Abergavenny Chronicle

THE GERMAN DEBACLE. I The news from the front continues to be exhilarating. A month ago none of us looked for such an unbroken succession of brilliant successes. The fact that the Allied Armies have kept up a continual pressure since July 18th is a remarkable testimony to their fighting powers and the extent of their recovery from the three German offensives.- The German Army have in seven short but crowded weeks been given some staggering preliminaries of the I knock-out blow and it is as much as they can do to hold themselves up..Jt is said that General rocli is m advance of his time-table. Certainly the development of the situation is much more satisfactory than might have been expected, and it is gratifying that our own British soldiers and their officers are playing their full part in the denouement and have crowned their brilliant exploits by smashing through the much-vaunted Hindenburg switch-line. They are all out for a quick victory and are fighting on top of their form. The situation has very interesting and decisive possibilities and there are likely to be dramatic developments in the near future, for it must be remembered that we have not yet, like the Germans, thrown our full weight into the attack. Furthermore, the de- creasing moral of the enemy is making the German Army less and less efficient as a fighting force. That process will continue at an ac- celerated rate as time goes on until the point is reached when a well-timed and well-directed Allied offensive of the maximum strength will have a simply shattering effect, and a debacle will follow swift and sure. That time is not just yet, unless we misjudge the situation, and super-optimists who expect the war to be over in a few weeks would do well to look at a map and see the extent of the task which remains to be accomplished. The enemy is still a long way from the French frontier on a great part of the line and he has to be driven across Belgium. The only alternative to driving him back to Germany is an unconditional surrender and evacuation of the conquered territory, and that will only follow as the result of utter collapse. In defence the German is an adept, and though he cannot prevail for long against our new methods of attack, he can hamper our advance considerably and he will employ every imagin- able art of defence in doing so. The damming of the Sen see and Scarpe and the flooding of the land is an instance of his delaying tactics. To expect a quick victory is not to appreciate the difficulties our troops have to contend with and the extent of their task. They are doing superhuman things and in their own good time they will put paid to the account of Prussian militarism. The German Army is an increas- ingly disintegrated force and the end is at last in sight. i S.Q.C.—SAVE OUR COAL. I We have passed successfully through the food crisis and the military crisis, but onr troubles are not at sn eld. for now we are faced with a coal crisis. It is estimated that the shortage of coal amounts to no less than 36 million tons, and unless output is increased and the very greatest economy is exercised by consumers the position will be very black indeed. Although we have seriously eaten into our reserve stocks of coal we have not been able to fulfil our coal obliga- tions to our Allies, and munitions and other important industries are in jeopardy on account of the limited supplies of fuel. The cause of the shortage is officially stated to be the calling of 75,000 miners to the colours and the almost complete stoppage of the French mines as a direct result of the German advance in the West. We believe there are other causes which have accentuated the shortage. Something has been said about absenteeism on the part of miners, but it will be found that this is responsible for only a comparatively negligible percentage cf the shortage. On the other hand miners have made allegations against the management, in some cases, of deliberate restriction of output, with the object of conserving the coal as much as possible until after the excess profits tax has been taken off. The Railway Executive have also been blamed for the present great shortage of trucks in the colliery districts. Whatever the cause, it is certain that many miners have not been able to w.ork full time, even when wiling to do so, and that the labour resources of the, coalfield" are not made use of to the maximum extent. There have, we believe, been certain investigations in the coalfield, and should these disclose the necessity for it, decisive action must be taken, for failure on the part of either the management or the men to secure the greatest possible output cannot be toJerated at such a critical time. Even if other people are to blame, however, that fact does not in any way relieve consumers generally from their patriotic duty, which is to economise as much as possible in the consumption of coal and gas. In view of the great shortage, the ration allowance is on a liberal scale and should be ample to meet the ordinary necessities of any household. There are undoubtedly many of the larger houses where the scale has been exceeded, but the excess consumption must be regarded not as a necessity but as a luxury. There should be no question about cutting out the luxury and reducing the necessity to the lowest possible limit. There are many such cases where a con- siderable saving can be effected. There are, en the other hand, people who have never con- sumed the amount of coal now allowed them under the ration scale, perhaps in some cases only half as much. We hear of people in this category insisting on their full ration allowance. That is not economy. The fact that a house- hold accustomed to consume, say, three tons of coal are rationed at six tons does not in the least mean that they are to consume the six tons. It is the desire of the Coal Controller that house- holders generally should consume only three- quarters of theirJsfuel ration. This can be done without undue hardship, and unless the winter be very severe we believe that many patriotic people will manage with half their ration. It is up to everyone to economise to the utmost possible extent. Remembering what our gallant lads have to endure at the front in all weathers.e it would be the limit of exaggeration to call what we are asked to do a sacrifice. It is simply a plain duty, and it should be readily performed. .6..

