Glamorgan Free Press

Miners' Organisation, A meeting of the miners of the Gelli, Ton, I'.wHfa, and Bodringallt Collieries, was held on Wednesday at the Ton Schools, under the pre- sidency of Mr D. Thomas, checkweigher, Thero was a crowded attendance. In opening the meeting the Chairman said that the meeting was of great importance to the miners of the locality who were now working under a new dispensa- tion. The Rhondda miners would presently have ai opportunity of changing their representatives on the sliding-scale committee, if they desired to da so, but, whoever was elected, it was the duty of the workmen to be faithful to them. Councillor Isaac, in the course of his remarks, said that the miners of South Wales had re- ceived the financial support of almost all Trades Unionists in the country. As had been said by Mabon to the employers, it was impossible to have a permanent agreement betewen men and masters unless it was a just one. They hoped that at the next struggle the men would be in a better position to meet the masters, Now that the strike was over, they should bury the hatchet. The men had not been thoroughly beaten. What was offered when the men came out was less than what they eventually had been fible to obtain. He was confident that all that could be done for the welfare of the miners in the last struggle had been done by the leaders. It was very probable that the miners would en- tertain different opinions as to the basis of the next Union to be established. He had no ob- jection to join the Miners' Federation of Great Britain. If a large section of the miners, say 15.000 or 20,000, joined together, he believed thf- Federation of Great Britain would accept them, and become affiliated on the ground that the remainder of the men would join afterwards. He would very much like to see the Cambrian Association of Miners take the lead ;n South Wales in this matter. The men should be in one body to join it. If they endeavoured and mede every effort to obtain a living wage be did not think the federation of Great Britain woald refuse them. The men had not yet succeeded in getting a living wage, but the thin end of the wedge had been put in, and it was their duty now to drive the thin end further, imtil they secured the actual thing. Although the Com- pensation Act had been given them by the Tory party he believed in the principle of it, and did not believe in contracting out. At the same time he would strongly advise tnem to retain their membership with the permanent fund, and ask the- employers to help them to collect the contri- butions for it. Mr W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., called to address the meeting, said a great many fatdts were found with the leaders, especially with regard to one part of the agreement arrived at after the last struggle between employers and employed. Taking the position he bad to take and the knowledge he had of the situation at the time, they were forced to call mpon the men at the last conference, and he had done nothing tfiat he wished to apologise for, and he was not going to make an apology for anything he had done. He did not know that the true state of things had been placed before the men at 811 times as to how the business had been done at the Cardiff conferences. He found that great unanimity prevailed among the men in the opin- ion that everything that could be done was done with that part of the agreement which regula- ted the monetary portion of it, and he was very glad of the opportunity of coming face to face with the men, so that they could speak over these questions. Referring to the contract books, Mabon said that at some collieries the men had signed Contract Book No. 2 against the advice of the provisional committee. After signing the book they were given a circular which entitled them to have their lamps; it was a lamp cer- tificate. The contents of the circular was that the men allowed the employers to deduct every- thing to their (employers') own interest, and nothing but the checkweil-, hers' wages—and that was optional—-to the men's interests. Had the men waited a day or so longer the employers would have allowed them to sign the old con- tract book, and the only remedy now would be to give a month's notice that. no deductions what- ever be made at the colliery office. This could be done without the loss of a day's work. With regard to the refusal of employers to re-insileto old workmen, this was a revengeful act on the part of the employers. He would suggest that the money in the funds of the central fund- which would amount to Is per man-should all b:! given to these old workmen. There was also a third contracting-book, and if any of the men had signed that, what they had done was to sign away their birthright under the Compensa- tion Act. Dealing with oanísation among the men, be said that if they were goiijg to fight they would have to organise upon pure Trade Union lines and principles—and to com- mence at home. It was said that they could not join the Federation because of the sliding- scale, but the age of the siliding-scale was but four years, and that was not much to organise.

Rkondda County School, Porth RESULT OF SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION. The following are the winners of scholarships, in order of merit, the name of the elementary school at which they were taught being inserted in each case: — GIRLS.—Ethel G. Davidson, Ferndale; Esther Davies, Trealaw; Edith Lewis and Ada L. Evans, Ferndale; Ann Davies, Trealaw; Agnes Waite, Trealaw; Gertie Scott, Pentre; H Lizzie Walters, Ferndale; Gladys Hughes, Trealaw; Mary A. Jones, Ystrad Higher Grade: Ceridwen Evans, Pentre; Elizabeth A Martin, Trealaw.. Proxime: Lily Godfrey, Ferndale BOYS.—William Henry Stevenson, Ferndale, Walter M. Thomas, Ferndale; Albert Boobier, Ystrad Higher Gra,de; Wm. Bowen, Pentre; David Powell, Ferndale; James F. Wood, Cymmer; Watkin T. Rees, Femdale; Edgar Evans, Yscrad Higher Grade; F. J. Richards, Ystrad Higher Grade; Edward Jones, Fern- dale; Tom Phillips, Ferndale; Albert Sheppard, Ystrad Higher Grade; Ivor Edwards, Cymmer; Evan D. Williams, iWndale; Theophilus Good- win, Clydach Vale; Wm. Frank Thomas, Fern- dale. Proxime: John Williams, Tylorstown Morris Thomas, Wattstowa; and E. Marsden Lloyd, Ystrad. OPEN SCHOLARSHIPS. GIRLS.-Alice Cuie, Mary S. Rees, Jane James, and Katie Jor.es. BOYS — R. E. Michaei. W. T. Parry, E. J. Rowlands. Sydney Jones, Tom L. Evans, and Dan L. Evans. Proxime: Raddie Griffith., and John A. Perry.

