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EVERY WOMAN

Iforiaeth.

Review.

Aberdare and District Photographic…

Mining Students' Re-Union.

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Mining Students' Re-Union. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING AT ABERDARE. On Saturday evening, at Miles's Res- taurant, Aberdare, a re-union of the Glamorgan County Council Mining Students who have been on tour in West- phalia took place. An excellent repast was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Miles and greatly relished by al). The post pran- dial proceedings were presided over by Mr. A. P. Jones, High Constable. There vere also present: Messrs. Henry Davies, County Mining Lecturer; B. D. Wil- liams, Electrical. Engineer, Rhondda; D, Davies, Mining Lecturer, Aberdare; Wiii. Davies, Mining Teacher, Aberdare; J. Jones, Troedyrhiw; W. Davies, Dowlais; Chas. Kitto, Aberfan; J. Whittieom be, Trealaw; Alf. Davies, Aberdare; J. A. Morgan, Aberdare; W. F. Hughes, Senghenydd; B. S. Thomas, Clydach Vale; W. Heppell, Cwmaman; Jos. Rees, Llansamlet; H. Davies, Port Talbot; Alf. James, Penrhiwceiber; D. C. Jieeb, colliery manager, Carmarthenshire; Councillor David Hughes, Aid. J. Mor- gan, Merthyr. The following was the programme:- Overture on the piano, Grand March," Mr. J. J. Williams, ..1\1- The Chairman said that as n rule Welshmen were too provincial—they did ret have enough push in them. In many agricultural districts in Wales fanning v-as carried on very much the same as in the time of Adam. ) t was a reflection on the Government and Governing Bodies that so little was done to foster mining knowledge. Nothing was done to train young men to have a thorough practical knowledge of mining. To pass an exam, was not the only necessary qualifications of a mining student. He should be a, good student of ihuman nature, and able to grasp the management of 1he men under his control. The output of the South Wales Coalfield was about one-fifth of that of the whole country Before many years would pass the output would begin to< decrease. Still there were op- portunities for intelligent and persever- ing young men. He was glad that so many young men seized the opportunity tc see the operations of the coal trade in Germany. The question of a Mining School hung fire at present. The coal trade was at present in a prosperous posi- tion. Now was the time when such a thing should be pushed forward Em- ployers and employees should co-operate to bring such a movement to a successful issue. Boxing contests, he learnt, were well patronised in the locality. Could not the proceeds of one boxing contest be given towards the mining school f (Ap- plause.) The Veteran Song," by Mr. Jonah Jones, was the next item. Councillor D. Hughes said that one. rf the touring students had described the recent tour to him as "hard labour." Some members of the County Council were under the impression that the min- ing tours were simply holidays at the ex- pense of the County Council. He would assure them the next time this was in- sinuated that such was not the case. He trusted .vhat the tours would benefit them educationally. Their teacher, Mr Henry Davies, had been of inestimable value to the county. The Mining Classes had been of immense service. He sincerely hoped that in a few years the School of Mining would become an accomplished fact. He believed that if the workmen would do their part the coalowners would do their share. He hoped that they would do their utmost towards the move- ment in order to counteract the action of the I.L.P., who in opposing the School of Mining were evidently opposing their own interests. (Hear, hear.) Song by Mr. J. Jenkins, "Mentra Gwen." At this juncture Mr. Henry Davies was presented by Mr. B. D. Williams, on be- half of the mining students, with a foun- tain pen. A beautiful dressing-ca.se was also given, to be presented to Mrs. Davies. Mr. Williams isaid they were greatly indebted to their director, Mr. Davies, f(.r the perfect arrangements lie had made in connection with the tour. He hoped that Councillor D. Hughes would inform his colleagues on the County Ccuncil of the esteem in whirls Mr. Davies was held by them. Thev had worked hard while away, but it was work that produced i)!easure. He hoped that Mr. Daviee would succeed in his scheme to obtain bettei facilities for the mining students tc attend the evening classes. Again with -regard to the idea of creating foreign scholarships. That would bring them more in touch with the German and other foreign methods. The Germans had a capability of adapt- ing themselves