The Merthyr Express

it to the suuat?.nti,%1 cash sovinli% 'business competl- ■—>^ n u^>—11 mftk tion. The Yalue H. SAMUELi gives in gffl £ 3. gftj^yet'S MEANS ft 019 | I i 1 xjfu// T^utrc Ai akvc Diuf>c W SAVifiQ !N tOLIB CASH GViLH I I CLOCKS,HIWGS,PR^^K^ USUAI RETAIL PRICKS. | BROOCHES, PLATE, CUTLERY, etc is un&ppro&ched by any firm of ita kind in tittiliforiu. Cotuo to»d*y sud CJr you can proya it for yourself. Courtesy aw&ltsevscy vllltoE. '»«> J hfejMMMWB If unable to call, write to Head Office: -—, I, A0mlaSkSNt<k H. SAMUEL, 108 Market St., "7T7> fA. 1 || ^&^gJ^ £ sBS»5\Mancho3ter, for JJICt uSU «» *—.g-rffiT IB 1-0 13 ,plRle,ES (zt3-f .0 ET I Cp,- I' VOOC Iotic- Slid Oak Es 5 BISCVIT BARREL G LO (;UXILI)s 2.,d Shield. in I J* H.SAMUEL'S Mr. A. THORN?, Wick, Pcrsi.ore, Wore., writes :— /^Usually 6/3.^ 1 ■I IA f&L EMPIRE-FAMED "I have worn an'ACMK'Watch for over (J A ||$5 SILVER LEVER Iplendid timakeeper." 25/ (/ s PIC c -Ire-dy sold. ëti 7 REAL GOLD It ROOCH, much admired design, Value for 12/ ffi For the oest value ever offered at the lowest JwsMinSgBP' S Hi, prices known, ses H. Samuel's windows to-day. nni IJII UMIMM u I_RR~VUMJ[*I ■•••'CALL U C A Ml Id RAIL rARS jP-^F^<>T«X«>l today. Hi d#4l<riwhte PAID. BuaaaffljatjM (' 119, HIGH STREET, MERTHYR. j Also at 265, OXFORD STREET, SWANSEA, I And at CARDIFF and NEWPORT. I C) A famous j BOOTS l. Û i<j 39 hATS mSj You cannot afford to wear a shabby \f||k ml bat! Nowadays a good appearance is VM! J»/ everything and no man loops smarter ml than the man who wears a ff JacKson" Hat. ill I. 'I I ffl Jacksons' Famous 3/9 Felts are the hats that wear H It Lngest, keep their shape, and are always comfortable, IjH Jacksons' Famous 10/6 Boots are the most com- /M fortable. They wear well and look smart all the jm jjv\ time. One price only—10/6. Im 59, HIGH STREET, MERTHYR TYDFIL (l ■ Into this strenuous life of ours, PARK DRIVES' have brought a new BF attraction and a new delight. Us Mff MEN PARK DRIVE I |0 CIGARETTES 2! 1 H At 10 for 2d, i Park Drives' offer you such value as || H you cannot get el§ewhere-4et one 2d. packet prove it I IS are soid t*iL go

MERTHYR TOWN COUNCIL COUN. F, T. JAMES ELECTED MAYOR, ALD. WILSON'S INTERESTING REVIEW. WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. The annual meeting of the Merthyr Corpora- tion was held at the Town Hall, on IVesday, the Mayor (Aid. Wilson) presiding. There was a full attendance of Aldermen and Council- lors. and also a large attendance of the general public, who took a keen interest in the election of Mayor. REVIEW. At the outset the retiring Mayor delivered a very interesting address upon the work accom- plished and attempted during his year of office. He sa.id During the past year a great deal of time has been spent with the important question of education. Great progress has been made in an endeavour to provide suitable sanitary schools for the children of our borough, instead of having them in vestries, many of which are unsuitable for educational purposes. Also in improving old schools and making them comply with the requirements of the Board of Educa- tion. Loans have been obtained during the past year for the following contracts: ;cg,ooo for Dowlais Infants' School; £ 5,742 for Peny- darren New Infants' School; £ 5,378 for alter- ations to old schools at Penvdarren £ 2,491 for Pant School; £10,440 for Twynyrodyn School; £ 2,387 for Merthyr Vale Old Schools, and £ 1,920 for repairs and additions to Trehar- ri-i Central Schools, making a total for elemen- tary education purposes of £ 37,358. We have also taken land for new schools at Penvard and Gellifaelog, and have decided to improve Heol- gcrrig School, for winch purpose land has to be acquired. At Troedyrhiw, owing to serious overcrowding, it has been decided to erect a new girls' school to accommodate 500 scholars, for which land will shortly be taken. A new infants' school at New Brighton, to accommo- date 200 scholars, has been agreed to, in order to relieve Abercanaid, which at present is con- siderably overcrowded. We have completed the purchase of the National School at Pentrebach, and the endowment been arranged to the satisfaction of ali parties concernod. The pur- chase money for this school was £ 1,000. Owing to the insanitary condition of the school it has been decided to build a new school upon the present site, and to acquire additional land for playground purposes. The conversion of Cy- farthfa Castle into a Municipal Secondary School has been under consideration, and the Committee have decided, after an interview with the architect of the Board of Education and H.M. Inspector of Schools for Wales, to pro- ceed with the preparation of plans for the pro- posed school. This is a question that a great deal of public attention is being paid to at the present time, and until the plans are com- pleted and an estimate prepared, and tenders received, we are unable to compare the cost of conversion of the Castle with the cost of a new school. Information as to what new secondarv schools similar to our own in other parts of the country has been obtained, and the amount per head in many instances is very high. Such information will he useful when comparing the two schemes together. The Board of Education is determined that the present system, of train- ing our teachers, and general condition of our advanced Elementary School at Caedraw, to- gether with the ?