The Aberdare Leader

MOUNTAIN ASH JOTTINGS. BY LUCIFER. Councillor Bruce Jones knows that the problem of cooking is often responsible for family jars, so like a wise man he can see that if a husband gets food at a munici- pal or communal kitchen which is better cooked than his wife's. it might cause unpleasantness at home. And the new Divorce Bill may provide that bad cooking at home may entitle a husband to a decree nisi. Land is about as scarce and as valuable in the Mountain Ash dis- trict as anywhere. After the cemeteries and the rubbish tips have taken their toll there is not much terra firma left. No wonder the housing problem is acute in a place of that kind. Tabernacles could be erected high up the mountain it is true, and this would make it a Mount of Transfigur- ation, but, as the Clerk to the Council points out, there is the Jdifficulty of the water supply. Mountain Ash people don't mind the drying up of the beer sources, but they are rather keen on an adeauate water supply. Someone has hinted that space might be economised—I am assur- ed now of editorial indulgence—if the tips were uEled as burial grounds. By the ashes of our fathers, what a gruesome sugges- tion I expect that would seem too much like cremation to please iuany of us. In many cases it would be ashes to ashes, without a. doubt. However, it is hard lines the dead should have plenty of el- bow room on the plains while the living are crammed in narrow ledges on the hillsides. The only reconstructing agency that could possibly lick Mountain Ash and Penrhiwceiber into shape and into conformity with the rest of this terrestrial globe would be an j earthquake. The Mount will be strange with- out the genial Gwyrosydd. He is known here, there and everywhere by his bardic nom do plume. Very few. I believe, know what his bap- tismal name is. The Mountaineers j will wish him well in his new, or rather his old home, but will not forgive him for deserting the town of his adoption. By the way,, who will bo the now poet laureate of Aberpennar ? Banker seems to be the favour- ite game at the Mount. It is simply insuppressible. Police captures and magisterial fines do not tend to deter it. Prohibitiun seems to add zest to the play. No game of any kind is interesting unless there is a spice of risk about it. The exigencies of war are gradually lopping off all the ro- mantic things of life. The use of confetti is to be prohibited. No more will the reports of pretty weddings state that the blushing wedded pair were deluged with well-wishes and rice or confetti. Rice-throwing had previously been stopped. Next the Director of Economy will draw the line at the well-wishes perhaps. How is international peace like a postal order 1 Because it is not negotiable. -• The late Judge Gwilym Wii j liams. who was Judge Bryn Roberts' predecessor on the South tles circuit, was the son of a eoalowner, Mr. David Williams! (Alaw Goch), and in his young days Gwilym, for some time man- aged one of his father's collieries known as "Pwll Williams." The father of the late Judge Moss, of the North Wales circuit, also own- ed a colliery near Wigan, and when the father died the son took over the management of the mine. It may be said of both young men that in their respective mining spheres they acquired knowledge which afterwards stood them in good stead while handling mining problems in their courts, especial- ly in connection with compensa- tion cases. And by the way the new Judge, Mr. Rowland Rowlands, who takes the place of Judge J. Bryn Roberts, is the son of a coalowner. He will certainly not display the same sort of ignorance that Bryn was guilty of in trying ^colliery cases. Some years ago at Moun- tain Ash a solicitor had to explain very minutely to Judge Bryn Roberts the process of "tumbling a tram," and it took the old Judge fully five minutes to tumble into the eorrect conception. Arrange- ments should have been made to bring an empty tram to the Court, in order to give him a practical demonstration. Many miners in I this valley wouldn't mind if he were put in the tram when it was tumbled, only there would be the danger, if they had their way, of converting the tumble into a somersault, and leaving him per- manently underneath. I do not know whether the en- core is a Cymric product, or an iitipoi-tatioii. At any rate it has by now become a naturalised sub- ject of the eisteddfod and competi- tive meeting. On all occasions it is a nuisance. It is respopslblel for the endless repetitions which in their turn are responsible for long drawn out meetings, besides being a betrayal of invidiousness. In some competitive gatherings it is the fashion to encore every litem, whether song, recitation, oi-i speech, and whether worthy of repetition or not. This is really' too much of a. good thing. I Some audiences go to the absurd extent of encoring a competitor. I have seen it-and heard it, of course—at a local competitive meeting. The "deafening cheers" accorded to a competitor who hap- pened to be a favourite did cer- j tainly not flatter the ears of the [ other contestants. It was not fair to them. It was not sportsman- like- The enthusiastic would-be applauders should have reserved their cheers until the award had been given. Some kind friend must be send ing a copy of the "Leader" to John Bull regularly. A note in the former formed material for a note in the latter about 5 or 6 weeks ago. Last week J H. quotes an extract from a sermon by lie v. Edgar Badham. report-d in the "Leader" a month ago. Says J.B. Tn Cardiff, according to the liev. Mr. Badham. they know more of what is in John Bull1 than they do of the contents of the Bible a fact which, in the rev. gentleman's mind. justifies once more Carlyle's maxim about people being mostly fools. Not the first Badham we have come across lately."

