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MONMOUTHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL.
MONMOUTHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. The Education Question. I The Council and the Board. The Default of Local Authorities. H.M.S. Monmouth. fhe Licensing Bill and Temper- ance in Liquor and Speech. The quarterly meeting of the Monmouthshire County Council, was held in the Council Chamber, Pentonville, Newport, on Wednesday, when amongst those present were:—Aldermen S. N. Jones (chairman), Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, Bart. (vice-chairman), Lord Tredegar, E. Grove, W. Williams, J. W. Mulligan, J. D. James, J. R. Jacob, G. Jones, J. Daniel, G. R. Harris, H. Bowen, P. W. Raffan, W. Hughes, D. Jones, B. Phillips Councillors Hon. J. M. Rolls, W. J. James, A. A. Williams, W. Lewis, B. Nicholas, D. Jones, R. H. Williams, T. Dutfield, J. Jenkins, 1. Butler, S. W. Jones, T. G. James, T. J. Price, T. Richards, Morgan W. David. A. Jones, W. B. Harrilton, W. Thomas, T. Parry, H. H. Clay, A. G. B. Ashton, J. Monks, C. Tillott, G. G. Lewis. J. 0. Marsh, D. W. Steel, .J. Straker, W. B. Gething, W. H. S. Whitney, G. H. Nurse, A. Onions, P. Eckersley, T. Griffiths, W. Edwards, Manning, D. Hughes, &c. NEW MEMBER. The RewThomas Thomas, who had been elected as the representative of the Risca South Electoral Division, in the place of Mr J. R. Jacob elevated to the aldermanic bench, was introduced to and -welcomed by the Chairman. THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. The Provisional Committee under the Education Act, 1902, reported the receipt of the following letter to the Clerk from the Board of Education, dated 18th March :— I am directed to state that the Board of Education understand that your Council have framed their Estimate of the Expenditure required during the year ended March 31st, 1905, for the purposes of Elementary Education under the Education Acts, 1870-1902, in a manner which discriminates between provided and non-provided schools, and have made therein no arrangements to supplement by a rate the funds received in respect of the Voluntary Schools from Parliamentary Grants. I am directed to state that the Board do not think it is consistent with their duty to allow the Education Act, 1902, to come into operation in the area of a Local Education Authority where that Authority do not propose to administer it in its integrity. The Board will be glad to receive an early assurance from your Council that they have been misinformed as to She intentions of yonr Council in this regard failing which, the Board will have no alternative open to them but to make an Order postponing the appointed day for your Council to a later date than April 1st. Alderman Jacob proposed that the following xeply be sent:— As a Council we quite understand that by the Act of 1902 we are required to keep the voluntary schools efficient. For a series of years they have been reported to be efficient by His Majesty's Inspectors. By our budget we have placed at their disposal an income equal to fiat they have received in the past, and we have every reason, therefore, to believe that they will continue to be as educationally efficient in the future as in the past." Mr Jacob said they had placed at the disposal of the voluntary schools the Government grants, including the new aid grant, and half the grant under the Agricultural Rates Act-an income equal to what they had before received from all sources, including the voluntary subscriptions. The schools bad previously been certified efficient by the Inspectors with that income, and he saw no reason why they should not be as efficient in the future as in the past with the provision made. To administer the act in its integrity was a high- sounding phrase. Integrity he found defined in Ms dictionary as wholeness, completeness, -purity, honesty in dealing with others." He ^accepted the word as thus defined, and would say that they had attempted and would attempt to administer the Act in its integrity. Certainly they contributed nothing from the rates to voluntary schools for the reason that they had a ,sufficient income without rate-aid. Underlying the statement of the Board of Education was the assumption of the principle that it was the object of the Act of 1902 to quarter the voluntary schools upon the rates. If that were so it was a violation of the Act of 1870, which was a great compromise, and by which rates could only be given to board schools under the protection of the Cowper Temple Clause. He urged that the Council were cot the aggressors, the aggressors were on the ,other side." If the voluntary schools were to be quartered upon the rates then there were certain conditions precedent which would first of all have to be imposed, into which he need not now go. Alderman Daniel seconded the proposition. Mr Parry said if they debated the question at length the Council would simply come to the same .conclusion, so it would be useless moving an .amendment, He hoped for the time when they would again transact their business in a friendly spirit. He would like to point out, however, that while the Council were going to take from daerleon and Llangattock E500 a year Charity money, they were Dot returning them a penny. The charity scheme had been administered fairly and impartially If the Council voted them every <penny they could under the Act, the two parishes would still be, the losers of from E150 to £ 200 per year, and it was, therefore, very hard that they should be penalised in the way proposed in the Council's budget. Mr T. Dutfield said he could not allow the motion to be passed without a protest. A very targe sum of money would come from the Magor district in rates, but they were not to have a penny returned in aid of their National Schools. He <did not wish to arouse any feelings of animosity lie know the passing of the motion was a foregone