Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer

TOLL OF THE MINE. MAESYCWMMER BROTHERS KILLED AT YNYSDDU. A sad fatality occured at the Rock View Colliery, Ynysddu, on Thursday last resulting in two Maeeycwmmer brothers, David John Roberts (22), and Evan James Roberts (16), of Thomas-street, Maesycwmmer, being killed. On Tuesday, Mr M. Roberts Jones, the District Coroner, conducted the inquest at the Angel Hotel. Great sympathy is felt locally with the relatives in their sad bereavement, the deceased being old and respected residents. Samuel Roberts (the father), said David John lived in Boot Cottages, Maesycwmmer, and Evan lived with him in Thomas-street. The eldest son bad worked at Y nysddu for 5 years and Evan for about two years. Wit- ness worked in the place where the aceident occurred on the previous shift, and when he left, the place was quite safe.—Thomas Turner, collier, who worked near by the deceased, said that the hanlier brought in three trams, one was wooden and the other two iron. The wooden tram could not come in his (witness') heading and he asked John Roberts if he would change with him, Roberts readily agreed. During the exchange of the trams, the wooden tram knocked out a post on the corner of the road, this caused a fall which killed the two brothers on the spot. One of the brothers was buried in the debris and the other was caught between the side and the tram.—David Thomas, fireman said that the place was quite alright when he saw it during his rounds. In all three posts were discharged by the fall.—Frank Chaplin, collier, said the wooden tram struck a bent post which caused the discharge of other posts and the fall.—Bertram Huxham, manager of the colliery, said the de- ceased were experienced, trustworthy, and reliable -orkmen. In reply to the coroner, who asked whether the wooden trams bad been introduced in consequence of the war, said that wooden trams were introduced about eighteen months or two years ago. They were first introduced to comply with the Act. They had to supply a dast proof tram and the wooden tram in question was the best they had yet arrived at. They were higher and wider and slightly heavier than the iron trams and required no racing." The wooden tram was 4ft. 6ins. wide, while the iron tram was from 3ft. 9iuB. to 4ft. 2ins. wide Mr McBride (Miners' Inspector) Are you doing anything to standardise these trams ? We are standardising these wooden j < trams. Mr McBride: Do you agree it is better to standardise the tram or not ?-I am afraid it woald be iaposa- ible to have all wooden trams, we must have some iron ones. Witness added they had about 200 wooden trams continually running in the colliery.—Mr McBride: It is good enough for me that you are standard- ising the tmma.-In reply to Mr W. Gooding (who represented the Miners' Federation), witness said that when they had enough wooden trams, Iron trams would only be used for rubbish. That may take them two or three years.—Mr Gooding: Then the dan- ger will go on for that time. The point about the workmen is that the wider the tram the more danger; the narrower the tram the safer it is for the workmen.—The manager did not agree that a wider tram increased the danger. Mr MoBride pointed out that the colliery manager was under no obligation ander the Act to make a tram of any particular siss. Mr Gooding We have to protect the workmen against themselves and we should recommend the decrease ef the width of the tram and not an increase. The narrower the tram the less the danger of knooking out posts on the side of the road.—Mr McBride: It is a bit awkward to have three or four different kinds of trams in the colliery and I think if the tram is standardised it will enable colliers to judge posts in setting them.—A verdict of Acci- dental Death was reurnpd. Mr W. Kenshole, solicitor, on behalf of the company and manager expressed deep regret at the very unfortunate accident and testified to the very excellent character of the two deceased who were two splendid workmen.

1 BBTHNBY VALLEY MIXERS, j GBOE8FAEN DISPUTES, OP.OESFAEN DISPUT]IS. ? j The monthly meeting of the delegates j i of the Rhymney Valley Miners' Association was held at Bargoed, on •! Saturday, Mr R. Wiliams presiding. The Officials present were:—Mr Walter Lewis, J.P., agent, Mr Albert Thomsa, J.P., sub-agent and secretary, Mr Edmund Jones. J.P, treasurer. The agent, (Mr Lewil) reported that things were very rentlem at the I Groesfaen Colliery, and the relation. ship between management and work. | men, waa rather unsatisfactory. There had been two strikes during the month la the first case the pit was on atop two days, in conseqnenoe of delays on the part of management in paying in a large nnmber of cases, sums of money admittedly due, chiefly under the Minimum Wage Award. On the j morning of the second day, the agents saw the Rhymney Iron Company's; General Manager, who, after diseas- ing the situation gave a written undertaking, that if the men returned to work on the following day he would cause the payments in question to be made, fully admitting that the men should receive all their pay when due without delay. All such pay- ments were made accordingly on the day that the men resumed work. On Friday, the hanliers found that they were deprived of their fortnightly bonus turn, on aocount of the two days lost through the strike referred to above. They therefore refused to go to work on the Saturday. The agent attended the meeting on the pit top and on the joint advice of the agent and Mr John Hill, obeckwaigher, the men resolved to resume work on Monday. The agent having informed the Grocsfaen workmen in the district meeting, that the employers intend to sue them for damages, for breach of contract on account of both stoppages, the district meeting resolved that the matter be taken up by the whole dis- trict, and that the district officials prepare a statement of the facts respecting the first stoppage which occasioned the second to the Secretary Mr I Thos., Richards, M P., and if necessary to the Coal Controller, with a view to preventing the issue of summonses, and if summonses are issued, call a special District Meeting to determine further action before damages are inflicted on the men. The agent expressed a hope that wiser counsels than those for issuing summonses wonld prevail. OTSER DISPDTIS.—The agent re- ported on an immensely large number of disputes which he had dealt with during the month, the majority of which he had satisfactorily settled. In some instances the matter would have to be referred to the Conciliation Board to be dealt with by Arbitration. THE GLASGOW COHFERENCE.—Mr Albert Thomas, reported on Glasgow Conceferenoe, and detailed the reforms in the Compensation Act, and other matters that the Miners' Federation intend introducing to the Labour Party, and through it the House of Commons. WOEKMKI'S INCOMS TAX.—The collectors of the district attending at the request of the last District Meet- ing, reported on their experiences in trying to administer this complicated affair. Itwaa felt that immediate steps should be taken to bring about restoration of the old inoome tax limit of 9160. Pnatad a" PtUiaM by ..1, Jmk 0. a* thmr OSM, vidwia sauduw. Rhyn- aay, ia tbo Ce8at, al Mwawtt; 11, Croat ou 6. Barr-, 18 MM 0. of OtMBor* *aa j Mtor. August 17th, lay. t

J SUCCESSFUL SPORTS AT DEBI. The Darran Lodge of the R.A.O.B. at Deri, organised a successful sports, which were held at Cefn Bach grounds, on Saturday. Although the venue was somewhat isolated, there was an encouraging attendance. An excellent programme had been pro- vided by the committee, of which Dr. McCarthy was the president, Mr Dd. Williams treasurer, and Mr J. James secretary. The officials, particularly the energetic secretary, carried out their work in an exemplary manner and consequently an enjoyable time was spent. The Deri Silver Band, under the conductorship of Mr Wm, Powell, played some very fine music. Following are the results :-100 yds. Boys Race, heat winners, E. Evans, Britkdir; 30 yds. L. Richards, Penpedairheol; 10 yds. J. W. Reed, Bargoed; 14 yds. W. G. Stead, Deri; 18 yds. J. Gwynne, Deri; 30yds final, 1 E. Evans, 2 Reed, 3 Richards. A protest was lodged against the 1st. Stead came in 4th. 100 yds. open handicap, heat winners, W. E. Edwards, Bedwas 10 yds. W. H. Hodges, Bargoed; R. P. May, Pengam 19 yds. T. J ones, New Tredegar; 21J yds. B. Rees, Pontlottyn; 20 yds. B. Norton, Bar- goed; 9 Saunders, Merthyr. Final 1 Jones, New Tredegar 2 Ridge, 3 Edwards. 200 yds. Obstacle Race, 1 S. P. May, Pengam 2 Kendrick ,Rhym- ney A. T. Ninnus, Trelewis. 120 yds. open whippet handicap, heat winners, J. Knowles, Caerphilly Luce 3 yds. 9 Richards, Bargoed; "Jinks 10 yds. D. Thomas, Aber- cynon Little John 3 yds. W. Jones, Twynrodyn "Last Chance | 10 yds. W. Williams, Bargoed; Truant" 12 yds. T. Jones, Rhondda Valley; II Trick" final, T. Jones, Trick," 2 "Knowles," 3 Luce." 440 yds. open handicap, beat win- ners, T. Jones, New Tredegar 62 yds. W. H. Winstone, Pontlottyn; 57 yds. E. J. Edwards, Bedlinog 50 yds. G. | Saunders, Merthyr. Final, I T. Jones, 2 Winstone, 3 Saunders. Tug-of-war, Fochriw. Quoits, 1 and 2 divided between j Jeakin Morgan, Penrbeolgerrig, and T. Evans, Dowlais Top.

