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

URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Urban District Council was held at the Town Hall, Lsk, 011 I. Thursday evening, when there were present;- Messrs. H. A. Addis, J.P. (chairman), C. Voyce, J. Knight, W. S. Gustard, R. Morgan, G. Mundy, I W. Workman, James Davies, A. F. Lucas (clerk), and T. Rees, jr. (surveyor and inspector of nuisances.) STREET COMMITTEE. The Street Committee reported that the branch sewer in the lower part of Maryport-street having ,been opened and the levels taken, it was found that there was a natural fall the wrong way of ,2ft., and that, after allowing for this, a fall of 1ft. 9in. was all that could be obtained for the proposed new branch from the Cattle Market to the junction with the main sewer at the corner of Old Market-street and Maryport-street. They recommended that the new sewer be put in and proper flushing tank of approved dimensions -connected with same. The following tenders had ,been received by the Chairmau of the Council For grass crop, Thomas Morgan, X-5 5s. Leslie R. -Lucas, E4. Stone :—Thomas Coggan and Son, .3s. 3d. per cubic yard. The tenders of Messrs. T. Morgan and T. Coggan were accepted. Mr. R. tRickards, of the Priory, made an application for permission to straighten his boundary wall in Maryport-street. from the side door of his lodge to the corner of Vine Tree Cottage, which he was about to re-build. They recommend that the application be acceded to, under the superintendence of the Surveyor. It was resolved to at once proceed with the branch sewer. Mr. Rickarde' application was granted, it being generally conceded that an improvement would be effected thereby. THE BATE. On the proposition of the Chairman the general "district rate at Is. lOd. in the JE, payable on July 26th, was sealed. GAS COMMITTEE. The report of this committee referred to ttie notification of the Gas Company that from the 24th ult. the price of gas would be increased by .3d. per thousand cubic feet. Upon the basis of last year's public lamp consumption—390,954 -cubic feet—the increase would mean an addition 1 to the lighting bill of X8 2s. lid. The Committee suggested that the Company should reduce the rate immediately the price of coal will permit. In • considering the gas bill it was found that the meter lamp in Porthycarne-street registered jnore itlian twice as much as the other meters, and the -Company suggested that the lamp had been -,tampered with, but proposed having the meter tested. The Committee approved of the proposal -of the Secretary, which was subject to the .approval of his directors, that half the amount registered should be charged, bringing the figures -to about the average of this meter. The Committee aeeemmended that any persons found tampering with the street lamps should be prosecuted. The report was adopted, the Chairman remarking that the Gas Company had agreed to his proposal as to the reduction. FINANCE. The following accounts were ordered to be paid:—James Syinonds, winding clock, one "quarter to July 1st, £ 1 5s.; G. H. Jenkins, half- year's salary as M.O.H., £ 10 Usk Gas Company, one quarter's lighting district. £ 12 4s. 7d ditto, Town Hall, £1 19s. 7d. Usk Water Works company, Ltd., quarter's water rental, 158.; Surveyor, on account of manual aud team labour, X9 16s. In reply to the Chairman, the Clerk said there •was a balance in hand of £22 lis. 2d. The following payments to Treasurer were .reportedJ. Studt. £ 0 County Council, £ 90; T. Morgan, JE5 5s. C. Voyce, £1 Is. The Chairman reported an application from Mr. T. Morgan for the aftermath in the Council's L fineadow, he having had the grass. He was willing to pay 30s. for it. On the proposition of Mr. Mundy, seconded by Mr. Knight, the application was unanimously raiited. MORTGAGING THE KATES. The Chairman said the next business was the .-sealing of the mortgage of the rates for the loan jfor the Cattle Market. The document was dated t,hat day, and was made to the Public Works Loan -Commissioners for £ 3,000— £ 2,000 down and £1,000 subsequently upon certificate-the Council to repay S.50 every half-year and interest at the xmte of 3:; per cent. per annum on the balance aemaining due until iu 30 years the loan is ,paid off. On the proposition of the Chairman, seconded Iby Mr. Yoyce, the seal of the Council was affixed to the mortgage also to the certificate from the Commissioners for L2,000 to be paid to the Treasurer of the Council. JtTlilLEE CLOCK. Itfr. Symonds submitted an estimate of los. for splitting the Jubilee clock in proper working order, and 10s. for scaffolding, which was accepted. A COMPLAINT. Mr- Rogers wrote stating that in consequence of Mr Togarmah Rees. the Council's engineer for the -Cattle Market, not being at home when he called at his office at Newport to see the plan and specifications, and Mr. Rees's clerk failing in his promise to send him a date when he could see ,them, he had been debarred from tendering. He ;asked for an explanation. The letter was ordered to be referred to Mr. Bees for a reply. TENDERS FOR THE CATTLE MARKET. Tenders were opened for the construction of the '■'Cattle Ma'rket. Particulars are withheld until a • decision with regard to them is arrived at. Mr. Gustard suggested that a small committee should, with the engineer, consider the tenders. Mr. James Daviee objected strongly to this, and ,a warm discussion ensued. Ultimately, however, the matter was referred, as suggested, to a.committee, which was composed of the following, with the Cliiirinaii :-Messr,. Frank Jennings, R. Morgan, James Davies, G. Mundy.

CAERLEON. Agent-Miss M. A. Evans, Newsagent, Ci-oss-sti-eet, URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of Caerleon Urban "District Council was held at the Endowed Schools 011 Tuesday evening, when there were preseut:— "The Rev. D. B. Jones (chairman), Messrs. T. Parry, D. W. Jenkins, J. H. Taylor, L. Foster "Stedman, A. L. Edwards, W. Welsford, H. <9rease, T. R. P. Herbert (clerk), W. Harris (surveyor), C. W. De Gruchy (medical officer), and E. A. Green (collector.) ICYCLES AND TAXATION. clrcuiar letter was read recommending action •oeing taken with the view of bringing about the taxation of bicycles and similar vehicles, the money to be applied for the repair and improve- ment of highways. r 1 Mr. Parry said that the matter came before the wOounty Council, but was lost. The Clerk expressed the opinion that bicycles ■ did not wear the. roads out. Mr. Taylor remarked tbat dogs did not injure the road§, but yet they were taxed. He thought .-cyclists would pay, if only to keep the road clear of .those who have no business there. Mr. Parry thought they ought to be taxed. ,Çyclists dictated how the roads had to be metalled, "and it would be only-fair for them to pay. Mr. EJwards said they objected also to thorns ibeing oil the road. Mr. Parry urged, too, that there should be some -distinguishing number on the bicycles, so that "'hen they were going too fast they could be Meutified. He proposed that the Council support .te movement in favour of the taxation of bicycles, etc. Tliia was seconded by Mr. Taylor. Mr- Stedraaa intimated that he had not the Persoual objection to bicycles being 0 loue as the money weut for the repair fw,i,wrQVemeu!; 6f the local reads. But why brewe*8' drays, etc., which wore ou the roads,'be omitted ? Besides, numbers of wofjuog men .used bicycles, having saved up their threepenny bits to buy them, and it would be hard to impose a tax of 7s. 6d. 011 them. They used them to go to their work. Mr. Crease They save their railway fares. Mr. Parry explained that a fee had to be paid to the County Councils for the use of traction engines. Mr. Taylor said he had to pay los. a year for his trap, which he used in his business. Why should cyclists be left untaxed? As to the working men saving up their threepenny bits, he knew there were some who, as a matter of fact, ought to be assessed to the Income tax, but were not. Mr. Welsford urged that brewers' drays were used for business purposes, so they ought not to be drawn io. The resolution was carried. SURVEYOR S REPORT. The Surveyor estimated the cost of stoning the road over Goldcliff Common at X50. He had prepared some information regarding the question of street watering. The public wells had been filled except the small one by the Drill Hall, which would not be equal to the purpose. He, therefore, communicated with Newport Corporation for the terms of supply. Horsing the water cart would be the principal item-the estimated cost being about X25. The cost of a water cart. with needful fittings, would be about X30. He had received a large number of offers to supply one. Referring to the new wall in connection with the Industrial Schools-the Mill-street frontage—he said that the railings recently erected by the Board of Guardians rendered it necessary to have a suitable finish to the street. With regard to the street watering question, the Surveyor said that the reply from the Corporation was to the effect that they could not undertake to supply water until the completion of the Wentwood scheme. Mr. Parry remarked that it was hoped to have the Wentwood undertaking finished in two years. Mr. Edwards inquired whether there was any difficulty in getting water from the river. It would be much cheaper. The Surveyor was understood to say that the cost of horsing would be considerable. Mr. Crease moved that the matter be adjourned until the Council heard from the Corporation that the Wentwood scheme was completed. Mr. D. W. Jenkins seconded. The resolution was carried. With respect to the Surveyor's report anent the Schools' new wall, Mr. Taylor said it was a pity the Council did not see a plan of the railings before they were put up. The.place looked more like a prison or asylum now. On the motion of Mr. Parry, seconded by Mr. Crease, it was agreed that there be a footpath 5ft. wide in front of the building, provided the Board of Guardians put kerbing and channelling down. MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. Dr. De Gruchy stated that the mortality for the last half-year had been very low. It worked out at an average of 9.67. There had been a few cases of measles of a mild type, and the necessary steps for isolation had been taken. As to biiths, there had been about 17 during the half- vear. GENERAL MATTERS. Mr. Stedman said that something ought; to be done to make the main street of the town respectable.—Mr. Parry remarked that formerly the Council offered to put down paving if the owners contributed part of the cost. Only a few owners consented.—Mr. Taylor admitted that the main street might be more important to some people, but those living in the side streets thought them the most important.—Mr. Stedman said that there was more traffic in High-street, and outsiders passing through would be apt to take more notice of it than of other streets.—Mr. Parry said that the greatest improvement necessary would be near the bridge.—Mr. Stedman said that there was a dangerous corner near the Haubury Arms. —Mr. Parry was understood to state that there was a likelihood of the road being widened there. The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Solomon Andrews intimating that he could not undertake to run an omnibus from the tramway terminus, Caerleon-road, to Caerleon. A letter was read respecting the improved alterations asked for by the Council in the local train services; but it was not regarded as satisfactory.

