Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

PUBLIC NOTICES. LL^NDEBIE 14th ANNUAL CHAIR EISTEDDFOD to be hcli in A Spacious Marquee W^H IT-MONDAY, MAY 20th, 1918. CHIEF ITEMS— ChH Choral O lather. }Yho's Almighty £10 Children's Choir. Diliau'r Dolydd (D W Lev/is, Brynamman) f,3 38. (If more than three choirs compete a. second prize of El 1. will be given.) Champion Solo, Open (any voice). £ 2 2b. Memoriam to th? late Tom Mathews. EfQ. M.A.. Llandebie; prize a Valuable Chair. Programmer to bo had from D. 0. Jones, The Laurels. lJanaebie and J Davies Car- oma Villa (Sees.). SAILINGS. UUj^y South & East Afrca. .u N1 ROYAL MAIL ROUTE. CASTLE The Cape, Natal, Transvaal. Rhodesia, S 1$2P East African Ports, LSSIIM Mauritius. &c. For Sailings and Other Information, apply to the Head Oilice, 3 and 4, Fen- church-street, London, E.C. 3, or in Swan- tiea to T. R. W. Mason and Co., or Bertie Perkins and Co. WHITE STAR. LINE. Liverpool to Australia. CALLING AT CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA). Fares: To Australia, £23 to -034; to Cape Town, £1;-) 15s. to S24 36. Theses steamers are twlu &Crew} tittodi with bilge keels, and have been specially constructed for the Colonial trade. The accommodation comprises Smoking. Read- ing. and lJinig Rooms. Surgeon and Stewardesses carried. For further particulars apply to the Lccal Agents: WHITE STAR. LINE, Liverpool; 1, Cock5pur-stret. S. W. 1, and 33. Learlr-hail-street, E.G. 3. London. T F-C. 3. Lor,('toj3. MONEY. THE SWANSEA MERCANTILE CO. (Ltd.) 18, PARK. STREET, SWANSEA, v Make Cash Advances Daily, from £ 1 0 to £ 1,000. No Charge unless Business done. Strictly Private and Confidential. For turther particulars, bpply H. a. JONES, Manager MISCELLANEOUS. MAIill Freehold Farm for Sale, com- j prising about 15 acres of pasture land. with Cottage and Out-buildings. 4 miles from Lampeter; price £ 300.—Apply Box No G Leader Office. 212.14-6 }7" ARS\VOOill;cultry containing i ground insects, will do?Me Your e?c supply. Packets 2d.. 6d is—Tnomas Evar.i. Eoyal Store?. Llandilo. 210A4-6 L EA-S E oi Premises required in central positica in Morriston; well-lighted- grronnd floor essential: ",pat;e required about 2,000 superficial feet on ground floor, and one or more floors over s(gme.-Pull par- ticulars to Box 292 Co J. G. King and Son. 10, Belt-court. Fleet-street, London E.C.4. C4-13 AR ON RATS.- 'Ro,i ine Rat Poison make a clean sweep in one night. Dead vermin dry up. Absolute extermina- tion guaranteed. Swift and deadly. Tins. 61Is.. 26., 3S.. 5s.: post4 2d.—Harley. I Chemist, Perth. I

THE BATTLE. I A fortnight ago Sir Douglas Haig gave us the first intima- tion that the long-awaited storm l %as about to burst upon us. It is curious, looking bacK to those days of expectation, to recall what Wt. thought of the prospects. Mr. Bonar Law, always a frank speaker of his mind, had told us of his scepticism regarding the advertised German offensive, and his words weighed with many. Uncertainty filled the air. But upon one matter there was no diversity of opinion. If the Germans attacked, we were all quite positive that they would be contained. From France came tales of defensive lines so strong and so well devised, that we were encouraged in the hope that, how- ever heavy the German blow, it would not bref,,k U. We were pre- pared to hear of small sectors rushed in here a.nd there, of enormous concentrations in par- ticular places that would bend the line. But we did not think of a great retreat. We were nervous, but we were confident. Looking back over the fortnight, surveying the field of battle from Cambrai to Albert, and from St. Quentin to Montdidier, what are we to say of events ? Have we any right to say: So far, well?" Or would frankness compel us to ad- mit that we have suffered defeat? We can only answer by dwelling ] upon the German objectives as fat as we know them; and we can dis- miss boasts—sueli as that of Hin- denburg that he would be in Paris on April 1st—-and battle-field stories of German time-tables of progress. What were the enemy's objectives in taking the initiative? First and foremost, the size oi the attack, the heroic style in which losses were incurred, the enormous concentration of men and guns, support the view that the Germans were engaged upon a col- .ossal undertaking, and that they -hoped for tremendous results. In 1916, upon the Somme, we struck day after day in the expectation that one day the strained German line would break and leave a gap wide enough for us to pour troops into the open country around Cam- brai. Had the weather held, we might have done it, but October was, a nightmare month of rains and olir hopes were swept»away. In 1917, we fought with limited objectives, but at one time we thought that the steady succession of blows would have meant the recovery of the Belgian coast. Thus; in 1916 and 1917, our larger objectives were un- gained. This year, the. change in the man power of the opposing armies brought about by the defec- tion of Russia, forbade us taking the offensive" again. We had to defend what we had. And Germany had her great opportunity As quickly as ships could be found, the Ameri- can armies were making up to the Allies for what they had lost by the Russian failure. If our enemy was to have any chance at all', she had to strike quickly, and to strike de- cisively. A blow with limited objectives would not serve Germany's pur- pose. It had to be an attempt to cripple her opponents. And the front selected for the attack shows that the first and largest aim was to divide the British Army from the French, to disorganise it,, and in the military sense to destroy it. There is every reason to think, as Mr. J. A. Spender writes, that the attack on the Arras front was timed for the third day of the battle and intended to be simultaneous with the attack which broke our line west of St. Quentin. But by his skilful retirement from Monchy and our advanced positions east of Arras Sir Douglas Haig threw out the enemy's time-table, and when the attack came three days later it failed absolutely against the splen- did resistance of the Third Army under General Byng The way north of the Somme being thus barred, the enemy swung south,, and developed a new thrust in the direction of Rove and Noyon on the road to Paris, with a spear-head thrown out towards Amiens. So then neither our hopes of holding the line, nor the German plan of breaking through, cutting the armies in twain, and upsetting I our lines of commuaication, have materialised. The German rush at St. Quentin made it .impossible for us to preserve the old alignment. It affected our front for twenty miles, and its influence only fell off at Arras. The Germans found our weak spot, and for a few days our. peril was extreme. To-day, although our line is solidifying again, the Boche is near vital arteries. We trust he will not come nearer. And the stories that are coming home show that our armies have added a new chapter to European history. Thank God, „ our losses have been comparatively light; but this.is due to the wonderful organisation by which we were preserved from abso- lute disaster. A Swansea officer, now upon road work at the line, actually brought all his steam rollers—not to speak of his men—out of danger after days and nights of work. We speak of the miracle of the Marne; S't. wa.s no 1e&8 a miracle. St. Quentin was no less a miracle.

