Llais Llafur

r CLYDACH NOTES A sacred concert, promoted under tho auspices of the Calfaria Brass Band, in aid of the wounded soldiers at the local Quarr Hospital, was held II ••at Calfaria Chapel after service on Sunday eveningj last. Mr. J. J. Wil- liams (Trehanos) presided over a very largo attendance. The programme, which had been arranged by Messrs. -lohn T. Jones and Dan S. Davies, was of a varied description ,-i;id was much .appreciated. Those who contributed were the Calfaria Brass Band (con- ducted by Mr. J. T. Jones), assisted by Master Morgan Lloyd, a. brilliant young Treboeth violinist who, dthough not yet 15 years of age, has already won over no prizes in succession; and Messrs. Willie Griffiths, the clever Olydach flautist, and Harry Wickham, also of Clydaeh, whose efficiency as a clarionet soloist came as a pleasant sur- prise to quite a number of those pre- sent. Mr. David Williams, L.R.A.M., was the accompanist. The band gave excellent interpretations of "Eventide" "Excelsior," and "Comrades in Arms." The artistes who assisted contributed in a style which won the warmest appreciation. During the evening the large audience rose to their feet as a mark of silent Sympathy with this widow and children of the late Pte. Bert Lane (Welsh Regt.), of Bethania- road, Clydaeh, of whose death in ac- tion in France unofficial information was received in the neighbourhood on Sunday morning, and the Calfaria, Band, of which the deceased soldier 'was an active member, impressively played Cliopir's "Fnneral March." On the motion of the Rev. T. Valentine Evans. the chairman, artistes band and organisers of the concert were warmly thanked for their services. The collec- tion made realised a Mim of about £ 4 10e. Unofficial information in the form of sympathetic 't.'lter from an officer was received on Sunday morning con- veying the tragic intelligence that Pte. Bert Lane, of Bethania-road, Clydaeh, <■ had quite recently been killed in ac- tion in France. The deceased soldier, n. quiet and unassuming man, who was held in warm regard by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, had tx-en on the western front for many months past, having soon aiter the outbreak of hostilities enlisted as a volunteer in a local battalion. Prior to joining up he was employed at Messrs. Players' Tinplate Works, and was an active member of the Calfaria Brass Band. He was a married man and leaves a widow and five little children to mourn their sad loss, with whom widespread sym- pathy is felt. The Clydach Parish Council probably hold an easy lead in the Ponta- lawe .Union of Parishes in the important matter of providing allotment land for the people. When the appeal came for intensive land cultivation as a result of the shortage in the national food supply, they quickly realised their duty to the people, and last year they pro- vided 97 H llotrrwn ts, while this year they have provided an additional 116 i allotments. For this purpose suitable fields conveniently situated in the neighbourhood have, with the appre- ciable assistance of the Pontardawe District Council, heen taken over, and the Clydaeh Parish Council, who are entitled to the warmest thanks for the efforts made in order to respond as far as possible to the needs of the people have appointed Councillors Ben Davies (chairman) Theophilus Morgan, Joseph Davies, Evan Lloyd and Llew. Davies to act as Allotment and Seed Potato Committee in order promptly and more effectively to deal with matters aris- ing therefrom.. The committee met en Saturday when allotments was the sub- ject of discussion. The Clydach Parish Council have this year ordered 26 tons of see d potatoes in response to applications made. A "J!rirs bf -weekly bill i .-ml matches have been arranged t-o lie played he- tween teams representing the local a-,nd the Clydach In- stitute. Two of these games have al- ready been played, and proved inter- esting gamiCR. The, fir-st, "offensive, which i • ik place at the Quarr lios- pltal la-t week, resulted in a victory for the soldier <"ueist$ br 97 p.)n.t- Ittad ,) tlie aggregate scores. The re- turn match, was played at the Clyd- ach r.?titute ?) T'uesda- ?'