The Aberdare Leader

NODION. Mae cynghanedd ambell linell wedi achosi gofid mawr i lawer i fardd Cymraeg. Nid gormod gan ambell un wastraffu oriau lawer o amser gwerthfawr ac ysgrifenu llythyrau meithion i'r wasg i dratod cywirdeb rhyw linell ddigon di- werth. Wele bedair llinell o waith un bardd i'r "llinell": "Llinell a llinell enwog—yw llinell A'i Haw yn ardderchog; Boed yn mhell linell y llog Yn null can enill ceiniog." Fel y canlyn yr englynodd rhyw- un i'r llinell aneglur a'i ehynghan- edd yn achosi pe,, bleth: "Y llinell dywell adawo-y gwr A'i gwel i betruso; Y llinell fusgrell a fo, Yn mhell bo'r llinell hono." Nid Telynog o Aberteifi ac Aberdar tw yr unig fardd sydd wedi dylorni Cwm Rhondda. Un tro pan wedi bod yn cadw cyhoeddiad pregethu vn nghymydogaeth Waun Adda torodd Islwyn allan fel hyn: — "Ow sal dwll wedi Sul da, Ow'r adfyd wedi'r odfa." Nis gwyddom am odid neb yn gallu cloi synwyr mewn clysineb yr un fath a'r arch-englynwr, Uwydd- erig. Wele englyn o'i eiddo 1'1' Ysbrydegwr: "Ysbrydegwr, gwr gwirion,—dyn a fyn Fod yn "foss" ar feirwon, Agoriad eirch grea'i don- Llywodraethwr lledrithion." Car i'r diweddar Watcyn Wyn ydoedd Gwydderig, ac fel Wat yr oedd yntau yn bwrlymu drosto o ffraethineb. Efallai fod mwy o'r bardd a'r lienor amlochrog yn Wat- cyn, ond fel englynwr nid oedd hafal i Wydderig.

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Sunday School Demonstration. The Nonconformist Sunday Schools of Ynysybwl wrote 31sking the Com- mittee to declare a holiday on the first Monday in July, the date of the annual tea and demonstration. On the motion of Mr. D. Rogers the request was acceded to.

Y BYWYDFAD. Ehag dinystr a gwae dyniondrwy y bad Arbedir o'r eigion; Y bad derch ar grib y don Yn fywyd mewn gwasgfeuon. I fywyd hoff noddfa der-yw y bad Aur borth mewn cyfyngder; Bad gobaith, eilwaith hwylier i Ian iach drwy ofal Ner. EDWARD HARRIES. Tylo^town.

JIWBILI HEOLYFELIN (B.). Y Sul a'r Llun (Mell. 10 a 11) y cyhoeddwyd Jiwbili dyled Eglwys Heolyfelin, maes gweinidogaeth y Parch. W. Cynog Williams er's tair blynedd ar ddeg. Hyd yn ddiweddar yr oedd yn aros dros fil o bunau ar yr addoldy hardd a'r festri gyfieus. Yn mis Hydref diweddaf—ar ol pre- geth neilltuol gan y gweinidog ar "Dyro i mi y mynydd yina"-decii- reuodd yr eglwys ymgynghori a Duw am y modd goreu i wneud y gwaith, ac atebiad gwedcJïau y saint ydyw symudiad y mynydd hwn o ddyled. Llifai yr addewidion i fewn am svm- iau o swllt i fyny i £65, hyd nes y cafwyd digon a mvvv. Profwyd fod gan "y bobl galon i weithio. Cyfranwyd gan 457 o bersonau a dim ond 23 o'r nifer hwnw o'r tu allan i'r eglwys. Yn ystod yr wyl cafwyd hanes y modd y cychwynodd y mud- iad gan y Parch. Cynog Williams. Cymerwyd rhan yn mhellach yn y cvrddau gan Mr. 'W. T. Griffiths, Ystalyfera—un o blant yr eglwys; Parchn. J. Grawys Jones, J. Mor- gan, M.C., Bryn Seion; W. A. Jones, Cwmdar; E. Wern Williams, Hirwaun; J. D. Thomas, Ffrwd, Mountain Ash; H. T. Stephens, Car- mel; Thomas Thomas, Ynyslwyd; T. Powell, M.C., Cwmdar; B. Williams, Abernant; Joseph James, Cwmbach; D. Bassett, Gadlys; M. Jenkins, Abercwmboi; Mr. T. Jenkins, Gad- lys. Hon yw y drydedd wyl Jiw- bili yn hanes yr eglwys, weithgar weddigar hon, a dymunai y gwein- idog mai dyma'r diweddaf byth—y byddat yr eglwys yn ddigon call l "dalu i lawr" y tro nesaf.

