The Aberdare Leader

CYMRODORION ABERDAR. "Mannau cysegretiig yng righys-god Castell Harlech'' Ofdd testun y Parch. E. Cefni Jones, Ramoth, Hirwaun,. nos Wener diweddaf. Ymhlith yr enwog- ion yr oedd Hugh Llwyd o Gvnfal, Ed- mwnd Prys, Hen Gyrnol Maesygarn- edd, Elis Wyn o Lasynys, a J. R. Jones, Ramoth. Caimiohvyd a diolch- wyd am y papur galluog a blasus gan Afanydd (Bardd y Gymdeithas), Parch J. Morgan (Bryn Seion), Parch. T- Powell, Cwmdar; Mri. Geo. Powell, Ap Hefin, Timothy Davies, B.A., W. J. Evans, etc.

Rev. E. J. GRUFFYDD. The Rev. E. J. Grulfydd, former pastor of Bethel Congregational Church, Trecynon, Abc] dare has now been released from the Army. For nearly three years he has served as chaplain to H.M. Forces, first at Kin- mel Camp, subsequently in the East and finally at Shcreliam. Mr. Gruft- ydd while in charge of Bethel showed that he possessed rare qualities both as preacher and pastor, his organising I 11r, instinct standing him in good stead. He is now open to receive preaching engagements and to take pastoral charge of a church. The Rev. E. J. Gruffydd's present address is The Bungalow, Crescent Road, Rhyl.

BETHANY, CO DREAM AN. Half-yearly services in connection with the above church were held on Sun- day, when Prof. J. Oliver Stephens, B.A., B.D. Carmarthen, officiated. Preaching in the afternoon from Romans 1, 16, "For I am not ashamed of gospel of Christ," etc., the preacher said the immediate purpose of the book of Romans was to give Paul an introduc- tion to his friends at Rome, which was the centre of civilisation at that time, and to proclaim the gospel of Christ. Paul was a greit personality, and if young people of to-day associated them- selves more with his character they would be a great power in the laad. The gospel of Christ had changbci the history of the world. Some people professed that Christianity was an old-fashioned idea. The gospel of Christ would never change. Science and philosophy were on its side, but the indifference of the masses and social immorality were detrimental factors. It was must pain- ful to him to say that the financial pori- 4 ion of various churchos was a disgrace to humanity, especially taking into con- sideration what the gospel of Christ had done for the masses.

TRINITY, ABERDARE. The pastor. Rev. G. Humphrey Evans, B.A., officiated at Trinity on Sunday. In the evening he preached from Colos- sians 3, 16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching ana admonishing one another in psalms ,Ina and hymns and spiritual songs." In the text, said the preacher, they found that the personality of Christ was manifested in tke instruction and guidance of the gospel. The gospel was worthy to be re- ceived, and the truths of it should be read, listened to and accepted as the de- finite principles of Christianity. They must meditate upon those truths, which were unfathomable. The indwelling of the gospel -was the basis of true worship. People said that the churches should be places of Test and comfort, but he held they should be places of labour and con- viction. A short service of song followed, the conductor being Mr. J. Arkite Phil- lips.

WAR MEMORIAL FUND. Sir,—The Committee of the above fund wish to express their regret at the ab- sence of Mr. David Evans, baritone, London, who was to have sung at our concert on Sunday last, but desire to in- form their patrons that it was no fault of theirs but the fault of Bethel (Tre- cynon) Chapel Concert Committee who objected to him appearing at our con- cert inasmdeh as he was booked to sing for them. The date anu engagement for our concert had been confirmed by Mr. Evans but he did not put in an appear- ance, thasks to the Chapel Committee. We should very much like to know what their object is, or who is working behind them. We discharged sailors and sol- diers expected better treatniant than this from a Chapel above all other bodies. Porhaps they will explain in your next lhsue.—1 am, Yours faithfully, D. EVANS, HOIl. Secretary National Association of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors (Aberdare Branch). 17 Club St., Aberaman.

