Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

Furniture Bargains! BEVAN & Co., Ltd., 71, Taff S., Pontypridd

Carried Off His Feet Three Times A thrilling narrative of rescue work was giyen our representative by William A. Parker, a mineral guard on the Taff Vale Railway. Parker was in charge of a loaded train coming down from the Cambrian Colliery, when he noticed water coming from the school. He immediately realised the danger, and in company with Harry Dale, a fireman on the engine, he ran towards the school and scaled the wall, which was afterwards borne down by the flood. In the schoolyard, where he was up to his neck in water, he caught hold' of a child which- was going down under the water. The water was too strong for JlÎm to get into the centre of the playground, and he clung to the side wall until lie managed to reach a place of safety, and handed the child to willing hands. He afterwards went back to the girls' department, and made three attempts to enter, but was driven back each time. Eventually, with the assist- ance of others, he got in through a' window and into the school. Here a number of children were crying piteously, and he carried them out, having to wade in the water almost up to his neck. After rescuing these, he was told there were some children still remaining in the infants' school. The brave fellow hesi- tated not a moment, but proceeded there at once. 'Here," said Mr. Parker, "was a terrible sight. A number of small children were floating about, and clinging to the teachers, screaming. They seemed to be all under the water, and their faces were plastered with mud. I carried them out two at a. time altogether I carried about 20 or 30. After I got the children from there, I went to the schoolyard, where I saw a man picking un a child and tried to cross the water to a place of safety. The water, however, carried him off his legs, and he lost the child. I rushed- after them, ancl was myself carried off my legs three times. When I got down to the pool at the bottom end, I saw the man disappearing, and I didn't know what to do. In a short time he came up again on his back, unconscious, and with the assistance of others I got him out. I was told afterwards that the little child was also rescued. A COLLIER'S MEANNESS. After the school wall had been borne down," proceeded Parker. "I wanted a pick to get an outlet for the water near the -.ool. I went to about half-a-dozen houses, but could not get one. By and bye, I saw a collier come down the road with a pick on his shoulder, with two corks attached to the points. I asked him if he would mind letting me have the pick for a few minutes, and he refused saying that he had to go to the bottom of Pandy. I eventually got a railway pick, and started clearing away at the pool. We succeeded in clearing awav the water, but we could not see any bodies there, as so much mud and rubbish had come down with the water. It was underneath that rubbish that the body of little Gertie Rees was found on the following morning." Parker paid a high tribute to Harry Dale, the fireman, whose knowledge of ambulance brought round many of the children out of the water. He is a splendid fellow." he commented, and deserves all the credit he gets."

An Exciting Experience. Probably none of these who so narrowly escaped with their lives had such a remarkable experience as Evan John Wil- liams, Adam Street. Williams was having the collier's bath m a. tub near the kitchen fire wheli the water burst into the house, and washed man and tub out of the house. He was carried down tile hill near Saron Chapel, over the school wall on the otherside of the road, and precipitated into the school corridor, where he was up to his armpits in water. He scrambled on top of a table, and even- tually succeeded -in getting out of the window.

Prompt Measures by Council Officials. The promptues.s of the Councillors and their officials is worthy of mention. Amongst the first to arrive on the scene, within half an hour of the burst, were Inspectors W. C. Jones and James Wil- liams, followed by Mr. Al lones (Sur- vevor) and Dr. (Medical Officer of Health). Councillors Leonard W. Llewelyn and R. S. Griffiths hastily left the Council room, where a meeting was being held, commandeered a conveyance and drove to the scene..It fell to the lot of Councillors R. S. Griffiths, Walter Williams, and Inspector James Williams to be near a house in course of erection, and to assist in the sad duty of recover- ing the body of Mrs. Williams from the mud and debris. The Council officials immediately set to work to clear away the debris, and within an hour a large num- ber of carts and a strong gang of men were clearing the roadway along Clydach Road. These operations were in charge of Inspectors W. C. Jones: and James Williams, who continued at the work continuously for several days and nights, and who have been most assiduous in supervising the enormous work wnicn Jay before them. They deserve credit for the expert manner in which the work was organised, and the remarkably short space of time which elapsed before the roadway was made passable for traffic. Not only were roadways, torn up. but ,I gas and water mains were broken, while the danger was considerably increased by the fullv charged cable of the Electric Power Distribution Comnany being en- tirely exnosed for about 30 yards. The Inspectors in charge, after con- sultation with Mr. Leonard Llewelyn, immediately communicated with the Power Comnany, who shut off the current and sent their officials to take steps to protect the cable. The clearing of the debris and restora- tion work was considerably facilitated bv the, assistance rendered to the Council s officials bv Mr, Leonard Llewelyn, Mr. Trevor Price, Mr. Morris Williams, and other officials of the Cambrian Colliery,, who sent a supply of lamps and a large squad of workmen and carts, &c., which they placed a,t the Council's disposal. The work of restoration is being pro- ceeded with vigour, though an enormous amount yet remains to be done. Sewers are being relaid, water supply to the houses being restored, and dangerous places made safe. The fine weather has enabled the work to be rapidly proceeded with, and the change that has already taken "lace reflects great credit upon the Surveyor and Inspectors Jones and Wil- liams.

