The Aberdare Leader

Died of Wounds. Private Owen Thomas, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Evan Talfryn Thomas, 17 Heathfield Avenue, Glyn ^eath, joined the Army at the begm- ninO" of the war. He was wounded several times. Last Wednesday his parents received the sad news that he had died from wounds at Salon- ica.. Pte. Thomas was well known, in the Vale. He was 31 years of age. We express our deepest sym- pathy with the family.

Joined the R.C.A. Ir. D. Stephens, of the firm of Messrs. Stephens and George, printers, Aberdare, is stationed at Gosport, near Portsmouth. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery a fortnight ago. Mr. Stephens was the secretary of the Aberdare Choral Society, and previous to his departure was made the recipient of a gold watch at a presentation meet- ing. organised by the choir.

Mentioned in Dispatches. e LIE-UT. CLIFFORD STANTON, ABERDARE. Among those mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's dispatch of April 9th is Lieut. Clifford Stanton. He is the elder son of Mr. C. B. Stanton, M.P., and Mrs. Stanton, of Tydraw, Aberdare. Lieutenant Stanton and his platoon had taken refuge from the enemy's fire at a place called Irish Farm, when the enemy con- centrated their fire upon the farm, utterly wrecking it. Lieut. Stanton immediately taking in the situation, realised the peril of retiring, and he gave the order to advance, and thus saved his platoon from being de- stroyed. Prior to joining the colours soon after the outbreak of war Lieut. Stanton was assistant cashier at the Tower Colliery, Hirwain. He is the chief bombing officer in the battalion. He has a brother, Second-Lieut. Frank Stanton, who has once been slightly wounded in action.

Ex-Inspector Angus. Another name on the list is that of ex-Inspector Angus. Temporary- Major J. R. Angus, second in com- mand to Lieut.-Colonel Smith, is a member of the Glamorgan Constab- ularj*, and has held the rank of in- spector at Abercynon and Barry.

LLWYDCOED MINISTER'S SON ] BECOMES CHAPLAIN. The Rev. D. E. Davies, B.A., son of the Rev. and Mrs. W. S. Davies, Llwydcoed, has accepted a position as chaplain with the British Exped. Force in Fiance. At the time of his appointment he was pastor of the Congregational Church at Tavistock, and on Friday week a social was held in his honour in the Lecture. Hall. The meeting was well-at- tended, and several of the deacons took part. The church secretary, in the course of an address of appre- oration of Mr. Davies' services to the church, said that when his country called him their pastor at once offered to place his resignation in the hands of the church, but the members had very definitely and unanimously declined, and it was further resolved to give him 12 months leave of absence, so that he would be free to return to the church if he desired. The deacons and ministers from other denominations having spoken, a presentation of a purse containing fourteen El treas- ury notes was made to Mr. Davies. The recipient, who was in khaki, thanked all very sincerely for their good wishes and the presentation. He explained why he had volunteered as chaplain. He wrote to Mr Wells, their denominational secretary in London, offering his services. Re- cently he had a reply from the War Office telling him that he had been selected. With God's help he hoped to be of great assistance to the men out there and to worthily represent the best life of Tavistock. — Mr. Davies crossed over to France on Tuesday, May 22nd.

m EMPIRE DAY AT LLWYDCOED. On May 24 Empire Day was cele- brated here as in the past. The Union Jack was hoisted and the usual lessons were suspended in order to enable the Staff of the Mixed School to give special lessons on the meaning of the day and the magnifi- cent way the Colonies and Depend- encies have rallied to support" the Mother Country. The children SUlg special songs suitable to the occa- sion. During the morning Airs. Winds Lewis, wlio was present, ex- presse hersell as delighted with the childn .'s singing and with the way tiie school was decorated in honour of the event which the late Mr. Lewis thought so much of. She promised to give prizes again for the best essays as previously given by Mi- Lewis. and also a tea next year should the war he over. Mrs. Lewis distributed the certificates received from the S.W. Temperance Associ- ation for the best essays on Alco- hot and its effect on tne brain and the nervous system. Mrs. Windsor Lewis also visited the Infants School on Empire Day, when the children performed an Empire Day Pageant, which included the National Anthems of the Allies, I English, Welsh, Scotch, and Irish Anthems, Songs of the Colonies and the National Anthem. They also performed a Country Dance. Mrs. Lewis spoke to the children and told them that she was highly pleased with the singing and dancing. i

