County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

I The Cornish Lady Hermit. I The Jewish fraternity have discovered that; the strange woman of the Cornish Cliffs is a Russian, of good family, and well educated. Her father has written a letter in which he attributes her strange behaviour to a love affair, aud he is willing to fetch her if the passage money be forthcoming. Mr Cornish, the clerk of the guardians, said there would be no difficulty in fiudiug the money required.

Escaped from an Asylum. At the meeting of the Merthyr Board of Guardians on Saturday, a letter from Mr J. H. Evans, clerk to the Talgarth Asylum Board, was read formally notifying the escape from that institution on the 4th inst., of an inmate named Mary Jones, of Hirwain. The whole of the surrounding country, Mr Evans stated, had been searched, but every effort to re-capture her had up to the present been without success.—Mr J. Prowle said there must have been neglect on the part of the asylum officials in allowing the woman to escape. She had escaped once before from the asylum at Abergavenny, and also from the Workhouse.—The Clerk said he thought it due to the board that they should have some particulars as to how the escape was effected, and Mr James was directed to write to the authorities asking them for information on this point. 1:

Major Courtenay Morgan at Trelleck. In furtherance of his candidature for South Monmouthshire, MajorOourtenay Morgan atteuded a meeting at the Trelleck Schoolroom on Wednes- day night. There was a fairly large and thoroughly representative audience. Major Griffin occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by Major and Alrs C. M. Crompton- Roberts, Major and Mrs H. R. Crompton-Roberts, Mr Bnrchadt Ashton, Mr R. Stratton, Captain H. E. Walters, R.N.. Mrs Walters (Oaerllan), and Mr L. C. Wrigley. The Chairman introduced the candidate in a graceful speech, and said that although for several reasons they did not expect a general election directly, Major Morgan, having taken up bis candidature in earnest, intended, when the election did come, not to come as a stranger but as a friend. (Cheers.) He represented a family which had traditions of its own, as good neighbours, good sportsmen, and good landlords, and when Major Morgan became Member he was sure he would sustain the character in all respects of those who had gone before him. (Applause.) MAJOR COURTENAY MORGAN, commenced by thanking the audience for attend- ing in such large numbers on a cold, wintry evening. In his perambulation of the constituency since his acceptance as candidate he had been received most warmly everywhere he went- (cheers)-and in a way that would have delighted the heart of his father were he able to accompany him. (Applause.) Dealing with the Education Act he referred to the Passive Resisters, whom, he ",said, he preferred to call Active Resisters, because operations were involved which were somewhat energetic. Nonconformists had been most urgently requested to join the movement, which, although partly religious, he believed to be MOSTLY POLITICAL. I If the payment of taxes were to depend on men's conscientious views of their necessity he was afraid thatconsciences would become very elastic indeed. (Laughter and applause.) He admitted that the Education Act was somewhat technical. and affor. ded great opportunities for misrepresentation. He ^believed, however, that the compromise arrived at had been a reasonable one, and that very real public control over the schools had been given. Same con- sidered that too much of the burden had been thrown on the rates, and he was inclined to think that not more than a quarter of the expenditure on bigher education should be boron by the rates. 5 (Applause.) He reiterated his opinions with regard to the fiscal' question, and said the more he con- sidered the more he was convinced that if we are to maintain our commercial position as one of the :leading countries in the world something must be I done. If we are to compete successfully with our foreign rivals we must alter our fiscal system, and MR BALFOUR HAD SHOWN THEM now they were to do it. (Hear, hear.) The other day Colonel Herbert took him to task for asserting that our exports were decreasing, and he said he (the speaker) was wrone and should look it up. Well, he had done so, and be would say that Col. Herbert had not rightly understood him. He did 'not say the whole of our exports were decreasing. What be meant and what he said was that the ex- ports of British production to protpcted countries had very much decreased, especially during the last twelve years, and were decreasing still. If they left oat ships, machinery, and coal,they would find that our home products exported to protected countries were decreasing daily and yearly, and he main- tained that they should do what they could to in- crease them. (Cheers.) Supposing, he said, Mr Chamberlain's scheme was put forward, he honestly believed it would be the finest thing for this country that, ever was known. (Applause.) But added he -would NEVER SUPPORT AWY MUAITJI,'E, whether it was brought forward by Mr Chamberlain or anybody ele. if he thought for one moment it was the least likely to increase the cost of living to the working people of this country. (Loud Applause). In conclusion the candidate made a few appropriate references, being an army man, to War Office Reform, and cordially thanked the audience for the patient hearing they had given him, and resumed his seat amid applause, Mr Richard Stratton next addressed the meeting, and confined his remarks to the Government's policy as it affected the farming industry, on which he is a recognised authority. He urged that farmers should do their utmost to retain the Con. servative Government in power because it was morally certain that if the Radical party were re- turned to power they would allow the Agricultural Rating Act, which was giving them rate relief, to lapse. He pointed out that under so-called Free Trade agriculturists bad decreased duripg the last fifty years from a proportion of one in nine cf the population to one in thirty-two, and in the last ten years the decrease in farm labourers bad been 22i per cent. He maintained that this country and the farming interests would be very much better off if a moderate duty were put upon corn. (Hear, hear.) Major C. M. Crompton. Roberts, in proposing a vote of thanks to the speakers for their addresses, 'took occasion to refer to some of the sterling --qualities of the candidate whom he had known as an officer of the R.M.R.E. (M.) since 1H85. When- ever, he said, he undertook a job be did it to the best of his ability, which meant that he did it well. If elected, he felt confident that he would repre- sent their interests, whether agricultural or com- mercial, in the best possible manner, and they were sure of having a good man for their member. (Applause.) Capt Walters, R.N., seconded the vote, and maintained that education was a national cause -and should be provided for out of national revenue and not local rates. He was pleased to hear Major Morgan declare himself in favour of the ■view that no more than one quarter of the cost of iiigher education should fall on the rates. He also asked that the Rating Act should be made perma- nent and that the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture should be unearthed aud acted -upon. (Cheers.) The proposition was carried with oaly one dis- sentient, Mr T. Jones, of Llangovan. Major Morgan and Mr Stratton briefly replied, and the customary vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.

