The Rhondda Leader

— I A "ROYAL" SNAKE. I The Python Regius, or Royal Python of West Africa, grows sometimes to a length of 15ft., Out specimens so large as that are seldom found o natives of certain parts of the Guinea Coast *€ reputed to worship this creature, and to set 4t tart spooial temples where all the pythons of f he district resort with a view to the attentions upon them. These snakes are not un- eollimon visit<)rs to our Zoo, and a couple, years ago, paired in the month of June. In the following January the female laid close upoll 100 eiggs and started to incubate them, but nough she persevered for about four months Was no result- The authorities then or ered a number of the eggs to be opened, when it was found that the embryos were still IIQt mature.

WORDS OF wisdom: I I Great soak know wkat thagr «w do, sad il- Work is the beat thing to make w lav* lif» -D. Worth makes the man; the waot of it the fellow.—ton. Think of all you speai, but by no means speak all you think. Do little things well, and big ones will coma* to you to be done. However much we may hope to be is Tain unless we try to be. Most of our troubles are avoidable, and aae due to human selfishness and unwisdom. It is the blindness of man that hindera the revelation of God; there is no other Jundranee. Don't despise the day of small things. The elock that won't strike one will never strike twelve. Only in a world of sincere men is unity pos- sible, and there, in the long run, it is as good as certain.CARLYLE Things self-discovered are enshrined, and hold a place in the mind far more secure than thing* merely hooked on outside. It is never safe to follow the crowd. We may at times go in the same direction as the multi- tude, but it should be only because of our individual convictions. It is the essence of self-determination to carry through a purpose, undeterred by the golden apples that a competitor or a spectator may throw beside your path. Happiness, perhaps, comes by the grace of heaven: but the wearing of a happy counte- nance, the preserving of a. happy mien, is a duty, not a blessing.—BLISS CARMAN. IMothmg can be so inspiring to a human being as the idea that he is of value, that his help is really wanted. Nothing can so enforce the doc- trine of responsibility as the realisation that it rests with us to choose whether we shall mend or mar, shall beautify or deface, some portion of the work. Things cannot always go your way. Learn to accept in silence the minor aggravations, culti- vate the gift of taciturnity, and consume your own smoke with an extra draught of hard work, so that those about you may not be annoyed with the dust and soot of your ooniplaints.- WILLIAM OSLER. We cannot afford to have any but the best friends, for the standard of life maintained by our intimate friends inevitably becomes our stan- dard too. Just as some birds and animals as- sume the colours of their surroundings, so the life of a young person is tinged by the lives of those with whom he closely associates. ADVICE. There is nothing which we receive with 110 much reluctance as advice; we look upon the man who gives it us as offering an affront to our understanding, and treating us like children or idiots; we consider the instruction as an im- plicit censure, and the zeal which anyone shows for our good on such an occasion as a piece of presumption or impertinence; the truth of it is, the person who pretends to advise does, in that particular, exercise a superiority over us, and can have no other reason for it but that, in com- paring us with himself, he thinks us defective either in our conduct or our understanding.— ADDISON. ENDURANCE. I One half of a successful life is action, the getting of things done in the right way at the right time. But the other half is no less useful -enduranm patienoe, the bearing of things that are hard, the steadfast holding to a difficult posi- tion. In other words, half of success is getting it out of seeming failure. SINGING. When the Almighty endowed the human voice with sweetness, compass, flexibility, and power to sing, and made it capable of giving expression to every emotion of the heart, uniting all in beauteous harmony, can we doubt that by culti-, vating the power thus bestowed, we are not only best consulting our own happiness, but rendering to their Giver the acceptable tribute of obedi- I ence?—TAYLOR. INVESTING CAPITAL. We have many things to invest as we start out in the world, even those of us who have in- herited no money. We have time, strength, talent of one sort or another, character, influ- ence, affection—where and how shall we place this capital that it may bring the richest returns? Money-getting is necessary. The first duty everyone owes to the community is to take care of himself that he may not be a burden to be carried instead of a source of help. But if we count profits only in dollars, and consider money the chief gain, we soon rob not only ourselves but others. Wealth is useful only for what it I can do, and since it cannot do everything, piled- up millions may, after all, show a very poor re- turn for what they have cost. Our happiness and usefulness depend not only at last, but all along the way, more on what we are than on what we have. Character is capital in every sense of the word. It is money's equivalent in countless business ways, and it is worth far more than gold in many ways in which even this world reckons values. Irifluenee-the moral atmosphere that we create, and which accompanies us and makes itself felt wherever we go-is something that we are constantly investing, and which brings its re- turns in good or evil, the benefit or hurt of men according as we use it. Love, the greatest power in the universe, accumulates interest and rolls up its profits and losses as it is bestowed or with- held. So the problem that waits for our solving is. What shall we do with our capital? FORBEARANCE. I A thought of the little while of it all would make many an annoyance that frets our souls and spoils our oompanionships drop into insigni- ficance. The rough place in the road is so short and the journey so long, why trouble over that which will be so soon passed by? We can be such a little while together that we can well afford to be tender and forbearing. SOCIALISM. I I The kind of Socialism—if, indeed, it is to be called Socialism—which I should advocate is the growth of the spirit thai makes men realise that they cannot isolate themselves in selfish and idle i si-CTusion, but that they have a duty to God, and a duty to their neighbour, which they cannot evade or escape without incurring penalties which are none the less severe because they are not enforced by human legislation.—A. C. BZN- SON. r F DIFFICULTY. I The school of difficulty is the best school of moral discipline for nations as for individuals; indeed, the history of difficulty would be but a history of all the great and good things that have yet been accomplished by men; if there were no difficulties there would be no success; it there were nothing to struggle for there would be nothing to be achieved. Difficulties may in- timidate the weak, but they act only as a wholesome stimulus to men of resolution and alOU)-. -SMILES. VIRTUE. J Virtue is the nursing mother of all human pleasures, who in rendering them just, renders them also pure and permanent; in moderating them, keeps them in breath and appetite; in interdicting those which she herself refuses, whets our desires to those that she allows; and a• n llows ailil aD(^ liberal mother, abundantly allowB all that nature requires, even to satiety, it not to I;Assitud, -SOCRATES. UNJCEL DUDLEY'S SAYINGS. I Jt is more tu be a man in evry spot and place thin tu be a king on a throne. 1 he shinin diinon iz not to be kompared. tu a joy-slnnin eye. Kindness brings its own reward tu ol who pralniis it.. Wboevur wuries ovur the afairs ov life robe himself ov its joys. the mane kawe ov rk>ng The love ov evil is the mane kaws ov rong doin. Love and cheerfulness mak home an erthly paradise. Dont grumbul, fur kronik grumblurs ar a kurse tu ol about them. Honesty iz the bes garment tu ware evry day. Whoevur praktises deeepehun injurs mor than enywun else.

