# 1892 Carmarthenshire County Council election

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

## Overview of the result

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

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

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

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. Colonel Gwynne Hughes of Glancothy, a retiring alderman, finished in tenth place in the vote and was not re-elected.

## Ward results
### Abergwili

Some sources state that Lloyd stood as an Unionist candidate at this election.
Abergwili 1892 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Lloyd | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Bettws

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

### Caio

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

### Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division)

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

### Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division)

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

### Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division)

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

### Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division)

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

### Cenarth

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

### Cilycwm

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

### Conwil

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

### Kidwelly

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

### Laugharne

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

### Llanarthney

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

### Llanboidy

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

### Llandebie

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

### Llandilo Rural

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

### Llandilo Urban

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

### Llandovery

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

### Llanedy

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

### Llanegwad

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

### Llanelly Division.1

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

### Llanelly Division 2

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

### Llanelly Division 3

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

### Llanelly Division 4

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

### Llanelly Division 5

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

### Llanelly Division 6

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

### Llanelly Division 7

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

### Llanelly Division 8

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

### Llanelly Rural, Berwick

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

### Llanelly Rural, Hengoed

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

### Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn

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

### Llanfihangel Aberbythick

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

### Llanfihangel-ar-Arth

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

### Llangadock

Llangadock 1892 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | L. Beavan | |
| | Liberal | Rev W. Thomas | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Llangeler

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

### Llangendeirne

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

### Llangennech

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

### Llangunnor

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

### Llanon

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

### Llansawel

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

### Llanstephan

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

### Llanybyther

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

### Mothvey

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

### Pembrey North

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

### Pembrey South

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

### Quarter Bach

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

### Rhydcymmerai

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

### St Clears

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

### St Ishmael

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

### Trelech

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

### Whitland

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

## Election of Aldermen

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.
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
### Myddfai by-election, 1894

George Jones, the member for Myddfai, died in March 1894. His son, J. Walter Jones, was the only candidate nominated to succeed him
Myddfai by-election, 1894 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Walter Jones | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |