Abergavenny Chronicle

I Y.M.C.A. HALL. VALEDICTORY SERVICE.—On Sunday evening last a service of an interesting character took place in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, to bid farewell and God-speed to our respected townsman, Mr. Charles Watkins. As already announced in these columns, Mr. Watkins takes up an im- portant appointment as General Secretary of the V.M.C.A. at Llanelly. In the unavoidable absence of the President of the Association, Mr. W. Jacobs, Mr. George Evans presided. An appi-opriate portion of Scripture having been read, Mr. Evans proceeded to testify to the esteem and respect which Mr. Watkins enjoyed in the town, where his family are so well known. It was with mixed feelings of regret and pride that he bade him good-bye. He would never do better than he (Mr. Evans) wished him. Mr. Robert Bevan spoke of the responsibility which Mr. Watkins's new sphere involved, and urged upon him the importance of prayer.—Mr John Owen said it gave him great pleasure to be there to give Mr. Watkins an inspiring send-off. He was going, said Mr. Owen, to assist in a noble work, and to uphold a great cause.—Messrs. W. H. Rees J. R. Beckwith, H. Bullen, Edwin James, and J. Gill also spoke words of encourage- ment and bore testimony to the admirable qualities and fitness of Mr. W atkins for his new -,vork.Ifr. Watkins briefly responded, out- lining his duties at Llanelly, and giving a descrip- tion of the Institution there. He appealed for the prayers and sympathy of those lie was leaving at Abergavenny, and hoped, on a future occasion, to pay a visit here again to tell them of his work and the progress they were making. The singing of the Doxology brought, a pleasant gathering to a close. i

Women's Suffragist's Field Hospital. I One of the most pleasing features of the Women's Suffrage movement we have yet re- corded is the formation of a hospital camp close to Harwich, for the sick and wounded sent to England from the war, irrespective of nationality or creed. The organisation is in the hands of the Men's Society for Women's Rights, and all those interested in Women's Suffrage are invited to send food, clothing, tents, utensils and donal tions also the loan I of motor-cars to the Hon. Camp Secretary, Mr. H. R. Sutherland-Leverson- Gower, Men's Society for Women's Rights, 65, Avenue Chambers, Southampton Row, London, W.C. Offers of services from doctors, nurses, etc., will be gratefully accepted.

——— BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS. MARRIAGE. ROFF—SIVERTSEN.—On August 19th, at St. Michael's Church, Llanvihangel Crucorney, John Crossley, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Roff, Sandnes, Norway, to Mallie, only daughter of Captain and Mrs. Sivertsen, Stavanger, Norway. DEATHS. EDMUNDS.—On August 10th, at 1.5, Nevill- street, Abergavenny, Mary Jane Edmunds, late of The Ton, Tredunnock. BEVAN.-On Monday, August iotli, at 3, Somerset Place, Merthyr, the residence of her sister Mrs. Peter Williams, Mary, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Thos. Bevan, Rock House, Abergavenny. Now is the time to purchase your Novels for the winter evenings. To make room for new stock, we are clearing a large number of I¡. Novels at 6d. 6d. Novels, 3d. 3d. Novels, 2d. —" Chronicle Office, Abergavenny.

