The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News

DIED IN PORTHCAWL MUD. ] A man's body was secii lying ill the mud in the disused dock at Porthcawl on Saturday morning. It proved to be that of Mr. John Thomas, an employee of a local grocery store. He had fallen into the dock, it is thought, while making his way from the town to the low-lying district to the east. It has since transpired that late on Friday night faint cries of "Help were heard in the neigh- bourhood, and a fruitless search was made among the sand banks. On Sunday the Rev. James Thomas, of the Hible House, London, identified the body as that of his brother. Deceased was a native of Saundersfoot. He had lived in Tenby for some years, and was an ardent Congregationalist.

FROM PRISON TO WORKHOUSE TO DIE. The death took place on Sati rday at the Cardiff Union Hospital of Thomas Evans (52), carpenter, of no fixed abode. Deceased \¡; removed to the 1lo,;pital frO'1I the prison on the 22nd suffering from erysipelas.

Mr. Towyn Jones, M.P., at Brynamman. ♦ I Enthusiastic Meeting. There was a crowded attendance at Gibea Vestry, Brynamman, oil Saturday, even- jllg, when addrebscs were delivered by Mr. Francis Neilson, M.P. (chairman uf tiie League for the Taxation of Land Values), and Mr. J. Towyn Jones, M.P. The Rev. D. Thomas was elected to act as president for the evening, and in his opening remarks stated that this most important- subject—tiie quest ion of land re- form—was one of the greatest which any (.iovernment iiashittiertotaekied. Heiiad the greatest pleasure in calling upon Mr. Neilson, whom he considered one of the greatest authorities on the matter, to speak. Mr. Neilson first dealt witli the work done by the group investigating Land Monopoly. Mr. Lloyd George had started this fight, and it was going to be a fight to a finish. (Hear, hear.) He himself had studied this vital question, and kindred questions, for 25 years, and had, in the course of his studies, seen a great deal of the world, at home and abroad, and had traversed a good many miles of eartii. His studies had led him to one con- citisloii that the economic solution of the Land Monopoly question was the rating of land values. This subject was a very intri- cate and complex one, and, moreover, one which commanded the attention of every thinking man. The present Government was entirely sympathetic to this question. It had considered with profound attention this matter of land values, and was determined to bring it to all effective and satisfactory conclusion. (Applause.) The Tory Govern- ment, if placed in power, would take to pieces the good wonrk done, and the efforts of 30 years would be crushed and rendered fruitless. He could not blame the Tory Government for this action, but he blamed the Whigs of the Liberal Party for setting themselves up against Lloyd George in 1909. The speaker drew attention to the memorial drawn out by the League for the Taxation of Land Values, and mentioned that there were many great points embodied in the docu- ment, amongst which was the clause that the attack on Land Monopoly must be com- plete, and carried to a successful issue. It must also be made public. Land monopoly meant, the impoverishing of the poor by heavy taxation to such an extent that their life was made unbearable. Two-thirds of the land in the urban districts of England and Wales was rated as agricultura l land, and the poor were getting the brunt of it, because the use of this almost useless land was denied them. They wanted this land; there was a pressing need for it, and the owners were able to refuse it on the pay- ment of a trivial rate on the plea that it was agricultural land. Mr. Neilson stood for the flat taxing of land values, and the revenue so derived should not be spent in building Dreadnoughts or palaces for bureaucrats, but to be used for the benefit of the people of this country. Defining the words labour, wealth, and capital, Mr. Neilson remarked that the first meant all human exertions connected with industry. Wealth was created by land or labour. It meant food, fuel, clothing, and shelter. Capital was wealth which aided in the production of more wealth, and, as such, was produced again from land and labour. Capital ought to be a blessing to all man- I kind, and not a curse, as it sometimes was. Col) t I lilt he remarked that it was the community which gave value to land by its growth and activity, and therefore it rightly belonged to the community as a whole. What belonged to the community was fair for the community to have, although it was not fair to rob any individual "of his own property. He wanted to tax the land values, as this would compel those who had unused land to bring it into cultivation and use it more pro- ductively. A fall in rents would inevitably accompany this action, as the competition among landowners would then be stimulated to filHI users for their land. Most taxes generally fall either directly or indirectly on the working man. He wanted to abolish all taxes which went to dep rive the worker of the results of his labour, and place a simple tax on laud values, which would lower rents and relieve industry. (Applause.) Towyn" has not allowed his Parlia- mentary career nor his long stay in the Metro- polis to deteriorate the flow of the vernacular. Like a mountain torrent the flood of his elo- quence swept ail before it in its restless course. His address was most in- teresting and entertaining, and his account of his experiences in St. Stephen's were vastly amusing. He dealt in a light vein with the ii-lileli the House sheltered and contained. Asquith, stern and steady, was the greatest man of that "phafanx ofcetehrities" inside the House, even as Lloyd George was the great- Cot man outside. John Redmond, frank, sin- cere. honest .John, was a personality which appealed to Towyn very itiliel). 111(1 so did all tin- Irish Nationalists, good men and tine: their loyalty and patriotism were unflagging. The numerous Bills were drawn to the light, and the speaker's views and remaiks were most helpful, full of the fire and zeal of Towyn's intensity. The resolution that this meeting urged the Government to juace upon their programme thc land tax ques- tion was earned nem. can., on the proposi- tions of Messrs. Kdward Phillips and P. H. Cowling. A further resolution was passed that the meeting placed utmost confidence in their Member. Mr. Towyn J(?ues. and in the Liberal (iovernment. This was moved by the 1,11)er:il Tiil,, N\:is iiiove(i I)i- the Jonathan Jones. Messrs. Gomcr Harris. D. W. I ..ewi; and Aid. Williams also spoke, the latter illustrating the truth of the dictum that the community itself put the value on land by the extortionate prices which the landowners asked for land for the purpose of laying the Amman Valley sewerage trunks.

DEATH OF A LLANGENNECH OCTOGENARIAN. The death is announced of Mrs. Ann Thomas, relict of the late Mr. Benjamin Thomas of Cornhwrdd. Llangcnnech. The deceased lady, who was over 81 years old. was very highly respected, and of a benevolent disposition. She was a lifelong liberal sup- porter of the local Baptist Church. Mrs. Thomas was the mother of Mrs. J. (h-n- Thomas, Llanwrtyd, and Messrs. John Thomas and Thomas Thomas, of the Kidwelly Tmplate orks.

PRESENTATION AT LLANDRINDOD. The visit of the Urban District Council Association to Llandrindod Wells last July- has left {'ne Reception Committee with a credit balance of IT00. Presentations are to be made to Mr. and Mrs. R. p. Culiey. Mr. D. ('. Davies (town clerk), and Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Nicholas, of the Rhondda The bal- ance will be devoted to advertising.

.u.. -= ?s?B??j ?s  "J! Amman Valley MOTOR L.' En?!ne6nn? Works, LLAHDEBIE ROAD, AMMANFORD. S. BORRETT Wishes to announce to his Customers and Motor Car and Cycle Owners that he has secured the services of IVIK-. A. E. IfiiTE JEEiCEs (late of the Cross Inn Hotel) as Manager of the above Works, and all work entrusted to our care will be done under his personal supervision. We are prepared to undertake all kinds of Motor Car & Motor Cycle Repairs and Engineering Work. Our Workshop is fitted with up-to-date ^Iachinery, Lathe Electric Motor, etc., ensuring First-class Workmanship. Specialities—Brazing, Turning, and Vulcanizing, by H.F. Process. All Accessories Stocked, Lamps, Horns, etc. Ford Spare Parts Stocked. Wlre-" Amman Motor Works, Ammanford." Tel.: 43.

nn- The contract for the million dollar Customs huilding at Ottawa has been awarded to the firm of Crockett and Tlizii-le, of Fort William, Ontario.

