The South Wales Star

AUNT MARIA S DIARY OF THE DOINGS ROUND THE TOWNS. WITH REGARD to the paragraphs which recently appeared in the Barry Dock Star of a fortnight ago under the heading of Aunt Maria's Jottings" re a single gentleman and married lady residing at Barry, I, the undersigned, deeply regret that I should have been the insti- gator of the paragraphs in question which have led to so much annoyance to the parties eoncerned, and I take this opportunity, at the request of the injured parties, to atone for the wrong done them, and to say that the paragraphs were written more as a joke than with any intent to injure the parties. JOHN A. JONES, Commercial House, Holton-road, Barry Dock. Approved on behalf of Mr. Wm. J. Frazer, B. G. DAVIES, Bank Chambers, Cadoxton-Barry. They are a hard-hearted set of magistrates at Barry. On Thursday a woman with a baby in her arms asked for permission to keep one of her boys at home from school on washing days to mind the baby, but the Bench wouldn't hear of it. It is to be hoped the Barry justices will never have a day at the wash-tub with a squalling baby close by. Perhaps if they had had experience of that sort, they would be more inclined to grant the request. I notice that the staff and men of the Engineers and Permanent Way Department of the Barry Rail- way Company have sent e7 3s. 9d. to the Ponty- pridd Colliery Disaster Fund. When you go to a baker's shop see that the bread you are served with is weighed. If the baker-or seller—does not weigh it you can pull him up before the Barry Dock magistrates. Is it true that there is a u Hotel de Marl at Cadoxton ? I am informed that several persons have been seen shouldering four-and-a-halfs on more than one occasion, while their friends-or fellow-subscribers—were patiently awaiting. It is a shame that a stop is not put to the practice of throwing stones which prevails to a great great extent in this district. I have received repeated complaints of the extent to which the practice is indulged in at a certain place on WestQn Hill. Not only is it a source of danger to passers- by, but the stones placed by the Local Board upon the roads are utilised, and the grass in Farmer Jones' fields is not improved by the quantity of hard material placed upon it. I hope this hint is broad enough. Amusing incidents in connection with the late drought occurred at Cadoxton last week. The -members of a certain place of worship in the great commercial centre determined to hold a special Church meeting to pray for rain. Some of the leading members are shopkeepers, and, on the appointed evening, they left different classes of goods hanging outside their business premises ex- posed for sale, as usual. No sooner had one of the deacons commenced offering a fervent supplication for rain than the roof and windows of the sacred building clattered loudly the fact that a drenching shower was falling outside. Some of those pre- sent became visibly perplexed, and a hasty stampede was found inevitable, for the goods they had hung outside their shops were being" spoilt" by the showers of gladness. Served them right," whispered one or two disappointed ones, for they might as well have waited till after Whit- Monday before holding a prayer meeting for rain In another place of worship, more eccle- siastical than the rest, the prayer of thanksgiving for rain was inadvertently read in place Of the one 44 for rain last Sunday week. Mr. Romilly Allen, nephew of the Rev. Canon Allen, M.A., rector of Barry and Porthkerry, is a liberal contributor to the pages of the Arehwolog ia Cambrensis this month, a portion of which is illustrated from photographs supplied by Mr. T. Mansel Franklen, St. Hilary. Mr. E. John, marine engineering works, Barry Dock, was amongst those present and who took part in the proceedings connected with a meeting of the Bristol Channel Centre of Marine Engineers held at the University College, Cardiff, last week. # Miss Fleming has spoken, and in this way has scored over the whole body of her sisters in con- nection with the Barry District Teachers' Associa- tion. "i beg to second the motion, Mr. President," was the only remark Miss Fleming uttered, but now that she has" opened the ball," I hope to find other female teachers follow her example, and henceforth take an active part in the debates at the asssciation meetings. The difference, said the Rev. Arthur Mursell at Cadoxton last Thursday evening, between a British lion and a Belgian lion is the latter draws its tail between its legs, while the former flourishes it proudly is. the air. Good old British lion The handsome new silk banner of the Cadexton- Barry Hiberia& Benefit Society has been returned from Dublin thoroughly renovated and re- decorated, and