Llais Llafur

i DON'T FORGET YOUR GARDENS. i ? ? ? ? ? i But mind' you get GOOD SEEDS. You can get a splendid choice at f i CASH VP TTH t llflMlPii I  with every purchase of 1/- ad upwards  ♦ WV ?1? *|m|§I | ? B??&H?-??.S?? ?TJ"???T.?'We< B?! ???!lsMi ?E'? ?? ?? EASTER DRAWING—of presents including a? IT J I 1 ¡¡- C'" '{z, I '>7'f' C'ILVER TEA SERVICE «.«• m soma. !u.o.+.

ABEBOftftVE MD COLSM. I < I There are at present in this country, about 1,500.000 Belgian refugees de- pendent upon charity, and a sum of L218,750 per week or 5d. per head per day is required to meet their needs. We are pleased to note that Abercrave has not been backward in giving sup- port to this worthy cause, the local churches having given jE198 8s. lid. up to December 13th from January 1st, 1915. This is a noteworthy effort and deHerves praise. Two soldiers have been home from the front during the last few days, viz. Pte. Isaac Griffiths, Nantcae'refail, who was home for a few days, and Driver Pharaoh, who had been dis- charged, having been severely wound- ed. Concerts in their honour have been held at the Church Hall, when substan- ial sums realized were presented to them. Aid. M. W. Morgan, left the district a, day or two before Christmas for Liverpool, and journeyed hence on the 8S Sapelle for the Canary Islands. It is to be hoped that he escaped the storm on December 27th, and that he arrived safely at his destination. Many friends and readers of the Llais would like to hear of his experiences. A very pretty wedding was recently I solemnised at. Abercrave, when Mr R. Davies and Miss Naomi Ford were married. The bride, who was a teacher at Abercrave schools, was well known in the district, and the happy couple have the best wishes of a host of friends. PENYCAE SOLDIER AND LOCAL RECOGNITION. To the Editor. Sir,—Your readers have no doubt by this time read General Sir Ian Hamil- ton's dispatch on the fighting in Anzac and SuvIa. Bay. Amongst those who took part in those daring exploits was Private Edgar Griffiths, of the Gloucester Regi- ment, whose home is at Abercrave. Pte. Griffiths was severely wounded, and has been in hospital for many weeks. He was home for ten days' sick leave at Christ- matime and returned to duty on the 31st December. During his stay here he gave a vivid account of the severe fighting in which his regiment was engaged, and the appalling death-roll which resulted, the Glosters being almost completely wiped out. When one reads General Hamilton's report and compares it with the account given by Pte. Griffiths. we can imagine the horrors and privations whi-h he and his brave comrades suf- fered. jj I understand that a committee has been appointed to arrange for the hold- ing of benefit concerts at Abercrave for all soldiers returning home from the front, and in several instances this has j been done, but Pte. Griffiths was net accorded this honour prior- to his return- ing to the front. Surely a man w ho had been through the bitter experience of Suvla Bay deserved some recognition, and it does not resound to the credit of those responsible that he was allowed to return unrecognised. May I suggest to the committee that they forthwith hold a concert and hand the proceeds to Pte. Griffiths' wife and four little ones.— Yours, etc., Penvcae. PATRIOT.

