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

ABERGAVENNY. POLICE COURT, WEDNESDAY. Before F. P. J. HANBUBY- WILLIAMS, E.q., (in the ehiir), COLONBL MANLBY, and MAJOR WILLIAMS. CAUTION Tn PIG DRIvERs-George Wntkins, Owmtillery, haulier, was charged with cruelty to H pig by kicking it, on the 25th November last. P.O. Hughes said that on the date named he saw defendant driring some pigs along Frogmore- street. One of the pigs turned back, and defendant kicked it on the side, and it fell. On getting up, it fell ftgtin. Witness, accompanied by Sergt. Bullock, visited the L. and N.W.R. Station, and there saw the pig in a very distressing condition. Defendant was t'ld he should not kick animals vhen drivinsr them. He soid h^ was sorry, for be did not think thit he had kicked so hard. The defendant told the Bench that he did not mean to hurt the pig, it was very troublesome, and kept turning back, he only put out his foot to stop it. —Fined 10s. and 5 s. costs, and the Bench said that was a very lenient treatment.

CHEPSTOW. PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY. Before G. DBWDNBY, Esq., C. WHALLBT, Esq., B. PaRRY, Esq., and J. T. HJRNIBLOW, Esq. LICBSTHING OFFENCE.—Joseph Sainsbury, of Woodcroft, was charged with being drunk on licensed premises at the Full Moon Tun, Ohepsrow. on the 28th March.—P.S. Groves and P.C. Head deposed to going to the Full Moon and seeing defeildant leaning with his head on the counter fast asleep. He was helplessly drunk, and had to be taken to the police station. On the Sunday defendant complained of being ill and was released on bail.-Defeudanr., sworn, stated that he was not --drunk wheu he went into the house. He had a pint of beer and only took a sip. He felt ill and accidentally went to sleep, and when he was aroused and shaken up he was frightened.—Joseph Morse, landlord of the Full Moon, Chepstow, "Was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises on the above occasion. -M,r A. Parsons, barrister-a'-law, appeared for the defendant.—P.S Groves repeated the evidence, and stated that when he spoke to Morse, the latter aaid "Yes, he is drunk, but I did not think he was quite so bad when he came in." Wheo served with the summons Morse said he was sorry he served him.-P.C. Head corroborated, and P.C. Reed stated that Sainsbury was beastly drunk when he was brought to the police station.— Mr Parsons for the defence, urged that ic must be proved that Morse knew the man was drunk or could have known, and said that the man had since been laid up with pleurisy, and that incipient pleurisy would rise the temperature and make him more susceptible to a small quantity of drink.—Dr Thompson, who had attended Sainsbury for pleurisy since the occurrence, bore out the suggestion of Mr Parsons.—The Bench considered that Sainsbury was drunk and fined him 2s 6d and 6s 4d costs. With regard to Morse, who had been previously convicted of a similar offence, they considered him guilty and imposed a fine of Ll and 4s 6d cost, remarking that they were inclined to question whether he was capable of keeping a public-home, and warned him that he would have to be careful or he would lose his license. DRUNK, &C.— John Smith, of Chepstow, for being drunk and disorderly in Thomas-street on the 4th inst., and was let off on payment of 4s 6d costs.—William Morgan, for a similar offence at Tintern, on the 4th inst., was fined "7s 6d and 4s 6d costs.—John Lloyd, for riotous behaviour at Chepstow on the 4th inst. was tined 2a 6d and 4s 6d costs.—Thomas Woodland, for being drunk aud disorderly at Caerwent was fined 18 6d and 4s 6d costs. TRIVIAL.-George Beavan, a county council employer, of Tintern, was charged with cruelty to a mare by kicking it at St. Arvans on 6th April- P.C. Love gave evidence to seeing defendant P.C. Love gave evidence to seeing defendant giving his animal, which was engaged in hauling water for the steam roller, a kick on the fetlock.— The Bench did not think the case serious and let him off on payment ot 10d costs. NON-MAINTENANCE.—Fred Baker, of Caldicot, -was ordered to pay Is 6d a week towards the support of his wife, Ann Baker, who had become chargeable to the common fund of the Chepstow Union.

