The Aberdare Leader

Alleged Supply of Drink to Wounded Soldiers. Martha Thomas, landlady of the White Lion Inn, Gadlys, was sum- moned for keeping her licensed pre- mises open for consumption of in- toxicating drink by non-commission- ed officers or soldiers who are patients at the Military Hospital, Trecynon. Mr. Ivor Parry, Ponty- pridd, defended. 'Police Super. Rees explained that an Order under the Defence of the Realm Act was issued in August, 1915, by the officer in chaage of the Western Command. When the Military Hospital,/ Trecynon, was opened Inspector Griffiths served a copy of the Order on Mrs Thomas, the defendant,.in common with other licensees in the district. The Order was to the effect that with the view to the quick recovery of wounded men they should not be supplied with intoxicating liquor. P.C. Banks deposed that on Whit- Monday, at 6.45 p.m., he saw a wcuuded soldier enter the White Lion through the back entrance. At 7.50 p.m., in company with P.S. Poolman, he went in, and in a nar- row bar-room saw 7 men, including 3 wounded soldiers, viz., Sergt. Shan, Pte. F. Jones and Corpl. Carthy. Mrs. Thomas, the landlady, was in the serving part of the bar. In front of Sergt. Shan was a spirit glass, which appeared to contain whisky. Opposite Jones and Carthy were two glasses containing hop- hitters. Mrs. Thomas seized the glass in front of Sergt. Shan and emptied the contents into a bosh of water and placed the empty glass, upside down, in a recess. P.S. Poolman said: You need not trouble to do that, Mrs. Thomas," and she replied, Yes, that is the best way." Witness asked Jones and Carthy to rise from their seats, and he then found a pint glass of beer and pint glass of cider, each about half full. P.S. Poolman asked what the glasses contained, and after saying she did not serve them, admitted they were beer and cider. When she was told she would be reported she answered: You will report me wrongly." She also said I am surprised at you men bring- ing an old woman like me to trouble. I have only been in the bar a few moments." She confessed to know- ing that she was not supposed to supply them with beer, and added, We can supply them with soft drinks." Police Super. llees: Did you ex-! pect to find something under the I se,tt"-Yes. Mr. Parry The police generally I find what they want. (Laughter.) P.S. Poolman corroborated. Mr. Parry raised some legal points and contended that the Order had not been proved. Only a type-written document had been put in, and there might be errors in it. The Stipendiary: If you press"tliat objection we will adjourn the case for the production jof the Order. The case was thereupon adjourned for week.

