Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

The Post Office pension list entails an expendi- ture of £300,000 a year. Several elementary schools at Romford are dosed because of an epidemic of scarlet fever. The house where Lord Macaulay was born, Rothley Temple, Leicestershire, is in the market, and will shortly be put up to auction. Dr. Vaughan, Roman Catholic Bishop of Ply- mouth, has been on a visit to his nephew, Cardinal Vaughan, at Archbishop's House, Westminster. At Salford County Court, a few days ago, William Lee, an employe on the Ship Canal, obtained dE90 for the loss of an eye. y In the Established Church of Scotland the average income of the beneficed clergy is about S300 a year with a manse.

'ST. JACOBS OIL 0 HAS CURED PROMPTLY AND PERMANENTLY RHEUMATISM, NEURALGIA^

FREEMASONRY AT PONTY- POOL. INSTALLATION CEREMONY. The twenty-fifth annual installation meeting of the members of the Kennard Lodge, No. 1258. of the Order of Freemasons, was held on Thursday, the 28th September, at the MasoDic Hall. The lodge having been opened and the worshiüful master elect (Bro. John O'Keef e,) having been duly presented by Bro. S. G. Homfray, D.P.G.M., to the installing master, the installation ceremony was impres- sively performed by Bro. A. H. Watkins, W.M., of the Kennard Lodge, assisted by Bros. G. Homfray, D.P.G.M., and the past master. After the ceremony, the new W.M. installed the fol- lowing brethren as his officers for the ensuing year A. H. Watkins, I.P.M.; U. P. Skrimshire, S.W.; J. S. Mends, J.W.; Rev. R. W. B. San- derson, chaplain: J. Holloway, P.M., treasurer; H. Fox, P.M.. D.C.; Hartley Feather, P.M., secretary C.Millard, ass.-secretary E. Stanley Wood,iS.D.: R. J. Meadows, J.D.; D. J. Lougher, I.G.; E. Richardson, S.; Sergt.-Major W. J. Ayres, tyler. Hearty good wishes having been expressed for a happy and prosperous year or office, the lodge was closed with due ceremony. The annual installation banquet was held the same evening at the Crown Hotel, the new W.M. (Bro. O'Keefe) presiding. A capital spread was placed upon the tables by the respected host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Tanner. The following was the menu SOUPS. Clear Vermicelli. Thick Ox Tail. FI8H. Turbot and Lobster Sauce. Filleted Soles. ENTREES. Beef Olives. Stewed Kidneys. Oyster Kromoskeys. REMOVES. Roast and Boiled Chicken. Tongue. Geese. Boiled Leg of Multon. Sirloin of Beef. GAME. Partridges. Hares. SWEETS. Cabinet Pudding. Damson and Apple Tarts. Custards. Trifles. Jellies. Ice Pudding. DESSERT. Pines. Grapes. Filberts, &c. After dinner the usual loyal and masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured, and the harmony of the evening was well maintained with songs, &c., by Bros. Wood, Hughes, Davies, Skrimshire, Homfray, &c., and recitations by Bros. D. R. Jones and J. Holloway. There was a large attendance of the brethren, amongst the visitors being Bros. W. E. Hume-Williams, London Watkins, Newport, &c.

PONTYPOOL BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board of Guardians was held at the Workhouse, Griffiths- town, on Thursday last. There were present: Mr. E. J. Phillips, J.P. (chairman), Messrs. W. L. Pratt, J.P., E. B. Ford, G. H. Daniel, J. Rosser, D. Jones, J. Jenkins, F. W. Rafarel, J.P., and the Clerk. STOPPING THE PAY. The Clerk said Mr. Edmunds, the relieving officer, had told him that he had stopped the pay Mary Davies, Snatchwood, because it bad been reported to him by Sergt., Allen that she had been drunk on one occasion from Friday night until Tuesday, and also that she encouraged men to drink in her house. He had also, until he could bring the matter before the consideration of the Guardians, stopped the pay of Mary Bird, Pontypool, who, a little while ago, had been almost incapable through drink. She was seen going down the street in that state but was not making sufficient disturbance to be taken into custody. The Board approved of the actien of the officer and ordered that the pay should be stopped in both cases. A MATTER OF CONVENIENCE. Mr. Rafarel said there was one thing he wished to bring before the Board. It appeared from the observations of the ladies' committee that considerable inconvenience was felt by the invalid old women from not having a. tray KI which to place their food on while sitting up in bed. Had not the master any carpenters in the hoaae who couM make some ? The Master paid there was a carpenter in the house but he waa at the time very busy as there were six tables to be made m the bouse. The Board decided that the trays should be mads, Mr. Ford saut. he would hke to inforra Mr, Rafarel that tho) things had. bfta, ordered two memthft before the iadie*' cofiiniittee was for ASTER S RBPOBT. "T5[eTlast6r s reigrMyaa maoer of in tfie Wofknousd ai the last meeting i of the Seard, 20 £ adiair-iensy 23; barn, 0 dis- charged,. 18 dead, 6 remaining. '}! i. N umber of indoor poor fúr -he ™ra>spor-«iing period of last year. 185 mcre«»6e,. 29. Number of vagrants relieved in the casual wards during the last fort- night, 126. Number of children in the Cottage Homes: Boys, 22 girls, 16 total, 38. A COMPLAINT AGMNST THE REPORTERS. Mr. G-H. Daniel said there was one matter to which he would like to draw attention, and that was to the very incomplete reports which had appeased in the papers concerning the giving of the tenders at the last meeting; reports were too much abbreviated and did not inform tlie publicof the reasons why the highest priced tender had been accepted with regard to meat as the contrary was generally the rule with the Guardians.. The reasons for not giving the contract to Mrs. Lewis was that the general quality of meat supplied by her was not all that could be desired and it was consequently given to the best, butcher. Nothing of that appeared in the papers. Mr. Ford said he thought the reporters might have given a little more details aEi- they were interesting, to the public ? Our reporter here explained that the reason why the reports were rot given at greater length was that the Guardians had considered the ten- ders in committee, and as the reporters were not informed that they uight take notes, they had not thought themselvas at liberty to give more than the mere resets. Mr. Pratt said he remembered the circum- stances very well. The reporters were quite right. The tenders were taken in committee and therefore it vas only natural as the reporters were not told otherwise, that they should think they wre at libertv to give details. The Chairman poiited out that a good many observations made at the last meeting were libellous and whoever had published them would have been liable to an action. The matter afterwards dropped. Mr. Phillips leaving Mr. Pratt tvok the chair.. RELIEF. The. out-door relief for the past fortnight was as fouowit --Tngethin, £ 90 13s. 6d.; Panteg, 170 lls. 4d. Usir. £ 24 Is. 2d. Corresponding period of last year-Trevethin, IST Is. Od.; Panteg, £5638. !Od. Usk £ 21 Os. Od. "THE CALLS." The Clerk Eported that the whole of the calls had now ben paid. THE APPOINTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINER* A report wai read from Dr. O'Keefe upon the condition tf Mrs. Stephens' health, Iwhich stated that ste was suffering froxi hip-joint disease, and tlat in the writer^ opinion it would be impossible for her to recover sufficiently to undertake th. duties of industrial trainer. She might, howeier, with care and rest be enabled to fulfil her iuties as schoolmistress in a few months' tiQ. The Clerk said they were bound to do some- thing in thb matiå now. He had withheld Mrs. Stephftis' salary up to the present pending her appointment as industrial trainer, but if they let it stand over any longer they might not be able to get it returned from the County Council. rhey could if they wished pay Mrs. Stephens is schoolmistress as she was incapaci- tated as industrial trainer, and in the meantime it would ie a good thing if the Chairman (Mr. Pratt) would see her and explain how they were situated. The Btard then decided that Mrs. Stephens should bo paid up to date as schoolmistress. THE CARE OF THE CHILDREN. o n th proposition of the Chairman it was decided that as Mrs. Stephens, through physical inability was unable to attend to her duties, the chidren should be transferred for the time being to the care of Mrs. Morris. THE LADIES' COMMITTEE. The report of the Ladies' Committee showed that they had nothing of moment to bring before the Guardians. This was all the business of importance.

ADELIGHTFUL r,LAvouR.CmrofVaAreca-Nut Toothpaste. This delicious Aromatic Deutrifice makeB the Enamel of the Teeth white, sound and polished like ivory. It is exceedingly fragant Uracroft'SPaste is now sold in 6d. Pots. COLEMAN'S WINCAKNIS, or Licbig's Extract of ~*r- world aen.— tnan&

LLANTARNAM FARMERS' CLUB. The annual ploughing match took place on Pentre Bach Farm, opposite the Wheatsheaf Inn, on Thursday week, the land having been kindly lent by Mr. Henry Lawrence. Mr. John Lawrence, Caerleon, is this year's president. The prizes offered amounted to about £70, and the various competitions were somewhat keener than usual. The judges w, ere: Root crops, mow- making, and thatching, Mr. Rosser, Ty (Joch Panteg, and Mr. T. Crump, Monkswood plough ing, Mr. W. Marfell, Trostrey Court, .near Usk, and Mr. T. R. Watkins, Clifton-on-Teme horses. Mr. T. Meredyth, Court Farm, Llanfi- hangel-Pontymoil hedging, Mr. R. Jones, Llantarnam, and Mr. W. Watkins, Lianfrechfa poultry and dairy produce, Mr. Parkhurst, Pont.ymoil, and iNIr. S. G. Hobbs, High-street, Newport. The land upon which the competitions took place was composed of clover ley and stubble, and the judges, especially in the ploughing classes, put the competitors through a remarkably stiff task. The work done was excellent, both as regarded time and quantity. The poultry, butter, and cheese classes shewed a great im- provement over last year, and the judges expe- rienced considerable difficulty in awarding the prizes. In fact, the dinner was fully an heur later than the time fixed upon. The room was inconveniently crowded, and the various speeches were delivered under difficult circumstances. Mr. J. Lawrence presided, supported by Col- Morgan, M.P., Rev. E. M. Protheroe, Messrs. R. Lay bourne, A. M. Pilliner, Isaac Butler, C. D. Philips, T. Parry, H. Cronrwell, W. James, J* Moxon, R. H. Parnell, J. S. Stone, H. Knipe, G. Francis, W. Parry, J. Young, &c. Mr. W. Jones, Cwmbran, occupied the vice-chair. The Chairman briefly proposed the loyal toast, which was duly honoured, as was also that of The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family." Mr. 1. Butler, J.P., in proposing the toast of The Bishop of the diocese, the clergy, and ministers of all denominations," said he was sure it was a toast which they would all drink with the greatest pleasure. There was no doubt the bishop of the diocese was a very hard-working bishop, who had done the utmost he possibly could to further the interests of religion inHhe diocese, and who was well supported by the clergy of the diocese. The ministers of other denominations also did their share of the work, and assisted in doing all they could for the welfare of the community at large. (Cheers.) The Rev. E. M. Prothero, who responded, said he would refrain from introducing any contro- versial matter. He was glad to accept the toast in its general sense, and was glad that they re- cognised the fact that religion had a good deal to do with the material prosperity of the country. (Applause.) Mr. Percy Laybourne, Newport, who proposed The army, navy, and reserve forces," observed that he believed the navy to be equal to any three navies of Europe. At present they had a greater reserve force than they had ever had before. As a result af the recent coal strike the number of recruits was greater than ever, and he believed the army, navy, and reserve forces would give a good account of themselves should occasion arise. (Cheers.) Lieut. J. -Moxon, Newport, in responding, advocated the claims of the Volunteer move- ment. Mr. Richard Laybourne, who was greeted with cheers, submitted The County and Borough Members." He expressed his gratification at the fact that if not all the members for the county were in their midst they had Col. Morgan, the member for South Monmouthshire, with them. (Loud cheers.) They were all very pleased to see him. The other county members were prac- tically strangers to them, and so was the member for the Monmouth Boroughs, of whom they knew but very little. But Col. Morgan was always with them, a.nd he could rely upon a warm reception at their hands. (Cheers.) Col. Morgan, who was loudly applauded, re- marked that all the members representing that county—which he rejoiced was happy and con- tented—were not, as Mr. Laybourne had eai«K cast in the same mould, but he wisned those who talked so much about agriculture, especially talked so much about agriculture, especially those in the House of Commons, knew a little ¡ more about what, after all, was the leading industry of the kingdom, (Hear, hear, and laughtear.) He was glad to think that the farmers of Sooth Mono-mthshira, and especially those of the Llantayn^i district, had been sbfe II to hwM their own iix^we bad times which had y vertake3> t&.em,_ and h.ked whether it was not |.l'pssible, in i itsrfrtwd eon#»tl4M.>tly to be&U&* OKisf to. en«|Bay<yar to- fathohi "flae causls*ami teni a remedy for the *-iisires>- It was no use teni a remedy for the li5tres; It was no use feeing, depressed he had ajsofcen of depression f for a good many years, a^ost from the vu y tmt- set of the 2(?i yGars-herhaJfepre^eTvjed there, but notwithstanding that the association had In- í creased, and the members attending that dinner had become greatly augmented. He felt sure that they would strive their utmost to get the better of the difficulties which beset them, and he hoped that next year there might begin what would prove a succession of good seasons. (Hear, hear.) He deplored the extraordinary labour troubles which had arisen in the country, but he was glad to recognise that Monmouthshire was the first county in which an endeavour was made to settle these troubles amongst themselves,, and he believed that harmony had been restored between employers and employed. No one re- joiced more than he did at the turn affairs had taken that fellowship and friendship had been restored between these two classes,, and that the works were again in full swing. He trusted that ¡ before- many weeks had elapsed all animosities t would be effectually forgotten, and that the only ¡ strife would be as to who should produce the best industrial products and get the best prices. (Applause.) Once more he had to thank them for their continued kindness to him. The only hard things ever said against him were at a general election, and these he readily forgot and forgave. (Cheers.) Were he given a choice of the British constituencies he would prefer South M,onmouth,ibire-(cheers)--changeable though it might be, and with their continued help, support, and kindness he still hoped to remain their repre- sentative. (Loud cheers.) The prizes were then distributed, the following being the LIST OF AWARDS. Class 1.. Tenant farmer, best and cleanest four I acres )f Swedish turnips: 1, E. Parker, Trosta 2, H. Mumford. Class 2. Tenant farmer, best and cleanest two acres of Swedish turnips t 1, T. Evans, Tycat; 2, W. Parry, Caerleon. Class 3. Tenant farmer, best and cleanest one acre of swedes, eaeh competitor not to have grown more than 14 acres upon his farm this season: 1, .ti Is., W. Harris, Ponthir 2,10s., J. Knight, Sebas- topol. Class 4. Tenant farmer, best and cleanest two acres of mangold wurtzel: 1, £ 210s., H. Mum- ford 2, £ 1, H- Knipe. Class 5. Tenant farmer, best and cleanest one acre of mangold wurtzel: 1, El lUs., T. Evans; 2, 10s., Llanddewi. Class 6. Given by Messrs. Dutfield and Frost fcr the best and cleanest three acres of swedes grown by manures purchased of them: H. Lawrence, The Pentre. Class 7. Given by Messrs. Dutfield & Frost for the best and cleanest two acres of swedes grown by manure purchased of them: R. H. Williams. Pan- ^Class 8. Given by Mr. Thomas Francis, Llanyra- fon, for the best three acres of root crops grown by Odam's manure and bought of him'; competitors to be purchasers of not less than I ton of manure H. Knipe. Class 1*. Given by Mr. C. D. Phillips, Newport, for the best three acres of Swedish turnips grown by artificial manure purchased of him: No entry. Class 10. Given by Mr. F. H. Wilmott, Llan- thewy, for the best two acres of swedes growm by _Lawes manure and purchased of him R. H. Wil- liams. Class 11. Given by Mr. R. W. Cullimore. Undy, for best one acre of swedes grown by manure pur- chased of him: H. Mumford. Class 12. Given by Mr. R. W. Cullimore. Undy, for best one acrof swedes grown by manure pur- chased of him: J. Harris, Ponthir. Class 13. Given by Mr. R. W. Cullimore for best one acre of mangolds: H. Lawrence. Class 14. Given by Messrs. Hallesy Bros., manure merchants, Merthyr, for best two acres of swedes grown with manure purchased of them: H. Knipe. Class 15. Given by Messrs. Hallesy Bros., manure merchants, Merthyr, for best two acres of mangolds grown with manure purchased of them H. Knipe. Class 16. Given by Mr. R. W. Cullimore, Undy, for best four acres of clover or mixed grasses grown in the present year from seeds purchased of him T. Watkins. Ty Captain. Class 17. Presented by Mr. Penn. agent for Messrs. Webb & Sons, the Queen's seedsmen, for two acres of Webb's mangolds grown from their seed, and with the aid of Webb's special manure: H.Law- rence. Class 18. Given by Messrs. E. B. Ford lz Son, corn and manure merchants, Pontypool, for the best piece of roots grown by the aid of not less than half a ton of manure purchased of them: E.Parker, Class 19. For the best acre of mangolds, given by Mr. J. S. Stone, Newport, to a member of this Asso- ciation wHo has purchased manure from him this season: T. Evans. Class 20. For the best two acres of swedes, given by Mr. J. S. Stone, Newport, to a member of this Association who las purchased manure from him during this season: T. Evans. Class 21. Given by the Society for the best horse for colliery purposes: No award. Prizes awarded a tenant farmer, his son, or ser- vant, within the district, for the best made and thatched three mows of any produce, the whole of t-he rieja on the farm to be taken int-j, to-a #kid erp- tion 1st, €1, R. H, Williams5 15a.. IT. 5rd, 7a. 3d.. T. Brans, j" i- PLOUGHING. CHAMPION CLASSES. Open to all comers, except makers or makers' men. Wheel plough, prize £ 2 10s., R. Jeremiah swing plough. £2 10s., T. Evans. Class 1. Wheel plough: 1st. £ 210s., F. J. Dando; 2nd, XI Is., T. Gladwin. Class 2. Swing plough: 1st., £2 10s., W. Williams; 2nd. £ l Is., W. Edmonds. Class 3. Wheel plough: 1st. C2 10s.. Luke Waters; 2nd, hi Is.. G. Hinton 3rd, 10s. < d.. T. James. Class 4. Swing plough: 1st. £ 2 10s.. G. Shepherd; 2nd. £ 1 Is., J. Williams 3rd.'l0s. 6d.J. McDonald. Class 5. Wheel plough: 1st, £ 2, W. J. Watkins; 2nd. xl. L. Laurence. „ plough: 1st., £ 2, W. Williams: 2nd, ±1, G. illiams. FOR r.OYS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEAES. Class 7. Wheel plough: 1st, £ 1 10s., T. Evans J 2nd. £ 1, W. Nicholas 3rd, 10s.. A. Williams. Class 8. Swing plough: 1st, £ 110s., W. Jones. POULTRY. Best turkoy s 1st prize 10s., Miss Lawrence; 2nd, ■i> 1 Williams 3rd, 2s. 6d., Mrs. Tovey. ^00se: lst P^ze, 10s, Mr. Watkins 2nd, 5s., + ^-n^Pe i 3rd. 2s. 6d.. Miss Lawrcnce. Best pair ducks: lst prize, 10s., Mrs. Williams; 2nd, 58., Mrs. Knipe; 3rd, 2s. 6d.. Mrs. W. Knipe. Best 281bs. cheese: 1st prize, 10s., Mrs. Williams; 2nd, as., Mrs, Watkins; 3rd, 2s. 6d., Mrs. Tovey. Best 31bs. butter: 1st prize, 10s., Mrs. Rees Evans; 2nd, as., Mrs. T. Evans 3rd. 2s. 6d., Mrs. Tovey. rsest couple of fowls: lst prize, 10s., Mrs. W. Knipe 2nd, 5s., Mr. H. Knipe 3rd, 2s. 6d., Mrs. R. LV&BA. Best dozen of eg-gs: 1st prize, 5s., Mr. T. Evans; 2nd, 2s. 6d., Mrs. H. Williams. MISCELLANEOUS. .f i-^iven by the society, for the male servant who will nave been, on September 4th, 1893, continuously servipe of a tenant farmer, being a member or tne society for the longest period: Solomon Crautord, servant to Mr. H. Knipe, 28 years. ■vr^tr ma'° servant: Harriet Andrews, servant TV+v. Mumf°rd, nine years. Ditch and hedge, 14 yards within six hours: 1, J. Roberts; 2, J. Price. Ditto (farmers' sons): l,W.Bayliss; 2,G.Bayliss. Best brood mare: Mr. Tovey. Cleanest and neatest turn-out: Mr. H. Knipe. Best cob. 14 hands: Mr. Williams. Best cob, 15 hands, Mr. W. Knipe. Mr. C. D. Phillips, in giving The Llantarnam Farmers Association," said the society was doing a large amount of good, and encouraged every member to do his best. He was highly pleased that prizes were now given for horses, as" they were given at Newport May Day Show, and he believed this would effect good all round. Mr. H. Knipe responded, remarking that there had been a serious loss on roots that year yet Providence would continue to favour farmers if they only grew sufficient varieties of produce. He Ncorked for health a well as profit. Many years ago he advised the young members of the club to work hard, and they had done so to such an extent that they were beating him hollow. (Laughter.) He was happy in spite of this, and if farmers preperly attended to their land, the land would stick to them. Mr. J. S. Stone gave The Judges," to which Mr. A. M. Pilliner and Mr. Parkhurst replied. Mr. W. M. Jones submitted The Successful Competitors," and Mr. Tovey suitably responded. Col. Morgan, in giving The President," said no other county in England could compete with Monmouthshire in possessing a chairman who was 86 years of age. He was a thorough business man, a practical farmer, the oldest fox master in the country, and led one of the finest packs of hounds m the world. (Cheers.) What more did they want of a gentleman who was president of the society no less than 26 years ago ? The Chairman suitably responded. The remaining toasts were The Donors and Subscribers," given by Mr. H. Knipe and re- sponded to by Mr. T, Parry, "The Host and Hostess,' given by Mr. S. G. Hobbs, and The Press. A number of enjoyable songs were rendered during the course of the evening.

LLANFRECHFA UPPER SCHOOL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the above Board was held at Pontnewydd on Thursday, Oct. 5th. The following members were present: Messrs. S. Winsor tin the chair) R. Davies, George Edwards. Henry Parfitt, J. Walters, and the deputy clerk. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. UPPER CWMBKAN SCHOOL. j Mr. Parfitt proposed, and Mr. Walters seeaaded, that the seal of he Kttaehe&; U>Mr, France' contract, which.w^« ear?i«<i. The Clerk yread tberesoltiiSS'?^ waanageistj va.4-mtg: -j SCI-OOI, MANAGERS' EEsoL,rf*o:<S. xsvligx-' TWSS FOR INCREASE CP SALARY. The Chairman read' the applications made by Miss Ada Isaacs and Miss Jessie Morgan for in- m'ease of salary, which were recommended by the managers. A long discussion took place as to the salaries paid to the teachers, and Mr. Walters suggested that the question of salaries be thoroughly looked into and a scale be prepared. Mr. Parfitt said he quite agreed that the scale should be revised, and proposed that the scale of the whole of the teaching staffr with the excep- tion of the head teachers, should be considered at the next meeting, and the clerk be instructed to obtain information respecting the same. Mr. Davies seconded the proposition, which was carried. Mr. Parfitt proposed that, seeing the question of the whole of the salaries would be considered at the next meeting, the applications received should be deferred until then. The proposition was seconded by Mr. Edwards nd carried. Mr. Walters proposed and Mr. Davies seconded that the masters of each school be requested to attend the next Board meeting, which was ear- ned. The Chairman then proposed that the reinain- ing resolutions of the managers be passed. Mr. Walters seconded, and the resolution was carried. RESIGNATION OF MR. RICHARDS. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. W. E. Richards, assistant- master at this school, asking the Board to release him from his duties, as he had obtained a Queen's Scholarship, and wished to go to college at Aberystwith at once. Curing the discussion on this matter, it was mentioned that the date of the schools examina- tion was drawing near, and if Mr. Richards was released at once the schools would perhaps be without an assistant for a time. Mr. Parfitt said he was very pleased to hear that Mr. Richards had succeeded in obtaining this scholarship. It was a great credit to him, and he was to be congratulated. lAr. Davies spoke in the same terms, and as it was of great importance to Mr. Richards to be ready to go to college when called upon, he pro- posed that the application be granted. Mr. Parfitt seconded the proposition, which was carried, the whole of the members joining in wishing Mr. Richards every success. A discussion took place as to the best and quickest way of obtaining a successor to Mr. Richards, and it was ultimately decided to advertise for an assistant master at a salary of £ 60 per annum, and that the Chairman, Vice- Chairman, and Clerk deal with the applications. GRIFFITHSTOWN BOARD SCHOOL. ALTERATIONS CONTRACT. Mr. Parfitt proposed, and Mr. Edwards seconded, that the Chairman sign the contract for the alterations to the schools, which was carried. APPLICATION TO CLOSE THE SCHOOLS. A letter was read from the contractors asking that the mixed schools be closed for a week, commencing on October 9th, so as to enable him to complete the alterations. This was agreed to on the proposition of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Davies. SCHOOL MANAGERS' RESOLUTIONS. The resolutions of the managers of this school were read and agreed to. upon the proposition o Mr. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Parfitt. HIGHER GRADE SCHOOL. The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Ivor James, calling a meeting of the Court of Governors of the above school, to be held at Cardiff College on October lltb, and inviting the Chairman of this Board to attend and it was agreed that he should attend. Other business having been transacted, the meeting closed.

Great surprise has been expressed byt profes- sional gentlemen in the medical world hrou gh- out the kingdom at the wonderful cures effected by WEE E. COOPER & Co.'s RHEUO in cases oi long-standing rheumatism, where all hopes of a cure had long before been abandoned. The great sucqess attending the sales of Rheuo—which are the largest of any patent medicines for rheu- I matism only, in these parts-may be accounted for by the fact that it is not offered to cure every complaint under the sun, but rheumatism only in old and young. Taken internally at regular intervals it quickly subdues the pains, and gradu- ally but surely restores the sufferer to a healthy state. DAVIS BROS., Grocers, Pontypool, and H. M. DAVIES, Chemist, Blaenavon, are the I local agents, and one 2s 9d bottle will care most cases also bottles. Is lid and 4s 6d. Sent post free by the above agents, or from The Laboratory, High-road, Edmofttoa, Louden, on ot the above vomits

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. ACORN POISONING. The attention of the Board of Agriculture has been called to the un- usual abundance of the crop of acorns this season, and it is considered desir- able to warn stockowners who are accustomed to turn cattle into parks, on to commons, or other places where acorns are plentiful, that there is con- siderable risk of inj urioua effects arising from the consumption of large quantities of acorns, which in the present dearth of herbage, owing to the long drought, are certain to be eaten with avidity. In the years 1868, and 1884, which were remarkable for a large yield of acorns after a long dry and hot summer, serious losses among young cattle occurred from outbreaks of what is known as the acorn disease, or acorn poisoning. In many districts, notably in Middlesex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, North- amptonshire, Wiltshire, Gloucester- shire, Devonshire, the New Forest, Sussex, Surrey, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Derbyshire, extensive outbreaks of the disease occurred. Young cattle up to two years old suffered most severely. Milch cows and cattle over three years old were seldom affected. Sheep and pigs appeared to be unsusceptible to the poisonous action of the seeds, and only two or three cases of the disease were reported in these animals, while entire herds of young cattle were attacked and a large proportion of them succumbed. I. Acorn poisoning is quite distinct from indigestion due to eating an excessive quantity of acorns. This accidental disorder may occur in ordinary seasons when animals are first allowed access to pasture where acorns abound. But the true acorn disease is distinguished by progressive wasting, entire loss of appetite, diarrhoea, discharge of an ex- cessive quantity of pale urine, sore places inside the mouth, discharge from the nostrils and also from the eyes, which are always sunken, giving to the animal a peculiar haggard expression. No fever is present from first to last, but, on the contrary, the temperature is commonly below the normal standard. On post-mortem examination it is frequently noticed that all traces of the acorns have disappeared. The morbid changes are such as are seen when an irritant poison has been given. • kinds were tried in the great outbreaks of the disease but no cure was discovered. Prevent- ion is comparatively easy when the risk is realised. It is only necessary for absolute security to keep cattle from the pastures while acorns are falling. The danger will be materially lessened by collecting the accorns from the pastures, but this device does not pre- vent a considerable consumption of the nuts which fall during the night. It has also been suggested that when cattle are only allowed access to acorns during the daytime they should be supplied with a liberal ailowance of food before they are turned out. It cannot be affirmed that these plans have always proved successful in practice.

A SCENE AT NEWPORT RAILWAY STATION. Joseph Franklin and William Frank- in, seamen, Castle-street, were charged at the Newport Police Court, Monday, with assaulting Henry Bridges and David Williams, two railway officials, and further with assaulting P.C.'s Grist and Payne.—On Saturday night, about eight o'clock, the two defendants went to the cloak-room at the station and asked for a bag, which was refused them on the ground that 2d. was to pay. They replied they had paid for it, and became^ very excited. They r were also the worse for drink. They jumped over the counter, and seised the bag. One of them opened it, and took out a cigar-hox, which he emptied of the cigars, and then threw the box at Williams. The other lifted a trunk, with which he struck the other porter. The police were sent for, and the two constables were also struck in the face before they could handcuff the defend- ants and take them to the police-office. They had since expressed their deep regret for their conduct.—Mr. Moore added that the defendants had been paid off at Liverpool after coming from Rangoon. They had fallen into the hands of a lot of harpies, who gave theml drink more calculated to make them mad drunk. They had never been in trouble before, and he pleaded that they be not sent to prison, as they were i +Am- ouly -supporb- -Of a widowed, mother.—The Sencb said the case was a very serious one, indeed, and they would have sent defendants to prison but for the fact that it was their first offence. They would inflict fines of 40s. each, or one month's imprisonment.

SHOCKING DISCOVERY AT WIMBLEDON. The local police are investigating a strange discovery at Wimbledon. Wnilst men were at work on one of the receiving tanks at the sewage farm they discovered the highly decomposed body of a child. The body was taken out of the tank, but before the respon- ",ible authorities were aware of the dis-.v y the employees had covered it with lime and thrown the putrid heap into one of the large furnaces used at the farm. Through depression in trade the directors of the Carmarthen Tinworks have been obliged to temporarily sus- pend all operations, with the conse quence that some 200 hands are nc idle. SENTENCED TO DEATH. These the most terribly significant three T we have in the English lan Thousands of wretched ere whose lives have become forfe the outraged laws of their c have heard them pronounce feelings of sickening terror. who has neglected the me laws of health feels that a lost, when the dread senti nounced by the doctor, w all his medical skill upon In the latter case, howevc hope has been opened medium of Holloway's IF ment. They have effe the last moment, as the of; monials, being' conerf 4' WiliproTS. -T

STUDIES 1 being a series of cleirous of L, [Cc .• /By permission of Me This hook, it will be noticed !t may be vocalised in the m In practice it is rarely found distinguishing vowel before < a sufficient index to the wor positiont pronunciatit not overlook the fact that hcok should not be used v Having carefully studied hook you should not fail to and the subsequent exercisf principle has been well maj in Phonography. ogr' In addition to the informal in paragraphs 119-134, we n tracted to wd; thus, rt ■ward, inward, A]^ ov.hi-a aiuhward, awkwai ward. Ward, however, may Y \j-- heavenward, eastward, c- That form which is mostconven, • consonant is, of course, the one t We come now to a wholly new 1 a SONANT TWICE-ITS USUAL LENGT of the syllables ter, dtr, or tktr thu. instead of "'J father, '< r instead of r1 letter, l. instead of educattr, C etc. This abbreviating principle sh T. lessons until perfectly understood ar: letters when written doubloji# •• pectively, emper or ember, and ger as in >—N amber, —Vs* Chami- longer, c—- > clinker. It is t this double-length principle cannot be e, case of initial straight strokes, unless th finally for f, v, or x, or the final syllable e, is pr-p, not p>r-ter, der, or ther; with a final becomes prin-ter (ter added by doubling becomes pointer, V\^ ponder, 1 3 canter, = gander, c 3 crofter, etc. A double-lengli etter, ending with a hook, has, therefore, necessarii; 'n £ 3> P-Pn and pn-tr • k-kn and kn-tr. W the former sense, as for pippin, Teuton, jejune, cocoon, etc be vocalized. All words of this class are of rare c while ponder, tender, gender, kinder, render, etc., art words, and may generally be left unvocaiized. straight stroke may be made doubie-length, as shown a rector and educator. All CURVES may be written double- whether they be plain strokes, or hooked initially or fi or both as C. theatre, feather, feature, -f) a shutter, mutter, or mother, fender, flutter, founder, etc. With curves there is no double meanimg. I t may here be stated that by doubling the length of a letter to denote the addition of the syllable ther (which in such instances may stand for there, their or other) we may express in a single stroke the phrases: if or there, for triere «r their, v—^ in there or their, ) was there, from there cr their; some other and a few others which you will discover in the course of your practice. The double-length (Itr, a combination of THIN consonants) represents so many useful words ending in tr—latter, letter, litter, LaUer—that it should be employed to represent itr only :—that is to say, double-length should not be used to represent the addition of dr or thr, which are THICK compounds therefore write rj leader, 41 lender, leather, thus. The double- length consonants are vocalized in the same way ais the half- In.¿-th orts. A full-length or half-length consonant may l either precede or follo- a double-length consonant when they f FO<M an ANCLE at the point of union, or show the junc- 'I tion by a DIFFERENCE OF THICKNESS at, I inves- motherless, stamper, Cumberland; A otherwise, it would b«- uncertain whether a half-length ar r» double-length werc^ty^cAi. kWjr WtfrS"Tr# written. The indicate. „$yi ■a.ble tr, dr, thr, is, lijke the added t or d haired letter*, SSAD LAST, '(5^ »«cc«irs, when that, of coarse, is w read last; thus irs r?5a^rlast • in slanders re*d 'as^ J ter Uist ;n N spimters. read s last. 1 t\. I. ".ryr: V n ¡, we showed how different, occasionally, is the outline of the past tense, compared with the present the formation of the past tense of many woi umtten on the double-length principle needs equal notice thus, compare ponder with pondered, \A founder with VV foundered, thunder with (-14 thundered, canter with r"V tantered, plunder with plundered, r hinder with hindered. Especial care should be taken to mark these distinctions the time of writing it is not difficult to do that, and it helps yúu to think. For instance, when writing pander, reason thus with yourself: "Well, I write pander so but how about pan- dered 1 I see that should be written pnd rd pandered. The exercise on the double-length principle now following will afford ample practice thereon. Observation.—The past tense of a verb is placed in parentheses w hen it requires a different outline. EXEKCISE 16. Matter, muttering, (muttered), grinder, painter, renter Pr reader, (rendered), surrender, (surrendered), antphithe¡¡trc, co-opomtor, remainder (r up), spectator, x,—^ r., estn der, adventure, order and ardor, slender, sa' (filtered), Batter, (flattered), defender, attainder, embitter, (embittered), disorder, prompter donator, dissenter, centre, (centred), forefather (f if chamber, porter, arbitrator, hinder, (hindered), hu ness, covenanter, encounter, (encountsr«D.vrem' banter, grander, murder, (murdered),'¡- 111 art slaughter, (slaughtered), lumber, bumper, tinde- tivator, smother, (smothered), unfetter, (- disenchanter, barter, (bartered), tmpter, -11-1 shoulder, fritter, reflector, on-end. denominator), demonstrator, pic «. wandered, reporter, sur (sauntered), separator. N Under the general heading of Disc: classed the PREFIXES AND AFFIX: the Manual." We have alreadv ted in words like entreated, cone is better disjoined and written word. Of words that require » following are examples: a- atenessy abruptness; i" corruptness, boldness, badness, n the grammalogue large, Pag,- believe, mi#aku{ate.; fiassionlss, -,OF- indiscernible, i *^ndant, Of words joined ý1 ^ch-fiend • ..4 ordained, /i- easterly, ha '■prtady sisier- Wt viou- writ the in A. c -,<1.

TEMPEEA>CK MEETINGS. PONT NE W YXY D D Tn ? annual meetici? of the Br.tish Women s Temi'cir.nce Society held at Bethany Cbapel cn "Wednesday last At 5 o clock a 1E;a (for womcn only) was 1E1\ in the school i ton-. wnere ther* was a fair atteudanee. In ^the evening a public meeting was heki over which 3»r?. \> • r. Jamr-s presided. The weather was rather incre- mem. and this was sufficient to account ~er tee fact that there was not a large attendance, The proceedim>s commenced with the singing of a hyirt,. after which the Rev. J. G. Wattser-gaged in prayer. Mi>. James then said that was the anniversary of the Temperance Society at Pontile wynydt. It was two vtavs since the Society was formed at Poninewvnydd. She was sorry that she could not' say" that very many had jeined their societv. She supposed that it was like bread cast upon the waters which woniit return af+er many days, but she could say t,hat it was very hard to work among women. She ought to explain the reason why she, who was not their president, presided over that meeting. The reason was that their president, Mrs. Pratt, was still rather nervous about the chair business, and bad asked her to take her place. Perhaps the reason why there were not more women ioinirg tbeir society was the old silly idea that it was unwomanly to take part in public meetings. NVell her opinion on the subject was that wis never unwomanly to do good. A very great reason why women should take up the subject was that they as mothers had the great- est influence of anv upon the rising generation. She hoped then that the women present would not say that they had no time to attend tbe meetings as they had too much work to do. That kind of thing niti-t be put asiae some- times, and she wanted them to feel that it was the work of the Master, and every inconvenience they were put to would e for His sake, and the sake of His work. She "Wished that the members of the Ahersychan and Pontypool branches had been present with her at the great temperance meetings at Newport and Cardiih It they bad been it would have encouraged them to perse vere with the work, instead of allowing themselves to be discouraged by the difficulties they had to face. She would not waste any more of their time, but call at once upon Mr. Phillips to address them. The Rev. D. Phillips said that their president had referred to the fact that she was rather dis- couraged with the result of her work at Pont- newynydd. Well, he would like to remind her that in the garden of God, some sowed the seed and some reaped. Well, she had been sowing the seed in Pontnewynydd for many years, and perhaps sometime she would reap the reward of her labours, but if not, what she had done would not be lost. The seed would assuredly grow up sometime or other, and God would provide the reapers m order to bring the sheaves into His granary. He was not a very keen reader of the times, but as far as he could see and as far as others to whom he had been speaking could see, the signs of the times were all in their favour, and that soon the time would come when they should reap in joy and gladness what they had sown in distress and sorrow. The evils of the terrible traffic were so very evident to everyone ■who had ordinary powers of observation, that he had no need to argue on that point—they knew them all well enough. Row many men and women wele there who were then in misery and degradation because of that terrible traffic and inconelnpion, he urged them to remember that that glorious work was all in the interest of religiou, and that when they advocated temper- ance they were influencing men for good, and training them to take a prominent part in tll.% work of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Mrs. James said that before they went any farther she wished to say that they had bad a great disappointment with regard to their speaker. Mrs. Hughes, of Llanelly, was to speak, but owing to some fault in the arrange- ments she was not able to be present. Mrs. Inglis had therefore very kindly consented to take her place. Mrs. Inglis, who was received with applause, said she was very pleased to have a chance of addressing them at Pontnewynydd. Although she was an English woman she could feel very strongly, and especially on the great cause which bad so stirred up the feelings of the people. The warfare in which they were engaged was against the great demon drink. Well, one of tile greatest necessities for a successful warfare wms a good leader. She was very glad to say they had at least that requisite in Lady Henry Somerset. The work that good lady had done was incalculable. Next perhaps to the Queen she had more iailueaco ill that coutr^rf than any encoSjr m going cm with f *3PfP^gfirwork. Tbtur brothers h £ d at last [ J^WP^jMencc, and now very kincRy conde-( loendeafo give them a hsaxiag. (laughter.) I VV eli, she might tell them the reasoo..why they did not admit women into their society was that they were at present only learning to dt) things properly. They were then learning to do things in the orthodox Parliamentary style, and When they had passed their apprenticeship they would then call upon their brothers to help them. What they intended to do in the future was this They could not of course admit them as members into their society because it was the British Women's Temperance Association, but they intended to admit them as associates, and if they would sign the pledge and pay their yearly contributiocs they would be very glad to have their help. She was afraid they as a nation were playing with the terrible traffic at too great a cost. If they had only been with her ia the slums in London, and had seen the great misery and degradation which drink caused them they would, she thought, forswear it for ever raore. She remembered an instance which occurred in in that neighbourhood not long since. A little girl who had been drawn into following a band lost her way in the great maze of streets. A. lady, a friend of hers, seeing the little child sigh- ing and sobbing went up to her and tried to find out what was the matter and where she lived. She could, however, get nothing out of her except liI diniia know." At last a csowd gathered and a policeman came up. He asked what was the matter, and when he was told said that he would soon find out where the littla girl lived. He went up to her and said Now, little firl, don't cry, but tell me