PONTYPOOL. POLICE COURT, SATURDAY. CHARGB OF PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS DIS. MISSED.—David Samuel, Masons' Arms, Pont- newynydd, answered a charge of permitting drunkenness on his premises on the 30th ult. Two police officers deposed to have seen Nathaniel Hillman drunk on the premise* and drinking from a pint measure, but four witnesses called for the defence said the landlord had tried to get Hillman out just before the police entered the house. They added that Hillman had been refused drink, and that as he was being ejected he snatched a "ewig of beer from the pint measure belonging to another man. The case was dismissed, but Hillmau was fined 10s for druukennass, and his came was placed on the black list." BAD LANGUAGB. -Frederick Williams, Henry Williams. and David Roberts were summoned for using piofane and obscene language at Trevethin, ou the 5th April.—Frederick Williams had been -convicted eleven times previously, Henry Williams five times, and Roberts seven times -Ruut James said that he had had seriou complaints of men like the defendants coming down the Leigh-road and using bad language.— Tined 209 each.—Ananias Tokius, 21, who was i I company with the previous defendants, was aummoued for a like offence, and fined 20s. There were nine previous convictions. MAINTENANCE CASIR.-Edward Jacob, Pontllan- fraith, was summoned by Annie James to show cause, etc.—Mr T. Watkins, solicitor, Pontypool, and clerk to the Pontypool Board of Guardians, eaid that the facts were admitted. He produced a document signed by the defendant admitting the paternity and offering to pay 3s per week and all costs towards the maintenance of the child.—An order was accordingly made. SLEEPING IN A C(ILLIORY.-WilliaM Stone, hitcher, British, was oummoued for endangering the lives of the workmen by being asleep whilst on duty at the Blaensychan Colliery, on the 19rh March.—Mr T. S. Edwards, Newport, defended, And Mr W. J. Everett, solicitor,i Pontypool, prosecuted on behalf of Messrs. Partridge Jones and Co.—Joseph Morgan, British, manager of the colliery, said that the defendant was prosecuted under 67. He was a hitcber, and he had full control of the signals sending the cages up and down the pit, and he also had full control of the cages. This was a double-decked cage, and if the hitcher was not there to give the necessary signals for the changing of the decks, danger might ensue. About 118 men were down the colliery at the time.-William Morgan, examiner at the colliery, said that on March 19th he went to the pit bottom at 1,30 and found that Stone was not there. He made some inquiries, and on going to the electric engine house about 30 yards away, be found Stone there asleep. Witness therefore, considered that Stone was endangering the lives of the workmen by being asleep in the motor-house. Colliers could leave the pit whenever their trams I were full. Witness did not awake Stone, but sent Daniel Williams to do so.—Daniel Williams, haulier, at the colliery, said that he was sent to awaken the defendant on the night in question. He found him lying with with his head back fast asleep. Witness shook him by the knee, and he opened his eyes, but did not get up immediately.— The defendant, said that he left the pit bottom and went to the motor-house to have his supper. After that he sat down, but did not go to sleep. He was iu the motor-house for about 20 minutes. as it was a slack time. He did not see William Morgan, the fireman, come into the motor-house. He did not come there. Witness had his eyes closed, but he was not asleep. He had worked underground for ten vea s, and in this colliery for two years, without having had anvthing against him.—This concluded the case, and defeudant was fiued 20s and 8s costs. I POLICE COURr, TUESDAY. I Before Dr Esssx, and E. J. FOWLBR, Esq. A BLACKLISTGR. --Evan Thomas, a collier, of Abersychan, was fined 103 and costs for being drunk and disorderly on Easter Monday, and I ordered to be placed on the black list." I POLICE COURT, WEDNESDAY. DEFICIENT IN FAT.—George Lewis, farmer, Poutypool, wa-t summoned for selling milk not of the nature and quality demaiided.-Nir T. H. Lewis, inspector, Pontypool, proved the purchase of the milk, and said that the certificate which he had received showed that the sample was 20s per cent. deficient in fat. Fined 20s. CRUELTY TO A Ho&sB.Pi)bett Davies, haulier, Pontypool, was summoned for cruelly working a horse at Pontnewynydd, on the 30th March.— Philip Davies, milkman, Pontypool, wa summoned for causing the animal to be workad.