Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

SWANSEA'S NEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Opening Ceremony by Sir Alfred Mond. Bart. I In the presence of a large and represen-, tative gathering of the commercial men of Swansea, the new Exchange Buiidings were opened on Friday morning by the Right lion. Sir Alfred Mond, .bart., P.C., M ,.p Chairman of the Exchange Build- ings, and President of the Chamber of Commerce. Fortunately the snow storm of the pre- vious night had cleared away, and the members of the Chamber of Commerce, with thedr President at their head, inarched in fine weather from the Royal Institute to the handsome new building. The Formal Opening. I Sir Alfred Mond, as Chairman of the Swansea Exchange buildings, Ltd.. ojjemed the entrance ga", sayings I de- clare this bunding open." :Sir Atired then proceeded up the steps, Sind as President of the Chamber of Com- merce, opened the doors leading into the JUxonangt*. Having assembled in the fine and com- nioaious exchange room, the President took, the chuir, and was bupported by the President elect (Mr. T. P. Cook), Mr. Ilykua tiQuibeçg (fcemor vice-president), the Vicar ot Swansea (the liev. the lion. 'laibot Kice), the Mayor of Swansea (Aid. Dan Jones), Mr. iienry J. Marshall (secretary), Mr- E. P. Jones (late secre- tary), Sir Griffith Thomas (Chairman of fcwaneea llarixmr Trust), Mr. W. (jr. toy, ifr. A. vr. Moifatt, Mr. R. L. Sails, Mr. L. (jr. Jeffreys, Mr. W. T. Farr, Mr. Roger Ml C. T. Kutlien (architect), Mr. Henry Billings vcontfector), Mr. W. Law (General Manager of tho Harbour Trust), Major Harries, Mr. W. W. Ifoluies, Mr. Vougliaii Edwards, Colonel J. H. Wright, Mr. K. Pascal 1 (Postmaster of Swansea), Mr. J. Aerun Thomas, Mr. R. G. Lewis, Mr R-eos Davies, Mr. J. Hoagera, Mr. Lo- ar! O^t-n, .1 .P., Mr. 0. V. Crabbe, Mr. Evans Lewis, Mr. Parl-ei, and the Town Clerk, tho hall being crowded. The compacy present having sung" God Suve the King, appropriate prayers were offered by the Vicai or Swansea. I Miss Kuthen, daughter of the axeh i. ted.pre.sented Sir Alfred with a gold key, after which-the president addressed the meeting. Si:- Alfred Mond Declares New bxcnange 11 Open. 1 I Sir Alfred Mond, who had a cordial reo ception, said it was -his pleasing duty to deeifiro the nlY; Exchange open, and "vou are iio-.v at, liberty to comment business immediately." (Laughter), They l;ttl-> thought when they commenced the enterprise which had been successfully carried to a conclusion that day. that wheu tbev came- to the opening of the Exchange- vrould open it under the. firrunjMar.<? in vh?b they found tt?-u?Iv? m-dav. They were OPf'l1illJI that buikiing during a pcri?t of worlÚ- wido W:lr:atc:" I more intense, coyer- ing more countries and many millions more p,ofle than any previous war t-ii f, world had ever seen—and the circum- stance was a remarkable one. TInt he Hwught the fact that they had not only completed the enterprise, but f were opening it with hope and confidence I and with a certainty of carrying on their business* and trade, even under these exceptional circumstances, was symptom-; otic and tvpicai of the wavon which this! Emoire %-as facing this tremendous ( problem. (Hear, hear, and appxause). Vie are engaged in a colossal enter-j- pr-K?)'" sir Alfred proceeded. "we hnvp.x all of its, relatives and friends einier actually in the fighting or 'very shortly to be engaged in fighting. We bare difficulties and anxieties in connec- tion with the carrying Oil oi our com- menial u rider takings, but there is ono thing we have not got—we have not got the dihtr: doubt as to the result oi the war—(hear, hear and applause)—or the slightest doubt as, to our capacity and ouV intention to go on until we achieve th res?t we sst cut to gaiR." (A11jJbmef, e, ce)ul- We iH ngland on the ?hole. com- pared I 'Vtlae people in other counthes- f ?Titinu?d th" sp'aker, have been for- tunate. The. fact that they could as- f-mbie there that day in peace and b a t c-till had f-ecur itv. the fed that they still had business to transact, within those walls, a ad trie fact that. in this country unem- ployment was alinost non-existent were in themselves features so remarkable that even the mcst sanguine of them, at the outbreak of the war, would neve-r have thought they would be in such a position to-day. Even the most sanguine looked forward to greater financial disturbance, greater trade disturbance, and greater industrial disturbance, but they owed it very largely —and he cMild say so with some confi- dence, having had the privilege of being j ft: the initial stages in close contact with the man he was about-, to name—they owed it very largely to the courage, clear- fightedness, and strength of the Chan- cellor of the Exchequei-(applause)-and 1to those of all parties who had associated wifh him in working out, during these days of anxiety and gloom, the necessary measures for the protection of the credit of this country, that they had been able to carry on in the way -they had. And we shall be able to carry on to the end," Sir Alfred declared. They all bad diffieulties-natural clifficulties-in carrying on business under these condi- tions. They had embargoes put on and taken off again. Sometimes they might appear to some of them a little vexatious, but there was one thing they all realised- that it would be infinitely better