Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

EDITORIAL NOTES. The Boy Scout movement in the Rhondda will not be allowed to abate now that Mr. Rhys Williams, Miskiii Manor, has accepted the official position of Dis- trict Commissioner. Though it was quite honorary, the altruism of the movement has got such a hold of the Commissioner that his enthusiasm is truly infectious, and once anyone gets into the atmosphere of his advocacy, the conversion is both instantaneous and abiding. The first public exposition of the Boy Scouts move- ment will be made at Cymmer, Porth, on Wednesday of next week. Baden- Powell's most trustworthy Deputy will be present, and give the essential com- pleteness to the preliminaries of the Rhondda. organisation, and which has occupied Mr. Williams pretty fully during the last month. What is this movement? Superficial examination into its aim and purposes is as misleading as possible. On the first blush one i4 apt to think that the Boy Scouts movement is military, but a little closer reading and deeper research soon dispels this prejudice. There is nothing military any more than there is military about the Salvation Army. The terms of the movement, it is true, are borrowed from military lan- guage. This plagiarism alone represents the militarism of the Boy Scouts. The whole spirit and conception ring with the highest and noblest of citizenship ideals. Anyone who reads; into the matter will soon wipe away his wrongly found mili- tary impression. On the contrary, it works for peace and for brave, upright, honourable, useful and disciplined man- hood. It is, indeed, more educational, if character building is recognised as the dominant purpose of education, thari the Code of the Board of Education itself. The latter is bookish, while the system of training Scouts makes for the most effective type of future Britisher. Even its moral and religious aims are more likely to permeate the life of the ladp than any set of crammed dogmas and creeds, while as a practical product the Scout will, without delay, enter into his responsibility promptly and directly. We trust, therefore, that this movement will at once be in full sail. There is urgency for the setting of the right inward im- pulses into the lads. The spirit lives, and in education the spirit is that which lives after the. rote of the school book has been forgotten and lost. Manly hearts, and not crammed heads, are the real needs, and because we profoundly believe such will be the result, we wish God-speed and prosperity to the Rhondda Boy Scouts. The Education question has this week once more. come prominently before the public by the publication of the Report of the Education Settlement Committee. This Committee represented all phases of religious educational opinion except the High Churchmen under Lord Halifax's lead and Roman Catholics. The extremists were outside. Alderman Lewis Morgan, Cardiff, whose views on education are on broad lines, was the only Welsh repre- sentative on this Settlement Committee. The report is somewhat belated, as it was actually ready in December, 1909, but owing to the subsequent political crisis, publication was deferred. Our readers will know that the impasse was due to the failure, of a compromised understand- ing on the vexed question of religious education., and the Settlement Committee set out with the object of devising a' scheme of National Education which would promote and maintain religious teaching as an integral part, and to work for the same on non-party lines for an educa- tional settlement which would respect all forms of conscientious belief. The plan suggested is a national arrangement of schools under public control, in which religious teaching as an integral part, subject to the right of withdrawal under a conscience clause. It decrees that in single-school areas it will not allow recog- nition of more than one, school, and that school must be a Council School. In popu- lous areas it will allow the choice of alternative schools if a preference is indi- cated for such by a sufficient number of parents; but the fundamental principle that an Elementary School under public management should be accessible to every child. Right of entry and contracting- out are not sanctioned. But if a Local Education Authority will not provide a scheme of religious teaching, as we have in the Rhondda to-day, then it will have to grant facilities within school hours to approved religious denominations. This, however, we think, will rarely occur, and especially in Wales, where schemes of Bible teaching are generally in vogue. If the Settlement terms were legislatively confirmed, we think all Local Authorities would provide such schemes of Bible teaching. The Settlement also deals with the opening new Denominational School and the withdrawal of recognition from recognised schools. In respect of the appointment of teacher—always a burning question in the Council School—the ap- pointment would be strictly on educa- tional grounds by the Education Autho- rity, jxnd this power would include the single-school districts. In the Denomina- iiia- tional Schools, there are two suggestions. Either (a) denominational managers should appoint, and the Education Authority have a veto on educational grounds or (b) the Education Authority should ap- point after having obtained the assent of the denominational managers. The Coun- cil Schools (including the transferred Denominational Schools) head teachers, other than the existing ones, will not be allowed to give any denominational in- struction, but assistant teachers will be free to offer their services. It is a sin- cere attempt to solve the question, but we must confess that we much doubt that Parliament will give it the legislative finish.

