Abergavenny Chronicle

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Aborgavenny Police Court. ^Vednesday—Before Mr. F. P. J- Hanbtiry (chairman), Mr. Edwin Foster, Mr. E. R. J.ewis and Mr. H. C. Steel. Licensing. The licence of the Carpenters' Arms. Llan- gattock Lingoed. was transferred to Charles Henry Perrett and of the Crown and Sceptre, Mardy, to George Brown, who has been homing the licence of the Carpenters' Arms. Enoue:ht to Look After the Live Ones. I Thomas Amyes. farmer, of Llanfoist, was summoned for permitting the carcase 01 a sheep to remain unburied on his farm on the 30th April. P.C. Oliver said that in consequence ot com- plaints, he went to the farm. Defendant said he only knew of one sheep that was unbnrieo. He showed it to witness and it was decayed away Witness afterwards found four carcases in a ditch. Defendant said that one belonged to another man and he did not know anything about the others. In reply to defendant, witness said defendant showed him a large hole in which a horse could easily be buried and in which defendant had been burying sheep. Defendant said there had been 14 ft. of snow in some places. He had had over 40 sheep which had died, and he had enough to do to look after the live ones. A fine of as. 6d., including costs, was imposed. The Lighting Order Local Tradesmen I Summoned. There were 10 cases in which summonses had been issued for failure to obscure lights suffi- ciently within the meaning of the new Lighting Order, on Saturday, April 29th. Nine cases were in respect of business premises and one in respect of a private house. The names of the ,defendants were :—Douglas Welch, outfitter; F. W. Richards, saddler, etc. Ernest Herbert, ironmonger Edward Harrington, photographer; Charles Downes, furniture dealer; Thomas Harrhy, barber Thos. Beveridge, clothier; Andrew Gibbs, manager of cycle stores ] ames Roberts, hairdresser and James C. Gwatkin, retired painter and decorator. The Magistrates' Clerk read a clause of the Order on which the cases were based, as follows The intensity of the inside lighting of shops and shop fronts must be reduced or the lights -obscured or shaded so that no more than a dull, subdued light is visible outside and no part of the pavement or roadway or any building is distinctly illuminated thereby. In particuiir all sources of light must be shaded with some opaque material so that all direct light there- from is cut off from the windows and doors." The Magistrates' Clerk said that every single gas burner must have an independent screen, apart from the outside screen. That was the construction he put upon it. P.-Sergt. Prosser said he visited Mr. Welch's shop and saw a great light coming through the glass. It was frosted glass and it shone right across on the opposite side of the street. There was nothing on the gas burners.. Defendant said the light inside the shop was 24 feet from the window. The Magistrates' Clerk You can't get out of that portion of the Order that every burner I must be obscured. Defendant it is obscured by the uon- transparent glass screen and the goods hanging in the window. Defendant (to witness) Did you notice if the sunblinds were out ?-o, I didn't. The light reflected on the building on the opposite side of the street. Defendant That is Impossible when the sun- blind is out. How many lights were there in the shop ?-I don't know. You did not notice the lights on each side of my shop ?—I cautioned them, and only reported the worst cases. P.C. Casey said the light from the shop was shining across the other side of the road. There was no sunblind down at all. He cautioned defendant the previous Saturday about having too much light. The Bench sent for the gas globe from de- fendant's shop, and the glass was shaded at the bottom but not at the top. t P.-Sergt. Prosser said the light from Sichards' shop was showing across the road. Inside there was a naked gas jet burning in the middle of the room. Defendant had not attempted to obscure it at all. Defendant asked why no warning or instruc- tions were given. The Magistrates' Clerk That is not the sergeant's business. Supt. Davies Bills have been distributed extensively. Mr. Beveridge No, sir. Defendant He has never been near me. I took it my light was obscured enough. 1 have not seen any Order. The Magistrates' Clerk In these times you have to look out for squalls. P.-Sergt. Prosser said that at Herbert's there was a light coming through the door right across the street. In reply to defendant, witness said there was a car outside, with a rear-light, but this light was-distinct from the one which came from the shop. Defendant .said he was absolutely certain there was no light on the roadway. The light in the shop was about 10 feet from the doorway, and it was screened. P.-Sergt. Prosser said that at Downes' shop the blinds were down, but the light was shining through the side of the blind right across the street. There was also a bright light at the rear of the premises which was shining on the opposite wall. In reply to defendant, witness said he did not go inside the shop. The Magistrates' Clerk said it was important that the complainant should know the facts, although that did not relieve the onus on the defendant. He would suggest that the sergeant should look at the burners in future cases. Sergt. Prosser We go by the light which shows outside, sir. Defendant said the light was about 30ft. from the front of the shop, and there were goods hanging about. The'light at the rear of the premises was 50 yards from the roadway. Sergt. Prosser Aircraft could see it. They don't follow the main street In the case of Edward Harrington, Scrgt. Prosser said the front blinds were down but there was a light shining from the side of the shop right across the street. There was an ordinary globe on the burner. Defendant said there was opaque glass and a shade, and only reflected light could reach outside P.-Sergt. Prosser said that Harrhy had a very light blind and there was a bright light shining through right across to the chapel. Defendant said this was the first time lie had been warned, and he was cautious afterwards. He was not warned like some other people two or three weeks ago, and he did not think it was fair. P.-Sergt. Prosser said '-e afterwards went to t Beveridge's, where the blind was about half way -down the door and the door was half open. There was a bright light shining right across to the club. Defendant said that Sergt. Prosser admitted that he was trying to do something to keep the light down. He had black illalenal all round the window and a gr:u 11 blind down the d or, but as be customers came in and went out they tipped the blind on one side, and lor a moment there might be a streak of light. The Magistrates' Clerk Vou have a constant stream of customers ? Defendant i had on Saturday night, and better customers than the sergeant was. (daughter). My neighbours are dumbfounded that I have been summoned. The Magistrates' Clerk You are evidently unfortunate in having so many customers. Defendant There would have been more light showing if the sergeant had tried to get in the doorway. (Laughter). In reply to the Clerk, Sergt. Prosser said that no customers went in while he was there. The door was not shut, but kept open. Defendant said a lady came in and said, Mr. Beveridge, there is the sergeant after you." (Laughter). In the act of her coming in a little light showed. P -Ser^t. Prosser said that at Gibbs's shop it was like a lighthouse, with a bright light showing in three different directions. The blinds were half way down. If they had been right down probably no light would have s.own at all At Roberts's, said Sergt. Prosser the light from the shop showed right across tne road to Air. Gills'. Defendant said that a fortnight ago P.C. Casey told him to put the light out m the wmdow an 1 it had not been lit since. lie was m complete darkness in his workshop. P.C. Calder said that at 10.45 p.m. on die ■, April he was on duty in Monk-street with P..C. Gover, when he saw a bright light both upstairs and down at Mr. Gwatkin's house in Holywdl- road. He went to the house and asked to see Mr. Gwatkin, but he had gone to bed. He asked Mrs. Gwatkin the reason she had not obscured the lights, after being cautioned twice previously and she said they had green blinds but they did not trouble to put them up as they only had a candle burning. The light could be seen four or five miles away. When he served the sum- mons on defendant he said it was a pity the police had not something better to do. If they would look after his property which was being smashed up he would think more about them. He refused to alter the lights at all. Thisr case was adjourned for a week, for the attendance of defendant, who was ill. With regard to the other cases, the Bench retired and on their return the Chairman said they had decided merely to caution the de- fendants, as they were the first cases under the new Order, and they hoped it would be taken as a warning by other people in the town and the neighbourhood. There would be no con- victions. I Her Best I Ada Butler, married woman, of 52, Merthyr- road, was summoned for cruelty to her daughter Violet, aged 11, by neglecting her. The prosecu- tion was at the instance of the Education Authorities. Dr. Laura Powell, registered medical prac- titioner, appointed by the County Council for the schools, said defendant had been warned about six times by the nurse and by one of her colleagues. On the 14th April witness examined the child and found her hair matted together with nits and alive with vermin. Her hair was in so bad a condition as to cause unnecessary suffering to the child and ill-health. They did not care to prosecute, but it seemed the only way to deal with the case. She had advised the defendant exactly how to treat the case. Defendant admitted that she had been warned, but she had done all she had been told to do and she could not help it. A fine of ios., including costs, was imposed.. I No Rear-light. Harry Richmond and Frederick Saunders, of Llangrwyney, were summoned for riding bicycles without red rear-lights at 11.15 p.m. on the 22nd April, on Brecon-road. Richmond said his motor-cycle had broken down and he had to borrow a bicycle. Saunders said someone had taken the bottom of his lamp, and the shops were closed. Defendants were fined is., including costs, each. Vicar as Surety. Frederick Jones, a schoolboy, who was sum- moned last week for stealing a bicycle, the property of Harry Shackleton, chemist, appeared again at a Children's Court on an adjournment for the attendance of the guardian. The Magistrates' Clerk read a letter from the Vicar of Milford Haven, who said that the boy's father was killed in action last year, and the boy had been in the care of Mrs. Reynolds. He had been trying to get the boy into a training ship or institution, if the magistrates would be good enough to allow him to become surety for him. The mother, who was in his service, had had a very hard life. The Bench granted custody of the boy to the Vicar of Milford Haven, who, it was stated, would be at Abergavenny in a day or two. -d6-