that they should lose business than that the enemy should gain the slightest advantage in that way. There were difficulties of freights, tonnage, and shipping, which, of course, mus taffect trades like the coal trade, and the Swansea trade very con- siderably. He was hopeful that 6ome of these difficulties would lie ameliorated as larger numbers of captured ships of the enaciy were released oa the market. They had seen a rise in the price 01 food of a considerable, if not ah alarming, character, the speaker continued. But -they could not expect to carry on the greatest war the world had ever seen and at the same time live under normal con- ditions. Evan neutral countries Like Swit- zerland or Italy were experiencing diffi- (Allties in regard to commerce and food quite as much as England. And if we, one of the biggest pa ,«?icipants in this war," he said, have to carry burdens ol this kind, all we can do is to carry them patriotically and gladly, without too much complaining, without encouraging our enemies to believe we are getting faint- hearted, and with the mutual desire of all of us to. relieve wherever possible the strain on those less able to bear it." Such was their position to-dey, he wept en. But they were not going to remain indefinitely in a stiltl& of war. They looked forward with new confidence to the time when they would resume their ordinary business in a normal way. HélVas glad it had been given to him during his presi- dency of that important Chamber to open a suitable and fitting- habitation for carry- ing on the. trade and commerce of the im- portant town of Swansea. He wished to congratulate his colleagues in the com- pany .who had been engaged in its erection and who had done the work with com. mendable rapidity. He ako wished to congratulate the architect, his friend Mr. Ruthen-(hear. hear )—most sincerely on the skill with which he had surmounted the not inconsiderable difficulties which the foundations of that site presented, und aitM on the. taste aud artistic merit fee had diai4ftiTed in desisojjM! a buikline which would be a great credit to Swansea and the whole of South Wales. (Ap- plause.) He also congratulated the builders on the excellent quality of the work they had put into the building. (Applause.) He hoped sincerely that all the anticipations which had been formed of the success of that Exchange would be more than fulfilled. He hoped everyone connected with the commerce of the neighbourhood would be- come a member of that Chamber, and would now feel that he, as well as his friends and customers, had the enjoyment -of a building which was at once dignified and comfortable. That peace might soon retryn must be the ardent wish of every htuau being throughout the length and breadth of the world, and when peace did return they would continue to develop the utility of that Exchange in fostering the great trade And industries of Swansea, the increased prosperity of which was his most ardent hope. (Applause). The Mayor congratulated the Chamber' of Commerce upon its beautiful building. He hoped and believed it would be a great success in such an important town as Swansea. He expressed the hope that every member of the Chamber would in that new room lie able to make large fortunes. (Laughter). unambers f oundation ne-caiieu. I Sir Griffith Thomas said he was very happy to be associated with the Presi- dent of the Chamber in assisting at the ojwning of the Exchange and to wish it, and the members of the Chamber con- nected with the harbour port of Swansea. every success in their transactions there. lie was perhaps the only person present who was at the first meeting many years a,-o when the question of starting a Cham- ber of Commerce in Swansea was iniciattid. He believed no one who was there on that occasion believed, that he would live to see such a fine building completed and such a large number of people in the Exchange. (Hear, hear.) To have remembered the beginning was one of the penalties of being almost the oldest inhabitant in the town. (Laughter.) ) Mr. T. P. Cook (vice-president), speak- ing as one of the docks community that H mild make daily use of the Exchange, paid his recollections, also went back to the insignificant beginning of a daily ex- change started in the little room in Adelaide-street. It was a very unpre. tentious and modest. affair. but it had grown—thanks to the foresight and per- severance of men connected with it, and particularly of the late secretary—to the present large proportions. They re- moved from that room to the large one on tho site of the jvresent buildings, which was also the site of the Countess of Huntingdon's old chapel. The building, in which the original roof of the chapel was retained. was ugly and uncomfortable, and one felt ashamed to introduce strangers into it, particularly if they were clients from abroad Mr. Hyam Goldberg warmly congratu- lated his fellow members of the Chamber of Commerce upon the successful achieve- ment of an object which they had in view for a great many years, and they could now congratulate themselves upon having a building quite worthy of the commercial' interests of this important town and borough. Mr. W. G. Foy said they might con- g-patulate themselves on being on the same old pot, After a period of two years they found themselves in a fine building of their own, swept and garnished and fit- for a king