The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News

POOLES, Ammanford. TO-NIGHT & Friday at 7-30. Saturday at 3,6-30 & 9. GRAND IDEAL. FILM RED POTTAGE NEXT MONDAY. Extra Special: Grveat Stoll Film, BABY MINE. DON'T MISS THIS! COMING TO PALACE FEB. 20th, J. F. YOUNGE'S Star Pantomime (30 Artistes), ROBINSON CRUSOE.

BRYNAMMAN. I Mr. W .R. Bowen, who has done long service on the Balkan frontier, has just re- turned home, and occupied the pulpit of Bethania on Sunday last. He is a ministerial student. Splendid sermons were delive^ A cordial recephigp was given to M-. W. R. Bowen, ministerial student, at Bethania Chapel, Rhosamman, on Monday evening, on his arrival home from service with the Forces on the Balkan frontier. The event was under the auspices of the Soldiers' and Sailors' t he auspices of the Society, and was presided over by the genial old deacon, Mr. Jacob James. The edifice was full. The following programme was gone through in a most entertaining and edifying manner:—Songs, Mary E. Hicks, Griff .Williams, Lizzie Jane Morris, and Arm Walters, Cwmllynfell. The Bethania Juvenile Choir, conducted by Mr. T. W. Jones, gave a selection. Mr. Jones also was the accom- panist of the meeting. Recitations were given by Nellie Evelyn WiHiams, Morfydd Bowen, Myfariwy Davies, Hannah Maud Bowen, and Bessie Jones. A dialogue was given by Getta Williams and Olwen Davies. Mr. Emlyn O. Evans read verses composed for the occasion. Mr. D. D. Thomas, Tanymynydd, presented, on behalf of the Red Cross, 22 soldiers with socks, Mr. Bowen also receiving the customary cheque. The worshi4rs at this church contemplate extending the chapel as soon as they con- veniently can.

I CROSS HANDS. A box party held at the Cross Hands Public Hall" in aid of the Ladies' Reception Fund for the Sailors and Soldiers, and organised ..by the Misses Greville, Garreg Ho,lit, resulted in £ 20 2s. 3d. being made. This makes the total amount.,in the bank of £ 183 13s. 9d. At the Public Hall, on Saturday evening last, the Caerbryn Dramatic Company, under the leadership of Mr. M. H. Morgan, M.E., gave a fine performance of the drama, Y Prentis Plwyf." Dr. D. H. Griffiths ably presided over a record attendance. The pro- ceeds were devoted to the Gorslas Sailors' and Soldiers' Reception Fund.

CWMAMMAN. Congratulations to Miss Eva Cook, the young penillion sniger, on her latest success at Ystradgynlais on Saturday last. At an eisteddfod held at Henllan on Thursday last, Miss Miriam Evans was the winner of the three guinea prize in the cham- pion recitation competition. This feat speaks highly of the ability of Miss Evans as an elocutionist. At the Y stradgynlais Eisteddfod, held last Saturday, Mr. O. T. Bowen captured premier honours in the competition open to children under 16. In a like competition for children under 12, Hannah Davies (Merch y Dyffryn) was the winner. A quarterly meeting was held' at Christ Church Sunday School on Sunday last. About 80 prizes were distributed among the children for attendances. The Vicar and Messrs. Tom Madge and W. Evans contri- buted to the selection of beautiful Welsh and English books. The Rev. W. Williams presided over a reception meeting held at the National Schools on Thursday evening last, in honour of Corpl. E. Thomas, Dynevor Road. This gallant soldier has served for a considerable length of time at Salonica. Priv. Evan Hughes, Dynevor Road, was also given a reception on Sunday evening last, the Vicar presiding. A lengthy programme was on each occasion gone through.

