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

CHILDREN FED ON VIROL have firm flesh, good colour, strong bones and teeth. For infants give Virol with milk in the feeding- bottle. 4/6 JARS for 2(11.

ON WORKMEN'S COTTAGES. While in London and many provincial towns, working men and their families are .end uring a state of semi-starvatian, there are hundreds of advertisements in news- papers published in agricultural districts inviting men to work upon farms. This is eurely an anomaly, and the public thanks are due to the Duke of Devonshire for rais- ing his voice agiainst one of the causes of that anomaly—the unreasonable require- ments of local authorities in reference to :.the building of cottages. It has long been jknown that the lack of proper housing ac- ommodntion in the country is one of the rmain reasons why men migrate to the „ ^towns. It is true that they do not always improve ttioir condition in this respect, and that the majority of those who remove to Xondon find themselves worse off than they "were before, but that is not a consideration which tends to help the matter. We have to deal with facts as they are and the fact is that the lack of comfortable cottages on the country estates is bringing about the gradual depopulation of the rural areas. In these circumstances a national service is 3'endered by those land owners who attempt to solve the problem by erocting sanitary oind habitable dwellings, and it is intoler- able that district councils should be able to rthwart their pffort.s by unreasonable re- quirements Of courso. one knows that it ,is quite possible to build cottages in accor- dance with the council's demands, but they annot, in that event be let at rents which Agricultural workers can afford to pay, and, that being so, they might just as well not be built at all. As the Duke of Devonshire said, nobody will make experiments if he is told that his outlay and his trouble will be Urasted, and if landowners may not experi- ment as to the practicability of providing comfortable cottages at low rents, it is clear that we cannot, in that case, make much progress.

MERRYWEATHER ON WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE PROTECTION of COUNTRY MANSIONS. EXPERTS SENT TO ALL PARTS TO Report on EXISTING Arrangements. WRITE FOR PAMPHLttg MERMEATHER a SONS, 63. LONG ACRE, LONDON, I.C.

THE ROYAL AGRtiCTTLTUBAL SOCIETY. I It will be seen from the statements made atmeetings of the Council and by members of the Royal Agricultural Society, that the final decision as to the show in 1905 has been postponed until the second week in January. We have become so accustomed to these annual exhibitions that it is diffi- cult to realise the possibility of their aban- donment-; but no le the less the financial position of the s c ety cannot be ignored by the Council, am it is scarcely a matter for wonder that they should be reluctant to iucur thd risk of auy further loss to the general funds. They have accordingly asked for a guarantee of £ 10,000, of which not much more than half has been sub- scribed. We have no doubt Lord Derby was right when he expressed his personal opinion that a show would be held, but, while the Council are scarcely likely to insist upon the exact amount for which they ask, at the same time it is to be hoped that their appeal will meet with such a response as will not only enable them to hold the 1905 meeting, but give them heart to at- tempt the solution of the still larger pro- blem which confronts them. The abandon- ment of the exhibitions which the Society has held for a good many years would be nothing short of a national calamity, and when we read of so many men leaving estates worth a quarter of a million or more, it does really seem a pity that some of them do not think of the Royal Agricultural Society as a worthy object of their bene- factions.

i Cost 1/—Save 1oT| Wood-Milne Revolving LIfe of our Boots Creator \J Comfort. "eOls Creater Smarter EASILY FIXED. Will.t.nd 12 months ordi,,ry  None enulne ■ face. every- ^SPECIALQUALIFC/^ #

I PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE. I The opinions on which President Roose- velt ventured in his annual message are in most instances safe, and in some cases even common place; nevertheless, there are some striking passages, and the criticism which it has evoked proves that the message is the pronouncement of a strong man who can- not, if he would, confine himself to such dicta as that two and two make four. One is glad to find so distinguished an authority throwing the weight of his opinion in the scale of peace, but at the same time we cannot altogether concede the claim which the President puts forward, that the States have set an example in disarmament. It is true that the strength of the army has been reduced, but the United States being toler- ably safe from invasion do not require a large army what they would need, if they went to war, is a strong navy, and the money they have saved by a reduction of the army, with a good deal added, has been devoted to the building of warships, which will make the United States, in a few years, the second naval Power in the world. While, therefore, the President gives his vote for peace, and manifests his sincerity by summoning another conference at the Hague, at the same time he is not an op- timist on the question of the near arrival of the millennium It is the the steady aim of the States "to bring ever nearer the day when there shall prevail throughout the world the peace of justice," but meanwhile they need to continue building a "fleet of battleships so powerfully armed that they can inflict the maximum of damage." Such is his view of the situation, and it is a view upon which the United States intend to aot.

