Barry Dock News

BARRY BRANCH, NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BY MR. J. A. KELLY. SUGGESTIONS FOR SCHOOL REFORM. Ou Friday evening last a general meeting of the Barry Branch of the National Union of Teachers was held at the Sea View Buildings, Barry Docks. There was a good attendance, the principal item on the agenda being the presidential address of Mr J. A. Kelly, which was fall of practical hints and suggestions. In the course of his address, Mr Kelly said :—The successive stages in the develop- ment of any far-reachiug reform will be found to be the results of progressive and, consequently, clearer discernments of some truism, immediately accepted but vaguely and imperfectly understood when first enunciated, which has formed the watchword of the movement during the time its enthusiastic propagators have been struggling to force the matter concerned upon the public mind. In no movement is this process better illustrated than in that which has for its object the making of a moral, happy, and in the best sense of the word, a prosperous nation by securing for each of its members a sound and efficient education. The watchword, "The children of one generation are the citizens of the next," even though it has been repeated until one is almost weary of hearing it, is still but dimly understood, and the heavy re- sponsibility which the truth it teaches imposes upon those of the existing generation is but slightly felt. Yet when in a retrospective mood, we view the ground that has been covered, we are impressed with the vast progress which has been made and the difficulties which have been over- come by the early pioneers, in spite of the taunts and sneers with which they were assailed, ought to fortify us and endow us with courage to proclaim clearly and boldly what we conceive to be necessary reforms, if the physi- cal, mental, and moral stamina of the nation is to be improved. A knowledge of the past ought to prevent us from dismissing from our minds as impracticable any scheme the realisation of which is admittedly desirable and worth striving for. Advocates of reform never need be disturbed by the powerful, if not flattering, epithets bestowed upon them, for they can rest assured that the same or even worse have been hurled at their prede- cessors, and will be flung at those who succeed them. When an attempt was made to enforce what a writer on the history of English education designated as the first compulsory Education Act, a terrible outcry was raised against it. This Act, passed in 1802, was entitled An Act for the preservation of the health and morals of appren- tices and others employed in cotton and other milis and cotton and other factories." It must be remembered that the apprentice of these days differs very much from the apprentice of those days. When we now speak of an apprentice, we picture a youth of 16 years or upwards in those days the apprentices were children of very tender years. Pauper children under nine years of age could be compulsorily apprenticed, and parish apprentices were often sent by contract from L ndon to the Lancashire cotton mills in carts like so many negro slaves. The much-denounced Act referred to provided that an apprentice should have one suit of clothes per year that he should not work more than twelve hours a day exclusive of me.1.1 times that no work shou!d be done between the hours of nine at night and six in the morning that male and female apprentices should sleep in separate rooms that the master should call in medical attendance for his resident- apprentices in case of infectious disease and that the children should be taught the elements of knowledge and the principles of Christianity. The Act ordained that the master or mistress should make provision for the instruction of every apprentice on every working day during the first four years of his apprenticeship, in reading, writ- ing, and arithmetic. A portion of the usual day was to be set apart for this purpose. The measure which contained these moderate proposals was stagmarlsed as harsh, injurious, oppressive, and so on. Petitions praying for its repeal were sent to the House of Commons from the manufacturers of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Holywell-in-FIint, and Glasgow. The Act was a failure, but it was one of those failures which are more noble and glorious than many successes, for it revealed the dawning of the recognition of man's responsibility to man- that nature's noblemen beginning to perceive— "That man's inhumanity to man Makes countless thousands mourn," attempted to relieve the burdens, and brighten the lives of the weak and helpless. The good work then begun has never ceased. Whatever may be our views of the heroes of war, such heroes of peace as the Earl of Shaftesbury must ever com- mand the reverence of man. During the reign of Queen Victoria no less than 102 statutes concern- ing the protection of children became law. Step by step, painfully and slowly, as the meaning of The children of one generation are the citizens of the next" became clearer and clearer, reform succeeded reform. At each step we find fresh voices taking up the cry impracticable," but the cry becomes more and more like that of impotent despair. And so the movement went on, victory following victory, until at last we arrive at our own times. Having come into possession of the fruits of the labours of our predecessors, it remains for us to carry on the campaign that we in our turn may bequeath to our successors a heritage better than our own. GreaWs have bnsn the changes effected, we, who have devoted our lives to the cause of the young, know too well what great room there yet is for improvement. Before many months have gone by a measure will have been passed which will end for ever the cruelty of endeavouring to teaoh hungry children. Important as education is, the nation is beginning to realise that food is more important, that education is, in fact, impossible unless the subject is in a fit and proper condition to benfit by the instruction given. In view of the favourable reception which the Feeding of School Children Bill received in the House of Commons, the few discordant voices raised against it