Llais Llafur

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Senghenydd Relief Fund. I FUTURE ALLOWANCES TO FAMILIES. I The dependents on Senghenydd Disas- ter Relief Fund total 765; on the basis of existing allowances the total liabili- ties and assets of the fund on June 30 were Widows £79,742 Bovs £22,978 Girls -L22,492 Dependents ;9,11,356 Administration expenses £ 3,000 Total £ 139,568 The capital standing to the credit of I the fund was -0116,300. -The actuary has reported that the credit capital does not I admit of the payment of such liberal al- lowances as have been paid so far, and he therefore recommended to the com- mittee on Monday the following amend- ments Allowances to widows be reduced from 10s. to 9s. a, week; to boys and girls from 5s. to 4s. adult dependents now receiving 10s. to be reduced to 9s. allowances of a. less amount to adult de- pendents to remain as at present. The net result of these amendments would be to abate the liabilities by £18,279, and the investment of the fund at 3i instead of 3 per cent. would mean a further gain of 26,000. The committee adopted the actuary's amendments, which will come into force as from the next pay date. —————.

SENGHENYDD INQUIRY I Mr. Keir Hardie is to ask the. Secre- tary for the Home Department whether he has seen the result of the proceedings against the Senghenydd Colliery manager in connection with the recent disaster there; and whether, as a result of the evidence given and the 'findings of the Court, it is proposed to withdraw the manager's certificate. MINER'S SAFETY LAMPS. I Mr. Brace haa given notice to ask the Secretary for the Home Department if, in arriving at the standard for miners' safety lamps, the test laid down by the Home Office at their testing station is not one of sensitiveness to detect gas, but if the lamp can with safety be used in gas and, if so, what action is he prepared to take to ensure that miners' safety lamps shall not only be safe instruments to be used in gas, but possess the maximum capacity far detecting the presence of gas.

Neath Valley Lines. I THE G.W.R. BILL PASSED. I Lord Bristol's Select Committee of the House of Lords on Friday concluded the consideration of the Great Western Rail- way Bill, which proposes the construction of two new railways in Neath Valley for tho accommodation of new and existing collieries. The preamble was found proved. In continuation of the opposition of the Neath Canal Company, Mr. Wil- liams, managing director; his son, Mr. George Williams, manager and engineer, and* Mr. Crutwell, civil engineer, gave evidence to show that what the railway company proposed to do would hamper the property and prevent its develop- ment in the future as was intended. This concluded the case for the Canal Company, and the opoosition of the Neath Rural District Council was then taken. Mr. D. M. Davies, surveyor, con- tended that the railway were not wanted in the public interest, that they were mere accommodation railways for the benefit of the collieries, and that in those circumstances they oupht not to be al- lowed to interfere with existing condi- tions. Apart from the general princi- ples, the railways, as proposed, would cross the district roads at inconvenient places at insufficient heights and widths. After further evidence for the Dis- trict Council, Mr. Freeman, K.C., ad- dressed the Committee on behalf of the District Council. He aaked the Commit- tee if they passed the Bill to give the Council the bridges and protective works they had put forward as the minimum works for which they asked. Mr. Lloyd, K.C., replying for the Great Weetern. said it was absurd to suggest that these were not public rail- ways merely because they did not at, present intend to convey passengers. They had evidence that here was a large undeveloped ooh-lfrdd waiting to be worked, and this would .nrovide work for thousande of men. and that no develop- ment could take plaice if there were no railways laid there. If that was not a public purpose he did not know what was. The Ccomfntittoe found' the, preamble proved.

TO OUST RATE COLLECTORS A rate collector having resigned, the Shoreditch Borough Council do not propose to fifl the meaner, but to ex- pend part of the momney tihns f-avod by; introducing a calculating mnchine, "which will enter the respective col- lections and will fonr colnmns of fibres simultaneously," and thus re- c'a- b of considerable chei-Xing ivcr*