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SCRAPS. BY THE SCRIBE. Both Wales and Ireland have a Bangor, and Scotland has its Ban- gour. A few local patriots are making a praiseworthy effort to form a Volun- teer Training Corps at Abercynon. So far the movement has not caught on very firmly. Let us hope that it will prove to be of the slow and sure type, and that the best is yet to be. Do not despise the day of small things, but we hope that Aber- cynon will not be always satisfied with small things. I note that the last meeting of the embryonic Aber- cynon V.T.C. was adjourned for "more light." I trust that the death cry of Goethe is not to be a death cry in the case of Abercynon Volunteers but a clarion cry to arms and action. It is a pity that more recruits for local volunteer forces could not be obtained from the ranks of the work- ing men. Miners, who by virtue of their calling as hewers of coal for the navy, are exempt from military service, should certainly do some- thing in their long leisure as a con- tribution to the measures of home defence. And yet in Aberdare, where there is a good muster of volunteers, it is remarkable that they are nearly all tradesmen or members of the professional classes. Although an effort has been made to get men from the ranks of manual labour to join the V.T.C., the re- sponse has been anything but en- couraging. Mountain Ash has done better in this respect. May Aber- cynon, with its hundreds of starred men, do better still. It is stated (officially, I take it) that the Government have decided to go in for State purchase of the drink trade. While doctors and temperence experts disagree as to whether State purchase or prohibi- tion is the better I must remain neutral in the matter. But let the question be decided one way or the other before long in order that our local public bodies may go on with seme of the specific work for which they were elected, and not meddle with extraneous subjects and debate the respective merits of porter and pop. What I don't understand is the proposal urged by good and ardent teetotallers to turn off the tap until the end of the war and for 6 months afterwards, and then turn it on again as it was in the beginning. It is very much the same as prohibit- ing by law boys under 16 to smoke. As soon as they attain their 16th birthday they may smoke away for all they are worth to make up for lost time. And six months to the day of the signing of peace our Tom Tipplers may quench in a very pro- nounced way a thirst that has been growing in intensity since the springs of Alcohol were sealed up by order of His Majesty's Government. If smoking is injurious to a lad under 16 then it is equally injurious to those who have entered upon their seventeenth year. And if beer and spirits constitute a menace to body, soul and spirit in times of war they are ditto when the war drum beats no longer Let us not make use of the nation's extremity to pursue our fads, fancies and foibles to the point of absurdity. Last week Mountain Ash District Council came to a decision on the I to-be or not-to-be of the drink ques- tion, but the majority was so small that it is feared that, like the recur- ring decimal, the question will soon crop up again. I fear that in these days Bacchus has cause to be envious of the homage paid to Mars even by professed devotees of the _God of peace. • ✓ Now that mab Ysguborwen has been appointed Food Controller we in the Aberdare Valley shall not starve. Our modern Joseph will see that, so long as there will be any corn in Egypt, his own kith and kin shall not be a hungered I

ABERDARE TRADES COUNCIL. I On Thursday a special meeting of the Council was held under the presidency of Mr. Matt Lewis. Addresses were given by Guardian John Prowle and Mrs. E. Davies (Education Committee member) on "Institutions for the care and train- ing of our mental defectives." Both addresses were interesting, the speakers explaining how the com- plaints were caused, and further now our governing bodies ought to deal with such cases at the very earliest opportunity. MTS. Matt Lewis, Guardian John Davies, Councillor E. Stonelake, Messrs. J. H. Bruton and Handel Harris took part in the discussion.

