Barry Dock News

BARRY DISTRICT TEMPERANCE COUNCIL. THE LICENSING REFORM PRO- POSALS. PAPER BY THE REV. J. HONEY. A meeting in connection with the Barry District Temperance Council was held at the Bible Christian Chapel, Court-road, Barry Dock, on Friday evening last, when the chair was occupied by Mr W. J. Flowers, amongst those present being the Rev Canon Allen, M.A., R.D., rector of Barry and Porthkerry, president of the council; Rev J. Honey, vice-president* Mr J. Inglis, secretary Mr James Cruise, assistant-secretary Mrs Inglis, Mrs and Miss Rutter, Mr and Mrs Murphy, Messrs Robins, S. Lewis, Clemence, J. Nicholas, Stoddart, J. Jones, Horsey, Gale, J. Marsh, S. Lavis, J. Hayes, J. Dure, Fisher, J. Davies, Smith, J. 0. Davies, &c. The meeting, which was called mainly for the purpose of con- sidering the different licensing reform proposals now before Parliament was very enthusiastic throughout,and an eloquent and instructive paper was read on the subject by the Rev J. Honey, who also opened the meeting with prayer. The Rev Canon Allen, in the course of a few opening remarks, said he counted it a privilege to address that meeting in support of temperance. (Hear, hear.) He was also glad to speak of the good work accomplished in,the cause of temper- ance through the instrumentality of the Rev J. Honey, and said no one was more able to deliver a paper on the different proposed licensing reforms than Mr Honey. (Applause.) These licensing reforms, Canon Allen said, had been the subject of much criticism from the public, but he would ask those present to view them fairly and impartially and see what would be wise and reasonable for the legislature to adopt. They should try to enlist on the side of temperance those who had a strong feeling for what was right and good, and endeav- our to rescue their fellow-creatures from the course of intemperance, which had been the greatest source of misery and degradation to humanity. (Applause.) The Chairman then invited the Rev J. Honey to read his paper, the Rev Canon Allen being obliged to leave at this stage of the proceedings owing to another pressing engagement. LICENSING REFORM. The Rev J. Honey, who was received with hearty cheering, then read the paper, which he had prepared, in the course of which he said :— There is no sociai movement now occupying the attention of the people of this country which is so closely connected with the general welfare as the question of licensing reform. The drink traffic, which is a monopoly protected and professedly regulated by Government, is a gigantic evil, affect- ing more or less all classes, and producing poverty disease, vice, and crime to an alarming extent. This cannot be denied. The fact is plain to every- one who has only a general knowledge of what is taking place amongst his fellow-men, and the truth becomes still more apparent and painfully real as the subject is closely studied. Some years ago the committee on intemperance appointed by the Lower House of Convocation in the Province of Canterbury showed that three-fourths of the paupers in our workhouses were there through drink, and the committee for the Province of York made the following statement:—" Many magistrates, governors of gaols, chaplains of gaols, and superintendents of police concur in stating that of those crimes which obtain public notice from eighty-five to ninety per cent. are the direct result of drunkenness." In Manchester, Mr Bardsley made this statement, "a superin- tendent of a Sunday school, a short time since, took down the names of one hundred children, who within a few years had been in his Sunday school, and he endeavoured to ascertain the history of every one of that hundred. Of course he could not trace some of them, but of the seventy-seven whom he traced thirty-nine were confirmed drunk- ards." Sir Andrew Clark, senior physician to the London Hospital, has said that speaking solemnly and carefully in the presence of truth, and keep- ing considerably within the mark, out of every hundred cases that came under his charge in the Hospital seventy owed their ill health to Alcohol. And in winding up an eloquent lecture on the subject he used the following language It is when I myself think of all this that I am disposed, as I have said elsewhere, to rush to the opposite extreme, to give up my profession, to give up everything, and to go forth upon a holy crusade preaching to all men.