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

USK URBAN "DISTRICT COUNCIL. I The monthly meeting of this Council was held sat the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, when there were present Messrs Frank Jennings, J.P. .,(Chairman), S. A. Hiley, R. Morgan, W. Marfell, G. Mundy, T. J, Smith, W. Workman, H. Ault, E. W. Waters, J. Knight, A. F. Lucas (clerk), and T. Bees, junr. (surveyor, &c.) LIGHTING. I The Secretary of the Gas Co. (Mr C. A. Morti- mer) wrote stating that in consequence of there being no quorum at the April meeting of directors, the letter from the Council with regard to the public lighting would have to be held over for con- sideration at the May meeting. LORD TREDEGAR'S TRIBUTE. The Chairman gave a report of the public meet- ing which had been held. STREET COMMITTEE. Mr Waters reported that the Street Committee itecommended that the building line in Mill-street, • Suggested by Mr Morgan, be approved of as a very fair one. The report was adopted. y COLLECTOR'S APPLICATION. It was decided to take the Collector's applica- tion for an increase of salary in committee at the ,end of the meeting, when, we understand, it was refused. Mr Rees pointed out that whereas at Caerleon the Collector was paid 917 for collecting F,300, he received only B12 10s. for collecting 9600. At Crickhowell 5 per cent, on the total collection was paid. THE CORONATION TREE. The Clerk read the minute relating to the taking -over the balance (E6 8s 2d) of the Coronation Celebration Fund, from which it appeared that it -was for the purpose of providing an iron guard for the cedar in the Town Hall Square, and for plant- --Ing further trees. Mr Mundy and Mr Knight urged that the guard should be obtained at once, and it was suggested that Mr Bunning and Mr Probert should submit -tenders. Others advocated delay. Ultimately the Street Committee were asked to report upon the matter at the May meeting. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor reported that he had had the pav- ing laid outside the Cattle Market, and the weigh- bridge had been put in order. The drain at Lower Mill Cottages was stopped through the sewage tank requiring cleaning out. He would require 350 yards of metalling during the year. Whoop- ing cough had abated, and the Infants' School was re-opened on the 3rd inst. Two cases of erysipelas had been reported, and precautions taken to pre- vent its spread. The patients are recovering. It was decided to serve the usual notices on the cwner of Lower Mill Cottages. It Wad resolved to ask Mr Davies, Cilfygan, for a *?e *°r the stone required, which would bring up a stock total of 500 yards. FINANCE. on the Sq16'"1? t,je Finauce Committee, held the folio • ^arflh» to wind up the financial year, ordered acc,jUnfc from the Surveyor was ^E3 Is 101 • jPa^d:-—Manual labour, main roads, anark-t, 6s 6lJto. ^er roads. 3s 4d; ditto, cattle j?3 igs Qitto, scavenging, 6s 4d total, The following- ao_ „ paid:—S. A. Hue J01^ were nW ordered to be vmeaiow. less ,0/ se4wa*e Lucas, cierk, ha*f B,l; y'ar « salary, £ 12 10s; ditto, S T'a ""to wei"hin £ »S and S m, W &? *,chine> W. Jones fixing g 5H 5<1 Waterworks Co.. -T« e* reUi cerXH> Lewis> weights and inn ri,}g market machine, ■5s; W. Workman, jun Coal aucj w » Town -lighting, £ 26 13s lid, diito, Town Hall £ 2 9s 2d; Sarveyor, viz., manual law, main roads, £ 2 18s lOd ditto, other roads, 6s4d • ditto cattle market, 6s 6d ditto, scavenging, 6s'4d; T'. Morgan, hauling, main roads, £ 1 6s ditto, cattle '•market, Is: ditto, scavenging, l 9s. The Clerk reported a balance in hand at the end of the financial year of £ 125 15s. 8d., as compared with £ 192 last year. I LICENCES. I fgAU the slaughterhouse licences were renewed. I TRINITY FAIR. The Clerk reported that he had received an ap- plication from Mr Danter, Newport, for the Twyn Sqnare, and the Clerk had written suggesting that he should make an offer for it, but had received no reply. Mr Morgan proposed that the charge should be £6, and this was seconded, Mr Hiley did not see why they should lower last year's price, 2T 10s. Mr Mundy said he understood that by sub-letting it last year