Voluntary Schools. The" Western Mail is informed by the -secretary of the Llandaff Diocesan Associa- tion of Church Schools that in the case of a "Voluntary school in Monmouthshire, the managers of which had been asked to pro- vide additional places, the Board of Educa- tion, on being appealed to, have replied that not in any case are the managers of ,a voluntary school obliged to provide the .additional, accommodation required for the ;neigh bourhood."

'The kitig and Queen of Italy at the Guildhall. King Victor and Queen Helena arrived -at the Guildhall from Windsor on their State visit to the City on Thursday morning, lEere an address from the City Corporation •was read by the Recorder. The scene in "the banqueting hall was a very brilliant one. Among those present were the Prince and "Princess of Wales. Replying to the toast of his health, proposed by the Lord Mayor, Xing Victor Emmanuel recalled the "sym- pathetic support" lent by this country to the cause of Italian unity. Their Majesties .returned to Paddington en route for I Windsor during the afternoon.

The train Service to Usk and Monmouth- A MONMOUTH PETITION. Efforts are now being made to improve the train service to and from Monmouth. A petition has been prepared, signed by Lord Llangattock, Mr Hamilton T. Baillie, the ex-Mayor; Alderman A. Vizard, Mr W. O. A. Williams, county treasurer; Mr Bickertou H. Deakin, town clerk, Mr S. Courthope Boeanquet, chairman of the Quarter Sessions: Captain H. E. Walters, R.N., J.P., Mr George G. Griffin. J P., Mr Francis Hobbs, Crown estate agent; Alderman George P. Tippins, J.P., and Mr F. Bonnor Barling, calling attention to the extreme inconvenience passengers by the Great Western Railway from Newport or Abergavenny to Monmouth suffer by the present arrangement of trains from Pontypool Road, as also by the want of a later train from Monmouth. After 2.20 p.m. there is no train from Pontypool Road to Monmouth till 6.40, but there is a short train running to Usk at 6.20. Trains arrive at Pontypool Road from Newport at 4.57, and from Abergavenny at 5.19, and passengers for Mon- mouth arriving by those trains have to wait at Pontyp)ol Road till 6.40. Most people, of course, wait at Newport, but if they could get to Mon- mouth by the 4 37 train from Newport they would, no doubt, gladly do so. The petition further suggests that the 6.20 train to (Tsk, which only leaves 20 minutes before the next train at 6.40, might be altered so as to be more useful to Uek as well as to give greater accommodation to Monmouth. If this train could run to Monmouth, and timed to leave Pontypool Road at or about 5,25. it. would suit the passengers arriving by the trains from Newport at 4.57, and from Abergavenny at 5.19, and it. could pass the 5.10 train from Monmouth to Pontypool Road at Usk, This train, by returning from Monmouth at 6 20, would catch the 7.18 at Pontypool Road for Newport, and could pass the 6.40 train from Pontypool Road at Usk. These alterations, if carried out, would be a very great boon to Monmouth, as well as to other places. This petition has been forwarded to the Divisional Superintendent at Pontyp,ol Road, and also to Mr J. C. Inglis, the general manager of the Great Western Railway Company, who has also been interviewed on the subject by Sir Joseph Lawrence, M.P.

