The Merthyr Express

THEATRE IK ROYAL,1 MERTHYK. Lesees THE SOUTH WALES ENTERTAINMENTS Co. MONDAY, APRIL 26th, FOR SIX NIGHTS. Mr. H. ARMITAGE presents a revival of the great Haymarket Theatre Success- A Village Priest By SYDNEY GRUNDY. As played by Mr, H. Beerbobm Tree for upwards of a year. The Company includes— CAMPBELf GOLDSMID, CHARLES HARTOPP, HENRY NUNN, MARION FAWCETT, MABELL DURRANT, VIOLET THOROLD, ETHEL HARDACRE, FLORENCE DULHUNTLY, and WILLIAM F. GRANT (as the "Abbe Dubois," a part he played innumerable times through Australia). Doors Open 7.15. Commence 7 45. Circle, 2s. Stalls, 5 s- 6d. Pit, I s. Gallery, 6d. Ebb-w- Vale Choral Society. WEDNESDAY, MAY 5th, 1909, MAKXET MAY-AIL., BBBW VALE, Grand Performance of Dr. EDWARD ELGAR'S wonderful composition 'THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS' CHORUS OF 170 VOICES, FULL GRAND ORCHESTRA under Mr. A. W. BATHOLOMEW, Newport, including the pick from the renowned Bath Pumproom Orchestra, Conductor Mr. TOM DAVIES. AccompanistMiss JENNIE DAVIES. Artistes :—GSBONTIOS (Tenor), Mr. JOHN BARDSLEY. ANGEL (Soprano', Miss GERTRUDE LONSDALE. THE PUISST (Bass) Mr. HAMILTON HARRIS CURTIS, Gold Medallist, R.M.C.M. First appearance of the Artistes in the District. Prices of Admission from 1/- to 3/6 (reserved). Doors open at 7 o'clock. Commence 8 o'clock. MARKET HALL, /f\ BRECON. Grand CHAIR EISTEDDFOD will be held on MONDAY, MAY I7th, 1909, to commence at 11.30. PRINCIPAL ITEMS. nrrnrir PTTORAL for MALE VOICES—"The Voice of the Torrent."—Prizes, £ 40 and Silver Cup. XrTXFT") CHORAL—" Ar don o flaen Gwyntoedd."—Prizes, £ 20. TTTVFVILFCHORAL-" March like the Victors.Prizes. £ 10. rRATRTMG THE BARD, Vocal and Instrumental Solos, Duets, Recitations, &c. enaacement for the KVKNING CONCERT of Madam HUGHES THOMAS'S celebrated WELSH LADIES CHOIR (22 in number including many prize winners), just returned from a most successful KtAm^for^IBLFof "Subjects (free) to OSCAR "VVATKINS. Eisteddfod Secretary, Brecon. Official Programme ready ahout May 10th. price 2d.. post free 3d. ENTRIES CLosr" APRIL 26th. DOWLAIS CHAMBElt OF TliADE First Great JcLiX.Jl JisJLI jJJ? \JU^ In the Dowlais Schools Playground, WHIT MONDAY, 1909. Musical Adjudicators—DAN PRICE, 15-q,, Prof. R.C.M., London. DAVID THOMAS, Esq., M.A., Mus. Bac., Swansea. OVER MIOS IN PRIZES. MALE VOICE CHOIR, £ *15. CONGREGATIONAL, £ 25. JUVENILE, £ 10. vuivn. v, A'-OCAL SOLOS, £ 2 2*. EACH. Substantial Prizes for Instrumental S'.los, Penillion Singing, Musical Composition, Ambulance, ° iii-,ji,ring, and other Contests. Programmes, 2d., Post Free, from the Gen. Sec. Mr. David Rep", Oiroo-.rfc, T T>rvi-.K t. GWENT CHAIR EISTEDDFOD RHYMNEY MOIST. WHIT-TUESDAY, JUNE 1st, 1909. Chief Choral £ 100 Second Choral Daybreak £ 20 Male Voices "Voice of tlio Torrents" £ 25 Ladies' Choirs "Yr lIaf" £15 Juvenile Choirs "Haste not, Kest not" £10 Boys' Choirs Tiger, Tiger" £5 Pryddest Aiiiaii" £ 5 a Chadair Gwent Prif Draethawd "Dyfodol Cymru" £ 3 3 0 SOLOS, TWO GUINEAS EACH. Quartette, Duet, Cywydd, Can, Engiyu, Translation, Kecitations, Mining, Ambulance, Wand Drills, &c. Full particulars in Programme, Price 2d., from the Secretary, 1. W. EDWARDS, THE TERRACE, RHYMNEY. Ð4..RGOED FIFTH ANNUAL Chair EISTEDDFOD MONDAY, MAY 10th, 1909. MUSICAL ADJUDICATORS :-D. R. LEWIS, Esq F.T.S.C., Brynaman; and 1. HUGHES, Esq., F Tis.C., Llwynhendy. LITERARY ADJODIHATOBS Dyfnallt," Ponty- pridd, and Rev. T. DAVIES, Bargoed. PRINCIPAL ITEMS MAL* VOIOKS, "The Reveille" (Elgar) JS21 MIXED CHOIRS, "Hallelujah Chorus" (Handel) £ 20 UONGRKGATIONAL CHOIKS £ 5 JUVENILE CHOIRS £ ° BOYS' CHOIRS £6 AMBULANCE £5 Us PBYDDEST— £ 2, and a valuable Chair, and num- erous other competitions. e u. All Entries must reach Secretory by April 2Gth, 1909. Further particulars see Programme, lid. post free.