Mr Studt got about £13.: It was ultimately decided to adhere to last year's figures, and to leave the matter in the hands of the Chairman and Clerk, I ANNUAL MEETING. It was decided to hold the annual meeting on Tuesday evening next.fl Tllesday evelling next., I FAIR DAYS. On the suggestion of Mr Marfell, it was decided to again advertise the fact that the April and October Fairs would be held on the third Mondays in those months. I EDUCATION. Mr Mundy, in the course of a speech of some length, pointed out that technical instruction re- ceived not only the proceeds of a fd. rate, but the free use of the Town Hall with fire and gas. The cost of that should be, at any rate, shown as a con- tribution from the town. Further, the classes were attended not by the poorer classes, but by people who could afford to pay for them. Elemen- tary education was neglected, four qualified teachers in the old days being now replaced to what amounted to two-and-a-half teachers. It was time they took steps as a body to effect a change. The old Grammar School endowments had been annexed for the benefit of the West Monmouthshire School at Pontypool, and the sop of the Agricultural College at Usk, offered in ex- change, had never been given them. Mr Morgan said they had an equivalent of the Grammar School in the present school. They had lost nothing. The Clerk said they had had to fight Vfr r hard for what they had retained. Mr Hiley, in reply to Mr Mundy, spoke at length on the work done at the technical classes, which, he pointed out, were open to the poor as well as the rich. He was sorry Mr Mundy did not appreciate the work which had been done. Mr Mundy replied that they would know nothing if they did not ask for information. Mr Smith also protested against Mr Mundy's remarks, but vouchsafed the information that between Y,700 and JE800 had been set aside as the nucleus of a fund to found the Agricultural College. He alluded to the excellent work which was being doae by the technical instruction classes. —

CAERLEON. AnttU—Mr Berry, Newsagent, Cross-slreet. DISTRICT COUNCIL.- A.t a special meeting esti- mates for the ensuing year were considered, and the Council decided upon a rate of 1-i. 8d. in the X, which has been the Amount for some years past. The rate wiii be levied half-yearly, viz., Is. in the £ for the first half-year, and 8d. in the £ for the second half-year. —

CWMBRAN. THB REGENT WO(KS' FATALITI-.—An inquest wa.s held at Newport Town Hall, respacting the death of Luke YanghFin, who died on April 4th from injuries sustained through being caught between the buffers of trucks at the fouadry works of Messrs Guest, Keen, and Nettlefolds, at Cwmbran, on that date.-The jury returned a verdict of" Death frorn shock." t/

1 r ■" "• S''H J5 HYARCHER&D?!p| facsimile of One-Ounce Packet. Afetier's Golden Returns The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. COOL, SWEET, AND FRAGRANT.

Important Announcement REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF THE "COUNTY OBSERVER." The Price of the "COUNTY OBSERVER" is permanently reduced to ONE PENNY. I

ROGER EDWARDS' CHARITY. I A special meeting of the trustees was held on I Wednesday, when there were present:—The Rev J. Blower (chairman), Messrs J. H. Clark, U. J. Lewis, S. A. Hiley, and A. H. Watkins. The object of the meeting was to elect a person to fill the vacancy in the Almshouse. There were three applicants for the vacancy, viz.: A. Church, John Davies, and Philip Lewis. John Davies, 58 years of age, and formerly of Altybilla, was unanimously appointed. Mr Richard Hall, of Trevella, Llangwm, was appointed a trustee in the place of the late Mr W. B. Gething, subject to the approval of the Charity Commissioners. Four tenders were received for painting the outside wood and iron work of the Almshouses with two coats of good white lead and oil paint, and that of Mr L. R. Lucas (X5 7s. 6d.), being the lowest, was accepted. It was unanimously resolved that the net annual income of the Trelay Branch; of the Charity, previously given as a voluntary subscription to Llangwm School, be discontinued, and that it revert to the ordinary uses of the Charity.

