The Aberdare Leader

Fire at Aberdare. A fire broke out at the shop of Mr Morris Jacobs, pawnbroker, Cardiff. street, Aberdare, on Monday morning. The brigade was speedily on the scene and the fire was quickly extinguished.

Labour Jottings. BY "DEMOS." To-morrow (Friday) is the 12th anni- versary of the death of Henry George, author and political economist. He it was who taught the doctrine that all men have an equal right to the use cf the land. At the same time he conceded that landowners should not be dispossessed of their land without compensation. Anti* Budgetites, these days, try to make out that Henry George is Lloyd George's poli- tical father. Attempts are constantly being made to place the two Georges m the same category, but the efforts spring from political enemies, who are anxious to prejudice the people against the Bud- get. Ducal hovels is a brand new phrase, formed in consequence of the revelations made in regard to some dilapidated dwel- lings belonging to the Duke of Northum- berland in Wallbottle. While the Duke's agent was opposing the closing of these broken-down cottages, the Duke himself was busily engaged in the House of Lords ruining John Burn's Town Planning Bill. He made a remark that the provision of workmen's cottages was not a matter of urgency, but his tenants in Wallbottle averred that they could not for the life of them find houses so as to leave their present unfit tenements. One of the clauses in John Burns' Bills makes the adoption of Part III of the Housing of the Working Classes Act by Urban District Councils compul- sory. Many of our readers will remem- ber the stern battles that were fought on the floor of the Aberdare Council Chamber, regarding the adoption of that Act, About 8 years ago Councillor T. Lewis did not obtain a seconder. Two years later Mr R. L. Berry was elected, and he brought the matter forward and this time there was a full-dress debate on the subject. But, however, the motion was lost by a large majority. It was a few years later that a similar resolution was passed. A few more years have been allowed to elapse before any action has been taken, but it seems that the contract for 28 new houses has now been let to a Mountain Ash builder. These 28 houses will be built at Cwmbach, It will be admitted by the sinoerest housing enthusiast that overcrowding is not so acute now as it was when the Housing Resolution was passed. Never- theless there is still a great demand for workmen's cottages. Houses which ought really to be closed for repairs are still being occupied. Five or six houses in Incline Row, Aberaman, owned, it appears, by the Rev. T. C. Phillips, Vicar of Skewen, were reported over a year ago, but nothing has yet been done to them. The Vicar promised the Dis- trict Council that he would attend to the cottages without further delay, and so the application for a Closing Order was postponed for a month. In Mountain Ash the housing pinch is not so much felt as it used to be. The Council some years ago tried to find land to build cottages, but failed. Matthewstown houses seem to be filling gradually. There was a time when 25 of the houses in Pentwyn Avenue were tenantle'ss, but now there are not more than four or five out of about 100 cot- tages that constitute this street. ..u

Mountain Ash District Council. On Tuesday, Mr J. Charles in the chair. The other members present were Messrs Bruce Jones, GrlffithEvans, Evan Morris, G. H. Hall, W. Lamburn, Wm. Davies, Silas Williams, D. Rogers, Wm. Evans, with Mr H P Linton (clerk), Mr F Stock (assistant clerk), Mr W. G. Thomas (surveyor), and Mr H. T. Jones (sanitary Inspector). OXFORD STREET. The committee which had charge of the widening of Oxford Street recom- mended that Messrs Nixon be asked to sell a portion of the Navigation Ground sufficient to widen the road to 15ft. near i the Public Institute. Mr Lamburn dissented. The recommendation was adopted on the motion of Mr W. Davies, seconded by Mr E. Morris, MAIN CARRIER LEAKAGE. Col. T. Phillips, clerk to the Aberdare District Council, replying to a complaint from Mountain Ash, wrote that a leakage in the main carrier, running through the Mountain Ash Distcict, had been at. tended to. Mr W. Davies mentioned that another portion of the carrier near Cwmcynon Colliery, was also in need of repair. The surveyor was asked to see to it. CHAMBER OF TRADE, The Abercynon Chamber of Trade asked the Council to carry out private street works in Station Road, Abercynon, and urged them to proceed with the work without delay. Decided to carry out the work. POSTAL MATTERS. Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., enclosed a letter from the Postmaster General, ex- plaining that he had carefully considered the Council's -application to allow the Mountain Ash post office to remain open till 9 p.m., but that the circumstances did not allow of such an alteration. He further pointed dut that many head offices in towns more important than Mountain Ash, were closed at 8 p.m. Mr E, Morris moved and Mr W Davies seconded, that Mr Thomas be thanked for his efforts. Carried,

SpecialSho at Rpm" JB ElviLYN HN {MB )!Bt MH 'BBBB E rin () Ft Agnih" MORRIS. Latest Styles in Viyeila Shirts, Dr. Jaeger's Shirts, Hats and Caps. Note the Address, 20, Commercial St. uin Aberdare. Also Special Show of Christy Tweed Hats and Caps.

