The Aberdare Leader

OXYGEN IN THE SANCTUARY. IN another column a correspondent refers to our badly ventilated places of worship. It is universally admitted that our Welsh chapels are among the worst ventilated buildings in the land. In hardly any of them are there proper means of ventilation. In most of them the windows are fixtures, the sashes being embedded in corrosion. And even where the sashes are movable the caretaker seems to be in mortal, dread lest any fresh air should by accident find its way into the sanctuary. That worthy person seems to be labouring under an impression that oxygen and grace are I mortal enemies. NVben "big meetings" are being held the atmosphere of the average place of worship is simply intolerable. Little wonder that the chapel-goer is a drowsy individual. The next time our religious leaders discuss the question of decreasing attendance at places of worship it would be well for them to enquire whether ventilation—or rather the lack of it-is not responsible for many empty benches. There is in our correspondent's letter much food for reflection. We do not believe in r-rialii-ti places of worship luxurious, but they should be at any rate comfortable, and above all healthy. Every sanctuary should, like other public buildings, be provided with proper scientific ventilat- ors, which would constitute an inlet for I fresh air and an outlet for tne ioul air without the discomfort of a draught, I Then when special services are being held in sultry weather, and the edifice is thronged, the vitiated atmosphere should be relieved by means of the open window. We hope that those who are responsible for the construction and maintenance of our places of worship will take these suggestions to heart. Oxygen is as much a means of grace as the gospel itself.

Brown (junior): C( Don't be cheeky, or I'll be forced to knock a little sense into your head." Green (junior): 11 H'm 1 It would take a dozen fellows like you to knock any sense into my head."

National Council Meetings Mountain Ash Chosen. MR LLOYD GEORGE TO SPEAK. This year the annual meetings of the Welsh National Liberal Council will be held at Mountain Ash, the date fixed being Thursday October 20th. Most of the Welsh members of Parlia- ment are expected to be present, and arrangements are being made for the accommodation of 12,000 to 14,000 per- sons, to attend the demonstration in the evening. The Right Hon. D. Lloyd George (Chancellor of the Exchequer), who is expected to attend, is likely to receive one of the most striking receptions ever accorded to a statesman.

Mountain Ash Education Committee. This Committee met on Tuesday under the presidency of Mr. T. W. Jones. There were present: Mrs. Millar, Messrs. Wm. Lamburn, Thomas Jones, y. N. Gray, J.P., G. A.. Evans, J.P., David Rogers, Griffith Evans, Rev. E. V. Tidman, Evan Morris, John Charles, Wm. Davies, and Silas Williams, together with Mr. Alfred Morgan, director. DELEGATES' EXPENSES. A BREEZY DISCUSSION. I I The minutes of the Finance Committee j were brought forward for adoption, j Rev. E. V. Tidman asked why some of j the accounts passed had not been brought before the Education Committee. Director: The committee were simply Director: The committee were simply j following what has been the practice in tlU: past. The committee were given power oS this occasion to issue all cheques required. Capt. G. A. Evans, said that ills attention had been drawn to a. paragraph in the report, which was to the effect that Mr. Griffith Evans had disapproved of signing the cheques for payment of ex- penses of the home-making centres and the Neath Conference. He should like to know how the amounts were made up. One delegate appointed to visit these centres had only submitted an account for „=81 17s., whereas the accounts of the others were over R4, )'v.Ir. Lamburn (interposing): How did Mr. Evans vote on this matter P Mr. Evans: I am asking a question. The Chairman: The delegate whose ex- penses amounted to 17s. did not attend all the centres. Mr. Lamlmrn: How did Mr. Evans vote? The Director produced the minutes, which showed that -NFr. Evans was absent from the meeting when the delegates were appointed to attend these centres. Mr. Evans: Whether I was present or not, I have a right a ask this question. Mr. Lamburn: I do not question the right of any member to ask a question. What I do object to is the action of people who after voting for the sending of delegates object to the cheques being drawn. That is not business. Mr. Griffith Evans said that he had declined to agree to the .cheques being drawn because he considered the expenses too high. Capt. Gray: I am given to understand that some delegates, attending a confer- ence, went to the place the day before it was to be held. Mr. Silas Williams: They had to con- sult the convenience of others. Director: Our arrangements were some- what upset. You passed a resolution that we were to go and we went. I did not ask to be sent there. Mr. John Charles did not think it was necessary to quibble over the expenses. Mr. AAT. Davies said that the Educa- tion Committee were unanimous in favour of sending delegates to inspect the home- making centres. Capt. Gray: We ought to go fully into these amounts. Mr. Evans said that h e would enter his protest against the money being paid. Mr. D. Rogers: There is no need for Mr. Evans to enter his protest in this matter. The Education Committee gave the committee full power to deal with the account-, corning before them. If there will be surcharges the Education Com- mittee will not be responsible. It will come on thosei present at the Finance Committee. Committee. After some further talk Mr. S. Williams moved the adoption of the minutes, and this was agreed to. ON MISCHIEF BENT. The head teacher of the Penrhiwceiber I Infants School reported that during the I holidays a lad by the name of Bye had committed some damage at the school. The head teacher of the girls' dept. of the sapie school complained that a num- ber of collier boys were jumping on to the windows and creating a noise during school hours. ) Ttrp complaints were referred to the I school managers. In the course of the discussion a feeling was expressed that the committee should take legal proceed- ings if further cases came before them. SHOULD THE GUINEA BE PAID? Mr. Moses Jones wrote reminding the committee that their subscription of .SI Is. towards the Workers' Educational Association was now due. Capt. Gray proposed, and Mr. G. A.. Evans seconded that the subscription be not renewed. Mr. W. Davies said that some time ago they decided to become affiliated to this Association, and he saw no reason why they should withdraw now. Mr. Silas Williams: The payment is a legftl one, for the auditor has allowed it at Pontypridd. Capt. Evans: I should like to know what good is there in being affiliated with this body. Mr. Silas Williams: If Mr. Evans had attended the two or three meetings held by the Association at Mountain Ash there would be no need for him to ask that question. j Mr. EVans: I was not invited. An amendment to renew the fee was carried.

r Give me a kiss," he begged for the j time that evening. "You ask j too much, Tom," she replied, coyly.

AMERICAN HUMOUR. REASON FOR HIS SILENCE. Senator Hale, of Maine, tells of two women at a White House reception who were strangen, but were conversing together, as everybody does converse at these informal affairs. At last one of them said: "I wonder what is the matter with that tall blonde gentleman over there? He waa very attentive to me a while ago; but he won't even look in this direction now." "Perhaps he saw me come in," said the other. Oh, my! said the first one, with a shrug. You must think you are a stunner! No, I'm not exactly what you would call a stunner," was the reply; but I am that man's wife." SHE WAS WRONG. There was an oppressive silence in the parlour. At last the desperate young lady broke out. George," asked she, why don't you pro- pose? Somehow—somehow, I can't bring myself to do it, Myrtle! blurted the young man. "It's only a short sentence, George." "It's a sentence for life! LYNCHING ETIQUETTE. Tenderfoot (aghast): You're not lynching that man? Arizona Ike: Well-er-we don t refer to it in that unrefined way. We call it showin' 'im the ropes." TELL-TALE EVIDENCE. All the passengers were amused at the dove- like tenderness of the honeymoon couple from the rural districts, and when the train emerged from the tunnel the flashily-dressed commercial salesman thought he would have some fun at their expense. See here, neighbour," he said, in a loud whisper, as he touched the nervous bridegroom on the arm, "don't you know there are rules against kissing on this road?" Rules against kissing," faltered the fright- ened countryman. Certainly! You were kissing while oomrag through the tunnel! "H-how did you find that out, mister?" Why, by the soot marks. There was one on your nose before we entered the tunnei, and now there is one of the same size on the bride's nose." And just then the pretty bride began to stamp her foot impetuously, and upbraid her awkward spouse. "Thar, now, Silas, what did I tell you? Told you not to come on the soft-coal route. If we had come on any other route, they wouldn't ¡ jji&ye ketched us! I POOR PICKINGS. The boarder had never been on a farm be- fore. She vfas filled with interest and delight in everything she saw; On the morning after her arrival she saw Mrs.- Howe apparently picking berries from some pretty green plants beyond the wall, as she strolled in the road. o "Those are charming little plants," she said, pausing, with her eyes fixed on a pail which hung on Mrs. Howe's arm. "What kind of berries grow on them? Does it take long to fill a pail like that?" Mrs. Howe looked down into the pail with a meditative air, and answered the second ques- tion. "I should hope 'twould," she replied. "What kind of berries are they?" persisted the young woman. "I can't quite see. What are you picking? "'Tater bugs," said Mrs. Howe, as she made another contribution to the depths of the pail. HEARING ITS FINISH The stalled automobile made a noise like a gunshot. "Poor thing!" sighed the nigh-horse of a team half a block away; "it must have broken an axle." "What makes you think so?" asked the off-horse. "Why," replied the nigh- horse, in surprise, "didn't you just hear the cop shoot FACTS ABOUT OUR WILD BIRDS. Our wild birds are getting wilder every year. The man who gave us the English sparrow died happy, knowing he had avenged the Revo- lution. The native bird to attain the greatest age is the spring chicken. The police-court vulture is protected by the strictest game laws. Night hawks are reported more plentiful than ever. Swallows of all kinds are plentiful in the North, though forced to migrate from several Southern States. The "barn swallow" still exists in prohibition districts. The three distinct species of larks, including the night lark, are increasing under the protec- tion of the new laws. The "meadow lark" is still confined to the country districts and is at its best during the vacation period. The King-bird and the Jackdaw do not pair up at all. They are always fighting. It takes three of these Jacks to beat two King-birds, The canvas-baek 'duck flies the highest of any of the wild game birds on the menu,—Judge. GOLF DEFINED. On the terrace of a country club, overlooking a green dotted with sheep, a group of non- golfers were taking tea. A male non-golfer, who took his tea through a straw, said thought- fully: "Golf might be defined as billiards gone to grass." "Spleen on the green, I'd call it," said a female non-golfer. Or the last flicker of the dying fire of athletics," .sneered a young football player. "The misuse of land and lan- guage," suggested a tennis champion. No, no, you're all wrong," said a famous angler. "Golf is simply a game wherein the ball lie-i badly and the player wel1.Louisville Times. THE PERFECTION OF WOMANHOOD. (The £ .il xiix stone suffragette representing the poilnti'm of womanhood.—A Suffragette.) Upon the silent sands She stands. And for »omc thousand years has stood, The sign ot perfect womanhood. A Not For far she has never tried To swat man's pride. Nor by her frenzied deeds Upset his creeds, Nol, ote, Nor on N or had the whiskers gfow On that severe expanse Of face she shows To every man who goes Her way. And say, In all the years and years and years VJ QKLiiry, oi nopes and tears— Oh, ladies! bow in silence a,ll-- The Sphinx has never talked at all, The Sphinx has never talked at all, The Sphinx has never talked at all, The Sphiflxhas never talked at all! Ay, there she stands Upon the silent sands, And for some thousand years has stood. The sign of perfect womanhood! Wow LOOKED SUSPICIOUS. A reputable citizen had left four umbrellas to be piep i c a Aw lie had luncheon in a restaurant, and H he vras departing he absentmindedly started to tdce an umbrella from a hook near his hat. fhar. s mine, sir," Mid a woman at the next taole. Be apologised, and returned it. -When he was going home in a street car with nis four repaired umbrellas, the woman he had seen m the restaurant got in. She glanced from hrn fo his umbrellas, and said f see you had a good day."—Everybody's Magazine. INTELLECT STILL CLEAR. I he storm was over, Dut the doctor was busy with the sufferers. Among them was a young voman who- had been hurled against a stone wall., and who was still unconscious. 1 have witnessed the effects of many a. cyclone," said the physician to one of his assist- ants, as he bent over the woman. Before he could say more, her eyes opened, and she spoke -i.to space. The cyclone is a rotary storm of widely-ex- tended circuit," she murmured. "Its centre is frequently many miles from its outer limit. This storm was a tornado,.and Here she became unconscious again. "From Boston?" whispered the attendant, Sad physician nodded.