The Aberdare Leader

Aberdare Education Committee A meeting of the School Management Committee was held on Wednesday, Mr D. P. Davies in the chair. The other members present were Messrs T. Walter liams (vice-chairman), Edward Morgan, L. N. Williams, R. L. Berry, D. J. Thomas, R. Llewelyn, E. Stonelake, W. Rees, with Mr J. Morris (Clerk), and Mr T. D. Jones (Deputy Clerk). RESIGNATION. Miss Lizzie Bishop, Park School, sent in her resignation. It was explained that she intended completing her studies for the degree of B.A. The resignation was accepted. THE FEVER EPIDEMIC. Dr D. Davies, M.O.H., wrote advising the Education Committee to disinfect, cleanse, and then thoroughly ventilate all the schools in the district. This was necessary owing to the prevalence of scarlet fever. Mr L. N. Williams moved that instruc- tions be given to the sanitary inspectors, to carry out the work at once. This was agreed to. CATHOLIC SCHOOL. H.M. Inspector, who had assisted the above school, reported that in the mixed department the efficiency of the teaching was being fully maintained. In the Infants department, also, the children were being taught in an intelligent manner. The report further stated that as the first stan- dard had been transferred to the Infant Room, the present desks there were barely sufficient, and might with advantage be replaced by others of a dual pattern. Clerk Father O'Reilly complained some time ago of the desks. The chairman moved that it be referred to the Non-provided [Schools Committee, and this was agreed to. STAFFING OF SCHOOLS. Mr Daniel Griffith, Ynyslwyd School, was transferred to the Aberaman School, in the place of Mr Ralph Whitney. Mr Davies, ex-pupil teacher at the Higher Grade, was appointed in the place of Miss Mary Ann Williams, Cwmdare School. Mr D. E. Davies, ex-pupil teacher at Cwmaman School, was transferred to Aman SchooL Mr Morris said they would manage at Park Girls School for a time, without a successor to Miss Bishop. On the motion of Mr T. Walter Williams, seconded by Mr R. Llewellyn, the Com- mittee unanimously recommended that Miss Bessie M. Richards be appointed teacher on supply.

Cwmaman Choral Union. Annual Performances. The fifth annual festival in connection with the Cwmaman Choral Union took place on Monday last (Boxing Day). Two grand performances of Mendelssohn's oratorio St. Paul were given to packed audiences in the afternoon and evening. The choir were ably assisted by the follow- ing well-known and popular artistes: Soprano, Miss Gertie Drinkwater; contralto, Miss Margaret Lewys; tenor, Mr David Ellis baritone, Mr Dan Price. Also by a powerful orchestra under the conductorship of Mr Arthur Angle, Cardiff. The accompanists were, piano, Miss Millicent Griffiths; organ. Mr Austin H. John, A.L.C.M. The whole was under the direction of Mr W. J. Evans, Aberdare, who conducted in his usual expert manner. The Choral Union is to be congratulated on providing such musical treats for Cwmaman and the neighbourhood. The singing this year was quite up to the usual standard of excellence notwithstanding the great effect of the revival meetings on the practices. The artistes fulfilled the most sanguine ex- pectations aroused, and the orchestra deserved the well-merited applause, which it received. The committee are extremely fortunate in securing the services of Mr W. J. Evans as conductor. Indeed Cwmaman people have come to look upon him as an essential factor in the success of the festivals, his genial manner winning him a host of friends every season. Another popular feature of the festival is that the two accompanists are local, which reflects great credit on the musical capabilites of the neighbourhood. Pathetic reference was made to the great loss felt owing to the death of Mr William Howells Gwalia Stores, who had presided at the organ at nearly all the previous festivals. The gap caused by his removal was painfully manifest to his numerous friends. The two chorus masters, Messrs Morgan Williams and Edward Lewis deserve con- gratulations on the good results of their labours. The two secretaries, Messrs Arthur Humphreys and Thos. Owen worked energetically to organise the function which turned out so successfully.

Sale bills, c'rculars, etc., neatly printed ac the LEADER Office, Market-street, Aberdare.

