Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

I THE DSSTRCT SEAT. t LETTERS FROM PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES. The situation now prevailing in the Swansea DistCJjct constituency regarding the Parliamentary vacancy may be sum- marised as i oluvws: Two of the nominees mentioned at the district meetings held for the purpose of naming a prospective candidate, Pro- fessor Joseph jon., of Brecon, and Pro- fessor T. Levi. of Aberystwyth, are not proceeding with -.the campaign. A Cardiff Constxrvative contemporary declares that it is understood that Mr. J. Tudor Eees. of Cardiff, is not a serious contestant. This leaves in the field Mr. Dan Thomas, of Morrison, Mr. T. J. Wil- liams, and Mr. Arthur A. Thomas, of London. Mr. A. A. Thomas is the standing coun- sel to the National 17mion of Teachers. In only a few of the district meetings has h-N been nominated. The three prospective candidates have now written to Mr. Harsy Williams, sec- retary of the Association, concerning their attitude towards the, decision of the selection meeting. In the letter forwarded by Mr. T. J. Williams thtere is an interest- ing sentence regarding the meeting of Saturday week last, which will draw attention. The letters are to the follow- ing f"ffcct: Mr. Dan Thomas: I am in receipt of your letter inviting me to address the .meeting at the Gwyn Hall, Xeath, next Saturday. I cer- tainly will abide by the decision of the meeting of the Liberal delegates on the 30th illst. Mr. A. A. Thomas: I hope to be present to address t%e meeting at Neath on the 23rd instant, a lld am prepared to abide by the final decision of the meetiag of the 30th in- stant in the selection of candidate. Mr. T. J. Williams: I am in receipt of our letter of the 15th instant, and I am prepared to abide by what the Liberals decided at their meeting on Saturday week last, and also to abide by the final decision on the :30th inst. As the day for the lifixt delegate meet- ing at Neath is approac hing, the question at the method of voting ,ror the final selec- tion of a candidates becomes more -and more prominent, ajtd amongst those whose desire it is that I the voice of tlwe constituency should rule, there is a strong desire to bring about an understanding which wilt lead to a really representative decision. It is pointed out by some that a mere majority is in accordance with the Par- liamentary election practice, but, on the other hand, it is not on the lines of pro- portional representation, which the last Neath conference adopted as i^ system of selection. It is not the method observed in conferences when elections are carried on, and it is not recognised by public bodies, such as Connty Councils, Town Councils, District Councils and Beards of Guardians. Those authorities invariably put all names submitted to a first vote, and if the candidate at the''head of the list has not secured & clear majority of all votes cast, a second vote is taken, the lowest being eliminated, so that the contest re- mains between those whose claims htn-c secured the highest I-luintr--x of votes. This. it is contended, should be done also by the. Liberal conference, no matter whose interests are improved or jeopar- dised by the process. A disturbing factor, at present, is the fact that Mi-. A. A. Thomas. whose chances appear to be remote, is still in the field, and the selection by the mere recording of the total for each candidate is made un- likely, it' not impossible, owing to the possibility of either of the other two candidates obtaining, say, 60, or even 70, votes, without being really representative of the majority, because those cast for Mr. A. A. Thomas and the other may be greater in number. Those who were supporters of Mr. T. J. Williams considered they had a grievance on this very point when Mr. Masterman was selected- They claimed that the remed v would be proportional voting, and, at the last meetirg, carried that view. without carrying it to its logical conclusion. When they come to a calm consideration of the position on Saturday, they may, of course, agree to the real thing. In any case. we understand that many protests are being made to the chairman of the conference, Mr. Hopkin Morgan, to rule that this, the only fair mode of procedure shall he carried out. So far as next Saturday's meeting is concerned the addresses of the candidates will be the important business, and there will be no actual voting on the candi.-j dates. But, to clear up every possible misapprehension, that conference might, with great advantage, give instructions to those who hold district meetings to take steps to arrange for their voices to I be heard on a second vote, in the event of a three-cornered selection, and also de-I cide that an eliminating vote shall be taken at the final meeting, so that who- ever is chosen may be the candidate of an undoubted majority of those who vote. Possibly, of course, the chairman may be urged to accede to the requests sent him that he should rule the chaotic direction of the last conference cut of order, and we think he is fully entitled to do so. In any case some steps should be taken to I clear what is now almost a hopelessly. involved situation. Mr. J. T. WHIiams Holds a Meeting at I Pentre. A meeting for the purpocs of assisting Mr. T. J. Williams, one of the nominees for the Liberal representation of the Swansea District seat, convened by poster, asd personal invitation, was høld at Siloam Chapel. Pentre Estyll, on Tues- day evening, the Rew. Penar Griffith* presiding. Mr. Jones Lewis said the object of the meeting was to form a committee for that I ward, and appoint a secretary. Mr. T. J. Williams, in the course of tie speech, said he regretted that there had been a necessity-particularly when the whole of Europe was at war-for any differences among Liberal. He went on to say that Sir David Brynmiir Jones mat him by arrangement in Swansea, in- fsritled him of his appoiotmehi; as a Master in Lunacy, and of the vacancy in the Parliamentary representation of the i District. Sir David stated to him that he had told headquarters in London there was "a strong local candidate" in Mr. T. J. Williams, and asked him what he was going to do. He promised him a reply nest morning. Ouator two of his be&t friends jteld him he I oug-ht to stand. He had mo information from headquarters, and on the flowing Sro.r.niuc he told Sir David he was a can- didate. I A committee was named, and Mr. Wil- liams said that on Saturday oertam candi- dates were asked to speak at Neath. Per- sonally, he did not attach very much im- portance to that meeting, because some districts would not be veil rwesanted.