Tariff Reform Heeling at a Monmouth. On Friday evening, November 13th, a public meeting was held injthe Rolls Hall, Monmouth, to consider the question of fiscal reform. Lord Llangattock being unable to preside, as arranged, his place as chairman was taken by Mr S. C. Bosanquet, and the following letter was read from his lordship expressing his views on the subject before the meeting "It is a bitter disappointment to me not-being able to be present to-night at a meeting which would have been most interesting to me, and it would have been such a pleasure to have heard the speeches of my friends Mr Pennefather and Mr Gardner. I look upon this question of tariff reform not as a party question, but as a great national question. (Hear, hear.) There is no doubt that our trade is not prospering in pro- portion to other countries, and if you look back sixty years, when Mr Cobden introduced Free Trade, he told us that in five years every country would follow our example. His prophecy has not been fulfilled, and it astonishes me to hear even statesmen say that this country has prospered under Free Trade. We have never hid Free Trade. (Hear, hear.) It cannot be Free Trade if free only on one side and heavy protection on the other. This country has not prospered under so-called Free Trade as much as foreign countries have prospered under Protection. In the early part of the last century we were practically the only manufacturing country in the world. Our commerce covered the globe; England was the banker of the world. All this, recollect, was the case long before the tariff was abandoned. Again, it is a great mistake to think that so-called Free Trade was the cause of our prosperity. It was the formation of railways, and the discovery of the goldfields in California and Australia that gave the great impetus to our national welfare and prosperity. Then look back to the great industry of South Wales and Monmouthshire. The tin-plate trade in South Wales had practically supplied the world with tin-plates. The valleys of Monmouthshire and Glamorgan- shire were developed, and the prosperity of these counties rapidly advanced with that of their chief industry. Each year new works were I erected and new districts opened, and there was likely to be a long period of prosperity in our Welsh districts, but, alas the check came in 1891, in the form of the M'Kinley Tariff, and the result has been the closing of many Welsh works, and through the loss of employment, many of our best workmen crossed the Atlantic to teach Americans the art of tin-plate making. But this is only one instance of the heavy tariff against our trade. I mention this because it has very much affected our own neighbourhood. However, I hope and believe that what this trade has lost in America it has re-gained by the increasing shipments to British Colonies and possessions. There has been a great deal of abuse 04 Mr Chamberlain, but abuse is no argument. (Hear, hear.) After all, what is Mr Chamberlain doing ? He is laying down no law. He merely suggests that trade is declining, and he asks the country to discuss the question whether measures should be taken to restore to this country its former prosperity, and his only wish is to make our Empire the greatest and most united the world has ever seen. (Hear, hear.) Mr Pennefather, in an interesting speech, said he bad come to the conclusion that this great commercial fight was not a fair fight for Britishers. The Britishers were fighting with their naked fists, as Englishmen usually did, but their rivals were fighting with knuckledusters of bounties and Protection. Some of these days the Britisher would get the knock-out blow, and would, pro- bablv. not be able to rise to time. Mr Iltyd Gardner claimed that this was mainly a working meu's question, On the motion of Dr Prosser, seconded by Alderman Vizard, it was decided to form a branch of the Tariff Reform League in Monmouth, with Lord Llangattock as the first president. On the motion of Major Crompton Roberts, seconded by Mr Horace Bailey, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Peunefather and Mr Iltyd Gardner for their addresses, aud a similar compliment was passed to the Chairman.

BURGLARY.—A daring burglary has been com- mitted at the residence of Lady Mary Currie, at Clewer Hill, Windsor. The burglar or burglars ransacked the rooms, and made off with every article of jewellery in the house. There is no trace of the thieves.

