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--Social Problems.
Social Problems. THE UNEARNED INCREMENT. (By Joseph Hyder, General Secretary of the Land Nationalisation Society.) ARTICLE XII. ¡. If one man can command the land upon which others must labour, he can appropriate the pro- duce of their labour as the price of his permission to labour. The fundamental law of nature that her enjoyment bv man slwll be consequent upon his exertion is thus violated. The one receives without producing, the others produce without -e- ceiving. The one is unjustly enriched, the other* are robbed. Henry George ("Progress and -roverty.. ) Mr J. T. Mason, a solicitor, at Christchurch, liew Zealand, states that he invested for a slieut in England L400 in Christchurch properties thirty one years ago. Since then he has remitted in principal and interest £ 69.823, and he has over £ 10,000 worth yet to realise. "Land and Labour." I could show that land for two miles round St. Paul's has increased during the last hundred and fifty years a thousand-fold in value. Thorold Rogers ("Work and Wages. ') < Of late years a great, deal has been said and Written about agricultural depression, and the con quent fall in agricultural rents. That there hav Iwen a great fall in rural land values of recent Vears is Nearly attested by unquestionable sta+is- tics. But often what one landlord has lost ano- ther landlord has gained; so that landlords in the Aggregate have not suffered. On the contrary, it is certain that they have profited. For the un- earned increment of the towns exceeds the unearned decrement of the villages. As a class the land- lords might console themselves with the reflectio j to which the late Duke of Bedford gave utterance, He said. speaking of the reduced rentrclls of his rural confreres, "And I. too. should no doubt he nl a tight place, only that I luckily own a few lodging-houses in Bloomsbury." Similarly, if we look upon the land as a whole. we should find thai the increment on the one part more than balances the decrement on the other. The Duke of Devon shire's Irish estates must be set against the rents °f Eastbourne and Barrow-in-Furness. The Duke of Norfolk's farms in Sussex bring him in less thin formerly; but nevertheless his income becomes rger each year; for does he not own the greate rt of that hive of industry. Sheffield. The T-ords Derby can stand a lot of agricultural depres- !:> s:on while thev own Bury and Bootle. And even Lord Salisbury can afford to add farm to farm ani field to field, as he is doing now in Hertfordshire, "while he still draws a princely revenue from Lon- don rents. These are but a few of the instances where the landed classes own town "lands as we1*, fls country lands. But, it may be urged. they afford small comfort to the men who only possess lands. Of course, they do not. and I am net t specially anxious to give him comfort. For it is certain that of the th-ee partners in the agricultural industry thev have suffered the least. And this I take from the mouth of Mr Chaplin himself, the very High Priest of Landlordism. At the great Agricultural Conference at St. James's Hall he said that the landlords had suffered a loss of 50 per cent of their capital, and the farmers had suffered a loss of 60 per cent of their capital. An I as for the labourers, have they not been driven off t'!{ land bv t1.c hundred laousnid, I'ii losi" thtr employment, their whole capital? Unearned Values. "But. after-all, to understand the problem aright. it must be remembered that the real question is ons not of unearned increment or unearned decremen bUt of urtarned value. We have to consider not -1 the r; or fall in the value of land, but in reality ht :<= the true nature of that value itself. It 's in the nature of all prices or values to rise or fall according to circumstances. But all values o t}>,f\! be divided into two grÜ Masse* valufs and labour values. The former are unearned by 4TIV individual or any class. They are the creation of the whole community. And whether they in- crease or decrease, they are rightfully common pro- Perty. But the latter are quite different. They depend upon individual intelligence and industry and property in them must be vested in their creat- ors. Like Jand rent. ther may increase or ae- crease. But an increase in an earned value does not thereby become an unearned increment And if there be any right of private property in the TI!'<;t value, there is equally a right of property in its increase. It is necessary to make this clear, ber-ause casuis- tical champions of the existing order are interested in confusing the issue by declaring tiwt Sard valut a are not exceptional Their method is like this (1) Land values and labour values are essentially the same. (2) Private property in labour values is per- fectlv equitable. (3) Therefore private property '■r- land values is quallv just. The validity of this reasoning is of course destroyed by the inac- defence of slavery; and for a long time it pre- Tailed. It is only thirty-four years since a Liver- Pool audience refused to hear Henry Ward Beecher for his attack upon the Southern Slave Sbites. But, as President Lincoln once said, "You ern fool all the people all the time." Slave values fool some of the peopleall the time, but