The Rhondda Leader

TIPYN 0 BOB PETH. X— This column will be all embracing, and we hope to ee it pass into the tropics of popular favour yearly in the career of the LEADER. "Tipynobob peth" however will not mean that scurrility and below-the-belt hits will be tolerated. —x— The LEADER is going for square fighting and honourable dealing. —x— There will be humour in it-wet like the Welshman's, and dry it times like the Scotchman, as the hwyl will inspire. It will always contain personal references of the congratulatory sort. Altogether it will be Tipyn o Bob Peth." It may not be quite as nice as a plum pudding, but we trust to make it more substantial. —x— We would recommend the superficially silly to be circumspect and to keep a rein on all conduct that would be an outrage on good taste. The LEADER is a resident of the Rhondda. He will be found from Blaen- clydach to Pontypridd, and from Porth to Trebanog, thence to Tony re fail, and will certainly be found pervading the Rhondda Fach, from Portli right on to Castell Nos beyond Maerdy. —x— Tipyii o Bob Peth is the best Welsh we can give for Tit Bits, and with that preface we herald the plan of its campaign to our readers. -x- With the advent of the RHONDDA LEADER. the young ladies of Portli^d Mie: 1- 1, 1 —I L7 .VII1 J.uea UV.. iu i ontics tne Paper will be essentially a Democratic Liberal and Labour Orsran. Vocal columns will, bp open. for tatus of court balls. One of the fair dancers intends wearing anew el dress at the next romp, because the reporter of the RHONDDA LEADER will be there to give a description of the dresses. Y'm, yes." —x— Did anything of interest happen in your district this week? Then why not make a note of it and send it to the RHONDDA LEADER ? —x— An American paper, The Scrauton Depub- lican- in a recent issue, speaks in high terms of the musical accomplishments of Mr. Dd. LLoyd and Miss Amy Evans, Tonypandy. The sketches are reproduced in another column. —x— When a big funeral occurs in the district; brakes and busses are invariably absent from the vicinity of the railway stations. —x— The bad language used by some of the spectators at our local football matches i> most disgusting. x- Many of the players themselves when journeying on the railway to participate in a match, show a very bad example in this respect. —-x— The collecting cards issued by the "Soldiers and Sailors Wives and Families Association" appear to have been drafted by someone with an imperfect knowledge of Welsh, or by one whose spelling has been transformed into the Boer method by the war fever. The card announces that the fund is in aid of the wives and families of Welch reservists, Welch soldiers serving with the colours, on and off strength, Wclch sailors of the Royal Navy, and the Welch Militia. The Cymmrodorion Society should see into this. —x— A Porth man evidently finds the news from the theatre of war a tritle dull. He was reading the other evening the placard of an evening paper containing the line, in large type, "Momentous events approaching." Oil. stict he, "its time for things to liven up, but here this paper says Monotonous events approaching." —x— Everybody is pro-Boer or ante-Boer these days. Here is a story which is quite ante. The Rev. W. J. Underwood, late of Pretoria, who spent 10 years among the Boers, says some very unkind tilings about Boer morality in general, and President Kruger in particular, in the Free Church Chronicle. For instance, we are told that the President lives in a house that was a present from an adventurer to whom lie had granted a certain monopoly. This man was afterwards convicted of a criminal offence, and sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment. President Kruger opened the prison doors foi his friend, and sacrificed the judge, Justice Brand, who I resigned because of this scindal. It is also stated that tt few years ago a member desired to obtain from the Parliament a concession, and in order to convince them of its utility he gave to each oi his co-members a carriage worth over £ 40. When Mr. Kruger was asked about it, lie said, Why should'nt a a man be allowed to give a carriage to his friends if he wished ?'' —x— Vr of the Glamorgan Police. P" Bo wen,ei who i.s a In"Cne Grenadier Guards, was wounded in the fight with the Boers at Belmont. P.O. Bowen had been stationed at Tonyandy and Treorcby. He is a finely-built fellow, standing about 6ft. 2in. He is a native of bowerton, near Swansea, where his father and mother now live. He also served under Lord Kitchcner at the battle of Omdurman. Wnnr