The Merthyr Express

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE CONTINUED j THE Cytarxrta AND MBETHYB MUNICIPAL Bafd will perform at the Thomaatown Recrea- tion Ground, at 7 30 p.m. on Thursday next Zios CHAV_U—The Bryn Juvenile Choir will give a performance of the cantata entitled "Ymgom yr Adar," at Zion Chapel, Twyny- todyn, Merthyr, on Thursday, May 27th, under the conductorship of Mr. Edward Evans. AMATEUR THEATRICALS.—The Merthyr Ama- teur Theatrical Society have handed to the District Visiting Society the handsome sum of jE21 16s. 7d., the proceeds of their recent per- formance, a result which is most gratifying to all concerned, POLlCE CONCERT.—Th« concert and assault- at-arms, given at the rill Hall. on Thursday ni-rht, under the auspices of' the Merthyr Borough Police l orce, and in aid of the police benevolent fund, was a f.reat success. A detailed report will be c-iver\ next veek. THm V, GEKHOTJ3E.—The follov.ing have sent newspapers and magazines for the use of the inmates >!rs. Harvey, Courtland-terrace Mrs. A. Fennell Jones, lush Supply; Nft. Jores, librarian, Arcade Library Mrs. Jones, 3. Aber-, morlais- terrace; Miss ]..a,ll ra. E. i'liama, 10 Williams-square, Olereland; Mr. Rhys Davies Courtland- teme NATIONAL OF CLEEKS.—The half- nearly meeting of the MetsthyT branch was held at OllLi's Restaurant, on Tuesday, the prwident in t'ie chair. It was decided to abandon the outing to GEhvcru at 1. repeat, and to arrange foT., a. social evening later on. Final instractions were given to the braOO-hdelegate regarding the Bristol conference on Whit-Monday. I VIT >RT>v CHAPKL.—e<:t; Sunday. May_ 23, the preacher will be Rev. F. ^Blount Mott. late of Boston, U.S.A. He^ar discourse both- raomiriJT and evening on Great .AmericaTis. f in the morning;" -dw&l<l" Everett ll^le," .and 4 evening, President Lincoln." Mr. Notfe- » personal friertd of Rev. Edward Everett Hate who is at present oBaplian tb the United States Senate. ZoAB BAND OR Hoft.-On Thursday evening the Zoar Band. of Hope gave their annual concert j at Zoar Hall, when a very large and appreciative audience listened to the children, who went through their allotted parts with great success, showing that their leader; IIL J. R. Davies, had beeu very pwiistaking and diligent with them The >ook aetected was The Holiday Concert." a spirited and lively work, giving ample scope to soloists and chorus, all being rendered by boys and girls under 16. The instrumentalists were:—Miss Lilian Thomas and Mr. Tom. Jenkins; the staf e arrangements were attended to by Mr. J. Williams and Mr. W. Lloyd Jenkins dresses, etc., by Miss Blodwen Jenkins^ Miss Megan Jonea and Mrs. Lewis. Rev. J. Thomas presided. MEBTHTE UNION LADIES' VBITINO COM- MITTEE.—The annual tea and concert to the inmates of the Workhouse were given by the Ladies' Visiting Committee on Thursday week. The ladies received most valuable help from Mrs. Williams, the Matron, ayad the oncers, and it was evident that the function was greatly enjoyed by the inmates in every ward. was taken that those in thè sick ward and ffiir children were made to evioy, themselves to the foil. The catering of Mr. King-Price was all that could be desired. An excellent concert had been arranged by Mrs. Wills, Victoria-street. and the committee. They were well repaid for all the energy they had displayed in provi- ding such a. high-class COnneTt. The rrogrltmme was as followsPianoforte duet, Misses Jatnes and A. M. Davies song, Mr. Owen comic sohgr Mr. Matt de Lacey song, Miss Connie Weeks rec-itation, Min Joan Lewis; pianoforte solo. Miss Price; Geisha Lririie chorus, class of senior girls, Town School song, Miss Halloran violin and pianofone duet, Mr. and Mrs. Barry; club drill, Master Victor Williams song, Miss Annie M. Davies; song, Miss Johnstone; physical exercise drill, class Abermorfais Boys; Mne, Mrs. W. Harris; dueiv'Mdss Davies .and Tiddie Thomas; song,. Miss A. Watts. The committee desire to thank the artistea and Miss John (Dowlais) and Mr. W. Harris (Merthyr), who prepared the school classes for the concert, for kind contribution to what"Nas, undoubtedly, a splendid treat, not only to the Union inmates, but for all the friends, who attended. The accompanists were Mlse A. M. Davies, Mr. Gwilym Lewis, and Mr..Phillips (Dowlais). Mrs. J. Gomer Jones presided. Votes of thariks followed by the singing of "Hen Wtad fy Nhadau brought the proeiedings to a close.