?nin? lad. ¡ whe? th? Institute representatives j nmna?'d to i-?.-?rse the previous d('íS-1 ion hy the narrow margin of a three- p??t lead in th" ag?re?? soons. The I (lu.al ?"?'fts were M follows: First Match (played at th? h?pi-?l). 1 4 Hf?spitaL Institute. 143—&crgt. Enis y. Ben Davi? 81 174 Pto. t. v. D. Lt,;iVin- 134 174- [-)t(,.v. D. 134 107-Pt'\ KlHot v. John D?vie?—140 533 436 Second Match (played at the Institute) Institute- Hospital. 164— n. j 134- Davios v. Pte. Morris—112 { O?- t{?n. D?vi? ?'- Pte. N(q,*n- 124 110 \V. Jack?'n v. ??. EHiot- 73 j 512 5Û9 H(,,i i (-)ii c,, are. tii^rcioi^, aoout i equally divided so far. H0t.h sides are -"consolidating thei.r pftsi'toons. and who knows what will 'ha FT}t',ll]On. the next "hig pii-sli"? At present a ealin prevails on booth fronts! TSie Sister-in-Charge of the Quarr Hospital, wishts to acknowledge grate- fully the following gifts made to the hospital dairing the .month of Febru- ary: Mond Nickel Works, 3,000 c gar- ettJes and tobacco; Trebanos S. and S. Reception Committee, 1,500 cigar- ettes; Mr Johi Player, J.P. (Chelten- ham), billiard table; Mr W. J. P. Player, J.P (Wernfadog), eggs, butter .and vegtables; Messrs. H. N. Miers, J.P. H. R. Jones iroTimvonge-r), M. Morgan, Sybil teriace; T. B. Thome-s, Oi-wok's cottage; R. Davies, chemist, Hebron rold W. Mavhery, butcher; and Fred Robin; gro-cer, prizes for whist drive. '"Welsh LkT/elyn.

SEVEN SISTERS. The competitive concert on Saturday turned out a. complete success. On Sunday evening the electric light went out at all local cliip-els; and left the people wondering- whether itil air raid was on, and if Biaendulais is on the map. The fiiie lecture given at the English Baptist Chapel on Monday evening by Rev. M. C. Mander, Swansea, was greatly enjoyed by the large audience. Great preparations are being mado for the children 's eisteddfod oil Satur- day next. Good entries havo been re- ceived. The collection at Soar Chapel on Sunday evening was in the nature of a "war bonus" to the minister. It is gratifying to learn it reached a good sum. Ho well deserved it. The Rev. Edmund Davies is held in high esteem at Seven Sisters, and but for the very slack time now prevailing at the col- liery the collection no doubt would have bec-n doubled. Very few men have gone from this locality on tramp, and it is to be hoped thyt, business will so improve shortly as to make that unnecessary. Indeed, it is very difficult to go away now; bell-re one go very far one must take a pocket-full of cards along! The chairman of the competitive con- cert on Saturday did his work well, and it is worthy of reoord that when- ever he takes up anything to help the workmen he does it in earnest. "Dulais" was the preacher at Soar on Sunday, and his sermons were ap- preciated by all. A successful competitive concert was held at Soar Chapel, Seven Sisters, on Saturday, the proceeds of which were in aid of i Mr. Dd. Lewis, Brick-row, j who has been an invalid for a consider- able time. The adjudicators were,— music, Mr. T. Morgan, F.T.S.C. (Pen- cerdd Cynon): recitations, Mr. D. Clydaeh Thomias; accompanist, Mr J. O. Williams, Sevensisters. Mr. Daniel W. Thomas, M.E., presided. The awards were:— Champion solo, Mr. Todd Jones, Trcherbert; baritone solo, "Trumpet- er," Mr. Gwilym Jones, Ystradgynlais; tenor solo, "Baner ein Gwlad," Mr. Griff. Griffiths, Tonna, Neath; sopra- no solo, "Nant y Mynydd," Madame Harcombe, Penygraig; contralto solo, "Return to thy Rest." Miss Rose Day mond, Onllwyn novice solo, "Ceisiwch yr Arglwydd," Miss Beatrice Davies, Seven Sisters; solo for those over 50 years of age, Mr. Rees Alexander, Seven Sisters; open recitation, divided between Mr. D. Dulais Davies, Soven Sisters, and Miss May Davies (Eithin- ferch), Ystradgynlais; recitation for children (under 15), 1, Menai Jones, Ystalyfera; 2, Jenny Watkins, Aber- crave; consolation prize (given by the chairman), John Glyndwr Davios, Ys- tradgynlais; solo for children (under 15), 1, May Parker, Neath Abbey; 2, Willie Evans, Dyffryn, Onllwyn; quar- tette, "Blodeuyn