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

I PANTEG. I U.D C.-This authority met on Tuesday, Mr A. A. Williams, J.P., presiding. Alderman D. .Jones, J.P., moved a resolution congratulating tSir A. T. Lawrence, formerly solicitor at Ponty- pool and Cwmbran, upon his elevation to a judge- ship in his Majesty's High Court, and inviting &im to visit the district.—Colonel Williams ,aecolided.-The motion was carried unani- mously. PRIMROSE LEAGUE.—The Panteg Habitation of 'the Primrose League have been holding a series of ;1Successful social gatherings in their district. At Abersychan, in the absence of Ruling Councillor Dr Haslett, Pontypool, the chair was occupied by Mr L. Llewellyn, J.P., who was accompanied by lieutenant-Colonel Williams., Mr Halliwell (the Divisional agent), Mr Flanders (Newport), and Miss .,A,iinie Butler (secretary). Mr Flanders gave an ■able speech upon the Education Act. RUNAWAY TRUCKS.—While some workmen were "Unloading steel bars from some trucks at the Pontnewynydd Railway Station, on Friday night, the brakes of two trucks became released, and the trucks ran down the gradient towards the Town "Forge Tin Works at a great rate. The engine "from the tin works was going towards Pont- newynydd at the time, and the driver, Mr John U Yem, on seeing the trucks, reversed the gear *of his engine. The stoker, realising the seriousness the situation, jumped off the engine into a 'Staall stream, but Yem stuck to his post, and, although the trucks dashed into the locomotive, rRtnashillg the buffers and bending some places, he "^as-uninjured.

I PONTNEWYDD. DEATH OF MR W. R. WILLIAMS.—On Sunday, the death occurred, from pneumonia, of Mr W. R Williams, J.P., of Fernleigh, Pontnewydd, chairman of the Llanfrechfa Upper District 'Council. He was formerly a mill manager at the Avondale Works, but subsequently started business as a grocer. In creed he was a Baptist, Q. was much respected in the neighbourhood. -a:

PONTYPOOL. "tytnu—Mr Fieldhouse, fhp. Market, and Messrs. Edwards and Co. OVERCROWDING AT ABERSYCHAN.—At a meeting ."tIf the Abersychan Council (Mr L. Llewellyn, J.P.). presiding, a case of overcrowding was reported trorn Cwmavon-road, Abersychan, five persons, '^otnpvi#ing two families, occupying one bedroom. The father, sou, and a daughter sixteen years of Re slept on one bed, while a married daughter 11d her husband slept on the other. When the -inspector became aware of it the married couple 3;ft, The Council ordered the owners to intervene. Medical Officer reported that the general sickness in the district had been very heavy during t month, the death-rate being 26.5 per 1,000. sickness in the district had been very heavy during t month, the death-rate being 26.5 per 1,000. f 'iVir cases of measles proved fatal. LOCAL W.ILL.-The will, dated June 6th, 1902, "lith two codicils, of Mr John Herbert, of Avondale Lode, Pontypool, chandler, who died "Il October 19th. has been proved by Mrs Elizabeth J^rbert, the widow Percy Bowers Ford, of f^typool, corn merchant; and Robert James "*Wler, of 24, Waterloo-road, Newport, the value the property amounting to Y,10,240 2s 4d, of '^hich £ 7,031 10s 2d is net personalty. Mr '^erbert gave £ 500 each to his sisters, Charlotte J^°untjoy and Jane Thomas £ 200 to his brother- s-law, Elijah Littlehales; £ '200 and the house- furniture to his wife, and £ 50 each to his "etecutorB, and £10 per annum each to them ^Uring the time they carry on his business. All 'Other "of his property he left in trust for his wife ^or life, and then in trust for his daughters Amelia and Gertrude for life, with power of appointment thereover to their children.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT THE COUNTY SCHOOL. I On Saturday afternoon the eighth annual prize distribution in connection with the Pontypool bounty Girls' School, took place at the Town ilall, and was larg-ely attended. Mr A. A. Williams, J.P., chairman of the Governors, Resided, and WHS supported by Mrs Llewellyn, Mrs Haslett, Miss A. M. Dobell, B.A. (head- mistress), Mr R. McKenna, M.P., Alderman J. Jpaniel, J.P., Dr Haslett, Mr A. E. Bowen (clerk %0 the Governors), &c. The Chairman said he was pleased to inform that the school had been carried on in the oet satisfactory manner. There had been a large Jlcrease in the number of children attending the ,achool, and they had been compelled to enlarge their premises in order to accommodate them. Miss Dobell, in her annual report, regretted that Barents removed their children from the school ^fter they had only been there for a few years, as Secondary education, to be thorough, must be slow gradual. During the year they had had the ^elah Central B oard's examination, and the ^Spectors had been in the school for five days, so that they had made a very thorough inspection, ,l1d she was pleased to know that the Governors Iad considered the inspectors' reports satisfactory. Mr Owen Owen, the chief inspector, in the course ,C)f his report, said The teaching in this school Cached a very high level, and the healthy tone '{}.lld excellent discipline which prevailed deserve 'the highest praise." (Applause.) This year, the lamination results had not been so good as in re,vious years, and this was especially noticeable, 111 the lower school. In the senior portion of the however, the results had been more Sat'isfactory, and the top girl of all-Gladys Evans- had previously matriculated, had passed in honours stage of the Central Welsh Board's lamination, aud had been awarded the chief for the county, which was valued at 30 per annum and was tenable for three years. i'\OUd applause). The marks obtained in the history and literature paoers were very creditable, the mark of "excelieut" being awarded for both Objects. Only one girl sat for the cookery examination, aud she gained 95 per cent. of the marks. The nett proceeds of a concert lately held would amount to about X27, which would be devoted to the maintenance of the School Cot at the hospital. Mr McKenna congratulated Miss Dobell on the satisfactory state of the school and said that the true means of obtaining knowledge was by developing the faculties, rather than by cramming. Many children were crammed, instead of being taught that the lessons were interesting and could easily be learned. There were many children who had had distinguished college careers, but they had utterly failed in life, simply because they had been taught for examination purposes only, and not instructed as to the best means to fight the battle of life. Mrs Llewellyn then presented the following prizes:— Form 1.:—English, French, arithmetic, Effie Harmston. Form II :—English, French, arithmetic, Beryl Lewis; French, Blodwen Evans arithmetic, Maud All mark. Form Illb. English, science, arithmatic, Winnie Biggs; French, science, arithmetic, Alice Davies. Form IIIa. :-Science, mathematics, Gladys Burt; language and mathematics, Daisy Davies; English, languages, Marjorie Hughes. Form IVb. English, science, mathematics, Connie Griffiths English, science, Amy Williams. Form IVa.English, Nellie Lewis mathe- matics, Lilv Ward. Form Yb.Mathematics, Gladys Griffiths; mathematics, chemistry, Eveline Williams Form Va. :-English, chemistry, Ida Millard; English, languages, Lily Reese English, mathematics, Lilian Wall; English, Jessie Hughes. Form VI. :—English, French (presented by the Chairman), Gladys Evans. Pllpil Teachers:—English, arithmetic, Edith Davies; English, arithmetic, Mary Howells; English, arithmetic, Maria West. Extra Prizes:—Botany (presented by Miss Elgood), Beatrice Holcombe; cooking (presented by the head mistress), Myfanwy Prys; drawing, Beattice Holcombe. School Scholarships :—Form V., Jessie Hughes Form IVa., Dorothea Moseley; Form IV., Lily Burchell; Form Illb., Leah Templar and Winnie Biggs. CERTIFICATES. I CENTRAL WELSH BOARD. I Honours' Stage.-Glaclyii Evans, English lan- guage and literature, with distinction, French with distinction and conversational power, Latin and history with distinction in each (senior stage). Senior Stage.—Jessie Hughes, with French conversation Lilian Wall and Ida Millard (com- pleting Welsh Matriculation Examination). During the afternoun the scholars sang several part songs, and the meeting co icluded with the usual votes of thanks.

LLANFREOHFA LOWER AND URBAN POWERS. I A REPLY TOBERYER." I To the Editor of the COUNTY OBSERVER. ) DEAR Sra,-In last week's notes by I I Observer," which, I notice, you do not necessarily endorse, it is stated that the first meeting ended inharmoaiously. This was not the case, although reports to this effect, appeared, A perusal of the reports of the second meeting will show that the Editors of the papers (which contained the first meeting's inaccurate reports) have marked their judgment of their first cor- respondent's contributions. The Chairman of the Parish Council is no leader of the Home Rule movement. The idea of dis- cussing Urban Powers belonged to the Parish Meeting held in March this year, when it was resolved that the new Parish Council should consider same. The two recent public meetings were also decided upon by a resolution of the Parish Council, when the Chairman was 800 miles away from Llanfrechfa. Your correspondent asks Can he for a moment believe that he is going to get a clerk, collector, medical officer, and an inspector of nuisances for S60 a year?" To this, I say, it was recently reported in the Pontypool Free Press that the salaries for the Blakeney U.D.C. for the year ending March 31st, 1904, were :—Clerk (solicitor), LIS Collector, £1:j; Medical Officer, X12 Inspector of Nuisances, £ 20; total, JE65 less re- payment from County Council, re Medical Officer's salary, B6, and Inspector of Nuisance's salary, JE10 total, .£10; or X49 per annum nett for four persons. It, has also been submitted officially in Llau- frechfa, that the ratepayers of Caerleon only pay X-69 per annum for all their staff, the clerk to which Council is a solicitor. Newcastle Emlyn only pay X33 per annum for four officers, the clerk of which, recently deceased, was a solicitor; and innumerable similar instances throughout the country cm be given. Even Lampeter, which has a Mayor and Corporation, only pay their Town Clerk £ 15 10s per annum. According to Caerleon's recent balance sheet the following appear :—Medical Officer of Health and Inspector of Nuisances, £ 40; less pai(i by County Council in respect of same, £ 20 — £ 20. Yet when the inspector's position was recently advertised there were abundant applications. In reply to the remarks that no provision has been made for the salary of the surveyor, I may say that the same provision as shown in the quoted cases has been made. Your correspondent says No doubt the G. W.R. Company would like to see the chauge, for it would mean a considerable saving to them in the rates." Not at all, because the Railway Company are aware that in Urban Districts, the maintenance of the roads is partly covered by a county contribution to which they pay in full. The County Council rate is always included in the poor rate, on which the Railway Company have to pay on their full assessment and not on one fourth of same. The Upper Llanfrechfa U.D. Council receive from the County Council L25 in respect of the road between Lower Pontnewydd Station and Upper Pontnewydd Station on account, of "through traffic." Now all this "through traffic has first of all to pass over the Black Road situate in Llanfrechfa Lower. Therefore, under an Urban Council, the pariah of Llanfrechfa Lower could obtain jC30 a mile in respect cf this road. You can thus see that Railway Companies are dealt with on much the same lines in both Urban and Rural Districts. It was stated by one of the speakers at the last public meeting as an argument against Urban Powers that Railway Companies, owners of tithes, lands, woodlands, &c., were assessed at quarter only in an Urban District, but we were not told that Railway Companies, owners of tithes, lands, &c., only paid on one fourth of their assessments under Rural Councils for any improvements and that all these people would only pay quarter of the cost of widening the Pontnewydd Road, and quarter of the cost of the Ponthir water scheme. It is very pleasing to see in your paper that under Urban Powers lower receipts would come to the parish from land, because our opponents have said that the farmers w mid be heavily burdened under Urban Powers, whereas the Chairman of the Patish Council has always endeavoured to explain

Everybody kaows that p p s is an admirable food, 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 all.

to them that under an Urban District Council they would simply pay on quarter of their assessments which would mean less rates to them. It is also refreshing to read thuely in your paper, "No doubt Llanfrechfa Lower is con- tributing more money to the R.D.C. than is expended upon it." This is what some of the ratepayers have been thirsting to know for many a long day, especially since the Rural District Council declined to say by letter the actual amount spent on the parish for one recent year. Your correspondent says that "It cannot be asserted1 that the R. D.C. has not paid respectful attention to all that the Pariah Council has had to urge on behalf of their portion of the district." May I a-k, do you consider it "respectful attention to decline to tell us whether it was £ 60 or £ 80 which was soent on this parish last year? Again, do you consider it "respectful attention" on the part of the R.D.C. to write to the Local Government Board, who interceded upon our behalf, declining the same information to them ? Is this the treatment we may expect from the R.D.C. when we contribute one-fifth of their revenue ? In your issue of November 12th, the Chairman of the R.D. Council is reported to have said auent the Wain water "cherne That the time had arrived when the R.D.C. should exercise their own discretion in the matter and be free." Now we are told that the R.D.C. has "courteously con- sulted us in every matter of importance." Is this your definition uf courteous consultation, please ? I notice your correspondent, when he fails to tackle the strong arguments urged in favour of separation from Usk, decends into personalities, and declares that, the Chairman of the Parish Council is working for the power which will make him a J.P. (Why is the writer so cocksure ? Why didn't he say '• may make"? Or has all hope vanished from the R.D. Council ?) The present Chairman was appointed for twelve months only. nine of which have elapsed. Having regard to much pressure on his time he has intimated more than once that be would like to be relieved of his present duties, but in the face of urgent appeals that he ought to finish his 12 months he has reluctantly consented to oblige his supporters. Now, Mr Editor, may I ask, does this auree with the conduct of a man aspiring to be a J.P. ? I am, &c., "OBSERVER NO. 2." I

Conservatism in South Monmouthshire. SMOKER AT ROGERSTONE. I On Tuesday, Lieutenant.Colonel Courtenay Morgan, the Conservative candidate for South Monmouthshire, addressed a largely-attended smoking concert held under the auspices of the Rogerstone Conservative Association at the Rogerstone Hotel. Mr E. Steer presided, and amongst others present were Mr E. Southwood Jones, Mr R. Stratton, Mr Foster Stedman, Mr J. H. Hillier, &c. The Chairman, in his introductory remarks, alluded to the unfair competition to which the county was at present subjected, and hoped the time was not far distant when Great Btitain would be armed with the means of meeting foreign competition on equal terms. Colonel Morgan was cordially received, and in an able address, said the Unionist party had a I great record, and it was his opinion that it was the only party that bad any chance of successfully governing the country in the future. Its record included reforms which were in sympathy with the progress and spirit of the times, and were leading up to further developments for the benefit of all classes. (Hear, hear). By its firm and straight- forward foreign policy the Government had made great strides in hastening the time when serious quarrels between great nations might become things of the past. (Hear, hear.) The treaties with France, Italy, Portugal, and other countries were especially valuable in this direction. Through the action of a firm but sympathetic Government there was an almost total absence of crime in Ireland, and they had been enabled to trust the people with their own local county government. Ireland was now as loyal as any portion of his Majesty's dominions. (Hear, hear). In England agriculturists had had the Rating Relief Act, and the miners had had the Coal Mines Regulation Act, whilst all classes had had the Conciliation Act and the Workmen's Compen- sation Act. (Hear, hear). He believed that the new Education Act, if properly administered, would be a great help to the cause of education. He did not maintain that the present system was perfect, but, probably, it could be amended in weak points. He advocated the advancement of the teaching of the children, so as to arm them for their great fight in life as individuals and for the general progress of the nation. (Hear, hear.) They would never see that done, however, if persons went about the country raising religious animosities and inciting individuals to break the law. (Hear, hear;. If half the energy that had been ex ended in raising the controversy had been expended in bringing about a just settlement of the difficulties, our educational system would have been greatly improved for the benefit of the children and nation. (Hear, hear). But perhaps the greatest work of the Unionist Government was the manner in which they had Daved the way for the closer relationship of the Colonies and the Mother Country. (Hear, hear). It was, perhaps, only the beginning of a great movement which might take years to accomplish, but, none the less, the foundation of this great Empire was surely founded now, and the development which time alone could bring would mark its progress. (Hear, hear) It waq because he believed that the Unionist party was the best for the government of the country, and that it really was the true party of progress, that he looked with confidence to the future. (Cheers). Other speeches followed, and a good musical programme was gone through.

I MEETING AT CALDICOT. Under the auspices of the Caldicot and District Conservative Association, a smoking concert was held on Tuesday evening at the Tippling Philosopher Iun, Caldicot. Mr H. A. Tipping, of Matherne, presided, and urged Unionists in South Monmouthshire to maintain their principles, and work hard for the success of their cause when the time arrived. (Cheers). MR L. FOSTER STEDMAN then addressed the meeting. He r,id the Con- | servative party had never recognised that the County Council elections in Monmouthshire should bo fought as between Liberals and Conservatives. The Conservatives held the view that localities should elect the men wham they regarded to be the fittest for the positions, irrespective of politics. (Cheers). When County Councils came into existence there was a compact between the Liberal and Conservative Associations for that district that elections should not be fought on party lines. The Conservative party had been faithful to that compact, and that was the reason why they had not taken any part in those elections The conduct of the Liberals showed that they no longer held to that compact, for they turned local elec ions into an arena for the propagation of Liberal ideas. They found Mr D. A. Thomas, Colonel Ivor Herbert, and others taking part in local elections, and instead of purely local questions being talked about, such subjects as Chinese labour, the sugar trade, and other imperial topics were brought under review. (^Laughter.) If the Liberals were going to work on the lines he referred to, then he would say that the Conserva- tives would meet them with their own weapins- (cheers)—and the whole forces of the Conservative Associadni would be brought forward to fight every Liberal candidate at the County Council and similar elections. (Loud cheers).. The speaker also said that the Monmouthshire County Council was controlled by a majority who held everything in their power. and the only chance that occurred for proper debates was when they fell out among themselves. (Laughter)- The majority held preliminary meetings, and they had everything cut and dried beforehand. Under such a condition of things there was no opportunity for genuine local representatives to bring forward any question calculated to be of benefit to their own con- stituents. (Cheers.) Several songs were contributed, and a hearty vota of thanks was accorded Mr Stedman for his address.

