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Heard in the Street. I
Heard in the Street. I A chiel amang ye takin' notes, I An' faith he'll prent it. "—BURNS. A new amusement has been insti- tuted at recent socials held in Amman- ford. As it would be altogether too shocking to indulge in kissing games, a substitute is found in winking, the young lady to whom a wink is given having to scramble into a vacant chair. How exciting! Local amateur gardeners are anxiously awaiting to learn the terms on which the Ammanford Urban Council are in a position to supply seed potatoes. It is understood that the Council have applied for twelve tons, to be distributed in lots to residents in the urban area. It is interesting to learn that all officers now on duty at recruiting offices and other home positions have to be medically examined, and those found fit, who have not yet been to the Front, are to be given a chance to ex- 'hibit their courage in the firing lines. The news is said to have caused a considerable flutter among some of these shirkers -in uniform. ? Wales will be interested in the cele- bration this year of the bicentenary of the birth of William Williams, Panty- celyn, and a scheme of commemoration is being devised by the Calvinistic Methodist Assembly. Williams was one of the greatest hymnologists the world has ever seen. His work has been translated into many languages, his most popular hymn, Guide me, 0 Thou great Jehovah," having been sung in practically every civilised part of the globe. The scheme formulated by the Ammanford Urban Council, and en- dorsed at a public meeting of rate- payers and residents held on the 12th inst., is being brought prominently to the notice of individuals by a circular issued by the Council Clerk, Mr. T. M. Evans. The addressees are invited to take up 120 or more of the War Loan, and pay the sum of £ 3 in re- spect of every S.20 Loan applied for, the balance to be paid by eight equal quarterly instalments. An admirable opportunity is being given workmen of the Raven Tin- works, Glanamman, to invest their money in the War Loan. Mr. Henry Folland, the managing director, has bought £ 1,000 worth of War Savings Certificates at 15s. 6d. each, and offers them for sale to his workmen at 14s. 6d. each; or, in other words, the £ 50 interest on the £ 1,000 he distributes among those of his workmen who buy a War Savings Certificate. An excel- lent example for other employers of labour. » There are many colliers in the Rhondda Valley earning over f.600 a year. One company alone employs scores of men who pay over fi fteen shillings a week in income-tax. This, while evidence of prosperity among the steam coal workers, can only at the present time be read enviously by anthracite colliers, who in this district are now only able to work two or three turns a week. The lack of ton- nage is making matters rather hard in the locality owing to the small wage that can now be earned. A Garnant workman, the other day, made a request for 250 acres of land to put some potatoes in. The com- mittee at once considered the applica- tion, and offered him the Black Moun- tain, so that he could raise sufficient for the whole district. The only diffi- culty he could see before accepting the offer was that of getting manure, so it was suggested he should have it from the barry gratis. Now, in more sober moments, he has found out his mistake, and instead of requiring land for potatoes, he wants to let his 15 perches garden to someone else. How generous some people are. A Garnant collier on Sunday last went down to Glanamman to see a friend, who had a hen for sale. A bargain was made, and the purchaser carried off his prize happily, uncon- scious of any wrongdoing. He noticed people coming from chapel looking at him curiously, but went on calmly, until he suddenly came face to face with his wife, and -received the best reckoning up he has ever had. He is now convinced of the sin of buying hens on Sunday, and has made up his mind to have nothing further to do with fowls, as there is too much hen- pecking about the business. Tradesmen of Ammanford must keep a sharp look-out if they want payment for their goods. The other day, a woman wearing a long waterproof cloak entered an outfitter's shop to pur- chase a necktie. While the man in ckarge of the shop went to get change, she picked up from the bottom of a pile, a flannel shirt as if to examine it, and coolly put it under the cloak. As it happened, a friend of the owner was behind a case of goods and witnessed ,the thievish act, and informed the tradesman when the woman had left the shop. Subsequently the thief was tackled as she left another shop, and after first denying that she had taken a shirt, asked what was the price. Oh," said the owner, there is no ned for you to ask the price; it is on the ticket there peeping out of your basket! Cash sale immediately effected. 1/
