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

Railway Passengers' "Bights." John Puckey, East Finchley, was summoned at Highgate for refusing to show his ticket, pay his fare, or give his name and address while travelling on the Great Northern Railway. The company's solicitor said defendant was the holder of a second-class season, and was requested at Crouch-end to show his ticket. He refused to do so, or pay his fare, or give his came and address, until he arrived at his destination, Broad- street. He did that to assert his rights, or supposed rights, by way of protest against, the absence of inspectors during the busy parts of the day. The solicitor for the defendant, described him as a "straphanger," one of those weary souls who had been waiting for a seat in a train in the hope of getting it some day. On the date in question he travelled in the slack part of the day, and secured a seat. When the inspector asked for his ticket he refused to show it, with a view to airing his grievance. Defendant bore that out, and narrated some of his experiences, including being packed with other passengers "like herrings in a barrel." During the busy parts of the day the inspectors never visited the trains, and people with workmen's tickets, grimy clothes, and greasy cans got in where they could, and spoilt the clothes of those who had paid for seats but could not get them. It was often impossible to move, and difficult to breathe. Sir Francis Cory-Wright: I go to a station further out to secure a seat. Defendant: We can't all afford that. Mr W. P. Wood (on the Bench): It is well known we pay for an eighth of a compartment and get a fourteenth. Mr H. T. Tubbs (also on the Bench): I have thirty-eight years' experience of the line, and know what defendant says is oorrect. Sir Francis fined defendant half the maximum penalty, 20s, and costs, and drew the attention of the company to the serious overcrowding.

«V6fybody Knows v- that EPPS'S is an admirable food, %u9 nicest and most nutritious leverage for the breakfast tables .ff tn a moment wttb Dolling water or miiir, Kutaining Qualities art v CÕCÕA    

Mr. Balfour at Newcastle. It is satisfactory to know that the Prime Minister's courageous speech at Newcastle on Tuesday, in connection with the annual Conference of the National Union of Con- servative and Constitutional Associations, is already bearing fruit in a rallying of the Unionist Party. He had a stern duty to perform, but he faced it fairly and squarely. The General Election cannot be far distant —it may be close at hand, and it surely is a matter of the greatest importance to the country to carefully consider into whose hands it will entrust the control and conduct of its affairs. "Are we, the Unionist party, equipped for fighting this great contest," Mr Balfour asked his crowded audience, and through them Unionists throughout the country, and he answered the question in this way: J do not think that as things now are the Unionist party is arraying itself for this great conflict, and forming itself in the order in a manner which best promises for success in a stricken field. I have had borne upon me by a painful experience of two years or two years and a half, that upon this fiscal question the Unionist party lis more interested in criticising its own members than in turning a united front to the opposition." Dissension within ad- versely effected their efficiency and their en- thusiasm in the day of battle. UNITY AMONGST THEMSELVES must be their watchword and loyalty to their leader their motto. He wanted not the support of nine-tenths of the party. but the support of ten-tenths, because the re- maining tenth would neutralise the efforts of the rest. It was to be ten-tenths or nothing. On the fiscal question there was a practical working policy before them. It comprised retaliation against the restriction of foreign markets, and the calling of a colonial conference charged with the at- tempt to make permanent a closer commer- cial union with the other members of the Empire. Upon neither of these was there any reason for internal disagreement. Yet differences there were, and these differences were paralysing the action of the party. It was upon the policy not upon the fringes of that policy that he asked the party to concentrate. If they wasted their energies in fighting one another instead of con- centrating on the enemy nothing but disaster could be looked for at the General Election. Referring to what he termed the "federation of parties" and its extreme eagerness to take office with- out daring to proclaim, except in the most shadowy outlines, what policy it would em- bark upon in the event of being called to guide the destinies of the nation, Mr Balfour said, I do not think that a I MORE SINGULAR SPECTACLE has ever been presented by a statesman of great ability than has been presented by Mr Asquith, Lord Rosebery, and Mr Morley within the last few weeks upon the subject of Home Rule. They agree with Mr Glad- stone, but do not mean to do what Mr Gladstone did, Do you think there is the smallest security for us, who believe in the Union, that Mr Asquith thinks the Union wrong, and yet does not mean to carry it out so far as he is concerned ? We have got to consider what the Radical party —the British Radical party-driven by the Welsh Radical party and the Irish Home Rule party-could be forced by stress of Parliamentary controversy to lay before the House of Commons and the country. I gather that they are with a light heart going to despoil-rob-the Church and other de- nominations of their voluntary schools, and they have fallen, not for the first time, into the error of supposing that he does a service to temperance who does a personal injury to the licence-holder or the brewer." Mr Balfour's vigorous address was throughout punctuated with applause, and evoked the greatest enthusiasm.