"I notice that you always sit at vour wife's left, Mr. Meggs." "Yes," frankly replied Mr. Meggs; "that's the side her glass eye ie on."

MR. TOM MANN AT ABERAMAN Under the auspices of the I.L.P. Mr. Tom Mann, London, the well- known Labour leader, addressed a largely-attended meeting at the Aber- aman Hall on Sunday evening. Mr. J. H. Bruton presided, supported by Councillor E. Stonelake and Mr. New- bold. The speaker referred to the recent Leeds Conference which, he said, had been called by some people a bogus conference. He was satisfied that the conference was a genuinely constituted one, and that it was re- presentative of all the industrial workers of this country. (Applause.) It had been definitely stated that there would be no time to go through the usual routine characteristic of Trade Union Congress, and there had been no time to circularise the Unions. The conference had been called a bogus one because the I.L.P. and B.S.P. were represented there. He had been a member of the Amal- gamated Society of Engineers for 37 vears, and was a believer in the wisdom of electing Executive and District Committees. But after electing them he believed they should keep in touch and be ready to advance with the rank and file whom they represented. Passing on to deal with the Russian Revolution, the speaker spoke in glowing terms of what the Russian people had achieved. He had known many of the Russian revolutionaries in this country, and had been on intimate terms with them, but he confessed he never dreamed that the revolu- tion would come in his day. The political prisoners in Siberia had dropped their chains, and the pro- cession that marched back to civilisation was miles long. He was fully conscious that the work of the revolution had not yet finished. In the nature of things it would take a long time to start Government afresh. He knew beyond question all the time that many of the best of the German Social Democrats and other revolutionaries were really afraid of what would happen to Germany whilst the Russian Autocracy re- mained in power. Russia had issued a manifesto on peace, in which the words, "No annexations and no in- demnities," appeared. He had read the Russian Government's inter- pretation of those words, and was satisfied with it.—Having read these to the meeting Mr. Mann asked the permission of the chairman to take a vote on the subject. Those who were prepared to stand by the Russian attitude were asked to hold up their hands. Those present held up their hands, and the vote was declared carried with only one dissentient.—Mr. Mann added that the proposals sub- mitted by the Russian Revolution- aries for acceptance by the Allies should form a basis for general dis- cussion with a view to the termina- tion of the war. (Applause). The speaker passed on to deal with Industrialism, remarking that he was coming to believe less and less in Parliament and politics, and more in the power of the industrial workers working through their Unions. Before concluding Mr. Mann called for three cheers for Free Russia, and these were heartily given.

TRECYNON AND LLWYDCOED NOTES. BY MARCELLd. A.J. is quite homesick ever since she went away. She declares that she is "just cutting her heart." After all there's no place like Tre- cynon be it ever so homely. Raffles tells us of a mean man from Cwmdare who borrowed his wife's flag to protect him from besiegers on flag day. This is put in the shade by the action of a Llwyd- coedite who took his wife's best um- brella and used it as a walking-stick just at the time when she wanted to go to the "pentre" to do her weekly shopping. Was it a wonder that she decided to have her own back by putting the stick (the rag had gone) across his own back? Swank made a great impression on his pals when riding about with his best girl in a hired landau the other day. But they did not know that he hired a dollar to pay for it. I am informed on good authority that Ap Barley has applied for a position as valuer when the State purchase of pubs becomes an accom- plished fact. He would make an accomplished taster too. When Mrs. M started house- keepin., she used to follow her mother's example by doing her wash- ing on Monday. Now she just manages to wind up her wash and turn off the tap about the same time as the pubs on Saturday night.

