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ABERGAVENNY FARMERS' UNION.
ABERGAVENNY FARMERS' UNION. FOOD PRODUCTION AND DUTY OF I AGRICULTURISTS. IMPORTANT ADDRESS BY MR. 8. T. GRIFFIN. A meeting of the Abergavenny branch ot the National Farmers' Union was held at the Angel Hotel on Tuesday, when an important address was delivered bv Mr. S. T. Griffin (chairman of the Monmouthshire Union) on the position of agriculture and the duty of farmers. Mr. John Rogers, of Monachty (chairman) presided, and was supported by Mr. David James (vice- chairman), Mr. Homfray Davies (county sec.), and Mr. Philip Williams (local sec.) What Monmouthshire Has TO UO. I Mr. Griffin said that, as a member of the War Agricultural Executive, he wanted to point out the serious position of the country with regard to the food question. He had attended several meetings in London in connection with this matter. The Prime Minister had pointed out the seriousness of the submarine menace. We had to feed the millions of men in the Army and the Navy as well as the people at home, ard the country was looking to the farmers to do their duty in this important matter. Those in authority and those who knew the seriousness of the position had come to the definite con- clusion that between then and Christmas three million acres of land would have to be ploughed up in Great Britain, in order that they might produce more corn for the people. The War Agricultural Committee, which was constituted of several practical farmers in the county, had come to the conclusion that very little could be done with regard to breaking up land until they got their clover, etc., in, but he was instructed to inform them that so far as Monmouthshire was concerned they would have to break up something over 40,000 acres of land, in addition to the land already ploughed, and it was ex- pected every man interested in agriculture would do his part towards this. If they put their backs up against it he could solemnly assure them that it was the intention of the authorities to compel them to do what they ought to do. He knew that it was a very big and serious problem, but it was a problem which had to be faced, and it was for practical farmers to consider how they could best help their country in the circum- stances. He knew that the labour question was going to be a very serious matter, but he could assure them that they would receive all the assistance that the Government could possibly give them in carrying out this work. They were aware that in several parts of the county there had been during the past month or six weeks two or three motor ploughs at work, and the conclusion of the Executive Committee was that, so far as the county of Monmouth was con- nerned, the motor plough was not likely to prove a success. There were many reasons why, but the principal one was that the fields were too small for tractor work and there was too much sideland. Those who had seen the ploughs at work knew the result, and it was the opinion that in that county they were not altogether desirable. A Warning to Bad Farmers. The Executive Committee had decided to ask the Government for permission to establish, at the end of July or August, several centres where Government horses could be stabled. While at Monmouth recently he saw a considerable num- ber of heavy horses which were fit for agri- cultural work, and he was given to understand that ever since the war commenced there had been a large number of horses stationed there, and they were said to number hundreds. The suggestion they made was that when the time arrived from 20 to 50 teams should be sent to the different centres in accordance with the requirements, and they would be better employed in ploughing than in being exercised along the main roads. He did not know whether they would succeed, but he was inclined to think that they would. There might be a good deal of contention, and one farmer might think that he had been served more harshly than another, but they wanted to work this thing with as little friction as possible, and they wanted to make everyone realise the seriousness of the position. Quite recently they had had the duty of in- specting farms that were in a bad state ofcultiva- tion. They had used their influence with the tenants, who had rather pooh-poohed the idea and had not realised that they had any right to go on their land and ask them to clean it up or cultivate it in the way in which it should be done. In several instances 48 hours' notice had been served on the tenants and fresh tenants had been put in the farms. In the districts where this had happened the farmers were beginning to realise the powers of the War Agricultural Executive Committee. He admitted that it was not a pleasant tiling to do, but he was afraid that if farmers did not try to assist in these circumstances something of the same kind might happen in other parts of the county. The people had to be fed and the corn had to be grown, and it was to