The Aberdare Leader

I MOUNTAIN ASH DISTRICT COUNCIL. On Tuesday.—Present: Mr. Noah Bowles, J.P. (chairman), Surgeon Major H. D. Morgan, Hevs. George Neighbour, E. T. Williams, Messrs. Wm. Davies, G. H. Hall, Griffith Evans, J.P., T. W. Jones, Bruce Jones, Thomas Jones, J.P., David Rogers, Win. Millar, W. Lamburn, with Messrs. A. Pincombe (clerk), F. Stock (accountant), Dr. A. T. Jones (medical officer) and H. T. Jones (.sanitary inspector).

Housing Census. At a previous meeting the Medi- cal Officer was instructed to take a census je, the housing needs in the district. He now asked for in- structions as to expenses necessary to be incurred. He added that the census would entail a great deal of work, if particulars were to be ob- tained throughout the whole area. There were 6 wards in the area, and he suggested that 3 persons be ap- pointed for each ward, and that i:3 3s. be paid to each person. Every house would be visited. The per- sons engaged would, of course, have to perform the work during their spare time. Hev. Geo. Neighbour: You might find others who will take it on. It will be difficult to find the tenants at home in thd evenings. Mr. Bruce Jones: Leave it to the doctor to carry out. Mr. W. Millar: Whatever time you call some people will be out. Clerk: They are expecting the bailiffs to call. (Laughter.) Mr. Bruce Jones moved that the recommendation of the doctor Ite agreed to. Mr. Thomas Jones seconded, and said that the doctor had not over- stepped the mark in the amount of fees to be paid. The motion was adopted.

Infant Welfare centre. It was reported that an Infant Welfare Centre was to be started at' Mountain Ash in July.

The Isolation Hospital. 111 the doctor's report there was also a reference to tho recommenda- tion of the lady inspector to take puerperal fever cases to the Isolation Hospital. He told her there was no accommodation, but he added that it was the intention of the Council to provide extra accommodation soon. i I Dr. Morgan expressed the opinion that we were reaching the end of puerperal fever cases. Dr. Jones agreed, and said that out of 1,200 births in Mountain Ash area last year there were only 12 such cases, and only two were ser- ious. Dr. Morgan Are there many mid- wives of the old school now ? Dr. Jones: Not many. They are mostly trained nurses, but there are a few of the old school in the area, especially in Ynysybwl and Aber- cynjii. Mr. W. Lamburn asked whether puerperal .cases could be taken to the v?mall-pox Hospital, but the doctor said it was impracticable. Mr. Griffith Evans moved that the matter be left in the hands of the doctor, and Mr. T. W. Jones second- ed.—Carried.

Measles. Dr. Jones recommended that a < subscription be paid to the District Nursing Fund, so that the Council would be able to obtain the services of a district nurse whenever an epi- demic of measles occurred. Measles was a very serious disease, and there were always ;1,(8- deaths when epi- demics came round. Not only were some cases fatal, but the 'disease caused other ailments such as bron- -chial trouble and inflammation of various organs. ReN-. E. T. Williams asked whether it would not be better to engage an ue additional nurse permanently. Mr. Thomas Jones suggested that the doctor report further on the question, and this course was adopt- ed.

No Compulsion. The Council's views were sought on the question of compelling tuber- cular patients to enter a Hospital. Mr. Brllce Jones thought the time for that was not ripe, and moved that compulsion be not enforced. The motion was seconded and carried.

Electoral Districts. The following items were in the minutes: "Representation of the People Bill, Boundary Commission, He-arrangement of Electoral Dis- tricts. Moved and carried that the whole Council act as a Committee to co-operate with the Clerk in refer- ence to this matter, and that the Council endeavour to secure the co- operation of the various Trades Union Lodges throughout the dis- trict with a view to securing the? best possible advantage to the whole of the Mountain Ash Urban District in the future arrangement of the "Parliamentary Electoral Area." The Clerk was further asked to at- tend, on behalf of the Council, a con- ference of Trades Unionists at Aber- ,cynoll.

