The Aberdare Leader

Letters to the Editor. Letters on any subject of public interest are invited It should be understood that we do not necessarily agree with the views expressed therein Correspondents will oblige by writing on one side of the paper, and must invariably enclose their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

Mountain Ash Education Committee. The above body met on Tuesday, Mr. J. Powell in theQ chair. The other mem- bers present were Mrs. Owen Jones, Rev. E. V. Tidman, Messrs. E. T. Williams, J. P. Davies, Capt. F. N. Gray, H. Price, R. Parsons, W. Davies, W. Fenwick, J. Charlies, Bruce Jones, W. Millar, W. Griffiths, with Mr Alfred Morgan (Direc- tor of Education), Mr. H. P. Linton (clerk to the Council), and Mr. F. Stock (assistant clerk). TREROBERT SCHOOL. H.M. Inspector reported that he had visited Trerobert School, Ynysybwl. In the Boys' School, the work was carefully planned, and the supervision was thor- ough. A certicated teacher was required for the second standard. In the Girls' School sound progress could be reported. In the Infants' Department the instruc- tion was carried on under more favour- able conditions. The methods were creditable and the order good. A new entrance to the Infants' Department ought to be constructed. The Director observed that a certifi- cated teacher had been appointed to the Boys' chool. The question of erecting a new entrance was referred to the local managers. ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL. The Director stated that a grant amounting to t36 6s. 9d. had been received by the Education Committee on behalf of the Roman Catholic, School. A fee grant amounting to £36 7s. Gd. had also been received on behalf of the same school. Replying to the Chairman, the Director said that Form 9 had been sent to the Rev. Father Irvine, and he had promised to return it in a few days. The Chairman thereupon observed that the managers for the R.C. School had been appointed nine weeks ago, but up to the present no intimation had been re- ceived from the Foundation Managers of any meeting to be held. If he had been rightly informed, a meeting must be held once in every three months. If a meet- ing was not called by Fataer Irvine very soon, the Foundation Managers would become defaulters as the Education Com- mittee had been some time ago. (Laugh- ter.) Rev. E. V. Tidman remarked that the attention of the Board of Education ought to be called to this delay. Mr. E. T. Williams (one of the man- agers) said he was in no hurry to meet. (Laughter.) No action was taken. DUFFRYN BOYS' SCHOOL. The Education Committee Architect detailed, the repairs required to the Duffryn Boys' School. He estimated the cost at < £ 676. Mr. W. Griffiths asked whether it would not be really better to erect a mew school at once instead of patching up the old. Capt. F. N. Gray concurred with the view. The lease of the school would ex- pire in a few weeks, then the Council would be free to erect a new building. On the motion of Mr. E. T. Williams, the report was referred back to com- mittee, and to consider the suggestion thrown out by Mr. Griffith and Capt. Gray. 1 APPOINTMENT. Three applications for the post of as- eistant teacher at Miskin Mixed School had been received. Llewelyn Roberts, J Ruabon, North Wales, was appointed. REPORTS BY COMMITTEES. ] A committee to whom had been referred Mr. Mansel Franklen's Ifetter with regard to special coaching of candidates for a certain examination, reported that the Director had been requested to reply that they were not aware of any special coach- ing in the district. Another committee recommended that the scholars attending the Evening Con- tinuation Class be requested to provide their own stationery. The reports were adopted. LOCAL ADOLPH BECK CASE. Attendance Officer's Alleged Mistake. An Explanation. The Chairman referred to some state- ments made a month ago with reference to an alleged mistake made by one of the attendance officers in reporting that a certain child had been absent from school, whereas he had been a faithful attendant. The matter, it would be remembered, was referred to the managers of Miskin School. They investigated the affair, and had discovered that the mistake had been caused through two children of the same name being in the same class, and living in the same street-almost next door to each other. The real offender's name was .Willie J. Morris, but the J. had not been