The Glamorgan Gazette

Jlla £ gt £ g Cla^tte Accident.—On Tuesday afternoon a man named Ernest Laskey, of 68 St. Micha'd's.- road, sustained very serious injuries at the Maesteg Deep by a fall of roof. The injured man was borne home on a. stretcher by a num- ber of his comrades. Hope.—The half-yearly servioes in connec- tion with Hope jvnglish Baptist Chapel were held on Saturday evening and Sunday, when the pulpit was occupied bv the Rev. A. Fuller Mills, the newly-ordained minister of Calfaria Chapel, Cwnifeiin. The services were well attended. Church of England Men's Society.—A meeting of the above society was held in the Welsh Mission-room on Thursday evening, last week, Mr. J. Sims Davies (chairman) pre- siding. The vicar of the parish (Rev. J. Jones) read a paper on "Church History?" Di s mission followed. Siloh.-At Siloh Welsh Congregational Chapel, an interesting meeting was held on Monday evening. Mr. Thomas Bowen pre- sided. The programme consisted of lantern views, interspersed with solos and recitations. There was a large attendance, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Social.—On Wednesday evening a social was held at Bethel English Baptist Church on the occasion of the re-organisation of the 1', which is to be continued under the crship of Mr. T. Lloyd. About 70 mem- sat at the tables. The Rev. Rhys Davies, or of the church, gave anj excellent ad- 'ded. M?r. Georgc, Brace pres? i bor C.M.—On the 14th inst. the Mutual -1-ovement Society of Tabor C.M. Church d its inaugural social. The tables were nicely decorated' with flowers, etc., and the large attendance augured well for a success- ful session. A good programme lias been ar- ranged, and the new and commodious vestry will be a comfortable and convenient locale for the meetings. Winning Dogs.—Messrs. 0.. and H. T. Wal- ters, of Maesteg, were highly successful at the Welsh Kennel Club's Show at Cardiff, with their famous Irish terrier, Beauty's Boy," which captured a championship, two firsts, and four specials. Rathcax Rejoice," Irish terrier, of Messrs. Walters1, won two thirds. Mr. W. Laviers's Maesteg Maiden" captured a cup given by Messrs. O. and H. T. Walters. Anniversary.—The thirty-eighth anniver- sary services of the English Congregational Church, Castle-street, were held on Sunday and Monday evening, the officiating preacher being the Rev. J. Philip Rogers, B.A., of Bournemouth. A feature of the services was1 the delightful rendering of solos at the after- noon and evening services by Madame San- brook Jones, wife of the Rev. T. Gwilym Jones, B.D., pastor of the church. Town Hall.-—Next week, on Thursday, Fri- day, and Saturday, an enormous attraction' is offered in Mr. C. Watson Mills's celebrated company in A Wrecker of Men." Mr. Mills, brings with him the same company that. has visited all the leading theatres. The cast in- cludes Miss Florence Melrose Millet and Mr. Eric Campbell, who have both had the praise of the leading papers. The scenery and all effects are carried with this production, and are under the direction of Mr. Thompson Car- ruthers. Mutual Improvement Society.—A very en- joyable social was held at Zoar Vestry on the 14?lh inst-In connection with the Mutual lmpr.? "L ,.I t Societ-y ivh-ich h?ar? just been in- augurated. There was a good attendance, and an excellent spread1 was provided, the caterers being Messrs. R. Williams and Sons, Carmarthen House. After the removal of the cloth mes of various kinds wei*4o indulged, in,. goofficers for tbe,enstii,-ng year a;re:- Presid?ent, iUr,. John? rs, Gaj,,n-road,; p ,Ogt retary, Mr. Llewellyn Jones; treasurer, Mir. T. Evans. Competitive Concert.—A competitive coni- oelrt was held at Caersalem Baptist Chapel on Monday evening, under the presidency of Mr. W. James, M.E. Mr. T. Gabriel, F.T.S.C., of Bargoed, adjudicated, and Mr. Willie Evans, N antyffyllon, accompanied, whilst the secre- tarial duties were admirably discharged by Mr. Edwin Da vies, of Glanavoni Terrace, Caerau. Awards :—Soprano solo, Gardotes Fach," Miss Katie Hughes, Nantyffyllon; tenor solov "Light of the World," Mr. Isaac Morris, Nantyffyllon; baritone solo, "Y morwr Horn, Mr. Willie Llewellyn, Duffrvii- road; duet, "Exeelsor," divided between Gwilym Taf and Mr. Willie Jenkins and Messrs. Isaac Morris and Willie Llewellyn champion solo (open), any voice, Gwilym Taf. First WecMing in Carmel Chapel.—A pretty wedding was solemnised at Carmel Welsh Con- gregational' Chapel on Thursday morning last week, the contracting parties being Mr. Wm. R. Rees, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Rees, of Castle-street, and Miss Irene Thomas, daugh- ter of Mr. Philip Thomas, Bethania-street. Added interest was lent to the event by rea- son, of this being the first wedding in the new- chapel. Rev. W. R. Bowen officiated. The bride, who was criven, away by her uncle, Goun<cillon Gomer Davies, was attended by three bridesmaids—Misses Winifred Thomas, Maggie Rees, and Beatrice Williams. Mr. T. J. Rees discharged the duties of best man. The wedding breakfast was subsequently par- taken of at the residence of the bride, and later Mr. and Mrs. Rees left, amid expressions of good will from a large number of friends, for Bridgend, oroceeding by the 12.50 train for London. They were the recipents of numerous and valuable presents. Prominent Congregationalist's Death.