Badh," Mr. Rees Alexander and family, Seven Sisters. It is pleasing to record that the de- eisions of the adjudicators were re- garded as satisfactory by competitors and audience, and the helpful remarks and advice of Mr. T. Morgan to young singers on voioe production were great- ly appreciated. Pte. D. J. Morgan, Brynrhos. Gun- ner J. Powell, and Rifleman Lewis Waring have arrived home on leave from the western front. Riueman W. G. James has proceeded to his depot at Winchester, after being) in hospital at Diss, Norfolk, sinoo December last with heart trouble. The public lighting in the district is sadly out of repair. At most dan- gerous places there is no light, and a great many pedestrians have only nar- rowly escaped serious injury at these spots. The inhabitants one and all say "Let there be light." Sapper P. Reading has returned to Newark, and Pte. J. Edwards to the western front this week, both iaien having received a good time whilst on leave. Pte. L. J. Jones has- also re- turned to Pembroke Dock after being on sick leave from a convalescent home iu Eastbourne. The collieries in the Dulais Valley arc all very slack, only two and three turns a week being worked. Great dis- tress is felt in some parts of the district and all would bo glad to see a change for the better. At this trying time where is the District Council and the project for a communal kitchen? If this were established now a great deal of the distress would be abated. WiU not our public men "get a move on?" A presentation was held at the Palace on Wednesday evening of last week in honour of local heroes. The chair was occupied by Councillor Wm. Prosser, supported by Mr Miles (trea- surer of the Patriotic Fund). A varied programme had been arranged and all who took part-were well received. Solos were rendered by Misse B. Jones, j Gladys Evans, Hilda Warner, Mr. Jno. Hughes (who gave an excellent. Folo and also took part in a duet with Mr. Dd. Williams). Recitations by Master D. J. Price and the every-ready "Dulais" were very appropriate, and "Llew." the local comedian, was in good form with "Good-bye-ee." Gold medals with inscriptions were present- ed to Pte. D. Be van, R.W.F., by Dulais; Pte. Price-, .AS.C., by Miss G. Evans; Signaller J. Perry by Mr. M. Miles. Gunner T. Wyndam Thomas, R.F.A. is home on leave for the second time from France. Sec.-lieut. T. Alexander and his brother, Pte. W. Alt-xander, were home over the week-end. Welcome to Pte. Reginald Price (Army Service Corps), and Signaller John Perry (Welsh Fusiliers), home from France:- Our Reggie Price—the baker, For years transported buns; But in the Army Service Corps He's now transporting Huns. The Motor Transport Service In France is going fine, And British "goods" delivered there Right all along the line. To meet the great Von Hindenburg Our boys are very cool, And Paris, on. a "certain date" May see an "April Fool." We are waiting, we are watching, To meet the coming blow; In spite of all his threatening— Are we downhearted ? NO! The Signaller, John Perry Was gassed and wounded twice; Fought for thirty months in France, A glorious sacrifice. Festubert and Laventie, The Somme and Armentiers; Mametz, the Ridge and Ypres— Well known to the Fusiliers! He also fought at Langemarck, But landed here this night, We welcome him right royally A hero in the fight. To Pte. David Bevan (Royal Welsh Fusiliers), nol o'r Dwyrain:— Canaf i filwr Salonica Ac hefyd i'w frawd ddaeth o France, Cenir i Bevan, America Yn hwylus ar ol cael y chance. Gwladgarwyr yw bechgyn Brynheulog, Alec, a Dewi, a Bill, A'u henwau o hyd yn flodeuog, Tri milwr cyfarfydd a'r "drill." Un creulon yw'r gelyn malaria Yn awelon y dydd a'r nos; Cyfrwysach na milwyr Bwlgaria. Yw'r dwymyn sy'n oodi o'r ffos. Bu Dcwi am flwyddyn a haner Yn cadw y gelyn bant, Caled yw ymladd a'r fever, Ac aros o hyd yn sant. Cychwynodd o'r Dwyrain yn union Arlol deunaw mis yn y test, Dilynodd ddymuniad ei galon I gartref bach siriol y West. Ganwyd ef yn Matagonia Ym mhell o gyffiniau 'rhen wlad, Ymladdodd ar dir Macedonia Dros bur egwyddorion ei dad. Fu neb yn fwy true na John Bevan Mewn un cwrdd anrhegu erioed, A'r fam sy'n aberthu ei hunan- Tyf blodau yn olion eu troed. Daw blodeu Brynheulog i wenu I'r "Sweet Dulais Valley" drachefn, Chwiorydd y milwyr, a Danny Ddaw eto i lonni y Seven. —Dulais. Can swynol gyfansoddwyd gan Pte. W. Bevan yin myddin yr Unol Dal- aethau yw'r "Sweet Dulais Valley," a chanwyd hi yn y presentation.

