The Rhondda Leader

'Scenes' at Rhondda Council- Head Post Office Quarrel Councillor Tom Evans Re- fuses to move his Notice of Motion. Members' Wild Language Councillor Tom Evans' notice of motion to rescind a previous resolution locating the proposed Head Post Office at Porth, and to have it located at Tonypandy, was productive of a heated and exciting dis- cussion at the monthly meeting of the Kiionucla District Council on Friday. Before Mr. Evans brought forward his motion, a letter was read from Alderman ltlcilard Lewis regarding a statement he made as tne spokesman of the deputation from the imci-itnoncida Chamber of Trade ana Urocers' Association, which waited upon tile council in February to urge the ciaims of lonypandy as the site ot the nead omce. Alderman Lewis' statement (stated to have been based on information nunisned by the Pontypridd postmaster; was to tne effect that the amount ot postal worn, transacted at Tonypandy Post Utíice was douoie that of Porth and Pentre com- bmed-a statement which was hotiy con- tested by Dr. Thomas and Councillor Thos. Uriuiths. Alderman .Lewis now modified his statement by saying that the actual work done at the Tonypandy Post Office was double that of Porth. and equal to that of Pentre, and that the figures given at the former meeting were based upon an error. Councillor Thos. Griffiths also read a communication from Mr. Flack, post- master, Pontypridd, denying that he or any of his subordinates had furnished any details as to the amount of business done at any of the post offices mentioned, as that information could only be given by consent of his superior officers. The ligures furnished by Alderman Lewis were based upon the Postal Year Book, which was accessible to the public. Mr. Griffiths also stated that a circular had been sent by the employees of the Pontypridd Post Office to the postmen of Porth, urging them to reject the proposal of a change, and to combine with them to retain the head office at Pontypridd, so that the employees at that office might secure an advance in wages. A resolution accepting the explanation of Alderman Lewis having been passed, Councillor Tom Evans, speaking to his motion, said that personally, Porth and Mid-Rhondda were equal to him, as he had no "side" in the matter as far as the site of the office was concerned. His notice of motion, however, was due mainly to his conviction at the time it was moved, and now, that the vote taken on the question was not a fair indication of the reelings and intentions of the Council. His motion was, therefore, more in the nature of a protest against the tactics adopted at that meeting than any personal desire on his part to see the head omce located in Mid-ithondda. lie would even go further than that now, and say that 11 the iniorwit-ioil which was now in his possession had been known at that meeting, no member of the Council would have voted for a change-a change which would seriously affect the wages of postal employees, lvxr. Griffiths had just stated that a circular had been issued by the Pontypridd postmen to their Porth col- leagues, urging them to resist the proposal of a change, because it would militate against their prospect of an advance in wages. It was not the postmen of the Pontypridd Post Office alone that would be affected, as every employee from the chief clerk downwards would feel the pinch. It would affect the wages of all the postmen in Pontypridd and the icnondda by 3s. a week, and as one of the Labour representatives on the Council, he ventured to say that none of them would have voted for the location of a head office at Porth or Mid-Rhondda had they known that such a change would have the effect of reducing the postmen's wages to that extent. Was it not possible, asked the speaker, for them to be able to achieve their end in getting this office in the unondda, and at the same time save the status of the postal employees? He believed that by creating a branch head office in the Valley, at whatever place they liked, they would be able to secure their own administration in postal affairs, with- out sacrificing the welfare of the em- ployees. The Chairman (Councillor D. Smith, J.P.): You have not moved your notice of motion at all. Do you wish to move it? Councillor Evans: No; I don't wish to move it until I know where we are. Councillor D. R. Jones: Ohl that's nothing; move it or withdraw it. councillor Evans: If I were working at Fernhill Colliery, I should consent to be bosstju" by Mr. Jones; but on thia Council we are all equals, and I am not going to be bossed" by Mr. Jones or anyone else as to what I should do. Councillor D. R. Jones: Any member of this Council who has not sufficient back- bone to propose a motion entered