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-TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. -
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. DISTRIBUTION OF PIUZES AND. CaifJIFICATES- At the Usk Higher Grade Elementary School,, on Tuesday evening, the distribution of certificates and prizes won at the classes held under the Usk Technical Instruction Committee during last Winter's Session, took place. Mr. H. litimphreys, J.P. (chairman of the Committee) presided, and was supported by Mr. H. A, Addis, J.P., and bir- T. J. Smith. Mr. J. C. Lowe, and Mr- W. F. Roberts (teacher of Phonography) were also present, with the successful students. The reports on the work of the various classes have already appeared, and it is only necessary now to give the list of those students to whom presentations were made. They wereMisses- Agnes F. Thomas and J. Slade W. Sales, James Stead, Stanley C. Smith, A. James, Herbert Stockham, Herbert Lake, Harry Wise, Frank F. Lucas, Arthur C. Hiley, and Harry Gibson. The Chairman said he was sorry that in one examination the candidate presented himself eight minutes after time, and although be had regularly attended every class before the examination, the Science and Art Department had declined to consider his paper because he was not punctual to the time appointed. He (the Chairman) had been in communication with the Secretary of the Department, and had laid the facts before him. He had received a reply, sympathising very much with the young fellow, and promising to get the case taken into consideration, but holding out no hope that the authorities would alter the decision arrived at. This was a lesson to them all. It showed how a lapse of memory or a bit of carelessness might, under certain circumstances, mean the ruin of a man or woman. For instance if a person had arrived at an age limit for ao. examination, and had been, as in the present case. disqualified through unpunctuality, there would be no chance to ait again, and the whole course of life would be altered, and life would, perhaps, be ruined by that little bit of forgetfulneas. He (the Chairman) was very sorry for the lad concerned, but he was afraid he would have to suffer for hier little lapse. The results of the drawing examination had not yet been received from the Department, and the certiticates, &c., could not, therefore, be given that evening. The Chairman, having distributed the prizes, &c., said they might congratulate themselves on one thing, viz., the greater number of attendances at the classes than was the case last year, and, on the whole, the more regular attendance of the students. He would, however, like to see a little more esprit de carps, in the town with tegard to the classes, They were not a large number of people, but he would like to see a greater number of young men and young women, boys and girls, coming to them for technical instruction than in any other town in Monmouthshire, and they had only to advance a little more to occupy that position. At a meeting of the County Technical Instruction Committee at Newport, to which the chairmen of the district committees were invited, he brought forward the question of the grants from the Couutjr Council, and urged that they should be in proportion to the proportion ot tne innaoicauts attending the classes in the respective districts. He thought that suggestion was bearing some fruit. The students ought to help and encourage each other. to attend the classes, and to try and get others to attend, for the instruction imparted would be of great benefit to them and improve them all. Mr. Smith said he had been connected with the classes since they were formed and he was glad to see that the work of technical instruction was being so well and faithfully performed. They were. getting on better and better every year, and be, trusted they would continue to advance, and that the students would enter into the work with a. spirit of emulation, and gain prizes aud earn grants. The Chairman had taken a great deal of trouble in selecting the prizes. Mr. Addis proposed a vote of thanks to the teachers for the very great pains they had taken with their work. The pupils ought to be yerjp
Advertising
