The Aberdare Leader

Handel's Messiah. A FINE PERFORMANCE AT ABERCYNON-L. A grand performance of Handel's Mas- terpiece, The Messiah," was given at the Workmen's Hall, Abercynon, on Thursday night, by the Mynydd Sion United Choir,consisting' of eighty voices. The choirs were assisted by the follow- ing eminent artistes: —Soprano, Miss S. M. Lewis, R.A.M., Ebbw Vale; contral- to, Miss S. G. Jones, Ynyshir; tenor, Mr. Harry Lewis, Nelson; bass, Mr. G. T. Llewelyn, Port Talbot. The accom- panists were: Pianist, Mr. W. J. Wat- kins, F.R.C.O., Dowlais; organist, Mr. R. Haydn Woods, Abercynon; and Prof. T. Morgan, Abercynon. The conductor was Mr. Ben Price, A.C., Abercynon. The chair was taken by Dr. W.W. Leigh, J.P., Treharris. There was a fairly full house, and the expectations of the audience were more than realised. The concert opened with an Overture. Then came the recit," Com- fort ye, my people," by Mr.Harry Lewis. Aria, Every valley shall be exalted," was excellently rendered by Mr. Harry Lewis; And the glojry of the iord," Choir. Recit, "Thus saith the Lord," and But who may abide," were sung by Mr. G. T. Llewelyn. The recit, "Behold a virgin," and! the aria, 0 Thou that tellest," by Miss S. G. Jones. The Choir rendered the chorus, 0' Thou that tel- lest." Mr. G. T. Llewelyn gave the recit, For behold,darkness," and the aria, The people that walked." The. chorus, For unto us a child is born," was ably rendered by the Choir. Miss S. M. Lewis rendered the recits, "There were shep- herds," And the, angel said," "And sud- denly." The Choir, in excellent tone, rendered the chorus, "Glory to God"; recit, "Rejoice greatly," Miss S. M. Lewis; recit, "Then shall the eyes," and the aria, He shall feed his flock," were taken by Miss S. G. Jones; aria, "Come unto Him," well rendered by Miss Lewis; Behold the Lamb of God," by the Choir in fine style. Miss A. G. Jones sang He was despised" in a most effective man- ner chorus, Surely He hath borne our griefs," and All we like sheep," Choir; recit, All they that see Him," Mr. H. Lewis. Then followed an execllent ren- dering of He trusteth in God." Mr. Harry Lewis effectively sang Thy re- t buke has broken His heart," "Behold, and see," He was cut off," and "But Thou didst not leave." The render- ing of the chorus, "Lift up your heads, by the Choir, brought the first part to a close. In part 2 Mr. G. T. Llewelyn opened out with the aria, Why do the nations" in fine style. Recit, "He that dwelleth in heaven,"and the aria," Thou shalt break them," Mr. Harry Lewis. Next followed "The Hallelujah Chorus by the Choir, which was most effectively rendered, the audience all standing. The aria, I know that my Redeemer liveth," was charmingly rendered by Miss M. Lewis. Quartette, "Since by man came death," Miss S. M. Lewis,Miss 0. G. Jones, Messrs. Harry Lewis and G. T. Llewelyn. The chorus," By man came also the Redeemer," by Choir; quartette, For as in Adam all die," Misses S. M. Lewis and S. G. Jones, Messrs. Harry Lewis and G. T. Llewelyn. The chorus, u Even so in Christ," was brilliantly attacked by the, Choir. The recit, H Be- hold, I tell you a mystery," and The trumpet shall sound," were well sung by Mr. G. T. Llewelyn. Air, "If God is for us," was sung by Miss S.M. Lewis in her usual style. The Choir then gave an ex- cellent rendering of the chorus," Worthy is the Lamb," and Amen. The Chairman complimented the artis- tes and the choir upon their rendering, and said that the conductor, Mr. Ben Price, was musical from head to toe. This was the first oratorio for Abercynon- ites to have the pleasure of listening to < at the Hall. A hearty vote of thanks was given to < the choir and the artistes, and also to the chairman. We hope we may have the privilege of hearing more of the works of the great masters performed by the excellent choir. The choir are to be congratulated on their singing, and also on their regu- larity and attention at the practices. The secretarial duties were carried out by Mr. John Scott, Maeesyffyon. The proceeds were in aid of the Mynydd Sion Building Fund.

