Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
11 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
iRIVALRY BETWEEN FISHMONGERS
RIVALRY BETWEEN FISHMONGERS A MAESTEG STREET QUARREL. SEQUEL AT BRIDGEND POLICE COURT. Rivalry between. fishmongers at Maesteg had a sequel at Bridglend Pol ice-court on Sat- urday in a case in which David Morgan Price, 2 Talbpt-street, Maesteg, summoned Albert Thomas, of South Paraoe, for assault. The solicitors instructed were Alderman T. J. Hughes for complainant, and Mr. Evan E. Davies, C.C., for defendant. Complainant said defendant was employed by Messrs. Stevens and Son. who were in the same line of business as himself, and he had only been in Maesteg a short time. On Jan. 8th he (complainant) was showing a. new man the roulids, wheat he met defendant, and they had a drink together in the Lamb Inn. They were perfectly friendly, and defendant told him incidentally that he had had a good job in Cardiff, but had to leave because he was "wanted'" for assault. On the following morning witness was again showing his man round, and, called at the Cc-operative Stores. When. he came out his cart was some dis- tance ahlead, and; defendant's cart was follow- ing it. Witness hurried' a.ong to catch his cart up, ;and' as he was passing defendant wished b.im Good morning." Defendant asked, "Who are you following?" and he re- plied, "I am not foUowing anybody; I am only going round my ordinary business." Defendant said, "I will show you you can't follow" me," and struck him a blow. Witness put up his arm to receive the blow, and de- fendant struck out with the other fist, hit- ting him on, the ear. Witness took refuge in the Railway Inn. Cix>ss-examined He was net annoyed be- cause Stevens and Son had started in the fish trade. Mr. Davies: Don't you consider yourself a kind of AUTOCRAT XHOXG FISHMONGERS Complainant hesitated in replying. Alderman Hughes "Autosprat" would be a. better name for a fisherman. MT Daviea: Have you not followed this man about day after day?—Complainant No. Have you not interfered with his cus- tomer?—No. In reply to further questions, complainant at first denied that the police had seen him in regard to complaints made by defendant, but afterwards admitted that they had. 'It was not true that he had promised not to follow defendant again. The Chairman (Mr. R. W. Llewellyn): Wns this before or after the assault ? Complainant: After. George Hitchings, greengrocer, Xanty- ffyllon. who appeared on subpoena, said he saw Price lean on the splash board of defen- dant's cart. Defendant took off his coat and struck Price, who staggered, but did not fall. Defendant was the aggressor. Mi ss Richards, 2 Bridge-street, who .'••aid she was at her front door, also gave evidence for the complainant. Mir. Davies: You say Mr. Price was in a throughly friendly attitude ? Witness: Yes. 1\1rr. Davies: Encouraging Mr. Thomas to sell, I su ppose! P.S. Rees Davies said Price complained to the police immediately after the alleged as- sault, and dle-fendant did1 not make a com- plaint until -the next morning. Price's ear was slightly swollen and beginning to dis- colour. The Chairman: Is Price a. quarrelsome man ?— Wit nesis I have had no complaints. Alderman Hughes: How many complaints have you had of Stevens's man ?—Two. Did Price make any prom ise about not fol- lowing defendant about again?—No. THE DEFENCE. Irt opening the case for the defence, Mr. Davies said there could be no doubt that the story about Thomas being "wanted" in Car- diff was introduced to prejudice the case. It was absurd to suggest that these men were perfectly friendly on the Wednesday night. and that on the following day defendant COlll- mitted an assault without provocation. Defendant's version of what occurred was that Price passed him and then returned, whereupon he (defendant) said, "I see you intend following me." Oh, yes," he re- plied'. "I shall follow you." Witness said, If you have any animosity with my em- ployers, you have it out with them; don't follow me." As he had been following wit- ness about many times, and was under-selling him at loss, witness asked him if he was a good business man. He said Yes, as good a man as you." He then put up his hands, and witness struck him. One day complainant had followed him about -all day. He was calling out, Rabbits 6d. each," and was exposing the class of goods sold by defendant. Evidence was also given for the defence by Richard Bevan and Charles White. The Bench were satisfied that an assault had been committed, and imposed a fine of £ 2 iand costs. An advocate's fe'e of £1 11;, was allowed out of the fine. The imprisonment in case of default was fixed at 14 days.