you can't foe1 all the people all the time" Slave vaues were then accounted as egitimate private property. What." said the sugar planter "after I have pi-it hard cash for the slaves, and taken all risks, n 1 paid overseers and whippers-in, and paid doctor./ bill*. and erected huts for them. would you deprive me of my lawful property?" "You might as well 8"k for my house, and my horses, and for mv "bank balance. It wou!d be just as. fair." And yet. ;n case after case, Governments have emanc'p. ated slaves without the disastrous consequences at we. e foretold. They have found it possible, as well as equitable, to separate save values from other values. Is there a man in England who "wlould go back to the old system? And so it wiH be with land values. The mills of God grind slowly. But they grind exceeding small. Nations learn their lessons slowly, but gradua.ly the old bad systems are discarded, and better ones are adopted And no lesson is being more surely learnt than this, that the whole of the value of ¡' the land of a country is created by. and should be owned by, the whole community By the term "unearned increment," then, we simply mean an increase in the value of land which is now appro- priated by landlords, with the sanction of laws made by landlords, with the sanction of laws made by landlord Parliaments in the past. The Growth of Rent. I The rate of interest tends .to fall. But the rent of land, taking it in the block, tends to rise. This I is an important difference tha,t must be borne in I mind. Hallam tells us, in his "Europe during the Middle Ages," that arable land in England let in I the thirteenth century for sixpence an acre, and I meadow land for twice or thrice that sum. in the fourteenth century it was constantly obtained for ten years' purchase. But in the fifteenth cen- tury, said Thorold Rogers, it was valued at 20 years purchase. And by the middle of the seven. I teenth century the rent of land had increased I, twenty ifold fcincei the Middle ;Age)e). Arthur Young estimated the rental value of agricultural I England at £16,000,000, or nearly 10s an acre. And. bv-and-bv. the wars, at the end of last cen- tury and up to the battle of Waterloo, sent up the value of land enormously. It is an ill wind that blows nobody- any good. And so the in- comes of the landlords were doubled and trebled by the very same cause that drenched a continent in blood and brought sorrow to millions of homes. The Income Tax Returns. Coming to our own generation, we find the same steady rise in land rents. Owing to the ab- sence of a separated valuation of land, apart from buildings, we can only judge by the income-tax returns. But from them it will be seen that I im correct in saying that the increase in urban rents outbalances the decrease in rural rents, aiter fully allowing for new buildings. Town Rents. Town and Country Rents 1865. Y.69,000,000 9132,000,000 1869. 80,000,000 145,000,000 1074. 93,000,000 160,000,000 1879. 110,000.000 180,000,000 1884. 127,000,000 190,000,000 1787. 133,000,000 197,000,000 Thus there was an aggregate rental increase of 65 million pounds in twenty-two years, which j, certainly not all due to the erection of new build- ings. Supply and Demand. And this is only what might have been fore- seen. If price depends upon supply and demand, and if you have a limited supply for land, and i growing demand for it (by a population which is increasing in both numbers and wealth), it is in- evitable that the rent of land muat go up. So that the question to be solved is, should that incre- ment enrich the idle classes, or should it benefit the whole people? There can be but one answer to such a question. For the present system which enriches the few with unearned wealth leaves many thousands of deserving workers in a state of un- earned poverty. :sI- ->
CLOSE OF THE PANTOMIME SEASON.…
CLOSE OF THE PANTOMIME SEASON. Quite characteristic and a bit more was the wind-up of the very successful pantomime of Rob- inson Crusoe" at the Theatre Royal, Cardiff, on Saturday night. As is, usual on last nights, an easy and rather rollicking spirit prevailed. But, although the usual "gag" communications between the performers and their friends in the audience— especially those in the orchestral stalls-were as numerous as ever. they were kept within the strict bounds -of general pleasantry and unoffensiveness. In the course of the performance, whole showers of violets and quite a number of exquisite wreaths were presented to the artistes, the comedians coin- ing in for an abundant supply of cabbages and leaks. In fact at one time the sfage seemed literal ly strewn with green emblems of Welsh nationality. At the close, the orchestra struck up "Auld Lang Syne." and the effect was considerably heightened by the rollicking occupants of the stalls standing up. and. with joined hands, taking part with great vigour in the singing of the favourite Scotch song- During the evening Mr C-irl Von Benson. assist- ant stage manager, on behalf of the working staff. presented fto Miss Florrie Robina (Robinson Crusoe) a very handsome gold-mounted umbrella. A couple of nights previously Mr Mabbett. the leader of the orchestra, also came in for a pleasant reminder of his popularity in the form of a black ebony silver-mounted baton.
