The Rhondda Leader

BS*JVeopchy-. delfv*eV* I1 *'aC(,b of Penuel, W1U" "^eadii,6" a very interesting w J'> on 'nm,H I at t'le Bethariia Chapel, fe;v ^Matt(n.,i. y ^erring. There was Morris T^681'1^ over by tlie C?s *ere f'J • s. (IS odd fa). The Hl,aS^UKiH|IUlrl over to J°hn Watts, ft» h» o 'tor y«arS and unabte fail 18 now 1 'y,iltiut- ^d!reorchv\n^te^y ^ec^ed that the hat°IshiP of MreRleTChoir> Unner the '"SbJ 'he Live xr -K. Lewis, will com- to eittber next* ational Eisteddfod H*P>d of + We have very reason Mth -Kg js ls *act> for though the a great rl^ £ at risky and carries iey i a Musical f responsibility, the *Ve ^orthvl a Ulty wil1 arSue that JS'aL reorcv,v y Representatives in the Vieyery who will now < > « £ LVscaptie the coTete4 S«, fc«t a' ti; dl;!l»'l>a<k will be the Jl0rters iy, e phoir has a few splen- *Wi atl enP^ lg Mr W- P- Thomas, the m secretary like Mr i-. a§ingt °Uetary aspect will not be

Til, ewnipai-ac. HUL>efs> Briton Ferry, {?'■1). (l' Mvinpa,??' ue*<jay evening at the W > t 011 temperance. The eM* W Mll)arc» was chairman a sbnl' ^hio-' a| VmPare, and W. M. Jones, it3e,1,oth ii,S\>eseut' The lecturer, !'■ Wl ^eeri a f 1 a,1(l English, said JJ^t, f ^en 8 °t.al abstainer all his life, If! 'or f l's 0'iVn <i.U y ^or three reasons. SL'Ai* *kc Kfor th« sake of others, K>'> tl, Uie <^istian Chuicli. SlS thl i Cljiltlien's Bill, lie fall,,1''61 the House of 1111 the estimation of C l,y »ot seeing the Bill tilledy> tW Un"a' blunder, the Mower Alitu011 tile ah^0"^1 ot our aoe> bad been I Lai' ot par ty. The speaker ai ^ho sent the child OitL^oii1 S'1<)nld i as 11IC publican who hekV^tWo tmed- The Chairman eVr ^eutlemen also spoke CI1Cl!t 0 temperance.

members of the lht"Lat T™ theid an- %».e °f h U rendezvous this fk'J'V ^e, tlireat aU^' to which place, m 4 afge apoearance of the journeyed by the £ aJ?r°-te yv. having been reached of ehi grou^' each S°inS cob, %hia lts owri particular Inflt aotwitlUg wilich was brimful »Uh?nta!ldin2 the >"in. the .f Hi!?? do arry Island Refresh- hr> e the excellent Par,en Provided. After din- ciop -^aviT!' ^n(ier the direction N if°Un/0lle> en ° 5 who made an ex- \i the 8j swif0?^ ^self immensely § r.^lier inv, ckj roundabouts, N Ke returnC?lt frivolities of ex" vrotight f 3onrney commenced KS tS>the Lt0 a el<>se a day which ^tcu' ^av6 ^binw per^ect enioyment. v?0lid t> P the party were S Sou-J-c- Reyn°n-Mrs <1 Y^oskiT, rs.4ibert Williams, \K aii?aVes i?'- 8 Jeunie Grif- f-er' Mr J- T- Ed" l4'V,Ir J W?nms' Miss Hopkins, s'tf-llBdw^ ms- ^'VValTfwSr allt ]i Wui ^as denue s?hject was phren- SfiS, Wlth in a ™*terly t ilb 6 JegrPf W ^o?tj agedefireCOrd the death of oj\>ilor, Ton6arThdTglite^ "er,, AUesrlQ^ 1 he funeral and the Band of ^HS. Ton, sang some

