The Aberdare Leader

The War. Belgian Ladies at Aberdare. Telephone Operator's Bravery at Malines. Lost week-end two Belgian young ladies (sisters) stayed with Mrs. Chap- man and family at Moss House, Aber- nant. They came up with Misk; Chap- man from Pontypridd, where, with their parents and 21 other Belgium people, they are staying for the pres- ent. The younger of the two sisters is a girl of 13, while the other would be just over 20. Their native home is Malines, a town of about 60,000 inhabit- ants 10 or 12 miles from Brussels. The elder sister was a telephonist at that town, where she performed an act of conspicuous bravery by remaining at her post when all her colleagues had de- serted the building. A ivpresentative of the "Leader" had a conversation with the sisters on Sun- day afternoon at Moss House, and Miss Maria Joostens, the telephone oper- ator, who can speak English fairly well, gave an account of her experiences. "Malines was not treated so badly bv the Germans as some of our other towns and cities," she- said. Malines ( athodral, it is true, was damaged by the bombardment, and five large houses fere rased to the ground. Several other houses suffered from the shells. Termonde, a town not far from Malines, suffered terribly, and only a few buildings are left standing. Was there a battle in or around Malines?" asked the pressman. No," replied Miss J oostens. There was really no need of bom- barding the place at all. It is not a fortified town, and our soldiers did not if 'ttis 1 defend it but notwithstanding this the Germans bombarded it during in- tervals for so vara 1 days. We we:3 s( veral girls at the chief Telephone Ex- change at Malines, and on the first bombardment they departed, and I was left alone in charge. It was important that someone should be there to keep communications open with Antwerp. On the following day the second bom- bardment took place. The windows of the exchange office had been smashed, and inside were pieces of shell and bul- lets. I brought three bullets with me a", mementoes." Miss Joostens here produced three small but heavy pieces of lead, of vary- ing sizes. These., she believed, were just a few out of about 500 bullets which discharged from a bursting shil. A large number of the local inhabit- ants, she continued, deserted the town, while others lived in cellars. It was in the cellar of the Towc Hall that the Burgomaster, Miss Joostens, and many others slept one night. That was after the second bombardment of the town. A I great personal risk she, on the fol- lowing day, went to her post to enable the Burgomaster to speak to one of the Government Departments at Antwerp. The Burgomaster was anxious to ex- plain the situation at Malines. Miss Joostens entered the damaged building and "put him through." The Ger- mans, of course, had previously taken Brussels, and all communication be- tween that citv and Malines had been nioken off. Subsequently she was ad- vised to leave the office, and in 15 min- utes afterwards another shell descended on the road and wrought grim havoc in the street. It was on Friday, August 2Kth, that she left Malines for a place near Antwerp, where she staged a week, afterwards leaving Belgium to. Folkestone, thence to London, Carui.t Mid. Pontypridd. Everywhere in Eng lami and Wales she has met good friends, and nothing but unstined praise comes from her lips concerning the kindness of the people she has come in contact with. In reply to i urther questions An s Joostens said she did not see the Ger- man Army, but she saw 35 rhlns in .Malines before she left. There had been, fighting round Malines since she left, and she had learned that portions of the town had been destroyed. Her hanec is lighting with the Belgian Army, and has been in seven engage- ments. He is a scout with the Bel- gian Artillery, and in the early stages oj the war he and a few comrades were responsible for the disposal of a patrol of 31 Uhlans. They captured one and Killed 30. She received word from him last week that he had been slightly wounded in a battle near Termonde. Miss Joostens iuit-icipated that she would he obliged to stay m this country lor as least six months. There were f;0 refugees — the majority '"v.11 Malines—on the boat in which she crossed to Folkestone. Among the party was a babv two months old, whien now at Pontypridd. The Burgo- niaster, an official which corresponds to a ttritish Mayor, made all the arrange- Stents for their crossing the Channel. The elder sister speaks Flemish, French, uerman, and English. The Flemish language, which is a mixture of German and French, is largely spoken in the north ot Belgium, while i t the south the prevailing tongue is French. i ■»

