The Aberdare Leader

ajor R. D. Williams, D.S.O. tA°ng local officers home over I) ,tive1 season was Major R. \vi, ]'!ianis, Caecoed, Aberdare, i'i( i°, gained distinction in the I, a J'eeentlv and was granted i0 T->.y.O. Major Williams "well. He returned to i.1106 °n Wednesday. He is a poymlar officer.

Down with Dysentry. Garfield Thomas, tli^.S^st son of Mrs. Thomas and V.li e Mr. George Thomas, 20 Street, Aberdare, has '^ff transferred from a Car- 110s 'iiill'.v Hospital to Trecynon tiy lntah He contracted dysen- Jlis V1 l i ance last August and «iric eeiJ suffering therefrom ever rIPe; e has to undergo an Usr0 j on soon. About 12 months ;ir1(J 1(1 v.as wounded in Prance Ft ^yas a patient in'an Englieh ,JSPital.

Air Mechanic Discharged. I,i^.(>0r|d Air Mechanic Bertie J Tls> only son of Mr and Mrs. f£I:i IS (tailor). Market Street, di^i are, has just received his l)aPers* IJe joined the iii,/ 'A1 -\iv Force and served 16 ie -jV8 in France as air mechan- ^Vas a Patient in Cardiff <!iSoia,V Hospital previous to his ,la^ge.

Local Wireless Operator in France. 1 !,nv^^ess Operator Gwyn fonly son °f Frof. II. <^ive • Abernant Road, Aber- tHou' now in France, being at- ea to the Wireless Tele- Igraphy Department. He was Ii trained at Cardiff Wireless School, and nubsequently at ¡ Farnborough and Blandtord.

Recovery froA Pneumonia. Pte. W. H. Griffiths. M.T., A.S.C., is in hospital in France, suffering from bronchial pneu- monia. He has been very low, but the latent news is that he is now out of danger, though still, confined to hospital. lie is 21 years of age, and prior to joining I up 3 years ago was a boot and shoe repairer at 19 Yny^lwyd t., Aberdare. His brother. Driver D. A. Griffiths, is now home on leave from France and looks well. Ho has been in the Army 3-h 2 yellrs, prior to which he was an electrician employed by J. A. Bosher. They are the sons of Mrs. Griffiths, Ynyshvyd Street.

Ap Pennar Home. Pte. D. Phillips (Ap Temiar). [Mountain Ash, who is in the [Royal Marines, is home, but not for good. He has to return to! ;France next week. Ap Pennar' is well known locally, having been a miner at Mountain Ash, andj also a newspaper reporter. He' has contributed several interest- ing articles from France to the columns of this paper. ¡

Pals Welcome Home Fund. II On Xmas night a social even- ing and whist drive was held at the Primitive Methodist. Vestry, Aberdare. The winners of the whist drive were Mr A. Da vies Ladies, Miss C. James, j Consolation Prizes were given to Mr. Colin Stone and Miss C. S. Davies. The following ladies presided at the tea tables: Miss F. Frame, Miss M. Lloyd, Miss Jones, and Miss A. M. Lloyd. Three soldiers home on leave j from France were presented by the Fund. Bombardier R. Jones joined the Army in 1915, and in March, H/1H, he won the Military ¡ Medal. He was presented with ¡ a handsome silver watch chain and medal. Pte. D. Hall, lith It Welsh, was presented with a handsome cigarette case, and Pte xi. T. Jenkins, ..elsh Regiment, with a. serviceable wallet. A capital programme of songs and recitations was gone through. The M.C. of the whist drive was Mr T. Edmunds. The organisers of the social were Miss Frame. MisH Lloyd, and Mr. Len Taylor. Mr John Griffiths presided. The accompanists were. Miss Frame and Mr I. J. Morris. t

Aberdare Officer's Distinction. II We are pleased to note from the London Gazette that the name of Lieut. E. A. Elson figures in the "mentions" in Despatches I of Sir Douglas Haig, dated Nov. ,8th, for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty, j Lieut. Elson has previously gain- ed distinction in the war, having! been awarded the Military Cross ;at the battle of Paschendhael. 'The gallant officer joined up in j the early days of the war and I' ha: served in France since 1915.

