Abergavenny Chronicle

ABERGAVENNY LOCAL FOOTBALL I COMMITTEE. To the Editor of the Abergavenny Chronicle." I DEAR SIR, -I should be obliged if you will Trindly put the following in your Friday's issue I should like to draw the attention of your readers to three grand football matches which will be played in Bailey Park on Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Monday, in aid of the wouned soldiers at Maindiff Court. Each match will start at 3.15. A dance will be held at the Swan Hotel Ballroom (kindly lent by Mr. Phillips) on Easter Monday, from 6 to 10. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr. W. Peake, who so readily consented to give up the room to enable the above committee to run the dance in aid of the wounded at Maindiff Court. I trust we shall be well supported, so as to enable us to hand over a good sum for the benefit of the wounded soldiers. Yours faithfully, F. W. BLANCH, I 28 Princes-st., Abergavenny. Hon. Sec.

♦ Wesleyan Church, Abergavenny. I SUCCESSFUL SALE OF WORK AND I ENTERTAINMENT. The members of the Wesleyan Church held a very successful sale of work, jumble sale, tea and entertainment on Thursday in last week, in aid of the Sunday School and Church funds. The friends of the Congregational Church had kindly lent their hall for the purpose. The sale was opened in the afternoon. The Mayoress, who Was to have performed the ceremony, was out of town, but sent a subscription. The sale was arranged by the Ladies' Sewing Class, and the organisation was carried out by I J: rs. Gardner, assisted by Mrs. Willcox. as secretary. Brisk business was done at the various stalls, and those in charge were as o ows:- I ^n fancy needlework staU—Mrs. I WiTi ?? ?-s.PMIips,senr. ^en\ stall-Mrs. Gardner, Mrs. Frank PhflH™ Miss ??'? Watkins, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs Hamer stall Mr. and Mrs. Tonkin, Mr. H. Bun. Flower stall-Air. and Mrs. Percy Fraser. Jumble stall—-Mrs. Balsdon, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Ritclungs and Miss Restall Fine art gallery—Mr. A. J. Taylor and Miss H Gardner.. Museum—Mr. W. T. Davies Brb_MiSS Dorothy Taylor and Miss Mav Phillips.  Mamer tastefully decorated the hall- A large "??'' sat '?? to an excellent tea, provided by the ladies. The entertainment in Tc? ?tiT?dien?   ciative a.ulece, and Mr. John OweD presided in his iniinita?le manner. ft dbs  was arranged by Mr. A. J. Willcox, was an excellent one. The Wesleyan Choir was augmented for the Occasion bv friends from olb'r churches, and their part -songs were finely rendered. The programme was as follows:— Pianoforte solo, Sonata Op. 14 (Beethoven), Mr. A. J. Criffiths part song, The Message," Choir violin solo, Pensees Doux Miss E. Davies; recitation, "The Squall;, I Mr. John Owen song, Perfect day," Mr. J. Pritchard song, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau," Miss Nellie Evans glee, Regular Royal Queen," Aber- gavenny Quartette Party song, Song of the Khyberee," Mr. E. A. Tonkin; recitations, Storm at Sea (Dickens), The Sleepwalker," Rev. S. H. Bosward (encore, On the bridge at midnight trio, A Little Farm, Messrs. J. Pritchard, A. Willeox, and A. E. Tonkin song, When you come home," Miss Gwen Morgan violin solo, La Sere-nat a (Braza), Mr. H. Bull duet, The Two Beggars," Messrs. L. H. Evans and O. J. Owen song, The Sunshine of your Smile," Mrs. Balsdon recitation, The Golden Pathway," Miss May Phillips; humorous song, Mr. L. H. Evans song, There's a Land," Miss Gertrude Morgan duet," The Gipsy Countess," _Mrs. Tonkin and Mr. Willeox part song, The Mrs. ronldn and Mr. Wilicox part song The VUlage Blacksmith," Choir recitation The Nation's Prayer," Miss May Phillips.

