Llais Llafur

YSTALYFERA NOTES. Mr Daniel Owen, Rhymney, conduc- ted a rehearsal at Pantteg Chapel on Sunday afternoon and evenilng last, in preparation for the Cymanfa in con- nection with the local oongregational- ists, to be held on Easter Monday. The singing was of good quality, and church represented were: the Gurnos, Wern, Pantteg, and Godre'rgraig. The cihoir was assisted by the Pantteg orchestra, under the conduetorshi]j| of Mr C. A. Morgan. Duritng the evening rehearsal, at which the Rev. John Thomas. Gurnos, took part, the Rev. Ellis Parry, Godre'rgraig, who is shortly leaving for Frajioe as a chap- lain with the Foroas, spoke a few words, and the Rev. Ben. Davie s con- veyed the best wishes of those present 10 Mr Parry on his departure. At the fortnightly meeting of the Wern Mutual Improvement Society held on Monday evening. Mr W. D. Davies presided, when MossiN. D. E. Parry, and W. R. Rees, rtead excellent papers on "Hunan DdiwyHiant mewn oriau hamddenol," ¡a¡fJ:d "Disgwyliad," respectively. Messrs. John Williams, Thomta.s Jones, Thomas Davies, and W Jones comment&d upon the excellent papers given, and a vote of thanks to the speakers was passed, on the motion of Mr Thos. Davies, seconded by Mr Evan Williams. Councillor J. D. Rees, contractor, has recived notification that his son, Mr Glyn Roes, who is at the Bnrry Port urn nit ton works, has been pro- motred to the position of cashier at the offices. Mr. promotion is well merited, and his Ystalyfera friends join in wishing further suc- cess. There is considerable perturbation amongst file bettor and cheese mer- chants of the locality in connection with the "dumping" of their supplies /of butter and cheese this weok at Pofttardawe. It appears trtiat until the ration cards are distributed, local dealers will receive supplies of butter and margarine iN proportion to the number of sugar ca rds which they hold. How the local bwtter merchants will meet the demand of their custom- ers is not at the moment clear, but one of them calls the attention of his customers in our advertising columns, to the fact that they are free to regis- ter for butter, etc., with their usual dealer, a.nd are not obliged to obtain their supplies where they get their sugar. An enjoyable social evening was spent at Jerusalem OR Thursday, Councillor H. J. Powell, J. P., pre- siding, when Sapper Richie Phillips, R.E.. Penygurnos, and Seaman Emrys Jenkins, Gilfach yr Haidd, were the guests of the evening. Mr Elvet Morgan was the accompanist, and tin following miscellaneous items were con- tributed to the programmePiano- fotrte solo, Master Cledw-yn Powell soprano solo, Miss May Williams pianoforte solo, Miiss Marion James pianoforte solo, Miss Margaret Lloyd recitation, Mr R. W. Hopkins; violin solo, Master Cyril Gabe; competition on gene.ral knowledge, winner, Mr E. Roberts; solo. Miss May Thomas CKM tralto solo, Miss Netta Davies: hat trimming for men, winner Mr Fivet Morgan; recitation, Master Cliff M orris pianoforte duett, Madame L. Samuel and Mr Elvet Morgan bards' effusions. Misses A. and M. Morgan. Abram Phillips and Dewi Glantwreh penillion singing by Eos Grug and EDr., Wern, accompanied by Telynor Wes- ley; bass solo, Mr W. T. Davies; sop- Nino solo, Mrs. W. D. Clee, who was well applauded, and. who was also well received at the last concert at Jeru- i sal em a fortnight ago; humorous quartette, Telynor Wesley and party. The presentation on behalf of the church was made by Mr R. W. Hop- kins in a suitable speech, after which, the Rev. D. W. Stephens and Mr John Evans, Gors-e villa, spoke. Refresh- ments in the form of coffee and bis- cuits were tastefully served by the ladies. An excellent programme was brought to a conclusion by the sing- ing of "Hen "lad fy Nhadau," led by Mr E. R. Morgan. The usual vote of tha.nks to the artistes, the committee of young people, and the ladies for the work they had clone which made the evening such an enjoyable one. 