Llais Llafur

YSTALYFERA NOTES. Pte. W. J. Davies, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Davies, Cyfyng-road, writing to his parents from a hospital in Jerusalem, states that he has been slightly wounded; but hoped to be out and about in a short time. He descri bes the Holy City as being a wonderful old place, but the death rate amongst the inhabitants from cold and lack of food is very great. At the time of writ- ing it was the rainy season and condi- tions were very uncomfortable and hard, especially for the boys in the trenches, and his brigade having been in the heaviest fighting, had suffered considerably. In spite if all he aSSUre8 his parents that he is cheerful and as happy as the circumstances will allow, and that the same is true of the boys generally. In acknowledging the re- ceipt of parcels, he quaintly tells how the boys appreciate a few candles and pieces of soap! Another son of Mr. and Mrs. Davies—Pte. Alcwyn Davie8-was recently killed in France. A meeting of the Ystalyfera and District Grocers' Association took place on Monday evenin g at the New Swan Hotel, when Mr. Wm. Thomas, Pant- teg, presided, supported by Mr. Llew. Davies (Co-operative Stores manager). The body assembled raised objection to the action of the Pontardawe Food Control Committee in making Pontar- dawe the centre for the margarine and butter dump. It was suggested that the committee be asked to create a. dump at Ystalyfera, and treat other districts similarly, As such a scheme would be more workable. A proposal was made to the effect that a, local sub-food committee should be formed of grocers, as this would tend to relieve the executive officer at .Pontardawe of much responsibility. It was also decid- ed that the grocers' shops at Ystaly- fera should be closed all day on Thurs- days until further notice. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, at the Central Hall. the Caersalem Chapel Children's Choir, under the cond uc tor ship of Mr. Rufus Gape, are performing in eharacter, the pretty operetta, "Life at Sea." The work is ably done by the children and carries with it a pretty scenic effect. Pte. Joseph Thomas, 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards, whose home is at Gough-road, Ystalyfera, has been homo on 14 days leave after being in France and Belgium for nearly a year. He has seen active service on the Somme, Ypres, Cambrai and Arras fronts, and has been gassed twice-at Cambrai and Arras. Pte. Thomas met only two local boys during his stay in France and Belgium, namely, Pte. Dd. Thomas, Gurnos Post Office, and Pte. Danny Weston, Cwmtwrch. He wishes to thank the local S. and S. Committee for the gift of money received. He left for France on Thursday night with the good wishes of his friends. It appears that he is the only Grenadier belong- ing to Ystalyfera. The jumble sale at the, English Cong. Church on Thursday was a dis- tinct success, when a goodly sum was realised for the renovation fund. Large assortments of goods, which included china articles, old and new clothes, fancy articles and useful household utensils were offered for sale. A coffee and biscuit stall also realised a sub- stantial sum. Mr. T. H. Richards, 53, Cyfyng- i road, now a munition worker at Shef- field, came home on Wednesday for a short holiday. He has been at Sheffield since last July, prior to which he was employed at the Ystalyfera TinpLate Works. The sudden fall of snow on Wednes- day interrupted many local gardeners, who were well forward with the setting of their plots. Lambs have already made their ap- pearance on the local farms. Corpl. T. G. Samuel, who has been wounded in France has now received his discharge from the army. Prof. Samuel has been appointed organist at a Llandrindod church, and will settle down in that district. The death took place on Thursday last of Mrs. Mary Thomas, wife of Mr. Thos. Thomas, Gough-road,' Ystalyfera, at the age of 60. Deceased had been ailing for some time, and much sym- pathy is felt with the bereaved hus- band and family. Mrs. Thomas was of a quiet disposition, and was greatly respected in the locality. She had been a faithful member at Jerusalem Chapel for years. Her husband is a retired servant of the Midland Railway Com- pany, and was employed at the signal box near the Ystalyfera station for a long period.. Two grown-up children are also left to mourn their loss. With characteristic enterprise, Miss Alice Williams, headmistress of the Wern Girls' School, and her staff and scholars, have decided to break new ground on the celebration this year of St. David's Day. On Tuesday evening next at the Central Hall, the child- ren will present an operetta, entitled "Plant Cymru ar Ddydd Gwyl Dewi," which has been specially composed for this occasion by Mr. Wm. George. Critics competent to judge pronounce the operetta to be an exceptionally sweet and pretty one, and the reputa- tion of the author of "Bugail Craig y Fforest" will be immensely enhanced after the music-loving public have had an opportunity of hearing this, his latest production. That the operetta will be appropriately and charmingly staged needs hardly saying, in view of past efforts by the Wern Girls and their mistress and staff. On Sunday last the eRv. R. W. Jones, vicar of Gbrseinon, preached &t St. David's Church, on the occasion of the quarter centenary &f the Rev. J. Secundus Jone? dedication to Holy Orders. During the afternoon the 1st L "l" Swansea Valley Troop of Boy Scouts paraded. We are asked to announce the mis- cellaneous concert that will be held at Jerusalem Vestry on this Friday evening under the auspices of the Ddraig Goch. Prominent local artistes will appear, and the drama "Y Melin- ydd," will be performed. On Tuesday evening next the Rev. Ben Davies will give a lecture at the Pantteg Mutual Improvement Society on "Y Greal Sanctaidd." At the Central Hall on Saturday evening last the Godre'rgraig Child- ren's Choir, under Mr. Ezekiel Hop- kin, gave a repeat performance of I "Little Red Riding Hood's Recep- tion." The hall was well filled, and the children fully maintained the re- putation they had previously earned. Official intimation has been received that Pte. David Cox, of the Welsh Guards, of Godre'rgraig, has been killed in France by a rifle grenade. A letter conveying the sad news was sent to Godre'rgraig by the chaplain minis- [ tering, to deceased's company. f --1-- Gunlayer Wm. Morris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dd. Morris, Gough-road, is this week-end paying a visit to his home prior to taking up oversea work. He is now stationed at Gosport. The Rev. R. Hughes, Plasmarl, t preached at the Wern last Sunday, and during the evening a number of members were received into the church. A magnificent Blue-Ribbon drama, in five parts takes pride of place at the Coliseum next week. It is called "The Captain of the Grey Horse j Troop," and deals with the efforts of j a young U.S.A. officer to obtain justice and fair treatment for his much down-trodden red brother, the Ameri- can Redskin. A pretty romance threads its way through the film relieving the tension otherwise inevitable in dra- matic momenta. That brilliant actor, Antonio Morcho takes the leading part of the captain, and is ably supported by Miss Edith Storey, who, it will be remembered, took part in the motor- car race in the last episode of "Scarlet Runner." i