I Our Food Supply. Major Patrick George Craigie, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, in his presidential address to the Royal Statistical Society, in London, on Tuesday, raised some important questions relative to our food supply. He I RECOUHESDED MORE CAUTION I than was sometimes used in the employment of statistical arguments, and alluded to the special pitfalls which beset the use of comparisons of trade accounts at different dates and between different countries. In his last year's address, he spoke of the enlarged responsibilities involved in the growth of Empire since 1830-in territory fo om four to 24 per cent. of the world's surface, and in population dependent on the British Crown from one-seventh to one-fourth of the world's population—and having then cited proofs of the parallel growth of the population of the United Kingdom' in wealth and resources, which enabled them to, cope with those new responsibilities, he now asked his audience to investigate the improvement, or otherwise, of the food supply at the command at the inhabitants of these Islands. The movements in certain groups of food, showed, lie said, that the animal section of the supplies had multiplied 13 times, while THE CEREAL IMPORTS- I had grown only five-fold between 18.57 and 1901. Meat had developed far more rapidly than any other of thesA groups of food, and while the people of 1857-59 were only consuming 51b per head of seaborne meat, they were to-day taking 53tlb per person. The area of the United Kingdom could not of itself be extended, though there were twelve million more persons to be fed than in 1867, when our agricultural statistics gave the first accurate distribution of the crops, Forecasts as to the permanence of the food sources to which we now resorted, examinations of the development of new methods of food manufactures, and food transport -from ill-peopled regions to the congested homes of onr country were no doubt of deep and growing interest; but in other directions also he would ask members of the society whether their scientific colleagues could not find time to resolve their doubts as to the bearing on THB HEALTH AND VIGOUR OF THE PEOPLE, I of many of the changes which the last half century had wrought in the character and distribution of the food consumed in this land. Interesting inquiries that arose out of the question were whether we eat too much for our health and comfort's sake, whether the physique of the nation is improved or deteriorated, and whether we are quite certain that it is the wisest economy to make such efforts to bring the food to the men, instead of sending the men to the food, so long as the vast areas of food-bearing soil in our own vast Empire cry out for labour, and offer to the masses of our labour-centres at home, as a not impracticable alternative to the struggles of the mine, the factory, or the workshop, obedience to the old command to go forth and replenish the earth and subdue it. "An eminent London physician, interviewed by a representative of The Daily Telegraph on the suggestions thrown out by Major Craigie, gave it as his belief that the wealthy classes unquestionably ATE TOO MUCH MEAT. I Several courses of animal food for lunch, with a quantity of alcohol, and a heavy dinner in the evening, at which meat and fish made up the principal part of the menu, were too much for any individual. The merchant and clerk in the City, whose work keeps them in a state of nervous tension, are too prone to eat a heavy meal in the middle of the day, instead of indulging in light, nutritious diet during working hours. Labouring people, however, the doctor thinks, do not get a sufficient quantity of fresh meat, and to this fact he attributes the cause of so much anasmia among the women of the lower classes. He estimated that of the out-patients treated at hospitals in the East-end of London probably one-half were cases of anaemia, dyspepsia, and general debility, requiring easier conditions of life and plenty of fresh air. Given a life in the country and good feeding, these patients would not require treatment. It is the meat-eating classes that suffer from gout in its thousand forms, while, he added, one of the most striking things to be noticed at the out- patient department, of any large hospital is the number of cases where insufficient fresh meat is taken. Many, particularly women, seem to make bread and butter and tea their staple foodstuffs hence the vast number of cases of ANEMIA AND DYSPEPSIA I among them- He could not say that, taken in moderation, the increased consumption of meat has been bad for the nation as a whole. With regard to nervous breakdowns, a heavy lunch in the middle of the day, in the case of a man who comes straight from his work, eats a perhaps too hearty meal, and returns immediately to his office, whera he is subjected to constant worry and nervous strain, is a not uncommon cause of indigestion. The stomach, having been upset, refuses to perform its functions properly, the man sooner or later gets into a condition of chronic dyspepsia, and this results in nervous breakdown. Dyspepsia is one of the commonest causes of neurasthenia. Asked how much food was necessary to keep a man alive, the doctor remarked that numerous diet tables had been drawn up, and it was possible to vary the different constituents of food between wide limits and yet keep the diet essentially the same. Half a Ib of meat, llb of bread, one pint of milk, loz of butter, loz of fat, and lib of potatoes a day was AN AMPLE DIET for anybody. He considered that many forms o f indigestion, as well as certain nerve derangements, are directly attributable to the abuse of tea, and the practice of partaking of a heavy meal and drinking with it several cups of tea is very pernicious, because bulk of fluid taken seriously interferes with the process of digestion. To drink two or three cups of tea with one's lunch is a fruitful source of dyspepsia. Another way in which tea does harm is that on account of its stimulating action it stops the craving for food, and prevents more suitable nourishment being taken. Many women engaged in teaching live largely on tea and bread and butter, to the exclusion of meat. and consequently become nervous and anaemic and suffer from general breakdown. He did not think that moderate smoking was necessarily prejudicial, but the number of ailments that excessive smoking can cause is very great. Probably the most pernicious form of smoking is the cigarette. The man who is A CONFIRMED CIGARETTE SMOKER I nearly always inhales, and so far as being the mildest form of smoking, probably he takes into his system more of the products of the tobacco than does the pipe or cigar smoker. The effects of cigarette smoking he described as rapid and irregular action of the hgart, tremor of the hand, digestive disturbances, headache, shortness of breath after exercise, restlessness, and a general feeling of tiredness among some of the more marked. Another disadvantage of cigarette smoking is that it is the" nippinlC" habit, and the confirmed cigarette smoker gets through more tobacco in the course of twenty-four hours than the average devotee of the pipe or cigar. It is a habit, too, that is easily acquired by children, and is particularly pernicious to them because tobacco, like alcohol, far more readily injures the young and growing tissues of the child than the more stable organisation of the adult.

