The Aberdare Leader

A Twice-Told Tale. Good news bears repeating, and when. it is confirmed after a long lapse of time, even if we hesitated to believe it at first hearing, we feel secure in ac- cepting its truth now. The following experience of an Aberdare woman is confirmed after two years. On July 15th, 1909, Mrs. M. Abbott of 34 Meirion Street—near the Park Schools—Trecynon, Aberdare, said:- "The pains across my back and loins were so severe at times, that I was un- able to chop a bit of wood or get up the coals, and it was agony to stoop or kneel at work. I had to get through my work as best I could, often feeling more fit for bed. What caused the trouble I do not. remember, but for ten years or so I was hardly ever free from it. I have had to give up work, much against my wish. My rest at night was broken, and in the mornings my eyes were puffy. The water was altogether out of order, being. cloudy and scalding. I had had medical treatment, but with no benefit, then I was induced to try Doan's backache kidney pills. I had relief from the first box of pills. As I continued with them my health im- proved gradually, and by the time I had taken four boxes, I felt quite well again. I could eat better, and sleep better, too, and felt altogether better than I had been for some considerable time. I al- ways speak well of Doan's pills." On Oct. 18th, 1911--over two years later-lrs. Abbott said: "I still enjoy pretty good health, and never have the backache like I had before taking Doan's backache kidney pills. 1 never like to be without them in the house." Price 2/9 a box, 6 boxes 13/9; of all dealers, or from Foster-McClellan Co., 8 Wells Street, Oxford Street, London, W. Don't ask for backache and kid- ney pills,—ask distinctly for Doan'sr backache kidney pills, the same as Mrs. M. Abbott had.

Pontypool Monstre Fete. The principal attraction at the Ponty- pool Monstre Fete at the Pontypool New Park on Whit Monday and Tues- day of this year is Monsieur Henrie Salmet, the famous French airman, who has guaranteed to fly each day. The wonderful programmes which have been given by the organisers of the fetes in past years are altogether exceeded by the programme which is being provided on this occasion; and perhaps a few facts in regard to the accomplishments of Salmet, who is regarded as the most skilful aviator in the world, will be of interest. He holds numerous records. He was the first pilot to ascend to a height of 9,000 feet, which feat he accomplished at Hendon on Nov. 29, 1911. He was the first airman to make a non-stop trip from London to Paris-this feat he ac- complished on March 7, 1912, complet- ing the entire journey in 3 hours and 12 minutes-thus beating the fastest rail and boat journey by several hours. He has since made several non-stop jour- neys between London and Paris. He has flown more miles than any other aviator in the world. In May, 1912. he commenced a 13 weeks tour for the "Daily Mail," during which time he flew thousands of miles from as far north as Ulverston to as far south as Southampton, and east to Clacton-on- Sea and Ramsgate, and west to Fal- mouth. He also flew at several Welsh towns including Cardiff, Swansea,. Llanelly, Newport, etc. During the whole tour he only missed flying on four days. Commencing another tour on July 31, 1913, he flew daily until Novem- ber 6th, and practically covered the- whole of England during this tour.— Passengers will be taken for flights dur- ing the evening of each day.—In addi- tion to Salmet there will be the usual large programme of star artistes, horse competitions and athletic events at the fete.

