The Aberdare Leader

At the last meeting of the Aberdare Chamber of Trade a strong committee were appointed to make arrangements for this coming event, The Chamber continues to make excel- lent progress. The membership now is nearer 200 than 100, and there is a sum of about = £ 70 in hand. Several new members were enrolled last week. The first year finished with a roll of 99 mem- bers. There is no reason why the second year should not end with double that number. A question thatt will be tackled in real earnest during the coming months will be Incorporation. Though nothing has been heard of it lately it should not be forgotten that Mr. T. W. Griffiths has been collecting valuable information to place before the Chamber of Trade next month. The chairman (Mr. T. Lloyd) re- marked that he was already in the know as to the nature of this inform- ation, and he was of opinion that it would prove extremely useful. He ex- pressed his determination to push the question forward and make a bold bid for a Charter for Aberdare. It is hoped that there will be no di- vision of opinion among the members of the Chamber relative to the Incorpor- ation of the town. There ought not to be any differences on the main principle, because should we succeed, it would mean a substantial saving to the town. Merthyr saved a tremendous sum when it obtained the Charter. The County Council will no doubt do its utmost to frustrate Aberdare's ambition, but Aber- dare, if it shows a united front, ought to be able to defeat them. At the seaside, at the seaside." This, popular song will become more popular than ever because we have now a sea-side imported into the district. Tons of sea- sand have been carted to the Aberdare Public Park. There has already been a great demand for miniature buckets and spades. "Take my word for it," said Lord Roberts, addressing the University of London Officers Training Corps at Cam- berley on Thursday, some day this country will want every man who can use a rifle and every officer who can com- mand men." But what about the women ? "My latest sun is sinking fast, my race is nearly run," was the cheerful hymn which the infants in a Sunday School were singing when a visitor looked in. Just as inappropriate was to hear gTevbeards nearing the allotted span hoarsely but lustily singing at a local Sunday School the other day a hymn which commenced: U I am a little soldier, And only five years old." The Merthyr Corporation has built hundreds of houses for the people, and an urgent demand for more will soon be attended to. Aberdare has had a Hous- ing Scheme for 7 or 8 years, and still it is nothing but a scheme. It is one of those "best laid schemes of mice and men" that the poet mentioned with a. sigh. Once it was complained that Aberdare was placing traction before housing. Well it does not seem that the powers that be are in a hurry to give us either cottages or trams. However, we shall soon have electricity here, for many of our streets have al- ready been opened for the laying of the electric cable. Gas, electricity, and sewerage are a trio that play havoc with our streets. Cwmbach people will be interested and delighted to know that the District Coun- cil Surveyor is in communication with the T.V.R. regarding the proposed new road. It is coming, without a 'doubt, but, like all great movements, slowly. We shall probably have the T.V.E to consent to a road to Cwmbach before they will give their benediction to an approach to the unapproachable station of Aber- cynon.

