The South Wales Star

THE COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS. ——- — GRAND LIBERAL VICTORY. There can be no doubt that the result of the bounty Council elections in Glamorganshire is a splendid victory for Liberalism. The Liberals have everywhere fought the elections on political lines, and the title of "Independents" has only served as a thin and transparent mask for Conservatives fighting a hopeless cause. Scrape the polish off a Russian," it is said, and you will find the Tartar": and it needed but little to see that the "Independents" were realty fighting under the Tory flag. It is only in Bridgend that the Liberals have failed to act up to their convictions, and Mr. D. H. Lloyd was defeated, after a plucky fight, by a majority of 26. Lord Dunraven (C.) was returned at the last election, but only attended the meetings of the council on two occasions. Mr. Edwin Price, who now succeeds him, will be, we hope, a more constant attendant, and, however much we deplore the return of a reactionary repre- sentative, we are glad to think that the local interests of Bridgend will be represented on the council. It is a thousand pities that some of the Liberals of Bridgend should have proved false to their convictions. for in Mr. D. H. Lloyd they had an ideal candidate —a shrewd, practical, business man. and a con- sistent and progressive Liberal. Two very exciting contests were fought at Pontypridd. Mr. James Roberts, the ex-Councillor for the Gi-idp; Ward, refused to stand again, and the unanimous choice of the Liberals fell on Mr. Willie Spickett, the son of Mr. E. C. Spickett. solicitor. The Conservatives had a very strong candidate in Mr. David Leyshon, the Chairman of the Pontypridd Local Board. Mr. Leyshon is personally very popular, is an old and respected resident, is well-known both in his public capacity and as owner of a large brewery in the Graig Ward, and it was felt that Mr. Spickett, a, comparatively young man, would score a grand victory if he succeeded in defeating Mr. Leyshon. Mr. Spickett conducted his campaign most vigor- ously, and was indefatigable in speaking and canvassing, with the result that he was returned by a majority of 42. In the Town Ward of Ponty- pridd the excitement was less intense, as it was felt that Mr. Hopidn Smith Davies was practically certain of being returned over the Constitu- tionalist" candidate, Mr. Jones Powell. The popular impression proved to be quite true, and Mr. H. S. Davies was returned by the handsome majority of 122. It was in Penarth, however, that the most important contests of all took place. Both the North and the South Wards had hitherto been represented by Conservatives, and the local Liberals felt that a determined effort should now be made to wrest the seats from the Tories. The Liberals were most happy in their choice of candidates. Mr. Shepherd is an old and "well-known resident, and a thorough Liberal. He was opposed by Mr. David Morgan, whose great personal popularity, it was feared, would make many week-kneed Liberals forget their principles. A nondescript candidate also offered himself for election, in the person of Mr. David Cornwell, who called himself a Liberal, but who said that politics should have nothing to do with the elections. Mr. Cornwell met with his reward, and only received fifty-nine votes. Mr. Shepherd, as will be seen, was returned by a majority of 83 over his only serious opponent. The result in the South Ward is even more encouraging. The Ward was hitherto represented by a Con- servative. in the person of Mr. H. O. Fisher. Mr. J. P. Jones, who, excellent candidate as he was in other respects, was. to use his own words, better known in Cardiff than in Penarth," was chosen to champion the Liberal cause. Mr. Jones from the very outset declared himself to be an uncompromising Liberal. He is personally very popular in Conservative, as well as in Liberal, circles, but from the very first he refused to cloud the issue by running as an •' Independent," taking his stand