The Aberdare Leader

Mount Boy in India. Pte. Brvn Roberts, old Katt., R.W.F., Alma Barracks, Ilamkbet, India, writes:—" I have been here since August 10, 1915. I have been through the fighting at the Peninsu- la. and since then have been up at Mesopotamia until the end of last month. I was taken ill, so they sent me to India. I am doing all right now. I expect to be called up again at any moment. The M.O. has' pulled me through all right and I like now to go back to my Batt., but not to go fighting. I have done my share of that. I have had a month's rest now' He is the son of Mrs. J. Roberts, 26 Gwem Ifor Street, Mountain Ash. This is a photo of Pte..John Dd. Jones, of the A.S.C., whose wife and family reside at 48 Woodiieid Terrace, Penrhiwceiber. He joined the Army on Sept. 14th, 1915, and was drafted'o\it on the 13th of January, 1916. He had an attack of pneumonia soon after- wards, hnd was admitted to the General Hospital at Calais. He is 49 years of age. He was recently on a brief visit home, and has now returned to tho firing line. Previous to joining up he was employed at the Cwm Cvnon Col- liery. Trecynon Soldier Honoured. A grand smoking concert was held at the Railway Inn, Trecynon, on Wednes- day evening, in honour of Corporal M. Morgan, son of Mr. Richard Morgan Morlais House, Llewelyn Street, and who whs wounded in France. He has been in a hospital in Scotland and lias now recovered. Songs were rendered by Messrs. W. Langham. Sam Sweet, Arthur Jones, Mr. Griffiths, Cwmaman Mr. Roberts, Mr. Vater, Richard D. Jones. Mandoline solo, Joe Davies. Song by Corporal 31. Morgan. Piano- forte solo, Mr Rees. Mr. Griffiths sang "Hen wlad fy nhadau and "God Save the King." Corporal Morgan was presented with a wristlet watch by the vice-chairman, Mr. Leyshon Henry, Carpenters' Arms. Corporal Morgan responded. The chairman was Mr. S. J. Parr, Gadlys; pianist, Mr. Henry Howells. Corporal Morghn has now re- turned to his regiment-, the Welsh Guards, in France.

-7- From German East Africa. Another letter comes to hand from Private Dan Davies, Trevor Street, Aberdare, who was employed by Mr. Tyssul Davies, builder. He is with the British Army in German IJftst Africa. His letter is dated Oct. 10th, and he writes "Thanks for 'Leader.' It gave me new life to read its old pages once again. I was quite surprised to see the letter penned by Private Bert Perkins. It is almost impossible to distribute parcels out here, for we are separated by hundreds of miles often. Parcels sent to me about July I received on Oct. 4th. The 'Leader' is really inter- ing now with the Tribunal Column. 1 laugh at times. Some of the applicants for exemption were so enthusiastic for war. About a fortnight ago i met an Aberdare Welshman, a jovial old fellow, a conductor in a Welsh Church at Johannesburgh. We had a glorious time, and although 54 years old he was modern in musical matters. He is also a 'bardd,' and has promised me a verse or two for the 'Leader.' He told me that he wrote some a few weeks ago to the Cardiff papers-Griffiths is his name. At the same time I met a Chap- lain who had been at St. Michael's Col- lege—Jenkins, a good sport. The in- fernal rain has started, and it puts the tin hat on everything. You know we get a good share of rain in Wales, but you're not in it. Things requite equal- ising here badly. If it's sand? it's a foot deep; grass, a yard long; jungles, & man out of sight; trees, giants; water, filthy, and a hot sun. To close, the day too short, the night too long; animals too numerous to mention; ver- min, ask our garments. I forgot the moon; it is shining beautifully now. 1 am still going strong, but nevertheless am fed up with the work. It's all day and every day the same thing. Things are going fine in France we hear. I doubt at times as to whether there is a war here. Everything is so quiet and no sign of finishing. A Xmas service is out of the question this time. I'm afraid, or will it be a universal peace on that dayr1 How are things going on at Abel'dare There must he a decent slump in the malt population just now."

