Llais Llafur

TRAGIC DEATH OF GLAN RHYD MINER. INSUFFICIENT VENTILATION. I Dr. W. R. Jones, the Breconshire Coroner, held an inquest at Libanus Chapel, Glanrnyd, Ystradgynlais. on Tueedav, touching the death of Robert Young Taylor, of Glanrhyd, who was found unconscious at Pantmawr col- liery, Ystradgynlais, on Saturday. Mr Bull represented the Company, and Mr T. J. Randall for the relatives. Mr. W. D. Owen, H.M. Inspector of Mines, was also present. Mr Vm. Morgan was the foreman of the jury. John Dixon Harker, 1, Tudor street, Glanrhyd, a collier, gave evidence of identification. He was the son-in-law of deceased, who was a oollier, and worked at Pantmawr Colliery. The accident took place on Saturday. Wit- ness was engaged with the deceased at the colliery. About one o'clock on Saturday, the fireman tired a shot in their working place,. and they went round to the other side to make an- other hole. After this was done, the fireman fired the second shot, and they cam back to the main slant. De- ceased had been left at the latter place. The Coroner: Why didn't the de- ceased go round with you ? Witness: So that we could go round the other side. Coroner: Do you think that the exertion was too great for him to go round with you ?—Yes. That was so, and he said it was not necessary for him to go round. Proceeding, witness said that when they returned after firing the second shot they expected to find deceased standing on the drift in the same place as where he had been left. They found him, h-owever, at the face lying head downwards. He was unconscious, but he was in a position to breathe. Witness thought deceased bled a little. Coroner: What ma d e the deceased go back into the face? Witness: I think he went to see if I the shot that had been fired had com "> through. And the ventilation there was b.K1 Yes. sir. What was the distance from t 1 ° slant to the face?—About 27 to yards. Witness proceeding said he thou iit deceased was sleeping when they found him. He shook him several times, and then they tried to carry him to a place where they could get fresh air. Coroner: And the air there was un- avoidably bad? Witness: Yes, sir. Until the con- nection is made. Witness went on to say that they had to pull deceased out from the face. There was a stretcher at the colliery. and some time would elapSe to fetch it down. The deceased weighed about 16 stone, and they could not carrv him out. Witness did not think de- ceased suffered from shortness of breath or palpitation. Deoeased never had rheumatic fever or swollen leg^i., in fact he had never been bad in his life. Deceased had been a total ab- stainer for the last six months. Prior to that deceased took a glass of beer, and exceeded himself occasionally. De- ceased was a widower with seven children. Four of the children were dependent on deceased. By Mr Owen: Witness did not hear the fireman giving any instructions to the deceased not to go into the, face. Witness could not say what powder they used, but he thought it was "Bobbinite." The fireman charged the hole, and after the shot had been fired, the fireman went in and witness followed him to within five or six yards of the face. There were a lot of fumes and sulphur about, and he turned straight back. It was too much for him. Witness did not hear the fireman tell the deceased not to go into the face until he returned from the other side. Mr Owen: Did the fireman place a cross at the spot to indicate that it was dangerous? Witness: I did not see him. In reply to further questions, wit- ness said his father-in-law had been round to the place where the second shot was fired on one occasion, but he did not care to go there again, as the place was too small. Witness had never seen any gas in that airway prior to that day. Mr Owen: When was the manager at that place? 0 Witness: He was at the mouth of the place on Saturday. Had you made any complaints at all about the ventilation being bad?—No, sir. Do you believe the ventilation was bad ?—Yes. There was no ventila- tion at all. In reply to further question, wit- ness said that his father-in-law had not told him about the conversation he had with him (Mr Owen) on the previous Tuesday in regard to the ventilation at the place. By Mr Randall: They had been busy working all the morning. Deceased was a very strong man, and made no complaint that day of feeling unwell. Deceased had been working at the col- tierv for about five weeks, and had not lost one day on his own account. De- ceased had worked previously at Gur- nos Colliery. By Mr Bull: Witness made no com- plaint to the fireman that there were fumes about. He told his father-in-law and the fireman was there at the time. Thomas Thomas, fireman, of Plasy- coed, Cwmgiedd, said he fired ? shot in the airway aout 1.15 to 1.30 a.m. Saturday. The deceased charged the shot in the presence of witness. Wit- ness then went on and examined ,the place within a yard of the face. He saw smoke about there, but no fumes. The place in his opinion was ade- quately ventilated. There was no gas about, and it would take K to 20 minutes to clear the smoke. There was no current passing through the place where the shot was fired, as there was no outlet. Mr Owen: Could you ventilate that place ? Witness: Yes, sir. How?—With a fan, sir. Any other way ?— Yes, sir. How ?—With bratticing, sir. Do you think it was a healthy place to work? I don't think it was un- healthy, sir. Were you affected by the smoke when you went in ?—No, sir. No headache ?--No, sir. When you were appointed fireman at this colliery, were you given a book of special rules ?-No, sir, but I have got them. You know that it is part of your duty to .see that every place in your district is properly ventilated?- Yes, sir. Did you tell the deceased not to go into this place?—Yes, sir. Why?—Because it was dangerous. Dangerous in what way ?—There was the danger after the second shot was fired. Did you cross off the place ?—No. sir. Is that part of your duty?—I told the man not to go in. Answer the question. It is quite simple ?—Yes, sir. By the Coroner: Why didn't you make a cross at the spot? Witness: I left the deceased there at the opening to stop people going in, and I thought the man would do his business. By Mr Bull: Witness did not hear a word by the previous witness that the ventilation was bad. Morgan John Rowlands, manager of the colliery was the next witness, and was examined by Mr Owen. He had been manager for four months. He said that the object of the airway was to make a communication between the main slant and the return. Witness had been at the face on Saturday morning, an dhe saw no trace of any- thing indicative of danger. The temperature was higher than usual. He gave permission for shot firing to be carried on because deceased had asked him, as the (6)al was a bit stiffer than when they started. He con- sidered that there was adequate venti- lation there. Mr Owen drew the attention of wit- ness to a section of the Coal Mines Regulation Act in regard to ventila- tion. Witness still adhered to his state- ment that the ventilation was ade- quate. The ventilation at that spot could have been improved, but not without interfering with the general ventilation of the colliery. It was quite possible for carbonic oxide to have been given out after shot firing, and a small percentage of carbonic oxide was fatal. He did not think that the ventilation had anything to do with the cause of death. Tlie Coroner, in summing up, said there was no question about it that the airway was sufficiently ventilated, but. what they had to deal with was whether death was due to bad ventila- tion. After retirement, the foreman an- nounced that the jury were unanimous- ly of the opinion that the deceased met his death by suffocation, as a result of gaseous fumes. Coroner: Dou you bring a charge against anybody? Foreman: We have not discussed it from that standpoint, sir. Do you find anyone to blame?—We considered there W was negleet in the way of ventilation. Do you say it was culpible ?-No, we don't want to say that. On the advice of the Coroner the jury again retired for about thirty minutes, during which time the Coroner was called in on two occasions for assistance. Upon returning the foreman said the jury had reconsidered the evidence and they were then of the opinion that the deceased met his death by suffocation, possibly owing to a weak heart, accelerated by insufficient ven- tilation. The Coroner pointed out that there was no evidence that the man was suffocated. The foreman said they had based their verdict on the evidence. The Coroner said there was not a tittle of evidence to that effect. "Do you find that there was any neglect ?" asked the Coroner. Foreman: No. we do not find that there was culpable or wilful neglect, but we wish to add a rider, which is as follows: "We desire to draw the serious attention of the management that in future they should see that all places of this kind should be pro- perly ventilated." The Coroner said he agreed with the latter part of the verdict, but not with the first portion, because there was nothing in the evidence to justify the statement that the man died through suffocation.