Tommy Atkins at Play. Corporal Eli Morgan's Engagement. Here we are again, boys, here we are again." That's what one hears on returning to camp after drill. And when we are on a route march the one and only favourite springs up. It's a long way to Tipperr. ry." and it re- quires no words of mine to say that it goes with a swing. The chief thing about soldiering in the present crisis is that everyone seems so happy, i have been speaking to many old soldiers, some of whom ha ve camped on the Plain on different occasions, and who have more than once expressed their surprise at the cheerfulness of the soldiers who are at present under canvas. The Plains at best of times, in my humble estimation, are not what one might call a camper's paradise. It makes one think that he is exiled from the out- side world, and we know hut very litt") of what is happening outside. But I suppose this is one of the peculiarities of a soldier's Jiie. It is an ideal place from one point of view; it is no doubt a certain cure for any love-sick youth. On Wednesday last we had a half-dav off Drill for the afternoon was tor- gotten; all work which could bo left alone was put on one side, and the rest of the day was given over to enjoyment. All work and no play makes even Tom- my Atkins a dull boy. Just think for yourselves, here we have been drilling each day from 6.30 a.m. until 6.30 p.m! —breakfast, dinner and tea times de- ducted, of course. We must have food. So I think you will all agree that we de- served this, our first half-holiday. The chief attraction of the afternoon was a Rugby football Match between the Weish and the South Waies Borderers. What a crowd! There were thousands or spectators, and I think Ted Mac would have jumped for iov if he could have had that crowd in the Duffryn Field of the Old Firm. But f think the Chairman and Treasurer of the Old Finn would have scratched their heads if they had that crowd, and not a penny piece to hand over. It was the day be lore Tommy Atkins' pay-day, and we ye re ft 11 a very poor crowd. I believe if there was a charge of sixpense to see the game there would not be 100 pres- ent. But there, it was free. The en- thusiasm was great, the play was very good indeed. It was a treat to witness the passing of the W'elsh, but there was one thing I felt sorry for. The Old 1; inn was not represented in the team But we consoled ourselves with tne fact that Corporal Kli Morgan was on the ground very busily engaged keep- ing the crowd off the touch-line. Be- fore I go further I may end the agony by saying the Welsh won, and we ail hope, that the result of this match may prove to be a true forecast of anything the AVelsh may have to do in the future on another field, which is our universal goal. It is the one determination of everyone in the Regimenf to do his level best to uphold the honour and glory of the Welsh Regiment v. on on battlefields in days gone by. li we do not take part in the present fighting it will i>e our misfortune. We are willing and ready, and in conclusion we hope to he able to say that when it comes to actual lighting, as in football or any- other game, that the Welsh Won. PAT RAFFKRTY.

IL. J 1 All the world loves a lover—till it has to pay for a wedding1 present. A lady litigant who won a case in the Law Courts got married afterward* on the same day. Some people leave well alone. Proud Father: What do you think of my son as a. pugilist*—Old Sport Well, he can shake hands better than any j fighter lever saw Farm products cost more than they used to." "Yes," replied the-farmer. When a farmer is supposed to know the botanical name of what he's raisin' an' the zoological name oi the insect zo that eats it, and the chemical name of what will kill it. somebody's got to pay." Powder is the dust the gods have- given women wherewith to blind the eye." of mm.

gko 40 who 40 W- & Largest Stock of LINOLEUM nnd | CARPETS in the District. i VICTOR FREED, ) Mountain Ash. j

