The Merthyr Express

THEATFTE MM ROYAL, MEBTBLVR TTDFIt, THE SOUTH WALES ENTEKTAINMENTS COMPANY. MONDAY, APRIL 19th, FOR SIX NIGHTS ONLY BOX PLAN NOW OPEN. ROBERT MACDONALD'S COMPANY In FARCICAL MUSICAL PLAY, in Two Acts and Three Scenes- JL JNL JB iJ' JBL 1 Y i THE DAIRYMAIDS By A. M. THOMPSON and ROBERT COURTNEIDGE. MUSIC by PAUL A. RUBENS and FRANK E. TOURS. LYRICS by PAUL A. RUBENS and ARTHUR. WIMPERIS. POWERFUL CHORUS AND AUGMENTED ORCHESTRA. I FROM THE APOLLO AND QUEEN'S THEATRES, LONDON, CIRCLE- STALL. PIT- GALLERY- 2/« 1/6 1 /« 6<L DOWLAIS CHAMBER OF TRADE FIIN« EISTEDDFOD, In the Dowlais Schools Playground, WHIT MONDAY, 1909. Musical ArJinHirn.tnTQ—DAN PRICE, Esq,, Prof. R.C.M., London. Adjudicators pAyID THOMAS, Esq., M.A., Mus. Bac., Swansea. OVER eIO5 IN PRIZES. MALE VOICE CHOIR, £ 45. ^9SS?E^T?I0^ACH £ 25' JUVENILE, £ 10. VOCAL SOLOS, £ 2 2s. KAOU. ft.Mu.tUl Prize, to Imtr J.B.al Solos, P»«lion Sin«i.* Mus,0.1 Compo»«.on, Amtol.oc, Timbering, and other Contests. rrogrammes, 2d.. Post Free, from the Gen. Sec. Mr. David Rees, Ormonde. House, Dowlais. GWENT CHAIR EISTEDDFOD HHYMNEY, MON. WHIT-TUESDAY, JUNE 1st, 1909. (a) "All Men, all Things" m Chief Choral • w "cwsg, ruwr, cwsg. Second Choral "Daybreak" f 2 0 I Male Voices "Voice of the Torrojits" £25 Ladies' Choirs «* Juvenile Choirs 6ilaste not, Rest not" tio Boys' Choirs Tiger, Tigor" £ 5 Pryddest "Anian" f5 a Chadair Gwent Prif Draethawd "Djlodol Uymru" £ 3 3 0 SOLOS, TWO GUINEAS EACH. Quartette, Duet, Cywydd, Can, Englyn, Translation, Recitations, Mining, Ambulance, Wand Drills, &c. JTull particulars in Programme, PricedERRAcE> RHYMNEY. -_u_- PARK BAPTIST CHURCH. THE WALK, MERTHYR. PKIACHKR NKXT SUNDAY— RBv. J. LLOYD WILLIAMS (PASTOR) Services at 11 a.m. ai)d Merthyr Spiritualist's Society, TREVETHICK HALL. The SERVICES next SUNDAY will ba helo as usual at above Ilall. SPKAKKR MRS MAYO (LIVERPOOL). ØVBJMCTS-ll a.m., "Am I my brother's keeper." 6 p.m., Prayer. SILVER COLLECTION. TABERNACLE, MERTHYR. Champion Solo Competition And ANNUAL MONSTBE TEA ON MONDAY, MAY 10th, 1909. Open Solo Competition for Male or Female. Competitor to choose own solo. First Prize, 10/6 Second Prize, 5/ The names of the competitors. must BEi sent to 9. DYRIN PEICB. 108, Brecon Road, Merthyr, on or before May 6tb, 1909. MEMORIAL HALL. SEYMOUR STREET, ABERDARE. A BAZAAR fin econnectioll with Tabernacle ConZregat-ional Church) will be held at the auove place ON THURSDAY, APRIL 22ad, 1909. The Bazaar will be opened at 3 p.m. by MRS. D. A. THOMAS, Llanwern. There will be special attraction. including Dramatic Emtertainments and Stalls for 1bin and Fancy Goods. Dairy Produce, Wood Carving, China, Home-made Sweets. Dry Goods, Ferns and Flowers, &c. rickets for Luncheon £ Bazaar, 2,1-, Tea & Bazaar, 1/ A GRAND RUGBY FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN Mr. POWELL'S TEAM, Cardiff, and hlr. WYNDHAM JONES' TEAM, Mountain Ash. WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, APRIL 22nd, at the COFFEE TAVERN FIELD, MKRTHYR VALE. ADMISSION 6d, in aid of the Merthyr Vale Am- bulance Brigade. Kick off 6 o'clock p.m. Aberaman Horse Show MAY 24th, 1909. EIGHTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION At the Aberaman Park. PRESIDENT DR. FINNEY. :£200 in Cash Frizes. Classes for Driving, Riding, Jumping, Trotting, Galloping, and Yeomanry Turn-out. SCHEDULES READY. &HES. Secretary, Broad OAk. Abarareum- ABERDARE FAIR APRIL 16th and 17th, 1909. BATTLE, PLEASURE and FLANNEL. The Flannel Fair is acknowledged the largest nd best in South Wales. Amusement caterers— Messrs. Henry St-udt& Sons, Haggar, Wad brooks, Dooner z Son, and a large number of other attractions. Late and convenient trains to all parts. T. PRICE DAVIES, (Late W. Price and Da vies.) BONE-SETTER, GWERNYFED," THE WALK, (Near Park Chapel), MERTHYR, Where he can bo consulted and cages treated for ill DISLOCATIONS, MUSCULAR, INJURIES, DIS- J,Am;D CARTILAGES. &e., on MONDAYS, VjJDNESDA YS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS; ilso at MARKET TAVERN. ABSBDAKE, every -TUES- DAY from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and CARPENTERS InlS, PORTH, every THURSDAY from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. ^KASON TO BREEDERS OF HIGH-CLASS ,:m COBS AND HARNESS liOKt>b-S. If you want the RIGHT SORT. use the DOUBLE CHAMPION BRED HACKNEY STALLIONS- MYRTLE DAN LENO n years old, 16 hands high. Volume fi. Sire AGIUTT, Z,7!I9 H fc.B. Dam Sire. TRUSTFUL, 2,741 H.S.B. or the 3 year old Colt, lo hands high— TRUSTFUL RECRUIT 10.849 H.S B., Volume 26 Sire, CHAMPION TRUSTFUL. 