entered on the register. The mistake was one for which no one was really to blame, the most unfortunate part of the business being that the innocent lad had been whipped by the father. (Laughter.) The managers had now instructed the head master to request the teachers to enter the name in full on the register, so as to prevent any mistake in. future. Perhaps it would be well to send a letter to the parents explaining the circum- stances and regretting the mistake. Capt. Gray: And enter the hiding to the boy's credit account. (Laughter.) Mr. E. T. Williams: Perhaps the wronged boy who got the hiding will take it out of the other lad. (Renewed laughter.) Chairman: It depends on the other lad's size. It was agreed to write to the parents. TEACHERS' APPLICATIONS. The pupil teachers in the district ap- plied for a fortnight's leave of absence for the purpose of study in view of the forthcoming examination. Mrs. Jones proposed that a week be granted, the same as last year. Mr. J. Charles: I would like to know whether the schools would suffer in con- sequence. Director: Not very seriously. Capt. Gray: Perhaps they wouM not suffer if the pupil teachers were not there at all. (Laughter.) Director: Their value is a prospective I one. The Board of Education point out that IpupiJl teachers do some training work while at school. Chairman: Then we had better keep them in school training until the ex- amination day. A week's leave was granted. TRAIN FARES. A number of teachers living at Moan- tain Ash and teaching at Ynysboeth (School, applied for pajyjmeint of their train fares between Mountain Ash and Penrhiwceiber. It was decided by nine votes to three to grant the application. Miss May James, Cwmbach, wrote asking that her train far between Moun- tain Ash and Abercynon be paid. It was pointed out that there was a resolution on the books to the effect that teachers living outside the Mountain Ash area should not be allowed train fares. Mr. Charles: Where is she teaching? Director: At Navigation School, and she is a good teacher, too. It was decided to write to her that her application could not be granted. A MYSTERIOUS COMMUNICATION. The Director was proceeding to read a letter referring to the R.C. School, when Mr. E. T. Williams interposed and moved that it be not read and referred to com- mittee. Mr. Bruce Jones: Surely all letters should be read here in the first place. Who is to decide whether the letter should be referred to the managers of the R.C. School or to the committee? Capt. Gray supported this view. No one was supposed to know what the letter was until it was read, and it was absurd to refer such a communication to com- mittee. Mr. E. T. Williams maintained that all R.C. correspondence should first of all be dealt with by committee. Capt. Gray: But such a course is never adopted with anything else. Mr. W. Davies and Mr. R. Parsons supported Capt. Gray's view. In the division seven vested against reading the letter and six in favour. OUTBREAK OF MEASLES. It was decided to close the Ynysybwl Schools for a fortnight owing to an out- break of measles and chicken pox.

Mountain Ash Police Court. Wednesday.—Before Sir T. Marchant Williams (Stipendiary). OBSTRUCTION. For fighting in the street, William Kennelly and Timothy Buckley, Miskin, were fined 40s. and costs each. Stanley Price, Henry Lambrick, Evan Prothero, and Frederick Boobies, four Penrhiwceiber boys, were charged with jostling people in the street, and were ordered to pay 2s. 6d. each. DRUNKS. Samuel Jenkins, Tyntetown, 5s. and costs; Henry Meredith, Miskin, 10s. and. costs. COLLIER'S OFFENCE. Caradog Griffiths, collier, working at Navigation Colliery, was charged with attempting to obtain Is. Old. by false pre- tences from the Nixon Navigation Co. Mr. F. Sydney Simons, who prosecuted, said that on Tuesday, October 24th, Mr. Tudor Davies, under manager, and Mr. Seth Smith, overman, were measuring the dead work performed by defendant in his stall. Asked by Smith how many pairs of timber he had put up during the fortnight, defendant replied "Three." The overman then proceeded to examine the timber, and found that only two pairs had really been erected, the other pair having been measured on the prev- ious occasion, but the mark had been partially deleted by the defendant. Seth Smith, the overman, and Tudor Davies, under manager, bore out advo- cate's statement. The latter said that de- fendant finally admitted having