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In and Out of the Merthyr County Borough Council. [By COUNCILLOR DAN THOMAS.] Our Stipendiary is righteously indignant at the action of certain of his inexperienced col- leagues. Sir Marchant has metaphorically wrapped our Mayor and a fellow magistrate over the knuckles for being over generous be- fore being just and judicial. Sir Marchant is always outspoken, very commendably so, and generally d-xilaims at tha right moment- His latest outburst was justifiable, for if there be not some sort of uniformity in the fines im- posed, the administration of the law is made* to appear ridiculous. Of course, allowance; have to be made on the scOre of inexperience, but our local and untrained J.P.'s should be more careful in their actions and utterances, and in the absence of the Stipendiary. i-houkf look for guidance' to their patient and learned ci-rkv Wè i netfly .f oreated justices are a,, very mixed lot-level headed business men undoubtedly, but lacking legal knowlpdgs and the intricittB ways of our police-court. They require to closely study that t.Jme of legal knowledge, "Stone's Just- es' Manual"; so without, I hope, giving oft'?nce. I sugge-t the formation of a class, composed of our new magistrates and ambitious would-be's for a course of lesions in the elementary prin- ciples of judicial procedure and adhuniscation. Perhaps the valiant Sir Marchant miht. in the interests of justice, be induced to resume the role of tutor and conduct the cla. s. Tlif Mayor's reply and explanation do not improve matters. He should recollect that silence i golden. Merthyr Guardians apparently are tenacious of office. They display a reluctance to yidd up a position which affords opportunities of being generous at the public expense, and frequently of bestowini favours in the way of lucrative appointment- They prote.-t", but happily too against being shorn of these honours. This is th" conclusion to be arrived at from the Mer- thvr Board of Guardians' action on Saturday last. when the Rector of Dowlais sought to stem the tide of progress and reform by a dis- approving resolution of the Govreriment s inten- tion to abolish Boards of Guardians. It i .amusing to not,o th^ tone of the remon -tranoe— itrau m-i-ft there was none, so far as can be gathered. Why cannot members- of County Councils in the future, coming thev do from the very identical districts as the- Guardians thf^y yupplaru, be a- human and ta3cii the same interest in their unfortunate neighbours as is done now. I know this, that Councillors can b^ as sympathetic and as kind to the poor as Cleric-, of the orthodox and unorthodox order. Ministers do not possess a monopoly of the virtues requisite in those who have to look after the poor. The Rector of Dowlais must know that a Bill is now before Parliament to remove the disqualification o: a clergyman being a council- lor. We may predict that soon the rev. gentle- man will be a councillor, or perhaps a fully-fledged alderman, and then things would be O.K. It is too late in the day to argue that no change is demanded in poor law administration. Ha. the rev. gentleman so soon forgotten the ex- posures of West Ham. Poplar, Mile End. and other places? Speaking generally, our Boarcl, of Guard ans are not composed of busi n°ss men. and ratepayers suffer through exces- sive generosity. The Rector himself S'èems to b? finding fault with the Board for its extraya gance, especially in the matter of appo ntins. new official., Only lately the Government Auditor brought the Guardians and its officers to book for a too liberal dispensation of relief to undeserving applicants and to others who should be properly maintained by r-elatives. Last week I pointed out that for the current half- year, relief had gone up from £ 8.847 to £ 10,480 -an increased rate of slightl-y over lid. in the £ A radical change is imperative, especially in Merthyr Councillor William Lewis, of Penydarren, figures just now as the champion of licensed victuallers—a strange position for such a pro nounc^d advocate of temperance, of Good Tem- pi.mm. and all the other "isms" of the irrecon- cilable opponents of the Trade. The ocra ion wa, the discussion following, the application for an unrestricted theatrical lie nee for our local Temnle of Theseus. Councilor Lewis, in;in cerely I am sure, contended,. that no licence should b? granted in fairnes to publicans, who must, lie argued, be* prejudicially affected bv the opening of the Theatre bars. What wm Councillor Lewis's trends think of his cham- pioning of publicans' interests? My colleague ad mi-ted he was lacking in words to enforce his meaning and contention. He also lacked sen- sible argument, with the result tholt the appli- cation was granted-bv a large majority. W,hat is famijiar'y known .is the "no rate-aid policy" has possibly in^h? p&st met with some encouragement, but now that the truth snd the whole truth is being' pnblicly proclaïmfXl. the sacerdotal oppression of.the non-provided schools becomes lesi effective; For acting ecju-.tabiy in the spending of public. moneys for educa- tional purposes, Councillor Griffiths, of P?ny- darren, has been h?!d up as a, traitor to N r, conformist his --hort-sighi -aye, unreasona-ble> colleague of "the gvoup" ttctullllv had- the audacity ,to; cut, hira outt and cast turn adrift.Councillor /jrifhtlw does net seem to be-aftything for .being' pre- 'vented from taking ptrt-. in the conclaves of ,.thegronp,and I observe, that, he is still active in promoting the best ittre-rests of hiv ward. By his sturdy independence and advocacy of fatr play and right, the junior member for the Penydarren Ward has also given umbrage tc certain cliques, and by hook or by crock, some of the unreasonable ones thought to hae Coun cillor Isaac Edwards' scalp also.. They have been thwarted and repulsed. If these individu- als would realise the position, they wouid ad- mit this to be trite but I am asking for too great a sacrifice. On Tuesday night. at Eliza- 5 beth-etreet Chapel, Dowlais—-o I am informed I by a. veracious correspondent of that place- there was a mi-eting of the Fre9 Church Coun- cil or party-I am not certain which. The agenda provided for a discussion on the policy of the Free Churches in relation to the action of the Merthyr County Borough Council. To the observant, one. it was apparent that such a discussion afforded the opportunity for an at- tack upon Councillor Edwards for his recent itrzt treatment of the Roman Catholic Schooh at the Council. Whether invited or not, 1 i cannot say, but Councillor Edwards wap pre- j sent, and, more, was equahto the occasion. He showed that the Catholic friends had been and -were being unfairly treated: and that to far back as 1906-7, to quote the words of the Government Auditor, "the Authority do not appear to have expended upon the non-provid'- ed schools the income derived from Govern- PIlent grants and endowments due to these j schools, for there was an apparent surplus of £ 204 on the year's working A serious indict- menr. and an