Abergavenny Chronicle

I National Children's Orphanage. I HOUSE-TO-HOUSE COLLECTION AT ABER- GAVENNY. Arrangements have been made for a house-to- house collection in Abergavenny during the week ending May 20th, on behalf of the work of the National Children's Home and Orphanage. This Home was founded 46 years ago by Dr. T. Bow- man Stephenson. It began with the rescue of two boys, and it has grown to be one of the largest child-saving institutions in the country. While its primary purpose is the saving and training of destitute children, provision is also made for those who are orphaned, crippled and otherwise afflicted. The children are received irrespective of creed or locality, need being the determining factor in respect of their admission. The Home has received motherless children of soldiers who have been called to the front, children of Belgian refugees, and the orphans of soldiers and bailors who have fallen in the service of their country. Applications for the admission of such children are being received daily, and the Committee are anxious to help to the utmost these bereft little ones. The erection of a sanatorium at Harpenden, a recent development of the work, has already proved of incalculable benefit to a number of children threatened consumption. The Home has branches in London, Lan- cashire, Birmingham, Farnborcugh (Hants), Cheshire, Isle of Man, Yorkshire, South Wales, Hertfordshire, Alverstoke, Chipping Norton, Oxted, Doddington (Kent), and Canada. At present 2,400 are being cared for and trained. The children receive a good elementary educa- tion, and a number of them have from time to time taken scholarships and passed I<ondon and other University Arts Examinations. There are excellent farm colonies in connection with some of the branches, thus enabling the boys and girls to be trained in farm and dairy work. Trades, e.g., printing, tailoring, shoemaking, and knitting are being taught, while careful training is also given in domestic and laundry work. The best is done to prepare the children for suitable positions in the world. The Emigration Centre at Hamilton, Canada, is an immense benefit to the lads who go there year by year. More than 2,500 have emigrated to this land of opportunity since the work was begun, and 10,000 have passed through the Home. At least 95 per cent. of these have done well, a fact of which the Home is greatly proud. The Principal, Rev. W. Hodson Smith, will be pleased to supply reports and particulars to friends making application to him at the Chief Offices, 104/122 City Road, London, E.C. or Mr. Albert Taylor, 28, Merthyr-road, Aberga- venny. who is the local honorary secretary, will also be pleased to give information respecting the work of the Home, and also to welcome such assistance as friends may be able to give. 300 children have been admitted into the Home from Wales and Monmouthshire. ————

ABERGAVENNY BOROUGH I' TRIBUNAL. BUSINESS MEN'S D'FFICULTCASES. I The AU'g:iv<:v.iv Borough Iribunal had }yl:ore tlifcin on Monday night 2 cases. Most of the wvrc those of married iiien, and tho presented some difficulty on account of the "fcu^uiesri -,ilities of the applicants. T'he Town Clerk, reported thac there had been 10 appeal:, from their decisions to the Appeal Tribunal a.ud that of these thre* v-ere granted temporary eX'r.ption, three conditional ex- •*j!notion and tour were dismissed Councillor Graham asked if it wc-re possible for them to object to any of these decisions. The Mayor said he understood that the Tribunal could r-.view any case ar. any time they feit so disposed, i: the circnmstan* warranted them in doing s, Single and Married Men an Business. I The first case was that of o <0.1-: man in I business as a r^eelsman ami corti merchant, who his shopman was called up he was now carrying on with the assistance uz a hoy. Councillor Plowman said there were married men and single men in business, and it was difficult to know what to do. Councillor Palmer said that tii^y. as the local Tribunal, should be the best c)f the cir- cumstances. The point raiseii by Councillor Plowman was one that weigheu heavily with 1 in. The Army wanted men, ar.- i they were going to open the gate lie did net Know where tiiey would be presently. Councillor Graham said that i: they were going to exclude single men in business he did not see how they could refu><: to exempt one married man in business. Councillor Plowman said the question was vhetlier the business was of national importance. They must take each case on its merits. Mr. H. B. Stc-cken suggested that they had "b-^ter adjourn the case for a week. The Mayor There will be a Ir.t of alteration in a w?k and .?lestion whether the Tribunals i;: a R-i??k an?i :Liestion whet-' Mr. (lower Andrews (military representative) s-:d he did not think it would be_a bad^idea to adjourn these cases. The Mayor: We won't ge: any further in- formation for a month. It will be some time- before all the details of the Bill are settled. The Town Clerk said he had 50 ur 60 more claims from married men already. The Mayor suggested that they should take the list as it stood and agree to the recommenda- ti :0115 cf the Advisory Committee The Advisory Committee had recommended two months' exemption in this ca>e. and this was