The Glamorgan Gazette

PENYBONT WHLITAKY TRI- I BUNAL. EXEMPTION FOR GASWORKS MEN. I A meeting of the Penybont Military Tri- bunal was held on Tuesday night at the1 Union I Offices, Bridgend. There were present: Mr. Thomas Butler (chairman), Rev. T. D Bevan, ilessrs. ,Rees John, J. T. Salathiel, Thomas Prkscott, W. A. Howell, J. Dunn, E. Morgan, G. James, Thomas Morgan, Thomas Wood, J. Jones, H. Williams, D. H. Price, John Evans, with Messrs. R. L. Knight and J. P. Williams (military representatives), and J. G. Loveluck and T. M. Bevan (agricultural representatives). VOLUNTARILY ATTESTED MEN. I W. J. Middleton, quarry manager at i Ewenny, Morfa Street, Bridgend. Appli- j cant has four brothers and a brother-in-law in the Army, In charge of the blasting opera- I tions, his employer (Mr. Gwatkin) said his j services were indispensable, and he alone could be entrusted to discharge the duties.— Conditional exemption. William Thomas Davies (Central Stores), the only master baker in Pencoed, was also allowed conditional exemption. Leonard J. Crocker, baker, Tondu. Ap- plication was made by the father, and the case I x,ae, deferred for applicant to appear before the Medical Board. ] C. M -Tones (baker), High Street, Kenfig flill. This man, being above the age of 30, the military authorities withdrew. I Morgan Richard Jenkins (butcher, and owner of the business), 45 Bridge Street. Ken- fig Hill. This was the third time for the case to be reviewed, and conditional exemption was now granted. I Will'am Bevan, butcher anq farmer, Myrtle House. Pencced. Applicant (for whom Mr. J. T. Howell, solicitor, appeared") sad if he went the only alternative would be to close down. The facts in relation to his business had not chantred since his last nn- nearanoe before the Tribunal. He did his own slaughtering, and his own buying and selling, and owned six acres of accommoda- tion land.—Conditional exemption. Robert Jones, Box Cottage, Coytrahen, haulier of pitwood for North's Navigation Collieries, was given to the 1st January, The three next applicants, all married, are employed at the Tondu Gasworks—Richard James Hooper and J. H. Hooper (stokers) and Walter Winter (yardman). Mr. Murray, (the manager) attended, and said it was im- possible to get stokers. Where, before the j war, he had nine men, he now had only five. —Mr. Knight (military representative): I can't oppose it. Gasworks must be carried on.—The three were allowed conditional ex- emption. David Jones, 23 Commercial Street, Ken- j fig Hill. Applicant, a colliery banksman, was certified to be in ill-health. Mr. W. A. j Howell said they must have men at the col- lieries. This man had given his lifife to the work, and he proposed, and the Council agreed, to conditional exemption. John James (milk vendor), 33 Mill Street, Cwmfelin, Maesteg. Applicant is the only support of his widowed mother, who is para- lysed. The case was deferred to April 1st, on which date, it was stated, traders in milk will be exempt. Benjamin John, 2 Waunbant Road, Kenfig Hill. John's father said the lad (he j is only 18) was indispensable to him as a coal haulier. He had not applied for a man at the Labour Exchange, nor had he tried locally ,because "there was no one to be had" at Ken- fig Hill—Conditional exemption was allowed. —The Military gave notice of appeal. Edward Williams, 47 Pisgah Street, Kenfig Hill. The manager of the colliery at which applicant is employed as chief clerk, for [Bald- wins, Ltd., certified that Williams, with his technical knowledge, was one who could not be done without, and whose place could not be filled.-Conditional exemption. Windsor Davies, grocer, The Stores, Aber- kenfig, manager and part proprietor with his brother, was given conditional exemption, on the score of ill-health, and business consider- ations. MILITARY SERVICE MEN. I These were men, engaged in agricultural I pursuits, who for the most part, will be ex- empt as from 1st January, though Mr. Love- luck, one of the agricultural representatives, pointed out that the order of exemption on that date did not apply to all cases. He re- commended for conditional exemption L. T. Jones, a ploughman on Ballas Farm, Pyle, and the Tribunal accepted the recommenda- tion. The same course was followed in the case of R. J. Williams, ploughman, on the Village Farm, Pyle, which is entirely worked by two sons, whilst a third son is in the Army. Leonard William Leyshon, Bryncethin Uchaf, Brynoethin. Application refused. Joseph Thomas, Cwmrisclya Farm, Tondu. Applicant is a ploughman. The farm com- prises 287 acres, which applicant's father works himself, with his brother aged 69, and his son.—This was a case the military did not press, and conditional exemption was granted. David Davies, Cott Farm, Cefn Cribbwr. Applicant is the only man on the farm, with the assistance of a servant girl, and a boy of 14.—The Agricultural Representatives pro- nounced this to be a case for conditional ex- emption, and the Tribunal acted accordingly. Jenkin Jones (horseman), Corntown Court (289 acres), Ewenny. Mr. Thomas, holder of the farm, said he employed only three men. He and his brother, who is joint tenant, could not get along with less skilled labour, and they "managed as well as they could ac- cor(iing to the times." The decision come to was to bring back to the arable land a man who has left Corntown Court, and is now, employed in the vicinity-an arrangement under which, if it can be effected, Jenkin Jones may be released).

