Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
10 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
Mountain Ash Easter Eisteddfod.
Mountain Ash Easter Eis- teddfod. A bright siinny and snowy morning greeted the 23rd annual eisteddfod held in the Mount Pavilion on Easter Mon- day. The adjudicators were: Music, Messrs. E. T. Davies, F.R.C.O., Mer- thvr; W. J. Watkins. F.K.C.O., Dow- lafs; W. George, L.T.S.C., Yetalyfera, aud Madame Alicia Cove, L.R.A.M., Ahercynon. Literary: Pedr Hir, Liver- pool. Recitations Rev. Rd. Williams, Aberdare, and Rev. Gwrnrvn .Jones, Penrhiwceiber. The accompanists were: Professors R. Howells, Aberdare D. Erasmus, Penrhiwceiber; J. W. Evans, Abercwmboi, and Miss A. M. Mulvey, R.A.M. The conductors were Mr. W. Myrddin Hicks, Rev. John Phillips, Mr. J. 0. Jones, M.E., Moun- tain Ash. The secretarial duties were capably carried out by Mr. Thomas Hughes, who had as assistant Mr. W. J. Griffiths. Despite the fact that railway fares had increased and many other diffi- culties. the number of entries was exceedingly gratifying and perfectly justified the committee in continu- ing this enormous festival in aid of the funds of the local Cottage Hospi- tal. The Presidents for the day were Lord Aberdare and Hon. John H. Bruce. The first competition was the Ju- venile Violin Solo. There were four competitors, all of whom were com- Phmented by the adjudicator. Most interesting, he said, although mak- exacting demands on such youth- u* Performers. The G string and °uble stopping were most difficult nV Raff's well known "Cavatina." revor Harris, Porth, won. Piano solo, "Sonatas on National Airs," Maggie Davies, Ogmore Vale. "Piano solo, "To Music." Some of the competitors scarcely understood the test, said the adjudicator, The piece was an ultra-modern musical competition, which was always ugly unless performed as the composer in tended it to be. Miss A. M. Stephens, Newport, was adjudged the winner. Contralto solo, "Night of Delight' and "Desert Morning," brought forth 6 competitors. The adjudica- tor was disappointed. It surprised him how Welsh singers neglected the classical for the melodramatic style. He gave the prize to Miss Maggie Jones, Treorchy, English Recitation, The Tongue of Cymric Story," by R. A. Griffith (Elphin). won by Miss Annie Mor- gan, Pontypridd. Mezzo-Soprano solo, "Dream of To-night," and "Come., waltz with me." The adjudicator thought that the singers desired to paint too much every phrase and consequently lost evenness. The winner was Miss Ceridwen Price, Rhymney, daughter of Mr. John Price, the well-known conductor. Soprano solo, "A Faded Rose" and "In June." "Don't stick too strictly to the book," said the adjudicator. "Strict time in a ballad is an error, take notice of that." The prize was £ lyen to Madame Nana Lewis, Uydach Vale. Tenor solo, "Leila," John L. Bebb, Newbridge. « Tenor Bolo, "God keep thee, dear," John Williams, Dowlais. i> mr s°l0) "0, mother mine," Thomas, Troedyrhiw. Adroddiad Cymraeg, "Ymson y Milwr. The winner, Signaller W. i, .ns Mountain Ash, appeared "i khaki. 