The Merthyr Express

I Merthyr Express Diary. All fixtures advertised in the Express" will be I included in the diary free of charge. Sunday, MAY 30. Trevethick Hall, Merthyr—Spiritualism; also Aberrnorlais Schools—Mr. W. Howells. on the 31st. Tredegar Wesley Sunday School Anniversary. Whit-Monday, MAY 31. Theatre Royal, Merthyr—"Lupk of Roaring Camp." y 0 Palace, Ebbw Vale—' Sapho." Fete, Sports, and Horse Show at Merthyr: also Tuesday and W t'doesàay. Chamber of Trade Eisteddfod at Dowlais. Monstre Fete. Pontypool Park; also Tuesday Carmarthen Park—Amateur Cycling Racei. Whit-Tuesday, JUNE 1. Great Athletic Festival, Abergavenny. Bedlinog Eisteddfod. P I I Whit-Wednesday, JUNE 2. Bedwellty Park—Picnic and Fete. Thursday JUNE 3. Memorial Hall, Absrdare—Meeting, National Pageant. Friday, JUNE 4. Theatre Royal, Merthvr—Und<3r Two Flags." PaJace, Ebbw Vale—"No Wedding Balls"; also on the 5th. Saturdav JUNE 26. Eglwysilan Sports. L Monday, JUNE 28. Tredegar Horse Show and Parade. Thursday, JULY 1. Swansea Horse Show. Monday. JULY 5. Bedwellty Park. Tredegai-Fete and Gala. Penlan Park, Llandilo— Grand Eisteddfod. Monday, JULY 19. Pontlottyn.Cho,ir Eisteddfod, Monday. JULY 26 to Saturday, AUG. 7. < National Pageant of Wales a.t Cardiff. Tueeday, AUGUST 3. Annual Library Eisteddfod at Abertysswg. Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 29. Seng hen ycld Chair Eisteddfod.

THE SCARE FEVER. I ARE the English people a decaying nation ? The question would have been flouted by the generation living fifty years ago, within touch of the memories of the great struggles which commenced with the French Revolution, and the consequences of which were felt long after Napoleon had met his fate at Waterloo. But after the scare fever of last week one may well feel inclined to question seriously whether we are really the self-same virile race that colonised, with infinitely inferior resources, the waste places of the earth to its remotest bounds, and built up an empire upon which the sun never sets. Sixty years of prosperity, with wealth abounding beyond the dreams of avarice for certain classes, and a vast general improvement in the social condition of all, has not been without certain deteriorating influences upon the native sturdiness of the national character, and we have in some manner apparently contracted something of the neurotic frenzy of the Mediterranean races. How otherwise should it be possible for a reputedly sensible people to be wrought upon daily for a whole I week, with increasing tensity of nervous debauch, r by a succession of the most manifestly pre- posterous canards ever invented ? It used to be the proudest trait in the character of an Englishman that no matter what adversities threatened or overtook him he remained stolidly sober and undaunted but if we are to accept a certain section of the newspaper press as true and faithful exponents of his idiosyncrasi es to-day, then he is a changed man—and changed infinitely for the worse, notwithstanding all his advantages over his forefathers. THAT there has been a change in the national temperament, we believe, but that it goes down deeply into the national character we can hardly credit. We prefer to regard it as superficial. We have certainly become more excitable and more susceptible to victimisation by sensational allegations, uttered with due dramatic effect. Whether this peculiar weakness has resulted from the altered conditions of life, or whether it is due to the culture of American methods in some portions of our newspaper press, we cannot say; but the tendency in this direction has unquestionably been fostered, perhaps unintentionally, but none the less effectually, by these very enterprising journals. The con- ductors have long since found out that the modem British public takes kindly to the American idea of setting forth news in brief form, with scaring, staggering headlines that contain all that can be found in the news below, and much more besides in the shape of uncon- scionable flamboyant innuendo. The reader gets it served up hot and strong with a spicy flavour that tickles his palate, and he swallows it without giving ct moment's thought to the nature of the that i§ swaUQwite. A jew miautes'i1 sober reflection would suffice to blow the thing into tatters, but that brief period of examination he does not give, and is content and pleased te be scared until the game becomes so amazingly ridiculous that, for very shame sake, it has to be stopped. The manufactured air-ship scare was a discredit to British intelligence and British manhood. No sober-minded Englishman could have read the daily progress of this scare without being ashamed of his countrymen, for a more incongruous series of absurdities were never constructed. When a ghost-story is launched, with a slender basis of truth, the whole thing is drowned with ridicule; but here were a succession of air-ships, as phantom and fleeting as ghosts from the other world, and day after day asseverated as solid truths, whilst the i»tei?eal structure of the reports corffcajped the conviction of their own falsity. THE most serious aspect of this scare-mongering by sensational journalism consists in its inter- national connections, and the probable excite- ment of bitter feelings of hostility against this country amongst the people at whom the scare- mongers were girding. The Eight Dread- noughts having become stale and insipid, as a, nucleus for a matutinal dose, Germany's enterprise in airships was turned to account, and made the basis of another campaign of terror at our imminent invasion by the most recent form of aggressive machinery. These air-ships were to spy out our nakedness—as if our comprehensive ordnance maps were not available to Germany or any other nation—and the extraordinary feature of their spying was that they lay dormant somewhere by day— when sunlight would disclose everything—and went abroad at night, when they could see nothing, but had to reveal their own presence by two dazzling head-lights. They were ubiquitous —here, there, and everywhere, without the faintest respect for time and distances and the limitations of aerial navigation by motor power. Then was thrown in the story of 60,000 German reservists in London, with a depot of rifles and ammunition in some secret cellar, and members of Parliament were so carried away by these silly announcements as to gravely ask the Minister of War if he was cognisant of them, and how he intended to act in such an emergency! Finally, to crown all, some hare-brained lunatic was reported to have heard Germans boring a tunnel under the North Sea! Could rampant folly go farther ? Can we be surprised if the Germans regard us as a decadent nation," shrinking with fright from the prospect of a German conquest of our political as well as our commercial supremacy ? Can we be surprised that that section of the German nation which does not treat this scarc-mongery as a mere attack of neurasthenic panic looks upon it as the evidence of a deep-rooted antagpnism to German expansion, bound to culminate in war between the two countries ? Newspapers which indulge in such follies may truly be reckoned amongst those friends from whom the country should pray to be saved.

