The Aberdare Leader

-n- Mountain Ash Council. Sketches of Elected Candidates. MR. W. S. DAVIES, M.E. Mr. William Stephen Davies, The Pop- lars, who has just been returned unop- posed for the Duffryn Ward, has been a member of the Council since 1897. He was also a member for many years of the old Llanwonno School Board. Mr Davies is a fluent speaker-one of the best on the Council. He is a self-made man, and his present position affords a striking ex- ample of what the tons of working men can do for themselves by steady persever- ance. He is but a young man yet, and at present he is head manager of Messrs. Nixon's Collieries at Mountain Ash, which give emplovment to thousands of workmen. Mr. W. S. Davies was chair- man of the District Council three years ago, and in virtue of his office sat on the local Bench with Sir T. Marchant Wil- liams and Major Morgan. MR. W. DAVIES. Mr. Wm. Davies is one of the four Labour Members on the Council. He is not at all satisfied at having been re- turned unopposed this time. He would much prefer if Cynffig had proceeded with the contest in order to have a real test of strength. Mr. Davies was first elected three vears ago, ousting the sitting mem- ber, Mr. T. Edmunds, in a three-cornered fight. He is a miner, and bears the in- delible collier's marks on his face. He takes an intelligent part in the discus- sions at the District Council and Educa- tion Committee meetings. He generally follows the lead of Councillor John Powell, possibly believing that he cannot go far wrong thereby In seconding Mr. Powell's motion to purchase land at £ 800 per acre, however, he stirred an allotment nest in his own ward, with the result that a great deal of buzzing was kept up round his house for some time. He is very moderate in his views. CAPT. F. N. GRAY, J.P. Capt. Fred Noel Gray is a nephew of that great captain of industry, John Nixon, and younger brother of Yr. H. E. Gray, J.P.. Merthyr Vale. managing director of Messrs. Nixon's Collieries. He is the present mechanical engineer at Messrs. Nixon's Collieries at Mountain Ash. He is captain of the local Volun- teer Corps, in which he takes consider- able interest. Miskin people are thor- oughly satisfied with his work on the Council, he having been returned unop- posed each time. The present chairman of the Council, he is the first councillor to fill the chair two years in succession. During his tenure of office the National Eisteddfod was held at Mountain Ash, and as chairman of the Council he had to play a prominent part in that great gathering. Mr. Gray is a Churchman and Conservative. MR THOS. JONES, PENRHIWCEIBER ..u the annual meeting of the Sanitary Inspectors of South Wales held at Moun- tain Ash the other day, Mr. Thos. Jones, one of the guests, humorously remarked that he had been on the Council for many years, but that he had been given two years' holidays by the electors. Those same electors this year, however, allowed Mr. Jones a walk over, as well they might. Three years ago he was opposed by a. Labour Candidate, an advocate of the Housing of the Working Classes Act. Mr. Jones had strenuously fought against the adoption of this Act previously and during the election he never caved in, but succeeded in retaining his seat on a clear issue. Mr. Jones holds the important position of secretary to the Penrhiwceiber Colliery Co. He enjoys the entire confi- dence of his directors, as well as the es- teem and respect of the workers gener- ally. It is interesting to note that two of his directors are John Cory, the well- known philanthropist, of Cardiff, and ,his brother, Richard Cory, J.P.. one of the most liberal supporters of the Salvation Army. On the Council Mr. Jones is a stickler for economy. He is always calm and collected in discussion, and very courteous and methodical in his ways. He is the present vice-chairman of the Moun- tain Ash Education Committee, and at the next meeting will probably be elected to the chair in succession to Mr. J. Powell. MR. BRUCE JONES, M.E., ABERCYNON. The poll provides strange bed-fellows. Last Monday the Abercynon electors re- turned Mr. Bruce Jones and Mr. T. W. Jones together. One of the most fierce contests in the history of this ward took place between these two three years ago. Mr. B. Jones' popularity is clearly indi- cated by his splendid majority over the other two candidate*. It is only about five years ago that he became manager of the Dowlais-Cardiff Colliery. Previous to that he held a like position under the same company at Bedlinog. He was first elected Councillor three years ago, to suc- ceed Mr. Stuart Martin, Dowlais, of Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Nettlefolds, Ltd. Two years later he was appointed vice-chairman of the District Council, and in all likelihood will this month be- come the chairman. At thp ratepayers' meeting at Abercynon the other evening he was severely criticised bv some local men for alleged neglect of Abercynon re- quirements, but Mr. Jones' sweeping re- ply to his critics was one of the features of the meeting As chairman of the Workmen's Institute Building Com- mittee, he worked very hard, and his ser- vices were recognised by the workmen and others at the time of the opening, when he and his good lady were made the recip- ients of valuable presents. MR. T. W. JONES, ABERCYNON. Mr. T. W. Jones will provide some new blood in the Council, He won this elec- tion on the Free Church ticket. He was already a member of the Board of Guard- ians, and had attempted more than once to obtain a seat on the Council. He came to the district about 13 or 14 years ago, and started as a grocer where Councillor Fenwick at present resides. After some years he adopted the proftnesion of auc- tioneer, accountant, and estate agent. Mr Jones now occupies the seat held by the Rev. J. F. Williams. That being so, he will have to retire and seek re-election next year. MR. D. ROGERS, YNYSYBWL. When the Mountain Ash Education Committee was formed Mr. Rogers was appointed its first chairman. He was then just completing his term as chair- man of the Council. Mr. Rogers is an ardent Welsh Nationalist, and a strong advocate of the teaching of Welsh in ele- mentary schools. As an educationist, Mr Rogers is in the front rank on the Edu- cation Committee. He has just been re- turned unopposed for the third time, and a few days ago, at a public meeting in Ynysybwl, he took the opportunity of thanking the electors for their confidence. Mr. Rogers carries on business as news- agent at Ynysybwl, and in this connec- tion an amusing incident is recalled. When sitting on the Abercynon Bench < with Sir Marchant Williams, one day during his tenure of office as Council chairman, a young man from Ynysybwl was fined pretty heavily for some offence. The fine having been paid by the young man's mother, she remarked sctto voce, "One o' ihose 'er men supplies me brother Jim wi' papers, but no more fro' he.'

