The Aberdare Leader

Aberdare. Kop's Iskey Stout stands alone as the 'best Temperance stimulant. Try it as an aid to digestion. Sole agent, H. McLaren, Trecynon. Christmas Cards, Christmas Cards, Christmas Cards. Private Greeting Cards from Is. a dozen. Emrys Evans, 10, Victoria Square, Aberdare. HORTICULTURE.—On Wednesday, Nov. -15th, Mr R. Hedjer Wallace, County Council lecturer on agriculture, gave an instructive address at the Aberdare County School on The elements of horticultural science." The Rev. J. Mor- gan Jones took the chair, but bad to leave during the meeting, the vacated chair being afterwards occupied by Mr John Prowle. We understand that this is the first of a series of lectures to be delivered on kindred subjects. THE RUSSIAN ATROCITIES. A well- attended meeting was held at the Syna- gogue Chambers on Sunday evening last, to protest against the terrible atrocities perpetrated on the Jews in Russia. A relief fund was opened, and subscriptions amounting to X4 were received. Dona- tions will be thankfully received by the treasurer, Mr S. L. Goldstone, pawn- broker, Aberaixian, and will be forwarded to the Anglo-Jewish Association in Lon- don. BRITISH WOMEN'S TEMPERANCE AS- SOCIATION.—The usual meeting of the above was held in Trinity Vestry on 3 'n Monday last. According to custom one meeting in the year is a devotional meet- ing and this was held as such. There was a good attendance. Mrs Lloyd, the president, gave a short account of the social work. There was, at the close, a sale of work for the benefit of the Cardiff .Home. A resolution was passed request- Sag the Merthyr Guardians to substitute jtea and coffee for beer at the Paupers' Christmas dinner. HIGHLAND PLACE.—Last Sunday, Mr Fred Duxbury, Manchester, the well- known elocutionist, preached here both ,morning and evening. On Monday eve- ning at the Memorial Hall, Mr Duxbury gave a recital. There was a good at- tendance, Mr Isaac George, High Con- .stable, presiding. Assisting Mr Duxbury were a number of able artistes. They were Mrs John Lewis, L.R.A.M., and her daughter, Miss Enid Lewis, Pontypridd Mr Llew Jones, Aberdare, the renowned ,tenor; Mr J. T. Davies, Aberdare, bari- tcme: and Mr Tom Lawrence, Aberdare, flautist. The programme was intensely interesbing from start to finish. At the •close Mr P. T. Rhys moved a vote of .thanks to the chairman and artistes. This was carried with acclamation and the High Constable responded. Tabernacle Young People's Society. The weekly meeting of this Society was held on Thursday evening. Impromptu .speeches formed the work of the evening. The subjects covered a large and varied ;scope. Some of the speeches were most humorous, while others were in a more .serious vein, but all were highly interest- ing, and tb-ere was no lack of speakers on or interest in any of the subjects. The attendance was exceedingly good. Aberdare Literary Society.—The fort- nightly meeting of the above society was held on Wednesday week, Mr. E. S. Hall presiding. The meeting was given over to impromptu debates, the subjects ..discussed being the following: "Is the prevalence of gossip among educated women inexcusable?" "Is the Aberdare Fair an institution worthy of patronage?" ""Ought the publication of fashion books 'for women be prohibited pH "Is the Aber- dare Free Library a boon to the town?" The following took part in the various ,discussions: -Mrs. Emrys Evans, Messrs. .J. Griffiths, J. Harry Reed, W. R. Wil- liams, B.Sc., S. M. Davies, E. Emrys Evans, C. R. Vicary, F. Ei. Stansfield, J. Phillips, W. Pugh, and the chairman. Social. On Wednesday the second social evening in connection with the Aberdare Branch of the National Union of Shop Assistants was held at the Me- morial Hall. The chair was taken by Mr. Gwilym Thomas. After a few encour- ,aging remarks by the chairman, a song, ,entitled, "In Old Madrid," was given by Mrs. R. W. Owen, Merthyr. After- wards, a solo was rendered by Miss May Hopkins, accompanied by Miss Hopkins. Mr. Ben Davies then gave a Welsh recita- tion. A mouth organ solo by Mr. Wil- liams, was well applauded. "I never can forget/ by Mr. Owen, was much appreci- ated. Mr. Williams gave a mouth organ selection, "Killarney"; Miss Hopkins sang "Little Yellow Bird" very prettily. The chairman, on behalf of the local branch, heartily thanked the artistes for v contributing to the conviviality of the even- ing. Mr. Lloyd endorsed the chairman's remarks, and a vote of thanks was passed. Various games were indulged in until a late hour, Mr. Harding acting as M.C. fTabernacle. On Sunday evening the Rev. J. M. Jones, M.A., took as his text Phil. iv, 8. The preached remarked