The Rhondda Leader

Ferndale. On Monday, the 31st ult., the Christ Church Hall was gaily and beautifully decorated on the occasion of the annual tea and entertainment held by the mem- bers of Christ Church. Right loyally did Ferndalians turn up to do justice to the choice things that had been prepared. The tables were tastefully and artistically laid, and attended to by the following ladies, who were also responsible for the decorations: Venloa (Brynawel), Mrs. Glover (New Street), Mrs. C. and Miss Hasleton (North Street), Mrs. Rose (Oak Terrace), Mrs. Davies (Taft Street), Mrs. Lloyd (Ardwyn Terrace), Mrs. Rees (Church Street), Mrs. Rathbone (Villas), Mrs. Evans (New Street), Mrs. Pike (Duffryn Street), Miss Florrie Davies (Taif Street), Mrs. and Miss Davies (iiryn- hyfryd Terrace), Mrs. Abrahams (Regent Street), and Miss Burroughs (Tatt Street). The Rev. D. Davies (vicar) and Mr. Southern, who superintended the tea, also officiated in the entertainment that followed, the grandest item of which, for the children, was a heavily loaded "tree of valuable prizes. The distribution and presentation was conducted by Miss Hannah (Brynderwen) and Miss Parry (the eldest daughter of Dr. Parry, J.P.), assisted by Mrs. Barkway, Mrs. Mills, and Mr. Galpin. Through the kindness of Mr. Southern, the audience was delighted bv the peerless singing of Madame Patti, He having secured at great cost for the gramophone, records by the prima donna. The success of the undertaking is mostly due to the efforts of the ladies, who had worked so willingly and energetically. To give tangible expression to our appreciation of our young and talented fellow-townsman, Mr. W. Trevor Lewis', abilities and services to the community, a strong and representative committee of local gentlemen has been formed, and it is announced that a grand complimentary concert will be given in April next at the Tudor Hall. The personnel of this com- mittee, of which County Councillor T. Samuel is chairman, Mr. S. H. Williams (cashier) treasurer, and Messrs. James J. Jenkins (Co-operative Stores) and John Williams (checkweigher) joint secretaries, coupled with the popularity of the young baritone, is a sufficient guarantee that the movement will be an unqualified success. The principle of holding Friendly Society meetings outside premises licensed for the sale of intoxicants is gaining ground at Ferndale. Last Saturday even- ing, the Lily of the Dale Lodge, of the 20th Century Equitable Friendly Society (previously quartered at the Victoria Hotel, Ferndale), held their quarterly meeting at their new quarters, the long room of the Ferndale Library and Institute. The takings for the evening constituted a record, and the following gentlemen were elected to hold office for the ensuing year:-Noble Grand, John Williams (New Street); Vice Grand, Isaac Walters (Brown Street); Assistant Secre- tary, William Edwards (King Street); Steward, D. J. Jones (New Street); Con- ductor, Evan T. Evans (Union Street); Guard, Mr. Holding (Duffryn Street); whilst the following gentlemen were re- elected to their respective offices: -Ed- ward Hobbs, Lodge representative on the District Executive; John Jenkins (Rhon- dda Terrace), Treasurer; and Lewis Evans (Brynhyfryd Terrace), Lodge Secretary. We wish this progressive Lodge all success in its new home. The need of an adequate Workmen's Hall and Institute at Ferndale is becoming more and more apparent as other villages in the vicinity follow each other in rapid succession in erecting magnificent build- ings in which the educational and recreational needs of the workers are well looked after. The workers of Ferndale have long been ripe for such an institu- tion, and practically the only barrier to its acquisition has been the unwillingness of the colliery directors to sanction the keeping of a poundage or levy for this purpose from the workmen's wages. The fitness of the workmen of Ferndale to manage any concern to the best advan- tage has been well demonstrated. The present Library and Institute (whose com- mittee is mainly composed of working men) occupies an excellent position, and is a most adaptable site for building a hall. There is a strong feeling abroad that the colliery directors should again be approached. Ferndale is to be honoured with a visit from Prof. H. Stanley Jevons, M.A., F.R.E.S., Cardiff University, who will deliver a lecture on The Coal Question at the Higher Grade Schools next Tues- day evening, January 8th. Mr. T. W. Berry (Director of Education) is expected to preside, and we have no hesitation in predicting that aft intellectual treat will be provided.