i WILL ENGLAND BE INVADED? I .n_ I ARMAGEDDON: WHEN ENGLAND WILL FIGHT ALONE. CHRISTADELPH5AN LECTURE AT ABER-I 6AVENNY. At the Christadelphian Synagogue on Wednes- I day evening Mr. W. Collard. of Newport, delivered n interesting lecture, illustrated with charts, on the subject The exalted position of I Great Britain in relation to the purpose of Gorl. Will England be invaded ? What saith the Scriptures ? ,ci I Collar(t, in his opening remarks, said we were living in the closing days of Gentile times. He quoted the prophecy of Joel (3rd chapter, I 9th and iotli verses), showing how the present war was foretold Pioclaim ye this among the Gentil>s Prepare war, wake up the mighty j men, let all the men of war draw near let them 1 come up Beat your plow shares into swords and your pruning hooks into spenrs let the weak say I am strong." Proceeding, the lecturer dealt with the omen of the decadence of the Turkish Empire. We used to sing The Russians shall not hay; Constantinople." What was the truth to-day ? The truth was that we li, glad to see the Russians in Const auti- nople, for that would mean the collapse of Turkey as a Power. In the 16th chapter of Revelations there was a reference to the river Euphrates, which was dried up so that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared. The riyer Euphrates represented the Turkish Em- pire. She had only a small fragment of her I Empire remaining. She had been diminished for the express pur pose of the rising of the kings I of the East. And who were: they ? They were the Saints. But suiely the Saints were in the dust of the earth. Certainly they were. The great majority of the Saints were in their graves. But they were to be resurrected, and when they were resurrected tbey were to be made kins and priests, as recorded in the 5th chapter of Revela- tions. Could they not see the fact that Turkey was being dimiliished) There was no gainsaying I the fact that she was nearly gone, and she was I being dried up for the purpose of the manifest a- tion of Jesus Christ. Her territory would first of all come into the hands of Great Britain. That was another startling fact, and only showed the full meaning of the words he had drawn their attention to in the prophecy of Isaiah, that God was giving us Egypt and Ethiopia and Sheba  for the redemption of His people. The re- j demption of what people ?—The Jews. It was a fact that the Jews had been returning to the land of Palestine for many years past. There was a time when there was not a Jew to be found in Palestine, or if one could be found, he tried to hide himself or cover up his identity. He had been driven right out of his land as God said He would (Irive him. But that had been changed, and the Jews were returning. Before the war, it was almost a daily occurrence to see some news in the papers concerning the Holy Land. It was only in the last few years, since England had taken complete possession of Egypt. that the Jews had been able to return there, for they had a powerful neighbour and the Turk was able to j do what he liked to those who did return. The Jews had begun to recognise that Palestine was a safe haven to which they might go. England's Interest in Palestine. What was the condition of the country before the war ? The land had become a land of villages from Dan to Beersheba, and not only so. but railways had been laid down and electrictrams were running and other railways were in process of construction, and others again were contem- plated as the resources of the country were being developed. At one time in the history of Palestine the exports and imports were nil, but just before the war broke out they could be counted by millions. That showed how the land was coming to the front on account of England possessing Egypt in the way she did before the war broke out. If that was so before the war broke out, what would it be when we possessed not only the whole of Egypt, but Ethopia and the other lands round about. We had a Navy. We had vessels driven by steam and some propelled by oil, and because we had these huge battleships so propelled by oil, we wanted an unlimited supply of that com- modity. Well, there was plenty of oil in the southern parts of Persia, and we had got pos- session of those parts, which was where God wanted us to be in these latter days. God's purpose was that we should have a protectorate over Palestine. Could not they see the exalted position that England had in the fulfilment of Cod's purpose, though she did not realise that she was fulfilling God's purpose ? The Turk quarrelled with us, and we would take his lands from him. That was the motive. There was another question which they must look at as they proceeded. They knew what had happened in Egypt. What was the con- dition of Egypt before England went there ? They knew the great irrigation works which had I been carried out by English capital and English engineers, by which a veritable miracle had been effected. The river Nile inundated the whole country. They had no rain in Egypt, but God had provided this wonderful means by which the country could be made to bring forth the fruits of the earth. Our engineers and our Government said, We have possession of Egypt, and we aie going to make it more pro- ductive, and we are going to divide up the waters of the Nile." The result had been that we had been enabled to raise the productive power of Egypt by 25 per cent. at one stroke. The beneficent work we had carried out in Egypt would also be carried out in other lands where we stepped in. We were in Egypt and the southern parts of Arabia and right round to the Persian Gulf, and the southern part of Persia, and Russia was coming in the other direction. What about the Jews ? A straw I showed which way the wind blew. The question was discussed some time ago, Will Christmas 1915 see Palestine under British rule ?" They could see that the ideas of some writers were that, as a matter of course, England, sooner or later, would have possession of Palestine, and that was in harmony with what they read in the Scriptures. England had sentimental, archae- ological and commercial interests in Palestine which dwarfed those of other Powers. In the 38th chapter of Ezekiel they read Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him." Those were very peculiar words and very peculiar names. People passed them by and little suspected what was covered up underneath those names. When the earth was divided among the sons of Noah and they settled down, they gave their names to parts of the lands in which they settled, and these were the names of the sons and grandsons (scripturally called sons) of Noah. In the revised version the words were Rosh, the prince of Meshech and Tubal." That sounded very familiar. One of the most eminent com- mentators of the bible had pointed out the fact that Russia was the only modern nation men- tioned by name io the bible, and Rosh was Russia. These sons settled down in that part I of the world, and that was the name of the land to the north of Palestine. The Future War England Against All the I Nations. They had in that peculiar name a prophecy uttered against the nations of Europe. Be- hold I am against thee and Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn thee back and put hooks into thy jaws and I will bring thee forth and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of I armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords Persia, Ethiopia and Libya with them. In the name Lybia, with the other names which occurred on the map, they had the Continental Powers represented, and they were under the leadership of a northern Power. France, Russia, Belgium and other Powers were friendly with us, and now nothing was good enough for one another. But there was to be a change, and these Powers would be under the leadership of Russia, and we should have Russia and all these Powers against us when the battle of Arma- geddon took place. In the 13th chapter of Ezekiel were the words, Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof." '\Ve possessed Sheba and Dedan, we were the greatest maritime Power the world had ever seen, and it was easy to identify the young lions thereof as England's Colonies—Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. They were to face the whole of the other nations when this great climax came in the world's history. And what was to happen to them ? If they read the chapter on they would see that Christ was to intervene just ) at this particular time, and all the nations who I were against us at that particular time would be destroyed and overthrown, so that it would take seven months to bury the dead and seven years I to burn the instruments of warfare. What would happen to England ? The quarrel would be as it was to-day, and the in- tention of Russia and the other nations would be to dominate the world, as it was the intention of Germany to dominate it to-day. England would dispute it, and Christ would intervene and overthrow the other nations. But what was to become of Great Britain ? If they looked at the 60th chapter of Isaiah they would see that Great Britain was to be the first to recognise Christ, and our ships would be used to bring God's scattered people from the ends of the earth back to the land of Palestine, so that they might be united together in one empire, that the Lord Jesus might rule over them. The message in that chapter applied directly to England. They read in the 18th chapter of Isaiah Woe (the proper word was ho !