Abergavenny Chronicle

MONMOUTHSHIRE HOUNDS. I Onwen-commonly called Onion, after that very useful, if pungent, vegetable-was the meet of these hounds on Thursday, the 3rd inst. It was a threatening morning, though at the trysting hour the rain held off. Cefn Garw was first called upon, doubtless the most reliable find for a fox in the whole of the Monmouthshire country. The field was so arranged in line that any fox wishing to make the White Hill could be headed and turned back. One was quickly proclaimed on hounds being thrown into the gorse. It is thick, and prickly, this gorse hence its snugness and a fox has literally to be driven out, inasmuch as his movements there are easy whilst hounds are much impeded in theirs. At length he had to go, and crossing the main ride, reached the adjoining covert. Hounds in their eagerness flashed out on the other side and rather over-ran the line for a few seconds, Swinging back in very workmanlike manner. they struck it under the fence, carrying it down on the outside of the covert, and then went away for Llanvihangel. Short of the Mill House they turned sharply to follow the right bank of the Trothey by Llanvihangel Court. Into the water went hounds, up the opposite bank, over the Monmouth road, away by Penyfedw and on as far as Llangattock. Here some wood cutters suggested to our fox that he should go in the other direction, which he did so, swinging left- handed, he recrossed the lane by Llanadan and reached Llandishty. The pace of a fox has often been questioned. Generally speaking, it is quite equal to that of the modern hound, which latter, however, has far greater staying powers. It is remarkable how a fox can break view on an open plain and bring hounds to their noses. Of course, the slightest irregularity of ground is enough for him. A bold fox crosses the middle of the fields for, say, thirty minutes, and then begins to seek the aid of fences, looking for a hole. Up to this point hounds had pressed our fox very hard. Any port in a storm, eh ? So thought he, and spotting one in the Llandishty field, entered without even asking bunny's leave. It was his undoing, for shortly after- wards his mask was seen hanging from the 1St Whip's saddle, hounds having had their reward in marking their fox to ground. By now signs of an unkind afternoon were showing themselves aloft, as we trotted back by Onwen and before we had reached Park Wood we felt the rain to be exceedingly cold, truly an ill-omen for scent. Finding there, hounds ran slowly by Brillian, through the inant dingle and on as far as the Pant Wood. The heavy down- pour now washed out all traces of a fox that lives to try his mettle against us another day. BIT AND SPUR. I

+ Pocket Diaries for 1916, from 6-J-d. each.—-M. Morgan & Co., "Chronicle Office, Abergavenny. 11

THE GREAT SKIN CURE. BUDDEN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure Itching after one application destroys every form of Eczema heals Old Wounds and Sores; acts like a charm on Bad Legs, is infallible for Piles prevents Cuts from festering will cure Ringworm in a few days removes the most obstinate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes 9d. and is. 3d. Agent for Abergavenny Mr. Shackleton, The Pharmacy. Agent for Pontypool, Mr. Godfrev C. Wood, Chemist.

