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BY THE WAY. i
BY THE WAY. i The Town "Tank." I Our small but illustrious comrqjinity has y for more years than I can remember been served by the "Town Cab." Its fidelity to our travelling needs" was touching and conspicu- ous. Never, did we enter our wants upon the slate which hung a.t its stable but it was punctually at our door and its obliging driver read-y to, carry out our baggage and pile it on the roof. Oftentimes the conveyance creaked with its weight and the erection of suit cases and bonnet boxes swayed ominously as it made its way to the station, but never, so far as I know, has anything untoward hap- pened en route. This is, no doubt, largely due to the care with which the Town Cab was invariably driven, the brakes being regu- larly applied at the approach to any trivial graddent, and we used to console ourselves with the happy reflection that, though a swift walker might reach the station slightly ahead of the cab, "slow" was* more than compen- sated for by sure" in the policy of loco- motion -on which the chariot was controlled. Then came a day that will long linger in the memory of the community on which, first rumours, and later more circumstantial ac- counts reached us' of disaster. The most prevalent version was that an engine, making its way over a level crossing, whither the Town Cab had been chartered by a more than usually adventurous fare," had dealt a inottal blow. at the ancient edifice, ,,and that a disconsolate driver was left weeping over the remains of what once upon a time might have been "a thing of beauty," but was, alas! destined to leave unfulfilled its aim to become ■" a joy for ever, even in the local museum. My own opinion, is, however, that, like -Oliver Wendell Holmes's "one hoss shay," by sheer force of logic and old. age "It went to pieces all at All at once, and nothing first,— Just as bubbles do when they burst." Anyhow,it was obvious that the "Town Cab" was no more, and for a few daxk days we I wondered how we should get to and from the station with our luggage. Then suddenly a wonderful thing happened. Men talked. about it in the train. Ladies commented over it at the afternoon tea-table. Were it not for "the exceptional pressure on our space'' I have no doubt a paragraph would have ap peared about it in the local newspapers. A new cab appeared on the streçts-only it was a taxi! A taxi in Muddleton was an un- N heard of event. Strangers to the town who hired, motors from the local garages, it is true, had often called them "taxis," but we put that down to their "big town ways," and we ourselves declined to take the term into our local vocabulary. But here was a ifcrue and unchallengeable "taxi," and to make sure there should be no mistake the words station taxi P were painted in big white letters all over the top of it. Perhaps it was as well that the matter should, thus be made clear, for otherwise there was some danger of misapprehension. Hearing it approach a quarter of mile away you were easily led to conclude that it was a trac- tion engine. When you saw it come deliber- ately round the bend of the road-for deli- berateness was still the policy of its control— little children thought of the wonderful animals they had. read of in books about the African jungle, and a soldier home on leave from the front exclaimed, Good Lord! if it isn't a blooming tank." So we straightway christened it, not in derision but adoration, the Town Tank," and any day of the week you may meet it in the streets and fancy your- self in a German trench with the monster creeping towards you. It is an eerie experi- ence, but we are getting used to it. If, as you sit- at breakfast, you hear a series of groans and grunts and spasmodic splutters, you know it is not an air raid, but the dear old thing calling to pick up Jones, who lives a littlè. i further down the street. Jones himself pro- baby has started to walk to make sure of catching his train, .but eventually, after Jnuch winding and grinding, hooting and ehoo ing, the "Town Tank" follows with UK a sured dignity bearing his belongings. Some times there are pauses in the procession. In the act of tizrning, the "Tank" has occasion- ally the obstinate habit of sitting down tight athwart the Toad and refusing to stir pno way or the other. A too sudden applica- tion of the brake in the traffic of the main Street, it may be to avoid a passing bicycle, :will have a similar effect on the creature's firtia, and Mrs. Jonas, putting her head out of the window, will add insult to injury by petulantly reminding the whiledom driver of the cab, now emerging from the chrysalis stage of chauffeur, that "there is only two < jninijtes to spare." But the situation is generally saved, and fier fussiness is reproved by a sudden leap forward at the most unexpected moment, and jfche Tank" grinds into the station yard with just enough momentum to carry it to ithe booking office door in the nick of time before the engine once more as suddenly jrtops, while the chauffeur jumps down and jeypens the door with characteristic courtesy as if that were the way in which he really had meant to pull up. It is not the process by which taxis stop in Lonaon, but, then, you cannot have it every way, and, speaking personally, I am prepared to put up with mufeh from the "Town Tank" in exchange for the smile qnct. the willing nimbleness of te8 For, happily, he has not yet acquired either the taxi-driver's face, or the taxi-driver's churlish manners. His smile is still the smile of the one hoss shay, and his ready alacrity to help me out and get down my luggage, has nothing about it asso- ciated with the stolid and contemptuous in- difference of the Cockney manipul- ator of the disks which register those fleeting" twopences. So my tribute to the ",Town Tank" shall be one of unstinted glory and praise. Long may it remain on its wonderful journeys to and fro, and never may it become as other taxis, in which the mere lust for speed, and silence and all the other merely utilitarian virtues of locomotion are allowed to smother that "Faculty for quaint caprice" which the poet has truly defined as "The priceless cause of human mirth." A PHILOSOPHER off THE PROWL.
