The Merthyr Express

Merthyr Vestry Meeting. IS NONCONFORMITY SUBSIDISED OUT OF THE RATES? CONDITION OF BURIAL GROUNDS. I On Thursday morning the annual Vestry in connection with the Parish Church of St. Tydfil, was held at the Town Hall, Merthyr, the Rector (Rev. Daniel Lewis) presiding. The Rector, in thanking the wardens for their work during the nast year, referred to the death of Col. D. R. LeM, the people's warden. The late colonel, he said, was always ready and willing to render assistance, and never refused him anything. The Rector then nominated Dr. W. W. Jones as his warden. On the motion of Mr. Walter Thomas, second- ed by Mr: Thomas George, Mr. Henry Owen, spirit merchant, was elected people's warden, and the sidesmen were re-elected en bloc, on the motion of Mr. Gunter, seconded by Mr. Churchill. Mr. W. Thomas proposed, Mr. Churchill seconded, and it was agreed, that the usual voluntary church rate of 2s. 6d. in the pound be made. The Rector said that at the last meeting he omitted to state that a window had been placed in the east end of St. David's Church, in memory of the late Mr. William and Mrs. Meredith, the former having been a ohurchwatden for many years, by Miss Meredith and Mr. W. W. Meredith. The subject was The Good Shepherd." Before long a memorial window would be placed in the Parish Church, but at present he was not at liberty to give the name of the donor or the person to be commemorated. Mr. Charles Morgan Davies asked whether the freehold of the old .parish churchyard was vested in the Corporation.—The Rector replied I in the negative.-Slr. Da vies then said that there used to be an entrance on the north side of the old parish churchyard, leading direct from the old parsonage. Years ago the gateway was closed up, and was taken over on an annual payment of one shilling, payable by the lessees or the owners of the Three Salmons Inn. That property, he believed, was vested in the Llan- caiach Estate, and he asked whether the shilling was paid to-day. He thought it would be well to have the thoroughfare re-opened for the con- venience of parishioners. The Rector replied that there used to he an entrance to the churchyard as stated, and was occupied by an old temporary building. There was an agreement that a shilling should be paid for it. He would certainly be very ready to see whether the pathway could not be re-opened. All ancient rights should be preserved (hear, hear). The Borough Council were really responsible for the care of the churchyard. The late Col. Lewis corresponded with the Home Office, and the negotiations bad not ended when ¡ he died. The Council had been advised that there was some legal technicality about it. but it did not reflect much credit on the'Borough Council not to take an interest in the ancient parish churchyard. The Council did so up to a certain period, and then abandoned it. He (the Rector) was certain the Council were ill-advised, for only a certain step had to be taken and compulsory powers would be had recourse to. It was Col. Lewis's wish, however, that such a step should be, avoided. In every other town the ancient burial grounds were taken care of. In Merthyr there were three—the parish churchyard, at Twyilyrodyn, and the one at Thomastown. Mr. W. Thomas I have heard that it is your intention to re-open the St. David's boys' school. Is that so ? The Rector said the boys' school was closed by Mr. McKenna, whotefused to assign a reason for doing so. He thought when, perhaps, another Government was in power, the school would be ve-opened. The school was to all intents and purposes equal to, if not better than, most of the boys' schools under the Education Authority. It was for the parishioners to have their eyes open to these things. The children who formerly attended St. David's School were now taught in chapel vestries and other buildings, which were utterly unfit and ill-suited for such pur- I poses. About three years ago a question asked in the House of Commons, and Mr. McKenna said the arrangement was only a temporary one. But the system had been going on for more than 12 years. It would cost the I Merthyr Authority about ESOCOO to make I provision for the teaching of elementary educa- tion. To-day the Authority were paying out tion. To-day the Authority were paying out of the rates something like £800 a year in the way of rents for those temporary, ill-adapted I premises, and the Board of Edueatioft winked at it. Not only in Merthyr but throughout Wales this was going on. Mr. Lloyd George, the valiant agitator, and Dr. Clifford winked at it. He thought that not far short of t100,000 in parochial rates had been paid in rents for chapel vestries throughout Wales during the last ten or twelve years. If he were wrong he could be corrected by an inquiry being made. Nonconformity had been subsidised to that extent by the rates; it was still .going on. If they took the whole of England he did hot hesitate to say that, Nonconfonliitrc- had been subsidised to the extent of one million pounds, and the people were blind to it. If a moro right-minded Education "Board were in existence they might see their way to order the Sk David's boys' school to'be re-opened.. The mejrtipg.theo