'In our report of the concert held last week at the Drill Hall, Gurnos, in support of the Ystradgynlais and Ystalyfera Emergency War Funds, through an oversight no mention was made of the splendid performance of the instrumental quartette from the Ystalyfera Temperance Band under the leadership of Mr. J. W. Hopkin. The Caersalem Choir, under the leadership" of Mr. Rufus Gabe, are now ready for the performance of the bright and lively operetta "Life at Sea," at the Central Hall, on Friday and Satur- day of next week. On Tuesday evening next a special performance for cliillf- will bo g iven w h en the price of a d real will bo given when the price of ad- j mission will be only 2d. At the Guild in connection with the English Cong. Church on Tuesday evening, Mrs. Saunders-Davies, B.A., read an excellent paper on the life and works of Robert Louis Stevenson, Mr. R. C. Williams presided, and the paper was thoroughly enjoyed. Mrs. Davies was heartily thanked at the conclusion. j Ordinary Seaman Rees Jones, Graig, Pantteg, has been home on furlough from his ship, which is silently guard- ing Englands' shores in the N. Sea. Mr. Hy. Harries, son of Mrs. R. M. Harries, Clee's-lane, has left Ystalf- fe-ra to join the Navy. He wont to Bristol, and was afterwards drafted to Devonport. Prior to joining he was em- ployed at the Gilwen Tinworks. On Sunday next the Rev. J. Secun- dus Jones, B.A., vicar of St. David's, will have been ordained to the ministry a quarter of a century, he having j been admitted to Holy Orders on Fb. 24th, 1893. He was ordained at A her- gwili Palace by the late Right Rev. I Basil Jones, and first served as a curate at Llangattoek, Breeonshire. He afterwards went as a chaplain to tho Birmingham waterworks when in' course of erection at Rhayader, and later tõt Cathedino as rector, after which he came to Ystalyfera. The Rev. J. W. Jones, Gorseinon will officiate at tho celebration services on Sunday, and the Boy Scowts will parade in the aiternoon. We join in wishing Tvlr. Jones a long life to continue in his work. On Sunday last Sfergt-major Wallace, Pwllbaeh, who has been with the Breck neclis in France, was presented at the evening service at the church with a; cheque on behalf of the church people. Tho viear made the presentation, sup- ported by Mr. John Griffiths, L. C. and M. Bank, and Sergt.-major Wal- laoo suitably responded. On Monday last week the funeral took place at Zoar churchyard of J. Williams, the 18-year-old son of the late Mr. Joseph Williams and Mrs Wil- liams, Gough-road. There was a very large and sympathetic attendance, and the Revs. W. Jones, W. D. Lewis, and J. Thomas officiated. The chief mour- ners were Mrs. Williams (mother), and Miss Jennie Williams (sisters). De- ceased's brother Charles was unable to attend he being a patient at the Swan- sea Sanatorium. The arrangements were in the hands of Mr. J. R. Wil- liams. At Soar Mutual Improvement Socie- ty on Tuesday of last week, Mr. D. Glyn Evans read an excellent paper on "Hawl dyn i farnu drop ei hun mewn pethau crefyddol." On Tuesday evening of this week Miss Gwen Maddocks gave an instructive and in- teresting address on the River Nile, which was illustrated by a wall map. I Miss L. B. Thomas also read a very able paper on "Cymeriad." Miss Annie Willie Williams presided, and the fol- lowing spoke: Rev. W. Jones. Mr. Kredk. Rees. Messrs. Joseph Evans, Elwyn Evans, and G. J. Evans. "A Smallholder" writing on the question of fresh manure and wart disease, says: Allotment holders and others who intend to grow potatoes should be warned against using fresh manure when planting the seed if the desire to keep their plots and gardens free of wart disease. That fresh manure has a tendency to cause the disease is almost certainly proved by what oc- eurred in tho Amman Valley last season. Three gardens adjoining each other were planted with the same kind of pota to seed given by one of the holders to his two neighbours. Only a low hedge and bank separated two plots from the other, yet the last, in which fresh stable manure was used, was the only garden affected by the disease. At a recent competitive meeting, Owen' Francis Jones, Graig-y-Merched, was successful in taking the first prize offered .for the best drawing of a. chestnut twig, and was complimented by the adjudicator for his most riitiiril drawing. | Vivian Lloyd Davies, Twyncerdinen. I Pantteg, has this week been notified that his painting of "Cinderella Los- ing her Shoe," sent in for competition in the "Lady's Companion" has sue- oeeded in winning the handsome prize of two guineas. t highly creditable acchievement. Botrt are pupils at Pant- teg Council School. Corpl. Wm. Phillips, of Godrre'r- graig, has been home on furlough this vreek from the Army. m Gnoll road, Godre'rgraig, is now being made presentable, and a steam roller is busy working on the surface. Another steam roller is also working near the Royal Oak, so it is to be hoped that the state of the local road will now show some improvement. The Church War Savings Associa- tion, of which Miss Evelyn Will;ams ■ jis the secretary, has collected £1,733 14s. 6d. up to January 31st. An effort is .being made to collect £ 2,000 by the end of March, as 65 12 months from that time that the Association was started.