in his name, or withdraw it like a man, is not worthy to be a member of this Council! (Sensation). The Chairman: Now gentlemen, order, order. Councillor Evans: Don't you worry, Mr. Chairman, I'll deal with him all right (laughter). The Chairman: Order 1 order 1 Mr. Thomas Griffiths: Is the motion to be placed before the meeting or not? Councillor Evans: If it were not for the effect that it would have upon the em- ployees, I would have no hesitation in moving it. As it is, I will not move it. I would like to have it deferred. (Cries of "No, no "). The Chairman: As long as Mr. Evans will not move his motion, we cannot dis- cuss the matter. Dr. Thomas: If Mr, Evans does not move his motion, I will. Mr. W. T. Davies: Is he in order, sir? The Chairman: No, it is in Mr. Evans' name. Dr. Thomas: I think I am perfectly in order. The Clerk: The real object of a notice of motion is that it should not be altered by surprise. Dr. Thomas said he would abide by the ruling of the Chairman, but he pointed out that if he had been aware that Mr. Evans was not going to move it, he would have given notice of motion himself. He was not going to allow them to bottle his convictions in that way. The Chairman said that he thought that for the dignity of the Council it should not be dragged from pillar to post in that manner. Mr. Evans said he was willing to finish at the word rescind, and it would read that the resolution passed be rescinded. He would move that much. Dr. Thomas seconded. Councillor J. D. Williams said that he could not agree with Mr. Evans in that the location of a head office in the Rhondda would reduce the employees' wages. He was of the opinion that wages would increase, and before Mr. Evans should take such a step, he would like to have a little more light on the matter. Councillor D. Williams said that he associated himself with Mr. Elans' sug- gestions of further investigating the matter before proceeding any further. Dr. Thomas saiu that since new phases had been introduced into the question, the least they could do for these postmen -who were not already overpaid-was to see whether they were justified in doing something that would reduce their salaries by three shillings a week. He was pre- pared to do a great deal for the prestige of the Rhondda, but not at the expense of reducing the wages of these postmen. Councillor Walter Williams said that before proceeding with the question, they should take into consideration the clause in the Postmaster-General's letter, which stated that even with the establishment of a head office no improved postal facilities would result. If that was the case, he would like to know what benefits they could expect by having the head post office in the Rhondda. Barry, at present, was a part of the Cardiff postal area, and the result was that the maximum wages of postmen were 30s. a week, whereas in Penarth, which boasted a head office of its own, the maximum wages were only 24s. per week. Councillor Griffiths said he understood it was not going to affect the wages of the present employees. He did not think it fair to make use of this kind of argument by those who were not in favour of one place or the other. He called Mr. Evans' attention to a remark he had passed at the last meeting that, whatever place he voted for, he would be man enough to abide by the decision of the Council. He was the first not to abide by it. Dr. Thomas: I am rising to a point of order. Councillor Griffiths: Will you sit down, sirP Dr. Thomas: No, I have risen to a point of order to put you right before you go further out of order. Councillor Griffiths: I am much obliged to Dr. Thomas. He is the only one that is ever in order. I am only speaking of the fact that after we got Porth, and after we had the decision, we said we were quite prepared to leave the matter in the hands of the Postmaster-General. (" No, no "). Dr. Thomas: Let's have the truth, any- how. The Chairman: Try and keep cool, gentlemen. Dr. Thomas: I am perfectly cool. The point is whether he said that before the voting or not. Councillor Thos. Griffiths expressed sur- prise at the conduct of Mr. Evans. At the meeting of the Council when the question was first introduced, Mr. Evans had promised, before the voting took place, that whatever place was selected, he would abide by the decision of the Council. When that decision had been given, he was the first to move a notice of motion to get away from it. He was perfectly astounded at the conduct of such able men as Dr. Thomas and Mr. Evans, that they should reduce themselves to such a low level. He never recollected such a proceeding in the annals of the Council, and if this was the way in which their business was to be carried on, the future