unjustifiable diversion of moneys. Similar tales can be told for the years 1907-8 and 1908 9. and stall we shall hear the parrot cry of no rate-aid for denominational schools, Councillor Edwards' explanation brought forth a deserved vote of congdgnce., Th9 Government Auditors report, which I truc-t will be published in the "Express" in extenso, makes very entertaining reading. Mr. Propert ckarly explains the position of the recipients of public irioneys- in connection with th9 grant of Incorporation, besides elucidating other problems which were put forward at the recent audit. His observations on educational matters generally, and on the financial aspect of that question, are, however, the most >nter- esting. The report deserves most careful con- sideratioa. and I would especially emphasise one paragraph which indicates how the Educa- tion Authority can existence, and do some good work in curtailing expenses by not over-staffing our schpel.Si • ,ai)d; in; more carefully scrutinising the general .expenditure. Auditor Propert very cogently .say^: "If some of the schools can be t.maintajpad ..without recourse to the rates there is -gtfcd ground for alleging j that considerable economies, couid. be effected in other khcools. maintained, by the- Council which appear to requijre Substantial subventions f- the rites, year bV y^r." Such .a consum- mation as selP^upportHlgi, Spools would make ratepayers truly happy. Alderman Bsrr-y, in explaining his connec- j tion with the 'Incorporation payments, made an attempt to be witty by suggesting that he was providing a paragraph for these notes. No prompting of that kind 'was re- quired. Alderman Berry, flaunting a letter from Councillor Simons stating that he was en- titled to the fees allowed on taxation, de. dared tha he would make no such restitu- tion as the Auditor suggests, viz., repayment of 24 Is. 4d. But in this connection I cannot help calling to mind the indignation aroused during the exposures at the bare implication that witnesses had been paid too much. Even II in your "Gossip" column, there appeared on January 30th last the following. "As Alderman Berry was not paid anything in excess of the sum to which he was entitled, there was ob- viously no occasion for him to refund any money, neither wa the suggestion ever made that he should." Auditor Propert holds a con- trary opinion, and says- that it would remove all grounds of oomplAintiCthe £ 4 Is 4d. were refunded. Other witnesses are in the same boat and should have regard to the Auditor's frankly expressed opinion. The Auditor's ^uncharge of; £ 50 paid by the autocratic Overseers for 1907-3 to their Assist- ant. Mr. Gilbert Evans, gave rise to a lively -if short—discussion on Monday last. The Council were invitsd by the Local Government Board to express an opinion upon the sur- charge, and the majority of Councillors pre- sent did "0 most unequivocally by declaring that Mr. Gilbert Evans was not entitled to the £ 50, and that the Auditor acted properly and legally in disallowing the amount. I may b, cxcuaed for again .placing this question plainly before your readers, and the,facts adduced are duly recorded in -the official. minutes of the Council. Mr. Evans was appointed Assist- j ant Overreer oti the 4th December, 1896, at a salary of £ 200 a. year, his'stipulated duties in- eluding the performance, of "all duties imposed by law upon overseers or assistant overseers." The most important of these duties is the mak ing of valuation lists. In November, 1900, Mr. Evans w granted an increase of J650 per annum, and on the 1st January, 1904, a further increase of 2,30, making the present salary £ 230 per annum. During January. 1908, a committee was spec- jally appointed to investigate the terms of the appointments of. assistant .overseers, and "for the purpose of appertaining whether the work in Question—preparing valuation lists—was not | included in their duties." The Committee, in due course, reported as follows:— The Committee consider the original ap- pointment of Mr. Evan8 as assistant over- seer includes the preparation of all valua- tion lists, this duty being one of those imposed upon overseers and assistant over- seers by Statute, and they are of opinion thai neither Mr. Evans nor the other assist- ant overseers are entitled to any extra re- muneration therefor The Committee are also of opinion that the work in question is part. of the ordinary duty of the clerical etalf in the Rates Department. Nothing, I imagine, cou!d be more definite thilu this expression of opinion. It is very significant that at the Council meeting on the 16th March. when the Committee's report came up for adoption, two of thp overseers sought its rejection or further reference to the Commit- tee. After a warm d;scusion.-an-. amendment, moved by Councillor Houison, seconded -by .iCOunciltor Danie^-rtwq 01 the- oversetetj^-was. .re-jjectod bv 17 votes'to 7.- There couTd' be"no' dblilH. after sudr C'an Emphatic decision, thM the Council did not intend giving any gratuity either to Mr. Gilbert Evans or his assistant-. The overseers' subsequent actions must hav-2 been with full cognisance that payment for pre- paring valuation lists were illegal, and over- seers who signed the cheque must, therefore, bear the consequence of their far too generous dealings with a well-paid official. Now the General Purposes CommittM have further con- firmed this view of Mr. Evans's relations with the Council and of the duties he and his col- leagues have to perform. The overseers or who signed the cheque have got them selves into a difficulty, and they must extricate themselves as be>t as they can. The Councn is not going to assist them. How very imaginative and susceptible school- master, are now-a-days. Ev-H tho mjluost of friendly criticism they regard with fears of apprehension that their friends will have upon perusal of such comments a wrong impression of the subject matter di-cussed. La"t week re- farence was made in this column to that praise- worthy notice of mot-on. standing in the name of Councillor John Davies, of Cvfar-thfa. "That all head teachers in charge of a school wher,= .1 school house is provided, be required to pay the annual value of such house. Its sweet rea.onah;enos, must have comm>n<i"d the motion, and doubtless the principle enunciated, would- have b-.en anproved. for there may be 'some slight difficulties so far as existing agree- ments are concerned. Whv Mr. Davies withdrew is no secret. Mr. William Jones. the master of the Georgetown '•School, writes:—"Your notes have given the impression to some people that I. had a nana .—flocretly, of course—in the motion. Why "of course?" The motion was a proper one, a commendable one. and some years ago Mr. .10n,<>o8 admits that he endeavoured to remove the anomaly of -some masters having residences free wbile 'Dth,-r-, had to pay rent. Mr. Jones declares he had absolutely nothing to do with the motion, and, I presume, its withdrawal. Having made this statement.. I trust Mr Jones'? position has been made clear, ana tha"- he will be satisfied.

