Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

Heard's Stands Pre-aminent FOR FIRST-CLASS FRUIT, VEGETABLES, and CONFECTIONERY, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. HEARD'S STORES, 17 Station Road, PORT TALBOT, 67, High Street, ABERAVON, 10, Parade, NEATH, 18, Windsor Road, NEATH.

NEATH AND DISTRICT ) BILL-POSTING CC. I ADVERTISING CONTRACTORS. I Owners of all the Principal Hoardings l in NEATH and District. I For Terms, etc., apply- I MANAGER, 45, LONDON ROAD, NEATH.

NODION AR BYNCIAU YR WYTHNOS. I (GAN AWSTIN.) (GAN AVTI N.) Yr Awyr-gyrch n ydyw testyn englyn f T. F. Manc-elton-Cyraraeg am Air Raid yr Ellmyniaid ar ddinas Llun- lain A lloer Duw yn llywio'r don-trwy y nen Taro wna'r ellyllon; I gwr brau, gan guro bron, Taer gilia y trigolion. Wedi i mi eon yr wythnos ddiweddat am ystori'r diacon a'r Efengyl yn cael ei dwyn ar y ddwyrod, clywais am fyfyriwr arall yn myned o'r un coleg i eglwys, neillduol mewn sir orliewinol, yntau ar geffyl haiarn. Nid cynt nad oedd wedi cyraedd ar fore'r Saboth, hyd at y capel, nag y gwelwyd pen-aethiaid y bobl yn tyru at eu gilydd mewn cynhadledd, ac ar bob wyneb olwg ddwys-ddifrifol. Oafai?r bachgen druan heb fod nepell Adiwrthynt, yn syn ei wedd, tra yn dall y ddwyrod ddiniwed wrth ei ochr. Hcb fod yn hir gwelodd ddarfod or ym- yyngkoriad, a dynesai un o'r brodyr da yn rhyw wylaidd hrag ato. Mewn Ilais a goslef barn ynddo dywedodd: Yr ym ni wedi penderfynu nas gallwn ganiatau i chwi bregethu yma heddyw, gan eich bod wedi dod fel y gwnaethoch." Nid oedd gan y myfyriwr ond prysuro yn ei ol, a'i genadwri heb ei thraddodi. Ond ni ddarfododd pethau yn y fan yna. Ymhen Sul neu ddau ar ol hynny, gwas- anaetkai pregethwr amryddawn yno, yr hwn, os gwir yr hanes, sydd erbyn keddyw yn disgleirio mewn ftvlck arall. Ymfalchiai gwyr y set fawr i gael dweyd wrtho sut y gwnaethant a'r n student," ond ni freuddwydiasent am y miuii y cymerai yr ystori a'u bymddyg- iad. 0. falle wir," meddai wrthynt, ei hala nol am ddod atocb, yn gyru ,ei gerbyd ei hun, ac heb weithio yr un anifail. Pe deuai yma mewn coach' a phedwar ceffyl, gyda ooachman mewn lifrai, fe gawsai bregethu. Wfft i chi a'ch hen shibboleth! Ni anghofiwyd byth mo'r geiriau, ac ni rwystrwyd byth ond hynny unrhyw un ddygai yr Efengyl ar geffyl haiarn. Daeth y canlynol i law oddiwrth y Cadben Ceitho Davies, oedd yn pregethn yn Central Hall, Abertawe, Sabbath neu ddau yn ol:—" 6, Bryn-road, Fforestfach, Tachwedd 26ain, 1917.-Fy Anwyl Awrtin,Gwn y peri gair ani&- gwyliadwy fel hyn oddiwrthyf o'r cyfeir- iad uchod ryw gymaint o syndod i chwi ar hyn o bryd. Yr wyf yn aror, er rhai wythnosau bellach am seibiant-oddi- wrth fy nyledswyddau milwrol-gyda fy unig chwaer yn nghymydogaeth Aber- tawe. Fy amcan penaf wrth frysio gair atoch, fy hen gyfaill mwyn, ydyw-i ddatgan fy llawenydd am diolchgarwch pereonol am yr ysgrifau Cymroig galluOg o'r eiddoch fe ymddengys yn wythnosol, mae'n debyg, yn y Cambria Daily Leader." Amryw or ysgrifau hyn yr wyf wedi cael y plescr, a'r hyfrydwch, o'u gweled a'u darllen trwyddynt air am air, a mawr ganmolir hwynt gan rai o brif feirdd, oerddorion, gwladweinwyr, a gweithwyr goreu'r genedl—a dylaswn ddweyd hefyd, and last, but not least, the Welsh boysgartref ac oddi. cartref. Y mae eieh enw yn barhaus yb. dwyn adgofion melus i mi o'ch cyfaill- garweh cywir a'ch cymdeithas diddan o chwarter canrif. Nid anghofir hefyd am fcir flynyddoedd gan filoedd Jáwerich prwasanaeth anmStriaiadwy it grefydd a noesoldeb adeg y Diwygiad diweddaf a ymwelodd a Chymru. Brysied y dydd! Gwawria, gwawria, Hyfryd foreu, etc. —Gyda chofion cynhee, byth yn ffydd- lawn, Ceitho. O.Y.—-Cofiwch fi at y cyfaill Mr. A. P., Hlgham. Deallaf ei fod yntau hefyd yn wneyd gwaith mawr yn y cylokoedd oymdeithaeol. Gan fy mod wedi cael am6er prysut lawn yn yetod yr wythnos, methais gael cyfle i fyned i wrando, noo Lun, ar ddarlith y Parch. D. Price, Bethesda, yn Libanus, Cwmbwrla, ar Ieuan Ddu." Gwn mai Mr. T. J. Williams, A.S., oedd y llywydd penodedig, a gwn hefyd mai diddorol dres ben i mi yn )gyetal ag i lawer ereill fuasai'r ddarlith. Oddiar dyddiau fy mebyd, pan fyddai fy nhad yn dwys ddarllen a phwysleisio barddoniaeth Gomer a Ieuan Ddu. yn fy mhresenoldeb, codai'r llanw yn fy nsrhalon a'r dagrau'n lli i'm llygaid pa bryd bynag y gwrandawn ar yr hanes. Hobeithio y caf glywed Mr. Price dro arall ar y teotyn hwn. Llongyfarchiadau i'r Parch. D. B. Richards, Brynhyfryd, ar ei etholiad fel llywydd Cynghor Eglwysi Rhyddion Cym- reie Cylch Abertawe. Cyfarfod rhagorol oedd y cwrdd blynvddol ym mha un y cymerodd yr etholiad le, ac er fod newid ysfrrifenydd, fel y Parch. J. Davies, B.A.. a chario allan y cwrs cyffredin o newid llywydd yn lfynyddol, yn golygu trymhau y gwaith ar ysgwyddau swydd- ogion newyddion, bydd cydweithrediad y Parch. R Morgan ac ysbrydiaeth ac ynni y Parch. J. Davies yn sicr o fod gyda'r cynghor a'r ddau swyddog newydd yn ystod y flwyddyn ydym yn wynebu. Cefais y manyliori i mewn i'r eolofnau Setenig. Ac yn awr am ddarlith Mr. Oakley Walter, Y.H., ar ha*i<is Tref^rig, Nos Fawrth y traddodwyd hi, yn y Taber- nacl. dan lywyddiaeth y Parch. J. J. Williams, a chan fod yr Uehel Sirydd a'r Cynghorwr DaVies, ac ereill, yn wyr o fri. ac adnabyddiaeth a'r lIe yno, dealia pawb fod hanesiaeth, cof byw, ffraelh- ineb a dawn Mr. Oakley Walters wedi cael derbyniad teilwng o'r achlysur. Gofod a balla, onide buaswn yn rboi am- linelliad o'r ddarlith yn awr. Dychwelaf \ti gyda phleser yr wythnos nesaf,, a cheisiaf roddi crynodeb ilr darllenydd o'r hyn a ddywedwyd.

