1889 Merionethshire County Council election

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The first election to the Merionethshire County Council was held on 18 January 1889. [1] It was followed by the 1892 election. The county was divided into numerous single member wards with two councillors elected to represent some of the urban areas.

Contents

Overview of the result

1889 was a landmark years in the history of Welsh Liberalism, a coming of age symbolized by the triumph across Wales of Liberal candidates in the inaugural county council elections. The outcome was very similar to that in Cardiganshire.

Unopposed Returns

There were some unopposed returns.

Contested Elections

There were a large number of contested elections and the majorities were small in most instances. In most cases there were contests between Liberal and Conservative candidates.

The New Council

The first meeting of the council was held in Dolgellau.

Summary of Results

This section summarises the detailed results which are noted in the following sections. This was the inaugural county election and therefore no comparison can be made with the previous elections. One councillor was described as an Independent candidate but was also grouped in some reports with the Conservatives.

This table summarises the result of the elections in all wards. 42 councillors were elected.

Merionethshire County Council 1889: elected members
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Liberal 33
  Conservative 8
  Independent 1

This table summarises the position following the election of aldermen. Eight were elected from among the elected members and eight from outside the council. This brought the total number of councillors and aldermen to 56.

Merionethshire County Council 1889 : following election of new aldermen
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Liberal 4310+11
  Conservative 91+1
  Independent 10

This table summarises the position following the by-elections for the three seats vacated following the election of aldermen. Technically these were new seats, taking the total number of councillors to 56. However, the Liberals defended three seats.

Merionethshire County Council 1889 : following by-elections
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Liberal 46300
  Conservative 9000
  Independent 1

Results

Abercorris and Talyllyn (two seats)

Abercorris and Talyllyn 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Morris Thomas226
Liberal William Caradog Jones192
Conservative Edward Williams169

Aberdovey District

Aberdovey District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative James Webster95
Liberal John Hughes Jones89
Majority6

Bala District

Richard Jones was a prominent figure in the public life of Bala, serving on many bodies. He was elected alderman at the first meeting of the Council but died suddenly in February, aged 65. [2]

Bala District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Richard Jonesunopposed

Barmouth Urban District

Lewis Lewis, gentleman, of Hillside, Barmouth, defeated John Robert Davies, gentleman, of Compton House, Barmouth. [1]

Barmouth Urban District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Lewis Lewis160
Conservative John Robert Davies109
Majority51

Conglywal District

Robert Roberts, physician and surgeon, of Isallt, Blaenau Festiniog defeated Joseph Rhydwen Parry, Independent minister, of Manod Road, Blaenau Ffestiniog. [1]

Conglywal District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Robert Roberts163
Liberal Joseph Rhydwen Parry129
Majority34

Cynfal and Teigl District (two seats)

William Davies, farmer, of Caerblaidd, Ffestiniog and John Hughes, farmer, of Hafodfawrisaf, Maentwrog, were elected at the expense of George Henry Ellis, solicitor, of Penymount, Ffestiniog and Edward Henry Jonathan, draper, of Paris House, Four Crosses. [1]

Dolgelley Combined District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative William Davies159
Liberal John Hughes105
Independent George Henry Ellis95
Liberal Edward Henry Jonathan89

Cwmorthin and Ystradau (two seats)

Cwmorthin and Ystradau 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Alexander Milne Dunlopunopposed
Liberal William Parry Evansunopposed

Dolgelley Combined District (two seats)

Dolgelley Combined District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Edward Jones300
Liberal Morris Jones261
Conservative John Vaughan218

Dolgelley Rural District

Dolgelley Rural District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Robert Pugh111
Conservative Richard Edward Lloyd Richards95
Majority16

Dyffryn

Dyffryn 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Samuel Pope unopposed

Gwyddelwern

Gwyddelwern 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Robert Edwardsunopposed

Harlech District

Richard Thomas Jones, surgeon, of Penygarth Villa, Harlech defeated John Owen, farmer, of Brynartro, Llanfair. [1]

Harlech District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Richard Thomas Jones152
Conservative John Owen141
Majority11

Llanaber

Charles Williams of Hengwm, Llanaber defeated John Jones, farmer, of Llwyndu, Barmouth. [1]

Llanaber 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Charles Williams50
Liberal John Jones28
Majority22

Llandrillo

Llandrillo 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Henry Daviesunopposed

Llandderfel

Llandderfel 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Thomas Jonesunopposed

Llanegryn

Llanegryn 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative William Robert Maurice Wynne 151
Liberal John Evans104
Majority48

Llanfachreth

Llanfachreth 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Robert Vaughan136
Liberal Edward Griffith91
Majority45

Llanfor

Richard John Price of Rhiwlas defeated William Thomas Rowlands, farmer, of Tanycoed, Llanfor (L). [1]

Llanaber 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Richard John Price141
Liberal William Thomas Rowlands64
Majority77