Merthyr Welsh Baptists' Singing Festival. LARGE GATHERINGS AT ZION CHAPEL, TWYNYRODYN, During the last fow years little :st has been taken m matters musical, intervals strenuous efforts have been niacin to arouse enthusiasm in the noble art in the district, which has a reputation that cannot be excelled. The cause of this lethargy is mysterious, but, no doubt, the lackadaisical manner in which the various practices and rehearsals have been attended by the choristers is responsible to a great extent for the failure of Merthyr as a musical centre to maintain its reputation. Despite the excellent programmes prepared by the committees, and the ability of the conduc- tors, nevertheless there has been little enthusi- asm. This does not apply to any denomination in particular, but all in general. Even the most successful testify to that lack of cohesion necessary to stimulate the musical festivals for which Wales has so long been renowned. The Principality has baen resting upon her paat achievements, but a few weeks' preparation for the festivals is not sufficient. Not until greater interest is evinced by the choristers and mm.bers of th churches will there be any tangible progress. in this direction. It is true that oratorical works of a classical nature are performed at different periods throughout the year, which is bound to be beneficial to those who take part; but no sooner are the perform- ances over than the choristers talcs a rest for seme months, and become indifferent. In ex- ceptional cases, however, such is not the case, and mid-week practices are arranged so as to keep the choristers together. If all made the sacrifices our ancestors did. Wales could not only maintain her proud reputation, but en- hance it. It is hoped that a mutual under- standing will be arrived at between the various churches, whereby the practices and rehearsals could be made more interesting and instructive, In this respect, every credit is due to the Baptist friends for their efforts in providing such a splendid programme for the festival held on Wednesday last, when large audience? assembled at Zion Welsh Baptist Chapei, Twynyrodyn. The morning meeting wts allotted to the juveniles, whose sweet renderings were much enjoyed. Mr. J. T. Jones, L.R.A.M., the celebrated choirmaster and 0; gartist, of Noddfa-, Treorky, was this year's con- ductor. This was his first appearance in Mcr thyr in that capacity, and the masterly way in which he wielded the baton and held the choris- tars in hand testified to his undoubted ability.. Throughout the day he infused great enthusi- asm into the renderings, which reached a higher standard than for many years. Mr. J. Glyndyrus Williams, L.T.S.C., presided ov-tr tho morning meeting, and the following times were sung:—"Marchog, Iesu, yn Ilwydoianus, "Dim end Cludydd Arfau" march, "'Chcvi.'rwn Faner "Mwy i Ganlyn," "I gyda'r dyrfa. awn"; anthem, "Iesu G~:r% ij Ngheidwad" (by Mr. J. T. Jones, D^wlg.s); "Dyddiau Hrfryd," 'I*y Nghartref Syfikl," "Iesu, Iesu."—'The Rev. W. Rowland Joe?™ B.A., Tabernacle, presided at the avtomoori .^meeting, when the sacred edifice wae packer!. The tutfés ung were:—"Sawley," ••MTa«praKT-- ian," "Crces-y-Parc," "Nantgau" (bv Mr. J. M. Webber), "Holly," "Rhad Ras," and iirrn- hyfryd."—The Rev. W. A. Jones, Zion, ceca- pied" the chair at the evening meetijj: when scores failed to gain admission. The following tunes were admirably rendered :—"St. Ivlicnae), "Llangristiolus," "Tryeor Goreur" (which1 was quite a. favourite), "Tangnefedd," and "Preswylwyr y Graig." The ar.t.h'jrjr. sung were: "Ymlaen, chwi Filwyr nuw" (by Mr. J. Glyndyrus Williams) and !'Hiraeth Dafydd am y CyllSegr" (by Mr. J. H. Morris, Brynmawr). The various churches were weii represented, which speaks well for the enthusi- asm evinced in this year's proceedings. The conductor had paid several visits during the rehearsals, and gave sound advice at eaoh mooting. Messrs. T. Morgan Jones (Zion). J. Glyndyrus Williams (Ebenezer), David J. Vaughan (Tabernacle) conducted the varkrao rehearsals. Solos were bea-utifullv reorWed by Mr. David Rees Evans, Mrs. Sophia. Wil liams, and Miss Ceinwen Williams: whilst the following took part in the anthem: Mrs. Sophia Williams, Miss Sarah Evans (Carmar- then), Miss Martha Bevan, Miss Blqdwen Phillips, Mr. D. Rees Evans, and Mr. William Griffiths. Organ solos were given by Mr. J T. Jones (the conductor), whose manipulation of the fine instrument was highly appreciated. The committee are to be congratulated on the excellent arrangements, the following being the ofSoeTs: Chairman, Mr. Richard Jones, Bethel, vioe-chairman, Mr. Lewis Williams, Zion; treasurer, Mr. Thomas Humphreys, Zion; secretary, Mr.- E. R. Williams, Taber- mtcle. Mr David Williams (organist) deserves to be highly complimented for the creditable ] manner in which he carried out his duties, both j at the rehearsals and during the festival, j It was the genral testimony of all that this was j one of the finest festivals they had attended for many years. I -»

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. — THE HOUSE OF LORDS. j BY EDGAR R. JONES, M.P. The great battle has commenced. Mr. Asquith, in a, speech that is generally held u. be one of his best performances, outlined im- policy of the Government. Mr. Balfour took up the Government scheme in a jesting mood, and was justly accused by Mr. Redmond of not taking a great quarrel seriously enough. The position of the Labour Party, the moderate • Liberals, and the Radicals has been put. 7, | myself, took the opportunity of making a maiden speech devoted to a brief statement j of the position in Wales as a distinct nationality i in relation to the controversy. I daresay that the electors have endeavoured, i from the reports of the debate in the newspapers', 1 to get a clear idea of the situation, bnt I desire j to be permitted to put it in the plain way in = which I understand it. The debate on Wedrtea- day brought out the points much more cicwr?y than they were after Tuesday's speeches. The Tory Opposition defends tho House of Lords j taking the recent examples of its rejections, Tory speakers point with glee to the fact thAt the Education Bill of 1906, which was rejected j by the Lords, could not be carried through the present House of Commons. It is unfortunately true that the Irish Party might add its vote; to that of the Tories in favour of sectari^ i denominational instruction in the schools, y Then, again, the Tories claim that the Irish Party will vote against the Budget; and that j proves that the Lords were justified in throwing [ it out. The tatter question will be put to the test in a few weeks' time. While we are waiting j for that we can point out that this particular Budget and its fate does not determine our line of action. This is the point: It had become a long- | established custom for the House of Commons to be the manager of the nation's finances. Everybody thought, Mr. Balfour included, that: that was settled for ever. Anyhow, it must ho settled for ever. Liberals will never again j become responsible for the government of the country until it is established by law. It is j not a question as to whether the country likes this tax or the other in a Budget. New taxes j are always unpopular with a great many people. J The House of Commons must be free, must have the sole and entire responsibility of deciding how the money for national services is raisfed. j Because that power has become a custom, the House has been the governing authority over i Cabinets and Parties. Change that custom which took so long to develope, and you shatter I the power of the people's elected House. The Liberals are not going to listen to argu- ments on this point, nor to opinions quoted from I past speeches. This custom must be secured j for continuance for the future. As to Bills I like the Education Bill, if the majority of the country is against them, then the three sessions of delay will always enable the will of the country to prevail. But we are not sure yet of the final judgment of the country on the Education, Licensing and I Finance Bills. Mr. Simon challenged the whole I House to produce a single example of a settled I controversy where the House of Lords was right in rejecting measures. The Lords rejected over and over, year after year, Bills to open universities to Nonconformists, to give the vote and ballot to the workers, and so on. Every- body now agree that the Lords were wrong every time. And it is certain that if you can carry a Bill through the House of Commons three times, you must surely have the country behind you. So the Liberals are going oa, confident that every safeguard that is necessary is provided. They are going to limit the power of the Lords. There is no other question before us at present. We have to deal with the House of Lords as it stands to-day and we nre going to overcome I its powers of destroying the people's measures. The quostion of clearing the Peers out, of removing the Lords altogether, will come later on. The question as to whether, when abolishing the present House of Lords, we shall provide ^o^her Sec paid Chamber, or Senate* to take its piace: or whether we will work with I only one Chamber will also come later on. No time or energy is going to be spent on those matters As I put it many times daring the election j campaign, wo are going to make a tunnel j through the mountain that biocTcs the way. J That is the job of the present hour. I delighted that the Government is going to j finish that job first. We want to get measrersa > dealing with the life o! the poor through r.s2 soon as possible. TheD, as I also pet it durfrig | tho election, ve c&a sot about the ahiftiiig ► oi j the mountain itself at oar leisure. I hope all Progressives will corse citrate with] the Government to realise in fact Campbeli- i Banfterman'e declaration thata..way .SQiSt } frvrir,d ft WftV W& I

