Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer

tiírtbs, iHarriaffesf, anlJ IBeatfrs Announeements will be made in this column for the nominal charge of Is.. if under 24 words, and Id. for each additional word. DEATHS. LEWIS.-On April 8th, at Dowlais Top (late of Cardiff), Mrs. Ida Lewis, Beloved Wife of David Lewis, Grocer. Funeral, Gentlemen only, at 3.30 p.m., Monday, #pril 13th, 1914, for Rhymney Churchyard.

RHYMNEY. I I EASTER SERVICES. The anniversary servioes-the most popular of the year, in connection with Zion Welsh Congrega- tional Chapel—will be held on Sunday and Monday next, when the popular preachers, Revs. R. Gwylfa Roberts, Llanelly, and O. Lloyd Owen, Pontypridd, are expected to officiate on both days. COMING EVENT. -School concerts, not- withstanding the variety of the items which they provide, are few and far between in the town, so that the announcement that the Upper Rhymney Infants' School will give two grand concerts at the Drill Hall, on Wednesday and Thursday, May 20th and 21st, will be read with interest by the local public. The delightful renderings of these songsters, and the great impression which they made on the large audience at the Gwent Eisteddfod last year, as well as at the Dewi Sant celebrations, are still fresh in the minds of all, so that the forthcoming concerts should prove a seasonable treat. FACTORY ACT APPOINTMENT.—The Lon- don Gazette, on Tuesday night, contains the announcement that the Chief Inspector of Factories has appointed Dr. R. V. de Acton Redwood to be certifying surgeon under the Factory and Workshops Acts for the Rhymney District of the county of Monmouth. This announcement will be received with satisfaction, and the appoint- ment of a resident surgeon under the Act must be a great convenience to all. It should be stated that upon the demise of the late Dr. G. A. Brown, Tredegar, three years ago, the question of having a surgeon at Rhymney was raised at the Urban District Council by Councillor Rees Harris, and, we believe, upon that member's suggestion, representations were made to the Home Offioe on the subject. C.M. CYMANFA.—On Sunday afternoon and evening two rehearsals were held at Brynhyfryd Chapel, preparatory to the annual cymanfa ganu to be held next month, in connection with the choirs of the Calvinistic Methodist Churches. The choristers assembled in good numbers. The afternoon meeting was devoted to the children's tunes, Miss Mary Richards conducting the juveniles in their several renderings, and at the evening rehearsal, the adult members gave excellent render- ings of the various tunes and anthems, under the baton of Mr Tom Jones, precentor at Brynhyfryd. The conductor for this year's festival is Mr David Jenkins, Mus. Bac., Aberystwyth, who, it is grati- fying to find, has recovered from a serious illness extending over many months. FESTIVAL.—A very enjoyable day was spent at the Viotoria Road Presbyterian Churoh on Sunday laat. A splendid Musical Festival was given by the choir of the Church, which was greatly appreciated by a crowded congregation. Recitations, solos, and duetts were given by members of the Sunday School, assisted by the following :-Miss Fanny Jones, Miss Polly Jones, Edward Davies, Wyndham Davies, Miss James, Miss Doris Viner, Miss Gwladys Thomas, Master Germor Short, and Miss Lizzie James. This excellent programme was conducted through by Mr Price Griffiths and Mr Richard Rees, Whilst Miss Ethel Viner, Miss Olwen Davies, and Miss Nancy Thomas did ex- cellent service at the organs.—On Monday last the above choir took part in the first English Calvinistic Methodist Festival, held at Gilfach, conducted by Mr Tom Price, G. & L., Merthyr.

URBAN COUNCILS' ELECTIONS. I RESULTS OF THE BALLOT. I The weather on Monday was typical of April month. Between the showers, hawever, the elec- tors wended or were conveyed to the respective polling booths throughout the Rhymney Valley. Where contests prevailed they were carried on in a very keen spirit. Much good humoured banter existed amongst the supporters of the respective candidates in the vicinity of the polling stations. Taking the district as a whole, only in two in- stance? have the old members seeking re-election not been returned. There has been much shuff- ling of the cards, and now the fights are over the friendly rivalry which previously existed will tall to normal conditions. The next contest will be more of a domestic one, in which the new and old councillors take part in the appointment of chair men and vice-chairmen for the respective author- ities. The details of the several urban author- ities are given below. RHYMNEY. There was plenty of excitement in the Kbym- < ney district on Monday as the supporters of each candidate hurried hither and thither seeking electors, and holding forth on the special qualifi- cations of their nominee. Speculation, too, was rife as to the ultimate issue, and many predic- tions were ruthlessly shattered when Mr Justyn Rees, the deputy returning officer, announced the figures after a most expeditious count. The result of the electors opinions show that there will be one change on the Rhymney Council, Mr H. M. Thomas (Gwalia House) taking the place of Mr D. S. Istance. The result came as a sur. prise to many electors, having regard to the sub- stantial majority obtained by the old member at the previous contest, and the active part taken by him in the Council work, but it is another index of the uncertainties of a three-cornered contest." At Abertysswg Mr Sam Lewishasbeen re-elected by a big majority. The figures are:— MIDDLE WARD (1 Seat). H. M. Thomas. 212 *D. S. Istance 183 T. B. Lewis 126 ABERTYSSWG WARD (1 Seat). *S. Lewis 239 W. Wilcox 102 After the declaration of the poll, Mr H. M Thomas moved, and Mr T. B. Lewis seconded, a vote of thanks to the returning officer for the im- partial manner in which the election had been conducted. A similar resolution was moved by 1 Mr Samuel Lewis, seconded by Mr Wilcox, in re- spect to the Abertysswg contest. BEDWELLTY. As already indicated contests took place in four of the six Wards in the Bedwellty Council area for the triennial election of members. Polling was heavy in each of the Wards, the several can- didates with their supporters exerting every means to bring up the electors. The counting of the votes took place at the Council's Schools, Aberbargoed, under the presidency of the return- ing officer, Mr T. J. Thomas, who left London at 3.30 p m. that afternoon, after attending the House of Lords to hear the decision of a most im- portant appeal case connected with the Miners' Federation. The counting of the votes was pro- ceeded with most expeditiously, and although about 90 per cent. of the electors had voted, the work was completed before 11 o'clock With the exception of Mr P. L. Lloyd, Argoed, all the old members seeking re-election were returned, but there will be four new members on the Council as the result of the ballot. General sympathy was felt with Mr Lloyd that the fortunes of war went against him, particularly so that there was a pos- sibility of his being made Chairman. Under the existing circumstances the Council will at their annual meeting have to elect a chairman and vice-chairman for the ensuing year. The returns are ABERBARGOED (3 Seats). Sidney Griffiths 339 *Rev. R. J. Jones 307 W. J. Davies 219 Ivor Jones 213 J. Moore 148 BLACKWOOD (3 Seats). *Sydney Godwin 360 *J. Crew 352 *J. Coleman 216 Thomas Jones 210 Lewis Lewis 208 ARGOED (2 Seats). *William Bufton 176 William O'Connor 157 *P. L. Lloyd 137 George Herbert 44 CWMSYFIOG (2 Seats). Isaac Jones 258 *David Jones 251 W. J. Morgan. 202 GELLIGAER. Considerable excitement prevailed in the vicin- ity of the Council's Offices, Hengoed, on Monday night, where Mr Frank T. James and his staff as- sembled to count the votes cast in the two of the six wards in the Parish where the retiring mem- bers were opposed. The poll was a particularly heavy one, especially in the Bargoed Ward, the work of counting tha papers occupying just over one hour. The electors in these Wards thus ex- pressed their opinions show in the result that there was no need to change either of the old the old members. The figures for the respective Wards are :— BARGOED (2 Seats). Morgan Jones 904 *Edmund Jones 682 Arthur Williams 526 W. Ebbsworth 309 HENGOED (1 Seat). *Sydney Jones 441 Thomas Humphreys 192 George Jones 141 BEDWAS AND MACHEN. MACHEN WARD (2 Seats). David Griffith Inkin 202 William Brown 188 E. James Harris 179 W. R. Lloyd 169 MYNYDDISLWYN. FLEUR-DE LIS WARD (3 Seats). *D. Treasure 174 *W, S. Nash 162 *J. Boothman 145 D. Williams 82 CAERPHILLY. SOUTH (1 Seat). *M. V. Harding 306 A. H. Williamson 197 J. D. Hughes 193 ABER (1 Seat). *Henry Jenkins 405 William Morgan 220 NELSON (1 Seat). *J. H. Mathias. 350 W. J. Evans 123

Rubber Stamps GO TO G. J. JACOBS & Co., "GUARDIAN" OFFICES, RHYMNEY.

