The Aberdare Leader

.4i" -r "C' 1IRTHS, MARRIAGES and DEATHS. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. EVANS.—Mrs. Evans and family, Catherine Street, Aberdare, desire to thank all very sincerely for their kind expressions of sympathy with them in their sad bereavement, and also for floral tributes sent. DA VIES.-Mr. and Mrs. Tom Davies, 9 Bell Street, Trecynon, sister and brother-in-law of the late Miss Martha Rees, beg to acknowledge the numerous messages of sympathy sent to them in their bereavement, and also the floral tributes received. REES.—Mrs. Elizabeth Rees, and children, 18 Ebenezer Street, Tre- cynon, beg to acknowledge the > numerous expressions of sympathy received by them in their bereave- ment, and also the floral tributes. IN MEMORIAM. PICTON.—In loving memory of Car- beter S. Picton, daughter of Mrs. Ann Thomas Mason's Arms, Aber- aman, who passed away at the Wynd- ham Hotel, Treherbert, on October 22nd, 1912. Fondly missed by her dear Mother and Sisters, Maggie, Iralles and Edith. On earth the strife, in heaven rest, We miss her most who love her best. WEDDING. DANGER—JACKSON.—Very quietly, owing to recent domestic bereave- ment, Ernest S. Danger, Aberdare, » to Muriel R. S. Jackson, Seaton Carew," Aberdare, at St. Elvan's Church, Aberdare, October 15th, 1913, by the Vicar, the Rev. Dr. C. A. H. Green.

Triplets at Penrhiweeiber. On Thursday last the wife of Mr Richard S. Morris, 109 Woodfield Terrace, was delivered of triplets, all boys. The mother and children are do- ing well. An application has been made for King George's bounty. Mr Morris is a collier at the Cwm Cynon Colliery.

One after the Other The people of the town and neighbourhood call at our various Establishments to Join our XMAS CLUB. All goods sold by us are obtainable through the ————— Club. ————— I I R. H. Miles AND SONS.

Rescuers in Dangers. A Thrilling Experience. Official Reports. Shortly after 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning great excitement prevailed at the pit-head at Senghenydd when it be- came known that a party exploring the mine in the Kimberley district had been "gassed," and that medical and ambulance and nursing aid would be necessary at the temporary hospital on the surface. Soon men were brought up who had to be either carried on stretchers or supported by others until they reached the room. Fortunately, Dr. Robertson, of Aber, was on duty, and during the next hour he and his assistants had a busy time. Nineteen men were treated, includ- ing several colliery officials, and fortun- ately, with the exception of two of them, they recovered within an hour or so. One man, was, however, taken to Aberdare Hall hospital.