MOROCCAN METHODS, We read in Contarini Fleming that merchants travelling in Andalusia proceed in caravans well armed, and that persons of quality take a military escort, who, if cavalry, scamper off the moment they are attacked, and, if infantry, remain and par- ticipate in the plunder." However much or little of that description may still apply, it certainly corresponds to the present con- dition of Morocco. It is not many months since the brigand Raisli was dictating terms to the Government. He and his rascally followers had attacked a villa on the outskirts of Tangier, and carried off Mr Perdicaris, and Mr Vorley, whom they held to ransom. Taking advantage of the pres- sure which was being brought to bear upon 0 1!5 the Moorish Government to secure the re- lease of the captives, Raisuli demanded not only a large sum of mouey, but the gover- norship of five provinces. The terms were granted, and, of course, it followed that this enterprise having been so successful, other attempts would be made to capture Euro- peans. For some months Mr Harris, the Times correspondent at Tangier, was aware that the tribesmen intended to make an attempt to carry him off, nor was this the only instance of outrages which have re- cently been committed upon European residents. Ther only hope for Morocco lies in the authority with which France has been invested by the Anglo-French agree- ment. But for this convention, these outrages might have caused European com- plications, but the predominating influence wf France is now fully recognised, and we shall be glad to see her introduce into Morocco the good government which has proved such a boon to Algerians.

SOLDIERS' DRESS. j The new army order on the subject of soldiers' dress is a matter of great interest to the large number of men who are now away from their regiments on Christmas furlough. The order states that "at Easter alone 29 men were arrested in London for being incorrectly dressed, and many more would have been arrested had the police patrols been more numerous. Commanding officers are accordingly directed to admonish their men that when on furlough, especially in London, they should appear smart and properly dressed. This is a reasonable direction; but at the same time there are two sides to the question- If a soldier is so slovenly as to bring his Majesty's uniform into discredit, he deserves to be punished, although in such cases a caution would often have the same effect as placing the man under arrest. On the other hand it is possible to carry this discipline too far. According to military regulations, a soldier is not properly dressed without his gloves, and it does not stimulate recruiting to spoil a man's holiday for a trifling omission of that kind. A service paper commenting on this subject referred to the case of a non- commissioned officer, in every way a most useful and promising soldier, who, after taking a ticket at the railway station, neglected to replace his gloves, and was promptly arrested by a military picket. The man, disgusted with such an experience, availed himself of the first opportunity to desert, and in this way a good soldier was lost to the army.

MILITARY BANDS. I I Lieutenant Rogan's lecture on the subject of Military Bands," reminds us of a story told by an old soldier, with a proper sense of humour. He was a member of the band of one of the infantry regiments. It was his duty to play a cornet, but he had an idea that there were some disadvantages attach- ing to service in the band, and wishing to be transferred, he told the Colonel that he had a weak throat, which was made very much worse by playing a cornet. The Colonel, suspecting that he was malingering, ordered him to take charge of the big drum, and kept him at that duty for the rest of his service in the army.