IN MEMORIAM. EDWARDS.—In Ever Loving Memory of Allen Edgar Edwards, Welsh Guards, dearly-loved eldest son -of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Ffaw- ydden, Llanddewi Rhydderch, killed in action in France September 3rd, 1917. f Short was thy life, my dearest son, But peaceful be thy rest Your sweet young life you nobly gave, Your resting-place a soldier's grave. 1

— BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS. MARRIAGE. MATTHEWS— GOUGH— On August 30th, at Holy Trinity Church, by the Rev. J. Stanley Davies, Private Edwin Matthews, Canadian Forestry Corps, to Katie, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Gough, Abergavenny. DEATHS. j GROOM.—On 23rd August, at 8 East- 'I gate Place, Ross-road, George Groom, J 1 aged 54 years. iíl j_ 7 ACTIO-N. KILLED IN ACTION. -¡ ¡ DAVIES. -frOn August 21st, 1918, in France, Private John Davies, the ( beloved son of Mrs. Davies (widow), ) Castle Terrace, Gilwern, aged 19. j Deeply mourned by Mother, Sisters and Brothers. j i | PICKERING.—On August 27th, 1918, Sig. T. H. Pickering, 27th Battalion Canadians, and dearly beloved youngest son of James Pickering, Elm Villa, Abergavenny.

▼ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. I Mrs. Groom and family wish to thank all kind I I friends for sympathy in their recent bereave- ment also those who sent floral tributes. ) 8 Eastgate Place, Ross-road. Will the people of Abergavenny Junction and neigilbourliood accept my sincere thanks for their token of sympathy by sending beautiful wreaths for the funeral of my sister-in-law and dear little niece.—H. WATTON.

REMARKS ONE HEARS. I SCRAPS OF ABERGAVENNY CONVERSATION. I Have you heard that the American Army and Navy "baseball teams are going to play a match in Bailey Park on Saturday next week ?" No. What are they coming for ? In aid of the American Red Cross and the L. &- N.W. War Seal Fund." There'll be some excitement, then, because baseball is a top-hole game to 'vfttch." I suppose some of our young ladies are getting excited about :t. In honour of the occasion they've had their hair cut in the American bob style." Oh, I say I wondered what the idea was. Thev won't half take Sammy s eye, will they ? Yes. It's remarkable what sacrifices some people will make for patriotism. I'm told that some of the young ladies are so enthusiastic about it that they haven't much more hair left on them than a Greyhound." Have you heard the Kazoo band No. Where ? At Abergavenny." Are they Kaffirs or Hottentots ? Neither. They're British tots." What do you mean ? Well, they're schoolboys. Do you mean to say you haven't heard them tootling along the streets with their instruments ? Oh, those things. Yes, I've heard them buzzing about trying to camouflage some of our popular tunes. What's the idea of it ? I'm told they're getting ready for the potato picking and they think they can march better to the strains of music." What's their special marching tune ? I don't know, but I believe it's Let's all go on the land (have a potato).'

T MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES. APPLICATION FOR ANOTHER 10/- A WEEK. The Abergavenny Town Council have received a -communication from Mr. R. Llewellyn, secretary of the Municipal Employees' Associ- ation of South Wales, stating that as the result of a conference meeting representing all classes of men employed by municipal authorities in South Wales and Monmouthshire, he was re- quested to ask the Counccil to be parties to arbitration proceedings to be heard before the Committee on Production. The terms of reference were :(a) an increase of i os. per week on present earnings for all men with the excep- tion of those in receipt of the I21 per cent., this being considered equivalent to the 12' per cent. granted to gas and electrical workers (b) this, to apply to technical, clerical and foremen staffs (c) a guaranteed week to be established on the weekly system in South Wales and Monmouth- shire, and the award to apply to all local authorities in South Wales and Monmouthshire. The Town Council have the matter under consideration.

UNGUARDED GERMAN PRISONERS. To the Editor of the" Aberyavenny Chronicle." DEAR SIR,-In the company of a friend and her little girl, I and my young daughter, one day this week, went on the Holy Mountain black- berrying. On our return along a public path through a field to the Ross road, we were startled to see three German prisoners lying in the grass by the stile, quite unguarded, no one else being in sight. less to say, we took no notice of them but hurried on to the read. A little farther on we enquired of a gent km as, whom we met, what those men were unguarded, to be told that if aliarnier requires five or more prisoners to work for him, a guard is provided, but that three or four are supplied without a guard. No wonder we hear ot women and Ciiildren being molested, if this is true. Are our men who are prisoners in Germany allowed out in batches of three and four, unguarded ? If what I have heard at fiyst hand from a repatriated soldier is true-and I have no reason to doubt it—our poor fellows are guarded by brutes who not only carry bayonets, but use them, with or without the slightest excuse, and force them to work hard, though underfed and mostly in rags. As a soldier's wife, and mother, I for one strongly protest against our public roads and fields being made dangerous in this way. No German is safe unless closely watched and guarded. Can it be that German labour is cheap, and therefore preferred to British ? Surely, if the farmers offered decent wages our women and discharged soldiers ccukl gather in the harvest. If not, then in the name of common sense let us see that it is put out of the power of the prisoners to either escape or molest defence- less women and children, by keepirg them guarded efficiently. Yours faithfullv, AN ENGLISHWOMAN.  A

I .w CRICKHOWELL. 1 WOUNDED.—Pte. Geo. Jones, R.W.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Jones, Maescelyn, Crick- howell, who was through the fighting in Palestine and was at the capture of Jerusalem, has been wounded in France and is in hospital at Bradford. A Prolific CROP.—Mr. C. T. Hudson, of Cambrian Hotel, Crickhowell, an amateur gardener who has exhibited at local shows with success, has grown 102WS. of potatoes from 30 tubers. Thirteen of the potatoes averaged over I ],,), each and one weighed 270Z. JW

——— y:?;——?:?.?"?——?  C.t.  i J1«L VOU MUST fol WEIGH I 1 t' every penny yon spend {jiCJsSCjjJE '■? in these days,and con-   sider the very best ?? ? CAREFULLY ?M ?"? ?-? °°°? ? ?? ? ?- Jv t h an youthiMtt  (   ? Red RIngHocftt your wise c h o i ce. Brea d ca k es, puddings an d scones ma d e w&h it are all de l ic i ous an d <'s:aini ng. ??????- ?? <J Boar. It wH) go ??? Qp ?L?? ?? *° mnch funhef RI rzr r- -RpAISI  fo r our newB,?olof Econom;ca Reaper for use with Red Ring Flour to E'll2 upper ?pm"Fn laeR Enclose lei: stamp Th ame* It., E = Id. stamp  r" for postage.  .? ?-  S p  ¡

