The Aberdare Times

CONSCRIPTION t For some past military authorities and others have been wont to express the opin- ion that the time was coming" when Con- sumption would have to be adopted in this country. The war now proceeding in South Africa has had the effect ineill. ntally of de- monstrating the extreme value of our Vol- unteer force in case not only of National' but Imperial emergency. The Volunteers arc a home defence," but it has been shown lately that whenever nion are otherwise re- quired in a proper cause the Volunteers may be counted upon to send an ample represen- tation to the front." Whether matters should be left in this purely voluntary con- di :on is a question which also comes to the fiont. Lord Aberdare on IIIonday brought us face to face with what has been regarded as the be gey of Conscription, and on the same day Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons foresbadoned some important movement for the consolidation of home de fences. It is very evident that expanded ideas of military reform—we do not say there will of necessity be a Conscription as in the case of continental countries—will very shortly be carried out in some practical and useful manner. Meanwhile, we give expression to various local opinions on this most important subject, which must be finally dl dded only after the most careful consider- ation.

LOCAL NOTES. The members of the Merthyr and Aber- dare Board of Guardians assembled as such on Saturday at Merthyr they divided into to two chapters, as it were, for the purpose of granting relief upon new applications, and they then re-foimed into one united assembly under the presidency of Mr D. P. Davies, J.P. At five minutes to 11 o'clock the Clerk, almost fresh from London, came into the room with an armful of books and a lull supervened. Nevertheless, and possibly from force of habit, the Chairman sounded his bell, and the Clerk then read the minutes of the last meeting to an attentive auditory. Mr J. W. Morgan, J.P., Hirwain, took off his overcoat and announced that he intended to get through arrears of work in the course of the day, and mysterious allusions were repeatedly made to the Boiler Committee and its works. It came to pra-tic'-d business when the Clerk de- 8t ribcd the then position of the litigation with the Powell Duflryn Company, and when he wound up with a demaud for f400 to defiay expenses of counsel, th* money was at once granted. if. As we anticipated, the Finance Committee of the Guardians reported in favour of dividing the office of reliever of tramps, which bad been rendered vacant by the death of the Superintendent of the A Division ot tho County Constabulary, and hey i econi mended that Superintendent Townsrnd be appointed for the Merthyr dutii'n ami Jumpedor Davie* f'.<r ^bprdape. This v as agreed to, and it was resolved to seek information from the Chief Con-tabie of the County as to the relative extent of the duties in each town before proceeding to allocate the respective pro- portions of the salary, which is £15 pl- annum. The general policy adopted is a step in the right direction. Aberdare and the Inspector located here should certainly have a voice in dealing with the tramps who come into the locality. « # One day—it was long, long, ago—the Union Assessment Committee decided to re- value our brickworks, railways, as well as the Dowlais and Cyfarthfa steelworks— would that we pouid say Hirwafn steel- works, too —and it was a cherished hope that the rateable value would be "put up." The committee have not pursued this on the "housetops," but whatever they did from time to time was kept strictly private, and, indeed, so private that the matter wag ppsing into a traditional phase. The lapse did npt of course worry those big rate. payers who were inferentially threatened, and the committee sat in their trenches, so to say, and were quite safe from the chance shots of criticisni. On Saturday, however, the conimiitee, after another private sitting, broke out with the announcement that they had engaged two London valuers to re-value the works, i his will add 1400 to the various expenses in which the Union i,5 being involved, and we shall now expeot to see something for the money.