CoHservaUve "Smoker" at Monmouth. I A VERY SUCCESSFUL MEETING. A very successful smoking concert under the auspices of the Monmouth Conservative and Unionist Association was held at the Beaufort Arms Hotel, Monmouth, on Thursday evening. Mr W. C. A. Williams (chairman of the Association) presided, and was supported by Mr E. E. Micholls (prospective candidate for the Monmouth District Boroughs), Mr Hamilton Baillie Chon. see.), Mr Horace Bailev, J.P., Alderman G. ffiirgins, Alder- man J. H. Howse, Dr Logie (Raglan), Messrs H. T. Simmonds, A. C. Tweedy, F. Hobbs; G. S. Baillie, T. Leech, G. T. Morgan, F. Perkins, Raglan: A. E. Jones, J. Waugh, G. P. Tippins, junr.. F. J. Smith, C. J. Parry, J. Hall, A. W. Blake, J. Evans, A. Burgham, R. Ferrett, S. Cumbley, W. Jones, J. Pembridge, J. Bastook, J. LRne, j. Little, C. Preece, J. Hardwick, F. W. Whitehead, H. F. Perkins, C. N. Ballinger, A. Ellam, E. W. Hyam, F. J. Tucker, &o., the ball room being well filled. C There was no end of talent musically, and the efforts of the vocalists were ably aided by an excellent orchestra, who also contributed selections, under the conductorship of Mr G. Grav. The following were the vocalista and solo instrumen- talists who kept the harmony going with spirit during the evening:—Messrs Saunders, G. Pitman, 8. Fairman (who organised the programme), J. Morris, G. Gray, J. B. Hyam, S. Johnson, H. T. Simmond.W. A. Ramsay, G. Higgins, W. Bennett, Hamilton Baillie, &c. At the commencement of the proceedings, THE CHAIRMAN I said he had much pleasure in taking the chair at the first smoking conoert held in Monmouth under the auspices of the Conservative and Unionist Associa- tion. He trusted that it would prove a great success. They hoped to have some more during the winter. (Hear, hear, and applause). He felt he ought to apologise for taking the chair on that occasion, for, although he was a tolerably old hand at presiding at dinners, he was a novice in the position at a smoking concert. They all looked happy, considering the hit? guns fired off on the previous night. He noticed, however, chat Mon- mouth was paid a compliment by Colonel Herbert: for he said that Monmouth was the Port Arthur of Conservatism. (Hear, hear, and applause.) He did not> think they had anything to fear locally from the Liberal Social Council which had just been formed. (Hear, hear.) MR. E. E. MICHOLLS, during the evening delivered a spirited address on current political topics. He apologised for breaking into the harmony of the evening, but said he thought they would like to hear a few words from him. (Hear, hear.) They might all feel proud of belonging to the Conservative and Unionist Party, the Party which by its deeds, and not by its promises, had shown itself to be the Party of true social progress and rational reform; the Party which by its Acts had shewn itself to be the trun friend of the working classes. (Hear, hear, and applause.) He was afraid that they were apt to ,)p a,,9 forget the marvellous way in which the Government had managedjjforeign affairs Jduring its nine years' tenure of office, making the name of England respected among the nations of the world. This, he thought, they owed not to a little extent to one whose memory was still green-Lord Salisbury— (cheers)—who followed in the footstspi of his great master, Lord Beaconsfield-( cheers)-who was the first of our great ministers to fight against the Little England school of thought, then existing under the name of the Manchester School, and who was the first to form that MAGNIFICENT SPIRIT OF IMPERIALISM and of patriotism, which had done so much for the wealth, the happiness, and the prorperitv of the country. (Cheers.) They were also too apt to for- get that during the term of office of the Govern- ment the Soudan had been re-conquered, that the worst tyranny that ever oppressed a people had been shattered, and that civilization and au en. lightened government had been brousrht there. (Hear, hear.) Although £ 2,300,000 had been spent there, a million remained a permanent asset in the shape of a railway and he thought that was money better spent than the seven millions expended by Mr Gladstone when he abandoned that country to the savagery of the dervishes and allowed Gordon to perish at Khartoum. (" Shame.") It had been truly said that in all the ills they bore they wept, they sighed, they grieved, but they never blushed before. (Heart hear.) They ought not to forget, either, how they had transported 250,090 men across the sea to the Transvaal, and how they had requisitioned them and found the thousand and one parts of the paraphernalia that appertained to the carrying on of a great war and while they must regret the loss of a large number of great and noble lives, and the expenditure of 211 millions, the interest on which they had to pay to-day, he thought the money was well spent, and would be returned to them a hundred-fold. We now hold a colony for our redundant population, and the money would have been well speat if only for the purpose of recovering I THE NAME OF ENGLAND and removing the stain on the flag after its having been dragged in the mire at Majuba. (Hear, hear.) The sacrifice was worth the making, too, if only to demonstrate that magnificent spirit of patriotism which it evoked from our Colonial brethren, who showed that they appreciated the bond that bound them to the Empire. (Applause.) No matter what their political opponents said, Colonials did value that tie which Radicals were straining to the breaking point. (Hear, hear). Then there was the treaty made in 1902 with our brave little ally Japan, whom they saw to-day not only resisting the grip of the Russian bear, but paring its claws very considerably. (Applause.) That treaty was of immense benefit to us in the Far East, where our interests were imperilled not only by Russia but by Germany as well. Again, they ought not to forget the expedition to Thibet, under Colonel Younghusband, and its important bearing on our great Indian Empire. (Hear, hear.) They could all judge the work by the workmen, and he felt that the Anglo-French Convention showed t our premier, Mr Balfour- (applause)—was a worthy disciple of his illustrious relative Lord Salisbury. The Convention was the bright streak in the clouded political horizon, and it had proved its value in our recent dealings with Russia in connection with that unwarrantable outrage on the Dogger Bank, when the good offices of France spared us the horrors of a war between two great nations. Yet Lord Rosebery had described that Convention as I A CALAMITY, He felt it would hfve been a calamity if Lord Rosebery had been at the head of affairs at that time, and that the country was to be congratulated on having a Conservative Government in power. (Hear, hear.) England was naturally stirred to its depths by that incident, but he would also have them consider the feelings of Russia in the matter. Russia, as they knew, was s narting under the defeat of her arms by Japan, and there was a ducal party in that country, who, to save the dynasty, would even run the risk of a great I war with us. He thanked God that we had bpen spared this, for such a conflict could not have but retarded the march of civilization and impeded the t cause of humanity. (Hear, hear.) The spirit of I restraint which had actuated us was not because of ¡ our indifference, but because the country had every confidence in the Government and in Mr Balfour they knew that the Government was potent for peace because it was prepared for war; they recognised that our first line of defence, that great, bulwark of our island, the Navy, bad been kept in ¡ proper order. (Applause.) The attitude of ¡ England during that crisis reminded him of a quotation from Canning A strong nation at peace resembles a great man-of-war lyiog caloi and motionless till the moment for action comes, when it puts forth all its bravery, collects its scattered elements of strength, and awakens its dormant thunders." (Applause). Then they must remember what I MR. CHAMBERLAIN -(applatise)-had done for the country. If only for his great Commonwealth of Australia Bill, be deserved to co down to posterity, as Mr Balfour had generously said, as the greatest Colonial minister of our time. Were their memories so short as to forget how, at his comparatively ad- van-ced-time- of life, be went to South Africa to judge for himself the feelings and aspirations of our brethren across the seas, recognising that those know the water best who wade through it? (Ap- plause.) They ought to be grateful to Mr Cham- berlain also for having brought before them the fact that all is not well with our trade, and that if we are to maintain our supremacy, if we are not to fall into the third rank among nations, a change must be made in our fiscal policy. (Ap- plause.) He (the speaker) was a free trader, but he was no free importer. (Hear hear.) If other nations would open their ports to us as freely as we open ours to them, if they desisted from setting up against us an impenetrable wall of hostile tariff's that would be free trade; but so loug as they made the entry of our merchandise to their ports impos- sible that was one-sided trade, and the worst of it was it did not benefit us. (Hear, hear.) It was like a game of football, which, played fairly and squarely, was a very good game; but if one side could do all the kicking, and the other side could not make reprisals he did not see much fun in it. (Hear, hear.) He hoped to deal at greater length with the fiscal question on a future occasion. He hoped. with their kind favour and assistance, to be re- turned to Parliament as their member. (Applause.) He wanted to be of some USE TO THE WORKING CLASSES, I with whom he bad been connected all his life, as had his father before him. For thirty years he had employed hundreds of workpeople at a mill in Lancashire, and during that time his relations with them were of the friendliest; there had never been any unpleasantness. (Applause.) His ambit-ion-hi.; desire-was to find employment for the people, but he confessed that, if returned as their representative, he believed his efforts on behalf of putting on th- Statute Book measures of advantage to the working claises would be futile unless a change wa made in our fiscal policy. What he asked them for was a mandate to advocate a duty of not less than 6 per cent upon dumped iron and steel goods. Dumping, in the opinion of Mr Gladstone himself, was illegitimate cheapness. They were told -aiid he was afraid it was true-that there were 600,000 men unemployed in the country; and they heard fmm Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman that a third of the popula- tion—twelve or thirteen millions—were living on the brink of hunger, the verge of starvation. Would dumping lessen that? ("No, no.") It cost us close upon twelve millions a year to keep our poor therefore he rezretf-ed immensely that, through the obstructive tactics of the Radical Party, the Pauper Alien Bill was rejected. He agreed with President Roosevelt, when in his recent message to the American people, he said that with America as with England they never refused access to their hospitable shores to those deserving and well-to-do, but he (the speaker) would certainly keep out of England all those who had no visible means of subsistence, all those unhappy beings suffering from loathsome infectious illnesses, all men and women with a criminal record against them, and, in fact, every. one who was likely to PROVE A BURDEN instead of a benefit to the State. (Hear, hear.) Where was the consistency in the Radical Party ? They knew—all knew that those pauper aliens must displace English labour and yet Radicals were against restricting it. They took up the opposite position, however, with regard to Chinese labour in South Africa, where, instead of displacing British labour it assisted it. As he had said before, he re- gretted the necessity of the Convention, and if he thought the employment of one Chioaraan would displace one whita man he would have nothing to do with it. Facts proved that the portion he took up was the ritrht one, for, since June only, 1,700 skilled mechanics had been working in South Africa who could not have had employment but for indentured Asiatic labour, and soon they might ex- pect to hear that that number had been increased to 6.000. (Applause.) Lord Milner estimated that 2,500 skilled workmen were married, and allowing five to a family this meant thtt 12,500 would be kept in decent comfort, while a similar number would be given a living as tradespeople, making a total of 25,000 more white people employed there than could otherwise be the case (Applause ) Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, the other day, was asked the straight qu^tion whether he would give up the Convention if he were returned to power Now, considering the way in which he had stumped the country and won bye-elections through it. one would have thought he would have answered, Of course we will give it up." \s THE IRISHMAN SAID, however, his replv "bristled with loopholes." (Laughter.) He simply said he would do that which was for the permanent interest of the country. The Unionist Government had already done that. It was well-known that everyone in the Transvaal— be he Boer or Britisher—would vote for keeping the Convention, and as sure as he was standing thnre. if the party got into power on the morrow they would make no change. He could tjll them this, that as long as he appeared before them he would do nothing that his conscience told him was wrong, although it were to gtin the buzz is of thousands, and he believed that when the electors of this country found out that on the subject of Asiatio labour they had been deceived bv the Radical Party, that Party would receive the punishment they thoroughly deserved. (Hear, hear.) He was extremely pleased to know that Mr Balfour had decided to ho'd a Colonial conference. That con- ference, he thought, must be free and tinfottered one at which the needs and wants of the Colonies might be considered as well as our own. The Colonies might be able to help us with regard to the Navy, the consular and diplomatic services, and to give us a preference which might be of immense value to us. Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman had referred to these matters a "sordid bonds," but he (the speaker) would say that an Empire like ours could not exist on senti- ment alone, and instead of "sordid bonds he looked upon these n,atters as GOLDEN LINXS which assured to them a permanent and lasting union. (Applause.) Our ancestors had striven to build up and maintain for us a great Empire; let us and our Colonial brethren strive to maintain it and hand it down unimpaired to our children Through our ancestors' labours we can look back upon a glorious past; let ns assure to those who come after us a glorious future. (Cheers.) Mr Hamilton Baillie. in a forcible speech, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Micholls for his address, and this was carried by acclamation, and suitably acknowledged. On the proposition of Mr Micholls, seconded by Mr Horace Bailey, a similar compliment was paid to the Chairman, who replied. Another smoking concert will be held at the Angel Hotel, on January 12th next.