Abergavenny and a Military Camp. THE WAR OFFICE AND THE HOAX. I I At a meeting ot the Town Louncu, m com- mittee, on Mondav night, the Mayor and Town Clerk reported that whilst in London they had interviewed the Authorities with reference to the camping of troops at Abergavenny. The Town Clerk stated that if no troops were quartered here it would be no fault of the Mayor, as he (the Town Clerk) could testify to his per- sistent efforts in all directions to attain that object. He had touched every available source and approached all the higher officials at the War Office and Western Command, and it was hoped that his indefatigable efforts would meet with success. The Mavor and Town Clerk also attended at the War "Office and interviewed General Sir Henrv McKinnon with reference to the advertise- ment in the Abergavenny Chronicle relative to the flying demonstration on the 1st April Sir Henrv said that it was a matter for the Western Command and the IV, ar Office, who would deal with the matter. In the afternoon the Mayor and Town Clerk attended the Committee on War Damage, at the Guildhall. There were present representatives of 394 municipal and urban authorities, repre- senting 11,000,000 people, and a resolution was passed in favour of the abandonment of the Government scheme for insurance against loss or damage, and the adoption of an Act recog- nising national responsibility. The resolution I, was unanimously passed. ? pqsse( On the following morning the Mayor and Town Clerk attended the annual meeting of the Municipal Corporations Association, when Lord Derby was in the chair, and an illuminated address signed by the Mayors of the principal boroughs was presented to him, and resolutions were passed in favour of the expense being borne nationally out of the Imperial revenue. The Naval and War Pensions Act 1915 was also discussed and resolutions passed thereon, and other business was also transacted.

