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PONTYPKIDD SCHOOL BOARD.
PONTYPKIDD SCHOOL BOARD. OVERCROWDING AT MILL STREET. MEASLES AT COEDPENMAEN. A SNUB FOR FOURTH-YEAR TEACHERS PROGRESSIVE CILFYNYDD GIRLS. Mr James Richards presided at the monthly meeting of the Pontypridd School Board held on Tuesday. The attendance included the Revs Joshua Thomas (vice-chairman),, J. R. Jones, and T. P. Thomas; Messrs L. Gordon Lenox, J.P., Phillip Jones, J. W. John, and D. W. Thomas, with the clerk, Mr D. Milton Jones. The finance committee recommended the pay- ment of accounts amounting to £ 974 7s 4d on the current account, and JB567 4s on the capital account, leaving a balance of L579 13s 8d on the former and 23,647 7s Id on the latter. Questions were raised by Mr Gordon Lenox as to the provision of a subway under the Taff Vale Railway leading to the proposed Lan Wood Scbcols. The Clerk stated that under an agree- ment in force between the company and Lord Tredegar, the former were compelled to provide acooss, and his lordship's solicitors would insist upon this being done. Mr ,1. John added ,ie was sorry to hear it was proposed to close up ¡:1l13 path leading to the reservoir, but the Clerk re- plied that l was not intended to do this although ramwiPB to that effect had been circulated. It was reported that on a recent morning, whilst the children were in the playground of the Coedpenmaen Schools, stones were thrown down by some lads on the Old Bridge. One of the missiles struck a tittle rirl named Grant, of Widle street, on the forehead, «MJsinf a. severe eut. This bled profusely on the. following morn- iw. the child's n«ad was much swollen, and she was tmable to attend school owing to pains and riddiness arising from the blow. Something should be done, for the safety of the children, to prevent a recurrence of this praotioe of stone- throwing on the vicinity of the grounds. The parents in this case were willing to prosecute, but were too poor to meet the expense. The culprit's name was given. Mr Lenox thought the board should pay the expense of such a case. The Clerk: Yes, I thi" we should be quite justified. Mr Lenox having moved that the Board incur the expense, the Rev T. P. Thomas seconded,and it was carried. The Chairman: If we don't move now, things will rret from bad to worse. An application was received, signed by twenty fourth-year teachers attending the Pupil Teach- ers' Centre, who desired to know whether the board would grant them leave of absence for a fortnight before the December examination for the purpose of enabling them to study with a view to securing better results. The Clerk said the wording of the application was any thin- but. creditable to fourth-year teachers. If this were granted it would really mean three weeks off. The teachers now had the privilege of attending the Centre, an advantage which formerly was unknown. Mr Lenox thought it would be ab- surd to "rant such an application. The Clerk added that last year a fortnight was given. Mr P. Jones: Give them a fortnight now and the will want three weeks next year. It was ultimately decided to grant a week's holidays. A letter was received from Mr J. Bowen, sec- retary of the Albion Colliery Education Com. I mittee, asking tibat females might be admitted to the evening classes. The Clerk said that last year only eight females attended, and he there- fore gave orders to stop them. There was, also, an even stronger reason-the unsuitability of the schools for mixed classes. He did not think it would be now wise to open fcfce class to females because it was so late in the year. The Chairman remarked that if everything were suitable he would be pleased to see the classes open to females. He was very glad to find girls moving in the direction of using edu- cational facilities. Mr Lenox observed that it would not do to allow males and females to study together. A very deplorable state of congestion was re- ported from Mill street Schools. So overcrowded were the girls' and boys' departments that classes had to be conducted in the lobbies. The childrn therefore took severe colds, and very strong com- plaints were made by the parents. Many sug- g-cstinns were made for making temporary ar- rangement to relieve the pressure, and ulti- mately it was decided tihat the local members take the matter in hand without delay. Dr Howard Davies wrote stating that owing to an outbreak of measles at Coedpenmaen he had ordered that the schools there be closed for three weeks, and that in the meantime the rooms be disinfected. It wars stated by the Clerk that over a hundred of the school-children were ill with measles at the present time.
PONTYPRIDD DISTRICT COUNCIL.
