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

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OUR VOLUNTEERS. I The great gathering, this week, of Volun- teers at Salisbury Plain, Seaford, Arundel, and elsewhere is, for more than one reason, a matter of exceptional interest. Judging from the number of men who have gone into camp, the Volunteer Force can scarcely be regarded as in a moribund condition, but there is among all ranks a good deal of anxiety for the future, and it is safe to say that a large proportion are in a state of un- certainty as to whether this is or is not the last annual training which they will attend. There can be no doubt that we have in Britain the materials for an efficient body of citizen soldiers, but it is not equally cer- tain that we have adopted the best means of making the force efficient. Lord Roberts, who has had such opportunities of observ- ing the Volunteers under various conditions as fall to few men, has a strong opinion on the subject, and in one of his latest utter- ances he appeared to agree with the decla- ration of the Duke of Norfolk's Commission, that the Volunteer Force, in view of the unequal military education of the officers, the limited training of the men, and the de- fects in equipment and organization, is not qualified to take the field against a regular army." The last few words of this passage raise a very large question, which is being just now much debated, but it can scarcely be a matter for surprise that Volunteers should say there are two sides to this ques- tion, and that if they are not adequate to take the field against an invading army the fault is not entirely theirs. It is not, for example, their fault that they have no com- missariat and transport service, without yhich a body of troops can scarcely be said to be qualified to take the field; and the great majority of them are willing to under- take such sacrifices as may be necessary for acquiring the requisite efficiency so long as the proper facilities are accorded to them. For example, Lord Roberts will agree that accurate shooting is the main thing to be considered, and he will also agree that the Boers would never have made themselves crack shots if they had had no greater facilities for practising than are enjoyed by many of our Volunteer Battalions. I

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OUR FOOD SUPPLY. I The report of the Food Supply Commin sion should have a reassuring effect upod the minds of those who have contemplate. the starvation of our people in time of war These pessimists have pointed out that five- sixths of our supply of corn, more than one-half our meat. and a large proportion of our dairy produce come from abroad, and they suggest that in a very short space of time the store of food which we have in this country at any given moment would be exhausted. The time which it is considered would be required to exhaust the supply varies from year to year. It used to be six weeks, and we are now told it is five days, but that is a mere matter of detail, the most important question being whether it would be possible for the enemy to starve us out during any period required for the recovery of our fleet from temporary reverse. The Commission are distinctly of opinion that it would not be possible, that our coasts are sufficiently extended to disable an enemy from instituting an effective blockade, and that our old friend, the law of supply and demand, would do the rest. No doubt the price of bread would rise, perhaps rise con- siderably, but the strain would not continue very long unless our Navy were destroyed, and in that event it would not matter very much how long the supply would last, see- ing that we should be compelled to surren- der in the end.

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INQUIRY INTO THE POOR LAW. There can 'be little doubt concerning the necessity for inquiry into the working of the Poor Law, which is to be referred to a Royal Commission. According to the state- ment of Mr Balfour, in the House of Com- mons, the Commissioners are to survey everything which appertains to dealing with the problem of the poor, whether poor by their own fault or by the temporary lack of employment." That, it will be seen, is a very large subject, and it is useless to spec- ulate as to what recommendations may be made, but, in any event, it is safe to say that the Commission, whatever conclusions they may arrive at, will not be able to dis- cover a more unsatisfactory system than that of the present Poor Law, which treats those who are poor from misfortune in the same way as those whose poverty is due to idle- ness and vice. It is surely a sufficient con- demnation of our present system that we should read every week of death being pre- ferred to the workhouse by well-conducted, deserving people who have been worsted in life's battle, and we know from the testi- mony of many superior persons who have accepted the hospitality of the workhouse that they have suffered the torment of Hades until the time came—as it does in very many cases-when they sank to the level of those whose society they had found intolerable.

