Abergavenny Chronicle

Mayûf of A?gsv??'s Local Fund I Amount previously acknowledged .J 163 19 () I Llanelly & District Ploughing Societv I (per Mr. Jas. Davies and Mr. E. I Morgan) > 220! I Mrs. Ganieson (Black Lion) 040 I [ £ 166 5 ()

RUSBY FOOTBALL. "WELSH INTERNATIONALS v. WELSH J "I.1. LLJ.1 'J.. 4\ v -{.0'" NUTS." One of the most interesting nxtures arranged bv the local Football Committee in aid of the local Belgian Relief Fund, was the Rugby match which was plaved in Bailey Park, Abergavenny( oil Saturdav between Mr. George Boots' Inter- national XV. and the Welsh Nuts (Tre- degar). The committee have already handed over J 20 to the Belgian Relief Fund, and the ex- cellent gate which was attracted on Satur- day should enable them to substantially aug- ment this sum. The teams included a number of well-known plr.vcrs^ and much credit is due to I the committee for securing their services. -A"li-. T. Morgan, of Ebhw Vale, was the referee, and the teams were as follows :George Boots' International XV. Back, Sheen three- quarters, Webb, Sullivan, Thomas and Lt. W illis halves, F. Birt and T. Baker forwards, Geo. Boots, P. Jones, D. Spamwich, F. Willis, J. Hodges, T. Bailey, Jones (Cwmbran) and Davies. The Welsh Nuts Lack, W. Price three-quarter. W. J. Richards, A. Burrows, J. I Hadley, M. Lewis; halves, E, Davies, Jack Davies forwards (from) Thos. Miles, M. Fear, R. Morgan, J. Evans, Jack Evans, T. Evans, R. Morgan, C. Phillips, F. Jones, A. Moon, J. W. Dav i es, Mowbray. "1 In tiie absence oi the Mayor, LapL uoyei kicked off for Tredegar, who rushed play down the field. The hall went out to the left wing, and only resolute tackling on the part of the Internationals averted a try. Boots' men gained ground with a fine dribble which took Play to mid-field, but were driven back some distance. Following a scrum, the Internationals got possession and gave an excellent exhibition of open play, the forwards, as well as the threes, handling nicely. Sullivan took a pass and dodged trickily before being brought down. Thomas, his co-centre, was also responsible for "some good work, which helped his side con- siderably. Tredegar heeled well at times, but were overmatched by their opponents in the finer phases of the game. Thomas again got I possession, and running through very cleverly scored behind the posts, the same player con- verting. A promising passing movement saw Sullivan and Webb in a dangerous position, but the ball went forward. The Internatiollals were awarded a penalty kick, and Birt landed the ball just over the bar. Tredegar were nippy, and occasionally spelt danger with their combined j rushes. The Internationals again got going nicely and Sulivan put on the finishing touch bv racing over. The kick at goal failed. Half- time arrived with the score :—Welsh Inter-H nationals 2 goals (I penalty), I try (11 points) « Welsh Nuts," nil. The Internationals went away with a rush on the resumption, and Thomas again eluded the opposition and crossed the line. Birt failed to convert. Following a scrum near half-way, Baker gave fo Thomas, who put on top speed and faced for the line, which he managed to reach before he could be overhauled. Birt easily inajorised. Tredegar played up pluckily and tried hard to break through, but they were up amnst a stubborn 'defence. Birt saving the situation more than once. The Nuts con- fined play to their opponents' 25 for some time, but Birt, getting possession, ran to nearly lralf- Way before losing the ball. The Internationals initiated a number of excellent passing move- ments and another try seemed imminent, but Was averted in the nick of time. The Nuts on several occasions got with in the danger zone and on one occasion had a fine opening, but Birt racing up robbed them of a score by a timely kick. Final C. T P Welsh IntCr!lation3.ls. :.) 2 Jl) <, 'c!sh Xnts" o o o One penally. After the match the teams sat down to a cold spread at the Black Lion Hotel, at the invitation of the (Alderman Z. Wheatley). After lie repast the Mayor said he wished to thank tlle teams for coming to Abergavenny to play the match, and to thank the various teams for the iliterqst they had taken in the local Bc1dll1 ,-e 1e F 1 u Relief Fund. He also wished to thank the local 00 all ,Committee for the excellent work thev  ?Mcrcd to the fmld daring the last two or tlm.' 11 which had enabled them to hand over fi- ta ^oocl sum. He hoped they would contir a good SHill. He hoped they would contin'ue t ??cr all the help they possibly could ani ? "?kc much easier the work which he h^H f ° P?orm. He thanked them not only 011 hTc ^11 Jehalf but on behalf of the Belgian ) ?.ces for the interest they had taken in the j i id, so that they could show their sympathv and support to those who were placed in an 1 L 0 lose who were placed III an miortunate position through no fault of their He appealed to the young men to. come forward and volunteer to help their King and Country in this hour of need. Mr. C. W. Matthews replied on behalf of the local Football Committee, and thanked the flavor for his kind hospitality in entertaining the teams. He also thanked the players for giving their services, and hoped that in 'L'?l? near utnre they would be able to run a similar fixture fon behalf of the Mavor's Local War Relief Fund. 1 Ir. George Boots also thanked the Mayor for his hospitality and also Mr. Matthews for his remarks He could assure them that it was with great pleasure that they came to Aberga- venny to render what assistance they could to Mich a good cause. If the promoters would like to run a concert at some future date he would lie very pleased to bring up artistes from New- Port to carrv the programme through. Alr T. Morgan, the referee, who also responded said it was a pleasure to referee sucli a game, nd lie should be pleased to do anything he could 111 the future to help the fund. At the suggestion of the Mayor, the pro- Ceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem. Later in the evening an enjoyable I smoking concert was held, Mr. H. Jenkins presiding.

