The Rhondda Leader

FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS ME By MADAME ROSE. hearts for the gap in the home circle that can never be refilled. I do hope each and every reader will go out of his or her way to make this season as little sad as possible to such of any soldiers families that they may happen to know. Christmas must never be a sad time for children, and if we cannot cheer their mothers we can at least give a good time to the lot of little things our brave "Tommies" have left behind th?m! Let them have presents and Christmas trees, and a really goo 1 feast all round-and remember that such pleasures are not difficult to arrange, and most surely, dear readers, you and I should iq this case hold ourselves responsible. GENERAL FASHIONS. Still the rage for tucks continues. This mode is, indeed, having a marvellous run, while it is so pretty and dainty and so really easy to arrange that one can scarce grudge it its popu- larity. The dressmakers, however, do not seem to be encouraging the idea, possibly because it is so very easy for the amateur to make for herself charming and variegated tucks at home. My readers may be glad to learn that when arranging a tucked bodice it is advisable to take a straight length of material and tuck it across and across or perpendicularly, as they will, in quantities of a yard at a time. Afterwards the pattern is laid upon the tucked material and the shap- cut exactly with the tucking as a foundation. There is, then, no chance of an irregularity of the lines, while almost every machine is provided with a tucker, which may be reduced or enlarged in size. The most fashionable tucks of the moment are very small, while simulated tucks can, of course, always be given to either bodice or skirt by means of satin ribbon, run on to the material in bands, the depth of the ribbon used being, of I course, the depth of the tuck required. Only the top edge of such ribbon trimmings is stitched to the material, the loose lower edge giving he raised and tucked appearance that is so pretty. Blouses, and even coats are being tucked throughout, while the Fnnch have a:i exceed- ingly pretty mode of tucking. It is in reality a kind of cording. That is to say that the tuck is inflated with a cotton cord run in from the end, thus giving a rounded appearance to the tuck, and an extraordinary amount of warmth to the material itself. Some of the newest coats I have seen are made of thick silk, darlt preen, dark blue, and dark brown, while black, of course, was also used, and looked extremely smart. These little coats were tucked diagonally, an t trimmed with fur on the collar and revers, and cut short in Eton fas' ion at the back with short rounded tabs in front. The. I eauty of fi k coats is that they are so wonderfully light in wear, while, of course, they can be lined throughout with fur or even interlined with domette. Another wrinkle for the amateur cutter and maker is that supposing quite a finemateiial is being employed for a bodice or outdoor co«t, a layer of the finest possible chamois leather may be placed across the shoulders at the. bark, and acioss both the fronts. This leather must, of course, be used as an interlining, and small holes should be punched in its surface, as other- wise it is apt to prove somewhat unhealthy in wear. CLOAKS AND WBAPS. All the new mo els are exceptionally dainty. The long opera cloak is always in demand, while, of course, the most economical; rrange- ment is that of making a cloak, which although extremely dressy for evening wear, is yet none too bright and too noticeable for walking. Some of the embroidered cloths or chenille-scrolled silks are del htful for this particular purpose, and I have seen cherry-red cloths scrolled with „ Had. **» cloaks shoulduj £ i „,us> &uns newest cloaks and jackets d(,licate, but if a StL This, ot c«u«. »e e tfcewear brocade is ™Plo> £ than if plain Vill 1 e considerably t to the walking eatin is used. But to cloak: tlie mooeis are usually trmiir.ecl with fur, and here moufflon, beaver, fox, astrakhan, and sometimes ermine is employed. It should be remembered, however, that every fur is not suit- able to every face. Chinchilla is, as a rule, universally brooming, ut, alas it is terribly expensive. So, too, is ermine, but the latter Owns the advantage of being distinctly a more hard-wearing fur than chinchilla, the latter having a tendency to turn somewhat yellow in appearance, while ermi"e seems so hard and so strong that it will go on for ever, and clean everlastingly. DEMI-TOILET. There is always a demand at this season for tea-gowns, tea-jackets, and pretty fussy high evening bodices, such as we may wear at theatre or concert, small evening parties, and, again, in the privacy of our own home with complete success. Of course the principal point is what material to employ, and really to-day, I think, we may please ourselves, The point always seems to be in the trimming, while many of tts, doubtless, aire 'dy own moO bodice or jacket if the kind that may be turned into a tea-jacket, or high evening bodice, with very few and quite inexpensive additions. One of the most pleasing and certainly the cheapest trimmings to be obtained, is the gathered baby ribbons which are so decorative, easy to manipulate, and add such