Glamorgan Free Press

WJustard and Gress. It is not generally known that a shareholder In the Pentre Colliery works underground daily at this colliery. --0- It is to be hoped there is no foundation for the story that is being circulated as to the possibility of a libel or slander action against a popular local magistrate. -0-- Active preparations are being made for the Monster Church Bazaar to be held in the New and Lesser Town Halls, on December 5th, 6th, and 7th next. The stall-holders, who are a. numerous and influential body of ladies, will gratefully accept donations in money or in kind. -0- The proceeds will be devoted towards paying off the existing debts, as well as to form a nucleus of a Building Fund for a proposed new church in the district of Coedpenmaen. -0- Tliere was an .unusual attendance at St David's Church, Ton, last Sunday evening, and the Rev Gomer Price made some pathetic allu- sions to the war. Ton, Petitre, is gradually becoming an im- portant village. The inhabitants could hardly get over the fact that the Police Court had been removed to their library. During the whole of the proceedings small knots of curious ones glanced up towards the room where justi was being doled out. --0- "You can see with half an eye" that Frank Thomas ("My Hatter,") sells the best 3/9 Hat. --0-- They nearly mustered up a candidate for the recent School Board election, when a Congre- gational minister entertained the idea of enter- ing the arena. He, however, "shut shop" when he" heard that his Baptist friend intended frus- trating his plans by contesting. --0- That Pontypridd Congregational Uazaar went with a swing, and the posters announcing the "cat-show are embellished with pictures t of boxing contests, races, and other sporting scenes! Militant Christianity! Yes, the bridge—the eternal bridge of the T.V.R.-is being proceeded with, and the boulders got out of its foundations are gradu- ally being cleared. There will be a cry of "Right away' in the sweet by and by. .-0- The rateable value of the Ystradyfodwg par- ish (Rhondda) for the forthcoming half-year tops the record. It has reached the enormous total of £ 463,000, the next highest figure being that of two years ago, when it was about £1,000 less. The tremendous increase in the colliery output for the last nine montns accounts for the growth. -0- Mr Tennyson Smith's presence is again re- quired in Pontypridd. A dray containing six barrels of beer was coming down High street, when by some means four barrels fell off and were broached. Immediately a rush, equalling the recent charge of the Gordon Highlanders, was made from all sides by thirsty souls laden with cups to scoop up the flowing nectar. And a glorious old time they had. -0- "The old firm leads the way." "What old firm?" "Why, FENNELL'S of course!" -0-- Some incongruities naturally arise when day school teachers have to catechise or impart religious instruction to mixed classes of child- ren in our elementary schools. In a certain elementary school in the neighbourhood of Tre- forest, a teacher was telling her scholars how Jesus rose Lazarus from the grave. At the end, amid breathless silence, one little one blurted out, "He was a clever ieller,' wasn't he, teacher? And my uncle is a clever 'feller' too, 'cause he can make muazles for cats and dogs." -0-- The Pontypridd Coachbuilding Company (prize winners for carriages) are now doing and are prepared to undertake the best class of work in the trade; carria" trimming a speciali- yt. Showrooms are now open.—Carriage Works, Morgan street, Pontypridd. 4526 -0-- The Ystrad Police Court was removed to the Library last Monday because the magistrates found James' Hall too cold. Hearing of this the librarian made preparations accordingly, and lo and behold, their worships then com- plained of the "oppressive 'heat." This is pretty much like the man in Æsop's Fables blowing hot and cold with the same breath. A new police court is the only thing which will make the climatic conditions bearable. David Morgan, Family Grocer and Provision Merchant, 11, Market street, Pontypridd, for First Class Groceries and Provisions at Lowest Prices for Cash. 4909 Volunteer stories are rife just now, when our "volunteer army" is playing ducks and drakes with the Boers. One of them is a repetition of the rum doings of the redcoat "boys of the Old Brigade" in camp on Cefngwyngil some ▼ears ago. They (the boys) were marching up the hill, with bayonets fixed, when the uneven- ness of the ground caused a Pontypridd man to draw first blood from the hind quarters of a Treforest man, who was marching in front of him. Another story is a gentle reminder of how a "highly respected volunteer officer (now de- parted) found the hard camp life and the hard cold ground so uncomfortable that c decided to run home on a visit. But the richest, perhaps, is the tale of the ex-yachtsman, who, in drilling the volunteers, drove them up against the wall. He ordered the company to march, and quick march, in a fair-sized building. They marched, and of course the front rank came up with their faces to the wall. The commanding officer or- dered them to "halt." and they halted. He could not recollact the military word of com- mand to get them away from the wall, but a brilliant flash of genius illuminated his mind, and, with triumph in his voice, he boldly shou- ted—"Back astern!" It is shyly suggested by some that President Kramer is now beginning to study how to "back astern." --0-- Harris' celebrated creamery butter reduced to Is. per lb.-T. Harris, 75, Taff Street. 4704 A MISSING BRIDEGROOM. It was on a Monday mom, In the Parish Church, St. John, That the Vicar and his Curate Waited a bridegroom from the Ton; The bride was also missing. She remained at home, you know. While the "false love" who was a babbling Perchance, in Glos'ter, where he'd flown. The bride resides at Cross street, Her father's house she keeps, In order, and awaits his home-coming With lovely dinner treats? 'Tis true, Fate served her meanly, But she looked at it and laughed, The wedding ring remained unbought- She knew—the bridegroom Imcked- Sard cash I

