THE NEWS ROOM
1878

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: January 5th. 1878.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL, UXBRIDGE SQUARE

The examination, which took place at this school, at the close of the past half-year, was attended with great success. The following are the names of the pupils who obtained prizes:- J. R. Williams, J. Edwards, J. T. D. Toleman, O. Griffiths, O. Evans, H. Jones, G. Johnstone, H. E. Davies, R. Hughes, H. J. Hughes, W. A. Jeffrey, R. Halahan, R. Humphreys, H. Hughes, M. Evans, M. Davies.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: January 12th. 1878.

BILLIARDS

From an advertisement in this issue we notice that Mr. Harwood, of the Eagle Hotel, is about to give the lovers of billiards in this town a treat. He has engaged Cook (the champion), and Timbrell (another professional), to play a game at his new room on the 24th. inst.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: January 12th. 1878.

STREET OBSTRUCTIONS

The game of football is an excellent amusement in its proper place, but the streets of a town are hardly adapted to it. During these last days considerable obstruction has been caused the National Schools, on the Llanberis road, by a number of youths playing at football. It has been a great annoyance to those who attend Siloh Chapel, and to persons who reside in the suburbs and have to pass along this road home. Another annoyance is the number of men who stand at the corners of the streets, and thereby obstruct footways, causing people to have to walk off into the roadway. This is particularly the case at that part of High-street where Palace-street joins it. On Saturday and Sunday nights scores of idle loungers congregate at this spot, to the great annoyance and inconvenience of the public, and so near the police station, too!

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: January 19th. 1878.

A FINE OX

On Wednesday last, a very fine ox, weighing the enormous weight of 18½cwt., was brought to the new slaughter-houses of this town by Mr. Henry Jones, butcher, Bangor-street. We understand that the animal was fed on the farm of Mr. Humphreys, of the Royal Hotel, and received the seasonal prize at Llangefni in 1876; also a seasonal prize at Bangor in 1877, and a third prize at the last Liverpool Agricultural Show.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: January 26th. 1878.

BILLIARDS

A great exhibition match of 100 up between Cook, the champion, and W. Timbrell, took place at Harwood's Eagles Hotel, last night, the champion giving Timbrell 300 points. - The square was marked by Ashcroft's patent electric marketing board. The room was full. Cook won by 142 points.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: February 2nd. 1878.

BANGOR-STREET

Lord Newborough has expressed a wish to receive plans for the further improvement of Bangor-street, which will, no doubt, very shortly exchange its present nondescript shape for some form recognised in geometry.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: February 2nd. 1878.

CHILD BURNT

On Friday last, while the daughter of Mr. William Williams, Vinegar-hill, foreman with Mr. R. R. Williams, contractor, Bank Quay, was playing by the fireside, her apron caught fire. The flames were almost immediately extinguished, but not before she was badly burnt.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: February 2nd. 1878.

POOL-STREET

At last, the Vaynol estate has granted Mr. R. R. Williams a lease for the rebuilding of the small houses on the left hand (in going up) of Pool-street. Mr. Williams's faith in the future of Carnarvon is unbounded, he having outbid a brother builder and engaged to pay £14 per house ground rent

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: February 2nd. 1878.

FIRE AT A DRAPER'S SHOP IN CARNARVON

This (Friday) morning, about five o'clock, a fire was discovered on the premises of Mr. Ebenezer Jones, Regent House, High-street. Mr. Jones had occasion to rise early in the morning for the purpose of leaving town, and a strong smell of fire and smoke being perceived by the servants, he was appraised of it, and on making search he found that it proceeded from the workroom, which is above the shop. He called in the assistance of Police Constable Roberts, and William Bracegirdle and John Griffith, firemen, when it was found that the fire was underneath the hearthstone in the workroom. It was soon extinguished by means of buckets of water, but not before considerable damage was done by water to the goods stored in the room below. The fire was in the wood work underneath the hearthstone, and it is thought that it was caused by soot which had fallen from the chimney on the previous day when it was swept, and which had afterwards caught fire. Mr. Jones has had to close his establishment to-day in consequence of the disaster.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: February 9th. 1878.

A CORRECTION

Mr. R. R. Williams, builder, of this town, desires us to correct two statements that were made in a paragraph that appeared in our last. Mr. Williams did not "outbid a brother builder," in his purchase of a lease for a building site in Pool-street, there having been no competition whatever between him and any one. Also, in regard to the purchase, it is not "£14 per house, ground rent" that Mr. Williams pays. We understand that on this site will soon be built shops that will be a credit to the enterprise and public spirit of the town.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: February 9th. 1878.

