The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

"FREE TRADE" MEANS DEAR MEAT. .It is claimed by Free Tracers that our policy of throwing our markets open, without discrimination or preference, to all the u,at.,ou.s of the world ensures a. cheap and plentiful supply of ioodstuffs. Whatevr truth there may at one time have been in this claim, it is necessary now to rc-cxamine it in the light of present-day circumstanccs. In the first place, it "will be admitted, even by Free Traders, that it is both undesirable and unsafe to be dependent upon foreign and possibly hostile sources for the bulk of our food supply. It must also be admitted that thO;;oe foreign nations upon whom we at present rely are increasing rapidly in popula- tion, and that we are coining within measurable distance or the time when they will require most of their corn and bed for their own people. There is the further con- sideration that when the foreigner succeeds in getting the control of our market and in suppressing competition in any line of busi- ness, it is his invariable custom to raise his prices. Such being the ca.se, it follows that we should do all in our power as a nation to stimulate and develop the production of foodstuff's within the Empire. The obvious and most effective way in which to do so is to put a small duty on foreign foodstuffs in ,u order to admit Colonial produce on prefer- ential terms. The result would be a great increase in our ColoniaJ and tome-grown rovrn supplies, and a safe and rcJiable source which to obta,in the food we require. Thaot the danger of dear food under our present Free Trade system is no imaginary n ai-y one is clear from some authentic facts which have recently come to our knowledge in re- gard to the meat trade. Until quite re- cently most of our imported mutton and beef came from Australia. and New Zealand, a small portion coming from Argentina. But the American Meat Trust have made a deter- jerjed attack upon the British market, with a considerable amount of success. They sot a.bout this task by buying up several of the .largest meat-freezing factories in Argentina, and at the beginning of the present year they poured in a steady stream of frozen m03.t, from these factories, with which they filled up our cold storages in this country. In March and April, when the Colonial meat began to arrive, great difficulty was experienced in finding room wherein to store it. There wm consequently a glut in the market, and prices were so low that the agents of ColoniaJ houses ca.bled j, ut to their firms to stop kill- ing, as they were selling at a loss. There is now very little meat coming in from Australia and New Zealand, but the Ameri- can ring is sending over from South America A continuous supply. It is quite obvious that the American Trust mean to capture our meat market, and, Íll- deed, they have already practically done so. Does any sane man imagine that when they have established their position the poor man will be able to secure a cheap joint? Is it not rather quite cert-am that the Americans have invaded our markets for the sole pur- pose of making money, and that, when they have squeezed out Colonial cam petition, prices will be higher than ever they were before? The Trust occupy a favourable position for carrying out their project. Argentina has immense resources for sheep and cattle raising, and some of our beat stock has been imported in order to improve the breed. The distance, too, of our markets from Argentina is only about illilf the dis- tance they are from Australia. A cargo boat can do the round trip to South America and back in from ten to twelve weeks, while tiie round trip to our Australasian Colonies occupies five to six months. Thus, one of the Trust's skips can do two tripe while a ship carrying CoJoniaJ meat is doing one. It must be remembered, also, that the Trust have thedr own secure home market, safe- guarded by a tariff, and consequently always make a satisfactory profit, even when setllincr a.t or below cast in the London market. Our own people, on the other hand, have only British markets and no others. The position is a very serious one. The question is: Are we going to stand bv with folded hands and allow the foreigner to filch from our CoLonies a great and growing trade with the Motherland? It is certain that "Free Trade" can do nothing to save it, and that, unless some change is speedily made in our fiscal system, the price of the working man's Sunday joint will be dictated by a ring of American speculators. We hear much about Protection fostering trusts, but it is only in "Free Trade" Britain tha.t a trust can pursue its operations unahecked and un- OQntrolled. In this case, as in the case of our wheat supply, "Free Trade" means dear food, and the only way in which to ensure a plentiful supply of cheap food is by ColoniaJ prefe.renoe and Tariff Reform. In other words, we must put such a duty upon foreign meat as will enable our Colonial kinsmen to compete on equal terms with their American rivals.

John Gibson. It was a happy ide-a to make John Gibson the subject of the chief essay at the Conway Christmas Day Eisteddiod. By common con- sent, Gibson was one of Gwalia's most bril- liant sons, and unquestionably her greatest -perhaps her only really great-sculptor. At one time his reputation was world-wide, and his works commanded what were then regarded as huge prices. Singularly enough, however, there are hosts of Welsh people to- day, and many of them live within an appre- ciable distance of their distinguished coun- tryman's birthplace, who do not even know his name. Not more immaculate than most of us in point of personal character, John Gibson's career was nevertheless an excep- tional one. Almost unaided he won the top- most place in his profession, and the little- known story of his fight for fame would prove a stimulous to ma,ny a struggling genius. From that point of view it is gratifying to find that the successful essayist at the Con- way Eisteddfod has prepared in Welsfl a Nar- rative, deemed by the adjudicators to be worthy of publication. One good object at least would be attained by giving the facta to his countrymen. In the meantime local patriots could do little better than promote a soheme to perpetuate the memory of Gib- son's connection wita Conway, and his birth- place a.t Gyffin should for obvious reasons ^dily commend itself to that end,

Now, that the Christmas truce is over, the election campaign in West has been resumed in real ,foal' Mr Sam Thompson, the Unionist CanC addressed enthusiastic meetings a., rlangwm and Corrigydruidion on Tuesday evening, which were followed last (Wednesday) evening by two others, and a. busy round of canvascang at Pentrevoelas and Capel Garmon respec- tively. This evening, as will be seen from the detailed list which appears olsewhere, he will be engaged at Llanfairtalhaiairn ait 7 p.m., when Mr Owen, of Meilai, will pre- side. Mr Arthur Hughes, of LLanirwst, v.Lo has made a close study of the fiscal quest: )TI, will spea-k in Wekh. Later in the evening, I .1, both speakers will address a meeting at Lla-i- gerniew, over which Colonel Saudbach to. q preside. Thence, right up to the final demon- stration, which will be held at Colwyn *.y, on January 20th, Mr Thompson will lead a strenuous life, speaking at least twice C M day, excepting Sundays, and personally can- vassing the electors,

3> The Unionist Party have opened their Cen- tral Committee Rooms in Conv. ay-roaxi, Col- wyn Bay. Contrary to a statement previous- ly circulated, tie Unionist campaign will be mainly directed from Colwyn Bay, not from Llangollen, where the Liberal headquarters are established. On Tuesday, Mr C. C. Mctt, the indefatigable Unionist agent, who is assisted by an adequate staff, was installed in the new premises, next door to Mr Need- ham's tobacco store. The Unionist Central Committee Rooms should not be confounded with the headquarters of the lecaJ Unionist Committee, who will, as hitherto, carry out their work at the Constitutional Club.