conclusion, and he was quite prepared to sit down when he found himself on the side of the minority, but he would make the protest that, at all events, he did not agree with what had been said on the other side. Alderman Jacob had said he was prepared to bow down only to the majority, but he thought Alderman Jacob would have to bow down to a majority other than that of that Council, Mr W. Thomas said they (the majority) would discus1 the matter in the very best spirit. The Act itself was causing the injustice. Mr J. O. Marsh said the sums allocated by the proposed budget to voluntary schools they received before in grants, &c., and if that was sufficient to ,carry them on efficiently, he did not see why the board schools, who obtained the same grants, might not also be carried on in the same way •<without the allowances being supplemented by ,the rates. If it was unnecessary in the one it was in the other or vice versa, in common fairness. Alderman Grove replied that the board schools tiad to be maintained, and there was the repay- ment of the loans to be provided for, which differ- entiated them from voluntary schools. The motion was carried by 42 votes to 15, the names being registered. COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY SUGGESTED. Alderman Jacob obtained leave of the Council rto introduce, as a matter of urgency, a resolution ■of the Carnarvonshire County Council to the effect «that the Government be requested to hold a Commission of Enquiry with reference to the administration of the Education Act in Wales and Monmouthshire in order to satisfy themselves as to how matters really stand, and of the impossible position the County Councils of Wale* and Mon- mouthshire are placed in with reference thereto." He moved that this be adopted by the Council. Alderman Daniel seconded it as a wise sug- gestion, and it was carried. PRESS ACCOMMODATION. The Chairman referred to a letter which had been received from the members of the Press Gallery calling attention to the difficulty ex- perienced in reporting in the place appointed them. He suggested that the matter be referred to the Works and General Purposes Committee. The Vice-Chairman suggested that the Buildings Committee was the proper one to refer the matter to, and said members should sppak up. The Com- mittee might, failing that, be able to get over the difficulty in some way—by providing the members with speaking tubes or something or other. (Laughter.) Alderman Harris remarked that the Chamber was a copy of the Middlesex Chamber, and there the reporters sat in front of the Chairman. The subject was referred to the Building Com- mittee. MORE EDUCATION Alderman Jacob again secured a suspension of the Standing Orders to move that the Council appoint two representatives upon the Welsh Educational Emergency Committpe. Alderman Jacob explained that it, was resolved at the Llan. drindod Conference that the G'ommittpe should be formed, and said that in view of the Welsh Coercion" Bill it would very likely be called together shortly. This was agreed to, and the Chairman and Alderman Jacob were appointed the Council's representatives upon the Committee. II.M.S. MONMOUTH-" Lord Tredegar, as Lord Lieutenant, bad the permission of the Council to make a short state- ment as to H.M.S. Monmouth. For recruiting purposes, he remarked, the dpnominalion of regi- ments had been alterpd from the old numbers to territorial designations, and the Lords of the Admiralty had started a similar idea with regard to the Navy, and several armed cruisers had been named after Counties. The cruiser Monmouth, of 8.000 or 9.000 tons displacement, was launched in the Clyde, and was christened by his eldest sister. In order to increase the interest of the County in that particular ship he proposed that a service of plate should be presented to the board room and mess, and a shield provided f- r competitions in gnnnery. He at first intended to himself give this, but he afterwards thought that, while that would he a very simple way of doing it, it would not be in accordance with the idea of associating the people of the County with the shin. There- fore. he was issuing a circular to the Chairmen of the Urban District Councils of the County soliciting subscriptions for the plate and shield, which would cost about £ 400. He did not propose to limit the amount of the subscriotion. but it should not be over a guinea from each subscriber, and he would be very glad to receive any subscriotion, great or small, from the various plices. H.M.S. Monmouth was-leaving England for another cruise of no great length, and he hoped it might be possible to make the presentation on the return from the voyage. (Applause.) THE LICENSING BILL. On another urgency motion, Mr W. Thomas initiated a discussion on the Licensing Bill against which he proposed the Council should petition. The Vioa-Chairman rose to a point of order. He said the Council had never yet proposed a petition in any case. They had always proceeded bv resolu- tion, and he suggested that this course should be adopted now. Mr Thomas agreed to the change of form, and proposed as a resolution:- "That this Council views with profound rpgret th Licensing Bill promoted by His Majesty's Government, whereby the discretion of the local Magistrates as to the refusal of. or otherwise deal- ing with, licences, -will he so crippled as to be of non-effect, and further that the proposals for compensation will be such as to prevent any diminution of the cause of social degradation and national waste." He said he supposed Monmouthshire had more small and useless buildings with licences upon them than any other county, and to interfere with the discretion of the magistrates in the districts affected would be a retrograde step. He hoped the resolu- tion would be carried unanimously, and in conclusion said the actions of the Government were retrogres- sive from bottom to top, and that he was