The Glamorgan Gazette

WYNDHAM CROSSING. i WYNDHAM CROSSING. l I OGMORE AND GARW COUNCIL AND I THE RAILWAY CO. At the Ogmore and Garw Council on Tues- I day the Surveyor read a letter from Mr. Grier- son, of the Great Western Railway, with refer- ence to the railway crossing at Wyndham, ) Ogmcre Vale. He stated that the proposition of the Council had been considered, and the Company saw there were no grounds upon which they should contribute toward the cost of a footbridge at Wyndham. It. would be essentially for the public convenience, and be- cause of that the cost should be borne by the public funds. As he had intimated, however, his Company would offer every facility to the Council should they decide to move in the matter, subject to the terms of an agree- ment. Mr. Pennant thought it should be more clearly defined what was meant by the agree- ment. Mr Canniff said it was plain if they wanted the footbridge they must 'pay for it. Mr. Pennant: He says they will offer facili- ties; what does that mean? Mr: T. E. Lewis thought it was rather a serious matter. Th-c-re were scores of children travelling that way every day on their way to school, and something should be done either by the Council or the Company, and evidently it was for the Council to do. If anything should happen to one of the children passing to and from the school who would be respon- sible? Would any authority be responsible for the death of a child if it was run over there? It had been pointed out that it was an accommodation road. He did not know whether there was any difference between an accommodation road and a parish road. The Clerk said an accommodation road was as the name implied, an accommodation be- tween the Company and the people on the other side. He thought there was a grave doubt as to whether they could not stop allow- ing traffic over it if it was an accommodation road. A Member: Is it an accommodation road ? The Clerk: That is the point. Mr. Pennant: If anything happened there I take it the Company would be responsible? The Clerk: I don't think so. Alderman Llewellyn said this was not the only place where they had had difficulty in that respect. They tried at Nantymoel once before and they were unable to get the Rail- way Company to do anything. Mr. Lewis: It is rather hard that they should not do something here. Mr. Pennant moved that the Ogmore mem- bers should enter into the question and bring some suggestion or report to the Council. Dr. Parry asked if they had approached the Board of Trade on the matter. Could they not ask the Board of Trade to appeal to the Railway Company to get a Flag man put there. The Clerk did not think 90 because if it was an accommodation road the Railway Com- pany could stop people from using it. The Chairman: After 20 years? The Clerk said that was another point to be looked at as to whether the public had gained the right of user. It was agreed that the Surveyor should re- port to the Council on all railway crossings throughout the Council's area, and then they could see whether they could approach the Board of Trade on the question.

I ORATORIO iT PENCORD. I SPLENDID PERFORMANCE BY TRINITY CHOIR. On Thursday evening the choir of Trinity English C.M. Church, Pencoed, gave a render- ing at the Public Hall of Gaul's Oratorio "The Holy City." The oratorio is a work of real merit, and the conductor, Mr. Tom Jones, and the choir are to be congratulated on their attempt to present the public with music of such good quality. The attempt was, in every way, successful. Both choir and conductor did justice to themselves and the size of the audience and its appreciation were most encouraging features of the evening. Addi- tional colour was lent to the occasion by the presence of a batch of soldiers from the Red Cross Hospital, Bridgend. Through the kind- ness of the commandant of the Hospital, Mrs. Bramley, the men were allowed to come out in the afternoon, and were privately entertained. The Pencoed Brass Band-without solicitation of any kind and prompted alone by their own goodwill towards the men who had served their country, and suffered for it-played the soldiers to the Hall. The Chairman for the evening was Mr. W. A. Howell, Lletai. In his opening address the Chairman said he was between two fires. Before him were men who had helped to save our country from outward invasion. Behind him was a choir representing a cause that protected the country from inward corruption. A miscellaneous programme was next gone through. Those taking part were the Misses G. Williams, and Lena Wilkins, Messrs. Evan Samuel and Glanville Davids. The chief soloists in the oratorio were:— Sopranos, Miss Olwen Pearoo and Miss Lena Wilkins; contralto, Miss S. J. Lewis; tenor, Mr. W. Lewis;. bass, Mr. Glanville Davies, Maesteg. Others taking part in trios, etc., were Miss G. Williams, Miss L. M. Lewis, Miss Wathen, Miss Edith Davies, Mr. E. Samuel. The accompanists were Messrs. J. T. Howell, B.A., Bridgend, W. J. Davies, Bridgend. Where all did so well it would be invidious to single out any for special mention. The soloists, with one exception, were all local singers, and there are not many villages that could present a finer array of musical talent. The only singer from outside, Mr. Glanville Davies, sang admirably. We have already re- ferred to the choir. It is no exaggeration to say that they excelled themselves. The ac- companists also did their work excellently. At the close a vote of thanks to the con- ductor, choir, and artistes, was moved by Corporal Kendrick, of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, and seconded by Lance-Corporal Mat- thews, of the same regiment. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was moved by Mr. David Jenkins, Ardwyn, and seconded by Trooper J. Lewis, of the Glamorganshire Im- perial Yeomanry. The singing of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close.

