Rhyl Journal

Rhyl Urban District Council. MONTHLY MEETING. THE PROPOSED ILLUMINATIONS AT THE MARINE LAKE. THE CAI COMMfTTEE < SUCCESSFUL YEAR. MORFA BACH FOR EVER THE WATER TOWER AS AN ADVERTISING STATION. INTERESTING EXCHEQUER RETURNS. MO.N])AN. -Present Messra A. Rhydwen Jones (chairman), S Perks (rice-chairman), G A Taverner, A L Clows, J H Ellia, J E Buckley Jones, Fred Wallis, E George Evans, Fred Phillips, A D Hill, Isaac Batho, T D Jones, and Dr E Hughes Jones, with the Town Clerk (Mr A. Rowlands), Surveyor (Mr A A Goodall), Gas and Water Engineer (Mr L G Hall), Electric Light Engineer (Mr E H Wright), and Sanitary Inspector (MrR Lowe). Marine Lake Amusemants Schema. The minutes of the Eloctric Light Committee showed that the Town Cierk had reported the completion of the lease of the Mirino Lake to Rhyl Amusements, Ltd., for 14 years, with the option by the lessees of determination at the end of seven years. The leaie was datt-d March 21st. A letter had bean received from the Secretary of the Company asking the Coun- cil to supply a cable to the boundary of the lake, and whether the Council would be willing to light the public road on the north side of the lake with arc lampi, providing the Company undertook to erect not less than double the number of lamps on the other aide of the lake, and within their boundary. The Engineer was instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of laying the cable, and of the lamps asked for also a aliding scale of charges for current; also an estimate of the cost of bringing the cable along Wellington Road to the lake, instead of from the West Parade further, to canvass Wel- lington Road for consumers in the event of a cable being laid along that route. Mr E G Evans said the foregoing minutes contained a most unusual request on the part of a private company, and he sincerely hoped the Electric Light Committee were not going to rush headlong into any great public expendi- ture on the matter. He would like to know what was done at the meeting which was ar- ranged to take place last Thursday at the lake between the directors of the Company and the Electric Light Committee. Mr Taverner-Have patience. You are trying to rush the matter—not the committee. Mr Hill-Writ and see (loud laughter). The Town Clerk said there Was It meeting last Thursday, but practically nothing was done, owing to the absence of a certain gentleman. Mr Clews said the gentleman whom they expected most of all to meet—Mr Butler-did not turn up, and the other two gentlemen pre- sent on behalf of the Company, not being experts in electricity matters, could not give them the information they desired. They had therefore got practically no further than the stage reported in the minutes given above. The committee had given the Company little or no encouragement to expect that the Council would light the road on the north side of the lake with arc lamps. To meet all the Com- pany's requirements in the matter of current might mean the laying of a new main entirely from the electric light works. The Electric Light Engineer, in answer to an enquiry, said he had not yet received any further communication from the company. Mr T D Jones said he could bear out Mr Clews' assurance that the Electric Light Com- mittee were going to be very careful not to embark upon any Hcheme which might prove a burden to the town. They desired to encour- age the Company in their efforts to provide additional amusements for the town, but they did not mean to lay themselves open to any great risk (hear, hear). Mr E George Evans said that what he was anxious about was that those two white ele- phants, the electric light undertaking and the lake, should not meet (laughter). There had been plenty of blundering in the past in regard to both concerns, and be was anxious that there should be no further accumulation of blunders. Mr Taverner-Let us wait until we have all the information we want before us. We are not in order in going on like this to-day. You are too previous in your remarks, Mr Evana. Mr Evans—Well, I will talk you out, any way (laughter). Mr Evnns went on to say that the Council had on their hands already an j unfinished scheme for the eleotric lighting of the town, and nothing short of the continuance i of the cables along Wellington Road would satisfy the ratepayers. Money had been borrowed, or power obtained to do so, for cable extensions, and it would be unjust to the ratepayers to embark upon any outlay simply i to bolster up a private concern. I Mr Hill said that after the very dramatic speech of his friend and neighbour the Council < might be greatly lelieved to know that the Electric Light Committee were not going to spend a penny inside the railings of the lake. Whatever might be the route along which the cables would