NEATH TOWN COUNCIL. At a meeting of the Keath Town Coun- cil on Thursday, Aid. H. P. Charles, ex- mayor, presided. Sympathy was ex- pressed with^the Town Clerk. (Mr. E. C Curtis), who is in a bad state of health. The secretary of the Neath Socialists' Party wrote asking for the u&e of the Council chamber of the Gwyn Hall for a violin recitaL-Consent wag given.

THE BISHOP'S RATIONS. I The Bishop of Oxford, writing in hie The, Bigliop of (-)xf<)rd, My I Diocesan Magazine," says:—" May I give notice that I propose to eat my por- tion of meat, etc., at home. so that when I visit parishes I shall neither want nor bo permitted to eat meat or any other rationed food? I only eav this that my kind hosts may not try to provide me with any such food."

BRYNAMMAN. Three performances of the operetta Flowers of the Forest" were given hy the juvenile choir of the Bryna-mina-n English Congregational Church on Mon- day, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The conductor was Mr. Enoch Bowen (pre- centor). while Madam Fred liargreaves I supervised the staging.

BETTWS. • I Bettws will, after all, be represented chorally at the Neath National Eistedd- fod. Mr. Arthur Moses, the conductor of the Bettws Juvvmk Choir, have been in- auced to tako nii well-known prize oom- biaatU'rt into the arena, The wedding was selemnised at Capel Newydd on Tuesday of Miss Harriet Fow- ler. daughter of the late Mr. Wni. Fowler and of Mrs. Fowler, Glannant, to Mr. IM. Randall Wheelhou&e, son of Mr. and 3Irs. Wheelhonse, Colonel-road- It was very Quietly celebrated owing to the recent death of the bride's father.

FFORESTFACH. A concert- was held at Bethlehenji Cadle, I on TtiVzrsday evening, when Handel's I oratorio Judas Maccabasus was ren- dered hy the chapel choir. r. W. G. R. John (Cadle School) pre SidNl. I The funeral of Dore?i Gti&U<a. aged ?, I only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Griffiths, Highland-terrace, took place at Calfaria, the Rev. E. J. Hughes .ftic,-Iated. Cadle school children were present and sang appropriately, undc-r the conductor- fihip of Mr. W. G. R. John. Ravenhill Band of Hope was also represented.

i GROvESND. i The Grcveseud district was short of meat during the week, and the complaints were not so much as to the shortage as to the unfair distribution. It was alleged lt some had joints, while a good many families went without.

i CLAIS. Mr. J. H. Griffiths, M.E., presided over a meeting at Glaig on Thursday evening, when Supt. Williams formerly police in- spector at GIMs, was presented on behalf of the inhabitants of the place with an illuminated addrees and a wallet of notes.

GOWERTON. I The choir of Bethel Chapel, Gowerton, under the conductorship of the Rev. L. Richards, gave a rendering of the can- fata entitled Ym-om Yr Adar on Friday evening last. Dr. R. P. Jones preeided.

—————' «  -————- KIDWELLY. I The wedding took place at Kidwelly of ex-Sergt. Mark Spraggon, lata of the R.F.A.. who served with gallantry at Mons and the Marne, and Who was severe- ?y wounded, to Mies Rowena John, eldest daughter of Mr. and ?r?. R. W. John, Isawel. Water-street. Kidwelly. The bridegroom is the eldest son of the late I Capt. Mark Spraggon, master mariner, of Swansea.

Lt-AfJGADOCK. The funeral of t4e late Mrs. Joseph, Church House, took place at Llangadock Cemetery. The body was taken to St. Cado; Church, where the Rev. J. Titus Vicar, and the Rev. J. Jones, Vicar of Gwvrife, officiated. Miss Lloyd1 Harries played t'hc Dead March" in Saul. The chief mourners were; Mr. J. W. Joseph (husband), Mr. Harry Joseph (son), Mr. Dd. Morris (son-in-law), Mf. D. Luther Joseph (nephew). Mr. Edwin Thomas (nephew), Mr. W. Morris, CaerhynMr. E. Glasbrook, The Down; Mr. Rees Owen, Pr.ntyffvnnon. Floral tributes were sent by: husband; Eddio and David, daughter and son-in-law; Percy and Blanche, son and daughter-in-law; Rutii and Charles, Neath, sister and brother-in- law; May and Hannah, Scotland, sister and brother-in-law; Alice and Tom, Lon- don, sister and brother-in-law; Ethel and Luther, Llangennech; Emma; Dr. Roberts' and family, New Tredegar; Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Ita terloc),, Lia,n ("c, very; the Rgx,. andmMrs. Titus, Llangadock; Mr. and Jrs. Morgan, Cynyll, Llangadock.