simply and solely as the Radical candi- date. and declaring that, if he won, he would win as the Liberal nominee, and if he failed, he would fail as a Liberal. The South Ward was supposed to be far more Conservative in feeling than the North Ward. Nevertheless, after a proportionately higher poll. Mr. Jones had a greater majority than Mr. Shepherd, defeating Mr. Fisher by 92 votes. In the Porth and Penygraig Division, Mr. Morgan Williams, the Liberal candidate, ousted the Tory representative by a majority of 142. The only other notable contest took place at Neath, where the Conservative candidate, Mr. W. B. Trick (the ex-mayor) was defeated by the Liberal, Mr. John Arnold, by a majority of 29. In the Cyfarthfa Division of Merthyr the Labour candidate, Mr. Thomas Thomas, went in by the largest majority in any election in the county, defeating his opponent by 546. This may be looked upon also as a Liberal gain. for a Union- ist had been elected in 1889. Only in one instance does a Tory succat;d a Liberal. In Llantwit-Yardre the retiring councillor, Mr. Edward Edwards, was ousted by the Indepen- dent" candidate, Captain H. E. Morgan Lindsay. In all the other contested elections, the representa- tion has not been changed. In some districts local divisions have caused a split in the Liberal camp, and Liberal has been fighting Liberal. In Treorky. Mr. T. Daronwy Isaac defeated the Rev. W. Morris (Rhosynog) by a majority of 77. In Treherbert Mr. John Walters defeated Dr. Makuna by 449. In Pentre the sitting councillor, Mr. Richard Morris, won over his two opponents by a majority of 88. Alderman Gwilym Jones fought the Duffryn seat against the Hon. H. C. Bruce, and won by 352. In the Cymmer Ward, Mr. Idris Williams, of Porth, ran his opponent, another Liberal, Mr. Moses Moses, very closely, and was -only defeated by the small majority of 26. The result of the Caerphilly election was not a sur- prise. Mr. Hill-Male, the defeated candidate, is a very able and a very deserving man but he has yet to win his spurs in the Liberal cause. and the retiring councillor, whom he opposed, is a good Liberal who has done his work faithfully on the Council during the last three years. The largeness of Mr. Jenkin Hill's majority over his popular opponent, the well-known bard and literateur, "Cynalaw," will come as a surprise to most people. The greatness of the majority is possibly due to the fact that Mr. Jones has lately been confined to his bed and unable to canvass the constituency properly. In Mr. Hill, however. Briton Ferry has returned to the Council a good Liberal and a conscientious representative of whom it has no need to be ashamed. In the Tony- pandv division the- retiring councillor, Mr. W. Williams defeated Mr. T. P. Jenkins, J.P., another Liberal, by a great majority, The contest was carried on with some amount of bitterness and bad feeling, which we hope will now disappear. Mr. Williams's record on the Council is a very satisfac- tory one. and it would have been hard indeed not to return one who has been tried and not found wanting. At the same time we are sorry that the Councifshould be without the services of Mr. T. P. Jenkins, who for many years was the chairman of the Rhondda Liberal and Labour Association, the first labour magistrate in Wales, and a man of great business capacity. The conflict between two good Liberals was most un- fortunate. especially since it has generated so much ill feeling, and it is unfortunate that Mr. Jenkins did not elect to stand for another constituency against a Tory candidate. In the Ystrad division Mr. Clifford Cory was successful against Mr. David Thomas, the retiring coun- cillor, who claims to be the labour candidate." Mr. Thomas had said that he would not seek re- election, and Mr. Cory was asked to stand. When, however. Mr. Cory came forward Mr. Thomas also elected to stand, with the result that Mr. Cory was returned as will be seen from the appended table. In the Garw Valley occurred another internecine struggle between Mr. Tom