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WELSH SOLDIERS. A
WELSH SOLDIERS. A THE OLD TYPE AND THE NEW. A Among Best Fighting Men in Europe. -0- v F By T. J. WILLIAMS. There is something cathedral-like ..about a great railway terminus. The vast sweeing arches overhead, the noble spaciousness, the sense of might and movement, the rails marking the pathway to the beyond, the passengers with their ritual of leavetaking--all combine to produce impressions almost religious in appeal and intensity. This quality of spiritual suggestion it was that led G. F. Watts to ask permission from philistine railway directors to adorn the walls of Euston Station with allegorical paintings. Not long ago I was hurrying through one of the great railway termini in London, these ideas and impressions fermenting in my mind, when I en- countered a body of troops preparing to entrain for the front. The metal mblem" and letters on their shoulders quickened my interest, for I saw they were of a Welsh regiment. As I drew abreast of them my attention was drawn to a soldier unmistakably Welsh in face and physique. He was a direct descendant of "the short, dark Iberian who undid his corded bale." The ruddy hue of the open air was on his cheek; his eyes sparkled health; ibis carriage was erect an3 martial; vigorous swing marked his step. I neard him singing quietly to himself in a soft tenor: "Gymru anwyl, gwlad y delyn, Swynol yw dy enw di. I hailed him in Welsh, and aftor & preliminary start of surprise, he on- swered in the throaty speech of the North, with a pleasant smile, and a friendly wave of the hand. Then he passed on. I hurried down some step#, and boarded an east-bound train for I the City. But my mind was in the troop-train with the lad who was bound for the Front, a song of Wales on his lips, and a Celtic trill in his heart. Since then I have met many other WTelsh soldiers, many who have been in the trenches, many more who are going there, and a conclusion I arrived at last August that the Welshman would I prove himself the equal of any fighting man) in Europe has been amply con- I firmed. THE OLD REGULARS. I The men who have fought and come home again are built on coarser lines than those who volunteered at the out- break of war, and are now eating their hearts out with impatience because the order to go to the Front is slow in coming. Speaking broadly, the men who went out with the Expeditionary Force, or the first draft of reserves, .we men with the natural fighting tem- perament, the type of the old Regulars, of whom there are now—alas!—few left. To them a 'scrap' of one kind or another is an imperative necessity, and life without it would hold no savour. Whether it was a fight (as Jief as not with a bosom pal) in the long bar of a public-house, at a street- corner, or in some secluded, grassy arena on the mountain-side, they were hound to find a vent for their natural pugnacity. The ultimatum to Germany had on them the effect of a bugle on an old war-horse, and thev rushed to obey the mobilisation order, or went for the nearest recruiting office at the double. How many of them now Tie "in some -corner of a foreign field"? Some I knew. There was Twm Jacko-ff I take leave to call him that. How many times have I seen Twm's long arms and bony fists descending on some luckless opponent with the sicken- ing regularity of flails, his fiery looks bobbinr up and down like a knight's plume in an ancient tournament, a queer, sickly grin distorting his gnarled countenance, full-flavoured oaths and ,taunts falling from his lips as he sparred round his enemy! Twm went out to fight the Germans, and after three weeks -of stolid endurance in the trenches his Celtic enthusiasm got the better of his caution. He invited the best German in the opposing trench to a good okl-fashioned fight with the fists, and "see who'll cry 'Holt' first." Bv way of emphasising his challenge he put his head above the parapet—and dropped, back with a bullet in his brain. Stormy and tempestuous as your soul was. Twin, degrilding as were your drinking bouts, there was far mere human stuff in you than in many people who gave you a wide herth on the street, and held up hands of pious horror at your frailties. I hope that the sun shines kindly, and the winds blow softly, about your grave in Flanders. For you died that Wale6 might still be ATales "Cymru anwyl, gwlad y delyn Swynol yv, dy enw di." LiE LOST WATCH. Then there is "the B lackguard." He and I Mere at .school together; and it is unnecessary to la bour the explana- tion how he came to receive that name. The Blackguard had an inordinate aversion to soap and water, and it was something of a strain .on the olfactory nerves to sit at a. desk too near him. That is, when he was at school, for the Blackguard "mitched." One day an attendance officer,6 keeping a tight' grip on the Blackguard's muffler, took him to the truant school at Quaker's Yard. He would return home at intervals, well-dressed, and looking indecently clean, and a bit cowed, the object of our boyish awe, commingled with re- spectful admiration. There would follow a few weeks of regular attendance alt school, then the primitive, lawless soul would surge up again. There would be figlits T rd, how he could fight!