The Aberdare Leader

Aberdare District Council. Meeting Abandoned Owing to No Quorum. Notwithstanding the fact that the number of Councillors have been in- creased from 20 to 27, there were not sufficient present on Monday to pro- ceed with the meeting. Nine members are required to form a quorum, and at 5.15 p.m., 15 minutes after the usual time at which the business is supposed to commence, 7 only were in attend- ance, and they were Messrs. W. Thomas (chairman), L. N. Williams, J.P., E. Stonelake, D. E. Davies, T. Walter Williams, David Davies, and TV R. Morgan. At 5.20 the Chairman asked What is your pleasure with regard to this meet- ing? Mr L. N. Williams: According to standing orders we cannot proceed. At this stage Councillor Wm. Rees, J.P., entered the room. Mr E. Stonelake: Saved. Chairman: No, we require another one. Mr David Davies: I move we go on with the meeting. Chairman: We cannot possibly go on. The standing orders state that "one- third of the number of members must form a quorum, and if at the expiration of 15 minutes a quorum is not present the meeting shall not take place." Mr T. Walter Williams: Strictly speaking you are quite right. Mr D. Davies: Cannot we co-opt one of the officers? (Laughter.) Mr. E. Stonelake: They will lose their s&lary then. (Renewed laughter.) Mr Stonelake proceeded to say that all the other meetings were held at 5.30, and it was difficult to remember that the Council met at 5 o'clock. Clerk: The Council is called at 5 to go through the formal business by 6.30. Chairman Here it is 20 minutes after time now. Mr L. N. Williams: I am afraid Welshmen, as a rule, have a bad repu- tation for punctuality. I am told that Eeople go to chapel meetings half-an- our late. Mr D. Davies: We have got to meet trains punctually. Chairman: I declare this meeting ad- journed to some other date. The Clerk said itwas important that the meeting should be held. There were documents to be sealed and signed, I and if they were not passed that even- ing the deeds would have to be re-en- grossed, which meant considerable trouble and more expense. And be- sides, it was necessary to make arrange- ments for the borrowing of about £ 10,000. Two officials were sent to hunt up one more member to make the necessary quorum. In a rew minutes Mr Abraham Wat- kins returned and said that Mr T. W. Griffiths was coming. Mr T. W. Griffiths entered the room at 5.26, and was cheered. The Chairman said he would only proceed with business which was im- portant

Mr. W. Thomas Drops a Bombshell. The Chairman said he would take that opportunity of stating that he did not intend seeking re-election next March. He had been a member of this Council for nine years, and the last four had been very strenuous years for him. He found that the work was really too much. It was with reluctance he had come to this conclusion, having regard to the fact that nine years ago he had been elected by a large majority, and re-elected unopposed every time after- wards. For that confidence he had been very faithful to his public duties, and very zealous in serving the town. He had considered the matter very serious- ly, and he thought he was doing the right thing. There were other appoint- ments which he still held. Since March last year he had attended between 200 and 300 meetings, and his own private work had gone in arrears. In conclusion Mr Thomas said he thought it only right to make this an- nouncemetit now, to give the ratepayers time to select a candidate. The Coun- cil work was increasing more and more, and whoever would be elected would re- quire to sacrifice a great deal of his time. Concerning the work of the Council during the past year, and the relations existing between the members and himself during his term of office as chairman, he would say nothing at present, inasmuch as he would have an opportunity at the last meeting of the present Council.