Presentation at Ruabon County…
Presentation at Ruabon County School* « On Wednesday, an interesting ceremony took place at Ruabon County School, when Mr. J. R. Roberts was presented with a gold watch on the occasion of his leaving to take charge of the Cardiff High School for Boys. Mr. Christmas Jones, chairman of the School Governors, presided, and there were also pre- sent Messrs. George Beckett, W. Davies, J. Stephen Jones, D. W. Roberts, Mrs. W. Parry, Mrs. R. A. Jones, Mrs. D. J. Bowen, and Miss Bowen, together with the boys and the members of the staff. All the Governors present expressed their regret at parting with Mr. Roberts and their appreciation of the in- valuable services rendered by him as Jicari- master of the school for a period of ICyears. They had been impressed by Mr. Roberts's high ideals, his influence upon the, characters of the boys who had passed through his hands, and the excellent tone which had pervaded the school. A warm tribute was also paid to Mrs. Roberts, who had throughout taken the keen- est interest in the welfare of the school. The new headmaster, thRev. D. J. Bowen, spoke of the cordial cooperation which had existed, between the members of the staff and Mr. Roberts, and expressed on behalf of the school all good wishes for his future success and happiness. The presentation was made by Eric Bowen, one of the boys. Mr. Roberts, in responding, said he had spent the happiest years of his life at Ruabon, both as pupil and headmaster. He had en- deavoured during the period qf his headmaster- ship to maintain the begt traditions of the school. His aim had been not only to turn out good scholars but also worthy citizens. He bade farewell to the boys, and wished, the l school every success.
I-RHOSLLANE RCHRUGOG.
I RHOSLLANE RCHRUGOG. OBITUARY.,—The death occurred st the age of 48, on Wednesday, of Mrs. Britohaxd, wife of Mr. Joseph Pritohax., Meifod, Garddn Road. HOLIDAYS.—The schools of the district were closed for the summer holidays on Thursday. OWíng, to the prevalence of rneles, the National School broke up on Tuesday week. Y.M.C.A.—At a recent meeting, the Rhos War Relief Committee decided to subscribe £25 towards the Y.M.C.A. Hut Campaign in Rhos. The fund has now reached the sum of f,137, MUSICAL SUCCESS.—Miss Hilda Wynn Davies, daughter of the Rev. Wynn Davies, has been successful in obtaining honours at the recent senior examination of. the Trinity Col- lege of Music in violin playing. JUNIOR SCHOOL. This school was visited iMt week by Mr. Rhydderoh, H.M.I.S., who ex- pressed himseM greatly pleased at the progress shown, &nd complimented the headmaster and staff on the excellent work now being done in the school TRAINING FOR THE FRONT.Mis$Edith Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones, Queen St., left Rhos on Wednesday for London, where she will be trained as cook under the V.A.D. Sh-e wttl proceed later to France, where she with hundreds of specially trained women will do the oooktng for our sotidiers. MOTOR SMASH. Mr. William Thomas, be,ker, Market Street, hiaid a narrow escape on Thursday. He was driving h-is motor bread van near Ruabon, and at a dangerous crossing came into- collision with a can Both drivers were hurried out with great violence, but fortunately, beyond being stunned by the shock, esoaped seri ous injury. The cars, however, were (smashed up. PRESF>NTATION.—In recognition of nine years' faithful service at Zion Baptist Chapel, Ponkey, Mr. Edward Onslow, secretary to the church, was recently presented with a. family Bible. Mr. Griffiths, Meirion House, in an iw-p- propriate speech,, made the presentation, and Mr. Onslow suitably responded. Mr. R. Wil- liams also presented Mr- Lewis Phillips, who is leaving for Market Drayton, with a Bible on behalf of his Sunday School class. HOME ON LEAVE.-Their friends at Johns- town were pleased to welcome Chief Petty Officer J. Davies, Church-street, and \Seaman H. Hannaby, who are serving in the same battle- ship in the navy, and are now home on short furlough. Mr. Samuel Mitchell, son of the Rev. g. Mitchell, is also at hotae. He is in the Royal Engineers, and has served for 17 months in France. He has now successfully passed for a commission in the Gprrisan Artillery. Conpl. E. 0. Williams has been promoted to the rank of sergeant. -I BRONYGARTH. OBITUARY.—The death occurred on July 1$, at the early age of 38, of Mrs. Jones, wife of Mx. G. A. Jones Hannaftr House. The funeral took place the following Thursday at Pontfadog Cfaurch.The services at the house a?d grave were conducted by the Rev. J. R. Evans, zwtor of Pontfadog. The mourners were th? husband. MMter Jack (son), Mrs. Jones, New Buildings aWned ns Grelyw h;uniNI d m w if5 and Master Sydney WeNa. Gpeyhound Inn, St. M.rlins, Ma's, Tybna, t.)lea-tins, Mrs. lvtnm l; and Miss NelU? iZ, Brook Vil?li.h(coMuorirnriss)'l Others present were Mes"4 W. H. Morris, Weston Rhyn J. Rogers, Vron; Rogers, Vran- Others Lee W??t-n Rbyn; Jones, M?njy; Vron  and L!. J?nes, PentreneWydd; Jones, Prees- gweene; Davies, Vron Isea Morgan, Vronheulo?; R. Evans and J. Bvaas Llwyn Mawr; Mr. and Mrs. P. W?<m?, M r6. Danes, Kills: ?Vrs. Lloyd, Penybryn; M.M8 MOTriø, Craig; and -Mtm Jones, Hasgrogwn. The beaiers were MeesM. Potter, Po'!?? Jones and Arthur. Wreaths were sent b Bb?r soprewin? husband and ?hild'i*n," Mrs. Jone, New BuiMmge; "from OEcve and Lilly," Urs. Wells and Stamley; from Aunty L?a and ,)JH at Bo1: VII a.' from all at :Pen;r. Coed- way, I MiSs Moody; MM. Paved; M. Jones; Mr. Lea; Mr. an Mrs. P. Williams; and Mr. and Mrs- Jones, Pentrenewydd.
[No title]
The War Office announces that great heat 1 continues in MPsopottirnia,und there is nothing I jgjjgciai to xejport. I
! THE CHURCHES. I
THE CHURCHES. I The Rev. W. B. Jones, pastor of Salem Welsh Baptist Church, Penyoae, is working on muni- tions at Johnstown ip his spare time. The Baptist churches at Lla-nuwchlyn and Bala, lia-,ve given a unanimous call to the Rev. J. H. Hughes, of Manchester, to become their pastor. Mr. Hughes has been closely identified with Welsh movements during his ministry in Manchester. ST. ASAPH DIOCESAN SOCIETIES. BISHOP'S APPEALS TO NONCON FO Rhi ITS. The annual meetings of the St. Asaph Diocesan Societies were held on July 26 in the Church 1 House, St. Asaph, the Bishop of- the diocese (Dr. Edwards) presiding. The honorary secretanes"of the Society for Providin Additional Clergy and Lay Readrs, Colonel Sandbaoh of Ha-fodynos and the Dean h, said that t b of tlie Society Of St. Aavh, sa?d that hé ,Jllcome of the Soc!ety of Std.i_min'ahed and while new grants were prac- j t:ca?ly out of the question it might be necessary to make reductions in the grants already made. j With every allowance for the unfavourable con- ditions caused by the .war, it was not sa-tisfactory to find that the number of parishes which sent offertories or collections to the Society had dropped to 135. In 1912 the number of contribu- ting parishes was 160. MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE- I The Bishop moved that the meeting express its I sympathy with the widow and family of the late Archdeacon Thomas and its appreciation of his services to the diocese. The Archdeacon was one 1 of the founders of the Diocesan Board of Educa- tion, and wBilld be famous as the historian of the diocese. Lord Powis seconded the resolution, which wa carried. A similar resolution, proposed by the Bishop and seconded by Lord Mostyn, was passed tender- ing the condolence of the meeting to the widow and family of the late Colonel W. Comwaltis West. Of Colonel the Bishop said he had never met a. kindlier man or one more ready to help his neighbours of every class. On the motion of thee Bishop the meeting further expressed deep sympathy with the widow and family of the late Mr. W. Y. Hargreaves, hon. secretary of the Clergy Sustentation Fmjd. I SCHOOLS OF THE. DIOCESE. ØJ" I The Rev. J. Hamer Lewis, Diocesan Inspector of Schools, said the whole of the 234 schools were open to inspection. 