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[No title]
Whist. Drive-On the 15th insst., the mem- bers of the local Free Masons Lodge and their friends held a whist drive at the White Lion Hotel. There were 88 in attendance. Scholastic Appointment.—Mr. S. R. Mad- dock, of St. Michael s-road, assistant master at the Plasnewydd Pupil Teachers' Centre, liias been appointed headmaster of the Caerau New School. Mr. Muddock, who is a native of Maesteg, has well earned the honour con- ferred upon him. N antyffylilon Male Voice Party.—At .a. meeting of this party the balance sheet was read, and showed a balance in hand, after de- fraying full expenses. Owing to the late con- ductor of the party resigning his position, the party is now umder the leadership of Mr. Thomas Evans ^ewoii ). Colliery Accident .—On. Thursday William Henry Evans, of Mill-street., Cwmfelin, met with an accident at the Ooegnant Coniery whilst. following his occupation, as haulier. It appears that the horse, which he was driving stumbled, and fell upon him, causing a severe injury to his Leg. He was conveyed home on lrorse back in charge of Mr. Branus Jenkins, of Brown-street. Obituary.—The death occurred on Tues- day, at the early age of 28 years, of M. s. Blodwen, Rees, 5 Picton-place, Nanlyffyllen, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Wat- kirk She had been ailing for a consider able time. Her husband pre-decaased her by several yeans, having met with a serious accident at Messrs. North's Navigation Col- lieries, which ultimately uroved fatal. Brake Accident.—On Monday evening a brake belonging to J}.r..Edwa.rd..Morgan. post- ing-master, Caerau, broke down near the Tal- bot Arms, lAigh-street, the axle of the back right wheel snapping in two. The brake was ladeti with passengers from vaerau, but for- tunately no one was injured, though they were all very much frightened. A crowd of people gathered, and traffic was blocked for a time. Sergt. Rees Davies soon arrived, and had the main thoroughfare cleared. C-heekweigher Appointed.—Mr. Edwin Bar- lwtt, of 284 Bridgend-road, has been ap- pointed oheckWeigher at the Tonhir Colliery, out of a lairge number of applicants. Mr. Barnett is quite worthy of the honour oon- fNretl upon him by the workmen; he is a man of sound judgment, discreet in all his undertakings, and perfectly straightforward. He is a staunch member of the I.L.P., and well versed in tlue principles advocated by the party. Billiards.—On Saturday evening the Nant- yffyllon) Billiard Team journeyed to Ponty- cymmer to meet the Pontycymmer team in a League match. Both trains were strongly re- presented. Tho most interesting feature of the series of games played was that between Hancock, Pontycymmer, and Johns, Nanty- ffyllon, the Pontycymmer man running out winner by 9 points. Both players received ■an ovation at the end of a most interesting game from the spectators, who considered it the best game seen at the Institute for some time. The Pontycymmer team added two points to their credit in the League table in winning the game by 234 points. Final score :—Pontycymmer, 1,550; Nantyffyllon, 1,316. To-morrow (Saturday) there will be a League match at Nantyffyllon, when the visitors will be the Abersrwynfi team. A Lost Lassie.On Tuesday morning. Cassie, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bowen, of 19 King's-terrace. Nanty- ffyl'lion, was sent to the Nantyffyllon Infants' School. Finding that she did not return after the morning assembly with oilier little children who live in the same street, the par- ents naturally became anxious about her. It was foundl that she was at school in the morn- ing, but no-one appeared to have seen her on her way home. They immediately visited their relatives in the district of Nantyffyllon, thinking the child might have called on some of them, but still with no satisfaction. In- formation was puven to the police, and the alarm quickly spretad through the town, the father going in. one direction and the dis- tressed mother in another in search of therir lost child. The child was recognised at Caerau late in the afternoon and brought home by the attendance officer. Proposed Ambulance Brigade.—A corres- pondent writer—Some of the members of the local ambulance classes are anxious to convene a meeting in the district to discuss the proposed formation: of an am- bulance brigade. Messrs. Norths, with their noted generosity, through their agent, Mr. J. P. Gibbon, £ 300 towards the formation of classes, and it is lioped that the idea will be speedily taken up by the workmen connected with North s Com- pany, and especially those who have attended ambulance classes in the past. The old mem- bers should come to the front and take full advantage of the offer of Messrs. Norths, .and, further, intluoe others to join the classes. Then when an accident occurs at a ccUtery—they do occur unfortunately, not withstanding the research work carried on— they will be able to render aid, and thus alie- riate the sufferings of anyone who unhappily receives injury. Entertainment.