I THE GREAT JANUARY SALE, 19Q5. R.T. J & Co., B N N W a MERTHYR, BEG TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEIR ANNUAL WINTER SALE COMMENCES On FRIDAY NEXT, JAN. 6th, And continues daily for One Month. I LIST OF DEPARTMENTS. Indisputable Bargains will be found iq each. Black and Coloured Dress Materials, Black & Coloured Silks, Velvets, Mantles, Jackets, Costumes, Blouses, Furs, Feather Stoles, Umbrellas, Shawls, ✓ ✓ & French and English Millinery, Laces, Gloves, Ribbons and Fancy Neckwear, Ladies' Outfitting, Baby Linen, Children's Garments, Corsets, Dressing Gowns, Toilet Jackets, Linens, Lace Curtains, Quilts, Carpets, Linoleums, Oilcloths, Rugs, Bedsteads, Bedding, Window Hollands, Blankets, Flannels, Calicoes, Sheetings, Haber- dashery, Trimmings, Wools, Ladies' and Children's Hosiery, Gents' Mercery, Hats, Gloves, Hosiery, Suitings, Men's and Juvenile jClothing. The Entire Stock of Ceneral Drapery, Furnishing Goods, Cellts' Mercery, Suitings, Meq's and Juvenile Clothing, &c., Including the LATEST WINTER FASHIONS, offered at enormous Reductions off Regular Prices. During 1904 our Establishment was considerably enlarged by the addition of commodious NEW PREMISES on the Market Square, and important alterations and extensions to the THREE FINE ti am 6 I if me SHOWROOMS ON THE FIRST FLOOR. These have been completely remodelled :—No. I Room contains Mantles, Coats, Jackets and Blouses No. 2 Room, Millinery and No. 3 Room, Ladies' Outfitting and Children's Garments. Furthermore, we recently completed another improvement, by adding Two Magnificent SHOW WINDOWS in CENTRAL STREET, with an entrance to the Dress and Silk Departments. We have for years keenly felt the necessity of larger Floor Space and Window Accommodation. Now that it has been secured, we claim this Establishment to be one of the best organised, and most conveniently arranged Shopping Places in the Principality. The 'improved accommodation will, we feel confident, be greatly appreciated by our Customers and the Staff, and the overcrowding and crush of former Sales will not be experienced again, in any case not to the same extent. We cordially invite personal inspection, as this sale offers an unequalled opportunity of purchasing Parcels of Reliable and First-class quality Goods at very exceptional Reductions. PLEASE NOTE.—The Premises will be closed the whole of THURSDAY, JANUARY 5th, the day preceding the Sale, in order that the Stock may be re-marked. Every article will bear its Reduced Price (marked in Red), and also its Original Selling Price. Customers can therefore see at a glance the extent of the Reductions made. Terms Cash. fio Discount, All Parcels delivered free. R. T JONES and Co. (LATE PHILLIPS & EVANS), 125a and 126, High Street, I 1, 3 and 3a, Victoria Street, MERTHYR. 1 and 2, Central St., Market Sq., DOORS OPEN EACH MORNING DURING SALE AT 10 O'CLOCK. Sale Catalogue with particulars post free on application.

