South Wales Weekly Post

SWANSEA MER- CHANTS • YEAR'S WORK ON EXCHANGE. COAL SUPPLIES AND LABOUR. The annual report of the Swansea Cham- ber of Commerce, presented at the annual meeting on Friday, detailed in extenso the work that had ben accomplished during the pear under the various heads. The follow- to g is a resume — Trade After, the War. This subject hat; occupied a good deal of Ola attention of the Clianiber during t'he year. It was also the principal question con- sidered at the annual. meeting of the associa- tion. The op'.niou was almost unanimous that measures should be concerted between the Allies to prevent enemy countries ex- ploiting our markets after the war, even to the extent of introducing protective import duties should these be found desirable. Technical College. I It has for many years beo"J1 the desire of all classes in the town to advance the stand- ing of the Technical College and to increase its usefulness. With a view to this end a Development Committee was formed, on which the Chamber appointed Messrs. H. Goldberg, J.P., and E. P..Jones as its re- presentatives. The committee has been very ':t active in bringing the claims of the college before the Education Authorities with the object of getting it recognised as a Con- stituent College of the University of Wales, with powers to qualify student for degrees and to place the college on a sound financial basis an Endowment Fund of nearly L100,000 has been guaranteed by the prin- cipal manufacturers and merchants of the town and district. Much cf the credit for this magnificent fund is due to his Worship the Mayor (Aid. David Davies) who has thrown himself hea-rt and soul into the work, which it is hoped will very shortly be crowned with success. Coal SuDDltes to France and Italy. The names of Messrs. T. P. Cook (chair- man). C. E. Cleeve6 (vice chairman), and A. W. E. Wynne are mentioned in connection with the French coal exports limitation scheme. Owing to the shortage of tonnage in recent months the district has only shipped about 50 per cent, of the quantity alloted to it. It is interesting to state that of the vessels employed in the coal trade about 85 per cent. are neutral-owned. The secretary of the Chamber (Mr. H. J. Mar- shall) is secretary of the local committee. The system of control and limitation of i.es and freights wa3 extended to Italy, to this has been far from successful, as since the limitation of freights came into force on October 30th chartering by usual exporters has been practically non-existent, and the scheme can hardly continue on the present basis. Labour. The shipping section, referring to the re- cent labour disputes, states: "It has been granted representation on the Board of the Swansea Employers' Association (which deals with inward cargoes, etc.), in co- operation with which disputes are now dealt with under more reasonable conditions through a Disputes Board, and the risks of sudden sta-ikes have been reduced to a minimum. If labour could be brought to recognise that its leaders' signature to an agreement carries with it the responsibility of honourably carrying out that agreement then a great stride forward would have been made, and it ok gratifying at the close of 1916 to say this seems to be in a fair -way of being realised. A general carp section has grown out of this section, and the two work in co-operation. "There U a looseness about the costs of discharging deals, etc., which necessitates a proper agreement defining tariff rates, and tjlis is receiving attention."

I COULD HARDLY BE- 1;h LIEVE HIS EYES." -SWANSEA DETECTIVE AND I THE FIREMAN. For mdecent exposure in De-]a.Bhe.1 street on Tnursday afternoon, with intenti to insult females, Edward Riley, fireman, vvaa sent to prison for three months at owarasea Police Court on Fridav B?ecttTe-Inepector HaySe gave e\;dence of defendant's conduct, which he witnessed £ ov z£ n hui? s (witness's) front bedroom window, his house being opposite. It was eo dis- graceful that he could hardly believe his own eyes. Defendant appeared "like a madman. ,Writf?tDCe was also given by P'°* (56) ,Wright. Chairman said the case was a very bad one indeed, and one they would not like to pass any remarks on. Sppt. Roberts said that D?erou, com- plaints had been received from this district in regard to this kind of offence.

