Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer

EAST GLAMORGAN CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION Annual meeting of the East Glam- organ Conservative and Unionist Association was held at the Constitu- tional Clnb, Pontypridd, on Friday evening, under the presidency of Mr Mark Harding, Caerphilly. The report of the executive ooancil for 1916 draw attention to a letter read at a council meeting from the prospective Unionist candidate, Col. Morgan Lindsay, in which he said "I I am so strongly impressed with the disastrous results which are bound to follow the granting of RoUte, Quia in consequence of rebellion and murder, and so strongly opposed to the pro- posed measure (so far as we know its provisions) that, should it become law, I shall be obliged to seriously consider whether I can any longer continue to be the Unionist candidate for the division." At the council meeting in question, the report points out, a resolution was carried protest- ing against Home Rule for Ireland in any shape or form. The statement of accounts showed that the association have a sum of 9716 143. in hand, which is believed t9 be a record fund for Conservative associations in Wales for the year. A letter regretting inability to be present was read from Col. Lindsay, who was re-elected president. The vice-presidents were re-elected en bloc Dr. Washington David was re-eleoted chairman. It was decided that the next annual met ting, ba held at Caerphilly.. • i

FRIDA Y NEXT, I  M 20 I 1012I DON'T FORGET THE DAY. The Finest Store in the Rhymney Valleys. TE BON MARCHE NOW NW sold ,< :'J.");$>:1'i" T, SUMMER SALE Commences on that Date SneomparaMe Tiargaind Wome and cfe e f Train Fares Paid on all Purchases of 10/- and up- wards, on prod uction of Railway Ticket. I- Huge Stocks of Drapery, Clothing, and Furnishing Goods are at your disposal at prices much under to- day's cost. The BON MARCHE, BARGOED.

RHYMNEY URBAN DISTRICT j COUNCIL. The ordinary meeting of the mem- berti of the Rhymney Urban Council was held en Wednesday, at w hiob there were present: Messrs D. James, J.P. (^hitirm .n), H, M. Thomas (vice- chairmali), W. G rifE tbs, D. T.Williams i P. Low ip, T. R Jones, Robert Rntherford, J.P., John Evans, Rees Harris, J.P., W. T. Hopkin, W. C. Williams, S. Lewis, B. Probert. with Dr. R. V. de Acton Redwood, M.O. Mr H. W. Trump, clerk; Mr W. Lloyd Marks, surveyor; and Mr Ben Jones, J. P., collector. NATIONAL BABY WEEK.—A letter was read from the L.G.B. asking the council to take up a National Baby Week in the Rhymney district during the early part of Jaly.-One of the members remarked that they had so many things on hand at present, that it would be diffioult to devote the time to another movement.—The medical officer said this was a scheme to which he attached great import- ance.—Mr Ben Jones said that Aid. J. Edwards, J.B., who was interesting himself in the big concert which was proposed to be held in July next, on the Lawn Grounds (by the kind per- mission of Mr and Mrs Rutherford) bad a conversation with him that morning, respecting the proposed Baby Show, and he had suggested, subject to the approval of the council, that this show should be held a few hours prior to the concert. He, Ald. lid wards, was prepared to offer a prize of one guinea for the best baby in the #bow.-On the motion of Mr H. M. Thomas, it was decided to accept the offer of Alderman Edwards and the suggestion that the show be held in the afternoon prior to the concert, and that the exhibition receive the patronage of the council. NATIONAL SERVICE,—A letter was read from the National Service Com- mittee asking the council to -set up or reconstruct a local committee com- prising members of the council and the general public, representative of employers and employees.—The clerk explained that the main support of this committee was to discover men who were qualified for certain trades and positions, and in conjunction with the central committee find suitable positions for them, so that they may release others who were fit for- the active service. He added, that re- cently a canvas was made of the whole of the district for men under the National Service, but only thirty forms were filled up.-Air Rutherford point- ed out that Rhymney was an industrial district where the larger proportion of men were engaged at the collieries, and consequently not available for the proposals of the scbeme-Mr P. Lewis thought the National Service Scheme bad died out altogether. He had volunteered under it, and all that he had heard since was a letter asking him to appear befora the Recruiting Committee. He moved that the letter lay on the table.—Mr J. Evans We cannot very well do that.—Mr W. Griffiths said it was quite true that this district was mainly industrial, but there was a percentage of people out- side the coal industry.—Finally ton the motion of Mr P. Lewis, it was decided to re-appoint the old committee, but to point out to the authorities that this council was of opinion that Rhymney being a miniDg district, the National Service Scheme was inoperative. POTATO SPBA YING,-A letter was read from the War Agriculture Committee ad vocating the spraying of potatoes as I a protection against disease The Committee could supply the council with a machine at a cost of £ 3.—Mr Rutherford moved that the matter be j referred to the Allotment Association, the members of which would be better 1able to decide wether they wanted such spraying.—Mr P. Lewis: Does that mean that the council will provide them with the machine ?—Mr W. T. Hopkin If the Allotment Associa- tion desire a machine, the council can purchase one and lend it to them- It was eventually decided to forward the letter to the Association, and, in the meantime, the clerk to ascertain whether spraying could be done by means of a watering pot or whether [powder for dusting on potatoes is available. A GARDEN CITY IlousE.-Laingthy correspondence was read respecting the surrender of tenanoy of one of the council's houses, in the Garden City. The tenant was on Active Service and the wiie had gone into considerable arrears. An order had been obtained in the court for distress, and the possession of the honse. The father of the tenant wrote asking the coutcil not to take extreme measures by which his son would lose the furniture. If this was done be would undertake to have the goods removed from the premises so that the eounoil could have possession, leaving the question of payment of arrears until a future day.—On the motion of Mr Ruther- ford, this was tacitly agreed to, subject to the collector and clerk interviewing the wife of the tenant. I' FOOD CONTROL.—Mr W. C. Williams drew attention to newspaper reports that the council was now authorised to control the food supplies in their area. He said that although the Food Controller had fixed the maximum prices on certain things, tradespeople in Rhymney were charging above this, Mr Rutherford said that until legislation compelled a person to soil at the rate fixed the maximum prices were of little avail. If people wanted certain articles, the seller was net bound to dispose of them, with the result that the higher prices had to be paid.—It was decided to bold a special meeting on the matter.

*W« ■■■ —" 1 APPOINTMENTS TO GELLI- GAER SCHOOLS. At a meeting of the managers of the Gelligaer group of schools at Hengoed on Monday, Mr Ben Hughes in the chair, the following ap- pointments of certificated mistresses about to be leaving the training ool- leges, were made, Miss Annie R. Curtis, Pontlottyn, to the Pontlottyn Boys school, Miss Margaret Davies, Pontlottyn, to Pantywaun, Miss Blodwen Thomas, Deri, to the Deri Mixed school, Miss Victoria M. Ley- shon and Miss Annie May Leyshon, Gilfach, to Gelligaer, Miss Catherine M. Williams, to Bedlinog girls, Miss E, Calvert, Gilfach, to Ystrad Myn- ach. Positions for Misses A. V. Stone E. Harding, (Bargoed) and M. Vodden (Pengam), were left in the hands of Mr Dyn Daviea, the County In- i speotor. I .¡;r-: '?

HOW CHILDREN ARE LATE FOR SCHOOL. I GELLIGAER MANAGERS' INVESTIGATION. A special meeting of the Gelligaer School Managers was held on Monday at Hengoed, under the presidency of Coun. Ben Hughes, to consider the question of the attendance of children at the Elementary Schools. At the commencement of the proceedings the Chairman welcomed Mr Thomas, the county inspector of attendance officers. So far as the Gelligaer portion of the county was concerned, they had heard that there was such an official, but the managers had not seen him at one of their meetings prior to that after- noon.—Mr Thomas, in thanking the members for the welcome accorded to him, said there was no special need for him to attend in Gelligaer, as their record of attendances was so very good and reached very near the standard required. The last returns showed an average attendance of 89.3, whereas for the whole of the county it was only 89.4. The number of children in the Gelligaer Group was 7,144. He would like to point oat that the ques- tion of attendance of children at the schools was an important matter from a financial, as well as an educational standpoint. If it was possible to raise the attendance in Gelligaer by only one point, it would mean an increased grant of zC127 to the ratepayars. A circular letter from the County Education Committee on the question of improving the attendance, having been read, the Attendance Officers pre- sonted their reports and suggestions, as the result of conversations with the head teaohera in their respective districts. Briefly these were, that in all cases where exemption was being sought, the previous record of the child should be taken into consider- ation. The establishing of school clinics, &c. All musical festivals, etc. should be held during the holidays. No children to attend cinemas after 8 p.m. Payments to be made to the wives of soldiers on Saturdays. The oounty standard of percentage of 94 to qualify for a half holiday be reduced to 92 (90 in Monmouthshire). Encourage a spirit of rivalry between olass and class for the best attendance. Miss Viner, head teacher of Bar- goed Girls' School, supplemented this by the addition that medical certifi- cates should be presented for each complete week of absentation. There was also a need for greater sympathy between the attendance officers and the magistrates. Mr Bryn Davies, ooanty inspector, pointed out that a one per cent. in- crease in the average attendance throughout the county would mean an additional grant of iC2,000, of which, as already stated, Gelligaer's proportion would be 9127. With re- gard to the proposal to lower the per- centage to qualify for the half-holiday, if be had his way the half-hoiiday would be abandoned entirely, as it seemed inconsistent that they should reward children for attendance by givirg them a no attendance. In the subseqnent discussion, Mrs. Davies (Pontlottyn), expressed the opinion that prizes should be given for the best attendances at the classes. This would act as a stimulus and friendly rivalry. Coun. Sydney Jones suggested the increase of female nurses for the schools, and that Gel/igaer should commandeer one. He moved a resolu- tion to this effect.-Conn. Jno. Jones (Bargoed) in seconding, said there would be greater supervision over the children, and the additional cost would be met by the increased grant following upon a better attendance, twhilst the moral and educational effect must be of still greater impor- tance. Mrs; Davies drew attention to the large number of children that were about the streets P.,t 10, and 11 o'cluck, and said that something should be done to get them into their homes* at least by 8.30. A number of resolutions were passed on the lines indicated above.

.8C A BOON TO FOCHRIW SCHOLARS. I Councillor Ben Hughes, Pontlottyn, at a meeting of the Gelligaer School Governors some time ago, advocated better train facilities for scholars from Fochriw attending the County School at Hengoed and the Higher Elemen- tary School at Bargoed. At Wednes- day's meeting a letter was received from the Rhymney Railway Company stating that arrangements had been made for Fochriw scholars to travel by the morning Brecon and Merthyr train, and thus obviate the walk over. the mountain top to Pontlottyn ixf catch the Rhymney Railway train. Pfiui*d -d PubIkhM by G. J. Jaoo" 4 Co., ai their 0", Tioioria Buiblisp, Rbym. ?y, U> tha C?Mty of M?-ewth, 12, Grow ?-Mt BM,?<t. ? the (?anty at Glamor. Pe VlUaf, Jane 2ind, MT. "'A;