The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

DENBIGHSHIRE 1 F EDUCATION COMMITTEE. THE WELSH DEPARTMENT'S ALLEGED SPLEEN. COUNTY SCHOOLS DEFENDED. (From our own Reporter;) In due obedicnce to the command of their parent authority, the Denbighshire County Coun- cil, the Education Committee of that county held their meeting on Friday last within the county area, and not over the English border at Chester. There were two appointments to be made at the meeting, and of the 3 members making up the committee, all but six were in attendance. After the appointments, the principal interest centred in the denunciation of the Welsh Department of the I' Oard of Education for the report on the Welsh County Schools, which is said to have been very unjustly derogatory to the intermediate ivstem of Wales. The curious part of the controversy now rjging is the fact that one of the officials of the Welsli Department, Mr A. T. Davies, was for some years before has appointment by the present ticvernment to his oilice as Permanent Secretary to the new Department, a prominent member of the Denbighshire Education Committer. The other principal officer of the Department is Mr Owen M. Edwards, formerly the Member of Parliament for Merionethshire, an enthus- iastic upholder of the language and litera- ture of Wales, which latter he has popularised and contributed to in a brilliant way for the past quarter of a cjntury through the various puolica- tions issued from It 6 wind-swept "town at the head of the lake," Llanuwchiiyn. Whether these gentlemen, or either of them, had anything to do with the alleged official '-libel" on the Welsh intermediate system, is not, of course, known, though it is significant that the report came forth in the name of the Department of which they are the heads. The following were the members present at the meeting on Friday Mr W, G. Dodd (chairma-n). Miss Geo, Mrs Parker Davies, Mrs R. J. Powell. Mr E. H. Parry, Mr G. Cromar, Mr John Allen, Mr F. A. Sturge, Mr William Griffith, the Rev. Thomas JLloyu, Mr Edward Jones, Mr David Lewis, Mr W. J Williams, Mr Edward Allen, Mr J. S. Jones, Mr Bcnnett: Jones, Mr Simon Jones, Mr R. A. Jones, Mr John Roberta, Mr James Lee, Mr J. E. Powell, Mr R Edwards Mr John Williams, Mr William Parry (Pontfadog), Mr Christmas Jones, Mr J. Wiicoxon, and Mr Ilar- rison Jones, with Mr John Roberts, Joint Secre- tary, Mr W. 1;. Wiles, county architect, and Mr White. THE GRAIANRHYD NEW SCHOOL. SELECTING THE SITE. The committee are preparing to open a new Council School in the locality called Graianrhyd, near Llanarmon, on the uplands to the east of the Vale of Clwyd. An inspection of sites was carried out by a sub committee of the Ruthin District Managing Body, comprising Mr Lemuel R. Davies, Mr T. H. Roberts, and Mr R. Harris Jones, who visited five sites, and strongly recom- mended one belonging to Mrs John Thomas, Penyfcvf, Llanarmon, and which was described as ;:¡;iows -A plot of land, standing a short dis- tance up in the loft side of a bye-road leading from the main Tryddyn-road, at the four crosses. It has, we think, a S.S. W, aspect, there is a row of trees behind, and it is protected by the land gradually rising at the back. On the opposite hill across the ravine to the right there is, it is a, said, an excellent spring, apparently almost on a level with this site, the water from which could easily be carried across for use in the school. There is very little traffic in this road. and 11 j-i likely to be much. The site stands well up prac- tically out of sight, away from dust, yet it is close to the junction of roads leading to all direc- tions. "The conformation of this plot of land would enable tlte entranoe to the school to be fixed slantwise.or parallel with the bye-road; in tact, the entrance road may be said to be practically formed as it stands, and tins would prevent the infants emerging suddenly across the main road. There is, we think, as much land as is likely to be required." Another site was, however, selected by a joint committee, whose report was a", follows: — i ''The joint committee herein met on Friday. September 16ih. Present: Mr Edward Roberts (chairman), Mr J. Wilcoron. Mr Edward Jones. and the County Architect representing the Edu- cation Authority, together with Messrs T. II. Roberts and Lemuel R. Davies representing the Ruthin District Managers. Four sites for the proposed school were inspected, and after care- ful consideration it was unanimously resolved to recommend the Education Committee to purchase a quarter of an acre of the east portion of u pasture field abutting to and situate to the east of Ty'n Rhos This property belongs to Mrs -idfi-eld, of Ty'a Rhos, who offers the quarter of an acre for the sum of £ 50." The COUNTY ARCHITECT informed the 80mmittec that he had received a letter, signed by several ratepayers in the district, protesting against the purchase of the site rcoonimended by the sub-committee. This letter was as follows:— "Mount Pleasant. 