CROWDED AUDIENCE I ENJOY ENTERTAINMENT AT I CLYDACH. The crowded audience at the Church RaJl, Cljdaeh. were gnven a rare treat on Thurs- day night, when the Swansea Naval Brigade bonder Oommodon* Lieut. Rodgens) and the Second bwanf>ea Valley Boy Soout, Troon fScoutmaster C. C. Leopold) gave an excel- lent miøcellaneous entertainment,. The obair was occupied by Commissioner Henry N. Mlers, who extended a hearty welcome to the young patriots. The programme was most interesting and varied, the boys performing the drills and exercises with the precision of veterans. The vocal and instrumental items were well received. The brigade band. consisting ? 36 mstrumentalist?, delighted the MMUenoe with their excellent selections, Mdm'Km credit is due to Bandmaster Riddiford. The Boy 800m bu?Iera also dis- 'tini8J1ed themllel, The tit-bit of the evening was the production of a dramatio I ekptob, entitled A Brother's Devotion," written and produced under the personal j' supervision of Mr. W. A. Mines. The sketch was well acted, and the various camp scenes were shown with remarkable realism. The following artistes contributedOomio song, Mr. Barry: song, Master Savage; signal iii. structor. Mr Botcher. The proceeds were divided between the fnnds of the Naval Brigade and the Scout Troop.

LICHTS ON MOTOR-CARS. 1 Bernard Thornect, commercial traveller, and Edward Bromley Hall Bassett, were at Swansea on Thursday suntmoiled for driving motor-oars withc.ut properly obscur- ing lights in acetylene la*npe.—Evidence •was given by Inspector Bowen. -Thornet'. said he took the lamps on the car to be fixed according to the Act. The space of clear glass was only an inch, but when the in- spector told him it wasn't right he went and had it rectified again.—Case dismissed on payment of costs.—Bassett admitted the offence, and said he thought the lamps i were in order.—This case was also dismissed I on payment of costs.

BELCIANS AT LLANELLY. I The B-lgiari Relief Committee at Llaneily have presented the hon. secretary (Mr. Woolley) with a lilver cigarette boy, the presentation being made by Lady Howard. Regret was expressed at the fact that Mr. Woolley was relinquishing the office.

LOOK TO YOUR • FIRE PROTECTION I AJTD TO MERRYWEATHERS' POB FIRE EXTINGUISHING SUPPLIES. Inspections carried out by thoroughly drilled and trained Fire Inspectors. "London Made" Fire Hose, Hand Fire Pumps, Chemical Extractors, and Fire Sseapes, ready for immediate delivery. MERRYWEATHER & SONS, <8, Loys AcitN, (;xxjiymcjl <

I POTATO POINTS. I HINTS TO SWANSEA ALLOTMENT MEN. -i I USEFUL WRINKLES FOR PLANTERS. Allotment holders turned up in force at Friday evening's iectare at the Swansea Public Library by Mr. A. K. Drummoiid, who for over an hour dilated on the cultiva- tion of the 'homely spud" in a practical way, And even then admitted that he had not- exhausted his subject. Counci lor J. H. Lee .(chairman of the Parks and Open Spa.cea Committee) presided. Mr. Drummond said that the war, hor- rible as it was, would leave behind it many useful lessons. especially in regard to the cultivation of the land. and so they would get back to the land they had &o long neglected. ?Hear, hear.) The potato .could be grown and made productive by any person who had a small garden or allot- ment. There were 7C0 known varieties of the potato family, but only six were tuber bearing. Pot itoes from seed and from seed potatoes wert; quite distinct, and the iec- turer by means of lantern slides explained the difference. Practic-al men recom- mended seed potatoes of about the si ée of an egg as the best, and Mr. Dnmmoad em- pha,s,ed the importance of careful selection. As a rule the round potato belonged to the late variety, and the kidney or oval ones to t,he earlier ort. Large seed potatoes oouid be sliced, but care should be taiken that sufficient bodv M left to protect the eye. He recommended cutting such i>otatoes lengthwise. The strongest growth of the tuber was from the nose, and as to cutting out the eyes lor planting, Mr. Dru-niioiid said that it was possible, but unless people had the facilities in the shape of hot-beds, greenhouses, frames, etc., it was impracticable, and the best, plan was to leave the practice alone. Generally speaking, the best quality pota- toes were grown in the open field, and he felt that at the present time the farmer who could grow sufficient for the needs of a nation needed much more encouragement than he got. (Hear, hear.) The Swansea Corporation had, however, provided nu- merous allotments, and they were under the splendid supervision of the Allotments Com- mittee. whilst he DID NOT THTNK THERE WAS BETTER LAND. I iA the country for potato growing Si pos- sible permanent allotments should be se- cured. so that the work might be continued from year to year with increasing satisfac- tion. Holders should provide tnemselves with a pair of clogs and a mackin- tosh, as personal health was the first consideration and the chief tool was the spade. The provision of fchooi gardens needed encouragement in Swansea, as practical gardening wAs as useful as physical culture or scientific botany. Orgnnie manures were the best when ob- tainable, and he suggested three loads with 3cwts. of superphosphates, or basic slilg to escii 10 perch piot, whilst the quantity jf lime should be from two to four bushels if the land was sleepy" or heavy. Potato*? should be planted about 2ft. apart, arId if the drills were made 21ft. apart cabbage could be interplanted, and thus provide an additional crop -after the potatoes 'Cre I dug. Disease needed wat-chuig an? treat- ment. These were amongst many practical sugge"tions made, and in the course of the lecture Mr. Diummond paid Mr. James Harris, of the Blackpill Nurseries, the com- pliment of saying that he had produced the Sir John and Lady Llewelyn varieties, which were remarkable for their cropping properties, and ranked amongst the readiest sought n fter in commerce. Mr. Drummond was heartily thanked for his timely lecture. ——————————————