-er<o!JS overcrowding of our In- termediate School, which has accommodation only for 180 scholars with ?-00 in attendance, shall cease as soon as possible cr the grants will be withheld, which would be a very serious matter for the Borough. A great deal of anxiety exists as to whether the proposed view school would not affect The present Secondary School, and whether sufficient attention has beers paid to the requirements of the code t ran si err ing the whole of the scholars from the Advanced Elementary School to the new Secftr.d.iry School, in order to secure the grant of -a per head for scholars between the age of 12 18 years. The question has also arisen as TO whether the position of the Castle is sufficiently central for such a school. Dr. Walsh has bean appointed Medical Officer for school children, and in the several reports presented shows there are many children who seem to be neglected. Having appointed Nurse Davies, of Dowlais, whose duties will be to see that the instructions of the doctor are c&vriev out by visiting the parents, we expect to see ¡. great Im provemer-t in the near future in many children. POLICE MATTERS. The control of the Police Force in our Bor- ough was handed over to the Corporation twelve months ago. The first annual report of .expen- diture has been prepared by the Borough Ac- countant, and it is pleasing to note that those who have predicted that the cost would be thou- sands more than when under the county arc- doomed to disappointment. The new Police Force are a credit to any Watch Committee ot the country thanks to the untiring efforts of our Chief Constable, who has risen from the ranks, and who knows the needs of the Borough. He has been recommended for the King's Medal for successfully organising aft efficient force under exceptional circumstances. New rules and regu- lations have been drafted, and many Act,, and bye-laws have been adopted relating to the good government of our borough. The Police Stations at Merthyr and Dowlais were allowed to get in a disgraceful condition by the old Authority, and steps had to be taken to make them sanitary and habitable. The cost of erecting new cells and buildings, repairs and painting, furnishing, and general mainten- ance was £ 2,235 10s. ód., which will not be a recurring charge, and for which a loan might be obtained. The total cost of maintenance apart from buildings, is LB,099 5s. 4d., which includes many items, such as prison van, tele- phone service, books, accourtrements and part clothing, which will not recur for many years. The revenue from Government grants, private companies, Police and Prison Commissioners, for maintenance and conveyance of prisoners and special police duties, was £ 4,470 16s. 9d., and the balance of E3,628 8s. 7d. (apart from the sum spent upon buildings) will be charged to the Borough fund. The annual amount paid to the Glamorgan County Council was about £ 4:600, and if a loan is obtained for the cost of the buildings, etc.. repayable in five years, you will have a considerable sum to the advan- tage of the Corporation, although we have fif- teen more men at present than when under the county. It is only right to mention that the wages paid annually will increase as the men become entitled to their annual increment, half of which will be paid by Exchequer grants. Application has been made for a separate Court of Quarter Sessions, and an inspector has visited and made certain recommendations. Plans have been prepared and sent to the Home Office, and although no official communi- cation has been received yet, we are confident that a separate court will be allowed us very shortly, which will be a great saving in time x and expense to jurymen and others. We shall then be assured of receiving the unappropriated fines, which amount to about JB600 a year, which now go to the County, and for which we receive nothing in return. HOUSING. The past year has been a busy one for the members of the Health Committee, who have entered into a contract for a new pavilion at Mardy Hospital, to cost £ 3,800, ana the work is proceeding satisfactorily. The contract for 38 new houses at Danyderi was let for £ 6,679, and the houses are practically completed, and tenants selected chiefly from those persons who lived in apartments. The contract for 68 houses at Penywern has been let for 911,188, the work has been commenced and we hope every effort will be made to get the houses complet- ed as soon as possible in order to relieve the

