The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

ALLEGED STEALING A WATCH AT PONTYPRIDD. At Pontypridd police-court on W^lnesday (be- fore Mr Evan John and Mr D. W. Davies), Mary Ann D ivies was charged with steahng a watch value 23 10s. ftobert Evans, of Treharris, said ho came to Pontypridd on Monday. In the railway carriage he met defendant, and they went to ,'etiher to the Blue Bell, and bad a glass of beer eaoh. They afterwards went to the Boot and th., Lamb Inns, and had more drink. He afterward* laid his head on the table and dozed for about a quarter of an hour. On waking he misaed the girl :.ni his watoh. He found her in the Boot Inn. E e had a silk handkerchief in hie pocket, but ha di i not miss it until the polioe showed it to him. Hannah Lane, servant at the Lamb Inn, having given evidence, Tinis Hemmiags said he was in the Lamb Inn, and saw prisoner with the watch in her hand, while prosecutor was asleep. P.O. Lewis said he found the silk handkerchief in her pocket tnd 7s 7J in money She denied having the watch in her hand. For stealing he handkerchief, she was sent to prison for 14 days.

Pontypridd Police Court, WEDNESDAY. —Before the Stipendiary, Mr C. J. Jones and E. John. THE SUNDAY CLOSING ACT.—Jom than Hughes, Tyloretown, was charged by P C. I I-wellyn with being unlawfully in a poblio-bouse. -Fined 10s. A KING IN TROUBLE ATYNYSYBWL —Owen King Davies was charged with fighting on the 10th inst. P.O. Oliver said he saw defendar t and another man fighting.—Charge withdrawn, d -fondant being now in prison. PLAYING ON SUNDAY AT COEDPENJI VEN.—Herbert Baker was charged by P.C. Hopkim with playing at ball on Sunday against the wallcf a house on the highway. The practice of Sabbath-breaking in this neighbourhood has become a perfeot nuis- ance.-Fined 2;6. DRUNK ON THE RAILWAY AT TYLORSTOWN.— Howells, David Harris, and Dav;d Elias were fined, the latter 25s, und the other two 20s each, for being drank aud causing a disturbance in a rail- way train at Tyiorst^wn. Morris Gibbon and David Davies were charged with bt-ing drunk and attempting to filter a railway cirri ige whilst in mot ion.-P.C. Evans gave evidence it this and the previous case.

EAST GLAMORGAN LIBERAL 300. appointment OF A secretary. At the adjourned annual meeting of the East Glamorgan Liberal 300, b dd at Sard;s Vestry, Pontypridd, on Mondav, Mr ldris Williams in tbe chair, letters apologising for absence were read from the Rev .Vnren Davies. Pontlottyn and Mr D. Ellis, tii.; hon. secre- tary. Mr W. Jones, Geilideg, was elected secretary pro tem. A PAID SECRETARY APPOINTED. The recommendation of the executive coun- cil that a paid secretary be aI- pointed at a. Salary of £ ob per annum was idopted, and Mr Charles Morgan, Bronwydd, Pontypridd, who was the only condidate for the post, was unanimously elected. A, hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr D Ellis for his pervices as hon. secretary of the accommodation. PROPOSED LIBERAL THOUSAND. Mr William Jones, Geilideg, proposed that a committee be appointed to consider the desirableness of extending the basis of the association by increasing the number of members from 300 to 1,000, this being, in his opinion, essentially necessary in urder to bring the organization into a closer touch with all classes ot the electors. Mr W. R. L>avies, solicitor, seconded the motion, which was unanimously accepted, and a sub-committee, consisting of the Rev W. I. Morris, Messrs H. S. Davies, James Roberts, Jonn Griffiths, and William Jones, was chosen to assist the secretary in drawing up a scheme tor presentation to the executive coun- cil at a. special meeting to be held at Caerphilly I on Monday week.

CORRESPONDEN CE. [We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of oar correspondents.] PONTYPRIDD GUARDIANS. To the Editor of the Chronicle. Sra,—With your permission, I desire to write a few words again npon the question of settlement officer. I am confident that if such an officer is appointed dozens of paupers which may now be chargeable to this Union would be transferred to their proper parishes for maintenance, because I am persuaded that from the want of proper and efficient enquiries several names are added yearly to the paupers' list, which means an increased annual expenditure. And once inserted, it is with some difficulty they are again removed. This officer could also make the necessary enqairies-as suggested by you-after those who neglect or escape their responsibilities of maintaining their dependents, and surely is it not enough for the ratepayers to maintain those who are truly helpless and poor without being called upon to maintain those who have relatives fully competent to assist them. I trust our relief committees will feel the responsibility whbn disposing of the ratepayers money, there being more thau £7,000 spent in outdoor relief alone during the last six months. While discussing the expendi- ture, it would be well if Guardians would elicit from the clark further information respecting the item in the statement of accounts—salaries and other re- muneration of officers, £601 7s 2d-so that ratepayers may know what are the salaries of the officers to which it refers. It appears also hardly fair that the present rate- payers are called upon to pay for the large extensions at the workhouse to the benefit of ratepapers for many years to come. If each ratepayer would procure for himself (which can be had by simply applying at the workhouse) an Abstract and List of Paupers, it would afford him some excellent and very instructive reading after returning from his hard day's toil. From your report last week, it appears that the only persons aggrieved by the action of the guardians in reducing the vaccination and medical fees are the clerk and a Llantrisant magistrate who are naturally sore at seeing the clerk's princely income reduced. More again. Yours, &c., RATEPAYER;

THE PUBLIC-HOUSE PROPAGANDA A" PWLLGWAEN, PONTYPRIDD. To the Editor of the Ghronicle. SIa,-Will you please allow me, through the medium of your valuable paper, to oall the atten- tion of the public to the strenuous efforts made just now to saddle another additional curse and nuisance upon the inhabitants and ratepayers of our town. Pwllgwaun field, or Newtown, has been looked npon as one of the best conducted parts of the district. True. it is occasionally disturbed by the brawls and beastiality produced by the liquor traffic. Tho manufactured goods 'of the publican, as a rule, are noisy and bru'al, and when these are let loose upon any place they make a havoc cf it. It is a peculiarity of the liquor traffic to blight, blast and and tarnish every place and person that comes under its sway. The mission of the liquor traffic is the reverse of the Saviour. He came not to destroy, but to save, but the liquor traffic has come not to save, but to destroy. The Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone truly says that the liquor traffic brings us mischiefs greater than the combined ravages of war, pestilence and famine. And who that lives in our proverbially drunken district, can doubt the words of the veteran and venerable statesman. Whero the public houses are thickest in our town it is like hell upon earth on Saturday evenings, and, indeed, on other nights as well. The fights, foul languaga, and beastiality which rages in these accursed spots reminds one of some parts of Dante's Inferno. Language fails to express the foulness of those spots in Pon ypridd, where the temples of Bacchus are thick upon the grmnd- And yet, sir, there are those in Pontypridd who would spread the pestilence Jinstead of confining it to where it is now, they would spread it to the Pwllgwaun Field to curse the inhabitants there. A huge human slaughter-house is built ahere-- without consulting the inhabitants--for the pur- pose of some person to fatten upon the ruin of ohe people. The people protested last year against the iniquitous endeavour of those who place tempta- tion before the weak, and a nuisance at their door, and although their prayer was not heard at Pontypridd, it was hoard at Naath. The suocess of the people at Neath greatly enraged the traffickers in human shame and ruin. And now to be sure of gaining their God-dishonouring and soul-deotroying end they have got some to oanvass the present inhabitants of Pwligwauu to settle a curse in their midst that will ruin the place for venerations to come—or as losg as tho accursed thing will be in their midst. I don't know what has been the success of the envoys of the traffic in their pilgrimage through Pwllgwaun, but I know this, that they are sinning against God and the people by lending themselves for this bad business I have been very much surprised to find that one of the gentlemen who goes on this horrible mis- sion is a clerk of a deacon of a Christian Church. I can scarcely believe that he has gone around the houses of poor working men to get signatures with the approval of his employer; for he knows that the battle between the liquor traffic and the Chal eh of God is only a part of the condict which rages betweeu heaven and hell. That the clerk of an employer of labour should go about canvassing to secure the certain curse of the people is oat- rageous but that the clerk of a gentleman who is an employer of labour and an officer in Christ's Church, should do so is indescribably bad. I hope, for the sake of our common humanity, .let alone our glorious Christianity, that the employer wili make it plain that he has had no part or lot in this abominnnion. lie may do tbis by letting all the inhabitants of Pwllgwaun know that it is not his will that they should bring this great sin upon themselves. I fe-vr that I have already trespassed too much npon your space, and hence will not trouble you further this time, with any reference to the other canvassers. I hope to have something to say to irt a future i-^srje. TVnsM'ig that the people .1 ot Pwilgwaon will quit themselves like men, and noi, allow themselves to be influenced to bung this great curse upon themselves,—I am, &c JOHN PUG i, Pontypridd, Tur5; 1'J, 1SS8.

THE ASSAULT BY A "GAFFER" AT CLYDACH YALE. [ At Ystrad polioe-coart, on Monday, (before the Stipendiary and Mr T. P. JenkiL.*), John J.inns, a "gaffer," was charged with assaulting James Morris.—Mr K-nshole, Aberdare. appeared for the defence.—This was a remanded case from the pre- viofi9 week, and the evidence ippearod in our last issne.-Defendant was fined £8. ■

Rhondda Police Intelligence, j b MONDAY.—Before the Stipendiary and Mr T. P. Jenkins. MARGARINE PROSECUTION AT GKLLI -»!) ward Martin, grocer, Gelli, was charg d with rising margarine for sale without a hbei —Super, iteu- dent Matthews gave evidence in «oppn; s f the charge.-Fined 10s. UNJUST WEIGHTS AT GELLI. John Mason, grocer, Gelli, was charged with having unjust wc), ki in his possession.-Snperintendent Matthews prose- outed.-To pay 12'8 coste.

I THE SUNDAY CLOSING ACT IN PONTYPBIDD. MEMORIAL TO THE MAGISTRATES. SPEECH BY THE STIPENDIARY. A memorial signed by many of the leading in- ha-bitanta of the town and neighbourhood of Pont- ypridd waa on Wednesday morning received by the Stipendiary Magistrate (Mr Ignatius Williams), calling his attention to the disgraceful scones wit. nessed on the Tumble and the Tramroad on Sun. days, and urging him as chief magistrate to stilt further enforce the provisions of the Sanda-y Cloning- Act, by instructing the police to be more vigilant, and suggesting that endorsement; of license would probably have a very salutary effect where the offender was a license bolder. Noticing that the Rev. W. Parry and the Rev. J. Pugh were in court, The Stipendiary, addressing those gentlemen, remarked that the magistrates—(Mr Blandy Jen- kins and Dr. Jones were with the Stipendiary)- kid been talking over the memorial, and they qnit^ agreed with the spirit of it. The memorial would be brocgbt under the notice of polioe, and no doubt they would do what they could to give effect to the viewa of the petitioners. There was no dQubt a man might forfeit the character of a bona fide traveller if he drank a good deal at one public- house, and then went into another. At the same time it placed a rather invidious duty upon the police, because he could quite naderstand a number of prosecutions failing. A man, for instanoe, in taking a good long walk, might drink at more than one public-house, and not forfeit his position as a traveller by so doing, or, in going to London by train, a QMS might take refreshments at several stalls during the journey and still be a traveller. However, having read the petition, Mr Matthews wouid no doubc give effeot to it, as far as he could. At the same time they would very greatly assiat the police-who, of course, were very limited in number-if some of those who sympathised with the viewe expressed in the memorial would bring information of any cases which they might consider to be violations of the Act. There was one thing pointed out in it—that they had observed some in a state of intoxication. That was a matter which olearly laid the publican open to correction. The man who supplied a drunken person with drink committed an offence against the Licensing Act, whether on Sunday or some other day and what they appeared to have observed, viz., gangs of people going from pnblio-house to public-house in search of drink, was an offence against the Licens- ing Act and against decency and everything else; and it was a matter in which the memorialists woold receive the support of the Bench in trying to stop. Of course, they could only deal witheac.i case on its own merits. Before they could convict a man, if he was more than three miles from hom-e drinking,they would have to make out affirmatively that he was out for the pnrpose of ."sotting," and not for the purpose of travelling. He was sure the police would be thankful for any assistance they could give to carry oat the Act. Rev. J. Pcgb We are exceedingly obliged to you for your kindness in making those remarks. Wo have nothing personal to gain in this matt-r-it is Z, only for the good of the public. What we deplore very much is the fact that inhabitants of the town can have as much drink as they like without going awav for it. Mr Stoekwood (Magistrates' Clerk) Can you prove it ? Rev. J. Pugh I have called the attention of the police to several houses in the town which are no- torious for this- kind of offence. Rev. W. Parry: There are gentlemen who can prove it. Mr Superintendent Matthews: I suppose Mr Parry is in the same difficulty as myself. We ex- perience the greatest difficulty in procuring satis- factory evidence, because persons are set to watch the approach of our constables. The Stipendiary the police are limited in num- ber and ari well-known, even in plain clothes. It is very s ldom they suooeed in catching offenders. Rev. W. Parry It has been my duty of late to help the police in this matter, and I am very pleased to receive encouragement from your wor- ship in that direction. The Stipendiary: Another matter to which I should like to draw the attention of the friends of temperance is that we shall have great, and in- creasing, difficulty in deiling with drunkenness unless there is some power given to deal with clubs which become a great nuisance—not, happily, in this district, but in others. No doubt, unless some legislation, or something, be done to enable as to deal properly with clubs, the more we hamper pubiio-houses the greater will be the increase of clubs. Practically, we will be in the same difficulty as now.

THE ALBION COLLIERY STRIKE. MEETING OF MINERS AT TON. IMPORTANT DECISION IN FAVOUR OF THE MEN. An adjourned meeting of the Rhondda Miners' District Association was held at the Windsor Hotel, Ton, on Saturday evening, to consider what course should be adopted with reference to the prolonged strike of 600 workmen at the Albion Colliery, near Pontypridd. At a preliminary meeting of the Asso- ciation held on the previous Saturday, the dispute was the subject of lengthy discussion, and Mr Gallo- way's map and Mr Beith's book of sections of the mine having been submitted, the delegates almost unanimously agreed that the men were right in their contention that the seam of coal worked at the Albion Colliery was the six-foot, and not the four-foot as alleged by the employers, and that the men, there- fore, deserved the district's support. This being so, and that the district b^ this decision relieved the Albion men to a great extent from all responibility, and took the dispute upon their own shoulders, the question arose what course should be adopted with a view of bringing about a settlement. A sugestion was made that the question be referred to the sliding scale committee, whilo others argued in favour of submitting the dispute to open arbitration, and that these offers should be made to the company. The decision ultimately arrived at was to lay these pro- posals before the men at the various collieries which form the district. With that view the present m:>et- ing was held. An unusually large number of dele- gates representing 10,000 colliers attended, the pits represented being the Great Western, Maritime, Hafod, Coedcae, Ynyshir, National, Xylorstown, Mardy, Dinas, Penygraig, Llwynpia, Clydach Vale, Gelli, Eastern Pit, Cwmparq, Cwmdare, Blaenrhon- dda, Ynysybwl, Penrhiwceiber, Navigation, Albion, Treharris, Forest Level, DeepDyffryn, and Abergor- ky. Mr David Williams (Dewi Heulwen) occupied the chair, and Mr W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), the district agent, was also present. Attention was called to the fact that the Albion Colliery under ground work had been undertaken by contractors. who were now advertising for workmen. It was Nfelt that this fact considerably aggravated the dis- pute, and after a very warm and animated discussion, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to That this meeting, specially called to consider the most effective mode of settling the dispute at the Cilfynydd Colliery, near Pontypridd, having heard that contractors have taken the colliery to work it for the employers on conditions prejudicial to the ;nte- rests of the workmen, and that these contractors are now advertising for men to be engaged in the colliery, do most emphatically censure and condemn the action of such contractors, and call upon all workmen to keep away from the place until the dispute is fairly settled between the employers and employes, or by some person or persons authorised by both parties to do so." In view of the facts related in this resolution, the meeting deemed it prudent to postpone offering any mode of settlement for the moment. The following was unanimously agreed to. That this meeting, after a full re-consideration of the question in dispute at the Cilfynydd Colliery, and being fully convinced of the justice of the workmen's cause, is of the unanimous opinion that it is the imperative duty of all members of tho district to give ample support to their fellow workmen in the present struggle, and calls npon all colliery committees to aid the Cilfynydd men in the I collection of the workmen's contributions towards their support."