TINPLAXE BONUS. A joint unoihcial codferene-e, of employes In the steel and tinplate trades was held at Sort Talbot on Sat.m-day, whpn dele- gates from Monmouthshire, Britonferry. Morristoa, Clydack, Iilan^lly, Pontardn- lais and other places met. The meeting was a sequel to the conference held at Swan- sea a week previous, its main object be- ing to consider the arrangements agreed to at the Conciliation Board held on the 29th ult. Delegates submitted reports, and were congratulated on the decision of the Board. During a subsequent lengthy discussion it was emphasised that increased war bonus were of no avail if the cost of living and prices of all food- stuffs were not regulatad and fised by the Government, and a resolution to this effect was passed.

On Tuesday afternoon rep'resentatives from the Admiralty met the Neath Har- bour Commissioners, members of the Neath Corporation and Lord Jersey's local representatives at Britonferrv. and were afterwards' shown over sites suitable for •ike propo&ed ship-building yards. .$

LATEST WAR NEWS i THURSDAY'S BRITISH OFFICIAL. THURSDAY'S BRITISH OFFICIAL. France, Thursday, 10.45 a.m. On the night of the 4th-5th inst., our troops, holding the salient formed by our positions in the neighbourhood of Noyclies-Sur- Lescant and Bourlon Wood, were withdrawn a short distance to positions south-west of those localities. The withdrawal was carried out successfully without interference from the enemy, who until a late hour appeared to be unaware of the movement. Prior to the withdrawal the enemy's field works in the abandoned area were systematically destroyed. Further hostile attacks yesterday evening in the neighbourhood of La Vacquerie were repulsed. Local fighting continued in these localities during the night. South- west of the village our line has been advanced a Htt)e. tO

THURSDAY'S FRENCH OFFICIAL. Our patrols brought back some prisoners notably to the south of St. Quentin, to the north of Alsace and on the right bank of tlit* Meuae. Our batteries effectively fought the enemy artillery,' which was very active on the Louvmont—Bezonvaux front. Surprise attacks on our posts to the north of Bezonvaux failed. Another enemy attack in the region of Loveitzen (Upper Alsace) were not any more successful. The night was calm everywhere elae. PALTRY GAINS. Tho Press Association correspondent, writing on Thursday, say«:— The enemy continues to try to 9114n, local advantages in the region of Ckmbrai, using up his infantry in attacks (delivered in his famous mads formations with vpry paltry results. But that he ùi t&itfkLg every advantage of the remarkably fivoat- able weather and trying tIo regain his com- fortabie quarters in the Hindeub-urg .ine before the rigours of winter set in, is pretty certain, and for this purpose he oootinues to bring in his troops.

MESOPOTAMIA ADVANCE. PRESS BUREAU, Wednesday. The Secretary of the War Offioe makes the following announcement:— After the action of November 20th, in which we estabMehted ourselves on the LJebel Ramrin Range on the left bank of the river bitula, the Turks continued to hold a position on the hills on the right bank of that river, north of Deli A?Z General M&rshaJI reports that this posi- tion was attacked on the morning of December 3rd by converging columns, one of which succesfully bridged the Diala near Kizil Robat. Th? enemy attempted to dej&y our ad- vance by flooding the area between the Nahvis and Daala rivers dose to their junction, but by the morning of Decem- ber 4th our troops had driven back the Turks and were in possession of the Sakal- tutaim Pass, through which the road from Deli Abbas leads to the north. A force of Russians, under the com- mand of Colonel Bicharakov, operated on our right flank and rendered assistance. One hundred and fifty prisoners and two field guns have been captured. Deli Abbae is 55 miles and Kizil Robat about 70 miles north-east of Bagdad. The Sakailtutan Paas runs through the Jebel Haamrin Hills from Deli Abbas to a point about 25 miles west of Khani- kin, on the Persian frontier.