j ALD. W. HOWELL, J.P. I DEATH OF WELL-KNOWN SKEWEN GENTLEMAN. We regret to report the death of County Alderman William Howell, J.P., which took place on Wednesday at ins deuce Maesgwyn," Skewen, after a short bu t severe illness, at the age of 58 years. j lie was taken ill at the Glamorgan; County Roads and Bridges Committee on Thursday, the 8th instant, as the conso- quence of a chill. This rapidly developed; into septic pneumonia. Every effort was put forth by the family physician, Dr. Samuel, to combat its ravages, but i-I- though of a naturally strong constitution, the patient failed to rally. By the death of County Alderman William Howell, J.P., the most con- spicuous and commanding figure in the public life of Skewen and district, has passed away. For many years he has! taken a leading part in its social, muni- cipal, and political activities. The son of the late Mr. David Howell, in his day a well known master mason and builder in the district, the son entered early into his father's craft, and as he grew, up into young manhood he became) a skilful master at his trade. Several years were then spent in the Metropolis, i during which time he interested himself in every movement appertaining to Welsh life. On returning to his native place, his keen business eapacity was manifested in the establishing of a, successful monn- mer?»tal sculptor's coucern, and to this; day. the firm of Messrs. Howell and! Hilev is one of the best known in the! district, although for years Mr. Howell: personally had ceased to take any active part in the work except as its director. | Not long after his return to Skewen he; began to take an active part in the; religious and public life of the place. His! lifelong friend and co-Skewenite, Sir S. T. j Evans, President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division of the High! Court of Justice, was rapidly emerging! into a keen politician, and no more staunch supporter of his and of the Liberal cause was to be found than Mr. Howell. In Mid-Glamorgan especially' he was recognised as one of the Liberal stalwarts, and when Sir Samuel re- linquished politics for a higher sphere, his successors. Mr. F. W. Gibbins, and; the present Member, Mr. J. Hug-h Edwards-, found him a trustworthy henchman, and at all crises, in the front of the fray. Alderman William Hrwell, J.P. In education, he took a prominent part in the local movement, to found the first School Board, being a member of the first of that body in Coedffranc parish, and working assiduously to set up the pioneer Board School building. The con- troversy had been long, and at times 'bitter, but when. in 1894, the school was opened, there was no one prouder than 1r. Jlowell. Since then, the original building was enlarged, ancl a niagnificent set of additional buildings put up, the present Council Schools being the largest in Glamorgan. To him belongs the chief credit for this tine achiek-einent. For years he was chairman of the School Board, and 3'1 it turned out this proved to him a valuable apprenticeship for the chairmanship of the Neath Group of j Schools, and, higher still, that" of the! Education Committee of the Glamorgan! Courify Council. These have Wen no empty honours, but he has, proved him- self exceptionally able and tactful, his, administrative qualities being recognised by all. After years of faithful service.as a mem- ber of the County Council, and of somef of its most important committees, in 1912 his colleagues raised him to the alder- manic chair. In local government, ha has taken a prominent part-, and sine# ¡¡;¡!}.1. when the Local Government Act I came into force, 5lr. Howell was a leading j member of the Neath Rural District' Council and Board of Guardians. He: was for seven years chairman of the! former, and vice-chairman up to the time! of his death. He also occupied the chair <'If the Board of Guardians for tbreel years. As chairman of the Council he was antitle(I to sit on the Magisterial Bench, and so conspicuous were his qualifica- tions as a magistrate that the Lord Chan- I cellor conferred upon him the honour of J.P. for the county of Glamorgan. With-! out fear or favour, he discharged the! important duties as a magistrate. I During his term of office as chairman of the District Council ho took a most important part in the launching-of two great schemes for the welfare of the die- i trict, viz., the Ystradfelite water supply; and the electrical supply works. These; he lived to see coming to a successful: issue. 'He also had much to do with thej preliminary arrangements and .plans for! the New Graded Infirmary, now a p pr o aCh- ing cothpl otion. Some nine years ago, he married Miss! Morgan, only daughter of the late Mr. j Morgan Morgan, Tir Isha, Uansamlet, who has proved most valued helpmeet At the tlJn-e of the marriage, his many' friends and wellwishers in Skewen andl district, took the opportunity of shc)wingi their great appreciation of his se-rvices.1 The testimonial, to which hundreds readily and liberally subscribed, took the form of an illuminated a ddress, a piano- forte. and other gifts, and the public meeting at which they were presented was one of the largest and most enthusiastic ever held in the place. He loved his native village, and he saw it transformed, mainly by his own efforts, from being andrained and unsewered, the! streets unkerbed and unchannelled, to a I place with moet of the facilities of a I well favoured town. During the last 20 j years he also witnesse d its growth from a place of some 5.000 inhabitants to one of about twice that population, and hej always endeavoured to see that improve- j ments kept pace with that growth. Mention may also be made of the help he rendered iu the formation of the Skewen (Carnegie) Free Library, his aid, being greatly valued by the then Parish: Council. • His strong personality will he sorely missed, and the circumstances surround- mg his last illness ax, particularly sad. i It was only last July that he went into residence at his newly built fine villa, Maesgwyn, on the Wern-road, in the building of which he took such keen interest. He Sklso-recently had taken an active part in the laying out of the ex- tensive lawn and grounds. Deep and golle-, ral sympathy is on all hands manifest with Mrs. Howell in her bereavement. Since the outbreak of -the war. he has presided at several meetings of the Pi r- liamentary Recruiting Committee. He dso has been particularly interested in the measures taken for the relief of dis- ■ Iress, being a. member of the oounty and the Neath Rural Committee, and acting! as chairman of the Ske-wen Local Com- J mittee. His was the strenuous life, j al ways ready to lend his influence to the help on any and every worthy cause.

I ABERVONS MAYOR. I APPRECIATION OF COUNCILLOR I WILLIAMS' WORK. E. D. contributes to The Monthly Treasury a well-written appreciation of Councillor W. J. Williams, J.P., the Mayor of Aberavon. « Mr. Williams was born at Cwmat'on, and moved subsequently to Mae'steg. In September, 1393, he opened business at I Cloth Jiall, Aberavon, and thrto years latra- married Miss Thomas, sister ot Mr. William Thomas the Lmporiunl, Llan- drindod Wells. They have a tamiiy of five children. His father is the head of the firm of Messrs. K. Williams and Sons, Military Contractors, Maesteg. He has been a member of the Aberavon Town Council from 1903, and is chairman of its! Ili-hway, and twice chairman of its Finance Committee. He is a Justice of the Peace for the Borough, and a Liberal in politics. The wi\iter deals with his df-vot-ion to Nonconformity. Mr. Williams's religious activities and benefactions are by no means confined to Vr Hen Gorph." There have been a number of churches erected by the various, denominations in Port Talbot and Aberavon during the last decade, but a.t the foundation of everyone you can read the familiar inscription: Thi? stone was laid by Ccu?ilior W. J. Williams, J.P., Aberavon," and mostt of them are without the worthily ap- pended J.P. Independent of all emoluments, whether of State recognition or civic distinction— he is by nature benevolent. He remains true to his kindly disposed disposition. The first function he performed as Mayor for the anciunt borough was to preside oJ a stone-laving ceremony, and to well and truly lay one himself. As the Right Hon. Sir D. Brynmor Jones, K.C., M.P., who has always deeply interested him- self in the career of the new Mayor, ob- served on that occasion, the religious and progressive torcos, especially of his far- ilung constituency, could invariably rely upon his Whip' lIn5werdngllegia.lCe ¡ and invaluable co-operation. After his marriage, Mr. Williams, together with Mrs. Williams, happilv joined the Church at'Bethany. Port Tal- bot. )Va say happily advisedly. It was good for the Ch.urch—it was good for Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Mr. Williams is the first to attribute what he is and what he has attained to the inspiring influ- ences of Bethany. He would join with myriads at home. with some of the best sons of our ministry at home, iud even the voices that come from beyond the seas —from New Zealand and India—and the uttermost parts of the earth—paying tri- bute to this very excellent Church. Eight years or more ago it honoured him by electing him oiie of its elders. By his fellow officers lie has always been held in highest esteem. He takes the keenest interest in its affairs..His experience as an administrator and financier have often! been of great service. Ho belongs to the progressive school. His policy is Exten- sion! i Extension and still more Exten- sion! Indeed, it is* in extending he has rendered his best services. In Green Park, A beravon, for ex- ample, he has doue noble work.; There he has exercised v&ry practical! ministry, and has been tho \mfailin friend of the poor. Sandnelds grate- fully acknowledges his invaluable aid. For their new and spacious building he gave handsomely, collected widely, and worked enthusiastically. Yelindro'g new! schoolroom—another branch of Bethany's Sunday School—found a champion for its cause in him. It was quite in the "fitneBs of things'* that the first public duty of the Mayoress should have been to open its doors on Saturday, November 28th, 1914. < And what more shaft I say, for the time would fail me to tell of his private benefactions, his preaching so ready and so acceptable as assistance to the weaker churches; his presidency of the locale Free Church Council, and the gracious entertainment of its ministers during his year of office; his recaption to the Eng- lish Conference on its, memorable visit to Port Talbot, etc

BRITONFERRY MUSICAL SUCCESSES At a recent examination held hy the Trinity College of Music, the frliow4iig candidates were very successful in piano- forte playing:—Senior: Miss Dorothy Griffiths, New Hunter-street, Britonferry. Intermediate: Miss Dorothy Preece, Neath-road. Junior: Miss Violet Lewis, Rockin,gharn-terrace. Also at the R.A.M. and R.C.M. school examinations. Miss Dvril Jeffreys, of Court Sart, passed the Lower Division. The above are pupils of Gladys G wynne* R.A.M.Aeiv.Gr., Britonferry.

MINING SCHOOL. m* TERMS OF AGREEMENT WITH SWANSEA AUTHORITY. The Glamorgan Education Committee, r t its meeting on Wednesday, Aid. T. H. Morris presiding, adopted an agreement arrived at between representatives of that authority and tile Swansea Education Authority for the erection, equipment. and maintenance of a mining- school under complete public control at Swansea. According to the terms of this agreement, The Glamorgan Education Committee will give XI,000 a-s a first contribution to- wards equipping the new school, and will afterwards make an annual contribution of X100 triwards the upkeep. Glamorgan will aiso supply a lecturer in mining and surveying, and send to the school students of a certain standard of attainment, the school at Swansea being considered the centre for all higher work in tbis direction. The. Swansea authority, on their part, will supply the building, the teaching' staff for mining engineering, mining chemis- try, etc., and a suitable building in which the classes will be held. It is intended by the agreement, that ar- rangements be made with other public authorities like those of Carmarthenshire and Breconshire to participate in the scheme. Gla.morganshire county scholarships holders and holders of scholarships from the Miners' Federation and other authori- ties will thus be able to complete their mining education in a suitably equipped institution under public control and nearer to their horned than the school at Trcforest and the proposed school in Mon- mouth shire. The only regrettable feature in connec- tion with the scheme is that there is ro connection shown with the South Wales and Monmouthshire University College at Cardiff. It wa. recommended in the report of the Elementary E<luoa.tion Sub-Committee that the holidays i., the current yea.r be as follows:—Eatte-r, April 1st ':« April 12tli; W,hitlSllll, May 21st to May 31st; Midsummer, July Wth to August, 30th; Mid-term, October 23th to November 2nd; Christmas, D-ecember 17M1 to January 3rd. This wa", agieed to. it was decided that the 20 Continental Tour Scholarships of £ 10 be not awarded during .the current year, and that 20 addi- tional scholarships of Ei .30. each be awarded at the Summer Mining and En- gineering School. It was aiso resolved that ,t.he 16 scholarships for modern language courses be not offered this year. A recommendation was adopted that an adbula-nce competi.tion be held during the current year for women who have passed both the finst-aid and nursing examinations in the committee's evening classes. Drs. J. Powell and Mason Jones were appointed medical officers to the Barry Training College. An amusing discussion arose out of the question as to whether the laboratories at Aberdare and Pontypridd should be named "Mining and Engineering" laboratories, or j Engineering and Mining" laboratories. A member of the committee suggested that it would be nr ust to call them engineering aaid mining laboratories, and moved that the inscription above the entrances should be "Minin-- and Engineering Laboratory." Priacip-al Griffiths asked why the laoora- tories could not be correctly named. There was no such term as mining mathematics," and he therefore moved as an amendment that the names remain as at Present— En- gineering and Mining." A member laughingly inquired the difver- ence between the two terms in dispute, arid the rejoinder was t-hat it represented the difference between twcedle-dee and tweeflle-dum." It Mas at this point decided to leave out the questioning of altering the name at Pontypridd, and to vote only on that at Aberdare, where the name has already been inscribed: On the vote being: taken, eight members voted for Engineering and Min- ing" at Aberdaa-e, and six for the name L'e- versed, so that Engineering end Mining Laboratory it will remain.

AMMANFORD DISCLOSURES. Sad and Repulsive Story at Coroner's Inquiry. Some sad disclosures were made during! an inquest conducted by Mr. J. W. Nicholas at. Ammanford on Tuesday afi-ernoon into the circumstances attend- ing the death of an elderly woman named Kathleen Gilmour, of Penybank- road, who was found dead in bed on Sunday morning. Richard Milne, a dental mechanic, said they had lived together for the last fivai vears. Deceased, was married to a Wm. Gilmour residing in (j.las.ow,' and she received 30s. fortnightly allowance from him. She was a certificated school teacher. She was very often the worse for drink, and on the Saturday night was in a drunken condition. He went to bed at about 10 p.m., and, awaking in the morn iii g he saw her in a sitting posture j on the floor and resting her head on the bed. He tried to lift her ,up, but she appeared stiff and lifeless. That frightened him. and he pulled up thei blinds and called in Mrs. Evans, the! landlady, who Sfud she was dead. Mrs. Evans gave similar evidence, and Dr. Brererton, who was called, gave it; as his opinion that death resulted from internal hemorrhage, f In fummin? ?p, the Coroner said the ![ case was simple but sad. For some rea.son or other the deceased was now living with this yonn man, but that was outside their province to inquire into. However, there were circumstances which required explanation, and the evidence of the doctor should satisfy them that death resulted from natural causes. As he had said, it was a sad story, and a repulsive story in some aspects, but there was no reason to doubt that death was due to i hemorrhage as described. A verdict accordingly was returned.

ABERQWYNFI BABY. Interesting Rule by King's Bsrlch Court.! Kinga's Bench Divisional Court Tuos-j day granted a rule, nisi calling #ijpon the Justices of Aberavon to show dause why: they should not state a case in regard to proceedings against a man named Ilarry i Williams, of lieynauit-road, Port Talbot, under the Bastardy Law Amendment Act. The proceedings in the local court were taken at the instance of Annie Vaughan, of Commercial-street, Abergwynfi. An order Was made against Williams, and the Justices were asked to state a case on the I ground that there was not sufficient corro- horation or the girl's story. Counsel stated that the girl's brother Jftnlsgave evidence that she came to live at his house in November, 1912; and later Williams stayed there for a week-end as her sweetheart. Other witnesses were also called, but counsel submitted it was argu- able whether this was corroborative evi- dence. Their Lordships agreed, and granted the rule asked for.

