Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

"THE PEARL GIRL" AT THE I T: iA.i's Ii L;:iR EH E I The latest London success in musical comedy, "The Pearl Girl," will visit the Grand Theatre, Swansea, next week. Mr. Robert Courtneidge has been filling the Shaftesbury Theatre with this piece for upwards of 200 per- formances. An exceptionally strong company has been specially chosen for this tour. Miss Rosa Juna plays Miranda Peploe, MissRosie Begarne plays L-ayy Betty, Miss Modesta Daly plays Madame Alvarez, Miss Gwen Clifford as Mrs. Baxter-Brady, Mr. George Hestor, the, love-stricken Byles, Mr. Robert Botiomley, the dapper Mr. Jecks, Mr. H. Nelson Hancock as the Duke of Trent, Mr. Reginald Shari and I as Bobby. The play is mounted in a lavish style, charming girls daintily gowned in the latest Parisian fashions, magnificent scenery and elaborate effects. There will be a matinee on Satur- day afternoon at 2.30. mi ■■ «" ■|" I

PANCAKE DAY, 1914. I In view of the near approach of Shrove I Tuesday, the following recipe for Pancakcu should be found useful- Take haJf-a-pourid of flour, one teaspoon- ful of Borwick's Baking Powder and a little salt, mix well in a dry state, add one egg and throequarterr of a pint of milk. Fry quickly over a brisk fire -tnd serve im- mediately. Pancakes made according to these direc-' tiona will turn out beautifully light and appetising. Borwick's Baking Powder. beeides being admittedly the best, is also most economical to use, one tevspoonful to every half-pound of flour being quite suffi- cient. tp ensure the most dclicious Pan. qpke*

