Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

CARDIGANSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. A FORMAL MEETING. The quarterly meeting of Cardiganshire County Council was held at Lampeter, on Thursday, Mr. Harford, Falcondale, being voted to the chair in the absence of the Chairman. There were also present Alderman Peter Jones and C. M. Williams, Aberystwyth; J. T. Morgan, Maesnewydd; Walter T. Davies, Felinfach; Evan Davies, Gilfachronw; Morgan Evans, Oukforcl; Evan Richards, Llanfi- hantrel; and T. H. R. Hughes, Neuaddfawr; Coun- cillors Price Lewes, Tyglyn Aeron D. J. Williams, Tregaron: Yauehan Davies, M.P., Llanfarian; D. C. Roberts and Robert Ellis, Aberystwyth; Joseph Parrv, Go^inan; H. E. Bonsall, Llanbadarn, Harry Bonsall, Bow Street; Edward Jones, laly- bont; John Jones, Taliesin; Jenkin Jenkins. Felin- fach J. Jenkin Davies, LL'infair; William Davies, Llanwnen; James Evans, Llanarth; John Owen Davies, New Quay; T. Davies, Llangeitho; David Jones. Penbryn; T. Pennant Phillips, Lland yssul; C. Morgan Richardson, South Cardigan; David Lloyd, Aberbank; E. Lima Jones, Aberayron; "Thomas Evans, Llangranog; Thomas Morris, Troed- yraur; Edward Evans, Strata Florida; William Evans, Llanfiliangel; David Davies, Llanddewi- brefi; Jenkyn Lewis, Cilcenin; J. M. Howell, Aberayron: Benjamin Jones, Llanilar; David Jenkins, Lledrod: Messrs. H. C. Fryer, county clerk; J. D. Perrott, county treasurer; Roderick Lloyd and David Davies, county surveyors. CONDOLENCE. The Chairman, before the Council commenced business, proposed a vote of condolence with the family of the late Mr. T. E. Ellis. It seemed rather late, he said, but it was the first meeting they had had since Mr. Ellis died, but he was sure it was their unanimous wish that they should pass the vote. So much had been said and written about Mr. Ellis that he hardly felt capable of expressing all that was felt, so he merely moved the vote of condolence with the family of one who had probably done more for Welsh Education than anyone else in Wales. Mr. Morgan Evans seconded the proposition, and it was unanimously agreed to. CONSERVATORS. Messrs. Henry Bonsall, H. E. Bonsall, and Edward Jones were re-appointed conservators for the Dovey district and Mr. Evans, Llwynhyddod, Llanguritr, was re-rrpwinted on the Wye Board. Ir Harry Bonsall asked if Mr. Evans was a member of the Council, and thought that some -councillor should be appointed who would be able to voice the opinion of the Council in regard to taking water from the water sheds for water supply purposes. The Clerk replied that 'the Wye touched upon Cardiganshire, but there was no councillor livin, at a place where he could conveniently attend the meetings. Mr. John Jones, Taliesin, proposed and Mr. Jenkin Jenkins seconded that Mr. Harry Bonsall should be appointed. (Laughter.) Mr. Bonsall said that he could not attend. TWO TO ONE. The following letter was received from the Local Government Board :—"April 20tb. 1 am directed by the Local Government Board to advert to your letter of the 10th inst., relative to the application of the Cardiganshire County Council for the appoint- ment of an arbitrator in the matter of financial difficulties which have arisen by reason of the fact that the boroughs of Carmarthen, Kidwelly, and Haverfordwest (now merged in the counties of Car- marthen and Pembroke) did not contribute towards the expenses of providing the Joint Counties Lunatic Asylum, and I am to point out that sect. 13 (1) of the Lunacy Act, 1891, duly provides for the ap- pointment of an arbitrator by the Board if the parties fail to agree as to the sum to be paid and cannot agree upon an arbitrator. Noel T. Kershaw, assistant secretary, &c." Mr. C. M. Williams said he was very pleased to hear the letter read, and hoped that would be an intimation to other counties to join with Cardigan- shire in the appointment of an arbitrator. The Cardinganshire members had tried to arrive at a friendly settlement, and had suggested a joint application for an arbitrator. The two other joint .counties, however, up to the present time had declined. He took it in the face of the letter, and the other counties declining to join with Cardigan- shire in appointing an arbitrator, it would be open for the Local Government Board to appoint one. APPOINTMENTS. Dr. Lloyd Snape, Aberystwyth College, was re-appointed public analyst of food and drugs, and Mr. Alan Murray, of the same institution, of fertilizers and feeding stuffs, VETERINARY. The Board of Agriculture wrote thanking the Clerk for sending a corrected return of the in- spectors for the county of Cardigan, and stating that they attached considerable importance to their being kept informed of any changes made in the appointment of surgeons as inspectors under the Diseases of Aniiiiils Act, 1894. With regard to the appointment of a successor to the late Mr. J. Dawson Roberts, the Board thought that, provided the existing veterinary staff of the local authority were enabled to efficiently carry out the duties through- out the county imposed upon them, an addition to the staff would not appear to be necessary. The Chief Constable, in reply to a question, said that