The Aberdare Leader

The War. A Robertstoivn Here. William Henry Davies, ^hosc ] Photo we reproduce, is the son of Mr <*nd Mrs. W. J. Davies, 7 Philip St., ^obertstown, Aberdare. He joined the Army seven years last January, and has seen service in India. He Was drafted from India to France after the outbreak of the present \\Tar, and" on March 28th was wound- ed in the foot and arm. He now lies 111 Chelsea Hospital. We hope he WIll soon recover.

Trooper Steward's Promotion. We learn that Trooper F. J. teward, whose portrait appeared in or last issue, has received a com- mission in the 3rd North Midland Brjgade, R.F.A.

Aberdare Brothers on Active Service. Private Mostyn F. George, R-W.F., son of Mr and Mrs F. D. E. george, Seymour St.. is now m tne Pardanelles. About a week ago a better was received at home from stating that he was all right. *eekliB brother, Private Trevelyan W. George, leaves for active service on the Continent. He is with the Scottish Rifles.

Outfitters for the Front. | Four of Messrs. Hodges and Sons' assistants, viz. Jack Williams, Willie Jones, Emlyn Jones and D: Rees this week joined the Army Ser- vice Corps (Motor Transport), which now makes a total of 9 from the Aberdare Branches. The others were: Lieut. W. J. Hodges. Pte. W. Johnson, Pte. T. H. Davies, Pte. G. Evans, Pte. J. H. Harris..

Home on Furlough. Several Welsh R.F.A. men, sta- tioned at Winchester, came home on furlough to Mountain Ash last Saturday. This will be their last leave prior to being drafted to the front. In conversation '.vith one of them, Private Sam Williams, he said that the men were exceedingly happy at Winchester. Plenty of good food, and good treatment.

c straight from the Front. ° About a dozen men, drawn from various regiments, came up the t Aberdare valley last Monday morn- ( ing. They left the trenches "some 3 where in France as recent as 1 p.m. ] on Sunday, and reached their homes at 12 noon on Monday. This shows how near to us the actual fighting is 1 taking place, for it takes only 2:3 hours to do the journey, with a good many delays on the way ihere and there. The meh had come just as they were in the subterranean pas- sages round Armentieres. They car- ried their full kit-rifle. bayonet, water bottle and even the cloth hel- met which has been devised to coun- teract the effect of the German gas. This particular apparel is placed over the head and tucked in under- neath the waistcoat or shirt, and a piece of celluloid is arranged oppo- site the eyes. One of these men I volunteered the opinion that the war would last two or three years more. The art of prophecy is indulged in by soldier and civilian, and one knows as much and as little as the other. Last winter Hilaire Belloc said in Aberaman that if the Germans did not succeed in piercir.g our lines the war would be) over by June, 1915. We are now in August, and the end is not yet m sight.

CAPTAIN F. H. LINTON WOUNDED. J r Captain F. H. Linton, of the Welsh Regiment, who is reported wounded at the Dardanelles, was formerly adjutant of the 4th Battalion Welsh Regiment. He is the son of the late Mr. H. P. j Linton, Clerk to the Mountain Ash t District Council for many years. Cap- s tain Linton has a brother, Captain C. 1 S. Linton, in the Worcestershire Regi- ] ment, who was wounded at Neuve Chapelle. Another brother, the late Corporal E. G. Linton, was in the j Northamptonshire Regiment, and was i killed in action in May near Aubers 1 Ridge.

Cwmaman Miner's Claim. AN ABNORMAL PLACE AND A DIFFICULT WAY. As his stall was an abnormal place, Edward Morgan, a Cwmaman collier, was transferred to another district, but, considering the way difficult and danger- ous without a guide, he did not go there. The result was a claim at Merthyr Police-court on Friday for 7s. 4d., a day's wage alleged to be due, according to the Minimum Wage Act, from the Cwmaman Coal Company. Mr. Ivor Parry was for plaintiff, and Mr. Charles Kenshole for defendants. It was contended for the defence that an official waited 45 minutes for Morgan an official waited 45 minutes for Morgan to return to the pit bottom with his tools so as to guide him to the new stall, but the man did not Arrive until over half an hour later. He had no right to leave the pit when he failed to find this official. There was a counter-claim for .£1 damages arising from Morgan ceasing work without giving fourteen days' notice. The workman's case in this in- stance was that he had been paid off without mention being made of his liabilities. After a four hours' hearing the case was adjourned.