G ANE, LATE TRAPNELL & GANE, HOUSE FURNISHERS, NEWPORT, FOR FURNITURE IN THREE GRADES THUS:— PLAIN, DURABLE, MOST INEXPENSIVE GOODS FOR THE COTTAGE. Exhibited in the basement of the immense Showrooms at 161 & 162, Commercial Street, Newport—beautifully lit by electric light, and so arranged that purchasers may most easily judge of the quality and style of In every article. The great advantages offered to pur- chasers desiring to secure the best result I for a moderate outlay are :— 1st—The guarantee of an unblemished reputation extending to close upon a cen- m tury's trading. 2nd—The saving in cost due to dealing with large manufacturers doing an exclu- sively cash business and marking every- thing in PLAIN FIGURES. 0 3rd-The effect obtained by the pur- chase of Furniture the product of the Artistic instinct and training for which the firm has ever been famous. Catalogues Illustrating Furniture for the ARTIZAN sent free to any address. Free delivery to all parts. 4 TV) 1? LATE TRAPNELIA IjrAlN-CJ AND GANE )> FOR COTTAGE FURNITURE. ARTISTIC, YET INEXPENSIVE MIDDLE-CLASS FURNITURE Displayed on Ground Floor, 1st Floor and Galleries. For this particular branch of the Furnishing Art, P. E. Gane, late TRAPNELL & GANE, excel, having been identified with and responsible for much of the advance made of late years in the application of true principles of Art, in the manufacture of Inexpensive Furniture. It is remarkable for what a moderateJ amount a house may be furnished with reliable goods, betraying that fitness of colour and form so gratifying to the refined taste, No firm is better able to show how happily Economy and Beauty may be combined in the Furnishing of the house. As a preliminary to a visit to the Show- rooms, P. E. Gane invites intending pur- chasers to send for the Beautifully Illus- trated Guide to Furnishing, which is sent Gratis and Post Free to any address. A \TP /LATE TRAPNELL\ VJRAI* EI V AND GANE' )* FOR ARTISTIC, INEXPENSIVE MIDDLE-CLASS FURNITURE. I BEAUTIFUL FURNITURE OF THE HIGHEST CLASS. Furniture of a type suited for the equipment of the Mansion and large Residences is shown on the 2nd and 3rd Floors of P. E. Gane's immense Furniture Showrooms at 161 & 162, Commercial Street, Newport. Completely fitted specimen rooms enable Customers to accurately judge of the final effect of different schemes of Furnishing. 0 The very large operations of this depart- ment at the Newport, Bristol, and Cardiff branches afford an unqualified assurance that purchasers may benefit by the results of ex- tensive training in the latest and best phases of the Furnisher's Art. There is a great difference between the Z, mere buyer and distributor of Furniture and the Firm with a reputation for the design and manufacture of Artistic House plenish- ings. The firm of P. E. Gane, late Trapnell and Gane, has stood in the front rank as designers and makers of Furniture for over three quarters of a century. n A "VP /LATE TRAPNELL VJIVLML AND GANE FOR BEAUTIFUL MANSION FURNISHINGS. ADDRESSES 161 and 162, Commercial Street, NEWPORT. 38-41, Queen Street CARDIFF. 38, 39, 40, College Green BRISTOL. Public Notice. TO OUR READERS. By special arrangement we shall each Friday receive Special War Telegrams up to the time of going to Press. Sale by eduction. By Messrs. JAMES STRAKER & SON. MONMOUTHSHIRE. Llangovan and Raglan. VALUABLE FREEHOLD FARM FOR SALE. MESSRS. JAMES STRAKER & SON will OFFER for SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION at the THREB SALMON'S HOTEL, USE:, On MONDAY, the 20th AUGUST, 1900, At Three for Four o'clock in the Afternoon, subject to Conditions of Sale to be then produced, all that Freehold Farm, called "LITTLE LLANGOVAN," situate in the Parishes of LLANGOVAN and RAGLAN, in the County of Monmouth, in the occupation of Mr. DAVID JONES, containing an acreage of 122a. Or. 2p., of Arable, Meadow, and Pasture Land. The farm is surrounded by land of His Grace the Duke of Beaufort: S. R. Bosanquet, Esq.; C. C. Tyler, Esq.; and Mr. Williams. For further particulars apply to the AUCTIONEERS, at Abergavenny, or to Mr. T. GWYNNE POWELL, Solicitor, Brynmawr. Sale by Tender. To Farmers, Graziers & Others. Growing Crops on JBryncain Farm, Penpergwm, nr. Abergavenny. FOR SALE BY TENDER, the growing Crops (Grass, Clover, &c.), on the following fields of the above Farm N-o. on Tithe Map. A. R. P. 338 5 1 28 Grass. 339 4 1 15 340 5 0 16 Orchard 341 4 0 37 342 5 1 37 344 6 2 26 345 6 0 13 „ Tenders endorsed" Grass Crops" will be received and opened by me, the undersigned, up to 12 o'clock on MONDAY, 16th JULY, 1900. Buyer to harvest and remove the crop by the 25th July, 1900. The highest or any Tender not necessarily accepted. CHARLES E. PARSONS, Auctioneer, I Central Chambers, Newport, Mon. 26th June, 1900.