CRICKHOWELL FARMERS AND I RECRUITING QUESTIONS. There was a long discussion on recruiting questions at the annual meeting of the Crick- liowell Farmers' Union, on Monday evening, at the Cambrian Hotel, Crick how ell. Mr. James Howell presided, and those present included Messrs. James Howat, Henry Thomas, P. W. Isaac, John Morris, Evan Phillips, P. Griffiths, Win. Lewis, E. Edwards, Lewis Price, T. Handle ley, J. Edwards, John Phillips (Lloyds Bank), and the secretary, Mr. Win. Powell (Wern). The Secretary said he had sent the resolution of the Union regarding adequate representation of farming interests on the Advisory Committee to the Breconshire War Agricultural Committee, with a list of names selected by the Union for election on the committee, and had received the following letter Builth Wells, Jan. 27, 191G. Dear Sir,-Breconshire War Agricultural Committee. I am in receipt of your letter asking the above Committee to appoint members selected by the Crickhowell Branch of the Far- mers' Union on the War Advisory Committee. As far as I know, the War Agricultural Com- mittee have no power to appoint members on the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Com- mittee is appointed by the Local Pirliamentary Recruiting Committee, consisting of not more than five members, who should be representative of the chief industries in the locality, Provision is made that the said committees should call into consultation, as the cases before the local Tri- bunal -equire, persons who are conversant with special forms of industry. For example, in agri- cultural districts agricultural interests should be properly represented, and this may be effected by communication with the War Committee of the County Council, who may be asked to suggest representatives. I quote from the notes on the administration of the group system issued by the Director General of Recruiting. From the above I take it that the Advisory Committee should apply to the County War Agricultural Committee to appoint representatives. Yours faithfully, DAVID THOMAS, Mr. W. Powell. Secretary." Proceeding, Mr. Powell said it appeared that the people who appointed the Advisory Com- mittee were the Parliamentary Recruiting Com- mittee, and he received a letter intimating that he had been appointed a member in conjunction with two or three other farmers. He understood that he was appointed in the first instance, but for some reason or other the letter did not reach him. Mr. Phillips Who are "the other farmers ap- pointed ? Mr. J ames Howat The Chairman, Mr. Dd. Pritchard, and myself. Mr. W. Powell And as the result of our inter- ference we have had four members appointed. The Chairman said farmers were more or less in the dark as to the correct procedure in these matters, and he thought the County War Agri- cultural Committee should have given them more information. In Herefordshire the farmers were circularised, but the only information they appeared to have received was a circular issued by the Board of Agriculture in December, and which their secretary had that evening dis- tributed to the members. The Secretary said that a tribunal was now being selected to deal chiefly with the Military Service Act, and, as farmers, they should see to it in time that they were adequately represented. The appointment rested with the local authority. The Chairman agreed, and said it would be well to select names and recommend from that meeting. Subsequently the following gentlemen were nominated for election on the new Tribunal Messrs. Henry Thomas, Wm. Lewis, W. Prit- chard, Anthony Lewis, A. J. Roberts, W. Powell, John Thomas, Maurice Davies, and G. T. Christopher and the secretary was instructed to send this list to the Clerk to the Rural District Council. Mr. P. Griffiths said he observed that at the last meeting of the Crickhowell Rural District Council Mr. James Howat moved a resolution to appoint three farmers on the present Tribunal, but it was not seconded, and he should like to know the reason why. The Chairman said the majority of the Council appeared to be of opinion that the farming interest was already adequately represented, and the Chairman gave it as his opinion that they had no cause to grumble. Mr. Wm. Powell But he should have been told otherwise. Mr. James Howat said he could only repeat what he had said before, that farmers were not adequately represented on the Tribunal. Farmers alone knew the importance of conserving labour on the land. In Breco n five out of the members on the Advisory Committee were farmers, and there were six on the Tribunal. The Secretary said they were told by the Board of Agriculture that agricultural interests must be protected if foodstuffs were to be raised. There seemed to be, however, a great deal of vagueness about their position as farmers, and even Mr. David Thomas (secretary of the County War Agricultural Committee) was more or less in the mist. (Laughter). He thought instruc- tions should be clear and explicit instead, they found a multiplicity of instructions which gave them no clear lead. The only definite part of the business was the conscription side of it. Mr. J ames Howat said it seemed to him that the position of men under the Military Service Act was just the same as under the Derby Scheme. Anyway, the same faciilities appeared to be offered for appealing, &c. The Secretary said he found with regard to farm servants and farmers' sons that they were not willing to attest. He was of opinion that it would be better for them to attest. Mr. J ames Howat said they must, as farmers, see that their interests were carefully protected. He quite agreed that every industry had a right to be represented on the local tribunals and advisory committee, but agriculture was the staple industry of that district and had a right to be adequately represented. Councillor Henry Thomas was unanimously I I I --?- appomtea cnairman 01 me union ior (lIe ensuing year, and Mr. Wm. Lewis, Tyrash, vice-chairman. Mr. Geo. T. Christopher was re-elected treasurer, and Mr. Wm. Powell secretary, although the latter expressed the hope that a younger man would be appointed in his place. Mr. Howat We cannot go on without you. A letter was read from the secretary to the Gelligaer Hunt, acknowledging the resolution of thanks passed by the Union, and intimating that the Master, Mr. David Jones, would be pleased to hunt the district at the beginning of February. The Secretary stated that he enrolled 54 members last year. Votes of thanks were accorded Messrs. J. H. Furmedge, agent to Lord Glanusk, and Mr. W. M. Chadwick, of the firm of Messrs. J. Straker, Son, & Chadwick, for their services in connection with the jumble sale. Mr. J ames Howell acknowledged the courtesy and consideration shown him by the members and officials during his year of office, and Mr. Howell was thanked by the meeting for his services. APPRECIATION OF CHRONICLE REPORT. At the meeting of the Crickhowell Branch of the Farmers' Union, on Monday, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. J. E. Waters, our local correspondent, for his excellent report of the meeting of the 13th January, and to the Aber- gavenny Chronicle for giving so much space to it. J