Heavy penalties. Midnight Supper at Railway Bar. Dd. Thos. Davies, landlord of the Railway Bar, Aberdare, was sum- moned for supplying intoxicating liquor and allowing same to be con- sumed on the premises; Wm. Evans, or the Commercial Hotel, Aberdare, was summoned for aiding and abet- ting Davies, and also for unlawfully coH-iuming intoxicating liquor at the Railway Bar. Mr. St. John Fran- cis Williams, instructed by Mr. W. Thomas, defended. P.S. Francombe said that a't 12.30 on Monday night, June 4th, he was standing in Duke Street in com- pany with P.C. Bird, when he heard loud talking in the kitchen of the Railvaj Bar. He recognised the voices of both defendants. Inhere was also another man present. He kept the premises under observation and at 1.10 a.m. he saw a man leave the kitchen entrance and enter the Market Tavern opposite. The man v. at under the influence of drink and nearly feil. Witness and P.C. Bird then stood in the doorway of the Railway Restaurant, from where tliey looked into the bar, the blinds not having been drawn. He saw the licensee standing at the entrance to the bur, and turn towards the coun- ter and serve Evans with a drink. Evans drank the contents. The landlord also drank a glass contain- ing what appeared to be beer. The two glasses were then placed one side, together. Witness knocked at the kitchen door, and it was opened by the landlord. He entered the kitchen and saw Evans standing near the fireplace. To the landlord witness said: I have seen you and Evans drink á glass of beer each in the bar." Davies replied 1 don't think so," and Evans said hd (wit- .ness) had made a mistake. Witness showed them where the glasses were placed. Evans said If I were to iose my right arm, [ have not had a drink to-night." Witness told them they would be reported. By Mr. Francis Williams: The man who left the Railway Bar was' Johnny Owen, who lodged at the Market Tavern. No proceedings had been taken against him. P.C. Bird gave corroborative evi- dence. Mr. Williams submitted that even if the Bench came to the conclusion that the case had been proved, it was only a technical offence. It was simply a question of supplying a guest with a drink, an act which would be perfectly legitimate in a private house. D. Thos. Davies, the landlord, said he and his wife had been out for a walk and met Evans about 11.1.5 p.m. He took him to supper. He did so because Evans was the son of a publican; it was the right thing to do." After supper the police came to the door. The supper things had not been removed from the kitchen table. He denied that Evans or he had anything intoxicat- ing to drink. The police failed to find any glasses which were alleged to have been used. By Super Rees: Johnny Owens had also been to supper. Owens was not drunk. Evans, the other defendant, said he was the son of the landlord of the Commercial Hotel. He went with Davies and had supper with him. They remained in the kitchen till the police came. He was not given a glass of beer by Davies. The police failed to find any dirty glasses which were alleged to have been used. A. S. Cameron proved the pro- duced plan of the Railway Bar. The Bench reserved their decision till after lunch. 'When they re- turned the Stipendiary said that the case had taken a serious turn. They were -satisfied, after inspecting the locality during the adjournment, that the Police could see into the bar. The defendants had by their denial committed rank perjury. Owing therefore to the seriousness of the case they must impose a dras- tic penalty. The landlord would be fined £ 30 and Evans £15. Indecent Language.— Mrs. Cather- ine Williams, Penywain, summoned her neighbour, Elizabeth Audrey, for indecent language. Mr. W. Thomas appeared for complainant, who said that defendant had slandered her character. When she went to see her about it defendant used very indecent language and repeated it in the hearing of a Mrs. Hopkins. Wit- ness added that her husband had been in the Army for the last two years. Mrs. Elizabeth Hopkins, 24 Penywain, deposed to hearing the language complained of. The de- fendant said that complainant had also used bad language towards her. —Mi ss Audrey was fined 10s. and .bound over to keep the peace. Trespassers.—Dd. Evans, Samuel Evans, John Mainwaring, Elizabeth Crocker, Hubert Bridges, Fred Har- ford, James Harries, Gwen Thomas, Annie Evans, J. G. Cook, Joseph Booth, Francis Burdidge, William Griffiths, Wm. Barry, Charles Wini- cott, Evan Richards, Thomas Freder- ick, and Edwin Terrell pleaded guiltv to trespassing on the G.W.R. be- tween Cwmaman and Black Lion Crossing. Each was ordered to pay 5s. and costs on promising not to repeat the offence. Catherine Turner and Catherine Evans, who wero caught trespassing on the T.V.R. near Aberaman Station, were dealt with in a similar manner.

MOUNTAIN ASH DISTRICT COUNCIL. On Tuesday, Mr. Noah Bowles, J.P., in the chair. Present: Messrs W. Lamburn, Wm. Davies, G. H. Hall, Chas. Maddox, James Evaiis, Revs. E. 1T. Williams, Geo. Neigh- bour, David Rogers, Griffith Evans, J.P., Wm. Millar, T. W. Jones, Bruce Jones, Surgeon Major R. D. Morgan, J.P., with, Messrs. A. Pin- combe (clerk), F. Stock (account- ant), W. G. Thomas (surveyor), Dr. A. T. Jones (medical officer), and H. T. Jones (sanitary inspector). Prohibition.