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Aberdare District Council. A meeting of the Aberdare District Council was held on Monday. There were present: Messrs. W. Thomas, chairman; Owen Powell, vice-chairman; T. Walter Williams; L. N. Williams, J.P., Evan Jones, W. Rees, D. E. Davies, E. Ogwen Williams, E. Stone- lake, George Powell, Idwal Thomas, Eltyd Hopkins, D. R. Llewelyn, W. M. Llewelyn, and D. J. Thomas, with Messrs. D. Ll. Griffiths, Clerk; A. Watkins, deputy clerk; H. T. Golds- worthy, accountant; 0. Williams, sur- veyor; A. S. Morris, deputy surveyor; Dr. Prichard, medical officer; A. J. Abraham, tramways manager; H. King, traffic manager; and T. Botting, Director of Education. Intolerable Dust Nuisance.-Mr Geo. Powell said that the dust nuisance in Maesydre was absolutely unbearable. Life was not worth living there. The destructor, the function of which was to allay nuisance, had become the perpe- trator of the biggest nuisance in the district. He had heard rumours of threatened legal action, and he believed there was a good case for such. It was a very serious matter for the public. He would like to ask Mr Abraham if he had any suggestion for abating the nuisance.—Mr Idwal Thomas wished to confirm Mr. Powell's complaint. The nuisance was unbearable. Mr Ogwen Williams spoke in the same strain. The complaint was a perfectly genuine one, he said.—Mr. Abraham said that the dust emanated from a stack and a new boiler at the Destructor Works. They had tried, but without avail, to lessen the nuisance by burning small coal. He did not think that even the best Welsh steam coal would be any good.—Eventu- ally it was decided that Mr Abraham should write to some firms who were considered experts in the matter of abating nuisances of the kind, and ask for particulars re methods and for quotations. Also that Mr Abraham should report the reply immediately to the Lighting Committee, to whom should be given full power to act in the matter. Mr. Stonelake Dares to be a Ruskin. —The report of the Parks and Ceme- teries Committee contained the follow- ing recommendation :—" That authority be given to the Amusements Com- mittee to advertise their concerts on the Council's Tramway Cars, and that the resolution of the Council as regards advertising be rescinded to the extent covered by this proposal."—Mr. Stone- lake strongly opposed this clause, and moved the deletion of it fr jm the report. He had previously opposed the letting of spaces on the tramcars for advertise- ments, and there was now less reason for doing it than even then. He con- sidered that everything of the kind dis- figured the cars—a Scripture text did so as much as an advertisement of Dewar's whiskey. If he had his way he would even sweep all the hoardings away from the district. They were no good to anybody except a few bill- posters.—Mr W. Rees seconded the motion. He would like to know who gave permission to put in the windows of the cars the pictures that appeared there. Mr D. R. Llewelyn spoke strongly in favour of the clause. No place except Aberdare declined tram- way advertisements. Thereby Aber- dare was losing from £:300 to t400 a year. He hoped that this clause would go through. Besides, he would short- ly move that the Council rescind the existing resolution prohibiting adver- tisements on the cars. —Messrs. D. E. Davies and L. N. Williams spoke further in favour of the recommendation. — In the division it was carried by 8 votes to 4 that the clause be not deleted. 4, that the clause he not deleted. Municipal Employees' Demands. — The following letter had been received from Mr R. Llewelyn, Agent to the Municipal Employees' Association :— In answer to your letter containing a request for a return showing the ad- vance asked by the men in their last application in the various departments, and after consulting the men they de- cided to adhere to their former applica- tion of 3s. per week advance of wages. This applies to the surveyor's depart- ment. The tramwaymen and workmen at the Refuse Destructor are in a differ- ent position, and they ask for separate treatment. The firemen consider they are entitled to 6s. per shift; assistant firemen, 5s. 4d.; cranemen, 5s., and Mr Davies (senior shift engineer) is asking for 5s. per week. The traffic men re- spectfully apply for 5s. 6d. for motor- men, conductors working on the main to rise from 4s. to 4s. 6d., and a minimum of 3s. 6d. per shift to be paid to con- ductors oxi the trackless section. We also very respectfully petition your Council to appoint a responsible official to check the takings as they are handed in by the conductors. The men com- plain that a number of mistakes has oc- curred, and that they are confronted with shortages at the end of the week, which they find it difficult to reconcile themselves with. This can be easily met by the appointment of one of the inspectors to check all takings daily. I shall be pleased to hear that your Coun- cil will consider this application with as little delay as possible."