The Aberdare Leader

Monday, August 11. Before His Honour Judge Bryn Roberts. Administrations. William Thomas, 3 Chapel Row, Aberdare. represented by Mr. E. J. Hughes. Aberdare, applied for an administration order in respect of his debts. He earned 21 4s. lid. per week, and offered to pay in full, by instalments of 14s. per month.— Granted. Daniel Snow, 11 St. John Street, Trecynon, a Bwllfa haulier, applied for an administration of his debts. He owed JE26, and earned 21 13s. 5d. a week.-Granted.

A New Order. Margaret Ann Thomas, 28 Cardiff Road, Aberaman, represented by Mr Wm. Thomas, Aberdare, applied for a new order in respect of an appor- tionment order which ceased on July 15th last. The amount standing to applicant's credit in court was X31 7s. Id., and the child Idris had X103 to his credit. His Honour ordered one guinea a quarter to be paid to the widow and 5s. 6d. per week for the child.

Apportionment. Mary Ann Smart, represented by Mr. Wm. Thomas, Aberdare, applied for payment out of court of the sum of zC285 in respect of compensation paid by the Cwmaman Colliery Co. in respect of her husjband's death. The applicant had no children, and the application was granted.

Hirwain Application. Jane Ellen Evans, 21 Weatherall Street, Aberdare formerly of Challis Row, Hirwain, represented by Mr. Wm. Thomas, Aberdare, applied for an apportionment of a sum of money (2300) paid into court in respect of the death of her husband John, which took place at the Aberdare Merthyr Colliery, Hirwain. There were two children--Richard Douglas Evans and Gweneth Jane Evans— both dependents. His Honour ordered 3s. 8d. per week to the widow and a similar sum to each child, and 110 for funeral ex- penses.

Abernant Application. Ann Evans. 3 Tydraw Place, Aber- nant, represented by Mr. William Thomas, Aberdare. applied for an apportionment of a sum of money (2261) paid into court in respect of the death of her son. Ward Evans. The deceased and her daughter lived together at Tydraw. the deceased being the entire support of the house. There was another son who was married—Edward Evans, living at Pontypridd. The applicant was 75 years of age. The funeral expenses up to £ 10 were allowed, and the mother and sister declared dependents, the money in court to be equally divided between them. y

Trousers Too Short." Morris Meskin sued Samuel Wads- worth, 21 Gadlys Street, Aberdare, for C2 16s., balance of a sum of money owing for an oil painting. Mr. S. Shipton appeared for plain- tiff. Plaintiff in his evidence stated that his traveller took an order from the defendant for an oil painting. Plaintiff delivered the picture to de- fendant's house personally and re- ceived 2s. on account from defendant and made a note on defendant's card and also on his own card. De- fendant 'accepted the picture and | made no dispute. 1 Defendant, giving evidence, said the picture was to be an oil enlarge- ment from a photo, and it was noth- ing like him, and besides, the trousers were too short. His Honour struck out the case, saying: It's a wretched thing. Defendant was granted costs for the day. ] ]

t20 For a Mare. Gwenllian Jones, Penderyn, sued Richard Morgan and Owen Davies, both of Hirwain, for 22-1, the value of a mare killed by the negligent driving of defendants. Mr. W. Thomas, Aberdare, represented plaintiff, and Messrs. C. and W. Kenshole were for the defendants. i A sum of £20 was paid into court by the defendants, and the case was settled accordingly.

Conduct Money. His Honour made au important statement particularly affecting I plaintiffs in County Court proce- dure. There were two applications for the repayment of conduct money, paid to defendants to carry them to the court, and then not appearing. His Honour said that in no case would he allow conduct money in cases outside the jurisdiction of his ;own court. ^Plaintiffs must make an affidavit and apply to the local court where the defendant resided, to hear judgment summonses. His remarks did not apply to absconding debtors, but in the case of showmen and men whose business took them travelling about he would not grant the order. It was quite obvious, said his Hon- our, that the debtor might have several judgments entered against him in other local courts, and that would influence him (the Judge) in making a committal order.