i FARM TENANT'S CLAIM. INTERESTING BRYNMAWR CASE. A special sitting of the Brynmawr magistrates on Tuesday considered the claim of Mr. Wni. Pritchard, the yearly tenant of the JIafod Farm Brynmawr, for compensation for compulsory severance. It appears that the Hafod Farm has an acreage of 155 acres and about 31 acres have been ae- quired by the Brynmawr District Council for proposed sewage works. The landowner, Mr. Wm. Jones, Llangynidr, is to be compensated to the amount of ^1,317, and the tenant had been offered an amount of /13 3s. 6d., whilst he claimed II 20. Mr. Mason Akerman, Hereford, was for the tenant, and Mr. T. Hughes (Messrs. Powell, I Hughes and Jones) appeared for the Brynmawr District Council. Mr. Wm. Pritchard said that he took the farm t as a dairy farm in October, 1911, and paid the outgoing tenant £ 250 for good-will. He kept I 14 cows, and if the land was taken from him he would be be compelled to keep two cows less, I meaning to him a loss of £50 a year. Mr. Montague Harris, land valuer, Aberga- [ venny, said that in his opinion the sewage works f Would ruin Mr. Pritchard's business as a milk- man. Pritchard was entitled to ^114 16s. compensation. í Mr. Frank Herbert Goddard, land valuer, f Hereford, agreed. j For the Council, Mr. E. U. David, Cardiff, j said the land was starved and'bad pasture land. I' fhe sewage works would not injure the dairy tarni. His valuation was f13 3s. 6d. Mr. T. Parry, Newport, agreed. ^<omex> the engineer, also gave evidence. ruhe Bench decided to assess the compensation a L3S, each side to pay their own costs. ————

Attempt to Cross the Suez. < The Turks Easily Repulsed.  I :i; "?'?L?T BEHIND. ? made an °Hlccrs> the Turks have f made an attempt to cross ??? ??cz Canal, with fmade an attempt to rr V1 0 Suez Canal, with disastrous resllts-fr the Turks. They were t allowed to bnng their h-? ????s. They were bank. Then they were ??? ?terial to the j disorder, leaving the whole of m material in the hands of the British. ? material in I DISORDERLY FLBGHT. CAIRO, Wednesdav" East night the enemy attempted to cr<v. T :->s 1C ?uex Canal near Toussoun. They bronlw Lrid?in? material to the bank of the canal mi ??Icsted, but directly they started brid?ii? our t 'y?'?ps delive led a completely successful attack ue enemy Hed in disorder, leavmgthelr whole Material in our hands. Several of the enemy Jere drowned. An attempt by the enemy also "le ? Kantara front was easily repulsed, v';r,1 1 ? them of sixteen killed and wounded  ""?y prisoners. ,0ur losses were three u°uuded.