COLISEUM. Next Week: THE CAPTAIN OF THE Grey Horse Troop (5 PARTS). SMMBHMMllBIBBHMBBMBaBMfflBWi

PANTTEG & GODRE'RGRAIG & I '"GymdeJthas Ddiwylliadol" Pant- t-eg, celebrated St. David's Day on Monday night .last. A fine ,prograanme had been arranged, to which the fol- lowing contributed:— Recitations, MiM.sses Megan Hughes Maggie Jones and Mr D. T. Jones aM Miss Mena. Jonec oong: Master James Harries; pemillion singing, Messrs. J. Williams, David George Williams, j Tarrenydd and "Teulu'r Aelwyd" (D j Llewelyn and family)'; violin solos, Mastens Levy Hopk'Ln and WiIIIie J,unes; silver hand quartette, Jothn { Hoplcin and friends.. Messrs. David Hopkin, Llewelyn Evans and E. Roderick spoke. A very enjoyable evening was spent. Wo regret to hear that Pte. David Cox, of the Welsh Guaros-whose parents Mr and Mrs. George Cox re- sido at OiamicAl xowl has been killed in action: Pte Cbx was a. fine, strapping young man, and would have been 20 years old last Sunday. The deepest sympathy is felt with the be- reaved parentis, who only recently lost a daughter.

ONLLWYN. I At a competition last Saturday at Seven Sisters, Miss Rose Daymond, post office, took the first prize in the oontralto solo competition. After a. keen contest, Willie Jones also took the first prize in the boys' solo. A rehearsal was held at Onllwtn Chapel on Saturday under the conduc- torship of Mr. Gruffydd E. Gruffydd in preparation for the musical festi- val to be held shortly, when Prof. Nor- man Mcleod, A.R.C.M., School of Music, Porth, will oonduct. Banwen will play Crynant on Satur- day in the first round for the Onllwyn and District Challenge Cup (Soccer). A keen game is anticipated.