—The mortal remains of Mr. William Williams, Car- marthen House, Nantyffyllon, were la.id to rest at the Llangynwyd1 Burial Ground on Thursday aftel;nooll last week. The deceased, who was 59 years of age, was a member of Siloh Congregational Church, and a faithful Sunday School teacher. For the last 15 years he had held the offices of deacon and treasurer of the church, and by his genial dis- position he had made a large circle of friends in the church to which he was so devotedly at- tached, and in the neighbourhood generally. It is a pathetic fact that the church at Siloh were about to present Mr. Williams with an; illuminated address in recognition of the splendid1 services he had rendered' to the church. The funeral cortege left the house at 3 p.m., a large number assembling to pay a last tribute of respect. The funeral was headed by the deacons of Siloh, and the choir, who immediately followed them, rendered special music, conducted by Mr. Sol Rees, A.C. Rev. D. Momis, Llangynwyd. officiated at the graveside, assisted' by the Revs. D. C. Howells, Salem, and W. Solfa Thomas, Jeru- salem. Other ministers present were the Revs. H. J. Lewis, Bethlehem (English C.M.), J. Morley Davies, Bethlehem (English Cong), and T. Gwilym Jones, B.D. The chief mourners were Mrs. Williams (widow), Mr. David W illiams (son), Misses Coinweii and Catherine A. Williams (daughters), Mr. and Mrs. James Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Rees (daughters and sons-in-law), and a large number of other relatives. The coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths from relatives and friends. RAILWAY-iNlEI NIS MEETING. On Sunday afternoon at the Memorial Hall a. meeting was held of all grades of railway servants, under the auspices of the South Wales and Monmouthshire District Council of the A.S.R.S. The following resolution was moved:- "That this meeting, whilst fully recognising and appreciating the establishment of the Conciliation Boiard1 for the settlement of ques- tions relating to hours and wages, regrets that ce-i-ta.1 i-1, Railway Companies are not acting in accordance with the agreenient, signed by their representatives in November last. We our cxecutl x-o aii,,d the Labotii- p,a,riv to 1 a ie iN-,I-i-at steps ili?ey -may (Ie-em advisabl'e to enforce. the terms of the agreement, and we further press upon all railway men the iioed of at once joining and remaining loyal mem- bers of the A.S.R.S., as a means to this end." Mr. J. H. Thomas, organiser for South Wales and' the West of England, gave an ad- dress. Owing to the changes of Railway Companies from a state of competition to combination, lie said, 5.000 railway men had been discharged to swell the ranks of the un- employed. He urged, as a means of protec- tion for the workers, the need of greater unity both industrially and politically. The procedure -aire! work at the Conciliation. Board was tlie-n dealt with by the speaker, who made an appeal to nonr-Unionists to join the A.S.R.S. The resolution, on being put, was carried' unanimously, and the usual votes of thanks terminated a very successful meeting.

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MAESTEG DISTRICT COUNCIL. ♦ INCREASED REPRESENTATION ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL. THE HOUSING SCHEME SCOTCHED. MR. VERNON HARTSHORN'S THREAT. There were present at the fortnightly meeting of the Maesteg Council on Tuesday evening, Messrs. Vernon Hartshorn, J.P. (presiding), Thos. Rees, T. Griffiths, A. Hicks, J. Thomas, J. Rees, John Howells. J. Bevan, J. H. Thomas. J.P., T. E. Hopkins, J. Ed- munds, J. Roderick, J. P. Gibbon, J.P., with the clerk (Mr. R. Scale), the surveyor (Mr. J. Humphreys) and the sanitary inspector (Mr. G. E. Howells). RESERVOIR AS BATH. Mr. Gibbon Was informed by the. surveyor that information had now been obtained ss to the identity of one of the men who had been, seen; bathing in the Tonna Defaid Re- servoir. The Chairman It is a scandalous thing that people should bathe in the reservoir from which we get our drinking supply. Mr. Roderick said that the chief witness for the Council was ill, and would not be able to be about for some time. Mr. J. H. Thomas thought that the Coun- cil ought to take proceedings in order to give publicity to the fact that it was an offence to bathe in the reservoir. It was understood that the clerk would take proceedings as soon as possible. ADDITIONAL C.C. Mr. T. Mansel Franklen, clerk to the Gla- morgan County Council, wrote: "I am directed, by the sub-committee of the Local Government Committee appointed for the purpose of preparing a scheme for the redis- tribution of the county electoral divisions for the election of County Councillors, to inform you that they propose to recommend the County Council to divide the Maesteg Urban District into two divisions, one to comprise the Caerau and Nantyffyllon Wards, and the other to comprise the East and West Wards. Will you please lay the proposals of the sub- committee before your Council, and let me have their observations?" The CPerk remarked that the sub-commit- tee proposed to grant what that Council had asked1 for. The Chairman said the Council fully agreed, he had no doubt, with the proposed division of the district, but he did not know whether it would be wise at present to make any re- presentation to the County Council as to selecting a Maesteg member to fill one of the vacancies which would now occur on the aldermanic bench. Having regard to the growth and importance of the place, he thought Maesteg should be represented on the aldermanic bench. Mr. J. H. Thomas thought it would be pre- mature to make that suggestion at this junc- ture, though he full1 aereed with it. When the district had an additional member they might do their best to get one of their repre- sentatives elected. The Chairman You do not consider it ad- visable to m'ake any sureestion now? Mr. Thomas: No, I think it will be a mat- ter of using our influence after we have got our members in. Mr. John Howells said that when he had spoken to some prominent members of the County Council on the matter he was in- formed that the aldermanic seats were re- served for the veterans of the County Coun- cil, and were not allocated according