GORSLAS. At the Church Halh on Tuesday evening last, a reception was given to Sergts. David Davies, W. Jenkins, and D. J. Howells. The chair was taken by the Rev. A. Britten. The Vicar presented the usual gifts. lengthy programme was gone through, the contributo r- being Masters Gwilym Morgan and Ivor Hughes, Misses J. Polston, B. Williams, M. Jones, Mrs. Gibbon, and Messrs. Jones and Gwilym Evans. The accompanist was Mr. D. W. Hughes, T.C.L. An eisteddfod was held -at the Church Hall on Thursday evening last, under the presidency of Mr. John Davies. The adjudi- cators were Messrs. Luther Davies, A.C., Blaenau (music), and Evan Davies, Gorslas (literature). Mr. D. W. Hughes, T.C.L., was the accompanist. The chief winners were the Gorslas Music Lovers, Messrs. W. J. Davies. Ivor Evans, Tom Morris, Percy Hughes; Handel Hughes, Misses Doris Lloyd, L. M. Lloyd, Gwenny Lewis, Jenny Hughe? Annie Pugh. and Maggie Davies. The pro- ceeds were in aid of the local Sailors' and Soldiers' Reception Fund.

LLANDOVERY. I We regret to learn of the indisposition of the Vicar (the Rev. D. Edmondes Owen), who is laid up with a chill. A number of workers on the Llanwrda road, which is now under repair, came out on strike recently. We hear that matters are now practically settled. Mrs. Nicholas, wife of Councillor John Nicholas, Central Drug Stores, presented several local heroes with gifts, on behalf of the townspeople, at the Cinema Hall on Friday evening. Lee.-Corpl. George Wright, R.W.F., a brother of Miss Wright, 10, Queen Street, has returned- to his unit. This gallant soldier was for about four years a prisoner in the hands of the Germans. A social evening was held with the patients at the Red Cross Hospital on Saturday even- ing last. Dancing was indulged in until a late hour. A most enjoyable evening was spent. Tjte discharged soldiers from the dis- trict were, at the express wish of the matron (Mrs. Anthony), invl: 1. At a meeting of the local branch of Dis- charged and Demobilised Sailors' and Sol- diers' Federation, Mr. T. J. Thomas, of the National Provincial Bank, was appointed treasurer in succession to Mr. J. W. Brown, who is leaving the town. It was also decided to invite Mr. Frederic Thomas to carry on the duties of secretary to the branch until a substitute could be found.

LLANDILO. I A tea was given to the members or the Capel Newydd Band of Hope, and also the children of our sailors' and soldiers families by an unknown donor an friend of the Tem- perance Cause to celebrate the signing of the armistice. About 235 children sat down to tea. At the close, the usual votes of thanks were recorded. Councillor David Morgan, of the White Horse Hotel, Llandilo, who for 25 years has most efficiently fulfilled the post of organist to the Caledfwlch Parish Church, played for the last time last Sunday week prior to his retirement. He is succeeded by Mr. W. D. Griffiths, Greenfield House, Llandilo, son of ex-Inspector Phillip Griffiths. The ordinary meeting of the Ebenezer Baptist Young People's Guild was held on Tuesday evening of last week. Mr. Chas. Jenkins, Oxford House, occupied the chair, and a lengthy programme was gone through. Misses Jessie and May George, Muriel Davies Davies and L. Thomas {Council School) were responsible for the programme. The death has taken place of Miss Edith Emma Wardle, of the Cawdor Arms Hotel, Llandilo, after an i llness of several weeks' duration, at the age of 39 years. The funeral —a private one—took place' on Sunday, the 19th inst., the place of burial being Golden Grove churchyard. The chief mourners were Mrs. Wardle (stepmother) Miss Clarissa Wardle (step-sister) Mrs. ArthuT Wardle (sister-in-law) and Master Horace Wardle (nephew). The bearers were employees of the Cawdor Estate. The Rev. E. D. Aldred Williams, vicar of Golden Grove, ofifciated.

