The Aberdare Leader

Nodion a Newyddion. Yn ddiweddar Thoed i huno yn nghladdfa Aberdar Mr. David Williams, Trecynon, atalbwyswr yn nglofa inant- melya. Efallai nas gwyr y to ieuangaf o'n darllenwyr fod y diweddar iir. Williams yn lienor galluog a chwaethus. jlynyddau yn ol ysgrifenai lawer i'r wasg Gymraeg, a chyhoeddwyd nofelau o'i eiddo yn y "Darian." Rhaid fed Mr. Rhys Griffiths, B.A., B.D., o Hampstead, Llundain, yn bre- gethwr poblogaidd, oblegyd cafodd dair galwad mewn un wythiio-s-uti i Beth- ania, Dowlais; un i Lanelli, a'r drydedd i Birkenhead. Llanelli a enillodd. Dvdd Sadwrn diweddaf caed cynulliad dyddorol o Gymry yn Y sgoldy y Gadlys, Aberdar, yn nghyfarfod adran Dwyrain Morganwg a Mynwy o Undeb y Cym- deithasau Cymraeg. Yno yr oedd y Gymraes ddihafal Eluned, enw yr hon sydd yn hysbys ac anwyl gan Gymry dau gyfandir, a'r hon sydd wedi ys- grifenu a siarad dros Gymru odid fwy na neb sydd yn fyw. Hefyd Moelona, yr hon a olyia Golofn y Plant yn y "Darian." Athrawes yn Nghaerdydd yw hi. ac yn hanu o Geredigion. Swynol a thlws yw ei dull o ysgrifenu, hynod syml a chyfaddas i blant. Yno hefyd yr oedd B. Dyfnallt, y cantor peraidd a'r lienor brwd; yr Athraw Ernest Hughes, un o'r "yehydig weddill" sydd yn deyrngar i bethau mawr Cymru yn Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Yn mhellach y gwr byw a diwyd Arthen, ysgrifenydd yr Undeb, yr hwn sydd nid yn unig yn "organiser" diail, ond yn siaradwr llithrig, a phob amser yn dweyd i bwrpas. Hefyd y gweithiwr dystaw, yr Henadur W. Lewis, o Benydarren, un a leinw seddi o urddas yn ardal Mer- thyr, ae yn Gymro i'r earn. Eto Dr. Rees (Ap Gwyddon), yr hwn sydd yn hollol vrrtho ei hun yn ardal Seisnig- aidd Caersws, lie y treuliodd Ceiriog ran werthfawr o'i oee. Nid ydym wedi crybwyll aelodau llengar Cymdeithas Gvmrodorol Aber- dar. Y maent h.wy, fel y tlodion, yn wastad gyda ni. Gwnaethant eu rhan yn gampus ddydd Sadwrn i groesawu y brodyr a'r chwiorydd o ranau ereill yr adran. Ni cheir cynhadledd o'r fath heb fod rhywun neu gilydd yn dangos mwy o sel nag o ddoethineb Ceisiodd un brawd brwd ddod a chwestiwn Ymreol- aeth i Gymrn yn mlaen. Da oedd i'r llywydd ddodi ysbrag yn yr olwyn boli- ticaidd cyn iddi olwynio dros faes y cwrdd. Dylid eadw pynciau o'r fath y tuallan. Gellir trafod materion yn perthvn i ni fel cenedl heb ddwyn gwleidyddiaeth nac enwadaeth i'r bwrdd o gwbl. Gall un ddwyn mawr sel dros ei wlad, ei iaith, a'i genedl heb fod yn perthyn i un enwad na phlaid bolitic- aidd. Yr oedd llawn digon o sawvr sectydd- iaeth ar rai pethau yn y cwrdd hwn, yn enwedig pan yn son am lenyddiaeth enwadol. Gadawer i'r enwadau a'r eghvysi wthio gwerthiant eu cyhoedd- iadau arbenig eu hunain os yn dewis, ond dylai ein cenedlaetholwyr pan yn ceisio hvrwyddo v mudiad cenedlaethol gyfyngu eu sylw at gyhoeddiadau an- enwadol. Mae digon o honynt yn Nghymru. O dro i dro fe wnaed brofi v fod bron bob un o Arlywyddion yn Unol Dalaethau yn Gymro. Yr oedd Jefferson wrth gwrs yn Gymro o waed eoch cyfan. Yr oedd McKinley hefyd o haniad Cymreig. Dywedid mai llygriad o UMachynlleth H oedd yr enw. Yn mhellach, o gymydogaeth Rhuddlan yn Nvffryn Clwyd y daethai un o hynafiaid yr Arglwydd Garfield i America ac enw hwnw oedd Gruffydd. Ac am George Washington, yr unig AmerieanwT na fedrai ddweyd anwiredd, rhaid taw o Gymrn grefydclol y daethai ei hynafiaid ef, oblegid yr oedd "y gwir yn y gwaed" yn yr amgylchiad yma. Nid Cyril Jenkins ydyw yr unig Gymro cerddgar sydd ar faes y gad yn Ffrainc. Edrvdd v Western Mail" am un milwr o Gymro a ganai mor beraidd ac mor dreiddiol yn y "trenches" nee oedd hyd y nod y Germaniaid mewn ffosydd cvfagos yn cael eu swyno gan ei lais. ac yn rhoddi taw ar eu gynau pan fyddai ef yn canu. Y mae i agos bob tv yn Llanfair yn Mnallt ei enw arbenig, ac nid yw y trigolion yn foddlon ar rifnod ac enw yr heol. Chwareu teg i'w gwladgarwch. enwau Cymraeg ydvnt gan mwyaf. Er hyny, buasai yn dda i'r Bualltiaid weled fod yr enwau yn cael eu sillebu yn gywir. Mae y fath enwau a "Brvnheilog" a "Currig" yn anghywir. Efallai nad hypbys i bawb o'n darllen- wyr y ffaith fod yna Lanstephan yn Maesyfed yn ogystal ag yn Myrddin.

