South Wales Weekly Post

IMPORTS IMPROVING, (JUT COAL AND PATENT FUEL SLOW. SWANSEA'S SHIPPING LAST WEEK. SWANSEA, Monday. On the whole there "was a loss of 3,000 ions in the trade of the harbour last week, iis against the 'preceding week 1 and a greater decrease compared with the corresponding period last yeaf. The im- provement, however, shown in the import trade was satisfactory, and the general ex- ports were also favourable. The coal and patent fuel trades, on the other hand. were very inactive, shipments being 110 more than 54,175 tons. Imports include France, 480 tons scra,p steel, 2,355 tons pit wood, 130 tons zinc ashes; and 40 tons sand; Spain, 1,700 tons iron pyrites Portugal, 280 tons salt; Al- ?-i.i, 60ci tons phosphate; U.S.A., 649 t0i? steel biUet? and 357 tons pl? iron and j Au?trahn. 1.990 tons zinc cnncentrates. Import, 14.766 tons, exports 60,514 tons, and total trade 76,080 tone, compared with 78,950 tons the preceding week and 108,647 tuns the corresponding week lat yei-r. Shipments of coal 40,735 tons, patent fuel 15.440 tons, and tinplates and general goods 6,159 tons. The latter for Denmark, Holland, France, and home ports. Shipments of tinplate 25,056 boxes, and receipts from works 39,116 boxee. Stocks r in the dock warehouses and vans 191,549' boxes, -ompared with 177,489 boxes the preceding week, and 354,921 boxes at this date lost year. Tonnage is due to load general cargo for Gothenburg, Rotterdam, Nantes, Bor- deaux," Lisbon, Oporto, and near Italian I ports.

1. MR. LEOPOLD VON I GLUCK, I SWANSEA MOTOR LIGHTING I RROSE CUTION. For* driving a motor-car in High-street without properly obscuring the front glass of the headlights on the car, Leopold von Gluck was, at Swansea. Police Court on Monday, fined 5s. i For a simila.r offence Charles Henry Ball, tnotor-car driver, was also fined 5s.

 i.f I i DOCKS DELAYS. shipping Controller Wants Informa- I tion. I; (From Sir J. Maclay, Stripping I Controller.) iThe. Controller of Shipping will consider it,,a faa-oiir. if'dock. authorities, Steamship jowners, and labour organisations, through itheir representatives, will advise him from 1 lime to time of any detentions and delays in harbours at home or abroad, from any pause whatsoever, which in their opinion might be obviated. Communicationis ^should be addressed: Controller of Shipping, Whitehall, Lon- ion. S.W."

'? — 1 •f ,I PONTARDULAIS PRESENTATION. I > Siloh Congregational Chapel, Pontardu- puis, was comfortably full on the occasion t (jof making a presentation to one of its lmcmherswho has been on active service for upwards, of two years. The chair was ,occnpied by the Rev. W. R. Lloyd, pastor, who delivered an eloquent address. evernlother members also spoke. The Chairman then presented Sapper John ^[•Davies (Royal Engineers) with a purse of i'Treasury notes and a parcel, as he was i ^returning on Thursday morning. A Jtmusical programme was then gone through when the following took part:— Pianoforte solo, Mr. Victor Davies; solos, Messrs. Noah Davies, Oswald Williams, Gwilvm Evans, Misses Milicent Jones, I Bessie Miles, Frances Rees, Sarah Jane Williams; recitations, Messrs. Brinley jUenkins, Arthur Miles, Tommy T.)avies, Albert Williams and Thomas. |^Mr.s. P Lev,ilion D-svies, F.V.C.M., ae-i coil] with her usual ability,

AT SWANSEA CARRISON HOSPITAL. f, One of the most suocessiful entertain- ments ever given to the soldier patients at Swansea, Garrison Hospital took place on ;■ 'Friday evening, when a Avhist drive and ? supper, organised by the Mayoress and Mrs Matthews (assisted by Miss A. E. Moj-gan), iivas held. A number of local ladies, as Atsual, rendered valuable assistance and 'helped to make the function a most enjov- nble one. The winners of the drive were: Indies' prize, Miss. Lily Morris; gentle- men's, Pte. Kenworthy. Cigarettes were supplied by Mr. Richard Lewis, and at the conclusion the patients accorded a very hearty vote of thanks to the Mayoress and the several other ladies who had so kindly arranged the affair.

POLLUTED WELSH RIVERS. Complaints of river pollution in the Am- man Valley were again referred to at Towy District Board of Conservators at Carmar-1 then on Friday. The executive committee. reported that having considered the ques-; tion, they were satisfied that pollution did: exist, especially in the rivers Amman and Loughor, to an extent detrimental to fish. 1 They had instructed the, clerk to take the, necessary steps to have it abated.

SWANSEA DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION. I ho report of work for October, Noveni- j fcer and Decent her Rhowr; that in spite of; Romany men being away at the front, the onu ses a re in great demand, and ha,e paid a.055 visits to gfiieral cases. Of these 562 to those dependent on the parish. 472 to old age pensioners, and 139 to tubercular rases. There, have been 104 new cases mused during the quarter. The maternity w ork is increasing 48 new cases were booked I nd 1,137. visits paid during the quarter, flw committee are very grateful,to the manv kind friends who have sent, most acceptable f-Ífts of food, old linen and garments, tickets ?pr entertainments, and Christmas fare for nurses.

T-he- funeral of*Miss Phoebe- John, the youngest.daughter uf .Miss M. A. John (news- agent) of Treharne-ruad, Morriston, took it Sion Chun-hy.tid. Morris-ton, oil Saturday. The li* v. U. Jones .officiated and! the following were the mourners :—Mr. Grif- fith John (brother), .Mi.-s Lizzie John (sister), Mr. J. John, Miss K. John. Mr. and Mrs. Wehrle, Miss M. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. r. Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. J. Brown, Mr C. John. Master J I. Thomas. Mi-. U. Johii, Mr. JI. 0. John and Mr. Rees Thom.a«. The iuneral .arrafigfrnents wc?. in' the ha-nds of lr. James Kiioyle.

I TIPPLERS AND TUMBLERS. I SWANSEA FANCIERS' SUCCESS- FUL SHOW. No section of the community, it has been said, has come to the front, so prominently in this war than the sport-loving public. Whether to alleviate the distress of our Swansea soldiers imprisoned behind the barbed wires of Germany, or to comfort their more fortunate comrades in the trenches, Swansea's sportsmen have never been found lacking in supporting the various funds. Evidence of thi« fact wacs" stablishèd once again on Saturday evening when the Swaat- sea 1 nitrd Tippler and Tumbler Flying Club held an open local show at the Work- ing Men's Club, Swansea, the proceeds of which were devoted to the Mayor's Swansea, Boys' Comforts Fund. Though not con- ducted on anything like a large scale the show was a complete, success, and the large attendance testified to the popularity of this. particular kind of sport. Mr. Geo. Reid i judged all the six classes, whilst the secre- tary, who worked untiringly to insure suc- cess, was Mr. T. Edgington. The following were the awards:- Tippler, cock, adult 1 &nd two specials, R. Morris; 2, C. Davidson; 3, R. Moms. Tippler, hen? adult: 1 ajid special, R. j Morris: 2, H. Davies; 3, T. J. Thomas. Tippler, cock or hen, 1916: 1 and special, H. Divies; 2, R. Morris; 3, R.. Gorman. Tumbler, cock, adult: 1 and special, R. Morris; 2. C. Rees 3, S. Edgington. Tumbler, hen. adult 1 and two special, C. ReeS;-2, S. Edgington; 3, C*. Rees. Tumbler, cock or hen, 19i6: 1 and special, Messrs. Rees and Thonias 2, T. J. Thomas 3, S. Rees.

THE REAL RUSSIAN I "STEAM ROLLER!" I AT WORK ON THE ARMENIAN I FRONT. A Times" article on the Russian Army's efforts in Armenia refers to the (badness of the roads, and adds: "The ^Russian Army, however, has a number of steam rollers at work, and the section from Sarikamysh to Brzerum is already prac- tically built and in fine condition."

I ABERAYON FIGHTERS. I Brace of Presentations Made. I -i — j At Salem Chapel, Sandfields, Abeiavon, a presentation of a wristlet match and wallet was made to. Gunner David Lewis, of Alfred-street, by his i^any friends and ac- quaintahcesi Mrs. ,Taynm, handed over -thfe gifta, and Gunner Lewis responded. Words of wekome were spoken by the deacons of the church, Messrs. H. Morgan, J. Lewis (father), and T. James. Fallowing was another interesting function. To conimeno- rate his entry into the trenches and his 21st birthday, which fell on the same day, Gun- ner Lewis, jointly with his father, pre- sented the church with a massive oa.k chair, suitably inscribed. The presentation was made on their behalf by Madame Rowlands, sister of Gunner Lewis. After the presen- tation there was a social, presided over by the pastor, the Rev. Mr. Jones. The fol- lowing contributed to an. exce ileiit pro- gramme :-Misses L. Phillips, B. Jöhuj Beynon, Evans, Mrs. Austin, Messrs. W. James, D. James, E. James, Lloyd, and Master Bryn Morgan. Ex-Trimmer Sergt.-Major. I bergt.-MajM-t Dobbin, of the A.S.Q., wh.o was before the war a trimmer at Port Tal- hot Docks, was given a hearty send-off be- fore leaving for active service once more. His eomrades from the docks wished him good-luck at a convivial gathering at the Castle Ifotl, Aberavon, where the chair was taken at first by Mr. Bonharn, the sec- retary of the Dockers' Union, and after- wards ^by Mr. M. B. Sharp. Mr. W. Rooney, of Cardiff (assistant district secre- tary), was also present, and slulie elo- quently. On behalf of the dockers, the chairman handed S.M. Dobbin -8" purse of money, and on behalf of Mrs. Sharp and himself a silver cigarette case and a cigar- ette holder, and S.M. Dobbin expressed his thanks. There was a splendid miscellaneous programme, in which the following took part .—Messrs. H. Sh.irp D. Evans, D. Daniels, T. Forrester, D. Tanner, and Islwyn Morgan. 1

TH E CONSCRIPTION OF-W EA LTH2, The Treasury is now empowered to take possession ot such foreign securities a:! it I may require to eg,ilate the foreign ex- change. etc. They will either be bought at the current market price or borrowed at 2i per cent. interest per annum.

DIEDER 18 MONTHS' OLD ACCIDENT. A flock workman named Levi Matthias, -No. 38, Miers-street, St. Thomas, has just died at the Swansea Union Infirmary from injuries received to the spine by a fall 18 months ago. He was fyvsl, under treat- ment at the Swansea Hospital. J

SWANSEA LABOUR QUESTIONS I DISCUSSED. A conference between the Swansea Har- bour Trustees, Chamber of Commerce, and dpclv employers and men's representatives will take place at the Harbou.r Office next hridav with a view of discussing generally labour questions at the docks. The men's representatives will include Mr. Ben Tillett (Dockers) and Mr. J. Twomey (National Amalgamated Labourers).

• i FFORESTFACH EISTEDDFOD. A very successlul eisteddfod was held at y trad Schoolroom on Saturday. The offi- cials were as follows Conductor. Mr. W.- (L K. John, Cadle School; adjudicators--I music. Mr. Evan Walters, R.A.M., Mausel- ton; literature, Mr. T. R. Johns (Tryollwy) Gorseinon; brushwork and peLcil drawing" R. John; aoompanist. Mr. Harold Williams; secretary, Mr. Horace Williams; treasurer. Mr. H. J. Simons. Chief awards Solo (children under 10) Winnie Howellsj Gendros. Recitation (children under 10) John Alwyn Davies, Fforestfach. Solo (gids under 15) x. Katie Bbwen, Pen?ergaxr. Re- citation (under 15) Herbert jMainwaring, Fforestfach. Solo (boys under 15) Fred Masters, Cockett. Solo (over 4 Divided between Messrs. Win. Jones and David '.Tones, Fforestfach. Soprano solo Miss Carrie Hagcdorn, Loughor. Contralto solo: Divided between Miss M. Emmanuel, Babell, and iAl. E. Gear, Fforestfach. Tenor solo Mr. Glyn Jones, Fforestfach. Wind instrument solo Mr. Tudor AVilliams, Fforestfach. Hecitation (open): Miss Gwyneth Collins, Gorseinon. Bass 8010,: Divided between Messrs. D. Elia-s Hughes and Tudor William*, Ffurestiuch.

PRICE OF GAS AT I I SWANSEA. I W- LOCAL COMPANY'S REPLY. REVENUE FROM BYE- PRODUCTS. We have received the following communi- cation from Mr. R. G. Clarry, engineer a.nd manager of the Swansea Gaslight Co. :— (To the Editor of the "South Wales Daily Post.") Dear Sir,—With the object of correcting certain mis-statements made by local public men, and the consequent misunderstandings which may arise with regard to the com- pany's true position, I am instructed by illy directors to put the following general facts before you, and trust you will give them equal publicity with the previous statements referred to in your paper. Prices of Cas Comparisons. in a. report upon a meeting of the High- ways Committee of the Corporation, given on the 3rd January last, certain, prices of gas in other towns and localities are stated incorrectly, the prices quoted being in some cases pre-war figures, and as mueTi as ten- jience per thousand cubic feet understated. In certain other instances the prices can- not be made comparable with those in operation in Swansea, and a further im- portant poiiitl-shoiild also be noted as coal purchased by all gas undertakings is sub- ject to the provisions of the. Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. 1915, an amendment of which increases the cost of coal from, the South Wales district by two sllilliilg- and sixpence per ton, and, generally speaking, all South Wales gas undertakings have to pay this extra 2s. 6d. per ton for coal over that paid by g-os undertakings in. any other part of the United Kingdom. Reasonable and business men will at once realise that any increase in the cost of pro- duction will necessitate an inevitable in- crease in the price of the commodity sold, and if certain economies had not' been in- stituted in the production at Swansea the increase in the price of gas would not approximate such a reasonable figure as 30 per cent., which makes one of the smallest increases in cost of any of the necessary and general commodities purchased by the householder at the present time. With respect to necessary costs, such as foodstuffs, house rents, rates, etc., Swansea is generally regarded as higher than .the, average, but in the price of gas, including the present increase, there are only three, lower than Swansea in South Wales. I- Valuable Bye-Prcduots. Reference has also been made to the additional revenue received from the valu- able -bye-products. In respect to the bye- products obtainable from coal-tar, the com- pany have throughout loyally carried out the C-,overiiment's -,enii-compill,-ory require- ment.. At the -tnic time maximum prices were fixed early in the Avar for some of the principal bye-product" The revenue, however, recei ved from the bye-products is included in. the price of tar. The price of tar is largely ruled by the market for pitch. Continuously since the autumn of 1914 pitch has been a drug! on tlhe market, and the result has been that although tar is approximately 40 per cent. more costly to produce, and. contains the valuable bye-products required by the Gov- ernment, the revenue received by. the com- pany is approximately 30 per cent. lees than in pre-war days so that .instead of tending to help the present situation, the reverse is the case. With regard to the other important bye- product, sulphate of ammonia, the Govern- nleiit have fixed a price for sulphuric acid, the purchase of which alone increases the cost of production hy over L2 per ton, whilst at the same time have practically made the export of sulphate of ammonia, impossible, and mixed maximum prices for home consumption at an increase of only about £1 per ton, so that in this case also there is a reduced net revenue. Statutory Obligations. N. it is not generally known that" the opera- tiOllS. of. the compa-ny are hedged abound by restrictions prescribed tiy Parliament 'te the .bene-fit of consumers, t)1us eliminating any question of profiteering, or exploitation of the consumer. A few are as follows: — Maximum price charged for gae.. Limitation of profits. I Maximum dividend on capital, 5 per centum. Extension of unrernunerative mains. New Heating Standard and Quality. ine government, at the instigation of I the Hi¡gh Explosives Department of the Ministry- of Munitions, having requested the company, in common with other gas undertakings throughout the country, to recover certain constituents from the gas, passed a measure through Parliament offer- ling facilities to all gas undertakings throughout the United Kingdom to drop the standard of illuminating power for a standard of heating value. Certain municipalities thought it neces- sary to oppose this change, but every think- ing consumer will at once realise that the gas he consumes in his incandescent bur- ners, cookers, fh-ea, etc., ds immediately converted :nto a non-luminous flame, and the energy required a.nd purchased by hinr iu these respects is "heat." The true interests, therefore, of the con- sumer are involved in the change, as any advantage obtained by the .tompany by supplying to a standard of heat value (with the restrictions above referred to) will ulti- mately be to the advantage of the con- sumer in the price of .gas, quite apart from national considerations. Upoii reflection it will be-appreciated that the fields of activity of a progressive gas undertaking are wide. also that under the present abnormal conditions added diffi- culties are' presented in all directions, and «{»>' puipr?cks of Inaccurate or unwarrant- able cntic?m wUl? not bring nearer the desire of our 26.000 consumer?, and all con- nected with the company" viz., an earlv return to the. lower prices at Swansea. Gas Offices, .Swansea, Jan. 25.

OPERETTA AT SKEWEN. Ihe operetta, entitled "Golden Hair and Three Bears," was rendered by the Church Choir at Mooretown Mission Church Skewen, on Thursday, Fridav and Satur- day, under the conductorship" of Mr W Tfott. The following took part:—Mi«s Beatrice Trott. Miss Edith Williams Mr W. Trott, Miss Sarah Bendle, Miss 1\1:. J Renhalagh, Mr. Joseph Thomas. Mr E.A. Trott, Mr. B. Francis, Ir. J. Thomas Master James Wynne, and Master G. W Trott. Besides the opera, which proved huge sticeess, a miscellaneous musical programme was given by the following well- known irtistes.- Mr. Jeff Jones..Miss Parry, Mr. Ben Davies, Miss G. Thomas. Mr. D. Dognall, Ali-s Daisy Love, Mr. W J.' Stephens, Miss Matty Joseph, and Mr! Jamea Davies. The whole proceed* of the three days' concerts were handed-over to the V.A.D., Skewen. I

FERRY LICENSE TR *\SFR I  k l-  At Neath on, Friday, Jessie Maj-v Nor- man, who for 34 yeara has held th'e'ifcense of the Royal Dock Hotel, Briton Ferry, was granted transfer of the license of th-a I Yillier¡; Hotel, alpo at Briton Ferrv.

The concert organised in aid of the 3rd C.V.R. Band at the Pontardawe Bublic Hall on Thursday evening turned out a huge success. Major A. A. Perkins, O.C., 3rd G.V.R., who presided, paid a tribute to the Pontardawe Company, and also their baud, now the regimental band. It had al- ready created a good impression when it played before Lord French at Cardiff. The programme was an exceptionally brilliant one, and Mr. Joseph Cheetham, the famous 'hc-et h ani, the faiiiotis Yorkshire tend1, was in tip-top form. He sang thrice in.succession. Miss Annie Pees, the brilliant soprano of the leading London concerts, proved & meet pleasing linger of a Urst-rat? order. Mr. David Hughes, the renowned We6-h Lasso, was in hi usual form. Mr. Ben Ivor BavMS, the local en- I)Itoiiium? player; W. H. Jo?es, ?hc Swansea humorist; and the selections byi ,t,lie 3rd. -Band were most excellent. Mr. Llew. -Lewi*, the conductor, deserves great credit. The accompanist was Mr. D. i J. Puces, F.R.C.U.

THREE BOTTLES OFI STOUI I .I WHAT SWANSEA CON- STABLE SAW. I LICENSING APPEAL FAILS AT SESSIONS. At Swansea Qu'irtef Sessions on Monday, be fore the Recordex (My. Ivor Bowen, K.C.), 1 Mrs. Gwenllian Stevenfe, licensee of the Gol- den Lion public-house. Dyfattv'Street, ap- pealed against a conviction by the Swansea magistrates on Nóvemb 27th last, when she was fined L5 for ah offence against the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) Order for dispatching intoxicating liquor to be con- sumed off the premisaft the prohibited FoT t,h-e. -Nlr. St. John FTAncis For the. respondents, Mr. St. John Francis Williamss&id that about 10 p.m. on Novem- ber 4th last P.O. A. H. Davies was outside the Golden Lion when, looking through the window, he saw Mrs. Stevens behind the bar in the act of handing bottles to Mrs. Grace Edwards, a married daughter of the then vanv a man named Thos. Walters come to the door, Jook up and down the street, and then turn inside again. Mrs. Edwards then catne out carrying a basket whitih the constable afterwards found contained three, bottles of stout. She ap- proache-d where the constable was and then suddenly turned back. She subsequently said at the 'house that the stout had been bought before eight o'clock. The defence was that Mrs. Edwards had turned back remembering that hè had promised to take some stout to her sifter. P.C. Davies bore out the opening state- ment. For the appellant, Mrs. Jones and Mr. Walters were called, but the Recorder, in dismissing the appeal, said he entirely agreed with the magistrates.

NEW PRESIDENT I OF SWANSEA CHAMBER OF I COMMERCE. ELECTION- OF MR. E. P. I JONES. ?. The annual meeting of the' Swansea Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday, l Mr. II. Goldberg (president) presiding. The following new members were elected,: -.Nfessrs. B. Davies (A. Gibbs and Co., Fort Talbot), E. M. Jones (Atlantic Patent Fuel Co.), E. LucoCq (stockbroker), F. S. Parker (Franklyn, Sanders and Co.), P. W. Phillips (acting' general manager, Swansea Harbour Trust). Mr. H. J. Marshall (secretary) read the I annual report of the Council of the Cham- ber (published in our columns on Friday), and also the financial statement, which showed £700 received in subscriptions and 1 3 24 being an in- a balance in crease of R141 on the year., The President, in moving the adoption of the reports, paid they reflected the growing importance of the work. of the Chamber; during the year the Chamber had secured during the year the representation on the executive of the Central Association, aud in Mr. T. Cook they had an excellent representative. One of the chief questions had been freights and export of coal to France and Italy. How far the arrangement had been suc- cessful he had better not debate, but the conditions under which the arrangements were carried out had. been honourably, car- ried out by the members of the Chamber. A commitiae had been appointed to con- sider trade and commercial policy after the war, but their report, had Mt yet been c-om- piled. The President spoke of the work of the local NN-ar Patriot-ic Savings Association (yponf which hád: early in the year been appointed); to depositors; there being no expense whatever ("besides a very imalf itsm" for prfritihg and books). The guarantee fund now reached £ 5,000. The number of deposit accounts were 1.800, and the total deposits about £ 14,003'; since the beginning of last week over PBW had been received, which was eminently satis- factory. Aa regards the submarine menace, he said we had wonderful powers of recon- struction, and by the release of shipbuilders he thought we should be able to make up some leeway of the havoc. Mr. E. P. Jones seebnded.-Cairied. Father of théChamber." I Major G. Harries proposed Mr. E. P. Joues as president for the coming year o.jLr. Jones had been father of the Chamber so far as they Could remember, and they | could offer him no bi:ghr honour. Mr. A. W. Wynne seconded, and said up to within a few years ago Mr. E. P. Jones had acted as secretary to the Cbimoer fr.r 32 years. In point of membership- the St. aiicea Chamber was the third largest in the kingdom. Mr. W. T. Farv cordially supported. The President -siiid lw could go back as a member of the Chamber to the time of Mr. E. P. Jones's predecessor. • On being elected amidst app .au.se, J\lr. E. P. Jones, in returning thanks, said outside the Mayoralty there .was «o oftico repre- sentative of varied iiiterl-t.s as the presidency of the Chamber. He !had the\deepG?t aNechon for the Chamber— a parental -Section.. ?n conclu?on, 'he pro-  posed hearty thanks ;? the letning pre?i- dent. J I ■ apl:)oarecl in  ?A photo?graph of ?tr. Jones appeared in T our "Fiua" edition.) Mr. W. Turpm. in secondin tms. spoke of Mr. Goldberg's thoroug'hMss and en- thusiasm. The ex-President, iii respon.-e, spoKe of 'Va appeals that had been made and the responses. He paid a well-defiervod compli- ment to Mr. H. Marsh-all (the secretary) for his valuable wrrk. Junior vice-Presiaeni. j .1 I 3Ir. A. G. Moffatt moved tiva<tr; A. Andrews be the junior vice-president (the senior vice-president is Mr. A.. Wvnne). Mr. W. T. Fair seconded and said Mr. Aitdre,iys had admirably ?er\ ed the Cham- ber, especially in the negotiations with the -1 Mr. Andrews was elected amidst enthu- siam. Mr. S. Cook proposed the rc-electioii of Mr. C. Crabbo as hon. treasurer, Who has put in some 37 years' service. Mr. R. E. James seconded.—f^ amed. Mr. W. Thomas proposed and Mr. w. G. Foy seconded that Mr. D. Roberts be re-elected -hoii. aviditor. -Carried. 'The following were elected on the Coun- j cil of the Chamber:—Messrs. W. Morgan,. S. Burgess. H. S. Cook. C. E. Cleeves, W. Cann, R. Hopgood, P. Cocks, and Trevor Bowen. Mr. A. P. Higham was elected as addi- tional representative on the Jurenile Em- I plovment Committee. Mr. H. S. Cook con- tinues also as representative of the Cham-1 ber.

CORSEINON D.C.M. I A public meetijig was held :It the Institute, £ 5orteinon, on Thursday, to con- sider what steps should be tdiken to honour^ i>ergeant-M*jor Georr E. Soapes, wrnar(ied the D.C.M. rc- cently. Dr. Trafford presided, and a com- mittee was formed to see the matter through.

EX-COWER CANDtDATE S D.S.O. i- Lieutenant-Colonel Percy R. fexmncr, who reoeived the D.S.O. from the King on Wednesday, is a barrister and a member of the Westminster City Council. When war broke out he joined the O.T.C. at the age of 37 and became lieutenant-colonel within 18 inottfch^. He will- be remem hered- as a Conservative candidate for GoWer sonw years ago.

At Ebenezer Vestry a very hiteresling d/isoussion took place on the subject of "Amusements," under the auspices of the Ebenezer Young People's Gyild. The affir- mative -w-as'-taken by Mr W. Beynmi, whilst Mr. J..Hewitt took the alternative. G. Jones" presided}.

GERMAN POSITIONS SMASHED. ON TWO MILES I FRONT. THOUSAND TURKS CAPTURED. Fourth Line Trenches Taken. (Admiralt-v. ner Wireless Press.) I PETB'OGRAD, Monday, 2.30 p.m. We have captured 30 Turkish officers and aver 1,000 rank and file during the battle on January 27th, north-east of Jacoben. Monday. 3 p.m. I, South of Brzeshany, durtng the nights of January 26th and 27th, our troops, after further fighting, gained possession of the enemy's fourth Iflne trenches, notwithstanding: the number of RACJNC COUNTER-ATTACKS by the Turks, which were repulsed with great enemy loss.' Our troops also exploded six enemy mining galleries and demolished the trenches, and then withdrew to the posi- tion which they originally occupied. (Admiralty, per Wireless Press. PETROGRAD, Sunday. Our detachments, after artillery pre- paration, assumed the offensive on beth sides of the Kimpolung (Southern Buko- vina) Jakobeny, (south-west of Kimpo- lung, north-west of Doma Watra) road, and, after a stubborn fight, broke through the enemy's fortified positions on a front of 3,000 yards (about 2 miles). Prisoners and booty were taken, the extent of which is being ascertained. GERMAN ADMISSION. BERLIN, Sunday. In the Mestecanesci sector (extreme Southern Bukovina.), on the Golden Bys- tritza, owing to the pressure of superior Russian forces, our defending trogps were compelled to move nearer to the eastern bank of the river. ELEVEN HOURS' FIGHTING. ENEMY REPULSED IN ,1 MOLDAVIA., (Renter's War Special.) I ,)Ao&x, ounctay. I On the western front of Moldavia, as far l as the Oituz Valley, there have .been only infantry patrol actions. In the Ca--iti- Valley our troops attacked the enemy, and succeeded, after 11 hours of desperate fighting, despite great cold and heavy snow, in repulsing him towards the south. ABANDONING THE TURKS." MACKENSEN'S APPEAL FOR REINFORCEMENTS. ROME. Sunday. The Berne correspondent- of the "Corriere d'Italia ■ s that, according to information received from Berlin, Field-Marshal Macken- sen hag plainly intimated to the German and i Atrian General Staffs that unless reinforce- I me-nts are speedily sent to him in Rumania his armies there will soon find themselves ill a critical situation., The weather in Ru- mania at the present time is very severe, a fact which is favourable to the: ¡ph:üs of the Russians and Rumanians. Urgents appeals have, befen sent that if the request is not speedily complied with the successes achieved in ROmaa; -may W com j pletely nullified by a disastrous retreat. In spite of this intimation, however, both Softi and that internal conditioas are-such that it is impos- sible for them to send further troops out of the country. The despatch adds that in German military circles the necessity for abaiidoning t-he Turks to their fate is freely spoken of. (Note.—Monday's message from Petrograd appears to confirm the latter sentence.)

HIGHER FREIGHTS I TO FRENCH AND ITALIAN PORTS. NEW ARRANGEMENT AT I SWANSEA. Afr. ,H. J. Marshall (secretary of the Swansea Coal Export Committee) received on Monday instructions from the Executive Committee ou the supply of. coals France and Italy th.it in order to meet the in- creased cost of war insurance on neutral ships the following alterations were made ia th limitation scJieme :— Flights to French Channel and Atlantic ports !ire increased by 20 per cent. Freights for French and Itaiiati Mediter- ranean ports are increased by 50 per ceiit. These alterations take cffect from to-dav (Monday). There is also an increase "in time charter rates ,up to 1.000 toi-Ls' dtad weight; bringing the rate up to 52s. 6d. per ton. and over 1,000 tons to 47s. 6d. pei- ton. Mr. Marshall told the "Post" that whil-j these arrangements would prove, some help thev Would n6t manufacture more tonnage. Importations into France for the week end- ing 20th January were -223,496 tons, as against 34-0,490 tons the previous week. Greater efficiency in the tonnages direc- tion, ,:houl(I b,L, brought about by working i-essels over the week- ends at ports and by the. quicker turning round of tonnage generally.

THIS WILL SETTLE THE "SNAP!" SKATERS OUT ALREADY 1 NEAR SWANSEA. Swansea shopkeepers are now exhibiting skates outside their promises, and if the present hard weather continues there is sure to be a brisk demand for skates. Already there has been some skating in the district, notably at Fairwooo Common, where we learn the ice is quite safe. The weather, however, has been too cpld to cittice many skaters. Present signs -in- dicate that the frosty weather will last for some time yet. On Sunday at Swansea the maximum temperature was 33 the minimum 27 ;'on the grass 26, and the temperature on Monday morning was 28. The High Pool," Bishopston Common, was the scene of skating on Sunday. The liitter wind dropped on Sunday, to everybody's great relief. Monday was cold, but-a brisk, stirring day. Skating was induJgedin on the Tenant Canal, the -Llansrtmiet Marphes, and also 'on the Neath Canal between that town and lberdiilais.

J?1 111 11 L EX-SWWANSEA CLERGYMAN'S I PREFERMENT. 0 Parishioners of St. Mark's Parish Church, Waunwen, Swansea, will be pleas- ed to hear that the Rev. David Hughes, M.A., rector of Llanmaes, Llantwit Major, has 'been appointed vicar of Chepstow. He was formerly curata of St. Mark's Church, under the Rev. W. T. Watsoifj' the vicar, from 1904 to 1907; then he was at the Parish Church from 1907 to 1910. Prior to I bei? appointed to ',??t'' Chiachhe served as a curate in St. 'Mary's. Parish Church. 'He is a ?)il.ingval ()f high qualities.

Mr. H. Soper has retired from the man- agement of the JLondou ajad Provincial Bank, LlanelJy. and is to lie succeeded by l Mt..A. M. Jones, ioruiorjy-cashitr at the l'

'SACRIFICE, FORSOOTH!'| "SACRIFlèE. FORSOOTH 1'1 MR. WM. BRACE AND THE I WAR LOAN. ROUSING SPEECH AT NEATHI MEETING. I There was a good attendance at the Gwyn Hall, Neath, on Saturday at a public meeting in support of the Victory War J..oail. The .Aldern,aii Charles) pre- sided, and the principal speakers were Mr. William Brace, M.P.. Under-Secretary for Home Affairs, and Mr. T. J. Williams, M.P. Mr. Ellis Griffith, M.P., was un- able to be present At the outset Mr. Theodore Gibbins moved, a resolution pledging the meeting to do all in its power to make the loan all overwhelming success. Mr. E. C. Curtis (town clerk) seconded. Mr. T. J. Williams, M.P., said Prussia had defeated her own allies fOif, Austria- Hungary was beaten and bankrupt, and Turkey would be driven from Europe. (Ap- plause.) The Victory War Loan was the greatest the world had ever known. It was a loan for every mqii, woman, and child, and the interest was higher than would be ever offered again. Mr. William Brace, M.P.. said Germany had made, up her mind for this terrible catastrophe, and only she and her allies knew the hour at which the laid on man- kind would be made. Germany had al- ready made war upon Denmark, Austria, and, later, France. She defeated all three, and then made up her mind to have an- other war. But she made a grave mistake. Yes, she calculated without the knowledge that the people of the British Empire had more than a passing regard for the claims of Righteousness, justice, and fairplay. I (Applause.) Had they ever tried to con- ceive this world with Britain and her Allies defeated? Men, munitions, and money were the three requisites necessary to the success of the allied arm?. Millions were sacrificing their lives because they con- sidered it "o be their duty. If they could not fight they could place on the altar of sacrifice something they possessed—some- thing that the nation must have. (Ap- plause.) Let them invest in this War Loan, which was guaranteed by the finest security in the world.—the security of the British Empire. (Loud cheers.) In this war they had to teach Germany that the British were "all in" in connection with this war. (Loud applause:) They had no ri gh t to send their young men into the fignl j"}6 to do battle for them unless they were p pared to arm them with everything that I science could provide to give them a fight- ing chance and an opportunity of eventually returning to their families and their homes. i (Cheers.) Some talked of sacrifice in lend- ing money to the State, Sacrifice, forsooth! It was no sacrific-e.' It should be a, joy to every one of tli'oni-(Ioud applause)-a satisfaction to them to show the world that they ppreciate their heroes, who were laying all on the altar of patriotism. (Ap- plause.) The Mayor, who followed, suggested that a ?ch?me might, be effected between all I employers of labour and their employes whereby advances, to be repaid in a period of time, might be made for investment in the War Loan. (Applause.) He was very much impressed the other day A-hen he read: It is not so much your hundreds I of millions we want, but your millions of h-a ii 4 i-c-tls (Applause.) The resolution was carried. The flayer then announced the following local subscriptions to the War Loa;n Applications at banks £155,000'11 Mr John John. J.P. (LonIas)&Son. 25,000 Mr F. W. Gibbinr, -,J.P. 20, 000 Mayor of Neath & Son 10,000 Messrs. Taylor and Sons (Briton Ferry) 5,000 £ 213,000

