The Abergavenny Mail

The Singer Service ft C^The Singer Service is built upon a number of I J important business principles, among which are 0 *1 integrity, a determination to give the utmost of good M r value for money, and courtesy. Vi C.The customer who buys a packet of needles is entitled fl U to the same consideration and attention that is given to W the buyer of a Cabinet Table Sewing Machine. y ? THERE ARE OVER 900 SINGER SHOPS ft Uj in Great Britain an d Ireland, and each is always ready and wilhng 30 to attend to your sewing machine problems, supply lost parts, to attend to your sewing machine problems, supply lost parts, V ? cottons, needles, oil, etc.  1 THE (??? SINGER I ? SIGN ;?? SERVICE I ;? j OF THE !??) SHOPS | | i If you require anything for your Sewing Machine, apply to \1 r SINGER SERVICE SHOPS IN THIS DISTRICT: Q Lj 40, Commercial Street, Hereford 3, St. Nicholas Street, Worcester ) SUB-SERVICE SHOPS: J/J Ross, 2, High Street: T. PARSONS, Sales Manager € j k. Malvern Link, 6, Colston Buildings, Worcester Road J [/wL USE THE SINGER SERVICE ?J? ??? Any complaint in regard to the Singer Service should be addressed to 'n Si!iger Machine Co., Ltd., MAnagenient, 42 & 43, /??-=? ??<. ::it.  V ??f?\ ? ???? ChurchyMd, London. E. C /'? ( ?? ?f7

