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

Lord Rosebery oil Books, Lord Rosebery, himself a distinguished author, on the occasion of the opening of a public library at West Calder, Midlothian, delivered one of his delightful speeches on the subject of books and profitable reading. A gluttony of books his lordship said, was as bad as a surfeit of anything else, and there were a great many excellent people he knew in thib world who spent all their days in reading, and yet were of no use to themselves nor to anybody else. Reading was only a partial aid to that knowledge of life which makes the perfection of mankind. When its object was to refresh and to exalt, to lose the cares of this world in the world of imagina- tion, then the book was more than a means, it was an end in itself it inspired the man. He offered, as a suggestion, that an index should be prepared showing what are really the best books on different subjects, free from all private in- fluence of authors and publishers. In this con- nection it might be objected that men's tastes differ so much that such indices would help them but little, yet it, would surely be possible to overcome that difficulty by mentioning alterna- tive books, stating wherein they differed from the first list. We all know how helpful Lord Avebury's list of a hundred best books has been found, and a committee sitting under his pre- sidency would certainly be able to render valu- able assistance to those engaged in self-culture. There were some authors, Lord Rosebery said, whose works were in danger of being neglected in these days, and amongst them he named Sydney Smith. Somebody, who could speak I with authority, he suggested, should be invited to make a list of these unduly obscured writers. There were two more classes of books, his lord- ship humorously, and probably feelingly said- the books that were borrowed from friends and returned and the books borrowed and not returned. The non-returning of books had ended more frendships and terminated more affections than any other cause of which he was cognisant. The man who borrowed one volume from a set of volumes and never returned it, was a man who should be treated like vermin- trapped, or shot at sight, or subjected to any other of the punishments which might be ex- tended to the vilest of mankind 1

Japanese Official Announcement. An official announcement from Tokyo states that, after desperate fighting, the besieging army before Port Arthur oc- cupied 203 Metre Hill at eight o'clock on Wednesday night. From this eminence the Japanese can shell the entire town and harbour. The Russians abandoned a number of quick-firing and tun. guns on 203 Metre Hill, and hand-to-hand fighting of the most desperate nature took place in the trenches. I

I Football. The committee of the Usk Football Club met on Friday night, and decided to abandon the journey to Cheltenham, owing to the hard state of the ground. Usk play Cuepstow on Saturday next, when a good game is anticipated. The following have been selected to play :-Back. F. M. Davies i-backs, J. Jenkins, P. Pug^ley, E. Symonds, and H. Morgan J-baofts, D. Prothero (captain), and D. Culemau; forwards, E. Waters, E. Timms, A. J. Thomas, J. Stead, J. H. Marfell, F. Prothero, H. Gibson, and S. V augball.

CRIMINAL ASSAULTS.-A t Durham Assizes, William Jackson, labourer, was sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude for a criminal assault upon two little girls at Gateshead; and William Forster, labourer, for a like offence upon a little girl at Chester-le-Street, was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. THE DANGER OF CUTTING CORNs.-The Rev T. M. Rees, Baptist minister. Llaingoch, Holyhead, and sailors' missionary of the port, cut his corn with a razor, and applied some remedies. The result has been blood-poisoning, and the rev gentleman has had to have one foot amputated in consequence. Death resulted, The rev gentleman was formerly a minister at Barry Dock. Everybody kaows that p p is an admirable food, I the nicest and most nutritious < beverage for the breakfast table. It is made in a moment with boiling water or milk, and its sterling qualities are COCOA Appreciated by &U.