j CWMGORSE YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY. ♦ A LIVELY DEBATE. On Wednesday, at Tabernacle, Cwmgorse, the Young Men's Society met to discuss the question—" Is the cinema injurious or not' There was a crowded attendance, much inter- est being shown in the matter. The chair- man was the Rev. T. M. Roderick, pastor. The affirmative view was taken by Misses Cissie Rees. Abernant, and Mary Jenkins, Cwnigorse Farm, whilst the opposite opinion was championed by Messrs. Rhys Morgan, Glenview, and David Morgan, Brynmaen. The arguments urged by tiie Ayes were to the effect that taking the buildings into consideration, they were generally of the type in which, owing to the perpetual darkness awl the bad ventilation, the germs of consumption were engendered and nourished. The influ- ence of the Cinema on the evening schools was deplora ble, for the young element took to amusement quite readily, and the uplifting forces of knowledge and education were for- gotten. Religious services also suffered, and the profound consideration of Scripture and its healing powers were neglected, and the sensationalism and debasing lure of the cinema were taking full possession. In them children were brought face to face with mur- ders, burglary, and other more or less heinous crimes, and soon their little minds were filled with the ways and means of carrying out the fruits of this observation to effect. This, to- gether with the vulgar songs of the Rag- time" tribe, resulted in making the cinema a most sinful and degrading place of amuse- ment. To these trenchant arguments the Nays replied that the Cinema had a great educa- tional value. One of the earliest and most effective media of education was that of the eyes, and pictures showing nature in its charms and glory, and sceneries of different countries, could not but have a beneficial effect on the minds of the children. It aroused in them the passion for art and aesthetics which could be developed to a degree of excellence commanding name and fame. The educa- tive films showing geological, microscopic, geo- graphical, and historical facts were of inestim- able value to the young student. They brought him face to face with the wondrous concrete objects of which he was studying in the abstract. These films, with their illustra- tions of all phases of life, were invaluable in the teaching of the deaf and dumb. Here the eye proved the only medium of instilling knowledge. Also the erection of cinemas and film-producing were giving employment to hundreds all over the country. After the principals had aired their views, many spoke on the subject. These included Mr. J. Jenkins, B.A., Mrs. M. Williams, Rock Shop; Mr. David Howells, Councillor J. J. James, Mr., Thos. Howells ,Mr. Henry Morgan, M.E., Mrs. Jenkins (schetolinistiessi, Mr. Noah Davies, Mr. Thomas Evans, Llwyn- rhidie, and Mr. Samuel Jenkins, J.P. There was also present Miss Lewis on a visit from Calcutta, India. She opined that in the teach- ing of the Indian children the cinematograph films proved very advantageous. Votes being taken, the case for the Cinema was can-led with a good majority.

FOUND DEAD IN BED AT BRYNAMMAN. The sudden death of Mr. Thomas Charles Francis (late of Barmouth) staying at Cwm- garw-ruad, Brynalllillan, was the subject of an inquiry heid at Moriah Chapel, Brynam- man hy Deputy Coroner Powell, solicitor, Llandilo. Thomas Francis, Fairbourne, Barmouth, a chargeman at the ignal Department on the Cambrian Railway, identified deceased as his son, and said lie was '2<> years of age. He was employed as stoker at Blan-cae-gurwen Colliery. He was very badly attacked with rheumatic fever about four yan, ago, which, acvcording to the evidence of his medical at- tendant, affected his heart very much. He had received a letter from deceased a week before his death, stating that he was in the best of health. Dr. J. Lloyd Owen, Brynamman, stated that'he was called on Friday, November 28th, to see deceased. He was then dead, having been dead for about an hour. There were no signs of poison or strangulat ion. Only those of natural death were present. Mrs. Morris, the deceased's landlady, said he did not take a heavy meal before retiring. Dr. Owen gave his opinion that decesased died from valvular disease of the heart. The evidence being deemed suiffciently clear, no further witnesses were called. A verdict according with the medical evidence was returned.

WIFE'S TRAGIC ORDEAL. A tragic discovery was made at Llansamlet on Sunday afternoon by Mrs. Kears. who. on entering the bedroom found her husband. Constable Thomas Kears, lying dead. In front of the dressing table was a blood-stained razor. Kears had been in charge of the Llan- samlet Countv Police Station for two months, and had been previously stationed at Aber- dare. Three years ago lie was seriously in- jured in colliery riots by a blow on the head, from which he never completely recovered.

A TON OF HONEY. Among the various exhibts displayed ar the West Algoma Agrricultural Association's ex- hibition in Fort William, was that of J. M. Munro, with a display of 2,<KX) ins. of native honey. The bee form of Mr. Munro is located some 20 iiiiies from Fort William. The honey shown at the fair is only a fractional part of that produced at, the Munro apiary. The country surrounding Fort William is ad- mirably suitated for bee keeping, the whole of the district being covered with wild clover which groves as a perennial and provides most suitable bee pasture.