CYCLECAR ANO MOTOR CYCLE NOTES. J[BY CELERITER.J CHAIN VERSUS BELT DRIVE. A MUCH DISCUSSED PROBLEMf The problem as to whether belt drive or chain drive is the best for a motor cycle is one which has attracted a great deal of atten- tion on all sides for several years, and yet there are no signs that the problem is any nearer being settled than it was when first introduced. Of late there has not been quite as much discussion in the columns of the motoring press on the respective merits of the two systems as there frequently was in times gone by. I think it cannot be denied that during the past 12 or 18 months great improvements have been made in both belts and chains, and so to-day both systems are looked upon by riders as fairly equal as regards their respective capabilities. On the other hand I think it cannot be denied that neither system is yet entirely free from trouble, and therefore to the man who is about to buy a machine it may be rather difficult for him to judge which type of drive to go in for. If he asks his friends what their experiences are, he will probably find that those of them who ride chain- driven machines are equally as satisfied as those who stick to the belt-drive. Belt- driven machines undoubtedly predominate in the market to-day they are the pioneer type, and several of the leading makers still pin their faith entirely to the belt, and have done so from the very beginning. Belt manufacturers are probably more keenly alive to the probable effect the competition of chain drive will have on their belt sales than they have ever been before, conse- quently they are striving their utmost to produce belts which will have long lives and give no trouble on the road. There is no doubt that in a measure they have suc- ceeded in producing better belts than have hitherto been obtainable. As a whole, though, there have always been certain belts which lasted far longer than others, even though they were of the same make; this is one of the troubles of the belt manufacturer and the buyer alike. No two belts have exactly the same qualities; this defect is, however, being gradually overcome by the makers, and as I have just mentioned it is possible to obtain a good belt nearly every time instead of only occasionally as hitherto. Taking this fact into account, and also bearing in mind that the average life of all belts has been considerably lengthened, it is not difficult to see why the belt-drive has taken on a new lease of life. Belt-drive has several ad vantages over chain drive when looked at from a mechani- cal standpoint. In the first place it gives a more elastic drive than a chain, and this is always of advantage to a prime mover, no matter whether it is a petrol engine, steam engine, or electric motor, there is less strain on the bearings and on the whole of the machine. In addition to this there is less vibration transmitted to the driver, though this is of no real account except in the case of very susceptible people, highly strung or what not. A broken belt can easily be repaired it is not so messy to handle as a chain, either in wet weather or dry, for in wet weather the dirt is only mud and can be easily washed off one's hands. It is not so pensive as a chain in the first cost, and can nearly always be procured at a decent cycle shop. On the other hand the belt is liable to slip slightly in very wet weather, it rapidly deteriorates if used on a machine to which is attached a sidecar, it stretches and con- tinually requires tightening if used under these conditions, though if used for solo work a good belt should last 3,000 to 4,000 miles and only require tightening two or three times. The belt wears the pulley and if this is not kept at the proper angle it will in turn wear the next new belt away very rapidly. On the other hand, however, the gear of a belt driven machine with an adj ustable pulley can be altered in a few minutes without much trouble whereas to do the same with a chain driven machine the engine sprocket has to be removed and one of a different size substituted. The chain has also to be lengthened or shortened as the case may be, and it is not quite so easy or clean a job as shortening or lengthening a belt. The majority of track records set up during 1913 were made on belt machines-no chain driven machine set up any new record during the year, though the T.T. race was won on a chain driven make. The Junior T.T. first and second were both belt driven machines. Now in considering chain driven types there are one or two special points to consider which divide the chain driven into sub-divisions. There is the machine with exposed chains, then comes the machine with semi-enclosed chains followed by that with totally enclosed chains, and lastly but not least comes the totally enclosed chain running in an oil bath. Though personally I have no hesita- tion in plumping for the oil bath type, it has its disadvantages and there are several points which some experts pronounce against it. Unless it is exceptionally well made, the oil bath chain case is not entirely dust proof, consequently small particles of dust find their way into the oil and the two mixed together form a fine grinding compound which ruins both chain and sprockets. Personally I do not think there is much in this argument, for as the case is oil tight it must be dust tight, and if it is not oil tight, this puts the drive on a par with that in which the chain runs in a totally enclosed case only. Opponents of this type claim that the chain is out of sight and therefore out of mind and in consequence neglected. On the other hand the chain is entirely pro- tected from mud and this to my mind is one of the chief factors in determining the life of a chain. Then there is the semi-enclosed type with easily detachable half cover. Though this may keep some off the chain I hardly think it will keep it all off, and therefore the chain will require a certain amount of attention, but as it is partly covered in it is likely that it will not receive this attention, hence I think of the two types, opened or semi-enclosed, I think I prefer the open type, as the chain is easily get-at-able, easily cleansed, oiled or replaced. Many exponents of the chain drive prefer the open type for the reasons I have just enumerated, and there is something to be said in favour of this type, though I am inclined to think that if a chain is properly protected from dust and mud and properly oiled (I say if advisably, for though the proposition sounds quite simple on paper, it is far more difficult in practice, and expensive to achieve). If this is done the chain should give no trouble and therefore there should be no necessity to effect constant renewals or repairs. Unfortunately, however, we know that chain drive is liable to give trouble at times, and therefore in selecting a machine it is well to see that the chain is fairly accessible if of the enclosed type. The seeret of success of chain driving is a suitable system of cushioning—some device to take the sudden shock of the impulse stroke off the chain without this the chain is liable to have a shorter life than with it. Chains, when they do go wrong are messy things to replace, they may damage the sprocket when they break, and they may cause a locked wheel and a skid. The average life of a good chain appears to be about equal to that of a good belt, though there is not the same continual need for adj ustment if the chain is used for a sidecar machine, and the life of a chain for sidecar work is as a rule longer than that of a belt used under similar conditions. To sum up the position, honours are about equal at present, though I still think that the chain drive must beat the field in the near future, and possibly the ad vent of the twin with its more even torque will be a big factor in this settlement. The two-stroke machine must also work in favour of the chain, as here again there is a more even torque. Possibly the chain will only come into pre-eminence for a time to be ultimately replaced by a shaft drive with worm and bevel gear. Speed merchants will probably be interested to know that several of the firms using chains on their standard machines, are likely to use belts in the T.T. probably because a broken belt is more quickly replaced than a broken chain, and the risk of accident is also less. In the two most important reliability trials of the year, the winners have in each case ridden chain driven machines. W E Green- wood, who won the Midland Cup Trial, rode a chain driven Sunbeam," whilst N Lea, who won the Colmore Cup, rode a chain driven Lea-Francis machine. In con versa- tion with a big motor cycle factor a few days ago, I was rather astonished to hear that the demand for chain driven machines exceeded that for belt driven types. This can be taken :1R an indication that c hain drive is likely to" he more prominent 'his season titan laqt nii(i as th" nntnbpr of chain driven machines increases, so is tlio chain drive likely to become more successful, as with more riders on the roads the makern will have more opportunities of finding the weak spote- in their drive, and having done so they will soon make every endeavour to overcome the defects.

