Llais Llafur

PONTARDAWE ALLTWEN II GLEANINGS. IN THE DARDANELLES. Several letters have come to hand luring the It couple of weeks from ffrooper George Phillips, who has been out in the Dardanelles for several months with the Welsh Horse. One of fthe letters contained the news that rrooper Robert Read, of Abergwynfi, son of the late Mr and Mrs. John Read, of Ystalyfera, had been wounded whilst in action in December. He received a bullet wound in the side and in the leg. Trooper Phillips and Read are cousins, and have been like Ibrothers since they joined the Welsh Horse. We are pleased to state that Trooper Phillips, who is the eon of .Mr and Mrs. D. Phillips. Pontardawe Inn, 16 as cheerful and as fit as ever. CROSS COLLISION. ( Whilst Mr Jack Richardson, a car-I penter, was riding on his bicycle along I the Crass, Pontardawe, on Wednesday morning, he collided with the motor- Tan of Mr D. J. Harries, grocer. Richardson was thrown off his machine but fortunately he escaped without ser- ious injury. PRIVATE ROGER EDWARDS. A presentation meeting was held on Thursday night at St. Peter's School- room, to Private Roger H. Edwards. of the Canadian Expeditionary Force who was "gassed" in April last at the front. A full report of the proceed- ings will be given next week. PONTARDAWE MAN'S PROMO- TION. An interesting meeting was held at the Castle Hotel, Pontardawe, on Tuesday night, to celebrate the appointment of Mr Ben Lewis, a well known Pontar- dawe boy, as manager of the Galvaniz- ing Department at the Wellfield iWorks, Llanelly. Mr Lewis is the son of Mr Thomas Lewis, manager of the Pontardawe Galvanizing Works, and has acted as night foreman at the tatter works for a number of years, with the result tkat he has been able to gain vahiable experience for his present position. Mr has one brother, Mr David Lewis, who is manager of one of the tinplate work; at Llanelly, and another brother is Mr (?wilym Lewis, the popular local ba; tone. Mr Jack Edwards (storekeepei i, presided over the meeting, and it fl b* his lot to present Mr Lewis with a valuable clock and dining room I)ro- -e on behalf of the employees of the C il- ranizing department at Messrs. Gil- bertsons. Mr Edwards spoke in eulo- gistic terms of the Rood qualities of the recipient, and to the excellent relation- ship which had existed between him and the men during the t-irne he had acted as foreman. As employees of the department, they all wished him all possible success iR his new sphere. Others who spoke in a similar strain were Messrs. William Evans, Fred Irons, David Davies, J. J. Williams (Trebanos); Eli Skidmore and Philip Hopkin. Mr Lewis suitably returned thanks. The proceedings were carried on un fortunately without any music on account of the recent ban by the police authorities in regard to smokers. Reci- tot ions and stories were given, however by M essrs. J. J. Williams, Fred Irons, Willie Skidmore, and Philip Hopkin. ARMLETS AT LAST. The armlets for those who attested I recently under Lord Derby's scheme have at last arrived, and are being dis- I tributed this week at the Pontardawe Police Station. About 250 have al- ready been given out, and more are expected. FORTHCOMING CONCERT I The children attending St. Jehn's I Church, Alltwen, are at present pre- paring for a miscellaneous concert to be held at the Gwyn Hall, Alltwen, on Shrove Tuesday. The arrangements are in the hands of Miss Tweedy and Mr David Price. 1 THE SHOOTING RANGE. I Considerable interest was taken last week in the first shoot.ing match which took place at the Old Bungalow near the Cross, under the auspices of the Pontardawe Platoon of the V.T.C. The Ystalyfera V.T .C. were the visitors for the occasion, and some good shoot- ing was witnessed. Ystalyfera won by 21 points. Although Pontardawe were beaten they were by no means disgraced. They lost through the failure of Captain F. R. Phillips, and Mr David Lloyd to find their proper form. The captain dropped to 73 out of a 100. The best score on the Pont- ardawe side was made by Mr George Howells with 96, whilst Mr M. L. Rees was top for Ystalyfera with 99. The scores were:— Ponta.rdawe. Y sta.lyfera.. 