1892 Merionethshire County Council election

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

[edit]

The Liberals held their large majority with most seats being uncontested.[2]

## Unopposed Returns

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

The first meeting of the council was held in Dolgellau.

## Summary of Results

[edit]

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

[edit]

### Aberdovey District

[edit]

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

[edit]

Bala District 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Evan Jones | unopposed  |  |

### Barmouth Urban District

[edit]

Barmouth Urban District 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Lewis Lewis* | Unopposed

### Bowydd (two seats)

[edit]

Bowydd 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | David Griffith Williams* | unopposed  |  |

### Conglywal District

[edit]

Conglywal District 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Robert Roberts* | unopposed  |  |

### Corris

[edit]

Corris 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Morris Thomas* | unopposed  |  |

### Corwen, Northern Division

[edit]

Corwen, Northern Division 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Ffoulkes Jones* | unopposed  |  |

### Corwen, Southern Division

[edit]

Corwen, Southern Division 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Robert David Roberts* | unopposed  |  |

### Cynfal and Teigl District (two seats)

[edit]

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.[3]

Dolgelley Combined District 1889  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Davies | 159  |  |
| Liberal | John Hughes | 105  |  |
| Independent | George Henry Ellis  | 95  |  |
| Liberal | Edward Henry Jonathan  | 89  |  |

### Cwmorthin and Ystradau (two seats)

[edit]

Cwmorthin and Ystradau 1889  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Alexander Milne Dunlop | unopposed  |  |
| Liberal | William Parry Evans | unopposed  |  |

### Dolgelley Northern

[edit]

Dolgelley Northern 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | C.E.J. Owen | 160  |  |
| Liberal | W. Hughes  | 98  |  |

### Dolgelley Southern

[edit]

Dolgelley Southern 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Morris Jones* | 145  |  |
| Conservative | T.H. Roberts  | 76  |  |

### Dolgelley Rural District

[edit]

Dolgelley Rural District 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Robert Pugh | 111  |  |
| Conservative | Richard Edward Lloyd Richards  | 95  |  |
Majority | 16  |  |

### Dyffryn

[edit]

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

[edit]

Gwyddelwern 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Joseph Davies | unopposed  |  |

### Harlech District

[edit]

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

[edit]

Llanaber 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Charles Williams* | unopposed  |  |

### Llandrillo

[edit]

Llandrillo 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Henry Davies* | unopposed  |  |

### Llandderfel

[edit]

Llandderfel 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Jones | unopposed  |  |

### Llanegryn

[edit]

Llanegryn 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Robert Maurice Wynne* | Unopposed

### Llanfachreth

[edit]

Llanfachreth 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Robert Vaughan | 136  |  |
| Liberal | Edward Griffith  | 91  |  |
Majority | 45  |  |

### Llanfor

[edit]

Richard John Price of Rhiwlas defeated William Thomas Rowlands, farmer, of Tanycoed, Llanfor (L).[3]

Llanaber 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Richard John Price | 141  |  |
| Liberal | William Thomas Rowlands  | 64  |  |
Majority | 77  |  |

### Llanfrothen

[edit]

John Jones, gentleman, of Ynysfor, Llanfrothen defeated William Hughes, farmer, of Cwmcaeth, Nantmor, Beddgelert.[3]

Llanaber 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Jones | 142  |  |
| Liberal | William Hughes  | 74  |  |
Majority | 68  |  |

### Llansantffraid

[edit]

Llansantffraid 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Hugh Jones | unopposed  |  |

### Llanuwchllyn District

[edit]

Llanuwchllyn 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Jones | unopposed  |  |

### Llanycil

[edit]

Llanycil 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Roger Hughes* | unopposed  |  |

### Llwyngwril

[edit]

Llwyngwril 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Evan Hughes | unopposed  |  |

### Maenofferen and Diphwys Combined District (two seats)

[edit]

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.[3]

Maenofferen and Diphwys Combined District 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | John Parry Jones | 276  |  |
| Liberal | Robert Owen Jones | 264  |  |
| Independent | Morris Jones  | 173  |  |

### Maentwrog

[edit]

William Edward Oakeley of Plas Tanybwlch was elected unopposed.

Maentwrog 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Edward Oakeley | unopposed  |  |

### Mawddwy District

[edit]

Mawddwy 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | John Jones* | unopposed  |  |

### Pennal

[edit]

Pennal 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Hugh Jones | unopposed  |  |

### Penrhyn and Talsarnau (two seats)

[edit]

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]

Penrhyn and Talsarnau 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | J. B. Jones | 223  |  |
| Liberal | John Rowe | 219  |  |
| Conservative | Edmund Morgan Roberts  | 207  |  |
| Liberal | John Morgan  | 72  |  |

### Rhiw (two seats)

[edit]

Rhiw 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | David Griffith Jones* | unopposed  |  |

### Talyllyn

[edit]

Talyllyn 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | John Pugh Jones | unopposed  |  |

### Teigl

[edit]

Ellis Hughes, a quarryman, was returned unopposed.[2]

Teigl 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Ellis Hughes | unopposed  |  |