a wonderful appearance to collars, revers, bibs, throatlets, capes, and underfronts. Nowa- days we can purchase these ribbons supplied with a cord run through one edge, which can be gathered up at will. All that is required, therefore, is to sew the gathered ribbon on to anything we wish to trim in an effective mamner. Almost any bodice or jacket can be edged all the \*ay round with such ribbon, for remember it can be obtained in varying widths. Little scrollings set round the collar and revers, and, again, rounded scrollings carried down the Bleeves can be employed with excellent effect, while lace appliques of every kind can be addeo to silk or net underfronts, collars, and revers, and, again, surrounded with the gathered baby ribbon. The work is delightful, and can be oarried out at home by even a novice in the art. TOILET HINTS. Now is the time to take very great care of the skin, for, the cold winds coming, the water we use is generally very hard. It is a good plan to keep a bottle of elder-flower water for constant use after washing. Dab the skin with this, using a soft handkerchief for the purpose. Indeed, when travelling, either a bottle of eau-de-Cologne, or a bottle of elder-flower water should always be carried, as if it is impossible to have a wash one can refresh both face and hands delightfully by pour- ing part of the contents of a bottle of either of these preparations over the skin in lieu of the ordinary warm water. To keep the hands smooth and soft at this season, glycerine and rose-water are the best cosmetics. The hands should be washed as little as possible, and, after rinsing them in hot water, they should be :1gain rinsed in cold, as this closes the pores of the skin, and keeps it from contracting every particle of dirt. Sleeping in gloves, from which the tips of each finger have been cut away, keeps the skin delightfully white and smooth. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "RELACQUER.I am afraid I cannot tell you of any preparation by which an amateur could relacquer fire brasses successfully. The only thing I can advise you to do is to send them to the local ironmonger, who would, no doubt, carry out the matter for you very inexpensively. Your letter was no rouble at all, and I am only so sorry not to be able to give a more satisfac- tory answer to your quer. "TOMMY ATKINS."—The .ost useful garments to send out to the wounded soldiers would be dressing-gowns, pyjamas, and shirts, but great care should be taken, when the garments are made at home, that they are cut from a good, reliable pattern, as the garments are of no use if this is not the case, and it seems such a very gr at. pity that so much time, labour and material should be wasted for want of a little forethought in the selection of a pattern,

THE LABO RLD, Ptf1inaT»s' istr>ict Meeting. The monthly meeting of the No. 1 Dis- trict of the South Wales Miners' Federation was held on Monday at the Imperial Hotel, Porth. The Sub-Agent (Mr D. Watts-Morgan) reported that the Central Executive had decided to take three compensation cases from the district to the Appeal Court. In connection with the dispute at the Coed- cae House Coal Pit with regard to safety lamps and the refusal of the colliery agent to permit the checkweigher to form one of the men's deputation that waited upon him, the matter had been relegated to the owners of the colliery, with the request that they should meet the deputation selected by the workmen. The Counicl had unanimously decided that the 2d. out of the Is. contribution retained in the lodges could not be spent ioon meetings, excursions, etc., but only upon the matters specified in the objects of the Federation. With regard to using the 2d. or any por- tion thereof to increase strike pav the Council by a majority were in favour of giving "home ru"Le" to the lodges. With re- gard to the question as to whose property the 2d. was, the Council held that until the dissolution of a lodge it was the pro- perty of the Federation, but after dissolu- tion a lodge could deal with the money in hand as it choose. Considerable discussion ensued, and several delegates held that the rules were by no means satisfactory upon the point. Asking whether these decisions could not be appealed against at a conference, t'hp Sub-Agent replied in the Mr T. Eva.fta on tnc increase. The last..tVll lieries, ^urday is the r;ni_ that th • Jlis, checkweigher, Naval Col r, trember of the Council, observed er is a_0 real effect of the decision of the wav-ncil was that every lodge upor as possible, use discretion in. this mat- TV and deal with local affairs m the be^t "XT' the could, as cho jaw was not str < t one -'i the point. if tcd Cvm'ie report was eventually a.lcqAcu. Tl>r Morgan reported that at pveseii, y amoicompesation cas$, which came J rom the S mer Colliery, had to be contest l Fmicie totd ^ugonB^ ^h ^lu; I Th»e230 17s. 9d. towards the Reservists 1 vance. g wt mind is continually labouring to ad- whicts i s|-e„ through s uccessive hopek Pf excellen'ce towards perfection but this dimly seen at a great though not teachess distance, and which we must al- creasitollow because we never can attain I bausteo pursuit rewards itself, one truth another, and our store is always 1 though nature can never be ex- "Sir J. Reynolds.

