Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

I Rhondda Miners. Eight Hours Act Registers. Reason for the Delay. Mr. John Lewis (Lewis Mexthyr) pre- sided at the monthly meeting; of the Rhondda miners on Monday. Mr. D. Watts Morgan was congratu- lated upon his recovery from a serious illness. After considerable discussion, a reso- lution was adopted urging lodges to refrain from passing resolutions of cen- sure. upon one another before making full inquiries, and to report any grievance to the general secretary at the district offices for investigation. The meeting decided, with the full con- currence of the officials, to recommend to the lodges that in future a chartered accountant should be engaged in con- junction with a member of the district in auditing the accounts. Replying to a question, Mr. Watts Morgan said that the delay in issuing registers for the purpose of making entries as to the observance of the Eight Hours Act at the collieries was due to the illness of the Chief Inspector of Mines, who had promised to provide him with a copy of the registers issued by the Home Office. A novel point was raised under the Compensation Act. A workman was kicked in the mouth \by a horse, and four of his teeth were dislodged. The man was only incapacitated from work for a few days, and the prescribed period of incapacity under the Act before he would become entitled to compensation is one week. The point was whether he could claim compensation for the, missing teeth. Mr. Watts Morgan said that in his view the colliery company were not liable, I. for unless a workman was incapacitated for more than a. week no compensation could be claimed. The only way a claim could be substantiated was by proving neglect on the part of the company or that the horse was a vicious animal. It was announced that Mr. Alfred Herbert. Pontypridd, and Mr. Thomas Jones, Treherbert, were the successful candidates for the scholarships ..offered by the district for two years' tuition at the Labour Colleges. The receipts totalled £2,364 5s. 4d.

Tonyrefail Chamber of Trade. Annual Meeting. On Wednesday evening last, the annual meeting of the Tonyrefail Cham- ber of Trade was held at 'the Institute. The Secretary was directed to write the local Councillors, asking iF they were prepared to support the Chamber in obtaining a. water cart for Tonyrefail also a bridge to cross the railway at Tydii. The minutes of the last nteeting were read and adopted, and the Appointment of officers for the ensuing year wa*> pro- ceeded with. Before the retiring chairman, Mr. E. J. Madge, vacated the chair, he warmly thanked the Chamber for the very loyal support they had given him during his term of office. He expressed himself pleased that the Chamber was beginning to be recognised as an important body, and that they were beino; regarded as wideawake. He also thank-" secre- tary, Mr. J. J. Bailey, !< .client way in which he had < his duties. The vice-chairman, Mr. Levi Morgan, thereupon took the chair, and it was un- animously resolved that lie be elected chairman for the ensuing year, and a hearty vote of thanks was "aeoorcfod the retiring chairman. Mr. D. R. Morgan was fniarfimously ga elected vice-chairman Mr. P. Thomas, treasurer; and Mr. J. J. Bailey secre- tary. The statement of accounts for the year was presented, the auditors, Messrs" D. R. Morgan, A.L.A.A., and 8.E. Sarauel. (the Emporium), declaring that the Chamber had a creditable balance after the year's working, and that the finances were looked after in a basiness-like manner. The auditors were accorded a. hearty vote of thanks for their services, as also was the treasurer, Mr. F. Thomas.

