To some extent the euphoria of 1889 had passed three years later and the whole atmosphere was marked by less excitement. The result, however, was virtually identical to that of the inaugural election.
Boundary changes
One feature was that the multi-member seats, which existed in urban areas in the first elections, were divided so that all councillors were now elected to represent single member wards.
Candidates
There were far more unopposed returns than three years previously.[2]
Of the eight retiring aldermen, only Jenkin Jenkins and Llewellyn Edwards, both of whom were made aldermen as defeated candidates in 1889, sought election.
Outcome
The Liberals retained a substantial majority on the council.
Most contests were again on party lines although there were several instances of Liberals opposing each other. The Conservatives had a few successes, notably at New Quay where Captain Longcroft of Llanina triumphed following divisions amongst local nonconformists.
The two retiring aldermen who sought election had mixed fortunes. Jenkins won at Llanfihangel Ystrad but Edwards was again defeated at Llanbadarn, this time by solicitor Hugh Hughes.
In contrast to the initial elections, all eight aldermen selected in 1892 were elected members of the Council. The Conservatives were again allocated three places, although two of those selected had captured their seats from the Liberals at the recent election. Their elevation allowed the defeated Liberal candidates to be returned unopposed at the ensuing by-elections (see below).
There were boundary changes at Aberystwyth as the previous four-member ward was divided into four single-member wards. Liberal candidates held all seats in 1889 and 1892.
There were boundary changes at Cardigan as the previous two-member ward was divided into two single-member wards. In 1889 one Conservative and one Liberal councillor has been elected.
There were boundary changes at Llandysul as the previous two-member ward was divided into two single-member wards. Liberal candidates held both seats in 1889 and 1892.
There were boundary changes at Llanllwchaiarn and New Quay as the previous two-member ward was divided into two single-member wards. Liberal candidates held both seats in 1889.
There were boundary changes at Llanllwchaiarn and New Quay as the previous two-member ward was divided into two single-member wards. Liberal candidates held both seats in 1889.
In addition to the 48 councillors the council consisted of 16 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the elections, eight aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council.[3]
One retiring alderman was re-elected:
Jenkin Jenkins, Blaenplwyf, Liberal (retiring alderman, elected councillor at Llanfihangel Ystrad)
In addition, seven new aldermen were elected:
Peter Jones, Liberal (elected councillor at Trefeurig)
Evan Richards, Liberal (elected councillor at Llanfihangel y Creuddyn)
John Powell, Liberal (elected councillor at Troedyraur)
Col. Herbert Davies-Evans, Conservative (elected councillor at Llanwenog)
W.O. Brigstocke, Liberal (elected councillor at Llangoedmor)
D.W.E. Rowland, Conservative (elected councillor at Llanddewi Brefi)
Dr Jenkin Lewis, Conservative (elected councillor at Cilcennin)
The following aldermen were not re-elected:
Earl Of Lisburne, Conservative
Rev Llewellyn Edwards, Liberal
Jenkin Jenkins (Aeronian), Liberal
Daniel Jones, Liberal
Rev John Davies, Liberal
William Jones, Conservative
Major Price Lewes, Conservative
Aldermanic vacancies, 1892-98
Colonel Davies-Evans decided not to accept a place on the aldermanic bench soon after the election. The Conservatives proposed that their nominee, David Lloyd, should occupy the vacancy but the Liberals were divided on the issue. In the ballot, Lloyd was elected by 19 votes against 18 for T.H.R. Hughes.[4] As a result, the following appointment was made for six years in May 1892.
David Lloyd, Conservative (elected councillor at Lampeter)
1892 by-elections following the election of aldermen
Six of the eight vacancies were filled unopposed and there were two contested elections.[5] The Liberals captured all eight sets, including the three held by the Conservative or Unionist aldermen.
Cilcennin by-election
John Davies, elected in 1889, but defeated at the initial election, was returned unopposed.
Following Colonel Davies-Evans's election as alderman his son was expected to contest the vacancy. However, he did not stand and Timothy Jones of Coedlanaufach, a farmer and Liberal, was returned unopposed.[8]
There was also a by-election in New Quay following the death of Captain Longcroft within a few days of the election. In a close contest, Sir Marteine Lloyd of Bronwydd, famously defeated in 1889, narrowly defeated the former councillor John Owen Davies, holding the seat for the Conservatives.
Roderick Lloyd (elected alderman in 1889) resigned on being appointed county surveyor and the Rev John Owen was elected in his place. In the resulting by-election two candidates were nominated. William Bebb withdrew too late to avoid an election but received no votes at the ensuing ballot.[9]
