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

The Rural Labourers' League 5 Secretary Writes. To tke Editor of' THE COUNTT OBSERVER. I Dear Sir,—Ever since the Education Act of 1870 came into operation (now over 3J years), we have been steadily paying grants to the voluntary or denominational schools, which grants amount to something like 60 per cent of the entire cost of maintenance of those schools. No objection to this has ever been raised by Nonconformists or Liberals. Now, however, that a little money is required to put all the elementary schools (denominational and board schools), on a sound footing, and to give the children a sound, progressive education, many Nonconformists and Liberals object, and make all the fuss we now are witnessing. Is this attitude logical or reasonable ? The things which we should remember are that the Bill creates no new or fresh grievance, and that, if anything, the parsons, who have mainly managed denominational schools, are to be placed under more control than ever—and this of a popular character. Such control is not, of course, absolute, and it cannot be so unless we are to buy up the schools they and their friends have built. To do that means a debt of X4 4s on every household in the Kingdom, and also a payment every year of certainly not less than lIs by each householder in both England and Wales. That is the financial aspect of the matter. The only so-called grievance a Nonconformist can have is that the Bill does not allow the privilege" of being the head- master in a Church school but, as no Nonconformist is that already, the grievance, as I have said, is not new or fresh. If Non- conformists want the privilege in question, then they must, of course pay, for it. They must accordingly buy up the Church or denominational schools and must pay the sums named above. I have met so many Nonconformist working men whose minds have been so poisoned by misrepresentations regarding this Bill, that I have been under the necessity of explaining to them the facts above mentioned and I should be obliged if you would allow this communication to appear in your colums, so that other working men may know of this Personally the Rural Labourers' League is interested in this matter only so far as it is likely to affect the interests of the labourers and working classes generally and as, judging from the experience of the last 15 years, the Liberal Party has, whenever it has been in power, thrown over the working classes for Home Rule and other doctrinaire topics, whilst the Unionists have passed good sound social legislation benefiting the community at large (especially the working class community), the League feels that it would be disastrous if the Education Bill were defeated and the Unionist Party thrown out of office. We can expect no socfal legislation whatever from Sir Henry Campbell-Banner man, Sir William Harcourt, Mr Lloyd-George, or even from Lord Rosebery, who, if they came into power, would find the Home Rule question still hanging round their necks like a mill-stone. We have bad enough of that subject, and of all those who either openly or otherwise lend their support to it. The Irish Nationalists have declared they will not allow the Liberals to pass any measures in preference to Home Rule, which the country has twice most emphatically rejected. I am, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, J. L. GREEN, Secretary. Rural Labourers' League, I 110, 111, Straud, London, W.C.

THE TREDEGAR TRAGEDY. At a special court held at Tredegar, on Monday, Jeremiah Callaghan, 42. mason's labourer, was charged on remand with the wilful murder of Hannah Shea, his paramour, aged 38. by stabbing her with a pocket knife in the neck, on October 4th, at Tredegar. The prisoner arrived at Tredegar ftom Usk shortly before ten o'clock, and looked depressed as he walked, handcuffed, between two prison warders to the closed carriage that conveyed him to the police court. Mr R. H. Spencer prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury, the prisoner being again represented by Mr Sydney Jenkins, Cardiff, while Mr J. A. Shepard was present to watch the proceedings for the Bedwellty Board of Guardians. the Bedwellty Board of Guardians. The magistrates were:—Messrs. E. J. Williams (chairman), T. J. Pugh and J. Stanfield. The first witness was Jeremiah Shea, aged 13, a son of the prisoner and of the murdered woman. He detailed how his mother and his three little sisters left the Workhouse on the morning of the tragedy, and soon afterwards he met his father at his work at Mr Morgan's yard. Prisoner went in search of the woman, who had gone to Sirhowy to get a note from the relieving officer to euter the workhouse the same evening. When he met the woman the prisoner accused her of having been drinking, and knocked her down. Prisoner and Shea parted after this, but they met again in the Circle at Tredegar, and prisoner asked her to have a sleever with him. They went into the Black Prince Inn, and, in company with another woman, three quarts of beer, which prisoner paid for, were consumed. After