The Rhondda Leader

Illness of the Rev. W. Morris, F.R.G.S., Treorchy. The many friends and admirers of the above well-known gentleman will be sorry i° ^iat he i.s confined to his bed since last Friday owing to a complication of kidney and liver disease. He was unable to fulfil his duties last Sunday. His ren- dition up to the time of writing is such as calls for the most serious attention, and shows that he is not making any progress towards recovery. We hope the appre- hensions of his family and friends may be totally unfounded.

Early Closing in the Rhondda. The much vexed question at Treorchy just now is, what will take place on Satur- day, February 1st? It is to be the crucial clay that will decide the destiny of shop- xite reform, and who knows what will be tne consequences? Some are fond of blaming the shop as" sistants for taking such an active part in *le agitation. What a ridiculous argu- ment it would be to censure the miners ° interest«d in their own cause! When the shop-keepers decided to open auring January at 11 o'clock, they also 'Announced by means of posters, officially nested, that a meeting would be duly ,??to consider further reform." When tliis meeting to be called? is the anxious enquiry. It would be a public lie not to convene it, and still it is said that re- Ponsible persons are quietly ignoring it. tK i future action will rest solely on it v. deliberations of the employers. Will z ?■ stoP gag policy ? rn 1S a lamentable fact that you cannot u jfV4.ert or convince some people, no matter wnat weight and reason you attach to your arguments. When tradesmen decide to close at 11, You would hardly expect to find any shop open at 11.30 to 11.45 p.m. lhere are several progressive faces" the counters at Treorchy, and the query is often asked, which will be first to make its exit ? t ?very shop assistant become affiliated o their own union, and they can venture to command the help of others from out- side. Pentre, Ystrad, and Gelli, we under- the movement has taken up well, nf i ,.an^s to the initiatory movements tr, teadmZ tradesmen, the reform is likely become strictlv adopted. nf if?)? annouucing the decision to close anrl 0 clock on and after February 1st, rmi i,au °?e.n letter are being issued to the tion as for assistance and co-opera- This is a resolute, step to be taken with- Out. much "ado" and wrangling, and a stinging retort to the lagging, reluctant and non-progressive attitude of the Tre- t* u nelghbours. When will the latter see the follies of eir way? We can well look forward to the only alternative and effective remedy ne interference of the Trade Unionist fnloni T cause °f his fellow Trade -Public meetings must of necessity result ,n some good, and it would be a distinct help to the early closing movement if jsimisters of the gospel dwel ton the mat- i er. The majority are in its favour, and so are all who study the matter from a fiumamtariaa point of TICF&"

East Glamorgan Baptists. Half-Yearly Meetings at Hafod. On Wednesday the half-yearly meeting; of the East Glamorgan Baptist Associatioi was held at Bethesda Chapel, Hafod. Thi chair was occupied by the Rev. John Mills Abernant, president, who was supports by Mr. Daniel Thomas, Trealaw, vice-prf; sident; Principal Edwards, Cardiff Mr Evan Owen, J.P., Cardiff, treasurer; Rev T. Davies, Aberaman, secretary, and Rev R. D. Phillips, Cilfynydd, assistant secre tary. A motion from Salem Church, Car diff, that the officials of the Union and th< locales of the annual and half-yearly meet ings be decided by ballot, was carried. Tin question of making a new levy of ^d. py] member was postponed for further con si deration. A motion by the Blaenycwn Church to appoint a building committee to conduct and advise in building opera tions of churches, was passed in principle the details to be submitted to the geneia. assembly in June by a committee consisting of the secretary, Rev. T. Davies, Mr. W G. Howell, and Mr. Evans, G. and L., Tn,. herbert. Applications from Churches. An application was received from Beth ania church, Porth, for admission to tll. association. In the discussion it was ex plained that the church had separated from Seion church. One of the delegates asked the reason of the "split," but th. Chairman remarked that they had better not enter into that. The application was postponed, and the whole question was re- ferred to the Revs. W. Morris, Treorchy J. Griffiths, Aberdare, and H. Harries, Tre- herbert, who were appointed a committee to investigate and report to the annual assembly. A similar application from the new Eng lish Church in Cwmaman was granted The Revs. Jas. Davies, Cwmparc, and J. Nicholas, Tonypandy, were received into membership, whilst a letter of recom- mendation was given to the Rev. J. T Morgan (Thalamus), who is now in the United States. Mr. T. Idwal Jones' Transfer. The Rev. T. Idwal Jones, formerly rcf Llanelly and Porth, who passed through the Bankruptcy Court in PontypridJ last year, also applied for a letter of recom- mendation to the Denbigh, Flint, and Merioneth Association. It was moved Ilnrl seconded that this be granted, but a dple gate asked whether- this could be done under the eighteenth rule. The Challman replied it could not. Mr. Henry Abraham. Porth, explained that Seion church had not given him a transfer letter, as he and a few others had left to form Bet'.ania church, and therefore were not members An animated and somewhat personal dis- cussion followed. The applicant hi idly addressed the meeting, and a good deAl of sympathy was expressed with him. It was, however, strongly held that the dis cipline of the churches must be maintained. The original resolution was eventually withdrawn, and another was moved that the conference should urge Seion church to grant a transfer letter to the rev. gen- tleman. A suggestion was made bv "the secretary to the effect that the Rev. Mr. Jones be asked to go back to the church as a member on the ground of penitence, and this was carried, it being stated that if the church granted the letter the asso- ciation would give a letter of recommenda- tion to the rev. gentleman. Professor Davies, Cardiff, and Rev. T. Davies (secretary), were appointed on the Union Committee.—Votes of sympathy were passed with Rev. W. Morris, Dr. Waldo James, in their illness; with the Rev. 0. Harries, Heolyfelin, on the recent deaths in his family, and with Rev. W. Harries on his retirement.—The new volume by the Rev. D. Powell, on "Zechariah," was recommended to the notice of all the Sunday Schools.—Mr. E. P. Davies, Treorchy, read the accounts of the recent singing festival. The receipts were LII.6 5s. 4d., leaving a clear profit of £ 17 6s. 6d. to help the weak churcius. Only £7 was realised from the two former festivals. Hearty thanks were given to Messrs. E. R. Williams, Merthyr; Dan Davies, Merthyr; and E. P. Davies, Tre- orchy, for their services in this cause. Twentieth Century Fund. The Rev. W. Griffiths, Aberdare, gavf a report on the position and prospects of the Twentieth Century Fund. Some 01 the churches, he said, had contribute! handsomely, but there were others which had not yet, it was feared, commenced the work. Principal Edwards, in moving a resolution urging churches which had not yet contributed, to take the matter up at once, remarked that the Baptists of Wales had not yet collected £ 20,000. They had received £500 from Mr. Alfred Thomas, M.P.—(applause)—who was, he believed, the only person who had given that amount in Wales, and if the rich people would not follow that spelndid example, then the rank and file must do their best. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Henry Abraham seconded the resolution, which was carried. The reports of the churches showed the following amounts collected -Treharris, £ 118 15s. Gelligaer, L16 15s. Trehafodl P,12 158.; Rhydfelen, jE14 2s.; Ffrwd. Mountain Ash, no report; Hebron, Ton no report; Cefncoed, Merthyr, £ 33 2s Pisgah, Cymmer, £ 7 10s. Seion, Porth, £ 30 10s. Nebo, Ystrad, £ 14 2s. 6d. Hen- goed, £ 100; Penrhiwceiber, £ 15 8s. Troedyrhiw, E22 3s. 6d. Croesyparc, t- 16 Caersalem, Dowlais, L30 10s. Tongwyn- lais, P,16 10s. Pengam, t20 7s. Ellin, Pendaren, £27 5s.; Ebenezer, Merthyr, £20 78.; Soar, Blaenyewm, C5; Llanilityd Vardre, £17 6s. Penderryn, tll 3s. Gadlys, 912 10s.; Salem Newydd, £ 63 6s Caemhilly, £ 40. Hirwain, Heolyfelyn Soar, Dinas, and Mardy are about com- mencing. Salem, Porth, will aim at £ 50; and Tabernacle, Cardiff, £ 1,000. Llantri- sant, Llysfaen, and Nazareth, Blaen llechau, are arranging a canvas. Noddi'a, Treorchy, have alreadzy collected t230, and hope to realise the total of L500. The four Merthyr ministers, Revs. Price, Jones, Nicholas, Und Williams were elected with the officers to draw the programme of the next cymanfa in Merthyr. A motion on education was proposed by Prin- cipal Edwards, demanding a measure flllI and exhaustive, and free from sectarian bias. This was passed unanimously. Attention was called to the demands of the Board of Health with regard to the Association's property at Brithdir, which needs repairing at a cost of 925, L5 10s only being in hand. A committee was selected to administer the affairs. A case in dispute in a portion of the church of Ynyshir was delegated to a small com- mittee composed of the Revs. Anthuny Williams, Nebo E. W. Davies, T'on; and R. B. Jones, Salem, Porth.