S. e"gagement was wired to Mr. tVJ i \>hom;as. conductor of the famous thp l^o t°y Voice Choir> inviting /TnJ l f to appear at Dunraven Castle, (luesday). The request was complied with. —x— The Mends of Dr. John Howell, son of Mr. IWd w?l7eh ?lerk,°f t ,e School in ni T i pl°fe'] t0 learn of his success tfoii i"g £ ? T examination for the fellowship ofthe Royal College of Surgeons which was held in London last weeic. -y- Stories about Mr. Gladstone are ever <*reen uXe Thh 6 fnd 8ir Ai-eru0!1 West once induct a him to try a cigarette, but the experi- ment doe, not seem to have'converted E. r!yt •ye;irs'1 'sa.Vs Algernon, "Mr. GLta*t< no accused me of smelling strongly of tobacco. I don t wonder,' I said, for I have been sitting for half an hour in Sir Wi/litm Harcourt s room. Does Harcourt smoke he asked m a voice of horror if lSO he must be verv careful always to change his clothes before lie comes to me.' es -Y k„ „ e ,))'? hfV8 to .y° t° County Courts may w-ir • 1 tlus st°ry. Our Jud«-e W ilbains is pretty hot on funeral luxuries the carriages, and the millinery. The other dav ed thatlr1^' WnlSt adu,itting his debt, plead- ed that he could only afford to pay 10s. a Wain tiff: He can pay £ 1 very well. TenlMllh'i: NO' My offering J udgo You keep a tawyer ? I Defendant Yes. and Tern- • 'udge The n p3,v f .i»ui ACCIDENTS OF Yet toi^er with Weekly Allowances whilst r,vv..porarily Disabled by SMALL-POX, TYPHOID. TV. PHUS, SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, or A1V an ANNUITY; and DOUBLE tM.vhritli should death or injurv ,A • • ..uiier giving bis pioression away County-court judge to adjudge a lawyer to be in the nature of a luxury ? —x— Frank Thomas, "My Hatter's," Ponty- pridd, has an Ideal Stock. He is willing to Cuff'your wrists, Collar your neck, and Ciown your head with one of his Celebrated 3/9 Hats. 58 —x— There is a place and time for all things. But a railway passenger who offers to read the ticket-collector the Twenty-third Psalm as a substitute for his ticket must expect to be made an example to point the old saw. He found it of small use to proceed from the Twenty-third to the Twenty-fourth Psalm when politely conducted to the office of the porter to explain his behaviour. Mr. John Thomas, who gave this strange performance at a Rhondda Station, explained it by saying that "he had tits of this kind occasionally." He had implored the porter not to worry him while he read his Psalm but it would not have been wise to let Mr. John Thomas and his Bible escape the police-court. He will be examined medically as a warning to others who might be tempted to proffer texts instead of tickets to railway officials. —x— Many and varied answers have been given to the question, c, When is a man drunk ?" The late Mr. Whittaker used to tell of a drunken shoemaker who was brought before the Northampton Bench, having been found sleep- ing early in the morning on a gentleman s doorstep, senselessly and helplessly drunk. The evidence given by the police seemed clear enough, but the man in a most solemn and determined manner denied the charge. The magistrates determined to have his own defin- ition of drunkenness, which was as follows When is a man drunk ? I should say," replied the man, if a man went home from a public-house on a wet night, and when he got there he put his wet umbrella to bed with his wife, and then stuck himself in the umbrella stand, such a man would be decidedly drunk." —X— Hark! The whole Valley rings and re- echoes again and again, that Frank Thomas, 11 "My Hatter,' Poutypridd, sell the best 3/LJ Hat. —x— A household in Treorchy had a strange ex- perience on Saturday last. Two members of th family were aroused towards midnight by strange sounds in the back yard, and fearing some burglars had gained access to a valuable tool house, armed themselves, and quietly made "tracks" from a cosy bed to find two rams, who had been creating no little damage. They were detained and compensation is claimed for repairs. —x— A long felt want in Treorchy is a coinmodious hall. We hear on good authority, that there is now every probability of a move in this direction. —x— Symlog," the Baptist minister at Ainon, Treorchy, is making a name for himself as a bard. —x— Mr. T. D. Lawrence is the newly elected Secretary of the Treorchy Royal Choir, in place of Mr. E. J. Pryce resigned. —x— Mr. E. J. Pryce, the Schggf^ Treorchy, heralded hit appearance Conductor in a very fc auspicious manner oi^onday last, when he r" tlie Temperance Festival, under th auspices of the. Treorchy Temper- ance Union.