—W. WILLIAMS, Secretary, o, West st reet, Bargoe'i. PENGM & FLEUR-DE-LIS GRAND Challenge Cup EISTEDDFOD MONDAY JULY 5th, in a Spacious Marquee. ADJUDICATORS—Music, Mr. T. Gabriel. F.T.S.C., Bargoed; Mr. W. J. Evans, Aherdare. Recitations, Mr. James Powell Abcrbargoed. CIIIKF KVKNTS -Mi\ed Chorus, Oh how great is Thy poodness," b.v triwin Jones, L T.S.C., Pergam; first prize, £ 15 and a valuable Silver Cup, given by Dr. Davies, C C., J.P., New Tredegar. Male Voices, Helea^ured," Sulli- van first prize, S12 and a valuable Silver Cup for the successful conductor. Not-The Pensram and Fleur-de- Lis Male Voice Party will not compete in this contest. Don't forcet the Date, Monday. July 5th, 11)09. Entries close June 28th. Programmes lid., by pot 2d. Good Prizes given for Solos, etc. Secretaries, F. Trahar and D. Morgan, Pengam. PARK BAPTIST CHURCH, THE WALK, MERTHYR. PRSACHBR NBXT SU-CIDAY- REV. J. LLOYD WILLIAMS (PASTOR) Subject-" FIRST THINGS FIKST." Boloist Miss ANNIE REES. Dowlais. Services at 11 a.m. avk6 6 p.m. FRANK JELLFYMAN, TUNING EXPERT. The Arcade, MERTHYR. Aberaman Horse Show MAY 24tliy 1909. EIGHTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION At the Aberaman Park. PRESIDENT DR. FINNEY. a200 in Cash Prizes. Classes for Driving, Riding, Jumping, Trotting, I Galloping, and Yeomanry Turn-out. SCHEDULES READY. REES, Secretary, Broad Oak, Aberaman. DRILL HALL, Merthyr Tydfll. A Miscellaneous Concert and Exhibition OF ANIMATED PICTURES Illustrating the work of DR. SARMARDOS HOMES, Will take place ON SATURDAY, MAY 1st, 1909. Solos. Duetts, &(, will be rendered bv local ladies and .wentlemen. Chairman—His Worchip the Mayor (Aid. ° A. Wilson, J.P.). Speaker Mr. F. E. RAINER, London. Admission, 1/ 6d.. and 3d. Tickets may be obtained of Mr. Martin Evans, 49. High-Street, Merthyr. Doors open at 7.30. Commence at 8 p.m. CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT at 3,30 p.m. Admission—One Penny. On SUNDAY EVENING, there will be a SACRED SERVICE at the Temperance Hall. Animated Pictures of Dr. Barnardo's Homes will be shown. Commencing at 8.15. Admission Free. Collection at the doors. i H-f WCHER& I iGGLDEHRETORHS i Facsimile oj One-Ounce l'ackst. I Ardier's Mefprsis | The of Pico 1 J* r «* A v. TAFARNAUBACH, (Within the area of the Tredegar District Council.) THE STOCK FAIR (Successfully held for the last three years after a lapse of 64 years), On MONDAY, MAY 3rd, 1909, A Rood supply of PONIES, SHEEP, PIGS, POULTRY and RABBITS. Special Railway accommodation at Nantybwch station. Hurdles provided for pigs, sheep, &c. CHARLES HUTTON, Hon. Sec' TABERNACLE, MERTHYR. Champion Solo Competition And ANNUAL MONSTRE 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 be sent to J. DYKIN PRICE. 108, Brecon Road, Merthyr, on or before May 6th. 1909. Spiritualist Council of Wales opened permanently at BENTLEY'S HALL, MERTHYR, SUNDAY NEXT, April 26th, 1909. Afternoon 3 and Evening 6.30. Mr. Walter James, Penarth. Mrs. ROSE, Newport (Clairvoyant). TREVETHICK HALL. MONDAY NIGHT, 8 p.m., Clairvoyance and P.sychometry- Mrs. ROSE, Newport.

Merthyr Express Diary. .i. All fixtures advertised m the "Express" will' be included in the diary free of charge.

Sunday, APRIL 25. Bsnfcley's Hail, Merthyr-Spiritualism. Monday, APRIL 26. Theatre Royal, Merthyr—"A Village Priest." Trevethick Hall, Merthyr—Spiritualism. New Theatre, Aberdaro—"Held in Bondage." Palace, Ebbw Vale.—"Mariners of England." Thursday, APRIL 29. Football—Manchester City at Penydarren Park. Pa-lace, Ebbw Vale. "The Man of Her Choice." Saturday, MAY 1. Children's Entertainment—Drill Hall, Merthyr. Sunday, MAY 2. Sacred-Service at Temperanco Hall, Merthyr. Monday, MAY 3. Stock Fair, Tafarnaubach. Wednesday, MAY 5. "Dream of Gerontius," by Ebbw Vale Choral Society. Monday, MAY 10. Chair Eisteddfod at Bargosd. Tabernacle, Merthyr-Solo Competition & Tea. Thursday, MAY 17. Chair Eist-ecldfcd at the Market Hall, Brecon. Monday, MAY 24. Aberaman Horse Fair. Whit-Monday,, MAY 31. Chamber of Trade Etstfddfod at Dowlais. Tuesday, JUNE 1. Rhymney-Gwent Chair Eisteddfod. Monday, JULY 5. Bedwellty Park, Tredk-gar-Fete and Gala. Eisteddfodau at Pengam and Fleur-de-lis.