"THE MANDARIN." I A SPARKL NC PERFORMANCE AT LLANDILO. A delightful evening's entertainment was provided on Wednesday by the Llandilo Amateur Dramatic Society, when "The Maudarin," a celestial comic opera, was performed before a packed audience in the Victoria Drill Hall. The libretto is humorous, and roplete with smart dia'ogue, while the music is light and pleasing, and includes several really charming members. The scene is laid in the Courtyard of the Mandarin's Palace, and Mr. Downing Williams, of the County School deserves the highest commendation for the excel- lcnce of his work as a scenic &itiste. Tbe cast was as follows :-LThe Man- darin, J. R. Evans, Chang (Public Prosecutor), Mr. R. T. Evans; Chung (Counsel for Defence), Mr. Percy Organ Usher. Mr. D. E. Jenkins; Foreman ot Jury, Mr, Griffiths; Licut-ailoitt John Smith, Mr. Howard Parry; Col. Coldsteel, Mr. Thomas Davies; Captain Bluff (of the Royal Navy), Mr. D. O. Thomas; Yung-Shi (The Mandarin's Daughter), Miss Winnie Bo wen; So-Fa, Miss M. Owens, Do-Ray-Moj Miss C. Edwards, Lil Sing, Miss H. C. Williams, (Chinese Young Ladies); Sing Song (Chir-ese Soloist), Atiss Maud Williams. The play opens with arrangements for a trial, in the op&n air, ot a Lieutenant Sn.ith, who has been arrested and en- caged as a foreign pig, and the chorus announce the "giad and stately" en- trance of the Mandarin, who con- descends on arrival to relate particu- lars of his private history, commencing "In Pekin 1 was born a beggar." The trial takes place, and Smith is found guilty and to be beheaded, but on the elliptictic protest- of ladies of the court, the sentence is commuted to tliree years in the cangue, a wooden collar in which hands are also imprisoned. "Now, this is a predicament, and as Li'tenant Smith sings "I've been in unpioasant positions before," but ho is eveiitually released by the daughter of 1,110 Man- darin Yung-Shi, who with So-Fa falls in love with the prisoner. The arrival oi H<ritish soldiers and sailors turns the tables on t'he Oliinese, and the Man- darin is placed in the cage, and on trial is sentenced to stand as an advertise- ment in a London tea shop for two years, but is ultimately forgiven on con- senting to the marriage of nis daughter with Lieut. Smith, The peaioirnajioe concludes with a chorus "Au is fair." The outs-tanding performer was Mr. J. 11. Evans, wno was magnificently dressed as the Mandarin, and whose powerful baritone voice was never heard to better advantage. From previous ex- perience, which nouio of the other characters lacked, he was ahlfJ to impart a naturalness to his movements that fitted the part entirely. Miss Winnie Bo wen, as lung-Shi, made quite a suc- cess of her part, singing sweetly, and being devoid of all selt-conscdousness. The lieavy role of Lieut. Smith was sus- tained by Mr. Howard Parry, who made his first appearance on the stage, and acquitted hunself very creditably in- deed. The demand upon his. voeal powers is excessive but he gets through with a great success ,and with the con- fidence gained of experience lie will be a decided acquisition in future perform- ances. His duett with Yung-Shi "Good bye my own," was very well done, and the trio with Yung-Shi and So-Far "Y es, peace is passing lovely" was one of the most pleasing numbers. The valse song and chorus "Bright is the dawning" with solos for Smith and Yung-Shi is exceedingly pretty, and was very warmly applauded. Another oharacter well taken wa.s that of Colonel Coldsteel., by Mr. Tom Davies, whoso song "When the sky is all serene," was very well sung, and the accompanying chorus and drill by the soldiers was a very bright episode in the Miss Maud Williams as "Sing Song," ren- dered her "China" love song with a ncrvo that marks Lcr out for a fuller part, while Miss H. C. Williams Was also very sprightly in her solo ."Each nation- ality." Miss INI. Owens as So-Fa acted well, as did Miss C. Edwards as "Do- Ray-Me," and the ntale characters not specially maintained fulfilled their were satisfactory. The choruses were splendidly rendered throughout. See- ing that there had been no professional coaching, and that no other outside as- sistance had been obtained, the whole performance was most creditable to those responsible for its production. viz.:—Chairman of committee, Air. J. K. W.dlianis; lion musical director, Mr. W. Comery. hon. stage manager, Mr. S. Downing Williams; hou, assistant stage manager, Rev. R. H. Roberts, 31 A. and hon. sec., Mr. T. W. Richards, C. and C. Bank, Lla-ndilo. The opera was proceded by "The Wigwam," a comedy in one act, by Shirley Brooks. The scene is all Indian Encampment, and the play has its humorous pasts, but might very well have been condensed. All the characters wore satisfactorily undertaken, as lol- lows :-Pluffy Plumpton (A Young Gentleman in 1 Independent Circum- stances), Mr. T. E. Thomas; Erasmus Lobscouse, otherwise Fondlesquaw (the Lobscouse, his Tribe), Mr. D. Wi?uus; father of Bn?o (the Downy Bp?ver), Mr. E. J. Powcll, Mingo (the Monkey? Uncle), Mr. W -S. Johns; Jingo (the Thunder- ing Bull), Mr. W. S. James; Mrs. Ade- laide Lobscouse, Mis* M. V. Price Jones; Julia (Her Daughter), Miss Sybil Jones; Owley (Her Maid), Miss M. N. Price Jones, Cora (Adopted Daughter of Fondlesquaw, surnamed the Agilo Deer's Foot), Miss Margaret James; Indians of the Tribe of Kutanackem, etc., etc. There was excellent. orchestra, who in the interval played selections, and afterwards gave support to the soloists and choruses. The performance were repeated with success oil Thursday even- ing. It should be mentioned that the pro- ceeds are in aid of the funds of the Hwanwvi Hospital and tho Llandilo Dis- trict Nursing Association, and both in- stitutions are certain to benefit materi- I ally from the takings. -• I