to the population or importance of the particular districts represented by members. Whether this was a fair method of dealing with alder- manic seats or not was a matter of opinion. but, if his information was correct, it was clear that Maesteg would not have an alder- man for some years, their present member having had only two years' service. Mr. Roderick: The County Council have not appointed aldermen in that way in the past. Mr. Howells: That was what I was told. Mr. Roderick: As a matter of fact, our old member was senior to some of those who were appointed last time. It was decided, on the motion of Mr.'J. H. Thomas, to reply approving of the proposed redistribution. LOCAL PENSION COMMITTEE. The Clerk stated that he had communicated to Mr. Gough Jenkins (clerk to the County Pension Committee) the resolution of the joint meeting of the Maesteg and Glyneor-ni-g Councils requesting the County Committee to grant Maesteg a separate Pension Commit- tee, and that Glyncorrwg be joined with some other district. Mr. Jenkins replied that the matter would be placed' before the next meet- ing of the County Committee, the date of which had not- yet been fixed. It was stated that the Glyncorrwg Council would nominate the Labour representative, ,all,d that the Maesteg Council had nominated Mr. D. W. Thomas to act as the representa- tive of Friendly Societies on the committee. The Clerk intimated that he had infOTi-ned, Mil". Jenkins of the proposal that Mr. Gibbon and Mr. Jenkins (the chairman of the Glyn- corrwg Council) should wait upon the County Sub-Committee to convey the views of the two Co unci Is. RIGHT-OF-WAY. A letter was read from the manager of the Port Talbot Railway Company asking whether, in the event of a footbridge being erected near the station, the Council would undertake to assist the company to prevent an,y trespassing across the railway. Mr. Gibbon: What have we to do with that? The Chairman I take it that if they mean we will surrender the right-of-way, we will agree with that. Mr. Gibbon I don't see what assistance we can give them unless we put a. member of the Council there to watch. (Laughter.) Mr. How ells: They want us to use our in- fluence on the public to prevent trespass. I think we can agree to their request. Mr. Gibbon: I take it that our assistance is only sought in regard to this particular spot. This railway seems to be a public high- way altogether. 'The Clerk was directed' to reply assuring the company of the Council's support. REFUSE TIP AT DOOR. Mr. Miles Hardcastle, NnJityffyllon, wrote complaining of the tipping of house refuse by some neighbours at the back door of his house, instead of nutting it out for the Coun- I I's c, c gi-t to take it away. He had spoken to them repeatedly about the matter, but when he Avas away from home the nuisance was re- peated, and of course lie could not spend his whole time watching the back doors. He was sick and tired of complaining, and he wrote to the Council as a last resource. On the suggestion of the Chairman, the let- ter was referred to the sanitary inspector for report. HOSPITAL STAFF. Nurse Harrison wrote resigning her post as assistant at the hospital. Mr. Howells proposed that the resignation be accepted, and the post advertised-Car- ried. During the consideration of the terms of the advertisement, the Clerk suggested that, "applicants should' state age and qualifica- tions." Mr. Gibbon If we ask them to state their age it will only cause them to tell stories. (Laughter.) It was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Bevan. to include the words Welsh desirable" in the a vertisement. PROPOSED MORTUARY. As agent of Messrs. North's Navigation Co., Mr. Gibbon fonvarded a tracing of the site -w,hich the company would provide for the re- mainder of the term of their lease from the Talbot Estate, for the purpose of the erection of a mortuary, the annual rental to be 10s. The agent of the Margam Estate had in- formed him that he would advise that the estate should not charge more than 10s. per annum after the expiration of the lease, p'ro- vided that if through any cause the mortuary were found to be inconvenient or unsuitable for the estate, the Council should raise no ob- jection to its removal to another site to be provided on similar terms, the removal to be carried' out by the Margam Estate. It was stated' that the site was behind Tal- bot-street. The Chairman: That is the site we asked for, is it not P The Surveyor: No, it is proposed that the mortua-ry shall be nearer the river than was originally intended, Mr. Howells proposed the adoption of the terms, and this was agreed to. WORK-AIE-NIS REQUEST. Mr. C. Purnell annlied on behalf of the Council's Avorkmen that they should be sup- plied with new oilskin clothes, those, supplied two years ago having been worn out. The Surveyor stated that there were 25 Avorkmen under the Council. He added that it was two years ago that oilskins were sup- plied. Mr. Hopkins: Is it the custom for the Council to supply them. The Surveyor: It has been our custom in the past. Mr. J. H. Thomas: But that was when AA ages Avere at a loAA'er figure than IIOAV. Mr. Howells thought the money Avoukl be AvelJ spent, otherAvise the men would shelter a great deal during wet weather. Mr. Gibbon: They do that now, so as not to wet their oilskins. (Laughter.) It was agreed to grant the request. COUNTY COUNCIL CONTRIBUTION. A letter was read' from Mr. G. A. Phillips, county surA-eyor. asking for particulars as to the cost of maintaining the roads in the Maes- teg district. The^ Chairman suggested that a committee should meet to prepare the case for the Coun- cil for an increased contribution towards the mainten.artce of roads, and this was agreed to. On the suggestion of Mr. Gibbon, the sur- veyor