Whitsuntide Attractions at Merthyr. GALA AND HORSE SHOW AT PENYDARREN PARK. A very attractive programme has baen ar- ranged tor Whitsuntide at Merthyr. A Fete and Gala. Sport;, and Horse Show will take place on the Penydarren Park during the firsi three days. No expense ha., been spared to make the show one of the biggest in Waies. The programme of variety artistes will alone b3 worth tho admission money. Topping the bili is to be a brilliant performance by that world famous high rope periormer, Don Pedro, who causes thrills of excitement by his daring exploits over 60ft. in the air. Don Pedro h2. not been seen to advantage hitherto in Merthyr, and his appearance here on this occasion means an entirely new and more sensationa. how. Another very sensational event will be the Alexandra Trio, who will create excitement and I wonder by their clover and amazing tricks on the flying trapeze. Tg, thosi in search of real the flying trapeze. Tg, thosi in search of real Co tiled v, provi.on will be made by J. he Carl seus, who will introduce a comic speciality act. introducing the trampoline table, and give I an en tiibition of comic Jails, back and forward somersaults, and a dozen oth,:r Dovel acrobatic tumbling feats Lovers-of animals will be given a treat by the appearance -of Lieut. Chardo, whose dogs are admitted to be the smarte t and cleverest on tour Then the chil- dren and parent will ba highly amused by Professor Maoiiey's Roya! Punch and Judy Show. introducing the dog "Toby." Wheciers I will also be catered for by the expensive en- eagement of the "Cycling Cyclists." trek cycle rider, who Wilt play a football match on cycles. j The .Richards Trio will give a comedy acro- but-ie show.. "Ih? Mezettis," the world's great- est triple bar performers, have also been en- I gaged at considerable expense. A comedy act wiii be the Atnio Trio, and everyone fc'heuld witness the high frame on human pedestr- All j the fer^oirr: artistes are to appear t-yice daily, | and wiu perform on a large etage, 4G- t. by 30ft.. f m full view of the spectators from ail parts of j the field. On Monday' and Tuesday a monstrc i sporfti mesHng^nll be held, .inciua'i:ig the j650 I open handicap. The number of enr.i; already j constitute a record, and entrigs are still coming In. No other sports in NVales will provide talent- such a? will be ^een at the Penydarren Park. Jn the Horse Show on Wednesday, the entries are numerous. On Monday a pro- gramme of music will be provided by the Bat I t-a'ion Band of tbe Brecknock Territorial Regi- ment on Tuesday, by tho Aberdare Town Priae Band. and on Wednesday by tho Cyf arthfa and Merthyr Municipal Band: sod each evening there will be dancing on thco, green. Firaworks will be provided by Messrs. W. and i T. Wilders. of Birmingham. 0n« dev.ee, "Tho Victoria F'alls, alone will cover 1.000 square feet.

♦ Theatre Royal, Merthyr. Mr. George Musprove's Principal Company. under the management of Messrs. J. Bannister Howard and Alexandra Leizhton. are this week presenting the ever-poonlar musical comedy. "The Belle of New York." which is evidently one of those pieces vhich the public refuse to 7ot tired of. It has lost none of its old attractive- ness, and the songs and dances are as bright as ever. The company is a thorougly repre- sentative one, the' principal characters being taken by aristes of repute, some of whom were here in their respective roles at the last visit. La Caressante," the new waltz scene in the last act, by Miss Winnie Browne and Mr. Stephen Hall, is something quite apart from ordinary stage dancing, and, as a remarkably clever number, is abundantly applauded. Miss ordinary stage dancing, and, as a remarkably clever number, is abundantly applauded. Miss Browne's dresses and millinery were also much admired. Mr. John Sandbrook, who imper- sonates Fricot (Harry Bronson's chef), has local associations^ and will be best remembered as the famous Dowlais baritone, who won a free entrance scholarship to the Royal College of of Music, London. Mr. Sandbrook's two-fold success, as a vocalist on the musical stage and on the concert platform, must be very grati- fying. THF, STLv-ER KING." That ever-green and popular drama, The Silver King," will be produced next week by Messrs. G. M. Polini and Austin Melford's Company. It is over 26 years since the Silver King" was first produced by the late Wilson Barrett at the Princess Theatre, London, when it took the play-going public by storm, and it is still being played to crowded houses in every town in the country. Mr. Fred D. Davis, who takes the title-kole, was for many years a member of the late Sir Henry Irving's Company. The part of" Nellie Denver" is in the hands of Miss Madge Morley, who gives an excellent rendering of the character, while Mr. El J. George is the Jaikes," a role he has enacted for over 25 years-a record for any actor on the stage. Other parts in a long cast are in good hands. Crowded houses should witness this splendid drama—Wilson Barrett's greatest success:

Bargoed Liberal Club and Former Secretary. A CLAIM AND COUNTER CLAIM. The case of Edward Hopkm Thomas against the Officers and Committee of the Bargoed Lib- craol Club, which was heard by His Honour Judge Bryn Roberts at the Merthyr County Court in April, was mentioned on Thursday at Merthyr by Mr. Ebsworth.—The plaintiff, a former steward of the club, made # claim for wages, and the defendants counter-claimed for shortage of stock and for the refundment of JM, which he was said to have been wrongfully Ipaid, and had agreed to restore. Mr. Ebs- j worth said that the accounts were referred to the Registrar, who had found that there was due to the plaintiff on the claim £ 10 2s., and to the defendants on the counter-claim £ 26 9s. 2d. The Registrar, in his certificate, had given no grounds for his' decision, and had not specified the particular items allowed or dis- allowed, so that he did not know whether he should accept the finding or apply for a varia- tion.—Mr Prosser, for the defendants, urged that the certificate was in order, and His Hon- our gave judgment in accordance with its terms.

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Merthyr Board of Guardians. POOR LAW COMMISSION'S REPORT. SHOULD BOARDS OF GUARDIANS BE DISSOLVED? The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday, Mr. David Hopkins presid- ing. The Rev. J. O'Reilly asked to be allowed to resign his seat on the Assessment Committee, and desired, as it had been the custom for every parish to be represented on that com- mittee, that Mr. David Evans, Hirwain, should be elected to fill his place.—The Board, how- ever. declined to accept the suggestion. The Visiting Committee reported that steps leading from the yard to the kitchen at the House were in a dartgerouis condition,- and the matter was referred ta.. the.. Bvu^din^ Qspimit- tee.—-The Rev; J. H. DaV^s fiaid1 that r&eentl'y a- miikman fell over the steps in -question. It was reported that Mr. John Prowle had been elected chairman, and Mrs. D. M. Rich- ards vica-chairman, of the Children's Homes Committee. Herbert Jones, of Cinder Tip Cottage, Aber- nant, appeared before the Board, as it had been reported that he had received outdoor re- lief, and did not disclo-e the fact that he re- ceivod a. weekly sum from Workmen's Out-of- Work Fund.—The Board considered that the man had not broken the rules, and decided that he-be not asked to repay the money. TREND OF LEGISLATION. The Rector of Dowlais moved:—"That this Board disapproves of the proposal, made in the Poor Law Commission Report, to dissolve all Boards of Guardians, and to place the work upon a County Council Commitvee. con-idermg as it does that the same personal interest and care now bestowed by Guardians in Rural Unions, both for tho poor and the ratepayers, could not oe -§ib,y be continued by such a. body." He said he was sure that in rural districts the poor would suffer, and in places like Merthyr I and Dowlais it would ba impossible for any- body to took after the poor properly under rtie suggested conditions. He was strongly of opin- ion that the present legi-lation of the country was going in. the wrong direction. It was a great mistake to take away the work of educa- tion from school boards, and it would also be a mistake to do away with Board-s of Guard- ians. Education had suffered terribly during the last few years—Mr. T. T. Jenkins: Ques- tion.-The Rector: Mr. Jenkins can only look at it from one standpoint. (laughter). —The Chairman suggested leaving out the word rur;af- and the Rector agreed.—Mr. David Evans (Merthyr) seconded the proposition. He said that the Tory Government gave Guard- ans a free hand, but the Liberal and I.L.P. Government were increasing the qualification for membership on local governing authorities, and were taking away their franchise. They were going back to the ways of the sixteenth century. Mr. W. Harris moved the previous question. He denied the allegation that education had uffered under the new conditions; education to-day was far n advance. of what it was under the old School Boards. The train of thought was to put everything on one spending author- ity To-dav Guardians were only like a lot of puppet*. NTr. T T. Jenkins supported the amendment. He said there was not a more in- telligent and sympathetic body in the country than Boards of Guardians (laughter),—Mr. T. Andrews said the doing away with Boards of Guardians would result in poor-law affairs being administered mechanically. And the humane .iyst-m of giving relief would b abolished. Mr. W. Hiley urged that Town Councils were alreadv overworked, so that on account o. the srreater length of time that would have to be devoted to pub'ic work, working men would be prevented from being elected. If working men produced the wealth of the country, they should have a voice in the spending of it.-The motion was carried, and ordered to be sent to the President of the Local Government Board. A NEW OFFICER. Mrs. M. T Williams moved: "That steps be taken to carry out the resolution of the Board to appoint a female assistant relieving officer.. and that, the House Management Committee be directed to report as to the duties, salaries, and other terms of appointment.' She said that the Clerk had made inquiries in other unions where a female officer had been appointed, and in each case the appointment had been an un Qualified success.—-Mrs. M. A. Evans seconded. She pointed to cases where people tried to get tobacco and drunk, instead of food with the relief tickets, and said she believed that a woman wouid be able to speak to and advise those of their own sex.—The Rev. Thos. Rees moved that no such steps be taken.