OUR SAILORS AND SOLDIERS. I RELIEF OF FAMILIES. I Representative CountyXMeeting. j Monmouthshire county families were well represented at a meeting of the Monmouthshire Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association at the King's Head, Newport, on Monday. Lady Llangattock presided, and was supported by the Hon. Lady Herbert, Sir Henry and Lady Mather Jackson, Lady Mackworth, Colonel Walwyn and Mrs. Walwyn, Colonel Cleeve and Mrs. Cleeve, Mrs. D. A. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. W. Levitt, Colonel Morrall, Colonel Wallis, Captain and Mrs. Walters, Mr. and Mrs. Raglan Somer- set, Mrs. Douglas Graham, Mr. S. C. Bosanquet, I Mrs. Jestyn Williams, Mr. Lyndon Moore, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Parnall, Mr. Hastings Clay, Mrs. Cunard, Mrs. and Miss Beynon, Mrs. Llewellin, Mr. J. R. Harding, and Mi. R. Pearce Brown. Major-General Sir Ivor Herbert, Bart., M. P. (Lord-Lieutenant) wrote that Colonel Curre, Chairman of the County Council, had at his request agreed to constitute a county committee for dealing with any distress which might arise I in consequence of the war. It was very desirable that all voluntary organizations existing for similar purposes should act in concert with the County Council, in order that there might be no I overlapping of effort and responsibility. Prevention of Overlapping. I Sir II. Mather- Jackson said that the great object of the County Council meeting was to prevent overlapping. The County Council would not collect the money. Lady Llangattock said that during the Boer War that Association collected and distributed £1,200,000. They were again going through a very anxious time, and thought that the call for subscriptions would meet with a very ready response. Col. Walwyn, the County secretary, said that Col. Cleeve, their treasurer, had £7°8 10s. Sd. ,? 7 08 IOS. 5d. in hand since the Boer war. Lady Herbert asked what was the relation- ship of tlie,Association with the Piiiiee of Wales's Fund. Lady Llangattock I am sure that the Prince of Wales would not like our fimd to suspend its operations. We should continue to do the good we did last time. Col. Walwyn said they were not going to amalgamate. They had done good work and they meant to continue. Lady Herbert said that she thought that the money collected for the Prince of Wales Fund would be distributed through the channels of that Association, the Red Cross Society and like organizations. Mr. Lyndon Moore urged that the local com- mittee of the Association should co-operate so as to facilitate the distribution of relief. Mr. Treharne Morgan (deputy town clerk of Newport) said there was a committee at Newport to deal with distress. Was that committee to give relief to the wives of soldiers and sailors, or were the wives to be referred to that association ? Col. Walwyn You must refer them to this Association, and relief will be granted immedi- ately in accordance with the scale drawn up. Several of those present took the Association's collecting cards. ■

THE WAR. I To the Editor of the" Abergavenny Chronicle." I SIR,—Will you please bring to the notice of your readers how necessary it is that every town should be prepared to receive wounded, as there is no knowing where the war may drift ? It is best to be prepared so that if wounded should arrive we should be able to make them comfortable at once, and not have to extem- porise everything required for their care. En- closed are two copies of the regulations of the Naval Nursing league, that give instructions how to form corps that should be useful. Shall I be asking too much to pass a copy of the regu- lations to the Mayoress of your town ? Perhaps she may call a meeting of ladies to assist in this necessary movement in this hour of our trial. Yours faithfully, A. I,. BARRETT. 40 Upper Derby Road, A. 1,. I Portsmouth, 8th Aug., 1914. ▲

OUR FOOD SUPPLY. I Britain has embarked on a war, the end of I which, as Sir Edward Grey has said, none can foretell. Whatever the final result, and whether the war be long or short, great suffering will inevitably be entailed, and must be bravely endured. The nation has risen as one man, and a desire to help the Empire at this crisis in its history is on the lips and in the hearts of all. It is a time, not for cowardly panic, but for courage- ous foresight. Hvery step that can now be taken throughout the country to mitigate the difficulties and dangers of the coming winter and spring—dangers which many of us perhaps scarcely realise as yet—must be promptly taken, and resolutely carried through. In view of the probable destitution, consequent upon the inevitable, if only temporary, dislocation of trade, our