Undeb y Cymdeithasau Cymraeg. Cyfarfod yr Adran yn Aberdar. Ddydd Sadwrn, yn Ysgol y Gadlys, Aberdar, cynhaliwyd cyfarfod o Undeb y Cymdeithasau Cymraeg (Adran y I Dwyreinbarth Morgannwg a Mynwy). Llywyddwyd ghn Mr. H. T. Richards, Pontypridd. Yn absenoldeb y Cynghor- wr G. Powell o herwydd afiechvd, rhoed anerchiad gan Mr. Ogwen Williams, yr hwn a groesawai yn gynes yr Adranwyr i Aberdar. Yr oedd-vn bresenol Mr. D. Arthen Evans, Ysgrifenydd yr Undeb; yr Henadur W. Lewis. Penvdarren, try- sorydd, a Mr W. Rowlands, Aber- sychan, Ysgrifenydd yr Adran, yn nghyda nifer dda o* gynrychiolwyr y gwahanol Gvmdeithasau. Darllenwyd cofnodion cyfarfod Caer- phili gan yr ysgrifenydd. Mr D. Arthen Evans a ddvwedodd, mai un o orchwylion arbenig yr Undeb eleni ydoedd dathlu pum can mlwvdd- iant marw OwLin Givndwr. Yr Henadur W. Lewis a gyfeinodd at lawlvfr Bwrdd Addysg yn nglyn ag Owain Glyndwr, a chaed manylion pell- ach gan Arthen. Siaradwyd gan y Parch. J. Lewis, Aberaman; MrL J. Griffiths, B. Devon- aid, Pentre; N. Jenkins, Caerphili; Ogwen, a Dewi Vychan ar yr un mater. Miss M. A. Watkin, B.A., Aberdar, a awgrymodd y priodoldeb o apelio at athrawon yr ysgolion canolradd yn ogystal ag athrawon yr ysgolion elfenol i wneyd eu rhan i hvrwyddo y mudiad drwy gyfrwng y llvfr a nodwyd. Yr oedd amrvw o'r athrawon canolradd yn ddifater yn nglyn a'r Gymraeg. Tru- eni fod y plant yn cael eu meithrin yn y Gymraeg yn yr ysgolion dyddiol, ac wedi myned i ysgolion uwch yn cael eu dodi i gysgu. Penderfvnwvd gwnevd apel at Gyng- horau Addysg i hyrwyddo cvlchrediad y llyfr. Eluned, yr hon a gafodd dderbyniad brwd, a siaradodd ar y priodoldeb o ddwyn llenyddiaeth Gymraeg i afael plant ar aelwydydd Cymru. Os am wneyd ein plant yn llenorion rhaid eu cael i ymgydnabyddu a llenyddiaeth eu ( gwlad. Dylai y gwahanol Gymdeith- asau gymeryd y mater hwn i fyny. Synai hi cyn lleied o gyfnodolion Cym- raeg a ddarllenid ar aelwydydd Cymry. Y Parch. D. Bassett, Gadlys, a gefn- ogai y syniad hwn. Os am Gymreig- eiddio y genedl rhaid wrth lvfrau Cym- raeg. Synai yntau weled leied o gylch- gronau Cymraeg yn ein cartrefi. Arthen a ddywedai fod v penderfyn- rnd yn un rhagorol o ran ei ysbryd, ond sut y gellid ei gario allan? Awgrymai fod aelodau o'r gwahanol eglwysi i wneyd eu goreu yn y cyfeiriad drwy roddi mwy o gefnogaeth i lenyddiaeth enwadol Gymraeg i ddechreu. Miss M. A. Watkin a awgrymai I (Idysgu yr Ysgrythyr i'r plant yn Gym- raeg yn yr ysgolion. Y Proff. Ernest Hughes a ddywedai mai yehydig a wyddid am lvfrau Cym- raeg oedd yn cael eu troi allan y