Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

-0. Rural District Council. THE "WYLXOS" NIGHT. The monthly meeting of the Aberystwyth Rural District Council was held on Monday, those present being Mr. J. R. James (chairman) Parcel- canol), the Rev. John Davies and Mr. E. Jones (Ceulanymaesmawr), Messrs John Morgan (Cwm- rheidol), Wm. Morris and Thomas Jenkins (Cyfoethy Crenin), J. B. Morgan (Cynnullmawr), Rd. Jones (Henllvs), W. A. Miller (Issayndre), Rd. Jones (Llanbadarn Upper), James Jones (Llan- badarn Lower), Rd. Jenkins (Llancyfelin), Thomas Powell (Llanfihangel Upper), Evan Richards (Llan- fihangel Lower), E. J. Evans (Llangwryfon), Dl. Morris (Llanilar), Evan Lewis (Llan Haminiog), John Jones (Llan Mefenydd), J. E, James (Melindwr), with the Assistant Clerk (Mr. D. Davies) and the Inspector (Mr. J. Rowlands). FINANCE, The Finance Committee which met the same morning reported that they had gone through the surveyor's books, and recommended that cheques be drawn to pay labourers wages and for other expenses. The report was agreed to, THE BORTH CULVERT. A letter was received from the Clerk to the Cyfoethybrenin Parish Council at the last meet- ing, calling the attention of the Rural District Council to the culvert by the Hotel at Borth, which seemed to be disconnected altogether, and a few of the sideboards came loose in the portion that it is upon the beach. The writer also pointed out that the owners should repair this and not the parish. This letter was referred to the Clerk (Mr. Hughes), and the Assistant Clerk now read the following letter from him I have to go to Port- madoc to-day, and cannot therefore attend the Rural District meeting. In regard to Borth, though, I have read the case and opinion, and it seems to me that there are two steps that the Council should take if they decide to move on the matter (1) to give notice to the owners and occupiers of the houses to cleanse the cesspools, and (2) to write to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, who are the owners of the foreshore in front of the Hotel at Borth, and ask them to assist the Council by compelling the owners of the houses to cut off the overflow connection between the cesspool and the trough. If any other question should rise on the opinion, I suggest that the matter be either left to a committee to confer with the Clerk to take any other necessary proceedings, or that'the Council meeting be adjourned to Monday next when I shall be able to attend. It was decided to call upon the owners of property to see that the defects were remedied, and to make a proper connection with the culvert; and a small committee was appointed to see that this was carried out. THE "WYLNOS" CUSTOM. The committee, who were appointed at the last meeting to go through the report of Dr. James, medical officer of health, reported through the Rev. John Davies, that the chief points in the report that required attention of the public were as folic ws-.—The death of infants, 12 per cent., or one-eight of the total deaths. The cause of it is improper feeding, using sweet milk and patent stuffs, instead of the breast and pure milk, also solid food given too early. Parents ought to be careful in feeding infanls, and to make it a study what is the best foods for them. 2. Ventilation. Not opening the windows and blocking even the chimneys, so that the pure air is kept out and the foul air kept within. The windows also covered with blinds, so that the light of the sun is kept out. This is the great cause of consumption. Care ought to be taken to open the windows, so that the impure air should go ont and fresh air take its place. Light, air, and water are free, and people ought to take advantage of these healthgiving substances and make good use of them. 3. Visiting persons suffering from diseases, and crowding the sickroom. This exhausts the patient, hinders his recovery, and hastens his death; and is also the means of spreading disease. People when enquiring about a sick person in a family ought not to enter the sick room, and families ought not to let anyone go to the patient for his own sake. When a patient is weak, talking is very bud to him; he requires perfect rest and the air of the room is poisonous to him. 4. Another custom which should be discontinued is keeping prayer meetings in houses where the dead lie. Overcrowding small houses for hours is enough to spread disease throughout the wtoole neighbour- hood. Few friends calling to see the relatives and pray with them, for they wish it would be the means of comfort to them. But people who never attend ordinary prayer meetings, overcrowding on the wylnos" night does no good whatever. 