The Abergavenny Mail

NEWENT. MESSRS. BRUTON'S OFFKR TO THE TOWN,- Mr W H Martin presided at a parish meeting on Tuesday night, held at the Sessions Room, to receive a report from the Parish Council on the offer made by Messrs H W and James Bruton, of Gloucester, of the Newent Town Hall as a permanent memorial to their father The following were present Miss Hntchinson, Messrs. Akerman, Hawes, Bellamy, Lancaster, Holloway, D T Price, Cowles, Crisp, Jones, Hill, Douglas, Knight, Matthews, G Smith, C Williams, Wilton, Pen warden, Whittles, Dr Smelt, and others.—Mr Pen warden proposed, and Mr Knight seconded, the following reso- lution, which was carried unanimously with applause That this meeting of the parochial electors in pariah meeting assembled, having heard the terms of Messrs. Henry William and I James Bruton's offer to present the old Market House to the town as a permanent memorial to their father, the late Mr Henry Bruton, a native of the town, express their appreciation of the generosity of the donors, and hereby authorise the Parish Council to accept such offer of the Market House and site, and thus seucure it as such memorial to the town properly in perpetuity. February 17th, 1914." GUARDIANS AND RURAL COUNCIL.—The fort- nightly meetings of the Board of Guardians and Bural District Council were held on Tuesday. Mr T Hulls presiding.—The Visiting Committee inspected the Workhouse and reported their satisfaction. The Master reported the number of inmates as 57, last Board day 59, and for the corresponding period last year 68; tramps relieved during the fortnight were 186, as against 171 and 190 for the two previous years. The Board acknowledged with thanks the following gifts: Tea, sugar and tobacco from Mrs Grafton; papers and periodicals from Mrs Beechey, Mrs Grafton, Miss Newbury, Mrs Higgins, Miss Dyke, Messrs. W J Cook and Sons, and local press proprietors.—Mr A E Jones was appointed collector of poor rates for the parish of Oxenhall in place of his late father.—The Rev. Foster, as delegate to the annual conference of the Glou- cestershire Vagrancy Committee, explained that bread and cheese would be given in future at the bread station, and that it would be no expense more than their annual subscriptions to this Union. The question of Sunday detention of casuals was again discussed. The Board desired to do the same as in other districts in the neighbourhood, and the Clerk was instructed to write to adjoining Unions on the matter and get to knew their intentions.—Miss Niblett, Upham, wrote asking for a subscription towards Dymock, Redmarley, and Bromsberrow Nursing Association, and the usual grant of JB5 was made.—The Surveyor (Mr A Grubb) reported a letter he had received from Mr George Reed drawing attention to the bad state of the road leading from the Glasshouse to Dursley Cross. —The Army Council wrote stating that in 1914 the Army manoauvres would be held in the dis- trict.

HEREFORD MARKET. I (Special Farmers' Union Report). The irarket to-day was well attended and trade was brisk throughout. CATTLE. I There was a larger supply of store cattle, I which sold off very well. t BEEF. I A moderate supply of beef, for which trade was very.firm, best beef making from 40s to 42a per cwt. live weight. Best beef 7!d to 8d per lb. Other qualities 6id to 7id, Fat calves lOd to lid. SHEEP. I Moderate supply. Stores very dear. Fat I sheep dearer. Best teg mutton 9d to lOid per lb. Best wether mutton Bid to 9d. Other I qualities, 7d to Bid,

lthhnry ittpurftr AND FARMERS' GAZETTE. rhe acknowledged Advertising Medium ior the district covering the wide area of ground bounded by the cities of Hereford, Gloucester and Woi- cester, which has a population of between 30,000 and 40,000. It is read by all classes, and there is no better Advertising Medium in the Ledbury District. Telgrams "Reporter," Ledbury.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1914. Topical Tattle. Why Pay the Teachers more ? What a quesijoij Because there is no help for it ♦ Thank goodness we appear to be at the end of the educational upset, and things will soon resume thoir normal course, let us hope. The Special Committee of the County Council did last week-end what they ought to have done months ago, and thus have saved all this bitter struggle and the setting back of the education of the youth of the county. What the Board of Education think of the humiliating position of this county can be gathered by their action, which has in effoct put an end to the strike. The teachers have won handsomely, and it now only remains for all concerned to settle down with a will and make up for lost time. # Alderman Corner has cornered many people in his time, but he himself has at last been cornered. Hence his resignatioij from the Special Committee. The business of this county has far too long been conducted on lines laid down by the autocratic few, and it is time we bad a little common sense method introduced in place of high-banded autocracy. Hereford- shire has a very poor standing amongst the County Councils of the country for progress, and goodness knows no county needs it more than this. And this lack of progress can only be set down to the methods employed, which were all very well 10 or 20 years ago, but things have got a move on since then. Herefordshire has always seemed to be the last to fall in the march of pro- gress, and the reason is not far to seek. If it serves no other purpose let us hope the teachers strike will have a beneficial effect on our County Council as an administrative body. t The local amateur minstrels who have been disporting their talent this week at the Royal Hall, Ledbury, surprised a good many people, and no member of the troupe contri- buted more to that surprise than Mr Harry Barnard, who — whether as a cornerman, comedian, or lightning sketch artist, was exceedingly good. His sketches were ex- tremely clever, though as usual when a local amateur does anything out of the ordinary some of the suspicious and sweetly disposi- tioned people who live amongst us suggested "fakes," The artist promptly replied by asking one of the audience on the stage on Wednesday night, to turn over the sheets for him and see that there were no fakes." By the way, Harry, the news paper of the one and only proved pretty good sketching paper, didn't it ? The debate at the Town Hall on Wednesday night on the propobals of the National Ser- vice League proved to be one of the most interesting evenings, personally, that I remember spending in this relic of the old days. Mr Barnes proved himself a clever debater, and Mr Baily presented his case very well, though I thought he let go by certain arguments of his opponent could well have been answered. After all there was not time for all the pros and cons of this great national question to be discussed, and neither of the participants could be expected te cover the ground thoroughly in the time at their disposal. All the same those who were present must agree that the time was far from wasted, and their knowledge of the subject was added to. If the debate does nothing else it should bring home to the people of the district a realisation of the extravagant waste of money which annually goes on in armaments amongst the Great Powers. If the present rate of expenditure continues it will ulti- mately mean that taxation will reach the breaking point for some of the countries. To this country, of all others, naval supremacy is a matter of life and death, and so long as other countries continue to add to their navies, so long is it necessary that we should move and keep pace with them. From time to time responsible statesmen in this country have thrown out the suggestion that there should be a ship-building holiday, and we all know how that proposal has been received. Consequently for this nation to take the initial step in that direction is tantamount to committing race suicide-and that a Britisher will never be guilty of. TATTLER. j

LOCAL NEWS. I Ohas. Hodges' Bread, Standard or White, purity and quality guaranteed. Daily deliveries.—42, Bye Stieet, Ledbury. UNIONIST ASSOCIATION.—The annual meeting of the Ledbury Branch of the South Hereford- shire Unionist Association will be held at the Barrett-Browning Institute on Monday evening next at 8 p.m. HUGHES' TOBACCO STORES. The largest stock and variety in the town. See the windows. High class Hair cutting and Shaving Saloon. Razors ground and set. Umbrellas re-covered and repaired on the premises at the shortest notice. Second-hand Bookseller. A large selection of second-hand books on all subjects. Any quantity second-hand books bought for cmh. -76, Homend St., Ledbury. STARLING SHOOT.—Mr Jas Hollings, of the Fox Inn, Ledbury, is promoting a starling shoot on Thursday next, when j35 will be offered, to be shot for at 7 birds each. A local handicap (radius five miles) will also be shot, for a copper kettle. First bird in trap at 12 noon prompt. John Haines and Sens, Practical Chimney Sweeps, Homend Street, Ledbury. All Orders Promptly attended to. Distance no object. Established 1830. TERRITORIAL BALL.—The new drill hall of "C" (Led bury) Company, 1st Battalion the Herefordshire Regiment, which is situate in New-street, Ledbury, was opened for the first time last (Thursday) night on the occasion of the annual ball of the Company, which proved a huge success, a company of over 200 being present. The large hall had been most effectively decorated with patriotic flags and bunting by Col.-Sergt E G Morris, Sergt.-Instructor Crane and Sergt B Maddox and presented a very festive appearance. Plants for decoration had been kindly lent by Captain Palairet, of West- hill, and these were arranged in tasteful fashion by Mr Webber (head gardener). Miss Fardon's band provided music for a programme of 25 dances, and the M.C's were Col.-Sergt E G Morris, Sergt B. Maddox, Corpl. W Huisb, Pvte. P. Taylor. Messrs Gabb Bros., of No. 7, served licensed and other refreshments, and the accommodation was exceedingly good. The ball was voted a tremendous success, and was most enjoyable.

SALE I SALE J I I NOW ON. I i gn fiff Here are a few of the many Bargains we are offering :— H 9 3ft. 6in. Solid Oak BEDROOM SUITES. Usual price 9 lIs, I Sale Price £8 8s. I N 4ft. Solid Walnut SIDEBOARDS. Usual price £ 8 8s. 9 9 Sale Price M5 17s. 6d. 9 ■ 9 7-piece DIVAN SUITES. Usual price zP-12 12s. I H Sale Price £9 17s. 6d. 9 ? 7-piece DRAWING ROOM SUITES, Polished Chippen- 9 ? dale. Usual price £ 10 15s. H I Sale Price £ 7 195. 6d. 1 9 6ft. 6in. Solid Mahogany Inlaid SHERATON BED- 9 99 | ROOM SUITES. Usual price, 40 Guineas. H aN Sale Price Z32 10s. 9 H All Goods Delivered Free. M Glo'ster Furnishing Co. I ™ (The City Furnishing Depot), 9 t Broad Street, WORCESTER. I

LEDBURY PARISH CHURCH. RECTOR: REV. F. W. CARNEGY, M.A., R.D. CURATE REV. O. F. R. STRICKLAND, B.A. ORGANIST MR. F. A. HOBRO. Friday—Choir Practice (full) 8 p.m. LESSONS FOR SUNDAY, FEB. 22. Sexagesima. Sunday. MORNING. I EVENING. Gen 3. Gen. 6. Matt 25-31. Acts 26, 17. 8 a.m.—Holy Communion. 11 a.m.—Matins. Hymns 210,265,209. 12 (noon)—Holy Communion. 6-30 p.m.—Evensong and Sermon. Hymns 211, 256, 233, 225. Collections—Church Expenses. Church Army (Captain Nash)-Church Room, Sunday evenings, 6-30 p, m, Daily Matins 10 a.m., except on Wednesdays, Fridays and Holy Days, when it is at 11 a.m. Daily Evensong at 5-30 p.m. CATHOLIC CHURCH, Southend Street. RECTOR—REV. F. C. LYNCH. Morning-Masses 9.0 and 11.0. Sunday School held at 3-30. Evening Service and Benediction 6.30. Mass daily at 8. Catechism each morning at 9. Benediction and Sermon on Thursdays, 8 p.m. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, High Street. PASTOR—REV. H. A. BARNES. Morning 11. Evening 6.30. Sunday School, 3 p.m. WESLEYAN CHAPEL, Homend Street. SUPT. MINISTER—REV. GEORGE DYER. Sunday—10-30 a.m., Mr H Bray; 6-30 p.m., Mr A G Bunn. Collections—Circuit Funds. Monday, 7-45 p.m.—Wesley Guild. Thursday, 7-30 p.m.—United Prayer Meeting. SUNDAYS. Newent—11 a.m. and 6-30 p.m., Rev G Dyer. Staunton—11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Rev G Oyston. Pendock—11 a.m., Prayer Meeting; 6 p.m., Mr Powell. Redmarley-3 p.m. and 6 p.m., Mr J T Bray. Birtsmorton—11 a.m. and 6-30 p.m., Mr Thorpe. Colwall—11 a.m., Mr Norman; 6 p.m., Mr Herbert. Much Marcle—3 p.m., Mr Williams. Bosbnry-6 p.m., Mr Herbert. BAPTIST CHAPEL, Homend Street. Sunday—11 a.m. and 6-30 p.m. Preacher- Rev N H Shaw (Italy). Sunday School—10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday-Praise and Prayer Meeting, 7-j0 Wed nesd ay-P, W,E" 7-30 Friday—Christian Endeavour.:7-30 If your Eyes Ache come and have them tested free. We supply the exact glasses needed at very moderate prices and use the greatest care in fitting. The latest and most comfortable frames in stock. Spectacles from 2/6 the pair in Gold-filled Frames from 10/6.—MINCHIN, Chemist and Optician, 15, Weatgate, Gloucester. LEDBURY COTTAGE HosprrAL.-The Com- mittee gratefully acknowledge the Penny and other collections set out below for the year 1913 :-Ledbury, per Miss Hartland, Southend House, B6 18s 4d; Bosbury, per Mrs Buck, JB2 7s 9d; Dymock, per Miss D. Bullock, £4 5s Id Little Marcle, per Mrs Skittery, 10s 3d; Preston, per Mrs Edgar Hartland, 8s Od; Wellington Heath, per Miss Dallow, £1 7s Od. Total, JB16 5s 5d. George Lloyd (late James Lloyd), Chimney Sweep, Church Lane, Ledbury. Distance no object. Prompt and personal attention to all orders. WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.—The Colwall. and Led- bury Branch of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies are promoting two public meetings, to be held at Town Hall, Ledbury, on Thursday next at 3.30 p.m. and 8.p.m. The Chairman at the afternoou meeting will be the Rev Canon H J Bulkeley, and in the evening Mr Lionel Curtis will take the chair. The speakers will be Miss Helen Fraser and Mr E D Morel, who, it will be remembered, took a prominent part in bringing to light the rubber atrocities in the Congo. The meetings are non- militant and non-party, and men particularly are invited. THE PICTURE PALACE.—This week end's programme at the Palace, is a very strong one, and includes the splendid Nordisk film" The Stolen Treaty," which is an exceptionally fine plot and well acted too. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next the programme includes Shakespeare's great Comedy, The Taming of the Shrew," and features almost all the most popular members of Ambrosio's unequalled Stock Company. The Uphill Climb is also a good picture that should appeal to Picture patrons, and" Searching for Diamonds in Brazil" is an interest subject of great merit, and two comics will complete a good all round strong programme. Carpenter's Ltd. Ales and Stout are always reliable. Brewed for family con- sumption only,-Ledbury AgentW H Aileyne, New-street.

