DARLLENWCH ERTHYGLAU (3)
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COUNCILLOR W. J. WILLIAMS, J.P., CHAIRMAN. i BARRY NEW PUBLIC OFFICES. ijfr INTERESTING OPENING CEREMONY. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS. GRAND BANQUET BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL. TO NEARLY TWO HUNDRED TOWNSPEOPLE. PICTURESQUE SCENE AT THE MASONIC HALL. rBY OUR OWN REPORTERS]. The fireb section of the new public offices— part of a scheme of a complete set of town buildings, which the Barry Urban District Council propose to, erect, at a cost of about JZ25,000, on a central, convenient, and com- manding site forming the upper end of the junction of Holt,on-roacl, with Tynewydd-road, Barry Dicks, was formally opened on Wednes- day last, the interesting ceremony, marked by considerable eclat, being performed by Mr. W. J. Williams, J.P., Parkside, the chairman of the District Council, in the presence of a large and distinguished gathering representative of the townspeople. The interesting, apening pro- ceedings were followed by a reception and tea, and in the evening a banquet was given by the Chairman of the District Council, at the Masonic Hall, Barry, attended by nearly two hundred ladies and gentlemen. COUNCILLOR D. LLOYD, VICE-CHAIRMAN, i MR. T. B. TORDOFF, CLERK. COUNCILLOR D MORGAN, CHAIRMAN PUBLIC WORKS. -idiumob, AIR. C. E. HPTCHINSOX, A RI B A., ARCII ITECT. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW OFFICES. The new block of offices for the Barry Urban District Council, which were opened on Wednes- day last by the Chairman of the Council, Mr. W. J. Williams, J.P., form part of the main scheme which was accepted in competition in the early part of 1903, on the advice of the assessor, Mr. T. E. Collcutt, F.R.I.B.A., who is now the President of the Royal Institute of Britich Architects. After the completion of the Public Library in 1906, the Council decided to proceed with the front portion of the Public Offices, in order in to meet the growing requirements of the vari- ous departments, and on November 30th, 1906, the contract was let to Mr. D. W. Davies, builder, Cardiff, for the sum of £ 7,455. n_ ,n_ -I PUBLIC OFFICES, FACING HOLTON ROAD. The newly-erected block of buildings provides accommodation for medical officer, slanitary in- spector, school attendance officers, strong room, stores, &c., in basement; rates, overseers' and surveyors' departments on the ground floor; and Olerks, and Mcounta.ntsl' offices, and large com- mittee room on the first floor. All the offices, &c., .are approached from spacious halls on each Hoor, with the IMin gpftrujlce and vestibule at ground floor level in a central position. The clock tower is placed in the centre of the front buildings, facing Holton-road, and divides the Offices from the Library. The, con- tract was let to Messrs. Nichus Brothers" of Bris- tol, for the sum of C329 10s., including West- minster quarter chimes and hour striking bell The sub-contractors for the various works were :—Messrs. Archibald Dawnay and Sons, Ltd., for steel construction, &c., Messrs. John Williams and Sons, Cardifl, for heating engin- eering; Messrs. Tieryfords, Ltd., Harney. for sanitary fittings; the Acme Wood Block Floor- ing Co., Ltd., for committee, room floor; Messrs. Dieispeker, Ltd., for mosaic floors; Messrs. Lockerbie and Wilkinson for railings and door furniture; and Messrs. Ewart and Son, Ltd., for oopperwork to dome. The whole of the carving has been carried out by Mr. T. A. Jones, of Cardiff, who has de- signed and executed some striking groups of sculpture in the main pediments, in addition to the lions, which give an imposing appear- ance as guardians of the main entrance to the new Offices. The architects of the buildings, are Messrs. C. E. Hutchinson, A.R.I.B.A., and E. Hard- ing Payne, A.R.I.B.A., of 29, John-street, Bed- ford-row, London, W.C., under whose super- vision the works have been carried out, with the able assistance of Mr. W. H. Sydenham, who has acted as clerk of works. THE OPENING. The proceedings connected with the open- ing of the new building commenced with the presentation of a handsome gold key by the architects (Messrs. Hutchinson and Payne) to the Chairman of the Council (Mr. W. J. Williams, J.P.), who unlocked the outer door of the offices, and declared the. building open. A large gathering of ratepayers having assem- bled inside, an inaugural meeting was held, the Chairman of the Public Works Committee (Mr. D. Morgan) presiding, and a suitable de- dicatory prayer having been offered by the rector of Cadoxton (the Rev. J. S. Longdon, M.A.) The special prayer offered by the rec- tor was as fo.llo.ws. :-Almighty Father, we hum- bly beseech Thee for this Hall which we have builded, that from this hour of our entrance Thou wilt bless and hallow it. Let all things be done herein with wisdom and health- fulness, of spirit, unto virtue and strength. j