Parliamentary.-I
Parliamentary. I In the House of Lords on Thursday Viscount Cross moved the second reading of the Workmen's Compensation Act Extension Bill, which brings agricultural labourers within the provisions of the Act. The Bill was read a second time. 10 the Commons on Thursday, Mr. Balfour reply- ing to Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, said that the Commission to report upon the sick and wounded in South Africa consisted of Dr. Church, president of the Royal College of Physicians; Dr. D. J. Cunninarham, professor of anatomy at Trinity Col- lege, Dublin, and Lord Justice Romer.
Advertising
APPOINTMENTS, &c., FOlt WEEK Ending July 14tli, 1900. Sat. 7-Pontypool Petty Sessions, 11 a. m. Sun. 8—Fourth Sunday after Trinity. Mon. 9—Moumouth Cattle Market. Tues. 10—Abergavenny Market. Wed. 11—Newport Cattle, Cheese, & Corn Mkts Abergavenny Petty Sessions. Llantrissent Tea Party. Thur. 12-Cwrmbraii Petty Sessions. Monkswood Tea Party. Pontypool Board of Guardians. Sat 14-Pontypool Petty Sessions, 11 a.m.
! Deepening Darkness.
Deepening Darkness. The news to hand from China at the time of writing is but one remove from the worst that could possibly come. Confidence that better news will arrive has vanished hope is almost dead. The allied Admirals, we are told, have not seen their way to make any forward movement, which means that for lack of sufficient force the United Powers have abandoned their Corps Diplo- matique to massacre in Pekin. Could a more harrowing, humiliating picture be r5 conjured up in the mind's eye than that of the thousand Europeans in the Chinese capital within 100 miles of the allied Fleets, standing at bay, with. the terrible courage of despair, contending against vastly dis- proportionate hordes of CRUEL AND BLOOD-TIIIRSTY ASSAILANTS whose brutality knows no bounds when, as now, it has become inflamed? They are left to their fate—diplomats, merchants, missionaries, marines; men, women, and children! And what a fate! Oh! the! horror and the shame of it all. What an indelible humiliation and disgrace to civilization! Let us pray that the little garrison, with the women and children, may come to their end without falling into the hands of the Chinese, who are capable of cold atrocity far beyond that of methe primitive savages. It is to be feared that the mischief will not end with this. The news that the Powers have had to confess themselves FOR THE MOMENT HELPLESS will soon be known from Canton to Pekin, and from Shanghai to Chungking, and will n In encourage, more than anything else that has yet happened, the exultant, vindictive out- break of the universal storm of anti-foreigu fanaticism that has been slowly gathering for years. Sir Edward Seymour and Admiral Alexeieff have already had to recognise that the position of their force is rapidly becoming untenable, and that it will probably be impossible to hold Tientsin. The Chinese are closing upon them from every side in 1 immense masses, ana nave resumed the attack with heavy guns. They are approaching in strength the north forts of Taku itself, and are in possession of the nearest portion of the northern railway. The Admirals have already begun to send the WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO THE COAST by the river route, and if is perfectly clear that all the circumstances point towards the necessity of a total retreat upon Taku. If the twelve thousand men under Sir Edward Seymour and Admiral Alexeieff can even succeed in forcing their way back to the base without heavy loss or a worse catastrophe there will be reason for congratulation. The Southern Viceroys are beginning to adopt an insolent tone, which threatens Shanghai. Neither Li-Ilung-Cliang in Canton, nor Y uan-Shih-Kai in Shantung, is to be trusted, and their mustering of forces may form, at any moment, a new danger. A heavy responsibility will rest upon those, if such there be, who for any ulterior reasons, have prevented the work of rescue being performed by jealousy of Japan.