Miscellaneous. Various documents were submitted and ordered to be sealed. One item on the agenda was "To con- sider question of making a demolition kg order in respect of a house in Elizabeth Street, Aberdare." The Clerk said he had received another communication from Mr W. W. Bferedith, who was acting for the | owners, asking the Council to defer the matter for a month.—This course was agreed to. Another item was "To appoint five representatives from outside the Coun- cil as Governors of the University Col- lege." Those in office were Rev. R. J. Jones, M.A., Rev. W. Davies, M.A., Dr. Trevor Cory, Mr T. Botting, B.A., and Mr W. Charlton Cox, M.A. Mr T. Walter Williams mentioned that Dr. Trevor Cory had removed from the district, and suggested that some- body be appointed in his place. Mr Wm. Rees moved Mr John Grif- fiths, Brynhyfryd. Mr L. N. Williams seconded, and the motion was agreed to. The other four were re-elected. The Clerk reported that he had re- ceived sanction from the L.G.B. for the borrowing of t6,412 for tramway pur- poses, and £ 2,900 for road improve- ments at Cwmynysminton and Cwm- bach. Messrs. Owen Powell and J. 0. George reached the meeting at 5.33, and Mr D. R. Llewelyn at 5.36, just as the members were about to disperse, Mr George Powell arrived a few minutes later. The Chairman announced the meet- ing adjourned till next Monday. The meeting then concluded.

Electricity Extensions. The following items appeared in the minutes of the Electricity Extensions Sub-Committee:— Stores Depot.—The Committee con- sidered the alterations proposed by the Surveyor as necessary to convert the waggon-shed purchased from the Gadlys Estate into a Stores Depot, and resolved that having regard to the urgency of the matter, the necessary alterations be proceeded with at once. Extensions. The Committee con- sidered exhaustively this matter, and instructed the Surveyor to prepare a detailed plan of the depot, shewing the Destructor, Electricity,- and Tramway Buildings, with the situations of the machinery and plant. The Clerk was also instructed to make various in- quiries. Mr. Sellon's Fees. — The Committee considered in detail the Bill of Mr. Sellon for services rendered by him as Consulting Engineer in connection with be Electricity Undertaking, and the Clerk received instructions thereon, and was directed to see Mr. Sellon with a view to arriving at an amicable settle- ment. Supply of Electricity.-The Com- mitted interviewed Mr W. A. Chamen, the Engineer and Manager of the South Wales Electrical Power Co., Ltd., with a view to discussing whether or not it was possible for his Company to give this Council a supply of electricity in bulk from their Power Station situate at Mardy. Your Committee inspected the suggested route that the proposed cable would take, and Mr Chamen pro- mised to let this Committee have the terms of his Company in the course of a few weeks, after which the Com- mittee will report to the Council on this and other suggested schemes.

Roads and Streets Committee. The above committee met on Jan. 18th, and reported as follows:— Present: Councillors Evan Jones (chairman), W. M. Llewelyn, E. Ogwen Williams, T. W. Griffiths, D. P. Davies, L. N. Williams, William Thomas, David Davies, David E. Davies, D. J. Thomas, W. R. Morgan, E. M. Hann, Joseph Martin. William Rees and Evan Jones I i'CwmainanV Notices to Treat. Your committee had under consideration the claims under Notices to Treat Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the freehold interest in the land, etc., proposed to be acquired for the improvement of Hirwain Road, near the Welsh Harp Inn and Apple Tree Inn, Trecynon, when it was resolved to recommend that the Clerk be directed to endeavour to have the permission of the interested parties to a withdrawal of the above mentioned notices to treat. Your committee also considered the claim of the Marquis of Bute for his freehold interest in 25 and 26 Abernant Road (yard and offices), when it was resolved by 6 votes to 4. that the Clerk be instructed to write the Bute Estate, inquiring whether the sum of £ 350 claimed included all tenants' rights (if any). Your committee also considered the claim of the Marquis of Bute as to Abernant Road, Windsor Terrace, etc., at £ 20, when it was resolved to recom- mend that the above amount be agreed to. Setting Back of Footpath near the Cemetery.—The Surveyor read corres- pondence with Messrs. W. R. Davies and Co., Solicitors, Pontypridd, on be- half of the Rev. J. Grawys Jones here- in, and explained the points referred to in such correspondence. Resolved to recommend that Messrs. W. R. Davies and Co. be written to that the Council's 1 Surveyor would be prepared to meet the Surveyor to the Rev. Grawys Jones, at the latter's own cost, upon the site to discuss tho question in difference.