MOUNTAIN ASH POLICE COURT. On Thursday, June 21st, before the Stipendiary, Mr. R. A. Griffith, and Mr. Griffith Evans. DREW TWO ALLOWANCES. Emily Watkins (formerly of 45 Park Street, Penrhiwceiber), 17 Albany Street, Miskin, wife of a soldier, Samuel Watkins, was charged with obtaining £1 19s. 3d. by false pretences from the War Office. —Mr. George David, Cardiff, ap- peared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, and explained that de- fendant's husband joined the A.S.C. on October 12th, 1914. He was dis- charged on November 3rd. 1914. She was granted 9s. per week from the army pay office, and 4s. Id. a week was allotted to her by her husband. She continued to draw that amount, although her husband was dis- charged. In September, 1915, her husband joined the 3rd Welsh, and became entitled under an identity paper to 21s. a week. She received that and also the other allowance right up to and beyond January this year. She had fraudulently obtained I altogether a sum of < £ 40 from the War Office.—Lance-Corporal T ler, I Y from the Army Pay Corps; Miss Eliza Ada Lewis, P.O., Penrhiw- ceiber; Mrs. Amelia Evans, P.O., Llanbradach, and Miss Annie Roberts, P.O., Senghenydd, gave evidence of payments.—Police-Ser- geant David Davies, Llanbradach, also gave evidence.—P.S. Tlili, Miskin, spoke to the family being in poor circumstances, and that the husband was now in the Army Re- serve. His ill-health caused him to lose time.—The Stipendiary hoped that the defendant understood what a serious offence she had committed, but having regard to her own and husband's delicate health, she would be bound over to come up for judg- ment if called upon. PUBLIC HEALTH ACT. Ida Powell, Mountain Ash, was summoned for an offence under the above Act.—Assistant-Inspector John Thomas spoke to defendant about her child measles, and that it must be kept in. Mrs. Powell told him defiantly that -,Oe wanted to know v-hether she lived in free England or military Germany.—De- fendant's husband appeared, and ex- pressed the view that it was the duty

Pull Yourself Together Pull yourself together is nowadays a familiar and forceful ex- pression which under certain condi- tions may aptly emphasise what is considered necessary of you to throw off depression, gloom or physical dis- comfort. If digestion is the cause of your trouble and you feel that you have gone to pieces so to speak, it is utter- ly in issible for you to pull your- self to ther without some outside aid. St ngth of will merely will not do it. Ys will be well advised then to take cl. rt action as so many thousands h. e done and commence a course of Mother Seigel's Syrup. The medicinal extracts of this .famous stomach and liver regulator act directly upon the organs of di- gestion, toning, strengthening and stimulating them to healthy activity, so that they are able to do their work efficiently and easily. \Vhen this is done, indigeslioti will be a thing of the past; you will enjoy your food, and what is more, your whole digestive system will pull to- gether and enable you to extract nourishment from the food you eat, and so help you to regain and main- tain a healthy vigour. Put it to the test to-day.

WAR OFFICE (CONTRACTS DEPARTMENT). p URCHASE OF w OOL. SOUTH WALES DIVISION (AREA 13). rpHE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE fL OFFICER for the 6 Counties of South Wales is Mr. THOMAS MORGAN, District Executive Offices, Priory Hill House, Brecon. The War Office has appointed a. Local Advisory Committee composed; of the following members :— John R. Bache, Esq., Knighton. George Jones, Esq., Newtowu. John Lewis, Esq., LlandyssuL. W. S. Miller, Esq., Brecon. Evan Morgan, Esq., Brecon. R. Temple ton, Esq., Carddf. Farmers who have 'not yet shorrv their sheep and consequently unable to return their Census Forms should forward the forms duly filled up within 7 days of shearing. Farmers who have net received a Census Form should apply for one to the District Executive Officer at onee. Special attention is called to the Wool Leaflet No. 2 (Wales), sent with Census Forms, which should be 1 carefully read by all Sheep owners. List of Maximum Prices to be paid by Authorised Merchants for the 1917 Clip of Wooll— Washed Fleece Wool. Maximum Price. Per lb. Shropshire (Pure Bred) 2ltd. Best Kerry and Clun Forest 20td. Best Radnors 18fcL Keinpy Radnors & Crossbred 17d. Fine Leicesters 172d Deep Leicesters 17d. Best Welsh 16d, Low Welsh 14a. Turbary Welsh. 13d. Scotch 131.1d. Washed Locks and Pelled.,Wool.- Two-thirds value of Fleece. Greasy Locks and P-elled -!Wool. Half value of Fleece. Drafts.—1 lb. per cwt. on grosp weights. Washed Shorn Lambs' wool. Shropshire 18Q. Kerry and Clun Forest 16jd, Radnor and Crossbred 15d. Welsh 13d. Allowances. Greasy Scotch Fleeces ljd. per lb. (minimum). Other Unwashed or Greasy Wools.— One-fourth their respective value. Wool light in Grease.—To be valued upon a Yielding Basis. Black and Grey Wools.—One-fourth their respective values. Prices of Between Wools will be Fixed by Valuation of Authorised Merchants. The District Executive Officer will in due course communicate with Farmers, giving them the names of the Authorised Merchants appointed to take up their Wool. Any correspondence on the subject of British Fleece Wool addressed to the War Dept., London, other than through the ollicfIJ of the District Executive Officer, shall be addressed to Director of Army Contracts, Im- perial House, Westminster, S.W.I., clearly specifying on the cover, British Wool Section.

