The Aberdare Leader

Merthyr Board of Guardians. On Saturday, Mr. T. T. Jenkins in the chair. Members present: Messrs. John Davies (Aberdare), John Prowle, Mor- gan Williams, Meth Davies, John Hughes, Rees Rees, Evan Davies, Samuel Davies, Wm. Parker, Richard Abraham, John Davies (Gelligaer), John Edwards, Henry Evans, John Lloyd, Patrick Mansfield, Henry Owen, Samuel Thomas, A. J. Howfield, Wm. Jones, Edwin Thomas, Samuel Morgan, Wm. Davies, James Davies, Mrs. Jen- kins, Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Lvdia Price, Mrs. H. E. Wills, Mrs. M. T. Wil- hams, Mrs. M. A. Edmunds, Rev. A. E. Sutherland, Rev. LI. M. Williams. Rev. W. Thomas, with Mr. F. T. James (clerk) and Mr. D. G. Jones (assistant clerk). Relieving Officer's Salary—There was an application from Mr. T. J. Williams asking that in view of the increased cost of living he should be granted his, maximum salary now instead of in the 1 year 1919, when the same became due. It was moved that tlf) increase be granted, but this was defeated, and the whole question of relieving officers' salaries was referred back to the Fin- ance Committee. Allowance Deducted. — Mr. Patrick Mansfield, Dowlais, called attention to a case where a woman, whose husband was in the Army, had been taken to the Asylum. Her daughter, aged 17, was looking after the home, the Army allow- ance amounting to 21s. per week. A sum of 7s. 6d. per week had been de- j ducted by the Board from that allow- ance towards the upkeep of the mother.. —Mr. J. Prowle wanted to refer the matter to the Maintenance Committee, but ultimately the clerk said he would make enquiries and report, and that no deduction would be made in the mean- time.—Mrs. Jenkins wanted to know on whose authority had the 7s. 6d. al- j ready been deducted.The case was ad- journed for a fortnight. ) Assessment.—The Hector submitted the following motion That the Assess- ment Committee be authorised to en- gage Mr. J. Fox Tallis, M.E., Newport, to report upon and make a valuation of the Hills Plymouth Colliery in the Merthyr Valley.—In reply to Mr. W. Parker, it was stated that the payment would be t5 5s. per day, and out of pocket expenses.—Mr. J. Prowle said that Mr. Tallis stood vry high in his estimation as a valuer.—The motion was carried, Mr. Parker alone voting against it. I Auditor's Strictures.-The Clerk said he had received a letter from the audi- tor, in which he surcharged certain items on expenses incurred by members in visiting Nazareth House, Cardiff, and other places. The auditor's opin- ion was that 5s. per day would be enough, instead of 10s. 6d., and he sur- charged 6 items of 5s. 6d. each.—Mr. J. Prowle said they ought to ask the auditor under what regulations did the auditor take exception to those items, because that had been the charge for many years.—The Hector objected to the auditor condemning the Board un- heard. There was something wrong y with the auditor, due perhaps to the war. (Laughter.)—Mr. Meth Davies said that the charge was uniform for 10 years, and the auditor simply dealt with *1915.—Mrs. Jenkins remarked that pro- bably there would be more surcharges, and more indignities would be heaped on the Board. Was not the resolution re payments any good? If not theyiought to delete it.—The Clerk was directed to appeal against the surcharges. Aberdare Hospital.—The question of paying Aberdare Council for the right of sending patients to the Aberdare Isola- tion Hospital was considered, and the Rector gave notice of motion to deal with the matter further at the next meeting. Vaccination.—A Local Government Board Inspector reported certain irre- gularities on the part of a vaccination officer, and the Clerk was directed to send the officer a copy of the letter.— Mr. R. Abraham said that the Clerk might, with advantage, write to a It vac- cination officers, asking them to be more strict in the performance of their duties. —Rector The work is done in the loos- est manner. Higher Assessments.—The Clerk re- ported that at a conference between the Assessment Committee and the Coal- owners the latter had agreed to pay an additional 5 per cent, on the rateable values. This would mean an increase of £ 8,000.

