The Aberdare Leader

Rev Grawys Jones and Higher Criticism. The annual meeting of the Rhondda Sun- day School Union (Welsh Congregational- ists) was held at Forth on Tuesday. An able paper on The Ministry and the Sunday School" was read by the Rev Grawys Jones, Aberdare. He dealt with various phases of Sunday school work, and referred to the effect of the so-called higher criticism on Sunday schools. He depre- cated blind hostility to the views of the higher critics, and favoured the formation of week-night classes for teachers, etc., to study sympathetically the recent light thrown on Biblical knowledge. He also favoured utilising the Sunday morning ser- vice occasionally for teaching the people Biblical knowledge in the light of recent criticism, and doing away with the formal sermon. These views were received with much acceptance by the delegates present.

Clergyman Missing. Formerly curate of Aberdare. A great sensation has been caused at Rhos, Wrexham, owing to the mysterious disappearance of the Rev Sydney Morris, one of the curates of the parish. On Sun- day morning the congregation assembled at the Parish Church, but owing' to the non-arrival of Mr Morris, who was to have conducted the service, the congregation had to disperse after the singing of hymns. Nothing has since been heard of the rev gentleman, who is well-known in Wrex- ham, where his parents reside. His father is Mr E. Morris, one of H.M. inspectors oi schools for North Wales. Mr Morris be- came curate of Rhos last year, having pre- viously worked in Wrexham under Canon Fletcher, and also in Somersetshire. He is a graduate of Keble College, Oxford, and was ordained by the Bishop bf Llandaff in 1901. No real reason for his disappearance is known. Prior to going to Wiveliscombe in Som- ersetshire, Mr Morris was a curate at Aber- dare.

C.M. Singing Festival. On Monday the annual singing festival in connection with the Aberdare Upper District C.M. Chapels was held; in the- morning at Moriah, Llwydcoed and in the afternoon and evening in Bethel, Hirwain, under the conductorship of Mr Jenkin Morris, Cardiff, in the absence of Mr. Tom Price G. and L., Merthyr. The following churches were represent- ed Carmel, Trecynon; Moriah, Llwyd- coed; Gobaith, Cwmdare; Bethel, Hir- wain; Bryn Seion, Trecynon. The pre- sidents were Revs. W. Margam Jones. Moriah, Llwydcoed; T. Powell, Gobaith Cwmdare; and W. J. Williams, Bethel. Hirwain. The accompanists were: Mr. Willie Jones, A.L.C.M. Wern Villa, Llwydcoed (juveniles), Miss Jennet Davies and Mr. T. Richards, Hirwain (adults). Mr. Robert Griffiths,' A.C., Llwydcoed conducted the singing of the hymn-tunes- composed by him. The following hymn tunes were very effectively cung.-Morn- ing- Dyddiau Hyfryd, Edrych ar Iesu, Awn ninau i'r nefoedd, Pwy all beidio canu Iesu Byw, Iesu fy Nuw, Pwy sydd i ganu, Cor Caersalem, and Cartref yn. y Nef. Afternoon: Arabia Roche Abbey, St. Bees, Hyfrydlef, Caerlleon, St. Bern- ard, Barnsfield, Silchester, Erfyniad. Evening: Asaph Lledrod, St. Nicholas, Glan Elyrch, Cynfal, Just as I am, Grasmere, Gogerddan; the anthems,. Iesu fydd yn ben and Mewn tawel hedd together with the chorus, "Worthy is the Lamb," were also sung in an appreciative manner. During, the festival addresses were delivered by Mr. Roger Rogers, Llwydcoed; Rev. E. Wern Williams, Nebo, Hirwain; Mr. Abraham Watkins, Hirwain and the- p Revs. H. T. Stephens, Carmel, and John Morgan, Bryn Seion. The prize for the hymn-tune was won by Mr. David Jones, Co-operative Stores Trecynon.—A tea for the visitors was provided. The tables were, presided over by the follow- ing ladies:—(1) Mrs. Albert Williams, Mrs. Hannah Roderick, Mrs. L. J. Smale, and Mrs. W. R. Rees; (2) Mrs. Rees Williams, Mrs. Wm. G. Jenkins, and Miss Lizzie M. Jenkins; (3) Misses- Maggie J. Thomas Lizzie A. Thomas, and Lizzie Ann James; (4) Mrs. Thomas Lewis and Miss Lizzie Jones; (5) Mrs. Dd. R. Thomas, Misses Mary Davies, and Mary Gwen Thomas; (6) Mrs. J. R. Wil- liams, Mrs. Tom Smale, and Miss Lizzie, M. Edwards. Cutters: Mrs. Jane Jones, Mrs. John Davies Mrs. Thos. Edwards, Mr. Benj. Thomas. Tea brewer, Mrs. Ann Davies. Ticket collectors, Messrs. Wm. Jones and Joseph Rees. The re- hearsals at Carmel on Sunday afternoon and evening were respectively presided over fcy Messrs. Benjamin James, Car- mel, and John Thomas, Bryn Seion. At former rehearsals the conductors were: Messrs. R. Griffiths A.C., Llwydcoed, and Ed. Jones, Carmel. The chairman of committee is Mr. D. Edwards, Cwm- dare; secretary, Mr. T. Perrott, Hir- wain; treasurer, Mr. D. Jones Hirwain. Certificates were awarded as follows:—- Junior Cert.: Margaret Jane Rees, Mary Jane Davies, Rees Williams Wm. Rich- ards, and David R. Davies, all of Hir- wan. Elementary Cert.: Bertie Young. Hirwain. Intermediate (Practical-- Cert.): Annie Richards and Tommy ç. Walaers of Hirwain. Intermediate (Theory) Cert.: Mary Jane Jones, Llwyd- cced.

