The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

Timely and pointed remarks were made anenij the neglect of the Welsh language at the annual conference of the Welsh Language Society at Carmarthen last week, and the pity of it is that there is justifica- tion for a great deal of the criticism that was given expression to. If figures afford an adequate criterion, it is to be feared that Welsh in Carmarthenshire, taken as a whole, is on the decline, for the lat.t census showed that the number of people who understood Welsh better than English was less than it was twenty-five years ago. It is simplv reiterating an obvious and unfortu- nate truth to state that the vernacular does not receive its due and proper place in the town of Carmarthen, and anyone passing along the main streets of the borojzgh any day cannot fail to be impressed with the fact tl-at English greatly predominates. This is not worthy of the glorious traditions of the. ancient borough, which from it3 hoary antiquity was for centuries an outpost in the history of the Principality. We do not find fault with the introduction of Eng- lish; in fact, we welcome it, but we deplore the neglect of the mother tongue. There are people in Carmarthen who have been nurtured from the cradle in a Cymric atmos- pjiere who bring up their children to'look upon the Welsh language as something infra dig to them, and the irony of it all is that many of these persona are leading and 1. ardent" members of the Cymmrodorion Society. After many years' experience in reporting the meetings of these societies we have found it to. be a curious characteristic and failing of these people to express sur- prise that you should possess a knowledge of "tho language of Eden," as If it were an exclusive monopoly of their own. To fain surprise at a Welshman living in -Wales being 60 natural a-9 to know his native tongue, pases ordinary understanding. One would think that the time to express surprise is when a Cymro o wacd coch cyfan has perforce to admit his inex- cusable ignorance of the vernacular of his native Wales. But thi is not the way with some members of the Cymmrodorion Society; it is their peculiarity to view things in inverse ratio. As Mr. Towyn Jones, M.P., said at the meetings at Car- marthen, these are the people who shout "Cymrn am byth," and sing the praises .of yr hen iaith," and forget to do anything practical to preserve the language. These are the real "Die Shon Dafyddion," and the fact that they are members of the Cymmro- dorion Society does not shield them from the lurid glare of sheer absurdity and rank inconsistency. Wro know them, and others know them; so for tho sake of the language we all love, let them put their own house in order. There is much comment on tho fact that whilst in practically every other town in the Principality a flag day has been held in aid of the National Fund for Wel§li Troops, no such event has been held in Carmarthen. The matter has been before the Town Council on more than ono occasion, and opinion was divided as to the teas bility of initiating such a movement in the borough. One section held that as Carmarthen looked after its own boys with the colours through the medium of tho Soldiers' Welfare Fund, it was not incumbent upon the town to flake part in the national movement, and on top <i this contention came the information that the influential ladies of the borough will have nothing to do with a flag day for the National Fund for Welsh Troops. This gave rise to some hard things being said at a certain committee meeting of the corpora- tion last week. Members promptly demanded to know who these "influential ladies were, and one wort councillor flambuoyantly declaimed that if these women would not undertake the work there were others who could be got to do it. It would be a pity for Carmarthen to stand out among the other towns, and made to appear as if it contemptuously declined to give its countenance to the national fund. After all, it was a narrow view of the situa- tion to say that wo will look after our own boys and let the Welsh movement look after itself. There arc other towns in the Princi- pality-some of them close neighbours of Carmarthel1-who can also claim to look after their own soldiers, arid yet have given a "Hag-. day" for the National Fund for WeWh Troops, which after all embraces not only the men who have gone to fight from Carmarthen, but hundreds of lads from the country who lived in localities where there cannot lie any other movement to provide them with comforts. Wbeii all is said and done., it only means a street