Ynyshir We are glad to learn that we have in Ynyshir a talented musician in the person of Mr. Tom W. Kemp, son of Mr. John Kemp, a well known miners' representa- tive. Not only is he a tenor of a liioh order, he is also, through hard study in the past, an all round musician. He proved himself a vocalist of very high order last Christmas, in taking up the chief tenor parts in Dr. Parry's two cantatas, viz., Nebuchadnezer and Ceridwen," which were performed in character for the first time in Wales. He was highly praised by Dr. Parry for his performances. He is also a very excellent composer, some of his works being household pleasures alrea iy in the Rhondda, and also as an eisteddfodic adjudicator he proves to be an immense success,

Theatre Royal, Tonypandy. A drama of absorbing interest, the pro- ¡;, duction of the French Spy," by Mr. Fred. Benton's powerful company, is 1 staged at our popular playhouse this week, l', and, as on the occasion of its presenta- i tion last year, it elicited the heartiest receptions from a crowded house. A dis- tinctive and much appreciated feature of the play is the magnificence of the scenery carried by the company, and the number of quick and ingenious changes introduced, especially noteworthy being the rapid transition from the dock to the boat-house. The crowded audiences this week through are unmistakable testimony, first, to the extraordinary popularity of this class of entertainment, and, secondly, to the high reputation enjoyed by Mr. Duckworth as 1 a manager who thoroughly insists upon his hall being properly conducted. Mr. Fred. Benton has gathered together a capable i body of artistes, who present the story t with concentration and will power. Miss s Kathleen Eckhart is a delightfully capri- cious Countess Andree (" The French Spy"), irresistibly cajoling in the scenes with her admirers, and kindly sympathetic in her passages with her popular lover. The latter part was engagingly acted by the hero, who made a handsome lover, and aptly depicted the deep despondency of the simple youth. We had the pleasure of seeing once again Mr. Fred. Benton taking the part of "Fritz," the strong man, a portrayal in which he gave pro- minence to a clever and witty study, and never lost an opportunity of amusing the audience by his quiet touches of humour. The part of Olga," a fast woman in Rus- sian society, although an undesirable part, was effectively taken by Miss Florence Lynn. The other artistes played up to each other to great effect, their portrayals eliciting applause from the crowded as- sembly. "SINBAD, THE ROYAL SAILOR." A welcome change will be introduced at the Theatre Royal next week, when a grand comic Christmas pantomime, Sinbad, the Royal Sailor," will be produced by a large and clever company, under the manage- ment of Mr. Frank Dix. New magnifi- cent scenery has been specially painted for this production by Mr. P. Vandyke Davies, and the dresses and effects are specially fine. The pantomime sparkles with pretty and catchy music, and an excellent display of acrobatic dances is given by Jordison's troupe: of Continental dancers. A special afternoon performance will be given on Saturday at 2.30 p.m., when school child- ren will be admitted at special rates. NOTE.-Wheii coming to Cardiff bring your Pictures to M Wright, who will frame them in the most artistic style, at specially Low Prices—M. WRIGHT, 29, Queen Strset, and at 44, Cowbridt>e Road Windsor & Newton's Artist's Materials at 2 5 per cent off')rice List 661

