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

7' .t: Births, Marriages, & Deaths. n Announcements under this heading are inserted at a uniform charge of 1/- each, unless such words as "iVO (lards," "No Fi.owei-s," (fo., are added, when the charge will be 2/6. All Announcements must be authenticated. Postage Stamps may be sent in payment. Lists of Wedding Presents are inserted at the rate of 1/6 per inch in depth. BIRTH. O'FEBRALL.—On the 25th inst., at 4. Marine Terrace, Kingstown, the wife of Dominick More O'Ferrall, of Kildangan Castle, Monasterevan, Co. Kildare, of a son. MARRIAGE. WATKINS—JENKINS.—Ou the 30th July. at St. Cadoc's, TreveLhin, by the Rev Edward Morgan, Thomas Percival Holmes Watkius, solicitor, Pontypool, to Margaret, eldest daughter of Mr James Jenkins, Brompton House, Pontypool. II "I n

The King and Queen in Ireland. We can well believe that the King spoke from his heart when he said that their vis t to Dublin and Belfast had given to the Queen and himself the most extreme pleas- ure. That the Royal visit had been to the people of both cities a source of delight was abundantly evident, and although it is generally understood that the stay of the King and Queen in Dublin had no political significance, yet it is more than probablethat their visit has contributed something to the solution of those difficulties which have long confronted the Ministers of the Crown in their conduct of Irish affairs. No doubt the native partiality for a great pageant had something to do with the success of the visit, but very much more of the enthusiasm which was evoked may be attributed to personal regard for the King and Queen, and to admiration for those attributes of kindness and sympathy which they dis- played in such large measure, both at Dublin and Belfast. In his relations to his subjects THE KING INHERITS I from his revered mother a happy felicity in doing the best possible thing at the best moment in the most graceful way. That characteristic which he shares with his royal consort, has never been displayed with greater felicity than it has been during the Royal visit to Ireland, where their Majesties have won the admiration and affection of all classes, and of people who differ widely in their views on every subject that can occupy the mind of man or woman. But of all the many functions in which the royal visitors took phrt. and of all the subjects in which they displayed an interest, nothing touched the hearts of the people of Ireland so nearly as the sympathetic concern which their majesties manifested with regard to the welfare of the poor. Before leaving the Irish capital this sympathy was further demonstrated by the King's gift of JE 1,000, to be distributed amongst its needy citizens, and by the Queen's gracious visits to the Hospice for the Dying, and the Royal Hospital for Incurables. The week-end was happily ¡ spent at Mount Stewart, the residence of Lord and Lady Londonderry, and included two long motor-trips through County Down and an afternoon visit to Lady Dufferin. On Monday their Majesties made their State entry into Belfast, where the King formally opened the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, and, with evident emotion, unveiled a white marble statue of his revered mother, near the City Hall. The Belfast Corporation, who, with all the other public bodies, presented ADDRESSES OF LOYALTY j on their arrival, had provided a sumptuous luncheon for their Majesties and about eighty guests at the Town Hall, and on the conclusion of this ceremonv the Royal party visited the Agricultural Show at Balmoral and then entrained for Bangor, where they boarded the Royal yacht and sailed for Lough Swilly. In reply to the address presented by the Donegal magistrates, on his landing at Buncrana, the King said: I listened with peculiar pleasure to what you said about the awakened spirit of good feeling and harmony among all classes in Ireland which now prevails. If my visit helps to extend and consolidate that feeling, I should be richly rewarded, for you are correct in believing that I take the sincerest interest in all that concerns the welfare of Ireland." In the ancient city of Derry, the corporation, high sheriff, Protestant and Roman Catholic bishops, judges and others received their Majesties with ceremony and many more addresses were presented, in reply to which the King expressed pleasure at the prosperity of the city, more especially at the increased facilities for the higher education ef women. He also said :— I am gratified by your references to my connection with agriculture, in which I have always taken the deepest interest. I am fully sensible of the difficulties and discouragements which attend the pursuit of this industry; but I trust that by I INTELLIGENT CO-OPERATION, I and the increasing employment of better means and methods the condition of all classes interested in agriculture may steadily improve. I welcome the hopeful spirit in the future which I find animating my people here, as in other parts of Ireland, and I shall carry away with me a confident anticipation that, by the blessing of Providence and the united efforts of all Irishmen, a prosperous future may be assured to the country." After luncheon at the Guildhall, a visit was made to the Infirmary, where their Majesties chatted freely with the patients and brought joy and happiness to many a little sufferer. On Tuesday evening the Royal party again m el boarded the yacht for Killary Bay, and many a pleasant incident is recorded of surprise visits to lowly peasants' homes in the wilds of Oonnemara and Galway.