friends may now inspect the same by calling at the house of the energetic secretary, Mr. J. McDonnell, 46, Regent-street, Barry Dock. # Those young ladies who delight in parading Holton-road, Barry Dock, in the latest summer costumes, and pass unlady-like remarks at other people had batter look to themselves. it It is reported to me that one or two young swells from Barry delight in damaging the trees planted Alongside thereat. I hope this is not true. I am told that those who were present at the performance of Uncle last week were delighted with what they saw, and a repetition has been asked for. « Both of the local Histrionic are considering the pieces they propose to stage at no distant date. ♦ Human nature is the very embodiment of in- gratitude. A Cardiff gentleman at Barry on Friday evening lamentably deplored the fact that it looked as if it was going to be wet on Monday, and the Sunday School children could not go for their outing. Them nasty, low, and cowardly stewards." ob. served a "cashier" on Saturday night. "Why, what's amiss ?" was the inquiry of about a score of friends. "What's amiss? you ask; weren't those chaps boasting of what they could do in the train all the way from Cogan, and when we got to Barry Dock Station I offered to take the three of them "on" myself, and they were afraid to put up their "dukes." The cashier hastily supped his coffee, and went home to take a soothing draft. Sunday morning he remembered nothing of the affair. Captain Davies, Barry's genial dockmaster, is a gentleman of refined taste for literature He re- cently described the Star to Mr. Rees Jones, J.P., Cardiff, as the leading paper in the Barry dis- trict." He was not far out of it either. Take care, sir, please; the plates are red hot concernedly remarked a waiter to one of the guests at a banquet at Barry over which Lord Windsor presided recently. The plates were not red hot at all; they were radiantly blue. The postmen at Barry, especially those employed for the off districts, now deliver letters on wheels." Football reminiscences. Two lads on the Buttrill's ground on a recent Saturday. First lad, munching an apple, and looking at a Star man reporting a match Wet is that feller a-doing ?" Second lad, munching ditto G'arn,. he isn't a-deing nuthin'. He's a good judge of the ball, ain't he ? Can't yer see him a-follerin' the ball with 'is eye over the field ?" Collapse of our man, and the whistle sounded "time." # The Rev. Arthur Mursell, must have shocked his temperance audience at the Wesleyan Chapel, Cadoxton, last Thursday evening with so much favour to bottled Bass," and bitter beer." The popular divine named has a reputation of being a rapid speaker. It was therefore, no wonder that the amateur reporter, who endeavoured to take verbatim notes as Mr. Mursell sailed with so much ease and grace up to 180 or 200 words a minute, did as Mark Twain advised-" give it up." I am very pleased to hear that the Rev. W. Parry, Baptist Minister, Pontypridd, is about to publish (by subscription) a volume of poems, under the title of The Old Welsh Evangelist," a poem descriptive of Welsh religious life. The work will consist of reminiscences of the late patriarch divine, the Rev. William Evans, of Tony- refail, who had been Calvinistic Methodist minister for the exceptionally long period of seventy-six years. Mr. Parry possessing a per- personal knowledge and many vivid and gratifying recollections of the immortal William Evans," I hail with great satisfaction his intention to give publicity thereto, ant I have no doubt the work will be very extensively welcomed. Amo-agst,the local subscribers are Major-General Lee, J.P., and Mr. D. T. Aleander, Dinas Powis Mr. A. J. Wil- liams, M.P., Mr. R. Evans, General Manager Barry Railway Rev. E. Morgan, Vicar of Penmark Rev. A. T. Hughes, Vicar of Llancarvan, &c. On Friday last a. meeting of the members of the Cadoxton-Barry Histiionic Society Was held, when it was decided to hold a picnic on July 5th. A special boat will be chartered to carry the party to Minehead. The price of the tickets (including dinner and tea) will be, single, 6s., double, 10s. 6d. A band will also be engaged to accompany the party, and it is decided to hold another meeting on June 6th to arrange further details. A certain member of the Barry Local Board's Health's Committee, accompanied by Sanitary- Inspector Leyshon, paid a visit to Merthyr Dovan a few days ago for the purpose of taking a sample of water from a well for analysis, but when they got to the place they found the well was dry, and no water obtainable. # Is the rumour true that a certain aggrieved member of the Barry Trades' Council intends sending in his resignation ? # The employes of the Barry