Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

FARMERS AT LOGGER- 1 HEADS IMPORTANT CASE AT LLANDOVERY I At the Llandovery Petty Seesions on Friday. Rees Jones, Pant, Llandovery, charged Charles Griffiths, senior, Ccfn- telyh, with unlawfully wounding, and Willie Griffiths, of above with the same offence, and Charles Griffiths, junior, and Edgar Griffiths with aiding and abetting. There were several cross sum- monses. The cases evoked considerable interest, the court being crowded during the hearing. „ The parties on both side* are well known local farm ere.—Mr. T. li. Imdford, Llanell.v, appeared for Rees Jones, and Mr. Daniel Watkins, Lam- peter, for the defendants.—Rees Jones, Pant, Llandovery, deposed that the de- fendant Charles Griffiths, senior, who lived at Cefntelych, was a neighbour of his.- During the last nine months the re- lations between witness and Griffiths had not b«n at all well. In April of this year he caused a letter to be written to Char!ef. Griniths complaining of his family's conduct. In June witness gave defendant a summons for putting his dogp to damage his sheep. Charles Griffiths and Williams, Yergwm, came to try to settle, and they agreed on condi- tion that they would let him have peace from that time forward and they paid 1 he costs. Ag'ain in November witness caused a letter to be written to Charles Griffiths. Dealing with the four defen- dants for the last 3 months, he said they on one occasion threatened him. Willie Griffiths had a long stick and Charles had the side of a ladder. This was in 'I April. Coming to the 12th of December witness said Tom Jones, Wcrnfelen, was with him. They had been seeing sheep in the field the other side -of 'Defendant was the owner of Cefntelych. Witness had to go over defendant's farm, and pass his house to get to bis own fields. Coming back from the fields near C'efntelych they met Edgar Griffiths. He was driving a horse and cart, and coming towards them. He pulled the horse's head in a certain direction to prevent witness passing him. There was plenty of I'KHl for him to pass without doing that. Wit- ness said: "Can't we have room to pj-sg boy? In reply he pcreanied. (Laughter). Witness had not given him any cause to scream. The family of Cefntelych then camo to meet them, led by Charles Griffi- ths. The others were Willie, Charlie (junior), and Mrs. Griffiths. He could not say the order they came. They came at the double. Edgar afterward s came from the cart and struck witness on the head. He saw nothing with Willie till he struck him. Charlie had a large shep- herd's crook. He held up his hand befqre Charles Griffiths whrn he came on, but did not attempt to strike him. Willie Griffiths struck him (wi<tnec-.s) with the iron bar (pi-,Aiieedl on the left side of the head. Witness fell. When he came to, himself he could see nothing, as blood was filling his eyes. As lie lay on his back he saw Griffiths, senior, catching hold of him and striking him with his (witness's ) stick on the head. Willie wa-s also st rik- injj witness with the iron bar. Berth were striking him on the head. Witness held lus left hand over his head to defend him- self. Charles Girffiths, senior, bit his hand. Witness threw Charles Grif- fiths with all his strength away from him. As witness was rising j Willie and Edgar hit him over the head. Witness got hold of a piece of stick and aefeed himself as well as he could, and mocked the nearest to him. Ho was ture it was Edgar he struck first. Wit- ness then got hold of the top of the iron !:>ar referred to, which was in the hand of Millie Griffiths, and threw Willie away Irom him. Mrs. Griffiths then tried to fet the bar from witness. Witness then irent to see if they had done any injury to Tom Jones. The three had their staves up at tho time—Charles, Willie and Charlie (sons). Witness took the iron bar towards them and struck Charlie Griffiths (senior) once. There were many marks on his body besides those on the head and hand. After striking Griffiths with the bar, witness turned round to resist Willie and Charlie Griffiths. When they saw this they ran. Willie went towards the house shouting; out "Gun." 'Gun/' several timeo. This finished the fighting. As soon as he got home witness sent for a doctor, and was! still under Dr. Elton's care. Thomas Jones, W, erufelen, Llandovery, 1 the man who was with the last witness, gave corroborative evidence. Dr. Elton, Llandovery, deposed to examining Bees Jones on Sunday. IIe was away on Saturday, and Dr. Morgan attended Jones in the interim. Jones had been ftck during the night. He com- plained of a bad headache and giddiness, 1 and was rather shakey. On the left side of his hekid there was a wound .!t inches long. Oil the right side of his head there were bruises and weats. and some small i cuts. On the right forehead there was an abrasion from a blow. On the right a black mark and a small cut below it. The fingers of the right hand had abrasions. There wa.,i, ati injury to the thumb and; the left hand, and also the wrist and fore- arm. There were brrises on both knees. For the defence, Edgar Grimtha, aged 14. son of Charles Griffiths, Cefntclych. said he saw Rees and Thomas Jones on the 12th inst. Witness was in a cart below the house. feces Jones stopped and gave witness a blow aercss f-lie legs with a stick. Witness screamed. He heard his mother calling his father. Witness re- mained in tl, cart, and then went down to mind the horse. He denied that he helped bis brother Willie to assault Rees Jones. Witness afterwards fetched the police. Witness did not see the fight. Dr. Morgan, I landovery, deposed to examining the last witness on the 12th inst. 11a found a weal about two inches long and nearly an inch wide across his buttocks. The mark was consistent with his having been struck with the stick (produced). He afterwards examined Charles Griffiths (senior). He foun- his face covered with blood coming from a wound over the forehead about two inches long. There was a sr^nljer wound over! (kt left eyebrow, a punctures wound on Up of the head, extending down to the bene He had a big contusion or bruiso on the angle of th& jaw on the left side. The bruises were such as could be caused bv a stick. He examined Willie Griffiths. There was a bruise under the left eye. In the case of Rees Jones he found a long wound on the top of the head, about four inches long, a large bruise on the fore- Jiead, some bruises on both knees, and nhrasions on the fingers. Jones said the wounds on the hand had been caused by teeth. Charles Griffiths, senior, Cefntelych, said he heard his wife screaming and say- ing that Edgar was having it. He could pec Tom Jones coming towards the house, and following him Rees Joneg, whom he saw hitting with a' tick, but he could not see Edgar or the cort. He was hitting with all his might. Witness then made his! way down to the house and asked the iwo boys—Willie and Charlie—to go with him to Edgar, who he had heard crying piteouslv. After passing the houfse HCffl Tones a.nd Tom Jones came to meet him. &< soon as he came near them they rushed Dn witness with their sticks and beat him. Witness turned to Rees Jones to defend himself. He. did not remember hitting him, unless he hit him with his fist. Wit- ness bad nothing in his hands. Wit- ness's two sons were behind, and they joined in. Charlie and Willie had been jpmrryiug in the morning, and were start- j ing again after dinner. One of them had ft crow-bar in his hand. It was Charlie. 'Witness did not see Charlie or Willie using the crow-liar against Rees Jones. Low Jonas struck witness with his stick. and Thomas Jones did the same. They 1 struck witness many times. Eventually witness was knocked down and stunned. A t last witne? had hold of Rees Jones, and he put him on his back on the floor, Witlls did not strike with a ?tick at all. He did not ?ee Willie, his son, strike Hoes Jones with a crow-bur. Rees Jones rose up soon, and Tom Jones, with- a. branch in his hand, went to beat witness, and as he was trying to get the branch from Jones he was knocked down from behind and became unconscious. After he re- gained consciousness he saw Rees and j Tom Jone« rushing after Charlie. Eecx Jones had the crow-bar in his hand, and I Tom Jones had a branch. Rees Jones D<lid to witness that he was going to take the crow-bar with him, and threatened that when he met them one by one he would be-at them again. Both then left, Roes Jones carrying the crow-bar on his shoulder. Charles Gnfoths, son of the last wit- ness, corroborated, and Willie Grimtha also gave evidence. He admitted slri k- I ing Rees Jones several times with the stick (produced). The Bench retired. On their return the Chairman said: We have decided in this case to commit all the defendants for trial. We cannot see that we can do any- thing else unless we dismiss it, and the responsibility is too great to do that. Really it is a very serious case. Thcre- fore they must go to the Quarter Sessions to be tried. In respect to the counter-charges, the hearing was fixed for Thursday.

BOY SCOUT HONOURED. Scout McKay, of the Swansea Explorers1 Troop, who has been awarded the Scout Headquarters' Life Saying Medal. Scout McKay plunged into tho North Dock fully clothed, and rescued a boy who had fallen in. The medal was presented by Colonel Wright j at a special rally held at Hendrefo'.lan.

A CWMGORSE BOY AT THE FRONT. The Rev. E. Davies, Cwmgorse, Gwaun- caegurwen, has received the following in- teresting letter from Sapper W. J. Stone, now at the front. "It gives me great pleasure to write, a few lines to you. I am in the best of health and going on splendidly. 1 am very pleased to tell you that everything is quite satisfactory here, and although 1, j with the brigade, have been in a few tight corners, we have up to the pre&ent puiied through all right. At the time of writing things are generally quiet in this part of the line, but as the saying goes. 'there is always a lull before the storm: We are ready when the storm comes. Yes, and 1 think the Germans know we are ready too, for I assure you they are very wary in their procedure, in their manner of fight- ing, i.e., in trenches. As an engineer my work entails being in or about the firing line continually, so you, may guess wo! get into Borne 'hot' spots. I have now iieen in the trenches since November 5th (various trenches, of course). First with Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), and now with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The other regiments composing the brigade are the Middlesex Regiment and the Ar- gyle and Sutherland Highlanders. No doubt you will have read Sir John French's last dispatch in the papers dated (November 28tli. Y o a will have seen there the good work this brigade has been doing in this terrible war. I say terrible for when seen as we see it, no other word will fit. I am at present on the outskirts of a very large city, which, in time of, peace must be a beautiful place, but now practically nothing but a heap of ruins, and deserted. It is really heartrending to see the homeless refugees, thp ruined homes—beeautiful homes—which have been ransacked and looted by Germans b £ -1 fore their evacuation. But their day of reckoning will come, for we shall surely round them lip One often thinks what, would happen ijf the Germans reached our 1 own country. If it had been our own women and children who had suffered as these poor Belgians and French have. When I think 01 my own wife and child- ren, and my friends, I thank God I am here to do mv little bit to uphold the honour of my Country and its people. But we want more men. it is hard work hold- ing such a long line and against such a formidable and ruthless foe, night and day in the trenches, especially now the winter is upon up. It is men we want to J put the finishing touch to this. Our boys j are all in good spirits, and will carry on to the last of them, but we are always fighting against odds, and it is more men we want. "You were interested, I remember, in the Civic Guard. Well, I hope things have gone well with them, but it would be ten times better for the country and us if the young men were out here. It is here they are needed to stop the enemy from ever invading our shores. "WTe were very pleased to hear this morning of the sinking of the three Ger- man cruisers off the coast of Chili. Wre arc always on the look out for such news. I hope the whole affair will soon be over, always providing, of course, that we como off victorious. 'I hope also the Civic Guard, and all interested, will be suc- cessfu l in raising a corps equal to the occasion should there be an invasion. But as I said before all the young men should enlist and come to meet them (or drive I them) rather than wait for their coming to wreck our homes and kill our women and children."

BEN. EVANS AND CO.'S CHRISTMAS I BAZAAR. TIm splendid show of Oliristanas goods by Nepers. Ben. Evans and 00. is one of the eigtoUi of the se««on. They have e, wonder- ful oeleotion of useful Mnd articles in their 33 departments, which amongst other things, mcludea w?rm gar- ments euitaMe for presentation to 60ldÙ:J'6/ and sailors, which are oS?p&d at ep?c:?! prices. For the juvenilœ there is, ae usual, an immense bezaar and toy fair, whih will not fail ? ?adden the hearts of the little on?a. Pnrenw ?ro cordialy inyited 10 bring the children to view this rare and wonderful toy &U*

LLANDILO PRIZE DAY. INTERESTING EVENT AT THE j COUNTY SCHOOL. i Alderman W. ^N. Jones presided over the annual prize day celebration in connection with the Liandiio County School, when the prizes were distributed by Archdeacon Wiiiiaime, Vi-car of Llandilo. Archdeacon Williams, in an address, urged thoae who had not won prizes, not be disappointed. He had known first-cja' men at the universities who had been awful fools, and he had known men who were noL by any mal-US first-olaas—in fact, of no class at all-who had done fine work in the world. jsiiv. Gwynne-Hughes (Tregyb) said that. in the caee of the German nation they had a striking instance of a.tteutiou being paid to only one side of education. The German-i had altogether ignored the jnora.1 and Christian side of education, which taught them to be merciful, courteous, kind and humane. Education, besides culti\ating the intellect, must be accompanied by j high standard of Ohristian morality. (Ap- plause). The headmaster, MT. G. Gwyn Jones, in his report, said that this year would re- main noteworthy in the history of the eeiux-i for more t,han one reason. The number of pupils reached .the highest record, beire Autumn term, 1913: 214, viz., 122 boy6 and 92 girls. Spring term, 1914: 215, viz., 121 loya and 94 girlp. Bummer term, 1914: O'l, Vlz., 10) boys and 93 girls, Under present cir cumstances it was not. very probable that those fignree would be nearly approached in the future. What would mark the year more especially, however, was i,he disastrous fire which on March 2nd destroyed tho m givatL-er part of the main block of building with most of its contents, including nearly 1 lie whole of the library of general litera- ture, which consisted of about 800 volumes gradually accumulated during many years. Of these only about 70, which happened to be cut on loan, remained. The natural history museum, with its excellently constructed case containing hundreds of specimens iiiu&trotinsr the natural history of the dis- trict collected by (pupils and arranged by Mr. Gomery, wa", completely-destroyed. This would be aimoet impossible to replace. One consolation iiE the eight of the new build- ing, daily nearing completion, which will in several (respects be more convenient and suitable for the purpose- of the school. The difficulty with regard to classroom acom- modation for the pupils consequent on the firoO was provided for by utilising the gym-. na-rtum, art room and kitchen for general teachaig purposes'. In addition, they were fortunate in being permitted >to make use of the schoolrooms attached to the Wesleyan and We:&1 Congregational Chapels, which were roomy and well adapted for school purposes, Their cordial thanks were due to the authorities of itheoe churches for so readily and willingly placing their 1).remife.. a.: -their disposal. The working Q,( the school was -itotur.-illy disturbed by this c»eparation, and the general roiitina was much interfered with throughout the last half of the ftp-ring term and Summer term, but he was pleased to be able to report once again most eatiofactory examination result. In the Central AVelah Board examination they had two honours candidattw—Mary Williams and Dafydd Arnfoch Thomas both were eucessful, taking the 19th and 23th places on a general honours liet con- taining 81, names. Of nine successful candi- dates for the Carmarthenshire schools, they etood 2nd and 3rd. On the result of this ex- amination Mary Williame had been awarded one of the -two county exhibitions of L-25 per annum. She, had also gained an en- traiKse scholarship of the value of zen a yeaor at che University College of Wale6, Aberystwyth. Five pupils gained the higher certificate, and 12 pupils the eenior certifi- oote, with 10 distinctions. T'he senior form during the year was a somewhat indifferent ola&a. It contained some able pupils,, but on a. whole lacked energy and earneetnesti, and the reelllt of 12 passes and six Ailursii was better than had bocn anticipated. The only two, however, who did really well, were William Clifford Lewis (with five dis- tinctione), viri(I Eiwyn Peers (with three?. The junior form, on the other ihand, wais an excellent class. It contained a. good num- ber Of able pupils, especially among the girls. These worked earnestly and well, and infused a spurt of industry into nearly all the .rest of the form, so it hot the results, as might be expected, were excellent. Of 27 who sat the examination 25 were, gaining 52 dietinotione. Several obtained four or five d-etine-tioiia, and one girl, Eugenie Williams, took six. Two sisth form boy*, Ivor Lewis and Ivor Meurig Jones, paesed the London Matriculation in June last, the former in the first, and the latter in the second division. The lower forms also did on the Whole- in this annual ex- amina,tion which was conducted by the staff. The usual interest was maintained in ähletks and. the other activities- outride ithe echoolrooni roiitine, and the boys' team,'both in football and cricket, was more than usually successful in mat.ches against other schools. The opening of the new Intermediate School at Ammanford, was anticipated, has made it,If felit, in the con- siderable de-crease in the number of pupils. Th. number now in attendance is 144-70 less than in the corresponding term last- year. Of the--e 20 are pupils from the Amman Valley district who have returned to do senior and higher certificate, work, which has not., as yet, been provided for at Am- manford. In expectation of this decrease they had been compelled to part with three members of the etoaff at the end of the Summer term, Mies Owen and Mio, Walker had been with them for one year only, but Mr. Oomery had been on the staff for more than 10 years, and had rendered very ve-ried and competent service. The reduc- tion in the number of pupils and Ft-iff had necessitated a complete reorganisation of the lower division of the school. Instead of five forms, four of which were composed entirely of boys or entirely of girk-, this division was now arranged in itliri-e forme, iiia, iiiB and ii each made up of boys and girls. The upper division of the school re- mained as before, but he had found it im- possible to arange fully for the alternative schemes of work which existed previously, such as book-keeping and shorthand as al- ter,native to Lai in in forms Ill., IV. and V. They wel-e unable also to take courses in the higher certificate forms in both science and literirv subjects. As the school hence-: forth would serve an almost purely agri- cultural district, it was necessary that they should meet the needs of the district and provide teaching in agriculture. This was a. matter which had been before them for some years, but the time had now ar- rived to de.U practically and seriously with the question. The present, too, was an opportune time, as the whole matter of agricultural education had during the past, year or so been placed on .'1. new footing as the result of the appointment of an Agri- j cultural Council for Wales and the applica-j tion of lc.<?e grants from the Development: Fund towards such education. Organiser had been appointed to supervise agricul- tural education in each county, including Carmarthenshire. He had received no in- formation as to the .scheme to be adopted in this county, but such a, scheme could not be really successful unless arrange- ments were made not for ehort courses or, lectures only, but for systematic and con-. tinuoue teaching of the subject, and this could only be done by means of the schools Certainly the intermediate schools, J with their qualified staffs, their hbora-! tories, and other equipment for the teach- ing of science ought to be made use of., But whatever might be done in this respect in the future, they had begun in the lowest form-a this year with the teaching of rural science, which was an introduction to the actual teaching of agriculture in its under- lying sciences of botany and chemistry. "An essential part of the work was the observation of the growth and development of plants, under varying conditions of culti- vatioJij and there therefore ~ui imme- j

SWANSEA MOTHERS. A dramatic meeting between two Swansea soldier brothers took place on the battlefield in Flanders only last week. The brothers are Lance-corporal Good- win, of the Cameron Highlanders, and his brother George, of the 2nd Welsh Regiment. The former sent home a post-card last week, expressing his de- light at having dropped across his brother, whom he had not seen fcr over a year. Since then George has been wounded. Writing home from Boulogne Hospital, he says: I have beea shot through the left hand while on the frontier. I expect I shall be RPnt home to Lincoln."

MESSRS. EDWARDS' CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. The well-known drapery stores of Messrs. Edwards' in Oxford-street, Waterloo-street, and Park-street-, Swansea, are replete with a. colossa-l st-o-ck cf Christmas and other goods. There is a.n abundance of gifts for the fair sex, for, in addition to an overflowing stock of the newest, best. and smartest things in ladies' wear, they have a very large selec- tion of novelties in fancy goods of every description. The toy bazaar for youngsters is a scene of delight. A visit is earnestly requested.

COM I NG HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. Pte. Arthur Hill, of Pontardulais, 4th Welsh, seriously wounded at Ypres. lie has been" mending" at Sheffield Hos- pital, and is expected home in a few days.

MESSRS. BEVAN AND CO., LTD. The above firm, who have establishments at 280, Oxford-street, Swansea. Llanelly, and Cardiff, have made all their arrangements for the festi\ a season, and are showing hun- dreds of articles suitable for Xmas a-nd New Year's "ii'.s. They have a large selection of pia* .ortea, including the Principality" pianoforte, splendid in appearance and ex- cellent in quality, and hundreds have been sold. The price is 28 guineas, or 12s. 6d per month.

THREW HERSELF DOWNSTAIRS. Mother's Daring Ruse Restores Son's Speech. A mother's daring ruse in order to give her son the shock which was necessary to restore bis powers of speech is told by Corporal Tucker, of the 2nd Welsh Regi- ment, who became dumb as a result of his experiences at YplCS, where he was buried in a trench. Last Tuesday he was seated in his mother's homo in London. He was unable to speak and consequently very despondent. I was thinking of my hard luck," he says, when I 'heard my mother scream. Then came a thud, as of someone falling down the stairs. I got up, rushed to the foot of the stairs, and stumbled over my mother, who lay groaning badly. What I said or did I don't know. but I fancied I. called out, Oh, mother!' Then I swooned. When I recovered I found my mother standing in front of me, I was crying on her breast. She was quite cool and smiling, and was telling me to have a good cry, as it would do me good. In the morning I learned that my mother did not slip down the stairs, but had deliberately thrown herself down in order to givo me a shock. In doing so she bruised herself, but might easily have met with serious inj ury, as the stairs are very dangerous.

A fatal motor car accident occurred at Birmingham in the early hours Saturday morning. A man named Deakin, of Smcthwick, was driving his son, who is married, and who lives in the city, along the Hagley-road towards his home, when the car ran into a large lamp-post in the centre of the thoroughfare.

INSIST rBa??B S s ) n on tlueBest ] The best self-raising flour is one which is made exclusively from superfine and pure wheat- flour. of the highest grade, with the correct proportion of raising-ingredient, neither more nor less. Is the only Britisli lfour fulfilling these ) tS "S- conditions. Ask for it by name, "RED RING,"and ?.<?) C??? donotmerc!y°rder (<^ ??\ I ((? J "self-raising flour." ?- £ s\] ..r., t?, ? Full net weight in "-i^ 7p every packet. ) ?-?.'??. ???.i?_M?n? Ptice 2?d. per lb. J

r MINING MATTERS. ♦ UNEMPLOYMENT AND PRINCE OF 1. WALES' FUND. Mr. Coi-radoc Jones, Pontardulais, presided over tlae monthly meeting of the Western District. <f Anthracite Miners. representing 5,((.oJ 1.0 .,Coj men. A long and interesting discussion ensued regarding the administration of the Prince of Wales Fund. Kr. John Williams, M.P., gttve an exhaustive report on the recent negotiations between the South Wales jliners' Federation, the Prince of Wales' Tand, and the employers. He stated that a committee had been appointed to consider llo matiier together with a commissioner of grea.t ability, and he was very hopeful that in a short time the Federation would be a,Me to cope with all the claims that have I&Ien sent in from various inolud- lug- their own, for unemployment cauised by t.-ie war. n may be mentioned that up to eLate tlie Western District wants £2,J51, and the Anthracite over £ 10,000. Mr. Dd. Davies, Killan, wae appointed auditor for the district. YNYSARWBD DISPUTE. The dispute at Ynisa-rwed was dealt with, and a. lengthy report given by Mi,, John Williams, M.P., in which he pointed out that every effort possible was being made by officials of ftbe South Wales Miners' Federation to amicably settle matters in dic-pute, and to have the men now idle re- instated. After hearing- th« report, it was resolved tha. if a settlement was not forthcoming immediately they would place the matter before the Dookers' Union with a view to invoking their sympathy and help in the matter. Of those formerly employed at (this col- liery about 100 have not been allowed to return. I ANTHRACITE DISTRICT. .I- I ai me inonuuy meeting 01 toie Ani-nraciiw District miners, held in the Elysium on 8aiturday, County Oouncillor W. Walters prec-i,ciing. Mees-ns. J. D. Morgan and J. James, agents, reported on conditions of unemployment throughout the district. It was, they said. about normal. Few collieries were idle, and those not as affeoted by the I war. It is estimated that between 500 and 660 colliers are idle in the district. Mr. J. D. liewio, oheckweigher, of Brook Colliery, was elected a member of the Plans Committee, on the retirement of County Councillor David Daniel Davies. Considerable discussion took place with regard to the claim of workmen for appli- cation of the seniority rule in unemploy- ment, this having arisen in the district in consequence of pant-ial stoppages in various part, which threw a number of men out of employment, The matter is to be dealt with by a. special oommittee.