THE GOVERNMENT'S SOCIAL PROGRAMME. WHEN Mr. Lloyd George expounded liis Budget to the House of Commons, he ma.d. the significant statement that it was framed with a view not to the exigencies of the present alone, but m anticipation of the moral osrtainties of the near future. Since then, a statement issued by the Chancellor's depart- ment shows that the new taxes are estimated to produce several millions more three years hence than in the first year of their operation. What those millions will be required for was foreshadowed by the intimation that the ex penditure on. the Navy would be increased next year. and the social reforms projected would also demand a considerable amount of money. The Government has, therefore, sub- mitted a scheme of taxation which will auto- matically supply the needful funds by its own natural expansion of productiveness, and con- sequently new taxes will not ba required for the purposes of the social legislation impend ing. WE now know something of the nature of this domestic reform. Mr. Winston Churchill, President of the Board of Trade, has, in the House of Commons and at Manchester, un- folded a combination of proposals of the most important character, all designed by co-ordin- ation to grapple with the tremendous evils arising from our want of method and system for dealing with alternatives of depression in trade and the ever-present problem of unem- ployment, with all its multifarious conse quences. For the regulation of the Labour market, a. system of Labour Exchanges, im provements upon the German model, will be inaugurated, by which workmen will know where work is to be had and where it is not. with facilities provided by the Government for removal to the right places. But great as is this new departure, the vast scheme of in- surance against unemployment, invalidity from breakdown in health, and widowhood, to which the workmen, their employees, and the State will contribute in equitable proportions, is of infinitely larger importances and provided it can be framed in a workable chape and suc- cessfully carried through, its benefits to the nation at large will be simply incalculable. We shall see for the first time in our history a real practical operation for the removal and extirpatioD of pauperism. Not that there will be no poverty—that has always been a con- dition of civilised humanity, and always will be, perhaps—but under the social reforms fore- shadowed by Mr. Churchill, ib5 repulsive and degrading aspects "will be taken away, and there will be the salvation of individual self- respect. If, during the remainder of the term of this Parliament, these vast reforms can be realised, the place in history of the present Government will be amongst the highest for the achievement of acta for the welfare of the people.