Suicide after Holidays. Trecynort Man's Despair. STORY OF DOMESTIC UNIIAPPINESS. The inquest on Wm. Watkins, 5 Cynon Place, Trecynon, who committed suicide on Monday afternoon, was held at the Police Station on Wednesday morning before Mr R. J. Rhys, coroner, and a jury, of which Mr Jas. Berry was foreman. The first witness was Ada Ann Watkins, deceased's wife, who said that her husband was 38 years of age and was employed at the Tin Works. He had been in Swansea for a week's holidays and only returned on the Monday morning. He then seemed all right. The manager of the Tin Works called at the house in the morning and asked him to resume work that evening. He promised to do so and went to bed in the afternoon. Witness afterwards got ready to go to town and sent her daughter upstairs to fetch her hat. Her daughter came down and told her something. Witness then went upstairs and found blood running out under the door. She rushed back and informed some neighbours. Mary Ann Gntbths, sister of deceased, said she lived in 35, Mill St. On Aug. 10th before her brother went to Swansea he called at her house and complained that his wife had left the house without a bit of food. He added that he did not know what to do, that he was nearly off his head, and that he had had no food when in work the previous night. She asked him to have breakfast with her and he did so. He simply drank a cup of tea and went out saying that he could not stay in the house. Coroner Did he go home ? Witness Yes, and he came to our house again about 7, with the two child- ren, and had food. He complained that he had nothing to give the baby. On the following morning he said he was going to pack his clothes and look for work somewhere. He said he was going to Gwauncaegurwen, where a pit is being sunk, I told him he had better stay home with his children, and he replied "I can't. I can never work a turn in Aberdare again. I cannot stop here any longer." Coroner Ever seen him like that before ? Witness: No. Coroner He seemed to be in great trouble ? Witness Yes. he said he could not go up the road without somebody asking him for money. He did not know where to turn for a bit of food. Coroner Did he work regularly ? Witness ? Yes, every turn. Coroner How long have they been uncomfortable ? Witness: For years and years, very uncomfortable, too. Spacey, 13 Cynon place, said he lived opposite the Watkinss. He was called to their house about 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon. He went upstairs and saw blood under the door. The body was lying up against the door. He pushed the door open and there found the body, A razor was on the floor close by. Coroner: Did you know William Watkins very well ?—Yes. Did you notice anything strange about him ?—No, nothing at all. His sister has told us that he and his wife were not happy together. Witness: I don't know anything about that. I have got enough to do to notice my own family. I have got a big family myself. Coroner: Most people know their neighbour's business. Perhaps the Watkinses kept their business to them- selves. You do so at any rate. (Laughter). Thank you. Meredith Watkins, Cwmdare, a brother to deceased, said his brother visited him about once a week. He was aware that he was not happy at home, but he did not know very much about their domestic affairs. Mrs Watkins was then re-called. She was asked how much money her hus- band earned. Witness: I don't know, I never used to have the wages, only enough to get food. Was there plenty of food in the house when he came back from Swan- sea ?—Yes. And before going to Swansea ?-No, not much then. He had been to Lon- don with the Tin Workers' outing and he took his wages with him, Coroner That puts a rather different complexion on matters. Dr Roberts deposed to finding de- ceased on the bedroom floor. He was quite dead when he saw him. The wind pipe had been severed, and he died from loss of blood. SUMMING UP. The Coroner, in summing up, said there was no doubt that deceased had cut his throat. What the jury would have to consider was whether the man was in his right senses at the time. The sister had told a long story of domestic unhappiness and so forth. He made it a rule not to go into details of that sort unless he was bound to. Those things were common. How many houses in Trecynon were there which were not run on similar lines, and yet they knew nothing about them. The wife had said that her husband had gone to Lon- don and Swansea, and spent his money in that way. However, he had better not go too deeply into that matter. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide whilst of unsound mind."

Letters to the Editor. RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION WANTED. Dear Sir,—The local event of last week. viz., the Local Government Enquiry re the property of Mr. Rees Morgan, Mack- worth Yilla, should direct the attention of the direct ratepayers to the advisability of forming a Ratepayers' Defence Asso- ciation in Aberdare. It is not fair for one man to fight the battles of the whole of the ratepayers Who will start the project r- Y ours re- spectfully, MORGAN PARR. 46, Monk Street, Aberdare. GLYNDWR & SUNDAY CONCERTS. HAS HE CHANGED HIS VIEWS? Dear Mr. Editor,—Great was my sur- prise when I heard that last Sunday night Mr. T. Glyndwr Richards and his Choir, from Mountain Ash were holding a sacred concert at the Grand Theatre, Aberaman. I could not but help allow- ing my mind run back a few years when our most celebrated conductor then as- sumed a leading position in the Sunday Closing of the Mountain Ash Workmen5'1' Institute, in opposition to the proposed intention of its remaining open for the social welfare of the people. Mark you, Mr. Editor, not for their leisurely edifi- cation, but for their social and moral advancement. Has Mr. Glyndwr Rich- ards recently abandoned those principles which he then so stoutly defended? In spite of the impending storm I visited the Theatre to see if he had good reasons for so changing. Foolish as I was! At the entertainment, for I can label it no other, no attempt was made towards morally advancing, or even spiritually up- lifting the people. The name of farewell concert was a farce and would have been only too truly labelled "a variety enter- tainment." Why did the party need the services of a bioscope? I felt the blood tingle in my ears, and my heart beat loud when I saw that beautiful old song, U God be with you till we meet again," by the choir, and "Napoleon's game of chess" by the bioscope classed together and directly following one another on the programme. Was this Christianity, sir? In looking back a few years to the time to which I have already referred, natur. ally I could not but help noticing these things. This, as described, was the nature of the entertainment in which Mr. T. Glyndwr Richards was going to set out his new principles. Alas, what inconsistency! I have been trying to find the cause for such a round-about change. I fail, however. The earth still remains the same, the sun is rooted to the same spot, while the moon still pursues its old course.—I remain, yours, etc., a ON-LOOKER."