How surprised we should be if we could-see ourselves as others see us, and how much more surprised would others be if they could see us as we see ourselves.

Mid-Rhondda Chamber of Trade. —x— The Light Railway discussed. —x— This Chamber met on Tuesday evening, at the Tonypandy Library. Mr. Geo. Pinter, in the chair. The matter of the light railways was discussed. The secretary reported he had been waited on by the supporters of the company, who reported to him that the Pontypridd Dis- trict Council had come to terms with the company. The Rhondda District Council, they said, wanted them to widen the streets. They had asked them questions to which only yes or no was to be the answer. They complained that the Council would not allow them to explain. There was to be no evasive answer, but yes or "no." Naturally, they only gave the answer no." The company was willing for the Council to widen the roads, and they would bear half the cost. In Mid-Rhondda, opposite Mr. Alderman Lewis, they said the road was not 36 feet wide, and to do what the Council wanted was to ask them to buy up either one side u street or the other. Having had the sanction of Pontypridd, they were now dealing with Aberdare. Moreover, it was the Taff Vale shareholders on the Board who opposed them. They were quite prepared to pay half the expense and keep the roads in repair. Besides this, as soon as the Light Railway was made the Council would at once rate them very heavily, and this operated doubly, being less money to maintain the roads, and rates to meet this expenditure. Such was the substance of remarks by the promoters of Light Railways. in response to a request through the chairman, from Mr. J. W. Jones, who with the chairman had reported what the b ederation Chambers did on the matter, Mr. R. S. Griffiths consented to go through the case from the Council's point of view. Mr. Griffiths said from a conversation he had with a committee member, it seemed to him time for the matter to be taken up by the public. The ratepayers had elected them to safeguard their interests at the Council. The position was this, when par- liamentary powers were sought bv com- Pames and councils and public bodies tailed to get necessary concessions, it was obligatory on such to fight for their rights, for once a bill was passed, the company could snap their fingers about any con- cession. The Pontypridd have had to rri fco their not having opposed the Tramways Company, and have had to spend hundreds of pounds on their roads owing to this neglect. The Tramways Company had to pitch their line, and some inches each side, but the result was that the macadam being softer than the pitch- ing, there was endless cost in keeping the road in repair. One contention of the Council is that the present conditions suit them. The view given by the representatives of the Light Railway Company was totally differ- ent from what had been before the Com- mittee. The deputation from the Com- pany absolutely refused to give any conces- sions whatever. Now the Council in these matters had to depend on t^e advice of the Clerk, who framed the neceg,, v questions to be put. When these wj-0 t. nm £ ■ ,f as he 6 h. — „ ~7~ '<* £ > i ell

^erstood, they absolutely refused point blank to give answers. When con- cessions are refused, then it is necessary to fight, and as an instance to show how vexatious, and yet necessary it was to do so, he would instance the G.W.R. Bill for a double line, to run passengers to Peny- graig. The Board demanded the widen- ing of the bridge at the Golden Age, and to get a more gradual curve. The com- pany refused, and it was only when coun- sel was briefed, witnesses ready in the corridor, to appear in the examination, that the G.W.R. conceded all they asked for. The Light Railways was a question or very wide aspect. Firstly, the Council complained that they asked for powers un- der the Light Railways Act, and not un- der the Tramways Act, for a line which was really only an extension of the Tram- way. Under this Light Railways Act the Council would be deprived of their right of choice of buying it. Under that Act they went to the Board of Trade where the Council would have no voice at all. If these powers were sought under the Tram- ways Act, in that case after a certain num- ber of years they would have the right of purchase. Parliament takes the view that if a local authority takes up the matter no company need apply. The time is not ar- rived to take up this matter. They don't want the company at the present time to have the powers, as it would affect many interests of the Board. The roads up to the present had suited them, and they had by mutual concessions with landlords effected all their road improvements without hav- to buy land. If the electric tramways come, they as a Council would find their roads inadequate. If they let these people through without opposing them, they would be compelled to repair their bridges, and the tramways would greatly interfere with their gas and water mains, that they had obtained at such cost, and only recent- ly laid. Then the tradesmen, owing to their not having spaces at the backs of their houses to load and unload their goods would not be allowed to do it on the roads as they do at present, and would have to go to great expense. In case of a burst of a water main, which was very possible, ow- ing to subsidence and other causes, they might have to relay their mains, only just completed. There was nothing in the re- port that the opposition was caused by Taff Vale shareholders. f Mr. Councillor David Williams fully en- dorsed what Mr. Councillor Griffiths said, and pointed out that really the Light Railways Act was a Landlords' Act, and this company only adopted this to avoid obligations. They were purely a money- making company. In his opinion, also, the Chamber ought to oppose the scheme. After a discussion, in which the Chair- man, Secretary, Mr. J. W. Jones, and Mr.- Stockwell, took part, Mr. D. S. Thomas moved,' Mr. Stockwell seconded, that the Chamber at present having heard their representatives, cannot see its way to sup- port the Light Railways Act for the Rhon- dda. A hearty vote of thanks was moved and carried to the two Councillors for their admirable addresses. It was decided to hold conversazione on the second Thursday in January, and a committee was appointed to arrange for the same. The Chairman and Secretary were ap- pointed delegates to the next Federation meeting. -—

