The Abergavenny Mail

I LOCAL NEWS. N.C.L. AN-,UAL BALL.—The Ledbury and District Lodge of the National Conservative League have arranged to hold their annual all- night ball at the Feathers Hotel Assembly Room on Thursday, January 29. Mr. C. W. Jesaett's B&nd (violin. cornet and piano). Open for Engagements for BaHa, Dances. Parties, Social Gathering, Concerts, etc. Moderate Terms.—Apply, Mr C W Jessett, 22, Church Street, Ledbury. HORTICULTURAL.—The appearauceof Toogood's Garden Seed Guide for 1914 serves as a reminder that the seed-sowing season is almost at hnd again. The book is a large and handsomely illustrated volume of 168 pages, and is the 99th annual Guide issued by Messrs Toogood and Sons, of Southampton,. Seedsmen by appoint- ment for 65 years past to H. M. the King, H.M. the late King Edward, and H. M. the h.te Queen Victoria. Since the publication of the last edition the firm has completed a new and additional seed-warehouse of two and a hilf acres floor area. The building, which is shown in natural colours, is a remarkable illustration of the success of the Messrs Toogood'a phm of selling actually guaranteed garden seeds, for every packet of seeds purchased from this list must grow for the buyer and please him or he will gf)t it replaced freely. I& is, of course, the unique position of the firm as actual seed- growers which enables them to issue a guarantee of this sort in place of the usual H non-war- ranty under which seeds are elsewhere sold. The Messrs Toogood affirm that any garden soil sown with Toogood's Seeds will ensure an abundance of wholesome and delicious vege- tables and a gay profusion of delightfel blossoms and they back their assertion with a plain guarantee on every packet of their seeds, despite the fact that their prices are lower than those of the other great seed-houses. The Guide should be in the hands of every gardener, as it places the best uf the new varieties and the greatest choice of the reliable, standard sorts of vege- tables and flowers before purchasers in their own homes and under the most favourable conditions for leisurely comparison. We are informed that a copy will be sent freely to both amateur and professional gardeners who apply for it now, also that there is no obligation to buy anything. MISS FORD, Upper Cross. Ledbury, has been appointed Ledbury Agent for Dr. Allin- son's Cetsbrated Wholemeal Bread. As an a,td to 0-igesiion aud good health, this bread is undoubtedly worth a trial. Sampte loaves (2d tttid 3d) sent anywhere. HEREFORD THKATRE GUTTED. .S2,500 DAMAGE.—Fire destroyed the Garrick Theatre, Hereford, on Thursday morning. Only the entrance to the ticket otnce at the front and the dressing-rooms at the back remain. The outbreak was discovered by a policeman, who summoned the fire brigade, but the flames had a nrnn hold, and nothing could be done to save the theatre. By splendid efforts the firemen prevented adjoining property from becoming involved, and they received valuable help in their work from many willing hands. For three years the theatre had been used as a picture palace. It belonged to the local I Oddfellows, and was in the course of transfer to Mr R A Maddox. The damage is estimated at j32,500. and is covered by insurance. Chas. Hodges' Bread, Standard or I WhiM, punty and quality guaranteed. Daily deliveries.—42, Bye Stteet, Ledbury. BiLHARD HANDICAP.—A Christmas billiard handicap was promoted by Mr E Mark, of the Plough Hotel, for which there was a good entry, and the nnal stages were played on* on Tuesday and Christmas Eve last week. The last four left in were Messrs E J Alien, G E Brooks, W S Bowes (all off scratch) and F Rogers (receives 20), the games bring 250 up,and of these Messrs Brookes and Bowes were drawn together, the latter winning by 50, and then qualifying to meet Mr Alien in the final by beating Mr Rogers by 1 point. The anal between Mr Alien and Mr Bowes was played off on Christmas Eve, and the former won easily by 51 points. The prize-winners were :—1, goose, Mr E J Alien 2, box of cigars, Mr W S Bowes; 5, bottle of whiskey, Mr F Rogers. NEW SERIAL.—See page 2 for the opening chapters of a grand new serial: For Love and Honour. HUGHE8' TOBACCO STORES. The largest stock and variety in the town. See the windows. High ctaes Hzur cutting and Shaving Sa-toon. Razors ground ane, set. Umbrellas re-covered and repaired on the premises at the shortest notice. Second-hand bookseller. Ai large selection of secoHd-hand books on all subjects. Any quantity seconJ-hacd books bought for caab.—76, Homend St., Ledbury.