This Week. A SPECIAL DISPLAY OF Gents' Mufflers At Popular Prices. All this Season's Novelties I In Gent's Ties. H. HOW WERN. YSTALYFERA i

YSTRA8GYMLAIS NOTES  I The many friends of Mr. Clancey Evans, formerly assistant at Messrs. Pegler's Ltd., who joined tfie Mon. Regt. in 1914, will regret to learn that he has been wounded in France. Pte. Evans, in a. letter to his Late manager, Mr. tJones, says he received shell wounds in the leg, arm, and side, and but foor the. fact that he was in a water-filled shell-hole at the time, his injuries would have proved fatal. Pte. Evans is now progressing satisfactori- ly at the Mile End Military Hospital, London. A meeting of the Ystradgynlais Food Control Committee was held on Mon- day, Councillor Lewis Thomas, J.P., presiding. The local milk vendors, who had declared a strike, and who did not deliver milk on Monday morning, met the committee, and it was agreed on the suggestion of the committee to allow the present prices to reign until the end of March, when they would try to meet the vendors when the wholesale price of milk became cheap- er.—The applications' for the position of assistant executive officer wero part- ly gone into, but the appointment was deferred for a week. j All Ystradgynlais people who desired a supply of milk on Monday morning had to fetch it, by decree of the ven- dors, who refused to deliver. Persons of all ranks and stations were there- 1 fore seen on Monday morning wending J their way at ?n early hour with jugs and cans to get their supply. By Tuesday, however, owing to the agree- ment arrived at with the Food Control Committee, the retailers -recommenced delivery. We would again remind our readers of the concert in celebration of St. David's Day to be held at Tabernacle on Friday evening, when Miss Cerid- wen Jones, C.T.V.C.M.,C.R.A.M., and her pupils will present a miscellaneous programme. This is not the first event of its kind for Miss, Jones te organise,. and the success of previous functions augurs well for this  augurs well for this enterta inment. Many residents :of the district will be interested in the announcement of the marriage of Mr. Ernest D. Gianley, now a solicitor at Newport Pagnell, and son of the Rev. E. L. D. Glanley, Pentrepark, Liandilo (formerly rector at Ystradgynlais) which took place re- cently at St. Mary Magdelefte's Church Regent's Park. The bride was Mrs. Alice Maude Flavel-Cook, widow of the late Mr. Theodore Flavel-Cook. The Rev. E. L. Gianley performed the ceremony, supported by the Rev. R. E. Gerand (vicar). The bride wore a blue costume arid white fox furs, with black velvet hat, and was given away by Mr. Gordon. Mr. Dd. Davies was the best man. A reception waa held later in the day, when the bride and bridegroom, the Rev. and Mrs. E. L. D. Glanley, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, Lieut. Gordon Fiavel-Cook (son of the bride), and Miss Davies were present. The marriage was solemnised at Sardis Chapel on Saturday last of Mr John Jeffreys, son of Mr. W. O. Jef- freys (Gwilym Glahtawe) and Mrs. Jeffreys, Smyrna House, Pwllbach, Ystalyfera, and Miss Elsie Phillips, the daughter of Mr. Howell Phillips (in- surance agent), and Mrs. Phillips, Station-road, Ystradgynlais. The Rev. R. M: Rhys performed the ceremony, and. he was assisted by the Rev. Ben Davies, Pantteg, uncle of the bride, who was tastefully attired in a fawn colotired dress with hat to match, and carrie d a beautiful bouquet. She was given away by her father and attended by Miss Bessie Jeffreys (sister of the bridegroom), who also wore a fawn dress with hat to match. Sidney Phil- lips (brother of the bride) accted as best man, and Mr. W. 0. Jeffreys (father of the bridegroom) also accompanied j the party. After the ceremony a recep- tion was held at the bride's home, after which the happy couple, who were the recipients of many presents, left for the honeymoon. Both Mr. and Mm 1 Jeffreys are well known in the locality,  and they have the best wishes of a host of friends. They wifl take up residence at Ystalyfera. Hir oes a byd gwyn—fo'n dilyn Jack ac Elsie addfwyn; Eich bywyd fo fywyd dylechwvn, Ac unol foch hyd at y glyn. The story circulated last week to the effect that "Gwilym," the one and only town-crier and expert fox trapprr, had captured a fox on the Palleg was not quite correct. It seems that Reynard was laid low on the Darren mountain after a stern chase, in which a resident on the Varteg joined in, Gvvilym's fox was t of record weight, and was very large; it had been known to have killed about 40 heads of poultry on the Darren, Varteg and Drym. It is officially stated that Gwilym has a secret recipe for cap- turing foxes. A meeting was held at the Ynisced- wyn Schools on Wednesday evening to oon-sider the formation of local War Savings Associations. Councillor Ben Williams presided over a good and ro- presentative attejtfdkhee. Miss Ashton j Jones, Brecon, gave an able address on the desirability of forming