collection when each person can give a coin or two to make up the stim-t-otal, and for the sake of its i fair name, it ig well that Carmarthen should not stand aloof. The matter was again discussed by the Town Council on Wednes- day night, and it is gratifying to know that after all a, "flag day was fixed for Carmarthen., It is a pity that some of our soldiers, who, preparing to do battle in a righteous cause, ought to Wfix strong as if seeing the in- visible," should lower themselves to the level of the scum of the Germans. The other day in a neighbouring town the bans were out for the marriage of a motherless girl, when the mother of five children came just in time to claim the sweetheart as her husband. In another case in the same town a eervaJit girl from one of our neighbouring villages who so far had ^ry few acquaint- ances, on her evening out met a married man, a professor of religion from her village, in the company of a young girl in I her teens whose sister had already boasted of the fine soldier sweetheart this girl had. This young servant addressed him by name, but the girl sweetheart immediately wanted to correct her as this married man had gone by another name. What followed she does not know. It is gratifying to see so many of the influential ladies of the county giving their aid and countenance to the movement which has been to auspiciously inaugurated in Carmarthenshire for enlisting the ser- vices of women on farms. This is a good augury, and with such strong support the. effort to get the fair eox to take up farm work and thus make good the present short- age of male labour, should be crowned with unqualified success. Arrangements are being made for a thorough canvass of the county, and it is to be hoped that women with leisure, especially those with a special aptitude for the work, will patriotically re- spond and help in this scheme of national importance. As aptly put at tho meeting at Carmarthen on Saturday, an idle woman to-day is as much of a shirker as the able- bodied man who refused to volunteer his services for the defence of his country. Viewed in the light of the crying scarcity of labour, the crowds of young men who come in from the country to listen to the appeals before the Carmarthen Rural Dis- trict Tribunal provide a curious commen- tary on the question of exemptions. At each sitting the room is crowded to suffoca- tion with lusty young agriculturists, many of whom have no business there apart from the fact that they have come to hear tho appeals; yet they have all had temporary, if not absolute, exemption on the ground that they are indispensable on the farms, -.i-Iiioh--tliey say—could not be carried on without them! Mr., Jenkins and Mr. Davics met some few weeks after the commencement of the new veir, and they had a chat, and just after prrting Mr. Jenkins turned back and said, Oh, Mr. Davies, I forgot to wish that you may have a jolly good new year." Mr. Davies answered, And I wish you, Mr. Jenkins, a jolly coocl new nose." Mr. Davies had lotjt a portion of his ear and took Mr. Jenkins' remark as a taunt. Wherefore he hurled a real taunt straight F, at the other's large not-white-heathery nooe. So far as Welsh is concerned, there is room for considerable improvement in Car- marthen. It is not sufficient to celebrate with great eclat the annual festival of the Patron Saint; something more enduring and practical is wanted. Despite the short- comings of some of its members, a great deal has been done -by the Cymmrodorion, and we wish them a progressive continuance of their work, for there is a wide field for action. A farmer claiming exemption before the Carmarthen Rural District Tribunal on Saturday wrote down in his statement the words "Reprieve nature" as the grounds of his appeal. He was not present to ex- plain, and no one fcemed to understand what he meant. Perhaps he considered a refusal of his appeal by the tribunal as being similar to the extreme sentence of the law when passed on a felon. If he does, then he knows the feelings of a oondemned man, for his appeal was refused. The other Sunday evening a preacher, not of tho late Evan Phillips' type, wearied his congregation with a three-quarter-hour sermon and then opened his hymn-book and commenced, Art thou weary, art thou languid." A competent observer informs us that he heard chiff-chaff (several of them) at Ferry- side on Sunday last. — Wo have been requested to rectify an error which wo much regret, viz., that the JOUKXAL placard of last week wrongly an- nounced the death of Lieut. Llovd, of Del. fryn, as Lieut. Lloyd, of Taliaris.

