The Rhondda Leader

Rhondda Education Committee. Monthly Meeting, The monthly meeting of the Rhondda Education Committee was held at the Council Chamber, Pentre, on Friday. The attendance included Councillors Dr. W. E. j-Homas (chairman), Thos. Griffiths, E. Jones, Danl. Evans, D. C. Evans, W. T. Jones, Dd. Williams, Tom George, Griffith Evans, R. S. Griffiths, J. D. Williams, Thos. Thomas, Dd. Smith, W. P. Thomas, Drr. A. G. Tribe, Walter Williams, Ben Davies, Tom Harris, L. P. Griffiths, Lewis Hopkins, Tom Evans, W. H. Morgan, Wm. Thomas, D. R. Jones, W. D. Wight and W. T. Davies, together with the Clerk (Mr. W. P. Nicholas) and the Director (Mr. T. W. Berry). FEDERATION OF LOCAL EDUCA- TIONAL AUTHORITIES. Representatives were appointed to attend at a conference of the Educational Authorities of Wales and Monmouthshire, to consider the advisability of forming a Federation of the Educational Authorities of the Principality. Representatives were also appointed to attend an exhibition of Swedish drill, at the Agricultural Hall, London, given by a team of Swedish gymnasts. Councillor E. Jones was appointed to attend a conference to be held in con- nection with the Ysgol Haf at Bangor in August next. USE, OF SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS. A letter was received from Mr. Hugh Williams, secretary of the Treorchy and Cwmparc Free Church Council, enclosing a resolution passed by. that body asking that the school playgrounds be left open after school Rours and on Saturdays, so that children should be given facilities to play, and that the Free Church Council were prepared to appoint one or two persons to look after the children and to prevent them from committing any damage to the Council's property. The Chairman said they had already received complaints of school buildings being damaged by children when gates had been accidentally left open. Councillor R. S. Griffiths said they had considered the, question before, and had then deemed it impracticable to leave the playgrounds open after school hours. On the motion of the Chairman, it was resolved to adhere to the Council's former resolution. RESIGNATION OF CARPENTER. Mr. W. D. Thomas, a, carpenter in the employ of the Education Committee, wrote resigning his post, and on the motion of Councillor Tom Evans, the resignation was accepted, and the appoint- ment of a, successor was referred to the Building Committee, WANTED—A PLAYING FIELD. The1 Building) Committee reported having received a letter from Mr. Wm. Jenkins, J.P., Ystradfeehan, stating that the Ocean loal Co., Ltd., permitted the use of the Pentwyn land by their workpeople and friends, but that a difficulty might arise if application were made to the estate owner to use a portion in an exclusive manner other than for the use of his com- pany, and that he therefore could not join the Council in any such application. It was resolved that Councillor W. P. Thomas and the Architect interview Mr. Jenkins, with the view of ascertaining whether the Ocean Coal Co. would grant the Council the, strip of land between the highway and the river at Tynybedw for use as a playing field in connection with the Pentre Higher Elementary School. SCHOOLS ACCOMMODATION. The -board of Education wrote with reference to the proposed enlargement of Gelli School, that after further reference to H.M. Inspector, the Board were still of opinion that the solution of the problem of providing adequate school accommo- dation for the Gelli district suggested by the Board in the official letter of the 11th March last would prove the most satis- factory in the long run, while it would at the same time have the merit of avoiding the serious congestion of buildings on the site of the Gelli Schools, which was in- separable from the Authority's proposal; but that in view, however, of the special circumstances, the Board aid not deem it necessary to press any further their objec- tions to the Authority's proposal, and requesting that plans of the proposed en- largement be again forwarded for the con- sideration of the Board. The Committee were informed that the plans had accordingly been returned to the Board for their approval. The Board also wrote stating, in reply to the Director's letter of 20th May, that if the attendance of children at the Dyffryn School were raised to a reason- able standard of regularity the school would be seriously overcrowded, and that the Board were of opinion that some tem- porary relief should be provided at an early date, and that, in regard to the pro- posed use of the cookery room for ordinary school purposes, H.M. Inspector informed the Board that on a visit of inspection paid to the school on the 26th February last it was found that the cookery room was habitually used as a class room, and that the girls in the mixed department of the school was1 not being taught cookery, and that the Inspector recommended that cookery should be taught, to the girls, and that it was clear, if this recommendation was adopted, the room must be used for cookery instruction for more than one day in the week, and that, in any case the Board were not prepared to sanction the use of the room as an ordinary class room, and they must urge upon the Authority the need for providing: some additional temporary accommodation in accordance with the promise given in the Director's letter of the 18th September last. The Committee recommended a reply being sent to the Board stating that the whole question of school accommodation in the Ferndale district was having the earnest attention of the Council, and that the Council were about to come to terms with the County Authority with regard to the administration of secondary, educa- tion in the district, which would have an important bearing upon the ultimate dis- posal of the existing school buildings at erndale, and that it was found there was no room at a convenient distance from the Dyffryn School which could be used for, temporary purposes. The report was adopted. PORTH CARNIVAL. A letter was received from Mr. Levi Jenkins, 7, Cross Street, Porth, asking the Committee to allow the head-teachers of the schools at Porth, Ynyshir, Watts- town, Trehafod and Dinas to take part in the selling of tickets to school children in connection with the carnival and sports to be held on the 4th and 5th prox. in aid of the Porth. Cottage Hospital. The Committee resolved that a reply be sent Mr. Jenkins informing him that the Education Committee could not give con- sent to teachers to sell tickets to the school children, but that they had no objection to the sale of tickets by the children themselves. children themselves. DAIRY SCHOOL FOR PENTRE. A letter was also received from Mr. A. Richards, Ton, applying on behalf of his daughter and friends connected with the movement for the establishment of a temporary Dairy School at Pentre, to be allowed the use of the Old Higher Grade School at Pentre for twelve days for the holding of the classes, which will be under the superintendence of the County Lecturer. It was recommended that the applica- tion be granted, subject to the regulations, at a rental of Is. per day, and upon the applicants agreeing to give up possession at any time if requested so to do by the Director.