I MR. GEORGE HALL. TRAGIC DEATH OF FORMER MEM- BER OF "HERALD" STAFF. i Mr. George William Hall, Mount Mor- gan Royal Gold Mine, Ganllwyd, Merionethsliire, met his death under tragic circumstances on Monday night He visited Dolgelly Fair during the day,! making numerous purchases. Returning; therefrom after dusk, he chatted with i friends in the village till "eleven o'clock, when he cheerfully proceeded towards his bungalow, adjacent to the famous Pistyll Caen Waterfalls. In the darkness it was believed a) boulder slid down upon him, hurling him! 15 yards into the ravine helow. The body was discovered by a lady visitor at noon on Tuesday, and recovered by the police. The head had been shattered. i-lie following telegram from Mr. Pritchard Morgan to the Herald, however, gives the real cause of death:— George William Hall, my manager, Gwyn Mine, North WalM. accidentally drowned Tuesday night.-Ilriteliar(I Morgan. The deceased gentleman, who was aged 65, was a great traveller, and amassed a great fortune in the Australian and Chinese goldfields. Mr. Hall bad an adventurous and romantic career. In his early teens he came to Swansea, where he was employed by Mr. Trew, a ship chandlei. He fre- quently contributed to the" Cambria Daily Leader," -amti the success ot h-ts weekly notes iu the "Herald of Wales" under the style of the. Rambler led to his engagement on the staff. ) The big change in his life came in 1388. The death of Mr. Henry Richard, the senior member for Merthyr Boroughs, brought into the constituency Mr. Pritchard Morgan, then known as the Gold King." The official candidate of the Liberals was Rev. R. Foulkes Griffiths, bat Mr. Morgan ran as an independent Gladstonian Liberal, and was returned by a majority of 2,193. The election was memorable for excitement and hard fight- ing, and to the success of Mr. Morgan much was contributed by the assistance of Mr. Hall, who was his agent. A close inlimac.v followed between the newly-elected member and his agent. Mr. Hall became Mr. Morgan's manager in London, and soon entered into a partner-1 ship with him. Then Mr. Hall went to Australia on a prospecting tour with two friends. After experiences in the wild country of Wes-! tern Australia that would have daunV!d I most men he struck rich and founded the Sons of Gwaliu Gold Mine at Coola-? gardie. He became very wealthy in a few' years, was made a magistrate, and gained a wide reputation as a mining ex-I pert. The Chinese Government appointed him consulting engineer. He suffered heavy reverses in fortune and returned to England some time ago, but was understood still to be well provided for; from his investments. Mr. Hail, as is pointed out above, was zo. most versatile and well read man. Of a studious disposition, he made the mu-st of his opportunities to improve, his know- ledge, reading into the small hours tech- nical works, which later in life proved invaluable to him in the metallurgical sphere iu which he moved, and from which he amassed considerable sums of money. His hon homi was proverbial; he was one of the niost fascina-ting con- versationalists, whilst as a raconteur he was in the first rank, his tales; relating to his experiences in I the many lauds he visited keep-j ing his hearers hpth interested and! amused. Several times he lectured at Swansea at various places, on tne last occasion at the Swansea Public Library to a crowded and intellectual audience, his subject having reference to life and ex- periences in the Flowery Land." He was a keen observer, and his mar- vellous and vivid descript ion of men nd things never tailed to win admiration, Mr. Hall. during the period he made his home at Swansea, took a keen interest in local matters, and identified himself with several of its literary and social societies. For several vears he was a prominent member of the Swansea Unitarian Literary and Debating Society, the Rev. J. K. Manning at that time being its presi- dent. Mr. Hall frequently read interest- ing papers on the questions of the hour, these occasions being marked for their crowded attendance. He was also an amateur actor otf no mean order, and on several occasions proved himself a fine exponent t/f th,, histrionic art His finest impersonation was that of Dairoy in the production of Ca&te," presented at the Drill Hall in Singlton-Btreet. Swansea, prior to tha.t site being utilised for the present Grand Theatre. The play was produced in a manner that wop. general econiums, and Mr. Hall's performance was pronounced to be one of the finest pieces of amateur impersonations witnessed in the town. In Swansea the deceased had a large circle of friends, by whom hp wns deeply respected amongst them was the late Mr. C. H. Perkins, J.P., and Mr. J. Aloy Evans, the well-known solicitor and Ac- town councillor. In connection with Mr. Evtn, daughter's marriage to Mr. E. H. Perkins, assistant engineer to the /Swansea Cor- porati on, Mr. Hall presented to that gentleman sufficient: pure gold from the Mount Morgan Mine to make the wedding ring, an act of friendlines^ very warmly appreciated by the bead of both families. Although Mr. Hall had severed his con- nection with the town for many years, he invariably referred to it as his home and one of the best and most sociable places in the universe. He has gone, but his many friends will ever retain for him the fondest memory.

SKEWEN FREE CHURCHES. I At a meeting of the Skewen a-nd Neath Abbey Free Church Council, held on Mon- day evening, too Rev. John Beynon, fit?x- mon, in the chair. Mr. Botx-'rt Jones pro- p-jfted and the Rev. T. Morgan seconded a strong resolution of protest against, tha in- terference of Sir Henry Iiutui,v with the coming operation of the Diiteudowment elau/x*. of the Wo!<sh Church Act, a copy to be sent the Prime Minister a-ud Mr: J. HUghl Edwards, M.P. Regarding the "• Oome to Church" cam- paign, the secretary was directed to con- vene a united meeting for Thursday even- ing of representatives of aU the local churches, including the Church of England, with a view of mdiking arrangements for a thorough house-to-hou3e canvas. A vote of sympathy with Mr. T. Joshua, who has met met with a. serious aocident, waa passed.