NOTES FROM FRANCE. BY AP PENNAR (Mountain Ash). In one of my letters to the "Leader" I referred to the French as a nation in mourning. The loss in men is not the only loss suffered by France, for the Huns have destroyed no end of property and irreplacable works of art. The destruction of the French churches on the part of the Germans is an act of vandalism that will not be forgotten or forgiven. During the short time I have been in the country I have visited a num- ber of the churches in Northern France, and most of them contain some very magnificent stained glass windows' and other valuable works of art." Iu many cases they represent the work of several centuries, and their destruction in the invaded pro- vinces will be a sad loss to the nation. There is one great difference between a French town or village and a town or village in Wales. One looks in vain' for edifices, representing different sects. There are such buildings in the English quarters of Paris and some other large towns, but in most parts I am told the only church is that of the Roman Cath- olics. Certainly this is the casein the part I am acquainted with. There is also another noticeable fact, and that is that the churches are open throughout the day and every dav. When I visited the Notre Dame at'Havre I noticed several men at their devotions, jand I also found the same at a village church some distance away. There is no set ser- vice, but men and women enter for prayer whenever they feel so inclined. Whether the French as a whole are a religious people I cannot say, but I have been greatly impressed by what I have seen at some of their churches. i Although iri France we are able to obtain the English papers regular- ly, the most popular paper and the most widely circulated is the con- tinental edition of the "Daily Mail." The price of this is ltd., while the London "Daily News" and the London "Daily Chronicle" can also be ob- tained a day after publication for the same price. "John Bull" and the "News of the W orId" are both 2td. per copy. No one at home can have any con- ception of the amount of work en- tailed in supplying the Army at the front. It takes an army to feed the army. This work goes on day after day, and I was very much amused when I read a letter in the "Leader" from a soldier on Vimy Ridge sug- gesting that some of the preachers in Aberdare should inform old Fritz that Sunday is a day of rest. 1 would suggest something better than this, for I do not think old Fritz would take ^jiuch notice of any sug- gestions of the kina. ST.y suggestion is that the preachers should come out here, and do something to help to bring this war to an end. I have seen thousands of Hun prisoners. They are from all' parts of Germany, and many of them resided in England prior to the war. One I met was at Manchester for two years, and another came from the Midlands. They both had an excellent knowledge of English. One thing I have noticed, and that is that most of them have light or fair hair, an a Hun with dark hair is quite an exception. They are also for the most part young men between 18 and 30 years of age. I never see them without thinking of what war means to a defeated nation. Those who talk so much of being as well off under the German as under English rule should try to realise what it means to be in captivity. The Sosition of the Englishman under erman rule would be far worst than was that of the people of Israel under the rule of the Egyptian, and that as bad enough according to that book called the Bible. Your space is so limited at present, owing to the shortage of paper, that I will only refer to one other matter just now. I was under the impression that after the war, if it ever comes to an end, the men 048.t hero would demand more interference by the Government in their work and daily life than ever before. Since then I have had some cause to modify my opinion. Before the end of the war "the men out here will be heartily sick of the Government and Government officials, and a worthy peace will be welcomed by all con- cerned if only because by such a peace they will be able to bid farewell to officialism.

f" Thn Oil Vamiifs FOR FLOORS [ IN 12 NATURAL SHAPES. -j yal! k 1 galh TlhS. 4SK yoi;I> 02 decjiiaij.; FOH J irovo st*ino:.j:um ;>:•?. you get thui. j manufacturer OF BOTH: I 1< IJAlrtSS KUPftfiANi BRISTOL. | sr.f0iO." The Famous BLACK ENAMEL I or 3.cyc.e-, C.te:i, Cz. ai: (;r.1alneni,,1 ironwork. N, TINS CI- CONVENi £ NT SIZES R:tu¡ !:ACH i ii i J

