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

Births, Marriages, & Deaths. Announcement* under this heading are inserted at a uniform charge of 1/- each, unless such words as "No Cards" No Flowers," efc., are added, when the charge will be 2/6. All Announcements must be authenticated. Postage Stamps may be sent in payment, Lists of Wedding Presents are inserted at the rate of 1/6 per inch in depth. BIRTH. MonTimBu.-On the 10th inst., at Brook Cottage, Usk, Monmouthshire, the wife of C. Allen Mortimer, of a son. DEATH. DAVIS.—At Semaphore, Adelaide, South Australia, on 2nd October, Charles Michael Davis, eldest son of the late Michael Davis, Esquire, Solicitor, Usk,-R.I.P.

H-V true Original Ooecar and a Speciality. EPPS'S Distinguished from all others by Its invigorating nutritious v Qualities and delicious flavour, j. Zt contain* all the substance of the ehoieest Nibs, and main- talna its leading position M «»• form of OOQQ* COCOA

— Rate-Aided Chapels. Under this heading the Church Courier" deals with the decision of the Assessment Committee of the Paddington Borough Council to rate Dr. Clifford's Chapel at Westbourne Park at the gross value of £ 200 a year, and points out that the step ber ime necessary because the Assessment Committee could no longer overlook the open violation by the pastor and deacons of Westbourne Park Chapel of the law which exempts both churches and chapels alike from local rates so long as their use is confined to public religious worship." The rating authorities every- where have been lenient and long-suffering in their interpretation of the Act of Parlia- ment. They have permitted bazaars, concerts, lectures, and other forms of in- struction and entertainment to be held in Dissenting places of worship without as-, sessing these buildings for rates. "But," says this organ, having been given an inch, the ministers and deacons of many Nonconformist chapels have I TAKEN AN ELL. Numerous political and other meetings, which could not by the greatest stretch of imagination be regarded as for religious purposes, have been held, until at length ratepayers have protested against chapels being exempted from rates at the expense of the general community which are used for purposes of sectarian and political propaganda. Such exemption amounts, in fact, to an endowment of Dissent out of public funds. The cry of passive re- sistance is absurd and unjust in the mouths of those who thus accept rate-aid for the maintenance of their chapels while de- nouncing the allocation of public funds to denominational schools—given though they are under the strictest conditions of public control-yet are content themselves to re- ceive what is nothing else than a subsidy compulsorily exacted from persons who conscientiously differ from them."

I The Guildhall Banquet. At the Lord Mayor's banquet, on Thurs- day night, Mr. Balfour, in reply to the toast of His Majesty's Ministers," touched a chord which echoed in every heart. Amidst the splendour of the time-honoured feast, he, with the deepest sympathy that tinged both words and voice, alluded to the tragedy of family life-to the homes broken up by want-as revealed to him but a few hours previously by the half-starved women who marched to Downing Street to see him. The working of the Unemployed Act is de- layed for want of funds—administrative measures alone cannot solve the problem- and the Prime Minister made AN EARNEST APPEAL TO THE WEALTHY classes, whose representatives were present at that banquet, to individually exercise munificence and help their poorer brethren to tide over an exceptionally bad period. In our own County of Monmouth we have a brilliant example of this practical sym- pathy for which the Prime Minister appealed, in the scheme, given in another column, of making a new road in Newport during the coming winter, in order to give employment to those seeking it, and making the cost chargeable to the Tredegar Estate.