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f What is our religion? BY LADY COOK, nee TENNESSEE C. CLAFLIN. We have a patriotic pride in many things. We are proud of our freedom, our Magna Charta, our laws, manufactures, commerce, and national wealth. But above all we are proud of our religion. We contribute handsomely to its sup- port at home, and spend our millions and our missionaries in propagating it abroad. We con- trast it with other religions, and always to their disadvantage. We say the Christian religion is the only true one, and Protestantism is its purest form. We are Protestants, therefore ours is the right religion. Ministers of all our two or three hundred sects, from archbishops to dissenting local preachers, hold it up as a panacea for the world's evil. "Build us,' 'they cry, "more churches and chapels, endow more livings, give more liberally to the Cause, pay tithes of all ye possess, and then God's will will be done on earth as it is in heaven." All this may be quite true. It is not for us to dogmatise. We have no authority for this; but we claim the right of free inquiry and of observation. Let us see what religion means, and what ours really is. Religion comes from the Latin "religio," and this is upposed to have been derived from "re- ligando." It expressed emphatically the recip- rocal bond, or obligation, of man to man. This Undoubtedly was its primary meaning, but when men had subsequently invented gods, it also expressed their obligation or duty to those divini- ties. Later still it was applied in the same way by Christians to their Deity. The Romans also used their word "pius" in a very different sense from ours. "Pius" meant dutiful, especially to parents or superiors; bearing tender affection and natural love to one's country and relations; just, loving, kind-hearted, good-natured. The highest quality awarded to the dead on their oldest inscriptions-and it frequently occurs- is "pientissimus"—very pious. But when wealth and luxury sapped their pristine virtue, and vice was added to vice: when a generous hospitality gave way to selfishness; when each fought mercilessly for his own aggrandisement, and had no compassion for his struggling brother; when heirs became impatient for their fathers' death, or discounted their reversions; when reverence was mocked and duty slighted, all thoughtful Romans grieved the loss of piety, and foresaw tho doom which shattered their beloved country. The religion of Christ, which we profess, was a creedless one. The Great Founder laid down no formulas, prescribed no churches, wrote no book, desired no ceremonies. He was an itin- erant lay preacher, neither Himself a priest nor a promoter of priesthood. Ecclesiastical caste was to Him an abomination. He poured His sarcasms and His bitterest scorn on the class' who laid heavy huiflens on other men which they themselves refused to touch with one of their fingers. He restored the old meaning of religion, that word which we owe to the Romans, but its sentiment to humanity: Do unto others as ye would that others should do unto you." 'There is none other commandment greater than these," He said, and they are alike—"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength," and "Thou shalt love thy neigh- bour as thyself." Hating long prayers, He gave, by way of example, a ntIe one which was suitable for all mankind, whom its first b\ () words knit into a universal brotherhood- 't jr Father." To one who had great posse?V"ns,pnd who had kept the commandments of Mo jp* from his youth, He said, "One thing thou laciest. go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven." The Christian religion, then, is tie bond of brotherhood which binds man to man in Christ- like forgiveness and loving-kindness. It de- mands no ceremonies, no consecrated buildings with long-drawn aisles and fretted roofs, no white-robed' hierophants or black-stoled priests, no incense, sacrifices, nor courtly music, nc stereotyped prayers nor formal faith. The sunny hillside or a shady garden, an !nner room or the open street, palace or dungeon, wherever two or three of His disciples are gathered to- gether, there is a Christian church. Its breviary is the human heart; its sole doctrine, spon- taneous love of all God's creatures, and ameliora- tion of sorrow, suffering, and ignorance wher- ever we meet them I this our religion? Are we Christians? Are the solemn mummeries which so riany millions of us go through in set places, at set times in the week, the exerise of true religion? Do we worship our Maker with our hearts or with our lips? And do we believe that all approach to Him is a mockery unless we have first fcrgiven everyonhat has trespassed against us? So far from being Christians, are we even Protestants? Hava we not renounced one In- fallibility for another? And what does it mat- ter whether we call it Pope or Creed, whether it be a book written by man or a man who may write a book, if we set up for ouselves an in- flexible standard by which every mind must be measured under pain of anathema? The bed of the robber Procrustes was an innocent device tj this diabolical engine of mental and social proscription. Could the Son of Mary come among us to-day and resume His earthly work where He left off, we should consign Him to the workhouse or the vagrant ward, or worse. He would be surprised to learn that we are His followers, calling our- selves by His name, affecting to follow His pre- cepts. Surely He would disavow us. Possibly He would say, as of old, "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." That old Syrian demon of riches is un- doubtedly he whom we serve. We are proud of our god. We sacrifice to Him all that is best and dearest. If anyone abstain, he is counted a fool. We give to this Mammon our energies, our hearts, our very lives. Go through our fac- tories, our workshops, and mines. Se men, wemen, and children toiling in every form,early and late. Note their worn, drawn faces, and deformed figures. They are working honestly for a pittance, for bread, but who sets them on? Who sweats them, racks them, crushes them, so that they are always hovering between want and despair? Mammon. Greedy capitalists, large and small-and so many are greedye- mands great gains. And to satisfy this demand, even our young girls have to wear out their youth in over-exertion Consideration is seldom shown. Our workers have not only to compete with each other, but all Europe is permitted to cast its paupers and refuse population on our shores ,to the further impoverishment of our own poor. But if vulgar laymen, intent on becoming speedily rich, adore Mammon, surely our Church, our Protestant Christian Church, exer- cises him from her midst. Does she? Are not fat livings schemed and bargained for as dili- ^sTitly as the proverbial "plum?" Is not rank simony practised, and the "cure of souls" bought ar.d sold like any commodity in market ov"LD Vr.d what would the meek and lowly Jesus say if He saw His professed successors dressed in I purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every c.aj, and rolling in gay chariots to magnificent temples, abounding :n luxury and weath—and not a Lazarus present? This demon has made the civilised world in its outer aspects one great gambling-hell, where tho lives of simple workers are the counters. The honest labourers of Europe toil that twelve million armed men may keep the rest in awe. For all luxuries, whether of war, of religion, fashion, or any other forms of national or in- dividual indulgence, are enjoyed chiefly at the expense of others. All superfluities are the re- sult of labour, and represent the difference be- tween the valme of what has been produced and the cost of sustenance while producing. Fifteen and 20 per cent. do not grow of themselves, and if one man is idle, another or more must work to feed him. The problem we set ourselves is not how much we can give the worker who serves us well and truly, but for how little can we ob- tain his labour. This is commercial skill. We estimate his worth by his necessities. Flesh and blood are cheap. Intelligence and art are common. Money is lord of all. The dollar is almighty. This is our national religion. We can it Free Trade, Open Competition, the Law of Supply and Demand. These are sounding titles, beloved of political economists. But under this system millions become poorer that a few may become richer. Dives and Lazarus represent the social cleavage which widens and yawns deeper with every passing year. And the end? There is no lawful reason why Capital and Labour should war upon each other. Neither can exist alone. They are wedded by an eternal necessity. But it is requisite, if they would not be divorced, that the ministers of each should be governed by mutual generosity and forbear- ance; that neither should endeavur to take an unfair advantage of the other; that they should act as close and indispensable friends rather than as unnatural enemies. If Labour demands generous treatment from Capital, it should be prepared to render loyal earnest, and ungrudg- ing service in return. Religion should be ban- ished neither from the workshop nor the count- ing-house. Mammon invades even the sanctity of our homes. We sell our daughters to the highest bidder. A suitor in marriage, no matter how estimable he may be, has little chance, if poor, against an unworthy but wealthy competitor. "The world is so exacting," all reply by way of excuse. In the higher ranks marriages are daily announced as having been "arranged." In this insensate race for wealth, or the appearance of wealth, we pursue the shadow and lose the sub- stance. We sacrifice our noblest instincts. We grovel where we should rise. And we prepare for ourselves a dread day of reckoning. If this indictment" be just, our religion is no religion, but sordid idolatry. If we scorn the bond of man to man-and man to woman-it would be profanity to call our madness religion. If we forget our God, our God will also forget us. "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them." This is re- ligion. There is none else. If this is not our rule of life, we may be assured that no gloss or flattering interpretation can make us Christians.