226 being examined. There 159 parishes in which there were Church schools. A hundred and forty-seven sohoo's had been marked "Excellent," 83 "Very good" or Good," and four below Good." There were 20,571 scholars present at the examination out of 23,449 on the books and 20,527 in average attend- ance. There were but 26 scholars withdrawn from all religious instruction. The figures show- ed the number present at the examination was 202 loss than last year. The decrease was due to the grinding competition between two sets of schpols, in which competition the money power was almost all on one side. If Dr. Fisher, in evolving new educational schemes, could solve the religious problem and dissolve the dual con- trol in the schools it would vastly ease the situa- tion. The results were very satisfactory considering ifueadverse oonditions of the moment. Head teachers who had joined the Army bad often been replaced by Nonconformists, some of whom were unsympathetic, indifferent, and even hostile to a Churdh school and what it stood for. The difficulty of getting teachers was admitted, but care should be taken to eee that the person but care shoul both able and willing to do the appointed was both able and wifUing to do the work of the absent teacher with sympathy and Courtesy. I THE BISHOP AND GLYNDYFRDWY I SCHOOL. Commenting upon Mr. Hamer Lewis's report, the Bishop said he regretted the necessity of saying that in Merionethshire and in Denbigh- shire especially, the action of the local education authority could not be described as impartial and just. It was hard that the authorities should take advantage of the opportunity of the conditions in which the schools were now bemsr maintained to thrust upon the Church school in a dual area a teacher whose presence in the school would mean the sending away of children from the Church .school to the Council school. There was more h oo l Th4o was ina?-e than one parish in which that action had been proved to have been taken Then there was the oa$e of the school at Glyn- dyfrdwy, which was a dual aim. The school roll liiad fallen below 30, and although the authority of that county were maintaining a large number of Council schools whose numbers were under 30, this Church sohooJ was closed. It was unfortunate that this time should have been selected for that step.. He ha-d known it himself ever sie he was a boy, and he all the information concerning it a fr !?y Mr. Joseph IAovd. and he laid tjhe facts tram Mr. Minister of Education, Dr. Fisher. He be f oire the did not know what Mr. Fisher know about Wales,' but it was rather a long journey to go up from St; Asaph to London and then to find one might as well have stayed at home, or rather better. It was a courtesy, no doubt, to as him to go up, but as far as he could see tjie question was settled before he arrived there. He stated his case, but it had no effect and the school was peremptorily ordezred to bo.olosed. In every parish the Church schools, as Mr. Lewis had sa.id. were face to face with the inex- haustible resources of the Council schools, and they were declining in numbers. But it was a a'M'at satisfaction to hear that the rate of decline in the d!lOoee was, if anyt.hmg, less than it had- been, and it was a great tribute to the clar?y and booen, that there WeM 23,000 children in the Church schools of that small dioœse. EDUCATION MINISTER'S BILL. Th?re was of coulee the wider question. Of Mr. FP4.rs b"ilil nothing but praiao had been heard. Everyone rejoiced to hear that the teachers, who so thorougthiy deserved it, were going to be better paidi But the bill never struck him (the Bishop) as being a profoundly constructive measure. It was adding to the pay of the teachers, which was most desirable, but he was never able to appreci- ate the great eulogie's passed-upon this very neces- sary measure, and as outlined by Mr. Fisher, the bill did leave out one very important point. Mr. Fisher had said that he did not refer to the religious question beca,uso he did not want to say anything controversial during the truce the war was supposed to have established. Respecting his desiire to avoid controversy at the particular i period, he (the Bi$hop) would have been glad if it had been thought to be in keeping with ?mt spirit not to. have oloaed Gnlyndyfrdwy school at the present time. He could not' think that after the experience of the was* the people of this country were going to set less store upon "religious teaching. (Ap- plause.) Those of the troops who were spared to come back would not desire their ohiildren to, be brought up in purely secular «<#io6ls. (Applause.) It was unfortunate that this all-important element in education should have been omitted from the pleasure which Mr. Fisher, with all his brilliant abilities, was bringing before the oountry. THE CHURCH IN WALES. I I daresay (the Bishop continued') you expect me to say something about the position of the Church in Wales. I have no desire at all (and I think I have shown it during these years) to introduce old controversies or to say a word to excite any controversy or bitter feeling, but. I think it is our dutv to emphasise the fact that no Church could be placed in a, more crucL position than the Ohmrch in Wa.? is placed m at ? po&aem? jhu&e. WQ -_œl!