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

Births, Marriages, & Deaths. Announcements Of Births, Marriages and Deaths are in- serted at a uniform charge of Is each, unless such words as So cards,' No flowers' are added, when the 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 o Is (id perinch in depth, BIRTH. SHEPPARD.-On June 25th, at Bettws-N ewydd Rectory, the wife of the Rev. Herbert Sheppard of a son.

=: .r 7" NOTES BY "OBSERVER." [We do not necessarily endorse all our correspondent writes.-ED. 'C.O-I Haymaking is in full swing in the district. In consequence of the great demand for, and high wages paid to, labourers in the industrial parts of the County at the present time, men for agricultural work cannot be had for love nor mouey. The proposition of the Newport Chamber of Commerce to alter the designation, the Mem- ber for the Monmouth Boroughs," to "the Member for Newport," should certainly be unitedly and strenuously opposed by Monmouth and Usk so long as they are contributory boroughs for the return of an M.P. Next, I suppose, we shall hear of an agitation to change the name of the river which gives the jealous ones their importance to that of Newport," and to move bodily, American fashion, Usk Castle, Jones's Schools, &c., to within the pre- cincts of the "boss" borough. Newport may consider itself Monmouthshire, but it is not quite so yet. To be, or not to be that is the question which has agitated the minds of the Usk A.A. Sports Committee with reference to a meeting this year, and it has been decided in favour of keeping up its continuity as an annual event. The question of finance led to the query whether it would not be wise to drop it this year, for in these times there are heavy calls upon the pub- lic purse, and it is necessary to ask for pecuniary aid if the sports are held as they do not of themselves pay. The preliminary leap having been taken, it is to be hoped the Committee will land safely (monetarily) at the finish. I wish them every success. Tentatively the date has been fixed-Thursday, Aug. 23rd. A ruthless firebrand," is the designation applied by the "Methodist Times" to Mr. Kruger, who, it is stated, has done his utmost to appeal to race hatreds and to stir up the two greatest of all military evils-a European war and a war between England and America. He enjoys the valuable patronage of many teetotal- ers, but is himself a liquor seller, the owner of a large brewery. Though the Socialists denounce capitalists, they applaud Kruger to the echo, yet the Boer President is himself a capitalist—one of the richest of millionaires and, moreover, he has made his millions by political corruption and public peculation on a gigantic scale. Though praised by Dissenters, there is no man living who has done so much as he in direct antagonism to the principles of civil and religious freedom and the rights of conscience. It is reported that Lord and Lady Llangattock leave England early in July, for a short cruise. # Recently the Shireuewton-Llanvair postman found that a swarm of bees had taken possession of the letter-box at the Coombe Mill. # Corporal W. Haggett, B Squadron, 10th Hussars, writing from Bloemfontein, under date April 13th, informs his sister that he had been out on a wood-cutting expedition, with about 80 of different regiments. They were out two days, and cut 37 waggon loads. He continues We got two cigars a man served out to us— presents from the natives in India. Two more men died yesterday of fever theie are a lot of soldiers dying from different diseases. I wrote to Frank this week. He told me he got a Boer out of the river, and he had X-ii on him, so we had a good 'cop.' There is some talk of peace, but I don't know what they will do. We make a move the end of this month I don't know which way yet. I have not seen Ben Taylor lately, but his regiment is not far from here. There is a tremendous lot of troops up here now they are arriving every day. We expect to get our Queen's chocolate to-day, and if I do I will send the box home." Writing from Krooustad on the 13th May, he says The day after I wrote we took Vryburg, a small town on the railway. Then we went on and had a big fight at Zand River. On Satur- day night we arrived in Krooustad. I went over to see the S. W. Borderers, and saw Tom Baylis, Charlie Thomas, Dai Lewis, and poor old Bill Sweet, who was fairly doie up—his feet were all blisters from marching, he said. You are all right on a horse. In the afternoon I found Bill Creese, and took him over. There was also another chap who used to drive for I Mr. Herbert, Twyn Shop, so that made six Usk boys together. We had