Llais Llafur

YSTALYFERA NOTES. On Sunday last, the annirerfwuy services in connection with the Zoar Sunday School, took place, when the. Rev. Wm. Jones, pastor, presided over the afternoon, %ud evening ser- vices. The programme at the aftert noon service was as fo&o"Recita- tion, P,4alzn 115, Mias Sarah Davies; pnaver, Mr David Thomas; recitation, "Teimlad Plentyn," Miss Mary Ann Davies; recitation, "Yn Eisiau," Master Wynne Islwyn Samuel; recita- tion, Psalm 117, Master Win. Ree; Evans; recitation, "Preeeth Plentyn" Miss May Thomas Williams; recita- tion, "Nid yw fy Nhad yo feddwyn," Master WiHio Thomas; dialogue, "Rhi.nwedd Dwr Glan," Miss L. A. Wadley and Lena Locke; recitation, "Neb fel Ie>ru," Misa Sarah I Davies; recitation, "Y Gwli'thyn," Master Ivor Reee; Psalms 117 and 119, Vestry Children; recitations, "Yr Awcn Fwyn," Besbie Pteer,; "Dewcli i Ganu," Miss Rachel A. Thomas; Psalm 5, Glyndwr Johnson; "Nadolig" Master Robert Cope; Psalm, Master Rufus Wdliams; "Gwna yr hyn a elli," Miss Elvira EJvans; Psalm 100. Master John D. Thomas; "Pa le mao fy Nhad," Misg Lizzie A. Wadley Psalm 8, Miss May Johnson Psalm 13, Master Trevor Wadley; A lae'r Iesn'rb Wyni i gyd, Miss Beasie Thomas; Psalm, Miss Muriel Wil- liams; dialogue, "Y r Ysgol SuI," Misses Maggie L. Davies a4id Irene Owen: recitation, "Y PL>.s Gwyn," Miss Edith and prayer by Mr DJ. Evans. At t!Jp evening frerviee, the pro- gramme was as follows: -Chapter reci- tation, Mr T. D. Williams: prayer, Mr E. T. Evar-s; recitation, "Dllri Llw ybrau Mam." Miss L^linrr Jones; dialogue, "Mynd i'r Ysgol," Mis* A. May Cope and friends; chapter reci- tation. Miss Bessie Williams; hymn, Mrs. T. A lexander EvalTh." cla;B: reci- tation, "Y Creadur Newydd." Mr R. Wadley; dialogue, "EKgeuluso Cwrdd ( 1 ,1 1 <)  y Bore;" trio, Mr J. D. Williams and friends; recitation, "Serwi Bethle- j hem," Mr John Da-vies; hymn, 'Alms- giving, Choir, under the conductor- ship of Mr E. J. Eva-ns; Treatise oxi John ix., Mrs. T D. William* and fri(md; anthem, "Arglwydd eiin lor" Mr J. Handel Ev ants' party; prayer, Mr Frederick Rees. Hymns were also sang at the The Rev. Wm. Jones presided throughout the day, whilst Mrs. Jack Jam«s and Miss Ceridweai Evaji-, were the accompanists. Much credit for the excellent services is dun to Mr T. D. Williams, t»uperi*teudont, and Miss Arunie Williams, secretary of the Sunday School. Mr John lewis, Trebanos, the popu- lar Wels harpist, and Miss Gwen Williams, a rising pun it] lion singer, aloo k)f Trebana;, gave a. "Noaan gvda'r Delyn." at the Wern Mutual Improve- ment Society, on Monday evening, Mr W. D. Davies presiding. Mr Lew a gave an address on var- ious forms of harp playing, and of pcafillion, staging in the North and South style. The history of the harp as a musical instrument was alao given ■ together with its associations with the life and development of the Welsh National spirit. Mr Lewis illustrated his remarks by singing to his own ac- companiment, various Welsh pieces and pcnillion, and he also played whilt> M'iss Gwen. Williams mng penill- ion in a manner that evoked hearty applause. One ocruld Hot help observ- ing that of thp two the South form of penillioa singing is mcyre beautiful than that of the North. At the conclusion, Mr J. D. Main- waring spoke on the harp and its Biblical associations, and gave am out- litne of the .history of some of the old Welsh harpists. He expressed reprret at the faot that there was not more harp Kinging in. Walee. Mr D. E. Parry also referred to the age of the harp as a musical instru- ment, as it orvuld be traced to within seven generations of Adam himself. Mr Tom Jones gave, in an interest- ing manner the connection between the harp and the religious life of Wales, a.nd mid that on a Christmas eve, the harp took them back to the nrajiger at Bethlehem. Mr T. R. Samuel proposed a. vote of thanks to Mr Lewis and Miss WlI. liarms, which was P-cmdedLOby Mr Win. Jones. Btrynseion, Miss Williams re- sponding by rendering a: parting flong. The oonoert, which waa arranged