War and Mission Work. "Speak Straight and Shoot Straight." On Sunday special services were held at the Green Street English Wesleyan Church, Aberdare. The preacher was the Rev. W. Perkins, ex-president of the Wesleyan Conference. In the morning service he took as his text, Isaiah 51, fi. Ln the course of his ser- mon he remarked that the truth on which the Prussian forces, which were directed against the modern Babylon, was nourished was, Speak straight with your lips and shoot straight with your arrows." Generally the men who could speak straight could shoot straight. In many cases where the former had been done the latter was unnecessary. We must not be too ready to assume that the walls of the great modern Babylon were invincible. Mi Perkins held that righteousness came not by legislation, by revolution, or even by evolution, but by salvation— by sacrifice and righteousness. The piesent war in Europe might make for righteousness, but there would be still another war unless the temper of men would ive changed through the re- deeming agency *of the gospel. At the close* the hymn. "God bless our native land" was sung to the tune of "God save the King." Mr A. E. Harmston was the organist. On Monday evening the Rev. W. Perkins gave a very inspiring address dealing with mission work. He dwelt on the claims of the mission field on our service, our generosity and oil!- p-ayers. Referring incidentally to the war Mr. Perkins remarked that, tli" German people did not seek war. it was the militarism of the Jingo leaders of the German State that was responsi- ble for it. In conclusion the speaker promised to pay another visit ere long. Mr Frank Fifoot, Cardiff, who pre- sided, urged upon all to continue their subscriptions towards the mission, not- withstanding the drain on their re- sources owing to the war. Let them 1 all learn to practise self sacrifice, like our soldiers and sailors and their de- pendents were doing. The collection at the meeting was within a few shillings the same as last year's, which constituted a record m mission collections locally. On the proposition of Mr A. E. Harmston the chairman and speaker were cordially thanked.

War Mems. BY MEMO, Some who heard Lloyd George's ad diess to the London Welsh on Saturday week declare that was the best fpeech lie ever uttpred. Well that de- pends on the point -)f view. It was doubtless the most popular oration the great Statesman ever made. Lloyd George is generally popular with the masses, but for once the "classes" ap- plauded him. On the Sunday follow ing this event an incumbent of an English parish, and a bitter political opponent of the Chancellor, actually cited from his pulpit for the delectation of devout worshippers portions of Lloyd George' speech on the previous day. The "wicked little Welshman" has no longer the malediction but the benediction of landlords and capitalists, of dukes dud earls, of jingoes and imperialists, as well as the democracy. The day of tli• ■ non-class millennium has dawned Our hands already reel the grip of the universal brotherhood—but not the in- ternational one. I have no doubt but that the Cha"- | cellor's intervention in recruiting | spheres will have good effect. ckrion call for men to fight the battle of liberty and for the rights of small states will have a hearty response from the marts of Cardiff and Swansea, th. mines of Gwent and Glamorgan, the of and the farms of Mid Wales. Arthur's sword is still alive. Glyndwr's spirit yet haunts the Piincipalitv. I'r gad, Gymry I Til the last issue of the "Leader" "Student" refers to the mistake mad" by an English journalist who states that I)oil is no more." Like Mark Twain's death, Mabon's departure is a gross exaggeration. "There's life in the old dog vet." Only last week Mabon. despite advancing years and failing health, acted in the role of rc- cruiting agent. William Abraham has seen and taken part in many industrial wars, and behold the coalfield veteran, i7 the evening of his days, suflicientlv interested in this great war of the nations to take an active inteiest in a 1 recruiting crusade in the Rhondda. The "London Welshman" hints that the C.M. Connexion will surely be shocked to know that a pair of boxing gloves have been unearthed in a dis- used room at Trefeecn College, "Shnd(>s of Howp] Harris!" exclaims the Writer. But the great revivalist was a man of war who sported the scar- let coat and shouldered the rifle, and I an sure he would not have drawn the line at donning the "dukes." Either the "Corpli" restrictions were not so hard and fast in his day or the great divine was, like the great apostle, above the law. Some Britishers who have been in "durance vile" in Berlin and who have been released in exchange for German prisoners in this country, have been giving an account of how we are seen through German spectacles. Thev sav that the best hated Britisher in the Vatedand is Sir Edward Grey. IJoyd George, however, is rather liked there. But that was before the Chancellor broke his silence and called the Hun "the road hog of Europe." Some of the leading German diplom- atists who have been attempting to curry American favour in the present crisis hope that the Americans, like themselves, still appreciate Kant, and maintain that the Germans have not changed since his dav. They have. They now spell the object of their ap- preciation with a C. It is no longer Deutschland uber alles." Ere long it will be "Allies uber Deutschland." The Chancellor has called the Kaiser "the road hog of Europe." Well. it was high time to stop his scorching. Since I wrote enquiring about the mysterious disappearance of the Aber- dare municipal watering cart I find that it is seen on our main roads intermit- tently, and that portions of our high- ways get the benefit of its gentle showers. It is not true that the operator of the spraying apparatus has gone to the front. Therefore, let us spray.