Fire and Lighting. The Lighting and Fire Brigade Com- mittee's report contained the following items:— Street Lighting.—Resolved to recom- mend that either 2 or 3 (as found neces- sary) additional lamps be fixed on the Cwmbach side of the New Bridge. The Clerk read a letter from Councillor W. Thomas as to steps being taken for sub- stituting all flat flame street lamps in the district with incandescent lights. It was resolved that the Surveyor report upon this matter to the next meeting of this committee. Covering of the Refuse Carts.—It was resolved that the Surveyor be directed to experiment upon alternative cover- ings for the refuse carts, for the in- spection of this committee. Fire Brigade.—The Clerk read a re- port from the Captain of the Fire Bri- gade, reporting fires at Trecynon and Mountain Ash, and the attendance of the Brigade thereat. Resolved to re- commend that the application of the Captain for permission to remove the appliances from Cwmaman Fire Station pending arrangements for the proper keeping thereof, and for consent to re- pair the escape, be granted. The Cap- tain applied, on behalf of the Brigade, for a grant in consideration of special services rendered during the first year's working under the amended conditions, such grant to be devoted to competi- tions. demonstrations, periodicals, etc. -Resolved to recommend that a grant of C15 be made.

Health and Housing Committee. Housing Beyond Elm Grove. The Surveyor orally reported upon the suit- ability of the plot of land beyond Elm Grove for building of dwelling houses under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, and, after consideration thereof, it was resolved that the matter be deferred for the present, and that a special Housing Committee be called at an early date to inspect this and other probable sites. Appointment.—Your committee con- sidered 14 applications for the post of probationer nurse at the Hospital, and it was resolved to recommend that Miss Olive Mary Phillips, of 20 Pleasant View, Godreaman, be appointed to the post, the salary to be £10 per annum. Tenant's Arrears.—The Clerk report- ed that the tenant of one of the Aber- nant tenements had not paid any rent since September 24th, and was now in arrears to the extent of £ 3 8s. It was resolved to recommend that the Chair- man and the Clerk be authorised to deal with the matter and to take steps for the obtaining of an ejectment order if such course was found necessary. Housing and Town Planning Con- ference.—The Chairman (Mr George Powel!) gave a very exhaustive oral re- port upon the proceedings at the annual conference of the National Housing and Town Planning Association held at Car- diff last week, and especially with re- gard to the matters affecting this Council. A cordial vote of th&nks was accorded the chairman for his lucid and interesting report.

Tramway Bill. The Tramways Committee reported: The Clerk read letters dated the 26th and 29th January, from the Clerk to the Glamorgan County Council, giving I their consent to the Tramway Exten- sions at Abercwmhoi and Cwmaman, but with regard to the Hirwain Exten- sion, laying down conditions to which the consent of the County Council was subject. Resolved that' this Council decline to agree to the conditions laid down by the Glamorgan County Coun- cil for the Hirwain Extension, and the Clerk was instructed to write the Gla- morgan County Council accordingly.

Abercwmboi Recreation Ground. The Parks and Cemeteries Commit- tee reported:— The Deputy Clerk read a letter re- ceived from Mr E. M. Harm, of the Powell Duffryn Company, in which it was stated that the Company was now prepared to sell a piece of land behind Park View Terrace for recreation ground purposes at £300 per acre, with certain reservations and conditions. After considei-ation thereof it was re- solved that the matter be deferred for the present, and that the Surveyor be instructed to inquire into the question of access to this piece of land and the terms therefor, and report fully to this committee upon the cost, etc., of laying out a recreation ground, and all inci- dentals thereto, at this spot. Bowling Creen.-The Surveyor pro- duced sketch plans for the proposed Bowling Green, Tennis Courts and Pavilion, and after consideration there- of, it was resolved to recommend that the sketch plans, now produced, be ap- proved of.

