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

Births, Carriages, & Deaths. Announcements under this heading are inserted at a uniform, charge of 1/- each, unless such words as "No Cards, "No Flowers," g'c., 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.

-_n- APPOINTMENTS, &c., FOR WEEK Ending January 2nd, 1904. 0 y Dec. Tburs 24-Cwmbran Petty Sessions. Christmas Eve. Fri. 25—Christmas Day. Sat. 26-Pontypool Petty Sessions. Bank Holiday—Boxing Day. Raglan Petty Sessions. Football—Usk v. Old Monktonians (Cardiff), at Usk. Sun. 27-First Sunday after Christmas. St John, Apostle and Evangelist. Mon. 28—Monmouth Cattle Market. Innocents' Day. Tues. 29—Abergavenny Market. Wed. 30—Newport Cattle, Corn, and Cheese Mkts Abergavenny Petty Sessions. Thurs 31—Usk Petty Sessions. New Year's Eve. Jan. Fri. I-New Year's Day. Sat. 2-Pontypool Petty Sessions. I Football- Usk v. Croesyceilog at Usk For Printing of all lands try the County Observer Office. A 46appp @Ijrisfntas and a prosperous ero ear fo oxtv Reader#.

I USK. I I Agent—'Mrs. E. K. Jonest Stationer I AMBULANCE CLASS.—Dr Hackelt concluded his series of lectures and demonstrations on ambulance work, in connection with the Usk Technical Instruction Committee, at the Town Hall, Usk, on Monday evening, when Mr Frank Morgan, on behalf of the members, proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to him for the kind way in which he had conducted the class and devoted so much of his time to the members in the course of the praetical work. This vote was carried with acclamation, and acknowledged, and with an exchange of seasonable compliments the members dispersed to await the St. John's Ambulance Association's examination, which will be held in January. ENTERTAINMENT AT GWBHELOG.—A very success- ful entertainment was given in the above school- room to a large and appreciative audience by the scholars and teachers on Wednesday, December 16th. The room, which was beautifully decorated with evergreens, flowers and muslin, was crowded, many being unable to gain admission. The rector (Rev C. P. L. Nash) presided, and H. Humphreys, Esq, J.P., Mrs Humphreys and Air Baines were amongst those present. The chairman referred to the position of the schools in relation to the new Education Act, and said that the managers were doing; all they could to further the interests of the school in the future. The proceeds, after expenses have been paid, will be devoted to giving the aged and young a Christmas treat.

ALLEGED ASSAULT UPON" A FORMER USK CURATE. The Rev Lemuel M. James, M.A., late curate at St. Mary's, U,.k, and now senior curate at Sr. Mary's, Barry Dock, had an unpleasant experience on Sunday morning. It appears that the rev gentleman had occasion during the service to remonstrate with two members of the congrega- tion for whispering during the prayers, and at the close,, of the service he was followed to the vestry by Dr C. F. G, Sixsmith, Holton-road, and assaulted, it is stated, in the presence of several of the senior members of the choir. In an interview with a reporter, Mr James said that the Doctor accused him of having addressed the remark as to misbehaviour during the service to him. After a few moments conversation Mr Jaunts turned round to teach his hat when the Doctor dealt him a violent blow with his fist behind the left ear, which caused a swelling, and he had been professionally seen by Dr Bray. i gThe Rector, the Rev J. S. Longdon,has expressed himself in favour of legal proceedings being taken by Mr James against Dr Sixsmith for assault, as he considers this course absolutely essential for the protection of the clergy and in the interests of Church discipline in the parish. At Barry Police Court on Monday application was made by Mr J. Arthur Hughes, solicitor, on behalf of the Rev Lemuel J. James, for a summons against Dr Sixsmith. The Bench granted the applicition, the summons to be made returnable for next Monday week.