[No title]
[We do not necessarily endorse all our correspondent writes.—En. '(J.O."] It is gratifying to learn from the remarks of the chairman of the Usk Technical Instruction Committee that the classes under their auspices were, during the last Session, more largely and I el regularly attended than in the previous year. < It is to be feared that there are many yet who do not, or will not, see that the movement for providing instruction of the nature imparted at the Old Grammar School of au evening during the winter is one in every respect worthy of their helping hand, but the vision of succeeding generations will, no doubt, become less and less obscured as prejudices disappear uuder the influences of expanding education, with its beue- ficial results. Certainly it is to be regretted that more young men and young women do not avail themselves of the educational facilities offered by the classes organized by the Committee, which facilities, no dpubt, would be increased if there were the demand for them there should be. The prize distribution seemed to be a function of a semi-private nature. No one attended but the Committee, the teachers, the successful scholars, and a reporter. Why should this be ? It seems to me that the Committee would do well to consider, another year, the calling of a public meeting to wind up the Session, at which the value of technical instruction might be insisted upon. Surely, the p--trents of the students would attend, and their future aid—of great importance—would be the more assured, whilst, also, an additional few might become interested in the work. The sight of the beau- tiful prizes on the table would be sufficient to induce envy on the part of some of the youngsters, and a wish to qualify themselves for the compe- titions (for the successful in which the books were the rewards), would find expression in an application to join the classes. The unfortunate temporary forgetfulness of the examination on the part of one of the students, which resulted in his being eight minutes late and culminated in the rejection of his work by the Science and Art Department, served as a peg upon which to hang a little lecture on the importance of punctuality. Every- one will be sorry for the youth, and most will think the punishment too severe for the slight irregularity. Osmond Haggett, of Bethune's Mounted Infantry, has just written home to his parents (on commaudeered notepaper) from Carolina, Dundee, Natal, under date May 31st. Having explained the silence of some weeks, and acknowledged the receipt of papers, &c., he proceeds I have had rather a rough time of it since we left Botha's Farm. We got to the Tugela River the same night (on a Thursday), a distance of 25 miles. At Pomeroy we had to face the Boers again, but after a few shots they retired to Helpmakaar, where we had a fine I go at them for about two hours. We were only 1,000 men all told. The Boers shifted again because there were about 20,000 of Buller's troops coming at the back of them. They went back to Dundee—a distance of 70 miles. We captured all their wagons and food, and bad a tine tuck iu After three days' ride we got to Dundee, where Buller nearly cut off the Boers, and they had to retire again. No doubt you have seen in the papers of our regiment having a bad 'cut up'. We left Dundee and went to the Blood River, where we stayed a day, and ttiesi went off to Incota, and thence to Vryheid, where we met with the disaster. It was a toss up between A (ours) and E Companies as to who should go ahead, as we heard that there were Boers not two miles from the camp. E' Company had to go. It was then about 4 p.m. They had not been gone five minutes when we heard a heavy rifle tire. We all mounted and went to our comrades' aid at full gallop. We were too late, however. We dismounted at about 2,000 yards from the Boer firing line, and advanced all the time under their fire. I can tell you it made one think seriously. We tried to save our men who had fallen, but it was getting too dark, and we had to return leaving 30 dead, about 25 wounded, and nine prisoners. Of the troop I was in there were two wounded, and several horses were killed. Our Colonel found out that the Boers were too many for us so we had to ride back to Dundee without rations, except loot. I lost two of my best chums. It made tears come into my eyes when I heard that they were gone. It was