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

A 8IMPLE FACT ABOUT KEATING'S COUGH LOZENGES. Ask throughout the world, in any country that.can be named, you will and them largely sold. There is absolutely no remedy thatis so speedy in giving relief, so certain to cure, and yet the most delicatt. can take them. One Lozenge gives ease. Sold in 13gd. tins.

DEAD OR ALIVE? » -| A REMARKABLE AFFAIR. 1 A strange affair is reported from Bordeaux i Eight or nine days ago a youth of the district, ] named Jean Piet, went on a drunken spree with two companions, the upshot of which was that Piet fell into the river and was drowned, or at least that was the verdict of the authorities when two days later his body was fished out of the water and interred. The boy was his j mother's favourit-e child, and nightly after the burial Mme. Piet dreamt that her son was not dead, but buried alive. So vivid were these dreams that the mother ultimately went to the authorities and implored them to grant an order for exhumation. This was refused atfirot, but the mother pleaded so eloquently that consent was at last obtained. The exhumation took place, and physicians confessed themselves puzzled by the condition of the body, and notably by the marked absence of any signs of decomposition. They have determined on a careful investigation, and the remains are to be watched night and day, in order to detect any signs of returning life. The affair is creating the greatest excitement j in the district. j —

I CHARING CROSS DISASTER, j l I RESULT OF THE INQUIRY. Sir Benjamin Baker, consulting engineer to the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Com- pany, gave evidence on Monday, when the in- quiry was resumed by Mr. John Troutbeck into the disaster wh-ch Well six workmen at Charing Cross and the Avenue Theatre on December 5 by the fall of the roof of the railway station. A model of the roof of the station as it appeared before the collapse was placed near the jury- box. The first witness was the chief engineer, Mr. Percy Tempest, who said that since 1898 he had received no reports as to the condition of the roof, as there was nothing to report. The district engineer went up to the roof twice a year and examined it. Sir Benjamin Baker said he formed the opinion that the accident was due to the frac- ture of a tie-rod. For some reason the bar had broken with only one-third of its proper break- ing weight. When the broken portions were recovered it was apparent that in the centre of the welded bar there had never been metallic union. But for this flaw the roof would have been good for another twenty years. In reply to Mr. Pollock, K.C., who appeared for Messrs. Maple, by whom the decoration of the Avenue Theatre was being carried out, Sir Benjamin said it was providential that the breakage occurred when it did. It might have happened when the theatre and station were filled with people. Mr. George Ellson, a civil engineer, who said he found the roof in good condition in December. 1902, was asked by Mr. Boydell Houghton if he had at copy of the notes be made at the time. Mr. Bodkin said that if the witness had he should object to their production. Mr. Hough- ton knew perfectly well that on Saturday, at the instance of Mr. Cyril Maude, the railway company was served with a writ, and he de- clined to allow Mr. Ellson to be cross-examined for ulterior purposes in that action. He thought the coroner and jury would see that it was not a real attempt ta get at the truth of the matter. Thesoroneroocid.ed in favour of Mr. Houghton, and thfe witness undertook to produce the notes. Sir Wolfe Barry, C.E., w was principal assistant to Sir John Hawkshaw in the erection of the station roof, said that only a laboratory experiment could have revealed the fracture in the tie-rod. In the end. the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," adding that "the accident occurred through the breaking of a tie-rod through an unforeseen flaw," and that tbey at- tached no blame to any of the company's officials.

CHINESE LABOUR. I A Parliamentary paper issued on Tuesday contained! the correspondence between Lord Elgin, Secretaxy for the Colonies, and Lord Selborne, High Commissioner in South Africa, with regard; to the stoppage of the further importa- tion of Chines6 indentured labour into the Transvaal. The final decision of the Home Government with regard to licensies for impor- tation already granted is to the effect that under all the circumstances the licenses in ques- tion must be allowed to stand', the responsibility for their being granted ',be:in,, one which must entirely rest with their predecessors. The Government, adds Lord) Elgin, require that, from the date on which they assumed' office, nothing shall be done to add. to the number of Chinese labourers under contract for employ- ment in South Africa until the Transvaal shall have had an opportunity of declaring its opinion through an elected and really representative Legislature.

THE STRONGEST NERVE TONIC IS VENO'S SEAWEED TONIC. It is not possible to make a stronger or more effective nerve sfcrengthener. It possesses marvel- lous, purifying, healing, and tonic properties. A rare edible species of seaweed obtained on the Pacific coast is used; Incases of nervous weak- ness, lassitude, debility, iiifdigesiiion, liver and stomach diseases,, and eapeciaHy female weakness and habitual constipation, it is pre-eminent. Cures permanently. No return. Pleasant to> take. You feel ljetteij" at once. Doctors use It. Creden- tials and tesfcuitap&Is of the Mghest character. Ask for VENO! TONIC; Is. I!Ld. and 2s. 9d., at Chemists everywhere.