be extended, the Council might rest assured that the committee would only choose that route which would give them the most customers. Mr Evans should join the com- mittee, although he did not know what use (laughter). Mr Hill concluded by saying that the Council had signed an agreement with the lake people for the laying of electric light mains to the lake gates. Mr Phillips complained of the absence of printed minuves of Thursday's proceedings. The Chairman said there appeared to be nothing to report. Mr Phillips paid that whether anything or nothing was done the whole Council ought to be in peesession of some record of what trans- pired, and that before the Council meeting. Between Thursday and that day there should have been time for the preparation of some kind of report. The explanation that this was impossible owing to certain correspondence not being available brought the discussion to an end. Plant, The Road Committee reported having dis" poeed of plans as follows :-Glass and Iron verandah in front of premises in High Street, for Mr J H Percy, approved wooden booking office at No 1 East Parade, for Messrs Brookes I Bros, approved as a. temporary building subjoet to removal at one week's notice at any time Pavilion and Cardans Matters. The General Purposes Committee reported, with regard to a letter frem Mrs Nevill, object- ing to pay arrears of rent of the refreshment rooms in the Marine Gardens, that they had directed the Town Clerk to take legal proceed- ings for the recovery of the rent. Correspond- ence between Messrs Baring Brothers and the Council relating to the costs of the agreement in connection with the Pavilion and Gardens entertainments for the coming seaeen had been left to the Town Clerk. With regard to the application of the Rhyl Advertising Association to be again appointed as advertising agents in connection with the Pavilion and Gardens, the Town Clerk informed the committee that he was awaiting a statement of expenditure of last year's vote of R100, as promised by the Secre- taries. The matter was therefore deferred. The Free Library. The report of the Librarian (Mr W M Wil- liams) showed that the stock in the Library amounted to 3166 volumes. The issues during the past month amounted to 2652, or an average of 115 per day, from the lending department, and to 114 from the reference department. Receipts from various sources during the month amounted to R2 58 4d, including HIs in fines, &c. It was reported that the Library account showed a credit, balance of JE422 2s Id at the end of Fibiuary, ilie total receipts (including a balance of JE415 laB 7d brought forward from the previous year) being £664 lis 2d. c_- .i Surveyor's Monthly Report. The Surveyor reported that the town's sun- shiue record for the past month amounted to 123 hours 10 minutes, a daily average of 4 hours 24 minutes. Road repairs and patching had been executed in Victoria Road, Fforddlas, Mill Bank Road, and Pendyffryn Road, 45 tons of material having been uaed. The old tiled pavements in front of Messrs Allen Jones and Co's and Messrs Hepworth's premises and the Domestio Bazaar, in High Street, had been replaced with concrete flags. The work of re- sodding and laying out the last grass plat on the West Parade had been completed, and new railings for the same had been ordered. The houses erected by Messrs David Griffiths and Son in Ernest Street had been numbered, and the houses in North Terrace, Ernest Street, had been re-numbered. The construction of the groyne on the west foreshore to serve as a training wall for the river had caused a gravel bank to torm in the old bed I of tho river, but the turning of the course of the river westwards had not been accomplished. A considerable amount of erosion had taken place at the extreme end of the West Parade, over three ftet of gravel, having been washed away. Thti'e was, how- ever, no immediate danger, and ib was hoped that in the course of the season the gravel bank now opposite the top of Sandringharn Avenue would work westwards and take the place of the gravel washed away. The waters having now subsided arrangements had been made for commencing the cleaning of the Cut. Mr T D Jones asked the Town Clerk whether he was thoroughly satisfied that the Council could recover the cost of the work done for other people besides themselves in connec- tion with tho "Cut." The Town Clerk said that under the order made by the magistrates some time ago the Council were to do the work for all the parties concerned and recover a proportion of the cost from each. Mr Ellis-Then you are on safe grounds so far as the recovery of the cost is concerned ? The Town Clerk-Yes. Mr T D Jones—If that is 'so then it is all right. Promenade Asphalting. The question of repairing \the Promenade asphalte was