oildda Support for q Tomiriy Atkiqs. Successful Meeting at Porth. At the Town Hall, Porth, on Thursday, a very successful meeting in aid of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Wives and Families Association was held, the chair being occu- pied by Mr James Miles, Wattstown, "Comrades in Arms" was well rendered by the Porth and Cymmer Male Voice Party (conducted by Mr Rhys Evans). A resolu- tion to raise a local fund was moved by Mr Henry Abraham, M.E., seconded by Mr D. Watts Morgan, supported by Alderman Walter Morgan, and enthusiastically carried. It was then proposed by Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., and Major Wyndham Quin, M.P., seconded, that all funds sub- scribed be dealt with according to the re- commendations of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association. His Honour Judge Gwilym Williams supported the proposi- tion, which was carried heartily. Judge Williams appealed for subscriptions, and E214 8s. lOd. was given at the meeting. The subscribers were: -Mr Thomas Jones, J.P., Maindy, £ 50; Alderman W. H. Mathias, J.P., £ 21; Majer Wyndham-Quin M.P., Alderman Walter H. Morgan, Mr D. Jenkins (contractor), and Dr. Ivor Lewis, J.P., £10 10s. each; Dr. Ivor Dav- ies, k8 8s. Mr Wm. Evans (Thomas and Evans), r C3 3s. Hafod Colliery Workmen LIO; Mr Leon Vint's entertainment, £ 2 15s. lOd. Mr Nicholas Llewellyn (Porth Hotel), Porth and Cymmer Male Voice Party, Mr Edward Williams (solicitor), Dr. Herbert Jones, and Councillor J. Brooks, 95 5s. each; Dr. Joyce, Mr James Miles, Mr Daniel Thomas, Mr Joshua Williams, Mr Arthur Williams, Mr R. Farr, Mr D. M. Jones, Mr Octavius Thomas, Mr David Powell, Mr David Williams, Mr W. T. Davies (British Boot Company), Mr T. Davies (Imperial Hotel), Mr Ben Williams, Mr John S. Davies, Mr Henry Abraham, Mr Richards (Llwyncelyn), Mr Preece, Mr J. T. Jones, and Mr Thomas Davies (chem- ist), L2 2s. each; teachers and scholars Tylorstown Schools, P,3 3s.; Mr Griffith Thomas, 5s. Mr Williams, postmaster, Mr D. Watts Morgan, Messrs Windsor and Jenkins, Mr Dukes, Mr D. Davies, Mrs Miles, Rev W. Thomas (vicar), Rev. E. Rees, Mr Morgan Morgan, Mr Rees, Mr Daniel Evans, Mr E. Samuel, B.A., and Mr Jenkins (draper), £1 Is. each; Porth gas workmen, 61 10s. members of Cymmer Penny Readings, £1 5s.

Handsome Sums contributed by Rhondda. Miners. A month ago the No. 1 District of the South Wales Miners' Federation decided to make a levy of 6d. per man, and 3d. per boy towards the local war relief fund, and at Monday's meeting, held at Porth, the following contributions were received: Maindy, Ell 6s. 4d. Maerdy, jEll 7s. 3d. Fernhill, C16 7s. 6d.; Naval, 649 12s. fid. Gelli (steam coal), L8 10s. Id.; Pare and Dare (No. 1), R9 4s. 8d. Pare and Dare (No 2), zC14 3s. 6d.; Collena, £4 14s. 2d. Tynybedw, E8 5s. 2d. Eastern (Ocean), L6 Is. 6d. Aber Rhondda, £ 2 Os. 6d. Cly- dach Vale, zC66 3s. Glyn, jE6 13s. 6d.; Penygraig (house coal), £ 5 6s. Blaen- clydach (house coal), £ 8 3s. 9d. Tydraw, C2 18s. Id.; total, L230 17s. 9d. It was explained that several collieries which had not sent their levies in would do so before the next meeting, and that the Ferndale and Llwynypia collieries had forwarded their levies to Colonel Quirk, the amounts respectively being over R50 and P,69 12s. 6d.

