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

NEWPORT. I teeists-Nessrs Greenland and C».. Ne»**<tr.nti. I WEDDING.—Great interest was evinced in a wedding which took place at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Newport, on Tuesday, and the building was crowded with relatives and friends. The contracting parties were Miss Helen Morwenna Martyn, only daughter of Mr G. R. Martyn, J.P., of Skelmorlie, Stow Park, Newport, and Mr Gerald Russell Rickett, youngest son of Mr William Richard Rickett, J.P., of Sunnyfield, West Heath, Hampstead.

Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture. MEETING AT ABERGAVENNY. A meeting of the Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture was held at the Angel Hotel, Aberga- vennv. on Tuesday afternoon, when Mr Richard H. Marfell, Llangeview, Usk, presided over a large attendance of members. NEW MEMBERS. A large number of new members were elected. A CHAMBER FOR HEREFORDSHIRE. A communication was read from an Hereford gentleman asking the secretary (Mr T. M. Prosser) to supply him with information respecting the formation of a Chamber in Herefordshire. The Secretary remarked that similar information had been supplied to Glamorganshire, and that it had borne fruit. Mr Henry Williams remarked that it was a disgrace that the most: important agricultural county in England had not a Chamber. He thought the Secretary should give the Hereford- shire people all the assistance he could, and this Mr Prosser was requested to do. WILDS BIRDS FRIENDS OR ENEMIES. I An interesting discussion took place on Birds and their connection with, and effect upon, agri- culture." The Chairman remarked that the subject had been discussed a year or two ago in the Chamber, and a paper had been read before a Farmers' Club. which showed that practically every British bird affected agriculture. A greater portion of the birds were friends rather than enemies. But for the birds they would have greater enemies in insects. Dr Steel. Abergav nny, said it was almost impossible to grow a decent crop of fruit, without one-third of the crop being seriously damaged by birds, and the most destructive birds were black. birds. Since the passing of the Wild Birds Protection Act, the number of wild birds had greatly increased. The sparrow, perhaps, ought to be exterminated. Mr Henry Williams stated that the question was a burning one. The birds did a great detil of damage. They ought to get rookery owners to keep the rooks down. Mr John Prichard, said that his farm, Llangat- tock Lodge, had been surrounded by rooks. They would flatten down an enormous lot of barley, and it was astonishing what damage they could do. The sparrow, rook, and wood pigeon were all enemies to the farmer. Mr A. A. Williams, J.P., Pontypool, agreed that a great deal of barm was done by birds. If the Wild Birds Protection Act needed amendment, then they should pass a resolution to that effect. The bullfinch was a great euemy, doing much damage to fruit trees. He moved that In the interests of agriculture it is desirable to amend the Wild Birds Protection Act, more especially in recrard to rooks, sparrows, wild pigeons, and bullfinches." Mr W. C. Jones seconded, and the resolution I was carried. AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS ACT. 1 A resolution, proposed by Mr Henry Williams, seconded by Mr L. C. Wrigley, that the Chamber approve of the consolidation of the Agricultural Holdings Act, was passed. As to the amendment of the Act, no resolution was passed. AGRICULTURE AND RATES. I A letter from the Liverpool District Farmers' I Club, containing a resolution as to the urgent necessity of relieving agricultural land from all rates in connection with the Education Act, was read, and the Chairman thought that the Liver. pool Club should be thanked for the letter. The matter, however, was a national rather than a local one, and the expenses should be taken out of the national rather than the local rates. Mr L. C. Wrigley remarked that in Monmouth- shire they could speak freely on the matter the taxes were as high as in any county in England. Before he gave his vote at the General Election he would want to know whether the candidate would vote for an inquiry into the subject of taxation. No person could possibly succeed when he was taxed like agriculturists were at present. Colonel Ivor Herbert endorsed all that had been said by Mr Wrigley. It was necessary that the rates should be dealt with as a whole. He strongly supported the idea of a complete read- j ustment, and was prepared to move a resolution in favour of it. It was the only way in which they would get any relief. Mr Griffiths stated that he did not know why people in London should have the spending of their money. Agriculturists were rated on the whole of their farms, while tradesmen were only rated for the house they lived in. He did not know why they should select the Education Act for complaint. The Chairman said that he could name schools which more than paid their way by the grants received, yet they were called upon to pay Is. in the X. Mr A. A. Williams pointed out that the money they paid represented a certain rate in the g which was expended equally, so that they were really contributing to special centres when the rate was being applied all over the country. He moved "That the additional cost of education to agriculturists needed the early consideration of the Central Chamber." Mr L. C. Wrigley seconded, and the motion was agreed to. PURE WOOL. A communication was read from the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, pointing out that com- plaints had been made by spinners, &c., of grass, 8tmW' etc,» wool. The Chairman pointed out that it was a hint for rf110 ke moT6 careful in packing wool. Other members also spoke, and the matter dropped., embers also spoke, and the matter ;¡'l" '>tú.

