County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

FURNISHING at HOME. Much anxiety is saved to those contemplating Furnishing if they are able to calmly and deliberately select Furniture suited alike to their taste and means in the quiet of their own homes ere making a purchase, because it obviates the common mistake of furnishing the drawing-room at the expense of the bedroom, or, in other words, sacrificing the practical to the merely pretty, and avoiding hasty, ill- considered and unsuitable selections. TRAPNELL & GANE, the well-known House Furnishers of Newport, Cardiff, and Bristol, have now made such a safe, pleasant, and easy method possible since the publication of their New Catalogue, vhi-)i contains nearly 1,500 Iliu stranons, ana is the most com- J prehensive ever issued by any Firm either in London or the Provinces. HOUSE FURNISHERS. This Catalogue embraces Illustra- tions of Furniture suited for the MANSION, VILLA, or the COTTAGE home, and demonstrates at ouce the large and comprehensive character of TRAPNELL & GANE'S operations, and the very latest ideas in Furnishing. TEAPNELL & GANE, Complete Suites of Rooms in Various Styles are illustrated by Trapnell and Gane's own artists, showing not only the total cost but also the appearance of the different schemes suggested. Trapnell and Gane are happy in this way to lav their practical knowledge at the disposal of the public, enabling them to make a judicious selection from very large and comprehensive Stocks, and assuring their customers the greatest satisfaction and advantage. 0 HOUSE FURNISHERS. Although the cost of this work has amounted to hundreds of pounds TRAPNELL & GANE have decided to forward, Post Free, to any address a copy to all BONA FIDE applicants. Why not drop us a post card to-day ? and this beautiful Catalogue will REACH YOU TO MORROW. Trapell aid die, HOUSE FURNISHERS, 161 & 162, Commercial-si, NEWPORT AND AT CARDIFF & BRISTOL. FATAL CULLIKRY ACCIDENT.-A serious colliery accident occurred at the Marine Pit, Graig Vawr, belonging to the Ebbw Vale Company, at three o'clock on Monday morning, by which a repairer named James Rich was instantly killed, and a fireman, Reuben Williams, badly injured. It appears that deceased accompanied the fireman on his round. of the workings, and when in a heading a huge etone fell from the top, bringing with it a maY of loose rubbish and small stone. The bulk of it fell upon Rich, killing him on the spot, while a considerable quantity fell upon Williams who was badly bruised and cut. Deceased was a married man, and leaves a widow and one child. FREE INSTJit&NCE AGAINST ACCIDENTS. COUPON TICKET STSEIALLY GUARANTEED BY THB OOEAN ACCIDENT AND GUARANTEE CORPORATION, LIMITED, 40, 42 & 44, Moorgate Street, London, E.C. (to whom Notice of Claims, under the following conditions, must be sent within seven days to above addrem). will be paid by the above Corporation to the next-of-kin of aayoM who it killed by an accident to the sahwat tmjlmjr, i carrier's yam, TSAJf CAB, I CART, OXXIBVS, CARRWA aml Or JTAdGOX (within the United Kingdom or Channel Islands), in whioh the deceased was travelling, or who aimM have been fatally injured thereby (ahooid death result within three calendar months after such accident). Should such accident not prove fatal, bat pro- duce, within the same period of three months, permanent total disablement, ie., the Ion of two limbs (both arms or both legs, or one of each, by actual separation above the wrist or ankle)* the person injured shall be entitled to receive E509 or for the loss of one limb, unda Mm Aforesaid conditions, £25 will be paid. Provided that the person so killed or Injured had upon his or her person, or had left at home tjds Paper, in its entirety, with hit, or far, unml tifwattire, written, prior to the aoflWeat, oa the < provided below, whioh is the gaiva" lpf thh cm t .