WONDERFUL /? ? ? WATERPROOF ?M? SALE! 'mWU ? 'iw?t BARGAINS FOR ALL. BW ) ?MM Itj Oi)'-kins-\V?terproofs-R?in Coats for the million. Ex- ?ZM?' tt??rMy?tNHT fV tren?elyust'tui?nd valuable 6 t presents tur aU. Splendid <Jmttt t ?-!N' ') Bargains. Xew guaranteed ftt?Mt ? goods. Oor famous "BuT)t'' tML ? ? l.adies .u)d Gentlemen's :!l, in a selection of texttir" 18i9 each Ournpw"NEVER-GKT-WKT )? 9 Transparent Oilskin Coats !or t.adies and Gent!emen. Smart and well cut in twetvR pretty art shades io,6 each. Guaranteed Watf-rliroof lJouchos, Faw1I or Blue Twit). 36in. long, 2 11 each. Extra quaiity Btack Rubber 2! Driving Aprons faced at foot 16'11 cacho Banting aud Riding Macs in Fawn Parantatta 39/8 for n I I Tweed Waterproof School Coats for Boys and Gicls, Strong Double Texture, 24in., 7,'U each. Hundreds of other bargains to se)ect from. E very th inn SteIlt carriage paid. W< return money in full if not complete}y satisfied, Call1low and have 'otty pick of t;ie 6,?rgajis5. M'eKEE ? 'CO. °'???? McKEE & Co. EXPERTS, 10, QUEEN STREET, CARDIFF.

THE PICTURE PALACE. The houses at the Picture Palace, the Royal Hall, Ledbury, have been very good. During the holidays the great attraction was the nino the War Correspondents," a sensational pro- duction which drew crowded audiences at three houses daily on Boxing Day and Saturday. On Monday and Tuesday there were three star nims, "The Gambler's Ruin (Gaumont), "A Four-Footed Hero (Bison), and "A Scape- grace" (Cricks and Martin), with three other films which made up a strong programme. On Wednesday there was a change from pictures, when Messrs Bransgrove and Slaughter's Company played The Ever Open Door," by G R Sima and H H Hebert, to a fairly good house. The play proved a strong. drama of London Yife, and if, as we hear, a return visit is promised, the talented company, who presented the play on Wednesday should play to a crowded house. The Gaumont Fantomas series are un- doubtedly the finest mystery films yet produced. Fantomas II—"The Man in Black is being screened this latter half of the week, and the management are securing at later dates Fantomas III and Fantomas IV. Patrons should not miss this splendid series, although each is a complete story in itself. On Mond&y and Tuesday the star film will be the Vitagraph Tale of Two Cities It is well acted and does credit to the well-known Vitagraph Co. For the last three nights of next week patrons are promised what we confidently predict will prove one of the finest historical films yet screened at the Royal Hall, in "Cleopatra," by the Helen Gardner Picture Playera. This film is 6,000 feet long in hve parts and portrays Miss Helen Gardner herself, one of the finest cinema artistes living, in the name part. Misa Helen Gardner is a glorious poem as Cleopatra." Miss Gardner's rythmic beauty and dramatic instincts, her inteUcctuality, culture and delicacy, have combined in her work to vivify and ennoble the character of "Royal Egypt." Her costumes are truly gorgeous, representing not merely money, but exquisite taste, thought and culture. In several scenes she wears shawls and draperies and gowns that were made in Egypt hundreds of yeara ago, and jewels that cost over fifty thousand dollars. The gas engine is now n. thing of the past at the Hall, and a much steadier and better lights is now obtained from the new motor-generator, besides (as will be appreciated by patrons) an absolute minimum chance of the Hall being plunged into darkness. What with new light- ing, new bioscope, new heating, etc., the Hall ia fast attaining the pu' excellence "of the large city cinemas. And good luck to the management.