Colonial Preference. I In the New Zealand House of Repre- sentatives an all-night sitting was held for the discussion of the Premier's Preferential Tariff Bill. The leader of the Opposition moved an amendment, that the House recognised the advisability of encouraging inter-British trade, but that the information available was insufficient, and the con- sideration of the Bill should, therefore, be postponed. This was defeated by forty-six to twenty-three, and the second reading of the Bill was carried. -Reuter.

I Football. I USK V. MONMOUTH. The first encounter of the season between these two old rivals took place on the Usk ground on Saturday last. Much interest was centred in the game and a good number of spectators were present, including a contingent from Monmouth, who fully expected their team to emerge victorious. The visitors were at full strength. while Usk were minus A. Williams and A. Weare, who were assisting Mountain Ash the services of S. Adams, cf Newport, however, had been secured. Mon. mouth won the toss and the homesters kicked off, and at once dribbled down to their opponents' 25, where they keot up a hot pressure for some time. Ultimately, a free to Monmouth, relieved, and took play tobalf-vray. The visitors' forwards dribbled, and took play to Usk 25. but the home front rank were equal to the occasion, and got back to half- way. For off-side play on the part of the Monmouth halves Usk were given a "free," and Adams dropped a splendid goal from near half way. Play again settled at half-way. where resolute scrummaging took place. At last the home forwards, with a pretty piece of footwork, got down on their opponants' line. Monmouth obtained a mark, but little ground was gained, Prothero tackling Morgan in possession inside the 25 flag, The ball came out on the visitors' side of the scrum, and a pretty bout of passing ensued, the ball travelling right across the third line, but the effective tackling of the backs prevented a score. This left play just inside the home half, Haggett. relieved, with a nice run up the toiieh- line. The visitors again. dribbled back to Usk territorv but Prothero saved, and J. Morgan with R nice kick found touch inside the Monmouth 25. Interkicking between the two custodians left nlav at half-way, where half-time was sounded. Score:— Usk 1 penalty goal. I Monmouth Nil. Monmouth re-started, and Jenkins fonnd toueh inside the home half. A mull on the part of the visitors back enabled TJsk to again attack Roberts got away with the ball aft his feet but was fouled, he got iip, however, and had a good chance to score when he was again tripped. Rowlands brought relief to his side with a clever kick to touch at half-way. Smith, Prothero. and Roberts again dribbled well. the visitors' back being forced to touch after fielding in his own 25. Here. Rowlands made a mark. and nlav rested in neutral territory. Prothero and Jenkins were asrain prominent in a dribble for the line. and a drop for goal ended in a minor being conceded. Haggett returned the drop out well, and in a scramble near thn Monmouth line Prothero got over. he was called back, however, for an informalitv. Etheridse obtained a mfirk, and a drop for goal failed. Jenkins followed up and forced play to his opponents' 25. With a dribble and aided by some pood tonch kicking Monmouth got down on the Usk line, and made strenuous efforts to score, Roberts tackling Rowlands splendidly. Prothero and Bowyer then dribbled to half-way, and from a line out they took the ball to the visitors' 25. From a kick over the line, a minor resulted, a very near thing for a try. Again the visitors tried passing but the tackling was too good. Time was called. Score :— Usk. 1 penalty goal. Afonmotith Nil. Usk team :—Back. R. Etheridge f-backs. R. I TTaq--ett,, F. If. Davies. J. Roberts, and J. Jenkins; ^-backs, T). Prothero (captain), and J. Knight; forwards. E. Waters, A. Bowyer. H. Gibson, J. H. Marfell, S. Adams, G. Smith, J. Morgan, J. Stead.