"Gassed" at Llandebie.I
"Gassed" at Llandebie. I COLLIER DIES AT WORK. I A sad fatality was reported at Llan- debie on Friday last, a collier, named Owen Huxley Thomas, of Glynperis, Woodfield Terrace, Llandebie, aged 31, a widower with one child, having been found dead in his stall. An exhaustive inquiry into the cir- cumstances connected with the death was held at Zion Chapel, on Monday evening, by Mr. J. W. Nicholas, coroner for the district, and among those present were Mr. Walden, In- spector of Mines; Mr. Prosser, from the office of Mr. Kenshole, Aberdare, representing the Coalowners Associa- tion; Mr. Randell, Swansea, repre- senting the Miners' Federation; Mr. W. Jones, Swansea, representing the Insurance Company; Mr. D. Farr Davies, manager, Cross Hands; Mr. T. W. Lewis, manager, Tirydail; and Mr. W. Jas. Davies, manager, Llan- debie. The first witness called was Albert Mervyn Tudge, Glynperis, Woodfield Terrace, Llandebie, collier, who deposed that he lodged with the de- ceased, who was a widower with one child, aged one year and eight months. He had buried his wife five months ago. Deceased was 30 years of age last January. On the morning of the 16th inst. witness had breakfast with deceased at 6.20 a.m., and left the house about five minutes before him. He was in good health and spirits, and that was the last time he saw him alive. The child lived at home, and deceased had a sister keeping house for him, and his mother came up to help two or three times a week. William John Davies, Cartref, Llandebie, shotsman, said he started his duties at Llandebie Colliery on Friday morning last at five o'clock, and reached No. 2 tophole in 8 West level, deceased's working place, at 5.30. He discovered nearly 2 per cent. of gas in that place. No one was working there then. After he had finished his examination of all the places, he went up to the consulting room to report, about an hour after- wards. He told the manager, Mr. W. Jas. Davies, and then put his report in writing, entering: Two per cent. of noxious inflammable gas in No. 2 tophole." It was safe in all the working places except this and an- other, which he regarded as unsafe. The other place was on stop. It was his duty to inform the man if the place was unsafe, but he couldn't recollect seeing him that morning passing to his work. The place had been in the same state the previous day. By the Inspector: Witness went through the brattice door as far as the cross roads parallel to the level, and then slowly testing right up to the face. He did not notice that the brattice sheet was not whole. There was no rubbish on the floor of the stall. He marked the date of his in- spection on a shovel. Whilst he was in the consulting room, three or four spakes went down with men. He held a fireman's certificate. The ordi- nary fireman was bad, and he was filling his place that morning. He waited to see if he would come, and then had somewhat of a rush to go round 45 places. It was as much as he could do to get round, but not too much. He gave the stall all the atten- tion he thought it needed. By Mr. Randell: He did not put any other mark on the shovel only the date. He did not cross off the place; it was not so bad as all that. Deceased would have to pass him somewhere to go down to his work, and it would be his duty to tell him the place was wrong; or the manager's if he (witness) was filling in his report. He did not see deceased, and there was nothing to tell him he should not go in. By Mr. Prosser: In witness' opinion, the place was workable. It was not necessary to put a cross mark, as there was only two per cent. of gas. The minimum was 2t per cent., and if found under that the place was not dangerous within the meaning of the Act. He could not say what hap- pened after he left the stall. Any- thing might have happened, and there might have been more or less gas. It was not an accumulation of gas, but gas in the air-passing. The Coroner: What gas was it? Witness: It was ordinary cannel gas. In this report you seem to indicate the stall was not in working order. How do you reconcile that with your statement that it is quite workable?- It was workable according to the Act. Apart from the Act, in your opinion it was not safe?- Yes, it was safe according to my judgment. Under the head of General Safety you put Safe except in the above ?