a good long chat about the old town. We are moving to-morrow for the Vaal River, and by the time you get this I hope to be in Pretoria." X. Writing to his wife from Dundee, Natal, May fth, Private John Haggett, of Bethune's ounted Infantry, says :—" We have lost a lot our men lately, one squadron being completely cut up. It happened at Vryheid, in the Transvaal. We were the first to enter that country from Natal, and were soon driven back. I daresay you have read the account in the papers at home before now. We have had a lot of riding lately-about 250 miles. One day we were twenty hours in the saddle. I can tell you I was getting sore from riding so much. Going into more detail, in a letter dated May 27th, he says: We left Greytown to attack the Boers at Pomeroy, where they were in great force. Our column consisted of the B. R.I., I.L.I. (Frank's regiment), two guns of the Natal Field Artillery, two naval guns (15-ponuders), two Hotchkiss guns, and 70 of the Umvoti Mounted Riflles. Ou arriving at Pomeroy, we found the Boers in strong force in the hills behind it. My squadron was sent out on the right flank, and we thought we might get some hard fighting there, as it was expected the Boers would retire that way. Another squadron was sent on the left flauk, and the I.L.I., and U.M.R. attacked in the centre. Our big gulls opened on the Boer positions about 7 a.m., while our men attacked in the centre. Well, before our men got half way up the hill we could see the Boers retiring for all they were worth towards tielpmakaar. When we were at the top of the hill a message came for mv squadron to advance. Just as the message came we could see a very large number of horsemen galloping along the ridge of the hills. We thought they were Boers, and wondered because they rode in such military style—something unusual for them. It was not long before we discovered, to our delight, that they were not Boers at all, but General Buller's Flying Column, pursuing the enemy from the Lady- smith side. We were not long in joining the main column again, after being separated for a long time. The Boers made a little stand at Help- makaar, but our big guns soon shifted them. It was then just getting dark, so we camped for the night. I might tell you that the Boers had burnt Pomeroy to the ground. Well, as soon as it was light the next morning, we made another start to follow up the Boers, and passed miles of wagons, infantry, and artillerv. that had started before us. It was a sight worth seeing. On reaching Helpmakaar we found that the Boers had burnt that to the ground also, and had set lire to the grass on the veldt for about twenty miles of the march to hide their retreat. The grass being very dry the fire would spread for miles. We had also to put up with the dust, which fairly blinded us. We visited a good many farms on the road, which were furnished grandly, and pianos, harmoniums, &c., which the Boers had commandeered from loyal farmers. The occupants had all cleared with the Boers, and in such a hurry that they had left their partly prepared dinners. We ultimately camped close by a farm named Kemp's, and having pulled saddles off and given the horses a feed, a friend and I went to the house, and found sandwiches, &c., cut on the table, apparently ready for the erstwhile occupants to take with them. They had had to clear in such a hurry, however, that they had left the food behind for us, and it went down very well I can tell you, as we were very hungry. We commandeered some feed for our horses, had a tune 011 the piano, and took a piece of cheese, some coffee, and tea, which we thought would be very use- ful on the march, and then left for camp to rest till morning. 3 Next day we were off again as soon as day- light broke, and arrived in Dundee about 3 o'clock. The Boers had no time to do much damage there. They had to go for all they were worth I can tell you. The few white families that had remained in Dundee through- out the war were pleased to see us also the natives. We camped a mile out of Dundee for a couple of days, and took a great number of Boer prisoners. They are giviug themselves up fast now. Then we were ordered to make a big patrol to a place called Nqutu in Zululand, about 30 miles ride, where we stopped two days and replaced the magistrate, &c. After we left there came the memorable ride and fight of the war for us-five squadrons of Bethune's Mounted Infantry. We left Nqutu about 9 o'clock in the morning for a 32 miles ride. My squadron (B) was to scout the country in advance of the main column. We did the work for about 25 miles till we came to the boundary of the Transvaal