PONTYPOOL POLICE COURr, SATURDAY. I Before A. A. WILLIAMS, Esq., and other Magistrates. I MAINTENANCE CASES.-Evan Harvey, iron- worker, Stalybridge, was summoned at the I instance of the Pontypool Board of Guardians in respect of the maintenance of his mother, who was chargeable to them, and in receipt of 10s per week, as outdoor relief.—Mr T. Watkins, solicitor, j Pontypool, who prosecuted, put in a certificate showing that the defendant earned 8s per day, and bad to support a wife and one child. He asked for an order of 3s per week.—The Chairman remarked that 10s per week wa? a large amount to give to one persou.—Mr Watkins explained that three other brothers of the defendant were at present paying 78 per week between them, and the Guardians were anxious to assist the old lady as much as possible, and they, therefore, asked that an order of 3s per week should be made. The application was granted.—John Haines, iron- worker, Newport, was ordered to pay Is per week towards tha maintenance of his mother, who is chargeable to the Pontypool Union. WRONG MAN ARRESTED.—John Woods, collier, I Pontypool, was charged with stealing a sheep dog, the property of David Oates, Cwmffrwdoer, on the 1st inst. Woods now pleaded that he was drunk at the time. The dog followed him, and he sold it to a hawker named John Bates, in Crumlin-road for Is 6d. Bates gave evidence to the effect that on Thursday last he was taken out of his van at six in the morning, at Tredegar Junction, and charged on a warrant with stealing the dog. He was kept in custody at Pontypool until 4.30 the same day.—Upon being confronted by Woods at the police station he was immediately released, and the latter admitted that he had sold the dog to him. Oates saw the dog tied to witness's van at Pontrbydyrun Farm, and thinking that he must have stolen the dog took out a warrant against him- Witness now applied for compensa- tion for injury eii ff (-red. -Chairman There is no remedy in this Court for you.—Witness (to Clerk): Have I got a remedy ?-It is not for me to advise you.—The Bench fined defendant 20s.

RAGLAN. PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY. Before S. C. BOSANQUET, Esq. (chairman), Sir J. H. SEALE, and RAGLAN T. H, SOMERSET, Esq. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. Maria Jones was summoned for neglecting to send her daughter, Violet, regularly to school.— Mr B. H. Deakin, solicitor, Moumouth, and clerk to the managers of the local group of schools under the Education Act, appeared to prosecute.— Defendant did not appear, and PC. Jenkins having proved service of summons, Attendance Officer George Cecil Farmer (Tregare and Dingestow School district), sta'ed that Violet Jones, aged 9, had attended school 215 times out of a possible 409 during the year, and 139 out of '204 from February to September last.—A fine of 2s 6d was imposed. James Griffiths, Post Office, Dingestow, did not appear to answer a similar complaint, with regard to Arthur Griffiths, aged 12, who had attended 173 out of a possible 204 times.—Mr Deakin prosecuted, and Mr Farmer gave the facts.—An attendance order was made in this case. EXTENSION. Mr Hooper, landlord of The Swan, Clytba, was granted an extension till one o'clock on December 8th, on the occasion of an invitation dance, &c. TRANSFER. The full transfer of the grocer's licence held by Arthur Edward Lane, of The Shop, was granted to John Partridge, formerly of Monmouth. 0 A RAGLAN LICENSEE SUMMONED. Edwin Ooftrell, labourer, was summoned for beiug drunk on licenced premises on November 12th, and William James, landlord of the King's Head, Raglan, was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises at the same time and place. Mr Horace S. Lyne, solicitor, Newport, aopeared in support of the summons, and Mr Herbert AVilliams (Messrs. Williams and Sons, solicitors, Monmouth), defended. All the witnesses were ordered out of Court, and both cases were, by consent, heard together. PS. John Jones, stationed at Raglan, stated that at 10 o'clock on Saturday, 12th November, he saw Edwin Cottrell coming out of the King's Head, which was kept by William James. Cottrell was assisted by the two Lloyds. The younger of the two had hold of him, but he could not say for certain that the other one had. At any rate Cottrell was between the two, and was drunk. Witness took him five or six yards back to the door of the house, which was shut. Witness knocked, and asked for the landlord.—By the Chairman: It was closing time, and Cottrell was the last coming out of the ;Iotlse.