Porth. At the Y.M.G.A. Rooms, on Monday evening, the 31st ult., a high tea and social took place under the auspices of the Rhondda Independent Labour Party. It was unfortunate that both Mr. James Winstone (miners' agent) and Dr. Datta (the latter gentleman having promised, in the absence of the former, to preside) were unable to be present. But an ex- cellent substitute was found in Mr. T. I. Jones, F.R.E.S. The occasion was the departure of Mr. Noah Ablett for Ruskin College, Oxford, and members of the various branches turned up in large num- bers to wish him well and to give him a hearty send-off. The catering, which was in the hands of Mr. Thomas Owen Sims, of Porth, left nothing to be desired, and all thoroughly enjoyed the spread. The following toasts were given: The Movement in the Rhondda," by Mr. Noah Morgan, Penygraig; "Success to Mr. Noah Ablett," by Mr. George Dolling, Porth; and Leaders of the I.L.P. Move- ment," by Mr. T. 1. Jones. Songs were given in excellent manner by Mrs. Thomas, Trehafod; Mr. D. Thomas, Tre- hafod; Mr. Maddock Jeffries, Ferndale; Mr. George Smith, Ferndale; and Mr. Uriah Poole, Ferndale; recitations by Messrs. Maddock Jeffries, T. 1. Jones, N. Ablett, and U. Poole; and anecdotes by Messrs. John Williams (Ferndale), Jones, and Thomas (Porth). Votes of thanks, followed by the singing of Auld Lang Syne," ended a most enjoyable evening.

Ynyshir. The Forward Movement held an enter- tainment on Boxing Day, and some fine singing and recitations were given. The laughter and merriment signified that all there enjoyed themselves. On Saturday evening last, about 9 p.m., an elderly man named Wm. Row- lands, a native of Caerphilly, who had lived at Ynyshir 17 years, whilst going home, apparently in his usual health, dropped dead near his doorstep from paralysis. Seven children are left to mourn his loss. He was well-known and respected in the neighbourhood. On Thursday, his mortal remains were con- veyed by train to be interred at Caer- philly. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family in their sad bereavement. At the New Town Hall, on Tuesday, the 1st inst., a grand social tea and entertainment was held by the bachelors of Saron. Mr. 'D Evsm was the obair- man, Mr. John Evans was the secretary, and Miss Eleanor Rees was the treasurer. 1 The following presided at the tables:- Messrs. Ivor Williams, W. D. Daniel, D. J. Jones, Willie Thomas, W. D. Thomas, Geo. Rhydderch, W. J. Davies and Efret Evans. Messrs. D. Griffiths and Tom Thomas were the bread and butter cut- ters, whilst I-kli,. Elias Morgan murdered the cake. Later, a grand concert was held, and Miss Rachel M. Davies accom- panied and solos were rendered by some of the young people. A gramophone was also brought by Miss Read, and a. few nice selections were given. A very enjoy- able New Year's Day was spent.

Williamstown. A very successful competitive meeting was held at Nazareth (C.M.) Chapel on Tuesday evening. Mr. J. J. Evans occu- pied the chair. The adjudicators were: Music, Mr. Evan Williams; literary, Messrs. J. D. Thomas and John Isaac; drawing, Mr. Eddie Thomas. The awards were as follow -Solo for boys, Nid wyf ond cludyciu arfau," Master D. R. Mor- gan solo for girls, A oes yno le i mi P "s Miss Olwen Alexander recitation (open), Miss Olwen Alexander impromptu speech, The New Year," prize divided between Messrs. D. J. Evans and H. J. Powell; quartet music reading first sight, Carl Rosa Company (conductor, Mr. T. J. Thomas); tenor solo, "Y Bwthyn yn nghanol y Wlad," Mr. David Williams, map drawing, Wales," prize divided between Masters D. R. Morgan and Cynwyu Watkins. Four choirs competed on the chorus, Dringwn yn uwch." The prize was awarded to the Greenfield Choristers, conducted by Mr. T. J. Wil- liams. Solos were rendered also by Mr. Thomas Jenkins, Mrs. R. Morgan, Miss M. Evans, and a recitation by Miss Lewis. The accompanists were Mr. D. Joseph Powell and Miss Maud Morgan.