Full Dress Debate on the Liquor Traffic. Mr. D. Rogers had given notice of motion "to reconsider letter from the Welsh National Free Church Council asking the Mountain Ash Council to pass a resolution in favour of prohibition of the Liquor Traftic, and to pass a motion' thereon." The letter in question was considered by the Council about 6 weeks ago, when a resolution in favour of prohibition was defeated. Mr Rogers, who was not present when the matter then came forward, gave the above notice of motion at the last meeting. Mr. W. Lamburn now took excep- tion to re-opening the matter, on the ground that there was a standing order to the effect that a matter once disposed of should not come up again for a period of 6 months. Mr. D. Rogers said that there was no such standing order, and iie re- membered the late Mr. Linton on a similar occasion to this, ruling that any notice of motion given at one meeting could be brought forward at the next. There had been no re- vision of standing orders since. As for precedents there were plenty of them, one being an appointment made by the Education Committee. Mr. Bruce Jones remarked that it was ridiculous to think that a subject could be re-opened, 1 L time after time. He agreed with Mr. Lamburn that no subject could be re-opened within a 1 specified time, and if Mr. Rogers succeeded in carrying his motion, to- day he (Mr. Jones) would give another notice of motion to re-open the matter at the next meeting. The Chairman pointed out that there was a very good attendance to-day, whereas there were only S members present on the previous oc- casion. He hoped that members would abide by to-day's decis-ion. Mr. Bruce Jones: I am not pre- pared to abide by it. Mr. Lamburn Neither am 1. Mr. Griffith Evans said he was under the impression that no motion could be re-opened within 3 months, and Mr. Millar remarked that there was no written rule dealing with the matter there was an un- written understanding to the effect that these subjects could not be opened meeting after meeting., Rev. E. T. Williams supported Mr Rogers' contentions and referred to a particular instance when a ques- tion was debated at several meetings in succession, and a reporter made the statement that the Education Committee did not know where they were.' He was in favour of re-open- ing the subject, because there were only 8 members present on the prev- ious occasion whereas there were 14 present now. Rev. George Neighbour said it frequently happened that only a few members were left at the end of the meeting to transact business. It was not fair to try and upset the de- cisions of those who remained faith- ful unto the last. Dr. Morgan: But the question was not on the agfenda, and we did not know of it. The Chairman ruled that Mr. Rogers' motion was in order, and asked him to proceed' with it. Mr. Rogers then submitted his motion in favour of total prohibition during the war and demobilisation. He was not arguing for prohibition for ever and ever, but only for a cer- tain period under the present extra- ordinary circumstances. He main- tained that by preventing further manufacture of drink the food sup- plies would be increased and the prices would come down. Russia and France had already abolished drink. Mr. Bruce Jones: No, they have not. Mr. Rogers: Well it has been stated in Parliament. Proceeding, Mr. Rogers said that the young manhood of the nation were making sacrifices, but what had ii-e- done at home to help them ? Last year L77,000,000 were spent in pro- viding drink for the wet canteens which destroyed our boys. They heard a good deal about venereal disease. In nine cases out of ten the drink was at the root of it. If lie was wrong he asked the two medical men present to contradict him. "I think," added Mr. Rogers, "their I silence indicates that they agree with my statement. Again, we are wast- ing a million quartern loaves per day in the manufacture of drink." Rev. E. T. Williams seconded, adding that he did so with greater seriousness than ever he seconded anything in his life. He did not look at the subject from the teetotal standpoint, but as it affected the qountry. Mr. Rogers had dealt with tlie economical side. If the reduc- tlie economical side. If the reduc- tion in the manufacture of drink to tlfe extent of 10,000,000 gals. was equal to 411,000,00 two lb. loaves, what would total prohibition mean? His congregation were asked last Sunday to exercise greater economy in food, and the reply of the congre- gation to the Government was: "Clean before your own doorstep first." There was a scarcity of food, scarcity of men, and yet 550,000 per- sons were employed in manufactur- ing alcoholic beverages. There were 256,000,000 gallons of proof spirit in bond, and we were told there was a scarcity of alcohol for making muni- I tions. He had a son who had given up his stripes in the Army because of the drink, and another person wrote to him tating that he had put his stripes in because he could not join with other men in frequenting the canteens. Canadian boys 'were gfflng back home wrecked by drink. Mr. W. Lamburn moved that the previous resolution be confirmed. The arguments of Mr. Rogers Ifiul been refuted by Mr. Williams. Mr. Rogers had said there was a scarci- ty of munitions, and yet Mr'Williams stated there were 2.56 million gallons of spirit in bond. The Government coukf use that if they wanted i't for munitions. Mr. Lamburn referred to the political truce, adding that people were taking a mean advantage of 'the present critical times to push a pet hobby. To force prohibition on the country was to court revolu- tion and chaos, similar to what ex- isted in Russia at the present time. Why did not the advocates of Pro- hibition go outside and educate pub- lic opinion? Rev. E. T. Williams: 1 do it every day. Mr. Lamburn: As for Canada, Mr. Lamburn: As for Canada, there are equal facilities for obtain- ing drink there as in this country. Mr. Bruce Jones seconded Mr. Lamburn. -He said that the steel- wcrkers, especially, needed beer. They could not keep up their effici- ency by drinking oatmeal and water. If those mer\—he knew of cases in Dowlais—did not have beer, their output was not maintained. The people of this country were not reared on tea. His grandfather never tasted tea; he drank home brewed beer. Mr. Williams had re- ferred to the large number of men employed in manufacturing alcohol. Were there not millions engaged in the manufacture and selling of tea; and tea was no food, whereas medi- cal men agreed there was a certain amount of nourishment in beer. I Mr. D. Rogers: Dr. Jones is shak- ing his head. Mr. B. Jones: I don't care what the doctors say. (Laughter.) Mr. Rogers Don't speak in their name, then. Mr. Jones added that beer must be allowed to men in munition cen- tres. The men in the trenches should have a voice as to whether Prohibition should come to pass. Rev. Geo. Neighbour was rather surprised to hear arguments for the conversion of alcohol into munitions which were intended 'to destroy human life. It was rather odd that the brethren of the Free Churches should advocate such a thing. He was pastor of a free church in Moun- tain Ash, and the Free Churches had such an estimate of freedom that the Brotherhod Church was not deemed worthy of admittance. His church I was not asked to co-operate even on this question; why, he did not know. 91 Proceeding, Mr. Neighbour said he spoke as a total abstainer, but he had been elected to represent the Ward and not his own views, and he had no assurance that the majority of the people of Darrenlas Ward were in favour of Prohibition. He was surprised that the Free Churches were now discussing economics. Be- fore the war they would not touch the subject. His party's programme included Nationalisation of the Drink Traffic with Local Option. :\1.. T. W. Jones said the public ought to be consulted before they adopted such a resolution. If a ,change in the system were proposed public meetings ought to be called and votes taken. Mr. Hall said he was going to re- main neutral, on the ground that the public ought to be consulted by means of a referendum or some other method. Such a resolution as was proposed, if carried, might re- present only the views of the Coun- cil members. That would be mis- leading and lead to a. great deal of misunderstanding. Mr. W. Davies said it was non- seiisc- to say that the workman must have beer in order to perform efficient work. He had managed to work without it. Still he intended to remain neutral or the reason given by Mr. Hall. Mr. Rogers, replying to Mr. Neighbour, said that Free Church members had dealt with economics before the war. He remembered a letter in the "Aberdare Leader" some years ago charging a colleague and himself with being ultra-econo- mists. Dr. Morgan said that beer or liquor was not a food; it was all anaesthetic, and no healthy man re- quired it. The workman who draiik could not perform as much work as the man who abstained. The former might make little spurts, but could not keep it up. In the Army, for instance, he could almost label the men who indulged in drink, even in moderation. They were the men who fell out in the marches, and they were regular nuisances. The beer drinkers were lacking in judg- ment, were always lagging, and at 40 looked quite aged. When any disease came along, such as pneu- monia, they died, and people said "What a sudden death," when really the men had been poisoning them- selves all their life. If I," added the doctor, were at the Front and in a tight and critical corner, give me men who drink water rather than beer. In the Indian Mutiny the position was saved by Have- lock's "lambs," men who were total abstainers, and the present war would be won by the "lambs." Still, he favoured State Purchase and not Prohibition, so he was going to re- main neutraL The Council divided as follows :— For Prohibition: Messrs. C. Maddox, James Evans, E. T. Williams, D. Rogers, and N. Bowles—5. Against: Messrs. W. Lamburn, G. Neighbour, Griffith Evans, W. Millar, T. W. Jones and Bruce Jones—6. Neutral: Messrs. Hall, W. Davies and Dr. Morgan.—Mr. Rogers' motion was therefore lost.