ID. M. Lewis I Ce„\ I I eWls 8., 0 M L I C {\ 0:i: -I _L GREAT I o GREAT  | Clothig SALE ? NO W PROCELDING I♦   ❖ Immense jR???c?'??.s' ?? ■ ♦> —■ ——======= *t MEN'S aDd YOUTES' ? It; ù an Ii I ❖ OVERCOATS I  l. MUST BE CLEARED REGARDLESS OF COST f ♦>  (f) \U3T BE CLEAREO I;rEGAIDLESS OF COST ❖ —— = — Wonderful Bargains in BOYS' OVERCOATS, Nap, ^& ? Blanket and Rainproof Cloths to fit Boys all ages. ❖ + -———————— y BOYS' NAVY NAP NAVAL COATS, 7/11 ? to clear. A Real Bargain. f  ————————  $BOYS' NAVY SERGE CADET COATS, | N A V Y SERGE CADET COATS, çp £ to clear at 8/11. Wonder f ul Va ue 1$ i; to clear at 8/11. W onderful Value J* A Large Stock of BOYS' ODD KNICKERS, Open 3 V* Knee or Band and Button. Hard wearing Tweeds, ? ? Serges, etc., at 1 /0- £ 2/6, 2/11. v ♦> $ ———————— ? 50 Pairs of BOYS CORD KNICKERS, Band and ? Button Knee. Special Price for Sale, 2/6. <?) ❖ J? a  @ jk Shirts, Pants, Vests, Socks, Gloves, Scarves, J ? Mufflers, Ties, Hats, Caps, etc. All Greatly ? ? Reduced at Tempting Prices. 'P y VI ———  ——— 'I '1 ? The rush to Our /'Vo? ?/e has been | ?normous, ?? we ?/7/ have Sa?a/? ? to Offer. .<, r;¡ ? j ❖ ❖ + v Don't Delay; come at the Earliest Possible :t ? Moment. +   Oxford St., SwaMM Uxf Ord sti woll 80 ?@?-@?@??? @ ?@???@?@? *@*@???@? ? ?@??*??@<? ?