..&. Mountain Ash Institute. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the members of the Mountain Ash Public Institute was held on Tuesday evening, Mr. J. Hamer presiding. Councillor John Powell, secre- tary, and Mr. John Morris, treasurer, were present. The Chairman submitted the following report:— "In commencing this meeting, let us first congratulate ourselves upon the fact that this is the first annual meeting at which we have been able to say that the hall we meet in is entirely free from debt, and the deeds in our own keeping. It is all the more noteworthy, too, because in addition to maintaining and keeping effi- cient the splendid building which we can now truly say is ours, and the mainten- ance also of the reading rooms at New- town and Penrhiwceiber, considerable ex- pense has been incurred for the jnirpose of still improving our property. During the year we have endeavoured to carry out the instructions of a previous general meeting. We have acquired land at Pen- rhiwceiber for a new hall there; also in- structions have been given to the archi- tect to proceed with the plans, etc., to carry out your intentions as soon as the conveyance of the land is completed. Among other things, we have had placed around the rooms hat rails and hooks, and protectors, additional lights in all the rooms, and inverted incandescent lamps to give the best possible light. Half- yearly inspections of the roof have been made, and all the inside girders, etc., have been painted, together with the out- side shoots and down pipes. The Bath has also been thoroughly cleaned and painted, and the ventilation, improved. Proper lights have been put up, and the stage is now so well lighted as to gain for our hall the name of being one of the best appointed places in the valleys. Moreover, we have now our own flagstaff. In addition to these minor things, we have had completed at considerable cost new iron stairways at the rear of the hall, having removed the old stone steps which were conveying the pressure of the ground behind and doing considerable damage to the hall. We have also ob- tained better sanitary arrangements. We are much indebted to Lord Aberdare for 'the -(agnificent chandelier which has been placed in the library, together with a splendid painted portrait of the late Lord A]' erdare, which the son is going to put into an px- cellent gilt frame. We have also now secured the land adjacent to the In- stitute, which we can use for such build- ing Purposes. m we may desire in the direction of continuing the present useful work of our Institute. In concluding my report, I wish to call your attention to two matters. The first is an application from some of our workmen living at Aber- cwmboi for some assistance from our funds towards a proposed New Library at Abercwmboi, and also an application from others of our workmen here to pro- vide billiard tables at our Institute." After some discussion it was decided to erect a billiard room on the ground ad- jacent to the hall. The folowing were elected members of committee: Messrs. D. Lewis, check- weigher; Wm. Cresewell, Gwilym Pritch- ard. Wm. Gentle, and George Jeffries. The annual balance sheet was read and unanimously adopted. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the chairman and officers.

