The Aberdare Leader

Matthewstown Soldier Wounded. Mrs. E. Miles, of 89 Pentwyn Avenue, has received information to the effect that her youngest son, Private Arthur Miles, of the 15th Welsh, has been badly wounded somewhere in France, and is lying in hospital.

Miskin Hero's Death. Mrs. E. Richards, King Street, Miskin, wife of Private F. Richards, of the Gloucester Regiment, has been in- formed by the War Office that her hus- band has died in hospital in France from the effects of a gunshot through the neck. Private Richards was 36 years of age, and was highly respected locally. He joined the Army at the out- break of war. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and three little children. The above is a portrait of Corporal A. Millar, 10th Worcestershires (Transport Section). His home is 8 Ffrwd Street, Aberaman. He is a married man, and is 32 years of age. Corporal Millar joined the colours at the commencement of hostilities, and has been in France over 12 months. He is a native of Ketford, Gloucestershire, and was employed at the Cwmaman Colliery prior to enlisting. Private Tom Evans, Penrhiwceiber, of he Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, killed in action in France as reported n our last issue.

Tributes to a Hirwain Soldier The sad news reached Mr. and Mrs. Prosser, High Street, Hirwain, last Thursday that Lance-Corporal William j Davies had been killed by a German shell in France. The shell burst close to the lorry in his charge, and a large splinter j struck him in the head, with the result that death was instantaneous. The deepest sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Prosser by whom Willie had been brought up ever since a young lad.—The Vicar of Hirwain, at the conclusion of the service in St. Lleurwg's Church last Sunday evening, made a touching reference to the sad event, and read a letter received from the officer in charge of the section to which Willie belonged. The officer spoke of him as one of the hardest working and most all round satisfactory N.C.O/s in the company. "I know also," said the officer, that I the men had a very high opinion of him." The Vicar spoke of Willie's good work in Church Defence, and of his clean, honest, brave, hard-working life. The parents have also received a letter from the Rev. James Evans, Chaplain, extending his sympathy to them on the death of a noble son, who was killed almost before his eyes. Lance-Cor- poral Davies' death was mourned by all his mates as well as the officers. Willie was attached to the Mechanical Transport A.S.C. He was at one time a prominent footballer. Prior to enlist- ment he worked as a painter with Mr. T. Prosser. He was only 22 years of age.

35 Bedroom Suites in Oak, I I Walnut or Mahogany To select from. 35 Bedroom Suites in Oak, Walnut or Mahogany To select fruin. EXTRA LARGE DISCOUNTS TO CASH BUYERS. VICTOR FREED, Mountain AsJi, j —MnnwrirriTTr ■—in ■n—n i IIIM ■■■■MINI J

Saw his Comrades Drop. In a letter to his wife, who resides at Sunny Bank Street, Aberaman, Corporal Charles Evans, of the R.W.F., says: "The gallant lads of the Royal W elsh Fusiliers, led by our brave Colonel, have added another laurel to our list of many honours. A huge German shell burst quite close behind three of us, and a piece of shrapnel struck my en- trenching tool, making a large dent in it. How we escaped 1 don't know. We are out resting now for a few hours, then we shall go back. We have no end of souvenirs, helmets, etc. My pal was wounded in the wrist, and another pal has been killed. I will have to drop his poor wife a line. He died a true-born British hero. We have captured no end of prisoners. They played us a few dirty tricks, but they got paid out for it. Some of them fought well and others ran, with the Fusiliers and 9th Welsh after them."