Sir Henry Ciimpbell- Bannerman's Complaint. Speaking at Portsmouth, on Thursday night, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman zn observed the Prime Minister has said that all this ado about their retaining office only expresses our impatience to occupy the places now held by the Govern- ment. Our complaint is not that we are out, but that he is in." This is, undoubt- edly a legitimate complaint from an Oppo- sition, but when Sir Henry talks of the Prime Minister wobbling, we cannot re- frain from recalling the old adage of the, pot calling the kettle black." Surely, Sir Henry's most ardent supporters cannot fail to detect the absurdity of the arch- wobbler's invective, the leader who does not define his position must be superseded by the man who will." 0 wad some pow'r the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us! It wad frae monie a blunder free us, And foolish notion. Speaking of this prospective Govern- ment's Foreign policy, Sir Henry said I can give, on behalf of the Liberal party, a very simple and reasonable as- surance that there will be no breach in the continuity of your foreign policy as long as your foreign policy is a sound policy.

USK. Afent-Mrs. S. K. Jomt, Stationer AT Newport Chrysanthemum Show, the Rev. W. Willett (Mr. J. B. Greening gardener) took first prize for pears. CONFIRMATION AT ST. FRANCIS XAVIBR'S.—ON Sunday, Bishop Hartley made his episcopal visitation to St. Frmicis Xavier's Church, and. after celebrating Mass, confirmed 10 male and 1.0 female candidates. The Bishop preached in the evening al.,o. There were large congregations at both services. LLANBADOC "CHURCH LANDS" CHARITY.-As a result of action taken by the Vicar of Llanbadoc, for the purpose of safeguarding the interests of the parishioners, one of the Assistant Charity Com- missioners, acting on the instruction of the Charity Commission, has been in Newport and Usk this week for the purpose of making a full investigation into the administration of this Trust during the past twenty years, and also as to the claim upon the Charity put forward at this year's Easter Vestry under a threat of foreclosure. CONSERVATISM.—A meeting of the Usk Polling District Committee of the South Monmouthshire Conservative Association was held at The Castle," Usk, on Thursday evening, Mr. Wm. Marfell pre- siding over a good attendance, which included Mr. L. Foster Stedman, the party agent.—Mr. Wm. Marfell was re-elected Chairman, Mr. J. Maitland Watkins Vice Chairman, and Messrs. Edward Williams, J. S. Birrell, and W. Lewis, representa- tives on the General Committee of the Association. The parish committees and correspondents were also elected, after which matters of interest to the party in the district were discussed. DAIRY SCHOOL PRIZE DAY.-As will be seen by advt., the Minister for Agriculture will distribute the medals, prizes, &c., in connection with the Monmouthshire Dairy School, at Abergavenny, on Friday, Dec. 8th, and for the convenience of those attending this important function from the district lying between Little Mill and Monmouth, the County Agricultural Sub-Committee have arranged for a special train to run from Pontypool Road to Monmouth, calling at intermediate stations, in connection with the 6.25 p.m. train from Aberga- venny. This will also suit those who may attend Mrs. R. W. Kennard's reception after the meeting.

