Llais Llafur

I YSTEABGYNLAIS COUNCil AFFAIRS. ——— Coroner's Strictures on Councilors- Clerk and Audit of Accounts, The monthly meeting of the Ystrad- gynlais Council was held on Thurs- day. Mr Tom Williams, J.P., presided. Others present were Messrs. Ben Wil- Sams, David Lewis, Rhys Chapman, J. Ho wells, W. Waiters, J. W. Morgan, Lewis Thomas D. R. Morgan. Jestyn Jeffreys (clerk): Thos. Watkins (sur- veyor) and G. J. Rees (sanitary in- spector). "TEDDY BEAR" BRIDGE. When the question of confirming the minutes cropped up, Mr Ben Williams teaid th¡;,t the minutes in regard to the special meeting held in regard to Ainon Bridge were not included. At that meeting they decided to ask the coroner to withdraw certain statements Which he had made about the Council. He would like to know wheMler they were going to adhere to that resolution to ask the coroner to apologise. | The Clerk explained that the resolu- faion regarding the bridge had reached liim too late to be included in the other minutes, which were in print. The resolution, however, would be ijped, and included in the proper way. Mr David Lewis said he failed to see why the coroner should get scot free after what he had said. He should be asked to apologise. Mr Ben Williams said the Council had been insulted by the coroner, and felt that they had a perfect right in asking him to apologise. The Coun- cil, unfortunately, had got a name which was not a very enviable one, but na public men he was sure they con- sidered the statementa made by the ooroner as unjustifiable. He, there- fore moved that they ask the coroner to apologise. The statements made by the coroner were derogatory to them as Councillors, and he should withdraw them like a gentleman. Mr J. Howells said the coroner was always down on the Council whnev he had a chance. The Chairman said the coroner h- 1 a very foeble idea- of the work they h 1 to do as councilors, and that voh. i- tariiy, whilst the coroner was paid Jr efvery hour he traveHed. The Clerk then reported upon v .ict toaaspired at the inquest, and men- tioned that the coroner in summing up pinned 'the Council to the fact that they had given silent consent in regard to the retaining wall being removed. The Clerk said he had asked the ooroner to allow him a proper fee for bis attendance at the inquest, and as a sworn witness, instead of asking the Council to bear the expense. The coroner had replied that he had placed his application before the Finance Clerk for the County, and the latter had stated that he could oniv approve of the payment of 28.M. which was the ordinary witness's fee The coroner in his letter wrote to the effect that per- sonally he regretted the fact having re- gard to the valuable assistance which he (Mr Jeffreys) had given at the in- quest. Mr Ben Williams said he understood that the coroner mentioned at the in- quest that the Clerk had a lot of angels to deal with. With due respect to the coroner, ard seeing that the Clerk had given such valuable assist- ance, he moved that they ask the coroner to pay the Clerk the sum he was entitled to. Mr D. R. Morgan seconded. He understood that the coroner mentioned at the second inquest that it was a disgraceful act on the part of the Council in not attending as requested, especially as the question of economis- ing was so much before the country. He considered it was the duty of the coroner to summon the Council properly to the inquest, and then a good deal of expense would have been saved. They as a Council should adhere to the resolution they had passed. Mr David Lewis said lie quite agreed with the remarks made that they should ask the coroner to pay the fees of Mr Jeffreys for attending the in- quest. He failed to see what justifica- tion the coroner had in making such remarks, and he was sure that they as councillors could stand by the side of Mr Jones any day aa far as charac- ter was conformed. He did not mean in regard to pocket, but to human character, and not a beastly character. The Clerk explained that if the coroner paid the fee without consulting the Finance Clerk, the chances were that the coroner would be surcharged. Mr David Lewis said he ought to be surcharged. The Chairman again said that the coroner had a feeble idea of the time and labour put in voluntarily by the councillors. He was surprised to hear the coroner makng such remarks, and he (the speaker) considered himself equal to the coroner at any time as far as character was concerned. The coroner had asked the foreman of the jury if ho was on the Council, and when the foreman replied in the nega- tive the "roner said that it was to his credit that he was not on the Coon- cil. He (the chairman) said they ought to insist upon the withdrawal of the words. Mr Ben Williams said it was only adding insuit to injury for the coroner to tell the Clerk that he had such angels to deal with. Mr Lewis Thomas remarked that if the coroner made the stat-aments upon the evidence of some of the witnesses he should tell the Council straight that he had been misled. The resolution of Mr Ben Williams that they ask the coroner to withdraw the statements, and hat he should pay the Clerk's fee for the valuable evi- dence given was carried. While on the bridge question, the Clerk read a letter from t L.G.B. in reply to the Council's letter of Dec. 7th, as to whether they could erect a bridge and pay the costs out of rates, i The L.G.B. stated that the Board's -appi-oval-A-as not required, as a loan was not to be raised. The Board, how- ever, was unable to express any opin- ion about the proposal