| EXHIBITION » 1 I THE BEST GOODS, FROM BEST MAKERS, AT THE LOWEST PRICES. I I W. L. EVANS & Co. ate quite prepared for the great November and December trade of 1909. We j| I have made immense contracts, and have completed really enormous buying transactions. Please note jj| I that there is a wide range for your choice, both as to cost and style. Note, too, the way jJ I W. L. EVANS & Co. have priced these exquisite New Goods, |jj 1 Coats and Costumes. n There is nothing new this Season that W, L. EVANS & Co. are not showing. All the favourite | ■ and most exclusive Winter Styles are here, including Plain-tailored Costumes and the NEW | I LONQ PALETOT. The Materials are of the choicest weave, embracing all the accepted 1 i Winter Fabrics, and in point of Tailoring each garment is a Masterpiece. I tSMBNBMM B I FURS r5 £ § | Of the Finest Quality, at the Lowest Prices. 1 There has never been offered to you such extraordinary Fur Value as ■ that which we place before you now, H C]J We have every Fashionable Fur—Grey Squirrels, Mole, Black 1 Fox, Pointed Fox, Smoke Fox, Sable, Fitch, Foxaline, &c., ■ &c., in Stoles, Muffs, and Necklets. B ( | Of the Finest Quality, at the Lowest Prices. 1 There has never been offered to you such extraordinary Fur Value as ■ that which we place before you now. H ç We have every Fashionable Fur-Grey Squirrels, Mole, 131ack 1 Fox, Pointed Fox, Smoke Fox, Sable, Fitch, Foxaline, &c., ■ &c., in Stoles, Muffs, and Necklets. B fj Those of our Customers who have already seen them are I unanimous »n their admiration ot their beauty—AND OF | OUR VALUE. 1 .¡ ICIIDERR Mil I IMPDV EVANS & Co. are the recognised Millinery headquarters H OUrLnD lYHl«Llr3tll ■■ Qf Merthyr. Our great Stock of Millinery Models are this day on R view. The foreri-s«>si Style-thoughts of London and Paris find fullest expressions here, as well as 1 adaptations and original designs of W. L. EVANS$Co.'s Skilled Milliners I view. The foreri-s«>si Style-thoughts of London and Paris find fullest expressions here, as well as 1 adaptations and original designs of W. L. EVAN S CO, 's Skilled Milliners I AM% AIM% Avwk IUV 'A lp

INDIGESTION. Unable to Eat or Sleep. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills made a New r,1an of him. There is very little real joy a dyspeptic rretij out of lfe. He might just as well be in jaii He cannot eat the things he wants, and ii hi violates any of the rules of diet he paya full penalty. This was the experience of Mr. H, HOPKINSON, of 2 Artillery (Street, Adclpni, Manchester. I can hardly describe the "Lill amount of benefit I have derived from Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. I was a tenibla sufferer from Indigestion. I could neither c? t nor sleep, and of course this meant untold misery. I tried all kinds of remedies, but at last decided to try DR. MORSE'S INDIAN Root PILLS, and I am pleased to say that they cured me completely, in fact, they made a ne-.v man of me. I feel better now than ever I did in my life and I can safely say that this has beeu brought about solely from the use of DR. MORSE S INDIAN ROOT PILLS. I recommend them to all my friends, who have proved their efficiency. I shall always keep a bottle in tha house and shall recommend everyone else to do the same. Wishing you every success." Indigestion usually starts from careless eating which causes Constipation, Headaches follow with Heartburn and belching of wind together with sour Stomach and a foul taste in the mouth. Care as to diet and a searching, cleansing lemedy like DR. Mouse's INDIAN >.OOT PILLS that put new life in the Liver and tone the entire digestive system will speedily correct this complaint. DR. MORSE'S INDIAN ROOB PILLS cure Indigestion, Constipation, positively and permanently. So!«J by Chemists and Stores, price Is. lid. pe:i bottle, or THE W. H. COMSTOCK CO.. Ltd., 21 FalTingd:1 London, E.C.

It is announced in "The Times Tna file rejection of the Finance Bill by the Lords is assured. While King Edward and a number o( friends were shooting at Sandnngham in cele- bration of His Majesty's birthday one of ihe party, Mr. John Montagu Guest, suddenly fell dead. The King immediately cancelled the r-a. ( mainder of the day's programme.