 't 7' I' 2 EX PENSIVE .èdà L?'I' I I PROSECUTIONS IN SWANSEA YALLEY. ¡ At Poutardawc Police Court on Friday W. Griffiths, collierl i-id-ei- CIvdach,. was I summoned for obtaining a loal of coal, I valued at 30s., by false pretences. Mr. Keashole (Aberdare) said defen- dant, who was employed by the Graigola Merthyr Colliery Co., was entitled to a load of coal once a month at colliers' rate, but on this occasion he obtained the load of coal for another party. Defendant, who pleaded guilty," was fined £ 8. Expensive "Hants." Flome Davies, a. young girl, was sum- moned for stealing 401bs. of coal, value 5d., from the Gwaun-eae-Gurwen Colliery Co.—Mr. n. J. Clarke, Swansea, prose- cuted.H-pr mother was also summoned for aiding and abetting. The girl pleaded "guilty," and was fined 30s., her mother being ordered to pay. For a. similar offence from the same colliery (601bs. valued at Sd.), Mrs. Jennie Hawker was also fined 30s.

WEST WALES HOOLIGAN SHOUTING AND BAWLING AT CHAPEL CONCERT. At Llanfihajigel-ar-Arth (Carmarthen- Petty Thomar, Ree,?, 164,- ing at Cross .Hand? Villa, Lla '011, near t., was summoned for disturbing a competitive concert held at Pencader Chapel on Christmas night, by disorderly conduct. P.C. Evans (Pencader) said defendant kept oil shouting and bawling at the concert and disregarded t;he appeals of the chairman and the police to keep quiet. The build- ing bEing so crowded, it jyould have been impossible to. eject him without disturbing the whole audience. N T E f C. Supt. J, E.. Jonfs (armarthen) aaid j there had been complaints of such conduct | at similar gatherings. There were young t nieu who thought it was great fun to dis- j turb He asked that a heavy penalty be fixed. j t A fine of 30s. was imposed. Defendant j was also fined 10s. for drunkenness later on the same evening. I I

ELECTRIC CABLE IN DANGER. I Mischievous Melyn Boys' Work. 1 • Mischievous boys set fire to the goise on the Melyn Marshes at Neatli on Sun-1 day, thereby endangering the .electric j cable which ;connects the power station a t; Penrhiewtyn with the town aild sunound-I ing district. The blaze was a cooyideiable one and could be seeu for m. ties ai-ound. Fortunately the flames were subdued and the cable escaped damage. I At several places of worshiptbei-e was, however,^i temporary failure in the light- ing arrangements.

H.AND!LOR.O.S BONUS. .1 1 The Llandilo Guaxdians and Rural Dis- trict on Saturday considered applications which had been received from five oSiciaIs "king for an increase in salary. A war bonus of L12 per annum wAs allowed Mr. Popkin, relieving officer, and all the other I applications were not entertained.

The vacant head master ship of the Copper Works School, Llanelly, ivill be filled on Wednesday next. There has been a tremendous amount* of canvassing for the post. The directors of the Rhondda and Swan- sea Bay Railway Company, at theil\mect. ing on Saturday, electod the Right lion, on ltiturcti- tlect?,,d ttie the Bo;ud i-I of -T ei, ,06 'N rMidersd ?acM.))t the dp;?h of 'the I?tc lr. W. H. r. Jenkins.

LAURENTIC SUNK. J A 15,000 TON ] AUXILIARY. ) 121 SAVED: ii u 97 BoAlf II OR MINE? ADMIRALTY, Sunday Night. H.M. auxiliary cruiser Laurent' (Cap- tain R. A. Norton, R.N.) was sunk off thf Irish const by a German submarine or rnini on Thursday last. Tii,eIN-c -oflice.s' and 109 men have been saved. x There are 12 officer survival's, including the captain and commander. A number of the men have also been landed. The Laurerctic was formerly the 15.0CKJ tons White Strar liner. When commissioned in 1908 she was the largest vessel on th4 Canadian route and readied. the limit pos- sible for na vigation of the St. Lawrencft above Quebec. She had accommodation for 1,790 passengers and was the first liner to be fitted with both reciprocating and- tur- [ hine engines. „ The White Star Line's losses during tlIP war include ilie greatest British merSianl ship, the Britannic, torpedoed iu,- the i .Egoan while employed as a hosrital "ship the Arabic, sunk without warning off the Irish coast, with the loss (jf over 30 lives; the Oceanic, wrecked on the Scottish. coast. while in use as an auxiliary cruiser; .and the Georgic, sunk by the present Atlantic raider. GERMAN SUBMARINE FOUNDERS. (Reuter's War Special.) 1. CHRISTIANIA, Saturday: A Norwegian motor-launch yesterday landed near Hammerfest tlie crew, num- bering 34, of a German submarine which foundered off the coast. NEW BRITISH MINE FIELD- No information has been published in this country, but from telegrams from Scandinavia which the Censor has allowed to pass it 's inferrpd tha<the Briti&h Gov- ernment are taking new maritime tneasNret in the North Sea, and ese measurea include a new mine field off the west coast of Jutland.