From an Aberamanite in France. The appended are extracts from a letter from Private Gomer Stephens, Sunny Bank Street. Aberaman, for- merly of the Aberaman Branch of the Cwmbach Co-op., who is now in Franee: _eel am in hospital in a beauti- ful seaside resort. The hospital is situated on a cliff right above the sea. It's nice to be sick so as to have a bath and change of clothing, and a nice soft clean bed to lie on. Once we were 20 sleeping in one hut; very fine companv, representing the foiir countries. We passed the little leisure we had in sing- ing hymns and comic sougs to the sound of our guns and the shells of the enemy which were dropping not far off. A German aeroplane came over our camp a few nights ago, and dropped bombs, but it was waste of time and ammunition, and no casualties. We have not hpea in the trendies for the last three weeks. We are road-making and mending up towards the front line. There used to be a village here, but there is net a wall standing now. If you want souvenirs I CAn send you plenty of bent-up bedsteads and furni- ture, which were the making of happy homes once. The worse of this job is we get up at four every morning (Sun- days included). We have about five miles to walk, and there are no decent roads. We knock off at two o'clock, so you see it's a long turn. But this is a lot better than being in the trenches. I received a letter from Tom Roberts, son of Mr. Lewis Roberts, Lewis Street, the other day. Their regiment has been back at rest for three weeks in a village. He was billeted in a large house and was enjoying himself Al. I have met also Private David Watkins, Cross Street, Aberdare. Both are with the H.A.M.C. Dai is looking fine. I was down in Rouen one night when a military policeman stopped me and my pal, and asked us if there were any Welshmen up at our camp. 'Cymry, )-),th wyt ti'l-L fedclwl?' I said to him. He looked up and was greatly surprised to see me in khaki. He was on duty on one of the large bridges crossing the Seine. He was Tom Williams, the bailiff."

Second Medical Examination. Men of military age rejected or placed in a low class prior to May 25th, have to undergo another medi- cal examination. On Monday a large number of Aberdare teachers and others appeared before the Medical Board at Cardiff.

No Total Exemptions. In the early months after the passing of the first Military Service Act the Aberdare Tribunal, in com- mon with other Tribunals through- out the land, granted total exemp- tion to a number of persons whose services were considered indispens- able, or who were subject to financial or domestic hardship if compelled to join the Army. The military authorities have power at any time to call up such cases for review be- fore the Tribunal, and a large num- ber of such cases were heard last Monday, a report of which appears in another column. All the certi- ficates of exemption were cancelled, and periods of postponement granted in the majority of cases.

