May we also call attention to the appeal made by the Headmaster at Aberaman, on Speech Day, that boys who intend leaving school in July should not fail to give him notice of such intention.  Failure to do so may result in serious injustice being done to the school and to other boys.
Deep sympathy with Mr. D.T. Davies, B.A., in his protracted illness, has been felt by all, and we are exceedingly glad to welcome him back among us once more.
Since our last issue two new members have joined our Staff—Mr. T.R. James, B.Sc., and Mr. D.T.H. Price, B.A.  We give them a very cordial welcome, and trust they will be very happy among us.
It is a pleasure to be able to present again some contributions from Old Boys of the School.  Our pages are always open to them, and we trust that they will always take an interest in the “Aberdarian” and in the Old Boys’ Association.

Aberdare County Intermediate School
I
N these short articles an attempt will be made to give some interesting particulars about the past history of our school. It appears that the first meeting to promote a new school at Aberdare was held on the 10th February 1890, just 47 years ago, and it is pathetic to realise how few of the prominent promoters are now living.
Aberdare had to make a very hard fight for its school.  Four deputations waited upon the County Committee at Cardiff, and no less than fifty‑four committee meetings were held.  Twelve public meetings were arranged in different parts of the district, and one of the chief speakers at these meetings was Mr. Charles Kenshole, Solicitor.
During these strenuous days collectors were busy making almost house to house collections for the guarantee fund, which ultimately reached the magnificent sum of £1,546 4s. 3d. The largest individual sum contributed was £250 from Lord Aberdare; our Member of Parliament, Mr. D.A. Thomas, gave £100, and the junior M.P., W. Pritchard Morgan, Esq., gave £50.  There were three other subscriptions of £50 each, and then minor sums, down to 2s.  There is no doubt that the town of Aberdare was the most generous contributor, with Aberaman, Cwmaman and Mountain Ash very far behind.  I cannot trace a single contribution given by Hirwaun directly.  I feel sure that it will be interesting for most of my readers to know that the colliers in the different collieries subscribed handsomely.  A list of the collieries then working will show how our valley has changed since the ’nineties of last century.  The collieries which subscribed were Bwllfa, Cwmaman, Sguborwen, Nant Melyn, Fforchaman, Gadlys Victoria Pit, Gadlys Graig Pit, Abernant, Lower Duffryn Pit and George Pit.  The absence of the Aberaman Colliery from this list is noticeable, and at the moment I am unable to explain why no subscription was received from this large colliery.
The balance sheet which I am now looking at contains one receipt of very great interest which would be understood only by our older people in the town.  The item is “Hire of land, per D. Lane, £33 10s. 0d.”—this was the rent paid by Dan Lane for the use of the plot of ground where the school now stands, for the last fair held at that spot.  It appears that the total cost of building our first school was £4,641 14s. 8d., plus £350 for the purchase of a free site at Mountain Ash.  These items do not include the expenses of the Architect, the Clerk of Works, the Gardeners, etc.