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Save Himself Who Can. I
Save Himself Who Can. I A WORKMAN'S VIEW OF THE MINING II SITUATION. I TO THE EDITOR. If there is one question that appears to stand I out baldly in relief at this particular stage of our industrial life, it is the recent order of the Government, re the Combing-out of the Mines Order. So vital has this question become, that it has aroused a section of the Miners' Federation,-a section that will make itself heard,—to the inevitable result that the miners' immunity from Compulsion is only a matter of time. The arrangement arrived at ISetween the Miners' Executive atad the Hdme Secretary while putting a coating of sugar on the pill, still lef t. the pill to be swallowed, and its effect to be felt if the men were examined in the most up-to- date consulting room, or given three months' grace" instead of two. The result of that in- terview brought before the Conference at Car- diff on Tuesday, February 13th inst., was quite the opposite to relief cfci the part of the majority of the delegates present. After the rejectment of th terms, we gettthe same old bogie warn- ing the miners that their mandates are not being carried out properly, and that a correspondent .has been ia communication with a miner who h as iia coin:riiun.ica, states that his lodge never gave such a mandate to their delegate, and that such delegates are voicing their own personal views. Even at the conference a miners' agent went so farls to say that, if the delegates of his district voted against the acceptance of the terms, he was sure that they ware not carrying out the wishes of the ma- jority of the workmen in "his" district. Is it not always the same, if the Executive prepare a scheme of some sort they are naturally incensed if the rank and file do not accept the same with- out question. That is a failure attributable either to their inability to stand criticism, or that they put self-aggrandisement before the real need of the workmen. I don't mean to say that an agent should sink his personality simply because he is a paid servant of the organisation, any more than he should try by that self-same personality to force his projects down the throats of work- men, when they do not COilne within the scope of his ideals. We know that the capitalist tries by all the means in his power to belittle the ideals of the working class movement, into such ana- t'hemas as, anarchy, revolutionaries, syndicalism and sociaSsm, and "PoaGe Cranks," but the un- ??db lI* me way in which kindest cut of all is the sublime way in which some of our Leaders co-operate with the capital- ist class in the furtherance af the war. Some of these leaders are men who have spent time at colleges learning our industrial history, logic (?) and economics, no doubt the learning of these subjects place them in privileged positions, it cer- tainly leaves them privileged to keep to them- selves the knowledge that the working class ought to have, and which they ought to convey to them in a fearless manner. Supposing they told the worker a little of the history of the Thirty Years AVai- when Germany was supposed to be effectually ruined, Flanders laid low, and peace did not come until utter exhaustion made it absolutely imperative, and every leader who took part in the beginning of the war was in his grarre. Or the Great War which was in pro- gress just a century ago, which cost us about 832 millons sterling, and the beautiful relations that existed between employer and employed; or a galley slave would be a better name for him, how 26 y" ears after this war there were 1,200 ar- ticles in the customs tariff. Wheat rose up to 100! per quarter. The poverty of the working cljiss at that time (and every other time, world without end, until the present system is broken) was the wealth of the wealthy, who being pri- vileged as a class did just as they liked; and as they do to-day, they obtained the prohibition of foreign corn except at famine prices, continually rose rente, until riots broke out everywhere, among agricultural labourers, miners, and arti- sans, who wreaked their vengeance on machines invented by the capita-list, thinking they (the machines) had stolen their bread. No doubt it is so much easier sailing with the stream, and to be at peace with the economically powerful; and those who are afraid to sta'te their real feelings, beeause of the powers that be, you can then with ¡ sa-fetf label those opposed to warfare on economic and other grounds (because of the great majority behind you); as smasher-s up of the great or- ganisation, the Miners' .Federation, owing to the face that you feel too raspectabLe to oppose what shall be to the everlasting discredit of a nation such as ours, Military Compulsion, and unveiled Industrial Compulsion. Dealing with delegates and their various functions when attending con- fereoees on behalf of the workmen, in a number of cases