The Llanelly Mercury and South Wales Advertiser

COMING EVENTS. April I-Sale of Ho,-is;(-.holil Furniture, Boots. Shoes, &e., at Gibson's Auction Mart,, Market St Llanelly. April 2—Sale of Cycles at Gibson's Auction Mart, L, Market Street, Llanelly. April 2—Eisteddfod at Kidwelly Town Hall in connection with St. Mary's Welsh Sunday School. April 3 and 4—Annual Meetings of Soar, Llanelly April 4—Annual Meeting of N.S.P.C.C. Society at the Towu Hall, Llanelly. April 9 Grand Entertainment at the Royalty Theatre in aid of the Parish Church Restoration Fund. April l:&-Pel'forrnar"ce of the "Martyrs" af the Market Hall. Llanelly, by the LUueliy Male Voice Society. April 14-Almual Entire Horse Show at Llanelly. Ebrill 16-Darlith yu Rehoboth, Pump Heol, gan y Parch Philip Jones, Llanelli. Ebrill 19—Darlith yn Nghapel Glenalla, Llanelli, gan y Parch. W. E. Prytherch, Abertawe. April 19—Concert at Moriah Chapel, Llanelly. April 20 —Eisteddfod at the Town Hall. Kidwelly. April 26-Grand Bazaar and Sale of Work at Capel Newydd Schoolroom. April 30 -A grand Cantata, entitled "Footprints of the Saviour," at Tabernacle, Llwynhendy. Whit-Moiiday-Llatielly Tradesmen's Horse Show aud Parade at Stradey Park. May 16 (Whit-Mouday) -Third Aunnal Eisteddfod at Tabernacle, Burry Port. Whit-Tuesday—Sports at Five Roads. May 21—A Grand Organ Recital and Miscellaneous Concert at Soar Chapel, Llwynhendy. June 25—Tea and Concert at Carmel Chapel, Pembrey July 9—Chair Eisteddfod at Liandebie. August 1 and 2- Odd fellows' Celltèuary Celebrations at Victoria Park, Swansea. September 3-Horticultural Show at Tumble.

IBirths, Atnrriages, titib Deaths. MARRIAGE. JAMES ROWLANDS. March 24th, at Castle Street Baptist ChapHl, London, by the Rev. Herbert Morgan, B A.. William, youngest so I ot the late Mr David James, of Lintielly, to May, youngest daughter of the late Dr Rowlands and of Mrs. Rowlands, Greenfields, Llanelly. DEATHS. JOHj^.—March 22nd, at Gower Inn, Gowerton, William John. Tne funeral took place on Saturday. BEESTON. March 29th, at 11. Mina Street, Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Beeston, aged 66 years. Private funeral on Fiiday, at Sc. John's Church, Machen.

WEEKLY COMMENTS. 1 MONDAY next will be a memorable day in the history of very many, for on that. day they will be thrown into the scales of public opinion at the polling booths. Some, maybe, will be found wanting—that is, so far as the judgment of the public is con- cerned, whilst others will be declared ag being of full weight. Some will be elected for the first time in their lives to fill the position of public administrators, whilst others, through no fault of their own, will have to relinquish, for the last time, the power and authority which have been vested in them for years, and the remainder will be glad to learn that they have still found favour in the eyes of the electors, and that they still enjoy the confidence of the public. The young candidates conscientiously believe in their innermost souls that they are, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the very paragons of excellence, and the very models by which all public men should be moulded, and the capital Ps" which fill their addresses are enough to sicken any man, especially when we know how very soon the capital I's will become so small that it will require a microscope to see them.

IT is an exceedingly amusing exercise to read the election addresses of some of the candidates, and anyone could spend a more unprofitable quarter of an hour than to get hold of all the cards and go through them carefully. We have a few before us, and we feel sure that if all the candidates are going to carry out all they promise, they will not be very long before they revolutionise every Board and Council within their reach. Indeed, we are inclined to wonder where these wonderful specimens of humanity have been hiding themselves all these years. If they had merely pushed themselves to the front years ago, Llanelly would not be what it is to-day. We should have a Llanelly stretching right away from Loughor on the east to Burry Port on the west, and Llannon and Pontyberem on the north. Indeed, Swansea, Cardiff, and Newport would have long ago been playing second fiddle to us in the commer- cial antheto, and third fiddle in the econ- omical efficiency glee. Of course, these are the ideas which the younger candidates imagine they will be able to realise. The older birds do not run after chaff of this kind. They are not quite so insane. They have had the experience, and have profitted by it.