I I ABER AMANITE ON A TORPE. DOED SHIP. Private Evan R. Perkins, Welsh Regiment, son of Mr. W. Perkins, 54 Cwmaman Road, Godreaman, was on the Transylvania, which was tor- pedoed in the Mediterranean, and is among the survivors. Appended is an extract from a letter received by his father: -"The Seamen's In- stitute, Savona, Italy,—On Friday, I May 4th, while sailing along nicely in the Mediterranean, with 3,000 to 4,000 troops and 60 nurses on board, a thundering crash was suddenly heard. We all guessed what had happened. The sight on board can be imagined better than described. happened. The sight on board can be imagined better than described. I might say that the nurses behaved I exceptionally well, worthy of true British women. Naturally they were lowered first, and were all saved with the exception of two. I was at the lower deck, and had just put my razor down, having finished a shave, when we were pit and the lights went out. I went for my life- belt, and got to the top, where I found the men being lowered. Some were rather excited, but the dis- cipline was fine. I managed to keep cool, and remained on board until almost the last. Two of our de- stroyers. after having sunk the sub- marine which hit us, brought us safely to shore, which happened to be this place. The Italian people have been exceedingly kind to us. We are the first British troops to en- ter this place. and are the objects of much curiosity. Having lost all our belongings we are being equipped in the best way possible under the cir- cumstances. In dress I am half English and half Italian. Some of our fellows are all Italian, having lost all their clothes whilst in the water. Captain Bevan was in the same boat, and is quite safe. I am i in the pink of condition." I

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. I ARE TRIBUNALS A FARCE ? I Sir,—I was more than pleased to read in your last issue of the short duel between Col. Morgan and Coun- cillor G. H. Hall at the Mountain Ash Tribunal. It proves that both have at last realized the fact that there is something wrong, and I sin- I cerely hope that Col. Morgan will carry out his threats until a more reasonable method in granting ex- eruptions is attained. I cannot j agree with Councillor Hall in the term used, If that is so then this tribunal is a farce." In every farce there is humour, but the results in this case will not permit of 'any humour. Had the matters dealt with been trivial then the word could be reasonably and well applied. I am perfectly conscious of the fact j that all Tribunals are handicapped I by Medical Boards, whfch, accord- [ ing to utterances of M.P.'s, and lon^ articles on the subject, work very unsatisfactorily and are a menace to the fighting force of our country, There is something that a common- sense tribunal can do to .counteract the folly of these M.B.'s. We find at Penrhivvceiber that men minus thefc right eyes are continually wor- ried..A long term of exemption would relieve their anxiety. If it is possible to stretch a point let it be done. Give exemption to only sons of widows, and persons with physical disabilities and financial responsibili- ties, and not to those who are well off and could be well spared. Let us divest ourselves of the iniquity that we charge the Germans IV, b G. H. EVANS. 47 Dilwyn St., Penrhivvceiber.

MOUNTAIN ASH POLICE COURT. Thursday, May 24, 1917. Before Mr. Iff. A. Griffith (Stipendiary), Aid. Wm. Jones and Councillor Griffith Evans. Drunk and Disorderly.-Elizabeth Hennessy, Mountain Ash, for whom Mr. W. Kenshole appeared on a charge of drunk and disorderly, pleaded she had been to a hospital for two years. A tenant of hers would not go out, although she re- quired the house for herself.—P.S. Dovvnes proved. The Bench sen- tenced her to a month's" imprison- ment.—Tiiomas Joi.c-s, in Oxford St., Mountain Ash, 12s. Mountain Came.—Samuel Jones, Arthur Thomas, Geo. Henry Bryant, Evan Jones and Thos. Williams, all of Miskin, were fined 6s. each for gaming with cards on the mountain at the back of Arthur Street, Mis- kin.—P.C. Williams proved. Special Constable's Case.—Guis- eope Sidoli, manager, 73 Oxford St., Mountain Ash, and Andreas Gazzi, an assistant, were summoned for a breach of the Shop Hours -Act.— Special Constable Wm. Jenkins saw two boys supplied with ice cream wafers at 8.30 on the night of May 14th. Sidoli was fined 40s., and the case against Gazzi dismissed. Sugar Purchase.—Rose Welsford, grocer, Penrhivvceiber Road, Pen- rhivvceiber, was summoned for im- posing conditions in the purchase of sugar.—Ada Britz, 158 Penrhivv 'cei- ber Road, Penrhivvceiber, stated she was a customer at defendant's shop. On April 14th she asked for sugar, but was denied it unless she pur- chased 5s. worth of other groceries. She offered to buy one lb. of tea at 2s. 6d., but defendant insisted 011 her purchasing 5s. worth. She com- plained to P.S. John on the matter. —P.S. John went to see defendant, who admitted the offence, although she was quite ignorant of the law at the time, she said. — Stipendiary We should have fined you t5, like others, but you have been honest enough to admit the offence and will be fined 40s.