Died in Saloriica, News has readied Mrs Evans, Stuart Street, Aberdare. that her husband, Pt«'. Roger V. Evans, ha died in Saloniea. Prior to join- ¡ ing H.M. Forres in June, 1917, he was n clerk in the Tramways De- partment, where he wns well liked by all. He was attached to the Motor Transport Section. Three weeks ago the staff at the Tram- ways Offices received a letter from ¡ him in which he stated that he hoped to lie home this January. A week later intimation reached 1\hs Hvansi that he was dangerously ill. followed by t}w sad news that he had sueeumnej to pneumonia in a hospital in Suloniea. ife. was about 117 rears of aire, and leaves one child.

Mountain Ash Prisoner of War. Pte. Liew Williams, 2 Headon Street, Mountain Ash, has been visiting his erstwhile .colleagues at the Mountain Ash Council Offices. Sinee the time he left those offkvs to don khaki and go to fight for lus I country, he has been through very trying experiences. He belonged to the 2nd LincolnH and was taken prisoner by the Cermans near lUieiins on. Slay 27th last. For two months lie was put to work behind the lines, and was very shabbily trented by his raptors. He and his captured mat.e.s were, half-starved, and had to march a whole day v 'I absolutely nothing to eat. After the armistice was signed he was re- leased, and lie entrained from Sax- ony to the Kiel Canal, thence to Denmark and hy boat to England. He was employed in the clerk's de- partment before joining up; is the sou of Mr Tom Williams, attend- ance officer, Mountain Ash, and nephew of ex-Councillor Silas Wil- liams and J. J. Williams, the | well known Welsh poet-preacher.

THE GENERAL ELECTION. Mr. Stanton returned with big majority. The result of the poll in the Aberdare Valley constituency was declared early on Saturday after- noon, earlier than was antici- pated, consequently there was not a very large crowd outside the Aberdare Town Hall when the result was announced by Mr W. H. Morgan, the returning officer. The figures were C. R. Stanton, B.W.L. 22,824 T. !• Nicholas, I.L.P. 6,229 Majority 10,595 The huge: majority for Mr. Stan- ton surprised his most optim- istic supporters. In moving a vote of thanks to the returning officer, Mr. Stanton said that the electors had kept the flag flying, and he thanked them most heartily for enabling him to ob- tain such a great victory. Councillor E. Stonelake, elec- tion agent for Hev. T. E. Nicholas, seconded the motion, I and added that while his side regretted they had lost, they I hoped some day to turn the scale. The elected member afterwards made a tour of the constituency. He was accompanied by Mrs. iijton. The motor ear in which I he was driven was escorted by a large procession at Aberdare, and the Cynon Valley Band play- ed See' the Conquering Hero Comes." A halt was made iu Victoria Square. where Mr. I Stanton- delivered a brief address ¡ and ngain thanked the electors.,

Merthyir Tydvil Result. I There was a close fight between Sir Edgar Jones and Mr James Winstone. The figures were: Edgar Jones, Coal. Lib. 14,127 J. Winstone, Lab 12.682 -L- Majority 1,445

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. MOB-LAW. Dear Sir,- -I notice that my simple plea for reason and tolerance in I public, life has brought. "A Soldier's Sister" uito print to glorify the orgies of mob-law, and to promise an extension in their future distri- bution. It is the year 1918 A.D., and 1 can only express my astonishment that it falls to a woman to come forth as the champion of that 10 1 section which believes that personal violence (including pelting with mud), cheap sentiment, vulgar abuse, and the denial or free speech arc fit weapons to employ iu politi- cal controversy. May the day of Reason, Tolerance and Brotherhood soon dawn.—Yours faithfullv, DEMOCRATS.