they do not al- ways get mandates, for instance, when called upon to receive Executive reports, with the result that they have to use such dis- cretion, which must fee guided by the attitude of their Lodges to such questions in the past. Some Lodges hold advanced views with regard to an Executive Council acting on behalf of the organi- sation, before consulting them as to what lines they shall proceed on, and much can be said for this procedure, it carries this added strength with it; that the strength of the whole organisation backs up the demands of the party who are de- pated to put the demand s forward. But here again you are faced with an injured dignity, and reproached for not trusting your accredited leaders, with threats to resign, and swhat not, and you giTe in; your position now becomes per- oeptably weaker, for had you insisted upon hav- ing the formulating of the demands before being submitted, you would not be called together until your demands were granted, or, on the other hand. absolutely refused. I had to listen to a delegate the other evening who told a mass meet- ing that he would refuse to go to the confer- ence unless they gave him a mandate to accept the report of the Executive Council on the ques- tion of the Comb-Out of the Mines. This dele- gate was over military age, and in my humble opinion the acceptance of this report was tanta- mount to the more privileged miner holding the whip hand, as it was upon the unanimity of his -vote, that would first of all send off the first ateh of workers conscripted from the mines; and thereby put off the evil time (perhaps for good) when he may have t. go himself. I should like to say that for these miners to be consistent with the way they voted, it would have been far more to their credit to have said, you are now recognised members of the Federation, we have accepted you as such, we shall ask in the name of the organisation, that we shall have the industry removed kom the schedule of barred indus- tries," we want to see the war fought out to a military and naval victory, and the only way pos_ sible is that we shall assist you, and not send you to the slaughter by reason of any privelege the way of immunity from Military Service s that we possess, you are somethl-ng more 1 a 2 ¡ a month brother," or we must pro- with all the vehemence and industrial weight we possess, to get this insidious measure; if rom our memories, at least from the Capital- Statute Book. How much easier you would in voud minds when you could say, If I ■ t this war to continue I will at once go to brother's assistance. All my bel owings and pourings are as a tree that bears no fruit, nothing but-leaves, "if I leave him to languish in his agony and do nothiag more than send someone out to him. Perhaps my vote may send out some chap with a wife and family, or a widowed mother, while I am a single follow, but exempted because I am a bonafide miner, I think war is fine and we IR haVe war, you know, the 'Bible say's so, therefore it must be true; and when wars finish altogether, that will be the end of the world." Now, when I think more serious- ly T. am sure this world would be worth livirlg in if we were at peace with one another, not rushing at one another's throats with bayonets, facing rifle, and machine gun, ugh! however could I have sent out this chap. Why in the name of common-sense aan't we stop it, ah! I have said it now, where was my commonsense a. few hours ago, I have only made it possible for it to be prolonged. What is now my position that I have begun to see, I don't want the war to continue, I want to get my ofcfam back; I might as well cry for the moon, I have lost the ideal that I once possessed by the return of com- mon-sense, lere appears nothing else to be done than to go out and reap the fruits of my own folly. Result, another true partiot, going out to fight for the freedom of the Old Country; and for the extension of capitalist monopoly. "Guerre a outrance. Those who are at present asking for peace are under a stigma, lboe who want the fight to pro- ceed are in the ascendant. Worked out to their logical conclusion what do they actually mean. You ask sor a fight to the bitter end, unin- structed democracy and capitalist alike; you are one in this, wastage of valuable man-power which the nation depends on for its future development, a, war of annexation and not ideal, increased ar- maments and standing armies, to finish all wars (?) stupendous war loans, that will only weaken our economic position, poverty arising out of the re-action of such, the spoils to the economically strong. What do you gain, a spurious wealth of compulsory statutes, brought about by your own blindness, and what the labourer returned will ultimately curse vou for. I C. G. FORESTER. ——
I" -' '1 £1 . r-r"l- icati-e.…