t  'it Don't, get the idea that because our FurÐiture.?;í Don't get the idea that because our Furriture I I is CHEAP it is badly constructed or of inferior Qualitr. I ANY of our Customers will tell you | tkat such is NOT the case. The fact that our patrons deal with us con- tinually and come to us directly they < require any article of Furniture is evidence enough that OUR GOODS GIVE SATISFACTION The Low Prices we are able to quote is due to the fact that we are the ACTUAL MAKERS, supplying DIRECT from our FACTORIES strong, durable, beautifully made, artistic FURNITURE at Wholesale Prices. We can SAVE you money on your Furnishing Order and MAKE FURNISHING an EASY MATTER. CASH or EASY PAYMENTS based on what Each Customer can Afford. I THE ROATH FURNISHING Co., I Taff Street, Pontypridd. I I High Street, I BARGOED Church Street, ABERTILLERY. 51, Holton Road, I BARRY DOCK I 89. Commercial Street, II TREDEGAR. § j | L > Headquarters 4-2, City Road, CARDIFF. I .I m I-

The Kint's Visit to the I Rhondda. Extensive preparations are being made I. n the Rhondda for the Royal visit on Thursday next, the 27th inst. The King and Queen will arrive at Trehafod by train at 10.30 a.m., and will motor to the Lewis Merthyr Collieries, making an inspection of the pits. Proceeding up the valley through Hannah Street, the Oiain thoroughfare of Porth, their Atajosties will alight at the new Rescue option at Dinas, and after witnessing a display of rescue work, will then return to Porth and entrain for Treberbert, ^here their Majesties will detrain, and jjUi address will be, presented. to the King bY Councillor Tom Evans, J.P., chairman of the Rhondda. District Council, and a bouquet to the Queen by Miss Nor-i Nicholas, daughter of Mr. W. P. Nicholas (Clerk to the District Council). A strong effort was made to induce the King to motor through the Rhondda, but it was found that this was impossible. There will be ample opportunity for the inhabi- tants to witness the ceremony at Treher- bert from the hill sides and the ex/tensive sidings of the Marquis of Bute's colliery adjoining the railway station. A well-attended public meeting was held in the sub-rooms of Porth Police Court on Monday night. Mr. Thomas Griffiths, M.E., J.P., in the chair. Subscriptions were invited for decorations in the dis- trict. and E153 10s. was promised from the meeting. Mr. Evan Samuel, M.A. (headmaster of Porth County School), was elected ban. secretary, and Mr. H. O. Owen treasurer. Looal Choirs Honoured. j It has been arranged that the Porth I, Male Voice Party (of which Dr. H. 1). Chalke, M.A., is president, and Mr. Philip Jones conductor) slit.11 give a con- cert on board the Royal yacht on one of the evenings, probably Wednesday. June 26th. Much gratification is expressed at this in the Rhondda district, because the Porth Male Voice Choir consists entirely of working men employed at the Lewis- Mertbyr and iieighhouring: collieries, the conductor himself being a working miner. The president (Dr. Chalke) has taken a keen interest in the welfare of the choir since its inception a few years ago. Suc- cessful concerts have been given by the Rociety at the Crystal Palace. Paignton, Torquay, and other parts of the country. It has also been arranged that the Trehafod Male Voice Choir shall sing before their Majesties at the Lewis- Merthyr Collieries.

