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

Mr. Hayes Usher's Hesitation. n 1 1' The resignation of Mr Hayes-Fisher, during the sitting'of the House of Commons on Tuesday last, of the position he held under the Treasury, has once more drawn universal attention to the" Telescriptor Syndicate Case." The judgment delivered by Mr Justice Buckley in this case and the observations made by him on the conduct of Sir Joseph Lawrence and Mr Hayes- Fisher have already called forth strong adverse criticism in legal circles. The "Law Journal" in its issue of the 4th inst., in the course of a long leader devoted to the points arising in the case, proceeds to show conclusively that the view taken by the learned judge is untenable in law. The article in question opens with the observation that an Equity Judge approaching business matters with a mind sophisticated by artificial notions is apt to do very groat injustice to business men and their methods," and states the facts of the case, with which the public are by this time familiar; then referring in particular to the division of the shares among the Directors of the Syndicate andtlagsate by Hoffman, the "Law Journal" proceeds as follows :—"Now, if this had been the case of an ordinary company offering its shares to an unsuspecting public, such presentation of bonus shares by the vendor to Wallace as promoter, and to Hoplcitison, Lawrence, and Hayes Fisher as directors, would, if made secretly, have been clearly contrary not only to technical equity but to ordinary rules of business morality, at all events, in the case of the directors. But a private syndicate is a totally different thing from a public company. It is a company only in form-for convenience of manipulation in substance it is just a partnership, and if the members of such a partnership agree to an arrangement like the above there is no principle of law, or equity, or morality to prevent them, for the simple reason that nobody is deceived, and nobody, therefore, injured. Sir J. Lawrence and Mr Hayes-Fisher, indeed, were very angry when they heard that Hoffman had been parting with some of his shares, and well they might be, because it put them and other members of the syndicate in a false position. "Such a breach of good faith on Hoff- man's part could not, however, change intentions or convert what was in its incep- tion a perfectly honest arrangement into a dishonest one. The fallacy of treating a private syndicate like a public company, which runs through Mr Justice Buckley's judgmeut, has, in our opinion, led him to pass a wholly unmerited censure on the gentlemen concerned in this syndioate. It is regrettable, but it must ba borne in mind that the learned judge's remarks are pi-imce impressionis only, and, in part, extra-judicial, and must not be taken in any way to prejudge, still less conclude, the questions raised as affecting these gentle- men. "The point before Mr Justice Buckley was simply whether the winding up pro- ceedings ought to be stayed under Section 89 of the Companies Act, 1862, i.e., taken out of the hands of the Official Receiver. Mr Justice Buckley merely decided that he was not satisfied that they ought. When the time comes there seems every proba- bility that these gentlemen will be able -D fully to vindicate not only their integrity, but the absolute legality of their share in these transactions."

L), USK. -1 Agent -Mrs. E. K. Jones, Stationer I HIGH Siticiiirp's CilkPLAIN.-The High Sheriff I of Monmouthshire (Mr E. P. Martin, J. P., C.C.). has appointed the Rev LL M. Williams, R.D., rector of Dowlais, as his chaplain. FLOWERING SUNDAY. The beautiful custom, peculiar to South Wales and Moumouthshire, of florally decorating the graves of the departed on Palm Sunday, w,is this year generally observed, the abundance of wild flowers making it possible for all to show in this way their loving remembrance of dear ones gone. Fortunately the weather was fin). Usk Churchyard was visited by a very large number of people during the day, who respectfully admired alike the magnificent wre tths and crossses of choice exotics and the large display of primroses, daffodils, &c. -A—

ABERGAVENNY. I Aqents.—Messrs Daoizs t Go. Booksellers. I THE GILWERN MYSTERY. I At an adjourned inquiry at Gilwern on Saturday afternoon respecting the death of Thomas James Morris, whose body was found floating in the Clydach River at Gilwern, on the 23rd March, no further evidence was adduced to throw any light upon the mysterious affair. The Coroner, in summing up. said that, having regard to the facts of the case, it was quite clear that the young man lost his life by drowning, but how he came into the river was a matter for the jury to decide. What he would suggest to the jury was to bring in an open verdict of Found drowned," as there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the river. The jury subsequently returned an open verdict of "Found drowned,"