GOSSIP* Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., returned to Llanwern on Saturday, greatly benefited in health by his stay on the Continent. On Monday afternoon he made his first appearance in the House of Commons this session, and was heartily wel- comed by members of all parties. He is not yet completely restored to health, however, and may not be seen regularly in the House for some time. The treatment of the Roman Catholic Schools by the Merthyr Oucation Authority is now exercising the minds of all sections of the community. It was because of his attitude on this question that Councillor Griffiths was excommunicated by the Labour Group on the Town Council. Councillor Isaac Edwards, who is a staunch Nonconformist, has" also been sharply criticised. At a meeting of the Dowlais Free Church Council, the' other evening, Mr. Edwards went into the matter at great length. One of the items on the agenda was" to declare the policy of the Dowlais Free Church Council towards the non-provided schools under the Merthyr Education Authority." Mr. Edwards has been a prominent member of the Free Church Council, and it was not surprising, therefore, that he regarded this as an attack upon himself. After hearing Mr. Edwards, the meeting passed a resolution re-affirming its faith in the Welsh National Policy of no rate-aid to non-provided schools, and expressing its appreciation of the fact that, according to Councillor Edwards' statement, the Merthyr Education Authority had not departed there- from. While one may approve of the Welsh National Policy of no control, no rate-aid," there is no reason why the Roman Catholic Schools should not be treated justly. In his report, which was presented to the Town Council last week, the Local Government Board Auditor said that an examination of the accounts appeared to justify some of the complaints of gross unfairness in the allocation of the education funds. It is one thing to refuse rate-aid it is quite another matter to withhold Government grafts earned by non-provided schools. That appears to be what the Merthyr Education Authority are doing. According to the figures given to the meeting of the Dowlais Free Church Council by Mr. Edwards, and according to statements made repeatedly at the meetings of feke Town CQiwsil, a 1?r ? ntysie • va 1 Roman Catholic Schools. If that be so, it seems hardly fair, and Nonconformists, I think, I will not wish that such a policy should be con- tinued. It may be pointed out that the salaries of teachers have been advanced considerably since these schools came under the control of the Education Authority. That is an undis- puted fact, and if a profit is being made on them now a much bigger profit must have been realised by the managers in years gone by. Even so, Catholics have some cause for com- plaint that a portion of the grant earned by their schools is being applied. to other schools. This conflict between sectarianisjtn and unsectarianism is a vexed question, and until we get the secular solution I am afraid there will be no educational peace. Till then, however, it should be the aim of the public representatives, whatever their religious views, to act fairly to all classes of schools. Probably more will be heard about, this qnestion-ot the next meeting of the Education Authority. The concert whfcii waC^o have been held" in the Merthyr Theatre Royal on Whit-Sunday evening, in aid of the funds of the Brecon-road Soup Kitchen, has been postponed until June 13th. The Coal Conciliation Board for South Wales and Monmouthshire, having failed to come to an agreement with respect to the owners' claim for a reduction of seven-and-a-half per cent. in the wage-rate from the 1st of June, it was necessary to call in the independent chair- man, Lord St. Aldwyn. His Lordship met the Board on Saturday, at Cardiff, when figures were put in on behalf of the owners, showing that prices had dropped Is. 2d. per ton. as compared with the quotations of the preceding quarter. The workmen's delegates contended that prices were hardening, and trade improving. Lord St. Aldwyn suggested an amicable arrange- ment, and the parties met again, but failed to agree, the workmen suggesting a reduction of five per cent. and the owners one of six-and-a- quarter. The independent chairman thereupon gave his casting vote in favour of the owners' claim for the full reduction of seven-and-a-half per cent. At the Merthyr Police Court, on Tuesday, a man aged sixty-six years was ordered to con- tribute towards the maintenance of his father. He told the Magistrates he would soon be on the road himself. # The recent advance in the price of bread has been severely felt by the very poor. Fortun- ately, we have no taxation of wheat in thi3 country, otherwise the price of the loaf would have been higher still, for taxation of wheat would inevitably raise the price of bread, just as the taxation of bread must raise the price of toast. About SO out of every 100 cwts. of wheat used in this country have to be imported from countries which are more suited for wheat- growing than ours is. The falling-off in the wheat imports last year was mainly due to the fact that India, which sent us 18 million cwts. in 1907, only sent us three millions in 1908, owing to the failure of its wheat crop. But for Argentina, which sent us ten million cwts. more than in 1907, bread would have been dearer than it is. And Tariff Reformers would tax Argentina wheat so as to keep it from coming into this country. If such a tax had been in operation last year it is easy to imagine what the result would have been. On the 10th of March last the price of wheat in this country was 34s. lOd. per quarter, while in Paris it was Jls. 7d. per quarter, and in Berlin 49s. Id. per quarter. That :s how Protection works out. General Booth will visit this district in August during his motor tour. According to present arrangements the veteran head of the Salvation Army will be at Pontypool, Newport and Aber- tillery, on August 17th. On the following day he will visit Ebbw Vale and Merthyr, and then on the 19th he will drive through Mountain Ash, Pontypridd, and Tonypandy. On the 20th Caerphilly, Penarfh, and Barry Dock will be visited. A meeting of the Committee of the Merthyr Y.M.C.A. is to be held on June 3rd, to consider the tenders for the proposed new building. There is now in hand about exclusive of the £500 promised by Mr. J. Cory, directly a start is made, and R500 when the building is completed. Mr. Richard Cory has also pro- mised £2QO as soon as a start is made, and there are other similar promises, which amount altogether to about £70. The Committee, therefore, have in hand and promised something like £3,500. Some of the members of the Committee, I understand, are anxious to start building operations at once, but others urge that work should not be commenced until there is £3,000 in hand. Something definite may be done when the Committee meet. In the meantime, those who have promised sub- scriptions would greatly assist by forwarding the amounts to the secretary. Doubtless there are many who would like to help the scheme in a small way, and they can do so by purchasing bricks—in other words, picture postcards, which are now on sale at two-pence each. « Successful advertising means doing it now, and doing it all the time. It is a proud day when a man seas his first advertisement in print; it is a prouder day 'when a man sells his first article that he has advertised. The proudest day of all is when he finds that he keeps on selling his articles, and heaps up profit on the top of profit."