Notice to Subscribers. Three editions uf the' "Merthyr Express" are ¡nil/led t!rery, week one for Ihe AbadorB Jla) ley from Hirwain to Abercyhonone for the BOI ough of Merthyr Tydfil and East Glamorgan; ami one for West Monmouth, inclusive of 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, Glebeland- street, Merthyr, intimating their wishes and nam- ing the agent.

"SOME VAGUE CHIMERA CALLED SOCIALISM." MR. KEIR HARDIE is this week honoured by "Punch" with a full page cartoon depicting the hon. member declining (with both hands) to "depart from the lines of sanity, and follow some vague chimcera called Socialism." The quotation is from the declaration published in the party organ last week by the four members of the Executive Committee of the Independent Labour Party, who tendered their resignations and refused to withdrawn them. All four gen- tlemen are Socialists, earnest and avowed, and they have spared no pains to preach Socialism as the one and only effective means for the attainment of the objects of the Labour Party. But the primary and essential condition of success in this, as in every other organisation, is agreement with regard to means as well as ends, and this is lacking in the I.L.P. move- ment The leaders and their more militant followers are not agreed upon the meaning of the term which they bandy about with such freedom. Mr. Keir Hardie and his retiring colleagues have one idea of Socialism. Mr. Vic- tor Grayson and his admirers have another. Between them there are worlds of difference. To Mr. Victor Grayson Mr. Hardie's Socialism is a worn-out worthless shibboleth, while his own conception of it is something which Mr. Hardie denounces as some "chimsera or gor- gon dire," which shall not tempt him from the lines of sanity and reason. Herein we come across the lines of cleavage which separate with more or less accentuation the sections that go to make up the Independent Labour Party. The Party was not started as a Socialist organ- isation, but it is certain that as soon as it be- gan to assume proportions of importance the Socialistic trumpet was heard blowing loud blasts at the congresses, and desperate efforts were made to capture the entire organisation for Socialism. The attempts were not success- ful. They came too soon. Trade Unions bad poured hundreds of thousands of members into the ranks, but Trade Unionism and Socialism are not terms mutually convertible. The over- whelming majority of the I.L.P. are Trade Unionists, but not Socialists, and the aggressive tactics of the latter have simply brought the Party upon the rocks, and it will require some time and much effort to get the ship again into deep water.

THE Prime Minister, on Wednesday, intro- duced and explained the Government's Bill for the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church in Wales. A motion against the intro- duction of the measure wa-s defeated by 262 votes to 90. It is fourteen years since Mr. Asquith brought in his first Bill for the Dises- tablishment of the Church in Wales. The de- mand of Welshmen for this act of justice was great then, but it is greater to-day. Mr. As- quith's arguments on Wednesday were irresist- ible. He had the advantage of being thorough- ly familiar with the question, and it is well known that he has a warm sympathy for the aspirations of Welsh people. What the fate of the Bill will be it is difficult to say. The Government are sincerely anxious to pass it into law; but were it to go to Committee of the whole House, it is difficult to see how it could be carried through all its stages in a session whose time will so largely be taken up by the Budget. The alternative is to send the Bill to a Standing Committee, a course which is warm- ly advocated by some of the Welsh members. The int-roduction of the measure has aroused great enthusiasm in the Principality. Already many public meetings and conferences have sent resolutions approving of the Bill. IF carried this session, the measure will take 1 effect aa from January 1st, 1911, &-n4 from that -o. date it provides that: Ecclesiastical Corpora- tions in Wales will be dissolved, and no Welsh Bishop will sit in the House of Lords. Ecclesi astical law will cease to exist as law, but will be binding on the Disestablished Church by agree- ment (8.15 in the Colonies). The Disestablished Church will be authorised to create a. repre- sentative body with power to hold synods. To this representative body will be hand?d over: (1) The four Welsh Cathedrals, with all their associated buildings. (2) All churches, chapels of ease. and similar buildings, many of them erected out of moneys voted by Parliament; (3) aU ecclesiastical residences, numbering more than 800; (4) closed burial grounds; and (5) ail benefactions since 1662. A temporary Welsh Commission is proposed, to which will be hand- ed over endowments of earlier date than 1662 including tithe rent-charge, glebe, etc. The Commission will give to parishes such endow- ments as are derived from parochial property, subject to full and complete compensation to existing incumbents for life. The parishes may spend the money on cottage hospita/s and dis- pensaries, on trained nurses, on district halis, technical and higher education, or other objects not provided for by the rates. A Council of Wales will be created of representatives from County and Borough Councils. To this Council will be relegated the central endowments, and one-tenth of the local endowments, the funds being charged with the expense of administra, tion. Any surplus will go to higher education. On the expiration of existing incumbents, buriai grounds will be handed over to the local auth- orities.

GOSSIP. One can hardly congratulate the Merthyr- Town Council on the way business is disposed of at the monthly meetings. Very often questions are discussed at great length after having been thoroughly thrashed out in com- mittee. The result is that meetings are pro- longed to a late hour and members become weary. This was the case on Monday night. From our report of the meeting it will be seen that several matters brought forward were referred back to committee. Of course, there are times when it is wise to send a resolution back new information any have been obtained which might alter the aspect of the question altogether. That course, however, should be the exception rather than the rule; when minute after minute is referred back, it seems very much like wasting time. If recommend. tions of committees cannot be accepted, what is the good of appointing committees ? Monday night's meeting dragged out to a late hour, and as ten o'clock was approaching barely a, third of the members were present. Some had gone home, while others, desiring a change, had left the council chamber for the corridors of the Town Hall. I have an idea that if meetings were held earlier in the day the business would be disposed of much more expeditiously. I may be wrong, but some change is certainly desirable, either in the hour of meeting or the procedure of the Council, if greater progress is to be made. Efficiency should be the watch- word of every councillor, but I think it will hardly be claimed that at present the Council is as efficient as it might bo. Provoked by the prospect of deafer bread, a correspondent suggests that mediteval methods be employed to break the wheat corner." If my memory serves me right," he says, Oliver Cromwell once effectively broke up a wheat comer in something like the following manner. A number of merchants had bought up the wheat supply, thus causing a considerable amount of suffering to the public at large. Cromwell sent for them, and intimated that if the corner was not at an end by a certain timo their heads would be lifted from their shoulders. The price of wheat fell very quickly." For more than an hour the Rev. David Pughe, of Sunderland, delighted a large audience at Shiloh Chapel, Merthyr, on Tuesday night, with his lecture on Riches and Poverty. Mr. Pughe, though a North Walian, has spent the greater part of his ministerial career in English circuits. He is a racy and entertaining speaker, and it was evident from his lecture on luesday night that he has deeply studied the social questions of the day. The Socialists present were pleased to hear him pay a tribute to Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P., whom he described as one of the bravest arid honestest men in British politics." Mr. Pughc has been invited to accept the. pastorate of Shiloh, and a hope was expressed on Tuesday night that he would accept the invitation.. Mr. David Evans is not yet satisfied regarding the appointment of Merthyr overseers. On Saturday last he succeeded in inducing the Board of Guardains to instruct, the Clerk to com- municate with the Local Government Board on the matter. The contention of the ex-alderman is that Merthyr is not entitled to more than four overseers, and that until a definite pronounce- ment lias been obtained the authority of the existing overseers may be questioned. It is well that the point should be settled, and the Guardians acted wisely in deciding to obtain the opinion of the Local Government Board. Mrs. Pethick Lawrence says that after the first hour's battle with nerves she found her prison cell the sweetest possible place. It was her mountain-top—a place where she was able to enjoy leisure, silence, solitude things which one lost in the tremendous ruiJhof life, business, and responsibility. 4 Mr. Haldane's army scheme is meeting with better support at. Mountain Ash than at Merthyr. At a meeting at the former place, the other night, Capt. of. N. Gray announced that the Mountain Ash Detachment was almost at its full strength, while there were several recruits waiting for the medical examination. By the time these lines appear in print the probability is that all the vacant places will have been filled. Can it be that young men at Mountain Ash are more patriotic than they are at Merthyr ? It really looks like it. By the way, I hear that Dr. Alex. Duncan, the Medical OSicer of Health for Merthyr, has given in his name < The pages of the United Presbyterian," a well-knowq Transatlantic print, are illumined with the following :— What is marriage? Marriage is no institution for the blind. When a man seriously thinks of marriage, what happens? He remains single.. Is an engagement élt. good as a marriage ? It's better.. When the minister says, ■ Do you take this woman for batter or for worse 7", what does he mean ? The bridegroom's people construe it one way. and the bride's family interpret it an- other. When a man says he can manage his wife, wha' does he mean? He means he can make her do anything she wants to. Lengthy extracts from the annual report of Dr. Ax. Duncan, Medical Officer of Health for the Borough of Merthyr, will be found elsewhere. The report contains much valuable information concerning the sanitary condition of the borough, and many suggestions as to bow improvements might be affected. The birth-rate last year was considerably higher than that for England and Wales. On the other hand, it is gratifying to learn that the death-rate was the lowest on record, although it still compares unfavourably with that of England and Wales. The infantile mortality rate is still high, and this accounts for the general death-rate being high. If it were not for the sacrifice of infant life Merthyr's vital statistics would compare very favourably with those from other parts of the country. An improvement, however, is taking place, and we may reasonably hope for a further reduction in the infantile death-rate as a result of the efforts of the Inspector of Midwives and the District Nurses. The rates for the Parish of Vaynor for the coming half-year will be tenpence in the pound more than for the corresponding period of last year. This will be doubly hard when there is so much distress in the district.. Something was said at the lecture, at Shiloh Chapel, on Tuesday night, on the question of whether a man could be a Christian on a pound a. week. One of the speakers said he thought a man might be a Christian on that income, but he could not live in the highest sense. of the term. Of course, the standard of living varies among different people.. I have known married men rich on less than a pound a week, and others poor on three or four. pounds a week. Now, I notice that a correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle says that since March 30th he has managed, partly by way of experiment, to live on twopence a day. As this has been achieved on food all purchased at retail price, I claim," adds the correspondent, "I