1 Juvenile recitation, "Yr Anthem ^yffredinol" 1st, Cecilia Williams, u i en ^n< Aubrey Thomas. Ynys- ybwl. Baritone solo, "Shake the rosy apples down," John Williams, Moun- tain Ash. Piano solo, "The Escapade," Gwyneth Hopkins, Penrhiwceiber. The Juvenile Choir Competition always provides a real battle, amongst the youngsters. Six choirs took the stage in the following order 1st, Mountain Ash Young Choristers (Wm. Morris) 2nd. Carnetown School Choir (Harrv J. Evans) 3rd. Aoddfa Juvenile Choir, Blaenclyd- ach (Willie Edwards) 4th, Newtown Juvenile Choir (Llew Newman) 5th, Caegarw Juvenile Choir (J. H. Thomas); 6th. Fochriw (Miss Marsie Davies). The adjudicator was pleased at the revival in the chil- dren's section of choosing their own piece. He had hoped that the old "Comrades" song had been allowed to die a natural death, but from the ("hoice of the choirs it seemed likely to flourish. The children had not been allowed to sing naturally, and they showed a lamentable want of 1-hithm. The voices were good, but with a marked tendency to force. No. 1 Choir had a splendid climax, and childish beauty in tone. -No. 2 had good voices, but oversang. No. ;j had excellent voices, were well blended, gradation excellent, with splendid contrast in the allegro. No. t were allowed t6 force beautiful quality in tone, but lacked finesse. N'o. 5: Vigorous singing, but lack of sway. No. 6 Small tone. but pretty with lively animation. Marks: (3) o7 (6) 85 (1) 79 (5) 78 (4) 77 (2) 70. Girls' solo (not over 17). "Love s Arcady," May Powell, Treharris. Has won 183 prizes. Boys' solo (not over 17). "The land of our birth," David George Hardi- man, Mountain Ash. Tenor solo (principal), "God bring you home," Todd Jones, Treherbrrt. Action song was very disappoint- ing, said Mr. Davies. The singing was fair, but the girls did not have the opportunity 0 exhibiting that innate gracefulness that is so natural to them. The general effect was in- ) ferior and lacked naturalness. The acoocupaniments were faulty and the I music shoddy. He awarded first prize to Carnetown Juvenile Choir, and 2nd prize to Mountain Ash Young Choristers. Girl. solo, "June's golden song," I divided between Doris Davies, j Fochriw, and May Powell. Tre- | harris. Baritone solo, "Mary O'Neil, Wm, Skym, Abertridwr. Piano solo. "Gentle and Low," Piano solo. "Gentle and Low," Mrs. Cook, Pontypridd. Piano solo, "Little Miss Nobody, Robert J. Evans. Treharris. Soprano solo, "Ynys y Plant, Megaa Williams. Dowlais. | Englyn, T. Evans (Tel), Cwmaman. Darn Adroddiadol, Rev. Arthur Jones, Ynysybwl. Mezzo-soprano solo, "Song of the Lotus Lily," Miss Gwladys Brittain. Mezzo-soprano solo, "Iairyland oi i dreams." Miss Annie Flooks, Peny- graig. Pia.no solo, "Lovellt," divided be- tween Idris Owen. Mountain Ash, and Robert J. Evans. Treharris. Second Choral, always a delight- ful competition at this eisteddfod, was more than usually so. Gwilym Gwent/s "Blodeuyn bach wyf fi mewn gardd" was the test. The splendid soulful chorus suited the Welsh temperament admirably. This choice of the musical sub-committee may be made, with great advantage, an ex- emplary one for the future. The choirs sang in the following order: 1st. Deri t nitd (John Owen) 2nd, Penygraig Philharmonic (Thomas Howells); 3rd, Caeharris (Wm. Morgan) 4th, Blaenclyaach 5th, Dowlais Music Lovers (Tom Col- lins) 6th, Bargoed (Wm. Davies). The adjudicator said that No. 1 Choir had good voices, nicely bal- anced and well sustained in the piano passages they were excellent, but rough m the louder ones. 71 marks. No. 2 was a choir of rich voices, matured and resonant, and gave evi- dence of more experience than No. 1. Their phrasing was cut too short. 74 marks. No. 3 had fair voices, sopranos were not blended, although nicely sustained and nice rhythm. 60 marks. No. 1 made a fair start, but later the chords were not true harmony and the ends of the phrases not tapered sufficiently. Tone pure from the fortissimo passage. 69 marks. No. 5 was a choir of excellent voices and capital rhythm. The opening charming and the phrases tapered uicely. Soprano tone excel- lent. A really great performance. although the final cadence was too abrupt. 