Llais Llafur

YSTALYFERA NOTES.- The death took place at Tanylan, near the Vino, of Mr. Wm. Williams, one time shearer at the Ystalyfera Tinplate Works. Deceased, who was g a ba,(,- h e l or, tnd 61 years of age, was a bachelor, and had buried a sister, with whom he had lived, about two months ago. He had been ailing for some time, and was well-known in the district. The burial takes place on Saturday at Zoar, the Rev. W. D. Lewie (Caorsalom) officiat- ing. Corpl. J. Murphy, Welsh Guards, has been home this week on furlough at Clifton Hill. He has seen service on the Somme and Ypres, Cambrai and Arras, having seen no less than 12 months' service in the trenches. He is only 22 years of age. He was reoently gassed whilst in France. He was made a corporal in recognition of his having .shot an enemy sniper who was giving considerable trouble to the men in his section, and who was only detected with considera hIe difficul ty. In a re- cent inter-Guards boxing match he came in to within four of the fiaal parties, and met Hughes, of Lanca- shire. He was with Pte. Elwyn CIeo (Pantteg) at the time he was killed in action a s hort while ago. Murphv ? the son of Mr. ,id Mrs. Morris Murphy, and another brother, Pte. Glyn Murphy, also of the Welsh Guards, has seen service with the colours. There was a large attendance at the Church Hell on Thursday evening when a whist drive was held in aid of the Church fund for soldiers. The drive was arranged by the teachers of the Church Sunday-school, and no less than 80 players took part. Mr. J. Jones won the gentlemen's prize, and Mrs. J. T. Owen the lady's. The '*t>ooby" prizes were won by Mr. R. A. Lewis and Miss Annie Mitchell. The Vicar proved In able president, and refreshments were provided during the evening. It is intended to hold an- other "drive" on Fob. 7tfe. At the Central Hall on Tuesday evening there was an exotllont at- tendance of the local S. and S. Reoep- I I tion Committee, practically all the members being present. Mr. D. W. Davies presided, and it was resolved to hold a sports at Easter, whilst eis- teddfodau and concerts are also be- ing arranged to augment the funds. Mr. Edgar L. Chappell, who was highly complimented by the authori- ties for his work in connection with the Labour Unrest Commission, has now been appointed to investigate in- to the rural and social conditions of agriculture in Wales. He is > the son of Mrs. E. Chappell, the Wern boot stores. At the Wern Mutual Improvement Society on Monday evening Mr. W. D. Davies (Ponywern) presiding, Mr. Evan Williams, Alltygrug-road, read a paper on "Gwyrthiau'r iesu," and j compared in an intelligent manner the miracles of the old and new testa- ments. In the absence of Mr. D. Weeks —who had promised an address on the Egyptian pyramids, Mr. Dd. A. Lewis j read an excellent paper on "Gwast- raff." He dealt in -an .able manner with his subject as it affected present day conditions. At the conclusion Messrs. D. E. Parry and Wm. Jones spoke, whilst a -vote of thanks to the speakers was proposed by Mr. Phillip j Walters and seconded bv Mr. Tom Davies. Owing to the fact that the miscel- laneous concert at the Wern on Wed- nesday of last week was such a dis- tinct success, Misses Davies and Price, in accordance with the request of the deacons, have decided that a repeat performance shall take place at the Wern on Monday evening next, when there is sure to be a good attendance, j On Wednesday evening the Y staly- fera platoon of the G.V.R., under the command of»Lieut. H. J. Powell, J.P., was inspected by Captain and Adjut- ant W. T, Davies. Capt. Davies ex- pnlSSürlhis pleasure at the way in which tho men had turned out, and also those assemblde. The Infant Welfare Centre, which is j held weekly in (the back classrooms) of the Church Hall, Ystalyfera, is j meant to supply a local lieed. Advan- tage has been taken of it by mai-i-V mothers, and it is gratifying to find that several of the regular visiting babies have gained and continue tu gain from half to one pound in weight weekly. Visits are welcomed from all mothers, whether their babies are ill or well, so that the latter can he weighed and progress of growth and development noted and recorded by the visiting doctor. To make it easier for mothers to attend it has been de- cided that in future the centre shall be opened at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesdays (instead of Fridays) commencing on Wednesday next, January 30. We are requested to remind our readers of the concert to be held in the Drill Hall on February 7th, for which tickets are now on sale, and the proceeds of which are in aid of the local war emergency fund. This fund is used to provide assistance for the wives and dependents of soldiers and sailors in cases where the Government separation allowance is insufficient, or when no Government grant is avail- able. During the winter season there are frequent demands upon it, and by this time the committee have very little in hand, so an urgent appeal is being made to all to assist in aug- menting the fund by purchasing a ticket for the concert. The proceeds are to be divided between Ystalyfera and Ystradgynlais. I