'Llanarmon, "Near Mold. "To the Education Committee. "HE GRAIANRIIYD NEW SCHOOL. "Dear Sir.-We have heard that the new school is to be erected at the corner of the old Brick Hill, if it is correct, it has been fixed in the | middle of traffic. There are 13 carts and sledges carting from Penfoci Quarry down to the shunt- ing part, which is by one corner of the new school, and there is heavy traffic from Chester to Ruthin. If there was only that land to be had it could not be helped, as we have heard there is other land being offered safe and in the centre. There is a very strong feeling of the parents for the safety of their children. Trusting you will take the matter into con- sideration. (Signed) Morris and T. C. Evans, J^hn Roberts, Elizabeth A. OldHeld, Naomi Jones, Martha Cottrell, Jonathan Cottrell, J. W. Cottrell, John Edwards, Elizabeth H. Jones, John Studdard." The Building Committee adopted the report of the sub-committee, and recommended the Educa- tion Committee to purchase quarter of an acre of the east portion of a pasture field abutting to and situate to the east of Ty'nrhos from Mrs Oldfield, of Ty'nrhos, for the sum of C50. MR EDWARD ROBERTS, in moving that the recommendation of the Building Committee, of yhielt he is the chairman, be accepted, said that Jle matters had been reconsidered in view of the -iotter from residents, but they persisted in their >pinion that the site recommended was the best. THE PRICE OF LAND. IS A SHILLING A TARD TOO MUCH ? MR GOMER ROBERTS said he quite agreed that the sue chosen was the best, but IVZLS not £ 50 a high price for a quarter of an acre? It seemed to him. in such a place ao Graianrhyd, and especially in fci»e face of the letter. He did cot think they must attach much weight to the letter, but it showed the situation to a certain extent. Mtd he would Like to have some explana- tion of the reason why it wa4- proposed to pay 4&W for a quarter of an acre, which was cluse upon a shilling a vard. 1 Ml-t EDWARD ROBERTS said the site was Irsvel and convenient, and the committee had a I long conversation with the owner, who asked for 1 very much more than she finally accepted. The J fend was not far from her house, and the value •i the House would not be improved by nutting A school there. I he v.HAlRMAN J am told that she is one I •I the ladies wlu have signed this petition MR JOHN ROBERTS (Joint Secretary) said Ite did not think that was correct, but he undcr- ftood that five of those who had signed the pofci- I gon were connected with one another by marriage MR EDWARD ROBERTS: I have been in the J (Bistrict, and have been told by people having an interest the place that the site selected by the committee is by far the best MR GOMER ROBERTS did not doubt that the ecmniirtee had selected the host place, but he questioned whether ihey should pay s. mnch for It iixs <Jlf AJLliLAM tautd is "attached to bouM, MR GOMER ROBERTS: It comes -to x:200 an aore, and are wo oing to pay at the ,-at-a of £ 200 an acrv in such an out of tbo way place ;& Graianrhyd vV« going to buy land- n-car Wrexham at rery neaiiy fcb-e price. Ï3 a do-ai of talking amd writing in regard to land valuation, and so forth, and he certain fch;u tiv-ire was no huid in that vicinity worth so much as £ 50 a quarto* of &ii acid even for Lrin.ding pur[K«e. P.i3 to the silo, tlio Llanar- mon peOJU; wou.d gruniibjo wWrover it tvae (laughter). JViR EDWARD ROBJiRTS &a!.d tJ;,re were four .'5it.;)¡) offered, and the price put upoet tfoeuii all was a js-hiiiing a yard. 'Jhu was a iiUlo j1.. than L> a yard. Mil -J. L. iDWFJvL: Does Mr Edward Ro bsrts feei tna-t the sum a.s-kcd for is fair? MR EDWARD ROBERTS: 1 think it ÎJ. THE CUisT OF COMPULSION. MR hoilh"ltis wished to know what the powers were of the authority to ooteiu land. Coui-d Uj-ey not compol owners to sell 1 The CHAIRMAN YAI.