The Rhondda Leader

JUDGE WILLIAMS' tribute to Our late the late Mr. E. C. Spickett was, Registrar, to all who came into intimate relationship with him, none too extravagant. The late Mr. Spickett was a most exemplary type of a faithful lawyer. He was a gentleman who could be trusted by his clients to do the very utmost for their interests. As Registrar of the County Court, and as Returning Officer for the Rhondda for most of the elections, he interpreted the laws with the single aim of being true to its legal purpose. We can, after some years of observ- ant and vigilant reading of his public interpre- tations of duty, fully support the eulogy of the genial and learned Judge. The general public, and its least prominent repre- sentatives who desire an official, pliant and moulding, had not the intimate oppor- tunities of knowing him as those who spoke of the departed at the Pontypridd County Court on Monday. And we venture to say that the Guardians who have given the best enthusiasm to the work of the Union, will equally lay down their tribute of appreciation for one who had served the Parishes for so many years. Though we are writing before having an op- portunity of knowing the publicly expressed appreciation of the Guardians, we venture to think that Mr. E. H. Davies, the Vice-Chair- man, and his Rhondda colleagues, will, with equal generosity, repeat the high tribute of the Judge. The sharp, crisp brusqueness which seemed to be a tradition associated with his name, was merely surface mannerism. He was at bottom full of ready and generous sympathy with all that appealed genuinely to hi., honest and kindly heart. There was no show about the departed, and he never riiani- folded his character to suit any condition of worldly interest. He was the same to plebeian and peer alike, and was unmistakably as fine a type of the democrat as the legal fraternity could prodnce In these days of keen com- petition for business, and when gallery dis- plays of geniality are not unrewarded, he kept the even tenonr of his straightforward reputation. We know he was not popular. Few are who carry out principles of public life, with character and integrity of purpose domin- antly actuating them. Some people stride the world as if smiles and giggles were a complete living, but immediately the test xfr sincerity of motive is applied, the .sVioll is broken, and their nakedness is OIl revealed. We liked the bluff courtesies of the late Mr. Spickett, and (tejiTore his loss. The world of honest action a loser by his death, and paradoxical as it may appear to some who have crossed swords unsuccessfully with the departed, we venture to say that the world of over-much d hypocrisy and simulation can ill afford to lose such sturdy and genuine characters. i Heddwch i'w lwch.' THE motion of the Vicar Porth County of Ystradyfodwg at the School last Meeting of the Governors. School Board to requi- sition the Charity Com- missioners for increased representation for the Rhondda District on the Governing Body is deserving of the hearty support of the School Board. Until this, recent unhappy episode, the Rhondda people had not taken the interest they should in the government of their County School. They accepted the fact that the school was doing well, and covering itself an- nually with distinction, as sufficient reason for contentment. It is not generally known how the Governing Body is constituted. All know that it is not an ad hoc elective body, and that all its members come to it as the representatives of the local public bodies. We find from the Glamorgan County School Scheme the followiug constitution for Porth:- 4 by the County Council, 2 by the Rhondda School Board, 2 by the Rhondda District Council, 1 by the Llantrisant School Board, 1 by the Llanwonno School Roard, 2 by Co-optation, and Col. John Picton Turberville as donor, making the body 13 in number. The motion promoted by the Vicar seeks two additional members for the School Board by disfranchise- ment of Llanwonno and Llantrisant School Boards, and giving the number to the Rhondda School Board. This is not unreasonable, as it is very difficult to understand the "loco standi" of these outside Boards, and particu- larly Llanwonno Board, which has ceased con- nection with this District since all its schools have been transferred to the Rhondda. The case against Llantrisant is not so strong since Tonyrefail is still in the area of the Llantrisant Board, and in the District of the County School. Ni twithstanding, two representatives only for the Rhondda with its population of nearly 24,000 school children, and one repre- sentative for Llantrisant with only the hundredth part of scholar responsibilty, is obviously not proportionate, and thereon, there is a good foundation for the Rhondda Board's claim to a more generous treatment. 