Aberdare Tribunal. Number of Total Exemption Cases Reviewed. On Monday, Nov. 27th. Present: Mr. Chas. Kenshole (presiding), Mrs F. R. Davies, Messrs. Wm. Rees, J.P., E. Stonelake, W. Lawrence, T. Walter Williams, W. M. Llewelyn, Evan Jones, with Major F. N. Gray, J.P., and Sergt. Major Johns (mili- tary representatives), Messrs. W. R. Morgan and A. Watkins (clerks). In a number of the following cases total exemption had been granted, and the Military Authorities now re- viewed them. J. G. Churchill, saddler, Victoria Square, applied for the exemption of his son, Arthur V. Churchill, who is employed as buyer and manager in the business. Miss Churchill ap- peared instead of her father to make the application, ajid said that the business was dependent on this son. Postponed 6 months. The Aberdare District Council ap- plied for Edward W. Blundell, 26, single, fitter in the. Tramways De- partment. Mr. A. J. Abraham made the application, and said that this man's services were indispensable.— Postponed 2 months. Owen Jones, 30, single, draper, Gadlys Road. Sole owner of the business, which he said would have to be closed if he went to the Army. —The Tribunal considered this a very difficult case. Finally it was agreed that 3 months postponement be granted, the military to appeal in order to obtain a decision which would govern other similar cases. John Walters, Gamblyn Farm, Penywain, 36, single, farmer and dairyman.—Two months final. Mrs. Roderick, Tyfry Farm, Aber- dare, applied for the exemption of Thomas Thomas, who managed her farm and sold milk. The man was 38 years of age and single. Ad- journed to enable Thomas to under- j go medical examination. H. T. Goldsworthy, accountant to Aberdare District Council. Post- poned 6 months. W. R. Morgan, clerk, and Abra- ham Watkins, deputy clerk to Aber- dare District Council. Cases ad- journed for a week for the appear- ance of the Council chairman. W. V. Williams, Werfa Farm, Aberdare, 40 years of age,, single. Farmed 200 acres. Postponed 6 months. Frank Arnold, grocer, Margaret Street, Trecynon, 36, married. Postponed 6 months. Alfred W. Read, 19 Seymour St., Aberdare, widower with one child, Appeal made by Mr. F. W. Caunt.— Application withdrawn. J. Cledywn Jones, 15 Cardiff St., Aberdare, 30, single. Tailor and cutter employed by his father. Passed Class C2, and the application was postponed till this Class is called III). W. H. Sturdy, librarian. Town Central Library. Passed Class C2.— Same decision as above. Frederick B. Court, Cefn Place. Cwmbach Road. wheelwright em- ployed by Messrs. E. Williams and Sons, coach builders. Passed Class C2.—Same decision. David John Powell, 13 Gospel Hall Terrace, Gadlys. Starred by Colliery Tribunal. George S. Lewis, Pant F ann, Cwmbach. 29, single. Dairy farmer and shepherd.—Postponed 6 months. Thomas Geo. Morgan, clerk in em- ploy of Cambrian Lamp Works, Aberdare. Rejected on medical grounds. W. H. Maliphant. head cashier em- ployed by Bwllfa Coal Co. Post- poned 6 months. David Geo. John, Tudor Terrace, colliery traffic clerk, employed by Bwllfa Co.—Postponed 6 months. Mr. J. W. Hurt, Aberdare, applied for Harry Hurt, kis brother, mar- ried and two children. Employed as fish curer. Adjourned for medical examination. David Rees Davies. 19 Rose Row. Cwmbach, foreman in provision de- partment, Cwmbach Co-operative Society. Married man with 3 chil- dren. Passed Class B2. Personal application and appeal made by the Society.—Postponed to Jan. 15th. John Rees Davies, 35, married, 19 Hill Street, Aberaman. Deputy manager employed at Cwmbach branch of Cwmbach Co-operative Society. Applied for by employers. —Postponed to Jan. 15th. W. T. Evans, dairyman and milk vendor, Seymour Street and Victoria Square. Employed 3 boys and 2 girls. Married, 38 years of age and 2 children.—Postponed 6 months. John Francis, horse shoeing smith, Market Street, married, age 26, one child. Only shoeing smith shop in town.—Postponed 6 months. P. N. Pugh, draper, Victoria Square, Aberdare. Age 37, single. Joint owner of drapery businesses at Merthyr and Aberdare, and sole owner of drapery business at Moun- tain i^sh.—Postponed 6 months. L Morgan Isaac, grocer, Victoria Square, sole owner of grocery and bakery business. Age 35, single. Postponed 6 months. In one case, where the applicant J was between 35 and 40 years of age, the chairman asked him: "Why don't you get married and so relieve us of this trouble ? Our difficulty, you see, is with single men." The applicant smiled, but did not ven- ture an excuse. Sergt. Major Johns: All the nice girls were here last week (referring to the title of a Itevue at one of the local theatres). (Laughter.) Dd. E. Davies, warehouseman, Aberaman. Appealed on domestic grounds.—Refused.

Trecynon and Llwydcoed Notes. BY MARCELLO. Miss has discontinued taking lessons in milking because of the threatened milk strike, she says. But her instructor says that there are other reasons. Perhaps she is a backward pupil. But backwardness is not one of her faults in other spheres. It is probable now that she will abandon altogether her intention of performing war-work—the greatest blow to the Empire since the death of Lord Kitchener. Ap Barley's conscience is now oscill- ating between porter and pop. His physician recommends the former and his minister the latter. Why not com- promise and take to shandygaff? Tom Thumb is going away "for a well- earned rest. He has just worked a full week and feels the strain. And Tre- cynon does not afford enough scope for the disgorging of his pockets. It is no good for you to blame the hooter because you are late in the morning. Give your own hooter a little rest in the evening, and you will be able to wake earlier in the morning. The poet-preacher from lets his hair grow to immense proportions. The kiddies cry out in amazement, "There's hair!" when they see him in the street. Be careful, boys, remember what happened to the wicked boys who teased another prophet thousands of years ago.