to live in. They looked upon it as their commercial home. (Applause* Mr. A. G. Moifatt. made a humorous speech, in which he said it was a joy to him to find the scheme completed, but he had still a few shares to dispose of. Mr. E. P. Jones, on rising to address fchs meeting, expressed his pleasure at being privileged to take part in that cere- mony. He looked upon it as the most important event that had occurred in the life-time of the Chamber of Com- merce. Mr. C. T. Ruthen (the architect) said he had done the best he could, and he would like to acknowledge the assistance of the directors, and particularly of Mr. Moffat, the clerk of works, and Messrs. Billings, the contractors. He sincerely trusted the premises would satisfy all the requirements for which it was designed Mr. Henry Billings was glad the gathering was so well pleased with the building He had tcied to do his best. ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting ot bwansea Chamber of Commerce, held in the new Exchange room on Friday afternoon, the retiring president (the Right Hon. Sir Alfred Mond, Bart., M.P.) presided over a good attendance, and supporting him were Messrs. T. P. Cook and Hyam Gold- hprg (vice-presidents), and H. J. Mar- shall (secretary?. The treasurer's statement showed a balance in hand at the beginning of the year of £1,2i Is. 3d. The investments included 100 shares in the Exchange ?Jiiiilding Company valued at Cloo, and £ 600 in thf Loan Building Society. Sir Alfred Mond said he had very great pleasure indeed, on behalf of the Council, in placing on record a resolution which was engrossed on an address that he proposed to hand over to their friend, Mr. Edwin Price Jones. Sir Alfred then j read the resolution, which has appeared in the annual report, and said he had no doubt it would be passed unanimously. He had the very greatest pleasure pos- sible in being permitted, as their presid- ent, to move this resolution. Although his acquaintance with Mr. Jones had not been over the period of 32 years, he could only say that during the* length of time he had had the pleasure of knowing him he had found him unflagging, unfailing, and untiring in his efforts to promote the interests of the chamber, and equally untiring in his kindness to lighten his (Sir Alfred's) burden in any way and in anything which had to do with the Chamber of Commerce. He was sure the Chamber had every peason to congratulate itself on having a secretary like Mr. Jones. They must all be very sorry indeed that he had found it necessary to retire, but they were glad to think he was going to remain with them as vice-president, and they would continue to have hie unrivalled experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm in order to still further promote the success and pros- perity of the Swansea Chamber of Com- merce. He had much pleasure in moving the resolution, which he would put to the meeting as a forraality, and ask them to carry it by acclamation. (Applause.) Sir Alfred Mond then handed to Mr. Jones the illuminated address, and the! resolution was carried with applause. Mr.' E. P. Jones thanked Sir Alfred Mond personally for the very kind re- marks he had made, and the members for the unanimous manner in which they had accepted the resolution. It was a double duty, that devolved upon him now, to take a final farewell of the Chamber in the capacity of secretary, and also to fit him- self, as far as possible, into the position of vice-president to which they had prac- tically appointed him. He epoke of th,- relactauce which he -felt when it was boratf in upon him that the time had I come when it was necessary for him to give up the work. and said it was really like taking away a of hi. .anatomy. (Laughter.) He ha*' completed a aanritude of 32 years (as see- '■ retary of the Chamber. The work was of a most genial character, and it was, exactly the kind of work in which he would willingly be emploveu U.e had found it possible to withdraw from his other avocations. But he felt that while the Chamber of Commerce was bound to require more time from itsi official as secretary, as far as he was con- cerned, he was not able to give it increased attention, and that being so, he felt it was not right, either to himself or the Cham-1 ber, that he should continue longer in the j office. What remained in his me ory clearly and strongly was the wonderful consideration and kindness he had met with during the whole time of his office as secretary from everybody connected with the Chamber, from each successive President, members of the Council, and members of the Chamber itself. Mr. Stephens, in a happy speech, moved the election of Mr. T. P. Cook to the position of president, paying a tribute to his errthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and dis- cretion. What he did not know about the business of the docks was hardly worth knowing, and he had established himself I in the esteem of all classes there. Mr. W. Law seconded with great pleasure. Mr. Cook had already proved himself a most capable and impartial I chairman. He would worthily uphold the position.