P L T yi We have an enormous STOCK of Reliabl Fu at prices to snifc yon. Casn or Easy Terms. VICTOR FREED, I Mountain Ash.

Aberdare County Court. On Monday, before His Honour Judge Bryn Roberts. The Woman Pays." Howard Morgan, house decorator, Brynheulog, Hirwain, appeared to answer two judgment summonses issued against him respectively by the Aberdare Valley Breweries Co. and Mrs. Wintle, wine and spirit merchant, Hirwain, who were repre- sented by Mr W. Thomas, and who claimed payment for liquor sold and delivered. Defendant held that he had been unable to work for the last five months owing to an eye ailment. These cases were adjourned to give defendant an opportunity to prove his statement. The same defendant was summoned by the Postmaster General for non- payment of telephone fees. The P.O. representative stated that defendant had arranged to pay, but he held that that arrangement had been made by his wife. His Honour: Your wife ought to pay then. I dare say it was she that used the telephone. Defendant said that this was so, and promised that the Post Office account should be paid in instal- ments.

An Extraordinary Situation. Arising Out of an Abercynon Case. Mr A. Prosser (Messrs. C. and W. Kenshole and Prosser) referred to an extraordinary state of affairs re- vealed in the case of Sarah Davies, who at the last County Court at Mountain Ash obtained an award of £ 300 in respect of the death of her husband, Hugh Davies, Quakers' Yard, who was killed at the Dowlais Cardiff Colliery. Abercynon. A pro- visional order of the Court had been made, but it had not been signed by His Honour. Mr. Prosser explained that it now transpired that the. de- ceased was not legally married to Mrs. Davies. Her legal husband was William Jones, who was a private in the Rhondda Battalion, stationed at Rhyl. The respondent Co. had ob- tained particulars of Mrs. Davies' dependency in the usual way, she having produced the certificate of her marriage to Hugh Davies. Mr Ivor Parry said that Mrs. Davies was on the eve of confine- ment. He was told by two women who saw him that morning on her behalf that the story of the previous marriage was absolutely false. Mr Prosser suggested that the compensation money be refunded, and that when the child would be born" application could be made in respect of a posthumous illegitimate child if the invalidity of the second marriage could be proved. His Honour granted leave to amend the defence, the money to re- main in Court pending his decision.

Aberdare Compensation Case. Mr William Thomas applied on be- half of Mrs. Mary Enoch, No. 9 Grif- fith Street, Aberdare, for the appor- tionment of the sum of 9140 compen sation payable on the death of her son, Rufus Cyril Enoch, who was killed at the Cwmneol Pit on the 30th December, 1914. His Honour declared the widow dependent, and directed the payment of the sum of 5s. per week to be made to her.

A Llwydcoed Case. Mr. William Thomas applied on behalf of Mrs. Mary Evans of No. 2 Hill Top, Llwydcoed, for the appor- tionment of the sum of 9300 compen- sation payable upon the death of her husband, James Evans, who was killed at the Dyllas Colliery on the 30th July, 1915. His Honour declared the widow and four children dependents and directed the payment of 14s. per week in respect of maintenance from the date of death, and funeral ex- penses not to exceed 210.

Abercwmboi Claim. On behalf of Mrs. Sarah Ann Grant, of No. 90 John Street, Aber- cwmboi, Mr W. Thomas applied for the apportionment of the sum of 2284 compensation payable in re- spect of the death of her husband. George Grant, who met with an acci- dent at the Abercwmboi Colliery on the 26th May, 1915, and died at the Mountain Ash Cottage Hospital on the 6th July. The Judge declared the widow and five children to be dependents, and ordered payment of the sum of 15s. per week in respect of maintenance from the date of death.