I  '1 £1 r-r"l icati e i he Electric T heatre. ,,0. I. "I A Despite assurances to the contrary, I was doubtful of the pleasure I should derive from the "Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks," at the Electric this week, and for the reason that the last official cinema films of the war left me with an impression that the pictures might just as easily have been taken in Sussex, or on Salisbury Plain, as "Somewhere in Franse." Certainlv tha t charge cartuot be brought against the picture version of "The Battle of the Anore," though here again I am afraid that the censorship at Headquarters has deprived us of much that would have interested and educated us, even though it might have ap- palled. There is something fascinatfng in watch- ing the preparations of strong men for battle, something hurting in the thought that many who so light-heartedly joke with their fellows will be agonised in wounds or dead ere the mor- row, but it is all so hurifan; so typical of man as he is, blindly struggling without thought of self in defence of an ideal and an idea; strug- gling, he believes, towards the mail of a war which will straighten out the tangled s keins of the past, and wipe war for ever from the pages of the future history of civilisation. To me these are erroi*s, but I am of the same stuff of the Jock or Tommy so clearly portrayed on the screen my idealistics, though my view-point dif- fers materially on its attainment, and I respect him the while I hold him wrong. The picture is not only interesting; it is a wonderful tribute to man; a lesson in the psychology of humanity that one forgets in the excitement of these very real war scenes, but remembers with a touch of pride, albeit of regret that the ways of its pro- gression are so tortuous and painful. Essentially it is a picture to see. Next week's first programme is headed with The Sorrows of Love," one of the prettiest and most romantic Triangle dramas that has been photographed. Bessie Barriscale is playing the principal part in this absorbing drama of Italian life and love. The comedy is The Mystery of Leaping Fish *—a real scream of delight, and there are many interesting shorter reels. From Thursday the management have a real house-ifller topping in the picturisation of Rex Beech's most vivid story "The Spoilers," the best thing that has been done of Klon'dyke life, short of Jack London's Burning Daylight." It is a Selig masterpiece, and the chief parts have fallen t-o popular Wm. Farnum and Kiathlyn Williams. PLAYGOER.
Dowlais Notes.
Dowlais Notes. I Dowlais Co-operative Society. The quarterly meeting was held in the Base- ment Hall, Dowlais Library, on Friday, Febru- ary 23rd, Ald. C. J. Griffiths, president of the Society, m the chair. There was a splendid at- tendance of members. The report, as presented by the Secretary (Mr. John fivans), stated that the sales for the quarter amounted to £ 36,357 8s. Sid., an increase of LIP,982 6s. Hd. over the corresponding period of 1915. The share capital amounted to Clg,873 14s. lid., an in- crease of £ 4572 2s. 4d. as compared with a year ago. The net surplus for disposal was £ 1937 13s. 6Jd., which was disposed of by paying a divi- dend of Is. in the F to members, 6d. in the £ to non-members, £ 15 for educational purposes, and zClo6 9s. 6Jd. to the reserve fund. Fourteen claims were received during the quarter under the Collective Life Assurance Scheme, and the sum of of t74 6s. 6d. had been paid to the rela- tives. The following donations were approved: L2 2s. to the British Ambulance Committee, £1 Is. to the Roval National Lifeboat Institu- tion, and £ 1 Is. to the N.S.P.O.C. Ald. C. J. Griffiths was unanimously elected president for the ensuing 12 months, and the three retiring committee men-Messrs. R. Lewis, E. H. Mor- gans and Joseph Jones—were re-elected. An in- teresting and good humoured debate took place on the system of distribution of sugar. Owing to the late hour the members agreed to postpone the discussion of the suggested altera- tion of rules to a. special meeting on Friday, March 2nd, at 7.30 p.m. Dowlais Picture House Mishap. While attempting to start. a gas engine at. a Dowlais picture house (the Oddfellows'-hall) James Evans (43), slipped, and one of his hands, was caught between the spokes of a flywheel and was torn open. Dr. R. S. McClelland said at an inquest that death was due to tetanus. Verdict: Accidental death."
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Pontypridd Notes. I
Pontypridd Notes. I Pontypridd I.L.P. The annual meeting of the Pontypridd I.L.P. was held on Sunday. The election of officers re- sulted in Comrade Pryoe Vaughan being elected chairman, D.' Davies vice-chairman, Owen Hughes lecture secretary, John Baker (re- elected) treasurer, J. A. Cox secretary. N.U.R. ihe N.U.R. Branch at last Sunday's meeting I decided to protest against the manner the addi- tional allowance to old-age pensioners are grant- ed. At the annual meeting of the Trades Council held on Wednesday night it was stated that the Council was nearly out of debt.
! Bargoed Notes,I I »
Bargoed Notes, » Fatal Aeoident. M n 1, John btepnenson, 2z, collier, or liiltacn-street, Bargoed, sustained fatal injuries by a fall of roof at the Britannia Colliery, Pengam, on Thursday last. i I.L.P. Sewing Class. The lady members of the I.L.P. are about to start a new needlecraft class in connection with the Socialist Sunday School, to be held on Tues- day evening from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. each week, j We hope the ladies will rally round and make this cl-,t,ss :a success. Study Circle. At our Study Circle on Sunday last Comrade McKenzie gave us another treat, his paper being entitled, The youngest of the new religions," There was a good discussion. The collection was added to the Burston School Strike Fund. Next Sunda v we will continue to discuss I.L.P. leaflet No. 3. Bargoed Corner Stone. Comrades will be pleased to learn that the Bargoed I.L.P. have secured a Cornerstone in the New School at Burston, and that P.2 10s. has been sent on as part payment for same. There is still L2 10s. to be collected to complete the cost of the stone. Will the comrades who have promised to subscribe to the Burston Fund J kindly do so at the earliest opportunity.
I Gilfach Goch Notes.I
Gilfach Goch Notes. I Shortage of Coal. The delivery of coal is a very grievious matter. Very often people have to wait as much as two months or more after ordering same from the colliery. In many instances there is no coal whatever to light fires with for the duration of weeks before the coal arrives at the workmen's homes. This matter should be seen into at, once, before the health of miners become injured through the shortage of fire, and becomes the means of causing absenteeism.
¡Bedlinog Notes. I
Bedlinog Notes. Obituary. Last Thursday the funeral of the late Mr. Robert Davies, Commercial-street, took place at I Graig Fargoed Cemetery; the Rev. David Davies, B.A. (vicar) officiating. Miners' Meeting. A joint meeting of the Bedlinog miners was held at Gosen Hall on Friday. Guardian Bolwell presided. Mr. David Richards gave a report of the miners' conference at Cardiff. Bedlinog vote was recorded with the minority and against ac- cepting the proposals of the M..F.G.B. Executive. I I.L.P. At the last weekly meeting of the local branch of the I.L.P. Comrade J. A. Williams read a paper, 'i^fveir Hardie: His Life and his Mes- sage." Others followed with interesting reminis- cences. Hardie visited Bedlinog as far back as 1898, and addressed a meeting for the I.L.P. branch there. His dose connection with the village continued until the end. Found in Reservoir. The body of a middle-aged man was found in a reservoir at Deri on Thursday, and was later identified as that of John Morgan (32), an ostler, formerly in the employ of Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, Limited, Bedlinog. The body, which appeared to have been in the water for two or three months, was in a decomposed con- diticai, and was only identified by means of a pay docket, recovered from one of his pockets.
I Abercynon Notes. I
I Abercynon Notes. I Personal. Congratulations to Nurse S. A. Williams, daughter of Mr. Enoch Williams, Plantation- road, Aberycynon, on her success in passing her final examination. Drama. I The Mountain Ash Dramatic Society, The Masquer adors," scored a great success in their presentation of "The Walls of Jericho" at the HaM on Wednesday (21st). The performance was held under the auspices of the Aberycynon Queen Mary's Needlework Guild, and the entire proceeds will be devoted to the local war funds. The able manner in which the play was ren- dered is worthy of the highest praise, but the pleasure of the evening was greatly marred by the rowdyness of the younger section of the audience. It is to be feared that the Ladies' Guild will find great difficulty in securing the services of such societies as The Masqueradors" unless they place some restrictions on the attend- ance of school children.
I Tonyrefail Notes. I
I Tonyrefail Notes. I I Funeral. I I On Monday last, February 26th, the funeral I of the late Mrs. M. John, wife of Mr. Evan John, of Pritehard-str?et, Tonyre?ail, to0k place at the New Cemetery. Oymrodorion Society. At the above Society on Tuesday evening, tne 20th inst., a lecture on "Dafydd ap Gwllym" was delivered by Mr. D. Charles Morgan, Yny- shir. Co-operative Education. I The Co-operative Society have secured the ser- vices of Mr. Frank Hodges for two lectures at Gilfach and Penygraig, on March 6th and 7th. We hope that a large nuijiber of trade unionists and co-operators will avail themselves of this op- portunity to hear this well-known miners' leader. The subject will be Co-operation and the La- bour Movement." Free lantern lectures are to be organised in Tonyrefail, Coed Ely, Gilfach and Pectygraig, il- lustrating the" soory" of co-operation. The adult class is proving a great success at Tonyre- fail, also the juvenile class at Gilfach, where over 80 students have been enrolled. I Study Group. I The inauguration of a class for the stwdy of Mr. 9. Graik's text book, The History of the Modern British Working-class Movement," is a stop in the right direction, and the public are invited to join (free). The first class will be held on Sunday, March 4th, at 3.30 at The Shop," Pretoria-road.