I ALLEGED BREACH OF CONTRACT I AT BODRINGALLT COLLIERY. NINE COLLIERS SUMMONED. QUESTION OF "ALLOWANCES." At the Ystrad Police Court on Monday last —before Mr Stipendiary Ignatius Williams, Aid. W. Morgan, and Councillor E. H. Davies- Evan Davies, and eight other colliers engaged I at the Bodringallt Colliery, owned by Messrs D. Davis and Sons, were summoned for a breach of the Employers and Workmen's Act of 1875 for unlawfully leaving their service on the 23rd September last wjithciij givji^' a month's notice. The plaintiUs claimed L3 each from the dc-feradants by way of damages, sus- tained through such conduct.. Mr C. W. Kenshole, Aberdare, appeared foi the Company, and Mr W. P. Nicholas defen- ded. There was also present in the Court, Mr W. Abraharr (Mabon), M.P., Mr Hannah, agent of the collieries, and Mr David Morgan, miners' agent, and Mr Dalziel, secretary to the Coal- owners' Association. Mr Kerjahole, in opening, stated that the de- fendants were colliers working in the 4ft. seam at the Bodringallt Colliery under the Barry system. It appeared that after the strike ter- minated in August certain repairs had to be dene to the different working places. Two of the de mdant-s, Evan Davies and Evan Rees, commenced working in the places under con- ¡d£¡).. ion in the month of December of last yea Mvhen it was found that the coal was wording somewhat slowly, and the question had to be considered as to certain allowances for stitt coal. According to the price list the cut- ting price was Is 2.9d. for large coal, and there were other prices for rashings in the seam where nothing was to be paid for the first six inches. Above the six inches the price was id. per inch per ton. In December, when these men went to work, it was found that the coal worked somewhat stiffly, and allowances were made from time to time, when the manager went to examine the place. It was his custom to see the state of the place and to make allow- ances according to circumstances. In the fol- lowing February, it was ascertained that the coal was found working stiffly, and the men had extra allowances made in respect to it. Then in February, the manager made arrange- ments that the men were to be paid the sum of 7d per ton, which was to include the rashings, and also in the allowances for smf coal upon the understanding that when the coal worked easier he would take off what was considered reasonable, and vice-versa if it worked harder. This arrangement was not in accordance with the practice at all collieries. It appeared that from the February until early in August the state of these places continued very much about the same. On August 12th, the manager, who was then away on his holiday, caused a com- munication to be made to the defendants that he considered the places were so altered that he would have to make a reduction in the allow- ances. That was on August 12th. On the 14th, a deputation of the men made a representation to the under-manager that they did not con- sider the place had sufficiently altered to justify ,-tny reduction in the allowances, and the matter was allowed to remain until the manager's re- turn on the 2oth August. On the next measur- ing day the head-manager told the men that there would have to be a reduction of 2d per ton having regard to the condition of the places, which were working easier, thus reducing the allowance from 7d to 5d. Upon that the men said they would not consent to it, and adopted the strange course of refusing to go to work, and left their places.. They left work on the 21st of September without giving notice, and consequently the places had been idle ever since, and had sustained considerable damage through the place having fallen in. The men should have given Ket:ce on the 1st October, and th3 course thr-v h id adopted was contrary to the spirit of tin Gliding Scale agreement. They did not even the necessary steps to put the matter before the Sliding Scale Com- mittee. David Davic«, manager at. the Bodringallt Collieries, corroborated Mr Kenshole's observa- tions, and stated that the under-manager had pa4 lOd. per ton allowance instead of 7d by mistake, and this was afterwards rectified. During 'his 40 years 'experience of colliery work it had been the custom, to leave the question of allowances to the manager. He had never known it the practice to give a month's notice to the men when allowances were to be taken ) off.The Stipendiary remarked that it was very difficult for him to decide whether the 2d. re- duction was a right one or not. Mr Kenshole replied that that was for the sole discretion of the manager, Mr David Da- vies, and the men had taken a wrong remedy entirely by walking off. The management had a right to alter all the rules of payment pro- vided they gave proper notice. Morgan Davies, the under-manager, said he had been engaged at the colliery for 30 years. During the whole of that time he had never known a notice giv; 11 to increase or reduce allowances outside of the price list. The allow- ances were made when the manager went around each fortnight, and the sum named according to circumstances. Previous to February last allowances had been made from time to time for stiff coal from 5s np to 15s a fortnight extra to the 3d. or 4d. which came in the scale accord- ing to measurement, but in February the mana- ger arranged that 7d. a ton be paid until the coal would change. Mr D. Hannah, agent to Messrs David Da- vies, said the practice and custonA at the col- lieries with reference to stiff coal was made at the judgment of the manager. The allow- ances varied from time to time, as -Le condition of the working places altered. He had known ■ allowances to be made for about two years, and then changed without any notice being given. A considerable amount of damage 4d been caused at the colliery in consequence of the stoppage there. The output of coal for that period was two tons per man per day, whi^h meant 612 tons. In addition to that, owing lo the bad state the working places had got into the bad state the working places had got into through being boycotted, they had paid 4:11 18s 6d in maintenance of the whicn was estimated roughly at £9 3s The-, had placed the damages at E3 each against the de- fendants. If the men were dissatisfied with the place they should have given a month's notice. The Stipendiary intimated that he did not think the manager (W right in reducing the allowance for the fortnight worked, but only for the future. There was a statement made at the commencement about the duty of the men to go before the Sliding Scale Committee to have the matter settled. Mr Kensbole replied that no notice should be given according to clause 11 of the agreement before it was considered by the committee. The Stipendiary proposed adjourning the case for a week to see if anything could be done in the way of conciliation. Mr Kenshole that the men leaving without notice was the important point, and he was quite prepared to submit to judgment of £1 if the men were prepared to admit they had done an injustice by walking off. The case waa, however, adjourned, and Mr W. Abraham, M.P., together with Mr David Morgan, consented to meet Mr Hannah, on the matter. The defendants' counter-claim in the case for the extra 2d .deducted by the Company was ad- journed for a fortnight.