Refuge Assurance Co. Annual Meeting at Treorchy. Thestaffs of the Treorchy and Rhondda No. 2 Districts of the Refuge Assurance Company assembled at their annual social tea and presentation meeting at the. Workmen's Institute on Friday evening. After doing justice to the excellent fare. provided at the tables, the company ad- journed to the Assembly Room, where the proceedings were presided over by Mr. Bell, Inspector of the South Wales Divi- sion, assisted by Mr. Castle, Assistant Inspector. The Chairman, in the course of an introductory address, gave a few prac- tical suggestions and valuable advice to the agents, and showed how their pro- gressive company had gone on from strength to strength. The future welfare of the company, he observed, depended upon the energy put forth by the agents, and there was ample opportunity for all those actively engaged in the company's service of placing their profession still further to the fore by working whole- heartedly hand in hand. Inspector Castle urged all concerned to do their best, and added that the con- ditions set forth by the company were second to none. Although the spiritual welfare came foremost, lie said the next highest duty certainly was the promotion of thrift. Mr. Edwin Thomas, Treorchy (district superintendent), gave a review of the work done in Treorchy during the year 1909. He said the distress caused by industrial disputes had not affected them very much, as his staff had managed to hold their own, and the community had not lost sight of the true meaning of the word "thrift." They should look ahead in an optimistic spirit and remember that every dark cloud was bordered by a silver lining. Proceeding, he said the indus- trial increase was £10 4s. 4d., an average per man of 13s. 7d. In 'the ordinary branch, the new premiums uaid through accounts totalled C465 19s. Id., an average per man of £31 Is. 3d. Prizes were given as follow —For the best sectional results for December quar- ter, Assistant D. J. Cassarn, who received a marble clock; for the best ordinary branch results for December quarter, 1st D. D. Jenkins (Swan fountain pen), 2nd Ben Davies, who received a. framed emblem of merit; for the best industrial branch results for December quarter, Messrs. Ben Davies and Isaac Morgan, each receiving an inkstand for the best collection in the £ in each of the three sections, Messrs. James Thomas, Ben Davies, and D. D. Jenkins, each of whom received cash prizes of 5s. each. The gifts were fittingly acknowledged by the recipients. Practical addresses were given by Super- intendents J. Williams (Rhondda No. 2., J. R. Williams (Treorchy), D. J. C'assam and James Evans (Tonypandy), and Agents William Evans, Hugh Davies, George Thomas, D. G. Good ridge and Ben Davies. The following excellent programme of music, &c., was gone through: --Songs, the Misses Nellie Brown and J. Bennett (clerks). Agent David Davies, Assistant J. R. Jones, and Agent Joe Jones; duets," Messrs. D. Morgan and J. R. Jones, and Messrs. D. Daviets and David Gwilym: recitations, Master D. W. Thomas and Mr. James Thomas. The Rhondda No. 2 Refuge Party and the Treorchy Refuge lVIale Voice Party contributed excellent choruses. Inspector Bell handed over to the conductor of the latter choir a hand- some cheque. Mr. Edwin Thomas received high tributes of -respect from both inspectors, who en- larged upon his personal character and ability as superintendent. At the close, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Miss Thomas, A.L.C.M., Blaenrhondda, for acting as accompanist. Hen Wlad fy Nhadau terminated the meeting.

Death of Mr" Dan let: John Davies, œ IØ Trealaw..c3M2, We regret to record the death of Mr. Daniel John Davies, or 75. Cemetery Road, aged 32, who died on Monday, 23rd May. The funeral took place on Thurs- day at Nelson, the Rev. J. E. Dennis, Bethel, Tonypandy, officiating. The chief mourners included Mrs. Davies (mother); Mr. and Mrs. Morris (brother-in-law and sister); Mrs. Flower, Penygraig (cousin); Mrs. George, Penygraig (cousin); Mr. and Mrs. Adams, Ogmore (cousins); and Mrs. Thomas, Penygraig (cousins); Mrs. Harris, Trealaw (cousin); Messrs. Pegginton, Pontypool (cousins); Messrs. Oscar Morris John Thomas, Tredegar, and Wm. Jones, Bryn Dinas, Trealaw; Mrs. Jones, Bute Hotel, Trealaw; Mr. Griffith Williams. Court Villa, Trealaw Mr. Walter Hart, Trealaw; Mr. Frank Ellston, Cross Keys, Mon.; Mr. W. J. Jones, Trealaw; and Mr. Rees, Royal Hotel, Trealaw. The funeral was also attended by about thirty members of the HSbernia Club, and, a similar number from the Liberal and Progressive Club. Amongst the wreaths received was to be found one sent by his numerous old friends. The deceased, who had been master haulier at the Glamorgan Colliery for nine years, had been ailing for three days only. He was popularly known as "Jack" Davies, and played for the Llwynypia Football Club about nine years ago. -)