A Commercial Traveller on Protection. The following letter has been received by Messrs. Rosser Jones & Co., Woollen Cloth Manufacturers, &c., of Wolverhampton, from Mr H. O. Wootten, a commercial gentle- man now travelling through Canada:— As a commercial traveller, who for four- teen years has travelled in England, but who is now travelling the States and Canada, I venture to put before your readers the very serious position England is sure to be in unless she immediately embraces the only salvation for trade, and that is adequate Protection. Under that very necessary policy this part of the world is becoming more and more progressive and successiul. Under it the manufacturers are without fear of outside competition building up vast businesses, and under it the wages earner commands a fair return for his labour. Contentment reigns everywhere. It is non- sense to say the American works harder than the Englishman, that he has more brains, that the circumstances are different. I find I A GREAT AMOUNT OF SAMENESS; the only difference I find is that it is ten times easier to make a living here than at home. The people are doing well, con- sequently they are better buyers. No man here, if he is worth his salt, will work for a bare living If he is a skilled man he gets thorough protection for his labour by his union, and the manufacturer has to pay in a fair proportion to his profits. He is pro- tected from outside competition, and can charge accordingly. I used to hear, to refute all this, that in America living was so expensive that it neutralised all this high wage benefit. I contend that this is wrong. To start with, most American workmen own their own homes. Such necessaries of life as bread and meat are cheaper. Fuel is dearer, so is clothing, but not much You can get a good working suit of clothes for S2. Anyhow, I THE GREAT POINT IS THIS: the American artisan is a far better dressed man, better fed, and more extravagant than his English confrere. His children are given, free, a better education; he is thought more of. The snobs have not as yet come here who look down on a man who works, but honour him for it, and con- consequently give him more respect for himself. I have visited the lower parts of such large cities as San Francisco, St. Louis and Pittsburg, but in none, except in New York, have I seen a tenth part of the dirt and poverty to be seen every day in similar cities in England. All this is due to a wise Protection. To give an instance of what we lose by being free to foreigners :—Last Sunday I met a Belgian manufacturer at the Windsor Hotel in Montreal, and he said how glad he was that CHAMBERLAIN'S SCHEME did not look like going through. He said If it had I have already secured land in England to erect our factories. My business is that of a manufacturer of cotton blankets, and I employ 2,700 men. Nine-tenths of trade is done with India, Australia, Africa, and England consequently I either have to L close down or to come over to you." This is only one instance among many. He said he expected the day would come, but he felt confident for some time that British stu- pidity would hold the field. No one on this side can understand us. To show you how much alive the Canadians are to their own interests I will quote an instance that just lately occurred. The Canadian Govern- ment found that a tremendous amount of logs were going into the States and but little sawn timber, consequently they PROHIBITED THE IMPORTATION I of logs into the States. Within three days of this becoming law the American Govern- ment prohibited sawn timber, but now impose a duty. What has happened is that the saw-mills are having a great boom, and 15 15 the Americans are coming over and erecting 0 r5 their mills in Canada. They must have Canadian timber. If our own Government had only had as much sense, the same course would have been pursued with flour coming from abroad, or a hundred and one different parallel cases. It must come from the people. They must make no mistake at the next election.

.c<& 4- Church Defence. The Llandaff Diocesan Committee for Church Defence and Church Instruction held its quarterly meeting at the Town Hall, Cardiff. There was a good attendance, presided over by the Rev Canon Beck, in the unavoidable absence of the Bishop. The Comtuittee determined to ask variouBrnr1 deans in the diocese whether it would not be possible to organise each deanery on similar iines to the Cardiff organisation, with the view of combating the attacks now being made upon the Church. The financial condition of the diocesan oraniatioe was discussed, and it was decided to send out an appeal for increased support. U

Markets. I NEWPORT, CORN, Wednesday.-Wheat was fiim at this market to-day at last week's prices. Barley bad a steady trade, prices also being unchanged. Maize was 3d dearer, and oats had a tendency in favour of sellers, while flour (fines) realised 26s 6d per sack. There was a small attendance, and trade generally was quiet. NEWPORT, CHBBSB, WedDesday.- Basin esig was quiet at the cheese market, in spite of the good supply which was on offer and the moderate attendance. Quotatioiis:-Caerpbillys 50s to 60s per cwt., fancy dairies 61s to 63s. Derbys 58s to 60s, Cheddars 528 to 60s, and truckles 50s to 58s. NEWPORT, CATTLE, Wednesday.—This wae the big Christmas market. There was an exception- ally large supply of prime cattle on offer, which quite maintained the standard of previous years as far as quality was concerned. There was also a plentiful supply of sheep and lambs. A large attendance of buyers was present in spite of the inclement weather, and trade was very brisk for prime quality cattle. Qtiotatiotis.- -Beat beef 6id to 6!d per lb, seconds Gd. cows 5d to 5îd, best 2 wether mutton 8d to Sid, lamb 8td to 9d, ewe 6d to 7d, porker pigs were ia fairly good demand at prices ranging from 9s to 9s 6d per score, and bacoaers 8a to 8s 6d.