mentioned, and it was reported that the Road Committee had resolved that R61) be provided in the estimates for the ensuing year for that work. PaintinLz Work. With regard to a specification and tenders submitted by the Surveyor for painting at the Marine Lake, on shelters, lavatories, railings, and gates, and on the bandstand in the Marine Gardens, ttc., the Road Committee reported having decided that th.) lowes1; tender be accepted in each case, and that the work be proceeded with forthwith. Mr Hill expressed a hope that the Road Committee would make a special effort to put the lake surrounding. in order. The neglect of tho Council's property at the lake had been very serious, and it was high time a new ordor of things prevailed there. Mr Ellis said that about 950 was to be spent on painting at the lake. Mr Hill said that; tho lower part of the large bo^thouae at the lake had been completely wasted away in consequence of the laying out cf flower beds close to it. Mr Ellis said the Read Committee were looking after that matter also. Road Tarring. Upon the Road Committee reporting that they had resolved that the tarring of the streets be proceeded with, Mr B George Evans said he hoped they would have some regard for the time when the work was done. He suggested that late on Saturday night would be the most con- venient time for the business streets. Mr Taverner—That will prevent some from getting to church on Sunday morning. Mr Ellis said the Council might rest assured that the work would be done with as little in- convenience as possible to the public. Mr Taverner —There has never been any great hardship in the matter. Mr E George Evans—I beg to differ. Mr Taverner-The tarring operations have always been satisfactory except to perhaps a few who have found a little tar on their door steps. Mr E George Evans-It has gone boyond loorsteps in many cases. A Street Organist's Applioatlon. Tho Road Committee recommended the granting of an application by Mra Gizzi for permission to play an organ in the streets dur- ing the ensuing season—tho permission to be weekly, and subject to discontinuance at any bime, and no playing to take place on the sea- front. Mr Hill, in moving the deletion of this recommendation, said it sanctioned a form of street begging which they ought to prevent. He did not know why hideous noises should be countenanced in the streets any more than on i the seafront. If such music was not good ennugh for the Promenade it was not good enough for the streets. To grant the application would be setting a bad example, and he was sure thera was nothing to be gained by people of the organ grinding class being encouraged in the town. Mr Phillips seconded the amendment, re- marking that organ grinding in the streets was 11 z!1 a thing they could very well do without. It was banned entirely in several seaside resorts. Mr r D Jones said he sympathised with Mr Hill to a certain extent, but rather than go the length he had proposed he suggested that the woman be allowed one day a week. Mr Phillips—If this sort of thing is good for one day it must be good for the whole week. Mr Ellissaid the Road Committee had taken a very philanthropic view of the application beeaase the woman had been a resident of Rhyl for many years and her husband was a chronic invalid, while she had about 15 or 16 children. She had a great number of sympathisers in tho town, and the granting of the application would enable her to make some kind of living. Mr Phillips said that under those circum- stances he would withdraw his support of the amendment;, although he personally objected very much to such confounded things as street organs—he would not call them instruments (laughter). Mr Hill, in withdrawing the amendment, said that although chename of the applicant did not suggest it, there was more Welsh about the matter than he had thought (laughter). Mr Buckley Jones-Yoa ought to make yourself better acquainted with your constit- uents (laughter) The recommendation was adopted. Open-Air Mission. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Open-air Mission, London, of which Lord Kinnaird is the treasurer, applying for per- mission to hold seaside services during the month of August, commencing July 31st, on 11 the beach between Edward Henry Street and Abbey Street, or between High Street and Queen Street. On the recomenendation of the Road Com- mittee the application was granted, for a space to be appointed by the Surveyor west of the embayment, and payment of 5s. a week. What's In a Nama 7" With regard to a letter from Mr Ernest Jones auctioneer and agent, stating that Vale Place instead of Maes-y-dre would satisfy the property owners who desired a new name for Morfa Bach, the Road Committee re- commended that the resolution of the Council