Letters to the Editor. MINERS AND THE BECKERLEXjGE CASE.-A SOLDIERS VIEW. Sir,—Things must be reaching a bad state when the miners of the collieries in the Mountain Ash District Council area should pass a resolution calling upon the Education Authority to rein- state Mr. Beckerlegge as a teacher in school. It seems incredible to us, boys of the Aberdare Valley out here, that those very people who have given their sons to their country should seek to find employment for the type of manhood known as "Conscientious Objectors." The very idea of the miners children being educated by men with views such as Ïr. Beckerlegge's should deter the fathers from passing such resolutions. In my opinion, there would be no C.U. s could" they be allowed to come out here and witness for themselves what the Bosches do to our lads. Only two or three days ago the Huns shelled our wounded unmercifully as they t were being brought out of the trenches. If the Conscientious Objectors could but see these things for themselves they would not begin quoting Scripture, but would make an oath not to rest until the Huns were exterminated. Sincerely speaking, it pains us, Welsh lads of the Aberdare Valley, who are out here risking our all, when we think that we belong to a nation that has such arrant cowards among its people. For the sake of the Welsh lads out here and for the sake of the rising generations do not let such men be entrusted with the education of our children.—I am, on behalf of the boys, yours faithfully, GUNNER, R.F.A.

"ONLY A TOMMY." Dear Sir,—My only apology for send- ing this for publication is that (of ne- cessity) too many of our heroes go west, unwept, unhonoured, and unsung. The following is an extract from a letter sent by an N.C.O., Somewhere in France, dated 3rd inst:—"I have the saddest of news to convey to you, namely that your friend, and I can certainly say he was mine also, Harold I mean, met his death in the German trenches on the night of the 2nd inst. fighting for his country. He was the first man in the enemy's trenches in the charge, and was killed by a hand grenade. His de- parture all of his comrades feel very deeply, and personally I don't think that he can be replaced, for his valour was something above the ordinary." j Sergeant H. Rhodes, of L.N. Lan- cashires, to whom the foregoing refers, is no relative of mine, and has no parents or others to sound his praises. But in Christmas week, 1913, he was one of four soldiers who were guests of mine. During; his stay, while visiting a place of business in town, a young lady (?) behind the counter remarked to some knuts she was conversing with, "He's only a Tommy." But this same Tommy was recommend- ed for the M.C. a few days ago, and now has nobly laid down his life for his friends and others. Corporal Jenkinson, of the same regiment, the particular chum of Sergeant Rhodes, and one of the four above referred to, was another homeless Hector, having no parents or four above referred to, was another homeless Hector, having no parents or inear relatives, but certainly one of nature's gentlemen. He has also gone west. He, too, died with his face to the foe on the Marne, after having gone without a scratch through the historic retreat from Mons. Only Tommies, but heroes every one of them, and may we i remember them with pride when the war has become history.—Yours, etc., H. J. VENABLES. I 25 Cwmaman Road, Aberdare. I

I "Can War be Avoided." I This was the title of a paper read in the Workmen's Hall, Abercynon, on Sunday by Miss M. A. Edwards, B.A., Aberdare. What caused the persistence of war, she said, were the ideas about it which prevailed. War began with the beating of drums, blowing of trumpets, and waving of flags. It was surrounded by an atmosphere of honour and glory. We were all imbued with the idea that a soldier's life was manly and heroic. I Until these ideas changed there would always be war. There was plenty of I scope to develop and perfect character without it. Through all the stages of man's existence he had been engaged in war. The modes of carrying on wars had changed, and so had the motives, but the tendency to settle disputes by armed force still remained. The length of war was getting shorter, and the period between wars longer. Also the range of enemies was getting more re- mote. Formerly there was continual strife between tribe and tribe; now war was waged between alliances of nations. The world was divided into different nations, each with its own diverging interests, its separate ideals. The under- currents of feeling which caused the present tremendous conflict were to be found in the varying and conflicting ambitions of the nations of Europe. Until these nations became welded into I one great federation realising the com- mon brotherhood of all Europeans war would continue to be waged. What caused the nations to go to war, and when I not at war to be making vast prepara- tions for it, was the influence of fear, j Replace this dread by mutual trust, and the day would be hastened when and the day would be hastened when wars throughout the world would cease. J —An interesting discussion, led by Mr. t Hughes, the chairman, followed, in I Hughes, the chairman, followed, in which Messrs. T. Hargest (hon. secretary to the Abercynon Study Circle, before whom the paper was read), T. C. Davies, F. Gibbon, T. Taylor, D. Davies, and Mr. Wilton took part. A vote of thanks to Miss Edwards was proposed by the chairman, and seconded by Mr. Wilton.

