Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

NEATH AND DISTRICT BILL-POSTING CO. ADVERTISING CONTRACTORS. Owners of all the Principal Hoardings in NEATH and DISTRICT. For Terms, &c., apply:— Manager, 45, London Road, Neatho

ORDER FOR WIFE. HUSBANDS SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS r NAB E RA V 0 N SUIT. At the Aberavon County Police Court on Monday, a case of considerable local interest came on for hearing in which Annie Alary Jones, living at Tonmawr larm, Margam, summoned her husbadU, Stanley Jones, a solicitor's clerk, recently of Port Talbot, and now living at Sunny- bank, J3alaciava-road, Dowiais, for deser- tion. There was a counter charge of adultery. Mr. Dan Perkins appeared for complainant, and Mr. Lewis .1. Thomas fur defendant. Mr. Perkius said the desertion took place on July 21st. He understood that defendant did not intend to call any wit- nesses, but in consequence of the defend- ant's allegation of adultery, he (Mr. Per- kins) intended to call several witnesses. The parties were married in April, 1911, and there had been two children, one of which was alive. The parties had lived ttt Tonmawr Farm, Margam, with com- plainant's parents. They had lived there for 16 months, and defendant had only given complainant X4 10s. On July 19tii defendant went away and came home drunk. At the farm was a cousin of com- plainant's named Griffith Jones, who had lived there for 29 years, since he was a boy. On the morning of the 20th July complainant was asked to prepare the foreakfast, and she and a Catherine Major did so. Complainant and defendant slept together in the parlour, and on the morn- ing of the 21st complainant left defend- ant asleep. Defendant afterwards came into the kitchen and complained of tooth- ache, and complainant made him some medicine. It was on this occasion that it' was alleged adultery took place between complainant and Griffith Jones. Without making any allegation defendant on July 21st kissed the baby and left, taking some clothes with him. On July 22nd he went to Tonmawr and took more clothing, and he spoke to his wife and her mother, but made no suggestion of adultery. Defend-! ant did not return alter that date. Ajinie Mary Jones (complainant) bore out her advocate's opening statement, and added that she wrote a letter on July 25th to defendant at 5, King-street, Port Talbot. Complainant, continuing, said there was no truth whatever that she had com- mitted adultery with Griffith Jones, of i Tonmawr Farm. on July 21st. Griffith Jones was her cousin, and had been brought up and lived at Tonmawr for 29 y&ars. Defendant was a solicitor's clerk, and had done nothing for eleven months. Janet Jones (sister of complainant) de- posed to being present on the 20th July, and heard no allegation made by de- f endant.' Defendant, on oath, repeated his allega- tions against his wife. In reply to his advocate, defendant said he had always been friendly with Griff. Jones and all the members of the family. He was, however, afraid of Griff. Jones, which was the reason he did not make ithe accusation at the time. I By Mr. Perkins: The reason for his leav- ing his wife was her conduct, which he had seen with his own eyes. Mr. Perkins submitted that the evidence given by defendant was insufficient to substantiate the charge of adultery. The Bench granted a separation order, dftfpndant to contribute 12s. 6d. per week and pay all costs.

ABERAVON OCTOGENARIAN'S FUNERAL. On Thursday afternoon the funeral took piace of the late Mr. Henry Morris, who died on Sunday last at the age of 85. De- ceased was a native of Dorsetshire, and came to Wales about 52 years ago as head gardener to Mr. W. P. Struve, of Coed Park, Cwmavon. After serving there a number of years he was appointed a head gardener to Sir Arthur Pendarvis Vivian, oi Glanravon, Port Talbot, in whose ser- vice he remained for 24 years, until he retired 12 years ago. The funeral was of a private nature, and the interment took place at the Chapel-of-Ease Burial Giound, Port Talbot. Prior to leaving the house a short service was conducted by the Rev. Christopher (curate), St. Paul's. At the churchyard a short serivce waa conducted by the Vicar (Rev. D. J. Jones, M.A.), who also performed the burial rites. The chief mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Bond (gas manager), son-in- law and daughter; Miss M. Bond, grand- daughter; Messrs H. J. Morris (Derby), S. A. Morris (London), G. Morris (Ynysddu) and E. Morris (Harrogate), sons; Mr. Michael Morris (Cwmavon), brother; Mr. and Mrs. Morgan brotber-in-law and s-ister). There were numerous beautiful floral tributes sent.

AFON VALLEY COLLIER'S FOOLISH CONDUCT. Robert Maggs, collier, Tonmawr, Afon Valley, was charged on Monday at Åravon with behaving so as to bring contempt upon the King's uniform, by walking about in the uniform of a? private of the South Wales Borderers, who was home en leave. The police evidence showed that de- fendant was walking backwards and for- wards in front of the Railway Hotel wearing the King's uniform and using very bad language. When spoken to, defendant said he had borrowed the uni- forf for a bit of fun. Defendant said he knew a private in the South Wales Borderers named Wil- liam Williams, known as 11 Mabon," who was home on leave, and he asked him to trv the coat on. They changed coats, and Mabon ? would not giv'? him his coat back. When they changed ccat?, Mabon said, Try it on; it might be the last time." The Chairman: You bad no right to wear his Majesty's uniform.—Fined 20s. Be was also fined 20s. on another Rtmgm of utyig indecent language.