A Cwmbach Application. I J. E. Davies applied for a review and for payment of compensation on the ground that he was under 21 years of age when he met with the accident, which, it was alleged, made it impossible for him to earn as much money as he otherwise would had he not received the injuries. Mr A. Ivor Parry represented the applicant; and Mr. Prosser was for the respondents. The evidence showed that Davies met with an accident at Llettv Shen- kin Colliery on February 23ra, 1913. sustaining injuries to the right foot which necessitated the amputation of three toes. He worked onlight em- ployment until February of the pres- ent year, when the company thought he was fit to resume work as a col- lier. He restarted accordingly, and had been working on the coal ever since. He alleged, however, that he could not earn so much as the aver- age miner because the accident cause'd him pain when he had to cut coal in a stooping position. David Nichols (23). Daniel Street, Cwmbach, stated that Davies had been working with him. He was a good worker, but could not perform as much work as witness because his foot hurt him. John Griffiths, working in the same district as Davies at Lletty Shenkin, stated that the custom in that dis- trict was for a man and a boy to work together and not two men. Thomas Brown, fireman of the dis- trict, gave several instances of two men working together in his district. Davies was a very good workman. His partner, Nichols. had never com- ptained to witness that Davies was not performing a fair share of the work. His Honour came to the conclusion that he was not satisfied that the applicant's earning power had been lessened by the accident. Judgment was, therefore, given in favour of the respondents.

-t. Mountain Ash County Court. Tuesday, Aug. 17. Before His Honour Judge Bryn Roberts. Apportionment. Elizabeth Connolly. 27 Glyn Gwyn Street, Mountain Ash, represented by Mr. Ivor Parry, applied for an apportionment of a sum paid into Court, £277. partially considered at last Court.—His Honour declared trHc widow and four children dependents. £ 10 to be paid for funeral expenses. 9200 to be invested in the War Loan, and ordered 10s. a week to be paid.

Administration Requests. Richard Thomas, a haulier, 5 Thompson Villas, Ynysybwl, applied for an administration order in re- spect of his debts, JB34. He earns 35s. 9d., has seven children, the eldest of whom is 11 years of age. He offered to pay his debts in full at the rate of 10s. per month. He was ordered to pay an execution order of £ 1.—Granted. Thomas Woodridge, 56 New Road, Ynysybwl, colliery timberman, owed his creditors £ 28. He has three chil- dren, the eldest of whom is eleven years. He earns 38s. per week, and offered to pay his debts in full at the rate of 10s. per month.—Granted.

New Trial Refused. David Davies, Ynysybwl, applied for a new trial in a judgment from the Registrar's Court made last March, Wm. Thomas v. Applicant. Applicant had not given particulars of the case and his application was refused.

Registrar Decides Penrhiwceiber Claim. In re Bessie Levinsohn, Penrhiw- ceiber, against Eli and Rachel Chinn.. referred to the Registrar, His Honour read the learned Registrar's decision giving judgment for plain- tiff for 214 3s. 6d. on claim and counter-claim.

Judgment by Consent. 25- John R. Jones, Vicar of Penrhiw- ceiber, represented by Mr Gwilym Jones, applied for possession of Fron Deg, Matthewstown, now in the oc- cupation of A. E. Turney, dentist. Defendant, who did not appear, consented to give up possession and to mean profits iC2 3s. 6d.

Aberdare District Miners Federation. ————— Delay in Signing New Agreement. At an Executive Meeting of the above, held on Tuesday evening, August 17th, the following resolution was passed:—" That in view of the delay caused by the unjust attitude of the employers re the completing and signing of the new agreement we call upon the Central Council to con- vene a Special Conference on Mon- day next. 23rd instv, to consider the tendering of Notices unless the matter be satisfactorily settled with- in 7 days from the date of confer- ence."

Administration Application Refused. David John Evans, 19 Gadlys Rd., applied for an administration order. This was his second application, the offer being now increased. His Honour however refused to consider the application.

Claim Against Craig Coal Co. The case of W. T. Griffiths and Elizabeth Hannah Griffiths against the Aberdare Graig Coal Co. was mentioned by Mr. Ivor Parry. He said compensation to the amount of 288 2s. had been agreed upon, and £10 had been paid out as funeral expenses. William Thomas Grif- fiths died on June 16th last, and there were seven other children liv- ing at home. The Judge made an order for the payment at 5s. per week.