Abtroynen Police Court. On Wednesday.—Before Sir T. Mar- chant Williams (Stipendiary). DRUNKS.—Daniel Lewis, in Windsor- place, Ynysybwl, 10s. and costs; Michael O'Brien, in Ynysmeurig-road, Abercynon, on Sunday, 15s. and costs; J. Thomas, Ynysboeth; D. Jones, Abercynon, 10s. and costs each; R. R. Williams, 15s. and costs; J. Davies, Quakers' Yard, 10s. and costs. "A BREEDER OF DISTURBANCES." STREET BRAWL AT YNYSYBWL. Albert Victor Davies (collier), Richard Powell (haulier), John Powell (collier), and Henry Dummett (haulier) were charged with causing obstruction by fighting outside the Windsor Hotel, Ynys- ybwl, on Monday night, March 12th. P.S. Weeks said that there was a gen- eral disturbance. The four defendants had been quarrelling through and through. A fight ensued between Rd. Powell and Dummett. John Powell (Richard's father) acted as second for Dummett to fight his own eon. There was a large crowd, and it was with con- siderable difficulty that he parted them. He found that Richasd Powell had been stabbed in the cheek, and was bleeding profusely. Powell blamed Dummett for this. He (witness) went to Dummett's house to arrest him on a charge of wound- ing, but discovered that Dummett had also been wounded on the shoulder, and under the circumstances he did not ar- rest him. Davies protested that he was innocent, but P.S. Weeks contended that Davies was one of the most active contestants inside the hotel when) he arrived. Wit- ness added that Davies was often involved in some quarrel, and he had alwavs a plausible story to tell the magistrates. He was in fact a breeder of disturbances. The defendant Davies repeated that he had tried to quell the disturbance. Some nigger came to the hotel with a musical instrument, and he was asked to play a certain tune, while another asked him to play another. That was how the quarrel I oommenced. Davies was fined 5s. and costs. and the other three 40s. and costs each, the money to be paid at once. HUSBANDS ALLEGATIONS. PENRHIWCEIBER WIFE DESERTED. Sarah Ann Pa.rry, of Woodfield-terrace, Penrhiwceiber. summoned her husband, who is now living in the Rhondda, for de- sertion.—Mr. W. Kenshole appeared for Mrs. Parry. He stated that his client had suffered a great deal owing to her husband's cruel conduct. Her health had been completely ruined. The parties re- moved from North Wales to the Rhondda

Prichard & Powell, VICTORIA SQUARE, ABERDARE, ;J "'i;\ Are now showing a Grand Stock of its New Goods for the Easter Trade. -.< All the Latest Styles in London and Paris Sjillinery. Ladies' and Children's Hats In endless variety. very Large Stock of Black & Coloured Costumes. All New Styles. Our Fancy Departments will be found fully stocked with the Latest Novelties. Grand Stock of Lace Curtains, Cream & White 1/0 i to 30/- 4 Floorcloths and Linoleums in all qualities and widths. All Goods sold at the Lowest Cash Prices. PRICHARD & POWELL, Aberdare.

Letters to the Editor. 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.

MR. ROGERS AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. Sir,—Through the medium of your valu- able paper I would like to congratulate Mr. Rogers on his truly Liberal princi- ples. He seemed proud to be able to in- form the people of Ynysybwl that not a penny of the rates and taxes went to the support of the Roman Catholic Schools of Mountain Ash. But he did not add that they (the Council) disdained to take a penny of Catholic money towards those rates and taxes. No, because he could not make such a statement. They are willing enough to take our money, but as to our schools reaping any benefit therefrom, such a thing is out of the question. If that is his liberalism and spirit of fair play, then I would say, "From such, Good Lord, deliver me. Yours truly, A CATHOLIC RATEPAYER.