The late Lieut. Windsor Lewis His Regard for Aberdare Soldiers. That the late Lieut. J. "Windsor I Lewis, who was killed in action at Ypres, had a great regard for the men of his platoon, especially those who were, like himself, natives of Aberdare, is shown by the following letter which was sent by him to Mr and Mrs James, 118 Fforchaman Road, Cwmaman, on the death in actIOn of their son, Private Augustine James, of the Welsh Guards, and which appeared in the Leader for May 6th :— "France, April 1 Dear Mr. James,—I hone you will accept our sincere sympathy in the sad news which I expect has reached you about your son's death. ] was the offi- cer attached to his platoon, and being a native of Aberdare myself, we had com- mon interests. 1 saw him on the day lie was wounded-—we were in the sup- port line of trenches, and your son was one of a small party which was sent to meet the waggons and get the rations. While he was doing this the Germans sent a shrapnel shell over, and your son and two others were hit. He was taken away at once to hospital, but, unfortun- ately, his 'wound was so serious a one, being in the stomach, that his life could not be saved. I am told that on the way to hospital he didn't appear to be suffering much; so 1 hope he was spared any acute pain. He was always quiet and attentive to his work in the platoon, and we shall all miss him. I am finding out where your son's grave is, and will Write and tell jiou. as I expect you will like to know. He was hit in the village of St. Jean, about a mile or so to the north-east of Ypres.—Yours very truly, .h.mes Windsor Lewis. Lieut. Welsh Guards." Memorial Service at Llwydcoed. A service to the memory of the late Lieut. James Windsor Lewis, of the Welsh Guards, whose death in action Was reported in last week's "Leader," was held on Wednesday evening of last week at St. James' Church. The large congregation and the impressive tone of the service afforded ample evidence of the high esteem in which the deceased officer was held by the residents of the place. Preaching from the words, For he was a good man" (Acts xi. 24). the Rev. Richard Jones, Vicar, paid a glowing tribute to Mr., Windsor Lewis, who, he remarked, was an officer and a gentleman. Self-sacrifice was one of his most conspicuous traits. When war broke out he gave his services to ,RiIW and Country with an alacrity that was commendable. It was not the first time he had done so, for at the outbreak of the war in South Africa he volun- teered for active service. He emerged from that campaign safely. l'iifortiin- ately it was not the case on the present occasion. But he had died doubtless as he would have wished to die—in the prosecution of a cause which was near and dear to his heart. The generous treatment meted out by him to the people of Llwydcoed would never be for- gotten, and he (the Vicar) was sure that the whole-hearted sympathy of the people of the district went out to the bereaved wife, mother and children.— Appropriate hymns were sung. The Jocal Brass Band played the "Dead March with much effect. The service terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.

Ynysyboeth Corporal Killed. Mrs. Eliza Brown, of 96 Avondale Street, Ynysboeth, has received notifica- tion from the War Office of the death of her husband, Corporal E. J. Brown, of the Royal Engineers, who was killed in France on April 16th, 1916. He joined H.M. Forces in. August, 1914, and was drafted out to France last August. Appended is a copy of a letter sent to Mrs. Brown by the officer of his regl- ment — Cf 253 Company (T) R.E., April 28th, 1916. Dear Madame,-It is my very un- pleasant duty to have to inform you that Corporal E. J. Brown was killed in action on April 19th. I wish to offer you the heartfelt sympathy of the officers and men of 253rd Company, R.E. Cor- poral Brown was buried with full mili- tary honours in the British Cemetery at Vermelles on Monday last, and a simple wooden cross will be put up to mark the place. It was only a week or two ago that Corporal Brown, finding that I was from South Wales, told me that he hoped soon to be on leave, but unfortunately all leave was stopped. The loss to his section is great. He was one of the most capable of our non-commissioned officers, and got rapid promotion. His officer, who was killed yesterday, thought very highly of him, and was going to write you as soon as he came from the trenches. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy in your great and sudden bereavement.—Yours very sin- cerely, Emrys Evans, 2nd Lieut., R.E."