EXCITEMENT IN WEDMSBIM. THE COMMOTION CAtJSKD BY TMiT STArEMENT OF A W fcLi.-KNOW>f RESIDENT. AN INVESTIGATION BY THE "HERALD" RWRMRKA RESULTS IN THE STATBMENT BEING VEKIFIED BY KAN* PROMINENT PEOPLE. (From the Wedmsbury Herald." We have recently noticed in the column* of our exchanges an article from a well-kuown citizen ot this place which was so unusual in its nature and s4 remarkable withal that a reporter of this paper .waa commissioned to investigate its details and verify its facts. The article referred to was a statement made by Mr Isaac Wbick, of the Borongh Arms," secre- tary of the Retail Brewers' Association. Mr Whick wa.s visited by our reporter, and upon being questioned, said:- Well, sir, logically I have been dead, but really i am as you can see me. Six years ago I was takr-u ill with pains in the small of my back which gradually grew in intensity, until I was obliged to call in my medical adviser. He diagnosed my case, and ata&ed that I was suffering from disease of the kidneys. fie. gave the usual remedies, treated me for three yean, but I gradually grew worse. In the summer of 1886, after years of suffering and wasting, the physician h onr family was, npon my request, called from a neiglv bouring city to consult with my regular attend ant. A difference of opinion arose between them as to whether my complaint was kidney trouble or stone in the bladder. The result was that a surgical examina- tion was decided upon, and I was carried to Birinic^- ham that I might have the benefit of the most eminent surgeon in that city. The examination resulted in my being informed that no msdicina oo'tJA cure me; and my medicol man ww told that I could not possibly live three mouths. Returning home I was naturally very despondent, when a little book was placed in my bauds in which the symptom* of my disease were clearly put, and the uanie of tho remedy given which would cure it In sheer despera- tiou I pncclnsad a bottle, and after taking it experienced some benefit. I bought morp, and wittk each bottle could see and feel an improvement. lily friends also noticed my changed appearance, and congratulated me upon my recovery. I hewe t *keiv none of the medicine since last Autumn, and am to day a perfectly .well man. I weigh half a stone n )r.) than I aver did in my life, and have no sign of dta^as'i about me. I consider that I owe my life to W.imt-r'i SAMS Care." But doesn't the publication of your case n th* newspapers cause you great annoyance ? "Not in the least. To be sure, I get hnndreds of letters every week, asking if my statement is srue, and I am glad of the opportunity of lontirrnum my public statement, in the hope that I may rescue soma poor sufferer from the same horrible deatu tn^t menaced me. My gratitude at having been siivi-4 prompts me to do this." What do your friends think of your recovery, :'Ill' Whicks ? They are naturally rejoiced at it, but per naps tJI1 best way would be for you to call and see some of them." Acting upon Mr Whick's qnggeanon, 've called upm William Tart, 56, Great Western Street, who n :ù. man moulder at the Patent Ssait. Mr. Tart confirmed Mr Whick's statement in every particular. SaiJ bo, I hadn't the remotest idea he was going to reipvor, but daily expected to hear of his death, and wtoou I heard he was taking Warner's SAFE Cure, and was getting better, I decided to take a course ot the. medicine myself. I had suffered from pains in my back for ten years. and every little while would be laid up with it. The remedy cured me entirely, and have had no return of my old complaint." The next gentleman we met was in the street, and it would be impossible to run against any resident of Wednesbury who does noe know Mr Whick. Mr Edward Brown, of the Foresters's Arm3," Portway Road, is an old citizen, whose reputation for veracity has naver been questioned- In answer to our inqary about Mr Whick's case, and fee said, It is simply wonderful, sir. l: ot one of his friends expected him to recover, and even the doctors whom be consulted not only gave him no hope, but prophesied his speedy demise." At Ridding Lane our reporter saw Mr Francis Dicken, ex-presideut of the Licensed Victuallers' Societv, who said, I know the circumstances of Mr. Whick's case intimately, as to his sickness and recovery, and what he has said about it is icaj in every respect." Mr Edward Ellis, the well known auctioneer, who resides at Holyhead Road, said, I can vouch fjt every letter of Mr Whick's statement. Not only that, but I know' he is better to-day than he has beeiv for years. The case is a most remarkable one, and I know of people who have come forty miles to see and ask him about it." Upon our return to the "Borough Arms," Mr Whick asked us if we were satisfied wirh what we, had found. If not, said he, perhaps you would like to call upon Ylr F. W. Topham, solicitor, West lIromwich; Mr J. Rolinson, treasurer of the Benevolent and Protection Society; Mrs Cook&e\\ Royal Oik, New Town Henry Butler, Rising Sun, New Town Gaorge Page, (Jasih^ Foster Street, Darlaston D. Tyler Hold on," wd cried, we don't propose to call upon all these people after what we have already learned." Well," replied Mr Whick, whether you do at not, I can name fifty people who will vouch for every word I have said, among others, Mr S. Burghope* Parliamentary Agent ot the Licensed Victuallers' National Desence League, London. My Oaqe hatj created a great deal of excitement, and I want you to know all about it." The conclusion which mast come to every resident of Wednesbury is tha.t a miracle of healing has been performed in our midst, and that, too, by a sinipfs means within the reach of everyone and al* > ttt&t the remedy which proved so valuable and saved alite which wasjbrought down to death's door, must unques- tionably be certain in all minor troubles, which provo so disastrous unless taken in time.

RHONDDA JOrriKGS- (BY RAMBLER.) Some people have a rude habit of entering and leaving places of worship- I am speaking of tho practice of covering the head. After entering tha sacred editice many will not take off their hats nntii they have occupied their seats. In quitting the sacteel edifice again the practice of putting on their feints as soon as the service is over. This should not be allowed I remember once being in Gloucester Cathedral. Qna of the congregation before leaving the building did cover hfs head, and he was astonished when asked to take his hat off. He knew th meaning, and without hesitation the request was oboyed, but net without 8k blush noticeable on his visage. Again, I may mention another item which causes, displeasure. 1 am reierring to the practice cf ri'i;;iiig hymn books. <fcc., while the service is being conducted Oar duty is to listen to what is said by tbo preachers, &c. It is certain we cannot attend to botn tbicr^3 the same time. Tunny otten leave places oi worbuip without even remembering thJ test selected to meet their spiritual wants. This is very sad. We should aim at a better conclusion. To merely attend plana of worship to pass a few hours away carelessly is j),t enough. No, wo ni'ist eudeiivo'ir to seek what is really needed for one daiiy comfort. Reading whilo in a place of worsnip should not be tolerated except when the Sunday School work is oeing conducted, at when reading scripture at prayer meetings. *»* I cannot abstain from referring to the awkward position which some people asamno when occupying their seats daring their service. Some will have their heads bent, while others wili sit crosswajB. Everyono who has the slightest respect for the place where tha Word of God is uttered should not tarn a deaf eat (because it means this) when words of encouragement are offered them. I think people guilty of such things are heedless of what is really esserotial for their com- fort. Their actions are not commendable. Hones they should endeavour to relinquish them. 0* To ensure reform, I consider our leaders should take up the matter. Example and advice from them would doubtless result in a change of manners toa often neglected. A new church is in course of erection at Pontre, The new building will afford accommodation '0. several hundreds. When accomplished the new church will be a great boon. The Home Mission Room at Ystrad Rbo-:drU •* often crowded with attentive audiences. I am 01 opinion that a new building here would be hailed b* the church people with satisfaction.