I Mandaff Diocesan Conference. The annual conference opened at Cardiff on Wednesday, when the Right Rev Joshua Pritchard Hughes, the newly appointed Bishop of Llandaff, presided. In bis address, the Bishop deplored the insufficienoy of financial support received by the Church, and urged the adoption of some form of sustentation fund, such as has been adopted in other dioceses and in other Churches. A fund to which all parties will be expected to contribute and from which no parish which does not con- tribute anything will receive any return. The particular matter to which I wish now to call your attention said his lordship, ie the provision of adequate incomes for the parochial clergy, both beneficed and unbeneficed, and if that is to be done it must be frankly and freely recognised that both the clergy and the laity have their duties and their rightful claims. If you expect to get good work done you must be prepared to give a fair remunera- tion. On the other hand, if you are prepared to provide a fair remuneration you have a right to expect good work, well done. I think that there are in this diocese—or were according to last year's calendar-273 incumbents and 231 curates. This number is now slightly increased. The AVERAGB NET INCOME I of the incumbents is X196 12s. but, as some of these receive E300 or even E400 a year, there are obviously a very large number whose incomes are far below that figure. I have no means of averaging the incomes of the curates, but I think I am right in saying that the vast majority do not receive more than L120 per annum. Now, if we consider for a moment the nature and amount of the work that is expected of these two classes, and the actual demands upon their incomes, their time, and their minds, I think we shall all agree that the incomes are utterly unworthy of a wealthy and prosperous diocese like that in which we live. I think we ought to aim at eventually raising the average net value of every incumbency by at least £100 and of each curacy, that has been held for not less than five years by at least £ 50. To do this would require something like £ 40,000 per annum. If people gave their money freely it was not unreasonable that they should expect to see their money's worth. It was not unreasonable that congregations should expect to have some voice as to those who were to be Riven the spiritual charge over them. Nor did he think it was unreasonable that they should expect to have some voice as to the character of the services in the Church. (Hear, hear). And they had a right to expect that those who were to minister to them in sacred things should be duly qualified. On the subject of Church defence Mr W. God- frey. organising secretary, moved the following resolution The pronouncement concerning the definite attack which is to be made upon the Church with a view to the disestablishment and disendowmeut of the Church in Wales, and the present condition of the education question, make the duty of or- ganising some form of Church defence work with- out delay, incumbent upon every parish, and in order that a wider interest may be taken in this important work your committee reoommends the re-constitution of the diocesan committee, so as to provide for a larger and more comprehensive re- presentation." The question was one which affected the whole Church, althoush, apparently, the attack was to be made on only four dioceses of the Church, and it behoved them to see that they did something in the way of organising and extending their work and increasing their power for carrying on that work. Mr Godfrey referred to the recent pronouncement of Sir Alfred Thomas as to disentablishment, and "aid that with such a pronouncement in front of them it was absolutely necessary that something should be done on behalf of the Church. The Bishop of St. Albans. spetkin? at the recent St. David's Conference, said that the disestablishment of the Churnh in Wales meant the disestablishment of the whole of the Church, and he had come from England to tell the people in that part of the world that they in England would not see the disruption of the four dioceses in Wales from the See of Can- terbury. It bad been proposed by the Llandaff Diocesan Committee that it should be re-constituted, and that more members should be added to the committee, to make it more representative and com- prehensive. He appealed that the rural deans should be given a voice and a place on the Committee. (Hear, hear.) The motion was carried unanimously. The Conference was resumed on Thursday, when the Rev Z. P. Williamson moved the following motion on the working of the Education Act That this conference, while deploring the unsatisfactory working, especially in Wales, of the Education Act of 1902, is of opinion that steps should be taken by the Church to provide religious instruction for the young in areas where no Church school exists. Several of the clergy and laity spoke in support of the motion, and it was carried unanimously. The Rev C. A. H. Green, vicar of Aberdare, moved:— That this conference, while it desires to preserve the parson's freehold, is of the opinion (1) that the Incumbents' Resignation Act of 1871 should be amended, so that action may be taken thereunder without the representation or consent of the incumbent as now required and (2) that another Act, with similar procedure, should be obtained to e npower the bishop, when an incumbent who has occupied his benefice for more than seven years is found by the com- mission to be ill-suited to his rresent sphere of work, to collate him, without his consent being required, to another benefice. Archdeacon Bruce asked the mover and seconder of the resolution to accept the amended motion That this conference, while it deeires to preserve the parson's freehold, is of opinion that the Incumbents' Resignation Act of 1871 should be amended so that action may be taken there. under without the representation or consent of the incumbent, as now required, and, secondly. that another Act with similar procedure should be obtained to empower the Bishop to determine the incumbent's tenure of his benefice in case of proved unfitness or incapacity. There were cases, be said, when a cletvman had succeeded in a lesser period than seven years in emptying a Church and alienating a loyal con- gregation. He was anxious that the whole voice of the Church should be strong in favour of some expedient which would end in a real remedy, and he ventured to think that the remedy suggested by Mr Green was open to a certain amount of oriticism, Mr F. W. Brett said that at least in 5 per ceut. of the parishes in the diocese, a change of incumbent was necessary if the Church and religion were to prosper. In another 10 per cent. of the parishes a change was desirable. Archdeacon Bruce's amended motion was adopted.