BRIDGEND MILITARY TRIBUNAL. CANT TALK TO PENYBONT NOW." A meeting of Bridgend Military Tribunal was held on Thursday night at the Public Library, when there were present Mr. Henry Abbott (in the chair), Messrs. J. T. Hitt, Geo. Bevan, J. G. Jenkins, George Harris, and W. Jones, with Co!. J. 1. D. Nichol (military rep- resentative), Mr. J. T. Howell (clerk), and Mr. Ivor M. Howell (deputy clerk). Frederick Jones, boot and shoe maker, Caro- line Street, Bridgend. This case comes with- in the category of a one man business. Only the applicant has any interest in the business, and if he went it would have to close down. Applicant, who has passed in Class A, on a previous application had 2 months' exemption. Col. Nichol] said he waa prepared to recom- mend conditional exemption in respect of a one man business, and such exemption was allowed for two months. J. McClellan, 10, Court Road, credit draper, (single, in Class A) asked for absolute exemp- tion for business and family reasons, having a mother dependent, and a sister to look after. When it was mentioned that applicant had lost a brother in the war, Col. Nicholl said A great many have lost brothers in the war. After discussion conditional exemption was conceded. Mr Geo. Bevan,: We can't .talk about Peny> bont after this I William Wiggall, 75, Quarella Road, grocer's haulier, employed by Mr. J. L. Strad- ling, Adare Street. The latter, appearing in support of the application, said that out of his three hauliers two had joined the Colours, and now he had to manage with only one haulier and two boys. Mr. Stradling explained that he had advertised in the Cardiff papers and also in the "Gazette" offering good wages for a man in Wiggall's place, and had not re- ceived a single reply. Two months' exemption. Arthur Lewis Morgan, married, motor driver, and manager of posting and Govern- ment mail business, of Ty Graig, White Rock. The application was by the father, Mr. Edward Morgan, Rose Villa,i White Rock, posting master and Government mail contractor, who said without his son, who was now his only motor driver, he would not be in a posi- tion to carry out his contracts with the Guar- dians and others. In reply to a question Mr. Morgan said he was tied to the Guardians." How long does your contract with them run?" asked a member. Mr. Morgan: For ever if I can do it. (A laugh). Three months' exemption. Robert George Eastman Reee, Tiverton House, Vernon Street, credit draper, traveller, salesman and collector. The reasons advanced here were serious financial hardship and illness of wife. Applicant, who has passed for field service at home, has three brothers serving with the Colours, and is the only male of the family in civil life. Conditional exemption. Wallace Robbins (passed for garrison duty) is a carpenter in the employ of Mr. Gaylard, builder and contractor, and is badly wanted by him to work on the building of a school at Glyncorrwg. Two months' exemption. Herbert George Pratt, Sunnyside, coach painter in the employ of Henry Phillips and Sons, Derwen Road. Applicant is in Class Cl. Tirs is his second application, and he was given two months' exemption without the right of further appeal.