adopting "Maes-y-Dre" be rescinded, and that "Vale Place" be adopted in lieu thereof. Mr T. D. Jones, amidst much laughter, expressed the opinion that they should revert to the old name, Morfa Bach. Mr Taverner supported this niggeBtion, re- marking that with the improving of the property there should now be some chance of the locality living down the bad odour which appeared to have gained, V Mr Wallis said that in view of the fact that tho improved property belonged to an English- man, the owner ought to be allowed to give the i locality an English name if he liked. Why should they as a Council adopt a Welsh name t in opposition to the English one which he; favoured ? A sum of £ 200 or £ 300 had been spent in improving the property, and the owner was surely entitled to whatever name he thought fit to select for it. If the property were his (the speaker's) he would give it whatever name he liked and let the Council do as they liked. Mr Ellis said the Committee recommended "Vale Place because the owner practically insisted upon it. He (the speaker) was as patriotic a Welshman as anyone on the Council —(hear, hear)—but he thought that the man who bad done so much to improve the locality deserved to be met. If he were in the owner's place he would be inclined to call it "Collins' Square." Mr Hill said he did not view the matter from the standpoint oi English or Welsh so much as from tho commercial standpoint. lu this business age the best plan was to have I names as simple as possible and understood by everyone. "Maes-y-Dre" was a very sweet sounding name, especially after Mr Wallis' (pronunciation of it—(hear, hear, and laughter) but, everyone had not the necessary linguistic abilities for the proper pronunciation of smh a name (renewed laughter). Mr Buckley Jones said he did not think that sufficient reason had been given for changing the name of the locality at all. Whatever new name they might find for it, its popular name would be Morfa Bach. A change was therefore 1 ike'y to lead only to confusion. Tha Vice-Chairman said that whatever course the Council took Mr Collins could give his property what name he liked. Mr T D Jones-He can name his own terrace whatever he likes, but he can't alter the name of the whole locality. There is more property than his in what is known as Morfa Bach. Mr E George Evans—Why not Sprlngfields Place, as a compliment to the Chairman of the Road Committee ? (Laughter) On a division it was decided by eight votes to five to adhere to the old name of Morfa Bach, the voting being as follows :—For Morfa Bach, the Chairman and Messrs Clews, Taver- ner, T D Jones, E George Evans, Buckley Jones, Batho, and Dr Jones against, the Vice- chairman and Messrs Ellis, Phillips, Hill, and Wallis. The Town Yard. With regard to a letter from Mr J E Smith, Ferry Hotel, Foryd, appealing to the Council to alter tue open palings of the town yard in front of his property in Wellington Road, as the present outlook was preventing him from letting the property, the Road Committee re- commended that £20 be provided in the ensuing year's estimates for building a wall in place of the palings. Mr Ellis, in moving that the matter be re- ferred back to the Road Committee for recon- sideration in conjunction with the revised annual estimates, said a wall was absolutely necessary for the Council's own protection, and the outlay was more likely to be JE40 than £20. Mr Ba!,ho seconded the motion and it was agreed to. The Sanitary Committee Reported that they had discussed tenders for the supply of coal for Towyn Hospital, and had selected that of Mr Owen Thomas at 16s per ton, delivered at the hospital. Tenders for team work for the sanitary department for three years hid been discussed, and it was recom- mended that the tenders of Messrs Brookes Bros for the work in bulk for a lump sum of zC360 per annum, and for the removal of detritus from manholes, flushing of sewers, Arc, at 6s 6d per day, be accepted. The Electrical Engineer having offered to weigh the loads, and to keep an official account of the same, at a cost of 5s a week, it was further recommended that the offer be accepted, in order to enable the committee to calculate the cost of cartage per ton. With regard to a circular letter from the hon. sec. af C, the Sanitary Inspectors' Association, inviting the Council to appoint one or more of their officers as delegates to the annual conference in London, it was recommended that Mr Lowe be appointed, and that he be allowed £4 4s towards his expenses. Mr Phillips enquired whether the f.360 ten- der recommended for acceptance was less than the cost of the work previously. Mr Batho replied that it was E70 less. The report WKB adopted with the exception of the recommendation as to the weighing of refuse, which was struck