deleted the mark. Had this nof been; discovered in time, the Company would have been defrauded to the extent of Is. Old. Mr. Simon said that the prosecution did not wish to press the charge. The de- fendant had hitherto borne a good char- acter. A fine of 10s. and costs was inflicted. "OUGHT TO BE A LAWYER." A Miskin Family Feud. William Davies, carpenter, Mount Pleasant House, Miskin, was charged with damaging a plate glass window, value < £ 5 10s. The prosecutor, David George Howe, an insurance agent, living in Glyngwyn- street, Miskin, said that Davies came to his house on the night of the 2nd Nov. He wanted to see his father. Witness asked, "What for?" and defendant re- plied, "That has nothing to do with you." A row ensued, and witness was obliged to order him out. He went out quiet enough, but no sooner was he out than a missile came flying in through the win- dow, defendant declaring at the same time that he wanted six months' gaol. The police were sent for, and Davies was arrested. Asked now what he had to say, defend- ant said that Howe, the prosecutor, was his brother-in-law. The plate glass win- dow did not belong to defendant, it had been placed there by his (defendant's) family. He could replace it at a cost of 14. Defendant added: "He (indicating prosecutor) ought to be a lawyer, not an insurance agent." Mary Ann Burridge, 44, Glyngwyn- street, deposed to having seen defendant break the window. The Clerk observed that as the amount of damages was above £ 5, the magistrates had no power to inflict ai fine. The prosecutor still maintained that the damage was 15 10s., and could not re- duce it. Prisoner was then committed to the Assizes, and he, was removed ini custody. A WISE MAN. "You are a wise man," said the Stipen- diary, addressing John McCarthy, Tynte- town, who, in answer to a charge of being drunk and disorderly said he had nothing whatever 'to say. He was, however, mulcted in 10s. and costs. I "JUST FOR AN OUTING." Thomas Jones was charged with damag- ing hay. William Belbin, Ynysboeth Farm, said defendant had forced the bolt and effected an entrance to the hay loft, where, one morning, defendant was found fast asleep. Defendant now said he could not get a night's lodging anywhere. Stipendiary: Where do you come from? —Bargoed. What did you want over here?—Just for an outing. (Laughter.) He was fined 10s. and costs. EVIDENCE NOT ADMISSIBLE. Stanley Hussey, William Trask, Chas. Chick, James Cox, Wm. H. Cox, Thomas Morris, and John Collier, 7 young boys, hailing from Penrhiwceiber, were charged with damaging tarpaulin, the property of the T.V.R. Co. Mr. Norman Ingledew represented the prosecutors. He said that the defend- ant had placed an iron sheeting from one truck to another, and whilst playing with it broke the tarpaulin. P.S. Davies, Penrhiwceiber, said that from information he received, he inter- viewed Daniel Hussey, who gave him the names of some of the other boys. He told them of the damage inflicted, and they admitted having been there. Stipendiary (to witness): That is not quite regular, you know. There is no doubt the defendants were there, but the way you have acted appears to me to be rather irregular. There is no one here to give evidence of having seen the boys. Mr. Ingledew: They explained to the constable how it was done. Stipendiary: That is not admissible. I cannot convict on that. The boys were then severely repremand- ed and discharged. ASSAULT ON A MAN AND A DOOR. Timothy and Daniel Buckley, brothers, residing at Miskin, were summoned by W. Kenelly for assault. The same defendants were summoned for damaging a door belonging to Sarah Collins, Miskin. Fines of 20s. each were inflicted for the assault, and 23s. each for damaging the door. COAL STEALING AT PENRHIW- CEIBER. John Thomas Kane, James Thurlow, two boys, were fined 7s. 6d. each for steal- ing coal. STEPPING STONES TO MISCHIEF. Benjamini Llewelyn, about 21 years of age, was charged with stealing coal from a wagon, in Penrhiwceiber siding. P.S. Davies deposed to seeing defendant. on top of the wagomi. Defendant denied that he was there for the purpose of stealing coal. He was only passing that way to meet a friend in Cardiff-road. Clerk: You would have to cross the river to do that?—Yes; I crossed the river on the stepping stones. Stipendiary: They were stepping stones to mischief I am afraid. Fined 40s. Henry Ferguson, Penrhiwceiber, for a like offence, was ordered to pay 30s.

