Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer

I j, 8aBAROOED tNQUEST. I BARGOED COLLIER'S FATAL I INJURIES. ) Mr J.B. Walford, coroner, held an inquest at Aberbargoed, on Wednss- day' on William Thomas (28), collier, of Ruth Street, Bargoed, who died at the Aberbargoed Hospital on Monday night last, &1 the result of an injury received the same day at the Britannia P.D. Colliery, Pengam. Mr P. T. Jenkins, mines inepeotor, represented the Home Office; Mr T. J. Thomas, Bargoed, watched the interests of the relatives, and Mr Jayne, the manager, represented the P.D. Company.—Mary Thomas, the widow, said she saw her husband before he died. He was unable to speak much, but said that a fall had occurred. His back had been broken. Charles George Jackson, collier, said he and deceased were engaged in filling the same tram. Witness was shovelling on one side and deceased on the other. It was about 11-30 a.m. Without any warning at all, a stone, weighing three-quarters of a owt. fell from the side, crushing the deceased.—In reply to the Coroner, witness said he did not hear or see the stone fall because of the shovelling taat was going on and the working of the conveyor. One of his butties shouted, and he saw the deceased on the ground. He was immediately re- leased and taken oat. Witness ex- amined the piece of roof in question that morning, aid considered it quite safe. A smoothe ^was revealed after the the stone fell.-By the Coroner: There was not much noise with the conveyor. He would not be able to hear any dribbling if the conveyor were working at Iths same time.-By the Mines Inspector: The conveyor would make a nose similar to a tram taken in. Samuel Davies, collier, said he had worked a piece of coal in the region of the stone which fell. He lifted the stone off deceased, who had been caught across the back. The stone fell from two joints, which were in- visible before the -stone fell. John Frampton said he saw the 6tone falling, and shouted, bat it was too late. There was the nsnal noise— sufficient to drown the sound of the stone falling. Had there been no shovelling or conveyor, he might have heard the stone giving way.-In reply to Mr T. J. Thomas, witness said there was more noise with the shovelling than with the conveyor. t Samuel Albert Hannaford, ifreman, said he regarded the place as quite eafe when he went round in the f morning. He admitted that he did not sound the stone which fell. t The Coroner commented on the im- portance of firemen making a I thorough examination of the working places.-A verdict cf Accidental Death was returned, with a rider on the lines of the Coroner's comment. Expressions of tinceie sympathy with the widow were made by the Coroner, and Mr Jayne, the manager, remarked that he placed as much con- confidence in the judgment of the deceased as to the safety of a place &6 in any offioial, even himself. I .o'j; 'f 1. 1

THE QELLIdAER MILITARY I TRIBUNAL. I THE ONE-MAN BUSINESS. I A PROTEST AGAINST NORTH I WALIANS. At the meeting of the Gelligaer Tribunal at Hengoed, on Thursday, Mr E. Richards, J.P., in the chair, the Clerk (Mr Samuel) reported that he had received from Mr Joshua Evans, the secretary of the Advisory Committee, the uaual returns with the decisions of that committee, also a note to the effect that the committee had decided to ask for the adjourn- ment of all one-man business cases for a month, until instructions on the the point, which bad been promised, had come to hand.—The Clerk ex- plained he bad received no instruc- tions as to the one-man business, and he did not know whether they would come. Of course, there were instruc- tions on the point already. He then read a circular letter issued some time ago ou this subject, together with formal instructions to tribunals.—Mr Rowland Thomas explained that the point arose at a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Monday even- ing lut, when there were under con- sideration several applications for ex- emption by one-man business" applicants, and, having regard to what had appeared in the pre8, the Ad- visory Committee simply made it- the recommendation for the adjourn- ment of caes-as a suggestion to the tribunal. They appeared to be under the impression that definite instruc- tions were about to be issued to the tribunal, and that accounted for the letter (read by Mr Samuel). Mr Thomas said he mentioned the point to Captain Read, the recruiting officer for the district, at the next meeting and he asked him to commnnicate with the County Military Representa- tive seeking his advioe, and to read newspaper cuttings on the point. A lengthy batoh of cuttings were read by Mr Thomas, after which the Chair- man remarked that the position, as it presented itself to him, was the same as it was before. There was a case before the Central Appeal Court reoently, and the statement of the Chairman of that Court was that if the proprietor of a one-man business, established to the satisfaction of the tribunal that serious hardship would ensue, would have a legal right to exemption. But that was not clear. There was nothing in the Act stating that it was a statutory right. If the local tribunal were satisfied that a serious hardship would ensue, they, as reasonable men, would grant ex- emption, but if they were not satisfied on that point, it would be for the tribunal to decide what eeurse they would adopt. The particular case and discussion referred to did net repeal or revise anything that existed before —in fact it was the same as the previous decision issued by the Central r'?'Ll Court, which meant that cases thp Id be dealt with on their merits, and the decisions given accordingly. In referring to cases of one-man business," Councillor Ben Hughes! made a strong protest against what be described as serious injustice of taking men from businesses which were afterwards opened by aliens. He stated that a large number had come down to the South Wales colliery districts, since 1914, from North Wales-young men who had no re- sporsibilities at all beyond receiving their new wage?. These men were allowed to escape military service because colliery owners and sbare- holders derived their benefits through them, and they wont release these men from the colliery. He thought it was time to put their foot down and protest against the injustice. People who now migrated into the local oollieries who had no respon- sibilities were projected, whereas big tradesmen, who had everything at ¡ stake, and to whose families suffering was caused, were taken for the army. The Chairman pointed out that the I tribunal had been deprived of none of its powers, and could grant exemption in cases of business men where they felt justified. They had no instruc- tions from the Government on the point All they had were press re- ports, and until they received some- thing authoritative and official they would continue to exercise their discretion as before in granting ex- emptions or otherwise.

PAPER DIFFICULTIES. I When paper increases in cost nearly five tim.1i fittni-no-may be raid to be within sight and the prospect should receive proper attention. It is not a case of increased profit for someone, paper and paper-making materialsoan utiil be bought abroad at a reasonable price, but the increase in insurance, freight and exchange makes it dear. Is there no hopa of growing a fibre in this country C It lands unsuitable for food production. Napoleon created an industry iu Western France by planting pinea on liaud hillii. Our experts might find time to think about it for future needs.

"liI:JRII\W'IIIIIr.¡III¡'r.nIør.I:lIilll'r.F:  ? FOR THE ti | SHOP ? ? Se?unUf&B r s??sSsHs? ts?? ,:j ?..„ „ .—————— ? ?.J A '¡ ;1 t: ri',IL .i. .f,rj, Z T\ I V. J;¡ r, ¡" ) 11 VEN-YBSA^ Pi  i.I¿ W VEN-YUSA i ti W Remedies Jaded Looks. ill .1 CTUFFY workrooms kii U and crowded shops ruin It il the clearest complexions. ? « Happily, science has given iff n to us a ready means for cor- fr1 K recting this common evil. It || j i 1 j IS nothmg less than a new if] I 11 toilet aid with which to refresh I :i fY¡ the skin in a way re!mbl;!1 a ff? 1 real oxygen bath. It is not a ? ? soap, but a new kind of cream. s J j Ven-Vusa is the name of ¡, [ this unique preparation. By 'FJ. J the regular daily use of ?= !f' Ven- Y usa, deathly pallor is Ul j driven away, jaded looks ,¡ il disappear, and a new-born 'J SA youthful bloom overspreads the r? j1 features. Ven- Y usa, being | also a greaseless cream, is f-J\ ? always safe and good to use. klj ?J It is the acme of refinement rf1 jj and agreeableness. ?j fl Always have a jar of II Û Ven- Y usa at hand and you UJ II will realise how easy it is, |3 |fi with the aid of this oxygen ?j || face cream, to preserve an |l fy J attractive appearance, fn i i n j M  r i rf'\ ry] 1^1 M {V per jar of C?f)!tM?. H.ft<'??.?'<, !? ? S?o<-?. ?c.. ol, from C. E. Fa!ford, Ltd., i ^| Ucds. az ??'?"?'?'?'?''s'?'?'?::? ¡: f1 :1'mh:iIH:U' :H! :H;t1t\tIIl:1:mSl:fulll¡::4! ¡illld1

I WORKI AFTER THE WAR. I BEDWELLTY'S ARRANGE. MENTS. At the meeting of the Bedwellty Urban Council on Tuesday, Mr Edgar Davies, J.P., in the ohair. The Com- mittee appointed to deal with the exeoution of works after the war, presented their report in the course of which they recommended that negotiations be entered into for the r requisition of sites for the erection of houses under the Working Classes Aot. It provided for 200 houses each at Aberbargoed and Pengam, 350 to 400 at Blackwood, and 200 at Argoed. The local member* had not met at Hollybush and Now Tredegar. An offer was received from Mr W. S. Nash, J.P., in respeot to a site at Pwllglas.—The surveyor was instruct- ed to submit three or four different types of houses. Mr R. J. Jones said one of the Blackwood sites involved the purchase of some property. To this he objeoted because his experi- ence was, that they had to pay ex- orbitant prices. He moved this to be struok out—Mr J. Crew said this property would lead to the central avenue to the Garden City. This affected the whole scheme at Blaok- wood.—Mr D. Jones thought the recommendations should be deprived until New Tredegar and Hollybush districts had been inspected.—Mr Crew hoped the council would net defer the question, because they had been requested to submit their scheme without delay.—Mr Bufton agreed they should have a complete report from the surveyor for the whole area. Hollybush was entitled to a share in the housing scheme. Or were they going to deal with Hollybush in the same way as they dealt with the gas ? Mr R. J. Jones said Hollybush had set a pace in the district in respect to building societies, and he was afraid to suggest the erection of 30 to 100 heuseg without knowing how that would be effected.-Mr Crew moved anamr- R. J. Jones saconded the I adoption of the report -Mr D. Jones moved that the matter be deferred I for the full report, Mr J. Tiilott seconded —Six voted for the adoption and three against.-It was decided that in future the council should form the eommittee to consider Mr Nash's offer at a future meeting. In regard to the classification of the work, it was recommended to proceed in the following order.— (A) erection of houses; (2) Sewers, the Rhymney Valley (3) Surface reservoir Sirhowy Valley; (4) Erection of Council Offices; (5) Gas main to Hollybush. (B) Four refuse de- structors (2) Means of access Aber- bargoed to Bargoed;, (3) Surface reservoir Rbymney Road; (4) Access road to Bargoed. (C) The cemeteries; (2) New Road, Cefn Forest Fach to Pengam (3) Improving main road Sirbowy Valley; (4) Widening Upper and Lower Road, Cwmsyfiog; (5) Private streets works (6) Kerb and channelling Main Roads; (7) Recrea- tion grounds; (8) New Road the landslide, New Tredegar; (9) Bridge at Cwmsyfiog to Brithdir (10) Swim- ming baths.—The report was adopted. m

I POUCE AND PLEASURE TRIPS. I NO RIGHT TO CHALLENGE. I The editor of The Light Car and Cycle Car writes :—We have, re- ceived many complaints from owners of private cars that they have been stopped by the police in various parts of the country, and informed that they would be prosecuted for using their oars for pleasure. As there is no order under the extremely com- prehensive wording of the Defence of the Realm Act, nor any Act of Parlia- ment, which makes it an offence to use privately-owned cars upon which motor car licence duty has been paid, for the purposes of pleasure motoring, we have been in communication with the Home Office regarding these complaints. We have received a reply from the Home Office which authoritatively disclaims the right of the police to threaten illegally with a summons motorists who are legitim- ately using petrol for pleasure pur- poses. It is important that motorists should understand that they cannot be summoned for using petrol upon which the double taxes have been paid.

J PONTLOTTYN. RE-OPENi.G. -Salem Welsh Wes- leyan Chapel, which sacred edifice was seriously damaged as the result of an outbreak of fire some months ago, will be re-opened on Saturday evening next, when special services will be-held, and continued on Sun- day. The preacher announced for the occasion is the Rev. Richard Morgan, Swansea, a well-known divine in the Connexion. All are heartily invited. SUNDAY CARD PLAYING. When seven young men were summoned at Merthyr on Friday for playing cards in a public place at Pontlottyn, Police- sergeant Clinch told the magistrates that on Sundays men from Rhymney, Abertysswg, and New Tredegar gath- ered at Pontlottyn for the purpose of playing cards. He added that it was stated hundreds of pounds were spent there on a Sunday. One of the de- fendants was reported to have won £100 there during the last three Sun- days. The defendants promised not to repeat the offence, and they were each fined 10s.