MUSIC AND DANCING IN THE RHONDDA.…
MUSIC AND DANCING IN THE RHONDDA. 1 THE PENTRE DRILL HALL LICENSE FOR MUSIC. At a meeting of ithe Ystrad magistrates on Mon- day. Mr Nicholas, solicitor (of the firm of Messrs W. H. Morgan, Bruce and Co.), Pontypridd. made I an application to ther worship for a music licence j for the Drill Hall. Pertre. Th°v had omitted to i make a formal application on the previous Wed- j resdav and he now asked for a 14 davs' licence. j Th hall was required for use by Mr Tom Stephens and hrS party, who had been commanded to sing before the Queen on the 22nd inst. The application was granted.
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THE JOBBING GARDENER.I
THE JOBBING GARDENER. I (By Mr. T. Chalke, Leeds.) I Prize Essay Reprinted from the "Welsh Pupil Teacher" for February. I The jobbing gardener, that is, the town jobbing I gardener, is crippled by two considerations. In the first place, he knows he must produce the maximum effect at a minimum cost, and in the I next place he is not allowed to plant what he con- siders the most suitable in the best situations. The lady—for it is a. lady who usually selects tha plants that are needed-will make it a condition ¡ that there must be immediate floral effect that is from the time of planting, and to last as long as th. season will allow. That is why one cannot help noticing that there is so much of a same- ness in suburban gardens. The usnallevel patches of grass surrounded by narrow borders, often out of all proportion to the height of the adjacent building, and these are filled oftener than not with soil dug out of the foundations, and in which the gardener is expected to make III plants flourish. He therefore confines himself to growing, often with the most limited accommodation, those few "subjects" wh.icl1 he knows from experience will be most likely to succeed in all seasons and give satisfaction. 0 The jobbing gardener is obliged to ring the changes on the very few plants at his command. In the spring he commences with bulbs, wall- flowers. foiget-me-nots, etc., varied, where the price will allow ot it, with some of the improveu varieties of the polyanthus. These come out and make room for the summer bedders. His exper- ience will' tell him that he must make scarlet geraniums, yellow calceolarias, and blue and white lobelias his sheet anchors. These do well in al- most all positions in town gardens, given a mod- erately favourable season, and have come to be looked upon as indispensable to the furthering of a bright display during the summer months. To- gether with stocks, asters, and a. few kindred sub- jects, they constitute nearly the whole of thr- plants upon which he can rely to do well in out variable climate, especially in our Northern towns, and if the general public were only aware of the small amounts received for attending to gardens they would be less surprised at the paucity of bloom and poverty-stricken look of some of our town gardens. There are some practical men among the jobbing gardeners of all large towns, but I am convinced tha,t "chill penury" is largely responsible for their so-called short-comings. In the, bedding-out seas- on the jobbing gardener is wanted everywhere at once. There has been a spell of cold weather, perhaps, and it has been impossible to commence operations with any degree of assured success. It suddenly becomes warmer and more genial, and then all his employers call upon him to attend to ( their own particular wants instanter. The con- l sequence is that he often has to rush his work at this particular season. Sometimes he has to em- ploy men to help him who are not competent, and the result is anything but satisfactory to him- self or his employer. So far I have been trying to show that perhaps the gardener is net wholly to blame for the ap- parent want of originality in his methods of treating the gardens of our towns. Now. I would try and suggest a few particulars which, in my opinion, would improve the general appearance and surroundings of our town gardens, especially those attached to new houses and abutting on main roads. I have alluded to the difficulties of unsuitable soil. etc. To these must be added the difficulties of situation. By this I mean that perhaps the house and garden may be facing due north, or nearly so, and plants, however skilfully handled, or judiciously selected, cannot be expected to succeed here in the same manner or with the same degree of floriferousness as they would do ;f they enjoyed a fuller share of the sun's rays. whish thev would do if