LOCAL NEWS. — —— —■— .j TRANSFER,— Mr. T. Howell Davies, soli- citor, applied to the Carmarthen County Bench 011 Saturday for the temporary transfer of the licence of the Black Ox, Abergwili, to Mrs. Morris, who had held the licence of the Black Lion Inn, Aber- gwili, for 14 years.—The application was granted. CA £ RM ARTHEN SHIRE INFIRMAJIY. — The House Committee beg to acknowledge with many thanks the receipt -of the fol- lowing kind gifts:—Merthyr Parish Church, El 2s. lid. Vegetables, Fruit, etc. Mrs. Spence-Jones, Cwmgwili. Flowers: Miss Llewellyn. St. Peter's- street. Periodicals: Mrs. Morris, Coomb; Mrs. Gwynne-Hughes, Glancothi; Mr. R. M. James, Nott's-square. A largo num- ber of medicine bottles from Mr. Page, Blue-street.—W. David Thomas. MKETIXG.—The Ladies' Committee in connection with the Notification of Births Act, together with Dr. BoweR Joncl2 and the Rev. Fuller Mills in the chair, met at the Guildhall on Thursday afternoon in last I week. Mrs. Mansel Lewis, Francis-terrace, was appointed secretary of the Ladies' Committee. The ladies were allotted their different districts -for visiting purposes, ebo. —two ladies for each district as the town had been divided into six districts. It was also decided to print a special pamphlet for the use of the committee. LOCAL LECTURE.-On Tuesday afternoon Mr. C. E. Faithful, B.A., secretary of the South African General Mission, delivered a lecture at the Old College School on the work of the Mission. The lecture wa3 much enjoyed by all present. The Rev. J. B. Thomas proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was seconded by the llev. D. Glyndwr Richards. CABMARTHEN IIATEs.-Tlie Estimates Committee of the Town Council met on Monday night. It was decided to recom- mend the Council to make rates which, m the aggregate, will be tho same as last year. The proposed rates are:—Borough 2s. 4d., general district 2s. 9d., water Is. lOd. This is an increase of Id. in the borough rate. and a decrease of Id. in the general district rata. THE LATE MR, T. J. EVAXS.—The funeral of the late Mr. Thomas John Evans, of the Cwmoernant Nurseries, near Carmarthen (whoso death was brieifly reported in our last issue), took place on Monday afternoon last at the Carmarthen Cemetery, and was strictly private. Before the cortege left the house, the Rev. E. Ungoed Thomas, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Chapel, read a portion of the Holy Scripture, and prayed. The mourners were:—Mr. David Davies, 51, Water-street (grandfather); Mr. William Jeremy, Trevaughan; Mr. H. J. Davies (" Barley Mo-%y Mr. D. J. Davies, tailor; Mr. Wilkin Davies. St. David's-street; Mr. William Jenkins, Blue-street; and Mr. Jolm Jenkins, Fountain Hall (uncles). The above rev. gentleman conducted the last rites at tho Cemetery Chapel and at the gravesido. Heddweh i lweh y dyn ieuanc parchua a ddioddefodd flynyddau lawer o gystudd. RINK PICTUBEDBOME.—Readers of the popular author. George Broadhurst. will be able to appreciate "The Man of the Hour," an adaptation of which, in four parts, is being shown at the Rink Picturedromo 011 Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. It is a world film production of such entrancing interest that crowded houses are assured. In addition to this attraction, it is the eVer popular oinema. actor, Robert Warwick, who takes the chief part., For the first three nights of next week the popular manager of the 'Drome has been successful in getting, by arrangement with the Eureka Cine Co., Bristol, a magnificent exclusive in three parts, entitled "His Little Lordship," featuring Little Rex. the talented English boy actor. This is a film of surpassing beauty and interest which has earned popu- larity all over the country, and patrons should on no account miss this treat. There will be other fine pictures screened, together with the latest war pictures, and seekers of an all-round entertainment should certainly pay the 'Drome a visit. HOCKEY.