Pioneer

Aberdare Notes. • ■Aberdare Red Cross Hospital. 1 he Management Committee of the Aberdare Red Cross Hospital are not prepared to approve I Gf the draft supplemental agreement suggested! :t the Merthyr Board of Guardians, to whom t e hospital premises belong. Objection was raised- to keeping boilers' machinery and plant in repair and contributing 75 per cent, of the stokers' wages. Saturday's meeting of the Merthyr Board of guardians decided that in the event of the -society refusing to sign the agreement the diffej--l ences should be referred to the Local Govern- ment Board for arbitration. A.S. L. E. and F. and Stonelake Testimonial. At the quarterly meeting of the Aberdare Brauch of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, held on Saturday last, It was unanimously decided to generously sup- port the Stonelake '.testimonial, Appreciative Mdrewses were made in support of the testimo- nial, which clearly demonstrated to what great xwnt the life-long work of Mr. Stonelake in the interest, of the masses was appreciated. An Interesting and welcome departure from the busi- ness of our branch meetings was brought about j avisit- from Mrs. F. R. Davis, who, after sup- pcrting the testimonial, briefly touched on the ,good work accomplished at the Aberdare School <uhme. To our members, the relative merits of this institution were so ably described that, like Twist, they wanted more, culminating in hearty invitation to Mrs. Davis to further visit this branch in order to give and address as to Ile utility of school eliaics.

Regulations Relaxed. CARRIED WOMEN TEACHERS FOR ABER- DARE. Aberdare Education Committee on Wednesday '??nsidered the question of relaxing the regula- trons regarding the employment of married ■omen teachers, consequent upon a shortage of ^eh labour.  Mr. Wilson Thomas remarked that the matter ?sed an important principle which engaged con- siderable attention in the district some years Mr- Idwal Thomas inquired whether it was not pGsnble to apply for the services of teachers vvlio arc, now "wasting their time" in making aii-oags and working in quarries owing to their beIng conscientious objectors. Mr. T. Walter Williams said there was no hope the War Office granting such a request. Mr. G. D. Powell stated that it was a waste time, and lie was tempted to use "strong adjectives." Mr. D. R. Lloyd observed that in other plac(4 tey found the opposite extreme, and eonscieh- tiO?,,? objectors were not allowed to teach chil- "lrell at all. He did Rot think he could support ■Tp^h a recommendation as that of Mr. Idwal Thomas. ??t was decided to relax the regulations, aRd that certincated and uncertincated married _'wiien teachers bt engaged as required. A time "Hit of five years was fixed, and the engagement to be for the time that war conditions last. e question of salaries was deferred. -—

Dowlais Notes. Interment. rr", '?a r&aeral of J ohnM@ran, age 26 the son of ?- and Mrs. E. Morgan, Cross Blanehe- ■«i, took place last week. Mr. E. Morgan,  father, is the reknowned leader of the Panty- w ^e- In penile Choir, which was recently success- :.« ??goed Eisteddfod with his Ca-eharrm Adutt Eisteddfod w Mi hie Caeharris The cortege bore witness that the deceased Was well known and liked. 1he coffin was covered with floral tributes f ven by GWladys, Emrys, Sunday School Class. antywam Young Peole, Caeharris Choir j  antywam Dt riC t and the Dowlais Male Voic*? Party. The Rev. E. Rosser Evans, Bethania, d the Rev. W. O. Thomas, Hebron, officiated. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan received a great num- ber of letters of sympathy in their sad bereave- m&nt. —————

R| HIRWAIN LICENE FINED. ti Robert Jones, the landlord of the Crawshay fj Arms, Hirwain, was fined £ 5 at Aberdare Police- wiourt on Wednesday for supplying intoxicants d uring prohibited hours. Rees Morgan and Eli NAIlS were fined 20s. each for coniuming the <

Mcrthyr Meat Supp!y. MORE SUPERVISION SUGGESTED. Merthyr Health Committee on Wednesday dis- cussed the meat supply. A report from Mr. Milton M. Thomas (chief sanitary inspector) showed that comparatively small quantities of meat and fish were destroyed last year from great quantities examined. Meat in the borough, he said, was of splendid quality. Mr. D. Parry said that on Christmas morning he saw a but- cher carry away a piece of meat from a shop which was smelling so strong that he had to get away from it. Mr. H .M. Lloyd (chairman)" said a strict su- pervision on all slaughter-houses was being kept, and imported vieat was all right. Alderman Charles Griffiths said the handling of meat by women buying from carts iR the Dowlais Market should be stopped. The report was adopted and the matter ended there.

