Abergavenny Chronicle

ABERGAVENNY TOWN COUNCIL. Success of the Allotments Scheme. I COUNCILLOR PALiVlER RESIGNS. The mou!. air mating 01 the Aberg^\ Town Council was held 0:1 Monday evening^ tne Mayor (Alderman Z. Wheatley) presiding. T,iere were also present Councillors P. Tellord. T, A. Delafield, J. Tong. W. Horsington, G, R, Viowmau, F. J Maustield, F, Sadler, Graham and W. J. Meale. I Local Men's Distinctions. The Mavor mentioned that since the last meeting Major Mills, sou of Mr. F. Mills, 01 Llwyndu, had been awarded the Military Cross, and that Flight Sub-Lieut. Harold Day, son of Mr and Mrs. W. J. Day, had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in connection v.^ih the Royal Naval Air Service. He moved that they tender to the recipients and their relatues their congratulations on the honour conferred upon thtim and the honour they had conferred on the town The votv v»as carried. « For King and Country. I The Maror r-icrred to the death o. oappei 'Nl,Cartl,.v, wlio well known at Abergavenny, and who had laid down his life for his King and country and had lift behind a widoNN- and a large family, and he moved that they tender to the widow and family the sympathy of the Council in the loss they had sustained, and that the same be recorded on the minutes. Councillor Hote-ingtou, as one- who v. orK^eu alongside Sapper McCarthy in years gone bv, seconded the proposition, wnicn was carritd in silence. Free Fishing I Councillor G: suggested that they should ask. the Government, either through Lord Rhondda, or their M.P.. or the Prime Minister, to move in the matter of opening the rivers for to Inove in t, the purpose of taking fresh water fish in view of the great shortage of food. Councillor Delafield suggested that the matter snould be referred to the Sanitary and Water Committee. liat there was no Councillor Tel: -rd said that there was no necessity for it t, come before the Sanitary and Water Committee. He thought they were all agreed as to the necessity of increasing the food of the country by any means they could. The Mayor said that it should go before the committee first of all. but they could deal with it at the end of the meeting by suspending the standing orders. Welcome Approval. letter was reau tin* Abergavenny Study Circle viewing with satisfaction the steps being -i ttie steps being taken by the Town Council to improve the housing accommodation for the working classes, congratulating the Council on falling into line with local efforts, and trusting that "each member of the Council who sought the true interests of the people would do his inmost to put a good housing scheme into operation. Councillor Palmer Resigns. n'. A letter was read irom councillor raimer Tegretting that as a direct consequence of the attitude displayed by those constituting the deputation received by the special meeting of the Town Council 0:1 the previous Monday, he was left with no other alternative than to resign his position as a member of the Town Council. This decision had not been come to hastily, but after most careful and deliberate consideration. He should ahyavs look back with pride and pleasant recollections to the period during which he was associated with the administration of the government of their ancient borough, and especially the association with colleagues with wiiom there was not one note of discord, but the most harmonious relations, notwithstanding their differences 0:1 methods of policy. His interest in the welfare of the town and all that appertained thereto was not impaired. Councillor Tong moved that the acceptance of the resignation be deferred. The Town Clerk said that the resignation was not complete yet. and there was the liability of the fine to be considered. Councillor Tong said he did not want to speak on it then, but he thought they should deal with it in committee. I Coke A Reduced Price-Perhaps. On the Gas Committee's minutes Councillor Horsingtcn asked what was the stock of coke at the Gas Works. Councillor Delafield 70 or So tons The Gas Manager said he estimated it at 85 tons. Councillor Tong said that he was at a gas works in the immediate neighbourhood that day where there was quite ten times that amount of coke in stock. The committee's report stated that a letter was read from the Coal Controller of Mines calling attention to the big quantity of coke in stock at the works and asking for steps to be taken to dispose of it and to keep down the stock in future. The Manager was authorised to deal with the matter with a view to selling quantities in the country, and thus keep the stock down. Councillor Meale You are thinking of selling it outside the borough. Are you going to sell it at a reduced rate to the people in the town before you sell it to outsiders ? I move that it be referred back for consideration. Councillor Delafield said that the7 Manager was given instructions to sell the coke to the best advantage he could. That did not mean to say that the coke was going to be sacrificed. The committee had given the Manager the right to sell coke outside the borough so that outsiders would hav'? a chance to purchase it, but not at a reduced price. The committeern deavouring to study the welfare of the gas works and make the most they possibly could so as to trv to cover the expense of the cost of the coal. Councillor Meale You are not going to sell it outside cheaper than you sell it in the town; Councillor Delafield No The Mayor If there is any preference it will be given to townspeople. Councillor Delafield said that if they found that they could not dispose of the coke other- wise, they would do as they had done bdore- advertise it at a less price. If they had sold to outsiders they would not have had this accumu- lation. If it was not disposed c: he would see that the townspeople had it at a reduced price. Gas Quality and Leakages. I The Gas Committee also reported that the Manager