Lewis, of Pontycymmer, and \1r. John Thomas, miners'agent. Here as at Tonypandy an effort was made to prevent a contest by a test election but here, as at ionypandy, when the result was made known the poll was repudiated on the ground that it was not carried on in a proper way. The result has shown that the test election was not a proper test, for though Mr. Thomas was defeated at the mock election, he has been now returned by a majority of 81. The victory of Mr. Evan Evans, the retiring councillor for the Ogmore ward, though his majority was smaller than was anticipated, is yet very satisfac- tory, when the influences against him are taken into consideration. The constitution of the new council will be as follows :— Liberals 49 Conservatives. 12. U. and 1 5 In the" Liberals" we have reckoned the seven Labour candidates who were successful, viz. :—Mr. David Morgan, miners' agent, for the Gadlys division of Aberdare Mr. Isaac Evans, miners' agent, for the Resolven Division Mr. T. Daronwy Isaac, miners' representative on the Sliding Scale, for Treorky Mr. John Thomas, miners' agent, for the Garw Valley Mr. Moses Moses, miner, for the Cymmer Division Mr. Thomas Thomas, for Cyfarthfa and Mr. Morgan Williams, check- weigher, for Porth and Penygraig. The result of the contests is a distinct victory for the Pro- gressives. The first Council, elected in 1889, was composed of Liberals 41 Conservatives 19 Independents. 6 In only one instance has a candidate supported by the Star been defeated, viz., at Bridgend, and the result must be looked upon as a distinct and glorious triumph to Liberalism. COMPARTIVE TABLE FOR SOUTH WALES. The following table will show the advance which progressive Liberalism has made in South Wales generally since the election of 1889 :— 1892. L. C. U. & I. Glamorganshire 49 12 5 Carmarthenshire 43 6 2 Monmouthshire 31 9 8 Cardiganshire 38 8 2 Pembrokeshire .29 18 1 Breconsliire 21 21 4 Radnorshire 10 13 1 221 87 23 From a comparison of this table with the result of the election of 1892. it will be seen how satis- factory the recent elections are 1889. L. C. U. & I. Glamorganshire 41 19 6 Carmarthenshire 37 10 4 Monmouthshire 28 17 3 Cardiganshire 34 11 3 Pembrokeshire .30 15 3 Breeonshire .21 21 4 Radnorshire 10 12 2 201 105 25 TOTALS. L. C. U. & I. 1889 .201 105 25 1832.221 87 23 —————<————— THE CONTESTS AT PONTYPRIDD, [BY VERlTAS. ] The Contest which had been carried on at Ponty- pridd for the past three weeks reached the climax on Monday evening, when the Liberals both in the town and Treforest wards rallied round their candidates. The chief feature of the evening was a torchlight procession, and open air meetings held in support of Mr. Spickett. The procession naving met Mr. Alfred Thomas, M.P., at the station started from Rhydfelen, accompanied by a band, and marched through the district, calling at the Oddfellows-hall, Treforest. After an enthusiastic meeting presided over by the Rev. Father Smythe, had been held, the procession walked through Wood- road, which was lined with the supporters of Mr. Spickett. As the procession passed the houses of prominent friends or foes cheering and hissing were indulged in, and this reached its limit when they passed the Graig Brewery and Mr. Leyshon's residence, the hissing and hooting being most deafening. The torch-bearers led the way to the Masonic Hall. which had been crowded to the utmost limit, and where eloquent and fiery addresses were delivered by Mr. Alfred Thomas, M.P., Coun- cillor Richard Lewis, Councillor Morgan Thomas, Councillor James Roberts, Father Smythe, and Mr. J. Harrison, secretary of the Seamen's Union, Barry. Th« proceedings throughout were most enthusiastic. In the meantime a similar meeting had been held in the Town-hall in support of Mr. H. S. Davies, and addressed by the same speakers, and also Alderman W. H. Morgan, and Alderman Thomas Williams, Gwaelodygaij^h. Mr. Spickett's meeting being over, the torch bearers led the way to the Town-hall, and the large audience followed and