— „ — SALE AT ABERDARE. A sale of freeholds and leaseholds was conducted at the Bute Arms, Aber- dare, on Wednesday evening by Mr. George Powell, Auctioneer. Dwelling-house and shop, 190 Cardiff Road, Aberaman, let at X2 per lunar month, and held for 99 years from 1851 at a ground rent of .£3 6s. 8d. per annum.—Sold to Mr. W. L. Herbert, Cwmaman, for < £ 100. 191 Cardiff Road was bought by Mr. Joseph Wall, Aberaman, for JE105; No. 192 for £ 107 by Mr. Edward Evans, Cardiff Road, Aberaman, and No. 193 for £ 108 by Mr. Benjamin Hughes, Aberdare. 12 and 13 Aman Court, Cwmaman, let at Xi each per month, ground rent ■ £ 1 3s. 6d. per annum, were sold to Mr. John Daniels, one of the tenants, for £ 160 each. Several freehold lots at Gadlys Gardens, Aberdare, were withdrawn. The solicitors for the vendors were Messrs. C. and W. Kenshole and Prosser and Mr. William Thomas.

A DICKENS RECITAL. Quite a literary treat was given those who attended the Wesley an Church (Green Street), Aberdare, on Thursday evening last, when Miss Kate Sawle, of Cardiff, recited Dickens "Christmas Carol" in five parts. Mr. W. J. Evans occupied the chair, and introduced Miss Sawle to the audience. This lady delighted all present with her recital of one of the masterpieces of the great novelist. She is certainly in the first rank of elocutionists. The proceeds were in aid of a Xmas Pudding Fund for Soldiers and Sailors.

Cwmdare Notes. BY RAFFLES. Milk is very high, but it was higher when the cow jumped over the moon- so says Popcorn. Still water runs deep. The vice- chairman found that out the other night. He fell into a pond coming home. Oh, the language he used! Mary Elizabeth Ann -is arranging a carol party. The musical lodger is one of them. Look out for stormy weather. Shonny Pikelets and Georgie Con- certina are close friends. Their action the other night deserves praise. They used their ambulance knowledge on a cat. Poor Pussy died. In the midst of life, etc. Some person or persons have been stealing fowls lately from the Queen Street neighbourhood. One m., came to work last week with the leg of a fowl in his tommy box. He doesn't keep fowls himself. Be careful, or it may be re- garded as a foul proceeding. "Jacky dear, meet me to-morrow evening at seven." Picked up on the Common last Saturday night by Raffles. He knew the handwriting at once. It was the lady who is a cousin to Margretta.