I WRECKAGE WASHED UP. I I SAILORS' BEDS AT PORTHCAWL. I Attention was attracted at Porthcawl on Thursday last week to casks left on the beach by the tide. The beach from the docks to a point beyond the Black Rocks over the Sandy Bay seemed to be covered with oil. There was a number of empty biscuit barrels, staves and the ends of a number of oil casks, some loaves, sailors' beds, a cork fender, and the lid of an oil cask with the following marks upon it:- 440 Cross, 65 B.O. Co., 7. 75 Cardiff. There was also a lid of a broken box with "Admiralty Food Supply" upon it. The previous night there was a dense fog in the Channel, but on Thursday morning the sea | was calm.

» COWBRIDGE SIFTINGS. J ? COWBRIDGE SIFTINGS. S I J (By VELOX.) J I .# The Cowbridge young ladies are now begin- ning to look forward with a certain amount of glcom to the time when we shall see the last of the Yeomanry. The C Squadron has arrived, and some of the ladies axe -wondering why the authorities keep the best squadron until the last. < Something unusual happened in Llanble- thia.n recently. Imagine a cottage chimney on fire, imagine an amateur fireman mounting a ladder to the chimney top with a bucket of water; imagine the oocupant of the cottage looking up the chimney from the fireplace end just as the amateur fireman pitched the buc- ket ot vater down; and then try to imagine what Edward looked like, and then well, please don't imagine what he said. 0 0 0 The three days' sale conducted by Mr. T. J. Yorwerth at Liandough Castle was in every way highly successful, and we hope that those who promised themselves a holiday are bene- fitt.ed by their unrestricted ramble round the beautiful grounds of such a glorious old man- sion. If Mr and Mrs. Ebsworth could only have heard the general and genuine feelings of regret expressed touching their removal they would know that in many hearts a warm corner for them will ever remain. • • • Pe l a, What is the matter with Pelagius/' of Llantwit? Is he looking for trouble? Has someone been pulling his leg? Is he trying to be funny ? Or has he been eating indigest- ible food which has given him a nightmare ? He writes of jovial evenings over the grog. If he is that way inclined will he have one with me when next I visit Llantwit ? But my dear Pelagius, not for pity sake, but just to show there is no ill-feeling, no envy, no rivalry. You take things too seriously my friend. Your remarks about ancient Rome and some- thing about departed glory are too poetical for times like the present. Change the colour of your spectacles. Whatever you may dream or imagine we are still sailing merrily on in Cowbridge. Meet me somewhere in Llantwit very near the old Town Hall next Monday week about 3-30, and we will toast the Llant- wit boys and Cowbridge boys who are now standing shoulder to shoulder in the trenches in France. God bless them and the shirkers.

YALE NOTES. JL (By PELA-GIUS.) J I There is a time in the affairs of towns, like that in the affairs of men, that leads to prosperity, but if once neglected all after is disappointment and bitterness. That time came in the history of Cowbridge, and the .opportunity was allowed to pass, when the old Squirearchy of the town and its invirons determined to oppose the Great Western Railway promoters constructing their rail- way though the town. • • The late Dr. Edwards, of Cowbridge, on more than one occasion when speaking at the Town Hall, Llantwit Major, advocating the promotion of a railway through the Vale, used to refer in sorrow to the opposition offered by the landlords of Cowbridge to the first Great Western scheme, and to counsel the landlords of the Vale not to commit the same mistake. He was fortunate in secur- ing as the chairman of those meetings the late lamented Dr. Came, of St. Donata Castle, who realised that railways enhanced the value of landed property. www "The Bear Hotel would be ruined," so said the Cowbridge Squires, "when the old stage coaches would be driven off the road by the railway." -They never realised that the day was near when people would not be satisfied to waste their time in travelling by slow stages, but would avail themselves of the op- portunities of railway service. WWW The people of Llantwit good-humouredly smile at the chagrin of present-day Cow- bridge folk, at the success of the local mar- kets, which is shown in many ways, more especially in the number and variety of agents that every Monday visit the town to offer to buy corn, etc., and to push their several wares. WWW But every advance in promoting new methods in trade and commerce has met with the same opposition. We find it in the Vale to-day in connection with the new Ag- ricultural Co-operative Society. It will be a failure, some say. The farmer is too conservative in his habits to change." Time will show. www The wedding of Lieut. Mervyn G. Wil- liams, of St. Donats Castle, calls to mind the vast change in wedding festivities to-day when compared with past events. It was a war wedding, and therefore quiet, but had it been held under ordinary circumstances, it would have boen in striking contrast to the wedding of Miss Carne, the eldest daughter of the former owner of St. Donats Castle—to Mr. Blandy, the engineer of that time in charge of the construction of the Cowbridge Railway. The T.V.R. employees used to call their chairman, the late Dr. Carne, "that little king down at Llantwit." 9 • • Often it was not spoken respectfully, but if they had visited the town on that day they would have realised that the doctor had endeared himself to the people of the dis- trict. « By the way, the lineage of the doctor was traced in our columns in those days by Mr. Morgan, of Maesteg (Llwynfwy), who after- I wards left for America. It went back to the old Royal House of Wales.

What would domestic servants say at the present time if they came under the code of rules and regulations adopted by Sir J. Har- rington in his house three hundred years ago. A servant absent from prayers to be fined 2d.; for uttering an oath Id.; for leaving the door open Id.; for being in bed after seven or out after nine from Lady Day to Michaelmas 2d.; for beds unmade, fire unlit, or the candle box uncleaned after eight o'clock Id.; any fol- lower visiting the cook Id.; etc. The fines were deducted at the quarterly payment of wages.