78 marks. No. 6 opened too jerkv and the in- tonation suffered considerably from poor contraltos. 67 marks. Dowlais were thus declared the winners, and Penygraig 2nd. The respective conductors were invested by Miss li. M. Mulvey. R.A.M. Bass solo, "Into the silent land, John Williams, Mountain Ash. Duet. tenor and baritone. "Soldiers and Comrades," Messrs. Morgan Edwards and John Williams. Baritone solo. "The Arabian Lovers." Wm. Davies, Treherbert. There were close upon 8,000 people present when Mr. Tom Williams, M.K., one of the presidents, ad- dressed the crowd, which he thought was all but a record. He hoped that when next they met the terrible war would be over. Contralto solo, "The bygone Hill," Miss M. Jones, Treorchy. The Chief Choral, "Hallelujah Chorus," attracted 5 choirs, that saIJg in the following order: 1st. Porth (Tom Morgan) 2nd. Peny- graig (Daniel R. James) 3rd, Pont- lottyn (Edward Davies) 4th Dow- lais Choral (James J. Lewis); 5th. Penrhiwceiber United Choir (Sam Davies). The choirs, said the adju- dicator. had given a most disappoint- ing display. He had been led to ex- pect something most interesting when he noticed that "Hallelujah Chorus" \va« the test, knowing how admirably it suited Welsh singers. It required more than ordinary tone and colour, with dynamic force and religious fervour. The choirs, he felt, had come there imagining that they knew it, and consequently there had been inadequate preparation. All through there had been a lack of unity. No. 1 Choir had good voices and the men excellent, but they lacked dynamic force. Vocalization was weak and was not impressive enough. The word "King" was sung as though it were "Keeng." 78 marks. The 2nd choir had good voices, but had a delicious disregard of the conductor's beat. The choir alto- getiier was good, and had great potentialities, but they didn't know the Hallelujah Chorus. They also hurried to the end. 71 marks. No. 3 was a mediocre performance. The parts were loose and the so- pranos feeble in sostenuto and got sharp. The tenors shouted. There was great lack of unity. 67 marks. No. 4 was a fine choir with rich voices. They started the tempo too slow. It was so slow that he won- dered how they would get through the chorus. Had they taken it a, little faster they could have waltzed through it without the conductor. The sopranos, and they knew it. made a serious mistake. He was sorry, but he was there to give credit where it was due. They didn't, do justice to themselves and should go home and ponder it. 76 marks. No. 5 was a great big choir with a rich tone in all parts. The basses rang true and resonant, and so did the tenors. He hoped the sopranos would forgive him, but they were weak and certainly uncertain. How- ever, the whole ensemble showed a grip and splendid resonance. It was good, healthy, exuberating and ex- ulting singing. 84 marks. Penrhiwceiber were thus awrarded I first prize, JE30. and Porth second prize, £10. Lady Aberdare invested the successful conductors. In the Male Voice contest there 1 were three choirs: 1st. Is eath 2nd. W illiamstown; 3rd, Tydraw. The adjudicator gave 75 marks to the 1st choir 80 to the 2nd, and 63 to the 3rd. Williamstown were thus award- ed 1st prize (Teddy Lewis), and Neath (Tom Dummer) 2nd prize. The winning choir gave a good dramatic rendering of the Tyrol with splendid effect and tone and a good Crliuax. Contralto soja. "Entreat me not to leave thee," Miss Gladys Arthur. Newbridge. Piano solo, "Carnival Time." Miss Gwyneth Hopkins, Penrhiw- ceiber.
ILocal Mems.