ST. BXKNABD DOGE* Although the tunnels which now eonneot r- hzerland with Italy have greatly deoreased t te importance of the St. Bernard and other Passes, especially during the eight months of snow, it is still deemed advisable to employ St. Bernard dogs. It is no longer customary, how- ever, to send out the dogs alone, with basketeof food and drink; a man always accompanies them. These dogs are not really of the famous old St. Bernard breed. That originated in the fourteentli century, through a cross between a shepherd- dog from Wales and a Scandinavian dog whose parents were a Great Dane and a Pyrenean mas- tiff. The last pure descendant of this tribe was buried under an aN alanche in 1816. Fortunately, there were found subsequently, at Martigny and on the Simplon Pass, a few dogs, which, cross- ing with mates from Wales, yielded the modern St. Bernard dog, which is physically even stronger than his mediaeval namesake. and shares oiost of his ti-aits. A

OCEAN GRETNA GREEN. What Gretna Green was to this country in the I £ ood old days, Heligoland was to the Continent of Europe. It must have been somewhat an in- convenient place to reach when time was of im. port.anee, but until the German marriage law* of 1900 came into operation the pastor held a lucrative position. The custom of Heligoland had simplicity to recommend it. All the pastor required waa a declaration signed by a magis- trate to the effect that the parties were not bigamists. Presenting this affidavit, the pastor at once joined the applicants in holy matrimony*, I

THE VATICAN OBSERVATORY. I The Vatican Observatory came into existent* shortly before the year 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII. succeeded in amending the calendar. The Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 had assigned March, 21bt as the date when the Sun entered the sign of Aries, but tjic day was not really a fixed one, and by Gregory's time the accumulated error, vi-hich aniounied to ten days, seriously affected the date of Easter. The really active phase of the Observatory's work began after the jubilee of Pope Leo XIII. in 1888. when a scientific ex- hibition was held and among the presents re- ceived by the Vatican were a number of ineteoroJogical and astronomical instrument*. The latter are now housed in domes built on the massive turrets forming part of the fortifications erected in the ninth century by Leo IV*

CHRONICLE OF THE COIN. The earliest coins of Britain were exclusively ■of gold or doctrine," and the first silver penny was introduced by Offa. King of Mercia, in 760. The earliest great silver penny" was due to Edward I. or III.; Henry 111. coined a "sove- reign penny. No silver haJf-crowns were coined in the reign of Henry VIII. Henry VII. was the first monarch to coin a shilling. The style Dei Gratia was not used on coinage till Edward II. or III.

PORTUGUESE BURIAL. I Instead of the headstones and monuments ui the graveyards of other countries, the cemeteries 1,f Lisbon show rows and rows of tiny chapels in long avenues bordered by cypress-trees. The Portuguese are reluctant to bury their dead out of sight, and these chapels serve as mortuaries for the coffins, which are placed on shelves within. Through the iron grilles the eyedis- I. cerns small altars and flowers gleaming through I the subdued light of the interiors. Still more curious, and fraught with strangely- mixed interests, is the nit, hod <)f burial, pre. ferred from very ancient, customs, for the monarchs of the ruling House. Their resting- place is in the Cathedral of St. Vicente de Fora. The bodies have all been embalmed like emgics, and till recently the faces were visible, as though eomposed in trance-like slumber, through glass apertures in the ooffin-lids.