USK FARMERS' CLUB. I The annual general meeting of the above was ¡ held on Friday evening in last week, at the Three Salmon's Hotel. There was only a moderate attendance, and, in the absence of Mr William Marfell through indisposition, Mr A. H. Watkins took the chair. Mr William Marfell and Rev H. A. Williams were re-appointed chairman and vice- chairman respectively for the year, the Committee being the same as last year. It was unanimously resolved to invite Lord Tredegar to become president for the year. The date of the Annual show was fixed for the last Thursday in September, viz., 28th. The report of a sub-committee appointed at the October meeting to consider the question of adding driving and j umping competitions to the programme of the Annual Show was presented. The sub- committee had gone pretty thoroughly into the items of estimated increased expenditure and receipts. The results of their enquiries under this latter head were disappointing, and they were compelled, for the present at all events, to recom- mend that the project be dropped. The report was adopted. A motion by Mr A. W. Trotman, of which he had given notice, that where practicable, objec- tions to exhibits should be heard and determined by the stewards, who should, if necessary, call in a veterinary surgeon," was carried. The interpretations by the Committee of Rule 9 as to the radius for membership being measured from the Three Salmon's corner was confirmed. Considerable discussion centred around Mr R. H. Marfell's proposal to extend the radius from 6 to 10 miles. Opinions were divided upon the point, and it was ultimately decided to consider the question at an adjourned general meeting to be called for the purpose. z, The accounts for the past year, showing a favourable balance of 914 19s., were presented and approved. Mr Hiley was asked to audit same. [We understand that Lord Tredegar has written stating he would accept the position of president with pleasure.]

CONSERVATIVE SMOKING CONCERT. I Under the auspices of the Usk Borough and Usk Polling District Conservative Associations, a very successful smoking concert was held at the Three Salmon's Hotel, Usk, on Wednesday evening. Mr R. St John Beasley presided, and was supported by Lieut.-Colonel Courtenay Morgan, prospective Unionist candidate for South Monmouthshire Mr E. E. Mictions, prospective Unionist candidate for the Monmouth Boroughs MrJ. Maitland Watkins, chairman of the Usk Conservative Association Mr J. Moxon, Newport; Rev Herbert Addams- Williams, Llangibby; Colonel Ferguson, Messrs L. F. Stedman, J. T. Hughes (agents), Reginald Herbert, Raglan; J. H. Clark, G. Frazer, E. L. M. Hackett, H. Freeman, S. T. Griffin, C.C., F. W. Gibson, C. J. Francis; J. Jeffreys, J. G. T. Morgan, Raglan; W. Marfell, J. S. Birrell, E. Williams, R. H. Marfell, E. W. Waters, H. Dunning, G. Mundy, J. Haggett, G. Edmunds, junr.. F. J. Edmunds, W. J. Sweet, W. F. Roberts, H. G. Powell, F. Morgan, W. Marrett, E. Thomas, T. Day, M. Parker, D, Rees, T. Jonas (Bridge-street), S. Cook, O. Roberts, J. T. Davies, Ll. Gray, G. Hoskins, E. R. Powell, G. Davies, E. B. Haynes, F. Hobbs, F. Haynes, A. W. Lowe, A. G. Wallace, A. J. Odam, H. C. Davies, O. Redwood, F. Waters, E. W. Waters, F. Waters (Glenheilog), J. James, R. Williams (Taylor's Hall), W. E. Parker, Dredge (Newport), E. Williams (Oakfield), V. Jones, W. Billingham, Williams (Slough), J. H. Salter, T. Morgan, F. Haggett, T. Williams, H. Scudamore, W. H. Kennett, R. Thomas, G. Mundy, junr., F. Watkins, D. H. Lewis, W. Workman, &c. Mr Williams (Newport) was an efficient accom- panist, and the following contributed to the har- mony of the evening:—Rev H. A. Williams, Dr Hackett, Messrs Reginald Herbert, H. G. Powell, G. Fraser, LI. Gray, S. T. Griffin, J. S. Birrell, and F. Morgan. In the course of the evening, speeches were made by the Chairman, Lieut.-Colonel Courtenay Morgan, Mr E. E. Micholls, and others. The Chairman said that South Monmouthshire was now represented, in Colonel the Hon F. C. Morgan, by a member who had always been an honour to his party. (Applause.) Unfortunately he had to retire on account of things which over- took them all. Colonel Morgan was not so young as he was, and, besides, he did not enjoy such good health as formerly. There was no remedy for old age, but he was glad to think that there was a remedy for ill-health. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that they would return Colonel Morgan's son, L-,eut.-Calonel Courtenay Morgan, in his place, for he was an honourable representative of the Morgan faniilv, and would make a valuable member. (Applause.) I LIEUT.-COLONEL COURTENAY MORGAN, who was warmly received, thanked the company for the sympathetic greeting they had given him, and apologised for breaking into what promised to be a very enjoyable musical evening. The present political situation was one which rendered it necessary for every elector to study politics. They might have a general election before long, and if they were going to take their part in it as they should, no matter to which party they paid alle- giance, it was their business to prepare for it. They should burnish their armour, sharpen their weapons, and be ready to meet the enemy when he appeared at their gates. There was going to be a very great struggle throughout the country at the next election. The Radicals meant to make A DASH FOR PLACE AND POWER this time. This was evident from the methods they were adopting at the present time in the House of Commons. Some did not agree with the methods the Radicals were employing. They were methods of obstruction pure and simple, which