PERFORMANCE AT CWMAMAN. A grand musical treat was provided for the people of Cwmaman as usual on Christmas Day, when the Choral Union gave an afternoon and evening perform- ance of the Messiah," under the con- ductorship of Mr. W. J. Evans. This year they succeeded in obtaining the same artistes as those who took part in the oratorio at Aberdare on Boxing Day, namely, Miss Ida Kiahn, R. A. M., London, soprano; Miss Marion Lewis, Aberdare, contralto; Mr. Watkin J. Philips, Aberaman, tenor; and Mr. Charles Tre R.A.M., London, bass. They were also assisted by Mrs. M. Owen and Mr. Austin H John as accompanists! Messrs. Ed. Lewis and M. William-, -<H[OIO ^UAPTJJO LIE put, 'SJA^SBXIT-SNJOQO jo drqjso^anpnoo 81tl jepiin. p diqsjopnptioo a-qi jopiin '13.14 Mr. Arthur Angle, of Cardiff comprised the following: 1st Violins, Misses Abra- ham and Cashman; 2nd violins, Messrs. W. Whittaker, J. Richards, and Bertie I'hillips; viola, Miss Griffin; ''cellos Mesis. J. H. Foulds and Wm Thomas; double bass, Mr. J. Smith; flute, Mr. H. Wostenholme oboe, Mr. J. Askite Phil- lips; bassoon, Mr. R. Draper; horns Messrs. R. Livsey and G. Hanny trumpet Mr. E. Hardiman. The rendering of the choruses showed that the choir had been well trained, and that much labour had been spent in bringing them up to their usual high standard of excellence. Of the recits and arias, nothing but praise can be said, be cause both the local and the London ar- tistes acquitted themselves very credita- bly indeed. The old favourites, such as "He was despised and rejected," I know that my Redeemer liveth," etc., were very well received, while the man- ner in which the last chorus. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain," was ren- dered was worth going a very long way to hear.

Re-Opening Services at Abernant. The Congregational Church atBethesda Absrnant, was re-opened on Saturday, having been re-built on an enlarged scale. The work was carried out by Messrs. J. Morgan and Sons, Aberdare, according to plans prepared by Mr. T. Roderick, architect, Aberdare. The re-opening ceremony was performed by Mr. Edward Moses, Bute-street, Aberdare, who was presented by the minister, Rev. Isaac J. Evans, with a silver key bearing a suitable inscription. Mr. Moses, who is the son of the late Mr. Edward Moses, one of the founders of the church, ex- pressed the pleasure it gave him to perform that ceremony on behalf of the church. A sermon was delivered by the pastor, the Rev. Isaac J. Evans. The re-opening services were continued on Sunday and Monday. The new edifice will accommodate about 500, and is a very handsome structure.

Merchant (to applicant who has called in response to an advertisement for a business partner): Now, let us get to business at once. To begin with, what I want. to assist me in this enterprise is t man of brains. Applicant (with alarm- ing frankness): Oh, you needn't have ;old me that; I could see it for myself.