serious overcrowding which exists. Efforts have been made to secure land for houses at Aber- canaid, but owing to the action of the ground landlords nothing definite has been agreed upon.. One hundred and nineteen houses have been rendered habitable, but it is impossible to close the remainder until such times as houses can be provided for the tenants. The Refuse Destructor Committee have experienced great difficulty in regard to a suitable site. but are continuing their efforts. The sewering of Ed- wardsville will shortly be completed, when the nuisances caused by cesspits being situated close io houses will be abated. The Public Li- braries Committee have during the past year added another library to the Borough by erect- ing a very fine building at Treharris. The contract price for building and furniture was £ 2,470. Efforts "have been madj to secure a suitable site for a Central Library, but up to the present they have been unsuccessful. Each branch library has had £ 50 worth of books dur- ing the past year, which has been much appre- ciated, as libraries without books are not of much service to the public. PARKS AND CEMETERIES COMMITTEE. The purchase of Cyfarthfa Castle and lands was completed and the Castle and Park opened to the public on June 14th., this year, and, judging by. the attendance of large crowds equal to our expectations. A sum of money had been borrowed to erect a boundary wall and to make the roads and path!\ and it is intended to give work to a number of unem- ployed during the present winter; j6150 worth of shrubs had been agreed to be planted the coming season. At Thomastown a large num- ber of unemployed were engaged in levelling the ground during last winter, for which we received, for this and other work found for them, a grant of JB200 from the Local Govern- ment Board toward meeting the cost. The Gorsedd Circle was fenced in and planted with oak trees, and in a few years will be a very pretty place, Mid certainly appreciated by large numbers. Three Chinese Pagodas have been erected at Thomastown during the past year, and will be most useful when the Germans come over to capture Merthyr with their aero- planes (loud laughter). During the current year the deficiency on the working of the cem- eteries hits been wiped off, and this, I think, you will agree is most satisfactory. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. During the year very important public works have been carried out by this Committee in all parts of the Borough, some of which were included in the recent Parliamentary Bill and have been talked about for many years. The Mary-street improvement at Treharris, the estimated cost of which was 21,200, has been carried out by direct lahour, and, with the exception of kerbing and channelling, has been practically completed. The amount spent up to September 30th was £ 1,007. Edwardsville sewer, the estimated cost of which was about JE400, is being carried out by direct labour. The amount expended to the 30th September being JE420. The new bridge at Nixonville has been erected at an estimated cost of JE157. Aberfan-road improvement was strated to find work for the unemployed, as it was only in- tended, in the first instance, to take off the most dangerous corners. Later the scheme was started without a proper estimate being given, there being an urgency to find work for the un- employed, and the amount spent up to date • is about. £ 100. About £ 300 wall be required to complete the improvement. Pentrebach sub- way, the estimated cost of which was £470, has been carried out the cost up to the 30th September being JM24 8s. Id. Pontmorlais im- provement scheme was included in the Parlia- mentary Bill. The purchase price of the land and costs was Bl.825 15s The Public Works Committee decided to carry out this much need- J ed improvement by direct labour, and to pro- vide ladies' and gentlemen's lavatories with every accommodation, which is badly needed in a great centre like Pontmorlais. The work has been delayed owing to not havihg the mate- r.als find fittings ready when required, but will <.hortiv be completed. The panels in the wal's l avc been let for JB60 per year, and there wil! Lv painted adve.iseinents instead of the ma < able paper- ones. A new bridge has been constructed at Bethesda-street. Merth\ r, at a, cost of £ 300, and the long delayed Cofn Bridge, estimated at H cost of £ 2,750, is well in hand. Of, l is sum contributions amount ling to £1.86 ;il1 be made 0)" other aus:>ori- ties, thus reducing the cost to our Council to £ 890. The Council are culverting the Morlais tirook at Gellifaelog, at a cost of about £1,000, .iiid this land will ultimately be available for recreation purposes, which is badly needed in inat locality. THE PUBLIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE Considerable attention has been paid to the question of