u Professor Brown." Wholesale Thefts from Treorchy Gooda Station. At the Pontypridd Police Station on Wednesday, Amos William Brown, a negro from Florida, was charged on four sepa- rate counts with stealing a quantity of goods, including hams, cheese, butter and other provisions, boots and drapery, the property of the Taff Vale Railway Com- pany, from a railway truck at Treorchy Goods Station. Edward Richards, collier, of John Street, Pentre, with whom the prisoner lodged, was charged with receiv- ing while Edward Richards, junr., was also charged with stealing two serviettes, also the property of the railway com- pany. Mr. C. Brown (of Messrs. Ingledew and Sons) prosecuted for the company, and Mr. James Phillips defended the two Richardses. It was stated that the defendant Brown described himself as Professor Brown," that he sold Brown's celebrated Cymric compound herbs for purifying the blood," and that he was the celebrated cough tablet manufacturer, herbalist, and strength missioner." The evidence, was that a quantity of goods had been missed from the yard, with the result that on the 25th of May, P.C. Phillips and Detective Edwards kept watch. The forper noticed a light in one of the trucks and afterwards saw Brown inside, in a crouching position. Brown ran away, but the officers succeeded in capturing him. They afterwards visited the house at John Street, under a search warrant, in company with P.S. Harris, and discovered the goods which were the subject of the charge. Most of them had been stowed away between the ceiling and the roof of one of the bedrooms. Richards (senr.) said he had nothing to do with the thefts, although he knew that Brown had brought some goods to the house. The other prisoner said he found the serviettes near the warehouse, and as he thought they were of no value, took them home. Brown, who pleaded guilty, was sen- tenced to six months' imprisonment. Richards (senr.), who it was stated was an old soldier and had an excellent char- acter, was sentenced to one month's im- prisonment in the second "division, whilst the son was fined L2.

Parliamentary Levy* Writ Served on South Wales Miners' Federation. We have been informed that Mr. W. P. Nicholas, Pontypridd, solicitor to the South Wales Miners' Federation, was on Wednesday served with a writ for the winding-up of the Federation Parliamen- tary Fund, accumulated through the col- lection of the Parliamentary levy. The writ has been issued at the instance of Mr. Thomas Jones, Pentre. an ex- chairman of the Rhondda Conservative Association, who was plaintiff in the case heard before Judge Bryn Roberts, in which the legality of the levy was tested. An anneal was made against his Honour's decision, but the judgment given in the Osborne case was successfully contended that it governed the point raised in the Federation case, with the result that the funds, amounting to E70,000, have since been locked up, and no further com- pulsory levies made upon the miners. It is now proposed by the author of the writ that this fund be administered," which means distributed amongst the Federation members. I This, of course, will raise another very important issue, and one which, we under- stand, both the objectors to the compul- sory levy and the Federation will strenuously fight. The case will, of course, have a crucial bearing upon the present position of the Parliamentary fund, and the ensuing developments will be watched with the keenest interest by Trade Unionists throughout the country.

Cwmparc. We are promised a big eisteddfod at Ystradfeelian in July, under fhe patronage of Mrs. W. Jenkins, the profits to go to the N.S.P.C.C. funds. We have been privileged to see an advance copy of the programme, and regret that literary com- petitions have been practically tabooed. Literature seems to have scant respect in Rhondda eisteddfodau during late years.