CRITICISM OF THE FEDERATION. Sir,—The general order of the day in the Aberdare Valley and other parts of the coalfield is severe criticism upon the enormous and lavish squandering of the miners' monies upon Local and Parlia- mentary Elections, and maintenance of miners' representatives in the Councils. The conundrum to solve is, What do the men gain by it? One day last week, on my usual journey from Penrhiwceiber to Mountain Ash, I picked up a leaflet near the Mountain Ash Workmen's In- stitute, which after its perusual proved to be a balance sheet of the Mountain Ash Urban District Council Labour Elec- toral Council. Evidently it had dropped from the hand or pocket of one of the members of this Council. I beg now to give a detailed statement of expenditure according to the balance sheet for the year ending December 31st, 1905. Election expenses. District Council, Abercynon (printing included), .£11 4s. 8d. Duffryn Ward (printing not included), < £ 4 15s. 2 £ d. Penrhiwceiber, Guardians Election (printing included), .£12 8e. 6d.—Total, Y,28 8s. 4.1d. To Labour Representation, i.e., pay- ment for Council attendance: Coun- cillor John Powell, £ 18 10s. 9d.; Coun- cillor W. Davies, £ 21 3s. 6 £ d.; Councillor R. Parsons, £ 9 Is. lOd.; Councillor H. Price, C26 2is. 4d.; Ald. Wm. Jones, for County Council, tl5 5s. 8d.; total, X-90 4s. ljd. Again, Council attendance and train fare, for whom I don't know, < £ 16 14s. 4d. Printing, election and other matters, < £ 21 12s. 10d.; rent of room, Mr. Jones. Junction Hotel, < £ 2 5s.; deputations and addressing meetings, eft 18s. 6d.; total, £ 42 10s. 8d. Also, there are other items such as secretary's and treasurer's salaries, bell- man crying meetings, stationery and stamps, amounting in all to X17 lis, mak- ing a total expenditure in the year of < £ 178 14s. 2d. As I have already mentioned the puzzle for the men who have to pay the piper for six men to call the tune, is. What do they receive in benefit for this enor- mous and extravagant sum of money? Why should representatives be paid when they receive their wage in full? Why waste poor working men's hard earnings in order to enable the already well-paid to make a profit out of the job? That is not true human sacrifice for humanity. There is no cross about such representa- tionl. It fosters selfishness. I am not surprised to discover that there are low mutterings of unrest amongst the men, and it will be very difficult for labour men to be elected in future, owing to the creation of bitter feelings of resentment and prejudice im the miners* hearts, Ex- J perience teaches the men also that their I' labour members are more prone to ad- vance the rates and expenditure which enhances the advancement of house rent, etc., than to go im for economy for the general welfare and interest of the rate- payers. It is astonishing that the work- men should allow a handful of men to iush matters as is clone by the Electoral Council in such an extraordinary extra- vagant manner when there are plenty of poor working men in the district in dire want and distress. The sum of nearly .L20C would ameliorate a great deal orf distress. Labour Representation can be got at a much cheaper rate than last year's items.—Yours truly, Penrhiwceiber. J.D.

THE MOUNTAIN ASH R.C. SCHOOL. Sir,—I should like to insert a few lines in your valuable paper in answer to Mr. Phelan's letter which appeared in our last issue. I don't wish to enter into a discussion upon the matter, but several of his statements are so misleading that I cannot allow them to pass unchallenged. Mr. Phelan asks if I would send my chil- dren to a Catholic School to be educated by Catholic teachers. My answer is, Yes, if there were no other schools in the neighbourhood to which I might send them. I should only be doing then what thousands of Nonconformists are com- pelled to do now in nearly 8,000 schools in the land belonging to Anglicans and Catholics. Were that the case here I should have no objection to my children being taught by duly qualified Catholic teachers in secular instruction, and when the religious instruction was given I should withdraw my children, or demand that they be taught some other subject during that time, which privilege would be given to me by the Conscience Clause in the Act of 1870 But this is not the most important point in your correspondent's j letter. He makes a peculiar comparison between Catholic Schools and what I termed "Protestant Schools" at the com- mittee-but which may perhaps be better termed "Sitate Schools"—and states that the Catholics have to provide the sites, build their own schools, etc., while also helping to pay for the construction of the schools in which he does not believe. Yes, but surely Mr. Phelan knows that he and his friends need mot for one moment put themselves to such expense. It is expense voluntarily incurred, and is simply the price they have to pay because they will have their children taught the Catholic doctrines only. If I wished the same special treatment I should have to pay the same price, as well as contribute towards schools in which Baptist doc- trines are not specially taught. More- over, Mr. Phelan knows that the State Schools are open to all ratepayers irre- spective of creed, and consequently no Catholic children can be refused entrance into them. No Catholic applicants for a headship or a subordinate position, if they are fully qualified, can be refused employment therein. No Catholic parents can be deterred from using1 these schools for their children's education, and if they object to the religious teach- ing, then they have the same opportunity of using the ""Conscience Clause," and withdrawing their children from such in- struction. Besides, one may well ask if the thousands of pounds received annu- ally by the Catholic Schools from the Im- perial funds in this Protestant Realm is not sufficient compensation for the com- paratively small amount contributed to- wards education by Catholic ratepayers in the various districts. Till it is proved that I am wrong I shall hold what I have always held, that Catholics get far more for their schools than they contribute to- wards education. Perhaps this is the reason why Catholic ratepayers have paid their rates for years for what they do not conscientiously be- lieve in, rather than have the courage of their convictions and refuse, as so many Protestants have done these last few years especially, and as some will do in this locality in the next few months if it is found that more money than the Catholic School has earned has been spent upon its maintenance. When I j think of the monies thus received by Catholic Schools in this land from the Imperial funds, I wonder what amount Protestant Schools get from the Imperial Funds in, say Catholic Spain, if indeed they are allowed to build any at all, and have such privileges as are accorded Catholics in Great Britain. In conclu- sion, let me state that I adhere to all I said at the Education Committee. I still think that the Rev. H. Irvine was guilty of the grossest bigotry in refusing the services of two teachers who were fully qualified to give secular instruction, on no other ground than that they were Pro- testants. A little bit of common sense cculd have been exercised, and the reli- gious instruction could have been given by a Catholic teacher, instead of ordering home teachers whom the Education Authority had ordered to take the place of the head teacher who was temporarily indisposed. I nm really gl^d that the end of this trouble in our land is in eight, and that the new Education Bill about, to be introduced into Parliament will at least, I believe, make three things sure: 1. That all schools shall be absolutely controlled by the Education Authority, 2. That no teacher shall be submitted to any religious test. 3. That no denominational teaching shall be allowed in school hours. Then, sir, we may look for the end of that priestly arrogance, which has too long been allowed to snap its finders at the decisions of Education Authorities.— I am, etc., ERNEST V. TIDMAK Mountain Ash, l