Llanstephan on Sea. Mayor's Day.-A Stir in the 'Sticks.' On Thursday last, in splendid weather, the annual election of the Mayor of the Ancient Borough of Llanstephan took place. The Coun- cil was composed of the fonowing gentlemen Mr. Aneurin Body- combe, of Pontardawe, town clerk; Messrs. Richard Davies, Cyfarthfa, Merthyr Stanley John, Pontypridd D. Owen, Ystalyfera; W. Robert Rees, Maesteg; Hiram Hughes, Tre- harris. The retiring Mayor was Mr. Joshua Lewis, Merthyr, and the Mayor-elect Mr James Powell, Cwm- twrch, brother to Mr. Rees Powell, butcher, Trecynon. The initial part of the civic function took place in that shady grove overlooking the Towy estuary, known to the natives and visitors as "The Sticks." There was prompt response to the shrill call of the her- aldic bugle and all the'distinguished civic personages fell into line. A procession was formed which wended its way from the Sticks to the Square, where the installation ceremony took place. All members of the Council occu- pied seats in the municipal chariot, which had been profusely decorated. They wore their municipal robes re- splendent with the insignia of office. r Heading the procession was the City Bugle Band, under the able direction of Mr. William Evans, Twynyrodyn, Merthyr. At the conclusion of an eloquent speech by the Town Clerk, the out- going functionary, Mr Joshua Lewis, delivered his valedictory address. He was glad to say that through his influence new seating had been pro- vided in the "Sticks" and also a new stone staircase in the approach from the beach. (Applause.) He hoped his successor would fulfil about one half of the measures of reform which he promised. The Mayor thereupon gave a spirited oration, which was punctu- ated with cheers. He touched upon the programme of municipal reform which he intended to carry out. Mrs. Powell, the Mayoress, briefly addressed the gathering. After the ceremony the procession was re-formed and headed by the Band paraded the streets of the ancient borough. In the evening the Mayor, accom- panied by the Mayoress, presided over a splendid concert at the Schoolroom, kindly lent by the Vicar of the parish. The following ladies and gentlemen contributed to the programme :— Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Pentre; Mr. Daniel Lewis, Glyncorrwg; Mr. Isaac Morris, Nantyffyllon; Mij. Hugh Evans, Clydach Vale; Mrs. Robert Rees, Maesteg; Mr. R. Davies, Merthyr; Mr. D. Davies, Newport; Mr. Bodycombe, senr., Pontardawe; Mr. Bodycombe, junr., and Miss Gwladys Bodycombe Mr. W. H. Templeman, comedian. Aber- dare, and Mrs. Williams, Treherbert. His Worship the Mayor gave a reci- tation. Mr. Stanley John, Ponty- pridd, made an efficient accompan- ist. Mr. Robert Rees, Maesteg, secretary of the event, supported the Mayor. Congratulatory topical verses had been written by the Rev. E. Hermas Evans, Cwmbwrla, a native of Aberdare. An event which attracted a large crowd to the "Sticks" in the morn- ing of the same day was the hearing of a Breach of Promise case in which substantial damages were awarded by Judge Bodycombe to the plain- tiff, Miss Selina Matthews, who was impersonated toy Mr. D. Owen, schoolmaster, Ystalyfera, the de- fendant being the ex-Mayor, Mr. Joshua Lewis. Counsel for plaintiff was Mr. R. Davies, Merthyr, and for defendant Mr. Stanley John- The chief witnesses were Tom y Gof (Mr D. Matthews), Miss Griffiths (Mr W. H. Templeman), and John the Park- keeper (Mr. Robert Rees). The case lasted three hours, and much pathos and humour were in evi- dence. The Judge's summing-up was a masterpiece of oratory* and an em- bodiment of legal wit and wisdom. The aforementioned events were all photographed by Mr D. Griffiths, Llanstephan.