I Theft of Timber at Cwmgorse. At the Pontardawe Police-court on Friday (Mr. H. N. Miers presiding), Ivor Davies, Cwmgorse, was charged with feloniously stealing timber from the New Cwmgorsc Colliery on various dates. He pleaded guilty. P.S. Shillum said that on Feb. 12 he visited the home of defendant at Cwmgorse, and saw a new shed in course of erection, and some other wood and a wicket gate in an out- house. Defendant, when cautioned, said he had the timber from his mother- in-law at Clydaeh, but admitted later that he had t ken it from the New Cwmgorse Cx ilierv yard on various dates. At the ;>>li-^ station lie said it would not happen again. Mr. Morgan \Yillia.ms (manager of the oolliery) identified part of the tim- ber and valued the whole at C2. Defendant said he had worked at the colliery since he was 14 years of age, and Sergt. Shillum said he was at highly respectable man. Mr. Miers said there was too much pilfering going on up and down the country, and it was surprising that the most respectable people fell. A fine of 40s. was imposed.

ABERCRAVE The remains of the late Mr. John Morgan, Nantcae'refail (and late of Caeglas) were buried at Tynycoed Churchyard on Saturday afternoon last. There was a large concourse of friends and relatives. The chief mour- ners were: Mrs. Morgan (widow), Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Thomas (daughter and son-in-law), Mrs. Price (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Llewelyn Morgan (son and daughter-in-law). The Rev. Lewis Jones (Tynycoed), officiated at the house and graveside. A large number of wretahs were sent by numerous friends and re- latives. A quiet wedding was solemnised at Pontardawe on Wednesday of last week when Mr. Howel Morgan, son of Mr. Edward Morgan, Ynisbydafo Farm, was married to Miss Gwen Williams, only daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Williams, Laamb and Flag Cot- tages. Both parties are well known in the district, and have the best wishes of all friends. On Saturday another interesting wedding took place at Neath, the con- tracting parties being Mr. Morgan Watkins, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Wiatkins, Clifton House, and Miss Emily Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Jones, Onllwyn. The bride, who was neatly dressed in a navy costume with hat to match, was attended by Miss Blodwen Roberts, who was also dressed in a navy costume with grey hat, whilst Mr. Watkin Rees Watkins, brother of the bridegroom, carried out the duties of best man. We wish them every happiness in their wedded life. Pte. John Williams, son of the late Mr. David Williams, Lamb and Flag Cottages, has arrived home from Lon- don, where he is stationed with the transport section. Pte.4 Williams is suf- fering from a had eye, and is being treated at Neath Hospital. Miss Janny Watkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Watkins, was awarded the second prize for the child- ren's open recitation at the Seven Sisters competitive concert on Satur- day last. There were eleven competi- tors, three of whom appeared on the stage. Tho Caehopkin United Choir have postponed further practices for two months owing to the indisposition of the conductor, Mr. J. E. Richards, who hast been in delicate health for some years. It is intended to re-start on the 1st of May, when it is hoped the. rest will have prove beneficial. We .are pfeased to learn that Mrs. Williams, headmistress of the Aber- crave Infants' School, is now recover- ing from her recent illness, and re- commenced duties on Monday morning. Bryn Seion Chapel was well filled on Sunday afternoon and evening when the choristers of the congregational churches assembled to prepare for their singing festival. The oond uctor was Mr. David Williams.

