due to other people and what was due to themselves. And the reverend gentleman could hardly be acquitted of having done what he himself regretted he had done. The jury retired at 1.12, and returned at 1.20 with a verdict for the plaintiff company answering the questions as follows: 1. Did the the alleged libel affect materially the peculiarly interests of the plaintiffs? - No.  2. Did it interfere materially with the carrying on of the business of the club? - Yes.    3. Was it justified? - No.  The jury further informed the judge that they assessed the damages at 40 shillings.
Enthusiastic Reception for the Rev. J. A. Rees    The Rev. J. A. Rees met with an enthusiastic reception on his arrival at Fochriw from Swansea on Wednesday evening. Mr Rees reached Fochriw about seven o'clock, and was met at the railway station by the majority of the residents, headed by the Fochriw Brass Band. A procession was formed, and having paraded the principal streets, wended its way over the mountain to Pontlottyn, where the reverend gentleman was again received enthusiastically. A public meeting was held in The Square, in the centre of the town. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Rees and Mr. Tertius Phillips, Cardiff.

“Merthyr Express” 27 August 1904
Rev. J. A. Rees and Clubs Meetings in connection with the annual demonstration of the Abersychan Total Abstainers were held on Monday, the speakers being the Rev. J. A. Rees, Fochriw; Mr. Ernest Evans, Newport; Alderman T. W. Evans, Newbridge; the Rev. J. Scrivens, Abersychan; and the Rev. W. Morris, Talywain. The Rev. J. A. Rees said that Glamorgan had entered into a compact with the drink traffic. The registration of clubs was a mere farce, and it proved totally inadequate. They simply robbed the nation of public-house licences, and were public-houses without supervision.

“Merthyr Express” 17 September 1904
Temperance Demonstration   On Saturday the 3rd, the Temperance Societies - the Rechabites and the International Order of Good Templars, joined forces in a public demonstration. Headed by the Fochriw Brass Band (who gave their services free), they marched through Pentwyn and Fochriw, a gallant army over 300 strong. The local forces were reinforced for the day by a number of Temperance friends from the surrounding districts. After the procession, tea was taken in the Council School, where six tables, served by the lady friends of Temperance, were kept busy for hours. At eight o'clock, a musical entertainment was given, presided over by the Rev. James Jones, and supported by Dr. Davies, the Rev. J. Alfred Rees, Alderman Lewis, Mr. Richards, and others. The I.O.G.T.  Juvenile Choir, under the able conductorship of Mr. David James Thomas, rendered a service of songs entitled "The Good Templar Jubilee." The anthems and choruses were interspersed with readings, giving the history of the I.O.G.T.. Mr. Roderick Jones accompanied the music. A vote of thanks to the chairman, and the host of willing hands that had served during the day, was proposed by Mr. Ernest Price, and seconded by Mr. Joseph Payne, and a very entertaining and instructive evening was brought to a close.

“Merthyr Express” 11 February 1905
The Curate of Fochriw's Campaign Against Clubs: Failure Attributed To Slander Action   The Rev. J. A. Rees, curate of Fochriw, who has made such persistent attacks on clubs, filed his petition in bankruptcy at Merthyr on Friday. A receiving order was made, and a statement of affairs was issued on Tuesday. The debtor attributes his failure entirely to the assize action for slander recently brought against him by the Cardiff Conservative Club Company (Limited), when the plaintiffs obtained a verdict for £2 and costs. The bankrupt's stipend is only £120 per annum. It is understood that the club's costs amount to between £300 and £350. The statement of affairs show liabilities amounting to £627-8s-2d., with assets at nil; £326-12s is returned as due to the Cardiff Conservative Club (Limited) in respect of the judgment obtained against him at Swansea Assizes in August last, and £250 as due to Mr. J. A. Hughes, Cardiff and Barry, in respect of costs for defending him in the action; £51-5s is returned as a fully secured debt to Mr. David Prothero,