Mountain Ash Tribunal. On Thursday, July 17, Mr. Griffith Evans presiding. Basil Williams, a dentist's assistant, was appealed for by Mr. D. E. Wil- liams, his employer at the Aberdare Branch. Granted 3 months. Mr. Gwilym Jones, solicitor, represented. Rees Rees, in Class Cl, was appealed for by Mr. Gwilym Jones. Three months was asked for on domestic grounds. Appellant was granted 3 months. Rd. Richards, Llwvncelyn Farm, Ynysybwl, asked for absolute exemp- tion through his employer, Mr. David Rowlands. He had 14 score sheep and milking cows. Mr. Williams, repre- sentative of the Baa,rd of Agriculture, supported the appeal. Appellant was granted 6 months. Richard Evans, 11 Gla/nlay Street, Penrhiwceiber, an adjourned case for medical examination, was next con- sidered. Applicant had been rejected by the Medical Board in Cardiff, and was therefore absolutely exempted. Max Freedman, 25 Penrhiwceiber Road, Penrhiwceiber, appealed for ex- emption. The case had been adjourned for military evidence. Appellant is a watch repairer. On the application of Mr. Bruce Jones the matter was again adjourned. Richard Thomas Gibbs, boot repair- er, Abercynon. His medical certifi- cate placed him in Bl. Granted six months. James Daniel Rees, 64 Consort St., Miskin, bookkeeper to the Cwmbach Co-op. Society, appealed for total ex- emption. His medical certificate placed him in Class Al. He had been refused exemption in Aberdare. He was married but had no children. Granted one month. Stephen Moynahan, Consort Street, Miskin, appealed for total exemption. He is a colliery fitter and electrician. Referred to the Colliery Tribunal. Wm. White, 8 Edward Street, Mis- kin, a butcher, applied for absolute exemption. A delicate wife and a sup- porter of a widowed mother were his grounds of application. Medical certi- ficate Bl. Granted 3 months. Reginald Richardson, Glyngwyn St., Miskin, a grocer and provision dealer, applied for absolute exemption. He is 34 years of age, and the grounds of his application was business hardship. His wife was -too ill to attend to the business. Adjourned for medical ex- amination. Frederick Freeman, 11 Bailey St., Miskin, a master baker, appealed for absolute exemption. He claimed that he was exempted on the ground of national requirements. His two male assistants had joined the Army. Granted 6 months. Gwilym Thomas, Woodland Street, Mountain Ash, a master tailor, applied for total exemption. Class C3. He has one man of military age working for him. Granted 3 months. James James, 4 Ivor Street, Moun- tain Ash, in the employ of the previous appellant, appealed for total exemp- tion. Class B2. He has a wife and 8 children, none working. Granted six months. Tom Dix, 37 Cadwaladr St., Moun- tain Ash, appealed for total exemp- tion as a conscientious objector. The case, on the motion of Mr. Geo. Hall, was referred to colliery officials.-Syd- ney James Hillier's case was dealt with in a similar manner.—H. J. Tucker also was dealt with similarly.— Frederick Geo. Dix, a conscientious ob- jector, was also referred to the colliery authorities. Thomas Furlong, a grocer's assist- ant, appealed for total exemption on conscientious grounds. He is em- ployed by S. G. Jones, grocer, High Street, Mountain Ash. He had held objections to military service for 12 years. He was perfectly willing to make any sacrifice, but not to take anything to.help the war. He did not object to mining, and was prepared to make monetary sacrifices if so engaged. He didn't object to farming. Mr. Bruce Jones: Are your answers to the questions on the list your own, or are they stereotyped from a body of religionists or some non-conscriptionist body? Applicant: No not entirely my own composition. Answering the chairman, he was per- fectly willing to do anything outside military control. Mr. Thomasr Jones: The best thing to do with him is to send him to Pen- deryn Waterworks. Applicant: I'm quite agreeable. The Tribunal granted conditional ex- emption in consideration that he, with- in 21 days, undertakes work with the contractors for the Mountain Ash Waterworks, in some capacity. Isaac R. Jones, Aberffrwd Road, Mountain Ash, 41 years in September, a conscientious objector. He was an insurance collector, but bad failed to obtain his birth certificate. Adjourned to obtain the latter. Samuel Bennett, hairdresser, 83,Pen- rhiwceiber Road, Penrhiwceiber, ap- pealed for exemption on the grounds of business hardship. Class C3. Granted 3 months. Theophilus Morgan, 56 Napiers St., foreman clothing stores, Cwmbach Co- op. Stores, appealed for total exemp- tion. Class C2. Granted 3 months. Wm. Pearce Roberts, Woodland St., Mountain Ash, colliery haulier, referred to the colliery authorities. Sydney Lewis, Bryngolwg, Mountain Ash, farm hand, appealed for absolute exemption. Applicant is 20 years of age. His employer, Thomas Lewis, farmed about 800 acres. Granted six months. Victor W. Rowe, theatre proprietor, Mountain Ash, appealed for exemption on business grounds. He is the sole support of three dependents. Mr. T. W. Griffiths, solicitor, represented ap- plicant. Postponed till Aug. 22.