An Abercynon ex-Coun- cillor Honoured. On Friday evening a presentation ol a silver salver was given to ex-Councillor William Fenwick by his committee, sup- porters, and subscribers, at the vestry of Tabernacle C.M. Chapel. A large number were present. Mr. Edmund Jones butcher, presided, and remarked that the recent election had been a keen one, and that this pre- sentation to Mr. Fenwick was the out- come of it. Mr. Fenwick had served them truly and faithfully during his term of office. Madam John Morgan gave a solo, "The Old Minstrel." The Rev. J. R. Hughes next spoke. Mi Fenwick, he said had rendered good ser- vice as a representative on the Mountain Ash Council. He was never tired of help- ing on the education of the children, and was a man of excellent character. HE then read the following sonnet: "Good, faithful servant from youi faithful few, Accept this recognition pure and bright As is this silver salver, which to-night We offer you for services so true So nobly rendered, and our chief delight Is your acceptance of this tribute new, A mirror where your merits you may view, And read our witness that you did the right. In this inscription, sir, you laboured hard To serve us well, and though we bid farewell For some brief while, Dame Fortune may repeat Her fickle choice, and you once more hi sent To serve as faithfully and quite as well Our Council on the Abercynon Ward. "Rhoddwn heno i'n cyn-gynghorwr, William Fenwick, ffyddlon, gwiw, Anrheg harddwaith goreu'r cerfiwr, Dysgl o arian, perffaith yw, Pur fel hon yw'n cariad ato, Hir fel hon parhaed ei glod; Gloew fel hon ei hanes fyddo, Hardd a chron fel hon foi rod. Mr. D. T. Theophilus, A.C.V., then rendered a violin solo. Mr. F. Bailey said that people readily contributed towards the gift as a practi- cal outcome of their appreciation of Mr Fenwick, who had done his duty like a man, A solo was rendered by Mr. Evan Lloyd. At this stage the Chairman, on behalf of the donors and townsmen, presented Mr. Fenwick with the silver salver as a memento of the respect and este,em in which he was held by the inhabitants of Abercynon. The salver was engraved as follows :iPresented to William Fen- wick, Esq., by his supporters in the Abercynon Ward ;n recognition of the valuable services rendered by him whilst on the Mountain Ash Urban District Council, May 15, 190S.JJ Mr. Fenwick responded and thanked those present for their kind and encour- aging words. He was certain that Aber- cynon had received more improvements during the last three years than in any other three years. While a representa- tive he had done his best to better the conditions of the place, '%e manner in wl-ich he had served Abercynon on the Council was due mainly to the assistance given him by his wife. He would cherish the gift, and hoped that it would inspire his children to be of some service to their fellowmen. He would again be at their services on any future occasion. Madam and Mr. John Morgan then rt-ndered a duett, followed bv all address in Welsh by Mr. John Jones, Teifi House, who paid a tribute to the recip- ient's energy.-Sigii,-)r Gallani then gave a mandoline solo.—Dr. Griffiths in a humorous speech, also spoke of Mr. Fen- wick's work.—Mr. Evan Lloyd again rendered a solo.—A vote of thanks was accorded the chairman and artistes, proposed by Mr. J. Jenkins, and second- ed by Mr. Fred E;dwards.-Praise is due to Mr. F. Bailey, the secretary of the movement.