LLANDOVERY. The Mayor presided over a crowded audience at a concert in aid of the Rail- way Widows' and Orphans' Fund. Artistes: Miss Katie Evans, Madame May Roberts, Mr. Emlyn Thomas, Mr. W. T. Rees, Miss Eva Davies. and the Llan- dovery Male Voice Party. At the Llandovery Board of Guardjans Mr. Win. Hughes, Bran Villa, High- street, was co-opted a member in the room of Ald. D. Saunders-Thomas. A vote of sympathy was passed with the widow and relatives of the late Aid. Tl)on-ta,s.-Tlie calls, owing to the all- round advance in prices, etc., were in- xteassd from 41d. it 3d.—An ♦uuioimcc* ment that caused members to cock up their ears was that the master had two pigs to dispose of.

PONTYE^TES. Unqualified success attended a chair eisteddfod at Pontyeates (Carmarthen), and the princil)al awa--dr. were.Chief choral, Myrddill Glee Society, Carmar- j ihen (Mr. Vvm. Jones); choir. Myrddin Ladies' Choir (Mr. Wm. Jones); I soprano solo, Madame Lloyd, Trim»uran: contralto Miss H. J. Jones. Car- --artlien; b:SI. solo, Mr. Edwin Williams. Ponthenry; tenor solo, Mr. Brinley Jone/P, Carmarthen; &:>-10 (under 17), Miss Annie Davies, Cambrian-place, Carmarthen; chief recitation, divided between MeoSre. T Jones, Dryslwyn, and Coed fab Davies. Cross Hands. Mr. W. J. Watkins, Dow- lais, adjudicated in music. and Mr. Tom Harry in recitatious.

POMTLLtW. Ii On his departure for Trebanos P.C. W. Roberts has been presented with a marble c l oc k, and Mrs. Roberts with a silver purse. A presentation was held at Pontlliw Mission Church, when P.C. Frank Rob- erts was presented by the inhabitants with an inscribed marble clock on his departure for Trebanos, after several years at Pontlliw. A silver puree was presented fo Mrs. Roberts by Mrs. Davie*?, Carmel Hall, who made both presenta- tions.