stated that the quality of the gas was partly due to the retorts showing signs of cracks. Councillor Telford said he should like to ask, in view of the serious leakages, what steps had been taken to put the .retorts in order. If they lost It there as well as in the mains they were going to be faced with a worse position than they were before. Councillor Delafield said that if it was neces- sary to have the retorts thoroughly repaired and overhauled the Gas Committee would carry it through. The committee had been anxious not to spend more money than was necessary on the retorts, because the expenses were heavy and they wanted to keep within the margin. The -Gas Manager was still faced with the difflucltv of shortage of labour to see to the leakages. Councillor Telford said that they knew the serious loss they had in leakages last year. Councillor Delafield said that when the chair- man of a committee answered a question his answer should be taken and he should not be cross-questioned again. Councillor Telford said tnat he did not bunk he had exceeded his rights. The Reservoir. The minutes of the Sanitary and u ater Com- mittee stated that the Surveyor reported the completion of the lioseing and washing-down of the reservoir. During the whole of December and J anuary a continuous now of water had been going into and out of the reservoir in order to prevent the inlet and washout pipes freezing. The water was now being emptied from the reservoir, as the recent fall of snow brought down with it a large quantity of filth, and the refilling commenced on the 23rd of January. Councillor Sadler" asked if they were to expect a ouantity of filth to go into the reservoir with every fall of snow. It seemed to him that the reservoir was a large amount of expense and it did not bring in much return. Every month thev had something wrong with it. councillor Telford said that there was always a certain amount of soot or black matter which came down with the snow, and it was just as well, as they could afford to do it and they had plenty of water, that they should have the reservoir thoroughly cleaned before filling, so that the ■water would be clean and wholesome. Streets Committee and Gwatkins' Land. I The Streets Committee reported that they I bad decided to make application to the Housing Committee for permission to view the land rc- centlv acquired by the Council, with a view to becoming tenants of the same, other than the portion retained by the committee for allotments. Councillor Graham said that the committee had taken over the fields which were to remain unbroken, and they hoped to make a substantial profit on them. The Letting of the Park. On the Markets Committee's report, Councillor Graham asked what was the attitude of the com- mittee with regard to the letting of the Park in future. lie did not ask in any sense of criticism, but only to know what the committee intended to do. Councillor Plowman said that the committee had not made any rule at all, but they considered every application as it came in. The applica- tion of the Football War ReEd Committee for the Castle on Easter Mondav and Tuesday, and the Park on the latter day, was deferrred until the next meeting so that the members of the Council could have an opportunity of consider- ing it. Food Contra! Couiloillor Horsington and In- creased Energy. Councillor Telford asked whether there had been anv replv from the Ministry of Food to the application of the Council to increase the mem- bership of the Food Control Committee by three members. The Town Clerk said that there had been no reply vet. The "Mayor There is no reason why it can't be done, if vou wish. Councillor Plowman said that he noticed that in another district the Food Controller had given permission to increase the committee by three members Councillor Telford said he was not at all anxious to serve on the committee, especially after certain remarks that were made at the special meeting of the Council. Unfortunately at that meeting the members of the Council decided that thc-v would say nothing, and he did not say anything, but at the same time he did not think it was right for anyone to say that perhaps they did not represent the burgesses in the sense "that they ought to do, seeing that there had been no election since 1913 As far as he was concerned it was not his fault, and probably he might not have been on the Council if there had been an election. He had tried to do his duty as far as he possibly could in these trving times. He was not an expert on food, but he had done his best. and, with all respect to the deputation, he must ask them to accept his resignation on the Food Control Committee. Councillor Horsingtou said that the other night thev pledged themselves to the Mayor not to speak, and lie abided by that, but he felt that the time had come when he must express his opinions. It was very unfair to them, indeed. that they could not speak. He regretted that Councillor Palmer had written that letter and that he did not have a chance of replying at that meeting and that he had not had a chance at the present meeting. He was not going to adopt Councillor Palmer's attitude, because he was out to defend himself, and he thought he would be capable of doing it. The gentlemen who attended there had the privilege of saying what- ever thev liked, and he claimed the right of free speech. Their chairman suggested that they came before them to help them in every shape and form and that if their representatives were put on the Food Control Committee they would get good support from them, but within a very few minutes' they began to point out things which were untruthful and unfounded. Some of their accusations were entirely uncalled for. They were told that they had not been doing their duty, and that they were practically in- capable of doing anything at all, and that they wanted increased energy. He had attended