agreed to. A butcher who had been recommended ex- emption till June 1St had been examined and declared medically unfit, and the Tribunal^there- fcre could not deal with the c '• « The Tribunal adopted the reo. rninendatiou of tiie Advisory Committee that a single grocer be exempted till July ist. A warehouseman, who had already been given two periods of exemption, again applied on the ground that he was the support 01 a widowed mother. He said he had two brothers serving in the Army and his mother received 5s. yd. from them. but she had not yet got the Government allowance in respect of either. One month's exemption was granted. One Son Killed.. A baker, in applying for his son. said one son had been killed at the front and this was the only ocie he had left. He had no wife and no one wiaatever to help him besides. Ke was patriotic aid he knew the call was an urgent one, but if he had no one to assist him he could not carry on and meet his liabilities. He was not strong -enough to do the baking himself, and only did tne delivering. He thought his was a hard case. The Mayor We are here to do the best we can for the country, and we are in great difficul- ties about men at the present time. One month's exemption was granted, and applicant was told that he must find a substitute. A tailor asked for temporary exemption, owing to the illness of his mother. Ke had been ex- amined and passed for home service. The Tribunal gave him till June 1st A baker, who said he was the support of his acred parents, aged 75 and 72, was given ex- emption till July 1st. A printers' packer, aged H), claimed that he was the sole support of his widowed mother, said, in reply to questions, that he had two married sisters in Abergavenny and a single sifter in service. The application was refused. A tailor and draper, a single man, in business on his own account, said that if he were to join the colours it would bring about financial difficulties and might mean closing the business. Temporary exemption till j nly 1st was granted. i Councillor Graham said that in another case, v. r.ich was practically on a par, they had given si*: months' exemption. Mr. Gower Andrews said he was going to ask fe., a review of that case. Messrs. Foster & Hill, in. applying for a married plumber, aged 26, said that 30 of their had joined, and this was the first instance in which they had asked for exemption. He was the only man they had Li that particular department. Exempted till July 1st. Local Firm's Difficulties. J A stationery binder and guillotine operator was applied for by Messrs. Seargeant Bros., who said that so large a number of their skilled workers had been called up for military service that it was only with extreme difficulty and by constant overtime that they were able to carry 02. This man was engaged on Government contracts and the had a large number of orders considerably in arrears. They had advertised extensively for skilled labour, without satis- factory results. [a replv to questions, Mr. \V. P. Cooper said they had lost about 50 men and they were still advertising. This man was tl e only cutter they had, and the firm were left practically single- handed in every department. If the Tribunal took the men away he would have to seriously consider whether it would not be better to close f 1 f)W"1 I Councillor Palmer What training otee:s ? Mr. Cooper It takes seven years to learn the trade. Councillor Palmer Is that c-.Li ? (Laughter) The war will be over by then. Mr. Cooper I hope so, but it seems rather dubious. Ln reply to Dr. Glendinning, Mr. Cooper said that cut of all their advertisements they had only succeeded in getting two men. Councillor Palmer Are you really serious in saying that seven years woulc be occupied in becoming quite proficient ? Mr. Cooper That is the term c: apprentice- ship laid down by the federation. Councillor Palmer Quite so, but they have to be varied in war time. Exemption till July 1st was granted. A grocer, in applying for his married assistant, said his son had to join and fre assistant was the only one left to him He was quite indispensable to the conduct of the business. In reply to questions, applicant said, I don't think anyone would expect me, at 60 years of age, to carry on without assistance, but if the Tribunal say I must, well, I must try to do so." exemption till July 1st was grained. The licensee of a public-horse in his claim, said he met with an accident four or five years ago, while farming, and had to take lighter work. By Councillor Palmer His wife would not be able to carry on the business, owing to the con- dition of her health. Applicant was also represented by his father, wrio said he had a son working at Ebbw Vale, but he had received notice under the Military Service Act. Applicant was exempted till Jniv ist. Not Old Enough. I A grocer ir. business on his ■. v. n account said there Was no one to carry on the business. It was a populous neighbourhood, and there was no other business of the kind within a quarter of a mile Since sending in his claim lie had a son, •five weeks old. The Mayor Is he old enough b • take charge of the business ? (Laughter) Exemption till the 1st of July was granted. An outfitter- claimed that hardship would ensue if he were called up. owing t" his