YOU cannot do better than use BOIWICK'S BAKING POWDER for making the tightest cakes, pastry, puddings, &c. Don't take risks by usmgr substitutes.

Aberdare Police Court. WEDNESDAY.—Before Sir T. Marchant Williams (Stipendiary), Messrs. D. P. Davies D. W. Jones, T. Thomas, L. N. Williams, R. Llewelyn, G. George, Owen George, and Dr. Davies. LICENCE.—D. Jones, Cowbridge Arms Aberdare, asked for an occasional licence to sell intoxicants at the Aberaman May Day Show.—Granted. THREE MONTHS FOR INDECENT PRINTS.—Wm. Williams was charged with exposing indecent prints in Mer- thyr.—A lad stated that defendant offered some indecent postcards to him, and he informed the police. Defendant held that the boy asked for the pictures.—De- fendant was sent to prison for three months. He asked the Bench to make it a fine, but the Stipendiary refused. STEALING SHIRTS.—Joseph Turner and Wm. Llewelyn were charged with stealing shirts, the property of a Mer- thyr weaver.-P.C. Herbert gave evi- dence of arrest.—Both pleaded guilty and were sent to prison for six weeks. LAWLESS IN NAME AND DEED. Patrick Lawless was charged with run- ning away and leaving his wife and chil- dren chargeable to the Guardians. — Warrant Officer Richards said that de- fendant had been discovered at Penrhiw- ceiber. He offered to pay at the rate of = £ 1 a month, which offer was accepted. LOTH TO QUIT.—Thos. Hopkins had to pay 20s. and costs for drunkenness and refusing to quit the Plymouth Inn, Tre- cynon.—Sergt. Hopkins gave evidence. OBSTR-UCTIO,N.-Chas. Hy. Coates and Charles Emmins were charged with obstructing Gloster-street, Aberdare. P.C. Owen Thomas said that defendants were playing ball in the street.—Fined 5s. including costs. HE HAD NO ADDRESS. Benjamin John was charged with obstructing Canon-street.—P.C. Owen Thomas said that defendant refused to go from a door- way when requested to go. It was with great reluctance he gave his name and address, testifying that he had no ad- dress.—He now told the Bench that he was sheltering from the rain.—Fined 5s. EJECTMENTS.—M. Morgan sought an order to eject M. J. Jones, 1 Canal- road, Cwmbach, and John Davies, Bryn- onen, Glynneath sought to eject Mrs. Elizabeth Davies Pontwalby. Both granted. ANNEXED TIMBER. Patrick De- laney and John Davies, both of Hirwain, were charged with stealing timber, the property of D. R. Llewelyn.—P.C. Lewis proved.—Richard Buxton valued the timber at Is.—Fined 10s. each. ANNEXED COAL. Frederick Buck- land, John Drew, and Thos. J. Hawkins (13) were charged with stealing coal the property of the Marquis of Bute.—P.C. Lewis gave evidence.—Daniel Jones, as- sistant manager, valued the coal at 6d.— Fined 7s. 6d. each. NO LICENCE.—T. Price, Pontypridd, was charged with having no licence for a carriage in his possession.—Mr. Finu- cane appeared for the Excise Authori- ties..—John Costello, inland revenue offi- cer at Aberdare gave evidence.—Fined £5 and costs. MUST PAY OR, GO TO CARDIFF.- David W. John was charged with persist- ent cruelty towards his wife, Florence John.—The Stipendiary made an order of 12s. 6d.-Defendant: I will pay only on condition that she goes to the Work- house. She will only spend the money J on drink at home.—Mrs. John denied the allegation that she drank.—Stipendiary: We don't believe his story. He will have to go to Cardiff if he does not pay. SEPARATION.—With regard to the case of Mrs. Anne Harris, of Hirwain, v. David Harris, her husband, the Bench made a maintenance order of 8s. 6d. per week their respective solicitors, Messrs. 1 W. Kenshole and W. Thomas, agreeing > to this course. REFERRED TO THE POLICE.—Mary James, 3, Green Fach, Aberdare, was charged with using indecent language to- wards Jane Edwards.—The case was dis- missed and the Bench referred the matter to the police. DRUNKS.—D. Probert, Glynneath, 20s. including costs; Chas. Davies, Miskin; Jeremiah MacCarthy, and Robert Parry (Cwmbach), 10s. and costs each.