Scraps. BY "THE SCRIBE." A woman named Virginia Wardlaw has just starved herself to death at Newark, New Jersey, where she was awaiting trial on a charge of murdering her niece. The accused woman, who emphatically pro- tested her innocence since her arrest, re- solutely refused to touch either food or drink, and as the result of her voluntary starvation died yesterday in a terribly emaciated condition.—Central News. Had she been a suffragette detained in an English prison her life would doubt. less have been saved. THEN (40 years ago). Man. to the plough, Wife, to the cow; Girl, to the sow; Boy, to the mow; And your rents will be netted. NOW. Man, tally-ho! Miss, piano; Wife, silk and satin; Boy, Greek and Latin; And you'll all be gazetted. Sir Albert de Rutzen, before whom Dr. Crippen will appear at Bow-street when he returns to Ehgland, wa.3 for some time stipendiary magistrate at Merthyr and Aberdare. When he was knighted he re- ceived a congratulatory telegram from Mr. J. W. Evans, the then High Con- stable for Aberdare, to which he replied making an interesting reference to the time he sat at Aberdare while acting as stipendiary magistrate here. A female witness at Mountain Ash Police Court last Thursday, describing a person's walk, said that he had a tread like a constable. "Was that light or heavy P" asked the Stipendiary. "Very heavy, sir," replied the witness. uWell. then, they ought to walk softly," re- torted the Stipendiary. Aberdare will be honoured this year by a visit of delegates from the Federation of Chambers of Trade. The annual ban- quet of the Federation will be held \er3 in October, and the gathering will be an imposing one. Mr. T. W. Griffiths, the hon. sec. of Aberdare Chamber of Trade, has been instrumental in securing the services of Councillor Dickenson, Black- pool, who will be the speaker of the* day.

NO TEA LISCE .,IMBINI 9 M, 'Quaker' Tea I CL r a OF ALL GROCERS. 11

Guest, Keen and Nettle- Folds. Lowest Profits for Ten Years. The profits for the year ended June 30th last of Messrs Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, Ltd., amounting to JG348,092 19s. 3d., after making pro- vision for bad and doubtful debts, are the lowest for at least 10 years. The carry-over from the previous year was J6191,044 3s. 5d., thus making an avail- able balance of J2589,137 2s, 8d. De. benture interest for the past twelve months and the interim dividend on the Preference shares absorbed X160,952 3s. 4d., thus leaving X378,184 18s. 4d. The directors recommend the payment of a dividend on the Preference shares at the rate of 5 per cent. for the six months ended June 30th a dividend on the Ordinary shares at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum for the six months (making 10 per cent. for the year) and a bonus on the Ordinary shares of Is. per share, equivalent in all to 15 per cent. on the Ordinary shares. At the present time the Ordinary £1 shares are quoted on the Cardiff Stock Exchange at -63 5s. The directors have placed to the accident, fire and insurance fund a sum of X20,000, and to the reserve £ 50,000. carrying for- ward to next account J6168,684 19s. 4d.

l The happiness of our life is in great part made up of the pleasurable memor- ies of early years. A multitude of laws in a country is like a great number of physicians, a sign of weakness and malady.

Miners' Wages. Lord St. Aldwyn's Award. Increase Demand Refused. A meeting of the Conciliation Board for the Coal Trade of South Wales and Monmouthshire was held at Cardiff on Tuesday to deal with a number of disputes, and to discuss before Viscount St. Aldwyn, the independent chairman, the refusal of the owners to grant the men's application for an increase of 2t per cent. in the wage rate. Mr F. L. Davis presided over the owners' representatives, and Mr W. Brace, M.P., over the workmen's representatives. v THE WORKMEN'S CASE. Mr W. Brace, M.P., submitted the case on behalf of the workmen's repre- sentatives, and stated that the wage rate now stood at 50 per cent. above the standard of 1879. He explained that under the new Conciliation Board agreement this- rate of wages was to stand until the average selling price of coal fell below 14s. or rose above 14s. 9d. That point had now been reached. As a matter of fact the audit of the owners' books had revealed the fact that the average selling price of large coal during the quarter ended June was 14s. 9.42d per ton. Though the exports during June showed a light decrease compared with the correspond- ing period of last year, there was an increase of nearly 300,000 tons upon the prece'ding quarter, and the figures for July, though they did not actually come under review, showed a further increase, and consequently proved that trade was still improving. The Cus- toms figures for the June quarter showed that large coal sold at 15s 5.77d per ton and small coal at 8s 9 47d, the former showing an increase and the latter a decrease in price as compared with the March quarter. There was every prospect that the prices would continue to stiffen. OWNERS' REPLY. Mr F. L. Davis, for the owner s admitted that there was some ground for the men's contention, but he sub- mitted that it did not warrant an in- crease of 2t per cent. in the wage rate. As against the arguments adduced by the men, the owners said that the total production of coal showed a decrease of about 1 t per cent. and in spite of the increase in the number of men em- ployed, the output per man had been reduced by about 8 per cent. compared with the June quarter of last year. They further argued that the cost of production was considerably greater, and the profits consequently less. Moreover, the price of small coal only averaged 7s. 7d. per ton, and other factors controlling the coal trade were against the men's claims,