Mountain Ash Cottage Hospital. EISTEDDFOD COMMITTEE MEETING A general committee meeting of the Mountain Ash Cottage Hospital Eistedd- fod was held at the Ffrwd Offices on Sat- urday evening last, Mr. W. S. Davies, M.E., in the chair. There was a large number present, including Major Mor- gan, J.P. Messrs. Tudor Davies, M.E., D. T. Evans, Evan Jones, Stephen Cost- lett, William Hicks, Herbert Llewelyn, Matthew George, John Davies, Edward Williams, John Thomas (loan Dar), Rees Richards, D. P. Jones, John Ashford, Daniel Griffiths, Samuel Davies T. Hughes, secretary. T'he report of the Executive and Musi- cal Committe was read and adopted. Part of it dealt with the appointment of the following adjudicators:—Dr. A. Madeley Richardson, M.A., London; Messrs. A. J. Silver, Mus. Bas., Birming- ham; David Thomas, B.A., Mus. Bac., Pontardulais. Brass bands J. Ord Hume; Mining, Messrs. W. S. Davies, M.E., J. Powell, M.E., and Dan Davies, county mining lecturer, Aberdare.; Ambulance, Dr. Morris (Tylorstown), Dr. Arthur T. Jones (Mountain Ash), and Dr. Llewelyn Roger Williams (Penrhiwceiber). On the motion of Mr. Tudor Davies, seconded by Mr. D. T. Evans, a sum of J65 was voted for prizes in the mining competitions, which will include an ex- amination in the Coal Mines Regulation Acts, 1887 and 1896. Also' an examina- tion in the ventilation of a collieiv plan. -On the motion of Mr. D. T. Evans, a sum of < £ 5 was voted for prizes in the ambulance competitions. The committee hope that these competitions will stimu- late young m-n of this and other districts to take up the work of mining and ambu lance in a more thorough manner. Mr. Tudor Davies having had the per- mission of the chairman to be allowed to make a statement, said: I wish to draw the attention of the committee to a report which has appeared in this issue of the Aberdare Leader," in connection with my action at a committee meeting of the Cottage Hospital held on Monday As one of the representatives of the Eis- teddfod Committee upon the Hospital Committee, I feel it my duty to make a report, and I may say that when the matter was being discussed at the Hospi- tal meeting I said that this committee, whic h I represented, should certainly know how the money was being spent, as they were largely responsible for the making of it. T he whole report in the Leader with regard to myself is abso- lutely false, and therefore calculated to mislead the public,who are greatly inter- ested in the work of the Hospital, and the person who supplied the report to the paper must have known it to be a down- right falsehood, or did not understand the business under discussion. The re- port stated that I vigorously opposed a motion* to transfer from Lloyd's Bank to the Metropolitan Bank a sum of P,2,000, which is deposited at Lloyd's Bank at 21 per cent., for which, at the Metropolitan Bank, 3t per cent, could be got, and which meant a gain of one per cent. upon £ 2,000, or £ 20 a year to. the Hospital funds. What are the true facts? About three months ago one of the workmen's representatives moved, inasmuch as the Metroploitan Bank would give 3! per cent., that the money be transferred,and the motion was carried. At the next meeting there was a notice of motion sent in by Major Morgan that the pre- vious resolution be rescinded, and in the meantime some correspondence had taken place, with the result that letters were laid upon the table from both banks. Lloyd's Bank now offered 3! per cent. not 21 per cent., and the Metropolitan 3 per cent., not 3-21 per cent. Major Mor- gan was ill at the time of this meeting, and unable to move his resolution, audit was therefore adjourned. At the last meeting on Monday night, Major Mor- gan's adjourned notice of motion came on for discussion, and the Metropolitan Bank, by the time of this meeting,writes a letter increasing their offer from 3 to 3i per cent. In the discussion on the notice of motion Major Morgan pointed out that not only were the rates of interest at each bank equal, viz., 3|- per cent., but there was a further consideration in fa- vour of Lloyd's Bank, and that was that we could get Sf per cent. on the money from October 19th, whereas if we trans- ferred it to the other bank, we should lose that amount, which meant two months" interest at one per cent. upon = £ 2,000, or X3 6s. 8d. After a, dis- cussiono in which only out or two of the workmen's representatives took part, Major Morgan formally moved his reso- lution, and I seconded, and pointed out that I was going for the best terms, and would not be a party in transferring the money to any bank, if the, Hospital was to suffer. We were there for the benefit of the Hospital, not for any particular bank. The motion was put, and to the surprise of many members of the com- mittee it was lost. The workmen's re- presentatives voted in favour of trans- ferring the money to the Metropolitan Bank, and therefore losing £ 8 6s. 8d. to the Hospital, and not gaining £20 as re- ported in the paper. When the motion was declared lost, I objected to the man- ner in which the business of the com- mittee was being carried on, as the men's representatives 'had decided the Saturday followinghow they would vote, and came to the meting with their hands tied, and pledged their votes without having1 the whole of the facts of the case before them. Surely I was justified in object- ing, and that strongly, when I saw £ 3 6s. 8d. of the Hospital money voted away to please a particular bank. Several members of the Eisteddfod Committee spoke approving: of Mr.Davies' action on the Hospital Committee, and a vote of thanks was unanimously passed for his report, end, for the firm stand he had taken in defence of the Hospital funds. Mr. Davies, in acknowledging, said he iv,a,s pleased his action was approved of.

