Llais Llafur

A su bterranean, passage is said to I have nnce existed between Swansea I and Oystcrmouth Cafttle3, but no trace of it has yet been found. Another story that 1m been paesed down is that Oliver Cromwell marched part of Iris army across the isthmus from j Oyster mouth, in a line with Penclawdd < where he forded the river on his way to Kidwelly Castle. A Welshman was dining with a friend in a London restaurant. Every now and again he glanced round at the hatstand behind them. The Lon- doner smiled a superior smile. "Nerv- ous about your belongings?'' he asked. uYea." replied the Welshman quietly; "I'm just keeping an eve on 'em. Your eüat. disappeared a quarter of an ago."

ABERCRAVE I Concert.—A benefit concert was held in Carmel Chapel, Abercrave, on Saturcfay last, in aid of Mr. Evan Jones, Aber- crave-terrace. Music lovers in the dis- trict have rarely enjoyed such a treat as witri provided for them on this occasion, w hen all the artistes were in good form. They were, soprano, Madame Bessie Morris, Ammanford; contralto, Madame Coper-Jones, Cwmgorse; tenor, Mr. J. R. Morgan, Tonvpandv baritone, Mr. H. R. Humphreys, R.A.M., Machynlleth, whilst the accompanist was Mr. Edgar Hughson, A.R.C.O., Ystradgynlais. Mr. Tom Davies, B-ynderwen, presided, and it is to be hoped that a. good sum has been realised for such a worthy cause. Madame Ea-ttd 73.-Mme. Adelina Patti the most famous singer of the nineteenth century, celebrated her seventy-third birthday on Saturday. For many years past Mme. Patti has divided her days between her beautiful Craig-y-Nos home and her husband's castle in Sweden. She is greatly be loved by the villagers around here, and hearty congratulations are offered her on the attainment of her 73rd birthday. Born in Madrid, she made her debut on the operatic stage at the age of seventeen. She sang both in grand opera and in the concert-room all over the world. Her first appearance in Lon- don was at Her Majesty's Theatre, at the then large salary of £ 400 a month. In her prime she ceuld command £ 200 a performance. When quite a girl she married the Marquis de Caux. Subsequently she mar- ried M. Nicolini, the operatic tenor, and some years after hia death became the wife of Baron Cederstrom, who comes of an old Swedish family. A Proud Record.—A record which will be very liard to beat is held by Mrs. J. Prosser, who resides near Bank-buildings, Abercrave. She has 29 near relatives serving in His Majesty's Forces, includ- ing husband, two brothers, and her only sister, who has been in France since the commencement of the war as a nurse. Five of her relatives have been killed. Whilst feeling drxep sympathy with Mrs. Prosser, we think she has every reason to be proud of the above record. From the Battle of Loo.s.—Pte. Brvch- <It!1 R chards is home from hospital, hav- ing been wounded at the Battle of Loos. He received shrapnel wounds in the back I which have affected his left leg. On Fri- day htsi, a concert was held at Penrhos to welcome him home, and to present him with a. medal and purse of gold. The local artistes did their duty as usual, and a good programme was enjoyed by a large audience. We wish Pte. Richards a speedy recovery. Wedding.—At Liverpool on Thursday of last week, a pretty wedding took place, the contracting parties being Lieutenant W. Hopkins, late assistantmaster at Abercrave School, youngest son of Mr. Joseph Hopkin, Ynisydarren, Ystalyfera, 3And Miss Lottie Lewie, youngest daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Lewis, Glen View, Abercrave. The wedding was of a quiet nature, as the bridegroom was only on short leave. The bride was attended by Nurse Fay, of Ireland, whilst the duties of best man were carried oat by an officer friend of the bridegroom. Long life a,nd happiness is the wish of all their friends at Abercrave. Loral Pulpits.-The Rev. R.hys Lewis, Craigoefnparc, occupied the pulpits of Noddfa and Na.ntyffin Chapel on Sunday, and his sermons were very much appre- c'ated. At Brvn Seion the Rev. D. Rhys of Alltwen, Pentardawe, preached elo- quently to large congregations. Engas-ement.—It !<! stated that the en- gagement of a well-known couple in the district is to be announced ?h IV. 

AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS AT SWANSEA. Captain Alfred Thomas, the chief con- stable of Swansea, has conferred with a number of works' owners for the purpose of discussing the best methods of warn- ing residents in case of a raid by aircraft. Colonel Edwards Vaughan, A.A.G., said the military authorities desired to so co-ordinate their arrangemnents that they would not have Swansea a blaze of light and Neath clothed in darkness. Warning would probably arrive by telephone. He went on to discuss the question of control of lighting arrangements and, referring to a suggestion that the probable arrival of hostile aircraft should be signalled by the blowing of hooters at works, pointed out that a danger was that it might precipitate attack. If, however, the warn- ing was received when hostile aircraft were within li hours' run they could blow the hooters, for all they were worth. He expressed a wish that works managers would reduce the lighting compatible with the running of their works and, at the same time, keep all flares out of the sky. In the course of discussion assurances were given by the various works' officials present that every precaution should be taken to cope with a raid by enemy air- craft.

W. A. WTT/SjI A MS. Phrenologist, can be consulted claily at the Victoria FVarwiAa

Prison and Y.400 Fine. I Treachery ior the Meanest of Motives. At Manchester Assizes William Albert Holt (35), managing director ef W. A. Holt and Co., Ltd., cotton manufacturers, Bolton, and Dionysius Cooper (60), secre- tary, pleaded guilty to transactions with the Swiss agent of firms in Austria. For the defence, counsel stated that Holt had one, and Cooper, four sons serving in the Army. As the yarn could could only be used for working on cambric they thought they were doing no harm. Justice Bailhaohe, after stating he could not for a moment accept the sug- gestion that Holt did not know he was doing wrong, addressing Holt, said :— "What you have done is this You have to the extent of your ability rendered nugatory the efforts of this country to prevent goods reaching the enemy. You have enabled the enemy to employ work- people and eo to earn money and make profits whicn are of use to the enemy in carrying on the war. You have to the extent of your power rendered nugatory the vigilance of our Fleet, which has set itself from the first to prevent goods from reaching the enemy. In short, Mr. Holt, you have for the meanest of motives namely, money, played the traitor to your country." His Lordship added he would not send Holt to penal servitude, but to prison for twelve months in the second division, and he would also have to pay a fine of E400. Speaking to Cooper, the Judge said his position was different, as he was a paid servant, and n doubt acting under the instructions of Holt. He would be sen tenoed to six months' in the second divi- sion.

FEBRUARYS BLEAK SNAP. DANGER TO EARLY SPRING AND BIRD LIFE. The cold snap we are enjoying (or other- wise) just now ought to have taken no- body by surprise, because it is a common incident of February weather about this time 8f the month. Last year fairly severe frost prevailed from the 23rd to the 26th, and the ther- mometer dropped to 25deg. on the 25th. And during that time the weather was of the same type as prevailed this week, bright sunshine with occasional snow showers. The difference this year is that, on the whole, the temperature has been con- siderably above the average since the be. ginning of January, with the result that vegetation i.9 in a very advanced state. One may see rose bushes with as much foliage as they usually show at the end of March. Should the night frosts con- tinue they will have a disastrous effect on these premature growths. There will also be a regrettable mor- tality amioiiig the young birds whose parents set up housekeeping last month, under the impression that spring was well under way.

JB15 BOUNTY FOR RE-ENLISTING. An Army Order has been issued stating that a bounty of j315 will be paid to sol- diers who have completed the original period of their enlistment (12 years) or any further period for which they have re-engaged (including the extra year to which they are liable under the Army Act), and who agree to continue in the service for the duration of the war. The bounty will not be payable to men who re-engage to complete 21 years' ser- vice or who have already re-enlisted or have already agreed, by signing Army Form W.3125, to continue in the service until the end of the war.

I COMPENSATION CASE AWARD FOR I BABY. An unu-sual storv was told Judge Hill at Tredegar. A compensation claim was made against the Poewll Duffryn Com- pany by Edward James Wiggins, an infant. Ann Davey, the mother of the deceased (W. J. Gwynn) was bracketted as a respondent with the colliery com- pany. The liability of the company was not contested, and £ 2c0 had been paid into court. May Wiggins, the mother of the infant applicant, said that from January to I April, 1915, ahe had lived with deceased as his wife, and the child was born on October 2nd, deceased, she alleged, being the father. She had lived with him in apartments at Aberba,rgoed, and he gave her the whole of his earnings of £1 a week. Ann Davey, mother of the de- ceased, stated that previous to going away in January, 1915, deceased gave her the whole of his earnings, amounting to 30s. a week, with which she kept the home going. She knew that her son had gone to live with Mary Wiggins. She admitted that during the four months he was away from her he had not given her any money. His Honour That is conclusive. An award was made for the child, pay- ment of 6s. a week being ordered for 12 months, when the case will be revised.