### Towyn Rural District

[edit]

Towyn Rural District 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | David Davies | unopposed  |  |

### Towyn Urban District

[edit]

Towyn Urban District 1892  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Henry Haydn Jones* | Unopposed | N/A | N/A

### Trawsfynydd Eastern and Western Districts (two seats)

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

### Bala by-election

[edit]

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

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Merioneth County Council". Cambrian News. 11 March 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
2. ^ a b "Merioneth County Council. Nomination of Candidates". Cambrian News. 4 March 1892. p. 2. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
3. ^ a b c d e f "Merioneth County Council Elections". Cambrian News. 25 January 1889. p. 8. Retrieved 8 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.
6. ^ a b "Bala. County Council". Cambrian News. 22 February 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 15 July 2015.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Morgan, Kenneth O. (1967). "Cardiganshire Politics: The Liberal Ascendancy 1885-1923". Ceredigion. 5 (4): 311–346.

* v
* t
* e

Council elections in the preserved county of Gwynedd

Gwynedd Council|

* 1973
* 1977
* 1981
* 1985
* 1989
* 1993
* 1995
* 1999
* 2004
* 2008
* 2012
* 2017
* 2022

Isle of Anglesey County Council|

* 1889
* 1892
* 1895
* 1898
* 1901
* 1904
* 1907
* 1910
* 1913
* 1919
* 1922
* 1925
* 1928
* 1931
* 1934
* 1937
* 1946
* 1949
* 1952
* 1955
* 1958
* 1961
* 1964
* 1967
* 1970
* 1973
* 1976
* 1979
* 1983
* 1987
* 1991
* 1995
* 1999
* 2004
* 2008
* 2013
* 2017
* 2022

Aberconwy Borough Council|

* 1973
* 1976
* 1979
* 1983
* 1987
* 1991
* Abolished

Arfon Borough Council|

* 1973
* 1976
* 1979
* 1983
* 1987
* 1991
* Abolished

Caernarvonshire County Council|

* 1889
* 1892
* 1895
* 1898
* 1901
* 1904
* 1907
* 1910
* 1913
* 1919
* 1922
* 1925
* 1928
* 1931
* 1934
* 1937
* 1946
* 1949
* 1952
* 1955
* 1958
* 1961
* 1964
* 1967
* 1970
* Abolished

Dwyfor District Council|

* 1973
* 1976
* 1979
* 1983
* 1987
* 1991
* Abolished

Meirionnydd District Council|

* 1889
* 1892
* 1895
* 1898
* 1901
* 1904
* 1907
* 1910
* 1913
* 1919
* 1922
* 1925
* 1928
* 1931
* 1934
* 1937
* 1946
* 1949
* 1952
* 1955
* 1958
* 1961
* 1964
* 1967
* 1970
* 1973
* 1976
* 1979
* 1983
* 1987
* 1991
* Abolished

* v
* t
* e

(1891 ←)  1892 United Kingdom local elections (→ 1893)

County councils
(England)|

* Bedfordshire
* Berkshire
* Buckinghamshire
* Cambridgeshire
* Cheshire
* Cornwall
* Cumberland
* Derbyshire
* Devon
* Dorset
* Durham
* East Riding
* East Suffolk
* East Sussex
* Essex
* Gloucestershire
* Hampshire
* Herefordshire
* Hertfordshire
* Holland
* Huntingdonshire
* Isle of Ely
* Isle of Wight
* Kent
* Kesteven
* Lancashire
* Leicestershire
* Lindsey
* London
* Middlesex
* Norfolk
* North Riding
* Northamptonshire
* Northumberland
* Nottinghamshire
* Oxfordshire
* Rutland
* Shropshire
* Soke of Peterborough
* Somerset
* Staffordshire
* Surrey
* Warwickshire
* West Riding
* West Suffolk
* West Sussex
* Westmorland
* Wiltshire
* Worcestershire

County councils
(Wales)|

* Anglesey
* Brecknockshire
* Carnarvonshire
* Cardiganshire
* Carmarthenshire
* Denbighshire
* Flintshire
* Glamorganshire
* Merionethshire
* Monmouthshire
* Montgomeryshire
* Pembrokeshire
* Radnorshire

County councils
(Scotland)|

* Aberdeenshire
* Argyllshire
* Ayrshire
* Banffshire
* Berwickshire
* Buteshire
* Caithness
* Clackmannanshire
* Dumfriesshire
* Dunbartonshire
* Elginshire
* Fife
* Forfarshire
* Haddingtonshire
* Inverness-shire
* Kincardineshire
* Kinross-shire
* Kirkcudbrightshire
* Lanarkshire
* Linlithgowshire
* Midlothian
* Nairnshire
* Peeblesshire
* Perthshire
* Orkney
* Renfrewshire
* Ross and Cromarty
* Roxburghshire
* Selkirkshire
* Stirlingshire
* Sutherland
* Wigtownshire
* Zetland

County boroughs (England)|

* Liverpool

County boroughs (Wales)|

* Cardiff
* Swansea

* See also: UK general election

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template