2,741 H,S.B. Dam. 14,775, TATTERS, H.S.B. By the CHAMPION CASSIUS, 2,397 H.S.B. For Stud Cards and Particulars apply to Owner- TOIVI JONES, GALON UCHAF STUD, MERTHYR. W. T. JONES, 50, High Street, Merthyr, Auctioneer & Accountant, HOUSE, INSURANCE AND GENERAL BUSINESS ACENT. Tp \I)ESMEN'S Dcots Bought or Collected, ltents Collected. Arrangements with Credi- tors. Preparation of Bankruptcy Statements 9f Af- fairs. ,.Craders' Books Posted and Audited. Apent, for Chief Life, Accident, Fire, and Plate Glass Insurance Companies. CHARLES M. DAVIES, BUILDING SURVEYOR AND VALUER, (Licensed 20 Years) MORGAN TOWN, MERTHYR. OFFICES :—112, HIGH STREET. PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND QUANTITIES. APPRAISEMENT FOR PURCHASES. TRANSFERS AND DILAPIDATIONS. Surveyor to the Merthyr New and Improved Build- inL, Society, the Merthyr Working Men's Building Society, and the Star-Bowkett Building Society. ESTABLISHED 1899. PHILLIPS & JONES (Evan I. Pbilbps, Assoc. Aiietioneers' Institute) AUCTIONEERS, VALUERS, ACCOUNTANTS & ESTATE AGENTS, HOTEL VALUERS & GAUGERS, SURVEYORS to the Largest Building Societies in the Kingdom. CATFS conducted of House Preperty, Shares. Land- ed Estates, Machinery, Agricultural and Trad# Stocks, and Household Furniture. PROMPT SETTLEMENTS. Head Office- CENTRAL CHAMBERS, HIGH STREET Ei AR (10 F. 0, J'çlP9ijÇ::f&i.j! MERTHYR COUNTY SCHOOL. THE SUMMER TERM WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY, APRIL 27th. The Headmaster will be at the School to see Parents, and to attend to School business on MONDAY, APRIL 26th, Morning and Afternoon. BRIGHTON HOUSE SCHOOL, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. BOARDING-House for Boys. Healthy situation, close to Downs; 270 feet above sea level. :,arge and airy rooms. Modern Principles of Education. Individual attention. Fees moderate. Some Comforts. Recent Successes and Illustrated Prospectus from the Principal, C. M. PARKS, B.A. (BERDARE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE AND CORRESPONDENCE COLLEGE. PRINCIPAL J. MARSHALL, F.Ine.S.T., F S.C., &c. NOTICE. A BRANCH of the above School has now been opened at the CENTRAL COFFEE TAVERN, High-stret, Merthyr" The Classes commence at 7.15 every Wednesday Evening. All those desirous of nn expert coach for Schol- isfcic, Civil Service and Commercial Examinations, should call at the above address, or write to the SECRETARY, School of Commerce, Aberdare, who will be pleased to give particulars and advice to intending students. The South Wales High School for Girls. Summerfieltl Hall, MAESYCWMMEK, Cardiff. Principals, Mrs. T. NEWMAN-MARKS and Miss FOWLER. A THOROUGH HIGH-CLASS EDUCATION. Preparation for Cambridge Local. London Matric., and Royal Academy of Music Examinations. Physical Culture, Tennis and Hockey. Care of Health, Boys' Preparatory Class. NEXT TERM COMMENCES APRIL 30th, 1909., Boarders return April 29th. For Prospectus apply to the Principals. TONG & COBON, AUCTIONEERS, VALUERS, GUAGERS BROKERS, &c. HEAD OFFICE -.— Auction Chambers, Brynmawr. TEL. P.O. 18. Sales of every description arranged for with prompt settlement. Valuations for Transfer, Probate, or Mortgage exped'tiously completed. LICENSING BUSINESS A SPECIALITY. TREDEGAR VALLEY. THOMAS JONES, Accountant, Auditor, House and Estate Agent. Tradesmen's Books Posted and Audited. Rents and Debts Collected. Bankrupts' Statements of Affairs Arrangement with Creditors. Agent for the Chief Life- *'re and Accident Insurance Companies Secretary to the Tredegar and Dis- trict Permanent Money Society. Office-86, Commercial Street, Tredegar MR. E. THOMAS, AUCTIONEER AND ACCOUNTANT, TREDEGAR. Office Cartrefle, Sirhowy. Rents and Debts Collected. Mortgage Loans negotiated. Distress for Rents undertaken. Preparation of Bankrupt Statement of Affairs. Probate, &o., &c. INSURANCE OF EVERY DESCRIPTION EFFECTED FRANK JELLEYMAN7 E-4 The Arcade, MERTHYR. !IIltA' A D M s ? ImmmobhsJI 11 »ECi?>7E:"ED safes* E Fac-simtle of One-Ounce Packet. Archer's Golden Returns Perfectiaa of Pipe Tobaego. I Spiritualist Council of Wales opened permanently at BENTLEY'S HALL, MERTHYR, SUNDAY NEXT, APRIL 18sh, 1909, I At 3 o'clock and 6 30 p.m. MR. ESSARY of Pontypridd, Trance Speaker, MRS. LEWIN, Clairvoyant. I TREVETHICK HALL, MONDAY EVENING at 8, .MRS. LEWIN.

Notice to Subscribers. Three editions of the "Merthyr Express" are printed every week one for the Aberdare Vat lev from Hirwain 10 Abercynon; one for the Bor ough of Merthyr Tydfil and East Glamorgan; and one fer H'es: Monmouth, inclusive 01 the Rhymney Valley. Subscribers in one district desirous of obtaining the edition in another district can be supplied with' it through their regular agents by sending a post card to the publisher, Oleeelana. street, Merthyr, intimating their wishes and nam. ing the agent.

THE TOWN-PLANNING AND HOUSING BILL. THE Town!-Planning and Housing Bill, intro- duced by the President of the Local Government Board and read a second time in the House of Commons, on Thursday in last week, is a measure that comes somewhat late in the day for an old country like ours to achieve for our towns what a law to the same purport has accomplished for Germany during the last thirty or forty years. Still, the old adage, Better late than never," holds good with regard to this measure for ourselves, and should it become law, as is extremely probable. though with various modifications in the proposals, it will place a great power for the amelioration of the conditions of living in which the town populations are at present helplessly fixdd in the hands of the Local Government Board and local authorities. The commer- cial and industrial development of the country has proceeded too far, we fear, for the creation of many absolutely new towns, or even to edect the conversion of our old ones into new ones altogether; but, for all that, a vast field of useful influence remains in the mere extensions which. must, take place in every important tradings pentre which looks forward to years of further progress. The oii potfer to