• act. •This Insurance holds good for the current week's issue only; is limited to one Coupon for each holder, and oarries the benefits of, and is. subject to the conditions of, the OoSAX Acmonra AND GUAsArnm OSBMBAHW, 1MM, Aot, imt Risks Kos. 2, 5, and 4 The Corporation admiMk** the porohase «f tfcis Paper is tfU payment of a pferaiam umdh* 6mitaa 84 of the Act. AsAway Servants en 4wty MMftli r ,1J1"7"-Z ADMINISTRATIVE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH. STATEMENT OF THE INCOME OF THE SPECIAL RESERVATION ACCOUNT OF THE COUNTY GOVERNING BODY UNDER THE WELSH INTER- MEDIATE EDUCATION ACT, 1889. YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1899. 1 RECEIPTS. 1898. £ d. Dec. I.-To Income Reservation Ac- count-one-fifth of this Account for Year ended 31st March, 1898 286 12 7 1899. Mar. 31.—To Income Reservation Ac- count-one-fifth of this Account for Year ended 31st March, 1899 358 8 5 1645 1 0 EXPENDITURE. 1899. & s. d. January.-By Amount divided as fol- lows, for Year ended 31st March, 1898 Tredegar County School Manageis, 13-79th pts. 47 3 4 Ebbw Vale do. 11-79th „ 39 18 3 Abertillery do. 13J-79th „ 48 19 7 Pontywaun do. llj-79th „ 41 14 6 Pontypool do. 14.79th „ 52 12 2 Abergavenny do. 9i.79th „ 34 9 4 Usk Scholarship Mana- gers 6.79th 21 15 5 March. 31.—By Balance •• 358 8 5 £ 645 1 0 We certify that the above Statement is correct, S. COURTHOPE BOSANQUET, (;OYERXORS. Dated this 16th June, 1899. J. D. THOMAS, ) GOVERNORS. ADMINISTRATIVE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH. STATEMENT OF THE INCOME OF THE KESERVATION ACCOUNT OF THE COUNTY GOVERNING BODY UNDER THE WELSH INTER- MEDIATE EDUCATION ACT, 1889. YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1899. RECEIPTS. £ s. d. To Balance, March 31st, 1898 4038 19 11 To Amount transferred from Income Account, being one-fourth of Balance of Income for Year ended 31st March, 1899 1792 2 1 F. 15831 2 0 -I j EXPENDITURE. £ s. d. By Pontywaun County School Mana- gers, being ll j seventy-third parts of one-fifth of Income to 31st March, 1897 (retained) 114 10 11 By Central Welsh Board—Contribution for one year ended 31st March, 1898 312 3 4 By Amount transferred to Special Reservation Account, being one-fifth of Net Income to 31st March, 1898.. 286 12 7 By Amount transferred to Special Reservation Account, being one-fifth of Net Income to 31st March, 1899.. 358 8 5 By County School Managers, 79-100ths of Estimated Balance of X6000 to 31ft March, 1899:- Abergavenny County School £ Managers, 9^-79ths 475 Abertillery do. 13j-79ths 675 Ebbw Vale do. II-79the 660 Pontypool do. 14-1-79thti 725 Tredegar do. 13-79ths 650 Usk do. 6-79ths •• 300 67t —— 3375 0 0 Pontywaun do. ll^-79ths* 675 0 0 79 By Balance March 31st, 1899 809 6 9 JE5831 2 0 Payable conditionally. We certify that the above Statement is correct, S. COURTHOPE BOSANQUET, \„ Dated this 16th June, 1899. J. D. THOMAS, J Governors. ADMINISTRATIVE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF THE COUNTY GOVERNING BODY UNDER THE WELSH INTER- MEDIATE EDUCATION ACT, 1889, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1899. RECEIPTS. £ a. d. To Monmouthshire County Council, Moiety of Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Duties, Balance of Grant for year ended 31st March, 1898 807 18 11 To Monmouthshire County Council, Moiety of Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Duties, on Account of Grant for year ending 31st March, 1899 1764 0 0 To Monmouthshire County Council for Halfpenny Hate:- t a. d. Abergavenny Union.. 257 19 9 Bedwellty it 626 2 11 Chepstow u' 134 17 0 Crickhowell 15 18 0 Dore „ •• 11 0 6 Monmouth 115 2 5 Newport 475 19 8 Pontypool 321 0 3 ————— 1858 0 6 To Monmouthshire County Council, Deficiency in Rate through Reduced 0 Valuation 191 4 3 To Her Majesty's Treasury, Grant 1934 1 1 To Drapers' Company— Howell's Trust — Year ending Deer. 31st, 1897 559 18 6 To Lloyds' Bank for one year's Interest 113 14 3 To Charity Commissioners, three-quarter.year's Divi- dends, Repairs and Im- provement Fund 6 17 6 Three-quarter-year's Divi- dends on Miss H. B. Davies' Charity.. 