Scraps. BY THE SCRIBE. Witnesses at the Aberdare Police Court have now the option of swearing either in English or Welsh. A card, on which there is a Welsh translation of the official oath, is available for any Cymro who desires to testify in his native tongue his readiness to tell the truth, the whole truth, etc. By the way, when is the new Hall of Justice in Market Street, Aberdare, to be opened? I learn that Councillor Haggar's Palace of Pictures next door will open in a few days. In a South Wales newspaper the other day I noticed the term "mother- in-laws" displayed in big type. This is less excusable than "lord-lieutenants," although "lords-lieutenant" would be the correct term. The River Avon" sounds strange to a Welsh ear, although not more strange than "Ffrwd Brook" in Mountain Ash or "Ynys Meadow" in Aberdare. On a recent Sunday a local reverend gentleman preached at Hope Chapel on Faith for Charity. Some years ago Aberdare seemed very anxious to have the privilege of holding the National Eisteddfod here. Now there is a fine opportunity for the Cynonside town to apply for the honour of entertaining the old institution. But it must take the eisteddfod for better or for worse, in peace or in war, with prospects of solvency or insolvency. Now, ye genuine patriots, here is our chance!

"Ifa a fair draw." "What?" "A mustard plaster."

Mountain Ash Jottings. BY LUCIFER. While holiday resorts and holiday makers are deploring the wretched weather, we in Mountain Ash and district turn our eyes to heaven in thankfulness for the continual showers that pour down upon us. It is an ill wind that bloweth no man good, and it is an ill shower which is not a blessing to some town or village. It would be very, serious here if last May's weather had continued up to now. The Mountain Ash District Council had to restrict the water supply this year as early as May—an unprecedented step in the history of I the district. The holding capacity of the local reservoirs has been station- ary for years, and the consumption of water is going up rapidly every year owing to the increased number of houses. < 1 Luckily, as soon as the restricted 1 supply was enforced rain fell in ] abundance and a full supply of the domestic essential was once more fuaranteed.. At the beginning of 1 uly, however, the reservoirs were j again far from full, and 12 hours re- striction was again resorted to. And moreover the supply of water k for the public baths attached to the Mountain Ash Workmen's Institute was stopped. But August came with ( its lapful of watery blessings, and ] now we are practically safe over the 1 summer season. x ] But watchman, what of next sum- I mer ? The months of June, July and ] August, 1916, may be droughty in- j stead of draughty. What news com- eth from Penderyn? Will the Coun- cil's new Waterworks, which are to ] cost £ 100,000, be ready then? A < writer in these columns a few months <'■ ago predicted that they would not, t but Mr Wm. Lamburn, J.P., the < Chairman of the Council, contra- 1 dieted him, and said that water < would flow to Mountain Ash from < Penderyn before his tenure of office 1 had expired. Let us hope his predic- tion will turn out true. There are few things worse than a lack of water supply. J Speaking of wrater supply, another town wrhich suffers from the lack of it is Porthcawl. A visitor innocent- ly remarked that she could not t understand why there should be any 1 scarcity at Porthcawl, when there 1 was all that water in the sea close 1 by. Ah well, sea water is very use- t ful and healthy for a bath, but we < have not yet adapted ourselves to drink a cup of tea made from salt water and sea weed. ] And Porthcawl gas is as scarce and as bad as Porthcawl water. It is awful, and the higher you get in a ] house there the worse it becomes. On the ground floor it is fairly toler- j able on the second floor it supple- ments the light of a candle, but on the third floor it is invisible. The Council have recently taken the gasworks over, and things may im- prove by next year. Seaside resorts are generally noted for a boisterous Town or District Council. For many years Aberys- twyth obtained a fine advertisement thoughout the length and breadth of the land on account of the 'scenes' that were enacted in the Council Chamber. In Porthcawl the mem- I bers seem to take a delight in baiting1 the Council surveyor. At a meeting of their District Council last Monday week the important question of drainage was discussed, and one member said: I move that our surveyor report on the matter. If our surveyor is incapable of report- ing on a small matter like this, then the sooner we get rid of him the better." From other parts of the report it appears that the members delight in choice