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OGMUKJi & (i -k-K W IN,
OGMUKJi & (i -k-K W IN, PONTYCYMMER. Sympathy.—Much sympathy has been ex- tended to Mrs. Morgan Hughes (drapery es- tablishment) in the bereavement of her brother, Mr. John Rees. Tondu. Sudden Death.—Mrs. Foulkes, Waun Bant, I cl died very suddenly on Saturday morning. She has been ?o-' :J.=C: tiiuc; Saturday morning complamed ot leeiitig more than usually ill. Her husband pro- ceeded to make her a cup of tea, but on re- turning found his wife dead. Juvenile performance.—On Wednesday evening, in last wee a., uie I ublic-hiJI comfortably tilled on ihe occasion of a p-c»- formance by the Pontyrhil Children's Choir in connection with St Mary's Church. This choir has previously performed in the hall, and upon each occasion the performance has been well patronised. The concert was chiefly composed of action songs, marionettes, and Mav-pole dance. Who Should Preach ?—Owing to a mistake, the English Congregational Church were supplied on Sunday with two ministers. This church for well nigh twelve months has been destitute of a pastor, and the pulpit is occupied by means of "supplies." On Sunday through a little oversight two ministers turned up—Rev. Mr. Jones, Abercynon, and Rev. Mr. Rogers. After a consultation, it was arranged that the former preach in the morning and the latter in the evening. Mr. Rogers, we understand, is a likely candidate for the pastorate of the church. Fatal Accident.-An accident, which ter- minated fatally, occurred to Mr. David Price, of Pantygog, on Monday night. De- ceased, who was 60 years ot age, was a collier and on Monday evening after leaving work he went to record his vote in the Pontyrhil Ward. After returning home and partaking of supper, he retired to rest, but came down- stairs again to fetch a clock which he had forgotten. As he was returning he acciden- tlly fell backwards from the top to the bot- tom of the stairs, with the result that he fractured his skull. He died about middle day on Tuesday. Noddfa Young People's Society.—The weekly meeting of this society was held on Tuesday evening. Excellent papers wore read by Mrs. Stone on Temperance in the Home," and by Miss Violet Jones on "Medi- cal testimony to Temperance." Mr. Wil- liams (Pegler's) recited The Drunkard's Soliloquy." Miss Annie Rees sang the Gard&tes fach" in grand style, and Mr. David Thomas gave a perfect rendering of Y Llong a'r Golendy." Messrs. Jeremiah Morgan, Robert Roberts, and Dan Lewis ■commented upon the papers. The Rev. W. Saunders presided, and Mrs. E. S. Evans accompanied the singers. The meeting throughout was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. Competitive Meeting.—A competitive meeting, under the auspices of the bi- monthly meetings of the Calvinistic Metho- dist Churches of the Garw Valley, was held .at Bethel on Monday evening. This was the jsecond annual meeting, and the committee had arranged an excellent programme. The chair was occupied by the Rev. E. M. Evans, Blaengarw, and the adjudicator was Mr. Philip Thomas, pf Neath. The awards were as follows -Solo, for children under 12 years of age: 1, Blodwen Davies, Blaen- garw; 2, Ceinwen Davies, Pontycynimer. Recitation for children under 15 years: Gracie James, Blaengarw. Solo, for girls under 16 years Divided between Lucy Hep- worth and Edith Annie Morgans, both of Pontycynimer. Answers to questions taken from the history of Jesus Christ (children under 10 years): 1, Katie Williams, Ponty- cymmer; 2, Ceinwen Davies, Pontycymmer; and a. special prize given by the adjudicator to Ceridwen Ridgeway, Pontycymmer. Essay on The History of the Christian •Church": Mr. Willie LI. Rees, Blaengarw. Answers to six questions taken from the history of Jesus Christ (children under 13 years): 1, Stanley Davies, Blaengarw; 2, Willie Rowlands. Soprano solo Miss Agnes Morgans, Pontycymmer. For the four best verses (8 line-s each) on Hope" Mr. Isaac Davies, Blaengarw. Bass solo Mr. David Jones, Blaengarw. Recitation: Mr. Hugh Jones, Blaengarw. Quarette: Divided be- tween Bethel, Pontycymmer, and Tabernacle, Blaengarw. Treatise on The Influences of the Holy Trinity in the. Salvation of Man" Mr. Hugh Jones, Blaengarw. Party: Winners conducted by Mr. David Jones, Blaengarw. Juvenile Choir Winners con- ducted by Mr. James Fox, Pontycymmer. The accompanists were Miss M. J. Owen, Pontycymmer. and Miss Blodwen James, Blaengarw, who performed their duties with much judgment and taste. The chairman of the committee was the Rev. E. M. Evans, Blaengarw; treasurer, Mr. John Williams, Strand secretary, Mr. T. Owen, Pontycym- mer. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to all for their respective services, and especially to the ladies who presented the committee with beautiful prize-bags. BAPTIST ZENANA MISSION. Enthusiastic meetings in connection with the above were held at Noddfa Chapel, Pontycymmer, on Monday. The afternoon was devoted to a conference of women workers and representatives from all the Baptist Churches were present. The presi- dent is Mrs. Edwards., Cardiff College, who welcomed the women, and urged them all to take up the cause heartily. Mrs. Kerry, the Home Secretary, in a very able manner, spoke of the various ways in which the churches could help the Zenana Mission, and appealed for workers. Several women re- sponded, and promised to do all they could to further the cause. A public meeting was held in the evening, presided over by the Rev. W. A. Williams, Bla engarw. Mrs. Edwards, Cardiff College, spoke upon mission work at home, and ap- pealed to all present to do their best to aid it. She did not expect them all to go to India or to some other foreign land to do mission work, but provision could bo made at home for the work in foreign fields. At the commencement of the revival, she re- ceived her first intelligence from Pontycym- mer by reading the reports. As to whether the revival started at Pontycymmer or not she did not know, but the fact remained that Pontycynimer was prominent at that period. Her desire was that Pontycynimer would also (become prominent in the Zenana Mission work. Many people were ignorant of the meaning of Zenana. She was once in con- versation with a woman who thought that the men in India were called bananas and the women Zenanas. (Laughter.) The Rev. lorwerth Jones. Maesteg, having addressed the meeting in Welsh, Mrs. Kerry, who has spoilt most of her life in mission work in Calcutta, delivered a short but touching address. A collection was taken in aid of the mis- sion funds.
BLAENGARW.
BLAENGARW. Monthly Meetings.—The Sunday School quarterly meetings of Xebo Church were held on Sunday afternoon and evening. Excel- lent programmes were. arranged for both meetings. A larga array of scholars partici- pated, and the singing and reciting was a credit to all who took part. The singing was under the control of Mr. WTillie Roberts. Sudden Death.—Some weeks ago it was our duty to record a burning fatality at Blaengarw, the victim being the little daugh- ter or Mrs. Ball. This week we regret to note that a brother of the little girl, about 9 years of ago, has died very suddenly. The little fellow visited the surgery on Friday evening, and on Sunday was taken seriously ill. dying before medical assistance arrived. Fun< rah—The funeral of an old inhabitant in the person of Mis. Evan Bryant, Darran Villas, took place at Pontycymmer Cemetery on Monday afternoon. Deceased under- went an operation some two years ago, and ever since had been getting weaker. She had spent 20 years in the valley. The funeral was largely attended. The Rev. W. Saunders. C.C., officiated, assisted by the Rev. W. A. Williams, D.C., Blaengarw. Young People's Society. — The usual weekly meeting on Thursday night, in last week, passed off successfully under the presi- dency of Mr. David Evans. Three very able papers were read, viz., "Christ in the river," by Mr. Wm. Evans; "Christ on the Mount. by Mr. John Francis, who substituted Mr. W m. Thomas; and "Christ on the Cross," by Mr. D. P. Jones. in place of Mr. David Mere- dith. The paw>rs were highly eulogised by the pastor. Rev. W. A. Williams, D.C., Messiv,. D. J. Parry and W. Howells. Solos and recitations were contributed bv Miss A. Davios. Masters G. John and D. Y. Mor- gan.