CAPTAIN FOURIER SHOT. I South African Outbreak Completely Crushed. PRETORIA, Dec. 20. Captain Fourie, one of the rebel leaders tried yesterday by court-martial, was shot at dawn to-day. The sentence of death passed on his brother. Lieut. Fkmrie, has been com- muted to five years' imprisonment. The field court-martial had found that both brothers were guilty, but recom- mended the younger (Lieut.) Fourie to mercy. The captain met his death with calm- ness and fortitiude. The elder prisoner at the continuation of the trial on Saturday made a statement in which, as a Dutchman, he bitterly re- proached the British for their conduct in South Africa, and recalled various inci- dents which, he said. forbade his uphold- ing the honour of England. He declared that no Englishman could feel other than he felt if similarly placed under a foreign Government, and he con- sidered that it was a greater honour to stand there as a prisoner than as an officer of the British Army. He did not intend to ask the court for mercy for himself, but he strongly pleaded for mercy for his young brother, who was under his influence, and also for other men under his influence and command. -Reuter. Pretoria, Saturday.—The capture is offi- cially announced of Conroy, the last of the principal Free State rebel leaders. He appeared on the 17th instant with four- teen followers 21 miles south-west of Kim- berley. The Kimberley Motor Section with 50 men of the Southern Rifles were promptly sent in pursuit and came up with the rebels yesterday at Plaat Drift on the Vaal River. Three were captured. The remainder, including Conroy, fled in the direction of Campbell, but were all captured to-day at Lynkfontein, near Campbell. Since December 16 Lieut.-Col. Enslin has been pursuing small parties of rebels under Commandant Prinsloo and Field Cornet Huttings, both of whom have been captured. Lieut.-Col. Enslin's force has accounted for 44 rebels since the date mentioned. Commandant Cronje reports capture of rebel Commandant Meyer and of Field Cornet Fourie in Doornberg district, which is now clear of rebels.-Reuter. Pretoria, Saturday.—An important cap- ture is officially announced from Schweiz- errencke in the person of the rebel General "Frederick G .A. Wolmarans of Lichten- burg, who at the time of the outbreak of the rebellion achieved notoriety as one of General Beyer'6 most active lieutenants. —Reuter.