PONTYPRIDD RESERVES FOOTBALL CLUB. Pontypridd, 0"Ubei 26lh. Treforest v. Pontypridd Rf-oerrrs,. Dear Sir. In your last issue you stated that the above match played at Treforest on October 14th, was a junior league match. This was not so. it was the first of two friendly matches arranged. Thanking you for inserting same in your next issue, I am, yours faithfully, J. COSLETT, Captain. Editor, Glamorgan Free Press, Pontypridd..

-4-- Slaughterhouse, Pontypridd October 23rd. To the Editor of the "Glamorgan Free Press. Sir,- I understand that there is a rumour going about that the "Rose of Pontypridd" Lodge of the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds have not paid their claim of E15 to the widow of of the late brother John Shea, who as killed at the Great Western Colliery. Autw me to state, for the information of the public, that the claim was paid in full in two days after our brother was killed. Thanking you in anticipation, Yours, etc., WILLIAM WILLIAMS. Secretary of the Lodge.

FEJNDALE LICENSING QUESTION. To the Editor. Sir,I noticed in your last issue that "A Ferndaie Reader," has had his hair seriously disarranged over my innocent par in "Mustard and Cress" re the above question. From the tone of his letter and the narrow-minded, bigo- ted language he uses, I fancy the cap has fitted him -nicely, although I referred to no one, or place,in particular, as the "squabbk," as he term? it, was pretty general through the place. He does not know, he says, from what source I hate derived my information. Where I got it fr&m is from many who know all about it. Ho eomplains that a mountain was made of a small molehill. If it was so small, then the Contention will have small difficulty in settling the matter, if the case goes on, as threatened in 4eaf the places where these squabbles took place. Really I pity his boasted commonsensc if ha could not understand by the tone of the par that the calling of the police, etc., was a little exaggeration, but I can assure him that if he row that was made in the chapel was made on the road some of them would have betn run in. I do not wnte this to add to tha number of disgraceful chapel squabbles, but with the object of shaming rt know-all bigoted hypocrites, who are never satisfied ex- cept when can have a chance of quarrelling with their fellow church members. Let this clever "Reader" 'who is so lavish with his advices, try and think, what is the reason why so many hundreds of young 'men who have been brought up attendants of various chapels) pre- for walking the roads and mountains on Sun- days and week-days instead of ,being in squabbles.—Thanking you in aniticpation, etc., A LISTENER.

Port- Thursday. Before the Stipendiary (Mr Ignatius Wil- liams) and Dr Parry. HAVOD COLLIER SENT TO GAOL. The adjourned case in which Thomas Davies, collier, River street, Havod, was charged with stealing a quantity of bed-clothes and a shawl from clothes lines at the rear of a number of houses at Ynyshir and Porth was heard. P.C. Lucas repeated his evidence as to find- ing prisoner going towards Porth with a bundle under his arm at 1 o'clock in the morning. Prisoner told him he had a baby in the bundle. Upon examining the bundle he found inside the bedclothes and shavv-f produced. Margaret Powell, Ynyshir, said liie shawl belonged to Ir her, and Hannah Williams, PorLh, and Rosina Iving claimed the bedciothee. They were put out on the clothes line to dry, and were stolen. Prisoner pleaded to be dealt with summarily. He said he had been out as a soldier in India and Zululand, and whenevei" he drank a glass of beer he was not responsible for his actions. His record showed that he had been previously convicted for theft, having been charged at the Swansea Assizes it: lWiG before he joined the Army. He was now committed to take his trial at the next assizes, which commence on the 14th of November. Supt. Cole told the Bench there were other charges against the prisoner, but he did not propose proceeding with them that day. Prisoner's wife, Alice, was then charged with stealing a trunk box valued at 48 6d from the premises of Mr Geor?e L<nvis, furniture dealer, Hsnnan street, Porfh, li the 29th inst. She was dealt with und<=r tho First Offenders' Act, and ordered to come up for judgment when I called upon. TYLORSTOWN MOTHER ON THE DOWNWARD GRADE. I Mrs Parker, Hendrefadog Street, Tylors- town, appeared charged with being drunk and ne! neglecting her children on the 9th inst. The constable stated that she went out early on !5e7.™nii,1P: in question and came back at 10.30 the same evening in a drunken condition. jV1. and found the little children huddled on the pavement shivering with cold. Defendant was now cohabiting with another man. her husband having left her. The Stipendiary adjourned the case for a ™ fee ho7 defendant would behave her- she got drunk in the meantime she would be sent to gaol. STREET LARKING BY BIBLE STUDENTS. Evan Lewis, Evan Griffiths, Robert Jones oseph Jones, David Davies. William Jenkins, Richard Davies, and Ed. Clarke. boys living a- J envgraig, were summoned for playin^ and romping on the highway. P.C. Davies," who proved the case, said the boys tfere returning home after having been to a Bible class. Evan Lewis had been previously fined for playing football on the road. He was now fined 2s 6d and the others Is each. THE LODGER REFUSED TO MARRY. A tastily-attired young Porth lady named Ellen Mason (18), summoned George Warren rTrTf a T' f° sho,w caT,se why he should not contribute towards her illegitimate child, of whom she alleged him to be the father. ^arren adm^H the paternity. Complainant A that defer ant had b^en lodging at her va Tonth a?0I_when he left because she asked him to marry her. He was earning UtFZl f 8 C0"!eT/toker. An order was made for the payment of 3s per week. TONYPANDY HAULIER FINED FOR I FURIOUS RIDING. CHARGE OF CRUELTY DISMISSED. At the Porth Police Court on Thursday (be- fore the Stipendiary, Mr Ignatius Williams) William Poulton, haulier, Llwynypia, was sum- moned for cruelly imreatin a horse on the Mr James Phini"s' P.S. Thomas and P.O. Markham deposed that there were several raw wounds on the shoulder and buttocks of the horse, and that defendant was riding it at a furious mte on the main road, the while beating it with a stick most savag ely about the head and body. Mr James Phillips explained that defendant ? £ ? £ VxerT d*y £ ou?bt the horse from f, a Collierv Company, where the wounds had been caused in working in "arrow places fn the mine. The Stipendiary said the case of illtreatment had not been made out. For furious riding defendant was fined 408. I —