A FIRE-EATER'S LANGUAGE. At a special Aberavon Police Court on Saturday, a man named Patrick Lavery, of no fixed abode. described as a firs- eater, and who caused somewhat of a sen- sation at Neath some time ago, by his utterances on RoyaLty. was charged vith using indecent language. P.C. Vernon deposed to seeing defend- ant in Water-street on Friday night, vnder the influence of drink. Defendant was very excited, and made use of, filthy expressions. After being warned, de- fendant persisted in shouting out indecnt language, and caused a crowd to collect. Owing to his conduct, witness took him in custody, and it was only with the ut- most difficulty that defendant was locked itp.-I)eienclant was sent to prison for 14 days.

Statistic sliow i remarkable decline ill Hnnkenn&ss in Glamorgan since \.he in- etitutioa of the new licensing order.

r VALLEY SENSATION. ——— 0 ——— PONTARDAWE CONTRACTOR DIES UNDER PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES Quite a sensation was caused at Pcntardawe on Tuesday morning, when the news )--ecame known that Mr. Davil Thomas, the builder, of Ynismeudw, had died late on Monday night. Mr. Thomas, who was 14 years of age. and a widower, lived with his children in a new house opposite Llangwicke Schools. On Monday niglit, between 8 and 9 o'clock, he visited the house oi his brother, Mr. Thomas Thomas, at Old- road, Ynismeudw. What happened there may be brought out during court pro- ceedings; the facts as they are now known are to the effect that some few minutes later deceased, David Thomas. left his brother's house with a big gash on his head. Thomas was bleeding profusely, and made his way to the house of Mrs. Clee, of Cwmshon. She bathed the wound, and she afterwards took him home, On arrival at his house, Thomas was examined by Dr. W. O. Evans. He was subsequently put to bed, as he appeared to be in a dangerous condition. Some minutes later he was found at the foot of the btairs quite dead. The police were called to the house, and, after investigation, Inspector David, Sergeant Woods, and P.C. Hall pro- ceeded to the. Old-road, where they arrested Thomas Thomas at his home and took him to the police station, where they arrived about midnight. Deceased's son is Mr. Roger Thomas, the well-known Ynismeudw contractor. The Deceased. The Inquest. The inquest on the body of David Thomas, mason, of Ynismedw, I'oritar- dawe, 'who died at his home on Monday night, was held on Tuesday at the Police Station, Pontardawe, by Mr. C. J. C. Wilson, the deputy County Coroner. Messrs. Hy. Thompson appeared for the relatives, and Mr. Morgan Davies repre- sented the accused man, Thomas Thomas. Annie Thomas, Graigfelen, Llanguicke, gave evidence of identification. She said her father was 13 years of age. He used to drink a good deal, but he li-d been very good since her mother's death. Deceased had not been working on Monday, and when he came home in. the evening he did not appear to he the worse for drink. lie was due to work on the 11 o'clock 8hi;\ in the night. When deceased came home about seven o'clock on Monday night he had a meal, and then he said he was going up the road. He returned about 8.30 p.m. in company with MrE. Creole. There was a cut on the head which was budaged. Witness asked where he got the cut, and lie said that his brother Thomas had knocked him on the head with a poker. Witness and Mrs. Creole then helped decreased to go to bed. Deceased seemed to be stunned and could not walk very steady. Witness did not think that his condition was the effect of drink. "De- ceased slept in a room right on top of the stairs, and the latter were very steep. T. Thomas. Proceeding, she said that about ten minutes after her father had gone to bed she went out to fetch coal. While doing so her brother called out and told her that her father had fallen down- stairs. She rushed in and found him at the foot of the stairs. Deceased did not speak, and there was a pool ot blood near by. Deceased was only partially dressed at the time. She then called her aunt into the house, and just at that time deceased's brother John also came in. The latter helped to life her father on to the sofa whilst her brother Roger went for a doctor. Deceased did not regain consciousness, and died about 11 o'clock. Witness went on to say that her father went away about two years ago, but before doing so he sold his business as contractor to her brother, Roger Thomas. Her father returned from abroad in a short time, and there was some family trouble because he considered that he uught to have the business back from his eon. Her fatl:er wa, annoyed because his brother Thomas was working with Roger Thomas, and also because ho could not get the contractor's yard bad: into his own bands- Examined by Mr. Morgan Davies, wit- ness faid her father had been in Alltwen or. Monday, paying for coal. Her father was addicted to drink. and no doubt Iw had had some on Monday. Ho wa-s out in the morning for about thi ee-and-a-haK hours, and when he returned he went LO bed. Dr. W. Owen Evans, Pontardawe, said he was called to see deceased on Monday night shortly after nine o'clock. lie found decea.sed lying on a couch in the kitchen. He was breathing very heavily, and his face was covered with blood, together with the front of his shirt. There was a muftler around his head, under which was a handkerchief soaked in blood on the wound on top of the head. There was blood oozing from the right ear fairly freely. Witness removed th? muffler and handkerchief, and there ho lound a wound on the head which had been cut to the bone. The wound was two inches long. At this stage the, police produced a poker, which he (witness) thought could have caused the wound, which was JlI irregular one. Witness waited there for abcut half 1m hour, and he could see that Thomas was dying. Witness conducted a