The Llanelly Mercury and South Wales Advertiser

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. I RELIEF CASES. I A. meeting of the Board of Guardians was j held at the Workhouse on Thursday morning last, Mr. W. Y. Jfevill presiding. The other members present were Messrs Morgan Thomas, W. Llewellyn, Daniel Davies, Wm. John, W. B. Jones, David Harry, William Pugh, Revs. D. Da vies, and David Jones., I INCREASE OF SALARY. j The Clerk reported that at a meeting of the Finance C-omniittee held that morning it a. decided to inerease the salary of Nurse Davie3 from £35 to iP38 per annum. The recommendation was adopted. VOTE OF CONDOLENCE. I Mr William John, Gowerton, said he would I like to move a vote of condolence with Mr. Thomas Jones, Gowerton, and family, in their I sad bereavement by the loss of Mrs. Jones, whose death took place the previous dav Mr -W. B. Jones seconded, and Mr. Morgan Thomas supported. The vote was carried in silence, all the Iii sleneel, tll 1, ?lie members standing. LONDON HOSPITAL. I The Clerk said he had received a communi- cation from the London Hospital stating tbt-t the Guardians could send up the patients for whom they recently sought admittance. He availed himself of the opportunity, and. ent the children up in accordance with the re- quest. VISITORS. I The visitors for the fortnight are Messrs. W. B. Jones and Daniel Davies. I RELIEF DISCONTINUED. I A letter was read from the Swansea Officer I stating that with regard to a woman who re- sided at Grovesend, and was in receipt of f,s. per week relief, his Committee had given in- struction that they should discontinue grant- ing relief, because the two boys were work- ing, and an average of £ 2 lis. 6d. was going weekly into the house There was another case of a woman receiving 5s. per week relief, who had two boys earning on an average 4-2 18s. 6d. per week. Mr. W. B. Jones proposed, that they send to the Swansea Guardians, instructing them to discontinue the relief, which was agree.;? to. REMOVING TO BURRY PORT. A letter was read from the Pembrokeshire j Union stating that a woman and her chikl had left the district for Burry Port, and they I asked the Guardians to grant 2s. per week for the child which was agreed to. PUBLIC VACCINATORS. I A letter was read from the Manchester Union, stating that the Board had resoiv*! to petition the Local Government Board, asking them to allow every medical man t', act as medical officers of health and pub] Ie vaccinators, and to be paid according to the scale fixed by the GuardianH. Mr. W. B. Jones proposed that they take no action Mr. Harry: What is your objection'? The Clerk: Everybody will then he medi- cal officers of health and public ina, It was decided to agree to The proposition of Mr. W. B. Jones. I OPERATION FEES GRANTED. I The Clerk said that the Local Government I Board had signified their approval of the payment by the Guardians of the amount of jE6 Is. to Dr. Evan Evans for his services in connection with a recent operation. MASTER'S REPORT. I The Master reported that there wore 233 inmates in the House, during the last fort- night, ag compared with 265 for the corres- ponding period. The number of vagrants relieved was 441, as compared, with 83 for the same period last year. It was decided to accept the invitation of a local company to give an entertainment of "Buy your Own Cherries" to the initiates of the House. KEPT TWO CLUBS. An application for relief was made by a man, 38 years of age, residing at Stepney Row, Felmfoei. He had been out of work for some time, and had six children dependent. He had two clubs, but- they had now been reduced to half-payment. He recommended that Is. fid. per week be granted for each child. Mr. W. B. Jones said they should not take the 5s. club money into account. The appli- cant was in bed suffering from tuberculosis. He proposed that 2s. per dlild he inn, see ing that the man had done 1113 level best, and kept two clubs. Mr. Pugh said lie thought 12s per week only reasonable, and ho would second Mr. Jones. It was decided to gvatir relief of 2s, pyr week Tor each child. A HEAVY FAMILY. A widow residing at Cradock Street, whose late line band was a bricklayer at the Gas- works, applied ior relief. There were seven children dependent. On the death of her husband, two years ago, she received' £2S0 nompcnsation money, .and £5 tr;))I¡ a club. Some of the money was spot* in paying off old debts and loans during her husband's life, and pa.id for funeral ex penses. She received 2s. per week for each child iu respect of the compensation money. The Officer said he pointed nut to The ap. plicant that the children were each, and the Guardians could not srive her more, but she- said she eoukl not not' her- .-self. Mr W. B. Jones said the applicant hail a very hoary family, and he proposed that rhey give her 6d. per week for each child. This was agreed tu. OLD AGE PENSIONER. An ohl age pensioner residing at Prospect Place, who formerly resided at Bryn, sought assistance of the Board. He was in re ceipt of an old age pcr^i »n W, B. Join*« pi" iba! the House J>& otfered. if tlu J did r." give any re- bef they add !<<■ full relief, 1" ean-tr tie applicant would lose his old nge pension. Were they going so jeo-paoiise. -the n jiswu t v i.bis ohl man 'i T1 < «h'<' *r the very iliuijj the appii- 'fI W;S OOO thv .Ki j Mr. Wm. Pugh: Supposing he does come in; then he loses his pension Rev. D. Jones: Does he realise that ? Mr. W. B. Jones said he did not desire to say too much, but if the applicant had only behaved himself he need not have troubled anybody. He had been a source of trouble to his children. After further consideration it was decided to refuse the application. MAGISTRATES' INCONSISTENCY. The Officer said that with regard to a man residing in Wern Road, the Board had got an order against him for the maintenance of his father in March, 1S08. The Clerk: Is this the case that; has fre- quently been before us? The Officer said the case had been before the Bench some considerable time, and an order was made for Is. 6d. per week. The applicant desired them to reduce it from Is. 6d to Is., the same amount as his brother paid. Mr. William Pugh: This man is a labourer, and they p-Li, l him to pay Is. 6d. per week, and his brother, who is a. plasterer, is only ordered to pay Is. The Clerk: The plasterer has children de- pendent, and this one has not. The Board refused the application. A LOUGHOR CASE. I ? A widow residing at Banneld Farm, Loughor, whose husband died in February I last, applied for relief. She received £ 20 on the death of her husband, and there was one girl working very irregularly, earning on an average 8s. per week. It was deeided to grant 2s. per week relief for each child, making a total of 8s. per week FAMILY GRIEVANCE. I A single woman residing at Walters' Ter- race. Loughor, applied for assistance from the Board. She lived with her two brothers, who earned 22s. and 22s. 7d. respectively. The applicant's father died about two months ago, and the step-mother, in consequence of a grievance with the boys, had to leave the house. Mr. W. B. Jones proposed that, the applica- tion be deferred, so that Mr Longhurst could see the. applicant as to whether she eould I have a house for her brothers or not. Mr. William John said there was some un- pleasantness with the brothers towards the applicant. Mr W. B. Jones: What a lot of heartless I fellows you have got up there (laughter). Mr. William John said that the applicant was suffering from an illness. Rev. David Davies thought it would be better for the applicant to come into the house, and be treated rationally. It was decided to defer the case for a fort- night. A DESERTED WIFE. I A woman, whose husband had deserted her, residing at the Tumble, applied for the as- sistance „of the Guardians. She applied in March last for a maintenance order against her husband, who had sold the furniture. She had three children. The Clerk: Why does she not enforce the order ? The Offi-cer said that, an order of 15s. per week was made against the husband. The applicant appeared before the Board, and it was explained to her that she should enforce the order, and that the Board had no I legal power to assist. her. APPLICATION REFUSED I A resident at. FelinfocJ, who sustained an I accident a fortnight- ago, who was at present in the Hospital, applied to the Board to assist him to pay the Hospital. It was explained that- he received 12s. per week in respect of compensation, but his maintenance at the Hospital cost, him 15s. per week. The Officer said he explained to the appli- cant's mother that he did not think the I Board would asisist. him. I The application was declined.