— calling attention) to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers or Ethiopia that sendeth ambassadors by the sea 11 What country was it that sent its ambassadors by sea ? There was only one country in the whole world that had to send its ambassadors by sea, and that country was England. She had her wings spread over Ethiopia. Farther back in the Psalms they had the same note. In the 48th Psalm the Psalmist said Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind." Our great Navy of offence and defence was to be destroyed by an east wind, and that would humble and humiliate our nation. It was our strong arm, and it was to be broken, and when it was broken we would turn to the Lord and we should be used for the purpose He had determined. From that they said that it was impossible for England to be invaded. Attempts might be made, but Germany would never subjugate England. England would go on and would increase and get stronger to the end shown in God's word. The kingdoms of the world were to become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He was to reign over them. His kingdom should spread from sea to sea unto the ends of the earth. England was the servant of the Messiah, and hod to fulEl the purpose allotted to her. There would be 110 more wars, for the Lord would cause wars to cease unto the ends of the earth and there would be a reversal of the old order in which men beat their ploughshares into swords. Nations would no longer learn war, and everyone would recognise and would know the Most High. — A-

I FIRE AT MAINDIFF FARM. I DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS BETWEEN 930a AND £400. A fire broke out on Saturday evening at Maindiff Farm, which is tenanted by Councillor S. J. Ruther. About 5 o'clock the' chimney of the cowman's cottage, attached to the granary, I was on fire, but this was put out. About a couple of hours later fire was noticed in the granary, and the Fire Brigade were immediately summoned. Before their arrival, willing helpers worked energetically to remove about two tons of sharps and a ton of seed oats, as well as a number of orange boxes, from the granary, and this was accomplished. Most of the furniture was also removed from the cowman's cottage. There was still a good deal of furniture in the granary, which had been stored there, besides a winnowing machine, and there were also a large I number of old ledgers and bank-books on shelves at one end of the granary. These, it is stated, belonged to the late Mr. Crawshay Bailey, and j they had been boarded up for years. The Brigade turned out smartly, but were delayed about a quarter of an hour waiting for the horses, which were at the time engaged. The incident proved once again the advisability of having a motor fire engine, for in addition to the convenience and saving of time, the charge which the Town Council would be able to make would in time repay the cost of the outlay. When the war is over, the Town Council should seriously consider this matter. When the Brigade arrived the roof of the granary was all ablaze, and the flames could be seen for a considerable distance. There was, fortunately, a convenient and ample supply of water, and the Brigade worked energetically to prevent the spread of the conflagration to the farmhouse itself, close by. This they succeeded in doing, and in half an hour's time they had the upper hand of the fire, and were able to leave about 9 o'clock. The furniture in the granary was destroyed, and the winnowing machine and books were seriously damaged. The damage to the granary and cottage buildings, which is covered by insurance, is estimated at between £300 and /400. ±

CHURCH PARADE AT ABERGAVENNY I ARCHDEACON SPENS ON THE VALUE OF I SERVICE. A combined church parade was held at Aber- gavenny on Sunday morning, when the Volunteer Training Corps, together with men of Class B Army Reserve, invalided soldiers from Maindiff, and the local Territorial Cadets, paraded to St. Mary's Church, headed by the band of the 2nd Mpnmouthshire Battalion. The parade, which assembled at the Drill Hall, was under the com- mand of Capt. J. R. Jacob (3rd Monmouthshire Battalion administrative depot), while Quarter- master P. 1. Scott, of the V.TC., acted as adjutant. The V.T.C. and Army Reserve were under the O.C., Mr. F. P. J. Hanbury, and the Cadets were in charge of Lt. R. J. Harrhy. The V.T.C. and Army Reserve did not turn up in such large numbers as might have been expected. The preacher at St. Mary's was Archdeacon Spens, who is in charge of the parish in the absence of the Vicar, the Rev. H. H. Matthew, on service as a chaplain at the front. He preached an appropriate address on the subject of service from the text, I am among you as he that serveth." (St. Luke 27, 22). What did the expression service mean ? It meant work of some kind, not for oneself but for others. It implied self sacrifice and putting aside one's own private interests, the subordinating, in a greater or less degree, of one's own will for the will and for the benefit of others. It included the idea of discipline and, not least of all, of self- discipline. True service of whatever kind it may be, and however humble it may be, was a holy thing. There was some service which, although it included discipline, was undertaken partly from selfish motives, and the more that self sacrifice was the chief motive the more was service a holy thing. It was in life's little and unobstrusive duties that Christ was not least, but most glorified. There were some there that day who had come back sick or wounded from the war. They had been giving great unselfish service for others, for their country, for their homes, and for those who had to stay behind. He saw those present who were devoting their time and energy to preparation for a like service, should such a call be made. They would say they were only doing their duty. That was true enough, but it was a duty which meant, as most duty did, service and sacrifice, and a self-sacrificing service done for the least of His brethren was a service acceptable unto Christ. Those who had come through the horrors of war had to thank God for it. They had their lives, although they were quite ready to lay them down. What other service could they render ? they might ask. He could tell them a very real service in which they were already quite unconsciounsly, engaged. He was think ing of their patience and cheerfulness and courage in a time of suffering and trial, and he was speaking of what he knew, for during the latter part of last year his work was with the wounded in a large London hospital. In that service of patience and c.ieerfulness and courage they were of untold help to others, giving to those who had the privilege- of knowing them and going among them many a lesson in strength and courage, of which it was impossible to tell the value. They could not measure what they were doing for others, and it was quite unselfish. For all of them, men and women, rich and poor, there was always service to be done for others, and he hoped that all present were con- sciously or unconsciously rendering service to others. They could not measure the help they could bring to others by their prayers. He could hear someone saying Well, I have not been a praying man." Prayer was a big subject, which he could not enter into on that occasion, but, reduced to its simplest meaning, it meant telling their Father in heaven what they wanted, their sorrows and their joys, and asking Him to forgive, to comfort, to cheer, and to strengthen them as might seem best in His wisdom. They must not fall into the mistake of thinking that they could not pray rightly unlesstlley could I command impressive and dignified words. That was not in the least necessary to make their prayer a real and true prayer.

