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CORRESPONDENCE. ''''''-"",-""------""""""",,-----",,,---,--''''''''-''''''''''''''-----

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CORRESPONDENCE. The Editor wishes it to be distinctly understood that he will not hold himself responsible for the opinions or statements of correspondents, nor under- take to return rejected manuscript. Correspondents MUST write on one side of the paper only. Correspondents are requested to condense their re- marks as much as possible as. owing to the very great demands upon our space, we cannot undertake to publish letters of great length. Letters of a personal character will not be inserted. .V'J -J- TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Aberda.rian.Abcrdare streets were lighted with gas for the first time at the end of 1855. On the 19th of November of that year, it was resolved that twenty-one street lamps be pur- chased for that purpose. "Enquirer."—Recs Morgan, Pencraignedd, is said to have been a good bard in his day, but so far we have beau unable to find any par- ticulars about hint Can any of the readers of the "Express" assist? "An Old Reader.Tho Merthyr Court of Request, also called the Court of Conscience, was an important one before the County Court Act was passed. The books were burnt in 1831 during the Merthyr Riots. Can anyone give th» story ? COST OF CYFARTHFA BAND. Sir,—I should like if someone more able than my would take this matter up. I think it id time the members on our Town Council began to keep the promises made during recent municipal elections, and save the public purse from useless drainage. When I looked at a paragraph in the "Merthyr Express" a couple of weeks back, and read the account of the spending of 25 each for uniforms for members of the band, making a total of J6125, I thought that the members of the Parks Committee had decided to spend their own money; instead, they are going to dip into the public purse, and use the ratepayers' money.. I don't think it fair to the backs of the members of the Cvfarthfa bandsmen to satisfy taeir pastime and pleasure, while hundreds are reaJly m need of the neoessaril-s of life. Then, again, they must keep one man and give him a light job at a salary of a little less than 9100, so that he may teach these few bandsmen; but worse than all, they ar? to have the use of the Caetle Park one day in J un-a to raise money for the benefit of the band. Are we to tolerate such a thing? I hope the Labour membera will see that it is time they woke up and put a stop to such useless expenditure. MERTHYRITE. HOW TO A VOID STRIKES. Sir,—Allow me a smaJl space in your valuable paper for a few hints on how to avoid strikes among colliers, masons, carpenters, rail way men, dockmen, etc. From time to time, I have come in contact with different classes of people, and all have expressed their feeling in regard to strikes, etc., and the best method of avoid- ing them. These last few days we have been on the eve of a great calamity in the coalfield of South Wales, but we are glad that the dark clouds seem to be clearing away slowly. May I suggest through your columns the following remedy:—(a) Do away with miner6' agents and agitators, etc. (b) Have two independent men from the House of Commons, along with the referee, Lord St. Aldwvn, who has proved him- self a good man for both sides. May I ai:o mention the name of Mr. W. Llewelya Wil- liams. M.P., as one. He is a business man, and therefore krowe something about the neces- sities of the working class. I will leave it to others to propose another man from the House of Commons, either a Liberal or Conservative. —Yours truly, TWM SHON EVAN. MERTHYR EDUCATION AUTHORITY AND THEIR TEACHERS. Sir,—In the last issue but one of the "Ex- press," one or two correspondents pointed out the unfair treatment, of some teachers by the local Education Authority. With your per- mission, Sir, I herewith, give some facts con- cerning two teachers. It is unnecessary to give their names; hence, for the present purpose, I shall call them A and B. (1) Both attended the Advanced Elementary Girls' School at tho same time. Before leaving that school, A passed the Second-class College of Preceptors' Examination, whereas B only passed tie third- class of the corresponding examination. (2) The late School Board for Merthyr decided to engage 40 probationers for pupil teachership. Over 90 local candidates competed at an exam- ination for these 40 places. Result: A was No. 1 on the list of successful candidates, B was placed below the 40th position; nevertheless, matters were then so manipulated that B was engaged as a probationer. (3) A was appren- ticed as a pupil teacher from January l«t; B's apprenticeship wa3 dated from the follow- ing August 1st; hence A is senior to B by seven months. (4) In her last terminal examination at P.T. Centre Classes, A was placed second on the list; B was not so successful. (5) At the Preliminary Certificate Examination, A