Assaulting a Llantrisant Publican. At the Llantrisant Police Court on Friday- before Mr Evan John and Mr Samuel Evans— John Cantwell, collier, Llantrisant, was sum- moned r assaulting William Morgan, landlord of the Talbot Arms, Llantrisant, on the 12th inst. Complainant stated that the defendant came to his house on the day in question and created a disturbance. Witness requested him to desist, and Cantwell replied he would not for him .or anyone else. He was then turned out, and in doing so defendant deliberately struck him in the face. Morgan Morgan and David Herbert corrobora- ted. Edward Regan gave evidence for the defence, but replying to one of the magistrates admitted that Cantwell struck Morgan.. Cantwell said he would have gone out if the landlord had allowed him to drink his half-pint. Mr Evan John said it was a very serious offence and the landlord must be protected. He would be fined 40s, or 14 days.

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Excessive Eatiqg ad Drinking, We all eat too much fleah food and drink too much tea. The former militates against working energy, and the tannic acid and other deleterious pro- perties to be found in tea lower the spirits and injure the health. The body, in fact, is a work- ing engine, and as such it must be treated. The waste of tissue which daily goes on can only be replaced by the proper assimilation of food. It cannot be done with medicine. Science, however, has arain come to the res- cue, and it cannot be too widely known that tone and vigour can be promoted, and the rosy cheeks natural to health restored by the vitalis- ing and restorative properties of a most valuable discovery. The evidence of medical men and the public is conclusive on ttua point. It proves that Dr Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa as a Food Beverage possesses nutriment, restorative, and vitalising properties, which have hitherto been non-existent. It aids the digestive powers, and is invaluable to tired men and delicate women and children. It has the refreshing properties of fine tea, the nourishment of the best cocoas, and a tonic and recuperative force possessed by neither, and can be used in all cases where tea and coffee are prohibited. It is not a medicine, but a unique and won- derful food beverage. Dr Tibbles Yi-Cocoa is made up in 6d. packets and 9d. and Is 6d. tins. It can be obtained from all Grocers, Chemists, and Stores, or from 60, 61, C2, Bunrnii Row, E.C. j