dydd- iau hyn. Yr anwyhodaeth yma yn ddiau oedd yn gyfrifol am y ffaith fod Ilyfrau Seisnig yn cael eu rhoi yn wohrwyon i blant meft-n Ysgolion Sab- bothol Cymraeg. Mr B. Devonald a roddodd rai aw- grvmiadau yn y cyfeiriad hwn. Mr. Gwyddonwy Evans, Aberdar, a sierhai y hyddai llyfrwerthwyr Cymraeg yn fwy parod i wthio llyfrau Cymraeg ar v farchnad pe byddai y cyhoeddwyr yn rhoi gwell telerau i'r gwerthwyr. Mr. N. Jenkins, Caerphili, a roddodd awgrym pa fodd i wella cylchrediad cyhoeddiadau Cymraeg. Y Parch. D. Bassett a ddywedodd fod llenyddiaeth enwadol Cymru yn talu yn echrydus o wael i'r dosbarthwyr. Penderfynwyd fod apel yn cael ei wneyd at ysgrifenyddion y gwahanol gvmdeithasau i ddwyn llenyddiaeth Gymraeg fwy i gyrhaedd y plant yn y gwahanol gylchoedd, ac hefyd fod adroddiad i'w roi i'r adran yn olynol. Mr D. Timothy Davies, B.A., Aber- dar, a ofynai paham nad oedd yn bosibl i lywodraethwyr yr Ysgolion Canol- radd ddodi Cymraeg a Ffrancaeg ar lechres yr ysgolion, yn lie dim ond un o'r ddwy fel yn bresenol. Mrs. Bassett, Gadlys, a ddywedodd y carai hi i'w phlant ddysgu y Gymraeg yn ogystal a'r Ffrancaeg, a chymeradwyai hi awgrym Mr. Davies. Penderfynwyd apelio at Bwyllgorau Addysg i roddi cyfle i bob efrydydd i ddysgu Cymraeg yn ogystal a Ffrancaeg yn yr ysgolion, ac nid gorfod dewis un o'r ddau. Mr. T. Matthews, Pengam, a siarad- odd yn erbyn y "cyfieithu tragywyddol" mewn Ysgolion Canolradd, ac a gynyg- iodd fod yr Adran yn dod a'r mater hwn ger bron y Gynhadledd yn Abertawe. Ogwen a siaradodd yn mhellach ar yr un pwnc. Miss M. A. "Watkin a eiliodd y pen- derfyniad, a phasiwyd ef yn unfrydol. Ar ol y gynhadledd caed te blasus wedi ei b&rotoi gan Gymrodoreseu Aber- dar. Yna caed cwrdd difyr ac adeiladol dan lywvddiaeth Iwan Goch, is-lywydd Cymrodorion Aberdar. Canwyd deu- awd, "Y Gadlys," ar y berdoneg a'r prwth gan Mr W. Beddoe Stephens a Mvf-nwy Williams. Daeth anerchiadau barddol oddiwrth Mr. J. Griffiths, Og- wen, Ab Hevin, a'r Parch. D. Bassett. Rhoed anerchiadau gan y Parch. B. \\riiriams, Mri. D. Davies (Dewi Vychan), a J. Griffiths. Traethodd Mr Griffiths ar enwogion Aberdar, gan nodi imryw Gymry o fri a hanasant o'r lie, ac ereill a hunasant yn y He. Rhoed unawd gan B. Dyfnallt, a chanwyd pen- nillion gan Myfanwy a Megan Williams, Mr W. B. Stephens yn cyfeilio. Diolohwyd y Gymrodorion Aberdar am eu derbyniad i'r Adranwyr, ar gvnygiad Mr H. T. Richards, ac eiliad yr Athraw Ernest Hughes, o Brifysgol Caerdydd. Siaradwyd hefyd gan Dr. Rees (Ap Gwyddon), Caersws, a Miss L. M. Owen (Moelona), Caerdydd.