—Beware of this enemy of the race." The appaling misery which is caused by drink has at length taken hold of the public conscience, not, it is true, so extensively as could be desired, but the feeling that a radical change must be effected is becoming wider and deeper and increasingly influential. The subject at the present time is being largely discussed, parti- cularly with reference to licensing reform. In our current literature, in conferences, and at public meetings the discussion is sustained month after month, showing how deeply the country is being moved upon the question. Various schemes have been proposed to deal with the drink evil. To give some account of the proposals and to assist in trying to find which is likely to be the most successful is the chief object of this paper. THE GOTHENBURG AND BERGEN SYSTEMS. The two adjoining countries of Sweden and Norway have adopted systems which, up to the present time, have not been tried elsewhere. In principle, the two schemes are the same, but in some important particulars they differ one from the other. The one thing common to both is that the retail trade is managed by companies of gentlemen, who, under the direction of the municipal authorities, carry on the traffic, but receive no profit therefrom. The Gothenburg scheme was started in the town of that name in the year 1865. By agreement with the local authority a limited liability company was formed, who subscribed the capital to buy up the public- houses. They undertook by their charter not to receive any amount, nor to allow those acting under them to do so, beyond the bare working expenses and the ordinary rate of interest on the paid up capital, the entire profits being handed over for the relief of the rates. The only excep- tion to this is that while food and temperance drinks are always available the managers of the houses to encourage the sale thereof are allowed the profits arising from such sale. The company sooi after its formation reduced the number of public-houses, shortened the hours of sale, and practically adopted Sunday closing. The Nor- wegian, or Bergen plan, differs from that adopted in Sweden in the following respects :—The com- pany, instead of being appointed by the municipal authority, is elected directly by the people. The public-houses, instead of being made attractive and kept supplied with food, are made as plain and unattractive as possible. No seats are provided, those who come for drink being discouraged from drinking more than a small amount and remaining any length of time and the profits, instead of going to the relief of taxation, as in Sweden, are strictly appropriated to benevolent institutions and works of public utility. THE BISHOP OF CHESTER'S PROPOSALS. It is known to many that the Bishop of Chester has been publicly advocating something like the Gothenburg and Bergen systems for adoption in this country. Mr Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., took some steps in this direction in the year 1877, his preference, however, being for the municipal bodies having direct control of the traffic rather than the appointment of committees of manage- ment. We are informed authoritatively that he is still in favour of this scheme, but it is under- stood he would be prepared to modify his pro- posals to meet those now so warmly advocated by the Bishop. COUNTY AND TOWN COUNCILS. Amidst the multiplicity of proposals there are not wanting those who desire to have the County Councils in the counties and the Town Councils in boroughs appointed to take over the licensing powers now held by the magistrates. It is evi- dent that a strong feeling exists amongst large numbers of temperance reformers against magis- trates being continued as the licensing authority. They are not a representative body. In most cases they have no personal knowledge of the character of the houses to which they so readily grant renewals. They depend largely upon police reports, and who is there that has attended with any regularity at the brewsters sessions, who is not forced to the conclusion that the police are to a considerable extent biassed in favour of the publican ? We have heard the magistrates give warm commendation in cases where most disor- derly houses have been kept simply because the police have brought no charge against the holder of the license, or have even spoken in his favour. Then, again, ratepayers, who have appeared to oppose the granting of licenses in particular cases, have too ofton been treated by the bench as though they were intruding, and should leave the matter entirely with their wor- ships. There are numerous exceptions, but many -might we not say the majority ?