■ c=ii FOR I 18 llNDIGESTBONn BILIOUSNESS-WIND CONSTIPATION a no remedy in the world is so = excellent, or so well recom- f] mended as Mother Seigel's Syrup. If you have any such IO ailments, take the Syrup today! 0 i ft¡OTf-iER S3GEI/SSY8U? | 7, it. J o{. ¡,t', ? t? j'?UijL ? <??i???!aj<A?J' ? ? ?'/t<' ?? t? ccft?M? ??<- &?M ? ?j. 0 8c::=:J L-I 0 I c:=:J.

op ———. VALLEY 'BUS ON FIRE. I Through some unknown cause a motor- 'bus was set on fire at the Cross, Morris- ton, shortly after 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. At the time of the fire the ear, which had developed engine trouble, was being repaired. It appears that whilst the repairs were being attended to, a quantity of petrol ran out, and by some means became ignited. The fire spread at once to the Detrol tank, which soon set the car on ifre. A num- ber of willing helpers soon gathered and assisted in extinguishing the fire by means of buckets of water. Considerable drmage, however, was to the 'bus.

A collier named Evan John Evans, married of Tyoroes, met with an accident at the Pantyffynon Colliery on Saturday morning. A fall of stone caused him to be bady crushed, and he had to be con- veyed home on a stretcher. A lecture on "Gurnos" was given by I Mr. J. Brynach Davies, Llanfyrnach, to the Ammanford Cymrodorion on Friday night. The characteristics of the well- known eisteddfod conductor and poet- preacher were well pourtrayed by the lecturer, who at the close was highly complimented upon his interesting dis- course. Rev. E. J. Rosser Evans pre- sided, and those who spoke were Amanwy, Gwilym Myrddin, and Gwili.