met Mr. Davies's supporters as they emerged from the Town-hall. The two Liberal candidates were then escorted to Mr. W. Spickett's residence in Gelliwastad, where further addresses were de- livered by the candidates, Councillor Morgan Thomas, Mr. J. Harrison, and Mr. J. W. John. Cheers having being given to Mr. and Mrs. Davies, and Mr. and Mrs. Spickett, the crowd dispersed. Early on the following morning the two parties in both divisions were at their posts, the committee- rooms of the Liberal candidates being the common resort of their supporters. During the forenoon the candidates visited the polling booths, and were on their way hooted or cheered as they passed their opponents or supporters. Vehicles of all kinds were freely used, and election literature as freely scattered. The supporters of the Liberal candi- dates wore red rosettes in the Town and red and green in the Graig Ward, whilst an excellent portrait of Mr. Spickett on a glaring red card was worn on the hats of all his supporters. Mr. Leyshon's supporters sported white colours, and the portrait of their candidate on white paper was prominently displayed. The voting during the day was remarkably heavy, and as each elector entered the booth the scouts promptly took down his name, and sent it to the committee-room where it was found out whether he was a supporter or an enemy. In this manner the Liberal camp were provided with the knowledge of how the fight proceeded, and the energetic friends of the candidates were promptly ordered to whip up indifferent electors and bring them to the poll. Thus, during the whole of the day, the voters came up to the booths in sixes and sevens, but about half-past six, the working men on their homeward way called at the polling sta- tions, recorded their votes, and provided the dif- ferent committees with plenty of work in checking the register and classifying the votes. Although party feeling ran high in the streets, the supporters of both candidates mixed together and chatted in a: friendly spirit on the issue of the fight. The excitement, however, increased about seven o'clock, and more energy was made to whip up those electors who had not recorded their votes. About this time, too. the voters who had left the division to reside in the Rhondda Valley— in Clydach Vale. Llwynypia, and Tonypandy — as well as in Cardiff and Aberdare were brought down and taken to the booths. It is only fair that we should here mention the great help given by the ladies, especially Mrs. Spickett, Mrs. H. S. Davies and the Misses Davies, Mrs. Councillor Roberts, Miss Maude Roberts, Mrs. Judd. and a number of others. There can be no doubt that the success of the campaign is largely due to the work of the ladies. During the counting of the votes hundreds of people paraded the principal streets, and congre- gated about ten o'clock in front of Messrs. Grover and Grover's offices. The returning officer gave the result of the Town Ward election at about a quarter to eleven as follows H. S. Davies .(L) 752 W. Jones Powell .(L) 630 Majority 122 This was received with loud cheering, but the eager crowd waited patiently for another quarter of an hour to learn the fate of the pet of the Graig. Meanwhile intimation had been received that Spickett was safe," but many discredited the story because all knew that he had such tremendous odds to fight against. When Mr. Grover, returned, however, with the numbers every ear was strained to know the result, but before that gentleman found time to say more than Mr. Spickett." a shout of triumph rent the air. That was sufficient. They cared not what the majority might be as long as they knew that their champion was safe. Cheer after cheer followed each other in rapid succession, until Mr. Fred Edwards, the boy agent," appeared at the window and announced that Councillor Spickett would thank his supporters from Councillor Davies's office window. A perceptible move of the mass of congregated humanity towards Market- square followed, and each one shouted himself hoarse as the saying is. Speeches having been delivered by the two newly elected coun- cillors and others, the party adjourned to the Liberal Club where the victorious candidates were heartily congratulated, Councillor Spickett, on the way being raised on the shoulders of his supporters and triumphantly borne to the club. Here the numbers were declared as follows Spickett .