B.W.T.A. The monthly meeting of the Associa- tion was held on Monday at the English Wesleyan Vestry, Aberdare. Mrs. J. Griffiths presided. Mrs. Shepherd offered prayer, and Mrs J. Morgan read a portion of Scripture. Mrs. Camble, Aberaman, sang a solo. Miss Stephens acted as organist. Mrs. Wilcox, the secretary, gave a list of new members, which the president considered most tneouraging. The secretary gave also a list of donors of eggs to be sent to wounded soldiers and sailors in hospitals. Mrs. (Rev.) D. Bassett, Gadlys, then save an address on "The influence of Temperance in the home." She de- clared that the home was the greatest influence in the world. How sad it was in the present crisis to realise that the craving for drink was on the increase among the mothers of the land. It- was our duty to pray, but we should also work for sobriety. In Aberdare to-day it was so easy to do wrong and go wrong because we were beset by so many temptations. It was our duty to strive to remove the traps that were laid to catch the weak and unwary. Mrs. Bassett proceeded to enumerate the evils caused by alcohol. She was pleased to see the efforts made in our schools to teach by scientific methods that alcohol was a poison. But it was in the home that reform was most ur- gently needed. The child's first im- pressions should be of the right kind.

Local Will. LORD ABERDARE'S SON. Captain 'the Hon. Henry Lyndhurst Bruce, Royal Scots, of 14 Maida Vale, W., who was killed in action near Ypres on December 14, aged 33 years, son and heir of Lord Aberdare, left unsettled property of the gross value of £ 37,564, of which the net personalty amounts to £ 3,284. Probate of his will, dated January 6, 1908, with a codicil of June 22, 1911, has been granted to his widow, the Hon. Camille Bruce (formerly Miss Camille Clifford), of the same address, and power is reserved to grant probate also to his brothers, the Hon. Clarence Napier Bruce and the Hon. John Hamil- ton Bruce. The testator left the property in his own disposition to his wife ab- solutely. He charged the estates in Glamorgan settled by an indenture of December 18, 1907, with an annuity of £ 500 in favour of his wife during the life of his father, and thereafter of XI,000, and with portions for his young- er children varying according to cir- cumstances from .210,000 to < £ 20,000.