Medical Officer's Report. German Measles. Dr. A. T. Jones' fortnightly re- port :—Scarlet fever, 3 cases; diph- theria, 2; erysipelas, 1: measles, 56. Mr. Hall, remarking on the large number of measles cases, asked if something was being done to prevent the disease spreading. Dr. Jones said they were doing their best, but it was more difficult to arrest than scarlet fever or diphtheria. The measles germ was conveyed by aerial transmission, and would spread despite all attempts at isolation. The present cases were, however, of a mild type-it was German measles. ("Oh" and laughter.) It was different to the ordinary character of the Germans. (Laughter.) Par- ents were very loth to keep their children in during this warm weather.

ABERAMAN. JAY'S easy payment system is easy for you. WAR NEWS. Private Evan Charles Rees, of the 18th Welsh Regiment, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Rees, Clifton Crescent, who is now at Manchester Military Hospital, is making excellent pro- gress. He was severely wounded in France by shrapnel on April 26th. He joined the colours soon after the commencement of hostilities, and was drafted to France in June. 1916. PRESENTATION. On Wednes- day, at the Aberaman Free Library, a presentation in connection with the War Heroes' Fund was made to Lance-Corporal Albert Vater, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vated, 47 Lewis Street. Lance-Corporal Vater was wounded in France. Mr. David Evans, CVllon Street, made the presentation of a wristlet watch on behalf of the Com- mittee. The recipient returned thanks.