TOBACCO FUND. I I Already acknowledged •- i2?2 13 10 This week •• •• •• 2180 £ 275 11 10 5S. Mrs. Lawrence Baker. 2s. Mrs. J. Merton Jones. 1s. Mr. Greene.

I LLANGATTOCK (CRICKHOWELL;. i VESTKY MEETING.—The annual Vestry was held in the Miles Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 25th ult., at 8 p.m. In the absence of the Rector, the Rev. R. L. Cole-Hamilton, who is abroad as a chaplain of the forces, the chair was taken by the Rev. W. S. Cave Palmer. The accounts for the past year showed a balance in hand of Yio 6c. id. Mr. S. D. Caine was again nominated as rector's warden, and Mr. James Edwards was unanimously re-elected people's warden. The sidesmen were again re-elected, with the addition of Messrs. Evans, Morris, and Crompton. The Ffawyddy Mission Church accounts were presented by Mrs. Pritchard, and showed a balance in hand. Mr. James Ed- wards moved a. vote of condolence with Mrs. Pritchard and family in their bereavement, and paid tribute to the energetic work of the late Mr. W. L. Pritchard in his capacity as secretary of the Mission Church. Mr. Boddy was appointed the new secretary, and the sidesmen were re- elected. The church workers were accorded a hearty vote of thanks for their services during the past year. -6--

1 Obituary.—We regret to record the death oi I Mrs. Jane Wallington, of South View, Kington, widow of the late Mr. George WaUmgton, of Hi?h-street. Abcr?avenny, which took place at Chlckw?td Farm, Kington, on April nth. The funeral took place at Kington Cemetery on the 16th ult., when- the Rev. R. S. Pelly officiated.