—The first of a series of en- tortainaneivts arranged to take place at Salem Baptist Chapel, Nantyffyllon, during the winter months, was held on the evening of the 16th inst. The Rev. D. C. Howells (pas- tor) presided- The first item was a chorus by the children's ohoir, and other items were: Song, Mr. J. Williams; recitation. Mr. John Eli as; song. Olwen Davies; quartette, ihos. Williams and friends; recitation, lrevor Roderick; song, Thos. E. John; recitation, p Tho>\ Anthony; song, BIcddyn Howells; re- citation, Mona Williams; song. Glatlys Thomas; son?. Mr. Ben Davies; song. rrhos. Anthony; duet, Blodwen Jones and friend; isong, Mr. David John. A prize offered for the best rendering of Bydyn Dirwesf was divided between Gladys Howells and Fanny Jenkins. A vote of thanks was accorded the chairman, on) the motion of Mr. Thos. Mcrris. seconded by Mr. Edmund Williams. The ac- companists were Misses Katie Hughes and Gladys Howells. Presentation at Caerau.—On the 15th i e,L Mr. T. S. Evans, Nantyffyllon., was made the recipient of a silver mounted baton, and case as a, token of esteem, by the Fife Band of Caerau and Nantyffyllon. oft: the occasion of his appointment as conductor to the Male Voice Party of Nantyffyllon. The meeting was held at Caersalem Chapel, where he is held in high esteem as conductor of the choir. The chair was taken by the Rev. W. Morgan (Caersalem), and the proceedings were opened by Miss A. M. Thomas, who gave a pianoforte solo. Various vocal and instrumental it-eiiis were contributed by the following:—Mr. bWm. Mort, Miss Edith Williams, Messrs. Elias Davies, D. O. Morgan, D. G. Williams, Evan Griffiths, T. S. Evans, Philip Morgan. George J. Williams, Henry Williams, and W R. Stratton. Selections were given, on the gramaphone which was kindly 'lent by Mi. Thomas (mason). The presentation was made by Mr. Wm. Mort, who delivered an appro- priate speech, and the recipient suitably ack- nowledged. Addresses were given by the 'chairman. Rev. W. Morgan. Mr Evan Gnnrtsi and Mr. Rees Morgan (deacons of Caersalem), all testifying to the esteem in. which Mr. T. 'chairman. Rev. W. Morgan. Mr Evan Gnnrtsi and Mr. Rees Morgan (deacons of Caersalem), all testifying to the esteem in. which Mr. T. S. Evans is held in the church and district- A vote of thanks was accorded all who took part in the meeting. Deiath of Mr. Evan David.—It is with re- gret wo record the death of Mr. Evan David, of Brynamlwg, Brynmawr-plaee. after a long illness. The deceased, who was 59 years of age, was a faithful deacon at Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Church, a trustee of North's Memorial! Mall, and secretary of the Miners' Accidental Fund'. A man of sound judg- ment, wido sympathy, and great force of character, he will be greatly missed in the church, and his death involves a loss to the town. The funeral took place on the 15th inst., the interment being made at the Iilan- gynwyd Churchyard. The Revs. W. R. Watkyn, Iorwerth Jones, and' D. C. Howells officiated at the house, and Revs. W. R. Wat- kyn, C. P. Thomas, and Álhy-s Davies at the graveside. Manifestations of the respect in which the deceased was held were to be seen on all sides, and a large number assembled to pay their 'last tribute. The chief mourners were: Mrs. David (widow), Mr. W. David, M.A., B.Sc., Newport (son.). Rev. H. David, A.T.S., and Mirs. Darid, Poiutypool (son and daughter-in-law), Miss C. David (daughter), M'r. and Mrs. D. "Williams (datughter and son-in-law), Mrs Thomas, Ivor- streat; MTa. D. Rees, Mrs. Thomas, Craig-y- pare; Mr. George nopkina, Tredegar; Miss Thomas, Tredegar; Mr. and Mrs. Mordocai, Llwymliendy; Mr. and' Mrs. Maddiock, MIF. Wi. Maddbck, etc.
HAYDN'S "CREATION.''
HAYDN'S "CREATION. PERFORMED AT MAESTEG TOWN-HALL. On the 13th inst., a grand performance of Haydn's masterpiece, The Creation/ was given at the Maesteg Town-hall. by the Nant- yffyllon Choral Society, or rather, the Saron Congregational Choir, assisted by a few local lamatenrs, under the conductorship of Mr. W. J. Watkins, the musical director of that ohurch. The artistes were: -Soprv.Qo. Madame John-Thomas, of Handily; tenor, Mr. W*. M. Griffitlis, of Gilfach Gocli; bass, Mr. J. Burry Morse, of Burry Port. A fine orchestra supplied the instrumental music, under the leadership of Mr. Gomecr Jones, R.C.M. and L.C.V.. as follows:—Mi™>- Gomer Jones (Bncigend). Mr Ben George (Tre- degar). Mr. George McP'herson (Maesteg) and Miss Draper (Penarth), first violins; Mr. G. R. Oliver (Swansea), Mr. H. G. Mortimer (Cardiff), and Mr. W. Davies (Aberdare). second violins; iVir W. £ j. Thomas (Aberdare), yioilla; Miss M. Goudrian (Swansea), 'ceilo; Mr. W. Griffiths (Swansea), double bass; Mr. Josiah Thomas, Maesteg, flute Mr. Sinclair. Cardiff, clarionet; Mr. J. A. Phillips, Aber- dare, oboe; Mr. Paul Praper, Perianth, bassoon Mr. E. Hardiinan, Mountain Ash, trumpet; Messrs. Baker and Davies, Cy- fa.rthfa, trombones; Mr. Arthur Lloyd, Maes- teg, organ. In the absence of Mr. David Davies, of Coegnamt House, Councillor John Roderick presided over a crowded audience. The ris- ing of the curtain revealed quite a pic- turesque scene, the choir, artistes and