over go per cent. of the meetings held by the Food Control Committee, and lie had attended at the Food Inspector's office as well to make various inquiries, and he resented any suggestion that lie required increased energy. As regarded the representation of the ratepayers, if they looked round the table they would see that fhe people were represented as fairly as it was possible for them to be, and he claimed that they who were on the Food Control Committee were equally representative. It was also pointed out to them that there should be representation of the Co-operative Society on the committee. If they remembered when the Food Control Com- mittee was put forward he proposed that a member of the Co-operative Society should be put on. He was ruled out because everyone who was a member of the Co-operative Society was, directly or indirectly, dealing with food- stuffs, and for that reason no member of the society was put on the committee. Therefore his conscience was clear as representing the 300 people who belonged to the Co-operative Society. They had been told that the Railwaymen's Union represented 500 members. The Mayor had already stated that Councillor Palmer was put on the committee as the labour representa- tive, and therefore he said that these people were represented Besides that there was another railwayman serving on the committee. The chairman of the deputation when he attended before the Council stated distinctly that they had not instituted a system for the butchers to issue tickets with the joints of meat they sold. The chairman of the delegates wanted a little bit of increased energy himself, because the Food Control Committee had passed it and it was in action on the ist of January that any person buying a joint of meat could have a ticket show- ing the price and weight of the joint in the form of a receipt. If there were people who were too negligent to ask the butcher to supply it, it was they who wanted increased energy and not the Food Control Committee. There were a lot of remarks made about food going out of the town. There was food also coming into the town. He could look back to the days when tradesmen and people of the town were very pleased to welcome purchasers of produce from the colliery districts. Abergavenny, by its geographical situation, was situated in the right place for receiving produce and distributing it. There was a suggestion that they should put a stop to food going out of the town, but he could not agree, and lie would take a lot of persuading that it was in the best interests of Abergavenny to shut the door on anything going outside. The tradesmen of the town knew their customers and knew who they had supplied in bygone years, and those people who had been purchasing there for many years certainly had a right to expect supplies from the same source as they had been used to getting them before the war. He would not resign from the Food Control Committee. WHe would stick to his guns, and he hoped, by fair judgment, to be able to do his duty in a fearless manner, and he hoped he should never be credited with lack of energy. I Councillor long moveu iiial ^ouncmor ilei- ford's resignation be deferred, and this was afterwards dealt with in committee in con- junction with Councillor Palmer's resignation. Councillor Meale said he could not follow what Councillor Horsingtou had said. He did not believe in criticism and would deny the right to the deputation to criticise him. but he criticised them. When he (Councillor Meale) spoke about food going out of the town he did not refer to the hucksters, but to the large number of others who were coming down and sloping off stuff from the shops. Last Friday morning there were about too down with one train, and on Saturday morning it was the same. Those were the people who ought to be stopped. Allotments: A Gratifying Report. I The Allotments Committee submitted a report and balance sheet in connection with the allot- ments at Llanfoist, and this showed a balance in hand of .£2 10s. 4d allowing for the value of the stock on hand. A profit of £ 2 14s. was made on the sale of seed potatoes, and this was used towards the cost of a spraying machine and material, whicu amounted to £4 4s. The ma- 0 4 4s. The ma- terial and machine did not arrive until the season w"s nearly over, and only 2s. lid. was received from the sale of material, but it was anticipated that a large quantity would be used this season. The committee considered the recommendations of the judges last year that three prizes should be given, and it was resolved to give prizes of 12s. Od ios., and 7s. 6d. The Borough Surveyor produced plans showing the proposed new allotments and he was instructed to peg cut the same in 6 perch plots (180 sq. yds.) It was resolved that the price of the unbroken ground be is. 3d. per perch for the first year, payable in advance, and that in the second year the rental be increased to id. per square yard. Mr. Percy Fraser made application for "three acres of laud Oil the new allotments, for the pur- pose cf seed production, but the application was not acceded to. Councillor To :g said that the Allotments Com- mittee were to be congratulated on their work. This was a case where some energy had been shown, and the results could be seen. He hoped that the additional plots would not be enough to meet the demand. Councillor Graham said that the allotments at Llanfoist had not only been successful from a production point of view, but also financially. It proved that if that Council, or any other Council, would only take their courage in both hands and not be afraid to deal with the people's needs, they could do good work. There were some who were averse to taking up that work, but here was a proof of what could be done by energy and enthusiasm. With regard to the new land they had taken, all the 112 plots had been taken up, and they were in a position to have