Buy the M c6TWIN37 M ■ -the ideal SOLO mount H ■ (F This mount has firmly establiahed 'j) its claim as the ideal SOLO mount- ■j it is the PIONEER machine of its class, HH expressly built for Solo work. ■§ -it embodies a 3i h.p. Twin Enfina 600 Hn e.c., Patent Countershaft Three-Speed ■BB | Gear,Kick-starter.All-encased Weather. HH proof Chain Drive, Gate Change with Hj| H Handlebar Control Clutch, Spring Drive K| H| (Shock Absorber) on Rear Wheel-fea- tures only to be found in the ^jAMES- Pries complete 60 guineas. -This mount has proved remarkably tN successful in all Reliability Trials, etc. m Write for "The JAMES Manual" NOW. ? The JAMES Cycle Co., Ld. I ? BIRMINGHAM; & LONDON. M For there is no mount to ))B surpaM The James'—ask for 'The Jahrs tjj} fiicyclc Book. A Local Agent-11. C. Swan Cycle Works, Romend-street Ledbury.

WORCESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE. I Division I. LEAGUE TABLE TO DATE. PI'd won lost drn for agst Pts Badsey Rangers 17.13. 2. 2.47.13.28 Hereford City .15.12. 1. 2.65.13.26 Stourport Swifts 15 11. 2. 2.45.18.24 Droitwich United 14. 9. 2. 3.48 ..21.21 Evesham United .17. 9. 7. 1.47.33.19 St Clement's R'ng'rs 16. 7. 6. 3.41.36.17 Norton Barracks .16. 6. 8. 2.36.47.14 Ledbury Town .14. 5. 8. 1.29.31.11 Young Liberals 15 4. 9. 2.29.46.10 Evesham Wanderers 15. 4.10. 1.14.46. 9 Stoke United 4.11. 0.18.37. 8 West Malvern .14. 2. 9. 3.18.38. 7 Colwall 16. 2.12. 2.13.65. 6 »

HEREFORDSHIRE JUNIOR LEAGUE. I Pl'd won lost drn for agst Pts Burley Gate 15.12. 2. 1.58.17.25 R A.M.O. 15.10. 2. 3.40.22.23 Wye Valley .16.10. 6. 0.49.23.20 Stretton United .15. 7. 6. 2.26.26.16 *Burghill United 15. 6. 5. 4.31.35.14 Madley 14. 4. 6. 4.19.22.12 7. 9. 0.24.40.12 Ledbury Brotherhoodll. 3. 7. 1.23.26. 7 Pontrilas & District 13. 2.10. 1. 9.48. 5 ♦fLugwardine United 9. 1. 8. 0. 6.28. 0 *Two points deducted in each case for playing ineligible players. fLugwardine have resigned.

FENN'S NERVINE A Specialist's Prescription for Nerve Troubles, Invaluable to ALL who suffer from Depression, Headache, Worry, Irritability, Neuralgia, &c. It tones and braces the system, comforts the nerves, and imparts a feeling of energy and fit- nest for life's duty. Write for Bottle to-day, 2/6 post free- A. C. FENN, 38, Arnold St., Lowestoft. #