MONMOUTH CHRISTMAS FAT STOCK MARKET. The usual show of fat stock was held on Monday. at Monmouth. There was a good supply of cattle and sheep of a very superior quality. Prizes were offered, and awarded as follows:—Best beast iu the market, Mr H. R. Ballingei, The Bourne. Best three tbullocks, Mr Moses Smith, Cher'y Orchard Farm, Newland. Best three heifers, Mr Moses Smith. Second best beast in the market, Mr W. Bigg. Llauvapley. Best pen of five wethers, Mr H. F. Perkins, Hadnock. Best pen of fat lambs, Mr H. F. Perkins, Hadnock. Best pen of six porkers, Mr H. R. Ballinger. Quotations:—Best beef, GId to 6d; coarser ;1 2 qualities, Dd to 6d wether mutton, 8d to Sid; ewe ditto. 6d to 7d; lamb, 8d to Sid per lb porkers, 93 to 9a 6d per score baconers, 8a to 8a 6d per score. The following prices were realised under the hammers of Messrs. Nelmes, Poole, and Atkins (Monmouth, Newnham, and Stroud), and Messrs. Dampier and Wigmore (Ross and Monmouth):Heifers, j511 108 to €30 15s; bullocks, X16 to £ 30 15s store calves, 40s to 56s wether tegs, 46s to 64s; ewes, 3611 to 448 6d lambs, 44si to 51s; porkers, 34s 6d to 36.1 6d; baconers, £ 4 to X4 10s.

ABERGAVENNY CHRISTMAS MARKET. The Christmas fat stock market was held on Tuesday, and was even more popular than usual. there being an excellent lot of stock on offer, and a good attendance of buvera from all psrts of Mon- mouthshire and South Wales. Messrs Tomkins and Capper had a grand lot of cattle in their pens. A bunch of twelve bullocks belonging to Mr Robert Johnson, of Llanddewi Court, were a good, even lot, of very fine quality, and of the weight so popu- lar with butchers and these remarks also apply to the bullocks belonging to Mr John Prichard, of the Angel Hotel, and some very choice heifers from Mr John Watkins, of the Duffryn, and Messrs Edwards, of Penishapllwyd. Competent judges expressed the opinion that the best bullocks and heifers realized f)ld and 7d per lb. with, of course, a corresponding reduction for cows; these figures are highly satis- factorv in view of the recent depressing markets. Mr William Weeks, the well-known wholesale meat salesman of Brynmawr, secured manv of the best cattle, his purchases totalling nearly £ 390. Messrs Tomkios and Capper also sold their usual consign- ments of calves, porkers and sheep, including a few choice lots of tegs from well-known local feeders, the whole of which met with a ready sale at en- hanced prices. Messrs. James Straker and Spn, the pioneers of auctions in the Abergavenny Market, on Tuesday, realised £ 1,000 more than on the corresponding day last year, the grand total of their sales amounting to X2,396 12s. One hundred and thirteen fat beasts, 143 fat sheep, and 43 pigs exchanged bauds under Mr Straker's hammer.