orches- tra beinig arranged tier above tier. Brilliant aa was the appearance of the choir. their singing was superb and magnificent, and re- fleeted the greatest credit upon the conduc- tor, who, it must be remembered, is only a hard-working collier with but little time, and opportunity for self culture. The perform- ance was the outcome of six months' hard training, patience and perseverance. The conductor having entered, the oratorio commenced with the weird overture repre- senting Chaos. Here came the opportunity for display of the various instruments, the bassoon, oboe and flute coming specially into prominen.ce—and commendation. The libretto is taken and built upon. the first chapter of Genesis describing the work of creations commelwing with the 1st first (recit, bass), In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth," etc., and the chorus, And the Spirit of God moved upon the waters." The rendition here was very effective, especially upon the words "Let there be light," followed by the air (tenor), Now vanish before the holy beams, etc.' The allegro moderate passage, "Affrighted fly hell's spirits," was extremely weird and bril- liant, and was a splendid introduction of the rising young tenor to a Maesteg audience. The chorus, wild and descriptive, was well sustained by the choir, depictive of the "des- pairing onrsing rage" of the evil spirits, and flowing naturally into the beautiful isotto vooo part, A new created world springs up at God's command." It would be tedious to our readers to describe the whole oratorio in detail, although wo are carried aw.ay in our enthusiasm to do so, so grr.nd and magnifi- cent was the execution. We will only gianc-e briefly at some of the principal items which callled forth admiration. Madame Thoma.s ,almost excelled herself in the air The mar- vellous work behold amazed." Mr. Burry Morse was in fine form in Rolling in foam- ing billows," and received unstinted plaudits for his splendid rendition ol this magnificent solo. Madame Thomas was most happy in that pretty and popular solo With verdure clad." as was also the choir in Awake th-G harp." The wonderful chorus, The heavens are telling," with the trio, In all the lands," was magnificently rendered, and was per- haps the very finest effort of the choir, and again the audience showed its keen admira- tion with wan-Til applause. The orchestra here, too. was brilliant in the extreme. The second part opened with the air. "On mighty wings," and here again Madame Thomas slione effectively, as did also the ac- companying instruments, especially the flute. The trio and chorus, "The Lord is great," owing to some misunderstanding, were not so well given. It was, however, repeated, this time grandly and vivaciously, to the great delight of all. The recit (bass), Straight opening," was splendid, the instru- ments describing the roar of the tawny lion, the sudden leaps of the flexible tiger, the fleecy, meek and bleating lamb, and hosts of insects, with awful majestic and wonderful imitation. Lastly comes the great work of CTeatioll as recited by the tenor, And God cre-ated man," and tlien that beautiful and ever fav- ourite, In native worth," followed by the chorus, Achieved is the glorious work" (No. 1), together with the trio, On Thee each living soul awaits," and Achieved is the glorious work" (No. 2). In these again the choir and soloists were in their element, and received rapturous applause. The third part introduces Adam and Eve iptl the Garden, In rosy mantle appears the morning young and fair behold the blissful pair," etc., and the duet, "In bl'iss with Thee," leading to the chorus For ever blessed be His power." The blending and harmony of the voicesi were excellent, and in the opinion of some well known conductors present, who were unstinted in their praise, this was one of the gems of the evening. The same meed of praise is also given to Of stars the fairest." "Sing the Lord, ye voices, all, was a fit- ting climax to one of the grandest concerts it has ever been our lot to attend at Maesteg, and the universal wish was that it should be repeated at an early date. The brilliant orchestra, conducted and selected by Professor Gomer Jcwies. was the finest ever brought to Maesteg, and we pre- dict a speedy reappearance and a warm wel- come when they come again. After the second part, Mr. Councillor Roderick proposed, in his usual happy form, a vote of thanks to the choir and artistes and ochestra. which was duly seconded by Coun- cillor Vernon Hartshorn, the popular miners' agent, who heartily congratulated the self- taught, hard-working, unassuming conduc- tor, upon his brilliant efforts and success. The Rev. T. Esgar James, the minister of Saroiu Congregational Church, proposed the usual vote of thanks to the chairman, and warmly thanked the audience for their kind appreciation of the singers, artistes, and or- chestra, and of the conductor especially. The Rev. Morley Davies (Bethlehem English Con- gregational, Nantyffyllon) seconded; and the performance, which had lasted 2.V hours, was bmnght to a. clotse by the singing of the National Anthem.
