The Aberdare Leader

ABERAMAN. (;,WA WI? iB.). The half-yearly meetings of Gwawr were held on Satur- day evening, Sunday, and Monday last. The special preachers were the Revs. B. V. Davies, Abergwynfi. and D. C. Roberts, Llandyseul.

ABERDARE CAS BILL. The Aberdare and Aheraman Gas Bill was considered on Tuesday by a Select Committee of the Upper House, presided over by the Marquis of Bristol. The object of the Bill is to convert the existing capital, to raise additional capital, and to vary the prices for pub- lic lighting. Mr. Lloyd, K.C., in open- ing the Bill, said the company's prices had been moderate compared with prices in the neighbourhood. In 18G9 the price was 5s. It was now 3s. 9d.— not enough to pay for the manufacture and to provide for capital charges. The company had had no capital sanction since 1874, but they had spent R89,209 as they had drawn upon excess revenue. It was quite true that this was not in accord with statutory principle, but from the point of view of finance the present consumer was in a far better position than he would have been. The proceedings were adjourned.

Aberdare to Australia. DIARY OF INTERESTING EVENTS OF THE JOURNEY. Mr. and Mrs. D. Landeg, 35 Canon Street, Aberdare, have received several letters from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morris, who left Aberdare about the beginning of February for Australia. Mrs. Morris is Mr. and Mrs. Landeg's adopted daughter, while Mr. Morris was engaged at the Cynon Tinplate Works, Trecynon, for many years. Latterly they lived at Swansea, but returned to Aberdare for a few weeks prior to sailing.. On the eve of their de- parture from Aberdare a farewell gather- ing was held in their honour at Nazareth C.M. Chapel, a report of which appeared at the time in the "Leader." Mr. and Mrs. Morris, with their children, sailed from Tilbury, London, on the Royal Mail Ship Orontes. Herewith are ex- tracts from their first letter.- Tuesday, February Ist.-The weather this day has been beautiful. The warm, balmy air was as milk and honey to my troubled chest. About 3 p.m. we came in close to the coast 01 Spain, and could see plainly the Bay of Trafalgar (and the town), where Nelson won his famous victory. It was a pretty sight to see fishes a yard and a half long jumping up four or five feet out of the water close to the side of the ship. About 4 p.m. the "Rock" loomed in sight in the distance. At ix or seven p.m. we anchored in the harbour. Gibraltar looked exceedingly beautiful when lights were lit. It was a regular illumination, searchlights sweeping all round, lighting up every ship right across to the African coast some miles away. At 9.30 all the family, baby included, went ashore. A man came to us wishing to act as guide, offering his services for 4s. Gibraltar not being a big place, and bearing little or no historical interest, and knowing that the naval authorities would see to it that we should not see anything of real interest in a naval or military sense, I declined, but after several applications I took him on at 2s. 6d. The guide turned out to be a decent fellow, married, three children, horn at Gibraltar, spoke English almost as well as I, boasted himself a British subject, and out here, it is not by any means an idle boast. The only place of any interest to me was the small cemetery of the British sailors who were killed in the Battle of Trafalgar. There were men selling a kind of pancake, i inch thick, which they carry on a large tin sheet about a yard long, and about 11 feet wide. They cut pennyworths in the streets, and men, women and children eat it just as you see some eat- ing fried fish or chipped potatoes at home. A tinker with his grinding stones on wheels just as in England, but the grinder had a three or four-hole whistle which he blew occasionally, as they ring bells at home. It was much more musical than the bells. Oranges, tangerines, and figs grow here and are cheap, also sweet lemons-to me quite a new thing. We got back at 4.30 quite tired. The guide earned his pay in stopping overcharges on our purchases. We no sooner had tea than a seaplane flew around several times quite low and near. Not many warships to be seen. Thursday, the 3rd.-This morning we had the most glorious sunrise I ever saw. The horizon was all ablaze, all the colours of the rainbow from deep purple to the brightest yellow. Try aild imagine the eastern sky all aflame. Presently the sun in all its glory and majesty appeared, accompanied by a kind of bodyguard of chariots caused by a few small scattered clouds, which seemed to rise with it. It did not last long. It seemed to rise quicker than at home, but it was a real glorious sight and well worth coming so far to see. I don't know what I shall see later on, but this was great. (To be continued.)