— cheeking of teachers, more mitching, and another spell at Quaker's Yard. The Blackguard went to the war, and so did 19,647 other boys from re- formatories and industrial schools. Three of them have won the Victoria Cross; 25 have the Distinguished Con- duct Medal; 20 have been mentioned in despatches, and three have obtained commissions. The Blackguard is back, but he is not one of the three who be- came officers. He has no mark of dis- tinction except the track of a piece of shrapnel that entered somewhere near the thigh, and emerged somewhere near the knee. But. the Blackguard is very cheerful, and his one regret is that in crawling bacjfc to the dressing station he was compelled to drop his haver- sack, for the haversack contained a watch he took from a German whom he slew in hand-to-hand combat. From another source I learned that he had displayed the most amazing bravery and contempt of death, rushing out from the trench several times, despite a hail of bullets, and bringing stricken com- rades back to safety. The Black- guard says he wants to go back to get another watch. One miner who is in- valided home carried with him to Flanders his great love of pigeons, for he remarked, "Bachan, dyna le am g'lomenod. 'Dos dim mynydde 'nad" The absence of mountains in Flanders makes it a great place for pigann fly- ing: that was his dominant impression. KITCHENER'S MEN. I These a,re the Welshmen who might I have taken part in any of Britain's little wars against troublesome hill tribes in India, but there are others, vastly outnumbering them, who have taken to soldiering because they are convinced there is something in the national life worth defending to the uttermost, "Cymru anwyl, gwlad y delyn Swynol yw dy enw di." Love of country, the most potent in- fluence in the world, transcending sex attraction, eclipsing family love,- not yielding second even to the will to ] live, has drawn them to the colours as the magnetic pole draws the needle. What is patriotism? Fools affect to despise it, chauvinists manage to de- grade it, philosophers make laughable attempts to define it. But it is there, the surest, firmest instinct in the soul of man. Patriotism braces a man to make the most trying renunciation of all, the severing, of oneself from wife and child. It induces a man to dis- card what he thinks to be the most firmly-established of his rational opin- ions. Patriotism induced my friend X, a brilliant young barrister, one of the most refined and sensitive of men, to apply for a commission. The bare idea of killing another human being tortures his soul. He gentleness, his scrupul- osity about other people's feelings, his native politeness are the talk of all his friends. Just after he joined, one of the wittiest of them remarked, 'Ah! So X has got a commission. I can hear him telling his men, 'Will yu please form fours. A week ago I met in a railway carriage a young fellow-townsman, now a sergeant-major in the Army Service Corps. An exceptionally skilled miner, he is sacrificing about 14 a week for the sake of his country, "Well, mun," he said, "I've had nine months of i't j (military training). If they keep me in this country another nine months I'm not coming home again." "Why?" 1 I asked unthinkingly. "It's the kiddies," re rejoined. "I've got four of 'em now, and I can't stand 'em clinging about me when leave is up." I DEMOCRACY AND MILITARISM. Ti iere wei-e"two other Kitchener's men, ox-miners, in the carriage, and they joined in the conversation. One, a short red-faced man in the late thirties, with a merry twinkle in his eye, said, "Well, if I'm bowled over, I'm bowled over, and that's an end of it. Many a better man than me has been killed. "If they finish me in the first couple of weeks," rejoined the other, "I shan't complain. I've had a t rippin' time this last eight months, and if I come through the war there 'ont be no more 'underground' for me, I can tell you." Then they fell to talking about inocluation and vaccina- tion. "You aint bound to have it done, see," was the explanation for my benefit, "but you don't feel like siandin' by like a damn fool while all the other fellers is going through it: you feels a bit of a coward, see, like as if you was afraid of pain." "Never mind, Jim," ejaculated the red-faced man, "it's all over now, and you can tell 'em as you aint no chocolate soldier now." "But," he added as an after-thought, "i't do pull a man down awful, no matter how strong he be." Inoculation is not the only feature of military life that comes ill to the miner-soldier. The absolute self- surrender required of the soldier makes the freedom-loving, individualistic Welshman restive, and I hear many tales of companies going on strike during morning drill, and refusing to resume until some grievance or other is rectified. The miners also do not take kindly to being bossed by young second-lieutenants, the sons of local grocers and drapers, whose only claim to leadership is, in many cases, the fact that their fathers