those in possession of the land that the country was looking to produce the corn. It might have cost them a consider- able sum to lay their pasture land down, but he wanted them to look at it from a patriotic rather than a monetary point of view. He wanted them to realise that hundreds of thousands of our men had been conscripted and gone into the Army and many of them had lost their lives or their limbs. They had done their bit, and it was up to the farmers to see how they could assist the country in its hour of trial. We were passing through the most serious crisis the country had ever seen. The country asked for their assistance and he believed that they would give it. They were holding an important coun- ty conference on Wednesday next, and as soon as the result was known the branches would be circulated, so that they might put their house in order and be in readiness when the time came to begin that extra ploughing. Importance of Increased Subscriptions. The principal object of that meeting was to consider the question of increasing the sub- scription. The work that had been done by the Union for the benefit of the farmer during the • last six months had been very considerable, and last six months had bee- they were anticipating something in the very near future which would be of very much interest to them as farmers. It was the inten- tion of the Government to place them, as farmers, in quite a different position in the future to what they had held in the past. (Applause). They must be prepared and put their house in order if thev were to obtain what they were en- titled to. Unless they sent representatives to the House of Commons they might not receive fair plav. This work could not be carried through without money. The agricultural labourers of the Eastern counties had agreed to pay 6d. per week, or 26s. per year, towards their organisation, but farmers were only asked to subscribe id. per acre on their cultivated land. This rate of subscription would be embodied in the new rules, and he was there to tell them that any branches which were not willing to accept those rules would be kept out of the benefits of the National Farmers' Union. It was intended to appoint a full-time secretary, a man ex- perienced in agriculture and a man with ability, as well as an organiser who should devote a con- siderable portion of his time to travelling through the country in order to point out the benefits of the Union. It was the intention also to establish a fund which would be known as the legal and emcrgencv fund. During the last six months the- had fought several important actions. Thev had to take them from one court to another, and though successful in every case, it had cost the winners 1600. It took a lot of shillings to make that up, and they had decided to ask the different branches to pay a fee of 4s. per member instead of is. per member, and 2s. per member for general expenses, inducing a full time secretary and assistant and a per- manent office in London, 6d. per member to- wards the legal and emergency fund, and 7s. 6d. per member towards the Parliamentary fund. At the present time they had between £2,000 and {3,000 collected towards the Parliamentary fund, but they felt that it was not fair for a few men in each county to subscribe £ 5 or [1°, and that the proper way was for every member to give is. 6d. a year towards this fund, because the benefits would apply to every man interested in agriculture. lie asked them to consider whether it was not their duty, without any grousing or grumbling, to pay a penny per acre on their cultivated land. Hill farmers were not expected to pay the same on their mountain land, -.iii il?l of the and thev would still remain in the hands of the local branch to deal with. If a man had 100 acres of land worth cultivating there should be no difficulty in him subscribing 10s. per year towards the Union. They must have funds to carry on. Every other branch in the county had already agreed to the increased subscription. How Prcducers Benefit. ) Referring to the benefits of the Union, Mr. Griffin said that the producer had rarely been consulted before, but now things were very much altered. With regard to the wool clip for this I season, the Union had been asked to send some of its best representatives to consult with the War Office representatives, and he believed they I would receive this year a considerable advance on what they did last year. They were asking that in future the examining of the wool should be done before it left the premises. (Hear, hear). There had been many complaints in regard to this matter, and he was hoping that they would succeed and that the producer would have the opportunity of examining his own wool in the presence of the examining officer. With regard to milk, they felt that Lord Devonport did not quite understand the ways and means of pro- duction, and prices were fixed that were not acceptable to the producer. In Somersetshire the producer was allowed