I The War. fr" i L'rivHif ihomas I liomas is the son oi I tiio late Mi1, .loins Tiiomns and Mrs. i Thomas, .'5 IVntn- Sticft, (ilyn .Neath. He has been ii,, his King and Country in France for noarly two months. iiii ol(i I.INNN-(I(-oefl I)ox-. and is only ]H y<>ars oi a^y. He is with! the Machine Gun Corns. PRIVATE IVOR HILL. j i-nvaie ivov mil is trie son ot -ur. George Hill, Fruiterer, Mountain Ash. We venture to think it would be hard to break his record. On October 1st, 1914, he was only 14 years and nine months old when he enlisted in. the 6th Dragoon Guards, and afterwards trans- ferred to the 3rd Souflf Wales'Borderers. He spent four months in the Dar- danelles, having landed al Cape Helles, Y Ueach. and was in the memorable charge on August 21st, 1915, when the 3rd South Wales Borderers were so badly cut up. This engagemqpit lasted the whole of August 21st and to the evening of the 22nd. His rifle was broken in two, and the bullet which did the damage took part fif his knuckle off. Before reaching the ago of 16 his parents drew the military authorities' attention to his age, and he received his discharge on November 11th, 1915, having served one year and 42 days with the colours. His discharge papers give his age as 15 years and 11 months. Private Jlill is an exceedingly smart youth, and a splendid horseman. It would be interesting to know if this record can be broken from a point of age. Aberdare Soldier's Callantry.—Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Jones, lo Cardiff St., Aberdare, have received from Lieut. R. Wyndham Lewis, Adjutant A ltegt., Welsh Guards, a letter notifying them of good service rendered in the field by their son, David Rice Jones, who before enlisting was a teacher in the employ of the Aberdare Education Committee. A parchment certificate was enclosed, on which the following was inscribed: "This is to certify that k 1523 Private David Rice Jones, l" Batt. Welsh Guards, performed the follow- ing act of gallantry on the nights of October 24, 25 and 26, 1915, at Hohen- y.ollern Redoubt: Formed one of a party to carry out the burial of a number of men of another division who were ly- ing in the open along West Face and Cork Street. They were continually under lire from the enemy and com- pleted their work under difficult and dangerous conditions. Major General Fielding, commanding Guards I) ivi- j s10n. German East Africa.—After a long interval letters are to hand from a number of Aberdare boys who were drafted lst February to the expedi- tion against German East Africa. They landed in Durban a month ago. Mr. Dan Davies, 14 Trevor St., Aber- dare, who is with the Motor Transport. writes as follows: We have only just left the briny. It was only two days of rough weather we experienced on our long voyage. I escaped sea-sick- ness, but some of the boys suffered verv much. We held concerts and sports on hoaro-a nythillg to while away the time. We are ten boys from Aberdare, everyone in splendid condition, and our faces beautifully tanned. One of them innocently asked if it would ever come off. We saw a number of sharks on the journey, and a large sized alba- tross, also the flying fish. We hear nothing about the European conflict, but trust that things are going favour- ably for the old country. Aberdare in Cairo. — Councillor W. Thomas, Aberdare, has received a letter from an Aberdare man in Egypt, in which he says:—" We fore all doing our best to keep the old Flag flying. I was very sorry to see by the Leader which by the way I get sent me fairly I regularly, that it is necessary to have a Tribunal te adjudge young men's claims for exemptions. I thought it | would never be needed at Aberdare, j considering the fine example set them by those who have gone before. I have met a few of the' Aberdare boys since coming here., and I can assure you that after having been at France and the 1 Peninsula they are still-doing then- bit. j and that quit*- cheerfully. Mr. lioge; Thomas' nephew is here, and also Alec Hevan. He has been hit in the knee, j lost two fingers, and had a bayone: wound in the right side (still un- healed), but he if as happy as the day is long. We sit and have a game of cards together in the evenings. It is the only recreation we get. Splendid u'ork is done nere by the Church of England and the Y.M.C.A. Many a rV.ther and mother will June cause' to ihank God that such institutions were fver established. 1 am voicing the opinion of all classes of troops in saying that they have been a great blessing. My address is til you would care t.) drop a line), 971 Lance-Corpl. A. Geen. C. Cov., attached to I). Cov. l!h:i: Western Batt. Ritie Brigade, E.E.F, ] was at Cairo ia«-t week .aid met a good few men from m\ eet Berdar. 1 was i s 1 t1 n- a mo>que and remarked on the j splendour of ii. when Ned Jenkins. t'rom Monk Street, quickly says, 'Du: you think it's as pretty as Sweet Ber- darF' I wi^s bound to say. 'All Eas- tern splendo-ur 1 would give to be back there.' We had our future King at I Holy Communion this morning at 7.:11). ile had wa.!ke<! a good three miles ani a half to he present. He is one of the hardest working officers we have here. Remember me to all friends.—I re- main, yours truly, Albert Geen."