HAVE YOU THE CONSTIPATION HABIT? In too many cases constipation is self-caused. The system gets out of order and purgative piUs or salts are taken. These so weaken the bowels that constant dosing follows, and so the habit is formed. Dr. Casell's Instant Relief cures because it strengthens the bowels and ensures natural action. Then cure is lasting. Take Dr. Cassell's Instant R-elief for constipation, biliousness, torpid liver, sick headache, dizziness, specks befere the eyes, flatulence and windy spasms, acidity, heartburn, impure blood, and that dull, heavy feeling which is a sure indication of liver troubles. Ask your chemist for Dr. Cassell's Instant Relief and take no substitute. Prices 1/- and 3/- from all Chemists and Stores. Dr. Cassell's Instant Relief is the companion preparation to Dr. Cassell's Tablets.

Short-Sighted Persons ) fwant to bring the book close to their eyes. It means that the object looked at My does not focus on the retina, the focus S j L comes in front-too soon-the eyeball is therefore too long. We cannot change the eyeball, so we change the focus. We put a lens in front of the eye which throws the focus back to the proper position. Call upon as and learn more about this important subject of defective vision. C. F. WALTERS F.S.M.C., F.I.O. QUALIFIED OPTICIAN, Oxford St., Swansea L■ i (Nearly opposite National School) ■ SEED PUN WE ARE NOW BOOKING ORDERS FOR THE FOLLOWING VARIETIES OF IMMUNE SEED POTATOES due to arrive at an early date :— KING GEORGE GREAT SCOTT LOCHAR Prices, any One Variety,— 12/- CWT. 141bs, 1/8. Special prices for scwt. lots. Up-to-Date Eating Potatoes 8/6 CWT. C. AMBRIDGE, Station Fruit Stores, YSTALYFERA. [4F16M9 SEED POTATOES FOR 1918. Order early to save disappointment. Seven Immune Varieties: GREAT SCOTT KING GEORGE LOCHAR TEMPLAR GOLDEN WONDER SHAMROCK IRISH QUEEN At Rock Bottom Prices. Sole Distributing Agent for Ystrad- gynlais and District, under the Breconshire War Agricultural Exec- utive Committee. T. S. Williams Boro' Stores. YSTRADGYNLAIS. 3F16-M2I SEED POTATOES FOR 1918. The Cheapest in the Valley. Immune Varieties for Immediate Delivery. D. Joseph, Herbert Street, PONTARDAWE. 2F23-M2

AMERICAN LABOUR AND GERMANY NO PEACE TALK ON THE WAR MAP. Mr GamperF, President of the American Federation of Labour, ad- dressing a Labour meeting, said the American people not permit thselves w be lulled m? to a booied security and under the guise of Radi- calism to go back a hundred years by treating with Germany through inter- national conferences. "In the name of American labour," he declaimed, "I say, 'You cannot talk peace with us now-you cannot talk international conferences. Either you smash your au-ttocraqy or we will smash it for you. Get out of France, back from Belgium, back from Serbia, and hack to Germany; then you can talk peace. The miecting aclopted a resolution, declaring "We recognise that this great struggle is a war that is es- sentially Labour's war, a war of the useful people of the world against the agents and institutions of tyranny and oppression, and 'we aTe Taaolved to re- main in the struggle to a viotoncflDS comlusibIL" h

W. A. WILLIAMS, Phreoolofckt, c-wi be eoofsulted daily at tho Victaw. Jugafc the