post-mortem examination on Tuesday morning, and the only wound he could find was the one referred to There was also an extensive fracture of the base of the skull. In N-iew of his extmination he attributed death to a fiacture of the base of the skull. This could have been caused by a very heavy blow wich the poker (produced). In his opinion the blow from the veker was no*" a very heavy one, because he would have expected to see more damage to the skull and the tissues surrounding it. If do- ceased was wearing a cap it would v@ j helped to preserve tho flesh and bone. The injury sustained by deceased could have been caused by falling downstairs, and. would have been more consistent with the injure than the blow from thf' poker. Witness could not trace any sign of alcohol about deceased. In reply to Mr. Morgan Davies, wit- ness .said he would expect a man who re, ceived a fracture as described to fall un- conscious at once. I :Mrs. Annie Creow. Cwmshan, Ynie- iniedv?', said deceased came to her house ?hout 7.15 on Monday night. She asked him where lie was going, and he replied that he was going up to see what his brother had to say about him. Witness advised him to go home, as she expected there would be a row there. Deceased was not sober, neither was he the worse J for drink. He appeared to be very ex- j cited. Witness knew there had been trouble between the brothers, as ?.he had j lived nearly seven years with them. lJe-1 ceased insisted upon going Up. and re- turned in about a quarter of an hour with 'his face covered with blood. She ask^d [what was the matter with him, and he replied, I have been up to Thomas, and ? he hit me on the head with a poker." I "itnes. clNHJ5"d the b!ood. and deceased asked if he should lay down on the couch. I blÜ bho replied that she would go home I with him. Deceased then went without (assistance. On the way they met his j brother John, and they spoke in Wdsh. When they reached his home he at Idown on the chair and took off his own boots. Deceased went; upstaids to bed, and she then went straight home. It was about. a quarter of a mile from decea&ed'? house to his brother's. The quarrel was a one, and was in reference to a yard which de- ceased owiud at one time. Deceased was f.K' jealous because his brother Thomas wa* working with his (deceased's) son. In answer to Mr. Morgan Davies, wit- ness *airl that the deceased did not want any assistance to walk home. He spoke finite sensibly to his brother. She did not think the wound was sufficiently serious to send for a doctor that night. Wyndham Thomas (13), son -Df deceased, snid he was in bed when his father came home on Monday night. His father went to bed in three or four minutes after he rpached the house. lip heard his father enter the bedroom and go into bed. He heard deceased getting out of his room a little later, and witness, who had jumped "nt ofbed by this time, saw his father falling downstairs. Witness thought his father was drunk, because he had Lieen out in the iifternoon. John Thomas, brother of deceased, said he saw deceased on the road on Monday | night. He did not say much, but he said < he had had a quarrel with his brother Thomas, but he did not say what it was about. Deceased was able to walk very wel 1. ) Sergeant Woods gave evidence of visit- .f ftng deceased's house at Yni8medw about I J 1 0 'ebek on Monday night. Deceased? ?(iatl,,Iiter handed him a cap (produced). H<? gubsequently went to the home of ac- !cnsed and asked Thomas if his brother David Thomas had been theie that night. Accused replied, Yes." When told he would be charged with wounding accused, he said, "Ho came up here to-night to make a row. He was going to knock my wife. I hit him with the poker in self- defence." Witness took Thomas to the I'olieo Station, and again charged him. In reply he said, I went home about 18.10 and found my brother David on to my wife at the back of the house. He was the worse for drink, and follewed me {into the house, threatening me. He said ? be would kill me if he caught | me in his yard. He caught hold of my wife in a rough way and I picked up the poker and struck him on the head with it. After that my wife and I pushed him out and locked th door. He then kicked the door and broke it." ¿ About 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning witness charged accused with the man- slaughter of his brother, and in reply he i said. 1 still <.t'<k t? th" eam? as I aid last night." Witness produced the pokei- which lie found in the house of tip accused. There were marks of blood at i the end of it. Cross-examined, Sergt. Woods said that the accused's wife was in a delicate state jof health, and could not attend the in- quest. Witness saw a big stone which was supposed to have been thrown at the door iby the deceased. He noticed that the door I at accused's house had been damaged. Thomas Thomas, the accused, was then called. He said he was a mason, and lived at Old-ro.id, Ynismedw. The Coroner then asked accused if lie reached home about ten minutes past eight on Monday. Accused said lie would not care to I ai swer any questions. The Coroner thereupon summed up, and the jury, after retirement, returned a I verdict to the effect that deceased ac::i- I dcrtally fell downstairs. Coroner: Thereby causing a fracture of tll, skull. The Foreman: Yes. The Funeral. Th? funeral took place on Thursday at St. Peter's. 'ACCUSED BROUGHT UP AT SWANSEA j At Swansea Police Court on Wednesday, Thomas Thomas was brought up in cus- itodv on a charge of having caused the death of his brother at Pontardawe on Monday night. rrhe prisouer, who appeared to teel his position keenly, had no objection to the application of Supt. Letheren for a re- mand. and he was accordingly remanded to the Pontardawe Police Court oh Friday we,-k. Bai.l was allowed, prisoner m £ 100 and two sureties for £50.