leaving the house prisoner stumbled, but got up and accompanied his companion in a staggering condition towards Bedwellty Workhouse. He fell down again near Whitworth-terrace, but at that time had hold of the woman's wrist. As they were going up the narrow path the woman spoke to a friend who was going down, and asked her if she was going home. The friend replied, "Aye." Witness saw his father put his hand in his trousers pocket, and, taking out something which had a shining appearance, he rushed at Shea, saying, I'll give you aye, you At the same time he rushed her against the wall. Witness, who was on in front, did not see what had been done to her, but his mother screamed and ran down the hill. Witness picked up stones and threw them at his father, and then ran off in the direction of Ebbw Vale. He did not see his father afterwards, but a little later on he went down the hill again, and found his mother lying on the ground, with a crowd round her. Frank Shea, father of the deceased, said she had been living with the prisoner, and had six children by him. He was very bad to her sometimes, and said he would bang for her. On the day of the tragedy prisoner met witness, and told him that be believed the woman had come out of the Workhouse to get money from Mary, her eldest daughter by another man. At that time he said be would cut the woman's throat and be hanged for her. Prisoner (interrupting): Don't tell lies Witness, continuing, told the prisoner that he was a foolish man, and not to talk such nonsense as that. Witness met Mary, and afterwards saw Callaghan and walked up the town with him as far as the Circle. Prisoner said he was going to see Hannah and left him. He saw his daughter's dead body at the Workhouse on the following day. Elizabeth Prothero, who also left the Work- house with the woman, and had been about the town with her all day, corroborated the story up to the time of leaving the Black Prince Inn. Jane Hannam, the friend to whom Shea spoke on the road to the Workhouse, said the latter asked her as she passed, Are you going home ? Witness replied, Yes," and then prisoner pulled a knife out of his pocket, and saying, This will be your last home here," cut her throat. Sarah Morris, a sculterymaid at the Workhouse, spoke to having heard a wotnm scream, and on going down saw Shea standing up near the wall holding the left side of her neck. William John Pritchard, collier, of 56, Whitworth-terrace, who came up about the same time, took Sarah Morris's apron off and tied up the wound. John Williams, engine-driver, of 49, Whitworth- terrace, spoke to hearing the woman's screams, and to seeing a man in the pathway pick up some papers and wipe his boots. Miss Pearl, the superintendent nurse at the Workhouse, who was the first attendant on the scene, said she did all she could to stop the bleeding, but the victim died in her presence. She afterwards saw the pri-oner at the Workhouse, and gave instructions to have him detained. Dr Crawford stated that when he got to the woman at half-past six he found her pulseless, blanched, unconscious, and dying. There was a deep wound under the angle of the left jaw, from which she lost a great quantity of blood. It was useless to think of doing anything for her, and she died in a quarter of an hoar. The post- mortem examination showed that the wound was curved and was three inches deep, extending right down into the gullet. It severed the external jugular vein and two arteries, and caused death from hemorrhage. William Thomas, master of Bedwellty Work- house, stated that he received information about the affair, and whilst he was endeavouring to telephone to the police and the doctor the prisoner entered his office and asked to see his children. He was told that it was not convenient then, and was asked to sit down on the sofa. He seeoied remarkably cool and collected. When he took a pipe out of his coat pocket witness noticed that his right hand was smeared with blood. When he went out into the yard he began dancing and capering about, which caused witness to think he had been drinking. Superintendent Allen gave evidence of the arrest of the prisoner at the Workhouse. In his waistcoat pocket was found a knife staiued with wet blood, and there was blood on both his bands. His coat and left boot also bore blood stains. Prisoner was very much the worse for drink. This completed the case for the Crown. Mr Jenkins, in answer to the Clerk, said he did not wish to address the Bench nor put the prisoner in the dock. Prisoner was then formally charged, and, on the advice of his solicitor, replied, "I reserve my defence." He also stated that he had no witnesses to call at this heariug. The Bench thereupon committed him for trial on a charge of wilful murder at the next Assizes, to be holden at Monmouth on November 21st. Mr Jenkins asked. on behalf of the prisoner, if he could be allowed to see his children. Superintendent Allen said he had made arrangements with the master of the Workhouse, and the children had been brought to the police- station to comply with Callaghan's request.