business obligations. There was no one tc take charge, and it would cause financial embarrasment. He l was married since xational registration. Exempted till July 1st. A firm of multiple shop propnete rs applied for their grocer's manager and assistant. A repre- sentative of the firm said that three out of a staff of five ad joined. It was practically im- possible to replace managers in the grocery and provision trade. If the assistant was exempted# lie wanted to take him to manage the branch at Al>ertillery. Councillor Graham said that applicant should not hesve said that. It did not help his claim. I The Mayor said applicant had made a slip when he again referred to putting the assistant as manager at Abertillery. Applicant Well. I am not the first who has made a mistake, and I don't suppose I shall he the last. It was stated that the manager had two children, and the assistant four children under seven and an ailing wife. The Tribunal exempted the assistant till July 1st. and the application in respect of the manager was refused. A Merthyr firm applied for a hay cutter, who is working 011 hay supplies for the collieries and is ahu the licensee of a local public-house. The application was refused. A saddler and rope dealer said he was the part owner of another shop in Abergavenny and of one in Ebb", Yale. He claimed that his business was important, as he supplied agriculturists. Exempted till Julv 1st. A local baker applied for his bread foreman, aged nS. He also had an application oil his own behalf. He baked 3,000 loaves per week, and he wa:- working with two men short, inside, and one short outside. He had another man in group (4. If applicant went, there was no one to carrv on the business. The foreman was given one month's exemption and the employer was exempted till the 1st of August. [ Didn't Give the Correct Age. I A slaughterman, whose case had been ad- journed on a question of age, again appeared, and the employer stated he had ascertained that the man was H) years and some months old. Mr. Gower Andrews Could not the butchers co-operate with regard to slaughtering The Employer It might be possible. The application was refused, and the Mayor, addressing the man who was applied for, said that the National Registration Act required everv person to give their proper name, age and addre-s. Why did he not give his correct age ? He had caused a lot of trouble by not doing so, and he was liable to severe penalties. In future, if he was asked for any information he had better uive it correctly. A marine store dealer again applied for his son. aged 40, and asked for a little time to make certain arrangements. One month was granted.

I TRANSPORT REFORM. I T" t'-f Editor of the Abergavenny Chronicle." Sin.—A correspondent has kindly, though belatedly, forwarded to me an issue of the Abergavenny Chronicle containing a letter signed" Economist and bearing the date Feb. 7th. in which the actual shocking condition of our railways is summarised with admirable truth ami bre\ity, and the remedy—the establishment at our principal fading centres of properly equipped goods-clearing houses, is indicated. CL the 22nd of J annary of the present year a of articles from my pen has been appear- ing in the columns of your London contemporary, The Outlook," the scope and tone of which may lie gathered from the opening paragraph of the article, which ran as follows :— Mv object in writing this series of articles is to p" ro ve to the British community at large that the British railway system is what a few people in Great Britain have long known it to be, the ctir. of the country. I should doubt if the all- beholding e' ve of day has ever looked upon the like of it. Considered scientifically, it is a howling absurdity considered economically and financially, a mass, of ruin; considered moraliv, a cesspool of corruption considered socially, a spreading gangrene. Among many rotten .sp~ots in the body corporate, it is by many decrees lhe rottenest. Year after year, tens of thousands of tons of agricultural produce rot in British fields and orchards because our monstrous raihvav rates prohibit its profitable transport to market year after year more and more acres of British arable soil pass under grass. The min o: British agriculture, the depletion of our peasantry, are entirely the work of our railways. In time of peace they are, and have. been for man' vears past, a heavy clog on the trade, commerce, and industry of England, and a potent benefactor to England's most dangerous trading competitors. They are and have been the cause of the loss, to the British community, of a minimum of four hundred million pounds per annum, and since the outbreak of the present war thev have occasioned the loss of the lives of many thousands of British, French, and Belgian soldiers." I On April 8th this series of articles came to an end. chough it is still being supplemented in the columns of the" Outlook" as occasion offers. The final paragraph of the final article ran as follow? The British railway system is to-day what, than sixty years ago, Charles Dickens declared the Court of Chancery to be—' the most pestilent of hoary sinners before the face of God.' It is a truly dreadful commentary on English public life, and on the honour of