I SIX MONTHS OF WAR. (By LORD SYDENHAM). The questions, How do the Allies now stand? Has the progress of the war in six months been as great as was to be expected ? present them- selves to many minds, and it may be well to I recall some past experience. In 1854, bv reason of the distance separating the principal belligerents, the military opera- tions had scarcely begun in six months, and the battle of the Alma was fought a month later. In the American Civil War, more than three years passed before the decisive operations against Richmond commenced. At the end of June, 1864, Lee at length fell back upon his en- trenched positions, and a situation then arose which bears some resemblance to that of the present time. For more than nine months, Grant, with forces double those of Lee and with an incomparable superiority of equipment and means of supply, was engaged in trench warfare, while Sherman, Thomas/and Sheridan in other military spheres were powerfully assisting his operations. Sheridan's victory at Five Forks on April 1, 1865, brought about the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond on the following day, and with it the end of the war. I In the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, the Allies, after severe fighting, were brought to a II standstill before the improvised defences of an unknown Bulgarian village. In six months Todleben had only just completed the invest- ment of Plevna, which did net fall till seven weeks later. In the Russo- J apanese War of 1904-5, the battles of the Yalu, Kinchou, and Telissu were fought in the first six months, and the invest- ment of Port Arthur was completed but the capture of this fortress, the occupation of Mukden and the battle of Tsushima were still four, six, and iii.-c and a half months distant respectively7. Considering the vast range of the present con- flict, from the coast of Flanders to the head of the Persian Gulf, from East Prussia to South Africa, involving an enormous aggregate of forces fighting simultaneously in nine different countries of Europe. Asia, and Africa, could any greater progress towards a decision than that accomplished in the past six months reasonably be expected ? The unparalleled magnitude of the operations bames the imagination, and the fierce trench warfare close at hand naturally tends to weaken our sense of perspective. Yet success or failure must depend upon the inter- action of events spread over the many geo- graphically distinct theatres of war, and it is only by viewing the operations on land and sea as a whole that we can arrive at a just estimate of the situation. Tx THE WKST. I In tlic, West, it may seeiii tliaf- tiic zkliies have been foiled. For them the clearing of France and Belgium is the first direct objective. They have so far failed to achieve more than local successes of no real strategic importance, and it may appear as if a definite deadlock had been reached. This view- is superficial and mislead- ing. The Allies have effectually7 ended the German offensive, are firmly holding the larger part of .the German military strength on their long front, and are thus exercising a powerful influence over the whole Eastern campaign. The enemy has lost his opportunities of breaking through to Calais—assuming that any advan- tage could thus be won. The position of the Allies is steadily growing stronger in all respects, and their preponderance in artillery a con- dition of first-class ililportiilcc-is beginning to be felt. It is never wise to trust to the im- 1 pressions conveyed by prisoners but, beyond all doubt, the sense of moral superiority has passed to the Allied Forces. The German soldiei lias fought, and still fights, bravely but, even if the strategic situation is a sealed book to him, he is perfectly conscious of tactical failure, and he has learned that his generals are always ready to sacrifice life on a large scale without any reasonable prospect of corresponding ad- vantage. These are depressing circumstances which will not be changed bv reinforcements of of second-class troops, and signs of a growing want of con dence are not lacking. Ix THE EAST. In the East, the situation from the German point of view is no less discouraging. The attempt to reach Warsaw has failed with huge losses, and developments elsewhere may shortly throw fresh strain upon the sorely-tried German military machine, necessitating redistributions of force. In the Carpathians, no prospect of an Austro-German success can be discerned, while Rumanian intervention is at hand, and will take place at the point where it will be most effective. The Serbians having heavily and re- peatedly defeated the Austrians, the punitive operations, if resumed, vvvill require German assistance, in conditions not well suited to the German Army, and must be weighted by the loss of prestige. On the one hand, the military advisers of the Kaiser now know that they hope- lessly underestimated the fighting capacity and generalship of the Russians, whose armies alike in attack and in defence have splendidly dis- tinguished themselves. On the other hand, they must now realize that the Dual Alliance is doomed, after proving a disappointment to Ger- many, and plainly disastrous to Austria- J Hungary. The Russian Army of the Caucasus, without j drawing on the troops in Poland and Galicia, has shattered the best Asiatic forces of Turkey, and is able to repel the futile and senseless invasion of Persia. Other hapless Turkish forces are apparently being driven by German generals across the desert to attack formidable defences where defeat is certain, and retreat will entail ruin. The unique spectacle of one Power being led to destruction by the emissaries of another Power, who have seized the reins of government for their own purposes, cannot continue much longer. On all the seas of the world, the Allies are supreme, and the British Navy has accomplished in six months more than could have been achieved in six years at the beginning of last century. The latest naval action has a moral importance far exceeding the material advan- tage gained, and the German Admiralty has found it necessary to issue false statements iu the hope of averting grave discouragement. SUMMARY. Reviewing the situation as a whole, no reasonable grounds for any reversal of the verdict of the past six months can be suggested. Rela- tively to the Allies, the Germans must grow steadily weaker in men and materiel. Every plan of their strategists has come to naught. With the possible exception of the Russian reverse—quickly retrieved—near Osterode in August, the German armies have not won a single victory, and when the perfection of their preparations, enabling them to strike before any one of the Allies was ready, is recalled, this must be regarded as the -most outstanding fact in six months of war. As General von der Goltz has pointed out :—" The boldest and best planned strategical offensive leads to final ruin when the available means are not sufficient for the successful attainment of the last objective, the possession of which insures peace." The surprises which the Germans held in store have not materialized, and the vaunted Zeppelins are beginning to be regarded as failures. The inspired propaganda to which we have grown accustomed is peculiarly significant. Con- fidence in German arms and German valour having lapsed, victories have to be invented for popular consumption, and frantic efforts are being made to break the solidarity of the Entente and to enlist the United States as champions of everything that they were created to prevent. The ruthless barbarity shown to non-combatants, the deliberate violation of all the international conventions framed to promote humanity in war, the mendacious reports spread by all available agencies, the violent diatribes directed against Great Britain, even the high honour conferred upon the obscure author of the Hymn of Hate combine to tell their tale to any student of psychology. When the leaders of a great nation resort to methods of this kind, it is a sure indication that they believe their cause to be lost. Neither nations nor individuals vilify opponents whom they feel able to overcome. Great masses of the German people have never heard of Treitschke or von Bernhardi but they have been well disciplined by Prussian agency into the belief that the (German) State is above all human laws and can do no wrong, and that patriotism demands obedience to the ruling caste. The were given to understand that a short and sharp campaign would confer 011 Ger- many the hegemony of Europe at least, and that thus only could their legitimate ambitions be satisfied, and full scope be provided for their intellectual aspirations. They had unbounded confidence in the vast military machine held ready for instant war as was no other army in Europe. They have now to learn that the machine was inadequate to the stupendous tasks which its chiefs forced upon it. that the losses already exceed two millions, and that victory has proved unattainable. They have dis- covered that the food reserves were grossly over- estimated and could suffice only for the short campaign on which their strategists counted. Other knowledge of several kinds will shortly dawn upon the German people, to whom the truth has been denied of set purpose by the rulers whom they trusted, but who would not trust them. Brave, vigorous and patriotic as they are, they may well ask whither they arc being led and whose were the errors that have brought a nation, which last year was on the fiood-tide of prosperity, to economic disaster. For Germany, though still unconquered, is beaten, and. if the Allies remain stedfast, sparing no effort, grudging no sacrifice, forces already at work will complete what German lack of success on land and sea has begun.—" TIMES."

