The Aberdare Leader

ABERDARE P.M. SERVICES. The anniversary services of the Primitive -Iletiiodist Sunday School were held last Sunday at Monk 'Street Church. in the llllJining the Rev. Shirley 'Windram preached an appropriate sermon on humility, and dealt chiqfiy with that phase of child-life. The children sang hymns from the Sunday School Hymnal, and a recitation was given by Lilla Escott, entitled "The Message of a Small Preacher." In the afternoon the service was taken up by the children, and the choir under the conductorship of Mr. F. Escott. The Kev. Shirley Windram presided. Miss M. H. il- cox, the school superintendent, pre- sided at the evening service. The following scholars took part in the afternoon and evening services: Daisv O'Brien, Godfrey Perry, ALillie O'Brien, Ted Wright, Amy Tavlor, Silvester Perry, May Bur- ford. Stella Frame, Cyril Taylor, Leonard Davies. Betty Frame, Irene O'Brien, Lena O'Brien, Lilla Escott, Harold Knight, Evelyn Bugler, Percy Escott, Cyril Bugler, Millie Frame and Annie O'Brien. Kecita- tions were rendered by Mr. J. Perry, entitled "A Drunkard's Daughter, and "A Dream of Heaven by Miss Elsie Tyrell. The soloists for the day were Miss Evans, of Aberaman. and Messrs. D. Bowen and Gilbert Jones. The organist was Miss F. M. Frame. The secretary of the school is Miss Lucy Wilcox, and the treasurer Mr. T. Framp. The set- vices were well attended. We under- stand that the HeY. Shirley Windram has accepted the invitation of the Aberdare Circuit to lemaia as min- ister until 1919. -The services finished up all Monday with the annual tea. at which the following ladies took part:— Trayliolders, Misses Ivy Webb, W. Purser, Nellie Ta vender, and May Barber. Mrs. Knight attended to the hot water, and Miss M. H. -\A'ii(-ox and Bugler were eutters-up. After tea the friends adjourned to the Graig Mountain, where a very enjoyable evening was spent. Several wounded soldiers were in the company, and they were "quite at fyome."

1.0. C.T. At Carmel Hall, Aberdare, on Fri- day a concert was held, an orchestral band, comprising the following, be- ing in attendance Violins, Mvfanwy Williams, S. Jones, Dudley AVatkins, and Jack Shannon; cornet, Peter Du rrant. Solos, recits, etc., were contributed by Glyn Williams, Edna Oodding, Kenneth Burdett, S. Jones, Maldwyn Davies, Amy Owen, Myf- anwy and Megan Williams, Leslie Jones and Agnes James. The chair- man, Kev. W. E. Roberts, B.A., Save an address on "Prohibition." ftro. W. T. James moved n vote of thanks to all who had taken part. Bro. Riohard Evans, D.C., seconded. AH wished Bro. L. Cooke many hnppv returns of the day, this being his 51st. birthday.