Midwives' Fees. The Medical Officer, dealing with maternity benefits, referred to the visit of a lady inspector under 'the auspices of the L.G.B. He went on to say that there were just a few cases where midwives could not get their fee for attendance. There was no compulsion on a midwife to at- tend a case if she had reason to be- lieve she would not be paid for her work. At present the Guardians stepped in and paid in necessitous cases, hut he would prefer if the Council would take on the responsi- bility. The Council could have half the amount refunded by the L.G.B. The Guardians did not have any money refunded. Mr. Bruce Jones was afraid that if the Council financed such cases, there would be an encouragement to throw the burden on the Council where there was no justification for it. The Council had had a similar experience in connection with the feeding of school-children. Isn't there a chance," added Mr. Jones, "of the Government taking over the control of midwives as they have taken control of almost everything." In reply to Mr. Millar the Clerk said he was not aware that neigh- bouring Councils had taken any action, but the lady inspector was visiting every Council. Mr. Millar said that Mountain Ash was in the area of the Pontypridd Union. If this Council decided to pay the fees, and Pontypridd and Mhondda Councils did not, Mountain Ash would have to pay for their own cases as well as contribute in rates to the fees incurred in those other parishes. Rev. Geo. Neighbour asked if the maternity allowance granted under the Insurance Scheme, was not to meet cases of hardship. He was afraid there was not much prospect of getting a £ o grant instead of 30s. The Chairman remarked that it was in cases where no insurance benefit was available that the need generally arose. Mr. Bruce Jones: Are there any sneli cases? I Clerk: Yes, when the husband is not insured. Mr. Bruce Jones was in favour of writing to the "L.G.B. asking them jPto increase the maternity benefit. He was afraid the Government de- partments were trying to dodge their responsibilities. Mr. W. Miilar moved that neigh- bouring authorities be written to, and chat the Clerk present a report, Mr. Griffith Evans seconded and Mr. Lambu rn supported. ihe motion was adopted.

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of the local authority to provide a hospital for such cases.-Stipendiar That is all nonsense.—Fined 20s.— Mr. A. Pincombe prosecuted for the Council. MOUNTAIN ASH COUNCIL AND STIPENDIARY. Thomas Lewis, Bryngolwg Farm, I near Mountain Ash, was summoned for using an unlicensed slaughter- house situate on the farm grounds. Mr. Gwilym Jones defended.- Harry T. Jones, Sanitary Inspector, spoke to finding a number of .shep skins quite fresh on the premises.— Mr. A. Pincombe prosecuted, and asked the Bench to inflict the maxi- mum penalty of < £ 5.—Stipendiary: This Council is an important body. I have a member sitting on my left, but I cannot allow them to interfere j with my functions by telling me what fines I am to inflict.—Mr. Pin- combe: I am only saying what my instructions are, sir.—Fining Lewis 50s., the Stipendiary said that de- fendant seemed to be amusing bim- self by breaking the law. He had been previously convicted of various offences. The Stipendiary added that he could not allow the Mountain Ash District Council to appoint him as their proxy in the matter of in- flicting fines. GAS OFFICIALS IJEAVILY FINED, George Mayne, manager; Thomas Jones, deputy-manager; Edward Painter, stoker, and William David Isaacs, storekeeper, all officials of the Mountain Ash Council Gasworks at Penrhiwceiber, were summoned for a breach of the Order of the Secre- tary of State in respect of lights at the Penrhiwceiber Gasworks.—Police- Superintendent E. Rees explained that public works were entitled to exemption, but must keep a com- petent man at the telephone. Mayne applied for exemption, and was granted one. The police made two tests, but failed.—P.S. John stated that on Saturday, June 2nd, at 11.55 p.m. he received a telephone message from P.C. Bird, Aberdare, that No. 6 Gasworks, Penrhiwceiber, had failed to answer a test call at 11.50. Wit- ness went there, and saw Painter, who was in charge. When asked if he had received any test calls he re- plied "No." On examining the phone witness found a piece of lead piping resting on the extension indi-, cator, thus preventing it from dropping. Witness then rang up the P.O., and spoke to Mrs. Lewis, who gave a ring all right. When the lead was on, the phone would not ring. On Sunday he went to see Thomas .Jones at 10 Morgan Street, Miskin, ¡ and he replied that the lead piping was used for the purpose of prevent- ing the extension bell-ringing. When witness saw Isaacs at 38 Arnold Street, he replied that he had used the 'phone at four o'clock on Satur- day afternoon to speak to someone at Maesteg. He took the lead off, and when he had finished replaced it. He said, "I am sorry. I expect there will be a bother about it." Witness, continuing, said there were three very big lights flaring at the works when he paid his visit. II Charlotte Lewis, P.O., Penrhiw- ceiber, and Telephone Inspector Lewis Jones, 42 Dean Street, Aber- dare, also gave evidence. Superintendent Rees: The manager Mayne signed the exemption form, i aiicl I have given him two previou; warnings, but he treats the wliol thing with absolute contempt. •' Stipendiary: The defendants Isaacs and Painter are not holding respon- sible positions, and the summonse against them will be dismissed. With regard to George Mayne and Thomas Jones, the evidence shows that the order has not been complied with, and they will be fined i:5 each.