ACROSS THE TABLE. King G-?or,io i, fond of the weed, and loves a good cigar, -ali hough he is not nearly so addicted to the hab/i as King Edward was. H. ,;lO partial to cigarettes, but he seldom smokes a pipe. Now and again he uses a briar, which was carved very beauti- fully by his sister, the Queen Morway. His Majesty once remarked to a companion of his youth, "When I was a sailor I enjoyed a pipe far more than I do now. But that is easily accounted for. I always smoked a clay then; and how sweet it was!" A well-known landscape painter recently bought a Louis Quinze sofa at a public auction.. He paid a large sum for this acqui- sition, but was at the same time not alto- gether certain of its authenticity, dc-spite the pedigree with which it was purchased. But having bought it, he placed the sofa in his studio. On the first. occasion on which he eat down on the sofa it collapsed beneath his weight, and lie was precipitated on the Boor. being severely bruised in the process. But his con- tusions did not trouble him. Observing the worm-eaten pieces of wood that littered the floor, he exclaimed joyfully, After all, its perfectly genuine, c'etait bien de l'epoque! I President Wilson has a goodi conceit of his office, as the President of the greatest Re- public in the world ought to have. The other day he was engaged in a frank conver- sation with an official visitor about the con- ditions in the Philippines. One of his ques- tions seemed rather to embarrass his visitor. "Why do you hesitate to answer?" asked the President. It might involve my superior officer unpleasantly," was the reply. "Do you realise," asked Mr. Wilson, "that I am your superior officer?" There was no more hesitation. Talking about a noisy, boastful politician, a clubman said, according to London Opinion; There are lots of people who would rather be the whistle of a locomotive than one of its driving wheels." There are many ways of pronouncing the names of the Mexican President Huerta. Some American samples are as follows: We still preferta Call it Werto,Chirago T-i-ibtiiie. But thousands dareta Call it Whereta.-Peoria Journal. And some do careta Say Roo-airta.-New York Sun. We ckn't think yoorta Call it Hoorta.-How Post. It makes us jeerta Hear it Heerta.-Bostoit Transcript. This is from Australia: Gentlemen, a member of this House has taken advantage of my absence to tweak my nose behind my back. I hope that the next time he abuses me behind my back like a coward he will do it to my face like a man, and not go skulking into the thicket to assail a gentleman who isn't pre- sent to defend himself." As a mere man he was a trifle embarrassed when he dropped into the chemist's with a prescription for a hair tonic. "You do more in this kiind of thing for ladies, I suppose?" he said to the chemist. Oh, no; far more for men. You see, the men buy hair restorers. Now the ladies buy hair." Locally Known as "The Shepherd." the late Dr. Jessop, the East Anglian" Country Parson." was made the recipient of all kinds of confidences, says the Christian Common- wealth. Once he was talking pleasantly to a good woman about her children. Yes," she said. they're all off my hands now, but I reckon I've had an expensive family. I don't mean to say as it might not have been worse if they'd all lived, and we'd had to bring 'em all up; but my meaning is as they never seemed to die convenient. I Had twins once, and they both died, you see, and we had the club money for both of 'ein; but then one lived a fortnight after the other, and so that took two funerals, and that come expensive Archdeacon Walker, late of Uganda, told a good story at » meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society at Yarmouth of mis- prints which crept into the earlier editions of the New Testament, in the Uganda language. "A native came to me," he said, "and a,sked what wa.s meant by the words in .the twelfth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, Smoke your enemies.' I explained that the word smoke' was a misprint for bless.' The mam asked if I was quite sure. He thought smoke was correct, because later in the chapter it said that by so doing they would heap coals of fire on their heads." The little-known origin of a well-known saying, A man is as old w he feels, a woman as old as s'he looks," ha.; been put on record by the Liverpool hoily /'<W. The aphorism, it neems, is pure Liverp:Mia.n, and legal at that. During the trial of a breach of promise case there arose some argument as to the desirability of a man of forty-nine marrying a girl of twenty. Whereupon the judge de- livered the famous epigram. He even went one better, for, say's the Post, "when counsel for the defence argued that the ladv had had a. lucky escape from marrying such a man as his client, the witty judge observed What the woman loses is the man she thinks him to be.' It would be a. fine moot point to decide the damage sustained by the loss of a mere idea. But no doubt precedent could be fo-ii,rd to show that it is dama,ge both "moral and intelleciual." During a, trip to America last year, says ft Daily Sketch writer, I was gireatlv amused by the mottoes which American business men hang around their desks in the office. One hustler had these two injunctions in bold black type on either side I'm not here for my health," and A lazy man is no worse than a dead maIn, but he takes up a darned sight more room." It was eleven o'clock on a Monday morning when I called, and the hustler had his feet on -his desk, was smoking a cigar, and reading the comic supplement of the Sunday paper: "Where's Harry?" inquired the visitor of the youngest member of the Bronson house- hold. In the attic unstairs building an aero- plane." "Where's Fred?" "I n the cellar makinst a biplane." "Where's Albert?" "In dining-room designing a monoplane." "Where's Willie?" In the garden tpst'isr his flying cycle." "Where's your father?" "I it bed. His airship went wrong last night whenhewasnyingit." The head of the house was one of 1, e b-CMievolent gentlemen who occasionally con- tribute letters to the Press. He come" down one morning and found the housemaid in the dining-room. Good-morning, Mary." said the benevolent gentleman. "Fine day, isn't it.?" Very fine, sir," replied the housemaid. They've got you in in big print this morn- ing, sir." The nervous youth was takine round the collection-box for the first time. All went well till he reached the middle of the church. Then he walked down a long pew to a lady at its extremity. The lady glowered indig- nantly at him and gave nothing. At the next pew another lady blushed very much and gave nothing. Then he hit on a man, who whis- pered, sternly, They've collected here al- ready." It was at this point that the nervous youth dropped the collection-box. Somehow, he staggered to the vestry with his burden, and remained there in seclusion till the ser- vice was quite over. The new Bishop of Sheffield claims to have been the hero of the story of the gaitered clergyman described as a Scotsman in mourn- ing. He also tells of an occasion when he got into a train at Hastings to go to Brighton. A coup'e of ladies came to the carriage door and looked into the window. One exclaimed. Oh, I cannot get in there. There is a man there." The other said, "It's all right; it is only the Bishop.