Induction Services. Rev. T. M. Jeffreys at Tabernacle, Aberdare. On Thursday the Recognition Services of the Rev. T. M. Jeffreys at Taber- nacle English Cong. Church took place. The Rev. D. Silyn Evans, Siloa, pre- sided in his own inimitable manner. He extended a cordial welcome to the new pastor of Tabernacle, and paid a high compliment to Tabernacle people. lie had no doubt that Mr Jeffreys was the right man in the right place. The chairman thereupon gave the right hand of fellowship to the new pastor. Mr John Morris, Cartref, secretary of the church, spoke briefly. Ho said that Tabernacle's choice of Mr. Jeffreys was unanimous. He believed that the di- vine hand was visible in the church s decision and in the pastor's acceptance. Mr. Morris now read a letter from the former pastor of the church, Prof. J. M. Jones, M.A., regretting inability to be present and wishing a successful union of pastor and flock. Mr. James Jones, one of the deacons at Tabernacle, remarked that there was for Mr. Jeffreys a great scope in pas- toral work at Tabernacle, and he be- lieved that the new pastor was the right person to do the work. Mr. H. Howells, secretary of Waun- lwyd Church, Mr. Jeffreys' former pas- torate, and Mr. T. Byles, senior deacon at the same church, gave addresses. Both of them paid glowing tributes to their former pastor, and while regret- ting to lose him, congratulated Aber- dare on the privilege of obtaining him. The Rev. T. Tudor, on behalf of the Ebbw Vale Ministers' Fraternal, and friends, handed over to Mr. Jeffreys an illuminated address beautifully mounted and framed. The address was signed by the Revs. W. Powell, chairman, and T. Tudor, secretary. Mr. Tudor said I that he had known Mr. Jeffreys for 20 years. Both he and Mrs. Jeffreys would be a valuable addition to the re- ligious community of Aberdare. The Rev. A. W. Anderson, B.A., Newport, said that Aberdare people had secured the best man in Monmouth- shire, They in Monmouthshire could ill afford to lose such a good minister and brother, and one who had rendered such good service as secretary of the London Missionary Society. He wished to tell Aberdare v people that the new pastor was a man who would wear well. The more they knew him the better they liked him. Mr L. Criddle, speaking on behalf of the Sunday School Union in Ebbw Vale, said that he regretted losing his old minister and fellow-worker. Mr. Jeffreys was one of the founders of the Union, and had conducted some very useful demonstrations in connection with it. Mr. T. Meredith, Saron, Ebbw Vale, who had been connected with that church for 40 years, remarked that Tabernacle's reward in securing Mr. Jeffreys was great. He also spoke highly of Mrs. Jeffreys. The Rev. T. Edmunds, B.A., pastor of Carmel English Baptist Church, Aberdare, said that it did his heart good to hear so many people, with evi- dent sincerity, say so many good things of Mr and Mrs. Jeffreys. It gave him pleasure to speak on behalf of the Bap- tists of the town. He was there to wel- come Mr Jeffreys to their midst. He was glad that the new pastor of Taber- nacle was interested in Sunday School work. He hoped he would bring his in- fluence to bear on that institution, which was such a potential instrument for good. Let the people of Tabernacle reveal their souls to their pastor, and let them say something to him which would make him feel that he was of some good in the church. Rev. W. Davies, M.A., Bethania (C.M.), was glad that Tabernacle hacT had a good minister, and the town of Aberdare a worthy citizen. He (the speaker) had been five years in Aber- dare, and could speak well of the towns- people and his fellow ministers. He hoped that Tabernacle Church and con- gregation would help to make Mr. Jeffreys' ministry in Aberdare a suc- cess. The Rev. J. Grawys Jones, having been asked to speak on behalf of the Welsh churches, said he was glad to see the pulpit of Tabernacle filled by a good man, a worthy successor to the Rev. J. M. Jones. Mr Jeffreys came from a good ministerial stock. His grand- father had been a man of influence and power in his day. Mr Jeffreys would doubtless follow in his footsteps. The Rev. J. Robertson, M.A., St. David's Presbyterian Church, was happy to hear such sincere and enthusiastic testimonies to Mr Jeffreys from his Monmouthshire friends. He hoped that the anticipations of that meeting would be realised. Mr. Jeffreys would find the people of Aberdare willing anQ active co-workers in the good cause. Mr. J. H. Powell, J.P., speaking as an Aberdarian of 4.5 years' standing, ex- pressed his belief that there was no place like Aberdare. He hoped that Mr and Mrs. Jeffreys would be both use- ful and happy in their new home. Let the friends at Tabernacle rally round their esteemed pastor. Let them not expect signs and wonders from their new minister. Let them do their best to help and cheer him in his work. Mr. Jeffreys, responding, said that the streams of hot praise poured on him that evening had made him doubt his identity—whether he really was the good person of whom such nice things had been said. However, he was glad that the little he had done had been ap- preciated. He hoped that he would not disappoint them in Aberdare, and that they did not expect too much from him. However, he had no fear regarding the future, for he faced it with hope and a sincere spirit. There was in Aberdare a fine range of opportunities for Christ- ian service. He thanked the people of his former pastorate for their kindness to him, and he also thanked the people of Tabernacle, Aberdare, for the atmos- phere of appreciation which he had al- ready felt. He would always strive to find his way-the way that God had or- dained for him. It was time to show the human element in the Christian re- ligion, and he hoped to be able to In- terpret to the people of Aberdare the warm heart of God which beat in the bosom of Jesus Christ. Tea was provided in the vestry. The trayholders were: Mrs. J. Morris, Mrs. W. J. Harris, Mrs. J. A. Lloyd, Miss Lawrence, Mrs. Phillips, Mrs Baker, Mrs. Sanders Mrs. Hoard, Mrs Mor- gan. Mrs. James Jones, and Miss Alice S. Williams. The arrangements were in the hands of Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Williams. In the evening the Rev. A. W. An- derson preached. He took as his text Luke 15, 28, And he was angry and would not go in." The preacher took as his subject The sin of perversity." He dwelt on the respective characters of the two sons in the parable. While the younger son erred in the way of the flesh, the elder son erred in the way of the spirit. While the one wasted his substance the other wasted his soul.

Married Witiiout Consent. The Workhouse Master wrote to the effect that Miss H. A. Thomas, laun- dress, had now confessed that she was married. It transpired that she mar- ried the Labour Master to the Cardiff Workhouse last September. Her hus- band had joined the Army and she asked the Board's permission to remain at her post. Mrs. Jenkins I did not know that the consent of this Board was necessary in order to get married. Mrs. Richards Oh yes. The man was honest enough to ask the Cardiff Board for permission. Mr T. T. Jenkins: Honest? Mrs. Jenkins Honourable, I should say. Mrs. Richards: You can call it what you like. Mr. Sam Morgan Let us congratu- late her. Permission to remain at her work was granted, one member remarking: Tell her not to do it again."

