The Aberdare Leader

Mountain Ash Education Committee. On Tuesday, Mr G. H. Hall in the chair. Other members present were: Mrs. W. G. Williams, Messrs. J. Powell, W. Davies, W. Lamburn, Chas. Maddox, Noah Bowles, Wm. Millar, Griffith Evans, J.P., Evan, Morris, T. W. Jones, David Rogers, Bruce Jones, Thomas Jones, J.P., with Mr Alfred Morgan (Director): and Mr Salusbury Roberts (assist- ant director). j

Making Garments for Soldiers. The Board of Education sent on a letter received by them from Miss Mary R. McArthur, on behalf of the Central Committee of Women's Em- ployment. The letter deprecated j the employment of school-children in makiug garments for soldiers and sailors in the present emergency, be cause it caused a slackness of em- ployment for women who were en- ployed in certain trades. Mr Bruce Jones: Will not that ar gument apply in the case of ladies making garments for soldiers ? Chairman: Yes. The Director remarked that in this district the school-children were not engaged in such work.

Why did we go to War? t Mr Joseph A. Pease, M.P.. pyesi- j dent of the Board of Education, had forwarded a copy' of a pamphlet j written by him, entitled. Why did we go to war?" It was stated that copies would be provided gratis for teachers, if required. Mr J. Powell: Is it not already well known why we are at war? Director: Yes, correctly—more or < less. Mr Bruce Jones Have you read < that pamlitilet Director Yes. Mr Bruce Jones And du you ap- nrove of the arguments r: Director Yes, I do. j Mr J. Powell: Then 1 move we do not get copies for our teachers. (Laughter.) It was ultimately resoivetU-to ob- tain 300 copies for the teachers.

School Medical Service. The Board of Education wanted information as to certain amounts j entered on the estimates for school medical service for the present year, especially the item of £50 put down for ear, nose and throat specialist. The Director recommended that I inasmuch as the school medical offi- cer and school ndfce were away on active service, the Board be informed that the Committee did not wish to insist on the items being passed. This course was agreed to.

Land at Abertaf, Abercynon. The holder of an under lease on land adjoining Abertaf School re plied to a communication from the committee stating that he required 2d. per sq. yd. per annum for the 1900 sq. yds. required. It was resolved to write to the ground landlord asking for his price | with the view of purchasing the land outright.

Appointed. Miss Rachel A. Davies, wfciose name had been inadvertently omit- ted from the list when appointments were made three weeks ago, was now appointed. W. H. Richards. Penrhiwceiber, and Thomas J. Jones, Penrhiwcei- ber, were appointed bursars. An application from Miss Bedford, headmistress Pontypridd Intermed- iate School, on behalf of Miss Catherine J. Hughes, Ynysybwl, and j an application from Mr Victor W Davies, Aberffrwd, Ynysybwl, for places as pupil teachers, was de- j ferred.

Not Convenient. Mr T. E. Harland, superintendent of the line, T.V.R., wrote that it was not convenient to alter the time of the morning car to suit the conven- ience of teachers at Ynysboeth Schools. <

Without Consent. The Director said that a bill had come in from the Post Office for the installation of a telephone at Dr. R. Llewelya Williams' house. Dr. Willianis had had the telephone in j when the paper-hangers were at his house, taking it for granted that the committee would have no objection, inasmuch as the sanitary inspector and other officers had had the 'phone in their private houses. It was jeally necessary to have the 'phone installed at the doctor's house, in order to be in communication with the fei-e- hospital. Mr J. Powell remarked that it was not a proper course to take without first obtaining the sanction of the Council or Committee. The least he could have done was to ask permission. The doctor has pre- s fined too much. In the course of further discussion Mr Powell said that the committee could not very well avoid payment, t, but the doctors should be written to pointing out that he ought not t. have taken that step without first consulting the Council. A motion to this effect was moved by Mr Powell, and seconded by Mr T. W. Jones, and carried.

A Rara Avis. The Director said there was a long communication to hand from the National Fire Brigades Union. They were issuing some literature in four sets re extinction of fires in elemen- tary schools. The Director added that he had read some of it, and f'om what he could see the object j of the r nion was not money-mak- ing. Mr J. Powell: It is a rara avis then. (Laughter.)