an inspector was wanted in the northern end of the county which was now under the Merioneth inspector living at Towyn, and Mr. Peter Jones gave notice that at the next meeting he would move the appointment of Mr. Robert Williams, M.R.C.Y.S., Aberystwyth, in succession to the late Mr. Dawson Roberts. STIRRING UP THE BOARD OF TRADE. The Clerk staled that at the previous meeting he was instructed to ask Mr. Vaughan Davies to stir up the otlicials at the Board of Trade with reference to the amalgamation of the Western Sea Fisheries district and the Lancashire district. At that time no draft scheme had been forwarded by the Board of Trade, and Mr. Yaughan Davies was ill. There was, however, but little delay, for in May the draft scheme had been drawn up and practically approved of by the Lancashire Board. The Western District Board asked that the matter might be deferred until June, and now it would probablv not come into force until next year. Mr. Harry Bonsall, chairman of the Western Board, said a special meeting had been held and it was now all right. Attention was paid to the matter soon after the Department was seen by Mr.' Vaughan Davies and Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Yansrhan Davies said he saw Mr. Ritchie, and he laid the blame on the Western Board, which he (Mr. Davies) believed was the truth. (Laughter.) MINUTIJE. The Clerk announced that he had received draft bye-laws dealing with locomotives; an invita- tion to send delegates to a poultry conference at Reading; and an invitation to join in the mutual insurance of public buildings by which, it was said, half the present cost of insurance would be saved. The last mentioned matter was referred to the Finance Committee and the Treasurer. Tne Clerk stated that the Western Board had sent a precept foi P,30, but as it was received too late to go before the Finance Committee, it could not therefore be paid until the next meeting in June. He mentioned that because there was some little trouble about non-payment on a previous occasion. THE SOUTHERN HALF. The report of the Main Roads, Bridges, and Public Buildings Committee for the southern division which met on April 26th, was submitted. It stated that on the motion of Alderman Walter Davies. seconded by Alderman John Williams, Councillor William Griffiths was appointed chair- man of the Committee for the ensuing year. The County Surveyor's summaries of expenditure upon the roads for the quarter ending March 31st, amounting in the aggregate to L536 13s Od, should be received and examined. The average cost, per m;1" WHS P.* R" Alderman James Stephens reported that the Sub-Committee appointed by the Southern Main Roads Committee at their last meeting to inspect and report as to an alleged encroachent on the road-side near Tanygroes, met on Tuesday, the 7th day of February. Alter an inspection of the place, the committee came to the conclusion that there was a slight encroachment, but that owing to there being a deep ditch alongside the roadway and the place dangerous to the public, they con- sidered the small shed built thereon an improve- ment, and recommended the encroachment to be assented to. It was resolved that the report be adopted. Plans, specifications, and estimate of a new bridge over the Bran near Cribin proposed to be erected by the Aberayron 'Rural District Council, was laid before the committee and examined, and it was resolved that the Council be recommended to make a contribution equal to one-third of the actual cost of the proposed bridge, estimated at £ 150, provided that such contribution shall not exceed the sum of £ 50; provided also that the width of the bridge be increased to four- teen feet, and the Surveyor's suggestion as to the shortening of the parapets on the north side adopted, an(ithe structure erected and competed to the satisfaction of the Surveyor. The following quarterly report was presented bv the Surveyor :-1 am very pleased to state that all the roads arc in a satisfactory condition, some portions being good while other parts are excellent. I p As you all know, the great improvement in the conditions of the roads is due to the use of the roller, but I beg to remind you not to expect any reduction in the expenditure for the maintenance of the roads for some years, because the roads are now heavily supplied with lime and granite metal for a long distance. The average cost per mile for three years previous to the introduction of the .o;£_JI. steam roller was £ 183s 3d. The average cost per, mile since its introduction is zEl8 4s 6d, The road from Lampeter to Aberayron has very heavy traffic, and from Penbryngoleu to Lampeter the metal is scarce and of an inferior quality, hence it would be advisable to order 220 yards of granite or lime stone for the coming winter at' a cost not ex- ceeding 8s per yard. A yearly quantity of this metal would greatly improve the road in a few years time. Llechryd footpath has been built by Mr. Jones, Penlan, at his own expense. It is four feet high and has been wire hand-railed one side for the"safety of the public. This path is very serviceable for the public when the road is flooded and impassable, but it now wants to be