that the most prominent question, of the day was education, and what kind of train- ing ought a boy or girl to go through in order to prepare them for life's work. Years ago there did not seem to be any x. effort made in that direction. Now every nerve was strained, to make the education o,of the child as useful as possible. The ,question often asked was, "How best can the children be equipped to earn a liv- ing?" The old mechanical system was perfectly useless. There was a general rush to utilise all the great inventions of science for the purposes of bread and cheese. But there was another question besides how to earn a living. That was, how to live. It was generally assumed that the minister of religion ought to work, not for any mercenary end, but for something higher. But he (the preacher) < maintained that every man's profession should have some higher and nobler end othan merely making a living. Something of that element was in all the social move- ments of the time. The movement to shorten the hours of labour had a higher purpose than curtailing men's labour. It meant giving men more time to obtain the leisure of friendship and an oppor- tunity for mental and moral culture. It meant a cry for a higher life. The es- sence of the higher life was embodied by Paul in the words of the text. Ever since the time of the Puritans the religious life was understood to be the narrow groove of strict piety. But man had been made for great cathedrals, for good pictures, good songs, and good actions. They were parts of the same principle. A great cathedral was a monument to the finest building power of man. Not only was it a place of worship, but it was also the expression of the worshipful spirit of the builder. The old theory was that only a few people had the capacity to lead a really good religious life, just as only a few people could be great builders or clever painters. But as a matter of fact every human being was capable of living a religious and moral life. At the close of the sermon the choir, under the con- ductorship of Mr Moses, sang the anthem, "0 taste and see."

Abercynon. FATALITY.-On Saturday, the 18th inst, Mr Harris, of Lock Cottages, Aber- cynon, was killed through being knocked down by a journey of trams at the Dow- lais Cardiff Colliery. Great sympathy is felt for his bereaved widow and four children. MEETINGS.—On Sunday and Monday, the 12 and 13th inst, recognition services were held at Calf aria Baptist Chapel, the Rev Benjamin Howells, of Gelliwen, being inducted as pastor of the church. Very effective meetings were held. The Rev. W. R. Jones, of Penrhiwceiber, and Rev. E. T. Jones, of Seion, Llanelly, preached on Sunday, and Rev. E. Jones (Iorwerth Ddu), of Maesteg, and Rev. Charles Davies, of Cardiff, on Monday. Mem- bers of the churches of Gelliwen and Seion, Llanelly, spoke very highly of Mr Howells and his work for the good cause at those places. Mr Howells is a native of Llwynhendy, near Llanelly.

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Disaster at Mountain Ash Reservoir. Two Workmen Killed. An accident occurred on Friday at the new reservoir which is being built for the Mountain Ash District Council on the Llanwonno Mountain between Mountain Ash and Ynysybwl, whereby one man, named Wilson, was killed, and another, named Carter, injured. They were working in a cutting, 15ft. deep, Wilson was turning a drill and Car- ter striking when an explosion occurred, which blew Wilson clean out of the cut- ting and landed his body several yards away, causing instantaneous death. His arms, legs and face were frightfully mangled. Carter also received severe injuries about his face and head, and he succumbed to his injuries about five o'clock on Friday evening. Dr Jones, Penrhiwceiber, with his assistant, Dr Mackay, attended to the injuries of the unfortunate fellow, and did all they could to alleviate his sufferings. The names of the victims are:—J. Wilson, aged 31, re- siding at the Huts, and William Carter, aged 40, Tyntetown.

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Runaway Vans at Mountain Ash. Studt's Organ Ruined. On Monday Mr John Studt's rouud- abouts and grand organ were being drawn up a steep gradient in one of the back thoroughfares of Mountain Ash by a traction engine, and when half-way up the hill one of the shackels broke and two vans, one of which contained the organ, ran backwards. They kept to the middle of the road until the bottom of the hill was reached, when the vans were almost smashed to atoms the organ susta;ning considerable damage. Fortunately no one was injured. The damage is estima- ted to amount to about < £ 1,500.