Aberdare Police Court. On Tuesday.—Before Dr. Davies and Mr. G. George. THE DOG DAYS. Benjamin Eynon, Trecynon, was ac- cused of keeping a dog without a license. Defendant said that the dog was his brother-in-law's.—Fined 7s. 6d. including costs. John Phasey, an elderly man, charged with a similar offence, said that he had not kept a dog previously for 60 years.— Fined 7s. 6d. including costs. Wm. Pritchard, Gadlys, was mulcted in the same amount for a similar offence.— Richard Davies, Aberdare, who did not appear, had to pay 10s. for his unlicensed dog. UNATTENDED HORSE. Jesse Burford, Aberdare, was charged with leaving his horse unattended in Hir- wain.—Sergt. Davies, Hirwain, gave evi- dence. Defendant was quite sober. — Fined 10s. and costs. A TEARFUL COAL THIEF. David Evans, Hirwain, was accused of stealing coal, the property of the Mar- quis of Bute.—Sergt. Davies said that he saw defendant coming from the tip of the Aberdare and Merthyr Colliery, carrying a bag of coal on his back. He went in the direction of his home. Witness fol- lowed him. He told witness that he thought there was no harm in taking the coal.—Wm. Jenkins, mechanic at the col- liery, valued the coal at 3d.-Asked if he had anything to say, Evans showed his hands to the Bench, stating that he could not work because his hands were par- alysed. Then he commenced to weep. In I response to every question put to him he would show his hands.—Fined 5s. and I costs. BAPTISM AND PEACE. Margaret Sarah Thomas, Robertstown, was summoned for assaulting Henry Spi-attling, Trecynon.-Mr. W. Thomas appeared for complainant, and stated that defendant, who had had some dis- pute with his client, had thrown water over him. He was prepared to abandon the prosecution if defendant was prepared to be bound over to keep the peace.—De- fendant I want Tivace from him.—Mr. i. George: He will be good now that you have baptised him.—Defendant was even- tually bound over to keep the peace. DRUNKEN DRIVER. For being drunk in charge of a horse, Thomas Jones, Penywain, was fined 15s. and costs. A LANDLORD WHO STAGGERED. George Drew, landlord of the Plymouth Arms, Trecynon, was charged with (Iriin.keiill ess.-P.C. Davies said that he entered the house in question and saw de- fendant drunk. He asked defendant to stand, and he staggered about the room, and afterwards disappeared. Later he asked Mrs. Drew where her husband was, and she' replied that she had puthim to bed. Mrs. Drew made use of the most filthy and abusive language to witness.— P.C. Farr corroborated the last witness. —Fined 10s. and costs. DRUNKS. John Collins, Cwmaman, 5s. and costs; Daniel Short, in Capcoch; Thos. George, Hirwain, jmd David Ishmael, in Duke- street, Aberdare, 10s. and costs each. Sydney Court, in Hirwain (Sunday), and R. Scourfield, in Trecynon, 15s. and costs each. :0:

The Theatres. At the New Theatre, Aberdare, to-night (Thursday), and also Friday and Satur- day evenings, "The Toreador" will be presented by Mr. Charles Macdona's powerful company. "The Toreador" is one of the best and most popular of musical comedies, and was played with great success at the Gaiety Theatre, Lon- don. The music has been composed by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton. The latter, it may be noted, is the husband of Miss Gertie Millar. who has scored such a big success in "The Spring Chicken." For these three nights there will be an augmented orchestra. PANTOMIME AT MOUNTAIN ASH. During the Easter Holidays the gor- geous pantomime, "Cinderella," will be staged at the Public Institute, Mountain Ash. This is the successful pantomime that recently visited Mountain Ash, and was then acknowledged to be the best ever seen in the district. The company is Mr. Cecil Clayton's, and he has brought the piece up-to-date with new songs,. The Sisters Clancy will. provide speciality dances. Other miscellaneous turns will hp given by Reg. Kloof, musical expert; Miss Gertrude Gray, ballad vocalist: Stifford, the marvellous juggler and equilibrist, and the Cinderella troupe of lady acrobatic dancers. There will be snecial children's performances on Good Friday and Saturday at 3 o'clock. Further particulars appear in our adver- tising columns.

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A Son of Abercwmboi. MR. DAVID RHYDDERCH. B.A. Abercwmboi has reason to be proud of the brilliant career of one of its sona in the person of Mr. David Rhydderch, B.A. Mr. Rhydderch, who is the son of Mr. John Rhydderch, John-street, Abercwm- boi, has just accepted a unanimous call to the joint pastorate of the sister churches of Capel Isaac and Llanarthney, Carmarthenshire. Educated at the Aber- cwmboi Schools, Mr. Rhydderch com- mesced life as a miner at the Abercwmboi Colliery. Afterwards he was engaged as a draper's assistant at Barry Dock. While at Barry Mr. Rhydderch attended and was a member of the Tabernacle In- dependent Chapel. The pastor of Taber- nacle, Rev. Ben Evans, who is one of the most popular and influential of Congre- gational ministers in South Wales, soon saw in the vouth the making of a min- ister of the Gospel, and Mr. Rhydderch was induced to enter the ministry. His first sermon he preached at the Taber- nacle Chapel, and we find him soon after- wards attending the Pontypridd Aca- demy, which was then as now under the guidance of Rev. D. Edwards. While at ,the Pontypridd Academy, among Mr. Rhydderch's fellow students could be mentipned :Me. Timothy Lewis, B.A. (now a lecturer at Owen's College, Manches- ter), Mr. Joseph Evans, B.A. (now of Brecon College), and the late Ben Bowen, the Rhondda genius. Between Mr. Rhydderch, who is himself a poet of no mean order, and the late Ben Bowen, there soon sprang up a very warm friend- ship. Mr. Rhydderch has a brother in the ministry, the Rev. John Rhydderch, Wannfawr. North Wales; and it was while the two—Mr. D. Rhydderch and Ben Bowen—were on a visit to the Rev. J. Rhydderch, who was then at Brym- bo, that the "pryddest" on "Williams Puntycelyn" was composed. Ben's health had entirely broken down, and he was compelled to keep to his bed. Although in such a weak condition bodily, he must have been mentally strong, for he dic- tated nearly the. whole of the "pryddest" to his friend, Mr. Rhydderch, who wrote it down word for word. "Williams Pant- ycelyn" from so young a competitor sur- prised the critics, and came second to Rev. J. T. Job's composition, which won the chairprize at the Liverpool National Eisteddfod. Mr. David Rhydderch pro- ceeded from Piontypridd to Brecon Col- lege, and after a very1 successful collegiate career, took his B.A. degree with honours in Welsh, in June of last year. Mr. Rhydderch, although he does not possess a strong physical frame, is a very pro- mising preacher, and if not in possession of a powerful voice, yet his manner of de- livering a sermon has a decidedly convinc- ing ring about it. If his past achieve- ments can in any way be considered as a criterion of his future, we hope for him an eminently successful career, and predict that Congregationalism, in him, has one of its future stalwarts. The many friends of Mr. Rhydderch. at Aber- cwmboi and elsewhere, will no doubt now all be anxious to pour upon him their congratulations, and to wish him "God speed" on his taking up the responsible duties of a pastor.

o —— Non-Unionism in the Aberdare District. NOTICES TENDERED. On Saturday, acting on the instruction of the Executive Committee of the Aber- dare District of the South Wales Miners' Federation, notices were tendered by the majority of the colliers at the whole of the oolliries in the valley in which there are still non-Unionists employed. At the whole of the Aber nan h Collieries there are now no non-Unionists, and conse- quently no notices were tendered, and the same was the case at Treaman Colliery and the Lower Duffryn Colliery, although in the latter case there are still some non-Unionists left. At the Merthyr Dare Level, too, no notices were tendered, as all the men are members of the Feder- ation, and the same applies to the Duffryn Dare Level at the Cwm. How- ever, there are a number of the colliers who have not put in their notices, in some cases as many as 25 to 30 per cent. of the colliers not having done so, and this will undoubtedly complicate matters should a stoppage become inevitable at the close of the month. Matters are further com- plicated at the Cwmaman Colliery, where the company have given notice to a number of the men working in the Red vh Vein owing to their inability to settle prices for cutting the coal.