gained two distinctions. At the same Government ex- amination, B gained one distinction. (6) A passed well enough in the last-named examina- ¡ tion to be admitted into one of the leading Loudon l'i Cjgliegeg, B waa jefyasd ad. mittance into the Training College she origin- j ally applied for, but subsequently got into an- j otter college in the South of England. (7) Be- fore leaving their respective colleges, A gained two senior prizes in two different subjects. I have not heard that A gained a college priza at all. (8) At ths Government's final certificate I examination for students in Training Colleges j held in June, 1909, A successfully passed the examination, and gained two distinctions which are stamped on her parchment already reoair- ) ed; B also successfully passed the same exam- ination, but I have yet to learn that she gained any distinctions. (9) In July, 1909, the Mer: thyr Education Committee appointed three out J of the four ex-students, who had just left col- lege, as certificated assistants. B received the first appointment, and that to a town school, | but A received the third appointment, and that to a school down the valley When spoken to j on the unfairness of these appointments, a j member of the Committee stated that "A should be thankful for small mercies, and she only ea obtained the third appointment" by the skin of II her teeth." So that A is penalized to the ex- tent of nearly £ 5 per annum for railway fares, I has to leave home earlier in the mornings, and I. forego the pleasure of having her mid-day meals at home. (10) And the last, but not the least. Recently, an attempt was made by a kindly-disposed, or perhaps a conscienoe-stricken person, to transfer A to a school nearer home, so that her position would be slightly improved financially bv the part saving of railway fares. When her case was laid before a committee of the Education Authority, another member—so I was informed—objected to her transfer, be- cause A and her clais were becoming acquaint- ed with each* other, and therefore it would be unwise to make the change. Consequently, A continues at a salary of JE70 per annum, minus nearly 25 per annum for railway fares; but, although B left the services of the Education Authority for a few months, she was recently re-appointed to another school in the town at a salary, so I understand, of 290 per annum, and this practically means about 9s. per week more in salary to B than A. After reading the above, how many of your numerous readers, Sir. will venture to say that A has received justice and fair play? And how many will dany that B has been well'Iavoured?-Yours truly, IOLO. GLAMORGAN COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION (PONTLOTTYN WARD). Sir,—In the results of the Glamorgan County Council Election given in last week's issue, I find you have placed me as Conservative. I may <say I fought the election as an Independent. Please give this letter the same publicity as the results, and oblige.-Yours truly, J. E. JONES. Dynevor Hotel, Tirphil. BEDWELLTY WORKHOUSE VACANCY. Sir,—Having overheard a conversation last week concerning a vacancy that has occurred at Bedwellty Infirmary, I find there is a difference of opinion prevailing amongst the members re- garding the filling up of that post. Seeing the election is so near I shall be pleased if Mr. Burrows would kindly give his reasons in your I columns why he objects to this post of head charge nurse being given to the one under dis- cussion.—Yours truly, SILENT LISTENER. THE REPORTS OF THE BEDWELLTY BOARD OF GUARDIANS. Sir,-Yotir Tredegar reporter seems to be indignant over an imaginary grievance. Permit I me to say I was only giving vent to a common complaint in saying that the reports are in- adequate, whatever may be the cause. The complaint is not absolutely groundless from my standpoint, and the standpoint of the electors. Moreover, more than one member has con- fessed to me that the reports are not full re- ports. Perhaps the root of the ma-ttre may bo I m themselves in not having the gift of express- ing themselves clearly. I can understand why these members do not complain to your reporter, as it would savour of vanity and self-advertise- ment. The Guardians themselves may be the authors of the blowing and squashing by con- verting themselves into committees, but I re- peat that the reports of the proceedings of the Guardians are not full and adequate enough to suit the electors.—Yours truly, EVAN jUORGAN. 