EXTRAORDINARY COINCIDENCE! Last Week Seventeen Chimneys were all clean swept at one blow by HOULT'S Chimney Cleaner I Clean, Cheap, and Efficient. Full Particulars from R. T. Jones, Sheffield House, Treherbert. 26 A family is a little world within doors the miniature resemblance of the great world without.- -J. A. James.

I For Mothers & Daugters. By MADAME ROSE. HE question of table decoration is always, at this season, one of much moment. There are, of course, always plenty of ways of decorating ona's dinner-table if there is plenty of money at hand. The great thing is to have a pretty effect without a very large expenditure. Of course, the first thing necessary is a spotless and really beautifully. laundried tablecloth, sparkling glass, and well- polished silver. This arranged, the flowers must be our next consideration. Chrysanthemums are now in full season, and they are cheap enough in all conscience. The pale yellow and soft- shaded brown tints arb the best for table use, as they light up extremely well, while many of the pinks and mauves, although so lovely, lose their colour at night. Chrysanthemums must be arranged as carelessly as possible, and very few together. A pretty idea is that of having a silver or china basket at one end of the table with a few blossoms carelessly grouped, and at least four specimen glasses arranged down the table shewing the same flowers, while a sash of very, broad ribbon should tie the handle of the basket, the ends being trailed halfway down the table on either side. At the other end of the table a good-sized vase may have a large bow of the same ribbon placed at its foot, with the streamers carried up the table to meet those from the further end. A few trails of smilax may be laid carelessly over the centre of the table. FANCIFUL BODICES. Still the bodices for day wear are as elaborate as possible, while the fashion of elaborately trimming the yoke or neckband of the dress con- tinues. Tucked yokes, and others, again, inserted with lace, form one of the leading fashions, while often we see a tucked yoke surrounded with a square saddle of most elaborate passementerie. Clurming and becoming these undoubtedly are, an.1 not very expensive to make at hovr° for -li,-rt ]pw>t,h".rof Pall-- 'yO" I appearance. A local paper has been called for, antL:' }'I:'f: fI'L ".y fes^oiisive passementeries of the best kind can be purchased upon remnant days, or at the many sales which are always proceeding, for quite an infinitesimal sum, airi the girl who is clever with her fingers can makr1 the daintiest possible blouses out of Buc-h possessions. Sleeves on day-gowns are also b'ing very lavishly trimmed. Tucks, of course, are a'ways fashionable, while now we have the horizont11 gatherings, which prove remarkably becoming to a slim arm. To a short, stout arm the mo.Ft becoming arrangement Is that of per- pendicular straps, as this gives length to the arm, and takes off from its bulk. The wrists ot our bodices, too, are obtaining a good deal of a't ntion. They seldom now are finished in the old,t:me perfectly plain manner. Instead, they have dainty frills, which cover the hand, made of lace, satin, chiffon, or embroidery. These fancy wristlets are very easy to fashion, and arc cut merely from a band of the material, the smaller round being cut out of the centre of the larger round, through which the hand passes. The edge of the small round is then tacked to t'le wrist, and the outer edge will be found to now most successfully. WALKING COSTUMES. These are invariably made of cloth, and the ficed-cloths are much more fashionable than the rougher kind. Small checks and invisible plaids ate also very smart wear, and these are to be obtained in a soft kind of pilot-really a Scotch ^Kth—which is most effective and particularly hard-wearing, while good skirts and dainty little bolero coats made in these materials prove delightful wear, and the revers and collar and the light-fitting underfront of Tattersall cloth are the remarkably becoming, whether the figure be good or indifferent, liraid, of course, is unnecessary and out of place upon a checked or plaid material, but if such a costume is arranged in plain cloth; a little braiding, or ornamentation carried out in braid, or even in very narrow black watered silk ribbon, is easy to arrange, and looks un- commonly well. ON FASHIONS GENERALLY. I cannot too strongly impress upon my readers the importance of treshness in their tnlet. By this I do not mean a great change of gowns, but what I do mean is the necessity of keeping each costume absolutely