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:0: PRINTING of every description neatly a.nd promptly executed at the LEADER Office, Market-street, Aberdare,

Floral Exhibition at Aberdare. At Aberdare on Tuesday afternoon the Exhibition of Artificial Flowers held in aid of Crippled Girls was opened at the Memorial Hall. Mr. Isaac George, the High Constable, presided. The Rev. H. R. Johnson, M.A., having offered a prayer, the president called upon Mr. J. H. Blacker, who dwelt at some length on the aims and objects of the institution. He remarked that Mr. Groom, assisted by the late Earl Shaftes- bury, had initiated a movement to im- prove the position of the poor workers of London, and they directed, their efforts specially to assist the poor crippled girls. They tad built a model orphanage for them at Clackton-on-Sea, and had taken measures to assist them to earn their liv- ing by making artificial flowers. Mr. Blacker contended that the good work which the institution was engaged in did not involve a charity that pauperised. Mr George then called upon Miss Lewis, Park Lane, to open the exhibition. Miss Lewis having declared the exhibition open, the president made a few appropri- ate remarks. He dwelt on the proverbial generosity of the people of Aberdare, of which he had seen such ample demon- strations during his tenure of office as High Constable. He was informed that two of the elected candidates in the Dis- trict Council election were coming there to subscribe to the institution as a kind of thank-offering for their return. He hoped that when they came the stall- holders would take care to see that they spent their money wisely and well. (Laughter.) On the proposition of the Rev. R. E. Williams (Twrfab), seconded by Mr. J. E. Tremellen, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Miss Lewis and the High Constable. The High Constable re- ponded on behalf of Miss Lewis and him- self, and immediately afterwards the various btalls were besieged, and buying was brisk. The hall presents a most beautiful and artistic appearance, the array of flowers being remarkably charm- ing. All Aberdare people would do well to visit the hall to see these most faith- ful copies of nature's handiwork "in the make." The exhibition remains open until Saturday. The following ladies act as stall- holders during the stay of the exhibition at Aberdare: Tuesday—Mrs. Powell, Danygraig, and three friends; Miss Keast, Florence Villa, and friend; Mrs. Jones, Vicarage, Tre- cynon, and friends; Mrs. Richards, Wen- allt, and Miss Richards; Mrs. D. P. Davies, Ynyelwyd, and the Misses Davies; Mrs. J. E Tremellen, Clifton House; Mrs. Pardoe, Darren House; Mrs J. D. Hughes and Miss Gwladys Wil- liams, Boot Hotel; Mrs. Lloyd, Highland Place; Mrs. Edgar Morgan; Miss Price and Miss Hughes, Rose Cottage; Miss Hek, Brondeg Cottage, and friend; Miss Wood, Little Wind-street, and Miss Davies, Park Villa; Miss Bugg, Primrose- terrace; Miss Williams, Bute Villa; Miss Dorothy Thomas, Myrtle Cottage, and friends; Miss Phillips, Canon-street; Miss Caunt. Wednesday—Mrs. Ashpool, 24, Tudor- terrace; Miss Wilcox, 25, Clifton-street; Miss E. Williams, Glasfryn, Aberdare; Miss M. Williams, Sunny Bank-street; Mrs. M. Llewelyn, Cardiff-road; Miss M. A. Williams, 15, Sunny Bank-street; Miss C. N. Lloyd, Miss R. M. Parry, and Miss L. A. Evans, Brook-street, Aberaman, Miss Katie Lawrence, Cardiff-road, Aber- aman; Miss Anthony, 14, Seymour-street, and Miss Llewellyn, Clifton-street, and friends; Miss Katie Phillips, 16, Clifton- street, and Miss G. Williams, Boot Hotel, and friends; Miss David, Station- street, and Mrs. R. Robertson, Stuart- street, and friends; Miss L. Morgan, Park House, and Miss Ethel Price, Ivy Cottage, Trecynon, and friends; Miss Mabel Escott, Miss Mattie John, Sey- mour-street; Miss Gwen John, 20, Weatherall-street; Miss Lizzie Davies, 11, Little Wind-street; Miss Davies, ditto; Miss Bosher, Brondeg-terrace; Miss L. Davies, Post Office, Cardiff-road; Miss S. A. Davies, ditto; Miss Blanche Whiah, Moss-rov, Abernant. Thursday—Miss Sal Evans, 48, Mill- street; Miss M. C. Williams, Gelli Isaf; Miss E. A. Rees, Lichfield Villa; Miss C. M. Rees, 7, Stag-street; Miss