I COLLIERY FATALITIES. I Whilst following his occupation as sur- face labourer at the Penrhiweeiber Col- liery on Tuesday, Aneurin Peregrine (13) was fatally crushed between a waggon and a crane platform. Fredk. Abbott, a young man, of 30, Furnace-road, Penyrheol, was killed at the Windsor Colliery, Abertridwr, on Tuesday. Itappea.s that deceased was caught, by a small fall of roof which caused a fracture of the skull. Whilst David Jenkins (55), a labourer, was proceeding to his work at the Glam- organ Collieries, Llwynpia, on Monday, he was run over by a furniture van near the Judge's Hall, Trealaw. When picked up he was unconscious, and died shortly afterwards.

Strikes against the price of butter at Hr>verforwe«t would hardly have oc- curred there sixty years ago. Butter w?<. then or>ty ?vepenoe a p?und. and i .impound of eighteen ounces at t'hat. J Firrhteen nii"ocs to the pound alr-o pre_ Ei,T)tc,(,Ti oiirces to tli(, I)oilnO ilpo later ]at-er

I NEWS IN BMEF. 100,000 DAYS' WORK LOST. Thirty-eight disputes, involving 116,097 workers, took place in January resulting in a loss of 97,000 working j days, states the "Board of Trade Lab- our Gazette." PEERESS LEARNING A CRAFT. I Lady Harlech is learning to make fancy leather goods, in order that she may act as an instructress. She is receiving practical instruction tbrough the Rural League. CARD-PLAYING INSIDE A BOILER Although receiving double pay, three fitters were found at Southamp- ton playing cards inside the boiler of a ship under repair. They were each finc,d Ll by the Munitions Tribunal. WORKHOUSE BANS RHUBARB. Owing to the present price of sugar the Lambeth Guardians have decided to abandon a rhubarb plot at the Poor Law school grounds and grow some- thing that will not require the use of I sugar. I THE TABLES TURNED I Mr Victor Bateson, Deputy Town Clerk of Newcastle, who has conduc- ted many prosecutions against persons I for infringing the lighting regulations, was fined 10s. for having failed to I obscure his hall light. I FIRE HOLDS UP TRAINS. I Damage estimated at over £ 70,000 was caused by a fire at Messrs. Glos- sops malt kilns at Beverley on Tues- day night. The buildings were situa- ted near the railway, and trains were held up owing to the flames sweeping across the track. I COUNCIL CALLS IN POLICE. I CouncillorsH. Hinkley and W. Wynn were escorted from the Council room at a. meeting of Gravesend Corpora- tion bv two policemen, summoned by the Mayor. The couneil had demanded these members' withdrawal on account of epithets applied to a colleague. L.C.(S. WAR ECONOMIES. I Savings affected by the London County Council will amount to R576,000 during the next financial year. This is equivalent to a rate of :3d. in the E. I WAR NAMES AT ELTHAM. I Roads on an Eltham estate have been named Torpedo-place, Turret terrace, Lyddite-lane, Rifle-road, Maxim-place Grenade-gardens, and Battery-road. I LIBRARIES' BAN ON FICTION AVandsworth Borough Council have ceased to issuo fiction and juvenile books from their libraries. At the end of two years the saving effected will amount to £ 2,281. SIR S. EVANS'S RETURN I Sir Samuel Evans will sit in .the I Prize Court next Thursday. This will j be his first appearance at the High Court since his accident last year,. when his leg was broken by a motor- I 'bus. i GERMAN SHIPS FOR SALE. ( Proceedings are being taken for the sale of vessels of the Central Powers which have taken refuge in Spanish Mediterranean ports. THE BOY SOLDIER. I Charged as an absentee from his regiment, Henry Pratt confessed to the Greenwich magistrate that his age was 15 years 10 months. He said the recruiting officer told him he was "big enough for 19" when he tried to join as a boy. M.P. AND HIS SALARY. I "I have no intention of refusing my Parliamentary salary. For me and others to do so would be to placeotber members who could not afford to lose their salary in an awkward position." said Sir Charles Nicholson, M.P., at Doncaster on Saturday. AMMAN VALLEY MATCH. I A shooting match at Ammanford be- tween teams representing the V.T.C. at Ammanford and Llandebie resulted as follows :—Lla-idebie 1,127, Ammanford 1,062. SWANSEA SUNDAY CONCERTS. I The Swansea Watch Committee has de- cided in future to grant permission for Sunday concerts at licensed places of en- tertainment for charitable objects on con- dition that the Mayor, Chairman, and the bo' ough treasurer shaH have financial supervision, that the total net proceeds shall be handed over to the particular charitable or patrotic object, and that all persons engaged on the staff of the theatre shall have time off in the week for compensation. I WELSH COAST MYSTERY. Whnle walking along the shore at the base of the cliffs, at Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, on Monday, MT. George James and his son found the body of a man washed up on the rocks. The remains had evidently been in the water for a considerable time. The police were in- formed and the body was removed. The body is apparently that of a man well ,over six feet in height and of extremely powerful build. "RABBIT PIE RELIGION." At the annual meeting of the Newport Free Church Council at Wesley Church, the Rev. Enso Walters, Londo 1, speaking on "Watchman, what of the night?" said that Christianity was not a picnic, and some of the methods of even Free Churches to woo men to the churches were degrading. Giving them rabbit pie suppers and so on. Why, they had tried to woo the workingmen until the latter laugh-d at the churches. Men would re- spond to the Cross. They had done so in. this war.