CYCLING a The darkest day has now !>••.?> JKJ, so* 5. Mr. S. F. Edge lias given DO iMineai to- wards a fund for the es'-{i),>s(ne..6 of a m.itor cycle Gordon-Bennett contest. The last week in June will nrobahlv SA" the race for the Gordon-Bsunett Cup. It, will he run under the control of the Auomobile Ciub of France. Baron de Caters has announced that his ear for next year's Gordon-Bennett taoe will have a motor of 130-140 h.p., capable of travelling at 130 miles all hour. It is very essential that 'tvrpr< for winter use should ba well looked aisur. :\li <-utK ¡, inl !lolCg in the outer cover must be-cicsvoed out, amd tiie crevices filled in with Dumop T\ re Stnpnmg. This stopping will great iy extents the life of a tyre. In spite of the decision of f, >3 Board of e Aldermen of New York, prohibit any cycle race of more than tbrt'e houi-i' o 'ration, the. great six days race was duly <;ai. ied out at f, Madison Square Gardens. The Mayor pos- sessed sufficient common sen.se to veto his aldermen, giving as his reason for doing so, that it would constitute an unwarranted inter- ference with the. ordinary exercise of pen;oui<J. rights of citizens in that City. He felt con- vinced that the [rill effect of such a regulation could not have baen brought btiiore the Alder- men when they passed it. At an Internationa] Conference, held at the Automobile Club of France, the question of. altering the existing rules and regulations in the Gordon-Bennet cup race, came up for con- sideration, but the meeting was undnub'fity against any modification being made. The proposal for reducing the weight limit of the cars, for a teall, contest, for a two day*' rae-6 over 1,000 kilometres, and for allowing only a fixed number of tyres and covers to competi- tors, were all dropped. Next year's lace wtff therefore be held nnder the old conditions, and will take place in the last week in June, or as near that date as it is possible to arrange. The following resolution was put forward by the Berks and Oxon Chamber of Agriculture, and duly carried :—" That a tax of not less than ten guineas per year shall be imposed upon a four-wheeled motor car, and that a tax of not less than five guineas snail be imposeil on cars of two or three wheels, in addition to existing licences, the money to gl1 to the County Highway Funds, in order 1.0 prevent, a., far as possible, the dusr, nuisance and the damage bo the roads." There is no reason woy motor cars should be further taxed than they are at present. Cars do no damage to toe roads, and if only they were properly treated for modern requirements, the duso nuisance would be done away with. The first motor car to enter Madeira belonged to Mr. Harvey Foster, who in an article gives an interesting account of his motoring experiences in the Island. It was not until quite recently that a wheeled vehicle was seen in the streets of Madeira, the inhabitants not even possessing such a thing as a wheelbarrow. The roads which consist of small sharp wtnnes possess very steep gradients up which however, Mr. Foster successfully drove liis car which was fitted .with Dunlop motor tyres. In his account, Mr. Foster refers to the behaviour of the tyres in the following terms:—"They stood marvellously well, never having one puncture over these the most awful roads » motor has ever travelled over." This after six months experience is a tribute indeed for the high quality of British manufactured tyre. A British built motor chemical fire engine has been supplied to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade of Sydney, N.S.W. The fire engine per se is merely a first aid "appliance in the case of small conflagrations, although in this capacity its handiness is of permanent im- portance. Since the success of its efforts wholly depends on its immediate arrival at air outbreak of fire, the advisability of employing a self-propelled engine is obvious. The Sydney engine is fitted with a four cylinder 20 h.p. petrol motor, which is placed in front under the bonnet and drives the rear wheels by side chains, a change speed gear box being placed in the usual position between the engine and countershaft. The chemical cylinder has it capacity of fifty gallons, and is arranged to deliver into 180 feet, of hose, carried on a reel. The engine can carry eight firemen and has attained a speed of 25 miles an hour. The "road hog" is at large again. It is some little while since a case has been reported of a driver of a horse and cart running amuck with cyclists, but the incident which occupied the attention of the Haywards Heath Bench last week, is proof indeed that the road hog still exists. Along the Brighton road, a party of cyclists were proceeding peacefully, when, without any warning or provocation, a butcher deliberately rode down one of the cyclists, and then turned his horse round and drove over the machines that the otner members of the party had thrown on the ground in their anxiety to get out of the way of the apparent madman. The chairman of the bench, in in- flicting the maximum penalty of £ 10 aiid 4-8 cost, remarked that it was the worst case of its kind that had ever come before him. Beyond causing the dtmmge mentioned, the driver dis- mounted from his cart and attacked one of the wheelmen with his whip. Considering all things, we think the man ought to have been given a term of imprisonment without the option of a fine.

THE INCORPORATED f THAMES NA UTICAL | TRAINING COLLEGES H.M.S. 'WORCESTER,' off Greenhlthe, Kent, f 9 EDUCATES BOYS for OFFICERS in the MERCHANT & A SERVICE. Naval Cadetships granted annually and fr appointments to R.N.R. W m Apply w. H. BULLIVAMT. Hon. Secretary, jft 5 72. MARK LANE, LONDON, E.G. W GOUT & RHEUMATISM. A martyr to gout and rheumatism for yearis has been quite cured by a simple and in- expensive remedy, and he will communicate particulars of same to any sufferer on receipt of address.—Apply Captain Hardiman, 41, King Edward Gardens, Acton Hill, London, W. For posters, handbills and cards in connec- tion with concerts and all kinds of meetings, go to the LEADER Office, Market-street, Aber- dare. Printed and Published at their Printing Works, Market Buildings, Market Street, Aberdare. in the County of Glamorgan, by the proprietors, W. PUGH and J. L. ROWLANDS.

ijPrum C"ltctt. IN A TRAM-CAR.-Lady (with smelly basket oi fish) "Dessay you'd rather 'ave a gentleman settin' a-side of you ?"—Gilded Youth (who has been edging away): "Yes, I would. Lady: "Same 'ere!" THE GREAT QUFSTTON. --Fond Young Mother (with first-born): "Now, which of us do you think he is like? "-Friend (judicially): "Well, of course, intelligence has not really dawned in his countenance yet, but he's wonderfully like both of you THE LAST STRAW.—Giles: "I don't know what 'tis comin' to! Poor Bill's gone, yer Aunt Emma's broke 'er leg, yer poor old mother's very ill, an' now, dang it all, there's a fowl dead! "BISHOPS," said the Rev. Mr. Phillips to the Playgoers' Club, "are not really so stiff and starchy as they are made out to be. There is a good heart beneath the gaiters." Calf-love, we presume. ANTS' nests, are said to be the latest novelty in gifts. Rough-coated dogs have, of course, been a common form of present for some time. THERE are phases of victory in the sugar trade. Saccharina has many enemies, but she has one stout ally, and, curiously enough, will be victorious when she is sugar beet. MR. PUNCH'S PROVERBIAL FHILOSOPHY. If you want to praise a friend's work do so before it is finished, or it may be too late. It is better for a man to forget his mis- fortunes than to talk of them, but he is robbing his friends of a good deal of honest pleasure. What were vices once are manners now, and yet everybody is not happy. If the wolf is at your door, be comforted' there is evidently a worse famine elsewhere. "DE MORTUIS," &C.—Shade "of Shakespeare (to Mr. Punch): "I hear they want to do some- thing to perpetuate my memory. I say, old man, don't let 'em put up a statue!" ADVICE TO INVESTORS.—If you drop a match, don't strike another to look for it. BUSINESS.—"How much have you got, Billy ? -"Fourpence." "I've got twopence. Let's put it together and go halves (From Judy.) FIRST CITIZENI "Ha! Ha! And how does Christmas suit you—falling on Sunday, I mean?"—Second Citizen: "Capital! Capital! We shall be killing two birds with one stone." —First Citizen "Geese or turkeys ? THE COMPLEMENTS OF THE SEASON.—Headaches. (From Illustrated Bits.) "THE woman who marries me wins a prize." —"My word! that is a novel idea. Is it a, money prize, or just a mug?" "THE wretch has been proposing to both of us. I wish we could think of some horrible way to punish him.Well, why don't you marry him ? PROOF.—Wife: "Think I can't keep a secret, do you?"—Husband': "Yes, I do."—Wife: "Well, I've worn an old hat trimmed over again for the past two months, and I haven't told a soul yet, so there POOR MAN — Mrs. Homer: What did your husband say about your new tailor-made gown?"—Mrs. Nextdoor; "Not a word. Ho hasn't seen the bill yet." DP,FADFUL. --Bridesmaid: "You poor, frightened darling. You looked scared to death at the altar."—Bride: "Yes; George trembled so I was dreadfully afraid he'd lose courage and run away." FRED "Last night as you stood in the moon- light I couldn't help but think how much I would like to kiss you."—Freda: "Well, the poet says 'The thought of yesterday is the action of to-day.' FUDDLE: "You know Stocks, don't you?"— Doctor: "Yes, indeed. He is now a patient of mine."—Fuddle: "Pretty wideawake man, isn't lie? "-Doctor: "I should say so. I'm treating him for insomnia." JACK: "May I come over the wall and get acquainted?"—Mary: "Do you think it would be quite proper? There's a dog in this garden. Have you ever been introduced to him ? FUSSY CUSTOMER: "Do you think it will suit me?"—Milliner: "The hat suits you, madam, but I can't answer for the price." (From Pick-Me- rJp. ) FIXED Up.-Mr. Softleigh (who has just been accepted): "And when shall I speak to your father? "TI)e Dear Girl: "You needn't bother. Pa said he'd speak to you to-morrow if you didn't speak to me to-night." So KIND.—Wife: "It is so kind of you to put on my boots for me." Kneeling Husband (tugging away): "It's a—a—pleasure, my dea.r. Still, I'm glad you're not a centipede." WHY SHE VACATED.—"And why did you leave your last place? "Well, mum, the leddy was after havin' two At Homes, a pink and a yaller tay, a bridge party, and a christen in', mum, all in wan wake. Sure, mum, the excitement was too much for me nerves."