ABERCYNON. SAINT GWYNNO S Mission Romn. which is a branch of Saint Donitt II Parish Church, has during the past week received a thorough cleaning. colouring and pa-inting at the hands of live ladies and two gentlemen. The five ladies could be seen wielding their painting brushes with the deftness of the expert. The two men performed their work without losing a single turn at the colliery. Does not this charit- able work present two essentials whicn are necessary for bringing the war to I successful and speedy ending, viz., sacrifice and economyr

MUSICAL HONOURS. At the recent examination of Trinity College, London, Master Tudor Fen- wick, son of Mr. W. Fenwick, J.P., and Mrs. Fenwick, Abercynon, passed the preparatory grade in pianoforte playing. Master Archie Davies. Greenfield Street, Abercynon/ passed the junior grade in pianoforte playing. *—Miss Brenda Harris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Harris, hairdresser, Aber- cynon, passed in the rudiments of m\c (Associated Board Exam,), — All ob- tained a high percentage of marks. They were the pupils of Prof. D. Eras- mus, L.I.S.M., of Penrhiwceiber, to whom credit is due for the able man- ner in which he had trained the candi- dates.

A Trip to Somewhere in the Mediterranean. Leaves from the correspondence of Sergt. E. Ho wells Evans, Solicitor, Aberdare, 1-1 Pembroke Yeomanry (in Egypt) with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. In the Train, March 21st. After a rush we left yesterday after- noon, and joined a special troop train. We have just left we are eight in a compartment, Ben Moss amongst them. Where our next stop will be I don't know, but we are told it will be about 30.30 to-night. At Swinden Canon treated us to bread, butter and buns, and at Exeter the Mayoress pro- vided us with hot tea and buns. These were very acceptable. The Mayoress had about twelve women on the platform oerving the things out. It was very good of them to be up at two in the morning in the pouring rain to look after our comfort. The boys sang to them, and gave them three rousing cheers on leav iag, and we in out compartment have written to the Mayoress expressing our thanks on behalf of the boys of the various regiments. We arrived at the port this morning at about 4.30 a.m., and were immediately shown our quarters on the transport, after which we were put on shipping mules for the A.S.C. It was jolly hard work getting them on board, but it was huge fun and the methods adopted for the most stubborn ones aroused our admiration and amused us at the same time. Our transport ship is about 250 yards long. We are fairly comfortable in a berth with 16 bunks. There are heaps of regi- mente. represented on board. It is a draft transport ship, I believe, and as each draft is about 50 and there are some thousands on board, we are fairly representative. In the afternoon we drew our blankets, food and hammocks for the men. In the evening we started. We sailed slowly out of dock, passing training ships and war ships, whose crew- cheered us again and again. I Ifave never heard such a roar of voices in my life. They all crowded on deck I and up the rigging and shouted and waved like mad. We steamed out of the harbour, anchored, and there remained. No one knows the reason of the delay, but rumours are as numerous as the pebbles on a beach. We are all a little impatient at the delay and anxious to be off, but still we have nothing to complain of. The food is good, and the cabin comfortable. We are fifteen N.C.O. s in a second class cabin, sleep- ing, eating, and having our being there- in. We are as happy and lively as school-children, especially one huge chap about forty whom we call Tiny. We nearly all have nicknames. One of the fellows has a hair-clipping machine, and yesterday we all had our hair cut quite short all over our heads. We look awful-if proof of Darwin's theory were wanted it could be found here. We call it the "Hygienic Mess." As things have started we are likely to have one of the happiest and merriest trips that any lot of fellows could go on. As is often the case we have some unwelcome company, which crawl the walls in the evenings, and we have an occasional hunt and sometimes we give them cavalry drill. Every little unpleasantness is taken in the best of spirit, and as much fun got out of it as possible. Yesterday after breakfast we paraded on deck. Life-belts were issued out to us, and we were in- oculated against cholera. To-day we are going to pay the men-what for I don't know, as we can't get any cigarettes until we sail, and that is what we all want. We have very little to do on board, and no room for exercise of a violem kind, so we shall all get too big for our uniforms if we don't make a move soon. We had huge fun getting the boys into their hammocks the first night. They are slung very close to- gether, and the ends overlap, and the boys have to start getting in at one end and then follow on in turns. Many of them got in one side and fell out the other, while others had their heads down and their feet up. In fact the commotion and confusion, the laughter and remarks of the first night baffle description. Three of the boys did not tie up their hammocks securely, and they became loose in the night and de- posited the fellows on the tables under- neath. The evenings I enjoy best. Everything is so still and quiet, and the dark slate colour of the sea under and around us and the sky of the same colour above remind me of pictures I have seen. The many searchlights flashing their long arms of light across the sea and the heavens add to the charm and mystery of the intensely quiet peace of the evenings. They often form a great wall 1 of light between us and the open sea, and remain there steady for quite a long time, and then one of them sweeps across the sea, and suddenly a ship seems to spring into being, and after a moment us suddenly disappears into the dark mystery of the night. The mystery of the deep dark expanse of sea, the sky over- head, and the vast distance into which we look makes a man feel very insignificant. Some days later. We are getting impatient at being stuck in the same spot, and as far as we can see there's no sign of moving. We are more anxious as we realise that people will soon be wondering what has become of us, and we have also heard from boatmen that this ship has been reported sunk. On Sunday evening we had a voluntary service on the main deck aft, and a good number of men turned up. (To be continued.)