FOR OUR BOYS IN HUN HANDS. SPLENDID HELP AT TRE- BOETH AND MORRISTON. TALENTS' AID FOR GERMANS? VICTIMS. .f. Our unfortunate soi^ ers. prisoners. in the hands of the Germans, were greatly assisted by the generous spirit of the peoplt of Treboeth, who on Sunday evening tended in large numbers a splendid orga» recikil held in aid of the Daily Post War Prisoners' Fund at -Caers,,Uem .-NeN-vdd Chapel, Treboetlv The chapel, which had been kindly lent, was packed, and 1f.r. Richard Penhale, who presided, made an admirable chairman. In his address h. spoke in glowing terms of the work done by .the Daily Post" istaff in sending parcefif out to our brave men who were prisoneil in the hands of the Germans, and appealed to the congregation to support to their utt most such a worthy and deserving causa^ Mr. Penhalo also augmented the fuud bt. giving a cheque of L2 2s. Mr. John Jones (commercial manager, Da:ilvPost." and hon. secretary of th fund) also addressed the congregation, 'ahi explained that up to fhe?pfMeut ovet £ 7,500 had been sub?ribed to the fundan 4 over 13,000 parceis of food, etc., had be sent out. This fund called for the suppor! c?f aH ?'la?es, a))d tn? fund Imd been greatly assisted byHhe- hc?dmg of 'oi?gan- -i?6ita (such as that), lectured; concerto etc. I our bfiuve lads were'Mned whilst Rghtim the enemy they w?re WTth all due reverenc laid to rest, and their troubles were over. 1 ?oa??mrade?wepo wounded thev werf cart and attention were lavished upon them, but in .t ca of 0ur.!ma1\"Q}as.wh(1." fortunate enough, to fall prisoners in thtt ha-nds of the Germans, thoy- were At the mercy of our bitterest enemy. He." thanked the members of the church fot their kindness m lending the edifice,^Mrs. Arthur M. James (Megan Glantawe)], other and the chairman for their kindness in providing such an enjoyable i and entertaining evening. The programme Avas a really excellent one, a.nd eaohof- the articles gave his or her best. Mrs James de- light-ed everyone with her beautiful and well finished selections on the splendid orgn. The other artistes were Mis? Edna Oli" Smith (a polished elocutionist), Master Morgan Lloyd (a young violinist of exceed- ing promise), Miss Beatrice Owen (in xhag- iiificellt voice), Mr. Sam Thomas <ditto), whilst the chapel choir's renowned reso- nance of effect was never heard "to better advantage in two of Handel's most famed choruses. The collection, which was in aid of the fund, amounted to C9 and the chair- man, as stated, also contributed 22 2s. FINE EFFORT AT MORRISTOll. There was a crowded audience at Horeb Chapel, Morriston, en Sunday evening, when an organ recitil, the proceeds of which were devoted to the "Daily Post" War Prisoners' Fund, was given by Mr. D. J. Lloyd, L.T.C.L. ■ Mr. Lloyd's-ftiae- terly playing was very much appreciated, and the chair was occupied by, ..Mr. Wjyi, tewiis, J.P. (Woodfiield Villa). The "follovvitog artistes assisted:—So- pano, Miss Justina Rees /winner Tabernacle Christmas Eisteddfod, 1916); bass, Air, J. Morla-is (Nittioiial win- ner, 1916).; violinists, Mr._ Willie" Roberts j and Miss Ceinwen Thblilas. A substftritial amount was i^alised as a result of the function. f

AGENT AND SECRETARY JOINS UP. WEST WAS CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION. t' A satisfactory state of affairs was re- ported at the annual meeting of-the West Carmarthenshire Unionist Associatioll,at the lyv Bush Hotel, Carmarthen, on Sat- urday, Mr. M. L. W. Lloyd Price (Bryn- eothi) presiding. It was reported that. the agent and secretary had joined the; colours, and the work during his absence had been under- taken by Mr. F. Waddington, of the Cen- tral Officp. Mr. M. L. W. Lloyd Price was re- elected president, Mr. R. H. Harries (The Croft), chairman, Colonel Aslett (Bohi- haul), and Mr. Bruce Blake (Whitland), vice-chairmen, and Mr. j., S. Carver (Wenallt), hon. treasurer. Mr. At: red Stephens, tllio,, prospective Unionist candidate, who'was enthusiasti- cally received, said he felt' that the past policy of the TJniofiist'party had been fully vindicated during the past two years. At present workingmen were geitihg ijo^d wages. If we had to go back to the old policy of'Free Trade wages would have t'o go down. • Colonel Aslett moved a resolution ap- proving of the action of Mv. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law to ensure a. moro vigorous prosecution of the war, and it was carried unanimously.

—————————? ? SWANSEA TRAM ACC-fT. <t8 Wm. Mitchell, aged 75, of Roe's lodg- ing-house, Greenhill, Swansea, who was admitted to the Hospital on the 24th inst., with severe injuries to the head and back, through being knocked down bv a tramcar on the 24th inst., died on Sunday at 9.65 p.m.

'1 luoft successful concert given b" v Miss Eunice Watkins aiVd party took place at the. Laurels Red Cross Hospital, Neat)). The party included M4ud l'lnninier. Miss Dorothy Richards and Mr. J. fl. Bird. W. 8.Bevsin. of-B^jton all pv. ccllp.vit h'?n?i't in '?< it?t?)' and ?on?:. ?!?8 I,"atki", aud )¡¡" Eaumd a CCQID I' a nlcd. 1 mk