bv Messrs. John D. Mainwaring and Tom Jones, was a distinct success. At the recent examination of the Roval Academy of Music held at Swansea, the foJowing pupili of the Rev. D. T. Rees, Godre'rgraig, were *mooeesful; Musses Lucy Jacket t (higher division); Dorothy Thomafi (elementarv) Lydia Edwards (ele- mantary); Evelyn Richards (primary); and G. Williams (lower division). Miss Ray Rees, Glanvronen, also -patted in the higher division at the sa-me examination. She is a pupil of Mr' D. R. Jones, F.T.S.C., Aber- crave. I j The quiet Christmas at Ysta-lyfrra t ¡' this year was li-von-od by the mmistra- j tiorus of the Town Band, under the ) conductorship of Mr Paul Evans. The I band played on Christmas eve and Christmas d?y. We hav? been ?sk«d to publish the following by the secre- tary of the band, Mr Evan L. Wil- hams: The members of the ytalyfro Town Band wish to thank their numerous patrons, through the medium of the "Labour Voice'' for therr donations towards tho fund during Christmas. Owing to the fact that the ftrud was so low, they were unable to print theilr balance s hee aa usual, which W818 audited and found correct at the end of tho financial vear, Nov. 30th, 1917. The auSitors were Mr W. D. Owen, Tirbach checkweigher, and Mr S. H. Morgan, B.A., GurnoB- On Saturday evening a social was held at the County School on tho-oc- casion of a re-unioh of Mr Rees' old pupils. A whist drive and dance was j als "held. During .■ the evening, Mr. Rees was presented with a c-ard table on the o,-oasion -of liip-- receait marriage, j Misses liessie Gloo and Gladys James, ClCydach, gave solo. Mr aden Evans acting as a<x<ompanist. Pupils of th.<» Ystalyi'era Intermed- iate School assem bled on last Thurs- day afternooo Tor the purpo.=e of pre- sei; t: M. Price, B.A., with a small token of the;T t^steenn &nd re- gard. on the oooaf.Vm of her leavi ng Ystalyi'era for a I)-o-,t jw4ir I>ondon. The chaJr was taken hy -Mis* Phyllis E. Hopkin, the senior girl, and Mr Dayid John Evans handed over to Misa Price a very handsome Iiold pendant set with precious stones. A short programme was enjoyed, tho artistes beiaig chosen chiefly from the Junior forini. The items were 38 follo" Pianoforte solo, Caroline James; vocal sole*, Rachel A Davies, David Jones, Meg. llodycombe, Mr J. Morgan, B.So. violin solo, Mr levy Hopkin. M iss Price fueling thiinked the pupils, aild expressed her regret at leaving them. The preceding* closed with the Ringing of the National Anthem, ?nd thr rousing chM?a for Miss and ttirt?o mur Ln, c h vA3ri for M ijiti On Thursday eveuing the Senior pupils of the County School met to- gether to spend a social evening. After tejij, tho good thing.. for which had btlffll provided by the pupils, all ad- journed to the Assembly Hall, where a whist drive was commenced. Mr D n1.J)R was the winner of the gentle- men's, while Mif» Catherine Price won the lady's prize. Miss B. Davies, B.A and Mr Will Lewis (an "ojd boy" who has joined the Flying Corps), wero awarded the "Bc"by" prizes. After tho preselltaticms were made, the rest d-f tlie evening was spent in daniing, Mr D. J. Evans, Misses Myfanwy Davies and Nellie Georgjo being the pianiott,. Tho evening was declared by all to have been one of the most enjoyahle they had ever spent, and the party broke up at 9.30, the down valley people taking the 9.30 bus for hCI:me. —.— The death took place en Saturday "Aernoon last of Mr Dftvyd Gregory, near the Royal Oak, at the age of 30. Dtneased, who was a, nativc of Glais, leaves a widow and one* child. The funeral took place on Boxing Day at the Godre'rgraig Churchyard, when there wnre universal signs of regret. The officiating min,isters were the Revs. Ben Davies. J. Thomas, and W; D. Lewis. The Ystalyfera Tem- peraiioe ba.nd, under the oonductorship of Mr John Hopkins attended at the funeral, and played "Daeth yr awr i'm ddiamc ad re," at the house, "Bvdd myrdd o rhyfeddodau," at the gra ve- side, juid the "Dead March" en route. Ilie..  i ng, (k f the Pte. Watcyn Cha.mun?, <?f the