-Defendants pleaded not guilty. -P.C Shott siid that he saw the defendant. Robert working an old bay mare in a milk-cart at Pontnewynydd, He examined it, and found a wouud under the collar about the size of a shilling. There was matter and blood oozing from the wound. When he spoke to the defeudant, he said that his father kuew what was the matter with the horse. On Tuesday last he saw Philip Davias driving the maine horse and spike to him about the case. He said that the horse was as fit on that date as it was then. Witness examined the horse and found that there was a wound on it, and that the horse was not fit to work.—John Williams, veterinary surgeon, Pontypool, said that he examined the horse after it had been stopped by the police, and found that there had been an abscess on the shoulder. He told the defendant he could work it if the collar was not allowed to press on the wound.—Fined 10d each. I COUNTY COURT, WEDNESDAY. Before His Honour Judge OWEN. THE TIRPENTWY3 CAGE DISASTER. At the previous Court his Honour reserved judgment in the case of Alice Strong v the Tirpontwys Black Vein Steam Coal Colliery Co., where the appellant raised a new point by claiming both as a partial dependent upon the earnings of her husband William Strong, who was killed in the cage accident at the Tirpmitwys Cdliery, and also as a partial dependent upon the earnings of her two sons, William Henry Strong and John Strong, who were killed iu the same accident. The contention for the appellant was that as a dependent upon the three men she was entitled to compensation for the death of each, and L300 was therefore claimed for the death of her husband, E250 and £ 150 respectively for the death of her son William Henry, aged 20 years, and John, aged 17 years. On Wednesday, his Honour in delivering judgment said that evidence was given that the husband and two sons gave all their wages to Mrs Strong, and this formed a common fund out of which the expenses of the house were paid. William Strong earned £ 2 5s lOd per week, William Heury Strong X2, and John Strong 17a lid, and out of this Mrs Strong allowed her husband from 5s to 10s per week for clothes and pocket money. William Henry Strong cost her about 12s per week to keep, and John Strong 8s per week. Since the last coal strike Mrs Strong admitted that her husband had saved j6130, or an average of about X30 per annum. She claimed as a partial dependent upon her husband, and for her children as total dependents. The respondents disputed the fact that she wai a partial dependent, and claimed that she was wholly dependent upon him. They also contended that in this case she could not also claim to be partially dependent upon her sons. He thought that under the Act there was no power to award compensation to a partial dependent, when there were total dependents, and that total dependents had the first claim. He could not, therefore, award any compensation to Mrs Strong for the death of her husband, as she had claimed for herself as a partial dependent ani for her children as total dependents. He, however, awarded £ 300 to the five children as total dependents, and ordered this to be divided into sums of X60 for each child, to be invested, and the income thereof to be paid to the appellant for the benf-flt of the children. Wilh regard to the claim as a partial dependent upon the sons, the respondent denied liability on the ground that she was a total dependent upon her husband. He however, held that a mother could 1 ri ii op be dependent upon the earning 'If her son during the lifetime of her husband. The applicant might be held to have been partially dependent upon the earnings of each of her sous, and he found that she was so dependent. He therefore awarded L70 4i for the death of William Henry Strong, and j6239 3s for the death of John Strong. He allowed costs on Scale C in the case of William Strong, and one set of oats on Scale C iu the other two cases. Mr Parsons applied for a stay of execution, but his Honour said that he could not grant this unless upon certain conditions. ALLEGED MALINGERING. -I The claim for compensation brought by John Carter, an elderly collier, from Garndiffaith, against the Varteg Deep Black Vein Collieries (Limited). came up for hearing at this court. Mr J. Sankey, who appeared for the applicant, explained the facts of the case, and said that, while assisting to lift a tram on to the road on the 21st of March, 1901, Carter slipped and sustained I injuries to his back, which had since incapacitated him from work. Respondents Daid 12s a week compensation up to tha 21th of January, when Dr Williams was instructed to examine his client, and then payment was stopped.—Dr Mitchell Stevens, who also examined the man, described the injuries, and said that Carter was unable to follow his employment through the accident. For the respondents, it was suggested that the claimant was only shamming, and Dr Williams, who was called, said that the man was suffering from lumbago. His Honour reserved judgment for a month, and ordered p'aintiff to be examined by a medical referee in the meantime.