w -7 Fu neral of the Late Mr. Geo. Davies. The funeral of the late Mr. George Davies, Beechcroft, took place on Saturday afternoon, the interment being in the Old Cemetery. The chief mourners were Messrs. Arthur, Fred, and Ernest Davies (sons), Mr. and Mrs. Norris, Stafford (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Habgood, Ripon (son-in-law and daughter), Mrs. Fred Davies (daughter-in-law), Mr. Williams (Cardiff), Miss Boyd. Among those also present were the Rev. T. P. Millward, Rev. Gwilym Davies, Messrs. J. B. Walford, Edwin Foster, Alfred Williams, W. Jacobs, Robert Beavan, J. R. Beckwith, George Jackson, R, H. Jackson, jVihn Owen, Jesse Pritchard, W. Watkins, Edwin Davies, Fred Thomas, Edwin James, D. Simon, 'Ceo.' Downes, Geo., Beveridge, W. WTalker. The cortege proceeded from the house to St. Mary's Church, where a short service was conducted by the Rev. Davies (curate), who also performed the final rites at the graveside. Floral tributes were sent by Messrs. Arthur and Ernest Davies, Mrs. Norris, Mrs. Habgood, Mrs. Thomson, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Davies, Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd, Messrs. F. and J. Thomas, Directors of Abergavenny Steam Laundry, Churchwardens of Christ Church, Y.M.C.A., Officers and Staff of the Union, Miss Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. R. Price, Mr. and Mrs. Mackie (Bourne- mouth), Mill-street Mission, Mrs. C. C. Hey wood, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Pritchard, Maud (Beechcroft), Mrs. Griffiths. Messrs. G. Evans & Son were the undertakers. Memorial Service at the Y.M.C.A. I Mr. Robert Beavan presided over a large I gathering in the Y.M.C.A. Hall on Sunday afternoon last, when a memorial service was held to the late President of the Association, Mr. George Davies, of Beechcroft. After the singing of a hymn, prayer was offered by Mr. George Evans, a vice-president of the Association and a co-worker with the late President for many years. Mr. John Owen and Mr. Wm. Jacobs delivered addresses reviewing the history of the Association during the last thirty years, and the prominent part taken in the work by Mr. Davies, both as treasurer and afterwards as president, in succession to the late Mr. T. Tomkins. Both speakers referred in feeling terms to Mr. Davies as a successful business man, an honourable citizen and public servant, a loyal Churchman, and a faithful friend of every movement which had for its object the highest good of the people. references were made to the members of the family who were present, also to those who were unable to be there, especially Mrs. Thomp- som, Mr. Davies's youngest daughter, who is now a resident in Melbourne, Australia. The service was concluded with- prayer by Mr. Robert Beavan and the singing of the hymn God be with us till we meet again." Further references to the passing of Mr. Davies were made at the meeting held in the lesser hall on Sunday evening, when Mr. Edwin James took the chair and short speeches were given by Councillor Beckwith (Deputy Mayor), Mr. R. Beavan, Mr. J. R. Habgood, of Ripon, and Mr. E. Parsons.

vr "The Other Side of the Moon." I PLEASING PERFORMANCES BY CRICK- HOWELL CHILDREN. The Other Side of the Moon was the title of a playlet, written by Miss Arlingham Davies, Second daughter of Mr. Arlingham Davies, Gwernvale Cottage, performed by the children named in the cast below in aid of Sir William Treloar's Homes for crippled children and the Red Cross Bureau, on Thursday evening in last week at the Clarence Hall, Crickhowell. There was a large and appreciative audience, and it is proposed to give a repeat performance. The acting of the little ones was splendid; the scenery and costumes were excellent and the arrangements generally reflected credit upon Miss Arlingham Davies and those associated with her. At the end Miss Davies warmly thanked all who had assisted, and she was presented with a bouquet in appreciation of her efiorts. A performance of the playlet was given at the Town Hall, Abergavenny, on Thursday after- noon, in aid of the Sir Wm. Treloar's Homes and the local Red Cross Depot, and the admirable manner in which the children acquitted them- selves gave great enjoyment to the audience. The piece reflects much credit on the author. The performers were as follows :—Ruth, Hugh, Curlylocks (Manners), Mary Davies, Joan Davies and Wendy Furmedge The Man in the Moon, Richard Arlingham Davies The Dust- man, Nancy Watkins; Will- o'-tlle-Wisp, Jean Furmedge Dreamia (Moon Queen), Nancy Watkins Silver Spear (Prince of the Sleepy Star), Marjorie Partridge Wake up (Prince Silver Spear's page), Gerry Cochran Thunder, Lightning, Strong Arm, Glad Heart (Guards of Queen), R. A. Davies, Nancy Partridge, Kenneth Shepheard, Ronald Shepheard Radience, Star- shine, Dewdrop, Mother-o'-Pearl, Honey Sweet, Joy Bell, Lovliest (Seven Sisters, Stars), Joyce Watkins, Jill Festing, Nan Festing, Anne Festing, Anne Partridge, Feliete Partridge, Diana Festing, Molly Cochran Thistledown (a stray Fairy), Pamelita Gaskell. 9