Welsh Pony Society. Lord Tredegar presided over a l-trge and repre- sentative meeting of farmers and others interested in the work of the Welsh Ponv and Cob Society at the Town Hall,Abergavenny,™ Tize-d,tv afternoon. Among those ancompmving his lordship on the platform were Lord Glanusk, Colonel Bleddian Herbert. Mr C. C. Rogers (chairman of the Radnor- shire County Council), Councillor Jam-a Straker (Mayor of Abergavennv), Mr J. H. Addie (xerent to Lady Llanover), and Mr James Hamer, Penybont (secretary to the society.) Lord Tredegar, who is president of the socie'y, said in his address that, the society was of very modern origin, and in coming to Abergavenny to hold a meeting they were on the borders of their very best pony breeding district. Unfortunately, however, they had taken very little trouble in the propagation of that old breed and in keeping it up to its proper standard, and the object of the society was to call the people's attention to that beautiful old breed of Welsh pony and cob which, if they did not pay more attention to it than they had done lately, would, probably, soon lose the characteristics which were so peculiar to the breed. The Thoroughbred Stud Book Society, the Shire Horse Society, the Hackney and other societies had tended to improve the quality of animiK and he had accepted the presidency of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society for one year in order that they might have a stock society to do as much for the breed as other societies had done for the particular breed they had taken up. He saw no reason why the Welsh Pony and Cob Society should not eventually have a stud book just like the Shire, Hackney, and other societies had. (Aoplanse.) They had a most able secretary, and they had a long list of gentlemen on the council who were anxious to try and do whatever they could for the benefit of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. He ventured some time ago to send out a circular about the society. There was always an unfortunate feeling that if they had anything to do with horses they wanted to "stick" somebody. (Laughter.) Whenever he approached anybody about joining the Welsh Pony and Cob Society they always seemed to fight shy of him as if he had a personal interest in selling ponies to them. (Laughter.) The sharp trick practice did not belong exclusively to people who had something to do with horses. (Laughter.) He hoped the gentlemen present would not go away with the impression that the society had been formed for milking some money and for "sticking" people. They were merely trying to improve the breed of Welsh ponies and cobs, and if they became members they could c. stick" somebody if they liked. They wanted to have the best animals registered so that when they bought one they knew they had the genuine article. Mr C. C. Rogers, a member of the Executive Committee, then gave an address upon the objects of the society, and emphasised the importance of having the best animals registered in a stud book. In asking people to join the society they did not come in the character of suppliants, as they were in a very flourishing condition already. They did not entreat them to join, but only recommended them to do so in their own interests. To the landowners, however, they went in a different attitude, and wanted about a hundred of them to become life governors of the society in order that its success might be assured. If they could only induce a hundred landowners to join it would help them and their tenants to promote a very meritorious Welsh industry. (Applause.) Mr James Hamer submitted the financial state- ment of the society for last year, and Lord Glanusk moved a resolution suggesting to the coun- cil of the society that a local committee of members be appointed for each county, with a view of furthering the objects of the society. His lordship, in doing so, gave some very striking examples of how the breed of Hereford cattle had improved all over the country, and stated that in America the breed had become so popular that they had to issue a stud book for themselves.—This was seconded and I carried with acclamation, and at the close of the meeting a large number were enrolled as members.

I Juror as a Good Samaritan. I A juryman came forward to assist a prisoner who had pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to forging a cheque for X23. The delinquent was a youth of 17 named Joseph Slater, and his employer told the judICe thst he could not, in justice to his other workpeople. !np[ov him again. The judge remarked thftt. h., dH not know who would be likely to employ him the circumstances. Slater and his mother, who was in court, both wept bitterly. A juryman, who had been empanelled to try the case had the plea been one of not guilty, at once volunteered to find the prisoner employment. The Judge (to the prisoner): You have now, through the kindness of the juryman, the one chance of your life of beaoming au honest man, and I invite you to make the best use of your opportunity. You will now be bound over in recognisances to come up for sentence if called, upon.