-have shown a dislike to hear the wishes of the people upon the question. Arising out of these facts, and con- sidering that the County and Town Councils are elective bodies, they have been suggested as the most suitable to form the licensing authority. WHICH SCHEME SHOULD BE ADOPTED? We must now ask what would be the probable effect if either of the foregoing schemes were adopted? What are the lessons taught by the working of the sys- tems established in Scandinavia. Undoubtedly good results have followed. Sweden was once the most drunken nation upon the face of the earth, but a great improvement has taken place. The whole of this, however, is not due to the Gothen- burg system. At the worst period, practically, free trade in drink was allowed. In 1855, a law was passed giving large powers to the communes to restrict the retail trade. This did a vast amount of good, especially in the rural parts, where the communes exercised the powers vested in them. The temperance sentiment also rapidly advanced amongst a section of the people. When the Gothenburg Company started operations they were able to profit by what had previously been done. The reduction by them of a large number of licensed houses, and shortening the hours of sale, have had a favourable tendency, so that the state of affairs is far better than it was formerly. But let us not over-estimate the advantages of the scheme. There is still much drunkenness in Gothenburg. In certain respects that town is much like Cardiff. It is a seaport; it is rapidly increasing and the people are mostly of the working class. The population of Cardiff in 1890 was 120,000 and there were 620 convictions for drunkenness. For the same year, Gothenburg, with its population of 104,000, had 4,010 convic- tions for drunkenness. There are certain hinder- ances in the town which seriously. hamper the operations of the system, but these figures are not a recommendation for its adoption by us. The Bergan scheme works more successfully. Total abstainers are very numerous, and, consequently, they are a great power in Norway. The influence they exert upon the company having charge of the public houses is both direct and effective. The extreme unattractiveness of these houses, and the prevention of parties who visit them for drink staying any length of time, is a great check upon intemperance, and as the rates are in no way re- lieved by the profits of the traffic (the whole go- ing, as we have shown, to benevolentobjects) there is less temptation to the ratepayers generally to encourage excessive drinking. Referring again to the Bishop of Chester, his Lordship advocates what has been termed a "constructive" policy. He would have public-houses made attractive, the premises to be comfortable, spacious, well-ven- tilated, and newspapers, indoor games, and, where practicable, outdoor games and music provided." Does not the Bishop know that the existence of conditions similar to these has been an element of weakness in the Swedish system, and the absence of them the chief element of success in the Norwegian ? THE COUNTY AND TOWN COUNCILS AS THE LICENSING AUTHORITIES. Whatever may be said in favour of the County and Town Councils as the Licensing Authorities, there are weighty objections which demand very careful consideration. In the first place, the areas are too large-this, of course, applies to the County Councils. It would be easy for a council- lor of a division to be outvoted by those of other divisions, and for houses for the sale of drink to be allowed to exist in direct opposition to the wishes of the inhabitants. Secondly, there are so many issues upon which the election may be decided that it would often be impossible for the temper- ance sentiment to be fairly represented. Thirdly, the ECounty Councils receive grants from the li- censing fees to assist in meeting the expenses in- curred by them. They, therefore, have a finan- cial interest in the licensed houses. Over JB1,500,000 per annum has been allotted to the councils in this way. For these, and other rea- sons, the great temperance organizations in the United Kingdom have, almost without exception, declared against the licensing power being placed in the hands of these councils, and Mr John Mor- ley said in the House of Commons, about two years ago, he thought they could do nothing worse than mix up great questions of local government in a particular locality with the question of "Aye or Nay on a temperance or licensed victuallers' ticket, for it would deal a deadly blow at the healthiness of municipal government. POPULARLY-ELECTED LICENSING BOARDS. A proposal which has gained much favour with a large number of temperance reformers is that boards should be specially'elected by the people to take over the licensing powers of the magis- trates. In the spring of last year, the Friends' Temperance Union submitted a set of questions to thoughtful and influential leaders of public opinion, who were known to be interested in the moral and social