■■■■■— « SWANSEA, i The death Las oceured of a familiar figure in the district in the person of Mr. Joseph Willams, Trebo^th-terrace. Mr. Williams had been in weak health for a long time. At the inquest held at Swansea on Thursday on the body of Lindon Charles Rees, aged three years of <:M, Trafalgar- terrace, a verdict of death from diph- theria was returned. The Swansea Hospital Board have agreed to erect a temporary building for the treatment of disabled and discharged soldiers provided that the Ministry <of Pensions bean; the expense. For keeping his refreshment shop in High-street open after 8 o'clock in the evening of Feb. 25th, and selling cigar- ettes, Herbert Jno. Alderson was fined S2 at Swansea on Tuesday. The sympathy of all Swansea foot- ballers will go cut to George Hayward. the ex-All White and Welsh forward. His wife, who had been seriously ill for some time, died on Sunday in the Sv an- sea Hospital. A remarkably successful performance of Ar y Groef[()r(l" (the Rev. H. G. Berry's prize Welsh drama) was given by the Phtsmarl Dramatic Society at Brynhyfryd Schoolroom on Saturday evening. Mr. W. Clement presided The Rev. Mr. Lubner, the Swansea Jewish, minister. is among other Russian Jews called up and ordered to proceed to Cardiff. However, as an ordained mini- ster he is exempt from military eerviee. A line of ?5 was imposed at Swansea on Tuesday upon Torbjorn Torbjorensen 15) railway employe, summoned for residing in Swansea and failing to furnish to the aliens' registration officer particulars re- quired for the purpose of registration. Helena Linden (18), was charged at Swansea on Monday with stealing from Mr. Thomas Richards' shop in Oxford- street dresses, ete.to the value of £1 8s. 5d. Mr. Richards discovered the missing articles in the girl's bedroom. She was bound over. Councillor T. J. Wilson presided over the adjourned dele-gate meeting or the National Amalgamated Labourers' Union, held at S-ansea on Sunday* afternoon. Mr. J. Two-mey reported on n.an-pouer, and also gave an account of his recent visit to the front. Reference was made at the Swansea Food Control Committee on Wednesday to the fact that certain Sunday trains were to be stopped, which would cut off some of the Sunday mifk supplies. The committee decided to do all iu their power to ensure adequate suoolies reaching Swansea. On Saturday a military wedding was solemnised at St. Mary's Church, Swan- sea, when Q.M.S. R. B. Bates, now of Blackpool, second son of .Mrs. Bates St. Helen's-road, was married to Miff; Mamie Thomas, yccungest daughtor of Mrs. Thomas, Willows-place, by the Vicar, Prebendary the Hon. W. Talbot Rice. Some excrtemenfc was earned in Prince :)f Wales-road on Wednesday when a voung bull, in charge of some men, broke loose, and dashed down the road through Jigh-street, turned into Pottery-street, and then into the Strand, where it evi- dently came to a stop. No one was injured. Last week-end an interesting presenta- tion took place at the Docks, when Mr. J. S. Jackson, Surveyor of Excise and Customs, who is leaving Swansea to till a similar position in London on Tuesday next, was presented with a beautiful illuminated address as a small token of affection and esteem from his numerous iriends at the Docks. It is stated that an appeal is to be made to the Divisional Court to set aside the verdict cf a coroner's inquest at Swansea on the body of the late Mr. Charles Down. on the ground that the evideuee furnished no justification for the conclusion that Mr. Down intentionally took his life, and that ;the medical evidence was that such an act wo-Id have been very d'fficult of, accomplishment. The funeral of the late Mr. John Evan Jenkins, headmaster of the National Schools,. Oxford-street, Swunsea, took place on Saturday afternoon. A service at the house, 70, St. Helen's-crescent. was conducted by the Rev. M. H. L. Williams, vicar of bt. Gabriel's, and at St. Mary's bv the Vicar of Swansea, Prebendary the Rev. the Hon. W. Talbot Rice and Mr. Williams, who also officiated at Dany- graig Cemetery. On Saturday morning, at Alexandra- road C.M. Chapel. Swansea, the wedding was. quietly solemnised (by special licence) of Mr. Frank Howel Helhngs, elder son of Mr. and the late Mrs. J. T. Hellin?s 1"S. Rhvddin?s-tert-ace. Swan- ?a, and )L"s Dorothy Rowen. eldest daughter of Mr. and M;-s. Samuel Stephens, lleatlifield-lane, Mount Plea- sant, Swansea. The Rev. J. H. Owen officiated, and the bride was given away by her father. The wedding was solemnised at Alex- andra-road C.M. Chapel, Swansea, on Tuesday, of Lieut. A E. Gallie, J\1.C, and Miss Lillian Maud Evans (second daughter of Mr. and Mrs David Evans. Carlton-terrace, Swansea. The bride, who was given awiy by her father, was attired in a dress of ivory satin de chine trimmed with georgette and pearls. She also wore a wreath of orange blossoms and carried .1 sheaf of Easter lilies. The 3rd G.V.R. as-sault-at-arm« at the Vetch Field. Swansea, on Monday, was a great success. There were competi- tioiis for drill, musketry theory, bomb- ing and bayonet fighting. Capt. Ilaslen, M.C., and Capt. Robertson, M.C., were the judges, assisted by Lients, Ck and Short, the chief judge being Colonel Edwards-Vaughan. "C Company was triumphant in carrying off the lion's share of the prizes, and won the silver cup offered by Major A. A. Perkins, O.C., for the best company. Maiy of his old Swansea friends will learn with the deepest regret of the death of Principal Edward Francis, brother of ex-Councillor Abram Francis, which took place last week-end at the High Pavement Secondary School. Nottingham; in which 1town he had lived and accomplished ad- i mirablc Scholastic work for the past 35 I lears. lle was a Freemason, and always figured prominently in the Welsh Society, and every movement that was connected with the Principality. He was an oht National Schoolboy, and was one of the earliest teachers under the late Mr. Fred. J Cole, and was there at the time Mr. Dan. j Morris (now Sir Daniel Morris) was at j teacher. EASTER VESTRY. I T-ii vicar (Rev. II. H. Williams) presiled over the annual Easter vestry at St. John's Church, Hafod, Swansea, on Wednesday" evpning. 1 The wardens, Mr- J. Davey (vica. "s). and Mr. Geo. Griffiths (people's) were e?cted. Th? lay electors, Mr. Wm. Jen-, idns, -Nlr. W. Williams anl Mr. D. J. i.Ianson, and the auditors, .Messrs, D. J. Morgan and H. Collar were a-11 re-ap.. pointed. Messrs. David Rees and ctas, Griffiths were appointed to fill two vac an* des in the roll of sidesmen. FOOD OFFICER. If The appointment of Mr. Victor Evans as chief executive officer of the Swansea Borough Food Control Committee (hitherto ile has been assistant executive officer with the Town Clerk. Mr. H. Lan Coatb. a honorary executive oiffcer), is a matter or i e-ar range ment necessitated by the stress of conditions. The town clerk's depart- ment, as is well known, is very shoiAj staffed, and it would be impossible top t.he town clerk to give the time and per- sonal attention to the food control worcf which the situation demands. It has been felt that it is very desirab'.a to have the whole of the executive control, in one pair of hands, and with this in. view the appointment of Mr. Evans to the full office has been decided upon. -Air.. Evans has proved his worth, and Swansea, is one &t the best supplied towns in the Kingdom. He will still have the henetit of the town clerk's legal advice, which has been of exceptional value in the past. SWANSEA J.P. I A public meeting of agricultural labourers was hedd at Westbury-on- Severn on Tuesday evening to hear an ad- dress from Mr. James Wignall, J.P., Swansea (national organiser of the Dockers' Union), who is concluding a series of unusually successful meetings ini the constituency. Mr. W. T. Griffiths, chairman of tha Xewnham branch of tIie. National Union! of Rail way men, presided, and inquired) whether Mr. Wignall had been se lected) Parliamentary candidate for Dean Forestj ia the interest of Labour. Mr. Wignall replied that that important question had not yet been settled. Cer- tain persons had been marked out aa probable candidates for certain constitu* encies, but they had got to make the ac- quaintance of the electors, and then, in due course, the committees appointed toi dc, so would make selections. He Was quit41 willing to accept an invitation to stand for the Forest,) but should their choice fall on someone else he would patriotically, accept that decision and help him to win.

THREE CROSSES. A concert was held at Three CrosRm. I The artistes were Mrs. Aubrey Boven. jj Mr. D. J. Davies (Maesteg), Mr. Harry Roberts (Gorseinon), Miss Miriam Evant (Glanamman). At Three Crosses Eisteddfod, the Rev. D Bowen (Myfr Ilefin), Horeb, won the prize of 2gns. and a beautiful oak cbaip for a poem on Vision," and 10s. 6d. fop recitation competition on A Child'lf Prayer."