Auditor's Report. A Joint Meeting of Representatives of "the Council and of the Education Committee was held to consider the auditor's report. The Joint Committee axhaustively considered the Auditor's report, more especially that portion thereof dealing with the suggestion that a separate Accountant's Depart- ment should be set up, when it was unanimously resolved that for the pres- ent no action be taken on the suggestion of the Auditor, but that matters should remain as at present constituted. The following are extracts from the Auditor's report for the year ended 31st March, 1914:— Expenditure.—The expenditure for the year, including E49,323 13s. lOd. out of loans, amounted to L149,372 8s. 5d., the allocation of which, under appropriate heads, will be found in your copy of the statutory financial state- ment. (This was published in the "Leader," Jan. 23rd.) Compared with the preceding year, the expenditure shews an increase of £54,858 Is., viz. revenue expenditure, £16,301 15s. Id., and loan expenditure zC38,556 5s. lid. Calls Upon the Rates.—The require- ments of the Council involved the fol- lowing calls upon the rates during the year :—General District Fund (includ- ing Libraries), £ 29,300 3s. 6d. in the t. Under the Burial Acts, £ 650: fd. 4 in the £ Education, £ 20,200 2s 3Jd. in the t. Total rate, 5s. 10d. The amounts raised in the previous year, and the rates in the £ involved, were: General District Fund (including Libra- ries), £ 26,935 3s. 3d. in tne £ Under the Burial Acts, £ 700; Id. in the £ Education, £ 20,200; 2s. 3td. in the t. Total rate, 5s. 7jd. in the E. Assessable Value. The Assessable Value of the Urban District, at 1st April, 1913, for the purpose of the General District Rate, was zCl76,724, a decrease of P,2,407, compared with the figure at the 1st April, 1912. Loan Debt.—The loan debt at the (' J'" commencement or tne year stooa at E225,697 4s. 5d. At the close of the year, this indebtedness had increased to t227,331 3s. lOd. Loans Raised.—The following loans were borrowed during the year for the undermentioned purposes :-Street im- provements and bridge works, £ 2,856; Housing of the Working ^Classes, £ 3,850; Tramways, £ 2,735; Elementary Education, £ 1,143. Arbitration Costs: Destructor.—The Council were defendants at the suit of the contractors, which developed into an arbitration, with a large counter- claim by the Council. The costs of the Council were confined to disbursements, but they seemed to be on an extrava- gant scale, having regard to the practi- cal questions at issue, viz., whether the Destructor was able to do the work con- tracted for. If the plaintiffs adopted an extravagant scale, it was not neces- sary for the Council to follow suit, and it is difficult to see why three London counsel should have been required by the Council (at a cost of approximately, £ 1,000 for fees), to Jay the case before the arbitrator. The hearing occupied eleven days. Printing the daily pro- ceedings cost some t600 (half of which was paid by the Council). The costs and disbursements had not been taxed. The total costs (during the year) to the Council in this matter were £ 1,838. Education Accounts.—Ample statis- tical information has been prepared by your Director, placing the Council in possession of all the necessary inform- ation as to the cost of working each school, the average cost per head, and so forth. Owing to the satisfactory in- crease in the number of pupils in aver- age attendance, the gross cost per head shews a decline on the preceding year, and during the current year, the call upon the rates will be met by a rate of 2s. in the t, as compared with 2s. 3d. in the year under audit. Hirwain Joint School. The bond furnished by the treasurer of the Hir- wain Joint School, viz., EIOO,, appears to be inadequate. Suggestions were made at the audit in connection with these accounts, as to setting forth same in the lodgers I. Branch Libraries Accounts. These accounts are to be brought into the Council's accounts. During the year under audit, for the first time, they were excluded from the ledger accounts of the Council. The Branch Accounts should be made up as soon as possible after the close of the financial year, and after examination by the committees, should be signed by the chairman and treasurer, and forwarded to the ac- countant for examination and incorpor- ation in the Council's accounts. Collection Accounts.—These accounts were very satisfactory, and the collec- tion results still maintain the high standard of previous years. Success of Tramway Undertaking.— Great developments in the financial transactions of the Council occurred during the year under audit, caused, mainly, by the inauguration of the Tramways and Trackless Cars. The financial results of this undertaking have exceeded expectations. If these satisfactory results can be maintained, the Council should be able, in due course, to thoroughly establish the undertaking, and place it in a strong financial position. Accountancy.—It is satisfactory to be able to report that the progress made in establishing the accounts upon in- come and expenditure lines has made great strides, and that at an early date the Council will have their finances es- tablished, and their accounts recorded m the various subsidiary books of ac- counts, and the ledgers entered up in a most complete and comprehensive form. To complete the system, and to enable a thorough control of the-stores to be established, will, no doubt, require a strengthening of the staff of the prin- cipal Accounting Officer of the Council. Having regard to the fact that the ex- penditure of the Council is well over £ 100,000 per annum, the status of their principal accounting officer should be raised, if he is to bring into operation a complete svstem of check and financial control. He should, it is submitted, be assigned the definite status of "Ac- countant," and he should1 be authorised and instructed generally to take all and any steps necessary to effectively con- trol all the revenues, accounts, and the financial transactions of all other ac- counting officers of the Council. In this way the Council would be assured that no phase of aieir finance would be overlooked, and that the accounts of every cash accounting officer, or other officers responsible for goods or stores, would be subject to constant and inde- pendent check. The Council would be well advised to ke their Accountant J --what he ought to be—a Controller in the best sense of the term, and it should be his duty to report in writing to the Finance Committee, on all matters or charges involving expenditure, which may, in his view, be open to objection, or call for special attention. The estab- lishment of registers of all recurrent charges, a register to record all acquisi- tions of freehold, leasehold, or copyhold property, the setting up of inventories of permanent stock, and sundry other important matters came under review, all of which will, in due course, receive attention. A sound system of stock- taking is to be established.