—From Successful Advertising," published by the Smiths' Agency, London. Rev. Alfred Hall, an ex-President of the Baptist Union of South Africa, and for ten years Editor of the S. A. Baptist," formerly of High-street Church, Merthyr, has been recalled from South Africa to undertake the position of Dominion Representative for Canada, for the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, London. This appointment was announced recently in a speech to members of both Houses of the Natal Parliament, when Mr. Hall presented a bust of Lord Nelson, made of Victory copper, on behalf of the Society. By precahing, lecturing, and organising work throughout the Dominion, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the development of the Society's work will be advanced. Rev. A. and Mrs. Hall, and their little daughter, are expected to arrive in London by the Rennie liner Inkosi" at the end of June, and they will proceed to their new home in Toronto in August. Letters may be addressed to the Sailors' Palace, 680, Commercial-road, London. It will be be remembered that Mr. Hall visited his old congregation in Merthyr on* both occasions when he was in England in 1902 and 1905. « In connection with the proposal to establish Labour Exchanges* in this country, it is inter- esting to note that there are about 700 such institutions throughout the various German States. More than half of these are public exchanges, supported by the municipalities. Some 25,000 jobs are found every week for out-of-work men and women by the agency of these registers. An insurance Case of some importance was heard at Merthyr County Court last Friday. A Bargoed irornun sued the Royal Liver Friendly Society for the return of premiums paid in respect of policies taken out by her upon the lives of her father and mother. The policies were taken out in 1903, and she paid about £13 in premiums. She was then told by an Inspector that the policies were invalid. Plaintiff, it appeared, had no insurable interest in her father and mother, and His Honour gave judgment for the Company, but refused to allow them costs- He commented strongly on the practice of agents going about from house to house touting for business. These agents, he said, accepted insurances wholesale which they knew to be quite illegal. It is hard that poor. people should have to su ffer in cases like the one heard at Merthyr last Friday, but if they will take the risk they must apparently take the consequences. Will there be a. stoppage in the South Wales coal trade ? The report of the Sub-Committee which sat in London last week to consider the requests of the owners for concessions in connection with the Eight Hours Act was presented to a special meetirfg of the Concil- iation Board at Cardiff last Friday. The owners claimed as-the result of the Act a rc- duction in daymen's wages and the right to demand that sixty hours per annum Le worked in excess of eight hours per day as permitted by Clause Three of the Act.. The workmen's representatives had already declined to consider the question of a reduction of wages, and as to the extra hours said that the Miners' Federation of Great Britain prohibited any district from conceding them. The sub-com- mittee reported having failed to come to an agreement upon any of the points demanded by the owners' representatives to be of great im- portance, and at the close of the meeting last Friday it was annonnced that a dead-lock had been reached, and that the owners would serve notices on June 1st. The coal owners met on Monday. and endorsed the action of their representatives at the meeting of the Conciliation Board. There the matter rcsis for the time being. It will be a calamity if the mines of South _>lea. ace clcgetf, <^4 ■ jiQ :e.tI9 should be — —" spared to prevent this.' "Mabon" adviseg the men to be patient, and suggests that the differences should be referred to a small committee. Whether his advice will be acted on remains to be seen. It is to be hoped, however, that some way out of the difficulty will be found before July 1st, and that a stop- page, which may prove disastrous to both employers and employed, will 1 e avoided. -x- The receipts at the Merthyr Show, last Thurs- day amounted to £129, or £1 less than the pr&' vious year. -1.. -x- A very pleasant function took place at the Merthyr Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon. It is well known that Aid. D W Jones, the ex-Mayor, took an active part in the movement which led up to the securing of the Charter of Incorporahon He acted 88 solicitor for the committee which had the matter m hand in 1897, and though thplicatjpn then made failed, no doubt the way Vas ped foiv the suc- cessful application a few years later Aid. Jonee- worked exceedingly hard to secure the higher form of local' government, and it was fitting that his services should be recognised. The presentation consisted of a handsome solid silver epergne, which was purchased out of the fund raised by the advisory committee. It was handed over by Coun. F. T. James, on behalf of the incorporation committee. After defray iner the cost of the epergne, there remained a balance of £69 6s. 6d., and a cheque for thl11 amount was handed to the Mayor by Mr. J Plows for the purchase of a mace for the Cor; poration. An appeal is being made by the Great Wes- tern Railway Company against the assessment of their lines in the Merthyr Union. The reduc- tion asked for is £38.000 f.rom £49,774 to £11,476. The Assessment Committee have de- cided to engage an expert valuer to go into the question. SIr March ant. Williams sharply criticised tint Merthyr Borough Justices last week for impos- ing light fines for drunken and disorderly con- duct. "I cannot have fines varied," he said. "If a man is guilty of being drunk and disor- derly a fine of 10s. and costs is a proper one to fix." A man came before the Magistrates on Tuesday, when Sir Marchant was present, and the charge apainst him was that of being drunk and disorderly The defendant appeared to be rather dazed and the