IRISH POTATOES FOR WALES. I Lord Rhondid-a lips arranged for the regular shipme-nt of potatoes from Ire- | land in sufficient quantities to cover ,not only the total requirements of South Wales and Monmouthshire, but also those of Gloucester, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wilts, Dorset and Hants. )

NEATH PARLIAMENTARY DIVI- | SION. A conference of delegates of Trade Union, Socialist and Labour branches, Trades Councils and Co-operative Socie- ties having members resident in above, constituency will be held at the Elysium (Dockers' Hall), Swansea, on Saturday, March 3* at 5 p.m. Among, other items on the) agenda is one to consider the advisability of contesting the seat in the Labour interest at the next general election; and to take steps to invite nominations for sub- mission to future conference. j

Sketty Allotments' Society has taken a further eight acres of land. Five hundred Welsh prisoners of war arc dependent on food sent fnom homo. Margaret Williams, a widow of C, died white waiting to be served m a Cwmavon shop. The coroner's jury at St. Asaph rc- turned a verdict of "Murder" against • Anrue Mary W alsh for throwing her illegitimate baby into the river, but recommended her to mercy owing to the pathetic circumstances. The woman told tho police that when she left the workhouse her mother would not look at the baby nor have her home. Far two days she roamed afbout without food for herself and child.

± W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist. can bp conmrtted daily at the V;cV.r:^ the

WELSH DRAMA AT VSTAI.Y- FERA. I Interest in the Welsh drama has in- creased during the last few year: and is likely to do so in future. It is very doubtfui if a professional company j could have done better justice to [ Lewis' than did the dramatic Company formed by members of the G uriICH Mutual Improvement Society on Mon- day, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings last. On three occasions the Coliseum. Ystalyfera, which is admirably adapted for the production of dramas, was filled to its utmost capacity. The chairmen on the respective evenings were, Mr. i D. W. Davies, C.C., Dr. W. J. L'wjs, Ii and Mr. H. J. Powell..T.P. During the brief intervals Miss M. A. Morgan and Mr. Elias Williams played seloc- tions of Welsh and classical music, which were much ap preciated. The play, which is really a comedy, with a i vein of philosophy running through the whole, was well staged. The lessons to be gleaned from the work were many, and the characters, which were all well taken, rave an interesting insight in- to Welsh life of ago that w; in the word-. of Wil Bryan, "true to nature. The tide role was t:dœn hy Me'ws. Teddy Davies and Oliver Jones, and both performed the part in a com- j mendable manner. The former impcr- sanated Rhys be foro his entry into | Bala College, whilst the latter por- traved the character during his college training. Mrs. Deborah Thomas as Ilhvs's mother faithfully reproduced the old type of Welsh dame, with the deep religious convictions. Mrs Thomas also appeared with credit as the land- lady of Rhys and Williams, the .vtu- j dents. Bob, Rhys's brother, the agita- tor of his day and of his class, was ably acted by Mr. Dd. Nicholas Jones, who showed both sides of his charac- ter, the restless extremist and the tender guardian of his mother. Mi-a Kathleen Williams proved a capable malo impersonator in her interpreta- tion of Wil Bryan, the easy-going 1 character of the piece, but who, how- ever possessed qualities for giving sound advice. Wil Bryan appeared later as a cabby in Birmingham, and Mr Joseph Davics deserved the favour- able comments passed for his acting of this difficult part. Marged Pitars, a somewhat light part, was well taken by Mrs. Mary Ann Jones, and the arm of the law, Sergt. Williams, did not suffer in the way in which Mr. Thos. Kendrick did his work. It is no re- flection on the other artistes to say that Mr. David Jenkins was undoubt- edly the 'star' of the evening in his interpredation of Thomas Bartley. The part was a heavy one, and one that. entailed no small amount of labour in its mastery, but Mr. Jenkins' act- ing was excellent, particularly his ad- dress to the students at Ba.la, which is one of the test-pieces at the Neath National Eisteddfod. Barbara, his wife, who was much troubled with 'rhumatis' was well taken by Miss Maggie Thomas. Mrs. Hannah Jones as "Miss Hughes" and also Sus, WH Bryan's sveetheaj-t, did her work very well. Mr. D""id Jenkin Williams did full justice to^ho difficult role of Rhys's uncle, and Mr. Wm. J. Griffiths was quite at home in his part of Williams, the student. Mr. D. R. Williams characterised the master at Bala with dignity and effect. Besides doing their parts so well as individuals, the company worked excel- lently in concert, and the whole pro- duction was eloquent testimony to the laoburs of the people of the Gurnos. t The play is founded on Daniel Owen's masterpiece, and is the only authorised adaptation, having been written by Mr. J. M. Edwards. The company has created such an impression that it has already received -is alTo-Ldy re4- -e d invitations to appear elsewhere, and will appear by special request at the Central Hall on Go..d Friday. j