Six More Bodies Discovered. A party of explorers who ascended from the Senghenydd pit about 10 o'clock on Tuesday night reported having got within 200 yards of the working place in the Mafeking district, where they discovered six more bodies, and these showed signs of hav- ing come in contact with a very serious blast. The members of the party en- countered considerable difficulty in get- ting to these, and some of the party, when they came to the surface, seemed completely exhausted as the result of their having passed through the noxious fumes. The point reached is situated about three-quarters of a mile from the pit shaft. After a consultation with his col- leagues, Mr. George Barker at eight a.m. on Wednesday supplied the press with the following report of the pro- ceedings below:- I We went down at 9.30 p.m., and after inspecting the main west beyond the fire and finding'smoke and fumes, we proceeded to the 'bashing,' and found that smoke was issuing in Pre- toria and into Kimberley. The ex- ploration party which was under the supervision of Mr. Gibbon we joined later, and proceeding cautiously in- wards passed ten bodies on the way. In order to get the benefit of all the air, we bratticed certain levels. At length we passed a tram, dated and ini- tialled, showing the furthest point reached by the explorers. We pursued our investigations and arrived at the double parting nearest the face of Kimberley. Here we found a dead haulier under the gun of a tram, his lamp (No 496) hanging on the corner of the tram. This was at the entrance to a rubbish road. After bratticing this road we endeavoured to get to the fafe of Kimberley, but we discovered that the level was full of gas eighty yards from the face. We had news that smoke was breaking out, and that we would have to return; this came from Mr. Henry Davies, mining engin- eer. Later we heard that Mr. Sims, I His Majesty's Inspector, sent for us to return, but the message didn't reach us )1 until our return to the pit-head. After waiting one hour and a half for the gas to clear we pushed on. This was of no avail, and we commenced to return. It was immensely difficult, and we were gassed. We could only walk in short stages of about 50 yards, and some had to be assisted. It became necessary to send for the rescue party, who admin- istered oxygen to Messrs. Morgan, Jenkins, ana Davies, His Majesty's Inspector of Mines. Their presence heartened us, and we struggled back to the shaft, being met by numerous rescuers. We reached the surface at 4.30, having been seven hours below. We desire to express our thanks to the Aberaman and Crumlin Rescue Bri- gades, under Messrs. Morris and Win- borne, for their timely assistance. Mr. Gibbon had taken the precaution to have the separation doors between the pit and the fire closed. This order was strictly adhered to by Mr. Dan Jones, late manager of the Albion Col- liery, and probably we owe our lives to him. We strongly recommend that no one shall go down the main West Level until the ventilation is improved, and only then accompanied by rescue brigades." Mr. Watts Morgan has presented the following official report:- We arrived at the colliery offices this morning, and found things were not quite so well, in consequence of the smoke and steam having somewhat in- creased on the 'in-by' of the junction leading to the Three Main District. Messrs. E. Shaw, O. P. Ward, and my- self, with one of the firemen, decided to make a thorough exploration of the whole of the workings. We proceed- ed to the locality where the Staple Pit is being sunk at the Main West in- take of the junction leading to the No. 1 North Cross-cut. He examined this, and found it to be slightly better than when we examined it late on Tuesday evening. We then decided to proceed inward through the No. 1 Cross-cut heading leading to the bottom of No. 1 North heading, and get inside, where the 'bashing' has been erected at the 'out-by' of the junction leading to the three main districts. We found about the same quantity of steam and smoke coming from the 'bashing,' and decided to continue our inspection of the work- ings. We examined the No. 2 South level, and found the conditions the same as on the previous day. We examined the Ladysmith district, and found the conditions here had slightly improved. We then proceeded on slowly, ex- amining carefully all the cross roads leading off the Lancaster level, which is the main heading for the Kimberley district, and we were able to penetrate Nyithout difficulty to the water parting. The road was in a very fair condition, and we were greatly surprised at the length of roadway clear of any fall. "We arrived at the spot where ex- ploration was stopped early this morn- ing, and proceeded carefully beyond this spot until we came within fifty or sixty yards of the actual coal face in the Kimberley district. 'The various cross cuts which were creating short circuits into the return had taken away a good deal of the fresh air brought down with us, and we found gas in some quantity at the furthest point we reached. The exploration had taken us a good deal further in than had been hitherto expected. We then decided to return to the surface in order to make a report of the inspection. The com- mittee has agreed upon our report that nothing further can be done except to strengthen the 'bashing' to prevent ab- solutely any smoke or fumes coming into the Lancaster Main Level, and to enable us to get actually on to the faces. This may take some little time, but it is absolutely essential and neces- sary that this work should be done in order that no unnecessary risk should be taken to sacrifice the loss of any more lives."

Aberdare Man's Story. Mr. Dan Davies, of Aberdare, made a statement to a Press representative relative to the exciting moments at the colliery on Wednesday morning, when the exploring party were overcome: Mr. Davies said that at 3 o'clock the Superintendent of the Aberaman Res- cue Brigade (Mr. H. Morris) received a message requesting that Rescue men should be sent down at once. Com- munication was made with Mr. Wim- borne, of the Crumlin Rescue Station, who was also on the spot, and in 15 minutes 12 Rescuemen had descended into the pit and made their way to the aid of the party of explorers who were in difficulties. The Rescue men reached them in the nick of time. Some were lying help- less, here and there, against the sides of the roadway, and some, stronger than others, had carried or supported their less fortunate comrades. The Rescue men immediately administered oxygen, with the result that they re- vived somewhat, and were able, with the assistance of the trained men, to come out of the mine. Mr. Davies added: "It was an ex- ceedingly narrow squeak and a few moments' delay in the arrival of the Rescue men would probably have meant death to a score of workers. The use of Rescue Brigades and rescue appar- atus appears to have been again com- pletely vindicated." The sufferers appeared to make steady progress after arrival at the pit bank, although several were still verv bad, and had to be further treated with oxygen, warm drinks, and other methods of restoration. One of the party, Mr. Wm. Thomas, overman of Senghenydd Colliery, was taken to the Aberdare Hall temporary hospital in an j unconscious condition..

