Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

Hippodrome, Tonypandy. This is a Welsh week at the Hippo- drome, for that happy couple, Ted and May Hopkins, are the stars in a very clever performance. It is needless for us to expatiate on the qualities of this most amusing couple. Their performance is typically Welsh, and though the humour is exaggerated at times, there is that in it which carries you off your feet bang. Their popularity is immense, and their performance on Monday evening was greeted with applause that was veritably tumultuous. Wish art, the illusionist, is another clever performer, his egress from the tied and locked boxes being accom- plished in record time. Wyllie, the tramp musician, is an accomplished performer on all manner of instruments, and he even manages to draw music from an empty cigar-box and wire-nails. Sisters Selwyn, dainty comediennes and graceful dancers; Mdlle. Telka, a charming singer of popular ballads; and a splendid selection of pictures make up a really clever entertainment.

TheatreRoyal, Tonypandy. The always welcome Leon Vint's enter- tainment ia with us once more, and, as usual, is attracting splendid houses nightly. The young ladies of the choir are as pleasing as ever, and their vocal and instrumental musical programme most effective. Li Chang Hi, the Chinese con- jurer, gives a most mystifying perform- ance; and the Scenorama. which is inter- mingled with illustrated songs, shows a number of exceptionally pretty views with dioramic effects, changed nightly. Madame Vint, in her hypnotic trance, gives the audiences indications of the whereabouts of missing friends and hints as to the probable recovery or otherwise of lost and stolen articles which have frequently proved astonishingly correct. The entertainment concludes each evening with a selected laughable sketch. There will be an afternoon performance. on Saturday, when Vint's pantomime, "Aladdin. will be given. Next week, Mr. G. Carlton Wallace's company of flayers will hold the boards in a beautiful love romance, entitled The Love That Women Desire."

Tivollf Pentre. Tivoli patrons this week proclaim Rosie Lloyd a great success. She ia a sister of the faimous Marie Lloyd, and possesses an excellent clear voice, whilst her enun- ciation and acting is all that can be desired. Rosie is the best comedienne we have heard since Daisy James. Maria Racko and her partner astound the audi- ence. It would be a difficult task to find a better lady exponent of strength and agility than Miss Racko. Velma and Adolph Cedrico are also smart as comedy artistes. The lady is fond of trick balancing, whilst her companion is evi- dently a lover of animals, and a lover of practical and theoretical jokes at other people's expense. A military drama, en- titled A Soldier's Dishonour," is pro- duced by W. W. Phillips and Company, with very good results. This drama is based upon a true incident of the Zulu campaign. The acting is good, and the scenery appropriate. The Raymond Trio give a very pleasant turn of music of high quality, played on various instru- ments. Arthur Stace- is very successful as an eccentric comedian and dancer. Other good turns are Vela, comedian and wire equilibrist; and Norah Stockelle, comedienne.

Opera House, Treherbert. Messrs. Harry and Fred Poole's No. 1 Myriorama seem to be better than ever. The myricramic effects are magnificent and the changes of various pictures from day to night are scenes of exquisite beauty and Tandeur. The variety entertainment includes many excellent turns. Mr. Richd. Karsy's Giant Myriophone, an instrument ,)Î 2,liÜU strings iii revolution, is a great musical novelty. The big instrument is played upon with extraordinary skill, and during the playing it is magnificently illuminated by the lantern. The George French Troupe perform clever feats as expert cyclists; whilst Mr. Harry Dowsett, eccentric comedian, is very pleasing and entertaining. Learto and his clever dog, "Bah," come in for a large share of the applause. The dog displays wonderful intelligence and has almost a human understanding. The Snow Family of expert skaters sends the house intosereams of laughter. Other excellent turns are Miss Phyllis St. Clair, operatic and ballad vocalist; and Mr. Bert Gates, guide and ventriloquist. The long-lookedr for ward-to Merry Widow musical comedy will be staged next week for the first three nights, when record houses are expected.