Sir Joseph Lawrence, M.P., at Chepstow. At Chepstow, on Saturday last, the hon. member for the Monmouth District Bor- oughs delivered an important speech on the subject of our fiscal policy which we com- mend to the serious consideration of all our readers. Sir Joseph Lawrence therein un- doubtedly presents a very strong case for the promoters of Mr Chamberlain's tentative idea of a fiscal reform, in order not only to arrest the gradual lowering of our manu- facturing status, with its corresponding reduction of our national wealth, but to cultivate and foster by preferential treatment, our commercial interest with our Colonies, to our mutual advantage. We are invited to enter upon an inquiry into the whole subject of our fiscal policy, and, surely, in the face of the opposite and impressive illustrations which Sir Joseph was able to draw from his capacious commercial album, collected by one who has a thorough know- ledge and grasp of the subject upon which he speaks, a prima facie case is made out for investigation. It certainly should not be shirked on account of the MAGNITUDE OF THE ISSUES I involved, as some preach, but should rather be faced and dealt with in one way or another, and Sir Joseph's speech on Saturday must be a valuable contribution to the controversy. He is not sanguine of an early solution of the problem which our present trade relationship presents, nor, he confesses, does he consider it desirable that it should be dealt with in a hurry with the incompleteness which haste implies. He was undoubtedly right when he said that many people did not really understand the policy or philosophy of Cobden, and he did a real service in quoting from him and other eminent political economists, whose works have been the text-books of political students for years, quotations which must come as a shock to not a few who glibly talk and criticise without the knowledge which should give them permission. Very telling were the statistics which the hon. member gave to show the gradual decline of our export trade, and the picture he drew of our slowly diminishing European and American markets; and when he alluded to the loss entailed upon the skilled workers in our own County and South Wales HE WAS STRIKING HOME, for personal experience of the evil effects of foreign competition and methods of trade appeal to us directly and with a power not t, 0 possessed by arguments founded upon generalities, although the result to the country as a whole cannot be any the less alarming. In thirty years, since 1872, our exports to foreign countries outside the British Empire have fallen off 38 millions sterling. Since 1897 we have been nearly 4* millions sterling per annum to the bad 2 between our imports and exports of finished articles to and from Germany. Our only salvation has been our exports to Canada and South Africa. In Germany, in 1892, there were 450 syndicates connected with the metal industries, mines, chemical, and textile trades; and in February, 1902, a union was formed of German cartels (syndicates) of coal, coke, pig iron, partly manufactured iron, wire, girders, beams, and analogous manufactures, who gave to each of their customers who wished to export their goods a premium equal to the difference between the price they could get in Germany, and the lower price they could get outside I WHAT POWER HAVE WE to combat such a state of thiags as that 0 under our present fiscal system ? Surely, there is a case for an unbiassed inquiry, and a need to consider an adequate remedy. ofto..O%O%.