Stipendiary ventured tha opinion that he came from North Wales. "Asb him if he does not come from North Wales." said Sir Marchant. The question was put to the man in the dock, and the reply was "He comes from Radnorshire, sir." "Oh," said the Stipendiary, "there are some decent people in Radnorshire as long as you come from there we will let you off for 5s and, costs." One may ask why should a Radnorshire man be let off with a fine of 5s. and costs, while a Dowlais man, say, has to pay 10s. and costs? It will not bo surprising if other tipplers urge as an ex* cuse that they hail from Radnorshire. Mountain Ash Territorials attended the Bap- tist Church on Sunday morning last. and art eloquent address on "True Patriotism" was delivered by the Rev E. V Tidman. Some Rocialists who were present kept their seats during the singing of the last hymn, "God bless our native land," because it was sung to the tune of the National Anthem. What cranks! There have been several cases in Merthyr, of late, in which persons have been summoned for committing breaches of the Factory Act. Doubtless many of the offences have been com- mitted in ignorance, but in the eye of the law that is no excuse. There are many people who make up goods at home for sale. By doing this they come under the Act, and should notify the Inspector. Failure to do sp constitutes an o, fenoe. Section 127 of the Factory Act lays it down clearly that persons occupying premises where any article is made, altered, or adapted for sale, render themselves liable, and they should report the fact that they are using their premises for such purposes to the Inspector of Factories. Capt. Edwards, H.M. Chief Inspec- tor of Factories for this district—which includes the Merthyr. Pontypndd, Cardiff, and Bridg- end Unions, as well as Cowbridge. Brecon, Mon- mouth, and Radnor—will be pleased to give any information as to the requirements of tha Home Office. People who are doing work at home, would be well advised to communicate with Capt. Edwards, whose address is Gresham Chambers, Kingsway, Cardiff. The Merthyr Justices held a private meeting on Friday last, to consider the appointment 01 a valuer of public house property for compen- sation purposes. The choice lay between Isaac Edwards, Mr. Wyndham Prichard, and Mr. Seymour Berry, and eventually the first named was appointed. Merthyr ratepayers will be delighted to lean that the keys of Cyfarthfa Castle and Park have been handed over to the Corporation. Arrange- ments are now being made for the formal open, ing to take place to-morrow (Saturday) week. It is almost a pity that the park could not be thrown open during the holidays, but if that had been done the attractions at Penydarren Park would not have been as well patronised. Un. der the circumstances one can hardly complain. The keys were handed over on Monday, and Coun. David John (Cyfarthfa) was the first to enter the grounds, and he savs he had a plea* ant walk through the park. I venture to think that in a few years Cyfarthfa Park will be* come one of the most popular resorts in South Wales. Its upkeep may possibly mean a slight addition to the rates, but ratepayers will not grumble. A prize fight took place on Sunday mornina at Mountain Ash between two men, for a pouni aside. It was a stubborn contest, so ovir corres. pondent says, nineteen rounds being fough Then one of the men gave in, and he was SCI. badly damaged that he' had to be taken to tha Mountain Ash Cottage Hospital. This in Wales, in the twentieth century, and on a Sunday morning! Here are a few "howlers. taken from & recent issue of Past and Present." an excellent monthly paper which is published in the inunsta of The Friends' Schools:— War may prevent overcrowding in the world, but why not kill people off in some more human-e fashion? Surely War is ridacoulous, what good is H shouting a man who is 100 yards away event if you hit him. Some men never go past a public house without going in The money spent on drink is pure wasW averaging about £9 a head, now if this waa spent on ioed buns it would give everybody} 2,520 each. which would be splendid. Seventy-five per cent, of paukers are causeif by drink. Dust is a thing that should always be care* ful to be got rid of. as it nearly always con.; tains germans, which do a lot of harm. Socialism means having all the railway* j run on one line, a.nd all that sort of thing, which seems rather hopeless. Equivocate is to speak about horses. POLONIUS. I ■

Theatre Royal, Merthyr. Messrs. G. M. Polini and Austin Melford'^i company have this we'ek been playing that cele- brated old drama, "The Silver King," which, notwithstanding the 26 years it has been before the public, is still popular. The cast is a long one, and of the principal characters Mr Fred D. Davies gives a good rendering of "Wilfrecl Denver," and Miss Madge Marley is very sweetj as "Nellie Denver" "Jaikes" is in the experi* enoed hands of Mr E. J. George, who hatf played this part for 25 years. For next week "The Luck of Roaring is announced, a sensational and thrilling dranut adapted from Bret Harte's story of the same name. Patrons are promised a good play, with plenty of fun, a dainty love story, exciting and novel situations, and an atmosphere and set of characters attractive to playgoers. The com- pany is Miss Ida Molesworth's and Mr. Mark Blow's. There will be a matinee performaccat at the usual hoar on Whit-Monday, and on Friday night only, "Under Two Flags," by; Ouida, will be performed by the same company*

TROEDYRHIW. LLoybs BANK.—A branch of this old- established Bank has been opened at Bridge- street, Troedyrhiw. The hours of business are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays* M29 OBITUARY.—We have to record the death ol Mrs. Ann Herbert, who was born in the place, and after her marriage, which event took placs half a century ago, she resided at the Old Harp, and continued there until her death. Her hus- band, Mr. Isaac Herbert, predeceased her a short while ago. On Saturday sho was buried at Saron Cemetery- The Rev. D. E. Davies, Mount Zion, officiated at the house and grave- side, assisted by the Rev J. W Price, Saron, and Rev. A. G Jones, Tabernacle. SUPPER AND CONCERT. — At the Fox and Hounds, the headquarters of the Stars A.F.C., a supper and concert took place on Monday evening. A large company of football enthu- siasts attended, and after the tables had been cleared Mr. C. B. Jones presided. Solos were rendered by Messrs. Ben Williams, E. Evans, D. Jones, and E. Beach. Mr. Hart, of Cardiff, presented medals to the Stars to commemorate their winning of the cup offered by the S. W. Junior Association. Mr. Hart oongxatulated the players, and urged them to continue. Mr. Harry Williams, president of the League and president of the South Wake Association, watf also present.