0 The present scheme was adopted when Llantrisantand Llanwonno had several schools in the Rhondda, but the re-arrangement caused by the extension of the District Council areas has changed the original basis, and therefore has made the revision of the scheme an urgent up-to-date reform. Also, on grounds of sound electoral principle, the change is arguable. Llanwonno has absolutely ceased educational responsibility as far as this District is concerned, and we feel confident if representations are made to the County Governing Body, it will act in the direction of asking the Charity Commissioners to amend the scheme in harmony with the resolution of our School Board. WE cannot fail to be Spreading seriously disturbed by the ~dd alljf.evelations in the case,,&fjbhe Jr Vcatk aethocli chwi bryclyddiaeth. Ji Shon, "nid lown and Iu strict Council versu Mr. v T !?y,i5Sias' Wheeler, Tonypandy, bef or,eHis t Worship, Ignatius Williams, on Monday last. n The penalty was heavy— £ 2 and costs. It is a pity that a working man should be thus ignorantly disobedient to the orders. of the. Medical Officer of Health. The instructions of Dr. Herbert Jones are all given for the health of the general community. And all admit that he is doing noble work. Mr. E Thomas Wheeler was suffering from diph- theria, but disregarded the orders of the Medical Officer by attending work when still infected with this fatal disease. It was hot a matter only of danger to himself, but he was carrying among [his fellow workmen a con- tagious disease, with full possibility of infecting many other homes. He needlessly went to Trealaw on a visit to a sister, and as is well known, every contact with other?, was spreading the virulant germs. In matters of this kind the many must be protected from the stupid folly of a contagious individual. We are sorry that Mr. Thomas Wheeler has been burdened with this cost, still, when we think of the serious possible consequences of his disobedience, we cannot express our sym- pathy for him. THE plea set up by him that he A weak had a permit to attend his work plea. from Dr. Edwards, was not ac- cepted by the Stipendiary, and we trust it will be a lesson to him in the future not to think lightly of the Medical Officer's orders. It .would be well also to make one point clear to the minds of our people, that is, that the supreme authority in matters of health relating to the general community is the Medical Officer of the District Council. By saying this we do not for a moment accept more than the Bench the statement that Dr. Edwards had given him permission. Dr. Edwards is not the gentleman to treat loosely these pestilential diseases, and any infringement of this rule is not credible to one of his distinguished repu- tation. But, unfortunately, it is one of the weaknesses of the institution of medical at- tendant by poundage and Colliery for the collier to presume that the "Doctor Gwaith," especially if there be rivalry in the practices, will sign and sanction anything and every- thing. It is a most unjust assumption, and we trust Mr. Thomas Wheeler will reflect accordingly. WE have just; received a Amy Evans most important letter from doing well. Mrs. Mary Davies, London, with respect to Miss Amy Evans. It will be known but to few outside the Committee of the Complimentary Concerts that the trustees strictly forbid her to sing in public for some time. The decision, though unpopular, is deliberately the in junction of Mr. Ben Davies and Mrs. Mary Davies. In the letter which we have received, Mrs. Davies is. most emphatic in this commana. l'iie letter is in response to a query at Bangor. She says, I am shocked that anyone should entertain the idea of asking her to sing publicly during the holidays of the school. Any one who is a true friend to Miss Amy Evans, and wish ler ultimately to succeed in the musical profes- ion, will gladly fall in with the views so strongly expressed by not only Mr. Btn Davies after hearing her, and later by myself, after hearing her in my house, but also ',y the doctor who has examined her during tne term at school. "THERE is not the slightest Her voice doubt that her voice had strained. been strained far beyond her powers, and that she requires great care and attention to her general physique, which is very undeveloped even for her age, 15. If she is allowed complete rest from singing for a year or two, and her strength is built mentally and physically, she ought to make a big success after careful training. At present it is general education and health that require most attention. She has had tonislitis, and her tonsils are still enlarged, but otherwise she looks far stronger in every way than she was when she arrived in London. "IF you will make this matter She must clearly imderst od, that is, not sing. that her trustees" ill not hear of her singing at any Concerts for two or three