might be good from the users' point of view, but which would be judged by the voters of the country. The methods might be the correct ones, the best way of turning out the present Govern- ment, but he thought they were unconstitutional, and methods which bad not been used before. Since the Radical Party had, in the last Session or two, adopted those methods they were not only surprised but annoyed at the Prime Minister turning round on them. They were surprised to find that Mr Balfour was too old a Parliamentary bird to be caught by such obstructive tactics, and that he should move the closure in order that matters should be attended to that the country need- ed. In his (the speaker's) humble opinion, Mr Balfour was quite right injrefusing to be drawn into debate on questions not before the House and the country. He (the speaker) could not help wondering why the Radical Party did not i-sue a programme upon which they were all agreed, and upon which they might form a policy that could be put before the people of the country for their consideration. (Hear, hear.) As far as he could see, the Radical Party HAD NO PROGRAMME I upon which they could agree, and no policy to offer for the consideration of the people. (Hear, hear.) Now, in these respects how was it with the Unionist Party? He maintained that the programme and the policy of the Unionist Party during the past 18 or 20 years had been perfectly plain and straightforward-it bad been a policy of sure progression and steady reform. (Applause.) A statement of that sort called for reasons, and he would give them. If they looked at the attentim the Government had paid to the social needs of the people during the last 20 years they had every reason for making such a statement, and he would draw their attention to the many Acr.s which the Government had passed, not for the benefit of one eiass. but for the benefit of all classes of the community, and esoecinlly for the benefit of the working classes. (Applause). Many in that room were interested in agriculture, and he could not help thinking that the Agricultural Rates Act had been of great banefir, tj the farmer. (Hear, hear.) Then the Small Holdings aud Allotments Act and been of great benefit t) the labourer, while the Workman's Compensatio x Act had been undoubtedly beneficial to the workman who had unfortunately met with injuries while following his employment. (Applause.) There were many others to which he could refer to show the practical interest which the Unionist Government had taken in the social welfare of the nation as a whole, but time forbade. Then if they looked at I THE FJRBIG.V POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT he thought nobody, Radical or Conservative, could j say that it had not been of the very bost, (Hear, hear). If the foreign policy of the Government were weak, other nations who were jealous of us, although they might pretend not to be, would take advantage of us. If, on the other hand, foreign p >licy were aggressive, it might provoke a war which would piunge the country into goodness knew what. But the policy of the Government had been such that it had earned the respect of the nations of the world, and not only that, but it bad effected agreements with several important Con- tinental Powers which demonstrated that we were anxious to settle by arbitration any little interna- tional difficulties which might arise, and thus save the dread arbitrament of war. (Applause.) The Government was anxious to preserve the peace of Europe and of the world, and the whole trend of its foreign policy was that way. (Applause.) That the Unionist Party was the party of progres- sion was shewn by the way in which they were considering the question of our fiscal policy. They were not all agreed with regard to that, it was true, but the majority, he thought, believed that some alteration in our fiscal system was absolutely necessary for the benefit of the people, and for the increase and prosperity of our trade with foreign countries. (Hear, hear.) Sixty years ago we were at the top of the tree as regards trade and commerce. We were then the work- shop of the world and no one could touch us; but we could not truthfully say that now. Surely it I COULD NOT BB THE FAULT of our business men and artisans; surely no one would tell him that there was not a man from the head of any great industry to the most unskilled labourer employed therein that was not capable, mentally and manually, of competing with the foreigner in his own particular line. Of coarse the Britisher, on even terms, could compete success- fully with anyone, but they had not the even terms. The foreigners could swamp our markets with their goods absolutely free of duty, whilst we exporting to other countries were severely handi- capped by having to pay high protective tariffs on our manufactured articles. He ventured to say that while this country might still be compara- tively prosperous, no one could deny that many of our industries were severely affected, and many of our manufactories idle, entirely through our system of so-called Free Trade, which is not Free Trade at all. (Hear, hear.) Now he thought those evils ought to be checked in some way, and if we had, as Mr Balfour suggested, power to negotiate with and to retaliate upon those coun- tries which would not deal with us on fair terms, we should not only protect our own markets but force open those markets which were now closed to us abroad. (Hear, hear.) There was another class of dumping which the Unionist Party wished to put a stop to, and that was the dumping down of I THE PAUPER ALIEN _I upon our