PARISH CHURCH, MOUNTAIN ASH. A united service oi intercession ami grayer held in St. Margaret's Church on Thursday, when u large ,and devout congregation, represent ing all the religious activities of tiu; town, were present. Before -e.vic" begun, _\1 r H. Long gavp some lJ:¡" I tions from "The Messiah" and otiMt great masters, on the organ. Tlv chancel was filled with the St. Mai- garet's clioir. augmented by men hers of St. Dyfrig's and St. Tlltyd\ j under the leadership, of Mr 1J. DOlI Jing. The service opened with t:i> National Anthem, followed by "Th War Litany," which was taken I)., i the J. E. Evans. B.A.. B. fJ. Bethlehem. Then followed the glor ious-hymn Marchog Iesu yn llvvydd-; iannus," which was sung with great- fervency, followed by theWelsh son taken from the Prophet llabak- kuk, which was read by the liev J. il Thomas (Ffrwd), after which the Eevj T. J. Hughes (Rhos), offered a prayeii in Welsh. Then followed the hymnj "0 God our help in ages past," tllli opening and closing verses being llll: in unison, with fine effect, which the organist accompanied by variations from Sir Frederick Bridge. The Rey .). A. Watson (Ebenezer), (P.M.), read the second lesson, II.Chronicles vi., after which the Ttev Edwin Burge-, Presbyterian minister prayed. ".Tesu. Lover of my soul" was tbeii sung to the inspiring tune of Aber- ystwyth. after which an address or" "Reunion was given by the Vicar During the offertory, Kipling's cessional, "God of our. Fathers," fol- I lowed by the prayer for unity from The Accession Service," "The Belie diction," and the Nunc Dimittis," which brought a llwillorable service tot a close.

PROMOTION FOR ABERDAR. IANS. Detective-Constable David Davies. of the MerthvT Borough Police .Force, who is a member of a. well-known Aberaman family, has been promotr-d io the rank of Police Sergeant, nntl Police Sergeant Gwilym Davie-, a native of Trecynon, has been pio- moted to the charge of the Troedy- rliiw station. Both officers, who have in Merthyr for many years, ar? extremely popular in the town.