English public men, that such a Babylonian edifice of fraud, cemented bv human blood and buttressed by monstrous mendacity, should have been per- mitted to grow to such proportions, and to endure so long." This tremendous indictment "•—I cull the phrase from the columns of the" Pall Mall Gazette ''—proved up to the hilt and beyond it, and reinforced by all necessary detail, has been allowed to pass absolutely without contradiction by tlie wealthy and powerful body of men who control our railways. Not one word of denial or extenuation has been offered to the editor of the Outlook," an old-established Conservative weekly of wide circulation and considerable in- fluence. The Railway News," the organ of the railway companies, made a feebly sarcastic reference to the articles, in the course of which it advi-ed that I should be appointed President of the Board of Trade. I replied on April 15th. offering to transfer my campaign to the columns of The Railwav News itself. If the Editor of the Railwav News does really and tauly mean a fight to a finish, the briefest line to that eftect addressed to the Editor of the Outlook will suffice. I am not merely ready, but eager, to meet the defenders of our railway system. ill their own familiar camping-ground, and to prove, in the columns of their own journalistic organ, ,i. great deal more than all-that I have alleged 111 the neutral pages of the Outlook." I am still awaiting an answer to my chalengc. I desire in this connection, to make one or ¡ two categorical statements. The appalling condition of our railway system ¡ and the irightful results of that condition on British trade, commerce, and military efficiency are oerfectly well known to the Member of Parliament for the Northern Division of Mon- mouthshire, the Rt. Hon. Reginald McKenna, Chan eilor of the Exchequer, of whose con- stituency the town of Abergavenny is a most Important part. I The existence of a remedy for that condition, a modified adaptation of Mr. A. W. Gattie's goods- clearing house scheme, which would restore our j rilwaY3 to at least the very moderate degree of emciency they possessed before the outbreak of war, a remedy advocated by many of the greatest en"in--<-rs and economists now alive, and capable of instant application, is also perfectly well known to Mr. McKenna. The fact that the only obstacle to the applica- tion of the remedy is the opposition of one single j individual, Mr. William Francis Marwood, Chief of the Raihvav Department of the Board of Trade, a person whom I have, in the columns of the Chttlook," paradoxically but accurately described as an obscure clefk in a Government office and as the most powerful individual in the British Empire,' is also perfectly well know:: to Mr. McKenna. Tii' fact that he could, by one single author- itative utterance, end a condition of affairs which is costing the country millions ot pounds per day, and bring about a reform which, in its commercial and social results, would be comparable only to the introduction of the locomotive, is also per- fectly well known to Mr. McKenna. I most earnestly desire and solicit that the electors of North Monmouthshire will afiord me the opportunity of repeating these statements from a public platform in the presence of their Parliamentary representative, the Rt. Hon. Keg: .jd McKenna, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Believe me, Sir, yours faithiully. HENRY.MURRA\ 6, Air .-dale Avenue, Chiswick, London, I

Cricklsowell Board of Guardians. I Mr. Gwilym C. James presided at the fort- nightly meeting of this Board on Monday, at the Town Hall, Crickhowe! when there were present Rev. W. Arvon Da vies, and Messrs. T. M. Williams, W. (V. James, T. Price, W. G. Watkins, T. J. Thomas, J. H. Jones, R. J. Jones, Wm. Jones. David Thomas, T. U. Jones, E. Pirie Gordon, Enoch Williams, W. Rosser, and Evan Williams. RESIGNATION" OF THi: TRSE. I A letter was read from Nurse Megan Evans, resigning her post as nurse at the workhouse infirmary. Nurse Evans, who has been in- disposed for some time, said she regretted having to take this step, and thanked the Guardians, Master, and Dr. Hill for the kindness and con- sideration shown to her. Dr. Hill (Medical Officer of Health) said he was sorry to hear of the resignation of Nurse Evans, who was an admirable officer. She carried out her duties faithfully and well. Mr. Wm. Jones said it was a very difficult matter to get a nurse nowadays. They were scarce, and commanded good salaries. The Chairman said they must do the best they could in the circumstances. They were sorry to lose Nurse Evans, but there was no help for it. It was decided, after further discussion, that the matter of finding a successor should be left to the Master and Clerk. COUNTY corxcil. PRECEPT. I The Clerk said he had received the Breconsliire County Council precept for J -1,658, which was £500 more than the preceding one. The county rate was rod. apart from education, and he was afraid the benefit by reducing the local rates would not be so much after all, and this was due to the county rate. He hoped, however, that subsequent precepts would show a reduction. I BOARDING OUT. The Board decided to hold a Boarding-out I Committee on Thursday, the 17th May, at Trafalgar House, Brynmawr.

Llanwenarth Ultra Parish Council. I The annual meeting of the above Council was held at the British School, Govilon, on Wednes- day, April 19th. Ilresent Messrs. J. Davies, J. Allen, W. Morgan, W. Pendry and J. Watkins. Mr. J. Davies, who presided pro tem., proposed the re-election of Mr. W. Morgan as chairman for the ensuing year. Mr. Wm. Morgan, in thanking the Council for the honour they proposed to confer upon him, said he had held the office for several years, but had felt more strongly each year that a change would be better for the business of the Council. He had now finally decided not to take the office for the ensuing year, and proposed the election of Mr. J. Davies. Mr. Pendry seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr. J. Davies, in accepting the office, paid a tribute to the long and faithful service Mr. Morgan had rendered to the Council, and ex- pressed his regret that Mr. Morgan could not be persuaded to hold office for another year. On the motion of Mr. Pendry, seconded by Mr. Allen, Mr. Watkins was elected vice-chair- man. Mr. Morgan proposed, and Mr. Pendry I seconded, the re-election of the overseers, Messrs. J. Davies and J. Watkins, who accepted the office. Messrs. D. J. Davies and A. G. Gwillym were elected as the Council's representatives on the Board of Managers for Llanwenarth Ultra and Pwlldu, respectively, for the ensuing 12 months. Mr. Watkins reported that the condition of a well in Hwyl-y-bwlla lane, near Mount Pleasant, had been reported to the Surveyor, who had promised to attend to it as soon as possible. Mr. Morgan stated that there was nothing to add to the report as to Cothan's path at the last meeting. Mr. Pendry again pointed out that the wages offered were below current prices, in spite of the* increase which the Council had made. It was decided, however, that it was a question of shortage of labour, and not a matter of wages. It was decided to hold the next meeting in June. I ▲

summon FARMER?T Sfuc?fhcHeaIth<of [ YOUR LIVE STOCK. I The success of the Lambing and Calving L Season depends largely on the readl- f V l ness with which emergencies and sudden n illness can be met. ?—— —-—   1 ■ 1 11 ff reliable ESSENTIALS Yj < RED DRENCH.-For -,Clotisiltg" H > Cows and Ewes. Fevers, Loss of Cud. Price (Ewes), 3/0 ftt d-.t (Cow* ta/. pu Jul; Tins, 12/- end ^23/. each. GASEOUS FLUID.-Fo, Chills, Movea. A restorative for all weakly Animals. Price 20/- per dot. Bottle*. CHEMICAL EXTRACT.-Fo, j Aeoiatiiig after Parturition, Sores, Wonnda, Ac. f Price 2/8 ood 3/0 per Bottle. 1 C U RDOLIX.-For 5coor or Dtarrtwaa, t White or Qreen Sldt. &c, t Price 2/- U4 per Bottle 1 Qwrt Tin, T/tt. Saul PC ft) Lnjkt 404. md fiM txvMaUn. J H E, W I T T,

A "LIGHT" ON THE SUBJECT. I The light of other days Is faded, And all their glories past The lamps no longer look as they did— How long is this to last ? The town in gloom is nightly shrouded. One cannot go about, When every pane of glass is clouded Inside as well as out. The lamps no longer ornamental, Might just as well come down It makes one feel quite sentimental When passing through the town. The Daylight Saving Bill a farce is The flight of Time no man can stop; Suppose we all go out to Tarsus., And let such stupid nonsense drop; The Bill may pass, we question will it All we can do is wait and see And if opponents fail to kill it. Don ituir. writes so mote it be And the grass has donned its greenest hue. The latest fad, "saving daylight," is about to follow saving gaslight," which has recently been a compulsory measure. The former is not measured by meter, hence there can be no economy in adopting any saving clause. Some quarrymen in a hamlet not a hundred miles away were visited every Saturday by the butcher, and when the men saw him they knew it was the end of the week. On one occasion deep now kept the butcher at home, and the men went on with their work, and on the Monday one said. Bill, this is a main long week." And it must have been, as they had lost the Saturday and had entered a second week and all through the delay of the meat supply. The clock-hands had nothing to do with the quarry-hands. Custom may accom- plish much, and as Time goes on it may be con- venient to hasten the dawn of next Christmas I Day by manipulating the clock. I Let Dogs Deligbt to Bark, Not Bite. I The dogs and cats have resumed their wander- ings, and, being real midnight marauders, and I the darkness more intense than formerly, an old boot or a brick might fall far short of the mark, I even if the spot from which the sound emanated could be located. Little gaps in fences are speedily enlarged, and unless some drastic measure be adopted we shall have the proverbial carriage and four driving through by and by. As to the flowers that bloom in the spring, tra-la-la," they have already done their share of shine," but we fear the fate of the June roses and the blooms that lie low and make the summer summery—and the summary of it all is, let the owners of defective fences be instructed to repair them and leave intruders to the tender mercy of the tenant; and, like the street lamps, they will soon be forgotten. The lawn mowers begin to sing their old sweet song" at early dawn ) and through the dav. 8th Mav, 1916. DUSTY BOB. j