have bank balances. But 'grousing' and unmili- tary strikes notwithstanding, these tough wiry little men will acquit them- selves on the battlefield as well as any goosestepping guards who ever came out of Potsdam. For our Bantams, too, know that thrill of patriotism which Ceiriog has put into words for them. "Cymru anwyl, gwlad y delyn, Swynol yw dy enw di." Last week I was on a. platform at the Great Western Railway Station at Cardiff late at night, when the plat- form suddenly became live with soldiers, carrying their rifles and haversacks. Every soldier, almost, had his escort. Mother, wife, sweetheart, sister, grey- headed old fathers were there with the men to bid them 'Good-bye,' for it was plainly the last leavetaking. A train drew alongside, and the soldiers clattered into the carriage, relieved -themselves of rifle and kit, and then crowded round the doors, talking to the little family groups who were bidding them what for many would be the last f arewell. A FAREWELL SCENE. Women raised handkerchiefs fur- tively to their eyes, grown men cast down their eyes affecting a deep inter- est in the carriage wheel. At places I heard a forced, mirthless laugh. "God bless ye' boy; ye've always been a good son to me," said a grey-haired mother. "Look after yerself, kid, and doo.n' forget to drop us a card," said one of 'the boys' who was there speeding a pal. A son of Anak, whose command- ing stature seemed heightened and em- phasised by his khaki uniform hugged and kissed a little anaemic wife, and fondled a weak baby, as though he could never tear himself from their sides. Then shrill whistles sounded, guards shouted 'Stand clear/ and the train moved out. Every window was filled with cheering soldiers. The people left behind cheered and waved hats and handkerchiefs. Some of the women cried with no further attempt at concealment. Men swallowed lumpa in their throat, and walked briskly away. The last to go was a woman in widow's weeds, who leaned heavily on the arm of a schoolboy, and wept as Rachel must have wept. I --An hour later I boarded a train, and immediately fell to talking with bo'sun of a ship just in port from Newport News. He was in intelligent man that bo'sun,. and he had been everywhere and seen everything. He talked of German submarines, of his pals on the Leyland liner "Armenian," of .the weaknesses and strength of the Ar- merican nation, of the unreliability of Dadoes, of the queer adventures that- befall men in the ports of the Seven Sea&, of the selfishness of the rich people of Great Britain, of the national penalties that follow a declining birth- rate, of the patriotism of the young men of Australia, of his ability at forty-nine, after nearly forty years of roughing it, to work side by side on a ship with any lad of twenty-five. I listened, for there is nothing richer than a seaman's talk. But there would recur at intervals, like a chorus in a Greek play, the thought of that freight of soldiers hurrying in another direc- tion. to fight, to die if necessary for their country- "Cymru anwyl, gwlad y delyn, Swynol yw dy enw di.
"LOVE" IN MIDDLE AGE.!
"LOVE" IN MIDDLE AGE. AMMANFORD COUPLE'S DIFFER- ENCES. A summons for separation, on the ground of desertion, heard at Amman- ford Police Court on Monday morning, presented unusual features. The ap- plicant was Caroline Finoli, of 36 High Street, Ammanford, and the defendant Robert Finch, a collier, now living in Llandebie road. For applicant, Mr T. C. Hurley, Llandilo, said the applicant was 50, the defendant 40, and they were married on 8th Janfetry last. For a few weeks they lived comfortably, but later, for some reason, defendant would have nothing, whatever to do with his wife, would not walk out with her, scorned her, and brought the conjugal relationship to an end. Defendant, who denied desertion, said he was told to go, yet said em- phatically, in reply to the clerk, that lie did not want to go back to his wife. Applicant corroborated her solicitor's opening. Before they wedded she was a widow with one son, and defendant a widower with two. Afterwards de- fendant told her dozens of times that she was not to go out with him or leave the house while he was out. If they met in the street he would get out. of the way. He left her for three days in the middle of Mareh, and a week before Easter went away for six weeks, subsequently lived with her for five days, and then left altogether with his two boys. He had not since con- tributed to her maintenance. Defendant (to applicant): You don't ¥,re for me because I don't take drink You don't like men who don't drink. Applicant; You were going out every night, and coming home full of beer! Defendant: You know more than I do then. Applicant: Speak the tmth, please Defendant) (to the Bench): She was nagging me from morning to night because I would, not drink. I could not go to the "ioung Men's Christian Association. Applicant: I had goodream for nagging, because he was always coining homo full of feeer. Eventually, d?f?ndant o?ered )s. per  j week, but the Bndl made an order for the payment of 8s. per week, with I costss
IGLYNLLECH COLLIERY SOLD.
