The Llanelly Mercury and South Wales Advertiser

BURRY PORT SCHOOLS. «. THE SCALE OF SALARIES UNDER THE BOARD. THE PINGED HILL SCHOOL. The monthly meeting of the Pembrey School Board was held at the New Infant School, on Monday last. Mr. E. E. Evans presided, there being also present Messrs. D. Tenant Thomas, D. L. Rees, D. Williams, Revs. W. R. Lloyd, J. Jenkins, and D. Evans, together with the clerk (Mr. W. H. Cox.) I PWLL SCHOOL. Rev. W. R. Lloyd said that Mr. Hnghes, Pwll School, had drawn his attention to the fact that a drum and fife-band had been using the Pwll School on certain nights in the week. He should like toknow if they had been granted permission to use it. The Clerksaid he did notrecollect anything about the matter. Mr. D. L. Rees thought that, none of the schools should be used without the Board's permission. It appeared that the school had not been granted for that purpose. I THE USE OF ANOTHER SCHOOL. The Chairman said that a paper had been brought to him to be signed so that certain persons should have the use of one of their schools. He refused to sign it at first, as he saw no other signatures on the paper. The paper was brought to him after- wards signed by two gentlemen from that Board seeing that, he then signed it. It. turned out after- wards that the school was occupied on that particu- lar night by other persons. He was not aware of that, because he did not take particular notice of the date. However, the mistake had occurred and now he suggested the use on other nights. Mr. D. L. Rees was of opinion that the com- mittee of that school should sign the paper. Mr. D. Williams said that he had signed it with Mr. Lloyd. Mr. Rees: You had no business to do it (laughter). Rev. D. Evans was the other person to sign it. Rev. D. Evans explained that lie was from home at the time. The Chairman thought they would approve of the procedure. The Board agreed with the chairman. I THE SCALE OF SALARIES. The Chairman said he had gone into the matter of the scale of the salaries most carefully and he would submit to them what he thought a fair stipend. He considered C55 per annum for ex-P.T's a fair salary so long as they could not get them under that. Mr. D. L. Rees: What is the salary of an ex-P.T. at Llanelly The Chairman thought it was 952 per annum. They had failed to obtain teachers at that salary. He really thought they should start at L55 to reach a maximum of F-65. They should also give females JE45 to commence, to reach a maximum of S50 by increases of S2 10s. per annum for two years. Mr. D. Williims: What is the difference betweell, Mr. Jenkin's scale and that? 1 Rev. J. Jenkins: It is very small. Rev. D. Evans: You suggest Mr. Chairman to start at JE55 and increase it to reach 965 ? The Chairman Yes, they will get JE65 at the end of two years. Mr. D. L. Rees: Then they will have to be two years before they get £ 65 ? The Chairman Yes, I think we pay now in one case S55. The Clerk In two cases. Mr. D. L. Rees: There is not much difference between the scales submitted to the Board. Rev. D. Evans said that the persons who were receiving the amount submitted, had been in the service of the Board for some time. The Chairman remarked that as Mr. Rees had said that unless they gave a substantial sum, they could not get the work done properly. It would be for their own sake and also for the children's I sake. Mr. D. L. Rees: The one at Pwll gets j255. The Clerk: She receives £ 60. Mr. Rees thought they ought to pay a teacher that went to Trimsaran a little more. The Chairman remarked that it would be a difficult matter to give different schools different salaries. In Llanelly they had outlandish districts such as Pontyberem and Llwynhendy. They had only one scale. Mr. Rees Pontyberem is different to Trimsaran. It is a big town to Trimsaran (laughter). I think it is more convenient for young people to live at Pontyberem than at Trimsaran. Say we accepted the chairman's scale, couldn't we give a bonus to a teacher at Trimsaran ? Mr D. Williams said that remarks had been passed as to the roads at a previous meeting. They must take the roads as they were. He knew of teachers who had been walking over the mountain every day, and nothing extra. had been given them. He did not believe in going above the Llanelly scale. The Chairman It is not like