YNYSYBWL AND THE THEATRE. At the meeting of the Mountain Ash District Council, Mrs Horton applied by letter for per- mission to erect her theatre on a piece of land by the side of an hotel at Ynysybwl. The Clerk read letters from the Revs J. E. Lloyd, Davies, and the pastor of the Calvinis- tie Methodist Church, urging the Council to refuse the application on the ground that the moral influence of such places was not good. Mr Morgan said: Do the gentlemen mean their remarks to apply to the drama generally, or only to Mrs Horton's way of presenting it? He was strongly in favour of the drama, and thought it might be as instructive as some of the discourses delivered by those gentlemen. He would move that the application be granted. This having been seconded, the Clerk was asked whether the Council was not bound to grant the application. The Clerk believed he had on a former occa- sion advised them that the application should be granted provided they were satisfied with the building or place in which the performances were to be held. Mr Rogers said in such a matter the wishes of the inhabitants ought to be considered. The letters urging them not to give consent came from gentlemen representing a large number of the people, and he felt that they should have weight with them. He would therefore move as an amendment that the application be re- fused.—This was seconded. Mr Howell, referring to Mr Morgan's re- marks. said it was not against the drama in general that opposition was offered, but against the present application. They were thinking of erecting a Town Hall, for which a licence for dramatic performances would be made, and many of those who opposed this present appli- cation would support that. Upon the vote being taken six were for thft amendment, four for the original motion, and one neutral.—The application, therefore, was refused. In reply to a member, the Clerk said Mrs Horton could appeal against the decision if she thought fit.

MARRIED PKePLE Ppnd At. on e.- R stamps] addressed envelope to DAVIES. Chemist. Park-Jan^ LEEDS, wben something to your advantage trill be lyfomied post free. 4799

I The smoothness, delicacy I and uniformity of flavour have made Symington's Edinburgh I ,Coffee Essence a table favourite with those who can- not take the ordinary coffee. 743&