IUUiVfOttE VALE.
I UUiVfOttE VALE. Mutual.—At the meeting last Wednesday evening m connection with Philadelphia Mutual Improvement Society, papers were rer;d bv Miss M. C. Williams on the "Life of Christ from birth till 12 years of age." and by Mr. Joseph David on The Life or Christ from 1" years of age to the Cruc ifixior.i." There was a very good attendance, over which Mr. John Phillips presided. Guild. A. Yon-g People's Guild held in connection with the English Congrega- tional Church a very interesting debate took place on Wednesday evening on The Superiority of Grace or Talent in Christian "Tork." Mr. Robert Diment led off for "Grace." Illd Mr. D. Daniels for "Talent," a,d several speakers took part in a very in- teresting discussion. The Rev. Griffith Evans, B.A., presided. Accident.—Mr John Sadd, St. John-street, had a most unfortunate accident on Thurs- day, la-st week, at the Nt^v Aber Drift. A iournev of trams was proceeding along the road, and one of them is supposed to have jumped the points and passed over his leg, breaking the two bones of the leg just above the ankle, and very much bruising the skin, It was at first thought that amputation would have been necessary, but owing to the clever surgical skill of Dr. R. A. Williams and Dr. A. Reed, the foot will be saved. The unfortunate man is progressing favourably. Obituary.-On Wednesday, of last week, ) occurred the death of Mr. David Davies, Meadow-street, after an illness of several weeks. A few months ago lie was appointed night-checkweigher at the Aber Colliery, but did not survive very long to enjoy his success and had to relinquish his duties a short time ago. The interment took place at the Ceme- tery on Saturday, and it was manifest by the large concourse of people assembled to pay their last tribute of respect that the deceased was held in the highest esteem by them. Great sympathy is expressed on all hands for the widow and children and family in their very sad bereavement.
NANTYMOEL.
NANTYMOEL. Bereavement.-We regret to learn that Mtr Daniel Howells, ironmonger and newsagent, Gladstone House, Nantymoel, has received the sad intelligence of the death of his father who resided near Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. Pulpit News.—We learn that the Rev. T. Hirwain Jenkins, Llantwit Major, is likely to accept the "call" to the pastorate of Hope English Congregational Church, Pricetown, Nantymoel. Mr. Jenkins will make known his decision personally to the church at Hope next Sunday. Funeral.—A large number assembled on Saturday last at the funeral of Mr. Tom Edwards, Ogwy-street, Nantymoel. The mortal remains of deceased were taken to Nantymoel Station to catch the 10.4 a.m. train en route for Aberystwyth, in which neighbourhood the interment took place on Monday. The greatest sympathy is ex- pressed for the widow and family in their deep affliction. The Rev. J. T. Davies con- ducted an impressive service at the house. Obituary.-We very much regret to record the sudden death, on Friday evening, of Mr. David Jones, Ogwy-street, Pricetown. De- ceased was engaged as fan engineman at the Ocean Colliery, Nantymoel, and was held in very high esteem by his employers and all who knew him. The cause of death, it ap- pears, was angina pectoris, and his un- expected demise is deeply deplored by a very large circle of friends. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, and was a very large and representative one, the inter- ment being made at Pricetown Cemetery, Nantymoel. The Rev. J. T. Davies, assisted by the Rev. J. M. Phillips, performed the funeral obsequies in a very impressive man- ner at the house and at the graveside. The deepest sympathy is felt with the widow and family in their sad bereavement. Sunday School Service.—On Sunday after- noon last the scholars attending Horeb Eng- lish Baptist Sunday School held a very in- teresting service of recitations, duets, solos, quartettes, etc. The arrangements were in the able hands of Mr. John Allen (super- intendent). The choir was ably led by Mr. Wm. Evans, and Miss Lily Davies, A.L.C.M., ably presided at the organ. The following programme was admirably gone through:- Recitations by Alcwyn Gregory, Sarah Phillips, Katie Morris, Miss Davies, Nellie Phillips. John Evans, Mrs. Daniel Allen. C. L. Gardiner, Dorothy Matthias. Elsie Jen- kins, M. J. Cook, Nellie Furley, Martha Lewis, David J. Lewis. Oliver Tunster, Nannie Lloyd solos by George Owens, M. A. Phillips, David Allen, Lizzie Jane John; quartettes by John Evans and friends; hymns and anthems by the choir. Presentation.—On Thursday evening, last week, at the close of the afternoon session, an interest "ng presentation was made by the head teache. and staff of the Infants' Depart- ment of the Nantymoel Schools, to Miss Winnie Phillips, of Bridgend, on the occa- sion of her leaving to be married to Mr. Gomer Jones, of Maesteg. The presenta- tion was made by Miss James on behalf of Mrs. Jones, who is unfortunately indisposed, and took the form of a handsome silver- backed hair-brush and comb from the staff, a hand-embroidered Swiss net bed-spread from the headteacher, and a pretty tea-pot and stand from Mrs. Evans, caretaker. Miss Evans. the Girls' School, presided in her usual genial manner. Miss Phillips, who I has been assistant at the above sehool for five years, was a great fa von n-to with scholars and teachers, and left amid hearty congratu- lations. Shop Assistants.-The annual general meeting of the Ogmore Valley branch of Shop Assistants was held on Thursday evening last week at the Workmen's-hall. Mr. D. Jones presided over a fair attendance of members. The auditors, in their report, complimented the secretary for the able manner in which he had discharged his dutk during the year. Financially the branch has improved very much, and although several members have been transferred to various branches, the membership now stands at 37. The major- ity of shop assistants in the valley are now members, but the attendance of a few a little oftener would be welcomed. The following were elected officers: -President, Mr. David Jones (re-elected); vice-president, Mr. Gwilyxn Thomas; treasurer, Miss Mary Davies; secretary, Mr. Morgan H. Lewis (re- elected) auditors, Messrs. C. R. Jones and K. C. Jones: delegates to Trades and Labour Council, Messrs. K. O. Jones and Worthy Boobyer; delegates to West Wales District Council, Messrs. D. Jones and M. H. Lewis. A resolution was passed in favour of increas- ing the affiliation fees to the Trades and Labour Council, and it was decided to pay a levy of 3d. per member per week in support of the miners' lock-out at the Wyndham Col- liery. Fatality.—On Friday morning of last week Mrs. Thomas, wife of Councillor William Thomas, contractor, Nantymoel, got up to admit the servant at 7.15 a.m., but in com- ing downstairs she somehow stumbled and fell to the bottom, where she was picked up in an unconscious state, from which she never rallied, death ensuing within two hours. Mr. W. A. Williams, deputy coroner, held an inquest at Saxon Vestry on Monday touching the death of Mrs. Thomas. From the medi- cal evidence given by Dr. D. J. Thomas, who immediately attended Mrs. Thomas after the accident, it appeared that death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull, as the re- sult of the fall. The jury returned a ver- dict in accordance with the medical evidence. —The funeral took place on Tuesday after- noon. when a very large and representative assemblage came together to show their sym- pathy and respect for the family in their tragic bereavement. The services at the house and at the graveside were impressively conducted by the Rev. J. Jones. Vicar of Llangeinor. assisted by the Rev. J. Griffiths, curate of St. Peter's Welsh Church, Nanty- moel. and the singing of the popular Welsh funeral hymn "Bydd myrdd o rhifeddodau" ended the solemn and touching ceremony. The coffin, which was of beautiful pannelled oak with plain brass fittings, bore on the name-plate the inscription. "Ann Thomas, died 1st February. 