Relief for* Sufferers. A largely attended public meeting was held at Libanus Chapel on Sunday after- noon, under the auspices of the Cambrian Colliery Workmen's Committee, Mf. John Thomas (chairman of this committee) pre- siding. Mr. Thomas said that his committee had met the previous day, and had distri- buted JL70 as, immediate relief to those affected by the flood; £ 30 of this sum came from the lodge funds, the remainder from subscriptions. The members, how- ever, thought it very advisable to call a general meeting so that a Relief Com- mittee be formed to relieve the distress. It was unanimously decided that this be done. Mr. R. S. Griffiths, D.C., was ap- pointed chairman; Mr. James Evans,! C.C., treasurer; and Messrs. Noah Rees, R. R. Williams and D. R. Rees, secre- taries. A very representative committee I was appointed, consisting of the local ministers of the Gospel, representatives on the nublic bodies, managers and under- managers of the Cambrian Colliery, Drs. T. L. Morgan and R. Gabe. Jones, and tradesmen. Mr. David Deere proposed, and Mr. David Davies, 'M.E., seconded, that the children be not sent to the schools again until absolute certainty be given that it would be safe to do so. This was unani- mously agreed upon. Mr. R. R. Williams, under very obvious emotion, thanked all who had assisted the teachers in the work of rescue. He referred particularly to the lady teachers, who, unfortunately, were in the danger zone, throughout. The doctors were also very heartily thanked for their attention to the rescued, for it was felt that had it not been for them, and those who had a know- ledge of first-aid, the death-roll would have been considerably greater. Mr. R. S. Griffiths also moved that the so heartiest thanks be extended to the Workmen's Committee for so generously contributino- to the needs of the dis- tressed. In answer to an enquiry, it was stated that the money had been distri- U buted to Unionists and non-Unionists alike.

Votes of Condolence. A vote of condolence was passed at the Mid-Rhondda Free Church Council on Friday night with the victims of the disaster. At the Primitive Methodist Church, Llwynypia, the Rev. J. J. Hodsort, M.A., feelingly referred to the disastrous effects of the flood, and a vote of sympathy was passed, the audience standing in silence. At Ebenezer Chapel on Sunday evening, resolutions of condolence with the bereaved families, of sympathy with the homeless, and of thanks to lVIr. R. R. Williams, his staff, and the workmen who assisted them, were proposed by Mr. James Williams, seconded by Councillor David Williams, and passed in silence. Similar resolutions were passed at other places of worship. The following telegram has been re- ceived by Mr. R. R. Williams, head- master, from the Rev. Dr. Campbell Morgan, London: The Westminster Staff send. you greetings and sincere congratulations, and through you. desire to express to all their friends in Clydach their pro- found sympathy. CAMPBELL MORGAN.

Flood Items. Mr. Morris Williams, mechanical engi- neer at the Cambrian Collieries, estimated the quantity of water on Friday to be no less than 3,500 tons. At a meeting of the teachers of the three departments of the Clydach Vale Schools, held on Tuesday morning, reso- lutions were passed thanking all those who had assisted in the rescue work. Nothing like the crowds that have visited the scene of the 'disaster since Sunday has been seen locally. As early as six o'clock on Sunday morning, num- bers of people had made the journey over the mountains from the Oamore and Garw Valleys. As stated above, a sum of L27 was collected from the visitors on Sunday. On Monday, the street collections realised over C50. The whole of the proceeds of Thurs- day's matinee at the Empire will be handed over to the Relief Fund organised for the sufferers. The Mid-Rhondda Amateur Operatic Society have decided to devote the total proceeds of the forthcoming performances of the Mikado to the Relief Fund. Photographs of the disaster are selhii-tr like hot cakes in the district. Mr. Levi Ladd has had a particularly busy time of it. and still he cannot keep up with the demand. Opinion as to the amount of damage done varies considerably. The sum of R14,000 mentioned by a well-known local engineer rather under-estiinates it.