BIG LABOUR RALLY AT CARDIFF. Fighting Speech by Mr. Will Thorne. Trade Union week at Cardiff was brought to a close on Saturday with a. magnificent demonstration in Cathays Park, where some telling speeches were delivered. The excellent spade work done during the week, when over sixty open-air meetings were held, had borne good fruit, and several thousands of men, representing practically every Trade Union in the city, rallied to the call and took part in the procession through the principal streets to the park. MARCH OF TRADE UNIONISM. The speeches were delivered from two platforms. Mr. Will Thorne, M.P., who met with a tremendous reception, said that within the last two or three years they had enrolled a quarter of a million, men and women in the Trade Union movement, and if they could make the same proportionate progress during the next tew years they would have all the workers joined to their respective organi- sations. It seemed strange to him that in a city like Cardiff, where he supposed the majority of the inhabitants were of the wage-earning class, that they should send to Parliament a representative of the aristocracy. Cardiff ought certainly to return to the House of Commons a re- presentative of the Labour Party. (Cheers). If they only had as many Labour men as lawyers in Parliament they would make things hum, and some of the grave defects in their social system would soon be remedied. (Cheers). Speeche s were also delivered by Messr. W. McKay Wood (Machinist^.).. Gregory (Locomotive Enginenien and Firemen), C. H. Vincent (Workers' Union), Jack Jones (Gas Workers' Union), G., W. Mason (one of the South African deportees). J. H orison (Seamen), F. F. Clothier (Painters), A. J. Wil- liams (National Union of Railwaymen), Hicks (Bricklayers), Fred Bramley (Fur- nishing Trades), Ben Griffiths ('National Union of Clerks), H. Morrison ("The Daily Citizen"), and Miss McNeil. At the close the following resolution was submitted and carried with much enthusiasm: "That this meeting calls upon the workers of Cardiff to organise themselves in their respective Trade Unions, so that they may use both in- dustrial and political means to raise their standard of living and secure a. full life for themselves and their families:

LAND REVOLT. 1,500 STRIKE NOTICES. TROUBLE IN HEREFORDSHIRE. The dispute between the Herefordshire agricultural labourers and the farmers is coming to a head, the ranks of the Workers' Union being increased almost daily. Two years ago the men were un- organised. Now, owing to the ef forte of an agricultural labourer, Sidney Box by name, they are a force to be reckoned with. Sidney Box is now secretary for Herefordshire, and no longer an un- polished and illiterate enthusiast. On Friday nearly 1,500 notices were sent in to the farmers. The alternative to a strike is better pay and better hours of work, including a half holiday. This is only the first batch of notices; others will be forwarded in case the farmers still hold out. Some farmers have de- clared they will risk their harvest rather than recognise the Union. The last two harvests have been none too good. It now seems that the Union is not troubling go much about official recognition. Where farmers are treating their men well no effort will he made to call them out. "It is the sweaters we are against," declares Mr. Box. As the Union is ndvancing the officials consider there is ample time before them to await recognition. On the whole, the position, though serious, is a little more favourabltt towards a settlement than it was a week ago. BISHOP AS MEDIATOR. FARMERS REFUSE TO MEET LABOURERS. In an effort to settle the dispute be- tween farm labourers and their em- ployers in North Essex, the Bishop of Chelmsford attended at Haverhill' Town Hall on Monday, and met a number of officers of the Labourers' Union, and some strikers. The farmers who had been invited to the conference, despite his Lordship's appeal, refused to meet the Union representatives, and the proceed- ing proved abortive.

M.F.G.B. CONFERENCE I DELEGATES OPPOSED TO NATIONAL STRIKE. A conference of the Minors' Federation of Great Britain was held at Southport on Tuesday, to consider the dispute which has nxi.-wm between the Scottish coalowners and men as to the proposed restriction of output by working only four days a week. A proposal to t ake sympathetic action in other districts in support of the Scottish miners in the event of a stop- page met with considerable opposition. The conference adjourned until Wed- nesday morning, when a resolution, formulated by the executive, was sub- mitted to the delegates. I BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. The executive, after five hours' sitting, on Tuesday night decided to neconumend the conference to advise tha-t a ballot of the miners be tnken as to whether they are pi-epaxwl to rup- port the Scottish miners ifr.ancioJ'y or othcrwibe.