The Theatres. "A ROYAL REVENGE." It may be interesting to learn that Mr. J. H. Clyndes, who presents the new and original romantic play, "A Royal Re- venge," at the Workmen's Institute, Mountain Ash, on Monday next, and on Thursday at the New 'Theatre, Aberdare, is an Irishman, having been born in Tuam, co. Gal way, and was educated for the Catholic priesthood. Fate, however, preordained it otherwise, and he became an actor. Questioned, on one occasion, by some Catholic friends, as to his change of thought, from the Church to the Stage, his answer -vas singularly terse and ap- propriate: L'homme propose, Dieu dis- pose" (Man proposes, God disposes). Mr. Clyndes has appeared on several oc- casions in Swansea, as Napoleon, in "A Royal Divorce." He is a versatile genius, and one of the most popular actors the London stage possesses. His new Dlav. "A Royal Revenge," is well written, by authors whose nationality is obvious, viz., Adrain O'Connell and Eugene McCarthy. Mr. Clyndes is well-known in Catholic circles in London, where he may be often met with, organising entertainments, and giving his musical dramatic recitals, for the benefit of Catholic schools in all dis- tricts. His spare time he devotes to his cottage farm at Hadley Woods, and his holidays to long country walks and sum- mer cruises on the Norfolk Broads.

THE ABERDARE DEBATING SOCIETY. Sir,—Will you kindly allow me space to draw the attention of your very numer- ous readers to the existence in Aberdare of an institution which merits the pa- tronage of all? I am referring to the Aberdare Debating Society. This society has just commenced its winter session very auspiciously, but there is still room for new members. Its meetings are held fortnightly at the Masonic Hall, and I should like to see a crowded house every time. The programme for the session is now complete, and is likely to afford the highest delight to all interested in modern thought. Its range is wide, de- bates and papers having been chosen so as to allow the discussion of a, consider- able variety of the topics which modern civilisation brings into prominence. The advantages of being an active member of such a society need not be stated; they are too well knowni to require elaboration now-a-days. In view of this, I do earnest- ly beg to appeal to your readers to par- ticipate in the work of the society this session, so that Aberdare may again possess an institution worthy of its suc- cessful predecessors of the past.—I beg to remain, yours sincerely, VY. REES WILLIAMS, B.Sc. (Secretary.)

CWMDARE SQUABBLE. Sir,—In your last week's issue I find a new "Reformer" on, the field in the per- son of "Outsider." It astonished me to see a letter coming from that quarter, because he proclaims himself to be out- side the good cause- He is in sympathy with the motives of the young man, and yet he dare not try to explain his actions. Perhaps he is sworn to secrecy. But as- suming that he is an "Outsider" of God's House, by what authority does he take the case in hand and give his views on it? If he is a member of any society, he knows there, is a clear distinction be- tween the privilege that a member en- joys to that given to a non-member. So your correspondent has no voice in the matter. Or if he is a member of some other place of worship, I should advise him to mind his own. business, and clean before his own door-step first before he undertakes the work of moral spring- cleaning and reform. But I have my opinion re your corres- pondent. He is an Insider, that is, one of the clique, the chosen people of Cwm- dare, because he can prove certain things, such as the pre-arranged meeting for in- stance. Of course, he knows how things actually were. Your correspondent was in it, and so he can challenge us; we only go by evidence of the day's work, and that goes very far indeed. As to the staitement he demands, I should advise him to look to that week's letter, and if he can't see it, I should re- commend him to consult an optician, for his eyesight is failing him. The words to which I referred—and ascribed to the relatives—are to be found there, and that person knows that. Your correspond- ent has no business to demand an explan- ation if he is an outsider. He charges me with evading the ques- tion of the "disgusting language." Will he prove that it took place? Was he a listener ? I was not; perhaps some one —the actors in the drama—may furnish, him with their names, so that they may deal with them in their Reform Club. One word more to "Outsider." Did you win a soul in your glorious scenes, and your consternation in the enemy's camp, as you call it?—Yours, etc., ONE OF THE GENTILES.