years, you will be doing an immense service, as well as serving the public generally. Nothing will be spared in the way of money to make her in every way fit to become a great singer it is for her people, and especially her friends, to strengthen the hands of those who have undertaken the trust."1 Miss Evans will soon be amongst us. We sincerely hope that this letter and its sound advice will he respected by all who will be brought into social relation- ship with our promising future great singer. Let every one remember, that if they desire to ally themselves on the side of true friend- ship for her welfare, they will help with all the influence at their command to obey the wish of the trustees—a wish, it must be remembered, based on the widest experience. It is now clear the trustees mean to mak a great woman of our little cottage girl. She is the honoured and petted aspiration of good and great people, and they have lofty ambition for her, and what wealth and education can do will he applied. "Nid ar i redeg y mae aredig." 4 MR. CHAMBERLAIN is the Bluff and apostle of the New Diplomacy, Bounce, and a pretty mess he is likely to get the British Nation into. His recent speech has been as full of indis- cretions as an egg of meat. Even the Times, the great paper of the country, and one which is invariably on the side of the Tory Governments, has felt its duty to come down heavily upon Mr Chamberlain's recent deliveries. The Times deprecates his speech about "the mending of manners" as an illustration of the freedom and looseness of phraseology employed in all countries when party questions are under discussion." At home we may indulge in hard hits, but when we are speaking about other countries, it is well that there sliould be statesmanship in our deportment. There is a great difference between a politician and a statesman. Those who are at the head of governments, and who hold the destinies of nations in the palms of their hands, ought to demonstrate a superior type of public address. It is quite enougl> in^her agitation ^nat sh^ hat Ave are TiSljf-iA^tfed Avith the Boer Avar, without tempting further complications by he ill-considered, half-baked utterances of nost responsible leaders. WE are glad that Lord Rose- Reason bery has felt it his duty to ad- and minister to the Birmingham Wisdom. oracle a well-deserved rebuke. Speaking at Edinburgh at the ;nd of last week, he said "We sometimes wonder why we are unpopular abroad. It is, I think, because we are too much engrossed with our own virtues, and forget that what would annoy ourselves in others, equally annoy others in ourselves. We have called one of the most ancicnt nations of the world a dying nation. We have compared another great Empire to the devil. We have hinted that another great Empire of the world is less in space than one of our colonies. And now we think it our duty to tell another nation to mind its manners." This game of flouting may be grand, and ntay be relished by the superficially silly, but it is serious and grave reflection for the man who desires the embodiment of high principles in the statecraft of his country. Lord Salisbury was familiarly associated with flouts, gibes and jeers, but he has to take a back seat since the "made in Birmingham New Diplomacy" has come into prominence. LORD Iiosebery's protest against Proving this flouting of foreign nations" the has four indictments. Lord words. Salisbury is only responsible for one of them when he once referred to Spain as "a dying nation." The other three are those of the "pet darling of the Unionist Alliance." The "devil" was Russia. The Empire which was only a third in space of our Queensland Colony was Germany, while his mend your manners "was hurled at France. It is no Avonder that during the last four years, we have been dangerously near war with several of the great Powers-with the United States, with Germany, with Russia, and with France, and with the exception of the Fashoda incident it was because of injudiciously expressed words. It is full time that the country should know this. We are no advocates of the gag, but certainly the best interests of the Empire are not always safe when Mr. Chamberlain goes on for his much beloved gallery displays. The advices which some great men give, are not generally and applicably pre- scriptive to themselves, but we think neverthe- less that unless Mr. Chamberlain mends his manners, this country will get into a. difficulty even more serious in imperial con- sequences than the present war in South A,fric.a. It is needless to add that we have no sympathy with these scurrilous attacks upon our good and gracious Queen. But these have come from the viler, or as Lord Rosebery says, the gutter part of the French Press." But the threats of "serious consequences is an indiplomatic frankness which condemns the author of them