Merthyr General. I MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES. ■, Major-General L. if. Lipsett, mentioned in dis- patches by Sir Douglas Haig, was born in Ire- land, and spent his youth at Merthyr, where his mother, Mrs. Lipset,. The Cottage, Gwaelody- garth, still resides. He was a nephew of the late Mr. John Plews, Merthyr, a well-known South Wales barrister. Major-General Lipsett took part in the fight- ing on the North-west Frontier in India in 1897-8. On its formation in Sept-ember, 1914, he was gazetted lieutenant-colonel of a battalion of Canadian Infantry. He returned to England on the. outbreak of war in command of a batta- lion of the Canadian Rifles, Winnipeg, proceed- ing with the regiment to France. He has been awarded the C.M.G. When promoted to a bridagier-generalship in 1915, at the age of 40 years, Major-General Lipsett became one of the youngest of the British generals.

Merthyr Sessions. RECORDER AND ABSENCE OF CRIME. There was only one case for trial at the Michaelmas Quarter Sessions at Merthyr on Wednesday. Mr. Albert Parsons, K.C. (the Recorder), ad- dressing the Grasn d Jmrv said that once again he was able to offer congratulations upon a practical absence of serious crime in the Bor- ough. At the last Quarter Sessions there were no prisoners for trial, nor were there any sent from Merthyr to the Assizes. He was told that minor offences such as drunkenness, offences un- der the Defence of the Realm regulations (light- ing, and so on) showed no tendency to increase. Having regard to the times through which 'the country was passing and the depletion in thei police force strength this reflected great credit upon the public and the police.

Wealthiest Trade Union ENGINEERS' FUNDS NOW AMOUNT .TO 11 MILLIONS. Interesting statistics relative to the Amalga- j mated Society of Engineers were given in Glas- gow by Mr. J. T. Browlie, chairman of the execu- tive council. He claimed that the Engineers' were the most powerful, influential, and wealthy Trade Union in the world. Their membership was 230,000, an increase of 70,000 during the past three years. The general fund stbod at £ 1,033,000 and the superannuation and reserve fund at £685,555, a total of one and three- quarters million sterling.

OUR STAFF IS TRADES-UNIONI-ST, OUR TERMS ARE MOBERATE, OUR PRINTING IS GOOD, And we give a guareatmi DELIVER IN TtJtHS

Bedlinog Notes. e 1I10g 1 ¡ ates. i Laid to Rest. On Thursday,, amid manifestations of sorrow, the funeral of our departed comrade, David Gwynlas Jones, whose death we reported last week, took place, the place of interment being Graig-y-Fargoed Cemetery. The funeral, which was public, was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. The deceased's minister, the Hev.. Evan Isaac, oiffciated. Floral tributes were sent by his daughters, his sisters, and the local I.L.P. Branch. Two daughters and numer- ous relatives are left to mourn thei r loss, to whom our deepest sympathy is extended. The friends of freedom in our district have lost a. faithful comrade. May his voice and vision yet inspire us in the great strife aproaching. '■■■'

I Funeral of Trevor Morgan The fiwieral of Trevor Morgan (21), whose un- fortunate death we reported in our last issue, took place at Cefn Cemetery on Monday last. Much sympathy has been expressed with the family in their bereavement, and the funeral was very largely attended, and respect was paid by the whole neighbourhood in drawn blinds. The South Pit, in which the unfortunate young man met with his fatal accident, was closed for the half-day. There were thirteen floral wreaths showing how highly respected deceased was.

The Workers' Union Ballot The Work,trS'nion Ballot! T ?,?e ftr thc, Ballot for two Par- liamentary candidates for the Workers' XJnio* i,are: C. Duncan ll?7o Robert Morley 6'40o M. Giles 0 5?923 W. Adamson 2,142 The constituencies to be contested are n.ot yet selected, but are to be chosen by the candidates and the Executive. t t-

NEW I.L.P. PUBLICATIONS. T1te ?.A.C. of the I.L.P. has arranged for the issue of a most excellent series of leanets, the ?.fii-st two of which, The I.L.P. and the War and. "The Socialist State," are now available for distribution. There has also been published a special edition for the use of study circles, speakers, and others who may wish to secure i fuller details than is possible "in a propaganda leaflet. Speakers who have not yet received a copy of the special issue should send their names and addresses to the Head Office of the Party.