The Most Nutritious. BM< *IWA zo EPPS'S EaMt H M *407 1 Grateful—Comlorting. COCOA Breakfast—Supper. DALiii^tM GOLD/MEDAL, DUBBINS Waterproofs, softens, and pre- serves the life of BOOTS and B Hn HARNESS. Allows polish. IHf Pleasant aroma. 22 Exhibition flf wB V I highest awards. Tins, 2d., 6d., 1/- & 2/6 of Bootmakers, Sadd- AjjjxMl lers, Ironmongers, &c. Manu- M! iactory, EastPulwich, S.E. j

CURRENT TOPICS. I MOTOR SPEED. I A motorist who was fined at Doncaster was said to be attempting to ride from London to York without stopping. He seems to have failed in his effort because he met with an accident at Doncaster, and, further, got into trouble with the police for driving—according to their calculation-at 20 miles an hour. It is said by motorists that the police take an exaggerated view of their speed, but really this defendant seems to have merited a fine in any case for engaging in such a foolish enterprise, which is of the same character as those perform- ances of which we have heard on the part of pianists, who undertake to play so many hours without a break. Had the motorist been luckier he would probably have accom- plished his ambition, but in that event he would scarcely have proved anything, and the world would not be one penny the better. Had he spent half the time in saving a pennyworth of grass seed in some barren spot he would have deserved very much better of his country. MR HAYES-FISHER SCRUPULOUSLY HONORABLE. There are so many shady transactions in connection with joint stock companies that one can scarcely blame a learned judge when he errs on the side of severity in referring to the transactions of one of them. But the House of Commons were evidently satisfied that the censure of the Judge to whom Mr Hayes-Fisher referred was unnecessary, and that the action of the hon gentleman had been scrupulously honorable. In such circumstances it seems to have been scarcely necessary for Mr Hayes-Fisher to resign his official position. There was no evidence that the hon member had even erred in judgment, and even so he had compensated for his mistake by a voluntary payment of a large sum of money out of his own pocket. I MOTOR HIGHWAYS. One of the pressing questions of our time is that of motor cars on highways. It is evident that we cannot get rid of the motor car, even if we desired to do so, yet it is clear that if the use of motor cars continues to increase as it has increased during the past twelve months, there will not be suffi- cient room on the roads for horses, foot passengers, cyclist-i, and motorists A main road thirty feet wide may have sufficed for our forefathers, and with strange short- sightedaess they never contemplated such an increase of traffic as would render such narrow tkoroughfares extremely incon- venient, and, in many cases, dangerous. Their posterity is now paying the penalty for their narrow vision, The extension of tramways has rendered necessary the widen- ing of roads, often at great expanse, and the popularity of the cycle, the motor cycle, and motor car, have made the problem more acute. In Paris and the State of Hamburg the experiment has been tried of construct- ing special paths for cyclists, but scarcely had people begun to regard that question seriously when the difficulty of the position was increased enormously by the advent of the motor car. Mr H G. Wells suggests that the remedy is to be fouud in the con- struction by the State of a series of motor highways. Very likely a solution of the difficulty will be found, but in view of the present complaints of heavy taxation it is scarcely likely that the Government will undertake a huge and costly enterprise of that kind. CRICKET PROSPECTS. Although there was a match this week at the Oval, and two others are arranged for the end of the month, yet very little will be done in first-class cricket until the beginning of May. Early in that month interest will be focussed upon the annual meeting of the M,C,C. at Lords, when the much discussed question of the widening of the wicket will come up for consideration. The proposal is supported by the M.C.C. Committee, but as everybody knows there is a good deal of difference of opinion on the subject, and it is by no means certain that it will obtain the support of the requisite two-thirds majority. There is another proposal-that the height of the wicket should be increased one inch, but it is obvious that such a change would increase greatly the difficulty of bringing the alteration into force on the first Monday in June. But whatever change, if any, is decided upon, there is a great deal to be said for the view of Yorkshire and Notts, that the proposed alterations should be tried experimentally before the law comes into operation.