Decline in Output. Position at Cambrian Collieries. Mp. D. A. Thomas, M.P., on Effect of Eight Hours Act. Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., presiding at the annual meeting of the Cambrian Col- liery Company, at- the Great Western Hotel, Paddington, on Monday, discussed the effects of the Eight Hours Act on the Cambrian Collieries, and made compari- sons showing the increase in labour cost since 1887. Though paying an Ordinary dividend of 20 per cent., the company had far from earned this, rate of distri- bution, which had involved a reduction in the carry-over of £ 12,000. The company, said Mr. D. A. Thomas, had done fairly well in the first half of the year (1909), but in the second half their earnings at the collieries had shown a lamentable falling-off. And, indeed, were allowance made for depreciation and exhaustion of the colliery leases, their profits had gone to a vanishing point. They would observe that a heavy ex- penditure had been incurred during the year with a view to minimising: the lessened output and increased cost of production anticipated under the opera- tion of the Eight Hours Act. This being an expenditure of an exceptional char- acter, which would extend over a num- ber of years, the directors had felt justi- fied in placing it to a suspense account rather than charge it against the revenue of one particular year. Unfortunately, notwithstanding this expenditure, the output of large and small coal in the second half of the year since the Act commenced showed a falling off of 13i per cent., as compared with that of the first half, though the collieries worked one day more in the second period, and even after making allowance for the reduction in the wage-rate, a- propor- tionate increase had occurred in the cost of labour per ton. Mr. Thomas said he believed their ex- penditure in these respects had been more unfavourable than that of South Wales collieries generally, and he attributed this to thé fact that their pits were always working to their fullest winding capacity, and that there was therefore no margin of slack time upon which they could! draw after the Act commenced. He regretted to say that the hope with which the board had at first buoyed them- selves, viz.,that when work settled down under the new conditions the output would more nearly approach the old normal amount, had thus far not been realised. Indeed, the output in the three months ending December 31st last showed no great improvement, if any, on that for the three months ending September 30th. I Glamorgan Colliery Trouble. Speaking subsequently at the meeting of the Glamorgan Coal Company, Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., referred to a refusal of the hauliers at the Glamorgan pits to work a clearance or afternoon shift unless paid a bonus or extra turn- per week with- out working, and said this had added to the difficulties of the company. This refusal, while it had prejudiced the com- pany, had proved even more detrimental to the earning capacity of the colliers, who were dependent on the clearances to keep them going. He regretted to say that little or no progress had been made with the nego- tiations for the renewal of the Concilia- tion Board agreement, and the outlook at the moment in that direction was not favourable. He was not, however, with- out hope that an amicable settlement would ultimately be arrived at which would avoid any cessation of work, though he was bound to admit that he could not say that hope was very generally shared by his friends in South Wales. The pro- longed negotiations now proceeding, and those last summer, had by the un- certainty they had created in the minds of foreign consumers, driven buyers to look for supplies in Germany and else- where, and had been most harmful to the coal trade of South Wales. They were as a consequence suffering to-day severely in the price obtainable for small coal. The exports of coal from Germany by sea to France, their best customers, showed a considerable increase recently, while those from South Wales were falling off.