GLYNLLECH COLLIERY SOLD. Messrs. J. M. Leeder 'and Sons, of Swansea, <2,n Tuesday sold by action at the colliery, the Glynllech Colliery, Abercrave, comprising of ii-nwoi-ked coal underlying Cefnyrerw and Fteoly- gwvdd^u, extending to 140 acres- The price realised was £ 500, the purchasers beiivK3 the Duffryn Colliery Co., Aber- crave.
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The natives of Nigeria have contribut- ed over £3,000 to tha Prince of Wales Fund. It is said that the Kaiser had pro- mised the Pope that he would spare sacred buildings as much as possible. Unemployed men cannot enrol as muni- tion workers, they have to register at a Labour Exchange in the ordinary way. A Cardiff shipowner has taken over £ 50,000 in the War Loan Stock. The Pope has approved of prayer for victory for the Allies. London cannot supply any more con- stables for active service. Kitchener has stated that he is anxious and willing to hear the excuses of young men who will not join the army.  The proportion of churchmen in the army ia 77 per cent.
ITHE NEW AGREEMENT. I
I THE NEW AGREEMENT. I MR VERNON HARTSHORN S WARNING. I Stoppage Unless Demands Conceded. I GOWER Mæ.tS OPINION I Mr Veron Hartshorn, addressing a mass meeting of men at Nantyffyllon on Thmnsday last on the question of the New Agreement negotiations, said he was not surprised at the workmen being idle that day, because it was in accordance with what they had ex- pected during the last three months un- less a new agreement was entered into. It was also an indication of the in- tention of the men to have their claims met. The terms which had been considered by the conference on Wed- nesday were only a basis for further discussion. One of the workmen's detnands was that during the continuance of the new agreement they should have not less than. 10 per cent, on the new standard, which would give every workman in the coalfield 5 per cent. increase on his present earnings apart from the war bonus, which would be- come the lowest rate that the work- men would receive in the future. I A SERIOUS STATEMENT. [ That,, had not been agreed to at all, but it was one of the demands which Wednesday's conference had insisted upon being conceded. The Executive were unanimous in suggesting that, at most, another 14 days should be granted to them to further discuss matters with the representatives of the Government. The Executive would make it perfectly clear to the Government, that unless the demands of the men were conceded, nothing that the Government or the-jfixccutive could do would prevent the Welsh coalfield coming to a standstill at the end of 14 days. The workmen might imagine that it was better to remain idle until an agreement had been fixed up, but that was not the opinion of the Executive. If the proposals which had been sub- mitted to Wednesday's conference were to be regarded as final proposals, he did not think there was a man among the leaders who would advise the men to accept them. But the Executive thought there should be further time to discuss outstanding points. COALOWNERS RIDING ON MEN'S I PATRIOTISM. Many thousands of miners, said Mr Hartshorn, had gone to fight for their country and for the liberties which had been won so dearly in the past, but that did not mean that they were prepared to fight and die for the sake of adding to the dividends of the col- liery owners. The owners had made one very big blunder. They appeared to have come to the conclusion: that they need only adopt a high-handed attitude, refuse to discuss anything, and throw upon the workmen the odium of stopping the collieries during the time of war. The men's leaders had -for three months been appealing to the owners to discuss their proposals, but instead of doing so, the owners had thought to ride on the patriotism of the men without making any conces- sions at all, and even up to that day fhe owners had de clined absolutely to meet the representatives of the work- men to discuss the proposals. Politic- ians might know their own work very well, but they did not know the miner's, and as a consequence it was very difficulty to get them to under- stand the