HOME FROM THE FRONT. Vicar of St. Mary's gives his Impressions. LESSONS. OUR SOLDIERS HAVE LEARNED. The vicar of St. Mary s (the Kev. iri. H. Matthew), who has for the past three or four months been serving as a chaplain at the front, was at Abergavenny over the week-end on short leave, and the fact that he was expected to preach attracted a large congregation, both morning and evening, at St. Mary's, the church being particularly crowded at the latter service. Preaching at the evening service, the Vicar chose as his text the words I am he that liveth, and was dead and behold I am alive for ever- more, Amen and have the keys of hell and or death." The Vicar said he would try to place before them some of the experiences and lessons which had come home to him during the three or four months he had been away. It was very difficult to know what to pick, but he had been tremendously impressed, as he supposed every- body had been impressed, with the conduct and character of our soldiers. There were black sheep amongst them and there were men who gave a great deal of trouble. In the particular battalion of which he knew most the command- ing officer told him that over and over again when they had had drafts of men sent out from England they had looked with dismay at the conduct sheets which they brought with them. He said, I don't know what our third line is doing, but it seems to me that they pick out the worst characters and send them out here. We don't want them we have no room for men like that out here." Two or three.weeks later they would receive a report from the junior officers about these men, and they found that they were turning into splendid soldiers and there was nothing whatever the matter with their char- acter. They were doing their duty by the State perhaps as clearly and strongly and bravely as anyone. What did they think accounted for that ? He did not think it was merely the fact that they had been brought face to face with danger and death. He had no doubt that had something to do with it and that it did steady men and make a real change and difference in their lives. But he thought, really and truly, it was because of another reason. They saw a body of men who had already learned their lessons and what discipline meant and the value of character under the circumstances in which they found themselves. They knew that their best chance of doing well and even their best chance of safety lay in a strict attention to discipline, and the straightest conduct right away through, and they were infected by the men who had already gone through the experience. They caught from them the spirit of discipline and the spirit of soberness, which animated them. When the Boys Come Home. He believed that was the case. He had heard someone in a very high position express the same opinion. If that was so it ought to make us at home think very seriously. Here were these men going out and being very much altered. They were not suddenly turned into saints they were not suddenly converted to God and religion. In a great many cases it was not that at all, but they had caught the discipline and the sober courageous spirit of those around them and they had absorbed a certain amount of it, and one day; please Gcd, these men were coming back to our society here. What were they going to find in us who had stayed at home ? We had had opportunities of learning the same lessons of discipline, hadn't we ? He thought so. There were a good many calls and demands made upon us which demanded a very severe discipline in our homes and businesses at this time. Some of them had, he knew, responded loyally and splendidly to that call of soberness and discipline, self-control and self-denial. He did not know whether our whole society had done so or was about to do so. He trusted, how- ever, that in the coming months that lesson would be learned and that when our glorious Army came back again from France—came back victoriously, as we knew it would-he trusted that they would find amongst them something of the same spirit which they had acquired pud some knowledge of these lessons which they had learned. He asked them for the sake of the soldiers to do everything they could for them. Many of them had been tremendously good in helping him to do something for them, and he thanked them from the bottom of his heart for all the kindnesses they had shown him and for all they had done in many different ways for the good of the soldiers. And he asked that in this one great thing—far the greatest thing they could do—that they would let the soldiers come back again to a society cleansed and purified and awake. He had very good hopes that they in that parish would be able to do something in that direction. He had been wonderfully en- couraged by the reports which had reached him while he was away and during the few hours he had been back again, as to what had been going on there, both at that end and the Christ Church end. They had responded splendidly to the appeals for loyalty and support which had been made to them. They had made a capital start with the finance scheme which was set on foot directly after he left, and which he hoped they would carry through to a successful conclusion. He was sure that not only himself, as Vicar, but they also would reap great benefit from it, both directly and indirectly. He thanked them for their loyalty to the priest in charge of the parish who, at great personal sacrifice, came to take his place for a time and set him free to go, and the way they had supported him, and the assistant clergy in their really strenuous work. He asked them to go on giving that support until, God willing, he came back again. There were other things which one might say about one's experiences. One was tremendously- struck with the spirit of discipline and steadiness. One was equally struck with the virtues of kind- ness and cheeriness which one saw among the soldiers. Somehow or other it seemed im- possible to discourage the British soldier. One might think they would have been discouraged long ago. Where he was three weeks ago the soldiers went into the most awful trenches in the most horrible weather. The first day he went down to the trenches he was over his knees in mud every few yards, and lie came back from there sorry for his experience. He was able to back and change, but the men had to stay in conditions like that for six days. When one said that it was bad for them they replied, OJi, it doesn't matter we shall get out in six davs." Nothing could discourage them. There was tremendous cheeriness and tremendous helpful- ness to one another. If a man was wounded or sick, there was nothing his mates would not do for him and no ganger which they would not run to bring him in. One poor fellow was shot between the trenches at dawn and the men were not quite sure whether he was dead or alive—as a matter of fact it was found afterwards that he was killed instantly. The officer of the platoon told him that one after another came uo and said" Please, sir, can I go out and try to get him in r The officer would not let them, as they would only have lost their lives for nothing but almost every man in the platoon was ore- pared to go out and risk almost certain death 1- Soldiers and the Great Christian Virtues. Ctieermess, unselfishness and courage were I. great Christian virtues, and there was something pathetic about the fact that these men did not recognise that virtues lik that had anything to do with Christianity at all. He did not know what had been the matter with our religion at home. There must have been something the matter with it. These men were not --v,ry religious they had not been contirmed; they were not fond of church-going. They said "I try to do my duty, but 1 have never had any religion." Well, they had had a great part of religion, and what they failed to see was that church-going, confirmation, holy communion, and other means cf grace were not religion. They were things to quicken and strengthen their religion and make it better and purer, and they had missed this because they had never been taught that they had these means of help and strength which Christ had appointed for His Church. Now, we must do something to put this matter right before the boys came back, for the sake of the generation that W2.s growin,T up. If our England was to be a better England, as, please God, it would be after this war was over, they must link up religion with these virtues which were so common in every class J and which had been brought cut by the storm and stress of war out there. He wondered how it was that the lessen had never been learned He could not help thinking that it was partly because these virtues had not been characteristics of church-going people, regular communicants and church workers. Was I there any truth in that suggestion ? If they would show these same characteristics in their lives in even greater measure, as they ought to do, with the help of the ministrations of Jesus Christ, they would be able to show that religion had something for them, that it was not onlv something to be dono but that it was something to receive. There was one other lessor., and that was that when the Army came back they were going to be very impatient with religious dissension and hypocrisy. They knew nothing about it out there. There, ministers of the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Nonconformist churches were on the friendliest terms, each ministering to their own people and helping each other to make things easy. They had their different points of view, they did r.ot agree on every point of doctrine and he did not think they were going to-at any rate he saw no posiibility of it at the present time-but as to ill-feeling and ill-will, envy, hatred, malice and all uncharitableness, which often characterised Christian bodies and churches in this country, it was not thought of out at the frcnt. Surely if they could learn that lesson the time would come when there would be a great reunion in the Chuich. He did not say it would come in our day, but we could help it forward, and he looked forward to the day when all would be united, as we were united in many ways, spiritually, now. We had to help it forward by looking at each other with charity and love instead of working one against another, and when we could learn those lessons England would be a better and purer country when the war was over.