—The resolution was carried with great enthusiasm. On taking the chair, Mr. Cook said that they, who had known him so long, should have con- ferred on him the highest honour in theft- power was to him a matter of very great satisfaction. He asked for forbearance: (1) Because he had to follow in the imme- diate steps of a president outstanding in his ability and in the influence and help he had been able to render to the Cham- ber and to the wider circle of traders generally; (2) because they had dropped their pilot in Mr. E. P. Jones; and (3) because of his extreme youth, he being the youngest president who had ever taken the chair. He proposed that a hearty vote of thanks of the Chamber be accorded to the retiring president, Sir Alfred Mond, for his distinguished services in the chair I during the past twelve months. When they appointed Sir Alfred to the office they foresaw that owing to his many I duties, Parliamentary and otherwise, he would be unable to attend many of the l regular monthly meetings and Council meetings. But he had done far greater service to the Chamber than by merely presiding at the meetings. (Hear, hear.) When the war broke out and they were all so upset, and Government prohibi- tions, regulations, and orders were so harrassing to traders. Sir Alfred put him- self unreservedly fit the disposal of the Chamber, conveyed their protests, representations, and views to the proper quarters, and backed up those views by his own personal influence and the wteight of. his own authority. He was able to render to the Chamber most conspicuous services in that way, and they thanked him most heartily for all he had done. They could not measure entirely the good he had been able to render them, but from' what they knew they could most sincerely tender him grateful thanks. I If it was not for the state of the country, Sir Alfred was prepared to enter- tain the Chamber to mark that auspicous day. They thanked him very much for his generous intention, and they could only regret the circumstances were such that they felt it was desirable that the opening should be free of anything in the nature of festivity, and should be as simple.as possible. He hoped and believed Sir Alfred's interest in the Chamber would not termi- nate. (Hear, hear.) They would have the benefit of his counsel and advice in the years to come. He had spared neither time nor money to further the interests of the Chamber. Mr. George S. Harries seconded. It was their L'oast and pride, he said, that the membership of the Chamber was free from party politics, and that it had also been for many years the custom to invite the representative of the town in Parlia- ment to act in the capacity of President. That was followed last year. He felt that at that time they could not expect a mem- ber of Parliament with such manifold affairs as Sir Alfred Mond to devote very much time to the meetings of the Chamber He was surprised to find how often he did attend, but the work he did at the meetings was very small compared with what he did in connection with the busi- ness of the town and Chamber. He was really the business representative of the town. The resolution was very warmly re- ceived, and Sir Alfred Mond, replying, thanked them most sincerely for the kind words and the way in which the motion "had been received. Of the many positions it had been his lot to fill, he could honestly say there had been none which had given him greater pleasure. (Hear, hear). To have been asked by such an important business body, repre- senting, as he knew, all shades of poli- tical opinion, to preside over its de- liberations and 'to assist it in the conduct of important affairs of the busi- ness of the town had given him very great pleasure, and he was only sorry that he had not been able to -io even more during his term of presidency. He had to thank Mr. Cook in particular for the extremely kind way in which he replaced him at meetings at which he could not manage to be present. He could assure them h's resignation would not diminish the interest* he had always felt in the Chamber ever nco he became con- nected with Swansea. (Hear, hear). He had for a long time felt that Chamoers of Commerce in the country ought to have larger influence in the counsels of the management of the country and with the I Government, and he was always anxious to promote any movement in that direc- tion. Anything he could do in the future ) to help the present or any other president ) or secretary, either in London or Swansea, I in the work of the Chamber, he would be only too glad to do. (Loud applause.) On the motion of Mr. R. L. Sails, seconded by Mr. W. T. Farr, Mr. E. P. Jones was elected junior vice-president, and on the motion of Mr. Herschell Jones, seconded by Mr. H. C. M. Daniell, Mr. Hyam Goldberg was re-elected treasurer. Mr. C. V. Crabbe was re-elected auditor for the 24th year. The following were elected to the council: Messrs. A. Andrews, R. E. James, R., J. Matthews, W. D. Rees, W. A. Jenkins, W. H. ThomM. U. L. Harries, J. F. Coonan. After an amusing discussion, it was de- cided there should be no smoking on the Exchange premises. On the motion of Mr. R. L. Sails, seconded by Sir Alfred Mond, the meet- ing expressed its sympathy with Lord Glantawe in his illness. The following were elected new mem- bers: Messrs. W. Moubray Anderson, Edwin M. Bejienna, D. C. Davies, F. E. Finlayson, E. Goulborn, W. J. Gregory, Edwin P. Jones, P. R. Price Jones, W. L. Kelleher, W. Walter Hughes, Richard G. Lewis, T. J. Lewis, T. T. Pascoe, J. M. Phillips, W. H. Stone, Herbert Coward, C. G. West, A. W. Greatrex, Arthur L. Fumeaux, Archie Williams, C. D. Burgass.