j KING OR COMMONS?  Crown and the Irish Question REM ASK AB: DEYELOI)- i ME^T: AMAZING SPEECH FROM THE SOVEREIGN. Recent developments in the Home Rule situation have been dramatic, if not epoch-making, and in view of the present situation, it may be of interest to trace the developments leading to the crisis with which the country is now faced. About a month ago, the Home Rule Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons, and by reason of its previous endorsement by the House was entitled to receive the Royal as- sent under the provisions of the Par- liament Act. Subsequently Mr Asquith put for- ward concessions on behalf of the Government, including exclusion of the Ulster •bounties'for a period of six rears, a fhte to he taken at the end of that phrjçcL. as to whether the Home Rule Parliament or remain out. The Ulster leaders demanded permanent exclusion, and the Groverninent s offer was re- jected. In fulfilment of nis offer to the House, the Premier later intro- duced an Amending Bill containing his previous offer to the Opposition, and this was sent to the Hou-e of Lords, wihere it was mutilated about beyond recognition. It has since come back to the Commons with the six year limit cut out, as well as the provision of voting by counties. I" short, the Lords decided for a virtual "clean cut,"—the permanent exclusion of the whole of Ulster. This would actually mean that counties where there is a clear majority for Home Rule would be excluded from the Home Rule Par- liament for all time. No action has "been taken in regard to the Aimvridin^ Rill since it came back to the House of Commons, but remarkable developments have oc- curred outside the House. In Ulster, arrangements have been completed for i the setting up of the Provisional Government. The Irish Nationalist volunteers on the other hand, are being rapidly mustered, and all will be armed in less than a v. eek. Last week-end, further changes 0('- curred, the Premier promisino, to make a statement in the House in regard to the situation. Mr Asquith delivered his announcement to a full house on Monday afternoon. It was to the effect that the King had decided to call a conference of leaders of both Parties of the House to meet a.t Buckingham Palace in order to en- deavour to arrive at a settlement. The leaders commanded to attend were: ) Two members of the Government: Mr Asquith. Mr Lloyd George, Two Leaders of the Opposition: Mr Bonar Law. Lord Lansdowne. Two Leaders of the Nationalist party: Mr John Redmond Mr John Dillon. Two Leaders of the Ulster Unionist party: Sir E. Carson. Captain Craig. The first meeting of the Conference took place on, Tuesday, when His Majesty addressed the members in the following remarkable terms: Gentleman,—It is with feelings of thankfulness and hopefulness that I re- ceive you here to-day, and I thank you for the manner in which you have re- sponded to mv summons. It is also a I matter of congratulation that the Speaker has consented to preside over your meetings. I My intervention at this moment may be regarded as a mew departure, but the exceptional circumstances under which you are brought together justify my action. For months we have watched with deep misgivings the course of events in Ireland. The trend has been surely and steadily towards an appeal to force and to-da the crv at civil war is on the lips of the most responsible and sober-minded of my people. We have in the past endeavoured to act as a civilising example to the world, and to me it is unthinkable, and it must be to you. that we should be brought to the brink of fratricidal I strife upon issues apparently so capable of adjustment as those you are now II asked co consider if handled in a spirit of generous, compa-onrise- My apprehension in contemplating such a dire calamity is intensified by I my feelings of attachment to Ireland and of sympathy with her people, who have always welcomed me with warm- hearted affection. Gentlemen, v pu represent in one form or another the vast majority of my subjects at lwine. You also hare a deep intereet in my dominions over eea, who are scarcely less concerned in a. prompt and friendly settlement of this question. I regard you, then, in this matter as trustees for the hon- our and peace of all. The conference again sat on Wed- nesday and yesterday (Thursday), but up to last evening no settlement had been arrived at. The general opinion among all parties is that it will bo abortive.

SWANSEA DOCKERS SATISFIED. Alderman 3terrelis Explains A largely attended meeting of the mem- bers of the Dockers' Union (Swansea branch) was held at the Elysium on Sun- day afternoon when the business was the discussion of the Dockers v. the Anima Company's agreement in connection with the Elysium Cinema Hall. The meeting was private. The course of events leading up to the discussion have arisen out of the new Dockers' Hall in High Street. The Dockers' Hall cost near £ 200,000. The Anima Company running the Elysium were granted a twenty-five years' lease of the hall alone. The latter directors include officials of the Dockers' Union. For the benefit of all concerned it was deemed advisable to have an explanation, and on Sunday Alderman T. Merrells (district secretary, Dockers' Union, Swan- sea) made a long statement, and the re- sult was the meeting was satisfied. Alderman Merrells stated there had been nothing to hide whatever and all the negotiations between the Dockers' Union and the Anima Company had been per- fectly above board. This was borne out by the production of the Executive Com- mittee's bock covering the last four or five years, and showing every transaction connected with the agreement in detail. From this it appeared that the Executive Committee, realising the Dockers' Union could not run a cinema, and having a hall eminently suited to the purpose, de- cided that the sub-letting should not go out of their hands, and officials of the Union (including Alderman Merrells) were granted an extended lease under the style of the Anima Company. No preference, it was explained, was shown, and the whole of the members, through their delegates, had assented to te arrangement come to. This provides (1) A rental to be paid by the Anima Company to the Dockers' Union of j3300. (2) A redemption fund at thc, rate of 2250 a year, which at the end of 25 years, will allow of the hall reverting back to the Union perfectly free of cost. (3) Te use of the hall any time re- quired by the Dockers' Union. The latter own the front shops. Alderman Merrells, to show his good faith, offered to dispose of his interest in the company to the members if they wished, and, furthermore, it was stated that more money would shortly Le re- quired and any member so disposed could obtain an interest. The point, as indicated by several ques- tions, was that the members were not aware of the circumstances, but this it was explained was not the fault of the 1 Ex-ecutive Committee, which delegates from all the district attended, and before which, as shown by the minute book, everything had gone through in proper order. One member was in favour of censuring the Executive, but there was no follow- ing, only three or four assenting to this course. The upshot of the meeting was that the explanation was accepted H" sat. isfactory. No resolutions were 1)is--ed.