GOOD-NIGHT. The tales are told, the songs are rang, The evening romp is over. Am! up the nursery stairs they climb. With litle buzzing tongues that chime Like bees among the clover. The starry night is fair without. The new moon rises slowly. The nursery lamp is burning faint. Each white-robed, like a little saint, Their prayers they murmur lowly. C-ood-ii glit The tired heads are still On pillows soft reposing: The dim and dizzy mists of sleep About their thoughts begin to creep, Their drowsy eyes are closing. Good-iil*glit While through the silent air The moonbeams pale are streaming. They drift frolll daylight's noisy shore- Blow out the light and shut the door, And leave them to their dreaming. THE FAMILY DOCTOR. Briiises aii(i Butoil)s.-Apply a little fresh butter or olive oil to the injured part. and renew it every quarter of an hour for two or three hours For Tootliaelie.-Try a few drops of oil of cloves on a wad of cotton-wool and place on the aching tooth. Sometimes a hot fermen- tation will give quick relief. Baby's Ears.—If baby's ears grow outwards let li iii NN-eai- it night a small open-work bonnet. This will keep the ears flat. But don't let the bonnet be tight. Some Dont's .-Don't let the bringing up of a child be all a mother's care. A father should take his share. Don't frighten naughty children by threatening to tell father. Make them re- spect h j IIJ-IIot fear him. Don't preach at a child. Make him feel that he must obey you without showing his temper. WHY SATUUDAY IS A HOLIDAY. Of the millions of people who look forward to and enjoy Saturday afternoon as a holiday comparatively few are aware how it origin- ated. The practice undoubtedly dates from rel;.(f)us observance, and is an old relic of the idea that a day hegan and ended at sunset. The Saxon King Edgar once instituted a law that the Sabbath be observed from Saturday noon till Monday dawn, althoilgh other Saxon authorities promptly asserted that the Sabbath ought not o commence till sunset, or at least not till three o'clock in the afternoon. An. ordinance of William, King of Scotland, in 1203, also insisted on Saturdays being kept holy from noon onwards, the bells being rung to warn people that the Sabbath had begun. As time elapsed, however. Saturday afternoon came to be looked on as a time of preparation, until now the religious aspect of the old custom has entirely departed, although the practice oi keeping Saturday afterneon a holi- day has become almost a universal custom. SOME EVENING GAMES. j Blovinj t the Featlter.(ine of the players, wlio sit in a circle, takes a piece of cotton- wool or a feather, tosses it up and blows on !t to keep it floating in the air. When the feather conies near a person it must be blown away. If the feather alights oil a lady or gentlcllJan a forfeit must be paid. Hunt the Finrj.—Slip the ring on to a long piece of string and tie the ends together. Let players stand in a circle and pass the ring from one to the other without exposing it to view. One player stands in the centre of the circle and taps the hand of the person who appears to be passing the ling along. This | player cannot become one d the circle until I he finds tin. ring. Doojim. Like a young child who to his mother's door Runs eager for the welcoming embrace, And finds the door shut and with troubled face Calls and through sobbing calls, o'er and o'er Calling, storms at the panel—so before A door that will not open. sick and numb, I listen for a word that will not come And know. at last, I may not enter more. S'leiiee And through the sdenee and the dark By that closed door, the distant sob of tears Beats on my spirit, as en fairy shores The spectral sea and through the sobbing, hark Down the fair-chambered corridor of years, The quiet shutting, one by one. of doors. -Herman Haijedonu Women with pasts are counted as black sheep, but men with pasts are merely giddy- goats. RIDDLES AND PIZZI.ES. A measure, and two-sixths of a machine— Ellen. A conqueror, a personal pronoun, and an indefinite article—Victoria. Half of a Chinese ship, two-fifths of a sign of the zodiac, and an article—Julia. A song, a preposition, and a vowel—Caro- line. The third of a fish, and two-thirds of a creeping animal—Eliza. A preserve, and two-sevenths of a conipli- mentarv title—James. Half of a female name, half of another, and a nobleman of the highest rank—Marnia- duke. Part of a ladder, awl a Lwl-tephen. A light blow, and a stack-Patrick, What most wish to be, and half of zeal— Richard. Why is an auctioneer like a man out of breath'—Because he puffs. Why are pens, ink .and paper, like fixed stars'—Because they are stationery.