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. I LIEUT. E. LLEWELLIN'S EXPERIENCES. Mr. W. Llewelliu has received an interesting letter from his brother, Lieut. E. Llew-Ilin, who is at the front. In the course of his epistle, Lieut. Lie well in says We have made another move since I wrote you, but although it was to a village only a mile away from where we were then, it was anything but pleasant. The weather was very bad, and the accommodation here was simply rotten, the horse lines being up to the horses' bellies in mud, with about 18 months' accumulation of manure and muck about. The French have made wonderful trenches and dug-outs, and have provided excellent accommodation for stabling and watering their horses, but absolutely no sanitary arrangements. Very few houses are provided with privies, and they never dreamt of removing stable manure, with the result that the yards or small orchards generally in which the stables have been erected were mountains high with heaps of same. With about 1,500 horses in a small area, you may imagine the state of things Our men have been pretty busy since we have been here, clearing it away, other- wise things would be unbearable when the warm weather comes. I visited a city. a few miles away, a fortnight ago, and it was an eye-opener. All the principal buildings and most of the streets are in absolute ruins. Very few civilians are seen, as most of them have done a hunk,' leaving their belongings behind them. I went to one of our observation posts close to our front line, which was quite close to the city, from which we had a fine view of the Hun trenches and for a couple of miles behind. We put a few shells across, just for registering purposes, but .tnings were then fairly quiet. Last Sunday week the Huns shelled a village only three- quarters of a mile from here. They put in 230 shells within an hour. We are on higher ground, and had a good view of the bombardment. We could see civilians running from the village and hiding behind haystacks. The village was packed with troops, and we thought there would have been a number of casualties. Next day we went across and were rather surprised to hear that there had only been one casualty, a Tommy slightly wounded. Several horses and cows had been killed and many houses had been badly knocked about. It seems when the first shell came across the troops got into dug-outs, &c., and thus escaped. The grounds around a large chateau in the village were fairly honeycombed with shell-holes, and yet the building itself escaped untouched. We had a little excitement last Saturday night. Just as we had turned in for the night, what we thought was a shell burst close by, followed immediately by a second I explosion. We immediately jumped up and put on our breeches and boots and got outside our hut. We could hear an aeroplane overhead, and found that it had dropped two bombs. Opinions differed as to where the bombs had dropped, but the general opinion was that they were only about 100 yards away. We could hear another aeroplane approaching, and it turned out to be one of our own, and it soon drove the Ern away. Next morning we found that the bombs had dropped in an open field more than half a mile away, doing no damage beyond making a couple of (leecift-sized holes in the ground. Things have been fairly quiet out here lately, but the weather has been too bad to enable much to be done. We get a fine day, followed by two or three wet and cold ones. It is really wonderful how cheerful the Tommies are through it all. All leave has been suspended and all I officers and men on leave have been ordered to return and rejoin their units. Whether it means I that we are going to make a push 'tis hard to say, but it looks like it. I think we ought to be able to ginger them up a bit now. I have I been out here nine weeks now, and if I am in luck's way and leave again starts, I ought to be able to get mine in six or seven weeks Lime."