could succeed equally well on one penny per day, for two meals, by purchasing the provisions at wholesale prices, not, of course, including the cost of fuel for cooking purposes. If this be really a remarkable feat. and anyone doubts j its possibility I am open to prove niy c!;viiu, and at the same tiivf cyclv the Luitcd six months for a suitable prize if successful in! hvmg at the cost named daily without a break for the sk months." How he does it I don't know. I believe, however, we should all be happier if we lived simpler, but to subsist on twopence a day—well, it seems incredible. I\: Congratulations to Mr. Joseph Price, of Cefn, who has been placed on the Commission of the Peace for the county of Brecon. Mr. Price has rendered excellent service to the district as a member of the Rural District Council, a member of the Board of Guardians, and as a manager of the schools. He is highly respected in Cefn and Vaynor, and the hope is expressed that he may live long* to enjoy the honour con- ferred upon him. Sir William Thomas Lewis, who was nomin- ated at Middlesbrough last September for the presidency of the Iron and Steel Institute, and who would, in the ordinary "course of events, have been elected at the meeting to be held in London next month, has (the Ironmonger says) intimated that it will be impossible for him to hold officc. The president of the institute is elected for a term of two years, and since the foundation of the institute in 18G9 twenty gentlemen have served the office, each of them having occupied the chair for the full term. The Council is left in a position of some difficulty by Sir William Lewis's with- drawal at the last moment, and no definite arrangements have yet been made for filling the presidency. 0 "Cotiant leuan Gwvnedd," bv the Rev. C. Tawelfryn Thomas, Groeswon, has just been issued, and will be read with great interest by all who admire that ardent Nationalist. One of the most interesting chapters is that by the Rev. S. R. Jenkins, B.A., B.C.L., of Gravesend, late pastor of Market-square Church, Mcrthyr, on leuan Gwynedd and the memorable Blue Books of 184G-7." This chapter tells the story of the Commission and the services rendered by leuan Gwynedd to Wales in his spirited articles in reply to the charges then brought against the morality of the Welsh people. 1. Sunday saw the close of the ministry of the Rev. T. Rhoridda Williams at Bradford. Mr. Williams, who is an ardent New Theologian and Socialist, is well known in this district, having come direct from college to enter upon his first pastoral charge at Bethania Welsh Oongre- gatinal Church, Dowlais, and was subsequently resident in Ncath. Next Sunday he commences his ministerial duties at Brighton, where the Rev. R. J. Campbell ministered until he went to the City Templ*\ What do you know," rdn one of the questions at a recent examination in general knowledge, about the following :—Th3 Golden Fleece The Golden Age The Golden Horn The Golden Calf ?" The sluggard of the class was the only member who attempted a comprehensive des. cription. "They axe publick houses," he wrote triumphantly. POLONIUS.

Merthyr Electric Traction and Lighting Co., Ltd. The report of the directors for the year ended 31st December, 1908, states :—The total, capi- tal expenditure to 31st December 1908, amount- ed to £106,835 13s. 3d. The gross receipts on the light railways for the year amounted to £ 11,190-9s. 9d., and the gross receipts on ac- count of electrical supply to £6466 14s. M." making with JB182 14s. 8d. sundry receipts, a total of £17,839183. lid. After .deducting all expenses chargeable to revenue, including £2,056 Itte. for Debenture interest, and placing £1,00,0 to the renewals, account, there remains a surplus of £4,207 6s. 5d., making with the, JS535 8s. 10d. brought forward from last ac- count, a. total of £4,740 15s. 3d. The payment of the dividend on .the Preference Shares for the twelve. months ended 15th October, 1908, amounted to £1,500,.leaving available for dis- tribution a balance of £3.240 15s. 3d., which tho directors recommend should be applied as fol- lows: To be placfed to depreciation. and re- serve account, £L?50; to pay dividend of 5 per cent, on the Ordinary to be carried forward to next account, JM90 15s. 3d. The results from the year's working continue to show satisfactory progress. The gross re- ceipts amounted to £6,66 14s. 6d., and the expenditure to £2,185 Os. 5d. The receipts for 1908 exceeded the receipts for 1907 by JS594 10s. 4d. while the expenditure only increased £81 9s. Od., making an improvement of £513 Is. 4d. in the gross profits. The installations .(exclusive of the light railways) connected to the mains on 31st December, represented de- mands equivalent to the number of 8 c.p. lamps as follows:—Lighting, 18,405 power, 3,945 total, 22,350. The gross receipts from the light railways show a decrease of £74 18s. 5d., and the expenditure an increase of 2s. 8d., making a decrease of JB497 Is.,ld. in the gross profit. The increase in operating expenses is mainly due to the payment of a higher scale of wages to .employees and increased expenditure on the repairs and maintenance of the perman- ent way and C:1.rs, The directors regret that the continued delay by the local authorities in proceeding with the new bridge across the river has made it necessary for the company to make yet another application to the Board of Trade for an extension of time for the continuation of the line into Cefn. The Company has, how- ever, been informed that the- bridge will be proceeded with this slimmer.

ABERCANAID. I CRICKET CI.UB.— On Wednesday a social tea. in connection with this Club was held in Zion Hall, when between 250 and 300 sat down to partake of the good things provided. The following ladies attended at the tables Miss M. Jones, Miss A. Thomas, Miss M. Thomas, Miss Annie Lawrence, Miss Gwen and Miss S. Thomas, Miss M. E. Powell, Mrs. Thomas Thomas and Mrs. M. Roderick, Miss M. A. Hunter, Miss L. Da vies, and Miss M. J. Roderick. The following also assisted :—Mrs. L. S. Da vies, Mrs. John Thomas, Mrs. Webber Lewis and Miss M. Thomas, and Mr. George Evans. After tea a concert was held, presided over by Mr. L. S. Davics. The following took partPianoforte solo. Miss Lvdia Rees solos by Miss S. Jones, Miss H. A. Jones and Mr. R. Roderick piano- forte duet, Messrs. J. J. Fitzgerald and Enoch Fitzgerald. The Rev. J. D. Jones, Congrega- tional minister, Mr. Jarman (a native of Aber- eanaid, newly arrived on a visit from America), and Mr. Ben James also gave addresses. The committee of the Club a-ssisted in the arrange- ments, and the secretarial duties were carried out by Messrs Tom Lawrence and S. Thomas. SUCCESS.—Nurse S. A. Thomas, of Glen Roy House, Alexandra-terrace, has just completed her three years' general training, and passed her final examination at St. Georges Infirmary, London, S. W. She also holds certificates for midwifery and district work.