TE BATTLE 0F MSEUPORT. I BELGIANS AM ZOUAVES. I I For for.r weeks a wounded Belgian soldier was nursed back to health and strength in a Red Cross hospital in England. He returned to the front and has written to the lady who nursed him an account of the recent fighting near Nieuport. The letter is dated January 27, and the following is a translation of its principal contents. It begins Chere bonne mere I take advantage of a cessation in the bom- bardment to tell you something of the fight we had during the night of yesterday at Nieuport. We got into the trenches in spite of a violent artillery fire, and were with the Zouaves. Thev kept on saying to us Come, Belgians let us fix bayonets and charge the German trenches." Lut it was impossible. The hail from their quick-firers never ceased. However, towards eleven o'clock at night the Germans commenced the attack. They advanced towards our trenches, but the fire of my battalion, of the Zouaves, and of our mitrailleuses and artillerv was so terrible that they had to retreat. At about one o'clock in the morning the Zouavres started the offensive in their turn, and I so did we. The Germans fell like fies we ad- vanced upon their corpses. We were no longer civilised men, but savages or worse. During the assault we cried Hurrah Vive la Belgique and the Zouaves Yive la Prance I was pleased to be fighting side by side with them. I should say that our fire was direected by the searchlights of two British men-of-war, so that each shot told. The fire of our big guns did much execution. But the next day the enemy brought up more artillery and commenced to search our trenches with shrapnel. Yet with the brave Zouaves we have remained in our trenches three days and three nights. We have lost four killed and seventeen seriously wounded. Not a house remains whole in Nieuport itself. The trenches are filled with water and mud, and we have been obliged to fill sacks with earth and put at the bottom so that our feet may not be fixed in the mm1. So you see the life is hard, and in spite of good clothes I am almost frozen with the cold. As I see the situation here on the battlefield, it appears to me that we are approaching the time when we shall thrust back the Germans into their own country, and that the present effort to pierce our'line of defence is the effort of despair. Our journey here was not without incident. After we left Dunkirk for Lapanne a German aeroplane flew over us and threw three bombs, which did no damage. Two British aeroplanes chased it, and it was fired at by guns. All along the line men, women, and children greeted us with cries of "Viye la iBclgique Vive les Beiges Vive eeuxquiont saiiver I'E-Lirope We had marked on the railway carriages Ex- cursion train for Berlin." The Zouaves are men of extraordinary courage, and it is good to have them as comrades