I PENYGROES. I A reception concert un-der-the auspices of the Reception Committee was held at the Penygroes Congregational Vestry, on Friday evening last. in honour of Priv. Richd. Thos. Davies, Cwmblwch, and Priv. Benj. John Davies, Pantybas. Mr. T. Morgan, M.E., Emlyn Colliery, was n the chair, and the following programme was gone through:- Selection by the Penygroes Silver Band (con- ductor, Mr. D. Williams) violin solo, Mr. D. H. Perkins; solos, Miss Alice Bowen, Miss Jennie Jones, Miss Annie Childs, Miss M. Lewis, and Mr. Harry John; storyette, Mr. D. Mainwarimg. Nurse A. M. Evans handed over the usual gifts to the soldier guests. A vote of thanks to the chairman and artistes was proposed by Mr. D. Mainwaring, and seconded by Mrs. Clutterbuck. The con- cert was concluded by singing the Welsh and English National Anthems, Mr. Harry John taking the solos.

Interesting Lecture to Allot- ment Holders. At the Y.M.C.A. Hall, Amman ford on Tuesday evening, a lecture was given on the cultivation of potatoes, the use of artificial manures, &c. The chair was taken by Mr. T. M. Evans, M.A. The lecturer, Mr. S. G. Jones, M.Sc., Aberystwyth University, said 'the wart disease was not prevalent in the soil itself. If the soil was light it could be carried from horn to horn. The germ could be carried by a person to the garden on a fork or spade. It had been known to trace wart disease in a healthy garden through the previous using of the fork or spade in diseased soil. If you don't want to lend your spade or fork to your neighbour," said the lecturer, tell them it has wart disease." It had also been known to be carried on people's boots and in par- ticles of soil. It was recognised that wart disease was common in gardens in the indus- trial centres. The people were herded to. gether, with the result that it was more easily carried. It was the worst thing out to grow potatoes in the same patch every year. It had beeen known for a second-hand plough used in an affected area in Glamorgan to carry wart disease. There is no disinfectant that will kill wart disease. Gas lime will kill it to some extent, but there was a great drawback by its use. If the allotment holder used too little it would have no effect, and by using too much there would be no crop of potatoes. There would be for the coming season some 70 or 80 varieties. They are first tried by the Board of Agriculture. King Edward and Sharp's Express take wart disease. Golden Wonder and King George were not liable to the germ. Why, it was not known. The constitution of the potato had something to do with it. The potatoes h? (the lecturer) would recommend were King George and Great Scet. The former was a grand cropping potato, but quality not very good. The latter was an all-round potato. The nature of the soil would not hinder the ideals of Great Scot. It could be grown in either heavy or light soil. The using of too much farmyard manure was not recom- mended. It had been proved that farmyard manure breathed all kinds of germs, and it was advisable to use only half quantities. The Ally was a more recent potato, and had been grown on the special farms of the Board of Agriculture. The potato to keep the blight entirely away was the Shamrock. With reference to the using of artificial manures, the speaker said that it would be preferable to use farmyard manure with it. Sulphate of ammoniia gave nitrogen. It had, however, a tendency of forcing the potato to grow a tall horn. It could be used at the rate of 3 cwts. to the acre. Nitrogen created growth and forced the potato. It was not a feeding manure. Superphosphate contained phos- pherous. It was advisable to use this again in quantities of 3 cwts. to an acre. This arti- ficial manure helped to produce quality. Growers were advised not to use basic slag and superphosphate together. The former could be used for heavy soil. It was recom- mended, to produce good crops, to have a little distance between drills. The ideal d;s- tance would be 27 to 30 inches. For culti- vation Scot seed was recommended to be used, and it was always to the grower's advantage to sprout the seed first. They should earth the potatoes on two occasions. The usual votes of thanks were accorded at the close.

