Education in the Rhondda. » OPENING OF THE FERNDAIE SCIENCE SCHOOL. Visit of Sir Geo. Kekewich, Chief of the Education Department. Intensive alterations and additions have re- cently bean made to the Ferndale Higher Grade and Organised Science School at a cost of £ 5,500. the accommodation being for 350 boys and girls. The architect was Mr Jacob Rees, Pentre, the architect to the School Board. Sir George Kekewich, chief secretary of the Edu- cation Department, had promised to open the new school, and on Thursday the opening cere- mony took place. Sir George, who was accom- panied by Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., arrived by the mid-day train at Ferndale, where he was met by Mr T. Bevan, chairman of the School Board, and other members. He was immedi- ately driven to the schools, where he was pre- sented by Miss Bevan, daughter of Mr T. Bevan, with a gold key, and after having declared the building open for the benefit of the children of the district, he was conducted over the build- ing by Mr Bevan and Mr Jacob Rees, the archi- tect. The building, which is well adapted for its purpose, has accommodation for 350 students. On the second floor the science school has been fitted up with commodious schoolrooms, cloak- rooms, chemical and physical laboratories, with a large room for demonstration of chemistry and pbysics. A dark room has been also spe- cially provided for demonstrations in optics. There is ako a manual training room and work- shop. PUBLIC MEETING. After the tour of inspection a public meeting was held in one of the largest rooms, presided over by Mr T. Bevan. The company included M Alfred Thomas, M.P., Rev W. Morris (vice- chairman of the Board), Miss Ada Jones, Rev W. Lewis, Messrs Daniel Thomas, D. R. Jones, John Davies, Henry Abraham, D. E. Jones, members of the Board; Alderman Walter H. Morgan, Pontypridd; Miss Bevan, Messrs W. G. He-well. clerk to the Board; A. Stanley Cobb (treasurer), Rev Silas Charles, Councillor Mor- ris Morris, Messrs W. Edwards, D. E. Jones, J. Evans, Gomer Jones, and W. Hughes (H.M. Inspectors), Rev Mr Beard, Ferndale; Messrs Tom John, Llwynypia; R. D. Chalke, Porth; W. Samuel, B.A., Porth; Jacob Sees, archi- tect; T. G. Jones, deputy-clerk; A. Jones, Higher Grade; Rees. W. R. Davies, D. E. Da- vies, and others. The Chairman, on behalf of the School Board, offered Sir George a very hearty welcome on .this his first visit to that important and popu- lous district. He hoped he would be favourably impressed with the Board's efforts to meet with the educational needs of the people of the dis- trict. They could not adequately express their gratitude for the honour Sir George had con- ferred upon them by coming amongst them that day. This was the first time in lfistorv for the Rhondda to be honoured by a visit from the chief of the Education Department. (Applause). His visit was also the more welcome to them because of the conspicuous services he had ren- dered to the cause of Welsh education. (Hear, bear). In the presence of such an expert it would he very undesirable on his part to speak on education, but as chairman of the Ystrady- fodwg School Board, he might be allowed to give a brief retrospect of the work aocomplished by the Board. The Boar3 was established 20 years ago, in October, 1878, and during its first year it acquired and purchased 18 schools, hav- ing 7,168 children on the rolls. To-day, they bad 31 schools with 78 departments, and over 22,000 children on the rolls. (Applause). He thought the parish of Ystradyfodwg was unique for its educational facilities, for there were not many urban parishes who had, in addition to the elementary schools, a deaf and dumb school, a staff of cookery instructors, a staff for manual training, flourishing evening continuation classes, in every school throughout the parish, two Higher Grade, and Science Schools (of which that magnificent pile formed one), and a pupil teachers' centre for 250 teachers. (Hear, hear). Besides, all these schools were connected by telephone with the office. (Laughter and ap- plause). Turning to Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., the speaker said he thought that although Car- diff was the metropolis of South Wales, yet as a progressive Board Cardiff must take a second seat to Ystradyfodwg. Also, there was in that parish an intermediate school, and another was being ngilated for. (Hear, Kear). During the 20 vran; ihe Board had been in existence a very large an icant of money had been spent in keep- ing thi-; educational machinery going. They had drawn from the rates £ 176,000 in round figures, and between £ 30,000 and £ 40,000 from school pence and poundage, so that independ- ent of the grants the people of the parish had contributed towards Education during the 20 years over £ 200,000. (Applause). That day was a red letter day for Ferndale, and it was to him a source of great joy to see that mag- nificent school built within a stone throw of the first school established in Femdale. That was in a farm house close by, which was used some- times as a parlour and sometimes as a bedroom. (Laughter). That was the first school when he oame to Ferndale 33 years ago. The teacher was an uncertificated one, who received El a week. At least, that was his supposed salary, but he didn't always get that, and was often obliged to take his cap to the top of the pits in order to collect that :Cl. (Laughter). Perhaps it would be egotistical on his part to say he (Mr Bevan) first negotiated to establish a school there; the old British School it was called. Bye and bye, this school got two small, and oottages were taken, until at last they -were compelled to take the assembly hall- Then the present school was built, and this had to be fur- ther