elevation of the people. Eight hundred replies were received 79 per cent. were in favour of popularly-elected boards. Sir Wil- liam Harcourt on Monday last, in the House of Commons, showed how distinctly his learnings were in the same direction. THE DIRECT VETO BILL. What support shall we give to the Government measure now before Parliament? This is the question that is being asked all over the country. The bill, though not all that one might desire, points in the right direction. We do not com- plain of the two-thirds majority nor of the three years' notice dating from the passing of the bill. The temperance party must resist any further extension of time and everything in the shape of compensation. The opposition in the House will doubtless fight strenuously upon these points. It would save much agitation if a measure were passed, or if the bill could be carried with a pro- vision for compulsory Sunday closing throughout England. The Government should be strengthened in what we believe is an honest en- deavour to do something in the direction of tem- perance reform. We may hope soon to see the power of the Direct Veto in the hands of the people that secured, we must prepare ourselves to make it as effective for eood as possible. Fellow workers, ours is a great and a noble cause. We are seeking to rid our land from a terrible curse. We have a mighty foe to contend with. Let us arm ourselves for the fight, stand shoulder to shoulder, and never cease our efforts until the people of Great Britain have become a sober nation. (Loud applause.) The' Chairman, having spoken in eulogistic terms of Mr Honey's admirable paper, said he hoped every member of the House of Commons would support the temperance reforms. (Hear, hear.) If temperance principles were to win-and they were to gain the day-they must be repre- sented by members in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords who were total abstainers. (Hear, hear.) He rejoiced at the rapid strides the temperance cause was taking. The temperance party had now on their side men who, ten or twelve years ago, were strongly against them—(hear, hear)-and the day was not far distant when public men would have to answer the question whether they were temperance reformers or not, and, if not, it would be hard for them to obtain public positions. (Applause.)— Mr James Cruise also warmly commended the Rev J. Honey upon his paper, and spoke of the fact that the local police were not willing to help the temperance council. (Shame.) He agreed with the Local Veto Bill presented to Parliament. He also believed public houses in certain parishes should be closed on Sunday when it was thought proper. (Hear, hear.)—Mr Inglis said he did not agree with the Bishop of Chester's proposals, for it would not do for the temperance party to dabble with the drink traffic at all. He thought it was best for them rather to support the Local Veto Bill, and for temperance reformers and Christians to do all in their power to strengthen the hands of those who were fighting in Parliament their battles for the cause of temperance. (Cheers.) Referring to the local police, Mr Inglis said it was time for the members of the police force to understand that they would not long be policemen if they were not abstainers. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) -Mr J. O. Davies said Mr Honey s paper could not be criticised, but it certainly could, and should, be admired. (Hear, hear.) Referring to the Bishop of Chester's scheme, Mr Davies said it was like all other ecclesiastical proposals, for whenever a dark cloud hung over a fraternity they must suggest something as a compromise for doubt and failure.—Mrs Inglis said she believed in the uni- versal Sunday closing. (Hear, hear.) She also fully approved of the Local Veto Bill, and I would like to see a resolution, passed at that meet- ing in support of thdfc&tne. (Cheers.)—Addresses followed by Messrs J. Marsh, Smith, Clemence, Gale, J. Hayes, and Robbins. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL VETO BILL. Mr J. Inglis proposed the following resolu- tion :— That in the opinion of this meeting- the principle of the Local Veto Bill is worthy our hearty support, and while hoping certain improvements will be effected in the measure, earnestly trust the Bill will become law. Also that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to our representative. Mr Arthur J. Williams, requesting him to give the Bill his undivided support in Parliament. -Mr Clemence seconded, and the resolution was carried with unanimity.—Mr Robins moved a vote of thanks to the Rev J. Honey and the Chairman, which was seconded by Mr J. Marsh and carried with acclamation.