MRS. KATE FREEMAN. SWANSEA LADY'S TRAGIC DEATH IN LONDON. The death is announced of Mrs. Kate Freeman, of 11, St. Leonards-terrace, Chelsea, S.W., which occurred on Friday night at the Westminster Hospital. Mrs. Freeman, who was a personal friend of Mrs. Lloyd George, had been on a visit to 11, Downing-street, the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and whilst walking along Whitehall she failed to notice an ap- proaching motor 'bus and was knocked down. She was so seriously injured that she died a little later at the hospital. The deceased lady was 50 years of age. She was the widow of Mr. Thomas Freeman, who, before his death, was a tinplate manufacturer at Swansea, of which borough he was Mayor some 20 years ago. Mrs. Freeman was the sister-in-law of Mr. V! Llewelyn Williams, the Liberal M.P. for Carmarthen District. She was a native of Carmarthen, and came to reside in London some six or seven years ago. Leaving Downing-street soon after six o'clock, Mrs. Freeman and her friend at- tempted to cross Whitehall. An omru- bus struck Mrs. Freeman and threw her to the ground; it did not touch her friend. Mrs. Freeman was taken to Westminster Hospital and died five minutes afterwards. The house surgeon who attended her, Dr. Lloyd, happened to be an old Welsh friend. Injections of oxygen proved futile. The case, un- happily, was hopeless from the first. Mre Lloyd George, summoned by telephone, arrived too late to find her friend alive. Her stepson, Captain Freeman, of the Royal Field Artillery, was at once sum- moned to London from Aldershot. During, her residence in Swansea, Mrs. Freeman took a prominent part in the public life of the town. She was a member of the old Swansea School Board. She was also a zealous and influential supporter of Liberalism. A bright and attractive speaker, she rendered excellent service to the party. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, resided at Sketty. Her death will be mourned by a large circle of friends throughout South Wales. Mrs. Freeman was clee" to the Swan- sea School Board in 1897, and remained a member until the work of the Board was taken over by the Swansea Council in 1904. During the last term she was chairman of the School Management Com- mittee. In 1904. in recognition of the excellent services she had rendered she was co-opted to a seat on the new Swan- sea Edutation Committee, of which she remained a member for several years. It is of interest to note that the School Board members included three ladies, the other two being Miss Dillwyn and Miss Brock. Mrs. Kate Freeman, a 6ketch by our artist from a photograph of Mrs. Free- man taken the day the old Swansea School Board ceased to exist. A member of the "Herald" staff writes: Those who were closely associated with the work of the old School Board, and followed its meetings month by month, will not quickly forget the years of Mrs. Freeman's membership. She was a lady who could not be anywhere long without her strong personality bringing her to the front. Upon the whole, the Swansea School Board of her time was a peace- able enough body, but the writer recalls meetings at which Mrs. Freeman stood to arms in defence of principles she held dear, and at which she fought with real Celtic impetuosity. And woe betide the man who then stood in her way! The Pressmen of that period had to keep well. sharpened pencils to follow the torrential eloquence of Mrs. Freeman at such times of excitement. But, although she was not slow in attack she possessed qualities which made her extremely popular even among the ranks of the enemy. She was-a thorough ed ucationist, an ardent politician, she was always ready to give her assistance to good causes, and when she left Swan- sea for London a blank was left in our I public life which has not yet been filled. I The Inquest. An inquest was held Saturday at West- minster Coroner's Court Mr. Llewelyn Williams, M-P-, K.C., identified the body as that of his sister-in- law, aged 51. Miss Barbier, Kensington, said she left Downing-street with deceased, and com- menced to cross Whitehall. They crossed to the first refuge, and remained there waiting for the bus to pass. Then she saw deceased lying on the ground a few yards away. Alice Baker said she saw the omnibus earning as the deceased started to cross. She saw the deceased lady lying on the ground. The 'bus was going slowly, and pulled up at once. Witness thought the driver could not have done anything to save the lady. Dr. Joseph Lloyd, Westminster Hos- pital, said the deceased expired almost immediately from shock following in- ternal injuries. The driver of the 'bus said he was tra- velling very slowly on account of the bad roads and light. Deceased stepped off the refuge in the front of the -bus. He put on both brakes, shouted, and turned to the right. The 'bus stopped immediately, and the wheel only just passed over the ladv. The Coroner said the driver seemed quite free from blame. The jury returned a verdict of acciden- tal death, and exonerated the driver from blame. The. Funeral. At Highgate Cemetery, North London, the funeral took place. Among the mourners were Mr. W. LI. Williams, J £ -C., M.P. (deceased's brother-in-law), and Mrs. Lloyd C&n-ge.