Aberdare. (V e shall be glad to leceivc intimation of any forthcoming events which may be thought of interest to our readers.) LOCAL MUSICIANS —Mr J. Arkite Phillip's Band, of Aberdare, we understand, met with great appreciation at a concert the other night, in Clydach Vale. The local papers have spoken vt-ry highly of the ability of Mr Phillips,and his statr. REV. J. E. LEWIS.—T! e Home Mission- ary Anniversary Services were held this week at Pontmorlais Wesleyan Church, Merthyr. The Rev. J. E. Lewis, Aberdare, delivered special sermons on Sunday morning and evening. THE REFORM CLUB.—The following officers have been appointed for the present year :-President, Mr E. Jones; Vice- presidents, Messrs J. Bateman, A. Morgan. J. Jackson, W. Notton, and W. Jones; Auditors, Messrs Evan Edwards, and W. Notton Chairman of committee, Mr W. Phelps; Vice-chairman, Mr J. E. Davies. The following committeemen were selected, —Messrs A. Morgan, M. Howells, J. Jackson, J. Phillips, W. Jones, and P. Ford. THE NEW THEATRE.—"The Silent r Witness" is the title of an amusing sen- ( sational drama which has been running at ] the New Theatre, Aberdare, this week. Those of our readers who have not seen the play will expect us to enlighten them as to the meaning of the phase have you such a I thing as twopence about you ? Well, it is a phrase which make the audiences laugh, on account of the amusing manner in which a gentleman, beating the distinguished appellation of Joe Jorum, brought it before notice so frequently. During the third act, Estelle Meredith" was placed under hipnotic influence by "Jan Vedder," "the villain of the piece," who thus extracted much information from her, and finally endeavoured to make her murder her own husband, but in vain. Of course, in the end, the villain as usual repents his folly, but—" too late."

OLD FALsE TEETH BOUGHT. \1al y laflie and ge tlemen I.ave by t: Lm old or disustci raise teeth, W oleO migbt as wbll be turned into money. iViessis. R1 D. & J. B. Frazer, of Pnucea Street, Ipswich ^established siuc 1833j, buy old tils" to-tii If you s-ifd your tt-etb to t;,t ILl tney will rellllt you by rbt urn p.jSt iue uiiu st value; of, if pinioned, t tit y will make jou the betft offer, and huld th* teethuyti 4oryour reply, If i-eforenco neews- lh J y. apply to Messrs. ^Bucon & Co., Hankers, Ipswich.

Aberdare County School. SPEECH DAY. LORD ABERDARE ON CONSCRIPTION. The third annual Speech Day in connec- tion with the Aberdare County School was held on Monday night at the Constitutional Hall, Aberdare. Mr D. P. Davies, J.P., Ynysllwyd (Chair- man of the Governors), presided. The Chairman was supported by the Rt. Hon. Lord Aberdare, who was accompanied by his daughter, the Hon. Miss Bruce Rev. J B. Lloyd, B.D., Mountain Ash; Rev. T. Jones, Aberdare Mrs W. Lloyd, Aberdare Messrs G. George, J.P., Lewis N. Williams, Rev B. Evans, clerk to the Governors, Miss Lloyd, Aberdare; Councillor John Howell, Afceraman; M. Morgan, J.P., Mountain Ash P. F. De Winton, Lloyd's Bank Mrs Morgan Morgan. Besides the Head Master (Mr W. Jenkyn Thomas, M.A.) thrre were also present the other members of the staff, Mr J. Wallis Dodgson, B.Sc., Miss F. J. White, Mr W. Charlton Cox, B.A., Mr Evan Williams, Mr E. Ogwen Williams, Miss J. Griffiths, Miss Gardner, Miss E. Madge, and Mr Tom Price. The Head Master then read his third annual report of the progress of the School. (Readers will remember we gave a full list of the successful scholars a few weeks ago. -ED. A. T.) His Lordship then presented the success- ful scholars with their prizes and certificates. In his address, Lord Aberdare said it was a great pleasure to him to come to that prize distribution, as he was able to congratulate the inhabitants of Aberdare and the sur- rounding districts on the possession of that excellent intermediate school. From what the Chairman had said, and from the head- master's report, one could judge of the success of the school, and one was pleased to find that in its second and third years it should have taken so many certificates it not only proved the excellence of the work done, but would ensure the success of the school in the future. The school had an excellent staff of teachers, and had also a full number of boys and girls; but that alone was not enough to ensure the success of the school. What was really wanted was the co-operation of the parents of th-se children. He knew it was not easy for some parents to keep their children in school to foLow up their education to the utmost, became of the expense involved. He was struck by a remark made in the Department Committee of 1880, by one of the members, that in Wales enthusiasm for education was combined with a singular ignoranco of what was meant by that word. He was sure that remark would be entirely out of place now. He would like to say a word to the manager- and teachers of the elementary schools. It was necessary, when the child-en moved about from one school to another, thnt the schools should be in concert wiLh each other. He thought he would say a word or two about the war in South Africa. N w, all the boys setmed intelligent osies—esp.