ilafi I -)- Next Week: Romance .1 and Mystery STIRRING DRAMA IN 5 PARTS.

At a recent examination held at Swansea, Miss Phyllis Broome, Allty- grug-road was successful in passing tho senior examination is pianoforte playing of the Trinity Collego of Music. She is a pupil of Mr. T. W. Hopkin, organist of St. David!s. It is worthy of note that owing to Mr. Hopkin's illness, Miss Broome has been acting as organist at St. David's Church for some time, and her play- ing has been not only satisfactory, but is of an exceptionally high order. The drama "Gruffydd Llwyd," which is to be performed at the Cen- tral Hall, Ystalyfera, on Saturday evening next, in aid of Lower Cwm- twrch S. and S. Fund, promise6 to be a. great success. Miss Ellen Moses, the popular local vocalistL will sing during the evening "Our lads in khaki." Misa Moses has scored great hits with songs of this kind at local ooncerts lately. Thomas' Roes, a discharged soldier, of Godre'rgraig, was charged at Aber- da-re on Wednesday, with having bigamously married Elizabeth Gould, his wife, Margaret Rees, being still I alive. Mrs. Rees said defendant mar- ried her at Pontardawe on June 7th, 1906, and they lived at Rhvdygroes. They had four children. Under cross- examination she said defendant had been a. good husband to her since his discharge from the Army. Elizabeth Gould, Penywain, Aberdare, spoke to going through a form of marriage with defendant in April, 1914, when he gave his name as Thomas Hopkins, and was described as a bachelor. They lived together until the June following when they hid a row and he 'eft her. He returned later and asked her to eorne to live at Caerphilly. She refused. Defendant was committed for trial at the Assizes, b.ail being allowed. At the meeting of the Zoar Chapel Mutual Improvement Society on Tues- day evening, Mr. Evan J. Evans pre- sided over a very satisfactory attend- ance. Mr. Fredk. Rees read excellent papers on "Wm. Quarrier, the philan- throphist and orphanage founder" and "Wm. Carey, the Baptist missionary." Both the papers were highly appre- ciated, and the following spoke on the addresses: Rev. Wm. Jones (pastor), Messrs. D. Evans, Evan T. Evans, Jno. Davies, Dl. Thomas, Dd Samuel, Ieuan Evans, and Miss Gwen Mad- docks. Mention has already been made in these columns of the active part which Seaman Lewis John Clee, son of Mr. John Clee, Pwllbach, together with the splendid choir which he has trained and conducts, takes in providing amusement and recreation for the sol- diers and sailors stationed in and near London. The other day a first-class concert was given by them at the Shakespeare Hut, in Tottenham Court road, and judging by the reception j which they received, as "described by a Valleyite who happened to be present, their efforts are very warmly appre- elated. From the programme wo find that the following took part—and their friends will recognise them 3S: Swansea Valley boyö-na.me.ly, S.S. j R. C. Jones, O.S. T. Rowlands, L.S. Lewis J. Clee, O.S. G. Colebrook, O.S. A. Bodyeombe, P.O. Nicholas, O.S. T. Rowlands, and Muss Joyoo • Edwards. At a meeting of .the "Ddraig Goeh" Society on Wednesday evening, Mr. Hy. Griffiths, C. and C. Bank pre- ?.idin?. Dr. W. J. Lewis read a paper a"sci,,iitifie and technical nature, entitled "Remote Results." and Mrs. Saunders Davies, B.A., read a paper on "The Life and Works of Robert Louis Stevenson." Both the papers were enjoyed, and Messrs. Rees Hop- kin, Fredk. Rees, John Davies, Tom Morgan, Miss Betty Davie#?, and Mrs. Taliesin Lloyd took part in the discus- sion. ( On Thursday evening Mr. John Evans, of the Wern, was accidentally knocked down by a car. The oar pulled up immediately, and Evans was taken into the shop of Mr. W. D. Gape, where it was found that the in- juries received were not serious. Mr. Evans was afterwards able to walk homo with assistance. On Monday evening a oonoert was held at the Smith Arms Hotel in honour of Sergt. T. J. Jones, Military Medallist, of the Canadians, who was home on leave, and returned to his unit on Tuesday. Mr. Jeff. Harries presided, and an excellent programme was provided. I Latest in Queues: il local miner j residing at Graigymerched, determined to increase the onion crop in tho ¡ corning season, deemed it wise to order some tons of soot. Long qucues were seen a few days ago eagerly waiting to secure a supply of the valuable fer- tilizer. Driver Dd. Owen, Gough-road, who is with the Motor Transport, has re- turned home from France on furlouch none the worao for his experiences. He is a.t present atta.ched to the Cana- dians, and in civil life was employed i by Mr. D. Llew. Thomas, Shop. | Mr. Evan L. Williams, pnphoIlilllU player in the local Town/ Band, was the winner in the instrurrirntal (wind) competition at CwmtVrch on Satur- day. Mr. Williams, who is an excellent player, was highly complimented by the adjudicator, j I..

