The Merthyr Express

THE EISTEDDFOD OF THE YEAR at I ABERGAVENNY, EASTER MONDAY. Gorsedd Ceremonv. 10 Choral and Orchestral Competitions. I Over 60 Choirs and Bands from all parts Competing. I Chairing Ceremony, in which several Bards of note willtakepart. Band of Triple Artistes. SPLENDID, FEif AT THE CASl?IiEr Secretary: Mr. R. H. JACKSON, Abergavenny. THEATRE /MMI ROYAL, MERTHYR. J I Leseea THE SOUTH WALES ENTERTAINMENrs Co. I MONDAY, APRIL 12th. AND DURING THE WEEK. I _—— ( SPECIAL MATINEE, EASTER MONDAY, ¡ Doors Open 2. Commence 2.30. ■ — I THB PLAT THAT DREW ALt. LONDON. THB PLAY THAT SET NEW YORK TALKING. Miss MARY AUSTIN and Mr. E. VIVIAN EDMONDS' i CHIEF COMPANY IN THE POWERFUL PLAY- m iL WOMAN & WINE Written by ARTHUR SHIRLEY and BEN LANDECK. Doors Open 7.15. Commence 7 45. Circle, 2s. Stalls, Is. 6d. Pit, Is. Gallery, 6d. THEATRE ROYAL, MERTHYftl 1 SUNDAY, April llth, 1909. Jdder tbe distinguished patronage of The Mayor, who will attend. A C C[]P Jr"Jt. 4C PROFESSOR DAN PRICE, the Famous Baritone. MISS RACHEL THOMAS. MR. TOM BRYANT, the Celebrated Harpist. MISS MANDER FOX. And numerous other Artistes, The whole of the proceeds, without any deduction whatever, will be handed to the Distress Fund. THE BAND OF 25 PERFORMERS. The Seats at 2/6, 2/ 1/ and 6d. are rapidly being secured at the Theatre Booking Office. Merthyr and District May Horse Show and Parade. PENYDARREN PARK, MERTHYR, I THURSDAY, MAY 20th, 1909. 4clo JiaraL 4a le-s OPEN DRIVING, SADDLE, JUMPING, TROTTING vravi and GALL0PING CLASSES. Schedules may be obtained from Secretary, W. T. JONES, 50, High-street, Merthyr Tydfil. PRELIMINARY NOTICE. THE EVENT OF THE SUMMER SEASON: The PENYDARREN C.E.M.S. will hold a GARDEN PARTY in the COLLEGE FIELD, on THURSDAY, JUNE 24th, 1909. KEEP THIS DATE OPEN. LOOK-OUT FOR FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS. PRELIMIN ARY A NNOTJNCEMENT. THE ABERDARE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. THE ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW WILL BE HELD ON AT THE TUESDAY, AUGUST 3rd, ABERNANT PARK, X ABERDARE. Schedules will be ready in a few day., and may be obtained of the becretary- T n WILLIAMS, 10, Canon Street, Aberdare. Fnane—Nat. 0126- 1 ■ — The Chair Eisteddfod of Wales At Mountain Ash on Easter Monday. 1 61 CHOIRS AND BANDS 30 W W 10,51, r- rp I HARP SOLOS BY NOTABLE HARPISTS. The following World-Famous Choirs have entered for- CHIEF CHORAL :-Rbymnev, Newport, Treborth, Shrewsbury, North Staffordshire, Cwmavon, MALE VOIUE ^CO MPE T IT I^—Birmingham, Maesteg. Morriston, Merthyr Vale, Aberdare, MALE M?d.RhoSa,^ Gar., Kenfig Hill. Trebarm, Mountam Ash. ftirpnvn PKORAL—Trecynon, Rhondda Fa-ch. Ogniore a e. 'choirs from Bristol, Liverpool, and other towns for the various Choral Conditions. 21 OF THE MOST FAMOUS WELSH AND ENGLISH BANDS. NEARLY 700 ENTRIES FROM ALL PARTS OF THE KINGDOM. For full particulars apply to— D. T. EVANS. MOPVTATN ASH. (5WENT CHAIR EISTEDDFOD BHYMNJSY, MON. WHIT-TUfiSDAY, JUNE 1st, 1909. fa} "All Men. all Things," £ fOO Chief Choral -$••<*«. ™»r.cw«. «- Second Choral "Da,break" Male Voices "Voice of U.e Torrents £ 45 Ladies' Clioirs "Yr Hat" Juvenile Choirs "Haste not, Rost not" iiol Boys' Choirs Tig*r, Tiger" • Pnddeat « Anian" £ 5 a Clvadair Gwent Prif Draetliavrd "Dyfodol rymru" ±3 3 O. SOLOS, TWO GUJNAS EAOH. Quartette, Duet, CJywydd, Cm, Knsiyn,Tru KecitatioDS, Mining, Ambulance, Wand Drill*, &c. Full particulars in Programme, THE ^TERRACE, RHYMNEY. FOCHRIW | CHAIR EISTEDDFOD Easter Tuesday, April 13th, 1909. Presidents-Dr E. DAVIKS, J.P., Fochriw, a.nd Rev T. Rpits, B A., Vicar of Pontlnttyn, Adjudicators—Music: JOSEPH BOWEN. Esq., Inter Mus. Bach.. Porth literary and Recit- ation Rev. J. JKMVIN'^) B. A., (Gwili), 12, Glynrhondda-strreet, Cardiff. ChixF CHORAL, Efe [I ddaw" (English or Welsh) T. Price, G. and