61 0 0 1 67 17 6 To Charity Commissioners, quarter- year's Dividend on ditto • 22 12 6 £ 7319 7 6 EXPENDITUBE. £ s. d. By Usk Grammar School Foundation, three-quarters Dividends received from Charity Commissioners. 67 17 6 By Establishment Charges, Printing, Stationery, Travelling Expenses, and Miscellaneous Payments 60 9 3 13y Transfer to Reservation. Account, being one-fourth of Income, less Establishment Charges 1792 2 1 By Transfer to Credit of- £ a. d. Abergavenny School Mana- gers, 9J per cent of Income 510 15 0 Abertillery do., 13t do. 725 16 0 Ebbw Vale do., 11 do. 591 7 11 Pontypool do., 141 do. 779 11 4 Pontywaun do., ll do. 618 5 6 Tredegar do., 13 do. 698 18 5 Chepstow Scholarship Man- agers, 4i do 241 18 8 Magor and St. Mellons do., 6 do 322 11 7 Monmouth do., ói do. 295 13 11 Rhymney do., 5 do. 268 16 3 Usk do., 6 do. 322 11 7 5376 6 2 Making a total of 100 per eent. By Balance 31st March, 1899 22 12 6 £ 7319 7 6 A We certify that the above Statement is correct, S. COURTHOPE BOSANQUET, V „ Dated this 16th June, 1899. J. D. THOMAS, Governors. The above Accounts may be inspected at the Clerk's Office, Pentonville, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. H. STAFFORD GUSTARD, Clerk to the Governors, If you want a good Mount, go to S AVERY'S, C..A.- s rr 1-4 mi USK, P. A Pi, x- I D -u- FOR A TRIUMPH, RUDGE-WHITWORTH, SWIFT, ARIEL, & CLEVELAND. Sales by Auction. j By Messrs. MARFELL & POOLE. Mamhilad and Llangibby, MONMOUTHSHIRE. FREEHOLD PROPERTIES FOR SALE. LYR ESSRS. MARFELL & POOLE will offer for J3JL SALE BY AUCTION, at the CROWN HOTEL, PONTYPOOL, on MONDAY, the 17th day of JULY, 1899, At 3 o'clock in the Afternoon (subject to the con- ditions of Sale of the Monmouthshire Incorporated Law Society and such Special Conditions as are printed and annexed to the particulars of Sale), the following Valuable Proper lies LOT I.-Ail that desirable FREEHOLD FARM, situate in the Parish of MAMHILAD, known as" THE LOWER HOUSE," now in the occupation of the Representative of the late Owner, Mr. John Arthur Morgan, deceased, and containing, according to the Ordnance Survey, 20 Acres, 3 Roods, 29 Perches (more or less). LOT 2.—All those 3 PIECE3 of PASTURE LAND, with the old Barn and Cottage standing thereon, known as the UPPER L ANDS," situate in the same Parish, and near the last lot, partly in the same occupation and partly of Mr. John Matthews, and containing, according to the Ord- nance Survey, 6 Acres, 3 Roods, and 34 Perches (more or less). LOT 3.—All those THREE PIECES of ARA- BLE, ON E of PASTURE, and ONE of WOOD LAND, with the Barn standing th(3reon, situate near COED-Y-PAEN CHURCH, in the Parish of LLAN- GIBBY, now in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Arthur, at an annual rent of X16, the Tenant paying half the tithe rent charge, and containing, according to the Ordnance Survey, 14 Acres, 2 Roods, 26 Perches. Lots 1 and 2 are close to Mamhilad Parish Church and the Main Road, within 3 miles of Pontypool, and about I of the Little Mill Sta- tion of the G.W.R. Co., and are well watered. These Lots will be first offered together, and if not then sold, separately. Lot 3 is also close to a good road, about 3 miles from Usk, and within easy distance of Pontypool and Newport. To view, apply to the respective occupiers, and for further particulars and plans with conditions of sale, which are in course of preparation, to the Auc- TIONEER*, Trostrey Court, Usk, or to WATKINS & Co., Solicitors, Pontypool. APPOimRSTS, &c., FOE Ending July 8th 1899. July. Sat. 8—Pontypool Petty Sessions, 11 a.m. Cricket-Usk v. Mr. H. Browne's XI (Tredegar), at Usk. Sun. 9—Sixth Sunday after Trinity. Tues. 10-Abergavenny Market. Wed. 11—Newport Cattle, Cheese, & Corn Mkts Abergavenny Petty Sessions, 11 a.m. Thur. 12-Caerleon Petty Sessions. 11 a.m. Bazaar at Brynderwen- (See advt.) Sat. 13—Pontypool Petty Sessions, 11 a.m. St. Swithin's Day. Cricket.—Usk v. Cardiff at Cardiff.