71; Queen-street, Tredegar. CHRISTIAN SOCIALISM. Sir,-Will you please allow me a small space in your columns briefly to reply to the Rêtv. H. S. F. Williams, who says I am mistaken in charging him with saying the reforms of the modem Socialists mean destruction to the country. In your issue of February 19th I read those word& I have also asked several pron; inent Churchmen who beard the address, zlr"ll they express ths opmion that those words wes used. In low: k-iters he applies the remark a few extremist?, who do not balong to the T.L.P. or Socialist Party. If he is anxious io find extremists let him look at the ritualistic clergy in his own ranks. I do !!O; favour the views of Blaiehford or Quoleli, • neither would they be endorsed by the I.L.P. as a body. The letters of the rov. gentleman are not consistent with his address. Will he kindly let me know whether the former or the latter convovs his true The rev. j quotation from Gal. Bondage is still bondage, whether it be spiritual or temporal. I still beiieva the social uplifting of humanity to be equally as much an aim in the life of Christ as was His great work of redemption. That being so it cannot bo termed a bye-product. The doc- trine of the ancient Christian Church was ab- solutely Socialistic. To ignore the physical needs of humanity is sacrilege. The doctrine of the Christian Church is fellowship built up in association, not individualism in the person- ality of isolation. The Bishops of the ancient church were chosen from among the Christian democracy. Bishop Alexander, of the third cen- tury, was a charcoal burner chosen by the whole people. The modern Bishop must essentially be a gentleman chosen by an aristocratic and cap- italist government. Take away the social work of Christ and we verily rob the greatest of all liveupf its highest attainments of all that is beautiful and of all that commends it as a lifa to be copied by humanity in the present age. I respectfully submit that the statement of the rev. gentleman that Christ was an individualist fails. Prac- tical Socialism i3 the highest attainment of humanity kindled into activity by the great and noble example set forth in tlla life of Christ, and a desire to follow tha-t example. In answer to the rev. gentleman's question re Mr. Bib- bing's, as I am not a member of the I.L.P. or Socialist Party, it is difficult for me to obtain the facts, but from reliable intormation I am in a position to say that as Mr Bibbings had departed from the policy of that party he could not take the platform as their organiser and direct represenhtive.- Thanking you for past favours, I am, sir, yours, etc., WILLIAM PRICE. 47, Eureka-place, Ebbw Vale. BRYNMAWR. DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION. Sir,-Kindly allow me a small space in your valuable paper to ask Mr. J a.41".33 Blcor whether he is in favour of the Western Valicy.5 Sewer- age Scheme? W-a know he has always been a great advocate of it, and has voted for its adop- tion by the Council. He, however, changes his views so frequently that we working men can- not follow him. We were told last year that the Western Valleys Scheme would mean high- er rents for the workman and higher rents for the property owner. Mr. Bloor, though know- ing these statements were being circulated, tried his best to get it passed. What is his opinion now ? Perhaps, when he issues his elec- toral address, he will let the people of the Cen- tral Ward know his views. Should ho do so, perhaps lie will also give U3 his word that he will not change his opinion directl he is re- turned to the Council—that is, if he gets re- turned.-Youxs faithfully, A VOTER. SHALL DRUNKARDS GO TO JAIL? Sir,—The Government have just issued the minutes of evidence given before a Depart- mental Committee of the Home Office on the working of the Probation Act. Tliis evidence proves that it is possible to reform drunkards, and protect society, without resorting to fine or imprisonment, which seldom does either. Several London magistrates gave specific evi- dence as to the great value they had found the condition of "total abstinence" in reform- in goffonders during their probationery period. One witness, in answer to a query by the chair- man, Mr. Herbert Samuel, M.P., as to whether it had been made a condition in any of tbo probation orders that a probationer should ab- stain from intoxicants, replied "Yes," and that he had found "this condition very beneficial." "Perhaps the worst case I have had," he said, "was a young man charged with stealing a bicycle. Drink had been at the bottom of his failure all along. Ho was an outcast, practic- ally, from his father's home. Drink was the oae thing which had hindered him from keep- ing a situation, and the magistrate bound him over not to enter a public-house or to drink. He has completed his time now; he has a nice I little sum in the bank, and has a good situa- tion and when I saw him last, he was full of gratitude to the magistrate, who had given him the opportunity, and he said that one of the things that helped him most was the fact that when he wanted to go into a public-house, he dared not, because he was afraid the police- men would see him." Now, here is direct proof that the pledge with the fear of the law behind it, will do what punishment will not do, and the time has turely come when this do, and the time has turely come when this

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CORRESPONDENCE. ''''''-"",-""------""""""",,-----",,,---,--''''''''-''''''''''''''-----