Hopeless Fools." Beatrice Hovvells, wife of Richard Howells, 26 Oxford Street, Mountain Ash, summoned Matilda Price, a gipsy, for obtaining 13s. 6d. m money from her by trickery and fraud.—Complainant stated that de- fendant called at her house on Saturday, May 19th, at 3.30 in the afternoon. Witness bought* some lace and Is. worth of bark to bring her. luck. Prisoner then offered to tell her fortune. You're lucky, she said, and asked witness for a pound note. She then told her she should have the money back. Wit- j ness gave her 13s. 6d., and she put it in a tin saying, "I must take it to mother to cross the Bible". j Later witness got suspicious and in- formed the police. Stipendiary You intended to have your fortune told P Complainant: I've been told they can put spelu and Mich like n you P.C. 'Williams stated that when he received the complaint he procured a bicycle and caught prisoner and her mother at Abercvvmboi.—Complain- ant, cross-examined by defendant, admitted that she put the money in the tin herself.—Defendant pleaded that the money was lent to her. Stipendiary: We have no sym- pathy with such hopeless fools. Com- plainant lent the money. There is no case of theft. Defendant is dis- charged.

Maintenance Case. Wm. John Picton, Penrhivvceiber, was summoned by Priscilla, his wife, for neglecting to maintain her. Mr. j Gwilvm Jones appeared for the wife, and Mr. Evans, Pontypridd, for de- fendant. Complainant's case was that they were married on February*22, 1915, and there were two children. Her husband was too lazy to work. She left the house 13 weeks ago because there was not sufficient food. Mr. Evans: Defendant is quite willing to consent to an order for 20s. a week. Stipendiary No, we are not going to make a separation order by con- j sent. It looks like collusion. j Defendant told the Bench that his wife neglected him. She had not! washed his pants for 7 weeks, and he had worn a vest for 4 weeks be- cause she would not wash one. He would not have her back. The Stipendiary, in making all order for maintenance of 20s. per week, said, "We have no sympathy with a slut like that." Maintenance. Bessie Wiltshire, Mountain Ash, applied to the Bench to vary an order made against Geo. I I'Miry Wiltshire, her husband, of 17s. 6d. a week. Mrs. Wiltshire! stated that the order was made on I De'. 15, 1915. Her husband was a shacklei. earning £ 2 16s. lOd. a| She had three children to main Lain of the respective ages 13, I 11 and N Ears.The Bench increased j the order to 20s.—Later, complain- ant made a further appeal to the; Bench, and the order was again in- creased to 25s. a week.—Defendant < did not appear. Paternity.—llufus Shurn, collier, Blackwood, was summoned to show cause, etc., by May Bridgeman, 40 Glanlay Street, Penrhivvceiber. Complainant stated that she had formerly been in domestic service at Bla,ckwood.-Edith Samuels deposed that she took the baby to Blackwood and showed it to defendant. tie said, "It's not so bad."—An order of 4s. a week and costs was made.

EMPIRE DAY AT ABERDARE. Empire Day was celebrated by the Town Girls' Council School (Miss A. G. George, headmistress) last Thursday. A number of parents and local ministers were present, and the children of the Town Boys and Infants Council Schools also formed part of the audience. The proceedings took place in the school playground. National songs and folk dances were given by the chil- dren, and the items were cheered and much appreciated by the lookers- i on. Aiie dances were as follows :— Old English Dance, bv Standard I.; I Highland Fling, St. Irish Lilt. St. 3; Hornpipe, St. 4; Welsh Dance and Minuet, St. 5. Towards the conclusion of the programme there was a tableau of The Allies, followed by the singing of "Rule Britannia,'1 and a pageant representing the Bri tish Colonies and the Allies. On 'Thursday afternoon, at the Court Room, a tea 'was given to the soldiers' children through the gen-j erosity of Mrs. F. W. Mander. In the evening an entertainment was held at the Memorial Hall. Mrs. J. A. Lewis, The Vicarage, presided. An address was given by Mrs. Cross- lev, wife of Bishop Crossley. Mrs. A. N. Jenkins organised the function under the auspices of the Patriotic League, of which she is hon. sec. At the close the Vicar proposed a hear- ty vote of thanks to the kind ladies. In connection with the Needle- work competition held for soldiers and sailors' wives throughout Great Britain, who are members of the League, the following members ob- tained certificates: Mrs. Taylor, Glanant Street; Mrs. Evans, Club Street, first class. Mrs. Edwards, Club Street, and Mrs. Enoch, Ynys- lwvd Street, second class certificates. Mrs. Crossley was presented with a bouquet of lilies by Vena Edwards. Songs and recitations were given by Miss Megan Davies, Mrs. Edwards, Misses Irene Brien, Vena Edwards, Elsie Southey and Mrs. Smith. I