ABERGAVENNY POLICE COURT. Wednesday—Before Mr. J. O. Marsh (in the chsir) and the Mayor (Aid. Z. Wheatley). A Late Start. Owing to the difficulty in getting magistrates the business of the Court did not commence till i half-past 11. The Chairman expressed regret that the Court had been kept waiting. The practice was that the two magistrates on the rota, if they found that they could not attend, secured substitutes or sent an intimation to the Clerk. Neither the Mayor nor himself were on the rota for that Court, and they were not responsible for the delay. Blaertavort Widow's Pension Prosecution by Guardians. Elizabeth Harriett Redmond, widow, of Blaenavon, was summoned for making false statements to John Morgan, relieving officer for the Blaenavon district, to the effect that she was in a destitute condition and not in receipt of a pension, whereas she was in receipt of a pension. Mr. W. H. P. Scanlon (clerk) prosecuted on behalf of the Guardians, and Mr. Harold Saunders represented the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. John Morgan, relieving officer, stated that defendant applied to him for relief in September, 1917. She was the widow of a soldier and had four children. From the 15th of February to the 30th June she continued to have relief at the rate of 16s. per week. He repeatedly asked her as to whether matters were fixed up in regard to the pension and she always replied that she was not in receipt of the pension. By Mr. Saunders He knew that defendant did not receive the ring paper until the end of June or the beginning of July, but he regarded the monies paid by the local War Pensions Com- mittee as pension. He told her that if she re- ceived the pension retrospectively she would be expected to repay the amount allowed by the Guardians. He did not tell her that if she did r not pay at the rate of £ 1 per week proceedings would be taken. He invited her to the Board meeting to state her case. Mr. Saunders If she had agreed to pay the {,I per week these proceedings would not have been taken ?—Probably not. The object of these proceedings is that while she offered to pay 10s. per week the Guardians wanted her to pay ii ?-I invited her to attend the Guardians' meeting on three occasions to state her case. Mr. Saunders called for an agreement drawn up by the relieving officer and signed by the de- fendant. This was to the effect that she agreed to repay the Guardians 10s. per week, increasing that sum as circumstances enabled her to do so, in order to repay the J-32 16s. granted her on loan. By Mr. Saunders T The relief was not dealt with as a loan in the case paper. By Mr. Scanlon The Guardians were not a party to any arrangement suggested between himself and the defendant. The agreement was drawn np provisionally to place before the Guardians, but they had not assented to it. By Mr. Saunders Blaenavon Guardians were to meet defendant at his office, but that was only to give her an opportunity of stating her case. Wm. Iltyd Gwyn Thomas, hon. secretary to the Blaenavon War Pensions Committee, stated that during the 16 weeks from the 9th February to the 20th June defendant was allowed £1 5s. per week by the committee, and afterwards she received i..I 10S., the total amount of recoverable advance paid to the defendant being £ 28 16s., t which had been refunded by the Pensions Issue Office. Mr. Saunders expressed surprise that the Guardians should take criminal proceedings against the defendant, with the knowledge of the facts they had. The allowance from the Pensions Committee was not a pension, and if the pension had not been granted that allowance would not have been recoverable and would have been regarded as a charitable contribution. There was a doubt whether a pension would be granted, as defendant's husband, before he died, had been discharged from the Army for a year, and there was the question as to whether his illness was contracted on service. Defendant never intended to wilfully deceive the relieving officer, because she had not had her ring paper. In reply to the Chairman, Mr. Saunders said that when the pension was granted defendant received £ 10 in a lump sum, 41 per week towards the arrears of pension, and a pension of 33s. gd. per week. The Chairman remarked that she was in receipt of b lIS. 3d. before. Defendant said her husband died 011 the 13th July, 1917, and from then till September her total income was 9s. 9d. per week, which her son earned. She told the relieving officer that she was trying for a pension, and when he asked her if she had got it she replied that she had not, as she was waiting for her ring paper to come through. She was ill for five months, and a friend fetched the money from the Pensions Committee. She (defendant) did not know at the time where it came from. She spent the 110 to pay debts and buy clothes for the children. Mr. Scanlon produced a receipt card, and de- fendant admitted that some of the signatures on it were hers. She did not notice the words on the card Blaenavon War Pensions Committee or Allowance on account of pension." The Chairman said that the Bench considered it a very glaring case, and seeing that there was ^3 17s. gd. per week coming into the house they did not feel that 10S. per week met the case. They thought that the case had been properly brought forward and that the ratepayers should be protected from such things as this. I After a consultation between the Bench, Mr. Saunders and Mr. Scanlon, the defendant offered to pay ISS. per week. This was accepted by Mr. Scanlon, and the case was therefore adjourned sine die on the understanding that the 15s. was paid. I Serious Offences Case of Simple-Mindedness. Edward Betteridge, labourer (44), was sum- moned for indecently assaulting three little girls, aged 7, 6, and 4. Mr. W. J. Everett, Pontypool, prosecuted on behalf of the N.S.P.C.C., and Mr. D. G. Harris, Brynmawr, defended and pleaded not guilty but subsequently withdrew this plea. Mr. Everett, in opening, said that the prisoner saw the girls on August 22nd, playing shop near the Grammar School, and