I PLAITED HAIR. I MEDICAL OFFICER'S ADVICE TO I GIRLS AT SCHOOL. The annual report of the Breconshire School Medical Officer for 1913 is just to j hamd. It is written by Dr. J. C. Bridge, w ho recently resigned his position for an appointment under the Home Office. In presenting his report Dr. Bridge regrets that he is unable to report any advance in the scheme of medical inspection. During the years one of the Board oi Education's inspectors visited the county, as a result of this visit a, scheme ¡ for the employment of school nurses and for the medical treatment of children was drawn up. He would fail in his duty were he not to again urge the adoption of some scheme embracing the. sugges- tions, or some them, which he had out- lined, for it was essential that some ar- rangement for nursing and treatment 1\ should be arrived at. The report deals in great detail with the condition of the children in the schools, pointing out that as far as nutrition was concerned 19 per cent, of the boys might be classed as good, 16 per cent, normal, 13 below the normal, and only about 1 per cent, bad; whilst in the case of the girls 27 per cent. were good, 59 normal, 11 below the normal, and 1.5 bad. Of all the boys examined 82 per cent. were clean and only a very few dirty, and of the girls only 15 per cent. were below the required standard of cleanliness. It is essential, the doctor states, thfif. -111 new houses at the cheaper rentals shov.ld be fitted with bathrooms, and until tliip was done he fails to see how an improved standard of cleanliness will be possible. Referring to the importance of boys having their hair cut short and the girls plaiting their hair, Dr. Bridge states that at Llwynmadoc School every girl had her hair plaited, with most satisfactory results both in respect of cleanliness and appearance.

I MOTOR CYCLING ACCIDENTS Mr Dd. Llew Thomas, grooer, Ya- talyfera, whilst driving a motor oar ml Wednesday evening, new the Aubrey Arxu. ran into the wall. The car was damaged, but Mr Thomas escaped in- jury. On Wedmesiay afternoon vi-hilst J[)r. Lindsey, assistant to Dr. Lewis, was Motor cycling near tho Aubrey Arms, he was rnn into by a motor wagon, and Buataiuel a Jiglit injury to Lis knee.