LJwyfan IMur, (The Labour Platform).. U II l' By As demonstrated in our week's issue by the very full report of Vie monthly meeting of the No. 1 District of the South Wales Miners' Federation, the success of that movement in the Welsh coalfield has been almost phenomenal Reports from other districts throughout South Wales and Monmouthshire are quite as en- couraging, as evidenced by th0 following ad- mirable address issued by Mr W. Brace as a preamble to his quarter y ir>counts as secretary and agent of the Monmouth Western Valleys District, and which is well worth the considera- tion of all the districts in the federation area. Witti respect to the suggest:oa thrown out by Mr Braco 0; doubling Tr contributions to the Federation, I am rather afraid that the time has not yet arrived to press those conditions, but there can be no harm in opening a discus- sion upon the subject with a view of ripening our minds for action Fur that purpose I crave Mr Brace's pardon for publishing his address in extenso. THE COUNCIL'S ACTION FULLY JUSTI- FIED BY RESULTS. Fellow Workers,—It is with profound joy and pleasure I have to report that by the action of the Council, who agreed to tender notices against working after September 30th, with non-union men, the whole of the men employed at the collieries embraced by our District are members of the Federation. To all lodge officials I offer my sincere thanks. To those who aided them I am deeply grateful, and as co tho determination of the rank and file to stanr; by the decision of their Council, I have nothing but admiration. This was the great bulwark that ena,bled the movement to be crowned with success, and now having realised the ideal we have been working and waiting for, 111 season and out of season, for years, there must be no looking back. Every month there must be a careful and strict examination of members' cards, and the names taken of those who are in arrears, or non-members of the Federation; by doing this we sbaIi, month by monih, know where we stand. What our dis- trict will do to non-union men, and non-finan- cial members, in future is not within my pro- vince to say. That will be the business of the Council. But this I may venture to state, that the power which enabled non-union men to be successfully dealt with this time, will be the same power that will deal with them in future, and once and for all it must be clearly laid down so that there may be no misunderstanding in the minds of anyone, viz.: There is no room at the collieries in this district for non-union men or non-financial members of the Federation Some people, I have no doubt, will take objec- tion to this sentiment. But to them, I would point out that when our .strict demand this, they are simply carrying out the rule of govern- ment, recognised in every well ordered state or community, i.e., that t'he minority must fall in with the voting of the maioritv. To estab- lish this Federation every colilery worker took part in arriving at that decision. That being so, upon no principle of equitv or justice, can the non-union man complain the action of his fellows, when they insist iinqu him loyally carrying out his own resolutions. Of the wis- dom of the employers which permitted them to take up a position of neutrality in the contest between Unionism and non-Unionism, I would offer a word if appreciation, and express the hope that they will realise in the Federation, as an instrument of peace, that advantage which we contend will accrue to them equally with the workmen by having a well-organised disciplined body to deal with, rather than a multiplicity of irresponsible sections; and so that this may be done, I urge upon every mem- ber of our Federation, no matter what griev- ances may arise, not to resort to a stoppage of work at any of the respective collieries, until the matters in dispute have been before the District, and the instructions of the Council given thereon. SPLENDID POSITION AND PROGRESS- SHALL WE INCREASE OUR FUNDS? As will be seen, from the comparative table attached to my report, we have made an in- crease of over 300 members to that of last quarter. This is highly gratifying, for the re- sult of the notices was not felt other than in the last few weeks of September, and in mak- in the calculation we must not forget that out of this number we have several hundred boys, which, for the purpose of arriving at an aver- age, are taken upon the basis of two boys for one full member, so that while according to our table we have a membership of 6,412; in reality the memberships must be bordering upon 7,000. As I write with these figures be- fore me. with the handsome balance at the bank and in the treasurer's hand. I cannot re- frain from contrasting our position now, with what it was only twelve months ago. Septem- ber, 1898, saw the close of our terrible conflict with the employers; we were then driven to accept terms which our whole natures were in revolt against; to-day we are respected by the whole labour world as the men who, like the Phoenix, have risen upon the ashes of our dead past to a nobler, happier, and brighter future Men of Monmouth, this is an experience worth living for, and our -Whole souls should go out in welcome to the new era. Our future destiny is in our own hands, and will be what we our- selves make it. We desire our members to -I. realise tnat this Federation is their own crea- tion and as such should be as near and dear to them as their very beings. This is the spirit the movement must !have, if it is to be of a lasting and permanent character. Our con- tributions must be paid regularly, freely and generously, if we are to have such funds in our on^Amnl ^^1 as will command from W no XT' ] e respect- We ™st SZL V ^P.arin* policy if this is to be accomplished in time to be of value to us when we come to make agreements to succeed that of the present Sli-ding Scale. While upon this question I would ask, has not the time fully arrived when we should arrange to increase our contributions to sixpence per week ? This is tneamount of contribution paid by every dis- trict affiliated to the Miners Federation of Great Britain, and it is the payment of this sum that has enabled them to accumulate in a short time such powerful defensive funds. Six- pence per week is surely not an abnormal con- tribution, considering the vital issues at stake, and to pay this extra tureenence per week would not demand from our members, with hi f few exceptions, much sacrifice. J "therefore strongly recommend and advise thaf 8 tion Should be brousrht before onr m c'ues~ a special lodge meeting so that +L T?6" at be considered at our next Conn/> 1 m.av a view of the District instructing me^in- with Member to introduce tha our Board, and thus havo +1, the Central the agenda of "our An Placai "Pon will be held in Iam,i 1 Conference, which to increase our' eon/wK ?• Ion' we agree more than dnnKi *? j sixpence, it lasfc year W ? 6 °u^ funds- We did well year if w'e wil^h mif may do :-S a: hrMpCTc, n, hare (fcl! tw°|f they are abl« to meet all their liabilities and in most cases +0 save money. As that is so, the lodges would bi ^r'mon'th 7.™ tW0pence m*m- 01 'odp-o exnenses, whetVi he con nhutnm is Is or 2s, and it has omSrS to me that with an increased contribution of COU-. do CTeat things and render to our mem- bers a real service at times other than that of conflict qnd dispute. I suggest the shilling in- crease be divided thus:- Sixpence per month to Central Fund, mak- ing to District Fund eightpence ner month. Fourpence per month to District Fund, mak- ing to District Fund eightpenuee per month. The twopence which would not be required for Lodge expenses to be paid into a District Fund for the purpose of paying to every member who gets injured, ten shillings a week for a period of two weeks. Under this scheme, then, the two shillings per month contribution would be divided by payment: — To Central Fund, One Shilling. To District Fund, Eightpence. To Lodge Fund, Twopence. To District Accidental Fund, Twopence. THE COMPENSATION ACT AND rtS DEFECTS. tlll^ As your delegate to Plymouth Trade "j Congress, it was my privilege to move ted amendments to the Workmen's Coior^l tion Act. One of the amendments waS payment for accident should comnienC0 the date of the workman's injury. But afraid we shall have to wait some year.s, the lapse of two weeks after the aeci"e bears heavily upon our members in a ^st manner. First, even when a man is seflj, injured he gets no pay until at lea-' ,J weeks after the accident, because the tliif" must elapse before any compensation and secondly, a number of minor A which lays a man idle for a week or$ not touched by ihe Compensation Ac! f j and ,t is to fill up this gap that I >»a% proposal Of course, should a workJ11 n employed at a colliery which may have <>0", J ted out of the Compensation Act. he his ten shillmgs per week for the i i weeks from the District Accidental Kfj* addition to any pay he would be eiMp from the Permanent Fund, so that f J collieries the District Accidental Fond Jl of great value. I do not sugff^' P anythmg by way of funeral allowance K ?h a acc\dent- they are provided S°J Acfc> and I am not sure that the Prf- m°rthilwould h& sufficient to do th* y dition to the payment of ten shillings Ve{fJ. for two weeks for all accidents. Still, w 1 ye^rs1, working, it ma- be fo^ijl not only will tne twopence allow a m V hut vr ,bab!>" a larger we^JI mem than ten shillings. In conclusion. 1 i fiLmOUF 1 do not attempt to sfmnlJ ^ese Pr°P°saIs. For at$ ™PfV Crude effori to soJve a difficulty j had Ul I'r0Sent t0 ali members when rnenCe m thp'Se matters, and b^fV) FedLL bi-hest '^sire is to fA Federation in such a healthy condition the world will be ab'e to see bv resul j tndv Tners of this coalfield are refjj SL I TT'?" t0 r]<> something fo'$ hn n is move important, have the satislaetion of knowing that J J done our bebst toward uplifting and an<J our fellow-men, we fidentially leave the consequences to « and more supreme Power. Oh import deep as life is, deep as If.-6 ,\a,So™PtI,;ng sacred and subU<elI. Moving behind the worlds, beyond out]/ Weighing the stars, weighing the deeds 0