HIGHWAYMEN IN THE CAUCASUS. COURTEOUS TREATMENT OF LADIES The Tifiia journals are warning tourists against travelling in the Caucasus, and especially in the Trans-Caucasus, without an armed escort. On August 26th nine highwaymen held possession of the small ravine Gasluch, in the neighbourhood of Adshikend. The leader Of this band was a Tartar, Rabi Nadshas-Ogly, and from five o'clock in the afternoon until half-past seven the robbers "held up" every carriage and vehicle that went along that narrow defile, and quietly took from the occupants money and valuables. Five members of the band, armed with revolvers and long daggers and clad in the costume of the Khirgese, were told off to examine the unfortunate travellers. They were very courteous to the ladies, and examined the men only. The leader was especially courteous, and took especial pains to see that the ladies were not robbed; in fact, he even went so far as to restore to several husbands their valuables on the entreaties of their wives. During the two hours and a half the robbers got possession of 2,000 roubles and a great quantity of valuable objects, for in that time they had stopped a dozen vehicles of different kinds and had plundered nearly fifty people. The Caucasus Journal expresses astonishment at the COWARDICE OF TIDI VICTIMS, among whom there were many strong men, who had revolvers and other weapons with them. A coachman was the only one ;who wished to offer resistance, but he alone could not do much, and he was pulled off his box-seat and soundly cudgelled. As the assistant of a chief of police drove up with his wife and child and learnt what was going on, he seized his revolver and wished to fire at the robbers. He was at once stopped by cries of: "Don't shoot, for Heaven's sake; you will hit some of the women and children," and a man rushed forward and snatching the weapon from the assistant's hand, hid it, so that the robbers might not see that he had intended to fire upon them. None of the vehicles "held up" by the robber were allowed to proceed on their way. At last, a lady, travelling in a carriage with her husband and two little children, grew tired of the long delay, and approached the chief of the robbers with a prayer that he would let them continue their journey. The latter drew his watch from his pocket, and replied; "Wait, please, for another fifteen minutes by that time I expect two more carriages; we will just look over them, and then we will let you all go on your various ways." In a few minutes the carriages appeared, and, after they had been OVERHAULED BY THE HIGHWAYMEN, the chief said to his victims: "Now you are all free, and can continue your journeys; but first of all we will make our escape." They quickly mounted their horses and at once disappeared. On arriving at Adshikend the travellers laid the:matter before the police. The military chief of the district set out immediately with some mounted policemen, an officer, and a troop of Cossacks, and a similar party set out from Helenendorf in search of the band of robbers. The pursuing party came up with the C band, and the leader was killed hi the parish of Akstafa. At the same time the famous robber Chetscho Yevinov was killed in/his own house. The latter was the murderer of Prince Abashidse, and had become a brigand after that act. One Cossack was shot in the leg in the affray. Most of the articles taken from the travellers in the Guslach ravine were found on the robbers that were killed.

AN EXTRAORDINARY BALLOON ASCENT. The balloon ascent that took place from the Crystal Palace last week was of far greater importance than are those usually included in the Palace programme, merely for the benefit of sight-seers. It was an important scientific ex- periment, for the purposes of which one of the principal actors, Dr. Berson, had come all the way from Berlin. The other of the adventurous pair, Mr. Stanley Spencer, of the well-known firm of aeronautic experts, Messrs. C. Green Spencer and Sons, gave an interesting account of the trip. The object of the undertaking, he explained, was to enable Dr. Berson to take various obser- vations for the purpose of comparing them with similar ones to be taken at a simultaneous ascent in Berlin. Other ascents have been arranged in St. Petersburg and Moscow, but it is by no means certain that these have been carried out. "The balloon we used," Mr. Spencer said, "had a capacity of 56,000 cubic feet, but we only filled it with pure hydrogen gas-to the extent of 40,000 cubic feet-for, of course, as the balloon ascends and gets into a rarer atmosphere the gas expands. The result proved that this quantity was quite sufficient, for almost as soon as we started, we rose to a height of 18,000ft., and at that altitude the expansion had taken place to such an extent that the balloon was quite full. When another couple of thousand feet had been covered the rate of ascending began to slacken, so I-for, of course,- while Dr. Berson was attending to his instru- ments, I had control of the balloon-threw out some ballast. That enabled us to rise to 23, 000ft., and then we had below us a magnificent view. At 23,000ft. I threw out more ballast, and we rose to 25,000ft., and there the condition of the atmosphere began to tell upon us. We felt, both of us, half dead, and had the UTMOST DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING. We looked at each other, and I saw that the professor was absolutely livid, and was gasping. I suppose I looked the same, for the only thing he said was loxy en.' We had a large cylinder of compressed oxygen gas strapped to one side of the car, and from it two rubber tubes, each terminating in a face mask. We each took one of these masks and breathed the pure oxygen. gave us new life—it was a most delightful experience. After this we were able to ascend still higher, and eventually we got to a height of 27,500ft. At that height enough bad been accomplished, so we set about the work of coming down. We descended slowly and steadily to a height of 25,000ft., but then the speed increased, and the balloon began to rush through the air, covering the next 1,000ft. in from fifteen to twenty seconds. To stop this I threw out more ballast, but we were dropping through the air at such a rate that we left the sand far behind, and it APPEARED TO DROP UPWARDS instead of dropping down. At about 10,000ft. from the earth's surface we came into a warmer current. This caused the balloon to take almost the form of a parachute, the hotter gas rising to the top, and so stopped the rapidity of our descent. Then we heard the sand that we had previously 4 dropped pattering upon the top of the balloon like a storm of hail, and from that altitude we descended steadily, and ultimately reached terra-firma at Cranham, near Upminister Station, at 3.55 p. m.-only an hour and a-half after our start." With regard to the result of the experiments, Mr. Spencer was pledged to say nothing. "The instruments were all sealed." he added. "They hung from the net and filled the car and made the whole concern look like a huge infernal machine. Some of them were buzzing all the time, others h d revolving fans attached to them to keep a constant currrent of air in circulation around them. They were very numerous, and readings of all ports were taken. But at present I can say nothing about the readings, except that at our highest point- 27.500 feet- the thermometer shewed minus 29deg. Fahrenheit, or 61deg. of frost." And at the same time it was some 142DEO. HOTTER IN LONDON DOWN BELOW! Dr. Bersen started back for Berlin on Saturday morning with his instruments, all of them still sealed; and the result of his trip will be worked out there at the university and compared with such results s may have been obtained in any of the simultaneous ascents that have taken place; and in a week or ten days time we may expect to learn what conclusions have been arrived at. But meantime it is interesting to note that only one balloon ascent claims a better record—Messrs. C'xwell and Glaisher's ascent arrived at. But meantime it is interesting to note that only one balloon ascent claims a better record—Messrs. C'xwell and Glaisher's ascent of 29,000 feet in 1652-and Mr. Stanley Spencer is inclined to doubt the authenticity of that record, "for," be said, "we were nearly dead at 27,500 feet." THE TEMPEBATUKE OF BIGII ALTrrrni;s. Replying to a question as to the t" uperature of the atmosphere at 27,500ft., M. Spencer replied: "The lowest point was 2SUeg. Fahr. below zero, that is to say. 61iieg. below freezing point." "How did you feel ?" "We felt very limp and weak; we shivered and trembled, although we had wrapped ourselves in lots of flannel and other warm clothing—the cold was positively shocking. All the metallic ballast-bag hooks, the steel tubes of compressed oxygen, and the other metal substances of the car were thoroughly coated over with ice. The rky was of a most intense blue and the sun was so da'/zling in its brjjfUlress that we dared not look

A DRUNKEN MOTHER. SHOCKING DISCLOSURES AT TAFF'S WELL. Elizabeth Webb (32), living at Taff's Well,was summoned at the instance of the S.P.C.C. at Llandaff Police Court on Monday for neglecting her children—Emily, aged six years, and Eliza- beth, aged nine months—in such a manner as to prejudice their health and cause unnecessary suffering. Mr Albert Parsons (instructed by Mr T. H. Belcher) appeared on behalf of the society Inspector New said defendant's husband was a respectable man, earning about 30s a week, but defendant was much given to drinking habits, which accounted for the neglected state of the children. He had visited defendant's house three times during this month, and on each occasion found a filthy state of things. Emily was totally blind, miserably clad, and like her little siiter covered with vermin. The feeding bottle, out of which Elizabeth was fed, was in a filflSy condition. The bedroom, as well as the cupboards, were exceedingly foul, while the cot of the younger child stank. Both children were fairly well nourished. Sergeant Nott spoke to a similar state of filth and misery, whick existed as far back as Feb- ruary. Dr Risely, who had attended the children from time to time, said they were badly neg- lected, and their surroundings were prejudicial to their health. The cot of the younger child was covered with maggots. Similar evidence having been given by a neighbour, the Bench sentenced prisoner to 14 days' imprisonment.

THE TONYPANDY FAMILY AFFRAY. INQUEST AND VERDICT. On Friday afternoon at the Cross Keys Hotel, Tonypandy, Mr R. J. Rhys, coroner, held an inquiry touching the death of James Blake, 119, Primrose street, Tonypandy, It was shown by the evidence that deceased came home in a drunken state, asked his wife for more money to get drink, and upon being told she had none he threw a plate at her. He then caught hold of a knife and was rushing towards her, when her son struck him with a poker, causing a wound on his head. The jury returned a verdict "That deceased died from congestion of the brain, due to the formation of an abscess, as the result of a blow delivered with a poker on the 26th of July," but added that "the blow was justifiable under the circumstances." The Coroner: I quite agree with you; I would have done the same thing myself.