invited them to go to the allotments and he would give them some carrots. He took them to an allotment, where the alleged offence occurred. Prisoner gave a half-penny to one little girl who cried. The girls did not get home till a quarter to 10 and one of them was whipped for being late. A fortnight previously a more serious assault took place. One could not, said Mr. Everett, imagine anything more atrocious and more revolting. Two of the girls gave evidence. One said that prisoner, whom they knew as Ted Price or Ted' Scott, had assaulted her three or four times before, but she did not tell her mother about the previous occasions. They had not asked the prisoner for sweets. Inspector Evans, N.S.P.C.C., said that he saw prisoner on the 28th August and told him I that he was making inquiries as to an assault on three little girls. Prisoner made a voluntary statement. Witness read this statement, in wnicn prisoner admitted certain tnmgs aim that he was very sorry, and he would not play with little girls again. By Mr. Harris Prisoner hung his head down, and made the statemet a bit at a time. There was no doubt that he was simple-minded, but there was no question but that he knew the difference between right and wrong. The Magistrates' Clerk You formed the opinion that he is defective ?-He is childish. Sergt. Prosser said that prisoner was very quiet, childish and simple-minded. He had not the sense to hatch up a yarn. (Laughter). He could depend on him to tell the truth. When the warrant was read out to him he said Yes, I won't do it again I am very sorry." Mr. Harris, for the defence, said that the girls had received no physical injury. Prisoner was very simple-minded and had not the ordinary knowledge of the difference between right and wrong. He asked the Bench to deal with the matter as leniently as they could, and if they could see their way to bind him over there were people Who would go surety for him. The Bench convicted, and the Mayer said that it was an offence of very disgusting character. If they were satisfied as to the prisoner s mind not being defective they would ctrtamiy have C(-)lr?mi,Lte(I him ior7:1 t o a long term of hard labour. The difficulty, how- ever, was that prisoner a ppeared to be a feeble- minded person j not altogether responsible for his actions, but not certified insane. Dnder the circumstances they had to consider what was the best course to adopt, and they had decided to sentence prisoner to three months' imprison- I ment in the third division without hard labour, 1 in view of his condition. In prison he wcadd be | subject to medical supervision, and might probably be there dealt with tinder the pro- visions of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1^13. A Mistake The Benefit of the Dcaht. I Ellen E. Price, greengrocer, Ebbw Vale, was summoned for stealing a bag containing a quantity of lemons, the property of Charles Thomas, butcher, cf Dowlais, at the L. A: N.W. Station on the previous day. Prosecutor said that he had missed 3S. worth of onions the week before, and so he was deter- mined to lay a trap. He put the bag down on the platform and there were no other things near it. Defendant came in the station and after loading up her own things, picked up the bag, looked at the labels, covered them up and put the bag inside a larger bag. He at once went and challenged her and sent for a.policeman" P.C. Gover said he was on duty at the station when prosecutor called him. He asked de- fendant what she had in her bag and she replied Potatoes." He asked her what else, and she said A Httle bag cf my own." He opened the bag and found the bag of lemons, labelled. De- fendant said she took it in mistake. She had 1 forgotten her glasses *a.-id could not read the label. Defendant had nothing similar to the bag in question. Defendant said she had been coming to the market for 30 years. She had bought onions from 2vlr. Breakspere and put them in a small bag. She did not know that this bag had gone on with the i o'clock train, and she picked up the bag in question by mistake. The Bench gave the defendant the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the case. The Advantage of a Wife. I John Stereks, a Belgian working at Hereford, and Rosa Eagling, cf Clytha, were summoned for making false statements for the purpose of obtaining an identity book. Eagling did not appear, but sent a letter. P.-Sergt. Prosser said that on the lotb March defendants came to the Police Station and asked for an identity book for the female defendant. Stereks said that he had been away -to London and they had got married. He had an appoint- ment at Macclesfield and they were going to live there as man and wife. He asked Eagling how long she had been married, and she said About a week." Witness issued an identity book in the name of Rcsa Stereks, and they both signed their names to the statements. Later, the female defendant told him that she had never been married to Stereks. He advised her to go and live with him as his wife, as be dould get a better appointment. They lived as man and wife, she acting as cook and he as a -motor driver. She had since gone to live with a sister at Withington, and he was driving a motor van for a jam factory at Hereford. In reply to the Bench, Stereks said that Eagling was a sort of friend to help him along. He did it because he was alone. P.-Sergt. Prosser said that Eagling's husband, who lives at Ebbw Vale, commenced bigamy proceedings when he heard of the matter. Defendants were fined £ 1 each.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH LLANDDEWI SKIRRID ? To the Editor 01 the" Abergavenny Chronicle." I SIR,-There is something the matter at Llan- ddewi Skirrid, as that special or detective has been very busy on duty of late. No doubt his trade or profession does not take many hours a week to perform. Guarding, Germ-Hun prisoners would be a more suitable job. Is he in training to release some of those young police- men for the Army ? I should like to know. Yours truly, A RESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT.