to their conditions. It would be well if the mining students in this country would emulate them. He wished, on behalf of the class, to thank their director for his guidance and distance. For he's a jolly good fellow" was now sung with gusto by the company. Mr. Williams now read a letter from Mr. John Dodd, who was unable to be present. The writer paid a. high compli- ment to Mr. Henry Davieti. Mr. Davies, responding, said that he believed that a. harder taskmaster than himself the students never had. Some of them might think him a. little too severe. Ten years hence they would think differ- ent. He was glad to see present Mr. D. C. Dees, an old Aberdarian, now occupy- ing an important position ae a colliery manager in Carmarthenshire. (Hear, hear.) At an important meeting of col- liery officials held recently in Carmar- thenshire practically every man in the room was a Glamorgan trained man. He waa glad to 600 so meny young men present from all parts of South Wales. With regard to the educational value of the tours he could only repeat what Mr Williams had said. Their views needed enlarging, and some corners in their minds wanted rounding off. The Welsh- man should be taughth to be more self- confident, and then he would get on. They had been on various tours, and he believed that much good had derived from them all. Many of the students had written voluminous observations on their journeys, a labour which brought its own reward, even if they did not win a prize. The literary practice was a most valuable acquisition. While in Germany he was told by a man who knew what he was speaking about that nowhere in Germany could a band of mining students be formed to take a tour in a foreign country similar to what the Welsh students were doing. On Tues- day at Cardiff there would be a hundred mining students who would be a. credit to the country. (Hear, hear.) He wishel to thank them cordially for the gifts presented to him and Mrs. Davies. Song, "Mereh y Cadben," by Mr Jcaah J ones. The next proceeding was the presenta- tion of a volume, "The Colliery Man- ager's Handbook," by Mr. Thomas, a mining student from Australia, to Mr. Hanny, who had acted as interpreter on the journey. Mr. Hanny acknowledged the gift, and remarked that he had merely done his duty. Ald. J. Morgan, Merthyr, said that seme facts which came under his ob- servation last year had greatly inter- ested him. One was that most of the students took down notes in shorthand, although some of them had had little op- portunity to --fteitd technical classes. Fersonally he had very pleasant recoUec- tions of Westphalia, although they had a very hard time of it there. Were they satisfied with what they had seen and done? Were they going to rest on their laurels? He trusted that they would not play with their opportunities. He could assure them that the County Council Mining Committee were greatly in sym- pathy with the students. He was glad tc tell them that one student from the Aberdare Valley had had an appointment in India of the value of .£800 a year. Another had got a good position in China. He hoped that they would not forget the one who had helped them- (Hear, hear.) Song by Mr. Jenkins, "Cymru Fydd." Mr. Daniel Davies ?iow addressed the meeting. As a lucky participant of the trip to Germany, he wished to endorse what Mr. Henry Davies had said. While the work was iu progress he was a hard taskmaster and strict disciplin* arian, but quite a jolly one when the task was over. The mining tours wer net so many picnics. They generally ill volved very hard labour. He did not be* -lieve in making things too easy for the mining students. If there was any grit in the student he would forge ahead not- withstanding difficulties. He wished to thank the County Council gentlemen for I their presence. Mr. Alf. Davies, speaking in Welsh, endorsed Mr. Davies's appreciation. Mr. D. C. Rees moved a vote of thank* to the guests of the evening, the a.rtiste-s.. and the, host and hostess. Mr. Kitto seconded. Mr. Miles re- sponded on behalf of Mrs. Miles and hixa- self. Mr. Henry Davies paid a high compli" ment to Mr. W. Davies, who had per- formed the secretarial work. He would propose a vote of thanks to him and to the chairman. Referring to Sir W. 1 • Lewis, Mr. Davies said he had found bins the real friend of the Welsh worker, and he was glad to find his right hand iiiall there that evening. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Heppell seconded the motion* which was carried. Mr. W. Davies and the chairman brief" ly acknowledged the thanks.

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