out on the motion of Mr Hill, seconded by Mr Phillips, who re- marked that its adoption would mean a quite unnecessary expenditure of £ 13 a year. The Water Undertaking. The minutes of the Water Committee con- tained a recommendation that £30 be provided in the new yoar'a estimates for the laying of a 4in main along High Street, Abergele. A letter had been received from Messrs Quellyn Roberts and Co, asking the Council to make an allowance of 1:4 4s in respect of the cost of a pump which they had been obliged to provide to force water into tanks at the Westminster Hotel. The committee could not, however, entertain the proposal. The total cost of the water tower at Penycefndy was reported to be 91091 17s 4d, the amount of the loan for that purpose being £ 1090. The consumption of water during March throughout the water supply area amounted to 13,384,000 gallons, a decrease of 416,000 gallons on the amount con- sumed a year ago. The reservoirs on March 31st contained 103,000,000 gallons. Mr E George Evans, in supporting the adoption of the report, which was agreed to, said it was a red-letter day in the history ot Rhyl to find that they had for once come some- where near their estimates. He referred to the coat of the water tower, and he congratulated the Water Engineer and all concerned upon the way in which they had done their work. In the matter of keeping to their estimates they had now made a start which he hoped would bo long adhered to. Mr Ellis-We have had many occasions on which we have run our estimates very close. Mr E Georga Evans-Not so many, sir. The Water TO Nor al an Advertising Medium. Mr T D Jones proposed that the Water Committee take into consideration the question of utilising the water tower for advertising purposes. He belived there was money in the idea. Tfie tower could be seen for many miles around, and many firms would, he believed, be glad of the opportunity of advertising their wares upon it. In that way the Council might in time get back the cost of the structure. Mr Ellis- It would do wall for advertising whisky (laughter). Mr Hill, in seconding the motion, said that failing any outside advertiser, the Council might use the tower for advertising Rhyl. Rhyl air strong and delicious-like E B Jones' teas "—(laughter)—would look very well up there. Mr Buckley Jones-What are you going to charge me for that puff ? (Laughter). Mr Clews thought it would be a pity to dis- tigure the tower and the town by converting the tower into an advertising hoarding. It was an eyesore already to some extent, especially to people living in its vicinity. He did not know of a single case in the United Kingdom, as far as his experience and knowledge went, in which a public place like that was used for advertising purposes, and he was strongly against such au idea. Mr Phillips thought it would be the height of folly to spoil what beauty the town now pos- sessed by covering it with advertisements of teas, whiskies, pills, or anything else. He would not be opposed to some scheme of advertising the town on it by mean!- of electric lamps, but that, of course, would mean money. If he had his way he would pull down every advertisement hoarding in the place. In other countries, as he had seen for himself, the authorities would not allow their towns to be disfigured by such horrible looking things. Any kind of advertise- ment would not do for them, and some kind oi line ought to be drawn in this country. Mr Ellis quite agreed with Mr T D Jones. As it stood the tower was plain and conspicu- ous, and its use as an advertising medium would, he thought, add to its beauty (laughter). Mr E George Evans strongly approved of Mr T D Jones' suggestion. He was sure it was worth an income of from JE50 to a year. Mr Buckley Jones said that if the idea came to anything it should he made a condition that the advertisements should be renewed periodi- cally. What made advertisement stations so unsightly was the way in which they were allowed to become dilapidated. By casing and panelling out the tower they could make it an ornament as well as a source of considerable income. Dr Jones objected to the proposal on lesthetic grounds. The approach to the town on which the tower stood was none too good as it was, and they should not make it uglier by covering the tower with advertisements. They ought to make that end of the town as attractive as possible, seeing that it was one of the main arteries of tho town. Mr T D Jonos did not think thit anvthincr I could make the tower worse than ic was. c On a division the motion was carried by I seveu votes to six, the voting being as follows -For, tho Chairman and Messrs T D Jones, Ellis, E George Evans, Batho, Hill, and Buckley Jones; against, the Vice-Chairnian, Dr Jones, and Messrs Tavernor, Phillips, Wallis, and Clews. Mr I now move that we have some advertisements on the gasometers (laughter). The Eleoirlo Light Undertaking. 