-ci.dly those who had taken prizes. He was sure they had all been interested in th- wai, because he had seen some very spirited drawings of Kruger and Jouhert on w ills and other places. It was sufficient to shuw the patriotism in the boys. He would dare- say it struck them as a curious -act, that we considered ourselves among the 1 a ling nations of the world, and that we should have sent so small a body of troops to South. Africa and were apparently not ahle to send more. Well, he would like the boys to r memher that the very fact of our being able to send only a small body of troops was a secret of England's greatness. WI" were not over-burdened by having to maintain a large standing army. France, with a small- er population than our own, had 3 million of men in the war establishment; Germany, with a population of a little more than our own, had a war establishment of four millions of men while we in England had a total army—our reserves, our militia and volunteers, &c.—of about 600,000 men Well, that fact constituted one of the reason. of England's greatness, because they were not called upon to bear the enormous ex- pense of keeping these millions of men. The question was what would be d ui- in tha future and the boys should remember that they were the men ot the future. He did know whether each of the children pre- sent knew what was meant by conscription. Conscription in France meant that every able-bodied- man had to serve in the army for about three years. lie was sure the young men present wnv very grateful to their parents for what h..d been done for them in educational matters. He was sure it was one of the greatest wishes of each buy to return some good results for the consider- ation which had been shown by their parents. Think of what it was to bo taken oft, for three or more yeai* to serve in the army. Instead i)f being a help to their parents 'he boys would be it hindrance and expense. But, nevei theless it was the duty (,f each boy, in addition to the duty of helping his parents, to also lend a hand to defend bis country (Hear, haar.) He was glad to say that conscription was a thing of the past. Ali, he thought, should recognize 'n I ize that they owed a great- deal of gratitude to the country, and ought to in some way pre- pare themselves so that in case of necessity they would be able to help their country. The boys went through a course of drills. That was an excellent thing; it would be of great service if any of them joined the Volunteer corps. He hoped that in ad- dition to that, the boys, when they grew up would, if unable to join the Militia or the Volunteers, join the Rifle Clubs which he hoped would soon be established, so that they would be able to shoot if necessary, and not be shot down. (Hear, hear.) It would bo to him a great pleasure to see their names enrolled on the lists of Volun- teers. Evcry-one owed a certain amount of gratitude to their country, and every man who belonged to the army or to the reserve forces was a man to be hououred for having done his best toward his Queen and country. (Hear, hear.) Mr Griffith George, J.P,, in a brief ad- dress, said they had to thank his late lord- ship for the ground upon which the County School stood. The Rev D. Lloyd, Mountain Ash, in a fitting speech, humourously alluded to a 0 y paragraph in the Western Mail the other day, to the effect that the Abeidare County School was one of those in which the head- master embraced the headmistress. (Loud laughter.) Mi.' Lloyd moved th:1. a vote of thanks be a'C iided to the lit. iL-n. Lord Aberdaie for his able speech. H"r memory went back far, and she could remember the kind- ness which had always b en shown by his loidspih's family. The Rev T. Jones seconded the motion, pointing out that it would be a better policy for the Government to encourage more edu- cation and less war. (Hear, hear.) Mr L. N. Williams proposed a Yote of thanks to the Chairman, a motion which was s. c tided by Councillor John Howellt Aberam in, and carried with applause.

Views of Local Gentlemen on Conscription. (In order to ascertain tho feeling of the toWO regarding conscription we have elicited the following brief observations from the gentleman named. We shall be greatly obliged if any other readers would write their sentiments down, and let us have them for iusertion next week.) MR DAVID HUGHES, HIGH CONSTABLE 01 ABEKDAHK. — I totally disapprove of cou- scription in any shape or form I believe that if the volunteer idea was carried out more perfectly it would enable the country to cope_ with the conaeriptiou of other countries. I have travelled a great deal in other countries and 1 have seen how couccrlption is worked; it gave we the impression that in the first place it was demoralising secondly, it, hammered the commercial lifo of the men concerned. I think it is wiong aud unfair to take any man front his commercial life at the very time when the basis of his career is being built. I think it quite possible to work a scheme in our country whe; eby eve, y rn n, iufuture, could be all dficient soldier and relidy ;0 carry arms at any time by compiling evcry-one of them after attaining 18 ye»rs of age, to put in a certain number of drills yearly on the principle of our preset volunteers, until they reach the age of 23 years." COLONEL, THOMAS PHILLTPS.—"I ballet that unless some material changes are mad. t* induce young men to devote a certain time to cuitivalitig themselves for military duties, un" doubtedly conscription will become necessary; but 1 thoroughly believe that this will be totally unuece*saiv, aud that wheu the poaitioU is laid clearly before the young men there will be no hesitation on their part to join tbe volunteer or militia forces to such an exieui that conscription will not for a moment be tolerated." Ma D. P. DAVIES, .J.P., YNYSLLWYD. Of course I am (not in favour of conscription. 1 should say moie, but one requirea to consider the matter thoroughly." 0 KEY. R. R. RCBEUTS, B.A. In 011 opinion the introduction of Conscription to this country would be mimical to our highest interests as a nation. Our present forces ars adequate for defonce, and I do not believe iu wars of aggression."

CONSCRIPTION. Jj To the Editor of the ABERDARE TIMES. SIH,- \Y e are sending out warriors, we are talking war all over the town and neighbour" ho d, and I think 1 may venture therefore to ventilate my own opinion, viz thut if we are willing to send out our partly trained and relations to fight, we ought to be prepared to show that we do not ask them to undertake duties which we ourselves aie not prepared to perform. By all means let us have a sultablo form of Conscription, seeing that the response* bdlties of our Empire are becoming so great, "ud that, also, the way to paeserve peace is to bj ready for war. — Yours, &c., WvuiiKN J..iJW, "Jill Street, February 6th.

To the Editor of the ABEUDARE TIMBS. SIB,—It seems to me that our present Lord Abnrdare is inclined to enrol us all, wholus bolus, in the Army. Is this really necessary Does not our insular position, as well as tbe astness of our flset, and the presumed efneieocy f our military ariaugements place us iu all ■ xceptioual position ? Improve the Army if you will, and strengthen our Volunteers, but 1 appeal to you, Mr Editor, not to support anyone wh would seek to handicap the over* burdened tux-payers further the inposition of tresh duties and increased expenses.—I enclose aiy card. MABON. Cadlys. (Our esteemed correspondent appears to misunderstood the purport of Lord Aberdare'* rematks. We direct his attention to our report of the County .School proceediag". The wbole question is being threshed out, and we refer to it editorially. ED. A.T.].

lp of Charges for Advertising IN THE Aberdare Times" PREPAID ADVERTISEMENTS Of the following classes are inserted at the scale below:— Situations Wanted I Clerks, &c., Wanted. Situations Vacant. Domestic Servants, &c., Private Sales. Wanted. Houses Wanted. Money Wanted. Houses to Let. I Articles Lost. Apartaoeats Wanted. Articles Found. AptTtmewtw to Let, Miscellaneous Wants. WOBD*. 1 Insertion. 8 Insertions. 6 Insertion a. d. a. d. L d. Is 0 « 1 0 1 6 M 0 9 1 6 2 3 12 1 0 2 0 3 0 40 I I 2 6 3 9 4S 1 6 3 0 4 6 Aad so OD at the rate or 3d. for every additional 8 words. SITU A TIOAS VA CA A T. WANTED a G-od General kex4aat who can wash and iron, roustjb# neat aud dean in sppearanc*, good cbaracn^ indrspene- • able. Three in laroily.—-Apply \fra Griffiths, Aab Groyea. A ben ant. THE GKBOUAM PUBLISHING COM- PANY, (Retail Dep*rtm*nty require a Local Bepift entativ* to call Professional Classea ftnd Merebante. No Vxpmence re- quire, but mwat b« enft'getici Address 11 Fisher Street, Sw&usea ERRAND BOY Wanted about 15 years of age.—Apply, Jordan's Stores, Commereial-stieet, Aberdare. MISCELLANEOUS. 7 1.. „ BERDARIANS away or abroad, will find the Aberdare Times the best pipwr for Aberdare news. On receipt of Is. 7 jd. tho paper will be posted every Friday to any address for 13 weeks. f\f\ CARDS, with name and address iUU printed thereon for Is. 6d.—Apply A berdare Times Office. IN Memoriam Cards.—Specimens may now b« seen at the Aberdare Times Office. J>I FOR the convenience of the West of England advertisers, a copy of the AUXKDARB Tints is filed weekly at Messrs. Jones Bros., Advertising Offices, Queen's Road, Bristol -A -4 OR DINNERS, TEAS, &c., go to Pugsley'a Temperance Hotel, Cardifl Street, Aberdare. Moderate Charges and every attention. ALLAN LINE Royal Mail Steamers. Passengers are now being booked to Carada.—For terms &c., apply to Messrs J one. & Son, Aberdare Times Office, the Amenta for the Aberdare district. BEST Notepaper and Envelopes at lowest pricee.»— A lerdare Times Goods Depot. VERY latest line in artistic concert pro- grammes and circulars. Call and see .pecimen.Aitrda, Ttme8 Office. A FEW smart boys wanted to sell the Aberdare Times" at Aberdare, Aberaman, Mountain Ash, Trecynon, Cwm- fttaen, Ac.—Apply at the office. DOIf'" ht d Y-nr ado. out of town, but J eend them to the only local paper, the AxADiU Tnisa. DO you want a servant 1 If so, then advertise in the ABERDARE TIMES. A recent advertiser in its columns had 24 replies. -;N- FOR SALE. APARTMENTS W ANT 1<1K O AVE YOU APARTMENTS TO IJ. LET 1 If so, advertise them in the ABERDARE TIMES, the oldest newspaper in Aberdare and Merthyr and the best ad- vertising medium. Agents Wanted "1) pUMh First Class Machinery Oils. Liberal Commission. Apply. — Box 31, Post Office, Liverpool. 0 re t e uc ions Great Reductions ][:A x x4c)o "MAYPOLE- I>a>ix*y Butter Reduced to Is. Id. per lb. Reduced to Is. Id. per lb. l A "Maypole" TEA THE VERY BEST I Only ,11. 40d. Per lb. WHY PAY MORE? Maypole" Teas at Is. 4d., Is. 2d. & Is per lb. Are also sure to please. MAYPOLE DAIRY Co., Ltd., Local Addresses A'? Also at MOUNTAIN ASH, Merthyr, Pontypridd, Ferndule, and Dow laid. Branches in all large towns. Agents everywhere. "FOR THE BLOOD 13 THE LIFE? F -A I;, LIM 'C"' c L WORLD-FAMES mi.m.ii'iimtiin "TOLD ME RE WOULD HAVg TO TAKE MY LIP OFF." I feel in duty hOUDO to add my testimonial in fav ur of 1 larke's woi id-fi<n>ed Hlo il Mixture. I have suffered for three years ami six months with a dreadful .