Mountain Ash County Court. On Tuesday, July 18, before His Honour Judge Bryn Roberts. Apportionment. Mary Perry, 20 Glynmynach Road, Ynysybwl, against Mynaclidy Colliery Co. Applicant was represented by Mr. Ivor Parry. The respondent company had paid into court £ 300 in respect of the death of applicant's husband, WTm. Perry, whilst in their employ. Applicant bus fivre children.—His Honour declared i ll the children and the widow depend- ents, and ordered 18s. a week to be paid to the widow until January 1st next, L240 to be invested in the War Loan.

Compensation Case Reviewed. Messrs. Nixon's Colliery Co., repre- sented by Mr. A. J. Prosser, made a request to His Honour to review the compensation case of John Thomas (loan Dar), 12 Railway Terrace, Pen- rhiwceiber, an underground repairer, who met with an accident on February u, lUOo. Mr. Ivor Parry represented the respondent. Respondent was granted compensation at the rate of 15s. 4d. per week, that continuing to September, 1906. He was later given light employment. On June 20th re- spondent made a request for review for increase. He was granted an increase from Is. lOd. to 3s. a week. Under the Conciliation Board agreement all underground men were to receive a minimum of 5s. a day plus percentage. He now earned k2 2s. 6d. a week, which was more than he was earning before the accident. Wm. Josiah James, clerk in the em- ploy of the applicants, produced a proof of the man's earnings from July 22, 1915, to July 8, 1916— £ 100 Is. lid. During that time he was away for a fortnight on holidays, and also a week owing to illness in December, 1915, thus making an average of t2 2s. 6d. per week. Answering Mr. Parry, witness knew of no other reason for respondent earning more money than the fluctu- ation of the rate of wages. Mr. Parry urged that His Honour had no power to reduce the amount under those circumstances.—His Hon- our deferred his decision.