—-—— » < < I WORD TO LJLDINB. Omd two mkmp Aw ow mv a" ariebw Mubsui Boom, esatm* mg alai& MA | fnntiaal aivise kow Irrafmlaritaaa, Sap- praaaiuna, stay be prvrantad or iwHowai by simple mmm ia a few hours. Baoom- aMoiai by awiiaan* I%yolaimm oW tkam- mak of li", u bob* dw aWy Gouibm BstaKBshei SO paaaa.—LOSLEB Xiam, IAI., jliahli, B4 DIM fern, I88a PEGLERS STORES, Ltd. THE FIRM that LOWERS PRICES FIRST. ———————————— :0: ————————-——— MAKE PEGLERS tWt STORES your SUGAR RETAILER. 000 0 0 0 0 0 O O o o » 0 0 Under Lord Bhondda's Scheme the Food Office will issue a Sugar Card to eaoh householder after the 5th October. The Scheme does not finally come into operation until the 30th December. Householders must register with their Grocer or Provision Merchant, aDd leave with him a portion of the Card issued by the Food Office. HOUSEHOLDERS ARE '\é;f' FREE r ,f., ¡\I .II' To Select their own Grocer or Provision Merchant. Peglers Stores, Ltd. welcome Lord Rhondda's Scheme, and will do all in their power to make it a success. I Peglers* Stores, Ltd. have now opened at each of their Branches a Register for the Names and Addresses of their Customers. Householders should now Register their Names and Addresses at the nearest Branch. Bring your Card to Peglers' Stores, Ltd. as soon as you receive it. PEGLERS' STORES, LTD. HIGH STREET, < RHYMNEY. < P.D. WORKMEN'S HOSPITAL SPORTS. ° THE 8th ANNUAL SPORTS, HORTICULTURAL, Fur & Feather, & Baby SHOW WILL BE HELD ON THE BARGOED PARK, On Saturday, September 1st, 1917. o £ 100 IN PRIZES. Foot, Cycle, Whippet and Walking Events. ———— o ———— Entry Forms now ready, apply- S. FISHER, Secretary, 91, Gilfach Street, Bargoed. ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE & NURSING DIVISION. THE FIRST GBAND COMPETITIVE MEETING Band & Ambulance Contests WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SKATING RINK. BARGOED (Opposite R.R. Station), kindly lent by John Scarrott, Esq., On Saturday, September 29th, loll, Doors open at 2 p.m., to commence at 2.30 sharp. All Entries must be in the liands of the Secretary on or before 25th SEPT., 1917. For fail particulars, see Programme, which may be obtained from the Secretary BEN. REES, Hillcroft, Aberbargoed. -:0:- Admission by Ticket 2/ 1/8. and 1/ Proceeds to be devoted to the Local St. John Ambulance Brigade and Nursing Divisions. For Illuminated Addresses go to Journal" Offioes, Bargoed.