WE will take the cards as they come to hand. The first is' that of Mr. William Yivian. He presents himself as a candi- date for a seat on the Council at the earnest request of a very large number of Ratepayers." This is the stereotyped phrase of all new candidates. It has done good service in its time, and should now be allowed to take an equally long rest. I Mr. Vivian proceeds at. once" to detail the many goodttllngs lie I)as already done, and, amongst them, he states that he initiated and personally presented the petition demanding the public meeting of Ratepayers." This was, undoubtedly, a good day's work, and the result justified the energy put forth, but Mr. Vivian does not state in his address that he forgot to put in an appearance when called upon to state the object of the meeting. Mr. Vivian does not promise to follow it up, but he is going to tackle the housing question at once. He next takes credit for having enforced the Gas Company to supply better gas. If the poor gas and nauseous smells we have been subjected to were the result of his efforts, we must say, please, Mr. Vivian, don't do it again. He also takes credit for having introduced the meter system, and thereby saving Y,900 a year. Others have taken credit before for doing the same thing. It seems to us that this is a good old credit system, and can be trotted out for effective service whenever necessary. So much, then, for his noble work.

I THE next card is that of Mr. Evan Rees, who is not quite sure whether 1 he is a liative or the town." The latter we should imagine by the number of capital 11 I's' which adorn his address. He is, however' sure of one tiling, and that is, he has resided in Ward T. for 50 years." This gives us a mathematical problem all at once. The greater is contained in the lesser, or the town lives in Ward 1. Mr. Rees promises to support a mem ber of somethilJg if he applies for relief. He is going to sweep away with one fell blow all workhouses," and send the workhouse children far far away. Surely, if this is his object, he has mistaken the Board he desires to be upon. The Guardians have to administer the law as they find it. It is the duty of the Local Government Board to sweep the workhouses away and to consent to sending the children away, and Mr. Rees should certainly apply for a seat on that Board. He is going to support fair and equitable assessments. This is good, but be must make sure first of being elected on the Assessment Com- mittee. Being a Guardian will not ensure this. He is also going to reduce the salaries of the officials. Perhaps he does not know that the Local Government Board will have a word to say on this matter as well. If Mr. Rees finds favour on Monday, we may look forward to a continual warfare between him and the Local Government Board, with a perennial smile on the face of the latter.