food supply calls for the most serious and immediate consideration. The aim of this article is to show how every- one, even in a sparsely populated part of the Kingdom can render invaluable help, and prove their patriotism as truly as in the fighting line itself. From the point of view of local needs, certain sources of food supply will soon be no longer available. We must, therefore, be prepared to increase our local production. From the wider point of view of the country as a whole, our large centres may soon be in need of every pound of food which can be provided by the less popu- lated districts. The long standing difficulty of disposal of produce on account of prohibitive railway rates need deter none from helping the common cause, for already the Government is considering the problem of distributing our food supplies, and is controlling the railways. OUR FOOD SUPPLY MAY BE BOTH I ECONOMISED AND INCREASED. ECONOMY in food is the duty of. everyone. There should be absolutely no waste in either household or farm. Stock owners and farmers in particular may assist greatly by economising such stock-food as can be used for human con- sumption. Quick growing crops like mustard should be sown at once. This will increase the feed available for stock in the autumn, and thus barley and swedes (both excellent food stuffs) may be sconomised for human use. Similarly, potatoes should be used sparingly, if at all, for pig feeding. Again, a greater use may well be made of such stock-foods as turnips-and especi- ally swede-tops. In short, every possible means should be taken to utilise for stock feeding such food stuffs as are unsuitable for human con- sumption, and thus to indirectly increase the food supply available for ourselves. It is par- ticularly important, in the interests of the country at large, that farmers should make every effort not to reduce their breeding stock. The temptation to take advantage of the high price of meat may become great, but if breeding stock and immature animals are disposed of for slaughter, it must end in disaster at a later stage. INCREASE.—Fortunately, it is not too late in the season to add materially to our resources for the coming time of hardship. Every avail- able plot of ground, whether in a cottage garden or the greater areas of our farm land, should be sown or planted with antumn or winter crops. There should be no fallow ground this autumn" Cabbages may be planted out in large numbers. Various kinds of field and garden turnips may be sown, and good autumn crops be raised. Almost all the mam crop and later kinds of onions may be sown in August with advantage.  01 me eany varieties of carrots might ;Js be tried. An excellent suggestion which apSpeaSl m a contemporary is that all who possess sps plants of cabbage or other garden crops sbould distribute^lesetn so that waste may be minima ? ??? ? ??"' ? that Another matter of importance is the revival of cheese-making. In Wales tl,i= has largely been killed by Am?rican 1? ? Lol? omal ?'c?orn?- t?^ an?,i r G, onial com- petition. fany farm?? el? ?' however, in which cheese is still made, thougb only for home con- bpeeetin tioni. s stilIl n^?!l frS the necessary utensils have bDee?en n preserved, though cheese is n?ongerm?de In all these cases, although it is already late in the year, a large proportion of the m? -K well, under the exceptional circumstances o?ne moment, be converted into cheese instead of butter, for cheese is highly nutritious food which will keep, while butter will not. In conclusion, we would strongly urge uoon all our readers, not only to adopt for themsee? such of these suggestions as may be practicable but to use their influence in inducing others t exercise the same wise foresight. ?very little helps, and the accumulated result of many small efforts may be of untold importance to the Country and Empire we love. But what is done must be done at once.

I CRICKHOWELL BOARD OF I GUARDIANS. CHILDREN'S HOME L.G.B. DISAPPROVE OF SITE. Mr. Richard Morgan (Beaufort) presided over the fortnightly meeting of the Crickhowell Board of Guardians on Monday. The Clerk (Mr. Thos. Vaughan) read a letter from Mrs. Watkins, of Grcenhill, expressing her most grateful thanks to the Board for their very kind message of condolence in her sad bereave- ment. Mr. G.wilym C. James was elected as vice- chairman in place of the late Major J. J. Watkins. Guardians and the War. I I The Clerk read a circular letter from the Local Government Board suggesting that the Guard- ians should co-operate with the local committees appointed to relieve distress arising in conse- J quence of the war. He added that, so far as he knew, they had no cases ot