1907, aped 68 years." The interment was made at Blaenogwy Cemtery. Pricetown, Nantymoel. The chief mourners were:—Councillor W. Thomas, husband: Mr and Mrs. Gwilym Thomas, nou and daughter- in-law: Mr. and Mrs. Gomer Thomas, son and daughter-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jones, son-in-law and daughter: Miss Esther Thomas, daughter Mr. Edwin Thomas, son Master W. E. Thomas, nephew Master M. G. Thomas, nenhew Mr. and Mrs. F. King, nephew and niece. Pontvnridd Mr. Mac- tavish. nenhew. Pontypridd; Messrs. George and David Lewis, nephews, Pontypridd Mrs Cook and Mrs. Humphreys, nieces, Ponty- Jones and Mrs. Jones, nephew and niece, Pontyoymmer; Miss A. M. Morgan, niece, Cardiff; Mr. and Mrs. Llew. Jones, nephew pridd; Mr. and Mrs. J. Phillips, nephew and niece, Llantwit Vardre; Mr. M. H. Davies, nephew, Llantrisant; Councillor Llewellyn and niece, Cardiff; Mr. and Miss Llewellyn, cousins. Llantrisant; Mrs. Thomas, niece, Ga.rr.ant Mrs. A. T. Williams, Newcastle Emiyn Mrs. X. Rutley, Pentre; Mr. and Mrs. I- •i:a\ Peurhiwcolber; Mr. W. J. Isaac, Hafod; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Llangeinor; Mr. Walter Jones, Ebbw Vale. Beautiful wreaths were sent- bv Mr. and Mrs. Gwilym Thomas, Mr. and Jars. Henry Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Gomer Thomas, Mr. Edwin Thomas and Miss Esther Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Powell, Brynhaulog, Bridgend. Among the clergy and ministers were Rev. W. Edwards, Vicar of Llandyfodwg; Rev. J. A. Roberts, Rev. J. Hughes, Rev. H. R. Byatt, Rev. J. T. Davies, Rev. M. J. Mills, Rev. W. J. Bryant, etc. The deepest sympathy is felt for the bereaved family in their great sorrow.
. POLL OF THE OGMORE AND GARW…
POLL OF THE OGMORE AND GARW RATEPAYERS. MAJORITY OF 517 AGAINST THE BILL. DETAILS OF THE VOTING. GARW VALLEY HOLDS THE BALANCE. OVER £1,000 LOST IN COSTS. The Ogmore and Garw Bill is dead. The ratepayers of the district, by no less a majority than 517, have decided against the proposals of the Urban District Council to seek Parliamentary powers for the con- struction of a bridge at Gilfach Goch and the acquisition of certain public undertakings at Gilfach and in the Ogmore Valley. Thus the agitation of years has come to naught, and a large amount of expenditure has been uselessly incurred in connection with the depositing of the Bill. The result is not at all surprising, for at the ratepayers' statutory meeting at Brynmenin a short time ago the opposition section asserted itself in no uncertain way, and some of the chief pro- moters of the Bill were heard to express an opinion that if a ballot were demanded- which was done forthwith—the Bill would not survive. The polling on Monday aid not commence until 1u o clock, not 8 o'clock as is customary in elections, as the poll was governed, not by the Ballot Act, but by regulations issued under the Borough Fund Act, by the Local Government Board, which give the returning officer discretion. There were six polling stations, namely The Workmen's-hall, Nan- tymoel (presiding officer, Mr. Arthur Stock- wood); Workmen's-hall, Ogmore Vale (Mr. W. E. Purfield); Calfaria Baptist Chapel Vestry, Gilfach Goch (Mr. WTillie Williams); the W'orkmen's-hall, Blaengarw (Mr. A. P. Owen); the Public-hall, Pontycymmer (Mr. Richard Thomas), and the Vestry of the In- dependent Chapel, Pontyrhil, for Bettws and P'ontyrhil electors (Mr. Edwin Yates). The arrangements for the election were chiefly made by Mr. D. T. Williams, deputy clerk of the Council, who was the deputy returning officer. Mr. Jacob Edwards, J.P., Nanty- moel (chairman of the Council) was the re- turning officer. There was no disturbance in any part of the district, but outside the polling booths debates on the question of municipalisation and the construction of the Gilfach bridge, were waged throughout the day and long after polling ceased. Taking the district as a whole, the poll was not so heavy as it should have been, having regard to the importance of the questions voted upon, nor was it as heavy as had been antici- pated. The total number ot electors on the register is 4,300; the number of ballot papers issued was 2,695, so that something like 1,605 abstained from voting. The actual resolu- tion which the ratepayers were asked to ap- prove or otherwise was that passed at the statutory meeting of ratepayers, namely That the electors approve of and consent to the promotion in Parliament of the Og- more and Garw Bill relating to the pur- poses and objects set out in the placards and notices convening the meeting, adver- tised in the Glamorgan Gazette" of the 21st and 28th days of December, 1906. The boxes were brought to the Council offices at Brynmenin on Tuesday morning for the count, which was commenced at half-past ten. Those present at the count included Mr. Jacob Edwards and Mr. D. T. Williams, Councillors Llewellyn Jones, Pontycymmer; Evan Griffiths, Nantymoel; A. J. Lawrence, Pontycyminer; and T. M. Jones, Gilfach; Mr. David Llewellyn and Mr. Pilgrim Morris (secretaries to the committee representing a number of ratepayers who opposed the Bill), etc. The counting was carried out expeditiously by a dozen presid- ing officers and poll clerks, and the result was declared by Mr. Jacob Edwards shortly after 11.15 as follows:- For the Bill 1083 Against 1600 Majority Against 517 1 There were 12 spoilt votes. On the declaration of the poll, Mr. A. J. Lawrence proposed a vote of thanks to the returning officer, the deputy returning officer and their various assistants for the able and impartial manner in which they had all dis- charged their duties. This was seconded by Mr. David Llewellyn, and carried with accla- mation, and Mr. Edwards briefly acknow- ledged. Afterwards condolence was ex- pressed by the opponents with the promoters of the scheme, and Mr. Llewellyn facetiously inquired whether they would all meet again that day twelve months. Un their emerging from the room in which the count took place mourning cards were distributed In loving memory of Poor Old Bill, who met his death on February 4th, 1907." The mourning cards—many hundreds of which were sold in the valleys at night—also contained a verse, the perpetrator of which did not sign his name, and which ran thus — Poor old Parliamentary Committee, they have snuffed it; They are numbered with the slain, For the opposition has succeeded, And will live to do it again." At the foot of the card came the Scriptural quotation, made to apply to the members of the Parliamentary Committee of the Coun- cil The paths of their way are turned aside, and they go to nothing and perish."— Job vi., 18. The result of the poll was received, of course, with mixed feelings—even by some of those who had opposed the scheme. While the opposition was chiefly directed against the municipalisation proposals of the Coun- cil, the defeat involves the shelving still fur- ther of the question of constructing a bridge across the valley at Gilfach Goch, which has occupied the minds of the Council for con- siderably over a decade past. Gilfach Goch seems doomed to be without its bridge for many a year yet, unless the Llall- trisant and Llantwit Vardre Rural District Council or the County Council make a con- tribution towards the cost, so as to legalise the expenditure by the Ogmore and Garw Council of money outside their own district. Already a considerable sum has been expen- ded in connection with the bridge at Gilfach and the promotion of the Bill generally, and this will, it is stated, run into four figures. As will be seen from the details given be- low the fight resolved itself into one be- tween the Ogmore and Gilfach sections of the district and the Garw Valley, where anti-municipalisers" are exceedingly strong. The Tynewydd Ward made a. stronger stand against the Bill than was expected, this part of the district having been regarded as the hot-bed of the municipalization movement. The figures given below show how the differ- ent districts polled — For. Against Nantymoel 413 144 Tynewvdd 333 218 Gilfach 156 38 Pontyrhil 53 228 Pontycymmer 85 536 Blaengarw 43 436 1083 1600 The voters on the register in the different wards number as follows: -Nantymoel, 902; Tynewydd. 832; Gilfach. 320; Pontyrhil, 520; Pontycynimer, 942; Blaengarw, 680.