was directed to prepa;re a report. show- ing the increase of traffic in the district in recent years. USE OF THE HALL. Discussion took place on an application for the free use of the ToAvn-hall on the occasion of a concert for the benefit of a young lady who is undergoing a musical training. It. was stated that a. similar application had been refused. Mr. J. H. Thomas said the Council had made it a rule to grant the hall for meetings in aid of injured AA-orkmen, but if the Council granted the present apulic.ationit would be establishing another precedent. He thought the town was entitled to have a nominal fee for the hall, but he would be prepared to pay for the hall jointly with any other member. Mr. Gibbon: We had better send the hat round. (Laughter.) The Chairman said there appeared to be quite a large number of residents interested iii the ?voiing laa 'v for whose benefit the coii- cert was being arranged. Mr. Roderick proposed that the application be granted, and this was carried. NO GAS PRESSURE. Mr. J. H. Thomas called the attention of the Council to the inconvenience caused to the residents—.especially those who had gas stoves-tlii-oiigli there being no pressure of gas last AA-feek. Mr. Gibbon (who is a director of the com- pany) I propose we write a strong letter to the company about it. (Laughter.) Mr. HoAvells said he had taken the matter up personally with the manager of the gas works, and found that there had been iii, accident. Mr. Gibbon After that I withdraw my mo- tion. (Laughter.) DR. WHEATON S REPORT. Mr. Hopkins asked1 Avhether it was not pro- posed to consider the report of Dr. Wheat on on the sanitary condition of Maesteg at a meeting of the Council. The Chairman It was arrreed at the last meeting to refer it to the General Purposes Committee. Mr. Hopkins: Is it proposed to consider in committee a. report denouncing this district which has been published in the four quarters I of the globe ? The Chairman That is what the Council '1'he Chairman: That is what the Council has decided. Mr. Edmunds: I think th:1Í should he r{'s- cinded. The Chairman That is out of order now. Mr. Gibbon proposed that the next meeting of the General Purposes Committee should be held two hours- earlier than usual to enable members to blow off steam. Mr. Hopkins: Four of them have done that already, and they all' contradict one another. (Laughter.) The Chairman said he did not care whether the matter was discussed in committee or not. but they could hardly alter the decision. since the minutes had been confirmed. Mr. Hopkins How nianv members recollect that decision t I am sure I attended to the business, but I ca.n't remember it. Mr. Gibbon's motion was accepted nem. con. TIME LIMIT. Complaints were made of the slow progress of the Heolfain and Bridge-street improA"e- ments. Mr. Hopkins: Isn't there a time-limit, as in the Licensing Bill? It was decided to write the contractor in strong terms. HOUSING SCHEME SCOTCHED. Pursuant to notice. Mr. T. Griffiths pro- posed that the Council proceed with the erec- tion of 100 houses under the Housing of the Working Classes Act. Mr. John Rees seconded. A long discussion ensued, the Labour mem- bers contending that there was keen competi- tion among the working classes for houses— instances were given of two or three families living in the same house—in consequence of which it afforded an opportunity to property- holders to exact extortionate rents. Messrs. John Howells, Gibbon, T. Rees. and J. Edmunds opposed the motion, the chief ar- gument being that, as private competition wa.s doing so much in the building trade at present, the Council should not interfere. Mr. Hicks remarked that some of the mem- bers were always full of sympathy with the working classes, but directly it came to put- ting their profession' into practical form they were always found on the other side of the -%vc,re. afraid, he sa kv, ve They li to 1, a lio,ti;&es ere-eted by- the Coiiiicil b,ee-,ttise it AAxnild' militate against their "rack renting policy." The Chairman stated that before any scheme could be adopted it Avould have to be considered by the Local GoA-ernment Board. Avho AA'ould have to be satisfied (1) that a real necessity existed in the district to warrant the erection of houses and (2) that any scheme submitted by the Council must be self-sup- porting and one which would not involve any additional charge on the rates. As the discussion proceeded, it became evi- dent that the majority of the members were opposed to the scheme, wherupon the Chair- man said that. as it was evident the motion would be defeated, he Avantwl it to be clearly understood that the Labour members were en- deavouring to provide for the thousand men who would come into the district consequent to the colliery developments at Cwmdu. If the scheme was not carried through and if private enterprise did not provide sufficient, houses for the additional 1.000 men. he would consider it his duty to use anv influence he possessed among the Avorkmen to see that no more men came into the district until such provision was made. If they were not in a position to carry reforms at the Council they had influence in other Quarters which they Avould be able to use to prevent such an influx as AATwild augment the already OA'er-croAvded condition of the people. Mr. Gibbon, in reply, said that if they pre- vented getting more men to work in the col- liery. the only thing left Avould be for the colliery to stand id lei The motion was defèated: by seven votes to fiA-e. COrXTY WATER BOARD. Mr. Gibbon gave a lengthy report on the question of joiniyg the County Water Board. After considerable discussion, lasting until after ten o'clock, it was decided that the mat- ter, being of such great importance, should be deferred to a future meeting.

