As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was once again triumphant and won a majority of the seats. The Conservatives made a further advance in the western part of the county where they also held on in a number of industrial wards where the influence of paternalism remained strong. A more striking factor was the advance of Labour candidates in several areas and there were also a number of Liberal members who were returned under a 'progressive' banner with support from the labour movement.
Boundary Changes
There were numerous boundary changes resulting from the secession of Merthyr Tydfil from Glamorgan to create a new County Borough.[1] There were boundary changes at Maesteg, leading to the creation of a second seat.[2]
Retiring Aldermen
All eleven retiring aldermen were Liberals, or Lib-Lab members as the Conservatives and their allies had been denied any seats on the aldermanic bench since 1901.
Contested Elections
Most seats were contested. In the western part of the county, industrialists standing as Conservatives continued to hold their found in some wards.[3]
Aberdare, Mountain Ash and Merthyr districts
There were only two contested elections in the Aberdare district, and both were again more personal than political.
Bridgend and Maesteg districts
There were a number of contested elections in this area.
Swansea, Pontardawe and Port Talbot districts
In these areas the Conservatives again performed well, mainly at the expense of the Liberals.
J.M. Smith held on to the seat he had held since 1889, increasing his majority over Labour. The result was said to have been greeted by a large crowd.[4]
In a contest between two Liberals, John Howell, first elected in 1895, was defeated by Gwilym Treharne who had opposed him on several occasions in the past.
E.T. Davies, auctioneer, had been elected at a by-election following Elias Henry Davies's appointment as alderman in 1902. He was now returned unopposed.
In addition to the 66 councillors the council consisted of 22 county aldermen. Boundary changes following the secession of Merthyr kept the number of councillors at 66 through the creation of additional wards. The number of aldermen therefore remained unchanged. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1910 election, there were twelve Aldermanic vacancies rather than eleven owing to the resignation of John Davies, an alderman elected for a Merthyr ward.
The following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council.
elected for six years
Thomas, W. M. David
G. h- Fleming,
Rhys 11 airies,
Dd. Hughes
G. J. Hughes,
W. Jones,
J. Jordan,
Rhys Llew- ellyn,
W. Llewellyn,
W. H. Matthews,
W. M. Williams, and
Rev. D. H. Williams.
elected for three years
By-Elections
Aberdare Town by-election
William Thomas, High Constable of Miskin Higher, who had been nominated at the initial election but agreed to withdraw to prevent a split in the Liberal ranks was now returned unopposed.[6]