-m_ Re-opensng Services at Treorchy, The re-opening services in connection with the lloreb English Baptist Church, Treorehy, commenced on Sunday, the 30th ult., when the Rev. W. Edwards, D.D. (Principal of Cardiff College), and the Rev. W. Evans, G. & L., Blaenycwm, occupied the pulpit, and delivered eloquent sermons. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the morning service was sparsely attended, but a good congregation gathered at the afternoon and evening services. Mr. George Pook officiated at the organ, and the singing was conducted by Mr. Richard Bebb. On Monday evening, the xtev. R. B. Jones, Porth, officiated, and delivered a powerful sermon to a large congregation. The chapel had been in. the hands of the builders for the past seven months, and has been considerably en- larged and thoroughly renovated, at a cost of £ 1,500. Two substantial school- rooms have also been added. The old place of worship had a seating accommo- dation for about 450, whilst the enlarged chapel will have seating accommodation for over 700, making it one of the largest English places of worship in the Valley. A new pedal organ has also been installed. The pulpit, with the carpet and stair rods, were presented to the church by Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Evans, Temple of Fashion, Treorchv; and Mr. and Mrs. J. • i. Oliver, grocer, Bute Street, presented a magnificent clock. Next Sunday, the Rev. W. M. Jones, the pastor, will occupy the pulpit and continue the re-opening service, and the following Monday evening the Rev. Iorwerth Jones, Maesteg, will conduct the service. Messrs. Gwynne Edwards & Son had charge of the building operations, and the lighting of the chapel was entrusted to Mr. Danl Thomas, ironmonger.

Solr-ee at Llwyrsypia On Christmas night, a grand soiree was held at the Swimming Baths, Llwynypia. It was got up by a number of young men, friends of James Pascoe, Miskin Road, Trealaw, who was incapacitated from following his means of employment by a serious accident two years ago at the Glamorgan Collieries. The case was an exceedingly deserving one, and the sym- pathy of Mid-Rhondda was shown in a most tangible manlier. The hall was beau- tifully decorated by Mr. John Morgan, Trealaw; and the capacity of the room was tried to' its uttermost. Mr. Willie Thomas performed the arduous duties of chairman in an able manner. Until the interval the programme consisted of songs and dances, Miss Esther Hughes (Trealaw), Miss Rowlands (Penygraig), Mr. Jim Lewis (Treorehy), and Mr. M. Morgans (Dowlais) acquitting -themselves well, the accompanists for the evening being Mr. Aaron Meredith and his party. The second part of the evening was devoted entirely to dancing, the M.C."s being Mr. David Hughes and Mr. T. Evans (Trealaw). The evening proved a very enjoyable one, though the room was crowded. As has been said, the deserving case to which the proceeds were to be devoted was accountable for such a large attendance and such a speedy sale of tickets. On the following Friday, no less than JE40 was presented to Mr. Pascoe. The officials will be very pleased if all the money that has not yet been sent in, will be given to them as soon as possible. Great praise is due to the committee for showing such real and true friendship, and especially to the secretary, Mr. D. Hughes, 71, Miskin Road, Trealaw.

Mr W. T. Griffiths, A.R.S.M., F.G.S., Honoured by the London Geological Society. The numerous friends of Mr. W. T. Griffiths, A.R.S.M., will hail with delight the honour which was recently conferred upon him. It will be remembered that some eighteen months or so ago Mr. Griffiths, who is a son of Councillor Thos. Griffiths, M.E., J.P., was appointed mining instructor at Sibpur College, Calcutta. Previous to the acceptance of this ap- pointment, Mr. Grimths managed the Windsor Collieries, Abertridwr. The members of the Council of the Geological Society, London, recognising the immense strides which he has made in mining and geological pursuits, have now conferred upon him a Fellowship. We congratulate both the recipient, who still holds the Indian appointment, and his father upon his well-merited acknowledgment at the hands of such an important centre of science.