Balaclava Veterans. I Twenty-four veteran survivors of the charge of the Light Brigade met on Wed- nesday night at a dinner organised by Mr T. H. Roberts at the Trocadero, London, under the chairmanship of Mr Justice Bucknill, who was supported by the Eurl of Cardigan. The aged warriors all wore their medals, some having as many as five. A couple of the old soldiers had not met since the cam- paign, and it was pathetic to see the way they greeted each other. During the evening a telegram was sent to the King Survivors of the charge of the Light Brigade send you assurance of their loyalty." The following reply was re- ceived Please convey to survivors of the Balaclava Light Brigade charge his Majesty's thanks for their message.- Ponsonby,"

I ABERGAVENNY. I FIRB BRIGADE, AMBULANCE, AND OTHER COSCPKTITIOKa. Abergavenny led the way in the Monmouthshire celebrations, an attractive programme being ar. ranged for the afternoon and evening. There were not many people present at Bailey Park in the afternoon to witness the ambulance, fire brigade, and Volunteer competitions. The Marquis of Aber- gavenny was an interested spectator, and accompany- ing him in his carriage were Lord Forester and Captain Duberly and the Honourable Mrs Duberly. The most striking feature in the decorations was a model of the Victory which was exhibited by Messrs. Johnson Bros., and was the work of Mr John Ken- nedy. Mr Lawrence Brien, representing Lord Nelson, stood on deck, while Mr Austin Hurst representing Captain Hardy, to^k up his position in the stern immediately beneath a flag bearing Nelson's memorable signal. The afternoon proceedings opened with a Victoria Cross race for Volunteers on foot—1st, Sergeant Powell, Abergavenny; 2nd. Lance-Corporal A. Davies, Abergavenny 3rd. Private Tranter, Aber- gavenny 4th, Sergeant Walters, Abergavenny. The successf d competitors fire off a competition at the Abergavenny ranges on Thursday and Satur- day for a silver cup presented by the Marquess of &bergavenny-points in both competitions to count. Fire Brigade Competition for the Dewar Challenge Shield.-Six teams entered, but owing to a mis- understanding in the marking line on the part of the Captain, Biaenavon were disqualified. The con- ditions were that tlims of six men in full dress mounted on a manual engine should at the word of command run the engine 100 yards, fix dam, two lengths suction, run two lengths hose and fix branch and pipe. The Newport A team, commanded by Sergeant Brown, accomplished the task in 42 sees., and were awarded £2 and the shield, value ten guineas, which has to be won three years in succes- sion before it becomes the absolute property of the brigade. The second prize, Welsh Dragon helmet, and £1, was won by Newport B" team (comman- der Fireman Storey) time, 1 min. 1-5 sec. Aber- gavenny, under Captain Powell, came third time, 1 min. 1 4.5 sec. The other brigades finished as follows: Brynmawr (Sersrt. Nicholas), 1 min. 2 sec.; Cwmbran, 1 min. 11 1.5 sec. Ambulance Competition for teams of five men for the White Horse Challenge Shield. -1. Glou- cester Great Western Railway Locomotive Depart- ment (C. T. Drinkwater) 2. Abergavenny London and North Western (H. Blackmore); 3, Bedlinog (Thomas Thomas). Half-mile Cycle Race for Volunteer Cyclists-1, Sergt. A. Powell, Abergavenny; 2, Corporal J. Simmonds, Abergavenny; 3, Cyclist Rosser, Aber- gavenny. Band Race Handicap (competitors playing instru- ments around course)-i, F. Williams (cornet); 2, Fred Arkins tenor horn); 3. F. Blanch (cornet)- all members of the Borough Silver Band. Tug of War.-I, Sergt. instructor Falkner's team, Panteg Battery; 2, Sergt.-instructor Fry's team, Abergavenny. The prizes weie distributed by Mrs Church, Mrs Mansel, Mrs Campbell, Mit3s Walford, and Miss Carnegie. A fancy dress carnival, marshalled by Councillor Z. Wheatley, was held in the evening, concluding with a di-play of fireworks in the Castle grounds. The town was profusely decorated and illuminated at night.

