The Llanelly Mercury and South Wales Advertiser

GRATEFUL H WOMEN p from all parts of the World have lljQp expressed their full appreciation ||fe> of the splendid labour-saving ^jjW advantages of 9jp Sunli ht oap. | £ §|g It has brought a welcome rest to millions of women by lightening li p ? the labours of washing-day, and Kb-). br-?gheni-g the vwl sweetening ana brignxenmg the EK* ? home. Pff<^ $£|$fi| l Sunlight Soup  Never Disappoints, l "\i '}. \:J i' .r-.l ,I 1)j'I:I f ¡g 1j :>¡   CAMBRIA CYCLE CO., LTD., LATE JOHN S. BROWN. WARNING TO THE PUBLIC! Beware of Small Cycle Agents who state they are able to supply Cycles of any make. The CAMBRIA CYCLE CO. hold the Sole Agencies for B11YBERS ENFIELDS RALEIGHS RAPIDS QUADRANTS RAGLANS PREMIERS ROVERS SWIIfTS OSMONDS RUDGE- HUDSONS CAMBRIAS SINGERS &c. Therefore, beg to Caution the Public that any of the High Grade Machines bought from other agents cannot be guaranteed by the Makers. The CAMBRIA CYCLE CO. are prepared to give RIDING LESSONS, Free of Charge, at their Spacious Riding School, and will also take old machines in exchange.  ]Fj. MACHINES ON HIRE. REPAIRS A SPECIALITY. Pneumatics from. £6. I Cushions from 30s. Second-hand Defiances (Equal to New) from £ 3 to C4. v r' e' CAMBRIA CYCLE ?U? U? LTD., ?AM.i?ibi?i. LATE JOHN S. BROWN, MARKET STREET, LLANELLY. A GREAT IMPROVEMENT. -_u_- NEW FURNISHING BUSINESS FOR LLANELLY. 0 The Only Practical Furnisher in the Town.  W. O. EVANS, HOUSEHOLD & GENERAL FURNISHER, Begs to inform the Public of Llanelly and District, that he has acquired the Shop at the corner of Cowell and Murray Streets (lately occupied as County Court Offices), w hid) have been Greatly Enlarged and Improved, with a -view of fully mcetinr; thp growing demands of the town and district. The Premises will shortly be OPENED with a New and Varied Stock of Furniture, viz., Dining, Drawing and Bedroom Suites, &c., Bedsteads and Bedding, Carpets, Rugs, Floorcloths, Linoleums. Intending Customers would do well to reserve their purchases until W. 0. E Opens with his select Stock at Popular Prices.

I AMONG THE ZULUS. I MARIA RATSCHITZ, NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA, I March 27th, 1897. TO THE EDITOR. I SIR,-I am penning this letter in the midst of Zulus-front and rear—all Zulus. This is one of the Zulu Catholic Mission Stations conducted by the Trappist Monks, aided by the Sisters of the Order of the Precious Blood. I forgot to mention in my previous letters that the Natal Government allow all clergymen to travel on their railway lines for two-thirds less than ordinary passengers. I have found this very convenient. I may also inform you that the Natalians owe the existence of the 300 miles of railway running through the Natal Colony to the discovery of gold in large quantities in the Transvaal. The railway line through Natal would never pay, but it is the road to Johannes- burg, which is a vast field of gold, and induces enormous traffic. Nataljjitself is being opened up and villages are getting to be numerous and large. If the invalids of England and Ireland, who have means to travel, but spend their lives in the agonies of bronchitis and consump- tion, especially in winter at home, but knew the health-giving climate of Sunny Natal, they would come without hesitation from damp and cold to this land of sun. I have met many people who came out to Natal in the early stages of bronchial, lung, and chest diseases, who are now strong and healthy. You will be glad to learn that there are several Sanatoriums in Natal conducted by Nuns and patronized by people of various nations without any religious distinction. In each of them there are Sisters who have medical certificates and the cuisine in all prove the presence of good cooks. As I am telling you of customs in the Colony, I may add that by law a great bell rings in each town and village in Natal at nine o'clock each night to warn all Kaffirs to be within doors, and if any Kaffir is found out of house after that bell has rung, he or she is arrested and punished, unless satisfaction can be given for the late hours. Besides this, there is also a law that no publican is allowed to serve intoxi- cating drink to a Kaffir. These laws tend to good order. But to come back to the mission of Maria Rats- chitz. This mission derives its name from a German Catholic benefactor who resides in Maria Ratschitz in Germany. In a previous letter 1 mentioned that there are in the Vicariate of Natal nineteen Catholic Missions for the natives, conducted by 300 Trappist Priests and brothers and 200 sisters of the congregation of the precious blood, nearly every one of whom is German and let it be added to the eternal credit of Germany that nearly all the money (an enormous sum) sub- scribed up to this for the foundation and sup- port of these missions has come from the nockets of rich German Oibtholicq. Those whw a very generous donation have the privilege of having a certain mission to be founded called by such name as the benefactor may suggest. Hence the missions and villages so founded have real Catholic names. The head village where the Abbot resides is Marianliill so called in honour of the mother of the Blessed Virgin, I Saint Ann, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. My visit to this Mission of Maria Ratschitz was made under very auspicious circumstances. Having availed myself of the railway from Lady- smith to Washbank I found a waggon drawn by oxen and managed by two Zulus awaiting my arrival at the latter station they had come from the Monastery to meet me. I had a drive of 31 hours over a good road and through a fertile country. It was evening and the sun was setting-oh such a glorious sunset-it was one of the most gorgeous I had ever wit- nessed, and that is saying a great deal, for I have seen the sun setting in Canada, in Italy, and in various parts of Africa. Let me describe this Trappist Mission the buildings, some of brick and stone, and some of wood and corru- gated iron, and some of mud covered with thatch, are nearly all a good specimen of holy poverty. This' is one of the most recently founded and one of the poorest of the Trappist foundations. It was opened on the second of February, 1890, and during that time has done solid work. It has two priests, one choir brother, ten lay brothers, and fourteen nuns. The buildings form a terrace at the base of a high mountain which is capped with foliage and carpetted with grass. The community own 8,000 acres, much of which is under cultivation. The orchard islarge and has thousands of apple, pear, orange, and lemon trees. There is a vineyard of 10,000 vines. Tobacco is also culti- vated and as to vegetables they are legion. The work is done by the community whose motto is Pray and Work," and by the Zulu boys and girls who number 135 and are kept in the boarding schools'of the mission. A certain time is given daily to schools and a certain number of hours to work. All manner of trades are taught besides garden work, such as waggon making, carpentry, cabinet making, black- smiths, stone cutting, masonry; and for girls every species of domestic employment and needle-work. The number of baptised Zulus on the station is 285 and the number of Catechumens, that is of persons preparing for baptism, is 200, 104 are confirmed, 75 have made their first communion. The attendance at Daily Mass is about 160. Sunday Mass and evening Bene- diction average attendance 300. Is not this a magnificent result of seven years' work? Seven years ago all were heathens, to day the cross is uplifted and the name of Jesus is on the tongues and in the hearts of hundreds. The two priests have very hard labour they have several stations at distances of from one to four hours on horse-back and to all these they go to teach the Zulus Catechism two days a week. I remained four days as the guest of the good monks, and thus had an opportunity of seeing the mission in full swing. On Sunday I celebrated the parish mass. I was overjoyed, the Zulus filled the chapel from the very altar to the door. All knelt on the flagged iloor- there are no seats. The devotion of the people was most edifying. The whole scene brought to my mind the transfiguration of Jesus. The superior of the mission preached in Zulu, and when the mass was finished I knelt in adoration and thanksgiving on the paiement of that holy sanctuary, thanking God for such marvellous manifestations of his grace to the people of this lovely spot. JAMES O HAIRE. I