-I DYMOCK. I New and Second Hand Cycles for sale or hire. Pram Tyres wired on. Electric Pocket Lamps and Refills in stock. Motor Cycle and other Tyres and Out.fits.-W. Dudfield. Cycle Agent, Dymock.

= -=- HAS IT OCCURRED To YOU j That by sending your printing j to the Reporter Office we can j assist you in many ways with j our paper. jj I FOR INSTANCE: j i If you are promoting a church fj I ) parade, a concert, an entertain- j TIlen t, sports, or anything in Si II which the public are asked to 1 If support, we can give you a II III free paragraph before the event j i takes place, and a good report j I afterwards, in the paper that is 1 read by almost everybody. DO N'T FORGET THIS I I When you are engaged in pro- I moting anything like the above.

ANOTHER "DRAG" INCIDENT. Mr. Oswald Riley's Strong Denunciation. "Lowest Type of Scoundrels." A strong protest against another drag- ging incident has been made by Mr Oswald C H Riley, of the Manor House, Cholverton, the Master of the Tedworth Foxhoanda (and son of Mr J Riley, of Putley Court), in an appeal to the tenant farmers of the hunt. The letter is as follows :— Another gross insult to myself as Master of the Ted worth Foxhounds was perpetrated yeateiday in the form of laying a drag from Longstoek. I look to you, as tenant farmers in the hunt, to take every precaution to pre- vent such scoundrels from laying drags across your land in the future. Those who commit these outrages are of the lowest type of scoundrel, and not fit to bear the name of Englishmen. Those who know their names and are shielding them are every bit as bad. I look to you as tenant farmers to use every effort in your power to show up these black- guards and bring their names before the public. "I bave during the last two years honestly spared neither time nor money in order to show sport and to give satisfaction. Such insults are a poor reward to me as master for all my trouble and a poor tribute to the memory of Assheton Smith, who made this country famous by his lifelong example of all that is straight, noble, and sportsman- like."