MAY SAVE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE. An eggipoonful of Virol In the feeding bottle atrensthena the bones. makes the flash firmer, and the blood richer. Virol Is used In over 300 Hospitals. An Ideal Food for Wasting Diseases. ¥1__1lm Ia sold In JaM. 1/8, 31- & 416.

I Gored to Death by a Bull. I Frederick Harries. 45 years of age, and a servant with Mr Davies, of Pentremeurig Farm, Llanwrda, ri -.itr Llandovery, was gored to death by a bull on Tuesday. He took the bull out of the cowshed with a pole and nozzle, for what purpose has not at present been ascertained. Another servant, named Thomas Morris, entered the farmyard some minutes later, and there saw the bull tossing the man about. The animal had completely toru the clothes off him. Harris, on being picked up, was dead. His body had been terribly mauled, the chief injuries being about the head, chest, and abdoman.

FACTS AND FANCIES. Tn richest banks of coral, and the most beautiful coral in the world, are to be found oft the coast of Algeria. THB Japanese dentists perform all their operations in tooth-drawing with the thumb and forefinger of one hand. BERLIN bakers wrap up their loaves of bread as soon as baked in paper bags, to avoid the dirt that comes from handling the bread. FRoM China L92,000 worth of human hair is exported annually. It comes mostly from the heads of malefactors, paupers, and dead people. INDIAN BETROTHALS. In India the custom has prevailed from time immemorial to betroth children at a very early age. This is, perhaps, to save them the trouble of selecting for themselves, since the law decrees that a man may not marry an irreligious girl nor one of a family in which the "Veda" has not been read; neither may his future wife have reddish hair nor an immoderately talkative tongue; while her name must bear no reference to a constellation, a tree, a river, a barbarous nation, a mountain, a winged creature, a snake, a stone, or any image which occasions terror. Besides having an agreeable name, she must walk gracefully, and her teeth must be moderate, both in size and in number. —

I How COMPANY DINNERS ORIGINATED. It is often said that Englishmen want very little excuse for dining together. But some of the excuses date back to antiquity, and have curious origins, For more than four centuries the Merchant Taylors' Company and the Skinners' Company have each alternate year given a feast to each other in con- sequence of a certain award made by Lord Mayor Sir Robert Billesden, as far back as 1484. It came about in this way. The Merchant Taylors and the Skinners were always quarrelling and fighting over a question of precedence, and as a means of "norishing peas and love betweene the masters wardeyns and feoldshipps aforesaid" his lordship declared that the masters and wardens should dine each year at their respective halls, and each company was to take precedence on each alternate year. It is satisfactory to know that the ancient feud has long been buried.

DEAD HAIR. Dead hair-i.e., hair cut from the head after death-is never used by any hairdresser worthy of the name. It is said, indeed, that it cannot be used to any advantage, as it will neither curl, twist, nor manipulate. Hair cut from a living head is not dead (a fact which can be easily proved by taking a hair and stretching it out to its utmost capacity—it will then contract quickly back to its former position) it will live for a couple of years or more after having been cut, and, when it dies, j the wig, front, or switch becomes limp, rough, dishevelled, and useless.