L. INVKNILE CHOIRS, "Mark the Merry Elves' (Caldicott). Solos, £ 1 la. Timbering and Splicing Com- petitions, Recitations, &c. Programmes Id. each, by post Ijd., to be had of •to Secretary, T. H. LLEWELLYN, 10. Martin-street. Fochriw. via Cardiff. MARKET HALL, POHIYPOOL. GRAND CHAIR EISTEDDFOD EASTER TUESDAY, APRIL 13th, igog. TO COMMENCE at 10 a.m. and 2 pjn. 0ver £ 90 in Prizes P rand Promenade Concert at 7-45. Ar-tlntes' Eisteddfod Prize Winners, assisted by MADAME MAUD LOVELESS (double winner National Eisteddfod, 1908). Last date of Entry March 30th. Programmes may be obtained from the Secretary: MR. JAMES BEES, 22. NICHOLAS STBKBT, PONTWQOU NELSON. T HIRD ANNUAL EISTEDDFOD Will be held in a QDacious Marquee at NELSON, 0:1. EASTER TUESDAY, APRIL 13TH, 1909. In a FIELD kindly lent by Dr. W. W. Leigh. 0HIEF ITEMS. MALR VOICE: "The Reveille," 120 and a Gold Medal. Not Ie«s than 60 voices MIXKP CHOIR •' (Jentle come the breath of evening." Tawel chwyth awelon Hwvrddydd." Not less than 60 voices. po and a valuable Metronome. AMBULANCE: First, £ 2 and a Silver Medal; Second, £ 1. SOLO, RKCITATION AND PIANOFORTK, tl ls. each Novice Solo, 10s. 6d. each. Further particulars see Programme, 2d. each. post free Secretaries: E. MORGAN, Langsyne T. MORGAN Bryn Derwen, Nelson, near Cardiff. J3 ARG-OBP. FIFTH ANNUAL Chair EISTEDDFOD MONDAY, MAY 10th, 1909. MnsrcAt ADJUDICATORS :—D. R. LEWIS, Esq., F.T.S.C., Brynaman and T. HUGHES, Esc., F.T.S.C., Llwynhendy. LITKBART ADJUDICATORS :—" Dyfnallt," Ponty- pridd, and Rev. T. DAVIES, Bargoed. PRINCIPAL ITEMS MALK VOICES, The Reveille" (Elgar) £ 21 • MIXED CHOIRS, "Hallelujah Chorus" (Handel) £ 2" CONGREGATIONAL CHOIRS £ 5 JOVKNILK CHOIRS • £ 6 BOYS' CHOIFLB JB6 AMBULANCE £ 5 PRYDDEST- £ 2, and a valuable Chair, and num- erous other competitions. erous other competitions. All Entries must reach Secretary by April 26th, f. 1909. Furt-her particulars see Programme, lid. post free.—W. WILLIAMS, Secretary, 5, West-street, Bargoed. Dowlais Chamber of Trade. FIRST GRAND EISTEDDFOD Will be held In a SPACIOUS MARQUEE, In the DOWLAIS SCHOOLS' PLAYGROUND. WHIT-MONDAY, 1909. Musical Adjiidicator.-Profer-sor DAN PRICE, A.R.C M., London DAVID THOMAS, Esq., M.A., Mus. Bac., Swansea. CHIEF CHORAL EVENTS. MALE VOICE. — "O Peaceful Night" (German), The Word went forth (Mendelssohn). First Prize, £ 40. Second Price, 25. CON(;ItEGATrONAL. Cenweh j'r Arglwydd" (E T. Davies). First Prize, j320. Second Prize, £ 5. JUVICNILIC. Who is Sylvia?" (D. T. Evans). First Prize, 27 Second Prize, £ 3. BOYS.—" Faint not, Fear not, God is near thee." (Smart). JE2. VOCAL SOLOS — £ 2 2s. Substantial prizes also for instrumental Solos, Penillion Singing, Musical Composition, Ambu- lance, Timbering and other contests. Programmes ready shortly, 2d each, post free, of the General Secretary, Mr. DAVID RERS, Ormonde House, Dowlais. MEMORIAL HALL, SEYMOUR STREET, ABERI) ARE. A BAZAAR (In connection with Tabernacle Congregational Church) will be held at the above place ON THURSDAY, APRIL 22nd, 1909. The Bazaar will be opened at 3 p.m. by MRS. D. A. THOMAS, Llanwcrn. There will be special attractionp, including Dramatic Entertainments and Stalls for Plain and Fancy Goods, Dairy Produce, Wood Carving, China, Home-made Sweets. Dry Goods, Ferns and Flowers, &c. Tickets for Lancheon & Bazaar, 2/•; Tea & Bazaar, 1/ PARK BAPTIST CHURCH, THE WALK, MERTHYR. PMACHSR NlSXT StJKBAT— REV. J. LLOYD WILLIAMS (PASTOR) Services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Spiritualist Couqcil of Wales opened permanently at BENTLEY'S HALL, MERTHYR, SUNDAY NEXT, APRIL llth, 1909, At 3 o'clock and 6 30 p.m. Mr. Dan Llewellyn, of Cardiff, Trance Speaker, Mr. Jack Richards, Mountain Ash, Clairvoyant. Developement Circle 11 o'clock a.m. No Monday Service this week. Abfiraman Horse Show WAY 24th, 