I LOCAL POSTAL RESTRICTIONS. I I On and from the 24th inst. the hours of | attendance for public business at the Aberga- venny Post Office will be 9 a.m. to i p.m 3 p m. to 7 p.m. Telegrams will be accepted at the side door between i p.m. and 3 p.m. There will be only two deliveries of letters and parcels iu the town area, commencing at 7 a.m. and 11. a.m. .t .I. ft(" c..

Ubergavenny Police Court. Wednesday—Before Col. R. H. Mansel (in the I chair), the Mayor (Alderman Z. Wheatley), Mr. W. L. Thomas, Col. W. Williams and Mr. E. R. Lewis. I Step-mnther's Inhuman Cruelty. Inomas Stevens and Ellen Stevens, who live in a cottage at Llamldewi Court, were summoned for cruelty to the former's riine-year-old son, Redvers The evidence showed that the cruelty was of a most inhuman character, and consisted in burning the boy about the hands and arms with a poker and beating him with a heavy belt. Mr. A. M. Cunliffe. who prosecuted 0:1 behalf of the N.S.P.C.C., said the male defendant was 't employed 4z jjandaewi court, and was paid iSs. per week, with a cottage rent free. The female defendant was the second wife, and the boy was by the first wife. The boy had lived for some years with Stevens' sister, but on the father's second marriage, last May, came back to live with his father and step-mother, and from that time the cruelty had been practised on the child, not only by beating it, but also by using a hot poker and burning it. It was the worst case of cruelty which had come before the Bench. Inspector Evans, of the N.S.P.C.C., said that on April loth he visited the cottage and saw the boy's step-mother. Before he could say any- thing, she said, He has been and bit his fingers and scratched his face." Witness examined the boy and found the three fingers of the right hand, between the knuckle and the second joint, burnt very badly. Tcree fingers of the left hand were burnt in a similar manner, and the little finger was also burnt, but not so seriously. There was also a burn two inches long on the left forearm. The left eye was slightly discoloured, there was a wound on the left side of the nose, just healing, a scratch along the right cheek, bruises the size of a penny on the left shoulder, and three bruises on the left arm, while the right arm from the shoulder to the elbow was covered with bruises. On the back, below the shoulder blades, there was a bruise five inches long bv four inches wide, one ? by ??, and one 2 by 13."On the right hip there was a bruise i?in. by iin.. another 2in. bv i?in., and another 2in. b)7 :?in. On the right groin there was a bruise iin. by ?m., and another ,?in. by i?in. The buttocks and thighs as far back as the knees were covered with bruises, and they were so intermingled that he could not measure them. The bruises were of different ages. Some were purple, and others of a light yellow tint. The child was very sore to the touch, especially about the back, where the bones came near the surface. He was cowed, and showed great fear in the presence of his step- mother. After he had examined the boy, Mrs. Stevens said, I may as well tell you the truth. He burnt a hole in my dressing table last Wednes- day. I took a stick out of the fire and struck him. He pushed me, and I lost my temper. I I took the poker out of the fire and burnt his hands and arm, but I did not cause the bruises on his body. I cannot do anything with the boy. How much will you take to say nothing about it ?-and I will be good to the boy in future." He had previously seen Mr. Stevens, and, in consequence of what his wife said, he again went to see him. Witness told him of the condition in which he found the child, and said his wife had stated that he had caused the bruises on the boy's body by beating him with a strap. Stevens replied, I have to strap him. I strapped him last Wednesday, because he burnt the dressing table. The week previous I strapped him, because he damaged the cupboard. I did not use the buckle end of the strap, but the leather part, doubled." The strap used and produced by the man was a heavy Army belt with brass fittings at each end, which hooked together. The poker used by the woman had a very sharp point. Witness examined the dressing table which was supposed to have been damaged, and Stevens showed him the part which he said had been burnt. It was a knot in the wood, and not burnt at all. Then Stevens showed him a hole in the wood in the under part of the dressing table, which he said the boy had burnt. There were two oieces of wood glued together, and in the bottom piece was a round hole about half an inch in diameter. The hole was of a uniform size right through. Looking into the hole, he could see the glue bright and shining on the upper piece which had been stuck on. It would have been impossible for the boy to have burnt that hole through the one piece of wood without touching the other. The hole must have been in the wood before the table was made. On the following day, the nth, he had the lad examined by Dr. Lloyd, and afterwards removed him to the workhouse on a Magistrate's order. Col. Williams You distinctly say the hole was not burnt ? Witness It was not burnt. It had not been touched at all. By Mr. Thomas The boy was fairly nourished, but he was fearfully cowed. The Magistrates' Clerk Has he made any statement to you ? Witness He cried after I took him away, and said his mother told him he would be sent to prison if he told me anything. When I told him I was his friend, he clung to me and begged of me not to let him go back again. P.C. Baker said he visited the cottage on the 7th of April and saw the boy. He noticed that the boy's hands were bandaged, that there was a scratch on his nose and a mark across his cheek. He said to the woman, What have you been doing to the boy ? She turned to the boy and said, Tell him you scratched it." The man came up. and, hearing the conversation, said The boy told me he bit it." Witness said, The boy could not bite his own nose, and I shall have to bring the inspector out here." He visited the cottage on the 10th in company with Inspector Evans, and they found them at her mother's house at Llanvetherine. He was present when Inspector Evans examined the boy, and corroborated everything he said. The boy was one mass of marks. He was very much cowed and his spirit was properly taken out of him. The man admitted thrashing him with a strap. In reply to the Clerk, witness said the boy was fairly well clad. Dr. Lloyd said he examined the boy on April nth, and found him very badly bruised all over his body. The shoulders, back, thighs, hips, and arms were all marked, and the backs of the fingers were burnt. The Chairman You think the treatment meted out to the boy is injurious to his health ? —Yes, certainly. By the Clerk The bruises could not have been self-inflicted. The Chairman Was the boy very much cowed ? Witness He would not answer my questions in any way. He was very frightened. The Clerk He had not the demeanour of a reasonably happy boy ? Witness No, he was a miserable-looking child. It was possible it was because he was brought to see a doctor. (Laughter). It affects some boys like that. Mrs. Beatrice Woodford, schoolmistress at Llanvetherine, said the boy had attended her school on two different occasions. The first was in July, 1915, when he was there for three weeks, after which the father moved to Llan- gattock. He was re-admitted on the 2nd of December, 1915, and had been attending there till a week last Thursday. The Magistrates' Clerk Have you found him destructive in any way ?-He is a most obedient, peaceful, truthful and honest boy. He has given you the appearance of being cowed ?—Yes, he is very nervous. I In reply to further questions, witness said she noticed on Thursday, the 8th, when the boy came I to school that his eye was discoloured. She asked him what was the matter, and he replied I scratched it. Nothing else was said then. During scripture lesson the teacher called her attention to the boy's fingers. As a rule he was a very good boy for answering, and she noticed that he did not put his hand up. She asked him what was the matter and he said he had I scratched it. Witness also asked him about it, and he again replied that he scratched it. She remarked that it did not look like a scratch. Mr. Cunliffe Has his mother been to see you ? —Yes, several times. Has she ever asked you to beat the boy ?-She asked me to be very firm with him, because she could not manage him at home. You found no faplt with him ?-I said I could not understand why she could not manage him at home, because in school he gave no trouble at all. Stevens said the boy told him that Mrs. Woodford had tried to get him. to give her some information, and had punished him for not telling her. Mrs. Woodford I never make a practice of quizzing the children about home affairs. By the Clerk The boy was always on good terms with the rest of the children. Mrs Edith Farley, sister of the male de- fendant said she had the boy living with her for six or seven years, after his mother's deatn. When she first had him she had some trouble with him because he had been thoroughly spoilt, but he was a thoroughly good boy afterwards. Col. Williams What do you mean by the first time you had him ? Witness: He was a baby. Col. W illiams Well, I should think vou had trouble with him. (Laughter). Witness, continuing, said she never had a bit of trouble with the boy. and if his father had kept his payments up she would have kept him altogether. She had received a letter from Mrs. Stevens on the 13th March. Mr. Cunlifie read extracts from this letter, in which Mrs. Stevens wrote to the following effect :—" I have worked hard many davs to save my money and get things together, and for a little devil like him to spoil it 1 will never forgive him, and he do know I don't think so much of him as I do of a dog he do such tricks. Now he has to have a beating every day. He cut my chairs, and made me bad. I have cut his fingers and made them sore for him. He won't come back to you. I said he has got to go in a home or the workhouse. I would rather pay 4s. a week than keep him here. I shall be very nasty to him. My Tom can't manage him at all. I don't think h; can be right. I have sent for P.C. Baker to come and see him. He is, my uncle. (Laughter). He gave me 10s. when I was married, and I put 2s. 6d. to buy an arm- chair; and he have cut that one bad." (P.C. Baker had previously said, in reply to Mr. Cunliffe, that he was no relation of Mrs. Stevens and had not given her any monev). The Chairman said the defendants were con- victed of gross cruelty, and would both be sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. On the application of Mr. Cunliffe, the custody ot the boy was given to Mrs. Parley but on the application for a maintenance order, the Mag- istrates' Clerk said there would be no means for six months and Mrs. Farley would have to take the risk of what she could get. I Happened Every Summer. I William Roberts was summoned for allowing a pony to stray at Pantygelly on the 12th April. P.C. Baker, who proved the case, said he had bad complaints about the defendant's pony straying. Every summer he allowed them to graze on the roadside while his crops were grow- ing. Witness took the pony back himself on one occasion. I Defendant was lined 55., including costs. BOROUGH—Before the Mayor, Alderman Z- Wheatley (in the chair), Col. R. H. Mansei, Col. W. Williams and Mr. E. R. Lewis. The Hen and Chickens. Mr. A. M. Cunliffe applied for a protection order on behalf of Mrs. Williams in respect of the Hen and Chickens, her husband having joined the colours. Supt. Davies said that a man must be on the premises. The house had been placed out of bounds once. On the Bench being assured that there would be a man oA the premises, the application was granted. Setting an Account. John Bevan, -Brynmawr John Lewis and John- Sayce, Grosmont, were summoned for fighting in Monk-street on the 4th inst. The Magistrates' Clerk What started the quarrel ? Lewis I owed this man (Sayce) some money. The Magistrates' Clerk And this was the way of settling the account ? P.