J NEWPORT. I Acents-Messrs Greenland and Co.. JHews&ients VFRDICT ON AN UNKNOWN SUICIDE. — A verdict of "Suicide" was returned by a Newport jury in an inquiry regarding the death of the unknown man who on Sunday week jumped from the parapet of Newport Bridge. No identification is so far forthcoming. DEATH OF A FORMER HARBOUR MASTER.- The death is announced of Mr. John William Phillips, formerly Deputy Harbour-Master of Newport. The sad event occurred at Abergavenny. Deceased's residence was in Francis-street, Newport. A CARRIAGE ON FIRE.—A curious incident attended the annual outing of the Barry Master Bakers' Association, which took place on Wednesday, to Bath. Special coaches of the Barry Railway Company conveying a party of about 150 were connected to the ordinary train leaving Cardiff at eight a.m. At Roatn Station it was perceived that something was wrong with one of the coaches, but after a delay the train proceeded. At Newport the coach was fouud to be on fire underneath, the outbreak being caused, it is believed, by the friction of the lubricating box. The passengers, numbering about 50, occupying the coach, were ordered to alight, and they were accommodated in other carriages on the train, and the coach was disconnected and transferred to a siding. After ten minutes' delay the train proceeded. The incident created some excitement amongst the passengers in the train and at the station at Newport, THE INFIRMARY.—At a meeting of the directors of the Newport Infirmary on Tuesday, Alderman Henry John Davis presiding, a letter was read from Mr. Edward Coulman, solicitor, stating that the offer which he desired to put forward on behalf of the widow, sons and daughters of the late Mr. Thomas Phillips, other than Messrs. Edward and Fred Phillips, was that they asked the chairman to accept on behalf of the Infirmary a sum of £500, to be placed towards the building fund of the new Hospital and the condition which they would wish to attach to the gift was that some tablet or brass plate should be put up in one of the wards of the new Hospital to identify the gift, and to commemorate the name of the late Mr. Thomas Phillips.—Th« gift was accepted upon the conditions named, and upon the motion of the Chairman, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the donors for their generosity.

,Ken a? *or kecoa, insist on having CADBURT'S —sold only in Packets and Tins—as other Cocoas are ftea substituted for the eake of extra profit*

I MONMOUTH. I Agent.-Mr. Catrrey. Bookseller. Monmouth. FF PREFERMENT.—Major the Hon. G. W. R. Somerset, Royal Monmouthshire Militia, having completed the qualifying service has obtained the honorary rank of Lieut.-Colonel.

I TOWN COUNCIL MEETING. The usual meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday. His Worship the Mayor (Councillor J. H. Howse) presided. THE RATE. Alderman Vizard brought up the fc mauce Committee's report. The Treasurer had preseuted an estimate for the general district rate for 4s. 2d. in the X. At previous meetings certain councillors had attempted to show that a rate at 3s. lOd. or even 3s. 7d. would be sufficient, the deficiency being accounted for by a too large percentage of voids and irrecoverables. The committee had fully investigated the matter and exonerated the collector from blame. The rate, however, they considered could be reduced to 4s. in the f. A special meeting for Tuesday next was fixed for makiug the rate at this amount. The Collector's salary was raised from X50 to L55 owing to increased duties consequent on the rate being collected in two half-yearly instalments. ELECTRIC LIGHTING SUCCESS. Owing to the success of electric lighting of the town, the generating station is being considerably extended, and tenders for work were accepted. A most gratifying report from Mr. A. N. Blake, the electrical engineer, showed that a satisfactory initial year had been experienced, and that with additional installations the cost per lamp could be reduced, while at the same time the revenue would be iucreased. JONES'S CHARITY. Mr. K. Hall moved to call the Council's attention to the delay in the erection of the elementary schools in connection with the 1891 scheme of William Jones's Charity, and Alderman Vizard, who is clerk to the local governors of the charity, announced that he had received a letter from the solicitor to the Haberdashers' Company, statiDg that the purchase of the site, which had really been accountable for the extraordinary and unnecessary delay, would be completed next week, and the erection of the school could then be proceeded with almost immediately. Mr. Hall said Alderman Vizard deserved the thanks of the town for his exertions in hurrying on the negotiations. A MILITARY CENTRE. The Mayor announced that in reply to a communication from the Town Clerk, the Duke of Beaufort had stated that he would consider Monmouth's application for the camp of the Gloucestershire Yeomanry to be at Monmouth next year when making his arrangements.—The Mayor remarked that the excellent rifle range the town possessed might be an inducement for other Yeomanry and Militia regiments establishing their camps near the county town.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The usual meeting of this Board was held at the Union Workhouse, Griflithstown, on Thursday week, when there were present :-Mr. E. B. Ford (chairman), Revs. P. A. Degen, and D. M. Davies, Mrs. Mulligan, Miss Davies, Messrs. J. Burgoyne, J. Jenkins, T. M. Wiutle, J. Williams, aud W. Newman. MASTER'S REPORT. Number of inmates in the House, Ibd, a decrease of 5 at the last meetiug, and 26 on the correspond- iug period of last year. Number of vagrants relieved iu the Casual Wards, men, 30 women, 2 total, 32. Number of children in the Cottage Homes Boys, 11 girls, 20; total, 31. OUTDOOR RELIEF. The out-door relief for the past fortnight was as follows: -Abersychati, £ 94 10s, (id. Panteg, 4-15 19s. (id.; and Usk, L20 19s. For the corresponding period of last year the amounts were respectively, X97 14s. 3d.; £ 72 19s. 6d.; and iE22 5p. Gd. SUICIDE OF A LUNATIC. The Clerk reported that Daniel Jones, au inmate of the Abergavenny Asylum, had com- mittei suicide. He had made two attempts before, once by jumping over Usk Bridge. Au inquest had been held. THE TREFOREST HOME. The Clerk said that Mr. Hogan. the son of Mr. Hogan, painter, Pontypool, had separated from his wife. There were three children, and two of these had been sent to the Home at Treforest, whilst the other had been taken charge of by the grandfather. The mother went to the Home aud took possession of the children, and made a charge that they had been ill-treated. After the S.P. C.C. had gene into the matter, however, they declined to institute a prosecution. The Cardiff guardians, judging from the statement of the mothet, were rather inclined to censure those in charge of the Home, but he (the Clerk) thought that if the Board went into the matter, they would find that there was nothing in it. The mother went for the children with the avowed intention of making the father pay her 10s. a week. She also weut to the Catholic Church at Pontypool, and took forcible possession of the boy aged 9 years. The Cardiff Union now asked Pontypool to acceptchargeability, which they were bound to do. The grandfather, however, had intimated his willingness to pay the cost of maintenance. It was resolved to leave the matter in the Clerk's hands. Mr. Wintle suggested that as there were so many rumours about the Homes, it was advisable that the Board's committee should pay them a visit. The Clerk said the Board had now two children in the Homes. It was resolved to make arrangements for two members of the committee to visit the Home. I TRAINING OF A DEAF AND DUMB CHILD. With regard to the application of Mrs. Meara, Twynyffrwd, to have her deaf and dumb child, Stanley, aged 16 years, taught a trade, the Clerk read a letter from the Superintendent of the Llandaff Deaf and Dumb school, stating that the boy would do well in carpentry, as he was above the average in intelligence, and manifested great interest in carpentry work, carving, cane chair making, &c. He would, however, do well if he was kept at the Home for a little while longer. A suggestion was made that the boy should be apprenticed at Cardiff, but it was ultimately resolved to couault; the mother first.