(L) 576 Leyshon (Ind.) 5)54 Majority 42 Speeches were again delivered by the candidates. Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Spickett, and others, and the whole crowd joined in the chorus of an election song to the tune of -1 Y Mochyn Du," setting forth the lamentation of the Tories and their allies at the result of the election. The solo was rendered by Mr. J. T. Llewellyn. We herewith append the chorus, which was taken up with gusto :— Oh how sad was the sight! Oh how sad was the sight! To see Spickett beating Leyshon In the County Council fight. OGMORE DIVISION. Polling for the election of a member for the Ogmore Division took place on Tuesday. There were four polling stations—at St. Brides Major, Laleston, North Cornelly, and Porthcawl respec- tively. At the latter place polling proceeded pretty regularly throughout the day. There was brisk business from about 6.30 till the close of the poll. Both sides used conveyances for bringing up aged and infirm voters, and the utmost good feeling existed between the friends of the re-

CWMAVON.—No. of electors, 1,043. Herbert Evans, merchant (L.) 503 rev. Daniel Evans .(L.) 366 Majority 137 I GARW VALLEY.-No. of electors, 1,054. John Thomas, miners' agent.(L.) 469 Thomas Lewis, grocer (L.) B88 Majority 81 LLANTWIT VARDRE.—No. of electors. 850. Captain Morgan Lindsay (Ind.) 403 Edward Edwards, stone merchant (L) 341 Majority 62 MARGAM—No. of electors, 1,107. *Pendarves Vivian, gentleman (LL.) 630 Llewellyn Howell, colliery proprietor .(L.) 328 Majority 307 MERTHYR (PEXYDARREN)— NO. of electors, 1,392 *David Davies, grocer, Glebeland .(L.) 584 Thomas Williams, grocer, 173, High-st.(L.) 415 Majority 169 MERTHYR (CYFARTHFA).—No. of electors. 1.742. Thomas Thomas (Labour and L.) 856 Joseph Owen, iron merchant .(L.) 310 Majority 546 MERTHYR (GELMFAELOG).-Xo. of electors, 790. Evan Lewis, auctioneer .(L.) 470 Patrick Mansfield, innkeeper .(L.) 209 Majority 261 MERTHYR VALE.—No. of electors. 1.223. David Prosser. merchant (L) 538 Walter Bell, colliery proprietor (G.L) r>2o Majority 15 MOUNTAIN ASH (DTFFRYX).—No. of electors 1.211. *Gwilym Jones, gentleman farmer (L) ;)30 Hon. H. Campbell Bruce, gentleman .(L) 178 Majority 3,"2 NEATH (NORTH).—No. of electors. 1.216. John Henry Rowland .(U) 499 Edmund Law (Ind. L) 318 Majority 181 XEATH (SOUTH).—No. of electors, 955. John Arnold.(L) 391 W. B. Trick (Ind.) 362 Majority ? 29 OGMORE.—No. of electors, 1.158. *EvanEvnns,farmer.(L.) 414 J. D. Nicholl, gentleman (Ind.) 386 Majority 28 PENARTH (XOHTH).-XO. of electors, 843 W. B. Shepherd (L) 307 Dd. Morgan, farmer (C) 224 D. 'Cornwcll .(Ind.) 59 IIIajority for Shepherd 83 PEXARTH (SOUTH).—No. of electors, 715. J. P. Jones, architect .(L.) 302 *Henry Oakdeii Fisher, engineer (C.) 210 Majority 92 PEXTHE.-X o. of electors, 1.196. *Richard Morris, schoolmaster.(L.) 401 E. H. D a vies, accountant (L.) 313 Daniel Eynon, colliery manager. 292 Majority for Morris 88 PONTARDAWE.— No. of electors. 1.012. "Ernest Hall Hedley, colliery proprietor.(L.) 511 John Beynon, draper (_L.) 291 Majority 220 PONTYPRIDD (TOWN WARD).—No. of electors, 1,688. IT. S. Davies. accountant .(L.) 752 W. Jones-Powell, registrar .(C.) 632 Majority 122 POXTYPRIDD (TREFOREST).-Xo. of electors, 1.282. Wm. Spickett, solicitor (L.) 576 D. Leyshon .(Ind.) 534 Majority 42 PORTH and PENYGRAIG.—No. of electors. 1318. Morgan Williams, eheckweigher (Lbr. and L.) 458 Thomas Jones, colliery proprietor .(C.) 316 Majority 142 RESOLVEN.—No. of electors. 1,757. Isaac Evans, miners' agent .(Labour and L.) ô52 *J. Edwards Vaughan. gentleman (C.) 471 cl Majority 181 TREHERBERT.—Number of electors, 1202. John Walters, grocer.(Labour k. L'.) 669 Dr. Montague D. Makuna .(L.) 220 Majority 449 TREORKY.—No. of electors, 897. T. D. Isaac, miner's agent (Labour and L.) 430 Rev. W. Morris. Baptist minister.(L.) 350 -1 Majority 80 TREALAW & TONYPANDY.—No. of electors, 930. *Willliam Williams, bookseller. 456 T. P. Jenkins, confectioner 331 Majority. 125 YSTRAD.-No. of electors 1,629. Clifford J. Cory, colliery proprietor .(L.) 775 David Thomas (Labour and L.) 706 Majority 69 The asterisk (*) denotes a retiring councillor. UNOPPOSED RETURNS. E. Rice Daniel, High Sheriff, Lougher and Pen- deryn (L.) John Powell, manufacturer, Sketty (L.) Rees Harries, tin-plate manufacturer, Llandilc- Talybont (L.) James Barrow, mining engineer, Maesteg (L.) Richard Lewis, merchant, Llwynypia and Clydach (L.) Morgan Thomas, merchant, Ferndale (L.) W. II. Mathias. Tylorstown and Ynyshir (L.) J. S. Gibbon, gentleman. Cowbridge (C.) Oliver Henry Jones, gentleman, Dinars Powis (C.) J. Blandy Jenkins, gentleman, Llantrisant (L.) Frank James, solicitor. Merthyr, Town Ward (U.) Henry W. Lewis, civil engineer. Plymouth Ward (L.) Henry W. Martin, engineer, Gelligaer (Ind.) Is Rev. Rd. Morgan. C.M. minister, Hirwain (L.) R. H. Rhys, gentleman, Llwydcoed (L.) D. Price Davies, merchant, Aberdare (L.) Thomas Davies, Aberamman (L.) Henry Lewis, gentleman, Kibbor (C.) Robert Forrest, gentleman. Llandaff (C.) Sir H. Hussey Vivian, baronet, Tirdeunaw (L.) Wm. Sims, Llansamlet (L.) Sir John J. Jenkins, knight. Oystermouth (L.U.) Wm. Williams, tin-plate manufacturer, Morriston (L.) Thomas J. Hughes, solicitor, Newcastle Division (L.) John Williams, grocer, Og-more Valley (L.) Wm. Howell, freeholder. Coity (L.) J. Morgan Smith, merchant, Aberavon (I.) John Claxton Meggitt, timber merchant, Barry and .9 Cadoxton (L.) J. Newall Moore, gentleman, Coedfranc (C.) E. Evans Bevan, gentleman, Dulais Valley (C.) E. P. Martin, manager Dowlais Works, Caeharris (U.) • Dr. D. Thomas, Ystalfera (C.) Thomas Jenkins, farmer. Dowlais (C.) Dr. R. W. Jones. Penrhiwceiber. Rev. Aaron Davies, Pontlottyn (L.) Frank Cory Yeo, colliery proprietor. Gower (L.) David Morgan, miners' agent, Aberdare (L. and L. I"

RECENT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. CHERSTEY. Last Thursday week (March 3rd) a bye-election took place at Chertsey to fill the seat rendered vacant by the death of Mr. F. A. Hankey (C.). The result was as follows f C. H. Coombe (C.) 4,589 L. J. Baker (G.L.) 2.751 Conservative majority 1,838 In 1885 Mr. Hankey's majority was 1,980, and in 1886 he was returned unopposed. SOUTH DERBYSHIRE. Last Friday a contest took place in South Derbyshire to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Wardle (G.L.), with the following result:— H. Eva.ns Broad (C,.L.) 5,803 B. V. Melville (C.). 4,553 Liberal majority. 1,250 In 1885 Mr. Wardle's majority was 2,092, in 1886 it. was 1 1 fi3_ -no KIRKALDY. Two Liberals, Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice and Mr. Dalziel, were mentioned as candidates for the seat held by the late Sir George Campbell. It was decided to refer the conflcting claims to arbitration, and the award of the arbitrator, Mr. Barry, M.P., is that Mr. Dalziel should be chosen.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MR. JOHN WILLIAMS, TYNEWYDD, The County Councillor for the Tynewydd divi. sion. Mr. John Williams, is the eldest son of Mr. Jenkin Williams, and was born at P nrhiwangan Farm. in the Parish of Aberdare, on the 30th December, 1848. He is, therefore, in the prime of life. He had the misfortune to lose both his parents before he was twelve years of age, and on the 1st of April, in the year 1831, was apprenticed to:the grocery trade with Messrs. R. and T. Wil- liams. of Aberdare. with whom he served for nearly ten years. In September. 