MONMOUTH. I CELEBRATION ON THE KYMIN. I The people of Monmouth fittingly celebrated the centenary of the death of Nelson, who was intimately associated with Monmouth during the last ten or twelve years of his life. In the days of the wooden walls of England, Nelson often visited Monmouth when selecting timber for his ship, from the Crown lands of the Forest of Dean. It is known that Nelson slept two nights at a house in Monnow Street, now the residence of Mr G. B. Adamson. In the garden of the Capital and Counties Bank House thire is a rustic chair to which a brass plate is affixed, bearing the words, Lord Nelson sat in this chair August 2nd, 1792." There are various other circumstances connecting Nelson with Monmouth, but the most conclusive is the fact that be was granted the freedom of the Borough in 1802, and presented with a loving cup from the people of Monmouth. This cup, with numerous other Nelson relics, has come into the possession of Lady Llangattock. As the principal object was to impress the memory of Nelson on the minds of the children, Lady Llangattock and the committee caused a fitting programme to be arranged. Early on Saturday morning the streets of the town were gaily decked with flags, bunting, triumphal arches, etc. Favlltred with fine weather, all the children under 14 years from the town elementary schools, and those of the district assembled in Agincourt Square. The local Volunteers, under Captain Aylmer Coates, the Grammar School Cadet Corps, under Lieutenant Cooke, the fire brigade and the Band of the R.M.R.E.M. also took part in the procession to the Kymin Hill, where the memorial service was held. The service commenced with the singing of Rudyard Kipling's hymn, God of our Fathers," accompanied by the band, followed by a special prayer by the Vic ir, the Rev C. F. Reeks. The Volunteers then fired the usual three volleys, after which the buglers sounded the Last Post." There were about 2,000 people present, and amongst those within the euclognre of the Naval Temple were Lord and Lady Llangattock, Lady Hood of Avondale, Miss Mackinnon, Captain Walters, R.N., Colonel Walwyn, Colonel Bradney, Mr E. E. Micholls, Mrs Micholls, Miss Micholls, the Mayor and Mayoress, members of the Corporation and others. The Mayor, in the coarse of a brief address, thanked Lady Llangattock and the people for the willing help which all had rendered to the com- mittee in carrying out the communication. Nelson, he said, had been connected with Monmouth, and on July 9th, 1802, he breakfasted in the Temple with the then Mayor and Corpora- tion of Monmouth. His Worship read a letter from Nelson, dated August 18th, 1802, thanking the Mayor and Corporation for the honour they did him by giving him the freedom of the cl borough. Mr Micholls having spoken, Lady Llangattock, who was the moving spirit in the whole proceedings, said she had looked forward to this event, and everything she had wished and intended had been carried out most successfully by the Mayor and his committee. Lord Llaugat tock, acldres. ing the children, said that the boys could not all be Nelsons, nor the girls Joans of Arc, but they could be honest, honourable, upright. citizens. Captain Walters, RN., as a Navy man of over 30 years' service, returned his thanks, on behalf of the Navy, for the honour they had done to the memory of a brother sailor. The memory of Nelson was being honoured that day throughout the length and breadth of the Empire, but he doubted if a more historic or appropriate spot than the Naval Temple on the Kymin could be found among them. The National Anthem was then sung. and the loving cup, once presented to Nelson, filled with champagne, and passed round for all to .drink to the memory of Lord Nelson. The children, numbering about 1,200 were afterwards regaled with tea, etc., in the Rolls I Hall, when Lady Llangattook presented each child with a souvenir of the day