Railway Company have contributed £ 13 11s. 7d. towards the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the Pontypridd colliery disaster. The female teachers in the employ of the Barry District School Board are setting a worthy example before their colleagues of the sterner sex, for, whereas six or eight of the former are members of the Rev. W. Williams' Welsh Class at Cadoxton, only one of the latter has availed himself of the opportunity of thus qualifying himself. The name of Mr. Arthur J, Williams, M.P., was mentioned in connection with the meeting held in London with respect to the Welsh wedding present to the Duke of York and Princess May. Although unable to be present, Mr. Williams promised his support. ♦ I am pleased to record. the fact that the Barry Male Voice Party took the second prize ( £ 5) at the Caerphilly Eisteddfud on Whit-Monday. I congratulate all who took part, especially as the competition was considered by the adjudicators to by far the best competition of the day. Mr. W. Mein, secretary to the Barry Railway Company, has taken up his residence at East Barry House, Barry. There is a case of love at first sight-on both sides-at Cadoxton, and a wedding will, in due course, be the result. The event will probably come off at the Parish Church. A Barry "comp." named Chamberlain (not the Right Hon. Joe!) carried off All in prizes at the Cadoxton Sports last Monday. Better than piece-work at case. # I am pleased to record the fact that at the inspection of the Royal Gloucestershire Yeomanry Hussars at Cheltenham last week, Trooper Duncan (who is none other than Mr. Duncan, collector of dues at Barry Dock) was selected to form one of an escort to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on the occasiou of his inspection of the Wiltshire Yeomany at Devizes. At Whitsuntid'e which marks the middle of a normal session, Mr. A. J. Williams, M.P., had voted on 61 divisions 'in the House of Commons. The division lobbies had been called into was 95 times, but only four of the Welsh members accomplished the feat of voting every time. The Rev. Arthur Mursell says Sergeant Munday is an old military hero, who acts as a guide to visitors to the battle field of Waterloo. God Save the Queen" echoes our own Sergeant Munday. Arrangements have been made whereby Mr. J. R. Llewellyn, district correspondent to the Western Mail, and late editor of the Barry Bocli News, will in future be a regular contributor to the Star. I don't want you to spoon me, thank you," ob- served a young lady to a friend of the same sex as they were seated together at table at the Church School treat at Cadoxton last Monday after- noon. The innocent, though somewhat suggestive, remark, which was prompted by the offer of a tea- spoon, provoked a general smile and a blush. # Dr. Livingstone and Councillor F. P. Jones- Lloyd spent Whitsuntide at Argyle. "Bonny Mary had nothing to do with it. V The Welsh Land Commissioners possess the grace of patience, but lack that of punctuality. They prolonged their sittting in the draughty hall at Cowbridge into the gloaming on Tuesday night, but they started the day by being half an hour late. Mr. Arthur J. Williams, M.P., Mr. R. N. Hall (Cardiff), Mr. O. H. Jones, J.P. (Fonmon), Mr. D. T. Alexander were present at the meeting of the Welsh Labour Commission on Tuesday. J A preacher seeing a boy fall down in the street ran forward to help him up, and said why, how- ever did you manage to fall. Notwithstanding," said the boy. The preacher said, a splendid joke, my boy," and remained laughing. A friend of the preacher coming along, and observing the mirth of the preacher, accosted him, and asked what he was laughing at. Oh, said the preacher, such a splendid joke. I saw a boy fall, and I asked him how he managed to fall, and he said "Never- theless." I don't see anything to laugh at in that said the other. Well, replied the preacher, now I come to think of it, I don't either. There are many persons in the world who endeavour to be funny. One of my nephews says There is a stone near Duffryn that when it hears the cock crow, turns itself over to look at him." >{< January-I: Can February March ?" No but April, May." Now June D'you lie ? Not in your August presence." There are three tidy, big stones near Maesyfelin Wood, Duffryn way, placed in the same way as I used to place cards when building houses with them. „ The Rev. J. W. Matthews said they put him in mind of an elephant with a cloak thrown ever him, and indicated, with his umbrella, several parts of the stone to carry out his idea. Mr. William Thomas (auctioneer) says they used to milk sheep there. I know, when I was there on Monday last, I wish they had been milking something then if only the useful