W.E.A. In the work of reconstruction in South Wales that is necessitated by the problems of the coalfield, if they are to be solved, education will be one of the most potent factors. No individuals have realised this more than those who are linked together in that organisation-the Workers' Educational Association. Their work to a similar end has been of incal- culable good in various parts of the country. What it can do for this locality will be shown at the South Wales Conference on Educational Reconstruction, to be held in Car- diff on July 7th. v

Women Cooks Wanted. The headquarters of the Volun- tary Aid Detachment wrote appeal- ing for women volunteer cooks, it was pointed out that there was a shortage of such workers at the present time. Paid and unpaid women workers were required, es- pecially those with knowledge of cooking. A fortnight's training would be provided.—The committee decided to support the appeal. It was stated that several members of local V.A.D. bodies were already serving.

War Savings. Some time ago the Education Com- mittee decided to grant a holiday to those schools which formed War Savings Association and who pur- chased as many 15s. 6d. certificates as there were names on the school books. The Director now reported that Newtown School had qualified for a holiday. Mrs. Williams pro- posed that it be granted, and the motion was agreed to.

Teachers' Salaries. Mr. Tom Hughes, local secretary of the N.U .T., wrote that he was desired by the local members of the Union to apply to the Cqpimittee for the scale of salaries sent to them in January, 1917. They suggested that representatives of the teachers meet the committee to discuss the matter of salaries and the proposals of Mr. Fisher, which were now oper- ative. That would save the teachers from financial worry and help to raise the status of the teaching pro- fession, so that the country might be proud of its achievement. Mr. W. Lamburn suggested that a special meeting be convened to consider the application. The Di- rector could, in the meantime, pre- pare a return of salaries paid, and what the increased Government grants would amount to, etc. Chairman And he might be able to, get a list of salaries paid by neighbouring authorities. This course was agreed to.

School Cleaners. There was also a request from the school cleaners for an advance in wages—25 per cent. This was re- ferred to the same special meeting.

Penrhiwceiber School Flooded. The Director reported that during the thunderstorm on Saturday night the above school was flooded. The caretaker had been cleaning the i ) f building on Saturday, and the work had to be repeated on Sunday to make the school fit for the children by Monday morning. The Director added that the architect had been in- structed some time ago to attend to the drainage or the surface water, but the work done was not adequate to cope with such a storm as they had on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The flooding of this school occurred rather frequently. Rev. E. T. Williams thought ) could be remedied by constructing a wall in a Certain place. Eventually, on the motion oi Mr. G. H. Hall, the matter was referred to the Surveyor. Director, and the manager of the school.

Village Libraries. The National Union of Welsh Societies sent a circular to the Com- mittee asking them to establish, hv. means of financial assistance from a Carnegie Trust. local or villjtge libraries in every rural school, simi- lar to what had been done in Staffordshire, Carnarvonshii-e, and other places. The Director said that this dis- trict did not have a village school of the type mentioned in the letter. The schools in this district had their own libraries. No action was taken.