GWYL PEAYI SANT. [GAK MR J. E. REES, BARRI. ] Beth sydd i gyfrif am y clod sydd heddyw gan bob Cymro twym-galon i enw Dewi, ac am ei osod yn sant gwarcheidiol y Cymry ? A'i, tybed, am fod gan pob cenedl arall eu saint ? Ni choeliaf ein bod yn gwbl felly. Nid yw seint pob cenedl wedi byw yn y wlad sydd wedi eu mabwysiadufel nodd seint. Wei, "nawr, bu Dewi fyw ran fwyaf o'i holl fywyd yn Nghymru a Mynyw. Ganwyd ef mewn lie ar ol hyn a alwyd yn Ty Ddewi, a bedyddiwyd ef yn mhorth clais gan Albeus, esgob Munster, yn yr Iwerddon. Dywedir i Dewi dder- byn ei addysg yn ysgol Illtyd ac, wedi hyny, yn ysgol Paulinus, lie y dywedir iddo dreulio deng mlynedd i fyfyrio yr ysgrythyrau, a lie yr ydoedd Teilo, ail esgob Llandaf, yn un o'i gydfyfyrwyr. Sefydlwyd ganddo yn agos i driugain o eglwysi yn Neheudir Cymru. Bu farw yn 82 mlwydd oed yn y Fynachlog a sefydlasai ger Mynyw, lie y claddwyd ef yn anrhydeddus trwy orchymyn Maelgwyn Gwynedd. Yr oedd ei ,shrine yn Mynyw mor enwog fel yr attynai bererinion nid yn unig o bob parth o Gymru, ond hefyd o wledydd tramor. Ceir hanes am dri o frenhin- oedd Lloegr, William I., Harry I., a Edward I. a'i wraig, yn ymweled a hi. Ystyrid dwy daith i Fynyw yn gyfartal i un daith o bererindod i Rufain. Wrth reswm ofergoeliaeth oedd ym- weled a'i fedd a'r shrine, ond yr wyf yn crybwyll er mwyn dangos y rhagoriaeth uchel a enillodd y Cymro enwog a duwiolfrydig Dewi yn yr ynys yma. Dywedir iddo wneud llawer o wyrthiau, ond nid ydynt ddim ond traddodiadau yn dangos y He uchel yr oedd y sant wedi ei feddianu yn meddyliau ofcrgoelus yroes. Ystyried ef nesaf at lesu Grist, mewn gwirionedd olrhainent ei acliau hyd at Grist, fab Mairy Wyryf, mam Iesu Grist. Er mwyn deall teimladau cenedl rhaid byw yn mysg y genedl. Pan yn barnu cenhedloedd yr ydym yn rhy barod i'w barnu wrth ein safon ni ein hunain, ac mewn canlyniad yn syrthio i gam- gymeriadau dibryd. Gwahaniaetha cenhedloedd fel y gwahaniaetha dynion. Ni ddymunwn er dim ddweyd yr un gair angharedig am un genedl arall, ac yr wyf yn sicr yn fy meddwl fy hun na ddylai yr un genedl amharchu hen genedl y Cymry, na gwawdio ei hen iaith. Yr wyf wedi cyfarfod ambell dro a boneddwr ac ysgolhaig o Sais mewn ardal hollol Gymreig, yr hwn a gym- mer drafferth i chwilio i arferiadau, tueddiadau, ac amcanion y trigolion. Yn ddiddadl cewch farn deg gan y cyfryw. O'r ochr arall na fydded i ni ddisgwyl cael ein canmol pan ddim yn teilyneu. Gwelaf lawer o'n beirdd yn pechu yn y cyfeiriad yma, ac yn siarad yn wawdus am brif feirdd Saeson. Yr wyf yn barod i gyfaddef fod ychydig o'r prif feirdd Saesoneg yn amgenach na prif feirdd Cymru-yna cydmarant yn weddol gyffely b. Bydded i ni ddangos pob parch i bob cenedl, ond wrth hyny na fydded i ni anghofio ein dyledswydd i'r wl»d a'n mago—" Cas gwr na charo'r wlad a,'i maco." Na fydded i ni, er mwyn dim, anghofio traddodiadau yr hen genedl. Fe allai fod rhai yma yn barod i ddirmygu traddodiadau. Nid yw traddodiadau ddim amgen na bywyd pob cenedl. Y mae traddodiadau i'r cenedlgarwr treiddgar yr un a daeareg i'r daeregwr Mewn gwirionedd ni all cenedl, yn haeddi yr enw, byth hanghofio ei