Local Religious Life. Opening of a lfew Cliurcl) at Abercynon. The Church people of Abercynon, who have hitherto worshipped in Park Hotel, have now been provided with a prettily situated church, known as St. DonaPs, in the ecclesiastical parish of hlanwonno. The site, which was presented by the late Dr Carne, is situate at the base of a lovely-wooded mountainous slope. The sacred building was opened for divine service on Fri- day, the 16th, the auspicious event being regar- ded with considerable interest by all sections of the inhabitants who have at heart the extension of the work of religious progress. The first services on Friday took place at eight o'clock, when there was a celebration of Holy Commu- nion. At 11.30 there was a service, at which the ceremony of dedication was solemnly conduc- ted by the Bishop of Llandaff in the presence of a very large congregation. His lordship was supported by a strong assemblage of the clergy, the Rev J. P. Hughes, vicar of Llantrisant, who preached the sermon; the Rev Gomer Davies, the curate-in-charge of the church; the Rev Canon Johnson, Aberdare; the Rev D. Leigh, and the Rev D. E. Jacob, LLanfabon; the Rev T Jesse Jones, Gelligaer; the Rev J. P. Mor- gan, Bugeildy; the Rev R. David, Treharris: the Rev D. J. Evans, Hopkinstown; the Rev J. Jones-Cadarn, Cilynyod; the Rev S. Jones, YnyshJr; the Rev J. James, Ynysybwl; the Rev W. Jones, Trelewis; the Rev J. Thomas, Pontypridd; and the Rev W. Jones, Cwm, Ebbw Vaie. In the afternoon, at three, the Litany was solemmised, the Rev J. P. Griffiths, vicar of Pontypridd, being the preacher, and at seven there was evensong, the Rev W. Lewis, R.D., vicar of Ystradyfodwg, occupying the pul- pit. At all the services collections were made in aid of the building fund, and a satisfactory sum was realised. After the morning service the bishop was en- tertained to luncheon in the long room of the Park Hotel, and in the course of a short speech he asked the guests to extend their sympathy to the Rev Ll. Lloyd Davies, vicar of Llan- wonno, in the affliction he had sustained by the death of his brother, the Vicar of Llan- llawddog. Speaking of the teeming populations which sprang up in places where collieries were' developed, his lordship said that to Church people it was a matter of serious consideration how they were to find tfie means of meeting their spiritual needs, anct expressed regret that in this connexion they were not helped to the extent they ought to be by the colliery proprie- tors. The building affords accommodation for 500 adults, and comprises a. fine chancel, nave, south aisle, and western gallery, The latter is sup- ported by a brick arcade. The church is lined throughout internally with red Cattybrook bricks. The substantial open timber roof is of pitch-pine, feft free from stain or varnish. The external dressings are of red Cattybrook bricks, with the exception of the east and west windows and buttress weatherings, which are of hard Doulting stone. Owing to the building site being at the side of a hill, there is a considerable space under the nave floor, which will ultimately be utilised for the purpose of a parish-room. The building is, we may say, the most substantially built church in the neighbourhood, and, though plain in every respect, ft possesses great artistic merit. We understand the church fulfils the requirements of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for a consecrated building, and has cost about B5 per sitting, inclusive of Boundary fences, kerbing, and channelling in the new road. The architect is Mr G. E. Halliday, F.R.I.B.A.. diocesan surveyor, and the contractor is Mr Games, of Abercynon.

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Porth. THURSDAY.—Before Dr H. N. Davies, Dr Ivor A. Lewis, Mr P. Gowan, Mr David Thomas. George Morgan, described as a gentleman of Porth, was summoned for assaulting Mrs Eliza- beth Thomas, Porth, on the 8th inst. There was also a cross-summons. Mr D. R. Rosser, Pontypridd, appeared for Morgan. The evi- dence given by the complainant was to the effect that the defendant went to her house, of which he was the owner, and after some conversation of a more or less quarrelsome nature, struck her. Defendant stated that Mrs Thomas had first struck him several times. He made his way to the door, and as the complainant attempted to stop him he gave her two blows. Both cases were dismissed. Mary Ann Davies, 44, Brewery street, Ponty- gwaith, applied for an affiliation order against George Evans, Pontygwaith. Mr D. Roberts- Rosser, Pontypridd, appeared for the complain- ant, and the defendant, who did not appear, was ordered to pay 3s a week and costs. David Beynon Hodges, William H. Dalley, and William Williams, door-boys, Porth, were charged with stealing a bottle of sweets from Mrs Mary Ann Williams, Porth, on the 9th inst. They were ordered to receive 12 strokes of the birch each. Rachel Jones, a married woman, of Cymmer, was summoned by Mary Llewellyn, Cymmer, for threats, and was bound over to keep the peace and ordered to pay the costs, 12s. William Cole, butcher, Porth, was charged with assaulting a railway porter, named Daniel Jones, Porth, on the 29th August. Mr D. Ro- berts-Rosser, solicitor, Pontypridd, appeared on behalf of the railyway company. Complainant said that on the day in question the defendant left a box in the cloakroom at Porth station, and the following morning he went to fetch it. Going inside the counter the defendant pro- ceeded to take the box, but Jones, who was in charge, asked him for the cloakroom fee of twopence. Defendant then made use of abusive language, and when Jones told him he could not have the box without paying the fee, defendant struck him on the nose, which bled profusely, and hIs eyes became swollen. He was also knocked down. Corroborative evidence was given, and the defendant apologised for his con- duct. Inasmuch as Cole had also previously apologised the company did not wish to press the charge, and defendant was ordered to pay the costs.

Llantrisant. FRIDAY.—Before Mr Evan John and Mr Sam Evans. William MJtchiell, [haulier, Pontyclun, was summoned for driving without reins on the 12th inst. P.C. 355 stated that the defendant was riding on a wagon drawn by three horses, and on the leading pair there were no reins. A fine of 2s 6d was imposed. Henry lies, 6. Cross Road, Bryn Sadler, em- ployed by the Great Western Railway Company, was summoned by Mary Harry, Pontyclun, to shew cause, etc. Mr T. J. Hughes, solicitor, Bridgend, appeared for the defendant. Com- plainant stated that the defendant was the father of ner female child, born on the 26th April. She had been keeping company with the defendant for two years, but in August last year he left her and she had not seen him since. Defendant was in the habit of going to her parents' house to visit her. Several witnesses were called, but the case was dismissed for want of corroborative evidence. Frederick Osborn, labourer, Llantrisant, was summoned by his wife, Elizabeth Osborne, for assault. Complaint now said sh6 did not wish to press the charge, but when asked by the Bench what was the offence complained of, she said her husband struck her in the eye on the 16th August. Defendant admitted the offence, but stated he was sorry for it afterwards, and lie was now bound over to keep the peace and pay the costs. Two brothers named Thomas and bbadiah Williams, labourers, Llantrisant, were charged with assaulting Margaret Bowen, Llantrisant, on the 3rd inst. Complainant said that while she and her husband were going home about 11 p.m. the defendants came and pulled some wire which her husband was carrying from under his arm. Thomas Williams struck her on the side of the face, and Obadiah gave her a blow in the mouth, which knocked four of her teeth out She cried that her teeth were out, and whilst doing so the defendant Obadiah again knocked two more out. Evidence was given by William Bowen, husband of the last witness, to the effect that Thomas Wliliams assaulted him, and had him on the ground at the same time he saw Obadiah knock his wife's teeth out. Morris Cantwell and Thomas Ashcroft deposed as to the assault upon William Bowen, but neither saw. Mrs Bowen struck. David Evans, Richard Rees, Nicholas Cantwell, and Margaret Wil- liams gave evidence for the defence. None of them saw Mrs Bowen struck, although Cantwell stated that he heard her cry out that her teeth were knocked out, and he saw blood flowing from her mouth. The case was dismissed for want of corroborative evidence. Edward Jenkins, labourer, Llantrisant, was summoned by Nicholas Cantwell, collier, Llan- trisant, for assault. There was a cross-sum- mons. Cantwell said that he went to Jenkins' house and asked him what he had been saying about him. Jenkins replied, "T will fight you or any youngster in the town." Witness re- torted, "Alright; what about to-morrow morn- ing?" Defendant's wife then came out and asked witness not to make a "row," as she was ill. Witness told her, "Alright, Bessie, for your sake I'll give in." Jenkins then hit him under the lip, taking the skin off, and a scuue fol- lowed, In which witness was knocked over the garden wall, and defendant ran into the house. Witness got up and asked him to come out, and broke two of the window panes, which he had since replaced at his expense. "Then," stated Cantwell, "he came out and jumped on me and punched me, and after a bit he kicked me under the ear, kicking me senseless." Cantwell's story was substantiated by Thomas Ashcroft and Mrs I Ashcroft. Evidence was given for the defence that Cantwell had been at Jenkins' door some time previously stripped to the waist, apparent- ly ready for a fight, and according to Jenkins' statement the first blow was struck by Cantwell. Defendant denied giving him a kick. The case e was dismissed, and the Bench advised Jenkins to withdraw the cross-summons, which he did. Miss Emma Treharne, Pontypridd, was sum- moned for riding a bicycle without a light at 9 o'clock on the night of the 6th inst. P.C. Lucas proved the case, and added that Miss Tre- hame had refused to stop when requested. Mr Edgar Treharne attended the Court, and ex- plained that Miss Treharne's lamp had gone wren: Her two companions had lights, and one rode in front and the other behind her. A fine of 5s was inflicted. An ejectment order was applied for by Mrs Thomas, Pentyrch, against the Rev Mr Jenkins, Pentyrch. A solicitor from the office of Mr D. E. Davies, Cardiff, appeared for Mrs Thomas and Mr D. Roberts-Rosser, Pontypridd, repre- sented the Rev Mr Jenkins. Notice was given the defendant to quit on the 26th April, and a little time later notice was given that double rent would be charged. Inasmuch as the first notice was caoeclled by the second saying that double rent would be charged, the case was dismissed.