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THE CRISIS AT UNPROFITABLE MINES. WORKMEN ASKED TO MAKE CON- CESSIONS. An important subject came before the Coai- OAvners' Association for Monmouthshire and South Wales on Saturday, and the discussion attendant upon it prolonged the proceedings *I afte, ').30 111 the aft4-i-iicoii -i i,, i? t I itliout a2i-iv solution being arrived at. It appears that some of the colliery oAvners find that they unable to make their undertakings pay. They have, therefore, asked the men in their employ to make a. temporary concession, otherwise they will be compelled to shut down their collieries. The official report on this subject, supplied to the Piress by Mr.. Gascoyne Dalziel. sec- retary to the owners' side, after the meeting, is as fclloAvs — The workmen's represeni.atives dreAv attcntion to the fact that the OAA'ners at several collieries had been endeavouring to reduce the wages of their workmen belo,in- the percentage aAvarded by the Conciliation Board, and, after setting forth their views. asked the (-,iviiei,s representatives to con- 'dei iiig I the riattei, prior to the next meet' s of the Board. The reply of the owners was to the eff,ect that those collieries could not be carried on owing to the much reduced selling price and high wages, and. unless they were L uiita,i-lly a ss i stc?d bv thi, iN-orkine,.i vol iiiakii,,g some. coii,cession in ii-ag?es, the, col- lieries must be closed down. Aft,Or a general discussion on the argu- ments in favour of the workmen's conten- tion that an obligation Avas imposed upon all owners to continue working their col- lieries during the period of the Conciliation Board agreement, and the arguments of the owners against the existence of any such obligation, it was resolved to defer the consideration of the matter to a future meeting. WORKMEN'S CONTENTION. It is stated that the workmen contended that the action of the coalowners who sought concessions under threat of stopping the col- lieries Avas a distinct breach of the Concilia- tion Board agreement, and that the owners replied, denying this. but pointing out that while they did not encourage any such action, it must be patent to the men that the owners were forced by circumstances to close down unremunerative collieries unless the men granted concessions. The men's reply to this is this—.that in framing the Conciliation Board agreement regard was had to the law of averages; that there are many collieries making a great deal of money and earning handsome profits, but if the poor collieries are to be closed down under certain conclitions of trade, and the men thrown out unless wage concessions are granted, then the Avorkmen s representatiAes. in self defence, must pro- ceed on some other lines than the law of a Aver- ages in finding a method of future regulation of Avages. COLLIERIES AFFECTED. During the discussion the workmen's repre- sentatives handed in a table giving the folloAv- ing details — Associated collieries where concessions have been asked for:—Blaenclydach, 400 men; HendreoAven, 200; Gelynos, 40; Duffryn Rbondda, Glyn CVmnier, Glenavon. New Cor- rwg Pits. New CoriAvg Level. Glyncorrwg new nits and level, and Treshenkin. 2.400; total, 3,040. Collieries that have been stopped :—Blaen- clydach. 400 men; Phoenix Merthyr, 150; UpDer Bank, 80; Mountain, 380; Gelli, 30; Talbot Merthyr, 60; Humouth. 100; New Forest, 30; Cornvg Level, 20: total. 1.250. Collieries under notice:—Waunllech, 350; Graham Navigation. 300: Darran. 50: Cov- trahen. 150: British Empire. 100: Garth, 700; No. 9, North's, 300: total, 1.950. A dispute as to the price list at Meiros Col- liery, Llanbarran, Avas referred to Messrs. Henry Lewis and John Thomas. INTERVIEW WITH MABOK. M.P. Mr. W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon). chairman of the workmen's side, when intervieAved on the above subject, complained that there had been a misrepresentation of the attitude taken by the workmen's leaders. What we say is this." said Mr. Abraham. The Conciliation Board agreement is prac- tically a Avage agreement between tAvo organ- ised bodies—the owners, as represented by their members of the CoaloAvners' Association on the Conciliation Board and the workmen. as represented by members of the South Wales Miners' Federation who have seats on the Conciliation Board. This being so. our contention is that any claim for concessions. involving reduction of Avages. should be for- mally made by the coalow ners' representatives on the Conciliation Board to the workmen's representatives on that body. We complain that individual firms who are members of the CoaloAvnere' Association, which is one of the mainstays of the Conciliation Board, have no right to go behind the backs of the workmen's leaders on that body and seek concessions and reductions at the hands of indiA-idual and iso- lated bodies of AA-orkmen Avhom Ave represent." '• You say this constitutes a violation of the agreement?" "'Undoubtedly, in the spirit if not in the letter. When any violation of tins kind is detected on the part of the men it is common knowledge that the owners' representatives oil the Board approach us, the workmen's re- presentatives, to get the matter complained of rectified. That is just what we have done in the present instance. We have asked the OAvners to put a stop to these, repeated at- t-eiiii)ts to ii4bble at ti,e But ii'lia ?? of the colit?c-litioii of the ov,-liei-s that these collieries cannot be remuneratiA-ely worked ?" The argument should in its operation cut both ways. Some of these collieries of AA-hich you IIOAV speak Avere able, during the boom, to sell their coal at a price of 5s. and even sometimes 10s. per ton above the figure which formed the ba.sis of the wages paid at the time being. We were lot able, because of the :La,y of averages on which the agreement is based, to tap this extra profit, and the owners of these collieries were. in virtue of that agreement and their membership of the CoaloAvners' Association, protected in their exclusive enjoyment of it. They made liay with a vengeance while the sun shone. Our point is that they are not entitled IIOAV to be protected against loss by reducing Avork- men's earnings beloAv the percentages fixed by the agreement which enabled them to make those extra profits. In any event, if a claim for such concessions is to b eniade. it must be raised as a general question at the Concila- tion Board, where it can be .adequately dealt with."