5. The doctor says that there is gveat improvement this year in carrying out the Notification Act. It has been well observed, and the doctor promptly informed of diseases which has been the means of saving life, preserving health, and protecting the pockets of the ratepayers, and this pioved that the notices sent out did good. The Rev gentleman said that with reference to ventilation that he considered that persons by using heavy clothes and mufflers, and shutting themselves in rooms like ovens injure their health and are more open to cold. He was exposed to cold weather as much as anybody, but he never wore extra clothes, and very seldom he caught cold. As to the prayer meetings in houses whe.e the dead lie he said There are plenty of chapels and schoolrooms where prayer meetings can be held, and there is no need of overcrowding houses for that purpose. People by referring the dead in their prayers open the wounds already made, which is cruel, Very often the dead are kept for nearly a week, from a kind feeling no doubt, but it is injurious to health whenever the houses are over- crowded. To remedy these customs means long time, it is a very delicate work, and respectable families must take the lead, theu other people will follow. I admit it is difficult work. People who never attend ordinary prayer meetings go to "Wvlnosau" out of curiosity moie than anything else. Tne best men in every neighbourhood should do all possible to do away with useless customs in connection with buring the dead. The Vice-Chairman proposed that the Clerk should write to the heads of various denominations in the district, calling upon them to discontinue the practice of holding wylnos" at the house of the dead. Mr. James Jones seconded, and severely criti- cised the practice, saying that it was only making a show of the corpse. There was a considerable discussion on the matter, and on :he motion being put, only two voted for it, and a majority against It was there- fore lost, but at the same time the hope was ex- pressed that notice would be taken of the doctor's remarks. RIVER POLLUTION. A letter was read from the Tamworth Rural Dis- trict Council, calling the Council's attention to section 16 of a Bill being promoled by Sir Francis Powell and others, for the purpose of preventing the pollution of rivers, and to request that your Council will urge upon the promoters the desira- bility of including in the definition of local authority the Urban and Rural District Councils, thereby giving them a summary and inexpensive mode of procedure.—The letter was laid on the table. PERMISSION WANTED. A letter wa, read from the manager of the Frongoch mine, asking permission, in order to carry out certain work at their mine, for rails to be laid across the Cwmncwidion-road to allow waggons to be run across, to remove the road for a distance of 100 yards immediately above the Frongoch mine, to cross underneath the same road at another point, to cross permanently underneath the Cwm'ydion-road, a little west of Ceunant bridges to erect a temporary wooden bridge with 42 inch pipes and electrical wires, to pass a temporary (say three months) tram road underneath the arch of Ceunant bridge, to erect a. temporary wooden bridge (say for six months) over the road opposite Nantyridill, to go underneath the same road with a permanent tramway; also to lay a temporary tram road (say for six months) over the road near the Glanpaith slips. It was agreed that the matter be referred to the members of the Council for the district with power to grant whatever was reasonable. LLAXRHYSTYD WATER SUPPLY. The Inspector reported with regard to the Llan- rhystyd water supply that he had taken a sample of water from the spring known as Pistyll yr Eglwys, and the analyst declared it to be unfit for drinking purposes, and that it showed the presence of vegetable contamination. He also took a sample of Ffynon Tanfoel, which was declared to be suit- able for drinking purposes. The district members considered that it was practically impossible for the first named spring to be contaminated and it was finally agreed that if they liked to have a further sample analysed at their expense, they could bring the matter up at the next meeting but if they did not the spring would be condemned. LLANFIHANGEL RAILWAY GATES. The Board of Trade wrote with reference to the clerk's letter of the 29th ult., on the subject of the level crossing near Llanfihangel Geneu'rglyn Station on the Cambrain Railway, transmitting for the information of the Council the copy of a reply from the Company to a communication from the Board of Trade. This was as follows :—" Sir,—In reply to your letter of the 22nd inst., enclosing copy of the communication from the Aberystwyth Rural District Council on the subject of the level crossing near Llanfihangel Station. I have to enclose for the information of the Board of Trade, a copy of my reply on 28th Oct. last, to the clerk of the District Council, and to state that no further complaint has been received. I have every reason to believe that the comparatively few persons making use of the crossing day by day have not suffered inconvenience. I may add that in October last stringent in- structions were given to the Companies station master and also to the district traffic inspector to take care that no avoidable delay to vehicles or foot passengers should be permitted. I believe these instructions are being carefully observed." This was signed by Mr. C. S. Dennis, and the copy of the letter enclosed by him stated that he had made personal enquiry of the staff at Llanfihangel, and was told that every care was taken to prevent unnecessary delay or inconvenience to foot pas- sengers or vehicles. It is not considered advisable or safe to allow the gates to remain open for the road, but careful instructions have been given to the agent and his staff who I hope will prevent undue annoyance or inconvenience to the public. The Clerk was directed to write again to the Board of Trade on the matter.