-Contill-u-itig, witness said he called the landlord's attention to Cottrell, and told him he was drunk. James said, 1 do not consider him drunk." Witness repeated that he was, and James replied, Then if you say that I shall have him taken to the doctor. I cannot take him myself, as I have b-on ill." He then called a man named George Williams, who assisted him at the King's Head, and said, Take this man to the doctor. Don't touch him let him walk himself." Cottrell then turned away, and staggered across the pitching, which is in front of the house, and witness drew the landlord's attention to the wav he was walking, and asked him if be thought he was walking straight. He said, "Yes; straight enough." Witness walked behind Cottrell through the village to Dr Logie's. He was very unsteady, staggering as he went. He went without assistance. George Williams was just, in front of him. At the surgery Williams told Dr Logie that Mr James, of the King's Head, had requested him to bring this man here to see if he was drunk." The doctor called Cottrell by name, and asked him if he knew what day of the month it was. He said he did not. Then Dr Logie asked him what day of the week it was, and he said, Saturday, I suppose." That was correct. Dr Logie then asked Cottrell to walk a line on the oilcloth on the floor. He walked one way fairly well, but, turning round to come back, he nearly fell. Williams asked the doctor whether he considered Cottrell was drunk, and the only answer that he made was that there were degrees of drunkenness." Witness went back to the King's Head, and saw William James, He told him that Williams had stated at Dr Logie's that Cottrell had had no drink in the house for the last half-hour, and James said, That is so I have just made inquiries." Witness told him that he should report him for permitting drunken. ness. In cross-examination, Mr Williams asked witness how long he had kuown Cottrell, and he replied that he could not say that he had seen him more than once or twice before. He had seen him once at work in the garden in the dusk, raising potatoos. He had never seen him walk until the night in question. He saw him as he was coming from the door of the inn. and he and those with him had not left the pitching when he took hold of him. He could not say that he saw him actually coming through the door, but it was immediately outside. Witness did not see him go in; he had been about there a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes. Thete was a step at the entrance to Dr Lostie's garden path. Mr Herbert Williams, at this juncture, said that while he was anxious to meet the case on its merits, he must raise the technioal point that, as Cottrell was not found actually upon the premises, the landlord could not be convicted of permitting drunkenness, and quoted Patterson in support of bis contention. Mr Lvne replied that the evidence was clear that Cottrell was on the premises. The Chairman said the Bench would try the case on its merits, and after addressing the Bench. Mr Williams called William James, who stated that be had kept the King's Head rather more than two years. For nine weeks he had been suffering from clieu matis m, and he was still under the doctor's hands. He had consequently had to engage a man named Williams to assist him in the house. On the night in question, Cuttrell came to the house between twenty minutes and a quarter to ten, and he left at ten o'clock. Witness did not supply him with any drink; he did not ask him for any, or be should have supplied him. He saw Cottrell drink once out of Llovd's cup. Witness closed the dOlr after him. He had known Cottrell for three or four years. Cottrell was sober when he left; he had no doubt whatever about it. The door had been closed a few minutes when the Sergeant came and alleged that Cottrell was drunk. Witness denied it, and suggested that Cottrell should go to Dr Louie's. Cottrell also said he was not drunk, and tamed completely round, saying If I were drunk I could not do that." Cottrell's age was about 75, and his walk was very uneven. Cross-examined Cottrell had a shuffling staggering walk at all times. Witness did not tell the Sergeant that he had not been served for half-an-hour. When the Sergeant saw him Cottrell's walk was ordinary; if he were now taken outside the Court on the pitching by The Ship" it would be seen that he could not walk straight. Dr A. G. S. Logie stated that Cottrell was brought to his surgery shortly after ten o'clock on the 12th November, Williams and P.S. Jones accompanying him. He was told why he was brought there. Witness asked him a few questions, what day it was and so on, and then Cottrell walked along a straight line in the surgery and came back to him along the line. In his opinion Cottrell was in exactly the same condition as he had always known him to be. He was sober. He walked from the surgery and down the path unaided and perfectly steadily. There was a peculiarity in his speech, and his gait was lurching. Cross-examined Witness came out of the surgery with the Sergeant and Williams, and saw Cottrell walking away stearlily as far as the light 11 would allow him. In the surgery Cottrell turned in a somewhat unsteady way; but he would do that that day in turning. He would not call it staggering, but lurching. He said there were different degrees of drunkenness" in a general way, and not as applying to Cottrell. The Bench dismissed both caaes. I LLANDENNY CASES. George Williams, a young farm labourer, was summoned for being drunk on the highway, at Llaudenny, on the 5th November—Ha pleaded guilty, and P.C. Jenkins having outlined the facts, defendant