Ts. id. per gallon for his milk and the distributor 2s., so that the latter was getting nearly as much as the pro- ducer. That had been altered, and in future the producer would have the option of fixing his own prices with the middleman. The probabilities were that the consumer would have to pay a little more for his milk later on. He had heard Mr. Arthur Stratton say that in the Swindon district the number of dairy cows that had been slaughtered since the 1st of January exceeded 700. If that state of things continued they might expect a milk famine before the year was out. f; He -A as convinced that they would get security of tenure before long. Those in authority had admitted that they had made mistakes in regard to agriculture, and had promised that they would not occur again. It was for farmers, however, to amalgamate and to fight for their interests in the House of Commons, otherwise they would not attain the objects they were out for. The labour question was going to be a difficult one, but they were in a better position than they had been for some time. We were unprepared for the war and the authorities were in a fix. A number of agricultural men volun- teered and were taken from the land who would never have been taken if we had been prepared to meet our enemies. The authorities were treating them a great deal fairer to-day, because they realised that a mistake had been made. He was hoping in future that very few men would be taken off the land, and he hoped that if circumstances permitted at the fall of the year they might get a number ot these men re- turned to carry out the work on the land. Of course, it depended on circumstances, and the Armv might be compelled to apply for a lot more of their Class A men, but he was sure that they would not do it if it was possible to avoid it. (Applause). j I The Farmers Not To Blame. The Chairman said that if they could produce more corn it was their duty to do so. They had been crippled by want of labour and handi- capped by bad weather. It was not the farmers that put the land out of cultivation. It was the crowd who went in for the cheap loaf 40 years ago when corn was not worth «> growing. Things could not be altered in a day or two. :At present they had got to such a pass that the people who said that the land could go out of cultivation were now clamouring for bread, and the farmer would be a useful fellow if he could produce it. If they could accomplish it by putting their hearts into the work and by better manuring, better farming, or by working an extra hour a day, it was their duty to do it. He was sure that farmers were one of the most loyal classes in the country, and they would do what they could. Representation in Parliament would help them immensely. With regard to the increase in the subscription, the question was whether it was advisable, seeing that they had decided at the annual meeting to leave things as they were, to defer the matter till next year. Mr. Homfray Davies said he hoped that no farmer would hesitate to pay a penny per acre, as there were very few who would have to pay more than 10s. per year. They had recently won a case for a Chepstow member and got him /40, as well as £ 12 for another one, and a number of small items. Mr. Prichard proposed that they increase the subscription to a penny per acre, with a minimum of 2s. 6d. They were asked very little for the benefits they received. He regretted he was not a farmer, because he believed they were having the best time of their lives. (Laughter). He used to farm 100 acres, and he should be glad to subscribe id. per acre on 100 acres. Mr. Evan Griffiths seconded and said that when the question was raised before it was thought that that was not the best time to do it, as the first thing they had to do was to gather in new members. They thought that it would be against an increase in membership, but after hearing the address of Mr. Griffin lie thought they would have no hesitation in voting for the increase. Undoubtedly the benefits they re- ceived outweighed the subscription fifty-fold. If they took the price they received for wool, it paid the subscription over and over again last year and they would be in a still better position this year. The prices they received for their other produce paid their subscriptions 100 times over. They would not be receiving many of their present benefits at the present time but for the Union. Mr. David James said that the difficulty in his district was to get the farmers to join the Union at all, and if they raised the subscriptions some would withdraw, as a number had already done. After hearing Mr. Griffin, however, he was fully convinced that they ought to raise the subscriptions to id. per acre. The Chairman said that north and south Herefordshire, where the land was classed much higher than in Monmouthshire, they were only paying ld. per acre. Mr. Griffin said that they would be asked to fall into line, as he was asking them to do that day. A