—Mr T. Walter Williams: How many men over 60 and how many over 70 are employed by the Council?—The Clerk replied that there were 23 men over 60 and 7 over 70.—In reply to Mr D. R. Llewelyn the Sur- veyor said that no more men were em- ployed on the roads now than there were 20 years ago, if the new districts were excluded. 72 were employed in the highways and lighting departments. 135 were asking for an increase of 3s. a week.—Mr Idwal Thomas: I move that we ask a deputation of the men to come before the Council to state their case.— Mr. Stonlake concurred. He held that the men were simply asking to be placed on the same basis as two years ago. The prices of necessities had gone up, and all the men asked for was a levelling up of their wages in propor- tion.—Mr D. R. Llewelyn: But surely the prices of necessities have not gone up 10 per cent. in two years. However. I am quite agreeable to hear the men and form an opinion on what they have to say.—It was decided to receive a deputation of all grades of the men. Daylight Saving.-A letter had been received from the Secretary of the Coun- cil Staff's Association asking that the office hours should henceforth be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and not from 9.30 to 5.30. On the motion of Mr T. Walter Williams, seconded by Mr G. Powell, this was agreed to. An application from the same source that the Staff's Salaries be paid on the first of each month in future was agreed to, on the proposition of Mr Idwal Thomas, seconded by Mr Evan Jones. Venomous Temper." Scene Between the Two Williamses. The next business was to appoint two representatives on the Governing Body of the Aberdare County School. The old members were Mrs. Walter Lloyd and Mr L. N. Williams. Mr D. R. Llewelyn moved that the old members be re-elected. This was seconded. Mr Idwal Thomas nominated Mrs. Rose Davies (member of the Education Committee) for one of the seats, and this was seconded by Mr. Stonelake. Mr T. Walter Williams said he wished to move an amendment, which would affect Mr L. N. Williams only. He op- posed Mr Williams' election on broad public principles, and not upon personal grounds. Judged by his actions Mr L. N. Williams had no sympathy with edu- cation at all, at any rate not with secondary education, because he had tried to hinder the progress of the two County Schools in Aberdare. He would give three illustrations to show what he meant. When the question of building the new Girls County School came for- ward-this was an old matter, of course—Mr Williams voted for 3 acres of land when we could have had 4. Neath had 6 acres, and the Rhondda 71 acres, so why should not Aberdare have 4 instead of 3. His second illus- tration was this: In the autumn Miss Cook, the head-mistress, asked for a new mathematical mistress-. Mr L. N. Williams: I should like to know whether this is an attack on me, or on all the Governors of the County School. It is not a master that affects me personally. Chairman At the present moment I have only two nominations, unless you (Mr T. Walter Williams) are going to move somene else. Mr T. Walter Williams: I am going to do so, but for the present I am stat- ing my reasons for opposing Mr L. N. Williams. Mr T. W. Williams went on to say I that lie did this not in any grudging spirit, but on broad public grounds. A mathematical mistress was very neces- I sary for the school, and the appoint- ment of one was delayed till January. The third point was in respect of a special meeting of the Governors con- vened for the discussion of certain plans for alterations in the Girls' School. At that meeting Mr L. N. Williams (the chairman) had ruled him out of order, and at the close of that meeting, in the corridor of the school, Mr. Williams used certain language towards, him and wanted to fight. Chairman Now, now. I cannot allow you to go into a matter which occurred outside the Governors meeting and out- side this Council meeting. It has noth- ing to do with the question. Mr T. W. Williams: I have made the statement now, and I move that Mr. Stonelake be elected in Mr Williams' place. There was no seconder to this motion. Mr D. Jackson Thomas supported the re-election of Mr L. N. Williams and Mrs. Lloyd. and deprecated the person- al matter raised by Mr T. W. Williams, Of course Mr L. N. Williams was only one member on the Governing Body, and he had only one vote, so he could not defeat those things which Mr T. W. Williams had enumerated without ob- taining a great measure of support from the other members. If Mr T. W. Williams lost at those meetings, he should lose like a man and have. done with it. When I lose, I lose," added Mr Thomas. Mr Stonelake: Not always, Jackson. Mr Jackson Thomas: Oh, yes, I lose fairly and honestly, and not go and seek opportunities to criticise and scandalise a fellow Councillor, who is honoured by his