I Among the Sinn Feiners. Col. W. Williams has handed us a letter which he has received from one of his old boys, Alfred H. Gwatkin, of the R.A.M.C., who, describing his experiences in Ireland, says :■— We have had a splendid time in Ireland. We spent a lot of our time at Limerick with field days and route marches. We were also on with dug-outs really most interesting work. We used to march six miles to the place of operations, and each sub-section would be told within what bounds its patients were. Of times we went four or six miles over the moorlands looking for the patients, who would be hidden amongst the heather. The land round here was very peaty and we would often come across peat 1 u. f stacked to dry. I remember on one march we passed a huge peat bed, from which they were taking peat, and one of our officers (a native of those parts) told us it was one of the largest peat beds in the South if not the whole of Ireland. Near I/merick and running towards Tipperary is o "rl(- known as the Golden Vale.' The land I here is very fertile and there are good pastures. It ;s chiefly dairv produce that comes from here, and the cream/ etc., is bought up by Messrs. Cleeves, who have large factories in Limerick. The surrounding scenery is delightful, especially towards Castle Conncll, which is a place about eight miles up the Shannon, and at a village called Adare, which is about ten miles to the west. Here there is a tobacco plantation, owned. I believe, by the Earl of Dunraven. About Dundalk I am not able to say very much, as we were not there very long and had no time to visit the various places of interest. Boats, loaded with cattle, leave here two or three times a week for Liverpool. During my stay in Ireland I found the people most hospitable and generous. There were very few times when we were not treated courteously. The only exceptions were when we met anv of the Sinn Feiners, but then we took but little notice of them, as we knew their ideas. I remember well the time the trouble broke out with the Nationalist Volun- teers because the latter were standing by England in the war. The Sinn Feiners seem to be as much detested by the Irish as they are by the English, now they have rebelled. From what we saw of them, they were well armed, and used to parade constantly. However, it is to be hoped that the whole affair will soon be at an end. It would be a mistake to judge the whole of the Irish by these few."

?!? LLOYDS BANK ) .4\¡. LIMITED it L?L) ZAirAIJt LJ! LjLr??Jt LJt' E. C U ? ??? '? HEAD OFFICER LOMBARD ST E C- AL?IZ,?MSCRM-ED-L 3 t,304.?00 CAHTALEABDUP? ??????? 5.008.672. RE?BRVE FUND- 3.6 00.000 DEPOSITS, ETC. 1 30.504,4<)0 ADVANCES. ETC 5 5.008,88 3 FRENCH AUXILIARY-LLOYDS BANK (FRANCE) LliWITED ? c'?aaMMisaa?af?nt?'M??. ?.?????- ,?'?-?????. ?.t?m  ?'<ttE"r—'—" i r'?-?? ? An.:n.a.I SaXee Tt'?t.??t 100,0S>0« B HaS secured the HIGHEST AWAEDJ IN EUROPE. Nk It bas a LARGER SALE than any other Separator sold in Great Britain. IT IS GUARANTEED TEN YEARS. I ''? W?BT ??' ? Capacity, 15 £ 3 15 0 £ ?? ?it??tMNB ??'? 27 zs io o ??!Srttt ?'2 ? SO „ ??0 50? jn No. 3 „ 82 „ ?5150 | Compare prices with otherz. HB One Month's Fee 71>i.1. ? R.J. FL'LLWUOD a BLA\P. ?!-35. R?c?dci St.. '-ndnn.  B I."D. ".35. D, S t..1.  ——  RALEIGH THE ALL-STEEL BICYCLE K and enjoy your wee k -end s. MM GUARANTEED FOR EVER I Fitted with Dunlop Tyres and S '? Jpa||»A Tf\ i Sturmey Archer Tri-Coaster. jl Prices from iC7 10. to -ZlG I i3se f ?'???? Send a Post Ca? /bf The Book of ? ??/i." ■ ??J 2?<? ABERGAVENNY Abergavenny Cycle C\, 52 fi I' Œ Cross Street. I!MS, ^PT\\ CWM W. A. 83ullon & Co., 5, § Camming St. & 133, Marine St. g| II I r '¿7 li' CRICKHOWELL Percy WHks, High Street. g|g| ?? ??f' ??.? ) RAGLAN Davies & Jores  "¿ f I; RALEIGH CYCLE CO., LTD., WOTT!MOHftM. ¡¡ i?,? VJk i C.,<"1I;I" (. Health and I'()1nl !"r C.¡r;I1!. bv Sir frr.»nk i;'n,  "I.,¡/ r1 ?? ?. ? Ha;.t, ?'.?.G.S. 1/- ?00 fp. t'r?m Ageuts and ?)o?..t..? ?'