—————— 0 —————— THE next is that of Mr. Nathan Griffiths, and it is as full of the capital I's" as the other. He takes credit for having brought "into light the dark and secret doings of our public bodies." He states that his efforts in this way do not require recapitulation. We are exactly of the same opinion. He found amongst his co- members on the Urban Council "thieves, wastrels, and uncircumcised Philistines." If be launches out in search of such indi- viduals on the Board of Gnardians, we do not think be will be quite as suc- cessful. Indeed, we have yet to learn that he has brought to light anything which would not have appeared in these columns had he not been a member of the Urban Council. We think, nevertheless, with all due deference to his searching propensities, he will not be able to deal with the poor and needy nearly so well as Messrs. Jenkins and Jones have been able to do during the last 10 or 12 years of their tenure of service on the Board, and it will be well for the electors of Ward II. to remem- ber this on Monday next. It takes years to gain experience on all Councils and Boards, and the Ratepayers will always be studying their own interests in returning the old members to serve them.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. Mr. C. MeudwyDavies conducted the Neath Uyulanfa Ganu on Sunday and Monday last. DANIEL EVANS, Lakefield Place, Shipping Agent for all principal lines t8 all parts of the world. 3867 The Mvnvddygarreg United Brass Band Prize Drawing has been postponed until June 25th, .1910. EMIGRATION.—Apply to .1.. Vanghan Evans. Shipping Agent, Murray Street, Llaiielly. for cheapest and best routes. 7546 Rev Gwylfa Roberts adjudicated the literary competitions at the Mountain Ash Semi- national Eisteddfod on Monday. A receiving order in bankruptcy has been I made against David Vaughan, grocer and general dealer, Haydn Villa, Cross Hands. Practices in connection with the Llanelly Temperance Choir, who intend visiting the Crystal Palace in July, will commence shortly. Mr. Tom Morgan, a student at Bala-Bangor College, and son of the Rev. n. Lloyd Mor- gan, Pontardulais, officiated at Lloyd Street Chapel on Sunday last. The Llanelly and County Canine Society has now been formed, and a strong committee selected. Mr. David Samuel, Arcade Cham- bers, has been appointed secretary. William E. Lake (No. 388) is the winner of the prize drawing in aid of Mrs. Richards and family, late of Richard Street. Mrs. Richards desires to thank those who purchased tickets. 7606 Early on Friday morning, Mrs. Henshaw, wife of Mr. William Henshaw, 47 Swansea Road, was found dead in bed. Deceased was seized with a fit, and died almost immediate- Iv. A meeting of the Llanelly Quoiting Club will be held at the Cricketers' Arms on Satur- day next, at 7.30 p.m., when business of an important nature will be transacted. All old players and intending new ones are cordially invited. The "London Gazette" contains the follow- ing:-Tli,a creditors of the Caepontbren Col- liery Company, Ltd., are required before the 2nd April to send particulars of their debts or claims to Mr. Alfred Stephens, of Kidwelly, the liquidator of the company. On Easter Tuesday the Band of Hope children at Dock Chapel had their annual tea. and a miscellaneous entertainment was held in the evening. During the afternoon the Bands of Hope of Betlxania and Dock Chapels paraded together the principal streets of the district. The s.s. Amethyst was loaded with a carsro of Llangenneeh coal. for the British Admiralty at the North Dock on Tuesday. The coal is intended for the Home Fleet." Messrs. Thos. Williams and Behenna are to be congratula- ted upon having secured the shipment of Ad- miralty coal for the first time in Llanelly. Llanelly artistes were heard to advantage at the annual grand concert held at Capel Mair, Cardigan, on Good Friday, the Mayor presiding over a crowded audience. Each item in the first part was encored. Soprano, Madame Morris, Ammanford: violinist, Miss S. A. Williams: teno", Mr. Richard Thomas; bass, Mr. J. Amos Jones; accompanist, Miss Meudwy Davies. We are pleased to note that Mr David Rees. the choir conductor at Adulam, Felinfoel, has blossomed forth for some time past as an .eisteddfod adjudicator, and, so far, he has given entire satisfaction whenever his services have been requisitioned. On the 19th inst. lie adjudicated at Pontyates, and on Good Friday he rendered valuable services in a similar capacity at Llangadog. We wish him every success in future. LLANELLY DETACHMENT. 4Tif B \TTA LION WELSH REGIMENT. --Orders for week ending April 6th, 1910:—Orderly officer. Capt. A. L. Bowen; orderly N.C. officers. Sergt. J. Davies and Corpl. W. Keenan; orderly bugler. Lance-corporal Williams. Tuesday, Company training at 7.30 p.m.; transport, machine gun sections, and band to attend; service dress. Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, recruit drill at 7.30 p.m.; plain clothes. Miniature prac- tice, Friday and Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. Pro- ficiency class, Monday evening, 7.30 p.m. There are vacancies in the detachment for re- cruits.—By order,W. Bramwell Jones, Capt., commanding Llanelly Detachment. Professor Farmer, F.R.S., has been engaged for some time editing a standard work on "Nature Study," and the sixth volume, deal- ing with the geology section, was published Jast Monday week, which was writtim by Prof W. W. Watts, M.A.. D.Sc.. F.R.S.. being 311 exceedingly comprehensive work. Mid he. was therefore ohlig-éd to engage an assistant to take charge of the diagrams and map sections to illustrate the work. This pari wa§ entrus- ted to Mr. Will .Ionas (son of Mr. Henry Jones. Union Inn. Felinfoel). vh.i was for- merly assistant tea-; her at the Llanellv Higher Elementary School. bi:v left for "Lie pur- pose of prosecuting his srucies at Im- perial College of Sd ;»(•» and Tcchrj.-l:^y. South Kensington. Wo fael sure his many friends will join vs. in heartily -congratulating him upon his -appointment to such an impor- tant- position. WELSH FIELD CO.. R.E. — Urders for week ending officer. 2nd- Lieutenant H. E. Trubshav. orderly N.C. officers, Sergt. T. Lloyd, Seeond-corooral T. J. Thomas Monday, 4th, signalling class at 7.30 p.m. Tuesday 5th, prsctictl ins traction in pontoon bridging at Headquarters, at 7.30 p.m. Mounted duty X.C.O. and.1 drivers for Tuesday, 5tli, Lan.ee-corpora! W. Mitchell, Drivers D. M. Williams. P. n-n;s. E. R. Drivers B. Griffiths. D. B. Marks. T. A. Morris. Saturdav 2nd,Morris Tube practice at Murray Street Range, at 7 p.m. All members who have not. completed must attend, without fail, this being the last opportunity. Notice.—A I few recruits wanted in the dismounted branch. Men with suitable trades required. The Sports Committee will meet at Head- quarters, Hall Street, at 7 p.m. 011 Thursday, 31st instant.-Signed. R. A. Nevill, major, O.C. Welsh Field Co. R.E.

