1892 Carmarthenshire County Council election


The second election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1892.[1] It was preceded by the 1889 election and followed by the 1895 election.

1892 Carmarthenshire County Council election

← 1889
1895 →

All 68 seats to Carmarthenshire County Council
35 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
Party Liberal Conservative Liberal Unionist
Last election 53/68 12/68 2/68
Seats before 55/68 9/68 2/68
Seats won 55/68 9/68 1/68
Councillors 40 7 1
Aldermen 15 2 0
Seats +/– Increase2 Decrease3 Decrease1

  Fourth party
 
Party Independent
Last election 1/68
Seats before 1/68
Seats won 3/68
Councillors 1
Aldermen 0
Seats +/– Increase2

Council control after election

Liberal
Liberal Party

Overview of the result

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The Liberals retained a strong majority which they had gained at the inaugural election in 1889, although they lost a small number of seats. The election coincided with a divisive debate over the choice of a Liberal candidate to contest the Carmarthen Boroughs constituency at the forthcoming General Election.

Boundary changes

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There were no significant changes but the multi-member seats which existed in 1889, mostly in Llanelli area but also at Pembrey (Burry Port) and Whitland were replaced by single-member wards.

Candidates

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Of the 51 seats, only 20 were contested, compared with a very small number of unopposed returns at the inaugural election three years previously. 32 of those elected in 1889 stood for re-election.

Of the seven retiring aldermen, only two stood as candidates at the election. Sir James Hills-Johnes contested Caio for the Conservatives while C.E. Morris, elevated to the aldermanic bench following a vacancy the previous year, was returned unopposed for his former seat at Llangunnor. Alderman Morgan Davies of Llandeilo died shorthly before the election.

Outcome

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The contested elections saw a number of closely-fought wards and the defeat of some high profile members of the previous council. These included Gwilym Evans, the chairman of the council, who was defeated in one of the new Llanelli wards by another retiring member, W.J. Wilson, and another leading Liberal, Henry Wilkins, lost by six votes to Conservative Ernest Trubshaw. Prominent Conservative, J.S. Tregoning, was also defeated at Llanelli by a large margin. At Llangeler, disputes in the woollen industry centred on Drefach Felindre predominated in a contest where the Conservative Thomas Thomas ousted the sitting member, John Lewis, a woollen manufacturer. Evans, Tregoning, Wilkins and Lewis all remained members of the council, however, as they were made aldermen.

At Caio, Sir James Hills-Johnes won the seat where he was defeated in 1889, A closely fought contest at Carmarthen saw veteran Liberal Unionist Henry Norton losing by nine votes to the Liberal candidate, John Thomas.

Notwithstanding these individual contests, the Liberals were assured of their majority before a single vote was cast and while their position was slightly stronger than in 1889 the numbers were unchanged as two seats (one elected and one aldermanic) had been gained during the term of the previous council.

The Liberal members of the Council were criticised by local Conservative newspapers, notably the Carmarthen Journal, for allocating only one aldermanic seat to their political opponents. This contrasted to the position in neighbouring Cardiganshie, where three of the eight aldermanic seats were allocated to Conservatives.[2] Colonel Gwynne Hughes of Glancothy, a retiring alderman, finished in tenth place in the vote and was not re-elected.

Ward results

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Abergwili

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Some sources state that Lloyd stood as an Unionist candidate at this election.

Abergwili 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Lloyd unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Bettws

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Bettws 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Nathaniel Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Caio

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Caio 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir James Hills-Johnes** 253
Liberal Rev T. Thomas 153
Majority 100
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division)

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Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Jenkins* 293
Conservative E.A. Rogers 146
Majority 147
Liberal hold Swing

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division)

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Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division) 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Thomas 189
Liberal Unionist H. Norton* 180
Majority 9
Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist Swing

Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division)

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Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division) 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative D.H. Thomas* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division)

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Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Professor D.E. Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Cenarth

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Cenarth 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Edward Davies* 151
Conservative D. Davies 30
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Cilycwm

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Cilycwm 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Thomas Evans* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Conwil

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Conwil 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Evan Jones 253
Conservative David Evan Stephens 168
Majority 85
Liberal hold Swing

Kidwelly

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Kidwelly 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Daniel Stephens* 254
Conservative Rowland Browne 221
Majority 33
Liberal hold Swing

Laugharne

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Laugharne 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John D. Morse unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanarthney

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Llanarthney 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry Jones-Davies 263
Conservative Rev R.G. Lawrence* 208
Majority 55
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Llanboidy

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Llanboidy 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Llewelyn* 244
Liberal David Thomas 242
Majority 2
Liberal hold Swing

Llandebie

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Llandebie 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry Herbert unopposed
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Llandilo Rural

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Llandilo Rural 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent William Jones* 297
Liberal Morgan Williams 255
Majority 55
Independent gain from Liberal Swing

Llandilo Urban

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Llandilo Urban 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J.W. Gwynne Hughes* 147
Conservative T.G. Williams 124
Majority 23
Liberal hold Swing