Dsliau Nadolig. Ha! gwawriodd ar ell) goror Nadolig eto'n rhagor; Bu gloddest mawr a gwledda, A llanwyd llawer cylla Na lenwir eto'n ddiau Nes daw y nesaf Wyliau. Tangnefedd ar y ddaear Oedd can angylion hawddgar, Tangnefedd gaed yr awrhon Ar lanau heirdd y Cynon. Fe beidiodd y rhyfeloedd, Dystawodd y magneloedd, Mewn gwain y rhoed y cledd Ar ben blvvydd T'wysog hedd, Ond pery Cynog eto I herio ac i frwydro Pob math o hapchwareuwyr, bosialiaid a thafarnwyr, A hwythauyr anffyddwyr, Fe'u drilia hwy yn drylwyr. Mae'r 1. L. P. yn gwingo, Mae'r swmbwl yn ei fiino, Caled yw'r ymadrodd, A'i oddef sydd yn. anodd. Mae T. T. yn condemnio, A gwyr ylhos yn digio, Ac yna yn cymodi, Ac eilwaith yn gwahanu Yn awr cytunant hwy I beidio cytuno mwy. Mae'r bugail wedi uno A'r fyddin goch, gan ado Ei gorlan glyd a'i braidd At drugareddau'r blaidd, Ysbytty Pennar weithion Sy'n gwneyd i bobl ymryson. Bygytbia rhai Eisteddfod Y Pasg a barn a difrod Bygythion a chelanedd A chwythir uwch yr annedd— Yr arch a wnaeth fro Pennar Mor enwog a gwlad Sinar. Paham na ffurfir cymmod A'i gwneyd yn arch cyfamod ? Gwyn fyd pe delai c'lomen A deilen olewydden Yn arwydd hedd a chymod Cyn sudda'r arch i'r gwaelod. Cilied ymaith bob rhyw bla Gyda blwyddyn newydd dda, Troer pob arf yn offer hedd, Gwisgèr rhwd dros fin y cledd Llifed heddwch fel yr afon A chyfiawnder fel yr eigion. Ap PENNAR,

Cenad Serch. Pan rwy'n gorphwys, Annie anwyl, Rhed fy nghalon attat ti: Pan yn cysgu gwelaf ddarlun Perffaith 0 dy wyneb cu. Rwy'n breuddwydio fod angylion I Mwyn yn cludo f'enaid blin At dy hunell i dy ymyl, I gael golwg ar fy mun Hardd sydd fel y lili'n dawel Yno mewn nefolaidd hedd Yn breuddwydio hyd y boreu A gwen angel ar ei gwedd. F'ysbryd llesg sydd fel yn syllu Ar dy agwedd yn dy hun, Bron nad ydwyf fi yn clywed Swn curiadau'r galon gun Yn dy fynwes sydd yn curo, Nes yw serch mewn hun yn tanio. Annie deg; mae'th agwedd dirion Wedi denu serch fy nghailon, Nes wy'n methu'n deg a chysgu, Gan hiraethu am dy gwmni. Dywed wrthyf. feinir fwyngu, A wyt ti yn gallu cysgu ? Neu a yw dy ysbryd tyner Yn ymwibio mewn mawr bryder ? Os wyt felly gad i mi Ddod, fy meinir, attat ti. Rhoddaf ar dy ruddiau glan Gusan a gwefusau tan, Abercynon. EHEDYDD BACH.