ROYALTY AT THE CAPE, I b The Duke and Duchess of Connaught and: Princess Patricia arrived lat Cape Town on Tuesday, from Southampton, by the Armadaile Castle, after a splendid voyage, and were given an enthusiastic reception as they drove to the City Hall. Their Royal Highnesses were wel- comed at the docks by Sir W. Hely Hutchinson, the Governor, the members of the Cabinet, the Mayor of Cape Town, and naval and military officers. Beautiful weather prevailed, and the lhrightly-decomted streets were crowded with people. Replying to an address by the Mayor, the Duke of Connaught said:—"I assure you of His Majesty's deep interest in everything concern- ing the happiness and prosperity of his South African subjects, and of his ardent wish for the peace and prosperity of the country. I shall never forget the warmth of this reception." Their Royal Highnesees afterwards drove to Government House at Newlands.

DISASTROUS FIRE IN INDIA. I The Palace of the Thakur of Limbi or Limn (Kalthjiawar) has been totally destroyed by fire. 1.1h>e bulk of the inmates escaped with great diffi- cuHifcv, bult several are repo-nted to have been losit. The fire, whidh there wae no means of extinguishing, was raging for over three clays, and the wholle town was ablaze. The damage is estimated ait upwards of fifty lakhs of rupees (1330,000). The Tihiakur Gabiib of Lmroibdi rules aver an area of 344 square miles, with a popula- tion of about 43,000.

A certain venerable archdeacon engaged .as a new footman a Wiell-<recominended} youth who had' served as a stable hoy. The first duty which he was oallsd upon to perform was to accompany the archdieacon an a series of forma calls. "Bring the cards, Thomas, end, leave one at each house," ordered his master. After two hours of visiting from house to house the archdeacon's list was exhausted. "This is the 1:asit house, Thomas," he said; "leave two cards here." "Beggin' your pairdon, sir," was the reply, "I can-I've only the ace o' spades left."

[ SO LIKE DEATH. DESPERATELY ANAEMIC, ALMOST LIFELESS, AND MTIABLY WEAK. A COMPLETE CURE FOUND IN DR. WILLIAMS' PINK PILLS. She looked like a corpse, and many friends feared that I would soon lose her," said Mrs. Burn, of 79, Napier-street, Deptford, London, when Speaking of her daughter Mabel. "Tall and strong as she now is, at one time she was threat- ened with consumption, following ansemia. But we owe it to Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People that she is a healthy girl. j When Mabel i first became ill, continued Mrs.c Burn, a clever1 doctor said she was unusually weak, and suffer- ing from acute ansemia; also that she had out- grown her strength. As time went on it was pitiful to see her, for she grew weaker and more bloodless. Food she scarcely Miss Mabel Burn, Cured of Acute Ancemia by Di>. Williams' Pink Pills* touched. Sometimes I had to watch her fot hours owing to her lifeless state. For weeks she existed without energy, drowsy, hardly able to crawl upstairs, and finding the shortest walk almost impossible. She attended Guy's Hospital, and followed various kinds of treatment, but everything seemed an utter failure. Then her grandmother advised her to try Dr. Williams' Pink Pills, which she did. The result was truly wonderful. Daily she grew brighter and stronger; the attacks of faintness left her; she began to enjoy food, and was no longer short of breath. After a few boxes she was perfectly well—strong, bright, and active. Now she does not need the pills." Mr. Burn added enthusiastically: It's a wonder we did not have to take her to the cemetery, but now she is as strong as she looks." Fainting fits and deathly pallor are among the usual signs of aneemia and extreme debility. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills, as in Miss Burn's case, alleviate these and all other distressing symptoms of bloodlessness, for they cure promptly all forms of weakness, regenerate the blood, fortify the nerves, and repair the wear and tear produced by overwork. Anaemia, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Bile, Indigestion, Kidney Disease, Eczema, Paralysis, Locomotor Ataxy, and Ladies' Ailments, have been cured in countless instances. Sold by dealers; or direct, post free, 2s. 9d. one box, 13s. 9d. for six, from Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., Holborn-viaduct, London. Substitutes do not cure and are worse than useless.

KUBELIK SUED. I Mr. Kubelik the famous violinist, has just ibeen sued by Mr. Schurman, the well-known impresario, for various sums in the Third Chamber of the Civil Court at Pa.ris. Mr. Sehnrmian said be had to pay £ 30 to a theatre manager in Madrid for a concert that was not held, £ 200 for the hire of- a theatre in Bar- celona, and £ 24 for the lady accompanist at five concerts. He also claimed X290 for damages. The violinist set uip "the defence that as he was domiciled in Bohemia the Franch Courts had no jurisdiction. The Court ruled t.hat such domicile was notvproved, and ordered Mr. Kubelik to pay the claim.

TO MOTHERS OP LARGE OR SMALL FAMILIES. It is a source of great uneasiness to mothers whose children suffer from coughs, colds, bron- chitis, whooping cough, or croup but this un- easiness is reduced to a minimum when VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURB is in,, the house. It relieves fever in a few hours, cures an ordinary coagh in one night, and is specially adapted for children. No safer or purer remedy exists, and nothing can be given that will soi quickly curre children's coughs. Upwards of two million bottles are sold annually. Mrs. ADA S. BALLIN, 5,, Agar-street, London, Editor of" Womanhood" and a, great authority upon children's diseasesy writes: "VENç.'s LIGHTNING COUGH CURE is one of the very few cough mixtures that can safelyjie given to children; it is an exceedingly successful* remedy for coughs, colds, bronchitis, and catarrh, and is also of great service in influenza and asthma. It is very pleasant to take, and the relief it gives is very rapid." Ask for VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE, gld., Is. 1id.and2s. 9d., at Chemists and Drug Stores everywhere.

Three beggars on whom inquests were held were Bound to possess more thiWIl £600 beibween them. At the ne,w year's tr&at to the inmates of the Kingston Workhouse, the chairman of the Board of Guardians sang a couple of songs, another members almused the company as a "dJie¡ap jack," and a third told them a tragic tile with a sudden and absurd' ending. I

BROWN'S 1 J| BRONCHIAL fe. TROCHES ,§OP PO* Coughs A Cold#, p|| Tnftuanxa, Catarrh., Bronchitis, dtc. &o/eieverywhereperbcx. p|| Tnftuanxa, Catarrh., Bronchitis, dtc. &o/eieverywhereperbcx.

"I 'have never navigated a Ibarge In my life, nor have my two nautical ^assessors. Captain Cunningham and Captain HiggHoson, confessed Judge Lumley Smith, ■apropos oi a bargse collision case in the City; of €buart. "I once stee-redi a If Thames," said, Mr. A. E. Nelson,'the d^ndi £ counsel. "sWnat was the result?' -i t judge. "OJI, beautiful!" was the somewhat vague answer.

wri REGISTERED TRADE VA-X. The NEW TOILET SOAPS of THE BRITISH EMPIRE SOAP COMPANY, LIMITED. are now on sale, and the following Prizes are offered to purchasers of 6d. Tablets, viz.:— First Prize, ;c-ioo in Cash. -r n Prizes of dBICi in Cash. Twenty Prizes of R5 in Cash. Fifty Prizes of £ 2 in Cash. One Hundred Prizes of £ 1 in Cash. If you are unable to obtain our Toilet Soaps, either from your Chennst or Grocer, please write direct to the Company, 36,38, & 40, Broad Street House, New Broad Street, London, E.C., enclosing Stamps for as many Tablets as are required, when they will be forwarded post free. AGENTS WANTED.