pump-water we retailed, for it was uncommon dry work, look you, raking one's mind for a possible theory as to how much an hour the labourers got in putting them up. The Rev. J. W. Matthews, Morris Isaac, and Rev. William Edwards, of Merthyr, were rapt in pro- found thought. "Ah." said Mr. Edwards, they must have tipped the earth all round that upright stone, rolled the big one up on the top, and then carted the earth away. "No,said another, "I think they must have got him up by sheer legs. I- Sheer strength, you mean, mon," said the other. c' Now, perfectly still, gentlemen," came a voice from below, and that demon the amateur photo- grapher was at it again, and spoilt the classical stillness, as everyone rushed into position and smiled his usual photograpic smile, as he had from his youth up. :j: The guide said he knew a better cromlech than this one, by Jenkins Wood, and as the name would sound well when I told of travels, I gathered myself together, and went with the gang away over a stone stile, past Duffryn House, over a bridge, and then over five fields to Jenkins Woods. And there were cromlleoha for you, mon all sizes made to order, and no connection with the opposition show the other side of Duffryn. I tried to be grandiloquent on the immenseness of the immensity of the stone, which is both a floor and a roof, because it slopes up from the weeds like the "Hard at Portsmouth, but it was not nearly so good as the Cromlech at Goldstone, because that one reared its flat head up to the heavens and made something for the demon photographer to go for, whereas this one was some- thing and nothing, because it was as if it had been walking along to get a prominent position and then fell in a hole, and was on its hands and knees trying to get out, and there is its great broad shoulders rearing up as if it had the backache. The only fact worth recording about this Cromlech is that a Section of the Young Wales Party and visitors ate currant cake on the top. Disestablishment has taken place here said the Rev. — Edwards. Those stones, pointing to some in the distance, evidently belonged to the big fellow; it looks as if they were his legs and they had gone for a stroll by themselves when the old chap fell. # The Shop Assistants of the district are parti- cularly invited to attend at the Barry Cricket Ground (The Buttrills) on Wednesday to help to form a Wednesday team, and to arrange matches. All are invited.iThis will afford a good opportunity of recreation to those who are unable to partici- pate in Saturday matches. I regret to hear that rose trees and other flowers are constantly being stolen from Windsor- road. The parties must take care they are not caught and punished, as they richly deserve. I consider it scandalous that persons who take pride in their gardens should be robbed in this whole- sale fashion. The police have had all the details placed in their hands, and I hope they will be suc- cessful in arresting the moonlighters. At the Foresters Fete and Gala at Cardiff. Court Cadoxton, 7,742 A.O.F., was represented in the pro- cession by the officers of the Court. Who was the little boy who went around the Dock on Monday in tears because he could not attend the Sunday School treat. Col. Guthrie, the most indefatigable magistrate on the Penarth Bench of Magistrates, thoroughly enjoyed the brief relaxation from police-court business on Monday last. 'It In the afternoon the gallant Colonel and a num- ber of friends visited the Pebble Beach at Cold Knap, and disported themselves there. Our Religious Editor was lost in admiration at the sure aim Colonel Guthrie has when slinging pebbles at a stick. Daring the Whitsuntide one thing has been very noticable on the Barry Island-the number of fights which have taken place between females. On Monday a most sanguinary fight took place over a disputed kiss, and on Tuesday two battles were fought over several little bits of gossip. The Ministers' Fraternal Association will hold a meeting at the residence of the secretary, the Rev. J. H. Stowell, M.A., on Tuesday next. A paper will be read by the Rev. Canon Allen, and the only other business of importance is the selection of secretary in the place of Mr. Stowell, who is leaving shortly for Lightcliffe, Halifax, The news that the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Stowell will shortly leave the neighbourhood has, been a source of much regret to their many friends. & Mr. John Thomas (late of the Board of Trade, Barry) paid a visit to his Barry friends on Wed- nesday. They are all delighted to see that Johnny hasn't altered one bit. The "Garrick" Society secretaries are unavoid- ably eompelled to hold their balance-sheet over until next week. In the meantime all members