^A gentleman, whose son had taken a fancy to an ordinary cur, owned by a poor labouring man, wanted to buy him, but the owner re- fused. "Look here," said the gentleman, "that is a poor dog, but as my son wants it I will give you a sovereign for it." "Yes," said the labourer, "I know he's a very poor dog, and he ain't worth much, but there is a little thing about that dog I carn't sell—I carn't sell the wag of his tail when I comes home at night."

OGMORE AND GARW URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. I FLAG DAY. I PRICETOWN RECREATION GROUND. I I WHO PAYS? II ) I A meeting of the Ogmore and Garw Urban District Council took place at the Council Chamber, Brynmenin, on Tuesday evening, when there were Mr. J. Phillips in the chair, Messrs. W. Morgan, E. Griffiths, T. Williams, J. Canniff, T. C. Jones, Llew. Jones, Rev. T. B. Phillips, W. Pennant, Dr. Parry, and the Clerk (Mr. S. H. Stockwood). RESIDENTS AND WEALTHY CARDIFF MERCHANTS. I The Clerk read a letter from the National Fund for Welsh tro-ops with reference to the Flhg Day held in the Council's area. The Hon. Secretary of the Fund, Mr. William Lewis, wrote on behalf of the Countess of Plymouth (President), Mrs. Lloyd George (Chairman), and the members of the Com- mittee of the Fund, tendering to the Council their most grateful thanks for their very kind efforts on the Fund's behalf, which resulted in their being able to send a cheque of £ 126 13s. lid. lIe assured them that the Committee was extremely grateful to them for their having given the movement their official consent and sympathy. He would be glad too, if they would convey the Com- mittee's thanks to all who assisted. Mr. Pennant said he had worked out the amount sent by the Council pro rata, and he found that it exceeded the amount given by the wealthy City of Cardiff, although they had their merchant friends making fortunes out of the war. (Laughter). SCARLET FEVER CASES. With reference to a question as to whether the County Council would be prepared to make any advance to the Council if they should make a separate block at the hospital for certain infectious cases, tha Surveyor re- ported he had received a communication froto the County Council, in which it was said they would be prepared to make an advance as previously, but first of all they would have to have full particulars as to their liability. The County Council, however,, the Council should understand, would not pledge them- selves to make any advance until they got the sanction of the Local Government Board or of the Treasury for the loan. NO LOAN. X 0 L A The Clerk reported that he had received communications from the Local Government Board with reference to the Council's appli- cation for the sanctioning of a loan for the purpose of the Small Dwellings Act. The Board stated that they were not in a posi- tion to sanction a loan in this case, and therefore particulars need not be forwarded. Mr. Pennant asked what was the position of the Council with regard to the part of the loan that they had already advanced. The Clerk said it had not all been advanced —only about L600 had been actually ad- vanced. It was agreed that it should be made public that, for the time being, the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act was. not in operation in that district. FOOTPATH TO SCHOOLS. The Surveyor reported that he had received a letter from the County Education Com- mittee with reference to the proposed path- way to the Tymeinor Schools. The com- mittee enclosed plans for the proposed foot- path etc., and stated that the path was only intended to go to the upper side of the school but if any other houses were built abovo that, there was no doubt that the County Council would look favourably upon the matter. PRICETOWN RECREATION GROUND. in response to a letter from the Council to the Blaenogwy Burial Board offering them R50 for the strip of burial ground in ordef to complete the Recreation Ground at Price- town, the Surveyor read a letter. It stated the Burial Board had decided to adhere to the figure they had formerly stated— £ 100— and the transfer of the piece of land at the bottom end of the Blaenogwy Cemetery. They considered that a fair and reasonable sum. Mr. Canniff: They should have accepted it, especially having regard to the terms on which they got it themselves. Mr. Griffiths said the alternative they could put forward instead of that would be that the upper corner of the recreation ground should be used for the football pitch. That would practically do as well as the other, and they would not want nearly as much land as they wanted from the Burial Board, and it would be much cheaper. Mr. Canniff: Why did you not recommend that ? The Chairman: We did recommend it. Mr. Canniff: Was it read in this Council, Mr, Chairman? The Chairman: Yes; I think so. MT. Caninff: I beg to differ. Mr. Griffiths: It will be a bigger loss to the Burial Board than to the Council. It was agreed that the committee ap- pointed to attend to the matter should i again meet and settle the matter. FFALDAU HOUSES. The Surveyor read a communication from the Ffaldau Colliery Company with regard to the testing of the drains in their new build- ings, stating that the Surveyor refused to certify the buildings unless the water test was applied. The Surveyor said the people seemed to misunderstand him. Mr. T. C. Jones said they showed that they I were di^atisfied with the suggestion, and they saddled the surveyor with the onus of the suggestion. Would it not be well for the surveyor to point out that it was not his suggestion ? The Surveyor: I did SQ. í The Clerk said he had received a further I communication from them asking for the bye- laws of the Council on the matter. The Clerk said he had also had a letter from the contractors asking that the smoke test should be carried out, as the Collitry Company were pressing for the houses. The drains had been ready for inspection since the 1st Janu- ary. The Clerk explained that he had told the man that the Surveyor should be satisfied that the houses were fit for habitation. It was agreed that the members of the Ward should meet the surveyor on the spot and settle the matter. WHO PAYS? I The Rev. D. D. Evans asked if not/ung could be done for the people who, when their children were suspected iso have tuberculo- sis, had to take them to Bridgend for exam- ination and bear the expense. Who was liable for the expenses? Dr. Parry said the King Edward Memorial Institution would pay tha expenses. They would not pay each one, but after a few visits they would pay. (Continued on Bottom of Next Column.)