Mr. M Roberts-dones, RECEIVING ORDER MADE. At Cardiff County Court offices Saturday, before Mr, Registrar ^ouSI^y the hearing took place of a bankrup petition which had been placed 011 f file by Mr. R. J. Thomas, solicitor, s Swansea, against Mr. M. Roberts -,Torleso the well-known solicitor, of-Cardiff. The amount of the indebtedness on petition was £ 133 odd. 'g After hearing Mr. Robert J°aeft. representative (Mr. Blower), and ^f\ue F. Forsdike, who acted on behaj^ petitioning creditor. i order The Registrar made a receiving or against the debtor. Printed and Published at their ing Works, Market Buildings, Street, Aberdare, in the CountY-Of morgan, bv the proprietors, W. and J. L. Rowlands.

WISE AND OTHERWISE. There is one safe way of avoiding mistakes in distinguishing between mushrooms and toad- stools. Eat parsnips! "Freddy, is your brother back at school? "No, he's half back," was the proud but some- what astonishing answer. She: The new tenor singer in the choir used to be a locksmith." He: "No wonder he al- ways hits the right key, then." Mother: ''How did this ink get all over this table? Small Son: "It run out all by its own self as soon as the bottle upset." Smith: "Do you think that seeing is believ- ing?" Mrs. Smith: "No. I see some people every day I could never believe." Stout Gent: "Get up and give one of the ladies your seat, sonny! Boy: Garn! You get up and give 'em both a seat! Teacher: "Now, what does the busy bed teach us? Johnny To keep away from the hive. He: My views on bringing up a family are to She: "Never mind your views; I'll bring up the family; you go and bring up the coal." "It makes me red hot!" murmured the horseshoe, angrily. "What does?" sang the anvil. Oh, the air that bellows puts on," sighed the shoe. Meekly: Yes, we're going to move to Swamphurst." Doctor: But the climate there may disagree with your wife." Meekly: "It wouldn't dare! Magistrate: "Do you mean to say the lady swore at you when you stepped on her skirt? FitzWilliam Yes, your worship only she did it with her eyes." Sharpe: Why, yes, I was at church last Sun- day." KIoseman: "Were you, really? Strange I didn't see you." Sharpe: "Oh, not at all, I took up the collection." Miss Knox: Your conversation, Mr. Le>I, ;"n, reminds me of some champagne." Mr. Ledden: Ah So sparkling as all that? Miss Knox: No but it's extra dry." Willie: "Do you believe Friday to be an un- lucky day?" Johnny: Course it is. When- ever it's Friday I always know that the next day I'll h to git a bath." "What a well-informed woman that Mrs. Wadleigh is, isn't she?" "Why shouldn't she be? Her cook has worked for nearly everybody in the neighbourhood." Did Ranter get savage the other night when the audience threw eggs at him? Not in tho least. He thanked them. and said he11 always en joyed eggs with his role." Country Clergyman: "Well, Maggie, and how I ie: is your good man getting on?" Maggie: "Weel, 'deed, sir, he's just like yourself; he's got plenty to do, but he won't do it." Wife: "I hope you talked plainly to him." Husband: "I did indeed. I told him he was a fool, a perfect fool!" Wife (approvingly): "Dear John! How exactly like you She: "Women may gossip sometimes, but they have better control of their tongues than men have." He: "You are right. Men have no control whatever of women's tongues." How do you know that. it was Et man that wrote this novel?" Helen: Because the story takes you over a space of ten years, and the heroine never changes her dress but once." Fielding; Gardener says it's wonderful how quickly his wife can sing the baby to sleep." Meadows: "I believe that baby's shamming. I've heard Mrs. Gardener sing, you know." Elderly Lady (watching the dancers): How well Mr. Heavyweight dances! He is so light on his feet." Young Lady (who has had experi- ence) "Humph! I wish he were the same on other people's! Father: "Yes, I admit your lover has a good income, but he has very expensive tastes, very." Daughter: You amaze me; what does he ever want that is so expensive?" Father: "Well, you for one thing." Mrs. Hicks (relating burglar scare): "Yes. 1 heard a noise and got up, and there under the bed I saw a man's legs." Mrs. Wicks: Mercy! The burglar's?" "No, my