Poor-Law Administration in Wales and Monmouthshire. The twenty-second annual report of the Local Government Board (1902-3) contains the report of Mr F. T. Bircham, inspector for North and South Wales and Monmouthshire. According to returns received from the clerks of the 53 unions in the district the number of paupers in receipt of relief for the last week of 190z shows au increase of about 220 indoor acd 700 outdoor, as compared with the return in the corresponding week of 1901. The increases of any appreciable extent are chiefly confined to Cardiff, Neath, Poutypridd, and Wrexham. The present number of paupers is not much more than it was ten years ago-perbaps 500 more-but they cost some e62,000 more to relieve during the year. Mr Bircbam expresses regret that the question of providing for Wales a school for idiot and imbecile children and a colony or institution for epileptics has not yet been Perioiiisly considered, and, until the leading county of Glamorgan, with the county boroughs of Cardiff and Swansea, set the example and take the matter up, nothing will, he fears, be done. Touching upon vagrancy, Mr Bircham is of opiuion, so far as Wales is concerned, that if the cellular system were enforced in every union, combined with a strict carrying out of the board's orders as to detention-so far as professional vagrants are concerned—vagrancy would be very fairly met. According to the annual report of the Local Government Board, which was issued on Saturday there were, excluding the insane and vagrants, on January 1st, 1903, 27,430 more indoor paupers and 16,354 more outdoor paupers than on July 1st, 1902.

I Markets. NEWPORT CHEESE, Wednesday.—There was to- day a fair supply and a good attendance, and a general clearance was made. Quotations:—Caer- phillys 503 to 60s, fancy dairies 60s to 62s, truckles 60s to 63s, Derbys 65s to 66s, and Cheddars, 63s. HEREFORD CATTLE, Wednesday.—There was a partial recovery from the decline of the last fort- night. For a fair supply of beef the demand was a trifle firmer, good meated beasts making Ll a head more than last week, butchers anticipating the Christmas demand for suet. Prices for bullock and heifer beef were from 5d to 6d per lb., being quite 2 idbetter than last week fat cows 51 to 5td per lb. 2 Sheep were a small supply. Wethers were selling a little better than last, week at 7|-d to 81 per lb. so were fat lambs at about 8d, all being cleared out. There was little demand for store lambs, but if the weather continues to hold up the trade will certainly improve, numbers of farmers not yet having obtained their complement. Fat calves were few, and nice ones made 8d per lb. Some store weaning calves sold well. A fair supply of pigs. Porks and bacons met with a firmer trade—nice quality porks 5d to 5id per lb., young bacons going pretty well.

I Tuberculosis in Cattle. On Wednesday, at Newport, the question of giving a warranty against tuberculosis in cattle to butchers buying stock at the Newport Cattle Market, was settled, the proposals of the farmers and graziers formulated last week being accepted by the butchers. The demand for a warranty with sheep was withdrawn, tuberculosis in sheep being very rare. Thanks to the executive committee and the secretary (Mr G. Came) for their untiring I efforts during the negotiations, and to the Chairman, were then accorded and the first sale under the new conditions took place. The terms are as follow Glamorganshire.—Minimum price of cattle, £10 compensation, three-fourths of purchase price when the carcase is condemned, full current price s for parts condemned; hide, fat, and offal to be the property of the purchaser; cattle to be slaughtered within fourteen days from purchase butchers to forego the luck money terms to be revised at the end of six months if desired by either side; in the event of the animal beihg condemned, hide to be lefc attached to carcase for identification. The terms for Monmouthshire are identical, with the exception that as "luck money" is not customary the compensation for a carcase will be two-thirds instead of three-fourths. The terms seem to have given satisfaction generally. I

I Factories in Wales. I The annual return issued by the chief inspector of factories shows that there has been an increase in the commercial activity of Wales. For South Wale the number of factories at the end of 19.12 was 2,808, an increase of 157, whilst workshops numbered 4,665 (an increase of 225). Laundries I accounted as workshops had a decrease by 4 to 29, but those accounted as factories increased by 5 to 31. In North Wales factories were numbered at 1,107 (decrease 1), and workshops 1,719 (increase 104). The figures as to accidents in South Wales were:-Fatal, 71 (against 56 in 1901); all accidents reported to inspectors, 3,111 (against 2.716 in the previous year). In North Wales fthe to al number of accidents reported was 490 (against :3;1Ö), of'which 6 were fatal (against 4).

||Br"n-aiBinnwffinmriTOHMKWW wm—Mi I'D |nii»n f5 H^ARCH ER«CWT| Iji ) GOIDEIRETORMS ? RECISTEKEP |pS. l ac-simile of One-Ounce Packet. Arctiefs Golden Returns The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. COOL, SWEET, AND FRAGRAKT.