PONTARDAWE COUNCIL The fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held on Thursday, Mr. Morgan Davies presiding. Present: Messrs. D. J. Jones, Hy. Thomas, Dd. Jenkins, W. Davies (B); W. D. Davies, David Lewis, Owen Davies, F. R. Phillips. R. Thomas, T. A. Evans, T. Wade Evaois, R. A. Jones, J. G. Harris, D^.vid Lloyd, J. M. Davies, J. D. Rees, E. Hopkin, L. W. Francis, together with the officials. THE PROPOSED PONTARDAWE HOUSING SCHEME. Arising out of the mintes, Mr J. M. Davies stated that deputations had I been appointed to interview landlords in reference to sites for the Clydaeh and G.C.G. housing scheme, but no de- puta.tion had been appointed to see the Ponitardawe landlords. He moved that the local members be appointed as a deputation to interview the local land- lords in the same way as for Clydach and G.C.G. Mr Jas. Thomas said the only differ- ence was that sites had been decided upon for the G.C.G. and Clydseh schemes. They could not very well ap- point a deputation of the Pontardawe members until the Council had chosen a site. Mr F. R. Phillips moved that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman (Mr J. M.- Davies). and Mr J. G. Harris be the deputation. Mr R. A. Jones: I should like to propose Mr Francis. Mr Phillips: He is not present. The three gentlemen named were ap- pointed. Mr W. Davies asked what had been done in reference to the Caegurwen Water Supply. The Engineer, referring to the pre- vious question, suggested that one of the members of the deputation should be chosen for Cilybebyll. Mr Dd. Lewis: The water supply at Caegurwen is a scandalous shame The Chairman: Wait a moment, Mr Lewis. We will come to that matter in a moment. We have not finished with the other question. Mr David Lewis: 1 have waited 12 months-(laughter) After further discussion the deputa- tion was chosen as follows: Messrs. J. M. Davies, L. W. Francis, J. G. Hnn is and David Lloyd. In reply to Mr Lewis, the Engineer stated that the Waterworks Committee were at present negotiating with Earl Cawdor in respect of the Caegurwen Water Supply. The Rev. E. Davies said there would be a plentiful supply of water if the old pipes were replaced by new pipes. I ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Engineer reported that Messrs. Scott pud Middleton, eontraotor for the new branch of the Great Western Railway applied for permission to lay; temporary level crossings on Vardre road. Clydach, and, Gellyluog road, Rhydyfro, plans of which accompanied the application.—Granted. DISTRICT WATER SUPPLY. I The Engineer further reported that he had served notices on the owners of the public houses.owners of bakeries, chip potatoe shops, hauliers and post- ing establishments in the district to fix meters on their respective water services, and he had prepared a state- ment showing the houses connected, and those not connected. The Rev. E. Davies said fhere were some semi-millionaires in the Pontar- dawe area who were the owners of con- servatories, and ud more water during the past fortnight that many who were compelled to have a metier fixed to their water service. Water used in conservatories was not for domestic purposes. Mr J. G. Harris asked the rev. gentleman to withdraw the remark that there n-cre.,FPTne semi-millionaires in Pontardawe with conservatories. He asked that it he withdrawn or proven. Mr R. A. Jones: Walk out of the board-room-(I,n iigh t er) Rev. E. Davies: I don't think that any member of this Council ha.s a right to ask me to withdraw anything. I will agree with the Chairmanrn'ing, but I am not ruled by Mr Harris. Mr J. G. Harris: You accused Pont- ardawe. The Chairman: No; lie said the Pontardawe area. The Engineer said members wcrH assist him by sending in to him, a list of names of those who used water ff;), oonseratori es. I The Chairman suggested that the matter should be sent to the Water- works Committee for consideration. Mr W. Griffiths said two members of the Council possessed glasshouse*, ::1r1 they had no meter, whereas others had been comneHed to put in meters. Mr F. R. Phillips said that the T- tncl o l?i- >aton,e-rix r^mde by Messrs. Lewis and Griffith* he made to the 'Y:l"C'T- vorks C"'??'.itt-ec, aa they were we- wlia.t serious accuMtiona, and he thought it nn]v right that the Com- mittee ?'?)?hl be. placed in ix*&e&?aon of the full facts. The Chairman's suggesHoii w?s adopted. The Clydaeh waterman reported tha1, on July 1 Ohh he saw a man rJohn Thomea cairrving wafrer from the Cciia- cdl's supply for tempe.-in mo"b.r in buikling the addition to the ColHers' Arms, Trebanos. The Council deoided that the man should appear before the Oouccil and give an explanition. I ANOTHER BEE IN THE FRANCIS BONNET. i Mr. L. \V. Francis I should like to | ask the Enginter one question. You have got a sewer running up from G.C.G. to Cwmgorse. How long has that been completed ? The Engineer Six or seven years. Air. Francis Well, when public bodies go to the expanse of constructing sewers we naturally expect people for whom they were constructed to connect with those sewers. Have you requested these people for whom the sewer was made to connect ? The Engineer So far as my knowledge goes all that possibly could connect have connected. There are houses that cannot ccamect. Mr. Francis: Why is that? Mr. R. A. Jones Because water will not run uphill. (Laughter). The Engineer I suppose that is the answer. (Renewed Laughter). Mr. Francis Is it true tInt there are a very large number of houses not con j nected with this sewer at G.C.G., anl for that reason we are compelled to pay the night cart, week after week, month after month, year atter year, for col- lecting that so:I which it was the inten- tion of the Council to uo away with. The Engineer No, sir; you are not up with the geography of Cwmgorse. On the lower side you cannot connect with the sewer. The sewer was only intended to connect with the upper side and, pos- sibly, any houses that could be connected to drain in from the lower side, where we could get a sufficient fall,—one in sixty. We could not connect the major- ity of the houses on the lower side. The Council decided not to put down a deep sewer but to leave that for the future. Mr. Francis made several further at- tempts to question the Engineer, when the chairman said, "I don't want to stop you, Mr. Francis, but you are quite out of order. Mr. Francis You may send it to the committee if you like. W Mr. R. A. Jones I don't suppose the committee can alt-er the laws of gravi- tation. (Laughter). Mr. Francis What committee do you suggesit ? The Chairman The Sanitary Com- mittee. Mr. Francis It is too bad that we are paying for clearing these w.c.'s when these people can connect. If their pre- sent w.c. 's don't do it we must request them to build sewers to answer the pur- pose. Mr. W. D. Davies It is a wrong thing to ask these people to do it. be- cause we have not a proper supply of water. Mr. W. Griffiths I think it is right that this question should be raised, and every ratepayer should !_•- treated tho same. These houses are from Thomas Owen's up to Abernant, and every house can be connected. We have been paying for the removal of night soil all this time. The Chairman This question should have been placed upon the agenda. Mr. Francis I am quite agreeable. I don't want to jump on the Engineer. The Engineer It. is not a. question for the Engineer at all, but for the Sanitary- Inspector. If there is a house that can be connected it is for him to call upon them and see that they connect. It is my duty to construct the sewer, and not to see that they connect. The Chairman's suggestion was agreed to. I BAD FISH. Th-o Sanitary Inspector reported that on the 18th inst. he had suspected the, contents of a cart belonging to William Scott, 29, Orchard Street, Swansea, at New Road, Yniemeudwy, and there found a quantity of mackerel (181bs.) which were unsound, which he seized and had them condemned by a magis- trate. It was decided to take proceedings against Scott. I INSPECTION OF HOUSES. The Inspectors reported that the num- ber of inpections made under the Hous- ing and Town Planning Act of 1909 from June 25th to July 22nd was 550, of whick 266 were made at G.C.G., 40 at Clydach, 166 at Ystalyfera and 78 at Pontardawe. The number of preliminary notices served was 14, 11 for dilapidation, and 3 for back arrears. I WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Mr. F. R. Phillips, chairman of the Water Supplies Committee, reported that on Thursday last a sub-committee had an interview with the Swansea Corpora- tion, as a result of which the following ngreemant was arrived at :—1, Term, 10 years from the let April, 1912; 2, supply by meter at 6d. per 1,000 gallons; 3, I 200,000 gallons allowed each year free of charge, being an estimate of what in one year with another may be used in the district for extinguishing fires; 4, the Corporation could not admit in prin- ciple the right to deduction in respect of leakages in the Council's distributing J mains, but in exceptional circumstancci they would consider any claim upon its I particular merits; 5, minimum supply to he 40 miHions for the current year, rin in each-year of the remaining e' ht v. trs of the time by half a million gal 'hp actu-1 consumption of water in the past 4 yc-ar* was as follows :— March 31et, 1SU 4" 150.000 callons. 1912 4^.709.000 „ 1913 32,223.600 i, M4 61,554.00-0 183.636,600 „ Average 45,909,000 In consideration of this increased mini- mum quantify .he Corpoiration agre.ed to .-xpunge the clause which restricted thlt Council from developing any further sup- plies of water either within or without the rural district. The only restriction within the term is that the Council can- rot, wnlem eompelled by statute, ,pur- e hase water for consumption from any other Corporation,. Council or Company supplying water and-or an Aet of Parlia- ment. Furlhcr, it wfwt airbed thi, the clause w.'h'ch fltv- the Borovgh F.ngineer the •itrht to C'nt ryff th- surnly i;, rose of < .u th"? bc.rcough should be (.c:- pun<?-d. 1<+tt\t »n nnderst^nding has bom- arriv'-d at, 4w Committee will preowd to further rfiswenB tfce provision of fire I '1, Tt,. at t a meeting to be held at an early date. The report was adopted.