—That was a warning that they had got to watch it. Wherever I detect gas, I mention it in my report. It was inflammable gas-CH4 John Morris, collier, Llwyncel.in, Llandebie, said that on Friday morn- ing he saw deceased about ten minutes or a quarter-past seven, betweeb wit- ness' tophole and deceased's tophole, where he was stripping his clothes. They could not work much there the previous day, and witness said, "How is it up there to-day?" Deceased said he didn't know, and added, I wonder if they have had a hole through?" That meant between the two topholes. Witness went up to the face in his stall, and saw deceased going to his. There was no cross against witness' place. Deceased had not been working n his stall the pre- vious day, because it had not been very good with him, and Fred Evans, the overman, told him to put the brattices right to see if he could freshen the place. They arranged that de- ceased should signal when he got to his place. Deceased sounded by tap- ping and scraping, and witness sounded back to him. He did not hear him afterwards, and thought deceased was not able to work in his place. By the Inspector: They were two or three yards apart the day before, and the sounds were quite distinct. By Mr. Prosser: Deceased didn't tell him he was going on the brattices again that day. In reply to the Coroner, witness said deceased was a man who enjoyed good health. Griffith Davies, Blaenau Stores, Llandebie, fireman at the colliery, said he went down about five minutes past seven on Friday morning, and went to No. 12. After going round the various places he came to No. 2 Stall. He saw the lamp alight, and called out, Owen." He got no answer, and went up to the tophole, and saw Owen lying at the bottom. He turned him on his back and pulled him down about six yards, and after examining him, tried artificial respiration. He found it was no good; he was dead. Witness went to the level to get help, and Tom Davies came back with him, and they tried again. Afterwards they arranged for the body to be removed. It would be about ten o' clock when he went to the stall. He knew there was a report of about 2 per cent. of gas that morning, but did not think it was dangerous for deceased to work there with that measure of gas. It was no risk to work under those con- ditions. By the Inspector: He had seven years' experience as a fireman and 22 as a collier in the locality. He was not acquainted with No. 2 tophole; he had never been there before. The lamp was II feet from the face. It was quite clear and didn't show the presence of gas. Deceased's mandril was on the face. After the accident, witness and the manager went up to the face, and they were able to go to the very top without repairing the brattices. By Mr. Prosser: This was his first inspection of that district. Deceased's face and extremities were cold. Fred Evans, Fairfield, Llandebie, overman at the colliery, said he was in charge of this district last week, owing to the illness of the fireman. He examined the mine on Thursday, 15th, and found about 2-1 2Per Cent. of gas in deceased's working place. He withdrew the man, and told him to get on with the brattice doors, and not to return until instructed. This conver- sation took place at the bottom of the stall about 11.30 a.m. Witness went to the face of the level, and came back and saw deceased repairing the brat- tices. He did not see deceased on F,riday, as he was measuring in an- other district. He told Griffith Davies on Thursday night that he had stopped deceased, and put him on the brattices. He ought on Friday to have gone on with the brattices, and not resumed his work as a collier until instructed to do so. By the Inspector: No one was work- ing there on Thursday afternoon and night. He could not give any ex- planation how deceased passed the officials without being seen. By Mr. Randell: The reason wit- ness stopped him was because he knew the brattice doors were broken. Some of these were repaired, but there were three not done. Griffith Davies would be the man to give instructions on Friday. If there had only been 2 per cent. of gas on the Thursday, wit- ness would have let the man continue his work. As far as the report went it was perfectly safe for him to go on working on Friday. When witness stopped the place on Thursday, he did not put a cross there, as there was no one else but deceased working in that tophole, and he told him about it. The repair of the brattices would dilute the gas. In summing up the evidence, the Coroner said what the jury had to con- sider was whether proper precautions had been taken. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death from asphyxiation by gas."