I ELECTION ADLKESbES. SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN'S ADDRESS. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, in his election address, says that, though the Unionist party have during their ten yeai« of office onjoytu advantages of an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons and the docile support of the House of Lorde, the period of their adminis- tration presents itself as a well-nigh unbroken expanse of mismanagement, of legislation con- ducted for the benefit of privileged classes and powerful interests, of wars and adventures abroad hastily embarked upon and recklessly pursued. After dwelling on the record of the late Government in regard to the South African settlement, the state of the national finances, the confused attempts at Army reorganisation, and the handling of the questions of education, licensing, and rating, Sir Henry proceeds to discuss the Unionist proposals of fiscrf reform, which he holds to be fraught with incalculable mischief to the nation and the Empire. He sets forth at length his reasons for this conviction, and adds that the policy of the present Govern- ment is well known to the electors. Should they be confirmed in office, they will, while hold- ing fast to the time-honoured principles of Liberalism, repair so far as they can the mis- chief wrought-in recent years. As to foreign affairs, the Unionist party, by renouncing those undesirable characteristics which Liberals for- merly detected in their foreign policy, have made it possible for the Government to purs" a substantial continuity of policy. MR. JOHN MORLEY. I Mr. John Motley, Secretary of State for India, on Monday issued his addirese to the electors of the Montrose District of Burghs. It isbasOOt on the arguments presented to the eLootom at his recent meeting in Arbroath, and characterised rbyM.r. Morteis customary pre- cision of phrase and unsparing logic. The following are among the counts in the indict- ment which he htas drawn up against the late Government: — It is ihardly necessiary for me to tell over again the too familiar tale, how the late Ministry blundered; into a long, costly, dangerous, and difficult war. As to their future policy, what fiseal -reform means to one zealous section of the Unionist party is to the other section lanathema, and yet this chaos is seriously presented to the country es a rprogmmme and a policy. I SIR EDWARD GREY. I The adicPrees of Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary) to the electors of the Berwick-oa- Tweed division ia mainly devoted to the issue of Free, Trade v. Protection. In the adoption of Protection Sir Edward sees the coming of political corruption, increase in the price of food, and the lowering of wages. He believes tha,t a frelet discussion at the next Colonial Con- ference will make it clear that the Colonies, as at least one of them has already told us, are not prepared to abandon, or even to reduce, the duties which they now impose on British goods. While this is so there can be no question of Free Tradto within the Empire. l MR. ASQUITH. I Mr. Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, I on Monday evening issued his address to the electors of the Eastern division of Fife. He finds the record of the late Government to be one of reactionary and partial legislation, cf feeble and incoherent management in some of the most important departments of the State- in particular in the War OiMee-and of profuse and unregulated extravagance. Mr. Asquith contends that Free Trade is, responsible for our supremacy in the world's markets, and that wan- tonly to tamper with our fiscal system is to invite disaster. MR A. CHAMBERLAIN. Mr. Austen Chamberlain's election address urges strenuous resistance to the policy of cowardly surrender to the forces of disloyalty in Ireland, and advocates a change in our fiscal policy r SIR CHARLES DILKE. 1 The following is the text of Sn- Cha.)rI)M DiHBa'w address to the electom of the Forest of Dean Division ^Tjrentlemen,—I solicit with confi- dence the renewal of your trust-. -Believe -me, l your devoted servant, CHARLES W. BiLKB."

A NONAGENARIAN PEER. j Lord Mash am has just reached the advanced agio of ninety-one. He is the oldest of our ennobled) self-made men, and he is as keenly intereatedi in the political and industrial-affairs of to-day iae ever he was. He was left a widower with seven children more than a quarter of a century ago, and' he took his seat in the House of Lorda when not far off eighty. Bord Masliam is, of coume, a. man of many inventions, his only compeer since his ennoble. ment having been th,e late Lord Grimthorpe, who invented innumerable clocks, bells, and XOK2) MA SHAM. I other mechanical devices which never brought feim a penny. Itord Grimthorpe, too, was the first peer of hia line, and, died! a nonogenarian. These two stalwarts had another characteristic in common, they were both vigorous contro- versaliate, who could give hard knocks-and tafce them Born at C-Ulverley Hall, near Brad- ford, in 1815, Mr. Cunliffe Lister, as he formerly was, founded1 the immense manufacturing establishment of Manningham Mills, where he made silk plush for all the world. He became a millionaire, and has devoted many 'hundreds of thousands of pounds to philanthropic pur- poses.

A HAT CAUSES A TRAGEDY. I I There was an instance in Paris recently of how even a puff of wind blowing off a man's hat can produce a tragedy. A cab, occupied by two men and a woman, was passing along the Rue Caumar- tin. The hat ofjone of the men was blown off, and ho leant from the cab door to pick it up. But at this moment another cab came in an opposite direction, and crushed the hat. Seeing the fate that had overtaken his headgear the man left the cab. His wrath was frightful. He attacked the involuntary author of the accident. The poor cabman was pulled from his box and cuffed and kicked to such an extent that he fell to the ground unconscions. The aggressor then entered the cab, and drove away with his friends. When the cabman was picked up it was seen that his right leg and skull, were fractured. He also complained of internal pains. And with good reason, for he died a few hours afterwards at Lariboisibre Hospital. An active search is being made for his murderer.

Crowded out of service by motor-omn-ttt)ufiem, lone of ifahe old hioree-dxiawn vehicles ie ibeing used by a Caanibetrwelll jobmaster as a fowl-house. As oampeiaetaibjioia fox a broken leg, susitaaned by being ejeofed diawntft-aiim from a Liverpool jthieiarfyre, J amies Rigger bias been awarded £ 25 iteumiages ¡all; the IiLvotfpool Court of Passage. Charged wfltth refractory conduct, in the work- oouse, at Romford, a tap said that when he watered the casual ward the master was euffer- ing from "lapsus memoriae."