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Killed in Action. PRIVATE WILLIAM 1. THOMAS, R.W.F., GLYN NEATH. Private Thomas, news of whose death on the field of battle was published in the Leader" last week, was the only son of Mr and Airs David Thomas, 4 White Hart Terrace, Glvn Neath. His father has been in failing health for some time. The deepest sympathy is felt for them and for deceased's two sisters.

Mount Nurses Honoured by His Majesty. Nurse Lily Ellis, eldest daughter of I IV Mr. Hugh Ellis, the well-known choir conductor of Mountain Ash, has been honoured hy being mentioned in the birthday honours list of His Majesty NURSE LILY ELLIS. I the King. Miss Ellis has for many years been attached to her honourable profession. She was trained at Swan- sea General and Eye Hospital, and also had great private experience in the same town and at Malvern. She was a sistor in the- operating theatre at Lewis- ham Infirmary and joined the Territor- ial Force at the outbreak of war. In April of this year His Majesty visited the 1st Southern General Hospital at Birmingham, where she was stationed. She has received a number of congratu- lations on her well merited distinction. Nurse Esther Isaac, daughter of Air. and Mrs. J. Isaac, 21 Richmond Road, Mountain Ash, whose name appeared in His Majestyjs birthday honours list, also received her training at Swansea General Hospital, and is to lie decorated by the King with the Hoyal Red Cross Medal for services rendered. At the r NURSE ESTHER ISAAC. I commencement of the war she volun- teered on the reserve list of Queen Alex- andra's Imperial Military Nursing Ser- vice, and in March of last year was called to the Military Hospital Cam- bridge. On the 11th inst. she sailed from Southampton to take up a position under the military authority at Bom- bay. A large circle of friends wish her prosperity, including a number at Swan- sea and Aldershot, who are proud of the distinction conferred upon her.

Municipal Employees' Con- ference. The 21st annual conference of the Municipal Employees' Association was held at the Victoria Hall, Southport, on Whit-Monday and Tuesday. The President, Mr. James MacDonald, of Glasgow, occupied the chair. The Mayor of Southport, Councillor R. Ball, with Alderman T. P. Griffiths and Councillors W. Greenhalgh. and E. A. Snow, attended, and gave a hearty welcome to the delegates to Southport. The Secretary of the Southport Trades Council and the Chairman of the Tram- way and Vehicle Workers' Union also attended to welcome the delegates. —The President, in his address, dwelt upon the work of the Association in the past, and outlined the work to be done in the future. He ,emphasised the need of more solidarity among all classes of workmen. They would then be able to hold their own in the struggle that was to come after the war.—Mr. R. Davies, of Battersea, was elected President for the ensuing year.—Councillor R. Llew- elyn, of Cardiff, gave a most able ad- dress, and the following resolution was carried almost unanimously:—"That this Conference decide to elect a Com- mittee to open negotiations with so- cieties catering for municipal and national employment with a view of forming a Trade Union Federation, The Conference also unanimously passed the following resolution: -"That this Conference of delegates, representing 26.000 members, urge His Majesty's Government to seek the earliest oppor- tunity of promoting negotiations with the object of securing a just and lasting peace."—The delegates were well enter- tained by the Manchester District of the Association. The Mayor also generously scot a good supply of cigars and cigarettes.—Mr. J. Richards. No. 1 Branch, represented this district. He j has also been re-elected with a good majority for the fourth time in succession as a National Executive Member.