TYCROES. The fortieth annual singing festival (Cymanfa Ganu) in connection with the C.M. churches of Hendre district, eoTiK prising Hendre, Tycrow, Llanedy, Pen. .gross, Llandilo, Llanfluan, < ernberach» Cross Hands and Pentwyn, took placS Easter Monday at Hendre Chapel. lr. T. Hopkjh Evans was the conductor.

f, | TREBOETH. t A presentation meeting wae held aft Treboeth Public Hall on Tuesday even- ing, when Pte I). J. Thomas, Quarr, Tre- boeth. was presented with a medal on behalf of the Treboeth and District Re- ception Committee. The presentation was made by Miss Davies, Bryngelly House. An entertainment was arranged when the following took part:—Missea Muriel Lawson, Ceinwen Gregory, Eclna. I Smith, Muriel James, E. Summers. j Rowlands (Cardiff), and Jones (Cwm. amman, Messrs. J. John, P. John, 1,1.. Edmunds, C. Edmunds. Miss Muriel Wil- liams accompanied, and Mr. W. Lloyd (Mvnyddbach) presided. At the conclusion of the presentation: I meeting held at Treboeth Public Hall on Tuesday evening a vote of coadolence was I passed with the parents and relatires cS I the late Pte7~I). W. Job, Treboeth. lately, I killed in action.

— YSTRADGYNLAIS. I The Welsh drama Jac Martin" I performed at Ystradgynlais Cinema on Wednesday evening by the Ainon Dra- t matic Societv (under the conductorship of t Mr. Howel Phillips. A.T.S.C.) There was I an excellent attendance, and the party» which was making its first appearance, in- jt tends performing elsewhere at an early t date. The members of Ainon Baptist Chapel ) ire calling the attention of the Freq I Caurck Council to the prevalence of im< moral conduct and vice in the district. <

YSTALYFERA. I The death took place at Wern-road, Ystfil vforii, on Wednesday, of Mrs. Ann Evans, wi dow of the late Mr. J a me 3 Evans, Station House, Pontardawe. Deceased was fU years of age and wa< held in high esteem in the district. She I leaves four daughters, two of them beiiiff Mrs. Jones, postmistress. Ystalyfera, wife of Mr. Ben Jones, M.A., and Mrs, (Jwen Evans, wife of Signaller Wm< Evans, assistant master at Trebanoj School. The funeral takes place at Ge1.o lionen on 31on day. A musical evening was given at th. English Congregational Chapel, Ystaly* fern, on Thursday evening, Mr. Richard C Williams, Swansea, presiding. Th. artistes were Miss May Williams Godre'r« griit, Mr. Richard Williams, Mr. Rich* ard,s, Miss Annetta Davies and Master Hy, Phillips. Held on Easier Tuesday in aid of local war funds. There were record entries:— Boys' race: 1, T. Griffiths. Neath; 2. Jan. Thomas, Brynatnman: 3, 0. Price. Cnn. giedd. Half-mile novice cycle liandicapt 1, W. Jones, Ystalytera; 2, D. Jonep, Mountain Ash; 3.. W. Dyer. Mountain .Ash. 100 yards' thit handicap: I, Cecil Griffiths, Neath; 2. W. Hall, Clydaeh; 3," Ben Morgan. Neath Abbey. Quarter mile open: 1, G. Williams, Pontypridd; 2, Sam Harris, Pontardawe: 3, Dan Wil- liams. 220 yards open flat race: Dead heat between W. Hall. Clydaeh, and W. Edwards, Ystalyfera. Half-mile cycle open: 1, G, .Williams, Pontypridd; 2, S. Harris, Pontypridd; 3, W. Jones. Ystaly- fera. 440 yards flat race: 1, Cecil Grif- fiths, Neath; 2, E. Gape, Ystalyfera; 3, W. Edwards. Ystalyfera. Tug-of-war: Y stalyfera team. The.wedding took place at Woodchester, on Tuesday, of tfle Rev. A. 'l. ivladdocks, Felk,sham, Wilts, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Maddocks. Pwllbach, Ystalytera, and Miss Daisy Woodward, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Woodward of Woodchester. The bride w given away hy her brother. Mr. Chas. Woodward, whilst Miss Gwen Mad- docks, sister of the bridegroom, was the bridesmaid. Mr. Percy Woodward nerbew of the bride, was best mair

"TAPPING FOR SUGAR. I To increase Canadian sugar production it is proposed to tap the maple shade trees on the streets of some of the Eastern towns. Instead of making a trip to the corner grocery the housewife can take a bucketful of the saccharine liquid from the "bush" in front of the house and boil down" enough, sugar for the break- fast coffee.

A HINT TO WALES. Thert has been a s-plendid response to the appeal for voluntary enlistment of voung miners in North ^Staffordshire dur- ing the last week. Since the German offensive they have thronged the reoruit- mx office at Bnrslem in such numbers tliat the recruiting officers and medical jaoardfi have been overwhelmed. 'rbe first detachment marched through the streets of the Potteries on Tuesday to Stoke, where they entrained for their depot. Sergt.-Major Booth, who had. them in ehai-Re. (raid: "I have trained thousands of recruits, and have never seen a finer body of men." A so-called unofficial conference of South Wales Miners met at Cardiff on Tuesday. in opposition to tlve Federation policy on the comb-out question. About two hun- dred assembled, largely from the anthra- cite districts, and resolutions were passed calling for an official conference on the (question. A dputation was appointed to see the General Secretary of the Federa- tion. The chairman declared that their quarrel was not with thft Government, but with their own executive, w ho, he de- clared, had "diddled" them and the Coveramejat also..<