POJR jjCOUGHS&COLDSi USE TRA ppaflPHWUItlH COMPOUND ESSEHC^Jjl ,=ANISEED ETS UK j! INSEED COMPOUND" 8 is a reliable old English home' Kg remedy. It softens hard phlegm, 8j # permitting it to be expectorated H without strain, soothing the membranes and B allaying the irritation so commonly ex- H perienoed. There is nothing to equal it. Of B all Chemists at home and abroad. Befusethe LaaainBaaaililBiaMk^ SANFORD'S POISON has been successfully hol used for go years, and is to-day first among the HUP fln HS Wra.? many preparations for killing Rats, Mice, on ■Tnl US B iTft Moles. Cats and dogs won't touch it. Boxes B u B ^0$' 1/- to 5/ post free from SANl*ORD & SOM SANDY,gBEDS., Chem IRAIIDLES  I H STILL EFFECTED BY USING I ■ Dr. Roberts' Ointment I "POOR MAN'S FRIEND" I fl Unequalled for WQUNDS, CUTS, t H and SKiW DISEASES. ■ 8 100 YEARS' REPUTATION I n Is. ljd. & 2s. 9d. of all dealers, k B 8endyf or Sample to the Sole Makers— 9 BEftCK^BAnHiC0TT,IJiVIITEtf,gRlBK6flT. J T>ILIiIABD AND BAGATELLE JU> TABLES. A LAP.GB STOCK OF NEW AND 8ECOND. HAND TABLES OB hutd. WRITE FOR .PRICB LISTS2-* Clró EDWARDS, 1S4. Kill (ISLAND BO AD, LONDON NJB. TOL 00 Central. When Baby had rash, we rubbed in VINOLIA. When she was a Child, she criecl for VFNOLIA. When she became Miss, she clung to VINOLIA. When she had children, ahe gave them VINOLIA. Vimolia Cream, r/ij, X/Q Vinolia Ponder, I/ ifg; Premiet Vinolia Soap, id. SWOLLEN GLANDS CURED" EY Dr. Grace's New Treatment, No operations required. Simple home treatment with- out discomfort .[Delays in Gland troubles being extremely dangerous, send at once for free booklet and particulars to ALLEN & CO., 35a, Bucklersbury, E.C. rilHB /CUPBOARD. — New Tv<»+v.iy. lata* A <w *tnc3. Treats every phase of domestie lire. Bend penny stamp for specimen copy, or order from bookstalls. THE |^UPBOARD.-24 pages fine art paper. Novel vy cover. An organ of Domesticity. Special Offer for obtaining new readers. 31HE ^UPBOARD. —Best Penny Monthly. Posted everywhere, 2s. yearly.—27, Pilgrim Street, ndon, E.C. No. 1 now ready. Don't miss it, BOKWICK'S For n ■ ■«■ The Home Q A If ||1 P Best Bread, I Si LS pnwnFR and Pasties. | WW U Epff

Professor Herkomer's picture, "The Gutardv Cheer," has been -preeented. by Mr. H. O. Willa to the city of Bristol. To induce teachers to take positions in un. pleasant neighbourhoods, the London Countj Council "will, for the future offer £ 7 10s. a yaat extra salary in poor or out-of-the-way districts.

DELICIOUS COFFEE. RED WHITE &  Breakfast &  DSnne:

Edwin Stevens, when he made up his mind to tackle vaudeville, for the first round selected Manager Meyerfe;lt, founder of the Orpheum. crcuit. The manager had a gruff manner a',d a German accent, and was, moreover, very fcuey. Turning on Mr. Stevens, brusquely, iho exclaimed: "Veil, vat do you vant?" "I would like to go into vaudeville," responded the candidate, meekly. "Vat do you do—vat is your line?" "I am a comedian," was the modest answer. "A komiker, hein?" and the manager faced him, sternly; "veil, make me laugh."

NO BETTER FOOD." Or. tHdroM Wilton, F.K.8.E., *» ft .^of- o° COLD MEDALS, &c.

General Grant records a. good story, tha-t usad to amuse mm greatly, of a certain rough car. penter who accompanied' "Stonewall" Jackson m many of his marelieg. Once when the general was making a rapid movement, he caioa to a deep stream; the bridge had been burned, and! it was necessary should be resior-edl u eoon mis possible. Jacks.onsent for his engineers and the carpenter, telling them what wa» required1, and the engineers retired to their tJente to prepare their plansl. Two liours later the carpenter re;porte: "Gineral, that bridge So finished, but them pictera ain't come yet."