distress in the lower I portion of the Union. He did not know how tilings were in the upper portion or whether it would be necessary to appoint an emergency committee there. I Mr. E, van Williams said they had already dealt with a few cases in the Brynmawr district. The Clerk You don't anticipate any excep- tional distress ? Mr. Evan Williams No I think they are well looked after. The Clerk You don't think it is necessary to appoint an emergency committee ? Mr. Evan Williams -No. Mr. Gwily 111 James said that at Llangattock and Llangynidr they had a committee who were acting. What he should like very much would be for their clerk to get a list of all persons who had been called up, so that they might keep an eye on the families and see that there was no overlapping. It would be very useful. Mr. Evan Williams said the secretary of the local committee co-operated with the relieving officer in his district. Mr. T. L. Jones asked who had taken the initiative in the formation of these committees. Mr. W. Rosser said he understood it was Lord Glanusk. He had heard nothing at all about it, and he had been expecting to hear. Mr. Gwilym James said that all members of the Board of Guardians ought to be on com- mittees for their respective districts. Mr. Gwilym James stated in reply to a question that it was a county fund at present, and later on it was proposed to make contributions to the central fund. Mr. Richard Jones If the county funds run out, would the relatives be eligible to have any- thing from the Prince of Wales's fund ? The Clerk pointed out that the circular letter of the Local Government Board suggested that those already in receipt of relief should be dis- couraged from applying for relief from the fund. Disapproval of Children's Home Site. I The Clerk reported that lie had written to the Local Government Board asking if they ap- proved of the proposal to build a children's home on land belonging to the Guardians adjoining the workhouse.. The Local Government Board replied that it appeared that the erection of a children's home 011 the site referred to would be in too close proximity to the workhouse. They hoped the Guardians would consider the pro- vision of a home on a site which should be totally disconnected from the workhouse premises. Mr. Evan Williams It is outside the work- house premises altogether. I should like to know how far away they expect us|to have it. The Clerk said it was not absolutely necessary for them to purchase or build. They could rent premises for the present, as had been done at Brecon. Time, however, was short, and they had only six months to get the children out of the house. In reply to a question, the Clerk said that a house had been mentioned in iilwern. Mr. Thomas Jones proposed that they defer the matter for a fortnight, and that the members should make enquiries in the meantime with regard to renting a place. He thought that to rent a house was a very good suggestion. Mr. Enoch Griffiths asked if it was wise to rent a house. Houses were scarce in that district, and a public body should build, and give a chance to other people. It was their duty to build, and he did not think they should take houses off poor people. ?A ,l r. Thos. build, off Williams We don't intend to take houses from poor people. It was decided to adjourn the matter for a fortnight. Mr. Evan Williams Won't it be necessary to have it somewhere near the workhouse"? There is the question of stores, and it will mean a separate staff if it is away from the workhouse. Mr. A. J. Thomas The officers of the home and the officers of the workhouse will be abso- lutely separate. Mr. Evan WilLams Not necessarily. Mr. A. J. Thomas They are in most places. Mr. Thos. Williams Then we shall have to get a new institution altogether. Mr. C. T. Cox said that at Cardiff the children's homes were in charge of foster mothers. The matter then dropped. Porter and Nurse Liable to be Called Up. I The Clerk read a letter from the porter, who said that, being a National Reservist, he had orders to hold himself ready in case of need. He asked the Board's consent to go in case he was called up. The Clerk said they could deal with the matter when the occasion arose. The Clerk said he understood from the Master that the nurse wai a Territorial nurse, and it was very likely she would be called away the following day. They were bound to have a nurse, and he suggested it be left to the Medical Officer to deal with at once. Th's was agreed to. I Mr. C. S. Hughes's Resignation. The Clerk said they would remember that Mr. C. S. Hughes had sent in his resignation, on the ground that lie had left the district and had gone to reside at Bristol. The Board at