G uide and govern the minds of all who shall use it, that being called to be councillors, on behalf of the people of this place, they may understand the sacredness of the trust com- mitted to each one. Abolish all mean desire and unworthy motive. Let none be deceived through wilfulness or vain worda Cleanse all thoughts, uplift all minds, enable all to consider all things diligently and in singleness of heart to fulfil Thy will. Through Jesus Christ. A handsome bouquet of flowers was presented to Mrs. W. J. Williams by Miss. O'Donnell. Mr. W. Niehus, of Messrs. Niehus Bros., Bris- 1 tol, the makers of the clock, presented a chaste silver key to the Chairman of the Council, who unlocked he; case connected with the clock, and started the works. The Chairman (Mr. D. Morgan) then ad- dressed the assembly, welcoming the rate- payers to the new offices, and gave a review of the history of the movement on the part of the District Council, leading up to the erec- tion of the buildings. HALL, [ROUND FLOOR. r Mr. W. J. Williams, J.P., the Chairman of the Council, followed with an interesting ad- the Council, followed with an interesting ad- dress on "Government, its end and purpose." In my judgment, Mr. Williams said, the pur- pose oil ajll government, whether it be the government of the Empire as a whole, or mere local government, is to maintain the rights and secure the welfare of all classes, of all groups, and of all individuals under its control and jurisdiction. So far as it maintains the rights, and liberties of the people aa. a whole, and secures the general welfare of the whole community, government is a success. In so far as it does not succeed in this end and purpose, it is a failure. We cannot, of course, expect any human institution to be perfect, but we do expect, and we have a right to expect, that its. achievements for good shall overwhelmingly outweigh its failures. If any public institution or organisation is doing more evil than good, then I say-, "Away with it,' whether it be an Imperial Parliament, or a local Parliament, or a County Council, or a District Council. Is not the present occasion an appropriate time for taking stock? Would it not be profitable for the people of Barry at the present day to take a brief review of the work of the local government of Barry? Has it done any good work? Has it to the best of its, ability maintained the rights and secured the welfare of the people of Barry? Has it done those things which it ought to have done? Has it left undone those things which it ought not to have done? Well, I think there are many things to which you and I can point in which the local government of this district has done nobly. On the other hand, if we have made mistakes let us not disown them. I feel that I can honestly say, and I am inclined to believe that you will agree with me, that local government in Barry has on the whole been a great success, and that its successes have overwhelmingly outweighed any blunders which it may have made. In the main it has maintained the rights and liberties of the com- munity as a whole. It has been fairly repre- sentative of all classes. It has as far as pos- sible been just and fair to every class and to every individual in the commonwealth of Barry. Moreover, let us contemplate the handsome municipal buildings which we are engaged to-day in opening, and I trust thereby inaugurating an era of still greater prosperity and usefulness in. this town. This noble struc- ture symbolises for us the useful results of the labours of your public servants, which re- sults are also to be seen written over the face of the town. But, friends, if you think differently if you. think your representatives (havte not been faithful to fheir trupt, you have the remedy in your own hands. This brings us face to face with a fact which is full of significance, full of meaning. It is this: the true seat of government is in the people themselves. The character of all re- presentative government depends upon the AN DISTRI I BARRY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL CHAMBER. character of the people. What moral charac- ter is to the individual, good government is to the State, and the government of the com- munity in which we live is in some measure coloured by the character of each one of us. Think, then, of our responsibilities, and let our aims and pursuits, our habits and princi- ples be such as will not shame us to see them reflected in the government of the town. In conclusion, let me say this good government does not merely consist in wise legislation and just administration. It does not consist merely in making good laws, and in rightly applying those laws. These are, no doubt, an import- ant factor, a very important factor, but good government also involves a healthy public opinion emerging out of the minds and hearts of an intelligent, moral, and noble people. (Applause.) Councillor