without know- ing the details, but their general view was that all expenditure which was not absolutely essential should be avoided at present. A letter was also read from Mr Hy. Williams, secretary of the Yniscedwyn Workmen's Lodge, pointing out the need for a proper bridge for the con- veni,ence of the workmen. Mr J. W. Morgan said there was a resolution on the books that they should, spend £ 180 to t200 on a new bridge, provided the L.G.B. was will- ing for them to pay for it out of the current rates. Mr D. R. Morgan said they should be content at present in going in for a footbridge, and then tackle the matter after the war was over. He was quite in sympathy with the men who made the application. Mr J. W. Morgan said he failed to see why they should wait to the end of the war, and th«b have to build a bridge at ?900 odd to suit the require- ments of the Local Government Board. Mr Lewis Thomas said that three years ago a resolution was passed deal- ing with the retaining wall at Cwm- twreh. He maintained that if that had to hang over, that everything else should also be brought to a standstill, nothwithstanding which narish ii was I in. He approved, however, of a foot- bridge for the workmen, because it served as a short out. At this stage several members felt that the Parish Council should have a say in the matter if they only went in for a footbridge. After further discussion it was de- cided that the Chairman, together with Messrs. J. Howells and Rhys Chap- man should wait as a deputation upon i the Parish Council LETTER FROM DR. RICHARDS A letter was read from Dr. T. E. Richards expressing surprise that the Council was surprised that they had not heard from him at the previous meeting. He regretted very much that this should have happened, and he as- Burred them that it was not meant as any discourtesy. The reason was that he did not receive the customary notice and he therefore concluded that the meeting was not due in a month after the previous meeting. For the same reason Dr. S. J. Watson delayed put- ting in his application for the appoint- ment of M.O.H. in succession to him- self. His annual report for 1914 was now in hand, and he hoped to have it print-ed in about a fortnight.. In his monthly report for October, he stated that the births notified were 17, of which 7 were males and 10 fema.les. The total yielded an annual birthrate of 17 per 1,000 inhabitants. The deaths, registered were 13, which was equivalent to a death rate of 13 per 1,000. Four cases of infectious diseases were notified. NEW M.O.H 1Jr. Walsh, the new M.O.H., attend- ed the meeting, and presented his re- port for the month of November. He reported that the health of the Dis- trict was remarkably gyood. He also gave statistics, and mentioned that one I case of diphtheria was reported from Abercrave. Mr D. R. Morgan asked if anti-toxin had been used in connection with the I diphtheria case. I Dr Walsh replied that no application had been made to him for anti-toxin by Dr. Watson, who had reported the case. I Mr Morgan threw out the sugges- tion that the M.O.H. should ask the various doctors to apply to him for anti-toxin in all cases of diphtheria. This was agreed to. NO NEW J.P.'S JUST NOW. Mr J. E. Moore-Gwyn, acting Lord Lieu tenan t for Breooruillire, wrote stating that he had considered the Council's application for more justices at Ystradgynlais. He had inquired into the circumstances prevailing, and he found that there was a sufficient number of Justices in the Division to form a full Court, and that the Court had so far not been in any way hamper- ed in the discharge of its judicial and administrative duties by any want of attending justices. There were a con- siderable number of justices living in the vicinity of Ystradgynlais, and with- in ea,s, reach, and it seemed to him that even if there was a little extra distance to be travelled by persons re- quirirg summonses, it was a. very small matter under present circumstances. In conclusion he felt that the whole ques- tion should be postponed until the con- clusion of the war. APPEAL FOR ARTIFICIAL LEGS. Mr Justin McCarthy, Garden City, Ystradgynlais, wrote asking the Coun- cil if they could see their way clear to provide him with a pair of artificial legs, which would cost about £40. He vould appreciate their generosity if they would allow him to pay the ar- rears he owed in respect to his house: by instalments. He was a cripple, and he had no one to appeal to. The Council decided that they could not entertain the applicaton. i DANGER SIGNALS- I A letter was read from the Clerk of j the Breoonshire Council to the effect that the County Roads Surveyor had been directed to erect motor danger signals near Abercrave, Yniscedwyn, j Penrhos, and Gurnos Schools. THE AUDIT AGAIN. ) Mr Lewis Thomas said that at the previous meeting of the Council, when the minutes came up for confirmation dealing with the minutes of the ordin- ] ary meeting of November 4th, and of the special meetings of Nov. 11th and j 25th, as printed and circulated, he; asked the Clerk a question in regard to the audit. At that time he was not quite satisfied with minute until he had tup Clork. ihey remembered, the Clerk told them that the audit had passed off satisfactorily, and on the strength of that he voted for the confirmation of the minutes. According to the information he (Mr. Thomas) now had, he understood, that the audit did not close until Decem- ber 7th. The Clerk said the audit had closed satisfactory in every sense of the word, and that was what he said at the