BRIDGEND PARLIAMENT. I The Speaker (Mr. Michael Da vies) took the I chair on Monday night at 7-30 (more or less) in a thin house, and the minutes having been read questions were at once proceeded with. Few of these were of outstanding interest or importance. The Secretary for War (Mr. G. Davies) was again bombarded with inquiries on the subject of No. 1 Punishment. Mr. Dapho Powell was anxious to know from the President of the Locail Government Board (Mrs. Michael Davies) whether female in- mates of Workhouses were being set to break stones. The Prime Minister (Mr. Lewis Ed- wards), in the absence of the Foreign Sec- retary, was closely questioned on the anomalous situation in Greece, etc. Questions over, the adjourned debate on the King's speech was resumed by the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer (Mr Wyndham Jones), who passed in review seriatim the various proposals contained in the Gracious Speedl I —proposals in regard to Land Reform, "res- uricidion of output," Liquor Prohibition, Edu- cation, and the lowering of the income-tax limit. The attack on the speech for the evening was led by Mr. Tiley in a very able maiden speech. He was well backed up by Mr. Arkell in a speech containing much clever invective. An excellent and well- reasoned reply by Mr. G. Davies, followed by the Prime Minister's summing-up, brought the debate to a close, the Government being left with a majority of practically two to one.

THE GI'RLS THEY'VE LEFT BEHIND THEM I You have read of the marches and battles And of those who have won the V.C.; You have read how we've peppered the Huns, sir, With the best bursting stuff there could be. But never forget as you're reading, What'er you may see or not see, That the boys who aren't mentioned are doing their bit For old England, the land of the free. We can't all win medals and stripes, sir, Or where'd be the bold rank and file? But you bet when the shells are all bursting around And the bayonet is working in style, That the Tommies aren't nursing their gout, air, In a comfy armchair at the Front; We ain't thought of perhaps, but, no matter, Of fighting we do get the brunt. Poor Tommy, he ain't a complaining, He's only to do what he's bid, But the girl that's at home, she's got to be told That he don't talk much of what he did. For it's Britain and duty and honour That brought him in this little scrap, But you'll please to remember, this girl should be told How he did it, whatever may hap. For if she should haply forget him, Whatever the verdict may be, He'd much rather die in a trench right away Or be posted as missing (d'ye see?) Than live to go home to the knowledge That a girl can so treacherous be. So bid her remember he's doing his bit For Britain, far o'er the sea.

