the topi11 j, branch of a certain fir tree. "One accomplished my ambition," said Mr. "but nearly ended my life at the time, for the brainh broke as I sat and for this reason I probably bear in this particular youthful ambition & l clearly than others I may have had." j,| The Hon. C. S. Rolls has certainly filled his youthful aspirations. "So far b., as I can remember," said Mr. Rolls, A wanted to drive a mechanically prope* car and to travel in cloudland." f As a tiny lad," confessed Sir John I had so far as I can now remember •) desires—a hope that I might be the least of use in the world and that I might pos9^ an ample library." Mr. Mark Hambourg, the celebr^ by pianist, has quite fulfilled his boyish atD f tion, which he confessed was to bee great musician. I remember," said Hambourg, being taken one day by u' nurse to hear a band, and was immensf^f fascinated by the power which theconduc i seemed to exercise over the various ins^j( mentalists. I was always longing after to be in the same position as that J; tor, and when I was about 12 years realised my desire, for I then conducted j day a small amateur string band of whi^^ was a member. I also accompanied th« struments on the piano." FAME AT A BOUND. Mr. Ellis Roberts, the distinguished p ter of "Fair Women," who has P^t.^ every fashionable beauty of the day, if also realised the ambition of his boy-bo which was to excel in art. I reme bctf. said Mr. Roberts, often working at 1 sketches in play hours when I was at Bcb b1 and wondering vaguely should I ever f. > able to earn my living as an artist.. j# seemed somehow then a very far away a.JJ1 jJ tion, indeed it seemed almost as far e. a when I returned from Italy after ha"e-. completed my studies in art. And ^jjj success came one day apparently al' a moment. I had painted portraits 1 Mrs. Holford's family, which were exfti^ef to a large party of friends at House in Park Lane. I was invited to f party, and went thinking perhaps tb" might be offered one or two commissi<*Vj but before I had been an hour in the hO I had booked enough orders for portrait tI keep me busy for three years, and had refuse a large number of commi9SJ^ among them being one from a Duchess- THE PRICE OF AMBITION. t Mr. Guy Laking, the King's Armory desired as a boy more than anything win a pony race, and whilst he was at & i:0 purchased a pony, and managed to rea'w his ambition at the cost of getting into_^ J, hot water with parental and school auto'' ties. In fact, said Mr. Lating, "in to realise my ambition I had to run from school But I won the race and was what I wanted above all other things do." 9f Mr. Laking was only about thirteen that time. Later he began to turn his atte rtt tion seriously to the study of works of j on which he is now one of the greatest I ing authorities, and was appointed ikivg Armourer by His Majesty a few years Mr. Laking is also a member of the brated firm of Christies'. -jf "My boyish ambition," confessed Tom Browne, the well-known artist, "Zfl to become a great painter of serious jects, to produce pictures that would after days be spoken of as old masterpIeC Well, these old masterpieces of the fu n t are not yet finished nor even begun. Whe$ was about sixteen I was apprenticed tQ- lithographic firm, and by way of T,elaxa,f"-lo after business, I used to make oii>iehes, sometimes which did not so much mental exertion as did my serious studies m art. Then one day s<?jj friends saw these sketches and praised tP a lot, and much to my disgust ignored J serious work. I was strongly advised to the comic sketches up to some T- papers, which I did, and to my ST!' » they were all accepted and paid for, \J\ceíl have been drawing comic sketches ever though I let painting slide for a while t'ijo I have never let my boyish ambitions s ,7,0 altogether out of sight."