i r SUNDAY FOOTBALL. i To the Editor of the 11 Abergavenny Chronicle. I DEAR Sir,—In reply to Mr. H. E. Pape's letter re Sunday football in Bailey Park, I beg to point out that Observer was not a specta- tor, in the full meaning of the word, but simply observed the game in progress while passing through the Park after attending Divine service. "\Vit11 reference to the kind of tell used, I con- sider it quite immaterial it was the game I protested against, not the ball, whether of the regulation type, a marble, a toy ball, or a bundle of paper tied up with string. I fail to see what my protest has to do with the explorer who found an avenue c?? bottles (whatever an aYen1 of bottles might be), according to Mr. H. E.I Pape, which, by the way, is it not a linle stal?? Don't vou think vou are inside the peualtv area, Mr. EL E. Pape ? Yours faithfully, I OBSERVER. I AL

I v LLANGATTOCK (Crickhowell). AN-- OLD INHABITANT.—The funeral took place- last week of Mr. Dayid VaTIghau, Dardy, one of the oldest and most respected inhabitants in the district. He was 79 years of age and a regular attendant at Danycastell CM. Church. De- ceased belonged to the* Vaughans of Tretower, and was a descendant of Roger Vaughan, who fought under the Black Prince in France cen- turies ago.

I Shocking Fatality at Llangenny I BOY RUN OVER BY STEAM TRACTOR. I A serving fatality occurred at the village of Llange:y on Friday afternoon last, Wilfred Buth-r arnes, the second son of MT. W. G. James, Millbrook House, