Llanelly Star

I _n- ?. 6 ?? A5?7?T??? v CLARKE'S {.J E:' T?'?'FF? 1 MAN. MAN.  Is Continuous Performance 3.30 to 10. 0 Telephone No. 41. I Prices as Usual. On CHRISTMAS DAY, The Cinema will open as usual with a Special Pro- gramme of Pictures for Xmas Day only. Proceeds devoted to Charity. I On BOXING DAY, The Cinema will open at 11 o'clock id the morning, and remain open until 11 o'clock in the evening. Monday, December 24, and Boxing Day, William Russell in l The Strength of oq¡'=:J' I d lVI y Donald McKensie, A Bolton-Mutual Production. ??. ?, ? ?' ih F\ M ?? '?C" E Nt R?* i' A SAVING THE FAMILY NAWirg ? a ?r? ?a wW ? B a <.??-; V B B ??a a F? ? t 8? w a ?&<-  I A 4 reel Drama. THE GIRL FROM FRISCO. Episode 9, The Ore Plunderers Thursday, Friday, Saturday, December 27, 28, 29 George Walsh in A William Fox Production The Book Agent i stency. Laughter and Thrills. A Story of Good Naturcd Resistency. ¡ A Five Part Metro Wonder Play, ? aajfa? 1? A Wife by Proxy, A Wile by a%??W?a Featuring Mabel Taliaferro. CLARKE YW'R DYN. Continuous Performance 2.30 to 10.30 Telephone No. 41. Prices as Usual.

1 '0 1 0 scfloo..? RESULTS OF THE CHILDREN'S WORK. Interesting figures were presented at the meeting of the Borough Education Committee on Wednesday evening rela- tive to the revenue from the garden pro- -dwee sold. The figures were:- £ s. d. Bigyn Boys School 4 19 3 Copperworks School 4 7 11 Lakeneld School 3 3 0 Higher Elementary Sschool 4 13 0 Old Road School 1 14 8 New Dock School 6 1 11 Church of Engird Boys do. 10 2 7 do. Girls School. 5 9 4 £ 46 13 8 The Mayor There is room for improve- ment in some of the schools. Some have done splendidly as compared with others. The Chairman: Old road School's pro- duce only realized £ 1 14s. Sd. The Clerk: That was due to the fact that some of the potatoes were diseased. The Mayor If that is so it is only fair that a footnote should be made explain- ing the matter. The Chairman Can we in any shape or form reward the school that realized the "biggest sum ? The Mayor: Not this time. Mrs. Phillips: Can we encourage the girls' schools to take up gardening ? I notice that only one school took it up -this year. After further discussion it was decided en the motion of the Mayor to congratu- late the schools on their achievements and to urge them to re-double their efforts next year. I