and Zululand called Blood River. Here we off saddled for half-an-hour to rest and feed our horses, some of them being done up, as scouting is hard work for them. E squadron, under Captain Goff, then took up the scouting, and things went all right till about 4 o'clock, when we got the order to gallop off as quickly as possible as our scouts had spotted the Boers. Just as we arrived on the battlefield we got the news that E squadron were cut off, and the Maxim gun men of D squadron were all killed. Our men fired a few shots, but the Boers were too many for us. They were trying to cut us off on the right flank. We retired to the back of three hills, waiting for the Boers to come around on our right flank, but they soon retired to their own position when our two Hotchkiss guns opened on them at about 5,000 yards. My squadron had to cover the whole of the regiment's retreat, but we came away with a lot less than we started with. We had 30 killed, 30 wounded, and 12 taken prisoners, the majority being of E squadron, with their Captain and two lieutenants killed. We went back to Nqutu, and arrived there at 4 30 the next morning, after being in the saddle for 19 hours. The worst of it was that when we got there we had nothing to eat. The next day our Colonel bought a bullock, and I had to kill it, so we had to eat meat alone. The next morning we started hack to Dundee-a two days' ride—with only meat to eat. I tell you we had a tough time of it till we got. there, and since we have arrived here I have been very busy killing 25 and 30 sheep a week." He con- cludes by giving camp rumours as to the progress of the war in other parts of the field. Mrs. Tyrrell has just received two letters from her sou, Sergt. A. J. Tyrrell, of the 2nd Devons. The first is dated 16th May, from Dundee. It runs We arrived here yester- day, after beiuif nine days on the march. We have been in touch with the Boers these last six days, their strength being estimated at 3,000 strong, and 14 guns. They have, however, fought in a very disheartened manner, having f o Li! left some splendid positions as soon as our Artillery have got into action. They would fire a parting shot and trek. They have nothing near the pluck they had three months ago. We are staying here to-day to give the oxen a rest. They arrived very late last night with the trausport, having had to travel 15 miles over very rough ground. We have no canvas with us, only two blaukets per man, and we find the nights very cold. We are up at 3 a.m., and on our way by 4 a.m. We shall go on to- morrow, and probably reach Newcastle on Saturday. We shall then probably go into the Transvaal, VIA Majuba aud Laings Nek, so we may reach Pretoria in time for some extra fun after all. I don't think we shall see any more of the Boers this side of the Transvaal." In conclusion, he reports that he is in good health, and asks for the "Observer" to be sent on regularly, as he receives it all right. Writing from Newcastle on the 22nd May, he says We arrived here last Friday, after having done a forced march of 22 miles. We had only two men in our Regiment fall out, and we were praised by General Cleary for our splendid marching. We shall probably remain here until the railway is repaired, and communication has been restored. Our scouts report that Laings Nek and Majuba Hill are clear, and the people here in Newcastle are certain that the Boers have retired right back to Pretoria. A large number of Boers have come in and given themselves up, since we have been here. They say they are heartily sick of it, and wish it was all over. We have ¡ not heard any news of Lord Roberts for some time, so we do not know how things are progressing in the Transvaal. We all hope, however, to be in England by August Bauk Holiday," All sincerely trust that peace, at any rate, will have been declared before that, but it is hardly probable we shall be able to welcome I our gallant boys at home at so early a date. Since the receipt of a letter from Pretoria, of which extracts were published in this column, uo news has been received from Bert Billiugham, so that his relatives at Usk do not know whether he was amongst the number liberated by the British entry into Pretoria, or amongst those previously moved north by the Boers. It may be, if he were amongst the former, that he was again associated with Colouel Bullock in withstanding a. portion of De Wet's commando between Kroonstad and Honing Spruit on the 23rd inst. The gallant Colonel refused to surrender when once more surrounded, and was, after a heavy shell and rifle fire, relieved by the arrival of reinforcements despatched by General Knox.

