The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

ALLEGED NEGLECT OF CHILDREN AT I POXTYPRIDD. At the Pontypridd Police Court on Wednesday (before Mr J. Ignatius Williams and a full bench of magistrates) Esther Allen, who presented a pitiable appearance, and who was described as having no fixed place of abode, was summoned for neglecting her two children. Inspector Ruff pro- secuted on behalf of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Inspector Ruff in his evidence stated that the woman was continually on tramp. In October last he saw the defendant and her two children begging in Pontypridd. He afterwards found that she had gone to Merthyr. and was there sentenced to seven days imprisonment for drunkenness. Her children who were in a filthy state, were taken to the Merthyr Workhouse. When the defendant came out of gaol she took them out, and they were afterwards seen wandering about the streets. Witness was in Merthyr on the 11th of November, ands aw the children begging in the street. On the 9th of this month he went to the Bridge Inn Hotel in company with P.C. Davies, and there saw the defendant drinking and smoking a pipe. Her children were outside begging. The society did not wish to press the charge against the de- fendant. She was a miserable specimen of a woman, and the society asked their worships to grant an order empowering them to have the chil- dren removed to Dr Barnardo's Homes at Bristol. The Stipendiary thought that perhaps before they did such an order they should see a repre- sentative of Dr Barnardo. The defendant denied ever being drunk, and said she was continually having fits. She had had two that morning and had fallen down and cut her head open. I Inspector Ruff: She does have fits we know, but she's a beastly specimen of a woman. She is continually drinking. The Stipendiary: That is the worst thing she can do if she has fits. Inspector Ruff further remarked that the de- fendant was continually being charged at police I courts with begging, and it was because she had promised to go into the workhouse that she had been let off by the magistrates. I The defendant: I should like you to see my children. They are the picture of health. They have always been kept clan and tidy. The Stipendiary: But the witness says you send them out begging. Defendant: No, sir, I don't. I have a little lad twelve years of age, and I have not as much as sent him out with a paper to sell. P.C. David Dav es said the children had been kept in a filthy state, badly clothed. The Stipendiary, addressing the defendant: The best thing you can do is to go to the workhouse. The defendant: I should be glad to do that, sir. I feel ill, and I have had two fits this morning. The Bench remanded the defendant to the work- house until Friday. The case being adjourned in order that the bench might interview a repre- sentative of Dr Barnardo.

ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A LLANTWIT FARMER. I CASE ADJOURNED. At the Pontypridd Petty Sessions on Wednes- day Thomas Morgan, butcher, Pontypridd, was charged with assaulting Mr Thos. Howells. of 11 Duffryn Dowlais Farm, Llantwit Fardre. Mr D. Rees (from the office of Mr W. R. Davies, solicitor Pontypridd), appeared to prosecute. The defend- ant was not legally represented. Addressing their worships. Mr Rees said Your worships will remember that a month to-day a summons was to have been heard against the de- fendant. The defendant did not appefak, aind then a warrant was applied for for his apprehension. It was this morning only that we knew he was ) apprehended, and one of our most important wit- nesses is away at Pentyrch. Under the cir- cumstances I ask your worships to remand the defendant until Friday. The Stipendiary (to the defendant) Have you j any objection to the case being adjourned. Defendant: Yes, sir. What reasons have you? Defendant: It is only within the last day or two I knew of the circumstances. The Stipendiary: Then would it not be better for you to have it put off until Friday, to get up your defence? Defendant: I wish to defend myself, as I know all the circumstances so well. The Stipendiary: We will adjourn this case until Friday. Have you any bail? Eventually, however, the bench decided to allow: the defendant out on bail on his own recognisances. ( 1