1909. EIGHTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION At the Aberaman Park. PRESIDENT • DR. FINNEY. Z200 In Cash Prizes. Classes for Driving, Riding, Jumping, Trotting, Gallopingi and Yeomanry Turn-out SCHEDULES READY. REES, Secretary, Broad Oak, Aberaman. BARGOED & DISTRICT FOURTH ANNUAL may-DAY SHOW & PARADEI I d. including Fire Brigades' Tournament will take place on MONDAY, MAY 10th, 1909, At BARGOED. I SCHEDULES READY. | E. G. STAPLETON, Sec., j 48, Cardiff Road, Merthyr; or 1 ALF. THOMAS, Assist. Sec., 56, McDonnell Road. Bargoed. EASTER MONDAY AT CARMARTHEN PARK. BRASS BAND CONTESTS. Class A—8 Entries. Class B -5 Entries. Class C-5 Entries. CYCLE "REVENGE" MATCH BETWEEN VIC. JOHNSON, World's Champion, 190S ) BERT ANDREWS (Re-appearance of this favourite after his accident at the Stadium last year); W. J. BAILEY, World's Record Holder. I Amateur Cycle Races N.C.U, Rules). j Professional Foot Races.' First; appearance of the DAYTON FAMILY (12 Pei former*). The MILFORD BROTHERS in their incom- parable Traptze Act. Concluding at dusk with a j Display of FIREWORKS. | THE EVENT OF THE SEASON, i A Sight in a Lifeo Time. < SOSTOCK-ANt. WOMBWBCL'D Royal No. 1 Menagerie (with a Complete Show) WILL VISIT MERTHYR, EASTER SATURDAY, APRIL 10th. EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 12th. And stand on THOMAS'S YARD (AWE THEATRE ROYAL). You ca.n.not have enough of a good thing, so be sure and visit the greatest Collection 01 1 rained and Untrained Wild Animals ever col- lected under One roof. BEE THE LION AND LEOPARD CUBS living to- gether. Baby Pumas, the prettiest of all the reline Species. Never before seen in Merthyr. LITTER OF YOUNG PORCUPINES, never before seen in any Travelling Exhibition. Young ■rorcupines axe very funny. Do see them—A coiossai amalgamation of Strajige and Curious Animals from the uttermost parts of the Uni- verse.-All roads lead to Wombwell's, and no expense has been spared to add new living specimens of the animal creation.—Remember this is the only Show travelling, worthy the name of Zoo or Menagerie. The whole colleo tion IS undoubtedly the last word in Men. •*«««. We try to please the Merthyr people, and hope we do so, and give more genuine value for money than any other travelling Show. The only Show of its kind now touring. Name itself is a guarantee. Established in 1805. Nçver has the whole collection been so complete as at present, making this a. Record Visit. A visit to Wombwell's is Instructive, Mucational, Inspiring, and Entertaining, be- sides being. money well spent. A single visit proves this. BABY BOSTOCK AND HER Ax MATES—A Record-Litter of Lion Cubs. UGL Y.-NOT THE UNEExA, OR THE BONASSUS, BUT THE MELURSUS. Absolutely the most weird creature over dis- covered. Once seen-never forgotten. You should really see him. A Hideous Animal, yet attractive. SPLENDID MILITARY BAND. Prices as usual. WILL ALSO VISIT RHYMNEY, APRIL 13TH, AND BRYNMAWR, APRIL 14TH. ?I^S0N TO BREEDERS OF HIGH-CLASS i909. COBS AND HARNESS HORSES. If yon want the RIGHT SORT, use the DOUBLE CHAMPION BRKD HACKNEY BTALUONS— MYRTLE DAN LENO 5 years old, 16 hands high. Volume 5, W.S.B. ?.lre AGILITY. 2,799 H S.B. Dam Sire TRUSTFUL, 2,741 H.S.B. or the 3 year old Colt. 15 hands high- TRUSTFUL RECRUIT 10.849 H.S B.. Volume 2R Sire, CHAMPION TRUSTKUL, 2,741 H,S.B. Dam. 14.775, TATTKRS, H.S.B. By the CHAMPION CASSIUS, 2,397 H.S.B. For Stud Cards and Particulars apply to Owner- TOM JONES, GALON UCHAF STUD, MERTHYR. RATS'SINS ARE MANY BUT RODINE RAT POISON slaughters millions of Rats. Certain death. Extermination sure. Acst like magic. Never fails. prices -6d„ is., 2s., 3s., 5s.; post 2d. — HARLEY Chemist, Perth. Agent :-T. JENKINS, Chemist, Fontroorlais, Mestbyr. f HR ARCHER*^ SI GOLDEMSCTUBMSl ;& £ i=3 £ C—•' ¡- 'IØJiiii J ö. Facsimile ej One-Ounce I-achct. Archer's Golden Returns 2'11. Perfection