—The Rev. J O'Reilly, in seconding, said that to-day pau- pers were already over and visited. No- one he- said. had a right to question how a perfon'-silent his or her money, and so the poor had a ri¡Hît to dispose of therr t ckcts as they thöttcht fij- Tne motion was carried. The I-ector or Dowlils asked icr a Tetnrn howm," thfe number of new offices created dur- ing the last 'twelve months, and aiJo the cost.— Mr. T\ T. Jenkins: And the opinion a<5 to the-efficiency of the staff.Mr. W Harris And the amount saved in the case of the barber and the fitter. MERTHYR OVERSEERS. Some time ago, the Merthyr Corporation ap- pointed eight overseers for the parish-one for each ward—and ex-Alderman David Evans then raised a question as to the legality of appoint- ing that number. The Council afterwards, being advised that they had exceeded the limit, made a fresh appointment of six, but Mr. Evans still cbauenged its validity, contending that they hd power to elect only four, and he in- duced li, (-lk-Ard of Guardians to seek enlight- enment. from the Local Government Board. On Saturday a letter was read from the de- partment in London saying that under Section 1 of the Poor Relief Act, of 1601, the appoint- ment of not less than two nor more than four overseers was required in every parish. Under Section II. of the Poor Law Amendment Act, of 1861, one overseer only might in certain cir- cumstances be appointed. Where Section 5 (2a) of the Local Government Act of 1894 a.p- plied an additional number of overseers might be appointed to replace churchwardens.—Mr. David Evans: It means that the ex-alderman is right.—1The Clerk: I entirely differ from him {laughter). This letter confirms my advice to the Board. Mr. Evans said the Guardians wotifd 'find out its mistake; wnen an appeal against an' assessment was heard at quarter sessions. LOWER MEDICAL DISTRICTS. The Committee appointed .to consider the question of the Troedyrhiw and Merthyr Lower medical ye'Iief districts, and .the Merthyr Vale and Troe'dyrhiw public vadctnators' districts, re- ported as followg:-The letters of the Local Government Board declining to agree to the proposed re-arrangement- of jpublic vaccinators' districts, and stating their willingness to assent d* I to the proposed division of the Troedyrhiw Medical Relief District, but Suggesting an in- crease .in-t,oo salaries proposed, were submitted to thq Committee. The Committee recom- mended that the salary of the medical officer of the upper district, to be balled the "Troedy- rhiw" District, be J330 per annum, and that of the medical officer of the lower district, to be called the "Merthyr Vale" district, be JB15 per annum. In the latter case* the district medical offieeV will also hold the office of public vaccin- ator. -The Committee ftfrtfrer recommended that the Clerk be directed to write to the medical men residing in the respective districts, invitinitap.plications for the poets. The Local Government Board having, declined to sanction th^ Guardians' scheme for re-arranging the medicaJt jelief and public "vaccinators' districts throughout. the Union, the -Committee recom- mended. that Dr. W. W. Jones, who was ap. pointed. ,temporarily to the offices of medical ofBoer for-tho Merthyr Lower District and pub- lic. vaccinator--for the Troedyrhiw District, be now-, appointed permanently to those offices.- The repcust was adopted.

WHiisun Holiday Excursions. The beautiful mild weather of the last few days has stimulated the holiday makers, and already folks are commencing to make arrange- ments for their annual indulgence. The rail- way companies, as usual, have been busily en- gaged re-arranging their services in anticipa- tion of the rush from business, and the pro- gramme of the London and North-Westem Railway Company is a particularly attractive one. An announcement for the Whitsun Holi- day will be found in our advertising columns setting forth excursions to Scotland and In- land, the delightful resorts of North Wales and Lancashire seaside towns, Yorkshire and the North East Coast, the charming English Lakes, Isle of Man, also London, Birmingham, etc. Day tripB will be run on Whit-Monday to Shrewsbury, Liverpool, and Manchester, etc. Those who have not yet decided where to go and how to get there, should lose no time in securing copies of handbills giving full particu- lars, at the company's stations.