THOSE WHO LABOUR. [GEORGE H. WOOD.] 1 Conferences seem to have been the chief events of last week. We have had the shop assistants at Hull; the I.L.P. in London the National Union of Teachers at Swansea: and numerous smaller con- ferences of one serfc and another. About the whole proceedings of the three chief gatherings of the week, there seemed to prevail the sense of a hope- ful, bright and cheery optimism. At Hull, the shop assistants reported a growth in the strength and prospects of their Union. They also shed gladness over all by the rejoicings in the Truck Act, and its beneficial effects upon their class. And what shall we say of their discussion of the minimum wage for shop assistants? The suggestion as to what this wage should be were anything between d225 and S40 per annum for assistants living indoors, and 24s. to 30s. per week for assistants living out-doors. When electing their new officers, they did honour to a Cardiff man, and made Mr. A. Parr their president. He deserves it, for there are few worthier in the labour movement. Of the I.L.P. Conference much may be said. Whether we like it or no, the 1. L.P. is now an established political party, and its programme and policy has to be taken into consideration when summing up political positions. According to the leaders of the I.L.P., never was its position better established, and never were its prospects more rosy. The general public does not view the I.L.P. through the same spectacles as those used by that party's leaders. In my opinion, we have to acknowledge the I.L.P., but we have scarcely to make overtures to it at election times—at least in South Wales. Arrangements are to be made, in pursuance of the original policy of the I.L.P., to fight 100 seats at the next general election. Of these, it is not probable that more, than two will be in South Wales. Cardiff and Merthyr are, probaoly, the only South Wales consituencies in which the Socialist vote would be large enough to justify the payment of the Returning Officers' fees. But is it not time the leaders of the I.L. P. saw the folly of an uncompromising independence ? It can never be successfully maintained. We are not here, as they are on the Continent, so discontented with our rate of progress as to lose our heads, and, willy-nilly, to rush after any mad scheme of action which bears on its face a seeming promise of immediate success. Our economic growth must be gradual, and though the Socialists are the only observers of economic development who are able to thoroughly understand the present, and in a measure forecast the inevitable future, we have no need to rush headlong for the realisation of our ideal. In these days of political compromise, tact must be used, as well as reasoning and preaching a new gospel. As to the new programme, I expect that hundreds of Radicals would assent to every article in the I.L.P. creed, and yet deny that they are Socialists. The programme is short, and its demands are mild. It is only when we come to review the name and policy of the I.L.P. that we find ourselves in opposition. Let the name be altered to Independent Socialist Society (as proposed by Mr. Tom Mann), and the objections might not be so I valid, though their removal would scarcely bring I more into the ranks of the society. Theae axe the days of startling rumours, and the latest is, undoubtedly, a very surprising one. •• The rumour, which must be taken for what it is worth, is that, with the view of vindicating the position taken up by the Penrhyn quarrymen, the combined Trades Unions of Great Britain are prepared to vote £6,000 weekly to the quarrymen of Llanberis and Festiniog, should they be prepared to come out and stay out until the Bethesda dispute is settled on terms satisfactory to the men." So says a contemporary. Of the existence of the rumour there can be no doubt, but of its truth there can be great doubt. Personally, I am for the action of the English Unions. The money is not much to give the principle is the one dearest principle to labour. For the right to combine men have suffered hardship and imprisonment. Surely we can afford to suffer a small pecuniary loss for the same great end Anyone interested in labour matters would have learnt a great deal had they been present at the Socialist meetings held in Swansea last week by delegates to the I.L.P. At this meeting a new organisation (or the complete promise of a new organisation) saw. the light. Its aim is, realisation of the Socialist's Educational plank, and its method, "education of the public." At the next N.U.T. conference, the Socialist Teachers propose to organise a S. T. conference and a large public meeting. We wish them success.

THE FISHING BIGHTS AT LLANELLY. I MR. W. J. WILSON AND THE MAOHYNYS FISHERMEN. At the Llanelly County-court recently a case was heard in which some local fishermen claimed damages against the Stepney Estate authorities. It appeared that in January last Mr. W. J. Wilson, the agent of the estate, accompanied by other representatives, went down to Bwlchy- gwynt and broke up a number of fishing rets which had been spread on the foreshore. The Stepney Estate claimed to have the rights of fishing there, but this was contested by the men, who urged that the place had been open to the public from time immemorial. The action for damages was heard at the February court before his Honour Judge Bishop, who reserved judg- ment. The judge, however, will not further be troubled in the matter, for the Stepney Estate have now agreed to pay the amount claimed and costs.

THE CONDITIONS OF LABOUR. I [BY GEORGE H. WOOD, F.S.] I The Labour Gazette tells us a good tale this month. The days of labour seem to be brighten- ing, at least, so far as employment is concerned. The percentage of unemployed members of Trade Unions has been gradually falling of late, until, at last it has reached the excel- lent figure of 2 5 per cent. of those making returns to the Board of Trade. This is extremely gratifying, as it is the low- est percentage reached since 1890, when only about 1-5 per cent. were unemployed. It is also very satisfactory to note that over 20 per cent. of the Trades Unions making returns have under 1 per cent. unemployed, and that of the miners of Northumberland, only 0'9 per cent. are wanting 'employment. The changes in the rates of wages are more satisfactory even than the returns of unem- ployment. During the last month 169,500 persons received advances, whilst only 2,500 persons suffered decreases. These ad vances average about 8 pence per head per week, or a matter Of about £ 56,000 per week to those who received the advances. It is noteworthy that the building trades still keep well to the fore in receiving advances. There were no de- creases in these trades, but there were 10,600 persons who received advances. The rural depopulation and town growth seem to make a huge demand for houses. How true the Bay- ing, what is one man's poison is another's meat!