. THE CASE AGAINST THE CONSTITUTIONAL.
THE CASE AGAINST THE CONSTI- TUTIONAL. MEMBERS DRUXK; STEWARD FIGHTING. The adjourned hearing of the application that the Blaengarw Constitutional Club be struck off the register was before the Bridg- end Police-court on Saturday, Mr. R. W. Llewellyn in the chair. It was alleged that the club was not conducted bona fide as a club; that there was frequent drunkenness, and that there were illegal sales of intoxicat- ing liquor. Evidence as to the first charge was given on the previous Saturday by In- spector Benjamin Evans. Alderman T. J. Hughes was for the prose- cution, and Mr. B. Francis-Williams, K.C. (instructed by Mr. David Llewellyn) for the defence. Alderman Hughes, at the outset, explained that with regard to the Ely Brewery Com- pany, Messrs. Rogers, of Bristol, and Messrs Stone, of Neath, whose names were men- tioned at the last hearing as supplying goods to the club, the police made no suggestion that their transactions were otherwise than bona fide. This did not apply to drink sup- plied by Mr. Thomas Morgan, where it was alleged, there was a moral tie. P.C. John Thomas gave evidence as to a number of persons he had seen leaving the premises in a drunken state. On the 1st July he saw a man named Thomas Davies; on the 8th December Benjamin Morgan, 6 Blaengarw-terrace; on the 10th December, James Jones, 3 Llynfi-terrace, leaving the club in a drunken state. They were all summoned and fined 15s. each. On the 19th December he saw the steward and David Jones fighting about 20 yards from the club premises, with a number or club members around them, four of whom were drunk. Jones and the steward were summoned and fined 15s. each. On December 22nd he saw a man named Aneurin Williams in a drunken state. He had left the club premises, and fell over the wall of a tramroad, INJURING HIS RIBS. He was still suffering from the accident. On Sunday, December 23rd, between 12.30 and 1 o'clock he watched the premises and saw 31 persons leave, three of them being drunk. Mr. B. Francis-Williams: At the hearing before the justices did you say these men were seen coming out of the Constitutional Club ?-Witness: No, sir. Why not?—Because the club was under observation at the time. But is there not an order of the Standing Joint Committee that you should ascertain and state where men have got drunk?- There is such an order. The Chairman explained that the order was found unworkable, and therefore little notice had been taken of it. He had per- sonally called the attention of the commit- tee to the unworkable nature of the order. In reply to Alderman Hughes, witness said it was under the direction of his superior officers that he made no statement as to where the men had got drnnlL P.C. Phillips, stationed at Blaengarw, spoke to watching the premises on various days, and seeing men leave the worse for drink. During five successive Sundays from 18th November to 23rd December men were seen coming from the premises under the in- fluence of drink. Witness also spoke to a NUMBER OF CONVICTIONS against men who were seen leaving the pre- mises or who said tli4t had been supplied there. When he saw intoxicated men leav- ing the premises he was watching from a dis- tance. When lie was ne.-r the premises no drunken men left by an entrance from where lie could see them, but he aiterwards received complaints of men being drunk in the streets. Thomas Morgan, wine and spirit merchant of Pontyelun, was called on subpoena, and stated lie was agent for Messrs. Worthington and Co., Burton. He produced a ledger showing that he had supplied 222 barrels, 88 dozen quart flagons, and 96 dozen bottles of beer, 30 gallons of spirits, six gallons of port, a dozen bottles of port, and 182 dozen bottles of mineral waters during 1906. The price of the barrels of beer was 306. net. The club owed him £ 500 on a loan account and zC622 on a trading account. THE DEFENCE. Addressing the Bench ior the defence. Mr. B. Francis Williams contended that the evi- dence showed that the club was not tied to Mr. Morgan, as wines and spirits and beer were supplied by other firm-—to the extent of £92 from the Ely Brewery Company, £ 75 from Messrs. Rogers, ;c1 £.50 from Messrs. Stone. The club v. established in 1898, and during the following year there was a police raid, and proceedings were brought, when the Bench held that the club was bona fide. Evidence had been given that on the occasion of the raid on December 30th a great number of members were on the pre- mises with a pint measure of beer in front of them. but that did not prove that the club was not bona fide or that it was carried oil for purposes of drinking. Of course, these people went there to get refreshments, but the Bench must not judge people of this elpss carrying on clubs by the standard of people carrying on clubs in Pall Mall or in Cardiff or County Clubs. It was quite true, more was the pity, that they did not devote much of their time to reading. If they read the "Standard" and the "Globe" more and DRAXK BEER LESS it would be better for them, but because they did not read the papers it did not follow that the club was a drinking club. With regard to men coming out in a state of drunkenness, he had a great difficulty in dealing with the matter on account of the action of the police. The attention of those responsible for the management of the club was not called to the matter at the time. and convictions were recorded without 'their knowledge that it would be stated at a latter date that the men left the club premises. He did not say the police intended to be un- fair, but nevertheless it was a hardship on those who had to meet these charges. In some cases the men charged merely stated that they had been supplied at the club. and in other cases the men were not summoned at all. With regard to the question of a door-keeper, a person was employed as care- taker, but he was not there at the time of the raid. The throwing away of a book by the steward was an unfortunate incident, but it was not that he wanted to hide it from the police as much as from the committee, as he had acted irregularly in letting men have drink without paying. However, irregular- ities of this kind did not show that the club was not bona fide. STEWARD S EVIDENCE. Daniel Mills, steward of the club, stated that he had acted in that capacity since July 29th, 1901, having been a member previously to that time. The club accounts were audited quarterly, and there was stock-tak- ing monthly. The auditor was Mr T. Trott. Balance sheets were issued annually. The book showing accounts owing was a private book showing accounts between himself and some of the members. When men had been returning from work without any money he had sometimes supplied them, but he had to make the money good if there was a short- age. Some of the men paid him before hand. His stock sheets proved that he had given fair returns monthly. He had never seen anyone leaving the premises drunk un- less they had entered in That state, when they were ejected. It was quite untrue that men had been allowed to go through his pre- mises because they were drunk. He did not know that anyone was on The premises on the night of the raid who was not a member, but the secretary kept the nomination and sub- scription book. By Alderman Hughes: No false names were given to the inspector by men in the club, but he did not know all the men's ad- dresses. He could not say whether false names were given to the constable who was taking names. There were 194 members, and XIXETY THREE OWED HIM MONET according to his book. There were amounts of 13s.. 7s. 10d.. 5s. 3d.. 12s.. 23s. 10d., 8s. 9d., 18s. 9d.. etc. He did not pay the amounts at the time, but if there was a de- ficiency at the end of the week he made it up. His wages were €3 2s. a week, and he had a wife and three children to keep. His opinion was that P.C.'s Phillips and Thomas had committed perjury in stating that men left the premises drunk. He did not think a man drunk if he could "toddle home tidy." During the cross-examination, witness gave his answers rather carelessly, and was asked by Alderman Hughes if he had been keeping his spirits up by putting spirits down. His reply was inaudible. Mr. Thomas Morgan, re-called, said he knew Messrs. Stone and Rogers were supply- ing drink to the club. STRUCK OFF. This was all the evidence, and the Chair- man said the magistrates were of opinion that the case had been proved. The club would, therefore, he struck off the register. Alderman Hughes asked that the club be struck off for the maximum period, and this was granted.
