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RHONDDA MINERS.

ABERNANT DISPUTE.

COLLIERS' MEETING ATEBBWVALE

HILL'S PLYMOUTH DISPUTE.

BWLLFA ARBITRATION CASE.

ABERDARE EISTEDDFOD.

THE LATE DEAN VAUGHAN.

CARDIFF TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

ESCAPED THE GALLOWS.

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CYMMER WORKMEN'S INSTITUTE.

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CYMMER WORKMEN'S INSTITUTE. CELEBRATING THE JUBILEE. SPEECHES BY THE BISHOP OF LLANDAFF AND MAJOR QUIN, M.P. What was described as the jubilee of the Cymmer Colliery Workmen's Institute WM celebrated amid much local rejoicing on Monday afternoon. The Institute-an imposing structure, standing upon an eminence immediately above the collieries-was opened about fonr years ago by Mr W. H. Lewis, Cardiff, one of the com- pany's directors, but, with the exception of a few hundred pounds, the cost of the building ( £ 2,500) has been borne entirely by the colliery workmen, who, by means of a contribution of one penny per week, have been able to wipe off the debt. The Institute has proved of great service, educa- tionally and socially, to the workmen, and it is one of the best equipped in the Rhondda. Be- sides ample means of recreation, the Institute pro- vides technical classes, which are well patronised. The principal pioneer of the Institute is un- doubtedly Mr Thomas Griffiths, J.P., who 32 years ago started his career in tha service of the company as a collier boy, but who has for many years held the important position of manager of the collieries. He is also managing director of the company. Mr Griffiths is the present chairman of the Rhondda District Council. The secretarial duties of the Institute have been efficiently carried out for nearly four years by Mr John Henry Evans, one of the work- men. In the technical classes three of the teachers are workmen employed at the colliery, viz. :—Machine construction, Mr W. Thomas, mechanic; music, Mr Taliesyn Hopkins, the famous leader of the Porth Male Voice Party, which practices at the Institute mining, Mr W. H. Bowen. MR J. H. EVANS, Secretary. Monday's proceedings commenced at half-past 1. The chair was occupied by Mr T. Griffiths, J.P., supported by the Lord Bishop of Llandaff, Major Wyndham-Quin, M.P., Mr W. North Lewis, Cardiff, secretary of the company Rev. J. P. Hughes, vicar of Llantrisant; Rev. W. Thomas, vicar of Porth and Cymmer Dr. Ivor Davies, J.P. and Messrs Tom John, Llwynypia John Davies, member of the Rhondda School Board Mr T. Mansel Edwards, and Mr J. H. Evans, the secretary of the institute. After a selection by the Cymmer Brass Band, The CHAIRMAN said that when his parents brought him to Cymmer 45 years ago thore was no school either at Porth or Cymmer, and he had to walk to Dinas for his education until the then vicar of Llantrisant erected a school at Cymmer. As he grew older he felt the want of better education, and having became the manager of the collieries he determined to do what he could to provide better facilities for the rising generation. (Hear, hear.) The result was the erection of the Institute. (Applause.) The SECRETARY presented a summary of accounts, and explained that the house coal collieries ceased working in November, 1875. The sick and accident fund of the workmen had at the time a balance in hand of X137 18s 9d, which was placed in the custody of the late Mr George Insole, who, in 1892, was approached with a view to handing over the money towards the proposed Institute. He readily did so, and principal and interest, at the rate of 6 per cent., amounted to 1400. (Applause.) In December, 1891, the workmen commenced paying a contri- bution of one penny per week and the boys one halfpenny towards the cost, and by December, 1891, the workmen had in that way contributed S,571 5s 7d, whilst the colliery company sub. scribed S100, and a similar sum upon the open- ing day. The contract amounted to £ 2,500, and the difference was borrowed at 2J per cent, from the workmen's sick and accident fund. and when the interest was due at the end of the first year, a general meeting of the workmen decided that the money should be lent free of interest. (Applause.) Up to that day the receipts of the Institute amounted to £ 3,937 Is 4d. The library consisted of 1,308 volumes, and whilst the number circulated IP J.894 was only 200, the two following year's they were 935 AND 2.061 whilst this year the number had increased to 3,862. (Applause.) Last year a technical class was established, but this year the number had increased to seven, lessons being given in machine construction (13 students), mathematics (17), Welsh (17), mining (30), music (27), &c. The CHAIRMAN, in introducing the Bishop of Llandaff, observed that his Lordship was in full sympathy with all movements towards the eleva- tion of the Welsh people. As a Nonconformist and as one of the pioneers of the Institute, which was non-political and undenomina- tional in character, he was pleased to see the Church making such strides to-day, and ventured to say that the prophecy would not be long unfulfilled, when all denominations would be formed into one great square to stand against the common foe. (Hear, hear.) The Bishop of LLANDAFF said that he waa deeply touched with the personal history which the chairman had given of himself, and ventured to add that if all Nonconformists and Cffurch people were animated by the sentiments which he (the chairman) had expressed, the re-union which the chairman and which he (his Lordship) longed for would not be long in coming. (Applause.) Dealing with the Institute, his Lordship said it seemed to him to be one of the most valuable parts of the machinery which was being estab. lished for the elevation of mankind. (Hear, hear.) One could not read the newspapers with- out almost shedding TEARS because of the terrible crimes and vices which, he was sorry to say, pre- vailed in the midst of the population of that Rhondda Valley. These crimes and vices he believed were due to one tyrant vice—drunken- ness. Let them have football and cricket clubs and institutes of this kind, and plenty of healthy recreation and opportunities for the employment of leisure time, and they would in that way do more to stop the flow of drunkenness than all the Sunday Closing Bills in the world. (Hear, hear.) He believed that legislation was a sort of curb, and human nature resented curbs. He was thank- ful to find such an Institute in Cymmer, and that they were present celebrating its jubilee. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, his Lordship asked the chairman, as evidence of his hearty sympathv for the Institute, to permit him to present four volumes for the library. (Applause.) He would. send such volumes as the committee desired. (Hear, hear.) THE Rev. J. P. GRIFFITHS, vicar of Llantrisant, was the next speaker, and he was followed by Major WYNDHAM-QUIN, M.P. It had been'truly urged that the most important question of the day was that of education. The educational system in Wales to-day was placed on a better and sounder basis perhaps than was the case in any other portion of the United Kingdom. No people in the world valued education more than the Welsh people, but they had not attained their object without making great sacrifices. That object had, however, been amply fulfilled by the number of intermediate and higher schools and colleges which were springing up in every portion of the Principality. He thought, however, that they would agree with him that even after they had passed through those schools and colleges their education had by no means ended if they wanted to equip themselves as capable citizens, and to give a decision upon great social and political questions. (Applause.) The Institute had, in the first place, been erected for the pro- vision of recreation, but it also showed that the workmen were convinced of the absolute necessity of instructing and enabling themselves to be in a position to judge properly and accurately NOT only the social but also the political questions of the day. (Applause.) He did not wish to intro- duce any political matter to their midst, but he could not help considering the great necessity that existed at the present time for the whole intelligence of the people to be brought to bear upon those questions which so intimately con- cerned their future welfare. (Hear, hear.) Mr TOM JOHN, Llwynypia, commented upon the happy fact that the workmen had been able to collect about zE3,000 M four years. Mr W. NOIITH LEWIS, the secretary of the com- pany, next handed over a cheque for £ 50 to Mr James Vaughan, trustee of the Workmen's Sick and Accident X und. BY this act the last penny of the debt was WIPED off. and Mr Lewis then. received the lease and handed it to MR W. Isaac Williams, chairman of the Institute: Committee. Mr Lewis expressed regret that Ins father (Mr W. H. Lewis, director of the company) was unable to attend owing to bereave. ment. ° Mr JOHN DAVIES (School Board member) pro- posed a vote of thanks to all who bad taken part M the proceedings, and Mr T. M. EDWARDS, fire- man, seconded. The vote was carried b, acclamation. During the proceedings musical selections wert given by the Porth Male Voice Party, Mr Tom Matthews, Mr A. J. Jenkins, Mr D. Lewis, Mr J. H. Evans, and Mr W. Lloyd. The proceedings terminated with the singing of the Welsh National Anthem by the Chairman, the audience joining in the chorus. The speakers and a few other friends were sub. sequently entertained to luncheon in th. Committee-room by Mr F. Griffiths, chairman.

ALLEGED FRAUDS BY A BANK CLERK.

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TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 2, 1897.

FOGGY REASONERS.I

A RHONDDA MYSTERY.

THE TINPLATE CRISIS.

COTTON TRADE CRISIS.

CARDIFF FREE CHURCHES :COUNCIL.

BARRY AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

-'------MINERS' MEETINGS.

THE SLIDING SCALE.

MINERS' MEETING AT NANTYGLO.