———^ Monmouthshire Standing Joint Z5 Committee. Alderman G. Jones presided at the quarterly meeting of the Monmouthshire Standing Joint Committee, held at Newport on Friday in last week, when there were also present Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, Bart., Sir Arthur Mackworth, Bart., Major E. Herbert, Dr J. D. James, Messrs E. Grove. A. A. Williams, S. C. Bosanquet, J. Daniel, H. Clay, G. Harris, H. Bowen, G. G. Griffin, W. Williams, W. Edwards, T. Parry, R. Rickards, and W. Thomas. I SALARIES. j The Home Office wrote giving their consent to the increase of the salaries of magistrates' .clerks as follows: -Abergavetiny, L230 to £ 250 Ponty- pool, £4:76 to £ 550; and Bedwellty, XSOO to 9900. OBJECTIONABLE. Communications received included one from Abergavenny, Monmouth, and Pontypool Boards of Guardians, requesting the consent of the Com- mittee to the employment of the police as relieving officers of vagrants for the purpose of issuing tickets for admission of tramps into the vagrants' wards. Chief Constable Victor Bosanquet said that from a Poor Law point of view the proposal might be desirable, seeing that the work could be done cheaper; but from a police point of wiew it was exceedingly objectionable- An officer had to be kept in the office when he might be more usefully employed doing out-door police duty. The fact that the work was done by the police had no effect on the ardent tremp; he was not afraid of the policeman's uniform. Major Herbert said the duty of the police was to arrest these tramps now they wanted to call upon them to relieve them. Alderman Grove suggested they should inquire as to what was done in other parts of the county, while Alderman Harris urged that the employment of the police was a splendid means of checking the evil. The Chief Constable pointed out that they did not want to deter these vagrants coming into the wards. By keeping them out they vere creating crime. Sir Henry Mather-Jackson moved, and Sir A. Mackworth seconded, a resolution to the effect that consent should not be given. Alderman Grove proposed as an amendment that inquiries from, among others, the County Councils' Association, should be made. The police had a large organization, and if it could be shown that the effect of their doing this work was beneficial they should certainly give their consent. He believed that, in addition to the Boards of Guardians named, the Newport authority made a like request. The Chairman said that years ago the Newport Board had an arrangement with the Borough Police to carry out these duties, but he believed that arrangement had come to an end. There was no reason why the plan should not be tried in the County. The amendment was carried, and Councillor Parry promised to obtain the necessary information from the County Councils' Association. POLICB STATIONS. I On the proposition of Mr T. Parry the Council confirmed the purchase of the Chief Constable's Office at Abergavenny, and thanked the Chairman Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, and Alderman Grove for their action in the matter. The Council authorised an application being made to the St. Mellon's R.D.C. to provide a water supply for the Castleton Police-station. Alterations and improvements were agreed to at Pontnewynydd and Pontnewydd Police-stations, and Trelleck and Caerleon Police Courts. Sir A. Mackworth called attention to the con- dition of the Caerleon Police cell. They would never stand anything like it in a military prison. It was badly ventilated and with the convenience close beside the bed, the condition was most objectionable. The Surveyor said there was a great differ- ence between the Caerleon cell and the modern station. It was understood the Surveyor would report ou the matter. The tender of Messrs Jones and Co. (Newport), for painting and other work at the Tredegar Police-quarters was accepted the amount being I JE125. CHIEF CaN8TABLE5S REVIEW. I The Chief Constable in his quarterly report, stated that the number of apprehensions was 496, as against 441 in the corresponding quarter of 1901, the increase being 55. The number of persons proceeded against for drunkenness was 479, com- pared with 473, being an increase of six. The force was two over strength, in consequence of the return from South Africa of the army reservists. Eleven were called out to rejoin the colours, and of these eight re-joined the force on their return, one resigned, one remained in South Africa and joined the police force in that country, while one had not yet re-joined. During the quarter 60 inquests had been held. BETAINING OLD HANDS. The Chief Constable reported that Sergeant John James resigned on the 30th of September, having completed 27 years of approved service:" he was entitled to a pension of S64 17s 9d per annum. In reply to Alderman Grove, it was stated that the constable was 49 years of age. Alderman Grove: So he is in the best of his days it is unfortunate he should retire. The Alderman went on to argue that if some inducement were offered to men to remain in the force a little longer it woald be a good thing for the County. As it was, to provide this £ 65 meant putting by, as it were £ 1,500. The Chief Constable said he was sorry to lose the officer his was one of the few cases where a man having completed his service was able to come out in the best of health. Sergeant James was a strong man. Councillor Parry said the point in these cases was that the men knew they were entitled to their pensions they might remain on, make an innocent slip, and lose the lot. It would be well if an arrangement could be made by which the pension having been earned, could be assured to the man who elected to remain on. Sir H. M. Jackson said that had been already done in the case of simple police offences. Was this known to the men ? The Chief Constable Yes. The subject then dropped. LLANHILLETH COURT. As the result of the action of Quarter Sessions the; following motion was submitted by Councillor Thomas: "That the resolution of this Committee, passed on the 16th April last, with reference to providing accommodation at the Llanhilleth Petty Sessional Court, be rescinded, and that the amount estimated by the County Surveyor to be the cost of the necessary fittings be paid." This was agreed to on the understanding- emphasised by Councillor Parry, that it was not tb., thin edge of the wedge to an outlay of £ 4 0u0 or £5,000 to build a Court within I miles of another.