1 The report of the Electric Light Engineer for the past month showed that there had been an output of 13,101 units of electricity, against 14,019 units a year ago, the works costs amounting to zC83 14s 7d, against £ 87 7s lOd. The Engineer further reported on the new steam set as follows: With the exception of a small amount of pipe covering this work is now completed. Several trial runs have been made, and after some small adjustments had been made the set worked quite satisfac- torily. The contractors make application for payment of 80 per cent. This, I suggest, should be hold over until the final test is made. The Electric Light Committee reported hav- ing paid a visit to the electric light works to see the new plant in operation. With regard to a letter from the Secretary of the Queen's Palace and Hotel Company asking for a special charge not exceeding 3d per unit for current supplied to the Company as large consumers, the committee reported having deferred the matter for a report by the Engineer. The Exohequer Estimated Colleotlons More than Realised. The Finance Committee reported that the receipts for the past month totalled £ 4,734 16s 9d, the expenditure £2,4iG 88 4d, and the liat of salaries, wages and bills for payment £ 1,819 5s 2d. A return of the Council's bank balances showed a balance against the Council of £ 3,542 5s 2d. The collections for the year ended March 31st resulted as follows General district rate, £ 14,643, E213 above the estimate, against a surplus of £f12 for the pre- vious year; water, £ 8,162, X302 above the estimate, against a surplus of A:340 for tho previous year gas, A:12,081, £ 541 above the estimate, against a surplus of E255 for the pre- vious year electric light, £2,!)1:J, £83 above 'the estimate, against a. shortage of 2222 for the previous year. The total surplus for the year was £ 1,139. A. statement of expenditure by the various departments showed that the Road Com- mittee's estimate for the year was £3,758 and t,he actual expenditure X3,691 68 5d. The Sanitary Committee estimated to spend £ 3,089 and actually spent 1:2,291 133 7d. The refuse destructor expenditure was estimated at R420 and came to £ 416 16s 7d. The Finance Commit- tee estimated to spend £8,362 and spent £ 8,288 13d 3d. The General Purposes Committee estimated to spend 2574 and spent £601 16s 101. The sum of 1:2,403 was estimated to be spent in connection with the Pavilion and Gardens and the actual amount spent was E2,749 15s. The Library Committee estimated to spend 9272 and spent £ 274 8s 4d. The Gas Committee's estimate was £ 10,123, and their expenditure was £ 10,353 5s. The Water and Fire Engine Committee's estimate was £ 8,331, and their expenditure £ 8,384 78 9d. The Electric Light Committee estimated to spend 1:3,811 and spent £3,886 16s lid. It waa pointed out that the bank balance against the Council included the sum of 7 87 borrowed from the bank on account of the Pavilion and Gardens. The Gas Undertaking. The report of the Gas Engineer showed that 4,368,000 cubic feet of gas had been consumed during the past month, against 4,492,300 cubic feet twelve months ago and that 251 tona 8 cwts of coke had been sold. The Engineer also reported that the new works and mains for which a loan of £ 3,600 was obtained were all completed, and that all the accounts had been paid, tho expenditure having exceeded tho sanctionod loan by £ 31. The surplus was due to the withdrawal of a tender and the accept- ance of a higher one. The Gas Committee reported having decided to increase the wages of the two gasworks labourers from 213 to 22s per weak, and those of the four lamplighters from 8s to 9s per weak. An application by the meter inspector for an increase of wages (now £ 1 8s per week), with uniform once a year, had been deferred. It had been decided that tenders for coal,tar and liquor be advertised for, as usual, for another year. Mr Phillips said he wished to move that the advertisement in connection with the last item of the committee's report include team work. The Chairman said that as that matter was thrashed out as recently as the last monthly meeting of the Council he could not accept the motion. Mr Phillips—Then I must give notice of motion. Profitable Gas Making. The Vice-Chairmau, speaking as chairman of the Gas Committee, said the past year had been a sort of red-letter year in the history of the gas works, and for tho benefit of those Councillors who were not on the Gas Committee and the ratepayers generally he would like to make a statement thereon..The works came into the possession of a private company in 1869. Of that company he was a director and subsequently chairman. In 