->, if wo will pay for it. The JOINT You would pro- bably have to pay more tlLtCl aod also pay the) expense; of the valuation. MR G031ER ROBjJii'IiS (persisting in his point) asked were thoy to pay what IJW»p»e af'lvod from Loom 7 Trus was a very small lII"t.c.r. but if a puhi.tj body was going t pay £ 200 per acre for iund in au out of the way dis- t ric ttnty wero going to got into a diiticuit [Kvsitkm. IvlH BEN NET JONES: And poor land loo. MR G. CROMAR said the was that the lanid wa, required fur spooia.1 purrKsses, and they had. to bear in mind that taking this land away t mm tho reduced WlI8 rcaumwi^r to eorno cx- 'a-.ik ill vaiue. THE QUESTION OF SAFETY. MR SIMON JONES iald ho did not dispute the pr.oc, but was the s..it-c "af. for the caildren ot trite cb strict-? Here were eight pare nits iiving in the -district who tiioug.Tt it wou.d bo ungate. MR C'liOMAR Aro they parents, Mr Jones (J.iug.'jkv) ill.1 SIMON JONES said he would like ih. atchitect to itiiorm the committed whether the site wouki be a oai-e one for the children going to and coming from ühooJ. Mr :le» rephed that though the school play- ground wouLd be at the cornor of entrance to it would be in the side read, and he did not think thore would be any danger at d. MR GOMER ROBERTS, calling for a repJy to iiio fjuear on, W:1-; informed that under the School Sites Aot the committ-eo couId pro- ceed to acquire compulsory f>owv,!t> to purchase at a coat of ten per oemt. mo1'() mor compulsory acquisition, and cxpori^nco had always prowd that to purchase by a.groam&nt was the cheaqwr plan. The resolution to confirm the of the quarter of art acre at a cost of £ 50 waa then agreed to- unanimously. EGLWYSBACH C-KURCH SCHOOL. Too managers wrote as follows:—"I beer to .a.j thai all tre requirements of tho Building Cciiiimi'tPoe wero eompiefced during the summer holidays, (a) Tiio interior of tbo building— pb.5tr Has been and the waLs and caiings cleaned down and d^-tempered; (b) two li replaces have be-on repair: -d; (c) Che flooring has been .piended; (d) windows have been sup- plied wJuh new cords; (e) the girls and infants' cloakrooms have been supplied with ail aok-ad (f) the iavatori'C.s have been suipiplied with suitabl' bajins, the river it* running wit/lin ten yards of the school. Tho managers have no control over We oieELner." GLANCONWAY CHURCH SCHOOL. The Correspondent oi the managers of till is school wrote:—" ihe maitagers are in gome diiii- ou.T &i to how to prcooed. with die proposed alterations. Three sets of pIanj, have bc-en sub- mitted to the county architect, and have now been licnlly approved of by Loth the County Council and the Board 01 Education. These I plans W0 submitted as a matter of courtesy to the Convrav Rural District Council, who de- manded various other sanitary works. The man- agers would be glad to have tho adviso of the County Council on the matter." The County Architect reported on tho letter of itiio Con-way ituria Counoii, and concluded with the follow- ing paragraph: "With regard .to the Rural Council .5 request as to the ventilation they have no power in dÚ. t'itwttor, ana evidently do not uiKi-erstand the priiioipe of OI'<H, ventilation whjch is adopted in the new classroom. It is not lik-aly the Board of Education, who have ajiproved of the -plans, would have overlooked such a vitaj maittor." A copy of the County ArcJutect's report was forwardred to the school managers. APPOINTMENT OF CLERK OF WORKS. One of the appoi.nto.cenis to be mado at the mooting was that of genoraL clerk of the works. There were 29 applicants who had sertt in appi» cations on the pro|>or fornw. The duties oi the new officer are to aol, under the. diicot super- viskm of Mr Walter D. Wiles, the county arcr-i- tect, to devote hi, whole time ,to the duties of the otfioe, and to bo in aitt.end.anoe at such bu-ildings .1.> ne may 00 directed during the wiio! vinie tha workmen were crvgag-ed tbeie, to «a niino -ill mitterallS and goods brought to Lito etc., and satisfy himselif they are in strict ;te- c-ordi ricc- wii.lt the &jr>eci'fi«i,tions, eite. The salary •at tathed to the offic-L, to bo E2 a week, tho 2Lge of dio aipplicanit- not to be urtcler 35 years. The woi'k upau winch tlto officer is to be engaged in tiio tirlt lnstarioo is the oroctiaii of tiio il-C W Council schools at Brymbo. The following four candidates appeared before tbe oomrmiitee and wore questionexi, giving an aocourt of their experiowoo: — Mr E. T. Bi-ad- j shaw, llawardon; Mr T. Jotmb, Brymbo, brick- Mr S. Nicnolas, QhJlJStown. builders' foro- man; and Mr W. D. Wiliiams, Liangolien, c'ork of works. A vote waa