HHW—,i 11 immmunptganMaiiw A Wretched Home. SHOCKING STORY OF DIRT AND NEGLECT. Inspector T. Idris Jones, of the N.S.P.C.C. at the Police Court summoned Emily Richards and Henry Richardsl. 120, Old Castle road, for cruelty to their children. Mr. Leslie Williams appeared for the prosecution. Inspector Idris Jones said that on Dec. 6th, he went to the defendants' house and saw five children. The male defendant was a mason at Baldwins Works, Gower- ton, and lodged at Gowerton. The man's average earnings were C3 6s. lid., and he came home on week ends. Witness saw the children in the presence of their mother. The four youngest were half naked, and the clothing was very nearly in rags. One child wore an old pair of hoots, much too large, half the sole being worn away, and the feet were wet. She was pale but fairly nourished. Ethel, aged 9 years, was a delicate nervous child, half naked and like the other child, swarming with vermin. She had no boots or stockings, and the mother stated that this child was subject to fits. Havdn (8), was fairly nourished, but clothed in rags and had no boots or stockings. George, aged 5 years, was in a, similar state. Sydney (13), was employed in a baker's shop and was very shabbily clad and thin, but appeared to be fairly clean. Of the six rooms only two were furnished, viz., the kitchen or living room and one bedroom upstairs. The bedroom con- tained a bedstead and a flock bed which was verminous. This was the only bed for the family of sGyen, and the only bed- clothes consisted of a single sheet and some old coats. There was also a dilapid- ated bedstead in aonther room which could not be used. All the food he found in the house was half a loaf of bread, some toasted cheese, a lb. of brown sutrar and a little tea. When informed of the'! complaints regarding the children the female defendant replied: "I do take a bottle of stout and I was in a public house last Saturday night. Sergt. Davies has seen me in the public houses frequent- ly, but I do not get enough money from my husband, and he allows me 34s. a week as a rule. He is only home on week ends. He also drinks a drop and should look after the children as well as myself, j I cannot send the children to school be- cause I have no clothes or boots. The furniture has been taken away by the bailiffs." In consequence of the vermin- ous condition of the children and their naked state he removed four of the five children to the Workhouse, in order that they might be cleaned. The eldest boy was still at a bakery. Mr. Williams: How does this house compare with houses of its kind that you have visited ?-It is the most squalid I that I have ever been in. Det.-Sergt. T. Davies stated that he accompanied Inspector Jones to the house on December 6th, and could corroborate his statements as to the condition of the house and the children. Mrs. Richards frequented public houses. Esther Leigh, foster mother at the Children's Home, said she remembered the Inspector bringing the four children to the Homes on the 6th inst. They were in a very filthy condition, and she had never seen more verminous children. She had to cut the children's hair and the clothes of the beds had to be fumigated. Their clothing was scanty, but they were fairly nourished. The male defendant said he had been away most of his time, working at Bar- row-in-Furness for eight months and at Manchester for four months, after which he came to Gowerton. If given another chance he would see that the home was properly kept. The Bench bound both defendants over for 12 months in a sum of ;CIO, i-n d placed them under the probation of In- spector Tdris Jones. They also laid down the condition that the fema le defendant was not to enter any licensed premises.

Pithy Pwll Notes. I The winnfng number in the prize draw- ing for the parcel from Egypt is 4442. The winning ticket must be sent to the secretary. Mr. Walter Hoskin. before the 31st. The proceeds of the drawing will go to swell the Comforts Fund. Christmas presents have been sent to all the local boys on active service, to the number of over a hundred. This is an excellent record for the village. The Pantycelyn celebration will take place to-morrow, the afternoon meeting at 2.30 at Libanus, and the evening gathering: at 6 o'clock at Bethlehem. The ea3S«ctti«ns will be devoted to the Sailors and Soldiers Fund.

Occasional Notes [By Arthur Mee.] J I A MERRY (?) CHRISTMAS. I I should much like to pass on to the readers of the "Star" the old time- honoured wish—a Merry Christmas. But with things as they are at present such a proceeding would be ironical and cruel. We shall few of us enjoy a happy Xmas. Germany has seen to that. Let us all hope and pray that at any re it will be the last War Christmas, and that -the year soon to dawn will be Peace Year. HOLD ON I I Things are not at present looking particularly cheerful, but on two points at least we may take comfort: our cause is a righteous cause, and we are certain of victory if we only hold on. If things are sad and bad here, in the enemy countries they are far worse. They have the whole of the rest of the world against them, and the thought is not one to lend them much encouragement. On the other hand we of the Alliance have both Right and Might on our side. OUR WESTERN BROTHERS. From the collapse of liussia let Ger- many extract what comfort she can. It is a blow to Ls,, but we must not forget the magnificent services rendered by Russia early in the war. Meanwhile we have Canada committed to conscription, and the United States grimly determined to make a solid and thorough job of the war. We may not have heard the last of Russia despite the croakers, and Germany has net heard the last of the United States-oh, no The Germans have be- fore them a stiff proposition, and when peace comes the braggart Teuton will be the most thankful man on the surface of this planet. AVhen we come to know the sum total of what Germany has lost in men, money and position the result ii-iii be appalling. REPRISALS AND PUNISHMENT. On two things let us fix our attention. One is effective Reprisals for the air-raids on England. Such reprisals have now been definitely promised. I hope they will be carried out mercilessly and effec- tively. The other point is that we must win the war so thoroughly as to be able to secure the proper punishment of the arch-devils who started it. Death is the mildest retribution we can inflict. To be compelled to arrange peace without met- ing out justice will be a sad and deplor- able thing. It is simply unthinkable. God grant that complete victory may yet be ours, a victory that will teach Kaiser- ism a lesson it will never forget. I "MURDER MOST FOUL." ) This is the title of a pamphlet now be- ing extensively circulated by Messrs. W., H. Smith and Son, together with another entitled "Devil of the Deep." I trust all readers will study them both: they are from American, pens. The shameless horror of German militarism was well brought out in a "Mail" cartoon by my gifted friend and colleague J.M.S. It referred to the many poor children in France who had their hands cut off by the German devils. That terrible picture helped the Cardiff Tank to its million, and should be cut out and placed some- where conspicuously in every house "lest we forget." The picture tells its own pitiful story, and alas it is only too true. May the curse of God light on the Kaiser and his hellish satellites. STAR MAPS. I To turn from all this turmoil to the calm heavens above is a refreshing and uplifting change. Many of your readers take more or less interest in astronomy, and Llanelly is not without its assiduous observers. Once again then let me com- mend to all such the beautiful set of Star- maps edited by Mr. Walter Blaikie, LL.D., and published by the Scottish Provident Institution. This little work is unique, and those who possess it will hardly want another guide. As a prac- tical observer myself I should indeed be sorry to be without it even for a single week.