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Old Aberdare. Some Reminiscences of 60-70 Years Ago. As Told by Mr. John Morgan, Cwmbach, 81 years of age last April. ARTICLE V. This week I purpose reproducing a portion of a lively correspondence which occurred in 1854 between the Rev. John Griffith, Vicar of Aber- dare, and the General Board of Health, with some very cutting com- ments by Mr. Griffith Davies, Ynys- lwyd, Aberdare. It arose out of the first election of members on the Aberdare Local Board of Health. This election took place in 1854, and the result was as follows :— List of Candidates Proposed-The First Twelve Declared Returned. No. of Votes. 1. Mr. David Davies, Blaengwawr 943 2. Mr. Thomas Joseph, Mill St. 937 3. Rev. Thomas Price, Aberdare 884 4. Mr. John Jones, Aberdare 866 5. Richard Fothergill, Esq., Aber- nant 865 6. Mr. R. Hopkin Rhys, Llwyd- coed 846 7. J. Lewis Roberts, Esq., Gadlys tchaf 833 8. Mr. Griffith Davies, Oak Cot- tage, Ynyslwyd 805 9. Mr David Williams, Ynyscynon 804 10. Mr. Philip John, Aberdare 747 11. Thomas Wayne, Esq., Gadlys. 682 12 Crawshay Bailey, Esq., Aber- aman 644 13. H. A. Bruce, Esq., Duffryn. 633 14. Philip Taylor Esq., Hirwain. 571 15. Mr. Rees Williams, Cefnpennar 568 16. W. W. Wayne, Esq., Plasnew- vdd 436 17. Mr. Thomas Williams, Mill St. 460 18. Mr. John Dd. Morgan, Mill St. 304 The first 12 were elected, and it will be noted that Mr. Griffith Davies was successful, while Mr. H. A. Bruce (afterwards Lord Aber- dare) was defeated by a very narrow majority. The Vicar of Aberdare sought to unseat Mr. Griffith Davies, and wrote the following letter to the Secretary of the General Board of Health, London, presumably the pre- decessors of the Local Government Board. The caustic observations forming the footnotes are by Mr. Griffith Davies:— 4981. [Copy.] 54. Vicarage, Aberdare, 3rd Oct, 1854. Sir,— My attention as Returning Officer* for the Local Board of Health, for this place, having been called by some of the Rate-payerst to the qualification of Griffith Davies, one of the Candidates said to be duly elected, at the late Election; I beg to say, that I have made the necessary enquiries, in conjunction with Mr. Hollier, the Solicitor, who acted as Clerk for me, and that I find that Griffith Davies was not properly qualified at the time of his election, he being rated to the poor only to the ex- tent of £ 11 10s. I shall, therefore, be obliged if you will inform the General Board of this, and direct me what steps I am as Re- turning Officert to take in the matter. I was unavoidably absent on the day of Election, but up to that period I con- ducted the whole of it.§ I am, your obedient Servant, (Signed) JOHN GRIFFITH, Vicar of Aberdare. The Secretary of the General Board of Health. 'Returning Officer.' The rev. gen- .tleman with great 'Gusto' and pom- posity assumes to himself this title not less than nine times, in the course of this short correspondence; while in reality he did nothing in that capacity after the issuing of the preliminary notices, the whole of the duties were performed by Mr. Davies, Blaengwawr, who was in fact the Returning Officer, and his Reverence had no more to do with it than the man in the moon. t 'Rate-payers forsooth?' Pray who are they? The pugnacious temper of the Vicar was enough of itself to attempt a devision, if he thought there was a chance. Z As Returning Officer. It turned out that he had 'nothing to do'; 'What a pity?' § 'I was unavoidably absent, Now, Mr. Griffith, this is really too bad. You know that you were absent the whole time of the Election. You know also that you did not conduct the Election up to the last day, except the issuing of the first notices, and you well know that this statement of yours to the Board in London, is a palpable falsehood. I am really sorry for you, and I grieve that you should thus dis- grace the office you hold in the Parish of Aberdare. All these letters were publishec in pamphlet form by Mr. Griffith Davies, in the same year. The printer was Mr. Josiah T. Jones, "Gwron" Office, Aberdare,, and copies of this pamphlet are very rare. Mr. John Morgan possessed one, and was good enough to lend it for reproduction in the "Leader." It is headed, "The Parson and his Parishioner: Correspondence Be- tween the Vicar of Aberdare and the General Board of Health, with notes by Griffith Davies, Ynysiwyd." The following appears on the front page O! Reverend Vicar, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding pro- fane and vain babblings; be not proud, doting about questions where- of cometh strifes, railings, envy, evil surmisings, and perverse disputings. These things teach nor exhort not, for they are but the food of corrupt minds, and become none but those who are destitute of the tr»ith.—'The Apostle's advice to the Vicar.' Mr. Davies opens his attack with the following introduction, headed-