I DISTRICT COUNCIL E LECTIO NT. I I Polling took place on Monday for the election of Urban District Councillors. The three retiring members of the Council were Messrs. A. L. Edwards, H. Crease. and L. Foster Stedman. Mr Edwards did not seek re-election. Three other candidates came forward, viz., Sir Arthur W. Mackworth, and Alesdri. Talmage and Davies. The polling took place at the Drill Hall, and 219 elecors out of 270 recorded their votes. Mr T. R. P. Herbert was the returning officer and declared the result shortly before nine o'clock as follows Elected. Sir A. W. Mackworth 135 Hy. Crease 122 L. Foster Stedman. 106 Non-Elected. Idris Davies 93 Charles Talmage 56 Sir Arthur Mackworth thus takes Mr Edwards's seat. Each of the candidates briefly thanked the electors f,)r their support. A vote of thanks was accorded to the presiding officer on the proposition of Sir A. Mackworth, secjaded by Mr I. Davies. -&-

I DISTRICT C3UN0IL MEETING. At the Council meeting on Tuesday the members present were Mr A. Ll. Edward-! (Chairman), the Rev D. Bevan Jone, Messrs T. Parry, J. H. Tayl or, L. F. Stedman, D. W. Jenkins, H. Crease, W. Welsford, and J. Green, with the Clerk (Mr T. R. P, Herbert), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. de Gruchy), and the Surveyor (Mr Harris), A number of ratepayers alsj attended with reference to the recant proceedings taken by the Council against Mr Evan Thomas, for an alleged breach of the bve-laws. The Clerk reported the result of the ease against Mr Thomas, which was dismissed with costs. Mr Taylor said it was a great pity that the proceedings had been so delayed, and askod why steps had not been taken in the matter earlier. The Clerk said that personally he had no idea that the houses in respect of which proceedings had been taken, had been occupied. He had been blamed outside the Council for the loss of the case, because he bore the brunt of the proceedings. This was not rigkt, and he declined to accept responsibility. Mr Stedman thought it very strange that the houses should have been occupied since September, and yet the matter was not reported to the Council until January. The correspondence with Mr Thomas should have been produced in Court. As it was, the Council were the laughing stock of the district. Their officials should have got up their case better. The Clerk resented these remarks, and added that it was not Mr Stedmau's place to advise their legal adviser. After further discussion it was decided to take further action against Mr Thomas for an alleged breach of the bye-laws in the case of two other houses in the same block as th -)so in respect of which the unsuccessful proceeiiugs were taken. The reports of the Surveyor and Medical Officer of Health were read, and the health of the district was reported to be very satisfactory. — ——

CHEPSTOW. I A(lent.-Miss Clark I BOARD OF GUARDIANS. I The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday. The tiev W. H. William*, and Mr W. Jones (Tidenham), were appointed to attend as delegates to the youth Wales and Monmouthshire Poor Law Conference at Carmarthen, on the 7th and 9h May next. The Local Government Board wrote referring to their letter of the 12th December, asking for their opinion respecting Nurse Ada Woodthorpe, and it was decided to reply to the effect that she was a good nurse, and her conduct was satisfactory. The Chairman reported that Mr Frost, guardian for Wolvesnewton, had not attended for six months. There were at present eight vacancies on the board, Messrs. Jordan and P. Price having died, and Messrs. Norris, Hodges, Harris, Skirrow, Oakley and Frost not attending in the stipulated period. It was decided to c-ill the attention of the parishes concerned to the vacancies. The Gloucester Council, acting as the Educa- tional Authority, wrote continuing the powers of the School Attendance Cjmmittee fur a further three months. The Visiting Committee reoommanded certain repairs at the house at a cost of £2 10s, which were adopted. A complaint was received from Mr John Pride, Caldicot, that his tenders for bread to the Cottage Homes had not been considered. It appeared that they had been overlooked. It was decided to reply regretting the occurrence. The Master's fortnightly report stated that the first week there were 61 vagrants admitted and relieved, against 87 the corresponding week of last year, and one relieved outside. Second week, 84, 48 and none respectively. Forty vagrants were J relieved with white tickets during the fortnight.

URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. The fortnightly meeting wis held on Monday night, Mr J. r. Horlliblow presiding. The Chepstow Gas Company replied to the Council's letter of March 25th, sending in an amended tender for lighting lamps, offering to light 27 all night lamps at C3 14a per lamp, and 51 short time lamps, including moonlight iiightp, or E179 for the year, and saying that they could make no reduction. They further tendered to light and extinguish the lamps, clean, and repair cocks and burners for X42. The tender was accepted, being a reduction of L6 upon last year's price. Messrs. Arthur Ernest Rymer and Gilbert Henry Blandford were appointed overseers. Mr Child, in accordance with notice, raised the question of the employees' wagos, which were at present 17s, with Is. extra for Sunday work, advoca'ing a better rate of pay.—After some discussion, it was resolved that the Surveyor be empowered to pay efficient men not exceeding JBI a week, to include Sunday duty. The Chairman referred to the expiration of his term of office at the next meeting, and thanked the members for their support; the clerk and surveyor for their courtesy and assistance, and the members of the Press for their fair reports. Mr Dewdney moved a vote of thanks to Mr Horniblow for his services as chairman during the past year. The motion was put by the clerk and carried with acclamation, and the Chairman briefly replied. The Clerk mentioned that he had seen Mr Whalley with reference to the piece of ground at one time the site of the old "Bridewell" or lock-up, at the back of the premises he had purchased in Moor-street, and Mr Whalley had offered to give £ 10 for it, and pay the cost of the conveyance. It was decided that the surveying committee should first inspect the property.

LLANGIBBY. Agent—Mrs Nash. Llangibby Village. FORTHCOMING CONCBUT.—A grand evening concert (arranged by Mr A E. Thomas) will take place at Llangibby Club Room on Thursday next, at 8 p.m. An excellent programme is provided. See full advertisement.

MAMHILAD. FUNERAL AT MAMIIILAD.—The remains of the late Mrs Jenkins, widow of Mr R. Jenkins, J.P,, Avon Llwyd House, Caerleon, were laid at rest ia the family burial ground at Mamhilad, on Wednesday. The funeral left deceased's residence, Edensor, Abergavenny, at twelve no on. The floral tributes were exceedingly beautiful, and sent by the following ladies and gentlemen Mr and Mrs John, Eaglesbush. Neath Mr & Mrs Cunliffe, Abergavenny Mr and Mrs Healey, Aborgaventiy Mrs Hiley, Abergavenny Mrs Facey, Aber- gavenny; Miss Jenkins, Abergavenny; Mr ii. C. Jenkins, Abergavenny; Mr and Mrs Stanaway, Abergavenny Mr and Mrs Lewis, Pontrhydyrun Nurse Lloyd, Pontrhydyrun Mr P. B B.illard, Tondu Mr and Mrs Passey, Kington, Herefordshire Mr and Miss Tamplin, Newport; the Rev and Mrs Cook, Mamhilad; the Rev Prothero, Llanguron.

MONMOUTH. Agent.—Mr. Caifreji, Bookseller, Monmouth. TOWN COUNCIL.-The Mayor, Councillor H. Baillie, presided a', the monthly meeting oo Monday. The Drainage and Electric Light Committee reported that Mr Cotterell, Bristol, who had been called in, had inspected the septic tanks for sewage disposal, and had found them a failure. The cement was, it was alleged, no according-to specification, and contained a quantity of lime and ashes, substances which should be rigorously excluded. The foundation of the tanks was too soft, and the cracks were caused by two of the tauks subsiding. It would be necessary to have new tanks, and, if another site could be obtained, it would be better. If not, Mr Cotterell recommended ero-cement tanks, supported by pillars from the solid foundation, at a cost of about £ 1,800. Legal advice had been obtained, and th» Couucil went into committee to consider the liability of the engineer and contractor.