spotless, well-brushed, and perfectly neat and tidy round the loot hem. So often what would prove an exceptionally smart toilet is entirely spoilt, when the wearer raises her skirt in the street, by the view of a Boiled and frayed balayeuse, which would cost very little to replace, and adds such a remarkably smart effect when fresh and spotless. So, too, with revers, cuffs, and collars; these must be as fresh as possible always, and remember that they can be easily replaced at a very small ex- penditure. The one topic of conversation just now, so far as fashions are concerned, is, without doubt, evening frocks. These are prettier than ever, while there is a distinct difference betweeq. the ban-gown ana tne ainner-aress. me latter is not quite so low as the dancing frock, while it is invariably supplied with lace or net sleeves. Here, too, there is much variety; some of these sleeves reach to the knuckles, forming mitten and sleeve in one, while others, again, reach only to the elbow, and ara finished with a very lull frill of lace and, of course, under such cir- cumstances long gloves must be worn. In almost every case, however, the sleeve is cut to shew the shoulder. I mean that there is a gap between the bodice and the top of the sleeve, shewing quite the prettiest part of the arm, and proving remarkably becoming to all except the very narrowest figures. Ball-gowns are very diaphanous and are spangled most lavishly with ELael or jet, while occasionally the two are com- bmed, giving a particularly smart finish. THE NEW DRESSING-JACKET. All the new dressing-jackets are cut now somewhat open at the throat, and are provided with hanging "bell sleeves. This is, indeed, a very dainty fashion, as the night-gowns of to- day are almost all made very elaborately, and by this means their pretty wristlets are exposed to view, the "bell sleeve of the dressing-jacket or breakfast-in-bed jacket falling back and in no way inconveniencing the wearer. Of course the old-time materials, such as flannel, flannelette silk, and sprigged muslins are all pressed into the service, but more elaboration is shewn in the trimming of our dressing jackets, and fre- quently we see the outline of the collar, the edge of the hanging sleeves, and the front of the jacket finished with a broad French hem of satin or silk, overlaid with a handsome lace or cream-coloured guipure. The most becoming shades for a dressing-jacket are, without doubt, pale blue and soft shell pink. White, of course is always useful, and owns the distinct advan- tage of not being spoilt when cleaned or Washed. TOMATO AND APPLE SALAD. Now that the lettuces are practically over, it is as well to obtain a suitable substitute. There is no dish so appetising as a well-made salad, and it is easy enough to arrange this all the year round, if one will only consider that lettuce and watercress are not the only ingredient,j necessary to its production. Nothing makes a better winter salad than tomatoes and apples arranged in the following manner: rI>s<j.-> three ^or"i>.sized *-mnat'»s. 8 yfesa in the households.of_,ti!->,?^ ,rr"ad "alp them for an instant in boiling water, which will enable the cook to peel them quite easily. Slice them, and then cut them again cross-wise into dice. Peel and core a large apple, and then chop it to about the same size as the pieces of tomato. Chop very finely a Spanish onion and two olives. Mix thoroughly, and pour over the mixture two tablespoonfuls of the best oil, one tablespoonful of tarragon vinegar, and a dusting of sugar, pepper, and salt. Of course, the apple and tomato must not be chopped until the very last moment. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "F. S. M."—The butterfly bow is not now nearly so fashionable as the sailor knot. The newest ties of the kind are made of crepe de chine, and are fringed at the edges with silk fringe matching the colour of the tie. These, of course, are rather delicate, and get soiled very quickly; but they can be washed most success- fully if sufficient care is taken in the process. Turquoise-blue would be the colour to obtain to wear with the costume to which you refer. These ties can be obtained in different lengths, but I should think the smaller size would suit you best. I am so glad you "summoned up courage" to write to me. It is so much more satisfactory hearing from correspondents direct than to have a query put in a friend's letter; in which, I am bound to confess, I am not nearly so interested as when I hear from the correspondent about her own particular needs. „ — — —"