ANOTHER GARW POLICE RAID.
ANOTHER GARW POLICE RAID. a LIBERAL CLUB'S BOX A FIDES. PROSECUTION FAILS. On the same night that the Blaengarw Constitutional Club was raided, the police also paid a surprise visit to the Garw Liberal- Working-men's Club and Institute, and as a result of investigation, proceedings were taken to have the club struck off the register. The application came before the Bridgend Bench on Saturday, when Mr. R. W. Llew- ellyn presided. The police were represented by Alderman T. J. Hughes, and Mr. B. Francis-Williams (instructed by Mr. E. T. David) defended. There was a series of charges, but those on which the prosecution relied were that the club was not conducted in good faith as a club, and that there was frequent drunken- ness. In opening the case, Alderman Hughes re- ferred to the objects of the club, one of which was to solidify (liquify he should say) the Liberal party in the Garw Valley. The re- ceipts from the 8th of January to 30th of December, 1906, were—Members' subscrip- tions, £29 7s. 2d. billiards, jBl Os. 9d.; mis- cellaneous (including a sum of L17 19s. 3d. from an excursion), £28; and bar takings, £ 1,004 10s. 8d. The proportion of bar tak- ings between week days and Sundays was stronger than in the case of the Blaengarw Club, as JE160 2s. lid. was taken on Sundays, and zC844 7s. 9d. on week-days, the latter sum giving an average of J6140 14s. 8d. The club was open five hours on Sundays, and 15 on week-days. The political propaganda was practically nil, and the greater part of the drinkables was supplied by the Rhymney Brewery Company. He suggested that the club existed for the benefit of this Brewery in particular, and for THIRSTY SOULS in Pontycymmer in general. The minutes of committee meetings showed chiefly pay- ments to the committee for various things, and the name of Mr. Thomas Williams, ot the Llanharran Hotel, the agent for the Rhymney Brewery Co., bobbed up frequently, ho being on several occasions invited as a guest to different functions. In one minute it was resolved to write several people, in- cluding Mr. Blandy Jenkins, protesting against the proposal of the County Council that the police be given supervision over clubs. In another minute it was resolved to pay the Town Band for playing on the occa- sion of a visit of Mr. S. T. Evans, M.P. He suggested that the club was a sham and a fraud, and existed for drinking purposes. This kind of club was run for the benefit of brewers' agents, who fattened and battened on them. The Chairman You ought not to make an attack on anyone outside the club. Alderman Hughes: Very well, sir; but he will be before you soon, and you will see he has fattened. Pol ice-Sergt. Charles George Lane gave evidence to a raid carried out by the police on December 30th at 8.3u p.m. On the ground floor there were three rooms, occu- pied by 10, 12, and 16 men, and upstairs there was a large room in which were 16 men. All the men on the premises had beer in front of them except the secretary, who was drinking lemonade. The billiard-room was in darkness. Samuel Roberts. John McCarthy. Wm. Dorrington, Thos. Powell, and Edmund Thomas were the WORSE FOR DRIKK. All the men had membership cards. In the bar downstairs he found seven 11 pint bottles of whiskey; two barrels of whiskey partly ftill; one bottle of brandy, partly full; and one barrel of brandy partly full. In the cellar below there were two gallon jars of whiskey, one of brandy, and one of gin; 16 bottles of stout, and 19 of Bass; 26 bottles of Stone's ginger-beer; five untapped barrels of beer of 36 gallons each two barrels tapped; two dozen bottles of stout, and 14 empty beer barrels. He had kept the club under such observation as fie had been able to during the last 12 months. On Sunday, January 14th, between 9.50 and 10 o'clock, he saw 44 men leave the club, three being under the influence of drink. He spoke to the men about their condition, and made a note of it in his journal, but they were not summoned. On the 18th November 74 men left the club about 10 o'clock, and one of them, Richard Hopwood, was drunk and was summoned and fined. On the 18th December a man named Percy Webber was found drunk and disorderly in the street, and was sum- moned and convicted. He stated that he had been supplied at the club. Mr. B. Francis Williams You say the bil- liard-room was in darkness. Did you ex- pect them to be playing BILLIARDS ON THE HOLY SABBATH? —No, sir. Or bridge?—No, sir, but I noticed there were a lot of struck matches in the games room. Do they play cards with struck matches at Pontycymmer? (Loud laughter.)—Witness said the room appeared as if it had been used for card playing. Mr. B. F. Williams: That is no crime in this country at present; I dare say it will be, judging from the way we are going on. Questioned on the charge of drunkenness, witness admitted that all the men gave their correct names and addresses, and produced their membership cards without demur. He considered they were drunk from their general appearance, and because thej* were flushed in the face. Mr. B. F. Williams: Can you give any proof of their drunkenness except that they gave correct names and addresses—(laughter) —and that they were flushed in the face?— No, sir. Mr. B. F. Williams: Very well, those who were red were drunk and those who were not were sober. (Laughter.) Inspector Benjamin Evans spoke to making an examination of the books taken on the occasion of the raid, and bore out Alderman Hughes's opening statement. During the year_78,525 pints of beer, 727 pints of spirits, and 73 dozen mineral waters had been supplied to the club. Out of a total of 2681;- barrels of beer, MR. THOMAS WILLIAMS SUPPLIED 213,1 and with the exception of 18 dozen of stout, he supplied all the bottled stuff. Mr. Wil- liams also supplied 59 gallons and three bottles of spirits, and most of the cigars and cigarettes. He had not been able to trace whether the club was tied to him. During 1906 C328 14s. 3d. was paid to Mr. Williams. but there was nothing in the ledger to indi- cate the price charged for the different ar- ticles. At the wholesale price the profit would be about 50 per cent. One of the rules stated that no payments should be made to members, but the minutes showed a number of payments to the committee.. By Mr. B. F. Williams: Mr. Thomas Mor- gan had supplied drink during 1906, and the Ely Brewery Co. had supplied six barrels of beer, and Mr. R. H. Stiles 31 barrels. Sergt. W. David, who assisted in the raid and was stationed at the door, stated that 48 men left the premises. Five of them were drunk.