Births, Carriages, and Deaths. Announcements of Births, Marriages, and Deaths are inserted at a uniform charge of Is each, unless suah words as No cards," No flowers," are added, when the charge will be 2s 6d. All announcements must be authenticated. Postage stamps may be sent in payment. Lists of Wedding Presents are inserted at the rate of Is. 6d. per inch in depth. DEATH. BALL.—On June 29th, at Primrose Villa, Llan- denny, Richard Ball, aged 83.

"To be, or not to be, that is the Question!" PROGRESSION OR RETROGRESSION ? This question, without a doubt, is one of vital im- portance to the inhabitants of Usk, as it gives them the opportunity of maintaining, or even im- proving, the status of the town, or, on the other hand, allowing it to lapse into the insignificance of an ordinary country village. It takes but the most ordinary foresight to perceive that if a cattle market be not pro- vided the result will be disastrous to the trade of the town, for it is a well-known axiom that wherever business men gather together money must circulate. Do not let us, as a town, for the sake of about X3,000, which could undoubtedly be borrowed for a period of twenty or thirty years at a low percentage, be WIPED OFF THE MAP of Monmouthshire ? There is no policy in such action, and it is not credible that when the scheme is laid before a public meeting of owners and ratepayers in the near future they will reject it. There is also another phase of the question. It is obvious to the most casual observer that to pen stock on the public footway is INJURIOUS TO HEALTH, being insanitary to a marked degree, and also very obnoxious. Other towns, which in point of size may be classed with Usk, have not scrupled to provide themselves with a civilized arrangement for the accom- modation of stock, and why should we for the sake of a small burden elect to lie dor- mant rather than advance ? On the prin- ciple that CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS it is surprising that the old style market should have been tolerated so long as it has. At the Urban District Council meeting on Thursday evening, the question was dis- cussed in camera, and it will be seen by our repott, which appears in another column of the present issue, that a requisition for a public meeting has been drawn up by the Clerk and awaits signatures of twenty owners or ratepayers at that officer's house. The wording of the resolution to be sub- mitted at the public meeting, as embodied in the requisition, is as follows:— That this meeting of owners and ratepayers of Usk having had submitted to it estimates of the cost of construction of a cattle market for cattle, sheep, pigs and horses, hereby consents in manner required by Sec. 166 of the Public Health Act, 1875, to the Urban District Council of Usk providing a market-place and con- structing a market-house and other con- veniences for the purpose of holding markets, taking stallages, rents and tolls in respect of the use by any person of such market, and doing all or any of the other works or things set out in the sec- tion above referred to."