BRIDGEND COUNTY COURT. t Thursday, March 25th.—Before His Honour I Judge Bryn Roberts. KENFIG HILL WOMAN'S MONEY. ) Mr. A. T. James, on behalf of Margaret Brad- shaw, of Kenfig Hill, applied for an increase in the apportionment made under an award against the Bryndu Colliery Company. The present order, Mr. James said, was for 8s. 6d. a week, but the applicant said she had only re- ceived 7s. 6d. a week. The money in Court was £177 15s. 3d., and he applied for the in- crease on the grounds that at the time the award was made she had two sons living with her, but now she had her mother and a daugh- ter, aged 11 years. Consequently she found the 7s. 6d. was not sufficient to enable her to pay her way, so she applied for the money to be made up to 12s. 6d. a week. His Honour made an order of 7s. a week for the woman and 4s. a week in respect of the child until 14 years of age. I PONTYCYMMER APPLICATION. I Mr. A. T. James made an application for a continuation of the payments due to Sarah Daniel, of The Avenue, Pontycymmer, under an award. He pointed out that the award of 7s. 6d. a week to the applicant expired on the 1st of January, and he applied for a reconsider- ation of the case. The amount in Court was £ 186 12s. Id. His Honour granted the continuation of the I order until the child, who was now 5 years, was 14 years of age. I OGMORE VALE WOMAN'S DAUGHTER & 1 A BUSINESS. #■ Mr. James made an application on behalf of I Celia Godding, of Dunraven Place, Ogmore Vale, for the payment out of Court of a sum of J65. Mr. James said the award was made on the 27th August, 1914, for 12s. a week, and that was continued up till 1st March, 1915. The money in the Court was .£178 14s., and the application was for a grant of £ 5, so as to enable the applicant to purchase a smoil business that her daughter might have some- thing to do. The evidence showed that the applicant was ill, and the daughter had to re- main home and look after her. His Honour: My experience of these small businesses is that they lose money by it. It seems to me that it is not fair to keep this girl at home and not teach her any trade or anything else. It is keeping an entire servant for herself and des- troying the future of the girl. Mr. James pointed out that the order was terminable on the 1st March last. The girl, on oath, said her mother waS very ill, and she was at home with her all the time. She was seventeen last December. Her mother paid 15s. a month for rent. Witness had never taken up any trade; she had had to look after her mother. His Honour thought the mother should take apartments rather than keep a house, and so keep the girl home without learning any trade by which she might earn a livelihood. She had not even learnt to become as domestic servant, which would have been most profitable to her. When the award ran out she would be 25 years of age, and she would have no trade. Mr. James: Except the experience in the house. His Honour: That is nothing at all-a workman's cottage is no experience. His Honour made an order for the continua- tion of the payment of 12s. a week until the 1st October, 1915, during which time something must be done with regard to the girl.

I CAERAU. I D. and D.—At Bridgend Police Court on Wednesday (before Mr. Morgan Stradling), Emily Ball, of no fixed abode, was charged with having been drunk at Coegnant Road, Caerau. There were twenty-three convictions against her, and she was nned SOs., or 13 days' imprisonment.

NANTYFFYLLON. I ACCIDENT.—Whilst following his occupa- tion at the Coegnant Colliery,, the property of Messrs. North's Navigation Company, on Tuesday morning, Mr. Job -Griffiths, of Nanty- ffyllon, sustained serious injuries. It appears he was engaged making a place for a door frame when the side gave way, and he was crushed by a heavy piece of coal falling on him. He was soon extricated and conveyed home on an ambulance stretcher.

r OGMORE VALE. r SOCLA-L.-One of the most successful socials of the season took place at the Wesley- fin Schoolroom on Wednesday in la§t week. The schoolroom had been gaily decorated with flags and festoons by Mrs. George Edwards, treasurer, and Miss Mabel Jones, secretary, assisted by a band of willing workers. It presented a charming appearanoe. The meet- ing was conducted in the absence of the pas- tor by Mr. A. Adams, lately returned from the West Indies. Miss Gertie Jones delighted those present with a pianoforte solo, and ao- companied the soloists in her usual charming manner. The first part of the programme consisted of a solo by Mr. Ted Jones, of Nanty- moel, a whistling solo by Mr. Percy Dayton and a violin solo by Mr. Stanley Jones. Mr. Lewis, of Bridgend, recited the "Charge of the I^ght Brigade" as a curate, a Frenchman, an American citizen, and a New Zealander, in native tongue. At this juncture refresh- ments, which had been given by various mem- bers of the Churoh, were handed round. After a short interval the second part of the pro- gramme was begun with a solo by. Mr. Albert King, and another by Miss Irene Eddy, fol- lowed with a trio by Miss Price and Mr. Mackney. A change in the programme was made by a laughable farce entitled "Wait and See," enacted by Mr. Fred Jones, Mr. Ted Hazel and Master Bevis Bennett. This item was quite up-to-date. Mr. Dayton again favoured the audience with a whistling solo, and Mr. Stanley Jones with a violin solo. The entertainment was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem, after which Mr. Adams pronounced the Benediction. The promoters are to be congratulated on the success of the evening, the number present greatly exceeding their expectations, while a goodly sum was realised toward the Church funds.

