1889 Merionethshire County Council election

1889 Welsh local government election April 2022 The first election to the Merionethshire County Council was held on 18 January 1889.Merioneth County Council Elections http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3311288/3311296/83 8 July 2015 Cambrian News 25 January 1889 8 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. Overview of the result 1889 was a landmark year 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 Liberal Party (UK) 33 Conservative Party (UK) 8 Independent (politician) 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 Liberal Party (UK) 43 10 +11 Conservative Party (UK) 9 1 +1 Independent (politician) 1 0 |} 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 Liberal Party (UK) 46 3 0 0 Conservative Party (UK) 9 0 0 0 Independent (politician) 1 |} Results Abercorris and Talyllyn (two seats) Abercorris and Talyllyn 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Morris Thomas 226 Liberal Party (UK) William Caradog Jones 192 Conservative Party (UK) Edward Williams 169 Aberdovey District Aberdovey District 1889 Conservative Party (UK) James Webster 95 Liberal Party (UK) John Hughes Jones 89 6 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. Bala District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Richard Jones Unopposed N/A N/A Barmouth Urban District Lewis Lewis, gentleman, of Hillside, Barmouth, defeated John Robert Davies, gentleman, of Compton House, Barmouth. Barmouth Urban District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Lewis Lewis 160 Conservative Party (UK) John Robert Davies 109 51 Conglywal District Robert Roberts, physician and surgeon, of Isallt, Blaenau Festiniog defeated Joseph Rhydwen Parry, Independent minister, of Manod Road, Blaenau Ffestiniog. Conglywal District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Robert Roberts 163 Liberal Party (UK) Joseph Rhydwen Parry 129 34 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. Dolgelley Combined District 1889 Conservative Party (UK) William Davies 159 Liberal Party (UK) John Hughes 105 Independent (politician) George Henry Ellis 95 Liberal Party (UK) Edward Henry Jonathan 89 Cwmorthin and Ystradau (two seats) Cwmorthin and Ystradau 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Alexander Milne Dunlop Unopposed N/A N/A Liberal Party (UK) William Parry Evans Unopposed N/A N/A Dolgelley Combined District (two seats) Dolgelley Combined District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Edward Jones 300 Liberal Party (UK) Morris Jones 261 Conservative Party (UK) John Vaughan 218 Dolgelley Rural District Dolgelley Rural District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Robert Pugh 111 Conservative Party (UK) Richard Edward Lloyd Richards 95 16 Dyffryn Dyffryn 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Samuel Pope Unopposed N/A N/A Gwyddelwern Gwyddelwern 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Robert Edwards Unopposed N/A N/A Harlech District Richard Thomas Jones, surgeon, of Penygarth Villa, Harlech defeated John Owen, farmer, of Brynartro, Llanfair. Harlech District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Richard Thomas Jones 152 Conservative Party (UK) John Owen 141 11 Llanaber Charles Williams of Hengwm, Llanaber defeated John Jones, farmer, of Llwyndu, Barmouth. Llanaber 1889 Conservative Party (UK) Charles Williams 50 Liberal Party (UK) John Jones 28 22 Llandrillo Llandrillo 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Henry Davies Unopposed N/A N/A Llandderfel Llandderfel 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Thomas Jones Unopposed N/A N/A Llanegryn Llanegryn 1889 Conservative Party (UK) William Robert Maurice Wynne 151 Liberal Party (UK) John Evans 104 48 Llanfachreth Llanfachreth 1889 Conservative Party (UK) Robert Vaughan 136 Liberal Party (UK) Edward Griffith 91 45 Llanfor Richard John Price of Rhiwlas defeated William Thomas Rowlands, farmer, of Tanycoed, Llanfor (L). Llanaber 1889 Conservative Party (UK) Richard John Price 141 Liberal Party (UK) William Thomas Rowlands 64 77 Llanfrothen John Jones, gentleman, of Ynysfor, Llanfrothen defeated William Hughes, farmer, of Cwmcaeth, Nantmor, Beddgelert. Llanaber 