Eighteen recruits for the Royal Kaval Division left High-street Station on Mon- flay' morning for the Crystal Palace, where they will Undergo their period of training. Mr. John Hodgens, the honor- ary recruiting agent, was present at the station, and with other pitriotic men, who are interested in their wcio.are, gave them a hearty s-oml-oJh The men, who appeared to he in .p'PE..hd c?Hdittnn, j consisted of ;)lfchani<?, dcrh, til1plae ?orkcrs? coUMr&. and dock laboui'eM. 'j

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BACK FROM CHINA. Swansea Architect Comes Back to Enlist. It does not require much miaginauoii to conceive how deeply interesting a journey at the present time must be irom lihina across Siberia and Russia to Pe-,iv- grad. thence through Jt inland and Sweaen and Norway to England. This wonderful journey has just been accomplished by Mr. Carey Edmunds, Cradock-street, Swansea, who arriveu home on Tuesday. The enthusiasm of the English people and those belonging to the countries of the Allies resident in China over the war is so tremenaous tliai. everybody who can is coming home to en, iist. Tnat is the object ot iar. jKununa fc primature return, and he has been ac- cepted as a surveyor in the Royal En- gineers. Mr. Edmunds who is the son of the Rev. E. E. Edmunds, ex-pastor of Bethesda and secretary of the Baptist Union for Wales and Monmouth, and only 22 years of age, went out from Swansea to China a year ago last November to follow his profession ar an architect. He settled in Shanturg, North China, in the same province as Tsing-tan, which was captured by the Jap- anese from the Germans. He intended his sojourn in the Far East to last two years, but curtailed it for the reason stated. He hopes to return to China after the war. While in China Mr. Edmunds wae greatly interested in studying the life and customs of the natives, and he also found much which specially appealed to him from a professional point of view. The Chinese, it should be noticed, have no architects of their own and hence the-A is much 6oope for professionals from the west. In an interview with our representative to-day, Mr. Edmunds said that just after the outbreak of the war the G-ermajis cap- tured the native Chinese papers and used them to circulate false news of the hap- penings in Europe. We received news in the early days of the war from these sources that Portsmouth had been cap- tured and that Edinburgh was being bom- barded and later we heard that all the British people in India had been massa- cred. These, of course, were all German lies." The Chinese believed them because they received no other reports. But thp I English Con suI at. Shantung received Reuter's telegrams, and we shared tho cost with him and spread them abroad as much as possible." Nearly every young man is leaving; China to oome home and enlist," Mr. Edmunds continued. The enthusiasm out there is tremendous I came home with two other Englishmen—one a doctor un- der the Chinese Government, who threw up a good position to enlist and the other a skin merchant. The journey took four weeks and six days instead of little over a fortnight/' Narrating in brief his ex- periences on the journey, Mr. Edmunds said they came through Siberia to Petro- grad. The three of them travelled as British officers and the Russian Govern- ment was very good to them, giving them a free passage right across the whole of Russia to the capital, first class coupe or carriage or the Trans-Siberian Railway was placed at their disposal. From Petrograd, Mr. Edmunds and his com- panions travelled by the train right to north of Finland- It was frightfully cold here, colder even than Siberia. They then had a sleigh rid.e of four hours from Tornea to Karungi, the terminus of the Swedish railways. By rail they tra- velled through Sweden to Stockholm, thence across to Christiania the capital of thence acros to Christian, the capital of Norway, from Christiania to Bergen, and from Bergen across the North Sea to New- castle. The ordinary overland route from China lies through Brussels and Calais, but owing to the war this way home was impossible. "We saw Russia at a most interesting time," said Mr. Edmunds, When cross- ing one of the famous bridges in Russia we had a soldier with fixed oayonet standing by the door of our compartment, and the same at every compartment. We were held up a lot in Siberia to let Aus- trian prisoners pass. There were thou- sands of them and they were being taken to a place called Yakutsk. Frequently we were also delayed through military trains .At Omsk a great Siberian Cossack centre, we saw as far as eye could reach soldiers going through training in horse- manship. We landed in Petrograd on the Russian Christmas Day, and it was very interesting. All the churches and cathe- drals were packed with people to the door praying for the success of their army." One thing amused Mr. Edmunds, this was to see Cossack Officers, who by their faces were evidently devoties of Bacchus, drinking lemonade owing to the prohibi- tion of Vodka.

I I AN AMERICAN VETERAN. I Mr. David James, I I a veteran of the American Civil War, and a of the U.S.A., who was buiied I at Babell, Swansea, this week.

During the last few weeks a special effort has been mr.de to bring the strength of the Baden-Powell Scovit Patrols in Swaai- sea up to the aggregate membership of one thuu-sand as primif ed to the Chief Scout when he was in the tovm some lime ago. Having achieved tha.t end. Messrs. R, Gerald Eden (District Commissioner), €. J. Wilson (Assistant C/ommiFsionwi. and A. V. Gcnmiill (chairmaD? propose to arrange to place 'senior members under the j>re-<I J?in<n? courses &t military drUL i._„

TRIFLING WITH TRIFLES j —if they happen to be "trifling" ailments-is a course greatly to be deprecated. Serious diseases sometimes originate in a so-called "trifling" disorder. | Prudent people always take careful note of these "trifling" ailments because they are alive to the possibility of unlooked for developments. In the case of the digestive organs it is essential that no trifiing disorder should be neglected. A perfect digestion is so absolutely necessary to the maintenance of j sound health that every care should be taken to preserve it. To this end, the best medicine to take is I BEECHAM'S PILLS. j x "Sold everywhere in boxes, price 11H (56 Pals)& 219 (168 pffla BI

EISTEDDFODAU. j Local Vocalists With North Wales Recruits. On Friday night an eisteddfod for the j troops stationed at Llandudno-the 13th, I 14th, 15th (London Welsh) and the 16th Battalions of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers filled the Pier Pavilion. Brigadier- General Owen Thomas presided, and the conductor was Llew Tegid. Amongst the I local winners were: Duet, Privates W. J. Owen and J. Dunn (Swansea); quartet, Private W. J. Owen's yarty; tenor solo, Private W. Hopkin (Pontardawe). all of1 B (University) Company 13th R.W.F. I I Ynistawe Programme. I A successful eisteddfod was held at I Moriah schoolroom, Ynistawe, on Satur- day evening. The Rev. Thos. Thomas piesided over a large fathering, and the ¡ adjudicators were Messrs John Butler (music), and Thos. Thomas (miscellany). The awards were: I Solo for children (under 10): 1, Miss I Myfanwy Martin. I Recitation for children (under 10): Divided between Master Glyn Lewis and Miss Mary Davies. Solo for children (under 16): 1, Divided between Masters Brinley Jones and Davia T- Jones. Recitation for children (under 16): 1, Miss Eunice Thomas. Soprano solo: Divided between Misses Annie M. Morgan and Winnie Evans. I Tenor solo (for novices): Mr. Tom P. i Williams. Tenor solo (open): Mr. Sam Davies. Baritone solo (for novices): Mr. Willie Thomas. Baritone solo (open): Mr,. Sidney J. Davies. Duet: Messrs. Sidney J. Davies and Sam Davies. Essay on Simeon": Divided between Miss Ceinwen Evans and Master Ritchie Aaron. Answers to questions on general topics: Divided between Miss Eunice Thomas and Master Emlyn Jones. Best made prize bhg: Miss Eachll A. James. Male voice choral competition, In the Sweet by-and-bye YrListawe Nonde- scripts (conducted by Mr. Tom Thomas). „——.

I PONTARDAWE RURAL COUNCIL. I 1 The Pontardawe Bural District Council I met on Thursday, Mr. Morgan Davies pie- sidine The Deputy Engineer (Mr B. I. Phillips) reported that the oomsnmption of water for the last quarter showed -i decrease of 7,439,300 gallons as compared with the cor- responding quarter of la..t year. The de- crease was due to the discovery of a iM-kaea ) The Sanitary Inspector (Mr. A. E. Ed- munds) reported .-it length on the houoe-to- house inspection of houeea. In 1,131 houses inspected the population was 5,9M. The defect reports showed 331 dilapidations,! most of which houses were owned by the Gwaun-cae-Gurwon Colliery Company. A • j number of owners had oompiied with pre iiminary notices. He suggested that closing orders be eerred on the owners of these houses which were unfit. for habitation, Ur. David Lewis (Gwaun-cae-Gurwen) alleged that undue influence had been brought to bear upon the inspector, other wise he would have recommended other hottsee. to be closed. j Several members demanded withdrawal of the ailesation I I Mr. David L/ewis: I won't withdraw any thing- Chairman: In that cise we cannot pro- i ceed with any further business- Mr. Lewis eventually withdrew the allega- tion