BLAENGARW. -1 C.E.M.S.—The usual weekly meeting held in connection with the St James' branch of the Church of England Men's Society took place at the Parish Hall on Tuesday night, the Rev. James Davies, B.A., presiding. After C.E.M.S. correspondence was read by the Sec- retary, Mr. J. Williams. An able paper on "Education" was given by Mr. G. H. Simon. A very interesting discussion ensued in which the followng members took part:—Messrs. C. Samson, Robert Pritchard, W. J. Pembroke and the Chairman. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker, proposed by the Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. J. Williams, and sec- onded by the Treasurer, Mr. J. W. English. The following were also elected to act on tll,6 recently formed Federation with the Ogmore Valley branches: Messrs. J. J. Williams, Hon. Secretary; Mr. A. Griffiths, Vice-President; Mr. J. W. English, Hon. Treasurer, and the Rev. J Davies, President.

FFORDDYGYFRAITH. I MISSIONARY COLLECTION.—On Sun- day books were presented at Caersalem Church, Fforddygyfraith, to those who had collected for the London Missionary Society. There were in all ten recipients, whilst two, who had collected 9s. each, received a fur- ther gift of English-Welsh Testaments pre- sented by Mr. Job Thomas, Cefn Cribbwr. The total sum collected, £ 2 lls. 4d., is the highest yet recorded, and the little workers deserve great credit for their efforts.

Mr. David Jones, under manager of the Duffryn Rhondda Colliery, has been presented with a handsomo marble clock, suitably in- scribed, by his colleagues at the Colliery on the occasion of his wedding to Miss Gladys Evans, daughter of Mr. T. D. Evans., ex- Mayor of A beravon.

MAESTEG. ACCIDENT.—On Monday Mr. David Hughes, of Duke Street, met with an acci- dent at the Cwmdu St. John's Colleries, the property of Messrs. North's Navigation Co. Whilst following his occupation as collier a piece of coal gave way and Hughes was rather badly injured on the knee. HALF-YEARLY MEETINGS.—The half- yearly preaching services of Bethel English Baptist Church was held on Sunday morning, afternoon and evening, when the Rev. T. Ed- munds, B.A., of Aberdare, occupied the pulpit and preached eloquent sermons. There was a good congregation at each service. PALM SUNDAY.—Palm Sunday was cele- brated at Maesteg by hundreds of people visi- ting the Maesteg Cemetery and the Llangyn- wyd burial grounds. During Friday and. Sat- urday the inhabitants took floral tributes to lay on the graves of those near and dear to them, and no little time was taken to clean the graves and "paint all wood and iron work around them. Both the Cemetery and Llan- ynwyd burial grounds presented a very nice appearance on Sunday. SACRED CONCERT.—The Nantyffyllon Harmonic Society held a sacred concert at the New Theatre in Commercial Street, Maesteg, on Sunday evening, prior to their competing in the chief choral contest at the Mountain Ash Eisteddfod. The choir, under the con- ductorship of Mr. W. J. Watkins, rendered the test pieces in a most praiseworthy man- ner, and members of the choir rendered eolOlS and recitations at intervals. There was a very good assembly of the general public. MOTOR CYCLE ACCIDENT.—While Mr. Edgar L. Saunders and Mrs. Saunders were riding a motor cycle and sidecar through Com- mercial Street, on Thursday evening, a. dog crossed the road, and in trying to save the dog the motor cycle and side car turned a somersault, throwing out the occupants. Mrs. Saunders was taken into the shop of Messrs. A. and L. Davies. She escaped serious injury, but was suffering from fright and shock. The wheel of the sidecar was buckled up. CHURCH PARADE.—On Sunday last a Church Parade of the 1st Maesteg Troop of Boy Scouts and the Church Nursing and Am- bulance Girls' Brigade took place at St. Michaels and All Angels. CKurch, Maesteg, when a short address was delivered by the Ven. Archdeacon Edmunds, Bridgend. The boys the girls presented a very nice appearance. This is the first Church Parade for the Girl's Brigade, which has only recently been formed in the district, and great credit is due to the officers for the smartness and efficiency of the girls in so short a time. The arranging of the Parade was carried out by Adjutant and' Scoutmaster Stanley M. G. Davies. FUNERALS.—The mortal remains of Mrs. Jenziett Evans, aged 77 years, were laid to rest at the old Salem burial grounds on Monday afternoon, amid manifestations of respect and sorrow. The Rev. W. Morgans, Caersalem and Rev. W. Dykins, of Bethany Chapel, Caerau, officiated.-The funeral of Mr. D. J. Jenkins, of 29, Metcalf Street, took place on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Jenkins enlisted in His Majesty's forces after the outbreak of the- war, and was billeted with his regiment at Abergavenny. He contracted a cold, which developed into pneumonia, from whch he even- tually died. He was a member of the Caerau Silver Band before joining the forces, and the Band played the "Dead March" (in Saul) at the funeral very impressively. The Band in- struments were tied with black rosettes, as a mark of respect for the deceased member. There were also a large number of the general public present, the interment taking place at the Maesteg Cemetery. He leaves a widow and six children to mourn their loss, and much sympathy is felt with the, family in their bereavement.