Special quality, All Lace Doyieys; quite new, and very dainty-Star Stationery Stores. _d' Souflet Gases, Paper Qrlsaped Gas# assorted sizes and cmurs.-Mr Stationery Stgres.

The Tribunal. ANOTHER BATCH OF APPEALS. At the meeting of the Borough Tri- bunal on Thursday, the Mayor (Aid. D. James Davies) presided, and there were present Ald. R. P. Thomas, Coun. W. Powell Rees, Coun. J. L. Jones, and Mr. Oliver Russell. The National Service representatives were Lieut Chapman and Mr D Jennings. Conditional Exemption. -1 J. H. Ballantyne, James street, was appealed for by his employer, Mr. Bon- neU Thomas, and Mr. J. Lewis Phillips appeared in support of the appeal. Mr. Lewis Phillips explained that the case had been the subject of an appeal before the County Tribunal by the National Service and that body confirmed the Borough Tribunal's decision. One of the man's brothers had been awarded the Military Medal while another had lost his arm in the war. Mr. Thomas had over 300 houses to repair, and the Tribunal had granted carpenters at a brewery con- ditional exemption. "I believe," said Mr. Phillips, "that Mr. Jennings acted for the brewery before his conversion" (laughter). Mr. Jennings: In that case the cir- cumstances were different, they were I giving up so many men. Conditional exemption for four months with further right of appeal was allowed. Another Adjournment. In the case of Howell Hewitt it was I stated that the man's case was adjourn- ed to see if a protection card could be ob- tained for him. Hewitt was said to be a sawyer, and as such was in a reserved occupation. No reply as to the issue of a protection card having been received the case was further adjourned. Work of National Importance. Dd. S. Taylor was said to have been disqualified for a protection card. The man who was in Class A, and 31 years of age, was engaged at the Steelworks, and the appeal was made on domestic grounds The Mayor: Would you be prepared to go in a month ? Appellant: I would like a few months. I am doing work of national importance. The Mayor: We cannot go into that point now. Mr. Jennings suggested two months, but the Tribunal in dismissing the appeal ordered that he should not be called up for three months. Must join the Volunteers. "I am sorry," said Mr. Jennings, "but Messrs. ^uckleys' men must join the Glunteers, when the case of Andrew Jones came up for review. Mr. Leslie Williams, who represented the Company, said the man was the manager of the bottling stores and worked very long hours, all his assistants having left. Jones stated that all his time was taken up with his duties. Mr. Jennings: But look at the Mayor; he puts in more hours for public service than any man and yet he finds time to den)te to his private business. I must press you to join Section B. The Mayor announced that by a majority the Tribunal had decided to order the man to join Section D. Mr Jennings: Then I am afraid I must appeal against the decision. Re-examination ordered. Juigar Chas. Shapley (35), Class A was represented by Mr. E. Kammerer, and said he was a married man with five children. A medical certificate was put in, and the case was adjourned for 14 davs for re-examination by the Medical Board.