p I CONCERT AT ABERGAVENNY. I LOCAL CHOIR'S FINE SINGING. Xo one has done more for the higher musical education and entertainment of the people of Abergavenny than Mr. W. R. Carr, A.R.C.O., whose work as a musical director is always marked by thoroughness and a high standard of excellence. Once again, on Tuesday night, the music-loving public were indebted to Mr. Carr for a most enjoyable evening of orchestral and choral music at the Town Hall. No small meed of praise is also due to those enthusiastic performers, both choral and orchestral, who willingly gave their time for practice and their services on Tuesday night on behalf of a good cause, for the concert was in aid of the Disabled Soldiers' and Sailors' Workshop Extension Fund (Lord Roberts Memorial), There was a large attendance of the public, though the hall was not crowded, and the expectations of those present as to the musical fare provided were fully realised. One noteci with satisfaction that modern com- posers were honoured by a prominent place in the programme. Though some of the old com- posers will always stand alone for the distinctive genius of their work, it would be a mistake to harp too much on the old and to withhold en- couragement from living musical talent. Elgar, Villiers Stanford and Bantock are men who ought not to be without honour in their own country. Their compositions provide a relief from hackneyed themes, and are on their own merits well deserving of being vocalised for the benefit of the public. Mr. Carr had got together a strong choir and orchestra of 100 performers, as well as some good artistes. Mr. Alexander Watt, of Here- ford, was the bass Mr. John Aikens, of Hereford, the tenor and Miss Cissie Thomas, of Newport, the soprano. Mr. Carr had his choir well in hand and under his able baton they covered themselves with distinction. Their attack, precision and expression left nothing to be desired, due attention was paid to the light and shade, and the singing altogether was really fine. Their first number was Bantock's part song, The march of the Cameron men," a stirring composition of a distinctly pleasing character, of which the choir gave a thrilling rendering. The principal number on the programme was, of course, Sir C. Villiers Stanford's choral song, The Last Post," in which the orchestra played some pleasing incidental music. It is a virile work which has exacting passages, but the choir were equal to all the demands made upon them. The sopranos sang brilliantly, and the only criticism one can. offer is that they were some- what too strong compared with the other parts. In these days, however, it is not so easy to get a strong array of tenors and basses as before the war. The climax was particularly effective and had the novelty of unexpectedness. As the singing finished, the Last Post was sounded in the distance to the accompaniment of the sidedrum, and this in turn became fainter and fainter until it died away. The audience were spellbound, but found relief in enthusiastic applause. Sir Edward Elgar is generally ad- mitted to be our foremost composer. Tuneful- ness is one of his distinguishing characteristics, and everyone knows what a fine composition is his Land of Hope and Glory." His part song 0 Happy Eyes is but another evidence of his great musical ability. It is a piece full of harmony and go," and the choir thoroughly entered into the spirit of it. their rendering giving great delight to the audience. The con- cluding chorus, Beethoven's Hallelujah," was something of a change from Handel's, which has been done to death bv most choirs. This was a fitting conclusion, and the choir gave another excellent rendering. Two excellent overtures had been selected for the orchestra as the opening item of each part of the programme. These were Schubert's Rosamunde," and Mozart's Don Giovanni." ])on (-, i o%-anr i Both are spirited pieces, with charming themes, and their interpretation by the orchestra afforded great pleasure Mr. Alexander Watt had two fine songs, Sanderson's Drake Goes West," and Mattei's 0 hear the wild wind blow," and he used a good bass voice to advantage in both of them. His singing with Mr. John Aikens of Sargeant's duet, J" Watchman, What of the Night ? was a particularly fine and harmonious effort, and an encore was demanded. A good tenor is generally the most popular artiste, as this kind of voice lends itself admirably to certain songs. Mr. John Aikens, at any rate, proved a favourite, and though we have heard better tenors at Abergavenny, he distinguished himself in the bracketed items At Dawning (Wake- field) and From the Land of the Sky Blue Waters (Cadman), being encored. His sweet singing of Blumenthal's My Queeil was another excellent effort, and he had to respond again. Miss Cissie Thomas has a pure and flexible soprano voice of good range, and she sang, very artistically Batten's "The Nightin- gale and WTien shadows gather (Marshall). Her best item, however, was Spring of the year," by that talented young composer Ivor Novello, who is already famous. Miss Thomas had to respond to a well-deserved encore. There was no more appreciated or enjoyable item than the violin solo by Miss Marion Morgan, Noc- turne in E flat" (Chopin). Miss Marion Morgan is w'll known at Abergavenny as a masterly instrumentalist, and her rendering was a rev ela- tion in the art of violin playing". It was a really brilliant performance, and a vociferous encore was the result. The orchestra was a follows :—First violins, Miss Marion Morgan (leader), Miss E. M. Osman, Mr. S. A. Bennett second violins, Mr. Greene, Mr. J. C. B. Bennett, Miss A. Davies, Miss F. Edmunds viola, Miss A. Brooke violoncellos, Miss Grace Morgan, Miss N. Glendinning cornet, Mr. C. Auty double bass, Mr. J. Norton side- drum, Mr. F. Wingrave ?ianofurTe, Mrs. Barrett. A

Monmouthshire Volunteer Regiment. Monday, May S-Firing practice for Nos. 3 and 4 Platoons in Drill Hall, from ï to 9 p.m also for Derby Recruits. Thursday, May ri—The Company will parade in Drill Hall, at 7.30 p.m. sharp. Uniforms to be worn. Class B Army Reserve are in- vited to attend. Saturday, May i practice for Nos. I and 2 Platoons in Drill Hall, from 7 to g p.m., also for Derby Recruits. Duties for the Week :—Orderly Officer, Platoon Commander W. P. Cooper Orderly Sergeant, Sergt. S. Smith. Orderly Corporal, Corpl. C. Downes.

LLArtclVtR. MUSICAL SUCCESS.—We have greatf pleasure in recording the success gained by MissgElsie D. Jonathan, younger daughter of Mr. aiidpirs. W. I Jonathan, Hendre Glyn, Hanover, at the London College of Music examinations recently held at Cardiff, when she obtained the degree of A.L.C.M. She studied at St. Alban's Convent, Pontypool.

ABERGAVENNY RURAL I TRIBUNAL. I SINGLE MEN AND EXEMPTION. I A meeting of the Abergavenny Rural Tribunal was held on Wednesday, Mr. Robert Johnson presiding. There were also present Messrs. John Prichard, Edgar W. Lewis, Morgan W. David, and John Baynam, with Mr. Gower Andrews (military representative) and Mr. Joseph Griffiths (agricultural representative). Twenty-six applications were dealt with, of which five were granted absolute exemption, 12 temporary exemption, seven were refused and two adjourned. Mr. John Prichard referred to the way in which local appeals had been dealt with by the Appeal Tribunal. He was at the Appeal Tribunal and he felt that it was extremely one- sided. The appellants had a solicitor who pleaded very well for them, but they had prac- tically no one. They had a gentleman who did not know the cases at all, and he thought that if Mr. Gower Andrews had been in charge he would have explained matters and their decisions would have been upheld instead of being re- versed. New Regulations. I The Clerk read the new regulations providing that single men under 30 in certain occupations and under 25 in others could not be granted exemption. This was what was called comb- ing out." Mr. Morgan IVe can give them some time, although we cannot exempt them. The Clerk You can't grant them any time. Mr. Morgan David We can give them a month. The Clerk No, it does not say so. Mr. Joseph Griffiths said that unattested men got two months from the 1St of May. Mr. Morgan David That is a different thing. Mr. Gower Andrews said the Tribunal must go on as it had been doing, taking a common- sense view of the cases. Mr. Prichard There will be a new law out to-night, probably. Mr. Gower Andrews said that now no single man under 25 could claim that he was in a certified occupation. The Chairman We must go on taking a commonsense view, as we did before. The Clerk Subject to these regulations. The Chairman Probably it will be altered to-morrow. Mr. Gower Andrews said every case must come before the Tribunal, and the Tribunal could grant exemption if it was essential in the national interest that a man should be retained in his usual occupation. A farmer at Pandy in applying for his cowman, a married man aged 25, said he had 360 acres, 20 of which were ploughed. He also kept a waggoner. The Clerk Any sons ? The Chairman He has two, but they are very young. (Laughter). Mr. Morgan David He is only recently married. Applicant said he could not do anything him- self, as he suffered from heart disease. Mr. Prichard Then married life does not suit you ? (Laughter). Exemption for six months was granted. I Mother Contradicts Son. A dairy and sheep farmer on 26 acres, aged 26, and married, said he had also to look after his parents' small farm, his father being 70 years old. The Clerk If your parents were here and said you did not look after them, would you con- tradict them ?—If they were here they would say I did. Would you be surprised to know you don't pay the rent ?—Yes. I do pay it, and they allow it me back when they have it. They say you don't pay it.—I have the receipts. With what they get from your brother, who has joined, they can manage themselves i-Yes, but they come to me when they want anything. Do you help them with money ?—I don't say I give them any money, but if they are short of anything they come to me for it. Your statements are totally at variance with your mother's. She was with me yesterday, and she denies it emphatically.—She can say what she likes. Mr. Gower Andrews asked for the case to be adjourned so that he could look into it. It was not satisfactory, and it was the first he had heard of these facts. The Tribunal adjourned the case and the Clerk told the applicant to bring his rent receipts with him next time. A married farmer, aged 29, at Llangattock Lingoed, and married farmers aged 32 and 7 at Grosmont, were absolutely exempted. A general shoeing smith applied for a married man, aged 26, and it was stated that he was badged by the Ministry of Munitions, and the Tribunal could not touch him. A single waggoner at Llanvair Kilgeddin, in group 4, who had already been granted time, applied through his employer, but the applica- tion was refused, as in addition to the fanner there was another brother on the same farm, who had been starred. A farmer's son at Llanthewy Rhvtherch. on 137 acres, was given six months' exemption, as there was only his father on the farm. A brother in the 3rd Mons. was reported missing. A timber haulier at Llanvihangel Crucorney was granted two months' exemption. A farmer's son at Llanvair was given six months' exemption. A farm labourer on nine acres at Llantilio Pertholev. whose employer asked for a few months' exemption on the 6th of March, was given till the end of May. Desf and Dumb. I A Grosmont tarmer who applied for his general farm, hand, said, in reply to Mr. Gower Andrews, that he had only one man and a boy on tbe farm, and a neighbouring farmer heloed him occasionally. One man was deaf and dumb, and he took him out of the workhouse. He was not able to do much work. There were 200 acres and it was a troublesome farm. Exemption till the end of August was granted. An assistant forester to Sir Ivor Herbert claimed on domestic grounds, saying he was the support of his parents, and his father was prac- tically an invalid. It