Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

CARNARVON. I

Rhestrau Manwl, Canlyniadau a Chanllawiau
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

CARNARVON. QCABTERI.V MEETING OF THK CORPORATION—ELECTION OF MAYOR. The quarterly meeting of the members of the Cor- poration was lull in the Guildhall, V un.uv.m,twe.ve o'clock at noon, on Saturday lust, the lith f November, when the following members, including those newly elected, were present-Llewelyn Turner, Esq., Mr T Turner, t'r W. W. Roberts, Mr Robert Griffith, Mr Thomas Hobley, Mr John Davies, Dr Maugham, Mr J. r. De Wiiiton, Mr Hugh Jones, Mr Watkiu Williams, Mr Hugh Humphreys, Mr Richard Griffitiis, Captain Pears >11, Mr William Thomas, Mr Hohert Jones, Mr William Roberts, Mr Simon Hobley, Mr Lewis Lewis, Mr John Owen, and Mr r. G. Cowell. ELECTION OF MAYOR. The new members having made the usual declara- tion, Mr E. W. Powell said the first thing which tie Council had to do was to elect a Mayor for the ensuing year. Dr W. W. Roberts then rose and spoke as fo]1,)\vs Mr Mayor and Gentlemen,—A very pleasing and a very important duty devolves upon me tlrs morning,and one I enter upon with mingled feelings of great diffidence, and at the same time'great confidence it is to propose the re-election of Mr Llewelyn Turner as mayor ■ > £ Car- narvon for the ninth time. I feel gi-eilt (liflilleiiee, for I am conscious of my utter inability to convey to you, Mr Mayor, the deep sense of gratitude which every member of this council must feel to you for the faithful, zealous and devoted manner in which you have dis- charged the duties of the office during the many years you have occupied the position of chief magistrate of this Borough aud I do not think that we can show our great appreciation for your services in a more clear and expressive way than by re-electing y»u to the high and honourable post which you have hitherto so ably and worthily filled. I have had the pleasure of knowing the Mayor for a great many 'years, and I believe the first great object of his life has been to do good to Carnarvon. He ha-rungrndgingly given his time, sacrificed his private interests, and laid aside every personal consideration in favour of that object. Gentlemen, we have passed through a very serious and a very gloomy crisis in the history of Carnarvon since we assembled here this time last year. I need not remind you of the great and un- wearied exertions of the Mayor, in endeavouiiog to mitigate the evils which that terrible visitation of dis- ease entailed upon the people of this town. You are all too well acquainted with his unsellish, constant, uuceas- ing efforts, on all occasions to promote the best interests of the town, and the well-being of its inhabitants to make it necessary for me to dwell on that subject; but I must reminlyou that it is our duty to participate j with him iu those efforts, to take a share in that great work, and cordial co-operation for the future. e will rejoice at the happy completion of tiie waterworks, aud the satisfactory progress of the drainage, but you all know that much yet remains to be done. Most im- portant.subjects will occupy your attention during the coming year. The taxation of the Borough, the junction of the railways through the town, the harbour works and we require a man not only imbued with an intense love for Carnarvon, but possessed of a thorough know- ledge of law, combined with business habits, to preside over our deliberations, to assist us in regulating and con- trolling the taxation of the Borough, and to bring to a successful termination all the works of improvement required to make Carnarvon one of the healthiest and most prosperous towns in Wales. Such a man we have got ill the present Mayor. 1 have the greatest pleasure in proposing his re-election. (Loud cheers.) Mr Robert Griffith seconded the resolution, which he said he had great pleasure in doiug, as he could endorse all that Dr Roberts had said in reference to the ser- vices which Mr Turner had rendered the town for so many years, as their Mayor. (Loud cheers.) No other candidate being proposed, Mr Turner was declared to be duly elected Mayor of Carnarvon for the ensuing year. The Mayor in returning thanks spoke to the following effect Geutleinext)-lil thanking you for the confidence which you have displayed in electing me for the ninth successive year to the post of Chief magistrate of this ancient borough, I feel that uo assurance on my part is requisite (to those at least of you who have acted with me for any number of years in the pnblic business of the town); that nothing but the earnest desire for which Mr Roberts has given me credit, which 1 have always felt for cai rying out those improvements so neces- sary to the welfare of the place; and of which it is so capable would have induced me, either now or here- tofore, to GOCÐpt au uffice, the honest performance of which entails so large an amount of anxiety, labour aud responsibility. I am quite aware that the office of mayor is frequently looked upou as a sort of civic honour to be bestowed irrespective of other and higher considerations of the claim of work to be done. I con- fess I never could so regard it, and to my mind it is sin:ply an instrument placed in the hands of an individual which he should to the very utmost of his ability wield for the general good for the promotion of improve- ments, for the. inaiiiteutitce of existing rights, and the resistance of encroachments and wrongs. Mr Watkin Roberts in his address has feelingly alluded to that terrible crisis through which we passed a little later than this time last year, the first dark clouds of which had already appeared oil the horizon of their futuie. The tempest which causes serious injury, is frequently bene- ficial in clearing the