The Aberdare Leader

To Readers and Correspon- dents. All contributions of local interest will be gratefully received at the offices of this paper. Clergymen and Ministers, Secre- taries, and organisers of social functions, political meetings, and all public events are respectfully asked to acquaint us of these events before hand, so that we may secure reports of the proceedings. When a reporter is required, notification should arrive at our office punctually. Our correspondents will oblige us by for warding their reports at the very earliest convenience. All communications to be addressed -"LEADER Office, Aberdare.

CO-OPEEATIVB Societies would do well to ponder over the words uttered by Judge Gwilym Williams at the Aber- dare County Court last week. He said that in adopting the credit system so extensively, and suing their customers for debt, they were entering into competition with other poor, miserable, misguided tradesmen." One of the fundamental objects of Co-operative Societies was to promote thrift and encourage providence among the people. The credit system is an unmitigated curse, and its baneful effects in our colliery districts are only too apparent. Now the rules of Co-operative Societies enact that no customer is to receive credit in excess of his deposit in the funds of the Stores where he deals. If this rule were strictly enforced, the poisonous plant of credit would no longer flourish in co-operative soil, and county court summonses would not be required. Credit is twice cursed. It curseth him that gives and him that takes. The committee and managers of Co-operative Stores, who out of kindness to their customers permit them to overstep the limits of their invested capital, will ultimately find that they have been kind only 'to be cruel. Although the word competition is not in the vocabulary of co-operation, it is obvious that the societies are, as Judge Williams asserts, competing with private traders, and aping them, not in this matter alone, but in many other errors. But this is quite in harmony with the traditions of depraved human nature.

I.O.G.T. Meetings. ABERDARE. The weekly meeting held in con- nection with the Pride of Aberdare Lodge was held on Nov. 5th, when the installation of the new officers took place, Bro. Evans, D.C.T. being the Installing Officer. Addresses were given by Bros. W. A. Davies and M. John, C.T. Prizes were offered by Bros. John and W. Evans respectively to the Sister and Brother introducing most members. Solos were rendered by Bros. Walters, Picton and Evans, and Sister Berryman. A most inter- esting quarter's programme has been drawn up to include three open sessions during the next three months. CWMBACII. On Friday evening a new juvenile temple was started in connection with the Byddin Gobaith Lodge, when up- wards of 50 joined, Miss Jones being elected superintendent. The pro- gramme included solos, duetts and reci- tations by the juvenile members. Addresses were also given by Bro. Evans, D.C.T., and Bro. Walters. The Adult Lodge owing to its rapidly increasing membership has removed its Lodge Meeting to the National School Room, where the lodge met for the first time on Tuesday, Bro. James, C.T., pre- siding, when an excellent programme was given by the members. A move- ment is on foot to extending its wings by the formation of a lodge at Pentre- mwyar. MOUNTAIN ASH. A very interesting social evening was spent at the Safe Retreat Lodge. The proceedings: commenced with a tea to the juveniles, the following sisters pre- siding: Vanstone, Pugh, Bryant, Davies, Griffiths, and James. At the meeting which followed (Bro. Evans, D.C.T., presiding), Bro. T. Davies, on 'ffl'J'd:IIl,r.r\<'1¡£"J:!r:r!r,'i'¡,"m;rI')t,'J";?U,"r1"I?:IIW'II''a>W;¡nt.JroYU!2'JØ'J behalf of the lodge, presented Bro. Bishop, who is leaving for America, with a magnificent bible, suitably in- scribed. He spoke of the good work done by Bro. Bishop in connection with the Order, and wished him God-speed. in his new sphere of labour. Ad- dresses were also given by Bro. Evans, D.C.T., and W. Davies. The lodge then sang God be with you till we meet again." The installation of the newly elected officers then took place, This lodge is now going strong.