the last meeting felt that they were extremely sorry to lose the services of Mr. Hughes, and it was suggested that it might be possible for him to retain the position until the end of his term. He wrote to Mr. Hughes accordingly, and he replied that it was extremely kind of the Board to make the suggestion, but he could not possibly attend to the duties, aed it would not be fair to deprive the district of its full representation. He must therefore ask the Board to accept his resignation. The Chairman said he was very sorry Mr. Hughes had come to that decision. Mr. Hughes had proved himself a very good Guardian and had devoted a good deal of time to the duties. Mr. Isaacs and his Contract. I The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Jas. Issacs I in reference to his contract with the Board. Mr. J Isaacs wrote that, having regard to the con- I ditions of affairs which had arisen, it was im- possible to obtain the supplies wherewith to fulfil the contract at the scheduled prices, but he was prepared to supply goods at the prices of the day, and if he was called upon to do so he would prove that the prices charged represented only a fair proportion of profit. The Clerk said this was a common thing now, and all Boards of Guardians were called upon to deal with a similar state of affairs, and the Boards had invariably decided that the con- tractor must continue to supply as usual until the end of the quarter, the 30th September, and then they might consider what, if anything, would be fairly due to him. He thought Mr. Isaacs would be content to leave it in the hands of the Board, and there was no doubt they would treat each other fairly. Mr. Gwilym J ames What about the auditor ? The Clerk said they would not be able to do it without the sanction of the Local Government Board, but it was such a common occurrence that he felt sure the Local Government Board would issue some general order on the subject. Mr. Gwilym James Hadn't we better get into communication with the Local Government Board and ask them ? Mr. Win. Rosser It would be best for the Clerk to write at once. Mr. A. J. Thomas Similar applications had been made to other Boards, and had not been allowed. Mr. Gwilym J ames However much we may sympathise with the contractor, we can't hold out any promises. Mr. Evan W llliams Supposing food got very scarce, and the price was doubled or trebled, where should we be ? I think the suggestion of the Clerk is very wise. The Clerk said the Auditor would be at Crick- howell next week, and he could speak to him and get his opinion. Mr. Wm. Watkins Is the contract binding ? The Clerk said that was a question which could only be decided by the courts, but it was so common that they would no doubt have a ruling on the subject. If Mr. Isaacs had known that there would be a war he would naturally not have quoted the prices he did.

I Hon. Ralph Pelham Nevill. I Death of the Marquess of Abergavenny's Brother. The death is announced of the Hon. Ralph Pelham Nevill, son of the fourth Earl of Aber- gavenny and brother of the present Marquess. He had a serious illness in the early summer, and his life was despaired of, but he rallied in a remarkable way, and by the end of July was able to proceed to Folkestone to recuperate. Apparently he benefited greatly by the change, but he suffered a sudden heart attack on Monday- night, which terminated fatally. Mr. Ralph Pelham Nevill was the second son of the late Earl of Abergavenny, who died in 186S, and who, like his predecessor, the third Earl, had been in Holy Orders, and was for some time rector of Birling, in Kent, and vicar of Frant, in Sussex. Several members of the Nevill family have lived to a good old age. The present Marquess is in his 88th year. His sister, Lady Isabel Bligh, is in her 83rd year, and the Hon. Ralph Pelham Nevill was in his 82nd. Mr. Ralph Pelham Nevill was one of the most notable of Kentish hunting people during the past century. The Nevills have done much for fox hunting in the Garden of England," and the Hon. Ralph Nevill was actively associated w7tli hounds from boyhood. As an M. F.H. he was a disciplinarian, yet most popular with the field. Possessing a thorough knowledge of the science of the sport, he was one of the most accomplished gentlemen huntsmen of his day. He may safely be said to have made the West Kent Hunt, and placed it in the sound position as a country that it holds to-day. The Hon. Ralph Nevill was High Sheriff for Kent in 1896, and was for som time captain of the West Kent Yeomanry. He married in i860 Louisa Marianne, daughter of Sir Charles Mac- lean, Bart., and one of his daughters, Mary Frances Nevill, is now Viscountess Hardinge.