^OI^OUTNSKiRE ASS ZES. I CLAIMS AGAINST ABERGAVENNY AND I BLACK WOOD RESIDENTS. I At Monmouth Assizes the civil action was commenced on Wednesday afternoon, before Mr. Justice Avory and a special jury, in which T. P. Walters, and wife, of Pentwyn Farm, Gwehelog, Usk, claimed damages for alleged negligence from Mrs. Emma Matilda Morgan (Abergavenny) and Mr. Ivor Lewis (Blackwood). Counsel for plaintiffs were Mr. St. John Mickle- thwaite (instructed by Mr. E. Waddington, Usk), and for defendants Mr. A. F. Eaglebank (instructed by Messrs. Watson, Sons, and Roome, London). Mr. Micklethwaite, opening the case for plaintiffs, explained that the action was one brought by the plaintiffs to recover damages for personal injuries due to the negligence of the defendants. There were two defendants, and one, Ivor Lewis, a motor-cyclist, had not put in a defence, and it would be for his lordship to direct as to what course would be adopted in his case. It was for the jury to say whether plaintiffs were entitled to be compensated for the personal injuries' which they undoubtedly received as a result of an accident at Usk on June 13th, and as to whether the accident was due to the negligence of the motor driver. It was really a wonder that Mrs. Walters was not killed. The accident occurred on the 13th June. His client had driven to Newport, and on his return to Usk he went to the station to get a milk tin. Coming from the station a collision occurred between the trap, a motor-cycle and a motor-car. When people drove motor-cars along the road they should keep them under sufficient control so as to be able to pull up. I In this case lie would submit evidence to prove that the car had skidded 15 yards, which was an indication of the speed the car was pro- ceeding. The point of the road where the accident occurred was undoubtedly a dangerous one. Plaintiff stated that on the 13th June, after returning from Newport, lie went to Usk Station to get a milk tin. The horse walked quietly down from the station, and all he could remember afterwards was the motor-cycle going under- neath the horse. The rider had jumped off. The animal went down. Witness's wife was thrown out on to the horse, and witness fell out on the right side. As soon as he could get up lie saw a motor-car on top of the horse. His wife was also under the car. He pulled her out as quickly as he could. The animal was kicking like mad," and broke the shafts. The horse was so badly knocked about that it had to be shot. He claimed /40 for the horse, /8 for the trap, £3 for the harness, and "3 3s. doctor's bill. On resuming the hearing on Thursday morn- ing counsel for defendants submitted that there was no case against the driver of the motor-car. There was no allegation in the evidence that the car touched the plaintiffs. His Lordship ruled there was evidence to go to the jury. Miss Josephine May Morgan (daughter of defendant) who drove the car on the day in question, said the car was a 12-16 h.p. She had been driving a car for two years. When ap- preaching the railway bridge at Usk she was driving about 20 miles an hour. She first saw the horse and cart when 15 yards away, and she immediately applied the foot-b' ake. When the motor-cycle collided with the horse and trap witness would be about two lengths of the car away. When the car stopped the left fore wheel touched the horse's back. Cross-examined Witness did not sound her horn because it was a perfectly open road. Miss Gertrude Eleanor Morgan, sister to the previous witness, gave corroborative evidence. After an hour and halt's deliberation, the jury found that there was negligence on the part of the motor-car driver, and found against her for the value of the horse to {to. They found also against the motor-cyclist for damages as claimed for the trap and harness £ JI, doctor's fees £ 3 3s., and personal injuries to Mrs. Walker iio 10s. They found there was no injury caused to Mr. Walker as a result of the accident. The jury recommended that a danger signal be placed at this particular road. The Judge gave judgment for the plaintiffs in accordance with the finding of the jury, with costs. Should there be any extra cost occasioned by joining the female plaintiff in the case, those costs must be Mrs. Morgan's, and set off against the general costs of the action. HORSE WARRANTY CASE. I On Thursday the civil action was concluded in which the plaintiff was H. Partridge, of Part- y-Seal, Grosmont, Herefordshire, and the de- fendant J. Ferneyhough, horse breeder, The Lawns, Grosmont. The action was brought for I damages for alleged breach of warranty 011 the sale of a mare. Plaintiff alleged that he paid £ 45 to the defendant for a brood mare and colt on a warranty that the mare was in foal. The I mare, he said, proved not to be infoal. De- fendant stated that the mare was in foal. After, a lengthy hearing the jury returned a verdict for the defendant on the ground that there was a warranty and that the mare was in foal. Judgment was entered for the defendant, but the judge allowed plaintiff costs of the issue as to whether there was a warranty.

A V'T CF SrriO]LeS VIiI I clE;cz ?? ????.? ?.?. u'?.s-?i?\.? ?f?i. ?ji.?.,?? T t '¡; f- "1 I linn in ???hs.? ?- fA??r? of death. "i_t:¿.< -l \L.I.

