The London Welshman

Notes from South Wales. (From our Special Correspondent.) Cardiff Bigotry. Whilst the JVestern Mail and the Conservative Lord Mayor of Cardiff strongly advocated the conferring of the freedom of that city on the Right Hon. D. Lloyd-George, on the occasion of his forthcoming visit in connection with the Cymmrodorion St. David's Banquet, a number of local Conservatives made a dead set against the proposal, so that the idea has had to be abandoned. In an excellent article, the Western Mail chided the bigots for such an exhibition of narrow-mindedness. The splendid reception which the brilliant Welshman is certain to receive by the Cymmrodorion Society, will, however, more than compensate for the pitiful action. The Late Alaw Ddu. Welshmen generally, will be glal to hear that the fund started with the object of perpetuating the memory of the late "Alaw Ddu (Mr. W. T. Rees), of Llanelly, is being well received. Alaw Ddu was the composer of some beautiful musical works which have afforded cheer and pleasure to thousands. The well-known hymn tune, Glanrhondda," was due to Alaw Ddu's inspiration, and so was that lovely glee, Y Gwlithyn." And all who have heard the cantata, The Good Shepherd," cannot fail to have been impressed with its beauty. As one who has been charmed with many of Alaw Ddu's compositions, I wish the movement to keep his memory evergreen the highest possible success. A Good Welshman for London. Mr. W. Wilkins, who is leaving Llanelly for London, has been one of the most prominent Welshmen in South-West Wales, and his departure leaves a gap which will be very difficult to fill. Mr. Wilkins is a member of the Llanelly Urban District Council and Harbour Trust, and has filled the chairmanship of both bodies. He is also a member of the County Council, in which position he has showed good business skill. Religious and social work at Llanelly have found in Mr. Wilkins an earnest advocate. He is a deacon with the Calvinistic Methodists, and has filled the position of super- intendent of an institution, which, to every true Cymro, is always revered and cherished—the Sunday School. Mr. Wilkins ought to prove a welcome acquisition to the London Welsh community. A Good Move. Welshmen in Wales note with satisfaction the decision arrived at by a representative gathering of London Welshmen, held at the National Liberal Club the other evening, under the presidency of Mr. William Evans, of the Board of Trade, to invite the 34 members for Wales

Easter Holidays. WHERE TO STAY IN WALES. LLANDUDNO.—St. George's Hotel. LLANGOLLEN.—Edwards' Hand Hotel.

TliE SUCCESS OF LONDON BOYS IN CANADA. It might interest many of your numerous readers," writes an old correspondent from Hamilton, Ont., to know that Owen Jones, late of London (nephew of Mr Hirwen Jones), has won a Free Scholarship (Pianoforte), under Principal Dr. Torrington, at the Toronto College of Music. Professor Torrington is very able and best known in Canada, and it is considered a great honour to be under his tuition. Mr. Jones also belongs to the Doctor's choir. The boy is employed in one of Toronto's largest drapery stores in the daytime, but takes his lessons twice a week. And I may here state that he and a brother and friend upon their arrival in Canada were immediately snapped up at the first place they tried, and that at the best and largest stores in the Dominion. So if there are any of your readers having sons from 15 up and don't know what to do with them,-they can feel quite safe in letting them come out here. Canada will soon find room for them, and with such a climate and good living they cannot help getting on. Canada is booming all over, and our ex- perience of the climate since August is simpty charming. Scarcely any frost or snow, yet on the borders of Lake Ontario, where, by the- way, grapes, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, apples, plums, &c., &c., are cultivated outdoors in the finest and best orchards anyone could wish to see. Between Niagara Falls and Toronto, a distance of over 80 miles, is the fruit garden of Canada. Wishing you and old friends a happy and prosperous new year."