-e: Mr Mott has been most favourably im- pressed with the excellent manner in which the Colwyn Bay workers have prepared their ground. The whole of the Colwyn Bay poll- ing district has been already canvasscd twice by voluntary workers from the Constitu- tional Club, an achieve.ment which has en- couraged the Unionist agent very consider- ably, in view of the great task confronting him and the workers throughout this very large amd unwieldy division during the next few days.

o Sir Herbert Roberts, M.P., the Liberal can- didate, resumes his campaign on Monday next, visiting Bryneglwys a.nd Llantysilio. The following are his engagements for the remainder of next week :-Jnua.ry 4th, Vron and Garth; January 5th, Ruthin district; January Gth, Llandyrnog and Llanrhaiadr; January 7th, TTefnant and Cofn; and Janu- ary 8th, Nantglyn and Denbigh.

A scrutiny of the voters' list for West Denbighshire h o- revealed some interesting facts and figures. The total polling strength of the division at present is 9920, as compared with 9741 in 1895, an in- crease of only 173 in fourteen years. Bearing in mind the extraordinary development of one or two populous ce,ntres-particulax-ly Colwyn B:1.Y, where the population has practically doubled during tha.t time-it had been ex- pected that the voting power would have in- creased enormously. Here we have additional evidence of the deplorable depopulation of the rural areas.

< £ Of the 9920 voters on the register, 1402 are freeholders, a large proportion compared with most constituencies, and it will be interest- ing to watch how they regard the taxing clauses in the Budget, which will inevitably affect them very considerably. The remain- ing voters comprise 8078 occupiers, 210 in Division II., and 102 lodgers.

In the Colwyn Bay polling district, there y 11 are 216 freeholders, 1154 occupiers, 42 in Division II., and 52 lodgers. A curious fact in the oaee of Colwyn Bay ia that during the past year, the Parliamerita-y register has dropped 200, whereas tc., County Council voters have increased bj vOO, a state of things described by an official as "perfectly amazing." There axe 1314 County Council voters in the district, as against 1248 Parlia- mentary voters, and notihing approaching this proportion is to be found in any other dis- trict throughout the division.

January tke 18th will be the polling day in the Denbigh Boroughs. Mr Cle.mont Ed- wards, the Liberal candidate, will, on New Year's Eve, be the guest of the Wrexham Re- form Club; on Tuesrl: he -ld Mr "FUlns J. Griffith, M.P., will- aniL-ces a mass meeting in the Victocca Ha.U, ."r .xhim; and on the following Saturday, Mi Edwards and Mr Hemmerde will both address meetings at Den- bigh and Ruthin.

———————$:——————— Aocording to official returns, the number of electors on the Tegistersc for 1910 in the North Wales boroughs is as follows: -Carnaa-von: Bangor, 1927; Carnarvon, 1690; Conway, 819; Cricaieth, 257; Nevin, 379; Pwllheli, 648; total, 5717. Denbigh Denbigh, 1103; Holt, 201; Ruthin, 477; -ham, 3349; total, 5130. Flint: Caergwrle, 313; Coerwys, 111; Flint, 898; Holywell, 1178; Mold, 816; Overton, 225; Rhuddlan, 217; St. Asaph, total, 40G0. Montgomery: Llanfylli.n, 193; Llanidloes, 509; Machynlleth, 393; Mont- gomery, 226; Newtown, 1147; Welshpool, 8SG; total, 3354. The totals ahow an increase as compared with the 1909 registers in the Carnarvon Bcxroughs of 106, in Denbigh of 125, in Flint of 122, and in Montgomery of 50.

The "Board of Trade Laoour Gazette," for December, gives the following summary of changes in rates of wages for the eleven com- pleted months of 1909 :—"The total number of workpeople (separate individuals) whose wages were changed, so far as reported, du- ring the eleven months ended November 30th, 1909, was 1,124,349, as compared with 905,364 in the corresponding period of 1908. The changes arranged gave 13,571 workpeople a neftt increase of-X551 per week, and 1,105,851 workpeople a nctt dcerc-as-3 of X68,832 per week, whilst the remaining 4927 had upward and downward changes, which left thedr wages at the same level as at the beginning of the year. The nett effect of all the changes was thus a decrease of J £ 68,281 per week, as com- pared with one of X60,953 per week in the corresponding period of 1908." :v

The Unionists in Llandudno and the sur- rounding district attended in strong force the Conservative demonstration held yester- day afternoon, under the auspices of the Llandudno Constitutional Club. Considering the comparatively early hour at whibh the meeting was held, it speaks well for the enthusiasm of the members of the party that such a Large audience assembled in the Grand Theatre. Mr Chamberlain, who presided, made it clear that the real issue at the General Election was the defence of the Con- stitution against the inroads of Socialism, which, as Lord Ketnyon pointed out, had a good deal to do with the framing of the Budget. Mr Arthur Hughes, the Unionist candidate for the di visa on, had a cordial re- ception, and addressed the meeting, speak- ing strongly in support of a resolution in favour of the Unionist policy.

——————<$.——————. Mr F. E. Smith, K.C., M.P., was the prin- cipal speaker, and in his s-tiirring address he entered upon a vigorous criticism of the Bud- get. He emphasised the injustice of the land taxation proposed under the Budget, and, punctuating his remarks with apt illustra- tions, Mr Smith showed tha.t taxes on the rich as imposed by the Budget were in their i.mcid,ence sure to fall upoa2 the poor. A very great part of the money requiTed for the Im- perial Exchequer could be raised under a scientific system of Tariff Reform. The con- vincing arguments adduced by Mr Smith should appeal to all electors who are anxious for the real welfare of the country;

Whilst attempting to board a train at Llwyngwril station on Tuesday a youth named Humphreys missed hie footing and fell between the last carriage and the guard's van. The wheels of the van run over his leg. He waa conveyed to Towyn, where Dr. Rowlands at- tended to his injuries. His Honour Judge Mces's new list of county court fixtures in the No. 29 circuit contains the following new notice "No judgment summonses will be issued for these courts except for special reasons approved of by the registrar." A boy named Wilson, son of a collier, residing at Mount Pleaeaat, Flint, was drowned in the river Swinchet lit uoou on Tuesday, -It

Mr C. E. M-aillo Edwards is removing from Dolsera/u to Coedoelyn, Dotgeliley. C> < £ Louisa Lady Vivian spent Christmas with Goilcmol and Mrj H-cldsworth at Garden P^rk, Cheshire.

The Welsh scu-Iptor, Mr Gosconiibo John, R A., is engaged upon a monument to the late Mies Lloyd George, the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer's eldest daughter.

O Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, Miss Wiiliams- Wyn-n, Lord Southwell, Lord Kemyon, and Mrs Peel were amongst those who attended the meet of the Wyrmstay Hounds on Tuesday.

General SiT Savage Mostyn, Maesynant, Wrexham, a Crimean veteran* fell whilst hunt- ing wish tho Wvnnstay Hounds on Tuesday- He hed only just recovered from a cycling acci- dent in Scotland.

::> The Rev. Dr. H. A. James bade farewell to Rugby School yesterday week, and was tihe rec.p- ient of several presentations. Dr. James, who was formerly Dean of St- As«ph, is leaving Rugby for Oxford.

A- Mr J. Buc-y, Wrexham, wiio.se death occurred Oirl Suiidhy, in his 92nd year, was tho oldest magistrate 0'1' the borough. lie had for a period of 50 years been cburah warden of the Parish Church.