husband's-he had heard the noise, too." "Kate, I must, warn you. I saw that police- man put his arm round you and kiss you." "I couldn't help that, ma'am." But you didn't seem to object." Not me, an' be had up for resistin' the police." Fred: "vVomen can't understand what suff- rage means. It will never succeed until women make themselves plain." George: "Then it will never succeed, for no woman on earth would make herself plain." She: "Just see how much your little wife loves you. She made this cake" for you all by herself." He: "Yes, darling, and now if you will eat it all by yourself I shall possess indisput- able proof of your devotion." Mother (to son who has been growing rather free of speech): Tommy, if you promise not to say 'Hang it!' again, I'll give you sixpence." Tommy All right, ma. But I know another word that's worth half-a-crown An Appropriate Keepsake. I presume you carry a memento of some sort in that locket of yours? Precisely, it is a lock of my husband's hair." "But your husband is still alive!" Yes, sir; but his hair is all gone." Tommy: "So glad you've come, Mr. Bow- legs! Mr. Bowlegs (fishing for compliments): "And why are you so glad I've come, my lIttle man?" Tommy: "Ethel and I are playing at n'1' trains, and you'll make such a lovely bridge." A porter from an adjacent store rushed into a restaurant after the dinner hour a few days ago. Say, Pat," he called, give me twopennyworth of dog meat." Do you want to eat It here or take it with you? inquired Pat without a smile. "What play is David acting in now?" "He isn't acting." Why, you said he was on the stage, and that he made his first appearance nearly six months ago? Yes, I know, but he also made his last appearance the very same night." "You'd make a pretty good clerk," said the employer, sarcastically, if you only had a little more common sense." "Indeed!" replied the clerk. "But did it ever occur to you that if I had a little more common sense I wouldn't be a clerk at all." "Yes, my life rn- insured for 210,000." "In- crease it to £ 20,000, and I'll consider your pro- posal." "I tried to, but the examining physi- cian said I might not l&st six months! Well, this is very sudden, but I think I'll marry you, Mr. Goodboy! Shopwalker: What are we to do with Heavy- head? He is always falling asleep." Proprietor: Oh, send him to the nightshirt department, and tell the customers that our nightshirts are so excellent that the very look of them sends the assistant to sleep." Bertie: "Father, what is an egotist?" Father: "He is a man who thinks he is smarter than anyone else." .1 Mother: "My dear, you are scarcely right. The egotist is the man who says that he is smarter than anyone else-all men think they are! Brown (who is engaging a parlourmaid during his wife's absence): And why did you leave your last place?" Comely Applicant: "Well, it—it—was for letting master kiss me, sir." Brown: "Ahem! You—h'm—may consider yourself engaged." I'm afraid I have lost a, patient," said the young physician, realising the value of making an impression. Didn't you know what remedy to prescribe? "Perfectly. That part bf it was simple enough but I couldn't think of the Latin for mustard-plaster." What did you tell father about your pros- pects? she asked. "I told him I expected in the near future to be helped by a rich relative." "Why, Charles! You told me you had no rich relative! "I know it; but I'll have one after the wedding won't I? "What a lovely collection of odd cups! ex- claimed a guest, peering into the china cabinet. Did it take you long to get so many? Oh, no," said the hostess, who suffers by the servant problem, those are samples of the sets we've had in the last two years." "What!" exclaimed Mr. M'Bluff, "hasn't the landlord sent anyone to fix the front door bell? I'll go right down and see him "Don't do it, George," interrupted his wife. "Just wait a week or so; it's about time for tho instalment collector to come round." Cholly Nowitt: "D'ye know, Miss Smart, though I've only just met you, there seems to be a sort of intellectual sympathy between us! You know just how to appeal to my taste, you see. Are you a literary woman?" Dolly Smart: "No; I'm a kindergarten teacher."