THE COAL CRISIS. I PIT HEAD NOTICES. The following notices were put up at the top of each pit of the Associated Collieries through- out the Aberdare Valley on Thursday morning: "Notice is hereby given that pending com- pletion of negotiations between the owners' re- presentatives and the workmen's representa- tives for a new agreement, all contracts between the owners and workmen respectively at the colliery, between the 1st of April and the 9th of April, both inclusive, shall be deemed to be contracts from day to day upon the terms and conditions of to of 11th December, 1905, and 30th June, 1909, and which terminated 31st March, in 10 far as the terms and conditions of such agreements are applicable to a day to day contract. All day to day contracts shall cease on IStb oi April, 1910." MERTHYR MINERS TO RESUME WORK. A crowded meeting of miners of Mer-v. r district was held at the Drill Hall, Mer*-hyi', on Thursday night, Aid. T. J. Evans ing. The reporters were asked to leave ;8 meeting. Mr. John Williams, miners' aged, explained the proposals sent from London, and after a lengthy discussion, it was agreed 'o resume work on a day to day contract until the Sth inst. Another mass meeting will be held on Sunday. It was reported that some local miners had beer, victimised, and a. deputation was appoint- ed to wait upon the management. A report will bo jriven at the Sunday's ;1e-eti:tJ. DOWLAIS MEN TO CONTINUE WORKING. On Thursday morning, at vhe InHrifc' School, Dowlais, a mass meeting of night men working in the Dowlais Collieries, was held to hear an address by Coun. John Davies, tha miners' for this district. Mr. Daviss explained position of matters as they stood at the present momentj and said that the agreement ?,r-?.ited the decision of the men, who had the und word to say on the questicu, and a ballot r r.yjd be taken in a few days. A Ion. dis- -r,t £ -.on ensued, but eventually it was resolved by large majority that the night men should ¡\ Thursday evening, as they had done on Vve&saadfiy evening, and work on daily pend- i:, tho result of the ballot being declared. Ct7. liivie- also addressed meetings at Foch- &r?.d Bedlinog in the afternoon, as well as r. the Centfal nfants' School, Dowlais, in the -Ter.injr. THE NON-ASSOCIATED COLLIERIES. Shortly after noon on Thursday notices were pst up at the Werfa and Blaenant Collieries. Aberaant, owned by the Marquess of Bute, tuid !S<?. at the Abernant Works that- after that evening the contract of employment at the col uerijvs and works would be from day to riny. 3i.rmJ.Rr notices were also put up at tbe At>sr- dare, Merthyr, and Tower Collieries, t:wr<d s>y h Marouess of Hirwain. Meanwhile things are by no icea. £ A votry in tha Aberdare Valley, as the workmen Cwm- neol, owned by the Powell DufTryn Company, held a meeting on Thursday afternoon at the pit top and decided not to work on a dsy to day contract. Nothing had been dneided at the other colliery up to the time of writing (6 p.m. Thursday), but a mass meeting of the ooliiers in t.he Aberdare Valley had been con- roned for the evening to discuss the wholo ra&fc- j A meeting of the Blaenant workment, Aber- nant, was held at four o'clock on the pit too to discuss the question. The action of the men's leaders in accepting the compromise was very severely criticised, and a resolution was passed calling upon the whole of the members of the central executive of the Federation to resign, as they have lost the confidence of the ooliiers of the South Wales coalfield. BWLLFA MINERS' PROTEST. A largely-attended meeting of the JJ::9n em- ) ployed at Nos. 1, 2, and 3, Bwlh CoOieries, was held at Trecynon on Thursday evening, Mr. R. Davies presiding The pretsinon were | excluded, but an official report was given by ] Mr. T. C. Evans. The business of the meet- ing was to decide what policy should be adopt- set pending the ballot.' It was decided to ad- here to the resolution passed at the delegates1 conference at Cardiff on the 23rd March, that the men "down tools" on the 31st, The action of the leaders in affecting a compromise was severely criticised, the meeting being of the opinion that the consent of men should have .been obtained. A resolution passed caihng upon the leaders to resign, as they had forfeited the confidence of the South Wales miners. The result of this is that the whole of the Bwllfa Collieries, where about 4,000 men are engaged, will be idle to-day. CWMCYNON MEN DECIDE TO WORK. A mass meeting of Cwmcynon Colliery work- men was held on Thursday night. Mr. John Picton, the delegate at the conference of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, explained st considerable length the decision arrived at. Some strong criticism of the action of the exe- cutive was indulged in, and it was resolved to abide by the decision, and work on a day to day contract up to the 9th inst. It was ex- plained, however, that the air compressor at the pit was broken, so that work could not be resumed to-day (Friday), and perhaps not on Saturday. MEETING OF POWELL DUFFRYN MEN. A mass meeting of ihe Powell Duffryn work- men was held on Thursday evening, Mr. S. Stephens in the chair. There was a very large •-j.tendance from the whole of the P.D. Col- lieries at Cwmaman, Aberaman, and Cwmbach, but no one represented the Lower Duffryn Pit, Mountain Ash. It