THE BRITISH FORCE. I MARCH TO THE FRONT. I SECRET PROGRESS IN FRANCE. I The Times Paris correspondent writes :— Flowery though the progress of the British Force may have been, every member of it knows that genuine things aw ait him at Y or Z. So well has the secret of the British Army's movements been kept that villages on]y five miles off the road of advance are unaware of its presence. At the landing ports a big staff of French military interpreters has been accumu- lated. Yet France to-day does not know where the men are. The British public may not know for some time to come. They must be content with assurance that all goes well. The men are supplied with a half-sheet type- written French-English dictionary, which pro- vides for most of the requirements of the men in the way of food, drink and geographical direc- tion. The Staff is accompanied by a corps of extremely efficient and equally eager reservist interpreter officers. Among those I have met were a Liverpool cotton broker, a Dunkirk coal merchant, a French master at Blundell's, and I several other business men settled in England. RAPID DISEMBARKATION. I PARIS, W ednesday. Writing in the Echo de Paris," M. D. de Lafrete gives his impression of the landing of some of the English troops. When war was declared." he says, I was at a port on the Channel coast—which I will call X '—and was there able to witness the stages of mobilisation, and one phase of special interest, the landing of English troops. This disembark- ation was so long in coming that we began to think that our port was not to be used, but one evening from a steamer entering the harbour there came a. shout from hundreds of throats, Hip, hip, hurrah for France There could be no doubt that it was the English, and from the pier, where the people were taking the air, there was an answering shout of Vive 1' Angleterre From this moment the troops were constantly arriving. There were always two or three steamers in the harbour, each bringing 1,200 or 1,500 men. With field glasses one could observe the men as the steamers approached, and see how closely they were packed upon the boats. Within an hour or two of the arrival of the vessel the men were marching away along the promenade to the sound of fife and drum. In spite of fatigue—for they had had no real rest for 4S hours—they breasted the hill in a way which I surprised the population, and it is perhaps I needless to say that the latter was not slow to exoress its welcome. r- Taking a D:p. I Most of them were young and tall, and were all dressed in the celebrated khaki uniforms." After describing this uniform in detail, the writer comments on the fine chargers of the officers and on the horses employed for transport, the latter especially arousing the admiration of the spectators. The soldiers only remained for a short time, but a very large number invaded the bathing establishment and surprised. the people by their proficiency. When I left," he continues, I passed one of these regiments, already 50 kilometres on their road. The men were singing a song which, in its somewhat solemn air, had no resemblance to the marching songs of our own troops. They were in perfect order, and appeared to be en- joying and admiring the country through which they were passing. In conclusion, the British troops have a splendid appearance, and everything seems to add to the conviction that they will be a most valuable help in the struggle against the common enemy.

v- I RUSSIAN ADVANCE. I IN AUSTRIA AND GERMANY. ROMP:, Tuesday Evening (received Wednesday Morning). Despatches from St. Petersburg state that the Russian advance guard consisting of several divisions has penetrated into the Northern part of Bukovina and is marching upon Czernowitz. The Ruthenian population is enthusiastically welcoming the Russians. Czernowitz, the seat of a Greek arch- bishopric and a German university, is the capital of Bukovina, whose area is more than half of that of Wales.

I GRAIG PETTY SESSIONS. Saturday.—Before Sir Henry Mather Jackson, Bart. (chairman), Mr. R. Newton Jackson, Mr. W. H. S. Whitney, and Mr. C. Lipscomb. COMMITTED.—Michael Burke, labourer, Blaen- avon, who did not appear, was charged underia warrant for non-payment of £4, bastardy arrears, due to Emily Matilda Keasingle woman. Sken- frith. Complainant stated that the order was made upon defendant on the 20th of Apul, 1912, when he was ordered to pay 2s. 6d. per week until the child attained the age of 16. On the 17th July Burke owed ?—?2 weeks' pay- ment—and he had not paid anything since then. WDefendant was committed for one month. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—John [McNeil and Edward Griffiths, wiremen, Llantilio Crossenny, who did not appear, were summoned for being drunk and disorderly on the highway at Llan- tilio Crossenny on 1St of August.—P.C. Plaistow (Cross Ash) said that at 10 p.m. on the 1St inst. he was on duty near the Hostry Inn, Llantilio. He found defendant very drunk and using obscene language. He spoke to them about their conduct and requested them to go away. They refused to go. He asked McNeil for his name, which he gave. He also asked Griffiths for his name. With that McNeilfpushed Griffiths away, stripped off his coat and waistcoat, and said I will murder you before I see my mate get'into trouble." After considerable difficulty he (witness) got McNeil to put his things on and go away. Griffiths gave a wrong name. When served with a summons, McNeil said he could not remember anything about it, and Griffiths said that he was sony that it had happened.—De- fendants were fined 5s. and costs, amounting to gs. 6d. each. Sir Henry Mather Jackson did not adjudicate in this case.