repaired, the cost not to exceed £16. A wooden dilapidated fencing on the roadside between the bridge and the church in the Aberayron Urban District requires to be repaired at a cost of not more than E6. The bridges are in a fair condition except that a few of them require small repairs. The landslip at New Quay, about thirty yards long and something like five yards deep, has I slipped from the brink of the roadside. Councillors W. Griffiths, R. Jones, J. O. Davies, and myself made an appointment with the members of the Urban Council on the 13th ult. It was decided that something strong should be built without delay. I recommend an arched culvert, thirty-inch diameter, to be built with Aberthaw lime mortar along the bottom of the dingle. This will be a permanent job and will cost £59. The Urban Council has promised to fill up the dingle to the level of the road. The filling of the dingles is quite as essential for the improvement of the place as it is to protect the road and to gain area for the landlords. The Sub-Committee were of the opinion that they should ask the consent of the landlords either-ea) To give the gained piece of land as a pleasure-ground for the public use, or (b) to help us by giving stones free of royalty. If the land- lords be unwilling for either of the above proposi- tions, the Committee decided that they should go in for the cheaper job, that is, only to protect the road. The inequality of lengths given to the road- labourers :-Every length has not the same traffic, also the structure of the road is not the same in all places, hence it would be very unfair for every work- man to have the same length of road to look after. The average length given to each man is 4 l-6th miles. I do not think that we can arrange them in any better way at present. We may in two or three years' time be able to spare one or two workmen. Casual labourers are not employed except to attend the breaker or sometimes to fill carts. Our adjoin- ing counties have another system; Carmarthen- shire for example. They allot from five to six miles to each labourer, but the roadmen do not have to break stones. They make contracts for stones ready broken in depots, casual labourers being employed as required, so it is impossible to com- pare our road labourer's length with that of other counties. The average cost per mile for maintain- ing our roads, which is £18 4s. 6d., may be favour- ably compared with that of Carmarthenshire, which is zE24 5s. My estimate for roads for the year is £ 1,850; steam roller, £ 130; repairs to bridges and approaches, iC55 total, £ 2,035; for the current quarter, £ 450. Councillor W. Davies and the Surveyor met me at the place it is suggested Bran Bridge should be built on April 21st. There is no doubt but that a bridge would be a great safety and convenience for the public. The plans and speeifieations have been handed to me. I have carefully examined them. They show that the District Council intends to build a strong bridge. The specification is plain and minute, but I strongly advise that the width of the bridge be altered from twelve feet to fourteen feet in clear in order to allow two vehicles to pass each other comfortably. This should be done because the approaches leading to the ford are very narrow; also the parapets should be shortened on the north side of the river in front of the cottage so that a free access to the bridge be made. (Signed) D. Davies, Surveyor.— The report was received and the Committee resolved:—That the Surveyor be authorised to order 200 tons of granite or lime stone, the former in preference, for use on the road from Penbryn- golau to Lampeter, at a cost not exceeding 8s: per ton that the question of the repair of the Llechryd footpath be deferred to the next meeting and the Surveyor bring in an estimate of raising the road instead of repairing the pathway with a full report upon the whole subject; that the question of repairing the timber fence by the road-side near Aberayron be postponed to enable members of the Committee to inspect the fence before deciding; that, as regards the landslip at New Quay, it is the opinion of the Committee that a culvert will best meet the difficulty provided that the landowners, who will be greatly benefited thereby, will either contribute towards the cost of the work or meet the Council fairly in some other way. That the matter, therefore, be reported upon more fully to the next meeting if the intentions of the landowners have been ascertained; that the estimates of £2,035 for the year and of Z450 for the quarter be approved. Councillor Thomas Evans moved, in accordance with notice, that the roadmen's lengths shoule be re-arranged and the number of roadmen reduced. To this motion, which was seconded by Councillor David Lloyd, an amendment was pro- posed by Councillor Major Price-Lewes- That the system remain as at present." On a show of hands the amendment was carried and the motion de- clared to be lost.. Mr. Morgan Evans, in the absence of Mr. William Griffiths, the chairman, moved the adoption of the report and, referring to the culvert at New Quay, said it was desirable to know what the landowners intended doing. THE KORTHERR