to no claim whatever .as a diplomatist. "ALL that glitters is not Casual gold." Mr. Chamberlain Employees, has been asked by a gentle- 0 man with a name which suggests the cemetery—Mr. Sexton-a very important point in connection with the Compensation Act. The question is whether men who are only casually employed, and not in receipt of regular weekly wages are within the scope of the Act or not? The question has an important bearing on that large class of labourers who work at the docks,—about 60 per cent of them,. though this branch of labour is included in the Act. Though Mr. Chamberlain claims many gifts, he replies that he can give no legal opinion, but adds that when the Act was passed, he had no idea that piece workers, or casual labourers, if in bona-fide employment, could or would be excluded. The answer is only another illustration that the spirit of Parliament in passing an act is not interpreted by the fraternity, when it is called upon to expound it by a decision. The Court of Appeal has already hinted that casual labourers cannot get compensation. It is the old, old story, that whatever Acts of Parliament we pass, the proverbial coach and four can be driven through them. THE Chairman, Alderman J. Technical Jones Griffiths, made the Education. following encouraging state- ment at the Quarterly Meet- ing of the County Technical Instruction 11 Committee on Tuesday :—At the recent com- petition in butter-making, &c., instituted in connection with the Royal Agricultural Show. two sisters—the Misses Lougher, of Bonvil- stone, did well. They are students of the Glamorgan Technical Classes, and were trained by the County Travelling Teacher. One sister took the second prize against all England, and the other was highly recommen- ded. Another student, Miss James, of Llanear- fan, also attained a most honourable position in the same general competition, and has since secured a lucrative appointment at Taplow. When the history of our Technical Instruction Work in the County will be written, it will be seen that the part taken by Alderman Griffiths in the movement will be found to be very considerable. It is most gratifying to note the influence upon the Education in find- ing appointments for Welsh students outside Wales. The ubiquity of the Scotchman in prominent positions we know. It is the natural result of the traditional enthusiasm which has inspired our friends of North Britain, and ivhich was initiated by John Knox who gave jhell1 the precept that "a child educated was a contribution to the wealth of the country." In "Gwalia amvyl gwlad y delyn" we have had good maxims stimulating appreciation for education. 11 Goi-eii arf, arf dysg," and Gwell dysg na golud," are two oft repeated ones, but it is sad to think how leisurely some of the parental community adopt their living force in the practice of life. We trust that frequent recitals of the successes of individuals will bring home with daily in- creasing influence the urgency of the heritage for every child of a sound educational equip- ment before it reaches the front in the great battle of life." °

Sparks from 'Y Twll Cloi.' By DAI SHIRGAli. When I descended the pit to proceed to my work on Saturday morning last, I was rather staggered by the reception I had near Y Twll Cloi by my fellow workmen. It was what they call a "right royal reception." I was puzzled to understand the meaning of it all. The first to speak was Shoni. C',aabwrla. Avho addressed me som^ J 1If I "lHVn'a; v rba.i'"Vuing like this :— ;fK"vvea done, Dai we did'nt think you could write half as good, man jaich ariod that Archbishop—what you call him ?-Ü, aye, Morien, couldn't beat you Where you have been keepin' yourself so quiet all this time, Dai? There's glad we are, man." I thanked Shoni for his kind words, which I I considered were rather too flattering. ] "What you are going to Avrite on next ] *.VS6K, X^?>v was Skonvs next question, to ] which I replied that I had not quite made up ] my mind, and stated that my special work ] was to report the meetings at the Twll Cloi," that I was appointed for that purpose. j "Well," said Shoni, "we was just talking now about thatawfl11 row at the Eisteddfod that was at Pontypridd last Monday. It was shameful. I have been told by people who was there, that it was much worse than was printed in the papers. Some of the boys here was there. They can tell all about it." Tom Sol-do, Avho was present at the Eis- teddfod referred to, was the next speaker. "I was there," said Tom, "and it was a shop The conductors were novices, and had had no control whatever over the audience. I have known similar objections to have been made at many Eisteddfodau in the past, i.e., an objection to a certain choir ignoring the minimum or maximum number stipulated in the programme, but the tact and ability of the conductors have as a