Concept at Aberdare. At the Public Hall, Aberdare, on Suu- day evening, a sacred concert was given by the Aberdare Branch of the A.S.R.S. in aid of Mr. Tom Jones, fireman on the T.V. Railway, who has been ill for )i over two years. There was a very good attendance, over which the Rev. J. M. Jones, M.A., Tabernacle, presided. The following local artistes took part :-Miss Maggie Phillips, Canon-street (encored); Mr. Llew Jones (encored); Mr. D. Lan- deg; Mr. J. Donovan, Merthyr. Recita- tions were given by Mr. F. Pritchard, and violin selections by Mr. W. Carrol (encored). Choruses were contributed by the Aberdare Orpheus Society, conducted by Mr. 1. Davies. Pianoforte solo by Master Fred Williams. The accompan- ists were Miss Gwladys Phillips, Mr, J. Arkite Phillips, and Mr. T. Lewis. Mr. Jones wishes to thank all who helped to make the concert a success.

Wedding at Mountain Ash. HILL-BEER. A very pretty wedding took place at St. Margaret's Church last Tuesday morning. The contracting parties were Mr. Wm. James Beer, Paignton, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Beer, Swin- don, and Miss Clara Maud Hill, The Laurels, Cardiff-road, youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hill, con- tractor, Mountain Ash. The bride was, charmingly attired in a princess robe of, white crepe de chine, trimmed with Mal- tese lace and fringe. Her hat was black beaver, with feathers and silver band. She was accompanied by Miss Beatrice Beer (sister of the groom) and Miss Louisa Morgan (cousin of the bride), both of whom were handsomely attired in crepoline princess robes and large black picture hats. Mr. Tom Hill (brother of the bride) gave her away, and Mr. Arthur Hill acted as best man. The Rev. J- Sinnett Jones, M.A., performed the cere- mony, and there were also present: Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Beer, Miss Gwatkin, Miss E. Notley, and Miss E. Harland. A re- ception was held at the home of the bride, and the following guests were en- tertained to breakfast: Mr. and Mrs T. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. W. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hill, M* and Mrs. James Beer, Mr. and Mrs. H. Price, -Air. and Mrs. Herbert Bartlett,, Mr. and Mrs. R. Beacham, Mr. and Mrs. .i.' arnjiain Mears, Mr. Rd. Boulter, Mrs. Lawes, Mr. Geo. Lawes, Miss Edie Hill, Miss Beatrice Bartlett, and Miss May Mears. In the afternoon the happy pair left for Swindon, en route for London, where the honeymoon is being spent. 1 he following is a list of the presents:' Bridegroom to Bride, gold bangle. Bride <) to Bridegroom, oak inkstand. Bridegroom to bridesmaids, gold brooches Mother of bridegroom, silver pickle stand Father of bridegroom, gold watch. Miss B. Beer, silver preserve dish. Mrs. R. McKee, of Canada, cheque. Messrs. T. and W. Hill, brothers of bride, marble clock and bronzes. kr°ther of bride, copper Mt. and Mrs. G. Hill, celery glass. Mrs. T. Hill, steel engraving. Mrs. F. Mears, chenille table cloth and pictures. Miss L. Morgan, silver fruit stand. Mrs. Bartlett, eiderdown quilt. Miss Edith Hill, silver & ruby jam dish. Mr. Atkind, jeweller, pickle dish. Mr. Jack Wall, marble clock. Mr. Samuel Webber, silver teapot. Mr. Harry Schone, silver hat pins. Mrs. Legg, set of dishes. Miss Twight, pair water bottles. Mrs. Collins, Duchesse Set. Mrs. Bryant, silver and glass salts. Mrs. Evans, tray cloth. Mrs. Langford, Duchesse Set. Miss Jenkins, antimacassar. Miss A. Harland, d'oyley. Mrs. Harding, chenille mat. Mrs. Dowse, pair of fruit bowls. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, silver and glass tea tray. Mrs. P. Martin, silver bread fork. Mr. and Mrs. Groves, Navigation, silver fish knife and fork. Mrs. Price, table cloth. Mrs. Beacham, silver teapot stand. Mr. and Mrs. H. Beer, of Nottingham, curtains. ° Misses F. and L. Beer, Nottingham, tea cosy. » Mr. and Mrs. W. Morgan, heirloom. Mrs. Johil Wheeler, of Wolverton, fancy work. Mr' X?MfGlll^\aftern°°n tea service. Mi and Mrs. Cook, of Newport, ruby flower stand and tea service.. Masters W. and T. Hill, flower vases. St. Dyfng s Church Choir, silver salad bowls and servers. Messrs. D. Lewis, D. W. Howell, Frank Mills, and Fred Allen, silver floral set.

r The late Judge Owen had a strong antipathy to unctuous platitudes. "Will you give me your word of honour that the debt will be paid?" asked a solicitor of a debtor. "Oh, don't talk like that. Word of Honour!" said the Judge.