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SANATORIA FQR CONSUMPTIVES. I Whatever may be the aggregate results obtained by sanatoria for consumptives, it is certain that a good many people have been cured by the open-air treatment. That is an immense gain, for it is not very long since the most that the medical profession could do was to prolong life, sometimes to the extent of months, and, in others, where the patient came early for treatment, to the extent of years. Of course we know that the open-air treatment is not applicable to all cases of consumption, but it is sufficiently efficacious in a very large number of cases to warrant careful consideration of a sug- gestion offered by a correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, that the mail steamers laid up in the Solent as out-of-date should be employed as sanatoria for consumptive chil- dren. It may be that this suggestion would be found capable of application to adults, many of whom might be cured but for their inability to pay the fees which are necessarily charged at sanatoria that it has cost a good deal of money to build. #-

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Monmouthshire and Caerleon Antiquarian Association. This Association held one of its most successful and best attended meetings at Tintern Abbey on Wednesday, the chief object of the meeting being to discuss the staircase and gateway recently opened up by the demolition of a cottage. Mrs. F. J. Mitchell read a most interesting paper on the 2nd Abbey, and Mr Bayliss, Crown Agent, in his lecture, which delighted the large assembly, dealt es- pecially with the facts connected with the excavations and discoveries made. Amongst those present were :—Lord Tredegar and party, Mr and Mrs F. J. Mitchell, Canon and Mrs Harding, Col. Bradney, Mr Hobson Matthews, Mr A. A. Williams, Mrs A. E. Bowen and party, the Bard of Pandy (Rev. Williams), Caradawr (Mr Evans), Mr and Mrs Iltyd Gardner, Mr and Mrs F. Hobbs, &c. Next week we purpose giving in detail an account of the meeting held by this Association at Tintern in the year 1869.

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I USK V. P ANTEG. The return match between the above-named teams was played on the ground of the former on Saturday last, on a rather wet wicket. The match at Panteg resulted in an even draw, but on this occasion the homesters ran out easy winners. Usk had the assistance of F. E. Dunn, of the Glamor- gan Gipsies, but the visitors were not so strongly represented as usual. The homesters batted first, J. Jenkins and A. Hiley being sent in to face the attack of E. Walker and A. R. Hunt. Walker bowled Jenkins with a full toss first ball. F. E. Dunn filled the vacancy, but runs were very slow in coming, the bowlers keeping an excellent length. With the score at 15 Dunn was bowled with a ball that was pitched outside the off stump, but which broke back sufficiently to remove one bail. Hill then joined Hiley, but the skipper lost the latter at 41. Mayes and Hill looked like staying for some time, and had added 24 to the total, when Mayes was unfortunately given out leg before wicket by the Panteg umpire after playing the ball hard on to his legs. Hill continued to play confidently and added to the score when opportunity presented itself. The remaining batsmen did little with the exception of G. Edmunds, who made a welcome re-appearance in the team, and he quickly rattled up 16 in his old style. He was, however, obliged to have a runner. The innings closed for 112, Hill carrying out his bat for a well-played 59. Walker captured five of the wickets. Panteg did not make much headway against the trundling of F. E. Dunn and F. Edmunds, and were all dismissed for the poor total of 44, E. P. Jones, the first batsman, being the only one to enter double figures. Dunn had the excellent analysis of six wickets for 18 runs in nine overs. F. Edmunds had one wicket for 15 runs, the remainder being run out. Scores:— UBK. A. Hiley, b E. Walker 12 J. Jenkins, b E. Walker 0 F. E. Dunn, b A. Hunt. 4 F. Hill, not out 59 T. Mayes, lbw, b Walker 6 E. S. Saunders, b E. P. Jonea 0 F. J. Edmunds, b Walker 8 J. Waters, c E. P. Jones, b Williams 2 G. Edmunds, c F. Duckham, b B. Williams 16 W. F. Roberts, c A. Padden, b Walker 0 J. Marfell, b 0 Extras. 5 Total 112 PANTEG. E. P. Jones, b F. E. Dunn. 10 E. Walker, c A. Hiley, b F. E. Dunn.. 5 J. Hodgkiss, b F. E. Dunn 0 F. L. Jones, c Mayei, b F. E. Dunn.. 7 A. R. Hunt, b F. E. Dunn 1 B. J. Williams, run out. 0 R. Etheridge, b F. Edmunds 4 A. Padden, b F. E. Dunn 0 F. Duckham, run out 6 W. Phillips, run out 2 A. E. Mundy, not out o 5 Extras. 4 Total. 44