73 Capt. Phillips, J.P.Mr L. Rees 99 95 -.T. R. Williams .A. L. White 94 91 J. Mundy. D. L. Williams 92 83 J. M. Jones R. Williams 84 83 Sid Edmunds Geo. Chappell 88 96 Geo. Howells Rees Rees 90 83 E. Lewis .Abraha.m Williams 68 80 David Lloyd Sergt. Brown 90 684 ï05 I GOING TO SWIM-LYN-FER." Congratulations to Mr F. W. Tom- lins, assistant stationmaster at Pont- ardawe, who has just been appointed to tako charge of Cwmllynfell Station. Mr Tomlins has been in Pontardawe for several years, and has made him- self very popular. He has been a most faithful worker at St. John's Church, Alltwen, where he will be greatly m issed. ALLTWEN CrRATE LEAVING. At Sunday night's service at r. h t's serv ee it John's Church, Alltwen, the Curate (Rev. 1. G. Harries) tendered his resig- nation, as he had decided to t:;ko charge of the district of Ynisddu in the Parish of Mvfnyddislwyn near New port. The announcement was received with greart regret by the congregation. The rev. gentleman has been in the Parish for the past three and a half years, and has worked with unceasing energy in the interest of the Church. He has proved himself a most active worker and organiser, and his de- parture will be severely felt in the whole district. He takes up his new duties on April 6th. I LOCAL SPORTS IN COURT. A case, which aroused a good deal of interest in the Pontardawe district was heard at Llandilo Police Court, on Saturdav last, when Evan Griffiths, chemist and druggist; Daniel Morgan, master miller; Philip Morgan Lewis, grocer J. Christopher Davies, draper and J. Phillips, a postmaster, all of j Pontardawe, were summoned for tres- passng in pursuit of game on the 6th j of October last en land in the occu- pation of Mrs. Bath, AUtyferin, Llan- egwad. Mr T. C. Hurley prosecuted, and Mr Thompson, Swansea, defended. Hy. Jones, a gamekeeper, said he saw the five defendants on Mrs. Bath's field. They eac h carried a gun, and had two dogs and a ferret. Thomas Jones, the Graig Farm, was with them, who said they had permission from a Mrs. Jones. They were on lands be- longing to Mrs. Bath.—By Mr Thomp- son: He made no inquiries as to the permission.—By Mr Picton (one of the justices): The land was in the occupa- tion of Mr Jones, the Mill Farm.—The Bench dismissed the cases. R.A.O.B. AT TREBANOS. Arrangements are on foot for the opening of a lodge under the auspices of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes at the Pheasant Bu&h, Tre- banos. The lodge is to be known as the Edward Bevan Lodge, and Mr Edward Bevan, the well known colliery I proprietor, has agreed to become the patron. I THE LLAETHFERCH COMPANY. We understand that tne Jblaeihierch Dramatic Society have offered to give a benefit performance of "Gruffydd o-'r Glyn" at Pontardawe to any local charity. The offer lias been made to Mr C. G. Gilbertson, and he willingly accepted. The date of the perform- ance has not. yet. been fixed upon. Negotiations are in progress for the drama to be produced at Ystalyfera. I ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. The roads at Pontardawe were sub- jected to a severe "crushing" on Thursday. The County Council roller has at last appeared on the main road near the Workhouse, and the District Council roller visited Smithfield road. Thanks for small mercies in these days. f CWMNANT COLLIERY. Ihere is every reason to believe that I the Cwmnant Colliery at Ynismeudw is in for a busy time nw that the new siding from the Bryn Works to the colliery has been completed, together with the new screen near the colliery. The construction of the aiding and screen, under the supervision of Mr John Griffiths, has already proved a great boon, and the output is in- creasing weekly. The colliery was transferred some tima ago from Mr John Griffiths to a London Company, I COUNCIL AND BUSES. Within the next few days a depu- tation from the P-ont-ardawe Council will wait upon the manager of the South Wales Transport Compa,ny at Swansea with a view to a more regu- lar bus service between Ystalyfera and Ynisforgan. Of late the service has been most uareliable, and a number of complaints were .made to the District Council at the last meeting. j I PUBLIC HALL CARETAKER. Mr G. T. Jenkins, who has acted as manager-caretaker of the Public Hall, Ponta.rda.we, since the building was opened in 1909, will shortly be giving up the position. Some weeks ago the committee decided to reduce the salary of the caretaker, and as the amended terms were not regarded as satisfac- tory, he has decided to leave. The reduction of the salary has given rise to considerable discontent in Labour circles in the locality. Nothing pleases the boys at the Front so much as news of home. Send them the ■'Llais" every week. PAVILION CLOSED. Posters have been distributed in i Pontardawe during the past couple of days to. the effect that on account of the unwillingness of the District Cotin- cil to hold Sunday concerts at the Pavilion for charitable purposes, the building would be closed for this week. The District Council it will be re- membered last week declined to renew the license, as it was alleged that the i management had held three concerts I without permission. It is expected that next Thursday, Mr Coutts and Mr Milton (manager) will be given an opportunity of placing their views before the Council. j I {lT9SED, Up to ihursday the recruiting ornce fo7- attesting purposes under Lord Derby's scheme had not been opened at Pontardawe. According to the de- cision in Parliament, all offices were to be re-opened on Monday last, but so far no instructions have been received j in Pontardawe. j The death took place at Swansea Hospital on Saturday last, of Mr William Phillips, of Bryn llewellyn, Alltwen. The deceased, who was 52 years of age had not been in good health for some time past, and he was j removed to the Hospital last Monday j week for an internal operation. The funeral took place on W ednesday at I Alltwen Chapel graveyard, the Rev. W. J. Rees (pastor), officiating. I Shortly after 11 o'clock on Thursday morning, a pony attached to a trap, I the property of Mr Daniel Williams, j butcher, James Street, Pontardawe, became frightened opposite the ¡ Dynevor Hotel. The animal bolted I with the result that the trap collided with a wall. The trap was overturned, and both shafts broken. The pony managed toO regain a footing, and made off at a gallop along the Cross and down Swansea Road where it was subsequently caught. A special meeting of the Pont.ardawe II Chamber of Trade was held on Wed- nesday night for the purpose of making arrangements in regard to the l forthcoming inquiry to be held on the question of the Shop Hours Act. The following were appointed to prepare the ca,se for the Pontardawe side, • Messrs. L. W. Francis, J. R. Wil- ¡ liams, William Dnvies, Gwilym Lewi's. W. A. Thomas and D J. Harries. Tlie -,o held en Thursday, Jan. 27th. at p.m.

The WINTER SALE At the Old Established House of 1If1' n VI' E'" R" C W. DAVIES & Co. I Victoria Buildings, PONTARDAWE, IS always an occasion for thrifty and economical Buying, JL but never so much so as during this exceptional iirne of rising prices. Without making Sensational Assertions, we desire to assure our numerous patrons and the public generally, that this opportunity to make money-saving purchases is one which ought to be seized, for the prices of Goods are going np, and it is therefore True Ecommy to buy for the future as well as for present needs. The following are a few of the Lines in which Real Bargains are to be found :— Ladies' Nap Tweed and Fur Coats,— These go at considerable reductions. Furs for less than Importers pay. Marvellous Belt and Umbrella Values. Blouse and Costume Prices which will astonish. Record Values in Household Linens. Men s, Youths' and Boys' Overcoats, which must be cleared to give room for Spring I Clothing Men's Shirts, Hats, Ties, Mufflers,—regardless of cost. I The Sale is Now in Full Swing Don't Miss It! i V?tona B?!d!ng? Pontarda?T. I I .1 )' it I s: l "j, l¥ /j:/CT i9i !1 d O P L5d*iU; A '9 u v. <i. -I; ''¡,

DULAIS VALLEY. Private Dick Roberts, R.F.A., of On, llwyn, is home on leave from the front. He has been out in the firing-line for the last eight months, but is, we are glad, to sa.y, looking as well as ever. He re- turns to duty on Monday next with the good wishes of the inhabitants for a safe and speedy return. Sergt. 1. Grist (Garden. City), who is also back from the front, was presented at the Palace, Seven Sisters, on Thurs- day night. A full report of the presenta- tion will appear in our next issue. We are glad to extend a hearty wel- come to the new manager of the Palace, in the person of Mr. Barber. May he become as popular and well-liked as Mr. Whittaker, the last manager, who re- cently left to take over the management of the Royal Theatre at Swansea. On Wednesday at Swansea, by special license, the marriage was solemnized of Mr. Dan Evans (grooer), Seven Sisters, and Miss May Morgan, System-street, Cardiff. The bride's father is connected with the dairy business in that city, and is well known there. Mr. Dd. Morris, Bonymaen, late of SeveR Sisters, carried out the duties of best man. After the ceremony the happy couple proceeded to Cardiff, where the honeymoon is being spent. Whooping cough is prevalent in the locality, many young children suffering from this dangerous complaint. A meeting of the Water Committee took place on Tuesday night last at the usua lplace. No official report of the pro- ceedings have been handed to the