can be well ignored. All of us, however, whatever our political views may be, must regret that Sir John Gorst, to whom so large a share of the credit is due, is not in Parliament to assist in embodying into law the opinions he has done so much to propagate. Surely it is not too sanguine to hope that ere long public dining-rooms, in which the children can be supplied with meals, will be considered as imperatively necessary as the erection of the schools in which they are taught. It must be. pointed out that shools should not be turned into dining-rooms, and that teachers can- not be expected to take on the additional duties of waiters. It is not only those who lack food who are underfed. Nearly every medical witness before the Scottish'Royal Commission on Physical Train- ing and Physical Deterioration, pointed out that some of the underfeeding arises from the fact that, in many cases, the parents do not know what ia the best food for children, and are so overworked that they place before the children whatever is most easily prepared, without much reference to its value as a food stuff. Dining-rooms should be erected, and meals supplied to the necessitous children free of charge, and to the others at a small cost. In the evenings these rooms could be used as elub-rooms for those who have lefu school. Games could be provided, and on one or more nights each week suitable lectures, illustrated i? need be, by limelight views, could be given on the story of the nation's progress, travels in our own and other lands, the duties of citizens, the dis- coveries of science, in fact, on all subjects which would tend to foster that thirst for knowledge we endeavour to create in school-to cultivate in the growing youth a capacity to enjoy innocent and intellectual recreation, and to lead the dawning manhood to use its newly acquired liberty so that it would not degenerate into license. By these means more would ba done to develop the seeds sown in school than even the customary evening continuation classes. The net spread would certainly be wider, and the catch would be greater. Few there are who do not admit tbKt children under five years of age are too young to attend school, while there are many who are of opinion that the age should be raised to six, or even seven. It must, however, be conceded that the admission of children of four or even three years of age is attended with many benefits, and to advocate the raising of the age of admission without providing for those thus excluded would be a dangerous policy. The point is that the proper place for those of such tender years is not a school but a nursery — they require not teachers but nurses. What should be asked for, then, is the establishment of nurseries. One has to keep constantly in mind that education begins, not with school life, but as soon as the powers of observation begin to be exercised. As soon as the child begins to use its organs of the varioul senses, it begins to learn. From one point of view we might say that education is the reaction between the mind of the child and its environment, and such being the case it behoves us to make that environment the best possible. It is not as if every child commenced life with an equal capacity for good and evil. Some are heavily handicapped at the outset. How necessary it is then for the child to be placed in such surroundings as will repress evil tendencies, and develop the tendencies for good. If we ask whether or not the establish- ment of nurseries will provide better surroundings than at present for a large proportion of young children, I feel sure that there will be but one answer, and that it will be agreed that it is in properly equipped nurseries that the making of the future citizen should be begun. I refrain from suggesting any minimum age for admission to these establishments, as when once they are established that question will be gradually settled, but I would ask you to remember that in many manufacturing districts, the women as well as the men are compelled to toil in the mill, in order to keep the house going, and that in such cases the babies are left in the charge of young girls or professional baby-minders, under conditions which compare very badly with those of a well-organised creche. Having passed through the nursery, our embryo citizen should then go into the elementary school. The improvement which has been effected in the planning and furnishing of the elementary school is most encouraging. The contrast between the school of our boyhood, with its long room and ugly cartoons which disgraced the walls, and the modern school, with its central hall, separate class rooms and artistic engravings, reveals the progress which has been made. The refining influences of these improved surroundings, cultivating as they do the aasthetic faculties, will instil into the minds of the young an appreciation of art and beauty which will be reflected in the homes of the next generation. After the elementary school should come a school in which, while the studies of the primary school should becontinued, more attention would be given to those subjects which are cal- culated to develop manual dexterity that is to say, the course of instruction should be such as would develop the mental faculties along with manual dexterity. Whether we call these schools higher grade schools, intermediate schools, or manual training schools is immaterial. The name is of no consequence-what in important is the course of instruction given. Unfortunately, the schemes of instruction in the primary and intermediate schools do not dovetail into one another as teachers in both schools deem necessary. The root of the evil appears to be in the fact that tke reputation of the intermediate school depends more or less upon the number of pupils who are so equipped as to successfully pass examinations set by the various higher examining bodies. In some extreme cases the appearance of the annual report is so worshipped that a brilliant pupil is made to go through an examination which has been previously passed. The mistake is that instead of building from the bottom, an attempt is made to build from the top. The idea that intermediate schools exist, not so 110 much for