Brecon Bankrupt's Discharge. On Thursday, at the Merthyr County Court, Mr. Spickernell applied for the discharge of Howell Griffiths, carpenter, Brecon, who was adjudicated bankrupt in 1892. He explained that except to Messrs. Young and Co., hard- waro merohAnte, Wolverhampton, who seemed to haVia given up business, for they could not be traced, the bankrupt had paid, through his so- licitors, the difference between the dividend de- clared and 20s. in the £ to all creditors who had proved their debts, to all creditors who had not proyed, and to certain others who had not been included in the list.-The, Official Re- ceiver (Mr Ellis Owen) said that he did not oppose the application, but he complained that he had not been supplied with an account show- ing bow the bankrupt had become possessed of, and disposed of, his after-acquired property, and he made the point that the solicitors had taken an irregular course in paying the creditors otherwise than through the usual channel of the Official Receiver as trustee of the estate.—His Honour granted the discharge subject to tho bankrupt paying over to the Official Receiver the money owing to Messrs. Young and Co., with interest, and any costs to which the Official Receiver plight be entitled*

MERTHYR TYDFIL BOROUGH COUNCIL. I Municipal Corporations (Merthyr Tydfil Scheme, Confirmation) Act, 1905. H Abstract of Receipts & Expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1908. I INCOME. BOROUGH FUND. EXPENDITURE. £ s. d. BId £ s. d. I £ s.d. £ s. d. £ s.d Balance at becinoiDg of yeu Pablio Iabtaria Etpmdltaro 1572 13 1 Kohi 46 s £ l~o«Oa» 5238 » 0 From the Glamorgan County Mayo^a Salary -WOO ESS. 0.,0 j B5»Uiata»t 38*15 1 MaeUMte-Fin. J7; 4 8 .J-' ■- „ w -^V tiaArra* 1 it" l ;RepairS,&c. 60 12 2 Street Trading Badges 0 3 ft » Rente,Rates lelephone Calls 0 1 011110 & Taxes 425 16 5 Rentals o! Boronph Prop^ty 264 13 U » » S» 17 « i Interest on Bank Accounts 16 0 0 Miscellaneous A & Sale of Burgess Rolls ( ia « » Tlishnrspments A fU Rebate by Insurance Company 8 8 0 Disbursements Qs Train Fares refunded 0 1 6 0 f 7203 2 2t Glamorgan Connty Council — Ser- Copes of Parhamentary Plans »• 0 MIa 8 vices of Police 4887 1 11 1.—631 3 5 Merthyr Distress Committee—Con- „ T-u • tribution 3 11 6 D^nationTrom iMr, Carnegie .3250 0 0 Merthyr Board of Guardians-Fire. Do. >Ir.D.A.Thomas 105 0 0 7 8 4 Do. Mr. J.L. Smith. 5 5 0 10 19 10 g g FeS'Fine" ?nd S^leoTpapeW" & 18 11 Legal and Parliamentary Expenses. i?ILU 2079 5 6 — -tmnmrnm. 3386 5 11 Registration of Voters 133 4 4 General District Fund, Proportion of Municipal Elections _51_5_ 3 g ? I21oo 289 1 5 Salane3 1045 „,r 1 1474, 19 u Miscellaneous 110 1474 19 11 ———— 13 11 0 ———. 487 2 0 Balances at end of year, viz.:— j Borough Fund 308 9 11 Publio Libraries Account.. 2986 7 5 R ——.——-< 3294 17 4i £ï953522 INCOME.. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION ACCOUNT. EXPENDITURE. •• l mi £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. S s. d. Balance brought forward 1925 3 5 Furniture for Schools =SlJlS F?3.??,a!Sa,%rS520' 23000 0 0 W ,36044 19 7 602 6 3 Grants under Agricultural Rates Act 1217 6 B(^rd of Education under Teachers' Grants from the Board of Educa- Superannuation Act. 507 4 9 tion:— 55537 14 10 Aid Grant 6487 1 9 — 86U0 1 8 Special Granb 2015 13 1 Other Expenses of Schools Annnal Granti 12920 2 0 Rents of Buildings 826 15 6 F^ Grant 6260 12 6 Repairs to Buildings 792 18 1 x ee virant __L_, 27683 9 10 Rates, Taxes and Insurance 227 2 10 Deduction under Elem. Teachers Books Apparatus &c. 1833 8 3 Superannuation Act of 1898 498 17 8 „ Fuel, L.g^t and Oleamnf? .2925 5 6 ———— 27184 12 2 — 6605 10 2 Endowments 1H W 0 Coat of Joint Truant SaJeequifBife2°0k9 8ad °th" SOh°!! 44 ♦ 2 CoS^stoC«ni»^Indus: 337 8 Contributians from Parents in respect Contributions to awuwM TtHiul T»l' of Defective Children 6 3 0 SZtES JS«LlBh Glamorgan County Counoil for statute, and Boeton Deaf and Dumb Stationery supplied 66 12 0 institute 51 7 0 0 Cookery Teachers « £ W ^inSofofe^0^00 AU°W^?R1 U For use of Schools 420 2 3 r Transfer from Borough Fund 65 0 0 Legal E: Interest 123 0 0 Rent of Office, Printing, Stahonery, Miscellaneous 1114 2 Priz^ Z Z Z 40 6 4 Food bought by Cookery Teaohere 44 18 5 Expenses attending Conferences 20 8 0 1764 14 7 Repayment of Loan 3341 12 8 Interest on Loans 3160 16 5 6502 9 1 « « 51433 1 8 Balance at end of year 1713 n iq £53146 HIGHER EDUCATION ACCOUNT. £ *• d. £ 9. d. £ s. d. Balanco at of y«w m m m m 348 16 9 Proportion of Salaries of Teachers M 85 0 0 Other Expenses of Maintenance 5 0 0 ———— 90 0 0 Exhibitions at Secondary School 8 6 8 n SWDmer School" « 18 0 0 £116 6 8 Balance at end of yea* 232 10 1 £ 348 16 6, INCOME. GENERAL DISTRICT FUND. EXPENDITCSE. JB 80 d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ a. d. £ a. cf. Balance from 31st March, 1907 7486 5 8 Scavenging of Roads and Streets General District Rate— Labour 1761 0 2 April, 1907 ,19065 2 9 Removal of Refuse 503 19 0 October, 1907.19650 9 10J Scavenging and Removal of .House ■('-■ 38715 12 Refuse. Government Contribution in lieu of, Watering of Roads and Streets 248 1611 Rates 45 6 1 7142 9 5 Bankruptcy Dividends .