Forthcoming Events. [All forthcoming events which are adver- tised in the Chronicle, or for which printing is done at our Works in Quay Street, Amman- ford, will be included in the following list.] reb. o-o.—r^ubiic Hall, Gwaun-cae-gurwen: Three performances of the Operetta, "May- Day in Welladay, by the Tabernacle (C wmgorse) Children' s Choir. Feb. 12.-Palace Theatre, Ammanford: Repeat Performance of The Magic. Key" by Bettws Juvenile Choir. Feb. 13-15.-Public Hall, Gwaun-cae- gurwen: Grand performance of ttie Welsh I l i on. drama, Maesymeillion." Feb. 18-20.-English Congregational Church, 9 Brynamman: Three performances of the Operetta, Playmates," by the Band of Hope Choir. Feb. 20.-Carmel Chapel, Gwaun-cae- gutwon: Grand Organ Recital. Feb. 25 & 26.-Alpha Cinema, Brynamman: Grand Victory Concerts by the Brynamman Ladies' Choir. Feb. 26.—Palace Theatre, Ammanford: Grand Concert by Ammanford and District Choral Society. Mar. 1.—Gwynfryn Chapel, Ammanford: Grand Competitive Concert. April 22.-Carmel Chapel, Gwaun-cae- gurwen: Grand Eisteddfod.

Llandilo Rural District Council. Mr. J. Richards, the Chairman, presided I over the monthly meeting of this body, which I was held on Saturday. WATER PIPES EXTENSION. I The Engineer reported "he had prepared a plan of the proposed second line of pipes from the junction at Glynhir to Blaenau Road junction. He prepared a similar plan in 1913. The estimated cost then was 13,000. It would now be double. The matter was referred to the Water Committee. AMMANFORD URBAN EXTENSION. I Mr. D. Thomas, Surveyor to the Amman. I ford Urban Council, submitted a plan of the proposed boundary extension. The new boundary line has been fixed tentatively. The Councils whose interests are affected are Llandilo Rural D'strict Council, in respect of Llandebie Parish and Lower Bettws; Llan- elly Council, in respect of a part of Llanedy; jjprL 4he->ontardaw« Council, in respect of part of Garnswllt. Mr. David Davies said that the end of it would be that they would include all the collieries at Llandebie. Mr. J. Bevan said that one Ammanford gentleman had said that a small extension would not be sufficient to appreciably lower the rates. The intention at Ammanford was to extend as far as they could where it was to their advantage and this Council's dis- advantage. Resolutions had been passed at Penybank and Saron that they should resist to the utmost the inclusion of that part of Llandebie in the scheme. In reply to questions, the Surveyor said it was proposed to take the whole of Lower Bettws. Mr. Bevan said Ammanford was taking a mean advantage. It was evident that what they proposed doing was to take away the industrial portions, from which the greatest benefit was to be derived. If they (Llan- debie) were going to lose such a portion of their property, all public work would stop at once. It was their duty to oppose such a scheme, and he moved accordingly so far as it affected this Council. Mr. W. Williams seconded. Mr. D. Glyn Jenkins seconded, because it affected a portion of Bettws. Exactly the same thing happened in connection with the formation of the Cwmamman urban area. They took away the industrial part of the parish—the most valuable—and left the agri- cultural part to itself. The motion was carried. INCREASE OF SALARIES. I On the recommendation of the Roads Com- mittee, the salary of Mr. Myrddin Griffiths, Surveyor, was advanced by £ 40. A recommendation that the two other Sur- veyors should receive war bonuses according to the recommendation of the Local Govern- ment Board was adjourned so that it might be considered at the next meeting. A similar course was adopted in respect to an application from Dr. W. A. T. Lloyd, Medical Officer of Health, who said he had received no increase since his appointment in f905. THE HOUSING SCHEME. The following resolution was moved by Mr. W .Williams re the housing scheme:— That, in the opinion of this Council, the Government should become entirely respon- sible for all financial deficiencies in the work- ing of the scheme, and that provision be made in. the scheme for occupiers to purchase houses, under the scheme on terms similar to those of the SmaH Dwellings Acquisition Act." Mr. Williams said that since the last meeting of the Council they had taken the Housing Scheme into careful consideration in the parish of Llandebie. It was first of all put before that Parish Council, and as a result a series of public