—By Mr. B. F. Williams He judged the men were drunk from their gait. P.C. Snow, who assisted in taking the names and addresses of the men, said five were drunk. They were flushed and could not speak plainly. Thomas Williams, of the Llanharran Hotel, Pontycymmer, agent for the Rhymney Brew- ery Company, who appeared on subpoena, stated that he supplied 234t barrels of beer to the club during 1906, charging jBl 6s. for XX and £1 12s. for the bitter. This was the price he charged his largest customers. He had not had sufficient time to find how much drink he had supplied other than barrels of beer, but he had no reason to disbelieve the evidence which had been given. By Mr. F. B. Williams: The club did not owe him a penny, and there was no reason whatever for saying it was morally tied to him. He J I SECURED THE TRADE IN COMPETITION on account of the superior quality of his goods. Mr. B. Francis Williams having addressed the Bench for the defence, Richard Williams, steward of the club, was called, and denied that on the night of the raid five of the men were under the influence of drink. nopwood, who was found at that club. was a man who had a wavering gait, owing to having had his leg broken three times. On the night he was alleged to have been drunk he was only served with two pints and he was not drunk when he left the club premises. In reply to the Chairman, witness said he did not hear the police make any complaint as to drunkenness. He asked the sergeant if they were all right," and he replied "Yes." By Alderman Hughes: Three speakers had visited the Llanharran-hall at the invitation of the club during 1906, but witness did not know anything about payments in respect of the expenses. That was a matter for the secretary. CASE DISMISSED. Mr. B. Francis Williams was about to call another witness, when the Bench stopped the case. The Chairman said the magistrates were satisfied that there had not been suffi- cient evidence to strike off the club. No doubt the club had been conducted loosely in some ways, but this action would probably so frighten the members that it would be conducted better in the future.
NORTH'S COMPANY SUED BY OGMORE…
NORTH'S COMPANY SUED BY OGMORE VALLEY COLLIERS. LOCKED OUT WITHOUT NOTICE. At Bridgend County Court on the 31st ult., Alfred Kynan, Bridge-street, Ogmore Vale; James Stephens, 3 Blaenogwy-terrace, Blaen- ogwy; and James LI. Davies, 33 Llewellyn- street, Nantymoel, sued North's Navigation Co., late proprietors of the Wyndham Col- liery, each claiming 6s. 6d.. a day's wages. Mr. John Sankey (instructed by Messrs. Walter Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas) was for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Charles Kenshole (Aberdare) for the respondent company. It was agreed to proceed with the case of Kynan, as all the claims raised the same point. Mr. Sankey, in opening the case, said Kynan, who was a collier, was compelled to leave his working place at the Wyndham Col- liery owing to a fall which occurred in the early part of June last year. He was given odd jobs to do, which is called "hobbling." It was the custom in the collieries that where men were put to do "hobbling" work, they received a consideration" wage—the ordin- ary standard daily wage paid for the work which the men were accustomed to do. This was arranged so that men thrown out of their ordinary work because of a fall or some other occurrence, might still earn their living, and under the Conciliation Board Agreement 28 days' notice had to be given to the men. Kynan was regularly engaged in hobbling" until June 26th. On that date lie received his lamp at the top of the pit, and. descending the colliery, he went to get his lamp examined at the lamp station. He went about half a mile from the pit bottom to get instructions from an official as to the work he was to do. The official told him that there was nothing for him to do that day. Kynan then went to the man- ager and complained that lie was given no work to do and the manager, in high tones, said Do you think we should turn you out of the pit if we had something for you to do? The reason we send you out of the pit is because there is nothing for you to do." Kynan accordingly left the pit with the other plaintiffs, who weie similarly dealt with. and they lost their day's pay; hence the claim. They went to the colliery the next day and work was found for them. The first contention for the piaintiffs was that they. having got their lamps and having gone so far into the colliery, were ready for and willing to work, and that the Company must either find them work or pay them the day's wages. He put this forward apart from the custom which prevailed in collier- ies in regard to finding work for men who were FORCED OUT OF THEIR WORKIXG-PLACES through falls, etc. In any event, the men should have been told there was no work for them before they had proceeded so far. The custom observed in cases of falls was that the collier should not be paid for the rest of the day, but should be found work on the subsequent days—until he could return to his old working place-if he presented himself at the colliery. He did not think that cus- tom would be disputed but the respondents woufd no doubt say We could not give them work." In reply to that lie contended that there was authority for saving that the Com- pany must find the men work, and that a custom prevailed that, in such cases, colliers should be allowed to join other colliers work- ing singly, or, as the colliers described it. "to mark on another's card." He would be able to prove that three or four men were working singly in the colliery on the day in question. Kynan, in his evidence, bore out the facts as outlined by counsel. It was the over- man who told him that there was nothing for him to do on the day in question. Replying to Mr. Kenshole, he said the fall was a la.rge one, some hundreds of tons being displaced. It was customary for the. men to wait at the lamp-station for instructions when they could not go to their working- places. It was arranged that the evidence for the defence should be proceeded with, Mr. San- key reserving the right to call rebutting tes- timony. NO VACANT PLACES. William Treharne, day fireman, who had worked at the AVyndham tor 28 years, said the material displaced by the fall in Kynan's stall had to be dealt with as room could be found in other places. Kynan was found work in other places so far as possible, and on one occasion he was allowed to work in David Samuel's stall. jt"laintiff was net given work 011 June ^6th Tbecause none could be found. He had known many cases in I which men had been "stopped" under simi- lar circumstances, and where they had only worked two or three days a week. 1 Mr. Sankey: If a man is prevented ftotti I working in his usual place owing to a fall, would you not allow him to work with an- other collier who might be working singly ? — Yes. So that if any colliers were working singly Kynan would have been entitled to a job?- Yes, in my district. It submit in any part of the colliery?—I cannot answer that, it is beyond my author- lty. What is your experience? You have been there 27 years.—If I had been there 47 years I could not say. His Honour: Would a man not be given a chance to work with another, if possible, rather than be sent out of the colliery? Witness Yes. In further evidence Tre- harne denied that there were any vacancies in his district on the day in question. Fran-is Avres, another fireman, was next called. He deposed that men had sometimes been turned back from the colliery when there was no work for them. He admitted. in reply to the Judge, that it was an uncom- mon thing for men to be turned back. Wit- ness produced the firemen's book, and was cross-examined at considerable length as to vacancies in the colliery. He admitted that there were eleven men working singly in all the districts. A fall had taken place during the previous night, he said, and men who were usually employed in the same district as those working singly, were given the pre- ference. The witness had not completed his evi- dence when the court rose. It was arranged to take the case at the next Court, 2 o'clock being fixed for the resumption.