of Pip* Tobacco, p:¡ Coot.. FfwJr. D Jl'JltA8JlA" — Merthyr Express" Diary. -_f"o-o- A II fixtures advertised in the "Express" will bt included in the diary free of charge. Saturday, APRIL 10. Thomas's Yard, Merthyr-Bostock and Womb. well's Menagerie. Eisteddfod at Ton Pentre. Sunday, APRIL 11. Theatre RoTal, Merthyr—Grand Concert. Bentley's Hall, Merthyr-Spirituajisttl. Easter Monday, APRIL 12. Theatre Royal, Merthyr—"Woman and Wine." Thomas's Yard, Merthyr-Bostock and Womb- well's Menagerie. New Theatre, Aberdare—"The Dishonoured Wife." Palace of Varieties, Ebbw Vale—Variety. Carmarthen Park-Brass Band Contest, etc. Chair Eisteddfod at Abergavenny. Cottage Hospital Eisteddfod. Mountain Amb. County School, Trodegar-Re-upion. Tuesday, APRIL 13. Athletic Sports. Abergavenny. Eisteddfod at Market Hall, JPontypooL Chair Eisteddfod at Fochriw. Eisteddfod at Nelson. Friday, APRIL 16. Aberdare Cattle, Pleasure, and Flannel Fair; aLso April 17. Tuesday, APRIL 20. Shiloh Church, Merthyr—Rev. David Pughe's Lecture on "Riches and Poverty." Thursday, APRIL 22. Memorial Hall, Aberdare—Bazaar. Monday, MAY 10. Chair Eisteddfod at Bargoed. Tabernacle, Merthyr-Solo Compehtion & Tea. Bargoed and District May Day Show Thursday, MAY 20. Penydarren Park, Merthyr-Merthyr and Dis. tnct May Day Horse Show and Parade. Monday, MAY 24. Aber&man Horse Fair. Whit-Monday, MAY 31. Chamber of Trade Eisteddfod at Dowlais. Monday, JUNE 1. Rhymney-—Gwent Chair Eisteddfod. Thursday, JUNE 24. College Field, Merthyr—Penydarren C.E.M.S. Garden Party. Monday, JULY 5. Bedweilty Park, Tredegar—I" ete and Gala. Tuesday. AUGUST 3. Aberdare Annual Flower Show. Thursday. NOVEMBER 4. l Salt of W ork.-Pa.ri-w Gburriu Do-I^;& TABERNACLE, MERTHYR. 1 Champion Solo Competition I And ANNUAL ) MONSTRE TEA ON MONDAY, MAY 10th, 1909. Open Solo Competition for Male or Female. Competitor to choose own solo First Prize, 10/6; Second Prize, 5/ The namea of the competitors must lie sent to J. DVRlN PRICK, 108. 13recon Road, Merthvr. on or before May 6th. 1909. I 1 -nip j V Notice to Subscribers^ i Three editions of the f'Merthyr Express" are printed every week — one for the Aberdare IV ley from llirwain to Abercynon; one for the Ro? ough of Merthyr Tydfil and East Glamorgan; and one for West Monmouth, inclusive of the Rhymney Valley. Subscribers in one district desirous of obtainino the edition in another district can be supplied with it iltrough their regular agents by sending a post card to the publisher, Glebeland- street. Merthyr, intimating their wishes and nam- ing the agent. I L.. ■. TT

DENBIGHSHIRE ELECTION- I ONE swallow does not make a summer, neither does a solitary bye-election determine the general bias of public opinion. Both political parties, however, arc in the habit of attaching to bye-elections a degree of importance which just suits the exigencies of the moment- especially the party which happens to be in opposition. We have had several lately which I have served as the bases of much political inference and prophecy, but the substantial outcome of the whole of them is simply to maintain the status quo. The Unionists had their Central Glasgow—a seat which had always been Unionist until 1906 when a strong local man, who championed Free Trade, carried it for the Liberals with a small majority. At the bye-election, Free Trade being a negligible question for the time bei-ng, it reverted to the Unionists with a larger majority than ever, and forthwith it was pronounced to be a phenomenon." South Edinburgh followed, in which the Liberal majority was lowered, and that was a moral victory. Then came Hawick, in which the Liberals kept the seat with an increased majority. There was no moral to point there. Later came Croydon —always a Unionist seat, but carried in 100G by a comparatively small majority—there being a third candidate