1869 the consump- tion was something under three million cubic feet, and the net profit was R637. In 1832 the concern was purchased by the Council for £ 32,000, £ 3,000 baing paid for Parliamentary expenses and for taking over some other things belonging to the company. At that time the make of gas was 22 million cubic feet per an- num and the profit was R 1, 900. Shortly after- awards the works came under the management of the present engineer, Mr Hall. At that time the yield of gas per ton of coal carbonised was 10,200 cubic feet. The town had, of course, grown largely since that data. In the past financial year they had reached a make of gas of over 60 million cubic feet, and the produc- tion of gas per ton of coal carbonised had risen to 11,508 cubic feet (applause). From the gas-makers' point of view this record was very satisfactory, although the profits had not risen quite in proportion. But there were special reasons for this. Mr Clews pointed out that the contribution from the gas concern towards rate reduction was £ 300 higher than before. The Vice-Chairman added that one of the stock arguments against; the undertaking re- maining in the hands of the company was that if the Council had it the charge for gas would be reduced. The price when the Council took it over was 3s 7d per 1,000 cubic feet, and now it was 3s 6d. The price paid for the works represented 18 years' purchase on a profit of 21,900, and the works were at present worth something like £ 135,000. Judging from the price paid at Colwyn Bay, instead of 18 years' purchase the price should have been more like t thirty years (laughter.) They ought to feel j proud of the position cf the undertaking, j and very grateful to Mr Hall for the very efficient way in which he had run it (applause). Mr Ellis said that the gasworks had un- doubtedly been splendidly managed, and they all hoped that Mr Hall, who had been very unwell lately, would soon recover his health and be able to resume his active management of the undertaking (hear, hear). With regard to Mr Perks' valuation of the works at the present time, it was necessary, of course, to take into account the large amount of additional capital which the Council had put into it. Mr Wallis, in endorsing all that the Vice- Chairman had said about the management of the undertaking, contended that it was time that the consumers should get some benefit from the profits which were being earned by a reduc- tion in the price, which was too high. He also thought that the slot meter system should be more generally adopted in the town (hear, hear). There was no doubt, he concluded, that the Council had in the gas undertaking a concern that was second to none in North Wales, and its eminently satisfactory position could only be attributed to Mr Hall's excellent supervision and management (hear, hear). Wagons for the Cam Works. Considerable discussion took place upon the following report by the Engineer as to the pur- chase of wagons for the gas department :— "VV AGOS HIRE AXD OWN- WAGONS. At the present time you pay M per ton on all coal purchased as wagon hir; for the past y. ar tkis would amount to a sum of X130. The c ).t of 10 ton wagons is abnut £(;2 (cash), an.l their Me upwards of 21 years. They C'in be purchased on deferred payment terms, spread over a period of 7 years, at a co»t per annum of .£12 10s, the c infractors painting and keeepin.( them in thorough repair. The following figures show the cost of present system and cost with 9 wagons on deferred payment svstem :— L. s. d. £ s. d. At present-5,200 tons at 6d 130 0 0 Hire of 9 trucks (51 trips at 9T 15C, or 1,476 tons), at JJL2 10s.112 10 0 Balance. 724 tons at 6d.18 '2 0 130 12 0 Balance 0 12 0 It will be seen that it practically costs no more to have our own wagon* than to pay a tonnage hire a* at present, but at the end of 7 years the wagons-worth upward of 9300-b#,come your own property, afterwards making a saving of £ 70 per annum. Bangor, Colwyn Bay, and Llandudno are are all purchasing their own wagons, and are pleased with the arrangement. Asuming that our own wagon* would enable us to get more regular deliver- ies from the collieries, this matter is worthy of your con- sideration. The Gas Committee recommended that the report be approved, and that the nine wagons be purchased as advised by the Engineer. Mr Buckley Jones said he did not agree with the method of purchase proposed. He thought it should be a cash transaction, otherwise they would be paying a great deal too much. He suggested that the committee re-consider the matter. The Vice-Chairman said he was quite willing to accept that suggestion. Mr Clews congratulated the committee on proposing to buy the wagons, which he said would be a legitimate means of advertising Rhyl near and far. He