the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be altered. Rev. W. R. Lloyd agreed with Mr. Williams that they should not go higher thrill Llanelly. At the same time there was a great deal of truth in what the chairman had said. Rev. W. R. Lloyd You make an increase from jE55 to L65 in two years. Is not it wrong there ? The Chairman Too much at a time ? I don't think so. Rev. D. Evans It is rather invidious to refer to the Llanelly scale, but I think it is a very fair one. To commence at £ 55 is rather high. The Chairman thought it would be better to give E55. Rev. D. Evans It is rather trying to meet this constant difficulty. The Chairman If you adopt this scale, it would do away with a lot of money for advertising. Mr. D. Williams: It has been a great difficulty to get teachers on many occasions. Perhaps we will receive more applications next time. The Clerk: They are always advertising for teachers at Llanelly. Rev, W. R. Lloyd remarked that even if they gave a teacher C2 more here than at Llauelly, no doubt, they would accept the Llanelly offer and, again, if they offered them £5 more to go to Trimsaran than what Llanelly offered, they would accept the latter. Rev. D. Evans proposed that the scale be the same as the Llanelly scale. Mr. D. Williams seconded. The Clerk: If they pass the Queen's scholarship perhaps you could give them extra then. The Chairman: That would be a matter for rnnairWfition at the time. Rev. W. R. Lloyd proposed, as an amendment, that the salary be fixed at £ 50 to start with. Mr. D. L. Rees I am afraid we will never get teachers at that price. Rev. W. R. Lloyd: They can get them elsewhere at 9-50, Mr. D. L. Rees We cannot get them here. Mr. D. T. Thomas If you start at £50, it would be the same as the previous scale, and it would fall through. However, there was no seconder forthcoming to to the amendment, and the proposition was put to the meeting and carried. THE CERTIFICATED ASSISTANTS' SALARIES. I The Chairman: I think we better leave the matter of the certificated assistants' salaries. Rev. D. Evans: We have no certificated male, assistants under the Board. The Clerk: No. ,I Rev. D. Evans: How many female certificated assistants have we ? The Clerk Four. Rev. D. Evans In that capacity ? The Clerk: Yes. Mr. Rees thought it would be better to leave the matter until the next meeting, as they had a lot of work to get through. Che Clerk It would be better to do all the same time. Mr. Rees: It is a serious question, and we should: go into the matter carefully and get time to oonsider it. The Chairman: Cannot we hold a special meeting? Mr. D. L. Rees: I think we ought to have a special: meeting. I will propose that. ■ Mr. D. Williams Last meeting, it was adjourned until to-day and now it is deferred again I spoke about it last time. However, I will second Mr. Rees (laughter). It was decided to hold a special meeting in a fortnight's time. RESIGNATION. I The Chairman read a letter from Miss Tickle resigning her position at the Pwll School and giving a month's notice. Rev D. Evans: Is a month's notice in order The Clerk: No, two months is the proper period. It is a question whether Mr. Hughes has a suffi- cient number of teacheis now. He has three Ex-P.T's. Rev. D. Evans asked what was Mrs. Hughes at the school. The Clerk replied that she was an assistant. Rev. W. R. Lloyd said that Miss Tickle was, no doubt, under the impression that a month's notice was sufficient. Mr. D. L. Rees (to the clerk): Did you notify her that she had to give two months ? The Clerk: Yes, at the outset. Rev. D. Evans thought they were rather pressed at the school at present. Mr. D. L. Rees Then I should not allow her to go. Mr. D. T. Thomas: Can she place a substitute there ? The Clerk; Yes. Mr. D. L. Rees did not think they should allow her to go until she provided a substitute or stop her full time. If they let her go, it would be neglecting the children. Rev. D. Evans I think she has been appointed to a Birmingham school, and supposing she said she could come in a month and we kept her two months, then she would lose her place. Mr. D. L. Rees: She ought to know when she applied how much notice she had to give. The Birmingham school must be filled and we neglected. Rev. W. R. Lloyd: Miss Tickle was under the impression that a month's was