Education Committee's Sympathy. At the first sub-committee of the Aberdare- Education Authority which met after the Senghenydd explosion it was decided that the following telegram he sent to Mr. Hubert Jenkins, miners' agent, Senghenydd:—"The Aberdare District Council, sitting as Education Committee, deplores the terrible calami- ty at Senghenydd, and wishes t8 ex- press sincere sympathy with bereaved and sufferers."

All Hope Abandoned. Senghenydd, Thursday morning. All attempts at exploring the Uni- versal Colliery have had to be suspend- ed. For at least two or three days nothing further will be done in the di- rection of searching for the missing men. This means that there has now van- ished the last vestige of hope that any human being could have survived the blast of Tuesday week last, and the en- suing deadly after-damp. The ad- mission is now officially made that there is no possibility of anyone being still alive. With the vanishing of this hope there will be less necessity for men to risk I their lives to the same extent as has been the case up to Wednesday. After the terrible experiences of Wednesday morning, when the exploring parties all but lost their lives, it has been decided to proceed forward by easier stages. I

High Constable's Relief Fund. On Monday, at Miles' Restaurant, Aberdare, a meeting of Past High Con- stables and the present High Constable, Mr. R. H. Miles, who presided, was held with a view to opening a Fund to assist the Senghenydd sufferers. There were present: Messrs. L. N. Williams, were present: Messrs. L. N. Williams, J.P., F. Hodges, A. P. Jones, J. H. Powell, T. Lloyd, J. Howells, and Wm. Thomas. Dr. Trevor Cory had written, regretting inability to attend, but pro- mising his support to any movement to aid the sufferers. It was resolved that a public meeting in connection with the matter be held at 7.30 on Friday at the Aberdare Market Hall. It was decided that Mr. E. Howells Evans, solicitor,, secretary to the High Constable, be asked to act as Secretary to the Fund, and that the three local Banks be re- quested to act as treasurers. Append- ed is a list of subscriptions already re- ceived :— £ s. d. The High Constable 5 5 (1 Exors. Thos. Jones, George Brewery 52 10 Messrs E. Thomas & Williams Ltd 26 5 0 Messrs. Hodges and Sons. 10 10 9, Mr. Wm. Thomas, solicitor 5 5 0 Mrs. Walter Lloyd. 3 0 0 Bethel Congregational Church Trecynon 3 8 2 Messrs. The Glancynon Foun- dry Co., Ltd 2 2 (} The Employees of the Glan- cynon Foundry 1 11 6.

Wedding. PROTHEROE-RO W BERRY. At the Abergwili Parish Church on. Wednesday, the wedding was solemnised, of the Rev. H. R. Protheroe, curate of the new parish of Llansawel, Briton Ferry, and Miss Annie Rowberry, second daughter of the late Mr J. Row- berry, Cystynog. The Rev. John Price, rector of Pendine, assisted by the Rev. T. Thomas, officiated. The bride, who. was given away by her brother, Mr J. Rowberry, was attended by the Misses. Lucy and Edith Rowberry, sisters. Mr D. J. Davies, King Street, Carmarthen, was best man. The bridegroom is the youngest son. of the late Mr W. R. Protheroe, Cwm- dare, and Mrs Protheroe, now of Aberdare.