Letters to the Editor. THE THREE "NOTS." Sir,—A Sunday school teacher who had a class of very neglected boys was talking to them about the evils of drink. She said, I wonder how people learn to drink." Oh, I know," said a bright little fellow, son of a publican, "they learn to drink by tast- ing it." Don't forget the motto, Touch not; taste not; handle not." Gipsy Smith, travelling one day by train, in company with two liquor dealers was asked why he was con- stantly attacking the liquor trafhe. P "You'll drive us to the workhouse," said they. He replied, When you go there the present inmates will be ready to turn out."—Yours, L.P.

APPEAL FOR A GRAMOPHONE. Sir,—The Aberdare boys training with the Glamorgan Yeomanry at Aylsham have asked me if you would (through the columns of the Leader") ask any friend or friends at home if they would be kind enough to send us a gramophone. We are in a place which has practically no amusements, and we find the even- ings very long. We want something to liven us up. We are all billeted in a loft over stables, which are very com- fortable, yet we want some music. Will anyone oblige? All are keeping very well, and anxious- ly await the day when we shall be able to do our little against the Huns. Thanking you in anticipation, on be- half of the Aberdare boys, I remain, BEN MOSS, Corporal. Troop 2, D. Squadron, Glamorgan Yeomanry, Aylsham, Norfolk.

ABERDARE TRADES & LABOUR COUNCIL BALANCE SHEET. Sir,—In the report of the annual meeting of the above Council, which ap- peared in your paper a while ago, there was a statement to the effect that a balance sheet was presented showing a balance in favour of the Council. Now, sir, what I should like to ask the gentlemen concerned is, How can they reconcile that statement with the fact that but a few weeks ago they sent agents around the Miners' Federation Lodges soliciting grants to the Council, because they were in debt to the tune of some hundreds of pounds? Is it not a fact that they then owed nearly £60, or roughly two years' money, to one Guardian alone, and others for a simi- lar period according to their attend- ance? And if they have a balance in their favour, when do they intend re- turning the sum lent them from the Bwllfa No. 1 Lodge? A balance in hand appears to me inconsistent with the appeal for more funds.—I remain, anxiously yours, JAMES EVANS.