J I.L.P. Meeting at Aberaman. At the Grand Theatre, Aberaman, on Sunday evening Mr. J. T. Norman pre- sided over a meeting held by the local I.L.P. Branch. Mr. Norman introduced to the meeting Mr. C. R. Buxton, a well- known contributor to the Labour Press, who referred to the memorial which was now being extensively signed in favour of making' negotiations for peace. It was a practical step in the right dir- ection and had been enthusiastically received. It asked the Government to seek the earliest opportunity to initiate peace negotiations. No one believed that the war would be decided by an overwhelming victory for one side or the other, that the Allies' armies would march into Berlin, or that the forces of the Central Powers would take London. The war must come to an end sooner or later by an agreement brought about by negotiations. The people of this country could not afford to leave this important question to the Govern- ments and the diplomats alone. He did not believe that the newspapers repre- sented the people of this country. Gen- erally they took an extreme Jingoistic view of affairs and published quite an erroneous impression of public opinion in this country. There was a danger of people becoming accustomed to the callousness of war and the horrors of bloodshed. What would be the state of labour after the war? We were now enjoying an artificial prosperity because the country was living on its capital, as it were. After the war we would have a condition of poverty caused by unemployment occasioned by men being discharged from the Army and unable to find work. It was argued that such a peace memorial would have no effect But as a matter of fact there was an overwhelming desire for peace in all the countries. The leader of the Social Democratic Party in Germany had said that the whole world longed for peace, and that the Germans did not desire war a day longer than was necessary for securing the freedom of the people. The German Government also had ex- pressed its readiness to make peace on a bo sis which would safeguard the German people's interests. In this country Sir Edward Grey and Mr. As- quith had stated that we did not want aggression—we onlv wanted security. Mr. Robert Williams, Secretary of the Transport Workers' Society, spoke on Socialism and Internationalism. Many people, he said, now claimed that Socialism was dead because it could not stop the war. If that was so what was the position of Christianity, which had also failed to stop the war. Inasmuch as the forces of capitalism were international, they as workers were compelled to be internationalists. There was a time when he (the speaker) was proud of the fact that he was born in a free age, but now it was repugnant to him to think that men were being tortured in prison for obeying the dictates of conscience. When he was visiting the Continent just before the war his heart was quickened by the possibilities of the combined energies of the working- classes in the various countries which were now at war. There was nothing on the Continent—and he had seen a lot of it—which would equal in squalor some of the mining districts of this country, At the same time mining magnates lived in ease and luxury on the fat of the land. What made Socialists internationalists was the realisation of their just claim to a more equitable distribution of the wealth of the country.

Trecynon and LIwydcoed Notes. BY MARCELLO. A Trecynon man has a distorted theology. Said he to a neighbour, "I believe that God took Lord Kitchener because He wanted him." The neigh- bour's answer was, "Do you think then that there is war in the heavenly region"? However, there was a civil war in that realm of peace once, when Lucifer led the insubordinates, and they were eventually cast headlong into -you know where. A Llwydcoed man's favourite text is "Suffer little children," etc. He takes great interest in one particular baby. The three men in a boat" had an experience in the Park pond last week. At first they thought it was a thunder- bolt. Then they imagined that the play- ing fountain had been turned on them with double force. At last they dis- covered that the Fire Brigade were re- hearsing for the next big fire. The stile on the canal bank has been repaired, but it still shakes and groans when the fat lady goes over it. I hear that her ladyship is ,going to petition the District Council for the abolition of all local stiles. What do the lovers say to this? Mr. So and So's knowledge of geo- graphy does not equal his love of tra- velling. He has been telling his friends that he is going to Ostend for a holiday this summer-when it comes. Well he will have a hot time of it if he goes there. On Tuesday evening a hurdy gurdy, with the usual accessories in the form of a grinder and monkey, were on view in Aberdare streets. I wonder is it the instrument that is going to replace the condemned piano in Miners' Row, being exhibited before embarking on active service. Llwydcoedites should bear in mind that Llwydcoed is now a proclaimed area under the Defence of the R-ealm Act, and that when the pram is taken to fetch bread from the bakehouse at night the regulation headlights must be at- tached thereto. For further particulars ask a policeman.

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