Llais Llafur

YSTRADGYNLAIS NOTES Miss J a roe Lcwi:, daughter of Mr. Atnd Mrs. David Leu is. College row, -has been hoinc ej) a vvit from London, where s lie is stationed with the W.A.A.C. Mis.- Maggie Johns, of Glanley tor- the W. A.A.C.. who ÍJ st.ationed at Kliyl, lias also been on furlough. young ladies, who aro attached to an ofifcer's staff, lookocd At in their uniform- At Liftanus Forward Movement Church, GlanrhVd, on New Year's eve, the annual Xmas tree was provided for the children. TIte chapel was beauti- fully decorated, and about GO children were presented by Father X maR. The Rev. J. B. Thompson, pastor, was in <barge, and the children, who were well prepared by Miss Vera. Green, .gave ini.-cellaneons items and historic- j al sketches. Refreshments, consisting j of a bun and cocoa, owing to the -shortage of tea, were provided. Refreshments being over a. pirti, loii was opened disclosing the Xmas tree laden with good things. The presents were packed in crackers, and distri- buted by Santa Claus. The meeting ended with the singing of the Dox- ology. Much praise >i,s due to tho ladies for the. useful articles' in the fonn of shirts, pinofores, etc., which they provided. A wedding of local interest took place at Swansea last week, the con- traotmg prirtios be-i.ng M iss' Mary Thomas, daiigliter of Mr and Mrs. DL Thoimaw, 4 G-lyn Villas, Brecoll road, and Fir>t Air-.Mechanic G. L. Martin, j of the R.F.C. Mr Mai •tin, who joined I at the outbreak of war, returns for the third time to France. The happy | couple have the be-t wishes -cf a host of friends. We were glad tc see Machine Guntner j Danny Thomas attached: to the S.W.B., son of Mr and Mrs. Daniel j Thomas, of 4. Glvn villas, Brecon rd., home again cm a short leave. He has -now returned to his training at Liver- JKJOI with the best wishes of a large circle of friends. It will be from another eoltiiiiii that the Council have made very com- mendablo progress in the matter of -the provision of a burial ground for the district. We feel sure our readers will agree that it is most painful that burial space was found with difficul-, ty for a respected inhabitant who had devoted the best years of his life to -educate the young. On Monday even- ing a public meeting will be held at the Church schoolroom at 7.30 to fur- "ther discuss the question, when all are earnestly requested to attend. Mrs. J. Ware and family; Broil CVn- his, desire to thank through the medium of these columns th 'ir nnmer- ous friends for letters of sympathy and lor the lwautiful floral tributes seiit in their recent bereavement. The death took place on December I 29th of 11-iii. John Jones, son of Pte. \Y. D..Tones, who liwith the Brock- nocks in India, and Mrs. Jones, I on- trebont. The child was five years of age, and died from whooping cough and bronchitis. The funeral took place on the Wednesday following, gentle- men only attending. The Kev. James Jones, B.A., officiated, and Mr. Win. Jones was the undertaker. Mr. C. 1). Lake, newsagent, has re- ceivod a letter from New Zealand, which goes to show that the world is not so large after all. The letter re- quests that Mr. Lake will quote for Welsh books and music, etc., that would assist the gentleman in ques- tion in acquiring a knowledge of the vernacular. It seems that Mr. Lake's address was obtained by the New Zea- land gentleman having the loan of a book on which was Mr. Lake's address —hence the communication. At the Penyhont Inn on Friday,. Mr J. E. Willaims offered for sale 'Manor- ¡fon,' formerly in the occupation of Mr. T. E. Slater, M.E., and 'Bryn- j mair.' Bidding for 'Manorafon' was brisk up to a point when the lot was withdrawn. 