BUSINESS AS USUAL. A TALK TO RAILWAYMEN OR GOVERNMENT WAGE SLAVES. Sir,—Thus i-,irt"a certain advertise- ment If you cannot fight there is still important work for you to do. Help to stiffen the backbone of the country. Remember that every grumble at the duration of the war, every fear as to its issue, every complaint about the dis- comfort it imposes, is an aid to the enemy." We can see that this is the exact tone of all capitalistic newspapers to- day. So far so good, but let me apply a different tune to it. Of course you wift all agree that there is important work to be done, but, to accomplish this task we must live, and the important task which we have to accomplish is to live, not merely exist. Help to stiffen the backbone -of the country." By all means. By the way, who is the back- bone of the country—your country when you take possession of it? Is it the Army, Navy, Shipowners, Shop- keepers, or is it the workers who pro- duce the wealth? Have you all realised this? With reference to the discom- fort, we workers experience so much dis- comfort that it seems to me the majority are getting hardened to it, but with the minority they are getting hardened against it. Don't you think you have been paying the piper suffi- ciently long to be entitled to call your own tune? Don't you think you have been sleeping long enough? I do. Why, your greatest enemies—the em- ployers of labour, shop-keepers, ship- owners, etc.—are making announce- ments in all the newspapers and ex- hibiting glaring placards for your benefit. "Business as usual." You don't want anything more straightfor- ward than that, do you? What was the usual business before this war? Haven't you thought of it? Don't you remember the Freightage Bill, and the advance in price of all your commodities as a result? You remem- ber Llanelly, Featherstone, the Dublin atrocities, and the South African miners' fight against oppression with the deportation of their labour leaders? Now you have got it. Business as usual, and you are submitting to op- pression with your usual lamblike docili- ty. You have all realised, from the worker in the shed on his £1 Is. per week to the worker on the footplate and the worker in the signal-box on their t2, that your commodities have advanced in price 30 to 40 per cent. The point is how much longer are you going to tolerate it? The majority of you have run away with the idea that to be patriotic you must exist in a state of slow starvation. But it is not so. You would be far more patriotic if you get the necessaries of life the same as our patriotic railway magnates. Well, we have gone so far and we have come to this. What can we do? Why, it is obvious. Hoist the flag of the workers, display it on the placards in the glare of the electric light— Business as usual." And adopt the best methods for obtaining 7s. 6d. per week rise for all workers. Not like the week's annual leave for only locomotive men.—Yours, J. H. IZEED.