PONTYPRIDD BOARD OF GUARDIANS. MEETING OF THE NEW BOARD. The first meeting of the new Pontypridd Board of Guardians was held on Wednesday at the Pont- ypridd Workhouse. With the exception of Mr Godfrey Clarke, J.P.. there was a full attendance of members. Mr Evan John, Llantrisant, having been voted to the chair Mr E. H. Davies, J.P., Pentre, said that at the conclusion of the last meeting of the old Board they alluded to the good qualities of their chairman and the services rendered by him during his term of office. He proposed the re-election of Mr God- fr 'V Ciarke as chairman. Mr Clarke was a gentle- man who had held the position with d'gnity and ability. He had conducted their business with ability and impartiality, and he was sure thit they would all approve of his re-election. Mr James Richards seconded the motion which was agreed to unanimously. Mr Evan John then said he had great pleasure in proposing Mr E. H. Davies as their vice-chair- man. Mr Davies had always taken an active part in the proceedings, and he was one of the fore- most and important member of the Assessment Committee, and of which committee he had been chairman for a number of years. Mr William Evans, of Tonyrefail, siid he had great pleasure in seconding the proposition. He considered Mr Davies to be one of the ablest men who had ever sat on the Board. They had no other person who could so ab'.y fill the position of vice-chairman of the Board and chairman of the Assessment Committee as Mr E. H. Davies. Alderman W. Morgan, J.P., and others support- ed the motion which was agreed to unanimously and carried with acclamation. On taking the chair Mr E. H. Davies (Mr Clarke being absent) proposed that a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Evan John for presiding over the commencement of the proceedings. In doing so Mr Davies said he felt convinced that the Board entertained the highest opinion, and ap- preciated the ability of Mr John, who was fully conversant with the Poor Law Administration. His self esteem might not be very high, as that of some of them, for he never pushed himself to the front. For all that there was not a single member belonging to the Board who took a great- er inte est in the work of the Board than lvir John. Mr Dan-el Bryant, of Llantwit, seconded the motion, ai-d endorsed the remarks of the chairman, M!r James R.ichards supported the motion, which was then put to the meeting and carried. Mr E. H. Davies then remarked that in all probability the chairman would attend the next meeting of the Board, and would then return his thanks for having been re-elected. He (Mr Dav- ies) thanked the Board for the renewal of their confidence in him, and for the mark of honour they had conferred upon him by re-electing him to the position of vice-chairman of the Board. He as- sured them that there would be nothing wanting on his part to prevent him discharging the duties, together with their worthy chairman, in a straight- forward way, and, and in an impartial manner. With the Board's co-operation he had no doubt that everything would be carried out to the satis- faction of the Board as well as to that of the ratepayers. The first duty they had to perform was to appoint the various committees, and they would not be doing their duty as members of the old Board unless they gave a cordial welcome to the new members who had been returned instead of the 14 old ones from the various localities. (Ad- dressing the new members) he said I believe every one of youhave been elected Guardians for the first time, and I can assure you that the old Guardians—some of whom have grown white in the service of the public-will not fail to give you every assistance, and that most willingly, to carry out the work of the Board. (Hear, hear.) To-day we are all exactly in the same position. We are sailing in the same boat—(hear, hear,)— and have to pull together in the same direction, and in the interest of the poor and the ratepayers. You will allow me to say that it is very essential that we should co-operate and unite together at the commencement of our term of office, so that at the end of the three years we shall be able to say that the proceedings have been conducted in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the rate- payers and upon ourselves. (Applause.) Mr Davies then referred to the classification of paupers. That was a question which they would have to ) consider It had been considered by them for the I last two years, and they had not only considered an arrangement for the accommodation of the old and the infirm, but also an arrangement for the accommodation of the boys and girls. At pre- sent the imbeciles were mixed with the ordinary inmates, and this led to much unpleasantness and frequent quarrels, for the reason that they are not properly separated from each other. It was to be hoped that the new buildings which would shortly be erected at Llwynpia, and at the Cot. tage Homes, would be the means of making a classification. The Guardians would have to be alive to the requirements of the union or they might possibly be taken up by another authority. Some of them had in all probability heard of the Cottage Homes Bill—a bill which would provide homes for the deserving poor, and would be brought before the House of Commons shortly by Mr John Hutton. This Bill would give power to District and Parish Councils—by the consent of the County Council-to provide and maintain cot- tages for the deserving aged poor, who had ar- rived at the age of 65 years, and for such classi- fication as might be required. If the Bill was passed it would come into force on March 1st, 1899. The emigration of paupers was another matter which they would perhaps be called upon to consider. The "poor children problem" had been before a good many conferences. Many were of the opinion that the only way the children of large towns could be rescued from their evil sur- roundings would be by encouraging emigration, so that they might grow up steady and industrious men and women in their colonies, rather than fill 4 J "-jr their prisons, hospitals, and workhouses. (Ap- plause.) A new Bill dealing with vaccination would shortly be introduced. This Bill would make a regular revolution, with the course of vaccination now carried out by the Board of Guardians. There were many other matters which would have to be taken under their consideration I in near future. (Turning again to the new mem- bers the chairman said) You will presently sit in committees to administer relief in the various districts, and you will have to determine all cal- culations of relief upon the merits of the cases, which are presented to you. We have complete control in the administration, but you should cer- tainly make a distinction between the real poor and needy, and that of the tramps and imposters w!ho go back and fore through the country. ll 9 (Applause.) The Board then proceeded to elect the Assess- ment Committee. Mr Richard Mor-is proposed that the Assessment Committee be overhauled, as he believed the popu- lation and valuation of Ystradyfodwg demanded that it should be represented by at least five members upon that committee instead of four as at present. The Chairman pointed out that the maximum number who could carry out the duties of assess- J ment committee was twelve, and heitherto the Board had distributed tha tnumber geographically over the whole of the union and representing all classes and sections of the various ratepayers although Ystradvfodwg was larger in size than the whole of the other parishes together, they would not be justified in asking for additional represen- titives upon the committee. The parishes of Llanfabon and Eglwysilan had each a represent- ative; Pontypridd, Llantrisant, ond Llantwit Fardre two members each, and Ystradvfodwg 4 members. Mr Morris I am still of the opinion that we should certainly have a fair representition to re- present the valuation of the parish, and I suggest that one member only should represent Llanwonno, and the place of the other filled by an Ystradyfod- wg member. (Cries of "No, no.") Mr R. L. Phillips proposed that the committee be appointed separately. The following gentlemen were then nominated for the 12 seats: Messrs The Chairman, Vice- Chairman, E. John, J. Richards, W.Lewis T. Jones (Maindy), James Davies, D. Bryant W. Morgan, W. Davies, D. S. Lewis, E. T. Davies, Thomas Thomas (Ystrad), R. L. Phillips, John Edwards. Eventually, Messrs E. T. Davies, Phil- lips, Thomas, and Edwards withdrew their names, and the other gentlemen ewre then appointed as Assessment Committee. The Finance, School Attendance, Cottage Homes, and House Visiting Committees were also ap- pointed, new members being added to them. Every Guardian has been elected on one or more committees. Mr Bircham, the Local Government Board In- spector. attended, and addressed the Guardians at at some length. Mr Bircham, the Local Government Inspector, attended, and in a lengthy address referred to the present crisis in the coal trade. Up to the pre- sent, he said, the Pontypridd Board had not re- ceived any applications for relief from the men I affected. It was quite possible though that in the near future they might have to face the difficulty. When applications were received for relief the houses of the applicants should be visited, and strict investigations made into the circumstacnes of the family. Of course the wives and children must not be allowed to starve.