\W i1 ■■ [ Fruit Preserving without Sugar Choose sound dry fruit, place in clean dry bottles or jara. Place these in slow oven and gradually increase heat until moisture in fruit is absorbed, (about 15 minutes). Then fill with boiling water to half an inch above the fruit. Seal while hot by pouring on half Ion inch melted ATORA Block Suet. Do not disturb until set and cold. Cover with paper. fI ATORA" Beef Suet in Blocks for Frying, Cooking, Preserving, or Beady Shredded for Puddings and Pastry. Sold by all Grocers and Stores. tat

WHERE THE PAPER GOES. I The London Daily Express scored a decided point on the paper question. They point out that tbey received an envelope of thick paper measuring 15ins. by lOins. Thin important- looking and expensive envelope con- tained- Asingle quarto sheet of notepapsr. A bread pledge card, measuring 121ins- by 6iius. The size of the pledge card might have been reduced to 91iol. by 61ins. by folding it on the line marking the place where the lower part is to be cut off. The senders were the Nation- al War Savings Committee! In con- trast, a letter received last night from the Stationery Office was typed on 40th sides of a liusle skeet. j •>

RHYMNEY IRON COMPANY  L!M!TED. I The report of the directors for the 1916-1917 states that interim divi- dends on the Preference and Ordinary Capital at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum have already been paid for the half-year ended 30th September, 1916. Subject to the settlement of the amount of excess profits duty and to such adjustment as the terms of the Government control may necessi- tate, the balance of the profits of the year, including 410,118 lis 3d brought forward from 1915-1916 amount to 9125,490 3s 4d. The Controller of Coal Mines.having sanc- tioned the distribution of a final dividend on the Share Capital at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, the directors recommend that the above amount of 9125,490 3s 4d be appro- priated as follows :-£30,000 to be added to the general reserve fund, £ 10,000 to provide for the deprecia- tion of the securities held by the company for investment, P,12,000 in payment of a tinaldividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum on the Preference Capital and L18,000 in payment of a final dividend at the same rate of 6 per cent. per annum on the Ordinary Capital. It is pro- posed that the above dividends of 7 l-5d (less tax) on each Preference Share of J61 and of 7 l-5d (less tax) on each Ordinary and New Ordinary Share of -i;l shall be paid on the 30th June to share-holders on the register on the 7th June, 1917. The balance of 955,490 3s 4d will be available to provide for the payment of excess profits duty when the amount thereof has been settled, and the 'allocation of the 10 per cent. of the surplus profits of 1916-17 to the Preference dividend equalisation account. The directors retiring by rotation are Colonel Henry E. Tyler and Sir Ern- est Clarke, who offer themselves for re-election. The following are the dividends and profits for the past five years Ordy. Divi'd Profits. per cent. £ 1915 4 87,344 1914.5. 131,902 1915 nil 49,690 1916 5 124,972 1917 6 125,490

RHYMNEY PUBLIC HALL I COMPANY. Annual meeting of shareholders in the Rhymney Public Hall Co. Limited, was held at the Royal Hotel on Wed- nesday evening, Mr W. H. Tramp, chairman of the Board of Directors, presiding. Commenting upon the report and balance sheet,the Chairman said that the Directors were pleased to record another year's successful trad. ing, there being a profit of X70 5s. 4d after meeting an expenditure of 937 7s. 6d., the cost of a new heating in- stallation, and an item of 915 13s 5d. in other necessary repairs. Dealing with the outstanding arrears he stated that an arrangement had been effeoted, unless unforeseen cironmstanoes arise, by which it was confidently hoped that by the next general meeting the whole would he wiped out. Mr. Trump referred to the admirable man- ner in which the books of the company had been kept by the Secretary (Mr C. Curtis), and then moved the adop. tion of the report and balance sheet. —This was seconded by Mr Ogbourne and agreed to. Upon the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Paul Brown, a divi. dend of 5 per cent., as recommended, was declared. Messrs. W. H. Trump and Charles Curtis having retired by rotation from the Board of Directors, in moving their re-election, Mr 1. W. Edwards testified to the excellent service ren- dered by these gentlemen, and the energy they had shown in promoting the interests of the company.—Mr J. C. Jacobs seconded the proposition, which was supported by Messrs. D. W. Jones and James Williams (direc- tors), and heartily adopted.—Mr. Trump and Mr Curtis suitably re- spondect. The Auditors (Messrs. J. C. Jacobs and W. W. Morgan) were, upon the motion of Mr W. Glencross, re-elected.

I TREDEGAR. I At the local court on Tuesday, Mary Woodward (49), Tredegar? was summoned for concealing her son, who was a deserter from the S.W.B. Reserves. It was stated that the son joined the Army before the outbreak of war, and was sent to France, The mether got him back because he was under age. When he became old enongb to go to the front he deserted. This was the second oceasion on which he had deserted from a draft for the front. The mother received an Army allowance and an allowanoe from the Tredegar Company. The defendant denied enoouraging her son, and said that she had asked him on several occasions to go back, and had even looked him out of the house. She was fined 20..