I Permission to Enlist. Mr Matthews, the school dentist for the joint districts of Mountain Ash and Aberdare, wrote asking per mission to leave his employ for the present in order to enlist and join the colours. Mr B. Jones moved that the appli- cation be granted, and that Mr Matthews be asked to recommend so neone in his place Mr Griffith Evans seconded, and the motion was earned. ¡

Welsh Summti School. Mi- David James (Defynog), Tre- hfUert. secretary of the above, re- ported that Mr Idwal Lloyd, Aber- cynon. had attended the classes most raithfnliy.

Proposed Mtd-Term Holiday. j The secretary of a choral festival to be held at Abercynon for the Con- gregational Churches of Abercynon and Ynysybwl. asked the Committee to arrange a mid-term holiday for the schools in Oct. 29th, or give per- mission to the children to absent themselves from school on that day. In the course of a discussion that followed Mr Bruce Jones said he understood the idea of a mid-term holiday between the August and Christmas holidays, originated in Liverpool. He thought it was called Teachers' Rest." (Laughter.) Mr W. Lamburn: How many rests do they have altogether 1 (Renewed laughter.) The Director suggested that those schools who earned a half-holiday be asked to take it on October 29th. Mrs. Williams said there ought to be a mid-term holiday by all means. Mr Bruce Jones Make it a holi- day all round the year. Mrs. Williams: The children re- quire a holiday badly. They are generally run down before Christ- mas. Mr W. Millar: They are far more run down after Christmas. Mrs. Williams moved that a week- end be granted all the schools, Thursday to Tuesday, at the end of October. This was ruled out of order, and Mrs. Williams said she would bring it on at a future meeting.

Army Allowance-Nil. A mother from Abercynon applied for an exemption from school for her daughter. Opposite various questions entered on the form, the woman wrote that her husband was now in the Dorsetshire Regiment earnings,. cannot say, have received nothing yet." The application was granted.

Prince of Wales' Fund. Mr G. H. Hall applied for the use of the Penrhiwcciber Infants' School to enable a committee to administer relief from the Prince of Wales' Fund.—Granted.

Rev. E. V. Tidman's Seat. Mr J. Powell asked how long was i; since the Rev. E. V. Tidman at- tended a Council or Education Com- mittee meeting. 'He (Mr Powell) thought Mr Tidman should, resign In any case steps ought to be taken t < have the i(eat filled. Mr W. Davie. said he thought ir was Mr Tidman's intention to let the seat lapse.1 It was decided to bring the matter forward for discussion at the next Council meeting. j

Temporary Appointments. The next item on the agenda was: "To consider the question of ap- pointing temporarily a certificated teacher instead of Mr Gwilym Gower who has left to serve with the colours." There were 15 names on the list for the post of temporary male cert. teacher, and it was decided by ballot to ask the following to serve in the order given: (1) Edward T. James, Greenhill Villa, Penrhiwceiber (2) George Fryer, Campbell Terrace, Mountain Ash (3) John E. Howells, Bailey St., Mountain Ash; (4) Os- borne 1. Jones, Penygraig Villa, Mountain Ash; (5) Solomon H. Howells, 19 Glasbrook Terrace, Pen- rhiwceiber (6) Lawrence Ll. Magor. 2 Beckett St., Mountain Ash.

Must Give Notice. At a meeting of the Finance Sub- Committee a letter was read from Miss Aeronia Evans, Abertaf Mixed School, stating that she had received another appointment and would leave the service of-tlie committee immediately.—It was then proposed and seconded that the Clerk and Director deal with this matter.—The Director now reported that he had seen Miss Evans, who had agreed to serve a month's notice, and had ex- piessed her sorrow for putting the Education Committee to such incon- venience.