Father Bernard Vaughan has left for North Wales for a short rest. Ccpimissioner Avory, K.C., was presented with white gloves at Norwich Assizes on Mon- day. there being a blank calendar. A new line of railway has been opened b7, the L. and N.W.R. Co between Gaerwen tion and ftfd Whaff Bjiy, Anglesey,

THEATRE Mife ROYAL, MERTHYR. Lesees THE SOUTH WALES ENTERTAINMENTS Co. MONDAY, MAY 31st, and during the Week, And MATINEE WHIT-MONDAY. Miss IDA MOLESWORTH & Mr. MARK BLOW'S COMPANY, including MIAA AGNES VERITY and Mr. JOSEPH MILLANE, In New Domestic Drama of Great Heart Interest, 9% n p The Luck of Roaring Camp. A Gold Mining Camp in Western America, made famous by BRET HARTE. SPECIAL ATTRACTION! FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY, THE CELEBRATED FRANCO BRITISH PLAY- UNDER TWO FLAGS, By OUIDA. floors Open 7.15. Commence 7 45. Circle, 2s. Stalls, Is. 6d. Pit, I s., Gallery, 6d. PENYDARREN PARK, & MERTHYR TYDFIL WHIT-MONDAY, TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY, May 31st, June 1st and 2nd, 1909. THE FIRST ANNUAL MONSTRE FETE AND GALA, SPORTS AND HORSE SHOW The following Artistes have been engaged at great expense: I DON PEDRO, The Modern Biondin, THE ALEXANDRE TRIO-The sensational Flying Trapeze Act. Lieut. CHARD'S DOG CIRCUS. Prof. MANLEYS ROYAL PUNCH & JUDY. The CARLSENS. The MEZZETTiS. The RICHARD S TRIO COMEDY ACROBATS. The THREE CYCLING CYCLISTS. The AMIO TRIO. Whit Monday & Tuesday-PROFESSIONAL ATHLETIC SPORTS Including a £50 Sprint open to the World. Galloway and Trotting Events- Nearly 9200 in Cash Prizes. Whit-Wednesday-HORSE SHOW E200in Cash Prizes and Championship Classes. Single and Double Harness. Riding and Jumping Classes. Gallaway and Trotting Events. The following celebrated Bands have been engaged—Whit-Monrlay, The Battalion Band of the Breck- nock Territorial Reet., Conductor, Mr. K Cunnington Whit-Tuesday, Aberdare Town Prize Band, Conductor Mr. J. Manley; Whit-Wednesday, Cyfarthfa and Merthyr Municipal Band, Conductor, Mr. George Livsey also an Orchestral Band. A Grand Display of Fireworks by Messrs. W. & J. Wilder, will conclude each evening. ADMISSION, I s. For particulars of cheap excursions see Railway Company's Bills. Gates open at 11. Commence at 12. Schedules and Entry Forms now ready. Tenders invited for Refreshment Tents, Sweet and Fruit Stalls, etc. For spaces apply ISRAEL PRICE, Secretary, Temperance Hall, Merthyr. Look out for DRILL HALL ATTRACTIONS. Entries close for Sports and Horse Show MONDAY, MAY 24th. The New Park, Pontypool. ,1JHIT MONDAY & TUESDAY, May 31st & June 1st, 1909. Monstre FETE. Cn \if Ann I DirnniQU Great Continental Aerial Cyclist and High Diver. The most LU W AnU J« fiuU U Ion, Sensational Act of its kind in the World. Marvffious Kauffman Troupe ch,?L„E Lady Cyclists,6 l[n„NmTebSa,,?Sn&fK8lr in his SensatioDal Performaii BRIN,N, entitled ce, Pasti mes on a Battleship. GRAND BALLOON ASCENT n&ggSFg™ CAPTAIN SPENCER. HERR PONCHERY and LA BELLE ROSE, Monarchs of the High Wire. WOOLFORD'S CIRCUS, with their Wonderful Performing Ponies, Dogs, and Donkeys. The BOB HANLON TROUPE, in their Graceful Performance on the Aerial Bars. The CHANDON TRIO, Aerial Slack Rope and Teeth Performers. CAPALDl BROTHERS, Laughable, Comical, Musical Clowns. < The LES VALDOS. the Great Eccentric Comedy Knockabouts. The BROTHERS MARLANDS, with their world-renowned Punch and Judy, and Dog Toby. fE OLD ENGLISH