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Lord Raglan's Reception in the Isle of Man. The following account, culled from the columns of "The Isle of Man Daily Times," describes the enthusiastic reception accorded to the newly appointed Lieut.-Governor of the Island and to Lady Raglan on Saturday last:— Thousanls of Douglas people were gathered on the Pier, all anxious to see the new Governor and his wife, of whom the most agreeable reports have reached them, and as the steamer came up to the Pier a hearty cheer went up. The Douglas Volunteers, under Captain Mackenzie, were drawn up on the Pier as a guard of honour, and at the head of the steps was a gathering of officials and others, among them being Sir James Gell (the acting Governor) and Miss Gell, Deemster Kneen, Deemster Moore, the Attorney-General and Mrs Ring, the Receiver-General, the Vicar-General, (Sir W. L. Drinkwater), the Mayorlof Douglas (Alderman Webb), Mrs and Miss Webb, &c. As soon as the gangway had been put on, the officials went on board, and greetings were ex- changed. A move was then made for the shore, the band strikine up the National Anthem, in honour of the King's representative. There was much cheering and applause. Lord Raglan repeatedly bowed in acknowledgment of the greeting." The Mayor, in his robes of office, with chain and seal, and preceded by the mace, then stepped forward to welcome the Governor to Douglas, adding to his words the assurance: "If 11 you want to find warm hearts look around you, and you will see plenty here everyone here gives you a warm greeting to the Isle of Man, and to Douglas in particular." (Applause.) Lord Raglan briefly replied, and his Excellency then inspected the guard of honour. Afterwards Lord and Lady Raglan and the Vicar-General eutered the Vicar-General's car- riage and drove off to the Douglas Bay Hotel, where a suite of rooms had been taken. There was great cheering as the carriage drove away, and all down the Pier the cheering was sustained as their Excellencies passed. The Pier and Promenades had been specially decorated with bunting, and the general heartiness and eu- thusiasm of the usually undemonstrative Manx people must assuredly have gratified our new Governor and his wife." On Tuesday, Lord Raglan was sworn into office, at Castle Rushen, by his Excellency Sir James Gell, the present acting Governor, acting as Clerk of the Rolls, and after the ceremony Sir James Gell entertained Lord and Lady Raglan and a number of insular officials and others at luncheon at his own residence. Replying to congratulations, on Tuesday, Lord Raglan said hejwas honoured on making his first speech in public in the Island to have a message to deliver from his Gracious Majesty, The message was that the King would be glad if be would kindly take an opportunity of in- forming the inhabitants of the Isle of Man how greatly their Majesties admired the beautiful scenery, and how much they were pleased with their visit and with the loyal and enthusiastic reception which they had received. On Wednesday, Lord Raglan was presented with an address of welcome from the Douglas Town Council. His Lordship, in reply, referring to his repre- sentation of the War Office in the House of Lords, said the War Office was a sort of political Aunt Sally-everybody had a shy at it, it never did right. (Laughter.) He hoped that in the future it would not be a case of Auut Sally there, but that they would all work together for the good of the Island. -———.—————

Parliamentary. In the House of Commons, on Wednesday, Mr P. O'Brien again asked if the Irish National- ists were to have time allotted for the discussion of their woes, and Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman again sought to induce the Prime Minister to give consent without himself committing the Opposition, as a whole, to the sponsorship for the Irish resolution. Mr Balfour, however, declined to be drawn. Sir William Harcourt resumed the discussion in Committee of Clause 8 of the Education Bill, to which he moved an amendment, which was defeated, and, the closure having been applied, shutting out a page and a half of amendments, the first sub-section of the clause was carried. On Thursday violent Irish scenes again occurred during question time, and the Speaker repeatedly intervened to check defiance or elusion of his ruling. The Prime Minister again refused to grant a day for the discussion of a Vote of Censure, unless the resolution bears the imprimatur of the titular Leader of the Opposition. In Committee on the Education Bill, Mr C. McArthur moved, as an addition to Clause 8, that the managers should carry out the directions of the local education authority, including any directions with respect to the number and educational qualifications of the teachers to be employed for secular instruction, and with respect to the dismissal of any teacher on educational grounds." Mr. Balfour accepted this. An amendment by Mr A. E. Hutton was altered, on the motion of the Prime Minister, to read, "If the managers fail to carry out the directions of the local authority in respect of secular education, that ivuliority shall, in addition to their other ,-ers, have the power of carrying out the direction themselves, as if they were the managers." This was adopted without a division.

I Colonel Swayne Safe. A telegram to the Foreign Office from General ManniDg, dated Berbera, Oct. 2tld, states that Colonel Swayne has reached Bohodle in safety. Wounded all doing very well.

Llangattocfc Ploughing and n Agricultural Society. The annual ploughing competition was held at Llangattock Farm on Thursday week. Twenty- three teams ploughed and there were tea competitors for hedging. The judges were :— Ploughing, Mr Philip Price (Howick, Chepstow), and Mr Morgau Griffiths (Clawdd Farm, Rtglan); horsep, hedging, rick-making, root! Mr John Rogers (Treowen, Diugestow), and Mr Thomas Blackwood (Blackbrook). The Hon J. M. Rolls presided at the dinner, which took place at the Beaufort Arms Hotel, Monmouth, in the evening. I PRIZE LIST. Open Champiotichip:-I, Richard Jeremy, St. Arvans, Chepstow 2, Thomas Williams, Kyuastoa. Ross. District Champion Sweepstakes :—1, Edgar Jones, Bailea, Llantilio; 2, Edward Pugh, servant to Lord Llangattock. District Champion Sweepstakes :—1. John Hanner, Dingestow 2, John Lewis, Hilston. Farmers or their sons :-I, Joseph Miles, Dingestow; 2, W. Thomas, Court Farm, Trelleck 3, G. Brace, Wormbridge Farm, Hereford h.c G. Biggs, Middle Lleudre. Servants :-1, G. Williams, Hilston; 2, Alfred Davis, servant to Lord Llangattock; 3, G. EHas, Newcastle; h.c., Albei t Hammond, servant to Lord Llangattock. Boys, under Ii; :-1, Ernest Cowles, Hendre Farm 2, Edgar EUaway, Great House. Dingestow 3, Herbert Watkins, Daepholme, Monmouth. Swing ploughs:-I, Thomas Charles, servant to Lord Llangattock; 2, Samuel Bowen, Hans Farm, Newcastle 3, John Lewis, servant to Mr Rogers, Dingestow. Champion class, hedging and ditching:—I, David Lewis, Gwebelog. Hedging and ditching 1, Daniel Powell 2, William Williams, Drybridge; 3, William Newman, Penlaes, Raglan. Hedging and ditching, juniors:—1, G. Jones, Gwehelog, Usk; 2, \V. Thomas, Cherry Tree, Norton 3, J. Morgan, Treveldee, Cwm- carvan. TbatchinR :-1, Edward Price, St. M&ughans; 2, David Powell, The Hill, Llangasson. Neatest and cleanest ttirn-out:-I, J, Lewis, Hilston 2, J. Charles, servant to Lord Llangattock; 3, A. Davies, servant to Lord Llangattock 4, G. Williams, servant to Mr W. Simmonds; v.h.c., H. D. Harvey, RockSeld Farm h.c., W. Jeffreys, Peuypark, Raglan. Whole class recommended. Acre of mangolds -1, Lord Llangattock. Pair of horses :—Mr T. R. Day h.c., Lord Llangattock. Pair of brood Tnares :-I, Mr Biggs, Middle Hendre 2, Mf Watkins, Deepholm. Pair of horses:-I, Mr Graham, Hilston 2, Mr Bowen, Newcastle. Weight judging Edward Ruck, Duffryn, Hendre; T. Rees, Wernllwyd; E. A Jones, Monmouth; A. Sibbons, Far Farm, Newctstle, judged the correct weight, 891bs. Prize divided, 57 entered.