-ore 011 my upper lip und chin. I iva^ forced to go to the ^kiii Hospital ii, E)m Biivk Street they did not do any good to ii. TLcn 1 tried must of all the pri-cip.il ii.sdiutions ii. lilas'r'-w and lastly the Skin nd lancer institu- tional!! ht VitiCent oticci, aid p^ui one j ound before r«-cei\iu>i any sdvioe, and t! c advice was that he was al^ai I won d lose my upp. r lip. I received treatmeut in ths inttitutiun for one month, and received no benefit. Then he told me he would have to take the ip off. but I would not consent, and of which I w a lJ.uud r an •o-dsiy. After this I went to the Western fi-firry-ary, and wa" under a « lever skin specialist. 1 receiver treatment for 13 wc< ks. and leceived a little benefit, an.; Cftne out ;.rld o< u.niei.ced wo kin^ again at my cccupi—J^ bui. ouul j,ut. aii b-.d uo ever. I then commenced with I Clarke's World. ri,meci Blood Mixture,' ai.d after taking five bottles was completely cured. Bu I still continued taking the Mixture Lill I had taken 13 bottles. You can make use of my name in any way you pleue.-Yourli truly, "WILLIAM FATEBSON. 4. Greenfield Street, Govan, Glasgow, January 5th, 1891." TURNED OUT OF HOSPITAL AS I WOULD NOT CONSKNT TO HAVE MY LEG OFF." I send you this testimonial, for I have derived a great benefit by taking Clarke's Blood Mixture, after two years of great suffering with a very bap ieg. I have been in a Birmingham hospital 18 months, and a six months out-patient at another hospital at Birmingham. I was turned out in curable, as I would not consent to have my leg taken off. I was told to try Clarke's Blood Mix. ture by a friend of mine, so I sent for a large bjttle, and by the time I had taken it I was able to go about on my crutches. I had another bottle, and by the time J had finished it my leg was quite well, and I am able to go to my work. I am Bir- mingham man, but I am working at present in Halifax, and I am willing to auswer any questions that any one may wish to ask, for I cannot speak to highly of it. I recommend it to all. Yoa may make use of this if you like. E. TAYLOR, 2, Hanson Square, Fleet Street, Halifax, Yorks October 23rd, 1897." Sold in Bottles 2s. 9d. each, and in cases con taining six times the quantity, IIs.-sufficient to effect a permanent cure in the great majority of lonL-standingr cases.' By all CHEMISTS and PATENT MEDICINE VENDORS throughout the world, or sent to any address on receipt of 33 or 132 stamps by the pro- prietors. THE LINCOLN AND MIDLAND COUNTIES DRUG COMPANY, LJNCOLN. TRADE MARK-BLOOD MIXTURE. Ask for CLARKE'S BLOOD MIXTURE and do not be persuaded to take an imitation or rubttitute. FOB THE FAMILIES, WIDOWS, AND ORPHANS OF SOliDfERS. r I litis Yinolia Company, Ltd., will forward to the Transvaal War Fund i a halfpenny on every Tablet of Vinolia Soap soldi by them for the United Kingdom during one month beginning with Monday, November 6th, 1899, and ending December 5, 1899. While the Company cannot execute orders from the public, every chemist, store, or grocer is an agent for Vinolia Soapa. If one in every dozen persona in the Kingdom were to buy, say a tablet of Premier Vinolia Soap only (costing 4d.), the Vinolia Company would be in a position to forward a cheque for something Ukt In.ow to the" Transvaal War Food." Box Office for advance booking, open 11 to 4, and 7 to 10. Saturdays 11 to 2. Two Performances every Evening. First (early), between 7 and 9; Second (late), between 9 and 11. TERRIBLE FIRE AT ABERDARE. "Tarian Office burnt down. HEAVY LOSS At about half an hour after St. Elvan'u bad obseived the midnight hour yesterday (Thursday) morning, people in the neigh- bourhood of the Tarian office, in Cardiff street, were aroused by the cry of tire." The "Tarian" buildings were in flames. Some of the inhabitants of adjacent build- ings communicated with the poliee, who were coon on the spot. The following is the report of th police :— Inspector Davies and Police Sergi antjj Lewis report receiving information at 12.35 on Thursday morning that a Pi e had broken out at the Tarian y Gweithiwi Offices, Cardiff-street. Inspector Davies, Police Sergeant Lewis, P.O. Jenkins, P.O. Tomkins, P.O. Kichanls, P.C. Wm. Thomas, P.C. Robert Thomas and P.C. John Thomas proceeded at once with hose and reel to the fire, and found the front part of the premises in flames. Inspector Davies and Police Sergeant Lewis fixed a stand-pipe in Cardiff-street and Duke-street, and with a good supply i of water the tire was got under in a short time. P.C. Pannieis, P.C. John Thomas, P.C. Henry Senior, and P.C. Taylor arrived on the scene and assisted in extinguishing the fire. Several civilians, Mr Pardoe, Mr Barker, coal merchant, Mr D. Masser, and others, lendered valuable assistance. The fire was eventually put out at about 6 a.m., the amount of damage not knoysrp," The cause of the outbreak remains a mystery. When the day began to break, the wrecked building presented a peculiar sight. C, The few beams of wood that remained were ornamented with icicles, and the roadway was covered with ice for some distance from the buildiog. It is estimattd that. the damage amounts to about £ 2,000. All who witnessed the fire, characterise the conduct of the policejften as most gallant. 6' -r-

Merthyr & Aberdare Board of Guardians. — Inspector Davis appointed Tramp Relieving Officer for Aberdare. Mr D. P. Davies, J.P., Ynysllwyd, chair- man, presided at the Board meeting of the Merthyr and Aberdare Guardians on Satur- day at the Board-room of the Merthyr Workhouse. There were also present:— Aid. T. Jenkins, J.P. (Dowlais), Aid. T. Williams, J.P. (Merthyr), Mr John Rogers (C fn), Mr Wm. Williams, J.P. (Hirwain), Mrs Peter Williams, Mrs D. M. Richards, Canon Wade, Rev. J. Hathren Davies, Mr N. F. Hankey (Abercanaid), Mr J. W. Morgan, J.P. (Hirwain), Mr H. W. Martin, J.P. (Dowlais), Mr E. M. Harm (Aberaman), Mr Joseph Owen, J.P. IMerthyr), Mr David Hopkins (Pontlottyn), Mr David Evans (Merthyr), Mr Jonah Evans (Trelewis), Mr J. Aurelius (Treharris), Mr Lewis Evans (Pontlottyn), Mr G. Seaborne (Hengoed), Mr D. S. Jones, J.P. (Bargoed), Dr Clement Davies (Pontlottyn), Mr W. Davies (Glyn Neath), Mr David Evans, J.P. (Hirwain), Rev. W. S. Davies (Aberdare), Mr Owen Harris (Aberdare), Mi T. Bevan (Vochriw), Mr J. H. James (Aberdare), Mr W. Lewis (Merthyr), Mr David Price (Dowlais), Rev. James O'Reilly (Aberdare), and Mr J. Edwards (Bedlinog). The Chairman signed a cheque for Y-250 for outdoor relief for the following week. 0 TRAMP RELIEVING OFFICERS THE ABERDARE APPOINTMENT.—The Clerk re- ported that the Finance Committee had recommended that Superintendent Townsend be appointed as tramp relieving officer for Merthyr, and that Inspector Davis be ap- pointed in the same capacity at Aberdare. The Committee also recommended that the apportionment of the salary formerly paid to the late Supt. Thorney— £ 15—be referred to the Chief Constable for him to consider, having regard to the duties which would be performed by either officer,-Ald. Thomas Williams, J.P., moved the adoption of the report.—The Rev. J. Hathren Davies se- conded, and the motion was carried. NURSES' CERTIFICATES.—Mr D. Evans said that while they were dealing with the Finance Committee's report he would like to ask whether the certificates given to nurses by the Guardians were of any value to the nurses in getting other appointments, and also whether it was legal to spend money on these certificates.—The Clerk re- plied that as far as the legality was con- cerned the certificates were printed instead of haying them written by his clerk and referring to the value of the certificates given by the Guardians, he would remind Mr Evana that when applicants had brought a ceitificati- from any other Board of Guard- ikns when applying for a post under the Merthyr Board it had assisted them greatly. POWELL DUFFRYN Co. V. MERTHYR GUARDIANS.