J KIDNEYS WRONG! Liver, Heart. Bowels. Bladder, Blood, .Stomach, the whole body. more or less, affected by Kidney Disorders. II Unless c-uratively treated, sutfermjr will be intensified. DO not let slight or seA-ere Kidney j I Complaint deAelop into cancertws decay. Urine complaints. Kidney. Liver Diseases, cure them Put them into strong active order. The Rafest and surest Aray to do that is to TAKE KUROBAX PILLS Is. lid. per box by post. Is. 2d. SOLE PHOPRIETOH- G. H. HOWELLS, Cash Chemist, CAREAU- Asents :—Bridgend. E. T. Rich. Aberkenfig. J. Davis. The stores. I I

''Suppose." hissed the villain, "suppose OUT plot should leak out' That s al! richt.' said his accomplice, consolingly. It can't. Don t you ro:nem!>or relling me five minutes ago that it had thickened?" "I beg-in to realise." said young Mr. Kallow, that I am no lon,- 'h, now that ,er a merc, yout ?ve got a little hal r on iry lir)- Yes," said Miss Knox, "and I suppose in a month or so you'll have another one." Looks like rather poor soil in this part of the country." said the stranger. Well, it ain't," re- plied the native. A man over on the adjoining farm ploughed up a tin can with ten sovereigns in it one dav last week."

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND OLD AGE PENSIONS. To the Editor. Sir.—Kindly allow me space, in your A-alu- ab-lf" paper to contradict a statement made by a Councillor at the joint meeting of the Maes- teg and Glyncornvg Urban Councils on the question of the Old Age Pensions Committee. It was pointed out that the Maesteg Friendly Societies' Council had selected a representa- t?ve to sit oii th(- conimitt-c-c,, ii-)?en tlit- Cotin- cillor I*ii qtic,.sticn sa.ld that -e d?ld iiot i,ep,i,e- se?lit the Fi-*eiid.lv Societies, -iii,a,,niiieli a.- I I I the!-e oiilv fivt, .(I,elc-ga;es T)Ie?sell-L at o,ii, iiieet- j 11" Now. sir. I beg to deny that statement. Every lodge secretary in Maesteg receiA-ed a circular from me calling the meeting, and I find that 2.000 members of the vai-ioiis socie- ties rep te d, and that apologies were t eii,dei,ed from represeiit,ative.?-, of n,early CAW iiiolle. OIA-iii- to a mass iiit?et;ing of ,h,e ii-e-rk- ni.e,i) Of -Ni-essi's. No,-t:li's -Navigab?l'o,ii, seN-ei-Al del-e-ate3 in-ere utiablc- t<) if tli,l,s is lict,'a f.ir rerresentat IOT,, I sh<)iild to know what is. What Friendly Societv does the delegate apnointed represent? I th*iik the llicgest* ioj,. of Mr. J. P. G'b?bo, apd -Ur. J. H. f?omas -at the prevl()IIS "me4lt- ing of the Maesteg Council that the Friendly Societies sheuld select their own representa- tive. a fair one. It is our intention to ap- peal to the proper authorities, protesting in the strongest, possible terms against the selec- tion of any person to renresent Friendly So- cieties AVho is not selected bv the members of Fi-leiidly Societies themselves. I trnst that I have not e-ncroached too much upon your space in giving publicity to my letter, but I consider it is time for us to be alive to oTir duties, especially a,1;; the ejection of Councillors is <-Ira wll]Ly on behalf of the Maesteg Friendly Societies' Council. JOSEPH COMEE. Sec. 82 Bethania Street, Maesteg. P.S.—I enclose a circular, a copy of which was sent by me to every Friendly Societv sec- retary in Maesteg. [ENCLOSURE.] Maesteg and District Friendly Societies' Council. Important to all Lodge Secretaries. Dear S' r,-Th,e Question of long standing. viz., Old Age Pensions, is coming into opera- tion January. 1909. therefore it is advisable that all Friendly Societies should have a re- presentative governing such on the Commit- tee selected by the Urban District Council. A special general meeting of the above Council will be held on Monday next. October 12tli, 6.30 p.m.. at the Bird-in-Hand Hotel, to discuss the above Question, when it is hoped that all Lodges will be represented.—-Yours fraternally. J. Chilton. Chairman. Joseph Comer. Secretary.

CHURCH MUSIC. To the Editor. Sir.—Having the honour to be organist of one of our small churches, this correspon- dence has interested me, and I may perhaps 'oe excused for venturing a few remarks on the subject. It would, indeed, be very nice if our organ- ists, choirs, and congregations were all musi- cal by nature, for then sihging practices would always be largely attended, and the singing and organ playing would become very i le t- I)ki?fectioii. But tli?e, fact ren-iaj'lls that we are. not. Yet nearly everyone sings. Then, of necessity, we must be somewhat mechanical in the execution of our music. Let our natural musicians, by all means, have. liberty for the exercise of their genius in the performance of voluntaries, oolos, duets, etc., but as regards hymn tunes. I think that the organist who plays the music faithfully, as written by the composer. with due attention to the marks of expression set to each A-erse, will best meet the require- ments of the congregation. And if there are any singers (there cannot be many) so ignor- ant of these musical terms as Sandstone" appears to be. then I say it is their duty to master them before attempting to sing in any respectable congregation. Again, the musi- cal talent of the conductor appears to ad- vantage in the performance of anthems by the choir, or Quartettes, trios, etc.. by mem- bers of it; if. however, he sings one part of a hymn very -slowly and then rushes the other part Avith impetuous speed or sings a line of a. verse (perhaps marked piano) very loudly simply because it contains the word "mighty," most people will consider him "faddy." al- though the same rendering, were be singing a solo, might be very effective and greatly ad- mired. But it is one thing to criticise, quite an- other to do the, work; and I cannot help thinking that if some of our critics could be got to hold1 our positions for only a short time, they would not be so eager to find fault with what is. on the whole, the brightest part of our services.—Yours, etc.. ONE WHO DOES HIS BEST.