be conferred upon local authorities to acquire land compulsorily for the building of needful houses for the working classes, without recourse to the dilatory and costly processes which at present hinder and hamper such transactions, will be an immense boon; and the power to require the proper planning in their entirety of estates to be let or sold for building purposes is not less important. How many, even of our towns of modern creation, in spite of sanitary regulations for ventilation, water and drainage in separate cases of streets and houses, have grown up as perfect jumbles for want of the exercise of some controlling authority over the manner in which the building land shall be laid out as a whole. BY the new Bill it is intended to confer such control upon our Town and District Councils, so that, where there is likely to be a very considerable increase of population for which housing accommodation will be required, it will be competent for the local authority to go into the market themselves and acquire the land and build the houses, if there should be any deficiency in private enterprise in these respects. Supposing that private enterprise is ready to undertake the duty, still the authority can insist upon the area upon which the new town or village is to arise being properly planned and laid out as a whole, with adequate open spaces and the allocation of different classes of houses to particular sections, instead of pitchforking cottages and villas, and dwellings of greater pretensions still into one disorderly, incongrnous grouping. The mining districts of South Wales and Monmouthshire arc full of examples of the miserable outcome, architec- turally, and from a spectacular and aesthetic point of view as well, of the absence in the past of central controlling authorities, empowered to insist upon having the future townships created in imagination and properly set forth in plans and drawings before work begins, and an eligible situation for a town of genuine pretensions to taste and beauty is practically destroyed. We need not mention particular cases, as there are enough to recur to the mind of readers in every part of the district. We have also some striking examples of the converse. In different paits of the country, where wealthy landowners like Lord Bute, Lord Tredegar, the, Duke of Devonshire, and others, have exercised their individual powers in this way, we can see by. the results how important it is for the future of a town, whether small or great, that it should be built upon a well-ordered plan which provides for the proper classification of different types of houses, for residence or business, so that 'every type presents to the eye of the beholder evidence of adequate consideration for the requirements of the people who are to occupy them, in proportion to their means and circum- stances. By this means the value of the land can be realised to its highest extent, and everybody interested, the owner, the tenant, and the community at large, shares the benefit of the aggregate results. THERE is sure to be an outcry from landowneis and land agents against the proposal to set up the Local Government Board as the sole deter- mining authority for fixing the value of a piece of land. It does seem arbitrary, but, on the other hand, we have the universal experience of every person and every authority concerned in the acquisition of land by compulsion, that the present means of ascertaining and deter- mining the value are shamefully circumlocu- tionary, extravagant, ■ and costly. The only alternative to acceptance of the owners' own terms is a process oi arbitraland everybody who has had experience of tins method o* ^ft^iftjng yaju^sjsc^s it iicunjJjrpu? r ind costly to the last degree, and can fairly be lescribed as extortion under the law. The troops of expensive people employed in this way to get at the worth of a piece of land, whose market value is almost obvious, art* enough to drive most authorities, purchasing from necessity, to make the best of a bad job by agreeing with the owner. The proposal to substitute an arbitrary valuer by the Local Government Board to fix the value without reference to professional witnesses, solicitors. 3r counsel, will appear to such persons as revolutionary, especially with the abolition of the ten per cent. extra for compulsion." It is a great innovation indeed, but there will be little disagreement that something of the kind, is called for as a -Corrective of existing abuses jf unlimited power over land required for public conveniences. The drastic proposition )f the Bill on this point may be modified before t passes through both Houses but the necessity some protection for the public authorities igainst the extortions to which they are now iable, and arc frequently subjected, is generally icknowledged, and, therefore, they are likely :o scoure it under this Bill.

GOSSIP. Once more our climate has maintained its eputa tion for being fickle. In the middle of ast week we emerged from the gloom of a long md trying winter into the genial spring. On Friday and Saturday the weather was more ike August than April, and as the sky was loudless there were hopes that the pleasant, 'onditions would continue over the Easter lolidays. But not so. Sunday was dull and sold compared with the preceding days, and Monday was cheerless, rain falling for leveral lours. The beautiful weather on Friday and Saturday tempted many people out into the :ountry. Others ventured to seaside resorts, but the leaden sky and rain on Monday marred the pleasure of holiday seekers Sports and sther outdoor attractions arrauged for Monday were completely spoiled by the adverse con- iitions. Tuesday also was dull, wet and cold. The CaidifF Corporation, I see, are about to make an experiment in afforestation. They will shortly acquire forty acres of land at Storey Arms, near the Brecon Beacons, and will utilise the land for this purpose. Some eight to ten acres of the mountain side on the west of their Beacons' reservoir were planted j in 1906, and considerable loss has taken place there, but, on the whole, the trees were doing well Considering the situation was 1,100 to 1,500 feet above sea level. The whole of the 3eedlings planted came from abroad, but in the Euture they will be obtained from local sources, there being less loss with the local seedlings than with the foreign seedlings. The best trees for planting on the mountain have proved to be the Scotch fir. The estimated cost of planting twenty acres is £8 per acre. It is suggested that it will be more porfitable to plant the land with trees than to let it for sheep farming, although the benefits will not accrue till the timber is ready for the market, in forty or fifty years' time. It is surprising tha,t some such experiment as this has not been tried on the hills surrounding Merthyr. At present they are barren—some of them are ugly —and yield no profit to anyone. If planted with trees the hills would not only become lucrative, but would add to the beauty of the district. It has often been urged by Tariff Reformers that Protection would reduce unemployment, and some have even gone so far as to say it would fmd work for all. This, however, has not been the experience of protectionist countries. According to the" New York Bureau of Labour Statistics," in March last yrar, out of 387,450 trade unionists, no fewer than 138,131, or 35.7 per cent. were idle. In September last, though the conditions bad improved, the percentage of unemployed was 22.5. Bad as things have been in this country they appear to have been worse in America. As for Germany, it is reported that one out of every eight members of the Deutsche Textile Trade Union has been in receipt of unem- ployment relief, so that things must have been pretty bad there also. If Protection does not prevent unemployment in the United States and Germany, what guarantee have we that it would do so here ? There appears to be, 6ome prospecjpsff the second reading of the Welsh Disestablishment Bill being taken before Whitsuntide. The Welah Church Commission will meet on the 20th to proceed with the chairman's draft, report, and will sit continuously for a fortnight. It is suggested that the Commission will be asked to conclude their deliberations as speedily as possible, and if this is done the division on the second reading of the Bill may be taken before the end of May. « The death is announced, at Birmingham, of Mr. Edward Kettlefold, nephew of Mr. Joseph Nettlefold, for many years partner with Mr. Chamberlain in the firm of Nettlefold and ChamberlaiD, afterwards formed into a company and later amalgamated with Guest, Keen and Company. The deceased, who was 54 years of age, was a personal friend of Mr. Chamberlain, find did much work in organising the fiscal reform movement when Mr Chamberlain first enunciated it. He was a member of the Imperial Tariff Commission and director of the London and N.W Railway Company, Lloyds Bank, and Guest, Keen, and Nettle- folds. < On Easter Monday the Mayor and Mayoress of Merthyr (Alderman and Mrs. Wilso::) were the guests of the Mayor and Mayoress of Aber- gavenny. There was a large gathering of civic personages, including the Mayors and Mayoresses of Newport, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Monmouth and Brecon, and each mayor wore his robe and chain of office. It was a. most enjoyable function. The schedule for the annual agricultural show, to be held in the Market Hall, Brecon, on Wednesday, August 4th next, has just been issued. There are classes for planu, flowers, fruit and vegetables, and substantial prizes are offered. Entries for show exhibits close on July 26th, and for cottage garden prizes on July 12th. The secretary is Mr. J. M. Brookes, Bulwark, Brecon, from whom all information may be obtained. A London Welsh Assocaition has been formed, for the advancement of Liberal prin- ciples, primarily those affecting the interests of the Welsh people, and it is receiving considerable support from London Welshmen. The number of Welsh Liberals in London is very large; and the new association, by organising the Welsh vote and by promoting the interests of the Welsh people in Parliament, cannot but be of service to the cause of Wales. The chairman of the association is Mr. T. Woodward Owen the treasurer, Mr. Howell J. Williams, L.C.C. and the hon. secretary, Mr. D. Rowland Thomas. A reader of the Express has sent me the following cutting from a New Zealand paper, which he has received from a friend living in the colony. He asks me to publish it as a warning to intending emigrants :— v In his rather "precious" prefac-a