The Late Mr. David Roberts of the Baptist College. A TRIBUTE BY "TREFOR MYRDDIN." That life is full of mysteries is a fact forced upon us daily by the varying scenes around us. Friends whom we admired and loved are removed from amongst us, and we are left to mourn their loss, still humanity sweeps onwards towards its goal, and we are carried along with it in its rapid progress. Yet, we can rest awhile to think of those whom we revered and honoured, but now are no more to this life. While this worthy institution which has played such an important part in the education of the Ministry in Wales, is living, as it were, its last days, by a certain coincidence of Providence, one of the most hopeful of its students is cut down in the bloom and vigour of youth. When about to finish his collegiate course before entering the Ministry, death intervenes and takes his work out of his hands, and he had to leave his life of intense activity, to face the mysterious un- known. We refer to the death of Mr. David Rob- erts. A.T.S., which happened at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, while staying there to recruit the health he had lost. This young brother was a diligent and sincere student, and proved very successful in his college career, as is shown by the fact that he passed his A.T.S. in two years, securing first class. He was one of the first batch of students that passed into the seminary after its removal from Haverfordwest, and his life closed with the closing days of the institution. He was one that was re- spected and highly esteemed by his fellow-students, as is shown by the testimonies given at the Mem- orial Service which was held at Alfred Place, Bap- tist Chapel, on May 11th, at the time when he was laid to rest at his home in Ynysybwl. This service was conducted by Prof. T. Williams, B.A. The service was commenced by singing the old Welsh hymn, Mae nghyfeillion adre'n myned to the tune Lausanne," after which Mr. D. E. Williams offered a prayer. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. D. Griffiths, J. B. Edwards, and W. Davies, who testified to the. mystery which encircled the immature death of such a promising young life. Then the tune" Rockingham" was sung to the words We've no abiding city here." Following the singing of this tune were addresses hy Messrs. J. Lloyd Thomas, T. M. Williams, T. Jenkins, M. Lewis. These knowing the deceased more intim- ately than the previous speakers, all bore testimony to the sterling mental powers and spiritual force which the departed friend possessed. They could not but feel at all times that Mr. Roberts' convic- tions were not superficial, but were deep and thor- ough, and he had the courage to speak these wed- thought truths with the whole fervour of his soul. Then was sung a very favourite tune of the dec- eased, viz., Llef." He was a good singer himself, and gave his service to the students at all times when needed. Then Messrs. D. J. Perrott, and George Davies spoke of the sad and sacred circum- stance which had befallen us. These two were of the same year as Mr. Roberts, and had been very intimate with the deceased. In their testimonies they said that Mr. Roberts was a born preacher. Preaching was a passion with him. He could not think of living unless he could preach. He consecrated himself to this sphere. The power of character, the brilliant intellect and Christian enthusiasm which he possessed, gave him that ability to demand attention when he spoke of the things which had been studied and well- digested by him. Then Mr. D. F. Ellis, secretary of the College, testified to the gentlemanly char- acter of the deceased friend which won for him a great many friends. Prof. T. Williams, B.A., then gave a touching tribute, shewing how indus- trious our friend had been under his tuition and ) that of Dr. Morris, declaring that had Mr. Roberts lived he would have been a power in the pulpit. Then the closing prayer was offered by Mr. George Davies, and the service was concluded by singing the old thrilling Welsh words, Bydd myrdd o ryfeddodau," to the tune Babel." The death of our friend sent a thrill of sympathy j with the parents of the deceased through the heart I of all present, seeing such a promising life cut short ere it entered that sphere of utility and nobleness which it promised. This heart-felt sympathy was expressed clearly in the most touching and elo- quent manner in the memorial service, and all felt the sincerity of the esteem in which our friend was held. The ideal of bis life was high. He sought to glorify God and serve the interests of humanity. He used to say that he did not think as much as he would like. His life was spent in thought. If we measure his life by years, his was a short one, but if by thought and heart-beats we estimate, then his life was a long and noble one. His life is a good example of what a Christian character can attain. His Christianity was a living force, and exercised a good and potent influence on those who associated with him. Humour was a clear charac- teristic of his. The happy and jolly side of life he could appreciate, but his real work and power stood out clearest on the other, serious side, when lie searched for truth, and acted for it and to it. His love of truth was strong. All was subservient to his ideal. He aimed high, but did not live to realize those ideals. His aspirations were most enthusiastic and superior, but they never reached their high mark, for death intervened; yet we know that "beyond the veil" he will realize that which he had not in this life. To-day parents know the loss of a worthy and beloved son whom they can always think of with pride; friends join with them in sincere sympathy, thanking God for such a one, who did his best while he could. May God bless and sustain the mourning parents in their keen sorrow, and help them to say Thy will be done.' We can but close this tribute to a departed friend with the words written on another occasion by a friend to a friend :— IN MEMORIAM. Forgive my grief for one removed. Thy creature, whom I found so fair. I trust he lives in Thee, and there I find him worthier to be loved."