Bliridwith Eczema Mr. T. H. Walker, 107, Walker St., Hull, writes "For a whole day at a time I was in total darkness through eczema covering my face and closing over my eyes. [ could not move my lips without pain through the cracking of the sores. The trouble originated with a small pimple on my right cheek. From that pimple inflammation spread until my face was raw with a caking cf red, smarting, wet eczema. I was attended by two doctors, and in nine weeks I tried sixteen different remedies, yet the eczema ever increased and the pain was terrific. Then Cadum was tried, and it took away the pain after the second application. Cadum made a wonderful cure in two weeks. The sore coating dried up and fell off in dust, and I have since had a smoother and clearer skin than ever before in my life." Cadum gives immediate relief and quickly cures eczema, sores., itch and all skin troubles. Price 7sd., i/i £ and 2/9 per box, of all 2 2 chemists, or from Omega, Ltd., London, N.

ADULTERATED BREAD. Bread is much adulterated, but the adultera- tions are easily detect.ed if yOIl will follow these directions: Heat the blade of a knife very hot and thrust it into a loaf of yesterday's bread. If alum is present (and that w 4one of the things most used for adulteration). small particles of it will ad hare to the knife and a peculiar kind of smell will be noticeable. Alum is used to whiten bread, and its presence may be suspected if the bread Is very short and becomes very brittle when toasted. Sometimes pea flour is used, and this adulteration may be traced by boiiinsy water being poured over the bread and then smelling it, when an odour of this flour will be noticeable.

W TO SUFFERERS FROM | Skin & Blood Diseases i For cleansing the blood of all impurities, from whatever cause arising:, there is no other medicine just as good as Clarke's Blood Mixture—that's why in so many cases of Eczema, Scrofula, Scurvy, Bad Legs, Abscesses, Ulcers, Tumours, Boils, Pimples, Blotches, Sores and Eruptions, Piles, Glandular Swellings, Blood Poison, Rheuma- tism, Gout, &C., it has effected truly remarkable cures where all other treatments have failed. Clarke's Blood Mixture has over 45 years' reputation, and the proprietors solicit all sufferers to give it a trial to test its value. The Editor of the FAMILY DOCTOR writes; We have seen hosts of letters bearing: testimony to the truly wonderful cures effected by Clarke's Blood Mixture. It is the finest Blood Purifier that Science and Medical Skill have brought to light, and we can with the utmost confidence recommend it to our subscribers and the public M! j ) WILL CURE Yous j Sold by all Chemists and Stores, 2/9 per bottle, I Butter is altogether I out of the Question ■ just now, but the Grocer | comes to the aid of the I thrifty housewife | WITH Golden Fleece Margarine AT 1/- per lb. With 2 lb. overweight given away with each lb. With ] lb. overweight given away 2 I A ISOtLe'D s SvONae" LY vjrwBuy iY isntAh Mt SESg 1OMeCaBl/IEciA- h RkToS IOe i ONst F .lbpTB6-HeE udtnGRt. OteCEr.iRn.S"' J. W. WISBEY, Shop Fitter for all Trades, a o L ADIMCC AIR TIGHT SHOW CASES Nat Tel, 2122. JOnn D*»'V wAnUlrri A SPECIALITY. ESTIMATES FREE. 9 "Carbosil" is a brilliant mF water softener, bleacher and wash- ing soda in powder. Contains no soap and is ijnmnHBnnjl j\ Mf fair stronger, handier and^^ I Jm more elective than the old- fashioned lump soda. It guar* Bynpjiomtmrnttoh.m.t^King. UIsoftenerILI Mf antees fine usable soft water for BLEACHING m bedrooms, bathroom, and laundry. SODA Mr Indispensable for all scullery and kitchen mi11nn F work. For washing greasy pots, pans, PAC scrubbing and whitening floors, cleansing ihmiuvm^Jw sinks and purifying drains. V In id. and Id. Packets. yfthe help of helps