they faced south. To some of these evils I would suggest that instead of the straight narrow borders which prevail in most villa gardens, they should be made with gentle curves, so that the borders would be much wider 'n St me places than in others. This would tak awav the look of r.giditv which ia invariably at- tached to gardens Tvhere tha borders and paths are narrow and cut in severely straight lines. This would also allow of some of the choicer herbaceous plants being planted in the" wider parts of the corder. Further, the- could be filled in in the summer months with the finer varieties of cactus, dahlia, etc. These are very beautiful, and should find a place in every garden, however small. For the wider parts of the border IwOuld re- commend the many fine virieties of double, semi- double. and single sunnowers These are fine for cutting for vases for house decoration. Then the old-fashioned hollyhock seems to be neglected of late years. These look well for the back rows of borders. The newer varieties of foxglove (digit- alis). some of which are finely spotted, would add to the variety and general be-iitv, and lengthen the period during whi^h the phnts would be in bloom for cutting. To these c^u'd be added the many kinds of iris, which would do well in the more shady parts of the garden. Phloxes, too, are fine subjects. There are several g-ood varieties which would give a succession of hloom from July to October. Anemone Japon ci. the p;nk and white varieties, should find a com er somewhere. In bulbous plants I would ment on in addition to the hyacinths, tulips, crocuses, aid snowdrows. which are known to all, CamaFS'a esculenta, "OVry of the Snow," the varieties of <}<> £ tooth violets, and where there is room and soil moderately good the Alstroemerias should have ;1 place. These are splendid when once esWi<-k«d There are a number of other plnnts "ecur to one, but which in a short articlei like this cannot be men- tioned by nam,e." These I have particularised would not in any way interfere with the usual summer bedding, which could*still be planted near the edges of the borders, but they would take a,way the flatness of appearance and lengthen the season of blooming. I lay great stress on the fact that not enough use is made of the many climbing plants which could be utilised to cover up unsightly corner*, and take away the general look of newness which attaches more or less to suburban residences. A few wires stretched loosely, or a rough trellis covered with the Japanese hop, Humulous japonic-* us, will often hide a comer that is more or less an eyesore, or even the common hop of commerce could be employed, and if either of these could not be got to grow, the common variety of Aris- tolochia will do almojst anywhlere. Then the clematis family could be used wi £ h splendid effect on the front of the house. A few wires, which could be fixed by any handy man, would be ample to train these to, and there are many fine things among them. These are far hardier than is gen- erally supposed. The Gloire de Dijon and crim- son rambler roses are excellent to plant agaiDst the walls of the house a.nd under ordinary condi- tions of care and management might be expected to afford a considerable amount of pleasure. On the shadier sides of the house the different variet- ies of Virginian creeper could be utilized; a few hanging baskets, suspended from each corner and in the middle of the porch or verandah, would add materially to the effect. These could be filled with many plants that will suggest themselves to any one conversant in the smallest degree with gardening. A good combination would be a silver ..c.. 14A lit: OCiiiiC; ..lw. iaurj AUtilob UH1 next. and Tropaeolum canariense at tlle ",Jõ- which could hang down or be trained upwards at will. I mention these to give an idea of what could be done; they could be filled according to individual taste. If a few rough vases could be dotted here and there it Trould relieve the flatness of the grass patches. These could be made out of any fair-sized box, or a butter-tub sawn in half and covered with virgin cork answers ad- mirably. If a six inch drain pipe is stuck in the ground with the socket end upwards, and the boxes or tubs fixed into it, you have a cheap and efficient garden vase at once, and they could be filled in much the same way as the hanging bas- kets. This is a subject that requires fuller treat- ment than can be touched upon in so small a space as the editor allows here. If the question were gone deeper into it would be conducive of much good.