MM ?M t OACO"L,,O*U s ,MEST LUNG HEALER] will immediately arrest the course of tbe fl disease and suarJ against all ill effects. It t possesses marvellous healing and tonic prop. I erties. and gives instant relief to Coughs. I Hoarseness, Bronchitis. Diffi- m culty culty of Breathing, etc. It is very I beneficial, and has proved for many years a B boon aM ?a<tM? to <?otM?M<fs 0; &?e?f*. 98 REMEMBER 1 Neglected Coughs and 9 Colds frequently rum to Br'. ,D 0_,11??, uglls -d edt r?.jnd are often the forerunner of that S dreadful disease-Consumptjon. 1;3 or ;o and Zt,,f aii Chemists aBd StereL B MorMfcom the sole 1>ropretr,?s ad inau=s 1K t G. DEAKIN & HUGHES. S N THE INFLAMMATION REMED:3S 00.. 9 BLAENAVON. MON. u DEAKIN'S WONDERFUl, FEVER and INFLAMMATION REMEDIES AND PILLS 1/*i and 2/3, of all Chemists And Stores. THE GREAT PAIN & DISEASE KI^LERS 1/3 AND 2/6 DIRECT FEOAI:— Q. DEAKIN & HUGHES, lie Inflammation Remedies Co., BLAENAVOI AT THE FRONT For nearly three-fourths of a Century proves extreme care in the selection of th" Finest Medicinal Herbs, combined with up-to-date Methods of Extraction of their Best Remedial Qualrtifaa. Hence KERNICK'S VEGETABLE PILLS afford prompt relief for all forma of Indigestion, Liver upsets, Chronie Head- ache, Skin Troubles. They strengthen the nerves and expel all poisonous matter from the system. Sold only in 71,-cL, 13i-d-. and 2/9 boxee by all Chemists, Boots, and Co-operative Societies. lilt We claim that 2/9 DR. TYE'S DROPSY, LIVER, AND WIND PILLS Cure Constipaition, Backache, Indigestion, Heart Weakness, Headache and Nervtroc Complaints. Mr. John Parkin, 5, Eden Crescent, West Auckland, writes, dated March 21, 1912: I must say they are all that you represent them to be; they are splendid; indeed I wish I had known about them sooner. I shall make their worth known to all who suffer from Dropsy." Sole Maker: S. J. COLEY, LTD., 57. HIGH STREET. STROUD. GLOS. Of Keefs tius "far the Blood Sil.c1 Part. It tfta Life." Ii ci I I Blood i| Mixture E: If you sufefr 'ram aay ^uch S sjchapnedjcane. Itlscom I disease as mentioned below, J9E posed of iLgrccxeais whicli l don'twailctJire and money Is q.u:J.1y attack, overcome, j on lotions or ointments J8 and expel (..ellt the blood j f which c&crjot ffd below tù8 ¡; all *fnpuritie5 from wh..l1e.-e: suf- cc uf thr; ski., W^at jz; cse ¡.nÜ.g. 6n t:) you want is a ine^cwie I ronr cleaoar; | j will ihoiirjghly ree the S l never fails to cnc-c: b?o?ofthei?njremattct ? COll.plere and lél¡n cu.; b:-b is :'? true Cue of M Thousands.: testimo.ujli. J Y- ff., T?g. C'arke's g Over 5c yeMt tucceM j I ?.!?:i.[e ? ju.: ?-' ?? P?e?u: to W |  'v' I (CURESI ? I EC:SMt. ) BLMtSULM BLOM PC 15OK | i j B SSCCCRRl OOFFUUU U ? S?EHMSS. PILLEESOl, B j' 1 B&C LEGS, E3!t?. RXSUKATtSM. I i AESCESSES. p'i P: 1 g ULCERS, SO?S. && ?. g maHmtB)t!B??ESt?.SS.a!MSM!Ba?SBB! Of all Cn".¡sr" ¡ S .\1r"l:. :z: P or ba X i,, -=- 'i"!ii1llPiIIo; J!

A rise range has been constructed in the basement of the new London County Council Hall for use of the staff. Lady Jellicoe has received letters from: Mr. Winston Churchill and Lord Kitchener giving their hearty approval of the League of Women's United Service! Clubs. According to a new law carried unani-1 mously through the Iceland Parliamwitj ld¡'OhOljC dr inkS havp b?en forbidden iu ? ?land. The two last baskets of cham- j L pugue have been axported. 'j w

I THE UNWANTED GOAT. There has been a surfeit of presentation g-oats received at Porthcawl -during the past few days, and the a.mhontles, having no fund !rom which to provide fodder, are at a loss to know what 1.0 dCl with them. Anyone who desires to provide a I masoot for a corps should communicate i with the commanding officer in the in v. I instance to ascertain when the animal will be acceptable. On Thursday a telegram was received I at tbe headquarters from Aherdare s-tat- ing th"t oat was being sent for the I Bantams. Though a wire was immediately despatched asking the generous donor net to forward the pet, it apparently reached ,its destination too late, for Mr. "Billy" I arrived in due course.

I CAPTURED WELSHMEN IN GERMANY. Sergeant. Edgar Davies, 2Dd Welsh Regt.. son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Davies, of j 12, We--tb-ary-street, Swansea, who v\-as reported missing on October 30th, is now officially declared to be a prisoner of war iu Germany. I The 2nd Welsh resisted, and defeated, a vigorous attack by superior numbers cf Germans, and in the melee Sergt. Davies and a number>of his comrad- were cut off i j and tak?D pn.:Quers. I -L

Mr. W, W. Pettigrcw. parks supecin. tendent, of CardiS, and YLT. Daniel B-Ii-r,, park s superintendent, of Swansea, are the two candidates, left out of 111 for the final choicp or the Parks Committee, of the ^MancUest?!* Corporation, in connection with the appointment of ,;i successor to the Lite Mr. Kobert. Lamb. who "a-, for Ulany years the E'.pnpral parikfi superin- fPTiaariit ru M=>£' -+_