-Sergt. Thomas said he was on duty at the Chief Constable's Office, and looking out of the window saw the three defendants fighting in Monk-street, opposite the London Hotel. He separated them and spoke to them respecting their conduct. They accused each other of having started the fighting. Lewis said he owed the old man (Sayce) a few pounds, but times had been bad and he had been unable to pay him, and that, in consequence, Sayce started the quarrel. Bevan said a woman asked him to take the old man's part. Witness had great difficulty in preventing Sayee from striking Lewis, and he had to threaten to lock the three up before they would go. There was a large crowd. Bevan An old lady called and asked me to help the old gentleman, and the other had pulled him down underneath a trap. I said Don't strike an old man, you blackguard." He made a start at me, and I defended myself. Lewis He asked me for money, and I said I could not pay it just yet. He said That's no ——— good to me," and he pushed me down. He came at me again and I hit him down. Bevan came up and said I ought to be ashamed of my- self. He hit me on the jaw, and of course I gave him a couple. (Laughter). Sergt. Thomas said the old man struck nrst, .and he was very persistent all through. He had been drinking. Lewis He was very drunk and they would not serve him in the London Hotel. Sayce Who said that ? The two defendants began to argue heatedly in the box, and Supt. Davies exclaimed, Keep quiet, keep quiet don't start there." (Laughter). The Mayor (to Leivis) Are you attested ? Lewis No. The Mayor Why don't you join the Army, a young man like you ? Lewis I don't like fighting, sir. (Laughter). Lewis and Sayce were fined 5s. each, and Bevan was given the benefit of the doubt, the Mayor remarking that he hoped the next time he went to anyone's assistance be would not use violence. Sayce It is the first time I have been here, and I hope it will be the last. Boy's Theft of a Bicycle. At a Children's Court, Brioley Jones (13) was summoned for stealing a bicycle value 30s., the property of Mr. H. Shackleton. Prosecutor said he missed his bicycle about a fortnight ago. He made many inquiries, but could not find out anything about it. He put a notice in his shop window and also advertised in the Abergavenny Chronicle." About a week ago a boy informed him that he knew where his bicycle was, and said it had been stolen by a boy named Reynolds. He went to where the boy lived, and saw a bicycle in a passage near Priory-walk. He could not recognise it as his, however, and he went away. He made further inquiries and went again to see the bicycle, and this time he recognised it. It had been so badly knocked about that he could not recognise it at first. The handle-bars had been painted black, the brake and the saddle had been broken off, the pump had gone, and the tyres were knocked to. pieces. The Mayor What would be the cost of re- pairing it ? Prosecutor I have not made inquiries. I don't think it is worth repairing. The boys are constantly coming up my passage and giving me trouble. Supt. Davies said that defendant, with other boys, had been accused of taking tents belonging to the Boy Scouts from the Priory meadows. The case was adjourned for a fortnight, for the attendance of one of defendant's foster parents. ▲ I

I Crickhowell Women's Farm Labour Committee. A meeting of the Women's Farm Labour Com- mittee for the district of Crickhowcll, called together by Mrs. J. J. Watkins and Mrs. Beck- with, district representatives, was held at Greenhill, Crickhowell, recently, and was very well attended. The following ladies were ap- pointed to act as registrars under the scheme Crickhowell, Mrs. J. J. Watkins, Greenhill; Llangattock, Mrs. Evans, Llan Wysk Llan- gunidr, Mrs. Llewelyn, Oaklands Cwmdu, Mrs. Arvon Davies, The Rectory Tretower, Mrs. Owen Evans, The Rectory Glangrwynev, Miss Parkinson, Glanaber; Llangenny, Mrs. Beck- with, Moor Park Llanbedr, Mrs. Browne Davies, Neuadd Cottage; Grwynevfechan, Mrs. Jones, The Cwm Partrishow and Grwyneyfawr, Miss Baker Gabb, Coed Dias, Patrishow. These registrars will receive the names of those who are able and willing to give the whole or part of their time to farm work.- They will also be able to assist those farmers who desire to employ women labour in the present emergency. Mrs. Beckwith has been appointed chairman of the committee. ▲

BOROUGH THEATRE. There will be a special attraction at the Borough Theatre for the first three nights in Easter week. This will be The Parish Pump," a farcical comedy full of wit and humour. Anyone in need of a good hearty laugh should not fail to see it. First produced at the Gaiety Theatre, Manchester, it was staged at the Duke of York's Theatre, London, in January last, and met with instant success. The Parish Pump is an amusing comedv of civic life. The author, Mr. Frank G. Lavton, I having long acted as Councillor of a Midland town, has had many opportunities of seeing ttie humorous side of municipal government. The Pictures," a merry little corned v in one | act, by Walter R. Matthews, which deals in a humorous fashion with the modern craze for ( Cinema theatres, will precede" The Parish Pump."