Monmouthshire Quarter Sessions. The Midsummer Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Monmouth, were opened this (Friday) morning, at the Sessions House, Usk, the nsual day-Weduesday-having clashed with the Summer Assizes. There were eight prisoners for trial on ten iudictments. The Court was composed of the following justices (amongst cthers):- Mr. S. C. Bosauquet (chairman), Sir Henry Mather Jackson, Bart, (vice-chairman", Captain Walters, R.N., Messrs. H. Humphreys. Raglan Somerset, S. N. Jones, W. Llewellin, Harold A. Williams, R. H. Williams, T. E. Watsoa. THE GRAXD JURY answered to their names and were sworn as follows:—Colonel S. D. Ingram (Xewport), foreman C. Boucher, H. E. Baddeley, I. Crocker, S. W. Jones, C. Joyce, G. J. Kenvyn, A. McMahon, A. S. Morgan, Newport J. S. Birrell, Usk T. Harding, G. W. Williams, Llanfrechfa Lower Edward Jones, W. R. Williams. Pontypool; J. V. Lewis, Blackwood: P. Marfell, Bettws Newydd B. Rees, Rhymney P. H. Seargeant, D. Watkins, W. D. Woodward, Abergavenny A. S. Scard, Caerleon J. D. Williams, Tredegar and H. A. Williams, Chepstow. TRIALS OF PRISONERS. THE CHARGE. The Chairman, in his charge to the Grand Jury, stated that there were eight prisoners for trial. None of the cases would, he thought, give them any trouble. They had only to fiud that a prima facie case had been made out to send it before a common iurv. ADJOUEXED. Lord Raglan's motion, of which he had given notice, was adjourned in consequence of his lord- ship's unavoidable absence- It referred to the desirability of restorinur to Visiting Committees the uncontrolled power of ordering the infliction of corporal punishment upon prisoners. FIRST COURT. Before the QHAIBMAN, aud other Magistrals, John Hunt (oil haiH. 20, lauotiref, was cnarged with obtaining 2s. by false pretences from Alfred Richard Lingiug, at Pontypool, on the 8th July. In this case, which had been deferred from the Trinity Sessions, it appeared that defendant was on active service in South Africa, and it was again deferrtd. FALSE PRETENCES. Edwin Elveaton, 46, clerk, was indicted for obtainiug £ 2 28. by means of false pretences from George Woodings, at Wolvesnewton, on or about the oth April. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude, he having previously served other terms. STEALING A PONY. William Croome, 32, chimney sweep, was charged with stealing a horse pony, value C3, the property of William Collings, at Bedwas on the 7th February. Mr. Corner prosecuted- The evidence went to show that prisoner was in the district at the time the pony was stolen, he having stopped in the Chemical Works at Maesycwmmer, until 2 a.m. on the morning the animal-which had been safely atabled within 200 or 300 yarde of the works-was missed. The same morning at ten minutes to 6 he sold it for 10s., to a Merthyr horse-dealer, named Boulton. Prisoner was arrested at Cheltenham.— Prisoner's defence was an alibi, but there was no evidence forthcoming.—The jury found the prisoner guilty, and the Vice-Chairman in sentencing him to 12 months' hard labour, pointed out that there was a very long list of previous convictions against him. —Prisoner disappeared from the dock asserting his innocence, and could be heard howling below for some little time. SEVEN YEARS. Thomas Pilkington, 37, engineer, was charged (I) with obtaining food and lodgings (amounting to 2s.) by false pretences from Nellie Richards, at Rogerstone, on the llth May (2), with similarly obtaining food-and lodgings (3s.), from Mary Ann Jpnes, at Risca, on the 12th May and (3), with stealing a silver watch (value 30s.), the property of William Henry Howard Bailey, at Baeselleg, on the 12th May. Prisoner pleaded guilty to each indictment, and having a very bad record against him was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. WOUNDING CASE. Joseph Francis Augustus Whistler, 24, labourer, was indicted for maliciously wounding Thomas McCarthy, at Ebbw Vale, on the 26th May. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six months' hard labour, the Chairman remarking that it was bad enough for men to fight, but when they used the knife they must be punished henvily. GROSS CRUELTY. George Roberts, 25, labourer, was indicted for maliciously maiming and wounding a horse, the property of Charles Howells, at Monmouth, on the 18th June. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to four mouths' hard labour, the Chairmau hoping that he would not be guilty of such all act alrain. C, U SECOND COURT. Before the VICE-CHAIRMAN, and other Magistrate!1. "NOT GUILTY." Frank Henry Hooker, 18, labourer, on bail, was indicted for breaking into and entering the dwelling- house of Iltyd Gardner, at Llanwenarth Ultra, on the 10th May, and stealing therein three ornaments. Mr. R. Freeman prosecuted, and prisoner was un. defended. From the evidence adduced it appeared that I prisoner was in custody at Abergavenny on another charge when he made a statement which led to his being charged with the present offence and to which be replied, I was there but I didn't want to go." He then said that Alfred Morgan made him go, and described how Morgan got into the house while he waited outside. Morgan afterwards offered him an ornament, which he refused to take. Evidence was given by the servant girl, and the police which bore out prisoner's description of the entry.— Prisoner now declined to ask the witnesses any questions, to call or give evidence, or to address the jury.—The jury, however, found prisoner not guilty and he was discharged. ACQUITTED. Robert Francis Flannagau, 31, labourer, on bail, was charged with receiving from Thomas Tovey, at Abersychan on the 1st June. a quantity of brass, value £3 10s., the property of the Pontnewynydd Sheet and Galvanising Co., Ltd., well knowing the same to have been stolen. Mr. Bosanquet was for the prosecution, and in his opening statement, said the man Tovey had been convicted of stealing the brass m question. About the time of the theft prisoner was selling or offering for sale a quantity of brass. On the police- sergeant going to prisoner's house he admitted the fact of having the brass from Tovey. and of having it in his possession. The brass was in ingots, and stamped with a name. Prisoner made a leng state- ment to the jury, in which he sought to ebow that be was acting in a bona, fide way in the matter, and I as an intermediary between Tovy and a dealer.—The jury acquitted him.

HENLEY REGKTTA.- Henley Regatta commenced on Wednesday in brilliant weather. KILLED BY LIGHTNING.—During a thunderstorm at Waterbeach, near Cambridge, on Tuet-day, a man on the top of a hay-cart was killed by lightning. Three othermeu were injurad.

r CHINA. SHANGHAI, Thursday. Anxiety is felt here that unless severe measures are taken against the Boxers soon, the rebels will move south aud overrun Yangtse valley. Import business here is at a standstill. AMSTERDAM, Friday. Dutch residents of Shanghai have tele- graphed to the Hague asking that relief forces may be sent from the Dutch East Indies.