THE DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF…
THE DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF PONT- YPRIDD STREETS. THE COEDPENMAEN "SUMP" AGAIN RE- FERRED TO. THE CILFYNYDD IMPROVEMENTS NOT YET PROCEEDED WITH. We are glad to find that the members of the Pontypridd District Council have at last thought it wise to see that their own roads and also those of the County Council on the outskirts of the town are to be improved and kept in a cleaner condition. A fortnight ago at a meeting of the Council, attention was called to the deplorable state of the county road leading from the Trallwn to the Merthvr Road. The county surveyor was written to on the matter, and a reply was read from him at a meeting of the Council on Friday last. He stated that he had walked over the road between the town and Penycoedeae, and from the Trallwn to the Merthyr Road, and could find no fault with them except that there were stones lying about. Although he finds no fault with them he states in the same letter that he had written to the inspector of roads on the matter and they would report on it in due course. He also stated that he had walked from Pontypridd to Cilfvnydd and found that the road was in a bad condition. He -ordered the District Council to attend to it. Councillor Spickett said that since this letter had been written the county road men were very busy, and the roads had been improved. Councillor W. H. Gronow, Cilfynydd, com- plained of the condition of the road between Coed- penmaen and Cilfv-n ydd. He pointed out that it was in a dangerous condition, and demanded immediate attention. He also asked why the con- tractor had not proceeded with the improvements proposed to be carried out to the Oilfynydd streets. Councillor T. B. Evans appealed to the Council to make an effort to proceed with these improve- ments, as the ratepayers of the district complained 'bitterly of their condition. The surveyor's attention wasCjalled Ito the matter, and he promised to see that the improve- ment complained of wou-- be seen to. L' <ti« ———
I IHIGH STREET BRIDGE, PONTYPRIDD.
I HIGH STREET BRIDGE, PONTYPRIDD. .¡,e improvement of --igh S'reet and the bridge has been looked forward to for some time. It was believed generally that there was a, hitch between the District Council and .t,I,.e T.V.R. Cov's sur- vevor. At the meeting of the Council on Tuesday, a letter was read from Mr Sobering .the railway company's engineer. stating that he wished to con- sult with -r Rees, surveyor, a., to analtemation in the plans. *r Rees informed the Council that he had seen Mr ond th-11,4,, grentlenvi'i wou d now sub- i m t improved pkns fl,4. T\t, few days.
RHONDDA AND SWANSEA BAY RAILWAY.
RHONDDA AND SWANSEA BAY RAILWAY. THE REPORT. The report of the Rhonddl. and Swansea Bay Railway is as follows:— The accounts for the half-year ending 31st Decem ber. 1897, show, after deducting working expenses and other charges, including the interest on the debenture stock, a net revenue of -945 10s 6d. The traffic receipts amounted to £ 37.779 7s 9d, and show, as compared with those of the corres- ponding period of 1897, an increase of £ 2.540 18s 7d. The increase in parcels and passenger traffic amounts to jB519 12s 4d; in goods and mineral traffic. £ 1,958 10s 6d; and in coal tipping receipts and sundries JB62 15s Id. Out of the balance of £ 9.945 10s 6d available for dividend the directors recommend the payment of the usual dividend on the Preference capital of the company for the half year at the rat-e of 5 per cent per an- num, amounting to 29,433 7s, and that the balance of JB512 3s 6d be carried forward. The expendi- ture on capital account for the last half-year am- ounted to L17,324 6s 5d. The junction with your railway at Aberavon. authorised by the Port Tal- bot Railway and Docks Act. 1894. has been com- pleted and opened for traffic, and through rates are being arranged. The construction of the avoiding lin into Swansea, is being proceeded with. and good progress has been made with the works. The contract has been let for the connecting line between your railway near Pontrhydyfen and the South Wales Mineral Railway in the Avon Valley, and the work was commenced last month. A Bill has been deposited in Parliament to extend the time limited for the completion of railways and works at Treherbert and Aberavon. and for the more effectual prevention of trespass and punish- ment of trespassers upon your railway. This Bill will be submitted to the proprietors at the Wharncliffe meeting, to be held at the conclusion I of the business of the special general meeting re- ferred to below. The Neath, Pontardawe. and BrynanjSain Railway Company, and the Cardiff Ry. Co.. have deposited Bills in Parliament, which the directors have under consideration, with the view of protecting your interests. A Bill has also been deposited by the Taff Vale Railway Company for a short line and an independent station at Newport, which, if constructed, will afford the means of a through communication be- tween that place and Swansea over your railway in connection with the Taff Vale system. At the special general meeting, which will follow the or- dinary meeting, the shareholders will be asked to sanction the creaition and issue, when, and as re- quired, of the capital authorised by the Company's Act 1897. Mr John R. Francis, having left the neighbourhood, has resigned his position as direc- tor, and Mr W. H. P. Jenkins has been appointed by the Board to fill the vacancy. -r Morgan Bransby Williams and Mr W. H. P. Jenkins re- tire at this meeting, and being eligible offer them- selves for re-election. Mr R. G. Oawker. the retiring auditor, also offers himself for re-election. ht w-
WHAT MY DOCTOR SAID. -
WHAT MY DOCTOR SAID. "I know of nothing that will do you more good that a course of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. The Vegetable Tonic." I smiled incredulously when I heard him prescribe a patent meuicine. He noted my surprise, and observed. "it seems strange, does it not. to hear a medical man ad- vising people to take the preparations of other people? I am aware that many of these patent medicines do more harm than good. but I have no hesitation in recommending this. It is the best tonic that I know of. and can injure no one." As a remedy for Werikness. Indiges- tion. Low Spirits, Sleeplessness. Chest Affections, it has no equal. If you feel listless, tired out. without strength to do anything, and w j i littl-a or no appetite. Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters will speedily banish that listlessness, restore the appetite, and give renewed strength and vigour to fthe tvxlyi. Gwil-in Eva-ns' Q(,iin:ne Patterns, The Vegetable Tonic, is sola in Bottles, at 2s 9d. and -Is 6d each, and can be obtained from a.11 chemists snd patent medicine vendors, or. carriage free by parcels post. direot from 1 nro- prietors The Quinine Bitters Manufacturing Comnany Linn ted. South Waes.