the worst 'sertpe' we have been in I think that another month will finish the war. Whether I shall come home or not will depend upon the state of Johannesburg. If the Boers have not destroyed the mines there I shall not come home for a couple of years. Trooper Norman Biggs, in a letter dated May 30th, from Thaha Nchu, says :—"I am writing from this place because the post is leaving here. We are encamped on the Racecourse at Lady- brand, about 40 miles away, but nine of us have come on here as escort to a convoy of pro- visions. We have been three days on the journey by night. There are eighteen bullocks to each waggon. We have not been paid since the end of March, and money is no good out here. They won't take money, and we could not sink so low as io pay-the food would choke us. < I have lately been on guard on a mountain about six miles from Ladybrand. Up to now we have worked fairly hard, only having about three nights' rest out of five, but since the Worcesters have come they have taken all guards except mounted ones. We go out every day to commandeer ponies, cattle, or anything we can lay hands on. It is the only way to get anything, and we often get something for ourselves in the way of a turkey or chicken. One of the Glo'sters came in with a grin on his face the other day, and said he had struck oil, and got 10 eggs for 6d., but we had done better than that. We were in another skirmish a week or two ago, "at Brand's Spruit, and one of the Glo'sters got shot in the leg. This is a strange climate, veryjhot all day up to 4.30 p.m., and by 5 it is nearly freezing, and it freezes hard in the night. The sun rises between half-past five and six, and by seven in the morning it is nice and warm. We are not under cauvas, and yet nobody has a cold or anything. Of course, we sleep in our clothes, and it seems quite natural. When we go to Church in L/adybraud we go fully armed, and leave our ritles at the end of the pews just like umbrellas. None of the inhabitants are allowed out after dark, and nobody except the military is allowed to ride or drive, so they can't do much harm. The Boers are great liars. I saw one of President Steyn's addresses, in which he said that I all prisoners were tetit to a place called Wales, where they were made to work in the mines, and never allowed to come up.' That was one of the most sensible. There are others far worse than that. I'll try and collect a few. You will be surprised to hear that according to Steyn the Boer prisoners are sent to fight against Russia, with whom England is at war, and these ignorant blokes believe it. They all think we are going to sack and pillage every place we go to. At one of our camps, Olivier's farm I think, we discovered about 401bs. of dynamite, which was going to be used to blow up a big dam there. Jolly lucky for us wasn't it ? < In a house in Ladybraud we came across a bundle of letters (a girl's). It kept us in shrieks the whole day. On the Queen's birthday we had a procession, sang God save the Queen, and then hoisted the British flag over Ladybraud. Major Wyndham Quin asked me to get up a Footer Match, so I got a ground (everything you want you commandeer), took a Cape cart and two Basuto ponies, and went into Ladybraud and ordered up twenty niggers to the Racecourse to cut the grass- they do it with bill hooks if you please. Then I went to a timber yard (owner absent), and took all the wood I wanted, and conveyed it to a saw mills, where I had it cut, aud then carted to the camp. It was white- washed and stuck up, and I tell you the job looked well. Sir Godfrey Lagdou and all the big people around were invited. We had pony races, and the Glamorgaus aud Glo'sters played the Worcesters' association. Result a draw, as the ball, which belonged to the Worcesters, burst about eighteen minutes after half-time. "From all accounts the war is nearly over. The Boers have been bringing in their arms, and we hear that another lot has just surrendered, so I suppose we shall be a sort of police patrol. I hope they are going to send us on to Pretoria, as we are getting a bit tired of going out in parties of about twelve to collect ponies and cattle and arms, and bringing in people who have not sent in their arms. Basuto ponies are the most comfortable to ride. We use them on little rough jobs, and where food is scarce. They remind me of those beach ponies we used to ride at