NEATH MOTOR ACCIDENTS. I Cwmdare Cyclist's Precarious Condition. Whilst motor cycling on the Neath Abbey road on Tuesday afternoon, Ben Evans, f)0, BwHfa-road, Cwmdare, col- lided with a Swansea Transport van, re- ceiving serious injuries about the head and leg. He was taken to Dr. D. Llewellyn Davies' surgery in an uncon- scious condition, and subsequently re- moved to the infirmary, whore he lies in a precarious condition. Tlie motor cycle was cut in two by the impact. In an interview with the driver of the van, our Neath reporter was informed that Evans hesitated whilst taking the turning around the Cadoxton corner, and whilst shutting off his engine ran into the front of the 'blis. It was impossible to prevent an accident." said the driver, and had he missed the 'bus he would have gone into the wall." Clerk's Serious Injuries. II Mr. Wm. Harris, a clerk at the N-ath I, County Court' Offices, whilst motor- cycling on the Gnoll Park-road, Neath, on Tuesday morning, was thrown from his machine and seriously injured. He was uconsciuiis for some hours, and among other injuries sustained a broken collar bone. Mr. Archie Morris, solicitor, Neath, who was riding in the trailer, was also slightly njured-

JI The Queen of the Netherlands was thirty- five on Tuesday.

A WAR ROMANCE. I HEARTBEAT FROM WALES SEEKS I ECHO IN FAR-OFF UTAH. A pretty story of a South Wales sol- dier's romance is told by the Salt Lake Telegram," which journal draws the in- ference that "Love is Dot blind." It is a .story of love at first sight. The soldier is Lance-corporal .Edgar Frallci, of his Majesty's Regiment 100." Cor- poral Fran-is is a cousin of Mr. John James, State insurance commissioner fur Utah, and a Native of Swansea. The latter sent to his soldier relative a maga- zine published by an insurance company, and in a group photograph was the pretty stenographer of the company, Miss Ethei Hogan. The rest oi the story, as told bv the Salt Lake paper, is as follows:— Far from home, in an army camp and waiting to be ordered perhaps to his death, Corporal Fran is scanned the group of faces. He spied that of pretty Miss Hcg.k'i. Then he tore out the group photograph and drew with red ink au arrow pointing to her. He mailed this back in a letter to Commussioner James. He said: The inclised was sent to my sister iti i little book you seat her, and on looking through same I took a great, fancy to the young lady marked. Perhaps you could tell me her name. Again, you may know her. However, I fancied her on the first look I had of the photo. Love at first sight very often comes true, so I should like if you would tell me her address, as a letter to a soldier these days and from a far country helps'to cheer one a great deal." "I fancied her -— The pretty heroine. I Having been thus commissioned, Mr. James called at the insurance office and gave Miss Hogan the letter to read. Such a tribute from a soldier boy in a far off land would likely appeal to a" young woman. Miss Hogan blushed. She appeared much embarrassed. Then she gave permission for Mr. James to send her address an 1 name to bis cousin, and said that the young Briton might write to her if he wished, and that she would answer his letter. Thia the commis- sioner has done. Thus far the story goes in- the Ameri- can paper. But one imagines the ro- mance must have gone a stage further. Anyhow, with tiic- reproduction of the photo of Miss Hogan appears an inset picture of Lance-Corpi. Francis. Who is Lance-Cnrpl. Francis? Accord- ing to the Telegram," his father was fonnerly "c,-Ilicf of police for the coun- try," and his home is Castle Hill House." Mr. John James, loving a romance, as all Welshmen do, is taking a keen in- teieet in arranging a correspondence be- tween the pair. And everyone will wish a happy end to the pretty story.

SPANIARDS AT ABERCRAVE. I Workmen Hold a Protest Demonstration. There has been some trouble at the Abercrave Collieries in connection with the employment of Spaniards at the local collieries, but the matter has not resulted in any extreme step. At thp. Abercrave Colliery some seventy Spaniards ure engaged, and rather less than that number at the International Collieries cf the same company. The allegation has been made by work- men that preference is given to the foreigners over the local men, and that some of the Spaniards can speak no English or Welsh. The men have just held a demonstra- tion of protest. Headed by the Ystrad- gynlais Band, over 1,800 miners employed at the Abercrave, International, and Gwaunclawdd Collieries, marched in pro- cession to Y stradgynlais where a protest meeting was held on the square, the chief speakers being Mr. J. J. James, sub-agent Anthracite Miners' Association, County Councillor T. Prosser Jones, and Mr. T. Lewis (cbeckweigher.) Ultimately a resolu- tion was passed calling upon the Home Office to put an end to foreign labour.