I EFFECT OF WAR. I Erstwhile Prosperous Man Seeks Relief at Carmarthen. A sad case of poverty arising out of the effects of the war came before the Car- marthen Board of Guardians on Saturday Mr. J. Jones (Ferryside) presiding, when a respectable looking man appeared before the guardians, and made an application for relief. He explained that he had been earning a living by selling leather on commission until the war broke out, but since then the firm he worked for could not accept any orders from him as they required all the leather they could pro- duce to carry out army contracts for boots. He had failed to get employment although he had tried in dozens of places. He had a wife and five children, one of whom was seriously ill. Replying to questions, the applicant etated he had applied for relief to the Mayor's War Relief Committee some time ago, but' without result. He had spent all his savings. The Clerk (Mr. John Saer) said the application to the War Relief Commit- tee was made soon after war broke out, and the committee considered that he was not short of work on account oi the w.t r. Mr. J. Patagonia Lewis said the man and his wife came of good families. The wife had informed him that she and her children were in want of food when t ie husband was away in search of work. He sent her all the money ho could spa -e. The Guardians granted 12s. per week. Mr. George Morgan, Carmarthen, wac appointed architect of the Cott.ige Home to be erected in Morfa Lane. The esti- mat.ed cost of the building is SI,000, t-i- clhsive of the cost of the site. The Clerk said the intention was to build two cottages—one for boys and ail- other for girls, with inter-communication, and have them erected in such a way trac they could be converted into prv-^te houses at some future time. if req:li'I'¡]

The King will supply motor-cars weekly from the royal mews to the Volunteer Motor Mobilisation Corps for driving con- valescent soldiers home or to other desti- nations.

tu REALLY 6SBB j JEWELLERY AT REASONABLE COST. Really good Jewellery is always a source of great pleasure to its wearers. It bears the un- mistakable" Hall Mark" of Taste and Tone, and is always the admiration and sometimes the envy of one's friends. To- day the cost is not prohibitive- yj it lies within wo" gf all. MI BEAUTIFUL RINGS I Beautiful in the truest sense ■ of the word, ideal in Material, I Tasteful in design and of ex- 9 quisite finish. These combina- B tions create a satisfaction that ■ is difficult to describe. They M are good to see and good to ■ possess. They are proof posi- tive that their owners have a keen sense of Good Taste and of the Artistic in a high degree. EXQUISITE JEWELLERY The charm of Good Jewellery has a wonderful fascination for all. It confers dignity, and adds a sense of prosperity easily distinguished to those whom it adorns. All Purser's efforts are centred on the one object-to supply really Good Jewellery at moderate cost. PERFECT WATCHES Reliability is the only stand- point from which to judge Watch Value. It is the one and only Test by which a Watch succeeds or fails. Purser's Watches are Ideal Timekeepers, conveying to mind a feeling of confidence and stability. They stop when owners forget to wind them, but not otherwise. A guarantee is given with each. | PURSERSJ THE RINGLEADERS. J 263 OXFORD ST. SWANSEA. [ CATALOGUES, SIZE I CARDS, FREE. J V j

I ALLEGED THEFT AT SWANSEA. At the Swansea Police Court on Monday John Jones, (35), a cattle dealer, was charged on remand with stealing and re- ceiving £ 21, the monies of John Haines, on December 11th. Prosecutors story was that he met Haines in a public-house and lent him a shilling. Subsequently in another housfl of call, defendant had plenty of money. Here there was a dispute, and prosecutot took off his coat to light, later missing it and defendant. Mr. Fred Gage. tobacconist, High-street, and Mr. John McCallum, licensee of the Bovega, gave evidence that defendant changed t;) notes at their establishments. Detective-sergeant Hayse spoke of seeing defendant outside Messrs., Ben Evans', I with four S5 notes in his hand. Detective Barry said that when hI arrested defendant at a common lodging house, he had S21 18s. 3d. in his posses sion. In reply to the charge, he said h, knew nothing about it. Jones was committed for trial at thi nest Quarter Sessions. Bail was allows —himself in S50 and two sureties of X25.

Mr. D. J. M. Stephens, son of Mr. am Mrs. D. E. Stephens, Trawsmawr, Cat marthen, who came over with the Can adian Contingent, has obtained a com- mission in the 9th Service Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Mr. Arthur Asquith, one of the Prinit Minister's sons, who is at 10, Downing- street, suffering from influenza, is atif making good progress.

I NEATH AND DISTRICT BILL-POSTING CO., ADVERTISINC CONTRACTORS Owners OJ al: the Principal Hoardings in NEATH and DISTRICT. l For Terms, etc., apply:— MANAGER, 45? LoF?on Road? Neath.