Preece Family Tree

Mr. Thomas Griffiths, Cymmer.

Elected President of Coalowners Association.

At the annual meeting of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coalowners' Association on Tuesday, Mr. Thomas Griffiths (Messrs. Insoles and Sons) was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year.

Mr. Griffiths started life as a collier in 1850 at the Cymmer Colliery, and worked his way up to fireman, agent, and director of the company. During the whole of that time he has been connected with the same concern, which to a large extent owes its prestige to his energy and skill. It is a curious fact that Mr. Griffiths who won fame for daring rescue work on occasions of great disasters in the Welsh coalfield, was so affected by a catastrophe which befell the colliery at which he was working in 1856 that he then resolved to have nothing more to do with underground work. For a few years he was engaged at a fitters' shop, but he returned to his old avocation, and applied himself with characteristic energy and zeal to the acquisition of a thorough knowledge of mining matters, and in 1870 he was appointed manager, subsequently agent, and eventually a director of Messrs. Insole's. He is admitted to have been instrumental in settling more disputes than any other man on the owners' side - a distinction due no doubt to his great and unique experience. Ho has played a prominent part in public life, was a member of the old Rhondda Local Board and is still a member of the District Council, of which he was chairman 1897-98. Since 1871 he has been, a leading figure in rescue work, and many men undoubtedly owe their lives to his courage and resourcefulness in times of great emergency. In 1906 he was presented in recognition of his public services, with an oil painting, illuminated address, and a purse of gold. He has been a member of the Conciliation Board for years, and since the Eight Hours Act came into operation he has been the chairman of the Overtime Committee.