The Tniiisvaal Difficulty- I The Transvaal question, in our opinion, is no longer a crisis. It has passed from tragedy to comedy. It is no longer peace or war. The diplomacy of the market-place is the acting spirit of to-day. The energies of both sides are being directed towards besting their opponents in the matter of terms. The evil, however, is that though the war cloud may have passed beyond our ken, our hands cannot be stayed for a while. The worst must be provided for. All this means expense, and no trifling expense,- Besides this, too, there is the injury to trade and all the disastrous incidents attendant thereto. A serious obstacle to the way of peace in South Africa is the ACTION OF SIR H. CAMPBELL-BA NN ERMAN and the Liberal party. They do an infinity of harm to the cause they pretend to serve by their speeches, in which they indicate sympathy with the Boers and their views. People in this country may discount the importance of the few politicians who oppose the government in this matter. We can hardly expect a Transvaal to do the same. He is apt to take it that the Liberals are with him and rely upon their support. There are some people, too, who pretend to ^believe that the Uitlander has no grievance. That this imbroglio is a mere stock exchange move for the benefit of the South African Millionaires. Although the number of these people is not legion, still, they affect the Uitlander, We see in them the souls of friends if the bodies of enemies. This makes not for peace. Still, in spite of the ups and down of the matter, we are of opinion I PEACE IS ASSURED. But come what will, the position .will always remain. The wail of the Uitlander is in our ears. England has promised him redress, and when she puts her hand to the plough England turns not back till the hand of the oppressor is stayed and the cry of the oppressed hushed. .Ç

[We do not necessarily endorse all our correspondent writes.-ED. 'U.O."] The heavy thunderstorms experienced last week did considerable damage in the locality. A valuable mare belonging to Mr. Bevan, Llao- dowlais, was killed by lightning, and another mare, the property of Mr. Pullio, Tredunnock, was struck by lightning and permanently in- jured. I have also been informed that numerous thunderbolts fell in the district, though none of them appear to have done any harm. Given good weather, the Brynderwen Bazaar, to be held on Thursday next, promises to be a huge success and will doubtless attract great numbers of persons from various parts of the county, as brakes are running from Usk, Ponty- pool, and Abergavenny. Picturesquely situated on the banks of the Usk, Brynderwen with its fine trees and well- stocked conservatories is well worthy of a visit, apart from the attractions of the Bazaar, and I understand that the grounds will be open from 2.30 until dusk, thus affording visitors ample time to wander about leisurely whilst listening to the strains of the band. The Gardeners' Chronicle" gave, a short time ago, the following most interesting account, with whole page illustration, of a noble and magnificent oak upon General Gillespie's estate. "The house, grounds, and estate of Brynderwen are named after this tree. The literal translation of Brynderwen in the Welsh language being Hill of the Oak" (Bryn) Hill, (Derwen ) Oak. The house is built on a low range of hills which run parallel to the river Usk. The tree is 100 yards to the south-east front of the house. The hill range is a Silurian upheaval, and runs from north-east to south-west, commencing about half a mile north of Brynderwen, and extending nearly to the town of Usk, some two and a half miles south. Some 12 feet below the surface there is a fine stratum of gravel, and all Conifers grow here in the greatest health and luxuriance. Oaks flourish splendidly, aud the slopes of the low range aud the banks of the river are noted for the magnificent growth and size of the Beech trees, many of which are well worthy the artist's brush. The back of the house faces the river Usk some 80 I yards distant. From the windows of the house the salmon can easily be discerned when on the move; and a magnificent panorama of the Welsh mountains, including the Sugar Loaf, Blorenge, and Pontypool hills bound the horizon. The following are the measurements of the Brynderwen Oak:—Circumference of bole at ground-level, 51 feet; trunk, at 4 feet from the ground, 22 feet; circumference of gnarled parting of boughs from the trunk 6 feet 6 inches from the ground, 35 feet." The photographs were.taken by Mr. H. Dunning, of Usk, Monmouthshire, a well known local photographer." Mr. A. T. Lawrence Q.C. who has been nominated by the Government, in conjunction with Sir Hugh Owen and Sir James Johnson, the town-clerk