[We do not necessarily endorse all our correspondent writes.-ED. C.O."] NEWPORT AND THE ASSIZES AND I QUARTER SESSIONS. It behoves Monmouth and Usk in particular, and the districts surrounding those towns in general, to bestir themselves to prevent by every possible means the removal of the Assizes and Quarter Sessions to Newport, a question now being taken up seriously by the Mon- mouthshire County Council and the Newport Corporation. It may be said that, so far, a non-committal attitude has been assumed, but Alderman Henry Bowen-who deserves the thanks of this portion of the County for the stand he made on its behalf at the County Council meeting last week-has pointed out the danger of allowing the thin end of the wedge to be inserted by the appointment of a Committee to consult with Newport on the question and the Hon. John Maclean Rolls, in asking for a larger and more r representative Committee, added strength to the point by remarking that "whatever the Com- mittee's report was the Council would very likely act upon it." # However, we have to face the fact that a Committee of nine was appointed to go into the matter, and I think it might be profitable to consider and criticise some of the statements made in the discussion which ended in a deci- sion that there was a case to be considered. • The main argument was that for the majority of the people of the County the Courts were at present inconveniently situated, and that they would be more get-at-able at Newport. This argument was elaborated by assertions that—at Monmouth, in particular, whence, at night, they could not get home -there was a lack of accom- modation for people-prosecutors, jurors, wit- nesses, and others-who were compelled to stop there for two or three days, many at their own expense. So far as Usk and Quarter Sessions are concerned the accommodation argument goes for nothing, for it is many a long day since the Court lasted more than a few hours, and there was any necessity for anyone to stay here a night. Monmouth may probably be safely left to look after itself in the matter of the charge against it that lodgings cannot be had there at a moderate rate. but I must say that this is contrary to the truth so far as my experience goes, and I am credibly informed that the County town will compare favourably with any other place, in- cluding Newport, for convenience and economy in this respect. Besides, of late, the G.W.R. Company have, as far as possible, met the requirements of the public at both Monmouth and Usk by putting on special trains to and from these towns on Court days. Alderman S. N. Jones referred to the general complaint of magistrates, jurors, &c., of the waste of time involved in having to attend Assizes and Quarter Sessions at Monmouth and Usk respectively. I think it may confidently be asserted that this objection would be quite as commonly heard if the Courts were held at Newport, for to have to act as a juror any- where is not yet exactly looked upon as a boon and a blessing to man. It would, at any rate, mean only the shifting of the burden from the shoulders of some of the industrial districts, which are comparatively rich, to those of the agricultural districts, which are comparatively poor. Upon all qualified, then as now, would still rest the duties of citizenship which would have to be fulfilled gra- tuitously it might even be argued that the change would entail increased self-sacrifice and inconvenience on the part of many. The fact of the matter is, Newport's claim is being bolstered up by exaggerated statements as to the inconveniences experienced by having the Courts where they now are. Coming to the question of the cost of the removal, it is certain that if the maximum estimate of 260,000 for new Courts is an absurdly high one, the minimum one of 220,000 will be found to be quite inadequate. And why should the County go to the expense ? For the sake of Newport—a separate local government area-and for a portion of the inhabitants of the County who have to attend Assizes three times and Quarter Sessions four times a year. Would the outlay of so much money-which every ratepayer would have to help find, whether interested in Assizes and Quarter Sessions or not-be justified ? In this connection we cannot help remem- bering how heavily burdened with rates we are at the present time, nor can we help thinking that the aim of our representatives on the County Council should be to keep our charges p 11 down and not raise them by such an unnecessary scheme as this. I Throughout, the discussion was leavened with the thought that should a change be sought the opportunity might be taken to remove the Assizes from the County altogether, which, from the local point of view, might be con- sidered a fitting punishment for meddling with the matter, but which, it is to be hoped, will not happen. However, it would seem to the ordinary mortal folly to charge the County with the costs of removal, only to find in the future-as was prophesied by one of the supporters of the idea of electing a Committee to consider the project a concentration of all the legal business of South Wales and Monmouthshire at a centre which would assuredly not be Newport. WATER SUPPLY. It is gratifying to find that the County Council have taken up the question of the water supply of the County, on the initiation of the County Surveyor, and that a Committee has been appointed to consider what may be done to conserve our sources of supply for the future and provide sufficient water for the use of all our people. Glamorganshire, also, is taking up the subject, with a view to preventing outside authorities appropriating sources of water supply that it might be deemed essential to preserve to meet the future needs of its own inhabitants. Many people in many places have suffered considerably from a scarcity during the dry period we have just passed through, and some have had to go long distances-three or four miles, in some instances—for the necessary fluid. In Usk we are extremely fortunate in having an excellent and abundant supply, thanks to the foresight of a few public-spirited men who risked their money on a scheme which brought the pure water of the Pandy Stream to our doors in never-ceasing flow, but, as I have said, there are many around us not so admirably placed. No inconsiderable portion of the time the Pontypool Rural District Council devotes to business is taken up by the consideration of matters relating to water supply, particularly in the large portion of their district which lies to the west. The trouble they have experienced in formu- lating a scheme for Llaufrechfa Lower-even now in the negotiation stage, although, happily, nearly completed-has confirmed and strength- ened them in their action of refusing to grant to the owners of new houses certificates of efficient water supply, which the law wisely directs shall be a necessary precedent to their occupation, unless they are as far as possible satisfied that there will be no want of water there in the future, necessitating the expense of public money on its provision. This may entail, here and there, some hard- ship, but it is sound public policy from the general point of view, and it now seems a pity the law was not more stringently enforced in the past.

MONMOUTHSHIRE RECORDS r USK.. Mr J. Hobaon Matthews, archivist, in his interesting report to the County Council on the ancient records of the County, refers to the old records at the Usk Sessions House, and gives details from Quarter Sessions minutes- orders, &c. The records of the borough of Usk, he aays prove beyond question that at one time it was possessed of municipal archives. Mr James Henry Clark, editor of the County Observer," was the last Portreeve. Mr Matthews says that the frail records of our country's past are perishing steadily and irre- trievably, and that the loss can only be guarded against by such prompt measures as have been taken by corporate bodies like Cardiff, whose lead in this matter he hopes the County and Borough Councils of Monmouthshire will not be slow to follow. It will be remembered that at the County Council meetiog £ 100 towards the cost of the work suggested was voted, and a Committee was formed to act, if possible, jointly with Newport on the subject. THE ANGLING YEAR. The salmon season, which ended on November 1st, was about one of the worst on record. In March and April the river was high, but, not- withstanding this, for so early in the season, a fair number of fish were killed, and great hopes were aroused by the good sport which was afforded from the middle of March to the middle of May, which proved to be the brightest part of the angler's year. Then, however, the river became low, aud remained so until the 1st July, when there was a rise of about eighteen inches, and a short revival of sport. September 8th and 9th saw- the next fresh "—a three or four foot one-and. a big run of fish was anticipated but did not for some reason or other come off, and to the end of the season few salmon only were killed, the river remaining very low. A scarcity of botchers was again noticed. The most successful anglers on the upper water were Colonel Morris, Captain Phillips, and the Rev W. O. Hughes; on the lower water, Mrs Lister, Major Trevor, Mr H. W. Pride, Mr Mordaunt, Mr J. T. Davies, and Mr R. Rickards and in the town water, Mr J. Pitt. Mr Rowlauds killed the biggest fish in the lower water, viz., a thirty-five pounder.

USK. Ao,ent-Mrs. 8. K. Jones, StaiUntr ECCLESIASTICAL.—At a special service, held in the Palace Chapel, Llandaff, on Thursday morning, the Bishop licensed the Rev. Arthur Swan Morgan, M.A., to the curacy of Usk with Monkswood. SMOKER."—As will be seen by advertisementr a smoking concert, under the auspices of the Usk Conservative Association, will be held at "The Castle," Usk, on Thursday next, to which all are cordially invited. INTERNATIONAL PLASMON, LTD -The British Analytical Control have granted the International Plasmon Ou., Ltd., a certificate respecting the purity and quality of the Plasmon manufactured by them. THE PROPERTY MARKET.—At the Three Sal- mon's Hotel, Usk, on Monday afternoon, Mr. W. T- Morgan, of Aberdare, offered for sale several lots of freehold property, but all were withdrawn, the reserve price not being reached. Pontsandpit House and Lodge, and a field of pasture land, 16a. 35p., in the occupation of the vendor, Mr* John Jenkins, and estimated to be let at X140 per annum, was withdrawn at £ 2,000. For four free- hold fields of pasture land adjoining, about 22a., let at £82 10s., the highest bid was 21,850. After four out of six cottages, situate in Old Market and Baron Streets, Usk, had been put up separately, biddings rose to £ 455 for all of them. The rentals amounted to £ 56 lis. Mr. W. R Morgan, Aber- dare, was the vendor's solicitor.

USE AND EBBW BOARD OF CONSERVATORS, PROPOSED INCREASED DUTY FOR ROD AND LINE LICENSES. An extraordinary meeting of the above Board will be held at the Great Western Hotel, Aberga- venny, on Nov. 24th, at 11.30 a,m., to receive the report of the Committee appointed to consider the question of altering the existing scale of license duties in force in the Fishery District, and, if deemed advisable to make the following variation recommended by the Committee, which will be proposed by the Chairman, viz.:— For fishing for salmon: For single rod and line for the season, JE1 10s. (£1 at present); ditto for 14 days, 10s. For fishing for trout and char exclusively of salmon: For each and every single rod and line, 2s. 6d. (Is. at present).

USK AND DISTRICT RIFLE CLUB. The first shooting competition of the season was held on the Miniature Range in Porthycarne-streefc, on Oct. 23rd, 25th, and Nov. 1st, under very inter- esting conditions, which were laid down by Mr. J. T. Davies, J.P., as follows: 1st stage, seven shots, 50 yards, stationary target, prone position; 2nd stage, ditto, standing position; 3rd stage, ditto, disappearing target, any military position. First, second, and third prizes were offered, given respec- tively by Messrs. J. T. Davies, J. Billingham, and Phil. T. Clift. Messrs. G. Edmunds, junr., and W. J. Sweet tied for first place, but on the shoot off the former won by 13 points to 11. Scores:— 1st 2nd 3rd Messrs. stage. stage. stage. Total. G. Fdmunds 33 20 30 83 W. J. Sweet 31 29 23 83 A. J. Thomas 29 25 26 80 P. T. Clift 31 18 31 80 F. H. Stockham.. 29 28 15 72 H. W. Marfell 31 19 17 67 F. Stratton 25 18 23 66 G. M. Smith 32 12 21 65 *J T. Davies 30 26 56 A. H. Marfell. 19 19 18 56 A. F. Lucas 25 14 10 49 *E. W. Waters. 26 20 46 *A. G. Wallace 24 21 45 W. Billingham 22 9 14 45 *R. Morgan 27 17 44 F. Hobbs 19 11 12 42 *H. Freeman 23 17 40 *F. H. Waters 30 — 30 Signifies those unfortunately unable to shoofc at all the stages.