SUBSCRSPTsONS TO VTOSAGOO FUNO. Previously 'J This week 0 14 6 !,97 IS 3 5s. (10 packets) Capt. C. H. Baker (otli contribution) 2s. It packets) Mr. W. H. Phillips. tS. 6d. (3 packets,) Miss E. A. Batehelor ilrs. Straker. tS. (2 packets): Miss Jones; Mrs. Cooper; Miss Prosser Mr. Manuel. 6d. (I packet) Mr. E. W. Brewer. The following is a copy of a letter received by an Abertillery contributor :— 10516 Lpe-Corpl. F. Beale, 1st Welsh Regiment. Dear Sir, Just a few lines to let you know I received your gift of cigarettes and tobacco, which was very acceptable. Thanking you very much for same, also for your thoughtufluess and kindness. I suppose you will be glad to hear that an old inhabitant of Abertillery re- ceived it. I have a brother living at 11, Blythe- street now, and any time you may pass that way, please call I am sure they will be pleased to see you. I shall forward your address to them, as by chance they might know you, as I have some recollection of you. Sorry, but must now conclude. 1 am, Yours respectfully, IF. BEAr.E. A

I "TOMMY." I I (By REDYARD KEITJNC). I I went into a public 'ouse to get a pint of beer, The publican e up an' sez, We serve no red- coats here." The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die, b "'co> I outc; into the street again an' to myself sez I 0 its Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' Tommy, go away But its'" Thank you, Mister Atkins," when the band begins to play, The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play, 0, its Thank you, Mister Atkins," when the band begins to play. I went into a theatre as sober as could be, They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me They sent me to the gallery, or round the Music 'alls, But when it comes to fightin', Lord they'll shove me in the stalls For its Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' Tommv, wait outside But it's Special train for Atkins when the trooper's on the tide, I 0 it's Special train for Atkins when the trooper's on the tide. Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while yon sleep Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit. Then it's Tommy this, an* Tommy that, an' Tommv, 'ow's yer soul ? But it's Thin red line of 'eroes when the drums begin to roll, I The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums I begin to roll, 0 it's Thin red line of 'croes when the drums begin to roll. We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too, But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancv paints, Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints While it's ,Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' Tommy, fall be'ind,' But, it's Please to walk in front, sir,' When there's trouble in the wind, There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind, I 0 it's Please to walk in front, sir,' when there's trouble in the wind. You talk of better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational. Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face, s not the sol d ier-iiiaii's The widow's uniform is not the soldier-man s disgrace,- For lu^ Tommy this, an Tommy that, an' Chuck him out, the brute But it's Saviour of 'is country when the guns begin to slioot-, Tommy that, an' any- .i% r? its 'f oil,- thing you please .n' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool—you bet that Tommy sees +

——— — LLANTiLLSO OR OSS EN NY. SUCCESSFUL SALE OF FARM STOCK.—Mr. Montague Harris conducted an important sale of farm stock at White House Farm, Llantillio Crossenny,on Thursday last,when, notwithstand- ing the inclement weather, an enormous company assembled, and prices ruled extreihelv high. Shropshire couples made up to 65s. Radnor couples up to 46s cows and calves up to ("IS 13s. whilst the Shire-bred cart mare" Black- I)i rd made --[75, and a verv handsome pitter /1)0. ♦»

COMFORTS FOR THE 2nd MONMOUTH- I SHIRES. Tu the CuronicleS' SIR,—Will you allow me through your paper to thank all those who have so promptly and generously responded to my appeal for comforts for the 2nd Monmouthshires, now at the front. I shall be very glad to continue to receive further gifts in money and kind, and we have opened a fund for this purpose at the Monmouth branch of the National Provincial Bank. We hear that the things sent out before Christmas have now arrived, and are much needed and appreciated. I am again sending out fortnightly parcels. I enclose a list of subscriptions, &c., received by Mrs. Cuthbertson and myself up to date, quite apart from the Mayor of Monmouth's fund and Miss Prothero's appeal to Newport and district, both of which have proved so helpful to the regiment. There are now the three centres for receiving gifts in money and kind, and we- need to persevere in our efforts, the necessity for which can only end with the war. I am. ?c.. F. J. MAUD GRAHAM. Hilston Park, Monmouth, Feb. 1. A summary of the list shows that the gifts already despatched from Hilston include 135 shirts, 839 mittens, cuffs and gloves, 44 Cardi- gans, 317 pairs of socks, 22S mufflers, Lt3 belts, 37 helmets, 12 flannel helmets, 2 boxes of chocolate, 16 boxes of cigarettes, 2 sets of play- ing cards, 7 pipes, 3 books, i vest, 300 handker- chiefs, and 2 pairs of stockings—total, i,ioo.I

