Monday, May 3, 1937

l Car overturns at Pwllmeyric

l Injured Boy Taken to Chepstow Hospital

An eight-year-old boy was injured and taken to Chepstow and District Hospital when a motor-car, in which he was a passenger with his parents, overturned at the bottom of Pwllmeyric, near Chepstow.

The car was driven down the hill in the direction of Newport by Mrs. Phyllis Cameron Holding, of Stoke, near Plymouth, when it swerved, struck a wall on the off-side, and overturned.

The driver and her husband, Mr. Frederick Holding, were injured and their son, Cameron, received cuts and head injuries and suffered severely from shock. He was attended on the spot by Dr. E. W. Hardman.

The car was considerably damaged.

l Death of Mr. C.

l Son of Monmouth Canon

Mr. Charles Allen Harding has died at his home in the Hereford-road, Monmouth. He was 77, and a bachelor.

He was a son of the late Canon R. Harding and Mrs. Harding of Pentwyn, Rockfield, and a brother-in-law of Mrs. J. R. Harding, of Pentwyn, Rockfield.

His brother was the late Mr. J. Reginald Harding, who some years ago lived at Sellarsbrook, near Monmouth.

Mr. Harding was a prominent Churchman. His mother was s sister to the first Baron Llangattock. He was very popular in the district.

l Wages point at Abergavenny

l Why Council Will Not Give Penny Increase

The decision of the Finance Committee of Abergavenny Town Council not to sanction an increase of a penny per hour in the wages of men employed in the Highways Department was discussed at a meeting of the Town Council.

An application was received from the Municipal and General Workers’ Union asking that the men’s wages be increased from 1s. 1d. to 1s. 2d. per hour.

In support of the application, Councillor G. Tranter pointed out that prices were rising, and wages increases were taking place in various trades.

In addition, wages now paid to the men concerned placed them on an inequality with the roadmen of Monmouthshire County Council.

Councillor Shapley supported Councillor Tranter, and said it was time the Council considered the question of joining the Wages Board. As it was, they were adopting a spirit of isolation. Living was no cheaper at Abergavenny than in other places.

As a Council they could not afford to be generous, but in a matter like that they could at least be just.

Alderman P. Telford pointed out that their employees were in a more favourable position than other employees.

The Council men had their holidays every year: they suffered no loss of time, and they had a superannuation scheme.

The men at the Gas Works were paid more than the Corporation were obliged to pay them according to their trade union rate.

Councillor Tranter said that the wages of men at the Gas Works could be subjected to a higher wages clause.

Alderman W. Rosser said it was the considered opinion of the members that the employees should be paid trade union wages.

The general award made for gas works labourers worked out at 11 ½ d. per hour, yet they were paying their men 1s. 1d. per hour’ so, if the Council strictly interpreted the award, their men would get less.

The men were better off as they were because the Council had decided on the one rate of 1s. 1d. for all the men.

Councillor James contended that to mention the men’s holidays was not an ideal way to deal with the question.

It seemed that if the men were to press their case there would be the threat to take their holidays from them.

Alderman W. Rosser: I have not said anything that here tonight.

Councillor James said But Alderman Telford did.

The Mayor, Colonel J. G. Bishop, said the Council had decided to strike as it were, the happy medium, and pay all the men the 1s. 1d. and the men had accepted it.

Discussion then ceased.

l Abergavenny to have crossings

The Ministry of Transport have approved of pedestrian crossings for Abergavenny, and at a meeting of the Town Council on Monday, the Town Clerk indicated where they would be placed.

Crossings will be fixed in Cross-street near the junction of Monk-street; from Frogmore-street Baptist Chapel to near the Memorial Hall; from Pant-lane to Commercial-street; from Merthyr-road to Victoria-street corner; and across Brecon-road to the corner of Chapel-road.

Alderman Rosser: What about Hereford-road?

The Town Clerk replied that as that was a trunk road the Ministry were dealing with it separately.