Ferndale Doctors' question. To the Editor. Sir,—Will wonders never cease? It would seem not, but 1 must confess that 1 was completely staggered, on scanning the columns of your Pontypridd contemporary last week, to find therein a letter bearing one of the many aliases adopted by my gifted friend the preaching mason, Griffith Koberts (Gutyn Llyfnwy). A few short weeks ago this paragon of consistency voci- ferated his intention of adhering to things antique and antidiluvian and of continuing to send his letters to a certain paper which (according to his opinion) is about the only paper which has been in existence long enough to be trusted, tried and true.' ¥et 1 now find "Gutyu, when opposed in that paper by a gentleman on whose de- voted head he has poured maledictions in galore, transferring his offections to a paper whose span of years does not reach one- eighth that of his previous favourite. Well, "birds of a feather flock together,' and per- haps the presence of others of his species in the columns of your contemporary was a great inducement to this lonely fledgeling to leave a nest which was becoming de- cidedly uncomfortable and fly to where he could nestle 'neath the wings of those gal- lant roosters, "W.G.' and Old Workman." Be that as it may, judging by this last effu- sion, practice and congenial companions do not seem to have had the effect of improv- ing my friend "Gutyn's" thinking appara- tus, as the only point worthy of notice in his letter is his statement that Dr. Parry has never acknowledged the receipt of any of the checkweighers money in all the years that have gone by. Now, previous to the great coal-strike of 1898 there was in Fern- dale a separate checkweighers' committee for each of the four pits. Just after the re- starting the collieries it was decided to have one checkweighers' committee for the four pits, this joint committee to be com- posed of a certain number of workmen from each pit. Before this new joint committee entered on their duties it was necessary to audit the books of the old separate com- mittees. This was done, and as two of these auditors are at present bosom friends and boon companions of "Gutyn's' as well as prominent and leading members of Dr. Parry's committee it may be well to name them. No. 1 Pit's acounts were "audited and found correct" bv my literary friend, William Griffiths, while the correctness of No. 5 Pit's acounts was certified by Mr James Rees, an equally prominent pillar of the Parryite cause. Now, deductions for medical atendance were made from each checkweigher's earnings and the auditors, if they did their work honestly, must have noticed that item. Therefore it was the auditors' duty to know what became of that money. If the money was paid to Dr. Parry surely these gentlemen saw the re- ceipts for the said money,while if the money was not paid to Dr. Parry was it not the auditors' duty to explain the fact when sub- mitting a balance sheet to the workmen, who paid them, and to whom they were answerable for any error made in auditing. If we take Mr Roberts' letter seriously we must also conclude that he for some reason seeks to implicate his friends in any shady transactions which may have taken place re the paying of Dr. Parry by the check- weighers. I am pleased to notice from several letters in other contemporaries that this movement is watched and ap- proved of in several places besides Ferndale. One writer, in a recent issue, pays 11 glowing tribute to Ferndale workmen, congratulat- ing them on having set their hatchets to the roots of this Upas tree (medical monopo- 'ly). On behalf of the Ferndale Systemites I beg to thank Mr Ivor Griffiths for his kind wishes and to assure him that we are as de- termined as ever to overcome all the ob- stacles that are thrown in our way, though some of our f ellow-workmen have become so accustomed to the chains that bind them that like the famous "prisoner of Chillon they'll regain their freedom with a sigh- Mr John D. Jones' (Tonypandy) contribu- tion to a daily paper last Saturday being an account of a similar battle fought and won in America was also greatly appreciated here. With the Systemites' greeting to these two gentlemen, I remain, Sir, S JOHN WILLIAMS, 14, union St., Feradele,