member said he thought that hill farmers would be quite prepared to pay the same as down farmers. Many farmers had found that they had made a mistake in leaving the hill land. Mr. Griffin said that the local branch would have discretion to consider any mountain land and would have the option of fixing a fair con- tribution in respect of it. Mr. Philip Williams said that a number of farmers had not paid their full -?,d. per acre yet. He had had a job to collect it, and if they passed the proposal he wished them to understand that they were doing it not only fur themselves but for all the other members in the district. I An Agricultural Crisis. Mr. Morgan David said he thought that in the course of a very short time agriculture was going to pass through a very great crisis, and it would depend upon their leaders whether they would come out on the right or the wrong side. Of course it was necessary for them to have money, for the fight which was before them would re- quire a good deal of financial strength. They were told that they were to farm according to the way the Government told them to. Govern- ment representatives would come round and dictate to them how they were to farm. That was a national policy, and against that they were guaranteed certain prices. Whether they were sufficient he did not know. For the first year they might be, but they fell too rapidly. They were asked to do these things from a patriotic motive for the benefit of tiie nation at large. He should like to know what other class of people were asked to do what they were asked to do, unless it was the voluntary soldier. He thought they had been asked too much on the promises that had been held out to them, and it behoved men like Mr. Griffin and men in his position to wake up and to wake up the country in order that they might have an agricultural policy and an agricultural party to impress their ideas 011 the country and to wake up the farmers. They had only about 30 present at that meeting, and if they remained in that lethargic condition for the next four or five years they would find that after thev had ploughed up their good pasture there would be another party, or perhaps the same party, in power, who would have forgotten all about the submarine menace and the shortage of food, who would fall back into the old ways and, like Pharoah of old, harden their hearts, and fanners would have to put their hands to pasture again. They wanted to foster that organisation and to continually impress on the country at large the necessity of cultivating the land and of producing as much food as they could in this country. It was time for them, as agriculturists, to send representatives to Parlia- ment to beat the iron w.nle it was hot. If they did not do that, once the six years' promise was un things would dwindle back, and the people would go in for cheapness again, as they had done of old. Tney must wake up the farmers. The agrarian party in Germany were so strong that they converted the whole country. It de- pended upon agriculturists themselves whether they were going to nftintain the prominent and important position they leld to-day. They must send men up and down the country to preach these doctrines and to open the eyes of the urban population. There were very few .r-iier could be returned constituencies where a farmer could be returned purely as a farmer, and the only thing to do was to continually preach the necessity of keeping as much land under the plough as possible and keeping a thickly populated rural district. It was essential that the country should have a populous rural district where they could grow a healthy stock, and they must have men in the House of Commons to keep their interests alive before the country. The proposition to increase the subscriptions was carried unanimously. Mr. Joseph Griffiths (Werngifford) said that the people in his neighbourhood had forestalled in practice the thoughts of the committee with regard to providing horses. There were a number of Canadian soldiers engaged in timber felling at Cwmyoy and they had established a camp there. He (Mr. Griffiths) had a letter from the commanding officer the other day saying that there were five teams of horses at the disposal of the farmers in the district. Anyone who was short of a pair of horses to go on with the ir work could apply to the command- ing officer and their wants would be supplied. Distance was no object, so long as the horses were well looked after. Mr. Sidney Townsend (Llwynygaer) said that landlords should be made to drain their ground which had been allowed to become boggy. There were 30 to 50 acres of his farm which was a perfect bog, and he could not get a drain opened. The Government should impress upon landlords the necessity of draining agricultural land so that it could be ploughed. What was the use of sowing seed to rot ? A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Griffin for his address. ————
DEATH OF MR. WM. WILKS,I PENPWLLENNY.