ABERDARE TRIBUNAL. On Friday, June 8th. Present: Mr. Chas. Kenshole (chairman), Mrs Davies, Messrs. Joseph Martin, T. Walter Williams, Wm. Rees, J.P., D. Tyssul Davies, E. Stonelake, Geo. Powell, E. J. Jones, Wm. Lawrence, with Major F. S. Gray, J.P., and Sergt. Major Johns (military repre- sentatives). Mr. George Powell presided up to the time Mr. Ken- shole arrived. W. T. Howell, solicitor, Aber- aman, o7, singie, passed Class C3.— Postponed till this Class is called "P- D. Y\ Eynon, 37, married, 1 Monk Street, Aberdare, general smith, was applied for by Mr. David Eynon, his employer. Three men al- ready joined, and this man was the only one left- making colliers' coal boxes in this district.—Postponed .'5 months, conditional on continuing in same class of employment. Joseph Jordan, 39, married, Regent Street, Aberaman, washery engineman.—Postponed one month. Benjamin Jones, 19, single, 67 Brvnhyfryd, Cwmaman, coal cutting machine man in employ of P.D. Co. Personal and domestic appeal.—Re- fused. Tlios. Davies, 35, married, 33 indsoj- Terra-ce, Abernant, travel- ling draper, domestic and personal appliea tion .-Hefused. .) ohn Holding 41, married, 14 Dar- ren Place, Aberdare, coal merchant and lodging-house keeper. Passed Class A. Applied on business and domestic grounds.—Chairman (Mr. George Powell) 1 suppose you are glad that you have passed Class A —Applicant: No; indeed, I'm not. (Laughter.)—Postponed 3 months. H. T. Goldsworthy, 36 married, i i College Street, Aberdare, ac- to the Aberdare District Council.—Three months. J. W. Hurt, 38, married, wholesale and retail fishmonger. Had 8 chil- dren.—Postponed 3 months. \Y. H enstone Sturdy, married, librariau, Aberdare; appeal made by the Central Library Committee, re- presented by Mr. Ogwen Williams (chairman), Revs. J. Robertson, M.A., and T. M. Jeffreys. Ad- journed pending medical re-examin- a tion. i T.J.Payne, 35, married, Pen- da rren Street, credit draper's travel- ler, appealed on domestic grounds. Postponed U months, I

Did not want to be a Soiriier. David Bees Powell, 18, single. 71 Mill Street, Trecynon, appealed for exemption on conscientious grounds. Son of Mr. Rees Powell, butcher, and employed as apprentice at th* P.D. Engineering Works. Heply- ing to the set questions on paper ap- plicant stated that he objected to military service on moral grounds. He was an adherent of Ebenezer Cong. Church but not a member. Was wilting to perform some work of national importance, but would not join any branch of the Army. He produced references from Mr. John Lewis, grocer, Mill Street; Mr E. Llewelyn Humphreys, chemist, and Rev. J. Grawys Jones, Eben- ezer. Replying to -lir. Kenshole's ex- amination Powell said he was an only son. Had never discussed mili- tary service with his father, but had told him he would never be a soldier. Mr.; Kenshole When did you tell him thatr- When I had my calling- up papers, and before, too. 1 have always said I wouldn't like to be a soldier. Mr. Kenshole: There are hundreds who have said that before the war, but who are in the Army to-day, and gone voluntarily. — My conscience won't allow me to be a soldier. a sold" Mr. Kenshole: Why?—J have got to face God myself, single-handed, alone. I don't believe in killing at all. A few more questions were put, but applicant, repeated he did not want to be and would not be a soldier. The application was refused.

District Council Clerk's Case. The Aberdare Council appealed for the exemption of their Clerk, W. R. Morgan, 38, single, passed Cl. Mr. TlltHI Hopkins, J.P., chairman, re- presented the Council, and explained that the matter came on before the Council on May 14th, when they de- cided unanimously to apply for the exemption of the Clerk on the grounds of iudispensability.—Reply- iii,t,o MI.. Mr. Hopkins said they considered the clerk to be in a similar position to a manager of a large firm, or the head of a de- partment. Mr. Morgan managed the business of the Council. Chairman: Do you mean the fin- .ii-ici,it I)ai-i," He supervises the whole business of the Council. Chairman: He has supervision of all branches of the work?—-Yes.; he deals with all the correspondence, of which requires legal train- ing to deal with. This district has a population of 55,000, and I should like to add that since the last hear- in"- Mr. Morgan has only passed Class Cl Chairman: That is another matter, which is for the Tribunal. Are there any law suits pending?—There is no lav, sitIt at the present moment, but there may be one. There is a case against the Council which is in the hands of solicitors. Chairman Are there any matters of importance arising now v in which legal advice is required?—Yes; he is I also the legal adviser of the EducS- tion Committee, t Chairman: Can you assure the Tribunal that matters of such im- portance arise that Mr. Morgan is called upon to advise you, and that if you did not have the benefit of his services you would be lilmÙllg risks r —Yes, I am perfectly satisfied of that. Air. T. Walter Williams: I under- stood you, Mr. Hopkins, to say that the Council unanimously passed the resolution. Do you suggest that all the. members of the Council who are members of the Tribunal voted on the question?—-No one objected! to the vote. Mr. Willi; iins: Did you not hear ,is a iiieiiiber of the Till-: me say that as a member of the Tri- bunal I would not vote at all?—Yes. Mr. Williams: Inasmuch as the members of the Tribunal did not vote the resolution could not be a unanimous one. Mr. Hopkins: Quite so. Mr. Williams is quite right. Air. Williams I do not suggest it is anything more than a mistake in the way of putting it. The clerk and deputy clerk then retired, and members of the Tribun- al thought it better for the Press to retire, which they did. Major Gray also left the room. The Tribunal deliberated in private for about 45 minutes. The decision was a post- ponement of three months. Several cases had to be adjourned owing to the lateness of the hour.

SOLDIER'S THANKS. Sir,—Allow me to thank the friends at the Morning Star, Aberdare, for their kindness towards me; also for box of cigarettes received.I remain, 4 D. J. DREW, Corul. 27823, R.A.M.C., Dunstone Camp, Plymstock, near Plymouth.

FOOD AND BEER. I Sir,—The Danish Government, in the manufacture of liquor, has not only prohibited the use'of coi-ii and potatoes, but has prohibited, the sale of these throughout the country in order to preserve the food of the people, but enlightened England will go on making beer even if the people starve.—Yours,, etc., M.S.L.

SALVATION ARMY WAR FUND. sii.The flag day held oil Satur- day resulted in a sum of S;83 8s. Od. being collected towards the above fund. I desire to thank the public who so generously contributed to the fund and also the ladies who assisted ill carrying out the necessary arrange- ments.—Yours faithfully, CHAS. KENSHOLE. High Constable's Office, June 12, 1917.

RUSSIA AND PROHIBITION. Sir.—After thirty months of total prohibition in Russia we have the satisfactory statements that drunken- ness is now practically unknown. It is also stated that the people will not permit the re-introduction of vodka, beer, or wine. One General says:—"The efficiency of labour has increased. Beggars and drunkards have disappeared off the streets. Profane language is scarcely heard. Men's treatment of women and children has improved, and they pray that the sale of liquor may never again be I)eriiiitte(I.-I am, M.S.L.

P E Nil 111W CEIBER HOUSING COMMITTEE AND INCREASED RENTS. Sir,—It has come to the notice of the members of the above Com- mittee that increased rents are still being charged ulvii the tenants in certain streets in Penrhiwceiber. The Act of Parliament, which deals with increased rents, provides that a landlord or his agent cannot in- crease rents above the standard rent of August 3rd, 1914, provided the rent is under c £ 2 per month or 10s per week. If the tenant has paid any increase since November 25th 1915, he can recover it from the landlord. Act puts t. stop to the evil of bleeding tenants, when they take a house, of their money (general- ly il), which landlords and agents do, iind which the tenant willingly pays in order to secure a roof over the heads of his wife and little ones. Another growing evil prevented by the Act is the giving of notices to tenants without any just cause, ex- cept to give the landlord an oppor- tunity of getting increased rent from the new tenant. If there are any tenants in the Penrhiwceiber Ward who are charged an increased rent, or refuse to pay the same, and the amount is carried forward as arrears against them, the above Committee will assist them in the matter. It is very important that every tenant should claim his rights under the Act, and, therefore, safe- guard the interest of the other mem- bers of the community by refusing to pay any increased rents in these hard and distressful days.—We are, on behalf of the above Committee, P. THOMAS, E. A. BENNETT, Joint Secretaries.