Mr, T. E. NICHOLAS' CANDIDATURE. Dear Sir,I am glad that your correspondent admits that my trade unionism is not in question, but apparently he fails to grasp the meaning of mv not paying the Parliamentary Levy, and he seems to take it to heart very- much. Because I do not pay it he considers I have no right, even as an olector, to say whether Stanton or Nicholas was the Trade Unionist Candidate. I said it was "C.B. and I think my statement has been fully jus- tified by the result of the elec- tion. I am rather surprised at an educated man like Mr. Rich- ards resorting to such language as he used in his letter. Where did he get hold of the slang that he lowers himself to use? He says that I ayi) not known outside my "Distant Signals." I note that he has not been able to get a position outside his distant sig- nals with all the influence and education which he is boasting ot and displaying. He has been ¡ running after the Tories, then the Liberals, then Labour, and: is now with the I.L.P., an ad-I vanced section of the Labour movement better known as "Bolsheviks." He may next' take a fancy to the National* Democratic Party, and come to my side and support "C.B." and be on the winning side for once. Well, Mr Editor, I am sincere- ly sorry for your correspondent. I fully appreciate his feelings as a disappointed man. Now about that game of mar- bles. I willingly accept his chal- lenge, and if my letters-have not pleased him my agility may; but I think both of us would be better employed if we read, marked, learned and inwardly digested the following lines by Margaret G. Hays. Don't be so eager, so anxious, so keen To discover the faults of your neighbour, To jeer at his figure, too fat or too lean, To run down his play or his labour; To sniff at his knowledge, too great or too small. To scoff at his garments or dwelling, Don't criticise cruelly his acts one and all. His piccadilloes don't be telling For each of us mortals in this 'vale of tears' Can find plenty to do if we try, Just all of the spare time we have through the years. To remove every blemish from 'I.' —I beg to remain, Yours, etc., D. H. DAVIES. Cwmbach. ¡

CWMDARE NOTES. BY RAFFLES. A camel can work 14 days withort drink. Popcorn car. drink 14 da>s without work. WIij was had by the donkey P Huf- fies knows. Mog sent his girl a Xmas.Card and put the price on the back of the card -1/3. She found out that it cost twopence, and they don't talk to each other now. Christmas carolling has not been iij) to the usnal standard this year. Sev- eral of the principals were missing, viz., the peerless tenor, Eos Caleii, and Mary Top Note. Old Bagpipes was laid up also. Shonny Pikelets was an object of pity on Boxing Day. He had tramped back and fore to Tlhigos. But there, it was a mission of love, and we. know there's no rest but the grave for the pilgrim of love. The Xmas box arrived safely at the top house. It contained two tablet's of soap-it was badly needed. The Vice-Chairman was in a rage on hearing the result of the poll. He was unsuccessful as a snake charmer, but it was quite in keeping with the result. Mary Elizabeth Ann lost her voice over Xmas. The neighbours hope it will be missing until Easter.

My dear friend, have you read my last novel ?" he inquired. Yes, she replied. "How did you like it," he asked. "I laid down the volume with intense pleasure!" she said.