VOLUNTEER DINNER. Captain Stanley M. Williams, commanding G (Usk) Company of the 4th V.B.S.W.B., on Saturday evening last, at the Three Salmon's Hotel, Usk, entertained the n.c.o's. and men at an excellent repast, which reflected the greatest credit upon Mr and Mrs C. E. Wagstaff. Immediately after the removal of the cloth, Capt. Williams presented the prizes won at the annual shooting competitions, Colour-Sergeant B. F. Stoekham being handed the Nicholl Challenge Cup and the first prize for the best aggregate. The loyal toasts were then honoured, and Capt. Williams proposed a vote of thanks to the townspeople who had subscribed to the prize fund. He said they had most kindly responded to the call for subscriptions, and a very substantial amount had been collected which, though not quite so much as in previous years, probably in consequence of the many demands upon public generosity, showed that the Volunteers' services were appreciated. Sergt. Mundy seconded the proposition, which was agreed to, and The toast of "The Subscribers," was drunk with musical honours. Colour-Sergeant B. F. Stockham then submitted the toast of The Officer Commanding," and in the course of his remarks said he was sure they were all pleased to meet-officers and men-to spend a pleasant evening together. (Hear, hear.) It reminded them, to a certain extent, nf the old days, when the Usk Company was the best in the Battalion. (Applause.) Gatherings such as that tended to increase the strength of the Company and encouraged the younger members to persevere and try to make the Company the best in the Battalion again. (Hear. hear.) From what he had heard during the past year he was sure that there were several young men in the town who would like to joiu the corps, and if the members would only exert themselves a little they might do much towards bringing the Company up to establisment strength. It was now more than 30 under. He thanked Captain Williams, on behalf of the Company, for the excellent entertainment he was giving them, and expressed the hope that he might see his way clear to arrange for some convivial evenings which would conduce to the benefit of the corps. (Applause.) The toast having been drunk with musical honours, Capt. Williams returned thanks. He said he hoped to make that dinner an annual event. He was pleased to see so many members of the Company present, and he hoped they would thoroughly enjoy themselves. Further, he trusted that that little gathering would be the means of increasing the interest locally in the Volunteer movement, and of advancing the prosperity of the Company, so that they might ultimately attain the old-time prestige. (Ap- plause.) Although the Company had run down so low, he looked forward to the time when, having regard to the relative sizes and populations of towns represented in the Battalion, Usk would again be second to none, (Applause.) If, however, they had not been so strong a muster lately as formerly, they had continued to hold their own in some respects, and had always been praised for their cleanliness on parade. (Ap- plause.) He thought that the interest they had taken in drills, under their capable Sergt- Instructor, had improved their efficiency in that respect, and as to shooting, considering the un- favourable season experienced, they had acquitted themselves admirably. (Applause.) He proposed to inaugurate a series of monthly smoking concerts in the Armoury as soon as he could make the necessary arrangements, with a view to increasing that esprit de corps which went such a long way towards a Company's success, both as regards ita numerical strength and its all round efficiency. (Applause.) The toast of Sergt-ltlstriie,or Johnston was enthusiastically received. Capt. Williams, in giving it, said he considered him a thorough, up- to-date soldier and Instructor, and one who spared no time nor trouble in the performance of his duties. (Applause.) He was sure that since he had been in Usk, Sergt -Ins ructor Johnston had done everything In his power for the wt-ll-being of the company. (Applau-e.) He (the speaker) thought they were very luckv in having an in- structor in whom they could place the most implicit confidence and reliance, and who was always so ready and willing to do all he could for the advance- ment of the interests of the company. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that if Sergemt Johnson remaiued with them hi would have the pleasura of seeing the strength of the company go up. As it was it had increased during the past year, he having enrolled 23 fresh members (Musical honours.) Serjeant-Instructor Johnson. in reply, thanked Captain Williams for the kind way in which he had referred to him, and the company for the endorse. ment they had put upon the sentiments expressed. When he came to Usk about twelve month* ago the volunteers were all strange to him. He came with the intention of doing his duty to the best of his ability, and of attending to every detail of tho work. (Applause.) He wall very pleased to think that his endeavours had been appreciated, and that they bad met with a certain measure of suacess, and he promised them that as long as he remained with them it would be his constant aim to further, as far as he possibly could, the interests of the company. (Applause.) To carry on his work with the utmost satisfaction necessitated the co-operation of every member of the company, and he was very pleased to say that up to th p-ent time he knew of none who had not done his very best to work with him. (Applause ) The Captain in complimentary terms gave the "Host and Hostess" and the toast was fittingly responded to by Mr Wagstaff. Mr W. J. Collin- F.G.O.. verv kindly and ably acted as accompanist-, and the following was the prog-ramme :-SOnils, "Gee. gee, gee," His day's work was done," Corporal D. H. Lewis; Love's old sweet song," Pte J H. Roberts: Oui, ouil oni." "The last shot (recitation), Pte T, Thomas "Hearts of Oak," Sergt F. H. lhvies: "Oh, Mr Robinson," Pte R. Roberts: "Lulu," Serllt C. Thomas "Tipperary Christening," Sergt.-Inst. Johnston; "Just as the sun went down," Bugler Green; "The Englishman." Pte D. Rees; My father's face," Pte E. Morgan; "Little Jessie," Sergt Mundy, &c.