taken when it appea.rod that a majority of t,h nien>lxl.r.s pr>03eJ!C v/one in favour, of Mr W. D. WiilianLi, who was dochtred elec- ted. Mr Wkiiiants is a joiner by trails and 56 ye^rs of age. He was 17 years clerk of works oil ilie Wynn st-ny Estate at Llangedwyn up to Mairoli,iS&ii. 108 and plans and specifications and sirperin- tended the- eretviori of the National Solioot rut. Lhtngediwyn, which wa.i ref>ort ^l one o»f the best i sehook, ajid t'he only ono in Denbigliahire that ] required no improvements nor repairs when akneii ovor by tho Count-v Oouncil. LLANDDULASCHURCH SCHOOL, It was reported thAi t'3. new d-,Gks of this school ill avo now been duly dalu vcred. OVERCROWDING AT COLWYN. The secretaries reported that they had written to the Board of Education «vyui» (Lliat hhe aooommoda/tion at the t wo ifcli-oolg at Colw yn is sufficient for the Dmhigbahi-re ohjJdr^n at- tending, and that the overcrowding is causcd in consequence of children from outside the county attending the &choo.ks. The following is the T-eault of the inquiries made by the secretaries: —-Colwyn Council Stohool: Accommodation including temporaty premiios, .324; number on books, 310; num- ber of cllldren from Carnarvonshire, 121. Col wyn N.P. School: Aocommoda t ion SLDO!ud- inig temporary premises, 127; number on books, 150; number of ohildxen from Carnar- vonshire, 47. CLAIM AGAINST THE JBOARD OP EDUCATION. FIRM STAND BY THE COMMITTEE. With farther reference, to the application made to tho Boaxl of Education to contri- bute a moiety of the costs of ;the roc-ent Chancery Court Action in irogard to the Wrexham Parochial Charities °and Brymbo N.P. School, the secretaries etatod itlwut"tilie/ Lad rc]>Lied to the Boards Letter as follows — "The committee, aro not willing to rest uridor the charge of causing a. staitemeait to bo made 'entlirely at variance with the facts,' and they consider that a charge of suoh gravity should inot be imtde against a. public bodiy without proof. "The committee hold thait on a. fair iieridiiinig of tthe prooeodinga ,at the inquiry and the whole of tJw., .ü('rJ:(:¡pond,'nK" the statements ma-dd im our itUt.t.,jf of t111" Augnsit (t.> vltioh your Board's letter was a reply) a--e' correct, and wo would again irefer you to that letter in the light of the following fur'thc-r ohsiarvaticns. "The question as to whether a school (in w.ki-eh xeLigiou-s insta-uetion would be given in .SK'hoou hours in eonformiity with the doctrines of the Hjtablidhad Chui\'h of England couJd perTiijanentiy bo carried on dn the eohool bitildiiags belonging to the Wnexh.am Paro- tiitial ChaT do&M not even yet <).?- pear, so far, as we can find out. to have been dofiniiifcely settled by your Board. exc-opt 00 far as aoi inference t-h«r«oa can, be drawn from your Board's letter of the 13th MarcJi, 1909. This letter cante .as ,:I. surprise to the authority, and appeared to nti an entirely new cju.esii/ioa, via., that th-o prohibition against toa^6i ing in tho ejohool. und-er ilie foui.dation the doctrineis or tenets of the Clnuxih of England was limited to the toachars, and was itc-t. binding upon the cicrgymasn. There is no dou'bt thm.t but dor the j?eioeipt of tit is .letter, upon which the the ipt of tit is .letter, upon which the Loead BdwcStaon Authority, redyrrig soirfy on i^ai ftdrioe^teiad-etred by tiw Bwd t-eJ.t b&usud 5 1 to act, 'the (authority would not have carried -the matter further in tli-e direction in wtiich j it was carried. ",rll,e Local Education Authority are bound to say that they foel that your Board axe endeavouring to get r-id of the consequences of a mistake made 'by the Board itseJi, and avoid of the corsts by endeavouring unfairly to throve the hlame -Poll ih-e local Education Authority, uiiOtwithstanding that th-o i&.ue dctonT3iin«ed by the Court was oolely and entirely of th-o Batird's own raising. The Local Education Authority comsidcrcd they are under ithe^e circumstances fairly entitled to the contribition of a moiety of the costs, aoid woe are cgain instructed to press 'for the .same." The reply of c was approved. AUDITOR'S REPORT: THE FINANCIAL POSITION. Mr W. D. Easterl-ey, district auditor, re- ported a.s follows r-egardinig the -aceouaits of 4«he financial year ended March 31&t last: — "Tho -expenditure out of Itevenuo during the j-car tiliCL--)r audit for elementary educa- ¡ tion ,amounted to £ 73,87G 18s Id, as com- with ^82,423 128 3d, during the year .etld.oo March, 1900. This reduction Its largely accounted