THE VOLUNTEERS. I TERRITORIAL A. SSOCIATION'S, TASK. TO PEYELQP .IfEE., NEW I I. FORCE. Important announcements regarding the future of the Territorial Force were made on Friday by Lord Derby, Secretary for War, at a. meeting of chairmen and secretaries of the Territorial Force Associations at the Middlesex Guildhall. He stated that :— It is to be made easier for Territorial officers, to reach the higher commands. The Director-G eneral is not to be abol- ished, and the Territorial privileges and rights will be maintained. The Territorial Force will be reorganised and strengthened after the war. Associations will play an important part in demobilisation. Lord Derby, on the Volunteers, said — "The Territorial Force has fulfilled its obligation to defend these shores by sending aji army across the water," he said, but it idees snot follow that we do not require a large force at home for the purpose of re- sisting any invasion that the enemy may con- template. We will not discuss the likeli- hood or unlikelihood of such an invasio.n, but I am sure you will agree with me that we would be nearly as ill-advised as we were before the war if we did not prepare for such an emergency. In the Volunteer Force I .believe we have the nucleus of a force that will ad- mirablv fulfil this duty. We Want every avattabte man who Can stand lighting overseas to take part in that fighting but there are men at home who. for reasons of age and infirmity, are una.ble to do this, but who are only too ready to play their part in the defence bf this country in case of invasion. I want you, just as you created the Territorial Force as a home defence force and handed it over to the nation as part and parcel of the Expeditionary Force, to assist in every way in your power in creating a new force to j take its place at home and to keep your I organisation in working order, so that when j peace comes thea? Volunteers wiU disappear, and back to yon will come the Territorial Force for you to reorganise, strengthen, and support on an extended basis."

ALL AVAILABLE LAND Being Taken Up at Briton Ferry. Briton Ferry District Council met on Thursday evening, Mr. J. Thomas presid- ing. The Surveyor reported/that 230 applica- tions had been received for allotments in the town, and everything for the letting and pegging out of the spots was nearly com- 1 pleted. All available land was being taken up, and the Surveyor was authorised to order from the County Council 20 tons of seed potatoes, and the gas manager the artificial manures and white lime, which holders of allotments will be able to obtain at easy prices. The Surveyor reported that great diffi- culty had been experienced in obtaining sup- plies of road materials even at a consider- ably increased cost. The quotation of Messrs. Merryweather and Co. of JE280 for a new boiler with tubes for the fire engine was accepted. Labour Bureau Wanted. Mr. Hill, in proposing that the Council apply to the authorities for a Labour Bureau to be established in the tovn, said that the nearest bureau at present was at Neath, and he considered that, as Briton Ferry was a big centre of industry, they should have a Labour Bureau in the town. COUJl. Gethin seconded, and it was de- cided that the application be made.