MERTHYR BOARD OF GUARDIANS. Assessment "Scandal" Alleged by Mr. Prowle. r A motion, down in the name of the liev. Ll. M. Williams (Rec- tor of Dowlais), requesting per- mission for the Assessment Com- mittee to appoint a valuer to re- value certain collieries in the Union, led to a piquant debate. During the discussioif Mr. John Prowle said he was confident that tl/e Assessment Committee as it was at present constituted, would not deal with the matter as it should, and a short while after- wards he was responsible for a vigorous attack upon the Assess- ment Committee. "There is he alleged heatedly, "a bit of dirty under-handed business throughout the whole thing. There is a scan- dal, and the sooner it is exposed the better. Yes, and I will wash my hands clean of the committee unless they are made honourable. The assessment, of collieries here is a public scandal, and it will be the same always whilst you have satellites backing each other up." Mr. Harry Evans, Penydarren, pointed out that a recent recom- mendation from the Board to the Assessment Committee was that the whole of the collieries in the area should be re-valued, but Mr. Morgan Thomas, Cefn Coed, ques- i I ATI D th", nf th", n1'nnro"1 "JJJ' l'J VI LJJV l"A.vl-'v-,tAo..l.. oil the ground that if the re-valu- ations were appealed against by the colliery companies, the Board would suffer heavily by way of costs in the event of these appeals being upheld in the courts. The companies would certainly not ac- cept advances in assessment "ly- ing down." Let them deal with one or two concerns to begin with, or have perhaps a round-table conference with- the coal-owners before proceeding with the matter. In reply to Mr. W. Parker, Uelligaer, Mr. F. T. James (clerk) stated that there was nothing in law to prevent the Assessment Committee increasing any assess- ments. though such a course would not- necessarilv appeal to | :hem from a business view point. Mr Parker, advocating the in- crease in the assessment of coal, said that although the pi-ice per T-OTI had greatly advanced on pre- war rates, owing to the decrease in output, the colliery proprietors wete being exempted from a big proportion of the rates they would have had to pay in pre-war times. He thought the Assessment Com-j mittee would be well advised to increase their assessments per ton so that the aggregate rates would show no reduction on the pre-war total. Eventually the motion brought forward by the Hector of Dowlais j wjis adopted in an amended form, specifying no given collieries for valuation. Merthyr Corporation Criticised. Mr James Davies, Cefn Coed, called attention to an announce- ment by the Merthyr Corporation that grave spaces made in Cefn Coed Cemetery prior to 1898 would in future be utilised for the burial of persons other than those 'elated to the people already bur- led there, unless purchased before May 31st by the surviving rela- tives. This action on the nart of the Corporation, lie said, was dis- graceful. There were hundreds I of men fighting for their country on the various fronts who, accord- ingly, might not be in the position to take the necessary steps to re- tain graves in which members of their families had been buried. The Clerk stated that he could inquire and report as to whether the notice of the Corporation ap- plied to any ground or grave in the cemetery belonging to the (Guardians. If it did not, they as i Board could do nothing in the matter. .J1r. Prowle pointed out another ispect. ''Assume," he said, "that i poor widow in receipt of out, has her husband buried here. Hhe can't find the money equired to buy the grave out- -Igl,.t, and she loses it, with the vsult that she and her children vould-Jtie buried elsewhere. Such thing as this, although perhaps t is a matter of sentiment, would cruel." The Hector of Dowlais consider- d the Corporation guilty of high- landed action, to which the atten- OIl of the public should be drawn. it was most unjustifiable, he said, nd he moved that the mattei lould be referred to a. special sub- ommitt.ee with a view to the rawing up of a strong protest, report as to the Board's mees in the cemetery to be pre- hired meanwhile. -This was car- 'ed.

ENGLISH AMERICAN DENTISTRY BEFORE ANO AFTER VISITING PATON'S DENTAL SURGERY, BOOT CHAMBERS, MARKET STREET, ABERDARE Also at High Street, Ferndalc. Points worth considering! To possess decayed Teeth is to court ill health. Decaved Tetth or the lack- of the proper number, means that the food cannot be properl>• masticated, ant' sooner or later indigestion will set in. The Teeth are too important to be trifled with, and it will pa\ vou to call or me when having Artificial Teeth, and get a good set, instead of the so-called cheaf set, which is a constant source of annoyance and really the most expensive in the end Health, Mastication, and Good Digestion Restored by Perfect-Fitting Teeth. Uld or Badly-ntting Teeth can bei re-modelled on New Settings, no) matter by whom originally made. I This can be done in a few days by i reason of the completeness of Air. I Paton's Workshop, which is fitted! with all the latest Mechanical Appli-j anees. PRICES TO SUIT ALL PURSES. i Repairs of every description in Cold, j Platinum, Vulcanite, etc., receive; prompt attention. Teeth Mounted on Gold, PlatlllUlU, Aluminium, Vulcanite, etc. Gold Fillings, Gold Crowns, Pivot: veeth, Bar Lowers, and Teeth- without Plates. PAINLESS ADJUSTMENT. The Finest Artificial Teeth Fitted o the Latest Principles. The Artificial Teeth supplied b;* Mr. PATON cannot be surpassed fc Beauty, Strength, Durability, Pricp Natural Appearance. Teeth Extracted at)solittelt withou;: pain by Mr. PATON 'S Process thus avoiding the dangerous and distressing after-effects so offer, experienced. Hours: 10 to 8 daily. Personal supervision. Attendance daily Æ.

Aberdare Hospital Grant. On the motion of the Rector of Dowlais it was agreed to make an annual grant of C25 towards the recently opened hospital at Aber- dare and to renew the 125 per an- num subscription to the funds of the Merthyr General Hospital.