THE OLD TOWN HALL. I TO THE EDITOR. I Siu,-It is a scandal that the Borough Council should be doing nothing as to the disposal of the Old Town Hall. I have no designs on the structure myself, nor do I represent any society that would be gla.d to get hold of it. I am discussing the question as a ratepayer merely, and I feel sure there are many like me who consider it a shame that the Council have not put it to some use, or rented it ere this. The hall has been vacant for months and might have been bringing in a decent revenue for the relief of our rates if the Council had been as zealous in the administration of town affairs as they ought to Lave been. It is an open secret also that several institutions would be glad to get hold of the structure. The Council, however, do nothing in the matter although they talk much. I hope the new members will see that this matter is settled at an early date. Yours truly, RATEPAYER. I

TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. I I-S.F.Your communication did not reach us in time. "SILENT.We do not publish letters of the kind you send, under the cover of a mm de plume. WATCHFUL"—We cannot help you in such an undertaking. -,LARBOARD. "-There was ho such meeting to our knowledge.

A RUNAWAY HORSE AT LLAN- ELLY. An exciting incident was witnessed in the streets of Llanelly on Friday afternoon last. The circum- stances were as follows: Mr. Hill, the veterinary surgeon, was making a call in Ty'rfran, and left his unattended pony, harnessed in a trap, outside the residence. Having concluded his business, he was returning to the trap when the horse took fright and bolted down the hill at a terrific rate. All the efforts to arrest the progress of the animal were ineffectual and it flew down Thomas-street. On Falcon Bridge the trap overturned, but the pony kept on its feet and pursued its career as far as Zion Chapel, one of the wheels of the conveyance in the air and the other, axle downwards, on the earth. At the spot last named, the animal was stopped. The horse was unhurt, but the trap was sadly damaged.

WHAT TO EAT, DRINK, AND AVOID. By A MEDICAL MAX. I -Diet.-Under this head we will consider what is the best. Every man or woman must be a law unto themselves as to what to eat, drink, and avoid. The saying One man's meat is another man's poison" is very true, and the time of year, and the climatic surroundings have much to say in the matter. In the Artic regions you can eat and relish fats or fat mixtures such as would be fatal to you in the. tropics. Why do our country- men suffer so much from liver complaint ? It is because our insular traning in the British Isles has induced a love for roast beef, spirits and strong beers, and we indulge in these with one result, liver complaint. Were we only rational and adapted our diet to our surroundings we would lead healthier, happier lives. Were we to a great extent to shun animal food we would be healthier, The foregoing observations lead ns up to consider why Dr, Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa acts so beneficially on the liver. Dr. Tibbie's Vi-Cocoa has in it the four ingredients of a purely vegetable extraction, and while these in combination act most beneficially on the liver, they cannot in any sense of the words be either considered drugs or medicines. They are neither more nor less than strengthening nourishing restoratives. They give tone and, vigour to every organ of the body, while at the same time they build up the whole constitution in a way that has never been done before. This purely vegetable blend not only stimulates the liver to a proper discharge of its functions, but it builds up the various tissues to the highest pitch of efficiency. Mferit, and merit alone, is what we claim for Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa, and we are prepared to send to any reader who names the Llanelly M'ercury a dainty sample tin of Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa free and post paid. There is no magic in all this. It is a plain, honest, straightforward offer. It is done to introduce the merits of Vi-Cocoa into every home. Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa as a concentrated form of nourishment and vitality is invaluable nay, more than this, for to all who wish to face the strife and battle of life with greater endurance and more sustained exertion, it is absolutely indispensable. Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa is made up in (id. packets, and 9d. and Is. 6d. tins. It can be obtained from all chemists, grocers, and stores, or from Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa, Limited, Suffolk House, Cannon j Street, London, E.C. LOCAL AGENTS OF VI-COCOA D. 0. PABBY. Stepney- sti-cet. RANDELL & SONS, Vaughan-st,reet. W. Kn 05X53, Co well-street. I PHJXUP0 t Co.. Thomas-street.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, SEASIDE. I TO THE, EMIOR. f SIP.Will you kindly allow me a little space in which to explain that the difficulty with re- gard to St. John's accounts, mentioned in your report last week, was due to a misunderstanding as to the dates which the accounts embraced. This has been explained to the auditors. The church wardens' accounts were immediately audited and found correct. Yours fiith fully, D. MORGAN-JONES,  April, 24th, 1897. Vicar. ,l ?

BROADOAK COLLIERY EXPLO- .1' SION. RELIEF FUND COMMITTEE. -I I ,< ;i At a meeting of the committee, held at the Town Hall, Loughor, on Saturday (Col. J. R. Wright presiding), the following resolution was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr. John Thomas, of Garngoch Colliery, and carried :— "That this committee view with great regret that the coal miners of this district are not members of any provident society, and would urge upon the men to join the present Miners' Provident Society, or forming one to meet their own views."

