The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

LOCAL PASSING EVENTS. THE conference of the Pontypridd Board of Guardians and Mr Bircham, the inspector of the Local Government Board, which took place on Wednesday, was not particularly satisfactory to the Llanwonno section of the Board, at least. There has for some years been a complaint that the Pontypridd, and more especially the Llanwonno, portion of the Union is not so well represented as the Mountain Ash portion of the Union-not that the members already elected do not do their work, for, according to Mr Bircham's own statement, they seem to be bearing the heat and burden of the day so far as that is con- cerned, but Mountain Ash has a larger number of members. It has often been pointed out that if things continue to go on as they do now, the Mountain Ash members may swamp the Board, and, a representation to that effect having been made to the Local Government Board, that body instructed their inspector to confer with the Guardians upon the subject, and it was for this purpose, mainly, that he attended at the board room on Wed- nesday. There is an old Welsh saying that every raven thinks her brood is white, and we think it applies in this case. Mr 3ircham appears to have had a hand iD the arrange- ment of the seats of the Board, and he, naturally, perhaps, thinks it cannot be im- proved, so, after debating the pros and cons with himoelf, he informed the Board that the suggestion to give three wards to Llanwonno parish with two members each was "absurd." He also failed to see any danger of the Board being swamped, as the Mountain Ash members did not attend. Setting aside, for the mo- ment, the inspector's reasons against the scheme, we venture to say that the dictatorial manner he assumed was such as would be immediately resented at some of our larger towns, for as the representative of" the Board above," as it is sometimes termed, his province is to suggest and to listen to the arguements of the members. His remarks may be taken, as he subsequently said, for what they are worth, and though his report to the Looal Government Board may be adverse to the scheme of the Llanwonno members, they need not give up all hopes of attaining their object. We do not mean to impute anything to the Mountain Ash members, who are all gentlemen for whom we have the greatest respect, but in local, municipal, and political matters, the in- teresta of the best friends may sometimes clash, and to allow anything approaching a monopoly of representation on a public body is unfair. The gentlemen referred to no doubt repose so much confidence in their fellow- members that they think it unnecessary to attend every ordinary relief meeting-though after all, that is where the real work of the Board has to be done-but that is no proof that they may not swamp the Board at some future period when they consider the oecasion has arisen for them all to attend. It is the prac- tice at many Boards to allow the priucipal work to be done by a small section, but when any particularly interesting discussion is expected to aiise the ex-officio and other members come out in force and, should they happen to be mostly from one neighbourhood, is there anything more natural than that they should all vote one way ? Be it under- stood, we do not object to having a check upon the working bees," as it were, if that check be a fair representation of the whole Union. Now, it seems to us tha.t if the Guardians act upon Mr Bircham's advice, and wait until the election shows whether the Board is swamped or not, it will be too late to rectify the mistake, for the swamping majority would not be at all likely to sanction an application for the re-arrange- ment of the wards. ANOTHER matter )cn which Mr Bircham gave some very fatljly advice was the ad- ministration of outooi relief. He has re- ferred to this matte before, and since then the Guardians haVifceen trying to econo- mise, or the increase the population and the great poverty c the district would, in all probability, hai made the relief list much heavier thaIit is. Doubtless the chairman expressedjfae views of all when he said it was their isire to balance, as far as possible, the inters and the dues of the rate-payer and the&te-raceiver. How to do that satisfactory must often be a per- plexing question, a% shown by the unfor- tunate misunderstaiing which has arisen with regard to the so of Thomas Harries, of Ystrad. Ratep4rs of all classes do seriously feel the nch of these days of slow trade, for thqh we have seen glim- merings of the pd time coming the working classes kw to their cost that matters have not t come to that happy condition of busine revival which some people outside ourwn district seem to think we have reacll. To the Guardians we would say, keep)wn the rates as much as you can, so long you can do that con- sistently with your ities to the ratepayer and the really poc and deserving rate- receiver. IT IS much to be fretted that any un- pleasantness should 1ve arisen between the Ystradyfodwg mercirs of the Board of Guardians out of e circumstances