Estimates Suvi-Gommitte#. The following are minutes of a meeting of the Estimates Sub-Coin- mittee held on Tuesday, Sept. 29. j Present: Mr Wm. Lamburn (in the chair), Messrs. Wm. Davies, Xoah Bowles, Thomas Jones, Evan Morns, G. H. Hall, T. Joiie-, Charles Maddox. David Rogers, and James Fvans. Estimates.—Proposed by Mr Tlios. .Tones", seconded by Mr T. W. Jones. that We recommend the Education Committee to ask the Council to issue a precept upon the Overseers for £ 8,000, the sum of £ 7,580 being required out of rates for elementary education purposes for tlie,lialf-i,eai- ending 31st March. 1915, and the sum of P:,420 for higher education pur- poses for the year ending 30th Sep- tember, 1915. Hire of Forward Movement Hall. Abercynon.—Read letter dated 28th j September, 1914, from the Rev. J. T. Williams, stating that, the trus- tees were prepared to let the com- mittee have the use of their vestry for a rental of zC45 per annum. Pro- posed by Mr T. W. Jones, seconded by Mr Charles Maddox, that the trustees be offered rent at the rate ot zC40 per annum, such sum to in- elude cleaning, lighting and heating. Welsh Hospital. "Mountain Ash Bed."—Proposed by Mr T. W. Jones, seconded by Mr G. H. Hall, That in view of the present ex- ceptional circumstances the Educa- tion Committee allow collections to be made in schools towards the 'Mountain Ash Bed' at the Welsh Hospital, it being distinctly under- stood that this departure from the committee's usual practice is not to form a precedent for the future." The motion was carried. It was stated that the offer of zC40 for the use of the Forward Move- ment Hall had been accepted.

Aberdare Chamber of Trade. A meeting of the above was held on Tuesday. Mr A. E. Harmston pre- sided, supported hy Messrs. T. W. Griffiths and J. A. Lloyd, vice-presi- oents, And E. How-ells Evans, secre- tary.

The Dinner Hour Problem. Mr Emrys Evans introduced a dis- cussion on the convenience or other- wise of closing local business premises during the dinner hour. Mr Evans re- marked that this innovation had been tried with signal success in some places. It would benefit tluj small trader as much as anvonc. Mr JIItnf Will iams said that such a system would make it awkward for the shop assistants who went out to make certain purchases during their dinner hour. Mr T. Lloyd considered the move- merit was premature. The closing would make it awkward for business- men who had a pile of <j;oods outside their shops. The Chairman concurred, although personally the arrangement would be a convenience to him. Mr J. Jackson stated that he had been informed that the system worked well in certain trades. Mr Tom Evans believed that the new system would be acceptable to a great, many. It would save many—including j himself—from indigestion. Mr M. Isaac said that grocers had experimented on the system in New- port, the Rhondda, and other places, but it had been a failure. Mr J. A. Lloyd said that the dinner hour was a busy one with many grocers because it was the time when school children were sent to make purchases. Mr D. W. Williams held that such a scheme was practicable, if it became universal. In many shops the staif could be reduced if this plan were adopt- ed. They could place a child to watch the doors during the hour. Mr J. Jackson: That would mean in- creasing the staff. Mr illtyd Williams remarked that closing an hour earlier on Saturday night would be preferable by the assist- ants. The sectional traders might be aide to pursue this course with success, bue he did not think the drapers would entertain the idea. He would move that the matter he left in abeyance for an indefinite period. Mr Tom Evans seconded. Mr W. r. Lewis objected to an'in- definite period. Mr D. W. AVilliams stated that in order to test the meeting he was pre- pared to move that they close from 1 tL 2. Mr. J. A. Evans seconded. Mr P. N. Pugh If the motion carried we would not all close afterwards. Mr llltvd Williams: I move that we defer the matter till the end of the war. Mr T. Lloyd seconded. Councillor W. Haggar: And get the Kaiser here to tell us how they do in Germany. Eventually it was agreed not to pro- ceed with the matter.

THE CAMBRIAN il AIL WAYS CO. offer to Lend a Set of Lantern Slides. together with a book of notes, dealing sane of the most beautiful parts of North and Mid-Wales, to anyone desirous of giving a Lantern Lecture on Wales. The Company also have Cin- ematograph Films: (1) A Trip to Car- digan Bay (length about 500 feet), and (2) A Glimpse of the Upper Wye Val- ley, including the Birmingham Corpor f, tion Waterworks (length about 400 feet), which they lend. out free of charge to the proprietors of Cinema flails, and other places of entertain- ment, who are prepared to exhibit them. For full particulars apply to Mr. Herbert Williams, Superintendent of the Line, Cambrian Railways, Os- wtstry. ro prevent disappointment early application should be made, and. in the case of Slides, it should be stated whether x coloured or olack and whIte set is preferred.

"Why don't you advertise your busi- ness?" "I do. I tell it to my wife/'