New Theatre, Cardiff. Mr. William Greet's great London com- pany of 60 performers will appear in the late Wilson's Barrett's remarkable play, The Sign of the Cross," at the New "Theatre, Cardiff, next week. It is a pro- duction- which will be found to hold a special attraction for all, and once seen it is not readily forgotten. The struggles: of the early Christians have a strong appeal to human nature in these days, and the cruel and bloodthirsty tactics of Pagan Rome are so well drawn that it is almost impossible to repress a shudder at the atrocities perpetrated by a race of Caesars. The play abounds in tuneful numbers sung by well-trained voices, and there is also a solo and a dance included. The elements of refined humour and sarcastic coquetry are also introduced, these being introduced by Glabrio, Dacia, and Philodemus. The company also carries special -.scenery, &c. Dresses and Toga are exactly as worn in the years before the Christian Era.

Clarence Theatre, Pontypridd. Mr. Geo. Edwardes' company, direct from Daly's Theatre, London, in The Merry Widow," are proving an immense draw at the Clarence this week, and we should advise our readers to get to the theatre early if they wish to ,secure seats at the performances to-night, Friday, and Saturday. For next week a good variety pro- gramme has been provided, narticulars of which will be found in our advertisement columns.

"The Merry Widow" at Treherkiert. The Merry Widow," one of the most delightful musical entertainments of this generation, will be presented on Thurs- day Friday and Saturday, the 8th, 9th and 10th inst., at the Opera House by Mr. George Edwardes' company. The enormous success which has attended this play ensures an enthusiastic welcome for it in the Rhondda, and Messrs. Poole are to be congratulated on their enterprise in securing such an immense attraction for their Treherbert house. Mr. Ted Powis, Motor and Cycle Depot, 26, Taff Street, Pontypridd, ia making a large show of cycles and accessories for the Easter trade. He is agent for the Fleet, Ariel, Triumph and Centaur Cycles. Mr. Powis gives special attention to repairs. Election.

The Contest in Ward 2. A public meeting to support the candi- dature of Mr. Thomas Morgan was held at Ramah Vestry, Treorchy, on Tuesday evening, the Rev. Morgan, Cwmparc, presiding. Mr. Evan Davies, in a rousing speech, said that Dr. Tribe had been unfaithful to them during his term of office. During last year, out of a possible attendance of 14 at a. certain committee of which he was member, he had only attended twice. In his election address three years ago, he had promised an improvement in the condition of Herbert Street and other side streets, but these were still as bad as ever. In the ciark evenings of the winter months, it was dangerous for any- one to traverse these streets, whilst in the summer, the stench that arose from the filth was simply abominable and highly dangerous to health. Mr. Roderick Morgan said that he had been asked why he opposed Dr. Tribe more than Councillors W. P. Thomas and W. T. Jones. His reply was that he acted in accordance with his convictions. The reason why the Church had lost its great influence on the present generation( said Mr.. Morgan, was that Church mem- great influence on the present generation and in this election he knew of certain people who were acting in direct oppo- sition to their convictions. Dealing with the condition of the I streets, the speaker said that some months ago, a lamp was required in a certain lane at Treherbert, and among those who supported placing the lamp there was I Dr. Tribe. He would ask in all serious- ness whether Dr. Tribe would be so en- thusiastic about that matter were it not for the fact that Mr. Hill, the colliery manager, was a resident in that street. He ventured to say that there were men living in River Row who, although they could not boast the social position of Mr. Hill, were nevertheless deserving of being treated as human beings (applause). The candidate said that he had had a previous experience as District Councillor for Ward 2, and it was during his term of office that certain improvements were effected at Cwmparc. They had none before then, nor any since. The Rhondda District Council, he proceeded, was the second largest District Council in the Kingdom. There were many committees attached to it and practical men served on each of these committees. They had medical men on the Health Committee: architects and surveyors on the Roads Committee; but on the most important committee of all-the Education Commit- tee—there was not a, single member who had detailed knowledge of the practical working of a school. He claimed, there- fore, that, if elected, he would supply this deficiency, and would, perhaps, effect many economies in the administration of this great department. The speaker said that he was prepared to increase the centres in connection with technical classes, and also advocate increased classes for laundry-work and housewifery for girls. He was also prepared to sup- port single control in secondary educa- tion. and the converting if the Pentre Higher Elementary School as a Secondary School, with a branch at Treorchy. He failed to agree with Dr. Tribe in giving secular instruction only to the children. He was a great believer in the potent influence of simple Biblical teaching, as he was fully convinced that there were scores of homes in the Rhondda where children were brought up totally ignorant of the existence of the Founder of Chris- tianity. Addresses were also given by the Rev. D. Rhagfyr Jones, who subjected Dr. Tribe's address to a searching criticism; Messrs. David Daniel and D. L. Short.