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Letters to the Editor. I Letters on any subject of public interest are invited. It should be understood that we do not necessarily agree with the views expressed therein. Correspond- ents will oblige by writing on one side of the paper, and must invariably en- close their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

PESSIMISTIC CRITICISM. Sir,—Your criticism and comments re Dr. Datta's lecture on the "Economics of the Collier's Life,' has been most inter- esting, especially to those who, like myself, are students of sociological phenomena. In the first place, the pessimistic view, and hopeless tone of your comments is to be deplored. Your references to the Poor Law In- spector's address to the Merthyr Guard- ians, Merthyr's Labour Senate, and the lecture afore-mentioned, are strongly flavoured with a spirit of conservatism and doubt, which is quite unnecessary and out of tone with the general uprising and inspiring activity that is seen in every direction. You seem to imply that the panacea for unemployment and in- capacity of a workman is thrift and habits of providence. This was also emphasised by the Poor Law Inspector in his ad- dress. Now, I don't wish to depreciate these virtues or qualities in the least, or exonerate our young men from the obli- gations of cultivating them to the fullest extent, but I must protest against the idea of suggesting that social and indus- trial evils can be done away with by these means. I may also say that the investi- gations and conclusions of all economical and social reformers of any repute, are agreed on this. Considerations of space does not allow me to give facts and figures in support of my contention. Concerning Dr. Datta's lecture, I am glad to see that there is one at least of the medical profession abreast with the times in his conception and diagnosis of our social ills, and withal, is courageous enough to preach and practise to a great extent, the remedies for those ills. His suggestion re the duty of the Federation to support young members at the Uni- versities is a very good one. If any move- ment is in need of educated representa- tives to-day, it is the Labour Movement. An organisation like the Miners' Feder- ation must, in order to live and be effec- tive, apply itself more and more as an educative and economic organisation. In- stead of being a mere tool of defence it should be made an instrument for the development of its members (especially the younger section) in all the vital prin- ciples of life. I take it that the Dr. holds this view concerning the Federation, and therein he is to be commended. The remarks concerning the failure and limits of co-operation are unworthy of the "Aberdare Leader," and shows a par- tial and inadequate observation of facts. It would be interesting to have, some de- finite alternative remedies suggested by you, as substitutes to those suggested by the Dr. I want the leading orgin of the Aberdare Valley to be healthy on these matters, not because I advocate the prin- ciples of municipal and social reform, but because the trend of all scientific thought and observation to-day is towards co-oper- ation, and the complete socialisation of wealth in its production and distribution, and the absolute necessity of develop- ment in these principles in order to live the perfect life.—Yours, etc., Aberaman. JOHN DAVIES.

CWMDARE SQUABBLE. Sir,—In your last week's issue I see still another Reformer in the field, and does he not go at it in a business-like manner? I was awe struck with his elo- quence The subject is not so painful for him as it was for his friend "Justice," whose overflowing sympathy was all a guise. The term your correspondent ap- plied to us-Gentiles-was very striking. I see he is in a right Christian spirit. What mockery! But who does he de- fend? We all know the meaning of the word, but does he defend "Justice," or the author of this controversy? No, he is more on the attack than on the de- fence. He charges me with certain things, such as unfairness in the fight, but who kicks the traces? I accepted » "Justice's" challenge, but he has not been man enough to prove his assertions, but he is not the only one that has failed. And I don't see "Defender" taking up the cudgels on his behalf. Also, I am charged with being one of the sect who condemned "Justice" for ap- plying himself to the press. I was not even in that meeting. I am not tied to any sect, as "Defender" puts it, but to my own free will. I do not even spend sleepless nights worrying over other people's sins, not resting until I have denounced them as unbrotherly. How sensitive some people are. They are the very people who made such scathing re- marks on and passed resolutions against your paper for prejudicing the minds of people against the revival not a year ago, and now they ask for space in your columns to state their grievance before the public. What inconsistency! As to the barbed wire surroundings, I have noticed plenty of that stuff in cer- tain houses, and even on the high-way. Little circles were to be found during the revival to prevent a Gentile going near them. Of course, the spirit was with them, conducting their affairs. When do they propose going in for a good travelling show again, with those inex- perienced young imps ? They had a glor- ious time; it was a paying game, living on other people's generosity. What waste of good time, and the enemy in their own camp! "Confess your sins" has been the motto of this sect. My opinion does not alter. That is public property, and such big advocates as "Justice" and "Defender" have not proved otherwise. But the secret came out after, at the time of those glorious scenes on that memorable Sun- day, when the "Reformed" put his methods to the test. But the subject your correspondent likes to dwell on is my sins. He would like to expose them, but I need no side- lights. My own heart convicts me too often. Is he sinless? If so, he may throw a stone, but don't worry about my sins. I'll try to bear them myself, with some help from above. "Outsider" is very near to his heart, and that is the only one he defends, while he attacks his own brother. Love was the theme of those glorious days. Where is it now ? I never intended to shut the gates against "Outsider," but I referred to him as an "Insider of your Reform Club," where outsiders dare not enter. As to the pre-arranged, he goes to prove certain things in existence on the other side. What does he mean? But "De- fender" takes good care not to give his views on the "progressive" methods his sect intend to adopt. My simple questions remain unanswered by the one who calls himself "Justice," and "Defender" goes off th-a subject of this controversy to some other field of operation. As to the disgusting language, prove that it took place inside the house of God. Admit the truth, and shame the devil that has filled your heart against some persons. There are many in the crowd, says your correspondent, but they are not very stable men if they go with the crowd. They can be easily turned. "Jellyfish" we call them, and not "defenders.' If purity is their motto, it will be written on their foreheads, as we read in the Book. What is your correspondent's mo- tive? To defend he says. We doubt it. Perhaps he means to ram their new re- ligion down our throats. I see no answer forthcoming from "Jus- tice," so I shall refrain from writing any more.—Yours, etc., ONE OF THE GENTILES.

"From God to Gaiety and Golf." A Plea for more Holiness. At the morning service at Trinity Chapel, Aberdare, last Sunday, the Rev. J. Lewis Jenkins, the pastor, preached on I the words, "And one cried unto another, and said: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah vi., 3). The preacher ob- served that in this chapter was recorded the call and consecration of the Prophet Isaiah, effected by means of a wonderful vision. The prophet says that this took place "in the year that King Uzziah died." There was great significance in those words. Uzziah had been a great king. In his days the power and prestige of the nation had been higher than they had been since the days of Solomon. But, alas, the wine of prosperity was too strong for him. His strength eventually begat pride, and pride religious presumption, and one day he committed an act of dese- cration in the temple, and was punished therefore with leprosy. He was reduced from the throne to the lazar-house, from majesty to obscurity, disease and death. At the time Isaiah was a young man with a vivid imagihatiov^nd this tragedy im- pressed him very much. To him it was not merely a date or point of time, but the terrible fate of the king had punctu- ated his experience. God was exalted even in the tragedies of the world-in in- dividual calamities, in commercial ruin, and in the break up of nations and em- pires. The great lesson of Isaiah's vision was "God's separation from all created beings." The Almighty existed in a state of splendid and yet awful isolation. Dr. Dale on his deathbed remarked to his friend, Dr. Berry, "No one is afraid of God to-day." He (the preacher) was con- vinced that there was a decay in the spirit of reverence. To-day not a shudder passed through the souls of men as they entered the sanctuary of God. God's love was not mawkish affection or divine sentimentali- ty, but there was a tendency to reduce the Almighty into a weak aii-ci indulgent parent, and forget his greatness and aw- fulness. God asked for love, but what kind of love? Exalted emotion, drenched in tears, but based on justice. God was not a being who overlooked sin and into whose presence one could rush without embarrassment. Two were involved in the worship of the sanctuary-God and man. When God was ignored man took his place, and the worship of the sanctuary would administer, not to the glory of the former, but to the vanity of the latter. Man had a liking for the beautiful and the aesthetic, hence his easy access to ritual. In so far as ritual helped men to realise the glory and greatness of God it was proper. But there was a fatal ten- dency among worshippers to forget the reality and grasp the outward form. Rita al appealed to the lust of the eye, and many people mistook the sensuous feel- ir.s experienced under the influence of this formula for true worship. Many such people attended the churches in the early part of the day, and devoted the re- mainder of the holy day to, gaieties and golf. Was it that idea of God than ritual conveyed to them? There was a kind of ritual in some Nonconformist churches also. A too prominent emphasis was laid on preaching. People came to praise or to criticise the preacher at anniversary services, with the result that man was prominent while God was forgotten. Some practical people regarded worship and reverence as useless sentiments. They were satisfied with external morality, but the man who laid himself prostrate be- fore a higher being than himself was not wanting in external morality. Reverence to ancient traditions was necessary in a nation to keep the national soul alive. It was the same with regard to the spiritual life. They should not despise reverence, because through it they were educated for a, life beyond the grave.