Paltry Fines Inflicted. FARCIAL PROCEDURE. I FARCIAL PROCEDURE. At Caerphilly on Saturday, the local .,magIstrates delivered their judgment in the Home Office prosecution against the owners of the Universal Colliery, Senghenydd (Lewis Consolidated Col- lieries, Ltd.), and the manager (Ed. Shaw). There were some 17 charges against Shaw and four against the Company. The summonses against the manager, the magistrates stated, had been practically been reduced to ten. A fine of £ 5 was imposed against Shaw for not appointing in writing a lampman to' examine the lamps on the surface, JS5 for not appointing a. competent person to unlock the lamps in the mine, L5 for neglecting to enter in a book the read- ings of the barometer, thermometer and hydrometer, JB5 for not having a report as to the condition of the coal dust along the main haulage roads and £10 for not providing means for reversing the air .current. INJUNCTION DISMISSED. I The other charges were dismîssed. The total of fines and costs amounted to £ 50 5s. Od. The four informations against the com- pany were dismissed on the grounds that in appointing a competent certificated manager as agent, who had sole control of management and direction of the col- liery, the company had taken all neces- sary steps to enforce the Act and thtf rules. The company did not interfere with the management, and made all finan- cial and other provisions to enable the manager to carry out his duties. The magistrates found, therefore, that so far as they had been proved, the offences had been committed without the know- .ledge, consent or connivance of the com- i. pany. REASONABLY PRACTICABLE. I Of the summonses dismissed against the manager the one of "neglecting to sys- tematically clear the roof sides and floor of the roads, so as to prevent as far as practicable the coal dust acctimulating," was the most important from a collier's point of view. The magistrates stated that after serious consideration of the evidence of experts on both sides they came to the conclusion that the manager "had done all that vvas iearonally prac- ticable in the circumstances to prevent the accumulation of coal dust and dis- missed the summons. A request to state a case on this sum- mons was made, and the Bench said such application had better be made in writ- ing. The total amount of B50 5s. Od. repre- sents the legal culpability of the colliery management for one of the biggest in- dustrial slaughters in the history of -coal mining.