¥ JJJB9S ?a. Mtda? take a work of reconstruction for which there it literally no precedent of any kind at all. We have juet got four dioceses cut off the province, and no historical unity to refer back to, and they have to be built up, so to speak, de novo, and that tremendous task is to be done when the minds of those at home are profoundly occupied with the anxieties of the war, and when a good many of those who could give us valuable help are serving themselves m one or other of the foreign fields of action in this terrible war. It is a cruel position to be in—put it as you like extremely cruel. extremewli.y ill ask about the future. The future is very difficult to forecast in whatever direction » you look, but. I think I should venture to ay this to the religious people of Wales. As the law now stands—I cannot e-ay how long it is going to .stand—the Church in Wales has to face a. very difficult future. I have always been con- vinced, but never more absolutely convinced than now, of the fact that the Church in Wales will be more and moire in the years to come the centre of religious teaching and influence in Wales—(ap- plause),—the main centre, the most hopeful centre, the most increasing flntre. I have been talking to a great, many who do not belong to our com- munion, and I always find that this is a consider- ation to which religious men of all denominations are not insensible. Those who desire to ?.ee Wales, the. Wales of the future, with all its social and political asprations, and who desire to see it stilil a Christian cpuntry, cannot desire to see the oldest and the most powerful religious bcciy in Wailes crippled. (Applause.) ( I want to take this opportunity of saying, not merely to the Churchmen but to the religious people of Wales, it lis up to them to see under what condition the Church ;11 Wales has to fnce tibie future. (Applause.) Eyery thoughtful person must realise that when this awful war is over there■ will be terrible problems to face here in Wales and a11 over the country, and never wiP the influence of relligious ideals and religious teaching be more needed than m the future, and I cannot think that any serious-minded man will desire to see the spiritual forc.s of this country weakened for the ta=k that 1-cs before them. (Applause.) RESOLUTION OF PROTEST. Lord Powis moved :—"That tais meeting cf the diooøsan societies of St. Asaph expresses its great regret that the school, at GJyndyfrdwy should ha.ve been closed during the war, thus raising strong local feeling at a time of political truce, and further asks ior fair treatment as regards the. appointment of suitable teachers. The Dean seconded, and it was carried unani- mously. CURATES' FUND. The business of the Society for Providing Addi- tional Curates and Lay Assistants included the appointment of the following on the Executes Committ-ee: Revs. Canon W. Ll. Nicholas (Flint), II, G. Dickinson (Llantysilio), Latimer Jones (Newtown), Mr. Marshall DugdaJe, Lord Kenyon, Mr. Wynne Come, and Mr. C. H. B, Williams. Dealing with the finances of the society, which, based on last year's receipts a.nd giyments, anticipated a deficiency of L2,77, the Dean of St. Asaph, treasurer, said, unless they got wider support, more particularly in the riiap4 of offertories, they would certainly have to reduce the grants, which was the last thing in the world they wished to do There were far too many parishes in the diocese that did not give an offertory at ailli, and that was far from crediitabe.. The Widows' and Orphans' Society granted R656, as against 2638 last year. The Church Building Society made the follow- ing grants: — Inoorporaled Church Building Society, £ 50: Connab's Quay, £ 50: Derwen, £ 20; Llandilio-Rhos, £ 50; Llsngadva.n, £ 15: Ulanarmon D.C., £20.