Penarth. Do you remember ? I am laughing now when I think of it. Ha! ha! ha! # "I wonder if my letters ever reach you. Yours don't reach me. I have heard from nobody since the 30th of March, nor have any of the others, till I got the one you wrote April 27th, but the thiugs sent us never seem to arrive. I must leave off now, as dinner is ready. I am gettiug tired of turkey. We will try ducks for a chauge. We had a whole sheep the other day, and cooked it ourselves." The President of the Board of Agriculture wishes it to be made generally known that as rabies, and, consequently, muzzliug of dogs, has ceased to exist in Great Britain, it is necessary, in order to maintain the satisfactory position, that great care should be exercised with regard to the admission of dogs from abroad, more especially from the Continent of Europe, where the disease is very prevalent. Dogs from abroad should only be admitted if some C, useful purpose will be served, or where they would be otherwise separated from their owners for a long period, and the conditions imposed as to isolation after their arrival in this country should be rigidly observed. Unless these precautions can be maintained it may be necessary to adopt regulations such as those existing in Australian Colonies, and to require the detention of all imported dogs, for a lengthened period, at a Government quarantine station. His Honor Judge Owen, as chairman* of the Pembrokeshire Quarter Sessions, has referred to the proposed extension of the application of the, Workmen's Compensation* Act to agriculSiwal labourers, and proffered some good advice to agriculturists thereanent, which being of a. I general character, and applicable locally, neede no apology for drawing attention to here. < Under the Act, if a man were killed his next- of-kiu was entitled to three years' weekly wages, or £150, whichever was the larger amount, and if a man were permanently disabled he was entitled to half his wages for the remainder of his life. He recommended agriculturists to insure against any liability they might incur under the amended Act. He believed they would be able to insure £ 100 every year for about 3s. or 3s. Gd., and if the insurance was very generally effected the price would be very much less. He would advise them to insure at once, since when theBill passed theycouldnot tell how soon an accident might happen. If a man carting home a load of hay fell off and broke his neck, the farmer who employed him would be liable to pay J6150 to the man's family, and if the man were only permanently injured the farmer might have to pay a young man of eighteen or twenty for the rest of his life, which might be a long oue, half his weekly wage—per- haps 6s. or 12s. This was a very serious matter, and the only safeguard was to insure. He advised them, when insuring, to take a good, sound company. There was nothing so dangerous as a newly-started company which had not sufficient reserve capital, and when the claims became heavy it fell through, and the persons who bad insured in it lost the whole of their money. The new Act might come into operation in two or three weeks, or, perhaps, not till next year. x- I am sorry Mr. Sheldon has declined to be nominated Vice-President of the United States by the United Christian party. We know from his book, "What would Jesus do," the lines upon which a newspaper should be run, and it would be equally interesting to know the correct mode of legislating for the Great American Republic. I am afraid he has lost a golden opportunity. Our Volunteers go into camp on Salisbury Plain on Saturday next, July 14th, for a month's training. At a recent Volunteer meeting to celebrate the 40,th anniversary of the first review of the Volunteer force by her Majesty, in Hyde Park, June 23rd, I860, Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, Commander-in-Chief, gave some interesting facts, which I may, perhaps, be excused summarising here. Forty years ago there were only about 120,000 Voluuteers all told to-day there are more than a quarter of a million of well-drilled men. At the present time the number of men bearing arms for Her Majesty is fully half a million. This totals up an army of three quarters of a million of men. In the war in South Africa there are over 11,000 men serving belonging to the Volunteers of the country. # At the same festive board, the gallant defen- der of