I THE GROCER'S C\RT RAIDED. I SSIART CAPTURE BY THE LOCAL POLICE. For three or four week-* past, Mr William Wise, carter for Mr Vincent E. Jones, of the Monmouth- fthira Central Supnlv Stores, Usk, has, whilft on his Gwehelog and 'rrostrey round, lost a quantity of goods from his cart during his temporary absence delivering. On one occasion, amongst other things, the thief annexed a bottle, evidently thinking he had obtained something specially good in the way of liquid, but on finding that it contained castor oil, he, later on, returned it to the cart, and probably took something more to his taste in exchange. On Monday week, in order to try and level things up-or down, should It be?—a little, the carter set a strong rat gin in his provision chest, but the only result was that the trap itself was taken from its moorings," and more provisions disappeared. Information of these happenitiss was given to the police, and on Monday evening, P.C.s Bullock and Mitchell secreted themselves near the house of Mrs Haskell, Trostrey Common, where the cart was to stop. Here they waited, and were presently rewarded by noticing a man creep up in the darkness and hide himself behind a tree, which, by the bye, they had previously thought would answer the purposes of their vigil, but which, fortunately, they abandoned for a more strategic position. The cart appeared, the carter took off his parcel to deliver, and he had not gone ten yards before the thief was at the back of the vehicle, bending over .to help himself. Then he got off and was clearing away at a run when the police, who had stealthily approached, ran after and collared him. He dropped one large and two small loaves on the road. This was at 7.30 p, m. The man was Edward Jones, who (with Samuel Williams and his wife and mother-in-law) had been living in a cottage known as Magpie Castle," Trostrey, and he was at once taken to Usk Police Station. From statements he made P.S. Sheddick and the police constables, on Tuesday, arrested Williams and his wife and Mrs Sophia Smith, at the residence of another relative at Cefn Tilla Cottages, and some of the stolen property was recovered, including 61bs of sugar, a bar of Brooks's soap, and, last, but not least, Wise's rat trap. On Tuesday evening, at the Police Station, before Mr S. A. Hiley, the prisoners were formally chirged, the men with the various thefts, and the men and women with being the guilty receivers of stolen goods, and were remanded in custody until Thursday. Mrs Williams appeared with an infant in her arms.

I ABERGAVENNY. I Agents,—Messrs Davies <& Co• Booksellers. SUICIDE IN THE SEVERN I TUNNEL. On the arrival of the 10.38 a.m. train from Cardiff, due at Bristol at 12.15 p.m., on Monday, a well-dressed man was found in a dying condition in a third-class compartment. There was a bullet wound in his head, and upon the seat lay a small revolver. Life was not quite extinct, and Detective Jones immediately sent for the ambulance, and had the injured man conveyed to the general hospital, but before reaching the institution he succumbed. The circumstances of the case were told to the police by Mr William Allsopp. who left Cardiff by the train in question. At Newport a well- dressed man, apparently of middle age, entered the compartment, but got out at Severn Tunnel Junction, and was observed by Mr Allsopp to enter the next carriage, which had been empty. When half-way through the Severn Tunnel Mr Allsopp heard a report, which he thought was a fog-signal. On reaching Piltiing Station, however, the guard, as was his custom, walked along the train and discovered the gentleman who had been Allsopp's travelling companion sitting in the corner of the compartment with a bullet wound in his mouth. Amongst the papers found upon the body was one bearing the following message I have fought hard against this and am beaten. No one is to blame. I am suffering terribly in my head. and am hoping God will forgive me and forgive me to those 1 dearly love. Communicate with the Castle Hotel, Dartmouth. The passenger who was found shot in the Great Western train on Monday has been identified as Charles Francis annders, who carried on business as a seedsman in Cross-street, Abergavenny. He was supposed to have been journeying to visit his brother at Minehead. Ho was single, and was not known to have any special troubles. At the inquest, at Bristol, on Tuesday, William L. Saunders, of the Castle Hotel, Dartmouth, gave evidence of identity, the deceased being his brother, aged 41 years. Deceased was much depressed twelve months ago, when his mother died, but as far as witness knew he had no other trouble Other evidence went to show that on the arrival of the tnin at Bristol, deceased was at once taken to the General Hospital, and the house surgeon (Dr Stock) stated that life was then extinct. There were two bullet wounds in the head-one near the right ear, and one further back on the skull. Neither of the bullets had gone through the head, but had lodged in tbe skull Another shot had been fired into the mouth, and this had divided a large artery at the base of the skull. Deceased had been suffering from heart disease. The cause of death was asphyxia, due to the blood from the wound in the mouth running into the lungs. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilat of unsound mind."