BEDWELLTY DISTRICT COUNCIL. The ordinary meeting of the Bedwellty Lrban Council, was held at New Trede- gar on Tuesday, at which there were present :—Messrs Edgar Davies, J.P., chairman, Isaac Jones, vice-chairman, W. O'Connor, W. Bufton, J. Tillott, J. Crew, S. Godwin, Evan Thomas, W. J. Davies, R. J. Jones, D. Jones, with Mr T. J. Thomas, clerk, Mr Harris, deputy clerk, Alr, H. Hayes, accountant, and Dr. Roberts, M.O. It was decided to advertise for a nurse for the Isolation Hospital qualified to deal with infectious diseases, and to give instructions in district cases when not engaged at the hospital. The salary was with a war bonus of £ 10. The committee who visited Ebbw Vale Waterworks reported there was plenty of water storage, but the balk of the storage was much too low to gravi- tate to the Bedwellty district. This won Id nrcessltate pumping or tunnelling to gf t the water into the Bedwellty area, and before the committee could recom- mend enino further into the matter they v. ould have to negotiate with the Ebbw Vale Council—Mr Crew said they had q experience of the cost of-pumping from the little reservoir they had at present. They also had some idea-concerning the cost, of tuunelling—-Mr ft. J. Jones said if the council were satisfied, they could get an ample supply, he was sure they would have recommended something definite to the council. He moved they proceed no further—Mr D. Jones second- ed. and it was carried. Thirteen applications were received for the post of Temporary Architectural Assistant. These were weeded down to three the first round of voting on these being Albert Williams, Bargoed and New Tredegar, 11 C. H. Elford, Aber- dare, 9; T. H. Peale, Liverpool, 2.—In the final vote, Williams was appointed by 8 votes to Elford 2. A notice of motion by Mr S. Godwin. "That the Council raise the price of* water in the New Tredegar and Cwm Wards owing to the loss incurred on obis undertaking," was referred to the next meeting. ————-

TREDEGAR MINERS' TROUBLE. MANAGEMENT AND LODGE SECRETARY. A mass meeting was held at the Re- creation Ground, Tredegar, on Sunday to receive a report of a dispute at the Mark- ham Colliery. The Chairman (Mr Dan Filer) stated that the secretary of the Markham Lodge bad been stopped on Saturday morning because, the manage- ment alleged, be had not attended work through over-sleeping. The workmen however, allege that he has been victim- ised in connection with Federation work. The workmen, the Chairman stated, were anxious that the dispute should be dealt with ic a constitutional way without causing a stoppage if possible. It was decided to ask the conference meeting at Cardiff to deal with the dispute, and to consider the necessity of taking drastic action failing a satis- factory settlement in a week. It was further decided to instruct spare-place men not to work in the place of the masfe stopped while he was idle.

tmwvvv*.i~>~in-» i~i »-< v 1'» HJMI 1 i tv J The Weishman's Favourite. Is j MABON Sauce I 2^ At good a9 its A,ar-.e. j DON'T FAIL TO GET IT. p I C M-f-lklo.lIC1I' Sc Pat. St., ?? ,? M?  ??  The Food j§| Jor* f/ie Sick&Wounded |Jt| V?.D. Hoapit&la are now ?c?? MtaMiaMed tB?t?most every ?6?? district. Ladies are nobly Elf  assisting as nurses, providers r andvisitom ForthaWounded MtdConvaIeBcentsuitab}en?i!?h. ????'Sg ment is of supreme importance. e?;.t Than who are accustomed to 11 I?  B make gifts should bsjar in mind how suitable and acceptable the •Allenburys' Diet Is. > Thia milk and w h eaten food furnishes a comp l ete dietary. cu d it allowed when other foo d s ere S not permitte d It is cxceptknsiiy !t 's! ptttttbtt and its highly nour i s hing propartiaa ensure tueutmoii benefit. 0 j i if Bacana* of its easy preparat i on it ia a boon in the busy hospital and deeerredly popular with the nurse. j Tf SpS The Food that Restores. • | ForAdults Cocking or C?f Af'? Inquired. Made tM?A A?</<? ?<tf<f?!/y. Tn tim at 1Jt and 9/6 each of Chemists. Alien & Hanburys Ltd., London.