was decided not to work to-day (Friday), but to hold another mass meet- ing to-night to be addressed by Mr. 0, B. Stextton. It was agreed that the Powell Duffryn ^vxeufive should communicate with the Lower Duffryn workmen, and also with the workmen I\. Cwmaman and Ffochaman Collieries, ask- in sr them to fa.1J in with this arrangement. The leaders came in for a good deal of crit- icism, but upon tho advice of the chairman no resolution was passed. ATTITUDE OF PENBHIWCEIBER MEN. A mass meeting of Pnrhiwceiber Colliery workman was held on Thursday evening, and ii wan decided to go on working until Satur- day. The delegate to Saturday's conference at Oirditi instructed to move a resolution t-. "do-Wii tools" on Saturday night, and it wa3 agreed that should such resolution be de- feated J the men will meet again on Saturday night to decide what course to take. It wfcs argued that the miners' leaders had no right to agree to a day to day contract for nine days without rescinding the resolution passed at the last delegates' conference that work should end on the 31st March. AT MOUNTAIN ASH. Inquiries at Mountain Ash elicited that there will be no work at Messrs. Nixon's pits to-day (Friday). This is caused by the fact that there is a snortago of wagons. Advantage will be taken of the idle day to hold a mass meeting of the whole of the workmen this morning. ABBRCYNON. At a meeting of the Abercynon workmen on Thursday night it was agreed to work until the 9tb April, and accept the recommendation of the miners' executive. SUGGESTION TO SECEDE FROM M.F.G.B. An adjourned meeting of the Blaenant work- men was held at the Locomotive Inn on Thurs- day night, asd it was decided not to work to- day (Friday). It wa» also resolved to place on the agenda at the next meeting of the Aber- dare District of Miners notice of a resolution the agenda at the next meeting of the Aber- dare District of Miners notice of a resolution calling upon the colliers of South Wales to form a Federation for South Wales and Monmouth- shire, which practically means to secede from the M.F.G.B. as a protest against the action of that body in the present crisis. It was stated that the M.F.G.B. pledged itself before the South Wales Federation joined to put the 20th rule into operation whenever called upon by South Wales, but they declined to do so in the present case. GRAVE SITUATION. Speaking generally, says our Aberdare re- porter, the situation is grave in the extreme in I the Aberdare Valley. Mr. C. B. Stanton, miners' agent, has not yet arrived on the scene, and whether he will be able to induce the men I to accept the decision of the majority of the South Wales executive is somewhat problemati- I cal. MR ONIONS, TREDEGAR, ON THE AGREEMENT. STRONGLY ADVISES THE MEN TO ACCEPT. Mr. A. Onions placed the terms of the pro- posed new agreement before a meeting of night men at Tredegar on Thursday morning, Mr. W. J. Story presiding.—Dealing with 11 in- crease in the minimum, Mr. Onions said by raising the minimum they were accompEbhing the chief object. of the Miners' FederatioJ. He maintained that the 55 per cent, on a selling price of 12s. 5d. was practically a proportionate equivalent to 30 per cent, on lis. lOd. It onty gave the owners an advantage of about half a farthing on the iselling price, It was A fairly satisfactory solution of this prob- iem, and the most of his oolleagues irere of a, similar opinion. Mr. Onions asserted that the average percent- I age on the standards in this ag-i^ze-aeb would I asp higher than ever it had baea t1; whole iaarceffy of the South Wales (.1 iwwiju It was difficult to say of course, ibai was his peogti&y. Dealing with tha febft&K&l places, Mr. Onions said that they cad ebsoitPieiy iwl-fed to agree oft that q-aesitibc^ taui h# S&aiJ prefer fcfiviag1 no e'attso <K all 'to t&R# whioi \-1£:.5; proposed by tilts cvrtjera. The past *r the cntey,! took" ebosg ohjsedfcr. to fhss which; gave the management the »ghi.^p A Wi&e&k B £ ti«e « I to the amount of allowance he was to receive for working in an abnormal place. They could not agree to that (applause). Reviewing the proposed agreement, Mr Onions said they had to consider it in its entirety. They had to de- cide whether it was better to accept it or to have a. stoppage. Some portions of the agree- ment were favourable to the workmen, and in other respects they had not got what they thought they were entitled to. If they rejected the terms offered, and went en strike, they must not forget that they would not get sup I port from the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, and he characterised .it as madness to think of striking under chose conditions. The day of sectional fighting Wag over. Under tho circumstances he not take the tre^ponsibiiity of asking the South Wales workmen to go on strike (applause). Mr. C. Edwards, Risca, addressed the meet- ing, and the following resolution was unani- mously adopted, on the motion of Mr. Story, seconded by Mr. Turner: "That this meeting, while regretting that the proposed terms of settlement did not remedy several grievances from which the workmen are suffering; also, in view of the decision of the National Conference, strongly recommend the workmen to vote in favour of accepting the terms, and that we con- tinue working pending the decision of the ballot."