CAERLEON. Aaent—UUfU. A. Botin. Vi*it Co DRAFT ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. The final draft; order of the Board of Education as to the appointment of foundation managers of Caerleoii Endowed School and Aberystwyth National School, has been issued, and in the case of Caerleoii we understand it has been considered by the Governors and approved. The order provides for one ex-officio manager and three nominated manaeers. The ex-offici» manager shall be the principal officiating minister of the ecclesiastical parish aud the nominated managers shall be qualified persons appointed from time to time by the nominating bidies, viz.. Caerleon Endowed School, governors of Williams" School. Caerleon: Aberystwyth National School, and trustees for the time being of the Aberystwyth National School. In making aopointments under the order the nominating bodies may, if they think fit, act on the recommendation of any persons or body whom they may select for thtt purpose. The clause as to qualified persons reads as follows Any dispute (except a dispute on the question whether any person is or is not a bona fide member of the Church of England) arising out of, or in relation to the appointment or qualifications of foundation managers shall be referred to and determined by the Board of Education. Until the contrary is proved, founda- tion managers shall be deemed to have been duly appointed." The clause as to disputes is as follows:— Qualified persons shall maan persons residing in or near the said eccle iaatical parish. or having a. beneficial interest to the extent of a life estate at the least in real property situated in the said parish, and in each case being and continuing to be bona fide members of the Church of England, and no person who is required to possess these qualifications shall be entitled to act as a founda- tion manager until he has signed a declaration that he is a member of the Church of England." The appointed managers under the order are :— Rev Canon Bedwell. Sir A. Mackworth, Mr E. Lyne, and Mr T. Parry.

I LLANTRISSENT. FARMER'S FAILURE.-The first meeting of the creditors of Thomas Williams, of the Hand Firm, Llantrissnnt, was held on Tuesday at the office of the Official Receiver, Newport. Debtor com- menced farming in 1896 with a capital of £ 20r when he took a firm of 90 acres at a rental of XI)O. At the end of four years he srave up this farm and took a smaller one. The liabilities were placed at X144 12s. lOd., and the assets nil. He attributed hit failure to loss in carrying on the farm and forfeiture of deposit paid and costs in connection with property purchased by his brother In April, 1900, debtor's brother, William Williams, pur- chased, at the Duke of Beaufort's sale, land aud buildings at Llangwm at 21.610. After the sale William asked the debtor to join him in the ptir- ohase, which he atrreed to do, and found altogether- about X!75, X161 of which was paid on deposit. Of this amount he was possessed of X40, and raised the balance by borrowing money and selling his stock, He was unable to find the money to complete the purchase, and had since been informed that the deposit was forfeited, but he had never heard how the property was disposed of. His brother had since gone to Canada. He first became aware of his insolvency about two years ago, when he found he could not complete the purchase of the land at Llangwm, and had since contracted debts, hoping to pay them in the ordinary way of his business.—Nothing was done, and the Official Receiver remains trustee. It

I MONMOUTH. Agent.—Mr. Cttfrey, Bvohteller, Mii'tnud. MR. C. S. ROLLS' ADVENTURE. Paris, Sandav.-Comte de III Vaulx and Comte d'Oultrfimont, who recently went from Paris to Hull in a balloon, left the park of the Aero Club on Saturday morning for an aerial trip, with the Hon. Charles Rolls and Mr Frank Butler as their guests. When the Contture-tbe balloon in which Comte de la Vaulx made his famous flight to Russia—rose from St Cloud, everything was covered by a thick fog, but the aeronauts passed risrht through it and came out above, with a deep blue sky overhead and the sun shining warmly. Below, as far as the eye could reach, was a sea of clouds, and after three hours sunshine and a good lunch, the Centaure's passengers deoided to descend. But the fo was still so dense that when the balloon touched the clruds it rebounded. When the aeronauts came nearer terra firma they heard voices but could not see the ground, and for some time they moved along shouting questions from the car and receiving answers from people they could not see and to whom they were equally invisible. Suddenly the balloon crashed into some trees which were hidden by the fog, but no great damage was dine, and three men came to the rescue and hauled the Centaure to the. ground by means of the guide rope. The aeronauts had landed near Mantes, and having deflated the balloon, they returned to Paris after a very interest- ing excursion.-Daily Mail.

