Pioneer

SPORTS & RECREATIONS Cricket. 14ILLIS PLYMOUTH v. BARRY. Barry C.C. were the visitors at Pen- trebach on Saturday last, and were Txmndly beaten by six wickets. Murray, who opened the batting with Tibbies, exceeded Barry's total before being caught by Fisher when he was just three short of his century. Homer, a Staffordshire man, bowled well for the homesters, and ably assisted Ken Harris. Scor+,,s: BARRY. Fisher b K. Harris 1 A. Osborne b K. Harris 14 C. Kirby b K. Harris 6 n. V. Williams b Homer 9 A. BLittei-ivot-tli 1) H-0nier 17 W. Kinsley b Homer 14 F. J. Williams c Harris b Homer 10 Dr. Kent c Aubrey b Harris 1 M. Richards b Ha rris 1 A. Phillips c Murray b Harris 7 W. H. Snell, not out 3 Extras 7 Total. 80 HILL'S PLYMOUTH (MERTHYR). T. Murray c Fisher b Richards 97 A. Tibbies b Fisher 36 J. Dent b Fisher 4 C. Aubrey b Osborne 1 E. A. Watts not out 4 E. H. Poynton not out 6 Extras. 18 Total (four wickets). 166 YSTRAD RHONDDA v. DOWLAIS. I A match was played between the above teams at Ystrad on Saturday, June 27th, and resulted in a victory for Ystrad by 35 runs. Ystrad batted first, and were au dismissed for 97 iirst. I, 67 of that total being scored by Rosser, J. Morgan, Curtis, and Jones, with respective scores of 23 (not out), 17, 14, and 13. The bowling honours on the Ystrad side rested with Evans, who took six wickets for 29 runs, aid on the Dowlais side with Newton, who took five for 32. The chief reason for the defeat of Dowlais can be accounted for by bad fielding, although the small- -easof the ground hampered them to a certain extent. J. Newton atone, on the visiting side, was able to obtain a double-figure score. Scores: YSTRAD. A. Curtis run out 14 J. Morgan b Newton 17 A. Evans b Newton 1 E. Sheppard b Newton 0 B. Morgan b Surridge 4 W. Willey st D. H. Lewis b Hedges 8 W. Jones b Newton 13 Edgar Hall b Newton 3 T. Thomas at D. H. Lewis b Hedges 1 R. ltoIsBer not out. 23 -J Phillipg b Hedges. 4 Extras 9 Total 97 DowLArs. E. Hedges b Curtis 8 J. Mulvey c Evans b Curtis 2 J. Lewis b Evans 6 D. H. Lewis b Curtis 0 J. Davies c and b Evans 6 J. Newton b Evans 14 W. B. Surridge c Jones b Bvans 3 A. G. Evans c B. Morgan b Willey 7 T. Davies b Evans 7 D. J. Thomas c Sheppard b Evans 7 G. Comley n&t out 0 Extras Total. 62 ABERCANAID LILIES v. LOWER RHYMNEY. The complete scores in the cricket mate h between the above teams on Saturday, J tine 27th, were as füllows: LOWER RHYMNEY. Kecs Thomas h Timothy 3 W. Williams b Tal Thomas 0 A. Cox b Tal Thomas 2 At. Harris c Timothy b Thomas 0 D. W. Jenkins b Thomas 1 D. Francis b Thomas 4 I. 1. Williams c Timothy b Thomas 0 D. Narbed c Davies b Thomas 3 T. Jones b Thomas 1 D. Morgan not out 0 G. Thomas b Thomas 0 Extras 2 Total 16 Best bowling average for this innings was by Tal Thomas, nine wickets for 7 runs. ABERCANAID LILIES. W. I. Harris st Francis b Williams 26 T. H. Davies b Williams 21 J. James c G. Morgan b Harris. 4 W. Jenkins b Harris 11 W. T. Rees Ibw b Williams. 0 T. Morgan c Cox b Francis 22 R. Beynon c Williams b Harris 6 T. Thomas b Francis 10 W. J. Jones not out 1 Timothy Ibw Francis 2 Extras 2 Total (for 9 wkta.) 105 Best bowling average for this innings was by Williams, three wickets for 45 runs. ——— DOWLAIS 2NDS v. TWYNYRODYN. The complete scores in the cricket match between the above teams on 1 Saturday, June 27th, were as follows: TWYNYRODYN. D. H. Williams, b H. Meadows 6 D. Morris b H. Meadows 0 G- Jones b E. Duenos 5 D. Williams b E. Duenos 0 P. Evans b H. Meadows 3 W. Evans c G. Morgan b Meadows 0 W. T. Lewis c and b H. Meadows. 1 T. Da-?ee, c Williams b Meadows $ T" ^WfiTllriams not out 4 R. Jones b H. Meadows 0 H Williams b H. Meadows 1 Extras 8 Total ..— 28 The bowling averages for this innings wexe as follows: H ei were as follows: —H. Meadows, eight for 12; E. Duenos. two for 8. Two substitutes played for Twynyrodyn. DOWLAIS 2NDS. F. Price, b W. A. Williams 17 T. R. Davies b D. Morris 0 J. T. Williams run out 0 R. Nash b D. Morris 0 E. Duenos st D. Williams b D. WiHiams  13 E. W. Davies b D. Morns 2 H. Meadows b D. Morris 4 G. Morgans c W. G. Williams b D. Morris. 