Pontypridd and Rhondda Valleys Temperance Defence League. Conference at Pontypridd. On Monday last a conference of delegates from the churches and temperance societies of the district was held at Penuel Chapel, Pontypridd-nearly 200 being present. The chair was occupied by the Rev. J. P. Hughes vicar of Llantrisant. The Rev. J. Tertius Phillips, United Kingdom Alliance, gave a lengthy review of Lord Peel's report and said at the next municipal elections at Cardiff one item in the temperance pro- gramme would be that members of "the trade" should be excluded from the watch committee. Alderman J. Jones-Griffiths (Penygraig) moved "That the conference believes that the recommendations con- tained in the report signed by Lord Peel, the chairman of the Royal Commission on the Licensing Laws, should form a practical basis of valuable legislation, which should be secured on these lines at the earliest posible opportunity." The Rev. R. Roberts (Treorchy) seconded. The Rev. T. Jones, Llanbradach, objec- ted to the resolution on the ground that holders of licenses were not entitled to compensation. He moved that they ap- prove of Lord Peel's report with the .excep- tion of that part which approved of com- pensation. Considerable discussion followed, and Alderman Griffiths agreed to insert the words "on the whole" before "form a prac- tical basis." This, however, was not approved of by a number of the delegates, and the amend- ment was lost by 15 votes to 39. Mr H. Abraham (Porth) moved a resolu- tion regretting that the Governmt had not passed the Children's Bill. This was carried. Resolutions were also passed in favour of Sunday Closing for Monmouthshire (moved by the Rev. Thos. Jones, Pontypridd, se- conded by Mr Thos. Samuel (Ferndale). Mr Herbert Roberts, M.P.'s Bill re "The Bona-fide Traveller (moved by the Rev. D. C. Jones, Cwmparc, seconded by Mr T. R. Jones, Tylorstown). Rev. W. I. Morris, Pontypridd, explained the work of the Tem- perance Defence League, and a resolution thereon moved bv Mr Samuel Nicholas, Blaenrhondda, and seconded by Mr R. Prys Jones, Pontypridd, was carried. In the evening a public meeting was held at the same place when addresses were given by Dr. Datta (Ferndale), Plenydd U.K.A. (Bristol). The chair was taken by District Councillor James Roberts. Address by Dr. Datta. Dr. Datta said: Mr Roberts, reverend gentlemen, and ladies and gentlemen, I believe the subject which we have met to discuss is not an hopeless one (hear, hear). when we consider the circumstances under which this meeting has been called. For at this moment the eyes of Europe, the eyes of the civilized world are arrested in won- derment, in the two continents, when events of tremendous importance' are being enac- ted with a rapidity which are seen in stage-craft of modern theatres. On one of these continents this country is the main participator and the principal actor in the great drama that is being played with all the complete and terrible skilfulness of Chris- tian warfare. On the other continent England,'France Germany, Russia, Italy, America and Japan are all united with the seeming object of upholding the integrity of feeble and decaying empire-although they are acting from day to day in concerted conspiracy to disintegrate that empire in the most effectual way possible—which in recent times has T)een the seat of most notorious and scandalous intrigue of the courtiers and ambassadors of Europe. I say that while this country in spite of strange rumours, while editors of the Lon- don press are catering sensation to feed the public mind with passion, it is a cheer- ful indication to see here assembled in this hall men and women who are willing to discuss a question of so unsensational a nature, but which affects in a supreme de- gree the highest interest of the people of the United Kingdom, and the teeming population of her ever increasing empire. (Cheers). Gentlemen, I am conscious per- haps painfully conscious that my personal opinion as regards the reform in temper- ance legislation is not of any consequence in leading the public opinion, as I do not happen to be one of those politicians who enjoy the confidence of an electional con- stituency. But at the same time I know that I hold an opinion of the question of which electoral bodies and their represen- tatives, politicians and statesmen would have ultimately to give in before it could be irrevocably settled by the unanimous voice of the people of Great Britain (cheers). I believe so long as there remain military ex- penditure on a