TENANTS. HENTS AND RATES. Sir,—I am writing this letter in sell- defence. I am accustomed to having a large number of callers at my home, but for the last three months that number has been so rapidly increasing that it has got beyond human ondur- aiue. This Monday afternoon I sat down to my tea at 5-5 and rose at 6 p.m. During that time I had live callers, and the average number of callers daily is tell. I have no objection to that, on the j contrary I rather delight *in helping my fellow-workmen out of difficulties, but the burden has now grown too heavy, and I therefore must ask your readers to,cut out this letter for future reference, and by so doing they will be 11 helping themselves and relieving me of a lot of extraneous work. Now the cause of all this is due to the large increase in local rates. Land- lords are now asking the tenants to p;?y the excess rates. In fairness to I the landlords I must tell the tenants they ought to pay this excess. The tenants, however", are in this difficulty: I they cannot check the accuracy of the landlords' demand. During the last eight weeks some hundreds of these demands have passed through my Panels and generally they fire quite correct. In a number of cases the demand has been excessive, and some of these ex- cessive demands have come through the hands of professional men who cer- tainly ought to twow better. As a guide, therefore, for poor people I append the following figures, I giving the rentals, rateable values, and excess the tenant should pay per week for the 26 weeks ending March 1920 i Rateable Weekly Value. Monthly fixoess Kate. £ s. d. Rent. s. d. 6 < ? 18s. 0 9 J (i o 0 19s. 0 10 6 10 0 20s. 0 10J 6 15 0 21s. 0 11 7 0 0 22s. 0 Hi 7 10 0 23s. 1 0 7 15 0 24s. | 1 8 0 0 25s. 11 8 10 0 2DS. 1 6 S 15 0 27s. 1 4 6-i 9 0 » 28b. 1 7 9 5 0 29s. 1 7t 9 15 0 30s. 1 H 10 0 0. 31s. 1 9 The landlord is entitled to claim these amounts back to Oct. 1st, 1919; but if the rent has been increased since August, 1914, that sum, whatever it may be, must be merged in the above figures. For example, supposing a tenant paying 23s. per month in August, 1914, is now paying 5s., or (id. per week increase, that tenant can only now be asked to pay another 6d. per week, making the total rent 27s. per month.—Yours faithfully, Aberdare. E. STONELAKE.

THE NEED FOR ECONOMY. Sir,—The Government has at last moved, but it has moved in the wrong direction. The cry of ruthless economy has resounded even within the walls of Westminster, and Parliament realises that economy must become not merely a cry but a reality. The Government is aware of the great need, and it has moved. There is a slight satisfaction in knowing that such a Government is cap- able of a little activity. This Govern- ment has always been wasteful. It has thrown away the people's money. This is bad enough, but worse still it has been wasteful too, with the lives of the peo- pie. When any war adventurer comes along, whether he be a descendant of the House of Marlborough or not, great sums of money are bestowed that his ad- venturous spirit may be appeased. And we had the Gallipoli adventure. It cost money it cost lives. This, like all mad gambles, had been a terrible failure But we are supposed to forgive this wasteful miscalculation. Can we l' It was a great adventure you know. Such an adventurer must have his little waqi, and he will have them, make no mistake, as long as every Government gives him a job. He will surely nose out some little campaign somewhere; then pity the national exchequer. When men of tJ1i" type have a say there will always he a wastage. So the first step to econ- uniy is "Sack the Gamblers." The Russian campaign with its numer- ous subsidies has cost the nation 95 mil- lion pounds already. According to Mr. Lloyd George we have seen the end of these grants. Let us hope we have seen the folly also. We are spending money at a terrible rate, and if this is pro- longed. national bankruptcy is inevit- able. This means national ruin. The Government see this, and they realise that by some means or other the nat- ional expenditure must be cut down. And they have found a solution of the problem. "Cut down the. ex-service man's dole from 29s. to 20s., and do away with the civilians' altogether"—and the difficulty is solved. This solution pre- sents. greater difficulties. The out-of- work pay affects over 100,000 persons, and meanwhile the Government is content, for it has solved the problem of economy —and these persons must live on nothing a week. But the Government has not got to the root of the matter. It has simply torn the flower, and the plant still lives. And as' is expected, this weird mixture of unstable ele- —this weird mixture of unstable ele- I' ments has folded its arms where action should have been taken, and instead of I killing the elephant it has killed the fly.—Yours, etc., T. H. LEWIS. Mountain Ash. Mountain Ash.

SCRAPS. BY THE SCRIBE. Once upon a time a respectable, pious citizen of no mean city was taking a constitutional in an outlandish country district. But while "remote from towns he ran his godly race" there were near at hand some little arabs, who were not particularly godly or good, indulging in boyish games. There's many a shaft at random seut Finds mark the archer never meant. Unfortunately on this occasion a hard ball came in sudden contact with the aforesaid citizen's cranium with the re- sult that he had to suspend cool think- ing for the duration of the pain, which was the inevitable sequel of the friction of two hard substances. He had just enough' presence of mind and energy of body left to bellow out "Where are the Oolice!" The village constable was a splendid officer noted for his versatility and ubiquity. He was no doubt at the time the ball tragedy was enacted indus- triously engaged in the pursuit of his duties in some portion of his immense beat. But he was not in that particular spot where his presence would have been particularly useful just then for the simple reason that he was but an ordin- ary mortal and therefore not omniscient. Now I mention this incident to illus- trate a point which I would like to drive home. We expect too much from the policeman. And we expect too much from the school teacher. When we get an instance of an outburst of youthful exuberance resulting in a deed of mis- chief, we are apt to cry out "What are our teachers doing? How is it that the children are not taught better manners in .school? We pay a heavy, education rate and the teachers get enormous sal- aries, and look at the result!" W<.H, no pedagogue in the world, how- ever great a genius he may be, can in- stantly convert with the touch of some magic wand a rough granite block of erring humanity into a finished cherub. It will take years of strenuous chiselling to do that. And even then it cannot be done in the case of a school child with- out the sympathy and co-operation of the child s parents. And this is what 1 would like to emphasise. The hearth is the infant's first mould, and that is handled by the parents. At the age of say five y^ars the child is handed over' to the teacher, and in many cases the latter has to undertake some vigorous remoulding. Not only that but the poor instructor is doubly handicapped. Not only has he to "correct a refractory pupil," as an optician would say, the refraction being the effect of defective parental control in the past, but he has sdso to play at cross purposes in the pre- sent with the parent. He is expected to train a child in the way he should go, but he has to redouble his efforts because the home instructor is at the same time doing his or her utmost to direct the child's feet to the hard way of trans- gressors. Under such circumstances the poor teacher is certainly more to be pitied than blamed. And yet he is often actu- ally blamed because he does not perform miracles. Miracles did I say? Yes. A teacher who can put a child on the right hand road when his parent or guardian is continually steering him to the left is a miracle worker. I am glad that the Director of Educa- t ion at Mountain Ash took a sensible view of this question recently. Once upon a time he was dubbed "the Dir- ector of the Education Committee." Well it appears to me that some mem- bers of that body want directing at times. If they expect to get a body of teachers who can exercise supervision over about 9,000 chilren during the 24 hours of the day, and see that they do not throw stones at chestnut trees or do anything else which might be considered a breach of discipline or a dereliction of juvenile duty—well they had better dis- miss all flesh and blood instructors and advertise for deities to fill their places. Perhaps it would he ell to cuid a clause te tbl. effect, "No human need apply unless specially endoweu with miracu- lous gifts." I do not know whether the Aberdare Leader has a circulation in heaven; if not, then I fear that there will be no reply to the Education Committee's advertisement. No doubt Lord Aberdare thought he was getting at the root of the evil by placing the axe at the roots of the chest- nut trees in the Gorsedd Woods. But just as the apple tree served to test the parents in Eden of old, so the chestnut tree tests the children in the modern Eden—Mountain Ash. Even the felling of all the trees in the forests of the world will not uproot the original sin of the juvenile nature, one manifestation of which is the bad habit of throwing stones.

OARK MORNINCS AT MOUNTAIN ASH. At a meeting of the O'Connell branch of the U.I.L., held on Sunday last, at which Mr. Joseph Keating presided, the serious question of the unlighted streets in the mornings was discussed. It was pointed out that in the dark mornings, with thousands of workmen hurrying along the streets and roads in different directions, the greatest inconvenience was caused by the unavoidable jostling and collisions that took place between persons unable to see one another. It was suggested that the economy policy of the Council was being carried a little too far in this matter. It was further pointed out-that in view of the fact that the Council now possess facilities at the gasworks for lighting or darkening the streets at night at any moment, it would be no great additional expense if the gas was turned on at 4-4.5 a.m. and turned off at 7 a.m. Such a plan would be of the greatest benefit to all classes of work- men.—It was unanimiusly decided, on the proposition of Mt Jeremiah Murphy, ,seconded by Mr. M. Donovan, that a lett be sent from the branch, calling the attention of the Council to this matter.

HIGH-CLASS FURNITURE, DISTINCTIVE & RELIABLE. THE ELITE (ABERDARE) FURNISHING COMPANY IS OPENING IMMEDIATELY AT 17 Cardiff Street, Aberdare. Mr. R. R. TINNEY, Proprietor, always in attendance. You will be invited to walk round unhindered. All Goods marked in plain figures. WATCH THE WINDOWS. "r T ARRIVAL Ir MOUNTAIN ASH OF Dr. Ms t. MAXWELL (Doctor of Optometry The famous Specialist, on all matters relating to '1rC" "'WC8r' EYESIGM -3.% WEAKNESS, FAILURE and DEFECTiON ivjw WEEK AT THE Workmen s institute, fountain Ash, LftST TWO DAYS- To-day (Friday) and Saturday.

"It's never too late to mend." This is one. of those euphonious max- mis, which contains much more fallacy than sen«e or truth. The true saying is that—"Neglected Opportunity can- not be recovered." The earliest indications of failing or defective sight imperatively call for prompt attention. If this call be im- 1- mediately responded to, the mischief can be dealt with and the sight pre- served. On the other hand, to neglect this call is so unwise, so intensely foolish, that it is incomprehensible so manj should be guilty of it, yet that such is the case is sadly evident, when we con- sider, even amongst our friends and acquaintances, how many are, if 'not quite blind, at least purblind, almost groping their way along the street, whereas to read with any tiegree of comfort for any length of time is alto- gether out of the question. j To these, not only, are the glorious beauties of Nature and Art to be seen everywhere, dim and unreal, but what is far worse, one of the greatest de- lights of life, the enjoyment to be found in the treasures unfolded by literature, is not for them.

Remember that this sad condition may be avoided by consulting at once a skilled and accomplished specialist as is

Dr. M. L. Maxwell. His extensive practice enables him at once to understand and grapple with the most difficult cases.

Innumerable Testimonials prove his incomparable success as one of the

Createst Living Authorities I on this subject, to which be haa given the profoundest study, accompanied oy one of the largest practices in the

United Kingdom. In this connection a letter of one lady alone, who having consulted several Specialists, and could get no relief, will be -sliiffcieflt-- 27th March, 1919. "Dear Dr. Maxwell,— "I wish to send you a few lines ex- pressive of my thanks for, and deep appreciation of, your skill and com- plete success in my I had foolishly neglected and strained my sight to such an extent that I became greatly distressed. I had purchased I glasses in a shop, but they only aggravated the trouble. Fortunately I saw the announcement of your visit to and at the same time happened to visit a lady friend who had consulted you with most satisfactory results. As you are aware, I called upon, not indeed hoping for much, as I had consulted other Bpecialists only to he greatly disappointed—however, ftet- u thorough examination of my sight, you told me exactly what was wr<>ng, and advised two pair of glasses, one pair for near vision, and one pair for distant vision. Well, al! I can say is, tha.t if you were a magician, you could not' ha.ve done better. f have the greatest comfort, not only in i,ea(il ii,for I read a great, dea --J)ut also out walking, I can distinguish objects clearly at a. con- siderable distance; which before J could not even see at all. I thank you very much, and slutli recommend all my friends who suffer from their sight, to call and consult you as soon as they possibly can. Yours verv sincerely < fMrs.) T L P.S.-f had nearly forgotten to say my headaches have quite ceased." Tins lady's vision had become so serior sly impaired, that had she de- layed even a few weeks longer, no glasses that could lie made, even the strongest, would have been any use to her. She also suffered from severe and constant headaches, which, as she states, have quite disappeared. There is

No Reason Why almost all should not enjoy good and satisfactory sight, enabling them to see objects distinctly at -t reasonable distance, and also to read without the slightest strain, if only they will be ad- vised and, when dimness of vision appears, or ociiiat, headaches manifest themselves, at once consult a highly

Accomplished Specialist Such as beyond all question Dr. Max- well is acknowledged to be. His practice is so large that no case comes amiss t9 haui.

Examination and Consultation are quite free. Lose no further time-go and enlist the unparallelled knowledge and skill of

11 will be too late to Mend. Glasses as may be found requisite, can be supplied ranging from 4/6.