SLIGHT ENEMY GAINS. After a bombardment of ever-increasing intensity maintained for over a week, tbp Austrian^ on Tuesday launched an'assault against the Italian positions on the Melette on the Asiago plateau. There were two attacking forces, the first moving from the north-west, the second from the north- east. The first attacking force was defeated by gunfire and in hand-to-hand fighting, the Italians taking oome hundred prisoners T ii 3 second attack led to fierce fighting which continued until Wednesday morn- ing, and at the end the enemy had gained some trenches and caused the withdrawal of the Italians from some advanced posi- tions. # MILAN THE OBJECTIVE. A London correspondent says Unoffioial messages from Italian Head- quarters suggest that a jecrudescence of the fighting may also be expected further west towards Lombardy. In brief, we aa-e about to witness a supreme effort by Mackensen to break through to Milan as well as Venice, an effort which, if un- successful, can hardly bt;, repeated. "GENERAL WI NTER" ABSENT. The Press Association correspondent, in a message received on Thursday, says tbwk an Italian general points out that the absence of General Winter" from the Italian lines is the greatest assist- ance the enemy could have had. 1 Tke general, however, did not believe that the enemy commander would be more suc- cessful than last year.

ARMISTICE CANARD. An Austrian official report declares that on Tuesday the Commander-m-L'tuei of the Russian and Rumanian troops on the whole Rumanian front made pro- posals for negotiating an armistice. A statement lissued by the Prets Bureau says there i; no truth whatever in tlB "shameful statement" that Ru- manian troops" approached the Austrian C jminander-in-Chief with a proposal for an armistice. The latest official Rumanian commu- nique is dated Monday. It reports a raid by Romanian troops, who brought back ) prisoners and war material. "NEVER!" The American hed Crt»ss Mission, wmeh has returned to a Pacific port from Ru- ma. ia, brings a message from King Fer- I dini id to President Wilson declaring that Rumania will never make a separate peace.—Reuter. I RUMANIAN OFFICIAL, December 3rd (received to-day). On various sectors in Bukovina attempts at fraternisation by the enemy have been replied to by fusillades. On the rest of the front there has been firing and bombardment. December 1st (Rumanian Front).-In the region of the Mahali Siret attempts at fraternisation by the enemy were pre- vented by our artillery fire. I';nemy batteries Jk^ve shelled Russian trenches in the region Boltaval),ni.- I Admiralty, per Wireless Press. MORE RUSSIANS GO OVER. PARIS, Thursday. The newspapers report that General Tcher bat chetf. Russian Commander on the South-Western Front, is said to have con- cluded an armistice, being unable to resist the contagion of the spirit of anarchy. The newspapers believe that before ac- cepting the idea of an armistice'he en- tered into negotiations with the Ruman- ian Government, which declared that it in no way authorised him to speak in the name of the Rumaian troops. The Matin points out that the situ- ation of the Rumanian soldiers is ex- tremely difficult, and adds :—The Allies arc giving all assistance possible, and ample concessions to Rumania are being considered." The Petit Journal has interviewed tho Rumanian Senator. M. Paul Brata- sono, who declared that it would. be an insult to the stoical .Rumanian people to suggest to them the idea of a separate peace. The great danger would be for the Entente to distrust Rumania. Flag, King, Government, soldiers, women and children. M. Bratisano con- cluded, were fighting the invaders and living and dying for the national idea of bringing together under the same flag all the eons of the same country.—Press As- sociation War Special. MURDER OF A GENERAL. I Reuter's Petrograd correspondent in a msage sent on Wednesday and received on Thursday, says:- An official Maximalist report states that General Dukhonin was dragged out of Kryienko's railway carriage, where he had been taken for safety. Krylenko and his staff interposed vainly between the General and the crowd.—Reuter.

A WEEK'S PIRACY. I PRESS BUREAU, Wednesday. The Secretary of the Admiralty makes the following announcement:— Weekly returns of arrivals, sailings, war losses, and unsuccessful attacks for the week ending midnight, December ist t- Arrivals and sailings of merchant vessels of all nationalities over 100 tons .net at and from United Kingdom ports ♦(exclusive of fishing and local craft):— Arrivals 2174 Bailings 2133 British merchant vessels eunk by mine or sub- marin (lJiOO tons gross or over) 16 Ditto (under 1,600 tons). 1 British merchant vessels unsuccessfully attacked by submarines 8* British fishing vessels sunk 4 The Admiralty adds the following note This return invariably includes all mercantile tonnage known to have been sunk by mine or submarine, whether em- ployed on Government service or other- wise. I-ricludes one attacked week ending November 24th.

WAR MUSEUM EXHIBITION. Sir Alfred Mond. has arranged for a first exhibition in connection with the National War Museum to be held early in January at the Royal Academy. Sir Alfred Mond announces in Hansard that a Library of War Literature is being established in Connection with the Imperial War Museum. A sum of £5,000 has been allocated for the purpose, but only £190 has yet been spent.

A FARTHING TOO MUCH! f For selling potatoes above the maxi- mum price-lid: instead of ld. per lb., Emma Jeremy, Hafod, was fined 20s. at Swansea on Thurrday.-Edward Jenkins, Catmarthen-road, was similarly fined for not keeping a record giving a descrip- tion, quantity and price of potatoes bought.—Thomas Jones was also fined 20s. for a similar offence.