scale in which it now is, so long as you keep up an attitude of defying the world at arms, so long as you send to your Parliament men whom I shall des- crible as senseless and rowdy politicians, so long as you enter into unnecessary war (cheers), these questions will never be set- tled upon wise foundation desired by the League under the auspices of which I liave the distinguished honour of addressing you this evening (cheers). Gentlemen TI am well aware there are some who will say that my opinion—the opinion of an obscure and provincial physician-is not worth calcu- lating on a matter of this description, but I shall tell these critics that politics and statesmanship are not the monopoly of a, class of men (cheers) that I am not alone in my opinion (cheers), that the opin- ion which I hold is the opinion of some of the greatest and noblest names in the muster roll of British statesmen (loud cheers). Gentlemen, ask you yourselves this simple question. If intemperance creates so much vice, so much pauperism, so much suffering, why is this question not settled by the most severe law which legisla- tion can impose unon the people? (hear, hear). Why is the Government and states- men and Parliament unable to cope with a matter which does not offer the slightest difficulty in grasping it in all its detail and which for years past has filled the landscape of this realm—fair -withal as the imagina- tion of God can make—with shadows of sufferings which are beyond the power of the painter's brush to depict in their vivid colourings? (cheers). I shall ask your at- tention to one or two points before I am able to answer that question to your satis- faction. Take the year 1897-or as a mat- ter of that take any year-but take the year 1897, the facts and figures of which I remember on account of my having reason to refer to it some three or four months ago and examine for a moment the income and expenditure of the Chancellor of Exche- quer (hear, hear). The Civil expenditure of that year amounted to zC21,214, 703. The army estimate came up to the sum of L20,940,778, and the estimate for the navy was more than that. It came up to £ 22,774,813. Therefore the military ex- penditure of 1897 came to be a grand total 0f 44 millions, speaking in round numbers. Now, the income of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in that "ear from all sources amounted to nearly 102 millions. Of this income £ 26,860,000 was derived from the liquor trade. Therefore of the £ 44 millions that were spent on military establishment the trade in intoxicating liquors contributed directly more than half or nearly three- fourths of that enormous expenditure. Gentlemen, you will observe what is the meaning of these figures, and what is its significance on the legislation of this coun- try. It tells its own tale in words more eloquent than the orator's tongue. Before this vast and overwhelming expenditure statesmanship stands abashed and para- lysed (cheers). And suppose if the Govern- ment were to suppress the liquor trade by repressive measures these L26,806,000 will disappear in the thin air. Then comes this question-where will they get money to pay the military expenditure? Where wijl they get the millions which they waste in war ? And you know as well as I do that the Government which will propose the reduc- tion of armament-such is the diseased and the miserable state of public feeling-will be swept off from its place of power by an angry and exasperated majority of the House of Commons (cheers). And of the war, what shall I say? Every war, be it in the desolate and ruined republic of South Africa, be it in descrepit and almost broken up Chinese empire, be it on the storm blasted and cursed mountain ranges which girt the north western frontier of your glorious Indian empire—every war puts the settlement of this question for generations back. Therefore the obvious conclusion is that those who are in favour of abolishing the drink trade by legislative means should be a sincere friend of peace and a strong ad- vocate of settling all international questions by the wise medium of arbitration (cheers). I submit to you, gentlemen, this is the whole issue which is before you. Do not be led away by vote catching and clap-trash politicians. The whole question is clear as the crystal. You cannot be true to the principle of total abstinence whilst at the same time you supnort a policy which leads to the casting of brazen cannons and the floating of iron-clads which cost you wealth which yon can name in figures, but