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Ammanford Police Court.I
Ammanford Police Court. I Monday, February 19th.-Before Mr. D. Richards, Tirydail House; Mr. W. Roberts, Gamant; Mr. Jno. Lewis, Bryn-Rhug. A number of school cases were dealt with on the information of Mr. Jno. Williams, attendance officer, and fines of I Os. were imposed in the majority of the cases. In other cases, which the Chairman characterised as bad ones, ifnes of 12s. were imposed. TOO MUCH LIGHT. I Edith Jones, Hall Street, Amman- ford, was summoned for an offence against the Lighting Restriction regu- la,tions. P.S. Britten stated that at 7.45 p.m. on the 10th inst. he saw a gas lamp lighted in the window of the shop occupied by defendant. It was a lock-up shop in High Street. No attempt was made to subdue the light, which threw a beam across the road and reflected on the opposite buildings. He called defendant's attention to it, and she said she had forgotten it. Wit- ness had- cautioned her many times before. A fine of £ 1 was imposed. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Thomas Jno. Lewis, 51, Harold Street, Tirydail, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly at Peny- groes, on the 10th inst. P.S. Beynon deposed to seeing defendant in a very drunken condition and behaving very disorderly. He spoke to defendant about his condition and conduct, and advised him to go away quietly. The defendant went on, and fell. Witness helped him to his feet, and shortly after saw him in the door of the Penygroes Cinema committing a nuisance. Fined 12s. I NO LIGHTS. Gomer Griffiths, 4, Prospect Place, Gamant, was summoned for not having two lamps displaying a white light. P.S. Britten proved the case, and said defendant told him he thought one l,ight was sufficient in Carmar- thenshire. A fine of 1 Os. was imposed. I OBSTRUCTION BY FIGHTING. Chas. Harries, 7, Company Road, Brynamman, and. David Rees, Ty- newydd, Gwaun-cae-gurwen, were summoned for obstructing the highway at Cwmamman by fighting. Both defendants pleaded guilty, and each said it was in self-defence. (Laughter) P.C. Jones stated that on the 12th inst., at 10 p.m., he found defendants on Gwaun-cae-gurwen Road, Gar- nant, fighting, with a crowd of young men around. Witness caught Harries and asked him to explain his conduct. He replied, There was as much fault on the other man as myself." The other man ran away. Harries: Rees challenged me to fight him for a sovereign, and I said I would fight him for nothing. (Laughter). The Chairman: You are a fighter, then? Harries: No, he is a fighter. The Deputy Chairman: You fight for nothing, and he fights for money. (Laughter) Defendant Rees said Harries had been following him about all night looking for him. He (defendant ) was in a reception concert at Glanamman, where he was supposed to recite, and Harries came in and asked him to go out. He (Rees) did not go out until the end of the concert. When later he went up Gamant Road, Harries was waiting for him, and came and gave him a flying kick. Harries: He had his coat off first. (Laughter) He and his friends always go in gangs. The Chairman: What is it all about? ft Haries: He is miiiding my business and not minding his own. Deputy Chief Constable: About your girl? Harries: Yes. (Laughter). The Chairman: Do you mean your daughter or your sweetheart? Harries: My sweetheart. (Laugh- ter) The Chairman: Why do you call her your girl ? Isn 't she of age; she is a woman, I suppose? Harries: Yes. The ^Chairman: Have you any feeling against each other? Rees: I have nothing against him; I only want peace on the road. The Deputy Chief: You would like to get his girl ? (Laughter ) Rees: No, I don't want his girl; he can keep her. (More laughter). The magistrates did not think this was a serious case, and dismissed it on payment of 5s. 6d. costs each. CLAIM FOR WAGES. I John Albert Ellis Naylor, 42, Quay Street, labourer, formerly a stoker in the employ of the Ammanford Gas Company, claimed f.3 3s. 9d. (ten days' wages at 6s. 4 £ d.), in- cluding pay in lieu of notice. Mr. T. M. Evans was for the ;7:4C; plaintiff, and Mr. S. Griffith for the defendant. For the plaintiff, Mr. Evans con- tended that a man who was paid weekly was entitled to a week's notice, such notice not to be determined in the middle of the week, but at the end. Plaintiff stated he was regularly en- gaged as stoker by the Ammanford Gas Company. On the 7th December he was in the yard filling a cart with coke, when Mr. Russell came up and said, Well, Naylor, I have got bad news for you; I have got an older man to come in your place next Monday. You can finish to-day, or stop on until he comes if you wish. Witness re- ceived no furtlier notice of any kind. The man did not come on the it th December, but on the 18th. Witness remained at work, and on Monday, 18th, went on night shift, and work ed again Tuesday night. On Wednes- day, the night of the 20th, he went as usual, and found another stoker, Higgins, doing his work. Higgins said, What's up; what are you doing here?