of the Council would be much worse than it had been in the past. Dr. Thomas retorted that anything he had said or done would not have occurred if members had voted honourably and not by subterfuge. (Cries of Order "). Councillor J. D. Williams: We voted for Porth like honourable men. When the time came for Porth to vote, what did they do? They jumped over Tony- pandy, and voted for Pentre. The Clerk: You had better withdraw these references. It is a pity to spoil the harmony of this Council. Councillor Tom Evans proceeded to make some remark, when Councillor W. T. Davies interposed, remarking that a few days before the voting took place a deputation waited upon Mr. Evans to solicit his support for Porth, and Mr. Evans had expressed surprise that any- one should ask him to support any place but Tonypandy, and even Mr. Wight to-day had supported these spoilt children of the nursery (referring to Councillors Evans and J. D. Williams). Councillor Evans said that he was going to give an example to some gentlemen present, by not indulging in personalties. Some of them had used things against him which were intended to be in confidence. I admit," he proceeded, that I agreed to fall in with the finding of this Council, but my chief object in refusing to agree to it afterwards was that it was not the true finding of the Council, and that it was brought about through the method of voting adopted. I did not foresee the possibility of that when I promised to fan in with the majority. I want to maintain the dignity of the Council as much as any- one, but I also want to rise to a higher level than that, and say that the dignity of this Council must be maintained by fairplay and no dodging (hear, hear). The Chairman: We will take the vote now. Dr. Thomas asked Mr. Evans to read what he would move, and Mr. Evans read, That the previous resolution of t Council be rescinded with a view of making! enquiries concerning the effect which it would have on the wages of the postmen. Councillor Griffiths pointed out that those words had been added for a par- pose, and that anybody could see it. Councillor W. T. Davies pointed that Dr. Thomas had not seconded that. Dr. Thomas said he absolutely refused to be dictated to as to which resolution he was seconding by a little solicitor frOO Porth. The resolution put forth that^ the previous resolution of th0 Council re the head post office "e rescinded." Eventually, on a vote being taken, nil" voted flor Mfr. Evans' motion, and l4 against. Councillor Tom Evans I move that the votes be recorded. Councillor Davies: I second that, and- Councillor Thos. Griffiths: And pub- lished in every paper.

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Woman Struck with Tongs Cwmparo Man gets four t"o"tolo Hard Labour." At Ystrad Police Court on Monday* John Evans, collier, 23, Barrett Street* Cwmparc, was summoned for unlawful1? wounding Catherine Davies (married)? 0 the same address. Prosecutrix stated that on the morning of the 1st of April she was rising ashes in her kitchen, when defendan advanced behind her and asked about a letter. When witness replied that she knew nothing about it, he struck her the head with a pair of tongs, causing several wounds. She struggled out of th kitchen, and fell unconscious as she reached the door.. Alf. Price, a neighbour, said that n heard a row going on in prosecutrix s house, and soon afterwards saw Mrs. Davies coming through the door ,holding her head in her hands, whilst blood streamed down her face. He caught he just as she was sinking to the floor.. » Dr. Armstrong said that he examine proseoutrixi, and found two wounds upon her head reaching down to the There were also bruises upon her a1^' and she appeared to be suffering ver" much from shock. Defendant gave another version of W affair. He admitted striking Davies, b added that it was done under provocation as prosecutrix had hit him with a brus and had similarly treated his wife. ,,0 Defendant's wife corroborated, but prosecutrix, re-called, denied that touched either. The cause of the thing, said Mrs. Davies, was that would not pay the arrears of rent d" neither would they leave the house. g The charge of unlawfully wounding reduced to one of aggravated assault, his Worship, in summing up, said that could not believe a word of > story, and ordered him to four mo»^ imprisonment with hard labour.

Has cae present generation as good eyesight as the 1.01 Perhaps not. At all events, opticians have mu h jj. precise knowledge of the eye, its limitations an.d nesses. For any information relating: to thp and glasses, one is very well advised to see Mf- Jt ERNEST JONGS, Chemist and Optician, Tafl Pontypridd. w

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