YSTRADGYflLAIS NOTES. I YSTRADGYNAIS NOTES. DEATH. It is with regret that we record the death of the infant child of Mr and Mrs. Arthur Jones, Hool-y-gweydd, which took place on Friday last. The interment took place on Tuesday, when the Revs. D. J. Davies and R. M. Rhys officiated. COLLIERY MATTERS. During the last week an election of colliery lodge officials took place at the Diamond colliery. Mr Rhvs Wil- I liams, checkweigher, who has held the position of chairman of the lodge for a. number of years, tendered his resig- nation, and Mr T. Evans, the late secretary was appointed chairman the appointment of secretary and treasurer has not yet been made. Four new com- mitteemen were also elected. HOME ON LEAVE. I Pte. George Flook, who sustained serious injuries to his back at the Dardanelles landing, is now back at home with his parents at Gorof. He has been at Paignton American Women's Hospital for some time, and is now we are pleased to state, pro- gressing favourably. THE CINEMA. I The Cinema was well filled on Mon- day, Tuesday, and Wednesday even- ings where "My Old Dutch," was screened. The famous actor, Chevalier was one of the chief characters, and lent a touch of realism to the picture. Miss James, pianist, composed music appropriate to the occasion. The picture was undoubtedly one of the finest yet screened at the Cinema. FROM THE NAVY. I A.B. Sidney Jones, son of the late John Jones, an old native of Ystrad- gynlais, was home on leave from the Navy during the week. By a strange coincidence the ship on which he serves bears the name of his birthplace, St. Vincent. Jones was born at St. Vin- cent, Cape de Verde Islands. PRESENTATION. I A presentation and complimentary sapper has been arranged to take place at the Church selio-olrooin on January 14th, in honour of Pte. G. Flook. Nothing pleases the boys at the Front I so much as news of home. Send them the every week. LOCAL MINERS AND COMPUL- I SION. An active campaign is going on at the collieries to organise a protest against compulsion. Leaflets are being distributed advocating a "down tools" policy. SOCIAL EVENING. I A social evening was recently given at the Church Schoolroom, when mem- bers of the various Guilds, and Church- workers met for their annual gather- ing. About sixty members sat down to an enjoyable tea. Susbequently the Rector gave a brief resume of the year's work. This is how Mr. W. Terry (Gwilym Cynlais) described, his recent adventur- ous fall irJtn his bicvele. Readers will obServe that the englyniDn are writt-cn in local Welsh. Mr. Terry was winner at the Welsh National Eisteddfod on a poem in the Swansea Valley dialect, and these oliglynion prove his ability in that direction Ar y rhip, do, fe slippea—yn y clawdd, Wrth fori clwyd dishgunes; Miirxld o sevs mi weles, A lliw gwad ar yn llaw ges 0 a;en rhappes yn nhrwsus—a nghot, A nghap ath yn bushes; Ilhippes gron, a rhappes grus, A nosi nath y mtlassus! A thrw'r lkics wctin baeses-dTOB y rhewl DIGS y rhip- clyinherees 0 dir or y Inwd yr es I ganol ulwd gyirnes! BOY SCOUTS FOOTBALL. I The 1st Swansea Valley troop of Boy Scouts journeyed to Aberdulais on Saturday last, and played a strenuous game of football which ended in a draw. This is very gratifying con- sidering the fact that the Aberdulais team is a well trained one. Many fixtures have been arranged by the boys, and sonio interesting games are expected. LOCAL PRIVATE'S ILLNESS. I I The many friends or Fte. E. Wilkin- son, of the Ordinance Corps will regret to learn that he has been ill for some weeks at Preston Hospital, Lanes. Pre- vious to joining, Pte. Wilkinson was employed as a clerk at the New Dia- mond colliery, and was well known locally. We wish him a speedy re- covery. CHAMBER OF TRADE. I The local Chamber of Trade held their monthly meeting on Wednesday last, when Mr D. Lloyd presided. The local branch is now firmly established, and practically all the tradesmen are members. ADDITIONAL POSTAL FACILITIES I Additional postal facilities have been granted to the Ystrad Lower district, a n-ew siib-office having been opened at Pantyffvnon cottages, near Clay- phon Crossings, by Mr T. Flook. This office supplies a long felt want in this district. AMBULANCE MEN AT CRYNANT. I The local members of the St. John's Ambulance journeyed to Crynant on Wednesday evening, when a concert and lecture similar to the one recently held at the Cinema was given. Com- mander Herbert D Lewis was the lecturer, and Major D. Edwards, Cry- nant, presided. Nothing plea-ses the boys at the Front so much as news of home. Send them the "Llais" every week. The total recei pts (in money) for the "social" held in Ynyscedwyn Infants' School, December 17th, in aid of Dr. I' Barnado's Homes, were E6 10s. 6Pd I. I the expenses were a little over JE3 (all bills have not come in); so that over £3 will be realized for this splendid Institution. We regret that the names of Mrs. Wincott, Mrs. Griffiths (Gough Arms Hotel), Mr and Mrs. Terry, and Mrs. King were omitted from the list of friends who so liberally contributed to- wards the social—either in "kind" or money. Her friends will learn with regret, that Mrs. Morris, wife of Mr John Dl. Morris, of Ynis, has been seriously ill. She has been removed to Dr Brooke's private hospital at Swansea, where a serious operation has been performed. We are pleased to understand that Mrs. Morris is now making good pro- gress towards recovery. A meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Yniscedwyn Arms Hotel, in connection with the valua- tion of the Neuaddlwyd Farm, recent- ly taken over by Mr Tom Griffiths, Penparc. The valuers were Messrs. Owen Price, Nantyrharn, and John Williams, Ystradgynlais. Mr Price, Glynllech, attended as an expert wit- ness. The evidence has been forward- ed to Talgarth to Mr Francis Perry Price, who is to act as arbitrator. The Advisory Committee in connec- tion with the Derby scheme of enlist- ment met at the Drill Hall, on Thurs- day of last week. The members pre- sent were Messrs. T. J. Davies, Aber- crave (in the chair) Thomas Williams, Tirgof; David Williams, Penrhiw B. L. Thomas, Tir Roger; Sergt.-Major Gould, and Lieut. C. De Winton. who is to act as the Military Authority for the district. Several cases of appeal were brought forward, and in most of these the ap- pellants were transferred to later groups. Other members of the Advisory Com- mittee, in addition to those menhoned above, are C.C. James Powell. Cwm- twrch, and Mr Harry Thomas, Peny- cae. The Maesydderwen County School re-opened on Thursday after the Christmas vacation. We understand that during the holidays two of the masters, Mr Rees and Mr Llew. Jones have attested, and are ready for ser- vice in their respective groups. Pri vates Arthur Thomas and Thos. John Lake, who are signallers with the Brecknocks stationed just now at Bedford, are expected home this week on their last leave before going into action. A rumour is current in the neigh- bourhood to the effect that Private Cullan, of Glannant terrace, is in hospital "Somewhere in France" suffering from the effects of gas. We trust it is only a rumour, or if true, that Private Cullan will soon be com- pletely recovered. We are glad to learn that Private Almrott is now recovered from his ill- ness. and able to be back at the front.