NATION'S" CUSTARD POWDERS

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CAMES. I Rugbyites will be provided with an in-I teresting trio of matches during the Xmas holidays. On Xmas morning Mr. Dick Edmunds' team will try conclusions with the Llanelly Steelworks, and there is keen rivalry between the teams. In the afternoon the Monmouthshire Regiment will bo entertained by Llanelly, and the visitors have gained such reputation for classical play that great things are ex- pected of them. On Boxing Day, at 3 o'clock, Mr. Dick Edmunds' team will play their second match of the season with the Albions, who hope to lower their osioure ex this occasion. The tkree matches wfll be played at Stradey.

Education Committee 1- A meeting of the Education Committee was held on Wednesday evening when the Chairman (Coun. D, R. Jones) pre- sided. Technical Instruction. The Clerk inquired whether it was the desire of the members that the Technical Instruction Committee should be re-ap- pointed. The Mayor: Are Messrs. Richard Thomas and Co. Ltd., represented on the committee ? The Clerk: Yes, Mr. D. Jones has been co-opted. It was suggested that the names of the Vice-chairman (Aid. R. P. Thomas), Mr. Griffith J. Thomas, M.A., headmaster of the County Boys School, and Ald. Jos. Roberts should be added. The Mayor asked whether it would not be advisable to include the whole of the members of the Education Committee. The Chairman: That would do away with the complaint made at the recent conference by members of this committee that they knew nothing about the scheme. Coun. W. Davies: Yes, but that com- plaint was made by a member who was on the Technical Instruction Committee (laughter). After a little discussion it was decided to add the names mentioned above. A Salary Application. I I A letter read from Mr. J. H. Green, of the Higher Elementary School asking the committee to reconsider his salary. He pointed out that he had been in the Committee's service for 19 years, and his salary was much below that paid to the other teachers in the Higher Eleihehtary School, although the salaries of hand- work teachers were as a rule on the same scale as the class teachers. Having re- gard to the increased importance of prac- tical manual work he hoped the Commit- tee would at least place him on sn equal footing with the other teachers. Coun. W. Powell Rees: What is his present salary ? The Clerk: £ 175. The matter was referred to the salaries committee. "Calling." I A lengthy letter was read from Mr. Lewis Griffiths, of Stebonheath, com- plaining about his treatment in regard to the allocation of the Fisher grant. "It is," he wrote, "galling to think that uncertificated teachers get more than a certificated teacher who has acted as such for 4t years." He added that he was only two months short of the five years which would have qualified him for the increased grant as a certificated teacher. Coun. J. Hughes: We could not verv well avoid these anomalies. The Clerk said there were two or three other cases. It was decided to defer the consider- ation of the matter. Wages of Cleaners. I The school cleaners in the employ of the Committee applied for an increase in their wages. Replying to Coun. W. Powell Rees, the Clerk said that twelve months ago the cleaners were granted a bonus of 1:6 per annum. Coun. W. Davies proposed that the bonus be increased by another £6 per annum. This was seconded and agreed ito- Teacher's Bonus. I A bonus of £10 per annunr was granted I to Miss X. Smith, who had applied for consideration. The H. E. Schooj. I A letter was read from Mr. E. Denbigh Jones, the headmaster of the Higher Elementary School, in which a list of at- tendances of certain scholars was given. The present system of admitting scholars, he said, was at fault. It would be far more profitable if attention was paid to quality rather than quantity. The pro- gress of those in earnest was impeded by those who only looked to the day when they could leave school and enjoy so- called freedom. The matter was referred to the managers of the school. Complaints re Cas. I l Complaints were made about the quali- i ty of the gas at the sclaools, and the Chairman remarked that the stftne com- plaints were made by the public. The Mayor: With the present quality of the gas there should certainly be in- candescent mantles- at the schools. Coun. W. Davies described the condi- tion of affairs at New Dock School and said he was surprised that the head- master had not complained. The bad light was bound to affect the eyesight of the children. The Mayor: But the scholars start now at 1.30. The Chairman: It is the cleaners that use the light most now. It was decided to supply incandescent mantles to the headteachers who applied for them.. Copper Works School. Coun. Powell Rees called attention to the cloakroom accommodation at Copper- works Boys School, which he said was very bad. The Clerk submitted tenders, and the question was referred to the managers and the building inspector.