who polled 4,004 votes for Labour. Last week it was once more won by the Unionists with a record majority of nearly 4,000. This again was described as a Dread- nought victory. Probably it was, but it was mainly achieved by the wholesale transfer of Labour votes from the Labour candidate to the Unionist, three-fourths of his majority being made up of votes, which, according to the 1906 state of parties, should have gone to the Labour candidate. The Liberal poll was considerably increased, but not enough to win the seat without the help of Labour. Labour went for the Unionist, and so decisively assisted in the creation of the latest phenomenal Unionist victory at a bye-election. Following upon the heels of Croydon comes East Denbigh, where another moral victory is claimed for the Unionists because they increased their vote by 418 against a Liberal increase of 348 but the material fact is the maintenance of the Liberal hold upon the constituency with the loss of only 70 votes of their majority of 1906- the majority in that year being 2,771, and on Saturday last 2,721. Wo are willing for our opponents to extract every grain of comfort and satisfaction that they can from such a result. For our own part, we accept it as unmistakablevi of the fact that although there has been a slight transfer "Ot falling off of votes from one side to the other, the position is substantially unaltered, and in a fair stand-up contest between two parties, with no third factor to disturb all calculations, Wales, as well as Scotland, is still solid behind the Government, and its wits have not been scattered by the navy scare. •

North Glamorgan Congregationalists. QUARTERLY MEETING AT MERTHYR. The Welsh Congregationalists of North Gla- morganshire held their quarterly meeting on Tuesday at Bethesda Chapel, Merthyr. Mr. D. D. Williams presided. Letters were read from tho Prime Minister, Lord Crewe, and Mr. D., A. Thomas, M.P., acknowledging the receipt of a. resolution dealing with Welsh Disestablish* ment, passed at the previous quarterly meeting. Considerable discussion followed a proposal which is being ^considered by the Connexion generally that Wales should have a Welsh- speaking representative on the staff of the Lon- don Missionary Society. It was contended that it was only fair that Wales should have a re- presentative in view of the fact that the Prin- cipality contributed so large an amount every year to the funds of the Society. It was re- solved to ask the authorities of the Society to appoint a Welshman acquainted with Wales on the staff when a vacancy occurs. Statistics relating to the churches in North Glamorgan were presented by Mr. Matthews, of Penydarren. There were 57 churched, an in- crease of one on last year, with a total mem- bership of 14,131, being a decrease of 62. as compared with 1907. The Sunday School scho- lars had increased by 23, and now numbered 13,421. During last year £900 was collected to- wards tho London Missionary Society, and JB329 towards the connexional colleges, both sums showing an increase on those of the pre- vious year. The total collections amounted to £18,217. an increase of £375 on 1907. The total debt of the churches at present was £33,244, ax^increase of £ 1,025. During last year a sura of £ 3,198 was raised towards liquidating debu. There was an increase in the value of Connex- ional property of £2,100. The statistics, show. ing as they do, progress in almost every de- partment of the church work, were considered satisfactory. With reference to the scheme to raise one million shillings towards the London Mission- ary Society it was resolved to commend it tq the churches. The Rev. J. S. Davies. Aberdare, was ap- pointed ohairman cf the North Glamorgan Quarterly meeting for the ensuing year, and it was resolved to hold the next ordinary meet* ing at Mountain Ash.

LATE FOOTBALL GOSSIP. Merthyr Northern Union team will entay* tain Treherbert on Saturday in a Welsb League match, and the following team has been selects ed :—Back, T Paddison; three-quarters, W.' Smith, Ponty Thomas, J. Harrison, J. CoWJ meadow; lialf-baeks, Rees Rees, W. Huriat forwarl" D. Thomas, W. D. Thomas, D. B. Dovies, Dan Lewis, M. Vaughan, Ted Jenkins; reserve: Back, Syd James; forward, W. Bovan. It will be seen that Ittys Rees again takes bit place in the team, Harris going to outside half, and Harrison to centre three-quarter. Aa Merthyr were rather easily beaten at Treher- bcrt a few weeks ago they iptend to strain every nerve to retrieve themselves in this match » rare tussle is expected.

Bostock and Wombwell's ROYAL NO. 1 TRAVELLING ZOO. VISIT TO MERTHYR. We would draw our. readers' attention to the visit, to Merthyr for the Easter Holidays of this Royal Show. It is some three years now since their last visit. Since then the show has added very extensively numerous additiona of novelties and unique animals never befom seen in a. travelling menagerie. A visit to this famous show of a couple 01 hours and one learns more of the habits of tho denizens of the forests of tropical countries than a year's book-learning. The greatest boon to children to open their minds to the great Crea- tor's works—a lesson they will never forest. This mammoth show will be located on Tho- ass Yard, next to the Theatre Rfcyal. The numerous carriages will contain amongst othe? unique specimens of forest ùt!c1 jungle habitues the finest, and largest lions in Europe to-day, tigers, leopards, bears, hyenas, wolves, jaguars, a waggon load of monkeys, beautiful aviaries of foreign birds, all the latest novelties in the animal woild, including a white kangaroo car- rying young. Tasmanian devi.'s, the smallest horse alive, wild boars from Windsor Great Park presented to Mr. E. H. Bostock by HIs Majesty the King as a mark of esteem. There are three famous world-renowned lion tamers with this mammoth collection, who givo daring performances at intervals with all classet of wild animals. There are herds of elephants, camels, and dromedaries for the children to ride on. A splendid military band will piny all the latest selections tip-tc :1aLc at each P" Win- ance. In coming once more to Mor.lpr ) wish the proprietors ll the success they dc- I er

GOSSIP. Mr. E. G. Hemmerde has been re-alected for East Denbigh by a majority which shows that is Toryism has no hold on the electors in Wales. He received 6,265 votes, which is the largest Liberal poll on record in the constituency. His majority was 2,721, which has only once been exceeded, and that was in 1906, when Mr. Hemmerde was first elected at a bye-election. Mr. Hemmerde's majority on that occasion was 2,791. Evidently there is no ebb in the tide of Welsh Liberalism. Strong remarks were made by Mr. Justice Bray, at Glamorgan Arizes, on Saturday, respecting the Old Ynysfach Works, at Merthyr. The calendar included several cases of assault The calendar included several cases of assault which had been committed here, in addition to the charge against the man Foy, who was found guilty of the murder of Mary Ann Rees. For many years these works have been the resort of desperate people; to keep these evil-doers away would require a special force of police constantly on duty. Mr. Justice Bray suggested that the works might be fenced in. but that would be a big undertaking. A better plan would be to raze all the buildings to the ground and utilise the site for some other purpose. The matter is to be brought to the notice of those concerned, and it is to be hoped some way will be found of getting rid of this City of Refuge for the lawless. it is a thesis that could be maintained and defended (says Dr. Rendal Harris, in the -N"G £ «Itempotar«- Jtejwew.for,.April) that the jilebrew kahg songs from David to 'Christ; they probably did some singing before the upper limit here suggested, and they have added strains to Juda's lyre since the lower limit: that is, we may go far to prove a con- tinuity of sacred song even when we cannot prove a continuity of the gift of prophecy. The Maccabees put a proviso in their instruments of government that these were but expedients to last until a prophet should arise their hymns, however, show that if the prophet was gone or not yet come the singers were still in the camp and in the congregation. They sang when the Lord took them into captivity, and they sang when He caused them to return they sang when' He filled them with good things, and not the less, if somewhat wailingly, when there was no herd in the stall and no fruit on the fig-tree; they sang their penitence when they were driven back before their enemies; and they broke into great exultations when their oppressors fled from before their face or succumbed to disasters in which they could trace the saving hand of a Celestial Deliverer. Old customs die hard as a rule. and this is certainly true of the custom of flowering the graves on Palm Sunday, which was generally observed throughout South Wales on Sunday last. Thousands of people visited the local cemeteries, especially the one at Cefn, and many of the graves were decorated with costly flowers and wreaths. I heard a florist remark. however, that the demand for flowers was not near so great as a few years ago. The crowds appear to have been orderly on the whole, but I have heard complaints