PONTABDAWE AND YSTALY FERA V.T.C S. HONOURS AGAIN FOR YSTALYFERA. The return match between the Pont- ardawe and Ystalyfera. V.T.C.'s took place at the' Drill Hall, Gumos. Ystaly- fera started badly, but, making a fine recovery, eventually ran out winners by 24 points. Scores :— Ystalyfera. Pontardawe. 57 M L Rees J R Williams .2 86 A L White J E Lewis 78 91 D L Williams J Harries 84 85 Rd. Williams S G Edmunds 88 95 Frank Jackett F Hopgood 71 89 Rees Rees J M Jones 94 79 G E Chappell C Giddings 78 95 T Brown W Llewelyn 68 677 653

A LLANDILO COUPLE I FOURTEEN MONTHS OF MARRIAGL, I YOUNG BARONET'S AMAZING I LETTER. In the Divorce Court, a decree of restitution of conjugal rights was sought by Lady Enid Evelyn Malet Willianis- Druminond, a sister of the Earl of Lis- burne, against her husband, Sir Ja.me3 Hamlyn Williams Wllliams-Drummond, Bart., of Hawthomden, Lasswade (Mid- lothian, and Ed wins ford Llandilo (Car- martiiemhira). Couusei stated that the parties were married in November, 1914, and there were no children of the manage. After undergoing all operation last January, the respondent complained ef neuras- thenia, and suggested they shoula give up Edv.insfcrd, and that his wife should live with her mother. She protested, and then he wanted a separation, which she declined. Last May respondent went to London, and petitioner went to try to see him, but was unable to do so. In August she wrote to him a letter, in which she said It is absolutely imperative for you to get rid of the L—s. It would be a public insult to me for you to have them back. Now, darling, pull your- self together, and let us be happy again, which we never can be until you have made this change. In his reply the kusband said It is impossible for me to comply with your request, as I found since we married that I do not love you, though, believe me. I care for you very much. I am in love with Mrs. L., and it is impossible for me to live with any- body else. Our life would be miser- able together, so we had better separ- ate. This will be ray last letter. In December petitioner again wrote to her husband and expressed her willing- ness to take him back, but she received no reply. His Lordship made an order for restitu- tion of conjugal rights within a month of service of the order. It was stated that therndent is at present in Madeira.

WELSH GUARDSMAN'S EXCITING TRIP THROUGH LOOS. Corporal J. Gough, Transport Section, 1st Welsh Guards, formerly of Warm Turn, Aberbeeg, was mentioned in Sir John French's recent dispatch for his gallantrv in the fight for Loos on Sept. 27. He received instructions from his ser- geant to take a limber loaded with trench tcols tlo brigade headquarters, "and never, while memory lasts," he writes, "shall I forget it. About half a mile before reaching Loos the shells began to fall around me like hail. The road was full of holes where 'Jack John- sons' and 'coal-boxes' had exploded, and the sights which met my eyes were far too dreadful to describe. Lying in the roadway were dead and dying horses and mules; also limbers, motor-cycles, and cycles and as I went through Loos houses were blown down to the left, right, rear, and in front of me. Inever knew exactly how I reached my destination, but this one thought urged me on 'Our boys have gone into action and perhaps are waiting for the tools. So I nerved my- self for the terrible experience, and I said, 'Come what may, I will .get there or die in the attempt.' I reached my destination, and after discharging the shovels and picks I returned, thanking God for having brought me safely through such an ordeal."

I NEW ANTI AIRCRAFT INVENTION. I Mr. J. A. Sambrook, a well-known resident of Ellei-mere Port, has, after many months' experimenting, perfected a device which he claims will be an ef- fective weapon of offence against Zep- pelin?. A Zeppelin can remain afloat when pierced from below because of the escape of gas being infinitesimal, and the object of this inventionis to pierce a Zep- pelin at the top and at the same time ignita the escaping gas. The new weapon is an ordinary-sized bullet, charged with a special prepara- tion known only to the inventor. Travel- ling at a tremendous velocity, it emits a tail of sparks, and as it enters the Zep- pelin the sparks will ig-nite the gas and cause fire. and es it emerges from the envelope at the top will also ignite the gas there. The bullet can be fired from ordinary rifles, but is most adaptable to aircraft and machine guns. It occupi es twelve seconds before it is spent, but is capable of travelling several thousand feet before its effect has been vanished.