BISHOP FROOME. BALL.—The ball in aid of the Froome Foot- ball CJub, which was held on Tuesday evening in a large room at the Upper House, was an un- qualified success, there being over 100 present. The room had been very prettily decorated by Mesdames Foley, Watkins, Merrick and Francis, and Messrs Bullock, Merrick, Francis, Foley and Woodward. Messrs Wilfred W Wood ward and T Merrick acted as M.C.'a, and Messrs Davies, of Ledbury, supplied an excellent pro- gramme of music, including the Tango." Among the company present were Mr and Mrs Wilfred W Woodward, Mr and Mrs T Merrick, Mr and Mrs Thomas (Newtown), Mr and Mrs Pudge, Mr and Mrs Parker, Mr and Mrs Smith, Mr and Mrs Wall, Mr and Miss Morgan, Mr H Cook, Mr and Mrs Smith (Craven Arms), Mr and Miss Jones (Ledbury), Miss Foley (Cradley Heath), Mr Seaton (Hereford), Ac. The refreshments, which were extremely nice, were supplied by Mr Foley, of the Chase. At the close hearty votes of thanks were given to Mr Pudge for loan of room, to Mr Woodward for lending furniture, and to Mr W A W Turner, who acted as hon sec., and to all others who had helped in any way to make the affair such a success. x