the true meaning of which you can not compre- hend. You cannot be a faithful and con- sistent and staunch supporter of abolition of drink traffic if you are a robust and boisterous imperialist which means the sending of 28,000 veterans to crush and control 30 thousand formers who are fight- ing for their hearths and homes (loud and prolonged cheers), which has cost eighteen millions, and which will cost I know not how many millions more before it is over, and which has put this question back for 50 years to come. Gentlemen, your Par- liamentary orators reiterate in sickening repetition that the solution of this problem depends upon you. They mean the electors and constituencies which have the vote and franchise to turn the election. Dut do not believe them. They know that what they are telling you is not the truth. It does not depend upon you. It depends upon their votes when they are once within the wall of the Parliament. Analyse, for ex- ample, the vote of credit for this unjust and unequal contest in South Africa (cheers). Analyse the opinion of Parliamentary mem- bers upon the now almost forgotten Fash- oda question when this country nearly went to war with France. Analyse the opinion upon the stormcloud which has burst upon China—looming over and over shadowing all other questions, and which has filled your statesmen with brain born dreams, and you will find that amongst the rashest and maddest advocates who, with a bloody hand, sway a distant nation, are those who at the time of these elections plighted and pledged their words for the abolition of the drink traffic. And the most glaring impu- dence is that they know full well that the fulfilment of their wishes will put this ques- tion back for generations to come. Sir, there are two bodies of men besides your Parliamentary politicians against whom I make comnlaint. A great majority-not all, but a majority of the ministers of the Christian church is in favour of war and in- temperance. They are openly plainly, un- blushingly in favour of war. Of the sale of intoxicating liquors they are not open ad- vocates. But why support and encourage a policy which gives fresh stimulus to the trade in the intoxicants. Then I complain against the press-the howling and hys- terical editors of the London press. And it is from these two sources that the liquor traffic obtains its most thoughtless and un- scrupulous and malignant support. I have told you in plain and simple words my op- inion with regard to this question. It depends upon you whether it should be settled upon the only basis which is open to it. I believe that this country will go in the right direction if men who lead her are men above suspicion. But there are men in the Christian pulpit who have played foul and false. There are men in your legislative assembly who lead the country, and in whose hand is the omnipo- tent power of settling this question, who seem to me to be deaf to the voice of rea- son and justice. Step by step the immor- tal genius of your statesmen has made this country what it is-a throne for a royal race from wliicn you can behold and command the land and seas of the habitable globe. The Parliament of England—the Parlia- ment in which Bright and Chatham had sat, has not before it a question of greater gravity than the question of how to remove this beseething drunkenness and brutal crimes which afflict her in every part. What is this war in the Transvaal; what is this earthquake revolution shaking an ancient realm in the far East in comparison with the encircling, everspreading misery, suffering and degradation which intemper- ance has brought upon the sons and daugh- ters of England? An aspiring statesman may lead a majority, a venal statesman may delude and deceive a people, a pampered priesthood may support a policy which leads to the .expenditure of 44 millions a year to support rampant militarism or convulse a country with fire and sword (cheers). But more and more you enter into foreign com- plications, the more and more you enter into all-wasting war, the more shadowy and distant becomes the time when this ques- tion can be settled (cheers). It is a dis- grace and humiliation to this country, to her Parliament, to her people, that she has failed to grapple with this question. Is there not among you a statesman who raising himself above sordid and vile am- bition for popularity can lead the Parlia- ment to accept a legislation which will wipe out this foul blot from the fair name of august and imperial England (loud and long continued cheers).