against them on every point. Z, Alderman Grove seconded, remarking that while he would not like to go so far as Mr Thomas had gone in his remarks, he agreed with the terms of the motion. In some places there were three or four nasty, dirty little public-houses next door to each other. The Vice-Chairman said the mover's remarks made it very difficult for the Council to give the motion the unanimous support he said he was so anxious it should receive. The question of the Licensing Bill was totally different to the question of the general conduct of His Majesty's Government, which could not possibly be a matter for the Council to deal with. He agreed that it was to be regretted that the discretion of the magistrates was to be en- tirely done away with, as they were a body most familiar with the requirements of a district, but with regard to the question of compensation there were details open to a great deal of discupsion and debate. Let all interested in temperance deal with the subject in a temperate spirit, confine themselves to the Bill and not deal with the question whether the Government was retrogressive or not. Mr A. A. Williams proposed an amendment to the effect that it was undesirable to limit the powers of the magistrates in the Licensing Bill now before Parliament. Mr Parry seconded, remarking with regard to compensation that, as it would be provided by the trade itself, and not from the rates, it would be only a fair system to adopt. Alderman Raffan said although he was a strong Party man, temperance came before politics with him, and he would oppose a Liberal Government as strenuously as a Conservative IGovernmfuit that advocated compensation for the loss of licences. It would tend against the reduction of their number, and would give them an interest which was not theirs. He calculated that a million a year was spent in drink in Monmouthshire, and that it would cost two millions to compensate all the licence-holders, and that would be in exchange for nothing. Dr James, Alderman Jacob, Rev T. G. James, the Chairman, and others, continued the dis- cussion, and ultimately the resolution was divided into two parts, the first, relative to the discretion of magistrates, being carried unanimously, and the second, dealing with the compensation question, being carried by 40 votes to 16. The resolutions were ordered to be sent to the Prime Minister and County Members. THE "WELSH COERCION" BILL. The last of the "urgency" questions .was at length reached, Alderman Raffan being permitted to move That the Monmouthshire County Council strongly condemns the Education (Default of Local Authorities) Bill which his been introduced by the Government, and appeals to the House of Commons to decline to pass the second reading." He urged that the Government had taken an ill- advised step in framing the Bill with a view to coercing the County Councils of Wales and Mon- mouthshire into adopting a particular attitude with regard to the Education Act of 1902. It would have been wiser on their part to have adopted the suggestion of a Committee of Enquiry so that, if possible, some solution of the difficulties presented might have been arrived at. The Act of 1902 had divided them, and this Bill, if passed, would divide them further. He protested against the Education Board being absolute judges as to interference, there being no means of appeal provided for the County Council alleged to be in default, and they would be ia the hands of the Voluntaryisto entirely. It was estimated by the experts they had engaged that it would require an expenditure of £ 10,000 to put the voluntary schools up to their requirements. There was no possible permanent settlement of the education question in the Bill. Mr W. Thomas seconded. Mr Dutfield, in opposition said the majority now thought it unfair that a dip should be made into the rates through this Act for the voluntary schools, but they did not consider it unfair to abstract for the board schools the shilling rate from the rural districts and give them nothing in return. If they bad been fair in the first place in dealing with the voluntary schools no such Bill as this would have been required. They had brought it upon their own heads. They had themselves to thank. He thought the Government had dealt very mercifully indeed with them, and when they came to their proper minds, and carried out the Act in its integrity, this measure would oease to operate. Alderman Jacob objected to the vast dis- cretionary inower-, placed in the hands of the Board of Education by the Bill, which would mean that a sectarian propaganda would be carried on by irresponsible voluntary school managers with funds placed at their disposal by that Board. Mr W. Lewis siid if the Council had administered the Act properly, and given it a trial, they would not now have to discuss this question. They were not there for the purpose of re-modelling Acts of Parliament, but for the purpose of administering them. They might change the Government, and the law, but as lorg as the Act was on the Statute Book they should administer it. Mr Eckersley was pleased that the Bill had been introduced, as it would put up the backs of Nonconformists. They asked for no favours but only equalitv, and they would be cowards if they did not strenuously oppose the Education Act until it was swept away. Rev T. G. James said the Act would engender more hitter feelings than could be conceived, and compelled them to become passive resisters. Rev T."Thomas said they acted on the principle that no authority could compel them to con- trihnte to the support of schools which taught religious principles opposed to their con- victions. Aldprman Daniel said the Act was a blow at the Constitution of the country. Ultimately the motion was carried by 41 to 12 votes. CENTRAL WELSH BOARD. Alderman Bowen was re-elected the Council's rpprpsentative Ml the Governing Body of the Central Welsh Board. WEST