MARGAM FARMER'S FAILURE. I A meeting was Iveld at the Offieial Re- ceiver's office. Swansea, on Thursday, of the creditors Af William .Tones, farmer, of Tymawr, Margam, near Port Talbot. The receiving order was granted on tli3 9th inst on debtor's petition. Debtor's accounts show liabilities ex- pected to rank for 7s 6d.: h;e;Π(after deducting preferen- tial clai ms), nil; and deficiency, S:1,098 7,; (id. The causes of failure as alleged by I debtor were lo3.s of live stock, the taking over of the debts of his late mother and failing to recover, heavy rente and rates, large family to support, and sickness in family. No resolutions were passed, and the Official Receiver remains trustee.

ALLEGED UNREGISTERED ALIEN. I At the Aberavon Borough Police Court Gwilleom 1:1. D. Steenbscker, a young Chilian, described as a seaman, was charged with failing to register hitu- sPlt a.s an alien, and with giving a false I name to the boarding-houso keeper. P.S. Swaffield said he charged defendant with being an alien, lie subsequently took him to the Police Station. When charged. defendant replied: I have registered myself at the boarding-house." Eleanor Davidson, Victoria-road Board- ing House, said that defendant registered himself under the name of E. D. Gwilleon on the boarding-house book, and witness tol dhim to go to the Aberavon Police Station to register himself as an alien. In reply to the Chairman, defendant said he had been in this country three weeks. He was remanded for a week, in custody. i t

CAPT. H. SVSOORE-GWYN I HONOURED AT DYFFRYN. On Tuesday evening, at Dyffryn Man- sion, Ca.pt. Ho wel Moore-Gwyn, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Moore- Gwyn, was, under the auspices of the Bryncoch Soldiers' and Sailors' Reception Committee, made the recipient 01 an illuminated address, as an expression of esteem and in appreciation of the gal- lantry at the front, which had won for him the coveted distinction of the Mili- t.1 ry Cross. The deputation consisted of the ,?h L- depittati(in coiiii-,te(I of the Thomas Howell, David Evans, Basil Man- der, Fred Davies, Owen Jenkins, William Tremaine, Thomas Jones (Primrose Bank), Thomas Tiiemaine, Tom Thomas, Joseph Thomas, William Llewellyn, Fred Millett, and \Villiam Lewis, and were introduced by the Rev. J. C. Thomas (vicar for upwards of 45 years), who, in a few well-chosen remarks, explained the eiis. cunistances under which the reception committee had been formed, and referred to the strong desire generally expressed to show honour to this brave young officer who had suffered such hardships in the trenches. He paid a glowing tribute to the munificence of the Dyffryn family, and subsequently read the. address, which had been drafted by him. as follows:— "Capt. H. Moore-Gwyn, Adjutant 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade. Dear Capt. Moore-Gwyn,—On behalf of the parishioners of St. Matthew's generally, we venture to approach you as a gentleman who has devoted his life to the service of his country, and as a mem- ber of the family of Dyffryn, whom all have long delighted to honour. We have availed ourselves of the pre- sent occasion to ask your acceptance of this address as an expression of our esteem and admiration for the gallant ser- vices which you have been rendering in defence of our King and country. At the same time we desire to unite in offering you our wannest, congratula- tions on the spe.cial mark of honour you lately received at the hands of our Gracious Sovereign, when he bestowed upon you your well-merited distinction of -the )1 i.1itary Cross. Since your return from the front to recuperate after your health had so ser- iously suffered from your terrible ex- periences in the trenches, we have watched your gradual and gratifying recovery with no small interest, and it has given us the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to find that your health seems now so far established that you have a reasonable hope of soon being allowed to return again to resume your very important duties in this titanic struggle of nations—unpara- lelled in the history of the world. We earnestly hope and pray that you may be safely preserved under the shadow of the Almighty wings until victory be ours and a lasting wide-world peace estab- lished. We. are, faithfully yours, The Bryn- coch Soldiers' and Sailors' Reception and Medal Society. Rev. J. C. Thomas, M.A., Rev. A. R. Davies, The0dorp Oibbins, Esq. (vice-presidents). Mr. G. H. Rutter (chairman), Mr. T. Howell (hon. secre- (c h a i riiaart '), I r. tary), Mr. D. Evans (hon. treasurer), com- mittee--Messrs. A. Ball, A. Corbett, F. Davies, G. Davies. 1. T. Evans, T. Harris, '1 Jone,i ( P i-iitirc),,cl 1. Howell, T. Jones, T, Jones (Primrose Bank), D. Jones. D. Lewis, R. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Llewellyn, B. Mancler, F. Mil- let t, W. Phillips, D. Sims, J. Thomas, T. Thomas, R. Treble, T. Thomas, W. Tremaine, T. Tremaine, D. Williams." The Rev. A. R. Davies welcomed the invitation to co-operate in a practical recognition of the dual charm of personal character and personal service. Captain Moore-Gwyn certainly appeared to him as the embodiment of the best traditions and loftiest ideals of honourable and honoured ancestry. Military achievement owed much to forceful personality, which in- spired absolute confidence in leadership when confronted with sudden and grave difficulty. Acts heroic wait not on chance, The man's whole life preludes the single deed." Bryncoch had contributed a splendid quota of young, noble, manly life to the national asset." When the crucial test, arrived it had found the gal- lant captain ready, and when- Called upon to face Some awful moment, to which Heaven had joined Great issues, good and bad, for human kind, Thro' the heat of conflict, kept the law In calmness made, and., what he fore- saw. He warmly congratulated Capt. Moore- Gwyn upon his firm adherence to that path of duty, which is ever the way to glory," and tendered his best wishes for continuous blessing and protection in his arduous course of perilous warfare. Mr. David Evans endorsed the remark s of the previous speakers and expressed admiration for the prowess shown by the captain in the midst of so much danger. The address was supplied by Mr. Whit- tington, Neath, and was presented by Mr. Rutter, who expressed the pride which all felt by reason of the great honour brought to the parish by Captain Moore-Gwyn. He offered him his warm congratulations. Capt. Moore-Gwyn returned sincere thanks for this pleasant surprise, and assured the donors that their gift was deeply appreciated by him. It was idle to deny that the experience in the trenches was other than severe, and with char- acteristic modesty he added that luck had brought him the decoration, which he naturally prized highly. It was a matter of difficulty to reward according to merit, hut at the conclusion of the war every man would undoubtedly obtain due acknowledgment of service rendered. He emphasised the urgency for more men, and notified his readiness to return as soon as permitted by the medical board. Mr. J. E. Moore-Gwyn. J.P., D.L., fol- lowed, and touching I," reiterated the grati- tude of Mrs. Moove-Gwyn and himself for this signal mark of respect: to their son, which would tend to consolidate the happy relations which had ever existed between his family and the parishioners. He assured ti-ictit that the address would always be valued in his home, and at the conclusion of the war he hoped that his son would be able to settle again in their midst. The deputation, after inspecting the Military Cross, were kindh entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Moore-Gwyn. Mr. Theo- dore Gibbins was prevented by another engagement from being present.