LOCAL M.P.'S QUESTIONS. In the House of Commons on Thursday, Mr. Stanton (Lab., Mer- tliyr) asked the Parliamentary Sec- retary to the Ministry of Food if his department would now agree to the establishment of local fair-price food tribunals; if he was aware that much of the profiteering and exploiting of the public could be prevented by such tribunals, and that a dangerous condition of unrest prevails at the in- activity of his department in deal- ing with this matter. Captain Bathurst: I am aware of the feeling aroused in certain quart- ers, but it is impossible for me to announce any decision on the im- portant question of policy raised m this question pending the appoint- ment of a new Food Controller. Mr. Stanton further asked the Under-Secretary for War if he was aware that hundreds of thousands of young, strong and willing coloured members of our Empire are ready to go to the front to fight for this coun- try whether, seeing that such men were better fitted physically and tem- peramentally adapted for such a campaign than many of those now being called up, he would explain why these men were not used. Mr. Macpherson: iThe means of utilising to the best advantage the services which the coloured peoples of the Empire are capable of render- ing have already been thoroughly in- vestigated, and are continually under consideration. Contingents of these peoples are already rendering useful service in several theatres of war in the capacities for which they are best suited, and arrangements are in hand hot h for reinforcing existing contingents and for forming new oliel.

MOUNTAIN ASH POLICE COURT. THURSDAY. JUNE 7. Before Messrs R- A. Griffith, Stipendiary, Griffith Evans, and J. K. Brooks. TRANSFER. Mr. T. W. Lewis, Pontypridd, applied for the transfer of the licence of the Cefnpennar Inn from Richard Jones, the present occupier, to George Morris, 12 Allen Street, Mountain Ash. owner.— Granted. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. William Thomas and Alfred Sim- ister, in Penrhiwceiber Road, Pen- rhiwceiber, 12s. each. ASSISTED THE PRISONER. Daniel Curtain, Charlestown, Mountain Ash, was summoned for obstructing the police.—P.C. George Williams stated that he was taking an army absentee into custody when defendant called out, "Let the man "o." Witness then called on Cur- tain to assist him as his prisoner was becoming violent. Instead of assisting, defendant pulled his prisoner ten yards in the opposite direction.—P.C. Frank Williams then assisted witness.—Fined 20s. or seven days. SHEEP IN BAILEY STREET. — Thomas Lewis, Llanwonno Farm, was summoned for allowing his sheep to stray.—P.S. Hill stated that he found two sheep straying in Bailey Street.— Stipendiary: The working-men are giving a lot of time to growing vegetables, and we must protect them.—Fined 5s. per sheep. WILLIAMS WASN'T WILLING. —Edward Humphreys, Penrhiw- ceiber. and Elizabeth Thomas, Pen- rhiwceiber. were summoned for breaches of the Potato Control Order. —P.S. John proved that defendant had sent a little girl for seed potatoes, and on calling at his house found that they had been cooked.—In the second case P.C. Geo. Williams proved that Airs. Thomas bought seven lbs. of seed potatoes from -Air. Eynon. When witness called at the house, lie was invited to have a share.—The Stipendiary disiuissed both cases on payment of costs. He adopted that course in view of illc. expiration of the Order.' TIMBER THEFT. John Gunter, Penrhiwceiber, was fined 5s. for a theft of timber, value 9d., the pro- perty of the Penrikvber Collierv Co. CAUGHT BY Till; DAUGHTER, — Robert David Owen, Mountain Ash. was charged with stealing two beer glasses, the property of Jenkin Williams. Duffryn Hotel, Mountain Ash.—Prosecutor stated that defend- ant called at the house, and after leaving he missed two glasses. His daughter. Miss Williams, immediate, ly followed defendant, and caught! him at the top of Oxford Street. The glasses were found in his pocket. —Fined 10s. BOTH PARTIES FINED. Summonses and cross-summonses for using indecent language towards each other were heard between Mar- garet Charles. Penrhiwceiber, and Emma Purt. Penrhiwceiber.—After hearit!g the evidence the Bench fined both parties 10s., and ordered them to be bound over in „C10 each to be of good behaviour for six months.

"TO OBTAIN" -} THAT INDESCRIBABLE CHARM WHEN PREPARING THE HOME AND PURCHASING t WIT tt FUMITURE IT M M. ? !)))M))! ESPECIALLY FOR THE BEDROOM GO TO THE DFT A TU FURNISHING llUH I n COMPANY Taff Street, Pontypridd I CYCLES jC6 15s. Od. cash, Cheapest in the Town. PARKER BROS., 62 Cardiff Street, ABERDARE. JOHN DAVIES, THE PICTURE SHOP I 11 CARDIFF ST., A"BERDARE (opposite the Cijiema). 20 YEARS REPUTATION for First Class Work.