MON. SCHOOL. Mr B. Nicholas was appointed Governor of the West. Mon. School, in place of Mr Eckersley, who had resigned. PENSIONS EARLY. Rev T. G. James referred to the early retirement of police officers on nension, two being mentioned in the report of the Standing Joint Committee whose ages were respectively 58 and 50. Alderman Harris said the officers could claim the superannuation allowance after 25 years' service. Alderman Grove said the Chief Constable and the Committee were most desirous to retain the officers' experienced services, but they could not prevent them leaving. The Vice-Chairman said the difficulty was reeog- nised throughout the country, and an amendment of the Police Act to meet it was contemplated. ABERGAVENNY ASYLTJM. Alderman Mulligan brought up this report, which showed the number of inmates to be 473 males and 439 females, and that there was vacant accommoda- tion for 20 malps and 4S females. Owing to the great reduction in the number of patients by the reo moval of those from Brecon and Radnor, and the inability to make a. corresponding reduction in the staff, &a., it had been found necessary to increase the maintenance charge Icl per dav. but this Fitill 2 left them Is 5id per head per week lower than the 9 general English average, or a saving of £ 3.000 to the Unions. Thf Commistee were considering the question of installing electric light. MAIN ROADS. This Committee reported that only Chepstow and Usk bad claimed to retain the maintenance of the main roads in their districts; Caerleon and, Risca would relinquish their rights on Parliamentary powers hfling obtained by the County Council; and Abersychan and Pontvpool were considering the question. The Committee recommended a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of a bridgoe to be built by the G.W.R. Company, at Crumlin, to obviate a level crossing. The Chairman protested against this grant, urg- ing that the Company should do the work at their own expense, as they were under agreement to do. 'That piece of line was the best paying in the world. Messrs Nurse, Monks, and others disagreed with these observations, pointing out the great inconve- nience the nresont levAl crossing caused to a thickly populated district, and the need for early attention to the matter, In reply to Mr Whitney, Alderman Harris said Tressenny bridge belonged to a local body, but the application of the Abergavennv Rural Council for a contribution towards the cost of altering it had been referred to the Inspection Committee. The Hon J. M. Rollf- asked for information with regard to the improvement suggested at the daneer- ous pitch at Llangattock-vibon-avel. He hoped the work of altering the gradient there would be pro- vided for in the estimates. Alderman James, chairman of the Committee, said they had visited the spot and agreed that something must be done, but they had so many things on hand that it was impossible to do all at once. Lord LIlln- gattock and the Hon J. At. Rolls bad very kindly come forward and in the most generous manner sup- ported the Committee, and the improvement would receive the earliest possible attention. The report was adopted. THE NEW RATE. The Finance Committee recommended that a rate of 9d in the ;C-a decrease of Id—be levied and collected by four quarterly instalmeuts, and this was agreed to. EDUCATION RATE. It was decided on the motion of Alderman Grove, seconded by Alderman Jacob, to defer, until the Council order otherwise, the collection of the Education Rate payable in June and September next. LOAN. The seal of the Council was affixed to mortgages to the trustees of the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society to secure sums of t25,000, and Y,2,900, at X3 18s 9d per cent. I EXPENSES OF MEMBERS. Alderman Jacob proposed "That whenever members of the County Council are asked to attend meetings on behalf of the county, outside its boundaries, their reasonable expenses be paid." Alderman Raffan seconded, and the motion was carried, after considerable discussion.
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K — I USK. I PETTY SESSIONS, THURSDAY. (Before R. RICKARDS, Esq. (in the chair), H. HUM- PHREYS. Esq.. and R. W. RICKARDS, Esq. I EX-OFFICIO J.P. Mr Frank Jennings, aa Chairman of the Usk U.D.C., took the oath and his seat on the bench. PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS. I Arthur Leyshon, landlord of the Nag's Head Inn, Usk, was summoned for permitting drunkenness ou his licensed premises on the 15th April. Mr Horace Lyne, Solicitor, Newport, appeared to prosecute, and Mr R. H. Parnall, Solicitor, New- port, defended. P.S. Sheddiok gave evidence as to finding a Mrs Jones (who was fined at the last court) on the pre- mises drunk, shortly after eleven o'clock on the morning of April 15th, after receiving a complaint from the woman's husband. She was sitting in a chair in the kitchen nursing an eight months' child, which w@s only partly dressed, a portion of the clothes being on the floor. Witness spoke to Mrs Jones, and she attempted to dress the child, but could not do it. and Mrs Thomas, who was in charge of the house with her husband, in the absence of the landlord and his wife, and whose attention was called to the woman's state, helped her, but be. tween them they did not make much progress. Witness then went for Mrs Jones' husband, who returned and took the child away. Mrs Jones then became disorderly, struggled for a time, and eventu- ally fell to the floor. Witness at length quieted her and persuaded hor to go home, whence he followed her. Witness returned to the Nag's Head, and saw Mr and Mrs Thomas who, in reply to questions, said Mrs Jones came there first about nine o'clock, and that they had supplied her with only two penny worth of gin. That would not be sufficient to ac- count for the state witness saw her in. A little later that was after eleven o'clock-he was called to Jones' house to attend to Mrs Jones. In cross-examination, witness said he saw no glass about nor any sign of drinking, when he entered the Nag's Head. After fetching Jones, witness saw the child wrapped in a shawl. The two women were dressing it when he previously left. If the child was dressed it was done in the interim. Mrs Jones went home staggering. Mr and Mrs Thomas did not say that Mrs Jones bad been away from the house between nine and eleven o'clock, but he believed that she had been home. P.C. Hayward said he went to Mrs Jones' house between 11 and 12 o'clock on the day in question, and there could be no question that she was drunk. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr Parnall, for the defence, urged that reasonable steps to prevent permitting drunkenness had been taken, and called Sidney Thomas, Mrs Leyshon's brother, who was in charge of the house, and who stated that when Mrs Jones first entered the house she complained of not feeling very well and asked for 2d. of gin, with which she was supplied. The second time she came there that day—about a quarter to eleven-she wanted another 2d. worth but he refused to serve her, and asked her to go home with her baby. She would not go, and he would not serve her. At last she got up to leave, and then he went upstairs to wash. Then P.S. Sheddick came in. and witness came downstairs. He did every thing possible to get Mrs Jones to leave. In cross-examination, witness said he had been married three or four months, but he could not remember the date. Mrs Jones was absolutely sober when she came in the first time. The second time he saw symptoms of drink. He could not put her out because of the baby, and because she was in an interesting condition. He did not send for the woman's husband nor for the police. He would have gone for someone after he came down from having a wash. He did not supply her with any beer that morning. » Mrs Elizabeth Thomas gave corroborative evidence. She also, in cross-examination, had a bad memory as to the date of her marriage, and Mr Parnall interposed with the remark that it was not germane to the case. Subsequently, however, the marriage certificate was produced, the date being March 15th. Matilda Jones also gave evidence for the defence, which bore out the testimony of the other witnesses. She stated that after the first drop of gin in the Nag's Head she had some beer at home. She had pleaded guilty to the charge against her at the last Court because she was not sober. She was not drunk, howevev, or she could not remember what happened. In reply to Mr Parnall she stated that she had been a teetotaller twelve months up to recently. Dr Jenkins gave evidence as to the woman's condition, and stated that it would have been dangerous to have turned her out of the house by violence. She had been a teetotaller twelve months,, he believed, and the mixture of drink would have in consequence, more effect upon her. After a short retirement, the Chairman said that the Bench found that the charge was proved, and inflicted a fine of 40s and 4s 6d costs. ANOTHER LICENSING CASE. Elizabeth Williams, the licensee of the Hall Inn, Gwehelog, was summoned for permitting drunken- ness, and John George was summoned for being drunk on licensed premises, on the 17th April. I:> Mr H. S. Lyne prosecuted, and' Mr Francis Williams, B.L., instructed by Messrs. Roberts- Jones and Everett, Pontypool, defended. The evidence of P.C. George Hughes was to the effect that a few minutes before ten o'clock on the night in question he was standing outside the Hall Icn when he heard a man inside the house say, "Let me have another pint. A woman's voice answered, No; you mustu t, you have had too much." Witness was close to tne door. A boy's voice then said, Come on home with me, father." The man then said, Let me have a sleever and I will o-o then." Witness entered the house and saw George and his boy there, standing by the fireplace. The defendant George was supporting himself by resting his left hand on the mantelpiece. Witness saw Mrs Williams come into the room with a half- pint of beer, in George's direction, but when she saw witness she took the beer back into a room on the right hand side. Witness said to her, This man has had too much to drink. Don't supply him with any more." She replied, Yts, he has had a drop too much. I shan't give him any more." Witness said You were bringing him some more," and she replied, He was going after that." Witness then asked for the landlord, and when he came witness told him that George was drunk, and that be had better get him off the premises. George then staggered across the kitchen, putting his right hand on the settle to support himself, and said Me drunk F Williams said, Ob, no; he is not so bad." Witness again told Williams to get him off the premises, and then left the house. Shortly afterwards, George came staggering out on to the road, his little boy having hold of him by the arm or coat. George said, I want to see this man. He said that I am drunk." Mrs Carter said to George, "Don't cause a bother come on with me," and she and Ule boy took him in the direction of home, which was opposite to that of Mrs Carter's house. In cross-examination witness said George was very drunk; Anyone looking at him could have seen it.. Mr Francis Williams 1 suggest you did not hear any conversation at all.