press. As a result of the meeting held last week a general sewing class has been started in Crynant for the purpose of supplying comforts for local soldiers. A room has been kindly placed at the dis- posal of members by Mr. 0. C. Francis, the Emporium. The class has already commenced duties, &nd soon will be going in full swing. A collection last week realised the splendid sum of L12 16s. 4d. which reflects great credit both on the manner in which th"e collectors did their work, aiid also on the generosity of the publis. The following were elected offi- cers of the class President, Mrs. Ed- ward? ('Mfijor Edward's mother), secre- tary, Miss Hannah Pricey treasurer. Mrs K. Thomas. At Salem, Crvnant, on Wednesday evoning, an illustrated lecture on the war was delivered by Lieut.-Col. Herbert D. W. Lewis, deputy-eommissisner, Car- diff. There was a good attendance. The president was a local man, in the person i>i Major W. B. Edwards. 1st Welsh Field Ambulance. The proceeds of the lecture will be given to No. 11 District St. John's Ambulance Hospital. We are glad to not,, that Mr. Elias Williams, Brynglas, coUier, who broke his arm whilst following his occupation at Maesma.rchog Colliery last Wednesday is now about, and is progressing favour- ably. There is tremendous curiosity felt amongst a certain oircle as to what the two well-known local ladies who were so absorbed in their conversation on the Seven Sisters station platform last Satur- day were talking about, seeing that they let the train go without them! An incident, the accuracy of which is hard te believe, is nevertheless true, oc- curre-d at Crynaiit last week. A well- known and highly respected soldier from the upper pairt of the Valley, who was returning home on leave from the front, mL-sed the last train from Neath. Anxious to be home as soon as possible, natur- ally enough he decided to walk the 6 or 7 miles that separated him from his home near Seven Sisters. Feeling thirsty, and being a teetotaler, he called at a house in Crynant and made request for a glass of water, which was bluntly and boorishly refused him. People who treat our sol- diers in this manner deserve to be ostra- cised. However, we are glad to be able to state that at the next house at which he called the soldier received every wel- come and his wants were heartily attend- ed to. This same young soldier was a day or so afterwards publicly presented with a medal at Seven Sisters in recog- nition of his services during the present war. At Bethania, Crynant, on Monday evening, an enjoyable and successful com- petitive meeting was held, the chair be- ing taken by Rev. J. Morgan. Miss M. J. Lloyd rendered the opening song in very fide style. The following were the awards :— Solo for children under 10, Maggie Jones and E. Jones; recitation by Mr. J. Hopkin Jones; solo for child- ren under 14, Violet- Patfill; for the best programme, Mr. Wm. Jones; love letter (9 competitors), 1st prize, 6d., Mr. SI. Lewis. This item proved immensely amus- ing (and instructive) and was the "hit" of the evening. Open recitation, Mr. Wm Howells; araeth ar y pryd, Mr. Wm. Howells; open solo, Miss Mary Gwen Thc,ii,a.s, song by Miss Maggie Roberts. The adjudicators were Mr. J. Morgan, "Creunantydd." and Mr. Roderick Evans, and both carried out their work to the entire satisfaction of competitors and audience. The secretarial duties were carried out by Mr. Wm. Jones. We have much pleasure in extending our heartiest congratulations to Mr. J. D. Morgan who, after a term of hard work and study, has had the degree of I..D. (Licentiate of Divinity) conferred upon him. He has also accepted a title offered him by the Rev. H. Campbell Davies (V'car of Pontycymmer) and hopes to be able to take charge about the end of March. It speaks well for Mr. Morgan that he was working underground as a miner until he was 30 years of age, when he first commenced to study for the ministry. It is also interesting to note that he was successful in all his examina- tions at the first time of trying. We wish him all success in his new sphere of activity. Saron (Orynant) Xmas Eisteddfod. We have received the following from Mr. J. W. Davies, secretary of the above Eisteddfod:—In ren1^ to "Cystadleu- ydd's" plaint and desire expressed in your last issue that the adjudication re the above meeting should be published in this paper, I have but this to say. When "Cvstadleuvdd" writes over his proper name which would cause his comrdaint to carry a little extra weight— then, and not until then, shall the adju- dication be published.