meetings were held throughout the parish. At all these meetings resolution swere passed almost unanimously objecting to the scheme. In one case at Llandebie they decided to adjourn the meet- ing, but he believed the feeling of the meet- ing there was rather against it. The great objection to the scheme was that the Govern- ment made itself responsible for only 75 per cent. of the deficiency in the working of the scheme. The ratepayers .didn't think they should be saddled with the other 25 per cent., especially the section who had gone to the expense of building houses of their own. They had nothing to guide them as to how much this 25 per cent. would come to. If they knew it would not exceed a few pence in the i, the objection would not be so strong. Another objection was as to the re-valuation after seven years. It was pos- sible that the deficiency would be put on the Local Authorities. The strongest objection of all was that there was no provision whereby the occupiers could become owners. They felt that the Government should, like Provi- dence, help those who helped themselves. The ideal and natural was that every man should be lord of his own castle. Another objection was that houses belonging to public badies would attract the most undesirable class of tenants-those who roamed from one place to another—and the lack of responsi- bility by such tenants for the damage or destruction of property. They would not look after them properly. The most objec- tionable feature in thickly populated localities was that where they lived under such schemes the tendency was to draw there the thriftless an most unsettled portion of the people. One of the benefits of the scheme should be- which it did not-to afford security of tenure. There ought to be some limit to the responsibility of Local Authorities in the deficiency, and there should be provisions whereby they might become owners. He was convinced that in the making of thrifty, con- tented citizens the strongest factor was the ownership of their own houses. Feeling that he could become the owner of his dwelling, a careless man often became thrifty. Nothing was so valuable in uplifting a man as to be the owner of a house, with, if possible, a little land attached. A very large number i i lived in their own houses ,n the industrial parts of West Waks, which, on the admis- sion of the Local Government Inspector, was different in this respect to other industrial centres; and if the demand for ownership existed as it did in West Wales, it was only natural that they should expect the Govern- ment to make provisions to suit such districts. If thqy had the assistance of other Councils, he felt that they would succeed in getting these provisions included in the scheme. There was one redeeming feature in the scheme. It gave power to acquire land. The absence of such power in the past had been one of the greatest obstacles to building in the4 localities. The best thing that could possibly happen would be to get leasehold enfranchisement. He held that there would be no scarcity of houses in this country if I people had power to borrow money for the purpose at a moderate rate of* interest. He suggested improving the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, and extending the period of repayment from 30 to 60 years. The 75 per cent. pjgvided under the scheme to meet deficits should be allotted by the Government for that purpose until something of the sort he had indicated was provided. They had a clear mandate from Llandebie Parish to have nothing to do with the scheme. Mr. Gomer Harries seconded. He said there was a cryiag need for houses in Quarter- bach, where 80 per cent. owned- their own houses. They had at present no foundation on which to build houses, and he thought the motion of Mr. Williams should be sent to the Local Government Board. Mr. J. Bevan supported, and endorsed what Mr. Williams had said. The motion was carried. LLANDILO-LAMPETER LIGHT RAIL- WAY. Mr. John Jones brought under consideration the proposed Light Railway from Llandilo to Lampeter, and gave the history of past efforts for its construction. He hoped they would do all they could to get what they could from the Government for its construction, and moved that pressure be brought on the Govern- ment in the matter, and directing their atten- tion to the great need that existed for such mode of transport. Mr. David Thomas seconded, and the motion was carried.