0 T. Davies c W. Evans b D. Wil- liams. 0 J. Evan's not out 0 D. W. Evans c P. Evans b D. Morris. 1 Extras I Total 38 Bowling average for this innings were as follows: —D. Morris, six for 12; D. Williams, two for 4; W. A. Williams, one for 21.. ITREDEGAR WESLEYANS v. MOUNT PLEASANT. I J he completes scores in the cricket match between the above teams on Saturday, June 27th, were as f ollows: TREDEGAR WESLEY ANS. J. Jenkins b J. Davies 0 R. Pittett b Lawrence blewis 0 A. Brain b Lewis 18 W. H. Jones b Lewis 9 Jim Mason run out 4 C. Bennett b Davies 1 F. Davies c Davies b Lewis 1 C. Jones b Roberts b Lewis 0 J. Evans b Davies 1 G. Shipman not out 3- J. Williams b Davies 0 Extras 1 Total 38 The best bowling average,for this innings was by Jim Davies, four wickets for 12 runs. MOUNT PLEASANT. W. Lawrence b Williams 2 W. Watkins run out 2 W. Jones o and b Williams 0 Joe Roberts b Williams 0 Griff. Lewis b W. H. Jones 10 Jim Davies not out 22 W. G. Gammon not out 7 Extras 2 Total (for 5 wkts.) 45 The best bowling average for this innings was by T. Williams, three wickets for 21.

I MERTHYR & DISTRICT CRICKET I LEAGUE. I Last Season's Championship Table. I The following tables have been sup- plied by Mr. J. Rufus Rowlands, secre- tary of the Merthyr and District League. Abercanaid Lilies were unable last year to play three of their league matches, and before the championship for that season could be determined, it was necessary to have these played. All those matches have now been played, and the Lilies have won the shield and I medals for season 1913. The final table is as follows: P. W. D. L. Pts Abercanaid "L" 14 12 1 1.25 Abercanaid "N" 14 11 1 2.23 Fochriw 14 9 1 4.19 Llwynon 14 5 1 8. 11 Rhymney 14 4 3 7.11 Twynyrodyn 14 5 0 9.10 Bedlinog 14 3 1 10. 7 Merthyr Vale 14 2 2 10. 6 Three of lalst year's clubs have with- drawn from the league this year, namely, Bedlinog, Llwynon, and Twyny- rodyn. However, Dowlais Seconds, Lower Rhymney, and Mount Pleasant have been accepted in the places of the clubs that have withdrawn. This Season's League Table. P. W. L. Pts Rhymney 4 4 0. 8 Fochriw 5 4 1. 8 Abercanaid "L" 6 4 2. 8 Abercanaid "N" 5 3 2. 6 Dowlais Seconds 5 3 2. 6 Lower Rhymney 5 1 4. 2 Merthyi1 Vale 5 1 4. 2 Mount Pleasant 6 1 5. 2

Football. I MERTHYR AND DISTRICT ASSO-I CIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE. ANNUAL MEETING. I The annual meeting of the above league was held at the Welcome Restaurant, High Street, on Friday, June 26th. The officers present a report for last season, and the committee were able to report a balance in hand of over t2. This was considered satis- factory. as the league have presented six sets of medals for champions and runners-up in the league and cup com- petitions. The league championships were de- clared to be as follows:—Division I., Plymouth United; runners-up, George- town United. Cup competitions: Division I.. Ply- mouth United; Division II., Twyny- rodyn United; Division III., Troedy- rhiw Old Boys. It was decided to form three divisions for next season, as follows:—Division I., under 25 at commencement of season; Division II., under 21; Division III. under 17. The following officers were elected -— Chairman, Mr. G. J. Roberts; vice- chairman, Mr. Tal Hughes; secretary, Mr. W. Preece, Pentrebach; treasurer, Mr. J. Rees; financial secretary, Mr. W. R. Morgan. Mr. T. A. Rowlands was nominated for the S.W. & Mon. Council. A vote of thanks was passed to the Town directors for their kindness in granting the use of the ground for cup matches during last season. A meeting to revise rules, etc., will be held at the same place at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 10th. at 7.15 p.m. All new clubs should send delegates to this meeting, or communicate with the secretary as soon as possible.