MASTERS OVR OATS Again lead the way 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- UL \.10. CLOTHIERS Ltd, 18 & 19 Castie Street 282 Oxford Street Swansea 3 Green Street, Neath 17 Stepney Street. Llanelly, etc. æ .+.+ .-<;0- 00 ? CM?im of Me Cmr, I SWANSEA ? t A A A N A A A A. A A I DAVI9 THOJMAS! i t4 t ( Y Gemydd C?/??'?? j ♦ ? Watchmaker, Jeweller, and SiiveTsmtth T T t ——— Has RE-OPENED the abHve —— ? f :N"EVV .PR.E:M:J:SES ♦ ♦ 3XTEJW PRSMISES { + ♦ ? WITH A SPLENDID ? 4 i new C)C= 1 »  i ♦ Gymr\! Dewch at v Cymro!! j + J' I Y Nwyddau Goreu: Y Prisoedd Iselaf. ♦ I ♦ 00 .+- p' i distincuishe^Iservice"! i ThaJe!I! rendered ae!eng. is distinguished service to the health of the people, is proved by f J the ever increasing sale of that particular medicine. During the f seventy years they have been in demand, these pills have f ff secured and held the confidence of the public. It is no J exaggeration to say that millions of men and women have been a greatly benefitted by taking this well known family remedy. T Sufferers from dyspepsia, liver trouble constipation and the f f many common ailments which attack the digestive system f f have found a reliable remedy in # BEECHAM'S RILLS. A Sold everywhere in boxes, price Is 3d and 3s Od. J BOYS t be builders with ??? r^M /^ECCAHO masSSI^m You can' build Towers, -?"' ???? Bridges, Aeroplanes, ????? ?''?T??- ?B???? Elevators, and hundreds f?——?. &.????y of other modds, 3/9 to <??????? ???4'?? H5/ NEW STOCK. ( ( TTkf -SEE WINDOWS- ) \J\\J C D LAKE and ask for Corn- -???ES??????? petition Entry ???'????:? ;?'?'?? ?' LAtYE) petitioor.n try 'i.}' Ystradg,?

APPOINTMENT OF WOMAN DE- TECTIVE. By the appointment of a woman de- tective the "istol authorities have taken a step in -;ITal investigation which no other police force in the kingdom has taken, although several cities, including London, have volunteer women police. There is nothing amateurish about the Bristol apointment. The new officer has received special training in police work, and although her duties will chiefly con- cern women and children the chief con- stable stated that her services will be utilised in solving all classes of crime and mystery. Scotland Yard pointed out that the constitution of the Metropolitan Police did not provide for the appointment of women detectives. There are other Gov- ernment departments which have found it expedient to employ women in investi- gations. "Women," an authority explained, "are particularly adapted for work which comes outside the scope of the ordinary detective, but unfortunately it is some- times unsafe to trust a woman with an important investigation where young men are concerned. They are swayed by emo- tion. They can't help it; it L their nature, and they have been known to fall in love with the man they have been set to watch.

I BOXING MATCH QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. Attention has been drawn in the House of Commons by Mr. Nield to the boxing contest promoted this week by Sergt, Dick Burge. He pointed out that it had purses of £ 800 and of £ 300 that the public paid from 5s. to five gunineaa for seats and asked whether in view of the Govern- ment's appeals for economy, these con- testa for private gain on the part of serving soldiers were countenanced by the authorities. He asked, too, if any portion of the proceeds of this contest was to be devoted to any military institution of funds. Mr. Tennant Inquiry is being made.

IF WRONGLY CALLED UP. The Seerctaxy of the War Offioe makes the following announcement If a man who has been attested and classified in a group receives a notice paper (Army Form W.3236) calling him up under the Military Service Act, he should return it to the offioer who sent it to him. At the same time he should enclose the following information c (1) His full name and address. (2) Date of attestation. (3) Address of recruiting station as on his white carm, Army Form W.3194. (4) His group number. In the great pressure of work it is likely that such cases will occur, particu- larly in respect of men only recently at- tested, or who are attested between now and the closing of the single men's groups. —