THEFT BY A PONTYPRIDD BOY. Henry Glyde, a small boy, was charged at the Pontypridd Police Court on Wednesday, with stealing a purse containing 2s. from Albert Rick- ards, an errand boy, of 4, Bridge Street, Pontv- pridd, on Sunday night last. The complainant said that on Sunday night he went to Bracchi's shop and bought a bottle of pop. He pulled out his purse and paid 2d. for it, and returned the purse to his pocket. The defendant came to sit next to him, and shortly afterwards he missed the purse. Thomas Groves, schoolboy, said there were several boys in the shop at the time. The defen- dant sat next to the complainant. When Richards went out the defendant gave him 3d. out of the 2s. P.C. W. Rees gave evidence as to arresting the defendant, and to finding Is 3d in the defendant's pocket. A younger brother of the defendant after- wards handed to him the purse produced, and which, the defendant informed him, he dropped into a grating in High Street. The defendant, when charged with the offence said: I took the purse and I thought there was only a shilling in it. I divided it between four others. I let the purse fall, and it fell through a grating, and my brother had it. The magistrates ordered the defendant to re- ceive six strokes with the birch rod.

PONTYPRIDD'S NEW J.P. Councillor P. Gowan, the newly-elected chairman of the Pontypridd District Council, was sworn in as a magistrate at the Pontypridd Police Court on Wednesday morning in the presence of Mr J. Ignatius Williams, stipendiary, Alderman R. Lewis, and Dr R. C. Hunter. The oaths were administered by Mr Porcher, magistrates' clerk. The oath of allegiance was as follows "I, P. Gowan, do swear that I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty. Queen Victoria, her heirs and successors according to law, so help me God." The oath taken by him as a magistrate was as under "1. P. Gowan, do swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady, Queen Victoria, in the office of Justice of the Peace, and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of the realm without fear or favour, affection or ill-will." ) ;/I.