—Witness: I did. Witness further stated that he asked George for bis name after ha entered the house. Mr Williams was not there when he entered he came from the back after he asked for him. It was the landlord's place to order George out, and not his, unless he were asked to do so. He did not hear Williams say "Let the constable see, George, whether you are drunk or not," He should stil say that George was drunk if other people were called who were in the house and said he was not, John George, the defendant, stated that he was in the Hall Inn from 8.30 on the evening in question, and had about three pints of beer. The policeman came in about a quarter to ten, when he (witness) was standing up by the end of the settle, and was just goiug. The constable stood and looked at him, and asked him for his name. He then said that he had had too much to drink, and Williama replied that he had not. He was able to atand without assistance. lie did not see Mrs Williams there much while he was there. Mr Williams was there most of the time. After telling Mr Williams witness had had too much to drink the constable went out, and he followed him and went down the road. He sent his little boy back to the house for a box of matches, and, oil his return, proceeded home, where he had his supper, made his bed, and went to bed with the boy. Witness was perfectly sober, able to do everything, and walk straight. What he asked for in the house he was supplied with. Mrs Williams did not refuse to serve him. Mrs Carter did not help him home. She ran down the road after him to ask if he had any seed potatoes as she was going to have her garden planted, and wanted some. In cross-examination, witness denied that he < had or wanted the assistance of Mrs Carter and his boy on the way home. Mrs Carter may have ca -i jjht hold of his arm in a friendly way. He never hftird her say anything about not making a bo?her. He only had 9d in his pocket when he went to the house, and he had three pints of beer. He may have had a tot or two of beer out of other people's quarts. He never heard any conversa- tion like that spoken to by the constable. He did not hear Mrs Williams say "Yes, he has had a drop too much, and I shan't give him any more," nor the policeman say to her, You were bring- ing him some more." Witness was the only customer left in the kitchen at the time. Roger Williams, husband of the licensee, said George was sober. He may have had two or three pints, but not more. Witnes had just left the kitchen for the cellar when the constable came in, and was only away a minute. The policeman asked him if he was the landlord, and he told him that the missus would be in in a couple of minutes. The constable told him that George was drunk, and he replied No, he is not drunk." The constable went out, and witness said to George. Jack, walk out and see if you are drunk." He walked out quite straight. Four others had gone out of the room juiit before the constable came in. His wife had had the house 6 years, and there had been no complaint during that time. Cross-examined :-I-Ie believed Mrs Carter or a man named Saunders was the last to leave the house that night. Mrs Carter was in the room on the right. He did not say that George was not so bad." He said "He is not drunk. Mrs Williams, the licensee, stated that she noticed nothing the matter with George. When she saw the constable and George together she thought he was simply speaking to him. George was not refused beer. She did rrot say that he had had too much. She saw nothing the matter with him. She was not going to serve George but Mrs Carter. She had not been waiting upon the kitchen. P.C. Hughes told her husband not her that George was drunk. She believed that George asked her for a sleever, but she took no notice of it. That was after the policeman came inside. After further questioning, witness ad- mitted that she might have said "Yes, he has had a drop too much, and I shan't give him any more." Alfred Wall, James Bevan, and Arthur Lewis gave evidence to the effect that George was not drunk, and Mr Francis Williams having addressed the Bench, The Chairman said they were not satisfied that George was drunk, and dismissed both cases. NO LIGHT. Wm. Stephens, Usk, was ordered to pay 2s 6d and cautioned for riding a bicvcle without a light at 8.45 p.m., on the 23rd April. P.C. Hughes gave the facts. NO REIN'S. Herbert James and Wm. Woodman, young farm labourers, of Newchurcb, were ordered to pay 2s 6d each for riding on a wagon drawn by three horses without reius, at Llangeview, on the 18th April. Neither would tell P.C. Hughes who was in charge, so both were summoned. James was impertinent. DISMISSED. I John Morgan, libourer, Llangeview, was sum- moned for being drunk and disorderly on the 23rd Ar,ril.-P.C. Hughes stated that at 11 o'clock he heard defendant shouting and using bad language, and found him drunk near Mr Waters' house, at Llan geview. -Defendant's wife gave evidence on her husband's behalf, and the Bench gave defendant the benefit of the doubt, and dismissed the case. WANTED ELSEWHERE. I There were two charges against Robert Wi'son of obtaining money by false pretences from Wm. Stone and Henry Parker, at Usk Races on Wednes- day. P.S. Jones (Abertillery) arrested the prisoner, who was obtaining money by means of the purse trick, the modus operandi being to apparently put large money into a purse and sell it, the purchaser then finding only a few coppers. P.S. Sheddick said the 'police had strong reasons for believing that prisoner was wanted by the Metropolitan Police, and asked for a remand till Thursday next in order that inquiries might be made. The application was granted. VACCINATION EXEMPTIONS REFUSED. Isaac George Price applied for a vaccination ex- emption certificate for his child. After considerable conversation, the Bench refused the application on the score that applicant bad not satisfied them that he bad reasonable grounds for the application. The same decision was also given with regard to the application of Augustin Atherton, who said that Dr. Rees, of Aberdare, had told him with re- gard to another of his children whose eyesight failed after being vaccinated, that while he could not prove it one way or the other, no doubt vaccination had something to do with the matter.—The Chair- man said if Dr. Rees would confirm this he might be able to reconcile the granting of the certificate with his conscience.—Applicant said there was no time to do this.
- MONMOUTH.