'Brynmair' was knocked Alcjwn to Mr. J. Harris, Maj.Ph., M.P.S.. chemist, of JB470. Lanee-corpl. Dan Williams, of the Welsh Cyclists, son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Williams, Glanley-terrace, re- < turned home on furhmgh from France 011 Thursday. He was at one time wounded in France, and this is his second furlough. i Interest will undoubtedly be taken by local gardening enthusiasts in the advertisement on another page con- cerning the Land Cultivation Order. The Pon tarda we Council have acquired rights by which ground can be seized if necessary for cultivation. Mr Lewis Thomas, .J .F., moved at the Council on Thursday that the Ystradgynlais Council take steps to have the same powers, and it has been decided to take the matter up immediately. j felt, -,b Ystradgyn- dais on Wednesday when it became known that Mr. Thos. Thomas, Cil- uwyn, formerly headmaster of the Yniscedwyn Schools, had passed away in his 02nd ye-u-. Deceased had been wiling for about two years, and about 12 months ago had to "relinquish his position r\& schoolmaster. Mr. Thomas had been in Ystradgynlais for thirty- five years, and during the whole of that time had been headmaster at the Yniscedwvn Schools. He was a native of Neweastlo-Emlyn, being the son of the late Mr. James Thomas, merchant, and a short, time ago lie visited his native place to see if he would re- cuperat". but to no avail. About 25 years ago he married Mrs. Thomas, j who is a daughter of the lute Mr. Wm Thomas, colliery proprietor, Brynam- man. His only son is Lieut. Tudor Thongs. M.B. (Lorn!.). B.Ch. (Wales), j M.R.C.S..L.R.C.P. (Eng.), B.Sc., is now on his way to the East Coast of Africa with his unit, after having been in charge of a hospital at Sierra Leone. Prior to joining in April last Lieut. Thomas, who has had a bril- liant career, and who is the first B.Ch. in Wales, was house surgeon at Swan- I Sin Hospital. Mr. Thomas, the de- ceased gentleman, was of a reserved and quiet disposition, and well liked by all who same into contact with I him. He was a member at Sardis Chapel, and had also been secretary of the Breconshire Liberal Association for manv years. The funeral takes place on Monday at 3.30 o'clock at Ystrad- gvnlais churchyard. Much sympathy is felt with Mrs. Thomas and her son in their bereavement. On Friday evening last the Rev. R. M. Rhys, Sardis, presided at a recep- tion concert held at Sardis Chapel vestry, when Ptes. Sam Jones and D. J. Davie,-? were the guests of the even- ing. Mr. J. D. Morgan, J.P., made the presentations, and he was support- ed by the Revs. Jns. Jones, B.A., and J. Emlyn Jones,. and the fbllowing items were contributed to the pro- gramme Pianoforte duet, Miss Eliz. Williams and Mr. E. H. Hughson, A.R.C.O. solo, Miss Bessie Jeffreys; j recitation, Master Cynlai.s Daviesj J solo, Miss Bess Jones; recitation, Miss Doschia Lewis; solo, Miss Maria Phil- lips; solo, Mr. Jack "W alters, who sang "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" at the eon- elusion. The funeral of Mrs. Margaret Thomas, Crown Cottages, widow of the late Mr. Llewelyn Thomas, took,place at Cwmgiedd, when a large concourse of sympathisers were present. De- ceased, who was Highly respected in the neighbourhood, passed away on Friday last at the age of 70. The fol- lowing were the officiating ministers, Revs. J. Emlyn Jones, W. L. Grif- fiths, and D. J. Davies, Ainon. The chief- mourners were, Misses Beatrice Gwen and Jennet Thomas (daughters), Mr. and Mrs. John Williams (daughter and son-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. John Richards (daughter and son-in-law), j Mrs. Richards (datigliter), IlrA Mrs. Thos. Levi (son and daughter-in- j law), Mrs. Morgan Thomas (daughter- in-law) Mr. and Mrs. Jones (brother- in-law and sister). The following floral tributes were sent, from all the child- ren, J. Humphrey Jones, all -it Glan- eamlns. Mr. and Mrs. Owen Powell. Mr. E. n. Morgan was the under- taker.