con- nected with the deatof Thomas Harris, an out-door pauper of t\r district. The dis- cussion reported in mother column clearly proves that Dr. IdrisDavies, than whom there is not a more ki -hearted gentleman to be found, struck tthe fact that the relief in kind of 1) Guardians would not meet the case of Bris, wrote a note to the relieving officer, a in order to show the urgency of the mair said the man was starving. This gave ri to the report that the man, when he breaed his last, died of starvation. Subseque events magnified that report, and it a]ears that Mr E. H. Davies and the relieag officer felt ag- grieved, so the matte: was mooted at the Board on Wednesday. laving given a full explanation, land distiitly stated that he blamed nobody, we d not see why Dr. Idris Davies should btasked to apologise for his conduct, and wearnestly hope that after the little breeze athe Board, all par- ties will consider that le subject has been sufficiently ventilated, sd that those im- mediately concerned wil" shake hands and be friends again. THE inquest on the me killed at the Pen- ygraig Colliery E^ploeior as continued on Wednesday and Thursday before Mr. Over- ton and Mr. Reece, coronas. Mr. Wright, the commissioner appoint by the Home Office to assist in the inqtity, was detained in London by the stooge of the Great Western trains, and on tie first day Mr. Simons, the colliery owJ^is' representative, was unable to attend. Swtoe further evi- dence was laid before ths jury, and an ad- journment took place until to.day (Friday), when the investigatien "ill be concluded. We hope to be able to give the verdict in our second edition. WE understand that Mess:-s. Thomas and Griffiths, the proprietors of Gelli Colliery, are now laying down, in tleir steam coal workings, pipes to water tke roads, so as to prevent the dangers arising from the in- flammable nature of coal dost in the mine. This plan is recommended to the notice of colliery managers generally by Mr. Wales, the Inspector of Mines.

Echoes from the Welsh Papers. BY BBYT?0JT. Y Ooleuad in an article an the opening of Par- liament says that some consent has been made upon the absence of the Sovereign from the opening ceremony, not that that makes much difference, but becauge it cofltyares somewhat un- favourably with the ease with which the preceding government won Royal smiles. Whether rightly or wrongly, it adds, the notion has got abroad that the Court does not keep itself so independent of political parties as it used tc, md all its move- ments are watched with a feeling that was quite strange to this country years a.go. One of our Aberdare contemporaries, the Tarian, devotes a very long article on the free- trade question and the coPferente to be held at Cardiff in pursuance of a resolution passed at the last conference. It advises that papers should be read on the subject at the gathering referred to, and advocates the formation of a League for spreading the principles of Free Tnde throughout the world. That league, it points out, might publish tracts in various languages to be distri- buted in different countries, and men could be sent to lecture in foreign lands, as was done years ago in order to abolish slavery. This seems to be the most sensible view of the matter, too. What is wanted now is not to educate the people of this country in free trade-for we know its benefits, practically-but to convince other nations that they and ourselves would be likely to benefit by adopting the same thing. Mr Lewis Williams, of Cardiff, hae always been popular in his own town, and is so genial and useful a member of society that even his political opponents have not a word to say against him, but his evidence:before the Education Commission the other day has raise I him immensely in the eyes of people outside his own district, and his figures on the educational status and ability of Welshmen are pretty freely quoted by the Welsh papers. There is a great deal of work before the present Parliament (says the Tytt), but if the Obstruction- ists are a. little quiet, it will be done. It is out of reasor blame people for not working and at the same time to throw every obstacle in the way of its completion but the Tories are perfidious enough to join any clique if they think by so doing they will be able to upset the measures of the government. The Herald Cymraeg understands that Eos Morlais is busily engaged in preparing the Lon- don Welsh Choir to render Mr D. Emlyn Evans' cantata The Fairies," which is to be brought to the notice of the Londoners. Seven Oymru heartily congratulates the Non- conformists of Cardiff on their recent victory over the united forces of the Church and Roman Catholics in connection with the School Board election, and adds The Nonconformists of the town have reason to rejoice in the victory, which is due to their unity, their co-operation, and their effort. The education question in Cardiff is safe for the next three years." The same paper says, the forgemen of Dafan are still out, and there are no prospects of their commencing work. It appears that the