atmosphere; and deeply as I sym- pathize with the fate of those who perished during that period of depression, 1 cannot help thinking that in Jod's providence it may have been, and I believe it will prove to have been the safeguard of many in the future. I feel deeply thankful to be enabled now to refer to docu- ments which speak for themselves. When I state, that terrible as that ordeal was, it was neither unforseen, nor unpredicted. Before the cholera reached any part of the shores of Great Britain, a notice was delivered in every dwelling in this town, and posted in all conspi- cuous places, warning the inhabitants of the necessity of being up and doing. The penalties for harbouring filth were pointed out, and assistance to the poor in cleaning were offered. These notices were repeated when the disease appeared in England. In the first week of March, 1866, I felt it my duty to convene a joint meeting of the Corporation and the Boaid of Guardians, in conse- quence of a fever which had prevailed in a back street, of the Smithfield district for some months; the meeting was held in this room on the 6th of March, 1866, and feeling (as I stated in my subsequent report to the Privy Council) a strong conviction that that fever was a pre- cursor to cholera," I thus drew the attention of the joint meeting to the matter: "Depend upon it that this is but the advanced guard of that more formidable foe of the certain approach of which I have felt it my duty to utter so many warnings. Would that we could get houses erected on fresh ground for the labouring poor." On this same 6th day of March, 1866, more than eight months before the first case of cholera appeared in Carnarvon, I wrote to the Privy Council a letter, a copy of which I hold in my hand. Time will not allow me to read it at length, I will therefore simply quote the following paragraphI have to request that the most prompt steps be taken for putting the diseases pre- vention act in force in the Carnarvon Union." The letter goes on to state that there were several dens that ought to be closed, and that the powers in the hands of the authorities, without that act, were such as not to enable us to combat the evil. The application was re- fused, the case not being in the judgment of the officers of the Privy Council strong enough. So you see de- spite the Government report issued in the end of De- cember (a report quite correct as far as the limited know- ledge of the place enabled the government inspector to know the facts), those very powers, without which the law enabled us to do next to nothing were denied to us. By that act,—which ought always to be in force in a civilized community,—authorities are enabled to make very summary attacks upon tilth wherever found. I have every respect for the real principles involved in the much misused phrases "the rights of property" and "the liberty of the subject," but I protest against any property in dirt, and against the liberty of the subject being extended to his either occupying, or letting others occupy for his gain, an unwholesome dwelling. Now the law of the land not only gives those powers, which it formerly withheld, but vastly extended powers. And it not only gives them, but it compels the local author- ities to drain and to supply wholesome water. I know there are those to be found who complain of dirt, absence of water, and drainage on the one hand, and of the ex- pense of carrying them out on the other. (Quidnuncs who write anonymous attacks in newspapers, and spout to uneducated audiences in daik places. In all good humour I would say to such people or rather to the dupes they wilfully mislead, which would you pre- fer, having those things which the law requires to be done, carried out under the direction of the largest rate- payers, in the place of those who having to pay rates themselves, feel a strong personal interest in getting everything done as well and as cheap as possible, or on the other hand having it done (after a costly prosecution in the court; of Queen's Bench) by a corps of Royal Engineers, or under the direction of government engineer officers at our expense ? Mr Roberts remarked that much had been done, and much remained to be done," that is true Rome,(we are told) was not built in a day." I might witii double significance at the present moment of absorbing public interest especially reverse the pro- verb and say Rome cannot be unbuilt in a day."—To compare very small things with great, like once mighty Rome this place was once the seat of emperors and of kings, and like Rome, too, it was the seat of a certain civilization succeeded by ages of barbarism, and conse- quent decay. Rome had on a scale of magnificence her aqueducts and baths, displaying a highly polished appre- ciation of what was requisite for personal cleanliness and decency. If we turn to our own ancient Segontium, the spade of the antiquary, and the pick ofthe labourer discover to our view similar remains of Roman manners. »ud if we look at our grand old castle, majestic in its proportions, strikingly beautiful in its (le- sign, we find it abounding with those conveniences which uiaybe looked for in vain in the more modern excrescen- ces called houses, hich defile aull disgrace its continuity; and we also liud throughout its walls the remains ol those large pipes which conveyed pure water throughout the building. he 1IJtl.