U.D.C. MEETING. Mr S. A. Hiley, J.P., presided at the monthly meeting of the Usk Urban District Council, held on Tuesday evening, in the Town Hall. There were present: Messrs. William Marfell, Reuben Morgan, Thomas J. Smith, Horatio Ault, Edward W. Waters, George Edmunds, James Knight, William Workman, George Mundy, Arthur F. Lucas (clerk), and T. Rees (surveyor, &c.). REDISTRIBUTION. A letter was read from Mr. A. J. Balfour's secre- tary, acknowledging the receipt of the Council's resolution of protest against the dissolution of the Monmouth District Boroughs under a redistribu- tion scheme, and stating that it had been for- warded to the Local Government Board; and a similar communication was read from the Secre- tary to the Redistribution Committee, saying that. he would bring the resolution before his Commit- tee. STEAM ROLLER. It was reported that Mr. Barnes, of Trowbridge, had agreed to accept the Council's offer of 30s. a day for the use of a steam roller, &c. I LIGHTING THE TOWN HALL. The Gas Committee reported that they had met with regard to the lighting of the Board Room of the Town Hall, and had adopted the suggestion of Mr. F. Hill, the Gas Works' manager, to have an incandescent light of 300 candle power put in at & cost of 23 or 94. The new light was considered very satisfactory, and the report was adopted. I THE SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor reported that the trees in Old Market-street had been attended to, and the dan- gerous roof removed from an old cottage in Baron- street. A piece of paving in that street was in a bad state, and should be repaired. The man who- had been suffering from typhoid fever in Usk Prison was discharged convalescent on the 3rd inst., and was now residing in Ebbw Vale. The Chairman said he had received the following letter from Mr. H. Meredith I beg to draw your attention to the very bad state of the footpath from the Gas Works to Four Ash Cottage, and of the Black Barn Road. There are ruts and holes all the way, now filled with water; and stones are sticking out of the ground, which cause children (and others) to stumble. The ditch also wants seeing to." This matter, as well as the Baron-street paving question, was referred to the Street Committee, who decided to meet on Friday morning. I FINANCE. The following accounts were ordered to be paid: Public Works Loan Board, instalment of loan and interest, 990 12s. 6d.; T. Rees, half-year's salary as Collector, £6 5s., and 5s. 9d. incidentals; James Symonds, quarter's winding clocks, £1 5s.; Shaw and Sons, stationery, 7s.; Knight and Co., forms, 21 7s, 6d.; T. Morgan, street watering, j61 2s.; Governor of the Prison, stone breaking, £10 3s, 9d.; Usk Gas Company, quarter's lighting, Lll Ils. lid.; ditto, tar, £7 5s.; Usk Water Works Company, quarter's supply, Y,3 5s.; Surveyor's account On the roads, Z6 4s. 4d.; sewage disposal, 3s. 4d.; cattle market, 16s. 6d.; scaveaging, 15s. 10d.; team labour, roads, 17s.; scavenging-, £ 2 4s. Payments to TreasurerCollector, rates, £ 130; market tolls, 213 9s. 10d. and X3 17s. 6d.; Messrs. Nicholas and Waters and Miss Hiley, 21 ls. each, and Almshouse Trustees (Mr. Edwards) 10s., Town Hall fees; Flower Show Committee, 8s., hire of chairs and County Council, half-year's grant for maintenance of main roads, XIOO. ANALYSES. The U.D.C. Association wrote giving a scale of charges for analyses. Mr. Mundy urged that, if any analyses were re- quired, the services of the County Analyst should be utilised. PROPOSED PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. Mr. Mundy, in moving that the reduced fee of 10s. 6d. be charged for the use of the Hall for the Volunteer Band and Cricket Club concerts, argued that both were for the public good. The Council might be called upon to provide a recreation ground such as the cricket field afforded; and all were interested in the Volunteers and a band for the town. Strangers coming to the town, he said- could have the Hall for two nights for 30s., and they should lend a helping hand to their own townsmen in a cause in which all were concerned, when they wanted the Hall for one night only. Mr. G. Edmunds seconded. Mr. Morgan said he was asked to state that the Band Committee did not wish for any reduction the idea did not originate with them. Mr. Mundy said some of the members of thati Committee had different ideas to that when he was speaking to them. Mr. Knight proposed an amendment that the fee remains the same for all. Mr. Morgan seconded. They had gone into the matter many times, and preferential treatment would cause a lot of dissatisfaction. Mr. Smith supported the amendment, and The Chairman, in doing likewise, said it was for the reason that if they once opened the question it would lead to no end of discussion and unsettle- ment in the future. They were wishful to do all they could for the band, &c., but he thought they should do it in their private capacity rather than sacrifice the ratepayers' money. The Chairman, Messrs. Knight, Morgan, Ault, Smith, and Workman voted for the amendment, which was, therefore, carried.