War Jottings. BY "OPTIMIST." The younger generation has caught the martial spirit. You often hear the beat of a. drum and the regular tramp of feet, particularly down at Penrhiw- ceiber and Matthewstown. You often see squads of schoolboys, with paper helmets and empty tin-cans, carrying flags d marching in good order. War or no war, the people will have their amusements. Locally, several dancing classes have started. The Church Class are running a Cinderella, the proceeds of which are devoted to the Prince of Wales' Fund. Miss Alice M. Allen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, formerly of Abernant Road, has been appointed Sister of the British Red Cross Society under the direct supervision of the R.A.M.C. Miss Allen has already joined the camp at Aldershot, and she will proceed to the seat of war in company with other trained nurses. She is a plucky young ladv, and has had considerable exper- ience in hospital work. Her many friends in Aberdare will wish her every seccess, and a safe return. A local grocer has a notice in his window to this effect: £ 1 and 10s. notes accepted here." Most of us are prepared to do that. There are numbers of Germans and Austrians in this country who have married English girls. Tne wives and children are at present bubjected to great hardships, although they were born in the neighbourhood. The hus. bands of many of them left the "Father- land years ago, and settled down in this country. Had 1hey been naturalised they would bo admitted info the Army. 1 hey are quite willing to take up arms on behalf of Britain. Jim Williams, a popular sport from Glamorgan Street, A!>eramaii, is at the front since the commencement of the war. He has w ritten home once, but of late his people have not heard from him. Jim is a splendid fellow, and has been an active member of several football clubs at Aberaman. Our local music-halls and picture- shows have been well patronised since the exhibition of films depicting the various incidents in the war commenced. Wherever a war fif'tn'¡;; shown everyone is anxious to see it. The recent scenes from Belgium at Haggar's were very in- teresting indeed. Mr. Dick Williams, of Werfa House, Abernant, has joined the 3rd Hussars, and has only just returned from his camp at Shornecliffc. He looks the picture of health. "It has done me the world of ,,oo(l," ,,iyz,- Dick. "T have al- ready volunteered for active service. My regiment is leaving for France in a fori night." The course of training' adopted with the new recruits, so a well-known local carpenter, now at Aldershot, tells me, are Swedish exercises on hands and foes, meeting imaginary foes. digging and lying in imaginary trenches, etc. They have their smoking concerts, which are well attended always. Private "Harry Lyons, of the Royal Fusiliers, fell at the battle of Moiis. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lyons, of Pontypridd, and was very popular in the town. He often used to cycle up to the Aberda e Park. His death has cast a gloom over the Graig district, of Pontypridd where he was born. Our Boy Scouts are taking part in many branches of service, and those near the sea-coast are doing regular coastguard dutj-, voluntarily, in place of the coastguards, who have been called away for service afloat. This has en- thused thousands of other boys to join the movement. I know several local women who are now better off in pocket than they ever were. One lad v, who has several chil- dren, has received the £10 bounty, and draws t2 a week from other sources. War or no war, our streets are thronged with people on Saturday nights, and one is led to believe that shop- keepers are kept busy. There are a few traders. however, who find business greatly below what it has been in the past. Who are the chosen people? This is the text (approximately) of the Kaiser's speech to the German troops on their departure for the front: — "Rememher that the German people are the chosen of God. On me, as German Emperor, the spirit of God has de- scended. I am His weapon, His sword, and His vice-gerent. Woe to the dis- obedient and unbelievers," etc. I always understood that the He- brews were the chosen people. But it appears that they are also included with the British in the category of "unbelievers." With the haunting memories of Lou- vain, Dinant, and Termonde before us, the Kaiser's claims are ironical indeed. He has not only puzzled his "fellow- Christians," but the Russians also.