was pointed out that the parents would get the Army allowance, and the application was refused. acres at 1, Ltle A farmer with 35 acres at Little Grosmont applied for his son. It was stated that the son was engaged in hauling timber and there wa- I another son, aged 14, at home. The application was refused. In the case of a farmer who was too ill to appear for his farm hand, the Tribunal adopted the recommendation of the Advisory Com- mittee and granted two months' exemption. A married farmer at Llangattock-nigh-Usk who has a milk round, was granted absolute exemption. A married man on a large farm at Llanthony, whose father is almost a cripple, was also granted absolute exemption, as a younger brother is calledrp. Adopted st 24 Yews of Age. i A woman farmer at Llanvapley applied for a I man aged 25, who was the only man 0:1 the place. He came to her about 12 months ago and she had adopted him and he had taken her name. In her claim applicant stated \Ve all work very hard, and have had no man to help us since harvest, except one man to help to raise potatoes and make cider. In harvest I did all the work l I did all the ?vork with the horse-rake, and had not had m-; 1 clothes off for a week." was granted. A single farm hand, the only one employed by a woman farmer on 60 acres at Uvtha, was given a -?vo?ra.n on 6o acres at C?lvtl-a, -,vas gi,, -,Il A farm hand at Bettws Newydd said he had been in the employ of Mr. Peter Marfell, but left him about three weeks ago. He had been em- ployed regularly from June to February and then left, but had been working back and fore I ie: He was out of a job now, as Mr. Man ell )ie ?v-,s ouz ()f a job no-,v. as Iir. Mr. Gower Andrews Did you leave of your own accord, or did Mr. Marfell dismiss you He dismissed me. Are you prepared to substantiate this, because I am bavmg it taken down ?—Yes he ,ts-  missed it taken Y es he The application was refused. I No Satisfactory Reason. A general farm hand living at Kemeys Com- I mander and working at Llanvair Kilgeddia is a single unattested man and had not put in 'his application till April instead of before March 2nd. 1 He could give no satisfactory reason as to wl he had nut claimed before, and the Tribunal refused to hear the case. A farm hand at Llanwenarth Citra, aged Ig, had been called up in his group, but was rejected by the Medical Board. The Tribunal, therefore could not deal with the case. A baker at Grosmont wrote that his man, for ,f., H whom a claim had been lodged, had left him. Nether appeared, and the claim was refused. A farm hand at Llanwenarth Citra was ap- pealed for by his employer, who said he had 200 acres. In reply to Mr. Gower Andrews, applicant said the farm was 127 acres and he had taken about 70 acres since December ist. He had only this man and a boy turned 14. r Mr. Gower Andrews Have you a man nameil Smith, at Llanwenarth Breast, working for you ?—Yes, I had, but he is over 70 years old, and is not with me now. He was working for you last week ?—Yes, but he has not been there since. You had a soldier working for you ?—Ye5, he has gone back. Where has he gone to ?—To his regiment at Oswestry. How long did you have him ?—He was work- days. Why did he leave you ?-I suppose he w 3 called back to his regiment, and he could not dó anv work. Did you report him ?—Yes. You had another man working for you about a month ago, who is now at Llangattock ?—He was only working a couple of days, with the manure. Mr. Andrews thought applicant could get plenty of labour. The Tribunal granted four months' exemption. 1 Two Asylum attendants, married men, wer- given two months' exemption. A marrie 1 carpenter at the Asylum did not succeed in lí: claim, as the single carpenter was passed into a very low class and was conditionally exempted by the Appeal Tribunal, as he supported his parents. Brothers to Decide. Mr. Gower Andrews had appealed. to the Tribunal for a review of the case of an Oldcastle farmer's son, and in support of his appeal read a letter from the landlord on the question of the tenancy of the farm. Applicant said he had been employed as a farm bailiff in South Wales, and would not have come back home if he had not thought he was to have the farm. Mr. Joseph Griffiths said it was a hard case. They were farming over 4°0 acres. The father was nearly blind, and he thought the son should stay there. Mr. Gower Andrews (to applicant) There < are three of you there, and three Proberts at Ty Cenol. It is causing a lot of talk in the neigh- bourhood, and we must have one of you at least. You had better make arrangements which should go. Applicant said the Proberts at Ty Cenol were no relation. If anyone had to go, it must be his younger brother. Mr. Gower Andrews You had better arrange it between yourselves who is to go, and come to see me. The Tribunal concurred in this arrangement. The Tribunal had again before them the case of a fanner's son from Llangattock Lingoed, who had been before the Tribunal some time ago and was recommended to be starred. Mr. Gower Andrews (the military representative) had appealed against the decision, and the Central Tribunal in London had decided that the man should not be exempt. He had received a notice calling him to the colours, but the mother had put in another application, on the ground that he supported her and her husband. As is application was quite out of order and should have been made on the first occasion, the Tribunal could not deal with it. Mr. Gower Andrews said they had met the applicant in every way and had given him t ime. He had a notice to join up on Monday, but not appear. Sergt. Davies handed applicant another notice to appear yesterday (Thursday). —.—.— 4.