to Laugh- ter and Tears," Frank Morton says some hard things of Maoriland, the dour casket that perforce enshrines this pagan heart. He terms It nicelj, "this strange land of cherished solemnities and furtive joys." "When we banned Leighton's 'Bath of Psyche,' and Mr. Bernard Hall's 'Sleep,' as indecent pictures, we simply did it in order that the- world might be assured that we have a seme of expected much when I came to this country; but I cannot yet persuade myself that I am in A r- cady. YOt. Maorilanders have not the Aus- tralian's cordial spirit, his growing dislike of cant, his bigness of grasp. You breathe less deeply, and speak with a colder calculation. You have fewer apparent vices, and fewer positive virtues. c You are 'ess lavish in your hospitality, more bitter in your judg- ments. Your indignation, aroused by slighter causes, is more acrid and old- womanish Indeed, Maoriland is giving far too much attention to the cult of the Old Woman. For myself, I always regarded your imitation rooster as a most ungainly and indecent fowl. To some extent, your Worker's Paradise is a fool's para- dise. Tho widely advertised freedom of your institutions is somewhat of a forced exotic; for there can be no real freedom in a community of which the units are not free. Here and there about this country there is a prowth of bad weeds—intolerance, espionage, black suspicion." Another cutting was enclosed, which I mav nd room for next week. « A gratifying report for the past quarter was presented by the Merthyr Chief Constable, at the meeting of the Watch Committee, on Tuesday. It showed a suo^tant^al reduction ir the number of crimes committed in the borough, and fewer persons were also proceeded 1Ioi.j,u'_J1.OAbk.Q.7 Those who have followed the Labour move- ment, and noted tl/j conduct and speeches of Mr. Victor Grayson. M.P., are rot surprised at the turn "events, have taken at the I.L.P. conference which has been held this week in Edinburgh. The open rupture was bound to come sooner or later. The member for (tine Valley is a law unto himself, and though some members of the Independent Labour Party are advanced Socialists, they find it. impossible to work with such an irresponsible man as Mr. Grayson. On Monday Mr. Keir Har(lic. M.P., Mr. Philip Snowden, M.P., Mr. J. Ramsay Macrtonald, M.P.. and Mr. Bn-ce (easier were elected members of the National Administrative Council of the party, but on Tuesday they all four resigned. Their decision to resign arose out of two paragraphs in the council's report, which was discussed on Monday. These weie a, bare record of the council's action in informing Mr Victor Grayson that it Would be useless for the head office to arrange meetings for him to address as-,tfe«;campaign work of the party owing to his refusal to appear on the same platform as Mr. Kcir Hardie at the Holborn Town Hall meeting. Pome of the delegates felt that such personal matters should not be discussed in the report, and by 217 votes to 104 the clauses were refeired back. Th.s suggested a want of confidence in the executive, and sympathy with Mr. Grayson. That appears to have been the construct on put upon the vote by the four members of the Administrative Council. On Tuesday, when the question was re-opened the paragraphs weie restoied, but it was too late, Mr. Hardie and his colleagues refusing to withdraw their resignstiors. has taken place at Edinburgh may bring Mr. Grayson to a more reasonable frame of mind, or it may drive him to further extremes. He commands a ccrtain following, and there are those who fear he may succeed in smashing the Independent Labour Party, or at any rate, causing a cleavr-ge. The Rev. David Pughe, who is announced to lecture at Shiloh WsleYlln Church, Merthyr, on Tuesday evening next, on Riches Poverty," has met with considerable success in the North of England. He is a Welshman, and spent some years in North Wales, but in recent years has "travelled" in the Wigan, Durham and Sunderland circuits. He has been invited to succeed the Rev J. W. Da vies, pastor of Shiloh, who will leave Merthyr at the end of the present conference year. Those who have lreard him describe him as a most entertaining lecturer. In Wigan he earned the sobriquet of The Minors' Parson." During his stay in the Lancashire colliery town he oncn attended the local police court to pie;;d on behalf of a man who had to appear before the magistrates. The prosecuting solicitor expressed surprise at the presence of Mr. Pughe. I thought," he said, it was the duty of the rev. gentleman to look after the sheep, and not attend police courts." Yes," replied Mr. Pughe, it is my duty to look after the sheep, but I have also to look after the wolves." He TU once addressing a meeting when a man in the audience persisted in interrupting. He was a big brawny fellow, and evidently thought he could do as he liked. Mr. Pughe requested him several times to be quiet, and, as he refused, the minister left the platform, went to the man and put him out. He has been very popular in the mining districts in the North of England, and it is hoped he will r.ccept the invitation to becomc pastor of Shiloh. The cost of criminal cases sent from Merthyr to the last, Assizes amounted to over £400. Mr. Harris (the Borough Controller) has suggested that, having regard to these heavy