JJJB MA Mountain Ash and Penrhiw- ceiber Notes. (BY AP PENNAH.) There is at present a wail of despair amongst the young ladies of Mountain Ash and Penrhiwceiber, and the cause is not far to seek. All the eligible young men are leaving for the Army, and the prospects in the marriage market are indeed gloomy. But there is still a ray of hope, for even if the war lasts a few years the young men will eventually return, and after their ex- periences in France and elsewhere they wil) prove more interesting than ever. Wait and hope, young ladies! Wait and hope! There is no dark cloud without a silver lining. Those volunteering for active service are not confined to any particular sec- tion of the community. Every class is represented, from the son of Lord Aberdare to the humblest citizen. Among those who left on Friday were Messrs. George Gordon Pegler and Thomas John Clarke, two assistants at Messrs. Long and Son, grocers; Rich- ard Garvin Mills, son of Mr Fred Mills. butcher; Geo. R. T. Lewis, son of Mr Lewis, draughtsman for Messrs. Nixon. Ltd.; Victor Thomas and Christopher John Eastment. two assistants at Mr Morgan Edmunds, ironmonger; Emlyn H Morris, son of Councillor Evan Morris, ex-chairman of the Mountain Ash Urban District Council; and Grif- fith Adams, son of Mr. Jonah Adams, Harcourt Road. All these have joined the Royal Rifle Brigade, and will be stationed for some time at Winchester. Another well-known Mountain Ash man who has left to join the Royal Rifle Brigade is Mr William Griffiths, son of Mr Griffiths, Harcourt Road. The three brothers Griffiths have now enlisted for active service, the other brothers being Mr Ernest Griffiths, who has joined the Hussars, and Mr Thomas Griffiths, who has joined the Army Ser- vice Corps. This is an excellent record for one family. Those who left on Friday also includ- ed Messrs Isaac Jones, of Ceridwen Street, who is joining the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, stationed at Wrex- ham, and William Anderson, James Holder and Fred Wm. Gronow, who are joining the Army Service Corps at Al- dcrshot. All these left by the Great Western Railway and had a great send- off. Among those on the platform were Mr J. K. BIOOKS, J.P., Mr D. T. Evans, rate collector; Mr Harry Jones, sanitary inspector; Mr Frank Mills, Napier's Hotel; Air Fred Mills, butcher, and a large number of othe" pi eminent townspeople. Among the recruits who left the pievious day (Thursday) were Messrs. Thomas Williams, George Williams Joseph Thomas, David Albert Evans, Fied Dobson, Wrilliam Thomas, John Webb, Walter Ingram. William George Smith, Samuel Morris (Napier S'). William Williams, Penrhiwceiber; Wm. West and Wm. Bevan, both of Miskin Tudor Da vies (blacksmith), Fred Mor- gan, Thomas William Whelan, Thomas Butts, Edward Owen, William Thomas John Harry, William Stenton, Thomas Hopkins and Edward Evans. These have left for Chatham, Brecon, Aider- shot and Cardiff. During the week some extraordinary rumours have been circulating at Cwm pennar. One of the stories told is that a Mountain Ash man at the front has had both his hands cut offhand both eyes taken out by the Germans. ]11- oi iries, however, show that as far ::s is known there is no truth in 11 "■ rumour. An interesting ceremony todk place at the Mountain Ash Parish Room (11 Thursday evening, when the Rev. J. LI. Croft was inducted as the warden o1' the Duffryn Lodge of the Church of England Benefit Society. The rev. gentleman had a very hearty reception. < nd gave a capital hddress. This is the- i.rst time the Vicar has acted in this capacity. Referring to the Church of England Benefit Society one is reminded that a most interesting conference of the co:Moty was held at Pontypridd on Saturdav. when representatives attend- ed from all the local lodges. The re- presentatives from Mountain Ash were Mr J. K. Brooks, J.P.. and Messrs. Charles Simmonds. Thomas Parfitt. and E T. Sears. Since T last visited the reading-room in connection with Nixon's Workmen's Institute a transformation has taken place, and the committee must be high- ly complimented on the change. All the leading newspapers are taken in. and arranged on very convenient stands around the room, while the centre is used for magazines, reviews, etc. After seeing the change one wonders that this arrangement did not occur to the committee long ago. As is well-known the Nixon Naviga- tion Colliery Co. were about the first to adopt the extra hour for winding coal at the request of the Government. It has now been intimated that the immediate need for steam coal is not I so great as when the war'was declared, and consequently the company and the men have decided to revert to the old hours under the Eight Hours Act. It i, an interesting fact that seven of the Mountain Ash Ambulance Bri- gade have already been called upon for active service. Luther Lewis. Phillio St. Win. Isaac Lewis, 15 Kingcraft and Michael 54 Consort Street, Miskin. have gone to France, Ni-h Ile William Lakeman. John Street. Newtown, ai d Morgan Morgan. lOti Wood field Terrace. Penrhiwceiber, have gone to Antrim, in the North of Ire- land. Esaiaa Harris, Curwen Villa, Campbell Terrace, and Frank Davies, a, Phillip Street, have left for Portland Military Hospital. There are still 18 members of the Brigade left. and these have received orders from the deputy- commissioner to be ready to leave at two hours notice. I was informed that each member of the Brigade has got his bag ready packed, and will leave as soon as possible after receiving notice. Owing to the large number of men who have left the town to join the var- ious Army units, the management of several collieries have decided t-) stop winding coal by night. As a result of this two of the checkweighers arc no longer required. How long this state of affairs will last it is at present impossible to say. For several weeks I have had occasion to pass near the motor halts at the Duffryn Crossing on the Taff Vale and Great Western Railways, and each I time I have been asked by passengers as to the time the next motor was like- ly to arrive. On several occasions I have not had a time-table .on me. and have been unable to give the inform- ation. Might I suggest to the railway companies that it would be a jolly good thing if they put up a time-table at each halt. Captain Gwilym A. Evans, J.P., the High Constable of Miskin Higher, is at present stationed at Pontypridd, where j}-' is making every effort to recruit 1000 men as a reserve for the 5th Batt. of the Welsh Regiment. It was hoped to obtain 200 men from Mountain Ash, but up to the present only 50 men have offered their services. These attend every night at the Mountain Ash Drill Hall for instruction, and receive 3s. per day until they are called to join the Territorials at Neyland. One of those who have previously served in the Army. and who has now rejoined is Thomas Kelly, the billiard marker at the Mountain Ash Consti- tutional Club. Mr Kelly, who has been appointed a drill instructor in connec- tion with the Welsh Regiment, is 46 years of age. and has served in the A'.my for 21 years. Another old member of the Army who has rejoined is George Smith, one of the Mountain Ash special constables. M>- Smith has gone back to Aldershot to join the Military Foot Police. Among those who have rejoined the colours at Penrhiwceiber and Aber- cynon are Gwilym Gough, Richard Lewis Gough. Thomas Llewellyn Gough. all of Abereynon and William James Jones. Lewis Davies, John W. Evans, James Francombe, Charles Tim- bury, and George Berry. These have left for Chester to join their old regi- ment, known as the Cheshires. M ention must again be made ot those who are giving their services at the re- cruiting station Councillor Griffith F'-ans. J.P.. Alderman Wm. Jones. ari(i Mr J. K. Brooks, J.P., are ccnstantly in attendance, and as one o: them remarked to me they are so busy manufacturing soldiers that they have no time for anything else. As previously stated the recruiting officer is Colour Sergt.-Major F. Johns, of the South Wales Borderers, while the clerk in attendance is Mr Clem Austin, of the Mountain Ash Inn. Others who are giving their services, who have not already been men- tioned are Messrs. Ted McGregor, Harry Williams. Gordon Miliar, Willie Evans, and Mr Llewelyn, manager of the Labour Exchange. The doctors are Dr. Davies-Jones and Drj Cahill. The Town Hall and several other prominent buildings are decorated with the Fnion Jack, and also the national flags of France. Belgium, and Russia. This is as it should be, for if this gi- gantic war is to end as we all desire there must be unity between and amity towards all our brave allies.