Miss Olsven Ijljoyd George, daughter of the Minister of Munitions, who has been home cfr a few days' rest, has returned to France to resume her duties as nurse at a Red Cros3 ba>e hospital. Mr. Herbert Samuel, M.P.. on Tuesday publicly unveiled <a tablet at Great Ayton School, North Yorkshire, erected in memory of Captai-a Cook, the celebrated navigator, who wab a native of the district and went to school at Ayton,

NEXT OF KIN. I AUSTRALIANS' RELATIVES WHO I CANNOT BE TRACED. 1 Many of our readers are doubtless not I aware of the very large accumulation of monies which are now lying dormant and unclaimed in the various Government departments of our dominions. It is estimated that there are many thousands of pounds emanating from Australia alone, and we propose during the next few weeks to publish a portion of a list of unclaimed balances to which claimants have been unsuccessfully sought for in Australia and which have not yet en discovered in this country. Readers who may consider they arc jrstly entitled to enter claims against these monies should write to the editor of this paper, marking their envelope, Unclaimed iiionies," or write direct to Lloyd's Inquiry, 55-6 Chancery-lane, London, W.C., "who have established offices in Australia and who keep records of the same. A stamped envelope should be sent for ieply. The following is the weekly list:— Allen Frederi ck, Afery Thomas, Jiartlett James, Bishop Charles. Bryne William J., Chapman George, Connors Thomas, Ciossland Luke, "Davies William, Hill Robert, Manter Annie. Inch Jane Ann, Jasper William, Jackson William, Nor- ciofis James, Press James, Seerby Samuel, Shepparcl Thomas, Smith Harry, Wright Walter G.

THE BLAENGWYNFI CHARGE. I Stationmaster Committed for Trial. I At a special sitting at Aberavon on I Friday—before Ur. S .11. Byasa (chair- l man), ajid Alderman J. M. Smith)—John Evans, .stationmaster at Blaengwynfi, Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Station, again appeared to answer a charge of embezzling the sum of .£336, the monies of his employers—the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Company. John Mervyn Evans, assistant cashier, faid he was employed at the railway com- pany's head office, Swansea. He had for several years received sums of money and cash statements from the accused. These were made out in tho handwriting of the accused. It was his duty to receive the money and cash statements in the absence of Mr. Sing, the cashier. Josiah L. Thomas, chief audit cleric, ex- plained the system by which the station- masters at the various stations kept their accounts, and remitted the cash takings and summaries of accounts to the head office. It was the accused's work to send a cash account to the head office at Swan- sea each month. Witness produced summaries forwarded by accused for the six months January to June, 1915, each bearing the signature of Evans. These summaries purported to show the total number of tickets istfaed at the Blaengwynfi station in that period. Witness had compared these summaries with the proof book kept at the station, and the entries showed that a smaller number of workmen's tickets were sold than were actually issued. The figures in the acr.ised's monthly eimimarie* agreed with his cash accounts sent to Swansea. It was a fact that Evans had not accounted for the whole of the cash re- ceived for the sale of tickets according to the proof and train books. The summaries sent by prisoner were therefore incorrect. Witness, continuing, said he examined the- books and found that in January the accused showed in his summary that 122 tickets were sold to BIaen Cwm at ls. each, bufihe proof book showed that 222 tickets were actually sold, and accused had not accounted for the .£5. In this month, he only accounted for 111 tickets instead of 231, a sum of £ 12 being here unaccounted for. There were similar de- ficiencies for each of the six months. Joseph Bona, Oakwood-street, Port Talbot. said he had been employed at Blaengwynfi Station as goods clerk for the last five and a half years. Cross-examined, he said the key of the booking office was kept by tho boy Reader. All the staff knew where the key was kept. There was a safe in the office, of which witness had himself the kev. He did not think this state of affairs had been authorised from the Swansea head office. Mr. L. M. Thomas: Have you ever opened the safe? Witness. Yes, hundreds of times, for change. Mr. Thomas said he did not intend to go further into the case, and, therefore, ho reserved his defence, and would advise his client as to what course to adopt. In further evidence witness (Josiah L. Thomas) said that on July 27tli, when he had a conversation with accused re- garding the missing books, Evans re- plied, Oli. they were wrong when 7011 were here in September, and now they will be unable to say anything about it." Accused later handed witness a list of tickets which he had said had been des- troyed, but witness had since ascertained that the majority of the tickets had been issued to Blaencwm and Duffryn Rhondda. On July 27th an official of the Company, a Mr. Lewis, arrived at the station, and Evans told him that he had burned the missing books on the night before. The books destroyed by accused were the proof book in use, and the train book used from November, 1912, to April, 1914. i Cross-examined, witness said that the workmen's tickets issued at Blaengwynfi would be collected when expired at the same station and sent on to the head office. Evans had not cent back the workmen's tickets, but the ordinary I passenger tickets were sent back. Wit- ness did not discover this until July 26th. Mr. Thomas: Why did you not find out 'this system ??September, 1915, when you audited e -olints? Witness: Owing, to the clever ingenuity of Evans in his manipulation of figures, and his care in doing 60, and albo be- cause of my absolute conndence in Mr. Evans's honesty. Witnesp admitted that if he had been able to compare accused's summaries ent to Swan?a with his accounts at the station, it would have been easy to detect the discrepancies. He was unable to do so because these summaries were con- tinually in use at the head office. Other evidence was given by Mr. A. Lewis, traffic manager of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway; John Bona, goods clerk at Blaengwynfi; and P.S. Davies, Blaengwyn. who gave evidence of arrest. Accused was committed to take his trial a! the next Assizes, the same bail being allowed.

Derry City has presented to the War Office a fully-equipped motor ambulance and subscribed 1160 to the Red Cross Society. Sheer laziness was the term applied at Chatham on Tuesday to the conduct of John Piper, dockyard labourer, and his wife. who were sentenced, the man to a month an I the woman to three months' im- prisonment with hard labour, for nf glectingr their six children.

SPELTER CONTRACTS. IMPORTANT CASE BEFORE THE ENGLISH COURTS. Mr. Justice Bray on Tuesday, sitting as a vacation judge, heard an interesting action in regard to spelter, which is the commercial name for trade zinc. It is obtained from the distillation in smelt- ing works of zinc ore, and is used in the manufacture of cartridge cases and other war munitions. Its scarcity during the summer caused the price in some parts to rise to 2150 a ton, and a month ago it was at £ 60. The Zinc Corporation, Ltd., of 20, Copthall-avenue, London, applied for a declaration that an agreement they made with Hirsch and Lbhn, metal smelters, etc., of Halberstadt, Germany, for the sale of hundreds of thousands of tons of zinc spelter was rendered invalid and was absolutely void bv reason of the war. Mr. Go re-Brow lie, K.C., and Mr. Frank Dadd were for the corporation; Mr. Comp- ston, K.C., and Mr. A. Cohn represented the German company. Mr. Gore-Browne explained that the Zinc Corporation owned huge zinc mines in Victoria, Australia, and from the ore they obtained zinc concentrates or spelter. That substance at the present moment was of considerable value, for it was essential for the manufacture of brass and other metals. By an agreement the cor- poration contracted to sell practically tha whole of its spelter to the defendants for a term of years running well into tli3 future. They now claimed Hiat the wan put an absolute end to the contract. rIJ) is the defendants denied, for they alleged (said counsel) that directly peace was declared the plaintiffs would have to abide by the agreement and proceed -with the delivery or practically the whole of the spelter to them as before. The plaintiffs, counsel said, were there- fore in great difficulty, for even if they were allowed to sell their spelter to Eng- land there was an absence of large zinc, refineries, and nobody would put up laiges sums of money to erect refineries for the duration of the war only. The result was, counsel added, that hundreds of thousands of tons of valuable Australian spelter were lying idle and kept out of the market, while the price of spelter from other sources was running high. In addition, the plaintiffs would have to shut down their mines and hund- reds of thousands of pounds sterling ° were involved. Counsel said the common law of Eng- land forbade a man making a contract which was prejudicial to his country, and if this contract was such as the defen- dants alleged the contract would be pre- judicial to England at present, and was null and void. Mr. Francis A. Govett, the chairman of the plaintiff corporation, said the output of spelter by his corporation was about 180,000 tons a year. The average price was about £ 25 a ton. The total output of spelter in the world was about a million tons a year. Of this total Germany re- fined 350,000 tons, England dealt with about 70,000 tons, France and Belgium handled a much larger quantity; the United States refined about 350,000 tons, but at present there was a rapid extension of the industry in that country. Mr. Compston, K.C., argued on behalf of the defendants that there was only a suspension of the agreement for the period of the war. His lordship reserved judgment.