position, especially as the lead ers of the men were meeting in one room and the owners in another. It was quite useless to go into technicali- ties with the politicians, and the men had to boil down their proposals to a simple statement of what their de- mands would mean in increased cost on the ton. ONLY MEANT 4id. PER TON. I I They submitted that the whole cost I would not mean more than 6d. per ton, and on going closeJy in the figures a financial expert of the Board of Trade agreed that the cost would be only 4?d per ton if the workmen's claims were conceded. The average selling I price up to May of this year was higher than it was when the present maximum was reached in 1913 by 6s.1d. on large coal and 5s.1d. on small coal, and all that the workmen asked was that out of this increase in the selling price they should re- ceive the small sum of 4. in addition to the war bonus. Yet they were told that these proposals were revoluntion- ary. On the terms which had been laid down as the basis for further dis- cuaeion the colliers would get nothing, except that by the increase of the standard their wages could not go be- low what was now 36 per cent. on the 1877 standard and 50 per cent. on the 1879 standard, because these per- centages would be merged in the pro- posed new standard. The miners said that wages ought never to go below what they were at present, or even 39 low as that. WOULD DISCREDIT LEADERS In his experience, never had the South Wales miners had a more united or loyal body of leaders that those who had taken part in the negoatioDs. The leaders had made up their minds that, whatever happened, the workmen should not be able on this occasion to say that their leaders had let them down. If the men of South Wales de- cided to stop out now they would discredit their leaders and weaken their influence. It would never do to have parts of the coalfield working and other parts idle, as was the case that day. They must remain a united body. He hoped the men would show; further confidence in their leaders for another 14 days and return to work that afternoon. The meeting unanimously passed a resolution to resume work at the pits that afternoon. A further resolution was unanimously passed expressing confidence in the leaders for the next 14 days. "WORKMEN BENEFIT GREATLY." Interviewed on Friday, Mr John Williams, the M.P. for Gower, stated that he was glad to be in a position to state that the workmen had benefited greatly by the intervention of the Government. Asked as to the extent of such bene- fit Mr Williams stated this could not be realised apart from a very minute and detailed statement, which time would not permit him to give, but he informed us that there were four or five proposals made by the workmen, which in his opinion, would never have been granted by the employers without a very long and bitter struggle, involving a stoppage of work for a long time Williams said that to stop the collieries at the present moment was a matter unthinkable, and he believed that after further negotiations with the President of the Board of Trade with a view to further benefits, he would unhesitatingly state that the workmen,, through the intervention of the Governmen, had scored heavily. The hon. member said undoubtedly the cost of production had gone up, but the case for the workmen had been based not upon abnormal prices re- sulting from the war, but prices that are being realised and were in vogue prior to the war, and upon those prices atone the workmen were entitled to a considerablia, advance. ONE-NINTH OF A PENNY A TON. I Mr Williams said the usual output of the South Wales coalfield was 57 mil- lion tons per annum, and that if it were only 3s. per ton advance upon the selling price of such coal with a wages bill of over 15 millions per annum, the extra price would realise to the em- ployers over eight millions of money per annum. The effect of the present proposals made by the workmen and the effect of the undertaking given by the Government would only mean to the employers an extrapayment of one- ninth of a penny per ton upon the whole output. —————. lID ————
| YSTRADGYN¡S NOTES. I———<——?