AMFJZAKFORD. Tho inging festival of the Ammanford Baptist churches was held in Ebenezer on J Monday, when Mr. J. Harries-Thomas, A.R.O.M., wielded the baton. The Ammanford and district Congrega- tional Churches hold their aniiufl siugiii^ festival on Good Friday, Mr. T. Glyndwr Richards, Mountain Ash, conducting the choir, which was drawn from the Chris- i tian TerupJe, Gwynfryn, Moriah and Sioa (Llamiohie) cl-urc-hes. A marriage was solemnised at St. David's Church, Bettws, between Mr. .-krthur T. Jewis, 30, Vdnd-stre-et, Am- manford. and Miss Florence Beatrice Shepherd, Pontamman. The ceremony was performed by the Vicar (Rev. J. W. Jones). The deed which won for Sergt. D. L. i Evans, Penyhank-road, Ammanford, the D.C.M. in the Palestine fighting, is thus described in the Gazette When the whole of a. Lewis gun team became casualties, he fetched in the gun and spare parte under heavy fire, organised a team, and got the gun into action again with splendid succers. He showed splendid initiative and determination." II Mr. W. T. Rees, baritone, captured many eisteddfodic prizes over the holi- days. ¡; Amanwy was the winner of the bardic chair at Canaan eisteddfod. Swan- sea. The Ebenezer Philharmonic Society has unanimoiisly decided to compete in the chief choral contest at Neath National Eisteddfod in August, and Mr. J. Har- riee-Thomas. A.R.C.M., has been pressed to accept the conductorship. This will meadtwo competing combinations from the town.

BURRYPORT. It is stated that there will be no Sunday trains in future. On Easter Monday, the cymanfa ganu of the Welsh Methodist Churches of Burryport, Pombrey, Kidwelly, Llansaint. Trimsarat), and Llandefeilog was held at Bethel Chapel, Pembrey. The conductor was Mr. E. T. Davies, F.R.C.O., Merthyr. At a special meeting of the Urban Coun- cil the following ovejccers were appoin- t,&l --Councillor J. Leyshon, Dr. J. H. Williams, Mr. S. L. Graville and Mr. J. McDowell. The question of Mr. H. B. Jones's salary as food inspector was dis- ous?ed and deferred. Mr. Taylor sa.id that the eecretnry (Mr. U. B. Jones') had wired to Scotland stating that if the p?.?i'?ps to be sent\to Burryp?rt were the <tamp as those FuppUed to Crdiff and Swansea, the order was to b? cann&Hpd. It w&<n?'9o dec-?ded tb ask the Gwernmpnt to stop the making of all alcoholic drinks during the war. The anniversary services of Tabernacle were conducted by the Revs. J. J. Youny: (Solva). Wid T. Davies (Drefach).

CWMTWRCH. I The mid-Swansea Valley Union of C-al- vinistic Methodists h?ld their annual sinp- ing festival on Easter Monday at Beulah Baptist Chapel. Lower Cwmtwrch. Prof. David Evans (Cardiff) conducted.

CWMLLYNFELL. I On Easter Monday erpnin?. the Cwm- IIynfel! Chapel Band of Hope Choir, under the cond uctorship? of Mr. Wm. I Joness gave a performance of the cantata Gwaredwr y riant." The Rev. D. Jeremy Jones (pastor) presided. I

CLYDACH. The annual Cymanfa Ganu" was held at Carmel and Tlebren. The juvenile meeting was presided over by the ltev. I). Kiddig Jones, while the aclult meetings at Hebron were presrded over by the Revs. D. G. Richards (TrehanM) and Roberts (Giais). Mr. W. J. Evans (Aberdare). who conducted L-is 600th Cymanfa." held the baton. After having most efficiently performed lier duties as second in charge for the paut six monthSifter M. E. Astley has now sevpred her li,)py connection with the Quarr Auxiliary Hospital. S'ster Astley has been made the recipient by her patients of a wristlet watch and silver nurse Siater Aetley is succeeded by Sister Alann At Calfaria Baptist Church, Chdach, on Monday evening, "Gwili" lectured on Wiiliams rantycelyn." Some of his hnntts were plaved on the harp bv Mr. John Lewis (Clvdach). Dr. J. Havard Jones presided.

CARMARTHEN. 1 At Carmarthen on Wednesday, Mr. C. Footman (Aalton) presided over a. largely attended meeting of delegates from parish branches of the National Farmers' Union from all over the county, when a central committee was formed, r.r.d Mr. Daniel Johns, county agricultural organiser, was appointed hon. secretary cf the county branch. It was deckled, on the motion of the chairman, to form a county branch of the National Farmers* Union. The Rev. W. liar Edwards, senior curate of St. Peter's, Carmarthen, has ac- cepted the living of the parish of Llan- qantifraed, Llannon, Cardiganshire. At St. Peter's Church, the Bishop COll- firm. d over 100 candidates. On Saturday the Lord Chancellor has appointed the following two working-men to the Commission of the Peace for the horough :-Mr. John Griffiths, Parcmain- street. (printer's machinist), a Txberal, and a deacon at Tabernacle Baptist Chapel; and Mr. David Harris Williams, 24, Fran- cis-terrace, a Liberal, and a deacon at Lammas-street Independent Chapel. The Carmarthenshire War Agricultural Executive Committee, after interviewing five candidates for the post of secretari- at o £ '2o0 a year, aprvrnted Mr. Thomas Harries, M.A., Pencader.

nUNVANT. Two excellent performances of the cantata The Brown Pitcher was given at the Sbenezer Congregational Church by the Band of Hope Choir, Mr. E. Bevan conducting; accompanist, Mr. Keri Rich- ards. Mr. G. Davies and Mr. D. Waters were the chairmen.