PONTYPRIDD DISTRICT COUNCIL. The fortnightly meeting of the Pontypridd District Council was held at the Council Offices 01 Tuesday, Councillor James Roberts, J.P., presiding. He was supported by Councillors P. Gowan (vice-chairman), R. T. Richards, W. H. Gronow, J. E. Spickett, T. B. Evans, W. Lewis, Watkin Williams, F. G. Edwards, R. L. Phillips, W. Jones-Powell, D. R. Evans, T. R. Hamlcn- Williams, and Hopkin Morgan; with the clerk, Mr H. Ll. Grover; the assistant clerk, Mr J. Sprague, and the surveyor, Mr Edward Reee. A letter was received from the Tag Vale Rail- way Company, submitting a plan of the land which they were prepared to give the District Council for the purpose of widening High street. The Surveyor suggested that the Company be asked to widen that portion of the road on the north-west side of the bridge. The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. A reply was received from the Taff Vale Rail-' way Company with regard to the leVel crossing at Morgan street, Pontypridd, stating that what- ever rights the public possessed to the crossing would be fully respected. The Chairman considered the crossing very DANGEROUS TO CHILDREN who were compelled to use it on the way to school. Mr W. Jones-Powell proposed that the atten- tion of the Railway Commissioners should be drawn to it, pointing ouo that foot-passengers ran very extraordinary risks owing to the double sets of rails being recently laid down. Ultimately, on the suggestion of the Chair- man, it was decided to write to Mr A. Beasley, general manager of the Taff Vale Railway, again calling his attention to the matter. Sir W. T. Lewis replied to a letter of the Clerk saying that the trees on the canal bank were cut down in his absence by the contractor. A circular was received saving that a confer- ence would be held at Manchester on January 4th to consider the question of the 'n'' TAXATION OF LAND VALUES, and asking the Council to appoint a. delegate. Mr Watkin Williams was appointed. The Pontv-ridd Chamber of Trade wrote say- ing that at the last meeting of the Chamber the question of the MANHOLE NUISANCES was fully discussed, and it was suggested that the sewers should be connected with the stacks at the various collieries in the district. The Chairman: It is a question which sur- prises me. Do you think that capitalists, the colliery owners, would allow their stacks to be used for this purpose? As a rule stack power is too limited. Isn't that so, Mr Lewis? Mr Lewis: Yes. Mr D. R. Evans: Are we act to have a report from the medical men? The Chairman: Yes. Mr D. R. Evans: We will have some satisfac- tion them. Mr P. Gowan: The Joint Sewerage Board are getting a report from the medical officer on the question. The Chairman: I think in the absence of that Wort we had better not do anything further now. f i An application for an increase of salary was received from Mr W. E. Lowe, assistant sur- veyor. It was decided to refer the letter to the Public Works Committee.- » The Finance Committee reported that the col- lector, Mr W. Parry, bad eol^cted the whole ot the last rate. This statement was received with cries of "hear, hear."
YNYSWEN BUILDING CLUB.
YNYSWEN BUILDING CLUB. Two and a Half Years of Litigation. This litigation, which has been going on for the last 2! years, has at last been brought to a close. The club, which, is a building club at Tre- orky, erected 20 houses, and a dispute arose be- tween a majority of the members and the trustees of the club, who were Messrs John Williams and Henry Davies, as to the trustees' accounts, and as io the amount payable by each member to en- able him to Lake ap his lease. The trustees claimed that the club accounts shewed that there was a sum of E136 due from each member ire respect of his lease. This the majority denied and requested that a. proper account should be tanen by a chartered acoountant. The trustees, however, declined to do this, and eventually the majority were compelled to institute proceedings against the trustees and the secretary (Mr E. Turner) to compel! them to account. On the matter first coming before Mr Justice Kekewicb in January, 1896, the parties agreed that the accounts should be submitted to Mr J. Griffith Jones, of Cardiff, to investigate. Mr Jones in- vestigated the accounts, aad decided that the sum claimed by the trustees was in excess of the sum properly payable by each member for his lease to the extent ofi £ 11- Tho plaintiffs solicitors, Messrs Walter H. Morgan, Bruce> and Co., then formally. offered Mr J. Jones- Pughe, tie defendants' solicitor, to settle upon the basis of Mr Jones' report. This was retusea, with the result that the matter again came before the Judge in January, 1897, when he ordered that the accounts be taken That was done, wifch the resait, tha^ the Maste? uphekf the plaintiffs'' contention. The case cars^ before the Judge tor the third time on the 29th and 30th October when he. found us favour (of the plaintiffs and erdcred the defendants to pay the plaintiff.' oasts from ttMt time of their reftigal to- aceept the of tha plaintiffs' solicitors "to QMept Mr Jo*e<5* wport-
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PONTYPRIDD GUARDIANS.
PONTYPRIDD GUARDIANS. Tho weekly meeting of the Board of Guard- iami was held on Wednesday, Mr Godfrey Clarke J.P., presiding over a moderate attendance. The Finance Committee reported that the sum of E264 18s 3d, which the treasurer had received under the Agricultural Rating Act, had to be redisbursed among the various school boards in the district. The Committee also recommended that the sum of 2COO be paid to the clerk to- wards the out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the appeal of the Pontypridd Water Works Company. On the motion of Mr E H. Davies, the report was adopted. Tbo Clerk informed the Guardians that the" had had complete success, and had the rate doubled, and it was the opinion that the Company were not sufficiently assessed yet. Mr W. Jeffery asked the Chairman, Vice-chairman, and Clerk, to so arrange the work that the meetings could be completed each week by 1.15 by endeavouring to divide the work among the committees. .0
Charge against a Treharris…
Charge against a Treharris Baker. Before the Caerphilly magistrates on Tuesday, W. G. Thomas, a Treharris bakpr, appeared to answer a charge of selling bread otherwise than by weight, at Nelson on the 21st ult. P.S. Williams gave evidence that on the day in question he saw the defendant with a cart at Nelson, selling bread to a David Morgan, Nelson, without weighing it.. He went on to the defendant and asked him what weight were the loaves. Defendant replied that they weighed 3tb. 3ozs. The sergeant then asked him to weigh them, but defendant said that he only had two weights in the cart, a 21h and lib weight respectively, and he could not weigh the loaves. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay the costs.
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CYMMER COLLIERY WORKMEN'S…
CYMMER COLLIERY WORKMEN'S INSTITUTE. Interesting Jubilee Celebrations. GENEROSITY OF THE MESSRS INSOLE. THE HISTORY OF EDUCATION AT PORTB A very interesting function took place on Mon- day afternoon at the Cymmer Colliery Work- men's Institute, Porth. The occasion was a public meeting to celebrate the cleaning off ot the debt remaining upon the Library. Tha chair was occupied by the president, Mr T. Griffiths, M.E., J.P., and the spacious hall was well-filled. The proceedings opened with a selection by the Cymmer Brass Band, and the chairman followed with an address. TOUCHING REMINISCENCES. Mr Griffiths said he was very sorry to inform them that he had not prepared an address, and for that muon they must not expeot one. He was very pleased to be at the meeting as a Cym- mer bo. (Applause). Speaking with intense emotion he proceeded to say that his parents brought him there about 4:> years ago. Then there was no school at Cymmer nor Porth, and to receive a little education in those days was a very great favour indeed. He would not forget the fact that his father had to go to Dinas and ask the late Mr Daniel Thomas for permission for his son (the speaker) to go to school, which was held at the long room behind the Old Rock Inn. He went there, and was under the tuition of Mr Thomas for about twelve months. Then Mr Thomas Hughes, a local post-master, opened a school at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Dinas, which was considered in those days a superior one to that held at the long room be- hind "UhL Tavarn y Graig." He benefited by the education given by Mr Thomas Hughes, who was considered a very able man in those days, and there was no doubt about it he imparted as much knowledge as he possessed to his scholars. (Applause). Then the Rev Evan Morgan, Vicar of Llantrisant, who no doubt felt very much for this district, saw there was no school Utere, anil he made up his mind to erect one, which was known at present as the old National School, Cymmer. (Cheers). Ho undertook! upon his own responsibility, with the assistance of friends to erect a school for the benefit of the children of that locality. (Cheers). Inasmuch as -is school was nearer home his parents decided that he should have tho benefits of tha "college"— there was not an intermediate school nor univer- sity then in the Rhondda Valley. (Laughter and cheers). He felt inunediately that the benei,, he derived personally in those days was not to be eompared with the advantages and privileges given to boys to-day. He must thank old Thos. Hughes, the post-master, and "Old Billy o'r Factory," and Mr Davies, for the little educa- tion civen him. He was pleased to say that there were also others in the locality, wlko, through the instrumentality of the late Evan Morgan, Llantrisant, had made themselves fit for the wall, and some architects or other have put them in. Inasmuch as he had prepared him- self, although receiving meagre education, he was glad to believe that he had made himself a stone in the wall, and that Messrs Geo. Insole and Sons had now placed him in the unique posi- tion of being a director of the company. (Ap- plause). He was simply an ordinary miner's son -and received but little education. Inasmuch as his calling demanded more education, and he could not get it very easily, he made up his mind that whatever it cost he would get it, and he would give more privileges to the rising generation than he had himself. (Applause). In- asmuch as he was manager of this colliery, he said to himself, that it was their duty, and they had the power in their hands, and he induced them to establish that institute—(cheers)—so that they might enjoy privileges which he did not enjo- himself. Education had made wonderful strides since he received his little instruction. The National Schools were now abolished, and they had their board schools, higher crade schools, intermediate schools, and, he was pleased to say. their colleges also. The rising venera- tion could, therefore, get some education on every point in life they aimed at, and they should now apply themselves to it. No one would suc- ceed in life to-day unless he equipped himself with the education given. This was the c1 ect of the erection of that institute, so that the workmen might elevate themselves after leaving their daily employment. They had an oppor- tunity to make themselves stones fit for the wall. The social building was a great one, and was composed of various stones, such as the corner- stones, front stones, back.,stones, and filling stones. Therefore it was essential that every man should prepare himself for the great social building, of which they were com- posed. This was the purpose of the institution. He was sorry he had been touched by his feeling, but it was a weakness of his, and some people's weakness was their strength. (Loud applause). THE SECRETARY REPORTS PROGRESS. The summary of accounts was then read by Mr J. H. Evans, the secretary, for the library com- mittee. The old House" Coal Colliery ceased working in November, 1875, and there was a sick and accident fund in connection with it, which at the time had 2137 16s 9d in hand, ano this was kept by Mr George Insole. In the year 1892 there was an application from this institute ij. there was any possibility of getting this money back. In 1893 Mr Geo. Insole handed over the sum of JE400, which meant six per cent. upon the monev for 16 years. (Applause). In 1871 the workmen commenced a contribution fund, and between 1891 and December, 1893, the work- men bad contributed the sum of £ o71 5s 711, The Cymmer Colliery Company subscribed ±,100,ana gave the stones of the building free upon the site. (Loud applause). Amongst the other subscrip- tions were: Dr 1. A. Lewis, £ 25 North Estate, E10 10s; Cymmer Colliery, £ 10; Sir W. T. Lewis, Bart., ES 5s: Mr W. Thomas, Brynawel. £5 5s; Alderman W. H. Morgan, £3 3s; M: Thomas Williame, Abordare, 1;2 2s; Mrs Picton, Tuberville, El Is; Messrs Williams, El is; eollected by Messrs William Williams, overman, jE5 5s 3d; E. Palmer, E3 Is lOd; Thomas Howell, jEl; Morgan Williams, fireman, JE3 16s 6d. By this time the Library was opened at a cost of :82.500. At the time of the opening in December 1893, the Cymmer Collier Company gave a cheque for £ 100. (Cheers). The total amount ef money handled up to that day was £ 3,107 Is 4d. There were now 1,308 books upon the shelves at the Library.The first year s (1895) read- ing was 200; 1896, 935 and 1897, up to that day, 3,862. During last year technical instruction •lasses were established, but they decided only to send one to the examination, and 13 external wtadenta sat. This year again they had estate Habed classes. The number in the machine oon- stnrction dass was 13; mathematics, 17; Welsh, 11 mini. nearly 30; and music, 27. (Cheers). THE PRESIDENT JUBILANT. The President said that he had been the instru- ment of getting from E700 to E800, but he wanted this to be placed in the back-ground now. He felt proud that that day the institute was redeemed of any financial burden, and the contributions would in future be used for the purpose of purchasing the best literature. (Hear hear). The human intellect had of late de- veloped to such an extent that they had tho productions of the ablest men in the world and he wanted the Cymmer Colliery Institute to get these if possible. (Hear, hear). He wanted to raise up those who worked at the colliery. He was pleased to be at the meeting which Welshmen called "Jubilee i glirio'r hen ddyled i gyd." (Laughter and cheers). Mr Tom Matthews then gave a fine interpre- tation of "Cymru Fydd," the chorus being sung by the Male Voice Party. The Chairman then said he was sure they were pleased to see the Lord Bishop of LlandaJff pre- sent. (Hear, hear). They knew him better as the Bishop of Llandaff, and he hoped he would pardon him as president of the institute to call him as such. They knew he was always in sym- pathy with the elevation of l-lle people, spiritually and morally. He was speaking as a Noncon- formist upon that platform, but he was pleased to see the Church making such rapid strides, and he believed that the prophecy was going to be fulfilled, but he did not know how far distant was the time, when all the denominations would be united. (Cheers). The devil found place to work between the various denominations, When the whole denominations would be united against him, he would take great care to keep away. Whether he was right or wrong, this was his opinion. The Lord Bishop had taken great in- terest in that locality. The church was the in- stigation of their education in that district. They had their national schools long before the Board Schools, and they should not forget the rock from which they had been carved although they were Nonconformists. The Lord Bishop then rose and addressed the audience as fellow workingmen. It gave him very great pleasure to come amongst a body cf workmen. He claimed to be in the first rank < f workingmen, but the class of work in which they were engaged was different. One was manual labour in which most of them were engaged; th?> other was intellectual labour, in which he was engaged, and he could assure them that that was the hardest. He was pleased to hear the chairman relate his personal history in such a feeling way. (Cheers). He told them that his weakness was his strength, but he could say that his weakness was in the right plaoe-in his heart. (Hear, liear). The history of the institution was also very interesting to him. He believed with the chairman that the union of all denominations would not be long. (Cheer). Tliey should pray, and go forward against the vices of the day. That institution was one of the most valuable parts of the machinery which was being estab- lished for the elevation of mankind. One might take up the Cardiff dailies every morning and almost shed tears at the terrible crimes commu- ted amongst the people of the Rhondda Valley, and the greatest vice of the whole was, he thought, drunkenness. (Cheers). He had no great faith in legislation as a curative for this. Let them have their library institution, fcotball clubs, and cricket clubs, which would employ the leisure times of the colliers as well as the rich 'i ius would do more than a Sunday Closing Bill. (Hear, hear). He would urge upon the working- men to employ the leisure hours to the best ad- vantage. He was pleased to see such a successful institution with them, and he was glad to see they had their Jubilee Day. (Cheers). They had now cleared themselves of the burden, and they should go on improving the institute. (Cheers). He was going to ask the president one favour, and thit was to allow him to ocntribute four volumes to the library. (Hear, hear, and cheers). The secretary should name what books they had not got. It was not a big thinfr, but he was in sympathy with the object. (Cheers). He wished them God-speed. He had been con- nected with the workmen's club on a smaller scale, but this was a most successful one. The Male Voice Party then renedered the "Destruction of Gaza," which was followed by an address by the Rev P. R. Hughes, Vicar of LIantrisanL The rev. gentleman said it afforded him great pleasure to rejoice in that the Library was now free of all debt. He must congratulate the com- mittee upon the way in which they seemed to manage the institute. It was another instance of the splendid influenc3 of co-operation and combination. The institute could not have been brought to its present position without the healthy co-operation of the employers and em- ployed. (Cheers). Co-operation and combina- tion they would discover, was the success of al- most everything. They read of the Frontier Troops at war in the present day, but they were not combined under one master, and therefore were being defeated. They would also read about similar instances in the history of the past. They, as colliers, should take advantage of this, as little recreation was a rest, because a rest meant a change. Rest did not consist in doing no work at all, but in change. Going from manual to mental labour was a change. In an institution of that character they should provide for the young, middle-aged, and old. It was a most valuable in stitution. (Cheers). It was a fact-and they should recognise a fact-that voung lads preferred fiction to more solid reading but again they would come and like more solid reading, and they should provide for all ages. He urged them to take advantage of the oppor- tunities of the day, and obtain and read the best literature. They should study the great social and political questions of the day. Mr A. J. Jenkins having rendered "The -ast Watch." Major W. H. Wyndham Quin, M.P., was called upon to speak. Although he had been ill, he said, he would have to be very much so to keep away from a meeting of thatcharacter. He did not think that human ingenuity would add much to what had been said that afternoon. He was pleased to say that the educational system of Wales was a good one, and that other movements of tihat character were growing. They should equip i-hemselves with as much information as possible upon the political and social questions of the day. He was glad to hear of the support the institution had received. It was a most pleasant recreation ground. They should treat all the questions of the day fairly. He was pleased to say that he was not there in his poli- tical capacity, but as their friend and sympa- thiser. He bad not eome there from any par- ticular political motive, although he represented them in Parliament.. Mr D. Lewis having tendered "Lead, kindly light," in excellent style, The Chairman called niBon Mr Tom John (edi- tor of the "Glamorgan Free Pwes") to addrrws the meeting. In doing so. lie said, that no man in the Rhcndda Valley had been so prominent in educational matters its Ws friend Mr John. (Lcud cheers). Whilst he advocated good prin- ciples and tausrht them to the children under his care, yet he always took oare of their position RS masters. He was fer a large number of years the Elias of education in the Rhondda. (Cheers). Mr John then addressed the meeting, amidst the acclamation of the large audience, in the vernacular. He thought this a very interesting occasion in the history of Cymmer. He felt that when they heard that £ 2,500 had been got by the workmen in about four years, this spoke highly of the Rhondda workmen. They had undoubtedly co-operajted together. He was pleased to see so many present, and if fihara was a national question which required their consider- ation, it was that of education. (Cheers). They had indeed been very successful in connection with the institute. Institutions of this kind afforded the worldngmen an opportunity to searoh up the best books of the day. They had their institutes, but the question now was, how should they use them. (Cheers). He felt sorry that Mr Ballinger, the chief librarian of the Car- diff Libraries, was not present, for the could give them a great many useful suggestions. He com- plimented the colliery company who had Eo warmly co-operated with the workmen. (Cheers) In introducing Mr W. North Lewis, Cardiff, (son of Mr W .H. Lewis, one of the directors of the company), the Chairman said that this would give the workmen an opportunity of know- in" Mr Lewis, when they perhaps might have to meet him in a dispute. (Laughter). Mr W. North Lewis then handed Mr James Vaughan (trustee of the sick and accident fund) the lease of the institute upon receipt of JE50, which was again handed back to Mr William Williams (chairman of the library committee). He felt that an apology was due to them for his being there that day. because they had ex- pected to see his father, who, he was sorry to say, could not attend -owing to a family be- reavement. He was pleased to teH them that Mr vjriffiths, who had been & collier bov was now a director of the company. (Loud applause). The workmen were the owners and managers of that fine institute, and he always felt it was the one place upon the colliery where he had to take off his hat and ask permission to show his friends around. (Cheers). His friend Mr Grif- fiths had said that this was an opportunity for the workmen to know him (the speaker) in time of dispute, buc. they were too fond of peaceful times at Cymmer. (Cheers). The choir then rendered iJwynwen" in fine stye, and Mr W. D .Lloyd sang "The Wolf." Mr T. Davies (member of the Rhondda School Board) -rotose(i a vote of thanks to all con- cerned, which was seconded by Mr T. M. Ed- wards. Dr I. A. Lewis fJso moved a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding, and this was carried amidst acclamation. The meeting terminated by the singing of "Hen Wlad fv Nhadau," the solo being sung with Welsh "hwyl" by the chairman. At the invitation of the president, the speak- ers. friends, and members of the Press, were subsequently enioyably entertained to luncheon in the committee room. LETTER FROM MR J. BALLINGER. Since the meeting the following interesting letter has been received by Mr J. H. Evans, the secretary, from Mr J. Ballinger, the chief libra- rian of th& Cardiff Library: "Dear Mr Evans,—I regret that an official engagement for Monday afternoon makes it quite impossible for me to attend your public meeting, as I had promised. I am extremely sorry that this is so, because there are some things which I should have been very glad to say to the meeting. Will you be good enough to convey to your president, and to your mem- bers my heartiest congratulations upon the re- markable success which has crowned their efforts to provide the workingmen with an institute and to free it from debt? I think that the effort on the part of the workers of the South Wales coal field to provide themselves with libraries and reading-room is one of the most notable of the many educational movements of the present times, and I believe that by teaching y .1 to read we put into their hands the weapon which is as powerful for evil as for food. I think it is cf importance that public libraries should be pro- vided to continue and to supplement the work of the schools. May I submit for your con- sideration, if it has not been already done, that vl you should as far as possible provide in your library such books as relate to the history of Glamorganshire, and perhaps of the rest of South Wales? Unfortunately the number of such books is small, an 1 they are not very com- prehensive, but they would be very acceptable to your members. If you 'have a little money to spare for the purchase of them, and if you have any difficulty in having the books, I will gladly make a list of them for you. Trusting that your ceremonv on Monday will do much to encourage those who have worked so hard to bring about the work so successful.—I am, yours very truly, JOHN BALLINGER.
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MARRIED LADY TEACHERS.
MARRIED LADY TEACHERS. Resolution by the Pontypridd Board. VARIOUS PHASFS OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE SUGGESTED. The Rev. J. R. Jones, at Tuesday's meet- ing of the Pontypridd School Board, when Mr James Richards (chairman) presided, submitted the following motion, of which notice had been given That in future no married female teachers be retained in the service of this Board, except- ing those who are already married and are in the Board's employ at present." In support of this, he said, he would quote a few points from the Board's own report and some from the Blue Book for 1896-97 la the first place he should say he wanted it to be clearly understood that he had no personal feeling against any of the Board's married female teachers he believed they had a staff of teachers of whom they could feel proud. His object was to take such steps as would prevent in future any married female teacher being engaged by that Board, but it was not intended to interfere in any way with the mistresses now in the Board's service. He brought this matter forward for many reasons. In the first place, it was his opinion that every married lady bad^sufiicient duties to attend to in her own household affairs, without taking upon herself the responsibilities of school work as well. Another treason was that under the new system of examination, conducted in accordance with Article 81B of the code, Her Majesty's Inspectors assessed the grants payable to schools in accordance with the quality of the work which was donetduring the surprise visi's they made-visits wich were almost always unexpected. As they; were aware, under the old system the school! were examined on a specified day during the year, and as long as the work examined on that day gave satisfaction to the Inspector, nothing more was required. But now the whole energy of the mistress must be devoted to tho work of the school, and she could could not possibly leave the school to attend to household duties during school hours, for fear a surprise visit might at any moment be paid. It could, therefore, now be said ot tnisfr,-sses and masters alike, "Therefore be ye always rrady for in such an hour as ye think not the Inspector cometh." (Laughter). According to the Board's regulations, every headmistress was supposed to be in charge of her school fr"m 9 a m., to 12.30 a m., and from 2 p.m to 4 30 p.m., which made it impossible for her to attend to home duties and be a faithful servant of the Board. And he might add that it stood to reason that married ladies, and especially those who had children, could not devote the same energy to her school work as could a single lady, whose miad was free from all household duties and responsibilities. The only argument he had ever heard in favour of engaging married ladies as headmistresses was that they had more experience in dealing with children and greater sympathy with the young ones than single ladies could have. The f afest rule to judge by in this matter was by results. Now, taking the report of their own schools. There was sufficient evidence to prove that the departments under the control of single ladies were equal, if not superior, to those in the charge of married lady teachers. Therefore, he contended, the arguments about exp"rience and sympathy fell to the ground. His third point, and one which it was very important for the Board to consider, was the future welfare of their pupil teachers. According to the second annual n port efthe Board he found they had in their employ, in February last, 9 female certificated teachers, 21 female ex-P.T s., 8 female teachers under Article 68, 24 fourth-year female teachers, 9 third-year female teachers, as well as 13 second- year and 15 first-year female teachers and 15 I female candidates, the majority of whom would no dcubt become qualified for mistress-ships. Now, he asked the Board, if the present state of affairs continued, and no check would be put upon the employment of married female teachers, what pr spects were there of the young girls in their parish becoming governesses, even if they qualified themselves for the post. As he bad already remarked, there were under the Board nine certificated single girls, without those recently appointed, who were equally as well qualified as their present married governesses. But those young women were compelled, notwithstanding the great expense their parents had been put to in maintaining them during their apprenticeships, and in keep- ing them in college for two years to be trained for head teachers tii ps-notwittistandi ng all this they were compelled to remain in the Board's employ as assistants, simply because married ladies retained their posts under the Board. This, in his opinion, was a great hardship upon the young girls themselves and also on their parents, some of whom he personally knew had sacrificed a great deal to qualify their daughters for the mistress ships. He was very pleas d to say that several School Boards had passed resolutions prohibiting the employment of married females in future and if this were not done, it would very seriously affect the supply of females of the rising generation. Some idea of the large number of females entering upon the scholastic profession for their livelihood might be seen from the following figures given in the Blue Book. In 1870 there were 7,000 female teachers of all ranks employed in the public elementary day schools of England and Wales, whilst in 1896 there were no fewer than 68,396. This, he felt sure, sufficiently proved that some step must be taken to make room for the vast increase of their female teachers. Resolutions with a similar object to his own, but most of them couched in stronger forms, had been passed by the Boards of Swansea, Cardiff, Mertbyr, Llanwonno, Eglwysilan, Llantwit Fardre, and the now well-known Llantrisant Board. Mr Phillip Jones seconded the motion. Mr Lenox enquired how this would affect widow applicants for teacherships and headships. The Chairman and the Rev J. R. Jones replied that it was not intended to affect them in any way. Mr J. W. John Supposing a widow had children, how would your resolution come in then P Mr Lenox Yes, that's the point. She would have the siuoo household responsibilities re- quiring her to be at home. The Rev J. U. Jones thought such cases should he treated on their merits when the applications came in. Mr Lenox, amidst laughtir, suggested that probably many of the lady ceackers were now engaged to be married, and the passing of such a resolution now would mean a great dis- appointment to them. Rev J. R. Jones We must begin somewhere. Mr J. W. John If one of the Board s present teachers gets married, she will be asked to resign. Rev J. R. Jones Yes. Mr J. W. John said that for his own part he could not vote in favour of the proposal. He agreed almost entirely with what the mover had said, aud since the appearance of the motion on the agenda bad given the matter a great deal of attention. He took it they all believed in the principle of the survival of the fittest. Mr Jones had rightly said he knew of people in humble circumstances in life, who had made great sacrifice& to educate their children for the profession, and that after qualifying themselves for the highest position, young ladies were kept in the position of assistant mistresses for a very long time. All tiiis was quite true but he took it it was the Board's duty to secure the best qualified teachers to educate the children. He would also remind the Board that the London School Board, which was considered the premier educational authority, largely engaged married women governesses and assistants. He was not there to advocate the employment of married ladies, but what he certainly would contend was that the people should have a voice in so im- portant a question. This matter had never been before the ratepayers of Pontypridd, and he submitted that it was one in which they should have a voice. If a married teacher failed from any cause to discharge her duties, let her be asked to resign; but so long as a lady was a good teacher, gained the highest grants and give every satisfactioa, he would not be the man to ask that lady to resign be- cause shs was married. This was particularly a question to be decided by the people, who had to pay the piper; and if Mr Jones would accept his suggestion he would assist in holding a series of public meetings, where the ratepayers could give expression to their wishes and opinions. He did not de- sire to move an amendment, because he quite agreed that the place of a married woman who had children was at home, but he wished to put before the board the follewiug hypothetical case. A young woman, after having proved an efficient assistant for a number of years, got married and resigned her position. Unfor- tunately, through some cause or another, her husband was stricken with illness and became permanently invalided. What, in such a case, would be the effect of this proposition ? It would mean that, although not having any children, this woman would be debarred from returning to her profession in order to earn money to keep herself and her husband. This would be a decided hardship in view of the great expense to which the young woman had been put in fitting herself for the teaching pro- fession. Mr Phillip Jones strongly disagreed with Mr John's contention that the matter should first be submitted to the ratepayers. What had the ratepayers to do with it ? The members of the board had been elected to represent the rate- payers, and so long as they sat they should be quite capable of deciding such a question. With regard to the supposed case given by Mr John, his objpGt in seconding the motion was to prevent partiality being shewn. Under the present system a great deal of injustice would creep in owing to partiality being shewn one married woman over another. After a brief discussion Mr John converted his suggestion into a proposition, and moved that the matter be deferred until the next election, which was only three months off. The Rev J. R. Jones said that before ventur- ing to give notice of his motion he had con- sulted a number of representative ratepayers,all of whom agreed with him. V The amendment found no seconder. On being put to the meeting the motion was carried, the members voting for it being the chairman, Rev J. H. Jones, Rev T. P. Thomas, Rev Joshua Thomas, and Mr Phillip Jones. Mr J. W. John and Mr D. W. Thomas did not vote.
CHURCH BAZAAR AT PENTRE.