Rhondda i--vewsia-tg Schoois. On Tuesday next, the first of the prize distribution meetings in connection with this movement will take place at; the Ton Workmen's Hall. Mr. W. P. Nicholas, the Clerk of the District Council, is giving prizes to the extent of zC20 to the most successful and most faithful students. He wiil be supported by Dr. W. E. Thomas, who has always taken a very keen interest in Welsh education in all its forms; and other Councillors— County and District. We trust that this meeting will be well supported. The notice is short, but particulars can be seen in our auvertising columns. If the people generally would take more in- terest in this kind of meetings, it would augur well for the future of the country. Apathy. is the worst enemy of the demo- cracy. Therefore, Ton and district, wake up!

RANDOM READINGS. ATTRACTIONS OF THE NORTH POLE. In the far North, when winter settles down in earnest the very air seems frozen, and is filled with tiny little frost crystals; tempered steel and seasoned oak and hickory become brittle, soft iron becomes hard as steel, molasses and lard are cut with a hatchet, petroleum turns white and grows thick like ice-cream, and one's breath turns instantly to ice. Yet, says Commander Peary, the American explorer, in the Pall Mali Magazine, cold alone is not the greatest hard- ship of the Arctic regions, nor is it a thing which alone should interfere with Arctic work. Heat and cold, as we know, are relative; and the climate of England may seem as unendurable and as great a terror to a native of the tropics as does the winter cold of the Arctic regions to the native of England. Try to imagine, if possible, what it would be for each of the inhabitants of Great Britain, if every year the sun set early in October, not to rise again until the last of February. This is about the average night of the Arctic regions; 0 though at the Pole itself this night is six months long—from September 21st to March 21st. This Great Night" is what often drives men crazy in the North. This is the great, the unescap- able drawback to Arctic work. Six months' long, irritating, crushing weight of darkness. Just as the winter is a period of intense and almost unendurable darkness, so the summer is a time of continuous brilliant, and at times blinding sunlight. If one's camp or winter headquarters is near the sea, the rising and falling of the great sheet of ice under the influence of the tides results in a continuous cracking, creaking, and groaning of the ice, which never entirely ceases; and if the camp is in the interior, the chances are that during the greater portion of the time the wind and drifting snow keep up an incessant hiss and rustle. This is in the winter time. In the brief summer, the cries and whirring wings of count- less sea-birds, the sound of the numerous Arctic brooks, and lapping of the waves against the ice and rocks, keep the air alive with an incessant murmur. Hunger and starvation have played an impor- tant part in many Arctic expeditions. Careless- ness or mismanagement, or inexperience, or carefully considered taking of chances, may make them a serious menace anywhere in the world. In regard to hunger, as in regard to darkness, how many know what real hunger is, or can form any true idea of it? What I mean is the hunger which a man feels who has for weeks been working to his limit, in the biting air of the Arctic regions, on half-rations or less, till he is only a -gaunt machine of bones and sinews the hunger of a man whose heart and lungs and muscles are working overtime, whose stomach is thin as a sheet of paper, but whose blood is still red and hot, and every drop of it calling for meat. That is the hunger which leads a man to jump on bear or musk-ox that he has just killed, lift the skin with his knife, and fill up on the delicious raw, warm meat, without waiting for the useless luxuries of fire or salt. The hunger which, when a dog dies in harness, makes a man stand off the other dogs till he himself has eaten. Yet, while these Arctic regions, with their cold, their darkness, their privations, labour and starvation, are shudderingly repellent to the in- valid, the aged and the timid, to the man or boy of health and ruddy blood they have possessed from time immemorial the strongest fascination of any portion of the globe. No other field ap- peals so strongly and universally to brain and blood as these dazzling, dangerous, mysterious areas. The mystery, the novelty, the challenge, the bigness and the cleanness of it all, stirs to its utmost the man blood in us. A LAND OF DISTANCES. Your Canadian will hook up a couple of range ponies to his light buck-board or swing himself over the back of a home-bred horse and travel a trifle of fifty or sixty miles to a dance or a frolic of any kind without thinking it over a minute. Along the line of the railroad 'tis the same, says a Canadian correspondent