TOWN HALL THEATRE MAESTEG. Proprietors Poole's Theatres Co.. Ltd 'Nlr. C. AA-. P(:)ole 'tr 't Mr. W. Bvnort4i Dl, Resident Manager Mr. G. F. Kriowles Secretary Mr. E. A. Goodman Stage Manager Mr. T. Codman The Management reserve the right of refusing admission. Thursday Friday, and Saturday, October 29th, 30th. and 31st. Expensive engagement of. C. WATSON Mili.s" Celebrated Co.. in A WRECKER OF MEN A Story of Modern Deliah. Miss Melrose Millet as Rixa Mallinson. Mr. Eric Campbell as Jim Murley. Tour under the direction of Thompson Carruthers. Admission 2s.. Is. 6d.. Is.. and 6d. Early Doors 3d. extra to all parts. Doors open at 7.15. Curtain rises'at 7.45. Early Door at 7. Half-time at 9 o'clock, except to back seats. Saturdays Only—Doors open at 6.45. Curtain rises at 7. Early door 6.30 to 6.45. Box Office at Laugharne's, Tobacconist, Talbot Street. LA TE TR \INS leave Maesteg each evening at 11 for Nantvffvllon. Caerau. Cymmer. & Abergwynfi. Also from Port Talbot Station every ednesdav and Saturday at 10.30 p.m. to Pontycymmer and Blaengarw.

r-?- ;• .i— •• :• 7-al for his t'-r «' r! ties their h'v-r. -*••—•••:>" t.-v:• \0 ■1-> n" sh-l-o nf f.t- \-c: .-1. find main- tain MI "nrtl'T TO them Irey <riv.? accent, and force. ai>-i to our pre-); deeds. O; of t'ir~ -'Huci/M-! thHt nre.=<>rt hour i,,5 not *he c-i. >»'W-i'r.v Isou' Wri.e it on your he:irt 1 lift ove~ -hy is the bast day in the year. Evolution, by di-oio?ir;cr to us the marvellous power and Dccurnev of rrturM iyw. compels us more thnn eyw refer all law to a supreme originating Intelligence. AdA-erPity ever been considered as the state in which a mar, the most easily becomes acquainted with himself—particularly as he is in that state free from flatterers. It's not the man that knows the most That has the most to say; Nor yet the man that has the most That gives the most aAvay. Ther? is no doubt that the troubles sent. by Providence arc always beneficial if taken in a proper spirit, but the troubles brought on by our own or another's ill-doing are not neces- sarily salutary at all. Some men think that the gratification of curi- osity is the end of knowledge some, the love of fame; some. the pic,.Isu rQ Of dl-%Pute; some. the necessitv Of rU,?)T)Ort* bemelvef, by their knowled el'na t -ge: but the r use of all knoA,Iedge is this—that we should dedicate that reason which :was given W) to the iJØe v.nd adYantae pf IWJP. n

SEVEN YEARS LAMED BY SCIATICA. ♦ A VETERAN HANDYMAN'S ADVANCED KIDNEY AND BLADDER TROUBLES. --+ DOAX'S BACKACHE KIDXEY PILLS DIS. CHARGE THE ACCUMULATED WATER. AND A MASS OF IMPURITIES, AND HEALTH AXD STRENGTH RETURN AFTER YEARS OF LINGERING DISEASE. Mr. Frederick W. Stewart. of 42A. James-street* Devonport. is a staunch type of the Handyman. He has sailed under the Union Jack in all parts of the world, and has seen active service in the Zulu, Soudan, and Bot-i wars, and in many a bush fight in the West Coast of Africa. He holds the Roval Humane Society's Medal for sa yin the life of a little child off the coast of Newfoundland. He is well known and highly respected in the Three Towns, and many local CLERGY. MAGISTRATES, AND TOWN COUNCILLORS are familiar with his remarkable case recorded here* *'It Avas in 1901 I was first taken ill," he says. It Avas nothing more than a throbbing pain in the sides and a weakness in the back—not bad enough to keep me away from work. But the strain of ray duties soon told upon me, and at last I broke down completely. • "The tirst doctor I called I have had thirteen in all—told me it was sciatica. He applied salt bags to the affected part, and that eased me for a time, but I quickly grew worse instead of better, and eventually had to keep to bed altogether. I was so helpless that I could not move in bed without assis- tance. My left leg was bent up ALL OUT OF SHAPE. and I completely lost the use of it. It was always cold, and nothing would driA e the sciatic ]>ain away. "In 1904 I became in such a state that 1 had to be taken in a cab to the hospital. There I was kept on a strict milk diet. and the secretions from the kidneys were tested three times eA ery day. If £ closed my eyes the nurses would shake me to rouse me they said they dared not let me fall off to sleep or I should neyer wake again. The doctors said it was impossible for me to last long, and looked upon me as a freak of Nature to be living at all, seeing my condition. I was in such agony that I would have welcomed death, and I appealed to the physicians to let m £ die. Eventually I was taken to P Convales- cent Home, and it seemed at first that I was making a little headway there. for after three weeks I could manage to move a little with the aid of sticks, though the left leg was still POWERLESS AND DEFORMED. ''But \*ery soon I had another terrible break- down. If possible I became worse than eA-er, and was in maddening agony. My leg was quite crippled, and I began to have cruel pains in the back and loins. The urine was thick, and after leaA-ing some to stand in a bottle for a few hours it Mn. F. W. STEWART. (From a photo.) would be half-full of sediment. Another alarming symptom now appeared I could not pass secretions more than once a day, and my right arm began to swell with water. The swellings spread to my legs and all over my body, and from my normal weight of 10,t. 101b. 11 went to 12.,t. 51b. 10oz. Mv toes could hardly be distinguished. so distorted w' my ere feet with the swellings. 