FIRST-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT

We have pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to Professor Hiodini's Cosmopolitan, Cyclogeotic, &c., to be held at the Guild Hall on the 13th. and 14th. inst., as seen in our advertising columns. This is likely to prove a real and rare treat, the Professor having deservedly gained a wide fame in connection with his "indescribable" entertainment."

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: March 23rd. 1878.

A YOUNG GIRL BURNT TO DEATH

A serious accident occurred in Palace-street Court, last Tuesday. While Mary Elizabeth Williams, aged fourteen, daughter of Richard Williams, sailor, was nursing a child in her father's house, she tried to move a saucepan from off the fire, and as the handle was too warm for her hands, she got hold of it with part of her dress, which caught fire and burnt rapidly. She screamed, and several persons came in and took her into the court, where the fire was extinguished. Dr. Williams attended her, but she was too much burnt to recover. She died from her wounds on Wednesday morning. An inquest was held on the body in the Guild Hall, on Thursday, before Mr. J. H. Roberts, coroner, when the following were sworn as jury. Messrs. Griffith Griffiths, foreman, Uxbridge-square, William Jones, Palace-street; John Williams, Dinorwic House; Humphrey Owem, watchmaker, Eastgate-street; Moses Millward, Bridge-street; Robert Roberts, Bridge-street; S G. Davies, Pool-street; Owen Jones, Pool-street; John Hughes, Chapel-street; Robert Jones, fishmonger; John Roberts, High-street; and Ebenezer Jones, High-street. After hearng the evidence of one or two witnesses a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: April 6th. 1878.

A COMING TREAT

Many of our readers will learn with pleasure that Carnarvon is to be visited for the first time by Messrs. Strange and Wilson's AEtherscope and Spectral Opera Company, also the original Pepper's optical wonder - Proteus and marvellous ghost - from the Royal Polytechnic Institution, London. Their first exhibition will take place at the Guild Hall on Monday evening next. The reader will find further particulars in our advertising columns.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: May 11th. 1878.

IMPROVEMENT IN STREET COMMUNICATION

We desire to call the attention of the public to the liberal response made by Mr. Assheton Smith to a memorial presented to him by a section of the inhabitants of this town, asking for liberty to run a street through his property in Pool-street into Pool-hill. At present, he who would make a short cut from the south-end of the town to the railway, or elsewhere, must thread his way through court, alley, and back slum; but by the kind concession of Mr. Assheton Smith, we may, in the near future, hope that the unlearned in the byways of our town may find a straight and convenient roadway. Another very important result of the opening into Pool-street will be the sanitary advantage gained by the clearance of a number of small, closely-packed houses lying at the back of this thoroughfare; and as the present occupants will need, and doubtless be provided with, house accommodation elsewhere, we trust care will be taken by the town authorities that the cottages provided shall be planned and built with a due regard to health and decency.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: May 25th. 1878.

THE INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF FUND

A statement has been issued. The sum of £293 9s. 7d. was collected in Carnarvon. The local expenses were £4 19s. 2d. The amount remitted to the central committee at the Mansion House was £288 10s. 5d., collected from house to house by 15 different parties.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: May 25th. 1878.

FIRING INTO THE PRISON YARD

Last Saturday, acting under the instructions of two visiting magistrates, Mr. Roberts, governor of the county gaol summoned Mr. Lloyd Hughes, Coed Helen, for firing a gun from the trees of Coed Helen, when the bullet came into the prison yard of the county gaol, and broke a piece of glass in one of the windows. Mr. Allanson, who appeared for the defendant, contended that there was no offence, even if the plaintiffs could prove that the bullet came from Mr. Lloyd Hughes's gun, as it was fired on a strictly private property, and that no firearms had been fired "in a public thoroughfare." He contended that the proper place for the hearing of this case was the county court. Mr. Allanson objected to the magistrates going into the case. The magistrates having consulted, the case was dismissed for want of jurisdiction.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: June 1st. 1878.

A MONSTER EGG

This week one of our reporters had a sight (but not a taste!) of a monster hen's egg, of the Creue Couer species, measuring respectively 17½ inches and 6½ inches in circumference. It weighed 4¼ ounces. The hen belongs to Mr. Windsor, Glangwna Bach, and is from a breed introduced to Carnarvon by the late Mr. Thomas Llewelyn Rees, who was a noted connoiseur of eminent poultry. The hen is two years old, and is "distinguished" for larger eggs than those of ordinary hens.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: June 8th. 1878.