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| Balaclava Day. In accordance with custom Lord Tredegar celebrated Balaclava Day, October 25th, in entertaining his tenants and workpeople with a substantial dinner at different centres, and on Wednesday some 500 or 600 persons sat down at the Tredegar Arms, Bassaleg; the Carpenters' Arms, Rhiwderin; and the Coach and Horses, Castleton. Mr J. H. Hillier, bailiff at the home farm, presided at Bassaleg, and, in response to the toast of his health, Lord Tredegar said he thanked Almighty God for having spared him to meet them again. They had recently been celebrating in this country an event of far greater importance than the Balaclava charge in the centenary of Nelson's death. He hoped the people of this country would always keep up the anniversary of Trafalgar, because the victory which Nelson won there altered the whole course of the Empire's fortune. Had Nelson been defeated, we should probably to-day have been a province belonging to France. A controversy had arisen as to whether a bugle charge was sounded at Balaclava, and he had recently been asked to state his opiaion. He supposed if six people were in a railway accident which happened a week ago, the six would give six different versions of the affair. How much more so would be the discrepancy about an event which happened more than 50 years ago ? He replied that to the best of his belief there was NO CHARGE AT ALL SOUNDED on a trumpet, and he would state his reason. They were Lancers-the 17th Lancers, one of the greatest regiments of British cavalry-and when a Lancer was walking, standing still, or trotting, or cantering he carried his lance in a rest upright, in a little bucket, which was fixed to his stirrup. He would go everywhere like that until he was ordered to the contrary, and he would only bring it down to charge. Well, the Lancers had cantered up to within about 300 or 400 yirds of the guns when Major White holloaed out, c, Charge there! The lances came down to the proper position to charge. Lord Cardigan holloaed across to him, You have no word to charge." He (the speaker) was close up and heard it, but, as as his hearers might imagine, long before it had taken him to tell them about it the Lancers were amongst the guns, and there was no time to sound a trumpet at all. His version, therefore, was that there was no trumpet sounding a charge at Balaclava. The controversy arose from the fact that a trumpet was put up for sale in London which was said to be the actual trumpet which sounded the charge, and it was sold for L700. His lordship bought another trumpet—the one that sounded in the 24th Regiment (the South Wales Borderers) at Insandula, and he presented it to the regi- ment. It was hanging now in the mess- room at Brecon. As he had told them at those dinners before, he did not give them to have himself talked about, but that an incident like the charge of the Light Brigade might live in the memory of his countrymen. (Hear, hear). He did not care whether his name were connected with it or not, but he liked Englishmen to be able to refer to 0 PAST DEEDS WITH PRIDE. I (Hear, hear). His lordship then expressed the wish that his workpeople might all live to meet on another anniversary, and that he might also be spared to join them. Amid much cheering, his lordship then left. 0 The words in which Lord Tredegar de- scribed the charge are as follows:—"I do not imagine that anybody except those in the front line of the 17th Lancers (13th Light Dragoons) saw what had happened. We went on. When we got about two or three hundred yards the battery of the Russian Horse Artillery opened fire. I do not recollect hearing a word from anybody as we gradually broke from a trot to a canter, though the noise and the striking of men and horses by grape and round shot was deafening, while the dust and gravel thrown up by the round shot that fell short were almost blinding, and irritated my horse so that I could hardly held him. Hut as we came nearer I could see plainly I enough, especially when I was about a hundred yards from the guns. I apoear- ed to be riding straight on to the muzzle of one of the guns, and I distinctly saw the gunner apply his fuse. I shut my eyes then, for I thought that settled the question as far as I was concerned. But the shot just missed me and struck the man on my right full in the chest. In another minute I was on the guns, and the leading Russian gun-horse, shot, I suppose, with a pistol by somebody on my right, fell across my horse, dragging it over with him, and pin- ning me in between the gun and himself. A Russian gunner on foot at once covered me with his carbine. He was just within reach of my sword, and I struck him across the neck. The blow did not do him much harm, but it DISCONCERTED HIS AIM. I At the same time a mounted gunner struck my horse on the forehead with his sabre. Spurring my horse, he half jumped, half blundered over the fallen horses, and then for a short time bolted with me. I only remember finding myself alone among the Russians trying to get out as best I could and this, by some chance, I did, in spite of their efforts to cut me down. When clear again of the guns I saw two or three of my men making their way back, aad, as the fire from both flanks was still heavy, it was a matter of running the gauntlet again. I have not sufficient recollection of minor incidents to describe them, as probably no two men who were in that charge would describe it in the same way. When I was back pretty nearly where we started from I found that I was the senior officer of those not wounded, and, consequently, in com- mand, there being only two others, and both junior to me, in the same position—Lieuten- ant Wombell and Cornet Cleveland (after- wards killed at Inkerman) We remained form d up until the evening, when, as the enemy made no further attempt to attack us, we returned to our tents, not very far off."