Merthyr Notes.
Merthyr Notes. I mportant to I.L.P.-grs. Next Tuesday's meeting of the Merthyr I.L.P. will be a special meeting, at which aN present will be asked to ballot for the Welsh Divisional Representative en the N.A.0. Shortage of Potatoes. Owing to a shortage of potatoes the dietary at the Llwydcoed Oottiage Homes of the Merthyr Guardians has been varied. Train Fares and Expenses. Merthyr Guardians have advanced travelling allowances to officials by 50 per cent. to meet in- creased railway fares. Old Industrial Schoolboy. An old boy from the Merthyr Guardians- Schools at Aberdare, who joined the Public Schools Brigade from Goldsmith's College, Loa- don, has been recommended for .a commission after being for several months in the thick of it in France. Canon Lucan's Successor. DT. Ansekn Wilson, Liverpool, has taken up his duties as successor to the Rev. Canon Lucan at St. liityd's Church, Dowlais. H I deal" Successes. The following is the list of Ideal successes, in the Pitman shorthand examinations, promised in our last issue — Speed (100 words per minute): Mr. Alun Wil- liams, 3 Morlais-street, Dowlais (prizewinner) Mr. John Williams, 53 Well-street, Dowlais (80 words per minute); Mr. Haydn Griffiths, 3 Li- banusstreet, Dowlais; Miss Cissie Jones, 7 Awelfryn, Penydarren; Miss Hilda Williams, 1 Greenfield-terrace, Penydarren (60 words per minute) Miss Freedman, 13 Penybryn Villas, Penydarren. Theory: Miss May Lewis, 3 Park Row, Mer- thyr (prizewinner); Miss Alice Hale, Greenhill, Abercanaid; Miss Hetty Hale, Greenhill, Aber- canaid; Miss May Jones, 7 Ivor Terrace, Dow- lais Miss Elethea Jones, 7 Awelfryn, Penydar- ren. E. T. Poi-ell 3," Elementary: Mr. E. J. Powell, 37 Nantygwen- iijli-street, Merthyr (prizewinner);; Mr. Joseph Price, Hank Villa, Cefn; Mr. David Price, Aber- taf, Cefn; Miss Mary Williams, 10 Pant-road Ter_ race, Dowlais; Miss Sarah Thomas, 27 George- street, Merthyr; Mr. Gilbert Lloyd, Penyard, Swansea-road; Miss Agnes M. Davies, 3 Station- road, Cefn: Mr. David W. Roes, 13 Waterloo- street. Merthyr. In four months 37 students from the "Ideal" School have passed commercial examinations, this being a record which will compare with any commercial school in the British Isles. Railway Clerk's Presentation. The affectionate regard with which his fellow- employees of the Taff Vale Goods Department at Merthyr holds Mr. W. Loudon, of that depart- ment, and an enthusiastic worker on behalf of the Railway Clerks' Association, was manifested on Saturday when he was made the recipient of a wristlet watch, subscribed by the staff. The presentation was made on behalf of the staff bv Mr. R. Millward (Chief Clerk). Mr. Loudon left on Monday to take up service in H.M. Naval Re- serve. Whist Drive. Mrs. Harry Davies and Mr. J. H. Jones car- ried off the prizes at Bentley's Hall last Satur- day night. Both have headed the list on pre- vious ocasions. As "doublers" are becoming frequent of late the infusion of new blood would be welcomed. Now, ye who have faith in your prowess, roll up and see if the flags of the cham- pions cannot be lowered. Motor-Lorry Crash. A heavy motor-lorry belonging to Messrs. Hancock's brewery, Cardiff, skidded on Brecon- road, Merthyr, on Monday and crashed into an electric standard on the kerb. The overhead wires were snapped by the impact, with the re- sult that the tramway service to Cefn from the terminus was held up temporarily. Lights Again. Mrs. Jone Morgan, butcher, Glebeland-street, was fined 10s. at Merthyr on Tuesday for not keeping lights at her shop sufficiently subdued. Boy and Hiding." One of a number of children sxuinBoned at Merthyr on Tuesday for coal stealing said that the police constable who caught him gave him a good hiding for it. Mr. R. A. Griffith (to the ofifcer): If you did you know you did a very wrong thing. Did you touch the boy? The Officer: No, sir. The Boy: Yes/ sir. He hit me, sir. Each defendant was fined 5s. The Heroic Touch. England expects every man to do his duty, i and I think tha-t women should have their rights in the court here," was the wind-up of a perora- tion of innocence spoken by a Mountain Hare woman, Joan Davies, when summoned at Mer- thyr on Tuesday with stealing coal from