I TRANSVAAL. LOURENCO MARQUES, Thursday. President Kruger in interview says" We intend to retake Pretoria."

v-c:=->c;ç.=- War Telegrams. 'In t The following despatch from Lord Roberts was issued by the War Office on Thursday evening:- PRETORIA, Thursday (11.50 a.m.) Generals Clery and Hart joined hands yesterday at Vlakfontein, and trains run into Greylingstad from Xatal. Several respectable Boers surrendered to Hart yesterday; and a soldiers' home was opened at Heidelberg, the inhabitants helping, and subscribing J6A0 towards the initial expenses. Barton reports that 2,63 L stand of arms have been delivered up at Klerksdorp, Krugersdorp, and Potchefstroom to date. I have recently inspected Mabon s small force, which did such excellent work in the relief of the Mafeking garrison. The Imperial Light Horse, which I purposely brought from Natal to take part in the expedition, are a most soldierly, workmanlike body of men. Lieutenant Rundle, of the Carabineers (Gth Dra- goon Guards), and some men of his patrol were captured yesterday by the enemy near here. The following message from General Builer was also published — STA-VDERTON, Thursday (11 40 a.m.). General Clery, from Grevlingstad, joined hands yesterday at Zuilkersbosch, Zand River, with General Hart, from Heidelberg. He met with but slight opposition daring his march. [Note.—Zuilkersbosch, Zand River, is five miles from Heidelberg,

| The Crisis in China. The following message was issued from the Admiralty at half-past five o'clock on Wednesday evening:— The Commander-in-Chief on the China Station, telegraphing from Tieutsin on the 30th of Jane, reports :— Chinese couriers arrived from Peking with short message, dated June 24, stating that all Legations, except the British, French, German, and part of the Russian, destroyed. Europeans gathered in British Legation have provisions, but ammunition scarce. One gate of the City near the Legation held by Europeans with guns captured from the Chinese. Five of the marine guard killed, and one officer wounded. Not much sickness at present. Chinese inundated the country near here yesterday from the Grand Canal—object, probably, for the defence of the City to the south. No injury to us. General health good. SHANGHAI, Wednesday. It is stated oil good authority that three Chinese, who were in the service of foreigners iu Pekin, have escaped from the capital. They report that all foreigners to the number of 1,000, including 400 soldiers, 100 members of the Chinese Customs staff, and women and children held out in the British Legation until ammunition and food were exhausted. The Legation was burned and all foreigners were killed. They also said the report was current that the Emperor Kwang-sn and the Dowager-Empress had been poisoned. < Shanghai, Wednesday.—It is stated on good authority that three Chinese who were in the service of foreigners in Peking have escaped from the capital. They report that all the foreigners, to the number of 1,000, including 400 soldiers, 100 members of the Chinese Customs to staff, and women and children, held out in the British Legation until ammunition and food were exhausted. The Legation was burned and all the foreigners were killed. They also state that the report was current that the Emperor Kwaug-su and the Empress Dowager had been poisoned. -Reuter. Shanghai, Wednesday.—The Emperor committed suicide by taking opium under the compulsion of Prince Tuan on June 19. The Empress-Dowager followed his example, tut is still alive, though she is, it is reported, insane from the effects of the drug. This statement has been made officially before thip German Consular officials. — Dalziel. x

I CHEPSTOW. Agent.—Mr Clark CALDICOT CANOE FATALITY.—The body of Mr. H. J. Hillier, articled pupil of Messrs. Newland, Davis, and Hunt, Chepatow, who was drowned in the Severn by the upsetting of a canoe, as previously reported, was found on the beach at Undy on Monday evening, and removed to Court Farm, his late residence.—The inquest was held at the White Hart Hotel, Caldicot, by Mr. M. Roberts-Jones, coroner for South Monmouthshire, on Wednesday evening.—Mr. Herbert F. Parsons, Sudbrook Farm, deceased's cousin, said deceased was 19 years of age, and was subject to fits.-J. B. Pritchard, Caldicot, said he saw deceased in the canoe ou Thursday evening, the 28th ult. He was in tb9 Severn, about 200 yards from the mouth of Caldicot Pill. He was rowing in the direction of Sedbury Shipyard. The little craft suddenly capsized. He had heard that deceased was a good swimmer. Witness did not see any struggle.-P.C. Pritchard gavs evidence as to the search made for the body.-Witi. Edwards stated that he discovered the body near the Magor Pill at noon on Tuesday.—Dr. Corbin said he had attended deceased for epileptic fits, and it was highly probable that he was seized with a fit when he fell into the water.—The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased was accidentally drowned while in an epileptic fit. A