NOTES & COMMENTS. I There are two items of Maesteg news this week which naturally and inevitably connect with each other. One is the debate in, the Council Chamber on Tuesday night on the medical officer's report-a debate which turned specially on the question of infant mortality. The other is the address on "Gar- den Cities and the Housing Problem," deli- vered under the auspices of the Trades and Labour Council at the Co-operative Hall the night following. The medical officer, in his report,, attributed the high rate of infantile v mortality in Maesteg chiefly to two causes- climatic conditions, and the pernicious habit of taking babies out into the raw night air when they ought to be asleep in bed. But llr. John Evans brushed these suggested ireasons aside. No doubt they were operative, but were they the real causes? Bad housing, bad drainage, insufficient food and clothing .consequent on sheer inability to make the -separation allowance go round-were not these the deeper catises of the high rate of mortality, whether infantile or adult? 1 Other speakers followed in the same strain, And it must be said that the whole discussion I attained a level of insight and wisdom on this subject which is all too rare on such occasions. Judging from the report in our columns, those people who were endeavouring to induce the 3iaowteg Council to go in for a scheme of housing and town planning after the war should find little difficulty in affecting their object. 1 1 1 At any rate, there can be no manner of doubt that Mr. Evans and his friends are right. The vu;,t uuii. oi aisea-se, pal.-Leawi-ty infantile disease, is preventable. Its causes Are all connected, in the last final analysis, with sloth, crime, and uncleaness, physical and moral, and all these three are the out- j 4conie of poverty. We cannot perhaps abolish poverty—at least, not in a day or a year- but we can do something, in Maesteg and else- where, to abolish the dire results of poverty- the under-feeding, the bestial conditions under which many of the poor live. As was said, or implied, by more than one speaker in the Slaesteg Council, the wealth of the community j is not coal or commodities, still less coin of the realm. It is human life; and to preserve and ibrighten and safeguard human life, even if it i is the life of the poor and the degraded, :s worth spending money on. ( A 1 i It is taken for granted by most people that the lighting restrictions must necessarily en- tail a greatly decreased use of gas. Bat itbis only shows how ignorant most of us are -of the play and inter-play of cause an d effect an this strange and most complex c.vilisat.n of ours. Questioned on the point at t-qe Penybont Tribunal, on Tuesday, Mr. Murray, manager of the Tondu Gas Works, said there was no diminution in the manufacture and sales of gas at the Tondu Works, the reason being (according to Mr. Murray) that owing -to the shortage of coal people were using gas a great deal more than formerly for cooking purposes. The address by Professor E. J. Sargent to 4he London School of Economics on the sub- ject of coal resources and the coal trade gen- erally, has not perhaps received that atten- tion in South Wales to which its very striking merits justly entitle it. The lecture teemed with points full of interest to all connected an any way with the South Wales coalfield. For example, it appeals that very little coal from Cardiff goes north of the Straits of Dover. The South Wales coalfield is more concerned with the Mediterranean trade and more distant ports of the world in fact, the -further away the port of discharge, the more <coal goes from South Wales. It was sur- prising, the lecturer said, to notice the small -difference in the production of South Wales -coal in 1912 caused by the great strike of that year. There was a slight difference in the small markets, but even that slowed down. The washing of coal by the collieries, now a general if not universal practice, is, it ap- pears, one of the things we have learnt from -the Germans.

LOCAL NEWS. D. Thomas, Decorator, Nolton Street, Fin* Art and Antique Dealer. Best Prices Given. HERMON C.M.—Preacher next Sunday, the 'Rev. James Llewellyn, Pastor. Morning, 10.30 (Welsh); Evening, G o'clock (English). 9137 TABERNACLE HALL, Wednesday Next, 7 -p.m.—Look Out for Excellent Programme, in- cluding Humorous Sketch. 9104 The Celebrated Liptou's Teas and Provi- sions may be had of the Agent for Bridgend T. Woodward near The Bridge.

"CALL" ACCEPTED.—Mr. D. H. Bevan, eldest son of Mr. Richard Bevan, Coity Fields, Bridgend, has accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the Epsom Baptist Church and hopes to begin his ministry there early in January. Mr. Bevan has just finished his course at the Metropolitan Baptist College, London. THE CREATION."—As the result of the recent performance of the "Creation" by the choir of the English Congregational Church, Dr. W. Edmund Thomas, who organised the sale of tickets, has been enabled to forward a cheque for nearly JE60 to the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund. CINEMA.—There is quite a good bill of fare promised at the Bridgend Cinema next week. For the first part of the week there is the four-part drama, The Cowardly Way," and "Tricked, in two parts. Protea III." is the enigmatic title of the principal film for the latter half of the week, with the comedy Some Slavey" as comic relief. We are glad to see that the audiences are keeping well up to the mark at this popular house. SMOKER AND PRESENTATION.— On Tuesday evening last a smoking concert was held at the Talbot Arms, Bridgend, in connection with the departure of 18 recruits of the Glamorgan Yeomanry, who were bil- letted there. Musical items were rendered, and during the evening, the Chairman (Pte. Geen, Cardiff), on behalf of himself and his comrades, presented Mrs. Bamon, the land- lady, with a handsome biscuit barrel, and Miss Wimbow with a locket and chain. NATIONAL MISSION AT NOLTON.— Rev. C. E. D. de Labrilliere, of Llangattock, Mon., visiting Nolton Church as Bishop's Messenger in connection with the National Mission of Repentance and Hope, preached on Sunday, both morning and evening, to crowded and attentive congregations, and in the afternoon addressed a children's meet- ing. The rector (Rev. T. P. Price) took the devotional part of the serrices throughout. The mission commenced with "Intercession and address" on Saturday night, and con- tinued through the week till Thursday morn- ing. There was Holy Communion every morning at 8 a.m.