POLICE PROMOTIONS. I In the new general order issued by the the Chief Constable of Glamorgan the fol- lowing promotions appear;—Inspector Dd. Morris, Port Talbot, to be superintendent at Barry Dock; he was formerly stationed at Britonferry. Inspector John Hale to be tiansferred from Caerphilly to take up duties at Port Talbot. Sergt. W. Thomas. Gowerton, chief clerk of the H divi- sion, to be promoted to merit class ser- geant. Sergt. James Griffiths, Aberam- I man. Aberdare, to be inspector. He is a native of Bryncoch.

SHIP WIHTOUT A PILOT. t At Aberavon on Thursday Haakon Meit- ziier, a Norwegian captain, wfes charged with a breach of the Defence of the Realm Regulations by not having a licensed pilot or- board his vessel in the Bristol Chan- nel. Mr. Lewis M. Thomas defended. J. W. Jenkins, one of the Cardiff Bristol Channel pilots said that on October 30th, whilt in the Barry Roads, he saw the de- fendant proceed up without a pilot. He also entered the docks without a pilot. The Bench held that an offence had been committed. Th", captain should have made himself acquainted with the TC- gvlations. It was a serious matter, and a ¡ fine of S10 was imposed.

I NEW J.P.'s. r j News has just been received at Neath of the appointment of new Justices of the Peace. They are:—Aid H. P. Charles. ¡ Neath. who ha.s been twice Mayor of that I ancient borough, and has taken a life- long interest in public life. He was re- cently appointed a Justice of Peace for the county, and this additional honour has j given the greatest satisfaction) to all ac- I quainted with him. Ald. Charles is re- gistrar of the county court and bank- ruptcy court. In politics he is a Conserva- tive, and is a staunch Churchman. He is also a prominent Freemason, and this new appointment is thoroughly deserved. Councillor Daniel Harry, the other new Justice has also been a Mayor of Neath. He is a Labour man of strong principles. who has been closely identified with the movements for many years. He is em- ployed at the Melyn 'Stlworks, "¡"T'(' he I is very popular and his promotion will be hailed with keen approval, both by his workmates and his employers.

At Aberavon Borough Police Court, on Thursday, the chairman (Mr. Charles Bones) said he had just heard that In- spector D. G. Morris had been promoted Superintendent of Poliee at Barry. On behalf of the Bench he heartily congra- tulated him., lIe had not been long in .v knew tb,at the prc?- Port Talbot, but they knew that the pro- motion was a very deserving one. Supt. Morris is a native of Vale of Teify, North Pembrokeshire. Four German prisoners, who recently* escaped from Farnborough, were re-cap- tured on Thursday. The death occurred on Thursday after- noon at Brvn-road. Swansea, of Mrs. Lee, J. H. Lee. Zirs. Lee va& §uken ill on Sunday last..

WAR SUMMARY I FRIDAY. The enemy has been active during the night at a. number of points south-west of Camhrai and also east of Ypres. A hostile raiding party, which attempted to approach our lines yesterday evening. in the neighbourhood of Gavrelle, was driven off by our fire. Germany's acceptance of Lenin's offer of an armistice came at the same time as the dramatic turn of events in Russia. Lenin's Bolshevik Government has fallen, and ,has been succeeded by a Coalition Cabinet of advanced Socialists. In the course of an article M. Marcel Hutin says that the first meeting of the Allied Conference has been successful from every point of view. SATURDAY. The enemy has made no attempt to re- new his principal attacks on the Cam- brai front. We have successfully repulsed attacks r,outli-w,erpt of Vendhune. The German artillery has been more active than usual in the Scarpe Valley. Successful raids have been carried out by us in the neighbourhood of Warneton. Mr. Bonar Law has described the Lans- downe letter as a national misfortune. The situation in Russia continues to be perplexing. An Amsterdam message says that the publication in Petrograd of treaties concluded between Russia and her Allies' ie-a shameful violation .-of the obligation entered into. MONO AY. A great battle has developed along the Cambrai front. Over 100,000 Germans were hurled against the positions won by General Byng. Our men stood firm on the left, and al- though driven back on the right suc- ceeded in restoring all the important positions. It is believed in Italy that the enemy in- tends to renew his offensive there. Ukrainian, soldiers are said to be leaving the Russian battle front and returning to their homes. Lenin's impudence is instanced by his peace document in which he alleges that he speaks for all the Allies. TUESDAY. Enemy artillery wae active during the night on the Cambrai battle front. No further infantry action has taken place. The whole of the last of the German over- seas possessions have passed into our hands. Dismounted yeomanry from Wales have been taking a prominent part in the fighting in Palestine. On all fronts we took 26,869 prisoners and 231 guns during November. A high Russian official declares that Russia has not betrayed the Allict-, and urges that the present situation is but temporary. The discontinuance of the issué of permits to British subjects to leave Russia may callforth the heaviest consequences. General Korniloff is said to have escaped from captivity. WEDNESDAY. President Wilson has rejterated the determination of the United States to continue until victory is won. He fur- ther recommends a declaration of war by the United States against Austria. There is -nothing of special interest to repoTt from the British front in France. M. Clemenoeau, in an interview, stated that. General Foch was being kept at Paris by the Premiers, who want him there, and General Weygard has de- finitely taken his place there. The Italians are expecting,a new attack. Fresh contingents are arriving from the Russian front, but the Italians are confident. THURSDAY. Twenty-five German raiders approached London this morning, but only five reached the City. Two were brought down in Kent. Our line in the neighbourhood of Bourlon Wood has been slightly with- drawn. The withdrawal was carried out successfully without interference from the enemy. Yesterday our Naval aircraft carried out a bombing raid on the Sparrapel Hook Aerodrome. In the course of two days' fighting seven enemy craft were brought down. A new battle has opened in Italy, where there have been slight enemy gains.