1889 Conservative Party (UK) John Jones 142 Liberal Party (UK) William Hughes 74 68 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. Llansantffraid and Corwen Combined Districts 1889 Liberal Party (UK) William Ffoulkes Jones 341 Liberal Party (UK) Robert David Roberts 332 Liberal Party (UK) Rev Hugh Cernyw Williams 277 Conservative Party (UK) David Robert Jones 252 Conservative Party (UK) Horatio Edward Walker 162 Llanuwchllyn District Llanuwchllyn 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Michael Daniel Jones 125 Conservative Party (UK) John Williams 117 8 Llanycil Llanycil 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Edward Peters Unopposed N/A N/A Llwyngwril Llwyngwril 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Ellis Pughe-Jones Unopposed N/A N/A 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. Maenofferen and Diphwys Combined District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) John Parry Jones 276 Liberal Party (UK) Robert Owen Jones 264 Independent (politician) Morris Jones 173 Maentwrog William Edward Oakeley of Plas Tanybwlch defeated Griffith Ceidiog Roberts, nonconformist minister of Gwyndy, Maentwrog. 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.http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4310022/4310033/61/ Senedd Meirion Baner ac Amserau Cymru 2 January 1889 10 July 2015 11 Thomas Gee Maentwrog 1889 Conservative Party (UK) William Edward Oakeley 134 Liberal Party (UK) Griffith Ceidiog Roberts 83 51 Mawddwy District Mawddwy 1889 Liberal Party (UK) John Jones 141 Conservative Party (UK) Henry Owen 105 36 Pennal Pennal 1889 Liberal Party (UK) James Meredith Unopposed N/A N/A 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. Penrhyn and Talsarnau 1889 Liberal Party (UK) J. B. Jones 223 Liberal Party (UK) John Rowe 219 Conservative Party (UK) Edmund Morgan Roberts 207 Liberal Party (UK) John Morgan 72 Rhiw and Bowydd (two seats) Rhiw and Bowydd 1889 Liberal Party (UK) David Griffith Williams Unopposed N/A N/A Liberal Party (UK) David Griffith Jones Unopposed N/A N/A Towyn Rural District Towyn Rural District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Rev Griffith Evans Unopposed N/A N/A Towyn Urban District Towyn Urban District 1889 Liberal Party (UK) Henry Haydn Jones Unopposed N/A N/A 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. Trawsfynydd Eastern and Western Districts 1889 Liberal Party (UK) John Humphreys 162 Independent (politician) Robert Hugh Pughe 109 Liberal Party (UK) David Tegid Jones 107 Liberal Party (UK) William Evans 81 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:Merioneth County Council http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3311306/3311313/60 13 July 2015 Cambrian News 8 February 1889 CN 8-2-89 Merioneth cc 7 Only three of those elected were members of the council.Merioneth County Council http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3311297/3311302/54 13 July 2015 Cambrian News 1 February 1889 CN 1-2-89 Merioneth cc 5 Elected for six years S. Pope, Liberal, (elected councillor at ) A. O. Williams, Liberal J. Cadwaltwdr, Liberal Edward Griffith, Liberal (defeated candidate at Llanfachreth) Richard Jones, Plasyracre, Liberal (elected councillor at Bala) Wm. Williams, Liberal J. Hughes Jones, Liberal Elected for three years C. H. Wynn, Conservative John Evans, Liberal E. H. Jonathan, Liberal Andreas Roberts. Liberal Edward Peters, Liberal (elected councillor at Llanycil) Rev G. Ceidiog Roberts, Liberal (defeated candidate at Maentwrog) William Davies, Pant, Liberal Aldermanic Vacancies 1889-1895 Richard Jones died suddenly in February 1889, creating an immediate vacancy. 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.Bala. County Council. http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3311324/3311331/50 15 July 2015 Cambrian News 22 February 1889 7 Bala by-election 1889 Independent (politician) Edward Watkin 147 Liberal Party (UK) Evan Jones 132 15 References Bibliography Morgan Kenneth O. Kenneth O. Morgan Cardiganshire Politics: The Liberal Ascendancy 1885-1923 Ceredigion 1967 5 4 311–346 http://welshjournals.llgc.org.uk/browse/viewobject/llgc-id:1094650/article/000025743 1889 Category:1889 Welsh local elections