W. TTTJJAMS* Phrenologist, ,'n be ron.-oilted daily at t'he Victoria I tn-M' -ho \t'i rltctV. Swansea

I ABERCRAVE COLLISION. I I ————*— ACCIDENT THAT WAS II UNAVOIDABLE." I A claim for damages arising out of a I motor car collision at Aberorave on July 28th last was heard by Judge Lloyd Mor- gan, K. C., at Neath County Court on Wednesday, plaintiff being David Mor- gan Evans, of the New Swan Hotel, Ys- talyfera., and the defendant James Wil- liams, of the Rheola Arms Hotel, Abetr- crave. Mr. Marlay Samson ('instructed by Messrs. Gee and Ed wardsv Swansea) ap- peared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Trevor H. Hunter (instructed by Mr. A.. Jestyn Jeffreys) defended. Mr. Samson said the plaintiff put his car and driver at the disposal of a Mr. Richard Morgan to go to Brecon. They were proceeding through Abercrave when the defendant's car, coming apparently from the direction of the Castle- Hotel, was evidently trying to rush the hill, and on the bend of the road defendant's car collided with the plaintiff's car. He sub- mitted that defendant was unable to keep to his proper side of the road, which was 13 feet 9inches wide at the spot where the accident occurred. Owen J. Williams, Ystalyfera, a pri- vate in the A.S.C., who stated he was in the employment of the plaintiff as driver in July, declared that the car was knocked across the road. Richard L. Morgan, colliery proprietor, Ystalyfera, who engaged the pLaintiff's car, said he did not see the defendant's car until it was a few yards away. It was coming at a dangerous speed, and-the driver immediately applied the brakes, and witness thought that the defendant's driver had lost his head. For the defence Mr. Hunter submitted that no negligence could be attributed to the defendant, and denied that the lat- ter's car was travelling at a dangerous or furious speed. Llewellyn Morgan, chauffeur, and his employer, the defendant, denied that they were travelling a,t a high speed, and said that the horn was sounded several times. Corroborative evidence' having been given, the Judge said he thought it was an unavoidable accident, in which pro- bably both parties were to blame. He therefore gave judgment for the defend- ant ,each party to pav their own costs.

'THE LABOUR VOICE" AND THE NO FIGHT GANG. To the Editor. Sir,—I do not know that I am called upon to reply to the catechism contained in yeur footnote to my letter last week. Surtily the onus is first upøn yo. to reply to the two essential points I raised (1) Why we ought to have had a Conscrip- tion Bill after the defeat of the Russian armies when the voluntary system has given us as many men as the military authorities have asked for? (2) Whether you imagine it to be seemly or honest far a journal of your professions to Tder to an organisation like No-Conscription Fellowship as a "Won't Fright Gang. Why on earth you should attack me fwr an effort in sarcasm I cannot make out. Surely you made yourself liable to attack by yeur designation of the Fellow- ship to which I have referred'! People in glass houses who commence to throw stones can hardly grumble if their win- dows are broken in return.— Ypurs, etc., Cardiff. DISILLUSIONED. fOur "catechism" consisted of two simple questions, one of which was, "Is he ("Disillusioned") anxious f4)r this country to win the war decisively?" The reason for this ouestion is so ob- vious that we are sure readers w;ll agree with us that it is mere waste of effort to argue with a man who will not answer it in a straight forward ma.-nner.-Ed.. "L.V.'H Owing to tho enormous increase in the cost of provisions, says the Madrid Exchange correspondent, the masons and metallists of Barcelona have de- clared a goneral strike. A Thames island, situated helow Pinkhill Look, was let by the Thames ronservancy at a rental of £ 3 a year. It has an area, of about an acre and is to be used fcr camping purposes. Charged qt Marlbcrough-street with drunkenness a young woman explained that shn mistook the police station for a public-house, walked in, and was locked up. She was fined.