lip and Down the Valley.. ABERDARE. I BEQUEST TO A CHURCH. The late Mr John James (Iago Fwyaf), Teilo House, has bequeathed in his- will < £ 200 to Highland Place Unitarian Church. Mr W. Kenshole, solicitor, one of the executors of the late Mr James, conveyed this information to the pastor of the church, Rev. E. T. Evans, last week. BETHANIA LITERARY SOCIETY. -At Bethania Vestry on Tuesday even- ing a conversazione was held to open the session. At the tables: Mrs T. Rod- erick, Mrs Joshua Davies, Mrs John Jones, Mrs John Jenkins, Mrs Llew Jones, Mrs D. R. Davies; the Misses S. A. Edwards, Lizzie Edwards, Annie Roderick, Edith Evans, S. M. Morgan, and Miss Samuel. Mrs Tom Evans catered. Mr E. Ogwen Williams, F.R.G.S., presided. Songs were ren- dered by Messrs R. E. Price, Tom Evans, and E. O. Williams. Topical verses were read by Messrs John Price, John Christmas, S. Davies, D. T. Davies, B.A., and E. O. Williams, and short speeches by Messrs W. Evans, T. Roderick, J. Mills (Tarianydd), and the Rev. W. Davies, M.A. Mr W. B. Stephens acted as accompanist.

ABERAMAN. FOOTBALL. Mid-Rhondda Re- serves met the Aberaman Athletic eleven on Saturday last at the Aber- aman Park in a 2nd division league match. The locals ran out by three goals to nil. The scorers were Charlie Silverthorne (2) and Jack Thomas (1). TEA AND SOCIAL. The Ynyslwyd Mutual Improvement Society opened- their winter session with a tea and social. on Wednesday. Tray-holders and ass is- tants: Mrs Evans, Davies Street; Miss M. H. Knight, Mrs Davies, Misses A. M. Thomas and L. M. Knight; Mrs Evans, Albert Street; Miss Morgan, Miss Williams, Mrs Williams, Miss M. Samuel, and Miss N. Phillips. Cutters,. Mrs Scourfield, Mrs Knight, Mrs Mor- gan Evans, Mrs Iago Evans, Mrs. Nicholas; Mr John Williams and Mr' Abraham Watkins. Doorkeeper, Mr David Harris. Tea brewers, Mr and Mrs J. Evans. At the entertainment Mr Gwilym Richards presided. Open- ing solo, -Miss,, Margery Thomas, im- promptu speech, subject, "Woman," 1st, Mr Aneurin Davies; (2) Mr A. Wat- kins. Chorus by Mr D. Scourneld's Sun- day School Class. Miss May Evans was- secretary.

MOUNTAIN ASH. I NEW THEATRE.—"Hello! London" is a musical comedy revue that has captured the provinces and is draw- ing crowds wherever it is presented. I Next week theatre-lovers of Mountain, I Ash and district will have an oppor- ■ tunity of seeing one of the latest of comedies. The company is an excellent, one, and full justice will be done to the- piece. There will be a full London chorus and the latest ragtime melodieE- will be sung. "Hello! London" is an entirely new piece, and is the last word in farcical production. Don't miss it.

YNYSYBWL. I A GENERAL MEETING of the work- I men of the Lady Windsor Colliery was i held at the Workmen's Hall on Friday evening under the presidency of Mr I Henry James (Trefinfab). Votes of sympathy with the relatives of the vic- tims at Senghenydd were passed. It- was resolved to levy 6d on each work- man towards the distress fund of the. Miners' Federation. Re the stoppage- of the colliery in sympathy with the deceased workmen, it was decided that the president and secretarv should as- certain when help would be most need- ed at the funerals, and a special meet- ing should be called to decide what dav or day a work should be stopped. Y.L.L.—The Ynysybwl Branch of the League of Young Liberals coiitmenced: their winter programme on Monday evening, October 20th, at the Trerobart Girls' School with a debate on U Separ- ate Government for Ulster." Mr G. Gower occupied the chair. Mr D. T. Jarman, B.Sc., seconded by Mr Edgar B. Thomas, moved the affirmative, and were opposed by Councillor D. Rogers and Mr Trevor Rogers. The arguments on both sides were well delivered, and after a keen discussion, in which Messrs 1. James, J. Jones, W. Rogers, R. Jones, and others joined, the proposition was negatived by a good majority. The Rev. W. F. Phillips, B.A., B.D., B.Litt., is expected to deliver an address to the branch next month.

Why not give us a call stock of and Inspect cup immense UP-TO-DATE FURNITURE ![ before you buy elaewhepe. J Victor Freed i 4 Oxford St.,Mountain Ash. J j ( -1