THE ELLIS MEMORIAL. COUNTY ORGANISATION MEETING AT BARMOUTH. A public meeting, convened by Mr. R. Guthrie Jones (Dolgelley), at the request of the Central Committee (London), was held at the Masonic Hall, Barmouth, on Friday last, to consider the question of a National Memorial to the late Mr. T. E. Ellis. Amongst those present were Dr. Edward Jones (Dolgelley), Hon. C. H. Wynn (Rug), Alder- man E. P. Jones (Festiniog), Alderman Lewis Lewis (Barmouth), Messrs. Thomas Edwards (Rhyd- ymain), J. Evans, C.C. (Barmouth), 0. D. Roberts (Dolgelley), Rev. J. Gwynoro Davies (Barmouth), Rev. John Williams, B.A. (Dolgelley), Mr. Robert Jones (Bala), &c. Mr. E. P. Jones, Chairman of the Merioneth County Council, was voted to the chair. Letters expressing with regret their inability to attend, and wishing the movement every success, were read from Major-General Owen Jones (Bala), Dr. Hughes (Bala), Messrs. J. Parry Jones (Festin- iog), H. Haydn Jones (Towyn), D. G. Jones (Rhiw- bryfdir), Edward Griffith and R. Jones Griffith (Dolgelley). Rev. Gwynoro Davies, a member of the Central Executive Committee, explained what steps had been adopted so far in the matter of the Memorial, which was as yet only in its preliminary stage. Friends attending Mr. Ellis's funeral at Bala thought something should be done in this direction without delay, and that the fund should be closed about the end of June. They were also of opinion that the Welsh Members of Parliament should take the initiative, and it was resolved in a meeting of a Provisional Committee That a General Com- mittee and a small Executive Committee be formed for the purpose of collecting funds to perpetuate the memory of the late Mr. T. E. Ellis, M.P." That an Executive Committee of twelve be ap- pointed in addition to the officers who will be ex officio members with power to add to their num- ber." That in the opinion of this meeting the fund be at any rate in the main devoted to pro- moting some one or more of the educational objects which Mr. Ellis had most at heart." He (Mr. Davies) had attended a meeting of the Executive on Thursday in the Conference Room, House of Commons. There was a strong feeling that a mon- ument should be erected to Mr. Ellis at Cefny- ddwysarn, his native locality and a locality he loved so much. Another suggestion prevalent is to have something done for the benefit of the Inter- mediate Schools in which Mr. Ellis took so much interest-to establish scholarships from the Inter- mediate Schocls to the Welsh Colleges, and, should the fund permit, also from the Colleges to the Universities. It is thought the Intermediate Schools' children should have a chance to co-oper- ate with others in the furthering of this movement. There are in Wales about 8000 scholars in the Inter- mediate schools. Suppose each scholar to be sup- plied with a collecting card, the amount to be col- lected by each scholar to be 2s. 6d., and this amount to be made up of penny contributions, this means a sum of £ 1000. So far, 9,1,500 are to hand. I am glad to understand most of the leading poli- ticians irrespective of party have expressed their wish and intention to subscribe, and are of opinion the fund in its entirety should go to assist Wales. Dr. Edward Jones moved That this meeting representing Merionethshire approves of the move- ment instituted to have a memorial for the late Mr. Thomas Ellis-what will be the form taken by the memorial to be again determined." The Hon. C. H. Wynn, in seconding, said he was present out of deep and genuine respect for Mr. Ellis, though they differed on political questions. No one with any love for his country could fail to appreciate the services of Mr. Ellis, especially in the matter of Education. The resolution was passed unani- mously. Hon. C. H. Wynn moved That the chairman of each District Council (where possible) within the county be asked to convene a public meeting in the principal towns, in order to bring the move- ment before the inhabitants of the district, and make further arrangements." Rev. John Williams seconded. It was further resolved that the follow- ing gentlemen be approached with the above object:—Corwen, Mr. R. R. Roberts Bala, Mr. R. W. Roberts; Festiniog, Mr. William Owen; Pen- rhyndeudraeth, Mr. R. G. Pritchard; Harlech, Mr. R. Richards (Pensarn) Towyn, Mr. Daniel Edwards; Barmouth, Rev. Gwynvo Davies Dol- gelley, Mr. Meyrick Jones Coiris, Mr. Humphrey Davies; and Dinas Mawddwy, Mr. E. H. Davies. The meeting to be convened on or before the 25th of June. Rev. Gwynoro Davies proposed that a General Committee be formed for the county. Dr. Edward Jones seconded, and was passed. On the motion of Alderman Lewis Lewis, seconded by Mr. John Davies (Dyffryn), it was resolved that the General Committee be formed, composed of one representative from each polling district, and to be appointed by the public meetings which are to be held in the towns. Passed unanimously. The matter of collecting cards, circulars, &c., was delegated to Rev. Gwynoro Davies, Mr. Guthrie Jones, and Mr. John Davies. On the proposition of Rev. John Williams, Mr. Guthrie Jones was appointed permanent secretary. On the proposition of Rev. J. Gwynoro Davies, seconded by Mr. John Evans, Hon. C. H. Wynn, and Dr. Hughes were appointed treasurers. All money collected towards the movement to be paid to the credit of the treasurers in the North and South Wales Bank or the National and Provincial Bank. On the proposition of Dr. Edward Jones, seconded by Hon. C. H. Wynn, Mr. E. P. Jones was appointed permanent chairman. Before the meeting separated the Hon. C. H. Wynn expressed an opinion that the memorial should take an educational form in the main. Dr. Edward Jones concurred, and remarked did ve require, as we often did, an opinion on any educa- tional question we naturally approached Mr. Ellis. He was an authority on educational matters. We were all aware how muc h, and effectually, and with what amount of success he had worked in the case of Intermediate Education and also once in the case of our Welsh University.