I Two Deaths at a Newport Fire. THRILLING RESCUES: WHOLE FAMILY IN PERIL. A disastrous fire, resulting in the death by suffocation of two young women, occurred at Newport on Thursday. The circumstances of the death of the two victims are peculiar. Their death of the two victims are peculiar. Their bodies were only recovered from the premises at about six o'clock in the morning. Up to that time their whereabouts and their fate had been a mystery. Between three and four o'clock the fire brigade had a call to the premises of Mr Joseph Watkins, grocer and provision merchant, 122, Commercial-street, The premises, which consist of a shop, warehouse, and dwelling-house, are opposite the top of Emlyn-street. They rise to a, height of three storeys, and are comparatively new buildings. Resident Engineer Tothill and Assistant-engineer Webber went away to the scene of the fire with hose, tender, and fire escape. Mr and Mrs Wat- kins and their three children were on the second floor looking out from the front bedroom window. The engineers found that the place was enveloped in flames, and there was very little chance of getting into the house. The staircase, too, was on fire. They, therefore, placed the escape at the front window, and succeeded in rescuing Mr and Mrs Watkins and their family, but there was imminent risk to the gallant rescuers as well as the five persons rescued. The fire escape was burnt, and both firemen had their hands considerably burnt by the flames. Mr aud Mrs Watkins and their family were in their night attire only. Then it became a question of saving the other two inmates of the house, viz., Catherine Hopkins, a niece of Mrs Watkins, and Maud Poole, a. domestic servant, who slept in a back bedroom which had early become a prey to the flames. The fire brigade very soon mustered in strong force, under the command of Captain Horace Lyne and Lieutenant Boucher, and got six streams of water playing from the street hydrants, and there was, in a short time, a diminution of the fierceness of the conflagration. Engineer Tothill went into the house, and made a search for the two missing young women, but without result, until about six o'clock in the morning, when their bodies were found in a small scare room on the top floor in the front of the house. Both were found crouching underneath a- window, as though they had rushed there from the bedroom to find a place of safety, and had been overcome by the smoke and fumes arising from the lower premises. One of the poor victims had a slight burn upon her leg. The skin was not burnt through, and their night attire was scarcely affected by fire. They had evidently died of suffo- cation. Catherine Hopkins was 21 years of age and Maud Poole 17. How the fire originated is not exactly known. There was less damage to the shop by fire than to some other parts of the premises, but the stock was rendered useless by the smoke, fire, and water. There was a trace of fire from one of the shelves right up to the next floor, and it is possible that a quantity of matches had become ignited, perhaps, by mice. The extent of the damage cannot yet be ascer- tained, but with the stock and premises it will probably be some thousands. .¿j

USK VOLUNTEER BAND. To the Editor of The County Observer. Dia.&R Siitt,-I regret that the Volunteer Band was unable to carry out your good suggestion of playing out last Saturday, owing to short notice and the want of suitable music. This explanation is due in view of the very kind support we have received and are receiving from you and the townspeople generally. Yours &c., E. B. HAYNES, Bandmaster.