NEWPORT. Aie-ls—Hears Green/ancl tad C)., Vmoihj-tn.it. A MAIL-CART ATTACKED. Early on Saturday morning, as the Newport mail-cart was on its way from Newport to Cardiff, in charge of Driver Alfred Beddoe, a supposed daring attempt to rob the cart of its contents was made by three unknown men, who were dressed as labourers, with moleskin trousers, &c. The attack took place on the main road, about a mile and a half from St Mellons, on the Newport side, and the assailants, it is said, darted out from the cover of a wagon at the roadside. One of the men was armed with a heavy cudgel,and with a loud Hi commanded Beddoe to stop. Already the other two men had jumped towards the horse, and one of them caught hold of the reins, causing the aui- mal to shy violently. The cart was in danger of being overturned, but wiih commendable pluck, Beddoe whipped up his horse. As he did so, how- ever, the first man, who had advanced to the step of the vehicle, raised his bludgeon, and aimed a. blow at the driver. He missed, and the blow smashed the near lamp. Beddoe got safely away, and he did not slacken the horse's speed until he reached Cardiff, where he at once told his story to the Borough Police. So far no arrests have been made.

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Christmas. There are many ways of spending Christ- mas. One of the least satisfactory is that described by Thomas Carlyle, who said :— All mortals are tumbling about in a state of druuken saturnalia, delirium, or quasi- delirium, according to their several sorts. A very strange method of thanking God Z5 9 for sending them a Redeemer." A more rational, and at the same time more kindly and unselfish way, is that which has been suggested by Mr Frank Sherlock, who, speaking of family gatherings at this season of the year, remarks that there is in every parish some aged pilgrim who expects no visitor for the reason that he has outlived all his family, or the few survivors are too far away to come home. If you," he says, know of such a case, why not make it YOUR CHRISTMAS MISSION to pay the unexpected visit, and so make your own Christmas the brighter." The suggestion is a timely and happy one. Christmas was to our ancestors very much what it is to their descendants-a season when family affection and good fellowship find their warmest and most generous ex- pression, when the hand of the rich is stretched out to the needy, and peace pre- vails. To carry our thoughts further we find that at the close of 1903 the world is at peace. It is true that in the Far East there is a cloud larger than a man's hand, and that in South Eastern Europe large numbers of people are groaning under a burden weightier than Etna; but for the rest the outlook is pacific, and there is some reason to believe that the Great Powers are impressed just now with a sense of the tremendous importance of averting a Euro- pean war. It may be that the respective Governments reflect upon THE SMALLNESS OF THE GAIN which has accrued to any of them from a struggle with their neighbours, But whether they consider that point or not, it is sufficiently .apparent to any man or woman who reads European history that, as a general rule, wars have produced no results which at all correspond to the sacrifices that they have involved. Happily we in this country may adopt the language of the King's Speech and say that our relations with all foreign powers are friendly, and with regard to our private affairs the return of the festive season bids us put. aside our cares and worries, and postpone the con- sideration of current problems, however absorbing they may be. If we have any reason to be merry Christmas will increase our mirth, whilst even those who have some special sorrow will find consolation in the enjoyment of others, in which they cannot perhaps fullv share. Few of us can look back along life's path without some dash of melancholy, but as custom sanctions rejoic- ings at this season, and as history and faith combine to testify that this is a joyful timq, __n_

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I THE LOCAL LAW CASE. The following appeared in The Law Journal of December 19th, under the heading "Magistrates' Law Law: I DANGEROUS BUILDINGS. In The Usk Urban District Council v. Mortimer, on December 10, the Urban Council appealed by special case against the decision of justices on a summons for n '-payment of expenses incurred by the Council > i the default of the respondent in compliance i h a notice given to him by the Council under section 75 of the Towns Improvemenj Clauses Act, 1847 (see Public Health Act,1875 s.160) with respect to a dangerous building. The respondent not having complied with the notice, the Council put up a protective boarding, and on their taking proceedings to recover the expense, the defendant contended, and the justices held, that section 257 of the Public Health Act, 1875, applied, and that, having proceeded before the expiration of the three months there prescribed, the Council could not recover. The King's Bench Division held that the contention was erroneous, and, following The Maivor 4,c. of Folksionev. Brooks, L. R. (1893) 3 Chanc. 22, section 257 only applied to apportionments. They also departed from the ordinary practice by awarding costs against the respondent, although he did not appear on the argument of the case.

so upon the whole Christmas brings with it much happiness to the bulk of mankind.