THE 1914 MINERS. Official intimation was nkde on Tuesday night of the Home Secretary's new Order withdrawing certificates of military ex- emption from men who entered the coal mining industry after August 4th, 1914. The terms of the new Order are as follows: I hereby withdraw all certificates of exemption issued on grounds or employ- ment to persons of military age employed at coal mines who entered the coal mining industry after August 4th, 1914, and were cf military age at that date, and are engaged as winding etginemeii., pumpmen, electricians, titters and mechanics, including blacksmiths, joiners, and wagon and tub makers and repairers. The position now is that persons who were of military age on August 4th, 1911, and who have entered the coal ^lining1 11- dustry since that date will be available for recruitment, subject to the folWing ar- rangements respecting applications for exemption:— (a) Application may be made by a man to the Colliery Recruiting Court on the ground that a mistake has heel made as to his age or the date of his entry into the coal mining industry, and flat he is ftecordingly not covered by tht terms of the Home Secretary's DrtificatiQn Orders (b) Application by an employer k> the Colliery Recruiting Court on grounds men- tion in (a) or on the ground thzt a man is indispensable to the working of the mine, but an application on the ground of indis- pensability can only be made .when a man is engaged. as smoker, or is in one of the ex- cepted classes above mentioned and is placed in the new medical grafts 2 or 3, that is to say. is not in .the Yid medieal category A. The word pumpmen only in- cludes for this purpose men engaged in worlnng mechanical pumps. (c) All such applications <r on beha.lf of a man to the Colliery Rtserxiting Court must be made not later than seven days from the issue of the notice calling the man up for service, and must be made on the special form provided tor tlio pllrpos'o (form 36), Which c&n be obtained from the Inspect:, r of Mines, (d) The right of application to a local tribunal on personal ground* in accord- ance with the regulations or instructions is, of course, not affected.

The Tirbach Colliery Com piny, Ystalj*- fera. have struck a vein of the best anthra- cite in the lower measures, and consid »r- able developments 7e an tici,.oted. "Y

AIR RAID ON ENGLAND f Effort by 25 'Planes Two I BrougSrt Down. PRESS BUREAU. Thursday, 1.45 p.m. Lord French reports:— A raid by about 25 enemy aeroplanes took place early this morning. The first group or aeroplanes came in over Kent at 1.4b a.m., and dropped bombs on various places on and near the coast. Two groups made for the land shortly after 3 a.m., the various machines pro- ceeding up the Thames and some distance t into Kent. Both the above groups appeared'to have carried on preliminary attacks with the object of drawing gunfire and exhausting the defences, for it was not until an hour later that the most serious attacks de- veloped., Between 4 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. two groups ol enemy machines crossed the Essex coast and three groups crossed the Kent coast, proceeding towards London on con- verging courses. Their practical plan 'I aeems to have been to deliver five simul- taneous attacks on the Capital from the north-east and south-west. ¡ The whole of one group, however, was driven back by gunfire. and of the others not more than five or six machines pene- trated into London. One or two explosive. and a large number of incendiary bombis were dropped in various districts at about 5 a.m. Two of the raiders fell victims to our defences in East Kent, the entire crew of three men being captured alive. A number of fires occurred in London, but all Were speedily got under control by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The casualties are believed to be light, but full police reports have not been re- ceived. A number of our own aeroplanes went up, and all returned safely. AIR RAID CASUALTIES. J In the air raid three persons were killed and ten injured in the London area, and four killed and eleven injured outside. BOMBS ON A TRAIN. I PRESS BUREAU, Thursday. The Admiralty announces:— On Dec. 5th, Naval aircraft carried out a bombing raid on the Sparrapel Hoek Aerodrome. Mny bombs were dropped on the objec- tives and also on & train leaving Engel Dump. Numerous engagements with enemy air- craft liove taken place during patrols. with the result that three hostile machines have been destroyed, and one driven down out of control. On Dec. 4th also, in the course of patrols, three enemy aircraft were shot down out of control. All our machines returned safely. RAIDS INTO GERMANY. I Wednesday night's British official re- ports two great raids into Gerfhany. Zweibrucker railway junction and sid- ings and works at Saarbrucken were hit, and two fires caused. -11 PARIS TO ALGIERS. PARIS, Thursday. I A French dirigible has just made a I voyage from Paris to Algiers. The air- ship, although the atmospheric oonditioiis were not favourable, arrived at Algiers without incident in eleven hours.Ex- change Special.

FIRE AT MANSELTON. I On luesday afternoon a small fire oc- curred at 33, Courtney-street, Mansel- ton, the Residence of Mr. Wm. James Parker, the old Swansea footballer, at. the result of which furniture and clotk- j ing to the value of 21.5 were destroyed, It appears that some clothes kanging near the fireplace caught fire.

SWANSEA HARBOUR TRUST, I At a meeting of the Swansea Harbour Trust Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, Sir Griffith Thomas presiding. I lr. P. W. Phillips, who has been acting general manager since November 1st, 1916,. was unanimously appointed general mana- ger at a sali i- *v of XSOO per annum.. The decision will meet with satisfaction by nil phases of business life at the docks. Since 1901 he has been engaged under the Swansea I; Harbour Trust, and was chief assistant to Mr. T. N. T. Strick, the clerk and solici- tor to the. Trust. During IIthat period he was asooeiated in all the Pfreat improve- ments connected with the port's shipping facilities and matters pertaining to the Trust, especially the construction of the King's Dock and the raising of capital re- quired for that undertaking.