Death of the Curate of Ystrad- Rhondda. The Rev. T. H. Williams, curate of St. Stephen's, Ystrad, died at his residence on Monday afternoon. The rev. gentleman had an apopletic fit on the previous Monday evening, from which he did not recover con- sciousness. He was a widower, and child- less. He had been twenty-one years curate of the district, and was highly esteemed.

Notice to Correspondents. The Rating ^uofstion—Equality's reply to Mr. John Jones, oil libove subject is held over until next weeks issue owing to pressure on our space.

Presentation to the late Vicar of Llwynypia. On Thursday evening, a social tea and in- teresting presentation meeting took place at the Parish Hall, Tonypandy, on the occasion of the departue of the late vicar, the Rev. J. D. James, M.A., to his new living at Cadox- ton-juxta, Neath. Th-re was a good attend- ance, and after tea (at which Mrs. Edwin Thomas, Mrs. Charles Ashman. Miss Ellen Thomas, add other ladies rendered material assistance), the Chairman (Mr. George Knill, of Cardili) spoke most highly of the rev. gentleman's energetic and untiring labours for the good of the parish during his vicarate. Eulogistic speeches Avere made by Messrs. 1 red Thomas and James Jones. Messrs. J. W. Jones and D. S. Thomas, two prominent Nonconformists, who attended as repre- sentatives of the Public Library Committee also spoke in eulogistic terms of the Rev. J. D. James' geniality and conscientiousness. 7 In making the presentation to the late vicar, Mrs. Edwin Thomas said: "Mr. James, I have very much pleasure on behalf of the parishioners of Llwynypia, in handing you this purse containing £50 in gold) as a slllall token of their love and esteem. May God prosper you." An illuminated Album, containing interior and exterior photographic views of the five churches of the parish, was handed to Mrs. James by Mrs. C. H. Charles, and Miss Ella Thomas, also made a presentation of a Bicycle Horse for Master Herbert James. The Rev. J. D. James responded in a thrill- ing and impressive manner, assuring "is friends that the kindness and loving assis ance he had received from them in Ins at Llwynypia would ever remain au?"n° most pleasant recollections, and mending them to God's keeping) aa would continue to work with his succ they had done with hiw.

T N EWS. DlSTICTN EWS. for Suqday Next. 2'ftd4?d^Soof^2NAL CHURCH, TONY,

fS^ayST,,iehe,>ePt« Ljetllwiy, llc Sunday School Ih5' W(!rit to jef._ baptist Chapel,' Trelier- tU«?f°oU^"o- Th'pi 1 ?,aP'le OM Monday for a '')oii a-m reh ° a"m 'Km<l<la Station lb) 8.3° nt)l' trUr'.n;« from Jersey Marine All at Blaenrliondda Joyed themselves greatly. 0,. lib,

innecliclte disposal- Tw .W bicycles and Ni ° -Soiled do. J LPartic«Ws froin Bargains. ^NEs, Sheffield House TREHKRBERT. 26

'Pdellt1. 0 elli.. SfS5' GelUftf J the wife of Mr cNv ^'nl f11 Thursdf 'it00k place at Sd^&longS, She had N rink of ri ^;?' and was con- 1, %t gyllpathy ea el3lellt. to Mr Morgan in

ofv%tPRd. tn^°ach deidth and burial tCf^oaXMr,eside^e 0f\early ?gG of wi?!rs Henrv w^rr Uncle and ^clijj-^ths, rni resided during durij^e deceased hav- ^<Voo>aito8okariod °f nine Ma' 1 laft at Tr^ Vn Wed" Jones aw Cemetery < <<&• SC, whilst <VS A C"> BaBg„r Sr,e. together V ^Onl ^ttrr»k the pravpr rholars atL0?. Tabernacle NVSAt^ a m^a?ed' tbe de- Stf^ °01 Tvn EnJrW and laS'S»ad 5lS,Clt lnd aunt; AL.^j Xr.e,s, If,. Rosina t^s Ashton, Mrs (a,, peQ. Thorn168' and Mrs KNa'^C^8), id°?Ssat.TonJ Mrs !QtU Ti • ^zio T\r atives from K SNd Jo^St^s) Mary> Na«mT ^\V«km»n »»d ,e« Henry C ^H1?8 »lso Walter J. tlH Vii^'C.^Wnt M °f other We deeply sympathise with Mrs Parker, William Street, Ystrad, in the sudden death from heart disease of her sister, Mrs Phoebe Richards, St. Dogmell's, and mother to the Rev. T. Tyflon Richards, Calf aria Welsh Baptist Church. Raven Hill, Swansea, and Captain Richards, Cardiff. On Wednesday evening the funeral of Mr John Gilman, Tyntyla Road, who died very suddenly from an apopletic seizure whilst following his ocupation at the Llwynypia Colliery on Friday last took place at Tre- orchy Cemetery, Mr Emmerson, Ystrad, officiating. The funeral was largely atten- ded and much sympathy is felt for the family in their sudden loss. The deceased was a faithful member at Jerusalem, Gelli- galed.