CARDIFF LUNATIC ASYLTJO. j: THE velindra~site recom- mended. p The Asylum CommitteT of the Card^ poration met on Saturday under t»e |]ty <l D" Tb-0 D%orrerf; C erk (Mr W. J. Broad) read ,s 4$ ence which had passed with the nelr.t, ehndra estate with reference to fbol I pwchase of a site for the new 0/-fce: D- Nicholls, on behalf of Mr?7'^Ges Hi ^rote making a firm offer of J-1 1 velmdra estate, together with an t'ae purchase of 69 further acres. side of the Cardiff Railway within three years. It was resolved the Council to purchase the 117 aerc. ff trer tioned, and to accept the ^"apenf additonal land. Copies of the co and minutes were ordered to £ 0\\w/, circulation among members of ttic^

THE MOST NUTRITIOUS. E P Pf;90 GRATEFUL-CQMFORTir^. coco' BREAKFAST-SUPPER FOR Pleasure Traps, Business Floats, Drays, &c, of the1 quality, and at most reasonable call at the CARRIAGE W' ^KS' GAN STREET, PONTYP1'- r'D» you will find one ot b« 8 in the principality. EVERY SEND TWO STAMPS for our entitled How to limit your 7^ 4 taining valuable information gV<uAtli Irregularities »nay b» removed by Simple Mpunc. Rpc"' v# eminent physicians as the only ^Fjffi genuiuf remedy. Testimonials. Mr (i. Y HoUae. fttTCSi iiiMtd, l>«iuCou, Loo 0 I" I 1-1

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL Where is the senior team at lT?erdv? Sure- ly they are not going to take a back seat after their creditable record in the plat. The juniors, however, are mo' loyal, and th's year as in the past they hale their e!cen Their record so far, is good. Fi.,Ted 5 won 3, lost 1, Drawn 1, For 15, Aga.oat 7. The first tussle for the possession of medals comes off on October the 28tL. The joung sters are practising by moonlight jmt now and are intent on their trophy. Last Saturday they were di^i poimed by Cadoxton not fulfilling their fixture with them. The afternoon was however ri,-nt ai a prac- tice match for the ensuing Cup I;e.

Letters to the Editor. The Bditor, whilt welcoming letters on all topics, does oot uoki himself respon- sible for the opinions contained therein. Cow tributors must write on one Bide of the papei only, and letters brief and to the point have preference for insertion. All COMMUniCatiODS mast be accomf laied by the correct name and address of the writer, not necessarily for pub- lication, but as a guarantee of geod faith.

THE FINANCES OF PONTYPRIDD. To the ratepayers of the Pontypridd Urban District. Ladies aii.-l I think it is high time that thie Taxpayers of the district should hold a. meeting, or aopt I something to stem the current of insanity which seems to prevail amongst the District Council and School Board. It is very well to be proud of our Lan Wood Shools, and the fine bridge crossing High street, when they are, as it were, drawing out the very life blood of the heav- ily burdened ratepayers,and throwing the town and district into a state of bankruptcy. It is all vei well to say they did not think it would cosu so much.Another thing, it is natural for a confederate of the coalowners to try to cast a slur upon the colliery workmen of the district, by saying, "We can blame the strike for the state of the finances," but I should like to ask that member "If every penny of the rates for the time of the strike did not have to be paid?" Again, I should like to know what reasonable reason there is for the rate- payers to be compelled to contribute towards the High St. bridge, when it is of no benefit to anyone but the Taff Vale Railway Company. But there, perhaps some of our townsmen are shareholders. It looks as if our public bod- ies have swallowed the principles of another Finance Committee not a. hundred miles away, to save halfpence, and squander thousands. They claim to teach the people economy and not to live beyond their means. Don't they show good examples? Talk about doubling the rates! They seem to think they have oply to say that the rate for the next half year must be so and so, and all will be well. They seem to have forgotten that ratepayers have to live as well as to pay rates. I am etc, A Ratepayer who thinks our burden heavy enough already.