j CRICKHOWELL. FUNERAL.—The fureral of Mrs. Leonard, wife of Mr. John Leonard, Clencoe House, Cri(:- howcll. whose death was recorded in our Ja't issue, took place on Friday at St. Edmund > Church, and was largely attended. POSTAL FACILITIES CURTAILED.—Readers w;3 please note that from Monday next, the 24th inst., there are important alterations in the ilo(-i I postal service. Dispatches at 8.15 a. ar-I 1.30 p.m. will be suspended, and town dtliveri*:? will take place at 7 ,.m. and 11.30 a.m. d3.LJ- I The Llangattock ns?rict second daily mail II delivery will be suspended. The Post On'ice wid be opened for public business from i p.m., and 3 p.m. to 7 p m. OBITUARY.—We regret to record the death of Mr. T. George Davies, The Steps. Uan- I wenarth, which occurred somewhat suddenly on Saturday. Deceased had been aiiing ir some time, but here his illness with exemplary ifortitude. He was only 2y, and leaves a widow ,(I one child. Mr. Davit s, who was a native j of Brilley, Herefordshire, came to reside in the Crickhowell district many years a.P, and v.s engaged for some time in the drapery busine?. Subsequently he took up farming mirsnits. B- was well known and highly respected. D" ceased was a member of Danycastell C.M. Church, Crickhowell. and when health permitted, took an active part in hurch work as a Sunday- school official and member of the Band of Hope. The funeral took place on Wednesday, at Crick- Howell, and was largely attended. A FAMILY OF WARRIORS.—The death occurred at Blaenavon of Mr. Wm. Price Jones, one of the oldest soldiers in Monmouthshire, and the eldest son of Mr. Richard Jones, Standard- street, Crickhowell. Deceased served in Ü., first South African war, and at the battle ef Bronkerspruit was wounded five tiines. -ri,l captured by Joubert. He subsequentlv served H] years in India, and saw much active service. When the last South African war broke out, the veteran at once volunteered for active service> despite his age, and as he could not be sent abroad he served 12 months as a Roval reservist at Curragh Camp. receiving the personal thanks of the late lord olstlev. Mr. jor-es, senr., has. a son and grandson serving in France, one grandson with the Brecknocks in India, ar-1 anotner serving wjtn the colours in England. A brother of Mr. Jones fell in action in the Crimexi war. CONCERT.—A snceessiul concert was given at the Clarence Hall, Crickhowell, on Friday evening by the Band of the 2nd Monmouthshire- Regiment, cOllductel by Bandmaster Roderick, assisted by Messrs. O. J. Owen, L. H. Evan5 (Abergavenny), Misses Gwen and Gertrude Morgan (Abergavenny; and Miss H. Y. Loam (Crickhowell). Solos, quartettes, recitations, and comic songs were given by the Abergavennv friends, who were deservedly encored for their contributions to the programme, and Miss Loam had to repeat one 01 her well-rendered songs. A pleasing feature was the imitation of a village' concert given by Bandmaster Jones, who is a good mimic. The playing of the band was much enjoyed, and their selections were well chosen and finely executed. At the close of the pro- ceedings all who assisted to make the concert a. success were warmly thanked for their services. The proceeds are in aid of St. Dunstan's Hospital for the Blind, and other charitable institutions and Mr. G. L. Loam, who was responsible for the arrangements at short notice, was con- gratulated upon the success of his efforts. Mr. Loam accompanied in several items, and an Abergavenny lady, whose name did not transpire, accompanied the Abergavenny singers.

-v—— Un-Conscientious Objectors. JUDGE'S COMMENTS. ALL THE BENEFITS, NONE OF THE DUTIES. The question of whether a conscientious objector has a right to a personal hearing by the Central Appeal Tribunal was argued in the King's Bench Divisional Court on Tuesday before Mr. Justice Darling, Mr. Justice Lawrence, and Mr. Justice Avory. The case was that or Mr. Frank Lloyd Part on, a student reading for the Bar, who appealed against the decisions of the Chertsey local and the Guildford tribunals. He was stated:to resigned from the Friends' Ambulance Unit in. France because he considered he was giving too- much help to the military forces. The Central Tribunal considered a written statement by 1r. Parton, and shorthand notes of the previous tribunal proceedings that exempted him front combatant service if within twenty-one days he undertook approved work. Sir F. E. Smith (the Attorney-General) who appeared with Mr. Branson for the Crown, said. that everything had been done to which the- applicant was legally entitled and that his case had beenjeonsidered with the greatest care and fairness. The Central Tribunal had commented, on the fact that the applicant was drawing an. allowance from his father—whose income v. as partly derived from munition work. I Father's Money from Munitions. Mr. Justice Darling, reading from the written: statement of the applicant to the tribunal, said it referred to the fact that the father's income was partly derived from the manufacture of munitions, and continued It is not sufficient to say that the conscientious objector ought to- have been aware of the inconsistency, because it would have been apparent to a man of average intellect. It is often found that men possessing the greatest religious zeal are men possessing; low intellectual attainments." (Laughter). Mr. Hogg, for Mr. Parton, disclaimed any suggestion that the Central Tribunal had in any way conscientiously departed from principles of justice. The tribunals had not to consider whether the objection so far as it extended to non-combatant service was founded on reason,, I but whether it was a genuine one. I Ought to be an Outlaw." Mr. Justice Darling How can a person hold- ing these conscientious objections reconcile it with his conscience to take advantage of the laws which protect life and property, which depend wholly on force, and are administered by judges who depend entirely on the police, and depend in the last resort on the military ? Mr. Hogg My intellect is not equal to answering that question. (Laughter). Mr. Justice Avory You mean. it is not Inv enough ? Mr. Justice Darling: The real conscientious objector ought to be an outlaw. So far from being an outlaw, he is to have the special privileges conferred by the Act. Their lordships held that no injustice had been done to Mr. Parton. Mr. Justice Darling said there was no right given to anybody to' appeal on the ground of conscientious objection to any service except combatant service. Mr. Justice Lawrence remarked that the o::Iy exemption in the Act (which was weak enough, in Heaven's name) was exemption from com- batant service. This applicant succeeded in evading combatant service and now he wanted to show he had a conscientious objection to serving the State in any other capacity. The applicant wanted to take all the benefits of citizenship and perform none of its duties. A more unconscientious claim it was almost im- possible to conceive. He said he had a con- science that was too tender to do anything for the State in war. Such a conscience was only worthy of the utmost contempt. Mr. Justice Avory concurred. .&.