CHECHES SIGNED BY THUMB-PRINTS. Out in Cheyenne, Wyoming, there is a bark which has depositors of so many different nationalities that it has found it necessary to re- quire identification by &Om8 means other than a written signature. The bank officials have therefore, made it a rule that i-ts foreign deposi- tors. must sign their cheques with the imprint of their right thumb, in addition to their written signatures. When a would-be depositor asks to open an account with that bank he-place,s on file his written signature, and at the same time the impress of his right thumb is filed. Afterwards, when a cheque from this man is received at the bank, it must have the thumb-print attached as well as the written signature, and this thumb- print must, of course, correspond with that on 61e in the bank's records.

ss _— S lace Porth Proprietors POOLE'S THEATRES CO., LIMITED Managing Director Mr. C. W. POOLE. — Acting and District Manager Mr. WALTER By NORTH fJST &-50 and 9 First Performance between 6.50 and 9. Second Performance between 9 and 11. Trains from all parts, to and fro, to suit each house. Special Trams leave the Palace after each Performance. Monday, April 5th, and during the week- Special Engagement of Marie Lloyd's Clever Sister, SALIDA & VONE, American Creole Novelty Bag Tjf* "| "J time Dancers. Iw Ublv JJlUy ULj Sisters BARTHOLOMEW, the Smart Boy and Daintf Comedienne. Just, returned from her Phenomenal American ate Success. THE PAL VSCOPE, in a Grand Series of Up..io- a The Three Original HODGINIS, Continental Aerial Films W eJdy. Gymnastic Wonders. CARL and MARY HARRY LUCK, Comedian, with his own Original Funny -IMTum -<»ga msr Songs and Parodies. g°^T iwff SELBO, the World's Champion Club Juggler. ANIMAL CIRCUS, Consisting of well-trained P oviel The MI LWARDS, Latest Comedy Novelty in Vaudeville Bears, Dogs and Monkeys. THE PALACE BAND of Selected Musicians. One of the Best in the Provinces. I Conductor-Mr. STUART LANE. CIRCLE, 1/- (Early Door, 1/8 Reserved, 1/3). BALCONY & PIT, 6d. (Early Doors, 9d.) GALLERY, 3d. (Early Doors,$ Early Doors, 6-30 and 8-40. Ordinary Doors Open at 6-40 and 8-50. Bicycles Stored in a Special Room Free of Charge. HIPPODROME TONYPANDY. 7Monday, April 5, 1909, and during: the Week ft W TWICE NIGHTLY. 5^ WILL STONES ELECTRIC BIOSCOPE NICK CARTER, Detective. DARE DEVIL MOTOR CAR. HOP PICKING. TWO;PK £ TAIL8. THE TRAINER'S VENGEANCE. HIPPODROME ORCHESTRA. Special Engagement of ,em Chas. M. Daley and his. Company, in the Miniature Musical Comedy, I must have it." JACK NORTH, The Peculiar Comedian. The Le Brun6, in o Novel Vocal and Juggling Speciality. See Little EDDIE, the Child Cinquevalli. EDDIE CLAY, in a Comical Novelty Act, Percy Victor's Doff Minstrels. The Bros. Leotard, The Comical Clowns. Staircase Performers, Aerial Hand Balancers. The greatest Clown Hat Throwers in the World. "Who Threw That Hat l" PEOPLE'S POPULAR PRICES-Gallery, 3d., Early Doors, 4d. Pit, 6d., Early Doors, 9d.; Stalls, 1/- Early Doors, Is. 3d. TTTVO T ,T <tMMth. Palace & Hippodrome, PENTRE. Pr oprietors POOLE'S THEATRES Limited A Ctim; Manager Mr. JAMES GUNN 6.50 & 9. Twice Nightly. 