OVERPLUS SLATES

It is interesting, but lamentable to witness the crowded state of the Carnarvon harbour quay, extending from Ty'n-y-cei to Messrs. De Winton's foundry, with slate of every quality, with very little demand for shipment. This state of affairs is likely to continue until the Premier has returned from the Congress, and the Thunderer once more moored in Portsmouth harbour.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: June 8th. 1878.

CASTLE RENOVATION

Sir Llewelyn Turner, as deputy-constable of Carnarvon Castle, has been busy in repairing certain towers, and restoring various parts of our ancient castle. It is highly gratifying to find that Sir Llewelyn continues in his praiseworthy ambition of maintaining this dismantled fortress in such an excellent state of preservation. Tourists and others speak highly of the cleanliness and the neat appearance of the various parts of the castle and grounds.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: June 22nd. 1878.

ACCIDENT IN NORTHGATE-STREET

Last Thursday afternoon, a little boy named Jones, age eleven years, residing at 9, Northgate-street, had two of his fingers chopped off by a straw-cutting machine.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: June 29th. 1878.

A STUDENT DROWNED

A pupil of the Monmouth Grammar School named Llewelyn has been drowned while bathing. He rose but once, and there was no chance of rescue.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: July 13th. 1878.

QUADRUGAMY

We have it on the best authority that a "gentleman" is wanted, who has managed to marry four wives, his first three wives being alive when he married the fourth, a few months ago. Until a few days since, the "gentleman" graced the streets of Carnarvon; but, as is supposed, he found our little town a little too small for the area of his speculations, and left Carnarvon for a more congenial atmosphere. It is said that one of his unfortunate dupes has just received a letter, stating the "gentleman" died last Friday and was buried Monday last. The letter is supposed to be in the dead man's own handwriting. If he is traced and brought to Carnarvon, he may expect a warm reception from the female section of the inhabitants.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: July 27th. 1878.

THE STATE OF THE PUBLIC STREETS

A correspondent writes calling attention to the circumstance that several of the public streets in this town are in urgent need of repair. There is no doubt that the attention of the corporation is required in this matter.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: July 27th. 1878.

A NEW POST-OFFICE

We learn that very shortly a new post-office will be erected at the upper end of Castle-square, on the left hand entrance to Segontium-terrace, and at the entrance to Tre'rgo. The building, as we understand, will offer considerable advantages for the public service. It must be admitted that the present premises are inadequate to meet public requirements, and that the matter calls for the attention of the post-office authorities.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: August 3rd. 1878.

THE WATER SUPPLY

Owing to the complaints which had been made respecting the supply of water in Carnarvon, two men were appointed by the council some time back to go into every house in the town to examine the water pipes. These men are now proceeding from house to house, and we hope that their work will prove successful in stopping the great waste of water which has been going on in several parts of the town.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: August 24th. 1878.

HONESTY REWARDED

On Wednesday, about one o'clock, a sailor named John Jones, living in Crown-street, in this town, picked up on the quay a purse containing a five pound note, three sovereigns, ten shillings in silver, and some copper. He straightaway took the purse the Mr. Bentley, Angel Hotel, High-street, who lost no time in communicating the fact to the police. Eventually, Inspector Edwards found that the owner was a lady in the town; the inspector took the purse and the sailor to the lady, who handsomely rewarded the honesty of the finder. The conduct on the part of John Jones will, no doubt, as it certainly should, prove an example to the public generally.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: September 7th. 1878.

THE POULTRY SHOW

We understand that Mr. W. Ll. Griffith, corn merchant, Palace-street, kindly fed the fowls free of charge at the poultry show held in the Pavilion last week, with Spratt's Patent Poultry Meal.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: September 7th. 1878.

MARITIME

We understand that Mr. George Patterson, of Groeslon, Llandwrog, recently passed in Liverpool as a ship captain. He is the youngest son of Mrs. Maria Patterson, 36, Pool-side, and nephew of the late Mrs. Price Jones, Commercial Hotel, High-street, in this town. He was prepared for the examination by Mrs. Edwards and her daughter, Mrs. Evans, of this town.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: September 28th. 1878.

ACCIDENT AT THE FOUNDRY

A few days ago, as John Collins, Pen'rallt, was working by the crane at Messrs. De Winton and Co.'s foundry, he received a severe blow on his head from the handle of the brake. He was dangerously wounded, but recovers under the careful treatment of Dr. Evans, Penygroes, and Dr. Griffith, Carnarvon.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: September 28th. 1878.