Aberdare Education Committee The Education Committee met on Wednesday. There were present Messrs R. L. Berry (in the chair), E. Morgan, 00 Harries, L. N. Williams, R. Llewelyn, W. T. Morgan, E. Stonelake, J. M. Jones, Wm. Rees. T. Lewis, Mrs Richards, and Messrs. J. Morris (Clerk), and T. D. Jones, (Assistant Clerk). THE NON-PROVIDED SCHOOLS. NO CONTROL NO ADVANCE. The report of the non-provided schools was read-Father O'Reilly's application for the dual desks for the Catholic School was considered and deferred. It was also decided to inform the managers of that school that they ought not to have re- arranged the classes without first of all con- sulting the Committee. In reply to Mr A. P. Jones' request for the appointment of a certificated assistant as successor to Miss Helen Berry, the Com- mittee advised the managers of the Town National School to advertise for one at X60 per annum; and the Education Committee would provide a temporary teacher if necessary. It had been agreed to convert the St, Fagan's School from its present dual form into a mixed school. It was reported that the Town National was overcrowded, and it was resolved to inform the managers that unless matters were remedied the Committee would cut off their supplies. Also that H.M.'s Inspector be informed of the overcrowding. A committee had considered the applica- tion of the non-provided teachers to place their salaries on par with those of other teachers, but the committee could not see their way clear to grant the request until they obtained fuller control of the schools. The Clerk gave a statement of the non- provided schools' accounts. The grant received was J62535 8s lid, while the ex- penditure was L2781 7s 2d; deficiency, £ 245 18s 9d. In reply to Mr W. Rees, the Chairman said that the Committee had paid the deficit out of their own account pending a further grant.—Mr J. M. Jones said that in future they could save at least £150 by con- verting St. Fagan's into a mixed school.—■ Mr W. Rees: Are the grants likely to cover the (leficit.-Cliairi-iian: There will be no room within the limit of the grant for any increase of salaries.—Mr J. M. Jones We cannot levy a rate until March. We had better suspend the matter for some time and economise in the meantime.—Ultimately it was resolved that the report be adopted. THE ARCHITECT QUESTION. MR LLEWELYN PROTESTS. The Building Committee had agreed to ask Mr Williams, surveyor, to furnish a report of work done by him for the Educa- tion Committee, and his charges for the same. Also that when the services of an architect be required in future, they issue an advertisement. Mr R. Llewelyn: When was Mr Williams instructed by the Education Committee to prepare plans, &c. ? I would like to hear the minutes. The Clerk replied that the plans were for additional class rooms at Aman School. Mr Llewelyn Was there any remunera- tion mentioned ? Clerk: No. Mr Llewelyn Then I protest against the action of the Building Committee in begging the question and asking Mr Williams to present his charges. Mr Williams said when pegging out the site of the Gadlys School, "I will do this again for nothing." It is not fair that he should thus multiply his duties and charge the ratepayers two- fold. Mr L. N. Williams explained that they had simply asked Mr Williams to make a report. There was no harm in asking him for his charges. If he had been liberal enough once to work for nothing, let him repeat it. The report was eventually adopted. THE FAIR. Mr J. Griffiths, Park Schools, wrote for instructions with regard to closing the schools on Monday, the fair day. Mr Llewelyn moved and Mr T. Lewis seconded, that the schools should be closed, which motion carried. APPLICATIONS. The use of the Town School was granted to Mr John R. Evans for musical examina- tions. An application from Mr Harry Evans, Dowlais, for the sanction of the Committee to use his book of songs in their schools, was referred to the Religious Instruction Committee. The application of Miss George, Higher Grade School, for an increase of salary was referred to the Salaries Committee. CHAIRMAN STILL HOLDS THE FORT. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr D., P. Davies, wrote expressing his surprise that the Committee had placed the question of appointing a representative for the Welsh Board on that meeting's agenda. He had it on the authority of an educationist of repute that his ruling at the last meeting was in perfect order. Mr J. M. Jones: The Chairman is tech- nically right. Mr Stonelake He was technically wrong at the last meeting. P T. CENTRE. The Board of Education could not see their way to give a grant towards the in- struction of pupil teachers at the County School, because it was not a proper centre. It was agreed to ask them whether the whole grant would be given if the Com- mfitee undertook to provide a Centre.