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USK V. CARDIFF WOOD-STREET. t The second match of the season between these teams took place on the Usk ground on Thursday, on a soft wicket, and resulted in a comfortable win for the Uskites with four wickets to spare. The previous match was a draw in favour of Usk. F. E. Dunn again assisted the homesters, who were captained by F. J. Edmunds in the absence of F. Hill. During the week the visitors have been on a cricketing tour and have drawn matches with Panteg and Monmouth, but were badly beaten by Ross. They play Chepstow on Saturday. Cardiff batted first and played consistently, the first four batsmen entering double figures, but none were able to get beyond the unlucky number of thirteen. Four wicketa were down for 55 and the score was carried to 72, at which total three more wickets fell, Wallace claiming two in suc- cessive balls in his sixth over, seven runs only having been knocked off him. The ninth wicket gave a little trouble, and the venture subsequently closed for one short of the century. Dunn bowled splendidly, and took seven wickets for 48 runs, ten of which were knocked off his first over. A. G. Wallace obtained three wickets for 21 runs. J. Waters and F. J. Edmunds also bowled. Usk did not make an auspicious start, as the wickets of Wallace, Whyte, and Thomas were lost with only 21 runs on the board. Jenkins and Dunn, however, made up for these mishaps, and carried the score to 59 before the former was bowled by Proud for 17. Mayes and G. Edmunds helped Dunn to considerably swell the total, and when stumps were drawn the homesters had scored 127 for the loss of six wickets, Dunn being not out with a meritorious 56 to his credit, half of his runs being obtained by boundary hits. Stone came very near doing the hat tricic. Wallace was bowled, Whyte caught at point, and Thomas gave a chance to the wicket-keeper, which was not accepted. Scores:— Scores WOOD-STREET (CARDIFF). J. G. Dewar, c and b Dunn. 11 J. F. Proud, b Dunn 13 A. J. Stone, b Duna 12 R. L. Jones, c and b Dunn 13 W. Canter, b Dunn 1 A. W. White, c and b Wallace. 12 J. Nicholls, b Wallace. 0 S. O. Else, st Parker, b Dunn 12 J. Thomas, b Dunn 6 W. Daecombe, c G. Edmunds, b Wallace. 9 T. McCarty, not out 0 Extras. 10 Total. 99 USK. J. Jenkins, b Proud. IT A. G. Wallace, b Stone 2 L. M. Wbyte, e Dascombe, b Stone .0 A. J. Thomas, c McCarty, b Stone.. 7 F. E. Dunn, not out 56 T. Mayes, b Nicholls 26 G. Edmunds, c and b Nicholls 15 F. Edmunds, not out 1 Extras. 3 Total (for 6 wickets)..127 W. Parker, J. Waters, E. Slade.