WOOL GATHERING, A.D. 1916-1917. It is now definitely stated that the. whole of the- Australian and New Zealand wool clip for the year has been secured by the, War Office at about £ 5_ 0,000,000. This gives, with the hsme market, about 70 per cent. of the wrold's ex- portable wool to War Office control. An elaborate system of costings, in both woollen and worsted trades, instituted by the Army Contracts Department, on a basis of actual costs and pre-war profits, is to provide our sol- diers and sailors with the clothing they need at a much reduced rate. But further than that, the War Office now needs to pay something of its bill of nearly £ 2,000,000 a day to the United States in something more substantial than paper. So if the" Manchester Guardian's cor- respondent is correctly informed priority both for raw material and labour is to be given to these manufacturers who are working for the expert trade. Production for shivering human beings at home must come last if it conies at all. The difference between the Militarisation of Wool and its Socialisation may begin to dawn even on the members of the British Workers' National League in time.

LIEBKNECHT'S SEAT TO BE FOUGHT. hranz Mehring, of the Socialist Minority, who was recently released from preventive detention, has accepted an invitation to contest the seat rendered vacant by the imprisonment of Karl Liebknecht. German politics are growing more interesting. A Block, consisting of the Centre, Progressive, and Socialist Parties under Beth- mann-Hollweg, is now declared by the Conserva- tive Imperialists to have come into existence "to complete the way to Parliamentarism," We note, too, that journalists, as well as Trade Union leaders, are to be exempt from the new Ciwlian War Work Conscription.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT AND PEACE MEETINGS. I It is interesting to note the attitude of Sir G. Cave, the new Home Secretary, to the sup- pression of public meetings. The Heanor and District Joint Committee for Peace organised a meeting to be addressed by Miss Theodora Wil- son Wilson at Ilkeston on November SOth. On November 27th the Superintendent of the Po- lice prohibited the meeting. The National Coun- cil for Civil -Liberties took up the question, and on December 19th Mr. R. Lambert, M.P., asked a question in the House. The Home Secretary replied: I understand that the Superintendent of Police at Ilkeston, believing that the meeting would cause a grave disturbance of the peace, informed the promoters of it that it could not be held. He bad no authority from the Home Office for giving this notice, but I have no doubt that he acted in good faith and in the belief that his action was necessary for preserving order. The Superintendent has been warned that he has no authority to prohibit meetings, but I do not propose to take any further action in the matter."

BRITISH CASUALTIES. If the non-publication of casualty lists is proof of a cessation of them; there was comparatively a week of Christmas peace for our mes at the front. On Tuesday, December 26th, referring apparently, however, to casualties sustained be- fore Christmas, there was an unsorted list in the "Times of 3,920 names.. On the following six days only the casualties of officers were gven, amounting to 30 dead and 104 wounded. We hope that this does not mean that the War Office intends to conceal from the people in the future even an estimate of the toll of humait lives that Britain's refusal to seek peace by negotiation is costing her.

This terrible war is kitting a let of businesses. Make it a personal resolve that the Pioneer" shaM net Ite Idled. agammmmes ozounmm# IBM IS WHEN REQUIRING | I SUITS, COSTUMES, or GENERAL' DRAPERY I I I O:H SEND A POST CARD TO Thoms St., JO B A R R ? Thomas St., (JOHN BARR ZJZrAZ;: j I A?D A REPRESENTATIVE WILL CAL.L. I cas:D or R:=L:em. I | I I SUITS and COST='=:e a Speciality 1 &??. <?MSKM?t?<asmmBHEMMS??@<??MSEEi?t9<SM??S3m?e??  The "Ideal" School, of Commerce, THE TEMPLE, TRAMROADSIDE, MERTHYR TYDFIL (Near the Palace). Principals-TOM PHILLIPS, F.C.T.S. (Inc.) (by exam.) & j. j. HUGHES, F.C.T.S. (Inc.) (by exam.). SHORTHAND, TYPEWRITING, BOOK-KEEPING, COMMERCIAL ARITHMETIO, and Other COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS On Thursdays and Fridays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays, 6.30 p.m. to 8.80 p.in. Typewriting taught on Bar-Locks, Remingtons, Smith Premiers, &c. Each Pupil guaranteed a full hour on the Machine each week. A New Term will commence Week ending 13th January Interviews at The Temple on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Evenings. r%'mu"-  f? N | NATIONAL Amalgamated LABORS' HON. 1I ? ??-e? Q?ce -1 ST. DAVID'S PLACE, RUTLAND STREET, SWANSEA t ITiie Live Fighting Union for South Wales. S We Don't Mereiy list Benefits on Paper—We PAY Them. I 1 General Secretary: JOHN TWOMEY, § g Organiser: BOB "W!LHAMS, 220 BSackfriars Road, London, S.E. ? H H District Secretaries: A. BARTON, 5 Stuart Street, Docks, Cardiff JOHN O'LEARY, Century ? S ? Institute. Winmill StreGt, Newport, Mon.; Coun. J. POWLESLAND, 10 Picton Place, Swansea 1 1 ALL CLASSES CATERED FOR-MALE AND FEMALE. I ■ Affiliated to the Nativual Transport Wo-kers' Federation, Trade Union Congress, and ■ Nationi;1 Labour Party. B Approved under the National Health Insurance Acts. S