Ystrad. MONDAY.-Before Messrs D. W. Davies, J. D. Williams, M.F.H., E. H. Davies, and Rhys Griffiths. Mrs Flom Thomas, Pentre, was summoned by a little girl named Esther Griffiths, Pentre, for assault, and was ordered to pay 5s towards the costs. The Cambrian Collieries Company, Limited, were summoned, at the instance of the Rhwndda. District Council for non-abatement of nuisances on their property, situated at 52 to 54, Morton Terrace, and 30, Marion street, Clydach Vale. Mr W. P. Nicholas, solicitor (of the firm of Mor- gan, Bruce, and Nicholas, Pontypridd), ap- peared for the council. Defendants were not represented, and did not make an appearance. D: Jones, medical officer of health under the council, said that on the 24th of May last he visited the premises and found them in a dilapi- dated condition. The walls of the back premises were partly down and the roof was in a very bad state, many of the tiles being off. A few days after his visit he wrote to the defendants calling their attention to the state of the pre- mises. In August last witness again visited the premises, and found them in the same condition. On the last day in August a notice was served on the defendants requesting them to abate the nuisance. The work was done by the specified time, and a summons was issued on the 8th inst. Since that date the defendants had done the work, and the nuisance had abated.—Mr W. P. Nicholas now asked their worships to make an order for costs.—The magistrates granted the order. John Atkins, a prominent member of the Llwynypia Football Club, was summoned by Ann Davies, of Llwynypia, to show cause, etc. Mr D. W. Jones, solicitor, Pentre, appeared for the complainant, and Mr J. Phillips, solicitor, Pontypridd, defended. Miss Davies said she gave birth to a child on the 26th July, of which the. defendant was the father. This was the third child she Had given birth to, and the de- fendant was the father of the three. An order of 2s 6d per week and costs was made. William Leyshon, collier, Treharris, was sum- moned by Sarah Jane Thomas, Trealaw, to shew cause, etc., and was ordered to pay 3s 6d per week and costs. Joseph Lewis, haulier, Pentre, was fined oOs for assaulting Charles H. Wallace, Pentre, on the lith September. Catherine Thomas, a married woman, of Pandy, was fined 5s and costs for assaulting Margaret Jones, Pentre, on the 10th September. William Smith, haulier, Pandy, was sum- moned by Richard Jones, Pandy, for assault on the 13th September. The complainant stated that his cart was in a timber yard at Penygraig, and defendant with his cart loaded with timber tried to pass him. By doing so, a collision oc- curred, and defendant assaulted witness by hit- ting him in the mouth. Defendant called two witnesses, who stated that if the complainant had moved his cart de- fendant could have posted, but he refused to do so, although asked three times. He used ob- scene language towards defendant, and struck him twice. Smith then returned the blow. Th" case was dismissed. Elizabeth Samuel, Margaret Jefferies, Mary John, and Albert Evans, a schoolboy, ill of Tre- orky, were summoned for stealing eoal, the pro- perty of Messrs Bumyeat, Brown, and Co., Treorky, on the 14th September. They were fined 2s 6d each. A similar fine was inflicted upon G<7en Pros- ser, married, Pentre, for stealing 30 .bs. ol eoal, the property of Mr Clifford Cory, r'ardiff. on the 15th September. The following were fined for being drunk and disorderly on various dates:—Thomas Tutton, labourer, Tonypandy; John Matthew-, roadman, Ystrad, and John Condon, laboure., Tre&!>iw. 10s each; Thomas Lewis, collier, Clyd dl Vale. 5s; ancT William Llewelyn, collier, Ys+.-«d, K».

Caerphilly. TUESDAY.—Before Mr Henry Lewis, Majoi- H. M. Lindsay, Mr Jonathan Edwards, and Dr Maurice G. Evans. Application was made by Mr Chambers, of the Bute Estate Office, on behalf of Lord Bute, for ejectment orders against Henry Hblbrook, Mrs Pritchard, and Albert Luff, all occupying hats at Pwllypant. The applications were granted. William Edwards, collier, Nelson, was sum- moned for being drunk and disorder!y, and was. find 5s and costs. John Rees Morgan, collier, New Tredegar,was summoned for a similar offence committed at Nelson on the 4th September. He was fined 5s and costs. John Edwards, f collier, Nelson, was charged with being disorderly and refusing to quit the Nelson Inn, Nelson, when requested to do eo by the landlord, Watkin Lewis. Evidence W88 given by the landlord, and P.S. Williams, who stated that the defendant had said he did not care a d- for the old sergeant. He was fined 10s and costs. William Hopkins, labourer, Senghenydd, was summoned for refusing to qUlt the Universal Hotel, Senghenydd, on the 10th. P.C. Hopkins said the defendant was using obscene language in the hotel, and be was drunk. He refused to leave when requested, and witness had to eject him. As defendant did not appear, a warrant was issued for his arrest. David Hopkins, labourer, Caerphilly, was sum- moned for being drunk and disorderly on the 17th inst. He had been in the cells from Satur- day until Tuesday, and in consideration of this he was lectured and discharged. ————

Pontypridd. WEDNESDAY.—Before Dr R. C. Hunter Alderman Richard Lewis, Mr D. Llewelyn, and Mr Edward Edwards. Enoch John Davies, brakesman, Pontypridd, was bound over to keep the peace for using threats towards Phoebe Britton, Pontypridd, on the 16th September, and the latter was also bound over for threatening Ellen Davies on the same occasion. Stanley Joncfs, labourer, Pontypridd, 'was fined 2s 6d for riding a bicycle without a light on the night of the 5th September. John Davies, haulier, Hafod, was summoned for being drunk while in charge of a horse and oart on the 12th inst., and was fined 10s.