Abernant's Oldest Resident Dead. On Saturday last the remains of the late Mrs. Blanche Gethin. 12 Collier's Row. Abernant, were/ interred at the Aberdare Cemetery. The mourners were: Messrs. Elias and John Gethin, sons: Mr John Francis, son-in-law; Messrs. John Harris, George Jones and D. Hughes, nephews; and George Gethin. grand-son. Floral tributes were sent by: (1) John and Polly, brother and sister; (2) Mr and Mrs. John Francis, Merthyr, daughter and son-in-law; (3) Miss Whish and Master Kingsley Whish, grand-children; < Blanche and Leslie Francis, grand- children (5) Maggie and Blanche Gethin, grand-children; (6) Miss Agnes Andrew s. The bearers were .— Messrs. J. W. Hek, Essex Thomas, I). Davies. Wm. Lewis and Rees "il1;n¡.; The Rev. T. Edmunds, B A. Caimel. officiated. The deceased was the widow of the late Evan Gethin, foreman smith at Abernant. She had lived in the same house over 56 years, and had reached the age of 8; She was the oldest resident of Abernant. A faith- ful member of Carmel English Baptist Church, she was highly respected, and possessed a remarkably bright dispos- ition. The late Mrs. Gethin was an aunt to Mrs. D. Lleufer Thomas, wife of the Rhondda Stipendiary. Both Air. and Mrs. Thomas wired from Llau- drindod Wells their sympathy and in- ition. The late Airs. Gethin was an aunt to Airs. D. Lleufer Thomas, wife of the Rhondda Stipendiary. Both Air. and Airs. Thomas wired from Llan- drindocl Wells their sympathy and in- ability to attend. The funeral ar- rangements were carried out by Mr. John Zachariah, undertaker. Aber- dare.