are requested to hand over any sums of money they may have received for the sale of the tickets. The Rev. Fred Aveling, Principal of the Inde- pendent College, Taunton, will preach at the anniversary services of the Barry Congregational Church on Sunday next. Mr. Aveling, although the son of a Church of England clergyman, is noted for the manly and able manner in which he defends the cause of the Free Churches in the West of England. # Mr. Aveling is a very able speaker, and those who attend the services next Sunday may confidently expect a rich intellectual treat. Dr. Aveling, so well-known on London plat- forms, is the Rev. F. Aveling's brother. SULLY. Fully two thousand visitors (principally mem- bers of Sunday Schools from Cardiff) spent Whit- Monday at Sully. Giraldus, the boy preacher, had a bad time of it on Whit-Monday. He was down at Sully with a Cardiff Sunday School, and during the afternoon he was found lying in an unconscious state on the beach, The rumour went round that he had been poisoned through eating winkles, but later infor- mation was to the effect that he had overdone himself at play, for, though young, he is somewhat stout. His father, "Gurnos," was at the time presiding at Porth Eisteddfod. PENARTH In its May series of beautiful children the Strand Magazine includes Winifred Gaseoyne Dalziel, of Penarth, daughter of the secretary to the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coalowners' Association. DINAS POWIS. We feel timid about speaking of Mr. D. T. Aldexander's garden and conservatory at Dinas Powis, because once when we referred to them Mr. Alexander got into a panic lest a procession of people would wander round to make an inspection. It is a fact, however, that throughout South Wales there is nowhere that the superb rose, Gloire de Dijon succeeds better than a Bryneithen, the residence of Mr. Alexander. They grow admirably, bloom profusely, and of late have presented a floral display of muchbeauty.- lVestern Mail. WENVOE. The author of the poetic lines on Porthkerry Bay," published in the Barry Boeh Star last week, was J.B., Wenvoe." We shall be obliged for a continuance of his favours. EPISTLE TO "AUNT MARIA." DEAR AUNT,—I paid a visit to some of my relations in the busy town one day last week, and received a slight shock in the antithesis of my great (?) mental powers, which sent me tumbling down three flights of stairs head foremost. I vowed that I should never mount those stairs again, especially when laden with weighty documents. I shall in future send them to your affectionate nephew.—" PANGLOSS." Timber is very scarce at Wenvoe. I came to the conclusion that a piece of board, 3 inches long, 1-Jin. wide, and Jin. thick, cannot be found in the place. Let others judge things as they find them. Within a few yards of the present Post-office at Wenvoe there still remains the old building which has done service for a long period. The walls inside are still covered with postal documents, regulations, and notices, and the old letter-box is in splendid order. Indeed, so good is the outward appearance of the old letter-box that a stranger could easily be tempted to throw his missive in and the regulations and notices' which can be seen from outside are a further inducement for him to commit this error. Thus an important letter may here find a resting-place, not only for weeks but for all eternity. Your dear old affectionate Nephew was nearly tempted to cammit this error last Wednesday, but a broken brush and a cobbler's last arrested his attention in time, and upon closer examination he contended that a floor, so strewn with fragments of every imaginary article in creation, could hardly be in the possession of, and used by, Her Majesty's present Government. e o a Could not the P.O. officials secure a piece of timber large enough to cover that luring orifice so seductive to strangers and passers-by. & I hear that the inhabitants of Wenvoe will be blessed shortly by the appearance of a doctor amongst them. Who is he? Can any of my Wenvoe readers give me any information ? A Who were those two flour-faced, soapy, starchy, powdery, noisy, funny (?), cheeky young imps who assisted a local barber in his operations last Satur- day night ? They seemed to be in ignorance of the present value of soaps and yet I have heard them repeat the words soap, soda, composites, blue, blacking, or blacklead a hundred times a day With much love to my dear Aunt Margerie. from her fond nephew, PANGLOSS. NURSING Mothers should avail themselves of that renowned tonic-Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. It strengthens the system and purifies the blood, and thus enriches the milk, and enables the child to thrive more readily, See advt. page.