COCOA-ROOMS FOR CARNARVON

A meeting, presided over by the mayor, was held on Friday evening last at the Guild Hall to consider the advisability of establishing a number of cocoa-rooms in this town. After some discussion of the project, it was proposed and passed that a limited liability company be formed; and a committee was named whose business will be to obtain information and suggestions from other towns where these rooms have been opened, as to the manner of proceeding with the scheme.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: September 28h. 1878.

MR. JARRETT ROBERTS'S NEW SHOW-ROOMS

This well-known and enterprising music and instrument dealer has, owing to the increase of his business, just opened a new and extensive show-room opposite his establishment in Bridge-street, in which he exhibits about fifty harmoniums, suitable for churches, chapels, and private use, the prices of which range from four to three hundred guineas. Amongst these instruments he exhibits the harmonium (Gilbert S. Bauer's manufacture) that took the first prize at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876. In his shop and show-room may be seen the finest stock of music in North Wales, and every description of musical instruments.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: October 19th. 1878.

ALLEGED THEFT OF ELECTRO-PLATED GOODS

At the borough police court on Friday morning, before the Mayor and Mr. G. R. Rees, Samuel Hughes, engine cleaner, in the employ of the London and North-Western Railway Company, Carnarvon, was charged by D. C. C. Prothero, on behalf of the police, with stealing electro-plated goods from a railway waggon on the Carnarvon and Bangor Railway. The goods were in transit. The accused pawned the goods at the shop of Mr. Hamer, who, becoming suspicious, gave information to Sergeant Roberts, and the prisoner was apprehended. He was remanded for a week.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: October 26th. 1878.

THE FLOOD IN SOUTH-ROAD

A correspondent writes:- "The inhabitants of Newborough-street and Constantine-terrace intend to petition the corporation for a boat to enable them to cross the water which has formed itself into a small lake opposite their houses during the wet weather."

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: October 26th. 1878.

SIGNS OF WINTER

Several Carnarvon drapers are busily preparing and providing for their winter display of goods. Mr. Lewis, with that ever youthful energy that characterises him, has been "doing" the London, Paris, and Manchester markets for fourteen days, and, as a matter of course, a heavy train of goods will, as usual, follow his extensive purchases. Messrs. Pierce and Williams have hit upon a capital idea. Not satisfied with the stereotyped circular usually issued to customers, they had sent to their customers a very interestingly written and illustrated pamphlet in the form of a letter from the "Hotel Bergere, Paris, dated October 21st., 1878," graphically exhibiting various sights in the Paris Exhibition, such as the famous model of the Spinx, the captive balloon, the Trocadero Tower-lift, - all illustrating coming fashions with peculiar effect.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: November 9th. 1878.

THE COCOA-ROOM MOVEMENT

Last Monday evening a meeting to consider this subject was convened at the Guild Hall. The Rev. Canon Evans, D.D., vicar of the parish, presided and delivered a very able address at the commencement. Addresses were also delivered by Messrs. J. Davies, H. Humphreys, G. B. Thomas, W. P. Williams, and the Rev. E. Roberts. Mr. J. Edmunds, the secretary, read a list of all the townspeople who have taken shares in the company. A list was also read of the gentlemen who have been appointed to receive applications for shares. There was a large number of persons present and all appeared to be in favour of the movement.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: November 9th. 1878.

LETTING OF THE MARKET HALLS

A correspondent writes:- I observe from an advertisement in your paper that the Market Halls are to be let. It is very well known that it has always been felt a grievance that the Vaynol estate was allowed to collect tolls for stands put up on thoroughfares maintained by the town council. Would not the present opportunity be a suitable one to get rid of the grievance, by the corporation itself becoming lessee for the markets and tolls? Under the circumstances the town authorities would have control over the hawkers and others who have become such a nuisance in Castle-square and other parts of the town. I think that this subject is worthy of notice at the next council meeting.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: November 16th. 1878.

FOOTBALL

Orchard House football club v. Young Albion football club. This match was played in the lower Morfa, last Wednesday, November 13th., proving an easy victory for the Orchard House football club, they having two goals to none. W. H. Bettley was captain of the Orchard House football club, and J. Edwards captain of the Young Albion football club. Each showed good play for their respective sides.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: November 23rd. 1878.