COUNTY APPEAL TRIBUNAL I ■ RIDGEND CASES. I At the County Military Tribunal at Car- diff on Saturday—before Mr. 0. H. Jones, J.P., and other members—several cases, re- ferred from the Bridgend Tribunal, came on for decision. The appeals of Arnold Abse, proprietor, manager, and operator of the Picture Palace at the Drill Hall, Bridgend (in Class C2 for home service) of H. B. Comley, in behalf of his son, Claud B. Comley, wholesale and retail bread deliverer, Porthcawl; and of Thos. Morgan, Dunraven Hotel, on behalf of Frederick Wood, head boots at the hotel, were all dismissed, after reviewing the facts, and discussing the points raised with Mr. W. M. Thomas, solicitor, Bridgend, who apred in all the cases.

PRIYATE WILLIE AUSTIN, 1 BRIDGEND. KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF LOGS. I The report that Pte. Willie Austin (Bridg- end) was killed at the battle of Loos is, un- happily, too true, and much sympathy is felt with his widowed mother, who resides at 24 Cheltenham Terrace. At first the gallant lad was reported "missing" by the War Office. A month ago a rumour was in local circulation that he had been seen by a certain sergeant interned as a prisoner of war in Switzerland. A definite reply has since been received from the War Office stating that Pte. Austin fell fatally wounded in the battle of Loos.

BRIDGEND PGUCE COURT. I Wednesday.—Before: Mr. D. H. Lloyd and I Dr. E. J. Parry. THE RIGHT STUFF." I John James Wise (40), stoker, Pontycym- mer, was charged with being an absentee under the Military Service Act. Inspector Rees Davies said defendant was called up, and should have reported at Port Talbot on the 24th October, but failed to do so, claiming to be 43 years of age. Subse- qunently defendant said, "Well, I will tell the truth. I was 40 on the 27th September last, and I am as good as any —— German." (Laughter.) Defendant was handed over to the military authorities. D. AND D. I Wednesday.—John Mazey (40), collier, Coity, on the evidence of P.C. Da vies, was fined 20s. for being drunk and disorderly in Dunraven Place, Bridgend, at 9-15 on the previous night.

ENGLISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BRtUGEND. I ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. I The anniversary services were held on Sun- day at the English Congregational Church, Bridgend, and were very well attended. The special preacher was Rev. H. S. McClelland, B.A., B.D., Trinity Church, Glasgow, one of the leading divines of the Church, a powerful orator, and a distinguished author, whose contributions appear from time to time in the "Times," the "Commonwealth," and other periodicals. In the morning the discourse was an historical survey, showing that the nations that do wrong will be punished equally with individuals, and instancing ancient Greece and Rome in that category. In the afternoon the rev. gentleman addressed the children at a special service. At the even- ing service the subject was The Grace of God." i