was let off on paying 7s. 6d. In connection with this case, Frederick Morgan, landlord of the Victoria Ion, Llaodenny, was Rum. moned for permitting drunkenness. Mr Lvne prosecuted, and Mr Williams defended. P.C. J. D. Jenkins stated that at about 10 o'clock on Saturday night, November 5th, he was on duty ot Llandenny, and when standing about thirty yards from the Victoria Inn he heard someone stag- gering alonsr the road from the inn. Then he saw George Williams, the defendant in the previous case, who was very drunk. He staggered against the wall, and said he was going to lie down. Wit- ness had to call the Station-master to assist him to take Williams to Raglan Police Station. Williams caught hold of him by the neck, and tore the cape he was wearing. Williams became very violent, and witness had to handcuff him. Ultimately he was got to the lock-up. It would take two or three minutes to get from the Victoria to the place where he Raw Williams first. Cross-examined, witness said he had not seen Williams before on the night; he would not contra- dict. Williams if he said he had previously seen him (witness), but he did not believe that Williams passed him on the road. Witness did not see him go into the inn; he had been on duty in the village some time that night- an hour it may have been- and he parsed the house once or twice. He went to defendant's house, with P.S. Jones, on the follow- ing Monday, when the Sergeant told him that Williams was drunk there on the Saturday. Mor- gan replied that he was sober when he left his premises, and that he could bring seven or eight witnesses to prove it. From where witness stood on the night in question he could not see the Vic- toria Inn, as it was too dark. He did not see Wil liams come out of the house. Re-examined He hoard the Sergeant ask Vfor- ean how he could explain the state in which Wil- liama was found, and he replied, He conducted himself all right when he was in here he was quite sober when he left. He came here about 6.30 he went out again, and returned some time before 9, and he stopped till stop-tap.' The last drink he had was a bottle of I pop.' The Sergeant asked him why he give him "pop," and he said, "Be- cause I thought he had enough to drink." P.S. Jones stated that at about midnight on tha ,5th November he met P.C. Jenkins and Mr Rey- nolds, the Llandenny Station-master, with Wil- liams, about half a mile from Raglan, on the Chepstow,road, and assisted Jenkins to take the man to the Police Station. Williams was drunk, and could not walk without assistance. On the follow- ing Monday, shortly after noon, he called at the Victoria Inn, and asked the landlord if he knew George Williams, who was in his house on the previous Saturday night. He said he did. Witness then asked him how he came to let him get so drunk in the house that P.C. Jenkins found him a short distance away and had to get assistance to get him to Raglan. He said, He was not drunk when he left this house. The last drink in here was a bottle of pop.' Witness asked him why he gave him pop, and he replied, Because I thought he had enough to drink." D9- fendant also said that Williams came in there about 6.3') for a short time, and then went away and came buck about 9 o'clock, and remained till stop-tap." Witness then told him that he would be reported t for permitting drunkenness, and be said that Wil- liams conducted himself properly while in the house. Mr Williams And that he could bring seven or eight witnesses to prove that he was sober t Y e. Cross-examined, witness said he did not see Wil- liams until two hours after he was found. William John Reynolds, station-master, Llan- denny, stated that on the night in question he went to the assistance of P.C. Jenkins, who then had charge of Williams, who was on the ground, hold- ing tight to the constable's cape. He had no doubt that Williams was drunk. Cross-examined, witness said it was then 10.20. For the defence, Frederick Morgan, the landlord, said Williams was a stranger to him, and had been in his house two or three time only. On the date in question Williams came there about a quarter to seven, remained an hour, and left. He returned just before nine, and left at ten minutes to ten, when he was perfectly sober. Oa the second visit, witness supplied him with sixpannyworth of whisky in a bottle, which he said he was going to take home. He did not see him drink that on the pre- mises. He shared three pints of beer wir.h a com- panion during the first visit. On coming in the second time he said, Mind, the young copper is I outside," to which witness replied, "It does not matter you're all right." He then had the whisky in the bottle, and a bottle of pop," subsequently having a pint of beer, which he shared with the young man from the mill. There was some siuging in the house that night, and Williams sang two songs, standing up, to the accompaniment of an accordion. When he left he was perfectly sober, He did not tell the police on the Monday tha' the bottle of pop was Williams's last drink, nor that be gave him that because he had enough drink. Cross-examined: He did not tell the police about the whisky, and he c"uld not say how it was that no bottle was found on Williams. Ha told them that he stopped there till ten to ten, Rnd not till "stop-tap." P.S. Jones asked him why h9 give Williams "pop," but he gave no reason so far as he recollected. Re-examined: When the police called he was surprised to hear that the man had been locked up. George Williams stated that he had worked for Mr Heath for six months. On November 5th he went into the Victoria Inn about 7 p.m., left about 8.30, returned about 9 10, and finally left at 9.50. Ha gave the same record of his drinks as had the landlord, and said he left the house perfectly sober. Before entering the inn the second time he was within 20yds of P.O. Jenkins, and he told Mr Morgan when he went. in that the young" copper" was outside. The landlord said, It makes no odds so long as we're all right." After leaving, when near the blacksmith's shop, he drank the whisky and I threw the bottle away. He did not remember much after that; he recollected the policeman following him, however. Under cross-examination witness became flippant, and was rebuked by Mr Lyne. William Cottrell, carpenter, who was the accom. panist on the accordion at the inn on the evening in question; Sidney Powell, labourer Edward Jones, platelayer; Joseph Liddell, gardener; Edwin Moxham, labourer; and David James, labourer, who were at the Victoria, swore that Williams was sober when there. Mr Williams then addressed the Bench, and ulti- mately The Chairman said the casa would be dismissed, the charge not having been brought home to the landlord. f CRUELTY TO A MARE. Joseph Ashman, Raglan, was summoned for cruelty to a ruare by working her whilst in an unfit state. P.S. Jones stated that at noon on the 10th November he saw defendant driving a cream- colourei m ire, and noticing a sore on her he steppe defendant, and fjund, on the off shoulder, under the collar, an old wound, four inches long. It was being rubbed by the collar produced. Under the saddle was a raw wound of the size of a five-shilling-piece, in a terrible state. On the off front leg was another raw wound the size of a peunypiece. They were all old sores, and must have bpen there for days. Defendant urged that the Sergeant had seen him working the mare on a previous occasion that day, but did not then stop him. Ordered to pay 20s and 5s costs. UNREGISTERED LODGING HOUSES. James Edmunds, Castle-street, Raglan, was snmm Jned for keeping an unregistered lodging- house. P.S. Jones stated that on the 10th November, defendant had a lodger who paid him 6d for accommodation for the night. In reply to the query whether the house was duly registered, y 11 defendant said it was not, and that he was not going to have it registered for anyone; be did not take in anybody who was not clean and tidy. Defendant now resented the imputation that his house was a common lodging house, and was obdurate ou the point of the necessity of its being registered. Superintendent Parker, however, pointed out that it came withiu the meaning of the Act, and The Bench in ordering the payment of costs (5s) told defendant that he must get his house properly registered. Henry Elliman was similarly summoned, and was also ordered to pay the costs. He was apparently amenable to reas n, and said he was wishful to have his house registered, but how was he to get it done ? P.S. Jones I will tell you later on. I ANOTHER CRUELTY CASE. _I Daniel Poletti, Raglan, was summoned for cruelty to a horse. P.S. Joneil stated that at 11.50 p.m. on the 15th Nov.. iu company with P.C. Jenkins, he saw defendant driving a dark mare in a dog cart. He stopped him in the village and examined the animal. He found a raw sore, the size of a five- shilling piece, which the collar was rubbing, and which was in a very iuflamed state. It appeared to be of long standing. On the near shoulder was another wound about the size of a shilling piece; it appeared to be a fresh one. Witness asked defendant, why he worked the mare so, and he replied I ought to have known better." Witness told him that he must have known the wounds were there, and he said, I knew there was one sore, but I did not know of the other." Fined 10s and 59 costs. I NO NAME. I Richard Thompson, a nomad, who did not appear, was summoned for having no name on his cart. P.C. Henry Thomas, LUnarth, stated that at 11 a.m. on the 18th November, he saw the defendant with a donkey and cart on the Usk-road, Clvtha. On the off shaft, of the cart was tacked a piece of cardbiard with Richard Thompson, Abergavenny, Mon. written on it in ink. He took from his pocket a piece of paper with Arthur Thompson" written on it. and in reply to a question a to the discrepancy in the Christian name said he was better kmwu as Richard. Fined 7a 7 days' hard labour in default. I RESTING IN THE SNOW. Heury Williams, a disreputable looking individual, who has been working in the district, was brought from the cells to answer the charge of being drunk at Raglan on the previous night. P.S. Jones said that, while with P.C. Jenkins, he saw defendant lying in the snow drunk at 7 p.m. on the previous night. Defendant had to be carried to the Police Station. Witness handed to the Bench a slip of paper on which he had written specimens of defendant's language in the cells, which, he Rai-1, his wife and child had had to listen to for hours. Ordered to pay 5s 81 time for payment allowed. I USK. POLICE COURT, FRIDAY WEEK. Before F. JENNINGS. Esq. POLICEMAN SAVES AN INQURST.