thraddodiadau. Edrychwch ar y Gwyddyl. Er eu bod wedi anghofio eu hiaith, eto y mae yr hen deimladau cenhedlaethol yn fwy byw yn awr nag erioed. Er pob ymdrech, gorthrwm, a gormes i ddileu y teimladau a'r traddodiadau hyn yn yr Iwerddon cr ys cannoedd o flynyddoedd, y mae y Gwyddyl yn fwy byw ac yn agosach i fuddugoliaeth nag erioed. Yn nesaf, siaradai Dewi Gymraeg ardderchog. Ychydig wyf fi yn gredu yn y Cymry hyny sydd yn hyd yn nod yn byw yn Nghymru ac eto yn analluog i siarad a darllen Cymraeg. Meddyliant nad yw yr un colled iddynt, ac mewn gwirionedd gwenant yn falchiaidd arnoch pan y cyfaddefant eu hanwybodaeth fel pe byddent yn perthyn i deulu njwy wrddasol na'r Cymry sydd yn siarad ac yn hoff o'r hen iaith. Nid wyf yn barod iawn i gymeryd tramgwydd, ond yr wyf yn foddlon cyfaddef fod y corff bach yma yn berwi i gyd pan y clywaf un o'r bradwyr ymayn gwadu a gwawdio un o'r ieithoedd mwyaf tyner a phrydferth. Ond gallaf eich sicrhau nac ydyw y tylwyth yma yn rhyw hyddysg iawn mewn unrhyw iaith. Dywed un Ellmynwr enwog a choeliaf na wyr y dyn unieithog yr un iaith. Gall pob dyn dysgedig ymbleseru mewn darllen a dysgu ieithoedd, ond y mae y class sydd yn eu galw eu hunm yn "Respectable Welsh" yn rhy wan eu galluoedd i ymgymeryd a gorchwyi o'r fath ie, a'r Welsh jargon. Y mae Dewi yn glodfawr yn Nghymru am mai ei ymdrech fwyaf oedd gwareiddio ei genedl. Gwnaeth ei oreu i ennill anuibyniaeth Eglwys Cymru oddiwrth Rufain, ond er iddo fethu cyrhaedd ei amcan, trosglwyddodd yr un yspryd i lawr drwy yr oesoedd hyd y dyddiau presenol, ac yr wyf yn awr yn dcchreu gweled toriad gwawr ar Gymru pan y mae "Young Wales" mor'wresog, mor wrol, a galluog yn hawlio rhyddid. 0 nid ymryddhau oddiwrth y deyrnas a feddylir wrth rhyddid, ond yr un rhyddid i feddwl drosom ein hunain a'r Sais barn mwyaf trigolion Cymry i farnu byth yw anghenrheidiau y genedl; yr un rhyddid i ddefnyddio yr iaith Gymraeg ac unrhyw iaith arall yn y deyrnas yma. Ie, rhyddid siarad Cymraeg a dadleu yn yr iaith Gymraeg mewn llysoedd gwlad-nid rhyw oddefiad, ond hawl. Ni ddylasid mewn unrhyw fodd i anghotio ei bod yn ddyledswydd arnom i drosglwyddo yr hen deimladau cenhedlaethol, yr hen draddodiau gwladgarol, gwybodaeth ymarferol o'r hen iaith, ac eofndra di-ildio yr hen genedl i ymladd yn erbyn gormes a gorthrwm, pob gelyn ac estron. V r ydym bawb sydd yma yn barod i gydnabod fod Cymry yn magu dynion ieuanc nad wnaiff gwawd a dirmyg y Saes ddim achosi iddynt. wrido. Y mae ein haelodau seneddol erbvn heddyw yn rhyw allu yn y Ty, ac yn cynrychiolu mewn gwirionedd ymgais ac uchelgais Cymry ieuanc. Ac, yn ddiweddaf, erfyniaf ar ein bobl ieuanc i wneyd eu goreu i godi yr hen genedl mewn urddas a brwdfrydedd—teimladau cynhes tuag at y genedl. Ymroddid i ddarllen ei llenyddiaeth eang, ac hefyd i gadw yn fyw yr hen draddodiadau cenedlgarol. Ac bydded i ni, fel un gwr, i gydymdrechu i fynu rhyddid i Gallant Little Wales. A than gwladgarwch dan v fron, Brwdfrydedd lon'd y galon, A serch yn gloewi'r llygad lion Dibruddder i'w ymylon; Y treuliwn Ddydd Gwyl Dewi Sant Mewn ymffrost cenedlaethol, A'i glodydd pur oddiar pob nant A lifa n fiwsig swynol.