,4 iGOiBEiMTORSsI |j O't- RCGISTCKCS Fvfy- o/' Fac-simile of One-Ounce Packet. j I d P. The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. COOL, SWEET, AND FRAGRANT. i — — -»

I USK. I PETTY SESSIONS, THURSDAY. (Before R. RICKARDS, Esq. (in the chair), H. HCMPKEBYS, Esq., and J. T. DAVIES, I NO BEINS. f John Smith, haulier, Llliogeview, was summone(f for riding on a timber carriage drawn by two horses, without reins, on the Abergavenoy-road, on December 2nd, and he admitted the indictment.— P.C. Hughes gave the facts. -Defendant was let off with a oaution. Frank England, Kjllwrgy, Llangibby, was sum- moned for, and admitted, a similar offence. P.S. Sheddick and P.C. Hayward saw defendant riding without reins on a wagon drawn by three horpes, about half-a-mile from Comrnoa Coedyp ien, on 19th. November.—Ordered to pay costs, 48 61. EJECTMENT ORDER. On the application of Mr Leonard East, an eject- ment order was made against Wyndham D tvies in respect of a house nelir the King's Head, Usk. AGAIJT ADJOURNED. Abraham Williims, jllnr. appeared with 7s to. wards paying off 263 6d arrears ua ier a rn linteaance order, for which he wa« eum-noaed at th j ,ast Court, and the case was again adjourned for a fort- night, defendant being told that he mLlst then pay at least another similar amount, IN TBOUBLE ONCE MORE. Oliver Anstay, Lower House Farm, Llansoy, who did not appear, was summoned for being drunk while in charge of a horse and trap, at Llanbadoo, on December 1st. Mr Rickards did not adjudicate in thiet case, her being the principal witness for the prosecution. He stated that between 3 and 3 30 p.m., on December 1st, he was walking along the Pontvpool road when he saw a horse and cart coming towards him. The horse was going at racing speed, and the oconpant. of the cart (defendant) was swaying backwards and forwards and fast asleep. Witness did not think h& had the reins in his hand ev-m. Behind was another horse and trap, and the two men in it were trying to catch up defendant in r.rder to get control of his horse. They pulled up just as th»y got to defen- dant and him, and one of trie men in going towards defendant slipoed, and the cart went over him. Anstey went on, and, sou how or other, got to the railway goods yard, without an accident, he sup- posed. On witness's way back he saw defendant in the goodp yard, surrounded by a good many other men. Defendant was in a very bad state of drunkenness-perfectly incapable—and witness di- rected the people there to detain him until he sent for the police to see that he was not a danger to traffic on the road. Thev, however, put someone in charge of defendant and the horse and cart, and witness saw him beine driven home. He was than swaying to and fro in the cart. Witness saw the police and told them to summon defendant. P.C. Havwnrd stated that just after 3.30 p.m. on the day in question, when on duty near the Gas Works in Four Ash-street, h« saw Anstey being driven home by a man named Pitt. He was sway- ing about. in the trap, and Pitt had to hold him up to prevent him falling out. He was leaning over. superintendent James put in a record of eight previous convictions at Use and Raglan of driving without a light, drunkenness, & The Bench imp osed the maximum penalty of 40* and costs (4s. 6d.) or one month'd hard labour in default.