the purpose of continuing the work done in the primary school, as to prepare pupils for a. University degree, apparently domina-teil the minds of those who control the machinery; and the teachers in these schools are reluctantly com- pelled to forego introducing reforms which they deem desirable. Either the idea that intermediate schools exist to prepare pupils for the B. A. or B.So. degree mus'o be combated, and the schools made to provide a suitable education for all, independent of their future avocations, or schools which will do this must be provided. Such schools already exist. At Stockport there is a day school for boys and girls the main object of which is to continue the education of boys and girls, beyond the public elementary schools, in such a manner as to give them a thorough grounding in science and art, and by a judicious combination of practical and theoretical instruction to develop manual dexterity side by side with the mental faculties. The pupils are trained in such a manner as will enable them to subsequently acquire a practical knowledge of a trade or a profession, and to take up the study of more purely technical subjects. The object is to develop the faculties and educate the hand so as to equip the pupil for the duties of life what- ever they may be. Drawing, building construc- tion, mathematics, chemistry, sound, light and heat, theoretical mechanics, French, shorthand, book-keeping, English composition, manual train- ing on the use of tools, cookery, needlework, sick- nursing, dressmaking, millinery, starching and ironing, are the subjects taught. Similar schools exist on the Continent and in America. The object of one of these American schools is thus set forth —"The object of the manual training school is the education of all the faculties, and not any special group. It must be borne in mind that such an institution is not to teach a trade. It is not the purpose of the school to produce mechanics, any more than it is to produce any other class of specialists. It is a system of education which is general in its character, and is recommended to the future student of the humanities as to the prospective worker in force and matter." It is interesting to note the varied character of the pursuits followed by the ex-pupils of this school. Some became electrical engineers, some printers, others railway men, architects, teachers, doctors,. dentists, ministers of religion, solicitors, and so on. In passing, it is instructive to note that in America all reports on educational matters are sent free to all teachers, and all others interested in education. Mr Moseley, the organiser of the American Industrial and Educational Commissions, let a good example to the Government when he arranged to forward, free of charge, to any teacher a copy of the report of the Education Commission. Even a Radical Government would, I am afraid, be too Conservative to follow so good an example, and I one can easily imagine the consternation that such 'I a request would create. To return to the subjeot, it should not be beyond the wit of man to run our intermediate schools on the lines of the schools described. The time is ripe for such schools to form an integral part of our educational system. These schools should, of course, be free. Unless fees are abolished, and books provided, the schools cannot be said to form part of a national system of education. The fees and providing of books debar the working-man's child from continuing his or her education, and while this is so such schools are, whether we like the word or not, mere class schools. In connection with the demand for the abolition of fees, it is necessary to bear in mind that instead of its being a wild and im- practicable -that blessed word impracticable- request, it is only asking for a return to a policy which was in operation over 500 years ago, when it was recognised that everyone had a right to education. As the editor of School" reminds us, Before the Reformation there were more grammar schools in existence in England than there are at the present day, and the education given there was free." The abolition of fees, it is true, would not throw the gates of learning open to all, for unfortunately many a bright child would be compelled to go to work to augment the family income, and for these there should be bursaries, which would Enable the children of the very poorest to enjoy the same educational advan- tages as those of their more fortunately circum- stanced companions. The nation cannot afford to neglect the development of a brilliant intellect, ( no matter in what walk of life its possessor may be. There are many parents who would be able and willing to forego the wages of their children if this higher education could be obtained at the cost of the nation. They would be ready to make sacrifices in order that their children might continue their school careers. Surely it is a disastrous policy to allow the poverty of the parent to put an end to the j education of the child. It should be made possible for every child who is capable of benefitting by the instruction given in these schools, to receive I such instruction no matter what the financial circumstances of his parents may be. Those who enter these schools should be compelled to com- plete a two tlr three years course. No pupil ought to be admitted unless the parents signed an agreement not to withdraw the child until the completion of the course, and the agreement having been signed should be enforoed. On the completion of the course, at the age of 16 or 17, he who is desirous of learning a trade will pro- ceed to the workshop, and it is at this stage that the real technical education begins. No matter what the trade may be, it can only be learnt in the workshop. The great lesson to be learnt is that technical education can at its best only be supple- mentary to a knowledge of the practical details of the trade which must be acquired in the workshop The youth can only be taught the scientific prin- oiples which pertain to his craft, and their application in the workshop, and this instruction must be continued side by side with the experience gained in his daily labour." Great strides are being made in this direction. It