colleagues. I Mr L. N. Williams asked for the in- dulgence of the Council for a short while. He was not going to follow Mr T. W. Williams in his long rigmarole. It was a gratuitous statement on his (Mr T. W. Williams') part to say that he was not a lover of education. He was prepared to leave that matter to his fellow-Councillors. Mr T. W. Wil- liams simply used this matter as a peg to vent an old grievance; a grievance thrashed out before the Governors, and which he would not follow here. He did not want to go into these matters, but he would say that the conduct of Mr T. Walter Williams lately at the Gover- nors' meetings had been most infamous. With regard to the origin of it all, Mr Williams had brought it on himself, and his actions at time were not fit for an African. Mr T. W. Williams: Do you allow that, Mr Chairman. The Chairman appealed to Mr Wil- liams to steer clear of personalities. Whatever I have done," concluded Mr L. N. Williams, has been backed up almost unanimously by the other Governors on every occasion, and there is no need to bring the subjects on here before the Council. I protest against his action; it is nothing but his ven- omous temper, and all because I had the audacity to keep him in his place, and to conduct the business of the Governors in my own way. The meeting then voted: For Mrs. Davies, 7; for Mrs. Lloyd, 12; for Mr. Williams, 6. The lowest two were again put up, and the voting was the same, S3 Mrs. Davies was elected with Mrs. Lloyd. Mr L. N. Williams voted for Mrs. Lloyd, but did not vote at all in the election for a second representative. Proposed Public Convenience. Mr W. Rees moved: "That a public convenience, for both sexes, be pro- vided at a suitable place in the town." Mr Rees mentioned that he brought a similar motion forward about four years ago. It was referred to committee, and the Surveyor prepared plans, but when the figures were given the Council thought the project too costly, and the whole thing fell through. If a conven- ience was needed four years ago, it was needed more than ever to-day, inasmuch as more people came to town owing to the trams. A convenience of this de- scription was a great necessity from a health point of view, and it was the duty of the Council to provide such a place in the town. Looking at the subject from a moral standpoint, also, a public convenience would be a great boon. He would suggest that it be placed in Victoria Square (underground) in front of Compton House. Mr D. Jackson Thomas said he seconded a similar motion four years ago, and he would again second it. In every important town they would find public conveniences, and Aberdare ought to have one. People from the outlying villages who came to town were obliged to go to public houses for these conveniences, and the Council were to blame for this. He hoped the Council would take the matter up seriously. Mr llltvd Hopkins supported, and said it was a reflection on Aberdare that we did not possess a public convenience for men and women. Even if the cost was £1,000 or £ 1,500, the ratepayers; would not grudge it for something of this kind. If it was too costly to provide a public convenience for both men and women, then let them provide one for women by all means. Mr Geo. Powell further supported, and said that anything which apper- tained to the health of the inhabitants should not be considered in terms of £ s. d. Aberdare ought to have a nice, large place. If they wanted to be worthy of "Sweet Berdar" and "Queen of the Hills," they should see that a public convenience should be erected, and that shortly. Mr L. N. Williams said there would be no difference of opinion with regard to the necessity of such a place. He had voted in favour of the project four years ago. He was rising now to sug- gest another place, viz., the urinal op- posite the Welsh Harp. They were not making the best of that space, and it would be an ideal spot for the purpose. In reply to Mr Ogwen Williams, Mr Wm. Rees said his scheme was an underground convenience at the top of Victoria Square. Mr D. R. Llewelyn: The same as at Cardiff. We would have to get an at- tendant with a penny-in-the-slot ar- rangement, and a wash-up. I believe the scheme would pay for itself. Someone suggested that it be erected on the bottom of the Square. Surveyor: What about the fountain? Mr D. R. Llewelyn That need not be moved. They didn't shift Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square when erect- ing a convenience there. Mr Geo. Powell: Can we utilise the surplus water from the fountain to swill the place out? (Laughter.) Mr Idwal Thomas suggested that the matter be referred to the Health Com- mittee, and this course was agreed to. Scarcity of Houses. Proposal to Erect 200 Municipal Dwellings. Mr. Idwal Thomas moved: That in view of the continued dearth of housing accommodation, and the urgent duty of the Council to close insanitary dwel- lings, this Council hereby