j Llandaff* Diocesan Conference. The Llandaff Diocesan Conference opened on Wednesday morning at Cardiff Town Hall, the Bishop (Dr Lewis) presiding. Dean Davey, the Archdeacons of Llandaff and Monmouth, and Canons Roberts and Johnson accompanied him, and amongst others present were Lord Tredegar, Sir H. M. Jackson, and Messrs. S. C. Bosauquet, F. J. Mitchell, and R. Rickards. In his presidential address the Bishop alluded to the Education Bill, aud, having pointed out the difference between the instruction in voluntary and board schools, stated that the main objects of the Bill were, first, to better secular education, and, secondly, to provide a way by which voluntary and denominational schools should be remunerated for the secular instruction which they imparted, and be placed at the same time under such a system of popular control as would ensure the proper expenditure of the public money which they received and the efficiency of secular instruction without depriving the managers of the eontrol of religious teaching. To prevent them obtaining that fair and equitable treatment, and especially to undenominationalise them, was the one aim of the opponents of the Bill. He was, however, loth to believe that, however successful they might be in misleading the public, who were mostly ignorant of the Bill's provisions, they would induce the House of Commons to commit such a flagrant act of injustice as to defeat a measure calculated to be of inestimable value to national education and, atthe same tir-ie, go a long way towards diminishing, if it did not wholly remove, the religious difficulty. His lordship then moved the following resolu- tion I. That this conference approves of the main principles of the Government Education Bill, which aims at the improvement and co-ordination of secular education, seeks to do justice to voluntary elementary schools, and provides a system of public control which is at once fair and effective. It, therefore, trusts that the Bill may become law before the close of the present session, of Parliament." Sir H. M. Jackson seconded the resolution, which was carried without discussion, with four dissentients. Mr Robert Rickards moved that the conference was well satisfied with the progress made in obtaining returns of parochial records. Out of the 230 parishes in the diocese returns had been sent from 130. This was seconded bv Mr F. R. Kempson, Roath, and supported by the Rev J ese Jones, Gelligaer, and Sir H. M. Jackson. With regard to the Education Bill, Archdeacon Brucs felt that a good deal of mischief accrued by lack of movement on the part of the Church in face of the extraordinary travesties of truth, promulgated from the Nonconformist camp. Ha favoured public meetings, for they did not want meetings of friends, but opponents, so that they might be converted into intelligent opponents a fc least. (Laughter.) He moved that "It is most desirable that public meetings should be held in every parish to discuss the Bill and explain its provisions." This was carried. Mr W. S. de Winton moved that, believing as we do that the great principles which uuderlie Ithe due observance of Sunday are public worship and rest, we resolve to do all that we can to discourage, as far as possible, such employments on Sundays as would prevent either ourselves, our servants or others for whom we are responsible from being able to carry out these principles." The English Sunday was, he declared, in imminent danger of falling, and with it would go English Christianity for generations. Roferring to amusements he thought that Sunday golf was permissible only on the ground that the player had already given the best part of the day to public worship, and that he was his own armour-bearer, not taking a caddie from his Sunday School. Little could be said against Sunday cycling, for the rider did not impose labour on other people. The principle of Judaism was to separate the spiritual from the secular, but the principle of Christianity was the permeating of the secular by the spiritual. Chancellor Ollivaut seconded. Sunday, he said, should be a day of recreation so long as it did not interfere with public worship or entail work on others. It should be a day for the cultivation of family life, when childhood should be made especially bright. The Rev J. R. Buckley, Llandaff, upheld the force of the spirit of the Fourth Commandment, if not of the actual letter. Mr D. Tilley, Cowbridge, moved an amendment asking Churchmen to stand by their baptismal promise to keep the Sabbath holy and to encourage the same. ° Mr S. C. Bosanquet seconded. Mr A. C. Kirk supported the first motion, but on the appeal of the Archdeacon of Llandaff the amendment was withdrawn, and the motion was, therefore, carried. The conference was continued on Thursday.

Markers. USK, CATTLE, Monday.—The supply was rather short, with the exception of pigs, at the ordinary bi-monthly market to-day, and most of the things cleared. The following were the quotations:—Best quality beef 6d to 7d per lb, 2 seconds 6d to 6d; wether mutton 7td, ewe 6d, to 7d lamb, 7d; cows and calves, JE12 to x 16 yearlings, X6 to 29 two-year-olds, £ 10 to £18; sows and piga, X7 to £ 10; strong stores, 35s to 45s each; three months old, 20s to 23s weatiers, 16s to 20s; heavy-weight porkers, 9a to 9:3 6d per score light ditto, 109 6d per score. NEWPORT, COUN, Wednesday, -Wheat was firm, and rather in favour of seller. Maize also was firm, probably due to the scarcity. Barley showed a reduction from 3d to 61. There was a great clearance in oats, which were rather cheaper. Flour (fines), 23s 6d. NEWPORT, CATTLE, Wednesday.—There was a good supply of stock to-day, a large attendance of buyers, and a good, brisk trade. Quotations: — Best beef 7d to 7td per lb, second quality 6d to 6fd, cows 6id to 63,1 best wether mutton 7d to 4 ;y 2 7id per lb, ewes 6d to 7d lamb Hd to 8d veal 7d to 8d; porker pigs, light weights Ila 3d to lis 6d per score, heavy weights 10s 6d to 10s 9d. NEWPORT, CHEESE, Wednesday.—There was an average pitch of cheese to-day, but, though trade was :a her elow, there was a clearance of the best cheese. Quotations :-Caerphilly makes 40a to 4811 per cwt. fancy dairies 50 to 53s, Derby" 5(3s to 57s, doubles 54s, truckles 5Ss to 60s, Cheddars I 56s to 60s.