sufficient. I propose that we accept the month's notice. Mr. D. L. Rees: If she finds a substitute ? Rev W. R. Lloyd No. Mr. D. L. Rees If Mr. Hughes says he can spare her everything will be all right. I don't think it is right to let teachers go away when they like and we neglect our schools. It was decided to leave the matter to Mr. Hughes. I SEWING MISTRESS FOB TRIMSARAN SCHOOL. The following applications were received for the post of sewing mistress at the Trimsaran school:—Jane Rowlands, West End, Llanelly; Jane Jones, Trimsaran; M. A. Owen, Tyrwaun- terrace, Pwll; Annie Morgan, Pembrey Village A. Christopher, Cefn House, Trimsaran E. Hewitt, Bryncaerau-terrace, Trimsaran. Mr. D. L. Rees: What is the salary ? The Clerk: Y,9 per annum. Rev. W. R. Lloyd: And two days a week. Mr. D. L. Rees: Who will have control over her ? Is she to come and go when she likes ? The Clerk: No, they have hours for her at the school. Rev. W. R. Lloyd said he only knew one of the applicants and she was Miss Owen of whom he could speak very highly. Mr. D. T. Thomas said that Miss Hewitt had stood a very good contest on the previous appoint- ment. She stood second on the list. He proposed that she be appointed. Mr. D. L. Rees seconded. Rev D. Evans thought a ballot would give more satisfaction. Rev. W. R. Lloyd: And give the others a chance. Mr. D. T. Thomas: It is useless appointing a person a long distance from the school. The Chairman Do you know Miss Hewitt, Mr. Thomas. Mr. D. T. Thomas Yes. The Chairman Is she capable 1 Mr. D. T. Thomas Yes. Rev. W. R. Lloyd: Let us take into consideration the circumstances of one of the applicants. The young lady, Miss Christopher, has lost her father. Rev. J. Jenkins said he knew Miss J. Jones, who was a good hand at sewing. The Chairman: Is she well off 7 r Rev. J. Jenkins: Not very well. Her mother is the cleaner of the school at present and has many children. I think it would stand between Miss Jones and Miss Christopher. Mr, D. T. Thomas I think Miss Hewitt would be the best for the school. If you take circum- stances, she is almost the same. Rev. J. Jenkins proposed that Miss Jones "be appointed. Rev. W. R. Lloyd seconded. Rev. D. Evans reminded them that it would be better to take a vote, which was done as follows:— Miss Hewitt 4 „ Christopher 3 „ Jones 2 „ Rowlands. 0 „ Morgans. 0 „ Owen. 0 The last three were struck off the list and the next voting was as follows :— Miss Hewitt 5 „ Christopher. 2 „ Jones. 2 Eventually, Miss Hewitt was appointed sewing mistress at the Trimsaran School. PINGED SCHOOL. The Chairman said that three members of the Board had visited the district about two weeks ago, and they considered that the plot marked E on the plan was the best spot. Rev. D. Evans asked what about the report they were authorised to make. He thought they better have that first. The Chairman agreed. Rev. D. Evans said that Mr. D. L. Rees and him- self had seen Mr. Seymour on the terms he gave some time ago. Mr. Seymour was prepared to accept the same terms again. He had been expecting a reply from them. Mr. D. L. Rees endorsed Mr. Evans's remarks. Mr. D. Williams asked if that was the same price as he gave them at the beginning. Rev. D. Evans replied in the affirmative, The Chairman said that the plot marked E on the plan was the best spot for building the school. Mr. D. L. Rees: The whole Board formed them- selves into committee to see Mr. Seymour, and I should like to know the reason why they did not turn up. The Chairman: The reply is that some of the members did not approve of it. Mr. D. L. Rees: They ought to fall in with the majority. Mr. D. Tenant Thomas: I propose that we accept plot E. Rev D. Evans seconded and asked which side of the road this site was situated. __e £ The Chairman said it was on the right hand side of the road. The proposition was put to the meeti?g and carried. .? $ I Mr. D. L. Rees proposed that the two chairmen should see Mr. Seymour about the price, and try and obtain a reduction. Rev. D. Evans seconded. Mr. D. Tenant Thomas said that it was impossible for him to go, as he was very busy at present. He was going abroad next Thursday week for aboat three years. It was then decided that the chairman, Rev. D. Evans and Mr. D. L. Rees should see Mr. Seymour on the matter and report to the next meeting.

Sore Throats "You cannot do better than V prgle with "CONDY." m I 81r Morell Mackenzie, M.D. m CONDYSI ( Remedial FLUID. I AUSviiHUties mrt utfcrxrami f < 4ur « 1UJJ4IJ»W;ø. m Insist on bmgimg CONDyssto J

LLANELLY DISTRICT OF ODDFELLOWS. ♦ QUARTERLY MEETING OF DELE-I GATES. THE DOCTOR QUESTION ONCE MORE I The quarterly meeting of the Llanelly District of Oddfellows was held on Saturday afternoon last at the Prince of Wales Lodge room, Nevill Memorial. The Prov. G.M. Bro. David Thomas presided, supported by the Prov.D.G.M., Bro. E. T. Jones the district treasurer, Bro. W. H. Andrews the C.S. Bro. W. B. Jones; the district auditors. Bros. J. Davies and W. Morris; and district trustees, Bros. Tom Hughes and J. Griffiths. The deputies present were:— Earl Cawdor .John Davies General Murray D. Lewis Britons' Glory Joseph Rees Nevill .D. J. Picton Mechanics' .J. Protheroe D. R. Jones D. May Victoria. W. Morgan John Hughes Yale of Gwendraeth John Griffiths Brigstock .D. Evans Prince of Wales .Phillip Mitchell J. P. Hughes Lily of the Valley.Solomon B. Lewis John Daniel Spitty D Bevan Kilymaenllwyd John Lear St. David's .J. Rowlands J. Stephens Stepney John Washer Britannia. T. Howells Alexandra J. Thomas General Picton D. Griffiths D. Thomas Tregoning J. Davies Abadam. D. Davies Gwenllian .Theophilus Randell Glanmor .Walter Rees Tywysog Dulais .D. Evans W. Buckley Roderick W. Marker Deheufardd.D. Samuel Rose of Glammwrwg G. Lyon J. J. Jenkins. W. Aston Royal Britons' .J. Williams Rose of Elli vV. Morris James Buckley .r. Francis Penson. Unrepresented Cwmdulais .E. Harries Ernlyn Unrepresented INITIAL PROCEEDINGS. The G.M. opened the meeting in the usual way and the credentials of the depnties were received and examined. The mintes of the last meeting were taken as read and confirmed and the financial FINANCIAL REPORT. I The district auditors submitted the report for the | quarter, and the following is an extract:— S, s. d. L s. d, To value of District Funds 101 15 2| Receipts- Funeral Fund 198 16 0 Management Fund 34 4 0 Relief Fund. 16 14 6 ———— 249 14 6 JE351 9 8 £ 1897. X s. d. 2 s. d. Jan. 2.- By Payments— Funerals 184 9 2 Management 48 0 7 Relief 28 7 It —————— 261 5 10§ Value of Funds. 90 3 10 jESSI 9 81, £ s. d. To value of the Funds 90 3 10 £ 90 3 10 £ 6. d. In Post Office Savings' Bank 0 9 8 In Treasurer's hands 89 14 2 190 3 10 We have pleasure in testifying that we have exam- ined the Accounts and Vouchers of the Distriet for the quarter ending 2nd January, 1897, and found them correct. We have also examined and verified the summary with the Bank Book, and found the same correct. Mr. Ellis, the Senior Trustee, attended and produced the Secretary's and Treasurer's bonds for £ 25 and L50 respectively, and we found the same properly signed, sealed and executed. JOHN DAVIES, } Aud,tors- WM. MORRIS, j u 1 ors. FUNERAL CLAIMS. The following were appointed as a committee to examine funeral claims:— Joseph Rees.Britons' Glory Theophilus Randell Gwenllian John Daniell .Lily of the Valley W. Morris Rose of Elli D. f.Jewis. General Murray Bro. Theophilus Rundell submitted the report' which shewed that during the quarter 18 members and one member not entitled to full benefits, bad died, together with 7 members' wives, representing a total sum of £ 250. Bro. Randell stated that most of the claims were in order. However, in respect of the death occurring in the Tregoning lodge the death certificate had not been produced, and the pence book of the Prince of Wales lodge had not been submitted. Bro. Philip Mitchell, in connection with the latter case, said he was sorry that he had neglected to produce the pence book, He had, however, received the money in advance, and he was sorry he had forgotten to produce the book, which he promised should be sent to the C.S. on Monday morning. It was resolved that all the claims be paid, subject to the Tregoning lodge producing the death certifi- cate and the Prince of Wales lodge the pence book. I APPLICATION