public lighting all over the bor- ough. Swansea-road and Brecon-road were lit bv 40 gas and acetylene lamps at an annual cost of JB218 16s. Tenders were received from the Electric Traction Company and the Merthyr eM Company, and the tender of the Electric j Traction Company was accepted to light the district with 74 lamps at an annual cost of £ 240, thus the public have the advantage of 54 more lamps at an extra cost 'of L21 per an- num. Competitive tenders 'were received for Treharris and district by the gas and electric companies with the result that the ordinary street lamps, which had cost J64 13s. 6d. per annum, have been reduced to £ 4, and are to be converted into incandescent burners. The total cost of lighting Treharris last, year was £ 663 4s., and for the same number of lamps under the new agreement, which is to exist for five years, the cost will be C476. thus again we have a re- duction of B187 4s. The Merthyr Vale Gas Com- panv had also refused to reduce their prices until the Electric Traction Company tendered for the public lighting. Now they are prepared to reduce their terms from J64 13s. 6d. to J64 per lamp per annum, and to light by incandescent burners, and also to reduce the cost of gas to private consumers from 5s. per 1,000 feet to 3s. 9d. per 1.000 feet, such reductions being due entirely to those who supported competitive tenders. It has also been agreed to place 70 additional lamps in such parts of the Borough as they are needed. The General Purposes and County Powers Committees have had several important matters under consideration. Advantage was taken of the sale of the estate of the late Thomas Wil- liams. and seventeen acres of land was purchased at Gellifaelog for 92,000, which will be utilised for new schools, open spaces, and building pur- poses; such purchase undoubtedly was a great advantage to the public. The Committee are also dealing with the question of providing a mental hospital, as we have already been given notice by the County Authorities to remove our patients from Bridgend Asylum. The Swansea Council have approached us with a view of ar- ranging terms for a joint hospital, and we have inspected three sites at Swansea, but before committing ourselves we are making further inquiries with regard to the cost, etc. PARTICULARS OF RATES. Seven years ago when I became a member of the old Urban District Council, a great agita- tion was going on with regard to the great in- crease of rates that would take place if Incor- poration was granted. Therefore, particulars of the rates levied during those seven years, which will show at a glance where the actual increase has taken place, will be interesting, and are appended below:— PARTICULARS OF RATES LEVIED IN MERTHYR FOR THE SEVEN YEARS ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1910. Relief of General Borough Rate County Contributions Public Element'y Poor and TOTAL Year District — ——————————————————————————— Libraries and Expenses Overseers' Cem'teriea RATES Ended Rates General General Rate Secondary of Expenses Account FOR Purposes Policing Purposes Policing Education Guardians YEAR s. d. a. d. e. d. a. d. 8. d. s. d. s. d. 8. d. e. d. 8. d. s. d. 31 Mar.'04 39 04 0 4i 0 1 13 1 6 0 41 — 7 8 1905 3 7 0 4$0 4! 0 1 1 51 1 4f 0 41 7 8 1096 3 4 0 31 0 5 0 4! 1 71 1 5 0 41 0 Of 7 10 1907 32 0 41 0 5 0 61 01 1 71 1 71 0 61 84 1908 3 1 0 5 0 41 0 71 01 16 1 51 0 61 0 0J 82 1909 3 2 0 4-63 0 41 0 674 0 1 1 11-65 1 51 0 643 0 1-71 8 8 1910 36 06 06 0 1 2 0 1 6 06 01 87 In the year ended March. 1904, the Urban Council required for the purposes over which they had control the sum produced by a 3s. 9d. and for each successive year the demand tor the same purposes required rates at 3s. 7d.. is. lid., 3a. 6 £ d., 3s. 6$}., 3s. 62d., and 3s. I.ld.

During the same years the County calls nearly doubled, moving up from 4d. to 7d. Elemen- tary education has gone up from Is. 3d. to 2s The overseers' expenses from 4^d. to 6|d., and 4 the Cemeteries' Committee now call for Id. a year. Looked at in another way, if the total calls for General District Rates, iBorough Gen- eral Purposes, Police Purposes, and County con- tributions are taken together for the same years, it will be seen that the amounts raised were respectively 4s. 5 £ d., 4s. 4d., 4s. 4|d., 4s. 6id., 4s. 6d., 4s. 6d. and 4s. 5d., the current year be- j ing a halfpenny rate less than that of 1904. and this notwithstanding the exceptional expenditure that had to be met during those years. For in- stance, about £ 3,500 had to be found to meet the costs of the Incorporation inquiry, and of the Act confirming the grant of Charter; and the precept for the last call of a rate of 6Jd. was only signed by the County a few days before Merthyr became a County Borough, when the Glamorgan County Council could not legally, and did not, spend a single farthing upon Mer- thyr, although