Scraps. BY "THB SCRIBE." In these degenerate days we often hear unregenerate people declare that books are luxuries and public libraries superfluities, now that we are at war. It is regretful to find that some Tribunals take thia view of things. Well, all have a right to their own opinions, but to be consistent such people ought to taboo institutions of learning as well. They should not rest until the schools break and the teachers flee away, and until all oolleges are converted into barracks. Yes, we are racing back to barbarism at express speed, and I am doubtful whether even the end of the war would end or even arrest this inglorious "descent of man/' Kipling gave us "Departmental Ditties," but some people must have departmental deities. It is nonsense to say that civilisation and Christianity have made us a race of monotheists. We are as polytheistic as the heathen Chinee, and our ways are just as dark. We have so many gods, so many creeds, so many paths that wind and wind, that we get lost in the labyrinth of theology. We hare a god of peace and a god of war, a deity or love and a deity of hate, and we worship each and all as opportunity and advantage decide. It is said that man by nature is a polygamist. However about that it is clear that he is naturally a polytheist. The untutored savage has an idol for all the emotions of his heart. And in these days when modern man is drifting back to savagery his gods are increasing in numbers and correspondingly his con- sciences. "Lord Rhondda and five of the directors of North's Navigation Collieries visited Maesteg and inspected the collieries, and when they entered the winding engine-house at Coegnant the driver, John Rees, waved his cap and called out for cheers of welcome to his lord- ship. The latter had a chat with the driver, which resulted in Lord Rhondda giving a cheque for .£50 towards the funds of the chapel which Rees attends." —"Western Mail." There are a good many chapels in Wales besides that to which John Rees is attached which could do with a little pecuniary assistance. To these I would recommend the novel process mentioned above as a sure fund-raiser and debt- demolisher. It knocks spots off the old system of organising bazaars, pig raffles, etc. It is now nearly two years since Lord Roberts passed away, when, as Kipling said, "Three hundred mile of cannon spoke when the master gunner died." The author of Barrack-room Ballads had a soft spot in his heart for the hero of Candahar. Some years ago Kipling wrote an eulogy in colloquial dialect of the Great General. Appended are two verses: "There's a little red-faoed man, Which is Bobs! Rides the tallest 'orse 'e can- Our Bobs! If it bucks or kicks or rears, 'E can sit for twenty years, With a smile round both 'is ears— Can't yer, Bobs? What 'e does not know 0' war, Gen'ral Bobs, You can arst the shop next door— Can't they, Bobs. Oh, 'e'"s little, but 'e's wise; 'E's a terror for 'is size, An''—'e—does—not—advertise v Do yer, Bobs?" It would be interesting to know to what extent the Church in Aberdare has benefitted by the very substantial legacy left to the Church of England in Wales by the late Lord Llangattock. There is a tragic appropriateness in the fact that the late Sir Hiram Maxim should pass away at the time when the Maxim gun, his own creation, and so many similar death-dealing instruments should be so much in evidence.

BAZAAR AT MOUNTAIN ASH. Providence Church held a grand bazaar and sale of work in the Vestry Hall last Thursday. Mrs. (Dr.) Arthur T. Jones opened the proceed- ings. The stall-holders were:- Men's Stall: Mr. and Mrs. Ivor Thomas and Mrs. Sam Evans. Church Stall: Mesdames Knight, Gomer Davies, Isaac Jones, Win. Powell, W. Peters, Job Williams and Miss H. Powell. Stall 3: Mesdames H. Eynon and Wm. M Iliar. Stall 4: Misses Hitchins, Milly Davies and Joan Evans. Stall 5: Misses Jessie Hobby, Cassie Powell, Maggie Morgan and A. Owen. Refreshments: Mesdames Rich- ards, W. Jameson, Maggs, M. Jameson and Misses Wilcox and Scotford. Cutters: Mesdames G. Powell, Thos. Hopkins and Isaac Griffiths. Ice Cream: Mrs. Thomas Evans and Miss Phoebe Evans. Side Show: Mr. Job Williams and Miss Irene Williams. Messrs. H. Lloyd, Ivor Lawrence, Hugh Powell and Edward James rendered valuable services. The secretary was Mrs. Stanley Morgan.

MR. STANTON, M.P., AND THE PEACE CONFERENCE. In our report of the Cardiff Peace Conference it was stated that Mr. 0. B. Stanton carried a flag when he entered Cory Hall, and that an Aber- dare lady wrenched it from him. Mr Stanton wishes to state that he did not carry a flag of any kind from first to last, and so no Aberdare lady or any other person can have in her or his possession a flag taken from him. If I carried a British flag," added Mr. Stanton, I would see that no person, and least of all a woman, would wrench it from my grasp."