another 20 plots, which would make 132 plots altogether. It was a good thing that they took their courage in both hands last year and did this work, with the consequence that Aber- gavenny could not only produce what it re- quired, but could afford to spare food to those outside who could not produce enough for them- selves. What they did last year was nothing to what they hoped to be able to do this year. Councillor Sadler said that, as a member of the Allotments Committee, he was pleased to see the balance sheet brought before the Council. The small balance showed that they had given the plot-holder all the benefit t hey could. They had put their house in order and they had shown the public an account of their stewardship. He was sure that they would give every benefit to the townspeople from the new allotments. Local Rationing. I Councillor Delafield said that Lord Rhondda had stated that it was hoped that the whole of the couutry would be rationed for certain articles, such as butter, margarine, tea and bacon, on the lines of the scheme at Birmingham. He asked if the Food Control Committee had taken this matter into consideration. The Mayor said it was all in hand, and the printed matter was about to be issued. Cards were to be issued on the same lines as the sugar cards to deal with tea, butter and margarine, and the scheme would be compulsory on the 25th of February. Councillor Delafield That comes from the Government ? The Mayor Yes. Councillor Delafield: So you are doing it at Abergavenuy ? The Mayor Yes. We can't do it without permission. Each town has to get their own cards printed. Councillor Meale said that the absence of a rationing scheme was the principal complaint of the deputation. Barley, Brewing, and Pigs. Councillor Graham said he should like to know I whether the Town Clerk had received a coii- munieation with regard to the order dealing with J the feeding of cattle, sheep and pigs, and he would like to know if it was not time to make some protest in regard to this matter. The order provided that pigs were to be left out to grass during the summer months, It was hanlly fair, in view of the fact that that day at Aber- gavenny cartloads of barley were hauled to a brewer's to be used for malt, although it could not be obtained for the production of a food which was absolutely necessary. He was not speaking as a total abstainer, or Prohibitionist, but from a common-sense point of view. It seemed very unwise to give facilities for making drink, which was not so essential, and to deprive others of a food which was essential. They had altered local conditions so that people could keep pigs, and then the people who were taking ad- vantage of it were deprived of the stuff to feed them with, though they were continually told I that the food position was going to get worse. Some protest needed to be made to the illogical people who were responsible for these things. ,i gree d wit li Councillor Mansfield said he quite agreed with Councillor Graham and said lie knew of cases of cottagers who had had to dispose of pigs because they could not get feeding stuffs, while on the they coiil('t not other hand they could see the stuffs practically destroyed. Councillor Horsington asked if the Council could not pass a resolution and send it to the right quarter. Councillor Tong Not unless we take their job off them. The Mayor suggested that the question might be considered by the Food Control Committee, and this was agreed to. I —

I Abergavenny Federation of Trade Unions I CONSUMERS' COUNCIL TO BE FORMED. A further meeting of the above Federation was held at Morris's Temperance Hotel on Wednesday evening last. It was reported that no reply had been received from the Town Clerk to the Federation's demand for direct represen- tation on tiie Local Food Control Committee, and the Secretary was instructed to communicate with the Town Clerk, in order to get an early and definite reply as to the Council's intention to- wards the Federation's demand. The receipt of several written complaints from residents in the borough, alleging unfairness in distributing supplies to customers, together with other alleged offences, were reported, and it Was decided to file these complaints pro telli. pending the formation of a committee to act as a Con- sumers' Council, in order to investigate such cases and decide what further action thereon is advisable. The remaining business was of a private and confidential nature.

III" .— Presentation.At the Victoria-street Council School on Tuesday, Mrs. Greenway, better known by her maiden name of Miss Teresa Muukley, and who was for many years a member of the staff of the school, was presented with a pair of sepia pictures by the members of the staff, on the occasion of her recent marriage. The presenta- tion was made by the headmaster, Mr. w. Rosser, and one of the girls, Emily Carter, in a neat speech, presented Mrs. Greenway, on behalf of the children, with a silver-mounted biscuit barrel, well filled. AL

Timber Sale at Abergavenny. I At the Angel Hotel on Tuesday Messrs. J. Straker, Son & Chadwick offered for sale several lots of oak and other timber trees, with the following results 127 oak trees 011 the Dany-graig estate, Gros- mont.—Sold to Mr. A. Messam, Newport, for £ 390. 33 oak, 35 ash. 12 beech, and 7 wych trees, on Glan Trothy lauds, Llangattock Litigoed.- Messrs. Jones & Sons, Llangyuidr, £ ioo. 25 oak, 29 ash, 23 wych and elm, 6 beech, 5 25 oa k 29 asli, -2 1 poplar, 4 cherry, n larch and pine, on Old Court Farm, Llangattock Lingoed.-—-Withdrawn at £ g$. 95 oak, 15 beech, 14 ash, 7 wych elm, 1 lime and i arle trees en Court Farm, Llantilio Cros- senny.-—Messrs. Jones & Sons. Llangyuidr, -fl40. 51 oak on Roan Oak Farm, Grosuiont.—. Withdrawn. 14 oak on Smallman's Farm, Llangattock Lingoed.-Messrs. Jones & Sons, £ 15. 25 young oak and 25 oak storvs,-Messrs, Williams & Thomas, Newport, £ 20.