6.50 & 9 Monday, April 5, 1909, and Twice Nightly during the Week. IFlaLes JBEKTSOMS Great American Comedy Duo. GRAPHO & JACKSON, in Comedy Act-" Fun in a Restaurant." FARR & FARLAND. the new Star Comedians. Fellows of Infinite Jest. RANDOLPH KING, the Original One-Man Programme. As given before King Edward vII. J. P. CARROLL, SISTERS CORA, The Soldier Tainhonrinisfc. In their Latest Pantomime Successes' BOB STEPHENSON, Favourite Comedian, Patteier and^Dancer THE TIVOLISCOPE, with the Best Pictures Obtainable. Cannot be Beaten. The Japanese Marvel, 2S JK JK 1%JBr In his Startling and Sensational Performance—A Remarkable Exhibition of Wire Walking and Foot Equilibristics. Originator of the Wonderful Bamboo Trick which has never before been attempted, and which he Challenges the World to imitate or copy. THE TIVOLI BAND (of Selected Musicians), one of the best in the Provinces. Conductor—Mr. W. CRONIN. Early Doors, 6,30 and 8.40. Ordinary Doors at 6.40 and 8.50. CIRCLE, 1/- (Early Doors, 1/3, Reserved at 1/3). PIT, 6d. (Early Doors, 9d.) GALLERY, 3d. (Early Doors, 4d). (Saturdays, 4d.). OPERA HOUSE TREHERBERT. Proprietors Poole's Theatres, Limited — ———————————————————— Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, April 5th, 6th & 7th, Poole's Perfect Pictures The Highest of Animated Photography. The latest'and Up-to-date Films. To Interest, To Instruct, To Amuse. Thursday, Friday & Saturday, April 8th, 9th & 10th, FOR THREE NIGHTS ONLY! Mr. George Edwardes' Company in THE MERRY WIDOW From Daly's Theatre, London. Produced under the direction of Mr. J. A. E. MALONE. 7 he Few Play with Music which is Breaking Theatrical Records aH over the World. General Yanager-Mr. FULLR ALLEN. rl E CARDIFF MPIRE (QUEEN STREET) Managing Director OSWALD STOL^ M |S| TWICE NIGHTLY—6.45 and 9 o'clock, III Seats booked daily by Post or Tele. No. 626, N«* —o— P Monday, APRIL 5th, 1909, TWW N N Nightly during the Week- (Good Friday excepted). m The Hit of the Drury Lane Pantomime! WILKIE BARPF I The Bard of Mirth! FATMAH DIARD, the Famous American Donna. M FRED CURRAN, Singer of Quaint Song. and Parodies. Dancers. MOON & MORRIS, Comedians and Unique HENRY CARLTON, the Popular Comedian f the High-cl"s Musical A bsurdity- t m The Window Cleaner." HARRY LEYBOURN, the Nervous Lady. CORCORAN BR03., Musical Speciality Act. E NELLIE 6TRATTON, Comedienne. Magnificemt Pictures of the GRAND NATIONAL will be shown on the American Biollcope. ERNEST SHAND, the Pink of Comic Smartneo ■ —1 1950 A-& NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF. ole Proprietor ROBIRT BEDFORD EVERY EVENING at 7.30., and SATURDAY at Two. Early doors—Matinee, 1-30 Ordinary doorø, 'I 1-45. Evenings, 7 Ordinary doors, 7-15. The britliattt Comedy BfyEWSlER'S MILLIONS. PERCY HUTCHISON as Monty." Next Week, Mr. Lionel Rignold in the EARLY WORM. Booking Office at Theatre, 10 to 5. Nat. Tel, 379' Royal CLARENCE THEATRE PONTYPRIDD. MONDAY, APRIL 5th, 1909, And during the week. I 7 Twice Nightly. g ¡ CARLO & MAIE T'ilO in Comedy Acrobatic Act, Fun on the Lawn." NELL ALMA, Dainty Soubrette and Cl,ortio. Singer. MAX MARTIN, Singer & Whirlwind Dancet HANS & LUX, The Argumentative College Boys. ADDIE MITCHELL, Comedienne & Dancer. THE THEATRESCOPE. JACK H. WEEKS, Comedian. MDLLE POLLO, Rapid Lady Gymnasts Price of Admission—Circle, 1/ early door lISt Pit, 6d, early door 9d.; Gallery, 33., early door 4d. I ACCIDENTS. Accidents will always happen even to the best of Spectacles of Pince-nez, and it is good to know where you can obtain reliable repaif service. We keep a record of all Spec- tacles supplied by us and possess exact instruments for measuring '■?nses other than our own. Unde-f auch circumstances the replacing of a lens-an exact facsimile of the | broken one-is a simple matter. y Skilful workmanship character- ises the whole of the repairing we U do. J. W. RICHARDS, Chemist and Optician, PANDY SQUARE* TONYPANDY. Printed for the Proprietors by at Evan* A Short, Tonypandy and bv the Proprietors "The Loader Limited at thedr Offices. F'ii|d»>»BS fV Winton -H:h hl "h of G

Palace, Porth. The top of the bill at the Palace this week engages considerable attention, for Crinn is a wonderful juggler. His cannon manipulating is exceedingly smart and cleverly executed. Arayama, the Japanese marvel, is also clever. Charlie Hughes, comedian, evokes continuous laughter. The Bros. Lavelle, acrobatic and eccentric comedians, are particularly amusing; while Miss Florence Smithers, supported by Owen Dacroy and Company, in the comic sketch, Mary Jane," is a veritable side-splitter, and is much appreciated. A very clever turn is that of the Three Sisters Lee. Accomplished acrobats, vocalists and dancers, they are showered with plaudits. Grapho and Jackson, in their original scena, Fun in a Restaurant," are also very smart and deserve comment. Ike and Will Scott, in their amusing farce, makes quite a hit and are much appreciated. The pictures, as usual, are quite up-to-date and very fine.

Ward No. 1. At Treherbert, election excitement is beginning to run high. Seen by our representative, Mr. R. M. Bees said that prospects were very bright and that his men were paving the way for a glorious victory." Mr. D. R. Jones also expressed I confidence as to the result of the poll. Mr. Jones, in his addrecs, calls the atten- tion of the public to improvements effected during the past year, and says that in all matters relating to the same he had been fully supported by each of his fellow-representatives, whose advocacy of the Ward's interest had been in har- mony with his own. During the past year the tramways had become an estab- lished boon to a portion of the Ward, and it was probable that the completion of the line to its intended destination would soon be accomplished. He further says: The excellent lighting of the main streets and the contracts now being let -for several private street improve- ments with lighting of the same, denote progress. The much-needed alterations on Bla.enyowm Road have been executed, which road is now equal to the best in the parish. The bridge leading to Station Street is to be widened in the near future, and after several years' application, permission to remove the obstacle known as the Rhondda Merthyr Gates has now been granted. Opera- tions for widening the road to its proper width are now in actual progress." Re the schools in the Ward, Mr. Jones points out that the following contracts have lately either been completed or are at present well in hand —Reconstruction and extension of Blaenrhondda Schools; new department at Blaenycwm Schools; extensive alterations at Dunraven Schools new boys' and infants' department at Penyrenglyn Schools; and a new infants' department at Ynyswen Schools. In his address, Mr. Rees Morgan Rees appeals to the public as a Labour repre- sentative. He says that those who had studied the report of the Government Auditor, recently published, would readily understand that such past ser- vice was in no way a credit to those who professed to carry out the local adminis- tration in the Ward's interest; their hard- earned money had been wasted in a manner that could only be described as disgraceful, and it was evident- that "new blood was required. Ward 1," he continues, "is notoriously neglected; note the state of many of our so-called streets and compare them with the well-paved and well-lighted streets in other Wards." Mr. Rees says of the spot known as The Fair Ground," at the end of Ta,ff Street, that for many months it was used to tip the district scavenging, and that it was not until he agitated in the matter that the Health Department began to disinfect this plague spot by covering it with lime." To this he adds that our local Councillors should have had this done and not waited for him (an outsider) to have this grave menace to the public health properly dealt with."