of rowdy conduct. Thanks to the correspondent who sends the following :—A dignitary of the Church, en. quiring into the causes of unemployment, thus ) addressed, the other evening, one of the human derelicts on the Embankment:— "WeB, my good fellow, what is your pro- fession?" guv'nor, puriession, me, who are jer gettin' at?" "\VeIl, then. what do you do for a. living?" "Oh! I'm a picker." "What do you mean by that?" "It's like this. In the summer I goes dahn to the country, and picks fruit; arterwards, I picks 'ops; then I comes back to London, an' picks pockets, and the rest of the time I'm p'ekin oakum, see? Now yer know what & picker is!" i • Mr. Evan Thomas, the Rhymney Valley miners' agent, whose death three weeks ago, was deeply regretted by all sections of the com- munity, had long been marked out for Parlia- mentary honours. Had he been spared he would, no doubt, in time have taken his place at St. Stephen's. In November, 1907, he was adopted by the members of the Miners' Federa- tion as candidate for the East Glamorgan division, on the retirement of Sir Aifred Thomas. When the ballot was taken the choice lay between Mr. Evan Thomas and Mr. Thomas Andrews, checkweigher, Treharris, the former receiving 9,882 votes and the latter 6,828. No steps have yet been taken to select another candidate, but it is believed that if another ballot is taken the choice will fall upon Mr. Andrews, who is very popular in the division, A conference of delegates form Unitarian Churches in South-east Wales was held at Swansea, last Thursday, and it was one of the largest that has taken place for many years. Mr. Gomer L. Thomas, of Merthyr, who is president of the South-east Wales Society, presided over the business meetings, and he made some interesting observations on the relation of Socialism to Nonconformity. The excellent handbook on The Origin of the Place Names in Wales," published originally in The Merthyr Express," and subsequently published in book form, from the pen of the Rev. T. Morgan, now of Skewen, Neath, which has been out of print for many years, is about to be re-published by Mr- Southall, of Newport. It was prepared for "The Merthyr Express Prize Competition in 1885, and having taken first- prize was printed. fr, Thomas Powell, deputy-superintendent registrar for the Union, has been appointed registrar of births and deaths for the Merthyr Upper Sub-District. There were twenty appli- cants for the post, and the voting for two or three of them was very close. In the first and second rounds Mr. Ll. Richards, warrant offiicer, was first, but in the final round he was beaten by Mr. Powell, who received 25 votes aganst Mr. Richards' 23. The appointment is a very popular one. Mr. Powell, who is well known throughout the district, camo to Merthyr twenty years ago, when he entered the service of Mr. T. F. James, with whom he has been ever since. For fourteen years he has acted as deputy-registrar for the Union, and is, there- fore, intimately acquainted with the work. At the close of the meeting of the Merthyr Town Council, on Tuesday, Councillor J. W. Lewis suggested that the time had arrived when Colonel D. Rees Lewis should have the freedom of the borough conferred upon him. It was agreed that the matter should be considered later, as this was a special meeting called for a special purpose. ♦ Before leaving Liverpool Mr. Granville Bantock, the composer of Omar Khayyam," took the opportunity to express in writing his obligations to and appreciation of Mr. Harry E vans, and the Welsu Choral Umon for their fine performance of that work—the first given in the city. The following extract from the letter, which is written to Mr. Harry Evans, will be road with interest by the latter's many friends and well-wishers, in and out of his native Dowlais, as affording evidence that Welsh singers have cast off the reproach of being able to sing only the works which their fathers and their mothers sang :—" I cannot recall any performance that moved me so much, and that brought out the subtler lights and shadings with such effective results. I am almost inclined to believe that I must be half a Welsh- man (I wish it were so), for the choir seemed to grasp and realise the significance of the poem and the music to a wonderful degree." From so eminent a source this is praise indeed. The Merthyr Association Team were not successful in the final for the South Wales and Monmouthshire Senior Cup, last Saturday, it would have been a. great feat to have won the trophy in their first season, but they had played so well that their supporters were confident they would overcome Ton. They" could not rise to the occasion, however, and were beaten by two goals to nil, Ton's greater experience in cup-tie football aiding them materially. Though defeated, the Merthyr men were not by any I means disgraced. Better luck next time. At the meeting of the Sites and Buildings Committee of the Merthyr Education Authority, on Tuesday, a rather warm discussion took place as to whether the plans for the proposed new school at Gcllifaelog should be" prepared by Mr. F. Thackeray, the deputy-surveyor, or Mr. LI. Smith, to whom the work of drawing plans for schools erected in recent years has been entrusted. There was a distinct under- standing when Mr. Thackeray was engaged as deputy-surveyor in 1907, that plans for all new buildings should be prepared by him; indeed, one reason why he was appointed