W. R. Lee, amid the heartiest applause, proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman of the Council for performing the opening ceremony, and in doing so, Mr. Lee spoke of the valuable services which had been rendered by Mr. W. J. Williams during the short period he had been connected with the public life of the town. Mr. Williams was a leader of men. There was a time when he was. but the leader of a party on the Council. That was in the days of controversy and strife, but since then Mr. Williams had changed his mind, and was now the leader of the whole Council. (Cheers'.) Mr. Lee paid a graceful and well-deserved tribute to the efficiency with which the work of erection of the new offices had been carried out. He was pleased to state that most of the work had been entrusted to local labour, the entire structure being a great credit to all concerned. (Cheers.) In seconding the vote of thanks Councillor D. Lloyd said:—Ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to second a resolution of thanks to the Chairman of the Council for the able manner in which he has performed the important cere- mony of inaugurating these handsome new offices' for public use. For nearly twenty years the Barry local authority and its staffs, have carried out their important work of adminis- tering the municipal affairs of the town under very limited and difficult conditions, and although it may in justice be said that that work has been satisfactorily carried out, both j so far as the authority and the officials are concerned, it would, no doubt, have, been more promptly, if not more efficiently, done had they been more conveniently and suitably provided for with accommodation. However, a good start has to-day been made in the direction of placing Barry on a level with other important towns, in this respect, and I hope we shall soon be in a position to welcome the completion of the entire scheme of public buildings for the town, for it must be admitted that, whether from the point of view of economy or efficiency, it is a great mistake and a, great disadvantage to have ,our staffis, separated from each other in differ- ent parts of the town I endorse heartily the remarks of the proposer of the vote of thanks to the Chairman, and I cannot help thinking that the graceful manner in which Mr. Wil- liams has performed the function to-day is a happy, interesting, and historic climax to a year of office which he has fulfilled with energy, enterprise, ability, generosity, and success. Mr. J. H. Jose, J.P., Cardiff, proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman (Mr. D. Mor- gan) for presiding, stating that Mr. Morgan, as Chairman of the Public Works Committee during the past year, had devoted a great deal of time and practical knowledge in supervis- ing the erection, of the buildings. Councillor J. Marshall seconded the vote of thanks in suitable terpis, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. J. C. Megigitt, J.P., who had been called away to London, and the vote was heartily accorded, Mr. Morgan making a suit- able response. During the proceedings an excellent selection of music was rendered by the Barry School Boys String Band (under the direction of Mr. William Williams), and tea was afterwards partaken of, at the kind invitation of the Chair- man of the Council. GRAND BANQUET AT THE MASONIC HALL. In the evening a company numbering nearly 200 ladies and gentlemen, representing the public and official life of the town, were the guests of the Chairman of the District Council at a magnificent I banquet held at the Masonic Hall.
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LIST OF GUESTS. The respected host, Councillor VNI. J. Williams, J.P., presided, and he was accom- panied at the cross table by Mrs. Williams. Alderman the Rev. D. H. Williams, M.A., and Mrs. Williams, Councillor D. Lloyd and Mrs. Lloyd, Councillor Dr. P. J. O'Donnell and Mrs. O'Donnell, Councillor J. A. Manaton and Mrs. Manaton, Councillor D. Morgan and Mrs. Morgan, Mr. T. B. Tordoff and Miss Tor- doff, County Councillor J. Lowdon, J.P., and Councillor J. A. Lovat-Fraser, B.A.L. The invited guests, most of whom were present, also included Councillor J. T. Hogg and Mrs. Hogg, Councillor H. Lakin and Mrs. Lakin, Councillor C. B. Griffiths and Mrs. Griffiths, Dr. and Mrs. Sixsmith Mr. T. P. Prichard, Miss Dr. Elder, Rev. T. Pandy John and Mrs. John, Councillor James, Jones and Mrs. Jones, Councillor J. Williams and Mrs. Wil- liams, Councillor J. D. Watson and Mrs. Watson, Councillor Morgan Thomas and Mrs. Thomasi, Councillor T. Davies and Mrs. Davies, Councillor W. R. Lee and Mrs. Lee, Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Jones, Councillor O. McCann and Mrs. McCann, Dr. W. Lloyd Edwards and Miss Edwards, Councillor F. T. Mossford and Mm Mossford, Councillor Geo. Wareham and Mrs. Wareham, Councillor J. Marshall and Mrs. Marshall, Mr. J. H. Jose, J.P., and Mrs. Jose, Rev. H. H. Stewart, M.A., Rev. J. S. Longdon, M.A. and Mrs. Longdon, Nurse Reed, Mr. C. E. Hutchinson (architect), Mr. D. W. Davies (builder), Lieut. Colonel J. A. Hughes, Miss E. P. Hughes, Miss Tetsuyami, Dr. Neale, J.P., Mr. J. C. Pax-doe, A.M.I.C.E., and Mrs. Pardae, Mr. A. Jackson and Mm Jackson, Councillor J. E. Levers and Mrs. Levers, Mr. J. O. Davies, Mr. Edgar Jones, M.A., and Mrs. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. R. Treharne Rees, Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. D. Rees, Mr. and Mrs. W. Dr. and Mrs. Powell, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Lewiss Mr. Nielius (Bristol), Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Rees, Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Sommerfield, Mr. E. W. Waite, A.M.I.C.E., and Mrs. Waite, Mrs. Davies, Mr. and Mrs. H. Whitheouse, Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Williams, Mr. J. Rey- nolds, Miss E. Williams, Mr. Tudor Jones, Miss Davies, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Jones, Miss A. Lewis, Dr. King, Nurse Evans, Mr. L. Lavis, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Llewellyn, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Davies, Mr. C. B. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. G. Hybart, Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Hinchsliff, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Hopkins, Miss J. H. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Howe, D.C.C Supt. Giddings and Mrs. Giddingsl, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Green, Mr. and Mrs. Frank- lin, Mr. Sydenham, Councillor and Mrs. M. Nicholas, Councillor and Mrs. E. Phillips, Mrs. Ben Evans, Mr. Dan Evans, Mr. and Mrs. C. Hockley, Mr. and Mrs. C. Howe, Mr. and Mrs. John Jenkins, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Jones, Mr. and Mrs. J. Lloyd Jones, Dr. and Mrs. Kent, Mrs. Murta, Miss Watson, Mr. and Mrs. J. Jones, Mr. a,nd Mrs. J. E. Thorpe, I Miss Clatwox-thy, Mr. A. Manaton;, Mr. and Mrs. G. Couzens, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Gar- j diner, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Birkenhead, Dr. and Mrs1. Brav. Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Evans, 'I Mr. and Mrs. T. Ewbank, Mr. and Mrs. W. Lee, Mr. W. T. Medhurst, Mr. L. D. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Williams, Miss Mabel Brown, Mr. H. C. Williams, Miss Furgiisson, Mr. J. Jones (Cardiff), Mr. and Mrs. John Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Chivers, Mrs. and Miss Cargill, Mr. D. Edwards, Miss Kattie, Mr. J. Roch, Mr. Hayward Davies, Miss G. Cann, Dr. Rhys, Miss Mackay, Mr. J. Hol- I lowEY, Mr. E H. Pvyne, Captain Gibson. I Mr. and Mrs. J. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Thomas), Mr. and Mrs .F. Sharp, Mr. Samuel Edwards, etc. The menu, which was of a recherche descrip- tion, was as follows:- POTAGE. Consomme a la Nelson. Ox Tail. POISSEN. Fillet of Sole a la Cardinal. ENTREE. Lamb Cutlets. aux Petet PoiE. REMOVES. Roast Sirloin of Beef. Horseradish. Roast Turkey and Sausage. Boiled Chicken and Tongue. RELIEVES. Champagne Ham and Spinnach. ENTREMETS. Trifle an Liqueur. Stewed Pears and Creams. Benediction Jelly. IMeringues a la Vanilla. Apples, Bananas, Grapes, Oranges, Coffee. Minerals,, Champagne, Wines. Whilst the banquet was in progress the Barry School Boys' String Band played a highly credit- able programme of music. The toast of the King, submitted by the Chairman, was loyally received. Councillor J. A. Lovat-Fraser, Cardiff, proposing The Spiritual and Temporal Forces," said in an age of materialism like the present, it behoved the spiritual forces to exercise their influence in the direction of resisting that force which was 80 manifestly abroad in the present day towards making this country a nation of materialists like the United States and countries on the European Continent. The toast was acknowledged by the Rev H. H. Stewart, M.A., rector of Barry Rev T. Pandy John, Barry Docks; and Lieutenant-Colonel J. Arthur Hughes, it being pointed out by the two former gentlemen that the relations between the Church and Nonconformity at Barry were of the most harmonious character. Colonel Hughes, referring to Mr Haldane's scheme of home defence, expressed the belief that if the new Territorial scheme failed, there would be nothing left but a system of conscription or compulsory service. He hoped, therefore, that, aided by a healthy public opinion, a fair trial would be given to the scheme which was now being submitted to its test. Alderman the Rev D. H. Williams, M.A., pro- posed "The Chairman and Members of the Barry Urban District Council," and paid a tribute to the admirable manner in which the town was municipally governed. The Chairman (Councillor W. J. Williams), who was warmly received, was the first to respond. He was delight,d that his year of