WHtTE S PALACE. I There is a very popular programme at White's Palace this week, the Sisters Spodoni, duetists and rattle- shoe dancers, giving p, show of quite s h oo d.,in"1-8, q?' l iey BPI  ai- to be rr?o-st unique steps. They appear to be most eccentric, but are really clever, and their dancing of the sailors1 hornpipe is admirable. Funny Fred Davies, versatile comedian, is as amusing ad ever, itis patter and songs causing much laugher. Hyam Good, a comical j study in black, is also most entertain- ing with his donkey and ostrich. Owing to delay on the railway, the thralling picture, "The Four Dare Devils," was not available for exhibition on Monday night, but it attracted a good aud ience on the two subsequent nights. It is a. wonderful picture, unfolding a story of circus life. Other films which have [been admired are Paulett's Neck- lace," a detective story with many strong incidents, and "Child of the Sea," a thrilling drama of the light- house service. Next week, at the request of numerous patrons, the management have decided to revert to the old irrogramme of twice nightly on Mondays and Saturdays, 7 and 9 o'clock, and on every other evening sdurias; the week once, at S o'clock.

DISPUTE ENDED. ] PONTARDAWE CALVANISERS TO RETURN TO WORK. After being idle for nearly five weeks, tho galvanisers engaged at Messrs. Gilbertson's Works, Pontar- dawe, decided at a meeting held at the Victoria Hotel, Pontardawe, on Wed- nesday, to return to work on the same conditions as those on which they came out, and that the matters in dispute be referred to a committee of the Con- ciliation Board. The men adopted the down tools" policy on the question of seniority. It appears than one of the tankers—Philip Humphries, was promoted to the posi- tion'oi dipper by the firm, and the men, on the other hand, claim that Willie Harding should receive the promotion. The masters declined to give in to the men, and insisted that Humphries should continue with the work of dipping. Under these circumstances, the men came out with -the result that 14 mills had to be closed dawn, render- ing more than 1,000 mill-men idle. Efforts at Settlement. A committee of the Pontardawe In- dustrial Council endeavoured to seek an interview with the firm, but the latter declined to give them a hearing. The firm, however, agreed to meet a depu- tation of the gaivanisers at the con- ferenco held t the Hotel Metropole in Swansea. The conference lasted about five hours, and the firm agreed that work be resumed on condition that all mat- ters in dispute be referred to a com- mittee of the Conciliation Board. This decision was reported to a meet- ing of the galvanisers on Monday, but the meeting broke up without anything definite being done. Resumption of Work. I In the meantime an effort was made. to get- the firm to meet the men, bi-it their reply was that they adhered to what ivis decided at Swansea on Satur- day. The men, consequently, held a meeting on Wednesday night, and after a discussion of something like two hours, they agreed by a majority to accept the recommendations passed at the conference at Swansea. The meet- ing was attended by Mr. Hughes, of the Dockers' Union, Swansea. It is expected that work will be re- sumed in a few days.

t NEW ORCANIST. t I Reception at Ammanford. Recently recepticm meetings to Mr. Gwilym R. Jftne8. the new organist of the Christian Temple, Ammanford, were held. Last week a tea was pro- vided for the children of the Sunday School, after which a, miscellaneous concert was gone through, several of the younger members taking part. Mr. Ted Evans, Tirydail, acted as the ac- companist, and the Rev. John Morgan presided. The concert was a. great success, the artistes doing exceedingly well. On Monday another social was held. After the tea a meeting was held. The Rev. John Morgan, who occupied the chair, welcomed Mr. Gwilym Jones, and congratulated the church on their choice of organist. They not only wanted a man of ability, but one who had character as well. In Mr. Jones he though t and believed that they had a man just as they required. Amongst those who took part in an admirable programme were Mr. W. Davies, A.L.C.M.Mr. Job Thomas, and Mr. John Lloyd (Pontyclerc) delivered ad- dresses, Madame K. Edwards (nee Miss McCarthy), Mr. John Evans, and Mr. David Jones (who spoke on behalf of the church), Messrs. Attel Morgan, Daniel Evans, and David Wees Griffiths (bardic addresses), Madame Bessie Morris, and Mr. Geo. Thomas. Mr. T. M. Evans, M.A., spoke, in addition to Councillor Wm. Evans and the Rev. E. Richards (Tonypandy). An appro- priate address in reply was delivered by Mr. Gwilym Jones. On Tuesday eveming another social was held by the children, after which a miscellaneous programme was pro- vided. Mr. Jones occupied a position as organist at Manchester before coming to Ammanford. He has been ap- pointed conductor of the Ammanford Y.M.C.A. Male Voice Party.