.II IIõõ. =- t:O Football. USK V. MONMOUTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL. This match took place on the School ground, Monmouth, on Saturday last, before a goodly number of spectators. Farren kicked off for the School aud the ball was returned to half-way, where play remained for some time. Usk attacked, and a bout of passing by the quartette looked like ending in a score, but the final pass to Haggett went astray. The visitors kept up the attack, and from a scrum Timms scored a good try, which Jenkins converted. The School dropped out, and dribbling well, took play to the other end of the field. In another dribble, Hiley picked up and scored an unconverted try. After some scrambling play Usk again scored through Saunders. The place -kick failed. Half-time score:- Usk 1 goal 1 try. Monmouth Grammar School I try. Usk restarted, and pressed through a dribble, and the School conceded a minor. Frank Davies scored an unconverted try after some pretty handling, and Saunders scored bit second try after a good burst. Jenkins concerted the latter. Final ecore Usk .m.i». 2 goals 2 tries Monmouth Grammar School. try. Referee-Mr T. H. Wise.

Hampstead Borough Election. m TRUE TO TRADITION. Polling took place on Thursday in Hampstead Borough to fill the vacancy caused by the appoint- ment of Mr Milvain (Unionist) to the office of Judge-Advocate-General. The candidates were Mr Fletcher (Unionist) and Mr Rowe (Radical). Both sides were well supplied with vehicles. There were many removals, and these were brought in by motor-cars from outlying districts. The greatest interest was manifested throughout the day, and much excitement prevailed during the evening. The result of tba polling was announced about half-past eleven, as follows :— Mr. Fletcher (U.) 4,:t.:¿a Mr. Rowe (R.) 3,803 Unionist majority. 422

I General Boo h Honoured. General Booth received the freedom of the City of London on Thursday.

1JSK AND REDISTRIBUTION: U.D.C. TAKE ACTION. I A special meeting of the Usk Urban District 'Council, convened by the Chairman, was held in the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, to consider Redistribution scheme and proposed separate representation of Newport, and the advisability of petitioning against alteration of present arrange- ments." The Chairman (Mr S. A. Hiley, J.P.) pre- sided, and there were also present: Messrs H. Ault, Reuben Morgan, E. W. Waters, W. Marfell, G.Mundy, W. Workman, A. F. Lucas (clerk), and T. Rees (surveyor, &c.). The Chairman said that, as they all probably knew, the matter of the redistribution of Parlia- mentary seats was "on the carpet," and a few -evenings ago Mr Micholls called upon him and drew his attention to the fact that if they wished to petition in any direction it would have to be done before the 31st of this month. Seeing that it was certainly a matter of very great interest to the people of Usk, he thought it was only right he should call that meeting and give the Councillors an opportunity of taking any course they thought desirable. He thought that, perhaps, it was gen- erally felt that there was very little likelihood of a Redistribution Bill passing for some time; still, they did not know what might happen, and if any step was to be taken they ought to take it. He thought, too, it was generally understood that the people of Newport were moving to get representa- .tion of their own. Of course, if they succeeded in doing that, the probability was that Usk and Monmouth Boroughs would be tacked on to one or the other County Divisions. Whether that was or was not desirable from their point of view he hardly knew. Mr Waters: I should say no; let it remain as it is. Mr Mundy: It would be the worse for us to be thrown into the County, wouldn't it 1 The Chairman: We feel we have more direct representation as we are at present, I suppose. Mr Marfell: Should the petition come from this Council, or from the town generally ? The Chairman: I thought it should come from IUS as the representatives of the town. The Clerk: At Monmouth action was taken and a resolution of protest passed by the Town Coun- cil. (Report read.) Mr Workman thought they should follow suit; no doubt that1 was the feeling of the town all through. Mr Morgan, adopting the principle of doing unto others as you would they should do unto you, sup- ported the claims of Newport to separate represen- tation. Why should Usk and Monmouth be tacked -on to it ? Mr Waters: They always have been connected. Mr Morgan said Usk was not in touch with Newport, and Monmouth, particularly, was not. Newport said they would not have it; they reck- oned that Monmouth, any time, could turn the scale. If Newport wished a certain thing, they -thought they ought to have it, and not be always handicapped in this way. Mr Mundy proposed "That this meeting pro- tests against the Monmouth District Boroughs being dissolved, and Monmouth and Usk being -thrown into the Northern or Southern Divisions of the County as at present constituted." Mr Waters seconded, and Mr Marfell supported the idea of a petition against any alteration of the present arrangement. Mr Ault: I don't think any petition is wanted. he population of Newport has so increased as to warrant its having a member of its own. Mr Marfell said that might be so, and Newport .could take what steps it liked in the matter, but Usk should look after its own. Mr Waters: I don't think we should be thrown over without raising our voices in protest. The Chairman: Do you think the Borough Mem- ber will represent you better than the County Member? Perhaps he would for anything we .wanted. Mr Mundy: As we are now we have practically -two Members; altered, we should only have one. Mr Morgan: Perhaps that would be very much 'better for us. Ultimately, the resolution was agreed to, and it was ordered to be forwarded to the Leaders of the House of Commons-Mr Balfour and Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman-and the Secretary of the .Redistribution of Seats Committee. OUT OF ORDER. Mr Mundy brought forward the question of re- ducing the fees for the use of the Hall for the Volunteer Band and Cricket Club concerts, urging that the objects were of interest to every towns- -man, but The Chairman ruled that as the meeting was ..called for a special purpose, this matter could not be dealt with.