« 6 14 0 Sewers and Sewerage Aoconnt 1848 19 1 Glamorgan County Council: j Abercanaid Sewer (excess of loan) 267 10 7 Contribution towards Highways Urinals 190 7 10 ? (Ordinary) 74 0 0 » 2506 17 ( Do., Main 75 0 0 Hospitals Aocount 2177 3 9 ———— 149 0 0 Ambulance Acooant 166 17 7 Aberdare District Council for Sewage Prevention and Notifications of In- Disposal. 366 2 10 fectious Disease* 178 01 9 Gelligaer and Rhigos Council tor Registrar's Returns of Births and Sewage Disposal 39 4 4 Deaths 36 18 10 -———— 405 7 2 2559 0^10- Contributions towards Maintenance Highways and Bridges Maintenance 9821 14 8 of Infectious Diseases Hospital— Street Works and Pubtio Improve. Merthyr Board of Guardians 239 13 6 menta 129 1 4. Rents of Building. 21 19 6 0 Weighbridge Tolls 39 16 6 Depots and Weigbbridg. 213 12 5 Recreation Ground- Recreation Ground 280 9 6 Lavatory Tolls 0 1 3 Street T 9 Chair Tlckets. 0 6 4 Maintaining Town Olooks 29 0 2 0 7 7 4343 r n Private Jobbing Work and Materials Private Jobbing Work 23217 7 Sold 606 9 10 Legal Charges 43 6 9 Hoarding Licenses 4 6 0 Establishment Chargee. 138 4 5 Interest on Bank Account. 192 0 0 Printing Stationery, &o. ™ 20 4 1 40426 12 9 ————— 20115 5 Rents of Houses for Working Claswes 159613 3 £ Fire Appliances M M 55 1 2 Mortuary. 118" Transfer lie Graig Sewer Capital Account 184 ? 6 s Do., Central Hospital Capital A/c. 312 6 6 ) Do., Water Revenue Account of Amount of Deficiency 5079 3 11 ? 5575 17 » 1 Repayment of Loans M w 2836 11 5 Interest on Loans 2467 7 6 5303 18 It ? Allowanoes and Irrecoverables on J Rates 608 16 3 Expend, on Houses for Wking Cl'sse;, 1727 910 ————— 40503 12 2 Balance in hand at 31st March, 1908 9005 19 7 £49509 11 r INCOME. WATER REVENUE ACCOUNT. EXPENDITURE. £ a. d. £ e, d. £ s. d. £ e. d. £ s. d. s. d. Balance from March 31st, 1907 10 17 Oi Salaries Account 1153 16 10 Water Rentals for Domestio Supply; Public Offices Account 118 12 8 Charges for Supplies by Meter Establishment Charges, Printing, &c. 194 12 4 A for Machinery and Manufactur- Rents and Easements 45 II 5 ing purposes, and all other pur- Rates and Taxes. 2398 157 poses.38504 Bl1 ————— 39118.10 Transfer from the General District General Repairs „ 3152 19 5 Fund. 5079 3 11 Legal Charges 12 9 8 Bankruptcy Dividends 0 9 3 Main Scraping 35 4 9 r—23584 2 Ii i Pentwyn Balancing Tank 19 13 7 Rental of Pentwyn Reservoir and Vutcan Depot. 1 9 10 Grazing Land, &c. 7 10, 0 Pontsticill Survey. 35 0 0 'i Fishing Licenses 29 15 6 PentwynReservoir 187 12 5 Water for Itinerant Shows 11 8 8 i Neuadd Reservoir w 244 17 0 "■ ■-■■■■ 48 14 2 Treharris Reservoir 20 11 5 Interest on Bank Account 91 0 0 Dowlais Top Tank and Sarnhowell Cheque written back into Acoouat. 0 6 6 Tank 77 8 4 23724 '2 94 Neuadd Strainer, House, &0. hi 214 5 2 Filter Beds 407 19 0 ————— 4409 10 7 Repayments of Loans 6000 4 2 Interest on Loans (less Tax) 9006 6 10 15006 11 0 Allowances and Irrecoverable on Water Rentals 340 16 8 —————— 23668 7 1 n I Balance at 31st March. 1908 M, 91 B23734 19 91 INCOME. CEMETERIES COMMITTEE'S ACCOUNTS. ExrMmnruM. „ — £ s. d. £ b. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. 4. £ s. d. Burial Fees 893 4 0 Balance forward from 31st March, MiniafleraJ Fees. 200 17 6 1907 1074 13 1 Sale of Grave Spaces 23 2 0 Salaries Aoconnt 1*1 381 5 6 Sale of Hay, Stone, &0. 46 6 8 Ministers' Fees Acooant 194 5 0 Rents ». 72 18 0 Gravediggers' Acoountl. 385 16 4 •— ■■ 1236 8 2 Purchase Fee Returned 0 13 0 From Rates, by Precept on Over- Labour, Repairs, and Materials 230 13 10 seers 1000 0 0 Fuel, Light, and Cleaning 24 17 7 2236 8 2 Rates, Taxes, and Insurance 31 1 9 Balance (deficit) at 31st March, 1908 1177 4 6 Printing and Stationery „ 14 5 10 Cost of L.G.B. Inquiry 6 4 7 ———— 1269 3 8 Repayments of Loans Account 430 10 7 Interest on Loans Account 573 11 2 1004 1 9 Pant Cemetery Extension Account 65 14 5 ————- 2338 19 f £ 3413 12 8 INCOME. CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. EXPENDITURE. £ II. d. £ s. d. £ d. £ s. d. £ s. d* £ d. Balances at commencement of year 5 0 Kementary Education Purposes 14 3 t 6771 O it Water Works 14905 11 o 15084 5 0 Sewerage Works 1332 13 7 Elementary Education Purposes 1420 0 0 Costa re Refuse Destructor 11 3 6 WaterWorks ,M 7805 17 0 Hospitals 1161 4 0 Sewerage Works 1037 7 t) Hoasing of the Working Classes 11493 5 11 Cemeteries 65 14 5 «t.a f 726 10 4 Hospitals 312 6 6 Balances at end of year 847 16 11 Housing of the Working Classes 13760 0 0 —————— 1574 7 3 £39485 .10 5 £39485 10 5 M. D. PROPBRT, Esq., the Local Government Board District Auditor, audited the several Accounts of which the foregoing are Abstracts, and certified that the same were correct and legal, and that the Balances of the several Treasurer's Accounts agreed with the Balances appear- in the Treasurer's own books at the time of closing such Accounts. W. R. HARRIS, k 13th May, 1909. Borough Accountant and Controller.