Lord and Lady Penrhyn returned to Wicken Park fcr Clr straas, and came back to B. ng-or on Tuesday. On Wednesday, his iordi h p pre- sided over Mr F. E. Smith's meeting at Carnar- von.

< £ >— The King has been graciously pleased to ap- point Major-General Francis Lloyd, C.B., D.S.O., cccnmandir g the Weleh Territor ai Division, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

A marriage bs fcce-n a-rrajrgx^di between W m.« Hope N■alien, second com of Mr W, E. Nelson and Mrs Nelson, of Aden Park, Wrexham, and Violet Venables, eldest daughter of Arthur Vcnab'es Kyrke, and Mrs Vera-Vcs Kyrke, of Staplegrove, Taunton.

A marriage hss b:en arranged between Lieut- A. F. Boughey, Roy. I Navy, "Dryad," son of the late W. F. F. Ikmghey, stipendiary magistrate for South Staffordshire and Recorder of Shrewsbury, and grands n cf the late Sir John F. F. Boug. ey, Bart., of S lop, and Mary Cliffe, daughter of Fredetck Coiplestone, J.P., Barrel Well House, Chester.

The Hon. W. Ona-jby-Gore was president of the Denbigh Infirmary ball, and amoEigst those present were Colonel and Mis R. WiLhams-Wynn, Miss Wiiliams-Wynn, Mr R. Wiluiams-Wynn, Mr Philip Godaal, Miss Godjal, Mr W. Dugdale, Mr and Mrs Ramdle Mainwaring, the Hon. Mrs Charles WdEarns, Miss Necta Williams, Misa Charlotte Godsal, Mr Ivor Butkeley, Mr Wc-lsoe- ley Jenkins, Mr H. J. Howell Evans and Mr P. il. Myttcn.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NORTH WALES. THE PRITCHARD-JONES HALL- A meeting of the Council < f the above Col- lege was held on Wednesday week, Mr Hfnri Lewis (vioe-chairman) presiding. APPOINTMENT OF LIFE GOVERNORS. It was signified that the following had been appointed life governors of the UcJ-ege by the Vv-jefciliipjul Com-yany of- Lkrupcas in viri-ue oi the donat ons mode by the c-rnipmy to the College :— The Master of t'he Company (Mr K. R. Fletcher), the Clerk (Mr E. H. Cooley); Lady Reaeo, Gar- reglwyd M s; Beloe, Howcll's School, Denb gh Colonel Meeham, and Mr Stanley W-cyman, out of fourteen candidates. ASSISTANT LECTURER IN HISTORY. Mr J. F. Roes, B.A., was appoincel cs istant lee urea- in history- Mr Ttsxa (who is a native of Pembrokeshire) is a former student of Cardiff University College, where he took the degree of B.A. wiih first-aiass h.iiouirs in history. From Cardiff he proceeded to Lincoln College, Oxford, whore he held a scholarship, and graduated w-th first-class honcu .e in. he sahcol of modern his- tory. Mr Roes was pr.xime for the Lothian Essay Prize, and was awarded a special prize by the exajmlr.ere in 1907. Sinoo leaving Oxford Mr Rcee has been a tuotor at the Banger Normal College, and has a'so given occasional assistance a.t the Universi.y Cxlege. Sir Hairrv Reichel communicated to the Coun- .v ol a letter ho had received from the Chancellor of ti e Exchequer, statins: that Mr J. Priohard- Jones had decided to offer to the College a fiurtier donation of £ 12,000, in addition to tho £ 3000 already subecribed by him, in order io enable the C lkg-e to undertake the erect an cf the great hall under th3 terms of the existing oontrac • It was unanimously resolved "That the Ccun- dl have received with deep gratification tha lettar of tbe Chance lor of the Exo. eque>r, all- nouncing 1 he munifioemt donation to the Oeliege and to North Wales, of the junior vice-presdent. Mr J. Priohard-Jones, that t'-Cy accept the offer made therein with a high anproca ion of the generosity of the donor and of the vaue of a gift which completes the rjresent section cf the new building-, and aid&i a fea uro of parameunt im- portance to tho r equipment, and that the hall, when erected, be officially nn md. in lr.sting micaio'y of this great benefao i n, "The Pr chard-Jon,03 Hall." ( It was further unanimously resolved oat, the oord al thanks of the Council be expressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer i> r the active interest !e had taken and the Io a-sistaneo he had lendered to the College in ibis matter." In consequence cf th-s gi t, tie contractors for the new buildings Thernten and Co., of Liverpool) have received notion that the great hall will bo immediately proceeded with. HOWELL'S SCHOOL, DENBIGH. The Registrar &ubmitted to the Council a oraft of the rev srd sc' erne for the administration of Howell's School fcr GirJ, Denbigh. The scheme rrevides that tihe Council shsll appoint tW) represen atives < n the propo ed Governing Body, one of w om shall be a woman. It was recolved to accept the proposed repre- sentation.

A DEGANWY SENSATION. TONTINE SECRETARY DEPARTS FOR AMERICA. £95 MiSSlNG. MEMBERS- DEPRIVED OF DIVIDENDS. John Courtney, the secretary of the Denganwy Tontine Society, has, it is alleged, absconded with all the members dividends amounting to close upon £95. The Society, which numbers 100 members, had declaioc! a dividend of 20s 2d, 2s of whiich was transferred to the reserve fund, leaving the actual dividend to be paid to the hundred' members to be 18»3 2d per member, representing a total of £ 94 198 lod. The treasurer, Mr W. E. Houeeby, previous to departmg on his honeymoon, endsrscd. a cheque for the above amount, which he handed to Courtney., request- ing him to pay the members- Oourtney drew the money from the bank early last week, and cent notices out to the members requesting them to aiOtend a meet,in,g to receive their dividends a.t L--i,-tan;,vy on Christmas Eve (Friday last). The members dhily arjsembled but Courtney and the money faaeed to turn UJP. Mrs Courtney, who resided at Llandudno. Junction, was interviewed, but said that she had no knowledge of her husband's where- abouts. He gave her 22 10s on Wednesday morning and said he was going awa{. but would return in the evening. Since then she had' not seen or heard anything of him. A WARRANT ISSUED. On Tuesday a wairanit was issued for his arrest, and the police have now discovered that Courtney sailed from Liverpool for New York two days before tho meeting* wtas held. The affair has caused considerable tensatio-n in the district, and haa proved a batter disappointment to many families who were loolding forward, to their Tontine dividend to provide Christmas fare. Many a family had to go without their Christ- mas dinner and the tradesmen have also suf- fered a lo33 of tradte, as most of the money would have been epent in the district- Fortun- ately the Society have a substantial reserve fund from which, it is hoped, the members will re- oeive their dividends in full in due course. Mrs Coutney and her children have left the Junction and gone to Manchester-

INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS. THE COLWYN BAY EXAMINATIONS. At the Incorporated Society of Musicians examinations, held at Cohvyn Bay, on December 10th, five candidates entered and the five passed, one gaining honours. They were: Misa Mabel Hughes (Gradb II., gaining hig'h marks), and Miss Florrie Hughes (honours, preparatory, both being the young daughters of Mr and Mrs Hughes, Station HOUde. Denibig'h; Miss Mary Foulkes (preparatory, gaining honours in pieces), daughter of Mr and Mrs Foulkes, Schoolmaster, RJmaJffit, St. Asaph; Master Walter Evans (honours in pieces), eon of Mr and Mrs Evans, St. Asaph; Master Gfynne Symonds (high marks), son of Mr and Mrs Symonds. RhyL