Collier's Claim Against Colliery Co. Wm. Price, Arthur Street, Penrhiw- ceiber, against Penrikyber Colliery Co., was a claim for E2 6s. 8d., portion of compensation for an accident sus- tained on March 20, 1916, in the course of his employment. Liability was ad- mitted by the respondents, but for 10 days only, and the claim was for 14 days. Mr. Ivor Parry appeared for claimant, and Mr. A. J. Prosser for the respondent company. Claimant's evi- dence bore out his advocate's state- ment. On March 20th last he was cutting an arm with a hatchet, when it slipped and cut his foot. He was car- ried out of the pit, and saw Dr. Wal- lace, who put stitches in his foot. The latter were taken out in a week's time, and Dr. Wallace told him he was fit for work. He didn't feel fit to work, and wore a bandage for a week after he started work again. He put in his claim, and was offered one day's wages. Dr. Francis Frederick Jones, assist- ant to Dr. Ben Phillips-Jones, described the wound that claimant received. It was two inches long. Witness gave the man a certificate to resum work on April 4th, and that was the earliest date, in witness's opinion, that he was fit. Dr. Wallace., Cardiff, saw claimant's foot on March 23. Witness's note was that the wound looked well, and should, without complications, be quite healed in a week. On March 30th witness saw the man again and he found that the wound had soundly healed and that be was fit for work. David Hopkin Williams, manager of the colliery, deposed that he saw claimant on May 5th, who told him that he had me doctor's certificate on Sun- day. He did no start till Tuesday.— Judgment for claimant for 3 days and costs against respondents on Scale B. Building Company Dispute. The Miners' Homes, Land and Building Co. against Thomas Wm. Jones, account- ant, Abercynon, and Sarah Jones, his wife, was an action to recover £ 24 10s. from each, being the balances due in respect of calls on shares held by the defendants in the plaintiff company.— Mr. T. W. Griffiths appeared for the company, and Mr. Gwilym Jones foi the defendants.—T. D. Williams, ac- countant, Aberdare, said that on March 2nd he was made secretary, and pro- duced the minutes; also the register of the company, and the register of mem- bers. On that register were the names of Thomas Wm. Jones and Sarah Jones, also Margaret Jones. Witness also proved the share ledger and showed the state of accounts between the company and T. W. Jones. There were two shares and five transferred and a similar number to Sarah Jones and five to Margaret Jones. lhe shares were value £ 5 each. Morgan Isaac, Aberd'are, chairman of the direc- tors, deposed that he had attended all the meetings of the company since he was appointed in July, 1914. He signed the minutes at all of them. At the meeting held on July 28, 1914, the votes of the defendants were not ac- cepted because they had not paid up their shares. A receiver, Sir. John Williams, had been appointed on behalf of the mortagor, who held a mortgage on the company's property. On Mr. Wllll ams' death Mr. John Isaac was appointed receiver. At a meeting held in November, 1914, witness and the other directors were re-appointed. The defendants were not present. Cross-examined by Mr. Jones: He thought there were no annual meetings in 1910—'11—'12, but that was not the fault of the company. Case ad- journed till next court.

PURITY QUALITY RELIABILITY. ON t nAtpv MLm tFtittt\ t THE CREAMERY VICTORIA SQUARE, JJ/fcji ARFRnAOE AuLnUttKL. C; BUTTERMILK NOW SOX-n.-Mil-k Depot: Carmapthen Dairy, Seymour St. Tel, 111. W. T. EVANS, Proprietor. MORGIK JOHN migi For FRESH FARM BUTTER & ECCS I CONWIL DAIRY, St. David's Square, Cwmaman, & Aberaman. Pure Milk and Cream Twice Daily. Dentistry. Mr. Tudor Williams has pleasure "in an- nouncing that his old established Dental Surgery is now open with practical, skilled Operators & Mechanics. PRINTING -> neatly and promptly txeouttd at th* "Laatfar" Ofltaa, Cardiff St., Abardftm Tom Wilcox & Rees HAVB Two New T j Touring Cars (Maxwell and Ford). I Touring Parties and Weddings catered for at reasonable charges. ADDRESS: 27 ELIZABETH STREET, 9 TREVOR STREET, ABERDARE. Telegrams (charges refunded) Wilcox, ABBRDARR.