COMPETITIVE MEETING AT GWAUN-CAE-GURWEN. i A very successful and excellent competitive meeting was held at Siloh Chapel, Gwaun- cae-gurwen, on Saturday evening. There was a very interesting competition on every item, and on the whole it was oue of the best in the locality for a good time. Mr. Hy. Owen, A.C., Garnant, weighed the musical merits, whilst the literature, etc., was adjudged by Mr. Chas. Williams, Rhydyfro. The Chair- man and conductor was Mr. Jno. Rees, (I waun-cae-gurwcu. The awards were as follo-,A-s Solo for Children under 10 ("Y Tlvtsail")- 1, and 2, divided between DI. Lloyd, Cwni- gorse and Slwira Williams, Garnant. Special prize awarded to Dinah Hicks. Gwaun-cae- I)i-]ze a-,N-zir( l e(i to Diii;i l l (;ii-atiji-cae- 1. Recitation for children under 10 "Dinl ond dechreu")—1. Bessie Roderick Waunleis- ion 2, Gwenny M. Thomas. Brynannnan. Solo for children under 10 ("Meet me at the Fotiiitzi Iii)-l. Hannah Mary Jones, Brynam- man; 2, Dl. Lloyd. Cwmgorse. Recitation for children under Hi ("Rhagot, Walia")— 1, and 2, divided between Hannah M. Rees, Caenewydd. and Bessie Roderick, Waunleisiwn. Special prizes awarded to Rachel Davies, Waunleision and A. Bartlett, G arn ant. Essay on uncf uality. "—Mr. D. Brynfab Thomas, Brynainman. Soprano Solo—Miss Esther A. Davies, Brynamman. Bass Solo-Ir. Curwen James, Gwan-cae- gurwen. Recitation f<?' Novices—Ehvyn B. Goronwy. Doc tor" a-road. Composing verses suitable for children's re- citanon. Mr. J. J. James. Cwmgorse. Chief recitation—Master DI. Evans. Gwaun- cao-gurwen. Double Quartette—Mr. Jno. Evans and Impromptu verse to "The Suffragette —Mr. D. Brynfab Thomas, Brynamman. Champion Solo—Mr. Idris S. Smith. Cwm- Tiie accompanist was Mr. D. J. Evans, C.R.A.M. Cwmgorse. The secretary and treasurer wer respectively, Mr. Tom H. Jones and Mr. Herbert James. The proceeds went in aid of the Sunday School Funds.

MADAME HUGHES-THOMAS IN Ailf ERICA. Madame Hughes-Thomas, writing from the Hotel Langweil, Elmira, New- York, sends congratulations to her old friend, Mr. Evan Owen. J.P.. on his election to the Cardiff City Council. Tn t.tio course of her latter she says that she and the members of her choir are having a thoroughly good time and a most successful tour.

A TERRIBLE AMMANFORD FIGHT. NAVVIES DISAGREE. With sadly disfigured faces, three navvies, named James Bell, John Dunn, and James McCartney, were brought up at Ammanford on Friday—before Messrs. Hy. Herbert (in the chair), and David Jones—charged with drunkenncs and disorderly conduct the pre- vious night. The three admitted the offence, and Bell, the tallest, wanted to make a stateiiielit P.C. D. W. Williams stated that at 8.40 p.m. he saw the defendants in Park-street, Ammanford, very drunk, cursing and swear- ing, and fighting with each other. He separated them and asked them to go away, which they refused to do. He then took them into custody, and. with the assistance of civilians, they were lockeel up. Bell explained that he only arrived at Ammanford that day. and said the other two set upon him, and were hitting below the belt. However, one of the latter drew the magistrates attention to his closed eye and blamed Bell for the occurrence. Inspector Davies told the Bench that the struggle was a terrible one. and women pass- ing at the time were terrified, as defendants stniggled all over the road. Bell The two were kicking me, sir. The Chairman pointed out that the three had admitted being drunk and disorderly, and as no other charges were made they would be dealt with alike, and fined 5s. and co-ts or fourteen days' each. The three took the alternative.

The London Lord Mayor's Fund for the relief of the distress caused by the Senghenydd disaster amounts to aver .i'41.000. ————————————— —————————————————

Canada knows what she owes to her pioneers, and she pays H them well. She encourages every capable man to become an inde- pendent farmer, by offering him 160 fertile acres free. For free maps, pamphlets and full official |H information, apply to the Canadian Government Emigration Agent, "Adrian Court, Csk, Moil; or to the Assistant Superintendent of Emigration, Hand 12, Charing Cross. London, S.W., or the nearest licensed Steamship Hj^H Agent. I Ol I MB