WELSH COAL CRISIS. I LONDON CONFERENCE'S DECISION. The luiner's conference relsitiiecl its sitting on Wednesday morning in London for r the further consideration of the proposals for the settlement of the differences as to the con- stitution of the new Conciliariun Board agreement for South Wales. The conference sat for nearly four hours, and at the end the following official report was given to The Press "The conference re-assembled at ten o'clock Mr. Enoch Edwards again presiding. The following proposition was submitted to the conference on behalf of the Executive Coun- cil:— After having carefully considered the whole position in South Wales, we stronglv urge the -conference to advise the workmen to accept the terms of settlement put before. the conference as the outcome of the nego- tiations between the coalowners, and the miners' representatives, as we do not think the points of difference are sufficient to justify either a sectional strike in South Wales, or a national struggle with all the tremendous issues inyolved-this not to be taken as committing other districts of this Federation to support an amendment of the Eight Hours Act.' "A long discussion ensued upon this being proposed and seconded on behalf of the Coun- cil, in which representatives from nearly all the districts in Great Britain took part, aftei* which the resolution was carried." SPEEDY ISSUE OF BALLOT PAPERS. Mr. Alrred Onions, one oi the leaders of the South Wales miners, stated that it was now the intention to take the. ballot of the miners innnediately. "This ballot," he said, "will be confined to workmen in the South Wales coalfield. The ballot papers are practical! readv, an d will be in the hands of the men in the course of a day or two, so that I expect the result of the ballot will be known by about the middle of nextweel? The Executive Committee of the South Wales Federation will meet at Cardiff on Friday, and the delegates from the diffe- rent lodges will meet in conference."

Shop Assistants' Union. I Nir. P. Huiiis, Neatli (who was also the delegate of the Llanelly Branch), was elected vice-president at the annual conference held at Liverpool on Easter Sunday and Monday, Mr. (A. Parr, Cardiff, being re-elected execu- tive'member for Wales and Shropshire. A re- solution, moved by Mr. A. Parr, and seconded by Mr D. H. Thomas, Newport (an ex-Llanelly member), was unanimously passed, endorsing and pledging all possible assistance in securing such reforms as are intended in the repurt of the proposed South Wales Campaign against living-in, for which a fund of £ 200 "is being raised. By a large majority. Edinburgh was selected for next year's conference.

Attacked on the Highway. I LLANELLY LADY ASSAILED: ASSAILANT I ARRESTED. A married lady, residing near Llanelly, and a native of Gowerton, who had been paving a visit to her parents at Gowerton, was pro- ceeding homewards on Monday night, and when within fifty yards of the police station she was struck clown by a. man, whu had se- cluded himself in a gateway. The assailant, after striking her twice whilst on the ground, demanded money. The lady called for help, and the man decamped. Within, fifteen minutes of the incident, P.S. W ood, who had been promptly informed, ar rested on suspicion an individual who wis. it is stated, at once identified by the Indv as having been her assailant.