+ W oo l len Manu facturers, P RE WOOL ONLYAT MILL'PRICES. I Refi. Trade Mark. —— ANY LENGTH CUT. SENT CARRIAGE PAID. Sent post free on approval, to any lady or gentleman, patterns of All-wool Manufactures, comprising:- SCOTCH TWEEDS VESTINCS MANTLE CLOTHS SUITIIIIS FLANNELS RUGS TROUSERINGS SHIRTINGS BLANKETS SHEETING I OVERCOATINGS ORESSES KNITTING YARNS, Ac.  Own "? mN?t up /nfe any kind <? BsMM??tL?B ?oe?<n goads and Colquhoun's pat. MMStiMS?? ??'. ?r?a ?? particulara now, AQENCIES<n^K~ FuH or spare time agents (either aM) ap- P w pointed (generous c?mmi.si..).

I Church Parades at Abergavenny. I IN AID OF THE RELIEF FUND. In order to help forward the National Relief Fund, arrangements were made to hold special services on Sunday, at St. Mary's Church in the morning and at the Frogmore Street Baptist Church in the evening. Both services were very well attended The Deputy Mayor (Alderman Z. Wheatley) was accompanied in the morning by Councillors Major Williams. T. A. Delafield, W. Horsington, P. Telford, G. R. Plowman, J. R. Beckwith, W. Meale, S. J. Ruther. Alfred Graham, W. Bevan, together with members of friendly societies, Boy Scouts and Cadets, etc., and all the members with the exception of Councillor Ruther attended in the evening. The Abergavenny Borough Silver Band headed the procession to St. Mary's in the morning, and in the evening they and the National Reserves' band amalgamated for the parade to the Baptist Chapel. The Deputy Mayor desires to thank all those who took part in the services and to express his appreciation of the liberal response made to the appeal for funds at these and at the services at other places of worship. I AT ST. MARY'S. I Courage and Self-sacrifice Needed. The preacher at St. Mary's Church was the Vicar, the Rev. H. H. Matthew, who took for his text 2 Samuel, 23, 16 He poured it out unto the Lord." The rev. gentleman said:—"How far was this strange afltion of their hero under- stood hv the three mighty men ? Did thev appreciate the motive which inspired David so to treat that which they brought him at the risk of their lives ? or did they regard it as an un- meaning and ungrateful scorning of their de- votion ? The story belongs to the early period of David's life. He and his little company were holding a strong position near the cave of Adullam the Philistines occupied BetlileheT.1 and David longed to recover the old home of his boyhood. As the Crusader burned to recover the sacred sepulchre of his Lord from the heathen Saracen as the Frenchman born in Alsace or Lorraine before the disastrous war of 1870 longs-to-day to win back those fair provinces for his beloved France, so the young shepherd- king yearned to deliver his childhood's home from the occupation of the uncircumcised Philistines. So it was that as the memories of youth came crowding into his mind his thoughts turned to the clear cool water of the well at Bethlehem. What would he not give now for a draught of that crystal stream ? Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate His com- rades overheard him they stayed not to count the cost at the risk of their lives the three mighty men broke through the host of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, and brought it to David." And. .David was deeply moved. He would not drink thereof, but poured ft out unto the Lord and lie said, Be it far from me, 0 I/ord, that I should do this Shall I drink of the blood of the men that went in jeopardv of their lives ? Therefore he would not drink it." He realised that an idle word, an unrestrained longing, had brought his loyal liegemen into danger he could not drink the water—it would smell of blood. And they must, at least, have seen his: emotion, and honoured the chivalry of his self- denial. And what are the lessons of this story of those old barbaric days for us ? First, there i9 a call for courage such as these men showed. Your King and country need you Such is the cry that has gone forth during this past week to the young manhood of our land. Thank God, there has been every sign that the tra- ditional courage of our race has not been lost. Soft and pleasure-loving as some of us have seemed during the past years, there has been a noble response. We have heard of three brothers, men of wealth, leaders of industry, two of whom have had their home amongst us here, leaving their great business to fight for their country and that is only one instance among hundreds or thousands. There are still amongst us those who have learned To set the cause before renown. To love the game beyond the prize. To honour, while you strike him down The foe that comes with fearless eyes To count the life of battle good. And dear the land that gave you birth, And dearer yet the brotherhood That binds the brave of all the earth. II. The story is also a picture of the self-sacrifice demanded of us all for our fellows, (a) There must be a readiness amongst us to give up those dear to us for our country. No one knows when this war may end. The great battle on the Belgian, and French frontiers, the great fight on the North Sea, whatever their result are unlikely to end the struggle. When our allies, who at present are sacrificing far more than we, are exhausted, we may be called upon to do as they iliave already done-to send out all the young manhood of our land in the cause of freedom. It must be said of us. they poured it out unto the Dord." (b) There must be a ready response to the call to give up many of our luxuries and comforts at the present time. We must live plainly and simply, and we must give for the relief of distress. Many have already as citizens given to the Relief Fund to-day we are to give again as Churchmen and Churchwomen, as all Christian places of worship in our town are joining to-day in one united effort. Whatever separates us, we are one in this great cause. The wives and dependants of those who are doing our work, fighting for our liberties, must I be kept from want. We must pour it out unto the Lord." (c) Lastly, there must be a drawing together of classes. Political parties have- ceased to exist. They will appear again in due time-it is well that they should but the separation of classes which has been so ominous a feature of the last twenty years, must be bridged over for ever by the present strain. Tie in a living tether The prince and priest and tlirall, Bind all our lives together, Smite in and save us all. In ire and exultation, Aflame with faith and free, 1,ift upia living nation, A single sword to Thee." GOOD OUT OF EVIL. At the Frogmore Street Baptist Church, the Rev. C. B. Wildblood delivered an interesting discourse and took for his text 1st Kings, 15th chapter, 22nd verse. He pointed out that the king alluded to in the text used the material intended for his destruction for his own defence, and applied the incident to the present crisis. Everyone considered that war was an evil, but out of it good might come. It was their duty, now that war was upon us, to see that out of the chaos and bloodshed some good might result. Looking at the national life of the past few years, there were signs that we needed more discipline, and perhaps out of this time of crisis discipline might take its rightful place in our nation. We were all being drawn together by this war, and unity was being shown amongst people who had been divided. We must see to it that after the war was over unity was made permanent. The law of Christ that we should bear one another's burdens was now being recognised in the Relief Fund which had been raised, and again they must see to it that after the war they did not slip back again into an indifference to one another's burdens. He pleaded that this law of bearing one another's burdens might become a permanent asset to our national life. The rev. gentleman urged that out of this time of discipline a purified Christianity might emerge. They had been worrying about the wrong things, quarrelling about theology, and there had been a lot of petty jealousy. Perhaps this time of crisis might help them all to see what were the things which really did matter. Pro- ceeding, the preacher pointed out that it was the duty ot every Christian to pray for his. enemies. That did not mean that they must pray for their success but there were those on the German side who had had absolutely nothing to do with the war and didn't want it, and whose friends and relatives would be taken away from them just as theirs in England would be. It was their duty, as Christian people, to pray for these people, though they could not pray for the success of their arms. If they could not do this-and people had told him during the week that they could not—then they ought to humbly confess to Him that they were failures as His servants., In conclusion, be devoutly trusted that this war might give us a new sense of the value of peace, and that out of it might come a permanent peace, and, finally, asked that the discipline, unity and willingness to bear one another's burdens might be used after the war with tremendous passion for the building up of our national life on a securer foundation. ————

Excursion Tickets.lhe Great Western Rail- way announce that the issue of cheap tickets will be resumed on and from Monday, August 17th, and the issue of excursion tickets will be resumeti ou and from Thursday, August 20th.