An Appreciation of Teachers' Heroism. [By T. W. BERRY, Director of Educa- tion.] Probably there has never been an in- stance in the history of this country when the value of discipline was displayed to greater effect than on Friday last, when an overwhelming catastrophe, with elec- trical suddenness and fearful ravage over- took the poor children in the Cwmclydach Day Schpol. Here some 900 children Were congregated together pursuing their ordinary lessons with their usual happi- ness in the fullest confidence that all was weB. Some little time before, the fire drill was rehearsed. This drill has been arranged to enable the children to combat with the possible difficulty which would heset them, when visited by fire--one of tiae mortal, enemies of man. The children did their drill with their accustomed smartness; the teachers had arranged everything with great nicety so that at a critical moment the children could be ttiarched out with that order which char- acterises the British soldier in the time °f great emergency. But, alas! an enemy far more difficult to deal with even than fire visited them within a few minutes of the completion of their preparatory drill. The water came rushing down like a mighty cataract, with the noise and fierceness of a Niagara, the immense volume of water and the steep gradient together producing a force which swept everything before it. The distant rumb- ling as the water rushed along gave the teachers the impression of traction engines having run riot. So unexpected was the ffowof water, so great was the v-olum-e and so intense the sound, that it struck terror to the hearts of the teachers and filled the children with fe,ful awe. The headmaster,. Mr. R. R. Williams, with that calm presence of mind in the midst of the greatest clanger which can only be found in the well-disciplined man, took in the whole situation without a moment's delay. He at once gave in- structions for his own boys to be marched out of school in strict order, then with commendable forethought he made his way downstairs into the basement, where there was a. class, which would have been the first to suffer, and these he had out instantly with true martial discipline. He ran from here with lightning-like speed to the girls' department, and after allay- ing all fears there having told the mis- tress very briefly the danger, he asked the girls to show him how smartly they •could march out of the school, giving them the idea that lie was putting them to the test of a. fire drill, so much so that h smiles were seen on the little children's hiceri as they thought how smartly they ^■ere going to do this to please Mr. "Wil- hiUTi-j and their teachers. Being splen- didly seconded in his efforts by Miss Harries (headmistress) and her staff, Mr. Williams rashed to the infants' school, **> fhid that it was surrounded by water. -Here the teachers had acted with very great promptitude, having commanded au i the children to stand on the desks, f-11" the headmistress (Miss M. H. Wil- iiains, sister of the headmaster) locked r['e doors leading out to the front, because slle knew perfectly well, if the little ones once got through these doors, they would uave been in the path or the raging torrent and swept away entirely. This was all the work of a moment, the teachers acting with a celerity which astonished even themselves. The children Were then taken out by the back door, the headmistress personally running great risks both from the depth of water and the logs of trees which were being dashed into the school, got the children out safely with the assistance of Mr. Wil- e liams, whose eagle eye missed nothing. Some of the children were playing in the playground which was instantly con- verted into a swimming bath with some sis or seven feet of water, the children floatingatJOut like corks in water. Mr. Williams was rescuing the children, when he was carried off his feet and with the greatest difficulty escaped drowning. Mrs. Colville (aQ assistant' teacher), whose con- duct was most praiseworthy, saved child after child, and but for Mr. Williams' timely assistance when, with a child in one arm, he seized Mrs. Colville with the other just && she was going under in a dead swoon, she would have been drowned. Mr. Williams shouted for all he was worth for assistance. Some colliers, taking in the situation, instantly dived in the Water and rendered inestimable service in thus saving children, who were handed over the wall. The boundary wall gave Way, and this was providential, otherwise the loss of life must have been very great. The people of Clydach Vale will never know the extent of their debt of grati- tude to Mr. Williams, Miss Harries, Miss M. H. Williams, and to the staff. When it is remembered, too, that Mr. Williams had just passed through a serious illness, his unselfish devotion to duty is all the mora praiseworthy. It is not saying too much when we affirm that the tale of deaths would have been very great but for the timely assistance of the teachers, their reckless fear of danger and their untiring efforts to save the- children, and to this must be added the splendid discip- line which always prevails in this school, for the children have implicit confidence in their teachers, and even. when face to face with death they stood firm in the school. The little infants never moved, becausB the teacher said "Stand still," as she. felt it was better to retain them under her immediate control until fur- |her assistance came, rather than allow to pass out with the limited means Which the teachers could afford, as such a course would have led to certain 'dis- aster. It is with pride that we look upon such teachers as we possess in this school. Capable instructors, kindly disposed, equai to any emergency and counting their lives as nothing compared with the safety of their little charges. We com- mend their action to the notice of the ■*voyai Humane Society, who will never have a better occasion for showing their approval of valiant conduct than that which was exhibited on Friday last at Clydach Yale. Though this appreciation, having re- gard to my position, is primarily con- cerned with the part the teachers played in the heroism of Friday last, but the opinion which I had already formed of the bravery and the splendid personal forgetfulness which has always been char- acteristic of our South Wales miners has been more than confirmed by the gener- ous promptitude with which the miners in this case threw themselves heart and soul into the rescue work, and had it not been for them, the efforts of the teachers, grand as they ii,ei,e, iiould not this day have been the universal paean of praise and admiration of the country.