the rate of 6Jd. had to be levied and paid over to the County by the Borough Council. The increase of the education rate by 9d. per annum in seven years is a serious matter for the ratepayers, and it has not been lost sight of by the Education Committee. As long as we are all crying out for educational advantages for the children and youths of this Borough to enable them to climb the ladder to success, and to compete in the workshops and factories with the workers of other countries, and until such time as larger grants are made by the Board of Education in order to assist us to carry out the increased responsibility and cost, which they have placed upon us, I am afraid we can hope for no reduction in educational expenditure. The pleasant duty of administering the Old Age Pension Act was placed upon the Council, who divided the Borough into three divisions, namely, Merthyr Upper, Merthyr Central, and Merthyr Lower. The number of pensions grant- ed to residents in the Borough is about five hundred, and the total annual amount now pay- able by the Treasury is over 96,000. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee have during the past year had many important questions under dis- cussion brought about through becoming a County Borough, and talking over control of police accounts and the general re-organiea- tion of the several departments in the Town Hall. It has been arranged that the whole of the several accounts, some of which were dealt with previously when other departments should be under the supervision of .the Borough Ac- countant, thus all bills for payment and all monies received are dealt with at the one office. The Borough Accountant has had a great deal of work, together with his staff, and a consid- erable amount of overtime has been worked without any extra remuneration, in order to bring the system of accounts up to date and equal to any other authorities in the kingdom. ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS. During the past year about 475 Committees have been held by the Council and Education Committee, and are as follows:— Name. Council. Committee. Pos. Act. Pos. Act, Aid. A. Wilson 22 22 343 235 73 Ald. D. W. Jones 22 14 272 88 36 Aid. J. Harpur 22 18 120 62 33 Aid. E. Morrell 22 17 139 37 46 Ald. I. Abraham 22 13 133 31 23 Ald. T. J. Evans 22 17 126 87 46 Aid J. M. Berry 22 15 233 126 30 Ald. R. Evans 22 18 162 114 41 Coun. D. Daniels 22 15 172 64 60 Coun. Houlson 22 11 155 45 22 Coun. Rees 22 19 112 41 32 Coun. C. Griffiths 22 17 101 54 44 Coun. I. Edwards 22 16 118 77 40 Cn Lewis (Peny'ren) 22 14 95 54 55 Coun. J. W. Lewis 22 11 54 22 20 Coun. F. T. James 22 14 136 40 32 i Coun. Lloyd 22 17 225 95 47 "0 Coun. Pedler 22 19 168 118 48 Coun. Davies (Cyf.) 22 20 88 67 54 Coun. John 22 20 247 202 52 Coun. Simons. 22 13 127 75 18 Coun. Thomas 22 22 136 92 52 Coun. Phillips 22 16 90 71 28 Coun. L. M. Jones 22 19 73 45 47 Coun. D. J. Lewis 22 20 152 79 40 Coun. Hankey 22 9 102 20 9 Coun. Marsh 22 15 82 40 32 Coun. D. Jones 22 20 99 66 33 Coun. Williams 22 19 150 8C 29 Coun. W. Jones 22 13 80 51 42 Coun. E. Edwards 22 15 120 53 23 Coun. W. Lewis (Tre.) 22 20 197 87 51 Mrs. Edmunds 79 (The last column denotes actual attendances on all Educational Committees.) These do not include any of the attendances made by members who are appointed on the Farms Management Committee, Old Age Pen- sions, Truant School, Distress Committee, Asy- lums' Committee, County Rate, Managers of National Schools, Overseers, and others, which are selected from members of the Council, and of which no record is kept upon our minutes. I wish to thanks the whole of the staff, from Town Clerk to office boy including Overseers and Education Department, from Borough Engin- eer to roadmen. Chief Constable to private con- stable, for their endeavours to carry out their duties in a satisfactory manner, and for their pleasant attitude, which, after all. helps to make life worth living. The best thanks are also due to the Deputy Mayor, Ald. John Harpur, who has always been willing to assist me in carrying bers of the Council for their kind assistance loud applause). THE NEW MAYOR. Ald. John Harpur said he had very great pleasure in proposing that Coun. Frank Tre- harne James be Mayor for the ensuing year. They all knew him; to know him was to respect him (applause). Coun. James's experience of public aJffairs eminently qualifi?d him for the position (applause). He was a Merthyr boy; he had lived in the town all his life, had always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the town, and he was sure that at the end of his term of office he would have to record a good lear'. work f»ppl*usej. < Aid. J. M, Berry said he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. He felt perfectly confident that Coun. James would give every satisfaction, for the year would be a very im- portant