———————.————— Starred and Unstarred Smokers. The Good Old Shagg Smokers oi Aberdare Valley will be pleased to know that the manufacturers of the noted Tobacco, 'Cope's No. 1 Shagg' bb have now made arrangements with some of the leading Grocers, Tobacconists and Co-operative Societies throughout the district to Stock this popular weed," so that it may be procured locally at any time, in packets and tins. This Rich, Cool, and Lasting Shagg n as Sweet as a Nut, and can be Smoked at the Home, Theatre, Music Hall, or anywhere, and people around will enjoy the pleasing aroma. Wives and Sweethearts like it be- cause it does not make Smokers' mouths, breath, or home smell offensive- ly as is usually the case with other Shagg Tobaccos. Quality is the Keynote with Cope's No. I," and the grand recep- tion it has already received, and the daily increasing demand is so gratifying that we do not hesitate to recommend all good smokers to "go on it." If any difficulty is experienced in getting it just drop a postcard to— Cope's Tobacco Works, Liverpool. _h NEW 5-SEATER CAR FOR HIRE. Suitable for Parties, Weddings, Ito. Moderate Charges. App)y.—W)LKtMS, 53 HERBERT STREET. ABERDARE. Dentistry. Mr. Tudor Williams has pleasure in an- nouncing that his old established Dental Surgery is now open with practical, skilled Operators & Mechanics. -r' I9IG FORD CARS IN STOCK. SHEEN, Ford Service Depot, ABERDARE. S. WATSON Artistic Picture Frame Maker BEST VALUE AND GOOD FINISHED WORK. PLEASE NOTE-S. WATSON has no inter- est in any Studio. Only Address— 3 Dean St.,Aberdare PRINTING neatly and promptly exeouted at the "Leader" OMos, Cardiff St., Aberdare. a—' IF YOU ARE THINKING I OF HAYINC A NICE CHARABANC TRIP WRITE TO US. IF YOU ARE NOT THINKINC-START THINKINC RICHT NOW Our Charabancs are the nicest in Wales. Coughs Garage Co., fountain Ash. I Phono 22. 2 BEVAN trS°-: FURNITURE ST How is it Done P The Explanation is that immediately the War was declared we did not "wait and see" but forthwith entered into by far the largest contracts we have ever concluded during our sixty-six years record! The Goods were packed from floors to ceilings in the respective reserve warehouses in connection with our seven South Wales Branches, and the result is that whilst some Furnishers have been compelled to close establishments through inability to obtain supplies, we still hold a very large proportion of these Contract Goods, which we have decided to CLEAR. AT PRE-WAR PRICES!! Near Empire and 97 SAINT MARY STREET, CARDIFF. Terms Cash, or Generous Credit Arrangements! Delivery free up to 200 Miles from any Branch The Train Fare of Cash Customers Paid! I I 71 TAFF STREET, PONTYPRIDD, SWANSEA, &c.