"RICHES AND POVERTY." A SUNDERLAND MINISTER AT MERTHYR. HOW THE NATIONAL INCOME IS DIVIDED. For more than an hou. on Tuesday night, the Rev. David Pughe, of Sunderland, kept a large Mcrthyr audience deeply interested as he spoke on some of the social problems of the present day. He was lecturing at Shiloh Wes- ley Chapei, and his subject was, ".J.{iehes and Poverty." The Mayor tAld. A. Wilson) had been announced to presiae, but. he was unabie to be present. Do wrote stating that a very important engagement prevented him from ful- filling' his promise to take the chair. He re- gretted tliio, but expressed the hope that the lecture would Lc very successful. In the ab- sence of the Mayor, Mr. J. E. F&aTiiiey7-pre- sided, and there were also on the platform in addition to the lecturer, the Rev. J. W. Da- vies, the Key. 11. O. Hughes, the Hev. Fisiicr Gritut-iis, and the Hev. J. Lloyd Jones. After singing, and prayer by the Hcy. J. L. Jones, the Chairman briefly introduced the lecturer, to whom lie exteriued a hearty wel- come on this, his first visit to Merthyr. -Though sorry at the absence of the Mayor, he express- ed his pleasure at boinij- present. and being able to render any little assistance to Shiloh. He had pleasunt recollections of pro, ious visits to Shiloh, and said he would ever remember the kindness shown to him by some members Oi that church when he lir.it came to Merthyr. For that reason he could not tay no when asked to take the chair, lie was all tho more pleased to be present as Mr. Pughe had come from the North of England. Coming from York- shire himself he (Mr. Fearnley) was always delighted to meet a North countryman. Mr. Pughe had been very successful in the North of England. In some of the towns in which he had laboured he had been described as the "Minors' Parson." As some of them were aware, Mr. Pughe had been invited to accept the pastorate" of Shiloh Church, and should he do so he (the Chairman) could assure him of a very cordi41 welcome from Merthyr peoplo (hear, hear). The subject of the locture, "Riches and Poverty," was one in which they would all be deeply interested, a.nd probably most of them would like to possess some of the riches Mr. Pughe was going to speak about. But wealth was not everything. Though poor. a man might bo happy, and alter all happiness was one of the greatest things in life, and that could only be enjoyed in service for God and their fellow men. TRIBUTE TO MR. HARDIE, M.P. Mr. Pugho, who was accorded a very hearty recepiion, said lie was pleased to have a York- shireinan as chairman. He was also pleaded to como to Merthyr bccausc tho Borough had the honour of returning his dear friend, Mr. Hardie, to Parliament. The constituency had this credit, at least: it knew how to value a good man (hear, hear). "Criticise him how you may; Mr. Hardie is one of the bravest and honestest inen in British politics to-day. Metho- dist parsons are not supposed to be political partisans, and I suppose 1 have put my foot in it at the outset, but I know him and honour him." Proceeding, Mr Pugho said it was a matter for great encouragement to find almost everyone nowadays taking some interest in so- cial questions. Twenty years ago he dared to call, himself a Socialist, and some. people regarded him,as a maniac. The difficulty was to got people to invesetigate and master the ia-cts relating to the social life and conditions of the people of t.his land. What had- the 44 million people of this land to live upon? They must distinguish between income and capital. There was plenty of money in the country. It would bo worth while for the Kaieer-to come • across and capture 'this country and all its capital, evert if it cost twenty Dreadnoughts. The es- timated income the jear before last of the people of this country was 1.750 millions ster- ling. That was Itutficient to keep everyone of the 41 millions in comfort. It that sum werp divided, it would mean about £215 for the head of every'family in the country. No social reformer of any standing wanted an equal di- vision of tho income of the country, but what they did ask for was a more equitably, distribu- tion. of. the country's wealth. Of total in- come six hundred million pounds went into the pockets of one and-a-half million people prac- tically a third went into the pockeis of one- thirtieth of the population. Every penny of the 1,750 millions was produced by labour, and la-bour was entitled to a larger share than it got to-day. Then 250 million pounds went into .the pockets of 33 millions of the people, so that 850 million pounds of the total income went into the pockets of five millions of the people—practically half of the income of the country. Was that right? He went on to re- fer to a statement made by Sir Henr*. Camp- bel Bannerman in tho Albert Hail in 1906, on the eve of the last General Election, to the effect that 12 million people of this country were on the verge of 'starvation, which practi- cally meant one out-of every .three. Since then the condition of things had been intensi- fied, and they could add a couple of millions- > to Sir Henry's figures. There were to-dav at least one million peiple unemployed—that was the lowest estimate.. Was it, nothing to them ? PHILOSOPHY OF UNEMPLOYMENT. It was often said that people who were out of work could get work if they tried, but that was not correct. In this connection Mr. Pughe mentioned that he had a men's class at Sunderland of 700 members, and he recently took a censils, and found that 22.2 per cent* of the members had been out of work for the greater part of twelvo months. Some of the men were excellent craftsmen, and the best workmen in the town, but they could not get work for the reason "that no employer of labour ould make a; profit out of them—that was the philosophy of unemploymeqt. He referred to homes having to be broken up to procure food, which was a very sad state ot affairs. It was said money could not be found to solve the social problems, but if some of the members of .the iloiiEe of Commons could be transported to some of the industrial centres, and made to live under such conditions as some working men had to live under, they would quickly find money. When men and women were dying of starvation, it was well that, a voice should be heard asserting that the most valuable thing in the world was human life. According to Sir Charles Booth and Mr. Rowntree, 43 per cent, of. people of this country earned less than £1 Is. 