CHEPSTOW. POLICE COURT, SATURDAY.. Before G>PFREY SETS, Esq. I ALLEGED THEFT.—John l-Ienrv Parter, 21, was charged with stealing a bicycle, value L5 the property of Edward Bond, hay-cutter, of Five Lanes.-Prisoner was employed at. Cross Blethin, and information of the lo-s of the bicycle was given to the p dice. Accused was traced to and. arrested at, Eastbourne, where he was received by P, S. Bullock. —A remand was granted until Tuesday, when he was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

NEWPORT. POLICE COURT, FRIDAY AN APPEAL PBNDING.— Mr Andrews, solicitor, Cardiff, asked the Bench to fix the amount of the recognisances in the case of Jones v. Bates. Notice of aopeal had been given. In this case Mr Charles Edward Bates, a representative of the Callow Park Dairy Co., Bristol, was on the 3a,h November fined £20 at Newport, for selling, by the hands of his servant, William White, milk not of the nature and quality demanded. Trie amount of the recognisances was fixed at £50, and the Bench also decided, on the application of Mr Andrews, that the fine of L20 should not be enforced pending the appeal.

PONTYPOOL. POLICE COURT, SATURDAY. THE CLOSING OF A WELL. -j{r W. H. V. Bythway, solicitor, Pontypod, applied on behalf of the Abersychan Urban Di-it ict Council for an order against Mr J. H. G. Harrij, estate agent to 7 the Marquis of Abergavenny, to close a public well which contained impure water at Six Bells, Garndiffaith—Mr A. J. Wilcox, Sanitary Inspector to the Abersychan Urban District Council, gave evidence to the effect that the water in the well was unfit for household use.—A letter was read from Mr Harris in which he agreed to the well being closed IJrdvided no expense was incurred to the Marquis of Abergavenny.-The Bench granted the application. THEFT OF COLL.-A,lary Ann Evans, Ellen Blake, Elizabeth Bethel, Ann Morris, and Emma Morris, married women, Pontiiewrnydd, were summoned for stealing coal, value 3d, the property of Messrs. Partridge, .Tones aud Co., from the Llanerch Colliery, on Nov. 29ih, and were fined 28 61 each. SENT TO A REFORMATORY.—Rositia Williams (10), was charged with stealing a shirt, value 4s, from the shop of John Farr, pawnbroker, Pontypool, and was orderad to be seat to a reformatory school for four years. DISMISSED.—James Price, collier, and Mary Middle, married woman, Abersychan, were summoned for damaging an iron boiler, value 10s 6d, the property of Margaret Williams, at Abersychan, on November lOfch.—The case was dismissed, the Chairman stating that it was a case for the County Court, not the Police Court. A STRANGE STORY. Mary Ann Davies, a married woman, was summoned by Frank Mills, her son-in-law, for detaining his three-year-old daughter, with intent to deprive him of her possession. Prosecutor stated that two years ago, when he and his wife were living at Poutnewynydd, a girl named Janet Jones came to the door and asked permission to take his little girl out for a walk. Consent was given by his wife, and from that time up to the present his daughter had been in his mothc.r-ia-law's custody. When he and his wife, accompanied by P.C. Crump went to fetch the child on the 29th of November last, defendant declined to give her "p, and declared that he was not a fit and proper parson to have the child. Cross-examined by Mr Everett, Pontypool: Prosecutor admitted that from the time he was married until the child was born he lived with his mother-in-law, and for three months of this time he was confined in the Abergavenny Asylum. He was allowed a a week by his club, and this was all he had to maintain his wife a tad child when he was out of work. Janet Jones snd that upon getting home, Mrs Davies came into their shop and took the child away wit.h her. After a consultation, defendant agreed to give up the child to its father, and the case was adjourned pro forma, to see whether defendant carried out her promise.

-eommitteo to see whether there was any -oxceptional distress in the town. The motion was carried.