Death of Chairman of Crickhowell Guardians. Mr. Richard Morgan, J.P., Beaufort, who for about 48 years was a member of the Crickhowell Board of Guardians, and succeeded the late Lord Glanusk as Chairman of the Board many years ago. passed away at his residence, Beaufort Hill, Beaufort, on Tuesday morning last, at the age of 80 years, after a long illness. The deceased gentleman was a very genial chairman and a great favourite with the members of the Board and officials. Until recently, when illness laid him aside, he was regular and faithful in his attention to his duties, and will be much missed he was the oldest member of the Board. Mr. Morgan had a good knowledge of Poor Law, and often referred to the great changes which had taken place in Poor Law administration since he was first elected. At that time the work was not anything like as much in volume as it was to-day. He was a member of the most im- portant committees, and always gave willingly of his best in the service of the ratepayers. Mr, Morgan was a valued public servant. He was I a Magistrate for Monmouthshire. Great sym- pathy is felt with the family. J

JIFF HEADACHE AND TOOTHACHE POWDERS owing to the War are 3d. each; 3/- per, dozen. But they are worth their weight in gold. Buy the British made I Ij Naphtha Soap and keep i ¡ your Money in your own i 1 Cou?t?y. I I NAPHTIIOLITE I i the British-made Naphtha ¡ ■j Soap with SO years I reputation, costs I i Same price as before the War. Sold Everywhere. Made by CHRISTR. i I Ij THOMAS & BROS. LTD., at Bristol in Great Britain. rvmnm/0

LOCAL TRIBUNALS. r To the Editor of the 11 Abergavenny Chronicle." I DEAR SIR,—Your correspondent A Penalised Tradesman," writes without presenting the case fairly. The instructions to Local Tribunals include (beyond what your correspondent states) definite and stringent injunctions that the national interests are to be placed first, not the convenience or the interests of the individual, but the interest of the nation. Another primary consideration is that nothing must be done to interfere with the production of food. Now, here's where the rub comes in. To th< ir great credit the great majority of agricultural labourers of military age have, in one way or another, joined the forces, and the staff on most farms is gready, depleted, so that the work of sowing, milking and other necessary things can hardly be done, as it is. And another thing is, that I most of the occupations on a farm are what is called starred," that is, that men engaged in those occupations are practically liable to be called up. Now, I am not a farmer, and my nomination on the Local Tribunal was hailed as a sign that the farmers' sons would be made to do their duty, and not be shielded while the labourers went forth to war. And certainly I intended, and still intend, to do my duty without fear or favour, but by bringing common-sense, as far as I possess it, to the consideration of each case. Well, after some experience, I find it is difficult to send many of the farmers or their sons to the Army. Take the case of a farmer of 350 acres, himself crippled and unable to milk. He has three sons and two old men working for him, and they milk 45 cows, have 60 other cattle to attend to, and the ploughing and planting to get done. Can it be said that, taking national food supply into consideration, one of these sons can be spared ? Again, a man farms 100 acres, keeps a dozen milking cows, besides other cattle, and a flock of yeaning ewes. He has one son to help him. Can the latter go, and the father do all the work of the farm ? In considering the absolute impossibility of getting help-because there are no men to be had-it is borne in upon any reasonable man that it is absurd to say that in such cases as I have cited the sons should go. What about the food of the country ? Cases such as I mention crop up about five times out of six in an agri- cultural area, and, though the military repre- sentative groans at not getting the men, he cannot do more than groan. He sees the dilemma, and, like a wise man, says You cannot help yourself; you must accept the appeal. Now, with regard to tradespeople, professional men, and notably banks, their convenience or interests cannot be considered. It matters little to the food of the country question whether they get on or whether they don't. The consequence is that the Local Tribunal can only grant them postponement for 10 groups, so as to give them a chance of making other arrange- ments. But how, and where, is their help to come from ? In most cases they cannot get any. I know now of one grocer with a considerable business who has to deliver his goods personally, and only his wife to look after the business while he is away delivering his goods. ) Your correspondent does not seem to have noticed that the Local Tribunals are to be en- larged, and a proportion of labour representa- tion is to be included. There is no reason why traders should not be well represented too. But unless the policy under which the Tribunals have to order their decisions is altered, in an ap- parently disastrous way, there seems to be little prospect of the Penalised Tradesman getting much relief. Yours trulv. I A CHAIRMAN OF A TRIBUNAL) (Not in Monmouthshire). A.