is beginning to be realised that it is unreasonable to expect an apprentice after a hard day's work in the workshop to attend classes in the evening, and that if, owing to his interest in his work he does do so, it is at the grave risk of ruining his health, and so there are springing up in different parts of the country day technical schools. At the outset, these day technical schools, built at the expense of the community, were used by the wrong people, or rather all who should take advantage of them were prevented from doing so by the narrow out- look of some of the employers of the Bounderby and Gradgrind type. The wiser and more humane employers of labour soon recognised the great advantages to be derived from combining the practical knowledge of the workshop with the theoretical knowledge of the school. As far back as 1873, Messrs Mather and Platt, Salford, iron manufacturers, established a technical school in which their apprentices were instructed in the sciences allied to their trade. The subjects taught were applied mechanics, steam, and the steam engine, engineering, metal working, mathematics, machine construction, machine drawing, electric lighting, and plane and solid geometry. It appears that this firm was the first to appreciate the im- portance of technical education, for Dr W. T. Barnard, in a work on Technical Education, published in 1886, writes I know of but one English school where any consistent efforts are made. to apply school instruction in the shops, that of Messrs Mather and Platts, Salford, whose teachers are employed in the shop, and personally direct the theoretical instruction of their pupils to shop work." Recently this firm handed over all the apparatus used in its technical school to the town technical school, to which it now makes a generous donation each year. It ought to be the rule rather than the exception for large employers of labour to contribute towards, the maintenance of these trade schools, for after all these schools are doing the work for which the conscientious employer of labour would recognise his responsibility, namely, that of giving to the apprentice a sound theoretical, as well as practical, knowledge of his trade. This responsibility is partially recognised by the best of our large firms. At Swindon some of the apprentices of the Great Western Railway Company are permitted to attend the afternoon classes at the technical school. The classes are held twice a week, from 2.30 p.m to 5.30 p.m. The fees of these students are paid by the company, and in addition the time spent at school is counted, as far as the wage sheet is concerned, as time spent at work. At Middles- brough the employers are not so generous, but they grant leave of absence to deserving students, and pay half the fees. The local technical instruc- tion committees pay the other half of the fees, and so even the very poorest are able to take advantage of the classes. The Manchester Techni- cal School is probably the best equipped trade school in the Kingdom. Unfortunately, however, the working class apprentices have not been able to take advantage of the splendid training given at the day classes. The need of this instruction is now recognised, and it should be made compul- sory for employers to make such arrangements as would enable the apprentices to spend at least one- third of the time at the technical school. As the future artisan should be able to pass from the secondary to the trade school, so the future teacher, doctor, solicitor, etc., should be enabled to enter an institution in which he could receive the train- ing that would prepare him for the profession selected. These might be called profession training schools or grammar schools. Here, again, lack of money should not be allowed to prevent anyone from availing himself of the educational advan- tages provided. Following the trade and profession schools should come the University. Newer ideas as to the character of the instruction which ought to be given in the Universities are beginning to prevail. The University ia beginning to be regarded as an institution in which expert guidance in every branch of knowledge and industry can be obtained. Even in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge provision is now made for the education of engineers. The University then rightly forms the corner-stone of the system which has for its object the making-of citizens. To sum up. we should have a connected system from the nursery to the University. The ladder should be from nursery to primary school, from primary to secondary or manual training school, then on, either to the trade school or the the profession school, and from each of these latter to the Uni- versity. All could not go through the whole course. All who are so mentally equipped that they can with advantage scale the ladder should be enabled to do so. Lack of brains, not lack of money, should be the only obstacle allowed to check any educational career. Intelligence is a gift which is distributed among the sons of men, irrespective of social position and financial re- sources. There is no equality of intellect, but there can be, and ought to be, equality of educational opportunity. Granted the intelligence, even the poorest ought to be enabled to pass through each stage. Wealth of intellect is above all other things the treasure which the State must endeavour to create and foster. The welfare of the State demands the fullest development of the minds of all its citizens. A freer and more general distribution of educational facilities should be advocated, not because it will increase the wealth producing power of the nation, or because it will secure for the employer better skilled work- men, or because, by adding to the commercial value of the workman, it will obtain for him higher wages, but because it will enable the people to lead healthier, purer, happier, and nobler lives, and because the more widely education is diffused, the more likelihoott there will be of at last pro- ducing a generation which will be able to make the ideal real. The meeting was followed by a very enjoyable sooial. Mr G. H. Woodfield was the pianist, and Mr E. T. Rees, the recreation secretary, aoted as M.C.