altered and extended into the present Higher Grade and Organised Science School. (Applause). fjJR GEORGE KEKEWICH'S SPEECH. Sir George Kekewich, K.C.B., thanked the Board for their kindly welcome to him. He oould not help feeling touched by the enthusi- astic rp-eptions he met with everywhere, but h-j aid not know what he had done to deserve it. The Chairman had told them that he (Sir George) was an expert on Education, but he could only say he did not pretend to be any- tbing of the kind. All he pretended was lo be a man of reasonable common sense, who brought that reasonable common sensevto bear on the opinions of experts—(applause)—and very much, he believed did they require it sometimes. (Laughter) .The Chairman had said this was the first visit a secretary of the Education Department had paid the Rhondda. He could only say the Rhondda fully deserved very frequent visits, and he trusted this would not be the last visit the present secretary paid it. (Appiause). He was greatly indebted to the J School Board for the outward and visible signs they had given in satisfaction of his visit, and they had presented him with a beautiful gold key, which he proposed giving the company pre- sent an opportunity of inspecting. He was secretary of the Education Department of England and Wales, but when he came to a Welsh district he liked to drop out England and thought of Welsh education because he took more than ordinary interest in it. (Hear, hear). It was his misfortune, not his fault, that he was not born a Welshman—(hear, hear)—but he had done what he could to be a Welshman. (Hear, hear). He had come down for over 22 years to the borders of Wales, Monmouthshire, and he supposed no good Welshman would deny that Monmouthshire was practically a part of Wales. He had lived among the Welsh people there, and had always been very happy there, and more than that, the lady he had chosen as his better half was born in Cardiff, so he could say the best half of the secretary of the Educa- tion Department was Welsh. (Laughter and applause). He rejoiced in such gatherings, and in being present at them, because they were evidence to him of the good feeling which pre- vailed between the Education Department and the local authorities, and he hoped it would long continue to prevail. (Cheers). The Department was on good terms with every local authority that did its duty, and that was the reason why it was on excellent terms with the Ystrad School Board. (Applause and laughter). As far as the Ystrad School Board was concerned, he agreed with what the Chairman had implied-that they had always done their duty. (Cheers). It was not an easy duty to perform to provide for a great and increasing population, and they had confronted many difficulties in erecting the school they were then in. They had had to get temporary premises, and to make it greater he believed they were destroyed by fire, and even now they had not been able to push the work absolutely to completion. They had got well forward with it, they had buckled to, and by the opening of the school he hoped thow would have surmounted every difficulty. (Hear, hear). When present at such meetings he had always a feeling of pride, he was proud the Board had built them for the benefit of the children. These buildings were excellent, complete in sanitation, convenient for teaching purposes, and fairly well adorned. The first consideration in a school of this kind seemed to him to be perfect sanita- tion. He put that before convenience for teach- ing purposes, although the two went very much together. They compelled their children now t) attend school five days a week, and certain hours each day; so the least they could do was to provide sanitary premises in which their health could be kept perfect. He did not for- get the teachers—the hard-worked teachers—in school demanded good aid and good sanitation, and it was also necessary that buildings should be convenient for teaching purposes. (Hear, hear). Althought that did not affect the health of the children, it did affect the health of the teacher, and his comfort in a great degree. Few of them recognised how hard the work of a teacher was, and how liable his health was to break down under a constant and continued strain. (Hear, hear). There was, of course, another thing required outside good sanitation, and convenience for teaching purposes; he meant excellent teachers, also. (Hear, hear). He did not doubt that the Ystrad School Board had not failed in providing excellent teachers. (Hear, hear). He hoped also they not only provided good teachers, but that they gave them good and sufficient salaries. (Applause): He believed that their teachers were fully worthy of 6heir salaries. Taking them altogether there was no better body existing in any part of the world. (Applause). Not long ago there were uncommonly few higher grade schools in the country, but of recent years they had been es- tablished all over the country in increasing num- bers, amd that shewed two things; first, that the people were becoming wiser and more anxiousco obtain a higher education for their children,and secondly it proved that the local authorities were becoming more and more alive to the edu- cational needs of the people. (Hear, hear). There was now practically no difference among them as to the necessity of a good sound ele- mentary education being provided for all the children of the people. Very few people now held that the children required no education, and were better without it. Those few people were regarded as an antiquity and an obsolete production. Still, it might be urged by some, that although the public elementary school was a necessity, the Higher Grade was a luxury. He did not agree with them. (Applause. He thought there was no difficulty in shewing that th higher grade school was a very necessary step in the educational ladder, and so far from leading nowhere it discharged a very important function in our educational system. (Applause). Nowhere was the fact more apparent than in Wales, where in educational matters they were thrice blessed. (Hear, hear). They had an excellent system of elementary schools, they had their Intermediate Schools, and, on the top of all, their Welsh University. (Hear, hear). A good deal of nonsense had been talked of over- lapping. So far from the intermediate schools interfering with the Higher Grade, he thought, if properly managed, they were necessary con- ductors from the elementary schools to the Intermediate. (Hear. hear). Of course, they must take care in organising their higher grades that they did not interfere with the Intermed- iate schools. They must take care that the cur- riculum was so arranged as not to face the pro. vince of the Intermediate schools, although there wis no doubt that the two curricula must t.c: uch each other in some respect. In the same way the elementary school touched the curricu- lum of the Higher Grade. Of course, all grades of schools overlapped to a certain extent, and there was no harm in it, but they must not ccver identically the same ground. (Hear, hear). Each school must represent a step ;n ti,e educational ladder. He regarded the Higher Grade Schools as rather a higher primary school. He regarded it in a certain sense as a day continuation school for the mass of the people. They went to the Higher Grade School or Organised Science School in order to cover the gap between the ages of 13 and 16 years, vben they could enter a profession, whereas 'n he Intermediate School they ought to stay con- siderably longer (Hear, rear). Another thing The usefulness of such buildings as those ought not to be limited to their use in the day tiin-, arrl he thought it was the duty of all good local authorities to see. as far as possible, that such beautiful buildings as these should not be al- lowed to stand idle. (Hear. hear). He hoped the buildings would be occupied by evening con- tinuation classes. (Hear, hear). He knew that in some places evening continuation classes were not very popular, but he did not see why if well managed they should not be exceedingly popu- lar (ifear, hear). But they must be made at- tractive. If the teaching in them was a drud- gery unmixed with pleasure, he did not think they would find the scholars stay long. but from the great many interesting subjects prescribed in the school Education Code brought out by ont of the great vice-presidents of the Education Department, Mr Ac land, they would find some to fill the actual hours admirably, and he (the speaker) saw no reason why before and after hours the school should be open to those who attended regularly to indulge in such games as draughts and chess, or for Home Reading circles in connection with the National Home Reading Circle, or for social talk; well, political talk, if they liked—(laughter)—and for the interchange of ideas. (Loud applause). Evening Continua- tion Schools would then be doing its duty as such, and would become the centre of social life in the locality. (Hear, hear). The hearty sup- port of the parents of the children was the one thing needed to make their school a success. The law of compulsion was desirably right, but he was compelled to say he would welcome the day whn the necessity for compulsion ceased to exist. (Hear, hear). If parents would only realise that absence from school would affect the future of their children they would be ready to turn themselves into attendance officers and send them to school. Parents were the best attendance officers in the world if they only took proper interest in the children. (Hear, hear). He thought he saw signs of improve- ment in that respect, and almost throughout the whole of the country people were beginning t) interest themselves more or less in the educa- tion of their children. (Hear, hear). He de- sired to express his great satisfaction with the Act passed last year for the superannuation of teachers. He did not know whether it suited all teachers or not; perhaps not. Some people objected to it, but at all events one thing it had done: it had prevented the possibility of any teacher, who had done his duty to the last, being without some means in his old age.(Hear, hear). The Act was not intended to do more than that, but if a teacher got a large salary there was no reason why, if he could spare the money, he should not spend as much of it as he liked to provide for his wife and children through the ordinary channels of insurance. He hoped the Act would have a great effect in maintaining the excellence of their teachers, and in inducing some of the best children of the community to enter the teaching profession. (Hear, hear). He had mentioned "the excellence of the teach- ers, for he was satisfied with the excellence as it stood. (Cheers). Although there might be, and doubtless were, many defects still remain- ing in their educational system, yet he thought they would agree with him that of recent years Education had shewn real progress every year. The Education Department had endeavoured to dj something, however little, to secure an im provement, and if it had not gone forward ithad not taken any backward, step, and the changes were thoroughly fairly established, because they were always made in accordance with, and not in advance of, public opinion of the time. (Ap- plause). He believed they were developing a better educational spirit at the Educational De- partment. (Hear, hear). It ought always to have been there, but he thought they had been rather lacking in it during a certain number of years. He thought that was partly owing to the action of the local educational authorities, and partly to the fact that the action of the Educational Department Vhad been reflected upon the authorities. And he could only say this that among the local authorities which had done its best to fulfil the wishes of the people and to act in accordance with the more en- lightened policy of the Department, he thought the Ystradyfodwg School Board stood among the foremost. ((Loud applause). He hoped it would always continue in the same course, and that it would always do its best to fulfil the wishes of the people of that valley ,and to far- ther the interests of the children committed to its charge. (Loud and continued applause). The Chairman: We don't profesST to pay the highest salaries to our teachers nor do we pay the lowest. Howver, we have been able to get the best teachers. (Hear, hear). Sir George: I said a good salary. The Chairman: We consider the Ystradyfod- wg teachers second to none. (Hear, hear). Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., who was cordially received, stated that the Education Department ha.l been fortunate in its chiefs, and notable amongst them was the late Mr Mundella, to whom Wales was greatly indebted in connection with her University and intermediate education; Sir William Hart-Dyke, than whom no Welsh- man could have done more to give Wales inter- mediate education; Mr Acland, and Sir John Gorst as Parliamentary chiefs, and, as para- mount chief, the gentleman who honoured them with his presence that day. (Applause). Each of these gentlemen had placed them under a debt of gratitude by what they had done for Wales. Parliamentary officials came and went, but the departmental chief went on for ever—or for ever so long—and he could not go on long enough when there was one like their distin- guished guest. (Hear, hear). He (the speaker) had been very much concerned as to whether the higher grade overlapped the intermediate schools, and gentlemen like Sir George Keke- wich could give them much information upon the matter. If the Higher Grade schools did work which could not be done in Intermediate Schools, then by all means let them be con- tinued. (Cheers). They were now in an age of transition, and would be for some time, and when every headmaster would be a graduate of a university—and he hoped it would be the Welsh University—it would then be possible to do the work in Wales which had been done for so rrany generations in Scotland. (Cheers) The principal of the Cardiff University College, who regretted he could not attend, had that morning told him that he would be very glad f pupil teachers could be less worked than they were now. (Hear, hear). They should have more adult teachers employed, so that pupil teachers should have more opportunities to learn. (Hear, hear). No people deserved more sym- pathy than the pupil teachers, and he thought it was quite time that they should do away with the white slavery of those young people. (Ap- plause). He should, of course, be sorry to see the rates advancing, but the best investment they could make was in the way of School Board rates. (Hear, hear). He should like to see a little more connection between the Elementary school and the Intermediate schools, and to lead in a continuous line step by step to the Univer- sity. instead of having quite so great a break between the schools as existed, now. (Hear, hear). He had expected some opposition to what he said, but he had stated what he felt. (Hear, hear). Ite congratulated the Board upon having such a building, but in spite of what the chairman had said he contended that the Cardiff School Board was the best in the kingdom. (Laughter and applause). The Chairman agreed with Mr Thomas that they were too "stingy" on the staff of teachers. An address was also delivered by the Rev Silas Charles, Ferndale. The Chairman had dealt with Education in the district, and Sir George had dealt in a masterly fashion with Education generally, so he would now like to say a word for Ferndale. He had not been in Ferndale for eight years without witnessing signs of much progress. (Hear, hear). The taste for good reading had grown much there, and he put it down to the thirst created for li tern hire bv Mieir =rhc<-ls. He hoped this would continue, for it did a great deal to eulighten the people. (Hear, hear). In educational matters Ferndale were in advance of the other portions of the parish as was evidenced by the results of the recent examination at the Porth County School, where out of 16 scholarships eight were captured by Ferndale pupils. (Applause). Fur- ther, the Urst boy and first girl on the list were from Ferndale. (Hear, hear). That proved that they were in advance of the other com- munities in the Rhondda, and that was no doubt why that splendid pile had been erected in Ferndale. (Laughter and applause). Mr Daniel Thomas (chairman of the Finance Committee of the Ystradyfodwg School Board) was called upon to perform, what he considered to be, a pleasant duty, and it afforded him great pleasure to propose a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers for their very excellent speeches. They were pleased to see the Rev Silas Charles present. They all knew he took a deep inter- est in the educational welfare of the children of the Rhonddas, especially those of Ferndale. He regretted to hear he was about leaving the neighbourhood for Cardiff, They felt exceed- ingly proud to be honoured with the presence of Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P. Mr Thomas was well known as an ardent Educationist. His munifi- cent donations to the Cardiff University amd other educational institutions were practical prcofs'of bis loyalty to