MONMOUTH. POLICE COURT, FRIDAY. DRUNK ON LICENSED PREMISES. Frederick Howells, 50, labourer, Trelleck, was charged at the Borough Police Court with being drunk at the Conservative Arms, Trelleck.-P.C. Morgan found prisoner drunk in the taproom. Prisoner said he knew he was drunk, but would not go until he bad finished his beer. He became riotous and had to be locked up.—Fined 7s 6d. POLICE COURT, SATURDAY. Before the MAYOR, and H. T. BAILLIE, Esq. DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.- I-Ienry Thomas Locke, 45, a groom, in the employ of Mr Jones, Castle, was fined 5s and costs for being drunk and riotous the previous night. ABSCONDERS.—Edward Giles and WilHam Watkina Greatly, inmates of the Monmouth Workhouse, were charged with absconding. Greatly was sent to gaol for a mouth, but the case against Giles was dismissed.
PONTYPOOL.
PONTYPOOL. POLICE COURT, SATURDAY. Before A. A. WILLIAMS, Esq., and other Magistrates. SHOP ROBRBRY.—Frederick Charles Kellow, labourer, Barry Dock, was charged on remand, with stealing three pairs of gents' boots, one shirt, and three mufflers, value £ i 16s 8d, the property of Albert Joseph Haynes, at Pontnewydd.—Mr Harold Lloyd, solicitor. Cardiff, defended.— Prosecutor said that on Saturday evening, the 24th ult., he locked up his shop at 11.30 p-ru., but on going there at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday he found that the'plate glass in one of the windows had been broken, and the articles mentioned were missing. He identified the three pairs of boots, and the three mufflers (produced) as his property. He could not identify the shirt, but he had some of the same make in his ishop.-P.C. John, of the Cardiff Borough Police, said he met the prisoner in Newport-road, Cardiff, on Sunday. He was carrying a bundle on his arm, and witness asked him what it contained. He replied, My boots." Witness thereupon exainiued the bundle, and found the boots produced. Kellow was arrested on suspicion. He said, All right; I bought them from a shop in Pontypool," On being searched at the police station, he was wearing a new muffler on his neck another "round his waisi., aud the third round the boots. There was also a tin of boot polish in the parcel —Maria Thomas, 55, Grange-road, Cwmbran, said she eaw the defendant pass near her house on Saturday night. She had known him for many years, and be came up and shook hands with ber.-P.C. Jones, Pontnewydd, said that he weut to Cardiff on Monday morning. When prisoner saw the witness he said, "G Jod morning. This is the first time for me to be in a place like this. I didn't steal them bootp. I bought them off a bloke on the road near Croesyceilog. 1 didn't know who the bloke was. There was two of them together. I gave him os far them." In reply to the charge he said, "I didn't steal them." On the way to the railway station he said, I wish I had never seen that bloke, I expect I shall get locked up."—Mr Lloyd said thai he had advised the prisoner to plead guilty. He would, however, like to add that Kellow was a hard-working boy, and was not in the habit of drinking or stealing. Probably Kellow was hungry, and he therefore yielded to temptation.—Superintendent James said prisoner had been previously convicted of stealing apples.— A sentence of two months' imprisonment was passed. LAD'S ASSAULT. -Stanley Tuberville, Cwm- yniscoy, was summoned for assaulting Thomas Davies, at Cwmyniscoy.—Davies, whose face waif badly cut and bruised, said that defendant, without provocation, rushed at him, tripped him, and then kicked him in the face.—Defendant alleged that the prosecutor kicked him first.— Ivor Jackson, 10, for the defence, said the boys struggled and fell. That was how Davies sustained the injuries.—The Chairman said that great violence had evidently been used, and fiued the defendant 10s. OB STRU CTION. -Frederick Lewis Jones, oil merchant, Griffithctown, was summoned for obstructing the highway at Griffithstown,-P.C. Hatherall said Jones allowed his cact to remain in Park-street all night.—Fined los. AN EXCITABLE WOMAN.—Edith Evans, married, was summoned for assaulting Henry Stephen Preecc.—Mr Harold Lloyd, Cardiff, prosecuted, and said bis client resided at the Britannia Inn, Talywain, while the defendant lived in a bouse immediately opposite. Evans had given the prosecutor considerable annoyance, and as far back as August, 1903, he had written to Supt. James respecting her conduct. On Anril 4th, prosecutor met the defendant as he was proceeding to his home. She stopped him, used very bad language, and molested him. What the man asked for was that the woman should be fined or bound over to keep the peace so that she would not molest him again.—Defendant denied that ehe had annoyed Preece.—John Evans, the defendant's husband, also gave evidence. In cross-examination he admitted that bis wife was a very excitable and violent woman.—The case was dismissed uoon the husband undertaking that his wife should not annoy Preece. CRUELTY.—John Sims, haulier, Abersychan, war summoned for illtreating a horse by working it in an unfit conditioii.-P.C. Shott said he saw the defendant driving a horse and cart along Hanbury-road. The horse had six sores on its shoulders.—Fined 10s.
- Usk & Llangibhy Hunt Races.