railway- trucks belonging to Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Nettlefolds (Ltd.). Two other Mountain Hare women, Elizabeth Ann Williams and Naomi French, were summoned for similar offences. The case against the woman Williams was dis- missed; the other two women were fined 20s. each (or eleven days' imprisonment). Attempt to Intimidate." In fining Annie Hicks, Sunny bank, 30s., at Merthyr Police-court on iPuesday for using abu- sive language to Mary Ann Lyons, Mr. R. A. Griffiths (the stipendiary) remarked that Mrs. Hicks had evidently attempted to intimidate a woman who had given evidence in a very impor- tant case heard at the court. The case referred to was the charge against William Brown, a. well- known Merthyr marine store dealer, who has been committed for trial at the assiaes, and Mrs. Lyons was one of the chief witiaesses for the pro- secution. Elizabeth Ann Rets, a friend of Mrs. Lyons, said defendant was abusive outside com- plainant's house and shouted, What do you think of your for giving Brown away?" Defendant was fined as stated. Guardians and Alien Families, The Local Government Board informed the Merthyr Guardians on Saturday that the repay- ipent of oat-door relief granted to the wives and cliildren of interned aliens was provided by the British Government-not from German or Aus, trian sources, and Mr. W. A. Cook (deputy clerk) reported that the rates were: woman 9s. 3d. and children 2s. 6d. each per week, a higher scale than that at which the Guardians would grant relief to their own people. A further communication from the Local Gov- ernment Board intimated that the maximum al- lowances to families and interned aliens had been increased to 10s. for women and 3s. for children weekly. The Rector of Dowlais (the Rev. Llew M. Williams) moved that these people should be put on the same footing as other persons receiving out-door relief, and on being ruled out of order by the chairman (Mr. T. T. Jenkins) gave notice of a motion to this effect for the next meeting. The Fate of a Raider. 1 An interesting bequest has been made to th" Merthyr Museum in the shape of a series of  boa prints illustrative of the sighting and Id suction of a Zeppelin at CuSey, Essex, l^ September. The two initial prints showing the finding of the Zeppelin by the searchlights 3<1': effectively worked in a cold blue carbon pillmelt which gives a fine idea of moonlight; wlulst t fall of the raider is beautifully worked in íJ bright red pigment, admirably adapted to t subject. The photos were exhibited to the, Museum Committee on Friday; when it was .de- cided to thank the denor, Mr. W. H. ItenWIC t Pontcanna House, Cardiff. News for Art Critics. 11 I Mr. A. A. Cooper, the curator of the Cas^ J Museum, reported to the Museum Committee I Friday that he hopes soon to arrange for W I loan of a new collection from the National Ga lery of British Art. I Geological Exhibits. As a result of Mr. A. Harris' offer to give h collection of rocks, fossils and minerals to tbe, Merthyr Museum, the Committee asked iNh' F. J. North, B.Sc., F.G.S., keeper of the G-eolog'ca Department at the National Museum of yválet to inspect and report on the whole collection a the Castle. As a result of that inspection it .1Io.B reported to the Museum Committee on Fri^ that Mr. North said that a great many of t e specimens offered in the new collection were J less, but about one-half were worth exhibit^* Of the old collection ipamy of the specimens wert incorrectly or imperfectly labelled; and many °; poor quality or not typical might be removed with advantage. If the best material from h{)t collections were properly labelled qiid systematically arranged, the result wol be the nucleus ci a geological collection possessing educational value as well as geneT interest. At least two additional window c would be wanted. Future developments shold be along two lines: 1, general ting the structure and composition of the earth crust; and 2, the proper illustration of the rocks, fossils and geological structures of th9 Merthyr district. An important developnieoV thinks Mr. North, in a town which owes its poSl' tion as well as its prosperity to geological oo- sideration. It was understood that Mr. ideas would be carried out. Prize Day at Intermediate. I The presentation of prizes at the Intermedia? I School has been arranged for March 29th (Thurs- | day) at 4.30, when Sir Alfred Da vies will give | an address on educational topics. The venue JaaS not yet been decided, but the Rink was sug" I| gested. 