Two hundred and eixty-oue members of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society -have been killed on active service. The con- tributions of about 25,000 of the society's members engaged on active service are being defrayed by voluntary subscrip- tions.

I NEXT OF KIN. AUSTRALIAN RELATIVES WHO CANNOT BE TRACED. Many of our readers are doubtless nd aware of the very large accumulation a monies which are now lying dormant am unclaimed in the various Governmeui Departments of our Dominions. It is estimated that there are manj thousands of pounds emanating frou Australia alone, and we propose during the next few weeks to publish a portioi of a list of unclaimed balances to whici claimants have been unsuccessfully sought for in Australia, and which hai Hot hitherto been published in this couu try. Readers who may consider they art justly entitled to enter claims again these monies, should write to the Lditoj this paper, marking their envelopes Un claimed Monies," or write, direct ta Lloyd's Inquiry 55/6, Chancery Lane London, W.C., who have established offices in Australia, and keep records oi the particulars relating to same. A stamped envelope should be sent 1'01 reply. The following is the weekly list ;Is.aa.t Brcjwii. Edward Butler. Sarah Cockburn John Cloeigh. William Creswick. Join Crowley, Michael Dwyer, John Frost Michael Franks, Nellie Grey, New all BiJl. William Howdeu, George Johnson John Kenny, Annie King, John Lee, Petei Lorsen, George Maxwell, David Moora John Murray, Elizabeth Owen. Johj Phipps, Thomas Power, William Snell,

The German poet, Alfred Heneeke, <4 Munich, has. according to the "Berlinct Lokatenzeiger," been fined 50s. bezant* "two of his poeme fioroewhat exceeded thl Iim itA art." In other words, they we-d indcccnt- J. j

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES. & DEATHS. DEATHS. DAVIEg.-On January 13th. 0,1 37. G-eanspek street-, Anne, widow of tb'& laac Thomaj Bavdcft, in her 85th year. DAVIES.—On Januaiv 18th, at No. t Pantygvydr-road, Uplands. Mr. Griffilt, Davies, J.P., after a long and painful iltf neo3. EV A NS.=On January 16th, 1915. a.t Swansea^ Edith Florence Evans, delughter of tbe \Q.t4 Llewellyn Eio il(-, West End Hotel, Gors einou. HAW(ES.—On the IBth inst.. at 14, Morgaiii street, Hafod, Philip Hawes, aged 56. LEWIS.—On January 18th, at CWUlrbyd", ceirw, Hees Lewis, builder and grocer, ag4 68 yeaJr8, MABTIN.—On January 17, at 5, Govier-tew race, Cockett, Arthur E. Yeo Martin, eld. est son of Mi-s. E. Hopkins, and the late E. Martin; stepson of Councillor l!j Hopkins. WILLIAMS.—On January 15th. at Coaapaea street, Manselton, Elizabeth Jane, bar loved wife" of H-rwel Wiia.ms. Printed and Published for the Swansea Press, Limited, by ARTHUR PABNELI HIGH AM, at Leader Buildings, iiwaJMaai

LI. and T. BULL!N HEATHFIELD MEWS, SWANSEA. MOTORS AND CABS ALWAYS READ-Y, Telephone Number, 65. Telegraphic Address: Bullin, Swansea,

I I POT THROUGH WINDOW. Midnight Struggle at Neath. A midnight quarrel amou-g neighbours in the Green had its serpiel at Neath Police Court on Monday. when David John Watkins was sumnwaicd by Mar- garet Ann Mort and David Mort for wil- ful damage and assault. David Mori, whose face bore traces tf recent battle, spoke to having: a "set to" with Watkins on the street. After the fight he thought all was over, but ten minutes lat-r Walk ins and a man najned Daniel McCarthy came to his house. A flower pot was harried through the win- dow, smashing three panes of glass, and the globe of the oil lamp. Then the door was burst open, and owatkiiis and McCarthy came into the kitchen and challenged him to fight. There was a scuffle on the floor, and after they jumped on him he knew no more. Margaret Jones, a neighbour, said she saw Watkins thxow a flower pot through Mort's window. Defendant denied the allegations, and said Mrs. Mort was his sister. On Saturday night she used an objection- able expression to him. When he called] for an explanation she threw dishes at him out through the window, and threatened to hit his brains out. Mrs. Mort said her brother caught her by the hair and kicked her on the hip bone. Ite struck me, gentlemen, till T didn't know where I was," concluded the witness. tii,? witne?s. denied that he kicked his -s^sier, and added that if she was kicked it was by her husband, who misdirected hi;, boot. The Bench imposed a fine of 5s. and costs for wilful damage, and 106. and costs for the assault, the Mayor adding that if he came there again he would be dealt severely with. "I understand," said the Mayor, that Mort is a soldier, and if there is any more interference v/ith the wife of a wldier whilst the husband is doing his duty, we shall regard it as a very serious oftenee, and deal with the offender accordingly. Daniel McCarthy, who did not appear, wa fined 20s. and costs for assaulting David Mort, and 5s. aud costs for using indecent language. H'