i' YSTRADGYNLAIS DISTRICT 1 COUNCIL i The monthly meeting of the Ystrad- gynlais Council took place on Thurs- day, when Councillor Lewis Thomas, J.P.. presided. He was supported by Councillors T. Williams, David Lewis, T. J Watkins, W. D. AValtc-rs, J. W. Morgan, Rhys Chapman, And J. How ells, together with Messre T. Watkiai,, (surveyor); G. J. Rees (sani- tary inspector); Dr. E. Walsh (M.O.H) A. Jestvn Jeffreys (clerk); and J. E. Victor Taylor (deputy clerk). A letter was read from Col. Gough offering a plot near the Park, Ystrad- gynlais, as a burying ground. He, was prepared to allow the Council to pay in instalments for the land, but they would have to compensate the tenants. Mr Lewis Thofmas suggested that Col. Gough should be asked to offer the land to the Free Church Council. Mr J. W. Morgan moved that the F.C.C. should be approached by the chairman, viee-chairmain,, and local members, asking them te take the matter up. Mr Davicl Lewis: I should like the F.C.C. to understand that we are quite in sympathy with them. A letter was read from the Breck- nock R.D.C. saying they were not pre- pared to consider the matter of the workirug o'f the Ge-ili quarries at pre- sent. A letter was read from LAI,- J. P. Lee asking as to the flag st ••ties at Water street. He wanted to know if they would allow Mr Gough to have the stones. Mr J. W. Morgan said tli;■ flag stones were of such little value, that Mr Gough. should be allowed to have them rather than the work should not pro-cieed. would be asking Oal. Gough for favours in future, and it would not be wise tor let such a little matter interfere with the progress of the work, as people were sick of the sight (y," AN-.&Wt- street. Mr Torn Williams saiid the Sardis chapel trustees wore prepared to fore- < > their claim to the stones. Mr David Lewis said the Ystrad- gynlais members were not present when the j>oint had been raised last time. He was ia favour of the im- provement, but it would cost them so-nie.thii-ng before the end. Mr David Ho wells: You must ad- m'it, Mr Lewis, that we aire more in Col. Gough's hands than, he is in ours. Mr W. D. Walters said the Ystrad- gynlais Tnoiii bers should have been pre- sent at the last meeting. He did not want to go against them, but the storv would be spread about that he and Mr Lewis had stood against the resolution. Mr T. J. Watkins: You aJI'lt like a lot of Bolo Pahas here; you spread rumoiirs about. Mr D. Lews: Provided the com- pensation does not exceed JE220, I do not press my pocnt, but I see that some people are trying to get money out of the ratepayers. The Sardis people ought to meet us. Mr Lewis Thomas said he agreed with Mr Lewis, but after all, they should not allow a chance of Mnprove- | inient of this kind to pass. Mr David Lewis: Don't think the flag stones are the only obstacles I see. Where is the end of the (jost going tq be. It was pointed out that further ohi inl;, for compensation could not be tertai.il ed. Mr J. W. Morgan said he bad seen stones falling from the houses, a,nd he though in the qinterests of the safety of the children that the houses should be demolished, and tenders in- vited, otr a. sale made. The frosty weathe,r made the houses dangerous. At one time, the rafters held the chimneys up. Mr A. Jestyn Jeffreys said there was no legafll 1iability on the Council. Mr T. Williams: Can't we put a notice warning people of the danger- ous state of the building. Several members: You will be ad- mitting liability. It was resolved on the motion of Mr David Lewis, to ask the. Sardis trus- tees when they were prepared to pro- ceed with the demolition. When a letter was read concern.ing the collecting of waste paper, Mr J W. Morgan suggested that the Govern ment departments be asked not to waste so inarch paper on circulars, etc. They were the greatest offenders in this respect. Dr. Walsh, M.O.H., reported that Ofwing to the continued epidemic of whooping cough, the Cynlais, Y, nii s- eedwyn a.nd Gurnos schools, had had to be closed. He urged that the schools should be closed as ;ilt served to prevent the spread of the disease. The births were 6o, 30 males and 35 females, and the deaths 25, 16 males and 9 females. In reply to Mr D. Lewis, the Doctor .,aiU, it had been impossible to com- plete disinfection by the time the schools opened. A communication was recoilved from the Neath R.D.C. stating that they agreed to meeting the Ystradgynlais Council at Colbren to consider the question of draining of the Colbren bog. Mr Lewis Thomafs raised the ques- tion of the Land Control Order, and urged that the Ystradgynlais: Coun- cil should take steps to acquire rights similar to those obtained by the Pont- ardawe Council, so that the land might be compulsory taiken for cultivation if necessary. It was decided1 to ask the Clerk to attend to the matter. A notice of motion from Mr J. Howells, urging that members of the Council should be given an annual statement of accounts, was deferre.d for a month. A committee, consistilng of the local members was formed to arrange a meeting on the Taxation of Land Values in February.