I "Where's the money to come from 1" MANY man says to himself I should like to || have a home of my own—a bit of land—the means to educate my children really well- a little business in which I could be my own master- the opportunity of travelling and seeing the world -but where is the money to come from ? The man or woman who is content merely to go on wishing never gets any further. But if you really set your mind on getting a thing if you are prepared to work for it. and to save for it you will find that War Savings Certificates I will help you to fulfil your ambition. 1 Stare investing your spare cash in War Savings Certificates. and very soon your money begins to grow like a snowball. Year by year the interest goes on piling up until at last the home, the bit of land, the business, the educational opportunity, I the travel for which you have been longing is within your grasp. I War Savings Certificates help you to get it. They cost 15/6 each. In 5 yeara' time they will be worth JEt etch. This is equivalent to 54 per cent. compound interest. There is 110 Income Tax to pay on the increAse. War Savings Certificates are Government investments—the safest in the world. Obtainable from any Bank, Money Order Post Office, or Shopkeeper acting at Official Agent. 'Ii>. a ¡'n a.- -:?" The Dental Surgeries Workrooms and Laboratorieb- 27 Victoria Square Aberdare. Aberdarians and Their Teeth Neglect Traced to Fear of Dental Chair. With HANBURVS Coming Fear disappears. Dental Chair gives real relief and pleasure. His Wonderful knowledge of Teeth removes Worry without inflicting the slightest pain. His Replaced Teeth are impossible to distinguish from Natural. A Practical Operator is born, not made! Such a one is BANBURY. TRY HIM! HELPING YOU A PLEASURE! COSTS YOU NOTHING! SPECIAL NOTICE Members of all Co-operative Societies are at liberty to have Teeth with Mr. J. Hanbury, and they will get their Full Dividend from him in Cash. Please make a note of this: Mr. Hantmry's Patients' Children ean have their Bad Teeth taken out painless, Free of Charge, every Friday from 12 to 6.30 p.m. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 9 P.M.-Surgery Hours. BUSH & PYRAMID APPLES HOPWOOD'S SPECIAL OFFER. The following are among the choicest apples grown, and being worked on the Paradise stock, come quickly into Full fruiting trees: Prices- -3 years old, 3s. eaoh. 30s. dozen. Fruiting Size, 4 years old, 4, Gd. each, 48s. dozen. v ,,5 years old and upward, 6s. and 7s. 6d. each. Allington Pippin D., Beauty of Bata D., Charles Ross D., Bram- ley Seedling K. and D., Crimson Tkaraley K. and D., Coronation D., Cox's Orange Pippin D., lVirlv Rivers K., Edward VIII. K., Lord Stradbroke K., Newton Wonder K., Rival K. and D., Ruddv K., Stir- ling Castle Iv., St. Edmund Russet D., Warners King EL, William Crump D., Worcester Pearmain D. Note.—D. stands for dessert and K. for kitchen varieties. All above varieties and also every variety of apple worth growing can be supplied in Strong Standards 4s. each., 426. doz.; Extra Strong Selected Standards, os. each. 4 For full list of our enormous stock of fruit trees, write for Special List. HOPWOOD & SON, FRUIT TREE SPECIALISTS, CHELTENHAM. Agent Mr. E. SMITH, 3 Gwawr Street, Aberaman. JOHN DAVIES, THE PICTURE SHOP 11 CARDIFF ST., AVERVARE (opposite the Cinema). 20 YEARS REPUTATION for First Class Wpv*k.

ners Discharged from the Army Tl but • ('ty for increased coal out- ul) instrumental in bringing the discharge of hundreds ui from the Army. fSever- b() 0t'al men have been discharg- •^l'a ain°"S them Mr Wm. Phillips, ,-|i & Street, Aberdare, a deacon ,i()i, H°a Welsh Cong. Church. He if, U)j 2i years ago and served ranoe v ith the Motor Tran- 1,0rt for 2 years.

A WAR MEMORIAL. Dear Sir,—I would ask a little space to support a very fine sug- gestion, which appea ltd in your issue of the Hth ult., made by Mr. Gates, the secretary of the loual Association of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors, who, I am also glad to add, voices the opinion of his Asso- ciation, to the effect that an Ex- Service Men's Club should be formed locally with the sole intention of maintaining and perpetuating the comradeship of the trenches; and that it be also our most fitting War Memorial to our noble baud of heroic dead. Such a club to be run exclusively on' non-eredal and non- party lines. My object in writing is solely to emphasise what Mr. Gates has written, and also to re- commend his suggestion to the ser- ious consideration • of my fellow townsmen. Surely there is no need at this time of day to point out the enor- mous debt of gratitude we owe to the men who have so bravely fought for us; and to the memory of those who ungrudgingly gave up their lives so that ours may be lived under the best Government this world has ever known. The comradeship of the trenches, and shall L say, of the <I?ek, is not an intangible abstraction to our soldiers and sailors, but a most real fact born out. of a common risk in the f.-ice of danger and of a possible death. Deeds of kindness, of thoughtfulness and of goodwill have been practised on a large scale through the exigencies of war, so that there has sprung up between them a comradeship of sympathy such a-s they wo (dd never have known in any other set of circum- stances. Hence, it is only natural that these men should desire to keep alive this splendid chumship and mutual loyalty. Besides, to allow this strata of experience to perish through lack of opportunity for its cultivation would vastly impoverish our sense of nationhood and Empire- hood. And nothing can avoid a calamity like that better than a Club along the lines that Mr. Gates suggests. It would be an act of wisdom, of appreciation, of grati- tilde and of graciousness if Patriotic Aberdarians. were to present a Club of this nature to our discharged men. Perhaps some other local friends will oblige by expressing their views upon this subject. — Yours, etc., EVAN T. EVANS. Highland Place.