Dearth of Doctors. Dr. Margaret McGillup, who is in the employ of the Board, wrote that she was not satisfied with the C,50 increase granted her. She asked for P,250 in- stead of £ 200. If the Board could not grant this she would be obliged to send in her resignation, inasmuch as she had offers of £ 250 from two English towns. Mr J. Prowle remarked that the sum asked for was very high, but the Board was up against a monopoly. Doctors were very scarce now during the war. He moved that they grant the request. Mrs. Edmunds seconded. Mrs. Richards observed that the Aberdare Education Committee had I offered an increased salary to a pro- spective schools medical officer, but they had been unable to obtain one up to now. Mr T. T. Jenkins said he did not be- lieve in being governed by the law of supply and demand. The war might be over in a month or in 12 months, then there would be plenty of doctors. He suggested that they offer Dr. Margaret McGillup t2,50 for one year. This was seconded and carried bv 13 to 10. v

Another Monopoly. There was some discussion on a pro- posal to borrow small sums at the rate of £ 4 5s. per cent. Some members thought it would be better to spend the money out of cur- rent account instead of negotiating loans. Mr. J. Prowle: We are in the hands of a monopoly here again-people who have got money to lend. Mr Sam Morgan: Cannot we live without monev:- Mr. Prowle: It is for you to invent a method, and you will soon be a million- aire, with no use for the money. (Laughter.) Mr Wm. Davies said that the rate of interest was very high at the time. All borrowing authorities had to pay more than 4 per cent. now. Mr Prowle: We ought to meet small items like these out of current account. We pay three-fourths of the whole sum in interest when we borrow for 30 years. We are throwing burdens on future generations. Mr T. T. Jenkins moved that the ex- penditure be met out of current account, but eventually the matter was deferred.

Parental Control. Mrs. Richards moved That the Guardians take parental control of Rhoda Jenkins, age 15, now in the Cot- tage Homes, until she attains the age of 18. M rs. Williams seconded, and the motion was adopted.

Wife Deserters. Mr T. T. Jenkins had the, following notice of motion on the agenda "That this Board appeals to the Local Govern- ment Board to instruct the National Health Insurance Committee to assist the Poor Law Authorities in tracing, through the medium of their insurance cards, men who have deserted their families." Mr. Jenkins reminded the Board that there were 71 such cases in that Union, and the families were cost- ing the Board £ 2,000 a year. If they could only recover 50 per cent. of that it would be a very good step. He sub- mitted that motion and also a rider that a copy of it be sent to every Board of Guardians in the Kingdom, asking them to adopt it. Mr Harry Evans seconded, and added We should do out utmost to find out these criminals, for the worst of criminals is the man who deserts his wife and children. (" Hear, hear," from the lady members.) The motion was carried.

Vote of Condolence. The Chairman moved a vote of con- dolence with the family of Mr Wm. Evans, head-manager of Dowlais Iron Works, who died last week.—Carried.

Increased Price of Food. Mr. John Hughes said it was a month since* they had adopted a resolution granting 15 per cent, extra in cases af out-door relief, owing to the increased prices of foodstuffs. He thought the Board should deal with the matter to- day, inasmuch as the resolution was limited to one month. Mr T. T. Jenkins said they should continue the present arrangement and still go on granting the 15 per month. still go on granting the 15 per cent. This course was agreed to.

Not the Days of Bumbledom." An Aberfan man, writing on behalf of a Mrs. Harvey, made a complaint against tfce local relieving officer. Some amusement was caused by the reading of a portion of the letter, in which the writer asked: "Are these the days of Bumbledom, when officers can call in houses and terrorise poor women?" The complaints in question were that the officer accused the woman of harbouring her husband (who is said to have deserted her) and ) that he (the officer) went to school to question Mrs. Harvey's child. Mr. John Williams, the relieving offi- cer, wrote a reply to the charges, in which he stated that there was not a vestige of truth in them. It was in- deed dangerous, added Mr. Williams, to visit some cases without being accom- panied by an independent witness. He had not terrorised the woman in any way. and never accused her of harbour- ing her husband, and as for questioning the child in school he had never been inside the walls of that school. The crux of the whole thing lay in Mrs. Harvey's objection to produce receipts of insurance money paid to her. Mrs. Edmunds moved that they ac- cept Mr Williams' explanation. She was aware that women resented very much being asked about insurance money. Mrs. Edmunds' motion was seconded, and it was unanimonsly agreed to.