Theatre Royal, Merthyr. Mr. Frank. Melville's new play, "Her Road to Ruin," has had a good run at the Theatre Royal this week. There was a matinee on Monday. The play is full of thrilling incidents. Next week, for the first time in Merthyr, "Her Love against the World," from the pen of Walter Howard, will be staged. To all lovers of good, sound drama, there is a rich dram&tic treat in store. The play is beautifully mounted and dressed, and is under the personal direction of Mr. W H. Hallatt. Included in the com- pany are the following well-known artistes: Miss Elsie Roberts, Ivl 13s Rosie St. John, Miss Blanche Steele, and Mere. W. II. Hallatt, Fred Rivers, Chas. Hann, and Fred Emery.

FOOTBALL. I Merthyr Town were due at Paulton to-mor- row (Saturday) in a Western League match, but as the Rovers are engaged in a cup-tie the fixture has been postponed. A match has been arranged between tho pick of the Mon- mouthshire League and the local champions at Penydarrcn Park, at 4.45. The local team will bo at full strength, and a tight game between the representatives of the best teams in the neighbouring county and the chief team in Gla- | morgan is sure to be seen, j *• In the Merthyr Northern Union Workshops Competition ftrst round, Cyfarthfa Old Boys beat Coin All Whites, and Cyfarthfa Juniors j Heat Hiils' Plymouth. To-morrow (Saturday) j Dowhus Work? meet Merthyr Juniors. I The postpone match between Merthyr and Warrington will be played at Rhydycar next Thursday, and a good game is anticipated. -v In the Treharris Tournament Quakers' Yard and Bedlinog met on the athletio ground, Tre- harris, on Wednesday In the first half the Quakers had the best of matters, and E Davies and D. T. Griffiths scored. In the second half Bedlinog attacked strongly, Briggs scoring and j G. Thomas equalising. Quakers' Yard were once more aggressive, and Roberts put them ahead. They ran out winners by three goals to I' two. Baker bad hard lines in not increasing the lead. Mountain Ash Crusaders and Trecynon Wind- t sors met on Wednesday afternoon at Mountain Ash irr the third round of the Aberdare and Dis- trict Challenge Cup competition, the result be- j ing a win for the visitors. Tho final score was, j Trecynon Windsors 2 goals, Mountain Ash Crusaders 1 goal Thomas Howells and D. T. Evans scored a goal each for the Trecynon club, and Howells, who was in goal, put the ball through his own goal-posts. I i The semi-final between the Aberaman Church I .ads and Mountain Ash Recreation in the Aberdare movement was played off at the Ath- letic Grounds, 'Aberdare, on Wednesday, the Church Lads winning by two goals to nil. The scorers were Cunnick and Owen. They sub- sequently met the Aberaman District XI. in the final and the Aberaman Church Lads won by two goals to one. The scorers were Cunnick and Owen for the Church Lads, and Williams for the District. A Glamorgan League match between Moun- tain Ash and Pcnygraig was played on Wednes- day at Mountain Ash before a good crowd. The home side was short of several players. A fine breakaway by Wyndham Jones should easily have resulted in a score had he kicked over the full back's head. At half-time there was no score. Scrum after scrum was fought out monotonously until Wyndham Jones alter- ed the state of things by making a nice open- ing and putting Benjamin. over with a try. Thomas's effort at conversion was a good one. The visiting full back essayed a drop which was only a trifle short. The visiting team later made a great effort, only failing to score by was only a trifle short. The visiting team later made a great effort, only failing to score by inches. A Monmouthshire League match between Brynmawr and Cross Keys was played at Brynmawr on Wednesday. Cross Keys were the superior team from the kick-off. and Brown scored a try, but the referee disallowed it. Shortly afterwards Hayter scored for Cross Keys, Bacon's kick failing. On resuming Bulty scored for Brynmawr, the lock failing. Cross Keys got away, and a fine dribbling movement ended in Dai Davies getting over for Bacon to convert. George Davies scored another try for Brynmawr, Bulty failing with the kick. In the end Cross Keys won by eight points to six. j The finals in the Junior Association tourna- ment, held fit GiKach, were played off on Tue$ day. The New Tredegar Strattons beat Gelly- gaer, and played off the final with Brithdir, which team they beat, by four goals to nil. The Strattons wore presented with the cup, and Brithdir, the runners-up, with the medals.

HENGOED. SODDEN DEATH.—Early on Thursday morn- mg, Mrs. Jane iRees, aged 49, was found dead in bed. Dr. Cecil was summoned, and pro- nounced life to have been extinct three or four houi»3. The death is said to have been due to heart failure.

Church Parade at Gellygaer. I One of the most successful church parades II held in the district was that conducted on Sun- day last in connection with the Aberbargoed Company of the 1st Mon. Territorials. A large Company of the men assembled in the drill room under the charge of Lieut. D. G. Thomas, with Sergts. Hallifield, Pickwick, and Win- stone. Their numbers were augmented by the Aberbargoed St. John Ambulance Brigade, under the charge of Sergt. B. Rees, together with the Gelligaer Fire Brigade, Bargoed, Pen- gam, Bedlinog, and Pontlottyn sections of the Brigade being in attendance, and under the command of Lieut. Richard Williams (in the unavoidable absence of Capt. T. Jones), assist- ed by Lieut. Gale, Pengam. The combined companies were headed by the Bargoed Silver Band, under the conductorship of Mr. S. Turner. The march through Aberbargoed, Bargoed, Gilfach, and Pengam to Gellygaer was witnessed by a large number of people and oalled for general admiration. At the historic church the Rector (Rev. T. Jesae Jones) delivered an appropriate sermon in the course of which he eulogised the action of the men in attending church upon Easter Sunday morning, which was the greatest day in the year. He referred to that church as the garrison church of a section of the Roman sol- diers, who, centuries ago, paid their Easter Sunday morning visit to the church. He re- ferred to the tablet which had been placed in the church by Sir Wm. Thomas Lewis to the memory of the late Mr. David Thomas, Ty'r- ferchgryno, who died in South Africa from dvsentry, he having gone to that country dur- ing the dark days of the war in 1900 in order to assist in the protection of the Empire. After the service the men marched back on the Monmouthshire side. Before breaking up Lieut. Thomas, addressing the men, paid them a high compliment for their march, and thank- ed the Fire Brigades and Ambulance Corps for joining in the procession.

Make your Own Hair Tonic. A SPECIALIST'S ADVICE. In a recent issue the Daily Mail of London published a special article on the care of the hair in which was given the formula for a home-made hair tonic that was highly recommended for its remarkable hair-growing properties, as well as for stopping falling hair, revitalising the hair roots, and destroying the dandrnffgerm. This article was of special interest to me, as the formu- la was one which I, myself, have seen used in countless cases with most astonishing benefit, thus confirming my belief that home-made hair preparations are the best. For the benefit of those who have not seen it before, I give the formula. herewith. Procure from your chemist a. four-ounce bottle containing three ounces of Bay Rum, one ounce of Lavona de Composee (Smithes) and i dram Menthol Crystals. Dissolve the crystals in the Bay Rum, a.nd then add the Lavona de Conn, posee; shake thoroughly and apply njt and morning to ttse roots of the hall", rubbing into the scalp with the finger tips. This preparation contains no colouring matter, bat? restores grey hair to its original colour by its action on the hair i roots. If you desire it perfumed, add half at spconfel of n For* Flear perfume, which osrebises :,cu-i30t:y w?tn the other ingredients, *.nd •.c.ip'i.rts a moss jtis.wirig scent* (Dq not to not