far by tho fact that the sum cxp-emded on the puriche&e of land and ervction off buildings amounted to X-948 SS lid, as agaiust £:>11;) 3s 3d in the prec-ediajg year. "Tito rcoeiip'ts on dem-entary education account exclusive of loan monies, amounted to £ 75,331 llis 3d, ieciud'ithe sum of X25.158 13s, boitig the prcduoe of two .rates at Gd and 5d in the £ respectively, levied oat tho wlw.0 of the area of tho county a.nd £ 4376 lb 8d, at varying ,ratc--s over tho special areas under ixction 18. (U, (C), and id), of tho Ivlucatica Act, 1902. "Tiio total moii-tgage debt on loans raised .for 'elcnteitiaiy education ptirposcw at the 31-st Mandl, It) 10, was £ 110,203 14s 4d. "On the higher education account the re- ceipts amounitid to £ 11,Gil 14s 4d. linoiuding £ 4572 m (5d, the produce of two rates at Id and respectively also a sum of .£1:)00 7s M, (the produce of a.1,4 rate nrdcr the Inter- m-ediat-e Education Act, 18S9. "Tho cxpead'i'tur.e on higher education amounted to £ 15,178 lis 9d. "Tlro total mortgage debt, on loans raised for higilier and intermediate od-u-catioii, was Ite ICkl, ,a.n dnca>ea«o 0:1 the preccdin-g year of £ 2713 15s 7d, doe in igrcat part to the raising of a loan of £ 3372 for the North Wailcs Training Colkwj at Bangor. ':The cixponditurc. out of, or iu cailrcipation of loans .raised for element ary cducat.on -was £ 3807 <6s 4d, as compared with £10)7 IGs lid in the preceding year. t BIGHEH EDUCATION: COLWYN BAY DISTRICT. "All school fees in this district are col- k'tft-ed and batfked by 'the- teoc-hers. TTio olcrk 'has no ciie-ck 0,1 the fees so collectcd •exiotipt that he know; how much is due. D tiring tho audit, I found that so vera-! of the teichors liad fees in their haaids. It is higthly dosirahle that t.lte fees whan colk'ot-ed by itlie. toachers should ho handed over to ^10 clerk and banked by him." MEDICAL INSPECTION COUNTY MEDICAL OFFICER. Arrangeitneaits were ordered to be mode witlt medioal officers of health fo.r tit& ni.edi-cai insjxct.ion of fcchool chiildren .urp to tli.e year caxling 31st July, 1911. The re- muneration be the same as last- year. T'he .salary oa the proposed medical officer of healilh wiill be £ 600 per annum, and travelling' >exj>enees, v.cth X54) per annum 'd ito .for clerical assififeanoe. Tho Bduoation Com- mit-tc> will .appoint tho same, ofiicor to su'porvl.ve the medical inspection of eehooil children, and contribute a projxxntioiiate amount of the salary. The post wClJ be advertised, and the appli- cants will bo reqitired to state their ago and experience." AiBEliGELE ATTENDANCE OFFICER. FHTDENHIUHSHIRE MAN A? POINTED. There w«re 93 -applicants for appoi.nt- m»ent of attonda'ne-e officer ait Abergele in place of Mr Chambers, iresigned and tha fol- lowing candidates attended the .me.e-tillg and wore interviewed: — Mir Liiewcllyn Davies, Ccfn Mawr, Rivaibon; Mr l>a-n"ie.l Eliiis, Tany- frt-i-, Wrexham; Mr Edward Williams, Cefn, St. Asaph. Tlie irttervi-ews took some time, and one good laugh at loa^t wias cau&ed during 'Jieen. Mr Daniel Ellis. who 'is a «ollieu', who in recent years has been attending evening schools and -acquiring a superior education, waa asked wltether he could cairy out the "rk ,of .proparin the [>eroentages of attead- tunce, etc., for ,the committee. lie said he could. He was thon asked whether lie had hod any experience as a canvasser. "OraJy politicalJy," he replied, the response being the canine of inueli mccnriment. Mr Gomer Roberts and oihher West Denbigh members eordiiai'jly sup|X>rt.:d Mr Edward Williams, ] of CfFn, wlio stated he was. a t'ucal postman land keeipeo." of a sub-poet office, and thait jhc knew the dcutriet he would be required to work in very well. The ad vacates of Mr Idewieiilyn Davies,Oeifn Mawr, sa.id that he was a, good stinger and had a brother who was a well-known singer. The allusion, apparent- ly !wa6 to Mr Emilyn Davies. Tho voting resulted itn 1;hoeo appointmcinit of Mr Llewellyn IXav.ies. vcome of the Wffit Denbighshire meanbecrs left the imeet-tng very sliortly after 01, the appointment. "AS YOU WERE." Applications were submitted from Mr W. E. Guikiid, attenctance officer for tho Colwyn Bay Distinct, and Mr E. Bithell, attendance officer for tho Rdwoddu Di-,triet, for txTinission to re- exohange districts; aiso, letters from the Colwyn Baor and Wroxham Di.itrict Mana^ei-j recom- mending the af>piicatione bo granted. After tsom" considerable djscaasion it vvii re- solved that M of tho reeommeaidatioii of tire district managier.