I HOW TO GET SUGAR. It is important to remember: (1) That after December 31st you can ^nly obtain sugar by one of the following lOystems. (2) That you can only use the system which applies to your particular case. A.-The Household System. If you have already deposited with your I grocer a household sugar card, and If you are still a member of the same htr'sohold. \ou must go to your grocer after Dec- ember 8th and ast for declaration forms. When you have filled. these up your grocer will give you a retailer's sugar ticket for each member of ihe household, which must be shown when buying sugar after December 31st. B.—The Coupon System. If you have not registered with your grocer on a household sugar card, or If you have left the household from which you were registered. You must go to a Post Office before Dec- ember 15th, ask for an application form, fill it up and post it as directed. You will later receive a ration paper which will entitle you to get sugar cou- pons from a Post Offioe.

I AMMANFORD COUNCIL. ) The Ammanford Council met on Wed- nesday night, Mr. J. C. Shaw presiding, j It was reported that a fire escape ladder- had arrived for the use of the fire brigade and that bill of X104 for the same had been passed. Mr. Wm Evans said that although £ 160 had been spent on fire brigade appliances no steps had been taken by the Commit- tee responsible to see that the brigade, which is voluntary, knew the way to manipulate these new appliances. It was agreed that steps be immediately taken to get the brigade to practise. The Medical Officer (Dr. D. R: Price) drew attention to the injurious effect of the shortage of milk on the invalids in the district. The Chairman said the Food Control Committee were doing all in their power to get a hotter supply ot milk, but their • r.ds were tied.

THE C.O/S VOTE I IIIIiJ Sir Alfred Mond and a Resolution. i Sir Alfred Mond lias scsnt the following letter to the Executive Committee of the Swansea English Free Church Council, in ansv.cr ta a resolution passed, we believe, upon the proposition of Mr. Richard Wat- kins and Ur. J. A. Rawlings:— H.M. Office of Works, S.W. 1. Dear Sir,- 30th November, 1917. Dear S i r,— I am in receipt of your letter of the 28th inst. I must confess that I am more than surprised at the terms of the resolu- tion which you have forwarded to me, and which, 1 think, must have been passed without full appreciation of the points at issue when 1 gave my vote. To lay down as a principle that men who entirely refuse to serve the State in the time of its greatest emergency, either by combatant or by non-combatant ser- vice, are entitled to the same rights ei citizenship as those who, both by their sacrifice at the Front and their labours at home, are straining every nerve for their country's safety, seems to me so iin- reasonable that I cannot believe that your Council really Supports it. The right to a vote is a privilege granted by the State, and carries with it the power of controlling the Government of the day, and thereby the issues of peace and" war. To say that men who refuse in any shape whatsoever to assist in carrying on the war should have the right to compel men more patriotic than themselves to lay down their lives on the battlefield "seems to me a negation pf all justice, and on behalf of all those martyrs at the Front, past and present, I certainly cannot feel it within my conscience to put them in that position. I must confess that I fail entirely to understand in what way this uccis;u;i is either an infringement of religious liberty, or, still more, how it can be held to be against the genius of Noncon- formity. Nonconformity surely has never stood for bad citizenship; nor has it ever been lacking in militant action :n de- fence of freedom. I might further poui; out that my colleague in the Govern- ment, Sir Joseph Compton-Kickett, who is an ex-President of the Free-Church Council, and who is rightly regarded Q.t> a leading exponent Of Nonconformist principles, both by speech and vote, took the same view as I did. In-giving my vote, I had full regard to the amendmertts ,which the Government I is to introduce to safeguard therÎRhts ef the?? whose religious conviction aga'.nst combatant service has always been acknowledged, and who. in other direc- tions, have rendered great service to their country. I hope when the text of these amendments is before your Council that I. shall lind their view. in harmony with mine. Yours faithfully. ¡ Alfred Mand. I

NEATH BUTTER RUSH. So great was the rush on a iNeath grcL-?r's shop for butter (,n, Tb ii t I'_ p?K-p Lad to ?4e te?phoa''<i ?r t.<?ooBt?&? I the crowd.

WARNING TO OTHERS. The Swansea Bc?nch on Thursday deait with Wm. Gcar?P Morris (30), and Joseph Davids (28), firemen, charged with desert- ing their ship. The magistrates sent the men down for a month as a warning to otheA.

IMPAIRED VITALITY. Death due to syncope was the ver- di(* returned at an inquest at Lan4ore (\ '1 "7 edne on the body of Jane R?ce (70). of 30, Bovren-street. Hafod, Swansea, who died suddenly on Tuesday morning. Dr. Powell stated that death was caused by syncope, due to impaired vitality. j

4 COAL CONTROL BILL. Coalowners who dissent from the Coal j Control Bill had an interview last night with the Solicitor-General, and urged that a financial guarantee should be in- serted in the Bill, and not wait for the I Vote of Credit. The matter affects the bulk of the anthracite collieries.

FAMOUS WELSH C.O. CASE. A famous Welsh conscientious objector ease came to an end at Bangor, when Hco. Maitland George Davies, assistant secretary I of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, wh* resigned a commission in the Territorials before the war, and had been accorded an interview with Lord Salisbury, was dealt with as an absentee, and handed over to the military authorities.

STEAM ROLLER S FALL. A gas main was broken in Bridgend on I Monday through a portion of the road col- lapsing white the Council's steam roller was at work. A large quantity of gas es- caped and caught fire, the flames not be- ing extinguished for some time. The steam toiler collapsed into the hole which it had tntide, and the steam roller of the Peny- bont Council had to be borrowed to pull it out. Owing to damage done to the gas main many houses and shops on Monday night were wln,.),lt gas light, and shift had to be made with candles and lamps.

MADAME GERARD. I At Marl borough-street Police Court on Wednesday the hearing was resumed of the charge against Louis Voisin and Berthe Roche of being concerned in the murder of Madame Gerafrd, whose muti- lated body was found in Regent-square. Detective-constable Collins epoke to being handed a packet of correspondence, which another witness said were found in cnest of drawers at 50, Munster-square. The case was remanded for a week, when another formal remand will be asked for till the following Tuesday.