—The Clerk reported that the application of the plaintiffs in the action of the Powell Dullryn Co. v. the Merthyr Guardians for postponement of the hearing of the hearing of the appeal against Lord Justice Romer's decision, was practically refused on Wednesday, and in all probability it would be heard on the following Wedncs day. With regard to the action brought against the B^dweiity Union, the hearing was elost d on the I s day and the Judge had re-erv« d his decision. (Lie (the Clerk) would like to .-esk li;,t Guardiaus for a cheque for X400 tuuaaio thy legui hill. The Guardians wouid be represented by t Edward Clarke aud ii Gu mfein Kadv.— Mr J. W. Morgan moved that the an.oup^ be granted.—Mr David Hopkins seconded the motion, which was carried. RELIEF OF RESERVISTS' FAMILIES.—Mr David Evans asked the Clerk if lie had obtained information as to the reservists' wives who obtained relief from the Solditrs' and Sailors' Association, in order that the same families should not receivu relief from the Guardians in bddition,-The Clerk ^i'd he had been in tendon during the week, but would get the information as soon as possible. THE HIGH PRICE OF COAL.—Rsv. James O'Reilly gave notice uf motion to consider the advisability of giving extra out-door relief owing to the increased price of coal.

ABERDARE EVIDENCE. ONE LINE IS WORTH A WHOLE PAGE OF TESTIMONY FROM ANOTHER TOWN. Make a mental note of I his; 1\lrli James is well known in Aberdarp. Her word is unquestioned You are reading local evidence. Investigating home testimony. A b,rdtire news for bjSrdare people. Mrs Mary Ann James of 83, Trap-road, Aberdare, says "I have suffered ygood deal for some montba past from very sevpfe pains across the small of my back, Tuesrf paius were caused by my kidneys being out ot order and though I con- sulted a doctor And took some medicine I could not get cured jt As time ffeut on I grew worse and I begttO to find itinojae difficult to keep up to my work every day. But just at that time a good many Aber- dare people were talking about Doans Baokacbe Kidnny Pills and whrt a wouderful remedy they were for bad backs so I sent my daughter to Boot's the chemist in Commercial-street, for a box. I began taking them and by the time I had finished tho box the pains had left me and I was quite cured. All my friends are greatly surprised at the change that has taken place lD ine, and I tnll them it is due to Doans Backaohe Kidney Pills." Signed (Mrs) Mary AuC James. Loan's Backache Kidney Pills are sold by all ciieuiists and drug stores at 2s 9d per bo% (six box-a 13s 9d) or sent direct post free on receipt of price from the Proprietors, Foster VlcClellan & Co., 57, Shoe Lane, London. He sure you aek for Doan's Backache Kidney Pills the same that Mr James had.

ALL COUNTRY PEOPLE should read The Rural VTor&t hI. weekly, which contains articles on Horses, Cattle, tbg Dairy, Poultry,.JSflfes, Rabbits, Pigs, Gardening, Natural History, BOHJIY <ft the Piiiw and Garden, the Foreign anJ^Colqpial Intelligence, Answers to Correspon- dents, ety lt i^"profusely illustrated, and is, altogether, • most vj/fSresting, and instructive farming and country p*p*T' A s0/Xl medium for servants requiring situations. TU* Mfcager offers to send a specimen copy frte. Th» addratf v 110 and 111 Strand, London, W.C. EI'P,S COCOA ESSENCE.—A THIN COCOA-o rhe choicest roasted nibs of the Natural Cucoe, on being subjected to powerful hydraulio pressure, give forih thfir Excess of oil, leaving ior nse a finely flavoured p )W ier—a product which, when prepared with boiling water, has the consistence of tea, of which it is now with muny. beneficially taking tho place. Its active principle being a gentle nerve stimulant, supplies the needed energy without unduly exciting the system. Sold only in labell-d 'ins. If unable to obtain it ot your trades- man, a tin will be sent post free for 9 stain pa. James Epps & Co., Ltd., Chemiata, London.