was to save the expense of engaging an outside architect. It seems strange, therefore, that members of the Corporation should still be in favour of this work being done by Mr. Smith. Would any mail in private business engage an expert to do special work, and then pay an outsider for doing it ? I think not. It seems a waste of money to place the work in the hands of an outside archi. tect if it can be done by a servant of the Corporation. < « Eloquent tributes wefre paid to Colonel D. R. Lewis, on Friday night last, when he was prese- ted with a marble bust of himself, a handsome address in book form, and several magnificent pieces of plate. Merthyr people are justly proud of the gallant colonel, who for nearly half-a-century has rendered excellent service to the town. It will be the wish of all that he may long be spared to assist, as he has done in the past, all movements for the uplifting of his fellows. t I The other day a clever trick was played upon a Merthyr constable in High-street. A boy was walking up the street with what appeared to be ] a" cigarette in his mouth. The constable pounced upon the boy and seized what he thought was a cigarette, but wt arorad te be a match or piece of stick neatly wrapped up in white paper. Some colliers who were near had put the boy up to the trick, and they enjoyed a good laugh when they saw Robert taken in." The constable's feelings can be better imagined than described. in common with their kinsmen all the world over, local Jews have this week been celebrating the Feast of the Passover To the orthodox Jews this is a very notable occasion, com- memorating the day of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. The festival commenced at sunset on Monday and lasts a week, It has been rumoured in the Parliamentarj lobbies that ere long a well-known Welsh M.P. will be transferred to the Upper House. He is said to be one of the most highly-rospected members of the House of Commons, sitting foi a Welsh constituency, and has long occupied foremost place in relation to the affairs of the Principality—political and general. Who cac he be ? At the Glamorgan Quarter Sessions, oe Tuesday, the chairman (Mr. Rhys WilJiam referred to an amount of £:{,OOi), compensation funds paid by the Inland Revenue authority in mistake to the Merthyr licensing authority instead of to the county. The county applied that the sum be repaid, but the Inland Revenue authorities demurred. The county had taken counsel's opjnjo:1 on the subject, and was advised to aok for repayment, and to say that )f this was not done by the 21st instant a mandamus should be applied for. It was decided to act en this opinion. « The Government are in earnest in regard to Welsh DIsestablishment. On Tuesday after- noon the Prime Minister announced that the Bill will be introduced on the 21st inst. This obviated the necessity of Sir Alfred Thomas, Chairman of the Welsh Party, waiting on Air. Asquith the same evening, as had been arranged, in order to urge on behalf of the party that the measure should be produced without delay. It is recognised on all hands that the secodA reading must be deferred until after Whitsuntide* by which time it is hoped that the report of tho Wehh Church Commission will have been issued. Mr. Asquith, who introduced the Bill of 1895- then being Home Secretary, will have charge of this year's measure and Mr Lloyd George and Sir Samuel Evans, the Solicitor-General, will be associated with him in its conduct through the House. It is understood that the new Bill will be very much on the lines of that of fourteen years ago. The Government have had tha advantage of seeing draft proposals put forward on behalf of the members for the Principality, and in one or two respects they may be adopted. < The other morning a milkman, with hit ever-ready and obliging remark on the weather, knocked at the door of one of his most tired customers. Good morning, ma'am; looks like rain this morning, ma'am," said he, as he poured the millr into the jug. So it does," replied the housewife, haven't you any that Uoka more like milk ?" »OLONlU»

The Ynysfach Murder. CLEAVE TO APPEAL APPLIED FOB* PRISONER'S DEMEANOUR. William Joseph Foy. who was death at the Assizes last week for the murder of Mary Ann Rees, at Ynysfach, on the 24th December last, occupies the condemned cell at Swansea prison. It. is stated that he chats free- ly with his warders—he is, of course, watched day and night—and appears to be interested in I football matters. He sleeps on a feather bed, has a fire in the cell, and is supplied with peri- odicals and tobacco. I The greatest sympathy is felt in the town with the family of the condemned man, who live air Penyard. They are stricken with grief, and the prisoner's sister is far from well. There is evrfty probability that the verdict will be appealed against in the court of Crim« inal Appeal. Notice of application for leave to appeal has been prepared by Mr. J. T., Vaughan (of -the firm of Messrs. J Vaughan and Son, solicitors, Merthyr), who instructed counsel for the defence. The notice was signed by the prisoner, and has been lodged with tha Court of Criminal Appeal registrar. The result will not be known before Monday. The pro. cedure in these cases is that one judge of the Court of Appeal will decide whether leave to appeal shall be granted; if granted, two or more judges will re-hear the case. The date of execution has not yet been fix