PONTYPOOL. j Agents—Mr, J. Harding, Market Bookstall, and Messrs Jones and Edwards LOCAL WILL.-The will of the late Edward James Phillips, Esq., J.P., of The Woodlands, Pontypool, who died on February 13th last, has been proved in the principal registry by Miss Mary G. Phillips. Mrs Henrietta L. Corbett, and Mr Edward W. Phillips, the daughters and son respectively, who are also the exeoutresses and executor. The gross value of the estate is X51,108 6s. 4d.. and the net value of the personal estate X2,554 6s. 4d. TltEVETIIIN SCHOOL BOARD.—A meeting of this Board was held at the Town Hall. Pontypool, when there were pree-ent:Ali,. J. Daniel (chairman), ,Eev. P. A. Degan, Messrs. W. C. Watkins, A. JameB, George Jenkins, E. Jones, and W. H. V. Bythway (clerk).—The minutes of a special meeting of the Board showed that it was provisionally resolved that a new mixed school, to accommodate 400 children, and an infant department to accommo- date 300 children, be erected at the upper part of Pontnewynydd, that the Cwmffrwloer infant school be converted into a pupil teachers' and cookery centre, and that a new infant school and all additional classroom be erected uaar the present Cwniffrwdoer mixed school. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. A. A. Williams and the Ebbw Yale Company respecting sites.—After a long discussion, the chair- I man, vice-chairman, Mr. E. Jones, and Mr. Jenkins were appointed a committee to try and make arrangements with the managers for a new leace of Snatchwood schools for 42 years, and also to see the Inspector on the subject.-the clerk reported that owing to an epidemic ot measles, &c., all the schools with the exception of those of Garndiffaith, Varteg, and Abersychan had been closed. It was decided to close all the schools for the summer holidays at once, and re-open on the 17th Aujjust.—The clerk said that a labour certificate examination would be held at the George Street Board Schools on the 14th July at 9.30 a.m.