ABERDARE WATERWORKS AND ASSESSMENTS. Aberdare District Council applied to the Merthyr Assessment Com- mittee on Saturday for a reduction of £ 1,788 from the new valuation of their waterworks undertakings in Aberdare and Penderyn parishes.— The Chairman (the Rev. Ll. M. Wil- liams) intimated that the valuers had made a reduction of tS13 on the old valuation of P,3,058 for money spent upon repairs and renewals in connection with the undertakings.— Mr. W. R. Morgan stated that the Aberdare Waterworks Committee were not aware of this concession, and suggested an adjournment for them to consider the position. — It was decided to adopt the reduced assessments of the valuers Aberdare Waterworks, P,1,170 ratable; Pen- deryn Waterworks, £1,075 ratable.

TRECYNON AND LLWYDCOED NOTES. BY MARCELLO. I am told that the allotment thief has been caught. What punishment will be allotted unto him? He would make an ideal scare-crow. L am informed that the captor was as much of a surprise as the captive. Set a thief to catch a thief, is it not't Miss Vayne had her photo taken. She paid the camera man extra for putting it in his window. And what about the extra for the wear and tear of the machine? Eos Cwmshan's ambition is to sing a solo at a Sunday service at a local chapel. He made an application Slast Christmas, and is still waiting his turn. There will be a house when this "turn" appears. I say, Mrs. D-, it is no economy to abstain from bread—because you don't like the war brand-and take to cake. Be careful, it is whispered that the Food Controller's detec- tives are hanging about Llwydcoed, and I'm hanged if you won't be hanged if caught.

CIRLS' COUNTY SCHOOL. THE Entrance Examination for the admission of fee-paying pupils in September will be held in the school on Saturday, June 2, at 9.30 a.m. Among the pupils who qualify, preference will be given to those whose parents are prepared to keep them in school fpur years. Candidates must be under thirteen years of age. MARGARET S. CQOK, Headmistress.

j KING-TAILORING Is ri £ £ lit—All right. 1_ Is riCht-All right. we is something we I —— WHkT we sell is something we I are proud of, and whioh will ii'i-an real suit satisfaction io YOU i o other c!oih»'S offer -,o iuk-Ii vh! ;e btewariitj have been Luiidiug their buMness for 37 years, growing in *tL public; favour all the time. t F MM Suits to measure. 35/6 39/6 42/- Costumes 45/- 50/- 55/- I Stewarts I THE KING TAILORS. 6 Canon Street, Aberdare. LL Oxford Street, Moutain Ash I Stewarts, Clothiers, Ltd. Oxer 130 Branches London to Aberdeen. I