George Scale, Crown Stores, PONTARDAWE, FOR WREATHS, CROSSES and SPRAYS. ♦ Made at Short Notice. Also a Large Stock of FLOWER PLANTS. Nat. Tel: 0 2!1  [JOHNSTON | ( i | FOR I NEW VEGETABLE and J FLOWER SEEDS I AND EVERYTHING FOR } THE GARDEN. Cata!?gue? Gratis and Post Fr". T 37 OXFORD ST. SWANSEA j t f 1 TELE?RONE: 567 CENTRAL, j ? TELEPHONE: %7 CENTRAL, t  MASTERS OERCOAS Again lead the wayl for Style, Value and Variety. Whether for Man, Youth or Boy, we can please every taste at prices which will suit every pocket. NOTE THE ADDRESSES- ASTERS & Co. CLOTHIERS Ltd., 18 & 19 Castle Street 282 Oxford Street Swansea 3 Green Street, NCdtll 17 Stepney Street, ■ ■ Llanelly, etc. S B S + f I Coipletioa of Catl Cornr, I j SWANSEA 1. 1 DAVID THOMAS i i ( Y Gemydd o?/m??? ? Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Silversmith t   t Has RE-OPENED the above T Im- N"EVV PR.E::M:ISES f WITH A SPLENDID 1 ITE?V STOC??: i ]f ♦ ♦ T Gymry, Dewch at y Cyniro! I I Y Nwyddau Goreu: Y Prisoedd Iselaf. < T. t; Sj8 +-+..+.+.oo  YOU WILL BE SATISFIED i i with nothing less than good results from a medicine that claims to improve and ? preserve your general healh. It is a well-Imo%n fact that disorders of the diges- ? tive system are responsible for the majority of c?ses of indisposition in those who should otherwise be perfectly well. For the numerous ailments affecting the + ? organs of digestion it is universally admitted tha.t there is no more efficacious remedy than Beecham's Pills, which should always be taken immediately there X is any indication tha.t nature requires some assistance. In the result you ? will be entirely satisfied, for dyspeptic and bilious troubles are speedily corrected by the use of this world-famous excellent family medicine. The enjoyment of life is always increased and maintaind by judiciously using « !| Beecbam's PillSø.1 j: Prepared only by THOMAS BEECHAM, St. Helens, Lancashire. < £ ASSIST YOUR MEMOIlYI —ia—————aroawwOT ■■■ii—-mm i nw S By buying a Diary now. We have a large assortment of t DIARIES t for 1916 on view, Office Diaries, Desk Calendars, Blotting Pads, Household Diaries, £ Pocket Diaries. ? —— Remember the Boys in Khaki and Blue.- | C. D. LAKE'S, Stationery Stores, Ystradgynlais. 8UIl8.rJ;3U'S1

"Waiter," this coffee is nothing but mud." "Yes sir; certainly, ear. It was groin vhis morning." Fearing that he would be rejected as a recruit on account of a weak chest, Ernest Alfred Hart, aged 28. of Dingwall road. Croydon, committed suicide by taking spirits of salts on Streatham Common. In a letter to his mother he had written, "I know I shall: have to join the Army, and I don't like the thought of rejection." At an inquest held at Maesteg on the body of a man named Thomas Richards, age s2, a retired collier, who hanged him- self at his house on Sunday, a verdict of I Suicide while temporarily insane" was I returned. For permitting a drunken sailor on his licensed premises, an Exmouth pub- lican was fined the maximum penalty of £10. —————