PROPERTY DAMAGED." I A correspondent of the Eastern Daily Press" (Norwich) says :—The Suffolk coast was bombarded between eleveil and twelve o'clock on Thursday night. Seven or eight shots were fired 'and some property was daan aged-

There are aJreadv over one hundred appli- cations for allotments under the Cultivation of Lands Order at Resolven. There is a possibility of the local oricket ground being handed over for allotment purposes. Barcla.y's Bank are opening a branch at Swansea.

I FIGHTING THE U" I BOATS. THE ADMIRALTY'S ASSURANCE. DEPUTATION PLEASED WITH INFORMATION. The First Lord of the Admiralty received a deputation from the Executive Committee of the Navy Lo.-gue on Friday. Sir Edward Carson was accompanied by the First Sea. Lord, and the. Navy League deputation con- sisted of Mr. Peto, M.P., Mr. A. Shirley Benn, M.P., Mr. Rupert Gvvvnne, M.P., Capt. A. H. Burgoyne, M.P., Admiral the Hon. Sir E. R. Fremantle, Colonel F. A. Lucas, Col. Grant-Morden, and Mr. P. J. Hannon. Mr. Peto and Mr. Shirley Benn submitted on behalf of the Navy League certain propo- sitions red-ting to German submarine activ- ity, i:1 support of an appeal for more vigor- ous TrE, sures of repression. The First Lord in a comprehensive reply described in general terms the measures which had been adopted by the Admiralty to counteract the operation? of fne-my sub- marines, and his statement was supported by Admiral Sir John JeMicc-e. Having heard the statements of the First I Lord and the First Sea Lord, the deputation expressed its warm appreciation of the ener- getic measures which have been adopted by the Admiralty and its satisfaction that eTery- .hing conceivable is beinsr done to cafpguard the interests of the merchant sh-pping of Great Britain and its Allies. DESTROYER THAT I DIVES. NEW GERMAN COMMERCE I RAIDER. t STOCKHOL)1. Friday. A neutral ship's officsr, who has lately been in Germany, states that the Germa.n en- gineer Groeben ha&' completed designs of a new type of commerce destroyer, uniting the qualities of the small, swift, cruiser with those of the submarine, and that experiments with models have been made from a build- ing yard in the north of Danzig. The new type of boat is stated to be pri- marily for steaming on the surface at great sped, and is to be heavily armed, so that it can approach its victims, relying on speed and g-,i-i-p.owci, instead of invisibility, but to be able to din-e apcl move under water at very low speed, when invisibility is neoes- s;.ry, on entering narrow European waters or home ports. It i?. in fact, a, submersible d,tl"'7er.- (London "Daily News" correspondei\i. ) (L,,aidon Daily

EAT SPRATS! I H PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR WINTER." PRESS BUREAU, Thursday, 7.15 p.m. ,h,? Board of Agri'u?u-e nnd Fisheries direct attention to the fact that large? catche.' of sprats are af present being ?'id?i ) by British R?hin? vessels. Although the price of sprats has risen in sympathy with the general rise in the price of food commo- dities, they are still relatively cheap. The most recent prices at Billingsgate Market ranged from 341. to 4Ad. per lb. Sprat.i have a high nutritive value, and are ri 'h in oil. and ,'I'C therefore particularly suitable for a winter food. It is desirable, therefore, that consumers should take ad- vantage of the present u bunonnce. (Note.—Priccs of sprats in Swansea and district range frcm 2!d. to 4d., according to supplies.)

TO DRAW LOTS FOR PLOTS. i LLANELLY. ALLOTMENT ACTIVITY AT I At LlaneHv TowD'Hall a meeting took 1 pla?e of those whc, pave taken allotments at Capel. Mr. H. S. Fdley in the chair. Mr. Hill, the Corporation expert, was present. The members decided to form themselves into a society to be known as the Capel Allotment Society, which would, with 'the expert advice available, work the plots and control the interests of the holders, Mr. Alec Hayward was appointed secre- tary and f1. committee struck to draft rules. etc., so that a workmanlike start has been made. j The meeting decided to ask the Corpora- tion to give-the society a g-uaraiitee that the land should be available for a period of the years, with the option of a further renewal at the end of such period. I It was agreed to hold another meeting at the Town Hall at 7 o'clock on Thursday, 1st February, when the members would draw lots for their plots and decide the question of ploughing' or trenching the land. The j members present are very anxious to get to work, and have- arranged to meet Mr. Hill at Capel at i o'cic-cl-. ().,i Saturday afternoon.