Íve mUl\nmeuts of the greatness of the iiist F.dward were despoiled in later years by the corrnpt allll unpatriotic Charles the second, andheie too a past civilization (of one kind at least) was succeeded by age8 of semi-barbarism, ages in which ignorance was successfully antagonistic to architecture, and in which (j'ulijiiiij; fiom the absence ot all provision for water, and for the commonest requirements of a house) decency was at a discount. Hut why dwell on these things? be- cause I desire to awaken a public feeling for restoring some of the ancient landmarks," for opening out the remarkable memorials of the pristine beauty ot the pl-ice for obtaining (amongst many other much needed im- provements) the clearance of the grand old town walls from the excrescences that encumVn-r them. I recollect many years ago reading in Chambers Journal,an account of a good Scotch major, who returned from India to his native place in Scotland which was full of the evils created during what I cannot help calling the tilthy ages. The gillant major set to work, and in process of years—not in a day. you know, that Home cannot be unbuilt fit, not cither in that brief day in which agita- tors effect improvements without taxation, clearing off in a pot-house speech, or an anonymous letter, the ac- cuinmulated filth of ages,—but after years of steady toil for the public good he succeeded iu clearing obstructions, and restoring what hall been a fine old place, to some- thing approaching its original condition. That account made a great and enduring impression on my mind, and 1 determined as far as 1 could to follow so laudable an example in Citrnarvoti. Gentlemen, if you will steadily wurk with lIie and attack the enen.y "hand to hand, shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot," we will in time sweep away the unsightly "vils which ignorance and corruption accumulated, and which the outrageously unprincipled destruction of the corporation property has rendered it nwre difficult to cure. It is due to you, due to myself, that these things should stand in their true light, that the times which gave rise to them should bear their discredit, and that the town of Carnar- von shall in the eyeil of those who have to visit her from a dist nice have the full credit of what you have done and are doing. An impression seems to exist elsewhere that prior to the present time, there was no regular water sunply; I need not tell you, but as I see the re- porters before iiie, I hope they will tell it that there were for some years past two water companies each of the sources of supply of which was probably originally pure, but the improvec1 cultivation of laud rendered one impure, and the other was rendered excessively danger- ous by the extension of houses and cesspools over the sources of the water. These two companies could not supply above a fourth part of the population now we have iu every street pure water in the greatest abund- ance, water which so high an authority as Mr llerapatb, has pronounced to be not simply pure, but the purest water he ever analyzed, and we have a system of drainage which I believe embraces every improvement which modem science has taught. That system of drainage will be entirely complete in a very brief space of time I trust, I hope and believe that like the people of.Salisbury we may ere long boast that though our mortality was tor a time higlt. it will be reduced to the minimum mortality of the kingdom. We have new wide streets springing np(but not half fast enough for my fancy) in which people can breathe freely, aud if we only succeed in con- vincing the owners of property that their own interest lies in improving it, m widening streets, and clearing encroachments we shall find "our lines cast in pleasanter places," the improved health of the tenant will ensure the more punctual payment of rent, and the undoubted reduction of the poor rates. One matter only remains for me to notice, and that is the impossibility of having the streets in proper order during the prog, ess of the great works which are bring carried out in all directions. Uneven, dirty and sloppy in wet weather they must be for some time to come. It would be a waste of money to repair until the ground is permanently settled, but of unwholesome dirt, there is but little left. The great cesspools of the "iilthy ages" are rapidly disappearing, and giving way to the inventions which modern ideas and a fine water supply at high pressure enabled us to substi- tute. Let grumblers be patient aud recognise the neces- sity of the temporary discomfort entailed for the end (with the blessing of God) will be that those who use the natllralmean, he has placed at the disposal of his intelligent creatures will be increased health, decreased mortality, confidence on the part of people at a dis- tance, and consequent prosperity to the place. (Loud aud continued cheering.) THK SANITARY CONDITION OF CARNARVON. Mr Thomas Turner remarked that very injurious re-¡ pjrts had been recently circulated in reference to the t?wn. as it regarded the fever which was said to be still prevaleut iu it, aud which reports were not true, and in his opinion he thought the truth ought to be publicly known, as such groundless statements were calculated to injure the trade of the place. He would therefore ask Dr Roberts what the state of the town was as it re- garded fever ? Dr Roberts replied that now the town was entirely free from fever, as there was not one single case in it Mr Thomas Turner said that was very satisfactory, and when the railway was carried through the town it would have the eflect of doing away with a number of courts and small houses in which fever was mostly generated, as from tifty to sixty houses would have to be taken down. He was also glad to have to say that the arrangements between the railway company and the owners of property were nearly completed, and also that it was very likely that an amalgamation would be effect- ed with the Carnarvonshire line, which would be bene- ticial in every respect. In the course of some general observations on the affairs of the town by various members, Mr Richard Griffiths remarked he hoped that the Council in carrying out improvements would always spend the money of the ratepayers as if it was their own, and that in the planning as well as in the actual expenditure. The Mayor replied that that was precisely the prin ciple upon which he had always acted, and all the mem- bers of the Council as well, he believed. Election of Aldermen.