DEATH OF MR. WM. WILKS, I PENPWLLENNY. I LARGELY-ATTENDED FUNERAL. I The death occurred at his residence at Pen- pwllenny on Thursday last, after a long illness, of Mr. William Wilks. The deceased gentleman, who was 70 years of age, last October, was well known and highly respected throughout the district. He had been in business as a builder and contractor for 43 years, and was a large employer of labour, having worked up a very successful connection. Hp did much work for the Goytre and Llangibby estates and large landowners. An enthusiast in musical matters, he was a prominent figure in local musical circles, having been organist and choirmaster at Monkswood Church for over 40 years, and being conductor a local tonic-sol-fa class for many years. The funeral took place on Monday, the inter- ment being at the Goytre churchyard. There was a large attendance of relatives and friends from near and far. The chief mourners were as follows:—The Widow, Mr. J. Wilks (brother), Little Mill; Mrs. J. Jackson (sister), Aberga- venny Mrs. C. Merrick (sister), Goytre; Miss R. Wilks (sister), Goytre; Mr. J. Robbins (brother-in-law), Penarth Mr. W. Farr (brother- in-law), Little Mill; Mr. G. Jackson, Aberga- venny Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilks, junr. (nephew and niece), Little Mill Mr. D. Wilks (nephew), Abergavenny Mr. W. Wilks (nephew), Merthyr Mr. and Mrs. W. Jackson (nephew and niece), Goytre Mr. A. Jackson (nephew), Abergavenny; Mr. W. Jenkins (nephew), Goytre; Miss A. Wilks (niece), Goytre Miss E. Robbins (niece), Goytre Mr. and Mrs. Major (nephew and niece, New Inn Mr. C. Powell (cousin), Monmouth Miss M. Williams (cousin), Goytre Mrs. Dean (cousin), New Inn; Mrs. A. Owen (cousin), Goytre Mr. and Mrs. C. Bowen (cousins), New Inn Mrs. Reynolds (cousins), Newport Mrs. Davies (cousin), Newport; Mrs. Chappell (cousin), Newport; Mrs. Farrant (cousin), New- port Mr. Wm. Jenkins (cousin), Pentwyn, Mamhilad Mr. Walter Jenkins (uncle), New Inn Mr. W. Jenkins, junr. (cousin), New Inn. Among others present were Lt.-Col. C. H. R. Crawshay, Mr. Geoffrey Crawshay, Mr. R. Marfell (Usk), Rev. P. L. C. Nash (Usk), Mr. Derrett (Usk), Mr. Berrill (Chepstow), Mr. Dye (Hengoed), Mr. Pugh (Lower Hendre), Mr. Roger Morgan (Lower House, Nantyderry), Mr. D. H. Morgan (The Wern) Mr. F. J. Harris (Penpwllenny). The Rector (the Rev. Joseph Davies) con- ducted the service at the church and also per- formed the last rites at the graveside. The bearers were the following six workmen, in addition to the undertaker (Mr. F. C. Williams) Messrs. T. Jeremiah, A. Owens, E. Morris, E. Thomas, J. Owens, and W. Sales. The coffin was of polished elm, with massive brass mount- ings. Miss Davies (the Rectory) ably presided at the organ, and as the cortege entered the church played I know that my Redeemer liveth." The hymns, 0 God, our Help," and Rock of Ages" were sung, and the choir chanted a Psalm, the Dead March in Saul being played at the conclusion of the service. A large number of handsome floral tributes were received from the following :—Widow and Emilie Maria Martha; Rachel; Agnes; J. and R. Wilks Willie, Annie and Doris; Ethel and David Alfred and May Jessie C. and S. Powell (Monmouth) Will and Gladys Cousin Pollie the absent nephews the work- men Mr. D. F. Pritchard (Goytre House) Mr. and Mrs. Evan Byrde and Miss Byrde Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Dye (Hengoed) Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Craven Jones; Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Harris and family Mr. and Mrs. J. Harding and family Alice and Ennis Mr. and Mrs. Evan Morris and family Mr. Thomas E. Cooke (Newport) Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Morgan (the Wern) Mrs. Perrott and family Mr. and Mrs. R. Jenkins (the Mill) Misses Banfield Mr. and Mrs. G. Stinchcombe Guy Mr. and Mrs. Marfell (Llangeview) Mr. L. S. Davies and family (Usk) Mrs. and Miss Evans I(Mamhilad) Mr. and Mrs. Titcombe Mr. and Mrs. Powles; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur (Llangibby) Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Berrill (Chep- stow) Mr. and Mrs. H. Bishop Mr. and Mrs. Jones (Haymeadow) Mr. and Mrs. Hutcliinson, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Morgan Mrs. Messenger Mrs. Walker and family.