ENGINE HOUSE ON FIRE. _m------.--
ENGINE HOUSE ON FIRE. _m STOPPAGE OF WORK AT NO. 9 PIT. A fire broke out during the eariy hours of Sunday morning at the engine-house of Cae- [tefaid Colliery, the property of Messrs. North's Navigation Co., Maesteg, which com- pletely gutted the building. The fire was discovered by William Shorrock, who was working oil: a fan engine 200 yards away, and he. after liberating four horses in an adjoin- ing stable, immediately informed' the colliery officials. The colliery is situated about half- a-mile from the town on the mountain side, and is in such a. position that the police on duty in the main thoroughfare of the town also saw the blaze, and Sergeant Rees Davies and several constables arrived quickly on the scene. With the gretat-pst difficulty, and after five hours of strenuous work, assisted by Mr. Dodd, a mechanic, and a few civilians, the fire was. got under by means of buckets of water and a. hose connected with the injectors of the boilers1. A large quantity of oil and waste, which was in. the engine-house, made it more diffi- cult to extinguish the fire. The engine be- came red-hot, the cylinders burst, and the body of the engine gave way. The roof was also in danger of falling while the police were on top playing water from the hose upon the flames. The origin of the fire is believed to have been a, spark from the brake falling upon the oily waste below. The damage is estimated at £ 400 or C500, the woodwork at one side of the foundation a.nd beams and rafters of the roof being burnt. The colliery, as a result, was ren- de,red idle, 250 men being a.Sected.
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To Advertisers.—Advertisers who senfl us small advertisements that come under the I various headings of our prepaid scale, me re- quested to kindly Bead renrftfeanoe with order*
A Prominent Calvinistic Methodise…
A Prominent Calvinistic Methodise MR. JOHN HOWELLSS ELECTION AS PRESIDENT. Councillor John Hcwells is to be highly complimented upon his appointment as presi- dent of the West Glamorgan Calviniytie Methodist Monthly Meeting. Mr. Howells comes of an old Methodist stock, which he traces back to John Harris, of Ambleston, his great^great-grandfather. His great-grandfather, the Rev. Evan Harris, was one of the first batch of ministers or- dained for South Wales in the year 1811, and his grandfather was the late Rev. Wiliiani Llewellyn, of Begelly. So that Mr. Howells, in a sense, comas into a birthright in being selected for the highest honour the Monthly Meeting can confer upon him. Personalty ho has been ;associated with Libanus Church, Garth, for the long period of 33 years, a.nd his faithfulness to the cause, as well as his exem- plary character, led to his being, 13 yea.rs ago, made a deacon. He has been secretary to this church for eighteen years, and has also acted in a similar capacity ill the local auxili- ary of the British and Foreign Bible Society. )1" Howells is also valued as a Nonconformist outside his own denomination, and has been nominated, with the Rev. W. R. Watkyn. B.A.. to give evidence on behalf of the Maes- teg Free Churches before the Welsh Church Commission. Mr. How ells has served his town and gener- ation. well in. various public offices. He is a member of the Maesteg Urban District Coun- cil, the Bridgend and Cowbridge Board of Guardians, and the Union Assessment Com- nrittee. lie lias been overseer for the parish of Cwmdll for 15 years, and was last year nominated for County Council honours, but withdrew. As a member of the old School Board, Mr. Howells did good service, and since the ex- tinction of that body he has served on the group managers. He is also a member of the Technical Instruction Committee, and a governor of Bridgend County Schdol. He has taken part in Friendly Society mat- ters for many years, having been a member of the defunct "Good Samaritan" Lodge of Philanthropies, secretary of the "Bee of Glan- llynvi" Lodge of the ssme Order, and lie i' at present a member of the Ancient Order of Druids. He is also chairman of the Glamor- gan Building Society, and has been presi- dent of the Chamber of Trade.
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AGREEMENT ANNULLED. .
AGREEMENT ANNULLED. LLETTY BRONGU COLLIERS CLAIM. SIGNATURE OBTAINED BY IMPROPER MELANS. A compensation case came before his Honour Judge Bryn Roberts at Bridgend County Court on the 17th inst., which pre- sented an unusual feature,, the applicant having signed an agreement- in full dischai-ge of his employers' liability. The applicant was John Williams, Bryn Cottages, Lietty Brongu. who claimed 17s. per week from October 30th from T. Walters and Co., the proprietors of the Cwmced-ryw Colliery, Llau- gynwyd. Mr. Evan E. Davits (Maesteg) was tor the plain tin, and Mr. Hugh Jones (in- structed by Mr. Lewis Thomas, Aberavon i for the .respondents. CRUSHED BY A FALL." Mr. Davies said the applicant was crushed under a "fall on September 12th, last year. and, though he had been able to resume his work for a short