I NEWPORT. I Agents — Mexsrs &reenl-%ti I xxi 0).. N .mi trznu. THE MEMBER, FOR BlUTH MONMOUTHSHIRE.— Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P., Ruperra Castle, has been appointed a member of the committeo of the UnLed Cmnties Huntere Society. DEATH OF ALDERMAN H. J. DAVIS. On Sunday afternoon the death occurred of Alderman H. J. Davis, who for a period covering 65 years had taken an active part in the public, commercial, municipal, and social life of Newport. Although in his 90th year he was apparently in his usual good health until the day of his death. On that day—Palm Sunday—he drove from his residence at Stow Hill to Baasaleg tojattend the morning service at the Parish Church. When walking through the churchyard after service to his carriage he took his son's arm, aud, remarking that he was a little puffed," held on for support. Directly afterwards, however, he swooned and fell, and had to be hslped to his brougham by a number of bystanders. He was at once driven home. It was seen that he was in a helpless and unconscious cou lition, and four medical gentlemen were called in. Mr Davis did not speak again, and died about four o'clock iu the afternoon, apparently from heart failure. On the Saturday he had attended the weekly sitting of the magistrates of the Newport division of the county of Monm iuth, of which he had been clerk for over half a century. The sad tidings of his sudden death were announced to the public at; Newport by the hoisting at half-mast of the flag at the Town Hall, and at St. Woolos Parisht Church in the evening, where Mr Davis had been churchwarden for a great many years, the Vicar referred to the event, and a funeral hymn was sung and the Dead March in "Saul" played. He held a great number of public offices and was thrice elected Mayor, the last occasion being in Coronation year. He came to Newport in 18:38 and was a partner with Mr James Birch, solicitor to the Tredegar family, and became agent for the Glamorgan estates of the late Sir Charles Morgan, of Tredegar Park, in 1845. About 27 years ago he was also appointed agent to the Tredegar Wharf Estate at Newport-a landed partnership concern, the remaining interests in which Lord Tredegar has since bought out, and it is now all in his lordship's hands. He was a member of the Harbour Commission for 50 years. He was a subscriber to the hospital for something like 60 years, and chairman of its board of directors for about twenty yeara. He was also registrar of the Newport County Court for about 25 years, and had held the office of Clerk to the Justices since 1813. He was probably the oldest solicitor on the rolls, having been admitted in 1835, and always took out his certificate, although latterly he had retired from the firm of Davis, Lloyds, and Wilson and devoted himself entirely to the agency business. He had twice been a widower, and of his family only two children survive him, viz., a son and a daughter, Mr John Davis, who lived at home with his father, and Mrs Henry Justice. The funeral takes place at Bassaleg, on Saturday.

— CADBURY'S COCOA is absolutely pure, and is there- fore the best Cocoa It is a refreshing, stimulating drink, and a nutritious food, containing no foreign substances, such as kola, ma t, hops, &c The fact c innot be too strongly impressed that Cocoa must be unadulterated to ensure its fullest beneficial effect. Always insist on having CAD:B'JRY'S-Sold only in Packets and Tins—as other Cocras are often substitutes or the sake of extra profit

I CAE UL EON". A']eat—Hiss M. A. 8111, ¿S, tfe osi te i< Cross-street. I PRESENTATION.-Oll Thursday in last week, a presentation was male to Dr de Gruchy by Mr A. L. Edwards on behalf of the inhabitants of Llandegveth and Llanthewy. The presentation comprised a salai b iwl and a silver toast rack.— Dr de Gruchy thanked the donors for what they had done, and also for the welcome extended to Mrs de Gruchy.