I CRICKHOWELL. ( _GUXG.- The fine weather has encouraged I angling, and some good catches are recordt-d. ( The Usk appears to be well stocked with fish. MILITARY REPRESEXTATIYF. S CAI-TURI:.—Mr. Gwilym C. James, Military Representative for the Criekhowell district, succeeded in landing a fine salmon, weighing 31 lbs., in the rsk waters near Llan Wsyg last week. ST-CCESS.Nlr. Archie Rowland, sOlloi the Rev. E. Rowland, pastor of Danycastell C.M. Church, Criekhowell, who is in the merchant service, has obtained his second-mate's cer- tificate. OBITUARY.—The death has occurred at Bryn- mawr of Mr. John Prosser, who at one time was tenant of Pencroeslan Farm, Llangattock, ar 1 was well-known in the Llangattock and Crick- howell districts. HONOUR I-OR MAJOR R. E. SOI_T.Y-FI.OOD.— Major R. E. Solly-Flood, of Porthmawr, Criek- howell, who is attached to the Rifle Brigade, has been made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. The gallant officer has rendered yeoman service in the present war, and before going out to the front served as Adjutant in. this country. He was in the South African campaign. EASTER YESTRIES.— The Rector, the Rev. H. P. Somerset, M.A., presided at the annual Easter Yestry on Thursday evening, the 27th ult., held in connection with St., Edmurd's Church. Dr. P. E. Hill was re-elected rector's warden, and I P. E, Hill -,v,-Ls r-2--clecte(I rectc:F, -,varde,-i, ar: was stated that Dr. Hill had for 37 consecutr.e years acted as churchwarden, and that Mr. T. J. Allen had for 2S years carried out the duties of parish clerk. All the sidesmen were re-electcd SUCCESS.—Master Austin Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Williams, of Beech Villas' Trinant, and formerly of New-road, Criekhowell. succeeded in winning first prize at Beaufort Eisteddfod in the painting competition and at Pontypool Eisteddfod subsequently, second prize and first-class certificate for freehand drawing from memory of Trevethin Church, open to children not over 17. Had he arrived at Pontvpool a little earlier for the competition, it is probable that he would have been awardt d first prize. A SUCCESSFUL DANCE.—A successful dan was held at the Clarence Hall, Criekhowell. in Easter week, in aid of the funds to provide- comforts for wounded soldiers. The hall was crowded, and a most enjoyable time was spent by the large company. Dancing was kept up for nearly eight hours. There were a series :»f competitions, viz., gent's quoits, ladies' quoits, hat trimming for gentlemen, tailing the donkey, &c., for which prizes were given. A fox's head, given by Mr. Snah Farr, raised {r ¡s. Sd., while a cake weight-guessing com- petition swelled the proceeds by xCs. Refresh- ments provided during the evening were kindly given. During the proceedings the Rev. Cane. Palmer, B.A., spoke, and alluded to the good cause for which the dance had been organised. He proposed a vote of thanks 10 the secretary and committee for the work they had done in organising such a pleasing event, which, while affording them all enjoyment, helped in a way to <,He .-ide tlle suffering of their brave soldiers. Mr. J ames Grant, for the committee and officials, acknowledged trie compliment and said they were grateful for the way in which the dance had been patronised. The N,ere Messrs. J. Grant, Matthews-Hudson, F. Bowles and j. ;ss E. Ie. Herbert, and the secretary, Miss E. L. Meale, with the organisers, Miss Clara Meale and Messrs. Grant and Matthews-Hudson, are to be con- gratulated on the arrangements. The proceeds j I realised nearlv lo after payment of expens?s- c.. ;).L. "r.l.l .I.. 1

I GROSMONT. LOXCERTS.—During tne past week Allies Concert Party," under the direction 4f Mr. McGuire, visited Grosmont, and gave a couple of musical evenings to appreciative audiences, in the Town Hail. Bv request, they have kindly consented to pay a return visit

fetamdif? Court Hospits'.—The Conimif.ve have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt from Mr. F. \V. Blanch of 4 is. 3d, proceeds of football matches and dance for tre benefit of the wounded soldiers at Maindiff Hospital. I

Abergavenny Licensees & Increased Pi tees. A meeting of the Abergavenny and District Licensed Victuallers' Association was held at the North-Western Hotel on Monday last, under the presidency of Mr. H. B. Stocken. In addition to other business, consideration was given to the re-adjustment of retail prices, rendered necessary- by the restrictive orders of the Government as to output, increased cost of material and labour, and consequent higher charges imposed by brewers, notice of •, tu 1 had been sent to most of the licensees. It was decided that prices should be as follows :—Beer—Indoors, 4,d. per pint., out- doors 4d. hall-pints, 2; d. indoors, 2d. ou:. Bottled beers a:id stouts, 41I. per bottle. 2Œncr,.>, 3d. per bottle, the latter having been very m?: h ] increased in price by mineral water manu- facturers. These prices are to take effect from Sth. A

Blackmore Fashions for Ladies, Chikben, Gentlemen and Boys.—Patterns of above to be obtained at Morgan & Co.'sa Chronicle Of&co* Price, 2d. and 3d. each. Li