pre- vious meeting. There was one sheet, however, dealing with the ifnancial statement which was written out in pencil, in order that the auditor could make alterations if he wished to do so. After the statement was approved of, the audit was adjourned pro-forma until the statement was inked in. After this had been done, it was sent away to be stamped, and when it was returned it was signed by the auditor. Mr Lewis Thomas said he understood the Clerk to say that everything had passed off satisfactory. Mr Jeffreys replied it had as far as he knew. Mr Lewis Thomas said he had it from the auditor that there was something to come from the L.G.B. on the matter.. Mr Jeffreys said he could not say what the L.G.B. had to do with it. Mr Thomas: Are you satisfied that the audit was satisfactory. j Clerk: As far as I know. Mr Ben Williams asked whether the L.G.B. issued a certificate at any time in regard to audit. The Clerk replied in the negative. Mr J. Howells said he had heard from Mr William Morgan that the audit had not finished The Chairman said that what Mr Howells had heard was clean out of order. Mr Howells said he understood that there was some kind of report to come from the L.G.B. Mr Jeffreys said that so far he had not received any communication of any kind or sort. The Chairman protested against Mr Howells bringing in the name of Mr Morgan before the meeting. He was nothing to them. Mr Lewis Thomas asked why Mr Pughe Jones, the auditor should writiC him to the effect that, he would get a report from the Local Government Board on the matter. The Clerk replied that. he knew nothing about that. Mf Lewis Thomas said that. person- ally he did not feel satisfied that the minute had been confirmed, especially if there was something to come from the Local Government Board Mr J. H«w«lls asked why the Clerk had brought his report before a private meeting at Pontardawe. The Clerk replied that it was not a privat0 meeting. The Chairman said it was a meeting of the whole Council. Mr D. It. Morgan said there was a Council meeting held in Pontardawe, and the Clerk who had received a letter from the audit-or in regard to Mr Wm. Morgan, who took that opportunity, which was the first he had to place the matter before the Council. The meeting was properly convened in every respect, and the Clerk was quite satisfied in bringing the matter on. The Council that day approved of the Clerk's explanation, and he (Mr Mor- gan) protested most emphatically against any complaint which had ap- peared in "Llais Llafur." He would say again that the meeting had been properly convened to discuss the ques- tion of economy in regard to lighting, and on that day their Clerk read out quite frankly the letter he had received from the auditor. At another meeting of the Council, which had been held for certain purpose, they had discussed questions relating to the officials' ex- penses. Under the circumstances, why should they object to the Clerk bring- ing on the matter at the Pontardawe meeting. The only pity, as far as he coul see, was that the press was not represented. Mr David Lewis said they should ask Mr HoweJls to withdrawn his state, ment in regard to the Pontardawe tfnoeting. Mr Howells agreed to withdraw. Mr David Lewis said he failed to see why some members should take any, notice of these complaints after the matter had been finished with. Mr Lewis Thomas had a perfect right to ask his question, but lie could not understand members turning round when something seemed to go against them. He asked them to be manl* y at all events. j Mr J. Howells said he did not know about the complaints until he saw them in the paper. Mr D. R. Morgan thought that Mr Howells should withdraw that also. Proceeding. Mr Morgan said that Mr Howells knew all about the matter at Pontardawe. The Chairman remarked that the whole matter was only a personal grudge and malice against the Clerk by one man, and that was why the jj letter had appeared in the Press. Mr. Lewis Thomas said he understood that the whole complaint was in regard to the retaining by the clerk of Lio from Mr. William Morgan. Mr. Jeffreys had told them that he admitted it to be illegal. Mr. Jeffreysj Unwise I said, sir. It j was Mr. Pugh Jones who said I had no legal right to do so. ¡ Chairman I We all know it was not right. Mr. Lewis Thomas said that if that W2.!i so, why should th.- clerk state that everything had passed off satisfactory. j The clerk replied that everything had pMs&d off satisfactorily after the explana- tion given. ] Mr. David Lewis said that it would be early enough to discuss the matter if they had a report from the Local, Government Board. j Mr. D. R. Morgan moved that they adhere to the resolution passed at Pontar dawe until they heard to the contrary. Mr. Rhys Chapman seconded. Mr. Ben Williams said that the pivot upon which Mr. Lewis Thomas remarked was the reply from the auditor that a report would come in from the Local i Government Board. Mr. Thomas was justified in bringing the matter forward, ï1. thought that without any- i. i.L. .1.0(:1 Government they could do nothing. It they heard any- thing from the latter, then they could move that the minute referred to be rescinded. Mr. D. R. Morgan said he failed te see why they should shake their wings as the result of a letter in the Press. If they heard anything from the Local Government Board, he assured them, it would receive his most conscientious con- sideration, but until that arrived, the resolution should be adhered to. The suggestion of Mr. D. R. Morgan was therefexne agreed to.