3rd Monmouthshire Cadet Corps. Abergavenny Company. I ORDERS FOR WEKK ENDING FEBRUARY 16 :— Tuesday,Seniof Platoon will parade in Drill Hall at 7.30 p.m. for arms drill and physical exercises. Friday.—Junior Platoon will parade in Drill Hall at 7.30. By Order. R. J. HARRHY, LT., AL Officer Commanding. I A

WRISTLET WATCHES. I Fourteen More Recipients at Abergavenny. I OVER 2120 RAISED. On Thursday evening last a smoking concert I was held at the Black Lion Hotel, for the purpose of making further presentations of luminous dial wristlet watches to soldiers home on leave from the front. There were on this occasion 14 soldiers entitled to receive a watch, but four of these had gone back, and their watches will be sent to them. The full list of names is as follows :—Sergt. J. W. Speed, Labour Corps Pte. F. Neville, xst Mons. Pte. F. Higgins, R.E.; Pte. B. Lyons, 9th Batt. Welsh Regt. Pte. R. Watkins, 1st Mons Pte. H. Ryce, 1st Mons. Signaller G. F. Gwenlan, R.E. Pte. W. P. Hughes, 1st Batt. Welsh Rgt. Rirleiuan B. Brown, 1st Mons. Pte. W. C. Abbott, 2nd Mons. Rifleman W. Davies, 1st Mons. Pte. T. R. Wiuney, 2nd Mons. Sapper R. II. Bailey, R.E. and Sapper H. Pritchard, R.E. Councillor W. J. Meale presided at the outset, and the chair was subsequently taken by the Rev. J. R. Phillips, R.D., Vicar of Holy Trinity, who made an admirable chairman. L [The Anvi! and the Hammer. I The Chairman expressed his pleasure at. being present that uiglit. All his clerical life, extend- ing over 37 years, lie had been mixed up with soldiers and sailors. He had been a chaplain for five years, and was first a Volunteer and then a Territorial. His love for the service was just the same as it ever was. (Applause). When he read the papers his blood boiled, and he wanted to get hold of a chopper or a doubled-b irrelled gun and go out to kill Germans. When he read how their boys were treated by the Germans lie could hardly contain himself. He appre- ciated the privilege of coming there to show an indication of the goodwill of the people of the town to the soldiers belonging to the town. The committee had now raised over £12<) to spend on those watches. They were beautiful little watches, and they formed a valuable present to the men who were fixed up in the trenches. lie believed that something like S2 of those watches had now been presented by the committee. (Applause). The only tiling the committee regretted was that they were not made of solid gold and studded with jewels—(applause)—so thoroughly appreciative were they of the splendid work that these men were doing. There were a lot of peopl. at home who did not grasp what this war really meant. They had not grasped the fact that but for what the men in khaki were doing and the Navy were doing we would have the Germans in this country. They did things unspeakable to the women aud children, and God forbid that they should ever set foot in these islands. Referring to the I miniature anvil and hammer which was 011 the table for the chairman to conduct the pro- ceedings with, the Chairman asked if they knew which would wear out first, the anvil or the hammer? ("The hammer.") Ves, the anvil would wear out hundreds of hammers. The anvil represented the British Empire, and the hammer represented the Germans. (Applause). They would never wear out the British Empire. The Kaiser's Perfidy. I The Chairman, having presented the watches to the recipients present, with a few appropriate remarks to each, proceeded to say that he was obsessed by the war. It was the first thing he thought of in the morning and the last thing at night, with a prayer on his lips for the boys in the trenches. This war was the result of un- preparedness. We let our Army and Navy down and we allowed the Germans to make a tremendous lot of money out of this country. Perhaps some of them knew Harwich and the place by the side of the quay, which was as large as l'addington, Before the war they would find it full of almost everything which was needed in a household. He inquired the meaning of it, and he was told that all these goods came over from Germany to be marked Made in Ger- many," and then to be sent out to flood the country in competition with the manufactures of our own working men. The Germans paid nothing whatever to bring them into this couutry. and the money went back to Germany. The first time he went abroad, about 35 years ago, he took a small afternoon tea-table for some friends. When they got into port a man with a great deal of gold lace said he must pay 1] francs for it. He supposed the table was wortli about jos., and lie said that lie was not going to sell the table but was simply going to make a present of it. That did not make any difference, and before he could take it into the country he had to pay is. 6d. Next morning he saw two brigantines and a schooner going out of the harbour, and on inquiry he was told that the brigantines were going to London full of chil- dren's toys, an d the schooner was going to Southampton with cheap clocks. He asked what they would have to pay to land the toys and clocks, and the man he questioned roared with laughter and said Nothing at all." The Germans made a tremendous lot of money that way, and that was how they were able to build the Goeben and other large war vessels. All the London hotels were staffed with German waiters. We had been