Porth Town Hall. During the week Mr. Roy Jackson's No. I Company fulfil a special engagement at the hall in the play, entitled, "ThJ Hand of Iron," which proves to be an entirely new and sensational drama. Mr. Jackson, as A Mystery," Father Satan," "Cap- tain of the Gendarmes," and Mad Pierre, the Bell-ringer," did his part perfectly, his disguises proving that he is no mean hand at the art. Mr. Frank Julian, as "Duck, the journalist," with his so-called latest work, And the villain still pursued her," causing a deal of merriment. The parts of May Sutherland," the heroine, and "Mary Durogne," an American adven- turess, were well filled by Misses Clarrie Ash and Kittie Douglas. The play is one of the best that, has ever been at the hall, and all lovers of the novel should visit the hall this week. Next week the attraction will be "The Seal of Silence," a novel play by Watson Mill, and which will be staged by Messrs. Watson Mill and Guy Hastings's com- pany. The former takes the role of Jack Ellerslie," and the latter that of Dr. Mark Renwood." During the week commencing Monday, February 3rd, a grand pantomime will be staged. "Little Cinderella" comes to Porth direct from the Lyceum, Newport, where it was played to good houses, and had the longest run of any pantomime pro- duced at Newport. The performances at Porth will be given by the same full com- pany, with the same scenery and effects, as at Newport.

Kingsholme School, Weston. The results of the recent examinatiols of the College of Preceptors add greatly o the already high reputation of this school. Eleven were presented, and all passed in the classes for which they were presented. Seven were put in for the junior forms, and all but one obtained more than double the marks required to pass, and two prac- tically treble the amount. Of the remain- ing four, two obtained honours, two equiva- lent to first division, when they used to be classified, and eight distinctions. Three other pupils have recently passed the ex- amination into various banks, two into the Wilts and Dorset, one into the Metropoli- tan, and each has entered upon his duties.

Pentre. On Wednesday the Rev. Talalun Newton, London, visited the English Wesleyans in Pentre, and preached in the afternoon, lecturing in the evening.

Ystrad The Free Churches of the Ystrad district are holding united mission services in two different sections, English and Welsh. -r_

I I Mr. JOS. HOWES, The Popular Radical Lecturer and Debater. I w- Mr. Joseph Howes' Lecture Tour Starting on Monday next ,Mr. Joseph Howes, tlie well known Radical lecturer and debater, will commence to address a series of public meetings throughout the district. Mr. Howes is brought to the Rhondda by the Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association, and the meetings will he held as under :—Mardy, January 27th; Tudor Hall, Ferndale, January 28th; Ynyshir, January 29th; Noddfa Hall, Clydach Vale, January 30th; Treherbert, January 31st; Bethania, Treorchy, Feb- ruary 3rd; Ebenezer, T'ylorstown, Feb- ruary 4th Zion, T'realaw, Feb. 5th; Drill Hall, Pentre, February 6th Co-operative Hall, Tonypandy, February 7th.

The National Incorporated Waifs' Association. (Dr. Barnardo's Homes.) Special meetings on behalf of the above Hcmes are to be held in the Rhondda Valleys shortly. For thirty-five years Dr. Barnardo's Homes" have been labouring in the cause of destitute, orphan, and waif and stray children. To-day over 5.400 boys and girls are under the care of the Institutions, and fresh admissions are taking place at the rate of sixty every week. In all, over 43,000 young peopie, rescued from the most pitiable conditions, have passed through the Homes. Over 11,500 of these have been emigrated to Canada and the Colonies, where 98 per cent. have done full credit to their train- ing. The work is truly national in prin- ciple and extent. Children are admitted freely and unconditionally, on proof of destitution, from all parts of the Empire. The Homes have done a large share m emptying our gaols and workhouses, and thus they make a practical appeal to the pockets of our ratepayers as well as to the sympathies of the philanthropic. We draw the attention of our readers to i e advertising columns in this issue, in which will be found a notice of a meeting to be held in aid of these institutions.