? f'P' "wii;;¡: 'i '-r A PERSONAL SEItVICE FOR YOUB FRIEND AT-THE-FHONT. There is nothing more cheering to the Bjvs a'-the-i^rout than a cigarette, especially a,ii Knqlish one. The Authorities have ree'-sruiseil this fztc itt(t thereby cuit'iv -.ted tho sending of smokes to the Front, by ranging for any thing in the smoking lino to go through ro the troops, five of duty a t the oL ¡we side of tho water. Furfcher- more, as our Tobacco ,tl olent, through an ln-bond warehouse at (Suem- sey, there is no duty to pay this side, and parcels can be sent by letter post instead of the English parcel post minimum of 1/ The consequence is that through our Tobacco Fund you can send 70 W ills "Wild Woodbine" cigarettes to your personal friend at- the-Front, post free, for I/ This if botiglit-iii tllii co-uii- try and posted here, would cost von 1/91. There are al-o other parcels containing different kinds of cigarettes and tobacco, as mentioned below, and each one will show you a considerable saving. An acknowledgment postcard addressed to you is enclosed in every parcel sent bv YOU through our Tobacco Fund to your friend, so that he knows at once to whom he is indebted for the welcome gift, and can acknowledge its safe arrival. Theso, postcards give a pleasing touch to the gift, both for the donor itud tho recipient. Kemenicer cnat "smokes" are not enduring gifts. They give very great com- fort and happiness to your friend at-the- Front, but they vanish in smoke. You Rhould tate ad- vantage, therefore, of our ofIcr tCJ scnd parcels each week, withautomatic regu- larity, to your friend with the Forces. The best wav is to send 3/ 5/ 10/- or 20' with instructions that one parcel is to go every week for 3, 5. 10 or 20 weeks. We gladly givo these facilities free of all expense to our readers No ded nc- t.i()n, n..11 rn\>£ n >> made; .tor v.*ovKing of tho r ur.d. nncl ewrv penny contributed is spoilt in and the trade profits from such personal parcels, amounting to Id. in every 1/- 'contributed, vro pcnt by us in sending parcels of "mokes" ,Lre pr'r,oners of war. Personal Parcels. We can send for 1 post free, any one of the following seven special parcels:— Quote standard Cost Parcel reference Contents of Parcel if posted number when jlfor I I- includjng postage. in ordering. I Engiand. 501 70 Woodbines l/9 £ 502 50 Arf-a-Mo 2/- 503 40 Gold Flake 1/7 504 30 Glory Boy 1/4* 505 25 Cigarettes in Case 1/8 506 6 Panatellas Cigars 1/4 507 4 oz. "Arf-a-Mo" Tobacco 1 2/11 to any man in France, Flanders, Dardanelles, the Balkans, Egypt or the Persian Gulf, to any individual sailor in any ship in the Navy, or to any Prisoner of War in Ger- many or Turkey or interned in Holland. A postcard ready addressed back to you for your friend's acknow- ledgment is enclosed in every parcel, and Id. from every 1/- you send is set fiside for sending smokes to local Prisoners of War in Germany. Our readers are requested to note that in sending personal parcels care should be taken to give the friend's full regimental address and number. The General Fund. Many local men who are without friends in a position to send them regular supplies of smokes have been recipients of parcels of tobacco and cigarettes through our General Fund. For every 6d. you send to our General Fund we send 30 good Cigarettes, and 1 oz. of Tobacco to some lonely member of our local regiments. A reply postcard is enclosed in every parcel so that the man who benefits as a result of your subscription can tell you himself how much he has appreciated your gift. When sending your friend or relative a gift of smokes through our Personal Fund don't forget if possible to send something to our General Fund for local regiments. "Will readers please note that "smokes" cannot be sent through our Tobacco Fund to troops stationed in Great Britain, India, or East or West Africa. Furthermore, we cannot send 6d. parcels to stated individuals, but only to regiments generally. -n_ R. J. HARRHY, H. d Hairdresser, | Wholesale & Retail Tobacconist, 5, High Street. Private Room for the Cutting & Singeing of Ladies' Hair. EXPERT ATTENDANCE. Umbrellas Repairemand Re-covered. PICTURE FRAMING Fishing Tackle, Bird & Animal Preserver. Note.-Special offer cbe<p—One i6ft. and 18ft. Greenheart Salmon Rods. ERNLE J. DELAFIELD, 21, NevillStreeL THE GREAT SKIN CURE. BUDDEN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will L) cure Itching after one application; destroys every form of Eczema; heals Old Wounds and Sores; acts like a charm on Bad Legs, is infallible for Piles prevents Cuts from festering; will cure Ringworm in a few days removes the most obstinate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes 9d. and ts. 3d. Agent for Abergavenny Mr. Shackleton, The Pharmacy. Agent for Pontypool, Mr. Godfrev C. Wood, Chemist. J I F F 'HEADACHE AND TOOTHACHE POWDERS owing to the War are 3d. each 3/- per dozen. But they are worth their weight in gold. Punted ann PnbTisbed by M. Morgan and Co. a.t 26, Fros>morc Sueet. A bergavenny, in tha. County of Mouniouth. FRIDAY, MAY 12,1916.