INLAND REVENUE

We understand that our townsman Mr. Jonathan Jones, who had filled the office of surveyor of taxes so ably for thirty-five years, has retired from the service. We are glad to learn that the Lords of the Treasury have rewarded him with a liberal pension for his long and faithful services.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: December 7th. 1878.

AN ALARMING FIRE IN CASTLE-SQUARE

Last Monday evening, a few minutes before five o'clock, a fire broke out in the shop of Mr. Evan Jones, ironmonger, Castle-square. The fact was soon made public, and a large number of people gathered in front of the place, every effort being made to extinguish the fire, which was rapidly spreading. The fire brigade, commanded by Capt. R. R. Williams, came on the spot shortly after five, and worked in an admirable manner. Two hoses were connected with the water pipes; one worked on the front of the building, and the other on the back. Several tons of water were poured into the lower rooms, where the fire appeared to be gaining ground. However, after hard working for nearly an hour and a half, the destructive element was mastered, and before seven o'clock the fire had been all put out. Happily, no one was injured except for Mr. Jones, whose face was slightly burned. It appears that the fire originated in the cellar, where a stock of oil was kept, and spread from there to the shop. Powder was kept in an upper part of the building, but happily the fire did not reach it. The damage done is great. Mr. Jones had insured his property with the Alliance Life and Fire Insurance Company, therefore his loss will be wholly covered by them. Some little damage was also done to Waterloo House, which loss will also be covered by the same insurance company. There were several hundreds of people in the Square during the whole of the time eagerly watching the fire. The police rendered valuable assistance in keeping the crowd from interfering with the Fire Brigade.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: December 7th. 1878.

SUCCESS IN NAVIGATION

We are pleased to learn that the following persons have passed successfully, and obtained certificates for the foreign trade, at the board of examination, during this year (1878). They were all pupils of Mrs. Edwards, teacher of navigation, New-street, in this town.

MASTERS
Mr. William Meredith	Portdinorwic	Liverpool
Mr. John Thomas	Carnarvon	Liverpool
Mr. John Lewis	Holyhead	Belfast
Mr. John Owen	Bont Newydd	Liverpool
Mr. Richard Jones	Newborough	Liverpool
Mr. George Patterson	Carnarvon	Liverpool
FIRST MATES
Mr. William Lewis	Holyhead	Liverpool
Mr. William Roberts	Holyhead	Liverpool
Mr. Thomas Parry Jones	Abergele	Liverpool
Mr. Robert Henry Hudson	Carnarvon	Liverpool
Mr. William Jones Williams	Carnarvon	Belfast
ONLY MATES
Mr. Richard D. Owen	Pwllheli	Liverpool
Mr. Francis Evans	Carnarvon	Liverpool
Mr. Robert Owen	Port Dinorwic	Dundee
Mr. Griffith Griffiths	Llandwrog	Liverpool
Mr. John Owen	Carnarvon	Liverpool
Mr. H. C. Edwards	Carnarvon	Liverpool
SECOND MATES
Mr. Robert O. Williams	Carnarvon	Liverpool
Mr. Samuel Jones	Newborough	Liverpool
Mr. William Jones	Newborough	Liverpool
Mr. Abel T. Evans	Llandwrog	Liverpool
Mr. Thomas Roach	Holyhead	Liverpool
Mr. Hugh Hughes	Newborough	Liverpool
Mr. Thomas Thomas	Carnarvon	Liverpool
Mr. Owen Lewis	Newborough	Liverpool
Mr. Charles Pritchard	Carnarvon	Liverpool
Mr. Thomas Parry	Llanberis	Liverpool
Mr. John Jones	Llanddwyn	Liverpool
Mr. Richard Roberts	Carnarvon	Liverpool
Mr. Evan Lloyd Hughes	Holyhead	Liverpool
Mr. John Jones	Newborough	Liverpool
Mr. George A. Davids	Carnarvon	Liverpool

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: December 28th. 1878.

MARRIAGE REJOICINGS

On Thursday last, the marriage of Dr. G. R. Griffith, with Miss Jane Maria Humphreys, daughter of Mr. Hugh Humphreys, publisher, Castle-square, was solemnised at the English Wesleyan chapel, this being the first ceremony of the kind in that edifice, the trustees presented the bride and bridegroom with a handsomely-bound copy of Wesley's hymns and a bible. Miss Edith Alice Humphreys, a younger sister of the bride, and Miss Griffith, the bridegroom's sister, were the bridesmaids, and the chapel was crowded with friends and relatives. The bridal dejeuner was served at Hendregaerog, the residence of the bride's father. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith left by the afternoon express for London.

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INDEX