Prin"ft and Published by the Central Glamorgan Printing and Publishing Com- pa.ny Ltd., at the "Glamorgan Gazette," offices, Queen Street, Bridgend, Glamcr gan FRIDAY, APRIL 2nd, 1915.

f LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. I ON BEHALF OF THE SHOP ASSISTANTS- I ON BEHALF OF THE SHOP ASSISTAiTS.1 Sir ,-May I be allowed a little space in y°urV, paper to record the protest of a humble resi- dent against an infringement of the Shop Act, committed by several leading business houses of Aberkenfig. I have been connected with business and commercial life for some years past, and claim to have some knowledge of the inner working of business establishments. I have no desire to unfairly criticise any of my business friends, neither have I the desire to stir up strife be- tween employer and employee, but after be- coming acquainted with such establishments, and noticing the excessive hours which some assistants have to Wom I think one is only filling a humane obligation in raising some protest in the hope of having the wrong recti- Red. I The hours of closing are known to all, yet those establishments in question remain open to customers some considerable time after the I specified hours of the Shop Act. My daily profession takes' me in and out of jaost of the shops at Aberkenfig, and I must honestly say I never found in the whole of my career a more honest, civil, and obliging num- ber of assistants. This speaks well, and in re- I ■ turn I think they should be allowed all the privileges coming from factory and shop legislation. I hold no brief for the arguments of OUT anti-sweating critics-their over excited man- ner often reveal only too truly their thoughts of what they would do if they had the matter I in their hands; nevertheless the evil exists, and it is for us as business people to remove it. What can you expect of the shop assistant who has to confine himself or herself to a shop from 9 o'clock in the morning until 8 or nine at night, and even until eleven or twelve on Saturdays? Surely they cannot develop their highest faculties during such a long strain. Unless they are allowed their freedom at a sensible hour of the evening we cannot expect them to excel in those qualities so essential in business. I appeal to my business friends at Aberken- fig asking them to treat those they employ with a little of the Christlike spirit. Do not allow them to think that your calling is the great anti-Christ, so often stated by the mad critic, but rather let them know by your bet- ter treatment that they too can develop a high regard for those who employ them. Yours etc., I WELL-WISHER. I

REFORMATORY BOYS FOR FARMERS I SUGGESTION AT GLAMORGAN CHAMBER I OF AGRICULTURE. A short discussion took place at the Glam- organ Chamber of Agriculture, held at Cardiff on Saturday, when Mr. C. D. Thompson pre- sided, on the question of supplementing the shortage of farm labour. The Secretary (Mr. Hubert Alexander) said he had been in communication with the town clerks of Cardiff and Swansea asking them to do what they could to divert surplus unem- ployed Labour from the Labour Exchange registers to the country. He had also had an interview with the Board of Trade divisional officer (Mr. Owen W. Owen), with the result that a conference had been suggested between representatives of the Chamber and of the Farmers' Union and the Board of Trade. The latter would not take the initiative, but would do all it could to assist in the matter. The Farmers' Union had already appointed three representatives to attend the conference. It was decided to appoint the Chairman, Mr. Walter Davies, and Mr. Edward Akers to rep- resent the Chamber. Mr. Meyler Thomas, in his report as dele- gate to the Central Chamber, said the short- age of labour was most acute, and the Prime Minister had stated that special measures were necessary for the exceptional circumstances, and that the Government would not stand in the way of reasonable use of boy labour in agriculture. The Central Chamber had passed a resolution "that, owing to the shortage of labour this Council should use its influence with the Home Office to secure the employ- ment of boys in all reformatory schools upon farms in their respective districts." Dealing with the alleged holding up of wheat by British farmers, Mr. Meyler Thomas said the Central Chamber felt that immediate action should be taken to repudiate what was a libel upon British farmers. It must, he said, "be obvious to everyone who knew any- thing about the question that the English supply of wheat was so small that it could not have any practical control over the markets. It was the foreigner who ruled the price of wheat, and the price of the loaf was due to the speculators in foreign wheat, who com- pletely controlled the English markets and dictated the price oi,.orn. It was remarkable that in New York, tfHhough wheat was grown so extensively in America, the quartern loaf was selling at Is. 4d., as compared with 7d. or ^d. in the United Kingdom. From the statis- tics of the sale of wheat by the British farmer to February 1st it was found that a much larger quantity of wheat had been put upon the market by the British farmer this year than for the corresponding period for thrfee years past, or, to put it in round figures, 1,900,000 quarters of English wheat had been sold this year, as against 1,500,000 sold last year. These facts ought to satisfy the public that the British farmers were as loyal and patriotic as any other party in the State in not holding up the food supplies of the country at this critical time. (Hear, hear). It was decided to support the cattle diseases Committee of the Central Chamber in the view that the prevention of swine fever can be best brought about by continuing the sys- tem of slaughtering with full compensation. On the motion of Mr. E. Akers, seconded by Mr. A. C. Stewart, it was decided to urge strongly upon the Government the importance of not relaxing the restrictions upon the im- portation of foreign live cattle. Mr. Meyler Thomas moved "that this Chamber respectfully urges on all local authorities the importance of exercising every possible economy during the war." Alderman Illtyd Thomas seconded, and said the Cardiff Corporation were doing all they could to keep down expenditure. Mr. E. W. M. Corbett: With the result that there is an extra 2td. rate. (Laughter). The resolution was carried. On the motion of Mr. Hedger Wallace, seconded by Mr. Walter Davies (Cefn), it was decided to ask the Board of Agriculture to send down Inspectors to examine seeds sold in South Wales for seed purposes, as had been done with such good results in the Ridings of Yorkshire.