of Nottingham, as Commissioners to prepare the necessary orders and schemes in connection with the new London Local Govern- ment Act, is a nephew of Mr. John Lawrence of Caerleon and a cousin of Mr. Lawrence, of Cardiff, the well-known mining engineer. Mr. Lawrence, Q.C., enjoys a large practice at the Bar, chiefly in cases involving knotty points of law or complicated facts. Cricket-followers, holiday folk generally, and —what is of greater real import—farmers also, are crying out now for sunshine. Wet was- a little while back-badly wanted, but now ws have had QUANTUM SUFFICIT. One can have too much of a good thing and Old Sol is preferable in summertide as a constant companion to the man with the watering pot." Jupiter Pluvius has had his turn hey now for the glowing glory of hot J nIy." < Rainy weather has rather marred the pleasure of the spectators at some of the more important cricket fixtures ot late but the inter-Varsity encounter at Lord's provided most interesting play, and drew bigger crowds of fashionable folk to the famous enclosure of the Marylebone Club than was thought immediately beforehand would have been the case. At the battle of the Rival Blues sociality rules, and it cannot be truthfully said that to all who attend the play's the thing"; but ove likes to see the function a success, for we get rattling good cricketers for later fixtures from the banks of both Cam and Isis. How completely old sores are forgotteu is prettily proven by the pacific enthusiasm with which the celebration of the independence of the United States was carried out on both sides of the Atlantic. We have done with the tale of an ancient wrong," and England and America are at one again now. So may the union of hearts continue all through the ages. "'J

USK. Agent-Mrs. E. K Jones. Stationer THE BAZAAR.-Brakes will run from the Three Salmon's Hotel to Brynderwen on Thursday next, on the occasion of the bazaar in aid of the Jettws Church Restoration Fund. HONJUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE. -Tlii prize which Harry Gibson received at the recent presentation in connection with the UskTichaical Instruction Class was for 1st in merit in drawing as well as attendance. ANGLING.-The river rose two or thra inches after the thunderstorm on Friday last, anl seemed to have moved a few salmon. We h'lVO heard of the following kills:—Saturday, Col. Rodw, one Monday, Col. Rocke, one General Sii Charles Barnard, K.O.B., one. Tuesday, Mr. P:ide, one, 121bs, CAPITAL AND COUNTIES BANK DIVCDEID.—The Capital and Counties Bank, Ltd., declined their usual dividend of 1G per cent. 12,5,003 "las been, applied to the reduction of premises, Lto,600 is set aside to the officers' superannuation fund, and £ 86,693 is carried forward as against £ 33,716 last year. AN INTERESTING EVBNT.-On Thursday after- noon in last week, in the Government Buildings, Liverpool, at a numerously attended meeting of late colleagues and other friends, including several ladies, Mr. William Merretc, late superintendenb at the Liverpool Stamp Office, was presented witk a solid silver tea and coffee seivice as a mark o: esteem on his retirement from the Inland Revenm Department. Mr. J. Dixon, principal clerk presided, and made the presentation. He said the response to the invitation to subscribe was most cordial, and afforded strong evidence of the esteem ia which Mr. Merrett was held, Several other gentlemen bore testimony to the regard entertained for Mr. Merrett. Mr. Merrett very feelingly returned thanks, and dwelt upon the harmony which had at all times characterised his intercourse alike with his colleagues and with the legal profession, with whom he was brought much in contact. The tea and coffee service is of Queen Anne pattern, treated in the Greek style, and was much admired.—Earlier in the day Mrs. Merrett was made the recipient of a very handsome lamp, by the members of the Liverpool Academy's Ladies' Life Class at the Royal Institution. The lamp, which possesses all the newest improvements, is in the form of a Corinthian Piilar, and bears the inscription Presented to Mrs. Merrett, president of the L.A.L. Life Class, as a token of affection, from the Members, Liverpool, June 29th, 1899 The lamp is accompanied by an album of original paintings by Mrs. Merrett's artist friends.

DR. BARN ADO'S HOME. The annual collection for the u Waif Saturday Fund," in connection with the above Institution has been made; the boxes on being opened showing the following result:- a. d. Mr. Davies, The Bank 3 4 Mr. Green 2 4 Mrs. E. K. Jones. 1 2 Mr. J. Edwards.. 7 8i Mr. T. J. Smith. 3 2 Miss Frost 1 9 Mr. Hobbs 2 11% Mrs. Rowen 1 1 Mr. E.Jones.. 1 7 Mr. Billiugham 1 91 Mrs. Creese 3 ii-L Mr. Ault 10 2 2 Total £ 2 1 0