I SETTING PRECIOUS STONES. To set gems properly, so as to bring out all the beauty and special features of a stone according to the cutting, requires great experience and sound judgment. The angle at which one stone is fixed in relation to another, the importance of the light not being simply refracted but seen in transition, so as to bring out the beauty of the colour, is a point which requires no ordinary consideration; for stones which by one mode of setting would look very brilliant may be made to look very common- place by another. Crystalline gems, like the diamond or topaz, are generally cut in such a manner as to have flat smooth faces. Precious stones that decompose the light, and thus produce a play of colours, are polished in such a manner as to heighten this effect as much as possible, which is accomplished by making a large number of small facets. Precious stones that do not crystallise, and are distinguished by play of colours, like the opal, or peculiar effects, like the cat's-eye, are polished round or oval, like a loaf of bread or half an egg. Gems are generally set in two different ways, distinguished as a "free-setting" and a "band-setting." In the former the stone is exposed on all sides, and only held by little clasps or claws. All its properties,its fire, its play of colour, shew to the best advantage here. Hence very valuable gems are never set any other way. In a band-setting the stones form the lid of a gold box; and if the gem is transparent the upper surface is generally made fat and smooth, while the under side forms a low pyramid.

JAPANESE MEASUREMENT OF TIME. I The Japanese divide the twenty-four hours into twelve periods, of which six belong to the night and six to the day, their day beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset. Whether the day or night be long or short, says a contemporary, there are always six periods in each. To attain this the characters, or numerals, on the scale are adjust- able two of them are set, one to agree with the sunrise, the other with sunset, and the four characters between them divide the space into equal portions. Thus, when the period of daylight is longer than the night, the day hours will be proportionately longer than those at night. Another peculiarity in their scale is that they use only six characters, those from four to nine, and these read backward.

JOHN BULL'S SMOKE. I The inhabitants of the United States are the I most inveterate smokers, while Holland's phleg- matic son, who pays no tax upon the weed, comes in a good second, says a writer in the Penny Magazine. The Belgian and the Swiss, it should be mentioned, are both great smokers, and far in advance of the Germans, who in turn smoke several ounces per inhabitant more than the Austrian, almost 20oz. more than the Frenchman, 24oz. more than the Russian, and more than twice as many as the average Briton, whose 26ioz. is just about one- quarter of the Yankee's annual allowance. The exact proportions of the 68,500,0001b. of tobacco that John Bull annually converts into ashes through the agency of cigars, cigarettes, and pipes must, in the absence of official statistics, always be a matter of estimate but the consensus of opinion appears to point to 38,000,0001b. being reduced to ashes in pipes, 5,000,0001b. in cigars, and the remainder in cigarettes, whose popularity in the last few years has advanced by leaps and bounds. John Bull smokes a cigarette that measures 1,119 miles in twenty-four hours, and that the national cigarette is a very expensive smoke is apparent from the fact that at 2s. 6d. per 100 it would cost the consumer L12,000,000, and as few men smoke their cigarettes to the very last whiff, and the majority throw away at least one-twelfth of the smoke, it follows that John Bull throws into the gutter £1,000,000 on this item alone.

AN HEIRLOOM WORTH HAVING. I Perhaps the most celebrated family heirloom I the Lee penny, which has been in possession of the Lockharts, of Lee, in Lanarkshire, since the Crusades. It is a silver coin, and formed part of the ransom paid for a Saracen chief; but its value mainly depends on the fact that it is supposed to be capable of curing any aiJment, and for this purpose was hired in 1665 by a plague-stricken town in exchange for securities for £ 25,000. To-day the penny is just as jealously guarded by the present head of the family, Sir Simon Lockhart, as it ha& been by his ancestors before him.