> [ Mountain Ash Education Committee. [ On Tuesday, Capt. F. N. Gray, J.P. in the chair. The other members pres- ent were: Mrs. Owen Jones, Mrs. W. G. • Williams, Dr. R. D. Morgan, D. Rogers J. Charles, Wm. Evans, W. Lamburn, Wm. Davies Silas Williams Evan Mor- ris, Thos. Jones, T. W. Jonet-, Geo. H. Hall, E. V. Tidman, and Griffith Evans with Mr. Alfred Morgan (director). CERTIFICATED EXAM.—The Glam. Education Committee wrote that the number on the roll of the Mountain Ash Certificate Classes was 25; those who re- linquished their attendance 3; those who sat for the certificate examination, 7; passes, 4; failures, 3.—Mr. D. Rogers referred to those teachers who made not the slighest attempt to pass the certifi- cated examination. There was an under- standing when some of the supplemen- tary teachers were appointed that they were to qualify within two years. He moved that the Director report on the whole question.—Mr. J. Charles second- ed, and the motion was agreed to. ASSISTANT ARCHITECT. The Di- rector said he felt it his duty to mention the work the architect had to do, in view of the notice tendered to the assistant architect.—Rev. E. V. Tidman: We did not ask for this report. Director: I know that, but as your Director I think it my duty to, bring this matter for- ward. I don't hold a brief for anybody. —The Committee elected to hear the re- port, and the Director then enumerated several additions and alterations to schools that required to be carried ont.- In the course of the discussion that en- euedj Mr. W. Lamburn remarked that in the past work had proceeded very slowly. —Mr. D. Rogers took exception to this remark and said that the Committee had been responsible for a vast amount of work during the last five years. Chairman: Now that Mr. Lamburn is on the Council we shall get on ever so much faster. (Laughter.)—A resolution that the assistant architect's services be retained till the end of December was passed. BABIES AT.A.BEPiCYNON.-The head teacher of the Abertaf Infants School wrote that owing to the large increase in the number of babies, additional desks were needed.—The Director was asked to report. TRANSFEP,Givilyni Gower, Aber- taf, was transferred to Trerobert School, Ynvsvbwl. ORDNANCE MAPS. One of the Government Inspectors recommended local ordnance maps for cchools. The Chairman, in moving1 that the maps be not obtained said that Government In- spectors seemed to be going out of their way in order to drive up expenditure.- Mr. Wm. Evans seconded the motion that the maps be not obtai-Liecl.-I-lr. D. Rogers moved, and Mr. W. Davies seconded, that the maps be obtained, and this amendment was carried. APPLICATION.-Evan How'ells, Glas- frvn, Abercynon applied on behalf of his son for a probationership instead of a scholarship.—Mr. T. W. Jones urged the granting of the request, but the matter was adjourned for a fortnight. ABERCYNON MALE VOICE PARTY. —The Director mentioned that the above had intended to use Navigation School for practices, but that owing to poor at- tendance the practices were not held. He wanted to know whether he was to claim the rent for use of the fchcol.—In re- ply to Dr. Morgan, the Director said that a certain amount of gas had been used each evening a practice was called. —Dr. Morgan moved and Mr. Wm. Evans seconded that the rent be claimed "DANCING AND GIGGLING."—The Director asked the Committee whether a windup meeting held by an evening con- tinuation class should be included as a class? It was usual to hold a social or a, dance to wind up the session.—Mr. J. Charles was of opinion that a wind-up meeting should be considered part of the, education classes.—Mr. Silas Williams said that the classes were over-shadowed by those rumpuses. To say that a wind- up meeting was an additional class was a farce. It was simply a lot of dancing and giggling.—Mr. D. Rogers observed, that he had always made a charge when any social was held.—Mr. Silas Williams moved that the wind-up socials be not included as part of the session, but he afterwards withdrew, and a. motion that it be included was agreed to. VICE-CHAIRMAN.—Rev. E. V. Tid- man moved that the time-limit of six years before a member could become a vice-chairman be deleted. — Capt. Gray suggested three years, and this was adopted.—Mr. Charles moved that Mr. Bruce Jones be vice-chairman.Dr. Mor- gan seconded.—Mr. T. W. Jones proposed. Mr. Charles, inasmuch as Mr. Bruce Jones was not prepared to act.—Mr. Charles' motion was passed, and it was understood that if Mr. Jones would not. serve Mr. Charles would be appointed. ATTENDANCE.—The school attend- ance for the four weeks ending May 8th was 83 per cent. R.C. SCHOOL.—The Architect reported on the work necessary at the Roman Catholic School, and it was proposed that it be proceeded with during the holidays. —Rev. E. V. Tidman seconded, but added that it was high time to put a stop to the preferential treatment accorded to the, Roman Catholic School.—The motion was carried. COUNTY SCHOOLS. Messrs. J. Powell and D. Rogers were re-appointed representatives on the Governing Body of the Aberdare County School and Pontypridd County School respectively.