Widows and prphans Pay the Price. (COMPANY ESCAPE SCOT FREE. I 'Writing on the decision of the Court, I 'Mr. Albert Thomas, C.C., sub-agent and secretary of the Rhymney Valley District j -of Miners, said :—"The whole thing to me is a farce from beginning to end. It amounts to this, I suppose—Mr Shaw is fined a few pounds, and the company is let off scot free. The position of the company from the point of view of the magistrates is 'as you were before it happened.' But unfortunately they can- not say this to the widows and orphans at Senghenydd; they pay the price, they bear the suffering." MR WALTER LEWIS. Mr Walter Lewis, agent for the Rhym- f :ney Valley, said "The thing is farcical. We must have an Act of Parliament that will bring home to colliery managers .offences against the rules. The same applies to the allegations against the -company. We must have an Act of Par- liament that will hold the company -directly responsible, not only for giving instructions, but for seeing that those in- structions are carried out, and that in de- fault thereof they should be liable to fines or imprisonment." MR JOHN WILLIAMS, M.P. "I believe these convictions will have < very beneficial effect upon the manage- ment of collieries generally. Workmen have in the past thought that the law existed to punish workmen alone, but now it is made clear that those who are responsible for the limbs and lives of men underground must observe their share ,of the law under pains and penalties. Fines have been impo&ed upon the manager of the Senghenydd Colliery for •neglecting safeguards so necessary to the men under his care. The fact that Mr. Shaw is the person fined doee not give me or the men any satisfaction. Neither would I wish to ray one word against Mr Shaw personally. It is. the system we are pleased to Bee is being pilloried, pecially in these days when there is so much serious competition between managers of collieries to secure the largest possible output at the lowest possible -cost. MR. C. B. STANTON Mr C. B. Stanton said he disagreed from the principle whereby local magis- trates acted upon a cam of this kind. A -trial like this one should have been b&- fore a tribunal of experts--rnrB who understood and appreciated most thorough 'ly the importanoe of their decision upo. j future hapenings. He would emphasise that punishment should be of a reforma- tive character, and with such a tribunal as he had) suggested, managers would have little oport,mlity to escape from the very just liabilities in case of Wrible -diWtA" «»r» bo r.x. ■«rcis&i. It, tliom as miners' leaders and men to agitate more strongly than ever for greater safety in mines. Whether it was a case of a man carrying, matches or one in which there, were breaches by the management, there should be no feeling, and the tribunal should be similar to the one he had re- ferred to. A Minister of Alines should be appointed, and a tribunal of experts with a representative of owners and miners as well as the outside public.