Gellygaer and Bedwellty Sewerage Schemes. ALDERMAN PHILLIPS FIGHTS FOR THE RATEPAYERS. URGES UNITY OF ACTION. WARNS THE COUNCIL OF THE FUTURE. At the meeting of the Bedwellty Council, on Thursday, the question of the Rhymney Valley Sewerage scheme^ in conncction with Bedwellty^ Was 'SfesfdTerabWdijSffSpSon' "took place, on the subject. Alderman N. Phillip expressed his surprise that the Council had so quickly passed a resolution in favour of joining the Western Valleys Sewerage Board, without knowing the terms. The Clerk We know the terms of the other side.—Alderman Phillips: But you have not tho terms of the Western Valley.—The Clerk If we don't go into it as a constituent authority we don't go into it at all. —Alderman Phillips The agreement does not say as a constituent authority."—Mr. Godwinj We are a constituent authority in regard to the Sirhowy.—Aldennan Phillips: But, this is another scheme.—Mr. Bufton But, we have only made application to be taken in. Alderman Phillips: The complaint I make against the resolution is this, that you have decided upon a single scheme for Bedwellty only, without making any attempt to get any authority in the valley to join you. I don't blame you for trying to get a scheme, but, in- stead of having duplicate schemes for this valley, we should agree on one, and that would save the ratepayers a lot of money. We have now got a Gelligaer scheme and our scheme, with Rhymney left out, and we do not know whether Mynyddislwyn will join in.—The Clerk They will join.—Alderman Phillips The letter from them before us does not say so. Our objection to the Gelligaer scheme was that the minerals were unworked where the pipes would be put, but tunnelling under a. mountain is a much more serious matter in regard to sub- sidences. We have now two schemes for the valley, and both of them have some of the principal places untouched, and, as fcr as I know, both may fall to the ground. Bedwellty is left out. Do you think the County Council will stand by and see that part of the valley deprived of any scheme at all ? Would it not be better to get this matter formed into one board ? I received this report of your engineer on the Sunday, and had hardly time to read it. Owing to the position of the coal dispute I was unable to be at your meeting on the following day. In view of what may be pending I do not think such a load should be added to the burdens of the ratepayers with such undue haste, and it would be better to come into harmony with others than to invite them to fight us, whioh would entail additional expense. Cer- tainly, the question is not ended there, and I imagine the Local Government Board will not pass jfiither scheme.—The Clerk They cannot prevCTit us joining the Western Valleys.— Alderman Phillips: It is not well to fly in their faces. Mr. Bufton: The way Gelligaer have carried on all the way through has put the thing off indefinitely, and when we consider the increasing population of our district and the difficulty there will be to get additional land for the sewage works when required, their scheme does not seem advisable.—-Alderman Phillips: It is the wildest thing possible to get two schemes for this valley.—Mr. S. Godwin: They told us they would not discuss any other scheme.—Mr. T. Jones: Take Mr. Lowe's report of the saritary condition of Bedwellty, that will show that there is urgency in the matter-—Alderman Phillips: Of course there is; but you should have tried to harmonise matters. There will be a regular medley.—Mr. J. Jones: I understood it was to be the Gelligaer scheme entirely and that they would not think of forming a Board unless we adopted their scheme and I think we have enough evidence now to condemn that scheme, root a.nd branch.—Mr. A. Thomas: Gellygaer absolutely refused to start this business afresh, and the result was that we resolved to get an independent report, and that report advises our joining the Western Valleys Board.— Alderman Phillips: It is all very well to have a. scheme advised, but to adopt it is a. different matter for the time being.—Mr. A. Thomas: I don't believe anyone here is in favour of two schemes.7—Alderman Phillips You have passed this scheme, therefore there are two schemes. —Mr. A. Thomas Because Gellygaer refused to treat further. But the Local Government Board should see the two schemes, and we should be guided by their judgment.—Alderman Phillips: That is what I have recommended; but you should show that you are desirous of working in harmony with, not run away from other bodies. Suppose you waited for another year, what would it matter 1—Mr. M. Thomas: Very much, according to the Medical Officer's report. We might have & serious epidemic.— Alderman Phillips Is there anyone who would say that such a scheme is a wise one for the valley ? The Chairman: It is-no use arguing the point any further.—Alderman Phillips: I don't think you should stifle discussion. J don't think your plans will prosper. I separate myself entirely from your action, and I think your resolution at the last meeting was a huge mistake.—Mr. A Thomas: Do you advise going back to a body which refuses to discuss any other scheme 1— Alderman Phillips What I want is united action. If you do join the Western Valleys there will be a time when they will not be able to take the sewage of this valley.—Mr. J. Jones: There is another report from Mr. Baldwin Lathom.— Alderman Phillips: You ought to have made enquiries as to terms before joining.—Mr. J. Jones There is a broad irrigation scheme which has not been touched upon.—-Alderman Phillips: The tunnelling matter, you will find, is a very serious thing.—The Clerk: The tunnel is no great weight, it is the pipes.—Alderman Phillips You get the opinion of a mining engineer on that matter. To make a duplicate or triplicate scheme is to make the ratepayers suffer, and when you consider the big things ahead one wonders what will bedonie of the ratepayers. We have tried to keep the rates low, but you are now landing the district into a very serious matter by keeping aloof in this thing. Cannot you see a IOd. rate ?—Mr, Bufton We are not going to get it for nothing.—The Clerk men- tioned places where he said the rate was only 5d.—Alderman Phillips: It strikes me that it would be cheaper to go right away down the valley and take in all the other authorities.— —The Clerk: It means ten miles to the sea through a district unremunerative to a sewage board.—Mr. Godwin: We only engaged an engineer to report upon the scheme of. Gellygaer, and his report finishes the matter entirely, so we have unbiassed advice.—Alderman Phillips,: The scheme will .cost £110,000. You received the report on Sunday and decided upon it the' next day-a. matter which involves such an amount of money.—The subject then dropped.

Gellygaer School Managers. A meeting of the Gellygaer School Managers was held on Tuesday at Hengoed, the Rev. Harri Edwards presiding. In answer to a communication which was sent from the previous meeting to the County Au- thorities, a letter was read stating that the foundation of the proposed school at Tirphil would be laid upon a permanent stone building basis, but that the structure itself would be of corrugated iron for the temporary accommo- dation of the children during the alterations to the present school, and afterwards a. new per- manent building of stone would be proceeded with. The tender of Messrs. Dale, Forty and Co. was accepted for the tuning of tho school pianos. The tender of Messrs. Thos. Vaughan was accepted for sweeping chimneys. A letter was read from the owners of the es- tate at Pendedairheol offering a site for a new school at £350 per acre. It was decided to re- commend the acceptance of the offer. The County Authorities, in reply to a letter which had been sent by the Committee object- ing to the restriction of the teachers from ac- cepting any public appointment—pointed out that all appointments were made subject to the teachers non-acceptance of any public position, and this claim they were determined to enforce. '■ ——-

Polling in East Glamorgan. In the Giyn Neath and Cwmgwrach district polling yesterday went on steadily, without any excitement. About 6 o'clock Mr. Gibbihs mo- tored up the valley, and was heartily cheered as he passed through the village, and especially when no arrived at the polling booth. The Liberal candidate was aooompanied by Mrs. Gib bins. The car was profusely decorated with Liberal colours.