ordinary notice has not been given to the men, but that it is sought to reduce the wages at once, and if that be so the men are quite right in resisting so un- reasonable a. demand, but a strike at this time of the year is a poor outlook, indeed, for the men and their families. Nodiedydd in the Qoltuad gives some curious instances of movements from the sublime to the ridiculous at literary meetings. Papers giving answers to questions upon the Resurrection were, he says. placed on a table with some dolls. In another there was a prize for explaining a verse in the Bible followed by a prize being awarded to the best who would make a chemise for herself. Then, at another, the adjudicator first gave his opinion upon a treatise on the mind and then proceeded to adjudicate upon specimens of oat- meal bread. = I

WALK AND TALK. i (By a. Lampman.) As I walked down St. Catherine Street a day or two ago, with some working men, I heard the following conversation JOHN THE SINKER.—Well, boys, what's the latest ? What about the re-starting of Fowler's pit? ROBBRT JONES.—I have heard nothing since I saw that report in the Pontypridd Chr&nicle last week, but if any one may judge from the position of the company who bought it, we may expeet to see it in full swing before long. I expect there will be more call for coal soon, and the look-out is not so bad as it was. WILLIAM THE PICKLER.—That's not at all a bad pieee of news about the new tinworks which are to be opened down by Pontclown. That, I ex- pect will make our trade a little more brisk. PHILLIP THE MASON.—We'll have to be em. ployed there first, though. But, talk about the latest, boys the latest was what I saw the be- ginning of this week, and you'd say so, too, if you saw it. RoBERT JONES.—You may well say if you saw it." I know what you mean, but seeing it was the thing. PHILLIP.-Hold on, Robert, don't you pitch in until I have finished, please. Last week, in a town not a hundred miles from this place, I had a peep at a most comical-looking object. It was a kind of a dirty newspaper, printed with invisible ink on transparent paper, tlirough which you could see London if it bad not been for the distance- and the dirt. I mean the dirt that was on the paper, mind you. It had a bombastic paragraph in the middle, which must reflect great credit on the boy who wrote it—at least it would if a fellow could read it, I believe. Then as to the news, the brain power brought to bear on condensing it was so great that it was altogether pressed out of sight. ROBERT.- You mean Pott's Eatanswill Gazette. PHILLIP (nodding significantly in a certain direction).—Yes There was an ex-railway clerk, an ex-schoolmaster, and a boy reading it, and I looked over their shoulders. Our clerk was with us at the time, and when he heard them say some- thing about boys he said—" I have thought some of nature's journeymen had made men, and not made them well, they imitated humanity so abominably." And when they talked about im- I provement he said- 0 wad some power the giftie gie us, To see oursels as others see us I It wad frae monie a blunder free us, And foolish notion." Our clerk is an admirer of Burns, you know. JOHN THE TIPPER.-Well, let's drop that now What do you think of Mr Galloway's new experi- meats to find out the inflammable qualities of dust in the pit. ROBERT.-There may be more in it than people think, and I hope his experiments will lead to something substantial. It seems to me that we, workmen, ought to take up the matter, and ask Mr Galloway to publish the result of hi" inves- tigations. JOHN.—I heard the schoolmaster say the other day that there is something about it In a magazine called Nature, but what we want is to get hold of it in some popular newspaper published in the midst of us. ALL.-Yes, quite right. We then separà ted.

AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO FRIENDLY SOCIETIES We understand that W. H. Morgan Esq. solicitor has become an Honorary Member of two Friendly Societies held at the Welsh Harp, Pontypridd, and has given £1 Is to each of them as subscription for the year. Many societies might increase their funds by suggesting to some of their well-to-do neighbours an easy way to render assistance.

FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE TAFF VALE RAILWAY On Saturday afternoon" an accident of a very pain ful character occurred on the Taff Vale Railway near the Cathays Yard It appears that Thomas Watkins, a middle-aged man, who resided at Llan- daff, and who was a foreman platelayer, was at the upper end of the yard, and was in the act of cross- ing the line, when a passenger train came along and knocked him down. It was afterwards found that he had a variety of serious injuries. His left foot was almost severed, his right thigh was frac- tured, add he also received a fearful wound on the right hip. He was conveyed to the infirmary at about half-past three o'clock. Amputation of the left foot became necessary, and was performed. The sufferer, who had retained consciousness, lingered on until about five o'clock on Sunday morning, when he expired.