WAS POPULAR AT PONTARDULAIS. After a short illness, the death took place of one of the most highly respected, popular and best-known inhabitants of Pontardulais in the person of Mr. John Bevan, Wernbwll, at the advanced age of 76. He had served, for 27 vears as stationmaster at Bynea Sta- tion. G.W.R. After being pensioned off Leo acted for several years as outside manager at the Mountain Colliery, Gbrseinon. He leaves a widow, one eon (Mr. T. J Bevan, signalman), two manned daughters, one bro- ther (who is the proprietor of the Halfway, Llaneily), and Mrs. Thomas, Brvnesi, Hendy. The funeral took place on Thurs- day at Trinity (Wesleyan) graveyard. The cortege was very large, and many ministers i took part in the service. Many wreaths) were sent. )

=. I Reply to "Jvtcko (Bryinnill).—The couple aweared as Griff and Maurice."

w "SWADDIES." I ANOTHER FINE SPECIMEN. HOW HE "RAISED THE WIND." (By Cycliste. ") The next occasion upon which I met a real bona fide swaddy was also at a rest citinp-but one of a totally different kind to that at Le Havre. This camp was situated at M——, Dot so many kilometres from the line-at any rate, you could trace the windings of the iine by the faint ribbon of green light glowing on the horizon of a n:ght, Another sigti of proximity to the front was tha,t a British "super-heavy" was mounted on the outskirts of the town. The rest camp of M—-— was certainly more cpmfortable looking than the mud- iiat we were so glad to vacate at the base, and resembicd in appearance a Kaffir kraal, except that the huts were very solidly built, although not over warm. It was one day in February, colder than usual, when I sucked patiently at a pipcluJ" of tea leaves (funds were low, and one has to do some- thing when in that heartrending, state of impecunlosity-generally described as "dead broke") thaifc I again confronted a real, genuine specimen of the genus swaddy. I was still pulling desperately at my pipe (the gift cf a paternal Corporation), when the figure presented itself before me, and with a mock serious expression gave me an elabor- ate salute. I hastily returned the salute with a? equally graceful "D and sat myself down to await the newcomer's busi- ness. The Swaddy is Broke. "Did it ever strike you 'ow nice it would be to 'ave a general's, billet when you're 'ard up, kid?'' he slild at length. I ignored the last expression and replied that no doubt it must be pleasant never to have to experience tfrfe hardship of being minus the filthy lucre in any shape. The sWaddy sat himself down alongside of me and stroked hisehin reflectively. He gazed at me inquiringly and said: "What you come down with. sonny?" "Bronchitis." I replied laconically. It's a curious thing, but when you are without the necessary you do not feel very much inclined to conversation. The swaddy, however, disregarded my uninterested air and determined on another course of cross- examination. "Like France, yc ngster ?" I stared at him despairingly and out of sheer perversity replied that I did. This gave the veteran the opportunity'he was waiting for, and he unhesitatingly termed me in a three-minute harangue, practically devoid of repetition" fourteen different kinds of liar. I quailed beneath his forceful rhetoric and suggested that I had only replied in the affirmative to hear wluit he would say. Thus mollified, the swaddy extracted a cigarette of half-smoked brand, known v, niiser, and requested the loan of a match. Having smoked the weed from an inch and a half to an inch, he replaced it in hill field dressing pocket and essayed at conversation once more. An Idea. I "Are you absolutely.ard up, chum?" he inquired. I nodded resignedly and gave up all hope of a peaceful evening beside the nic-,sroom fire. The awaddy's lace assumed a rapt expression and he meditated a space j before inviting me to make a suggestion for raising t)i c wind..1 repudiated any idea ot "tapping" anybody in the camp for the loan of a franc or .'10 because I knew, full well that everybody Kar»:probably as fnan- dally embarrassed as we were. Then the iva,s -,t.r -k by a brilliant idea. I know," he said, we'll ask the padre to stick Us a couple of francs! The audacity of the announcement com- pletely floored .me and it was some time be- fore I could bring myself to favour the old one with a contemptuous stare. The idea of "touching" a padre! I he very thought rendered me breathless, and seeing his sug- gestion ignominiously dismissed my friend once again composed himself to think of some other means whereby he could purchase Wood bines and. take a hand, at pontoon without trouble to himself. 1 knocked, the ashes from my pipe and stared moodily across t,h( camp square wishing I was back with my own lot again—anywhere from the i confounded monotony of the camp. It was a "Rest Camp." indeed, hut there was one fault I had to find with it—you had too much rest there, so much, indeed, that it made you long for a working party or a cookhouse fatigue. Think of it—nothing to do and fagless and without any prospect 01 getting any until returned for duty! My musings were disturbed by the swaddy going through his pockets madly, "i'va got it! he yelled. Got what?" I asked innocently. "The D.T.'s or hydrophobia?" The swaddy stopped his Highland ttmg to glance at me pityingly, and unfolded his wheeze for obtaining the "dibs," as he ex- pressed it, with great relish. The Climax. Why should I hesitate to bring this talc to a conclusion? Suffice it that when I WAS returned to duty some days later. I rejoined my unit bereft oi several articles of small kit, to wit, one razor, one tooth- brush, one shaving ditto, and a, tube of good shaving soap I had received in a parcel some time before. The swaddy, by a method known only to his genus, had deposed of this promiscuous collection to some guileless person just come over the Channel for the sum of three francs fifty centimes, of which sum he retained one franc seventy-five cen- j times, presumably as "auctioneer's fee." Did I mention that the swaddy succeeded in winning my hard-obtained cash from me at "brag" afterwards? He called it "brag," but to my misfortune I found that the game consisted of his always capping my king with an ace i Thereby hangs a tale. for as the days went by I grew older and wiser, and incidentally suspicious of all "swaddies."