Tonypandy. The wedding of Miss Lizzie A. Thomas, of Trealaw Bridge, to the Rev. J. 0. Davies, curate-in-charge of Tondu, formerly of Mardy and Pontygwaith, took place on Wednesday afternoon. A full account will appear next week. FRANK THOMAS, My Hatter," Pontypridd, has an ideal stock. He is willing to Cuff your wrist, Collar 1 your neck, and Crown your head with one of bis cele- brated 3s. 9d, Hats, 83

>0' -¥, Cgmore Valley Notes. On Sunday night last the Rev. T. D. Matthias delivered his last sermon as pastor of Horeb English Baptist Church. There was an immense audience. At the special request of the rev. gentleman, there is to be no public meeting for the presentation of the honorarium of E100 from the church. In accordance with this request ,the secretary and treasurer of the church waited upon Mr. Matthias on Monday, when the honorarium was handed over. The Y.P.S.C.E. at Horeb is flourishing exceedingly. There has been a large influx of members during-the last few weeks. At the quarterly meetings of the Bridgend district of Y.P.S.C.E., held at Bridgend on Wednesday, January 15th, Mr. W. H. Cousins, hon. secretary of the Horeb Society, was unanimously elected vice-president for the current year. There has been a further development of the Aber Colliery, Tynewydd, recently. After the temporary reduction of the employees owing to the necessity for fur- ther boring operations, 50 men were given employment on Friday last. The day and the hour ye know not." On Sunday there passed across the mys- terious divide another of Nantymoel's old inhabitants in the person of Mrs. D. Bartle, Station Road. Deceased had been ailing for a considerable time. Much sympathy us felt for the large family left to mourn. Ihe funeral took place on Thursday at Jalaenogwr Cemetery, the Rev. J. A. 9 Roberts officiating over the solemn cere- mony. As a result of the recent visit of Madame Gwyneth Vaughan, temperance lecturer, a branch of the British Woman's Temper- ance Association has been organised at Nantymoel. Mrs. Jones, School House, has been elected president; Miss E. A. Phillips, vice-president; Miss S. Evans, Beehive, treasurer, and Miss M. A. Richards, hon. secretary. The first meet- ilig was held on Friday night last at Dinam Chapel. Already over 50 members have been enrolled. The housing question is a burning one in the Ogmore. Houses are at a great premium. It will therefore be welcome news if the report in circulation proves correct. It is said, apparently on good authority, that a company has been formed in the valley with a view to very extensive building operations along the Blackwood Road. We understand that extensive altera- tions are contemplated by the Ogmore Electric Lighting Company. a

DYEING and CLEANING ♦ Shirt and Collar Dressing And GENERAL LAUNDRY WORK. J. m* BY POST OR RAIL. WE PAY CARRIAGE OR POSTAGE ONE WAY ON PARCELS AMOUNTING TO 2/- AND OVER. Parcels sent not later than Tuesday evening RETURNED SAME WEEK. ESTABLISHED 10 YEARS. The Cardiff Steam Laundry Dyeing & Cleaning Worlds, „ Cathays, CARDIFF. National Telephone, 741. 472 RUPTURE successfully treated without Operation. „ m la> Eastland Cottage, Neath, October 18th, 1900. S. 1. Sherman, Rupture Specialist. My Dear Sir,—Allow me to thank you for the skilful way in which you treated my case, which was a severe left scortal hernia of five years' standing, and notwithstanding my 9 extreme age of 77 years, you have effected a complete cure in me. I am well known in Neath, being the Market Collector, and I shall only be too pleased to report my case per- sonally to anyone who desires to see me concerning it. Most gratefully vours THOS. KINGDOM. NEW BOOK-JUST OUT-POST FREE, 3d. Address S. T. SHERMAN, Specialist, 29, Rushey Green, Catford, S.E. 739

Correspondence The Doctor's Struggle. To the Editor. Sir,—The interesting stage which this question is assuming now bids well for its settlement in the imediate future. It is a question that the workmen to a man should take responsibility for its final decision. The poundage system is most degrading in its effects. You are simply "docked" at the office, and you are "doct" simply at the surgery. That's all! You see there is very little freedom, and the tiniest bit of responsibility anywhere to be found. Put your penny in the slot, and you get your toffee, if you like it, or leave it! WTith the vast amount of money thrown away on colliery doctors' poundage system, we could dot the valleys with libraries, or clear the Federation expenses. We can demand the best qualifications. We would be entitled to respect from our social superiors if we could show that we are able to manage our affairs in a manly way.—Yours, etc., LLEDRDDU.