NEATH ALDERMAN'S WILL: Mr. Edward Sincock Phillips, of 16a, Osborne-street, Neath, Glamorgan, oil merchant, a former mayor and alderman. of Neath, a prominent local Wesleyau and Temperance advocate, who died on 6th June last, left estate of the gross value of A:2,231 6s. 4d., of which the net personalty has been sworn at £77 14s. lid. Probate of his will, dated 1st July, 1912, has been granted to his widow, Mrs. Ann. Phillips, of the same address, the sola executrix. The testator left all his pro- perty to his wife, stating that he had every confidence that she would at her death distribute the same in a fair anlt just manner amongst his children.

"YOU KNOW THE WAY TO GO." You take me home. I don't know, the way," said Morgan Phillips, of 7, Mary-street, Seven Sisters, to P.C. Jones, Penygroes, when the pair met on the Gorslas-rtoad. The oiffcer, relating tho incident to the Ammanford Bench on Monday, 6aid that seeing Phillips was drunk and did not know the way, he escorted him some distance, and put him on the right way. The Clerk (Mr. W. L. Smith): In more senses than one. (Laughter). tor the drunkenness a fine of 12s. was imposed.

3IRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS, BIRTHS. REF,S.-On 26th August, at Pare Villa, 08.. well-road, Mumbles, the wife of W. J. D. Bees, a son. MARRIAGES. DAVIE-PRICK-At St. Helen's Baptiefc Chapel, by Rev. J. W. Causton, Thomas Davie, 20, Argyle-street, Swansea, to Florence (Flossie; Price, 1, Westbourne- place, Swansea, fourth daughter of Mr. Thomas Price; on Monday, August 50th, 1915. ROG ERS--WUrLiMS.-At Siloam, Pentra Estyli, on the 26th inst.. by the Revs. G. Penar Griffiths and D. Eurof Walters, M.A., B.D., the Rev. J. T. llogere, late of Pentrechwyth, now of Merthyr Vale, to Annie, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Williams, 22, Morgan-street, Hafod. WILSON-COU,ND.kt Sketty Church, on August 31st, by the Vicar, Herbert R. (Bert) Wilson, of Sketty,' to Elizabeth Matilda (Lilly) Ccund, of Llandil". DEATHS. GRIFFITHS,-On the 27th instant, at derw-road, Mary Elizabeth, the belovodi wife of W. J. Griffiths, Builder and Con- tractor. HARRIS.—On the 24th instant, at 25, Pert Tennant-road, Swansea, Mary Jane U&SWU HARRIS.—August 26th. 1915, at ADghari Alexandra-road. Gorseinon, Thomas Harris, Bar Mill Superintendent, Groves- end Steelworke, Gor6einon (late of Man. seltou), aged 68. JO-NES.-On the 29th inst., at 9, Nichol. street, Ann Jones, widow of the late Thomas Jones, Boatbuilder, 4, Beaufort Arches. M-OP,T.-On August. 26th, at Underbill, LI an. gyfclach, Hannah, the beloved wife of W, Mort. OWEN.—On the 29th irst. at 5, Vernon, street, Hafod, Samuel Owen (Mastee Mariner), beloved husband of Mary Owen., PHILLIPS.-On the 27th inst., at hi,, resi- dence, 90, Hawthorne-avenue, Swansea, Dan Phillips (Marine Surveyor), aged 63 years. THOMAS.—On Tuesday, at 9, Oakfield-street, Pontardulais, Arthur, the beloved son of Elias Thomas. ..i i-r ) 1 .— :8 Printed and Published for the Swansea Press, Limited, by ARTHUR PARNELIf HIGHAM, tt Leader Buildings, gwaaoea.