Aberdare Subsidiary Workhouse. Transfer of Inmates to Aberdare. The House Sub-committee, of which Mrs. Richards is chairman, reported as folloll-S.- As instructed by the House Com- mittee, the sub-committee considered the question as to what class of inmate are to be transferred to the Aberdare Subsidiary Workhouse when the latter is ready for occupation. Particulars were submitted by the Clerk showing the accommodation at the Subsidiary Workhouse to be as follows :—(a) New Block, 96 beds -for inmates and 3 for officers; (b) Old Block, 112 beds for in- mates and 2 for officers; (c) Sick Ward, 9 beds for inmates and 1 for officers total, 217 beds for inmates and six for officers. Read letter from the Master suggesting that about 80 old men now in the House and Old Infirm- ary who require little attention from the Medical Officer, and who are practically permanent in the House, together with the male imbeciles and epileptics, num- bering about 26, should be transferred for start. We recommend that 60 old men (to be selected by the Master) and the male imbeciles and epileptics, be transferred when 'the time arrives, together with the male imbecile attend- ant, and that they be accommodated in the New Block for a start. This will release n considerable portion of the Workhouse premises now occupied by these classes of inmates, and will be available for such other purposes as the Guardians may hereafter decide." The report was adopted.

Work for Red Cross Societies. The House Committee reported As instructed by the Board, the committee considered the letter received from Mrs. F. Treharno James, on behalf of the Merthyr Branch of the Red Cross Society. The Clerk having read the whole of the correspondence which had taken place with the Local Government Board on the subject, Mrs. James, to- gether with the secretary of the Mer- thyr Branch of the Society, were invited into the room and the question fully discussed. The committee recommend that the Clerk again communicate with the Local Government Board adhering to their previous offer of 60 beds at the Workhouse Infirmary (Block "A"), and pointing out that this accommodation can be provided apart from the rest of the Institution, and that the Guardians proposed to avail themselves of the offer of the Merthyr and Aberdare Branches of the Red Cross Society fo assist in the care of the wounded combatants under the charge of the Guardians' Staff."

increases of Salary. The Finance Committee made the fol- lowing recommendations :—(1) Miss E. Williams, visitor and assistant reliev- ing officer, to be increased from ESO to £ 90 now, and then at the prescribed rate of increase of £ 5 per annum to £ 110. (2) G. A. Cook, first assistant clerk, to be increased from JE140 to £160 now, tIO at the end of twelve months, £ 10 at the end of a further 12 months, and t20 at the end of a subsequent 12 months. (3) D. G. Jones, second assist- ant clerk, to be increased from 110 to £1:20 per annum. (4) W. H. Roberts, to be increased from ES,5 to £ 100 per annum. (5) A. J. Hughes, to be increased from £ 65 to RSO per an- num. (6) Miss Mary Morgan, head at- tendant, Pantyscallog House, to be in- creased from £ 26 to £ 28 per annum now, and a further increment of £2 to a maximum of £ 30 at the end of 12 months. (7) -Ernest Bond, relieving officer, Aheraman, to be increased from £ 100 to. £ 110, with the prescribed sub- sequent annual increases of £5 to a maximum of £ 140. The committee make this recommendation as this re- lief district is considerably larger than the other districts of the Union, and consequently entails heavier work and greater responsibility.

Letters to the Editor. COMFORTS FOR THE TROOPS. Dear Sir,-We understand that a fund or funds have been opened in Aberdare for the purpose of providing comforts to the men who have joined the colours from the town. We, as a batch of young men from Aberdare and district, have been told that all the local men who have joined were given a parcel each at Christmas. Well we saw all the soldiers receiving a parcel each-Christ- mas and last week—from their towns and villages. We admit that we are in an English regiment, and may have been forgotten for that reason. If that is so why were the Aberdarians stationed at Pembroke forgotten? We are about twenty-five of us stationed at Pembroke and Pembroke Dock, and are attached to the 9th Battalion of the King's Shrop- shire Light Infantry, and we should like to remind your readers of this fact.— yours, etc., ON BEHALF OF THE ABER- DARE BOYS..