Temperance Mission at Ystrad. On Friday evening a five days' temper- ance mission, under the auspices of the Rhondda Free Churches Federation. Ys- trad-Rhondda district, was concluded at Bethel Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. The movement was also an integral part of the Million New Pledges Scheme, or Crusade. Addresses were delivered by Alrs-Nicholas. I -ei Newport; Miss Cranogwen Rees; Miss Morris. Treorchy; and the Rev. Tl, J. Pritchard (W.), Porth. The Rev. T. D. Jones, Bodringallt, presided. During the campaign, 160 pledges were taken, and the public opinion was enlightened and in- spired for further efforts on temperance lines in the district.

Football. Belle Vue played their first match with Williamstown on Saturday, and the game resulted in a draw, nothing being scored on either side. Both teams played a hard game, and there was very little to choose between them. For the home side, the most conspicuous was M. Rocket, who made an excellent run for over half the length of the field, but his pass to W. Salter on the wing went astray, and a certain try was lost. The other backs played fairly, their fault being holding on to the ball too long. Of the visiting backs, W. Morris was the pick, and might in time prove to be a dangerous centre. The half-backs were about equal. C. Franks and Eli Davies did all that was re- quired of them by their respective sides. Amongst the forwards of both sides, mis- takes were numerous, their play being too wild, -and very fond of indulging in hard kicking when not needed. Both packs should be given a good training to know the way to back properly, as wingers were plentiful on both sides. In all diseases consult the eminent Specialist, Dr. Bridg water, M.D., U.S.A., Custom House-street, Cardiff. 833

Saturday Popular Concerts. Undoubtedly one of the best of the series of the above concerts was given last Saturday at Ebenezer Chapel. It was with pleasure also that we noted the in- crease in attendance. The artistes were Soprano, Miss May Moses. Treherbert contralto, Miss Lily Edwards, Porth. These were also assisted by the Mid-Rhon- dda Orchestral society, under the con- ductorship of Mr. A. A. Leek, and also by Mr. Percy Smith, Pentre. who played a solo on the oboe. Miss Moses was in admirable form. her excellent renderings of "I will extol Thee and The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond drawing forth great applause. The talented vocalist had to reappear on each occasion. Mr. Kemp also pleased his hearers with two splendid efforts, both encored. The or- chestra has seldom been heard to greater advantage. Their playing on Saturday evening was really well worth going a long way to hear, and it is gratifying to notice that the audience appreciated their two contributions so much. Next Saturday Miss Caroline Jones and Mr. Rees Williams, Penygraig, will sing, Mr. Phillip Leek, Trealaw, will play a 'cello solo, and Miss Vaughan, Trealaw Schools, will re- cite. Mr. David Jones. assistant over- seer, Llwynypia, will preside.

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Nantymoel Parliament. (By our Special Lobby Correspondent.) Monday night witnessed a big muster of members. In the absence of the Speaker, Mr. E. A. Jones occupied the chair. The King's speech was read. The Attorney- General moved the address in reply, and the member for Dublin University, in his maiden speech, ably seconded. The mem- ber for South Kerry welcomed the refer- ences to Irish legislation. The member for Merioneth was pleased at the agree- ments with the United States, and the friendliness of the King of Italy. The debate was adjourned for a week. The Foreign Secretary introduced a Bill for I the better housing of the working classes. and spoke at great length on the needs of reform, and the effects to be produced by the measure. The measure is a com- prehensive one. The chief features are tlie granting of powers (compulsory) to municipalities to purchase large areas out- side the towns for building purposes, and the building on one-sixth the part only, leaving the remaining portion for agricul- turing purposes and public amusement, thus securing not only the better housing of the poor, but also the repopulation of the land. Tho bill was well received- Several members of the Front Opposition bench supported it. The member for bouth Kerry termed the question an eternal one. During late years no prac- tical strides had been made in the matter until the introduction of the present measure. The bill met with all existing requirements. The members for Carnar- von and Merioneth also endorsed the measure. The Leader of the Opposition rose to oppose the Bill. but sat down with- out delivering more than a few sentences on coming into contact with the Foreign Secretary on a mis-statement regarding the bill. A notice of motion for a vote of no confidence in the Government was laid on the table, and will, of course, take pre- cedence at the next meeting.