feeding Germany, pampering her and keeping her going, and they built that great Navy and made those huge armaments, and now we had to fight against them. When the late Queen Victoria was dying, did they know whose arms she was suppported by P The arms of the German Emperor, who professed the greatest affection for her. All the time he was building I up his great armament and making mighty guns and getting ready to fight us. The perfidy of the thing was terrible. In the meantime we had intercepted a telegram which the Kaiser sent to Kruger during the South African War. Yet even that did not open our eyes, though Lord Roberts went round the country imploring us to realise that Germany was going to make war. Certain people laughed and said that he was suffering from senile decay and ought to be shut up in a lunatic asylum. But Lord Roberts was right, and what lie liked about him was that he never said I told you so." Let us go 011 with the great job we had taken in hand. The brave boys who were fighting for us needed all the support we could give them. Let them not forget to pray for them. He was not ashamed to say that he did, and he believed that God protected them as a result. (Applause). Helps Tbem To Carry On. I Pte. Hughes thanked the company for the reception they had given the soldiers, who appreciated it more than they thought. They felt it more when they went back than they did at home, and when they thought of the appre- ciation of the people at home it made them able to carry on when they were inclined to say Bust it." (Applause.) Pte. Neville and Pte. Lyons also responded and returned thanks for the watches. The latter said he was an old 3rd Mons., and he wished he was in their company at the front. The Welsh Regiment was a good regiment, but he would rather be with the boys of the 3rd Mons. (Applause). Councillor Meale proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding. He had shown he had the courage of his convictions and was anxious to assist them instead of criticising them. (Applause). Mr. W. Jeffreys seconded and said it was a happy inspiration of the gentleman who pro- posed that the Rev. J. R. Phillips should be asked to preside, and he had proved an excellent chairman. Mr. W. Russell supported and said that, as one of the old 3rd Mons., he was very pleased to see their chaplain there that night, and he could assure him that it would not be the last time they would ask him. (Applause). The company sang For he's a jolly good fellow." The Vicar, in reply, said that lie had orly done what any man should be proud to do, and that was to come amongst the soldiers and show appreciation of what they were doing. He congratulated the committee on the splendid work they were doing. A vote of thanks was accorded the artistes, on the proposition of Mr. J. Carter, seconded by Mr. T. Evans, aud Mr. W. Davies responded, and promised on the next occasion to bring down his concert party from T3rynmawr and give them a real good time. The programme was entirely sustained by Bryumawr artistes, who gave some excellent songs.

I BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS DEATHS. YEATES,-Oil January 28th, at The Llwyuae, Llanddewi Rhydderch, Elizabeth, wife of the I late John Yeates, aged 87 years.

If you want Wallets, Pocket Books, Ladies' I Bags, Tourist Cases, Attache Cases, Dressing I Cases, the largest stock and the best quality is [ at M. Morgan & Co., Chronicle Office.

I -1!1; 1J # LLOYDS BANK S LIMITED. HEAD OFFICE: 71, LOMBARD STREET, E.C. 3. DIRECTORS. Chairman Sir RICHARD V. VASSAR SMITH, B<«t. Deputy-Chairman: J. W. BEAUMONT PEASE. CHARLES E. BARNETT. HENRY BEU- HON. ROBERT H. BRAND. C.M.G. JOHN H. CLAYTON. WILFRED S. DE WINTON. MAJOR JAMES W. GARTON. AUSTIN E. HARRIS. SIR HENRY H. A. HOARE. Bart. J. ARTHUR KENRICK. SIR H. SEYMOUR KING. K.CJLE. CAPT. GEORGE LLOYD, CJJF_ Dja. Kp. HOWARD LLOYD. CAPT. REGINAI.D K. MORCOM. PHILIP E. NOBLE. ARTHUR E. PATTINSON. ARTHUR F. PEASE. OSWALD SANDERSON. ANDREW WEIR. GEORGE D. WHATMAN. ROBERT WOODWARD. CAPITAL SUBSCRIBED S.31,304,220000 CAPITAL PAID UP 5,008,672 RESERVE FUND 4,000,000 DEPOSITS, &e. (Dec, 1917) 174,697,945 ADVANCES, &c. do. 61,466,709 THIS BANK HAS NEARLY 900 OFFICES IN ENGLAND AND WALES. FRENCH AUXILIARY: LLOYDS BANK (FRANCE) & NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK (FRANCE) LTD. HEAD OFFICE: 60, LOMBARD ST., LONDON, E.C. 3 (Temporary Address). OFFICES in FRANCE: | PARIS (3, Place de TOpera), BIARRITZ, BORDEAUX, HAVRE and NICE. jj -fsnssmnnHW

Abergavenny Federation of Trades Unions and iho Town Council. To tic Editor of th? "Abrrijarenn;/ C/iromclc." DI-R MU. Enrr'.M, T' • attiu; of some of the membev.s of our T«AVU Council to- I wards the reasonable demands of the deputation from the Abergavennv Federation of Trades Uiuou5 for dire'ci. l'Cp:ö':lltatil}:: 01l 1;1; L(i, I Pood Co!ltrol to me. most ¡ inexphcabie. ?d".iic!p.d ho?' i itv was evinced e;;l; IL, }'l[' l¡;' 'l:(\?'c ;!r;l:" 1 i report, before the d^otil ttiou entered tne Council hamher unworthy innuendoes aud uajust remarks showe d that we were uot very welcome ;\lS ).)l\)t\id ¿;lc\i'" 2/:lt, wr\(\I represenh,ioIJ for labour has b.-eu demanded and granted by scores of councils throughout the land. In many cases councils have welcomed the request for additional representation, and not one has felt lrurt ü ii:, Additional representa- tion to labour on food control committees are really safety valves, for the masses then feel more satisfied. Their interests are represented, and however food may be they will be satisfied, for thee feel that the best possible etiorts are being exerted on their behalf. Is municipal dignity going to try to stop our progress ? If so, I suv. Sir. it stands a poor halce oi sur- viving the test. Indeed, municipal dignity at Abergavenny is not of a very high order just now. Apparently the Council 11 ,,ii or('LcrJLIST Aber,,a-eTiiiy i.?; .,)t c?f -t d the- certainly did not have t llrg,e; :Jl the-- the ,zrace to s Li Yes." ? have nopreviously known such discom'tcsv to be shown t,) a deputation as the Town Council showed us when we were recalled into the Council Chamber. Only two Coun- cillors kept their places, the remainder were shouting out their intention to resign, em- phasising their firmness of intention with various gest icnlalions. Even the Iayor seemed annoyed when I pressed for a deruiite answer to our request. Several of the Councillors actually left the room as the deputation re-entered. Tnat, ) Mr. Editor, was the attitude of the Council j to our deputation and now just a few words on the attitude of tne deputation towards the Council." j I claim that it was friendly, gentlemanly, and courteous, in spite of the fact that Councillor Palmer wanted to know previously if we were actuated with honest or ulterior motives." I beg to submit to Councillor Palmer that lie would j have known our motives "1 he had attended the previous N.U.R. meeting. The Federation J had no hostility to Councillor Palmer, or any other Councillor, and I defy the Council to point out one statement in my first appeal for addi- j tional representation which could in any way be interpreted in a spirit of hostility. No, inir. Editor, it was not the attitude of the deputation to the Council that caused Councillor Palmer to resign, but rather it was his attitude to our deputation. Our deputation to the Council first appealed to the Council to grant our request, without forcing us, as a deputation, to adopt a critical tone. The Mayor responded at length, and said that a Councillor had passed up three questwns for the deputation to answer, but, strangely enough; though the Mayor put the questions to us, he answered them himself, and in his own way. We are still supposed not to know how the questions came into the Mayor s possession. | Of course it was a fine piece of camouflage, but if the Councillor had asked the question in the presence of the deputation, the public would know that the subsequent criticism was what the Council asked for and got. It was a great surprise to me to hear Councillor Tong say that he had not heard one complaint against the Committee, and we had 110 alternative but to give them. There are more to follow. Now, just a word with Councillor Horsing- to.tue first member of the Council I called upon before we went to the Town Council. I I assured Councillor Horsington we wanted aiuli- I tional representation, with the idea of helping to put things right. He immediately flew into I an uncontrollable passion, and I dare not—at this jiiiictiire-gin-e his reply, in a respectable family journal.1. Now, last Monday, in the Council meeting, he accused the deputation of making" Untruthful and unfounded" state- ments. I will give him an opportunity for being more definite in stating what these untrutnful remarks were, and what unfounded statements were made. If he does not take this oppor- tunitv I shall reserve my right to deal wit 11 him iu another way. Now, Councillor Horsington, play the gentleman. We never attributed to you lack of energy indeed, we have often been impressed with your energy—(physical). It has since been reported that a person went into a butcher's shop, this week, and ask-, -d if she might have a piece of suet—pointing to same. The shopman is reported to have answered Yes," and the lady asked the price per pound, The shopman is reported to have replied If you 1 want to know how tnncn a pounu, you cannot have it." Now, Sir, this case has not yet been j investigated, but whether customers ask for tickets or not, the onus of supplying a ticket with j ever)- purchase should be put upon the salesman, and it should be an offence not to supply a ticket, > whether asked for or not. I In conclusion, just one appeal to shopkeepers. Serve bona-nde customers only, and see that all I get a share of whatever supplies are at hand, in fair proportion to numbers. This will stop people running about from shop to shop and from town to town, and will go far to help tide over the time between now and the date of com- pulsory rationing. Yours truly. W. ROSSER. I Chairman Abergavenny Federation I of Trades Unions. A

I N.U.R. and Federation Delegate. I I To the Editor of the" Abergavenny Chronicle." I I SIR,-Tliere seems to be some doubt as to the delegates of the N.U.R. who recently waited upon the Local Food Committee having been appointed by the members. I desire to say, as chairman of the Abergavenny Branch, that they were properly elected by the members at the first general meeting held this year. Trusting you will be good enough to make this known through the medium of your paper. Yours faithfully. JESSE SHERYINGTON. I 6 Casaba Terrace, Llanfoist, Feb. 7, 1918. .t. 'f