I SMALL TALK. The committee of the Penybont Council that is going to investigate the question of a right-of-way at Newcastle Higher, are to rendezvous "at the Fountain"—a genuine jase of "Meet me at the Fountain." 1 1 n What is it—a public-house, or what?" asked the perplexed and mystified Mr. Cox.— Lr. Thos. Morgan: There's no chapel of that ..ame, anyhow, you may depend on that. Ill It is estimated that about a third of the members of the Penybont Council and Tri- bunal are farmers. Ill Congratulations to the officers of the Peny- bont Council on their increases of salary Tin The various sums having been duly voted, that inveterate humorist, Mr. W. A. Howell, proposed that the Council should invite them- selves in a body to meet the lucky recipients "at the Wyndham at 6." Ill The committee of the Summer Carnival held by Mr. Studt in the Porthcawl Fair Field have resolved to send comforts to the men at the front, and £ 50 towards endowing a bed at the Welsh Hospital at Netley, to be known as the Porthcawl Rest. 1 i Tramps would seem to have practically dis- appeared from these parts since the war. Apparently the rate of vagrancy has fallen, whilst the price of provisions has gone up enormously. Not for a long time has a case under the Vagrancy Act engaged the atten- tion of the Bridgend Justices. 1 I That visit of Sergeant Loveluck to the Bridgend Tribunal at the Free Library has passed over without anything more serious than the rude "shock" the members experi- enced. At the last meeting of the Tribunal the windows were darkened and the lights screened. During normal times a public library would be just the place where such obscurantist tactics would be specially repre- hensible. mm*. Ill It was easily discernible that the last train for Ogmore was the good lady's destination! I 1 i The time was rather late last Saturday night, the scene the Great Western Railway Station at Bridgend, and the lady was quite oblivious of the fact that some wag had pinned on her back a,notification that she was a "passenger for Ogmore Vale." Oh, these practical jokes I Ill In the matter of the lighting regulations the most hypercritical cannot deny that in Bridgend the superintendent and the inspec- tor of police set a good example to the com- munity. Ill After nightfall, the Police Station is en- shrouded in darkness, and only those who know the place well (not necessarily old offen- ders), are able to find the principal entrance. And once inside, if you have to be de- tained," it is still quite impossible, try as you may, to get out. That is because the hand, though hidden, has not lost its grip! 1 1 1 The many ways of helping Tommy" have been much discussed in our columns, and the following is probably unique even for inven- tive Bridgend. Following on Miss Turber- vill's meeting at the Town Hall on "Women's Work and the War," a party of some six young ladies connected with Mr. Rees Howell's drapery establishment, formed a war club, and took a plot of ground for cul- tivation. The result of the year's working has been the raising of a sum of E5, £1 of which has gone to the Y.W.C.A., while JE2 has been passed over to the Free Church Council for their work of helping stranded soldiers and sailors, and the rest is in hand for next year's operations. 1 1 1 Our forefathers-before the advent of the Zeppelin peril—with ampler leisure and "more in the mood" than we are likely to be in these critical times, made. a close study of astronomical phenomena. Ill Just 50 years ago, the weather, we are told, on a certain Wednesday morning was "clear and favourable for the observation of the meteoric showers, which scientific obser- vers affirm occur every 33 years on the 14th November. From midnight to 2 o'clock the display was magnificent. As the night advanced meteors chased one another across the sky.. The heavens seemed alive with the unwonted host. There were times when it seemed as if a mighty winti had caught the old stars, loosed them from their holdings, and swept them across the firmament. The Times" (to the fore then, as now) sugges- ted "that one of these meteors, larger than usual, might strike the earth, coming at the rate of 40 miles per second, and that very serious results might follow:" These meteors, since that warning was written, have chased themselves many a time, and there have been no "serious results," or (from that source) any results worth speaking of, to this poor world of ours. Ill The Times' sapient suggestion was no doubt taken quite seriously by the affrighted yokels of the "good old days." Had the Times" prophecied German Zeppelins, and the bringing of 'em down by intrepid Britons amidst the plaudits of multitudes, the staid old journal would have been deemed to have lost, if not its sanity, in any event, its reputa- tion for clearness of vision, and its omnipo- tence as a prophet! „ 11-1 In his annual report, Dr. Wyndham Ran- dall (medical officer to Bridgend Urban Dis- trict Council), says the building of a properly constructed and equipped public slaughter- house (under the immediate control of, and owned by, the Council) is a great need. Ill For some years Bridgend had a bad reputa- tion for enteric fever, which culminated in a serious epidemic in 1905, when 117 cases were notified, and there were 16 deaths. As the result of a Local Government Board inquiry a system of filtration for the town water supply waa put into operation. The last report of the medical officer of health shows the remark- able diminution in enter fever since the adoption of filtration. From 1906 to 1914, in- clusive, there was not a single death from en- teric. The total number of cases for this period of nine years was only 13. In 1907, 1912, and 1914 not a single case of enteric was notified. In 1915 there were four cases and one death. Ill At the beginning of the last meeting of Penybont Military Tribunal, certain Govern- ment documents were submitted on the utili- sation of our resources for the successful con- duct of the war. IIS One of the communications read by the clerk (Mr. R. Harmar Cox) was on "Women's work in the war" 111 Said Mr. W. A. Howell: I ought to have a copy of that. I'm an old bachelor, and most of you have the real thing. (Laughter.) i I Ploughman" was in the list of female avocations, upon which Mr. Howell asked: How can a woman be a ploughman?" But, Mr. Howell, why not, if a lady may legiti- mately be designated as a "chairman"? Ill Mr. Howell was equally perplexed how a woman can possibly be a "strapper'' —except (we surmise) in the sense in which the word is colloquially understood. 111 Bombardier E. H. Young, son of Mr. Harry Young, of the "Gazette," a well-known South Wales journalist, writes from France to his father as follows:—"We have been having a very busy time. We are in the middle of miles and miles of soft mud. We have built a village, which we have christened 'Muddle- ton.' The chief thoroughfare is Llanfair- pwllgwyngyllgogerychwryndrobwll Handy siliogogogoch Terrace. We have a pillar-box and lamp-post, and last but not lea&t, a sllop or canteen." Ill Bridgend District Council is taking drastic steps to stop the very general nuisance of de- fective shutes; and quite right, too! Ill But what about loose tiles ? An unsolicited cold douche is bad enough—a stray tile is worse—spelling injury, and perhaps death! Ill A correspondent informs us that passing Bridgend Workhouse on the morning of the great gale (last Friday) he was lucky enough to dodge a big tile that blew from the roof of the institution and alighted on the main road just opposite the "residents'" entrance. As their own personal safety is involved, the Guardians, in looking after No. 1, will safe- guard the ratepayers as well. 1 1 5 When the Rev. David Jenkins, the new vicar of Cowbridge, was curate of Grange- town he shared with the ex-Lord Mayor (Dr. R. J. Smith) and the Rev. John Williams (sys a contemporary) the honour of being one of the three most popular residents in the ward. The curate worked hand in hand with the Nonconformist minister, and it was an inspiration to see them both hobnobbing with and waiting upon the old people of the ward at the annual Christmas dinner. They were also co-workers at the Board of Guardians, and altogether offered an excellent example of Church and Nonconformity united in work for the common good.