FOR A RELIEF GIFT. The following resolution was submitted by the Gwenllian Lodge:— At a meeting of the Lodge, held February 6th. it was unanimously resolved to apply to the District for a Relief Gift on behalf of our old and respected member, Bro. Thomas Jones, who is 67 years of age, and has always been a faithful and energetic Odd- fellow from the opening of the Lodge to the present day. He has been in receipt of Sick Pay for the last five years, and has been on Invalid Pay during the last three years. He is suffering from Asthma and Bronchitis, and now he is partially blind, and, we are sorry to say, gradually getting worse; consequently, so far as we can now see, there are but slight hopes, if ahyi of his ever,gettiif better. His children (all daughters) ate marrfeU.' as they have large families of their own'Wey ar| nnffble to support their aged father; he is, therefore, f depèlldenttenjrely upon th3 2s. 6d. Sick Pay which he receives hm his Lodge. The Lodge has granted him several gifts, and we now confidently place his case before the District for its kind consideration and sympathy. Should the meeting desire any further information the Deputy will be aple to supply it." The application was supported by Bro. Theophilus Randell, and a sum of £ 10 was voted as a gift to the afflicted brother. THE DOCTOR QUESTION. I The C.S. stated that in accordance with the wishes of a previous meeting, the following circular had been sent to the doctors practicing in the district:— The amount of money paid as sickness benefits by the various lodges comprising this district has been so great during the last few years, that the Board of Directors of the Unity has deemed it advisable to draw the serious attention of the district officers to the fact with a view of increasing the members' contributions, or decreasing the benefits guaranteed, or both, in order to bring the lodges into anything like a sound financial condition. These facts having been communicated to the lodges, several complaints have been received of of the lack of supervision exercised by the medical gentlemem in attendance, and the readiness with which medical certificates have been given to those applying for them, that the officers have been thoroughly convinced that there are amongst the sick members a great number of malingerers, and that hundreds of pounds are paid annually to members who do not, by any means, deserve the same. The district officers deemed the matter so serious that they decided to bring the same before the September District Meeting, when a committee was appointed to consider the desirability of electing a medical officer for the district. The committee met on the 12th of November, and after a great deal of discussion it was unanimously resolved to recommend the district to commuuicate with each medical gentleman practising within the limits of the district, asking them to co-operate with the officers of the various lodges in order to avert, if possible, the necessity of making such an appointment, its they feel it would could certainly clash with the status aud interests of the various medical gentlemen now residing within the district, which they are most anxious to avoid. The district is also of opinion that if they secure your co-operation, they will soon attain the goal of their desires, the malingerers will be effectually cut short, and they will soon have nothing but genuine sickness to contend with. All suggestions you will be pleased to make shall recevie the earnest consideration of the district at its next meeting, and an early reply will greatly oblige." The C.S. proceeded to state that he had received replies from two doctors only, namely, Dr. Lloyd, Llanelly, and Dr. Owen Williams, Burry Port. Bro. Philip Mitchell proposed That this meet- ing wishes to place on record its regret that the medical gentlemen of the district do not appreoiate our efforts and are indifferent to our serious request to them in respect of the granting of medical certificates