time, he wa.s at present inca- pacitated. Evidence in support of this statement was given by Dr. Waiter Kirkby. the applicant's medical attendant, who staged that Williams stiffened from a contusion of the left leg. which gave rise to neurasthenia, from which he had been suffering ever since. Witness did not consider that he was capable of fol- lowing his employment yet. and he thought the incapacity would continue for three, or four montlis. Mr. Hugh Jones intimated that he inten- ded to rely on an agreement, between the ap- plicant. and his employers by which Williams accepted C13 in full discharge of the com- pany's liability. T. Walters, manager of the colliery, was then called, and he at once admitted that there was an accident on September 12th. The man cantinue>d to work, off and on, until October 30th, and it was not until November 5th that notice of injury was served on the Company. On December 30th—some tame after applicant's request for compensation was served—he accompanied Mr. Jenkins, the agent of the Insurance Company, to the house of the applicant, with whom they had a conversation respecting his condition. They had gone there for the purpose of effect ing a settlement, if possible, as witness wanted to save expense to both parties. He told the applicant that the doctors who had examined him did not agree, and he replied, I am sure I did not suffer anything before the acci- dent." Mr. Jenkins then OFFERED £ 12 IN SETTLEMENT, and at length, the plaintiff, who demanded £15 at first-—.agreed to accept 1:13 in full dis- charge. A provisional agreement, read out by Jenkins and explained by witness in Welsh, was signed, and as they bad no money with them, it was arranged that witness should go there the next day with the money.. He went accordingly, and paid the money over, Williams signing a formal receipt, in full discharge, and a neighbour acting as wit- ness. Applicant appeared thankful for the money, and he was not pressed- to sign. Mr. Davies: \on were not concerned very much about the compensation until you ire- ceived the summons?—I did not think he was entitled to it. And after that you took an expert ooni- pensation man with you ?-I don't know that he is all expert. I put it to you that the applicant did not understand what he was signingP—He did. You say you explained it to him. Did you explain that if he remained injured for five or six years, he would never receive another penny P—No. That's what it means?—Well, he accepted the money in full discharge. I You went there thinking you would drive him to sign it?—No. J. Thomas Je-rkln.s..agent of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Society, gave evidence to the effect that no pressure was brought to bear on the applicant. APPLICANT'S ALLEGATION. Williams, in evidence, admitted that he i signed the agreement, but he alleged, that it was not explained or even read over to him, and that he did not understand what it was about. His Honour: What did you think it meant?—It was something about the Act. Didn't you have any idea what you were signing?—I didn't know what it was. < I was very nervous at the time. Mr. Davies: And you have been nervous ever since?—Yes, sir. Mrs. Williams (applicant's wife; stated that she did' net understand what the- r ipers were about, and similar evidence was given by Mrs Edith Bevan, a neighbour, who witnessed the agreement. Addressing his Honour Mr. Davies con- tended that the applicant was drawn into signing an agreement which he did not understand. Mr. Walters knew, of course, that lie (Mr. Davies) was acting for the appli- cant—it was stated in the request for arbi- tration—and he thought it was unfair that Walters and an expert compensation man should have gOlliP to w-c, the applicant in the way they had. 'If the company were candid and honest in the matter, why did they not carry on their negotiations with the appli- cant's legal adviser? He therefore asked his Honour to set aside the agreement. Mr. Hugh Jones, in reply, pointed out that the agreement was read over and explained before plaintiff signed it. He did not think his Honour could hold, in these circum- stances, that the-re was a.ny undue influence, or that improper ilieaiia had been, adopted. HIS HONOUR'S DECISION. Judge Roberts said he had come to the con- clusion that the agreement had' been got by improper means. It was not right that the two men should have gone to the applicant and try and settle the claim with him in the absence of his legal adviser, who, they must have known, was acting in the matter. He believed undue advantage had been taken of t the applicant. He there-fore ordered the agreement to be set- aside, but he would ad- journ the case to the next- Court and allow the respondents ten days to file any other deferoe they may have to the. application. He did this because the respondents had pro- bably oecn hd to believe that the agreement was a sufficient defence. The ease was accordingly marked Ad- journed."
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--. ACCIDENT LEADS TO SUICIDE.!