Brynamman Presentation. I COLLIERY CLERK HONOURED. I A most happy event was held at the Farmers' Arms Hotel, Brynamman, on Satur- day evening last, when Mr. Archie Williams, Garnant, who has discharged the duties cf clerk and bank foreman at the Amman Col- liery, Brynamman, for the last twelve years, was made the recipient of an excellent address and a purse of gold by the employers and employees on his departure to take up similar duties at home, viz., Raven Colliery, Gar- nant. The gifts were handed over by Mr. Rd. James, Brynffynnon, Brynamman, who spoke in eulogistic strains of the stering quaities of Mr. Williams, and the great loss his leaving meant to them all. During his tenure of office at the Amman Colliery he had won general esteem, being a very kind, impartial and dutiful official, always ready to do his utmost for all concerned. Whenever a misunder- standing or dispute arose, Mr. Williams would soon put matters right. He had known him, continued the speaker, for a great many years, but he had nothing but expressions of respect an4 appreciation to voice as to his characteristics. He hoped that he would con- tinue to win the esteem of his fellow-workmen at the Raven. Mr. Williams briefly and suitably acknow- ledged the valuable gifts and kind remarks of Mr. James. Mr. Edwin Isaac, the secretary of the movement, and checkweigher at the colliery concerned, spoke in a similar strain to the Chairman, and expressed his real sorrow and regret that Mr. Williams was leaving. Mr. Daniel Thomas, Tymawr, Gwaun-cae- gurwen, also addressed the meeting, and en- dorsed the sentiments of the previous speakers. Mr. S. Williams, A.R.A.M., A.V.C.M., presided at the pianoforte, and gave a selec- tion to- open proceedings. Songs were given by Messrs. Freddie Morgan and David Stephens, F.T.S.C., Cwmllynfell, whef gave a clever imitation of the bee. Mr. Brinley Williams indulged in a little mimicry, which was greatly enjoyed, and along with Tom Wyn Williams sang penillion, which were loudly encored. Mr. Steve Jones gave a splendid pianoforte solo. The able bard and litterateur, Mr. Rhys Jones (Cwerydd), gave a splendid speech, and finished off with a fine string of penillion composed for the occasion (which appear below). Mr. Leyshon Thomas also gave a song in good style, Mr. Thomas Morgan, M.E., manager of the colliery, who was unable to attend, was represented by his son, Mr. J. Lloyd Morgan. The president of the evening was Mr. Dan T. Hughes, who at the outset dealt with the purport of the meeting and the worthy guest of the assembly. He was also treasurer of the movement. The proceedings were brought to a close with the singing of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." Following are the verses composed and read by Cwerydd:— GWOBRWYO CAREDIGRWYDD. I Gwaith hawdd i ddyn yw llunio can Pan gaffo destyn diddan, Ac awen fyw sy'n mynd ar dan Uwchben rhyw wrthrych eirian; A llawer bardd ddifyra'i hun Uwch ceinion teg y cread, A dirfawr swyn yw moli dyn Sy' n gloywi ei gymeriad. Bid farvf-r hwn a fynno glod," Fynega-hen ddiareb; Teilyngach help gaiff gwr o nod Trwy'i ganmol yn ei wyneb. Faint gwell yw dyn tan glo y bedd 0 gael ei werthfawrogi? I Rhoi parch i ddyfi tra'n iach ei wedd Yw'r ffordd i'w wir sirioli. Mae gweithwyr Pencraig heno'n 'nghyd, A pharch trwy'u bronnau'n fflamio At wr lesola'i gylch a'i fyd, A Chymro cywir drwyddo. Aruchel yw yn serch y wlad, Mae pawb yn hoff o Archie; Ei galon sydd heb rith o frad, 0 A'i fotto yw I fyny." Un hawddgar ydyw wrth ei waith, A manwl ei gyfrifon Tra'n gwneud ei orchwyl flwyddi maith, Uniondeb lywiai'i galon. j Gwasanaeth roes am dymor hir Yn ffyddlon iawn i'r Cwmni, A dangos wnaeth hynawsedd pur I flacks yr Amman Valley. Mae'n cadw'i hun fel Cymro glan, Heb falchder yn ei rodiad Mae ï barch i bawb yn ddiwahan Yn addurn i'w gymeriad. Wrth law y Cwmni oedd o hyd, A gwas i'r cyfranddalwyr I Er hynny, parod oedd bob pryd I gynorthwyo' r gweithwyr. El garedigrwydd lawer pryd Hwylusodd. waith y Pwyllgor; Offrymai ef a llawen fryd Bob help a fedrai hebgor. Cyflawnai ef drwy'1 natur bles Ein cais mewn cydgord iach v Ac weithian cofio'i werth a'i les Mae gwyr y Bwli Bach. I Fan hyn yn lion yn hwyr y dydd Cyflwynwn wallet ;ddo A'r aur geir ynddi' arv.-y JJ sydd 0 serch ein calon ato. Wrth fynd on plith i Swyddfa'r Inn Ac arall gylch i weithio, Dymunwn iddo fywyd gwyn, A nawdd y Nefoedd drosto.