RHYMNEY CHAMBER OF TRADE. The ordinary meeting of the Rhymney Chamber of Trade was held at the Work- men's Institute on Tuesday night, Councillor W. T. Hopkin presiding over a good attendance. The question of the Easter holidays was under discussion, and it was resolved, upon the motion of Mr Harry Miles, seconded by Mr J. H. Griffith, to recommend that the shops be closed on Easter Monday only. With regard to the bour of closing on Thursday previous to Good Friday, it was decided to close at 5 p.m., as in previous years. The President, in extending a welcome to Mr P. Mantle, and congratulating him upon his resboration to health, said that nowhere had the illness of Mr Mantle been more regretted than by the members of that Chamber. They were all gratified to find that the improvement had been such as to enable him to be amongst them once again. (Hear. hear.) He felt that he was expressing the sentiments of every member in saying that they hoped that their friend and colleague would have a long life and good health, so as to continue his useful services in the furtherance of the Chamber's activities. Mr Mantle, in a neat speech, expressed his gratitude to the President and the Chamber for their kind expressions and genuine sympathy. He felt that he owed them an apology for not acknowledging the very kind and neatly couched letter of sympathy which be had received from the secretary during his illness. There was, he said, nothing that conduced to cheer Mrs Mantle and himself during a very critical period more than the heartfelt expressions of sympathy of their friends, and for which they were deeply grateful. A resolution was also adopted, upon the motion of the President, extending to Mr H. M. Thomas (who was unavoidably absent) the Chamber's warmest congratula- tions upon his election as a member of the Urban District Council. I A FALSE RUMOUR. Previous to the close of the business, the President said he felt it his duty to refer to one matter which called for the Chamber's immediate attention. A report bad been circulated by certain persons that a deputation of the Chamber had approached the General Manager of the Rhymney Iron Company, to defer the payment of the wages of the workmen during Christmas week, from Wednesday to Saturday. That was a deliberate false- hood, but what made it more unpleasant, the names of certain members and trades- people had been mentioned as constituting the deputation. (" Shame.") It was time such misleading and unjustifiable state- ments should be contradicted. He had been informed that the statement had been made to Mr H. M. Thomas during his recent election campaign. The Chamber, or indeed any organisation of the kind, would not be guilty of such a charge. He thought steps should be taken to clear up the matter, either through the Press or in some other form. Mr J. H. Griffith endorsed Mr Hopkin's remarks as to the currency of the report, and stated that Mr H. M. Thomas had demanded, and received a written apology from one person in the town, who was alleged to have associated his name with the matter.—Councillor J. Edwards, J.P., Mr J. T. Williams, and others, agreed that it was scandalous to think that such misleading reports should be circulated, and for which there was not the slightest justification. No deputation had ever been appointed or even suggested. —It was resolved to ask the local press to I give publicity to that denial in the fullest form.

I ANTRIM MANSION ABLAZE. I GENERAL SIR HUGH McCALMONT'S HOUSE DESTROYED. Ab-beylandis," White Abbey, Co. Antrim, the property of Major-General Sir Hugh McCalmont, was gutted by fire early on Friday. The house, a picturesque mansion of comparatively modern construction, was reno- vated some years ago, but had been unin- habited for six years, and contained no furni- ture, Sir Hugh residing principally at Mount Juliet, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, and in London. When the Belfast Fire Brigade ar- rived in response to a telephone call the building was completely involved, and an in- adequate supply of water rendered the task of saving any portion hopeless. The police dis- covered a window of the Blue Room with a piece cut out of the pane, and, apparently, an entrance had been effected by pushing back the catch of the window. A parcel of fire- lighters wrapped in an old copy of a local newspaper was discovered in this room. No other literature was found. Sir Hugh is uncle of Major McCalmont, Unionist M.P. for East Antrim, and by Sir Hugh's permission the grounds had been used recently for drill in the day time by the local battalion of the Ulster Volunteer Force. The damage is unofficially estimated at about £ 15,000. The caretaker, residing in a house in the grounds some distance away, was ap- prised of the fire by the night watchman at a neighbouring mill. The residence is five and a quarter miles from Belfast.

MR. ASQUITII AND BLASPHEMY LAWS. The Prime Minister on Thursday received a deputation which sought Government facili- ties for a bill repealing the Blasphemy Laws. He promised the deputation his goodwill in full measure for a private Member's bill, but said there was no room in the whole of the Government's ship, which was already carry- ing a heavy cargo, for any additional legisla- tive parcel.

GOLD IN CHAIR SOLD FOR SHILLING. An litorci rurmture dealer, repairing an antique nursing chair which a customer had just purchased for a shining, (liseovered in the stuffed seat a silver cigarette-case con- taining £ 11 10s. in gold. The chair had been stored in a eeUar for sixteen years.

CROSS CHANNEL ROWER DROWNED. William Jarman, a young Deal man, aged twenty-two, who rowed across the Channel from Deal to Calais in a light 15ft. skiff in September, 1911, and who entered the service of the Power Steamship Company, has been drowned during a violent gale in the Bay of Biscay from the company's steamer Pegwell.

I DEATH OF SIR W. F. KELLY. Lieutenant-General Sir William Freeman Kelly died in the cottage hospital at Algiers on Friday after an illness of some weeks. Sixty years -of age. Sir William Kelly en- tered the Army in 1867 and saw service in Egypt in the eighties. He was Adjutant- General to the field force during the South African War.

WORLD'S LARGEST DIVIDEND PAYEB. The Colonial Diamond Mining Company, in German South-West Africa, is probably the world's biggest dividend payer, says a Berlin correspondent. It has "reduced" its dividend to 2,500 per cent, for 1913, having paid 3,800 per oent. for 1912. It paid 2,400 W cant, ia 1UI ftiid 2,600 per ocus, io joillt 4