Blaenycwm. On Thursday evening last the Blaeny- cwm Orchestra gave their fourth annual concert, which proved a brilliant success. The conductor, Mr. William Davies, A.T.S.O., is to be heartily congratulated on the high standard attained by the band under his conductorship. All the artistes acquitted themselves well!. Mr. Tom Bonnell (tenor) gave a particularly fine rendering of "0 Waft her Angel." The contralto, Miss Ceridwen Price (daughter of Mr. J. Price, Rhymney) made her first appearance in the Upper Rhondda. Her rich voice, and her dramatic rendering of The Enchantress will ensure her re- appearance. Mr. Arthur Angle was the violin soloist, and he acquitted himself in his usual style. Professor J. T. Jones, L.R.A.M. (Treorchy) was the accompan- ist, and we can only endorse Mr. Angle's verdict, "One of the finest accompanists in Wales." The following was the com- plete programme. Overture. "Poet and Peasant" (Suppe); solo, with violin obli- gate, "Beyond," Miss Price; selection, "Montrose" (Scotch Airs), Orchestra violin solo, "Mazurka (Wieniawski), Mr Angle; solo, "O Waft her Angels," Mr T. Bonnell; overture, "Cross of Honour (Bleger); concerts on the pianoforte 'Cap- .jicio Brillfante" (Mendelsohn), Professor J. T. Jones selection, "Wedding lyiarch" (Mendelssohn), Orchestra; solo, .The Enchantress," Miss C. Price; overture, "Tancredi"; violin solo, "Humoeske," Mr Angle; solo, "Tbora," Mr T. Bonnell selection from "Hymn of Praise," by Orchestra. For all Chronic Chest Complaints, take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. 1/H, 2/9.

MOST WONDERFUL OF LAKES. The Pitch Lake, of Trinidad, is accounted one of the wonders of the world. It is a "lake" by courtesy only, for the pitch is of such consistency that one is able to walk upon it without danger or difficulty. It even supports a railway, along which the chunks of asphalt when "quarried" are hauled in trucks to the shore. But the per- manent way has to be raised and readjusted every three or four days, otherwise rails and sleepers, would sink into the semi-solid, semi- fluid depths, and be engulfed for ever. Along- side the railway, when night falls, run two long parallel troughs or trenches. These represent the spaces whence the day's output of pitch has been dug. Next morning they have dia ppea red. The pitch has closed upon them and filled them. The whole surface of the lake is as solid and as smooth as ever. This process has been going on with more or less regularity ever since the days of Sir Walter Raleigh, who caulked his ships there, and yet the lake remains at the same level. The quantity annually removed is about 100,000 tons.

ANTIQUITY OF LOTTERIES. The Roman Emperor Nero established lot- teries for the people in which 1,000 tickets were distributed daily, and several of those who were favoured by fortune got rich by them. Helio- gabalus, invented some very singular ones, where the prizes were of great value or none at all—one gained a prize of six slaves, another of six flies, some of valuable vases, and others vases of common earth. The first lottery we find in the annals of this country was in 1569, which, according to Stowe, consisted of 40,000 lots at ten shillings each. The prizes ware plate, and the profits were to go towards the ports and harbours of the kingdom; it was drawn at the great door of St. Paul's Cathedral, and com- menced on January 11th, 1569, and continued incessantly, day and night, till May 6th follow- ing. The tickets were three years in disposal.

i A CITY WITH No TAXES. There is at least one town in the world where no taxes are assessed—Freuderstadt, in the Black Forest of Germany. This place has a population of 7,000. and is a busy industrial centre with iron and chemical works of import- ance. Despite its size, Freudenstadfc possesses the government of a full-fledged city-a mayor, aldermen, policemen, and a fire department. Public business is conducted oil an economical basis, and the total expenses thereof are said not to exceed £ 5,000 annually. The yearly net revenue from the public property covers all the expenditures, thus making unnecessary any tax- ation whatsoever. This property consists of about 6,000 acres of fine forest, which, under the best approved forestry management, is a perma- nent source of income to the town. One or more > trees are planted for everyone felled; and no tree is cut till it will yield the maximum profit. After deduction of all expenses of this indus- try, the annual profit is about £ 1 to the acre.