WHY YOUR STOMACH HURTS. A Doctor's Common-Sense Advice. Pain in the stomach, variously called indigestion, dyspepsia, flatulence, heartburn, stomach-ache, etc., is usually attributed to some unnatural, abnormal or diseased Condition of the stomach itself. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. Nineteen times out of twenty the stomach is absolutely healthy and normal, the pain and discomfort being entirely due to the acidity and fermentation of food which iiritates and distends the stomach although if this condition is allowed to run on, in time the constant irritation of the acid is likely to eat into the stomach walls and produce ulcers and sometimes cancer of the stomach. Medicine is useless in such a case. The acid and ferment- ing food must be removed by a stomach pump or an emetic, or you must neutralise the acid and stop the fermentation by taking half-a-teaspoon- ful of bisurated magnesia in a little water. This latter is by far the simpler aud safer method. Bisurated magnesia almost immediately neutral- ises the dangerous acid, and by conecting the food contents enables even a tired, weak stomach to digest almost any food without any difficulty. Physicians advise that bisurated magnesia should be kept in every home, and a little taken after each meal whenever the slightest tendency to food fermentation is shown. Be sure to obtain bisurated magnesia, as other foims of magnesia are valuable as tooth and mouth washes, but they do not give satisfactory results in stomach disorders.

The dead body of William Donoghy, of Liver- pool, with JE20 in the pockets, was found on Dartmoor on Sunday. It is estimated that White Wolf's bandits massacred 1.300 men, women, and children at the sack of Liunciiau, in the pruvinco of Anhwei. on Januury 29th. Lar^p sums' have boeonie payable to London hospitals and other charine? under the will of Mr, (.'barles Ansoll. who d:od in 1005, owing to the death of his son. Mr. Geoffrey Atl3pll. The London County Council is to be asked to apply for a grant of arms to the Council. A jewel-case containing gems worth o £ 6,00l nas been stolen at King's Cross.

OFFICIAL DEPOT FOR GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, &c. "HIS MASTER'S VOICE." R. J. HEATH & SONS, SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE AGENTS FOR THE CELEBRATED BECHSTEIN PIANOFORTES" (HORIZONTAL GftANDS AMD CJPRiGHfS). Also BLUTHNER, BROADWOOD. STfcCK, WALDEMAR, ORCHESTRELLE PIANOLA CO. THE ONLY FIRM in CARDIFF & DISTRICT from whom the NEW MODELS by these CELEBRATED MAKERS can be obtained. New Pianofortes from 15 gns. Cash, or 10s. 6d. Monthly. 76, Queen Street, Cardiff; 70, Tafr Street, Pontypridd; Stanwell Road, Penarth; and Station Road, Port Talbot. Nat. Tel.: Cardiff 2199. Pontypridd 21.

AIR-RIFLE SHOOTING. March 2 to (j- Fox v Bell Ledbury W M C v Biddulph Plough v Prince of Wales Nondescripts v Wellington Wellington Heath v Yew Tree White Hart v Talbot Putley and New Inn byes March 9 to 13- Talbot v Bell Biddulph v Wellington Heath White Hart v Fox Leiibury W M C v Nondescripts- Piuley v Prince of Wales y. x Tree v New Inn P.Ugh and Wellington byes March L6 to 20- Bed v Plough "Wellington v Biddulph Pi ince of Wales v Fox Ytvv Tree v Ledbury W M C Putley v White Hart Nondescripts v New Inn Talbot and Wellington Heath byes- March 23 to 27— Prince of Wales v Bell Biddnll1 v Yew Tree Fox v Plough Wellington v Ledbury W M C Talbot v Putley New Inn v Wellington Heath White Hart and Nondescripts byes WORCESTER LEAGUE. Feb 28-Norton Barracks v Colwall Feb 28-West Malvern v Droitwich United Feb 28-Evesliani Wanderers v Hereford City Feb 28—Ledbury Town v Evesham United Mar 7—Droitwich United v St Clement's Mar 7-Hereford City v Badsey Rangers Mar 7-Colwall v Eveshani Wanderers Mar 14-St Clement's v Colwall Mar 14—Young Liberals v Norton Barracks Mar 14-Badsey Rangers v Droitwicb Uniteo Mar 14-Stourport Swifts v Stoke United Mar 14—Evesham United v Hereford City Mar 21-Evesham Wanderers v West Malvern Mar 21-Stourport Swifts v Colwall Mar 21-Ledbury Town v Norton Barracks Mar 21-Hereford City v Droitwich United Mar 21—Stoke United v West Malvern Mar 28-Droitwich United v West Malvern Mar 28-Colwall v Stoke United Mar 28—Badsey Rangers v Stourport Swifts —

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