one. Many important matters would be dealt with, and Mr. James's legal know- ledge and great experience would be of great servica to the Borough. Merthyr had, he thought, been "coloured" a little more than it ought to have bsen but he (Aid. Berry) con- sidered that no Corporation as young as that of Merthyr had done so much for the welfare and improvement of any town as the Council had done (applause). He trusted Coun James would be assisted in his endeavours to make Merthyr brighter and better, that he would have a happy year of office, and at the end be able to feel that he had raised the status of the Borough. Aid. Enoch Morrell said he had much plea- sure in supporting the resolution. The Council were unanimous in their selection—(applause)— and they were determined to make Mr. James's year of office as successful as they could (hear, hear). All sections of the Council welcomed him to the chair, irrespective of politics or social conditions. They would give him their strongest and most hearty support (laughter). The retiring Mayor endorsed all that had been said, and put the resolution to the meeting. The response was unanimous and hearty, and Coun. James was robed amid applause. LOOKING FORWARD. Jameis then took his seat, and on rising to speak, was again received with cheers. I-l. thanked the proposer, seconder, and supporter of the resolution for their very kind words and the Council for its unanimity. He accepted the office with a great deal of trepidation; they had only to listen to the ex-Mayor's speech to see wha-t a large amount of work had to be done. He hoped that he would, with the co- operation and support of the members, have a successful year, and he able to carry out works of utility (applause). He hoped to see carried out during his year of office the widening of Penry-street and the Canal Bridge, and the road opposite the old Parish Church, as the Council had Parliamentary powers to proceed (ap- J plause). Also the construction of a new bridge at Aberfan, which was badly needed. The main road atf Quakers' Yard was in a most danger- ous condition, and should be widened, and he trusted this improvement would be carried out. Another important and much-needed improve- ment was the widening of Pontmorlais (hear, hear). One of the most important matters to be dealt with was the adjustment of accounts between the Corporation and the County Coun- oil, and also that of the proposed joint asylum and mental hospital, in which a large expendi- t-ure would be involved. He trusted the ad- justment would be satisfactorily arranged (hear, bear). With regard to secondary education, the question of the proposed conversion of Cyf- arthfa Castle was a rather delicate one with some people. Everyona had read in the "Mer- thyr Express" the pros. and cons. of the matter, and he thought the Council would act wisely in waiting until the plans, specification, and esti- mates being prepared by Mr: Willing were ready. They would then be able to deal with the figures and judge fairly whether the Coun- cil would be justified in spending a large sum of money upon the Castle. He had seen most excellent draft plans prepared by Mr. Willing, and if such plans were sanctioned by the Board of Education, the Secondary School would be the finest in Wales. He said that without the slightest hesitation, but he reserved to himself the right of proposing the rejection of such a scheme if the cost was out of all proportion (ap- plause). He also hoped that during his term of office the Council would find a site for a cen- tral library (applause) The Corporation had placed the cart before the horse. They had elected branch libraries all over the Borough, but the main artery had still to b? found. The Mayor then announced that in December next an exhibition would be held at the Cattle, which would continue for six weeks, of pictures paint- ed by Penry Williams, a noted Merthyr artist, who died in Rome in 1885 A committee had got together a collection of the artist's pictures. and he trusted the collection would be a large and representative cue. Many people would lie surprised that Merthyr had had, nn artist of such Tepute. He hoped the newspapers would give prominence to the forthcoming exhibition, so that those who had Pourv*William; Is pictures would see it, and communicate with himself. He would like to say a word about the state of trade in the district. To see the Cyfarthfa NVorks idle had a very depressing effect upon him. Work at Dowlais was not as brisk as they would like to see, and he sincerelv hoped that trade would revive, and that soon they would once more see Cyfarthfa Works and Dow- lais in full swing again (applause). On the motion of Aid. J. IJ-arpur. seconded by Aid. Morrell, it was agreed that the Mayor's salary be one hundred guineas THANKS TO THE EX-MAYOR. Aid. D. W Jones proposed a vote of thanks to the ex-Mayor for his services, and expressed his admiration of the manner in which Ald. Wilson had carried out the duties of the office. The Mayor had not mi.sed a Council meeting, and on an average he attended two committee meetings a day every day in the year Though the Mayor preached the Eight Hours Act. he did not put it. into practice (laughter), he work- ed a great deal more than eight hours a day doing public work. The ex Mayor had been courteous and' impartial under trying and d<ffi- cult circumstances, and one of his traits was his firmness of character.