If your Eyes trouble you consult f a fully qualified -< t Optician. The nearest to f you is X Thisisthe j And the jr only exclusive j ^t"ea'ies^ care Sight Testing ^SK\1 J is exercised > Business in with each AV X Mr. F. maims, F.S.R.C., v; 88, High Street, t j MERTHYR, (7 doors above S f Town Hall.) -II

Wadding at Aberaman. DAVIES-BURROWS. At St. Margaret's Church, Aberaman, a very pretty wedding was solemnised by the Rev. M. Powell, vicar, the contract- ing parties being James, the eldest son of Mr. Edwin Davies, 10, Forge-row,, and Emily, the youngest daughter of Mi. Thomas Hall Burrows, the verger of St. Margaret's Church. The bride was ac- companied by Miss S.J. Morgan and Miss M. J. Davies as bridesmaids, and was given away by her father, who was ac- companied by Mr. E. Davies, father of the bridegroom. The best man was Mr. W. H. Burows, R.A.M., B.C.M., of Clif- ton Crescent, Aberaman, accompanied by by Mr. Ivor Thomas. Amongst the many friends at the wedding were Miss Powell, Mrs. Knight, and Mrs. J. Davies, Messrs. H. Burrows and J. Davies. After the nuptual ceremony was over, a recherche breakfast was partaken of at the bride's home, 230, Cardiff-road, presided over by the bride's father,when a very large com- pany sat, including Mrs. T. Burrows, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Burrows, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Burows, Mrs. Manley, Mr. H. and Mrs. H. Burrows, Mrs. Banfield, Mr. and Mrs. J. Davies, Mrs. E. Davies, Mrs. Arnold, Mrs. D. Isaac, Mr. M. Davies, and Mr. E. Davies. Congratulatory speeches were made by those present,and the presents were very numerous. The bride was dressed in elegant cream voile, and a beautiful pale blue hat, trimmed with orange blossoms. The bridesmaid,; were attired in navy blue. The, wedding cake was provided by the well-known caterer, Mr. F. W. Caunt, of Aberdare. We understand that the 'happy pair are spending their honeymoon in Yorkshire, and will eventually settle down at Aber- ewmboi.

-u_ Back to the Land" POPLAR COLONY A FAILURE. The interesting b,ack-to-the-land ex- periment with workhouse inmates, car- ried out by the Poplar Beard of Guar- dians on a hundred acres in Mid-Essex, has proved a. failure. That is the opinion, among others, of Mr. Joseph Fels, who initiated the ex- periment, and leased the land at pepper- corn rent to the guardians for the pur- pose. The idea I had in proffering the land," he told a representative of the "Daily Chronicle," was the carrying' out, of an independently administered and well-considered farm colony for the transfer of paupers from the workhouse to the land and their training under right conditions for useful lives on the land. At first the administration of the colony was carried on with great spirit and promise and upon fairly intelligent lines. As soon, however, as the Local Government Board brought pressure to bear on the management, the establish- ment entirely lost its distinctive charac- ter. It ceased to be a farm labour colony, except in name, and became simply a, branch workhouse, with all the humiliating connections and associa- tions of a workhouse. Xhe result is that the men have lost hope, initiative and aspirations to become self-supporting." Questioned as to the future of the colony, Mr. Fels said that so long as the Local Government Board did not take the trouble intelligently to inform itself of the advantages of such training as was intended to be given at Laindon there could be no remedy. Perhaps the unemployed themselves would prove that they "knew more as to what was needed than those clothed in brief authority."