I Lord Tredegar as Guide. An interesting literarv pilgrimage was made on Saturday to Gwern-y-Olepa, Bassaleg, the ancient home of the fourteenth century poet, Dafydd ap Gwilym, by the students who are taking the summer vacation course at the Cardiff University College organised by the Welsh Language Society. Permission to make the trip had previously been obtained by Alderman Edward Thomas (" Cochfarf ") from Lord Tredegar, in whose grounds the historic spot is situated, and his lordship had very kindly volunteered to personally conduct the party. The excursion was made in three brakes, the party numbering about 55 persons. Faithful to his promise, Lord Tredegar met the part.y at the Dyffryn Gate, and led them over the field to Gwern-y-Clepa. On the way his lordship first pointed out the remains of a cromlech, on the stones of which the Welsh bard must have often sat and looked out upon the Bristol Channel. The next point of interest to be reached was the fishpond, in which the fish for the Friday's dinner would be caught. Near it were the ruins of a circular stone pigeon-house. His lordship stated that the house could have held over a thousand pigeons. He regretted that in the days of his predecessor the house, which then stood some height, was pulled down. Along the road Lord Tredegar chatted with Professor Anwyl and Alderman Thomas, relating anecdotes of the poet and otherwise giving evidence of being very well read in Welsh literature. Walking up a narrow path through the forest, the ruins of the poet's house were reached. The foundations were covered over with dense growth. The poet resided here in the prime of his life, living for some time under the protection of his maternal grand uncle, Ifor Hael, whose daughter was the Morfudd immortalised by his muse, and, on Ifor's death, was under the protection of his nephew, Llewelyn, son of Morgan ap Llewelyn, the direct aucestor of Lord Tredegar. At Gwern-y-Clepa Lord Tredegar told the story of the poet, who was well-known for his amorous susceptibilities, making an appointment to meet seven or eight of his lovers at the same hour under a certain oak at Bassaleg. The poet secreted himself up the oak tree and listened with amuse- ment to the remarks of the angry young ladies. Alderman Thomas told the story of the rivalry between Dafydd ap Gwilym and Gruffyd Gryg, who were regarded as the two greatest poets of that time. One Bola Bauol laid a wager to effect a compromise between tbem. He industriously spread reports of their deaths, whereupon each poet wrote an elegy on each other, in which their true appreciation of ech other's genius was made known. When they discovered Bola Baud's ruse they gave up their rivalry and became fast frien ds. At Tredegar House, his lordship conducted the party round the grounds, showing the tomb of the horse which he rode at Balaclava, and other features of interest. After this they bad tea in the baronial hall, which is 700 years old. Before setting out for home a vote of thanks to his lordship was moved by Professor Anwyl, seconded by Alderman Thomas, and carried with enthusiasm. Lord fiedegar in returning thanks said he knew he was not quite as good as Mr Cook in personally conducting a tour, but in time he might learn and improve. (Laughter). He assured them that it had given him the greatest possible pleasure to take them round to the old haunts of Dafydd ap Gwilym and Ifor, and he hoped they would go back pleased with what they had seen. (Cheers.) The party, after giving three cheers for Lord Tredegar, sang the Welsh National Anthem. »

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The Duke of Portland and Motor-Cars. Speaking at the luncheon held in connection with the show of the Welbeck Tenants' Agricul- tural Society, The Duke of Portland said he welcomed the Royal Commission which was to inquire into the question of motor-cars, and if the result should be to make more stringent the powers of the law to deal with the many abuses which no doubt existed he was sure they would all most heartily rejoice. He most devoutedly hoped that means might be found to check the superfluous energy of those drivers who were most aptly and fittingly called "road hogs." As an owner for some few years of several motor- cars, he condemned most strongly the doings of the 11 road hog," or any other kind of incon- siderate or incapable driver. At the same time, he would like to ask drivers of horse vehicles, riders, and owners of dogs to do what they could to prevent wilful obstruction of motor- cars. Although a motor might possibly smell, rattle, and raise a hateful dust, it none the less bad a right to the road, and the feeling between motor and horse drivers would not be improved by wilful obstruction or discourteous conduct.

The Peace Conference. I The first meeting of the Peace Conference was held at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Wednesday morning, and it is under- stood that the question of credentials was satisfactorily settled. On Thursday Baron Komura, the chief Japanese envoy, handed to M. Witte, the Czar's representative, a document contain- ing the terms upon which Japan is pre- pared to bring the war in the far East to an end. Although no official statement is available as to terms, the Daily Telegraph learns on good authority that the cession of Sag- halien and an indemnity form part of them, and states that if these be so the conference will prove fruitless, as the Russians will refuse to yield either point.