PENRHIWCEIBER. JAY'S furniture is worth placing in your best rooms. HERMON (C.M.). On Thursday a lecture was given by Mr. James Williams (Ap Valant) on "Cranog- wen." The lecture proved very in- teresting. FUNERAL.—The interment of the remains of Clifford L. Rees, the four- year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rees, 1 Pontcynon Terrace, took place on Thursday at Abercynon Cemetery. The Rev. D. Williams, Forward Movement, Abercynon, officiated. The chief mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. A. Rees and family, Mr. Rees, grandfather; Mr. Thomas, uncle; Mr. Sidney Thomas, Mrs. Gertrude Hall and Miss Thomas, cousins, and Mrs. Hall, aunt. ALLOTMENTS. The allotment holders held a meeting on Monday evening at Lletty Turner Field, the site of the allotments. About 50 were present. Mr. Albert Lewis, 'secretary, explained that it was pro- posed to subscribe towards the pur- chase of rabbit netting wire to pre- vent rabbits destroying the vegetables. The proposal was agreed to. Also it was decided to put up a notice-board offering a reward to any person giving information which would lead to the conviction of any- one found trespassing or stealing. MISSING. Private William George Maxworthy has been reported missing in Salonika. Private Max- worthy enlisted at the outbreak of war in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, and was stationed at Ox- ] ,ford, Salisbury Plain, and other I places. In September, 1915; he was j drafted to France, and then to 1

IR m I lEM I CLOTHIERS AND I DRAPERS:: Penrhiwceiber and I Miskin. ¡ I A FEW OF OUR | BARGAINS. Men's Evening Trousers, from 3/11. I Men's Moleskin Trousers, from 3/6. Men's Working Singlets and Pants, from 1/ Men's Stockings, from 8id. pair. Men's Socks, from 6ld. pair. 2 Men's Working Shirts, from 1/9. I' Men's Army Shirts, from 2/3. Men's Evening Shirts, from 2/6. Men's Real Welsh Shirts, from 4/9. Boys' Wool Jerseys, from 2/3. j Boys' Shirts, from 1/ j Ladies" Stockings, from 6tc1. to 311 2 pair. Ladies' 'White Blouses, from 1/51. Ladies' Black Blouses, from 2/3. Ladies' Coloured Blouses, from 1/9. Ladies' Chemises, from 1j4t. Ladies' Camisoles, from 1/6. Children's Pinafores, from 6id. Children's Overalls in great variety, from 1/11. Children's Socks in great quantities and all colours, from 4 £ d. pair. Towelling, from 5d. per yard. Towels, from 7!d. each. Real Welsh Shawls, full size, 16/11. Full Size Sheets, from 6/6 pair. Full Size Blankets, from 5/11 to 27/6 pair (Welsh). Full Size Bed Ticks, from 4/6. Any Article may be reserved and paid for by weekly instalments.

Salonika, where he iyas wounded in the foot by gun shot. He was in hospital in Salonika for four months, and after returning to duty was re- ported missing on May 9th. In civil life Private Maxworthy resided at lfia Rheola Street, and was employed at the Cwm Cynon Colliery. He was in his 27th year. MILITARY. Driver W. R. Jones, 41 Dilwyn Street, is 'at present on a ten days' leave. He enlisted in October, 1914, in the A.S. Corps. He was drafted to France in July, 1915. There he was engaged in conveying wounded from the hospital near the lines to the base. Prior to enlist- ment he was employed at the Penri- kyber Colliery.—Gunner Evan Jones. 124 Penrhiwceiber Road, is home on leave. He enlisted in April, 1915, in the R.F.A. On Christmas Eve. 1915, he was drafted to France, and saw much fighting on the Somme. He returns on Friday. Previous to enlistment he was employed as a miner at Cwmcynon Colliery. MEETING. The Penrhiwceiber Welsh Society met at Bethel Wes- leyan Ve'stry on Friday evening. Mr. John Davies presided' The sec- retary, Mr. Robert Thomas, read a letter from Mrs. T. E. Phillips, president of the Sewing Guild, thanking them for the substantial sum received, the proceeds of a per- formance of a Welsh drama, "Y Dreflan." Mr. 0. Cobley proposed, and Mr. John Evans seconded a vote of thanks to the officers. The follow- ing officers were elected: -Chairmaii, Mr. John Davies; vice-chairman, Mr. Obed Cobley; joint secretaries, Messrs. Evan Evans and T. C. Jones; treasurer, Mr. Robert Williams. Mr. Ivor Davies. the new president, took the chair, and gave a short ad. dress. Printed and Published at their Printing Works, 19 Cardiff Street, Aberdare, in the County of Gla- morgan, by the Proprietors, W. Pugh and J. L. Rowlands.