Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

17 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

".-.n..........,.........…

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION. !

ETHOLIAD Y BWRDD YSGOL.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION, 1899.

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[•( j,\tV PtdUD G A il DIANS.1

Police Court News.I

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PONTYPRIDD DISTRICT COUNCIL.

----------------COMMENCING…

-------DEATH OF AN OLD BAPTIST…

IABER NOTES.

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Pontypridd's New Institute.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

Pontypridd's New Institute. MISS CLARA THOMAS' SPLENDID GIFT. THE OPENING CEREMONY. The new institute situated in Gelliwastad Road, Pontypridd, was on Saturday formally opened by the donor, Miss Thomas, Llwyn- madog. Despite the unpleasant state of the weather, the large concert hall of the institute was packed fwith the prominent people of Pontypridd and district. The chair was taken by Mr Godfrey L. Clark, J.P. Mr L. Gordo. Lenox in presenting a beautifully designed gold key to Miss Thonaas, said it somewhat resembled the key which was presented to him at the open- ing of the Lan Wood school. That was the key of knowledge. He hoped the key he was now presenting to Miss Thomas would prove a very useful key, a key of friendship, sympathy, and sociability, and when that key had been turned he hoped the doors of the institution would ever remain open to those virtues. In that district a home like that was badly wan- ted. They had their several pothouses and clubs, they bad their churches and chapels, and a free library. But that last was a rate-paid affair. That club was intended to be a sort of universal ground upon which all could meet on equal terms—rich and poor alike. The chasm which divided the two classes was too wide, and the club would be of immense benefit in reducing that distance so as to render it almost invisible. There was a lack of sympathy between each other. They divided thejmselves into half-a- dozen little cliques, instead of being one grand, strong body. The idea of converting that house, which had been in the Thomas family for many years, and was known as Gelliwastad Farm, was entirely Miss Thomas's. She con- ceived the idea that it was her duty to do some- thing for Pontypridd, and straightway pro- ceeded to do it. Not everyone had the desire to do his duty. There were lots of people in that district who could do a great deal for their fellow townspeople, but did not, but he hoped Miss Thomas's action was but the begin- ning of great things to come. If they all could not give institutions, they could do some- thing to support them by their presence, en- couragement ,and friendliness. By doing this, and with a certain amount of self-sacrifice, all oould do something to make the town a much happier place than it was. He hoped Miss Thomas's'a example would be followed by many. She had crowned her work by gracing the institution with her presence. (Applause). Miss Thomas ,in reply, said that when she was first asked to say something she had no idea that her first duty would be to thank the meeting for that memento. She had received one or two keys like that before,but never one to equal it for beauty of design and finish. Her presence there that day was the fulfilment of a long-cherished wish. Ever since she first be- came directly connected with Pontypridd and district she had had a hope that some day she would provide something similar to that insti- tution for the use of the inhabitants of Ponty- pridd. (Hear, hear). She had been constant- !y reminded by certain quarterly accounts that it was to Pontypridd she owed the means of making her life enjoyable. It would prove of the greatest satisfaction to her if she could make some small return by offering to the in- habitants of the district some few hours of com- fort, and wholesome recreation, which they might not otherwise have been able to obtain. But this work she could not accomplish single, handed, and she desired to thank those gentle- men of the town who had helped her, particu- larly Mr Arthur O. Evens, the architect, who by hig zeal and powers of contrivance had turned Gelliwastad House into those commodious pre- mises. She also thanked all present for the welcome given her. The question of a work- men's club was not one in which all the diffi- culties had be solved. There were many diffi- culties in front of it, and each club must profit by its own experience. Miss Thomas also ten- dered her thanks to the gentlemen who had come forward and placed their names on the influential committee. She expressed the hope that the club might be animated both in the body of its management committee and in its working members by a spirit of loyalty and goodfellowship, and, above all, by the widest possible toleration, which would then ensure it every success. (Loud applause). Mr Godfrey L. Clark then proposed a vote ot thanks to Miss Thomas for presenting that addi- tional attraction to the town of Pcitypridd. They frequently, iu -act nearly always, turned to the rates or to public money o build all tbwir wants, and there was some danger of private benevolence becoming a lost art. (Laugh- ter). He could only hope Miss Thomas's ex- ample would bo followed by others interested in the prosperity of Pontypridd. It might very well be said that Pontypridd had a sufficiency of clubs; in many respects too many, but those clubs. were not like that institution. (Hear, hear). They were provided for fixed purposes, either for politics, or, he regretted to say, for the emsi«ii ef a well-known Act of Parliament. (Laughter). Considerable trouble had been taken t* try and include an that committee li-,oji of iifferewfc views and ideas, and he thought ti;«y had beea successful. The commit- tee had endeavoured, as far as possible, to carry out ihose ideas, and it now remained for the future m«»J»er9 of the club to carry it on on th., same lines as the committee had started. The 0a»di«Uite who n-ished t. join must have a suffieieat degree of oharaef4r to make it un- likely tbttt he would disturb the eomafort of tie membors. That q*alification, he thought., was not too ltit. The speaker complimented Mr A. O. Evans on his work, and udd{;d that he had been of valuable assistance to them in other way?. Major H. M. Lindsay seconded the vote of thumbs to Miss Thomas, which was carried with acekmation. Mr A. 0. Evaas thanked the speakers for their remarks oesceraing him, and Morien fol- lowed. Tke olul), he thought, was a home from korse. Tligrp- were illree points in its P.Iart,-r whieli he admired. It was non-political, non-alcoholic, and, above all, "no class" (Loud laughter). Mr Lenox: Y ouhad better go bock to Welsh. (Renew* laughter). Monet: I roaan we all belong to the saroe alttss.. Mr Bhf« Hmtfmm, M.A., ex-plained Sie process of *itia*ie» to .me»vBershi^, and remarked that he was? Itstooi by a. gsmtlemtm if the institute was fu men. "No," ie had answered, Well, was far professional men, was the next quesM-wi tt "o Wm. replied Mr Morgan, "jt is i-or honourable men." (Hear, hear). "Well," answered his interrogator, "I am afraid that class doesn't suit, me." (Laughter). Tha committee would do its best to level up all, and have the ''«• that. Moriex had spoken of. (Hear, heat). Tea, was then served, and the gathering clis, persed afiot- being photographed in a down- 14our of vain. Up be Tuesday evening upwards of 80 mem- bers had joined the new club.

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--.--------------A NEW BOOK…

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