shores. (Hear, hear.) He could not understand how any one could object to the regula- tion of pauper alien immigration, nor why the Bill introduced last Session was opposed by the Radical Party in the House of Commons. Alien pauper immigration might not affect them in this district, but in the large towns the increase of alien paupers was, he was convinced, responsible for a great deal of the poverty that existed there. Now this system of the open door, this system of allowing anyone to come into this country who wanted to, showed a very nice feeling, and, of course, they did not want to turn away anyone who really required assistance, but they must consider that this was a small country with a rapidly increasing population, and it was as much as we could do to find employment, housing accommodation, and food for own poor. If after providing for them there was room for the pauper alien let him come in, but until there was that room something: should be done to prevent his immigra- tion. (Hear, hear.) They had lately heard a lot about the national expenditure. Radicals would tell them that in the last 20 years our public expen- diture had enormously increased. That was per- fectly true, but he would ask the gentlemen who told them that to tell them also that everything else had advanced in proportion. The population and the wealth of the country had also increased, and, therefore, the responsibilities of the nation had in- creased. The cost of the defence of the country increased in proportion. The Ridioils talked of cutting down the expenditure on th" Army and Navy. Well, nobody could very well say that we should cut down the naval expenditure in a way that would lessen the strength of the Navy, which is our first line of defence, our national insurance, GUARANTEEING OUR VERY EXISTENCE. I (Applause.) As to the Army, it looked very simple r to out down the expenses, but how were they going to do it ? They must remember that the Army was a volunteer and not a eonscription Army, and that being the case they could not very well reduce the pay of the soldier, who now did not get any too much money, and who earned Avery penny thtt-I he got. (Hear, hear.) And if thdycout.duot reduce the soldiers' piy, neither could they cut down ex- penditure on his food and clothintr. They could not send him out clothed in a sick with a rope round his loins. (Laughter ) Tllev must make the service attrctctive rmd provide comfortable barrack accommodation. The only way, then, to ecouomiae was by reducing the numbers. He did not say that that could not be done, but he would warn them that they must be careful with regard to it, because this was not the only country to be looked after. For instance, there was an enormous frontier in India which might be in danger, and which must be defended by the best troops they could put.there. Canada, again, bordering on the United States, was incapable of protecting itself if ever the United States of America should become bellicose towards us. They might make a reduction in the men whom they could prove were NOT PHYSICALLY CAPABLE I of bearing arms against a European Power, but that was the only reduction he thought they could make, consistent with the national defence and the Recurity of the Empire. (Applause.) The Radical Party complained of the expenditure on the South African War. Well, he believed that when that war was on there was not a single Briton at home or in the Colonies who grudged a penny of the expenditure. (Hear, hear.) But now it was a different matter. He wondered sometimes at the language some politicians, or would-be politicians, used with regard to that war now, language which they would not have dared to use when the war was in progress. (Hear, hear). Now those people thought that patriotism was dying down, and that they might stir up discontent, so as to make political capital out of the war. If the war did cost an enormous amount of money, who suffers in over-taxation if we compare ourselves with other nations ? Look at Russia, once, if not now, a great and powerful nation, almost on the verge of bankruptcy, engaged in war with practically no resources to fall back upon. If we look at that and other countries, we could not help thinking that should our day of adversity come again, we should be able to rise strong against it, take our burdens cheerfully up, and there would not be a person who could say that he suffered unduly for it. (Hear hear.) And, after all, this Govern- ment which had been so much abused, had effected economies in the Navy without reducing its strength. In fact the Navy to-day, in his opinion, was stronger and more efficient than ever it had been. (Applause.) The Government had managed to save three millions in the last year, aud whilst they might not get much benefit therefrom and the taxpayers might not be altogether satisfied with the Budget, it was satisfactory to know that THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT I of the country had not been very bad. By taking 2d off the duty on tea the Chancellor of the Exchequer had shown that he was doing what he could for the poorest classes of the commuuity, and at the same time assisting; our colonies. (Applause.) The Education Act of 1902 had created a great deal of troable, especially in South Wales and Monmouthshire, but if it had been administered properly it would have been of great benefit to the education of the children of the country. (Hear, hear.) He did not eay that the Act was oerfeot. There might be many defects in it, bat no Act of that magnitude could be expected to be perfect. He did not see why the weak p .ints