-" He replied, "I have come to work as usual," an d Higgins said, I shaH have to see the boss about this, and as he went out called witness a coward. Witness went on with his work, and after finish"i;g his charging of the retorts, went to the pressure house, and afterwards to oil the engine. Mr. Russell, whom Higgins had fetched, came on ex- citedly, and asked, Who told you to come here? Witness said, I knew no different; I have received no proper notice from you, and I have come to work as usual." Mr. Russell said, Put that oil can down ant' clear out at once; if you don't I will have you put in the cells." Witness had since made application for a week's wages in lieu of notice, but had not been paid. Cross-examined: Mr. Russell did not on the Thursday give him a week's notice to leave. Witness did not tell a man named Davies he had had a week's notice, but he admitted he said he did not know whether he would discharge a truck of coal or not. For the defence, Mr. Russell, manager of the Gas Woks, said he gave Naylor a week's notice at 11 o'clock on Thursday, 7th December, verbally, and it expired on the ] 4th. He told him if he wished after that to go on working from day to day until the other man arrived, he could do -o. If not, he was to let him know on the 14th, so that the other men could work a twelve hours' shift. Plaintiff agreed to that. On the 19th Naylor was wdrking on the mid-day shift from two o'clock until ten, and Higgins was put on the night shift, so that the new man could start on days. If Naylor had not received notice, he should have gone m at two o' clock, and not at ten o'clock, on the 20th. Cross-examined: The only reason he wanted to get rid of this man was be- cause he had told the Tribunal that if they would give him conditional exemption he would find an older man above military age, and would release him. M. T. M. Evans: Very laudable, indeed. No doubt you are perfectly honest and entbusiastic in supporting the military officer, but is it not pos- sible you went a little bit too far, and were in too great a hurry? Didn't you treat this man in a rather cavarlier way? Witness: No, I didn't. The man is entitled to a week's notice or a week's money. The Magistrates' Clerk said it was a question of fact whether a week's notice was given or not. George W. Davies, employed at the Gas Works, said on the 7th Dec. Naylor told him there was a truck of coal outside, and he had a good mind not to throw it out. Witness asked, Why?" and he replied, The boss has given me a week's notice; he has got an older man coming in my place, a man called Brown." Witness said, I expect that is Brown from Exeter, a man who has been working here before." Another employee, named Higgins, said he had a conversation with Naylor during the week, which gave him the impression that the latter had received a week's notice, although he didn't say so. Cross-examined: Naylor was work- ing on the night shift on the Monday and Tuesday preceding the 20th December. Mr. T. M. Evans pointed out that Mr. Russell had sworn that Naylor was on the day shift, and it was a question of credibility. The Chairman said the magistrates looked upon this as a very weak case on both sides. They thought the Company ought to give notice in writing, and not verbally. Talcing the matter right through there was corro- boration to an extent in favour of Mr. Russell's evidence that he did give notice, and nothing on the other side only plaintiff's own word. They had no alternative than to find in favour of the Gas Company. ASSAULT AT PANTYFFYNNON. I William Davies, 19, Evans Ter- race, Glanamman, was summoned by "1- _C- Mr. David Jones, stationmaster, Pantyffynnon, for obstructing him in the execution of his duty, on 2nd January, and also for assault. Mr. Ludford, Llanelly, for the prosecution, said perhaps the