T.V.R. AND RESERVE MEN. The Transvall War is the conversation at home at abroad, and many homes has been made desolate by the Reserve men being called upon to fight for their country. The sights we have witnessed during the past few days has been pathetic indeed—men leaving homes, wives, and children, wishing good-bye, perhaps for ever in this world. No one with a spark of humanity within them can look on upon this sight without taking port with the sorrowing relatives and friends. It. is pleasing to note th& generosity of some employers towards the wives and children of the men called upon. At Peterborough one large firm have set a patriotic example by issuing notices stating that the places will be kept open for the men, and the firm will allow 5s per week for the wives and Is per week for each child. Another firm has kindly given 10s. weekly for the support of the families of the men called upon. It is likewise pleasing to note that some railway companies have made provision in this respect for the families of their servants. But we are told, and truthfully, that there are differences in all men. Mr Beasley, of the Taff Vale Railway, has adopted some different procedure to those whom I have referred to, and is it surprising that people are indignant and disgusted at the conduct and actions of the Taff Vale Railway management in regards their servants, who have been called upon to fight for their country. A brakesman employed by the Taff Vale Company at Coke Ovens, Pontypridd, was called upon to leave his respected home and family for for- eign service, and when another servant of the company went to the pay office for the wages which was due to the man for the support of his family, he was informed that no money could be paid until the uniform, namely, a suit of cord clothes, was given in. I fancy I can hear the cry of shame on all sides. We are told the lives of bad men are not without use, and whenever such a one is drawn, not with a cor- rupt view, to be admired, but on purpose to be detested, it must excite such a horror against vice, as will strike, indirectly, the same good impression; and though it is painful to the last degree to paint a man in the shades which his vices has cast upon him., yet when it serves this end, it carries its own excuse with it. That there is selfishness and meanness enough in the souls of one part of the world to hurt the credit of the other part of it, is what I shall not dispute against. But to judge of the whole because of this bad sampfe, and because one man is plotting and artful in his nature, or, secondly, openly makes his pleasures or his profit the whole centre of all his designs, feels no misfortune only those which touches him- self. Such in my opinion can be attributed towards the Taff Vale Railway management in reference to the case referred to. I therefore trust that our rspected M.P. will not be back- ward in giving prominence to this matter in the House of Commons, and I am sure they will receive the appreciation of thousands of railwaymen in South Wales and other centres, and I trust Mr Beasley will remember that if I a man has a right to be proud of anything, it is of a good action done, as it ought to be, with- out any base interest at the bottom of it; and many he also try to adhere to the ruling of the Master, viz., "Bear ye one another's burdens," then when we pass from this stage of life, we can say, We did our best; we tried to leave the world better than we found it.-Trusting you will insert, I remain, etc., W. FRANCIS. 4, Kirkhouse street, Pontypridd.

President of the Congregational Union on "Religion in Modern life In the course of his presidential address to the Congregational Union, in Bristol, last week, the Rev Arnold Thomas dwelt upon the nature of religion in modern life. What, he asked, I was to be said of the relation of our number- less organisations and activities to the religious life? While unwilling to take too dark a view of things, they must own to a doubt whether religion counted for a great deal as a practical force in the life of our age. They might be re- minded that there never was a time when men took more interest in religion or talked more about it, or were more anxious to push its claims, than at this hour, or attention might be called to the extraordinary growth of cere- monial in the Anglican Church during the last half-century, and to the large sums spent on the building or the decoration of churches or the maintenance of an imposing ritual, or the: might be invited to mark the very significant movement towards federation which recent years had witnessed among the free churches, or the zeal with which separate denominations were raising great funds with the view of ex- tending more widely the polity and principles to which they were attached'. He would not for the moment assume that religion was a de- caying force; at the same time he would not think they would be wise if they took it for granted that the movements to which reference had been made were necessary indications of a genuine and vigorous religious life. Of course, much depended on what they understood by religion; the increase of religious symbolism in public worship might mean that men were feeling more deeply on religious subjects, but it might mean something quite different. Nor could they assume that the a-^ressive energy of their churches was any certain evidence of religious life; it might be, and in a measure* they might justly and thankfully beleive it they might justly and thankfully beleive it was. Religion was the worship of the Father in spirit and in truth; personal faith in God, personal fellowship with Him. It was a serious matter that many were able to acquiesce in the disappearance of religion in the old sense. Still, he asked of good, true-hearted, high^ minded people, who seemed to have no religion, were they not really trusting God and honour- ing Him, though without the knowledge that they were in personal relation with Him? If there were any who were honouring and follow- ing the Highest in humility and love, he, for one, would not say that they were without re- ligion, though they made no profession and claimed no knowledge of eternal things. Yet religion, in the ordinary sense, in the sense in. volved in the recognition of God as the great creative and governing mind, as the Eternal Spirit and Father of Spirits, was on many grounds a thing of incomparable value. He suggested considerations which should help them to realise the inestimable worth of religion, pointing out what limitation there must be in life, how the soul must be dwarfed and its de- velopment hindered if; supposing that God and the spiritual world were great realities, .e was living without any insight into them or any kind of conscious relation with them. There was a peculiar joy, peculiar in its intensity, as well as in its quality of endurance, of vhicb religion was the source, and he was not sure that much of their happiness in things that seemed to belong only to this world was not deeply related to religious faith and feeliig. Nor must they forget the comfort that religion brought to them when the burden of the mystery of the future hung heavy on their mir Is For religion was the golden key that open, Place of eternity," and was there not much to be said also for religion as an incentive and sanction in the moral life? Duty was n^ning- less apart from religion, and morality s mo"e question of prudence, or habit, or ;.cdi»-f,n The chief purpose of the Church should be, one would think, to develop the religious life, to bnng men nearer to God. He commended the cultivahon of the religious life as the one thing needM more than anything else for their churches and themselves A« f>»■ i_- ton, -nd fcopa. they would demand a religious equality more complete than had been known as yet in this Si17™?*;7 W<mId be 00 the «de of Peace, .y.' temperance. They would aim at diminishing ignorance, pauperism, and crime. They would endeavour to make the life of our Treat cities more wholesome and sweet, end in every way strive to better the condition of the people.