Miners and L,R.C. The official returns of the balloting of the members of the South Wales Miners' lederation on the question of affiliatioll with the L.R.C. show a majority of 29,892 in favour of affiliation. In South Wales only two districts show a. majority against joining, namely, Ebbw Vale and Saunderefoot. The following are the de- tamed figures for each district:- a For. Ag'st- Anthracite District 6875 2991 Aberdare 4332 3074 Dlaina 2018 1573; Dowlais 1816 1507 Eastern Valley. 3549 1814 Ebbw Vale 1583 1804 East Glamorgan 2070 1355 Garw 2746 1081 Mon. Western Valley 4583 409^ Maesteg 3921 139^ Merthyr 2551 1331 Ogmore and Gilfach 1927 7, Pontyprodd and Rhondda. 4292 2472' Rhondda No. 1 iwi 9037 Rhymney Valley .4150 2359 Taff and Cynon 3712 27'1 Tredegar 307S 2640 Western District 58IS 2445., Saundersfoot 87 147 Totals.. 744153 44571 In 1906 the figures for South Wai6: were 41,843 for, and 31,527 against, givin* a. majority of 10,316 but' at the time the figures throughout the whole count;? snowed a majority of 9,402 Against afrdi" ation.

Abewant House Rejecte-cl" At a meeting of the Glamorgan Educa- tion Committee on Tuesday a letter read from Sir W. T. Lewis stating that- Lord Bute, having regard to the exp"esc- wishes of the people of Aberdare, waf willing to assist in the establishment 0 the proposed Training College for Womei at Aberdare, and would sell Aberiian; House and the surface of the land £ 7,500 provided the offer was accept6'1-" before the 1st of June.—In reply to Alt • T. J. Hughes, Mr. D. Hughes stated that there was a pillar of unworlced coa under the house, but the coal surroun ing it had been worked out, and it not probable that any attempt would made to get at the coal under the hou? —Mr. G. George also supported the cla; J of Aberdare, hut that of Barry carr by 9 votes to 6.