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and Monmouthshire to a congratulatory recep- tion at one of the large public halls in the metropolis. The idea is a most excellent one in every way, and the gathering ought to prove one of the most interesting in the history of the Welsh nation. It should also prove a fitting opportunity for securing a photographic group of the whole of the Welsh members, the value and uniqueness of which was commented upon by Mr. Herbert Davies in a recent issue of the LONDON WELSHMAN'S correspondence columns. A photographic group of the combined Welsh members would be sure to sell well amongst the thousands of Welshmen desirous of pos- sessing an interesting memento of "All Liberal Wales." A Very Strange Country. The following sympathetic little sketch which appeared in the last issue of a Glamorganshire weekly is so true to life, that I reproduce it in these "Notes":—"A fairly heavy fall of snow occurred on Tuesday. How the schoolboys enjoyed themselves making snow men, snow- balling each other, and anyone else who came within their line of fire. What if they did break an occasional window they enjoyed themselves. How many of the grown ups are there who would not give a truck load of windows to be as happy and healthy as these red cheeked school- boys who are romping in the snow ? But what brings happiness to some brings sorrow to others. Outside work is very scarce, and the snow has stopped what bit there was. See those two strong lusty navvies coming along ? They have done no work for over a week on account of the frost and snow. They have had nothing to eat for two days, and the houses that they venture to call (the poor man's home) have nothing to give. Why don't they call at the rich man's home, you ask? Well, simply because the rich man would send for a policeman and charge them with the abomin- able crime of begging, and then their names would appear in the police-court news. Likely enough the magistrates on the bench would read them a little homily on the sin of being poor, the sin of being hungry, and, more heinous than all, the sin of asking a fellow- being to give you a crust of bread to keep body and soul together. This is a very strange country we live in, my masters." Yes, it is. Poverty is a terrible crime Welsh Drama. Not only is there increased interest being taken in the Welsh language, Welsh history, and Welsh nationality generally, but in Welsh drama as well. The public performance of "The Maid of Cefn Vdfa," at Aberdare, the other night, for example, aroused keen local interest, and it was so well appreciated that repeat performances had to be given. There was a time when a performance of The Maid of Cefn Ydfa was only deemed worthy of a travelling theatre, but the more Welshmen read of this beautiful Welsh romance, the greater does their appreciation become. Welsh and English Poets. "English poets did not approach poetry in the same spirit as the Welsh. Shelley went to love nature, Wordsworth went to think about nature, and Tennyson to study the laws of nature. But the Welsh poet went to nature to see God."—Rev. T. M. Davies, Solva, before the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Society. Sunday Golf at Llandudno. I have followed, in company with many others, the agitation now going on in Llandudno on the question of Sunday golf, with much interest. From what I understand, Mr. Cummings, the lessee of the link of the North Wales Golf Club, has been informed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, owners of the land, that the lease will not be renewed except with a clause prohibiting play on Sundays. Hence the commotion. The Club members number some 300, and chiefly belong to Liver- pool, Birmingham, and Manchester, and Mr. Cummings has informed a pressman, so I notice, that if play is prohibited on Sundays these 300 members will cease their visits to Llandudno, which will mean "an annual loss of ^20,000." I do not want to unfairly criticise anybody; but I, for one, will not believe the statement that the men who play Sunday golf at Llandudno spend ^20,000 per annum in the town. According to this figure 300 Sunday golfers spend nearly ^400 per week in Llandudno This sounds like one of those tall American stories we read so much about. The religious denominations in the town, headed by the vicar and Nonconformist ministers, are supporting the agitation against Sunday golf, on the ground that it would be detrimental to the moral and material interests of the town, whilst the hotel proprietors, tradesmen, and others have sent a memorial to the Commissioners, pointing out that the stoppage of Sunday golfing would prejudice Llandudno in its competition with other seaside resorts, that the position of the links is isolated," that it is impossible that such play can hurt the feelings of the strictest Sabbatarians," that Sunday caddies are not allowed, and that with the exception of twenty local members, the remainder are visitors.