Welsh Journals

future government of Ireland. The Calvinistic Methodist General Assembly, concluding its session at Rhyl. called attention to the discontinuance of the practice of giving Scriptural instruction in county schools situated in rural areas. It was decided to oppose in agricultural areas the exemption of children of eleven and twelve years for employment on the land. May 26th. The agitation of the week throughout South Wales has centred in the retail price of milk. In some places it is retailed at 21d. a pint, in other places at 2d. a pint, wihile some milk-vendors have kept to the old standard of lid. a pint. A Cardiff daily newspaper advocated a boycott for a week of milk sold at exhorbitant prices, condensed milk to be used as a substitute, which incidentally would save the use of sugar. A correspondent of the Welshman suggested the formation at Carmarthen of a Milk Co-operative Society. May 27th. The Half-yearly Meeting of the Governors of the Welsh National Library met for the first time in the new building at Aberystwyth. Mr. E. D. Jones reported that ( 1 ) the library hall and the MSS. depart- ment was complete (2) that the Chancellor of the Exchequer undertook to furnish pound for pound towards the £ 15,000 required for furnishing the new buildings. Mr. Herbert Lewis, M.P., paid a tribute to Mr. Lleufer Thomas's splendid effort in the valleys of Glamorgan, and announced a gift of £ 5,000 from an anonymous donor. Mr. Vaughan, of Uangoedmore, said he had seen libraries in Europe, Asia, and the Colonies, and none could compare with the Welsh Library. Lord Mostyn presided over the meeting at Aberystwyth of the National Museum of Wales. Sir Vincent Evans said that early in May there was a possibility of the contractors stopping work. This difficulty was fortunately overcome by the action of the Misses Davies of Llandinam, who sent a donation of £ 5 000. The grand total of subscriptions received was £ 54,289. The amount of contracts, etc., was £ 82,755. May 29th. Welsh coal crisis threatened in connection with the general wage rate of the miners and the resigna- tion of Lord Muir Mackenzie, the Independent Chairman who succeeded Lord St. Aldwyn. Sir George Askwith, Chief Industrial Commissioner, in Cardiff. Negotiations proceeding. The Lord Chief Justice, at the joint request of both parties, to name a Chairman in the room of Lord Muir Mackenzie. May 31st. Naval Battle off the coast of Jutland. Many Welshmen on ships engaged, and a Welsh officer. Rear-Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, M.V.O. son of the late Mr. Charles Evan-Thomas. of Neath, was in command of the ships of the Queen Elizabeth class taking part in the action. June 6th. Joint conference at Cardiff of the Welsh Executive of the National Free Church Council and of the Executive of the Welsh National Union of Free Churches (formed in 1914). The "hatchet was buried, and it was unanimously decided to unite forces under the title of The National Free Church Council of Wales." Dr. F. B. Meyer, of London, represented the parent body at the joint con- ference. June 9th. The owners' representatives of the South Wales Conciliation Board agreed to accept Sir George Askwith's award and to grant the miners 15 per cent. on the wage rate as from the first day of June. June 12th. Announcement made that Colonel David Davies, M.P., had placed an area of 500 acres in Mont- gomeryshire at the disposal of the President of the Board of Agriculture for the settlement of soldiers returned from the War, subject to the condition that the land should be developed as a model agricultural settlement for Welsh beneficiaries. Whitsun- tide Holiday cancelled. Elementary Schools, banks, and shops opened, and passenger trains ran as on an ordinary Monday. Bank Holiday postponed, by Government proclamation, to Tuesday, the 8th of August. The scholars at St. Augustine Church, Penarth, preferred a savings bank account to a treat. June 13th. Representatives in the Uandaff Diocese met at Cardiff to hear the Bishop of Kensington's address on the forthcoming National Mission of Repentance and of Hope. June 15th. Pithead baths, erected by the Ocean Colliery Company, opened at Tre-harris. June 17th. Conference at Portmadoc of representatives of Aberystwyth and Bangor University Colleges.