and that copies of this resolution be sent to all the gentlemen who did not reply to the circular of the C.S." Bro. Mitchell went on to say that in view of the indifference of the doctors, the district would have nothing to do but to appoint a medical officer of their own, and to refuse the certificates of any doctor except his. The matter was a most serious one and as the indifference of the doctors in connection with the granting of certificates had a great deal to do with creating so many malingerers, and if definite steps were not taken to check the practice, he was afraid they would have to raise the contributions. He would not object to the last penny being paid out in sick pay provided the sickness was genuine, but be was disposed to believe that hundreds of pounds were paid out annually to people who did not deserve the money. As C.S. of the district of Foresters, he had written to the Executive Council of the Order on th* question and had received instructions from them that, if he was in a position to prove any case in which the doctor had been negligent in the granting of certificates, he was to institute proceed- ings against the doctor, and the, Executive Council would engage a solicitor to conduct the case on behalf of'the society. Bro. John Griffiths (Pontyberem) followed in the same strain and stated that not long ago he had received a certificate to the following effect: "rfhis is to certify that Mr. John James is suffering from Pantgwyn (laughter). Several other deputies spoke on the question and all agreed that the indifference of the doctors was deplorable. The resolution was unanimously carried. I PRESENTATION. The presentation of a beautiful emblem of the Order, exquisitely framed, was made to Bro. Philip Mitchell the Prov. G.M. of last year. The presentation was made on behalf of the district by the present Prov. G.M., who referred in eulogistic terms to the services of Blo. Mitchell. Bros. W. H. Andrews, J. Protheroe, Tom Hughes E. T. Jones, and the C. S. also spoke in flattering terms. Bro. Mitchell suitably responded and said the handsome memento they had given him of his tenure of office would occupy a prominent place in his home.

COAL RATES TO SWANSEA AND LLANELLY. I REDUCED CHARGES BY THE RAILWAY COMPANIES. I GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. I The following revised rates have been arranged for coal in owners' waggons to Swansea, for shipment from the following collieries to apply as from the 29th March 1897 tiwanma. North Prince Station. Collieries. and of South Wales Docks. Dock, Cross Hands Rockcastle Is. 7d. Is. lOd. Cross Hands Emlyn Is. 7d. Is. lOd. Cross Hands Caebryn Is. 6d. Is. 9d. Pantyffynon Poutyclerk Is. 4d. Is. 7d. Pantyffynon Rhss Is. 4d. Is. 7d. Pantyffynon Blaina Is. 4d. Is. 7d. Ammanford Ammanford Is. 5d. Is. 8d. Garnaut Cawdor Is. 6d. Is. 9d. Garnant Gelliceidrita Is. 6d. Is. 9d. Gwaen-Cae-Gur- Gwen-Oae- wen gurwen Is. 8d. Is. lid. Gwaen-Cae-Gur- wen Cwmgorse Is. 8d. Is. lid. Brynamman Is. 8d. Is. lid. Llangennech Morlais Is. 2d. lH. 6d. Bynea. Llwynhendy Is. Id. Is. 4d. Bynea Pencoed Is. Id. Is. 4d. Bynea Caedu Is. Id. Is. 4d. Bynea Glynea Is. Id. Is. 4d. Dafen Cae Is. Id. Is. 4d. Dafen St. George Is. Id. Is. 4d. Dafen Bryngwyn Is. Id. Ie. 4(1. Dafen Gelly Is. Id. Is. 4d. Dafen Glyn Is. Id. I. 4d. Dafen Glyngwernen Is. Id. Is. 4d. Dafen Dafen Is. Id. Is. 4d. Llanelly Dock Is. Id. Is. 4d. Llanelly Cille Is. Id. 'Is. 4d. The average reduction works out at about 2d. per ton. LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAIL- WAY. Coal in owners' waggons to Swansea dock, L. and N.W., for shipment, including tipping. Per ton From Colliery. of 2,240 lbs s. d. Morlais (Llangennech) 1 2 Rhos, Blaina. 1 4 Pontyclerc (Pantyffynon) 1 4 Ammanford (Ammanford). 1 5 Caerbryn (Cross Hands). 1 6 Cawdor (Garnant). 1 6 Gellyceidrim (Garnant). 1 6 Emlyn (Cross Hands). 1 7 Rock Castle (Cross Hands) 1 7 Amman Valley (Garnant) I 7 Cwmgorse (G.C.G.) 1 8 Pantycelyn (Brynamman). 1 8 Mysdawla (Brynamman) 1 S Gwaencaegurwen (G C.G.) 1 8 Rbydydefed Hdg., Killay 0 9 I Killay Station 0 10 [ Dunvant Station 0 11 Colliery 0 10 tt Quarry 0 10 Gowerton Station. 1 0 Markers' Siding, Gowedion 1 0 Garngoch Siding 0 10 Elba Main Siding „ 0 10 Gorseinon Station 1 0 Sterry's or Grove Colliery, Gorseinon 0 11 Penclawdd Station, Penclawdd. 1 0 Penlan Colliery, Penclawdd 1 0 Lower Llantnorlais Colliery. 1 0 Birch Rock Colliery, Pontardulais 1 0 Pontardulais Junction. 1 0