Local Belgian Fund. I The following contributions have been kindlv sent to the Voluntary Labour Bureau :—Staff of Victoria St. Council Boys' School, i?s.  Also gifts froin Victoria St. Girls' School, ?sAlso -?ifts from Mrs. Davis (Goytre Hall). Mrs. Lloyd, Mr. Ruther, Mrs. Crawshay, Miss Dalliinore, Mr. '-Nli,,?s Dall i i-,io re, .N lr. Lowe, The Misses Jones, Mrs. Carr. +-

Abergavenny Troop Girl Guides.kll Guides to parade at General Market at 2.45 p.m. on Saturday next, certain.

Royal Engineers at Abergavenny. WORK COMMENCED IN EARNEST. The Royal Engineers at Abergavenny com- menced engineering work in earnest on Thurs- day, the engineering equipment and the neces- sary implements having arrived. The following was the programme arranged 123rd Company :—Engineer drill in Castle meadows; trestle making at Thomas &; Co. 's field knotting and lashing cutting brush- wood on river bank cutting pickets for tracing cutting pickets for high wire entanglements, 5ft. making cradle for facities making facines. 124th Field Company :—Trace entrench- ments near bridge (north) cut and remove sods for making fire trenches communication trenches and shelter trenches. 151st Field Company ;—Make field kitchens, near bridge on opposite side of river (south) gun epaulment gun pit cutting brushwood and pickets prepare the ground for making huts making brushwood sabions. 43rd Signal Company :—Section drill in Bailey Park. Owing to the inclement weather, the work had to be abandoned. The Town Council had, however, placed the spacious Market-liall at the disposal of the Engineers, and the bridging material was carried into the hall and instruc- tion was given in trestle-making, etc., in prepar- ation for bridge building. The drivers of all units were assembled in the Town Hall, where lectures were given on horse management and the care of horses. Others were engaged in knotting, lashing and splicing ropes, while the Signal Company were engaged in semaphore and flag signalling. One of the companies was put through musketry practice in the Drill Hall, the rifles having been kindly lent by Lieut. Nyhan. Friday s orders were a contmuaUon of yester- day's programme, and it is expected that bridge building will be commenced next week, if the weather is ifne. The first completed trestle made by the 123rd Field Company, under Capt. Lamonby, was photographed as a memento of the occasion, this being the first trestle made under the auspices of the Welsh Army Corps. Recruits of an excellent type are coining in at the rate of about 20 a day. Carpenters, wheel- wrights, shoeing smiths, coopers, bricklayers, masons, drivers (men who have been used to horses) are particularly required. If they will communicate by postcard or otherwise with headquarters, arrangements will be made for their attestation and railway warrants will be issued where necessary.

Niaiiidi-et, Red Gross Hospital. The following gilts liave been receivc-l during the past fortnight :— Milk.—-Mrs. Frkhard, Glendo.ver, 1 gallon weekly Mr.. Rogers, Crowfield, i gallon, v;eekly: :\ÍLS. J olnson, i gallon :1: Davies, Rock Villa, i gallon weekly Sir Ivor Herbert, week I r Tr:,ex, Llanovei, 3 gallons weekly Mrs. Sanford, Triley Court, 2 gallons skimmed milk twice weekly Mrs. Jones, Llandilo Pertholev, gallon dailv. Eggs.—Mrs. C. Martin, The Hill, 94 Mrs. Graham, Hilston Park. 12 Miss Jackson, Ervn- deri, 20 Sir Arthur Herbert, (cooking). Vegetables and Fruit,—Sir Arthur Herbert, Cold brook, vegetables and apples weekly Mrs. Davies, Court Morgan, vegetables Mrs. Wil- liams, Llwyndu Court, sack of potatoes Mrs. Jones, Styvos, apples and potatoes; Mrs. Lemmon, cabbages weekly Mr. Ruther, cabbages and other vegetables when required United. Planters Co., case of oranges. Chickens'.—Mrs..Harris, Llwyndu. 1 couple. Uread.—Mrs. I'ichards, h;bs? I | Butter.—Mrs. Maddox, lib. Jam.—Mrs. Peake, 7lbs. ?- r Lil:;Ir.ea(ll?:: Hilstcn Park, four jerseys and four pairs mittens. jerseys and four pairs mittens Mr. Partridge Grosmont, cast-on clothes. Miscellaneous.—One locker, Mr. Morris, Triley Bridge, Mardy. One trick of coal, 8 otns 1 i cwt., Sir Ivor Herbert and Llanover Trustees hauled free of charge by Mr. J. Gill. Football, given by Hereford Road Boys' School. Illustrated napers Air. Johnsun. A