LLANELLY, LLANWENARTH, LLANGENNY AND LLANFOIST PLOUGHING SOCIETY. To the Editor of the Abergavenny Chronicle." DEAR SIR,—Kindly allow me through the medium of your paper to inform the many sub- scribers to our Society as to what we have done with our balance. When it was decided to hold a ploughing match on Nov. 4th last, it was unanimously agreed that all profits, if any, should be given to some local War Fund, and am pleased to say that our efforts have proved successful. The profit on the year's working was /13 is. 4d., with £ 2 2s. added by the Society, making a total of Z15 3s. 4d. As the competition is partly in Breconshire and partly in Monmouthshire, it was decided to divide the money equally between the Crickhowell and Abergavenny districts' Red Cross Funds. Cheques have been sent to the Honble. Lady Glanusk, and to Mrs. C. Powell Rees, Cae Derwen, Abergavenny, for 17 lIS. Sd. each. Yours faithfully, E. MORGAN, Tyr Factory, Govilon, Secretary. Feb. 8, 1916. i

PIGEON AND ROOK SHOOT. To the Editor of the" Aberya venny Chronicle' SIR,—Kindly allow me through the columns of your paper to remind the farmers and sports- men in this district of the County Shoot which will take place on Thursday next, February 17th. The damage these birds do to corn and young clover is enormous. We trust that by this effort the number will, to some extent, be reduced. Anyone objecting to their laml and woods being shot over will oblige by sending their objection to the local secretaries of the Farmers' Union. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, JOS. GRIFFITHS, Hon. Sec., Pandy Branch, t National Farmers' Uuion. i National Farm ers' IU, iiion.

UNIQUE CONCERT. To the Editor of the Abergavenny Chronicle." DEAR SIR,—When acting in the capacity of Eisteddfod Conductor in various towns, I have been so impressed with the wonderful talent displayed by little children that I have long wished to give Abergavenny people the oppor- tunity of seeing and hearing some of these tiny | champions of the platform. The annual concert of the Congregational Church, on Thursday next, has furnished the occasion, and three bovs and two girls have been secured (two singers, one violinist, one pianist, and one reciter), each of 1 whom will be well worth hearing. May I be allowed to draw public attention to the annonnce- ment in your advertisement columns, and appeal 1 for a large attendance both at the tea and II concert ? Yours, 1 Yours, JOHN OWEN.