Aberaman. Hullo, Thomas, what is tll. meaning of I 5 shillings in the £ off for cash? It means if you buy a sewing machine, any make, and pay Bugler cash for it, you can get a £ 6 machine for J? 10s.— (Advt.)

A GUARANTEED CURE FOR PILES, Itching, Blind, Bleeding, or Protruding. All chemists are authorised to refund money if Pazo Ointment fails to cure Piles. Cures ordinary cases in six days. One application gives ease and rest. Pazo Ointment is a new discovery, and the only Pile remedy sold on a positive guar- antee. Price 2s. 3d., of all chemists, or from Paris Medicine Co., Temple Cham- bers, London, E.C. |

Gadlys Baptist Church. AND REV. MYLES GRIFFITHS- j RESIGNATION. J Last Sunday night at the Gadlys Welsil Baptist Chapel, the members, on risi^ to their feet, declared with practical Lill- animity in favour of pressing upon ReV. Myles Griffiths to reconsider his tion, and earnestly entreated him to 11e. main pastor of Gadlys. The church cOl" siders it at present an irreparable losS if Mr. Griffiths vacated the pastorship' as lie has proved himself in every re- spect an efficient and dutiful pastor. The Rev. Myles Griffiths, as is well known, has accepted a call from an important Liverpool church. His brethren in the Baptist ministry, and the ministers oi other denominations in the neighbour' hood will be very sorry to part with Mr. Griffiths, who is much respected, and haS been since his induction at Gadlys a faitk ful and conscientious co-worker.

-m_u_ Welsh Parliamentary Seats. —— LABOUR CANDIDATES TO BE SELECTED. Mr, Thomas Richards, M.P., generaj secretary of the South Wales Miners' Federation, has issued a circular to the Tcderation officials in the various districts seiting forth the procedure to be adopted in the selection of Labour candidates i" Breconshire, East Glamorgan, East a marthen. Merthyr Boroughs, Mid-Glamor- ,4, Mid -G] gan, North Monmouthshire, and South Monmouthshire. After stating decision of the Executive Council to select Labout candidates for these divisions under the Miners' Parlia.meo- tary representation scheme, the circuit proceeds; You are therefore to invite yoUr lodges to nominate persons for any of above divisions within your districts afld to forward their names to you, after which you will communicate with the secretary of any other district haviog members in the division or divisions yo have to deal with for the purpose 0 jointly making arrangements for sub- mitting the names of the persoOs nominated for your division to a ballot vote of all members of the Federati00 resident in the division." At the end of the circular are the following eight rules of procedure:- 1.— Each district secretary to receive nominations from the lodges of hIS own district. t 2.—Where more than one distrlC are interested in the same Parlalliell, tary division a joint meeting to held after the receipt of nominatioBS to make arangements for ballot. 8.—Ballot papers with the of the division and candidates cle&r^ shown thereon to be supplied by tbe. district or the joint meeting secrety,rJ' 4.—Each member to vote only jf1 the ballot taken for selecting a call be date for the division in which be resides. 5.—The names of the candidates be placed upon the voting paper 1 alphabetical order. 6.—Votes to be counted at collie or lodges, and number of votes for each candidate to be sent to distnc^ secretary, who, after taking a j thereof, will forward them to geOer8, secretary. 7.—Each member to vote for °n6 candidate only.. 8-—Any member of the Wales Miners' Federation is eiigib for nomination as a candidate.