RAILWAY PLATFORM. UP. DOWN. Dep. Dep. 4*26 a.m. 7-53 „ 9-13 „ 8-47 „ 10-34 10-24 „ 12-50 nooii 12-25 noon 1-0 p.m. 2-4 p.m. 2'7 4 7 „ 3-3t, 4-25 5-25.. "536 7'16 6.48 *7 S4. 8'36 §8'45 T9'40 9'20 12-0 mid. Saturdays only. TuesdaY8, Thursdays, and Saturdays only. Thursdays and Saturdays only. SUNDAYS. 12-29 noon 4*26 mail 5,48 p.m. 1,49 a.m 8-36 p.m. 8'28 p.m. BRANCH. UP ARRIVAL TIMB Dep. a.tri, 9-5 a.m 10,18 10-8 12-12 noon 11'5 3-15 p.m. 2-30 p.m. 4,20 6-55 6-5 „ 8-02 *11-0 "Saturdays only SUNDArtil 6-55"a,m, 5*45 p.m

VICTORY OYER NEATH. THE SCARLETS AGAIN ON THE WARPATH. AN INTERESTING CONTEST. [BY OUR SPORTING COBEESPONDENT.] After a respite, extending over nearly three weeks, t lie, Scarlets resumed oporations on Saturday last, when they played Neath for the fourth and last time this season. I accompanied the team to Neath and witnessed the encounter. I cannot con gratulate myself on the visit, for the match was a miserable failure, totally unworthy of the reputa- tion of the teams, and this unworthiness wa.s due undoubtedly to the antique style and tactics adopted by the home team. There was an obvious intention to strain every nerve to break Llanolly's record, no matter if the straining served to exclude all decent football from the contest. Unfortunately, this was practically what occurred, for in so far as genuine football was concerned, it was a negligeablo quantity from the commence- ment of operations to the close. Some fear was felt in local circles lest the long idleness of the Scarlets should have effected the efficiency of the combination. Moreover, there was considerable doubt, right on to the morning of the encounter, as to whether Morgan Williams would be able to turn out. Had he been missing, the Llanelly combination would, no doubt, have been sadly interfered with. However, Morgan was able to appear and manfully did his duty. The only absentee was Ben James whose place was filled by D. E. Griffiths. A fine crowd of spectators accompanied the team, a long excursion train run by the G.W.R. Company being well filled by the fond followers of the tin- platers. That the iuatch had evoked a great deal of interest among the local fraternity goes without saying. The unbroken record itself serves to invest all our matches just now with extraordinary impor- tance, and independently of this fact it is well- known that at Neath the Scarlets always have a near shave. It is not that our friends at Neath play a superlatively fine game, but somehow or other the Neath and Llanelly fixture at Neath always gets into a low class. We have little good football, but an immense quantity of loose, scramb- ling play. At Neath it was perfectly obvious that a tremen- dous amount of interest had been centred in the fixture. From what I could gather, it had been the talk of the town for the whole week, and would doubtless provide material for conversation during the next seven days. The: Neath team had got into vigorous training and every possible preparation had been made for breaking the record, and there was certainly a belief cherished that the necessary breaking would be accomplished. And now for the game. To begin with, it was singularly destitute of real interest. It had an accidental interest of incalculable proportions, but so far as the game itself was concerned, as an exposition of football, it was a singularly arid and tame affair. There was not a solitary fine exhi- bition in any of the departments of the game from first to last. It was football after the