t Shebeen at Trealaw. Thirsty Lodgers. Heavy Fine. Remarkable evidence was given in a case heard at Porth Police Court on Thursday, before the Stipendiary (Mr. D. Lieufer Thomas), when Mrs. Sarah Wil- liams, a widow, residing at 218, Ynys- cynon Road, Trealaw, was charged with selling intoxicants without a license. Mr. A. T. James, Pontypridd, defended. .y I P.O. Einpson said that on Saturday, 16th January, he watched defendant's house from 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Between 10.30 and 1 p.m. seven men and three women entered the house, and four men and two women left. Between 2 and 4 p.m. four men entered the house, and two left. Between 5.45 and 6.40 p.m. witness concealed himself in a passage near the house, and during that time lie saw nine men and six women enter the house, and five men and two women, left, two of the women carrying something in their aprons. Witness left the passage at 6.40, and at 7 p.m. was joined by P.S. Griffiths and P.O. Henry. Five minutes later, two men came from the house to- gether, and went up the road staggering. At ten minutes past 7, another man left the house, and went to the back of the house. He also was staggering. Five minutes'later, a, woman knocked at the door, and after speaking to someone inside the doorway, she walked up and down the pavement for a minute or so, and Mrs. Williams (defendant) handed her something, which she placed under her apron and walked away. At 7.20, two women knocked at the door, and were admitted, emerging five minutes later. They stood by the door for some time, and defendant handed something to one of the women (Mrs. Price), which she placed under her shawl. The other woman took out a purse and handed defendant something from it. P.O. Henry, and witness then entered the house, whilst P.S. Griffiths remained speaking with the two women outside.1 In the front room were Geo. Morgan, 239, Ynyscynon Road, Lucy Jones (married), 167, Partridge Road, defendant, and a lodger. In the kitchen were Ben Davies, 23, Gilmour Street, Tonypandy. and David Kendal, lodger. Witness informed defendant that he had a warrant to search the house for intoxicants, and she replied: "Very well, you can search it; I haven't got much here. You have not seen me drawing any beer or taking any money." Witness proceeded upstairs with P.S. Griffiths, leaving P.O. Henry in the room below. In a box on the landing, witness found a flagon of beer (full) and two liquor bottles hidden amongst old clothing. In the bed occupied by defendant witness found a flagon and a half of beer, and in a box was an empty pint and a half liquor bottle, and four smaller liquor bottles. Underneath the kitchen table were a 41-gallon cask, two flagons (one. half full of beer), two small liquor bottles (empty), a pint and a half rum bottle (empty), pint and half-pint measures recently used for beer. In the front room there was a 4-|-gallon cask on tap behind the door, covered over by some clothing, and the floor underneath the tap was I quite wet. Underneath the table was an empty 41-gallon cask, from which the tap had been recently removed, and also some more flagons. Un the table was a pint glass measure containing beer, a teacup half full of rum, two glasses which had contained beer, two teacups, one contain- ing rum and the other beer, one half- pint measure, two empty liquor bottles, three taps, a 11-pint bottle half full of rum. Three of the men were under the influence of drink. Witness took posses- sion of all the vessels containing beer, and told defendant that she would be reported for selling beer without a license. She replied: "Very well, you have not seen me drawing beer, nor taking money." In cross-examination, witness said be. knew defendant kept a little ishop and lodgers to enable her to make a living. He also knew that some of the lodgers were a thirsty lot (laughter). Corroborative evidence was given bv P.S. Griffiths and P.C. Henry. Inspector Hole went into the box to give evidence as to where the beer had been purchased, but the Stipendiary refused to allow him to proceed, inasmuch as Messrs. Piper and Sully (who had sold the beer) had declined to produce their books for inspection. Mr. James, for the defence, said he was not there to deny that there had been a considerable amount of drinking going on on the day the police entered tne tiouse, tne urnm naving neen pur- chased by the two lodgers! on the previous Saturday night. One of the lodgers was present in Court that day. He was a very thirsty fellow, and had had a very bad thirst that (Thursday) morning (laughter). The question was whether there had been any actual sale, and the only incident in which actual sale was alleged was in the case of Mrs. Price and Mrs. Boyd, and even P.S. Griffiths could not say whether it was a bottle or some- thing else that was concealed under the apron. The defendant kept a shop, and many of the women in the neighbourhood, having forgotten to purchase something the previous night, came to this shop on the Sunday for the things they had for- gotten the previous evening. Defendant, in the box, said that Hunt (a lodger) bought a 4|-gallon cask of beer the night before and a bottle of rum at Messrs. Piper and Sully, Sherwood, Llwynypia. The other lodger (Kendal) did the same thing. They. had some friends in on Saturday night, and drained the contents of one cask to the very last drop (laughter). In addition, 'they drank some flagons of stout belonging to her. On the Sunday night m question, Mrs. Boyd came to the shop to purchase sweets for her boy, and she lent one bottle of stout to Mrs. Price until the following morning. The money that passed be- tween them was for the sweets purchased by Mrs. Boyd. Cross-examined, witness admitted that she had a standing order for 18 flagons of stout every week. This evidence was borne out by Alb. Hunt (lodger) and the two women, Mrs. Price and Mrs. Boyd. A fine of £ 5, or a month's imprison- ment in the Second Division, was im- posed, and an order was made to confis- cate all the intoxicants found on the premises.