Revising Barrister's Court. Aberdare's List of Voters. The Hon. H. C. Baile,. -Barrister. held the annual Registration Court for the Aberda re Parish on Tuesday at the Vesti-v Hall, Aberdare, to revise the list of voters. The various political parties were represented as follows:— Conservatives. Air. R. J. Richards, Merthyr. supported by several loeai agents; Labour. Air Aiardy Jones, Tre- forest. supported by local agents Liberals, Air Lewis Jones, Alerthyr, Libera! Agent. There were also pres- ent Air D. W. Price, assistant over- seer for Aberdare Parish, and the assistant overseer for Rhigo.s Parish.

Not Allowed. Mr Aiardy Jones put in a claim for occupier's vote for Thomas Al. Jones. It) Prospect Place. Cwmaman. n owner of the house lived on the pre- mises. and was the father-in-law of ap- plicant. Air Mardy Jones submitted that Thomas Al. J ones was the real tenant, inasmuch as he paid rent to his father-in-law. Councillor Evan Jones, Cwmaman, produced the man's rent-book, and said that be had paid rent for 6 years. Applicant appeared and supported this statement. The assistant overseer declared that Air Richards, the father-in-law. held the present occupier's vote. The Revising Barrister held that in- asmuch as there was no objection to the father-in-law's vote as occupier, the claim could not be sustained. Air Mardy Jones: We will put it right for next year.