USK. Agent-Mrs. E. K Jones, Stationer VOLUNTEER BAND PAtLTY.-TI)e op,n-air ball and tea in aid of the Band funds of the Usk Volunteers takes place in Usk Castle, on Thursday next. It is hoped that there will be a. largs party present. MR. SPICER'S BILL.—Mr. Spicer's Monmout shire Sunday Closing Bill failed to get a hearing in the House of Commons on Wednesday. When the speaker ran through the list of orders for that day, that had not been reached, Mr. Spicer rose and formally said next Wednesday "when the Bill was alluded to. AClilDENT.-Oll Friday week, Mr. Harrhy, of the Bell Inn, Llanbadoc, while engaged hauling bark on the Abergavenny-road, was precipitated from the top of a load to the ground by the sudden jolting of the waggon, and had to be conveyed home, the injury sustained being at the back of the neck. SESSIONS AND ASSIZEs.-There are at present eight prisoners for trial at the Summer Assizes to be held at the Shire Hall, Monmouth, next week, before Mr. Justice Day. For Quarter Sessions at the Sessions House, Usk, there are also eight prisoners on the calendar, and as the Assizes arc to be held oil the regular Quarter Sessions day the date of the Sessions has been fixed for Friday. STAGE COACI-I.-Dr. F. Rutherfoord Harris's stage coach, "The Rocket" will commence running on Tuesday next. The coach will leave the King's Head Hotel, Newport, at 10 a.m. The first week it will run to Raglan Castle, and the second to Tintern Abbey, and so on alternately till September 29th, the dayi4 for Raglan being Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and for Tintern Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. ANGLING.—The recent rain improved the river for the salmon angler, and kills" have been more numerous than has been the case for a very Ion"- time. Record :—Friday—General Sir Charles L. Barnard. K.C.B., two. Saturday—Mr. R. Rickards, one, 91b.: General Miguon, one, 121bs. Tuesday—Mr. E. King, six, nIb, 131b., 141b., 151b. (2), and 161b.; Mr. H. W. Pride, one: Mr. Cartwright, one, 101b.; Mrs. Lister, one Mr. W. Russell, one, ll)|!b. Wednesday—Mr. R. W. Rickards, one. WESLEYAN PARTY.—The annual tea in connec- tion with the Usk Wesleyan Chapel was held in the Town Hall, on Thursday, and was very well attended, a number of friends, as usual, coming from Newport. The tea was presided over by the followingMrs. T. J. Smith, Mrs. E. Powell, Miss Price, Mrs George, Mrs. Coggan, Mrs. Summerfield (Newport), Mrs. Williams (Cwm- bran). and the Misses Smith. A public meeting followed the tea, the Revs. L. Railton, G. Minedew, and others giving addresses. "THE MONMOUTH BOROUGHS."—At the New- port Chamber of Commerce, on Wednesday, it was decided to send to the borough member a copy of the correspondence which has taken place between that body and the Postmaster-General and the general manager of the Great Western Railway Company respecting all-night telegraphic facilities. The hon. member wrote regarding the change of designation from member for the Monmouth Boroughs to member for Newport." He pointed out that there were only two ways of making the change—by special Act of Parliament or by bringing forward the matter when the next Redistribution Bill is before the Legislature. It I was agreed to wiiit until a redistribution Bill was introduced.

ABERGAVENNY. I Agents,—Messrs Oavies A Co. Booksellers. GENEROUS GIFT PROM THE HON. lURS. HERBERT.— With her usual generosity, the Hon. Mrs. Herbert of LIAnover, has given her property of Pen-y. pound, Abergavenny, to his lordship, Bishop Hedley, for the use of the nuns teachirig in the Catholic Schools of that town. The bishop has accepted the gift. and has arranged with Mrs. Her- bert the terms of the trust under which the pro- perty will be held for the benefit of the schools. Pen-y-pound is valuable property comprising a substantial house, with productive garden and orchard, near the Catholic church. EVANS V. STRAKER.—The case of Evans v. Straker, particulars of which were given in our last issue, was concluded before Mr. Justice Buckley in the Chancery Division of the High Court ou a Saturday. His Lordship, in giving jlrment, said his duty was to scan the trinsactirii, with scrupulous care to see whether the trustee had taken any midne advantage of his position and knowledge or whether the plaintiff had plsteed herself at arm's length with the defendant, trad agreed that they should stand in the ordinary position of vendor and purchaser. The plaintiff' had not come into court to support her claim. but based her ease on the correspondence. It appeared to him the first suggestion that Straker should buy the shares came from Mr. James Barry, of Cardiff, his co-trustee and he did not find any trace of any evidence that Mr. Straker endeavoured to coerce the plaintiff. He seemed to have acted quite fairly. He held there was no fraud, no con- cealment, and no advantage taken by the trustee of his position. Under these circumstances, he held that plaintiff had failed to prove her case, and the action must, therefore, be dismissed, with costs.—Judgment accordingly.