» There would bo á gravt scarcity of meat for the next few months. Compulsory rationing in fats and meats and other articles was hound to come, and the sooner the better.

I NO WAITING IN QUEUES. ? f ????,???_?-—  ? ?*' ? '? H *.—?y??? ? ?'? ?? ? s ?__ ?' J T SA L E I ? ? ? ?8' ? ? @ %?? i 0 N B ? ? <?? ? ? &?? @MMC #v !Q) I N P. é I Is Now Proceeding. | Come to our Sale, and inspect I our Stock. We are offering 1 ❖ EXCEPTIONAL BARGAINS ?* I t1 | in ail Departments. ^f X in all Departments, <? ? —?.. ????.?_??—??  9 .? ..? .?_ ??._? ?. ? f ? Prompt attention to all Orders ;p' @ ? — -—?-— ?. ? Come early to avoid disappoint- i ment, as the Sale is now f ? its end. | ? — ■ ■— I fj. T. OWEli + l: ,ij ?  o II II 61 ? \óit" ? The Swansea Valley f Shopping Centre, |  ?  t ? '?J?Bf- a's?—? ??.<? ? <<<s-Mi?rN ????"F?'??'E????? &?. 'd :t; .¡.; <m-' 4&?M<?]? ? .¡£;:(:IJ; .{ (t; .( .@;1.6). :3.Z).:0). I :).]¡('Jt