Theatrical in Trouble. Arthur William James, who was stated to be a member of the company performing the play "The Lighthouse Robbery" at the Royalty Theatre, was charged at the Police Court on Saturday with, stealing three billiard balls, of the Yalle of £ 2 12s. 6d., from the Royal Ex- j change Hotel. P.S. Hodge Lewis deposed that at 10.25 a.m. on March 25tli he-arrested the defendant in Upper Park Street. He found the three ivory balls produced in defendant's leather case. He charged him with the offence, and, having been cautioned, he replied, "I am sorry that I took them. I hope the proprietor will look the matter over." Inspector Jones applied for a remand until Wednesday. The application was granted, bail being refused. On Wednesday, defendant was /n-d £ 2 2s. ,iclaiit N\-Li s P,2 2,?? inclusive, or, in default, one month imprison- ment.

Railway Company Defrauded. PASSENGERS TRAVEL WITHOUT TICKETS. At the Police Court on Wednesday, C. H. Owen, Burry Port, summoned William War- boy, Bwlchvwal, Kid\velly, for travelling without a. ticket on the Burry Port and Gwen- draetli Valley Railway, between March 5th and 12th. It was explained that the company were de- frauded week after week by people travelling without tickets. The defendant travelled for a whole week without a ticket. Defendant pleaded guilty, and a fine of 10s. and costs was imposed. Morris Price, Park Eynon, Llanelly, was charged with a similar offence on March 21st. Defendant said he was guilty of travelling without a ticket, but not with intent of avoiding payment. A fine of 10s. and costs wa3 imposed.

I ? MUSTARD AND CRESS. i „ Miss Stepney opened the Felinfoel Bazaar on Tuesday. The Llanelly Royal Choir is stated to be at sixes and sevens. Lord Tiverton was amongst the spectators at ndey on Tuesday. The Urban District Council and Board of Guardians elections will take place. Mon- day. The Llanelly Royal Choir will leave New York on Wednesday next for their homeward journey. Mr. Percy Bush has played his last yame of football for Cardiff. He left f or Names on Tuesday. The great attraction for Whit-Monday will lie the Tradesmen's Show at Stradey. and. Llanellyites can look forward to another ex- cellent exhibition. The local delegates at the annual confer- ence of the National Union of Teachers, which is being held at Plymouth this week, are Mr. S. C. Ellis, Mr." W. R. Saer, Miss A. Francis, and Miss Johnson. At Tabor Chapel (Soar Branch), Bryn. all parochial and other notices are stuck on a water butt close to the front, entrance. The person who conceived this idea must have been hoary with antiquity. Mr. Herbert Newark, Market. Street, is en- deavouring to secure the portraits of the fol- lowing for the Librar:Dr. J. Rowlands (Moriah), J. R. Morgan (Lleunvg*. R. D. Roberts (Soar), Llwynhendy. and John Har- ries. Stepney Street. So successful was the tour of the Cambrian Glee Singers in the States last season, that. they have received a long series of bookings tor concerts in some of the principal Amen- can cities. They will leave in September next under the management of Mr John Stephens, Swansea, Mr Richard Thomas, Llanelly, again being the conductor. Tb old Welshman was driving back from the cemetery with his nephew after burying his wife. "Well, Dai bach, she's gone." said the L:21'ea ed husband. The nephetv assented dutifully. "She was very careful of me for forty years," said the relict. The nephew said thai was so. "And, do you know," continued the mourner, "towards the last I had almost got to like her, mini." Sir. Llewelyn Williams, M. P., has convribu- i-efi To the "Spectator" a list of eminent. Welshmen. He has omitted the name of Sir Noah Thomas, who was born at Xeatli in 1720. The son of Hopkin Thomas, a sea captain. Sir Noah Thomas was educated at Oakliam and St. John's College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of M.D. in 1753. and where his portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds is still to be seen. He was appointed Physician Extraor- dinar'y to George III. in 1763, and knighted in 1775.