education in its different forms. He sincerely thanked him for his pre- sence and for his admirable speech. But above aH they felt positively delighted that they had on this eventful occasion been honoured with the presence of such a distinguished visitor as Sir George Kskewiph. The important and re- sponsible position he held in the educational world, as chief secretary of the Education De- partment, indicated in a remarkable manner the high honour he had conferred upon the Board, and Ferndale especially, by his visit that day. His presence was always coveted at all great educational functions conneoted with the primary education of our country, and he was there that day as Permanent Secretary of the Education Department. Perhaps, however, he might be allowed to sfate that there was a time when that department-that intelligent and august body—quarrelled with almost everybody. It was recognised by all educationists as a de- partment more to be feared and dreaded, than respected and loved. But since the installa- tion of Sir George a mighty transformation had taken place, and that department had been popularised in every direction. Still the mil- lennium had not yet full yarrived, and the de partmental lion was not yet a fully developed innooent lamb. The dfepartment had thought fit to withhold £ 150 grant due to their teachers, which he hoped would be soon paid. Sir George: Name the school. Mr Thomas: In the Ystradyfodwg School Board. Mr Edwards knows very well. Con- tinuing, Mr Thomas said: Sir George bad that day practically shown them that he fully appre- ciated the spirit which had brought into exist- ence those Higher Grade and Science Schools. They thanked him for the stimulus of his presence They thanked him for his thoughtful, powerful, and practical speech. It was the speech of an educational expert. Long might Sir George live to wield in the broad and liberal spiitit of his administration the schools of our country. (Loud applause). He had great pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers. (Hear, hear). Mr D. R. Jones (chairman of the School Man- agement Committee) ably seconded. The coun- try had shewn its appreciation of the great strides Education had made, and they felt grate- ful for it. Education was going forward with great speed, and there was now a chanoe for the children of working men to raise themselves in the educational world—(cheers)—and the world would become heiier and society brighter and purer by the educational advances received and prcpagated- throughout Wales at the present day. kloui applause). The resolution was carried with great enthu- siasm. In replying, Sir George remarked that he did not think the Department ever with-held grants unless there was something exceedingly wrong. It had not been brought to his notice, but if the chairman of the board would either write to him or tell him about the case he would see justice done. (Hear, hear). He did not look forward with any degree of pleasure to the millen- nium, because there was nothing further to look for, and he should think this world would be the dullest place possible. The School Board's opinion of the millennium was to come to the Education Department and dip its hands into its pockets and take what it pleases, and it seems to think that only £150 stood in the way of the millennium. (Loud laughter). THE LUNCHEON. Mr T. Bevan had prepared luncheon in an adjoining loom, where the company adjourned. The chair was occupied by Mr Bevan. The usual loyal toasts having been duly honoured, "The Education Department" was submitted by the Rev W., Lewis, R.D., who coupled with it the name of Sir George Kekewich. Sir George, in responding, said that although as one speaker had said, the Education Depart- ment at one time quarrelled with a good many people, yet at the present day it was living in peace with everybody. (Hear, hear). He could not imagine how any authority could fail to be popular when it disbursed eight millions of money. But he preferred claiming popularity upon the educational progress and upon the progressive policy it had developed during the past few years, and he thought it said a good deal for the different educational authorities in the country that the development of that policy had made the Education Department fairly popular. (Hear, bear). But how could the Department go wrong when it had such a large number of people looking after it ?(Laugh- ter). In the first place, there were the members of Parliament, such as his friend, Mr Alfred Thomas. Should anything go wrong he went to him and said, "Hullo, what are you about?" and he set it straight. Again, if they did not do right there was the managers of schools and the elementary teachers end in fact about 60,000 people to keep them in order. (Laugh- ter). He referred to the abolition of payments by results, and said he wished to see no impedi- ment-no money impediment—placed in the way of tfie child of any man who had the ability to raise himself to the highest positions. (Hear, hear). He would like to see his path more free all the way up. Education had made rapid strides in the Principality of Wales, where it had taken a hold of the people, and where it was more fully organised than in England. (Hear, hear). They had the Welsh Education Act, and the Technical Instruction A- both of which were passed by Sir William Tart-Dyke, who, he thought, should have a statue some- where in the cause of Wales. (Cheers). He was the man whose energy and statemanship had passed these great Acts. which had borne great fruit, and which would, he thought, bear still greater fruit. (Hear, hear). Then they had a document which in his opinion, was the greatest educational reform in the country- the Code of 1890-which want th,- abolishment