I- TO THE KAISER. P.S. Botting, of the Merthyr Borough Police, has been at the front with the Lancers since the outbreak of war, and has so far escaped in- jury. He was in the battle at Mons, and was also in the great fight at Neuve Chapelle. Writing from "Somewhere" to P.S. Hunter, he encloses a poetic effort which he picked up about 40 yards from the German trenches. The lines, written by a soldier from Broadlands, Newport, Isle of Wight, were as follows :— To THE KAISER. Do you hear the bitter weeping? Do you hear the anguished moan? Do you know you'll soon be reaping Harvest of the seed you've sown ? Do you hear the maddened mothers Lifting up their bitter cry? • • • # m See, 0 Kaiser, see the writing On the wall; it faceth thee. Though the mills of God grind slowly, Yet they grind exceeding small; Thou hast sore oppressed the lowly, Thou shalt pay-yes, pay for all! "I expect," comments Sergt. Botting, "the soldier who wrote those lines has not forgotten what he is out here for, and made good use of his bayonet."

TONDU AND ABERKENFIG. I ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.-On Sunday after- non the choir of 411 Saints Church, Penyfai, and St. John's Church, Tondu, under the con- ductorship of the Rev. H. R. Protliero, gave a lenten cantata, entitled "Penitence, Pardon and Peace," by Maunder. The choirs sang well and the whole performance reflected much credit both on the choristers and the choir- master. The soloists were:—Baritone, Mr. J. H. Dagg, Tondu; sopranos, Master D. Lewis, Penyfai, and F. Beard, Tondu. Mr. Ronald Nickless, organist, Penyfai, presided at the organ. A new organ is required at St. John's.

LLANBLETHIAN. I DEATH.—The village of Llanblethian has suffered a great loss by the death of Mrs. Dunn, widow of the late Mr. F. W. Dunn, of "The Cross." Mrs. Dunn had for many years closely identified herself with the welfare of the village, and indeed in the larger world outside any good work which had for its object the relief of suffering or distress always had her whole hearted support. The funeral took place at Llanblethian Church on Tuesday, and was largely attended by a thoroughly representative gathering. A large number of floral tributes were sent. The service was fully choral, the officiating clergy being the Rev. Isiah Roberts, vicar; Rev. D. Bowen, vicar of Boussaleg (formerly of Cowbridge), and the Rev. D. N. Davies, curate of Cow- bridge. The grave was beautifully lined with moss entwined with flowers. Much sympathy is felt for Miss Dunn and her five brothers.

I ALLEGED :HOSEBREAKING j ——— ft. ——— t BY TAIBACH YOUTH. I At the Aberavon County Police Court on I Monday, Albert Dredge, of Woodfield Street, Taibach, a lad about 17 years of age, was charged with having broken into No. 78 High Street, Taibach, on Sunday, and having stolen Its. Id. in coppers. P.C. 601 said at 6.40 on Sunday evening, from information he received, he went to 78 High Street, Taibach. He entered by the back door, and going to the kitchen saw the prisoner 1 standing near the table. Tho money was in a cigar box on the table. When prisoner saw witness he ran into another room, leaving the box on the table. Prisoner then ran upstairs, dropped out of the window to the ground-a dis- tance of 14 feet—and escaped. On this evidence, the lad was remanded till Wednesday. The magistrates present were Messrs. C. Burgess and T. Gibb, sen. The evidence of Police-constable 001 was read over,, the officer adding that when ac- cused was arrested he replied "I admit break- ing in and taking the money." In answer to Mr. L. M. Thomas, who de- fended, witness said it was not suggested any- thing was taken away, only 'that the money was taken from one room to another. Arthur Love, of 78, High Street, Ta.ibach, a hairdresser and confectioner, said on Sun- day he left the house at 6-45 p.m., leaving no- one in charge of the house. The front door was locked, but at the back door a chair was placed behind, the top being placed under the handle because the key had been lost. He returned home at 9-15 and found the back door open, and also found the box of ooppers had been removed. Except for that every- thing was safe in the shop. The box of cop- pers had been taken from a shelf in the shop. Charles Hopkins, of 32, Cotton Row, Tai- bach, said on Sunday he was standing in High Street, nearly opposite to Mr. Love's premises with accused. They saw prosecutor and his family pass. Accused then crossed the road and jumped over the back wall belonging to prosecutor's house. Witness went home, but he came out shortly afterwards and saw Dredge, who told him a policeman and Mr. John, of Middle Row, had run after him. He also told witness he had jumped out of the window. Mr. L. M. Thomas, for the defence, said that for a charge of breaking and entering to stand there must be evidence to show that breaking and entering had taken place. Mr. Love said he put a chair behind the handle of the door but if he had done that, as he had demonstrated, it would be absolutely impossible for the accused to force the door open. There was no evidence to show that there was any breaking or entering. The Bench found there was a case to answer. Accused pleaded guilty. Mr. Thomas, in appealing for leniency, said the lad belonged to a respectable family. There was no justification at all for his con- duct, which was monstrous, for he could have money from his parents and everything. he severely dealt with. One previous conviction was proved, but the Bench took a lenient view of the case and bound accused over in the sum of £10 to be of good behaviour for twelve months. Mr. Burgess, the Chairman, said it was a serious offence, but they had decided to give him another chance in consequence of the good report of his parents. If during the next twelve months he got into trouble he would be seriously dealt with.