Mr J Evelyn, of Cuaham, an agricultural labourer, has recently received nonce (abjut six weeks ago) from th<* locat lusuranee Committee informing him that As the amount standing to your credit in the Post Office fund is inauiEcient to meet the proper proportion the yearly chargea for medtcat beneat, sanatorium bpneiit, and expenses of administration payable in respect of each deposit contributor under the National Insurance Act, you are suspended from medical beneiit and other benefits as a deposit contributor on and after October 15, 1913, until further notice." Mr Evelyn has neither asked for nor received medical attendance, sick pay, medicine or other benent, and be is now wondering where tb< ninepence for fourpence comes in

ORCHARDS IN HEREFORDSHIRE.—A large nUtU- ber of orchards in the County of Hereford, are, it is stated, allowed to deteriorate. The agri- cultural department of the Herefordshire Education Committee feel that the orchards would give much better returns if more attention were given to the pruning and general manage- ment of these orchard trees. There are over 28,000 acres under standard fruit trees in the county, and the committee have decided to start .an orchard competition, with prizes for the best pruned and generally best managed orchards in the county. In addition to money prizes, there will be also silver medals and a silver cup. The competition is to be confined to tenant farmers who can enter a minimum acreage of standard apple trees as follows Two acres on holdings up to 60 acres, three over 60 and under 150 acres, four over 150 and under 300 acres and five over 300 acres. George Lloyd (late James Lioyd). Chimney Sweep, Church i-anc, Ledbury. Distance n<* object. Prompt and personal attention to all orders. J. W. STEPHENS; collector of FINE, ANTIQUE FURNITURE, China, Plate, etc -26, Church Street, Hereford Near Cathedral North Porch).

OUR WEEKLY CALENDAR. Ev(;uLs fidn>rtj¡.-ed in the;e ('o!¡¡mns or f.u' which we h&e JtH.:d vul páNing ufdHM. TO-DAY (FKIDAY)- Hd.!i, Bo'-bu.i'y- 8 ;n: PK'bnrM Pabce, Royal Il!U, Ledbury, S p.m. TO-l\10J\' "'11 ':ATUíUU. YI- .H< P;tH?a II;' Ii, Hosbury, ni. Air. I g L t e, Ne'.v Inu i.to!.t. Ledhury, i'lciutf PJ.h.e, Rly,dHa.lJ, JLedbury, .30. 6;10, tu.d8.45p.). SUNDAY (ji<!JL'i' I.æ.h1)! Bmt,hcdwod, Hs,!i, Leubury; MONDAY- Üdnn C"n<-n. 7-30 p.tii. Hov.u Ledbury, S {j.tn. Le" 1,1: ry i "n). Hajj, I.fdbury, S p.m. WEDNESDAY— HaH, Lc(H<n:'y. Ficture PfJaCt', Royal Ha.n, Ledbiiry, 8 p.m. Ti:U;WDAY <]CM!, ;it. Ett';t,n(.r Clnh Roo'ti, 7 30 p. m. Qn.'dr)1!e Pa.rby. New tnn Hotel A,.sëmbly Kooin. Lf-<jb!)ry, 7 45 ;m. Piebure Paince, Ruya.t liatt, Ltdbn.ry, 8 p.m. FRIDAY- Sitte Rup Poles, for Mr E HoUand, !I.t i i,!isli F'ir!!), Coddiogton, by M(;8<i-i. Pope, Sauth a.ud Anthoay, at 2-30p.n). Ptcture Pittace, Royal Halt, Ledbury, 8 p.m. SATURDAY- Anlllui Meedng Ledbur,r und District Lodge I Natioo<t! ConmrOgtive Leagae, New rnG Hote), Ledbury, 8 p.m. Footbai} Matches (see fixtures). Picturp. Pdlace, Royat Hall, Ledbury, 2-SC, 6-30 and 8 45 p.m. FORTHCOMING EVENTS.