of payment by results. (Applause). Whatever j th? faults of the Department they would be sorry to lose it, and they would not be happy without their Educational Department. (Ap- plause). Mr W. Samuel, B.A., gave the toast of "The Ferndale Higher Grade and Science School," to which the vice-chairman of the Board, Rev W. Morris, F.R.G.S., replied. Mr Tom John humourously gave "The Inspectors of the dis- trict," which was responded to by Messrs W. Edwards, and D. B. Jones, H.M. Inspectors. "The Ystradyfodwg School Board" was next given by Alderman Walter H. Morgan and .re- plied to by Mr Henry Abraham, the singing of "Hen Wlad fy Nhaoou" terminating the pro- ceedings. VISIT TO LLWYNYPIA SCHOOLS. Sir George and the members of the Board then drove ever to Llwynypia to inspect the school there, and expressed great satisfaction with his visit. SIR GEORGE THANKS THE BOARD. At Monday's meeting of the Rhondda School Board, the following letter was read from Sir George Kekewich, K.C.B.: — "White Hall, Llangibby, Newport. "Dear Mr Howells,—Will you kindly convey to the School Board, and especially to Mr Bevan, my warmest thanks for my reception in the Ystradyfodwg district on Thursday. I was very much impressed with the evidence on even side of the excellence of the provision which the Board "had made for the educational wants of the people. I can only say that my visit will always remain in my memory, and that if, at any time I can assist the Board in carrying out their educational work it will give me much pleasure. "Will you also convey my best thanks to Miss Bevan, to whom, I know, we were greatly in. debted for the arrangements, or at all events, some of the most important of them. I was glad to have the opportunity of meeting some of the members of the Board's teachers, and of visiting Llwynypia School, which I am sure will always flourish so long as my friend, Mr John, is at its head. With my very best thanks to yourself, I am, Yours very truly, GEORGE KEKEWICH.' It was decided to record this letter in the n inutes, and on the suggestion of Mr Daniel Thcroas, the best thanks of the Board were accorded to Sir George for his kindness in assis- ting in the opening of Ferndale School. On the motion of Mr D. R. Jones, seconded by the Rev Thomas Williams, the thanks of the Board were given to the chairman (Mr Bevan) also.
Sir Ceorge Kekewich at Porth. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT THE COUNTY SCHOOL. On Thursday evening a public meeting was held at the Town Hall, Porth, for the purpose of distributing the prizes to the scholars of the Intermediate Schools. Alderman John Jones Griffiths presided over an immense attendance. A report was submitted by Dr Morris, Tylors- town (one of the Governors of the school), who stated that the top boy and girl in the Central Board examinations out of 15 schools were pupils of the Porth Intermediate School. Three scholarships, it was stated, had been awarded by the County Governing Body to the same school, the annual value being £ 30 per annum. One pupil had woit a science scholarship of the annual value for three years of :£40. Sir George Kekewich then distributed the prizes to the following: — Form V.—First boy, Tudor G. Cule; first girl, Maude M. Lloyd; mathematics, John R. Bvans; Scripture, and history, David W. Da- vies English, Alice M. Howell; science, Thos. W. Abraham. Form IV.—Top boy, Herbert S. Ware; top girl, Edith M. Hoyle; mathematics, Ethelbert Pickles; English, Jessie Llewelyn; history and Scriptnre, Sidney H. Jones; French, Katie M. Nicholas; Latin, Bessie Powell; science, Rich- ard E. Michael; geography, Thomas LI. Evans. Form III. A.-Top girl in aggregate. Alice Cule; top boy in aggregate, William Parry, mathematics, Titus Davies; English grammar, composition, and literature, Thos. J. Thomas; history and Scripture, Maggie Davies; French, David Morgan; Latin, Katie Jones; science, Garfield Jones; Welsh class, Lizzie Evans; book-keeping, David Abraham and Arthur Ed- wards, equal. Form M. B.—Top girl in aggregate, Olive Morris; top boy in aggregate, T. Booth Wil- liams; mathematics, Thomas L. Old; English, Annie Ellis; history and Scripture, J. H. Perry, French, William Jones; Latin, Richard Jones; science, Ed. Wm. Thomas. Form n. A.—Top boy, David'Thomas; top girl, Mary Williams; mathematics, Blodwen Davies; English ,etc., Evan T. Pritchard; his- tory and Scripture, D. B. Jones; French, Cyril Jones; Latin, Edith Davies; science, Ernest Treasure. Form II. B.—Top girl, Mary J. Howells; top boy, James V. James; mathematics. Stephen Richards; French, Mary Jones; Latin, Fred Wiltshire; English and composition, Edith Grif- fiths; Scripture and history, Esther Jones. Form 1.—Top boy, Edward Griffith; top girl, Mary E. Powell; methematics, Morfydd Evans; English, Florence Jones; history, Sarah Myer- son; French, Helena Howell. After presenting the prizes, Sir George de- livered an address. He did not see any prizes for music and manual training, and he hoped this would be remedied on the next occasion. (Hear, hear). In England, he was sorry to say, they had no organised system of secondary edu. oation, but in Wales the Education Act had spread throughout the length and breadth ot the land, and was doing admirable work. (Ap- plause). He would like to see more large scholarships offered and fewer small ones offered at secondary schools. He would like to see some of the small scholarships put together in order to make one large one. He wanted to see pulSic money employed in order to enable a really clever child to, climb up every step in the educational ladder without a shilling's ex- pense to his parents, and no impediment should b? placed in the way of the child for want of money. (Applause). The speaker touched upon the subject of secondary education generally,and concluded by expressing a hope that an increase in the number of scholars would not be obtained at the expense of lowering the curriculum of the Intermediate School, but rather that the number should be limited and a large number of scholarships provided. (Applause). A vote of thanks to Sir George was proposed by Miss G. Davies, Ynyshir, seconded by Mrs George Davies, Penygraig, and carried with acclamation. Other addresses were delivered, and a num- ber of sonors were rendered bv the school child- ren, couducted by Mr Tom Price.