HALF. The report of the Main Roads, Bridges, and Public Buildings Committee for the northern divi- sion was presented. It stated that Mr. David Jenkins was appointed chairman for the ensuing year. The Surveyor's quarterly summaries of e .I expenditure upon the roads for the quarter ending March 31st, amounting in the total to E552 6s lid, were examined and passed. Councillor J. M. Williams reported that he had convened a meeting of a sub-committee appointed to report upon the question of additional groynes at Borth, but as only one member, Councillor Henry Bonsall, had attended besides himself, he had no report to pre- sent. Mr. Williams cited the case of the Urban Council of Sandgate v. the Kent County Council to prove the liability of the Council to protect the road at Borth, and complained bitterly that so little had been done to effect this, and of the Surveyor's neglect to remove the shingle carried by the tide on to the main road. The Clerk read a letter received from the office of Woods informing the Council that a portion of the foreshore at Borth, from Jasper Villas on the north to a point near the Borth Reservoir on the south, had been leased to the Borth Sea Defence Committee and that the foreshore beyond these points was under the management of the Board of Trade, and the Clerk added that it appeared from the tenor of the letter that the Council could not erect any groynes or other defences without the consent of the Sea Defence Committee; and, on the motion of Councillor Henry Bonsall, seconded by Alderman Evan Richards,, it was resolved that a committee be appointed to confer with the Borth Sea Defence Committee, and report fully to the next meeting that the Clerk act as convener of the Committee and arrange for the meeting upon a date when Mr. Case can, if possible, attend. The plans and specifications of the proposed new stone bridge over the Berwyn at Penpompren, estimated to cost P,115, were laid before the Committee and examined; and, on the motion of Alderman Peter Jones, seconded by Alderman C. M. Williams, it was resolved that the Council be recommended to make a contribution to the Tregaron Rural District Council of one-third of the actual cost of the bridge, provided that such contribution shall not exceed the sum of 9,38, and and th--it the County Surveyor is able to certify that the bridge has been solidly and well built, and completed. The quarterly report was presented by the Sur- veyor (Mr. Roderick Lloyd):—It afforded him great pleasure to report that the roads generally throughout my division of the county are in a satisfactory state of repair, and the majority of them have been considerably improved, but some, he regretted to say, were still very weak. The expenditure has amounted to P,2,039 19s. 9d., which was more by P,19 10s. 6d. than that of the previous year. The average cost per mile was P-17 13s. 4d. as compared with R,17 8s. 4d. for the previous year. The estimate expenditure was £ 2,100, and the actual expenditure, iE2,039 19s. 9d., showing a balance in favour of C60 Os. 3d. The report, which i efcrred to other matters per- taining to the district, was received, and the Com- mittee resolvedThat as regards the cutting of the road for the Llanbadarn water mains by the contractors, the matter be left to the Surveyor, and that he be directed to enforce the work being so done as to cause as little inconvenience as possible that £ 10 be allowed for the repairs of the fence at Pendrefach on the Llanbadarn Road; that the Council be requested to pay the agreed sum of £ 5 to tjje Tregaron County School Managers on receipt ve of the Surveyor's certificate that the proper quantity of land has been given, and a substantial fence erected; that as regards the wall in front of the Tregaron Police Station, the Surveyor lay before the next meeting of this Committee a plan and detailed estimate of the work he proposes to carry out; that the Clerk again call thQ. attention of the Aberystwyth and Tregaron Rural District Councils to the objectionable practice of the cottagers in throwing slops on to the roads, and ask them to devise a means to check the practice; that the sub-Committee previously appointed, consisting of the Council members in the Tregaron Union, together with Aldermen Peter Jones. C. M. Williams, and Evan Richards, be requested to act again, and to visit Coy Bridge, and that full authority be delegated to them to give directions for the work. provided that the estimate of cost be not exceeded, the Surveyor to act as convener; that a copy of the portion of the Surveyor's report dealing with the Maesnewydd road be forwarded to the Aberystwyth Rural District Council; that plans and estimates of the culverts required on the Strata Florida road be submitted to the next meeting; that the estimates of expenditure of £ 2,200 for the year, and of 3"410 for the quarter be approved. Plans of a proposed new b.iidge over the Clettwr, near Tre'rddol, were laid before the Committee with an application from the Aberyst- wyth Rural District Council for a contribution from the Council towards the cost, estimated at £ 36, after deducting a contribution of £ 15 made by Mrs. Basil Jones, Gwynfryn. He estimated that he would require 6490 for the quarter ending June 24tli. The County Surveyor took exception to the specifications, being of opinion that the iron girders were not of sufficient strength, and that the timber flooring was objectionable. Ultimately it was resolved that the Council be recommended to make a contribution of zCl2 towards the cost of the bridge, subject to the specifications being approved by the Surveyor, and the work completed to his satisfaction. The Surveyor produced plans of the new stone arched bridge over the Castell at Pont- erwyd, which were approved. The Clerk brought before the Committee the question of the fees to be charged for licences for locomotives, and it was resolved to recommend :—(1) That the licence fee be ClO for every locomotive of a weight not exceeding ten tons, with an addition of EZ for every ton or part of a ton above that weight; (2) That the fee for registration be 2s. 6d. for each locomo- tive. Mr. Jones, Taliesin, referring to the new bridge over the Clettwr, said he understood that the Sur- veyor was not satisfied with the bridge. He (Mr. Jones) therefore proposed that the Council should deal with the bridge in the same way as they dealt with others. Mr. Walter T. Davies said the matter had not been before the Council, and proposed that that course should be adopted. Mr. C. M. Williams seconded the proposition, saying that was the procedure, and that he had known similar applications reftise(I when the procedure had not been adhered to. Mr. Jones hoped that the motion would not be pressed, as the people were anxious to go on with the work. Nineteen voted in favour of referring the matter to the Committee, and three against. THE DEVIL'S BlUDGE QUESTION. The Committe further reported that the Surveyor laid before the Committee plans of a new stone bridge of three arches to replace the present Devil's Bridge at an estimated cost of £2,500. The matter was discussed, the Committee being reluc- tant to recommend so large an outlay, if by any means avoidable, and it was ultimately resolved that a small committee be appointed to visit the bridge, endeavour to devise some scheme to render the present, structure safe, and to report to the Council at the forthcoming meeting. The Com- mittee to consist of Alderman Peter Jones, C. M. Williams, and Evan Richards; Councillors Dd. Davies and William Evans (Cwmrheidiol), and that Mr. John Jenkins (Aberystwyth), and Mr. Rees Jones (borough surveyor), be asked to accompany the Committee and advise with them, the Committee being authorised to employ any experts whose advise they consider desirable. Mr. Peter Jones stated that members of the Com- mittee. with Mr. John Jenkins and Mr. Rees Jones. the borough surveyor, had visited the bridge. They thought it would be advisable to test whether the retaining wall of the last arch had a separate uxistence from the old retaining wall, and the sub- committee therefore asked the Council to authorise the surveyor to take the necessary steps. They hoped that the present structure would certainly be able to continue for a year or two without any risk to the public. The report was adopted. ALLEGED ENCROACHMENT. In reply to Mr. Lima Jones, Mr. C. M. Williams said the Committee bad visited Maesvfelin with regard to an encroachment, and, he took it, a report would be presented. Mr. Jones need not alarm himself as the Committee would not allow the matter to rest. PONTERWYD BRIDGE. Mr, J. M, Howell referred to the paragraph relating to the approval of the plans of a bridge over the Castell at Ponterwyd, and asked if that had been first before the Council, and Mr. C. M. Williams replied that, it bad, and that the estimate had been approved by the Finance Committee and toted by the Council. He added that the Main Roads Committee for the upper district did every- thing regularly. THE RATES. The report of this committee was brought up and stated that Alderman J. H. Davies had been appointed chairman of the committee for the ensuing year. The Treasurer's accounts for the quarter ended 31st March were appointed, com- pared with the vouchers, and found to be correct. The bank pass books were produced and examined, and showed that the credit balances at the end of the quarter were £ 4,829 9s. 5d. on the general fund account, and E180 16s. lid. on the police pension fund account. In the account of the Coroner for the Cardigan district the Committee observed that at every inquest held during the quarter, three in number (two being upon aged women, seventy-six and seventy years of age respec- z- tively, and the third on a still-born child), a medical witness had been called at an aggregate cost of Z4 4s.; and the Clerk was directed to express to Mr. J. H. Evans the Committee's hopes that he would only call in medical witnesses at inquests when their evidence was clearly necessary. The Committee were also informed that it was the practice of one of the county coroners not to pay fees to witnesses who were relatives of the deceased and the Clerk was directed to inform the other coroners that the Committee considered that this was a practice which they might follow with advantage. The Clerk stated that an