MOUNTAIN ASH INSTITUTE. A Grievous Sin. Sir,—St. Paul in a fine passage of his 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, speaks in glowing eloquence of the "charity" which "thinketh no evil." Would that the fol- lowers of Christ would follow his (Paul's) example in this! Malignancy, thy name is —— J.P.J. asserts that my last letter is full of half-truths, which are worse than whole falsehoods. Let the unbiassed reader judge. "Dogmatism," said Dou- glas Jerrold, "is only puppyism grown to maturity." This sarcastic wit never said a truer thing. J.P.J. is dogmatic. Arrogance, thy name is J.P.J., what right hast thou to say, "This is the truth; I have taken the trouble to decide the point, and all you have to do, is to accept what I present you P" J.P.J. has been reading Christian apologetics. Christian apologists 'are, striving vainly to reconcile religion and science. I fancy I can see the self-satisfied smile on J.P.J.'s face as he writes, "There is nothing in the advance of scientific knowledge or the critical art that separ- ates or undermines the foundations of belief itself." And again he speaks of the "damage done to religion by the ad- vance of science" as allegations which are untrue. If J.P.J. had the slightest knowledge of the two sciences, biology and astronomy, he could never have writ- ten these words. Let us examine his assertions. What religion is J.P.J, defending? Oh, the Christian religion. Like myself, he is an infidel as far as all other religions are concerned. But is it true that there is nothing in the advance of scientific knowledge to undermine a belief in the Christian religion? What are the two foundation stones of the Christian re- ligion. They are, the fall of man through Adam, and the rise of man- i.e., the redemption,through Christ. What says Science? Listen to what a defender of the Christian faith, a. Mr. Ballard, says: "Modern 'science is pledged to evolution, and Christianity can only be justified scientifically on evo- lutionary lines." And what is this theory of evolution? If evolution is true Adam is a myth, and so is the "fall of man." Man, says evolution, was not created perfect, and fell, but has slowly evolved from the animal kingdom. Man never fell, but in the words of Blatch- ford, "he has had a long, slow rise." And "science is pledged to evolution," re- member. There goes one of the founda- tion stones of the Christian religion. Now, if evolution is true, there was no fall; no Adam, no Garden of Eden. But if man never fell, why did Christ suffer and die on Calvary ? If the fall is a myth, then the redemption through Christ is also a myth. Both these dog- mas are inevitably bound up one in the other. There goes the other foundation stone of the Christian religion. Let your readers now judge whether the "advance of scientific knowledge and the critical art separates or undermines the belief in the Christian religion." Knowledge, thy name is not J.P.J. says that "science cannot explain creation.' If he would study a little more upon scientific conclusions he would not say such silly things. Science does not seek to explain creation. Scientists do not believe in creation. Matter, says science, cannot be created, for it cannot be destroyed. That which cannot be de- stroyed cannot be created. Matter, ac- cording to science, is eternal. Science knows nothing of a starting point or be- ginning. It is true that there are many problems which science has not yet solved, but surely our ignorance is no proof of the supernatural. "I believe in God," says J.P.J., "not from what I see in Nature, but from what I find in man." Exactly, Nature does not supply us with a shred of evi- dence for the existence of the super- natural, therefore, J.P.J. turns to man to look for this evidence. And what does he nnds? Credulity, thy name is J.P.J. finds himself the result of gener- ations of credulous, superstitious, and ignorant men and women. For gener- ations his ancestors have been believers in the supernatural. So J.P.J. is here- ditarily superstitious and credulous. He exists in an environment of credulity and superstition. And because heredity and environment have made him credulous and superstitious, lo! and behold he finds in this a proof of the supernatural. Wondrous are the works of faith! By faith J.P.J. believes that God is love- transcendant, all-pervading. J.P.J., who is so ignorant of natural things, seems to know all about the supernatural. How does J.P.J. know that God is love? Not from Nature or the world. But "we get this faith from ourselves." Dear me, and how ? Oh, because "that which is in us recognises that there is not one lost good, We will admit that there is not one lost nor one fruitless pang." Great Scot! good. But "not one fruitless pang!" It fairly takes one's breath away. Does he mean to say that cancer, consumption, and all the diseases that man suffers lead to ultimate good? Does he mean to tell us that explosions, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and shipwrecks lead to ultimate good? Not one fruitless, pang! We all know that it bears bad! fruits. Sorrow, pain, and anguish. It is the old, old story, "God doeth all things well." Let us pass on. J.P.J. would do well to read his Bible: It is easy to believe it if you do not read it. He denies that those followers of the "Prince of Peace' who murdered, tor- tured, and persecuted heretics, witches, and one another, gathered their erron- eous notions of Christianity from the Scriptures. Their notions were not er- roneous. They were gathered from the Scriptures. The command to murder heretics is in Deut. xiii., 6-10. The com- mand to murder witches reads, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live," Ex. xxii., 18. After admitting that Christianity is "a sincere belief in Christ as the Son of the Living God," J.P.J. goes on to assert that this is: but half of Christianity, and that this belief is the basis of the other half—"to abstain from theft, perjury, and adultery." But motives to morality do not come from religion. They come from our social sympathies. Preach to a tiger and he will eat you. Differ from a Torquemada and he will burn you. When one man wants another to help him he does not judge from the name of his sect, but by the glance of his eye, and the lines of his mouth. Some men are born philanthropists, others are born criminals. Between these are multi- tudes, in whom good and bad tendencies are variously mixed, and who may be made better or worse by education and environment. The liate Professor Clifford was an Atheist, and one of the gentlest and kindest of men. Jay Gould was a member of a Christian church. He left twenty millions of money, and not a penny to any charity or good cause. Ethics existed previous to Christianity; they are not peculiar to the Christian creed. Other creeds preach and practice the same ethics. You say that the Bible is so good that it justifies anyone to be- lieve it to be the true and only word of God. The Bible contains contradictions, false science, and history, tales of cruel slaughter commanded by Jehovah, and obscene stories. And you say this is the true and only word of God. And you ask me ito worship this God? Experience, you say, is the foundation of your belief. I answer experience is also the founda- tion of my unbelief. You say that vou will not answer certain arguments, "be- cause they are childish. "Speak the truth and shame the devil." You cannot answer them. Tney are unanswerable. You should never accuse yourself of being a fool, but all the same I agree with you upon that subject. J.P.J. will write no more. Is there anyone else who, would like to pick up the cudgels in defence of his creed? I chal- lenge every minister or clergyman in the district to discuss with me either ppon the public platform or in the press, the relative merits of Christianity and Secu- larism. One word to J.P.J. Have the courage to sign your full name in future.—I am, etc., T.BENETT. 10, Harcourt-terrace, Penrhiwceiber.

B. RUNGE, 1. DUKE STREET, ABERDARE, Practical Watch & Clock Maker, Jeweller, &c. Best Workmanship. No Old-Fashioned Prices. A TRIAL SOLICITED.

Mountain Ash Jottings. BY "LUCIFER." Judge Gwilym Williams was the sub- ject of a satirical note in last week's "Truth," Mr. Labouchere's paper. His Honour, it appears, was unable to sit on one day at Swansea County Court owing to a slight indisposition, but he felt well enough later the same day to attend some function in connection with the Windsor celebrations. "No doubt," con- cludes the writer; "the news of His Hon- our's speedy recovery amply compensated a considerable number of barristers, solicitors, litigants, witnesses, and other parties for the inconvenience and ex- pense they suffered through the unex- pected closing of the court." Whatever may be the judge's explan- ation of the above little anomaly, it can- not be disputed that, during the past few weeks, his Honour has not enjoyed his usual health. At Mountain Ash on Mon- day, it was obvious to all that the judge was far from being right. His witticisms and smart repartees with which he is wont to relieve the monotony of the court, were not heard last Monday. Once he was almost over- whelmed by an attack of coughing, and was obliged to leave the loom for a few minutes. To decide exactly what is County Court business and what is Police Court business becomes sometimes a difficult problem, and it not infrequently happens that those who ought to go. to the former turn up quite unexpectedly at the latlei- At Abercynon on the 1st inst. a woman hailing from Penrhiwceiber wanted to issue a summons against a local trades- man for not returning a certain arlicle which had bean left with him as security. The Clerk informed her