MONMOUTHSHIRE I SUMMER ASSIZES. The Summer Ansizes for the County of Mon- mouth wete opened on Wednesday at the Shire Hall, Monmouth, before Mr. Justice Day. The Calendar contained the name* of nine prisoners who had been committed upon ten indictments. Hill Lordship, who with Lady Day and party drove from Speech House to Monmouth on Tuesday, was accompanied on the Bench by Ladv Day, the Hon. John Maclean Rolls (High Sheriff), the Rev. A. Maclaverty, Vicar of Llangattock (Sheriff's Chap- lain), and Councillor J. W. Howse. Mayor of Mon- mouth, who wore his scarlet robe and chain of office. THE GIUSD JURY. I Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, Bart., foreman Col. Sir A. Mack worth, Bart., Messrs. S. C. Bosanquet, J. M. Bannerman, J. A. Bradney, U. W. E. Marsh, W. Llewellin, G. Griffin-Griffin, J. T. Price, A. C. Jones, D. W. Jenkins, J. M. Mulligan, H. Humphreys, T. G. Prosser, S. N. Jones, Albert A. Williams, Raglan Somerset, Harold A. Williams, Colonels Mansell, J. Davies, Walwyn, Captains Powell and Waters, R.N. THE CHARGE. Sir Henry Mather-Jackson. Bart., was foreman of the grand jury. His Lordship congratulated them and the county generally upon the satisfactory diminution of crime as revealed in the calendar. There were only nine prisoners, and the charges against them were all of an ordinary character and such as would occasion the grand jury no difficulty whatever. TRIALS OF PRISONERS. I ALLEGED WOUNDING OF A FATHER. I William John Davies, on bail, was indicted for wounding Joseph Davies, his father, at Ebbw Vale between 10.30 and 11 on the evening of the 7th April. Prisoner went home drunk and quarrelled with his father when he tried to get him to bed, striking the first blow. A lot of fighting and scuffling ensued, in which a son-in-law named Webb took part, and the prisoner took down a hatchet hanging in the kitchen and tried it on the door of the room to get into another part of the house. The father received a wound in the groin, which com- pelled him to keep in bed for fire weeks, but the father in his endeavours to screen his son said he suffered no pain. It was a little scuffle, he said, whereupon Mr. Moreton Brown, who was for the defence, wanted to know whether it was not a pretty big struggle. Well, I do not know," replied the father, it may have been a big one." He struck his son with his fists, and so did Webb, but he did not think the prisoner meant to wound him. He got the blow as the door from the back kitchen was burst in, and the son came through flourishing the hatchet. The mother told the Court the wound was inflicted in the rush. She held the door until the panel wasjsplintered. Prisoner was found not guilty, and be was discharged. NEWPORT CHARGE IGNORED. The grand jury ignored the bill against William Henry Edmunds (48), shopkeeper, indicted for felo- niously assaulting and ravishing Alice Maude Jardine, at Newport, on the 25th May. The case against the accuied, who iyas on bail, accordingly fell to the ground. I SEVERE SENTENCE ON A POSTMAN. lom Jiiuwara -tiaroid harror (21), postman, pleaded guilty to stealing two letters containing money and postal orders at Monmouth on the llth February and 14th February. Mr. Cleeve, bar- rister, representing the Postmaster-General, said the prisoner had been employed by the Post Office since 1892, first as telegraph messenger and then as rural postman. The postal authorities were not aware of any other thefts, but when the house where prisoner lived was searched six or seven letters were found which had not been delivered, and numerous com- plaints had been received of the loss of letters containing money and postal orders. Prisoner expressed his sorrow for what he had done. His father died two years ago, aud he had to maintain his mother and two youug brothers. He got into bad company and did wrong. His Lordship told the prisoner that there was no excuse or pallia- tion for his offence, and sentenced him to five years, penal servitude. Prisoner disappeared from view, aud immediately afterwards sobs of Oh, mother, Oh, mother, Oh dear, Oh! deepened the sympathy of the Court with the prisoner on his severe sen- tence. The sentence was subsequently reduced to eighteen months ? SINGULAR lilGAUY CASE, I Mary Ann Barrett (48), laundress, was indicted for bigamy at Raglan on 21st December, 1891. The prisoner's husband, to whom she was married at Union Chapel, Berkeley, in 1879, was in the year 1889 seatenced at Gloucester Assizes to 10 years' penal servitude for attempting to murder his wife by cutting1 her throat. Two years afterwards she married Edward Powles at Raglan Parish Church, and had since lived at Raglan and conducted herself well, working hard and bringing up five children, by Barrett, respectably. Mr. Jonea, parish clerk of Raglan, in reply to Sir. Corner said Barrett told him he was prosecuting his wife. She had, he said, made him Buffer for what he had done to her, and he would make her suffer. Barrett came out on ticket-of-leave in 1897. Mr. Moreton Browne for the prosecution, said the prisoner could not allege that she believed Barrett to be dead, because be was under lock and key, and it would have been easy to ascertain through the Home Office as to his health. The Vicar of Raglan gave the prisoner an excellent character, and Mr. Corner, for the defence, said the husband promised to write constantly to her, but he did not do so, and she heard from her husband's sister that he was dead. She honestly believed that her husband was dead, and married Powles, the village blacksmith. The interval of three years which had elapsed between the time of her husband coming out on ticket-of-leave and commencing the prosecution showed that he was actuated by sheer spite. The jury found prisoner guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. His Lordship ordered prisoner to be bound over in 15 to come up for judgment when called upon, and prisoner tearfully thanked his Lordship, and there was applause in Court at the decision. THE ABERCiBX MANSLAUGHTER. Harry Kees (J4), brake-driver, mrrendered and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Charles Morgan, at Mynyddisllwyn, on the 30th April. The prisoner was engaged to drive a waggonette in e e a funeral procession, and got so drunk that on the homeward journey he drove into the deceased, who was returning home with his wife from market in a cart, and deceased was thrown out and sustained injuries which led to his death. His Lordship told him he ought to feel sorrow for the rest of bis life for having, in a dinuken state, killed a fellow- creature. He himself bad no sympathy for nor mercy with such conduct, but as the prosecution had recommended him to mercy as a respeotable man whose only failing was that he was occasionally addicted to drink, he would carry out their wishes. A sentence of three months' hard labour was then passed. SHOOTING AT A WIFE. Charles King (65), shoemaker, was indicted for shooting at his wife, Margaret King, with intent to kill her, at Dingestow, on the 27th May. On the Sunday morning named prisoner bad been drinking heavily, and told his wife to draw him more cider. She pretended to have, or really had, lost the key of the tap, and prisoner, becoming angry, came downstairs and threatened to shoot her. She ran out of the house and got behind a hedge. Prisoner stood at the door of the cottago and Bhot at the hedge. About 45 pellets entered her left cheek and head. She returned into the house to bathe her face, and prisoner said he was very sorry. To the police officer who arrested him, he said, I could not see her, I had no more intention of shooting her than of blowing my own brains out." His Lordship said there was no actual malice the act was that of a drunken sot. The jury found prisoner guilty of unlawfully wounding, and he was sentenced to 12 months' hard labour. I ALLEGED OUTRAGE AT NEWPORT. Harry Mayne (16), and Frederick Mayne (19), were indicted for an offence upon Eliza Ann Ruth Lewis, 15 years of age, at Newport, on the 24th of April. Mr. Marchant prosecuted, and Mr. Corner defended. The defence was that the girl was a consenting party, and told Harry Mayne that she was 18 years old. The jury found the lads not euiltv, and they were discharged. I PERJURY AT PONTYPOOL. Elizabeth Lewis (39), married, was indicted for committing perjury before the Pontypool magistrates on the hearing of an application for a temporary liceuce of the Old Oak alehouse, Blaenavon, on the 24th of February. When called upou to plead, Mrs. Lewis said Guilty, but I'm very innocent of it.- The Cl.rk of Arraigns: You must say whether von are guilty or not guilty.—Mrs, Lewis: Well I'm guilty, sir.—Mr. Corner said he appeared for the accused, and that it was acting upon his advice that she had pleaded guilty. Sentence was deferred until a later period, when prisoner was awarded four months' imprisonment. This concluded the criminal business. CIVIL CASES. Two civil actions, namely, Jones v. Griffiths, for goods sold and delivered, and Fricker v. Freeman, a promissory note transaction, were entered for hearing but the latter action was settled before the criminal business concluded. The Court afterwards proceeded with the hearing of Jones v. Griffiths, which bad not concluded when the Court rose. The jury, on Thursday, returned a verdict for plaintiff for the full amount, JE208 ICa., for which judgment was given.

'much obliged to them, and the results were a credit to tbem all. Mr. Smith seconded the vote, which was carried after a few remarks from the Chairman. On the proposition of Mr. Roberts a vote of thanks was given to the Chairman for his interest in the work, and the proceedings terminated.