STOP A COUGH IN ONE NIGHT Take Vf.NG'S LIGHTNING COUGH CUKE. A cough may be duie to any of the following :— I Catarrhal Colds Bronchitis Enlarged Tonsils Inflammation InWucnza Pleurisy and Croup fcnlarged Uvula Stomach Disorders Inflamed Throat Asthma A cough may be dry and hard, or loose I with much expectoration; it may be catarrhal with a dry tickling in the throat accompanied by partial stoppage of the nostrils and shortness of breath. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure removes the cause of t.he cough., not smothering it but curing the deceased conditions which produce it. Leading British Analysts speak in the highest terms of Veno's Lightning Cough Cure, and unfailing reliability has won for it the. largest sale of its class in the whole world. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure not only radically cures the most stubborn coughs, but "strengthens the lungs and gives perfect ease in breathing. Ask for Veno's Lightning Cough Cure, prices Hid. Is. 3d.. and 3s., of all chemists.

On Monday evening a man named Shee residing at the Workmen's Rest, Am- manford, victe knocked down by a horse and trap. Dr. Macdonald was soon on the spot, but the man was so badly injured that he died in a few minutes. ————— —————

W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist, can be consuf A d&ily at the Victoria Arcade (near the Market). SwaaRea I

CRYNANT. EISTEDDFOD NADOLIG SARON. At Olygydd "Llais Llafur." Syr.—Yn gymaint a bod yma rag- farn yn bodoli o barthed awdwr y nodyn a ymddangosodd yn eich rhifyn am yr wythnos ddiweddaf o dan y penawd, "Eisteddfod Nadolig y Cry- nant," bydded hysbvs i'r cyhoedd, a phawb y perthyn iddynt wybod, nad oes a fynwyf i a'r nodyn, a fy mod yn berffaith foddlon ar feirniadaeth Creu- ) nantydd. j A chan hyderu y gwna y Golygydd I fy rhyddhau, boed rhwng "gwyr Pen- tyrch a'u gilydd." "Blwyddyn Newydd, ddedwydd dda" Eto'i eiddil "Blant Adda." Ion. 10, 1916. Dewi Glan Dulais [Nid v cyfaill Dewi Glan Dulais oedd awdwr y nodyn.—Gol.] ————— —————

WOUNDED OFFICERS IN DICTATION. VER131AGE I VERBIAGE OF M.P.'s. At the close of a discussion in the House of Commons on Monday night on the suppression of the Glasgow newspaper "Forward." Colonel D. F. Campbell, member for North Ayrshire, an officer who was severely wounded while serving with the Black Watch at the front, entered an indignant protest against that which he termed "the voluminous verbiage" of a. group of members below the Ministerial gang- way. "Get on with the war," he de- manded, "and finish everything that interferes with the p repress of the war. If I had the member for Hanley (Mr Outhwaite) in my battalion," he added, "he would have been strung up by the thumbs before he had been there half an hour." Mr Outhwaite sarcastically jn- quired: "How many of your battalion would it take to do it?" Colonel Campbell replied "I would leave that task to myself, even though I have only one arm, having lost the use of the other in a task which the member for Hanlev would not think of attempting or daring to risk." This was loudly cheered. The rising of the House brought the incident to a close. Mr Outhwaite spoke at Ystradgyn- lais a few weeks ago. I ————- <

THE SUPPRESSED LABOUR PAPER. I Mr Lloyd George spoke with great warmth on Monday night in the Hou&e of Commons in defending the action of suppressng the Glasgow Socialist news- paper "Forward." His argument was that the offence of the "Forward" was a cumulative one, that it had persistently stirred up disaffection in a district more import- ant than any other in the United King dom for the production of munitions of war for the Army and Navy. He challenged Mr Pringle and Mr. Anderson to say whether they ap- proved the counsel and advice given by the "Forward" urging opposition to the dilution of skilled labour. Hindrances in the production of munitions meant everything to the men in the trenches. "We are deal- ing i,n tragedies." Upon whether this proposal for the dilution of labour is adopted, depends the lives of hundreds of thousands of gallant fellows at the front. It might be that the life of this Empire depends upon it.