GWAUN-CAE-GURWEN. I At. an eisteddfod held :tt Carmel. Gwaun- cae-frurwen. tlio champion ,olo prize was divided betweeii Miss Mail" Jones (Carmar- then) and Madam Csthcr Cooper Jones (Ynishir). John Evans (Garnant) won the champion recitation. Itees Thomas (Bryn- ammari) won the first prizo for penillioo singing s "QI —

GORSEiNON. The Rev. W. R. Jones, vicar of Gorse- inon, and Annie, th:rd daughter of Mr. Wm. Thomas, M.E.^and the late Mre. Thomas, GikLill, AWidare, were married at St. El van's Church, Aberdaro. on Wednesday. The Rev. Canon Johnson, warden of St. Michael's College, Llandaff, officiated, and the Rev. J. Llewellyn Davies. vicar of Llanstadwell. was the best man. The bride was given away by her brother, the Rev. W, J. Thomas, vicar of North Curry. Somerset. Cymanfa ganu were held at Sion, Gors- einon, Brvnteg, Penyrheol and Moriah. Loughor on Easter Monday. The Gorseinon Temperance PriZA Silver Band have presented to the Rev. R. W. Jpnes, vicar, a fine clerical stole, on the occasion of his leaving as a chaplain to the Forces. A farewell meeting to the vicar (Rev. R. W. Jones) was held at St. Catherine'?. Mr. Thomas Jones (Bryneithin) presided. The chairman regretted that the vicar was leaving to take up duties as chap- lain. Mrs. Bevan, on behalf of the teac hers (numbering 60) presented him with a gold wrist watch; Mr. Joseph Bevan, on behalf ,of choirs and congrega- tions of Holy Trinity and St. Catherine's, presented him with a wallet of notes to the value of £67. Touching references to his good work were made by Mrs Morse, Messrs. Griff Willis, A. Tobias, D. W. Davies, A. Neyland and R. H. Haneon. The vicar, in responding, stated he was of the people, and had worked among the people. An ardent Churchmen, still 'his love for the Church had not separ- ated him from his Nonconformist col- leagues, and he was thankful to state that from that meeting he had been invited to a farewell tea arranged by all the Non conformist ministers of the place. A dance arranged tinder the auspices of the Hockey Club was held at St. Catherine's Mission Hall. Goreeinon. on Tuesday evening. Mr. A. J. Davies, Man- chester House, acted as M.C. Tank Driver W. H. Hagedorn. eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Hagedorn. Staf- fordshire Warehouse. Gorsennon, vris re- cently married to Miss M. E. Bright, only "daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Bright. White JÆon Hotel. Fcrryside. l)vr. Hagedorn has' seen much service with the tanks.

LLAN-DILO. A vigorous campaign in furtherance ot the movement for the purdwse of War Bonds and War Savings Ce i- t ate's is to be conducted in the town from April Hit to the 8th, The death ha.s occurred in his 72nd year, of Mr. »John Ambrose, Mountain Hall. Court Henry, after a short ill- nets. De-eased 'as widely kfië!wn as a farmer miller. He was a deacon at Cross Inn Methodist Chapel. The wedding has been celebrated at the Llandilo Parish Church of Mr. D. O. Janies, formerly of St. Clears, and now of Llaneliv, to Miss Jennie May Lea, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hy. Lee (butoher), 17. New-road, Llandilo. The funeral of Mr. Thomas Edwards, Onenfawr Farm. Trapp, a well-known agriculturalist, took place" at Ta))er- nacle Congregational burial ground, Llan- dilo. on Wednesday. The Rev. D. Davies officiated. Deceased, who was 58 years of leaver a widow. Mr. J. R. Evans presided over the monthly meeting of the Urban Council. The new clerk, who succeeds Mr. R. Shipley Lewis, who had held the offict for 45 years, was given a hearty welcome on his first appearance at the meeting. Returning thankc, Mr. Edmunds ap pealed for the support of the members during the time he familiarised h;mself with the work. The application of Dr. Phillips, medical officer, for tin increase, was referred to a committee. »

• œ MUMBLES. [ Despite the changeable weather which prevailed over the holidays, a good aum- Iwr of visitors paid a vie it to the Mumbles, the chief attraction being the Pier, where on Friday Hanney' Band dispersed mvsic, and Oil Monday the Gorseinon Silver Band played selections. Mr.' P. II. lulbcrt (Birmingham) occu- pied the pulpit on Sunday and Monday at Castlecon Gospel Hall, Mumbles, the subjects being The greatest question in the world," and The question that has never lieen answered." i A meeting of the Mumbles Allotment Holders' Association was held on Satur- day, Mr. George Williams presiding, to protest against the authorities for the delay in sending on the seed potatoes. After a good detl of discussion, a resolu- tion was passed demanding the return of the money if the potatoes are not de- hyered quickly. The secretary (Mr. H. Wharton) was also requested to forward a l?h,irtop) w !I i-Niip,,ited to forava-rd a Produce Department, 1/ond?n, asking him to state definitely when the association could expect the potatoes. The secretary was exonerated from blame, for the delay.

IVSORRiSTQN.. David Rees (3-D doublet, Win. James (38) spelterman, Sidney AVilll wm,s (31) furnaceman, Wm. Richard John (26) be- h.inder, Dd. Millar (it) furnaceman T. Davies (36) doubler, EVan Thomas (55) Wm. Charles (33) roll erman, were at Swansea on Thursday each fined 10s. for trespassing on the Midland Railway line at Mor rift on on March 71 h. The Morriston and District Methodist chapels held their singing festival on Ea-ster Monday, when Professor D. E. j Williams was the conductor. The annual cyn-tanfa göllU". of the Morriston and District Baptist chapels was held at Seion on Easter Monday. Mr. Tom Powell (Neath) was the conductor. The annual singing festival in connec- tion with the Independent chapels of Morriston and district wn6 held on Good Friday, the chapela represented being Hermon (fontlasse), Nebo (Velindre), Carmel, Horeb and Tabernacle-(Morris- ton). Dr. Vaughan Thomas (Swansea) conducted. Mr*. Joseph Davies, of Glyncollen, Morriston. is lying ill at her residence. On Sunday last Mrs. Davies attended Divine Swiee at Tabernacle Chapel, but since Moixlay she has been .indisposed. Another of a series of weekly concerts arranged at the Horeb Chapel to provide funds for the Soldiers and Sailors, was held on Tuesday evening, the PClv. Wiii. Salmon presiding. The following took part: Misses Doris M. i-iowis, Moifjdd A. Clement, Messrs. Wm. Jenkins and W. Griffiths. Gramophane selections were given by Mr. D. R. Thomas, and ■••aiogiK's and sketches bv W. T. Davios" and Willie Griffiths and friends. Mr. D. J. Lloyd accompanied.