FUNERAL OF MRS. MORGAN JOSEPH, COWBRIDGE. The death, last week, after a protracted illness, of Mrs. Morgan Joseph, of Llanblethian, near Cowbridge, is deeply regretted by the numerous friends of the influential family of which she was a member. The funeral on Friday was the largest seen in the neighbourhood for many years, and amongst the mourners were Mr D. Joseph, Bristol, (late Ely Rise, near Cardiff) and his son; Mrs. Thomas, Ysguborwen, near Aberdare, &o.

LOCAL ITEMS. MR W. SOOTT, the< platelayer who met with an accident on Thursday last. at Pontypridd Railway Junction, has had his arm amputated a little below the shoulder. He is progressing favourably at Car. diff Infirmary. ACCIDENT TO A HAWKER.—On Saturday last a hawker known by the name of Chips," while on his way home to Pontypridd from "Ynysybwl, slipped and fell on some of his ware, causing a serious injury to his ribs. VESTRY.-At a Vestry Meeting held on Monday last in connectioa with the Glyntaff Burial Board, Messrs Moses Cule, William Griffiths and David Powell were re-elected members of the Burial Board and Mr H. S. Davies, and Rev. Josiah Roberta auditors, Mr James Richards presided. Trill: TOWN BALL. -At last we have seen pros- spectases lying arouud on the tables of our fel- low townsmen of a town-hall for Pontypridd. The names appended thereto, are a guarantee that the project, if possible, will be carried out. Beaidot supplying a much needed want, the building will be an ornament to the town; supplanting the present unsightly wheat market, and substituting therefor a handsome row of shops wifh a large and commo. dious hall above them. RBv. J. PUGH. -It is stated. on good authority, that the Rev. J. Puuh, of Trudegar, has received and accepted an Invitation to the pastorate of the church meeting at St. David's Hall. Should the rev. gentleman become our fellow-townsman, Ponty. pridd will receive a most efficient fellow-worker. Hie fame is in all the churches as a good preacher temperance advocate, and philanthropic worker.' May this pastor-elect soon settle among as, and help on the religious interests of the town by his well- known activity, energy, and enthusiasm. A ICRUEL ÐIBAPPOIlVTJUNT. A young couple from the hills visited Pontypridd last week for the purpose of celebrating the time-honoured rites of Hymen; but, alas, there is many a slip between the cup and the lip." The morning they hoped to see their golden hopes realised brought with it the cup of disappointment. Strange to say, both bride. groom and bride elect were taken ill at the same time, and had to postpone the consummation of that which they so devoutly wished for a more conve- nient and propitious season. COFFEE TAVERN (LunTED ).-The directors of the above institution met on Friday evening, Jan. 11 in one of the rooms of the tavern. No report was presented, but the iuterests and prospects mt the house were generally discussed. The directors are satisfied, so far, with their venture, and anticipate for it abundant success. The tavern is a very neat" clean, well oonducted establishment; supplying the very best of fare, and affording excellent accommo- dation. This cold season especially it may antici- pate considerable patronage. THERE ARE SEVERAL local bills in Parliament at present, and, among others, bills that will if passed affect the trade and commerce of the Taff and Rhondda Valleys. The Marquig of Bute's representatives have lodged an objection against the Rhondda. and Swansea Railway Bill. The Taff Vale Railway Company and others have lodged an objection against the Taff Vale, London and North Western, Great Western, and Midland Railways Junction Railways Bill. THE SNOW STORM.—For the last week the weather has been bitterly cold. The Rhoidda. and Taff rivers were almost one vast sheet ofice, on Monday, and the Glamorgan Canal was c)m: pletely blocked up. On Tuesday morning siow began to fall, and towards the evening it cane on to one of the most severe snowstorms expr- ienced in these parts for many years. In Porcy- pridd on Tuesday night the snow was about th'ee feet deep, and where the wind had full play it ras even as high as the tops of the doors. Am<ng others who suffered from the fury of the stom was Mr Leyshon, the brewer. Several tiles wee blown off the roof of his office. The builditg however was not injured. LOST IN THE SNow.on Tuesday a lare funeral was going to Llanwonno, and as a cor- pany of young men were returning, one of ther number named Howells lost his hat through tb force of the wind, and in running after it he los his way on the mountain. His companions, seeinj him rather long, went in search of him, but Wert unsuccessful. They kept up the search througl the night, returning now and then to the Llan- wonno Inn to warm themselves. On Wednesday morning however, they saw Howollalirecti-qg hi, way home over the mountain. It appears that he had walked about the mountain for a long time, and at last came in sight of a stable, which he entered, and was very glad to find such comfor- table shelter from the storm. All the company reached home on Wednesday. TABERNACLE SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.