Ladysmith, Lieutrnant-General Sir George White, V.C., said he had always felt the Volunteer force to be an organization which was most in accord with our political institutions, and with our fighting instincts as a people. We were a commercial nation and were proud of it, but when people spoke of us merely as a com- mercial people there was an implied sneer that we had arrived at that period of our national history when wealth accumulates and men decay." The best answer to such a taunt was the great increase of our Volunteer forces, and the whole-hearted readiness they had shown to exchange the theory of military training in and near the metropolis for active service before the enemy, thousands of miles from the commercial centres to which they were supposed to be chaimed. As to the Colonists they had fought as men who were not only champions of the cause but shareholders in whatever the result of the war might be." There is a good story now going the rounds about Dr. Talmage, who has just concluded a preaching tour in England. The other day he had a letter handed to him while iu the pulpit. Ou opening it he found it contained only one word, "Fool!" Taking the congregation into his confidence, he remarked that he had known many an instance of a man writing a letter and forgetting to sign his name to it, but this was the only instance he had ever known of a man sign- ing his name and forgetting to write the letter. -=-
USK. %.P..-I
USK. %.P. I Agent-Mrs. E. K Jones. Stationer I ANGLING.-We have heard of the following kills "Friday-Mr. R. Rickards, one. Monday —Mr. R. Rickards, two Mr. R. W. Rickards, three. Tuesday—Mr. H. W. Pride, one, 9lbs; Dr. F. Rutherfoord Harris, one, 91bs. Wednesday— Geueral Mignon. one, 121bs. TRAP ACCIDENT.—We regret to hear that as ex- Sergeant aud Mrs Rowen were returning from Newport in their light trap, at about noon to-day (Friday), the pony, from some unaccountable cause, fell when near Court Blethin, and both the occu- pants were thrown out, Mr Rowen being a good deal shaken, and Mrs Rowen much bruised about the face. After resting M the White Hart, Llan- gibby, for a time, they continued the drive to Usk. CAPITAL AND COUNTIES BANIZ.-The Board have declared a dividend for the past six months at the rate of 18 per ceut. per annum free of income-tax. Twenty-five thousand pounds have been applied in reduction of premises account, and £ 10,000 set aside as a contribution to the officers' super- annuation fund, leaving a balance to be carried forward of ;64(;,997, as against £ 36,963 last year. The dividend for the corresponding period last year was at the rate of 1(5 per cent. per annum. CHURCH PARADE.—On Sunday morning last, the members of G (Usk) Company, 4th V.B.S.W.B. attended Divine Service at St. Mary's Parish Church, Usk. The men fell in at their New Armoury in Porthycarne-street, soon after ten o'clock, and subsequently, headed by the band (under Band-Sergeant J. Madley) proceeded to the Church via the Twyn-Square. As it was the first Sunday in the mouth, there was no sermon. After the service the Company was marched round the town to the straius of the band. There was a muster of 5G Non-commissioned Officers and rank and file. BAND PAI-LTY.-The climatic conditions were, happily, favourable ou Thursday, when the open-air ball and tea in aid of the band fund of thj local volunteers was held in Usk Castle. In consequence of there being so many couuter attractions in the district the attendance was not so large as usual, but, on the whole, the party was a very successful one. The following- ladies presided over the tea tables :-Mrs. G. Edmunds, junr., Mrs. M-tyberry, Mrs. Sweet, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. D. Lewis, Miss Alice Thomas, Miss Annie Roberts, and Miss K. Thomas. Many other ladies rendered assistance. The band played a choice selection of dance and other music, under Bandmaster J. Madley. Dancing was, of course, the chief feature of the event, and it was entered into with spirit. Cocoanut shies, a rifle range, &c., also helped to amuse and to make the event an enjoyable one. Mr. Cossens was the caterer for the tea, and Mrs. Morgan, of the Castle, supplied refreshments. SEHIOVS TKAP ACCIDENT.