might not be remedied, nor why the Act could not be amended to suit the requirements of the people, but as long as the opponents of the Act made a religious or a political point of it he saw no possibility of its being a becefit to either the children or the nation as a whole. (Hear, hear.) He was all for progress in education. They must educate the children to take their place and hold educate the children to take their place and hold r their own in the battle of life. Why could not people show more commonsense with regard to the question ? He could not help thinking that if half the energy that had been expended in stirring up the controversy bad been expended in coming to a just settlement of the difficultie-i of the Act, our educational system would have been greatly advanced instead of being set back as it had beeu. (Hear, hear.) As long as the opponents of the Act carried on their present tactics, recommending people to break the law and so on, they woto5 get no settlement of the qaestion. and as long as they got no settlement they must remember that education would stand still, and, further than that, they would be DOING AN INJURY TO THOSE I who least deserved it, viz., the children of a future generation. Speaking of the future he wondered what developments our children would aee. Let them look at the development of the Empire under Unionist sway during the last 15 years. (Ap- plause.) There was now some meaning in the word Empire," and he thought that one of the greatest feats of the Government was the manner in which they had paved the way for a closer relationship between the Colonies and the mother country. (Hear, hear, and applause.) The foundation stone of the Empire had been surely laid: let them go on with the building. (Hear, hear). Let them not build alone, but ask the Colonies-all his Majesty's dependencies-to help them in building up the Empire. (Applause.) The Colonies were perfectly willing to help, and the surest way to get them to do so was by calling a Colonial conference, as Mr Balfour had stil. gested, in order that they might disouss together the very important matters of the exchange of trade and commerce, the government of the dependencies, and, most important of all, perhaps, the Imperial defence of the Empire. (Applause). And when that discussion was over, he felt sure that all portions of his Majesty's dominions wonld work together for one object -the safety, security, and prosperity of our great Empire. (Loud Ap- plause.) ME. E. E. MICHOLLS, who was received with applause, said he wished to say a few words to them for three reasons. The first reason was that he desired to thank all those who had done so much to make the evening as delightful as it had been, and he would especially emphasize the services of the Chairman, who was always ready to do everything he could for the good of the great Unionist cause which they all had so much at heart. (Applause). In the second place he wished to congratulate Mr Stephen T. Griffin upon his return to the County Council. (Applause.) He bad achieved a grand success-a success upon which the whole County was to be congratulated. because he (the speaker) ventured to say that Mr Griffin's services would be of the greatest benefit to the County. (Hear, hear.) He could not but think that that success was of good autrury to both Lieut.-Colonel Courtenay Morgan and himself, for he was glad to know that Mr Griffin professed the same Conservative principles as themselves. (Ap- plause.) They might meet him with the remark, What have your County Council or municipal matters to do with politics.? Well, so long as they had party government, and party governmeat existed in municipal and council work, he thorough- ly agreed with the REMARKS LORD SALISBURY MADE I some years ago: We must not be shy of using all our political power and machinery for the purpose of importing sound principles into local government. It is as much our duty to do this as it is in Parlia- mentary elections. It is as much our duty from the highest to the lowest to act as a Party and to vote so that our principles shall prevail as in the election of Members of Parliament." (Applause.) If Lord Salisbury could say that in 1891, how much more might it be said to-day, when they knew that education formed a put of County Council govern- rnent-that education which was, indeed, an Imperial question. They could not forget that education formed the human mind, H all the twig is beut is the mind inclined." Upon it depended the future of our Empire. When he lived in Lanca. shire he was the president of a very large denomina- tional school ia which there were over 2,500 children, and h6 was happy to remember that that school was always instanced as a model school. Again, in Loudon he was a manager of four of the largest board schools, with over 5,009 children. He might therefore, perhaps, without presumption say that he had some slight knowledge of educational matters, and he was free to confess that he thought the education given in the denominational schools waa the best for, after all. what was education ? It waa the formation of character. They could not have character imparted without religion, and no religion without dogma. By the Cowper-Temple C'-iiase, in th." p-ovidjd schools thev could- IVIVH no formula, therefor-) he thought the non.provided S':h-">o]it were more likely to mtke their children develop into I W )RrHI8a CITIZENS AXDBSTTSR PATRIOTS. I (Applause.) The third reason why he was glad to occupy a few minutes of their time wn that he might not have the pleasure for soma little time of again seeing his friends in the