Llwynypia. The inhabitants of Mid-Rhondda will be pleased to hear that i\o. 8454, Private H. xvens, No. 38b Wara, R. V. Hospital, Net- icy, and youngest son of Mr Stephen lvens, ii, Sherwood Place, Llwynypia, is expec- ted home on Friday night. He is expected to arrive at Cardili about noon, and will be detrained there by sonv of his brothers— who intend meeting hiin-in order to arrive at Llwynypia station with the 8.30 train. We hope the good people of the neighbour- hood and surrounding districts will give him a hearty and joyful welcome. l c may be interesting to the competitors at the Llwynypia iSports next Monday to know that the celebrated champion cyclist Jimmy lUichaei, won his lirst race on tile Llwynypia Hecreation tirounds.

Giydach Vale. The annual camp meeting or the Primi- tive Methodists, Mission xioom, Waun court, was htia on Sunday afternoon on lie side of the mountain behind tjlydaeli aie lioad. The speakers were Messrs Henry Morgan. George d.dams, and Chas. England. There was a large gathering, and the service was most enthusiastic and en- joyable. In the evening, an experience meeting was held in the Mission Room, when a collection was made. The Rev. U. J. Lane, son of Mr W. Lane, Thomas Street, and a native of this neighbourhood, has for some time been a Primitive Methodist minister at StQckton- on-Tees, in which place he preached his farewell sermon on Sunday last. He has been appointed superintendent minister at Alston, in the Carlisle and Whitehaven dis- trict, a country resort much frequented by visitors in summer. Mr Lane is to be pre- sented with a testimonial at Stockton-on- i'ees, where he has done good work in con- nection with young men and the Christian Endeavour movement. He also intends caking steps for graduating in a Geological Degree. He and his father have just spent a week together at Weston.

Trealaw. The anniversary services in connection with the junior corps (Sunday School) of the Salvation Army, Trealaw, where held on Sunday and Monday, and were conducted by Adjutant Baker and Lieut. McDonald (tormer officer of Trealaw). On Sunday afternoon the children's service was held. Recitations were given by Evan Thomas, "Only a child' Danny Morgan, "What a boy may do" Maud Stephens, "A Bunch of Snowdrops"; Reggie Williams, "A Christianlike Spirit"; Charlotte Jarman, "Bereaved mother" Mabel Whale, "Ten per cent," j Nellie Selwood, "Would you if you were me?" Mabel Spargo, "Forbid not the children" and a duet by David John and Dickie Harris. The juniors sang several pieces, conducted bv Ensign Spargo, and Lieut. McDonald gave an address. In the evening the juniors again sang, and ad- dresses were given bv J. S. Sergt. Major Harris, Lieut. McDonald, and Adjt. Baker. A prayer meeting followed, when two juniors and four seniors were converted. On Monday evening the following varied programme was very ably gone through by the children. Opening song, "Children sing for gladness,' brass band leading prayer song by juniors, "We're the junior sol- diers" duet by juniors Kelly and Channell recitation, Danny Morgan, "Did you-ever" dumb bell drill, Instructor Sergt. Major Harris; action solo by Nellie Griffiths; musical duet b- Bertie Thomas (cornet) and Wilfie Spargo, the four year old drummer duet by Maggie and Olive Spargo, "I will be a soldier"; double scarf drill, Instructor Ensign Spargo; recitation by Susie Sel- wood, "Don't send your child for the beer" song by members of the Band of Hope; duet by Willie and Albert Griffiths, "The Soldiers Victory" bar bell drill, Instructor Sergt. Major J. Harris; recitation by Bandsman Tommy Owen "The dying hus- band's farewell"; cornet duet by Bertie Thomas and Willie Morgans, "We shall all meet again" double flag drill, Instructor Ensign Spargo song by the juniors, "Sav- iour like a shepherd." The music for the drills was played by Bandmaster Thomas and Bandsman A. Waite. Special offer- ings were taken in aid of the children's out- ing. The strength of the school at present is 174 names on register, with an average attendance of 154. There is also a Band of Hope in connection with the junior corps with a membership of 45. Great credit is due to Mr Joseph Brown (secretary), Mrs Selwood( treasurer), Mrs Broom (Band of Hope leader) and Ensign Mrs Spargo for the successful outcome of the day.

Penygraig. We sincerely regret to hear that Ser- geant George Brown of the Scots Guards, has suffered severely from enteric fever. Sergeant Brown was under Lord Methuen, and passed successfully through all the engagements until he reached Johannes- burg, where he was stricken down with fever. Before leaving ior South Africa he was a Lance Corporal, but owing.to his per- severance and courage he was soon pro- moted to the rank of full sergeant. He regrets deeply that he cannot see the end of the war. His last letter to his parents states that he sailed from Cape Town in the "Armenian" on the 18th of last month. Accordingly he is almost due to arrive home now. What an opportunity for Penygraig people to shew their loyalty. We are glad to see the name of Mr Evan Lewis, of Ynyshir, on the list of successful candidates for Trefecca College. Ttfr Lewis was fifth in a list of ten candidates, a very creditable performance. He will acording- ly take up his studies at Trefecca late next September. He has on several occasions occupied the pulpit of Trinity Chapel, Ton- ypandy, and has a large circle of friend, in Tonypandy, who all wish him a straight and unbroken path to success. For two years he has been a student at the Univer- sity College, Cardiff.

Porth. A rather serious accident occurred near the Castell Coch Quarries on Monday even- ing. A young man of the name of Phil- lips, of Leslie Terrace, Porth, was proceed- ing at a good pace when the fork of his machine snapped, and he was thrown vio- lently. He was conveyed to Dr. Riseley's surgery, where it was found that part of his ear was torn off, and in addition he had sustained severe scalp wounds which were stitched.

Hafod. Presentation Meeting.—On Monday even- ing, a very interesting meeting was held at the English Wesleyan Chapel, to present Mr. Edwin Williams, Cheekweigher at the Great Western Colliery, with an illuminated address and a beautiful Marble Clock, on the occasion of his leaving the neighbourhood for America. The chair was occupied by Mr. John Evans, Hopkinstown. Songs were rendered during the evening by the following gentlemen—Mr. E. Jones, Mr. R. Collins and Mr. W. Jones. A good and suitable recitation was also given by Mr. David Felix. The Hopkinstown Glee. Party were in attendance, and rendered The Soldier's Farewell in grand style. Mr. Idris Morgan presided at the piano. Several gentle- men addressed the meeting and expressed their deep regret, on losing such a worthy man as Mr. Williams from the district. Mr. David Thomas, Cheekweigher, presented the address on behalf of the Great Western Colliery work- men, and the Chairman presented him with the Marble Clock. Mr. Williams suitably responded. A hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, and all who had taken part, was proposed and seconded. The rendering of the Welsh National Anthem, "Hen Wlad fy ISihadau'' by D. Thomas brought a most en- joyable evening to a close. Mr. Williams and his children, left for America on Tuesday morning.

Maerdy. The Ferndale Fire Brigade appeared be- decked in all their glory on Thursday even- ing. The usual crowd of small children followed in their wake. The fire brigade paraded the main streets. People are steadily going for the accus- tomed annual outing from here. The col- liers also, it appears are bent upon having their annual excursion, the event probably coming off on a Saturday two weeks hence.

Ferndale. On Tuesday morning last the sad news reached Ferndale that Dd. W. Morris, 17 years of age, and son of Mr Dd. Morris, Rhondda Terrace, Ferndale, had died sud- denly at Llandrindod. He had gone away a few days previously for the benefit of his health, which had been in a rather weak state for nearly eighteen months. It was thought that the bracing air of the wells would have been the means of recuperating him, and his sudden death came as a great surprise to his many friends. His remains were brought to ii erndale on Thursday even- ing. and were interred at the Mountain Ash Cemetery on the following Saturday, when the Rev. G. Penrith Thomas officiated. A beautiful wreath was sent by his young friends of the Trerhondda Chapel, where he was a most faithful member, and where he was connected with the Band of Hope and Young Men's Association. He was a young man of a most exemplary character and loved by all. We extend our deepest sym- pathy to the family in their sorrow.