T Sir Arthur Herbert and Nevill…
T Sir Arthur Herbert and Nevill Hall. I DESIRE TO ESTABLISH A SECOND MILITARY I HOSPITAL. Speaking at the meeting of the Abergavenny I Fanners' Union on Tuesday, Sir Arthur Herbert said that he was afraid that he would not be with them this summer, for this reason. He had wanted to do something which was on a big scale. His wife and he had tried to start a hospital there, and they gave the option to that neighbourhood. They were anxious to do everything they possibly could, financially, to found and support a second hospital at Aber- gavenny. The only house really suitable was Nevill Hall, which, lie understood, had been sold to the County Council for a sort of secondary lunatic asylum or a private lunatic asylum. They approached the people who had to deal with the matter, and they said that it was im- possible that they could have it. There were so many lunatics in this country or in this neigh- bourhood that they were considered worthy of greater corsideration than the officers and soldiers who were fighting for us to prevent tLis country becoming under the heel of Germany and in the same position as Belgium and Serbia. He ventured to think, and lie was sure that they would agree with him, that matters in connection with a subsidiary lunatic asylum could have remained in the position they were now until after the w--r-(he-,r, hear)-and that the house could have been given over for a liospital. There were other places in the world, however, and a friend of his wife's, whose husband had recently died, had a beautiful place near Windsor Forest which she had offered to them for use as a hospital, and she would co-operate with them. He thought they would be interested to know that he had had a telegram that day from the War Office accepting it. While he hoped to carry out the same idea somewhere else, he wislied to tell them that he tried his best to fix the matter up at Abergavenny, but failed.
I ^7-I Crickhowell Officer…
I ^7 I Crickhowell Officer Killed. Capt. PinHp Hill, only son of Lieut.-Colonel Surgeon and Mrs. Hill, Cri??k??ow,?!11, has been killed in action, according to information which reached Crickhowel1 on Tuesday morning. Capt.. Em was very popular in the town and district, and the news was heard with deep regret. He was about 45. The gallant ofifceri? was 'at Dale for many months with the 2nd Brecknocks, and while there was mentioned in Western Command Orders for his action, with! other officers, in relieving a storm-driven schooner. Subsequently lie was attached to the S.W.B., and served with this famous regiment in ( France. He was a general favourite with officers and men. General sympathy is felt for his widow and son, and Lieut.-Col. Surgeon and Mrs. Hill. Capt. Hill was a splendid sportsman, and was keenly interested in Welsh Rugby football.
-+- I I3rd Cadet Battalion…
-+- I 3rd Cadet Battalion Monmouthshire Regt. I ORDERS FOR WKEK ENDING MAY 12th, 1917 I Tuesday, May 8—Shooting Competition between I' Band and Company, at 7.45. Wednesdav, May 9-Band and Company will parade in Drill Hall at 7.15 p.m. for inspection by Mrs. Solly-Flood at 8 p.m. A full attend- ance of Cadets in uniform is requested.
ABERGAVENNY BOARD OF GUARDIANS.
ABERGAVENNY BOARD OF GUARDIANS. THE ANNUAL MEETING INCREASE OF I HALFPENNY IN THE RATE. The annual meeting of the Abergavenny Board of Guardiars was held on Friday, Mr. Robert Johnson presiding pro tem. There were also present Col. W. Williams, Mrs. Hiley, Mr. H. J. Gwillim, Revs. Father Wray and D. E. Hughes, Messrs. John Prichard, Benjamin Price, W. Haines, D. Watkins, M. J. Kright, N. Pullin, jojin Jenkins, Wm. Biggs, Alfred Ed- wards, and Joseph Howells. Election of Chairman Nearly an Octogenarian. I Mr. Robert Johnson said he had great pleasure in proposing that Col. Williams be re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. He had done very good work in the past, and, having gone over the fence before, he was well fitted for the position. Mr. H. J. Gwillim seconded the proposition, which was carried. Col. Williams, in taking the chair, said he was exceedingly pleased to think that they had unanimously elected him chairman again. They must understand that it could not be for long, because if he lived till Thursday fortnight he would be 80 years of age. He had outlived all his family, and if he found during the next 12 months that his brain failed him he would give up. They had had a very pleasant year, and he must say that he appreciated the time they devoted to the interests of the poor in the district. They had tried to carry out their duties economically, considering the expenses of the present