ex- amination of the amounts paid from year to year to the Aberystwyth College in respect of agri- cultural and dairy instruction showed that there bad been an omission to pay the sum of R160 of the total of E300 voted in the year 1892-93; and it was resolved to recommend, That payment be made of the balance due as shown to have been actually expended by the College authorities." It was resolved That in future the payments of the exchequer contribution account to guardians in respect of officers' salaries and registrars be made within the financial year for which the same are due." A statement showing the estimated and actual receipts and payments for the year 1898-99 and the estimated receipts and expenses for the current year was laid before the Committee by the County Treasurer and considered. The re- ceipts for 1898-99 were P,20,430 and the ex- penditure, £ 19.097. The estimated receipts for 1899-1900 was £ 20,154, and the expen- diture, P,19,546, It was resolved to re- commend that a county rate of 7-td in the pound be granted for the year, viz., 4d for the first six months and 3(1 for the second six months of the financial year; that a rate of Jd in the pound be granted for intermediate education that a rate of ^1 in the pound be granted for technical instruc- tion and that a county rate of 4d in the pound and an intermediate education rate of d in the pound be ordered for the current half-year. A letter was read from the Manager of the Aber- ystwyth branch of the National Provincial Bank of England in reply to the proposals of this County Council that interest at the rate of 2- per cent. should be allowed on the Council's balances exceeding in the aggregate the sum of £500. The Bank Directors had considered the proposal and now stated that in view of the large number of cheques drawn the best terms they could offer were two per oont. interest on the minimum monthly balance abovo £500. It was resolved that, taking into consideration the large number of cheques cashed (an average of 4,500 annually, the Council be recommended to accept the terms offered by the bank, provided that they will allow interest at two per cent. upon the average, instead of the minimum, monthly balance over L200 and that it is clearly understood that no commission is to be charged by the bank. Plans of the proposed alterations to the Aberystwyth Town Hall build- ,J F>C. n.4-1 "1 ings were iiiiu ueiuit: nic uummincfauu v.O.u..J.IU\;U. It was resolved that the Council be recommended to inform the Aberystwyth Corporation that no difficulties will be placed in the way of the pro- posed improvements, provided that the rights and vested interest of the county in the south wing are fully safeguarded and secured; that the matter be considered more fnlly at the next meeting of the Committee to be held on that occasion at the Aberystwyth Town Hall; and that the Aber- ystwyth Town Council be asked to appoint a Committee of their Council to meet the Committee at that meeting and discuss the matter. Coun- cillor J. C. Harford informed the Committee that the cells erected in connection with the Lampeter Town Hall were completed and ready to be handed over to the county authority; and the Clerk was directed to consult with the Chief Constable as to the charge of these cells and, if necessary, to refer the matter to the Standing Joint Committee. Mr. C. M. Williams moved the adoption of the report. In doing sb he said that the estimated receipts for 1898-99 were £ 20.054, and the actual amount received, £ 20,430, leaving1 a balance to the of ze386, which must be very satisfactory. The balance in hand on March 31st, was -04,829. Payments due on the 31st March and sanctioned by the Committee amounted to P,4,481, reducing the balance to £ 363. If they would refer to the report they would be able to see that they were in a very much better position than that. For instance, £ 1,200 was voted to pay the workmen's wages for April, Slav, and June, and they could not say that the country owed that on May 31st. This was actually moneymying since, fcr which period a rate was accruing, and the Exchequer contribution amount would aiso be paid. He thought, in order to arrive at a correct balance they ought to deduct that, amount. They would also find police pay £ 750 to 29th July, and it could not in any way be said that they owed the money on March 31st These three items totalled £ 1.950, and by adding to that the £ 368 stated as a balance, they found that after meeting all their liabilities, and meeting all the accounts up to March 31st, they bad a real balancejin hand of £ 2,318, which he hoped would slightly increase. They were aware that in years gone by it was the Council's custom to cut down the rate to such an extent as to leave them actually in arrears if they paid all their accounts, but their financial position was improving year by year. The estimate this year was practically identical with that of last year; if anything it a shade lesa. The rate was exactly the same—totalling Std. In reading the reports of other County Councils he found that the general tendancy all round was co increase. They had been going up steadily year by year, d. or 4 at a time, and