CHURCH BAZAAR AT PENTRE. With the never-tiring energy of the Vicar of Ystradyfodwg (Rev Precentor Lewis), and his able staff of curates, church work in the parish is making rapid progress. Missions have been formed in various districts, and wherever planted the church seems to ft-urish and bring large numbers into its fold. The clergy and laity work most harmoniously audt vigorously together, with the result that in order to raise necessary funds it was found expedient to hold some kind of an entertainment, and so on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday last a grand Diamond Jubilee Bazaar, got up by the parishioners, was held at the Drill Hall, Pentre. i'he committee engaged the services of Messrs Ben Evans & Co,the well-known Swansea firm, for the erection of the stalls and decoration of the hall, both inside and outside, being also illu- minated each evening by numerous Japanese lanterns. The stalls were arranged round the room, and were nicely draped. Iney contained numerous articles, many of which were suffi- cient to make any visitors part with tht-ir superfluous cash. The Parish Stall was prd- sided over bv Mrs Prichard; Mrs J. H. Jones (Ton), Mrs Parry Edwards,. Mrs David Evans, Mrs Wilkes \p utre), Mrs Griffiths (tielli;, Mrs Job Williams, Mrs Hoskins St. Peter's Church Stall was presided over by Mrs-and Miss Lewis (the Vicarage), Mrs Thomas Thomas, Mrs Shepperd (Pentre), Mrs Cawlev, Mrs Llewellyn Jones St. David's Church StaJl ( ron) by Mrs Alban Richards, Mrs John Collier, Mrs Llewellyn Phillips, Mrs Evan Jones, assisted by Miss M. Heycock, Miss Call ington, Miss Davies (Windsor), Miss E. Lewis, Miss E. A. Lloyd, and Miss Maud Richards; St. Matthew's Church Stall (Treorchy) presided over by Mrs Thomas, Mrs Williams, Mrs Perkins,. Mrs Palmer, Mrs G. Thomas, Mrs Ramsay, Miss Nellie Morgan, Miss. M. Allen Thomas, Miss E. Moseley, Miss John bt. Tyfodwg's Church Stall (Treouchy) presided over by Miss Curtis, Miss Powell, Miss Katie Powell, Miss Jones, Miss Dorrington (Pentre), Miss Hughes, Miss Maud Morgan, Mrs Evans, Mrs Daniel, Mrs Phillips St. Stephen's Cuurch Stall (Ystrad Rhondda) presided over by Mr& Watkins, Miss Hill, Miss May Williams (Ystrad), Miss Bessie Jones (Sherwood, Llwynypia), Miss F. Yews, Miss M. Ji. Keen, Miss S. A. Daily, Mrs Wood, Miss E. Setter (Ystrad) St. George's (Cwmpark) Stall. presided over by Mrs. Tallis, Mrs Rose, Mrs Howell.4, Mrs W illiams Mrs Davies, Mrs Hurst, Mra- Pbarce, Miss E. J. Herbert; St. Mark's Mission-room tetad (Gelli). presided over by Mrs Capt. Davids, Mrs Lloyd,, Mrs Lewis, Mrs Duke, Mas Clements, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs Evans, Mra White; Sw-t Stall.. presided over by Mrs Lewis Lewis aad Miss. Lewis Refreshment Stall, Mrs Slocombe andi Mrs Edward Evans, assisted by Miss z4. Lewis. and Miss Hopkins, Mr J. Pearce and Mr G&y- land, Mrs Owen. MissJD&vifN Mrs Daniels, Mr*. T. Davies, Miss Maggie Evans Fish Pondj. presided ovo-r by the Misses Rob Thomas, I Thomas, Sibyl Jones, and, Ptorrie Scot. The* bazaar was opened on. Thursday by Mrs Kniil* Cardiff (in the unavoidable absence at Mr*. Llewellyn, Baglan Hall), and on Friday bjt t;.«* Lord Bishop of Llanaaffl; while on Saturday- and Monday it was-opened by Miss Ad v Jonfe* (Maindy, Ynyshir) and Mr Ignatius Williams, Stipendiary magistrate. Almost immvdiately after the bazaar bad beea opened each evening everything went on in full svying, aiul those who. would not part with then- money freely were soon forCitd to respond to the happy pleadings and smiles of the young ladies who had this "beautiful thing to r;-iffl-, an] only threepence," aec. Sotaa of the biggest attrac- tions in the baaaar TNaEl the cin^ma.U>graphe exhibition of siectrie apparatus, gipsy tent, & Several otheos also -contributed in making the affair entertaining M d interesting with musicat selections. Selectio as were also rendered by the Treorky and St,. Peter's Orchestral Societies, and the band of the Pentre Detachment of the 3rd V,B. Welsh Regiment, by kind p-rmisaion of the officers. The whole of the und-rtaking has proved a huge gucoess, financially and otherwise.
Advertising
JJEV. HUGH PRICE HUGHES says When ever" of interest take place in cm- nection with Christian Churches, let adver- tisements be sent to the kical Press—thfty are of much greater 88e in all respects than mere placards em w&Us> which are sur- rounded by so muj oV&emL" Th» Central Stores, hi 7ttJt street, Pontypridd, for ftoosries and provisions takjs total mi