y ALLEGED BURGLARY AT PONTYPRIDD. THE PRISONER CAUGHT IN A BEDROOM. At the Pontypridd Police Court on Wednesday (before Mr J. Ignatius Williams (stipendiary). Alderman R. Lewis, Dr R. C. Hunter, and Coun- cillor P. Gowan), John Davies, of no fixed abode, was charged with burglariously entering the houses of Messrs Hogg and Thorns, Ceridweu Te-vace, Pcntypridd, and stealing watches, money, and other articles. •* Eleanor Thomas, wife of John Thomas, Ynyslas House, Pontypridd, said that on Thursday last she left her house at six o'clock in the evening, and before she left she examined the windows and doors. She noticed her husband watch on a table downstairs that same evening.. She left tlie house about 10 o'clock, her husband and everyone else being out at the time. When she returred she missed the watch, and went to look fo a candle. She proceeded upstairs and found the candlestick on the chest of drawers. She Lett it on the kitchen table. When she went "0 the back bedroom she smelt somebody's feet. (Laugh- ter.) To her astonishment she discovered the prisoner in the corner pretending to be asleep. I The prisoner had taken his boots off—(laughter)— and these were by his side. She called her hus- band upstairs, and information was given to the police. II Mr Evan Thomas gave evidence, and said that when he saw the prisoner he threatened to knock I as many holes in him as there were stars in the heavens. (Laughter.) He pointed something at him, and at the same time threatened the prisoner, and told him that if he moved he would be gone. (Loud laughter.) When witness returned with a policeman they went to the bedroom, and witness ordered the prisoner to put his hands up. (Laugh- ter.) The prisoner did so. and on being searched they found a number of watches and other things in his possession. A pane of glass in the kit. chen window had been broken, and the catch pulled back. In order to get at this window the prisoner had got over the roof of a coal house. P.C. David Davies deposed to arresting the pri. soner at Thomas's house. Fe there searched him, and found four watches, a silver fruit knife, a bunch of keys, a coombe, two pawn tickets, one hymn book, a, packet of tea, a tin whistle, four collar studs, and a watch case. On the way to the station the prisoner admitted having broken into the house by way of the window, and said he broke his trousers by sliding down over the roof. When charged at the station the prisoner made no reply. The prisoner was then committed to take his trial at .the next quarter sessions. The prisoner was next charged with burglariously 11 entering the house of Mr W. G. Hogg. Mr Hogg stated that he left the house with his wife at 7.30 p.m. When they returned at 10.20 he lit the gas and found the table cloth disturbed. He thought there was someone upstairs. He went up, but found no one there. On going to the kit- chen again he found the window open. He at once sent for a policeman, and on the arrival of P.C. Davies they searched the house. They found that the place had been disturbed. The handle of one drawer had been taken off, but the lock had not been injured. In this drawer there was a little money, but it had not been disturbed. A money box on the mantel shelf had been opened, and a five shilling piece and several other coins taken from it. The watch produced he left in a drawer upstairs. Witness afterwards identified an old fashioned five shilling piece which was found on the prisoner. P.C. Davies said he was called to Glan Ynys House by Mr Hogg. He found a pane of glass- opposite the catch-in the kitchen window broken. There were footprints on the window board. He found the cash box produced on the mantelpiece. It had been forced open. Almost every drawer and box in the house had been ransacked. He ex- amined the back yard, and found marks on the roof of the coalhouse. He went in search of the prisoner and found him in the adjoining house. He searched him and found one five shilling piece, sixpence, three threepenny pieces, and a four- j penny piece in silver; several bronze coins, and I' a silver Geneva watch. At the police station witness charged him with the theft of the above articles. He replied "I went in there right enought." The prisoner was committed to the quarter ses- sions on this charge also.

FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. IMPORTANT CASE AT CAERPHILLY. A prosecution under the Food and Drugs Act was heard at the Caerphilly Petty Sessions on Tuesday, the defendant being William Rees, grocer, of the Household Stores. Llanbradach, who was summoned for selling adulterated olive oil, but which on analysis was certified to contain 90 per cent of earth or pig-nut oil. Mr David for the defence took the technical objection that the cer- tificate was void, as it omitted the words "when weighed," which was necessary since the article was sold by weight. He took the further objec- tion that the proceedings were ultra vires as the prosecution had not been instituted within one month from the taking of the sample, as pre- scribed by the Act. Mr Allen asked the Bench, in the event of their entertaining these objections, to grant an adjournment pending the decision on appeal in a similar case. The Bench, however, dismissed the summons on the ground that the certificate of analysis was bad, but on the appli- cation of Mr Allen they consented to state a case with the view of an appeal.