OUR WEEKLY PRIZES. Half-Guineas for Nothing! Twenty Half-Guineas already given away J This Week's Results. The Coupons drawn this week were sent by- DAVID DAVIES, 27, Graig-road, Ynyshir. G. A. DAVID, Bush Hotel, Clydach Vale. DEWI HOPKINS, 11, Constan tine-street, Williamstowrn and ELIZA PHILLIPS, Brook-cottage, Ystrad-Rhondda. To each of whom a Postal Order for 10s. 6d. has been sent. Four Half-Guineas will again be given to our Readers next week. What you have to do. We do not require you to solve abstruse picture puzzles or to guess the number of peas in a bottle; or to find the winner of a football match or horse race; or to enter into any of the brain-torturing competitions now so prevalent. All you have to do is to fill in the Coupon, cut it out, and post it to us on or before Tuesday next (a halfpenny stamp will be sufhcient jwstaoe if the envelope "M not sealed, and any number of Coupons may be en. closed in one envelope.) The Four Prizes will then be awarded amOllg the persons who send in Coupons. Everyone, therefore, has an equal chance, for the whole of the Four Prizes will positively be fiiren. Special Notice. None of the Coupons will be opened until after the first postal delivery on Wednesday morning, so that every coupon received up to that time stands an equal chance of being drawn. Coupons arriving: later are disquali- bed. The Conditions are simple and plain. Ar Fill in your name and address on the ap- pended Coupon, and post it to "Couponi" Leader-Office, Tonypandy, by Tuesday, 28tli January, and if your name is drawn from among the Coupons sent in, the Half. Guinea will Le sent ;you, Giiinea will be sent you, ,<t.tr.?-tr.,? '¡;!w-ø" Rhondda Leader' t: S Prize Coupon it N o. 13. JANUARY 25, 1902. ? 5t It my name is drawn this week, ff^ please send me the lialf-guinea. 8^ Natite io :I Address" Ii: i'

tomer, whether under obligation to the bank or otherwise, has been recruited into the service for retaking the lost position. It is likewise, we presume, with the de- fending forces. The battle of the banks" divide people 'in a strange way. Self-interested advocacy is plainly evident to those who watch the game. The people to be pitied are the members of the Board. Their door-knockers are one continuous roll of discordance, while deputations in single file pass in and out daily. Of course, canvassing is a high art. There are delicate details, and even canvassers vary as much as details. The heavy weight canvasser believes he can put the screw on this, another thinks he can pull the strings with that. The working men of the Rhondda would be amazed if we could reveal the schemes and methods set in motion to work on their representa- tives. Canvassing for a school teacher is the height of respectability compared to this art, in which sorditity is displayed in the working of the mammon idolators. The roads of the Our Roads. Rhondda are in the worst possible condition for travelling. It is a disputed question these days among thoughtful observers of our local administrators, whether thtf'Dis- trict Council has exhausted its supply of civilisation. Mud is the reigning con- dition, and it is interesting to suggest that possibly a great deal of the muddiness might be cleared away if some work in the scraping way was set going by the authorities. We know that sometimes, when a public nuisance is criticised, we are told that the powers of the authority are limited, and the unpleasant condition is inevitable because irremovable. It is to be hoped that ,if such be the case with the mud on our roads, that the Council will seek the necessary powers for this pur- pose. As we have things to-day, it is dis- tinctly unbearable and intolerable. Per- haps our Councillors will note our com- plaint. While it remains, the language of eulogy for District Councildom must be suspended.