FAIR, comprising Round-abouts, Cokernut Shies, Up-to-Date Cinematograph Show, &c., by arrangement with Mr. Marshall Hill, Bristol. Amateur ATHLETIC SPORTS, Donkey and Sack Races. Over :650 in Prizes. Horse Competitions, Whit-Tuesday, £ 150 in Prizes anLft1HQrrs^n1,tehTIhou^.for DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS. WHIT-MONDAY-SPORTS, t20 Yards Flat Handicap (Open) Prizes Value LS 5 0 620 Yards .oo 5 5 0 (40 3^ttxds *• ••• 11 550 220 Yards Boys' Flat Handicap (open to Boys within a radius of 3 Miles) „ 10 0 Half-Mile Flat lie-disi|> (Open) .oo 5 0 0 One Mile Walking Race (Open) .oo „ 4 4 0 Sack Race (Open to Boys under 14 years of age) „ 0 15 0 Must be 4 Starters, Runners to find their own Saks. Entrance Fee, 6d. Donkey Race (Open). No Entrance Fee. 1 0 0 Also Second and Third Prizes. 1 9 QUARTER MILE AND ONE MILE I SOUTH WALES £ f Amateur Cycling Championships i CARSNARTHEN PARK I ON WHIT-MONDAY. I • f i ]! CAPTIVE BALLOON ASCENTS during the Afternoon. CYCLE AND FOOT RACE8. f < 'I AERIAN & OSTARA, Flying Trapeze Performers. jj II 3 HODGINIS 3, Gymnastic Wonders. 1) • RIGHT-AWAY BALLOON ^and* Thrilling^' Parachute Descent. • _—— j f. Secretary-J. C. H. PORTNELL, Carmarthen. i I SWANSEA HORSE SHOW IN VICTORIA PARK, Thuvsday( July 1st, 1909. SHOW OPEN at 11 o'clock. ADMISSION ONE SHILLING. Carriages and Motor Cars 51-; each occupant 1 extra, driver excepted. IN PRIZES. 260 IN PRIZES. OPEN AND LOCAL CLASSES for Hackneys, Harness, Tandem, Trotting, Jumping, Tradesmen's Classes, and Cart Horses. SWANSEA POLICE and COUNTY COUNCIL BAND in attendance. rhean Tickets from Stations on the Great Western, London & Western, Midland, and Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railways. See Railway Co.'s Bills. Electric Trams from all Stations to Show Grounds. Eutries close June 17th Schedules to be had of Secretary, FRET). J. PARKER, Plymouth-street. Swansea. ATTRACTIVE PROCRAMME. BIC ENTRIES. DOWLAIS EISTEDDFOD WHIT MONDAY, MAY 31st, 1909. MALE VOICE CHOIR, £45. CONGREGATIONAL, j325. JUVENILE CHOIR, £10. CHOIR 22. OVER goicoals IN PRIZES. Penillion Sieging-B2 2s. All Vocal Solos £2 2s. Pianoforte & Violin Solos £ 2 2s. Ambulance Com- petitions £ 3 3s. Timbering £ 310s. Programmes and Order of Day 2d., Post Free, of Gen. Sec. Mr. D. Reee, Ormonde House, Dowlais. BEDLINOG EISTEDDFOD ON —— Whit Tuesday, June 1st, 1909. GOOD PROSPECTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. niwli Entries Ir most of the compotitigns. NOTE XJtlE DAX £ ECrLW Y8fTjAIV SPORTS, SATURDAY, JUNE 26th, 1909. TROTTING FOOT-EVENTS AMBULANCE ok TIMBERING COMPETITIONS. for particulars see Posters. Secretary: 25, Tridwr-road, Abertridwr LLANDILO. A GRAND EISTEDDFOD EISTEDDFOD Will be held on the Renowned PENLAN PARK (One of the most delightful Resorts in Wales) on MONDAY, JULY 5th, 1909 Programmes and full particulars from the Secretary- C. G. PHILLIPS. PONTLOTTYN FOURTH ANNUAL Chair "EISTEDDFOD MONDAY, JULY 19th, 1909. MIXRD CHOIBS, "Efe a ddaw" (T. Price), 220, and Baton to successful Conductor, 10/6 to each unsuccessful Conductor. MALE VOICFS, "Valiant Warriors," 1st Prize £ 10, 2nd Prize L5. CHAMPION SOLO, Awake and Arise" (Eleen Dene), handsome Sit "M Cup value E2 2s. Competitions for Ladies' and Juvenile Choirs, Solos, Recitations, Essays, &c., prize 21 Is. each. Pryddest, Y Wawr" Prize JB2 2s. and Chair. Ambulancc, Musical Drill, &c. Full particulars in Programmes, Id. (post