THE LOCAL CUP COMPETITION I I THE SEMI-FINALS. I The semi-finals for the local challenge cup were played at Stradey on Saturday last. The St. Peter's Stars and Morfa Rangers faced each other in the first match. Both teams commenced at a vigourous pace, which was maintained through the greater part of the first half. The Morfa, forwards played a very hard game and carried play time and again to within a couple of yards of the line. There was, however, better combination among the back division of the Stars, and Ivor Lloyd, who played an excellent game, scored a try, which he converted. Shortly after- wards the Morfaites scored a try, which was also' converted. In the second half the fight was stubbornly waged. The Rangers now scored an unconverted try through a rush by the forwards* The Stars' hacks were put in motion and lvol Lloyd scored a try, which was not improved upon- Toni Davies scored another try soon afterwards. This was all the scoring and the final result was: St. Peter's Stars, 1 goal, 2 tries; Morfa Rarigers, 1 goal, 1 try. MOONLIGHTS v. LLANGENNECH. I The second match was played between the Moonlights and Llangeunech. In a couple of minutes after the start Llangennech scored -in unconverted try. The Moonlights, with a rush; reached their opponents' citadel. A scrum was formed here and Adler, picking up from the scrum, ran round and scored. Davies failed to negotiate from an easy angle. Both teams after this gave a splendid exhibition of football. GaPe got away on several occasions for Llangennech, but the defence was impenetrable. During the second half the Moonlights were playing in Llangennech territoryfor about half the time. However, try as they would, they could not get over. The Llangennech backs now brought off some fine passing in which Gape distinguished himself by running three partS of the field before le was stopped. Play hovered round the Moonlights' goal for some time. The Moonlights' forwards relieved the pressure with 3 determined rush. Time was called, and it was decided to play another ten minutes each way* Llangennech played down the slope the first tell minutes and only drew a couple of minors. On the change of ends the Moonlights brought off another [ rush and one of the forwards kicked down the field. Tom Davies followed up and doubling the full scored a try in the corner. Simons failed to negotJ- ate. Time was then called leaving the score: Moonlights, 2 tries; Llangennech, 1 try.

I KID WELLY NATIONAL SCHOOL I ANNUAL RESULTS. Drawing:—The science and art depa.rtment aw¡tl'tl; Excellent. John Jones, one of the pupil teacbe,Ol gained a second class in freehand. 1 ?f.? Inspector's report:—This school has 1113' i 0 very satisfactory progress in the elementary and clas, subjects, considering the difficulties under which the work has been carried on, owing to the deprese state of the trade in the district during the past yeaf School exempt from annual examination. Diocesan I-psi)ecto)*'s i,ego)-t Tfiis is an exceptioll. -—" This is an excep? ally well-taught school. The religious instructio" JS both solid and good, and the general condition of the school from a religious education point of view IS excellent. The children sang and chanted beatÜHullÝJ having been very carefully trained. The tone all a discipline are of a high order. The written ?" particularly that of Group III, was characterized  accuracy and neatness." Miss M. L. Gravell (Lord Nelson Hotel) who just completed her apprenticeship at the above and who has lately been appointed assistant mistresS the LIa?debie National School, was successful obtaining a position in the third class in the 8cholr; ship list. Miss Gravell was presented before le'?' g h b' d,,01¡} with a beautiful Cathedral Prayer Book and H.? Book (combined), and a neat ivory handled P? 't scissors, by the teachers and scholars "as a gJ¡g it recognition of excellent services rendered, and ol?  esteem and regard for her, with sincere wishes for lJe future welfare," Evening Continuation Classes: In connection with1 classes Mr. J. R. Lewis, Carmarthen, conducted ú3 examinaticn of candidates for the Elementary Junior Certificates awarded by The Tonic Solfa Colle" The following passed very creditably VMMO!—WiUie Davies, William Davies, j Anthony, Tom John, Bertie Mansell, John Wild, ??y Ll. Gravelle, Sarah Anne Wixcey and Annie Mane yO, J?MtenMry ;—WiHiam Thomas, David ?' Rowland .9. Johr) ,D,,ni ? o¡¡,f\J David Williams, Johnnie Evans, John Jones, Goilym Evans.

?Sore Throats! 1 1 U\'W1nnotdo better than V 1 ? ? garg!s with "CONDY." t 1 i S? Morell Mackenzie, ??. B' m frCONDY'Sl I 1 RemedM FLUID. II J All ?M?J?M<M <:? ??M? OMt? ? m dear at ait# price, W fl