To the Ratepayers of Aberdare." Gentleinen,- You will I am assured excuse my calling your attention and introducing to your notice the annexed statement of facts, of the well known dastardly attack made upon me by the Vicar of Aberdare; with his correspondence to the General Board of Health in London, respecting the Election of our Local Board of Health. As I feel it a duty to my fellow Rate-payers to lay the case before them, so that they may judge for themselves of the unmanlv conduct of ohe (whom I pity) capable of every thing that is profane, I shall therefore offer no further apology for so doing, or enlarge upon such conduct or the in- accuracies and falsehoods therein written, but shall satisfy myself in making a few notes in the adjacent pages where such incidents occur, which I am sure will be sufficient to convince you of the small amount of credit due to the veracity of the Reverend Gentle- man. But before I introduce the corres- pondence alluded to, permit me to state the preliminary cause of all this matter. It is a well known fact to many in Aber- dare, that the Reverend Gentleman and H. A. Bruce, Esq. (who was then our Stipendiary Magistrate), took an active part in causing the Health of Town's Act to be applied to Aberdare, and in the provisional order of Parliament Mr Griffith got himself appointed the Offi- cer to conduct the Election of the first Board, Mr. Davies, of Blaengwawr, being the other gentleman appointed in case of the Vicar's inability to perform those duties. In the month of August last the Act was passed, and on the 14th of the same month the Reverend Gentleman, as the Returning Officer, issued the preliminary notice, and ap- pointed the Election to take Dlace on the 13th of September following. Im- mediately after, he left home, and did not return until some time after the Election had taken place (thus you will perceive that the duties of Returning Officer must have devolved on Mr. Davies, of Blaengwawr, who I am happy to state performed the duties in conjunction with Mr. Hollier very effi- ciently. On the 9th of SeDtember, or four days before the Election, the nomin- ation papers were issued to the Rate- payers, when it appeared that IS Candi- dates were proposed (the name of those gentlemen, with the number of votes polled for each, I have given in the 2nd page). On the evening of the 16th September the official declaration of the poll was made by Ir. Davies, Blaengwawr, the actual Returning Officer (the Vicar being of course absent), when we ob- tained the results as shown in the second page, as before stated, the first 12 being declared duly returned Mem- bers of the Aberdare Board of Health. On the 22nd of the same month, 11 of those gentlemen met at the Town Hall for the purpose of making the de- claration of qualification, required by the Act of Parliament, and also ap- pointing a Chairman. I was absent from this meeting in consequence of a family bereavement, therefore could not qualify myself until the following meet- ing, held on the 2nd of October, when I made my declaration as a Rate-payer (being rated since March last on lands I held to the amount of RlS 15s., and for my house to the amount of £ 11 10s., making t30 5s., the Act of Parliament requiring but JE25). On the 16th of the same month another meeting of the Board was held, which I attended, and to my surprise I learnt that a Member of the Board doubted my qualification, and that the Rev. John Griffith had been clandestinely doing all he could to deprive me of my seat, and get Mr. Bruce to occupy my place; seeing such underhanded tricks carried on, it was moved and seconded that the question of my qualification should be taken under the consideration of the Board at the next meeting, one month after, which was carried unanimously. In this interim I had heard that the Vicar should state that he would have me out, and at other times that I was out, and Mr. Bruce was in, and that he, Mr. Griffith, had orders as Returning Officer to declare so from the General Board of Health in London. Learning that he was in correspondence with the Board above, and that he had forwarded to the Assistant Secretary these state- ments, and others irrelevant to the matter altogether; finding him thus at his dirty tricks, I thought it my duty in self-defence to write myself to the London Board, and lay before them the unvarnished truths of all the matter in dispute, and in reply the Board very courteously transmitted me the follow- ing Correspondence, which had taken place unknown to me, between the Reverend Gentleman and the General Board of Health; with these few ob- servations, I shall leave the Letters to speak for themselves. T am, Brother Rate-payers, Yours obediently, GRIFFITH DAVIES. Aberdare, Nov. 30, 1854. (To be continued.)

An Aberdare Woman gives Evidence. The value of local evidence is in- disputable. It is the kind of evi- dence we accept as true because we know we can prove it for ourselves. There has been plenty of such evi- dence in the Aberdare papers lately, and this straightforward testimony has established a confidence in the minds of Aberdare people that will not easily be shaken. Mrs. M. Copner, of 8 Harriet St., near the Free Library and Public Hall, Trecynon, Aberdare, says:— "/Although I am nearly seventy-six yeatrs of age I am pleased to say I still enjoy very good health. I have, however, had occasional attacks of kidney complaint together with touches of rheumatism. The pains in my back were so severe that at times I have scarcely been able to turn in bed. I used to feel very tired in the mornings, and seemed to have had no rest. My head was painful and I had fits of giddiness too. The urinary system gave me trouble at times. "But I have always found Doan's backache kidney pills splendid for the complaint. I have taken them now and again for years, and they have always done me a great deal of good in removing the pains, bright- ening me up, and correcting the urin- ary disorder. "I shall always say a good word for Doan's pills for they deserve all the praise that can be given them. (Signed) (Mrs.) M. Copner." Price 2/9 a box, 6 boxes 13/9; of all dealers, or from Foster-McClellan Co.. 8 Wells St., Oxford St., London, W. Don't ask for backache and kid- ney pills,—ask distinctly for Doan's backache kidney pills, the same as Mrs. Conner had.