that she muse go to the County Court. "No, I prefer coming here," insisted the apppneant. "Uh, no, you go to the judge," lemarked tiie Stipendiary, "for he is a. much nicer man than 1 am." The woman teemed to be of a different opinion, tor she left the witness box very reluctantly. Possibly she remembered Sir Mar- chant's confession delivered from tile Abercynon Bench some time ago that he was very partial to women. The. judge, on the other hand, has more than once discoursed on the extravagance of women, and on their utter recklessness in obtain- ing credit unknowingly to their husbands. By the way, Judge Williams had an opportunity at .Mountain Ash last Mon- day of returning the compliment to his brawd-yn-y-gyfraith (brotner-in-the-law), as he himself termed Sir Marchant on one occasion:. A young woman sued the father of her child for affiliation arrears, and the judge was obliged to tell her that she had called at the wrong shop. He might have added that the landlord of the other shop was an exceedingly affable gentleman, and that she would have no difficulty in getting the' money, or else the father would get-three months. The Taff and Cynon: District of the S.W.M.F. is one of the smallest, if not the smallest, in the South Wales coalfield. But, by Jove, it is not the most insigni- ficant. The men in authority here can give a few points and show one or two wrinkle's to Districts where there are regular miners' agents holding sway. They have considerably over £5,000 of good money put by for a rainy day, and they don't stint in giving to, people who are in need. Only last Tuesday week they'voted .£100 to some people out on strike in different parts of South Wales. And see to what positions the two chief men have been elevated by outside people. The Secretary of the Taff and Cynon Dis- trict is also the Chairman of the Moun- tain Ash Education Authority, and the Taff and Cynon representative on the Conciliation Board is no other than the first Mayor of Merthyr. Look up, Aber- dare District! Strange to say, it was only at the last monthly meeting of the Taff and Cynon District that Mr. Morrell was taunted by the delegates that if he were created an Alderman it would be infra dig to be "cribbed, cabined, and confined" in a small side-street restaurant for dinner. Mr. Morrell replied that it certainly would. But, Alderman? not in it. Mayor of Merthyr at one swoop! The question to decide now is, where will the next din- ner be held? Is the Duffryn big enough? However, there's Noah's Ark to fall back on. What's in a name? Misfortune some- times. Because his name was identical with that of another boy who lived in the same street, and attended the same class in the same school, poor" innocent Willie Morris, of Mountain Ash, had to bear a vicarious penalty. But if it was a mis- fortune to him, it wa.s a. stroke of luck to the genuine culprit, who, owing to this mistake, escaped parental chastisement. The guilty Willie Morris unwittingly drew an overdraft on the bank of mercy, which was debited to the innocent Willie Morris. Perhaps the future will square the debt. The managers of the Roman Catholic School threatened for being in default! Well, well! The boot is on the other leg now, then. Well, what is sauce for the goose is sauce ioi- the gander! Probably the prospective defaulters will, imitate the action of their predecessors in de- fault, and surrender in time. Despite police vigilance and magister- ial correction /the pract-ice, of jostling people in the street at night is still a pastime that delighteth the heart of some of the youthful incorrigibles of Pennar and Ceiber. But what is the use of writ- ing? If the stern voice of the judgment seat avails not, surely Lucifer's warning note will not be heeded. Why is it that the Mountain Ash Edu cation Committee assume, such an air of awe and mystery regarding the R.C. School, and immediately a communica- tion concerning it is received, resol-vo, themselves into a secret society. Why this mysterious censorship? It is to be hoped that the Penhiw- ceiber young man whose travels on the wa-y of transgressors and whose climbing of "the stepping stones of mischief"—as the Stipendiary put it-led him to the dock of justice at Mountain Ash will re- form, and in future "rise on stepping stones of his dead self to higher things." o:

Forthcom i ng Ch nysant he- mum Show at Aberdare. The second annual exhibition of Chrys- anthemums is arranged to be held next Monday week at the Market Hall, Aber- dare. It is anticipated that there will be a fine display of these flowers, for the culture of the chrysanthemum has be- come quite a pastime with a large num- ber of people. Refreshments will be provided in the hall, and an efficient band will be in attendance. The committee, of which Mr. Picton Owen is secretary, are doing all in their power to make the show well worth witnessing.