The Oil Varnish Stair FOR FLOORS IN 12 NATURAL SHADES. 4" Pt. f- pt., 1 pt„ 1 qt., i gall., & 1 gall. TINS. ASK YOUS IRONMONGER OR DECORATOR FO!<! STOVO & STAINOLEl',I & SZZ THAT YOU GET THEM j J MANUFACTURER OF EOT 1-1*. 1 I JAMES RUPMAN, BfthSTOL.i STOVO," The Famous BLACK ENAMEL For Bicycles, Grates, £ all Or:1am..nta! ironvc-rk. IN TINS OF CON V E N I EN T SIZES frpm ;ACH =-='=7':

PAWNBROKER HEAVILY FINED. Maurice Curitz, pawn- broker, Oxford Street, Mountain Ash, was summoned for not de- livering two medals when applied tor.—Private Edward Cook, Royal i Defence Corps. Pontypridd, deposed that in April, 1914, he pledged two South African medals which he had won in that war. Each year he had renewed the ticket. lvheii he teii- dered the ticket and money to redeem them this year, defendant said he had lost them. Some one had stolen them. He had been given an oppor- tunity to replace them, but had tailed to do so. Private Owen told him that he should go to the police, and defendant said that he didn't care a d for the police or for his commanding officer. He also gave him, said witness, "a lot of old buck.Private John Jenkins, of the same Corps, and P.C. Jones also gave evidence.—Defendant pleaded that the medals had been lost, and that he was willing to replace them. -The Stipendiary, in fining defend- ant £ 5 or 21 days, said that he had not shown any reasonable excuse for delivering the medals. It was the duty of pawnbrokers to take the greatest care of articles pledged with them. "BLOOD AND TEARS." — Florence Emery and Joseph Burtou and Son, Ltd., trading as the India and China Tea Co., Mountain Ash, were summoned for imposing con- ditions regarding the sale of sugar. Mr. A. J. Prosser (Messrs. C. and W. Kenshole and Prosser) defended. I —Cissie Hull, a soldier's wife, 19 King Street, Miskin, stated that she was a regular customer at the shop I of defendants. Miss Emery was the manageress, and on applying for llb. of sugar she said, "Anything else r" Witness replied, "No, not now." Miss Emery then said, "Well, you won't have the sugar unless you buy other goods." Witness then said she would "fetch a copper. In the afternoon she returned with P.C. Jones.—P.C. Jones's evidence was that at 5.30 p.m. on April 27tli j Mrs. Hull made a complaint. He, in company with P.C. Williams. went to the shop. Miss Emery said that when Mrs.- Hull asked for sugar; she fold her yes; she had some and asked "Is there anything else": When Mrs. Hull said, "No," Miss Emery said "I'm sorry I can't' supply you; I've only sugar for customers." In witness's presence Mrs. Hull contradicted Miss Emery, and said, "No, that is wrong. You told me I should have some on con- dition I would buy other goods as well."—P.C. Frank Williams also' gave corroborative evidence.—Flo- rence Emery denied imposing any condition. She told Mrs. Hull that she had only enough sugar for regular customers. She did not con- sider Mrs. Hull as such.—Mr. Prosser gave a direct denial as to imposing conditions. It wasn't likely, said he, that such a course would have been adopted with a regular customer. The phrase, "Is there anything else ?" was in quite common use with all tradespeople.— The Stipendiary remarked that Mr. Prosser had made the best of a very bad case. Tradespeople in the dis- trict were doing very well at the present time, and there was no ex- cuse for resorting to such methods. It inflicted hardship on some anj caused others to hoard commodities. Tn the long run the State suffered. If tradespeople or their assistants did not realise they were making ex- tortionate profits out of the blood and tears at the present time, some- thing must be done to bring home to their mind- a sense of responsi- bility.—Florence Emery was fined £ 10. and the summons against the firm was dismissed.