—On Saturday last the County Girta' School tried conclusions with the High School in hockey on the latter a ground. The prevailing conditions were somewhat/warm for hockey, but despite this fact a rather fast gamo was witnessed. Earlier in the season the High School sus- tained a defeat at their opponents' hands, but 011 this occasion were well able to keep them at bay. The game ended in a draw, no side having recorded a score. For the County Girls' School Elsie Thomas (captain), Dorothy Kitley, and Annie Lewis distin- guished themselves, whilst the outstanding playetij for the High School were Nellie Edwards. Marian Holmes and Ena Jones. M;sl Dubloc, of the High School, acted a.3 referee. After the match a most enjoyable" tea was partaken of at the High School by both teams, when Miss Dubloc presided and this was followed by danoing and games. CONCERT.—The 3; 1st Pembroke Yeomanry now stationed at Carmarthen gave an ex- cellent concert at the Assembly Rooms last Tuesday evening, the proceeds being de- voted to local charities. Solos were ren- dered by Miss Maggie Davies, Llanellv; Miss H. J. Jones; Troopers J. Toff; A. Leaser. J. Bluestone, D. Levey; — Harries, Howells and E. Cohen. Recitations were given by Miss Eluned Phillips and Hyv.el Myrddin; a pianoforte solo by Trooper B. J. Isaac, Cambrian-place, and duetts by Messrs. Tom Davietj and Brinlev Jones. The chair was ably occupied by Sergt. Evans, who heartily proposed a vote of thanks to the artistes who had afforded such a pleasing entertainment. He (jaid that this conclert, was merely the. 'forerunner of many other enjoyable treats which would in future be given by the Pembroke Yeomanry. The accompanists were the Missoo L. A. Jones. Dorothy Beynon. and Trooper B. X. Isaac. I'JIIPIBE THEATRE.—The star engagement this week of Henshall and Foster, the popular sketch artistes, is providing a re- fined and unique entertainment. which is highly praised by the large audiences at this popular Empire. On Thursday and Friday next the beautiful sketch. Love Levels all," will be acted, and on Saturday night only, Henshall and Foster will present "Tom Browne. V.C. a very popular sketch and a story of the present war. A magnificent exclusive three-part film. "The Only Way Out," will be screened. This ia a drama of great interest, produced by the Lubin Company, and gets absolutely awav from the ordinary traok. For next week the manager has made the pleasing engage- ment of George Riley, refined comedian and story-teller, and the essence of originality. The principal picture is a. splendid three-part exclusive, From Headquarters," an extra- ordinary love drama, featuring the most popular cinema stars. Part 7 of Our Navy and other interesting pictures will also be shown. Such a programme a3 this should result in bumper houses. AUCTION .MART. Ail extraordinary good trade with experience for aU classes "of stuff at this mart on Wednesday. Cows and calves met a ready sale, particularly the best. Top price being £ 26 5s. for a" very good cow. Others made from JE12 10s. to JS25. About the best lot of cattle offered at this mart for a long time were pitched on Wednesday. Some really grand, well- finished cattle present met with extraordi- nary .quick trade at higher prices than has ever been known at this mart before. A bunch of 5 fine well-finished cattle averaging JE51 15s. apiece. Probably the best fat bull ever sold by auction in the district made £ 52 10s. The other fat cattle were very easily and quickly sold. There was a good entry of fat sheep, every pen finding a purchaser, and many ewes and lambs were offered. The best of. these being easily sold at good prices up to R4 a couple. Pigs sold well, one sow making J615. Best jKjrkera fetched about 14s. 6d. per score. The mart is now held every Wednesday, and the convenience of a ready and good salie every week is appreciated by the iarniert3 and butchers alike. The stock sent in by the farmers brings regularly every week all tht, best buyers in South Wales. THE LAIYB MR. WILLIAM JEBEMY.—The funeral of Mr. William Jeremy, late cycle agent, of 7, Parcmain-street, whose sudden death was reported in our last week's issue of tho JOURNAL, took place on Frida'y in last week at Bwlohnewydd. There was a short service at the house, where tihe Rev. E. B. Lloyd, pastor of Bwlchnewydd Con- gregational Chapel, officiated, and also at Bwlchnewydd Chapel, in which the Rev. Prof. J. 0. Stephens. B.A., B.D., Union- street, and Rev. J. T. Gregory. Peniel. took part. At the graveside the Revs. E. B. Llovd and D. Griffiths. Talog. were the officiants. Tho chief mourners were:—Mrs. Jeremy (widow* and children Mrs. Jeremy, Newchurch (daughter-in-tav.); Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy, Park Loclge; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jeremy, Trevaughan; Mr. and Mrs. S. Jeremy. Tvrhos (brothers and pisters-in- law); Mr. George Jeremy. Francis-terrace, and Mr. John Jeremy, Ffynnonddrain (brothers); Mrs. Davies, Rbydyrhaw (si--ter),. and family; Mrs. Jeremy, Tirwaun (niece); MTS. Jones. Priorv-streefc (cousin): and Mr. Henry Howell. J.P., Tessera House. Beau- f t,iflil floral tributes were sent by tha family, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Trevaughan; Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy. Newehuroh: Mr. John Jeremv and family, Ffynnonddrain; Mr. and Mrs. Charles, Lammas-street; Mr. and Mrs. Davies. Orchard-street, and Messrs. Frank and Charlie Jeremy, Francis-terrace. Tho family wish to thank all the friends who sympathised with them in their be- reavemen*. I FUNERAL.—On Thursday in last week the funeral of Mr. Lewis Davie-s, son of Mm. Davies, 2, St. Catherine-street, whose tragic- death at Swansea was reported in last week's JOURNAL, to¡k place, at St. David'§ Church burial ground, Carmarthen. His remain's were conveyed to Carmarthen from Swan- sea by car the previous day, accompanied by two men from Baldwin's Works, Landore, where ho was engaged. The ecffin w.as of Unpolished oak with massive nickel fittingsr and on the cover were two handsomely de- signed nickel ornaments, a rose at the "head and an ivy leaf at the foot. The Rer.. Griffith Thomas, vicar of St. David's, con- ducted an impressive service at the house, and at tho church the vicar and the Rev. Gwynfo Jonea officiated, while the vicar was the officiant at the graveside. The chief mourners were: Messrs. D. H. Davies, 9, Richmond-terrace; J. A. Davies, 2, St. Catherine-street; and Private C. C. Davies. Army Service Corps, now at Bulford Camp (brothers); Mr. Robertson, Swansea (brother-in-law); Mr. W. L. Jones, St. Catherine-street (uncle); Messrs. Tom, Butler and Trooper Ivor Morris, Pembroko Yeomanry (cousins); Mr. Morgans, Spick ley (father-in-law); Mr. James, Swansea (a great friend of the deceased's); Mr. Williams, engineer at the Baldwin's W orlea, Landore, and Mr. Thomas, secretary of tho Welsh Artisans Association. Beautiful floral tributes were sent 'by the following- Mother and family; the Welsh Artisans' Association (glass wreath); his nephew Ken- neth, Swansea; Mr. and Miv. W. H. Jones, Manuel Arms; Messrs. Baldwin's Ltd., Landore; Uncle, Aunt, and Cousins. 10, St. Catherine-street; his loving nieces. Vera. and Glenis, 9, Richmond-terrace; Mr. and Mrs. Evans and family, 1, Morley-street; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lloyd, Parcmain-street; Mr. and Mrs. Morgans. SticJde; Mrs. Davies and family, 99, Priory-street, and Mrs. James. Priory-street. The family wish to thank most sincerely the friends who sympathised with them in their deep be- reavement. ENTERTAINMENT.—A most enjoyable enter- tainment was given at the English Wesleyau Schoolroom on Thursday afternoon and, evening in last week. The function, at which large audiences were present, was- inaugurated by the ladies of the Sunday school. The first part of tho programmer was composed of action song:7 and recita- tions, given by the school children, who. were very prettily and appropriately dressed, for their respective songs, etc. They went, through their parts exceedingly well and 'fairly captivated the audience, who insisted upon each item being encored. The pro- gramme was as loll ciN-,s: -Tableaux, "Brit- annia," Miss T. Jones and party; action song, "The British Flag," school children;, duett, Stephen and Maggie Thomas; action, song, Elves and Bell-z," school children;, duett, Nigger Boys," James Jeremy andl George Wintle; recitation, Nigger Boy," George Wintle; solcv Nigger Boy," Jamea Jeremy; action song, "Japanese Girls," Miss E. Jones and party; character song,, Miss Clarice Price; action soiig, night." Miss MilIicenrWilttle and party; song. Miss Gwladys Jones. The second part of the entertainment was composed of a farce, entitled The Silent Woman," by Agnes Blair Soppitt, in which the characters- wer(,Allc c) Eltham, Miss Edith M. Jones; Josephine Kendall, Miss Gertrude Jones; Mrs. Wallace, Miss Lilian Powell; Jack King, Mr. W. C. Wintle;, Mary, Miss A. Jones. The farce was very well acted