CHEPSTOW. I Agent-Miss Clark I ECCLESIASTICAL.—The Rev Watkin Davies, B.D., -vicar of Mathern, Monmouthshire, has been .,appointed rural dean of the Deanery of Cliepstow. AN EXCITING INCIDENT.—On Saturday morning a traction engine drawing two large wagons laden .with bags of barley was proceeding through the vtown on the way to Mr Mullins's stores, at the Back, when the skidpan of the truck next to the SDgine jumped the wheel, with the result that it skidded along Beaufort Square. The pin snapped ;and over went the wagon with a crash, falling close 4o the pavement and just missing the windows of two business houses. One of the bags of barley sstruck and wrecked a mule cart belonging to Mrs Morgan, of Mathern. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the second or rear wagon was not over- turned. The traction engine belongs to Mr Price, •of Raglan, who had loaned it to his brother, living at Caerwent.

MONMOUTH. t Agent.—Mr .Gaffre y. Bookseller. Monmouth. I 130ARD OF GUARDIANS MEETING.—At the meeting ,of this authority, Mr S. J. Elsom presiding, a letter was read from the County Council intimating that they adhered to their former decision not to allow -the police to be employed for issuing tickets to ■■vagrants for admission to the casual ward, The (Specification for a new drain, and the connection of •nthe VVorkhouse drainage with the town system was received. The Vising Committee was asked to meet on the 27th and consider the matter. The Board decided to pay the expenses of their delegates ^ttendm# the Poor L*w Union Conference to be held in London next month. THE REDISTRIBUTION SCHEME.—A •of.the Monmouth Town Council was held o ™Satur day, the Mayor presiding, to protest against the Action of the Newport Corporation relative to th Redistribution Scheme. Alderman A. Vjza d amoved the following resolution: "That, having- aregard to the fact that Newport is endeavouring to have itself formed into a separate constituency under -tha proposed Redistribution Scheme, this Corpora- tion protests against the Monmouth Boroughs beina dissolved and Monmouth being thrown into either the Southern or Northern Division of the county as at present constituted." The Mayor seconded the resolution, which was unanimously carried, and a -copy ordered to be seat to the Boundary Committee. A small committee was then formed to frame a memorial to be signed by the inhabitants of Mon. mouth, protesting against the action of Newport, and this will also, be sent to the Committee.

Cardiff made a City. His Majesty the King has been pleased to constitute Cardiff a City, and the Chief Magistrate will henceforth be styled Lord Mayor. Alderman Robert Hughes has the honour of being its first Lord Mayor, and at a special meeting of the Cardiff City Council resolutions were passed congratulating him on his new dignity, and thanking those who had helped in securing the new civic honours. The Marquess of Bate and Sir William Thomas Lewis were among the speakers. Afterwards the Lord Mayor addressed a great assembly of citizens in. the City-hall courtyard.

■ asacceeded to £ 50,000. He applied to pass upon accounta showing liabilities £ 7,776 and no available assets. He attributed bis failure to excess of expenditure over income, to heavy interest on borrowed money, and to losses on mining enterprises. He now owed £3,952 for money lent and interest, 21,308 for clothing and personal supplies, jE892 for sundry supplies, and jB603 for wine. spirits, and cigars. He understood that his wife had, with the cousent of the trustees, agreed to set aside £1,000 a year out of the income of 93,250 until the debts bad been paid in full. Replying to his counsel, the debtor stated that he had not received more than one-third of the claims of the petitioning creditor and money. lenders' claims in cash the balance was for 'interest. The examination was concluded.