Sarah King, la, Mill-street; Miss C. Williams, 38, Llewelyn-street; Miss Jennie Wil- liams, 29, Tudor-terrace; Miss Edith Harris, 7, Margaret-street; Miss Sarah Jenkins, 2, Meirion-street; Miss Sarah A. Thomas, 18, Clive-street; Miss Martha J. Phillips, 26, Meirion-street; Miss Sarah Samuel, Brynawelon; Miss Mary John, 33, Margaret-street; Mrs. John Jones, Tudor-terrace; Mrs. Dl. Lewis, Gadlys- street; Mrs. Samuel Jones, Tudor-ter- race; Miss Gwen Jenkins, Gadlys-street; Miss Lizzie Davies, Railway-street; Miss Lizzie James, 36, Tudor-terrace; Miss Blodwea Hopkins, 38, Herbert-street, Aberdare; Miss Maggie Lawrence, Sunny Bank-street; Miss Bessie Williams, High- street; Miss L. M. Davies, Cardiff-road; Miss Jones, ]9, commercial-street; Mrs. David Thomas, 33, Herbert-street; Mrs. Morris, Cartref; Mrs. Griffiths, Park School House; Miss M. Morris, Cartref; Miss E. E. Griffiths, Park School House; Miss Richards, Wenallt; Mrs. Evans, Commercial-street; Miss Grace Cum- mings, Pembroke-street; Miss Phillips, 52, Seymour-street: Miss Landeg. 14, Forge-place; Miss Hughes, London Ware- house; Miss Bessie Davies, Monk-street; Miss M. Mills, grocer, Ynyslwyd-street; Miss Ceridwen Morgans, 33, Jenkyn- street; Misses Laura and Sarah Morgans, 21, Glannant-street; Miss Hopkin, Lon- don Warehouse; Miss Edwards (Mabel), Commerce House; Miss Owen, 20, GIan- nant-street; Miss Evans, 1, Monk-street; Miss Thomas, Bird-in-Hand; Miss G. Jones, Cefn-place, Cwmbach-road; Miss Nellie Jones, ditto; Miss R. Williams, 5. John-street: Miss L. M. Davies, 12, Mary-street; Miss Sarah J. Thomas, 31, Bond-street; Miss Jennie Thomas, 81, W md-street. Friday-Mrs Thomas, 10, Stuart-street; Mrs. Howells, 6, Stuart-street; Mrs. Nicholas, 4, Violet-street; Mrs. Phillips, Tyfry Villas, Highland Place; Mrs. Lloyd, 55, Gloucester-street; Miss Davies, 85, Wind-street; Miss Manuel, Bryn Seion House; Miss S. Jones, 70, Ynys- lwyd-street; Miss Jennie Lewis, 38, Al- bert-street; Miss Williams, 18, Weather- all-street; Miss Hill, 90, Wind-street; Mrs. Kenshole, The Park; Mrs. J. D. Thomas, Macedon, Abernant-road; Mm Parry, 35, Tanybryn-street; Mrs. Nevin 14, Tanybryn-street; Miss M. Easton, 27, riidor-terrace; Miss J. Easton, ditto- Miss Ross, 29, Seymour-street; Miss Davies, Royal Temperance Hotel; Miss Daisy Wigley, Harriet-street, Trecynon; Miss Ada Bottwood, 21, Trevor-street- Mss E. A. Morris, 4, Tanybryn-street; Miss Kate Davies, 8, Cardiff-treet: Misq Harmston, 7, Cardiff-street; Miss Spence, Gadlys Cottage; Mrs. Eddy, Grai Place; Miss Da.we, ditto; Miss Harris. 20 Glou- cester-street; Mrs. Wilcox, 41, Seymour- sjreet; arid Mrs. George, The Laurels, Meirion-street. Printed and Published at their Prtnt ing Works Market Buildings Market Street. Aberdare, m the County of Gl*. morgan, by the proprietors, W. Puah and J. L. Rowlands.

some four years ago, afterwards removing to Penrhiwceiber. A man named Samuel Roberts, who had lodged with them in the Rhondda, followed them to Penrhiw- ceiber, and obtained lodgings with them again. The allegations of defendant that Mrs. Parry was livng with this man were entirely unfounded. Since defendant had left his wife she had endeavoured to eke a living by working for Goldsmid. De- fendant had not contributed anything to- wards his wife since last August, when he tried to sell all the furniture even to the bed-clothes. Complainant having borne out her ad- vocate's statement, defendant repeated that his wife was living with Roberts. Complainant admitted that Roberts was lodging with her, but she denied that any misconduct had ever taken place. Mrs. Martin was called as a witness. She said that Mrs. Parry lived with her in apartments. Nothing wrong had taken place between Mrs. Parry and Roberts. Defendant called a witness named John Rowlands, who deposed that Roberts lodged with Mrs. Parry. He could not prove any misconduct. The Stipendiary made an order of 15s. a week. Defendant: I am willing to take the old- est child, but I am not the father of the other. It does not belong to me at all. Stipendiary: Oh, yes, it does. Defendant: No, indeed, sir. Stipendiary: Why, that child (which was in its mother's arms) has got your eyes. (Laughter.)