-A conversation then ensued respecting Mr Millington, who, although he had been elected Alderman, had never attended the meeting of the Council nor had he ever taken the oath of the office. Air John Davies then moved, and Mr Watkin Wil- liams seconded, that Mr Richard Griffiths be the Alder- man in the place of Mr Millington for the east ward. This was carried nem. con. Mr Hobley was then elected as Alderman for the west ward—unanimously. The Borough Rate.-The Town Clerk announced that zC200 would be required, which would be met by a rate of 8d in the pound. After a brief discussion, Mr Hugh Jones moved that the rate be as it was before, which was carried nem. con Welsh Reports.—Mr S. Hobley observed that there were no reports of their proceedings in the Welsh news- papers, and consequently many persons in the town were ignorant of what resolutions were passed by the Council, and what the regulations were which had been agreed to. After a few words rom the Mayor, the subject dropped. The New Borough lIfagistrates.-The Mayor inform ed the Council that a letter had been received from the Lord Chancellor in reference to the appointment of additional magistrates for the borough, as the Council had sent up the names of several gentlemen, as being fit and qualified persons for the office. The Lord Chan- cellor in his letter neither approved of them nor dis- proved but he objected to one gentleman's name, Mr Hugh Jones, simply because he was a solicitor, which disentitled him to act as a magistrate. His Lordship also said that the Council in nominating another gentle- man in his place must not name either a brewer or an 1\1.D. Mr Hugh Jones remarked that he told them at the time when his name was first proposed that his being a solicitor was a disqualification for the office. The Mayor replied that such was the fact, and it was himself that was to blame more than anyone else. He then explained why and upon what grounds he had supported Mr Jones's nomination. Mr Richard Griffiths then proposed, and Mr Robert Griffith seconded, that Mr J Owen, merchant, be nomi- nated by them to the Lord Chancellor, as a fit and proper person to be appointed a Borough Magistrate. Mr Watkin Williams then proposed Captain Pearson, which was seconded by Dr. Roberts. The Mayor and Ilr T. Turner explained that they should not vote, as they sat on the bench themselves. A show of hands was then taken, when there were for- Mr Owen. Captain Pearson. 5 Majority I The Mayor explained that it was not in their power to appoint any person a magistrate but all they could do was to nominate one to the Lord Chancellor, and it remained with him whether he appointed him or not. No doubt but what the Lord Chancellor would cause private enquiries to be made before he finally made the appointments. The meeting was then adjourned until Monday (the 11th instant) at two o'clock in the afternoon. WALKING ON THE WATER.—In the last impression of the Chronicle we gave some account of the perform- ances of a John Rees, of Machynlleth, in the Menai Straits, at Garth Ferry, Bangor, ie wh.ch he undertook to "walk tlio water." The feat was certainly an astounding one. if it could be done, aud in consequence there was a very large concourse of people assembled to witness it. Instead, however, of walking over the Straits, lie merely paddled himself over, ensconced as he was in a large oil dress, inflated like a bladder, so that he wis buoyed up and floated upon the surface of the water like a piece of cork. At the last, be made some attempt at what some persons may term walking, but this part of the performance was rather clumsily man- aged. On Saturday afternoon last, he went through precisely the same acquatic manoeuvres at < arnarvoli, iu the presence of a large multitude of people, from all parts of the country, as it happened to be fair day. The pier was crowded as was also the quay promenade, just as when there is a regatta takiug place. It was a somewhat tame affair, as it was clear at a glance that anyone con 1d float as long as he pleased in Rllcll a pre- pared apparatus. The real question is—whether tile principle underlying this performance, can be put to any practical use, for the number of lives lost on these storm- beaten coasts year after year is really fearful to contem- plate ? ;.The dress" appeared to us to be cumber- some and unwieldly, but safe, certainly, for a person would never sink if he had one on iu the water, though he may be starved to death. Sailors are known to be both improvident and careless beings, as a class, and even were a dress of the kind provided ready for every sailor in a ship, it is questionable whether Jack would think of putting it on until it was too late. The dress, too, is said to be expensi ve, and that it would cost ten guineas, and this, of course, would militate much against its general adoption. Still, there may be some- thing in the principle (which, however, is by no means novel) and if there be and it could be utilised, it would be a great boon to humanity. Wrecks mostly occur close on sliore, and not out in the open laoil aud if there were some dresses of the kind on board every ship- wrecked vessel, many lives may be saved. The hint, we think, should not be lost upon our coasting vessels at least, for it is they which are the most exposed to danger from shipwrecks. As to Mr Rees walking upon the water," we hope. we shall hear no more of that.

TRAMPS.

IIOLYIIEAD. I

LLANERCHYMEDD. I

LLANDDONA.

EDUCATION IN WALES.

[No title]