district. He was going to London for the season in a week or two, and should not be back for a time unless an election were sprung upon them. Whilst he was extremely sorry to go-never had he been so happy as durin" the nine months he ha,i spent in this lovely county —he felt the less regret knowing that winter was going and summer coming, when young men took to cricket and their bicycles and oller men to their country walks, and there was not o much interest taken in politics as at other times. He could imagine a Conservative friend going for a walk with a Radical friend and in the conversation trying to bring the latter to a more reasonable way of think- ing politically. The Conservative might point to the measure of rational reform which the Govern- ment had passed in answer to his friend who relied upon his Party's promises. The Radical bag was full of promises, reminding one of the tale of the barrister who was arguing a very weak point before the judge, who shook his head. Gentlemen of the jury," said counsel, the learned judge shakes his head, but there is nothing in it." (Laughter.) So it was with the Radical bag of promises. The Unionist Government had passed many Acts which were of benefit to the working classes. For instance, there was the Compensation Act which provided for the wounded soldiers of industry. Then farmers had the benefit of the Asricultural Rates Act, which was passed in 1896 for four years, wis renewed in 1901, and which would be renewed again next year if the Unionist Government were in power. The rating relief the measure gave I BENEFITED NOT ONLY THE FARMER, I but the labourer, and the shopkeeper, for all were interdependent. Notwithstanding the beneficial Acts passed by the Government for the working classes, it must be recognised that such Acts were of no use if the working man had no work to do. Therefove he felt strongly that something should be done to prevent the immigration of pauper aliens and that there should be a change in our fiscal system. If they did him the honour, as he hop-d they would hereafter, of selecting him their candi- date at the next election, he should ask them for a mandate by which the country would be armed with some methods of reprisals—s >me means of retalia- tion—against those countries which used our ports so freely, but who raised against us imperviable and impenetrable tariff walls. He should ask ttiem for a mandate to stop th., dumping of manufactured articles imo this country, an,] to scientifically tax them. He would have nothing to do with taxiog raw material. Further, he should ask them for a mandate in favour of a Colonial conference which should discuss freely, unfettered and unhampered, any means bv which the Colonies and the mother- country might be drawn closer together commer- cially and politically. As to the terms he would leave that for a subsequent election. An old Spanish adage said. ''Bee-t on a journey confine themselves to one flower," and he thought it was sufficient for one election to ask the electors to I CHANGE A POLICY which had existed for GO years-a policy which had been of advantage to the country, but which was now a worn-out fallacy. Unfortunately, at the present time there were in the Unionist Party some men with great names who differed from them on the fiscal question, but he was not without hopi that when tha day of election came they would think of the vast danger to the Empire iu entrusting it to a Radical Government, and that [ they would all join as one body aud one man gainst their opponents. (Hear, hear.) It was matter of great satisfaction to him that in the Monmouth Boroughs there were no differences in the ranks of the Party. (Applause.) During his residence in the County he had frequently vieitedi Newport, Monmouth, and Usk, and he heard from all his friends that never was the party more united than at the present time. Knowing that, he did not think they would accuse him of over- weening confidence in feeling that when he asked them to remember the old cause and vote for him as the representative of that cause he should not ask iu vain. (Applause.) This was Nelson's year-Nelson's centenary-and as the gallant admiral of old signalled "Eugland expects that every man this day will do his duty," so he (the speaker) thought he might have no fear but that when the day of election came the electors of Newport, Monmouth, and Usk would nobly do their duty. (Applause.) I VOTES OF THANKS. Mr S. T. Griffiu on rising to propose a vote of thanks to the speakers, was given an ovation. H& said be thought he ought, first of all, to avail himself of the opportunity of thanking his friends for the assistance they rendered him in the recent election. (Applause.) Mr Micholls had said that he thought itt. augured well for the Parliamentary elections. Well, he had no hesitation in saying that if his friends were the friends of the Parliamentary candidates—and he knew they were-and they pulled off their coats for them as they had done for him, it was very great odds on their being represented in the House of Commons by men after their own hearts. (Applause.) Speaking to the proposition and alluding to the remarks which had been made by the previous speakers, especially with regard to national expenditure, he said the Radical Party forgot that if a Conservative Government had been in power at the time of the battle of Majuba the recent South African War would not have been waged, and consequently they would not have had to pay for it. (Applause.) Lieutenant-Colonel Courtenay Morgan was the sort of man they wanted in Parliament. Had he not been able to see him when