A REPLY TO "A PITIFUL TALE OF WOE." Mr. 1. L. Peer.—Dear Sir,—That you are possessed of a lively imagination afid love to give it rein I have no doubt. Like Mr. Hardie you seem not to be happy unless you can find something unfavourable to comment upon, which may enhance the reputation of the Socialist cause. As you remark it is indeed a pleasure for me to set up dummies in order to knock them down, especially when these,dummies are mem- bers of the Socialist set, and are made for the sole purpose of being knocked down. I At the time of the next General Election I will have a shy at your principal dummy, and this will providelgood sport for 'the electors of the Merthyr Boroughs. You refer to the ancient prophet Jere-' miah. He did indeed suffer enough in his day. I have much regard for him. I believe in his prophecies. My complaint is solely in regard to the modern Jere- miahs and Socialist jerry-builders, who make untrue prophecies concerning peace and would deceive and impress the British public with their "pitiful tale of woe/' tale of woe." You say you are positive that Mr. Hardie did not read my open letter. I say he did, but his pride and vanity forbade him to give a reply. He knew that the German strategy adopted at the Merthyr anti-war meeting had been dis- covered by the electors, and as he did not like the idea of paying the electors on that side of the hill another visit for fear of going through similar experience at Aberdare, he disposed of the subject the best way he could. Now regarding the D.A. s and "the hard-earned pence of the victims of the capitalist/' you say that that is merely a statement of fact on your part, and not a complaint. If that is so, then you ought to have put the matter clearer. If it is nothing more than a statement of fact, then it is of no interest to anyone, except that it signifies that the I.L.Peers are so good for nothing, and so lethargic at their work that they simply cannot earn more. Even men of ordinary in- telligence, if they will but put their shoulders to the wheel, are able to get a few bright shillings; I know of some who are getting dollars. You say that the Socialists refused to allow D.A. to contribute to the I.L.P. funds. I am fully aware of it. It simply shows what a lot of coxcombs you I.L.Peers are. You pretended to be so overflush with cash that you would not think of entertaining D.A.'s offer. How symbolical of the poor trying to imitate the rich, the servant girl trying to outshine her mistress, the twenty-five bob a week man rattling his cash. You ask me to name "Pierponts" at the head of the I.L.P. Sufficient to say that one of them was enthroned "King of the Socialists at the Market Hall, Aberdare, a little while back. I agree with you that money does not make a gentleman, but the virtues of chivalry and kindness do. Regarding Mr. Lloyd George and his £ 5,000 a year, I venture to think that he is far more entitled to £ 5,000 a year than you are to five bob a day. You refer to the gamble in Marconie. That little flutter has been enquired into by a Royal Commission. I am quite satis- fied the country at large is satisfied. Oh, yes. the British public have much regard for British law. You say that at the beginning of the war the banks were in distress, and that they drew dividends not on their assets, but on their debts. Well, what about it? Don't you consider it a smart bit of work ? Splendid! When you get the primary virtues of business firmly cemented into your character then it will be time enough for you to criticise business systems. You say I am "playing a low down game." How absurd! It would be as well to say that the British nation is playing a low down game because it is fighting the warlike systems of the Ger- man war-lord. If I am playing a low down game then the compliment is mutual. I have an ill-bred man to deal with. It is always precarious to prophesy, but one might safely predict concerning the Socialists that they are not going to get in at the next Parliamentary election.— I am, etc., THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH^

Review. Rhestr Eisteddfodau," by the Late Mr. D. M. Richards. Those of our readers who were famil- iar with the late Mr D. M. Richards (Myfyr Dar), Wenallt, Aberdare, know that he was a litterateur by avocation and an antiquarian by instinct. He was never more in his element than when hunting for musty records of the past in dusty archives. Old institu- tions, and especially, old eisteddfodau, had a peculiar fascination for Myfyr Dar. Moreover he was a patriot, and his affection for the land of his fathers equalled his love for literature. Writ- ing about Wales, its folk-lore, its ancient institutions .was to him the breath of his nostrils. It was the rul- ing passion with him to the end, for the last fruit of his prolific pen was a series of articles to "Tarian y Gweithiwr" on his favourite subject, Old Eistedd- fodau." He continued these when he was no longer able to hold a pen and was obliged to obtain the services of an amanuensis. Those of our readers who are inter- ested in the subject for which the late Mr Richards had such a burning pas- sion will be glad to know that a hook entitled Rhestr Eisteddfodau is now out of press. Had he been spared he had intended to classify, compile and publish the elaborate and voluminous material ho had in his possession deal- ing with ancient Welsh eisteddfodau. But he was called away before the work was completed. However, Mr J. Bal- linger, of the Welsh National Library, took the unfinished work in hand, and Mr John Davies, a member of his staff, arranged it for publication. The volume is published by the widow, Mrs Richards, Wenallt, Aberdare, and vo&$ be obtained from her at the price of 3sj post free. Out of respect for his old Aberdare friend, Mr D. A. Thomas? Llanwern, has borne the cost of publi- Llanwern, has borne the cost of publi- cation. The book opens with a appreciation of the late D.M.R. W another old friend, Prof. John MorgaIJ Jones, M.A., of Bangor College, f°r' merly pastor of Tabernacle Congrega' tional Church, Aberdare. This is lowed by an article on "Hen Eistedd' fodau Aljerdar," which is the substan00 of a paper read before CYIllrodorlO Aberdar by Mr. Richards-. Many Of us who were privileged to hear the paper read will be glad of the oppor- tunity of renewing our acquaintance with it in printed form. And those who did not hear it should by no means miss such a wealthy mine of informatiog concerning Aberdare's cherished instI- tutions at a period when the old was the cradle of song and the home 0 the "awen." 1 The latter partion of the book deal with Welsh eisteddfodau in general. Here we have a very elaborate and co' plete catalogue of them from the chair Eisteddfod of Ystum Llwydiarth (0^1 termouth) in 517 A.D. to Eisteddf0*, Llandilo in 1860. The annotations comments on some of the events a very interesting. On the front page is an portrait of D.M.R. This volume is certainly a valufr?' contribution to Welsh antiquari^j knowledge as well as to our natioo^, literature. No patriot or eisteddfod1^ should be without it.