LSinelfau Llongyfarchiadol. if I Mr. Thomas Thomas, Ferndale, ar ei benodiad i'r swycld o Inspector yr Heddgeidwaid. "I fyny bo'r nod, i fyny bob dydd, Cyrhaeddwch hyd ato vn nchryfder eich ffydd Dringasoch yn dda, ewch eto rag blaen, Gan gipio y gwobrau'n ddistwr a distaen. Mae'r safle fwynliewch 'n anrhydedd i chwi, Enillwyd mo hon heb ymdrechion o'ch tu Trwy ddyfalbarhau mewn sel gyda'r gwaith, Daw'r gwaith i'ch gwobrwvo o hyd ai- v ,'daith. Fe'ch doniwyd yn a, nwvdd sydd yn brin, Sef synwyr i farmi cydrhwng du a gwyn; Anliebgor dyrehafiad a llwyddiant mewn dyn, Yw canfod pob peth yn eu lliwiau a'u llun. Rhadlonrwydd eich natur belydra'n 'ch gwedd, Nid hoff genych, gwn, roddi'ch Haw ar y cledd; I Ond hwnw a cliwyfiwch yn hyf yn y nen, Cyn gweled gwirionedd yn gostwng ei ben. Nid brysio a w new eh, ond araf eich cam, I ddwyn y troseddwr i'r frawdle, paham? Teimlo a wneweh dros y truan tylawd, A chofio ei fod yn ei rwymau—yn frawd. Tra'n dringo yn uwch hyd risiau bryn clod, Chwi gofiweh am ereill sydd islaiv yn d'od; Trwy rocldi help liaw. a cliefnogaeth i'r gwan, Sydd yn ymdrech yn deg i fyned i'r lan. Cilwgus yw rhai wrth edrych islaw, A'u llygaid fel mellt, yn' creu dychryn a braw; Ymfalchiant yn txoi, ioisythant yn gas, I oddef y llwyth, raid ein llwytho a gras. Ond credaf yn siwr itiai, un ydyeh chwi, Heb newid mewn dim, ond newid eich plu; Mewn synwyr a theimlad yn para yr un, Fel gallwn ni eto adnabod y dyn. Mae'r ddawn awenyddol yn eiddo i chwi, Na fydded i hon gael ei throi o'r naill du Ymgomiwch a/r ehwaer ar ami brydnawn, A rhoddwch i'n ffrwytli eich eyfrinaeh a'cH dawn. Peth oer ydyw deddf. a chosbi Sydd. flin, Ond ysbryd yr awen. sydd felus fel gwin; Cofleidiwch y ddawn. enyned eich can, I buro a chodi ein Hen Walia lan. I fyny bo'r nod," i fyny bob dyJd, Cyrhaeddwch hyd ato yn nghryfder eich ffydd; Dringasoch yn dda, ewch eto rag blaen, Gan gipio y gw(,bl-,au.,rl ddistwr a distaen. TEGFRYN.

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WISE AND OTHERWISE. What pan of the chicken, will you have, Mr. Hall-room? Some of the meat, please." Stella: Is she in society? Bella: Yes, sbe used to do' her hair, and now she coifs it." He: "May I kiee you just once?" She: "No." He (unabashed): "Then how many timeR? Customer: Look here, waiter; I found a but- ton in my salad." Waiter: "Yes, sir; that is part of the dressing." First Tramp (at the workhouse): I say, have you taken a bath?" Second Tramp (anxiously): No, is there one missing? Old Lady (in a. shoe shop): Have you felt slippers?" Small Boy Assistant (solemnly): Yes, ma'am many a time! "Isn't that a heavenly little dog?' exclaimed a gushing young ladv. Well," replied her com- panion, "it's certainly a Skye terrier!" Why do artists always t-ign their pictures?" It's an agreement they have, so that nobody will be able to blame one on someone else." But what made you irritate her father?" I had to do it. I wasn't any too popular with the girl until her father forbade me the house." Jones: "See the wicked artist painting on Sunday." Jenks: He might do worse." Jones (looking at sketch): "I air. not so cure about that." "What is Bliggins practising on the violin 9 I don't know," answered the man who has no ear for music. But it sounds like vivisection." Patient: It takes two to make a quarrel, you know." Patrice And yet I have known quar- rels to occur when two persona have been made one." Teacher: "I think your son makes more pro- gress in weight than in Learning." Parent: Perhaps that is because we feed him and you teach him." Why do you treat Jexrold so shabbily while he treats you so well? Why, the dear bey couldn't treat me any better, no matter how I treated him." Rich Maiden Aunt: "He is never good when we come to see him." Mother of Baby: Ah, but he will be when he is older and understands he is your heir." Traveller: Did that trader I met here two years ago cheat you?" Cannibal Chief: "Yes, but he came again last year and. was completely taken in himself." Nephew (to returning aunt): And did you think of me while you were awivy? Aunt: Certainly." Nephew: Then open your trunk. and let me see it." She: "I dreamt last night that you had bought me a hat for a present." He: Well, 'that's the first dream of a liat, you ever had that didn't cost me money." The New Clergyman (securely): "I really cannot believe you when you say you are one of my flock." The Village Disgrace: "Oh, yes, I be. I be t' black sheep." Doesn't your wife annoy you by asking ques- tions at the football game' "Never. She is one of those women who always let on that they know all about everything." Miss Elder: "I will bet you anything you like that I never marry." Mr. Easy: I'll take you. Miss Elder (rapturously): "Will you really? Then I need not bet at all." Local Politician: "Of course, trade's bad. What we want is more real live men to wake things up a bit." Monumental Mason: What I want is. more real dead !uns»'" A crusade is being conducted against whist drives. We had heard of the motorist's stare and the tennis ejbow, but this explanation of the whistful look Is new to its. Belle: How silly men act when they propose! Why, my husband aetiid like a perfect fool.' Nellie: That's what everybody thought when your engagement was The teacher a-sked: when do you say Thank you "t Elsie's face lighted up, for that was one thing she knew, and she confidently an- swered "When we have company." Detective: "Now, give us a description of your missing cashier. How IaU was he? Bank Manager: I don't know how tall lie was. What worries me is that he was £500 short." Minister: "I am astonished to see you. I heard you had been killed." Parishioner: "It was my brother who was killed." Minister: "What a pity! What an awful pity!" "Pa, what's going from bad to worse?" Well, a good illustration of it was given by the women when they discarded their Merry Widow hats and took up the present style." Move inside there," cried the conductor on the crowded tramcar, "e'rè breaking the rules standin' on the platform here." Some o' them ain't," piped a little man; "they're standin' on my feet." In what condition was the Patriarch Job at the end of his life? asked a Sunday-school teacher of a quiet-looking boy at the foot of the class. Dead," calmly replied the quiet-look- ing boy. Languishing Lover: "Oh, I'm looking for- ward to a union with EtheL" Harassed Parent: "Are you? Well, allow her carte blanche re- garding dress allowance and you'll both get there all right." Hotel Clerk: "The occupant of Room 13 says he's been robbed! Proprietor: When did he pay his bill?" Clerk: "He hasn't!" Pro- prietor: "Then what does he mean by saying he's been robbed? Haven't you forgotten something, sir?" asked an expectant waiter of a diner who was departing. "Great Scott! yes. exclaimed the customer. My wife told me to water the plants while she is away." < Housewife (to new servant:: -Now, Jane, mind, I have no flirting with the baker or the milkman." Jane I'm glad to hear it, ma'am. I never hold with missuses carrying on out of their proper epear! Kind Old Lady (talking to a Bristol tramp): Have you ever made an effort to get work?" Tramp: "Yes, ma'am. Last month I got work for two members of my family, but neither of them would take it." Emancipated Woman (lecturing): The ques- tion, therefore, that suggests itself is—Under what conditions ought women to be allowed to sit in the House of Commons? Voice from the back seats: Muzzled Jimmy, your face is dirty again this morn- ing! exclaimed the teacher. What would you say if I earne to school every day with a dirty face? Ugh!" gr.unted Jimmy: "I'd be too perlite to say anything." Rummy Robinson: "Ye-s, mum; once for a whole year I turned me back on likker." Kind Lady: Ali, my noble man. what were you do- ing at the time?" Rummy Robinson: "Driv- ing a brewer's dray, mum." Policeman (to loiterer): "Now, then, what are you doing here? Loiterer: What are you doin' here? Policeman: Can't you see? I'n1 doing my duty." liSlerer; "An' can't you se^ I'm makin* the duty for you to do? "Now, mind, Johnny," said the mother of a five-year-old, "there's a ghost in that dark closet guarding the jam!" "Oh, mamma." cried Johnny two hours later, "that ghost III the dark closet has eaten half the jam fair visitor: wnat dId they put you 111 prison for? No. 999: I'm here as a result of a missing-word contest, mum." Fair Visitor1 What do you mean? No. 999: "I couldn't give a name that would satisfy the police." Butler (new): Could I have the key wine cellar, sir, to lay out the wine for the din- ner? Master: All right, Williams. Can yoll 9 whistle?" "Sure. sir, I can." "Then, William^' let me hea'r you whistling until this key con"O back." Jinks: "Have you selected a trade or profeS- eion for your boy?" Winks: "I shall make a plumber of him." Jinks:" Rae he a bent thaf way? Wirdcs: "He's born for it. Tell hinJ do a thing immediately, and he won't think ot it again for a week." A professor had been too exacting with a student at an examination in chemistry. cal3 you tell me anything at all about prussic id. he asked. Yes," replied the student. It" deadly poison. One drop on the end of y°u tongue would kill a dog. Mistress (hurrying frantically): Mary, 'Wh. time is it now? Maid: Half-past two, Mistress: Oh, I thought it was later. I have twenty minutes to catch the steamer* Maid: Yis, mum, I knew ye'd be rushed* so set the clock back thirty minutes to give ye ja0t time." A little girl of about four years of age asked by a visitor to answer the delicate tion which she liked best, her father or f!, mother. I'd rather not say," said the ch1 Why? queried the visitor. Because I want to hurt daddy's feelings," answered ™ little one.