rule, prevented any serious outbreak, and the proceedings were not in any way interfered with. Had Gurnos Jones or Tom John been at Pontypridd things would have gone on very well. Good con- ductors are as scarce as good roads in the Rhondda." Dai Brynaman interrupted and said, "Never mind the 'Steddfodau. What is of more im- portance to us is bread and cheese. What do you think of the advance given us this week?" Will Glo Man "No good at all. It will only give us a pint a week I" Dai Brynaman It is indeed only a trifling advance and tends to make one dissatisfied with the Sliding Scale. The prices paid for coal, as given by the newspapers, were such as to justify one in expecting to receive a very sub- stantial rise in wages this time, but after reading a speech made by Mr. David Beynon, Maesteg, and remarks made by other gentle- men, I gather that we shall reap the benefit of the good prices prevailing at present, some time next year, as it appears that the great bulk of the coal now worked has been sold some considerable time ago, and our Avages are now regulated by the prices at which that coal was sold, and until these contracts can be worked off no material increase in wages will take effect." Tom Salvation "Well, by gosh, Dai is a scholar He do understand the Sliding Scale to the T.' David Beynon did tell something about underselling, did'nt he ?" Dai O, aye. he mentioned that Cory Brothers had accepted a contract at a price that was a few shillings lower than that asked for by other firm' Tom Salvation Cory do give very good advice when he do sit as judge in the court at Cardiff; but I s'pose good times are coming, no thanks to Cory." Tom then appealed to me to give my views, and f addressed(I a few words like this :—"You must not believe all you see in the newspapers. It is very improbable that colliery owners, or any other business men, are going to let the public knoAv their doings. Their actions are kept as secret as possible, and I dare say they all naturally do the best they can tor tllem- selves. There are Look here," interrupted Ned yr HewlAvr, "what was all that row in the last School Board meeting ? Did you read the o ccount of the meeting in the RHONDDA LEADER ?" Tom Salvation: "Aye indeed, they did have a warm meeting I should think. That man from Trealaw-aye, Daniel Thomas, that's his name—did make a long speech and was handling figures as good as Harcourt or Gosclien. I have heard them tell that that fellow from Trealaw is a wide awake customer, that lie knows Avhat he is about, and do never lose any meeting belonging to the School Board. I should like to know what the members are doing and what sides they do take on different questions. Some of you fellows who are scholars and do read a lot ought to let us know, and-look out here's the boss coming. We'll have a chat on this question again

I fftondda Colliery Manager Captured by the Boers. Before the Great Fight at Elands Laagte. His Wife a Gilfach Goch Lady. Interesting Account from the Released Prisoners. Mr David Harris, formerly of Cymmer, Porth, has recently experienced a novel) but rather unpleasant,time in South Africa s having been, previous to the great battle ? of Elandslaagte, taken prisoner by the • Boers,from whom, however, he subsequent- j ly escaped. Mr Harris was apprenticed as i a mining engineer to Mr Morgan Davies, S M.E., Swansea and completed his mining | education with Mr Thos. Griffiths, J.P., at the Cymmer Collieries, Porth, at which colliery he remained for a period of two years. In December, 1897, he left Cymmer ] te take up the important post of general j manager Elandslaagte Collieries, in i South Africa. Before leaving, Mr Harris who was highly esteemed and respected | by all, was made the recipient of a hand- j some presentation at the hands of the I miners of Cymmer, and a few months after I his departure his fiancee-Miss Annie Jones daughter of Mr Thomas Jones, manager of the Dinas Main Collieries, Gilfach Goch-1 joined him in South Africa, where they were married. Mrs Harris is a sister of j Mrs J. W. Richards, chemist (of Kurakold j fame), Tonypandy. Mr Harris' life since | accepting his responsible appointment has | not been lacking in excitement, but his | previous experiences pale into insignifi- | cance when compared with that through < which he passed a few short weeks ago. But let him tell his own story:—"I came out here two years ago from Wales to man- I age the Elandslaagte Collieries. Last Thursday, at one o'clock, I was sitting at dinner in my house, accompanied by Mr Mitchell Innes, one of the directors of the colliery. When Mr Innes was looking out of one of the windows he espied some horse- men riding towards a large herd of cattle which were approaching my house. He called my attention to this, and on my look- ing I saw the Dutchmen turn and stop the cattle and turn