POOLE'S PICTORIUM. I The strong list of attraction's at Poole's Pictorium this week has proved a great draw, and "not for some time has the house been so full. There is no doubt the novel performance of Taree, the Australian Musical Bush- man, has caught the fancy of the pat- rons; -It is a very clever turn, Tarco playing selections on an ordinary mouth organ while accompanying the music on an auto harp, which of course necessitates the use of both hands. His expert manipulation of the organ with his mouth is astonishing, and the bag- pipe, ragtime, cake walk and other music he produces must be heard to he believed possible. He also speaks and gives snatches of -,ongs while perform- ing, and nightly is rewarded with voci- ferous encores. Edward Harold, the Singing Lifeguardsman, is another good turn -with an excellent baritone voice. His double representation of the Society Lady and the Monk, s-ing- ing the duet from "Falka" in two voices, is extremely good. Of the pictures, the fourth story of What Happened to Mary," namely, "The Affair at is first rate, and For the Flag." For the end of the week the great fight between Billy Beynon (\\ ales) and Charles Ledoux (France) wAs the attraction.

PONTARDULAIS DRAPER'S WILL. 11 Mr. John Davies, of Manchester House, Pontardulais, tailor and draper, who died tth Decemoer last, left estate of the gross value of 1;1,263, of which the net personalty has been sworn at £ 739. Probate of his will, dated 9th October last, has been-gran ted to his daughters, Miss Elizabeth Augusta Davies and Mrs. Margaret Ann James, and his son, Mr. Rhydwyn Davies, and power is reserved to grant probate also to his daughter, Gwyneth Edna Daviee, on at- taining majority. The testator left all his property to his wife for life, and subject thereto, his premises, Manchester House, Pon- tardulais (subject to a ground rent of L2) and all the hook debts, stock-in- trade, etc., of his business (subject to his business liabilities) to his son, Rhy- dwyn Davies, charged with the payment of £ 350 to the testator's daughter Gwvncth. Ho left premises known as Teify House to his daughter Elizabeth, £ 100 to bis daughter Margaret, and subject to some other provisions, the ultimate residue of his property to his surviving children.

LLANELLY CONVENTION. Arrangements are well in hand for the annual convention of the South Wales Christian Endeavour Union, to be held in Llanelly in Easter week. A reception is to be given to the dele- gates by the Mayor and Mayoress, Sir Stafford and Lady Howard.