J I Theft from a Lodging House. I ) DEFENDANT COMMITTED TO PRISON. i At. the Police '?ou?rt on Friday John Fr?ser, î an itinerant labourer, was charged with j' srealing a silver spoon and a quantity of t<a from Messrs Warren's lodging-house. El.ia.'S Mortimer, manager, said be observed I the defendant, about 8.30 on the previous evening, coming out of the private kitchen. He enquired of 'him what. he wanted there, and he replied that he had made a mistake, I¡ and that be wanted to go out to the back- yard. Wit ness directed and returned to the kitchen. About. live minutes later he saw the defendant coming out of the private kitchen. What do you want, here again?" demanded witness, and the defendant made •some inaudible reply. The kitchen was in I darkness, and witness struck a match, and I found the lea caddy on the floor, and a silver spoon was missing, which he valued at Is 6(3. He then searched for the defendant, and found that he had left, and information was r subsequently given to the police. ¡ In reply to the Bench, witness said that i the defendant did not ask for any lodgings. He had to pass the lodgers' kitchen, where I .1 J.t. l J '} there was a light, in order ;o reach the pri- ¡ vate kitchen.. I PC. John. Evans said he arrested the de- fendant at the ProGpect Place lodging-house. When ultimately charged at the Police f Station, defendant said, "Tire two of us were in it. My mate absconded, and left me by myself, but I will stand, the burden if he cannot be found." ¡ Defendant pler-tded guilty, and said he had I failed to get any lodgings at Burry Port, I where he had been working for about three- days. ¡ Inspector Jones said-" the defendant was dis- charged iffl the previous' Monday for sleeping I enarg((l 1)11. t-lll' 111'f:JU:-i I,)n 13 y 101' sleepmg. out.- I Defendant was sent to prison, .for fourteen, days with 'hard labour. I

?Xjt A :D X E!?? ;r.  I "!g;¡, < 1

Poor Law Administration i INTERESTING REPORT BY MR. WILLIAM I j PUGH. COUNTY COUNCIL AND POOR LAW 1 RELIEF I I At a meeting of the Board of Guardians., on I Thursday last, Mr. William Pugh, who was recently appointed, together with the Rev W. Trevor Jones, to attend the National Poor Law Conference, submitted his report thereon. In the course of his report Mr. Pugh said that the conference was well attended, and was presided over by Dr. Macnamara, M.P, He, at the outset, dealt with the system of dealing with the childr-en down to about 40 years ago. A chango was then made, when the children were brought up in workhoue;es and cottage homes, and the boarding-out sys- tem came into operation, and children were sent to the public elementary schools. He I also referred to the system of emigrating children to Canada The President cordially associated himself with the view of the Com- mission that the maintenance of the children in the workhouses should no longer be recog- nised as a legitimate way of dealing with theari. He also concurred with the Minority Report, which stated that they had been im- pressed by the vast amount of zealous and devoted service, unremunerated and unrecog- nised, that was being- reiiderecl in all parts of the Poor Law administration of the Kingdom by men and women of humanity and experi- ence. Mr. Bentham, a member of the Poor Law Commission, reading a paper on the "Report of the Commission," upheld the re- commendations of the Majority Report. The report gave an excellent testimonial to the Guardians for their valuable services in the past, but, at ih. same time, served them with a notice that their services would no longer be required. It abolished the ad hoc autho- rity absolutely, whereas the Majority Report recommended the retention of the ad hoc principle, but abolished direct election. Mr. H. J. Manton, J.P., ex-chairman of the Bir- mingham Board of Guardians, dealt with the failure of the Commissioners' case, and said that if to any extent they might be held to have succeeded, it furnished a condemnation in part, not of the local authorities, but of the central authority, which had restricted their action, and prevented Boards of Guar- dians putting into operation some of the re- form. -recommended in the ConimissioneT-g report. Mr. Theodore Dodd, during the dis- cussion, said he agreed with the report that in some unions there were great defects and deficiencies which should be put right, but we wanted reform and not revolution. Men- tion was also made of County Councils, to which the Guardians were to be transferred, who had spent C596 per bed on inebriates' and other institutions. They failed to in- stance any case of such extravagance in regard to the Guardians. The Rev P. S. Probert, M.A., Fulham, poin Led out that at the present time