>, the applioiubioiis be gra<njedi. Tho o&oers havo now returned to tneir foriner spbeuvs of influ-onoc for long at- beiwkuice. AWARDS FOR LONG ATTENDANCE. Mr R. Humphreys Robert, Daabi^h, askod tho committee whether th-sy would give apoeia! j»ri/. 'j to papik ire tho Denbigh d~-U..i K.-l- who hud an-ade íiv,) yeaj-s' full attoadajjoe. It wa I,(-- eoived tiitat a reply bo sent tisat the commit tee* re- gret they cannot sec their way to accede to the request. l,t was reported that silver watahej had been granted to tnc following scholars who bad made i/avtu years' fu-i attondaace, viz. Howell Ro- berta, B;>rii«un Boys' Council Sdiool; R. O. Ro- berts, Denbigh Love-lane School; and l\.o,s;}l' E. l'ryoe, di't'to. It was roportod that special prizxaj ui tiie value of Ii}" &d had a ward.c.d to the fuiiowin-g lor making six full at- tendance, viz.: Myfanwy Jonoi, Denbigh Girla N.P. School, and R. A. Williaim, Denbigh Love-lano School. LLANELIDAN CHURCH SCHOOL. An application from Mr G. R. Ed'M.'a.rJa. Gaith INeua-dd, L'aneudan, for t'he pri/o of 10s óJ; granted tua son for six y.eam'¡rert\l't atter,d- anoo to be paid in cash, watj granted. <JO IT A G.YRDENING IN LLANRWST DISTRICT. Tho DI-ttnot Managers were aaked to m-ake ar- range; rwints for renting a hold for L; an/duo got Ghurc'h iSohooi for not mere taa-n 15;i ¡x:r ax..iu,-ii, and that:, tho head teacher bo allowed tho pro- duee on .<)üJiÎti0Jl ttuut no provides ooeds. Th-o headmaster's garden at Eglwy&bacri j Chiuoh school w-ili be utilised for the purp<^e. j Gomiiut'toe wiJ provide the aeod. and ).hc head teacher wail be allowed the produce in re- turrt for the garden. Similar arriuige.aioiila were mat!? in eonnee- iion with Blaexnau, Luangerniow and ooicway oc.hooU. Thx* pro visi"n oi tools was k>ft to tiio dutr.ct jnanageis, the sum not to in reeipoot uf each echool. The JIliriDt managers were roq^ueated ta make recoaime.ndationis ,1],:> aocn ad poss ible wath re- ga-rd to the inclusion, of cottage gardening in tho curriculum of tlie Longermiew, Gayuherm, and Oajxl Garmon aohoois. APPOINTMENTS. Th? foliowin.g appointmemte were made a.t the rale of salary si-in-ed ;—Miss Gwiad^s J. Jones, Denbigh, Frorug-och Infant;, ortift-cated, £ '/5. Mr Jonn VViuttak-er, eoiiergency toaclier, £ 80 and travoiiling cxpoinses. Ma::r¡ Lucy A. RobortB, Idainrwat Giris C., Art. 50, L40. Mr John Hay- ward, Pentrecel[yn C., Art. 50, £5<J, Mr Anthur Jonei, Gvvytberui C., Art. 50, Esa lO, Alias M. K Davies, head toaehor, Nantyrhiw Ooiineil Seltool, JC95. Mr Arthur Janet., anicertiiicaited, f,50, Mr John Howard. unoertiifcsaijed, Ruthiai c.. £ 50. Mr R. F. Watkins, unoertificaiixl, PentreoeJyn C., B52 1{}; Mlzs Lucy A. Roberts, uncortriioatod, IJanrwat C., £40. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS. Tlie following appoiirtane.jiits wero confirmed at £ be Mlaxiea ffot opposite their gaanw;—Mr L GiiHitlifi, Rut!an N.P., C30 from commencement of duties. Mii; i 1 i:ki-a Griffiths, C-aiwyn N.P., Art. 50, £40. Miss M. J. Parry, Colwyn N.P., Art. 50, £ 42 10s. Miss Mary E. Jonoi, Llan- N.P., Art. 5,3, E42 10s. Mrs S. Jones, Llandyrncig N.P., tewing mistress, £6. Miss Violet Bailer, Art. 59, Denbigh Giris N.P., £40. Mi« Katie Evans, Art. 68, Ijjaiigwm N.P., £ 27 10s. Ms., Rubic Kdwar<h, ai=n tant, Iikto- rwafc N.P., £ 40. Miss Florence WiLLanis, ist- ant, Lkuidiegla N.P., 1;15. TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. The Chairman of the Staff and Supply C-ocn- mit?tee stated that his committee were proposing to establish centres for t-xihaieai iustrootion in coTiTonient spots through tho county available to the children of every sc.iiooi in the coluity. both rural tlrd industrial. BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE COUNTY SCHOOLS. DENBIGHSHIRES iU>iTA' TO THE BOARD S CRITICISM. At, the last meeting a specjai commi-ttee was iupi/Ointed to con>uier the Board of Education's ivport the iniermediato ec-hoob of Wales. A iong statoment was now preiJesricd on the sub- ject, .signed by Mr J. E. l'owoed. Mr W. G. Dodd, and Mr J. Dariington. It stated that to the Board's report there were at least three grave obpet.ons—aaiuo.y, that the criticisms it c'OH.,ainQd. wero ono-sided, that the maruior in which the report wa; issacd was more iiikely to injure tao schools than to effect an improve- meut, and that as far as the county of Donb.gh was concerned the charge tivit th-e rchooio wore '•piodiiting a wooden and unintelligent type of mind" appeared to be unfounded and not in accord witii tlie cxammerj' reports. AN INJURIOUS REPORT. Mr J. E. Powell, as tIl-e chairman of tho special committee, moved that the report;. be adopted, and Lh!at the committee have. power to mahe such use of it as thoy think best- As to the fir.A contention of the committee that the report was unju-st, one-sidod, and >mis- ieadmg, he gave some quotations from tine Cen- tral Beard report which, ho held, proved the correctnesi of that description in regard to one instance. Mr Powel proceeded :— GUlf second contention is that the mode of procedure adopted by the Board is unfortunately more Ukaiy to injure the schoo's than bring about an improvement. The Board of Educa- tion sent a copy of its report to the clerks of the local goyeraing- bodies, aecoixiipanied by a tetter directing special attelitio;, to its contents, The report states that "elasticity and adapt- ability of curriculum and the development of in t-ne scihools 2H\) divficu-ft nr,<er such a highly centralised system of ex- amination." The Central Welsh Board, on the other hand, ctaited that "tho schools .generally present a conTiderahlo variety of type. which must be noticeable toO those who have any in- terior knowledge of the system. The course adopted by the Bo&rd of Educa- tion does not appear to u; to be the right one, if A intended to improve the work in the schools. Should it not, in fcne tixst instance, iiavo diacu:ocd the wholio qucation with Exoeuitive Commiifctee of tie Central V\ e!s,i Bc-ard, and not hive gone directly to the school authorities with a report; of this nature, W h;11 is calculated to do far mo:e harm than good? On a previous occasion, when a difference arose between the two authorities, V:c Centre! W-eish Boa.rd ip,,),ntcd a deputation ropreecnting every | county 111 Wales to wait upon Mr Runcrman, and this deputation was accamjjanied by the Wehh mamlxra of Pari lame rut, and in conse- ci'ucnoe of the representations, mado the circu- hur coniplainod of at thc) tinio wa., wthdrawn. L<\},b0r the interview a. small oommittce was ap- ■{ioivitod to meet the officials of the Bc-Lircl o Education in order to see what arrangement: could be made for any future contingency, oir Herbert Roberts, Bart,, M.P., took an active pert in this matter, and at the interview at which I was present a suggestion was modo that coorisiona.l con fere noes should be held between t.bo hro authorities. Undoubtedly thN weird have been the proper course for the Board of EdtLoation to aciopt on this occasion, and net the ono chosen (iippiauee). "WOODEN AND UNINTELLIGENT." Now 1 come to the most serious indictment brought against the schools, that "of producing a wjoe'en and unintelligent type of mind. Each county must consider ihis charge for itscif, but so far a:: the county of Denbigh is concerned it h no foundation in fact. Such grave charges ought never to have been made unless the evi- dence had been of the clearest and strongest character possible, and the only evidence pro- duced consists of quotations from the examiner: report. which quotations arc one-sided and do not bear out the charge. We are all interesteu in the intermediate schools of the county, and many arc active members of the local governing bodies, and have children attending the school. We know the solid work that is being done by our headmasters and headmistresses and their staffs. The Chancellor of the Exchequer accu- rately gauged the work done by our schools when he stated that the future "leaders of thought and captains of industry" would be those who had passed through our intermediate schools. In the Denbighshire schools during the past fifteen years at least 19 scholarships and exhibitions have been gained at the Universities of Oxford and Cam- bridge and 53 at the newer Universities directly from the schools. The brilliant subsequent laid, and gives fair evidence that they have been laid, and gives fair evidence that they have been intelligently trained. Having given a list of appointments secured by students lrom tjro county, Mr Powell asked: (ould such successes as these be achieved by students of "a wooden and unintelligent type of mind." If so it was not saying much for the keenness and judgment of the chief universities of England and Wales, and the Government de- partments who had made some of appoint- ments. Many former pupils were occupying posi- tions of importance in various professions, and a large number were teachers in elementary schools. Upwards