LOST 2685 1 N- A YEAR. I At the Swansea Bankruptcy Court on Friday, before the Registrar (Mr. II, P. Charles), the adjourned public examina- tion of Mr. J. Clarke, Tenby Hotel, took place. Replying to the Official Receiver, he said that anyqne who said he had worn a diar mond ring was saying something which was untrue. The statement of accounts he had furnisked showed a nett I-jss of ZF85 on trading during the year. On behalf of the trustees application for adjournment was made, for the trustees to examine further details with reference to the South African property, etc. Mr. Tkraoas, for debtor, submitted there was no necessity for a further ad- journment as the particulars which were required had been supplied. However, if aa adjournment was required he would not press his ■ ppesition. This course was agreed upon. It was also stated that debtor would not attend the next Sewions, unless aeked IW notiec ") do so. I" v

DRYMMA FIRE I Condolences of Neath I Guardians. When the members of the Neath Board of Guardians met on Wednesday, Mr. Lemuel Jones, presiding, a report of the fire at Drymma Mansion was made from Mr. Spickett, Merthyr, clerk to the Gla- morgan Joint Poor Law Establishment Committee, and the subsequent discussion reflected upon certain Press reports of the catastrophe. The chairman moved a vote of sym- pathy with the Committee and its Chair- man (Mr. W. B. Trick) in the loss sus- tained. The Rev. Henry Hughes seconded. Mr. W. Leyson said it had been brought to his notice that a mischievous rumour was in circulation that the institution was not insured. Such a false statement was calculated to cast a reflection upon the members of the Committee, and he hoped the Press would take fiotice of it. j It was a bitter disappointment to tha J Committee, and such clap-trap was! harmful. Replying, Mr. Trick said it had been a great disappointment to the Commit- tee and himself personally. They had been engaged in the work from its incep- tion, and when the scheme had almost reached fruition to be destroyed by fire ,-ras a big blow indeed. They had had much difficulty in obtaining the site at Neath, although he still felt that it was the best site that could have been secured in the whole of Glamorgan. With regard to the question raised by Mr. Leyshon, he should like to protest against the straggling and inaccurate reports which jppeared in certain newspapers. As a, matter of fact, he had taken the question ap with the editor of a Cardiff paper, be- cause the report which appeared in that paper was an absolutely incorrect one. H? I (Mr. Trick) was present at 8.30 in the morning. Mr. John Poble, of Merthyr, a member of the Committee who had worked as hard, if not harder, than any man for the Success of the scheme, was also present at 10*50 in the morning, and kis name was not mentioned. Mrs. H. D. Williams walked over from jlorriston, and Mr. Levi James, of Neath. was also there. And, according to the paper mentioned, only one name was singled out for publicity, with eome im- agination or false information that must have been given to the editor or reporter by some one or other. The only way they cculd nali6e was by stopping the ad- vertisements. The premises were insured l'he insurance premium taken out by the I late Mr. Jø-ln Paddon was of a high value. atd the policy reduced itself annually. That policy was hought over with the I premises, AEd as a result it did not cost one fourth of what they would have had to psy if fresh negotiations had been opened for insurance. He should like to add that aenie of th4 newspaper reports treated them fairly, but it appeared to him that when a body of men were endeavouring to d.) their best for the public generally, the I bPre they were dammed for it.

DEATH SENTENCES. I In the Court of Criminal Appeal, before Justices, Darling. Avorv amd Sankey. their Lordships refused leave to appeal in the caee of Thomas Cox, who was sentenced to death at the Shrewsbury Assizes for the murder of his wife, and also in the case of William Cavanagh. alias William Jas. Tflompson, who was convicted at the New- castle-on-Tyne Assizes of the murder of a leading seaman named Henry Arthur Hollar, and sentenced to death.

A COSTLY BREACH. I At Aberavon on Thursday" Daniel Ray- nor James, grocer, Sandfieldfl, Aberavon, was charged with a breach of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, by selling jam at a price above the maximum fixed. Mr. Lewis M. Thomas defended. The Bench dismissed a charge in respect of November 19th on payment of oosts. In respect-of another transaction defendant was fined I £20. The ohairman (Mr. Charles Jones), said the public must be protected. There was a schedule of prices which must be ad- hered to. and it was folly for any trader to say he did not know the price. The Beach were there to protect the public, and they might have imposed a biggrr penalty.

TOOK NO FOOD ALL DAY. i A peculiar story was told to Mr. L. M. ^Thomas, district coroner, at Neath, on Tuesday, during an investigation into the circumstances connected with the death of Ann Pritchard, aged 84 years, of Glamorgan-street, Neath, who died sud- denly the previous day. James Pritchard, masons* labourer, son, with whom deceased lived, said he had not sent for a doctor because he thougnt it was rheumatism. She had been bedridden for a fortnight, but never complained and refused to eat. Matilda Summers, a lodger, eaid she caw the old woman at ten o'clock and agai4 attliree. when she found her dead. The Coroner: Didn't you give her any food at all that day ? Witness: No, sir; only a cup of tea. She leved her cup of tea, poor thing. The Coroner: Didn't you feed her at all? —No, phe wouldn't eat anything. Dr Joseph Walters attributed death to senile decay, and summing up the Coroner expr,veed the hope that' if the female witness lived to the age of sa, someone would give her more sympathetic care and attention than she had bestowed upon the old ltdy. Th. jur, returned a verdict in accord- op with the medical evidence.