CONSULTATION ROOMS— WORKMEN'S INSTITUTE, MOUNTAIN ASH. LAST TWO DAYS: FRIDAY (TO-DAY) AND SATURDAY. Hours—;10 to 1 and 2 to 1. SATURDAY, 10 to 6. London Address: 51 NEW KENT ROAD, LONDON, S.E. (t JOHN DAVIES, THE PICTURE SHOP 11 CARDIFF ST., ABERDARE i opposite the Cinema). 20 YEARS REPUTATION for, First Class Work. -a W. J. BOWDEN, ELECTRICIAN. Electric Light Installation, Bells, Telephones, &c. ESTIMATES FREE I 82 GADLVS ROAD AN!) I, I Gwalia Terrace, Aberatnan. Sell your old Cold or Silver, Jewellery, Watches, etc., TO '¡ 8. RUNGE, 16 Cardiff Street, Aberdare, Old China, Clocks and Antique Furniture Bought at Best Cash Prices. t COUNTY OF GLAMORGAN. TOWN AND DISTRICT OF A HERD ARK. The Marquis of Bute's Aberttaro Estate DATES OF AUCTION, MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY, I Decomber 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th, '19 At the BOOT HOTEL, A RKHDARE, Conim-nciijg Haeh day at Two o'clock punctually. Messrs. STiPiiCKSCN & ALEX. ANDER (F.A.I.) are instructed hv The Most Hon. 'iho Marquis of Bute to SKLL by ALGTION as above, fflie ABEIIDARE ESTATE. Comprising— Freehold Cround Rents, Freeheia Accommodation Lanls, Farms, Residences, Gardens and Premises. The Properities to be offored for sale are wholly situate III and around the town of Aberdare, and comprise 'the nuses in the chief thorough la res of the great majority of the Business Pre- town. Many are leased for terms at years, a large proportion of these Leases having only short terms to run ot them expiring in February,' \X Vacant possession therefore ot tnose lots can be obtained vvithia a short period of the date of tho Auction; and to persons requiring Business1 Pre- mises in a large and important indus- trial centre, the opportunity now oMer- ed is probably unique in SouUi vVale- The Properties, which are held upon Leases expiring at an esu'ij date, are In the 1 irst and Second Days Sale, Monday, Dee. 1st, and Tuesday, Dee. 2nd, Lots 1 to 86, and Lots 87 to 195. The other portions of the Estate con- sisti ot J< leehold C*roun<3 Itonts secured upon Shops, Dwelling-houses and Pre- mises, and certain Freehold Dwelling- houses and Premises nituate in Aber- dare and District, and included in the ,ord, 4th and 5th days' sales, Wednes- daj'3rci; Th"rsday, Dec. 4th, and Friday, December the 5th. The Farms, Accommodation Lands and Residences, known as 'Plasdraw 'Abernanc House and Park,' 'Neuadd- y-\Yenaiit,' ecc., will be offered at a later date, due notice of which will he given. b ORDER OF SALE. First Day's Sale.—Lota 1 to 86: V c toria Square, Bute Street, Wiud Street, Cardiff Street, No. 1 Merchant Street, No, 1 Cross Street, Corner ot Cardiff Street and Duicw Street, Come" of Cardiff Street and Bute Street. Second Day's S«-le.—Lots 87 to Commercial Street, Market Street, Station Street, Duke Street, Merchant Street, Nos. 1 to 6 Bute Street, Bute Terrace, Dumfries Street, Cross Street, Nos. 2 to 19 Albert Street, Nith Street, Bond Place, Wind Street, and Bicrh Street. Third Day's Sale.Lots 196 to 405 Monk Street, Trevor Street. Herbert Street, Tanybryn Street, Stuart Street and G-ianant Street. Fourth Day's Sale. — Lots 406 to 5: Highland Place, Abernant Road, Alexandra Terrace, Collego Street, Trap Road, Trap Row, Cwmbach Road. Cefn Place, Abernant Row, Abernant Place, Gordon Villas, Plasdraw Road, and Place, Well Place, Incline, Canal Cottages, Timothy Row and Scales Row. Fifth Day's Sale.—Lots 569 to 842: Tydraw Place, Wenallt Road, Park View Terrace, Fothergill Street, Forge Place, Hurst Grove, Richmond Tel- race, Abernant Road, Long Row, Arch Row, Windsor Terrace, Agents, En- gineers, Foreman's, Colliers, and Moss Rows, Blaenant Cottages, Cemetery Road, lestyn Street, Llewellyn Street and Main Street. I The whole of the lots offered are Freehold, and where leased the-- rever- sion to the freehold is included in the Sale. Details of the various lots are fully set out in the Particulars of Sale, copies of which, together with plans and Conditions of Sale may be obtain- ed upon application to Messrs. W. L. Harris and Chambers, Bilte Estate Office, Castle Street, Cardiff, or to the Auctioneers, 5 High Street, Cardiff. f The Auctioneers would feel obliged, if intending purchasers, whom apply- ing for particulars, would kindly state for which day's sale they require them. |„ —|| > Exhibition Baking. 0; P. V IMP ANY 179 CARDIFF ROAD, ABERAMAN. DAILY GATING. COME arid See your Cakes made and satisfy yourselves as to the ex- cellence of the Ingredients used and the elfrau v.oiknig methods. Steak, kidney and fruit pies mad*- to order within the hour's notice. All Cars stop at VIMPANY'S. FORDS. ORDERS RECEIVED. J PARKER BROS., ABERDARE, Ford Dealers.

DR. MAXWELL, The Brilliant and Successful Eyesight Specialist, or y*u may (i n(I to your inexpressible grief