MANNA. I A French investigator has published the results of research into the origin and composition of the manna of the Bible, which even to the present day the Arabs, when traversing the desert, rely on as a means of subsistence, both for themselves and their camels. He maintains that it is a kind of mush- room, which under favourable conditions of soil attains a considerable size, many specimens weigh- ing a pound or more. It has an agreeable taste, and is slightly sweet. It contains 32 per cent, of starch. 14 tier cent. of nitrogenous matter. 16 ner cent. of water, together witn salts ana some other unimportant substances. When eaten freely, it is said to exert a laxative action. These statements require confirmation, for it is usually supposed that the manna of Scripture answers in its descrip- tion very closely to the tamarisk manna, the Persian gaz-argubin, which exudes in June and July from the slender branches of Tamarix gallica far. mannifera. In the peninsula of Sinai, especially in the Wady-el-Sheikh, the manna is collected by the Arabs, and sold to the monks of St. Catherine, who supply it to the pilgrims visiting the convent.

THB RULING PASSION. The Genevese have an unenviable reputation for avariciousness. In one of his poems against Geneva Voltaire, who hated it like poison, curiously illus- trates their greed. Describing a tempest on the lake, he says: A woman, the solitary victim of the waves, is cast insensible upon the shore. All efforts to restore her have failed, when a stranger passing asks, "Who is this unfortunate woman?" "A Genevese, milord." "Ah! from Geneva. Well, I have an infallible recipe to tell whether she is alive or dead." And he straightway placed a crown piece in her hand. The fingers closed upon the silver, and she was sufficiently restored to put it in hot pocket.

Canada and Germany. Ottawa, Friday. The Minister of Finance yester- day announced surtax of 33 per cent. on German imports, in return for Germany's discriminating treat- ment of Canadian Goods.

Accident to Shamrock III. The new challenger Shamrock III. when starting for a spin with Shamrock I., at Weymouth, was to-day struck by a sudden squall. Her mast snapped, bringing down the canvas and rigging.

Sir Tliomas Upton Injured. One Man Drowned. L Later. J The damage to Shamrock TIL; cannot be repaired under two or three weeks' time, and the accident will materially lessen the time available for tuning her up for the Cup races. The mast was carried away six feet above the deck. Sir Thomas Lipton was knocked down the hatchway and injured. There were several narrow escapes. One man was knocked overboard and drowned. The weather rigging gave way before the mast broke.

Stocks. Stocks quiet.

Anticipated Rising In Macedonia. Renter's agent in Constantinople states that a general rising in Macedonia is expected to take place to-day (Friday).

I An Empire Day, One of the incidents of our time-and probably of all times-is found in the way in which certain measures have to be* advocated monh after month, and year- after year, although it is all the time- perfectly evident that they will be taken eventually, and that people will then remark as they have remarked before Dear me, I cannot understand why such and such a. thing w&s not done twenty years ago." Those who try to explain this anomaly generally find themselves quoting, sooner or later, a remark of Carlyle, but there are- several explanations besides the sweeping generalisation which comes to us frota- Chelsea. Whichever of these may be. correct it is A STOCK ARGUMENT against all new measures that "public opinion is not yet ripe," and the idea seems. to be implanted firmly in the minds of a great many people that no changes ought to be undertaken until every man and woman at least is convinced of their expediency- One of the things which is sure to come is- an Imperial Parliament representing all parts of the Empire. Another is aifc -,Empire Day," which shall be celebrated throughout the King's dominions, as the. Fourth of July is celebrated by the people' p of the United States. Nearly all countries'- have some sort of institution-a day set- apart as being in a special sense a national holiday, and the general opinion is that it contributes greatly to unity and patriotism- Some months ago, an old soldier wrote to the Press suggesting that a day should be, appointed on which all soldiers, sailors, and. others should be commanded by the King TO WEAR THEIR DECORATIONS. Those who have been much in contact witht men who have left the Army and Navy know how highly they appreciate the- opportunity of wearing their medals, and it. is certain that they would welcome the, selection by the King of one day every year when it would be the proper thing for thenk to take their medals from the bottom of their boxes and wear them in public. The- institution of such a day has much to recom- mend it, and among other things this, that- it would give a vast deal of pleasure to &. great many people, and cost nobody any- thing, If an Empire Day were appointed, that is one of the uses which it would serve.. As to what day might be selected that; would be a matter of small importance. It; would be all the better if it fell during the, fine weather, and for that and other reasons,. May 24th, the BIRTHDAY OF QUEEN VICTORIA, would do very well, the only objection to, that date being that it is too close to Whit- Monday. Somebody has suggested the> August Bank Holiday, but the majority of us do not get many holidays, and would. have no objection to a day being appointed specially in July. But let the K;ng select, any day that may seem good to him, and, the Empire will accept it.