CARDIGANSHIRE COUNTY GOVERNING BODY. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. THE CARDIGAN DIFFICULTY. The quarterly meeting of this body was held in the Town Hall, Lampeter, on Wednesday in last week, those present being Principal T. F. Robert^, Mrs. James, Mr. D. C. Roberts, and Mr. C. M. Williams (Abcystwyth), P.ofes.orRobert Williams and Mr. J. C. Harford (Lampele"), the Rev. Gwilvm Evaus (Aberayron), Rev. Thomas James and Mr. Evans (Lkmdyssul), Mr. Jenkin Lloyd (Trcf,'iron), and Mr. Morg.ui Richardson (Cardigan), wiui Mr. H. C. Fryer (Clei k), and Mr. Owen (Cuief Inspector of the Central Welsh Boa1 d). ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The first business being the election of chairman for the cucrcnt year, the Rev. G. Evans proposed the re-eleciion of Principal Roberts, and said that they were proud to have such a great educationalist among their members. Mr. Morgan Rielii,rd-on seconded, and it was unanimously agreed to. Principal Roberts in accepting the office thanked them for the honour they had done him in the re-election, but said he would like them to con- sider the appointment of a successor on the next vacancy, as he would be unable to accept office again. It would be an advantage to the county that they should have someone as chairman who would be able to give more time to the work than he had been able to. He certainly gave what he could, having regard to other calls upon him. The work was so interesting that he had no doubt that they would be able to find someone compeLent to hold the office who would be only too glad to give a large proportion of his leisure time to the work. CO-OPTATIVE MEMBERS. The Clerk explained that he had placed the next matter—the appointment of three co-optative members—on the agenda, because the present mem- bees (M.s. Jones, Mr. Harford and Mr. Lloyd) were appointed on the 15th of June 1894 for five years,' and their term consequently ran out next mouth. There seemed to be some little doubt, however if new members could be appointed before the term of the old ones ran out, according to the eignteenth section of the scheme, and he accordingly advised the Governors to defer the appointment until their nervt meeting. These seemed to be a bit of red tapeism. The Chairman: Having regard to what Mr. Fryer has explained as the intention of the scheme, I take it that it will be your will that this change shall be deferred until the next meeting.—This was agreed to. THE CHIEF INSPECTOR'S VISIT. Mr. Owen Owen, the chief inspector of the Central Welsh Board who attended to confer with the Governors, was welcomed by the Chairman, who also took the opportunity of welcoming Mr. James, the new member (hear, hear), Mr. Owen proceeded to give an extended and interesting re- port of the work of the schools, which was carefully followed by the Governors. At the close questions were asked by several of the Governing Body and answered by Mr. Owen. As the conference took place in committee we are unable to report it: we may, however, say without a breach of confidence that Mr. OVien warmly congratulated the Aberyst- wyth Managers on the excellence of their school buildings.—At the close the chairman expressed his thanks and those of the governors to Mr. Owen for his valuable report (applause). NOT ENTERTAINED. The Clerk read a letter he had received from the Charity Commissioners replying to a resolution passed by the Body requesting that the scheme should be so amended as to allow of girls depart- ments of county schools (where this was desired) being treated as separate schools under a respon- sible headmistress. The Commissioners wrote stating that the adoption of this proposal would add seriously to the expense of the maintenance of county schools, and that in view of pending legis- lation with regard to secondary education, they were not prepared at the present juncture to enter- tain it (applause).—The Clerk said that the amend- ment sought was really that a mistress might be appointed who would be independent to a very great extent of the headmaster. Mr. C. M. Williams took it that this meant the deferring of the matter mainly owing to a Bill dealing with secondary education being before Parliament. As to the reference in the letter to the expenditure involved, that question was fully considered before they asked for the alteration. He believed that it was the Aberystwyth Managers mainly who desired to have this modification of the scheme, and they had certainly looked into the question of expenditure in connection with it, so that the Charity Commissioners need not be afraid. They could rest assured that local managing bodies having the interest and the prosperity of their schools at heart would not ask for any amendment, in the scheme which would injure their schools. He did not see that they could move any further in the matter at present, but it would be open for them to bring the matter forward again. Mr. D. C. Roberts agreed and added that the urgency of the matter was as great as ever, and the feeling as strdng in favour of such a change. Possibly there might be no hope of success at the present moment, and he proposed that it remain in abeyance. This was agreed to. COUNTY EXHIBITIONS. A letter was read from the Central Welsh Board pointing out that last year the Body utilised the examinations for the purpose of determining the awards of county exhibitions and giving particulars as to the method which would be adopted in the examination in ascertaining the merits of the can- didates. The Chairman presumed that it was the desire of the Body to again award the exhibitions upon the results of these examinations, and the members assented. It was decided to send a copy of the particulars to the headmasters of the schools. THE CARDIGAN TOWN COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL. The Clerk said he had received a letter from the Charity Commissioners in regard to the question of the ownership of the room at Cardigan formerly used as a schoolroom in the Guild Hall It appear- ed that the contention of the Town Council was that the ownership of the rooms lapsed to the Town Council now that they were no longer re- quired for the school. As Ion- as the old Free School was in existence, of course, there was no dispute. The Charity Commissioners' letter was as fol- lows The Cardigan School Managers have no right or interest in the premises formerly occupied by the Cardigan Free School, the right and inter- est of such school, which was comprised in and secured by the Cardigan Markets and Improve- ments Acts, 1857," having been transferred to the County Governing Body under the provisions of the county scheme. Such right and interest appear to consist of a right (in the event of the Corporation failing to exercise a power of compul- sory purchase under the Act above referred to) to the perpetual user for school purposes of certain rooms in the market buildings erected in 1858 by the Corporation. It appears to the Commissioners that the contention of the Corporation that the property in the rooms now lapses to that body can- not be upheld. The Commissioners are of opinion that it is competent for the County Governing Body to compel the Corporation against their will to free their buildings from the perpetual obligation to maintain the rooms in question for school purposes. If, however, the Corporation should desire to free their buildings from such obligation, they could do so on making to the County Governing Body a payment equivalent to the value of the right and interest acquired for the school under the said Act, and transferred to the Body by the scheme of November, 1893. The Commissioners have no power to decide the ques- tion of title and it is not for them to decide the amount of such payment or compensation, but they would be prepared to entertain a joint applica- tion from the County Governing Body and the Corporation for the settlement of the matter in dispute upon equitable terms. Mr. Morgan Richardson said the Cardigan Council had not had time since the receipt of the letter to give the matter full consideration, but he had been asked to represent their views to the Body. Having mentioned the particulars of the dispute, he said they thought a compromise could be arrived at. It was felt that the benefit from the building should go to the town. As they knew, the County Governing Body had taken the sum of E717 from the town, the interest on which was previously used to help the children of poor people, This sum was applied to the building fund of the school. He suggested that the County Governing Body should compensate the town as suggested in the letter with a sum at least equal to the interest on this £717. The Body would perhaps give it in the form of scholarships tenable at the school. He might say that they had intended using the room for the purpose of a free library, which would rather make for the interest of the intermediate school in the town. He was not authorised to make a definite proposal or to accept a proposal that day, but he thought a sug- gestion to that effect could be made by the Body to the Corporation, who would meet them in good spirit. The Chairman: Your wish is that the Corpora- tion and this body should make application to the Commissioners in the manner suggested in the letter ? Mr. Richardson: Yes. Mr. Rooerts: The sum you mentioned, Mr. Richardson, was not taken out oc the town, but used for the purposes of the county school. Mr. Richardson said it was applied to the build- ing fund. Professsor Williams proposed that the matter be deferred until they received a definite proposal from the Cardigan Town Council. Mr. C. M. Williams said he was very glad to see that change in the attitude of the Cardigan Town Council with icgard to that matter. He was sur- prised when he found that they had actually turned out the local ma^a^ers and occupied their (the County Govern in ? Body's) room without making any payment. (Laughter.) They were pleased to hear that tOle Mayor of Cardigan, now that they found the room did not belong to them, was anxious to secme the benefit from it for Cardigan, and he was sure the County Governing Body would take the suggestion into their favourable considera- tion. He seconded the proposition. Mr. Roberts: I think we all agree that evervtMng should be done for the benefit of the Ca(i,¿1.n School, and I do not. think there can be snv ren.1 n-uu- _-on -"U "J dispute between us in the question of arrangement. ideilt, The proposition was unanimously agreed to. COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION. It was decided that the county scholarship ex- amination should be held on July 29th, and Mr. Darlington was re-appointed the examiner. TRAVELLING TEACHERS. The Committee appointed to report on the ques- tion of the appointment of travelling teachers recommended that a travelling teacher in cookery and laundry work should be appointed for the three northern schools of the county at a salary of P,80, including travelling expenses, provided the Tech- nical Instruction Committee would contribute one- fourth of the expense, the schools one-fourth, the County Governing Body to pay the remaining half and to make a contribution pro rata to the other schools, Cardigan and Llandyssul, who had ar- ranged for such instruction with the counties of Pembroke and Carmarthen. The payment to these schools was, it was stated, to be calculated on the basis of the accommodation provided for girl pupils under the Cardigan county scheme. Mr. D. C. Roberts took it that they would not insist upon the subjects taught at Llandyssul and Cardigan being cookery and laundiy work, as ar- rangements might have been made for the teaching of another subject. He thought it would be suffi- cient to specify a technical subject taught by a travelling teacher. He proposed the adoption of the report, with that condition added. Mr. J. C. Harford seconded the proposition, which was agreed to. A committee was appointed, to consist of the present members and those resident within the Aberystwyth School district, to make the appoint- ment of teacher. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The Clerk submitted a statement of accounts for the year which was referred to a committee to report upon. It was shown that there was a balance in the Treasurer's hands of £ 787 4s. 4d. THE LATE MR. T. E. ELLIS. The Chairman moved that a letter conveying the sympathy of that Body should be sent to Mrs. Ellis and to the parents and sisters of the late Mr. T. E. Ellis. He was, continued the Chairman, in some ways most closely connected with that county. He took it that next to his own county of Merioneth he had more ties in that county than any other county in Wales, although to him Wales was, one and every part of it, regarded with affection. He rendered to secondary education services most ad- m irabie, and second to those rendered by no one else, although the time in which he had to work was short. As the County Governing Body, they greatly felt the loss of Mr." Ellis. Mr, (Harford seconded the motion, which was passed in silence, and the meeting terminated.

'WHAT READING MEANS.' ADDRESS BY MR. BRYCE, M.P. Last week, Mr. James Bryce, M.P., gave an interesting address at the annual meeting of the National Home Reading Union, on "What Reading Means." Mr. Bryce said that what the Home Reading Union aimed at was to take up students when they lefu the elementary schools, where they eoald only be supplied with the tools of education. By far the greater part of our own education was that which we got for ourselves, from books, from converse with friends, and from experience of life. In one respect the work of this Union and that of the University Extension Association might be said to be correlative to one another, both being engaged in the same work in different. ways. It might be asked, What is the use of such an organisation?" "Considering how many books there are in existence, why should it be necessary to have an organisation to induce people to read ? There were many reasons why such an organisation was needed, and one was that people of the classes in which reading was not a matter of ordinary daily life or regarded as a necessary of life, but who wished to read for themselves, required sympathy and guidance, and such assistance the Union endeavoured to supply. Amongst the immense mass of books there were a large number on which time and labour would be hopelessly wasted. Happily, what might be described as the English classics might now be obtained at a very zn cheap rate; but it was desirable that, besides the cheap editions of these good books, some should be issued at a slightly higher price, with slightly larger print and on better paper. Mr. Bryce thought it might be possible to issue separate plays of Shakespeare at the price of one penny. He should be glad to see a library in every elementary school. Having indicated that special lines of reading were on the whole the most interesting and profitable, Mr. Bryce spoke of newspapers, which were full of facts and the most comprehensive intelligence. Mr. Cobden used to think that more instruction was to be got out of a single number of the Times than out of the whole of Thucy- dides; and Mr. John Stuart Mill said he must have his newspaper the first thing in the morning to see how the world was moving. No doubt newspapers were a necessity of modern life, but the reading which consisted mainly of newspapers was not sufficient to support the mind. Con- versation, lectures, and discourses promoted an interchange of thought and intellectual reaction which stimulated the mind more thoroughly than could be done by any printed works, and much of the best work was pro- duced before the use of letters or the dis- covery of printing. Written or printed words enabled us to preserve ideas which might otherwise be lost. The object of reading, which was not a mere mechanical operation, was to enable the reader to appropriate or assimilate that which was conveyed by the writer. In order that the reader might take up and make part of himself what he read two things were esssential, one being the natural faculty, which varied in different individuals, and the other concentration, or the power of fixing attention. It was because of the necessity for concentration that books were superior to newspapers. Usually the reader of a book applied his mind to it, in order that he might understand the subject with which it dealt, and consequently a greater mental reaction was produced than by the hasty or casual reading of a newspaper. The use of fiction in this respect was glanced at by Mr. Bryce, who suggested certain aids to study and memory, such as taking and preserving notes, marking the margins of books,inter leaving blank pages for reference, and so on. He finally repeated the sugges- tion that the reader who had not much time at his disposal had better confine himself to one or two particular lines of reading on subjects in which he was specially interested

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS. WHITSUNTIDE HOLIDAY ARRANGMENTS. On FRIDAY, MAY 19TF, 1899, A CHEAP EXCURSION WILL RUN TO LONDON For FIVE or EIGHT DAYS. EXCTTRSIOH BOOKINGS to SCOTLAND, in- cluding EDINBURGH, GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, ETC., for FIVE, EIGHT, and SIXTEEN DAYS. ON FRIDAY. MAY 19th and SATURDAY, MAY 20tn Excursion Tickets will be issued to NEWPORT (Mon.), CARDIFF, SWANSEA, DOWLAIS, MERTHYR, and NEATH available for return by any date up to, and inclusive oi, Monday, May 29th, except Sundays May 21st and 28th. On FRIDAY, MAY 19th, and SATURDAY, MAY 20th, Cheap EIGHT DAY EXCURSION TICKETS will be issued to LEEDS, BATLEY, DEWSBURY, HUDDERS- FIELD, BRADFORD, MATLOCK, BUXvON, CHES- TER, WARRINGTON, STOCKPORT, LIVERPOOL, BIRKENHEAD, SHEFFIELD, and