lid.), from Secretaries, JOHN EVANS, Dresden House, Pontlottyn. DAVID W. JONES, School House, Pontlottyn. SENGHENYDD Chair EISTEDDFOD SH"IR«BeB 29th, 1909. MALE VOICE — "Destruction of Gaza" (L. de Rille), L15 MIXED CHOIR — Ar lan Iorddonon ddofn" (Gabriel), £ 10. JuvEnLE CHO, it-" Sweet and Low" (Barnby), £5. BRASS BAND—"Gems of illozart" (Wright and Round), L16. CHAMPION SOLO—Open, £ 3 33. And various other Competitions. ISAAC THOMAS, Secretary, OAKFIELD. SENGHENYDD. National Pageant of Wales. At the request of the Pageant Committee I have roucb pleasure in convening: a MKETING to V held at the Memorial Hall, Aberdare, on Thursday, June 3rd, 1909, at 7.30 p.m. to hear an address by OWEN RHOSCOMYL, the Historian of the Pageant, on the objects and value of the Pageant from a historical tandpoint. This will be a rare treat. Owen Rhosoomyl being an acknowledged authority on the history cf the Principality. Admission Free. All are invited. WILLIAM THOMAS. High Constable of Miskin Bigher. NATIONAL PAGEANT OF WALES. CARDIFF, JULY 26 to AUGUST 7,1909. Performances—July 26-31, at 2.30 p.m. „ August 2—7, at 7.30 p.m. Two Performances Saturdays and Bank Holiday. RHWYSG HANES CYMRU! THRILLING EPISODES!! HISTORIC COSTUMES! GREAT NATIONAL SPECTACLE! Storming of the Castle by 200 Distinguished Footballers, including all the Great Welsh Internationals. Magnificent Fireworks Displays. Booking Office Now Open. Reserved Seats-2/6, 5/ 7/6, and 10/6. Ordinary Admission Is. A. W. SWASH, Hon. Sec., Pageant House, Cardiff. SEASON 1909. "TROTTING RAILWAY 2nd," A Dark Bay Cob, 14-hands 1-in,, 5 years old, WILL SERVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF MARES at the ANTELOPE HOTEL DOWLAIS. Terms Moderate. SACKFUL OF RATS. MR. OARLETON, Chemist, Larne, writes A cus- tomer got a sackful of Rats after using RODINE RAT POISON. Slaughters millions. No. escape. Ex- termination sure. Prices—6d., Is., 2s., 3s., 5s. Post 2d.-T. HARLEY, Chemist, Perth. Agent: T. JENKINS, Chemist, Pontmorlais, Merthyr. FRANK JELLEYMAN, TUNING EXPERT. The Arcade, MERTHYR. JE». JEWELLER, Pontmorlais, Merthyr. GITEAT Sale of Jewellery Entire Stock must be Cleared at Once, and will be SOLD at Ureatly Reduced Prices. GIVING-UP BUSINESS! COME AND VIEW WINDOWS, AND COMPARE PRICES WITH OTHjSJIS. IGOMMTUBHSI a HgCiSTEHC-P Eg^ vg Em Facsimile oj One-Ounce Packet. Archer's Golden Returns I Th. Perfection of Pipe TobacOO. 8"u, u"71IT. 1 PARK BAPTIST CHURCH, THE WALK, MERTHYR. PJUACIIER NEXT SCKDAT— REV. J. DAVIES, Carmel, Cefn. Services at 11 a.m. and G p.m. Spiritualist Council of Wales opened permanently at TREVETHICK HALL, MERTHYR, SUNDAY NEXT, MAY 30tb, 1909. Afternoon 3 and Evening 6.30. Mr. E. G. SAD-LE-,R :(tar-diff), Mrs. NIEL (Barry), Clairvoyant. MONDAY, AT 8 O'CLOCK, TREVETHICK HALL, Mrs. NIEL (Barry). NOW OPEN, 50, GLEBELAND STREET (next door to "Express*" Office), a High-grade CONFECTIONERY ESTABLISHMENT. Five London and other awards for Confectionerv. HOME-MADE CHOCOLATE. Agent for Tobler's famous Swiss Milk Chocolate. CATERING DONE. ESTIMATES GIVEN. I Nat. Telephone. ADAMS & BELLHAM, 50, Glebeland Street, Merthyr. Merthyr Spiritualist Society, ABERMORLAIS SCHOOLS, WHIT-SUNDAY, Mr. WALTER HOWELL, Birmingham, will occupy the Platform at 11 o'clock and 6.30. SUBJECTS: i "Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good." The Spiritual World and where to find it." J. W. RICHARDS, I Hon. See.