A YORKSHIRE CASE. OF PERSONAL INTEREST TO YORKSHIREMEN. Mr. S. WILSHAW, Ribble Bank, Settle, writes :—"You will be glad to know that VENO'S SEAWEED TOtfIC has worked wonders in my case. For the last two years I suffered very much with pain after eating. My stomach was so weak that I could nob eat solid food. I lost a great deal of strength and flesh, and was not able to work. I had taken all kinds of medicine; doctors g-ave up trying to cure me. It was a happy day for me when I started taking VENO'S SEAWEED TONIC after the first week the pains were relieved, also the wind. I began to relish my food, and gradually got stronger now I feel myself cured and able to work." VENO'S SEAWEED TONIC cures the worst and most obstinate cases of stomach, liver and kidney diseases. Doctors use it; and for purity, medicinal activity and all-round potency it has not its equal anywhere. Price 1/14 and 2/9, at Chemists everywhere.

BARRY DOCK TIDE TABLE. v The following is the Tide Table for Barry Dock fortha week commencing to-morrow (Saturday :— Day Morn Aft. h.m. ft in. b. m. ftin.' Saturday, 24 6.54 36. 8 7.13 36. 9 Sunday, 25 7.31 37. 9 7.48 37. 5 Monday, 26 8. 4 38. 2 8.19 37. 4 Tuesday, 27 8.34 37. 9 8.49 36. 8 Wednesday, 28. 9. 4 36.10 9.18 35. 6 Thursday, 29 9.32 35. 7 9.46 34. 1 Friday, 80 10. 0 33.10 10.15 32. 0

ANNUAL MEETING OF BARRY COALTRIMMERS. APPOINTMENT OF NEW SECRETARY. The annual meeting of the Barry branch of the Cardiff, t'enarth, and Barry Coaltrimmers' Union was held on Saturday evening at St. Mary's Hall, Barry Docks, when Mr W. Dow presided over a good attendance, amongst those present being Councillor John Chappell, president of the Union Mr J. T. Clatworthy, organiser; and Mr Samuel Fishor, secretary. Mr W. J. Lewis was appointed branch chairman for the ensuing ^ear j titi a. Williams, vice-chairman; Messrs B. Close, E. Griffiths, Jacob John, and J. Chenning, executive committee. Mr W. Tame having resigned the secretaryship of the branch afj^er fifteen years' faithful service, there were seven candidates nominated to fill the vacancy, and Mr Hezekiah Rees, 12. Pyke-street, Barry Docks, was appointed. Mr W. H. Close was re-elected treasurer Messrs R. Logan, J. Howells, Morgan Nicholas, William Jones, T. Whitehouse, and T. Sweeting were elected branch committee and Messrs T. White- house, W. J. Lewis, and W. E. Clarke to represent the branchon the Labour Electoral Committee.— Councillor J. Chappell delivered an address on the advantages of the society, and appealed to the members to support the officials in carrying out difficult negotiations for the benefit of the Union.— Mr J. T. Clatworthy also addressed the meeting, and apoxe of the good feeling which existed between the employers and men. -It was reported that a deputation had waited upon Mr E. Lake, general manager Barry Company, in reference to a re-arranged train service to and from Cardiff, and the representations made had been successful. —Votes of thanks were passed at the close.