1870. he was married to Gwenllian, the second daughter of Mr. Lewis Jones, of Bell-street. Aberdare. and is. therefore, a brother-in-law to Mr. Lewis W. Jones. the esteemed manager of the Barry branches of the South Wales Union Bank. At about this period the subject of our sketch took over the business of his employers, which he carried on for two years. In the year 1872 he removed to the Ogmore Valley, which was at that time just developing its re- sources. commencing business at Tynewydd in a grocery business, which he still continues, and which has proved in every way a success. It ii; no fault of Mr. Williams that he had but few educa- tionol advantages in his younger days, having of necessity to face the world at such a very early age. aud has had. therefore, to adapt himself to circumstances. By diligence he' has made himself one of the best-informed public men in the whole district. In the year 1877 a strike against a re- duction of wages took place at the collieries of the then Llynvi. Tondu. and Ogmore Coal and Iron Company. Mr. Williams was held in such esteem by the men that he was appointed treasurer of the Strike Committee. The unfortunate dis- pute lasted about six weeks, during which time about £ 800 passed through his haiids as strike pay forth" men. At the conclusion of the «<▼ week* tioned wise councils prevailed v. iili the men being successful in attaining th-clt .eci. It will be seen that Mr. Williams, as far back as 21 years ago. spared no time and trouble in throwir g in all his energies on behalf of the labouring' classes. It was the first public office ever held by him. and he performed his duties with such satis- faction that he has been held in the highest esteem by the workmen of the valley ever fiuce. A bout tne year 1879 the Sanitary Authority of the Bridgend and Cowbridgc Union appointed a Parochial Com- mittee to carry out sanitary matters connected with the parish of Llangeinor. Mr. Williams was ap- pointed one of the first members of that committee, and acted as its honorary clerk until the formation of a Local Board for the district in the year 1888. In the year 1885 the Education Department gave notice to the officers of the parish that oducational facilities were very deficient. and early in the year 188.; an order was issued for the formation of a School Board. Mr. Williams was elected a member of the Board, and on the 1st of April, 1886. was appointed its first chairman. About the same time he was instrumental, after a great deal of agitation and innumerable boisterous vestry meetings, in getting a Burial Board formed for the parish, which has since its formation acquired and laid out two very neat cemeteries, one in the Ogmore and one in the Garw Valley. This was a. great boon to the inhabitants of both valleys, as previously they had to trudge a distance of about five miles to Llangeinor churchyaid. which is situated on the top of the mountain between the two valleys. At the best of times this was ex- ceedingly irksome, but in inclement weather especially proved a very undesirable journey. After the passing of the Local Government Act of 1888, the election of a councillor for the dis- trict. as a matter of course, ensued, that event taking place on the 17th January, 1889. Our subject entered the lists 011 strictly party lines as a Liberal, and after a warmly-contested election was triumphantly returned at the head of the poll as the member for the Oe-more Valley Division. He has proved one of the most faithful members of the Council since its formation, and has served on the Asylums and Fisheries and Rivers Pollution Committees. Out of 82 meetings of the Council and committees combined, he has attended 73 meet- ings, which. it will be universally admitted, is a very creditable record. As stated at the com- mencement of this brief sketch, he has been returned unopposed for the same division, and will probably be elected an alderman. He was offered an aldermanship three years ago but refused it as a protest against the principle of having people on the County Council who were not directly elected by the people. Now. however, after making his protest, he will accept the honour if it is offered to him. Mr. Williams Portrait will appear next week.