magis- trates might think this a good opportu- nity, seeing the defendant was a youth of 19, to stop him repeating anything of the kind. This case occurred on Pantyffynnon Station, where the defendant struck a lad porter, and then when Mr. Jones spoke to him, asking his name and address, he tripped the stationmaster, throwing him to the ground. He said that was the way he usually served people who interfered with him. They had a lot of trouble at the station to keep order, and he asked the magistrates to help them to keep order and stop boys taking the law into their own hands, and assaulting people much older than themselves. Mir. W. Ambrose Jones, checker in the employ of the G.W.R., stated that on the 2nd November he saw defendant at the station striking a lad porter 16 years of age. Witness put L 1 1 • 1 ill* nis arms around nun and asked him what he was striking the boy for, and he replied, He is giving me cheek." Witness complained to the station- master, and Mr. Jones came up and asked defendant to explain his con- duct. Defendant gave a wrong name and address, and Mr. Jones, not being satisfied, asked him to go into the waiting room. He refused to do so, and attempted to go away. The two were close together, and in the scuffle both went to the ground. Mr. David Jones gave similar evi- dence, and said Davies tred to get away. Witness stopped him by put- ting his hand on defendant's coat, and defendant put his foot between wit- ness' .feet and fetched him down to the ground. Defendant went up by the 7.25 taain, and witness, who 'phoned to Ammanford poLice to meet him, also entered the train. At Ammanford, defendant entered another carriage, but his name and address were obtained by the police. While at Pantyffynnon, defendant told wit- ness if he had not been old enough to be his father he would do the same to him as to the boy. The Chairman said It was a pity to see a respectable young man like defendant there. They were told he had been a regular attendant at Sun- day School. He would be fined 15 for the two offences, or go to Carmar- then for two months.
IPresentation at Pantyffynnon…
Presentation at Pantyffynnon An enthusiastic send-off was given Gunner Wm. Bevan, of the New Zealand F.A., when numerous friends and admirers gathered to shew their appreciation of his services to the Mother Country. Gunner Bevan' s ap- pearance in the neighbourhood was somewhat romantic. It appears he is the grandson of the famous old hunts- man and Master of Hounds, Mr. David Bevan, of Bfyncyffion (" Hen Ddai o r ryn "), and nephew of the pre- sent Master of Hounds at Penllergaer, under Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn. Hiw father, Mr. John Bevan, emi- grated to Australia about the year 1855, during the rush to the goldfields, thence to New Zealand, and later to South Africa, finally settling down in New Zealand, where he got married and reared a family of three sons and two daughters. The Gunner is the youngest of the family, and is now 31 years of age. At the outbreak of war he joined the N.Z.F.A., served some time in Egypt, and has been serving in France since last April. At the beginning of January he was notified that he would soon be having a short leave," and as spending his leave in New Zealand was utterly out of the question, he thought of his ancestors' home in Wales. After a hard bout of thnking," he remem- bered partly the address, and made a pot shot at it, which succeeded in finding its billet." Thereupon Mr. Arthur Bevan, of Cathan Terrace (who, by the way, is married to his—the Gunner's-coos.in), wired him assuring him of the warmest welcome, and on February 7th the New Zealand gunner arrived at his ancestors' home. It is' a regrettable fact that the Bevan family have left the tenancy of Bryncyffion (after being in occupation for over 200 years) only a few months ago, upon the death of the late Mr. Thomas Bevan. On leaving again for the Front, by the 5.18 train from Pantyffynnon, Gunner Bevan was deeply moved by the kindness of the numerous friends who wished him "God-speed" and a safe and victorious return after the war to his native New Zealand, where he is in a large way of business as a wool dealer. He was presented with a silver cigarette case and holder, in- scribed:—" To Gunner Wm. Bevan, N.Z.F .A., from friends and admirers of the family at Garnswllt, Panty- ffynnon, and very feelingly thanked one and all for what he termed his grand reception.