it must be very satis- factory to find that it was not the casein Cardigan- shire. For the past three or four years the county rate of Cardiganshire has been going down, and this year and last there has been no increase. The Council had been looking after the expenditure well, and the finances were now in a satisfactory condition. At first, some people were inclined to complain of the technical rate, but it was now the unanimous feeling of farmers that the instruction in agriculture was doing an enormous amount of good. Last year there were thirty-seven applicants for twelve scholarships at the College, and the late was administered fairly throughout the county. The report was adopted. TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. The Technical Instruction Committee reported that Mr. J. C. Harford had been appointed chair- man for the ensuing year. The Committee con- sidered the subjects for which grants should be made in the current year, and the amounts to be allocatel to such subjects of agricultural, dairy, and horticultural instruction through the medium of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and it was resolved that the following grants be made, and only paid if used as specified, viz.: For travelling dairy schools, six at C10 each (one school to be held in each union if required), £ 60; for extension lectures on agriculture, £ 40 for scholar- ships at short courses in agriculture in College, twelve at L7, and advertising expenses P,4, £ 88 for scholarships at advanced dairy school in College, fourteen at L9, and expenses L4. £ 130; for in-College scholarships to be awarded to scholars who are needy and requiring assistance, four at CIO, £ 40; for courses in horticulture at two centres at iC12 10s. (should applications be made from more than two centres reference to be made to this Committee), IC25 total, £ 388. The question of making grants for the teaching of cookery, laundry work, Sec., was considered; and on the motion of Councillor O. B. Evans, seconded by Major Price Lewes, it was resolved that this Committee is prepared to give assistance upon being assured that proper provision has been made and a competent instructor appointed for the teaching of cookery, laundry work, &c., in the county school making the application. Reference was made to the fact that Mr. Gwyn Jones, lately headmaster of the Aberayron County School, had left the county within a period of two years after receiving a grant of P,6 for expenses in attending a course of manual instruction at Naas, and the Clerk was directed to make application for the said arrant to be refunded. The Chairman, moving the adoption of the report and referring' to the lectures on horticul- ture, said a gardener bad been appointed by the College to give lessons in practical gardening. He understood a Scotchman had been appointed. The Clerk: A Yorkshireman. (Laughter.) The Chairman: He was a Scotchman at the last meeting. (Laughter.) The Committee said they could not find a suitable Welsh gardener; but perhaps that did not much matter as the older people would not learn and the younger people who would learn knew English. The Clerk stated that it had been arranged to give £80 among the three northern schools for laundry work and cooking and a proportionate sum to the two joint counties schools. The Chairman said it was found that all the county schools had appliances for that sort of in- struction. Mr. Harry Bonsall suggested that something might be done to teach fish curing as in Devon- shire, and this was referred to the committee. With reference to the grant to Mr. Gwyn Jones, it was stated that the grant was made conditional on the master remaining two years in the county and imparting the knowledge he acquired and that it was not fair to ask the county to make a teacher more valuable for the benefit of other counties. The report was adopted. DEFERRED. Mr. D. J. Williams, not being able to give infor. mation, the application of Caron Lower Parish Council for the division of the parish into wards for parish and district council elections only was deferred. DELEGATES. Messrs. C. M. Williams, Morgan Richardson, and Mayor Price Lewes were appointed delegates to a conference to discuss the advisability of establish- ing a home for inebriates for Welsh counties, it being considered inconvenient and expensive to send them to the Bristol home. ANALYSES. Reports of analysts and inspectors were adopted and the Chairman pointed out that that was the first time when all the samples taken were found to be genuine. That was also the first time that county arrangements for analysis of fertilizers and feeding stuffs had been taken advantage of and all were of average quality. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS. On the motion of Mr. C. III. Williams, seconded by Mr. Jenkin Jenkins, it was agreed that in the opinion of the Council parish council elections should be held triennially instead of annually. COUKTY BUILDINGS. Mr. Thomas Evans thought it advisable that a list should be prepared of county bridges and county buildings, and the Clerk replied there was an old list in existence, but it wanted revision. The Council then rose.