"—'—————" CHURCH AND CHAPEL. j Joint Skewen Treat for the II Wounded. The wounded soldiers at The Laurels, Neath, were entertained by the church and chapel-fojk of Skewen on Thursday with an excellent programme which was. thoroughly enjoyed by "the heroes in blue." All admitted that it ranked asi one of the best heard at the hospital, a pleasing feature being the rendering of: pleasing '?'t'Jsh airs, composed by Mr. Tom i Jones, or better known as "Qymro Bach." Rev. J. C. Baynon, curate of Skewen, who presided, kept the audience in good humour throughout. i The following contributed to the even-: ing's treat:—Miss M. Evans, Miss May! Owen, Mrs. Bronwen Bowen, Mrs. M. A. i Lewis? Messrs. R. Evans, I). W. John, J. Wedlake, and the wel l-known Neath Abbey artiste, Mr. Lewis Jones.

■■ »' PROMINENT NEATH SHEPHERD. Councillor John Morris, one of the oldest! Shepherds in the Neath district, has been appointed Deputy Chief Shepherd of the Swansea District of the A OjS. For over 30 years Councillor Morrie has rendered valu- able services to the Ancient Order.

r.; The death has taken place of Mrs. Michael, wife of Mr. John Michael, insurance agent, I Glanyrafon-street, Pontardulais. Deceased was 61 yeirs of age and had resided there sipco 1877. The family was one ot the manv who migrated from Cwniavon to start, the Cambriaji Tinplate Works. She was a faith- I ful member of Li ban us Chapel (C.M.) where her mortal remains will be laid to rest cn Monday next. She leaves two grown up J married sons and a daughter to mourn the'r loss.