Llanfrothen

John Jones, gentleman, of Ynysfor, Llanfrothen defeated William Hughes, farmer, of Cwmcaeth, Nantmor, Beddgelert. [1]

Llanaber 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Jones142
Liberal William Hughes74
Majority68

Llansantffraid and Corwen Combined Districts (three seats)

William Ffoulkes Jones, timber merchant, of the Terrace, Corwen; Robert David Roberts, wholesale grocer, of Glandwr, Corwen, and Hugh Cernyw Williams, Baptist minister, of London Road, Corwen were elected at the expense of David Robert Jones, surgeon, of the Terrace, Bridge Street, Corwen and Horatio Edward Walker, surgeon, of Plasyndref, Corwen. [1]

Llansantffraid and Corwen Combined Districts 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal William Ffoulkes Jones341
Liberal Robert David Roberts332
Liberal Rev Hugh Cernyw Williams277
Conservative David Robert Jones252
Conservative Horatio Edward Walker162

Llanuwchllyn District

Llanuwchllyn 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Michael Daniel Jones 125
Conservative John Williams117
Majority8

Llanycil

Llanycil 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Edward Petersunopposed

Llwyngwril

Llwyngwril 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Ellis Pughe-Jonesunopposed

Maenofferen and Diphwys Combined District (two seats)

John Parry Jones of the District Bank, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Robert Owen Jones, solicitor, of High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog were elected at the expense of Morris Jones, flour dealer, of Blaenbowydd House, Blaenau Ffestiniog. [1]

Maenofferen and Diphwys Combined District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Parry Jones276
Liberal Robert Owen Jones264
Independent Morris Jones173

Maentwrog

William Edward Oakeley of Plas Tanybwlch defeated Griffith Ceidiog Roberts, nonconformist minister of Gwyndy, Maentwrog. [1] In what was described as the first Liberal meeting held at Maentwrog, in support of Roberts's candidature, Tom Ellis MP spoke for over an hour and a half. [3]

Maentwrog 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative William Edward Oakeley134
Liberal Griffith Ceidiog Roberts83
Majority51

Mawddwy District

Mawddwy 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Jones141
Conservative Henry Owen105
Majority36

Pennal

Pennal 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal James Meredithunopposed

Penrhyn and Talsarnau (two seats)

J. B. Jones, miller, of Brynyfelin and John Rowe, quarry manager, of Glasfryn View, Penrhyn, were elected at the expense of Edmund Morgan Roberts, farmer, of Cefntrefor- isaf, Talsarnau and John Morgan, grocer, of Canton House, High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog. [1]

Penrhyn and Talsarnau 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal J. B. Jones223
Liberal John Rowe219
Conservative Edmund Morgan Roberts207
Liberal John Morgan72

Rhiw and Bowydd (two seats)

Rhiw and Bowydd 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal David Griffith Williamsunopposed
Liberal David Griffith Jonesunopposed

Towyn Rural District

Towyn Rural District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Rev Griffith Evansunopposed

Towyn Urban District

Towyn Urban District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Henry Haydn Jones unopposed

Trawsfynydd Eastern and Western Districts (two seats)

John Humphreys, physician and surgeon, of Fronwynion-street, Trawsfynydd and Robert Hugh Pughe, farmer, of Brynllefrith, Trawsfynydd, were elected at the expense of David Tegid Jones, farmer, of Y Goppa and William Evans, draper, of Meirion House, Trawsfynydd. [1]

Trawsfynydd Eastern and Western Districts 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Humphreys162
Independent Robert Hugh Pughe109
Liberal David Tegid Jones107
Liberal William Evans81

Election of Aldermen

In addition to the 42 councillors the council consisted of 14 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the election of the initial sixteen aldermen, half of the aldermanic bench would be elected every three years following the triennial council election. After the initial elections, there were sixteen Aldermanic vacancies and the following Alderman were appointed by the newly elected council: [4]

Only three of those elected were members of the council. [5]

Elected for six years

Elected for three years

Aldermanic Vacancies 1889-1895

Richard Jones died suddenly in February 1889, creating an immediate vacancy. [2]

Therefore, the following appointment was made for the remaining six years in May 1892.

By-elections

Three by-elections were caused by the election of aldermen.

Bala by-election

Edward Watkin, land agent, Rhiwlas, standing as an Independent, defeated the Liberal candidate by fifteen votes. Richard Jones, who had been elected alderman, died three days later. [2]

Bala by-election 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Edward Watkin147
Liberal Evan Jones132
Majority15

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Merioneth County Council Elections". Cambrian News. 25 January 1889. p. 8. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Bala. County Council". Cambrian News. 22 February 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  3. ↑ "Senedd Meirion". Baner ac Amserau Cymru. Thomas Gee. 2 January 1889. p. 11. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Merioneth County Council". Cambrian News. 8 February 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "Merioneth County Council". Cambrian News. 1 February 1889. p. 5. Retrieved 13 July 2015.

Bibliography

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