ABERDARE AND TRECYNON. Sale of Desirable Leasehold Properties. MR. D. MORRIS POWELL has been instructed to offer for Sale by Public Auction at the Queen's" Hotel, Aberdare, on Monday, June the 4th, 1917, at 7.30 p.m. (subject to the Common Form Con- ditions of S&le of the Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare Incorporated Law Society) the following PROPERTIES Lot 1.—All that messuage or dwelling-house situate and being No. 49 Dean Street, Aberdare, and now let on anionthlv tenancy at 20s. per lunar month.—This lot is held for a term of 99 years from June 25, 1854, subject to the apportioned yearly ground rent of £2 2s. 8d. Lot 2.—All those messuages or dwelling-houses situate and being Nos. 74 and 75 Mill Street, Tre- cynon, Aberdare, each house now let at a rental of 20s. per lunar month. —This lot is held for a term of 99 years from November 1, 1851, sub- ject to the apportioned yearly ground rent of tl 10s. Lot 3.All that messuage or dwelling-house situate and being No. 9 Dean Street, Aberdare, now let on a monthly tenancy at f;2 per lunar month.—This lot is held for a terms of 99 years from March 2o, 1854, subject to the yearly ground rent of t2 7s. 6d. Lot 4.—All that messuage or dwelling-house situate and being No. 10 Dean Street, Aberdare, now let on a monthly tenancy at 35s. per lunar month.—This lot is held for a term of 99 years from March 25, 1854, subject to the yearly ground rent of t2 7s. 6d. Further particulars as to Lots 1 and 2 from Messrs. Thomas Phillips and Son, Solicitors, Aberdare; and as to Lots 3 and 4 from Messrs. Gwilvm James, Charles and Davies, Solici- tors, Merthyr Tydfil; or as to the whole of the Lots, from Auctioneer, at his Office, Gadlys Road, Aberdare.

— I ABERDARE AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF TRADE. The monthly meeting was held at Miles' Restaurant on Wednesday, 23rd instant, the chair being occu-j pied by Mr. J. W. Hurt, supported by Mr. Morgan Watkins and the hon. secretary, Mr. W. R. Jones. The date of the annual holiday was considered, and it was unani- mously resolved to close all day on Thursday, July 5th. It was decided that this year again no general out- going be undertaken by the Cham- ber. The Executive Committee re- ported that the National War Sav- ings Scheme had been taken up en- thusiastically, and upwards of fifty names had been submitted for mem- bership. Several additional names were then given. A very interesting letter from a member—Mr. J. C. Harmston-now serving in Fr&nce, was read. Mr. Harmston thought that there ought to be no great difficulty in arranging that business men serving H.M. Forces should be permitted periodi- cal visits to their business to assist in directing the same and maintain- ing their connections for their bene- fit after returning from the war. It was resolved to send the letter on to the National Chamber of Trade.

Tradesmen can no longer circular- ise, but they can advertise.

CWMBACH WORKMEN'S HALL. A GRAND Competitive CONCERT Will be held at the above Hall On SATURDAY, JUNE 30th, 1917, to commence at 5 p.m. Competitions: Champion Solo (own selection), L2 2s. Female Solo (own selection), il Is. Male Solo (own selection), £1 Is. Children's Solo, under 16 vears of age (own selection), 1st, 5s.; 2nd, 2s. 6d. Recitation, Open (own choice), £1 Is. Adjudicators.-Music, Mr. W. J. Evans, Aberdare; Recitation. Og- wen. All competitors tp send in their copies to the secretary 3 davs prev- ious to competition. Entries close June 23rd, 1917. Any further par- ticulars from Joint Sees., Messrs. Evan Williams, 27 Philip Row; Arthur.Harris, 12 Pond Place, Cwm- bach, Aberdare. MOUNTAIN ASH COUNTY SCHOOL. NOTICE is hereby given that the District Auditor of the Glamor- ganshire Audit District has appoint- ed the Audit of the Accounts of the Governors of the Mountain Ash County School, and of any Commit- tee appointed by them and of their Officers, for the period ended 31st March, 1917, to commence on Friday, the 15th Day of June, 1917, at 10-15 o'clock in the forenoon, at Ffrwd Offices, Mountain Ash. AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the Accounts duly made up and balanced, together with all Accounts, Books, Deeds, Contracts, Accounts, Vouchers, and Receipts mentioned or referred to in such Accounts, will be deposited at the said Ffuwd Offices, Mountain Ash, and be open during Office Hours thereat to the inspection of all persons interested for seven clear days before the day appointed for the Audit, and all such persons shall be at liberty to take copies of or ex- tracts from the same without fee or reward.—Dated this 26th dav of May, 1917. G. A. EVANS, Clerk to the Governors. PUBLIC HALL, CWMAMAN. The 10th Annual JUVENILE EISTEDDFOD Will be held On SATURDAY, JUNE 9th, 1917. Juvenile Choir £ 4; RI Action Song £ 1 Ids. Champion Solo 10s. Substantial Prizes offered for Solos, Duet, Pianoforte Solos, Penill- ion Singing, Recitations, Essay, Letter, Translation, Dialogue and Drawings. Full particulars in Programme (post free Hd.) from—Secretary, W. 0. Lloyd, Isfryn, Cwmaman.