FOR WEAKNESS. 41, Potter's Hill, Aston, Birmingham. DEAR SIR,-A few weeks ago, I received one of your pamphlets, and found that one of the testimonials describes what I suffered from, viz Great Weakness and pains in my Back and Side. I have been under treatment in two hospitals, but can get no lasting benefit. I have tried Patent Medicines, but they seem to weaken me rather than give me strength. After reading your pamphlet, I resolved to try GWILYM EVANS' QUININE BITTERS. I have now taken three bottles, and have derived great benefit, When I commenced taking them I could not stand upright with the pains in my back and sides, but now I am glad to say those pains are gone, and I can walk with ease. I feel stronger, and my appetite is improving. My wife, who suffered much from bad Liver, seeing the benefit I received from the Bitters takes it as well, and finds it does her more good than any medicine she ever took.— Yours faithfully, W. LANE.

BARRY DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION. At the Jubilee Nurses'Home, Barry Docks, ott- Friday evening last, the monthly meeting of the executive of the Barry District Nursing Association was held, when Mr J. Pem'nerton occupied the chair. Miss E. P. Hughes, M.A., Mr J. T. John and the Secretary (Mr John Davies) were also and the Secretary (Mr John Davies) were also present. Miss Tyson, the lady superintendent, reported that since January 31st there had been 38 appli- cations 35 patients were declared convalescent, one removed from the books, four died, and 53 were visited. The total number of visits was 1,024 including 110 parish visits. The Secretary made the gratifying intimation that, as the result of representations made by Mr J. A. Hughes to Mr E. Lake, the general manager of the Barry Railway, the latter gentleman had decided to renew the free passes for the nurses on the Barry Railway.-It was decided to express j the grateful thanks of the Committee to Mr Lake for his kindness. It having been previously decided to provide a piano for the Nurses' Home, it was resolved to limit the expenditure for the purpose to £ 30. Other important business was deferred till a. more representative meeting. j———

VISIT OF MR. POWELL-THOMAS -LECTURER, MUSICIAN, AND ELOCUTIONIST. It is not often that the people of Barry are favoured with such a refined entertainment as the one which will be held in the Romiily Hall on Wednesday evening next, under the auspices of Tynewydd-road and Weston Hill Congregational uhurohes Upwards of 3,000 Press writers of the: United Kingdom have given their unqualified approval of the unique merits of Mr Powell- Thomas, who is "clever beyond the common standard of cleverness." Ifc is stated that Mr Powell-1homas is a friend of Mr Oarne^p wfa0 is engaged in giving away his millions, had been influenced by Mr Thomas in his recent munificent bequests to South Wales. Throughout the United Kingdom Mr Thomas is well known, and draws densely crowded houses in the largest halls of the country. Next Wednesday the prices of tickets are within the reach of all—front seats 2H. pecond seats Is, and gallery 6d. A great crowd is sure to welcome this Cambrian of culture and towering abilities. °

HOUSE ON FIRE AT BARRY DOCKS. NARROW ESCAPE OF TWO CHILDREN. On Tuesday afternoon last, John Lee, of 47, Graving Dock-street, Barry Docks, was boiling some tar on the kitchen fire. At the time his two young sons were in the room. Suddenly the kettle overturned, and the whole of the contents burst into a blaze, and spread over the floor. In an instant the room was a mass of flame, and Lee rushed to the children, and handed them out through the window, afterwards escaping the same way himself. By this time the flames had reached the passage and were curling around the staircase. Inspector Morris and several con- stables quickly arrived with the hose and reel, and the fire was soon got under. The prompti. tude of the police prevented a conflagration. The damage done is estimated at about JB15.