of the Washington Star. I met a very genial gentle- man while travelling over the Canadian Northern at the frightful speed of eighty miles an hour, who, as he informed me, had just been up the line a bit to take dinner with Aunt Hattie." The genial person lived at Prince Albert, and I found out after a little conversa- tion that Aunt Hattie resided some 700 odd miles up away. Think of travelling from Washington to Chicago to take tea with Sister Sue or anybody else! Isn't it a wonder? WEATHER FORECASTS. Everyone is interested in the weather, and it most frequently forms the first topic of conver- sation. The people of the present day, how- ever, are not the only ones who have been inte- rested in the weather; for we can go back right through the ages down to the time of Adam; for he was a farmer, and as such he would be concerned about the changes of the weather for his crops. Shepherds, sailors, and others en- gaged in outdoor occupations have been able by experience to foresee impending changes in the weather; and much of their knowledge has come down to us in the form of weather say- ings and proverbs, such as: If the sun goes pale to bed, 'Twill rain to morrow, it is said When the peacock loudly bawls, Soon we'll have both rain and squalls. When the wind veers against the sun, Trust it not, for back 'twill run. When the mist creeps up the hill, Fisher, out and try your skill. A MALE GENEVRA. Foscue, a farmer-general of Languedoc, hid the vast accumulations of a penurious lifetime in a secret subterranean vault which he had ex- cavated beneath the wine-cellar, accessible only through a trapdoor that closed by a spring- lock. At last Foscue disappeared, apparently carried away by his master, the devil. Such at least was the belief of his superstitious neigh- bours, when every pond and well had been searched, and every inch of the country round had been scoured without the discovery of his body. Assured at least of his disappearance in some way from this world, they sold first his property and then his house. When the pur- chaser of his house was about to stock his wine- cellar, he descended with a light to survey the extent of its accommodation. As he was peer- ing about he stumbled over something, and lowering the light, discovered that it was a key standing on end. Clearing away the dust and Il i i roJln(l it, he found it was inserted in the lock of a trapdoor, coloured like the sur- roundmg flags. Opening the door he found a ladder by which he descended into a vault abso- lutely choked with bags of gold! Soon the light fell on the corpse of Foscue lying beside a candlestick, the candle of which he had eaten. The trapdoor had by some accident closed after him, and he died of starvation artiidst his baga of gold. SNAIL AND WASP FIGHT. A Huddersfield correspondent arrived on the scene of a snail and wasp fight just in time to at- test the result—the snail was stung to death. Two wasps caught in its slime, as if in birdlime, then fought each other like, he says, two mad- dened tigers chained together. They snapped with their formidable jaws, twisted and fenced, jabbed viciously at one another with their stings. Put on the stage of a binocular microscope (ob. jective 3in.), they presented a spectacle of active I ferocity almost dreadful. A little later one wasp was quiet, the other had turned savagely upon the snail to which both were glued. The jaws do not open up and down, but sideways, like a door of two leaves. Press the elbows to the sides and the hands on the breast, with the fingers of each lying in the spaces between the fingers of the other, and then rapidly throw forearm and hands outward and together again. This is the bite. The jaw is nearly transparent, yellowish and horny, with the hard interlocking teeth black. These cruel pincers the wasp was plung- ing into the snail's body, and, pulling back the head hard, was drawing out a tense length of snail's skin and tissue, and tearing and jerking it m the extremity of rage. I plucked the flesh from its jaws with a needle; the wasp seized and bit the haaHU if to out it. Tha waist ci i wasp is like a lady's tight-laced to the size of her arm only. I cut its waist and laid the bulky ab- domen, splendid with rings of black and -old. aside-,what remained of the wasp continued to bite and tear as if nothing had happened. The complicated appendages of its mouth were won- derful to watch. I cut the head from the thorax, and it fell on the glass. But the jaws still worked after an hour, and parts of the mouth after six hours were moving. Two hours after cutting the last segments of the abdomen were quivering. When I pressed the body slightly with the knife the sting darted out like lightning to full length, and as instantly returned. One could not but be startled with the rapier-flash of the thrust. Six hours after the parts about the sting, dissected out, still had movement."