Usk & Llangibhy Hunt Races. Charming weather prevailed at Usk on Wednes- day for the annual race meetinar, under the auspices of the Usk and Llangibbv Hunt. Racing took place on the Mardy Course, and there was a fair attendance of spectators. The entries were better than usual, and some interesting racing was anticipated. The following were the PATRONS :-Dr Boulton. Col R. H Mansel, R. P. Jenkins, Esq., C. H. Firbank, Esq., R. St. John Beasley, Esq., W. Pegler, Esq. STEWARDS:—Lord Tredegar. M.F.H., Lord Llan- gattock, Col Curre, M.F.H., W. H. P. Jenli-ins, Esq., C. E. Lewis, Esq., CodriugtonF. Crawshay, Esq. OFFICIALS: -Judge-W. H. Partridge, Esq. Starter C. F. Crawshay, Esq. Clerk of the Scales—Mr F. G. Page. Clerk of the Course—Mr T. Rees, junr. Stakeholder-Mr A. Rivers, Auctionears —Messrs W. Marfell and W. S. Poole. Hon. Sees.—Messrs A. Rivers and T. Rees, junr. Veterinary Surgeon—Mr Sidney Smith. The following are the details:- 2.0.-The LLANDENNY STEEPLECHASE of £ 40 l-2st. each winners extra. Three miles. 6 10 0 Capt Rankin's I. Anthony 1 6 10 0 Mr Stratton's The Sloth R. Scott 2 Betting—5 to 2 on Cardigan. The Sloth did not belie his name, for, falling at the first fence past the stand, and refusing at ther ?I next, he was soon out of the race. Cardigan was allowed to finish alone. 2.30.-The MARDY SELLING HURDLE RACE of £ 40; Wteiirht for age; allowances; winner to be sold by auction for £50. Two miles. 4 10 7 Mr Deer's Game Bird.Mr Anthony 1 8 11 3 Air W. Stevens' Tater. W. Donellv 2 4 10 7 Mr W. Hobbs' Louve. S. W. Pratt 0 Betting-2 to 1 on Game Bird, and 4 to 1 each agst Tater and Louve. Louve refused at the first fence, and the race was then confined to Game Bird and Tater. The latter took the lead three-parts of a mile from home, but was overhauled in the straight, Game Bird winning by two lengths. Game Bird was bought in for 50gs. 3.0.—The LLANGIBBY SELLING STEEPLE- CHASE of £ 40: winner to be sold by auction for £ 50: weight for age. Two miles. a 12 0 Mr W. Hobb, Kilgrozan.. Itr Anthony I a 12 0 Mr R. Thom-as" Hampton Vine Mr Cuthbertsoa 2 a 12 0 Mr Bailey's R. Scott 3 5 10 11 Mr W. G. Stevens' Flyine- Raven W. Donellv 0 Bettiniz-2 to 1 agst Ivilerogan and Hampton Vine, 3 to 1 agst Doleful, and 5 to 1 agst Flying Raven. Flying Raven soon fell, and Kilgrogan, who made all the running, won easily by twenty lengths. 3.30.—The OLWAY HURDLE RACE of £ 30; weight for age; winners extra; allowances. Two miles. 4 10 0 Mr T. A. Huhsnd's Ramage W. Donellv 1 5 11 1 Mr Deer's Booty Owner 2 6 11 0 Mr E. Jones' Bantyre.. J. A. Huckle 3 Betting-2 to 1 on Ramage, 2 to 1 agst Booty, and 10 to 1 agst Blantyre. Won by a neck; ten lengths between second and third. Most of the running was made by Blantyre. 4.0.—The USK MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE of £ 30 weight for age; winners extra. Two miles. 4 11 10 Mr A. W. Wood's Outpass.Owner 1 a 11 13 Captain Rankin's Gibson Girl..Owner 1 4 10 3 Mr H. E. Watson's Chirretta Mr Anthony 0 4 10 3 Mr W. Till's Spicy. S.W.Pratt 0 a 11 G Mr W. T. Watkins' Llanberis.. Mr Ball 0 a 11 6 Mr A. G. Rumball's Merry Monarch Owner 0 Betting—5 to 4 agst Llanberis, 2 to each agst Chirretta and Outpass, and 5 to 1 each agst Gibson Girl, Spicy, and Merry Monarch. Won by 30 lengths. The rest fell, the favouriti, being the first to come to grief. i.30.-The CEFN TILLA MAIDEN HURDLE RA.CE of JMO weight for age allowances winners extra. Two miles, 4 10 5 Mr Deer's Mamore. Mr Anthony 1 4 10 8 Mr A. T. Cliff's Forenza Owner 2 5 10 12 Mr M'Ginn's Liucly A. Huckle 3 4 10 5 Mr Paul Braillis' Istok.S. W. Pratt 0 1 Betting-Evens on Forenza, 2 to 1 agst Mamore, and 5 to 1 each agst Istok and Lindy. Istok soon ran out, and Forenza went on with a slight lead of the other two. Coming into tha straight, Mamore went to the front, and won easily by a length; four lengths divided the second &xui third.