= The U ABERDARE LEADER- has the guaranteed largest circulation of any newspaper in the Aberdare Valley.

Mr G, H. Hall mentioned that at Penrhiwceiber on Sunday mornings the Post Office was not opened until 8.30 a.m. It used to be 8 a.m. He did not know whether a like alteration had taken place at Mountain Ash. Mr Charles and Mr W. Davles said they were not aware that the Post Offices were opened at all on Sundays. Mr D. Rogers Why do you want to extend Sunday labour ? Mr S. Williamjii I can't see why they require the Post Office open on Sundays here any more than in the little village accross the mountain. No action was taken. Mr E. R. James, Carnetown Post Office, asked the Council to allow him to close the sub. Post Office at 1 o'clock on Thursdays. Referred to Abercynon members. The Mountain Ash Post Office asked the Council to attend to the numbering of streets in Penrhiwceiber road, Har- court Street and other streets. Mr E. Morris moved, and Mr G, H. Hall seconded, that this work be attended to. CHOICE OF PICNIC RENDEZVOUS, The Urban District Council Associa- tion enclosed a ballot paper asking Mountain Ash to nominate the place where they desired the annual meeting to be held. Six members voted in favour of Ilfracombe and five in favour of Llan- drindod .Wells. EDUCATION COMMITTEE BUSINESS. MORE EVENING CLASSES REQUIRED. The Director of Education said that a number of students were anxious to es- 'W' tablish Mathematics Classes atTrerobert (Ynysybwl) and Penrhiwceiber. He had written to Dr John James, of the Glam- organ Education Committee, and he had replied that he could not place any fur- ther applications for additional evening classes before his Committee. The Director added that there were 20 students ready to start at Ynysybwl, and there were sufficient to fulfil the requirements of the County, at Penrhiw- ceiber. He suggested that another letter be written to Dr James telling him that unless the County gave permission, the Board of Education would be asked to sanction the District Council to hold such classes. Mr S. Williams moved that such a letter be written to Dr. James, and that the reply be considered by the Educa- tion Committee next Tuesday. Mr D. Rogers moved that the classes be opened at once, and that if the County refused to recognise them, the Education Committee should pay the expenses incurred out of their Secondary rate. Mr B. Jones asked why the County refused to consider these applications. The Director thought the reason was that they were too late. Mr W. Evans said that there was a general desire to open a Surveying Class at Abercynon. Mr W. Davies remarked that it was a pity this committee had not included these classes in proper time. After further discussion, Mr Silas Williams' motion was carried, SUBSIDENCE AT PENRHIWCEIBE R. It was reported that a portion of the road in Cross-street, Penrhiwceiber, had subsided. The landowner repudiated liability, and the Council resolved to carry out private improvements in that street. Mr G, H. Hall mentioned that there was a culvert running under that street. I He was sure of that because he had been through it when he was younger. Mr S. Williams: Ratting. (Laugh- ter.) STREET NOISES. The Clerk said he had obtained coun- sel's opinion regarding street noises. Counsel maintained that the District Council had no right to spend money to enforce the County Council byelaws. Mr W. Lamburn suggested that the local County Councillors be asked to take the matter up, and this course was agreed to. MEDICAL OFFICER'StREPORT. HOMERTON STREET HOUSES. Dr E. P. Evans, medical officer of health, reported 12 cases of scarlet fever; 1 of diphtheria 1 of puerperal, and 3 of erysipelas. He had visited Homerton Street, Tyntetown, Nine houses were exceedingly dirty. The pantries were damp, and not in a fit condition to store food. The cellars were used to store coal and firewood. The floors were broken, and the stair cases were also broken. The W. C.'s, which adjoined the houses, were filthy and in a defec- tive condition, and were without flushing arrangements. He recommended that the owners be ordered to put the houses in a sanitary and habitable condition. Mr G. H. Hail moved that notices be served, and Mr Lamburn seconded.— Carried. RAINFALL 13 INCHES IN 3 WEEKS. The surveyor reported that the rain- fall for the past 3 weeks was 13 inches. There had been no damage in the district owing to the floods. Mr W. Davies remarked thai- in Knight-street, a heavy stream of water had caused some trouble to the resid- ents. PUTRID FRUIT. Mr H. T. Jones, sanitary inspector, reported that he had occasion, some time ago, to condemn a lot of fruit, be- longing to William Andrews, Penrhiw- ceiber. Andrews- refused to pay the wholesale merchant at Plymouth for the said fruit and he (Mr Jones) had attend- ed the Plymouth County Court, at which Andrews was sued, Andrews won the case. PENRIIIWCEIBER COMPLAINT. A deputation from Harris Terrace, Penrhiwceiber, waited upon the Coun- cil. They complained of surface water running down from Penybryn to their houses. One member of the deputation said that something ought to be done at once. They could not put up with the nuisance for ever, and he believed the tenants were entitled to damages. Referred to surveyor. I