he was speakiag, he (Mr Griffin) would not have known that it was not his gallant father addressing them. (Applause.) The son was a chip of the old block, and when they had the opportunity of returning him to the House of Commons they should avail themselves of it. (Hear, hear.) Mr Micholls during his comparal tively shore stay in Monmouthshire had made an astonishing number of friends, and he hoped that he also would be successful in his candidature. (Applause). Mr Reginald Herbert said he had the greatest pleasure in seconding a vote of thanks to the speakers, who, he hoped, would be their future Members. People liked a change, bat it was always wise for them to consider whether by a change they were going to effect an improvement. If at the next election the Conservative Party were displaced they must remember that a Liberal Government would be in the grasp of the Irish members, who howled with delight at our reverses in South Africa. L'ltely, a movement had been inaugurated to show the honour and respect they felt for Lord Tredegar, the Lord Lieutenant. (Applause.) They could pay his lordship a com- pliment which be would appreciate as much as anything by returning his nephew tu Parliament. (Applause). The vote having been carried with acclamation, Lieut. Colonel Courtenay Morgan and Mr Micholls responded. Mr W. Marfell, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, incidentally mentioned that Lord Tredegar had kindly consented to become the- President of the Usk Farmers' Club this year. (Applause.) Mr J. Maitland Watkins seconded the vote, which. was heartily accorded, and The Chairman, in reply, spoke of the kindness he had met with since he had been in Usk, and ex- pressed his willmarne8s to always do what he could in the way of politics, sport, charity, and conviviality in the town. (Applause.) The meeting concluded with the s;n?in» of tha National Anthem. °

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-M,O.H. at once reported to the Clerk what he "thought of the water supply. The persons occupy- ing the house said they did not use the water out of the pump, but obtained it from the pump at "Ponthir Works. Both houses were now occupied. They also visited the new house recently built at Spokes Farm, by the authorities of Jesus College. The well at this house was incomplete, and there was no drainage to the cowshed, pigstye, or fltable. This was to be done this week. On a Hater visit be found nothing done, and the house occupied. He was very sorry to say there had been an outbreak of diphtheria in the district. Four cases had been reported at Coedygwilog. Xlauthewy Vach. Dr Jenkins and he had inspected the premises but c uld ffnd nothing that would be likely to cause the outbreak. They were iinformed by the mother that, one of the children ,came home from school ill in the first place. They were also given to understand that sore throats "Were very prevalent in the neighbourhood. There were two surface drains which they recommended -extending down the lane, so as to deposit further sfrom the house. He (rhe Inspector) had supplied -disinfectants on two occasions, and on a later visit njfound the patients getting on well. THE HOLLY HEDGE. I The Clerk read the letter from Miss Baker in .-which she stated that the Council, in repairing the village well, entirely destroyed, without her consent, a good live hedge, and put a few dead trees in its place. She would be glad if the Council would bank up the hedge and plant it with quick; otherwise she would have to get it done and charge ,the Council with it. The Clerk paid if it was so destroyed, the Council ought, to repair it where it was broken. Mr Williams: I was under the impression it was always a dead hedge; I never saw any holly there. The Surveyor stated that the tenant said it was a good high holly hedge and she could not look over it. He, however, never saw any holly there. Mr Williams, the councillor for the district, was iffequeeted to make an inspection of the hedge, and report at the next meeting. THE NEW HOUSES AT PONTHIR. I With regard to the new house at Stokes' Farm, Dr Jenkins wrote stating that a pump had been -fixed, and there seemed to be a satisfactory water fiupplv the well was not yet complete and covered -in. There was an entire absence of surface drains. He strongly recommended the water being analysed from the well at Mr Jones' houses, Ponthir, as the water in a well adjacent was not satisfactory. The Chairman I suppose it is our duty to get this water analysed. The Clerk said it cost a guinea for analysis. "They had no power to grant a certificate until their officers were satisfied. The Chairman: Supposing you get this water Analysed and it is not fit, what is our position ? The Clerk: You can prosecute. The Council decided to have the water analysed, -,on the proposition of Mr Charles, seconded by Mr Williams. THB ROAD AT WHITEHALL. I The Rev Jones stated that the draining at "Whitehall had improved the road very much. THE BRIDGES AT UPPER MARDY. I With regard to the footbridges at Upper Mardy r it was remarked that they never had been arepaired by the Council, and it was decided to disclaim any liability. COMPLAINTS. I The Chairman said complaints had been made at Glascoed by those people who had plashed their hedges that Mr Ponsford had not attended to his, and he asked why it bad not been done. The Surveyor said he had seen Mr Ponsford, in "Newport, and he promised to attend to it. Mr Griffin also cotnplHiued of the very bad state of the road near the Paddocks, Glascoed, and the "Surveyor was instructed to see to the matter J jbefore the next meeting.