WREXHAM BOROUGH I POLICE COURT.
WREXHAM BOROUGH POLICE COURT. Monday, before the Mayor (Councillor Rowland). Messrs.* J. F. Edisbury, 0. Davies, J. B. Taylor, Thoe. Jones, S. G. Jarman, and Win. Thomas. COW AND BtTLLQCK ILLTREATED. Herbert Murmay, 133, Benjamin Eoad, was charged with cruelly beating a bullock, and Wm. Ernest Guntrip, 8, Garden View, llhosdciu, and Fred Har. rison, 131, Benjamin Road, -were charged with ill. 1 treating a cow. V- Insp-ector Davies, R.S.P.O.A., esid defendants were ,eintglitgted by butchers to assist in slaughtering and to help in bringing in the, cattle from the fimittfleld. In consequence of serious, complaints, be concealed himself at the slaughterhouses on July 23 and saw •dieendants bringing in a cow and a bullock. They -be,at the animals very severely with sticks, and when the animals buoke a-way defendants went aftef them and lost no opportunity of beating them. Murray secured a long pole and broke it ever the back of the cow, which was wet with perspiTation acú.<dI blood,Thos. Taylor, a Corporation at the slaughterhouses, corioboralld'.—Defendants pleaded guilty. The Mayoij- saM there was no doubt the defend- ants ha-d beaten the animals unnecessarily. There were few of them' who had not noticed one time or another unnecessary cruelty inflicted an animals wMtet being driven through the streets. He was afraid there was a tendency form the busiiwss in which defendants wife engaged to have a bmtalls- lug effect, though, of couse, this was mot shown equally in every ease. It must be clearly under- stood that conduct of this kinds could not be toler- ated). Harrison, who did not appear to be as guilty as the others would be fined ooe guinea, amd Gun- trlp and Murray two guineas. If they were found guilty of a similar offence An the future they would be seat to prison. KEEPING OPEN AFTER HOURS. II i James Fitzgerald, 4, Brook Street, was charged ,/• 'with keeping open a refreshment house during a perr,iod when it should be cloi^ed.—P.S. Henry Jones said that at 11.30 p.m. on July 21 be saw several peopJe entering and leaving deteradaalt's sbap. There were 19 customers on tha premises and the majority were served with minerals, whilst thnee parties were supplied with cakes. He was a refregihmept licence hokler and had been previously warned ag.yinjt keeping open after 11 o'clock. Great difficulty was experienced in getting people off the streets at nights through the disregard of these closing orders. ( Defeiucbant said the people were served before 11 o'clock and- were simply waiting for the tna-mfcars. —P.Q. Jocnies said this was not so. He took the names and addresses. of all the customers and found them all to be Wrexham people with the. ex-ception of one, who came from EhostyHen.—De- fendant; was fined 215. Martha Ann Ball, 15, Yorice Street, was gammoned for serving customers during a peniod wbeu the t'hop should be closed,P.IS. Henry Jones said th&t at J0.45 p.m. on i&uniday, July 22, he saw Ave 6oMi;er3 .]I being served with minerals and sandwiches and civitiaoi with minerals. Defendant had not reirtth- ment house licence, and was not entitled to keep open after 10 O'clwk.-P.O. Bcnnlon corroborated.— For tha defence, evidence was given by Violet ILJl; and Sergt. Mark Goldlng to tha effect that the thop was olosed) fioirbusiness; but the dtoor wae allowed to remain open for cyclists to pass out and for re- cruits, who stayed in the house, to come in. o one was knowingly served1 aJtO oJclocik who nH1 no right to be served).—The Mayor eaki$technical offence bad been oommitteed, but a mistake had been made. The case would be ditatiesed oca pay- ment of costs. Angelo Volente, 4ft, Mouaft Street, waa oharged with a s,imilar offence.-P:S. Jones said that at 9.2o p.m on July 26 he saw i.oe-cr.e.am and: wafers being served and carried out by three young mM. DIe shDp ought to have bean cloaed at 8 o'clock, jWs, ,9D-1L_