resolves to erect 200 houses, this number to be dis- tributed among the various wards as equally as practicable." Mr Thomas said: "I believe that all members will have realised before reading this motion that the housing question in this dis- trict is becoming one of the most im- portant questions that this Council is now called and will be called upon to consider during the next few years, due mainly to the fact that we are com- pelled, happily, to close insanitary and delapidated dwellings, which we know exist abundantly in this district, and no doubt we should have heard more about these dwellings from our medical officer if more accommodation was avail- able. For unless the destruction of condemned houses by authority is ac- companied by the construction of others in their place we shall be only aggravat- ing the evil, and forcing families into slums more hideous than those from which they have escaped. Therefore, I say that if we had sufficient house ac- commodation in the district, we could amend or close at a more rapid speed than what we a"H doing at the present time. We all know that we are com- pelled to close houses under 7 feet head- room or floor 18 inches below the level of the road, and if this rule were carried out more rigidly, we could close scores of houses in this district. Our medical officer has already reported that 35 houses should be closed under the new regulation of the L.G.B. The medical officer is doing his duty, and we shall be wanting in our duty unless we provide houses for these people who have to move out of their dens. Ten houses are to be demolished to make a site for our Library, and 5 in Green Fach. Now where are the tenants going to? They have nowhere to go in this district because we have a house famine here already. In 6 years, from 1906 to 1911, we only closed 93 or an average of 15 a year. At the present rate we are closing 40 a year, and building is not so rapid now as then, and yet we have property men- tioned in Dr. Spencer Low's report of 1906, unfit for human habitation, and which have not yet been closed; houses that are an eyesore to look at, and a hot-bed of disease to live in. That is not all. In the health committee held at the beginning of last year Mr George Powell said that for one vacant house in Aberaman there were 50 applications for same. Does not this statement re- veal to us a state of affairs in this dis- trict that is indeed deplorable? Again, our new member, Mr W. M. Llewelyn, has told me on several occasions that as many as 10 to 12 applications are made to him at the office by workmen em- ployed at their collieries, for houses. This proves that private enterprise in house building has utterly failed to meet with the demand. I am informed that we have 200 applicants for our new tenements in Abernant. If we desire to keep our record of infantile mortality, then we will do nothing to build decent homes for the people. On the other hand, if we desire to save as many lives as we possibly can, we must take this question up in earnest. The Council need not be afraid of venturing upon a scheme of this kind. Our experience at Cwmbach and Abernant proves that in- stead of increasing the rates, we are able to hand over a slight profit, and you can see by the report of the Health Committee that the question of housing is now under consideration. If this motion will pass, the details of the scheme could be discussed again. Mr D. R. Llewelyn seconded: "You have built houses," he said, at Cwm- bach and Abernant. Llwydcoed, Penv- wain and Trecynon suffer as much as any places from lack of houses. I have 40 people up there who want houses. The BwIlfa Co. have 200 people waiting for houses. I have men from the Forest of Dean working, and these go home periodically, and sometimes they stay home. If we had houses for them in this district they would become perman- ent residents. I don't think 200 are too many." Mr Stonelake having supported, Mr. Geo. Powell suggested that no particu- lar number be nained. Why not say "a substantial number." The Clerk said that in making appli- cation to the L.G.B., they would have to state the number of houses they pro- posed building, and they would have to state the loan required. Mr D. R. Llewelyn said lie would favour houses on garden city lines. Mr Geo. Powell: It all depends on what price we have to pay for the land. If we have to pay 2d. per sq. yard, we cannot do that. I Mr D. R. Llewelyn Come up to Llwvdcoed and you will get land for a Id. Mr. Jackson Thomas said he was afraid that the building of additional municipal dwellings would not lessen infantile mortality, because the Council would not let their houses to people with large families. Mr Idwal Thomas: But the houses we intend building now will be larger and will be let to large families. Mr D. Jackson Thomas I projj^se an amendment that we do not build. AVe have enough irons in the fire already. This amendment was not