Last week a number of soldiers were discharged from Stebonheath Military Hospital, but their places have already been filled by the arrival of two new batches of men. There are 176 patients at this hospital and the O.C., together with the O.C. of Pare Howard Hospital, will be glad to receive any gifts for them for the Christmas season. |

Departure of Lieut. Ingrains REFERENCES AT THE TRIBUNAL. Before commencing the business of, the Borough Tribunal on Thursday exening, the Mayor (Aid. D.v James Daviesj pre- j? a ,mes D a,i- i ?.,sj pre- siding, the National Service representa- er i- lee repres,-nta- tive (Mr. D. Jennings) said ? had been asked by Lieut. Ingrams to Sftý- how sorry he was. he could TLotr; attend •■=■*> the meeting once more before leaving to take up his new duties in Birmingham; -and to thank the Mayor andribun.al ror; the kind consideration scfowtr Ifimr.r*- -Lieut. Ingrams assured him ^hat iie was leaving- with happy recollections., of the time he had snt in Llanelly, especially .before the Borough Trl*bunal. At the Sametime- he (Mr. Jennings) desired to lake- that opportunity of introducing Limit: Chap- man who had been "appointed as Lieut. Ingrams' successor. 0 The Mayor: I am very much obliged to you for conveying Lieut Ingrams' thanks. W hether we agreed with his methods or not we always felt that he was conscien- tious in his advocacy for m-n for the Army, and I give a cordial welcome to Lieut. Chapman as the new National Ser- vice representative.

RACES FOR VETERANS. The much talked of (in Dock district) veteran races will take place at Stradey on Xmas Day next. 100 yards sprint at 2.4.5 p.m.; 200 yards at half-time. The runners will be Mr. W. H. Thomas and Mr. Al-m. Dandell, both of New Dock.

(Smart r. e ys" ¡.¡¡" ",j;¡ ;tJ ;J;! I\: N -???????? wit? or wither 1 I .;T:'<' 1:}('!I!r' _H.. |  Veiivet ^°"*ars !!s! ??'?'????-??  "'j '0.   t /'jJ:iÜ' *3 ■ j\ The above col our is ■      -j[ 'J,p ?  i .:0=ij The above colour is }2/' ? ;J\I considered the real gen- ■ ,1. s|j ?-" • • • • !•-W tlemanly s hade in 9 ?  -? .? I 1 ?i .? -§P OVERCOATS j J f h" jjjjj jpl"pjj^ for this season. 9 1 U,j -H ;<-E& yw  ? ? W' e have a good selection of other ? shades in stock, and in a big variety of Styles. OUR BEST I oniun W hich have been made up into stock sizes were actually H g Tailored on the Premises) Robert Jones, B 16 Stepney Street, Llanelly. g And BURRY PORT. H =1.J +:j ,L -< :> f" .Í:j.t'if' i

"This indictment of the wretches could be made much stronger and longer, but -enough—individually they are below the Turks, collectively they arc on a par with their ancestral Huns. Blood will tell. It is time that they were barred out of the family of decent, self-respecting nations; or at least that the doors were closed against them for two generations. MEMORIAL HALL FOR BURRY PORT The suggestion thrown out by the "Star" last week for the erection of a public hall in Burry Port has been re- ceived with general favour. Influential townsmen have assured us that the pro- ject is one that if carried out, would not only form a dignified and permanent war memorial, but also meet one of the most urgent needs of the district. War memorials will take various forms up and down the country. In our judgment these "remembrancers" should be of such a character as to serve a useful public purpose in the district where they are set, up. A commodious hall would certainly be a boon and a blessing to Burry Port where at present a small Parish Hall has to serve for all public gatherings. Judged by its name, the Parish Hall may be ade- quate enough, but it is emphatically not a Public Hall worthy of any progressive town. We commend this matter to the immediate attention of the T'rlian Coun- cil, and would suggest that they should convene a meeting of the ratepayers so that the voice of the people may be heard upon it. Even if agreed upon now, build- ing operations could not be commenced yet awhile, but this ought not to prevent the Council from arranging the prelimin- aries and fixing upon a convenient site. Let them go ahead at once as far as possible and then, when the building trade resumes something like normal con- ditions, an immediate start can be made. w-ith bricks and mortar.