The King at Malta. I The King, on board the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, arrived at Malta on Thursday. Hearty cheers were raised by thousands of people, and various official receptions took place.

Easter Accidents. I FOOTBALL FATALITY. A lad named John M'Lachlan, son of Mr David M'Lacblan, 186, Cowbridge-eoad, Cardiff, died on Saturday evening from internal injuries, sustained whilst playing football in a field at the back of Corporation-road on Good Friday morning. At the inquest, on Tuesday, the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, to the effect that it was a pure accident. FATAL FALL. I On Monday morning, James James, an old man of Blakeney, formerly a woodman, then a stone- breaker, bad reached the top of a flight of steps, when the handrail which he relied upon broke through and he fell six feet into the courtyard. He was picked up dead. Dr Finn was fetched, but his services were of no avail. Deceased was 70 years of age.

===== I The Loaded Revolver Terror. I -I Mrs Furlough, wife of Mr J. Furlough, baker, Pontypool. had a miraculous escape from being fatally shot on Tuesday night. Ivor Furlough sent his little sister for a small revolver which was upstairs, the child ignorant of the fact that the revolver was loaded, pointed it at her mother, j One of the bullets in the weapon entered her mother's face just below the right eye, missing the brain by aboi t I-alf an inch. Dr Mason was immediately summoned, and, although he has not yet located the bullet, he is hopeful that he will be able to do so in a day or so. J

I Standing Joint Committee. I The annual meeting of the Monmouthshim Standing Joint Committee was held at the County Council Offices, Newport, on Wednesday afterooøn" Alderman George Jones, presiding. I On the proposition of Mr T. Parry, seconded1 by Alderman Bowen, and carried unanimously,. Sir- Henry Mather-Jackson, Bart., was elected chair- man of the committee for the year, He then took the chair, and after thanking the- committee for the honour they had conferred, upon him, passed a warm eulogium upon th& out-going chairman. Alderman Harris was appointed vice-chair- man. The Clerk (Mr H. S. Gustard) reported upon the arrangements made with the telephone companies. He said arrangements had been made for telephones at the police stations, except Cwmbran, Caerleon, and Monmouth, where excessive terms were asked. The committee approved of further steps being, taken. The committee, when dealing with police accommodation, considered the case of Tredegar,, where over-crowding was alleged. It was decided that a change of resident officers be made, and? that a house near the police-station be taken for one of the officials and his family. The Chairman stated that the new police station at Abertillery had cost £ 5,296 18s Id. The loan obtained was £ 5,160. The Newbridge police- station was estimated to cost £1,077 10s, but the work had been done for £ 1,0,-9 6a 5d. (atilut- hear). The Chief Constable's report stated that the number of apprehensions during the past quarter was 389, as against 372 in the corresponding: quarter of last year, and the number of persons summoned was 1,060, as against 1,272-a decrease: of 212, which was principally due to decreases under the headings of drunkenness, petty larcenies. oounty bye-laws, and Elementary Education Act- Two first-class constables, viz., Hiram James an& George Parfitt, each aged 49, had resigned and,, were entitled. to pensions amounting to £ 52 14s 5di each. The County Surveyor (Mr William Tanner), iiv his report, stated that the Blackwood Court and police quarters required extensive repairs. These* was ordered to be done. Votes of condolence were passed with the families of the late Alderman Taylor and Councillor- Hughes.

Printed and Published by" THE COUNTY OBSE^^ER," NEWSPAPER and PRINTING COMPANY, Limited, by JAMES HENRY CLARK, at their Offices, Bridge Street, Usk, in the County of Monmouth, Saturday April 18th, 1903.