H. A.C. so? of Mr and Mrs. Walter Channiitg, was home: over the Xmas vacation. M Lss Hilda Cliappell, daughter of Mrs. E. Cliappell, of the Wern boot stores, is also litoine over the vacation. She is engaged as jrrivatc secretary to her brother, Mr Edgar L. Chappell, at Cardiff. The death took placo suddenly at his home on the evening of Boxing Day, of Mr John WaJter Keen, painter, of 18, Ynieydarren road. His wife, Mrs. Delina Kwn, left the house at ahout 6.30 in the evening, when her husband wroli apparently in, good health, but when shc returned at about 8.30, she found he had died in a ohair by the fire. Dr. Walsh was called, and said that Mr Keen mupt have died srxwi after fl's wife's de- parture from the house. He had been attending deceased for rheumatism, and death was attrityute4 to syncope bremght on by this malady. d was a native of London, but had resided at Ystalyfera for 12 years. He joined the 14th Welsh in 1914 as a reservist, and saw service in France. He was invalided out in June last. Mrs. Keen has the sympathy' of a large circle of friends. A i)ou t 4.30 "4_ -t f t,(,ri-i(xm of About 4.30 in the afternoon of Boxing Day, people it the vicinity of the station could be observed gaaing into tho darkening Western Kky, where ainoraft of some kind seemed to be in evidonoe. Imaginative persons wager- ed that the apparition was a Zepp., but on one's eves becoming accus- tomed to the gloom, it was found that dIU aircraft was nothing niol-C) danger- out; than toy balkon being flown by some boys! Mr J. T. Owen, Comptun House, ha.v received an interesting lettor from Palestine from his brother. Farrier E B. Owen. Farric.r Owen, who is at- tached to a Sign:alling Comjiany, savs that they have had to journey a? far as fourteen miles from where they now are to wator their korseis. Water j and rations for the men are us u a 11 y iu-oaght up the lines by camels, and it is not unusual to see a camel con- voy a. couple of miles in length. Tho region df Palestine in which Mr Owen > j is now stationed, is very mountainous and the houses in the vicinity arc bitilt of mud. and are «*xvupied by Bedouins, some of whom, however, live j in enves. Lieut. Percy Smith. son 01 M- wJ Irs. A. J. Smith, Vine House, has recently left Cairo, where Kith he and his brother Lieut. Archibald Smith were -to jolin a. flying corps. A correspondent signing himself j "Civis" writes as follows:—For guÜ., fifty years efforts liave made at Ystalyfera to establish a library and public institute in the place, but ovory effort has proved fruitier, fur the reason, I am given to understand, that however promising the various schemes may have IMMMI, they have all foun- dered on the rock of location. Thili is a great pity, and yet I suppo,-s»i it is a difficulty that is very natural. Til; lower end pxvjple cannot b.. «>p»H:t.ed to grow enthusiastic over an institute established in the''upper end and Y ice j versn. It appe..rw to me therefore th.u tl,,e matter must, be decided by some one or some body outside the populaf deci- sion. And it appears to me that jiitft now there ;t an excellent opportunity in tliis direction. The old mansion of Giant wreh, btpIy occupied by Mr. Benthall li-is now wme into the hands of Councillor D. W. Davies, Tirbach. Of courHv, it is possible that Mr. Davies intends taking up residence there, but in case he does- not, may I very respectfully suggest to him that Glantwroh would mak « a splendid Public Institute, and that he would be oonferring a priceless boon upon the public if he could sw his way clear to convert it to that purpose. I hesitate to suggest that Mr Davies i, not able to do this off his "own but" as it were, and thus establish a fitting monument to his publio activities; but in case he should see difficulties in going so far, I am certain there would be a sufficient nuntlter of public-spirit- ed men in the pin DM to co-operate with J him. I wonder if one may a*,k for Mr Daviefc'fr opinion upon the matter? [Our correspondent's suggestion is a very interesting one, and we- feel sure tlie public would heartily wel- come any action 011 tho line* men- tioned.