BRYNAIlON MINISTER HONOURED. I It was announced on Sunday evening at Gibea Chapel, Brynamman, that the pastor, the Rev. W. D. j-, 0 had had conferred upon him by the King the honour of Honorary Chaplain for services rendered during the war as chairman of the Fc-fugee Com- mittee and participant a' reception concerts. Several r,pol;5 relative to the privilege thus received, and congratulations were voiced.

PALACE, Ammanford. TO-NIGHT & FRIDAY at 7.38. SATURDAY at 8.30 & 9. The Great Racing Film Drama— THEY'RE OFF SPECIAL COMEDY- BUTCHER'S BOY. Featuring FATTY. Coming Feb. 20th, J. F. YOUNGE'S Star Pantomime, (30 ARTISTES) j ROBINSON CRUSOE.

[ We wish oar correspondents to kindly state their opinions and gioe their facts as clearly and tersely as possible. Space is limited, and while We are desirous of giving every- one an opportunity to air his views, we must ask for considerable curtailment in I the communications.-ED. I I

MIDWIFERY. I To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle, I Sir,—Kindly allow me the opportunity to protest against the unwarranted attitude taken by one signing himself Pro Bono Publico in last week' s issue of your popular journal re the above profession. I understand that the purport of the letter written by the trained qualified midwife concerned was simply to acquaint the general public of a fact which she thought they were entitled to know. Why should" Pro Bono Publico impute to her the unhealthy ambition of claiming all honours passes my understanding. Nobody wants to deny the creditable services rendered by others in this line, but certainly the liberty of making public announcements is a principle that should be defended without running the risk of thoughtless persons making unkind imputations.— Yours, &c., LOVER OF FAIRPLAY. I

THE NATIONAL EGG COLLECTION I FOR THE ROUNDED. I To the Editor, Amman Valley *Chronicle, I Sir,—The Executive Committee of the National Egg Collection for the Wounded have decided to bring their work to a con- clusion at the end of March next, but, before doing so, propose to make one final. Lie appeal to the sympathies of the public for the wounded men still remaining in the hos- pitals and the repatriated prisoners, who are being supplied with new-laid eggs through the Collection. The demands for eggs from these sources still continue to be reiy con- siderable, amounting to over 200,000 eggs we, ly, but the Committee recognise that their appeals cannot continue indefinitely, and they therefore express the hope that the public will enable them to bring their labours to a creditable conclusion by making this last appeal "%i bumpjpg success. Eggs are still very difficult to obtain,, but. if cash is seat they can be purchased. The Committee take this opportunity of thanking you, Sir, for the consistent generosity with which you have placed your space at their disposal during the last four years, even in times of greatest pressure, and the success that has attended the efforts of the Collec- tion in distributing as gifts to the wounded over forty-one millions of eggs to date is due in no little measure to the publicity that vou have so patriotically and sympathetically given to the needs of our wounded heroes.— Yours faithfully, F. CARL, I Hon. Director.