I Local Mems. I BY MEMO. It was hardly to be expected that the auditor'a visit to Merthyr to inspect the accounts of the Merthyr Board of Guardians should not be attended by tiome unpleasant sequel. The surprise is that the sum in dispute is so paltry- 33s. 6d.—arising from an alleged over- charge by members for visiting Homes and attending conferences in Treforest and Cardiff. The sum allowed by the Board for a day is 10s. 6d., plus train fare, whereas the auditor maintains that 5s. is sufficient. There is no insuperable difficulty, one would imagine, in fixing a fair sum for performing a day'e work outside the Union for the Board. Mr. Prowle mentioned that he would be Is. 2d. out of pocket. by receiving 10a. 6d. If Labour members, who have to lose a day's work and a day's pay, are to be paid anything for representing the Union in various conferences, so must the other members, who perhaps have no occasion to lose their ordinary pay- Mountain Ash, I think, the Council and Education Committee pay 12s. 6d. each to members attending conferences in Cardiff. In his letter to the Local Government Board complaining of the excessive allowances to the members of the Merthyr Board, the auditor, Mr. M. D. Probert, made himself quite ridiculous by quoting wholesale from time-tabled and suggesting certain trains by which members should leave home and return again. He burrows so much in figures that he has become pur-blind, like the mole which burrows the soil. He needs a change of occupation and a larger vision, so that he might realise that public work consists of something else besides figures and cash. For many, many years the Easter Vestry of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Aberdare was held on Easter Monday. This year, however, for some reason, the Vestry meeting has been postpone.d for a few days. and will take place this Thursday evening. The Food Economy Conference held in Siloa Hall last week was a most representative gathering organised by the Local War Savings Committee, which has performed excellent work in its own sphere. The resolutions and the programme of the conference were drafted by the committee, and it was verv unfortunate that any person should seek to use the conference to further a fad of his own by imposing another re- solution on the chairman. In the language of the Prime Min- ister, it was "hitting below the belt," and the inflii ene" of the conference and the efficacy of the appeals to the public are bound to suffer by adding a Tem- perance resolution to those which the Committee thought were quite sufficient for the purpose. Prohibition might bo necessary and highly deferable at the present moment, but the mover of tho resolution and his supporters should have convened a conference of their own to pass fffich a resolution, instead of taking a mean advantage of a meet- ing called for a specific purpose. Once more the question of more men for the Army is a burning one. The Government, we are told, are faced by < two alternatives: to raise the age limi to 50 or can up all the young men below; 1. allowing no exemptions except on the ground of ill-health. The latter alternative is favoured by the "Daily j Mail," which thinks to-day what tho j Government think to-morrow. "Sir i Douglas Haig," we are told, "needs J soldiers and not elderly men of sedentary habits. He has said repeated- i ly that he wants young men." l A correspondent sends me the follow- ing: In a city restaurant a facetious diner asked for Turkey without Greece, j "You must be a German." the waitress replied. "No. I'm .Hungary," said the > customer. "Don't Russia or she won't i Servia," said a friend to him. But the waitress was not to be outdone. "Do you [ intend to Rumania?" she asked. "Yes, [ I wont Ramoft." replied the customer, j whereupon the waitress exclaimed. [ "Ring the Belgium and I'll call Nancy." ) Mr. Kennedy Jones, M.P., of the Ministry of Food, issues a word of warn- ing concerning the consumption of j bread. He anneal" to all persons to eat j less bread to the extent of one lb. per week. If evprr person did this, he says, j we eould afford to laugh at the sub- marine. Unfortunately, whenever an 1 announcement nnpears that any article of food is to rnp. short, a large number of people commence buying up large storks to hoard in their lumber rooms. One reason why the stock of flour in the mills t" low is that the stocks in private honses are hi h. There will bo some interesting revelations in Aberdare Police Court when the police, under the powers fiven them by the Food Controller, will begin to search and find out the hoarders. The plumbers pno other craftsmen, who have occH'Wrm fz-i tirn" to time to work in or visit private houses, could tell an interesting tale already.
ABERCYNON HERO'S DEATH.I:
ABERCYNON HERO'S DEATH. I: This is a photo of Private William 11. Yorath, son of Mrs. Mary Yorath, 12 Park Street. Abercynon. He died on the 9th of March, 1917, at Salonica. He joined at the outbreak of war, and had been three months in France and 15 months in Salon- ica. He was 23 years of age last June. The deceased soldier's mother has received the following letter from Lieut. C. H. Chandler:— "Dear Madam.-I expect by the time this letter reaches you, you will have heard that your son, Pte. Yor- ath, died of wounds on the night of March 9th. I am writing tus Platoon Commander to express the deepest sympathy with you and your family on behalf of his comrades in the 1 latoon and myself. Your son was wounded on the night ? Marcn 8th, about 9 o'clock. He was carry- ing out his duty of taking water to the front line. Whilst pouring the water into the tank a shell burst -overhead, and a piece of shrapnel struck him in the back: He was at once bound up and sent to the hospi- tal on a stretcher. He was eventu- ally sent to the clearing station at the base. where he died.