—John Buckham, an old tramping tailor, was brought up charged with an act of vagrancy bv sleeping in the house in course of re-erection by Mr L. R, Lucas, in Maryport-street, at 1.30 that morning -P.O. Hughes, it appeared, heard groaus proceeding from the house, and, after a searoh, discovered Buckham on the stairs. He was taken to the Police Station, where for a couple of hours P.S. Sheddick and P.C. Hughes attended him, and got him warm and c-)mfortable.-DefendaTit was sentenced to a dav's imprisonment, which meant his immediate discharge, and he was advised to go into the Workhouse. PETTY SESSIONS, THURSDAY. Before R. RICKARDS, Esq. (in the chair), J. T. DAVIES, Esq., and F. JENNINGS, Esq. LICENCE TRANSFER. Thomas Arthur was granted the transfer of the licence of the Carpenters' Arms, Common Coed-y- oaeu, from his mother, deceased. MAINTENANCE CASE. Abraham Williams, jr., was summoned in resoect of arrears under a maintenance order. P.S. Sheddick stated that on the 20th August, 1903, defendant was ordered to pay Is per week towards the maintenance of his boy who had been sent to Little Mill Reformatory for four years. He had paid 91 19s fid altogether since, aud JE1 6s 6d was now due. Witness had asked defendant for the money, and he replied, "I have not got it, and you can't have it." The Chairman thought it quite possible that he had not 26s now but- Williams could have paid Is a week. SuDsrtnteudent, James said P.S. Sheddick had continually asked him for the money. Defendant saiJ he was not in a position to pay the amount. He was only getting 14s per w e. e, ic. The Chairmn said he should have kept up the weekly payments. After some further conversation, the Bench decided to issue a di-tress warrant for the amount, suspended for 11 days to allow Williams to make an effort to pay. •«. « • Defendant said he would try and pay it off in that time. α- < The Chairman said if he made an effort to lessen his liability they would at the next Court further consider the matter. THE UNLUCKY NUMBER. Caradoo Arthur, Cefnilech, Llangibby, who did not appear, was summoned for allowing 13 cattle to stray on the highway, on the 10th November. P.C. Hughes stated that he found the animals on the road at 8.4-5 p.m. on the day in question, and, taking them home, saw defendant's son, who said they did get out sometimes." Several complaints had been received as to strava. The Chairman remarked that the Bench were always ready to consider any legitimate excuse which might be offered in such cases, but as defendant did not appear he would be fined 5s in addition to the costs (4s Gd.)

COUNTY COURT, THURSDAY. r Before His Honour JUDO. OWEN. JUDGMENT SUMHOWB William Thomas tailor, Usk, v William John Walters, Llangeview.—Committed for ten days, warrant suspended for FI inour He never goes to priou ?-Plahtiff: No, your Honour.—His Honour: Well, if he likes to pay- bis debts ia this way it is rather an expensive way. BUILDING A HOUSE AND EXTRAS. Morgan Walters. Llaogwm Isha, sued John Morgan, of Llangeriew, for Slo i8 6.1 for work done. Mr Herbert Williams, solicitor, Monmouth, was for the defendant. From rhe evidence it appeared that plaintiff, ia 1902. built a house for the defendant, under a contract, for £57 and that the amount now claimed was for "extras."—Defendant's an-wer was that having paid the £ o7 and JE9 subsequently, he had fulfilled his obligations. He agreed that the extras had been done, but said that in cm- sequence of plainriff having broken the contract by putting in 9-iuch walls and 41-inch partitions 2 instead of 18-inch and 9-iuch walls and parti ions 1 in the house, 'plaintiff agreed to do the outside work for t7, and that am lunt had been paid,, together with £ 2 for lime and the hauling thereof. Defendant and his wife gave evidence to this effect. Plaintiff denied that defendant objected !o the variation of the contract in the particulars referred to. Questioned as to the lime and the hauling, plaintiff admittei that he oily paid Sl 15s to \Ir G. Mundy for it, btit, l its, ifi-d the eKtra. change of 10s which he had made in his bill by saying he had to lose time by c nning t) Usk to see about it. His Honour thought the defence a truthful one, with all the probabilities in its favour. And there was the little mat rr of the lime in the case, in which plaintiff had not as'-td quite rightly. He gave judgment for the defendant, and allowed solicit;r and two witnesses. TITHE CASE. The Rev P. L. C. Nash, Usk. sued William Ponsford, of Newport, for lis, tirhe rent charge due. There was no defence, and His Honour appointed the Registrar ( Mr A. E Bowen) receiver, the order not to be drawn up for a week.