1- -_m_ [We do not necessarily endorse all our correspondent writes.—ED. ANGLING. Netting took place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, over 100 fish being taken. The heaviest weighed 291BS. There is now a run of small fish, and the river, which is low, remains crowded. Successes:— Thursday—Col. Morris, one. Friday-Col. Rocke, one, 5lbs. Saturday—Mr J. Pitt, one, lOlbs,; Col. Rocke, one; Air R. Rickards, two, 10lbs each. Monday Mr J. Pitt, two, 16lbs aud a botcher; Col. Rocke, one Mr H. W. Pride, one. Tuesday—Col. Rocke, one, 141bs: Mr R. Rickards, three, 7lb, 41bs. Wednesday—Mr R. Rickards, one, 51bs. Thursday—Col. Rocke, two, 151bs and 121bs; Mr R. Rickards, two, 121bs and 151bs Mr H. W. Pride, one, Sibs. FARMERS AND BUTCHERS. On Monday, there was a conference of Butchers' Associations at Cardiff to discuss the demands contained in the following resolution which had been passed by the various Butchers" Associations in South Wales "That in consequence of the serious loss sus- tained by butchers purchasing cattle, sheep, etc., which on being slaughtered are found to be affected with tuberculosis or other disease, and, therefore, unfit for human food, we are of opinion that the time has arrived when all cattle of not less value than jE8 per head, calves and pigs of not less value than 91 ICs. per head, and sheep of not. less value than J61 per head, sold either by public auction or private treaty, in Glamoroanshire or Moumouthshire, shall be guaranteed by the vendor free from tuberculosis or any disease, and that steps be taken to enforce the demands of that allied associations." The adoption of the resolution was proposed and secouded, but ultimately this was withdrawi* in favour of an amendment, which was adopted, to the effect that a sub-committee, consisting of representatives of the retail butchers, farmers, auctioneers, and dealers, should be appointed to consider it, and report to a future meeting. In the course of discussion, Mr Hunt- (Newport) said he had sought the views of the principal auctioneers, and they were unanimous in declining to accept the responsibility which the resolution sought to place upon them. They were agents, and if this resolution were adopted it would lead to friction and litigation. Councillor Lewis Morgan, speaking for Mr I Duckham, Newport, said his firm had a system of insurance, and between 1900 and 1903 they had paid 2294 8s. as compensation. The committee will meet next Thursday week, and report to an adjourned meeting of the conference two weeks later. As may be readily understood, the question iet ° £ .TBEJ8REA5«8T importance to all the interests affected, and the outcome of the conference will be awaited with no little interest. THE ROYAL PARTY. The special correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" gives some charming "notes by the way in connection with the Royal visit tOl- the West of Ireland. At Glengimla their Majesties inspected some looms set up in peasants' cottages by the Congested Districts* Board, for the manufacture of flannel and frieze, and chatted freely with the weavers and other inmates, many of whom were totally unaware of the identity of their august visitors. Accompanied by Lady Dudley, the Queen entered a typical Connemara cottage, measuring but a few feet square, took much notice of the bare-1 egged little ones who were seated at tea, and bought a large quantity of ConnemarsL tweed which two boys were weaving. Then tramninsr through mud and slush anrl r -o o LU.L4'-4. \t"vl.1J.o the audible protestations of u the gint who pays the rint," King and Queen entered a wretched clay biggin wilh thatch roof and smoke-driedL rafters, wherein dwelt Patrick Kerrigan, a. partly-bedridden octogenarian, who had occu- pied that lowly dwelling for over fifty years. Mrs Kerrigan had no idea who her unexpected callers were, but received them with genuine Irish hospitality, and when asked by the Queen if it was not very cold there in winter, philo- sophically replied that it would be colder if there were more holes in the roof. It was not until she had shaken hands with her exalted visitors, and they had gone, that she discovered who they were. She then regretfully remarked "Shure, if I had known 'twas King and Queen I'd have made them a bonfire and later said that the King was much cheerier and nicer thaa many a man who bad got a baste to drive on; the road before him." While the King talked with Tom Kerrigan, as he worked his loom, the Queen penetrated a. dark, mud-floored, inner room, and talked with Pat, whom she found seated upon his bed, about his ailments. The homestead of Michael Joyce was next visited, where Mrs Joyce quickly recognised her visitors, wiped chairs for them with her apron, and shoo'd the chickens, that shared the room with the family. THE Joyce boys-unkempt, barefoot, and dirty frolD playing in the street—stood round about as her Majesty sat aud chatted with MRS Joyce' on the subject of cooking, the visit being somewhat prolonged on account of the drenching rain.. < These little incidents, small in themselves, speak volumes to his Majesty's subjects all over the world, aud the kindly condescension and human sympathy that both King and Queen have shown throughout their Irish tour will lono, be cherished.in the hearts of those immediately y concerned, aud by the generations that succeed them.

| "| I sPaEMEEMSSIi RZOISTEHED S;=-=. f i ac-siiiule of Ouc-Ouncc Packet. ¡ n AfGtief's GcMen Returns The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. L C()(1L, SWKET, AND n_AGRK;>1T.