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Aberdare Police Court. On Tuesday.—Before Sir T. Marchant Williams, Dr. Davies, Dr. Jones, and Mr. G. George. EJECTMENT." On behalf of Samuel J. Wadsworth, Mr. W. Thomas applied for an order to eject Wm. Jones, 21, Gadlys-street, Aber- dare.—Granted. THOUGHT DEFENCE USELESS. Patrick Burke was accused of being drunk in Jubilee-road, Aberaman. Asked -f he had anything to say, Burke replied, "I might as well say noth- ing." Fined 10s. and costs. UNLICENSED CONVEYANCE. Alfred Evans was charged with using an unlicensed carriage. Inspector David deposed that on Oct. 1st he saw Evans driving a carriage which was unlicensed. Defendant was a. licensed driver, but he had no license for that particular conveyance. He told the In- spector that he had taken Lis carriage to he repaired, and had borrowed this one. Defendant now said lie had borrowed the carriage to take an invalid home, but the Inspector testified that defendant had been on the stand for half an hour. The Stipendiary said that there was evi- dently a breach of the law, and defendant would be fined 5s. and costs. OVER-CROWDING. Henry Troakes was charged with hav- ing six passengers in hIs brake, whereas lie was licensed to carry only 5. Accosted by P.C. Thomas, he said that a man had jumped on the step unawares to him. Fined 10s. and costs. Roger Williams was charged with carrying eight persons in a brake. P.C. Arch said that defendant gave him false information when asked for the number of his badge and brake. Defendant said that it was a borrowed brake, and he did not know the number thereof. Fined 20s. and costs. Col. Phillips (for the Aberdare Dis- trict Council) prosecuted in these cases. TRESPASSING. Frederick Hall, senr., and Frederick Hall, junr., were summoned for trespass- ing on the Dare Branch (G.W.R.). Fined 10s. and costs each. FAMILY JARS. A Wife Who was Denied Nourishment. Hannah Davies accused Wm. Davies, her husband, of deserting her. Mrs. Davies said they had been married two years. Her husband left her 'five weeks previous without any reason. She had summoned him twice before, and he had begged her to take him back, which she did. Defendant said that his wife placed his clothes outside the door, and told him to go. This Mrs. Davies emphatically denied. Defendant said further that he went away, and entered the "Saloon"" and his wife followed him there. Defendant and complainant entered into a long argument in court. She testi- fied that defendant was unwilling for her to have any nourishment. If she had a drop of something into the house, he would be sure to drink it. She did not know why he should go away and leave a comfortable home. Stipendiary: It could not be very com- fortable if you worry him as you do now. Mrs. Davies said that her husband wanted her to sign an agreement that she would not molest him. He wanted to live near to her, but not with her. Stipendiary: No, I am sure he would not want that. Defendant was ordered to pay 7s. 6d. per week. PATERNITY. Sarah A. Llewelyn, Aberaman, charged Joseph Lloyd with being the father of her }. illegitimate child. f Mr. W. Kenshole, who appeared for complaintant, stated that defendant had paid the girl some money. An order of 3s. 6d. per week was made. THE CWMAMAN FRACAS. Prisoner Discharged. Eleazar Thomas, who had been re- manded on the charge of causing the death of Wm. Davies, Cwmaman, was dis- charged. ALLEGED THEFT. Gomer Jones and Seth Lovell were charged with stealing 18s. 6d. from the per- son of James Jones, labourer, Merthyr Vale. Jones said that he had treated the two defendant to drink, and afterwards went with them to a hayrick, where they laid themselves down to sleep. He was roused by the policeman, and searching his pockets, he found that 18s. Cd. had been taken from him.