fees, the question should be considered of appointing a prosecuting solicitor at a fixed salary, as is done in some towns. The matter has been referred to the Watch Committee. # As the proceeds of the sacred concert given at the Theatre Royal on Sunday night, Mr. Withers was able to hand a substantial sum to the funds of the Distress Committee, for whose benefit he had promoted the entertainment. Mr. D. A. Thomas, M. P., acting upon medical advice, will start for Italy to-day. Mrs. Thomas will accompany him. Wc are desired to say that letters will not be forwarded to him during his absence from this country. We are pleased to learn that the hon. member is making excellent progress towards recovery, though his long and trying illuess has left him very weak, and he still suffers badly from rheumatic pains. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas will return home in June. Much interest will attach to the next sittings of the Law Lords, as it is understood that the question in which trade unionists are so much concerned—whether their funds can be legally applied to the payment of members of the House of Commons—will be decided by the final Court of Appeal. It is recognised that the sooner the view of the highest tribunal in the land is known the better for all parties. At present it is open to any member of a trade union to seek an injunction in the High Court as ,the result of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, and, on the other hand, the union can resist, contending that the law has not been once and for all determined, as the case of Osborne v. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants is still under appeal. The other night," writes a correspondent, "I was passing the Merthyr General liospital at a late hour, when one of the nurses came out of the side door and asked if there was a police- man about. She said one or two men were loitering in the grounds, and they had disturbed the patients. A friend was with me and we retraced out, steps, and saw a man emerging from the archway. When he reached the gates we saw that he was drunk. It was with some difficulty that he was prevailed upon to leave the vicinity of the hospital. I was rot much surprised at a man seeking shelter there, but I was surprised to-learn that there was no man on the premises to render assistance in case of necessity. I understood one of the nurses to pay that they were left in charge, ar.d they had actually called a patient out of bed. I don't know whether it is usual for only nurses to be on the premises at night. If it is I think the Coventors ought to consider the question of engaging a porter." ♦ The Ideas of a Plain Countrywoman," just published in this country, has some illuminating trutjis. Speaking of marriage, the author says —" If it is the truth I must tell, I believe that most men love their wives, but have a poor way of showing it, and that most women love their husbands, and have demonstrated the fact until the man would rather read the paper or talk about something else. I should say, taking all things into consideration, that the greatest need of a woman's life is a big good-hearted boss, a man who knows enough to let her have her own way until she undertakes to make a fool of herself, and then stops her." 0 The greatest organiser in the world wps the tribute once paid by Field-Marshall Lord Roberts to General Booth, who celebrated his eightieth birthday on Saturday. Of his eighty three-fourths at least have been spent in constant strenuous endeavour, and to-day he is more active than many men at forty. His birthday brought him greetings from all parts of the world. Writing on the subject of England and Germany, the Spectator" recalls a criticism of this country made to the writer by a very friendly and most able German professor. You Englishmen," he said, differ from us Germans in the way in which you regard your business. The Englishman is always looking forward to the time when he will be able to give up the boredom of the shop or office and retire to amuse himself by field-sports, or golf, or travel, or literature, or whatever interests him as an individual. In Germany a man's object is different. He wants to feel that he has done the particular work in which he has been engaged better than any one else has ever done it. His work is not a servitude to be got over, but a passion. Hence, he does not look for his reward in relief from his work, but in its more complete accomplishment." « At the annual conference of the National Union of Teachers, the president (Mr. C. W. Hole) advocated the secular solution of the education problem. The following definitions will doubtless be read with interest:— Conscience.—The fear of being found out. Policeman.—A never present help in time of trouble. Jury.—Twelve men chosen to decide who has th-3 better lawyer. Blubber.—The useful product of a dead whale. The useless product of a live baby. Mosquito.—A small insect designed by Providence to make lis think bettor of flies. Philanthropist.—One who robs th- public privately, and returns small proportions of the monej publicly. Advice.—A commodity peddled by your lAwyer and given away by your mother-in law, but impossible to dispose of yourself. Famous as the onb thing which it is "More blessed to give than to receive." POLONIUS.