Baptist Conference in ] Mid-Rhondda The annual conference of the East Glamorgan Welsh Baptist Association commenced at Caersalem, Llwynypia, on Wednesday. The Rev. T. T. Jones, Blaenclydach, presided, supported by Mr. Jacob Ray, J.P., Treharris, the in-coming president. The Rev. T. R. Morgan, the Rev. E. Richards, and Mr. D. S. Thomas, on behalf of the Mid-Rhondda Free Church Council, welcomed the Association to the district. On the recomniendatiou, of the Noddfa Church Blaenclydach-, the rules were so altered as to allow ministers of other denominations who joined the Baptist ministry to be received into the Association, subject to their passing cer- tain examinations. ¡ MISSIONARY WORK. On the resolution passed at the half- yearly meeting with reference to the forma.tion of a Welsh Missionary Society under the auspices of the Baptist Mis- sionary Society, a committee was ap- pointed to proceed to put the resolution into operation. I SITE FOR AINON CHURCH. WÜh reference to the building site for the Ainon Church? Trealaw, the report of the Rev. E. W. Davies. Ton, that the district committee recommended a site on ? adoted- side of ?? Royal Hotel was th. TreaJaw side, of tlle. Royal, Hotel W.Is 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The balance sheet showed receipts amounting to C398 9S. lOd. and an expen- diture of tl84 12s. 9d., After meeting I current expenses there wo'uM be a balance in hand of ?54 10s. 6d. THE INSURANCE ACT. It. was proposed that the Association be formed into an approved society for the administration of the Insurance Act, with 25 directors. There were 25,000 members in the Association. The conference decided to refer the proposal to the churches. I SUSTENTATION FUND. The Rev. Charles Davies, Cardiff, made an appeal on behalf of the Sustentation Fund scheme, which has for its object the provision. of funds. to assist the weaker churches In the Principality. The scheme was adopted, subject to detaijs being arranged. I VICE-PRESIDENT. Professor J. M. Davids M.A.. Cardie w?s elected vice-prcg?,? of the A?scx:?- tion for the ensuing year. I THE DISESTABLISHMENT BILL. A resolution thanking the Government for the introduction of the Disestablish- ment and Disendownient jji]] and urging that no further concessions be granted, was passed. Reference was made by Air. W. R. Thomas. J I •• Ireharris. to the methods adopted in obtaining signatures to the Church pehtlOll against the Bill. It was rumoured that no fewe-r than 3.000 signa- tures had been Stained in a Noncon- formist district like Treharris, and warn- ing was ';V('n to the Free Churches through the delegates to be on the alert and not to be misled, in the matter. SOCIAL QUESTIONS. A resolution dealing with the relation of the churches to-v. a.j-ds socia l questions was proposed by tilk" ROV. W. R..Tones, pnnrhiwceiher. and seoonded bv Dr. W. Morris. Tre?r<'hy. ?? emphasised the need of the sympathy and the co-operation „P the churches with the work of the Baptist Social Service League. The coTttercnce protested against Snn- dav rifle practice. ann the conference called upon the War Office not- to issue orders which would cause any Sabbath desecration. j I

mWelsh Wationai Agricultural I' ra Show. The schedules of this important s?inv.\ which will be held at Swansea on Mondnv (Bank-Holiday) and Tuesday. August and 6th, are now ready, and can be had on application to 1-11" Secretary. Cambrian Chambers. Oswald Road, Oswestry.

Pb^"ddR Council Bm I The Provisional Order made by the I Board of Education empowering the j Rhcndda Urhim District Council to ta.? lands in Pontygwaith and Trcalaw, in the j parish of the Rhondda, was on Tuesday i before the Committee of tll(, House of j Lords on unopposed measures, when the i confirming Bill was sent for third reading j in the Lords.

i Mi-In-4 orelf; Gi.1 » j Gertrude Vaughan, 20. Lloyd Street, j Gelli. is causing her relatives anxiety, li.aring been missing from home lor a veek. She is about 13 years old. light j ■omplexion. and tall for her age. When 'ast seen she was wearing a brown skirt, white blouse, and pinafore a white hat. black boots, and black 'stockings.