I Sir Joseph Lawrence, tJ. P., and the Patent Law Amendment Bill. The Patent Law Amendment Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday night. Sir Joseph Lawrence, it will be remembered, was responsible in bringing to the attention of the President of the Board of Trade certain reforms which have been incorporated in the new measure. Mr Gerald Balfour, in conversation with the Member in the House ou Tuesday night, warmly thanked him for the valuable assistance he had given him in getting the Bill altered. Sir Joseph attended all the meetings of the Grand Committee, and was present on every occasion when the Bill was under discussion, giving sound practical advice and offering 11 suggestions from a business point of view.

I Devonport Election. I CONSERVATIVE GAIN. Polling took place at Devonport on Wednesday to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr E. J. O. Morton. The candi- dates were Mr J. Lockie (C.) and the Hon. T. A. Brassey (L.). The figures, announced shortly before eleven o'clock, were Loekie (C ) 3,785 Brassey (L.). 3,757 28 I This is a gain to the Conservative Party,

said. came to him most unexpectedly, and he eally thougbt it was due to the high and honor- able position in which they and the town had placed him-be felt that the honour was one to the town rather than to himself. He hoped he should be able to use his position to the benefit of the town. (Applause.) FINANCE. Mr Hughes brought up the Finance Committee's report, which showed a favourable balance of f,4 lis 7d, the expenditure for the month having ,been X359 17s 4d, and the receipts (including •previous balance) £ 364 8s lid. COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGE DONE. Mr Hugbes stated that Mrs Powell had refused I the JE3 offered her as compensation for damage ■done in her house owing to the bursting or over- sowing of the Crane-street sewer. She claimed d65. Mr Probyn, saddler, said the house was in a deplorable state, the carpet was spoiled, and other ,damage was done, and in view of the fact that she ihad previously suffered in this way, he moved that Mrs Powell be paid the full amount claimed. Mr Rosie contended that they could not go into previous cases, and that the sum offered by the Council was sufficient. Mr James thought Mrs Powell's claim a very reasonable one, and that the Council should pay -it. Mr F. Probyn said the case was not an ordinary ,one, Mrs Powell being a very old and respectable inhabitant, between SO and 90 years of cge, and blind. She had previously suffered in the same i-way. Taking into consideration the amounts paid by the Council in other cases he thought her claim a very fair one. Mr Hughes thought such claims should be investigated, and, as an amendment, moved that the Sanitary Committee should take the matter in land. Mr Rosie seconded. Mr Probyn, saddler, thought the suggestion a good one for the future but not in the present case after a lapse of time. After further conversation the motion was carried that Mrs Powell be paid £ 5. MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. I In his report, Dr Mason stated that during the ;month of September ten deaths and ten births had %een recorded, giving a common rate of 21.4 per 1000 of the estimated population, One death was torn scarlatina and four from tubercular disease. Since his last report there bad been eight notifica- tions of zymotic disease, viz., scarlatina 7 and ^•diphtheria 1. He had hoped that scarlatina had -died out, but he regretted to say that the past week had proved otherwise. Sickness in the district was increasing, chest affections, especially among children, being common. This was probably due to the excessive dampness and want of proper care and precautions. He had received a "Copy of a memorandum from the Local Govern- fInent Board respecting the steps necessary to be taken in case of an outbreak of suiall-pox; also one with regard to re-vaccination. Respecting the former, he thought the Netten Radcliffe hospital tent, supplemented by a few bell tents would be sufficient for immediate requirements. Inasmuch, however, as it was suggested that everything should be ready to hand, he begged 'to suggest that the Council allow him per- mission to order two or three bell tents, and to arrange with a Nursing Institute for nurses in case they were required, so as not to have to Wait about for a Council meeting. With regard to re-vaccination, the Council should make it 'widely known that the operation should be per- -formed without delay on everyone over ten years of age who had been properly vaccinated in "Infancy. This was most important Small-pox used to be a disease of childhood now, owing to vaccination and the protection it afforded, children "rarely took it, but as the protection declined, .grown-up persons were subject to it—hence the Tieed of re-vaccination. This report, together with that of the Sanitary committee, recommending that the M.O.H.'s .suggestions should be carried out were adopted. 