— On Sunday and Monday, January 16 and 17, the Anniversary Services in connection with the Sunday School were held, when the Rev. W. Morris, Treorky, preached in the morning on "The Cross, the subject of the christians glory." In the afternoon on the Sympathy of Christ the High Priest." And in the evening on the words of Job xxvi. 14. These are parts of his ways &o. On Monday evening the discourse was founded on Matt. xiii. 39, The field is the world," in treating the subject the Rev. gentleman explained The great idea in the minis. try of Christ to take possession of the world The claim of the Saviour to the world-the world is his field. The great preparation of the gospel-sufficient for the whole wolrd; the realization of the Saviours ideal in obtaining complete possession of fallen humanity. The field is the world blooming forth to tha glory of God in the harvest. The pulpit it still a power in our country, and is likely retain its hold of the hearts of men, notwithstanding the cavils of the unbeliever. Go to OLIVER'S. 80, Taff-street, Pontypridd, for your boots and shoes. Colliers' strovg boots at 6s. lid. Mens' light evening boots, 5s lid and 6s lid. Women's nailed boots, 4S, 4a. 6d. Boy's and tfirls nailed boots, la Ud, 2s 4d, 2s 8d, 3s and 3s.6d. L r TREHERBERT. A LECTURE. — THE COLLIER. AND HIS CON. NECTIONS." Last Monday evening, in spite of the bitter cold weathei, some hundreds gathered to- gether at Carmel, Treherbert, to hear Mr David Weeks, (Honddu,) delivering a lecture. The sub- ject was, The Collier and his Connections (Y Glowr a'i gysylltiadau.) Though young as a lecturer Mr Weeks proved a perfect master over his subj ct. He spoke for nearly two hours, but declared at the cloae, that he had not told hia audience half what he had prepared. And we believe we can safely say that all present long to hear the remaining part of this interesting lecture. Judging from what the lecturer said, and the different matters he sug- gested as the main points, to which he would call attention, we think the remaining part would prove not only interesting, but also edifying to all, es- pecially colliers. In his lecture, Mr Weeks refered to tho different theories concerning the formation of coal seams, gave a sketch of the collier's history, his trials and triumphs in the past, his present state which though an improvement upon the past, id far from being what it should be, and expressed a belief that it will improve again, and that there are bright days awaiting the collier. Every collier present could not but feel proud that he waa a collier, notwithstanding his trials and dangers. In his closing r-marks the lecturer exhorted all colliers to lead a sober steady life, to stt ivo to gain knowledge of. the coal trade and exhorted them not to r st till they have bettered their condition. It would do all colliers good to hear this lecture. Should they avail themselves of this treat, and endeavour to carry into practice the good sug- gestions thrown out, we believe that, a brighter day would soon dawn upon the collier. The chair was taken and well filled, by Mr Evan Evans, manager, Ynysfeio. After a vote of thanks to the Lecturer aud Chairman combined, proprosed by the Rev J. Rees, Carmel, and seconded by Rev. M. Jones, Tynewydd, all separated well satisfied. The proceeds will go to assist Robert Thomas, who has been disabled from following his occupation for nearly two years. In acknowledging the vote of thanks, the lecturer expressed his readiness to give the re- maiader of his lecture at any future date, for a similar purpose, free of charge as in the present. LLANTRISANT. IT IS REPORTED that a new tinworks is to be started shortly in the neighbourhood of Llantriaant, a little btyond Pontclown. CAERPHILLY. DEATH OF AN OLD INHABITANT.—On Saturday last Mrs. Rachel Davies, (w-^wof the Thomas Davies, Castle Fa idence of her brother Mr E4 j