office as chairman was terminating with such a happy gathering as they were holding that evening. When he first had the privilege and pleasure of becoming associ- ated with the public life of Barry he found the Council divided into at least two sections, with considerable unpleasantness and bitterness exist- ing between them, and it was possible that to s. me extent he was responsible for that feeling. But he was glad to think that even those two sections were after all the best of friends. The Council was a cosmopolitan body, a happy combination of all the nationalities, but although things did not always run smoothly, it was gratifying that harmonious personal relations always existed between them. As a Council they had done their best in the interests of the town, and though sometimes reckless, with a natural aptitude for spending money, he had never heard the ratepayers begrudge this expenditure, because it was always intended to enhance the interests and welfare of the town. (Cheers). Councillor D. Lloyd also responded to the toast. He said :— Ladies and gentlemen—Sandwiched as I am, in responding to the toast of the Barry Coun- cil, on the one hand by the youngest gentle- man who has ever presided over the municipal destinies of the town, and on the other by the senior member of the Council, it is hardly necessary for me, who cannot claim to be either the youngest or the oldest member, to dwell at any length in speaking to this toast, especially as I had an opportunity this afternoon. of mak- ing some allusion to the memorable occasion that we are to-day celebrating. To get at a man's heart, some rude commentator has said, feed the beast." I would say, if you want to get the best out of our officials, house them well," and it is because we recognise the truth of this-because we are anxious to provide the best facilities in our power to enable them to do their work under the most advantageous con- ditions—that we met this afternoon, and have assembled again this evening in response to the hospitable invitation of the Chairman, in hon- our of the opening for public use of the first section of the new town tnces. Though still a young town Barry has always enjoyed a repu- tation for being enterprising and progressive. We have some of the best schools in the country -we have other institutions connected with the town in which Barry led the way for other larger towns to follow-but although the late School Board did make some provision for the accommodation of its clerical staff, it was not until the town had almost attained its majority that the local authority turned its attention seriously in the direction of providing suitable public offices. The first instalment of an ex- cellent scheme has been opened to-day, and if the late President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Lloyd George, described-and I think very pro- perly—the city buildings at Cardiff as amongst the most imposing in Europe, I hope when the entire scheme of public offices at Barry are completed, they will compare favourable wtih those of any town of its size in the kingdom. I again thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for associating my name with the honoured toast of the Barry Council. Dr P. J. O'Donnell, who also spoke in reply, said although of different nationalities, hailing from different points of the Kingdom, the Council were all Britishers, with the welfare of Barry and its citizens at heart. (Cheers) This year he (Dr O'Donnell) completed his majority as a public representative. (Hear, hear). Twenty years ago, when practically all the land was owned by syndicates, it seemed the object of those gentlemen to crowd as many houses as possible on to the little plots of land. After a struggle, the Council had succeeded in making Barry a fairly good town with no slums, and although once the Chairman and himself had had many hand to hand fights, things bad now become so arranged that he hoped all ill-feeling had departed from the council chamber. (Applause). The Town and Trade of Barry was submitted by Councillor Morgan Thomas, Cardiff, who said that a spirit had been displayed that evening which ought always to exist between Barry and the neighbouring city of Cardiff. From a village of 600 inhabitants, Barry had developed in twenty- two years into a thriving town with a population of over thirty thousand, and last year the exports reached a total of over ten millions, which was twice as large as the most sanguine expectations of the founders of the docks had anticipated. Barry, by establishing a municipal hospital, had set an example which Cardiff would do well to follow. (Cheers.) County Councillor J. Lowdon J.P., responding to the toast, described Barry, educationally and municipally, as one of the best towns in the Kingdom, and urged that efforts should be made (For Continuation see Page 8).
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