"A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN" (IN WALES). There's a spot that I know, A spot far away, Where a man don't go thirsty All the long day Where the heat is not scorching, And the ground is not dry; Where green grass, will grow, And where sand does not fly; Where a white man can walk, After nine in the morn, Without getting struck By that fierce shining ball; Where flies do not pester, And jackals don't howl; And where, after darkness, Arabs don't prowl. That place is in Wales, And its name is Bridgend. And it's there (though I'm Irish), My days I would spend. And now, all you people, You've heard my poor rhyme, So pity poor Tommy Out in this sunny clime He's fighting and sweating, And trying to keep fit, In Mesopotamia, Doing his bit. The above lines reach us from "Somewhere in the East," and were written by L.-Cpl. Gerald O'Connell, 8th Welsh Pioneers, a Bridgend boy with many friends in the town. Though only 26, O'Connell has been a soldier for six years. He was in India when the war broke out. He was wounded in the battle of Loo6 twelve months ago, recovered, and was drafted out to Mesopotamia, where he promptly fell a victim to malarial fever. He has been in hospital in Amara, Bombay, and Alexandria. His many friends will hope that his pious wish to spend the rest of his days in Bridgend may be realised.

BRIDGEND MAN WEDDED.—The mar- riage was solemnised on Saturday last, at the Baptist Chapel, Chepstow, Mon., of Mr. E. E. Howard, Bridgend, and Miss Margaret Jenkins, cook in the Chepstow Workhouse. The bride, who was given away by the Work- house Master (Mr. C. Baker), was attired in a cream tailor-made costume, with smart hat to match. After breakfast at the institu- tion, to which a number of relatives and friends sat down, the happy couple left for London, where the honeymoon is being spent.