TRcCYNON AND LLWYOCOEO NOTES. JJ1 MAKCELLO. Ap Barley has issued a disclaimer and wants me to publish it. He de- clares rather indignantly that there is not an atom of truth in Raffles' state- ment that he has turned the glad eye on some Cwmdare girl. I believe 1 can testify to Ap's veracity on this oc- casion. lie is an adept at making poetry know, but I have never known him to make love when there's a third party about. Ap can also make a speech—hot and strong at times—when someone dances on his coins. So his traducers had better be careful. One member of a local band, is never tired of blowing his own trumpet in more sense than one. Save your pre- cious breath, old man. The auburn-liaired lassie from Tre- i cynun is in a bit of a fix. She had 11011 1, 111 j decided lo go in for a navy blue dress because her young man is in the Navy. But now she would like to know whether that colour will match' liei looks. The lady next door has told her that she has seen it in black and white that red and blue will not blend. Perhaps some colour special- ist will advise iiei en this all-imporf- ant subject. The lIIall from Abernant who i watehing lovers in Marcello's area may catch a tartar one of these days. May! remind him that spies are shot now. Is it true that the converted gaol- bird has another appointment in this locality? There are a few potential gaol-birds (unconverted) that he mkdit take in hand while on the job in lUibe parts the next time. If he can put those on the straight road there is hope for the biggest sinner this side of—Heligoland. Fancy two intelligent hard-headed j young ladies spending several shil- lings on that quack who dignifies her craft by the name of astrology. Girls, remember the fate of the man who consulted the witch of Endor. Twm Sausage wanted a rest after ispouting so much on his favourite topic, the Man-Power Act. So he went on Whit Monday to Portlicawl for a day's rest. Ffe has not been seen since. His wite docs not worry much. She has more cause for worry when her lord and master is at home. I would* like to impress on those Llwvdcoed allotment thieves that the penalty for such offences is hanging without the option of a fine and no re- pammendation for niercv, s'help me God!

MOUNTAIN ASH TRIBUNAL. Held on Thursday, Mr. Griffith }(\'ans. in the dwir. \V nliani Jwillini, 20 Lock Street, Ahercvnon, miner, adjourned for medi- cal examination. 54 CJanlay Street. Kenrluwcdber, journevman tailor, three mouths. Thomas Morgan, o killie Street, A be re en. mi, colliery repairer, rejected. W 'mam M..Jones, 120 AbercvnoB V/ ('°l''»,'y vepiirer, three months. Utontas R. Wdgiey, f) Woodland' lerra.ee. Abercynon Rhvs Mo,anf Ab<»reyPon, and William Kllis Thomas Abereynoji three schoolmasters,- ca ;os adjourned. Ldvard B. Kk-meiu. 8 Seymour Street, Mountain Ash, milk vendor, three- months. William Laurence, 27 Phillip Street, Mountain Ash, lish and fruit merchant; three months. Frederick Cousins, 121 High Street, Mountain Ash. underground shifter, .Kljoiiined lor medical cxamin itioi1 John Sambell, Duffryn Gardens, Mountain Ash, farm-hand three nvmths. leu-i Bartlett, 66 Cardiff Hond, Mountain Ash. boot-maker and re- pairer, three months. Thomas Edwards, Leu wood VIIIJO Mountain Ash, eoiil mirier, refused. Walter Henry Karnes, 4 Abet" pennar Street. Mountain Ash., e.i>dit haulier, three months; to he nmdiealb"' examined. John Allen, .'i Cos, Street, YJ- ''timberman, 2 month' John James, 2 Park Street Aher- ovnon oread distributor, three months. Uavid A. Richardson. Ceridwen Street. Mounlam Ash seaman, two months. Christinas E. Morgan, 4 Knight's- oi i a'-e. Aoercynon, mason, "etc., tfutv months. Tp!<ifM" !c ,,A ,1'^ Hareourt ten ace, 1 enrhiweeiber, motor mechanic, three months, or until a sub- stitute is lound. Kdgar H, Thomas, Elm Villas. Maintain Ash, colliery surveyor ad- join nod pending Jteerinting Court. Frederick Freeman, Hailev Street. i? i" rvr tiuw 'onths, Robert Richards, 8 Kfrwd Crescent, rimnti's"" tin* j W illiam () Davies. 13 Oxford Street. Mo.inta"' Ash. watch and clock re- f. mi -oio engraver, three months. (<odliev Maker, !f» Readon Street,; Mountain Ash, cartage clerk, refused- [nit not to be called For I illotitli. Edward Starr, 70 Thomas Street- kflsliIii, refused. James Dalton, R) Beaton Street- Mont, tain Ash, adjourned pending de- oi (olhe, v Rpcrniting Court.

PRECEPT AND PRACTICE. lined £ 1 for having struck hi^ wife m the eye. Daniel Jones, of Cnrhedyn. appeared at Newcastle Einlyn cm Saturday wearing a badge of the "Pentecostal Dan- I eers, on which was inscribed. Keep yourselves in tlit love of God. God is love." i