BARRY AND CADOXTON LOCAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Barry and Cadox- ton Local Board was held on Tuesday afternoon last, at Cadoxton, Dr O'Donnell (in the absence of Mr J. Robinson, M.Inst.C.E., chairman) pre- siding. There were also present—Major-General Lee, Messrs J. C. Meggitt, B. Lewis, J. J. Williams, J. Barstow, W. Thomas (Cadoxton), with J. A. Hughes (clerk), Dr Neale (medical officer), J. C. Pardoe (surveyor), A. E. Leyshon (inspector), and C. Howe (collector). General Lee, in moving the adoption of the Finance Committee's report, said the clerk's charges in connection with the proposed oppo- sition by the Board to the Barry Company's Bill and the Gas and Water Company's Bill last year would be taxed, and, when returned, several items in connection with the same would be pon- sidered by the Finance Committee. The Trades' Council, General Lee said, had stated their intention of not assisting in the establishment of a labour bureau for the district, but he pointed out the same could be adopted at a cost ot about; £ 10.—Mr W. Thomas objected to the paragraph referring to members of the Board acting upon deputations on behalf of the Board from home receiving £1 Is for each day and night, with second class railway far is, and 10s when only away for the day. Mr Thomas said it was a reflection upon him, it having been stated that he travelled first class to London recently.—General Lee said there had been certain charges made by members, and the committee felt it was necessary to adopt the re- solution.—Mr Thomas moved that the resolution be omitted.—There was no seconder.—Mr J. J. Williams seconded the adoption of the minutes, which was agreed to. BEGGAR'S WELL-ROAD. Mr J. J. Williams said he did not object to the appointment of clerk of works for the above road, but he did net think a clerk of works would be re- quired for months. THE PROPOSED ERECTION OF A CHOLERA HOSPITAL. With reference to the above matter, the Chair- man stated communications had been addressed to the Cardiff Health Committee asking them to receive a deputation from this Board with refer- ence to the establishment of a fever hospital on the Flat Holms, but the committee had refused to grant the request. The town clerk of Cardiffhad been requested to ask the corporation to receive a deputation, but that gentleman had stated that approaching the corporation on the matter would prove abortive. Mr Harris, keeper of the Flat Holms Hospital, had requested the removal of the Board's tent, etc., from that place.—General Lee advocated the appointment of an imperial central authority to see that a vigilant watch was kept by all port sanitary authorities over the possible re-appearance of cholera in the summer. The Board would have to do something at once in the matter, or they would find themselves in a diffi- culty. The Cardiff Corporation had dealt with this Boaad in a very unwise and unstatesman- like manner, and had tried by every means to place obstacles in their way and what little help they had given the Board last year they had charged heavily for. The matter should be brought in some way under the nctice of the Government authorities. The Board was possi- bly face to face with a great epidemic, and the Cardiff Corporation, who had such a convenient spot to isolate patients, should help this Board. He thought they should approach the Local Government Board, and call attention to the whole proceeding of the Cardiff Health Committee, and see if pressure could be brought to bear upon them, for it seemed to him the Cardiff authorities did not believe in being friendly. Unless the question was quickly settled the Board could do practically nothing to keep the expected epidemic from the Barry district. —A discussion took place, a hope being expressed that the public would take Dote of the matter. RESIGNATION OF THE COLLECTOR. Mr C. Howe, collector, resigned his position, his term of office expiring on the 26th instant. The matter was referred to the Health Committee. MISCELLANEOUS. It was resolved to affiliate with the Society for the Preservation of Footpaths. Mr D. Rees, Merthyr Dovan, complained of the bad state of the footpath leading from Merthyr Dovan to Cadoxton.