ABERGAVENNY BOARD OF GUJtrlDiANJ. OVERSEERS TO uZ SUiflSTONED. The fortnightly meeting of the Abergavenny 1 Board of < Vuardiuns was held 0:1 Friday, Col. W. \?iHi t;.? ?r'?<i.i:c. There WM also preSlt: | Mr. K. j. Gwillim (v'ce-?.?T!:?u) "irs' Hlley I" .c: .< j John l't h-d. ;'ai.n'. \V?ikins. N. Pnllin, m'¡;l'< è:;{i\i;t!:¡;Iri i I Philip Wi l Uair.o, Win. (. .willim, an d Joseph lioweils. I T'l'.e Meat Ration. [ Uç .t..I!Q.. J 7, .iL "i\1I The Master reported that th re were in the house 6', tn<n, '20\'{.c.rr 1.1 12 < hildren, a t"Lal of 104, cmupnr?d with -? z, for the corresponding period of last year, or a decrease of 25, The number f vagcants relieved during the fortnight was 47, compared with 72 f.r 'lie corresponding period, a decrease c.f 25. hen the Ivles'.er reatl out nis list of require- ments for the fortnight, Mr. 1). Watkins asked if there was any difficulty in getting supplies. The Master said that there was a sEght: diffi- culty with regard to meat, but nothing to do them any harm. They had had to cut down the quantity a little. Mr. Pritchard said he did not see why they should not reduce the quantity of meat entirely during the Avar. Most people had to do so, and many could Hot get any meat at all. The Master said that their scale WS vcrv low. Father Wray We can't do it without the con,sent of the Local Government Board. The Vice-Chairman What is the weight of meat allowed ? The Master Under 2lbs. per head per week. Mr. N. Pnllin Is there any difficulty about cheese ? The Master: No. The Vice-Chairman said that they could not th • meat down much. i Mr. PuMin said t'at the;, ?ot (.n'y ?b. of meat BL Blaen ivou bst \'c:k il;d ou!y LD. per head ). per ?IC The Vice-Chairman The aHoyvance at the house includes bacon, aud we can get bacon and sausage or something of that kind in addition. Rates overdue. I The Clerk reported that Old-; ..tie and Aber- I gavenny Urban were considerably behind with tileir rates, and as a result the Guardians would have nothing left in the bank if they paid the county rate and the cheques drawu that day. These rates should have been paid oil the iitil December. The calls unpaid amounted to 115,668. Members expressed the opinion that matters ought to be brought to a head, especially in N-ic-,v of the continued trouble with Abergavenny Urban. On the preposition of Mr. John Prichardj seconded by tne ict-Chainu.u, it was decided to summon the respective overseers for the pay j nient of the rks due, Monthly Instead of Quarterly. The officers at the house made application fof I their salaries to be paid them monthly instead'of I quarterly. This was agreed to, ReHevins Officersiiin. There was only one application fer the position of relieving officer for the Abergavenny district, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. W. fl. Studholme. This was from Mr. W. Locksiey, of St. Helen's-road, who in his application stated that he had served for 20 years in the Wilts. {Regiment, and had served with the S.W.B. in Serbia and France, and was now discharged from the service. The applicant w;s not present, though the Clerk said he had asked him to attend. It was therefore decided to advertise again. Increased Price Asked Fcr Meat. I Mr. Hall, butcher, wrote that the Government had now controlled mutton at I >1. per lb in- crease on their contract price, and they asked the Board to grant them a corresponding in- crease. Tlle application was agreed to. -+- I

CRICKHOWELL 1 ItEMORlAi, SERVICE.—Tne Rev. E. Rowland, pastor of Dauvcastell C.M. Church, Crickhowell, conducted a service on Sunday morning last to the memory of Mr. John Jones, bootmaker, whose death was annoanced in our last issue, and who for very many, years held the offices of deacon, precentor, and treasurer at Danvcastell. The rev. gentleman referred to Mr. Jones's long and faithful service, and said he was always a cheerful work r in the church. A man of fine Christian spirit, tie was calm in stress, yet firm to the principles waich his life (lid so much to advocate- A frieud of little children and young people, he would be much missed by his church and the community. Appropriate hymns were s-,ing. FROM SAT.OVICA.—Pte. Jim Powell, S.W.B.. a keen and. popular Oddfellow, who has had a trying time iu hospital, has almost completely recovered, writes to our correspondent that he is looking foiward to rejoining his comrades. He refers in very high terms to the splendid way in which our men are equipped to fight the 1 weather and the Bulgars. Like so many men at arms, he firmly believes 19 iS will see the end of the war. 1'tt', Powell is not enamoured of the scenery near him. and said he would give a good deal to see his native place. IN* HOSPITAL. -Pte Willi" Powell, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. James Powell, Caned House, Llan- gattock, has undergone a second operation in a home hospital and is making as good progress as may be expected. Pte. Powell, who in civil life was an assistant at Messrs. Morgan & Evans was wounded some mouths ago in t le fighting on the Western front. His many friends wish him a rapid recovery. AL

-¡- Untarnishable Gilt Photo. Frames--variOUS sized mounts—at M. Morgan & Co. 's, 'Chronicle' Office. -=: Printed anrt Pnbluhed by Mo pan & Co. (H. Morgan j and E. C St aktr). d '2t: Kicgmore Street, Aber- venny, in th ( onnty t J!orimoiiih. FRIDAY FBB. 8, 1918.