Eisteddfod at Mountain Ash. I Lord Tredegar presided at the opening ceremony of the National Eisteddfod at Mountain Ash, on Monday, and, accom- panied by Lord and Lady Aberdare and other visitors, inspected the art exhibition. In his presidential address his lordship congratulated the district upon the magni- ficent hall which had been erected. He was quite sure it was a very good hall for sound, for, although he was, unfortunately, hard of hearing, he was able to hear the brass bands—laughter—and he imagined that the adjudicator would have very much difficulty in awarding the prizes. (Applause.) He congratulated them. too, on the magnificent show of art and science in another hall. It was very creditable to the district and to the nation to have such a good display of native art. His lordship strongly emphasized the desirability of keeping a field of em- ployment open for those amongst our own countrymen who make the profession of music a means of livelihood, and read ex- tracts from a letter he had received wherein it was stated that, in view of the great competition which existed in the orchestral profession at the present time, the council of the Orchestral Association felt it neces- sary to bring to the notice of our teaching institutions and professors of music gene- rally the necessity for more active and vigorous co-operation in the matter. He was sure all in that hall would like to see more employment given to English, Scotch, and Irish as well as Welsh musicians, in- stead of to foreign musicians who were to be found all over the country. The brass band contests were then taken, and in the evening there was a meeting of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, when addresses on the proposed National Museum were delivered. Lord Aberdare was Tuesday's president, when the Gorsedd ceremony was performed. The Rev. Mafonwy Davies, of Solva, was the crowned bard.

I Foresters' High Court. On Wednesday, at the Foresters' High Court session held at Newcastle, the application from Court 3,147, Monmouth, was considered. The executive recommended that, if unable to amalgamate, the court be closed, and the members be placed on the High Court fund, the Order to pay 70 per cent, the district 20 per cent, and the members 10 per cent of the amount required to produce solvency. The permanent secretary could not say that this Court had applied any remedial measures. In fact, the absence of remedial measures was the justification for the closing of the Court. ° Bro Rawling (London) moved as an amendment that no relief be granted. Bro. Stanlake (Plymouth) seconded the amend- ment, remarking that a Court which was paying below the proper contribution and drawing exces- sive sickness benefits was not deserving of help. Bro. Hosgood (Cardiff) was surprised at the amendment. This was an application from a district to close a Court that would not carry out the law. If they adopted the amendment it would mean supporting the members in their defiance of the district and the executive council. A district such as Cardiff should not have neighbours such as these to disgrace them. The executive proposals were carried.

I Monmouth Vol. Artillery. Thursday was inspection day at the camp of the 1st Monmouth Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers at Portskewett. The weather haa on the whole been excellent since the men's arrival, but during the gale of last week one of the tents was blown over, and on Wednesday, in order to prevent the re-occurrence of a similar experience, it was deemed prudent to poll down two of the most exposed tents. During the week the behaviour of the men has been exemplary, and their field work worthy of all praise. The inspecting officer this year was Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. Shute, and the other officers present included Lieutenant-Colonel Clifford Phillips, Captain the Hon. J. M. Rolls, Captain R. J. Wallis Jones, Captain G. B. Williams, Captain A. I. R. Butler, Captain E. M. Linton, Lieutenant T. W. Pearson, Lieutenant Wyman, Lieutenant H. Llewelyn, Second Lieutenant H. S. Williams, Captain and Adjutant McDonald, Quartermaster T. A. Eaves, Surgeon- Lieutenant O'Keefe, Veterinary Captain D. M. Storrar, Sergeant-Instructor C. E. Parker, Sergeant-Major Falkner. V.C., and Sergeant- Major Brittan. At 5.45 there was a parade, and after breakfast the Panteg and Newport Batteries had gun practice on the low ground abutting on the Channel, the target being fixed on the mud flats. The Risca battery practised in the afternoon, the range in all cases being 3,000 yards. At 10.15 the brigade paraded, after which the mounted portion with the guns, under the command of Colonel Phillips marched to Hugget's Farm. for the annual inspection. The men went through their drills with smartness and precision. The mounted section, under command of Lieutenant Llewelyn, formed up in the camp ground, where they were inspected by Colonel Shute, and after- wards there was a camp inspection. Later in the afternoon there was a parade of signallers., a stretcher bearers' examination, and an inspection of the cooks, &c. Colonel Shute, Captain and Adjutant McDonald, R.A., and Lieutenant C. G. Fellows, R.A., afterwards examined Second- Lieutenant H. S. Williams, of the Risca battery, for promotion. The camp will break up on Saturday.