LLANBRADACH. NEW HAIL.—The local Salvation Army Corps on Tuesday afternoon formally entered into possession of their newly-acqnired premises in Station-road by holding a gTeab musical fes- tival and public tea. The Senghenydd Salva- tion Army Band, conducted by Col. and Mrs. Otway, Was a great attraction. This corps is now Jin Oorpl.

GWM. r SroHT TESTING FREE.—Spectacles and Bye-glasses »j^>plie<j by, MA Dptidgn,

J E-u- -I1 .¡. New Tredegar Woman's Delusion; SETS HER CLOTHING ABLAZE AND DIES FROM BURNS. u'& I An inquest was held on Tuesday at the Police I Station, New'Tredegar, into the death of Jura. I Lily Jones, 100, Commercial-street, before Mr. Dauncey (deputy coronerL-David Jones, bus. ba.nd of deceased, said his wife was aged 31, and had baen unwell for a couple of months. I She was in good bodily health. She called him the. first tliiqg on Sunday morning, and asked him to fetch the doctor. This he said he would i do^aS saon as %virgery was, open. lie pro- ceeaed to light'the fire, and his wife was .down- stairs with him. While witness was lighting t.he fire, she went upstairs again, He heard her call three t'mes, and he replied, "What is the matter' Then he saw the place ablaze. He tried four time3 to extinguish the fire, but failed to do so. There was a strong smell of paraffin about. When he failed to extinguish the fire, he shouted for help, and Mr. W. Mark English responded, and together they succeed- ed in e.xtinguishing^»f^j^|8'^Mad been set ablaze. The bedroom, and, no doubt, deceased took lt^iip- stairs when she returned there. He was on good terms with his wi/e, and had had no quarrel with her. She was principally burnt about the body. He sent for the dcctor im' mediately. She .died aj^out 6,15-JMAK; oni..Siin- day. Deceased made no state hie nt to him. She had been under medical treatment, for six months.—The Foreman asked whether deceased had previously attempted to do herself harm, and witness replied in the negative.—Herbert Wilde, father of deceased, said his daughter, in response to his question, sa.id, "I d;d it my- self, father." Deceased had been treated by a specialist as weU as the local doctors, who said that her belief that she contained living animals was a delusion.—Sergt. Humphreys deposed to making an examination of the clothes, and said they were covered with petroleum, especial'y the corset.—Dr. Roberts attributed death to burns and shock, and also said deceased wag under the delusion that her body contained liv- ing animals.—The Coroner, in summing up, said that there was no doubt that deceased's injuries were self-inflicted, and the question for the jury to decide was whether they thought she was of unsound mind or not when she com- mittsd the act.-The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."

Eisteddfod at Beaufort SUCCESSFUL GATHERING ON GOOD FRIDAY. On Good Friday, a well-attended and success- ful Eisteddfod was held at Carmel Welsh Con- gxegationar Church, Beaufort. The proceeds were in aid of the church funds. This being the chief event on Good Friday, it usually attracts a large crowd. Mr. Tom Richards, M.P., greatly assisted in carrying out th« pro- gramme. In introducing the President, ha stated that he was delighted to see him present. Mr. Davies eaid he was very proud to be>pre- sent at such a successful gathering, and spoke of the benefit derived from this noble Institu- I tion. The following were the adjudicators and officials.-Music, Mr Tom Davies, Ebbw Vale; literature, Rev. T. Llynvi Davies, Swansea; aocompanist, Mr. Idris Morgan, Beaufort Hill; president, Mr. J. A. Davies, Ebbw Vale; chair- man of committee, Mj. Henry Parry, EaSau; treasurer, Mr. Joseph Price, Post Office, Beau- fort; secretary, Mr. D. M. Devonald, Rassau, Beaufort. The following were the awards:— Boys' Solo, under 12, "More Love to Thee. 0 Christ": 1, Master W. J. Walters, Beaufort; 2, Master Tom Giles, Ebbw Vale. '1 Recitation, under 16, Spnnq. -1, Hilda Bull, Brynmawr; 2, A. Morgan, Ebbw Vale. Pianoforte Solo.-Ma.ster W. Meteyard, Ebbw Vale. Girls' Solo, unde-r 12.—1, Miss Esther G. Jenkins, Waunlwyd; 2, Miss Olive Wheeler, Abertillery. Girls' Solo, under 16.—Miss Bertha Phillips, Rassau. Boys' Solo, under 16.-1a.5t.er Wilfrid Jones, Beaufort. Spelling.—1, Ivor Williams; 2, Harold Parrya 3, S. E. Gregory. Musical Drill.—Rassau Infants. Duett (boy and girl),-Es5 Gladys Thomas, Ebbw Vale, and Master Ivor Williams, Rajsau. Juvenile Choir.—Barham Choir (conducted by Mr. J. Speake. Champion Novice Solo.—Mies Emilia Dough- ton, Ebbw Vale. Contralto Solo.—Miss Gladys Lewis, Beau* fort. Reading Contest.—Miss Seadie Davies, Cwm." Tenor Solo.—Mr. David James, Beaufort. Essay.—The winner's name did not transpire. Old Tune.—Mr. J. P. Jones, Sirhowy. Op-0Il Recitation.—Miss Miriam Richards, of Beaufort. Soprano Solo. Miss Grace Harry, Aber- tillery Hymn-tune. The winner's name did not transpire. Bass Solo.—Mr. Richard Davies, Beaufort. Champion Solo, "The Glory of the Lord" (S. Price).—Mr. R. Davies, Beaufort. Male Voice Competition, "Sleighing Glee."—* Bsaufort United (conductor, Mr. H. Jones). The Rev D.; M. Williams (pastor of the church) proposed a hearty vote of thanks to all who bad taken part, and Mr H. Parry seconded.