Local amusements. The Palace, Porth. .4. ii glance at the bill of fare provided at the Palace of Varieties, Porth, this week, is sufficient to ensure an evening's plea- sant enjoyment. It is rather an onerous task to pick out the best item, as every one is a star turn. However, the Toy Terriers top the bill, and worthy are they of this position. The intelligence and sagacity displayed by these tiny creatures is remarkable to a degree. Marie Collins (sister of Lottie Collins, of Ta-ra-ra- boom-de-ay fame) is appearing this week with great success. Dene and Dawson present a mirth-provoking sketch, entitled Stage Aspirants"; whilst Harry Bent (society humorist) is very successful in his imitations, entitled A Peep into a Music Hall." Other artistes appearing are: Bandoni, the one man band; the Four Sisters Sligo; Phinas and Aida; Belford and Mars; Carlotta Lunn Elliott and Warne; Mike Gray, and the Palace Elec- trie Bioscope. Hippodrome, Tonypandy. A splendid programme is also presented by Mr. David Taylor to his patrons at the popular Hippo." Matt Wilkinson and Company heads the bill with a laugh- able sketch, entitled The Registry Office." The doings of the man from the country are too funny to describe. The Australian Troubadours make a great hit in their musical entertainment; and Kyoto, the Chinese marvel, is indeed a marvellous contortionist. Tom Odlin (the odd comedian) sings two very good songs; and the Shelleys present their celebrated comedy dno, The Doctor and Baby." Other artistes who complete the pro- gramme are —Violet Beatrice (boy im- personator), May Geraldine (charming comedienne), Hart and Victor (the funny couple), and Payne's Electric Bioscope. Cardiff Empire. Frank and Jen Latona are the prin- cipal performers at Cardiff Empire next week. Jen Latona has told some experi- ences of herself and husband in their three world tours. They have played in the Antipodes, Egypt, South Africa, all through the British Isles, on the Con- tinent, and in Russia. Mrs. Latona was born in Birmingham. My home is but two or three houses distant from the home of Joseph Chamberlain," Mrs. Latona said, and my family have frequently attended the garden parties which the Chamberlains give at Highbury." Mr. Latona is an American, a native of Frank- fort, Minn., a town which, as he sadly confesses, is not on the maps. He was playing in Nottingham six years ago when he first met the present Mrs. Latona. Then began the romance which has lasted to this day. Two Hebrew dialect comedians, Jordon and Harvey, are notable arrivals. Their entertainment is excessively simple, but in this simplicity lies its merit, and it is punctuated with roars of laughter from start to finish. Dressed in character as two low-class East End Jews, they have a simple conversation, in which one is continually trying to explain something to the other. Ultimately one, who can- not read, produces a letter written to him by his wife, and gets his friend to read it aloud. It isn't what you do, but how you do it, that spells success, and Messrs. Jordon and Harvey have not only a genuine gift of humour, but a thorough knowledge of the types they represent. These men, to whom Yiddish is their mother tongue, striving most earnestly to express themselves in broken English, are irresistibly funny. In this manner do our Hebrew friends in the East really mutilate the King's English. Other attractive items Dusty Rhodes, Chas. Robinson, Holden's Marionettes, Sylvesta, Hurley and Cole, Maseotte Trio, and the celebrated gaol breaker and handcuff expert, Hardeen.

Trealaw The children of the Band of Hope in connection with All Saints' Church, Tre- alaw, were given a Christmas tree at the Church Hall, Tonypandy, on Monday evening. The children had an enjoyable evening, and fully appreciated the good things which Santa Claus bestowed upon them.

■ The M id-Rondda Permanent Money Society. Branch Office at Tonypandy Library. Another Quarter's Success. As will be seen from our advertisement columns, the Committee of the Mid- Rhondda Permanent Money Society, in response to a large number of applica- tions, have decided to establish a branch office at one Tonypandy. Library; this will be established on Wednesday next, and will afford conveniences for present mem- bers to pay their contributions at Tony- pandy, and also for the purpose of en- rolling new members. The Society has just completed another quarter s existence, and its success has been quite beyond the anticipation of its most sanguine supporter. During the past quarter, nearly forty new members were enrolled, while £ 240 was advanced to members upon most advantageous terms. A feature of this Society is-and which is not found in many other societies —that the profits of the Society are utilised for members' benefits only, and both investors and borrowers receive dividends. Nearly zC35 was paid during the past quarter as dividends to mem- bers, making in all over P,85 paid to mem- bers' credit during the nine months of the Society's existence, while nearly £600 has been advanced to members. The Society deserves the support of the neigh- bourhood, as it is purely a local one, being controlled by a committee of twelve elected by the members. The trustees are Mr. D. Davies, M.E., Cambrian Col- lieries Councillor R. S. Griffiths, and the Rev. T. Williams. Intending members should join at once, so as to claim the full dividend. The branch office at Tonypandy will be opened fortnightly from Wednesday next, while the registered office of the Society at the Blaenclydach Refreshment Rooms (Old Noddfa Hall), are opened weekly on Tuesdays. The secretarial duties are in the hands of Mr. T. D. Lawrence, 79, Clydach Road, Clydach Vale, who is always ready to impart any information respecting the Society.