8d. per week. Some years ago Mr. Keir Hardie was asked to write an article upon the question of whether a man could be a Christian upon £1 a week. He (the speaker) doubted it very much. Of course, a great deal would depend upon the man's wife, but a man could not be a Christian and do his duty to his fellow man on that sum. The speaker then touched on drink and stated that thdugh trade in Sunderland had been very de- pressed of late,, he regretted to say that a large amount of money was spent in drink. The drink bill of Sunderland was enormous. He had often assisted a man with 5s. a week out of his scanty income, and- later discovered that the money had been spent on football matches. He was an enthusiastic footballer, but money which he gave to men for their wives and children should not be spent in that way. Some- times ho (the lecturer) had to fight for the workers, and he had been the means of getting men's wages advanced by approaching their employers. He did not blame the employers; some of them were good men. It was the system that waa wrong, there was plenty of moral and religious sentiment in England to- day to effect a revolution if they could only crystalise it. CLAIMS OF HUMANITY. What was wanted was to assert the claims of humanity before profits and divi- dends. It was a reflection he thought that so many men were rejected not being Mg enough or strong enough- to be shot at—to join the Army. lie pointed out that on the average, 700,000 people died every, year, and left 286 million pounds becausc they could not take the money with-them; 27,000 people left 257 million pounds; 686,500 people left 29 mil- lions about 4,000 left £50,000 each; CO cr 90 people left an average of each; about 50 people left on the average £250,000 each; about 20 left half a million each, and ten left on the, average three millions each. Thank God* that millionaires died. The speaker here quoted the brilli-ant saving of Spencer Leigh Hughes, who remarked when commenting upon the death of millionaires that "of these it may be said that their means justified their end." The system that made a man a millionaire was a wrong system, said tho lecturer. No man had yet been born who could save a million pounds. It was beyond the capacity of the hu- man mind to comprehend a million. If Adam had been living to-day and had saved £1 a week, he would only be half a millionaire. There were men who claimed to be able to make a million in a life time; some people tried to make it in a few days. He referred to Patten, who, through a. wheat corner, made a mil- lion in ten days, and said that such a thing ought to be impossible. No man, he said, could make a million pounds without breaking one or other of the ten commandments. And ho would certainly break tffe eleventh command- ment, the new one given by Christ, "That ye love one "another." He was a Socialist. He believed that society was tending towards col- lectivism in some form, and the only dynamic that was going to bring in the golden age was the golden rule of love and eelf-sacrifice. What he desired to see was the universal brother- hood of man. He had never yet met a. man "ho would not be satisfied with the world if it were conducted on the plan of brotherhood. But first of all there must, be individual re- generation and then social regeneration. What » happy land it would then be. The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, and this was seconded by Mr. T. Kemp, and heartily accorded. In responding, Mr. Pughe brieby referred to the housing pro- blem, and remarked that he had only toucned the fringe of the social question during his lec- ture. He proposed a vote of thanks to the, Chairman, and this was seconded by the Rev. [I. 0. Hughes, and cordially approved.

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MEDICAL STUDENT AND ACTRESS. THREE TRUNKS FULL OF LOVE LETTERS. £3Cû FOR "BREACH." "He wrote two or three letters to her every day, and in the intervals sent telegrams. Al- together they filled three portmanteaux." The author of this voluminous correspond- ence—which counsel suggested was a, "r(ord" of its kind—was Hubert Carl Donihurst, ol Aherdare, now a doctor, who at the Westmin; ster Guildhall, on Wednesday, was ordered to pay £300 damages for breach of promise of mar- v riage to Miss Mary Annie Morgan, a music- hall artiste, who had claimed for £1,000. Mr Charles Doughty, in opening the case for Miss Morgan, said she was the daughter of well-known and respected parents in Cardiff, and at an early age in her iife, along with her sister, went on to the stage. They performed in various part.s of the country. The defendant was medical officer of the Cottage Hospital at Aberdare. He was the son of a gentlejnan who held a high position in Ceylon, and was a man of very considerable wealth and property. Coun- sel desired to say at once that the defendant's father throughout this action had behaved with the greatest kindness and with dw most scru- pulous honour towards the plaintiff. In N ovomber, 1903, continued counsel, plain- tiff was performing with her sister at a music- hall at Aberdeen, where defendant was ar that time a medical student. He obtained an intro- duction to her, and was most attentive. At Christmas time, two months later, the plaintiff performed at Newcastle in the pantomime there, and defendant came to Newcastle. He took her flowers every night, and, before leay. ing, proposed marriage to her. Plaintiff said she was too young, and desired to know mors about him, but he was not definitely refused. Then be-an the voluminous correspondence al. ready referred to. The couple met occasionally and, during 1904, the defendant again proposed, when plaintiff was again performing at Aber- dccn. She then said she was too young. Again in Dundee he came to see her, and although she did not accept liira definitely, she accepted a ring. Finally, in January, 1905. said counsel, the lady did accept defendant, and from that tim he was acccpted as her fiancee. The letterai ho wrote to her then became even more nm merous. He wrote two or three a day. and in tba intervals sent telegrams (laughter). It was mostf extraordinary the way his passion seemed to. fly to his pen when he was away from the lady. At that time the plaintiff was travelling about the country fulfilling her engagements, and id 1906 defendant passed his final examination in Aberdoen, with first-class honours, came up to London, and lived with his people at