1 The Teaching of Swimming. I At the Secondary and Evening Schools' OorJJ mittee last Friday a report of a special physics instruction examination at the Intermedial School was received. In general the report Wap, accepted as satisfactory, but a little discussion turned upon the reference to the absence 0 facilities for the instruction in swimming. OouJ1 cillor Francis thought that something ought be done to teach the boys of the secondary school swimming, at all events. If these could not be- instructed, what hope was there for the elemeV tary school children to receive such instruction He suggested that the Penydarren baths shoul be put in order; and thought that a sub-eo#1' 1 mittee could be well appointed to go into matter. Councillor 1). W. Jones seconded a jJJoe tion of Councillor Morell's that a sub-committe f be appointed, on the grounds of the necessity Olf the swimming baths. He would like very muC. to see if they could not geie hold of the DowlaJf- swimming baths which were offered to the Cor- poration on very favourable terms by Guest, Keen, and Nettlefolds. If a start coulrf be made on those lines, and a place provided the upper district where boys and girls could be taught swimming it would be an admirable thing. Graig's New Secretary. The result of the ballot for secretary of the Graig Pit and Levels Lodge of the Merthyr Dis- trict was announced on Tuesday as follows: Joseph Jones, 219; David Morris, 172: John Morgan Thomas, 110. Subsequently Mr. MorrIS withdrew his name so as to avoid a further bal- lot, and Mr. Joseph Jones thus becomes secre- tary. Penydarren Refuse. t Alderman Griffiths called attention at Tues- day's meeting of the Town Cnuncil that no re- fuse carts had collected in upper PenydarreO since the previous Wednesday. He know thV. the Borough Surveyor had the evidence, but it was bad that refuse should be lying about. Coufl" cillor Marsh said the Surveyor had told the coill-- mittee that unless the carts went round, would engage carts and collect it himself. The Surveyor (Mr. Marshall) said he knew that Peny- darren was bad in the outlying districts. Tlll" contractor would be fined for the streets he haJ not attended to. Gift to Merthyr. { Colonel J. J. Jones, J.P., of Cefncoed, tlle I military representative for the district and high sheriff of Breconshire, has offered a fo-all- tain to Merthyr for erection in Oyfarthfa Park- The gift has been accepted with thanks. I Found in the Chimney. Scaling a wall seven feet high, two into a Cefncoed shop belonging to Mr. E. Powel, grocer. One of the boys was found by a sergeal^5 hidden up a chimney, with two oranges in hIS pockets. The other boy was arrested the ne$, { day. On Wednesday they were ordered by the I' Bench to be birched, and the parents were fined- The elder boy was also ordered to be sent to reformatory. |
IPentrebach and Abereanaid…
I Pentrebach and Abereanaid Notes. I I Y.P.S. il Un VY ednesday evening, February 14th, -i?? t? Evan Davies, late of Pentrebach and now ? A Abercanaid, read an excellent paper on ? Po?" ? try." Several members commented and   pressed a desire to become more conversant wi^" poets and their works. A vote of thanks to 'Íí 11 speaker brought the meeting to a close. ? I Cantata. I The juvenile choir of St. Peter's Church, canaid, under the able conduciorship of I Ben Davies, on Monday last gave an excell? I performance of a cantata, entitled ?Majoi'? I to a crowded house. All the artistes were rae* bers of the Church with the exception of Mr- y George, who assisted, and upon whose a-b? ?.. there need be no comment. He is well ktK?? to Pentrebach and did his work with style efficiency. The same can also be said of all  artistes. Mrs. W. W. Green ac,-ompanied- record performance was given on Tuesday oig"?" Printed and published by the Labour piQ&eel < Press, Limited, Williams' Square, Glebelafl^* Street Merthyr Tydfil, March 3rd, 1917. jit