associations for the promotion of thrift amongst j the members of the general commillii- ty. It was ikrgod tliat all schools, chmp,ols, churches, and works in the district should form associations. It was resolved t40 the movement re- ceive every sup^of^t, and a propaganda committee was drawn up, of which Alderman M. W. Morgan, Abercrave. was appointed chairman. Mr. Chas. Edwards, Gurnos Schools, was appoint- ed secretary, ind Mr. Geo. Roberts, L.C. and M. Bank, treasurer. "It was pointed out that the association and committee would bo quite distinct from the other, the latter being only an organising body. A meeting of the workmen of the Yniscedwvn, Ystradgynlais and Gurnos Collieries took place at the Workmen's Hall on Monday morning, when Mr. Lewis Thomas presided. The question of tendering notices was considered, and it was decided that this course be not adopted for the present, hut that the advice of the agent be taken, to the effect that the case be submitted to arbitration. On Friday of next week a whist drive will be held at the Drill Hall, Gurnos, for tho purpose of obtaining funds to enable the recently formed ladies' am- bulance brigado to obtain meiiis to procure uniforms. Excellent prizes are offered, and will be given by Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Strick. Miss Katie Davies, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Dahiel Davies, Cwrn Villas, Bryn-road, returned to Horn church Red Crosa Hospital, Essex, la. t week, where she is doing excellent work. Miss Davies deserves a high compli- ment for her sacrifice in working for the comfort of our disabled soldiers. A lecture was held at Sardis Chapel lastWeek, when the Rev. R. S. nigers, B.A., Capel Gomer, Swansea, spoke on "Anghenion Cymry." The Rev. H. M. Rhys presided and the proceeds ed over to Mr. Dl. Thomas, Cwmgicdd, who has been unable to follow his employment for some time. TlH''2 was a good attendance. Pte. D. T. Price, East Lanes, li-ogt., son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Price ( ;gnal- man) formerly a teacher at the Cyn- lais School, has been home on leave. He is now in training at Salibum, Yorks. During the early part of t'«"» cur- rent week Trooper F. W. Phillips, of the Household Guards, paid his many friends at Ystradgynlais, a visit. He waa wounded in France last 0 fober, and has since been confined to hospi- tal. Prior to his enlistment he was on the staff of the Cynlais School. On Tuesday he was made the recipi-nt of a beautiful fountain pen by the head- master and staff of the above s iiool. A meeting of the Ystraduvnlais farmers, who arc attached t- the- Breoonshire Farmers' Association, was held on Wednesday. Mr J. P. Lee I pre-cYng;. Thirty-fivè Farmers werfe enrolled. The chairman pronr .1 to do all he could to help the local farmers durin.g the coming sen m to purohase plant and seed which vould be required. A concert has been arrange >1 to take place at Libanus, Glanrhyd. an Thursday, March 14th, when the can- tata entitled. "Under the Pal ins," will be performed by the chapel choir, assisted :1>" immiinejyt artistes. The choir is well trained, and a successful event is anticipated. The collieries are again working ir- regularly during this week, and pro- spects for imprvementare indeed poor. With the exception of these at the Diamond oolliery. the miners are only being employed about half- time. As will be seen from our advertise- ment columns, Sardis people are again organisinig fÍ1 grand competitive con- cert to be held the Saturday before Easter. The previous concert held at Saidis have been successful far beyond the average, and on this occasion it is hoped that all previous efforts will be eclipsed.

Food Cards in the Pontardawe i District. • We are asked to notify through the oolumns of the "Labour Voice," all persons resident in the rural district of Pontardawe, that if they have not re- ceived their ration cards by March 8th they should immediately communicate with the executive officer. The cards should be placed in the hands of the retailers as soon as possible, and not necessarily where the sugar cards are deposited.

PROBABLE DATE OF NEXT .GENERAL ELECTION. Mr Hayes Fisher has informed Mr Gilbert that the lait day of the quqalriying period ef the new Register uoder ths Franchise Act will be April lodh n-xt; a.n.d that the register so nia.de will come 'into force on October I L;I;. This meatns that for the purpose of the vote residence and occupatiofr wil count ,a,. from the loth of last October; and that there be no election till October of th>; -ear. It will be noticed that nearly six ■ rnnniths will elapse between the quali- fying day and the operation of he- register. The period ill the Act is only three months—the half-yearly dates being Jan. 15, April 15, and July lo October 15. The new dates are fixed under the jx>wers conferred by a sec— tioni which enables the King in Coun- eilto alte~ all sorts of things put into ihyO Act. •. ? i