I CYMRODORION DUFFRYN AFAN I I A MARGAM. The last meeting of the session was held on Tuesday in the Mastmic Temple, Port Talbot, when the Rev. David Williams (Pedr Hir) Liverpool, gave an interesting address on "Owain Glyndwr." The lecturer dealt with his subject in an able manner, calling attention to the fact that Owain was descen- ded from the PrinVsess of Powys, and he strove all his life for a united Wales. A vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer on the proposition of Mr. T. Rees, seconded by the Rev. H. Jones (Taibach), and a similar vote was proposed to the President, the Rev. J. E. Rees, who presided, on the proposition of the lecturer, seconded by the Rev. T. O. Griffiths, Tabernacle Newydd.

I "COULDNA' HAE FACED THE AULD I COUNTRY." About 3 a.m. one day 1 came across two teams of gun horses, fully harnessed, awaiting orders (writes a trooper in the Surrey Yeo- manry). Their guns were in action a little dis- tance away, and they were in charge of a glorious mixture—two Scots, a Welshman, and a Yorkshireman. In the course of conversa- tion relative to the incident they related, I asked them why, in saving their guns, they had braved death so persistently. The spokes- man replied: Man, withoot oor gun we couldna' hae faced the auld country again."

I LLANTWIT MAJOR. I DEATHS.—We extend our sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. W. Cummings, Wine Street, in their sad bereavement. Two of their little children, aged respectively 7 and 9 years, died on Saturday last after a very brief ill- ness. The funeral took place at the Parish Church on Tuesday.

PONTYCYMMER. APPOINTMENT. At the Tabernacle Chapel, Pontycymmer, Mr. Evan Davies, who. has beep a member of the Church for the past 23 years, was appointed secretary in place of the late Mr. Thomas Jones, of Wellington House, Pontycymmer. ZION ENGLISH BAPTIST Y.P.S.—At a meeting of the above, held on Wednesday last week, an interesting paper was read by Miss Rosser on The Life of Elsie Marshall, one of the Martyr Heroines of the Chinese Missionary Field." Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Edwards, and Messrs. Joyce and Major, took part in the discussion that followed. The pastor, the Rev. W. Reynolds, presided over the meeting: LENTEN SERVICES.-The last of the series of week-night Lenten services was held at St. Theodore's Church on Wednesday last, when the special preacher was the Rev. E. A. R. Nicholl, of St. Theodore's, Port Talbot. The Feast of the Annunciation of Blessed Virgin Mary was also observed on Wednesday evening, being the Vigil, and Thursday, when there was a special celebratibn of Holy Eucharist in the morning. On Palm Sunday a special afternoon service was held, when the Litany was sung". with a procession. Before the conclusion of the service, the Vicar, the Rev. H. Campbell Davies, B.A., distributed over 300 Palm Crosses- to the Sunday School children who were pre- sent.

NANTYMOEL. GILEAD YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY.- The last meeting of the Session was held on Monday evening, presided over by the Rev. M.. J. Mills, pastor of the church. A short, pithy paper was read by Mr. Charles Brown on The Christian Citizen and the War." The discus- sion was taken up briskly by Messrs. Thomas Thomas, Richard Parry Evans, and Fred Llew- ellyn. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Brown, on the motion of Mr. John- Llew- ellyn, seconded by Mr. John Evans. COMPETITIVE MEETING. The young people of Saron Baptist Church wound up their winter session last Friday night, when they held a competitive meeting. This meeting proved a great success in every respect. The vestry was filled to its utmost capacity, and the entries were numerous. The adjudicators were :-Music, Mr. David Bowen; literature, Mr Ben James, while Miss Rachel Thomas proved an' efficient accompanist. The awards were as follows:—Quartette, Mr. W. O. Hughes and friends; male solo, Mr. Garfield Hughes; female solo, 1 Miss Rachel Thomas, 2 Miss Katie- Jacob; open recitation, Miss Eliza A. Edmunds; love-letter, Miss Cassie Williams; first sight singing, Miss Cassie Williams; impromptu speech, Glyn Griffiths; children's solo (under 16 years), 1 Rhoda Williams, 2 Elsie Richards; reading portion of Scripture, Miss Greselda Hughes; girls' solo (under 10), divided between Rachel A. James and Rachel M. Edwards; reci- tation (under 14), Mansel Griffiths; best wit, divided between Miss Eliz. A. Edmunds and Glyn Griffiths; solo for boys under 10, I Emlyn' Davies, 2 Ivor O. Thomas; recitation (under 12), Glyn Griffiths. ■9k „■ 1 i ■

(Continued from Previous Column). I COAL CONTRACT. The Surveyor reported that he had re- ceived a letter from the Ocean Colliery Co., stating that their contract for coal had run out, and although practically the whole of their output had been requisitioned by the Admiralty, they would be prepared to de- liver coal to the Council at 31s. lid. a ton. The Surveyor said that was a jump from 19s. to 31s. lid., and he had further reoeived a verbal message that they could supply no more coal. Mr. Pennant said he did not see why they should pay so much for coal locally. He was not surprised 'at the colliers wanting a 20 per cent. advance; he would want 50 per cent. Alderman Llewellyn: Why not buy a mine. (Laughter.) It was agreed that the surveyor fix up aT- rangements as well as he could.