—Coun. Isaac Edwards seconded the resolution, which was supported by Aid. Rowlands Evans and the Mayor, and carried with applause. The Mayor proposed that hearty birthday wishes be sent to the King by telegram, which was heartily agreed to. and a resolution of con- gratulation was proposed to Sir E. Vincent Evans, secretary of the Cymmrodorion Society, upon having had a knighthood conferred upon him by the King. on the motion of the Mayor, seconded in Welsh by Coun. Wm. Lewis (Peny- darren). The Mayor said he appointed Coun. Isaac Edwards deputy Mayor. The Mayor proposed a vote of congratulation to Coun. D. J. Lewis upon his recent marriage, IUld the same was accorded with enthusiasm!. COMMITTEES The Council agreed that the Mayor and ex. Mayor should be ex-officio members of all Standing Committees, and appointed the follow4 ing committees for the ensuing year:Genei,al Purposes Committee: The whole Council.—* Public Works Committee Ths whole Council, —Health Committee: The whole Council. Watch Committee: Aldermen D. W. Jones, Abraham, Harpur, Berry, Morrell; Councillors Houlson, Lloyd, Williams, and E. Edwards, with the Mayor and ex-Mayor.—Waterworks Committee: Asdermen Abraham, T. J. Evans, Harpur, Berry, and R. Evans; Councillors Houlson, Rees, Isaac Edwards, J. W. Lewis, John, Simon, Hankey, L. M. Jones, Marsn, E. Edwards, and W. Johes, with the Ma\or and ex-Mayor.—Finance Committee Aldermen D. W. Jones, T. J. Evans, Harpur, Berry, Mor- rell. Councillors Houlson, Isaac Edwards, V. Lewis (Penydarren), J. W. Lewis, Lloyd, Simons, Thomas, Phillips, Hankey, Williams, and Lewis (Treharris), with the Mayor and ex. Mayor.—Public Libraries Committee: Counci- lors Houlson, Rees, Lewis (Penydarren), Grif- fiths, J. W. Lewis, Lloyd, Pedler. Davies (Cyf. arthfa), Phillips, Thomas, D. J. Lewis, L. M. Jones, Marsh, D. Jones, E. Edwards, and W. Jones, with the Mayor and ex-Mayor.—Parks and Cemeteries Committee: Aldermen D W. Jones, Abraham; Councillors Rees, Isaac Ed- wards. J. W. Lewis, Lloyd, John, Pedler, Phil-i lips, Thomas, D. J. Lewis, L. M. Jones, Marsh, D. Jones, E. Edwards, and W. Jones, with tlia Mayor and ex- i%layoi-. -Bye- Laws and Regula. tions Committee: Aldermen Abraham, R. Evans, Councillors Davies (Dowlais), J. W. Lewis, Davies (Cyfarthfa), Thomas, L. M. Jones, and W. Jones, with the Mayor and ex- Mayor.—Law and Parliamentary Committee: Aldermen D. W. Jortes. T. J. Evans, Harpur, Berry. Morrell, Councillors Davies (Dov.'lais'i. Isaac Edwards, W. Lewis (Penydarren), J. W. Lewis. Lloyd, Simons, Phillips, Thomas, Hn. key, Marsh, Williams, and W. Jones, with tha Mayor and ex-Mayor.—County Powers Com- mittee: Aldermen Q. W. Jones, Harpur, Berry, Morrell, Abraham, Councillors Houlson, Da. .1 vies (Dowlais), Simons, Thomas, Hankey, Wil- liams, D. Jones, and Lewis (Treharris), with the Mayor and ex-Mayor.-—Education Committee: The whole of the members of the Council, with Mrs. G. C. James, Gwaelodygarth, Merthyr, and Mrs. M A. Edmunds, Playscoed, Troedy- rhiw.—The following chairmen were appointed for the var cus Standing ComuùUees: Gener.:J Purposes Committee, The Mayor; Watch Com- mittee, The Mayor; Public Works Committee^ Coun. Isaac Edwards; Health Committee, Coun. H. M. Lloyd: Waterworks Committee, Coun. J. W. I/ewis Finance Committee. Coun. T. Williams; Education Committee, Ald. Mor- rell: Public Libraries Committee, Coun. Dd.. Phillips; Parks and Cemeterk-s Committee, Aid. D. W. -Tones; Bye-laws and Regulations Committee, Coun. Thomas; Law and Parlia. mentary Committee, Coun. Simons; County Powers Committee, Aid. Berry. In moving the re-appointment of Ald. Morrell as chairman of the Education Committee, Aid. D. W. Jones said it was due to education ex. penses that the rates had increased, owing to the heavy outlay called for by the Board cf Education, but 1\IT. Morrell had performed a very difficult task with great ability. T-T- en- joyed public confidence in that very diffici>:t position (hear, hear).—Coun. Dan Thomas seconded the proposition, and said there wn not a more earnest worker in the cause of edu. cation than Ald. Morrell. IT was not his fB-u't that the rates had increased, but the fault ot the Government for insisting upon sruch a heavy exnsndifcure in extending and altering schools. —The resolution was carried unanimously.