CAERPHILLY. VBSTBY MEETING.—The annual vestry meet. ing in connection with St. Martin's Church was held on Tuesday evening, the Rector (Kev. J. Connop Price, M.A.) presiding Mr. M. Saviours submitted the year's financial state- ment for St. Martin's and St. Churches, which was approved. Mr. M Sav- iours was selected as Rector's warden, and Dr. Mackenzie people's warden for the ensuing year. SERVANTS can easily be obtained by the use of a -small Want Ad. in these columns. Stato your requirements, and you JNIII bo sure to get suited at once.

CORRESPONDENCE. THE RECLAMATION OF DRUNKARDS. Sir,—I am requested by the secretary of tho National Independent Temperance Party to call the attention of all magistrates within the are& covered by your paper to the Probation of Offenders Act, which came into force on the 21st August, 1907, and which is In Act to permit the release on probation of offenders in certain cases, such as drunkenness, "on en- tering into recognisances, with or without sure- ties, to be of good behaviour and to appear for conviction and sentence when called on, at any time during such period (not exceeding three years) as may be specified in the order." Sec- tion 2 provides that a recognisance under this( Act may contain conditions such as "absten- tion from intoxicating liquor, where the offence was drunkenness, or any offence committed un- der the influence of drink, for a certain period of time. The Probation Act, which was devise ed principally for first offenders or drunken- ness or petty offences due thereto, and not foit habitual drunkards, has been tried successfully in London, Stockport, Ilkeston, Canterbury, Hawick, Ramsgate, Leicester, Workington, and many other places. As tho Lord Chief Justica stated recently that at least 40 per cent, of the crime committed in tha country is due en-: tirely to the indulgence of'intoxicating drinks, it behoves us to investigate what resources there are in law to restrain this habit in its infancy, and to give the drunkard a chance of reforming himself before he has got beyond the possi- bility of reform. Judge Robert Wallace, K.C., in opening the February London Sessions, commented on the gradual diminution of crime. "I have watched the calendars from sessions to sessions with that greatest care and anxiety, and I am convinced that there is a gradual diminution of crime, which I attribute very largely to the new me* thod adopted in dealing with our prisoners. I am convinced that the probationary system of trying to amend men's lives rather than de- strov them is working out a gradual revolution in the habits of the people." This testimony is clinched by the testimony of Mr. Wheatley, no probation officer and superintendent of St. Giro's Christian Mission, who says, "In 1908, 1 received 463 cases, and last year (1909) 333, mak< mg a total of 796. The number of defaulters for the two years were 80." What has proved beneficial elsewhere can prove beneficial in Monmouthshire. Evidently a great responsibili- ty rests with Magistrates to curb the evils 01 the drink traffic, and it would be refreshing to know that Magistrates think more about the responsibilities of their office and less about the honours. We appeal to them to study mora closely the laws of our country, and to poi into operation those elements in the law which have a tendency to redeem, and not merely to punish the offender.—Yours trulv, EVAN MORGAN. 71, Queen-street, Tredegar.

or OF REFERENCE. WHO'S WHO, 1920. Crown 8vo,, cloth. Price IOSb net. Or bound in full red leather, with rounded corners and gilt 8 edges. Price /2s. net. This year's issue contains about 23,000 biographies. WHO'S WHO YEAR-BOOK, I9I0, 8 Crown Svo., limp cloth cover. Price la, net, II BLACK'S BOOKS OF REFERENCE. WHO'S WHO, 1920. Crown 8vo,, cloth. Price IOSb net. Or bound in full red leather, with rounded corners and gilt 8 edges. Price /2s. net. This year's issue contains about 23,000 biographies. WHO'S WHO YEAR-BOOK, I9I0, 8 Crown Svo,, limp cloth cover. Price net, 1 Important and useful tables, formerly incorporated in I •< Who's Who." I ENGLISHWOMAN'S YEAR-BOOK I AND DIRECTORY, 1910. Crown 8vo., cloth.. 8 § Edited by G. E. MITTON. Price 29d net. THE WRITERS' AND ARTISTS' YEAR-BOOK, 1910. A Directory for Writers, j Artists, and Photographers. Fifth Year of New Issue. Crown 8vo., cloth. Price /s. net. A. and C. BLACK, Soho Square, Londbn, W, t I ENGLISHWOMAN'S YEAR-BOOK .1 N I AND DIRECTORY, 1910. Crown 8vo., cloth.. 8 N § Edited by G. E. MITTON. Price 28. 6d. net. N THE WRITERS' AND ARTISTS' N YEAR-BOOK, 1910. A Directory for Writers, j Artists, and Photographers. Fifth Year of New Issue. Crown 8vo., cloth. Price /s. net. ,( N A. and C. BLACK, Soho Square, Londbn, W. M I TURKISH BATHS I Hot and Cold Water Baths SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS have been made for an experienced trained Nurse to be in H attendamce ob Tuesdays (ladies' day). ■ Sir. JOB* PoRTBft has HAD over 20 years practical H experience at some of the best establishments H in the country, and is making arrangements for H the Naupein Treatment, in addition to Sulphur H Brine, Pine, Sulphur Vapour, Pine Vapour and ■ Plain Vapour Baths at reasonable charges. i I LADIES' DAY, TUESDAYS Please Note Address— I Below Parish Church. I MERTHYR I Billposting Go. ■ LIMITED, I Williams' Square, I Glebeland Street, ■ 1 yon want your Siils properly posted come to H us, we keep experienced workmen. I Ve have the GREATEST NUMBER of Hoardings ■ the LARGEST Hoardings, and the BEST, ■ Hoardings in the Districts ■ 10 Hoardings in Side Streets. I NAT. TELEPHONE 223. I TAFF VALE I Billposting Co I The Borough Billposters, I re the Largest in the District, and are Pro ■ prietors of over I 100 STATIONS ■ Built on the Latest Modern Principle, and ■ occupying the Mo3t Important Positions, H including all the Railway Stations and Electric ■ Tram Routes in Merthyr Tydfil, Dowlais, ■ Caebarris, Cafo, Pentrebacb, Abercanaid, ■ Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Vale, Aberfan. Also ■ at Brecon, Talyllyn, and Distriot. I jol- Orders receive Prompt and Personal ■ Attention. I ExWizucL and Efficient Staff. I Candbills Distributed by Reliable Men. I Sandwieh Boards, &c., Supplied. I Kindly Note Address:- t 14, Glebeland Street,