A NEGLECTED BABY.
A NEGLECTED BABY. A TREALAW MOTHERS BAD HABITS. At Ystrad Police Court on Monday (before Mr T. P. Jenkins. Alderman R. Lewis, and Alderman W. Morgan). John Roberts, a co:lier. of Trealaw, and his wife Margaret Ann, were summoned by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for neglecting their baby, aged 4i months old. Both defendants when placed in the dock presented a look of poverty. The woman carried the baby she was charged with neglecting, and at her side stood five other little children whose ages ranged between 3 and 10. Mr James E. Spickett. solicitor (of the firm of Messrs Spickett and Sons). Pontypridd. prosecut- ed on behalf of the society, and in opening the case said that the woman was often seen going about drunk, and often left her house for the whole day. The child was always left behind in charge of one of the little children. The neighbours would say that when she left the home the chid would cry piteously until her return. They (the neighbours) had endeavoured to prevent the ill-treatment, and had been abused by the woman for doing so. The child was insured with. the Prudential Assurance Company, and the defendants paid a weekly prem- ium of one penny. Three neighbours were then called, and they bore out the remarks made by Mr Spickett. The woman, they said, was continually drunk, and on one occasion when remonstrated with as to het treatment of the babv. she declared that she wish- ed the b- was in the cemetery. The female defendant here stoutly denied this, and when the husband was asked if he desired to put any questions to the witness she loudly ejacu- lated, "Mae John yn gwybod dim am y concern." (Laughter.) Dr Jennings, surgeon, Tonypandy, said he had I attended the child since its birth. It was wasting away. It-did not suffer from any disease, but it simply wanted nourishment and care. Mrs Roberts You stopped me giving any food to it- I Mr T. P. Jenkins: Is that so? Witness No. that is not so. sir. I advised her to take it off the breast, and I told her that the beer she drank did it harm. The defendant: You have not told me. Witness I cautioned her many times. Mr Spickett: We don't wish to press for a conviction against the male defendant. Mr T. P. Jenkins: He seems an-amiable and inoffensive man. and appears to be entirely under her control. Any one looking at this baby will see that it is nearly starved. Mrs Roberts denied that she s.tarved her chil- dren. and pointing to the boys and girls at her side side said. "Look, here's a sample of the care I take of them." Mr Jenkins: Perhaps you did not drink so much as you do now. Mrs Roberts My bab;,Is are not so bad as tliey used to be. It is true I do drink a little, but not much. Never mind. if I <1m here to-day some one else will be in another twelve month. The Lord iR nr..t alprfvninrr The Bench ordered the male defendant to pay a fine of £1, and the mother was sentenced to a month's imprisonment with hard labour. Mrs Roberts: Put it all on me, sir, and John alone. No notice was taken of her application, and they were both put to sit down.