I v r LLANELLEN. CONFIRMATION.-—We omitted to state in --)-iT I report last week that there were several candi- dates from Llanellen at the confirmation service at Holy Trinity, Abergavenny, last week. A,

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS. DEATHS. STEPHES.-On the 9th inst., at 18, Oxford- street, Abergavenny, John Stephens, aged 75 years. IN MEMORIAM. FREEMAN.—Jn Loving Memory of my dear father, Albert Freeman, who passed away April 26th, 1915. Fondly remembered by his daughter Katie. MORGAN.—-In Loving Memory of Margaret Alice, the dearly beloved daughter .ot and Emma Morgan, of 40, Commercial-street, who died April 20th, 1915, aged 2~v MORGAN.—In Loving Memory of William Thomas Grisswell Morgan, the dearly he!<J. (..1 son of John and F.mma Morgan, of 40, Com- mercial-street, who was killed by an accident at Brecon Road Yard on April 30th, 1908, in his 19th year. RICHARDS.—In Loving Memory of Roland, son of the late Richard Richards, Cooper, of Abergavenny, who passed away on April- szad, 1915. Gone, but not forgotten.

from Jane. With all true sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. Geo. j a ok son and family. In affectionate remembrance, from I/Amie and Plorrie. In token of respect, from the I members of the Licensed Victuallers' Association of Abergavenny and district. With deep sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. P. Lloyd. Mr. and Mrs. Morris Jenkins, with sincere sympathy and remembrance of an old friend. Mr. and Mrs. J. Owen Marsh, in remembrance. With sympathy from Miss Martin (Rugby). A r. F.- K. V,. Alar(](,n With deepest sympathy, Mr. H. K. E. Mardon and Miss Ethel Mardon. With kind remem- brance, from Morgan (gardener). With respect and deep sympathy of the Directors and Staff of the Park Elhl Deep Navigation Collieries. With deep sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. Philip Price. With deep sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. J. A. c. Price. With deep regret, from Mrs. W. B. Partridge. A token of esteem and regret, from the Directors and Staff of Phoenix Coal Co. With deepest sympathy, from Mr. John Rosser (Newport). From Mrs. E. Rowlands, with deep sympathy. With deep sympathy, from the Staff of Messrs. James Straker, on & Chadwick. With sincere sympathy from Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Stocken. With sincere regret from Dr. and Mrs. W. S. Tresawna and Dr. Humphry. With deepest regret, from the Tradesmen's and Shop Assistants Outing Committee. With deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thomas and family. With deepest sympathy, from all at Ashlea. With deepest sympathy and to the memory of a lover of childLE, from the Scholars and Staff of Victoria Street Council School With deep sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Williams. In lovmg remembrance, from Mr., Mrs. and Miss Wlieatley. With sincere sym- pathy, Mr. and Mrs. J. Berry Walford. Magistrales' Regret and Sympathy. At the Abergavenny Police Court on Wcdnes" day, Colonel R. H. Mansel (in the chair) said he had received a telegram from the Chmnmm of  the Cha)rman of the Bench, Mr. F. P. J. Hanbury, who .u?ed hi;u to act in his stead and ;o express the very great regret of himself and the Bench at the loss they had sustained by the death of Alderman James Straker. Alderman Straker was a man so well known that he need not say much about him, but far and wide his loss would be felt as that of a personal friend. His genial presence, his experience, and his sound common sense would be much missed everywhere. He would like to express, on behalf of the Bench, their sympathy with Mrs. Straker and the family. Mr. J. H. Farquhar, on behalf of the legal profession, said he had been asked to say how heartily and sincerely they joined in the ex- pressions of regret given utterance to. He had had the honour of knowing the late Alderman Straker the whole of his life, and he had watched his career and seen him climb the ladder of fame step by step until he attained the position of Mayor of the borough on two occasions. On each occasion he discharged his duties to the satisfaction of the burgesses of the borough. He was a man of firmness and determination, but at the same time he possessed great kindness of heart, as was manifested to the school children when he was Mayor. Alderman Straker was -conscientiot)s and painstaking in the discharge of his duties. He lived to a good old age, and died beloved not only in the county of Mon- mouth but in neighbouring counties as well, and his death was a great source of sorrow to all his friends. On taking his sat later as chairman of the Borough Bench, the Mayor (Alderman Z. Wheatley) said he would like to endorse all that had been said by Colonel Mansel and by Mr. Farquhar in reference to the death of Mr. Straker. He would have more to say on this Matter at the meeting of the Town Council, but he should like the Clerk, on behalf of the Borough Bench, to convey to Mrs. Straker and family their deepest sympathy.