agreed with Mr Buckley Jones that they should not proceed on the hire purchase system, but buy the wagons outright. It was ultimately agreed to refer the matter back for re-consideration. Application by ths Gas Engineer. With regard to an application by the Gas Engineer for a free supply of gas and coal for his own private use, it was stated that this was customary for gas engineers and managers, and that during the whole term of his office (up- wards of 17 years) Mr Hall had been using gas for testing purposes and paying for it himself. The Gas Committee recommended that the application be allowed, the maximum amount of coal to he five tons per annum. Mr Phillips said he was sorry to speak against the proposal, because personally he would be pleased to support any application from Mr Hall, who was a most excellent servant of the Council. He felt, however, that it was not exactly the right thing for the Council to give one of their servants coal or gas or anything else free. He believed the matter was before the Gas Committee some two or three years ago, when a proposal to allow certain workmen so much coal at cost price was quashed. He sug- gested that instead of giving Mr Hall gas and coal free they should make him a money allow- ance, say £10 per annum. He thought he would like that better. Mr Clews-I am sure he would. Mr E George Evans thought it would be a straighter business course to consider what money allowance they should make to Mr Hall. He understood that it was the usual practice to make allowances of coal and gas to servants only when they lived at the works. Mr Hill, in supporting the application of the Engineer, said they were somewhat governed by precedent, inasmuch as two or three employees of the Council already had coal free. Mr Ellis-Who are they ? Mr Hill-The custodians of the water works and the gas works foreman. Mr Clews thought the discussion was rather unfortunate, although he had no doubt that Mr Phillips had raised it with the best of motives. Mr Hall was merely asking for what was the usual thing all over the country, and after the speech by Mr Perks in regard to the gas under- taking generally he thought it would be best to drop tho criticism and pass the recommenda- tion. The Vice-Chairman said that Mr Hall's pre- decessor had this allowance, and he did not know how it came to be discontinued. The recommendation was at length adopted. Sand-drift Removal. A recommendation that the tender of Messrs Jones and Salusbury for the removal of sand- drift during the ensuing year be accepted was adopted, the amount being 2220. It was stated that the tender of Mr Edwin Jones, the present contractor,amounted to £26U, or £ 90 more than that which he put in last year. Mr Phillips pointed out that last year Mr Edwin Jones was only tendering tor a part of the year, and now he was bidding for a whole year's work. Mr Ellis said they had gone in for the lowest tenders all round, in order to save as much as possible. The other cartage contract was a reduction of about £70 on last year's. The Cinematograph Aot. A letter was read from Mr R Bromley stat- ing that the County Council had passed a resolution delegating their powers under the Cinematograph Act to the local Councils. The Town Clerk explained that one of the powers under the Act was that relating to the granting of licences. He had already been informed that application was to be made for a licence under the Act for Mr S Warhurat, the Pier proprietor, and he suggested that a Licen- sing Committee be appointed. The Chairman suggested the General Purposes Committee. Mr Hill—The House of Lords," you mean (laughter). Mr E George Evans-Yes, the committee that has charge of the cemetery (laughter). The Chairman's suggestion was agreed to. Christ Church Schools. A letter was read from the Flintshire Education Committee stating that the above schools had now been transferred wholly to the Committee as provided schools, and that in view of the transfer the following had been appointed as managers representing the Committee Messrs Joseph William a, K McEwen, G F Gunner and Daniel Evans. The appointment of two managers by the Council was left till the annual meeting, which was fixed for next Monday. Foryd Dredging Question. The Road Committee reported having had under consideration a letter from the Board of Trade, staling, in reply to a letter from the Cierk, that" it the Board eventually decido to consent to the pro- posed dredging by Mr E Hawthorne, junior, and the Council find that the plans aro not being adhered to in the encution < f dredging, or that the dredg- ing is causing injury to ai,y bdjicent works or property, it will be open for the Council at any time to make auoh representations to the Board as they may think desirable. Upon receipt of any