W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist. I oan he oomultod daily at the Victoria Arcad e (War Market), Swansea

Is J oo.o .o-.oooooo?o9oooo oso* ooo .o o o.o.o.o o so" Ul I 88 ;¡ 'V' O. 2S2 2 ? *° •2 >8S88 88 J '.jc o* 88 f p < 2'S• 8I8 s S *8 i; a y ft P i *0  ? ? THE SALE THAT SPEAKS THE VERY ] II c > 25 i ¡ THE SALE THAT SPEAKS THE VERY ¡ R I |i ? Last Word in Practical Economy! j Sj I i Last Word În Practical Economy! i i  0 3i  B -B-B   ø+G+G+O+G+G+G+O+O+O++G+G+O+G+O+G+Ð+G+G+G+O+O+O++O+Ð+Q+O++0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0 80 eQ .0 ü. '8 I 08 80 80 J Co# 08 Q8 'Ii t; Ii 80 80 I ••2 osl 68 o. 8" 80 c. oe H WINTER SALE I WINTER SALE..1 i  08 ?o 1 §oS f 55 Now Proceeding. I f Now Proceedl*ng., Io:oo* si > > ss ot 1 1| I THIS IS A QUALITY SALE. 1 ♦ i>l88 §3 C S-»-0-»-0-»-0-«-G]-0-»-0-#-0-*0"*0-»-0-»-0-»~»-0-»-0-»-0-».0-»-a-»-0-»-0-»-0-0-B.».0-#-0-*0 □♦04-l3-»-a-»-l3-«-Q-»-Q'»-EI*0*0-t-Q*-0-«-»-Q*Q*0 gg is> 4 n + õ8 E+O+O+G+8+8.0+G+O+G+0+G++O+G+Ð+O+G+G+O+O+8+0+8+8+00+0+O+O+O+B+G+8+0+00+O++G+O+Ð o.  lol: Ii Fashions as Represented by Costumes, Gowns, Skirts, Blouses. Winter Coats, Furs and iff S v Fur Garments.; to say nothing of the countless Dainty Articles in the Lace, Glove, S?| ? Millinery and Fancy Departments  Sg|2 j } » WILL BEAR THE HEAVIEST PRICE REDUCTIONS. c[\ f1!So 8IS ) *8 0. view a tho'?u?h cearanceof all  II In changing the prices, we have oaly one object in view — a thorough clearance of all >(SsS IsJ are of a most substantial kind. oe ? Seasonable goods, and consequently OUR BARGAINS are of a most substantta! kind. ? | g N f § SS ?. 'B?B-*??B?B?Q?n?B?B?n?a?s?B?B?B?a?D-??B?n?s?B?a?a?Q?n?a?E)n?s?s?Q?a?n?a?n?n?n?a?a-? ?S t ? WE DC NOT CONTENT OURSELVES ? O. ,(;) + if ? WITH TALKING ABOUT ECONOMY  Ü :B+&++Ð+O+8+8+0+Ð+0++G+O+0+O+0+0+O+O+D+O+O+0+0+0+O+0+D+0+8+0+0++0+Q+o+o+O+G+G+S ? 88 •8o8 { f fPS8 H In respect of Household Drapery, Dress Goods, Carpets, Furniture, Furnishings and other r || H necessities of every"day life. We make it impossible for our Costumers to do anything (p H else but save money on any of their purchases in these Departments. No exceptions are \U|jf ? i made to their invariable rule of Sale-time — EVERYTHING REDUCED IN PRICE.  oo § ( Si 8S < S -v r{ 8? olo*,  "?  c)  Sale will present a very real H ? We believe that this Sale will present a very real 1 i >n ? opportunity to study the most desirable economy >1 CO |) in every direction. Y>i1 H s) ,GB>0-»-B>04'Q*0*E>0>G>g'«-»'Q-»'0-«-D*0-»3+a-»'E]+B-»-0-»-D-»-El>0 0-»"0-0-0-0-«->-0-E-n-»-E-»-0-»-0-n-G*0-0-»-Q^.Q > gg d + ? ? NO CATALOGUES ARE ISSUED because the most bulky ? 1 .0 13 8 .0  I volume would do scant justice to such a Sale As Ours ? ? il 5 ? I ♦ O+G+O+G++@+O+G+O+O+O+O++Ð+O+Q+m.+o+o+o++e+o+e+oo++o+o+O+O+G+O+O+O+G+O+O+S H S f 52 •° s 88  o*  STORES, ) FDWARDC? ?? j  OXFORD STREET wansea H STORES WATERLOO ^STREET llWw *S**Il*S" Clf^ 5j||  WATERLOO JSTREET and PARK STREET <I|l WATERLOO,STREEIR w sea.a*9 Pi STREET ? n li U = H i! il