Bedford- plaoc, Russell-square. When defendant camc up to London he brought his young lady to his people, and troduced her to his father and mother, who accepted her and were exceedingly kind. All this time Miss Morgan continued her engage- ments at the music-hajl. Defendant was at that time working in a hospital in London, and looking out for an appointment. His father offered to buy him a practice, and this was communicated to Miss Morgan, but defendant said he would rather have two or three years' experience first, as an assistant. It was arranged between plaintiff and defendant, with the ap- proval of defendant's father, that they should get married in 1908, and it was expected that it* 1908 a pract ice would be bought for the defend- ant. when Miss Morgan was to give up her music-hall career, and settle down as his wife. At Christmas, 1906, Miss Morgan had to fill some engagements in South Africa, and loving letters passed between them until she came back inAptil, 1907. So relations continued till February 17th, 1908, when without the smallest excuse or the slightest reason at all, defendant wrote to Miss Morgan a letter which (said Counsel) was th most hard-hearted and brutal a man could write to a girl. There had been nb quarrel op excuse; defendant simply wrote and said in. effect: "This is a mocking hypocrisy of love. I don't want anything more to do with you." Thero wns no excuse at all for his conduct, proceeded counsel. This letter was written in 1908, the .year -when his client expected to be married and he, having pursued her with an affection which appeared from the letters to be extraordinary ardent, monopolised the very) best period of his client's life for five years,, and then in this callous and brutal way he turned round and sa.id. "I'm done with you." He hatino excuse. His parcnts approved, and the young lady would make a wife of whom anybody might be proud. Whether there was another young lady in the case, concluded coun- sel, he could not say. Miss Morgan, giving evidence, said the de- fendant gave her presents, sent her flowers, and gave her a gold bracelet, as well as brooches, rings, and a gold watch. When she went to South he-wrote her many letters one just, before her return including the phrase, "I shall be frenzied with delight when I see your train in the station," and stating that ha could not sleep at night "for thinking of you, my sweet darling, on the rolling billows at night." In conclusion. he said he looked .for. ward to tho time when she could be his "o'"n sweet. da.rling wife." When she was at th-3 Birmingham pantomime, Miss Morgan added, defendant went to see her, and made loveo hoi as before, and when he left her he cried. On February 17th, he wrote her a letter, which contained the following:— It is no use our going on. in this foolish manner. I have no doubt that you have ror some time past that my feelings for you nave been very fluctuating, and I wish to con. fess to you that I could never be the same to you again, for the lovo which I had for you in t.he past has now entirely died away. It it because I am growing sick and tired of thil hypocrisy of lovo that I venture to make this open confession from my heart to you. knowing at the same time all the risks that 1 rould be exposed to at your hands. It it needless for me to tell you that if it comes ta a public exposure you would have it on youl conscience that you have dealt the final deaths blow to my poor old mater, who has loved you as a daughter. I do not desire you to show me the slightesfcNsympathy, for I deserve none, and, what is more, I fear nothing, fol I have nothing to lose by public exposure. Miss Morgan said in conclusion that in reply to a suggestion by her that they might meet and come to an understanding, defendant saiq he was much too busy, and she would do bettet to communicate with his solicitor. She had not seen him since then. Mr. Haro!d Lloyd asked the jury to look ai the matter in a broad-minded manner and seal what damage the plaintiff had really sustained^ He would not for a moment say plaintiff h not been treated in an improper manner, but the question was. what damage had she suffer^, ed ? He got infatuated, and probably his feel- ines got the better of him. The Sheriff, in summing up, said they had no direct evidence beyond plaintiff's statement that she had suffered loss. There had not been the slightest reflection on plaintiff's char* acter, and defendant said there was none. Deot fendant seemed to have made some excuse* There had been no special damages, but plain* tiff was entitled to damages for the mental suffering. Defendant had passed his exuna.> with some distinction, and the marriage would: have been a distinct advance in social position to the plaintiff; that had to be taken into con- slderahon. The matter had to be looked at on. broad lines. The jury, after a short consultation, said they would like to retire. On returning into court. after about a quarter of an hour's deliberationj the jury found for the plaintiff, and awarded £300 damagas.

Cyfarthfa Castle Park-keeper. ..V ■ 1 FIVE CANDIDATES SELECTED- A special meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Merthyr Corporation was held on Wednesday afternoon, for the purpose of going through the list of applicants for tha post of Park-superintendent at Cyfarthfa Castle. The salary is 32s. 6d. with house and uniform, rising by annual increments to £2 per week.—Alderman J. Harpur presided. The following were the applicants :—J. Richards, 23, Saxon-street, Merthyr: Thomas Williams, Cardiff; Robert Pope, Cardiff; Hv. Young, Chepstow; H. Rowse, Cardiff Hy. T. Williams, Pontypridd; Jos. Thomas, Merthyr; Warren Geo. Jones, Pontypool Road; Henry Harris, Peterstone-super-Ely, Cardiff; David Lewis, Chapel-street, Abercanaid; W. G. Selwyn, Cheshire Walter Hammett, Cadoxton Barry; Theo. J. Thomas, Abernant House, Aberdare i Wm. Morgan, Bargoed F. C. Miles, Trevethick- street, Merthyr; David Thomas Thickens, Cefn; Geo. A. Comley, Llwydcoed Farm, Aber- dare; D. A. Watkins, Taff's Well W. E. Howells, Ynysybwl; Albart E. Matthews, Cardiff James Menses, Merthyr; D. T. Evans, Abersychan.. The Committee went throught the testi- monials of each candidate, and selected the following to appear before another meeting, at a date to be fixed.—H. Rowse, Joseph Thomas (keeper at the Thomastown recreation ground), Henry Harris, W. G. Selwyn, and Theo J. Thomas.

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