day, and they might depend on it that everything would be dearer still. He was one of those who thought the war would be finished before the end of the year, but when they read the papers and saw of the large numbers numbers of men that were wanted it was difficult to say how long it would last. He had lost a few of his old boys, and it was a sad thing to think of boys of 18 and 19 being taken while an old I man like himself lived to 80. He prayed God that the war would soon be over. They (his colleagues) would live after the war was over to see a different England, and there was no doubt that the expenses they were put to, and rightly put to, they would have to meet in the future. Before he sat down, lie would like to invite them to lunch at the Priory that day fortnight. On the proposition of Mr. N. Pullin, seconded by Mr. John Prichard, Mr. H. J. Gwillim was re-elected vice-chairman, and Mr. Gwillim briefly returned thanks. Most of the members of the committees were re-elected. Mr. M. J. Knight and Mr. W. Haines wre elected on the Finance Committee in place of the late Mr. Wm. Williams and the late Rev. J. F. W. Trumper respectively. Father Wray withdrew from the House Committee, of which he was chairman, as he said he could not attend during the next six months. Mrs. M. J. Knight and Mrs. Charles Thomas were elected on the Boarding-out Committee. I Blaenavon Guardians and Railway Fares. Following a remark about the attendance of Blaenavon Guardians on committees, the Vice- Chairman said that the railway fare from Blaenavon to Abergavenny and back was now 3s., and it was a serious item. Father Wray It is a serious item. Mr. George Dando said it was too much to ask a man to give his time and to pay 3s. per fort- night, besides attending committees. He had been a member of the Board for 16 years, and he felt that he ought to resign, as it had got too expensive. He did not think that it was fair to the people of Blaenavon that he should only come there once now and again, and he would rather retire and make room for someone else. Father Wray The only alternative would be to have the Workhouse at Blaenavon, and we should have to pay then. Mr. Pullin asked if they thought that a deputation to the District Traffic Supt. of the It. & N. W. Rly. would result in a concession being made to them in the way of cheapzr travelling facilities. Mr. Prichard Not at the present time. Father Wray asked if it would be any use to ask the Local Government Board to allow them to pay the excess fares. Mr. Prichard What about the people who have to go to the expense cf driving in from Bryngwyn and Llanthony and other places. If you once start that game you will not be able to stop. Father Wray said he had no doubt that if it was done in one case it would have to be done throughout the country. The Chairman If they don't see their way to come I don't think you can expect them to do so. The matter then dropped. Decreased Relief. The Clerk reported that there was a decrease in out relief during the past fortnight, compared with last year, of £ 8 IOS. 5d. The decrease in the Abergavenny district was ^3 14s. nd., and in the Blaenavon district 1.4 158. 6d. Rate Estimate Halfpenny Increase. I The Clerk submitted his estimate of the amount required for Poor Law purposes for the ensuing half-year. This worked out at ykd. in the £ The relief in the Workhouse had in- creased considerably. It was £ 1,054 before the war, then it was f,1,260, and it rose to LI,442, but they could not tell what it was now, because the accounts were not made up. In addition, the cost per head per week of maintenance in the Asylum had increased from 8s. gd. to i2s. 61d. Then they had to make up the relieving officers' salaries, fees and emoluments. He therefore recommended them to make a call of not less than Ttd. in the £ for Union purposes. As far as the rural district was concerned the rate would be id. for sanitary purposes and 4d. for highways. He would give the overseers this information and they must make their own arrangements. He was informed that the county call would be is. 2 i-iod., exclusive of education. Father Wray I think I can tell you that the education rate won't be less. (Laughter). On the proposition of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Robert Johnson, the estimate was adopted. Father Wray said that under the circumstances Mr. Scanlon had kept the expenditure down very well. Tramps and Stone Breaking. I I The Clerk submitted an estimate of the Clee Hill Granite Co. for stone at 10s. 4d. per ton. The Chairman said he did not think they wanted any stone now. There was not much demand for it and they