| YSTRADGYN¡S NOTES. I ——— < ——? I IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL.. What was undoubtedly one of the largest funerals which had taken pl ace at Ystradgynlais was seen ost Saturday last, when about 2,500 people paid. their last tribute to Ben Alexander, whose death was reported in our last issue. The large attendance at the funeral t-estified to the esteem in which deceased was hefd. The Ystradgynlais Mixed Choir, of which he was a member, walked before the coffin, and lead the singing. There was also a good representation of the local, I.L.P., of which deceased was a faithful and untiring worker. The Hendreladis Colliery lodge, where he was chairman, and some members of the Bristol and West of England lodge also attended. The Rev. R. M. Rhys, Sardis, officiated at the house, and the hymn "Ymado wnaf a'r babell," was sung with mucii feeling. The choir also sang "Yn y dyfroedd mawr a'r tonnau" en route. The I.L.P. and the choir preceded the cor- tege into the church, and six members of the choir and twelve of the I.L.P. acted as bearers. The Rev. Jas. Jones, B.A., vicar,. officiated at hte church, and the Psalma were chanted by the Church Choir. The anthem, "Blodeuyn Olaf" which deceased last sang at Pontardawe Eisteddfod) was then rendered by the choir, and "0 mor her," was sung by the l male members of the party. Mr. I Gwilym Jones rendered the solo very effectively, many of those present- being overcome by emotion. The congregation also sang "0 fryniau Caersalem," and Mr. Edgar H. Hugheson played "Hut j the Lord is mindful of 'His own'' (St. Paul), and "Tho Dead March" in an impressive manner. The Rev. Jas. Jones, assisted by the Rev. Emlyn Jones, Taber- nacle, officiated at the graveside, whilst the choir sang "Ar lan'r Iorddonen ddofn," and "Bydd myrdd o ryfeddod- I au. In addition, to floral tributes lowered with the coffin, the following were sen!: 'I Workmen of the Yniscedwyn and Ys- tradgynlais Collieries, Ystradgynlais Mixed Choirr Comrades of the I. L. P., "Oddiwrth ei Ffryndiau," His most Inti- mate Friends,- Jane, Bessie and Maggie, Mrs. Hughes and family, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Thomas.. Mrs. Parry. The following were the chief mourners Mrs. Alexander (widow), Mrs. Alexander (mother), Hop- kin, Morgan,, Hugh, David, Lewis (bro- thers), Mrs. Williams (mother-in-law), Messrs. Wm. Williams, Tom Williams, Lewis Williamsfl (brothers-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Dan Jones (brother and sister- in-law), Messrs. Dd. Clee, Thos. Edwards wards (uncles), Messrs. Benj. Clee, Jas. Clee, John Edwards, Wm. Edwards, Ed- win Edwards, Rees Alexander, Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Griffiths, Mrs. Thoma. Mrs Williams (cousins), Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Watkin (uncle and aunt), Mr. and Mrs. DI. Thomas (.undo and aunt). Tho funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr.. Edgar Morgan, Gurnos. YSTRADGYNLAIS BAND Few people are aware, of the fact that Ystradgynlais once more possesses a band, but we are pleased to state that one has. been in existence for many weeks. The conductor is Mr J. H. Butler, Oddfellows' street, and thi3 fact will guarantee the efficiency of the band. Practices are now held regularly at the Church Schools, and those who have heard, the band agree that it shows excellent promise. It has already been engaged to play at many forthcoming shows, and doubtless I will be able to fill the gap left by the dissolution of the much-missed Ystrad- \1 gynlais Prize Silver Band. LOCAL CANADIAN SOLDIER. I News has b?n received of Pte. E. Morgan, of the Canadians, who, as recently reported in our cohunns, had been reported missing, to t,he effect I that he is now an orderly at General Headquarters, and is in good health j and spirits. I MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS. I The local schools have been visited this week by Dr. Rees Davies, Builth. He,' was one of the pioneers of school inspection in Wales, and was one of the few appointed to give evidence before a. Royal Commission. Dr. Davies has been engaged at Swansea for many years, where he had a large practice. ALEXANDRA DAY AT YSTRAD- GYNLAIS. The young ladies of the place are determined not to be behind the times, and on Rose Day everyone will be offered a rose by them—for a price. A meeting has been held, and the place is to be divided into districts. The ar- rangements are in the hands of Mrs. GoughMTs. Strick, Mr Tom Williams, London House, and the Vicar. The roses will be sold on July 15th, for; a penny, 1<1. of which is to be sent to the Swansea Hospital, and 4M. to the crippled children who make i¡he roses. Everyone purchasing a rose will there- fore