Caller: Who is that singing? — Hostess: That's our new maid. She al- ways sings at her work.—Caller: Whnt a happy disposition! Mercy, how loud- | ly she sings!—Hostess: Yes. When she sings loudly she is breaking some- thing.

q T'KA UKt 'Quaker' Tea. SOLD SV ALL OPOCER4 8 DAYS ONLY, closing on Saturday, December 9th, at 9.30 p.m. DRILL HALL, MOUNTAIN ASH, DECEMBER 1y. gt 4-, S, 6, 7, 8, 84 9, 1916. AN EIGHT-DAYS' GRAND Floral Exhibition AND Sale of Beautiful Artificial Flowers Made by Blind and CrippjQcl Girls, connected with John Groom's Crippleage and Girls' MWon (Incor). Will be opened in the above Hail by LADY ABERDARE, °n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 st, 3 p.m. Under the Presidency of C. K. HALL, Esa. J.P. (Chairman of Mountain Ash U.D C ) Supported by the Local Clergy and IWtrj isters 9n^ Cent!e>ISn 'nnuential Ladies and Music each afternoon and evening. Re'rashi^r, "e'lesftmsnts at Moderate Prioes. There will be a magnificent collection of Ar+;fi,- 1 ™ t t«m« Decorations, Evening Wear and Millinerv ill ™ i laI Flowers for Tabic Woven Material—No Paper EgTsed-akd -v?SlIk> Volvet> OT.B°St tirely by Blind 01- Crippled Girls 3 flower manufactured en- C Co?n"! ttle Institution earnestly TT of National Crisis. They do not ask for -your help at this tinK- is absolutely necessarv that the girls' flowers sho, ?unS or don3tions; buf 3t ment entirely depends on this. gSome of the fed* S^' at work each afternoon and evening making varitu "Hn5fS„we s ADMISSION FREE. Open each following day (Snnd frm n a.m. to 9.30 p.m. WILLIAM B. Dainty In Design. skilled Mechanics. Detection Impossible. Ease and Comfort. D. Ernest Williams, FOR 39 Commercial St., PERFECTION 1 Ca" Str##4, Mountain Ash. Aberdare. Abencynon. IN Cwmaman. Yny&ybwl. TEETH. Painless Extractions. Pain Abolished. Fees Strictly Moderate. Health Giving. LARGE STOCK OF XMAS NOVELTIES. HATS OFF to M-9 I JO* IEX OXFORD STREET, MOUNTAIN ASH, He will supply you with a New one. Svecialities-Chihlren's Fancy Good overcoats and VelVet Suits for Winter wear. w°°' OXFORD STREET, ASH, WHY GO OUT OF TOWN TO BUY YOUR PIANOS" ORGANS WHEN VICTOR freed The Progressive Piano Firm, Can supply you with the following FAMOUS MAKES Collard & Collard, Cramer, Justin Browne, George Russell, Payne, Bell, etc., etc. Organs by Mason & Hamlin, Bell & Malcolm. C<s'ol^ proprietor, wTo°wiiltuoteW vou^CT0B fHFD> fail to convince that the ValueC ^pa^'bT. We allow the largest possible discount for Cash or give you credit on most reasonable terms. Good Prices allowed for Second-i,and Pianos. 20 New Models now on view. ) Send for Catai0gUc A Post Card will bring our Representative'to you. 57 & 59 Oxford Street, Mountain Ash. n.1-— „ C MORGAN dOHN CONWIL DAIRY, St. David's Square, Cwmaman, & Aberaman. FINE XMAS POULTRY T.,ri Welsh Honey now in stock. Pure Milk and Cream Twice Daily. Fresh Butter and Eggs. JOHN DAVIEST" THE PICTURE JflOP- 11 GAR-DUTE tST., A.*BERT)ARE REPUTATION tor FIRST CLASS WORK DURINC THE WAR! AND R. PARDOESON, 1 IRONMONCERS, 22 CARDIFF STREET, ABERDABE, 1 T>EG to Inform their CUSTOMERS that from OCTOBER 27th, their BUSINESS will be CLOSED DURING THE DINNER HOUR, 1 to 2, DAILY. THE OLD TRIP HAIRDRESSING SALOON Has been RE-OPENED with up-to-date Toilet Requisites by SAM BENNETT. LATE OF PENRHIWCEIBER. PRINTING neatly and promptly executed at She Leader" omoe, Cardiff St., Aberdan