Death of an Old Pentre Resident We regret to have to record the demise of Mrs. Davies, of 1. Robert Street, Pentre, who died" on Monday last,\the 31st ult. Deceased, who was 60 years of age, was a native of Cardiganshire, and came to the Rhondda early in the 7.'s. She was highly respected in the district, for though quiet and unostentatious, 1Iie was a sterling Christian, and her adnfir- able qualities as wife and mother and universal kindliness endeared her to all. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to her husband, three sons, and daughter, who are left to mourn her loss. The funeral will take place to-day (Thursday) at Treorehy Cemetery.

Sale of Property at Pontygwaith Messrs. E. H. Davies and Son, auctioneers, Pentre, offered for sale at the New Inn Hotel, Pontypridd, on Wed- nesday, the 2nd inst., the Bridgend Hotel, Pontygwaith, the property of the late Thomas Lewis. The sale was excep- tionally large, and the biddings exceed- ingly brisk. The biddings started at 05,000, and soon ran up to kll,100, when it was knocked down to Mr. Thos. Jones, Junction Hotel, Abercynon. The same person secured the two cottages adjoining at L205, whereas the two small cottages in Furnace Road were bought by Mr. Daniel Ashton, grocer, for R190. Mr. W. T. Davies, solicitor, Porth, acted on behalf of the trustees.

Coughs, Colds, AND CHRONIC CHEST DISEASES. A SPEEDY HOME CURE. W. LASCELLES-SCOTT, F.S.Se. (LOND.) ANALYST, LITTLE ILFORD, Lecturtr on Chemistry and Hygiene, says in his Certificate of Analysis, I have pleasure in certifying that in my opinion VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE is an exceptionally pure, safe, and effective preparation." VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE Immediately subdues a cold however severe, eases a cough instantly, and heals the mucus surface of the breathing passages. Its delightful balsamic properties are most gratifying, nothing could be better and safer for children's coughs, and to tbe sufferer from chronic chest diseases it is a complete revelation. V! ASK FOR EN0S LIGHTNING COUCH CURE The purest and moat efficient Remedy procurable tor Ooughs, Oolds, Bronohlt! Asthma, Catarrh, Weak Lung«rA Ohlldren'a Coughs* 9id., 1116 ad 2/B per bottli, At ail ChmfUt and Drug Stern tvtrywbtrt. A GOOD CHARACTER Belongs to Dale, Forty & Co's Pianos Which can be obtained at such Low Prices for Cash, or such Easy Terms for Hire Purchase, that the greatest satisfaction is assured LISTS POST FREE. The Great PIANO & ORGAN FIRM, D4L £ FORTY & Co., High Street and Castle Arcade, CARDIFF 866 at CHELTENHAM, BIRM NGEAM, = The Mid-Rhondda Permanent Money Society JBL JEB a^smclm. Office Of the above Society will be Opened on Wednesday. Jan. 9th, at THE TONYPANDY LIBRARY, And will be Opened Fortnightly, WEDNESDAY EVENINGS, 7.30 to 8.30. This is a purely local Society, and giues to inuesting members dividends equal to 20 per cent on their Contributions. Join at once to secure full Quarter's Dividends Registered Office BLAENCLYDACH REFRESHMENT ROOMS, Clydach Rd., Clydach Yale Open weekly, Tuesdays, 7 to 8.30 p.m. Branch: TONYPANDY PUBLIC LIBRARY, open fortnightly, Wednesdays, 7.30 to 8.30 Prospectus (free) and any information from the Secretary — 3106 > Mr. T. D. LAWRENCE, 79, Clydach Road, Clydach Yale,