 I ? WOMEN TO TUE RESCUE I CALL FOR ANOTHER LAND ARMY. With thQ advent of spring, the cry haiS once mpre gone. out for mora volunteers for the liand Army, and again we would appeal, en behalf of the Woinen's War Agricultural Com- j mittee, for workers on the land. Ajiy able-bodied woman of IS afid over may volunteer for sen i. o in either of the folio wing s ec tkm s:— fa) Farm work and forestry, under the Board of Agriculture. (b) Forage under the Forage Com- mittee of the Office. (c) Timber cutting, under the Tim- ber Supply Department. i This year, however, candidates need not apply to the local committee, but should obtain, ai form of application | from the Post Office, and forward it to thq nearest Labour Exchange j (Swansea), where it will receive ut- tention. A course of training wiil be pro- vided free of cost, and situations wili then be found for the applicants. A -number of girls and womten from this district who took up tho work last year, eire now doing well. No girl I should give up their prnt employ- ment until all arrangements are cmn-I pleted fo?r ?er to cOHnTM;noe tra-min?. The secretary of the local c?- mioo, Mrs. 'r:y, Yni?-odwyn Sch«olj wm be pleaded to ?ivo anv other aivi-oe which iJilie;nd'íng'pplt'- ¡ cants may require

Ystalyfera and District Trades and Labour Council. A meeting of the Y.-b.ilyfera and Dibbriet Trades and Labour Council was held at the l.L.l*. Institute on Saturday last. Mr. W. Gurrier in the chair. There were delegate. present from 12 affiliated societies, represent- ing a membership of over 2.000, to- gether with Councillors Lewis Thomas,. J.P., James Poweil, and -Jos. Thomas.- A letter was read from Lord Rlion- ddu acknowledging the resolution passed at tlie previous meeting concerning the price of irieat, and stating that the views of the Council would lveivo due consideration. Mr T. H. Samuel. Labour represen- tative on the local Food Control Com- mittee, referred to a statement made- at a meeting of the. eommittteo to the effect that the workmen of Ystalyfera were prepared to pay any price im- posed by the retailer rathe; than gu- without the goods. The following resolution \v.,> unani- mously passed: "That we upiiald tho action of our Food Control representa- tin's in protRsting aaillSL pta.aug the fees for grading e itc'.e as a eoaige on the consumer." The delegates discussed i-h" staie- ment reported to have been m-ide by Dr. W. J. Lewis, ince t- ing of the District Council on he pre- vious Thursday. Various speakers maintained that there was eoi:.adorable difference of opinion between 1-r. Lewis a.nd the officials of the Mini ary of Food who, a few days ago st.t d that tho situation with regard to cereals- the causing Lord I'hond 1" grave- anxiety, and in the near fute.ra they might have to ration bread. The following resolution was passed "That this Council einpliattc; it/pro- test against the statement mad by Dr. Lewis that there is abundanc-- i food in the country, and that we a ii-.ere to our original statement that ti re is u. real shrtage of essential eomaiodities in Ystalyfera and district: read that this Council is composed of lo al citi- zens and not scaremongers." Councillor Joseph Thomas gave a re- port of the District Council's 'libera- tions on tho question of communal kitchens, and after a genera ) discus- sion it was resolved to appoint a depu- tation to appear before tho District Council, the deputation to he Miss Alice Williams, Messrs. Silas Evans, and 1). S. Williams. Mr. Turral, organiser of the Swansea and South Wales Institute of tho Blind gave a report of the good work done by the society for these iflicited people. It was resolved: "That this Council desire, to im press upon all .filiated societies the duty of rendoriug every possible help to the South Wales and Swansea Institute for the Blind, and at the same time we emphatically pro- test against work of this kl" I being left to voluntary effort, and demand that the Government should find ade- quate means to make our blind popu- lation independent of charity." It was resolved that a copy of the resolution should be sent to the Prime M mister. The Chairman gave a report of the proceedings of the Neath Labour Con- ference in regard to the formation of a Labour Party in the newly-created 'Neath parliamentary division. The next conference is to be held at Swan- sea on Saturday, March 9th, at 5; o'clock at the Dockers' Hall. whn the question of the formation of a La.bour Party will be decided. A special meeting of the Y.c c ilvfera Trades and Labour Council to elect delegates will I)f-. held on Sat urday, March 2. It will be of local interest that Mr. W. Guerrier has been ap- pointed chairman of the con ference.

This Week. A SPECIAL DISPLAY OF Gents' Mufflers At Popular Prices. All this Season's Novelties In Gent's Ties. u i DfM?f  H. J. Tfflilt WEns. YSTALYFERA JOHNSTON For NEW VEGETABLE AND FLOWER vV SEEDS FLORAL DESIGNS AND EVERYTHING FOR THE GARDEN. ALEXANDER JOHNSTON. 227 OXFORD ST, SWANSEA. T.ph.one: 567 Central.