there were only 16,000 children maintained in work- houses, and he was sure they would agree with the Commissioners that this remnant should be cleared away without delay, and should be place din specialized, institutions Dealing with the policy of labour, Mr. Man- ning, Bedwellty, said that his union had spent P.20,000 last year in assisting men and finding work for them. Want of organisation he said had the effect of driving people in want of employment to the Poor Law for as- sistance. The increase of trade unionists had rendered a decrease in pauperism, which was due to the fact that trades unions had established out-of-work funds. Mr. J. W. Miller, Halifax, said much had been said about putting men back to the land. Why should not the unemployed be put on British ships, instead of foreigners? Thev ought to move to put their own men to man their I own ships. Speaking as a member of a trades union, Mr. Barrif, Barrow-in-Furness, ob- served that their diincuhy was to find work for their men, and ?e asked how men earning 10s per week could make provision for periods of distress. The county council in his area I had spent £ 1800 in endeavouring to employ ¡ men out of employment, and he pointed out how the Guardians provided productive work I for a hundred of these men. Several mem- bers also advocated t-hei establishment of labour bureaux, and pointed out the success they had proved on the Continent An inter- esting paper was read by Mr. Leach, Roch- dale, in which he called attention to the machinery specialization and the displace- ment of labour by rapid changes in the method of production. He agreed with the Commissioners' report on Labour Exchanges as a means of getting accurate information and the character of the unemployed. A re- solution was submitted, calling upon the Government to create a new department of I State having for its object the providing of employment for unemployed men and women, I but the" resolution was lost. I f What struck him. (Mr Pugh) mostly was the unanimity of the conference with regard to the present system of electing the Board of Guardians. The question of unemployment, which, in his opinion, was of such vital im- portance, did not have the serious attention of the conference. He believed they lost a splendid opportunity in not recognising the national character of the question. He (Mr. Pugh) looked at it from the same standpoint as the late Marquis of Salisbury looked at the Turkish question, when he said that Europe was in danger owing to the gangrene that was e-ating the vital forces and blighting the intellect of that unfortunately ruled country. He also looked "upon many of the unemployed as the product of our present industrial and mechanical progress, a good many of whom ultimately became unemployable; but, per- haps, the time had not yet arrived for them to grapple with' the problem seriously, and when the time did come—as come it surely be solved by the united reffortof a solid nation. Mr.-W. Y Nevilh also presented, a report on the--conference. Mr; ',W. -B.. Jones proposed a vote of thanks to. Mr. Pugh and those who attended the I conference..He was thoroughly in accord ,Ivith ?all that h(lleDn said, and he hoped the day was Ùu' distant when the work of the Guardians would be transferred' ol, !J)-" County Council. The County Council had as much as they could do at the present time, and more than they could manage, and to give them the work of relieving the poor would be disastrous. Rev. David Davies seconded, and said he did not agree with the conference in rejecting the resolution. The vote of thanks was carried unanimous- ¡ ly

Education Committee. -0- I DRILL COMPETITION. A meeting of the Education Committee was held at the Education Offices on Thursday -evening last, Mr. H. D. Rees presiding. The other members present were Messrs. E. W. Jones, John Simlett, Joseph Roberts, W Bramwell Jones, D. James Davies, Mrs Phil- lips, and Mrs. Thomas. I DRILL COMPETITION. I The Clerk observed that the sub-committee I appointed, to consider the drill competition had met, and they recommended that the date of the competition be fixed for July 20 at 2 p.m., and that- each squad should con- sist of 40 children. They also recommended that the teachers be informed that no extra time should be devoted to drill during, school hours, and that Sergeant Samuel should pre- pare the children, and the teachers could choose their respective squads. They fur- ther recommended that Sergt. Fear, of the j Duke of York Military Service, be appointed to adjudicate, and that £ 10 be awarded in I prizes, and the balance be devoted to some purpose which the Commtitee might think proper. A charge of threepence would be made on the adults