seconded, and Mr Idwal Thomas' motion was car- ried and referred to committee. Motor Licences. The South Wales Express Carriers, Ltd., Aberdare, ap- plied for licences to ply for hire. On the motion of Mr L. N. Williams the application was granted. Trades Council v. Chamber of Trade. The following resolution, passed by the Aberdare Trades and Labour Coun- cil, had been sent in: We, the organ- ised workers of Aberdare and District, representing over 10,000, strongly con- demn the action of the Chamber of Trade in attempting to increase the hours of shop assistants without any reasonable cause. Further, we call upon all trades unionists to render all possible assistance to the shop assist- ants in their efforts to combat any in- crease of their hours of labour." No action was taken. Tramway Extensions. The Clerk reported upon his inter- view with agents, and with the Light Railway Commissioners, upon the pro- posed extension of Track to Abercwm- boi, and to Cwmaman through Regent Street, and read a letter from the Com- missioners to the effect that inasmuch as powers for the laying of Tramways were obtained by an Act of Parliament, an Act of Parliament or Provisional Order would be necessary for the extension of those powers. Resolved that Mr Sellon be requested to report upon the whole question of the proposed extensions of Tramway Track to Abercwmboi and Cwmaman and gen- erally, and that the Clerk report as to the best means of obtaining the neces- sary powers. Forecourts.—The Clerk read a letter from Mr T. Dawkin Williams, of Ystrad Mynach, on behalf of Mrs. A. Howells, Pwllheli, offering the latter's interest in the forecourts of Nos. 70, 71 and 72 Cardiff Road, Aberaman, for C25.-Ite- solved that the above terms be accepted. More Houses Condemned. The Health and Housing Committee reported as follows :— The report of the Medical Officer of Health of the 29th April was read.-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 Duffryn Row, Cwm- bach; 53 and 54 Incline Row, Cwm- aman Your committee had under con- sideration the state and condition of these houses, and being satisfied that the said houses are in a state so danger- ous and injurious to health as to be un- fit for human habitation, recommend that the necessary steps be taken pro- hibiting the use of the same for human habitation, until in the judgment of the Council the same are rendered fit for that purpose, in pursuance of and in ac- cordance with the Housing, Town Plan- ning, etc., Act, 1909. 30 Elizabeth St. Your committee, after consideration of the medical officer of health's report hereon, instructed the Clerk to report upon the powers of the Council to make the house fit for human habitation, and make the cost a charge upon the pre- mises. 3 and 4, and 11, 12 and 13 Green Fach: The Medical Officer of Health submitted a plan which he had received, for the proposed conversion of Nos. 3 and 4 into one dwelling house, it being the intention to convert Nos. 11, 12 and 13 into a coach house. No ac- tion was taken." Mixed Bathing as an Experiment. Recommendations by Parks Committee. The above committee resolved to re- commend: (1) That the Council under- take to make good any deficit up to 1:25, upon the Amusements Committee's Season's Undertakings, exclusive of the existing undertaking with regard to the engagement of the Band of the 2nd Battalion Border Regiment. (2) That for one month from day of opening, and as an experiment, Mixed Bathing be allowed in the Park Baths from 7 to 9 in the morning, subject to Bathers using University Costumes. The bath attendant to have power to eject any person not having such a cos- tume. (8) That, for an experiment, the Amusements Committee be empowered to form a Swimming Club, and that the exclusive use of the Baths be granted to such Club after 7 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the season. (4) That the Surveyor be instructed to see to a more effectual removal of the surface water, and that he. with the chairman of this committee and Coun- cillor E. Ogwen Williams, have full power with regard to the provision and fixing of spitoons. (5) That the Surveyor be instructed to )repare a report and estimate of cost )f the erection of a stage, and the pro- vision of an enclosure, terracing, etc., )n the Croquet Ground in the Park. (6) That a swimming instructor he en- gaged, who will also have charge of the Baths. Aberaman Recreation Cround.Tli(-, Clerk read a letter from Col. M. Mor- gan, of Mountain Ash, to the effect that Oapt. R. T. Roberts was not prepared to reduce his price for land near Green- bill. Resolved to recommend that this offer be not accepted, and that the pro- posal be adjourned sine die. Cwmbach Recreation Cround. Re- solved that the members of the Blaen- gwawr Ward be requested to visit the land scheduled in the Council Act of 1911 for this purpose, and report as to its suitability, etc., to the next meeting of this committee.