Advertising
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"SUB ROSA " AT PONTYCYMMER.
"SUB ROSA AT PONTYCYMMER. •PARLIAMENT FROM THE PRESS GALLERY." One of the most successful lectures in con- nection with Ffaldau Literary and Debating Society was that given on Wednesday night, last week, by Mr. Spencer Leigh Hughes (" Sub Rosa" of the Morning Leader"), I There was a large attendance, and the chair was taken by Mr. David John, M.E., a pro- minent member of the society. Mr. Spencer Leigh Hughes, who met with a most enthusiastic reception, said he had come to talk about a large subject, The British Parliament as seen from the Press Gallery." It was possible to treat such a subject from a political point of view. Some of them perhaps suspected which party he belonged to, and no doubt he could guess which party most of them belonged to. (Laughter.) But he was not going to talk politics. We had a way in this country or thnking everything good was British in origin. This was an amiable weakness. Our Parliament was originally schemed by an ::lien emigrant, and he wanted them to bear in mind that there were other Parliaments in existence. He once had the pleasure of go- ing to Belgium Parliament. On being shown round, be asked, Where do you put the representatives of the Press?'p. nd he was shown some apartments which looked like opera rooms, and was told that one was for the clerical Press and the other for the Liberals. He then asked why the journal- ists were divided, and the reply was" Oh, they would fight terribly if we didn't." (Laughter.) It might surprise them that whenever he alluded to the British Parlia- ment in public, he always liked to pay a tri- bute to the House of Lords. The House of Lords, three years before the House of Com- mons. recognised the Press and found ac- commodation for Pressmen in its chamber, and one good turn deserved another. (Hear, hear.) In a busy Session the journalist had very few opportunities of rest at Westmin- ster, and such opportunities he generally found in the House of Lords, because, of its members, very few attended, and of those who came few said much—(laughter)—and of those who spoke few could be heard. (Re- newed laughter.) But those present in the House of Lords upon great occasions, when the Lords pulled themselves together, would hear speaking of a very high order, and they would look upon the scene as brilliant, unsur- passed in Europe. They would also get something much better to look at. Young ladies could sit in the side galleries of the House of Lords, not hidden away behind bars. through which bars they sometimes fluttered little white flags, like they did when the Member for Mid-Glamorgan once ad- dressed the House. (Loud laughter.) But whatever might be said about the House of Lords, the great interest remained, and was likely to remain, in the House of Commons, if for no other reason than that it controlled public expenditure. (Hear, hear.) He had no doubt some of his audience had been in the House of Commons during a debate, but he very much doubted whether anv c, the; had been in. the Press part of the (>"nnio He had talked to Members who Lid sat in Parliament for 30 years who did not know where the PVess representatives sat. Hard- working and conscientious journalists were in the House to the extent of about 100. The gallery only accommodated 80, but all the 100 were not needed at the same time. They had their eating-rooms, writing-rooms, library, smoking-rooms, chess-rooms, and a young lady behind a counter with some curi- ous white handles hanging 11 p. (Laughter.) In these surroundings the journalists lived, moved, a,nd had their being. In one room they had a kind of picture gallery. Sir Ed- ward Clarke and many others began life in the Press gallery. (Applause.) The status of the Parliamentary journalist had often seemed to him to exemplify the position that ought to be occupied by the good Christian in this world; they were in the House, but were not of it. (Laughter.) The reporter's gallery stretched across the back of the House, over the head of the speaker, so they claimed to be only a little lower than the angels. (Loud laughter.) Journalists at Westminster might be divided into two dasses-gallery men or lobby men. There had always been a feeling among these two sections as to which was the greater. He r had had the unique honour of being secretary to the gallery committee, equal to the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer in dignity, but not in salary. (Laughter.) Then the friends of the lobby came on and asked him if he would be chairman of the Lobby Committee; he consented, but he wished them to remember that should any quarrel take place between the gallery and the lobby lie should decide with the gallery, because they were more numerous. (Laughter.) The speaker pro- ceeded to refer to the dividing line in the House, which, he said, was always there— the line separating the Front Bench men from the others. The Front Bench men were always called upon first., and they had a table they could lean upon and thump. (Laughter.) By thumping they seemed to draw wooden inspiration." (Renewed laughter.) If any of the audience ever went into the House of Commons, and a Front Bench man was up, it was 10 to one they would find him trying to prove that black was white. (Laughter.) They had one ex- cellent formula of which they were very fond —" Sir, I have yet to learn"—something. They could also be heard to say, Sir. I will sit down by savin?"—so and so. (Laughter.) Another saying was "My Lords, I have done; but one word more." He (the speaker) had noticed that one word more" lasting 16 minutes. The speaker very humorously described the initiation into the House of new Members and the signing of the rolls. He said there was one class of men which the journalists termed oddities, and the question was not what are they doing here? it was, What are they doing anywhere? (Laugh- ter.) One gentleman was suspected of making long speeches out of order, and yet he had never been called to order—because no one knew what he said. (Laughter.) He had a friend who understood him, and went about with him as interpreter. (Laughter.) Another class of man was called the Parlia- mentary bore. I±e (tnA Speaker; was con- vinced that every kind of man had been sent for some purpose, but what kind of purpose tliC bore ^ya? sent for he had never discerned. There was another called expert speakers. The experts who were nH5si eQJH- moiiiy speaking were the service members, I most of whom held offices. When he was yonng in Parliament and believed all he heard, lie used to go home unhappy. Some old general would get up and say We have no Army, no men, and no horses"—(laughter) -and another would say Well. sir. I don't go as far; we have guns, of course, but they are more dangerous to the men who hold I them than the men in front 01' them (Loud laughter.) We have ammunition. but. it won't go into the guns; we have horses, but if you push them they will fall down. (Re- newed laughter.) The lecturer next pro- ceeded to give some of the mixed metaphors he had heard in Parliament. One hon. member said, "The well is running dry, and we think of putting in the pruning knife which will bring more grist to the. mill." Another delivered himself: Now that we have cleared all the barbed wire fence- i, is to be hoped we shall have clear water." (Laughter.") A third said: "Is it fair we should send our boys to the front to be killed and then only pay them 6d. per day?" (Renewed laughter.) He once heard a Welshman, whose name he would not men- tion. declare. Sir. we are only foilnv. ing in The footsteps of those who are coming after us." (Laughter.) One of the (iueerest sayings lie ever heard was by a member who said The Home Secretary shakes his head I rm sorry to hear it." (Laughter. > There were men called Obstructionists. Ho re- membered when Women's Suffrage was second 011 the agenda, two years ago. The first item was a thing that would have gone by in a minute, but Mr. Labouehere. with others, talked over this simple Bill to avoid voting on Women's Suffrage. The first Bill was about having taillights on vehicles. The introducer of the Bill said this was a Bill demanding and ordering all people to have tail lights on vehicles. He nearly came to a ston when it occurred to him to turn up his dictionary for the meaning of the word "vehicle." He found it was a conveyance, and this gave him something to go on with. A horse, lie said. was a vehicle, and he wan- ted to know if they must sling a tail licht on a horse. (Laughter.^ Then he advanced a greater argument; it was customary for women to wheel a big perambulator with a basket full of clothes home, and that a per- ambulator was a vehicle, so must there be tail light on that? (Laughter.) And if there must be, seeing that the old lady- walked behmd, must there be a tail light on her. (Loud laughter.) There was alsp Bi very serious and impressive side of Parlia- ment, from the floor of which one-fifth of the population of the world was governed; and there were many things very striking, very pleasant, about the British Parliament. He was not particularly fond of singing up the praises of every institution, but with all its faults, this Parliament was the best institu- tion in the world. (Applause.) There was a very fine spirit prevailing, and an element of greatness which was not the monopoly of any party or social rank. Dr. E. J. Parry. J.P.. moved a vote of thanks to the speaker, which was seconded by Mr. Pennant, who said he was proud of Mr. Hughes as a Carmarthenshire boy. The vote was carried with acclamation, and the meeting closed with the Welsh National An- them, the solo being sung by Mr. W. T. Hen- goed.