for admission, and the children admitted at one penny. It was decided to adopt the recommenda- tions. WHITSUN HOLIDAYS. I With regard to the Whitsun holidays, Mr Simlett moved that the schools should be closed on Friday and re-opened on Wednes- day. Mr D. James Davies seconded. Mr. Joseph Roberts moved as an amend- I ment that they adhere to their past resolu- tion that one day only be given. Mr. Simlett said that the reason he moved that two days should be given was that Glamorganshire were closing their schools for a week Mr. D. James Davies said lie seconded the proposition because the children, after leav- ing home on Monday, felt too tired to attend school on the following day. Mrs. Thomas said- that- the -general com- plaint from the teachers was that the attend- ance suffered on a Tuesday after a holiday. I Mr. Willis Jones asked whether there was a request from the teachers with regard to the two days". Mr. Simlett: I do not think we would be justified in taking the teachers' opinion (laughter). Mr. Willis Jones said they may not get it" after all He had never heard of the com- plaint put forward that evening before. There were three in favour of the proposi- tion, and three for the amendment, and the Chairman gave his casting vote for the 1- amendment. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. I An application was made by the Secretary of the Royal Choir, on behalf of four of the lady members, for three days' leave of ab- sence, on the occasion of the London National Eisteddfod. The names were—Miss Susan Davies, New Dock School; Miss Gertie Jones, Lakefield School; Miss Powell, Copper Works School; and Miss Emily Jones, Bigyn School. Mr. Simlett: I think it will be a pity for us to disappoint them. It was decided to accede to the application. COOKERY COMPETITION. Miss Havard presented her report upon the result of the cookery competition, which took place at the centre recently. Forty-five girls sat for the examination, comprising sets from the various schools. The work, taken as a whole, was distinctly good. The sections L. and O were the best, who acquired the highest number of marks. F and A sections were also worthy of praise. The L. section secured the: highest number of marks, which comprised girls from the. Market Street School; the O. section, Higher Elementary School; P. ChtÙcli of England School: and A., Machynis School. It was decided to accord a vote of thanks to Miss Havard for her services.

Local Moneylender. I APPLIES TO THE GUARDIANS FOB I I ASSISTANCE At a meeting of the Board of Guardians held on Thursday last an application for re- lief was made by Mr. Robert G,:y: fonner]:, I a moneylender residing at M'ina 'street. The Om&er Raid that the applicant was pre- ¡ pared to see the Board. He maintained, that I he had nothing at all to live upon and was an undischarged bankrupt. He was 68 years of age, and had six sons, who were prepared to assist him. He (thei Officer) had com- municated with them, two of whom replied that they • would pay 2s. per week towards I I their father's maintenance. He had one son a rollerman, with four children, and another a tinman, with three children. There were also two sons married, with one child, each, and one son was in the employ of Messrs. Brown, Thomas and John, who had for some time been in the Hospital, but was now dis- charged. There was also a. son residing at Pontardulais or Gorsednon, working as a labourer. His daughter, who was at home, was a dressmaker. The Chairman said the sons ought to as- sist their father, so that 'he should not come, to the house. On the proposition of Mr. W. B Jones, it was decided to defer the application for a fort nSight. ■ Meanwhile, the Officer was to ascertain further particulars from the eons.

I OBITUARY. I THE LATE CAPT. RICHARDS. We have this week the painful duty of re- cording the death of Capt Thomas Richards, of Parkyminos Street, Burry Port, who sud- denly and quite; unexpectedly passed away on Thursday afternoon last. Capt. Richards had been suffering for a long time from loco- motor ataxy, and during the last few years of his life he had been rendered unable to leave his home for any distance. At intervals he was subjected to excruciating paine, but lat- terly these had to a great extent disappeared, and during the last few months hopes were entertained that they would eventually com- pletely leave him. Consequently, when an attack did return no serious apprehensions were entertained. On the morning of Thurs- day last, Capt. Richards complained of feeling unwell, and he feared another attack of hemorrhage, similar to that which he had some time ago; but his friends thought that there war, no cause for misapprehension. In a