A CWMBACH "LAD *THAT NEVER…
A CWMBACH "LAD THAT NEVER SHIRKED." This is a photo of Private Walter Chappell, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Chappell, Timothy Row, Cwmbach, I whose death in action we reported last week. The following letter was sent to the parents by Company >Sergt.-Major Deacons, of the Welsh llegt., B.E.F. :—"I am writing to let you know of the death of your son, Pte. W. Chappell, and to sympath- ise with you in the loss of a good lad. He was a very efficient soldier, and one of my old wiring boys, a lad y that never shirked his duty no matter how dangerous, and he was killed while doing his duty as sentry. Your loss is our loss, inasmuch as we all miss him very much. He was always I very cheerful and bright, and well liked by his comrades and X.C.O.'B. In writing to you I voice the sym- pathy of the whole Company.'
ABERDARE SOLDIER'S DEATH.
ABERDARE SOLDIER'S DEATH. e regret to record the death in I action of Private Tom Hopkins, of the Welsh Guards, the eldest son of ¡ Mrs. Hopkins, of 41 Tudor Terrace, Aberdare. His mother heard offi- I cially that he was instantaneously j killed in France on the 5th of March. 1917. Prior to the outbreak of war Private Hopkins was an engineman at Dyllas (Llwydcoed) Colliery, and joined the Welsh Guards about two years ago. He was wounded a few months ago. and was confined in the Military Hospital. France, for a few weeks. He soon became better and returned to the firing line, where he died a hero. His widowed mother has received many messages of sym- pathy. Only a few months ago a nephew of his was killed in action. namely, Petty Officer Jenkin Price, "1:. the son of his sister, Mrs. Joseph Price, 20 Montague Terrace, Aber- dare. The following is a letter re- ceived by Mrs. Hopkins from the Chaplain to the Forces:—"You will have heard officially of the death in action of your son, Private Tom Hop- kins, 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards. I am directed by the officer com- manding the Battalion to convey to you his great appreciation of the way in which your son carried out his duties steadfastly in action, and may I offer to you my sincerest sym- pathy in your great bereavement. Your son was buried in a place which will be preserved as a cemetery. A cross with his name and regiment was erected to his memory, and I conducted a service at the burial. Your son did not suffer any pain."
DEATH OF MAJOR H. H. SOUTHEY.
DEATH OF MAJOR H. H. SOUTHEY. Intimation was received at Merthyr on Saturday by Mr. H. W. Southey of the death on March 31st, from wounds sustained in action, of his elder son, Major H. H. Southey, officer command- ing one of the Welsh battalions en- gaged in the fighting near Gaza, Pal- estine. Major Southey was a member of the firm of H. W. Southey and Sons, the proprietors and publishers of the "Merthyr Express." A captain in the Territorial Force when war broke out, the deceased officer, after serving on the staff of the South Lancashire Com- mand, joined his battalion in Gallipoli, and subsequently served in Egypt, where he became temporary lieutenant- colonel. Later, after a breakdown in health, he reverted to his majority and was in command of his battalion in the recent fighting, when the Welsh, among other troops, were specially commended for the part they played in the rout of 20,000 Turks.
TRECYNON SOLDIER HONOURED.
TRECYNON SOLDIER HONOURED. At Ebenezer Hall Trecynon, on Tuesday, a reception concert was held in honour of Pte. Harry flees, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard Rees, The Woodlands, Har- riet Street, who is borne on leave from Hospital, where he has been lying in a serious condition for many months, but is steadily improving. He was given a very hearty welcome by all his friends, and was presented with a wrist watch, safetv razor and a box of cigarettes. He feelingly responded. His sister. Mrs. John Young, also expressed her and her parents' gratitude for the honour done to ner brother. Pte. Harry Rees left on Monday for King Ed- ward's Hospital, Cardiff.