Treorchy Male Voice Party at Dunraven Castle. X The American Ambassador hopes the Choir will visit the States. For the second time the Royal Male Voice Party has had the honour of being invited to Dunraven Castle. The first occasion was about three years ago and [was the primary cause of a command soon afterwards to appear at Windsor Castle. A telegram was received at Treorchy on Monday last from the Earl and Countess of Dunraven, inviting the party to the castle, which invitation was promptly accepted, and the Choir numbering 30, under the conductor- ship of Mr. William Thomas, gave a Concert on Tuesday night, in the splendid conservatory of the castle, a very distinguished company being present, including the Earl and Countess of Dunraven, Mr. Choate (the American Ambassador) and Miss Choate, Sir William and Lady Hart-Dyke, the Right Hon. Arnold Morley, AT. P., Maior and Lady Eva Wyndham- Quin, and Mrs. Skeffington Smith. Before dinner the choir sang in their well- known style "The Martyrs of the Arena," On the Ramparts,^ "Hues of Day," Strike the Lyre," Llwyn Onn," and "Harlech," and after dinner gave a second performance. The conductor and members of the Choir were heartily congratulated by the Earl and Countess of Dunraven, and the Earl intimated that lie would endeavour to secure for them another command to appear before the Queen. The American Ambassador appeared delighted with the performance, and remarked that he had seldom heard anything so exquisite, ex- pressing a wish that the Choir should visit the United States.

Trap accident near Cowbridge. Our readers will regret to hear that Mrs. Enoch, of Trebanog House, Porth, met with a nasty accident while being driven from Cowbridge on Thursday. The horse slipped, and Mrs. Enoch was thrown into the road. Mr. John, of Caercady, Cowbridge, rendered valuable assistance. Dr. Mellor, who happened to bo driving along at the time, found that Mrs. Enoch had sustained a fracture of the collar bone. She was conveyed home, and attended by Dr. Llewellyn, Penygraig. Her son, Mr. Enoch, of Albion House, Tonyrefail, and his two children were also in the trap, bnt although pitched out of the vehicle, escaped injury.

Opinions are not necessarily truths any more than botanical propositions are trees.— Dr. Thomas.