Dirty Houses at Penydarren MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. Eloquent complaints have been made in Mer- thyr in segard to dirty houses, particularly in streets comparatively reoentfly built. Dr. Alexander Duncan (medical officer) pre- sented the following report to the Health Com- mittee after investigating the conditions in the Penydarren district: The matter of dirty houses is complex., as the home conditions seem to-be determined by a variety of causes, such as nationality, poverty, age, drinking habits, condition of the structure and general state of the building, and, last, 'but probably not least, the condition of environment. None of these conditions are absolute in deter- mining the home standards* thus one will find a cleanly kept house in a poor locality, such as the Old Brewery, occupied by elderly people in poor eircumstances, while on the other hand a recently built house with all conveniences may be found occupied by a young couple with a small family, and may be in a disgracefully dirty condition. Instances ef the kind may found in localities such as Beech-terrace, Hodges-street, etc. Generally the dirty heuses are found in the older parts of the ward, such as Evan's Row, hack of High-street, Sand-street, Old Brewery, Gibson's-row, Company-row, Cross and Planta- tion-streets, where the streett; are narrow or away from the main lines of traffic. These houses in more favourable times would be dealt with under the Housing Acts and a higher stan- dard of repair required to be maintained. At present owing to the cost of material and the scarcity of men it is impossible to demand the pre-war standard. In t1!e case of more recently built houses in more favourable localities the tenant has fhvariably come from one of the Jbeatities mentioned. "Regarding environment, it would be all to the good if greater attention was paid to street cleansing. Only a small nnm-ber of soldiers' houses came under the category of dirty. Gen- erally the dirty conditions were due to neglect in cleaning # the floors, windows, surfaces of yards, allowing ashes to acciinulate in the yard; but in a few cases the tenants seemed to have reverted to primeval conditions in the matter of filthy living." Dr. Ducan suggested as a remedy to the exist- ing conditions constant visiting by the sanitary inspectors and health visitors and prosecution if no improvement is shown. The suggestion was adopted and the 'Town Clerk (Mr. T. A. Rees) is to report to the next meeting as to the condition of certain streets.

Aberdare Army Fraud. SOLDIER AND HIS WIFE SENT TO PRISON. Morgan Davies and Anne Davies, husband and wife, aptpeared at Aberdare on Wednesday on a charge of defrauding his Majesty's Treasury to the extent of zC35 lis. by false pretenees. The male defendant appeared in the uniform of the Royal. Welsh Fusiliers, and, together with his wife, kdmitted the charge. Mr. William KeIlsho prosecuted, and Mr. William Thomas defended. It transpired that Davies enlisted on June 2, 1915, and signed a declaration that he had three children, whereas in point of fact he had only one. The result was that separation allowance was paid in respect of three children, two of whom, it transpired, were those of the male de- fendant's brother, who contributed a. weekly amount towards their maintenance. Giving evidence on oath, the male defendant said he was prompted t9 make the false declara- tion by the fact that his brother was occasionally away from the district for some time. Davits was sent to prison for three months with hard labour and his wife t. one month.