[No title]
Chief of Detectives: "Now give us a description of your missing cashier. How tall was he?" Business Man: "1 don't know how tall he was. What worries me is that he was X12,000 short."
"The Unity of Labour is the…
"The Unity of Labour is the Hope of the World." I NATIONAL UNION OF GENERAL WORKERS. h. I Membership—200,000. President—Mr. J. R. CLYNES, M.P. I Gen. See. W. THORNE, M.P. General Organisers— Mr HENRY PICARD; Mr R. TOOfILL M.P.; Mr. J. PARKER, M.P. GO-AHEAD UNION. Remarkable Record of the Ceneral Workers. Very notable progress is shown in the ™ y rep yrt iust prhsented by Mr. SVill Thorne, M.P., to the National Cniou of General Workers, formerly the Gasworkers and General Labour- ers Union. The total membership is now 15'2,073, and the financial membership 135,592.' Ihis is an increase over' the totals of the previous quarter of 5,329 and 7,538 respectively, and is the highest mem- bership attained. During the vear 1916 the membership advanced by 18,M9. -The number on war service was annroxi- miart-ely 40?0Q0 at the end of the quftrt-er* T.h^ Lnion funds have reached a total j of over 1:100,000, the highest recorded in the history of the Union. During the year 1916 the funds increased by about £ 4S,000. The amount of dispute pay during the quarter was £ 156 3s. 6id., which brings the grand total since the establishment of the Union to £ 228,051 4s'. lOd. In State and Union unemployment bene- fit £ 58 18s. 4d. was paid making a total up to date of £ 23,3^7 12s. 7d. During the quarter 94 wages and compensation cases had been reported as having been dealt with in various districts, and the sum of £5,i02 6s. lOd. had been recovered, making a total of £ 196,268 15s. Sd. £ 27/ 10s. was granted during the December quarter to members disabled in consequence of meeting with accidents whilst following their employment. Since this benefit was established the Union paid in all RIO,907 IDs. In conclusion, Mr. Will Thorne says: When our members on war service re- turn to industrial life they will find a live organisation ruiuly to co-operate in solving the many economic problems that wiU arise in the future, and power- ful enough to safeguard their interests and to maintain and improve the con- ditions of the working classes of the country.—Reprinted from Reynolds Newspaper. Union Payments Entrance Fees, Rule3. Card, and first Contribution, Is.; Weekly Contribution after, 3d. For members in the trades covered for Unemployment Benefit the weekly con- tribution is 4d. The Union then makes the unemployment pay into 10s. per week. Union BenefitLock-out, Strike, or Victimisation Pay, weekly, 12s. 6d. Grants to members directly stopped through Disputes at their place of em- ployment caused by other Unions, weekly, 10s. Partial Permanent Dis- ablement Grant, £15. Total Perman- ent Disablement Grant, £ 30. Legal Assistance in Accident Cases or when members are wrongly discharged. Union Arrears remitted* when members are Unemployed Four Weeks or more. All General Workers are Invited to Join. Further Particulars District Office, 38 Alexandra Road, Swansea.
Advertising
MOUNTAIN ASH EDUCATION COMMITTEE. WANTED immediately for Educa- tion Office an efficient Lady Shorthand-Typist. Salary, 35s. a week. Applv for application form to A. Mor- S?n. "Director of Education, Town Hall, Mountain Ash. ADVERTISE Your WANTS and DON'T WANTS In The ABERDARE LEADER. CREAT CLEARANCE SAil OF FURNITURE! Prior to the Sixty-seventh 4anual Stock-taking. mease ReduatiMS! Return Fares paid!! Free delivery 200 miles! r P/1RNITI1W |. i CJ[Jvl ml. £ 4.JU SEVAN <3 Company, Ltd., J WALES' LARGEST FURNISHERS, Cardiff, Pontypridd, Swansea, Mewpo t, etc.