[ CORRESPONDENCE. I "STUNTINC THE NATION'S MA, I HOOD IN ITS INFANCY." To the Editor. I Sir,—With erference to the questiod of employment ot children of school age, your artist depicted very graphically in your columns las, week some phases of child-life in our own mid&t, aoguifcant to tho most ordinary observer. The industrial employment of the im- mature is, unfortunately, not a raro „ occurrence carried on spaamodnally, but the lot of some little folks is made miser- able indeed by the ircessant jound of enforced and irksome duties. Parents naturally find their children as they grow up very handy t) assist them in their domestic service. The commonest tasks, perhaps, are nursing the baby and going on "errands." Often, however, general houaecrait be- comes part and parcel of their daily routine, and provided that due intervals for individual rest and recreation aN allowed the youngsters, these light duties may not be harmful, but when growing children are tied down by thoughtless mothers to their tasks, morning, noon, and night, and kept con- stantly on the run to the grocer's, to the butcher's, to the works several times a day. and to the surgery for nedicsme, the effect is bound to devitalise the freshness of their youth, the hioyaney of their spirits, and tliedr mentj alert- ness. Meanwhile, stunted growth and general physical deterioration SClùn be- come evident. But there are other little industrial slaves wortw off than theeo drudges. There are some children who are oUiged to get up at five o'clock on a wind's morn to go to the tip to fetch otkeJ They are expected to return with so many loads before breakfast. If tllisa are not procurable in time, the children have to rush to school late, withoxt having .1 decent opportunity to make themselves presentably clean, or t.hø: stay awny. (When necessity drives tt such extremities witih the poor. some method of public relief should certainly come to the rescue of both parent and child) The immediate effect upon the child is to produoe a morbid, sullen, and indifferent mood to mental culture, and the sympathetic teacher soon recognises the lack-lustre eye of such a pupil. Sometimes, the lad of mettle kicks against the curtailment of the froodort so freely allowed his school companions, and then be can only be induced undo: threats of punishment by his mothct, or by a resort to bribing him with i pennyworth of sweets or a pass to t,llfj cinema, and once a boy undeistai),dy that he can compel his mother to ap- pease him, parental control slackens t* an alarming extent. Shirking, loafing. and cigarette-smoking inevitably fol- low in its train. (Much greater vigi- lance and stringency are required to re- strict the pernicious sale of Wood- bines to schoolboys). There is also another occupation which should be regulatod equaJly as well as street trading, and that is the engagement of schoolboys by barbers for lattiering." Saturday must be a crudl experience in the lives of ma.ny littb lads. To keep a boy on his feet fron the breakfast hour until nearly miii. night, is it not a wicked shaane, crimi- nal and inhuman? There ar j few purely social dubs for boys and girls, and although there are many excellent voluntary agencies in connection with places of worship, taere is a sa d need of an all-embracing children's e;>re author'ty to watch tyef and safeguard the wo!Wire ol the riang generation.—Yours, etc., J. C. W To the Editor. Sir; WitJh the exception of the vitalising cigarette," perhaps, yoù: cartoon in last week's Herald is ik exaggeration of conditions which, un- fortunately, only too often prevail in this district. An earnest observer can- not fail to see the inevitable tragedy which must, Nemesis-like, overtake the anaemic girl and asthenic boy who ate forced—often, as much through jiarenUl greed as through parental negloot-b lead a life which surely makes for their physical, mental and moral degeneracy Would that the picture found its wa; to.and told its tale at the home of ary and of every parent so criminally in- different to the development of his 4ff. spring.—Youre, etc., Pontardulais. Isaac L. Davies- To the Editor, Sir,-Alasl Your artist's cartoo;, entitled, Stinting the Nation's Growth in Infancy," which appeared it your last week's issue, gives too true a picture ol one of the most ominous and depressing aspects of modem life To those who have had experience in conducting tchools in industral centres such a grievous oonditioc- af things is much too familiar. The ?ale, listless, faces of underfed and over- taxed children* are a source oi pain and discouragement to conscientious teachers. Who can urge and hroe knowledge on pupils whose immediite, crying need is sleep, wholesome f<od, clothing, and free, fresh air ? Indl, one is almost driven to the conclusoa that a disproportionate value is set on education. Physically strong inen and woiiiin are, after all that is said and done, fix more important than a. race of ptin;, languid, intellectually stuffed huma< beings. W e have attendance officers to k-ev that children attend school. Shoulc there not be also officers to see thai children of school age have ten hours sleep and sufficient food every day so that they may grow up in such i manner as not to be a burden t-o them s-elves nor to the nation P To saj nothing of Christian principles, this is one of the most pressing economic questions of the day. To deprive th< young of the joy of life-joie de vivre— is one of the direst results of out complex civilisation. The "Mid-Glamorgan Herald" cir. culates largely in a district where the grievance your artist graphically depicts is much in evidence. The cartoon, doubtless, will wake sympathy with young sufferers, and much gOíJd will come from this touching pictorial appeal to your numerous readers.— Yours, etc., T. Williams Council School, Glyn-Neath. [Further correspondence on this sub ject will be found on Page 12.1

OFF LICENCE APPLICATION. At the Aberavon County Police Court on Monday, Mr. Gaskell, Cardiff, applied for the temporary transfer of t e off licensed premises situated in Market-square, Cwmavon, from C. Gough to G. Hayward. Supt. Bea Evans opposed the application on tIN ground that before toe matter wim gone into he would like to point out that there was an objection to the pre- mises instituted at the adjourned licensing sessions. He suggested that? the application be adjourned. Tito the Bench agreed to.