The second election to the Merionethshire County Council was held in March 1892.[1] They were preceded by the 1889 election and followed by the 1895 election.
Overview of the result
The Liberals held their large majority with most seats being uncontested.[2]
Unopposed Returns
At the inaugural election the majority of seats had been contested, and in many cases the majorities were very small. By 1892, however, most wards were uncontested.
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 |
Party |
Seats |
Gains |
Losses |
Net gain/loss |
Seats % |
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 |
Party |
Seats |
Gains |
Losses |
Net gain/loss |
Seats % |
Votes % |
Votes |
+/− |
|
Liberal |
43 |
10 |
|
+11 |
|
|
|
|
|
Conservative |
9 |
1 |
|
+1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Independent |
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 |
Party |
Seats |
Gains |
Losses |
Net gain/loss |
Seats % |
Votes % |
Votes |
+/− |
|
Liberal |
46 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Conservative |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Independent |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results
Aberdovey District
Enoch Lewis, Balkan Hill, standing as an Independent defeated William Jones, Sea View Terrace.[1] The previous member sat as a Conservative.
Aberdovey District 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Independent |
Enoch Lewis |
93 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
William Jones |
81 |
|
|
Majority |
12 |
|
|
Bala District
Bala District 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Evan Jones |
unopposed |
|
|
Barmouth Urban District
Lewis Lewis, gentleman, of Hillside, Barmouth, defeated John Robert Davies, gentleman, of Compton House, Barmouth.[3]
Barmouth Urban District 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Lewis Lewis |
unopposed |
|
|
Bowydd (two seats)
Bowydd 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
David Griffith Williams* |
unopposed |
|
|
Conglywal District
Conglywal District 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Robert Roberts* |
unopposed |
|
|
Corris
Corris 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Morris Thomas* |
unopposed |
|
|
Corwen, Northern Division
Corwen, Northern Division 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
William Ffoulkes Jones* |
unopposed |
|
|
Corwen, Southern Division
Corwen, Southern Division 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Robert David Roberts* |
unopposed |
|
|
Cynfal and Teigl District (two seats)
William Davies, farmer, of Caerblaidd, Ffestiniog and John Hughes, farmer, of Hafodfawrisaf, Maentwrog, were elected at thee expense of George Henry Ellis, solicitor, of Penymount, Ffestiniog and Edward Henry Jonathan, draper, of Paris House, Four Crosses.[3]
Cwmorthin and Ystradau (two seats)
Cwmorthin and Ystradau 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Alexander Milne Dunlop |
unopposed |
|
|
|
Liberal |
William Parry Evans |
unopposed |
|
|
Dolgelley Northern
Dolgelley Northern 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Conservative |
C.E.J. Owen |
160 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
W. Hughes |
98 |
|
|
Dolgelley Southern
Dolgelley Southern 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Morris Jones* |
145 |
|
|
|
Conservative |
T.H. Roberts |
76 |
|
|
Dolgelley Rural District
Dolgelley Rural District 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Robert Pugh |
111 |
|
|
|
Conservative |
Richard Edward Lloyd Richards |
95 |
|
|
Majority |
16 |
|
|
Dyffryn
Samuel Pope, having been caught in the controversy over use of the Welsh language in 1889, did not seek re-election. John Davies, Glanymorfa, was elected in his place, defeating W. Ansell, Corsygedol.[1]
Dyffryn 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
John Davies |
106 |
|
|
|
Conservative |
W. Ansell |
82 |
|
|
Majority |
24 |
|
|
Gwyddelwern
Gwyddelwern 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Joseph Davies |
unopposed |
|
|
Harlech District
The sitting member, Richard Thomas Jones, surgeon, of Penygarth Villa, Harlech defeated F.R. Lloyd of Bronygraig by a much larger margin than his success in 1889.[1]
Harlech District 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Richard Thomas Jones |
175 |
|
|
|
Conservative |
F.R. Lloyd |
58 |
|
|
Majority |
117 |
|
|
Llanaber
Llanaber 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Conservative |
Charles Williams* |
unopposed |
|
|
Llandrillo
Llandrillo 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Henry Davies* |
unopposed |
|
|
Llandderfel
Llandderfel 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Thomas Jones |
unopposed |
|
|
Llanegryn
Llanfachreth
Llanfachreth 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Conservative |
Robert Vaughan |
136 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
Edward Griffith |
91 |
|
|
Majority |
45 |
|
|
Llanfor
Richard John Price of Rhiwlas defeated William Thomas Rowlands, farmer, of Tanycoed, Llanfor (L).[3]
Llanaber 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Conservative |
Richard John Price |
141 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
William Thomas Rowlands |
64 |
|
|
Majority |
77 |
|
|
Llanfrothen
John Jones, gentleman, of Ynysfor, Llanfrothen defeated William Hughes, farmer, of Cwmcaeth, Nantmor, Beddgelert.[3]
Llanaber 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Conservative |
John Jones |
142 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
William Hughes |
74 |
|
|
Majority |
68 |
|
|
Llansantffraid
Llansantffraid 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Hugh Jones |
unopposed |
|
|
Llanuwchllyn District
Llanuwchllyn 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Thomas Jones |
unopposed |
|
|
Llanycil
Llanycil 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Roger Hughes* |
unopposed |
|
|
Llwyngwril
Llwyngwril 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Evan Hughes |
unopposed |
|
|
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 expenmse of Morris Jones, flour dealer, of Blaenbowydd House, Blaenau Ffestiniog.[3]
Maenofferen and Diphwys Combined District 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
John Parry Jones |
276 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
Robert Owen Jones |
264 |
|
|
|
Independent |
Morris Jones |
173 |
|
|
Maentwrog
William Edward Oakeley of Plas Tanybwlch was elected unopposed.
Maentwrog 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Conservative |
William Edward Oakeley |
unopposed |
|
|
Mawddwy District
Mawddwy 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
John Jones* |
unopposed |
|
|
Pennal
Pennal 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Hugh Jones |
unopposed |
|
|
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.[3]
Rhiw (two seats)
Rhiw 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
'David Griffith Jones* |
unopposed |
|
|
Talyllyn
Talyllyn 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
John Pugh Jones |
unopposed |
|
|
Teigl
Ellis Hughes, a quarryman, was returned unopposed.[2]
Teigl 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
Ellis Hughes |
unopposed |
|
|
Towyn Rural District
Towyn Rural District 1892
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
David Davies |
unopposed |
|
|
Towyn Urban District
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.[3]
Trawsfynydd Eastern and Western Districts 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Liberal |
John Humphreys |
162 |
|
|
|
Independent |
Robert Hugh Pughe |
109 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
David Tegid Jones |
107 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
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:[4]
Only three of those elected were members of the council.[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.[6]
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.[6]
Bala by-election 1889
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Independent |
Edward Watkin |
147 |
|
|
|
Liberal |
Evan Jones |
132 |
|
|
Majority |
15 |
|
|
References
Bibliography
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