l SERVANTS can eaaily bo obtained by the use of a small Want Ad. in these columns. State your requirements, and .1MJP,w.r: p" _8uitU at eofiPi

Theatre Royal, Merthyr. This week's programme is a stirring drarnaj entitled Woman and Wine," by Arthur Shirley anrt Ben Landcck. As the title suggests^' the strong human passions are prominent in the story which is presented by Miss Mary Austin and lTr. E Vivian Edmoncl's companyJ The patrons of ',he theatre wi!! be pleased t hear that the management has arranged for a return visit of the most popular farcical musical play of the year. The Dairymaids," whic commences a six-nights' engagement on Monday next. The company responsible is Mr. Mac. dona Id's principal one. A glance at the caste argues well for tÙe care Mr. Macdonald must have taken in selecting his company, whicht includes an array of talent seldom seen togetlier4 Stdi [JÕ'l!<tS at Miss Isa bowman as Peggy, Mr. Richard Telford as Lieut. Sam BrudenelI," and Mr. Dan Agar in the principal comedy part of "Joe Mivens," are surely names to conjure with in musical comedy. The chorus, which iaj ilways a feature in Mr. Maedonald's com.3 is no exception to the rule, and consists of 3 voices, and is under the control of Mr. H. EUj Shaw, who will conduct a specially-augmented orchestra for this visit. Since the last visit the play has been entirely re-written, th« authors having selected and retained the besft of the old and introduced several new musical numbers. As there is already a good deal of fiance booking we would advise our readerat to secure their seats early, for what will, no doubt, again prove the big event of the seasoDJ

Welsh Baptist Gymahfaat Mertnyt The annua) singing festival of the Weklj Baptists of Merthyr was held at the Tabernacle Baptist Chapel on Monday week. Large gTegatjons attended throughout, but the ■ingrj ing, as a whole, was not quite up'to the iinia.I standard. This may have been due to the facq that the churches held various concerts, J too near the annual festival, thereby limiting the preparatory work necessary (or good eing«< ing. The conductor for the occasion was MrJ D. J. de Lloyd, B.A.. Mus. Bac., Aberyst a young man who has achieved renown in th. realm of music, and to his credit be it said thatt he fully maintained his high r?putation. Ilai chairman in the morning, meeting was Mr. Gj Thomas,, Carmel, C-efn Coed (chairman of that committee). Without any exaggeration, the] best work was done by the children, who sang.' in an exc&llerft manner' which manifested that splendid training they had undergone at thei hands of the various conductors Certificates off merit were distributed to several juveniles for? successfully passing the recent tonic eolf-fa ex amination. The tiint-s sung were:—"Dowcb, blant,, i ganu," "Ai difater genyt ein colli ni?'' "Ga'vrad i'r Yegol Sul." "Rhywbeth iV, wneyd vn y Nef," "Pwysa. ar Ei Fraich," "Yr; Ysgol Sul," "Molwch yr Arglwvdd." The afternoon meeting was presided over by Mr.i David Williams. Penydarren. '"Peniel" was ihe first hymn sun?;; then followed "0 na bawM fel yr Je-su," "Yny.: Owenc" "Rriyniad," "Yt Bugaii Da." "Sautaidd yw ein Harglwydd Drhiw," "Alma," etc. In the evening, thtf Hev. Jas. Nicholas, Bit-liel, occupied the chaifj An excellent rendering of "Disgwylfa" wat given, followed by "Cape! y Ddol." "Elijah, 'Tanycaste'l," "Commonwealth." "Bwichyn rhiw," and the two anthems. "Dyssr i mi Dy Fforod, 0 Arglwvod (T. D. Edwards) and "AI lan 'r Iorddonen Daofn'' (T. Gabriel)—tin la-" ter bfting quit^ a favourite. During day. recitation was riven by Mr. William Davieg (Tabernacle) and a solo bv Mr. D. R. Willitins (Noddfa). A stirring address was delivered by, Mr. Richard Davies (Tabernacle), appealing fot greater enthusiasm on the part of the churches in the work of the "gymanfa." Praise is due to the accompan'sts. viz. Mr. David Morritf (Tabernacle), Miss Maud Rowlands (Zion,, Twynyrodvn), and Mis-3 Ceridwen William* (Tabernacle). Mention "hould also be made of the strenuous work of Mr. E. R. Williams (14 secretary) and also the committee. r —