and kept the audience in roars of laughter. The accompanist was Mias Gertrude Jones. Tho singing of the National Anthem brought <i most enjoyable evening to a close. SHIRE HORSE SOCIETY. The Board of Agriculture award Grants to Horse Societies to encourage the im- provement of the heavy breed of Horses in the district by the provision of high-class Sires, and the County of Carmarthen has been allocated two of thesp grants, which amount to £ 56 each. To this end a. Shire Horse Society has been formed, the mem- bership of which is 1 and this entitles tha member to a Nomination. Assisted Service Fees are given to bona-fidc farmers whose holdings do not exceed 100 acres in extent, or, if exceeding 100 acres, of an annual value for Income Tax purposes of not more than £100. The selected horses this year are "Admiral Bosco" (26958) and" Am- port Spark (26975). Applications for assisted nominations must L-o -in the hands of the Secretary, Mr, John Francis, The Mount. Carmarthen, by Saturday, 22nd April, 1915. CARMARTHEN AND DISTRICT TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the above afsocia- tion was held at Quay-street Council School* Carmarthen, on Saturday. Mr. J. L.onalt.) Jones, Llandefeilog National School, was, installed president rfor the forthcoming year. A vote of condolence with the relative- of the late Miss Gwyn Davies. an old Carmar- then teacher and a member of the associa- tion, was passed in silence. A letter was read from Mr. J. Bancroft, late H.M. In- speotor of Schools for the district, stating that he was enga-ged at the War Office, and regretting his inability to attend at present for the proposed presentation.—The secre- tary, .Mr. W. R. Mitchell, presented his annual report, which showed the member- ship to be satisfactory. The Union War Aid Fund report was also presented, and it. was decided to circularise the teachers with the object of further assisting this fund, for the relief of relatives and dependants of those teachers who had given their lives m the service of their country. Attention was drawn to the memorandum approved by the British Medical Association and the National Union of Teachers, in connection with the various duties arising from tlio medical inspection of schools, and with the prevalent practices of withdrawing children of 12 years of age from school, and tho need for a firmer administration of existing pye-iaws in this direction,—Mr. F. Hard- aker. Priory-street School, Carmarthen, was elected vice-president for the ensuing year, while the following officers were re-elected —Secretary and treasurer. Mr. W. H. Mit- chell, Ferrvside -parliamentary correspon- dents, Mr. D. M. Jone's, Carmarthen, and Mr. J. W. Lewis Llanddarog; press corres- pondent and examination secretary, Mr. Geo. H. Thomas, Llanfihangel-ar-arth; secretary T.P.S.. Mr. R. H. Tyler, Laughatne; secretary, B. and 0. Fund, Mr. Samways, M aesvhont. Mr. David Evans, Llanstephan, and Mr. Geo. H. Thomas, Llanfihangel-ar-arth, were elected members of the Council of the County Association.

LOCAL WEDDING WALTON—THOMAS. A quiet and pretty wedding was solem- nized on Wednesday at St. Anne's Church, near Carmarthen, between Mr. George Warren Walton, B.A. (Camb.), eldest con of Mr. William Warren Walton, Towv Castle, near Carmarthen, and Miss Myrtle Gwynne Thomas, only daughter of Mr. Ed- ward Gwynne Thomas, Woodbine, Carmar- then, and grand-daughter of the late Dr. James Rowlands, Carmarthen. The Rev. J. Jones, M.A., Parc-yr-onen. near Car- martlien late vicar of St. Issel's, Saunders- f-ot, Pembrokeshire, officiated, assisted by the Rev. Idria B.A. (curate-in- chaTge of St. Anne's Church). The bride waa given away by her father, and Mr. Trevor Brand Lewis acted as best man. After the ceremony a reception was held a Towv Castle, and amongst those present were the fatheT and mother of bridegroom and tlio parents and half-brother of the bride, also Mrs. Wells, of Ten by (aunt of the bride), officiating clergy, and Mrs. Jones, and others. There was a fine array of valuable presents. Later in the dav the bride and bridegroom left for a motor'tour en route for the Lake District and Scotland. The bride's going-awav costume was of nigger brown cloth. She also wore a handsome sealskin coat with cuffs and' border of bear fur, the gift of the bride- groom's father. •S I