JOTTINGS FROM TOJTYPAXDY AND DISTRICT. )1(1 [BY SILVKRPES.] What a sweet relief it is to be delivered from the hubbub and conglomeration of the warfare which has been raging here during the past couple of weeks The poisoned and venomous arrows of personalities which have been flying about so thickly of late have been enough to make one feel uncomfortable to say the least, especially so when we remember that some of them bore even the stamp of the Gospel! Seeing, however, the tranquility and" peace and goodwill among men" (I hope) have once tigain been restored perhaps a short narrative of my experience in the storm. which has been raging with such violence, would not be uninteresting. Having been successful in finding a warm and snug little corner in the National Schools, I seated myself down for the rest of the evening to hear the praises of Councillor Williams sung. And sung they/were that Right in such a tone of sweet and quiet confidence as to uplift me from, the National Schools to an arena of municipal bliss. But suddenly I hear a jarring note. it has made the music mute, and I find my- self once more in the National Schools, with my eye fixed on some unknown face, which is wreathed in smiles of satire and lurking sarcasm, and what has he to say.' He says that the fight which has just been fought and won was a fight between the Beer and the Bible." I didn't like to interrupt him, but I had a mind to. Such a statement naturally penetrated the Jenkinites to the quick, and, being like every other impartial man, I was anxious to see the other side of the picture. I go to T.P-'s meeting, and what do I hear thereI hear Tay Pay," with sincerity becoming a J.P. characterizing the .author of that memorable phrase as nothing more or less than a savage brute and the ministers who dabbled with this municipal business as political jacks," and stump orators." an asser- tion which seems to aggravate the Williamsites to an alarming degree. But T.P." does not stop here. He says that the Bible put forth in this election is not the Bible of Moses, but a Bible of very modern manufacture. So you see, my friends, this business has been hanging on to the skirts of seriousness during the last few days of the election, and the lines which I quoted last week from Shakespeare's "Shilling Edition" were everything but untrue. Well. the fight has been fought and won., and the plain duty of all true Liberals now is to cast off the cloak of enmity and antagonism which they have worn of late, and assume that of friendship and brotherly love. Let us give honour where honour is due, and such honour is certainly due to Councillor Williams for the- splendid achieved by him and the party to which he junu the honour to belong, and to the party which has so nobly supported him throughout the memorable campaign which has just closed. I feel inclined to congratulate myself this week on the accuracy of my predictions of last week rr Mr. Morgan Williams' and Mr. Idris Williams' success on Tuesday last. Mr. Morgan Williams scored heavily, and is to be heartily congratulated on the decisive victory he has scored. Mr. Moses Moses also deserves similar congratulations, al- though his majority was rather small. But when we remember he was pitted against fuch a formid- able opponent as Mr. Idris 11 Williams, there is no other conclusion to be arrived at other than Mid- Rhondda are going in for Labour and Liberal c ^11- didates ad 1 i h.

BARRY inSTi;ia\K: SOCIETY. We are pleased to learn that the local Histrionic Society is making excellent progress. The mem- bers are busy preparing themselves for a public performance, and an excellent rehearsal took place on Tuesday night, at the residence of Mr. Stewart, at Rectory-road. Cadoxton.

BABOTSMTboarr At a committee meeting of the Barry School Board, held on Wednesday night at the Holton Schools, fifty-four applications were received for the post of assistant, attendance officer, at a salary of £ 75. Five were selected to appear before the fortnightly meeting of the Board, to be held on Monday next.