DRAPERY DRAMA' Neath Law Suit Resumed in London. In the Chancery Division on Monday Mr. Justice Younger resumed the hearing of the action by Catherine Richards, wife of Brinley Richards, of Neath, claiming that the defendant. Thomas Brown, col- liery owner, Neath, was the trustee for her of three drapers' snaps, and damages for alleged wrongful removal of fixtures and stock. Defendant contended that the businesses were not the property oi Mrs. Richards, but were purchased with money belonging to Brinley Richards, who was an undischarged bankrupt. Mr. Mathew, plamtiff's counsel, urged that for defen- daire to suceet-d Brown's position must be either that he was the owner of the gooq. <vr that ¥ was a trustee. A trustee who bad got possession of goods, as trustee oould never become possessed of those goods for himself without first divesting himself of his trust. The Court was ex- tremely jealous that the position of the trustee should be properly safeguarded, and that the law was very strong on that point. under no possible circumstances could a trustee use the position he held as trustee for his own benefit. He must show that his position as trustee gave him no advantage whatever His Lordehip: The rtory is that Trueman told them nobody would believe them. The wonderful trumpet of Trueman blew, and the walls of Jericho fell. (Laughter.) Mr. Mathew submitted that even if Brown were deceived, and it was the money of Brinley Richards, the plaintiff's bankrupt husband, and thac the latter had commit- ted a criminal offence by concealing the money from his creditors, it made no dif- ference. If Brown received the money as trustee for plaintiJ under a mistalten im- pression as to the real facts, he W3,tI none the^ less her trustee and responsible to her, hut there was no evidence whatever that thert: had been fraud on Brinley part, and the money was his. His Lordsliip: What dividend has been pai' in the bankruptcy? Mr. Ma-ddocks: A lawyers fee--f)e. ad. in the X. (Laughter.) In conclueion, counsel arked the judge W say Brown was not deceived, and to grant a declaration that Brown had oomnfltted a breach of trust in seizing tle grOods and order an inquiry as to damages sustained by plaintiff through defendant's wrongful acia in eelling the goods at an inadequate price, destroying the goodwill of the busi- ness. Mr. Maddocks declared that Brown was made a tool ot :-t) dec~"vc Bmley Rioh&rde's creditors, awl t-rged that the court should not allow the a'd of the law to be invoked to complete the fraud. Even if plaintiff were innocent in the matter, she could not be severed from the acts of uer husband, who acted as her agent in this matter. HIS Lordshop said it w.s a really difficult problem, and be would take time to con- aider it. In Mr. Justice Younger's Court, Chan- cery Division, on Tuesday, Mr. Trueman asked the judge when he would deliver judgment in the r.ction Richards ver?~ £ Brown, as he wished to return to Ne»ith. The Judge: 1 cannot be certain. Yoa may go back. There is no reason why you should stay here. x Mr. Trueman: I must come back for tait judgment. The Judge (severely): 1 don't see why; you are no party to this action. I can't hear you at all. Mr. Trueman then left the court.

A PEERAGE ROMANCE. Another romance of the .stag,. and peerage is contained in the announce- ment that the Marquis of Queensberrvls eldest son and heir, Viscount Drumlan- rig, has married the actress Miss Irene Richards. The bride is the daughter of a London mill-owner.

SWANSEA NURSE WEDDED. At Mount Zion Baptist Chapel, Swan- sea, on Tuesday the marriage was solem- nized of Nurse Jessie William, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Wil- liams, Penygraig. Talgarth, to Mr. Arthur S. Cummings, son of Mr. and lim. Cum- mings, Britonferry. The ceremony was performed by the Rer. Edward Worthing (brother-in-law to the bride).

WELSH DOCKYARDS. The Neath Harbour Commissioners met 1 deputation from the department of the Deputy Controller for Auxiliary Ship- building. The conference went fully into the question of repairing and construc- tional work in connection v 'th tJie ship- ping industry and the facilities afforded in the port. Tho Admiiulty deputation afterwards inspected several sites in the Harbour.

HOME WITHOUT FOOD. Alfred Morgan. now living at Staticn- road, Cwmavon, was summoned at Aber- avon on Thursday with cruelty to his children. Mr. Lewis M. Thomas proze,. cuted on behalf of the N.S.P.CC. Ins. Beet spoke to voting Vivian's-square, Aberavon, wbem- his wife and children lived. There was no food in the house. end the children had suffered in conse- quence.-Defendant was eent to prison for three iiiontks.

SIX NEWSPAPER BOYS. At Aberavon on inureday, John Henry, Wiltshire, newsagent, was charged with- contravening the Street Trading, Employ- ment of Children, Act, by employing six "boys to sefl newspapers at 9.15 p.m. Mr. Lewis M. Thomas, who prosecute d on be- haif of Thomas Williams, inspector under the Shops Act, applied for an adjourn- ment;? &nd this was granted.

MUMBLES GUARD FINED. At S*?ansei Police Court on Monday, Albert Mock, railway guard, Mumbi.es, was fitted. 20s. for assaulting Donald Wil- liam-i. Mr. Edward Harris was for ootn- plainaat and Mr. David Clarke (Messrs. Viner Leeder and Morr is) defended.—Com- plainants case was that he intervened ia a fight between defendant's sen and a smaller lad and Mock kicked him and threatened to stab hitz, A little boy named, Thomas, who said lie was ah orphan, his father having been, killed at the front and his mother having died recently, stated that he quarelled with Mock, who knocked him down and beat him. Mr. Clarke 6uggested that the Proseel*- tion was making a mountaitl of, a mote hill

On Tuesday, at Sketty Parish Ch»:r«f» Mrs. Margaret Nora Watkins, wdow of the late Trevor Watkins, L.D.S.. -van quietly married to Herbert W illisxn; Mitchell, late surveyor of taxes, Sw^iicea. The vicar of Sketty (the Rev. i. 1. Stewart, B.A.) officiated. Ihe moon is being spent at Bourmmouth.