ANARCHY OR DEMOCRACY? To the Edutor, Amman Valley Chronicle. Sir, A Workman," in his reply to my recent letter in your columns, contends that I did not answer his arguments. If you will recollect, his chief argument was that the Labour Party cry of Labour versus Capitalism was simply intended to mislead the people. In my reply I dealt with that question, and, inasmuch as he does not dis- pute any of my contentions, I presume he is satisfied on that point. In his letter last week he fires at me half-a-dozen questions about the attitude ef I.L.P. orators and their say- ings. As I said in my previous letter, Labour demands an International Court of Justice, which means not only the trial of the criminals of one side, but an International Inquiry on the conduct of Kings, Emperors, Statesmen, Generals, Profiteers, &c., during the war and before it. But more than anything, else, Labour demands the abolition of the pernicious system that causes war. The punishment of the men who fight in the war will not stop further wars. We want to get the roots out of this evil system, that allows a handful of men to set twenty millions of men at each others' throats. The hanging of the Kaiser will not stop further wars, though I may say I have no objection to this being done; but we must remember that we have almost as many Kaisers as Germany to hang, and justice, like charity, begins at home. So long as we have capitalists, international financiers and wirepullers, secret diplomacy and secret Treaties, so long shall we as a people suffer war and the consequent tragedies war involves. To find the real source of this r we must search further back than 1914; and I may say that this, more than anything else, is the real crime of the I.L.P.-ites which "A Workman so heartily denouncds. I think he will admit that every one of the atrocities he cites is the direct outcome of war; in fact, acts of war. That is the-one indisputable fact which all the theories, assumptions and assurances of the capitalist politicians and Press cannot alter. As I have just said, we are out to abolish the cause of War. That ideal will never be attained by hanging, shoot- ing or lynching the men who helped in that cause. If the system is allowed to continue, that system is sure to find adherents. History will repeat itself. As it has been in the patf, so will it be again in the future. We cannot expect new fruit from the old roots. Let us be reasonable; let us be logical; let us face the facts for what they are worth. Then it will be easier to deal with the issues. As a member of the I.L.P. myself, I h&ve no objection to bringing everyone who had any responsibility whatsoever in every one of the atrocities mentioned in "A Workman' s letter (together with the perpetrators of some of the horrors I cited in my last letter), and punished according to his crimes. That is my view of reason, justice, and revenge. How far the starving of German babies will help to destroy Prussian militarism, I really cannot say. Perhaps this is one of the things that only the Coalitionists can understand. The last phase of your letter, A Work- man," I will pass over with the remark that if half the ink and energy wasted in trying to humiliate these men were spent in more prac- tical purposes against such enemies as crime, vice, disease and want. I have no hesitation in saying that progress would be a few cen- turies farther down the pike." A Work- man should also remember that we have such a thing as vested prejudice," which our politicians are so very much afra,c. of.- Yours, &c., SOCIALIST.

Ammanford Burning Fatality A child aged two years was burnt to death at Ammanford on Monday evening last. It appears that the mother had left the house for a few minutes with the intention of hang- ing clothes up to dry, leaving the little one with an older child playing in the house. Hearing screams, Mrs. Gould, a neighbour, rushed into the house, and found the child enveloped in flames. She, with the aid of the mother, extinguished them, but not before shocking burns had been received, from which effect the little one died. The deceased was the son of Mrs. Francis, 8, Field Street. The father, Mr. Eben Francis, was reported miss- ing some time ago. An inquest will be held co. to-day.

Carmarthenshire Cinemas. At a meeting of the Carmarthenshire County Council held at Llanelly on Wed- nesday, Mr. T. P. Jones, Llanelly, referring to cinemas, expressed the opinion that they were in a very unhealthy condition. He was one of a deputation who had made a visit of inspection, and suggested some sort of tem- porary arrangement for improving the venti- lation. That, however, was not good enough, and he moved that an expert should visit the cinemas and submit a scheme for compelling the owners to carry out improvements in regard to ventilation and other matters before their licences were renewed. Aid. W. Griffiths, Llanelly, seconded, and said some of the cinemas were exceedingly unsatisfactory. The motion was carried, and the County Architect was directed to inspect the cinemas.

LLANDILO-LAMPETER RAILWAY. At a meeijdg held yesterday of the Execu- tive Committee of the Cardiganshire Farmers' Union, at Lampeter, it was decided to sup- port the agitation for a railway from Lam- peter to-Llandilo, and delegates were ap- pointed to attend the conference.

To the INHABITANTS OF THE DISTRICT. Please NOTE THAT MARTIN L. EDWARDS (Member of the National Association of Master Monumental Sculptor., Has OPENED A BUSINESS AS MONUMENTAL SCULPTOR and STONECUTTER, Opposite Christian TempleChapgl, High St., AMMANFORD. In the meantime (until a Residence is acquired), please call with Mr. Rees Jones, Cabinet Maker, for all information. I