PARKMILL., l The Rev. J. C. Lloyd, of Three Crosses, delivered his lecture on D. L. Moody," at Mount Pisgah. Mr. J. P. L. Gardner, oi Parc-le-Breos. made an ideal chair- ntan. Thanks were extended by Mr. W. Thomas, Mr. Elliot (Killay), and Rev. D. T. Griffiths (pastor).

PENTRECHWYTH. I (Special services were held at the con- gregational Church, Pentxochwyth, on Easter Sunday. A special prayer meet- ing was held in the morning conducted hy the pastor (Rev. Melville Phillips). In the evening the choir (crindiietor, Afr. W. J, Davies) rendered the cantat.). Our Blest Redeemer," assisted hy the follow- ing: Miss Susie Long, H May Leyshon, Mr. E. T. Hopkins, and Mr. W. J. Wil- liams. Mr. Morgan E. Rees presided, and' Miss Henry was the organist.

PONTARDAWE. I Mr. John Morgan,, engineer, reporter1, to the Pontardawe Council on Thursday that 340 allotments had been laid out this season in the district.. Of 'this number J58 of the plots were at Clydaeh. Last year the number of plots were 219, thus bringing the total up to 559. Mr. H. J. Powell, J.P., and Mr. yVynd- ham Lewis, chairman and clerk respec- tively, were appointed to attend the Unions Association meetings in London in May. The annua! a Cymanfa Ganu" in con- nection with Alltwen, Rhos, and Dan-y- graig Congregational Churches took place at Alltwen on Monday. It was a great musical feast, and the conductor (Mr. Emlyn Davies, Llandudno,) expressed himeeif as delighted with the sing>n £ An inquest was -held at Gellynudd. Pontardawe. on Monday, on Eynon Thomas (53). a roadman, who died on Thursday following an accident received at Gleision Colliery, Godre'rgraig, on March 9th. The evidence was to the effect that deceased was knocked down by some trams which had jumped the rails. A verdice of Accidental Death" vras re- turned. The death took place at Ilentreliarne Farm, Cilybebyll. Pontardawe. on Easter Monday of Mr John Williams. Deceased was 7S years of age. and had been in poor health for several weeks. Hewas the oldest farmer on the Cilybebyll estate. There was a larce attendance at the fancy dress ball at the Public Hall, f'ontardawt. on Easter Monday night .under the auspices of St. John's Church Social Guild the pro- ceeds being in aid of Mr Joe Lowell. Allt- wer., who is indisposed Judges: Mrs. Thompson Davies and Miss Ethel Moreton. The prize-winners wereLadies: 1st Miss Owen Gibbon Clydaeh: 2nd divided between Miss Olwcn Morgan (Pontardawe) and Miss Harries Panteg; 3rd. Miss Susie Hapaey, Pontardawe Gent's: 1st Mr. Giddings. Clydaeh: 2nd. Mr. D J Harris Panteg: -??d. Mr. Geo. Bevron, Pontardawe. Me?rs. A'?prt Smith and H W Lewis were tbe M.C.'s. whilst ciueic was oupslied by Price's Alltwen Band. with Mr Ezefrial Ifopkin as accompanist, Mr Albert Smith was the secretary. ,v

I PONTARDULACS. A flag day in aid of the funds of the National Institute for the Blind was held here on Satunla.y. A concert, presided over hy Mr. David Ho?ells, Benallt Col- liery, was givon at the Dulais Glen, in aid of the same cau-e. The Rsnal vestry in connection with St. TeiLo's "ux??.4 ? M <m "ter auu- I —rr 1 .— day, the Vicar, the Rev. W. Morgan, B.A., presiding. The Calvinistic Methodists of the dis- trict held their 40th annual singing festi- val at Goppa C.M., the veteran Mr. Thos. Davies. G: and L., Hi; chzrove, again con- ducting. A. volunteer recruiting meeting was held qt the Drill Hall. Mr. H. H. STniicon, J.P.. pvebided over a most miserable at- tendance. Pte. Edmund Thoma.s was felicitated at Hermon Chapel, and Pte. Tom Harries, R.A.M.C., at Tabernacle, and A.B. Glvn Stephens and Ftes. David Jtlacnwai lr g and Joseph Davies at Goppa. The Vicar of Pontardulais (Rev. W. Morgan, B.A., CP.) wishes to announce that the proceeds of the recent G.F.S. concerto were allocated a.s follows;- Prince of Wales's Hospital for Liipble=s Sailors and Soldiers Cardiff, £ 14; St. Dunstan's Hostel for Blind. Cardiff, £10; G.F.S. Lodge, Swansea. £ 8. The following were successful .candi- dates at the recent County examination at PontardulaisMales (1st year): John Shepherd, Viriamu Rees. Evan Baden Edwards, Clifford Lewis. Trevor Thomas, j T. II. Evans, B. F. Herbert, D. Coslett Davies, Ivor Lewis and Edwin Pet en 2nd year: John Griffiths. Evan and John Thoms; Medallions: James Evans, T. Lewis, John Hopkins and Wm. Stokes. Females (1st year): Bessie Reed, Katie Morgan, M. It. fones, Lily Williams, L. Bowen, Bessie Bevan, Rose Thomas, Jr. Howells, Ann Thomas, Clarice Williams; 2nd year: Annie Williams, Anrie Morgan, Lizzie Davies a.nd Mary Lewis; Labels: j Hannah Griffiths. Mary Hopkins, Mary I A. Michael and Elisabeth Jones.