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John Evans, Merthyr Vale, said that on November 20th he saw defendant pass- ing his house in the company of two men. He did not recognise the two men. He saw the three men lying down in the barn by the cemetery, and he went and told the sexton. He saw the two men afterwards on the road handling money, but he failed to identify them. John S. Crevey, the sexton, next gave evidence. In consequence of what John Evans told him he went to the top of the cemetery. He saw the three men there. He recognised James Jones and Gomer J ones, but he was not certain of the third. He saw Gomer Jones take money from the old man's pocket, and he immediately fetched a policeman. Gomer Jones denied having been on the spot. Lovell admitted having been there, but denied taking the money. A Merthyr Vale constable testified that he charged the defendants with stealing from the person of James Jones. Jones replied, "I never stole it. He paid for drinks at the Aberfan Hotel." Lovell said, "I took him up to the rick and chucked hay over both of them." He searched them, and found 5s. IlJd. on Jones but nothing on Lcvell. Both were committed to the Assizes. A PAUPER WHO TORE HIS CLOTHES. Ashamed of His Old Trousers. David Jones was charged with assault- ing Wm. Thomas, porter at Merthyr Workhouse. Thomas said that that morning his clothes were handed to defendant, who tore them all with the exception of his coat. He then became most abusive. Clerk: I suppose he wanted a new suit. Defendant said that he was ashamed to walk about in his old trousers. He then took his coat off to show marks on his bare arm which he alleged were inflicted by the workhouse people. He was sent to prison for seven days. A POKER AFFRAY. Met the Wrong Man. John Holding, who appeared in court with a bandaged head, charged William Harrington with unlawfully wounding him in 14, Dare-court, Aberdare. Complainant paid he was a lodging- house keeper. On Nov. 20th he was in the house. There was alittle row between defendant and his wife. Witness opened the door, and told them to be quiet. De- fendant thereupon struck witness with a poker (produced). When he had struck complainant, defendant said he was sorry. Clerk: That was after he hit vou?— Yes. Defendant related a story of how he was attacked by some young man. Subse- quently someone opened the door, and he was under the impression that it was the young man, and he let go the poker at him. Then he found out that it was the old man. Clerk: Then if the other fellow had been there he would have had the lpol-er —Yes. Wm. Holding, complainant's son, gave evidence next. He saw defendant Kitting his father with a poker. Defendant ex- pressed his sorrow after he had done the deed. Dr. W. LI. Rhys stated he saw John Holding that morning. He had a wound on his forehead about li inches long and one-twelfth of an inch deep. The cut might have been produced by a blow with a poker. P.C. O'Connor deposed that on Nov. 20th he was on duty in the neighbour- hood of Da;e-court, when he heard some- one shoutij; "Good God! I am struck." Harrington was outside the house, and Holding was inside bleeding from a wound. Harrington tlifen said that he had hit the wrong man. Charged with wound- ing Holding, defendant said, "I and my wife and another woman were going to bed. I was upstairs when the door opened. I saw at the door a young man who struck me on the mouth. The young man then ran down stairs and I followed. Subsequently the door was opened, and thinking it was the same man I struck at him with the poker." Defendant said he had witnesses to give evidence in his favour, Margaret Lloyd and Milly Ryan, but when their names were called out there was no response. Defendant was committed to the Assizes. DRUNKS. Daniel Cullinane and John Jenkins, in Lewis-street, Aberaman, 10s. and costs each; James George, in Cardiff-road, Aberdare, 40s. and costs; John Jankins and James Lewis, in Lewis-street, Ó5. and costs each. WANTED TO BE LOCKED UP. D. Jones, John-street, Capcoch, wan charged with drunkenness. According to P.C. Keevil defendant refused to go home and asked to be locked up. Fined 10s. and costs. A SEVERE PENALTY. For being drunk in charge of a child of tender years, Joanna Williams, Aber- dare, had to pay 40s. and costs. OFFERED HALF. Thomas Johnson, Treharris, when told that his spree would cost him 5s. and costs, offered the Stipendiary 2s. 6d., which was, he said, all he had. The Stipendiary did not accept the com- promise, but gave the defendant an op- portunity to communicate with his em- ployer, according to his request. SCHOOL CASES. Daniel Jones, Edward Sweet, Mary Williams, George Owen, Samuel Jones, and William Edwards, all from Aberaman, were fined for not sending their children to school. Annie Lever, Aberaman, was given an opportunity to state her case to the Edu- cation Committee. A KINDLY DISPOSED ATTENDANCE OFFICER. John Thomas, Hirwain, was also charged with neglecting the education of his child. The mother appeared in court, and con- ducted her defence with wonderful flu- ency. She stated that the child had been ill. The Hirwain attendance officer came forward and said that Mrs. Thomas had complained to him that the child's trou- sers was too shabby for him to attend school, whereupon he offered to provide the child with a pair of trousers. When he went home he however found that his wife had given the trousers away al- ready. Mrs. Thomas was ordered to pay the usual fine. She left the court with a protest against the fine, and muttering something to the effect that it was all a matter of "spite" towards her husband.