Football. Played on the ground of the first named team:- Blackheatb v Cardiff. -The visitors won by 1 goal, 3 tries, to 1 goal, 1 try. Swansea v Newport.—The home team won by 3 tries to I. Llanelly v Pontypridd.—The home team won by 3 tries to nil. Pill Harriers v Pontypool.—The home team won by 2 goals, 1 try, to nil. Newport II. v Bristol North.—The home team won by 3 goals, 4 tries, to nil. Cardiff Reserves T .CheDstow.-The home team won by 1 goal, 3 tries, to nil. Blaina v Blaenavoii.-The home team won by 2 tries to nil. USK V. ABERGAVENNY. This match was played ait Ullk on Saturday last before a fair attendance of spectators. Usk were fulty represented, the brothers Hiley coming into the third line. The visitors played two short. Abergaveuny won the toss, and Usk kicked off. Coleman fielding the return, sent play to touch at his opponents' 25, where Dai Prothero obtained a mark, and made a good but ineffectual drop for goal. A minor was con- ceded. After the drop-out play went to half- way, where, from a line-out, Thomas and Weare broke away with a dribble, which led to the homesters invading the Abergavenny 25. Usk wheeled a scrum, and Thomas tried to pick up but failed, and Dai Prothero getting hold, burst over and scored a good try, which Thomas con- verted. Abergaveuny, taking advantage of a mis-field by one of the home backs, rushed play to the home 25, but the stay was brief, for Waters broke away and sent play to half-way. From a dribble by the forwards Jenkins picked up and sent out to Prothero, who, after a good run, was thrown into touch near the visitors' line. The latter, directly afterwards, was held up on the line after bursting away from a scrum, and Gibson, also, met with the same fate. From a serum, however, on the 25 line, Prothero received from Coleman, and after making a good opening sent the ball to Pugaley, who scored beneath the posts. Thomas again added the major points. Usk got to work agaiu after the drop-out, and the first scrum at half-way saw the threequarters handling finely, Prothero, Jenkins, and Symonds participating, the latter scoring a splendid try, which was not converted. Play was in neutral territory for a while afier the drop-out. At last, however, the home forwards dribbled aw.ay, and D'li. Prothero, picking up, gave to A. Riley, and be, when confronted, transferred to his brother, who made a fiue burst, and scored in the corner. The place-kick failed. In reply to tho drop-out R. Hiley made another strong run to the Aberga- venny half, where a kick over the line resulted in a minor. Usk returned to their opponents' line, where, in a dribble, Prothero smartly picked up and transferred to Symonds, who knocked on with the line at his mercy. From the next scrum Prothero received, and, Symonds and Jenkins handling, the latter scored an un- converted try. Pugsley also got over, after R. Hiley had cross-kicked, but the linesman ad- judged au infringement of the touch-line. The visitors relieved to their 25, where Thomas, catching the leather, dropped a fine goal. Aber- gavenny invaded the home half with a rush, but Thomas replied with a good dribble to half-way. Half-time score :— ^sk :'3 goals, 3 tries. 0 Abergavenny Nil. 1 dropped. I Abergavenny restarted, and Pugsley made a fine run in reply, and looked like scoring, being grassed in his opponents' 25. From a scrum here the Uskites started passing, and Arthur Hiley scored, Thomas converting with a beautiful kick. Play slackened a little after this and Abergavenny got to half-way, where their half tried to break through. Coleman retaliated with a dribble, and Prothero, picking up, sent on to Jenkins, who scored an uncon- verted try. Abergavenny dropped out, and Frank Prothero fielding, made a most deter- mined run and put on another try. Thomas and Gibson dribbled well after the drop-out, and a kick over the line ended in Pugsley scoring. Thomas converted. Final score :— Usk *!5 goals, 5 tries. Abergaveuuy Nil. *1 dropped. The following represented Usk :-Back, F. M. Davies; f-backs, R. Hiley, A. C. Hiley, J. Jenkins, and E. Symonds; backs, Dai 1rothero (catitain), and D. Coleman forwards, E. Waters. E. Timnss, H. Gibson, A. J. Thomas, F. Prothero, J. H. Marfell, P. Pussley. and B. Weare. Referee-Mr F. J. Edmunds.

I COUNTY POLICE, WEDNESDAY. I I Before His Honour Judge OWEN. I I A QUESTION OF CUSTOM. I Harvey Probert and Edward Whittington, col- liers, of Llanhilleth, claimed 18 15 9d and £10 2s Id respectively, monies alleged to be due to them for heading prices from Messrs. Partridge, Jones and Co., proprietors of the Llanhilleth Colliery. Mr J. Sankey, instructed by Mr T. S, Edwards, appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Bailbache, instructed by Messrs. Keushole, Aberdare, was for the defendants. The point in dispute was one of custom. Several witness were called, and a long dis- cussion between his Honour and counsel ensued. In the result his Honour gave judgment for plaintiffs with costs. I COMPBNSATION CASE. An application was made by Mr Parsons on behalf of Messrs. Partridge. Jones and Co., colliery proprietors, to terminate an agreement under the Compensation Act. Mr Parsons explained that a man named Alfred John Davies, who had been receiving a weekly allowance under the Compensation Act had agreed to accept tl90 and £10 costs in full settlement of his claim. His Honour said he did not mind doing it if it was by consent, and made the award accordingly. I DAMAGBD FENCES. I Robert Upham, publican, Cardiff, claimed £ 8 from Thomas P. Richardson, farmer. Pontnewydd, for damage defendant's cattle had done to plaintiff's fences and fields, between August. 1902, and November, 1904.-Mr Lyndon Moore, solicitor, Newport, defended. Plaintiff said he bad several times seen the defendant's cattle break down his fences and damage his crops. He could not give any particular date on which this had taken place, and his Honour therefore gave judgment for the defendant, with coats.

The Proposed Testimonial to Lord Tredegar. The Committee, appointed by the general meeting held recently in connection with the proposed testimonial to Lord Tredegar, met at the Town Hall, Cardiff, on Wednesday, under the presidency of Sir Alfred Thomas, M.P. The opinion was generally expressed that a united movement was desirable, and it was decided that the committee should consist of 30 repre- sentatives from each of the three counties, each county suggesting names. It was resolved to ask Sir Alfred Thomas to act as chairman, and the town-clerk as secretary of the committee, pending the filling up of vacancies. The next meeting takes place at Newport Town-hall, on Friday, January 13th, at three I o'clock.