MANCHESTER, available to reto-n any day except date of issue up to, and inclusive of, Saturday, May 27th, where train service permits. WEEK END TICKETS Will be issued on FRIDAY, MAY 19TH, and SATURDAY, MAY 20TH, to LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM, WOLVERHAMPTON, LEEDS, BRADFORD, DERDY, BURTON, LEICESTER, PETERBORO', COVENTRY, WARRINGTON, WIGAN, PRESTON, ETC,, availa- ble to return on any day except day of issue up to, and inclusive of, Tuesday, May 23rd, where train service permits. ON WHIT-MONDAY CHEAP Day Excursion Tickets Between Coast Stations to BARMOUTH, ABERYST- WYTH, TOWYN, ARERDOVEY, and BORTII, etc., etc. For full particulars as to trains, times, fares, etc., see special bills. HORSE SHOW AT CARNARVON. WHIT-MONDAY, MAY 22ND, Cheap Day Tickets will be issued iroTi MACHYN- LETH, DOLGELLEY, BARMOMTH, PULLHbLL and Intermediate Stations. HORSE AND DOG SHOW at BLAENEAU, FESTINIOG, WHIT-MONDAY, MAY 22.,D. Cheap Day Ret irn Tickets will be issued fro n BARMOUTH, P\\LLHELI and Intermediate Scions. WHIT-MONDAY, MAY 22, and on MAY 23,24,25. 26, and 27tn, Day Tickets will be issued from ABERYST- WYTH, BARMOUTH, and DOLGELLY to CORRIS and ABEKLLEFENNY, see bills. For full particulars as to trains, times, fares, etc., see handbills to be had at the stations, or lrom Mr. W. H. Gough, Superintendent of the line, Osvvest, y. C. S. DENNIS, General Muao.er. Owes try, May, 1899. CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS. WEEK-END TICKETS are issued every FRIDAY and SATURDAY from all L. & N. W. and G. W. Stations in LONDON TO ABERDOVEY, ABERYST- WYTH, DOLGELLEY, AND BARMOUTH. Available for return on the following Sunday (where train service permits) Monday, or Tuesday. For full particular see small hand bills. CHEAP WEEK END EXCURSION TICKETS AREgNOW ISSUED ON EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY TO *Birmingham, *Wolverhampton, '"Walsall, Peter- borough, *Leicester, *Derby, *Burton-on-Trent, *Stafford, ^Coventry, Manchester, Preston, Black- burn, Bolton, Leeds, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Wigan and Warrington FROM Oswestry, Llanynaynech, Llanfyllin, Montgomery, Welshpool, Newtown, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Borth, Aberystwyth, Aberdovey, Towyn, Barmouth] Dolgelley, Harlech, Portmadoc, Penrhyndeudraeth, Criccieth, and Pwlheli, Similar tickets are issued from Aberystwyth, Borth, Aberdovey, Towyn, Barmouth, Dolgelley, Harlech, Penrhyndeudraeth, Portmadoc, Criccieth, and Pwllheli to SHREWSBURY. *Tickets to these Stations are not issued from Welshpool. Passengers return on the Monday or Tuesday following issue of ticket. THOUSAND-MILE TICKETS. The Cambrian Railways Company issue FIRST CLASS 1,000 and 500 MILE TICKETS, the coupons of which enable the purchasers to travel between Stations on the Cambrian Railways during the period for which the tickets are available until the coupons are exhausted. The price of each is £5 5s Od 1,000 miles, and P,2 17s 6d, 500 miles being about lid per mile. Application for the 1,000 or 500 mile tickets must be made in writing, giving the full name and address of the purchaser and accompanied by a remittance, to Mr W. H. Gough, Superintendent of the Line, Cambrian Railways, Oswestry (cheques to be made payable to the Cambrian Co. or order), from whom also books containing 100 certificates for authorising the use of the tickets by purchasers' family, guests, or employees can be obtained, price 6d each book; remittance to accompany order. C. S. DENNISS, General Manager. Oswestry, March, 1899. List of some of the principal places where "Cb Oldsh Gazette" is sold: ABERYSTWYTH. ABERAYRON. ABERDOVEY. ABERGYXOLWYN. ABERLLEFENNY. ABERARTH. ARTHOG. BALA. BARMOUTH. BLAENAU FESTINIOG, BORTH. Bow STREET. BANGOR. CARDIGAN. CARMARTHEN. CARNARVON CEMMES. CELLAN. CORRIS. CORWEN. CRICCIETH. CWMYSTWYTH. CRIBYN. DOLGELLEY. DINAS MAWDDWY. DERRY ORMOND. DIHEWYD. DYFFRYN. EGLWYSFACH. GOGINAN. HARLECH. LAMPETER. LLANFARIAN. LLANWNEN. LLANWENOG. LLANARTH. LLANDDEWI. LLANGEITHO. LLEDROD. LLANILAR. LLANON. LLANBEDR. LLANGYBI. LLANYBYTHER. LLANDYSSUL. LLANBRYNMAIR. LLANRHYSTYD. LLANUWCHLLYN. LLWYNGWRIL. MACHYNLLETH. MINFFORDD. NEWCASTLE EMLYN. NEWQUAY. PENNAL. PONT LLANIO. PONTRHYDFENDIGAID. PONTRHYDYGROES. PENRHYNDEUDRAETH. PORTMADOC. PENLLWYN. PONTERWYD. PENRHYNCOCH. TALYBONT. TREGARON. TALSARN. TALSARNAU. TOWYN. YSTRAD. YSPYTTY YSTWYTH LONDON. LIVERPOOL. MANCHESTER. PRINTING POSTERS. HANDBILLS. CIRCULARS. PROGRAMMES. INVOICES. BILLHEADS. MEMORANDUMS. BUSINESS CARDS. TIME SIIEETS. RECEIPT1 BOOKS. DELIVERY BOOKS. "Cbe UlelsD Gazette" Office, BRIDGE STREET & GRAY'S INN RD., ABERYSTWYTH.