could not sell it. Father Wray: We don't want the tramps, then. The Clerk said that the tramps must be em- ploved, and this was legal employment for them. Some of the hardened sinners must be put to stone breaking. Perhaps they might have a small quantity of stone and store it. T; e Chairman We shall want the stone in the future. It was decided to purchase a limited quantity. I Father Wray 'aid that there was likely to be a decrease in the number of tramps now that the summer was coming on. Increased Wafes Wanted. Mrs. Blanchard, laundress at the Workhouse, applied for an increase in wages owing to the increase in the cost of living. It was stated that she was at present paid £ 47 9s. per year, and did not receive any meals at the house. Resignation of Chaplain. The Rev. J. H. Davies, curate-iii-cbarge of Christ Church, wrote resigning bin position as Church of England chaplain at the Workhouse, as he was leaving at the end of May to take up an appointment at Newport. The Vicar (the Rev. H. H. Matthew) had undertaken to carry on the duties until a successor was appointed. The Chairman said he would make a proposi- tion at the next meeting. Vagrancy Committee Expenses. TIlt Vice-Chairman said he attended the last meeting of the Glamorgan, Monmouth and Brecon Vagrancy Committee, and raised the question of t; e administration expenses, which was referred to at a recent meeting of the Guardians. They had a long discussion, but unfortunately the Clerk was not present. It was finally decided to adjourn the matter till the next meeting and to ask the Clerk to be present. The Chairman was appointed a representative of the Board in place of Mr. Workman, resigned.
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INATIONAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
I NATIONAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WOMEN'S AUXILIARY ARMY CORPS. I Women clerical workers, general clerks, typists and shorthand writers are wanted im- mediately for service abroad with the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. TERMS OF SKRVICE. Rates of Pay.—Per week, according to efficiency. Clerks.—Ordinary clerical work and typists, 23s. to 27s. Clerks employed on higher clerical and supervisory duties, 28s. to 32s. Shorthand typists, 28s. to 32S. The above rates of pay cover 42 working hours a? week, after which overtime typwistosr, kina, z?i. d at the rate of 7d. per hour for ordinary clerks, and gd. per hour for clerks em- ployed on higher work and shorthand-typists. A bonus of £ 5 will be paid to each woman at the end of the first twelve months' completed approved service and proportionately for any further period. GENERAL CONDITIONS. I Age—20 to 40. Agreement-A short form of agreement will be entered into. Training The period of preparation in England will include elementary instruction in hygiene and discipline. Journey-—Free conveyance to and from France on appointment and termination of en- gagement will be provided. Leave-A fortnight's leave will be given during each year's service. Uniform-An allowance of £ 4 will be paid to provide uniform at the beginning of service, with a further grant of £1 at the end of six months. ) Similar grants will be made for the second year's | service. Slightly different grants will be made in the case of the motor transport section. Board and Lodging-A deduction not exceed- ing 14s. per week will be made to cover cost of board and lodging. Accommodation in France—The women will be accommodated while in France in hostels under the care and supervision of lady super- intendents. All applications for forms should be made immediately to: Mrs. Beer, National Service Commissioner, c/o Employment Exchange, 6, Colston Street, Bristol or National Service Department, Law Courts, Avenue Entrance, Cardiff. Boards will sit at Bristol on May 8, 9, 10 and at Cardiff the following week to examine candi- dates. N.B.The Director-General of National Ser- vice in making this appeal is anxious not to dislocate existing work of national importance. Women engaged on the permanent staffs of Government Departments and controlled estab- lishments should, therefore, not offer their services. It is .particularly requested that no woman who volunteers must leave her present employment until definitely requested to do so. ———— ————
[No title]
When shopping do not fail to call at the Town Bazaar, Frogmore Street, for Dinner Sets, Tea Sets and Bedroom Ware. Join our Thrift Club. Pay what you like, have what you like. Printed and Published by Morgan & Co. (3. Morgan and E. C. Straher), at 26, Frogmore Street, Aber- venny, in the County of Monmouth. FRIDAY, MAY 4,1917.