CHEPSTOW. Agent.—Mr Clark WOOL FAIR.—The annual two days' fair com- menced on Friday. The supply of wool was smaller than it has been for many years, and was mainly brought in small quantities. Messrs. Davis, Newland, and Hunt having found their experiment, inaugurated a few years ago, of selling by auction unremunerative, they this year abandoned it, and the wool was sold privately. There was an advance from j-d. to d. per lb. on last year's net prices. The average price, were:—Welsh, 5d. per lb., half-bred sheep, 7d.; and Shropshire, 7id,, which was the top price.

RETURN HOME OF MAJOR AND MRS. MARLING. On Thursday Major Percival Scrope Marling, V.C., and his wife reached Chepstow from Ladysmi:h, the whole town being en fate to honour the event. It will be remembered that, last year Major Marling married Miss Beatrice Beaumont, but before the conclusion of the wedding festivities he was ordered to proceed to South Africa, and Mrs. Marling bravely accompanied him, and wae, with him, besieged in Ladysmith, which place she was the last woman to leave. She nursed her husband during his illness there, and attended also to the sick and wounded soldiers. The Major was presented with addresses of welcome, and Mrs. Marling with bouquets of flowers.

PONTYPOOL. Agents-Jfr. J. Harding, Market Bookstall, and Messrs Jones and Edwards FANCY DRESS CYCLISTS' CARNIVAL. On Thursday in last week, a faucy dress carnival was held at Pontypool, in aid of the Band Funds of the 3rd Y.B.S.W.B., and was a great success as well from a spectacular as a fiuaucial point of view. Unfortunately, the weather was not 88 favourable as could have been wished however, a wet morning was succeeded by a more propitious afternoon, and the programme proposed was able to be carried out. The judging for the various prizes offered took place in the Cattle Market, with the following result Class 1 (the moat effective cycle lady rider) ], Miss G. V. Roberts, Newport (who was decorated with advertisements of all descriptions). The award of the 2nd prize gave the judges con- siderable trouble, and they eventually gave an extra 2ud prize. The winners of these were-,Iliss Pullen, Pontypool (representing Britannia "> and Mrs. Edwards (The Globe, Pontypool), who wore an exceptionally pretty fancy costume. Class 2 (gentlemen cyclists) 1, Furlow Brothers 2, Mr. W. Grunn. Class 3 (the most effective car): 1, Miss B. Pettifor; 2, Mrs. E. W. Hill. Class 4 (most effective tradesmen s turnout): I, Mr. Purchase: 2, Mr. J. E. Woolley-cycles and niggers h.c., Mr. W. Arthur, Pontypool. Class 5 (most effective mount): 1, Mr. Newman* Mamhilad; 2, Mr. Edwards (Clarence Hotelr Pontypool), who wore a Yeomanry uniform. A special prize, given by Dr. Essex, was awarded Mr. McKintay. A special prize for the most comical feature in the procession was adjudged after the concert in the Gardens, and was awarded, amid applause, to Weary Willie" and "Tired Tim" (Mr. D. Jones, secretary, and Mr. Flint, Pontypool;. The procession, which perambulated the town, started from the Cattle Market at about the time advertised, six o'clock, and a very large crowd of people were out to witness the event. A portion of the Band (under Mr. S. T. Roderick) came first, and the order afterwards was aa follows:— Marshals, Band, Council, Fire Brigades, Horsemen, Comic Pedestrians, Italian Organ, Queen of Summer, Lady Cyclists, Gentlemen Cyclists, Red Cross Car, Gun Boat, Ambulance Car, Oom Paul's State Band, Tradesmen's Turnouts, Comic Cars, Band, Friendly Societies. The Carnival gave much scope for the con- ception and execution of original ideas, and to the credit of the town it must be said that its inhabitants displayed at once originality and ingenuity in the matter, with the result that tile well organised and arranged procei qioll not only aroused the patriotic cheers of all who looked ou by the capital representation of our military leaders in South Africa, their interest m local trades bv the industrial cars, wagons, &c., but their keen amusement and appreciation by the comical characters portrayed. In the evening a grand concert was given by the Band in the Italian Gardens, at which the prizes won were presented by Miss Mason, to whom, with the organising officerii and committee, a hearty vote of thanks was given. The street. collOctiOu amounted to £ 23 13s. IOJ., and the concert receipts were over f 13.