them back, also the Kaffirs who were driving them. I remarked to Mr Innes that they were Dutchmen, and no sooner had I done so than one came right up to the house. I went up to meet him. He asked me whether whether I was an Englishman, to which I replied in the affirmative. He then asked me if any soldiers had been about there. I informed him that the night before I understood there had been about 200 of them patrol- ling. I am a married man, and my wife is at Bellair with our only child. After look- ing me up and down, and after looking round the house the Boer rode away to J the station. VISITED BY BOERS. Before I got into the house three other Boers came right up, and also asked me whether I was an Englishman | and I again replied in the affirmative. The ¡. three Boers said they were thirsty and for a drink of water, which I gave them, and after inquiring about the soldiers they awav. Then-, .piabout IJUUV.» diguv — 150 Dutchmen, riding in all kinds of order. They all made off for the station, into which there had just arrived a train bound for Glencoe with provisions for the troops. After I had seen the three Dutchmen, i went to my telephone connected with the Elandslaaete stationmaster. I told him the- Boers were coming, and he should wire to j Ladysmith to inform the authorities there. Ele replied'that he had already done so as ie had heard from a Kafir that the Dutch- men were coming. As soon as the engine- iriver of the train saw the Boers approach- ing the station, he jumped on his engine, put on full steam, and cleared, the Boers Following by the side of the train, and keep- Lng up a continuous fire to stop the train. [t got on all right. HUSSAR CAPTAIN POTS THE ENEMY. The traint contained nine soldiers and Captain Davey, of the 18tk Hussars, who opened fire with his revolver. He shot a Boer in the calf of the leg, and the same shot killed the Boer's horse by his side. The I.. Boers then returned to the station, into which another train had now steamed. They arrested the officials and passengers of the train, among them being two local war correspondents. The next thing the Boers'did was to go to the stationmaster and make him detach the instruments from the wall and lay them on the floor. They also cut the wires connected with the sta- tion, so that no intelligence could be sent to Ladysmith. They then asked the station master if he had sent information to Lady- smith, and he replied in the negative. This lot of Boers were under the command of Field-Cornet Pinnear. The next troop of Boers that came into Elandslaagte rode out I along the line towards Modder Spruit, | where they entrenched themselves on the | spur of a kopje with the intention of stop- ping any troops entering Elandslaagte by rail. MR. HARRIS' KAFIRS AND OXEN j COMMANDEERED. The Dutchmen also remained at the sta- tion, commandeered my coolies and Kafirs to take up the rails, and so break off all communication with the station. After this had been done, the looting of goods in the different trucks was started, and the Boers made a very good haul, as the train contained a lot of forage, breadstuffs, and all kinds of provisions for the Glencoe camp From the broken boxes scattered round it was evident that the Royal Irish Fusiliers were to be the greatest sufferers, as their name Avas printed on the boxes. One ot the trucks contained spirits and all kinds of liquors, which I was very pleased to see were ordered to be destroyed by the Com- mandant. However, individually, the Boers managed to save some liquor, as we could see by their condition afterwards. HORSES AND PROPERTY SEIZED. The Boers, during this time were laying hands on all the horses in and around the property, and transferring their own sad- dles to their backs. They informed me that all their own horses were very much done up. They also commandeered my oxen and shot two of them for eating, but upon my asking Commandant Koch fof them, the remaining oxen were returned to me so that we could go on with our work » at the colliery. I also asked permission to work the colliery, which was at once gran" [ ted. I also asked if they would send some of their men to stop our Kafirs from run- ning away, and this request was also gran- ted, the Kafirs being informed that if they ran away they would be shot. The boys, j however, refused to go underground, as | they said they were afraid. The Boers kept arriving in small troops throughout the day, and when darkness set in rain fell heavily. So far, the Boers had not done anything to the officials of the mine. (To be continued next week).

The other day a little boy, reading from a book, stopped, and looking up at »ts father, who wa,s reading a paper, asked j "Why is an engine always called she r I The father looked puzzled, but after 0 ? moments thought replied, "Because It takes two or three men to manage her."