VISCOUNT ST. ALDWYN'S DECISION. Viscount St. Aldwyn, in giving his casting vote against the application, congratulated Mr Brace upon the man. ner in which he had presented the men's case and upon the fact that the selling price of coal had increased slightly and still showed a tendency to stiffen. But there were two strong points, he said, against the men's appli- cation which he had to take into con- sideration, namely, the volume of trade, the output, and the production per man. The effect of these upon the profits were such that he could not grant the application.

The Booming Corn Cure. Have you tried it P Satisfaction guaranteed, or your money refunded. Absolutely painless. Many testimonials received like the following Dear Sir,—Having tried many supposed corn cure remedies and corn plasters, from which I derived no benefit, I made up my mind to give your remedy a trial, and can honestly say it is absolutely the best corn remover I have tried. Price Is. per bottle, and can be obtained at one address,-Rees, 21B Pembroke st., Aberdare.

„ "An Unready Labour Party." For all the good it has done its holiday might well have begun six months earlier for, with the exception of the meagre measure dealing with rescue and aid in mines—whose pro- visions might have been put into operation by the Home Office without troubling Parliament at all-absolutely nothing of any benelit to the workers has been attempted in the way of legislation. But, lest it be for- gotten, we have a Labour party in the British Parliament. Poorly as that party sometimes figured in the previous House, they have gone from bad to worse in this. These forty men of our class in the House might well be called the Unreadies.' Never once in this Session, so far, have they shown any real address, any grip, or even any of that statesmanship' which they sometimes boast. Their sessional leader, George Barnes, though perhaps not so strong a man as his predecessors, yet deserved something- better than to be thrown over by his followers ItS soon as he opened his mouth to stir the Government to a policy of firmness. So little did the party trust him that on two important occasions they had to adjourn to discuss what their attitude should be, and then, when their attitude was stated, it was found to be very inferior to that taken by others in the House." —From Justice, the organ of the S.D.F.

The çç ABERDARE LEADER hu the guaranteed largest circulation of any newspaper in the Aberdare Valley.

Wedding at Penrhiw- ceiber. DAVIES-ROSSER. On Wednesday, August 17th, a smart and interesting wedding took place at Hermon Chapel, Penrhiwceiber, Rev. S. Williams, Carmel, officiating. The con- tracting parties were Miss E. Rosser, headmistress of Cefnpennar Schools, and daughter of Mr. John Rosser, Ty Nant, Penrhiwceiber, and Mr. W. J. Davies, assistant master Boys' School, Penrhiw- ceiber. The bride, who was given away by her father, was charmirfgly attired in a cream eoline dress, beautifully em- broidered, and a large cream hat trimmed with roses and foliage. She was accom- panied by the following ladies as brides- maids, and at wedding party: Miss M. Rees, Efailisaf; Misses Rosanna Davies, C. M. Davies, Lizzie Davies, and R. A. Davies, sisters of bridegroom; Misses Martha Gillard, Lena Gillard, E. A. Gillard, Amelia Gillard, Lilian Bartlett, Edith Bartlett, H. Powell, Lizzie Grif- fiths, A. Evans (Abercynon), Miss Rees, Hengoed. Mr. Jacob Davies, of America, brother of bridegroom, acted as best man. The following gentlemen were present: Messrs. David Davies, father of bridegroom; John *Rosser, father of bride); John Davies, Quakers' Yard; T. Gillard, Mountain Ash; Tom Watkins, Hengoed; Sam Davies, Abercynon; Sam Willis. A large crowd of friends of both bride and bridegroom assembled to wit- ness the ceremony, after which the bridal party proceeded (amidst a shower of con- fetti and rice) to Ty Nant, home of the bride, where a sumptuous breakfast was prepared. The happy pair left Mountain Ash by the 11.40 G.W.R. train for Aber- porth, Cardiganshire, where the honey- moon is being spent. Mr. and Mrs. Davies received numerous presents and congratulations from their many friends. A list of presents received will be pub- lished in a later issue of this paper.