short time he said he felt better, and de- cided to go out for a short walk. He left the house, and he was to all appearances as well as he usually was; but, sad to relate, in less than half an hour a message was received by Mrs. Richards that he had fallen down and quietly passed to the great beyond, from whence no traveller returns. Capt Richards was one of the most straight- forward and honest men it has even been our pleasure to meet, and everyone who came in contact with him were in a short time simi- larly impressed, and as a result he enjoyed the implicit confidence of all who were brought in contact with him. Capt. Richards was a faithful members of the English Baptist Church at Burry Port, I and although he had for some time been de- privørl of the privilege of attending the ser- vices regularly, yet the success of the little cause was very near and dear to him. Capt. Richards was born near Horeb, but at an early period of his life he removed with his parents to the Lan, Felinfoel At the age of 13 he decided for himself that he would be a sailor, and consequently he joined one of the Llanelly trading vessels. Shortly after' this he was shipwrecked off the Worm's Head, but this event did not in the least daunt him, and soon afterwards he joined another ship, and during the following years of his life, until he reached about 50 years of age, he sailed the whole world over, and it was always a pleasure to listen to him now and again relating his sea-faring experiences. Capt. Richards was' 65 years of age, and his mortal remains were laid to rest until the last trump shall sound, in the Jerusalem Burial Ground, Burry Port, on Tuesday last. He has left a widow, two brothers, and seve- ral nephews and nieces to mourn their lose, and we tender them, and especially so the one who was nearest and dearest to him, our hea-rtfelt. sympathy in their sorrow and sad bereavement. Tho remains were laid to rest in the burial ground adjoining Jerusalem Chapel on Tues- day afternoon.' Shortly after three o'clock the mourners assembled at the house, where the Re-v. John Owen, Bethany, read a portion of Scripture and prayer. The other ministers present were the Revs. Elias Evane, English Baptist Church; R Ellis Williams, Taber- nacle; John Rogers, Jerusalem; J. H. Ilees, Zianand Carmel; and D. J. Harries, English Congregational Church. At the chapel the Rev. Elias Evans officiated, and was assisted by the above-named ministers. The coffin wag of plain panelled o.ak, with brass mount- ings. The breast-plate bore the following in- scriptionThomas Richards; born Marclr 25th, 1844: died May 27th, 1909." The chief mourners were Mrs. Richards (widow); Mr. and Mrs. David Richards (brother and sister- in-law); Mr. and Mrs. John Richards (brother 1 and sister-in-law); Rev. W Richards, Angle- soa (nephew); Mr. David Williams (brother- in-law); Miss Williams (sister-in-law); Mrs. I Issac RBes, Miss L. Rees, and a. large number of sorrowing relatives. The bearers were Messrs. John Wilkins, Arthur Morgan, Rees Lewis, G. P. Lewis, R. G, Reynolds, John Thomas (Llanelly), Thomas Edwarde (Olyn Neath), and Thomas Thomas. Amongst the general public we noticed Dr. J. H. Williams, Dr. Mahood, Messrs B. H. Wilson, Edward Evans (accountant), W. Griffiths (relieving officer), Thomas Wat-keys, F. J. Evans, W. D. Williams, John Lear, Capt. Jiceeph Edmunds, Capt. Isaac Phillips, Messrs. Walters D. Bonucll, John Bonnell, Thomas Bonnell, W. Howell (Pencoed), Richard Davies (Pwll), Capt. Ed. Samuel (Llanelly), Mr. E. Jenkins (Llanelly), Mr John Williams (Berllan), W. Phillips (grocer), P.S. John Thomas, Mr. A. Badger, etc., etc. The arrangements were in the hands of Mr David Williams, undertaker.

I Finance Committee's Privacy. I MEETING TAKEN IN CAMERA. I ;>1 J" J-j, ,ll :u' A meeting of the Finance Committee of the Urban District Council was held at the Town Hall on Monday last, when, the counsel's fees with regard, to the promotion of the Water Bill were discussed. j The Clerk thought, it inadvisabLe at that stage to give publicity to the discussion. Mr. W. Bramwell Jones said that ac they were negotiating he did not think it worth Iiiie that the amounf6 should go oHL The Chairman ( Mr E. J. Jones) observed, Üll'tt they were anxious that the amounts should be made public, but as they were ¡ negotiating for a reduction hoe: did not think it expedient to do so at that time. Mr. W. Bramwell Jones said he did. not think that anybody objected to the amounts being made public, but after they had finished negotiations the: amounts could be I disclosed. He proposed that whilst they I were negotiating for the reduction in the ¡ fees,, the matter be taken in primtG. I This was unanimously agreed to. =