The London "Echo." The last issue of this, the oldest and at one time the best of London evening journals, took place on Saturday. On taking leave of the staff on Thursday, Mr F. \V. Pethick Lawrence made a personal gift to every member, according to each man's position and service, amounting altogether to over £ 2,000. Three had served on the paper since its commencement 37 years ago, and several others for over 30 years. Mr Lawrence, reminding them of the paper's critical position when he came on it four years ago, iiaid- the increase in the sale of 40 per cent. had not been eaough to pull the journal round.

The Alexandra Docks, Newport. I On Thursday, in London, the half-yearly meeting of the Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway Company was held, Lord Tredegar presiding. In moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts, the Chairman said the result was very favourable, and announced the intention of the company to extend the South Dock from 60 acres to over 100 acres. There had been a big increase in imports and exports. Full dividends of 4l per cent. on "A "First Preferei.ca and "B" Consolidated Stocks were agreed to.

Parliamentary. I- In the House of Lords on Thursday, the,- Unemployed Workmen Bill, the East Indian Loans Bill, the Public Works Loan Bill, the Naval Works Bill, and several, other measures were read a third time and passed. In the House of Commons the Appropria- tion Bill was read a third time. THE PROROGATION. Both Houses were prorogued this (Fri- day) morning with the usual formalities.

I The Japanese Demand. New York, Friday. The Japanese demands include the cession of the whole of Liaotimg- Peninsula; payment for care of Russian prisoners; and surrender of Russian warships interned in* neutral ports.

I Yellow Fever at New Orleans. New York, Friday. There were five more deaths and: sixty-eight fresh cases of yellow fever at New Orleans yesterday.

The King's Speech Proroguing; Parliament. About fifty Members of Parlia- ment were present to-day when the- Commons were summoned to hear" the speech from the King pro- roguing Parliament. The King in his speech refers to the satisfaction derived from the visit of the King of Spain, and expresses the earnest hope that the- negotiations initiated by President Roosevelt may lead to a lasting and mutually honourable peace between Russia and Japan. His Majesty feels confident that by wise moderation on each side a settlement will be asured of th& difficulties between Sweden and Norway. The affairs in Macedonia and Crete continue to cause consider- able anxiety. His Majesty refers to the- patriotic offer of Canada to defend Halifax and Esquimault, the- offer having been cordially accepted. His Majesty trusts that the granting of representative, institutions to the Transvaal will tend to the welfare of the Colony. The King refers in closing his speech to Bills which have received the Royal Assent this Session. .— —♦

French Seamen in London and at Windsor. A party of French seamen from Portsmonth visited London to-day as the guests of the Lord Mayor. They had a hearty popular recep- tion. A party of French officers visited Windsor.

I Tobacconists Y. Ogdens Limited. In the test action by Tobacconists against Ogdens Limited, in con- nection with the Ogden bonusy judgment was given to-day for the plaintiffs, Notice of appeal was given. «

I The Weather. Unsettled weather in West and North predicted.

Cricket. Lancashire, out, 479. Leicester, out, 507.. Warwick, out, 125. Printed and Published by "THE COUNTY OBSERVER," NEWSPAPER and PRINTING COMPANY, Limited, by JAMES HENRY CLARK, at their Offices, Bridge StTeet, Usk, in the County of Monmouth, Saturday August 12th, 1905.