I GUARDIANS' ELECTION. WARD No. II. To the Editor of the Llanelly Mercury." S As Mr. Nathan Griffiths's election cards containing his address, were not circu- lated until Saturday last. and as Mr. Thomas Jones's and my addresses appeared in the four local newspapers from Wednesday, the 23rd, until Saturday of last week, I am en- titled to infer that Mr. Griffiths, with com- mendable forethought waited to see what the two old members had to say before commit- tinsr himself. I am not in the least complain- ing of this, nor do I for a moment suggest that it is in any way unfair: but I trust the electors will bear the fact in mind. In the second paragraph of his address. Mr Griffiths says. "If elected as a Guardian, it "will be my best endeavour to administer the "Poor Law in as humane a. manner as pos- "sible, impartial, without favour to anyone "on account of the sects they belong to, or "the creeds they believe in." If this paragraph means anyrlvng. it means one of two things: either that, owing to de- nominational influence, the Guardians as a. body have shown partiality, owing to "sect" or "creed" pressure; or Mr. Jones or myself individually (or, possibly, both combined) have so acted. I don't believe Mr. Griffiths in- tended to single out either Mr. Jones or my- self as having acted in consequence of the influence of any sect or creed; and that being so, he can only mean that the Guardians as a whole have been influenced in that way. In that case, Mr. Griffiths has not been particu- larly happy in the choice of the Ward he has selected to contest. But I can leave that aspect of the question with confidence to the judgment of the electors in the Ward. What is of more consequence just now is to show how it. is that Mr. Griffiths has left his own ward. No. III. (where he resides, and whose electors returned him to the Urban District Council only one year ago), and come to this Ward, to contest the seats of two old members who have for 20 and 23 years repre- sented yon, and allow ing the two members for Ward III. to I,e returned unopposed: two members who have only been on the Board of Guardians for a few years. and who are a clergyman of the Church of England and a Baptist minister; or. in other words, each a prominent member and representative of one of the most, powerful "sects" or "creeds" in the town. If Mr. Griftitbsis so averse from creed or sect, where could he have had a better oppor- tunity of showing his principles than in his own Ward ? He cannot possibly do any more good, -it any rate (if he succeeds in throwing Mr. Jo-nes or myself out), than he could have done if he bad won a seat from the Rev. D. Davies or the Rev. Trevor Jones. Why. there- fore. did lie select this Ward I I will endeavour to give the electors an answer, and, as .1 tie- lieve, the true and only answer. As is known, the Guardians Election only takes place every three years, but the Urban Council election every year. and last year Mr Griffiths had ta seek re-election. He would have stood but. a poor chance of being re- turned if lie had either the Rev. D. Davies' or the Rev. Trevor Jones' influence against him: but having these two reverend gertlemen with him. each at the head of a powerful sect or creed, his return was ass ired. Mr. Griffiths, therefore (although so opposed to "sects" and "creeds"), could not with any grace oppose the return to the Board of Guardians of those gentlemen, although Ward III. is the most. pronounced Labour Ward in the town and as there are already two Labour candidates for Ward I., he comes to Ward II. If he had been ungrateful and forgotten the favours of last year, it is not unreasonable to suppose that the reverend gentlemen before-named \nllÚd'n 1912 not forget Mr. Griffiths. Thus it is easilv seen how seats are ex- ploited and the electors hoodwinked. But Mr. Griffiths's cheap sneers at "sects" and "creeds" on the Board of Guardians, and his wild untruthful assertion that hundreds of pounds are being squandered by the Guardians, are. I suppose, in harmony with his views as an extreme Socialist: for it is well known that he belongs to that section of the Socialist party—that not only does he not I believe in any religious sect or creed, but he does not believe in religion at all; in fact, openly and continuously scoffs at and ridi- cules it, which makes his conduct in allowing the Revs. D. Davies and Trevor Jones to have a walk over all the more strange and incom- prehensible. I I must apologise for trespassing so much upon your space, but, as a native of the town and all old member. I feel it my duty to answer and refute the unfair and untruthful aspersions east upon me and my colleagues.— et c.. I Bl'yngl as, R. C. JENKINS. Bryngl as, ( Queen Victoria Road. » 30th. March, 1910.