In all Diseases, consult the eminent Specialist Dr Bridgwater, M.D., U.S.A., 18, Custom House Street, Cardiff, 11 to 4, and 7 to 9. Dr Bridgwater, M.D., U.S.A., 18, Custom House Street. Cardiff. Specialist in Chronic Nervous Diseases, Dyspepsia, and Fits.

THE COAL STRIKE. MASTERS AND THE MEN'S DEMANDS REPLY TO THE CONFERENCE COMMUNI- CATION. "April 20th, 1898, "Dear Sir,-I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th inst.,•which shall be sub- mitted for the consideration of the emergency com- mittee of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coalowners' Association at their next m-LtJig. In the meantime it wili be a convenience if you are good enough to inform me, first, whether the Provisional Committee, referred to in your letter are authorised by the workmen to enter into a settlement upon any other terms than those de- manded, namely, 10 per cent. advance. Secondly, whether your Provisional Committee, or any other parties, are yet authorised by the workmen to discuss and settle, as suggested in the con- cluding paragraph of your letter, an arrangement for the regulation of wages? Your early reply in writing will oblige.-Yours faithfully, W. Gascoyne Dalziel." To this letter, which was delivered by hand to the workmen's secretary at Pontypridd, Mr Miles has replied stating that he had wired to each of the members of the Provisional Committee asking them to meet to-morrow to consider Mr Dalziel's communication. We learn that if the reply is received on Thursday evening or Friday morning the probability is that the Emergency Committee will meet on Saturday next.

.r- MERTHYR AND ABERDARE VALLEYS. AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT. A mass meeting of the miners of the Merthyr and Aberdare Valleys, at which it was computed that there was about 7,000 men present, was held on Wednesday morning on the Aberdare Mountain. Mr Thomas Thomas, Cyfarthfa, presided After speeches had been delivered by Mr P. D. Rees and Mr David Morgan (miners' agent), a resolution was passed calling upon the Government to take immediate steps to interfere in the present disas- trous dispute in the interests of the women and children, and of the trade of the country, and also calling upon them to introduce and pass an Act of Parliament making the Conciliation Act com- pulsory. Further resolutions were passed in favour of adhering to the resolution of the last Cardiff conference for going in for a 10 per cent. immediate advance, and condemning the action of those men going about the country collecting sub- I scriptions who have not been authorised to do so by the provisional committee. The Rector of I Merthyr was present throughout the meeting, and a vote of thanks was passed to him for attending. In acknowledgment, he said he was glad to be al- lowed to be present. The order had been excel- lent, and the language of the various speakers had hen most temperate. His sympathies were greatly with the men, and if during this terrible struggle he could do anything to relieve their necessities they might rest assured that he would have much. pleasure in doing so. The meeting then terminated.

OCEAN COLLIERIES. A mass meeting of the workmen engaged at the four Ocean Collieries-Ton, Bwllfa, Dare, and Parc-was held on Wednesday afternoon on the hillside at Pentre to receive the report of the de- putation which had waited upon the head manager, Mr William Jenkins, asking for a 10 per cent. advance. The reply of Mr Jenkins was that he was quite unable to grant the advance as matters steod at present, and as to the masters withdraw- ing from the association, that was a matter not to be entertained for a moment.

J HOW CO-OPERATIVE STORES ARE AFFECTED. In the course of his speech on the Mountain side at Merthyr on Monday, Mr P. D. Rees, Aber- aman, in referring to the question of co-operation, said he knew of men who up to the last two years had shares amounting to £50, J340, jB30, and JB25 in the Cwmbach, Aberaman, and Mountain Ash- Co-operative Stores, but who, although sober, re- spectable people, had been obliged to withdraw their capital down as low as k5 owing to the low wages prevalent.

ADMIRALTY CONTRACT FOR WELSH FIRMS. The Admiralty authorities have divided an or- der for 30.000 tons of Welsh steam coal between Insoles, Merthyr, and Llanbradach Collieries. The coal is wanted for prompt shipment, and the price is understood to range between 17s and 18s per ton. It is stated that the requirements of the Admiralty have been met foF some time to come.

1" in Jjrl ■I'lUB.h'ir GOOD OFFICES OF MAYORS. In the interest of the colliers, the Mayors of Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, are being approached with a view to their making representations for Board of Trade intervention. rinted and Published by T. Davies and Company, "Chronicle" Omeu, 23. 24, and 25, Mill Street, Pontypridd.