MT HELP THOSE WHO HELP .1 YOUR PAPER! SMALL PREPAID ADVERTISEMENTS. One In- Three In- Six In- sertions. sertions. sertione, s. d. s. d. s. d. 20 words 0 6 10 19 30 words 0 9 1 6 2 9 40 words I 0 2 0 3 6 50 words 1 3 2 6 4 6 60 wor ds 1 6 3 0 5 6 60  1 6 3 0 5 6 In all cases the Name and Address are counted as part of the Advertisement. These prices apply only to Advertisement* ordered for consecutive insertions and which are prepaid. Trade Advertisements are inserted under the heading Personal at 9d. per line. All Advertisements should be posted to the Office on or before Monday. Medical. 64-PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND HOW TO USE THEM, Post Free. Send for One. TRIMNELL, THE HERBALIST, 144, RICHMOND ROAD, CARDIFF. Established 1879. Literary. UNITARIAN PAMPHLETS on The Bible," <LJ Heaven," and Hell," given post free.— Miss BARMBY, Mount Pleasant, Sidmouth. Prize Drawings. PRIZE DRA WIN G.-William Williams, 111, JL High-street, Penydarren, Merthyr. Win- ning JIlumbers: -1st 2270, 2nd 1817, 3rd 2490, 4th 334, 5th 1278, 6th 1796, 7th 1511, 8th 182, 9th 331, 10th 185, 11th 77, 12th 1184, 13th 286, 14th 2278, 15th 602, 16th 1766, 17th 1470. Miscellaneous. FOR SALE.—A quantity of Army Boots, ex- ceptional good value; also Bedding, etc.- S. Harris, 5, Castle-street, Merthyr. A STROLOGY.-Life Events, Changes, For- tunate Days, Business Success, Matrimony; Two Years' Future added.—Send Birth-date, 1/- P.O., PROF. GOULD, The Nook," HeathneM Road, Cardiff. SAFETY Razor Blades sharpened, Id. each, k3 post paid; New Blades, 2 for 4 £ d.—Wilson and Son, ironmongers, Abertillery. SAFETY Razors, 6 Blades, in case, 2s. 9d., post ks 3d. Alarm clocks, double bell, 5s. lid., guaranteed, post s4d.—Wilson and Sox, iron- mongers, Abertillery. MINERS' READY RECKONER," inehtd- l?i- ing 55 5-6 per cent., 4d., post free.-Evans, 38, Church Street, Penydarnen, Merthyr.

Grave Too Narrow. STRANGE COMPLAINT AT MERTHYR COUNCIL. An unfortunate incident during a burial at Treharris Cemeterv was mentioned at Merthyr Town Council on Tuesday by Mr. A, Wilson. On Boxing Day, said Mr. Wilson,, a newly-cut grave was found too narrow for a coffin to bel lowered. Two. attempts had to be made before it was eventually put down. After the first at- tempt the sexton was not at the graveside, where he should have semained until the burial had been completed. Mr. Wilson added that he was told that oa two or three occasions previously graves had not been made wide enough, and a great deal of an- noyance and inconvenience to mourners and; re- latives had been caused. It was agreed to instruct the sexton to give, an explanation on the matter.

i he Electric i heatre. The visit of Dr. Baron, with his war pictures, to the Electric Theatre this week has proved an interesting and popular variation in the high- class programmes which this house invariably gives us. Dr. Baron's pictures are more inter- estingly real than were the o-flicial war pictures because they get nearer to the front line trenches and because they have a better se- quence, though the latter may be due in some measure to the intresting "talks" with which Dr. Baron explains the mechanism of a big push." The more the war can be visualised the better for all concerned, for a full realisation of the cost of destruction in money, men, and misery will the better enable the people to see that that cost is not paid twice, if the once will suiffce. A wonderful feature of the Doctors pictures is the great number of recognitions of relations and f.riends which take place. On Monday a. little lad in the Electric recognised one of the fighting "Tommies" as his uncle, and I am told that several people have had the pleasure, of viewing sons, brothers, husbaiidis ai-ict friends hard at it on their new jobs. From Thursday there its to be an entire change of programme, and from what I can glean, the second four reels of the Doctor's films are even more clear, and more daringly in touch with the fighters than the first four reels. To all who have been able to account themselves lucky in securing a seat during the: early part of the week—and it needed luck to manage it—this will.be an incentive to go early to the Electric to-day or te-iiioi-row. There is a. special morn- ing show for night-men on Friday morning. »The supporting programmes have not suffered from the Doctor's visit, expensive as it has been. There a.re the usual instalments of "Peg" and the D'Orsey Expedition some of the best of the smaller .dramas. and two of the best Triangle comedies that have yet been screened. Next week's initial programme opens with the new Triangle drama, "The Lamb," a thrilling story of an out-and-outer, some thrills with a maxim gun, and a strong vein of humour. The comedy is "A Rough Knight," another of these refreshing Keystone-Triangle burlesques of the time when "Knights were bold." It seems strange new that we have seen what a rich fund of fun this class of work contains, that it has been entirely neglected till the Triangle came along and tapped it. East Lynne" is the top liner of the second programme, from Thursday on. It is needless to point out the exceptional scope for great bio- scope work offered in this ever-green favourite, i and I wiN content myself with pointing out that that brilliant artiste, Theda Barr, is here doing some of her best work. Another feature is the review of the V.T.C. at Cardiff by General French. including the local contingents. There is a Tri^ angle Comedy and long instalments of "Peg" and the Expedition series.