be satisfied that the penny wiVji be well spent. I SUNDAY SCHOOL. After a lapse of many years, Sardis members have decided to re-open the Glantawe Sunday School at the Ynis- cedwyn Council Schools. The school used to be held 3>t the old County School, but when Maesydderwen was completed this was abandoned owiag to its dilapitiated condition. This school had previously been held fw 80 years without a break. SUNDAY SCHOOL TRIP. Calf-aria Sunday School have decided to go for the annual trip this year to I Llandilo. The oxfli^g will take plac<? in a few weeks' I LOCAL PREACHING SERVICE. The Rev, W. T. Hughes, Beulah, Cwmtwreh, officiated at the Bethany English Baptist Cause on Sunday last, and preached powerful sermons. The Rev. H. C.. Mander, pastor of Mount Pleasant, Swansea, will preach in English at Ainon Chapel on Monday evening next. Mr Mander is one of the best knowa English preachers in the Baptist denomination, and there shld be a good attendance. LOCAL LADY'S APPOINTMENT. We are pleased t4 congratulate Miss Ethel Williams, daughter of Mr Tom WilJiams, London House, 011 her ap- pointment to the head-mistress-ship of the Caehopkin Schools. Mis-s Williams was, until recently, engaged as an as- sistant at the G.C.G. Council Schools. Mr Ernest Williams, son of Mr Tom Williams, who is a lieutenant in the New Army, arrived home on Tuesday for a short visit. Mr Williams 'lia"_ offered himself as a voluntee? harvester at Ystradgynlais. A WONDERFUL ESCAPE I lie three-year-old son of Mr and Mrs. E. Evans, drapers, Oxford House, had a wonderful escape from serious injury on Monday. Painters had been busy at the house, and of the bedroom windows was left open during the day. Whilst leaning over the sill, the little fellow overbalanced, and fell into tluv road. Despite the fact tHat his fall v. ,1:; a hc-avy one, he escaped almost un- hurt, although, of course, he suffered temporarily from- shock. LIGHTING BILL IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Writing on Friday evening last, a. Parliamentary correspondent stated that that day, the examiners met a-nd sent for second reading in the House of Lords the confirming Bill in the case of a provisional order granted to the Ystradgynlais Rural District Coun- cil in respect of the- electric lighting of their distinct. ORDER AGAINST YSTRAJJGYN- LAIS MAN. At Neath County Police Court oa Friday, Dinah Thomas (17) of C-hurch- street, Seven Sisters, summoned Pte. William Phillips, formerly a railway worker, of Ystradgynlais, but now stationed with the Welsh Guards, in respect of a child born on May 18th last. The Clerk read a letter from de- fendant denying paternity. "There are other things in the letter," added the Clerk, "which I don't think it right I should read." An order of 4,s.. a week was made. CHILDREN'S AID FOR RED CROSS Arrangements are well- in. hand for the holding of a- children's concert at the Penrhos Council Schools on Thurs- day, July 22nd, to be given by the school children, under the direction of the teachers. The proceeds are to ber handed over to the Red Cross. Society, a most deserving institution. COUNCIL AND THE GARDEN CITY. The members and officials-of the Ys- tradgynlais District Council gathered at the Garden City, Glanrhyd, on Tuesday afternoon, to meet Mr Tudor Rees, solicitor of Cardiff, as the repre- sentative of the Garden Cities Co.. in order to discuss the relations between the Company and the Council. Readers are well aware of the tangle in which the-se affairs now stand, but the mem- bers of the Council are detrmined that their position shall be absolutely safe- guarded, and the matter will be further discussed at their meeting next week. THE LATE MR ALEXANDER Many relatives and friends of the late Mr Be: j. Alexander (whose funeral on Saturdc is reported elsewhere), at- tended at the evening service at the Parish Church on Sunday evening, when the Rev. Jas, Jones (Rector), made a. touching reference to his pass- ing, and spoke well of his life and work. Memorial hymns were sung. A "BULL" AT THE POLLeE COURT. A delightful "bull" wa& heard at the sitting of the local Polite Court on Tuesday morning. Sergt.. Edwards, now of Abercrave, was giving evidence in the charg.e of gambling brought against a numbea- of. Spaniards, when he said he saw defendants "All standing to- gether^ some sitting down. Strangely enoiigin, no one but the reporters ap- pear to grasp the joke I
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It has been decided that football shall be played, next year. About 70,000 people have now offered themselves is workers. The most powerful portable search- light in the world for use in mines, etc., has been invented bv Edison; it haa a- candle power of 3,000,000,