PRESENTATION AT TOi\ IPANDY.…
PRESENTATION AT TOi\ IPANDY. On Thursday evening, a large assemblage of the tradesplaopTje of Mid-Jlhondda met at the > Hall, Tonypandy, for the purpose of show- ing their appreciation of the services rendered bv their la.te postmaster. Mr George Knill, and his wife. After dinner the Chairman, Mr T. John, propounded the loyal toast. "The Clergy and Ministers of other DenominatjoM" was propose f by Alderman Richard Lewis, and responded to by the vicar, the Rev J. D. James, and the Rev Mr Pickles. "The Tradesmen of Mid-Rhondda" was given by Mr D. Davies, Clydach Vale, and re- sponded to by Mr Ed. Jenkins. The toast of +he evening "Our Guests" was proposed By the Chair- man. He greatly regretted their departure to Cardiff. for in the Rhondda they had laboured assiduously and successfully for close on four decades. He then presented Mr Knill with a handsome diamond ring. and a gold chain with pendant attached, bearing an inscription and mono- gram. Mr Knill suitably responded. Mrs James the Vicarage, presented Mrs Knill with a hand- some silver tea service, and Mrs Knill returned I thanks. "The Post Office Officials" was proposed by tne Rev Mr Pickles, and Mr Leyshon. Pontv- I pridd, responded. "Our Visitors" was given by Alderman R. Lewis, and responded to by Messrs Wales and Evans, Cardiff. Miss Marion Isaac, R.A.M.. Mr Evans, Cardiff. Mr Simmonds Miss Gwen Foster, Mr Ted Hughes, and the Rev D. Thomas admirably contributed several excellent songs.
THE PROPOSED CILFYNiDD BivtDGE.
THE PROPOSED CILFYNiDD BivtDGE. At a meeting of Lae Pontypr dd -let Council on Tuesday, a letter was read from the Mountain District Council with reference to the Council's letter asking them to contribute towards the erec- ion of a bridge to carry the parish road over the River Taff between Clydach Court and Cilfvnydd, and which road is the division I;ne of th, tw, urban parishes. The Jetfer stated thai they, the Mountain Ash Council, were disposed to favourably consider the matter, and would be glad to be sup- plied with more information. On the motion of Councillor R. L. Phillips a committee of the Chairman, and Councillors W. Lewis, and D. R. Evans was appointed to deal with the scheme.
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WEDDING AT CAERPHILLY.
WEDDING AT CAERPHILLY. On February Idtl. at Bethel Ootagregational I Chapel the wedding took place of Mr Joseph Hewells. contractor and builder. and Miss M. D. Evans, daughter of Mr John Evans. The cere- mony was performed by the Rev D. Richard-, pastor, assisted by the Rev James John, Cardiff. The bride was given away by her father, and the best man was the Rev R. O.Evans, Neath. A Bible, on behalf of the Bethel Church, was handed to the officiating minister by Alderman Henry An- thony. J.P.. to be presented to the. happy pair at the close of the ceremony" This marriage being the first which has taken place at Bethel Chapel there was a large company to witness the ceremony.
HE TELEPHONE POSTS OF THE…
HE TELEPHONE POSTS OF THE DISTRICT It will surprise the commercial community oi Pontypridd and the Rhondda to learn that the Pontypridd District Council have served notices upon the National Telephone Company to remove (large number of the poles which carry their tele- hone wires. These notices have been served in consequence of the delay of the company in remov- ing them from obstructing footpaths in we town and (neighbourhood. Dr Hainlen-Williams, of Fairfield, declares them to be a perfect nuisance to pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the Cardiff oad. and other councillors have made similar com- plaints. The Pontypridd District Council met on Tuesday under the presidency of Councillor Jas. Roberts, J.P., and a letter was read from the district manager of the Telephone Company who wrote stating that they were removing the poles which were in the way of pedestrians as fast as possible. A question was asked as to the rental the com- pany paid the Council per pole. The Deputy ICIerk replied that the company paid a rental of Is per pole. Dr Hamlen-Williams, J.P.. pointed out that the company paid private individuals 10s per pole. He thought that if the company paid private in- dividuals a rental 10s per year they should pay the Council a similar rental. Councillor Bramwell did not think they should place any obstruction in the way of the telephone company, as the telephone was a benefit to the community. The Chairman considered that they were paid too small a rental. Dr Williams: I think the ratepayers should have a share of their 10 per cent profit. The Chairman suggested that the Council should not withdraw their notices, as they were paid too IlDlall a rental. This was agreed to. This resolution means that the posts will have to be removed altogether, and if this is done it is feared that telephonic communication to Pontypridd and the Rhondda will be cut off entirely.