Mid-Rhondda and District I Chamber of Trade. ¡ Mr. F. B. Themas presided over a good attendance of members of the above Chamber of Trade at the monthly meet- ing, held on Wednesday evening at Tony- pandy. A letter was read from the Taff Vale Railway Company stating that the com- pany intend resuming the full service as soon as the traffic resumes normal pro- portions, rendering the full service neces- ¡ sary. ROYAL VISIT. The secretary, Mr. John Rees, stated that he had written to Lord Merthyr stating that, if it could be arranged for the Royal party to visit Mid-Rholldda. a loyal welcome would be given them. The following letter was received in reply thereto: -— Bute Estate Office, Aberdare, South Wales, 3rd June, 1912. Sir,—Lord Merthyr instructs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st inst.. and to inform you that the arrangements proposed for the visit of the Royal party to some of the mining valleys have not yet been decided.—Your obedient servant, E. G. Morris. Mr. J. Rees, The County Boot Stores, Tonypandy. In reply to a further letter, the follow- ing reply Was remived Bute Estate Office, Aberdare, South Wales, 10th June, 1912. Dear Sir,—With further reference to your letter otf the 4th inst., I regret to inform you that, owing to pressure of time and the number of places that have already secured a promise for a visit from the King aiict Queen, it is found impossible for them to entertain the kind invitation of the Chamber of Trade of Mid-Rhondda and District.— I remain, yours very truly, Merthyr. Mr. J. Rees, The County Boot Stores, Tonypandy. The members of the Chamber expressed great disappointment that the Royal party were coming to the locality without paying a visit to Mid-Rhondda. I OPEN SPACES. A deputation from the Chamber waited upon the Health Committee of the Dis- trict Council in relation to an Open space on Gilfach Mountain being taken over for the purpose of a park for the public. Mr. John Rees, in giving the report, stated that the Health Committee had promised to do all in their power to fur- ther the proposed object. FEDERATED CHAMBER MEETINGS. I I Mr. GrifBths (Oliver's) gave a very full report of the work done by the Federated I Chambers of Trade at their meeting? held „ -?i recently at -N-eath. A vote of thanks was given Mr. Griffith* for his ropft.. It was understood that all the shops* would remain open on the Thursday towrtt- ing of the Royal visit to the neighbour- hood as usual.

Death and Burial of Mrs. A L04. Trealaw. Death has been busy of late, and with the demise of Mrs. Leeke, widow of the late Mr. Arthur Looke, Trealaw. the in- habitants of the neighbourhood in wjii £ h she lived have lost one who always had a sweet smile for everyone and a kindLVt word for those in trouble. The deceased*- ( lady was staying at Warrington Lodge, I Maida, Vale, a private nursing home. whither she went to undergo an opera- tion. The operation proved unsuccessful, and a relapse ensuing, Mrs. Leeke diecr on Saturday morning last, at the ag& of 53. She leaves three daughters an6 one son to mourn her loss. The funeral took place on Wednesday. last at Llethrddu Cemetery, Trealaw, when the Revs. J. T. Giles, Porth, and J. E. Dennis, Tonypandy, officiated at the graveside. The following were the chief mourners:—Mr. Phil Leeke, sculptor. Trealaw (son); Miss OweD. Leeke, liiss Edith Leeke, and Mrs. Roberts, Worthing (daughters); Mr. T. Millward, Pentre, Mr. John Phillips, Cardiff. Mr. Horajtio Phillips, Ferndale, and Mr. John PhDl{p&, Gwaelodygarth (brothers); Mr. lOIm Phillips, Penygraig, Mr. John Phfltips ( Pontypridd. Prof. Phillips. Cardiff, Mr. Wm. Phillips, Barry, Mr. Evan Phillips. Gwaelodygarth, Mr. W. H. Rees, 1fnys- hir, and Mr. W. N. Jones, R«6olv;en (cousins); Mr. Selwyn Millward, Pvto (nephew) Mrs. J. Thomas, Cardiff fas- ter) and the Rev. — Berry, Gwaolody- garth. •

DII, McKenzie's BACKACHE and KIDNEY PILLS For the Cure of all KIDNEY and LIVER TROUBLES. 1/- per Box. Sole Agent-JOHN DAVIES; The Cash Chemist, TONYPANDY.

Weekly Pays. At a. ballot taken at the Eastern Col- liery (Ocean), Ton-Pentre., on the piiners' weekly pay question. 689 voted in favour, and 95 against.

■ mr LOOK OUT for the SHOW OF CHOICE FLOWERS ¡. ;F ——— AT —— RADCLIFFE'S, The Silver Grill (Next door to Theatre Royal), Tonypandy. 1046 The right make of PIANO il; a Dale, Forty & Co. ALWAYS SATISFACTORY UPRIGHT PIANOS from .£ Iii In! ca.c..}¡ or 30/6 per nODlh. SMALL GRAND PIANOS from 55 guineas. PLAVER-PIANOS. Autopianos, Angelu* "DH:-),la.uo< etc., etc. GRAMOPHONES, His Master s Voice." HIGH CLASS TUNERS, RENOVATIONS BY SKILLED WORKMEN. DALE, FORTY & Co., Ltd.. Hfgfh Street and Castle-Arcade, CARDIFF. Also at CHELTENHAM, BIRMINGHAM, &c. Telephone 1103. 3:-1 8