• -a. Hoijitiont;isliire Quarter Sessions. I A NEWPORT RATING APPEAL. A COMPROMISE. An adjourned sitting of the Monmouthshire Quarter Se°sions was held at the Sessions House, Usk, on Wednesday, for the purpose of hearing the appeal of the Newport Gas Company against the assessment of their property by the Assessment Commitree of the Newport Union. The Gas Company were represented by Sir Edward Boyle, Bart.. K.C., and Mr Rowlat-6 (instructed by Mr T. B. R. Wilson), and the assessment was defended by Mr W. C Ryde, K.C., and Mr J. Corner (instructed by Mr Lyndon Moore). The Cmrt was com nosed of the following Justices :—S. C. Bosaoquet, Esq. (chairman), Colonel Mansell. AIbar Adila.ll' William*, Esq., R. Rickards, Esq., E. R. Tho nas, E-q., F. M. Homfray.Esq., and E. Smthwood Jones, Esq. Sir Henry Mather Jackson, Bart., deputy- chairman, said it apoearei to him that he was disqualified from sitting, as he was a director of the Alexandra. Dock Company. He did not state this in order that counsel might suggest that the objection might be waived, because it seemed to him that he would be disqualified as a ratepayer, and if he was disqualified a a ratepayer, he was equally disqualified as being a director of the Alexandra Dock Co., which paid about one-fifth of the whole of the rates of Newport. He made this explanation as, being Deputy Chairman of Quarter Sessions, it might be expected that he should sit in this case. The assessment of the company's works had been increased fr>m £ 5,000 to £ 8,0)0, and it was against this increase thit the appeal was made. There was a little delay at the beginning owing to consultation between counsel, and Sir Edward Boyle apologised saying We are very sorry to keep the Court waiting, but very often a little dely at the beginning is a gain of time at the eud. After a consultation which lasted about an hour. Sir Edward Boyle, addressing the Chairman, said We have to thank vou very much for giving us some little time, during which we have been able to compare notes, with the result that we have come to certain figures which we ask you to order by consent between the parties. The appeal to be allowed and the gro"s assessment of the gas works, pipes, mains, and aopurtenauces to be reiuced from EI3,090 to £ 11,40-5 10s, and the rateable net value of the gfts Vork,, pipes, mains, and appurtenances, reduced from £ 8,000 to P,6,405 10s. No costs. The assessments in the Union, the property of the Gas Company, iot to be altered for three years in the absence of any structural alterations. Mr W. C. Ryde said that he assented to the proposal. The effect of the decision is that the old assessments of €5,200 is increased to zC6,403 10s, or a total increase of Ll,205 10s.

Protest by Mailmanflisliire Cliurcii School Haulers. At a meeting of Monmouthshire Church school managers, Mr S. O. Bosanquet presiding, held at Newport, on Thursday in last week, attention was drawn to the provisional regulations of the Monmouthshire Education Committee. Regulation 19, Section 4, states that As the lirge majority of non-provided schools are, and will cuitinue to be, used on Sundays for the purpose of Sundny schools, etc., and many are used on week-days after school hours for purooses other than educational, the county committee have decided that they will not bear any part of the expense f)r lighting and only five-sixths of the toial cost of fuel and cleaning, the latter item including the wages of the caretaker." It was felt that in many cises this regulation would impose a great hardship upon managers and sadly interfere wÜh educational eflioipucy. The following resolu- tions were adopted, and the Chairman was requested to submit the same to the education authority That, while acknowledging the liability of managers to pay a proportion of the expenses of caretakers and fuel where the school is used out of school hours we consider that a~ uniform scale of one-sixth ol the expenses through all non-provided schools unfair, and that each school should be dealt with separately." "As it is absolutely necessary in many schools to have light during school hours for educational purposes, and also after school hours for cleaning by the caretakers, we consider Regulation 19, Section 4. to be detrimental to the educational efficiency of the schools.

AN EBRING TOWN COUNCILLOR.—At Lewes Police-court, oa Tuesday, Solomon Savage, a town II councillor, was fined £100 for keeping a betting- house. MOTOR SBRVICE TO ABERDARE.—The first steam motor-car on the Aberdare branch of the Taff Vale Railway was run on Saturday. The car seats 70 persons, and travels from Commercial- street crossing to the tinworks platform a& Abarcyoon.