OLD FA LSE TEETH BOUGHT. Many ladies and gentlemen have by them old 9r disused false teeth, which might as well be burned into money. Messrs. R. D. & J. B. Fra#er. of Princes Street, Ipswich (established Jince 1833), buy old false teeth. If you send your teeth to them they will remit you by return of post th.. utmost value; or, if pre ferred, they will mpke you the best offer, and hold the teeth over for your reply. If reference nectary, annlv to Messrs. Bacon & Co., Bankers, Ipswicb. 4527

Pontypridd- Friday. Before Alderman Richard Lewis and Mr R. T. Richards. ABSCONDING FROM THE WORKHOUSE. Jane Rees, a middle aged woman,was charged with absconding from the Workhouse in Au<nist last From the evidence of the Master, it "ap- peared the defendant was given permission to leave the Workhouse in August, but did not return. The clothes she had on were the pro- perty of the Union. She was arrested on Thursday evening by P.S. Evans, to whom she said she had intended returning, but she had since sold part of her clothes. Defendant wns sentenced to 14 day's imprisonment. SLEEPING OUT. jrA^ibald McAllister, a labourer living at Cufynydd, was charged with sleeping out on the night of the 19th inst. He was found by ±*.0. Kavanagh sleeping on some ferns on the premises of Mr D. Powell, Mferthyr Road, where complaints had been made that a number of fowls had been stolen. Defendant said he had been drinking, and intended sleeping off the effects before going home. He was fined 5s

GILFACH OTES. (By INHABITANT). Jif To the public of Gilfach and su^Vj district.—1, As you have either lost, W or strayed the scribes who of late 0of. writing from our village, I shall i0 act as a substitute to the missing °ne■ best of my ability until they shell jjoC again upon the scene. It is my i' M send a few notes from this village f°r pose not of offending, but of pleasi11?' .jj*' f the inhabitants to bear in mind that pears under these notes are things ^1 greatly needed, and should be lo°%# This week I shall commenoe by dealing things most needed in our village. i 2, Tliere are a great number of if$ needed, among the chief I may o\ bridge between the east and west valley. This indeed is one cf the c v» stacles towards the development of {0* It is at present dangerous for perso"V*(?K over the shattered old substitute vffi^Vl^ present, which some people call a °e! J Taik about people committing su'^1, P would have no cause to do this across this bridge (?) a little ca1, would then be a case of accident People crossing this bridge (?) afte. tjoi be compared with a blind man grop^n5^ busy thoroughfare. Who pavs to anyone meeting with an accident j f ing there? Is it the Federation^59^ suggest someone ought to pay coi»P~. #P]V! anything of this kind should hapPeIv'jjfc»1J the present state of affairs it is *er" j J* so- of "'j j. 3, Another drawback is the f,^se f on the easth side. Naturally ^TaSed sweethearting will be only too Pl jejtst, things remain as they are now; a rj0vei'S. J they have softly tied the knot' jCh v? f nothing to do with this matter' less is a very welcome though, want in Gilfach is the comforr ct other places. Why should GilfaC t0$M- behind the times? Has it no T>eop ,-iJi j fight their way to the front to ft comforts? Yes, it has people, but fie*1 f$ little mustering to bring about th« o\t i suits. They are now asleep to but « dilapidated condition of their to be hoped they will soon aw'a^ jie^ one man and gain the present which they sadly lack. 4, Nothing in our village apPeaI\ Even as yet a convenient service not been secured. True, we have 0f j$ comfortable lot of carriages now* rfrjes thanks to the indefatigable etif stationmaster; still the times the 10{. departure are not convenient '°\ of tants. Because of this the jif/ have to cross the mountains t°, Valley to catch trains. Why. 3 tl'e ^51' not have the same train service Valleys in the vicinity? The$ answered with a little thought- e 0f valleys have so convenient a sC during the day if the 1 intereceded to obtain them ? n0 °\(Si would not. Therefore, we h Ae^c^c'g^' blame but ourselves for all the 0ft-en s,f our Valley. Although we hear 1 that' that "we need this and we °,,T say that "Mr So-an-So should do it, jjot look after it ourselves. If we d° A increase our own comfort, n° t»e 1 wf do so. I hope these notes will ^poi1 jjj| to notice the responsibility resting .^al 0j Whether they will make Gilf ich re places in its conveniences or 'et tbls'theJ in the same outlandish condition as at present.