where your mother uys her gin ? Ail at once the little- girl brightened up, a look of intelligence cama-into her face, and she replied At the Eagle, sir." Ah, said the policeman, I know where that is, and I'll soon put her right." By the byovwhat appropriate names these publicans choose tor their dens of infamy—The Raven and the Eagle, and many others, birds of prey living on the blood of their fellows. She was glad to say that at last there was a prospect of coming •within sight of their goal. They spoke a great deal of the glorious Dill which had jast been brought through Parliament. Well, on the prin- ciple that half a loaf was better than no bread,, the bill was a good one, and so was the Local Veto Bill," but nothing would satisfy them bufc prohibition. (Applause.) That would surely < come at last, and that great curse would be swept from the land. As to compensation, the publicans were not likely to get it. Could they compensate them for the broken hearts and ruined homes that they had caused by their horrible traffic ? Well, the only way by which they could get rid of the curse from their land was by advocating legislative means. She did not mean that they should take part in party politics. She did not care whethe. it was a Conservative or Liberal she supported as long as he was a man who wculd do his best to put an end to that terrible iniquity. A woman's influence was very great, and she could if she cared to do so talk ever these matters at home, and use her influence to get her husband and her family to support her in this matter. It was their right to have the vote, and if by their influence upon their relations and ipnities they managed to get it, then she ventured to think that it would not be long before thev use it to very great advantage indeed. She urged and prayed those women present that night to take the matter up warmly in the interest of their families and homes. A mother's influence and words would often have a very great influence over their children when very far from home. How often had they heard of a son when tempted to drink remembering his mother and her tender words to him on the great evil, taking strength and pushing the tempting cup far from him ? She now wished to speak of the situation in Cardiff. There had been in the past Tery great difficulties in the way of the temper- ance crusade there. They had had in the past an inspector who was on the side of the publicans, and when their agents brought cases to him, which they were fully prepared to sub- stantiate, he would not take the case up and refused to prosecute. However, they at length meeting, and, it was decided that the '■■«t be moved. He was moved, and who was favourable to working most • *0 by the men and put fresh enthusiasm into them, and the consequence was that the boat was launched. So it was with them that night, if they could do nothing else they could at least push a pound, and help even tothatamount would be very acceptable. So let them not say that they would not engage in the work because thev could render so little help, but come for- ward 4ni do what they could for the forwarding of that great and glorious cause. There was another tale which she heard sometime ago, and which she thought was very applicable to a good mr-ny people. One of their speakers was addres- ing a meeting in a certain place, which should be eet* nameless. During the whole of the meeting sne was very much encouraged by the close atten- tion paid to her by a woman who sat in a front pew. and when the meeting came to an end sae thought how very glad she woulJ be it she would only come forward aud sign the pledge. The woman, however, when she left her pew moved towards the door. The speaker ran after her, and urged her to sign the pledge. She re- fueed, saying it was utterly impossible, but for a long while refused to give any reason why it should be so, but after a lot of pressing, told her that it was utterly impossible for her to sign the pledge because she had a wooden leg. (Laughter.) Well the lady was so much non-plussed, that when she recovered herself, the woman with the wooden leg was making her way out through the door. She was afraid a good many excuses made by people for not signing the pledge were wooden-iegged ones, but she hoped there would be none of them there that night. She now earnestly invited all present, who were not already total abstainers, to come forward and sign the pledge—men as well as women-for though the men could not be accepted as members, yet they would be very pleased indeed to receive them as associates. After the usual votes of thanks, the meeting then concluded.

YOUTHFUL BURGLARS. At the County of London Sessions, Clerkenwell, before Mr. Warry, Q.C., Wm. Doubleday, sixteen, William Storr, eighteen, George Walter Snow, seven- teen, and Henry Fancourt, eighteen, labourers, were indicted for having broken into the warehouse of Mark Bromment, and stealing therefrom five frames of plush and other articles, value JE150. Frank Leslie, manager to the prosecutor, said he lived in Little Sutton-street, and next door to the warehouse. He saw the premises locked up on September 2, and the' next morning found they had been broken open, a window on the first floor back having been taken out. He missed the property mentioned. Nellie Hopkins stated that on the night of September 3, she was spoken to by, Storr and Sno- who offered to sell ner-' ''Sattnd&v atipf- ftafDouoieday kvd f Storr also t>ff3rea her somo plush £ ot j sale. Mrs. Cooper, of 40, Sutton-bnild- f ings, stated she was awakened on the j Sunday morning by the prisoner Snow, who was liyscg witti her. She went tr the front parlour and saw two pieces of plush there. Fancourt came in between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, and she told him he had no right to push a lot of plush through one of the windows of her house,! and that he must take it away. He did so. Police- constable Godwin said that on the night of September 6 he saw Fancourt run through a house in Jerusalem- passage, and jump over several walls. He gave chase, and eventually got into a hayloft. When Fancourt was passing the window witness smashed a pane of glass and caught him by the leg andiheld him until help arrived. All the prisoners were found guilty. Snow was sentenced to fifteen, Doubleday and Fancourt to nine, and Storr to six months' impri- sonment with hard labour.