Southern Charity Cup. I FIRST ROUND DRAW. I Mr. J. P. Skeggs (Milwall) presided over the annual general meeting of the Southern Charity Cup Commpetition, held in London on Tuesday. It was stated that after deducting expenses a sum of P,222 will be distributed among charities, all the competing clubs hav- ing a voice in the allotting of a por- tion among their local institutions. The draw for the first round of the next season's competition was made as follows, the ties to be played off before December 31: — Group 1.—Southampton v. Swindon Reading v. Brighton and Hove Albion. Group 2.-Gillingham v. Norwich at Queen's Park Rangers v. Brents ford. Group 3.—Plymouth Argyle v. Bris- tol Rovers; Exeter City v. Merthyr Town. Group 4.-Luton v. Watford; Cov- entry City (holders) v. Croydon Com- mon.

Life and Progress in New Zealand. CONDITIONS OF LABOUR. I Land Agents. I Farmers with a little capital going out to New Zealand should not go near any land agents there, for those agents are in almost every instance misleading and untrustwort hy. All information concerning land laws and land settle- ment can be had at any Government land office in the dominion free of cost —in any case, the intending settler would do well to see the land before he selects it. No one can select any Government land for speculative pur- poses. Whoever selects land on any tenure must select it solely for his or her own use and benefit, and not directly or indirectly for the use and benefit of anyone etse. The choice of tenure is at the option of the selector, and residence must commence on open land within one year from the date of the licence or lease, and within two years if bush land. Improvements must be effected to the extent of 10 per cent. of the value of the land with- in two years, and another ten per cent. within tour years, and in six years the land must be improved to the ex- tent of one pound for every acre; residence may then be dispensed with altogether. Tenant Leases. I All Crown tenant leases are protected by law, and the holdings are not liable to foreclosure or forfeiture except for non-payment of rent; the rent being 4 per cent. per annum on the unim- proved value of the land, and the general rates in country districts are no higher than threepence in the pound. Rents. I It will be seen that. New Zealand being a new country where population is sparse and labour is scarce, rent must be low, and as a natural sequence wages are high, because without labour virgin land is of little or no value at all. Labour being the producer of all wealth, and the creator of all value, the natural resources of a new country cannot, therefore, be developed with- out labour. Railways have to be con- structed. roads must be made. and bridges must be built for the purpose of opening up new country. And with free access to the bounties of nature, where rude and primitive independence has not given way to complex inter- dependence, "Jack is as good as his master." Public Works. I Except in isolated cases, the public works in New Zealand are let on the co-operative system, and are not put out for public tender. The works are laid off in sections by competent engineers, who prepare plans and specifications which must be approved of by the chief engineer and secretary for works. Gangs are then invited and if more than one gang apply for the same sec- tion at the same time, the matter is decided by lot. The contracts are offered to the men at the engineer's estimate, and if they are satisfied with the prices, everyone in each gang must sign the contracts in the presence of the inspector in charge. Then they elect their own foreman, and commence work as soon as possible. The workers on these co-operative contracts are paid once a month at the rate of 75 per cent. of the work done, and the balance is paid when the work is completed. So that anyone with a little knowledge of earthworks may form an idea of what