WOUNDED SOLDIERS EX I 'TERTATNEP AT CTUR?S Oa Saturday afternoon wounded sol diers from Glanrhyd hospital and the Pontardawe Infirmary, to tho number of U.) were entertained bv Mr and Mrs. G. H. Strick, of Cefneithin, at the Guiuios School, Lower Cwm- twrfi). The men arrived by the 1.30 tr?m at YKt?lyfM'a station, where brakes were waiting to convey those who were enable to walk to the school, and he? they were ret?lved by Mr, Mrs., and Miss Striok. Mr Striek in a few well chosen words gave the men a hearty welcome, and they at once settled down to en- iov the afternoon. A piano had been obtained for the occasion, and Miss j Striek, Miss Elsie King, and Mr Briht, of the Gurnos works office, acted as pianiists. After a free anci easy time el)ent in chatter and smoke, a substantial tea wa,s di.spos-ed of, then a programme of sengs. recita- t.:on. etc.. was contributed by the soldiers, with Mr J. P. Lee as chair- i man. The programme was as follows: Patter and song, Corporal Morgan aikl Pte. Is 'Homeland" and | "Thora, Ptc. Linley; son? "Never j Mi-iid," i'to. Ha?: recitation "Police- i man," Corpl. Pnnt:tn; recitation, I "The Old Grey Coat," Pte. Hope: re- citation, "Valley of Death," Sapper i Eldiridge; SOllg, "Land of Hope and Glory," Pte. tlunt; song, "Grey Home in the West. Pte. Coley; song "I want to be somebody's baby, Pte. Weaver: song, "Break the news to mother," Sergt. Ben.net. Then a number of games organised by Sergt. Jien.net (who it will l)e remembered) was recently awarded the Military Medal), and these were entered into vm heartily. Miss fallen Mose-; FIleii of CwTntwreh, and D J Hopkins, Spencer terrace, ■added to the evening's enjoyment by the- following songs:, Mr Hopkins, I come back to vou," a.nd "The Bandolero," and Miss Moses. 1 -Somewhere in France," "Garden of Roses," aud "Lad(l^o in Khaki." The last of these met with a great recep- tion, and wis sung the seoond time by spociat request. A faw of tlia Glanrhyd men had to return to Pontardawe by the .),20 1 train, but the m.aj'ority were ,a.hb to i-entain until H o'clock, aud spent a most enjoyable tin>e. At the de Mr 1.00 projxwed, anl Councillor Best Wil- I Hams. secondfsd a Ile-art V, vote of thunk,, t8 Mr amd Mrs. Striek for their kindness, and this was heartily sup- porte.d bv Sergt. Bonnet and Gunner WiJiams. and received with ehet^rs by the men. j'resents of flowers, fruiu crae.k-ftrs. et(- were sent by friends, and Mr". Striek desires especially to thank Mrs. King, of Bryneithm, for a eontrrbutioa of n'iee beetroot, and Mr K. C. Ambridipe for a fine hamper of lovely apples, which were much ap- preeiatei. j

RATIONING IN THE PONT- AHHAWE Active steps are being taken by the Ext,cutive Officer, Mr Morgan Davies, f and tho Food Control Committee, to inaugurate a rationing scheme in tiha Pontardawe area, in butter, margarine, bacon and tea. Application forms for food tickets, to be filled by the heads of households, have already been pre- pared, and doubtless before these appear, will have been distributed to the various grocers and provision dealers in the district, to be handed to their customers, who should at once procure these forms and fill and return them.. In the meantime the work of preparing the ticket 'Ït). being pushed forward, and its is confidently hoped that within a week or two, a smooth-running rationing-scheme will be in operation in the district. Un- doubtedly matters will be expt-clited and the inevitable difficulties w il]#be minimised, if tradesmen and cus- tomers co-operate in the matter of speedily filling in and returning the forms. Also if householders will regis- ter for the various articles of food to he rationed, with the tradesman hold ing their sugar tickets, there, will as- suredly be a better prospect of smooth working, and a more equal supply for a larger number of people. Unles* this is done, there will be over-lapping oonfusion, whicli will affect the maximum, supply of food into tha district.

H. i Pu E li h. Is now showing a Large Bange OF Winter h. i ¡JT 'n ;-h I Men's, .i. 01.1 8 and Boys' c: _L, 'J Q Smart Overcoats b.J 1. -¡J U v in the Latest Styles & Colours Wer", Ystalyfera.