Llandovery

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Llandovery 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Walter G. Jeffreys 146
Liberal J. Walter Jones 122
Majority 24
Conservative hold Swing

Llanedy

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Llanedy 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Ll. Thomas unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanegwad

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Llanegwad 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal H.J. Thomas unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division.1

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Llanelly Division.1 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent W.J. Wilson* 250
Liberal Gwilym Evans* 203
Majority 47
Independent win (new seat)

Llanelly Division 2

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Llanelly Division 2 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joseph Mayberry* unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanelly Division 3

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Llanelly Division.3 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Ernest Trubshaw 223
Liberal Henry Wilkins* 217
Majority 6
Conservative win (new seat)

Llanelly Division 4

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Llanelly Division 4 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Thomas Johns Unopposed N/A N/A
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanelly Division 5

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Llanelly Division 5 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.C. Parry* Unopposed N/A N/A
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanelly Division 6

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Llanelly Division 6 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Phillips* unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanelly Division 7

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Llanelly Division 7 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Isiah Beavan 317
Conservative J.S. Tregoning* 133
Majority
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanelly Division 8

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Llanelly Division 8 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Bourne* 250
Conservative John S. Tregoning jnr. 186
Majority 64
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanelly Rural, Berwick

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Llanelly Rural, Berwick 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Owen Bonville* unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanelly Rural, Hengoed

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Llanelly Rural, Hengoed 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David John Unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn

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Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev P. Phillips* 60
Liberal J. Philpott 52
Liberal D. Evans 2
Majority 9
Liberal win (new seat)

Llanfihangel Aberbythick

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Llanfihangel Aberbythick 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Viscount Emlyn* Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold

Llanfihangel-ar-Arth

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Llanfihangel-ar-Arth 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Evan Harries* Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangadock

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Llangadock 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal L. Beavan
Liberal Rev W. Thomas
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Llangeler

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Llangeler 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Thomas Thomas 316
Liberal John Lewis* 264
Majority 52
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing

Llangendeirne

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Llangendeirne 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W. Harries unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangennech

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Llangennech 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Thomas unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangunnor

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Llangunnor 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal C.E. Morris** unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanon

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Llanon 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev W.E. Evans* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llansawel

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Llansawel 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir J.H.W. Drummond, Bart.* Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold

Llanstephan

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Llanstephan 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Unionist Thomas Morris* unopposed
Liberal Unionist hold Swing

Llanybyther

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Llanybyther 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.H. James unopposed
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Mothvey

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Mothvey 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal George Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Pembrey North

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Pembrey North 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Liberal W.J. Buckley* 255
Liberal John Owen 238
Majority 22
Independent Liberal win (new seat)

Pembrey South

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Pembrey South 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.S. Marsh unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)

Quarter Bach

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Quarter Bach 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Dr Howell Rees* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Rhydcymmerai

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Rhydcymmerai 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Daniel Evans* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

St Clears

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St Clears 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Williams 270
Liberal John Jones 210
Majority 60
Liberal hold Swing

St Ishmael

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St Ishmael 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. Lloyd Thomas* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Trelech

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Trelech 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Phillips Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Whitland

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Whitland 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev William Thomas* unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)

Election of Aldermen

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In addition to the 51 councillors the council consisted of 17 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the elections, the following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council. In addition to the eight vacancies, a ninth alderman was appointed in place of the late Morgan Davies.[3]

The following retiring aldermen were re-elected:

  • J. Bagnall Evans, Liberal
  • Robert Scourfield, Llansteffan, Liberal
  • David Evans, Llangennech, Liberal

In addition, the following six new aldermen were elected:

  • John Lewis, Meirios Hall, Liberal (defeated candidate at Llangeler)
  • Gwilym Evans, Liberal (defeated candidate at Llanelli)
  • D.L. Jones, Derlwyn, Liberal
  • R.W. Stephens, Coedybrain, Liberal
  • J.S. Tregoning, Iscoed, Conservative
  • Henry Wilkins, Liberal (defeated candidate at Llanelli)

Two retiring aldermen were elected as councillors but were not re-elected as aldermen:

  • Sir James Hills-Johnes, Conservative
  • C.E. Morris, Liberal

Two retiring aldermen were not re-elected:

  • Col. Gwynnne Hughes JP, Liberal
  • D. James, Bailibedw, Liberal

By-elections between 1892 and 1895

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Myddfai by-election, 1894

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George Jones, the member for Myddfai, died in March 1894. His son, J. Walter Jones, was the only candidate nominated to succeed him[4]

Myddfai by-election, 1894
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. Walter Jones Unopposed

References

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  1. ^ "The County Council Elections. March 1892". Carmarthen Journal. 11 March 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Election of Aldermen (editorial)". Carmarthen Journal. 18 March 1892. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council". Carmarthen Journal. 18 March 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  4. ^ "News". Carmarthen Journal. 13 April 1894.

Bibliography

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