0 SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor reported that very good progress liad been made with the Hanbury-road improve- ment, notwithstanding the wet weather. Mr Willoughby had completed the paiutiag of the Cattle Market, and was now making very good progress with the Provision Market. After a tour of inspection by the Street Committee he had received instructions to effect several miuor repairs to street channelling. gullies, &c. LIGHT iN THE MARKET. I Mr James referred to complaints as to the lighting .,of the provision market. The Chairman remarked that the lighting alterations just carried out there had improved the lighting of the gangways by diffusion, but the .,centre of the building suffered in consequence. Mr Simpson said that on Saturday candles, &c., were used by the stall-holders. He suggested that tbe lamps at present above the girders should be placed below them and that two extra lam,)s be put up. It was suggested that the Markets' Committee should see the market when lit up on Saturday, and after much conversation the matter was left to the Market Committee to carry out the necessary alterations, Mr Simpson's suggestions being adopted. LOES ON A CONTRACT. Mr WilIowby, who had contracted for the painting of the market, wrote stating that by an we 6rr0r iD his esUl»ate he stood to lose a amount on the contract, and asking the <Conncil to meet him in the matter. It was stated that the work had so far been well paid.' £ 14° had alpeady been ^n?pWnn7^0lVed.t0 Whit UntiI tbe work had been •done, and the contractor had furnished the Council -with a statement as to his losses, before entertaining the question of increasing the amount to be paid. THE PUBLIC LIGHTING. >■3 Street Committee recommended an additional mP K P*aoecl Gwent-street. lr Hughes asked why Malthouse-lane had not ween given an additional lamp in accordance with the decision of the Council. Mr James said it had been found that there was aio main there. Mr Jones said the same remark would apply to vGwent-street. Mr Eckereley said an ordinary iron or lead pipe 'laid down would be sufficient for the^parpose. In reply to Mr Hughes the Clerk said a letter ;-had been received from the Pontypool Gas and Water Company stating that they would meet a "deputation of the Council on the question of the price of as on November 14th. Mr Hughes said the price per 1,000 cubic feet had Ibeen re uced to 3s lid to townspeople, but not to .f '«.uand thought they should pay at .least 5d per thousand less than that Mr Harmston said he hoped that to the Council's cotton might be attributed the reduction in the price to private consumers. The Council decided to accept the date offered 4hem to meet the directors of the Gas Company, LAMP-BREAKING. Some discussion then took place with regard to •Street lamps in the outlying districts, one of which ■was so constantly being damaged by mischievous persons that it had not lately been lit. un the^proposition 0f Simpson it was decided iMmAa ,reP^^rad and put in use again. 4hreat«r,in„ also- to afSx notices to the lamps 4hem. Prosecute persona found damaging ^ete/lfmnll^K'- £ e[er,ing to the question, saM a .supply to thfi f h^Ped to govern the cost of the -and a considerable n~WaS fre4U0lUly tamPered with' "axld a nerable amount of gas wasted. TRAIN SERVICE. 40 wUe\rtPh°e8it(i0rlMrrF- Jones' » a-Hri accelerate thi t Company asking them to a.m. and gettln J^P Tng ,Clar?ce"fteet at 8-33 fnahln g Pontypool-road at 8.38, so as to -enable passengers to oatch the 8.37 train from the ,Road to Newport, &0. SEWAGE DISPOSAL. Mr H ghee said ,,t had been suggested that the Council should take steps to obtain land upon which Ho have bacterial beds for the disposal of their :sewaget but nothing had been done in the matter. He thought the matter should now be taken in hand "so ai to put themselves in a position to do something if called upon to do so. The Chairman suggested that they should wait for the report of the Royal Commission on the subject. The Committee, might, however, proceed with the preliminaries, and they would have plenty to do. Mr Hughes said that the septic tank system had been experimentally tried with success at Blaina. It was decided that the Committee should meet on the 14th November. SWIMMING BATHS AND GYMNASIUM. I Mr G. H. Walden wrote asking if the Council would grant a piece of land in the Cattle Market for the purpose of erecting a public swimming bath and gymnasium there. The Chairman snid the subject had been before the Chamber of Trade for some time, and they thought the project would cost from £ 800 to Mr Eckersley said the Chamber had not gone beyond the expression of opinion that swimming baths were really necessary in a district like theirs. Mr Hughes thought the matter should be care- fully considered. Mr Walden had said he would be prepared to find the sinews of war if the Council would give the piece of land, and he would not say that without having a foundation to work upon. They might ask Mr Walden to meet the Markets Committee and lay before them the prospects of the project. They would then see if he had some one or a body of men behind him who would find jEoOO or £ 1000 for it. If they could not find the land the Council might assist him in some way. Mr Simpson seconded the suggestion. The Chairman did not think the work would be so easy to carry out as had been suggested. Mr Harmston followed in similar strain. He pointed out that if they went in for hot and cold baths and a gymnasium the initial cost would be about X2000 or £3000, and then would come the cost of maintenance, which would amount to about X150 a year. The Council then adjourned to view the Han- bury-road improvement.