Evening Play Centres. The next item was to consider re- plies to the committee's letter re- lating to Play Centres received from Superintendents of Sunday Schools, etc., in this area. The Director mentioned that he had received "JA replies—10 from Mountain Ash and Miskin, 5 from Penrhiwceiber, 4 from Abercynon, and o from Ynysy- bwl. The replies were so varied that no summary of them was possible. The Director proceeded to read the replies. One stated that he agreed with the committee as to the need of establishing Evening Play Cen- tres, with the view of keeping chil- dren out of mischief. At his par- ticular church there was no such or- ganisation, but they had a junior and senior Band of Hope, and a Dra- matic Society "and (Jet this be kept dark) we teach the children singing and dancing." (Laughter.) Dr. Morgan What church is that? Director: No name to be men- tioned. Mr. Bruce Jones That is like a fresh breeze from the mountain top. Further replies showed that most churches and chapels had Bands or Hope, and some organised Boys' Guild, Penny Readings, Scripture Classes, Singing Schools, etc. One reply was to the effect that a class existed to teach children the evil of strong drink, smoking, and foul language. The only sine qua non for admission was clean hands and faces. Dr. Morgan: Where is that again? Director: That is in your area. The original letter from the Board ot Education which urged the form- ation of Play Centres, suggested such work as physical exercise, out- door games, boxing for boys, music, dancing, dominoes and draughts, while small children could be amused by playing at shop and keeping house. The Chairman said it would be ob- served that the chapels catered for their own children by means of Bands of Hope, weekly meetings, etc. The idea of the Education Committee was to cater for the whole of the children attending the day schools. With that view it was essential to obtain the co-operation of the teachers and enlist their in- terest in the children after school hours. Mr. Lamburn suggested a joint conference of representatives of churches, schools, and the Education Committee to discuss the matter. Mr. D. Rogers supported this. Mr. G. H. Hall moved that the committee meet a representation of ,head teachers first of all, and then if necessarv thev could hold Warn meetings and invite the presence outside representatives. Hev. E. T. Williams seconded this, and it was adopted.

National Conference. There was a letter from the Cen- tral Welsh Board relating to a Na- < ional Conference of Welsh Ediica- tioual Authorities to he held in Llan- drindod in August, to consider the establishment of a National Council lor \les. — Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Millai* and the Director were ap- pointed to attend.

,ABERDARE WOMAN'S SUDDEN DEATH. On Wednesday last week Mrs. Annie Evans, wife of Mr. D. W. J Evans, 4 Herbert Street, a fire- man on the T.Y.R., passed away with tragic suddenness. A fort- night previous she gave birth to a child, which died in a few hours. Mrs. Evans was progressing satis- factorily, and on Tuesday got up | from bed. On Wednesday again she was about to leave her bedroom and go downstairs when she staggered and would have fallen but for her husband .coming to her support. She was given stimulants with the view of reviving her, but she expired in a short time. She was the daugh- Itet- of Mrs. Edwards, 2 Woodland Terrace, Godreaman, and had suffer- ed from heart disease. The interment took place on Moti- day at the Aberdare Cemetery. The mourners were: The husband; Messrs. W. R. Morgan, D. Morgan, J. Morgan, T. Evans, Griff Evans, J. Evans, D. Thomas, Ferndale; D. Thomas, Cwmbach, and C. Hall, Cwmaman, uncles; Messrs. J. Mor- gan, J. Meredith, Idris Rosser. Brinley Evans, Ferndale; E. Thomas and W. Davies, cousins; Stanlev Evans, brother-in-law. The bearers were: Messrs. W. Williams, J. Davies, J. Durham, W. Price, A. Loekley and Enoch Evans. The Revs. Rhys Morris, B.A., Aber- aman, and C. G. Wright, B.A., Aber- dare, officiated. The Rev. E. T. Evans, Highland Place, offered prayer at the house. There were wreaths from: (1) Husband; (2) mother and grandmother; (3) Uncle Will and Aunt Marv Jane, Godre- aman Post Office; (4) Mrs. Evans, mother-in-law, and Maggie; (5) Uncle Jack and Aunt Susie: (6) Cousin Tom and Mag.; (7) Cousin Jack and Kate; (8) Cousin Annie; (9).Jack and Ada; (10) Grandmother Thomas and Aunts from Cwmbach; (11) Little Cliffy; (12) Willie and Mary (13) Mrs. Jenkins and Blod.; (14) Mr. and Mrs. Cox; (15) Wood- land Terrace neighbours; (16) Mrs. Dean and family; (17) Little Peggy; (18) T.V.R. Employees. The late Mrs. Evans was a member of St. Margaret's Church, Aberaman. The undertaker was Mr. John Zachariah, Aberdare. I