Twopenny stamps must now be af- fixed to all receipts for e2 and more in New Zealand, and to all cheque forms. The curious death of a boy of four named Horace William Batkin, whose father is on active service, was investi- gated by the Derbyshire coroner on Tuesday. He was found dead in a flour bin in his grand-parents' shop, and it was supposed that he had climbed up and overbalanced into the flour. He died from suffocation, the air passages in the nose and i^outh being clogged with flour.

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WIT AND HUMOUR Teacher—"What is the difference between 'I will hire a taxi, and I have hired a taxi?' Small Boy-"A shilling a mile." First Friend—"Smythe claims to be a poet." Second Friend—"I wouldn't mind his claiming to be a poet, if he didn't try hard to prove it." Shop Assistant—"This stove is the t best on the-market. It. is the stove of economv-it will save half the coal bill. 1, Pat-"Well, give me two of thim, I and I'll save it all!" A gentleman entered a hairdresser's shop and told the barber to cut his hair a la. mode. The barber set to work and completely cut all his hair off. The gentleman looked in the mirror. "Why ou earth did you cut mv hair like that t' he demanded. "I cut it as you ordered it." answered the barber. "I understood you to say you wanted it all mowed." Mike—"Shure, Pat, it's slow work breaking stones, isn't it?" Pat— "That it is. Shure and if I hadn't stopped the clock we'd never have got finished by midnight." A chronic dyspeptic staying with a friend at the seaside, said to his host, "I took a couple of tablespoonfuls of salt water from the sea yesterday, and thought I derived benefit from it. Do you think I might take some more?" "Well," replied the host. "I don't think a couple more would be missed." A school class had been accustomed to sing each afternoon a short hymn | one line of which ran. "Weak and sin- ful though we be." On a new teacher taking charge she was puzzled at the ch ildren's very indefinite articulation of this line, an on investigating found that nearly half the class had been rendering it, "We can sing, full though we be! Teacher—" Jane, can you ten me who succeeded Edward the Sixth-" Lucy, who folk wed Mary?'' Lucy (absent-mindedlv)—" Her little lamb!" "You mean to say. Pat, that you feed your pigs one day and starve them the next; whatever for?" "Sure. sorr, and ain't it. that I like bacon with z sthreak of fat and a sthreak of lean equally?" At a recent election a lady can- vasser was so voluble in her advocacy of the candidate's claim that a grumpy elector declared she would "talk the hind leg off a donkey." "Well," she replied, "it would give me much more pleasure to drive you to the polling station than to the hospital." A schoolboy once handed in a written medical certificate to excuse his non- attendance, which ran—"I certify that this boy is unfit to attend school for three hundred and four days." The schoolmaster thought it odd that the period should be so long and, at the same time, w particularly stated and, upon, inquiry, it turned out that the doctor Ila(, Written "3 or 4" days, which the boy had altered to three i hundred and four! Little Bessie—"Mamma, how'll I know when I'm naughty ? Mother- "Your conscience will tell you, dear." Little Bessie—"I don't care about what it, tells me; will it tell you?" Father, to son—"Who made this large inkmark on your exercise-book?" Son—"Oh, father, you know there is a little black boy sits next to me, and this morning his nose bled!" One day the arm came off one of little Annie's dollies, exposing the saw- dust stuffing. "Well, you dear, obed- ient dot V 1" exclaimed Annie. "I knew I had told you to chew your food ifne, but I didn't think you ^ould chew it so fine as that!" "Prysical culture is delightful!" said a young rirl enthusiast. "To develop the arms I grasp this rod by one end and raov-j it slowlv thus from right to left!" "Well, well!" exclaimed the father. "What will science discover next? If that rod had bristles at the other end you'd be sweeping!" First Student—"How near were you to the right answer to the fifth ques- tion P" Second Student— "Two seats away." "NOt". h, said the mistress. "are these r ench sardines that you have given me?" "Sure, Oi don't know, ma'am," said the new maid; "they were pasht spakin' whin we opened the tin! Mother—"I gave each of you boys an orange. Charles, vou said you wouldn't eat yours till after dinner. And vou. Jack, said the same. Have vou deceived me?" Charles—"No. mother we didn't eat our oranges. I ate Jack's and he ate mine!"