Aberdare Trades Council. The monthly meeting of, the above was held at the Trade Union Assembly Rooms on Thursday, when a large num- ber of representatives were present. The chair was occupied by Mr John Davies, supported by Mr. Thomas Dan- iel, vice-chairman; Councillors Wm. Rees, D. E. Davies, and E. Stonelake. Deputations.—The deputations ap- pointed to, see several of the lodges re the Carnival gave their reports, which were very satisfactory.—The Secretary gave a resume of the work done in pre- paration for the Carnival, and he hoped that all the lodges would give it their heartiest support so as to make it a success. New Members. The Chairman said he was delighted that evening to give the hand of fellowship to two new socie- ties who had affiliated, viz.. The Work- ers' Society and The Musicians' Society. -The representatives of both societies thanked the Chairman, and the dele- gates for their kindly reception. L.R.A.—Appointment of Labour Or- ganiser Suggested.—The Secretary of the L.R. A., Mr Matt Lewis, addressed the meeting at great length. Mr Stone- lake, in introducing Mr Lewis to the meeting, said that the object of the visit was to see if there was a possibility of forming a committee from the Trades Council to work in conjunction with members from the Merthyr and Moun- tain Ash Trades Councils so as to carry on Parliamentary work. As the dele- gates were aware the Council carried on the Municipal and Board of Guardians work at present, and had been very suc- cessful, and he understood that it was the wish of the members of the L.R.A. that the Parliamentary work should be done by the Council.—Mr Lewis then addressed the meeting. He wished to thank Mr Stonelake for the manner he had put his mission before the mem- bers. Mr. Lewis hoped the delegates would give his remarks a sympathetic thought. He believed that the work of running the elections could be done more effectively by the Trades .Council than it had been done by the L.R.A. The L.R.A. would not be a defunct body, but would be placed on a firmer basis. The intention was to get a com- mittee formed by each of the Trades Councils Aberdare, Merthyr and Mountain Ash—and that they should meet frequently. Also the appointment of a full-time organiser for the Labour Party in this Borough was desirable. If it paid the Liberals and the Con- servatives to have a full-time officer surely it would pay the Labour Party. It was, remarked Mr Lewis, impossible to do justice to registration, etc., in the way the Labour Partf had been doing the work in the past, and he trusted that the time was not far off when the Labour Party would also have such an official.—It was further explained by the Secretary that the rules of the Trades Council would have to be altered so that societies belonging to the L.R.A. could become affiliated with the Council, viz., the l.L.P. and Socialist Societies, and Women's Union.—On the motion of Councillor D. E. Davies it was decided to refer the matter to the E.C., so that they should draft a motion to be placed on the next agenda, and all the lodges could discuss it before the voting would take place. Shop Assistants and Holidays. Chamber of Trade Condemned. The members of the Shop Assistants brought forward the matter of inquiry by the Chamber of Trade re the Closing of Shops prior to Bank Holidays. The delegate read the report of the Cham- ber of Trade which appeared in last week's issue of the "Aberdare Leader." The following motion was proposed: We, the organised workers of Aber- J dare and district, representing over 12,000, strongly condemn the action of the Chamber of Trade in attempting to increase the hours of shop assistants, without reasonable cause. Further we call upon all Trade Unionists to render all possible assistance to the shop assist- ants in their efforts to combat any in- i crease of their hours of labour."—This | was carried unanimously, and it was further decided that a copy of the reso- lution be sent to Mr Keir Hardie, M.P. further decided that a copy of the reso- lution be sent to Mr Keir Hardie, M.P. insurance Agents Seek Aid.-A depu- tation of the above waited upon the delegates to explain the block system that was being introduced by the different insurance companies and ask- ing the Trades Council to assist them (the agents) in opposing the adoption of the scheme. For the enlightenment of the delegates and the public the de- putation showed how it was intended to work the new system. It would mean the dismissal of a large number of agents and handing their books (which had taken years to get together) to others. An agent, under the system proposed by the companies, would be doing the work of two or more agents. —Several questions were put to the de- putation, and the replies were satis- factory. The following motion was pro- posed, seconded and carried: "That this meeting of the Trades and Labour Council unanimously protests against the proposed block system, and resolves to strenuously oppose whatever steps may be taken by the respective insur- ance offices in the introduction of such a system, which naturally involves the livelihood of such a vast number of in- surance agents."—It was also decided that copies be sent to the head offices of the different companies.

The lightest Broad. Cakes. Paat". &c.. are made by using BORWIGK'S BAKING POWDER. Fothergill's Arms, ABERDARE. The above House is now UNDER the MANAGEMENT of Mr. DAVID, JONES Who for 16 Years was Lessee of the Aberdare Market & Cowbridge Arms. All Beers, Spirits, etc., are Guaranteed to be of Best Quality. Mr. Jones is Agent for Messrs.. Hancock's (Cardiff) Celebrated Ales and Stout; and only Worthington's 48s. Burton Beer, as drawn from the wood, is Sold over the Counter. All Spirits, Any Brand, Sold at Store Prices. SPECIAL NOTICE. The Aberdare & Mountain Ash Window Cleaning, Bill Distributing & Ceneral Advertising Company Are now prepared to contract for oleaning windows of Chapels, Churches, Halls Schools, Private Houses, &c. Cleanliness' civility and strict sobrie, your motto. Practical men only employed. Carpets beaten under hygienic rules. Troughings cleaned. Handbills distributed with great oare Advertising Truck-boards to let. All communications address Manager* Mr. T. J. LLOYD, 8, Mount Hill Street* Aberaman.