0: Aberdare Pleasure Fair. Studt's merry-go-rounds have. once more come round to Aberdare. The fair opens to-day (Thursday), but the great day will, be next Monday. Several new attractions are introduced by Mr. Studt this time.

-:0:- Schools Football League. SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Ynys. 9.30, Ynyslwyd and St. Fagan's. 10.30, Cwmdare and Capcoch. 11.30, National and Cwmbach. Park: 9.30, Higher Grade and Industrial. 10.30, Park and Town. 1.30, Robertstovvn and Abernant. Michael's 10, Blaengwawr and Cwmaman. Two impoitant trials will be held on Monday afternoon at the Ynys, by two elevens from the lower schools and two elevens from the. top schools. Barry will be played at Barry on the 25th Novem- ber, hence the trials. There is a prospect of two good, keen games. Kick-off at 2.45 sharp.

-:0:- Aberdaare County Court. On Wednesday.—Before His Honour Judge Gwilym Williams. A SMALL COAL PROBLEM. J. E. Thomas, coal merchant, Aberdare, claimed from Cunningham, Forbes, 8Jld Co., Fleet, < £ 60 lis. 4d. for coal sold and delivered to defendant. Mr. C. Kenshole appeared for claiW- ant, and Mr. Brodrick, barrister, for defendants. J. E. Thomas said that in August, ihe jsupiplied defendants with coal- December a complaint was received *r<?. them, and he went and saw persoua the loading of the coal. He was perie ly satisfied that the coali was proper loaded. In consequence of a letter he re, ceived he went to see defendants in In-net He told Mr. Forbes that he would ]lot accept any responsibility, but he wou see to the matter after returning. James S. Forbes, a partner in <ie^en ant's firm, said that the coal was c veyed into their yards from ,Vittchfie 11 Station by traction engines. In Fleet the coal was conveyed by motor. went down to see the coal himself) a. found that there was about 30 per c^cj„ of dust in it. It was not the coal SP fied in the contract. ]J.8 In reply to the Judge, witness sal uY I expected to have large coal without 8- dust in it. at Judge: And you make no allowaOce all for breakages? Well, well! t's A.C. Sheppard, foreman at depot, estimated the heap of small C008 at Fleet about 11 tons, and the heaP Beacon Hill at about 40 tens. ^0ji The Judge said that it was--a as to what allowance was to be the small coal—not dust. He took 1 to allow for 20 tons would be f'air- pt J merit would be given for plaintiu ..j;) j £ 39 16s. 4d (less < £ 19 19s. paid into c with costs. ADMINISTRATION ORDERS. r Order granted to John Shean, i&' g^gp' fries-stret, Aberdare, employed a repi^' herd's Pit, Cwmaman, who ^v'aS, £ 0- rented by Mr. J. D. Thomas. L c,i 15s. Id. To pay in full at the ra 12s. per month.. Also to William John, \V'' Cwmaman, represented by Mr- ju Griffiths. Debt, <£27 Is. lid. Ta P full at the rate of 10s. per WO"tl" ,,Ire, Also to W. H. Saunderson, A vebt represented by Mr. W. Kenshole. ate of 6C42 17s. 7d. To pay in full at the I' 13s. per month. i

L E CZ EM A I TIJE ITCO NO UNBEARABLE ,p Vi SMARTING PAIN OF ECZEMA ClJR CUREXEMA- t Hundreds can P '.fa ITHEALING PO w £ UV,f Trial Case, Post Free, 1/2, (money ret" satisfactory). CUREXEMA Co., 8T Charles SU BUDDEN'S S.R. SKIN O^icffid will cure Itching after one ^3 a destroys every form of Eczefli fe. Wounds and Sores, Chilblain > charm on bad legs is infallible vents cuts from festering will gt o0* ^jJ- in a few days removes the Eruptions and Scurvy. ^°^eS' 3.. < Agents: Aberdare, W. H. E' square, and Emrys Evans, c wain, W. A. George, chemist, Evans Mountain Ash, William ^priflgt | Printed and Pub I is lied at ing Works, Market Build of Street, Aberdare, in the Cou ^jgli morgan, by the proprietors, J. L. Rowlands. J. L. Rowlands.