phrases. The chairman, Mr. R. E. Jones, of Cafe fame, objected to some remark which fell from the surveyor, Mr A. J. Oborn, and the former ejaculated: I must really object to your remarks. It is getting too much. I'm not doubting you. It really looks as if we are having a go at you. I'm surprised at you, Mr. Oborn. At your age and time of life, vou should be above this." Then the surveyor simply said, Thank you, and later on apologised. Another member who possibly want- ed to say that the Council had done something which they ought not to have done, said: "t think that we are in the cart." Ko, the Council were in their Council Chamber, but would it net be better if they really were in a r-lg cart, conveyed from place to place for the amusement of the There are no pierrots at Porthcawl, and a discussion on municipal topics by the Council from a cart at Rest Bay or Sandy Beach, would prove an admirable substitute for the usual troupe. For many people it was a wet holiday in more senses than one. The damp weather drove men into hotels and public houses and country inns, and beer-sampling became the order of the day. A few visitors from the Aberdare Valley set up a record by patronising every inn with- in a radius of five miles of Porth- cawl. And they came to a unani- mous decision as to where the best beer was sold. It was "hard lines" on the man who, after walking wearily for five miles, came to a wayside tavern and on asking for a glass of ale was told by the dour old dame behind the bar that he appeared to be too much under its influence already. And the charge was quite untrue. He was only a bit eccentric in his man- ner. It was only 11.30 a.m., and he never started drinking before that time. His average was six glasses of ale before dinner and four drops of Scotch before supper. In Studt's fair 011 the College Grounds, Porthcawl, I met Mr H. North, who was in charge of a "3 balls a Id." stall. He looked well notwithstanding his increasing years. He told me he had knocked about the country at various Fairs, includ- ing Treorchy and Aberdare Fairs, for the last 40 years. At Newton, a couple of miles from Porthcawl, a regiment belonging to the Welsh Army Corps are camping and drilling. Every afternoon they go through a series of Swedish and other drills, under the direction of a very smart officer. The latter's comments when some of the men commit mistakes are often humorous but never insulting. To a fairly stout recruit who was a bit slow he remarked: "Y ou never ought to have a corporation like that, you know." If the drills go on much longer the corporation is bound to be reduced. There is an ancient church at New- ton, dating back to 1410. The list of incumbents from that year to the present, is inscribed on a plate near the door. Only two M.A.'s among the whole lot" was the comment of one Churchman, who is keen on de- grees. The Rev. D. C. Jones, Penygraig, previously of Cwmpark, is spending a holiday with his wife at Porthcawl. Mr. Jones, who has now retired from the ministry, is well known in Welsh Baptist circles. He is a deep thinker and brilliant preacher. He has been in the ministry for over 40 years. For 25 years he was pastor of a Welsh Baptist Church at Cwmpark, and he was at Penygraig for about 16 years. His eldest son, the Rev. Emrys Jones. Torquay, volunteered for ser- vice in the early days of the war, and is now in the trenches of Flanders. There are few places left even in Wales where mixed bathing is now prohibited. In Southerndown, how- ever. a notice is posted up on the wall adjoining the grounds 01 Dun raven Castle, instructing female bathers to utilise the left side of the beach, and the male bathers the right side. But there does not seem to be anyone there to enforce the rule. ..or.

Important to Non-Unionists. At the same meeting it was also resolved that Show Cards be held at all collieries throughout the district during the week commencing August 30th; and notices be tendered against non-unionists at all collieries on SeDtember 1st next.

Sjfe&v' 0Just"s'V. for Summer Days. In summer weather, when you want, fC ir/i in the way of food, something light f WMJIf and cooling, yet with sufficient nourishment in it, jVWJL take blancmange made with milk and Brown & ^QnTlKk Poison's Corn Flour. 7 it is easy to make,and "sets" beautifully if you follow the directions in the J |H^7 recipe with every packet. I Krr^ }'<$$Corn Flour blancmange is the jWWnfY ideal complement to stewed JfTM •\W summer fruits you may serve it ^■■MEaa^E^IQgnP vf* with a different fruit every day, and, like bread, you will never grow tired of it. —I Brown & Poisons £ Dishes"—tktSumnur COTTh f lOUT 4T Cookery Book, from Brown & Poison, NO ADVANCE IN PRICE. Paisley. Write for it I tt X V\\XN 4