BOROUGH THEATRE. Next week the Borough Theatre will be opened on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, when Mr. Cyril Vernon will present the famous plav, Forget-me-not." The entire production il carried from The Little Theatre, London, and an extremely powerful Company includes Miss Florence Tyrell. Forget-me-not has now been played over 4.000 times, and its recent revival at The Little Theatre gave an added impetus to its already great popularity. The ladies' dresses are by Messrs. Bone Sceurs, Yvonne et Cie. and Swan & Edgars, and the whole production justifies its title nearly every town it visits. MISS FLORENCE TYRRELL, Who 1 -s appearing in Forget-Me-Xot at the Borough Theatre. Berotif,,12

SUEZ CANtH. RAiDS. ENEMY AGAIN DRIVEN OFF, IAIKO, i liurs.. ay. At daybreak yesterday the enemy advanced on the post at Tusum, where they attempted to cross the canal on Tuesday night, and their artillerv bombarded Tusum and SeraDdlm. Our artillery, supported by fire ships in the canal, replied. The enemy tried to cross the ca::al an rafts, but retired at 3 in the aftirnoon with loss of eight officers and numerous dead, while 2S2 more prisoners were taken. Our losses were two officers and 13 r.cr. killed, and 15 wounded. At El Kantara the enemy also attempted to cross, but were driven off. leaving 21 killed and 25 wounded, and 25 unwounded prisoners. The enemy's force consisted of 1.200 men and six batteries The Press Association says although the figure 1,200 is correct as received, it is probable, in view of the fact that six batteries were en- gaged, that the Turkish force was 12,000 strong. —PRESS ASSOCIATION".

TH E COLISEUM NEXT WEEK. A splendid programme has been arranged tor the Coliseum next week, which will give the utmost pleasure to patrons. Among the special attractions is the first visit of Maud Walsh (comedienne and dramatic monologuist), and Barry Ono (versatile comedian)—the Ladv -aryl the Chauffeur, in their enthralling and patriotic act A place on the map." The dramatic and humorous pictures are all of the best, and include The Ex-Convict," which is a regular thriller (in two parts), Wheels of Destiny." which is verv exciting and, for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the exclusive picture The Lost Mail Sack," which is claimed to be the most sensational picture ever screened. There is a great attraction for Tuesday night in the wel- come return visit of Henry Chattell and Inez Howard's Co. in that stirring drama. The Midnight Wedding." The pictures to be screened to-night (Friday) and to-morrow (Saturday) are well worth seeing, and include the novel and extraordinary drama, in two parts, entitled An Illegal Raffle," and a topical war picture, Joffre nibbling at 'em." These were inuch appre- ciated bv a large audience last night (Thursday).

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS- MARRIAGES. BAKER—TORRY.—On the 2Sth ult., at the Parish Church of Saint Edward the King, Cambridge, by the Rev. J. Tait Plowden- Ward low, M. A., Vicar-Chaplain, Reginald Lawrence-Baker, Captain 3rd Battalion the Monmouthshire Regiment, to Grace Helen Torry, of Derrystone, Abergavenny. DAVIES—-JENKINS.—On February 3rd. 1915, at St. Mary's Church, Cambridge (by special licence), Sergt. Arthur F. Davies, A Company. 3rd Mon. Regt., Cambridge, and of 53. Cross- street, Abergavenny, to Mary Elizabeth Jenkins, youngest daughter of Mrs. Jenkins, Llangenuy, nr. Crickhowell. STEEL-BIDDELL.-On February 3rd, at St. George the Martyr, Southwark (very quietly owing to the war), by the Rev. C. H. L. Wright, Vicar of Playford, assisted by the Rev. W. G. Someville, Vicar of the Parish, Owen Dyne Steel. Captain 3rd Monmouth- shire Regiment, eldest son of Colonel W. D. Steel, M.D. (late commanding the Vd Mon- mouthshire Regt.), to Juliana, daughter of Mr. Biddell, Archway House, Playford, Ipswich. DEATHS. JO-NE"On January 30th, at Bryn-Usk, Abergavenny, John Alexander, infant son "f F. Trevor and May Jones. ..&.

Abergavenny Union. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS. NOTlCI IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Accounts for the past Quarter, which have been passed by the Finance Committee, will he paid at the Union Offices, Monk-street, Abergavenny, on Monday next, the 8th of February inst., at from 10 to I I o'clock in the forenoon, and all persons having claims against the Guardians are requested to apply for pay- ment of the same during the hour named. Dated this 5th dav of February, 1915. W. H. P. "SCANLON, Clerk to the Guardians.   ?t J- INDIRGJKN JONBS CO-,