Accident in the Severn Tunnel. I A serious accident happened in the Severn Tunnel on Tuesday evening. The North ex- press, which leaves Bristol at 7.40, was running through when the crank axle of the engine broke, throwing the two leading wheels off the rails into the six-footway. Owing to the ac- cident, the train did not reach Pontypool Road until a quarter to twelve. There were Glasgow, Manchester, and Liverpool passengers in the train, and, consequently, great inconvenience was caused. The accident occurred at about the middle of the Tunnel, but, fortunately, the train was soon brought to a stop. Some of the passengers had a rather severe shaking, but no one was seriously injured. An engine from Severn Tunnel Junction was at once requisi- tioned, and the carriages were taken back to Pilning, there to await the clearing of the line by the breakdown gang. The engine still ob. structed the down line, but the up line was cleared and the train was got away after a delay of nearly two hours. The subsequent traffic was worked on the single line, which meaut a good deal of delay, a number of trains from London to the West and South Wales being stopped on the Gloucester side of the Tunnel. The first train to pass through after the accident was an hour and a half late, while the Southamp- ton train reached Newport at 11 p.m., 87 minutes late.

The Gleaner. I A CHRISTMAS GENEALOGICAL STUDY.-The late Duke of Westminster's widow is the sister of Lord Chesham, who is the husband of Lady Beatrice Grosvenor, the Duke's second daughter by his first wife, so that she is actually step- mother-in-law to her own brother, and step- mother to her sister-in -law. DEATH AFTER BATING Poit-K.-On Monday, the Hereford coroner conducted an inquiry relative to the death of Henry Crompton, aged 49, rate-collector, Deceased went to Cardiff on the 3rd inst., and returned on the following Monday night. He in- formed his sons and » friend that he had had some pork with a stranger for dinner on the Sunday. During the night he and the stranger were taken ill, b«ing attficked with diarrhcei and vomiting. With the deceased this continued until Saturday morning when he died.—Dr. Collens said all the symptoms showed poisoning, the result of eating meat which had undergone such decomposition as to cause the formation of poisonous products.-A verdict in ac- cordance with the modieal testimony was returned.

FORTTTNE-TEXLINO. I Fortune-telling is traced to the early astrologers, by whom the planets Jupiter and Venus were I supposed to betoken happiness. In different parts of the world, women, known as Sibylla;, who were said to be- inspired by Heaven, did flourishing business in this branch of occultism. In England the laws against fortune-telling were very severe. In France several persons suffered death as the result of a declaration issued against fortuue-tellers and poisoners in 1680.

The Far East. Japanese Reinforcements. Paris, Friday. A Mukden telegram says that: Marshal Oyama has reinforced his. Eastern army by fifteen thousand men and sixteen guns.

I Port Arthur. Paris, Friday. A St. Petersburg telegram says the Japanese besieging army at Port Arthur numbers about sixty thousand men.

The Hooley Case. The Solicitor-General resumed his speech in the Hooley case to- day. It is expected the case will be finished to-morrow evening. [Later]. The Solicitor General finished his address in the Hooley case soon after noon the learned judge is now summing up.

The Hungarian Diet. Buda Pesth, Friday. The Hungarian Diet will be dissolved in the first fortnight ira January.

Cabinet Council. A meeting of the Cabinet was- held at 10, Downing Street to-day, Mr Balfour presiding.

The North Sea Incident. The Board of Trade inquiry into> the North Sea incident, which re- assembled in London, on Monday* is expected to finish work by Tuesday. Most of the evidence will be; submitted in documentary form, The Commissioners will after- wards prepare the British com- pensation claim.

Justice Grantham III. Mr Justice Grantham was; expected at the Law Courts to-day from Lewes, but it was stated he- was unable to attend owing to* illness.

Attempt to Derail a Train. An attempt was made to derail a train near Barmouth last night, by placing a large seat across the- line on the Bridge, fortunately the; attempt was unsuccessful.

Stocks. Stocks quiet, firm. Printed and Published by THE COUNTY OBSBBVHR," NEWSPAPER and PRINTING COMPANY, Limited, by JAMES HENRY CLARK, at their Offices, Bridge Street, Usk, in the County of Monmouth, Saturday- December 17th, 19)4.