Cardiganshire Cancer Treatment. Change in Medical Opinion Within the last few months, several medical men have changed their opinion in respect to the treatment of Cancer and Tumours. They find operations and the use of the knife have a tendency to quicken the development of growth and to spread the disease through the system. It is now generally accepted the mode of treatment which is the least painful and which prolongs life, is the use of medi- cine, and such is the course now adopted in the well-known Cardiganshire cases. Throughout South Wales, a herbal pre- paration, made in three strengths, has effected some marvellous cures of cancerous growths, lupus, ulcerated legs, piles, and skin diseases. A large number of authen- ticated testimonials having already been received, and from the numerous tests made, the proprietors feel convinced cer- tain benefits will result from the use of the ointment to persons suffering from any of the above diseases, and they recom- mend sufferers to give Mannina Ointment an immediate trial. This Ointment can be obtained of Mr JOHN DAVIES, Chemist, 14. Dunraven Street, Tonypandy Mr W. T. DAVIES, Chemist, &c The Bridge Pharmacy, Porth Mr. D. E. DAVIES, Chemist, &c., Treorchy. Mr. H- MARTYN HUGHES, Chemist, &c., 74, Ogwy Street, Nantymoel Or direct from the MANNINA Ointment Co.. Main Street Fishguard.

King and Queen's Visit to Bristol Great honour has been extended to the Rhondda Fawr Ambulance Corps to join in with No. 2 District to, attend at Bristol this week. The following divisions will be represented —Ystrad-Rhondda, Maindy and Eastern, and Llwynypia, to render first-aid. They will be under the command of Chief Superintendent Tom Davies. His Majesty is the Sovereign Head of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Eisteddfod at Ton. On Saturday, the 4th inst., an eistedd- fod was held at the Workmen's Hall Ton, in aid of the local Foresters Lodge Widows and Orphans' Fund. Mr. Jacob Ray, Tre- harris, presided. The accompanists were Miss 0. Davies, Treorchy, and Mr. D. Jones, Pentre. Mr. Ben Dtavies was con- ductor. The chief awards were as follows: —Pianoforte solo: 1st, M. J. Lewis, Pentre (pupil of Miss M. M. Bvans, Pentre); 2nd, D. J. Williams, Gelli. Con- tralto solo: Mies M. A. Davies, Tony- pandy. Soprano solo: Miss Lizzie Ool" well, Blaengwynfi. Tenor solo: Divided between S. Asliton, Treorchy, an^i Jonathan Jones. Pentre. Bass solo: M1'- D. Daniel Davies, Treorchy. Duet, John Davies and friend, Treorchy. Adult recitation: 1st, W. G. Cove, Treherbert j 2nd, Dewi Goch, Gelli. Children's choirs: 1st, Ferndale. Male voice choir: Ton Music Lovers (conducted by Mr. Roy all). In the chief choral competition three choirs sang in the following order —1, St. John's Parish Church, Ton; English Congregational, Ton; 3, Ton United (conductor, Mr. Wm. Davies). rl'he first prize was awarded to Ton United.

Both Legs Crushed. William Jones (60), collier, living at 30, Dunraven Street, Treherbert, was admit- ted to the Cardiff Infirmary on Thursday night with both legs crushed. The legs were found to be fractured, and he was detained.

Health of the Rhondda. Medical Officer's Report. Striking Figures. The annual report of the Rhondda Medical Officer of Health for 1907 is just to. hand. Its 133 pages are crammed with interesting observations on the conditions and the general well-being of the com- munity, whilst the copious tables in the appenmxi form an interesting comparison between the Rhondda and the other large towns in England and Wales. In his preface to this interesting volume, Dr. Jenkins observes that the general death-rate for the year 1907 may be con- sidered satisfactory, inasmuch as, with the single exception of that for the previous year, it is the lowest recorded for 28 years. The level which it has reached—16.4 per 1,000 of the population living—while affording satisfaction in that it shows a material reduction as compared with the average last decennium, is capable of being still further reduced. This may be best effected in the immediate future by devoting special attention to the ameliora- tion or removal of influences which injuriously affect the mortality among influences. Dr. Jenkins calls attention, therefore, to the following, which, in his opinion, urgently call for serious con- sideration —(1) The adoption of a better system of refuse disposal; (2) the reduc- tion as far as practicable of the infantile mortality rate in the district. The district governed by the Rhondda District Council comprises an area of slightly, over 23,884 acres, forming thus the most extensive urban, district in the County of Glamorgan, the next in size being Margam. with an area of 18,117 acres. The Rhondda Urban District is, however, exceeded by seven out of nine rural districts in the county. The estimated population is 130,400, which is arrived at on the basis adopted by the Registrar-General in his returns relating to the vital statistics of the country. The number of births for 1907 was 4,831, or 37 per 1,000, being a, decrease of 2.3 as compared with the average of the last ten years. The total of 1907, however, exceeds that of the previous year bv 81, but is considerably lower than the totals pertaining to the years 1902, 1903 and 1904, and is, in fact, the lowest birth-fate recorded for 26 years. In its 'diminishing birth-rate, the Rhondda is only an example of the general tendency throughout the country, although, owing to its possession of a very high birth-rate, any fluctuation therein naturally becomes more pronounced than that pertaining to the country as a whole, so that, although the birth-rate for the year under review amounted to 37 per 1,000, or no less than 10 per 1,000 higher than that of the 76 great towns taken in the aggregate, it is yet 2.3 lower than its own average birth- rate for the, ten previous years. The natural increase," or the excess of births over deaths in 1907 amounted to 2.098 persons, and is larger than the corresponding number for the previous year by 21, because the disparity between the numbers of births was greater than that between the number of deaths relating to the two years. The second quarter of the year contributed the smallest number of births, the males, in accordance with the general rule, being in excess of the females. The number of deaths in 1907 totalled 2,133, equivalent to a death-rate of 16.4 per 1,000, and, with the exception of the death-rate for 1906, is the lowest on record for the past 28 years, being 2.9 per 1,000 below the average annual rate for the ten previous years. In its relationship in this respect to the other 76 great towns in England and Wales, Rhondda occupies the fifty-first position—i.e., 25 of these towns possessed higher death-rates than this district in the year 1907. The diseases which contributed most largely to the death-roll of the district were bronchitis, lobular pneumonia, heart disease, consumption, measles and cancer. Inquests were held by the district coroners upon 137, while 18 were uncertified by either coroner or medical attendant. In the year 1907, the heavy mortality among infants under one year of age, which has been such a striking feature in the history of the Rhondda for so many years, was somewhat less pronounced than in past years. The infantile mortality for 1907 amounted to 162 per 1,000 births, whereas the average rate for the previous deoennium was 195 deaths per 1,000 births. The rate for 1907 is, in fact, the lowest recorded for 17 years. Notwith- standing this improvement, the figures for the Rhondda. compare very unfavour- ably with the other large towns, the mortality among infants in the latter being: only 127 per 1,000. Satisfactory as the improvement already indicated as having taken place in the district may be, there is no question (adds the Medical Officer of Health) that much of the mortality among infants taking place year after year is preventible by the exercise of more intelligent care on the part of the mothers. Many of the sins of com- mission and omission which are now so common are doubtless the result of want of knowledge, and when it is remembered that 29 per cent. of the married women in the Rhondda are under 21 years of age, it is easily understood that much of the ignorance in this direction at present is uue to a want of opportunity to learn the rudiments of domestic hygiene. As a possible set-off against this, Dr. Jenkins urges the suitalbe tuition to the elder girls in our elementary and continuation schools, or better still, the employment of well-qualified women as lady doctors or health visitors," or both. In common with the vast majority of sanitary districts in the country, Rhondda was entirely free from small-pox during 1907, and as the hospital erected for the isolation of cases of small-poxs was com- pleted at the end of 1907, the Council will be in a better position to cope with any outbreak of this disease which may occur. Dealing with the water supply of the district, Dr. Jenkins says that the Coun- cil's Llynfawr scheme was diligently pro- oeeded with, and, when completed, will provide storage accommodation for 167 million gallons of water, which, in addi- tion to the Council's present storage of 7,000,000, will raise the storage capacity of the Council's reservoirs to 174 million gallons. No difficulty was experienced in keeping every house connected with the system well supplied with water through- out the year, except on occasions when certain mains had to be temporarily and unavoidably shut for repairs. A consider- able number of houses, however, derive their supply from sources other than the Council's reservoirs notably at Blaen- rhondda, Olydaoh Vale, Owmparc. Llwvuv- pia, and Ystrad. The supply at Clydach v Vale, says the report still remains highly unsatisfactory, in that insufficient pro- tection from contamination is afforded the water during its collection and storage, and the system of filtration to which it is subjected before distribution is quite inadequate. The whole of the Rhondda Fach, as well as the lower portion of Rhondda, Fawr, is supplied by the Ponty- pridd Waterworks Company, upon which, owing to numerous and grave com- plaints," a writ was served by the Council in 1906, and the action was heard in the High Court, with results eminently satis- factory to the Council.

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