—Eui tor. j Next Thursday, z- Friday and Satur- day at tho COILSCUUI there will be an especially fine programme of pictures. As is the case nowadays iu all rirst- olast picture houses, two "star" piotures will be shown. In "Tbo Sensational Honeyniooii" drama, in four parts, the title explains itself. The otiiwr "litiir" lw4ug 'All; ,«.!>• World's a Stage," a drama of deep human interest. It may be stated that, tlu, Kviding aor<'ss iu tho latter pioture is Miss Eve Balfour, who is famous through the world for her performance in that much discussed pioturii "Five Nights." "All the World's a Stage" is in five parts. The winning ticket iu the goose prize drawing held by Mr. Arthur Price, Tarreui-terrace, bore the number 475 and was won by Mr. Daniel Evans, Ystalyfera. A presentation was made at Jeru- salem Veetry on Thursday evening by a few friends, to Miss Margaret. Price, B.A., on the occasion of her leaving the local county school for a position in London. Mr. Griffith Griffiths, C. and C. Bank, presided. Tho presenta- tion of a travelling bag and handbag was inwiti in suitable terms by Messrs. Fredk. Rees and R. W. Holikins re- spectively, and the pupils of Miss Price at her Sunday-school class, availed themselves of the occasion to present her with a book. tin. class being repre- sented by Messrs. l^nvis Grifht,!is and D. It. V. Thomas. A miscellaneous pro- gramme was contributed to by the fol- lowing Pianoforte solos, Mesdamey 1). H. Williams and J. P. Jani<v<; solo and p?niHion singing, Mr. John Mor- gan. .kIr. Johu .Nlor- Jones, M.A., and JoLn Morgan, B.S?.; poniHion sin?i))?. Mr. Dd. Geo. Wi!- liam.; Mr. W. J. Hopkij?. ,Mri. J. P James, and M acted as the aowmpanists. Tlx- following spoke of M iss Price in Eulogistic, terms— Dr. W. J. Lewis and Mess- Del. Davu* D. R. illiarns, M.E., W. J. Hopkins, D. Jenkins, V, Geo, Williams, Tarrenydd, MTK. Griffiths (Tamuiydd), Mrs. T a li- es yn Lloyd, M(\§srs Silas Evans, Sann- ders Davies and P.), Albert J. Mo re an. Aliss Price fVi^lingly npond- I ed. Light, refreshrneJits were provided by the ladies and .served by Mesfkimeg G. Griffitlis, J. P. James, anrl Ben Jones. An enjoyable even ing was ter- minated with the singing of "Hen Wl-id fy Nhadau." 011 Christmas Kvonin? the C\¡,lt.ral I Hall ?a?) crowded to its utmost mpaci- tv when "BiigaJ Craig y Ffor tlrt," the \\el.sh musical comedy written bv Mr. VI m. G<M)rge. Tlw performance was OX- <y'!leut in every wi v. and was given under the directorship <,f r. K. Teloryild Nicholas and D. Gwernydd Aforgan. The singing w;s splendid, and the eifect of the pc nil lion ringing was particularly fine. Siix-e this now popu- lar production was first performed the work has been revised and improved upon by the author, and many of those who had se<»n and lietrd ilie perlorni- I j nC(, ou previous ootMsiods eii.jove«| it as much, if not more, rhiti tuTrnierly. Ihe works reflects crodit., nor; only on the author, hut upon ;if( who took p.a.rt, a.nd "Buga.il Craig, y Fio!<-st'r cati always !«' reh«^l irj><»n i-i prove T: popular attraerrun to WeTdi Audiences Tlie secretarial a France men is were a,b)' carriM out by Mr. Dl \T. Jenkiiw (~ Apr Chdlyn). A party of tlx* loo; W/nnen's Peace Cru>nde, umKr i.he funduetorship ot Mrl", D. S. illia.iris. enterta ined thc wounded at. Pontardawe Hospitid on Mcmiiiy evening. Mi.s,-t.J|„„u>s were f?ntribnt?t by M!.??'? R. ? Hughes. Megan Hughes, K. Brazell. and Mr. T. Williams. Mis.s Elsie M King ■Rra.- the ucrnrmp:ni.s.t. t Mr. J. Henri !);tvi(?. F.G.S..M.E.. will deliver his jf??u? on the "Hi?t?rv of the Soils of Y sr.dyfNa" the Council SchcioF on next., anri n->t ou I ;js hitherto* announced. Ticre is a littlt ronianeix of dw war. vilh Irxxil ;»Asoeiathi«s. t'tfty-iivo "yearn ago, there en>igra.t»;d to Australia from Craigym«re.h«d> one John R.