CORRESPONDENCE. YSTRADGYNLAIS AND DISTRICT TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL. To the Editor. Sir,—As a working man 1 read the account of the recent meeting of the above Council at Abercrave with un- usual satisfaction. It is evident to me that there is a new force in the locali- ty, a. force that will have to be rec- koned with. The report of the meet- ing is singularly opportune, and will do much to rouse the mass of the rate- payers of the district from that indif- ference to the administration of local affairs into which they have fallen, and to bring them to realise clearly that it is to their interest closely to watch the conduct of public affairs by local bodies. With regards to the appointment of executive officer for the local food committee, may I ask why was not the post advertised in the daily papers as was done by every other Council? .The report in your issue seems to sug- gest that the matter of the appoint- ment was urgent and that the Coun- cil had no option but to appoint Mr. Taylor from Mr. Jestyn Jeffreys's office at Neath. The excuse of urgency will however, not bear examination. The appointment of an executive offi- cer was a matter quite as urgent to overy other Council as it was to tli3 Ystradgynlais Council. As s matter of fact the appointment, was a particu- larly late one as most of the neigh- bouring Councils had already made the appointment. Of course as the matter of the appointment had been delayed for sonic reason or other its became 1 ;cr on a matter of urgency, but evci; then there was sufficient time to advertise 1.1J" post so as to give an opportunity t-o any person who might wish to apply for it. I think it distinctly unfair that almost all the public posts in the district should be eonoentrated in one office at Neath. It should be remembered that the clerk- ship of the Rural Council, of the local magistrates, local tribunal, and local registration are held by the same per- son and another. Again, did the Council fully realise the situation when they appointed Mr. Taylor? As is well known, one of the duties of the executive office is to prp- tect the interests of the consumer by reporting any breach of an order and to take any necessary proceedings. At tho same time it should be borne in mind th;t Mr. Taylor often acts as clerk to the magistrates at the local police court. The position is this: Mr. Taylor one week may act as magis- trate's clerk; another week he may have to assume the role of prosecutor before the same bench of magistrates. I do not for a moment suggest that the magistrates would favour Mr. Taylor, neither do I say that Mr. Tay- lor would in any way try to take ad- vantage .of his knowledge of the bench, but I oontend that it is dis- tinctly undesirable that the same per- son should be able to act in the dual capacity described. It is very undesirable that not less I than four members of the committee should be grocers. To say the least it would be very embarrassing to the executive officer if he had to prosecute a member or members of the commit- tee. Further I do not think any execu- tive officer likes the idea of ever searching the premises of any member of his committee. I contend that one grocer on the committee would be ouite stifficient.- Yours, etc., I A WORKING MAN. I

I MAESYDDERWEN COUNTY .1 SCHOOL YSTRADGYNLAIS. NOTICE is hereby given that the ac- counts of the Governing Bodyo of the above-named school, and of their officers in respect of their Receipts and Expenditure for the year ended the 31st March, 1917, in pursuance of the scheme under the Welsh Inter- mediate. Education Act, 1889, Account Books, Vouchers, Receipts and Con- tracts, will on the 14th day of Janu- ary, 1918, be deposited at my office, Tir Roger, Ystradgynlais. Such ac- counts may be inspected by all persons interested, during office hours, until the 28th of January, and the said I accounts will be audited by J. E. Pughc-Jones, Esq., the District Audi- tor, on the 31st January, at 10 a.m. at the County School, Maesydderwen, when and where every such interested person who may have any objection 'to any matter contained in the ac- j counts may attend and prefer his objection, and the same will be heard and determined by the auditor. Datedi this 5th day of January, 1918 B. L. THOMAS, Clerk to the Governors. 2J12-19. I

Short-Sighted Persons j fwant to bring the book close to their eyes. It means that the object looked at does not focus on the retina, the focus h comes in front-too soon-the eyeball is therefore too long. We cannot change the eyeball, so we change the focus. We put a lens in front of the eye which throws the focus back to the proper position. Call upon us and learn more about this important snbject of defective vision. C. F. WALTERS F.S.M.C., F.I.O. QUALIFIED OPTICIAN, Oxford St., Swansea H L (Nearly opposite National School) ■ '1.. 4. _-A. A discharged soldier, David Woolley, of Llanarth, has been found on the railway at Aberglavenny with his right leg and two toed of his left foot am- putated. f jj|| Recalls the