The Condition of the Volunteer Force. I Some recent remarks of Mr Brodrick have revived a discussion as to the condition of the volunteer forces, and the supposed necessity for conscription. Colonel Eustace Balfour, whose experience as commandant of the London Scottish must secure for him a respectful audience, takes a less optimistic view of the situation than that presented by Mr Brodrick, and is of opinion that, not- withstanding an increase of 7,000 volunteers in the first half of tite present year, there is, on the whole, a serious yearly diminution in the strength of the force. That would be bad enough if it were so, but Colonel Balfour introduces another disquieting factor when he expresses an opinion that the personnel of the volunteer regiments is degenerating. Colonel Balfour points out that the net loss of the London Scottish during the volunteer year 1892-3 was 161, and fears that unless some serious step is taken there will be a further loss before January 1st of 200. No doubt some other commanding officers have had similar ex- perience, but, as Colonel Balfour knows, there was a very LARGE ACCESSION OF RECRUITS at the time of the Boer War, and the en- thusiasm which was then created having now subsided it is inevitable that there should be a large number of resignations. Another circumstance which cannot be ignored is the publication, comparatively recently, of new regulations for the volun- teers. Many of the new rules were im- practicable, and not a few absolutely ridiculous. For example, there was a requirement that each man's pace should be of a certain length—so much for a quick march, so much for a "double," and so much for a charge. Many volunteers have tried to reach these standards and found them absolutely impossible. Some of the regulations have since been modified, but they still leave much to be desired, and there can be no doubt that they have led to a very large number of resignations of effi- cient volunteers. Tiien, as to the quality of recruits, Colonel Balfour suggests that the Z!1 tn men who join the volunteers are now largely of the class from which the militia is drawn, so that what the one branch gains the other loses. It may be presumed that Colonel Balfour does not refer to a crack corps like the London Scottish, concerning which he has special knowledge, and it is very doubtful whether his observation of other regiments has been sufficiently exaefc to enable him to offer a dependable opinion. We know that the best class of militia men. join the regular army, but it is very doubt- ful whether the class of men from which, the militia is drawn have, as a rule, any ambition for voluntary unpaid service. Colonel Balfour :conteraplates as a possible alternative the introduction of a compulsory element into our home land defence service, but there is undoubtedly a very strong feeling AGAINST CONSCRIPTION in Britain, and it would be a bold Govern- ment that would even endeavour to intro- duce the system into this country. It is not at all liikely that any Government would make the attempt without taking the verdict of the electorate upon the proposal, and there can be little doubt as to what verdict would be passed upon a scheme which would take men from their ordinary avocations during two or three of the best years of their lives. Nor is there any necessity for such an extreme course. There are plenty of men who are willing to give the greater part of their leisure to soldiering provided volunteers receive reasonable en- couragement. If they are exposed to a. maximum of inconvenience with a minimum of results, it is scarcely a matter for wonder that they should resign. The difficulty is only one aspect of the much larger question of War Office administration, and it is to be hoped that the deliberations of the new committee on military reorganisation will have the effect of placing the administra- tion of the citizen army on a more satis- factory basis. v

MERRYWEATHER ON WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE PROTECTION of COUNTRY MANSIONS. EXPERTS SENT TO ALL PARTS TO Report on EXISTING Arrangements. WRITE FOR PAMPHLETS: MERRYWEATHER & SONS, 63, LONG ACRE, LONDON, W.C. I =========—— ——

I, Inquest. An inquest was held on Tuesday at Hafodyryuys. near Crumlin, touching the death of M. Johu, '2(>. collier, Roseton Cottages, Hafodyrynys, who died Oil Sunday. Deceased's widow stated that her husband had been assaulted by two men from Hafodyrynys on the 19th of September. Prior to this he bad always been in good health, but since then she thought he would have gone out of his mind. Dr S. B. Mason, Pontypool, said that a post- mortem examination disclosed gent ral congestion and inflammation of the membranes of the brain. There was no fracture of the skull, and no internal mark in the skull that would lead one to believe there had been any great violence to deceased's head. His heart was more or less diseased, the kidneys showed signs of disease, and the whole of the organs appeared to be in a weak and miserable condition. In his opinion there was no association of the man's death and the assault. There was no mark on the left temple. In his opinion death was attributable to meningitis. The jury found that deceased died a natural death from meningitis.

A SERIOUS CHARGE.—At Tredegar on Monday, Charles Groldblatt and Lewis G-oldblatt were charged with stealing a quantity of drapery goods of the value of jEluO. the property of Messrs. F. C. Lakiu and Son, Ltd., aud Messrs. Parry and. Roche, Ltd., on November 5th.—Inspector Price, Ebbw Vale, proved the execution of the search, warrant, the finding of the goods, and the sub- sequent apprehension of the prisoners. This was the only evidence, and the prisoners were remanded till December let, bail being allowed, each prisoner in fbO and two sureties in L25 each.