I POOLING LABOUR IN LOCAL TINPLATE WORKS. SUGGESTION AT MUNITIONS! TRIBUNAL. Sout!h West Wales Munitions Tribunal met at Swansea. Labour Exchange Oil Thursday, under the presidency of Mr. J. Vaughan Edwards. Mr. J. VV. Thorpe \\aa clerk oi the Court. A oold-roll worker in a oontrolled e8tb- lishment applied tor a leaving certificate. Evidence was given by applicant to the effect that he had to lose nine days' work in about six weeks. He had been offered em- ployment in anotlier controllerl establish- ment, and. would work six days a week there. The case was contested by line employers on the ground of shortage of labour, but the representative at this stage said he did not object to give the certificate. Chairman said that men came to that Court from the tinpiaie industry particularly owing to the irregularity of work, due to insufficient supplies oi certain material. Some tinplats works were able to give lull employment for periods, and that in order to obviate irregularity of Surplus waste of labour, 'L- I he thought it would 00 wen n I'-ie nnpidw Association oould consider some means of pooling labour, so that where one works had a full suppiy of material, liell who were net employed tully in aa adjacent works eoutd bo lent to fnlly cnjployiii works during this period. It was unfair (ce said) to prevent men, who were working irregularly and only able to earn small money, obtaining full employment elsewhere in the national in- terest. Both assessors and the representatives of the works from which applicants came fully appreciated the Chaiman s suggest ion. Another applicant applied for a certificate on similar grounds as the tlrst, and a certifi- cate was also granted.

I WIFE PAID HIM. I EASTSIDE GROCER'S ASSIST- ANT'S AFFAIRS. I SWANSEA BANKRUPTCY EXAMINATION. At Swansea Bankruptcy Court en Friday, Wm. Morris, groc«r.s assistant, of 14, Thomas-street, St. Thomas, and lately car- rying on business as a grooer under the style of Wm. Iorris ana Co., at the same addiess, came up on his first public ex- amination. Examined by Mr. Hy. Rees (Official Re- ceiver), debtor snid his grotw* liabilities were £71495. 4d., expected to rank JB528 lis lid, assets £ 4C 12.s. 7d., and deficiency C437 19s. 4d. Tn 1897 he also failed. the lia- bilities amounting to E-497 8s. 9d.. and a dividend was paid of Is. lid. in the £ He had not obtained his discharge from that bankruptcy. His brother, however, bought back the business, and later on debtor started again under the ityle of yrilliam Morris and Co., when he paid most of his old creditors in full. Debtor further said that his brother-in- law for a time joined him as a, pztrtner, putting JBlaO into the Wfliiie.ss, wiiich debtor afterwards paid back, though the result of the partnership was that lie was worse off. The first failure lie attributed to his late wife, who carried on the busi- ness, and the present difficulty v,as mainly Due to sugar shortage. The Official Receiver: But that only meant that) on cuuld not get the goods.' Dbteor: but tiif, if they could not get sugar, would -go out. Debtor admitted that his accounts put ,in were mere guesswork, and also said that his present wife now Paid him Ú1 per week as assistant.. The Official Receiver She actually pays you the £1 per week?—Yes. The Registrar Do you pay her for your keep?—No, sir. In May last debtor transferred the bu-i- ne-ss to his wife for £1.4, the value of the stock, and the money was used pay off two executions. The reason be did it was not to ruin "the little hit of trade I had." The Official Raceivcr-: Tipt the hardship of it is that tfe Atfrei; creditors got nothing th-r, Ofh(,i-al Ilece- -er it, 4, I- d 0 for goods. supplied "since May.and ,K3,<)ibs^ved that in one case debtor had dealt in a most slip-shod way of keeping his affairs. i Debtor Admitted he had been negligent in the conduct of hi? business, and further stated that Mr. David Jones, the financier, held a bill of sale on the shop fixtures, etc., and a mortgage on some cottage property debtor owned at Foxhole. The Registrar said the accounts were very uns<1tisfa.ckry. The hearing was conditionally closed.