Educational Notes and Comments. BY "ALPHA." Reply to Omega." Frankly, I am disappointed with "Omega." His first letter gave pro- mise of a fighter the second shows him in full flight making futile Ru- pertian remarks as he bravely turns his back. He has not stood to one single ar- gument he used in his first letter, and if in future correspondence he intends following the same bird- witted policy he had better write the word "Finis" at the end of the second. I do not say this in any deprecia- tory spirit, as I like a strong oppon- ent, but out of pure pity. I will again attempt to follow him. In spite of the Ten Command- mandments" there is much envy in the world. But envy is born more of temperament than of position. Some people envy all others. Mar- ried men they say envy bachelors, and many a bachelor envies the mar- ried man, especially at meal times. Some very foolish people envy the teacher's lot, but like much other envy it is due to ignorance entirely. If people could but appreciate the teacher's past there would be less envy and greater sympathy and co- operation. Here is another statement of "Omega's." I should like to test- —and please do not run away again. How can he compare pujblic educa- tion with an industrial concern? It's a foolish comparison. Still, grant the propriety of the compari- son. It suggests extravagance. Will he tell the Aberdare Councillors how they can reduce expenditure and make education a 'paying business' ? Where is there extravagance? It's that "5 hours per day" that nettles "Omega." No firm would do it, he says. It may be news to him to know there are economists who advise such a policy, using the argument that if it pays to keep machines in good working order it must, from the bare economic stand- point, pay to keep the human machines efficient. I am told stokers on Transatlantic liners work four hours a day. Do they earn tneir money ? Decidedly, and more than their spare wages. My contention is that all schools are nothing but abnormal places. I am not going further than to mention such important consideration as the appearance and standing of the teacher who would be rightly con- demned if he came before a class dressed as your "miner, scavenger or tin-plater. This "gentleman of position," re- minding one of "Mrs. Harris," Mrs. Gamp's fictitious informant, pays an evident compliment to the teachers of onr country when he says that out of their profession "they would be like fish out of water," i.e., in their profession they are in their element. Thanks. I admit readily that success in exams, is no criterion of ability to teach, but it is the standard laid down by Government, and crude though it be. I defy "Omega" to point a better. "Why pay good and bad alike?" asks "Omega." How will he avoid it Let's have your scheme, and if it is feasible I have no doubt every authority in the country will adopt it. I said last time there would soon be a scarcity of teachers, giving as my authority those able to take a general view of the whole country. Your correspondent replies, "There were 18 applicants for 2 places in Mountain Ash." "Omega" is the type of person who in a hot summer says with astonishment, Water scarce! No, I've a whole bucket- ful!" When I said there was a difference in the mode of payment of teachers and miners I meant that in fixing the salary of the teacher all holiday considerations are reckoned. No, "Omega," you're wrong again. Teachers are not paid by the month, but by the year. It is true they are paid monthly—a different thing. I might argue that teachers do not get paid for the holidays, not for Satur- days and Sundays. In this way—I work for 10 months a year and get 9100 a year— £ 10 a month. I work 5 days a week and so earn some- thing under 10 shillings a working day. According to such figuring I don't get a cent. for holidays, etc. Omega's imagination runs rife at the end of his article giving us a tale for a trail. I would advise him to write to Charles Garvice who-must by this time be hard up for some- thing new to tell. All the necessar- ies of happy life are there-the fair maid. a lovely villa and a combined income of C350. Where, my dear friend, is this El Dorado.1 Name me just one place where such conditions exist, and I will name you one hun- dred, or, if you like, one thousand where they don't. Now for it Mr. Editor, if you should ever want a serial pay no fabulous prices to any London novelist when you can have the real thing from Onvega. and that at reduced rates, for he would evidently be satisfied with a "teacher's trifle."

"Men are always late. I have waited here since seven o'clock for my hus- band to come; now it is half-past eight." "And when were you to meet hlmr" "At five o'clock." "Girls may go to palmists to have their hands read," writes a humorous lady correspondent, "but, anyhow, they don't like men, go into saloon bars to get their noses red." The Hostess: "Good women hard to find? Nonsense, Professor! You, for instance, have a good woman for a wife. The Professor: "Veil, yes, but I marry fife times before I findt her."

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