I Imperial Federation. At the Congress of Chambers of Com- merce which opened in London, on Tuesday, a resolution was adopted with unanimity advocating the early formation of au Imperial Consultative Council, in which the Mother Country and the Colonies should have due representation, and which should, consider and advise on IMPERIAL AND COLONIAL QUESTIONS, commercial and otherwise. By this means it is hoped that the bond of Commerce between all parts of our vast and ever-ex- panding realm shall be tightened and rendered permanently secure. A telling speech was made by the Under-Colonial Secretary, the Earl of Selborne, at the inaugural meeting. His lordship referred to the good work already accomplished by the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and dwelt upon the large number of suggestions Z-,C, sent in to the present Congress from the Colonies on the subject of an Imperial customs arrangement, and also the pro- minence that was being given to Imperial defence and the constitution of an Imperial Council. It was a strange thing, he said, brought about by the whirligig of time, n Z5 that the question of Imperial defence, which a century and a quarter ago lost us America, and seemed likely to destroy the Empire, was now the question above all others which was going to consolidate it. Com- merce, which appeals to all, is chiefly responsible for this desideratum. The critical condition of AFFAIRS IN THE EAST at this moment proves how closely politics are intertwined with commerce iu a non- partisan way, and shows how Liberal and Conservative may act conjointly for the general good. Imperial defence is to Britishers simply a question of insurance- insurance of our world-wide commerce, our great carrying trade, our food supplier and Z5 | coaling stations against mofestation, and our system must belelastic, and prepared for any emergency in all parts of the world. The Australian Commonwealth Bill, which has been read a third time in the Common s and a first time in the Lords, will, when the bill becomes law, form one of the greatest schemes which has ever been framed to bind together the scattered members of one great family.

NEWPORT. Auent;-Messrs Greenland and Co., Newsmaents FATAL ACCIDENT AT LYSAGHT'S WOKKS.—The engine driver, William Lewis, who sustained the fearful accident at Lysaght's Works, ou Sunday morning, and who was subsequently removed to the Newport and Monmouthshire Infirmary, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning between six and seven o'clock. The deceased was a married man, and lived at Jones' Cottages, Chepstow-road.—On Wednesday the inquest was opened before the Coroner [Mr. Lyndon Moore] and a jury, of which Captain Lod^e was foreman, and was adjourned until four o'clook on Friday afternoon. NEWPORT AERATED WATER COMPANY. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Newport Aerated Water Company, Ltd., is to be held at the Westgate Hotel, oa Friday the 29th inst., when the subjoined resolution, passed at the extraordinary meeting on June 12th, will be submitted for confirmation That the company be wound up voluntarily, and that Walter Hunter, of Newport aforesaid, accountant, and John Young, of Newport aforesaid, auctioneer, be and are hereby appointed liquidators for the purpose of such wind- ing up." A DANEROUS DOG.-At the Borough Police- court on Wednesday, William Banks was sum- moned for keeping a dangerous dog. Edward Brown said that defendant's dog fought with his dog in Hereford Street. After he (witness) threw his own animal off, the defendant's dog flew at him and bit him on the hand. The animal flew at him once before but he warded it off. Defen- dant pleaded that the dog had never bitten anyone before. It was a St. Bernard breed. The Chair- man said the Bench strongly advised defendant to destroy the dog. They ordered him to keep the animal under proper control and pay the costs (6s. 6d.) NETTLEFOLD'S WORKS.—Mr. J. A. Kenrick, who presided at the annual meeting of sliai-cholder,,3 in Nettlefolds (Limited), in moving the adoption of the report remarked that there was a rumour that the company was going to remove their works from Smethwick to Newport. Any shareholder would know that that would not be the case. But there was a alight amount of truth in the rumour. At present they had wire drawing plants in Birmingham which could not be worked economically, and they thought it would be advisable to put a plant somewhere near Newport. They were looking for suitable land. Negotiations were still in progress.