WELSH FAIR..I
WELSH FAIR. I If) the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle. Si,r,-May I appeal through your valuable paper on behalf of the above event? The Fair will be held in Ammanford on Thursday, March 1st (St. David's Day). The stalls are j being provided by the various churches and chapels in Amman ford and Bettws. Gifts will be gratefully accepted by the ladies in charge of the various stalls, known to each chapel committee responsible for their own stall, of useful and inexpensive cloth- ing, fancywork, grocery, dairy produce, vegetables, &c. Each stall will be a miscellaneous one, so that any gift may go on the stalls belongng to the church or chapel of which the giver is a member. We hope a huge crowd of buyers will come and clear all the articles on sale, as everything will be offered at very reasonable prices. By this means we hope to secure a large sum of money to sen d as Ammanford's donation to the Comforts Fund for Welsh Troops at home and abroad. Mrs. Lloyd George makes a strong appeal to the whole of Wales, and I s feel sure, by the splendid spirit already t shewn in this Welsh Fair," that this I appeal won't be in vain. Will all the- tradesmen and private houses put a flag | out from their premises on this occa- sion, and make it the bumping success i it deserves. Thanking you for all your past help.- Yours, &c., [ BEN JOHNSON, I Hon. Organising Secretary.
THE NEWSPAPERS PATRIOTICI…
THE NEWSPAPERS PATRIOTIC I TOBACCO FUND. To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle. Sir.- The question in everyone's mind at the present moment is whether our fine fellows at the Front are going to win through to victory in 1917. We all hope they are, and we at home must support them in every way we can. The particular work which this Fund has taken upon itself is to supply our- men on active service abroad with. tobacco and cigarettes, comforts which are perhaps more appreciated than any- thing else. We have already collected, with the valuable assistance of newspapers throughout the country, over £ 32,000, every penny of which has been spent on the purchase of smokes, and smokes alone. But unfortunately cigarettes do not last long. Men at the Front do not get anything like enough. Out there they need to smoke ever so much more than they did at home. A cigarette is their chief solace and comfort. We are, therefore, making a further appeal, and we trust it will be a final one, to enable us to augment the very meagre supplies the men receive through the Authorities. 1 Every Is. contributed to our Fund sends about a week's supply to some J brave fellow. The parcel contains 50 good cigarettes and a packet of splen- did smoking tobacco purchased at in- bond, duty-free prices. The parcels are taken to the Front free of charge through the kind co-operation of the- Authorities. A £5 donation will send a week' s j supply to tOO men, and a contributor j can nominate the battalion and regi- ment which is to benefit. 150 will. send a week's supply to every man in: i a battalion. A pleasant feature of our plan is the" ? enclosing in every Is. parcel of an ac- knowl edgment postcard addressed back to the donor, thereby forming a link of friendship between the giver and < each soldier. These postcards are used by the- men to thank the contributor direct,, ? and needless to say, are much appre- ciated, as they form a tangible proof of the good service which has been rendered by the contributor. If any of your readers can spare i something for our Fund, I shall be most j happy to acknowledge their contri- butions, however small, and assure* them in advance of the heartfelt thanks 1 of the British Tommies.—Yours faith- j fully, 4 5. H. PHILLIPS, 1 Hon. Secretary. j 25, Haymarket, London, S.W., 1 20th February 1917. 1
[No title]
« — At a time when everyone's attention j is being concentrated on economy, too much thought cannot be given to the ■ val ue of the bicycle as by far the i cheapest method of locomotion. Once 1 a good' bicycle is bought it costs pric- tically nothing to maintain. Any cyclist will confirm this, or if confirma- tion be needed, it is provided by Nir. Ernest Hyland, of 146, Gloucester Road, Bristol, who has kept a careful record of his cycling, and although in six years he has covered 14,600 males j by cyclometer reading, his Raleigh has < not cost him anythng for repairs.. j Reckoning the parliamentary penny a mile, it would have cost Mr. Hyland' 160 1 s. 8d. to cover that distance, so that, after deducting the cost of his all-steel bicycle, he is very consider- ably In pocket. This is setting aside ■ the advantage of the bicycle in being always ready at call. On the purely financial basis the high-grade bicycle is a genuine money-saving institution, in fact, a War Savings Association in being. Piinted and Published by The Amman Valley Chronicle, Limited, at their Offices, Quay Street, Ammanford, in the County of Ca*. marthen. February 22nd, 1917.