OTHER PEOPLES DEBTS. I Remarkable Evidence at Neath I Bankruptcy Court. John Garland, draper and outfitter, I Brecon-road, Ystradgyulais, underwent public examijmtiou at Xeatli Bunkrupbpy Court to-day. Gross liabilities were £ 095, expected to rank ?4').), deiicie?cy S295. Debtor was a collier, but his wife knew l somotniu? of the drapery business and ope1wd in his name 8 y?ar? ago. ? He ad- mitted too much credit had been given. The O!heial Rcccivpr ?aid the book delfts were .£!6. He described the case as very unsatisfactory, and asked for an adjournment for debtor to furnish further accounts. This was granted. Does Carpentry Pay? I In the case of Joseph Williams, labourer, Cambriau-t?rra'?, Tstradgvn- lais, the liabilities wcrf ?89 1&. 5(j.. with ddi.dency of ?79 18%. 5d. D?btm-, a car- penter, C-arried on an undertaking busi- ness at Pontrhydyfen, which was de- stroyed hy fire in 1910. lie 6aid he could cart: more money as an under- i ground labourer than by working at his trade. The case was closed subject to the signing of notes. Absent Austrian Debtor. Abraham Hardtnan, draper, Glyn-r Neath, did not appear, and it was ex-i p?ained that debtor, an Austrian, had! ben interned. The liabilities were .XMl! 198. ?. and the deficiency ?423 5s. 9dJ The cafce was adjourned "generally." Resolven Collier's Affairs. Alfred Pritchard, collier, Yeo-street, Re-solven, had a deficiency of ,9,1. Hisi earnings were 30e. a week. The causes j alleged for failure were illness of wife. burial of four children,, and accidents tù! himself. Debts were chiefly for fotxi, etc. The furniture had been taken bvS a guarantor under a loan floated by! debtor. The examination was adjourned, j

SKEWEN LICENSEE FINED. Frank 1 Benjamin Harry, licensee of the Cross Keys Hotel, Skewen, was charged at the County Sessions Friday with permitting! drunkenness.—Mr. J. C. Jeffreys defended and defendant pleaded not guilty. Inspector Gill &I)oke-to seeing a cMlier named Richard Long leave the hotel on January 2nd in a helpless state of! drunkenness. Witness took him back to! the hotel, where "he fell on the floor. Thoj landlord said that Lang was perfectlv sober when he came into the house, and! he supplied him with one pint of beer only. Richard. Laog was exceedingly frank.! He admitted going to the Sui-ith's Arins! and the Terminus Inn and consuming: five pints of beer before he went to tlw! Cross Keys, and Mtid that at the last- namel haiise hp was served with a glass of whisky by a little girl. I Mr. Je&ivy»: How many pints of beer will make you tight ?-Oli. about eight or nine. (Laughter). Do you suggest that the mixture of whisky and beer mixed you up a bit?— Well, I felt hiyself going- a bit. In defence, the liceiasee said Lang called and asked for a pint of beer. He 'supplied him, but immediately he com- menced tD walk across the floor witness observed that he was under the influence ( of drink. He gavi him the 4d. back, took the pint from him, and told him to clear out. He denied that Lang bad been sup- plied with whisky. Several witnesses supported this evi- dence, but the Bench found the case proved and imposed a fine of 40s. and costs.

THE LLANDILO OPERATIC SOCI ETY i I The Llandilo Amateur Operatic Society ?ave two excellent performances on Wed- nesday :*?d Thursday of last week of,? Don Quixote.? a comic opera in two acts, at the Drill Hall. The proceeds are in aid of the local narsing, Red Cross, and war rdirf fund". The president was the Ri?ht Hon.'Lord Dynevor, an? the j vice-presidents Mrs. J. W. G?'nne Hn!lws, Mrs. Mervyn Peel, Mrs. Her- bert P<??L Mrs. Pryse Ri&, Mrs. Dudley Drummond, Mrs. Tudor Lloyd Harries, i Mrs. G. S. Gulston, Mrs. Stepney-GuI?tou, aud Mr<. Lewis Bishop. The of&cer?! of the society were: Chairman of committee,¡ Mr. Hn?h WiHiams; hon. musical! director. Mr. W. Comery stage manager Mr. S. Downing Williams; hon. assistant j stage manager, Mr. J. Evans; hon. eecr^-1 tary, -N,lr. T. W. Richards, Capital and Counties Bank; pianist, Mr. W. G, Hopkin?- The different characters were well sustained hy the following-.—Don Quixote. Mr. J. R. E\ans; Sancho Panza, Mr. Downing Williams; Duk-inea. Micsi Rvbil Jones; Angelica, Miss H. KathRrinf WiHiam?; MarcpUa, Miss N. Williams; ¡ CaroHia. Miss Maggie Parry: Innkeeper,: Mr. J. F. H. Williams; Barber, Mi. L. O. Jones; Gines De PassamontR. Mr. B. D. Lister; Pedro De Sarsaparilla, Mr. Idwal Navies; Alvarado Nux Vomica. Mr. T- C. Hurley; First Guard. Mr. Dan E. Jenkins; Second Guard, Mr. Idris R. Hughes; Duke Lemco de Bovrilla, Mr. Howard Parry; Duchess, Mrs. Hugh Wil- liams; Donua Rodriguez, Mrs W. Comery: Coimtess Trifaldi, Miss Maud Williams; Drummer Roy, Master Wiliia Thomas; Pedro (a pagp). Master Sidney Johns; First Savage, Mr. Dan E. Jenkins; Second Savage, Mr. W. D. Griffiths; Doctor. Mr. E. J. Secretary, Mr. T. Davies.

THREE SONS AT .THE FRONT? I At the Aberavon County Police Court o& MQuday, Annie JeUy, a married woman, of ?lyprorrwg, was charged with 5tealg 281b. of coal, value 5d., the pr<? perty of the G lynoorrwg Colly Com? I pany, Limited. P.C. Beynon proved the offence. Defendant, who said that her husband I was ill in bed, and that her three sons were at the front, pleaded guilty. She was fined Cl inclusive.

FLOWER GIRLS' MISSION. I V I Exhibition at Port Talbot. j This Micsion was founded and is super* intended by Mr. John A. Groom, and "ie Crippi-oase is at Sekforde-street, Cierketv wjli, London. Young- girls who are orippleti or blind are admitted to the Orippleage in order that they may be em. oi-aiitly trained to cam their -own living. At the present time the Mission have Foni,4 ÓOO girlg under its care, who have been roOt ceived from al parte of the country withn out any votes, influence or payment. TVi-aj ana received owing to their physical afflic- Hon. they are unfit for ortii-iiai-v work, a-ud it is impossible for them to obtain employ ment in their oWn locality. Every girl, whatever her physical condition and capabilities, is paid a fair, remunerative wage from the day of her adTn-isektfi. Tho-e who are 'received from the country, or are friendless, come as residents in the Home, and pay out of their earnings tin* cost of their boerd. They live in separate homes, accommcd-a-ting 18 girls under the care of a foster-mother and maid, end everything possible is (tone to cultivate the feeling of home life--no,t, inistitutionalisnu Their weekly earning increase as efficiency is attained* and the rate of rem-uneratimin itS higher for work done by those girlo who -ve on-ly one band and those who are1 blind. Girls who live within eaay reach oi the workrooms, and have suitable lidmes and friends, are reoeived f.8 day worker^ and at a tirifling cost are -boarded during the day. thus securini rthem food botb nourishing alict sufficient, according to their need. The institution also reoeivea into its junior crippleage at Clacton-on-eea maimed little girls from 4 to 12 yeans at a,ge, and keeps them until they are 1, when, if suitable, they are transferred te the industrial branch. It provides sea"id.. holidays for blind and crippled girls wh" for at least a fortnight- each yea.r, they can enjoy the blessings and derive all the ben* fit, that such a rest and change must bring. The Exhibition, which opened. at tb4 Public Bathe ou Friday, was held in tn. large room, which had been airtlati<aill decorated with flags and bunting, and- thle6 with the getting of the ingenious work jf the members of the Mission, presented a truly beautiful picture. At the opening there wae a distinguished gathering of < number of the leading ladies and- gentlei men of the district. The Mayor ( Oourn eiloir W. J. Wil',iame,. J.P.), presided, and remarked upon the excellent work eocorru pliehed- by the Mission. The opening oerw mony was performed in a graceful speech by Mr. R. W. Ijlewellyn, B#,gla.n Hait]. Com epicuous among those present were tM clergy and ministers of the district. The Stallholders. The stall-holders for Friday were Mrtf R. W. Llewellyn and helpers, Baglal Hail; Mrs. Ed. Davies. Vicarage, Aben avon; Miss M. Tennant, Pentyla; Mra Richards ami Miss Olive Richards, The Bank, Aberavon; Miss Kelly, Brya awel. Aberavon; Miss Savours and Missel Jenkins, Bronlieulog, Aberavon;. Mrs. H E. Jones and Miss E. Jones, Plas-y-Brynj Aberavon; Mrs- H. Hellyer and MisSel Hellyer, Bedford House; Mrs. Lovefuck; The Elms, Aberavon; Mrs. David Jenkim and Miss A. Jenkins, Hillside. Aberavooj Mrs. and Miss Shenton. Port, Talbot; Mra Capt. Humphrey Jones, and Miss KittJ Williams, Brynatten, Aberavon; Mr4 McEvan, Bannock Brae. Aberavon; Misi Dickie, Port Talbot; Mrq. W. J. WiK liams (Mayoress), and Miss Maud Will lianis, Gwynfa House. Aberavon; Mrs. HJ Grant:, Greenfield. Aberavon; Mrs. ft Jacob N-id Miss Aileen Jacob, Roekleigh Aberavon; Mrs. D. Smith, Mrs. T. d Williams, Penylan House, Aheravor^ Mrs. and Miss Daniel, L. and P. Bank Mrs. E. Cleaver. Avolon, Port Talbot) 14.ib,,7es P. Waddington, E. Roberts, G1 Davies, M. Hill, M. C. Jenkins, M. TA Kent, Britonferry; Mrs. and Missed Grant, Springfield, Aberavon; Miss Jea kins, Belle Vista. Port Talbot; and Mise Lovelnck, High-street, Aberavon. Th4 tea and rffresh ment canteen was í. charge of Mrs. W. Griffiths. Port Talbotj and Mrs. M. Cox, Aberavon, and helpers