Quoits. TRECYNON v. BWLLFA. On Thursday last, at Bwllfa. Scores: Trecynon. Bwllfa. W. Peak 21 W. M. Llewelyn 14 W. J. Edwards- 21 W. H. Davies 14 Eddie Morris. 20 Bertie Llewelyn 21 J. Phillips 9 Wat Reynolds 21 Thos. Davies 11 D. R. Llewelyn. 21 T. Phillips 13 Tom Price 21 D. Edwards 13 T. D. Griffiths 21 T. Reynish 21 W. Thomas 9 129 142 Bwllfa won after a very exciting con- test by 13 points. This is the Bwllfa Club's first match, and if they continue to play as they did in this match they will provo too much for the other local teams.

In Loving Memory. Of my dear beloved mother, Emma Thomas, Glyn Neath. My life is so weary, So pregnant with grief, Each day brings its shadows, Night gives no relief, There's no ray of sunshine My pathway to clear, But sorrow would vanish If mother were here. Though hope's flowers are blooming, They bloom to decay, Each joy that I treasure Soon withers away; My dreams full of beauty In gloom disappear, But soon all would brighten If mother were here. Oh! to lay my poor head On her dear lap once more, And feel her soft fingers Stray lovingly o'er, And catch her fond whispers And glad words of cheer, How soon grief would vanish If mother were here. How tender her tones, How loving and sweet, As she told me of life And the trials I'd meet; Yet little I cared then, But little did fear, For she was beside me, My mother was here. Ye flowers above her, Ye winds o'er the grass Breathe low, solemn dirges, As gently ye pass; For I'm left to mourn her, With many a tear, O! earth were far brighter If mother were here. But oh! when this life's Restless moments are past, And I go to abide With angels at last, The richest of joys Which in heaven I shall share. Will be seeing dear mother, Who's waiting me there. IAGO LLWYD. Preswylfa, Mountain Ash.

Cwmdare Notes. BY "HYPNOS." The tank which the Council have placed for th benefit of King and Queen Street- ites does not seem to be of much use. I noticed ar few dozen on Sunday last at the same old game-carrying water. The people declare the water is not fit for drinking purposes. There are a few young men in Queen Street who make it a habit on the Sab- bath to sit out on the pavement reading comic papers, etc., in full view of church and chapel goers. Cwmdare people are shocked. A few of the Cwmdare Ambulance' students are very anxious to hear the result of the recent examination. Be patient, my friends, you'll know the worst soon enough. New Empire, Aberidare. The final of the strong men competi- tion took place on Friday night last be- fore a large audience. The three hand- some medals were awarded to the follow- ing strong men by the new managexv Mr. A. Norton, on behalf of Mr. Victor Rowe, proprietor: 1st, Mr. M. Thomas,. Abernant; 2nd, Mr. J. Higgs, Abernant; and 3rd, Mr. A. Cox, Gadlys. On Sunday night another successful orchestral and pictorial concert was held. The concert opened with a splen- did overture, entitled, "La Petite Ton, kinoise," by the orchestra. The Froø mans, one of last week's turns, rendered' some special musical selections, which pleased the audience immensely. gom& first-class pictures were shown. Among' others were "The Stowaway," rr King Cotton," "Legend of the Cross," and U From Marseilles to Algiers." This week's programme is also tip-top- The orchestra opens each house with an overture, entitled, "The Baby Parade." There are four excellent turns on this week. Harry Lawson, eccentric corned ian, takes very well. Babs Lloyd, as comedienne and dancer, is a rattling suc- cess. P. Levard and Miss Lilly Gene are a pair of very clever illusionists. Ward and Davies, in their comedy duologue, en* titled, "Wanted a Typist," are very smart. The sketch is screamingly funnY, and guaranteed to make the most mor0fl man laugh. The pictures are also re- markably good. A first-class programm" is provided for the latter part of the week.

Territorial Law. I FIRST COURT MARTIAL. Major W. D. Phillips, Aberdare, of the' 5th Batt., 1st Welsh Regiment, was oIlt' of the judges in the Court Martial held. at Swansea on Tuesday. This was tlt..0' first court martial held under the Terri- torial Army regulations. The trial that of Private Wm. Kneath, of the 6th Welsh (Swansea) Territorial Regiment, for an alleged offence against railitary discipline while in Camp in Bow stree a fortnight ago. The case aroused con- siderable interest. The Court found Kneath guilty. a° sentence was deferred. Prints and PnhliVhfwi nt fhil" printjoj Works, Market Buildings. ]for oil Strkat, Aberdare. in the County Glamorgan, bv the Proprietary Pugh and J. L. Rowlands.