old style, and football after the old style is, to the spectator, worthless. i I wish to safeguard myself from falling into the errors and excesses of an unreasoning partizan, but I do not think this safeguarding is in any way imperilled by' the statement, which I make in all sincerity, that the miserable style of play which was the vogue on Saturday, was entirely due to the tactics of the homesters. Llanelly had every desire to play a fasti, open game, something Oiilculated to give value for the money of the spectators, but Neath were not taking any. The policy of the homesters was to hug the ball as much as possible and to confine the play practic- ally exclusively to the forwards. In this policy those who witnessed the encounter will concede that the Neathians fairly well succeeded. In the initial half Llanelly played against the wind, and had a warm time of it. There is no disguising the fact that in the first half of the game the homesters had the best of the warfare. Their forwards played a tremendously hard game, pushing like Trojans in the scrum, and consistently defeating the endeavours of the Scarlets to work the oval out to their smart three-quarters behind. I wish I could leave the Neath forwards with what I have already placed on record. But I am sorry to say I cannot. If one is to give a true and faithful account of the match, it has to be added that the Neath front contingent played a rough and unpleasant game. The desire to smash Llanelly's record was so intense that the interests of good football were almost entirely lost sight of. Time and again, the Neath ups" indulged in a species of play that did them no credit. If they talked less while playing, studied the game more, and went in for the game at its best, the Neath pack would be a match for any in the kingdom. This, however, is a great if," and I have a very real fear that our friends up the line are not going to learn the lesson. When Llanelly went over in the second half to avail themselves of the advantage of the wind, a noticeable difference immediately appeared in the complexion of the game. The Scarlets at once assumed the aggressive and the second half was still young when D. J. Daniells, picking up in the loose, flung himself over the line, with an opponent hanging on to his hips. It was a most clever performance and was hailed with delight by the Llanelly section of the spectators. It was about the last thing that poor old Daniells did in the match. Soon after this he was laid out in consequence of a nasty injury which affected big ankle. He was, I am sure, in great pain, and it was genuinely pitiful to hear his groans. He bad to be carried off the field by his colleagues, and for the remainder of the game the Scarlets had to continue the warfare without his valuable services. It was no joke for the remaining seven to stand up against such a powerful lot of forwards as the eight representing Neath. I feel perfectly con- vinced that, but for the removal of Daniells, Llan- elly would have won handsomely. Up to his injury, he had been playing a magnificent game ifl the scrnm, and in the open. It was vastly credit- able to the Llanelly forwards that, fighting as they were under such unequal conditions for practically the whole of the second half, they did so well. From what I have stated, my readers will have seen that the game was practically confined to the forwards. Neath insisted upon keeping the hal closely, in, and the Scarlets ups, being beaten in the scrum, hadn't an opportunity of giving their three- quarters a chance. It seemi to me that we ought now to be able to keep the record to the end. Leicester, whom we play on Monday next, seems to be the only ticayo which the local fraternity are a bit afraid of. fail to see why we should fear. The Searlet,4 routed the Midlanders when they were on their Welsh Lour, and on Saturday last Leicester were beaten by the Old Edwardians. My message t" the Scai-letii isJ¡tü pluck up courage, and go it, aud win.] fe&i