¡; and Sarah hts wite, togeth««r with their young family—they had resided iu houhso where now st;iiid s Vine House. Co r rt«po nde iico with relatives and. friends was of course kept up for a. long time; but with the passing of tl).c. years, as so often happens in such, oases, letters beioamo more infrequent., until at last they oeawd, and for' many many yours no word has beet., received lrom the Uts's family, and., they were a (iiiii and distant, albeit treasured memory, to old. friends. Tho war broke out; and young Aus- tralia sprang to arms in defence, not only ot the "Old Country'' pf thei* parents, but their own "Old Country" in pacing, may oi.e not einphu- rule tho ^ugniifojvnce of this faot. and* submit it for the consideration of thoses tiltra pacifists anwuigst us who wonlc?- "just as soon bo ruled by Germany." John and Sarah Recis had long been" laid to rest, but there lived at Kapun- da, near AdeJ.a ido ouo of their child- i-»>n—nanoclf lie* who was a lad of eight t. ten yenor" old when his parents- emigrated; and when hi.u Datey- a bright ami promising young man, "joined up"—memories of his child hHrS home in the Swansea Vallevv awoke in the old man's breast, and he gave the boy strict injunctions tha'. as hjtui a-M ho (4,111ti after landing in England, he was to proofed to Ystaly- fera und seek out hl ,i (the father's)'. boyhood fri.,ntis and relative* mention- v iLt6 on", oousin in partieidar, who had beer. er»[.HM>4ally dar to linn. And 8(, Lieutenant I>ar(»y IUH-S, gran<lson of, John and Sarah ifcee«, of tho Vine, in the old Cyfyug, saile<I away in com- pany (k I th iiitty hundreda of other Aiisti-aiio n youtlis oil tlio grands crutKid e to help rid Europe of an op- pression as sinister and vil as evez." llourmhed under Sanuen or Turk. One morning last summer there de- scended from tho Swansea train at tlie Ystalyfera station a smart young Australia* 11 officer, who looked about- him somewhat puzzled and undecided. Eventually he asked a bystander to. direct him to Mr. James Williams, Wern House. Arrived there, the young, lliaJ1 explained to the Old Schoolmaster that he had come to visit the old home of hi8 fathers; that his father had. given him tho names of people he was to seek, but that unfortunately the list had I.MSUI mislaid or lost, and all hu was sure of was the name "Ystaly- fera," an d tha.t his grandfather's name was John Rees. It may ix> explained, hero that Lieut. Darcy H^M\S—for us the reader will have surmised it was ht: —had been rwommended by an old Y.stalyfora boy whom lie met as the hou-J where he put up in Swansea, te- go to Me, James Williams as the most, likely to be able to help him in hjo- difficulty.* Needless to say Lieut. Rees was at onee mado to f(".1 "at home" by tho hospitable family at Wero House; and Mr. Williams and the young Australian spent much of that afternoon talking to some of the "old- est inhabitants" in an effort to get at the f,unilv tree of John and Sarah R< es. Ultimately, after much question- ing, tho oouple hit upon Mr. David, ROOJJ, builder; who imiiUMliately rc- membered that as a hoy he had played • with tho IV.¡.; Retvs, who had gone to Australia; and mentioned, that the nearest relati ve was Mr. William T.. tilf. young Aus- tralian- oxcJaim?d J?'y?'?y- "That'& the man I ?ant: my father has always t!io man I o-,ttiL; my fitli(,r to say the genial William T. Howells waf, delighted to receive the son of his cousin Rees. Last we<'k-end Lieut. IX'ircy Rees again visited tho place, find judging by the cordial send-ofi accorded to him on Saturday evening at the station, he has mace- many •rarra friends, for his own spke a-; well as lor hi; fat her's. After his iii'st visit, a oouxin of his, Mr. L Trdbot llws also Tho. Rees—another son of old John Ree.->—profit i ng bv his cousi n' s covery," visited the old home and was <•qu.-i.lly charmed by his warm recep- tion.

-U. Coliseum. Next Week: All the World's A Stage. (5 PARTS;. Also A Sensational Honeymoon. (4 Parts). I I amccamn ma I THE IDEAL FAMIIY MEDICINE ??r HEADACHES ??'??r"S??"?? SvOL^ BIUOUSNESS f (m ? Kl CONSTIPATION M L I I M INDIGESTION ????s-?r?y??r?n????. .—  < ???' ?"?