of one hundred from one school alone were engaged in that work. UNIVERSITY TESTIMONY. Quoting the speech of Professor Phillips at the University College meeting at Chester on Wed- nesday, Mr Powell point.ed out that it was in itself a fine testimonial to the revolution in Wales which the county schools were effecting. The university colieges in Wales were not now, as Professor Phillips explained, doing secondary work because, tlianlis to the county schools, the students going up to the colleges were ready to enter directly upon their degree courses (applause) Surely the record he had given was a sufficient refutation of the charge that there was no elasticity in the Welsh intermediate system. If farther proof were needed that tho schools are fulfilling tlieir true function of preparing men and women for the battle of life, it might be found in the earnest desire shown by the parents to send their children to these schools, and the sacrifice they made to keep them there. In 1896 there were 408 pupils in the intermediate schools of the county; in 1900, 525 pupils; in 1905. 709 pupils; and in 1908. 1030 pupils (applause). They owed a debt to the Central Welsh Board for having so well organised the system of inter- mediate education, and as chairman of the Inter- mediate C ommittee he desired to pay a tribute to the splendid work done by the headmasters and headmistresses and their staffs (applause). "OBLIQUE VISION OR SPLEEN." Mr D. S. DAVIES seconded the proposition of Mr Powell, contending that there was ample evi- dence to disprove the allegation heard every now and then that their secondary system was a cast- iron one. There was a fair field all round, and distinction was achieved by students in every branch. Ho felt very strongly that the Board of Education, when it intended to issue so severely expressed a cr.tieism should first of all have sub- mitted it to the Central Welsh Board (Iieax, hear). MR SIMON JONES said he thought it was a case of the Prophet Baalam forgetting to bring his good counsellor with him to keep him right (laughter). MR J. S. JONES held that the controversy was an argument in favour of Home Rule for Wales. Why should there be this dual system of authorities in Whales? (applause). MR CHRISTMAS JONES said that whoever was responsible for the report was guilty either of oblique vision or spleen as a result of the jealousy arising from tho dual inspection (hear, hear). A SAPIENT SUGGESTION. MR GOMER ROBERTS, while strongly dis- approving of the discourtesy of the report and of its apparent bias, urged the Committee not to ignore the criticism, but to do their best to profit by it It could not be said that the county schools were in a state of ideal perfection. There was a certain amount of truth in the report. MR J. E. POWELL: There is a difference be- tween fair and unfair criticism. We complain that tli.s Board of Education havo issued an unfair statement, and nothing can justify un- fairness. MR GOMER ROBERTS: I am not defending that. MR POWELL remarked that the Board of Education had a rule that reports of exaers ] should be submitted in their entirety. Here thqy broke their own ruley and matfe a collection of extracts which had a damaging effect when removed from their context. MR F. A. STURGE, while in full sympathy with Mr Powell, held that, irrespective of th brilliant exceptions, the schools could make a very good defence in the general standard of excellence of the education of the boys and girlx who passed through them (applause). THE CHAIRMAN, before putting the resolu- tion to the meeting, said they all realised that they were only a very short distance on the way to perfection in regard to tho system of educa- tion, but they could not otherwise than keenly resent an attack upon the schools which was sup- ported by extracts torn from the context of the examiners' reports. Looking at the matter as a member of the Executive of the Central Welsli Board, he felt that the Board had been treated badly. The representatives of the Board of Edu- cation attended regularly the meetings of the Central Welsh Board, and had their share of the responsibility for the decisions thereat, and therefore it was the more exasperating to find I the comparatively rosy, though still just, report of the Central Board given such a different com- plexion in the effusion which had been issued with the connivance of the chief officials of the Board of Education (hear, hear). The resolution was unanimously adopted.