—Referred to the Public Works Committee. Mr W. Thomas called attention to the proposed establishment of markets and fairs in the dis- trict. The matter, he said, seemed to have been forgotten.. Both farmers and butchers in and around the Barry district were in favour of the proposal.-Dr O'Donnell moved that Mr Thomas be elected on the slaughter house committee, who had charge of the matter.—Mr Barstow seconded, and it was agreed to. Six tenders were received for the contract for the widening and improvement of Beggar's Well- road, that of Mr E. J. Ince, Cadoxton, at jB2,486 Is 5d, being accepted.-Three tenders were received for the carrying out of private improve- ments in Pyke-street, Morel-street, &c., that of Mr G. Rutter, Barry, being accepted at the following prices :—Morel-street, L834 19s lOd; Pyke-street, £ 696 19s 3d; and back lanes, JB127 lis lOd. Major-General Lee was appointed returning officer for the forthcoming Local Board election, Mr Robinson (the chairman) being unable to act in that capacity owing to absence from home. It was resolved to construct a cattle pen near the slaughter-house at Cadoxton, for the reception of cattle previous to their being slaughteied. A letter from Messrs Downing and Handcock, solicitors, Cardiff, on behalf of the Barry Com- pany, with reference to the Barry harbour sewerage scheme, was referred to the Public Works Committee.

PENARTH LOCAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Local Board was held on Monday evening last at Penarth, Mr G. Pyle presiding. The other members present were Messrs D. Morgan, W. B. Shepherd, T. Bevan, D. Cornwell, and T. Lewis, with J. W.Morris (elerk), Dr Nell (medical officer), J. Court (surveyor), and J. Llewellyn (collector. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted.—A letter was read from Mrs J. P. Jones, Penarth, thanking the Board for the kind expression of sympathy with her in her great bereave- ment.—Dr Nell, medical officer, read his report for the year 1892. The health of the district, he stated, had been fair. The water supply had been ample, and there had been a great decrease in the hardness of the same. The rate of mortality was extremely low, and he hoped in a short time typhoid fever and diphtheria would be unknown in their mid^t. Nothing but isolation, he added, would accomplish that, and if the Board wculd establish a proper infec- tious diseases hospital there would be no spread of disease as at present. Scarlet fever had been prevalent. He had done everything in his power to stop the spread of the disease, but it was impossible in the absence of a hospital. The state of the dis- trict was not conducive to the spread of these diseases. He should like to see better arrangements for scavenging, and he would hail with satisfaction the new bye-laws. With regard to the work of the sanitary inspector, Dr Nell stated the inspector had from the beginning of the past year to the 9th of August served 1,924 notices to abate nuisances, but no legal action had been taken. There had been 19 cases of scarlet fever during the past year, but only in six cases did the disease prove fatal. He would urge upon the Board the desirability of the inspeetor being the inspector of common lodging houses, and not the police inspector. The number of births during 1892 was 394 (201 males and 193 females); birth rate, 31*5 per thousand for the year. Number of deaths for the same period, 190; death-rate, 15 2 per thousand 71 deaths being of children under one year of age.—Dr Nell was thanked for his report, which was considered very satisfactory, and Mr T. Bevan moved, and Mr T. Lewis seconded, that the report be printed and circulated, which was unanimously agreed to.—The Collector (Mr J. Llewellyn) stated that j3853 4s 7d had been collected since the previous statement of the general district rate, and E112 6s 8d of private improvement charges, £ 965 lis 3d having been paid to the treasurer.—Mr E. Roberts, West-cottages, Penarth, presented a petition signed by 100 inhabitants of West-cottages, appeal- ing against the construction of a bridge over the level crossing a.b that place by the Taff Vale Railway Com- pany, being against the wishes of the inhabitants. The Board promised to take the matter in hand and consider the same.—Mr J. W. Morris, clerk, was elected returning officer for the annual election of the Board in April.-A number of bills were presented and passed.