Pestered by Callers." In dealing with the claims by new lodgers it was observed that in certain instances no information was available as to what was the amount paid by ap- phcants. Air R. J. Richards said he was afraid that the claimants had refused inform- ation to the various agents who had called upon them. If that proved to bo true the Revising Barister should deal drastically with them Mr Ivor Bowen. the previous Revising Barrister, had struck such claims out. Mr Lewis Jones: And I hope the present Revising Barrister will do lik"- T se. It means a lot of trouble to the agents. Air Mardy Jones: I may say that it is very annoying to have various people pestering the claimants in thr hemes. But of course if it can be proved that information is deliberately refused their claims should be struck out. A claim concerning which the assist- ant overseer had no information, was then disallowed.

A Moot Point. Mr Mardy Jones opposed the lodger's vote of Mr Alarchant Harris, solicitor, Glan Road, Gadlys, on the ground that in the notice it was stated that he paid for board and lodgings to his mother instead of to the tenant of the house. Revising Barrister: Who is the tenant ? Assistant Overseer: Thomas Harris, the father. Air R. J. Richards: Who should a lodger pay to-the tenant or the wife" That has always been a moot point. Mr Mardy Jones: I submit that the money should be paid to the tenant. Revising Barrister Yes, that is the safest and proper way. Mr Lewis Jones maintained that it was optional. There was a case in Mer- thyr the other day, when Mr T. Elias, the magistrates' clerk, said that in the case of his son. he did not interfere with any arrangement that was made between the son and the mother. Mr R. J. Richards: Then what ought to be done, sir? Revising Barrister: Better state or: the claim that the money is paid to the tenant. When people make payments to my wife 1 expect to touch a biL of it. (Laughter.) I won't strike this claim out.

Thiee Brothers Claim Lodgers' Votes. Geo. Tlios. Chew and his two brotheis, of High Street, Aberdare. <laimed lodgers' votes. Mr Mardy Jones and Mr Lewis Jone, opposed, inasmuch as the three claims came from the same house. Mr R. J. Richards supported the claim, and added that he had a plan of the house, showing seven bedrooms. Each applicant had a separate bedroom, and each paid 15s. for board and lodging. Air Lewis Jones I objected to these votes last year, and you disallowed th.o three claims. They then claimed two rooms. Revising Barrister WTiat is the rate- able value of the house? Assistant Overseer: £ 48. They a, only five in family. Mr Lew I. Deere deposed that tho thiee applicants had separate bed rooms, and the three claims were a; lowed.

Councillor Loses His Vote. Objection was taken to the claim of Councillor Idwal Thomas for a lodger's vote. It was stated that the form had not been properly filled, and that he did not, as was stated on the claim foim, occupy two rooms exclusively. Air Mardy Jones supported the claim, hut the Revising Barrister disallowed it

I THE CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS CO. offer to Lend a Set of Lantern Slides, together with a book of notes, dealing with some of the most beautiful parts of North and Mid-Wales, to anyone desirous of giving a Lantern Lecture on Wales. The Company also have Cine- matograph Films: (1) A Trip to Car- digan Bay (length about 500 feet), and (2> A Ghmpse of the Upper Wye Val- ley. including the Birmingham Corpor- ation Waterworks (length about 400 feet), which they lend out free or charge to the proprietors of Cinema Hall-, and other places of entertain- melIT. who are prepared to exhibit them. For full particulars apply to Mr. Fferheit Williams. Superintendent of the Line, Cambrian Railways. Os- westry. To prevent disappointment I early application should be made. and. in the case of Slides, it should he stated whether a coloured or black and white I set is preferred.

-+_ Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful; beauty is God's handiwork, a wayside sacrament.— Kingsley.