ACCIDENT LEADS TO SUICIDE. INTERESTING CASE AT BRIDGEND COUNTY COURT. MAESTEG vv IDOW GETS COMPENSATION A An unusuaJ case under the Workman's Compensation Act was heard before Judge Bryn Roberts at Bridgend Counrty Court on Friday, in which it was set up by the appli- cant—Mrs. -vlary Williams. 70 Bethania- Btrect, Maesteg—that her husband had com- mitted suicide owing to a state of mind brought about by failure to recover from an injury received while following his employ- ment at the colliery of the respondents— Elders' Navigation Company. Mr. Villiers Meager (instructed by Mr. Evan E. Davies, Mja.t«tegj was for the applicant, and the com- 3,.f). pany Irene represented, by Mr. Albert Parsons (instructed by Mr. Evan Davies, Cardiff). From the anr>hcant;s story, it appeared that her liafte husband met with an accident at the respondents' coilkry in December, 1906. his left Jeg being broken. He was mediaally treated, but he made slow progress and this seemed to affect h?s mind. He. be- haved in. a cu-rious way, and witness, had to continually took after him. Sometimes he would walk about the house. at night. On onte occasion in July lie was brought home dripping wet, having apparently endeavoured to do away with, himself. On September 27-611 he left the house to go for a short walk, and as he did not return she went to search for him. but without success. She afterwards hvadtl from a relative at Aber-avon that he had arrived there "iu a pitiful state." The next day his BODY WAS ForND ON THE LINE. By Mr. Parsons: he seemed very strange all along, and wanted to go to work. She did not dream that he would commit suicide. It was true that P.C. Dagg came to make in- qui-ries after her husband was brought home wet. but she told him that it was not true he had "tried to do away with himself. He had taken six i>enmyworth of brandy, and &he | attributed what had happened to that. Miary Hopkins, sist-fir-in-law of applicant. sa.id she frequently visited the deceased atnd found him beharin.g strangely. He was wor- rying about going back to work, and witness often saw him crying bitterly about his i tl- ness. She was present when he was brought to the house wet. Mr. Parsons Do you know that one of his cousins committed sill* C,do?-.Nc,. sir. Has he relatives named Samuels?—Yes, sir. Do you remember one of the Samuels doing away with himself?—I don't remember. Per- haps it was before my time. (Laughter.) „Yh\ Parsons: It may have been, but these little incident in the history of families are sometimes hiandied down. Thomas Evans, a farmer, residing at Gelli lienor. Litangyrtwyd. said that, in July he saw ita man staggering in a field near his house, and on going there lie found Williams lying Ion his back near a hedge. He wais dripping wet. and told witness that he had fallen into the river. "Witness saw that he was in a weak state, and arranged to drive him liome in ia cart.—By Mr. falcons: He seemed STRANGE IN HIS MANNER. A person might drown himself in the brook— it "-as sufficiently d-eoep in parts. Tnomas Gosling", 32 Church-street, Aber- avon), brother-in-law of the applicant, stated that after the accident deceased became de- pressed. He would some-times sit down for hours, and they could not get him to move. He was always wondering whether he would ever get better a.nd his inability to work was on the brain." On Septemb-er 27th lie arrived unexpectedly pt witness's house in Aboravoiu, and he was in a pitiful state, the only dry article of clothing on him being his overcoat. He was very strange in his man- ner. and witness put him to bed at once. He asked him how he became wet, and he said. "I slipped in crossing the brook." Then wit- ness pointed out 'that his overcoat was not wet, and asked him how he accounted for that. He made no reply, but burst into tears and witness did not pursue the subject any further. On the following evening he left the house gaying that he would go for a short walk towards Baglan. as the air was better np that way." He did not returu that night, and he couid not be found anv- wli-ere. The next morning his dead body was found on the railway. Witness had seen the spot where it was discovered, and he knew that there was no footpath near there. Mr. Parsons: Was he a man of sullen and reserved nature?—No, sir. reserved nature?—No, sir. WAS THERE PREDISPOSITION? Did one of his cousins oommit suicide?—I think iS03 sir. One of the Samuels?—He was called by that. name. John Conwav. engine-driver on the Great W est era* Railway, residing at Fishguard, de- j posed that he was in charge of a down train which passed Aberavon about 6.15 a.m. on September 29th. Looking ahead he saw the body of a man lying on the up-lime metals, and he puiied his train up near it. There were injuries on the back of the head and the left fuot was practically severed. The de- ceased's overcoat was found on the side of the railway, and was not damaged, while his stick was picked up about seven or eiigat yards away.—By Mr. Parsons: Many trains had passed up-line since 5.30 on the previous evening, and witness did not think he could have been killed broore darkness had set in., or his body would have been seen by drivers of passing trains. Dr. Walter Kirkby. the deceased's medical attendant, was next called. He said he had known Williams for about fourteen years, and regarded him as a perfectly healthy man. known Williams for about fourteen years, and regarded him as a perfectly healthy man. mentally and physically, before the. accident. Witness was called to se^e him on December 19th. last year, and found hiin suffering from a bad fracture of the left leg. both boiu's being broken. The leg was put in splints, and he progressed very favourably. About a month afterwards wivness took the splints off. and it was found that practically no union of the bones had taken place, and the splints had to 00 re-applied. About the middle of February he developed an embolism of the right In ng, caused by a clot of blood forming at the sieat of injury and travelling to the lung, where it remained. For about a fort- night the man was in a critical condition physically, and then a clotting of the blood vessels of the legset in. After this, Williams became llow-spirited and morose, and he appeared to be very anxious aa to whem he would be able to resume his I work. He became a. "ICTIM TO INSOMNIA; in; fact, he had not been deeping well since the accident. He would only talk about lias accident and his prospect of resuming his work. The witness was cross-examined at length by Mr. Parsons. He said he was told of the July incident, and told Mas. Williams to watch him. He tiliought he would get better. Did you form the opinion that he was in- sane?