011 N,aking in the niorn- ngs the side on which I had lain overnight would be all PUFFED UP TERRIBLY. and the eye would be quite obscured by the swel- ling. The pains in my back were well-nigh unbearable. I was bent tip nearly double, and if I attempted to move I came over in a violent tremble. "In July. 1906. a Town Councillor" (whom Mr. Stewart named) obtained another hospital ticket for me, and again I returned to the hospital. When I implored them to tap the water am-an- they said it would be fatal to do so. but they blistered me. which brought up little bladders of watet- on the hips and ankles and knees. When I asked the physicians and nurses what was the matter with me they shook their heads, and would not tell me. and at length I was advised to write to any friends I wished to see, I knew what this meant, and I grew hopeless, dejected, and irritable. It seemed just like WAITING FOR THE END. "A second time I was taken to P Con- valescent Home. but growing no better. I pleaded to be allowed to return to my own home. The physician remarked to the nurse that I might just as well end my days at home as there, so I was wrapped in blankets and taken back in a convey- ance. During my long suffering I had been trying various kinds of adyertised medicines, and iiow-st what seemed to be the end—I hoped against hope. and asked my wife to get some of Doan's backache kidney pills for me to try. The chemist did his best to ] lersuade her to haA-e his own backache pills, instead of Doan's; they were cheaper and just as good, lie said. But my wife replied that she kneAV I would use nothing but Doan's, and she got Doan's. The first box did me no good that I could tell of. but I did not expect miracles, and Avas not dis- couraged. I kept on with the pills, and when I was half-way through the second box I began to pass AA-ater in amazing quantities. I must have JjM passed gallons a day. There was a never-ending desire to urinate. The relief this gave me was Avondertul. I used to measure my swollen limbs eA ery day with a tape measure, and day by day I could see a distinct REDUCTION OF THE DROPSICAL SWELLINGS. After the fourth box a singular thing happened something seemed to be moving in the loins, and one morning a MASS OF IMPURITIES. the size and shape of a hen's egg. was discharged. Inside was a dry substance like chaff. "Relief was'quick and A-ery noticeable after Doan's backache kidney pills had driven out this foreign substance. The pains in the back and loins eased, and I could manage to get almost straight. I even had a little power in the left limb, which had been CRIPPLED SO MANY YEARS. Before I began with Doan's the fiesh of the left leg had been just like dough, retaining any impression of the fingers, but now it was becoming natural again. '• To-day I am out and about the same as I was before my illness, and there is nothing at all the matter with me except a slight pain in the left leg. which Dean's pills are gradually curing. 1 do not a I ,i need sticks to get about with now. and I feel so fit and Avell that I am down at the docks every morn- iim by 6 o'clock. Last Wednesday week I took a ten-mile walk, and at least <iriee a week I go six: miles in the day. Doan-s backache kidney pills have done all this for me. changing me FROM A CRIPPLE TO AN ABLE MAX. Your medicine has saved my iife—saAed me, in. deed. from what was worse than deatli-a constitu- tion lighting, year after year. against a hideous, (leformiii,o? disease-a disease robbed me oi iiiy 1)o,%i-e-l' to) eat*ll MN' ()m-ii IiN-iiig. and ran a-,N,ay ix-itli al" )?l?- sa\-in(r??--a disease that ii)a,(Ie me anct 'm-avs y that it all around iiie m-reicile(i,. I I a? N\-as I ka(,Iie kidiie,, al(* )ac 1 )"(' that (-tired ilit?, and m-Iiielil I)a?-c t(? thank solelv "()?. Illy i)el ali,-e a?i(i able to ell" ]'IN- own t,(Iav. ?l who know what I have been through, and how near to death I lingered, are amazed to see me about again looking as FIT AND STROXG AS EYE. and years younger than 1 did during that awful illness. The hospital nurse could hardly believe her eyes when she saw me she had heard that I had died shortly after leaving the hospital. DevonporttewTispeople often ask me to account for ni)- ciii,e. and I )ies] tate to tkll tliejij that it is due entii-(,Ix- to 1)()all-, backache kidne, pills. 1 haA-e done all I can. by recommending the medi- cine to others, to show my gratitude, but as long as I live I shall never be able to show it sufficiently.-— (Signed) r. W. STEWART.

A famous physician was asked out for pome ?-eral t'nx-,s, be. tr,, couid no., !,I,, a sinz.c, rabbit. "It's aN%,ful." ho exclainied T'v(, 1:111(?d notbin,- all day." evoi- r?i 'nd." i, -t; write the rabl)its one of your prescriptions. Joal; ley ■ I t:1 you. my wife's sense of smelt is so keen Üla; once when I just happened to mention the word whisky' during the day she noticed t on my breath when I got home." Coakley: "(jo 'long!" Joakley; "Fact; I—or mentioned it to a ba rmaid." Mr. Billson: "And so Mrs. Spruce called to- day? They say she's wearing a lovely new bon- net. What's it like?" Mr. B.: "Well, it's got a ooal-seoop in front, a tail-board, behind, a flower- garden on the top, and a job lot of different riio- bonfi all round. Von can easily make one likfl it.