Meeting of Lloyds Bank LtcJ. The 57th ordinary general meeting fjj the shareholders of this Bank was hv* on Wednesday, the 27th January, 1°V at Birmingham. The chairman (Mr- .1 V. Vassar-Smith), in moving the adopt^y of tho report, said in the course of speech: I must call your attention to fact that this is the jubilee year of It existence as a Joint Stock bank was founded in the early part of 1 Of At the end of that year the number > shareholders was 807, now it is aboot 28,000; the capital paid up < £ 143,4*1 now £ 5,008,672; the Reserve Fo5$ < £ 27,750, now < £ 3,600,000; the dividend the rate of £ 13,500 a year, now < £ 837,% the number of offices 14, now 880; number of staff 51, now about (Applause.) 4 I now beg to move: "That the Repo just taken as read be received adopted, and that, in accordance the recommendation of the DireC^ therein, a dividend for the half-y^y, ended the 31st December last of 14s. a per share, being at the rate of 18 1-8 Rj cent. per annum on the paid-up cap1 A of the company, be declared, s11)Ð dividend to be payable on and after t 2nd February, less income tax." m The Deputy-Chairman, in seconding adoption of the report, referred to very remarkable growth of this h&gf during the last 50 years, the STe^y portion of which was due to amalgaI £ > tion with other banks, in pursuance °* > policy in which Lloyds Bank pioneer, a policy which recent events p fully justified. 0{ The speaker then mentioned soin^f the special financial measures taken by the Government to deal «A the crisis occasioned by the outbf of war. The report having been unanimo11^/ adopted, the retiring Directors J} elected, the Auditors re-appointed, the usual votes of thanks given Chairman and the Staff, the proceed* terminated.

VICTOR FREED, Mountain AsB, II has PIANOS in stock by I COLLARD A- < UaVP^1" BHINSMBXO, ETC., ETC ttt 2510 below town prices. ¡l SK FOR ( ATALOGUK.

Aberdare Chamber of Trade. dJ At the annual meeting held last Ttle$ week the following ten members elected by ballot on the Executive cil:—R. L. Berry, Commercial St* J■ O. C. Bugler, Jenkin Street; Ivo Davies, Cardiff Street; Frank Horgjll J.P., Victoria Square; John Lewis, ,j? Street, Treeynon; R. H. Miles, Square; H. Powell, Abernant C. R. Vicary, Wyndham Crescent; & G. Williams, Victoria Square; J. Harmston, Cardiff Street.

I THE GREAT SKIN CU"e, Budden's S.R. Skin Ointment. xVr It will CnTe Itching after one aP turn; 'lestroys every form of IH>H1S old Wounds and Soree; aftf* charm on Bad L»*gs; i* hpitls old Wounds and Soree; at. M f charm on Bad L'-ni. i", lnfiili, I vvi Piles; Prevents Cuts Fenferiiig: Cure Hirigworrij in a few days; ret" the most obstinate Erupt ion« Scurvey. Boxe« 7Jd. Hn<l Is. p' %g-ptit for Aberdare. tf, Walter flit" Jones. Chemist and Pharmacist; « wain, Mr. George; Aberaman

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