A Gift of £ 400. Rhondda Bank Clerk's Affairs. At Porth County Court on Friday (be- fore Judge Gwilym Williams), Mr W. R. Davies, solicitor, Pontypridd, made an ap- plication on behalf of the trustees in bank- ruptcy of Mr W. G. Thomas, formerly the manager of the Pentre branch of the Metro- politan Bank, asking for an order to have the sum of C400 which the bankrupt had paid to Mr Kerfoot Evans, printer and publisher, of Holywell, North Wales, bro- ther of the late Mr G. Maelor Evans, solicitor, Pentre, refunded into court on the ground that he was not legally entitled to retain the money against the bankrupt or the trustee. Mr Joseph Henry Jones, Cardiff, represented Mr Thomas and Mr Kerfoot Evans, who were in court. Mr Davies said that after the death of Mr Maelor Evans, solicitor, Pentre, Thomas, with others, took the body to Holywell and a cheque for L200, and two bills for £100 each to the deceased's brother, Mr Kerfoot Evans, when being examined in the bank- ruptcy court, had said that he did not know for what this sum had been paid him that he was under no obligation to Thomas, and that he thought Thomas was a rich man. (Laughter). The suggestion of the trustee was that the bankrupt was making a nest for himself. Mr J. H. Jones, Cardiff, who appeared for Mr Evans, argued that it was not set up that this sum was a gift. There had been large transactions between Mr Tho- mas and the late Mr Maelor Evans, and Mr Thomas would tell them that he made free use of Mr Maelor Evans's account for his own purposes. At the time of Mr Maelor Evans's death the bankrupt was indebted to his account to the extent of about L500. Mr Thomas saw Mr Maelor Evans's brother at the funeral, and paid this P,400 as "conscience" money. He did not give him a full explanation, as, no doubt, he wanted to keep the matter from the bank officials. —The Judge queried who the legal repre- sentative was.—Mr Jones said there was no will. He believed there was a wife, but there were divorce proceedings pending at the time, so Mr Kerfoot Evans, as the eMest brother, took sole control. The i,ge remarked that the legal representa- t e was the deceased's widow. It was most extraordinary that the legal repre- sentatives of the deceased had not inter- vened. The money would be in safer hands if it were refunded to thp troi Receiver, but th*> n"~ TXL "uuiucial ,S sponcfint"had no right Tto retain it. Mr W. J. G. Thomas went into the box and corroborated the remarks made by Mr Jones. He gave the L400 to Mr Kerfoot Evans, believing him to be the next-of-kin. He did not give it to him to speculate on the periodical Y Judge remarked that Mr Kerfoot Evans really had no right to the money, and it was very extraordinary that the legal re OTesentatiTes of the late Mr Maelor Evans Tad not intervened. There; «B nc, Sato- factory evidence showing that the £ 4UU which Thomas handed to Evans was Tho- mas's money. In his opinion it belonged to the bank, so he would make the order as requested by Mr Davies.

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THEATRE ROYAL, TONYPANDY. LESSEES MESSRS. ARTHUR CARLTON & SAM DUCKWORTH. The Popular Rhondda Theatre. Friday and Saturday, December 15th & 16th, Last Two Nights of Mr. A. Farren's Concert Party & Diorama. Afternoon Performance on Saturday at 3 o'clock. Cheered Nightly Visited by Thousand of People, and everybody delighted Sunday, Dec. 17th, Grand SACRED CONCERT And ILLUSTRATED RECITAL. ADMISSION BY SILVER COLLECTION. Commence at 8.15 p.m. Enormous Attraction for Christmas week! SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT OF Mr. W. H. HAL-LET and Powerful Company IN THE TWO GREAT DRAMAS— 'The Iron Maiden' & 'Is Life Worth Living?' Special Performances Xmas Day, at 8.30 & 7.45, of 'The Iron JUaideq.' Time and Prices as usual. 60