War Problems: Transport Reform. To the Editor of the Abergavenny Chronicle. DEAR SIR.—Referring to the letter which you kindly inserted in your last issue, with your permission I desire to refer to another aspect of the questions involved. There is mucii talk now about the War after Peace—the Trade War,- and the probability exists that we shall again be taught to realise that Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other. When the war broke out in August, 1914, we found that our political and social system was not competent to face the terrible crisis into which we had drifted unprepared, and from that time onward we have been engaged in a hand to mouth endeavour to adapt our belated methods to the necessities of the time, and now our short- comings as a nation are being slowly recognised and we show a limited readiness to look facts in th2 face, which may eventually lead us to pit our affairs in order. If we desire to be successful in the trade war, we must prepare adequate machinery to deal with the great complications ahead of us, and the foremost necessity must be transport reform. Cheap transport only will solve the problems of agricultural production and manufacturing in- dustry. The ruinous effect of heavy freight rates for goods of all kinds upon the economic and social welfare and progress of the nation has not been thoroughly comprehended in the past. Protection against imports from abroad will be of little avail unless our railways, which so far dominate the whole of our internal dis- tribution, abandon the wasteful and obsolete methods of dealing with the goods traffic. As matters stand, in consequence of our freight rates being the highest in the world and the hopeless congestion and delays, our railway organization is the greatest system of protection in favour of the foreigner that the world has ever seen. Obviously, Company directors and share- ?it questions from the holders regard all freight questions from the point of view of the dividends paid by the enter- prises which they own and control the national interests form quite a subordinate consideration. From 1870 to the present time the gross re- ceipts of railways have increased 200 per cent., J:- and the expenditure 290 per cent., in spite of a variety of circumstances all conducive to a decrease in the ratio. There is only one explan- ation of this abnormal growth of expenditure. It is waste. On the average every locomotive engine is occupied during sixty-two hours out of every seventy-six hours of its active life in shunting, which disposes of 81} per cent. of its entire energies. Of the 1,400,000 railway goods wagons in Great Britain only + per cent, are in actual motion with a load at any given time. Additional evidence of the present waste will be found in the fact that the London Goods Depots now occupy nearly 4,500 acres of land of a value of fully /50,000,000. There are at present 74 goods stations in London. Between these stations 700 trains a day are run, exchanging and marshalling traffic. The 340 trains which in London every 24 hours are all run to a dead end. This device encumbers the traffic more more and more each year, renders imperativa the extension of the platforms to accommodate the trains, and increases the number of men required to handle every ton of freight carried. Here is a state of affairs which calls for im- mediate attention. One properly designed building, strategically situated and operated with modern machinery instead of by hand labour could do all the work of these 74 stations and more, and a full enquiry would undoubtedly result in the adoption of these clearing house proposals, which are supported by engIneering; experts and statisticians of the highest standing. The wagons now uselessly held up would then be released, the causes of the present congestion removed, delays would be minimised and the cost of transport substantially reduced. If we are to be placed in a position to protect and increase our trade and commerce and effectivelv deal with foreign competition after the declar- ation of peace, we must at once commence to make the necessary preparations, and the hold- ing of the suggested enquiry is the first step. I hope, therefore, that the political organ- izations in our constituency will immediately pass resolutions urging the Chancellor of the Exchequer to arrange for the appointment of aa impartial tribunal to thoroughly investigate the grievances and the proposed remedy. Yours faithfullv Abergavenny, Abergavenny, ECONOMIST. February

y Pocket Diaries for 1916, from 6)d. each.—M- Morgan & Co., Chronicle" Office, Abergavenny.

FARMERS Study the Health of I I YOUR LIVE STOCK. I < The success of the Lambing and Calving Y > Season depends largely on the readi- t \v W l ness with which emergencies and sudden illness can be met. /j I a 0 0 & 1 9 0 I I I I a I .r a a z ti "I "I j I t4 ?l ?, i e i% -?, z 4 jlJP "■i ™ 1, /??dE ?LtAB?r Yt1 F ESSEN-HALS t RED DRENCH.-For .-O.-n?ng" | Cows and Ewe Fevers. Lou of Cud. 't Price (Ewes), 3/6 pa 4. (Cows 13/- P- foloõ Tins, 12/- and V31- each- GASEOUS FLUID.-For Chills, HO-00. f A restorative for all weakly Animals. I Price 201- per doz. Bottles. I CHEMICAL EXTRACT.-For anoinLing after Parturition, Sores, Wounds, ac. i Prioe 3/6 and 3/8 pet Boitla. CURDOLIX.-For Scour or Msrrtraa, t White or Green Skit, tb Price 2/- and 4{- per Bottle; Quart Tin, 7/0. Send P.C for Lcojlcl 404, anJ fuS parMealart* J ftSESBlcM J 111 i HBMj Printed and Pnblit-heo by M. MORGAN AND Co., at 26, Frogmore Srre.t, Abergavenny iu the Count) of Moumouth. FRIDAY. FEB. 11, 19Hi..