. LIGHT EMPLOYMENT FOR INJURED…
LIGHT EMPLOYMENT FOR INJURED MEN. "INSINUATION" AGAINST A DOCTOR. I At Bridgend County Court on J-,i. 31 (be- fore Judge Bryn Roberts), David Rees, 11 Pembroke-terrace, Nantymoel, sued the Ocean Coal Co., Ltd., proprietors of the Wee- tern Colliery. Nantymoel, under the Compen- sation Act. Mr. John Sankey (instructed by Messrs. Walter Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas, Pontypridd) was for the plaintiff, and Mr. Charles Kenshole (Aberdare; for tHe respondents. On September ly8th, 1901, plaintiff, while following his employment at the colliery, met with an accident, receiving a fracture oi the right ai.kie joint. Lie re- ceived lbs. a w ■ ii- 11;;lr ms gainings prior to the accident- up to Jiay otii, iy02, and then he went to worlv as a pumpsiiiail. On May bth, lb»Uti, he was, compelled to give up work owing, he aih^eu. to his aiikie becom- ing too bad. He was idle until -uay > i^t, and he claimed compensation aL tiie rat-o of 16s. a weeR from May cui to -Uay he applied for a declaration of liability, ai.u for; an award of hair the dlÍft:, ènce between his earning capacity alter jcsuming work on May 31st. anu berore the accident in 1901. Respondents repudiated liability in respect of the amount claimed for the period May btit to 31st the ground that applicant was capable oi performing light work during that period, but whitn he declined to perform, and they staled that they had been and were still prepared to pay him half the diileience between the wages earned wiule engaged on light employment and in.- average earnings before the accident. WORK TOO HARL). Plaintiff stated that on the morn lag of -Uay fct!i. il_ o. ne n.;S ton. iu j; • v e up 'work iti the pump and to go v .tli 1.; 1 namud Daniei xLva—e. to carry rai;s iron; one oait. of the wordings to another. Ho contiiiuod the work until mid-day, but lie iiad to give it up as iiis ankle was so painiul. He saw ilerbei t Davies, the'ifreman, about the mat- ter. but lie gave him no definite reply. A couple of days afterwards he saw the mana- ger, Mr. Yv. D. llliams, who complained that witness had not gone to him before, but the reason why he had not done so was that he could not leave the house, owing to his foot having swollen. It was not until June 1st that lie resumed work at the colliery, as a pumpsnian. The difference between his wages before the accident and those he at present earned was 7s. 6d. a week. Mr. Kenshole We say it is 6s. 4d. Mr. Sankey That can l'e adjusted after- wards. Cross-examined, the plaintiff said the work at the pump necessitated his standing all day, but there was no strain what made it impossible for him to continue the work he was asked to do on May 8th was the strain caused by the wrenching of the rails with a. pick. The pumping did not take up all his time, and he occasionally did road repairing. He denied that he was told only to raise the rails, and that it was understood that Evans would carry them. "A CRUEL THING." Dr. D. J. Thomas, C.C., Nantymoel, gave evidence as to the injury from which the plaintiff suffered. During May, 19U6, the ankle was very much worse than it had been, and for at least a fortnight he was unable to follow his employment. It was a very cruel thing to ask the man to perform such labori- ous work as removing rails. Cross-examined He was the works doctor. Herbert Davies, fireman at the colliery, said he told Rees and a man named Evans to go and take up some rails from a length of 31ft. of tram-road. The rails were to be taken up by Rees and carried out by Evans. Later lie met the plaintiff carrying a rail, and he complained that the work was too heavy for him. Witness said, You are not expected to carry the rails; that is to be done by Evans." "W illiam D. Williams, manager, said that a few days after Rees stopped work he met him, and plaintiff asked him what work wit- ness had to offer him. as the job given him was too heavy. Witness said There is no particular task before you you are only ex- pected to do what you can. You are to blame for not bringing this to my notice earlier." A few days later the lato Mr. Tom Davies (miners' agent) came and asked wit- ness whether Rees was to have his work back and witness replied that it had not been taken away from him. and that he had stayed away of his own accord.. Witness added that the water was allowed to accumulate dur- ing the time plaintiff was absent, s his place was kept open for him. MANAGEMENT OF THE COLLIERY. Mr. Kenshole contended tha^ there was no justification for the man staying away from his work. The man was definitely in- structed that he was only to raise the rails, and that the carrying was to be done by Evans, who was a labourer. How ,.r:d a colliery manager expect the work to be car- ried out satisfactorily if a man should be allowed to leave his work tn the v\ a > plain- tiff had without seeing the manager? Mr. Sankey was astonished that 1\ Com- pany had defended this action. Ho con- tended that the pressure on the foot would be greater by the wrenchi^ of the rr!jB trrtlL a pick than by carrying; them; that the conipany had in any event given iiim work winch he could not do owing to the injury ±0 his ankle. In further remarks, counsel asked "Why was Dr. Thomas asked whether he was a works doctoi, ? I know why he was asked that question. Mr. Kenshole was in- sinuating that because he was a works doctor he would o t a in laxoor or tne man. It was a. hard insinuation, to make against a man like Dr. Thomas. who is well known in these parts and is a verv re'ahle man. JUDGE'S POINTED HEM ARKS. His Honour did not consider that the plaintiff was entitled to clarm fur the period that he was absent from the colliery. He was satisfied that the man was not forced to carry the rails, and that he could have gone back to his original wor.. j\> v. as afraid these men who were getting compen- sation got it in their heads that thev had not to be obedient or be subservient to the orders of their employers, like other men, and could not be dismissed at all. They were a little tastidious. (Laughter.) If a man receiving compensation did not obey the reasonable commands of the employer, the latter was not compelled to keep him on; he was only supposed to pay him the difference which he had been paying him before. As to the other part of the claim —the difference in wages-the legislature had fixed a princirlo that the loss should be shared generally in compensation matters between the emuJover and the man who had met with an accident and he would adhere to that principle. He mentioned incidentally that in the new A> t probable enhanced earning capacity in the' future should be taken into consideration in fixing what ™rt of the different should be allowed. His Honour gave judgment for payment of half the difference in 1),1' .sent wages and the w a ires before the accident, and inasmuch as in their answers, plaintiff had been offered this, rousts were allowed the re- spondents; a declaration nf liabiliiv was made. and the claim for payment dnrirc ab- sence in May was struck out.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit ot, April 23rd next to c^-n the ex- tension to the university.