MUCH MARCLE CARPENTER'S LAPSE. Lost Property Detained. On Saturday morning last at Ledbury Police Court, before Mr Spencer H Bickham (in the chair) and Dr. Miles A Wood, William Ratcliffe, carpenter, who for the past six months has been working as a carpenter at Much Marcle, was brought up in custody on a charge of stealing a threshing machine beic, value £ 5, the property- of Leonard Powell, farmer, of Wolton, Muck Marcle, on January 20. Prisoner should have appeared at the Petty Sessions on the previous Wednesday to answer the charge, but as he failed to attend a warrant was issued for his arrest, which was executed at Alfrick, Worcester, on Thursday. Mr Langley Smith, jun., of Gloucsster, was for the defence. Daniel Fortey, general labourer in the employ of the prosecutor, said on January 20 he was working at Wolton with Mr Powell's threshing machine, which they moved from Wolton to Noggin, about 1* miles away. Witness loaded the things up, and placed the driving belt on the riddles of the threshing machine. When he got to the Noggin with the threshing machine he missed the driving belt, and although he and others searched for it they could not find it. The belt (produced) was rolled up but not tied, and he identified the belt produced as belonging. to Mr Powell. Cross-examined by Mr Langley Smith There was no name on the belt, and he identified it by a scratch and waxend stitches. Prisoner had never worked for Mr Powell. Leonard Powell, farmer, of Chandos, Much said the value of the belt was j35. He made inquiries the same night as the bolt was lost, calling at prisoner's lodgings. He saw prisoner's landlady. Cross-examined by Mr Langley Smith He did not know prisoner, who had never worked for him, or seen the belt before to his know- ledge. Supt. Williams said bills were printed and circulated in Marcle notifying the loss of the belt, offering a reward, and stating that anyone found detaining the belt would be prosecuted., On February 6 he went to Much Marcle and in. company with P.C. Hayward he made inquiries in the district. He went and saw prisoner Ratcliffe at his work on Marcle Hill. He explained to prisoner who he was and what his business was, and asked prisoner if he knew anything about the driving belt, and prisoner said he knew nothing about it. Prisoner admitted he had seen one of the reward bills- with reference to the belt, but again repeated, that he knew nothing about it. Witness told, him he was of opinion that he knew something about it, but he still denied all knowledge of it. He then told prisoner there was nothing for him- to do but to lock him up on suspicion of stealing the belt. Prisoner then said, "Well, I have got one that I don't want." He accompanied prisoner to his lodgings and found the belt at the bottom of a tin box, which prisoner unlocked. A lot of wearing apparel was on top of the belt. Witness took possession of the belt. He did not arrest prisoner, as he thought it was a case for a summons. Cross-examined by Mr Langley Smith Notices were issued about a week after the belt was lost, notifying the reward. P.C. Hayward, of Much Marcle, corroborated the evidence of Supt. Williams as to what took place on February 6. He served a summons om prisoner on February 7 by leaving it with his landlady, and subsequently arrested him on a warrant on February 12. He read the charge over to him, and he made no reply. He brought prisoner to Ledbury on Friday and in the train prisoner said he hoped witness would not say more than he could help. Cross-examined by Mr Langley Smith He knew prisoner had left his address at Alfriek with his landlady at Much Marcle. At Alfrick prisoner was engaged in threshing for a farmer there when he arrested him. Prisoner was then charged and pleaded not guilty. After a consultation with his solicitor, however, prisoner withdrew the plea of not guilty and pleaded guilty. Mr Langley Smith then addressed the Bench on behalf of the prisoner, and explained that it was his first offence. Prisoner picked up the belt on the day it was lost between 1 and 1.15 p.m. The belt was placed in the harness-room at his lodgings until the notice of the loss was issued, when prisoner stupidly took it from the harness-room, wrapped it in paper and placed it in the bottom of his box. He pointed out that there was nothing on the belt to show who the owner was, and when the bills were issued prisoner was afraid that the fact that he had had the belt in his possession for a week would go againat him. He asked the Bench to bind the man over. Henry Weston, farmer, of The Bounds, Much Marcle, said defendant had been employed by him for about six months as a carpenter, and he had found him thoroughly honest and trust- worthy, and a very tidy man. From his experience of the man he would certainly trust him. Prisoner was admonished by the Bench, and bound him over to come up for judgment if called upon within six months. He would have to pay the costs, JB2 19s 6d, which were much larger than they would have been if he had surrendered on Wednesday last.

CHURCH ARMY.—On Friday next, February 27, a series of lantern services will be com- menced in The Church Roem, Ledbury, by Capt Nash, at 8 p.m., when the subject will be "Mine or Thine—Which"? This will be followed by an entirely new subject every week during the season of Lent. Everyone is cordially invited to attend and bring with them their friends. There will be no charge for admission, and all seats are free.

I SOUTH HEREFORDSHIRE. Saturday, Feb 21—Cross Keys, Goo?ricb, at 11 Tuesday, Feb 24—Hoarwithy, at 11 Thursday, Feb 26—Gilbert's Bill, at 11 STaht. dda. y? ,FFebti St. WO,,rd., at l?