Burglary at Troedyrhiw. • A daring burglary was committed a few dayt ago at a grcrai's shop, at 30, Whitfield-terrace^' Merthyr-road, Troedyrhiw, belonging to MrJ Isaac Jones, who lives next door to the premi The circumstances go to show that more than one person took part in the robbery. Upo opening the premises in the morning Mr. Jonet found everything in disorder; tins of fruity tongues, apples and oranges being damage4 and strewn about the floors. On making a search Mr. Jones missed seven pairs of bicyey handle grips, eight pairs of trouser (bicyclej clips, some money from the till, a gold chaii^ pendant, while broken open and partly con< sumed were tuts of apricots and lunch tongues/ a quantity of chocolate," bananas, apples oranges. Mr. Jones also found that a leaf ha<| beet) torn out of the ledger. The thieves afters wards went to a. little room behind the obol* and committed nuisances. The police are OJl, the look-out, and it is hoped the thieves wi- be arrested and punished, not only for th6 robbery, but for their disgraceful conduct. Are you looking fpr any thine? If 80. U- Want Ad. in our columns will get it fo2 you.

The Blaennant Colliery Disaster^ FUNERAL OF MR. DAVID JONES.; j The funeral of the late Mr. David Jooesj fireman, of Tai Gilfacli, Heolgerrig, who wa4 siuiocated at Blaennant Colliery, Abernaat, on April 5th, took place at Cefn Cemetery on! Saturday. A great concourse of sympathetic frieada of the deceased assembled to pay theii last tribute of respect. A ver iarge number of friends and fellow-workmeil from the Aberdare side of the hill, who haa been intimate friends of the deoeased for great number of years, attended, including Mr^ William Hughe-, general manager, and Mr/ Thomas Landeg, the under manager. T officials of the colliery acted as pall-beareral Following the corpse were the widow, MiW Jones Air. E. Davios and Mrs. Davies (daugb* ter), Mr. W. Dav.es and Mrs. Daviss (daogi* ter), Mr. D. Hughes and Mrs. I-Iusrhes (daughi tar), Mr. Ed. Griffiths and Mrs. Griffiths (daughter), Mr Thomas Jones (brother), IN-tri and Mrs. Roberts, Mrs Hnrris and Mrs. Rogers (sisters), Mr. Thomas Thomas, Gilfach Gach, brother of Mrs. Jones; Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas (brother), lr. and Mrs. David Tho4 mas (orother), and other relatives. The menu bsrs ct the Cyfarthfa. Youngsters' Society, held at Six Bells, wera also present. Deceased waj president of the eociety for the current year, luid had been a member for many years. It is not usual for more than 15 appointed bsar-( era to wear the mourning of the club, but oB th:s occasion white ribbon was worn by all the members. The deceased was a great loves of music, and was himself a very good singer, and took pert in many a competition. Thcre-t tore a singing programme was arranged lot ral" arui conducted l>v Mr. Abraham \Y i!hams and Mr. Thomas Richards. The foU Jowinff hymns were sung on the way to Cefn m Ddianc Adrc" (Lausanne)< "4™ S-Y^d i mi yn y Byd" (Aberystwyth), l kngV.a^01 Oleuni Mwyn y Nef" (San« Frvniau Caersalem ceir gweled" Crugybar) "Bydd Myrdd o Ryfcddodau" j ni-; 4^ ont^ Waredwr F'enaid" (Neb a." e Rev. T. J. Evans, of Heolger. rig, oflicated. The deceased was buried iU tne came grave as lii.s son. who was fata 11 j injured on the top of the incline of the samt P!* 21 years ago last January. On Saturday night, at the monthly meeting ?T D II'farthfa Youngsters Society, Mr. W, *i presided, saio that during til* month the society had lost three of its mem* be-rs—tne late Mr. Willr.am Richards, of WincH Jrawr, who had been a member for upwards oi \cari' ^r" Christmas Evans, who had beeq' an honorary member for nearlv 6C years, an<l honorary treasurer for over 23 years, and wha took office it, the death of his father, the late »'r. Evan Evans, and lastly, Mr. David. Jones, their president, who had been an activa member for many years. It was proposed b\ the Secretary, Councillor F. Pedler. seconded by Mr. J. H. Evans, and supported by Mr. T. Williams, one of the oldest members, and others, "That this meeting tenders its most heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved families of the late members—Mr William Richards, Mr. Christmas Evan; and Mr. David Jones." AH the members present stood in [§ilence. j