I PONTARDAWE PARS. The annual meeting the Churchpeople of the Parish of Llan^uicke wa? held at thtft Schoolroom. The Rev. Joel J. Davies (vicar) presided over a largo gathering, when the councils for the ensuing year were elected The committer of the Public Hall and Institute have decided to hold their annual eisteddfod this y&ar on June 23rd, when a substantial sum is anticipated. This is badly needed, as there is still a heavy debt on Pcntardawe's tine hall and institute. i The Parish of Llauguicke has the honour of being at the head of the list oi sub- scribers to the St. David's Diocesan Board: of Finance for the past year. Stoker T. J. Davies has been home on leave from H.M.S. and before re- turning was the recipient of a snim of money from the members of Alltwen Chapel.-—Gunner George Jones, of one of H.M. transports, has a lso been home for a few day, when he was the recipient of a sum of money from the members of Taber- nacle Chapel. Serfrt. Gwilym Williams, of the R.W.F., has arrived homa from France on a month's furlough, he hnving been recom- mended for a commission. Sergt. Williams, whose home is at Alltwen. was prior to en- listing employed at Messrs. Gilbertson's offices as a clerk. Private HarrN- Jacobs, of the Marine Light Infantry, is spending a few days at his home after a most adventurous neriod of two years and five months on sea. He was called up as a reservist, and was on beard a transport which, bad to be to- doiied. He was transferred to H, M.S. | Kent, and was aboard her when she formed part of late Admiral Cradock's squadron, which was trapped off the Falkland IFla-iids. He was one of those that had the pleasure of taking part in the destruction of Von Spec's commerce raider.

ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB I Commandeered for War Work. It was officially announced on Friday that in order to meet the demands for aecom- modation for the constantly expanding war staffs the newly-appointed Committee on Accommodation, at its first meeting on Fri- day, decided to requisition the Royal Auto- mobile Club. The Committee also dealt with some of the other most pressing demands for ac- commodation for the various departments. One of those which claime d immediate at- i tention was that for the Shipyard Labour Department, which, in consequence of the' ) vital urgency of the subject, the Committee had no option but to house in a hotel. "The' decision was arrived at reluctantly, and after J careful consideration of all alternatives Horrex's Hotel, Norfolk-street, Strand, was decided upon, azid -it will accordingly be taken over at once."

I Thé death has occurred of Mr. Edward I Bowen, of 40, Robert-street, Manselton, at the a.go of 68. Deceased was a well-known and popular copper worker. The funeral- a. public on-takefo1 place on Monday next, ¡ for Sketty Welsh Congregational Cemetery. Most of the cases in Llaneily, including those of the marHed men granted exemption, I are coming up for review on the appeal of the military. <

HE If you enclose one penny stamp to Mr. Agar; Kaputine, Ltd., Manchester, vou will receive by return FREE SAM PLES of KAPUTINE for HEADACHE or NEURALGIA, which all sufferers say are worth a "OROWN" each DOSE.

I BAPTIST WELL'S "BIT." Enjoyabla Concert at Waucwen. The children of Swansea are also out to do their "bit" in this war, and on Thurs- day evening tho&e attending Baptist Well Council School, Waunwen, did much to help to swell the Mayor"s Comforts for Swansea .Goys' Fund by giving a delightful corcert at Tabernacle Chapel Schoolroom on Thurs- day evening. Coun. P. Molvneux, sup- ported by Mr. R. J. Joner (headmaster of the school), a.nd Coun. T. W. Howells, pre- sided. Mr. Jones explained that Aid. Evan Evans and Coun. W. H. Morris, who took a great interest in the school, were unable to be present owing to illness. Coun. Molvneux, in a lew remarks, said the training of the children was a great credit to those who had taken such care over them, and also to the parents. Con- c-erts like these were a great help to the children and the means of bri-nging out their talent. The programme arranged was an excellent oil(, -one which reilects the greatest credit on Mr. W. Mitchell, senior assistant-master, who was the conductor. It contained choruses, duets, songs, etc., and the princi- pal parts were taken by the following I Girls: Misses Beatrice Gale, Queenie Goa- man, Edith Roberts, Lena Heath, Nellie Richards, Doris Re-e, Alice Melville, Gladys Thomas, Marjory Dix, Brenda Morgan, Eva Moggridge, Ruth Robbins, Rcsie Codd, Minnie Pickard, Eileen Rees, Jenny Jones. Boys Masters Harold Johnson, Harold Thomas, William A. Thomas, Stanley Albert Go-igh. Horace Williams. The singing throughout was of a very high standard, whilst the acting could' Dot have been. bettered. Each of the items won loud applause from the large audience present. Mr. Knapp proved a most able accompanist, and a vote of thanks to the chairman, etc., brought an enjoyable evening to a close.