Rhondda Successes at Pontypridd Eisteddfod. At the chair eisteddfod, held at the Town Hall, Pontypridd, on Monday, the following musicians from the Rhonddas succeeded in capturing prizes:- Master Edgar Evans, Pentre, was awar- ded the prize in the pianoforte solo com- petition for juniors, there being 36 com- petitors. Five juvenile choirs had entered in the competition on Onward We Go (Rhedy- nog Price), but only three appeared, and they sang m the following order:—1 Tre- orchy Juvenile Society, conducted by Mr. R. • Lewis; 2, Tabernacle Children (Ponty- pridd), conductor Mr. J. Griffiths; 3, Yn- shir United Choir, conductor Mr. J. Howells. The first prize of L6 and a met- ronome to the conductor was won by Tabernacle, the second of t2 being divided between Treorchy and Ynyshir. Miss Evans, erndale, gave the best reci- tation of a Welsh piece confined to child- ren, and the second prize was taken by Mr. Alby Jones, Cilfynydd. a ,9utTof entrants in the tenor solo on Yr Hen Gerddor "(Pugh Evans), three appeared on the stage, and the winner was Mr. John Griffiths (Dewi Dyfed), Ferndale. Y Rhosyn Unig" (T. Price) was the solo for soprano, and the prize was taken by Miss S. J. Phillips, Tylorstown. Then came the chairing of the successful bard, which was carried out in detail, in accordance with the custom at the national gatherings. The subject was an In mem- oriam to the late Mr. T. Davies, Maes- yrhaf, Trealaw," and the prize offered was two guineas and a carved chair valued at five guineas. Thirteen compositions had been sent in. The bards, several being present, formed a semi-circle on the stage, and after Carnelian had delivered his ad- judication and announced that the best composition was the one* written by Eco'r Glyn" the successful bard was asked to stand. In response to the invita- tion the Rev. J. Symlog Morgan, Treorky, rose at the side of the hall, and was escor- ted to the stage amidst much cheering. He was then formally chaired, the veteran bard, Brynfab, acting as master of cere- monies, and holding the sword over the head of the rev. gentleman, who has now won several chairs. The chair song, writ- ten by Watcyn Wyn, was splendidly sung by Eos Dar, Councillor Edward Williams, R.A.M., Pontypridd, accompanying on the harp. The test piece for male voice choirs was Valiant Warriors" (D. Jenkins), and a first prize of tlO and a gold medal to the successful conductor were offered. Fifteen had entered, but only seven appeared and sang in the following order-: Aberewm- boy conducted by Mr. Phillip Rees, A. C. 2, Senghenydd and Aber, Councillor Ed- ward Evans; 3, Garth, Pentyrch, Mr. W. Evans; 4, Llantrisant, Mr. Lem. Evans; 0, Pontypridd; 6, Rhondda Music Lov- ers, Mr. John Broad; and 7, Trodyrhiw. The Pontypridd choir was disqualified, after a stormy scene, for being in excess of the number allowed; the winners being ii/r6 -onc'da Music Lovers, conducted by Mr. Broad. The/eniJJioii singing competition which followed, to the accompanimSilo m was very interesting, the winners being — 1, Miss Jane Haddock, Treherbert; 2, Miss Mattie Williams, Pontypridd 3, Miss Edith Williams, Pontypridd special, Miss Mary Ann Haddock, Treherbert. The best rendering of the tenor and bass duet was given by Messrs. Ben Devonald and Jonathan Jones, Ystrad. Mr. Ben Devonald, Ystrad, was ad- judged the winner in the bass solo, Arm, arm, ye Brave." In the chief choral competition the choirs sang as follows -1, Treorchy Minstrels, conducted by Mr. Tom Wil- liams 2, Penydarren United Choir, Mr. George Lewis; 3, Penuel Choir, Ponty- pridd, Mr. H. Jones; 4, Nebo United Choir, Mr. J. Roberts, A.C. 5, Zion Choir, Pontypridd, Mr. T. C. Evans. The test piece was Y Gwanwyh" (Gwilym Gwent), and a prize of P,20 and a gold medal to the successful conductor. A lengthy adjudication was given by Mr. Price, and the prize was awarded to Peny- darren (Merthyr) Choir, which was closely followed by Treorchy and Zion.

Three Months for Stealing a Bicycle. Samuel David Jenkins, engine-driver, of Ystrad, was charged with stealing a bicy- cle valued 25 10s., the property of Messrs. Timothy and Thomas, Pentre, on Saturday last. Defendant had hired the machine for two hours, and stated that it was for one David Evans, an employee of the firm. He afterwards sold the machine for 25s. to one Thomas Morgan. Defendant pleaded guilty, and had been previously convicted. He was sentenced to three months' im- prisonment with hard labour.

Queen's taste in Music. The programme of the Welsh Male Voice Choir's which visited Windsor Castle, was submitted for her Malesty's approval some days previous. On the paper being returned it was found that one of the pieces, "The Soldier's March" from Gounod's It Faust," was marked with. a blue pencil. It was intimated that the Queen It did not like it."

Business Notices. For good wearing BOOTS AND SHOES AT REASONABLE PRICES, go to JT. S. MORGAN, Boot and Shoe Exchange, 147, Bute Street, TREHERBERT. REPAIRS of all kinds at Fair Charges. 27 The Pontypridd Steam Laundry, Dyeing, Carpet and Window Cleaning Co., Limited, PWLLGWAUN, PONTYPRIDD. For Hotels, Schools, and Family Washing. Shirts and Collars a speciality. Vans sent to all parts. Write for Price List to Manager. a -o;- JOHN GRIFFITHS, Coach Builder and Wheelwright, THE BERW CARRIAGE WORKS, PONTYPIDD. gup* Builder of Vans, Carts, Trollies, &c. PAINTING & REPAIRS PROMPTLY EXECUTED. Steel Channels and Rubber Tyres fitted to any wheels on the shortest notice. Estimates free. 5 Philip Lougher, TANNER AND LEATHER MERCHANT, Grindery & Closed Upper Warehouse, 10, MARKET SQUARE, PONTYPRIDD. 2 PUBLICITY is the soul of justice,—Jeremy Bentham.