ABERGAVENNY. Aqtnts.—itetsrs Davies Co. Booksellers. MAYORAL SUNDAY.—On Sunday morning, the newly-elected Mayor (Councillor J. C. Gwatkin) accompanied by Councillor James Straker (deputy mayor), and a large following attended Divine

Scott Y. Monmouthshire County Council. In the London Law Courts the action brought by Mr J. W. Scott, traction engine haulier, etc., Shirenewton, against the Monmouthshire County Council, came before the official referee. The action was for damages for loss sustained, owing to Mr Scott being compelled to withdraw his engine from working over the Rogiet Road. After a two days' hearing, the referee reserved his judgment, and subsequently found for Mr Scott, whom he awarded 2366 damages with costs against the County Council, the amount to be paid into Court within a fortnight. Leave to appeal was allowed, if lodged within that period,

Hunting Appointments. THE LLANGIBBY HOUNDS WILL MBKT ON Tuesday, November21 st Pen-y-caemawr At Eleven o'clock. Friday, November 24th. Little Mill At Eleven o'clock. MONMOUTHSHIRE HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday, November 20th Black Bear At Eleven o'clock. Thursday, November 23rd Red Lion, Campstone At Eleven o'clock. MR. CURRE'S HOUNDS WILL MEBT ON Monday, November 20th Llanvair At Eleven o'clock. Thursday, November 23rd Whitebrook At Eleven o'clock. APPOINTMENTS,, to., FOR WEFK Ending November 25th, 1905. Nov. Sat. 18-Pontypool Petty Sessions. Football-Usk v. Penarth A., at Usk. Sun. 19-Tweuty- second Sunday after Trinity. Mon 20—Usk Market. Tues. 21—Abergavenny Market. Lord Tredegar's Agricultural and Poultry Shows. (See Advt.) Wed. 22—Newport Cattle, Corn, and Cheese Markets. Abergavenny Petty Sessions. Rummage Sale at Llaubadoc Parish Room. (See Advt.) Lord Tredegar's Agricultural and Poultry Shows. (See Advt.) Thors 23—Caerleon Petty Sessions. Sat 25—Pontypool Petty Sessions. — 4th Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers. G COMPANY, USK. Orders for the Week ending Nov. 25th, 1905. Monday, November 20th.—Recruits' Drill, plain clothes, at 7.30 p.m. Tuesday, November 21st.—Band Practice, at 8 p.m. Thursday, November 23rd.-Band Practice, at 8 p.m. Friday, November 24th.—Recruits' Drill, plain clothes, at 7.30 p.m. Recruits may be enrolled on Monday, between 7 and 8 p.m. By order, H. J. WILLCOX, Captain, Commanding G Company. County Courte in Circuit 24. COURTS will be held at the several Court-town on this Circuit, before His Honour JUDGE OWEN, the Judge thereof, on the days and at the time hereunder mentioned:— Time, a.m. Dec. Jan Feb. Chepstow 10 4 5 Barry 10 5 9 6 Cardiff 10 6 10 7 „ 10 7 11 8 „ 10 8 12 9 10 9 13 10 Abergavenny 10 11 12 Blaenavon. 10 15 Tredegar 9.30 12 16 13 Pontypool. 10 13 17 14 Newport 10.30 14 8 15 „ 10.30 15 19 16 Monmouth. 10 19 23 20 Ross 9.30 2 3 Crickhowell 11 20 2 Usk 11 21 1 I>.

Births, Marriages, & Deaths. Announcements under this heading are inserted at a uniform charge of 1/- each, unless such words as UNo Cards," No Flowers," tfe., are added, when the charge will be 2/6. All Announcements must be authenticated. Postage Stamps may be sent in payment, Lists of Wedding Presents are inserted at the rate of 1/6 per inch in depth.