Rhorjdda County School, Porth. LIST OF SCHOLARSHIPS WON- BY PUPILS THIS YEAR. Richard Ed. Michael, Glamorgan County Coun. cil Scholarship, £ 30 per annum and all fees, tenable for three years. Tudor G. Cule, Glamorgan County Governing Body's Scholarship, L30 per annum, tenable for three years. Top boy in all the Glamorgan- shire County Schools. John Richard Evans, Glamorgan County Gov- erning Body's Scholarship, £ 30 per annum for three years. Third boy in all Glamorgan Coun- ty Schools. Alice M. Howell, Glamorgan County Body's Scholarship, £ 30 per annum, tenable for three years. Top girl in all Glamorgan County Schools. Thomas W. Abraham, an exhibition of 211 Is per annum granted by the Council of University College, Cardiff, and proxime accessit for the jE30 scholarship of the Counly Governing Body. In all nearly £60<)" have been won by pupils of this school since September, 1896. Mr Hedhiter,—Some of my mates hav told me many times if he could spell lik me they would rite to the Free Pres about things goin on. I had a cood hedicashon, I passd standar 2 afore I was 12 ears of age, in I then left skool owin to a dispute with the cheef. It rose this way. I lived i a mile away from the skool, and I says I ought to be allowd to cum a of a our late so as to have the same amount of play as those boys that livd clos by. This I thot very fair, as I consider the cheef part of a boys hedi- kashon is play. But the guvnor would not give in, an I had nuthin to do but resine. Now wen I saw the bils abowt Sir George Kekewich comin to Porth I says to Bill my mate that I was goin to here him an see whawt was goin on. Bill says he'd come along an see the kids havin the prizes as he had not forgot'n the time when he was a child imself. We also new that ar- raingments would be made for a grand meetin, for those hedikated peaple wanted to show Sir Gecrge whawt sort of a plase Porth waf an to I make him feel sorry he didnt come offener to the Rhondda. When we goes into the 'all we saw a man in a blak gown (Bill says he had to ware that cause hehad to preech to the boys) tawkin about the aukses of the skool an how sum poor children with well to do payrents were gainin skolarships and climin up the larder of hedikashon. Bill says he didnt like to here the callin of names at all cause it made him think of old parson Jones who use to cum to skool on Mundays with a list of the boys that where wiked on the Sunday previus, an who where compensated morallee for the loss they had suffered by the master. Then Sir George gave the books away an our arts swelld with pride when we saw the yungsters presented with those valuable books (no 2d in the Is off those says Bill), an behavin so well. Bill kept on profesi- in what each would be. He passed them off as skool board darks, managers, grosers, shop- keepers an a collier hear and there, an kalkula- ted that sum of them would be soshalists by tije way they acted before them big guns. Then Sir George gave his speech (Bill says it was his mayd'n speech at Porth), and said very nise things about Whales an the poor boy born of poor payrents an one of six children was trotted out before us, an how he could compeet with the boy whose father was erning 2 or 3 hundred a ear. This set Bill sniffin; an we would have had a Srakedown soon had it not that a row was started by a number of children on the stairs which reminded him how far-recchin hedi- kashon mite be. Throo this disfcurbanse we didnt here any more of the speech. It seemed as if this row was part of the program an sum man told Bill that he thawt it was,as the peeple in charge did not objefFt to it at all.Then 2 ladies saiu sumthm (which I think Sir George did here aj he was close by), and after we were all asked to clap by the chairman, which we did like skool children not knowin what it was about, cause we had to lisin to the noise. We were then told that a nice program had been arranged for our special hedifikashon, but the big guns had to leave with the 8 train, an the promise was not fullfilled. So we where left to reflekt what we had cum there for and how many of our expektastaons was realized. Bill says it was a disapointment from beginin to finish and thinks the thing was never intended to be hedukativ. Thare was nuthin new thare except the gowns which showd the persons waring them off well, an no dout made a great impreshon on Sir George. Seein the big guns that were invited we did think that everythin would be done to secure a comiortable meetin. Bill says that they ought to have entrustd the arrangments to a komitee of Cymmer couers, as hedikashon is not supposed to teech how meetins should be arranged. When Bill gets taken in he's angry, ai its no good arguin with him. We parted, oping the yungsters would not think that was an object lesen as to how meetins should be got up.—Yours freely, BILL'S MATE.
