CAMBRIAN NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17878, 21 June 1926, Page 13

CAMBRIAN NOTES.

COAL Now that the subject of the miners is before the public, a comparison between their work to-day and in the days of Queen Elizabeth is interesting. The average wage of a miner is £3 10s to £4 10s, and he works eight hours a day. Mr George Owen, the his- I torian of Pembrokeshire, in the reign of “Good Queen Bess,” thus quaintly describes the collieries and the method of obtaining coal then: “ When they finde it, they worke sondrie holes,’’ he says, “ one for ev'ry digger, some two, some three, some four, as the number of diggers are. each man working by candlelight, and sitting while he worketh; ' then have they bearers, which are boyes that beare the cole to fill baskettes on their backes, going all waies stoopinge, by reason of the lowness of the pitt. Each bearer carrieth his baskette six fathoms, where upon a bench of stone he leaveth it, where meeteth him another bove, with an emptie baskette which he geaveth him, and taketh that which is full of cole and carrieth it a farre, and so until they come under the doore where it is lifted up. The danger in digging these coles is the failinge of the earth and quellings of the poore people on stopping of the way forthe, and to die by famyne or ills. The sodayne irruption of standinge water in ould workes--the workemen of this black laboure all abolished holiedaies and cannot be wa)-nde from that follie.” There is no difficulty in weaning any workman from work on holidays in the present year of grace. Contrast this labour with the wonderful machinery now. Hard work it is and must be, but it is carried out under far better and safer conditions to-day than those which existed only fifty j-ears ago. It is only of recent years that naked lights were forbidden and safety lamps invented. Pit ponies pull trucks along the rails—many of the ponies went blind from their life underground—but through the S.P.C.A. the poor little creatures are better looked after now and come up to daylight every week-end. It used to be no unusual sight in Wales to see women loading the carts with coal at the pit head, and, dressed like men and smoking, it was difficult to believe they were women. The coal industry is one of the most important in Wales, not only for its use as a fuel, but for the part it plays in smelting operations. It is worked with the greatest energy and exported to every part of the world. Over a quarter of a million men work in the pits, and more than half the total population of Wales is contained in the mining valleys. It must be said that the majority of the labourers are not Welsh, but are immigrants from foreign countries who flock to the great ports of the Bristol Channel. It is this which makes the present problem one of such tremendous difficulty. MUSIC. Wales has produced great leaders and legislators in greater proportion than any of the other countries of the world. In education and in music she has led the Empire. Sir Walford Davies has done wonders for music, and it is due to the commission and Sir Harry Reichel, late principal of Bangor UDiversity, that a musical director has been appointed for New Zealand—Mr Tayler, who lectured in Christchurch last week. The appreciation of music is a great factor in modern education, and by taking the matter in hand at an early stage the inestimable benefit will be apparent in the early future. PERSONAL. The Rev C. Ward, in proposing the health of the bride’s- mother, Mrs Joseph, at her daughter's wedding last Wednesday, paid an eloquent tribute to Mrs Squires, Mrs Joseph’s mother, the bride’s grandmother, and to the members of Mrs Squires's family. Mrs Rogers and her sons and daughters, Mrs Chapman and Messrs Squires (3), many of whom were present that evening. She was a woman of great character, zealous and -fearless, and always first and foremost in any good w6rk, whether for the individual, the community or for New Zealand. She it was who was one of the prime movers in the great temperance cause. Mrs Sqtiires was one of the. founders of the Cambrian Society and her name will always be revered and her family highly esteemed by members of the society. In replying to the toast, Mr John Evans said when he came out in 1879 he was welcomed by Mrs Squires and the first meal he had in New Zealand was at her house. All through the years he had been a family friend and he was pleased to be present at the wedding of her grand-daughter. The name of Mrs Squires will be a tradition in the Welsh Society, and her example in making newcomers from Wales welcome, and in taking an interest in them, is well exemplified to this day by members of the society. THE EISTEDDFOD. The schedule is ready and will be found very comprehensive. About £3O will be given in prizes, and according to the custom in Wales, the prize money will be given by members of the Welsh community or raised among the Welsh people. With the exception of a class for singing a Welsh air in the adult and juvenile section i open only to members of the Cambrian Society, all the classes are open to all-comers. It is also a Welsh custom to set the test songs and subjects, and great pains have been taken in the choice. The committee has been most fortunate in securing as adjudicators ladies and gentlemen whose names are a guarantee in themselves of satisfaction to all. The schedule will be distributed during the week and many inquiries have been made already by intending contestants. In the needlework section there is scope. for an attractive display of embroidery of all kinds, and the homely patch and darn, as well as the knitted socks, are considered worthy of encouragement. It only remains for everybody to work with enthusiasm to make the Eisteddfod a success. THE LITERARY EVENING. A good attendance is expected next Saturday, June 26, in Room C, Y.M.C.A., at the literary evening, when some interesting papers will be read. The hour appointed is 7.30 p.m.