BAD TEETH AND DIGESTION. jtottik on AM HAS DESCRIBES HIS RELIEF FROM INDIGESTION AND BILIOUSNESS BY MOTHER SEIGEL'S SYRUP. Of the many evils that beset modern life, few have worse results than the early loss of teeth. All my troubles arose from bad teeth," says Mr Thomas Rawson, proprietor of the Prince Leopold Hotel, Moffat Street, St Anne's W-ellRoad, Nottingham, in a letter to the proprietors of Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup, dated August 16th, 1905. "My teeth failed me very early in life," continues Mr Rawson, and I had the utmost difficulty*in chewing my food, being obliged to nibble like a rabbit, as one may say. Of course, my digestive powers broke down under these unnatural conditions. At first pain and wind resulted from everything I ate, but it was not long before I was always in pain eating or fasting, I could not escape it. Often headache, accompanied by a drowsy feeling, which I was. quite unable to overcome, completely unfitted me for work. Thus I continued, going from bad to worse, until at length my stomach became incapable of retaining food at all it was rejected almost immediately it was swallowed. For some time I subsisted upon hot milk, being absolutely afraid to partake of anything more substantial. Poor diet for a man busily engaged all day As I grew weaker, an additional trouble befel me- nothing less than rheumatism in my feet and legs -and my condition became that of a confirmed invalid. For two years I was attended by a doctor, but his utmost skill did no more than occasionally relieve me. and at the end of that time I seemed as far from being cured as ever. It was the same with various patent medicines recommended to me, until I tried Mother Seigel's Syrup. Then my health began to mend. Soon I could relish and retain food, eating was not followed by pain, and rheumatism ceased to trouble me. At present my health is good. with every prospect of remaining so, though I still occasionally take a dose of the Syrup.'

BARRY ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH. The ordination service in connection with the induction of Messrs W. O. David and J. Holloway to the office of deacons of the Barry Island Baptist Church was held on Thursday evening, the 15th instant. The Rev D. Hussey, of Sirhowy, con- ducted the proceedings, and gave the charge to the new deacons, exhorting them to be ever on the alert in their new duties as deacons, to serve their Redeemer, and to watch in the interests of His Kingdom the tables of the poor, the table of the Lord, and the table of the pastor. They were to see that the authority of the church was main- r,ained, and in every way seek to assist their pastor, so that in their sympathy he would be kept from a sense of loneliness in the work. — The Rev W. Ingli James, Bethel, Barry, offered prayer on behalf of the officers of the church and the pastor Mr W. T. Medhurst, having briefly spoken, the interesting meeting, which was well attended,. was brought to a close.

NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS. The unprecedented demand for Homiman's Pure Tea during the past year has beaten every record,. and conclusively proves the decided preference given by all classes to Horniman's Pure Tea. Ask for it, see that you have it, and don't be put off with any substitute. Horniman's Pure Tea is "full iceight without the package," and "ALWAYS GOOD ALIKE." Sold by: — Cash Supply Stores 86, High street (Special Wholesale and Retail Agents); Hopkins, 88, High-street- Allen High-street; Hibbert, 1, Castle-street ^arrv • Cash Supply Stores, 234 and 236. Holton-road (Special Wholesale and Retail Agents) • Morris Hoi ton road Williams, Thompson VtrSS\ Lewis, Graving Dock-street; Gardiner, 10, Dock View-road; T. C. Symondp. 140, Holton-road. Cadoxton Abernefchy, High-sbreet: Griffin and Davies, Grocers (Wholesale Agents), Penarth • I Hobbs, chemist. Taff's Well: Thomas, grocer; &c.

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HOCKEY. BARRY v. MID-RHONDDA. Mid-Rhondda fielded a strong side for this match at home, having been previously heavily defeated at Barry. Barry were short of two of their regular forwards. The first half was very evenly contested, but neither side showed much combination. Barry were first to score from a centre by Clarke, the homesters equalising shortly afterwards, and half-time came with the score one all. The second half saw the homesters score two more goals, and though Barry pressed, their shooting was wide, several shots going by the posts, and they were beaten by three goals to one. Barry seemed to be completely off colour, and with the exception of Clarke the forwards were .e much below their usual form. The referee allowed too much fouling on both sides, and this completely spoiled what otherwise would have been a pleasant- and evenly contested game. NEXT SATURDAY'S FIXTURES. BARRY V. LLANISHEN. — To be played at Llani-hen train leaves Barry Dock Station at 1.34 p.m., and Cardiff (Rhymney) at 2.10 p.m. Barry J. 0 Roberts; back-H. Jackson (captain) ai;d C. R. Chalke half-back— C. J. Davies, T. E. Richards, and C. G. M. Notw forward—F. Clarke, T. Eynon, H, M. Pritcliard, P. Adams, and A. T. Hammond. BARRY RESERVES V. CARDIFF INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. — To be played at Tynewydd Field, Barrv bully off at 3 p m. Barry Reserves: — Goal—F. Tucker back—H Richards and W. T. Llewellyn half-back — Thomas, D. H. Rees (captainand A. H Pritchard forward R Fowler, J. H. Platb, Trevor Thomas, J. Robinson, and J. Evans.