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Most Graphic Story Taker) from Real Life. The unwritten romances of life are more wonderful and far more interesting than the most vivid works of fiction. The one we are about to relate occurred in real life, and is both interesting and instructive. Mrs S. Williams, of Heighton, Newhaven, appeared to be suffering from a severe cold, which seemed to be better in two or three days, little thinking what dangers were hidden behind. But we will give her husband s own words;— Nearly two years ago my wife was taken very ill with what appeared to be a very severe cold, and after two or three days the cold seemed to be better, but the use of her right arm was gone. A doctor was called in, and she was ordered to bed, and the doctor said it was an attack of acute rheumatism, and he prescribed accordingly, but instead of getting better, she kept getting worse, and another doctor (the partner) called, and he gave the same opinion. A third doctor, an assistant, called, and he said it was rheumatic fever, and he altered the medicine. She got slightly better, and was after eight weeks in bed, able to get up with assistance, but unable to walk or move. In two or three days' time she was as bad as ever again, in fact, worse, being weaker. The doctor said she must expect this, perhaps two or three times. She rallied again, only to have a second relapse, and the consolation she got from the doctor was, I told you so.' A friend of mine, who had had the same complaint, asked why I didn't try Warner's Safe Cure, saying he received great benefit from it. I weighed the matter over, and finding my wife worse again at night, I determined to try it, and I went and procured a bottle of Safe Cure, and after my wife had taken this bottle, and two further bottles, she was able to get up and come down- stairs in less than a fortnight, ater ten weeks of agony and misery. She still continued the Cure, and had five bottles altogether. She was told she would have it again soon, and on some of the symptoms appearing after a slight chill, I got another bottle of Safe Cure, and all was right again. So this marvellous Cure accom- plished in about a fortnignt what three doctors and their medicine could not do in ten weeks, and I think it only fair to give this testimonial of the efficacy of the Safe Cure in such com- plaints. I may say she has had no return of the malady since, but whenever she gets a cold, and feels rather out of sorts, I get some Warner's Safe Cure, and soon all is right."
qearts of Oak Benefit Society. SPECIAL DELEGATES' MEETING. NEW SCHEME OF MANAGEMENT. IMPORTANT NEW RULES. The Hearts of Oak Benefit Society called a Special Delegate Meeting, in London, for the purpose of considering the report of the Special Committee which had been appointed by the delegates at the annual meeting, to draw up a scheme for the future government of the society. Mo R. S. Whiting (Newport, Mon.), was in the chair, delegates present from the district being Messrs F. Judd and David WiUiams (Ponty- pridd), E. Lewis (Ynyiybwl), and T. Davies, Mountain Ash. The recoption of the committee's report was tarried. The Special Committee had had to ieal with the following questions, which had been submit- ted to them The Committee in their report stated they have endeavoured to secure a representation equitable to the whole of the members of the society by dividing the kingdom into electoral districts on a basis of one representative for every 100 members. These electoral districts are, as far as possible, coterminous with the counties or sub-divisions of counties. The dele- gates elected shall take the place of the present Board of 200 Delegates, and shall be elected biennially-one from each district. Each mem- ber of the society shall have one vote and no more. The candidates are to be proposed by another free member of the society in the dis- trict, and assented to by twenty other free members. A list of the nominations shall be sent to the members on a prepaid voting paper, which is'to be returned to the secretary. Va- cancies are to be filled up by bye-elections il a requisition is sent to the secretary. A special delegate meeting may be summoned by any 100 delegates, or 1,000 free members of the society by requisition. After exhaustive enquiry into the work done by the committee of manage- ment, sub-committees, and sect&nal committees of the society, the committee is of opinion that the present methods of management are costly, and, in many respects, utterly unnecessary, and, in the aggregate, are not calculated to promote the best interests of the soeealy. The special committee, therefore, recommends that these bodies be abolished, and that in their stead an Executive Council be constituted to perform all the functions formerly exercised by them. They propose that this council shall consist of twenty delegates, elected by the Delegate Board from its members at the first annual meeting after each biennial election. From the Executive Council are to be elected an appeal committee, a finance committee, and a general purposes committee. The special committee is of opin- ion that no good purpose wool dbe served by increasing the number of trustees of the society. The United Kingdom is divided by the com- mittee into 210 districts, each returning one representative to the delegate beard. In Lon- don the districts are generally coterminous with the Parliamentary boroughs. The following motion was adopted "The Executive Council shall consist of twentp delegates who shall Be elected by the Delegate Board from its members at the first annual meeting after each biennial election. The ex- ecutive council shall be nominated and elected in open delegate meeting by signed voting papers, and shall serve for a period of two years. The first executive council shall be elected at a meeting of the delegates to be held immediately after the registration of this rule, and shall only continue in office until the first annual meeting of delegates under new rule.
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