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TO THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH, Dear Old Sledge Swinger,—What has become of the great sledge hammer ? Smashed, eh ? I expected so much after all this hammering; even cast steel wjll break up. The heading of your last letter is inaccurate. You call it a reply. It is not even an attempt. I have been told by a Welsh Mus. Doc. that I have imagination, and also by a very eminent English Mus. Doc. Now that the great Village Blacksmith of the "Leader" fame has said it, I shall begin to think that there is something iii it after all. But do you speak officially for the Borough, or is it your private opinion? Because it will make all the difference. The best 'thing you can do is to set about removing these national grievances, so as to prevent the wicked Socialist from feeding upon them. It is not necessary to imagine these things; they are stalking in our midst like the mammoths of the pre-historic age. But the dummies that you are playing with are pure fiction. The Socialist is firmly bedded in concrete, and cannot possibly be knocked down by the Liberals' three balls a penny system. Greater bowlers than the Village Blacksmith have shied at Ilardie with very discouraging re- sults. You say you have much regard for Jeremiah. Actions are stronger than words. Hardie told someone sometime ago that if he noticed every cur that barked at his heels he'd never reach the end of his journey (Spanish proverb), and I re-echo his sentiments. Now to the "mere statement of fact anyone with the normal amount of in- telligence ought to be able to distinguish between a statement and a complaint. Unfortunately, I cannot supply people with brains Statements of fact are very interesting; vague statements which are not facts are of no use to anyone. You have made one statement in your last letter that is a libel on the character of the 1. L. Peers. This is sweeping and I demand an apology. If you care to seek information at the collieries you will find that the earn- ings of the 1. L. Peers are as high as anybody's earnings, and higher than the majority of the workers. [(hall- enge you to disprove my statements of fact. Tn one of your previous letters you stated that the Socialist attacked the Capitalist, and then to use your term "craved" for his money. In your latit letter you call them a lot of coxcombs, lweaiifie they refused D.A.'s money, What a mess you have got into! Why VI don't you read your previous letters, in- stead of making an ass of youreelf. Now for the tit-bit of your letter— "How symbolical of the uoor trvinsr to imitate the rich." Has not the servant girl the right to outshine her mistress if she is so minded? Her money is well earned, and they may be well spent. Her needs are equal to thoM* of her mistress. Often she is more in- telligent than her mistress, and in that case the positions ought to be reversed. That's the method we advocate in State departments. And whose fault is it that the man only gets 25s. per week? Do you belong to the wage-earning class. or do you belong to the parasites that live on unearned increments, the drone beee of the hive? Are you so low down beneath the "clod of serfdom" that you should write such ridiculous piffle?—I am, etc., 1. L. PEEK. P.S.-I will deal with the Pierpont9 in my next letter.

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Merthyr Board of Guardians. 1 On Saturday.—Present: Mr Charles Fenwick (chairman), Mr J. Prowle (vice-chairman), Mrs A. N. Jenkins, Mrs. Maria Richards, Miss Hettie Jones, Mrs. H. E. Wills, Mrs. M. T. Williams, Mrs. M. A. Edmunds, Revs. William Thomas and W. A. Jones, Messrs. Morgan Wiiliams, Rees Rees, Dd. Edwards, John Hughes, William Thomas, Evan Davies, Samuel Davies, Staffron Bolwell, John Davies, John Lloyd. Patrick Mansfield, Henry Owen, Samuel Thomas, A. J. Howfield, T. T. Jenkins, William Jones, Edwin Thomas, Samuel Morgan, Win. Davies, Joseph Price and Morgan Thomas, with Mr. Frank T. James (clerk) and Mr G. A. Cook. (assistant clerk).

The Finances. Mr David Jones, Dowlais, chairman of the Finance Committee, explained that they had £ 7,256 to their credit in the Bank. He wished to call attention, however, to the fact. that Gelligaer Parish was £ 8,869 short in payment of their second call. The original amount was £ 12,600.

Boys' Band. Mr. J. Prowle gave notice of motion I that instruments be purchased for the Boys' Band.

Complaint Against Doctor. The Clerk read a letter received from Mr Peter Gardner, Aberfan, treasurer of the Taff and Cvnon District of Miners, in which ho mado a complaint against the Parish doctor to the effect that he (the doctor) did not attend to Mr. Gardner's daughter in a case of confinement until the day after he was sent for. The Board resolved to send a copy ot the letter to the doctor, and ask him for his comments thereon.

Cottage Homes. Mr John Hughes, the visiting Guard- ian, reported having paid visits to Aber- c'wmboi Cottage Homes, Nos. 1 and 2, and Lhvydcoed Homel, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Everything was in good order, and the children clean and contented. Miss Margaret B. Jones wroto re- signing her position as Foster Mother of No. 3 Cottage Homes, Llwvdcoed.