—Well, yes. Having formed that opinion, hawing come to the conclusion that a patient of yours was insane and calculated to do mischief to him- self, do you say that your responsibility ceases when you suggest to the wife that she- should keep an eye on him?—I think my responsi- bility ceases then. I for^mcl the opinion that he was insane, but it < <oiId have been a difficult case to send to the ayshim. Why?—Because it would be difficult to get absolute proofs of insanity in order to fill in the certificate. You had no doubt he "was insane?—But it is difficult sometimes to fill in the certificate to that effect. His symptoms were morosenees and depres- sion ?—Yes. Was it simply upon those symptoms that you thought he was insane?—But there is the attempt on hio life. W as that cause or effect ? Did you think the attempt on hi& life indicated insanity?— I was under the impression that the man was insane because he attempted suicide. You think that if a person commits suicide you have the best- evidence of insanity?—I should say strong evidence. Mr. Meager: What was your opinion as to the cause of insanity?—It w«s due to the fact of the accident. This preyed on his mind, and. he got into a low depressed condition. His Honour Melancholia will arise with- out an accident?—Yes. Wais thro-e any difference between this aftid ordinary melancholia?—The symptoms were the same. Mr. Parsons: Melancholia often exists without any mental derangement?—Yes. A man may have petrfect power of reason- ing, and yet suffer from acute depression?— Yes. He may take such a gloomy view of life that lie does not feel inclined to live?—Oh. I thinik a man like that would be insane. W oulid you say that every man who com- mits suicide is insane?.—I don't go so far as that. (Laughter.) SUICIDE VIEW SUPPORTED. Dr. Morleyr Thomas said he examined the body aftea- the accident, and came to the con- clusion that. to receive the injuries deceased must have bee-n lying on his Hack across ttik- metals. Dr. W. Sheen, Card'itt. consulting surgeon of Cardiff bifiruiary, v. ho said he had held all appointment at a hospital for mental dif, eases, gave it as his opinion t'hat the un- united fracture, of the leg and other complica- t ion's pi^eyed on Williams's mind and devel- oped suicidal tendencies, and that the man, recognising his uselessness in the world, des- troyed himself. The insomnia wats a. symp- tom of melancholia. Mr. Parsons: Do you think that people comitut su lcide. without being insane?—It doo- lx"nds on the defLnucaon of insanity. Take Whittafce: Wright, for instance?—I don't know sufficient about Whittaker Wright. I say again it is a question of the definition of msamtv. Will you define it for us?—Well, a man is insane—well, when he is not sane. (Loud laughter.) Why do you say this man was insane?—He was suffering from melanoholia. Do yon think everybody who suffers from melancholia is insane?—Not in the sense that he is certifiable. You may have a ma.n ;13- sane. but you cannot certify sufficient to fidt in a lunacy certificate. You have funked the definition of insanity. (Laughter.) But supposing a man's state of mind is such that no matter how depressed or morose he is. he is fully capable of under- standing the nature and consequence of every act he performs, wouad that man 'be insane or not?—I don't know. I liardiy think this is a medical question. Dr. Mitchell Stephens. Cardiff, said that judging from the evidence, it was reasonabte to suppose that the man's mind was un- hÙ;gP'd by continually duelling iirion the acci- dent and his helplessness, and by the insom- iila. As everybody knows," lie added, sleeplessness aggravates anything." He at- tributed the man's state of mind to the acci- dent THE DEFENCE. For the defence. Dr. Joscelyne, Cardiff, said he examined the man five days after the supposed attempt at suicide in July. There was nothing in his manner which led him to suppose that he was insane, and he d-i-d not- think he was. By lVI", Meager He was only with the man about five or six minutes. He thought the injuries which caused his death might have been due to his being knocked down white walking in front of a train, 1> depression the first stage of insanity?— I hope not; I am often depressed myself. (Laughter.) Dr. Arnnilt Jones. Aberavon. who exam- ined the man shortly before his d-catli-L «a.id lie was suffering from dyspepsia, and witness told him to take more exercise. He was absolutely rational. Mr. Parsons addressed his Honour for the defence. The burden of proof, he said, rested OIl the applicant, who had to prove, firstly, that the man committed suicide; secondly, that he was insane; thirdly, that his mind AVSS deranged as a consequence of the accident. He contended that the three links in the chain had not been, provided. He did not suggest that the man did not commit suicide—it was not for him to do so —but his friend had to prove that he did so. There was no evidence on this, and he also contended that there was no evidence of any- previous attempt on his life. Because a iMan. was wet was not sufficient evidence that he had tried to do away with himself. Address- ing his Honour on the other points. Mr. Par- sons argued that the man may always have entertained a gloomy view of life. APPLICANT SUCCESSFUL. Judge Roberts, without calling upon Mr. Meager to reply, said he had come to the conclusion that the applicant must succeed. He was satisfied that the man committed sui- cide, and he could not help thinking that the failure to recover from the effects of the acci- dent preyed en the man's mind and led t. melancholia—and insanity. There was oue fact which supported the view of suicide, namely, that when he arrived at his relatives house in Aberavon all his clothes were wet, with, the excyxption of his overcoat, and the evidence that when questioned about this he burst out crying. Judgment was entered for the applicant for £ 300—less deductions for payments made—with costs on Scale C. On the application of Mr. Parsons, stay of execution wao granted.