could be earned on those jobs, the usual estimates are as follows: -Flat forma- tions-1/3 per cubic yard; sideling for- mations, 14 feet wide. 9 feet in the solid and 5 feet made up with batters of 2 to 1, 92 10b. per chain or 66 feet; sideling formations where nothing can be made up and the whole 14 feet must be cut in the solid, with batters of 1 to 1, 13 10s. per chain. Domestic Servants. Domestic servants in New Zealand get from 18/- to 25! a week and board, and farm labourers get from 2ó J to 30/- a week and board. Ordinary labourers, such as surfacemen, road makers, and navvies are paid 9/- per day of eight hours. Timber workers in the bushes get 35/- to 40/- a week and board. Cross-cutters in the bush are paid 2/6 per 100 superficial feet for fell- ing and cross-cutting the timber. Labourers in the timberyards and saw- mills get 8/4 per day of eight hours, and bench men working at the saw get £2 1.5s. per week of 48 hours. Coal Mines. The State coal mines at Weetport, on the west coast of the south island of New Zealand, are now being worked on a large scale. The coal mines near Whangarei, North Auckland, and the gold mines at Wahi. are also in full swing. The mines in the north are owned by companies, and some of the work is let by contract. Labourers at the mines are paid 10/- per day of eight hours, and time and a- half for overtime. Miners earn from 12/6 to 15/- per shift. Board and re- sidence are from 18/- to !5 a week. Anyone wishing to rent a little shanty and do his own cooking and washing can live very well for about 10/- a week, as the cost of living is not very high in New Zealand. Butchers meat is from threepence to fivepence per pound; flour, 11/- per 100 lbs. A 4-lb. loaf is sevenpence. Tea is 1}6 and 2/- per lb. Sugar is 3d. per lb., or 12/6 for a 56-lb. bag. Potatoes are S/- per cwt., and butter is 1/- per lb. Although there is .an ad valorem" duty of 25 per cent. on all imported drapery, ready-made clothing is about the same price as it is in this country; but suits made to measure and boots made to order are much dearer. The conditions of life in the New Zea- land back blocks are very rough, and the settlers on those back blocks have to-contend with primeval nature, and with no facilities of transit, for, except in the immediate vicinity of the cities and towns, the roads are bad and almost impassable during the winter months, which are June, July and August. The main roads are first cleared and formed by the Government, and then handed over to the local bodies, who are responsible for the upkeep of the roads when made within their respec- tive boundaries. The bye-roads are made by local rates and Government grants. The work is usually let on the co-operative system to the settlers hav- ing to use the roads. Whenever any work of this kind is urgently needed for the purpose of giving any settlers access to a creamery or chees factory, the work is started at once and put through with all possible despatch, either by the local body or the Govern- ment. There is a great deal of uphill work- in those new settlements, and anyone who tackles a section of land in the back blocks must clear away before he can build up. The forest has to be cleared, and the land has to be fenced in. Grass seed and fencing material have to be found and the land must be st*ck--e d before 'tre d the land must, be stocked before the poor settler gets any return for his labour. And yet I have known persons who settled on virgin land in New Zealand, who had nothing to start with but their labour, and who are now established in comfort- able homes. They will never require the old age pension, for they have already provided for their old age- I have known others who had capital, and started under favourable circum- stances, but did not get on. They failed completely, and wound up in the bankruptcy court. And all. owing to eventualities and hapreningg over. which they had no control. JAKES V AXTGB V.N.,