-OU Monday afternoon a terious accident befell Miss Emily Williams, daughter of Mr. Joseph Williams, of Court-y- Brychan, Llansoy. It appears that she had been to U Ilk railway station with the pony and trap to meet a lady and gentleman, and was returning home with them, when, near the Feargoed, Llandenny, she tvertooSs the Messrs, Lewis, of Ty Harry, who were aifeo driving home. In some way or other the traps: gtJt ravolived as Miss WiMianw was passing. The stepper of the Lewiaf* trap was taken off, and Miss V4illiama was thrown of her vehicle. Her clothes etching- su her own trap she was, to the horror of tferonlooksrs, dragged some distance along the roadr and the- wheeli passed orer her right arm. Fortunately, tbe pony did not attempt to run away. i8s qnicMy as possible the unfortunate young lady was coareyed to the Peargoed, and the Messrs. ILewis returned to Usk for surgical aid. Dr. Jenkins- at oace drove oat. but at Miss Williams' own request she had in the meantime been taken horns; Wn e^+vmining her there,; Dr. Jeukins found th,,it her 6;ht arm bad been broken, and she was very badly bsmised by the Sail and being dragged along the road. We are pleased to hear that she is now progressing ae favourably as can be expectel.. It was really a mercy that she was not killed outright. SHAM FIGHT AT CWMMCKEY. The 4th Volunteer Battalion, South Wales Borderers held a field day 011 Saturday, the scene of operations being the Cwralickey biiil near Pouty- pool. The Usk and Monmouth companies proceeded to Pontypool by special train, Captain White and Captain Powell being in command respectively. The weather was unfortunately anything but pleasant, rain falling heavily at times, but the manoeuvres were carried out with spirit. The general idea of the operations was as f,llows:- A beaten force of all arms, retiring on Brecon by forced marches, had its left tlauk threatened by a force which had landed at Newport. The special idea (defeudiug force) was that the enemy were reported to be threatening their left flankT and their orders were to delay the advance until 7 p.m., utilising all available cover to clear the baggage. 9 o The special idea (attacking force) was that ther enemy had detached a small force to guard the left flank at Cwmlickey, and the orders were to attack in furce to cut his communications, the officer commanding expecting his force to carry the position by 6.30 p.m. The defending force consisted of the A (Blaeuavon) and B (Pontypool) companies, under the command of Cahtain P. G. Peuuymore, and the attacking force consisted of the remainder of the battalion, viz., C, D, E, and F (Newport), G (Usk), and H and I (Abergavenny)- companies, uuder the command of Colonel Goss, who was accompanied by Major Colborue and other officers. The Usk and Monmouth Com- panies formed the firing line. The defending force took up a strong position on the hills at Cwmlickey, and had 40 rounds of blank ammuni- tion per man. The remainder of the battalion concentrated at Pontypool, and marched to Cwmlickey. They had 20 rounds of ammunition per man. The operations were very successfully carried out, and although the two defending com- panies were s rongly posted, the attacking com- panies apparently carried the position by 6.30. and thus earned the right, presumably, to ber regarded us victors. The men were regaled with refreshments 011 the hills (under the direction of Quarter-master-sergt. Burleigh). The Usk Company arrived home by the last train.
ITHE STAGE-COACH "ROCKET."
THE STAGE-COACH "ROCKET." The trial trip of the Rocket," Dr. Rutherfoord Harris proprietor, took place Olio Saturday, when the Coach was packed with invited guests. The party left the King's Head Hotel, Newport, at It) a.m. punctually, passing through Caerleou, Llan- gibby and Usk, and reached the Beaufort Arms, Raglau at 12.22 where the passenger, Dr. Harris's guests, lunched, and then proceeded to> inspect the grand old ruins of Raglan Castle. The start oiv the return journey was made at 5 p.m., Newport being reached at 7.22. The c01h, which is drawn by a very smart team, is painted yellow and dark green, and the ribbons are skilfully handled by Mr. R. W. Hatt, who acquired fame on. the Oxford- Henley road as the driver of the Alert Coach. Mention should also be made of the guard, Sam Bolter, who did his tootling well. Heveiral photo- graphs were taken of the coach and its passengers at Newport, Usk, and Raglan. On Tuesday the "Rocket" passed though U sk at about 11.2ft on its first time-table service for Raglan, and made the journey again on Thursday.