A New York telegfa.m says Mr Carnegie, who paid A visit to Oeatra* Park on Monday, to watch the skaffiv, slipped on the loe and sprained his knee. He had to be can-led home, but the injury is understood not to be serious

MUSICAL NOTES, By Petey Edwards, Mits. Bac. (Pedy A law). ABERGELE COMPETITIVE MEETING. This annual li-osting' was add as usual on "3e Chrjwtan<is niight, but, the '(udience was not lor ye. Sir Herbert, Roberts was suffering from a cold, othe*nvi;-x! he would have been at his old post of chairman. The singing contests were ioo-d-as good in- deed as could be expected at a meeting- of the kind, and (juit-a as good, in aome instances, as we have hoard at far more pretentious musical competitions. Three competed upon the bari- tpnie "Y Baohgen Dowr." Each was worthy of a prize, but tiie winner, Mr D. J. Roberts, Bettwu, was tho worthicet. Not only did he eurig with more thougtittai caro, and finish, but the characterisation was more defined and its appeal to us more powerful. tenor solo competitaon brought forward four singers, the piC( betng "Bood y Bugail." A real-y good conteert, in whicih Mr Gvvilsm Foulkes, Llysfaen, excelled, by reacon chiefly of a greater finish- oong suited the singer, who has a pure, eymipajtih/eitic, vosco- This com- petitor will certainly be again heard of. In the sqpiano eolo cc^npotition, two ladieo sang*, but teiere was no comparison between the,in--tihe winner, Miss Katie Jones, Abergele, being by far the best. The quartette, "Y Rhosyuaa," was sung only by one party, in wKch, bV reason of voice, Miss Dora Jones vrnS pre-eminent, party gave a prakerv.crthy rendering, and was! awarded the prize. The cki-at, "Plant y Codyrn," by only one party, waa a caierul, thoughtful, rendering, and giained the prize. '1'he singers were Mr Tiiomas Jones, Birkoiiiiicad (a native of Abergele) and friend. Only three took part in the challenge eolo comipotii^orL, but seiLtLccn have I heard three fc*ati!»r rendoriirgs. Cmiously the voices were tenor, baritone, and eopi-ano, so that we had a suflicdenrt; variety of tone. The solo was the writer's new 001100, ennbitled "Crceo "en CeidWad ("Our Saviour's Cross"), prize, a guinea. The tenor singer gave a beautiful and thoughtful perfonma,rjee, althotgh at timca it was iaclung eorncr.viiiat an inifcisLty cf dramatic feeling. The scn-g caji only be pieperly sung when the singfcr can bring hiniKelt 1.0 icahso tha. he ia recounting tho great suffering of tho Saviour; that he in, in oontsiinplation, witnessing tlie tragedy of trag^jdies. The lady sanger ga\-e a beautiful and moet ieeiantg performGnco; but the dramatic re- quirements and the high nciles (upon a high- pdje-hed instruixeat-) told upon her Et w1,th the leii'jly that the climax 1:1 t-frs la t movemefn.t was dEiiapipciinitaiig- The baritone singer came nisarcafc tho wxu.er s ideal. His perlormance was mai'kcd by of devotional, intensify of dramaiic feeling, as well as finish. The prize wns awarded to hicn, namely, Mr D. J. Roberts, Bortws. Fcr tlie rendering of Isilaw's Ever- green, "Ser-sn U cm: one party came up for judgment- It was lavcurablc, and tho veteran, Mr Thomas Jonee, the conductor, took pca-coxon of the iirize. lUIYL BOXING DAY EISTEDDFOD. As I am dealing only wiih the musical section of the proceedings, I begin by saying tha.t the first appearance of Mr Dan Price, R.C.M., was very welcome. He tei'ieva-, in inuiturn in parvo, and thcrefcre his adjudications are al- ways brief ard inoereutiiig. Dc'Uibtles;^ lie will é:J.¡;1Ín be seen in iho same croe;city at other North W ales ELjwtdcFfodau in the near future. I must also net forget t. > mention th.3 songs with which he cn:ertained the large audience at tho evening- meeting. His rendering of "Glorious Devom" I have ellog -d previiualy; it is a. oipital po'escritsitio-a of this and I trust the young sh-fi'ovs yrerent made a careful not cf ihe i-yerforrnarim Havin.g adjudicated a.t this Eisteddfod for many years, I noticed' wit-h pleasure several neiw musical competitoK-; it is a sign that the eld institution 13 successful in its aims. Moreover, one or two old aiwl excellent ooimpetiters worn this timo beaten by newcomers. All wopa e'l'U^iMy strangers t<: Mr Price, 60 that there can be no doubt as to the diat.inct meorit of the "c happy winners- Chief honours fell to Misa Mciinan EX-vou, of Cwm, near Dyseirth—tho for- tunate winner of tho soprano solo as well as the challenge solo prizes—a feat not often per- formed- Mr Bryiri W arhu: st is te> be oompiii- mented upon having trained this young Isdv. of whom we shall, I doubt not, hear a good deal more in the future She has a "taking" way jn siniging; she looks what she wishes to ex- preiss, and d..eG her work right well. Before giving the promised adjiKMcations for the benefit of the cou:f>3>; i,tx>rs and otheirs, I wislh to say that ofc y a small number of choi.rs turned up in every ooniijetition. It is <Hfficu^t to acemrjt for this, except perhaps on the ground of tho geeeiter attraction of higher mcney prizes at other Eistoddlfodau hold on the same day. liliia year oilv twc male voice choirs aiDoetarecit on the plaiform, aj oompared with five or six lost year. The rrusio was not moire difficult, nor was the wca/tiher more U!):-¡:-0i¡ti-ous than usual -it this time of the year. But what was lacking in the number of choirs was com per: sat ex) fo.r by excellence in the singing, and, after a03, that is the great (hijg- Mir B. Wsd worth, Rhyl, is to be ocxngraifu- lated upon having hi; labours in training the children s ar.d adirft ch-o r orowred with saicoess. Beth prizes fEl"I to tie lot cJ. the Rhyl eingera, and ri.ghtly 60. ADJUDICATIONS. VIOLIN PLAYING: SOLO, "HOME, SWEET HOME." No. 1. Karold.—In the knfaroduotion, this player produced a fairly good tone, but there was an occasional tendency to sharpening, especially on tlie upper notes. Probably, he was nervous. The theme was very well played, with better intonation. First varia- tion not altogether in time, however. An- dante in one place he played C natural in- Eitoad of C sharp—an important mistake, otherwise tho rendering was good. On the whole this was a good rendering, with the exception of the introduction. No. 2. Glyndwr.—Better tone in the in- troduction. There was more dignity in this performance. Intonation good, and style more finished. The thcime was well played— the tone being full and sympathetic. Varia- tion 1 better time: a rather brilliant and skilful rendering. The andante was exceed- ingly well played by one so young. A decid- cdly promising player. No. 3. Ritchie.—A fair tone in the i,ntro- diuotacn, but a trifle haraih occasionally. Not quite enough breadth in this movement, and the intonation somewhat uncertain. The bowing sliould be more free; the arm was too cramped. Theae slightly lacking in breadth and fulness of tone. Variation 1 fairly well played, but the tone was some- times scratchy, and some passages were a little b'urred. In the andante the tone was a,ga.in a trifle harsh, but tlc rendering was fairly good. With more attention to bowing he should make a good player. Glyndwr (No. 2) was tlie winner. PIANOFORTE SOLO COMPETITION. No. 1. Flo.—The andante movement care- fully played and expression, generally, good. This pla-vcr should be more careful in avoid- ing arpeggio effects in chords not so marked. Allegro too slow, heavy; not enough variety nor daintin-Y-w in it. Time of some notes wrong, ad tempo erratic. Fair rendering, but it required more attention to light and shad e as well as to steadiness in time. No. 2. Samson.—Reading not perfect in the andante; net so clean a rendering as that of No. 1., and execution a little I ess certain. Allegro better pace, but erratic. Wrong reading frequently. Octave passages troublesome. Thc's movement lacked variety in expression, also warmth. Too mechan- in expression, also warmth. Too mechan- ical. No. 3. Stem dale.—The andante njcely played throughout, but ho kept the pedal down too long. Allegro movement, ratiher slow tempo. The expression was somewhat tame, but the performance was more correct, reliable. The octaves gave the player no trouble. There was no inspiration in the perform- ances of any of the three, but the last player gave decidedly the best performance, and it w-as worthy of the prize. JUVENILE SOLO, "VISITORS." No. 1. Dorotlhy.-Nice voice. Tempo a. fhede slow, and singing sharp occasionally. Expression fairly good, but not exactly of the right kind. Marks, 16. No. 2. Nocl.-Fa.ir voice. Top notes not well produced. The expression generally good, especially a.t the words "Fright-emed mouse." He made a good attempt at the right reading of the song. Marks, 17. No. 3. Blodw-en.-Flaix voice, but a little husky. She should not look at the music. Expression not Erimple and artless enough, but fairly good. Marks, 16. No. 4. Clwvdian.— Fairly good voice. Words very clear. Notes sharp occasionally! Very sim.ple and natural rendering. MarkB, 18. This competitor wee, therefore, awarded the prize. CONTRALTO SOLO, "COON'S LULLABY." No. 1. Endd.—Nice voice, but slightly husky. Words not quite distinct enough. Some notes were slightly sharp. She had the right feeling. There was a nice, dreamy effect in the refrain. A pleasing rendering on the whole. No. 2. Eveline.—A charming voice; a more varied and lighter treatment of the song. There was here exactly the ri-oiht atmosphere. The singer showed much dra- matic intelligence throughout the song, which was charmingly rendered throusnhout. Prize. (To be oooitinued next week).

Lord Aahton. at Lanoaotsr on Monday for- mally opened tho new aivio hall and mumifeipai buik&mgB whiob he has prmmted to & town 8Jt an estimated ooot of £ 155,000. Mr J. A: W.i!Hwm manager of the Clan Lino 111 Liverpool, died on Saturday in his 53rd.

IMPORTANT DECISION BY THE COM- MISSION OF THE WELSH COAST ASSOCIATION. DENBIGH LOSE THE CUP-TIE TO RHYL GRANGE. REMAR.KABLE EVIDENCE. An important question affecting the rights of individuals to pay for broken time and loss of work to football players was consider- ed last week at the Queen's Hotel, Rhyl, when a Commission appointed by the North Wales Poot b-all Association sat to hear a pro- test by the Rhyl Grange against the Denbigh Town, who deleated them in the recent cup- tie at Denbigh. the matter was first con- sidered by the Association at a meeting held on the Ibtii in&t., but it was referred to a Special Commission consisting of Mr R. J. Hughes (ohairman), Mr J. Vv. Post (lion. treasurer), Mr J. Ll. Williams (secretary), Mr H. Lloyd, of Conway, and Mr J. Vincent, Llandudno. Mr R. J. Hughes presided, and the Rhyl Grange was represented by its Secretary (Mr Hughes), and the Denbigh Town Club was re- presented by Mr Clough (chairman of the club). At the opening of the proceedings, it was stated that the Rhyl Grange had protested on various grounds. In the first place they contended tha-t the goal-posts on the Denbigh ground were not of the regulation height, secondly that a player named Dicken resided at Wrexham, more than 20 miles from the ground; and that R. Gallagher, Rhyl, and T. A. Davies, Denbigh, had received payment for their services, and consequently could not be clashed as amateurs. Mr Hughes, speaking as to the radius question, said Mr Goodall's clerk (Mr Roberts) had measured the distance from Denbigh to Wrexham as the crow flics, and found it was 2 miles, whereas by the main rocd it was over 25 miles. As to T. A. Davies being a professional, he would call evidence to show that he had stated that he was paid for lost time. Then as regards Gallagher, he would call a witness who would say that Gallagher had told him about being paid wages, and another person had actually witnessed an agreement between Gallagher and the Denbigh Club, although he did not know the nature of it. The party who witnessed the agreement was an inde- pendent person, and did not want to be mixed up in the matter. Grallagher had been offer- ed 5s per match by the Rhyl Club, but he had refused to accept such a small sum. Mr Lloyd pointed out that at Llandudno Mr Hughes had stated that Gallagher did not work. If that were so how could he ap- ply for compensation for lost time? Mr Hughes replied that he did not say there was actual loss of time, but he con- tended that if a player received anything over and above his actual railway fare and expenses, he was not an amateur. The Chairman pointed out that that was a ma,tter for the Commission to deal with. Mr Hughes then said that T. A. Davies had informed him and other players that Gallagher and himstff, as well as "others of the Denbigh team, actually received money for loss of time. The Chairman asked Mr Clough if he had anything to say in reply to Mr Hughes be- fore witnesses were called. M/ Clough said he had little to sav, except- that assertion had been made which could not be proved. He was prepared to deny everything that waa said. As to the goal-post question, that was bad on the face of it, as no written protest had been handed on the field to the referee, and he would say that although the Denbigh Town Club had played for five years with the same goal- posts, not a word had ever been said about it, and the posts had been passed by Com- bination referees. THE EVIDENCE. Evidence was then called by the Rhyl Grange, the first witness being Mr George Edwards, who stated that he was an unin- terested party, and was neither a member of the Grange Committee nor played with them. On. Saturday, December 11th, he met R. Gatlagher, and asked him if he were going to Denbigh to play the ma4>ch that day against the Grange, at the some time pointing out that th.e weather was very bad and unfit for 1/xitball. Gallagher replied, "Well, it is like this: it means a week's wages." He added that when he got to Denbigh he would have his expenses paid. Questions were being put to the witness about a cheque, when Mr Clough protested, and said that it was not right to go into a man's private affairs. All he could say was that the cheque never came from Denbigh. Mr Richard Jones, a member of the Rhyl Town Football Club, said tbat Gallagher was first off,-red 3s 6d per match for the seaaon as a professional for the Rhyl Club, but he refused to accept it. He was then offered 5s, but he said he would not sign unless he had 7s 6d per week, play or not, adding that he would not kick a ball for anyone under 7s Gd per week. W By the Chairman: He was not present when Gallagher- actually refused to accept the 5s, but Gallagher had told him that he would not kick a ball unless they made it worth his while. He d'd not say anything about not signing a professional form. Mr Clough, as to the radius question, said he had measured the distance from the Cross at Denbigh to the Cross at Wrexham, and he said that it was 183 miles. In the match with Denbigh Guild, Dicken was not played because they were not sure of the distance, but he had since measured it on an ordnance map, and found that they could play him. Mr Post asked what Mr Clough had to say about Gallagher being paid? Mr Clough replied th-a-t they had not paid him anything for cup-ties, but he admitted that in Combination matches he had paid Gallagher out of his own pocket for loss of time. Mr Lloyd said that Mr Clough qualified his answer. It did not matter when a player was paid, he was a professional if paid at all. Mr Clough added that they had one pro- fessional who signed a professional form. He was the outside TightEvans. The other men were not paid, but he had out of his own pocket given Is 6d or 3s for loss of time. Mr Post: Has Gallagher been paid loss of time in Combination matches?—Yes. I have paid him myself. ^Mr Post: Has he been paid by the club?— Not to my knowledge. I have paid him out of my own pocket; but in friendlies a.nd cup- tiew he is not paid anything. Mr Clough added that by the Combination rules payment was allowed. It might have been paid by the club as far as he knew. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Clough said he believed that Dicken had been paid by the club for loss of time in Combination matches. As regarded Davies, he had also paid him Is and Is Gd for loss of time in Com- bination matches. Mr T. Williams, treasurer of the Denbigh Club, was then called, as some of the Rhyl Grange witnesses had not arrived, and in reply to the Secretary, said he had bean requested by tele-grapli to pro- duce the books of the club. He produced statements of each match showing what had been received, and said that when there was a balance it was paid into the bank. Mr Williams, in reply to questions, said that Dicken was only paid loss of time occa- sionally. Gallagher did not receive anything above his actual travelling and hotel ex- penses, but he did not produce any statements with regard to that player. T. A. Davies had not received any payment from the club. On Mr David Williams being asked if he produced a.coounta dealing with the Coniza- tion matches, Mr Clough contended that they did not come within the scope of the inquiry. All the inquiry had to deal with was this par- ticular match. The Chairman said that was not so. They had to deal with all matches played by the club. By the rules each club should keep a minute and other books. Mr Clough replied thfh they had a minute book, and all minutes were duly signed. Their accounts were regularly filed. At this stage, Mr Hughes callcd W. E. Buckley, 54, West Parade, Rhyl, a playing member oi the Rhyl Grange. He said tihat on the day of the Denbigh match there was an argument in the dressing-room about amateur agreements, and witness said tha.t anyone who received payment for loss of time could not pla-y as an amateur. T. A. Davies replied that he was going to be paid whethor others got it or not. Gallagher, who had played for Holywell before going to Den- bigh, had repeatedly told him that he made a good thing out of playing football, and that if he (Buckley) liked to have a game with HolywelJ they would treat him fine. Gallagher had admitted to him that he had an agreement with Denbigh, but said he not know whlat was in it. He (witness) had not seen the agreement. I Mr Clough said there was no agreement with Gallagher. Mr A. Hanlon, secretary of the Rhyl Town Football Club, said he had asked Gallagher to sigii an amateur form for the club, but he said he wanted to be signed as a pro- teseaonal. On being asked his terms, Gallagher said that he wanted 7s (j per I week, play or not. He then offered him 5s per match played, but he refused. He agam asked him to sign an amateur form, but he refu&cd. R. Gallagher was next called in, and said he, was a playing member of the Denbigh Club. He played for Rhyl last season, and had this year played a friendly with Holy- well. A League form had been signed, but not by him (laughter). He had not received anything for playing that match. He had net receavcd anything from Denbigh except- ing when he had to go by the 10.55 train, and that was for loss of time. It was in Com- bination matches, such as Crewe, he had had 2s Cd and 3s. That was the most he had. Mr Clough here said that he had given Gallagher 3s 6d. In reply to Mr Post, Gallagher said he had always had the money from Mr Clough. He was a fi-h-salesman by trade, but had done nothing in that line for three weeks, but hod worked removing furniture. "A NICE CLUB TO PLAY FOR." Replying to the Chairman, he denied abso- lutely all that Mr Buckley and Mr Edwards said. All he had said about Holywell was that it was a very nice club to play for, and that Buckley had better send for a form. He was sure he had never asked the Holywell secretary for remuneration for playing. He also denied that he had ever told Mr Hunlon that he wanted to sign a professional form. He had not been offered 5s, and he did not ask 7s Gd. He had been asked to sign an amateur form for Rhyl, but he refused as he had some words with'the club last year. As to the cheque incident with Mr Edwards, he had to say that it was his own cheque, which had been sent back to him. He denied that he told Mr Edwards anything about a week's wages. AD that was sand about him by the Rhyl people with regard to Denbigh was in- correct. The Secretary here informed Gallagher that the Secretary of the Holywell Club had told him that the reason why Gallagher was not played by Holywell was that he was too ex- pensive, and that he wanted payment. Gallagher said that was not true. He did not want to sirsn a professional form. He had a friend who played with Denbigh, and he sent for an amateur form. In reply to Mr Vincent, Gallagher said ho had played football for two or three seasons, but had not been pa.id for broken time ex- cept for Denbigh. Mr Vincent: Has it never occurred to you that by receiving broken time you are a professional?—No. The Secretary: Did you think that the only way by which you could become a pro- fessional was by signing a professional form? —Yes. It was simply a matter of signing?— Yes. In reply to Mr Hughes, Gallagher said when he went to Wrexham in a Combination match he received his railway fare, 9d for tea, and 3s 6d. He denied that he had ever told him (Mr Hughes) that he had been offered a position in Chester, and that he would not play under ï s 6d. T. A. Davies was next called in, and said he played for tic Denbigh Club, amd had on one or two occasions been paid for broken or lost time, when he played Combination matchc.s. A supportetr of the club paid him- Mr Clough. He had never had anything from the Secretary. It was true when the Rhyl Grange went to Denbigh, that he ar- gued that an amateur could be paid for broken time, and he thought that was right, but since then he had been told that that was wrong. He had not read the rules. Mr Clough said that what Gallagher and Davies stated with regard to himself was right. He considered that any private in- dividual who took an interest in a club was at liberty to help lads whom he had known all his life, if they could not afford to lose time. Ho had done it regularly, and if he had acted wrongly, he was sorry; but he con- sidered he was a liberty to please himself and to put his hand in his pocket to help poor lads. He did not think he was breaking any rule, and what he had done was done as a pri,vate individual. The Secretary: Are there any more friends of yours in the Denbigh Club, whom you have helped in this way? Mr Clough: One mare. It is only occa- sionally I do it. The Chairman Can we have the name of the other player? Mr Clough: That is not within the scope of this inquiry, and I rather objeot to youx going outside the protest. ANOTHER INQUIRY THREATENED. Mr Vincent: If you do not name the other player, we shall have to hold another in- quiry. The Chairman: It is perfectly in order to ask the question, or I should not have dome so. Mr Clough: Occasionally, I have paid Is to E. Davies. Mr Hughes, foir the Rhyl Grange, pointed out that while the Rhyl Grange had but 15 players, and were lads who had to help one another with fares, Denbigh was an old es- tablished club, who practically put on a Com- bination team against tihem. Mr Clough then asked Mr Hughee as to one Rhyl player playing in two games, but Mr Hughes denied that such was the case. Mr Clough then asked if one Rhyl Grange player did not reside at Wrexham? Mr Hughes said lie had worked in Wrex- for two or three weeks, but came home for the week-end, and stayed with his parents. DECISION OF THE COMMISSION. The Chairman said with regard to the radius question, that the Com- mission had decided to leave that out for the present. The protest as to the goaJ-pogts was out of order accord- ing to the rules. As to the other point, they decided that Gallagher was a paid player, and they found that he was an untegiatecre-il professional. They considered that the Rhyl Grange had sustained their protest, and they awarded them the match. They also found that T. A. Davies, • E. Davies, and Acken, who played for tho Dembigh Club, were un- registered professional players, and they together with Gallagher, would be reported to the Welsh Football Association; that Mr Clough, the chairman of the Denbigh Club, bcca.use of his action in inadvertently pay- ing money to amateur players, should also be reported to the Association. The Commis- sion realised that Mr Clough had acted in- advertently, but they had no alternative but to report him as the rule was so clear. Mr Clough said he was sorry 1:,0 hear such a decision, and as one who had done his level best for football in North Wales, he would say that such a decision was against the best interests of clubs. To say that no private in- dividual could go to his own pocket and help lads who were out of work was ridiculous. It was done all over N'cwtli Wales. Football among such clubs as they had in North Wales would be ruined if a private individual was not to give a lad a shilling if he lost time or was out of work. He was sorry if that de- cision was to rule in North Wales, and he W,o -ald certainly "check it." It was done all over Wales. The Chairman: Then it will have to be stopped. Mr Clough Yes, when done by committees, but not by individuals. He added that he would write to the Welsh Associa.tion. Hie Chairman If you think fit you can attend the meeting and state your case. Mr Clough: Yes, and that means more waste of time and money. I do not say a word against your ruling, but I shall write to the Association. If a private individual living in Denbigh all his life cannot give a lad who is out of work eighteen pence, I don't know what the country is coming to. I say i-t is not professionalism, and if you rule it is, you are going to spoil football in No-rth Wales. Mr Vincesnt pointed out that the players named would have to sign a. professional form within the requisite time, or they would not be able to play on Saturday. Mr Clough: You are wrong, absolutely.

A MANCHESTER PRESS OPINION. "Voteran" writing in the "Daily Dispatch" upon the subject says:— One knows tihafc professionalism runs rampant in the Welsh Rugby Union, but I did not think the same state of affairs prevailed amongst the Association olube of North Wales. According1, however, to a statement by the chairman of the Denbigh Club, it is a regular practice to paly amateurs for broken time. Thas mteneataing1 fact waa made known at an inquiry into tiharpee of professionalism against Denbigh Town CTkib by Rhyl Grange dub, who claimed their tie in the Wefch Amateur Cup. Evidence was oafied to-show that some of the Dembttgh players admitted receiving money for loss of time. The CommiFsion found that four of the Den- bigh players were unregistesred professionals, through having received payment over and above railway fares and hotel expenses- The Commis- fflon, therefore, aiwarded the match to Rliyl Grange- Lt was decided to report- four of the Denbigh^ pfflayera and Mr Clough, the chairman of the dub to tho Welsh Association, although re&Lisiing tihat the payment of monel] had not been done wofch any intention of breaking the rules. This decision was folkywied by an astounding staieaneut by Mr Clough, w-ho expressed great surpi-Me. at the verdict. It was a netgiufar prac- tice, he said, throughout North Waios, fjrr srap- portere of dubs to give money to pisyera who were out of work, or who lost time. He om, < tended that private individuals could do whsi they liik<xi, and that such gifts could not rriak* j ajniniteura into professionals. If the decision oi j tho Commission was upheld by the Welsh Ae.so* 1 j ciat-u n, it would practically kill the small ciirbft. :'■* J in North Wales. j If tihe chargcs made by Mr Ckmgh are tru«» ] it is aatomishiing that the malpractices have never J been discovered before, and oven moio astonish" ing that tire gentleman in question should defend it. What does it matter who pays the p!a«l so long as he gfets t'ho money ? Whether th< clubs are killed or not, it can be taken foi granted that the decision will be upheld by tht Welsh F.A.

SYMPATHY WITH THE PLAYERS- (To the Editor of tihe "Pioneer.") Sir,—As an old player and a loyal supportel of our favourite winter pastime I must say that I was rather surprised at the decision of the Ccumniisuion appointed by the North Wate" Coast Football Association to consider the pro- teats laid by Rhyl Grange against four pkijmgJ mem-bars or (he Deabigh Footbali Club. I aw in sympathy with those players, and consider it a. draytic etep to dub thn. "professionals." If a man should receive a trifle of a shilling or two to compensate him for loes of time in his or- dinary avocation when he turns out to t-a-ke port in a. football match, I fail to -jee why ,should therefore be termed a "professional. If this is professionalism I am afraid that if in* ejuiriea were mtade throughout North Wales it would be found that instances are by no 1 isolaited. There is another point to which J 1 should like, to allude. When a "professional' J player deciree to become a referee, 1:0 mU3Ø iirsit of all get himself reinstated as a.I1 "amateur," and at every game in which ho officiates he is paid. Is he still an amatour 01 a profoasionial ?—I am, etc. < A SYMPATHISER. • I

THE FUNDAMENTAL PRISCIPLE. (To the Editor of the "Pioneer"). Sir,—-May I c'ngratuiato the North Wal4- Football Association upou the etand they art tak "Ig with iespect to professionaiism in const football- I see that the commission a^peinted to inquire into the aliegatione brought by Lb.' Rhyl Grange Club against Denbigh with regard to the contest for 'he Amateur Cup have firmed the Rhyl witnesses' views ard penalised the other club for infringing the Amateur Cup riies- It oannot be regarded as equitable that a cl-ub in the position of that at Denbigh should be alble to turn out what was virtually a Com- bination eleven against another side handicapped in praotic&Uy alii senses. To the lay mind it may parhaips appear somej wlimt drastic to du,b a man a "professional merely because he has been paid a shilling for time he has devoted to football and which he should have devoted to his ordinary work. But the foundation of amateur ism llS; on ihe principle that no such payment, shall b* made. Once that principle is overlooked whole oibjeat ctf tho Amateur Cup contest wouJd be lest, and w.th it would vanish fairness of th4* game in North Wates. It is weVJ that th* Association lave taken a decided stand in thv matter.—Yours, eitc., SOCCER

MERIONETH FARMERS AND SHEEP SCAO- PROTESTS AGAINST THE NEW ORDER. Much feeling prevails in the parishes of Traiwsf;\ tnydxl, Feettiniog, Maentwrog, and LlaA- frothen against the ordeT of the Board of Ag1"1" culture requiring the dipping of sheop tlue& times in thoae parishes. Meetings are beir-O held to protest- Mr R. D. Davies attended aø enthusiastic meeting of the farmers on Tuesday' One speaker declared that the parishes of LTair froth en had fought a.nd conquered two glaring cases of injustice throug-h Mr Lloyd George, arw> he DQped that they were again about to remove a great wrong to Wefch fanners.