Oratorio Concerts at Penygraig. Two grand performances of Mendel- ssohn's Hymn of Praise were given by the Zoar Choral Society at Zioar (W.B.) Chapel, Penygraig, on Thursday and Saturday evenings. The conductor was Mr. Griff. Davies, L.T.S.C. The artistes were —Soprano, Madame Maggie Morris- Evans, Tonyrefail; and tenor, Mr. Todd Jones, Treorchy. There was also a full orchestra assisting the choir. Mr. J. D. Williams, D.C., presided at Thursday evening's concert, and Mr. Tom Evans, D.C., on Saturday evening. The choral singing reached a very high standard. Mr. Griff. Davies' ability is well known in the musical world. This was, however, his initial attempt at con- ducting an oratorio. The performance will compare very favourably with those given in other parts of the Valley. The orchestra, led by Mr. Arthur Angle, and containing as it did so many star artistes was a magnificent one. They accomplished their work in an admirable manner. Their overture, "Raymond," in the miscellaneous por- tion was beautiful. Mr. Todd Jones has been heard in better lorm. In the miscellaneous por- tion he sang his ever-ready Sound an alarm." Madame Morris-Evans was a little better. Her rendering of Softly sighs was well received. Madame T. Edmunds presided at the grand organ, and did her work very satisfactorily. The proceeds were towards the chapel debt. The secretary was Mr. Roger Jenkins. I

Metropolitan Bank (of England and Wales), Limited. The members of the sta,ff and the officials connected with the alterations and opening of the new premises were entertained to dinner on Wednesday evening at the Park Hotel, Pontypridd. The manager, Mr. W. D. Hodges, pre- sided, and was supported by Mr. Gerald Bruce and Mr. W. P. Nicholas, of the firm of Messrs. Morgan, Bruce, Nicholas, and James, the bank's solicitors; Messrs. F. Gibson and J. Parry Williams, the architects Messrs. David Williams and Thomas James, the builders; and Mr. Edgar Treharne, the landlord. Excellent justice was done to the good things provided, and after the toast of the King, a very pleasant evening was spent, interspersed with songs, readings and recitations, with selections on the gramophone kindly lent by Mr. Allen. The manager, after explaining the causes which had necessitated the post- ponement, in a few well-chosen sentences proposed the' healths of the solicitors, architects, builders and landlord, which were suitably responded to by Mr. Gerald Bruce, Mr. F. Gibson, Mr. David Wil- liams, and Mr. Edgar Treharne. Mr. W. P. Nicholas, in a very able, eulogistic and charming after-dinner speech, next proposed success to the Metropolitan Bank, coupling with the toast, the health of their local manager.. He traced his connection with the bank since the first day he met the manager, and emphasised the fact that their re- spective relations had always; been of the most agreeable nature. He was very pleased to see the bank's business in- creasing in equal ratio with the develop- ments that wer-e, going on around us, and he also expressed the sincere, wish that we should soon see a silver lining to the dark clouds that were hanging over the district at the present time. The toast was drunk with great heartiness, and Mr. Hodges returned thanks on behalf of the bank and himself for the very kind and flattering remarks. The proceedings were brought to a close by the singifig of Auld Lang Syne."

What Tonypandy is Tempted to Ask. Tonypandy people are often tempted to ask, on reading testimonials from persons living many miles; away, How is it these testimonials are always from strangers in distant towns, when the word of a neighbour alol1 can be easily proven ? But when the evidence is Tonypandy evidence, like the following, there is no longer room for doubt. Mrs. J. Hann, whose address is 85, Kenry Street, Tonypandy, says: —" I caught a. bad chill which affected my kidneys, and later bladder weakness set in the secretions from the kidneys were painful and contained a sediment, and I had to get up many times during the night. The pain in my hack was intense, and I could not sit for long or kneel at my work because of it. I often, had such bad attacks of dizziness that I had to leave my work. At one time I was so overcome by the giddiness that I fell to the ground. I used to have fearful head- aches, and my sight was affected. Reading of a cure by Doan's Backache Kidney Pills, where the symptoms had been similar to mine, I went and bought a. box, and when I had taken the. pills the kidney secretions became more natural and there was lesl" pain in my back. When I had taken two more boxes of Doan's Pills I felt better, and was able to do my housework in comfort. Before I used Doan's Backache Kidney Pills, I had been unable to sleep' well'—I would lie awake longing for morning to come, and when I did get up I felt tired and dull, with no energy. I can honestly say that Doan's Pills are a splendid kidney medicine. To any- one suffering with kidney and bladder trouble I would strongly recommend Doan's Pills. I shall always keep some of them by me. (Signed) Mrs. J. Hann." Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two shillings and ninepence per pot, or six boxes for thirteen shillings and ninepence. Of all chemists and stores, or post free direct from the Foster-McCllelan Co., 8, Wells Street, Oxford Street, London, W. Be sure you get the same kind of pills as Mrs. Hann shad. 4905r

— I Here's help! A proved and certain help 2(J Puritan m. }| Soap Is a worker: it is JjB made to wash clothes J^B and does it. THOMAS, BRISTOL. f

:=:r DREADFUL ECZEMA CURED BY DR. MORSE'S INDIAN ROOT PILLS. That torturing and disfiguriag disease has its cause in an impure coadifeiea of the blood. The impure condition of the blood often arises from a diseased camdHion of the stomack aad allied organs of digestion and nutrition. When diges- tion is imperfect the nutrition of the body is inadequate to its needs. The blood becomes thin, poisons aceonaaiate in it, and these poisons often manifest them- selves in some eruptive disease. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills cure diseases of the stomach and other organs of diges- tion and nutrition. They eliminate poisonous sub- stances from the blood, purifying it. alid increas- ing its quality and rich- ness. They get at the cause and foundation, they cure perfectly diseases of the blood and other diseases which originate in a diseased stomach. Sold by Chemists and Stores, price 1/ll per bottle, or The W. H. Comstock Co., Ltd., 21, Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.

Proposed Public Testimonial to Mr. Edgar Jones. M.P. On Thursday evening last, & represen- tative public meeting was heM at Cal- faria, (W.B.) Chapel, Wattsiowis,, to in- augurate a. movement for a public testi- monial to Mr. Edgar Jones, M.P., Mer- thyr Borpughs. The meeting was con- vened by Mr. John Ka.n<e< (manager, United National Collieries). Mr. Kane, who presided. declared that the proposed testimonial would be of a, non-party character, and was intended to mark their pleasure at the fact that a youing man from the Khondda had attained a position of such honour. It was resolved unanimously that a. testimonial fund be opened. On the election of officers, Th"fr.. Kane was selected chairman Dr. R. D Clialke, M.A., Porth, secretary; and Mr. D. Watts Morgan, C.C., treasurer. It was decided that those prasent should form the nucleus of a large committee, and at least two gentlemen from each Ward in the Rhondda district be invited to join. Letters expressing sympathy with the movement were read from a number of prominent gentlemen. A splendid address on the movement was delivered by Dr. Chalke, supported by Councillor T. Harris, Pomtygwaith.

Ton. At the Workmen's Hali om Sunday last, under the auspices of the local branch of the I.L.P., address were delivered by Mr. A. Dalton, of Newcastle- on-Tyne. In the afternoon, he dwelt upon Socialism and its Oritics." and in the evening, "Socialism, My Religion." At the; Workmen's; Institute ci,ii, Tuesday evening the same speaker addressed a. fair gathering upon Socialism and the Drink Traffic."

eve ts to Glasses that Magnify,. I People who purchase their I glasses from a dealer without K proper examination are often led B away by the magnifying power the H lenses possess. B But your eyes may not require B such lenses, although you apparently I see well with them at the time. ■ It is extremely dangerous to B rely on your own judgment for the B selection of spectacles. A competent B Optician being necessary to decide B H such a question. B BJ We can give you the best B possible eye advice. Consult as I B J. w. RICHARDS, I CDtmlst and OptidaN, PANDY SQUARE, TOmPANOY.