.itll., rlarriaiaes, anb g)eatli» BIRTHS. EVANS.—December 24th, the wife of Mr Hugb Evans, 144, Mancd-road, Fwt-wog, of a son (first-born). DAVIES—December 26th. wife cf Mr Willia- Davies, Emu, Tanygrisiau, of a daughte (first-born). MARRIAGES. FAGAN—HUGES.—December 28, at th* Tabernacle Chapel, Bangor, by the Morgan Griffith, B.A., Thomas W aJ3aO0 Fag-an, MA. (Cantab), son of the lalo James Fagan and Mrs Fagtan, BryncelytV Talysarn, to Helena Theresa Hughes, young eat daughter of Alderman Hugh Hughes Groenibank, Bangor- FOULKES-JONES—MANSON.— At St- Church, Egreanont, Joseph, second eon John Fouikes-Jones, of Rhyl, to Lilian* second daughter of David Manson. JONES—SMITH.—December 27th, at St. Chrysoetwm's Church, Everton, Liverpool, bY the Rev. A. Lee, B.A., John Rutherford" third son of M. Jones, LLandegla, to Valet- Margaret, secoitd daughter of the late G. 13. Simth, Liverpool. PHILLIPS—DAVIES.—December 25th, at Holy Trinity Church, WaAton B re ok, Liverpool* by the Rev. H. W- Campbell Baugh, af eisted by the Rev. R. B. De Wolfe, John F-« third son of John R. Phillips, of pouiglaS" road, Liveirpooil, to M. Blanche Davies, cklef daughter of the late Wim. We.Iter DavieS. formerly off Denbigh- > ROWLAND—BUTT-- On Christmas Day gt' St. Catherine's Church, Colwm, by tbO Vicar, the Rev. John Griffitlis, M-A., Fratlki third son of the late William Rowland, Waterloo, Liverpool, to Mary Lovell, th^r** daughter of Commander J. H. Butt, R.N., and Mrs Butt. Colwyn. TRENTHAM—JONES. December 29, 3111 Horob Wesley an Chapel, Llawrwst, by licence, by the Rev. T. C. Roberts- Sidney Wallace liam, son of George T of Birmingham, to Besses Wynne Joneft third daughter of Grififth Jones, The T>u»» Llanrwst. SILVER WEDDING. WILLIAMS—HUGHES.—December 31, 18S4, at the Wokfh C.M. Church, Fitzrlum--13" ct;reet, Liverpool, by the Rev. John nUJgl D.D., Henry Ed/ward, youngest son of Ed* word Williams, Ty-dn Farm, Anglesey, to Margaret Aim, only daughter of A Lderrnaf Thomas Hughew, ex-Mayor of Bea umarfs 94, Anfie1, Liverpool. DEATHS. JONES.—December 25, at Bodidda, Oonway» Jane Oataviu Jones. JONES.—Emily, at Fill wood, Conway-road, Col- wyn Bay, on tho 24th December, 1909. teirred at Llandrillo Churchyard on tho 27tti inst. Ago 28 years. LEWIS.—December 25, at The Pbarmaell IJangtefni, aged 54 years, M. A. LewlS, widow of tho late Owen Lewis, chemist. WILLIAMS.—December 28th, at 2, ill i,nafew teirrace, Llanberds, wife of Mr David W liams, at the age of 68 years.

I unerals Completely Furnished by J. DICKEN & SONS STATION ROAD, COLWYN BAY. Telephone 0175. Telegrams "Dicken," Undertaker, Colwyn Bay. 1 I,, r* Funerals farniahad and personally coninsted J. E. MZIILIS, Penrhyn Road, COLWYN BAY. Four doors from the G.P.O. Tel No. 16y5.

English and Welsh Markets. CATTLE LIVERPOOL, Monday.—There was a vdT small supply of both cattle and sheep, and no quaibe up to the average in numbers for a boB" day market. Trade good for both beef alW mutton at higher prices, a ready clearance betMS effected. Quotation&-Beef, 7d to 4id; mutton* 7d to 4 per lb. At market: 381 cattle. anJ 1,623 sheep.. BIRMINGHAM, Tuesday.—Cattle scarce trade dull. Prices:—Best llerefordB, 73 to 13d' &wrtihorn,s, 6d to 7d; bulls and aows, 4-ja to 5^d; wether shee«p, 6fd to 7jfd; ewes and 4 £ d to 5id per lb. Poor show of pigs but demand; bacons lis 3d, cutters lie 9d to 128, rows, lOe 3d per score. SALFORD, Tuesday.—The market was part'y of a holiday character, but fat oattle were 13 fair demand, wiith prices a Shade firmøf., Medium qua-ltity Herefords made 6d to 7a. shorthorns and Welsh 6d to 6d, cows and bul.JØ 6d 00 6id per lb. All classes of fat sheep were 111 good requewt, and prions for the best woffo higher. Light Cheviots and crossbreds moda 7;td to 7Jd, heavy 6id to 6Jd, ewes 5d to 6d, light Irish 7d, heavy 6i-d to 6d, owes 5d to 5 per lb. Veal aalves were a small supply, J.U met a quiet trade, at 7d to 9d per lb. The fini3» g-enxaralV was fair. Supplies: Cattle 1,23k dhoetx, 5,452. OORN. LIVERPOOL, Tuesd.-q.-Wht--it, quiet t,,&, about jd to Id under last y-l Manitoba* 8" 2; BaruGSo, 85 4id; futures—December, as 1S<£; March, 78 U £ d; Maize, quiet, nominallyV Tuesday's lpkTmom-Now Northern, 5e 9d' Gal" veston. 5a ltki; Plate, 59 7d to 5s 7; futiltee- No business; Beans. Chaneee, 29s to 29s 3<ii peas, Chinese, 6s 4d to be 6d; osuts, white 2s 7^ to 2B 9gd; fiour, unchanged, LLANGEFNI, Thursday.—Fresh butter, Is sd per lb.; eggs, 9 or la; fowls, la 3d to 18 (;¡1 each ducks, 2s beef, 6d to 8d per lb.; mutton, 7d to 9d veal, 7d to d; pork, 6d to 8d; fat pigs, oild to 5d per lb.; little pits, 15s to 18 each potatoes, 48 6d to 5s per sack OAts, 15s to 168 6d per quarter. PWLLHELI, Wednesday. -butt", la 3d; beef, 6d tI 9d pork, 6d to 9d mutton, 6d to 9d poriets, 18a tO 23S; fat pigs,"d; gmae, 59 6d to 8s; fowls, 20 as "d per couple; docfa, 3a 6d to fe 6d per cpupls; eggs, 12s per 126,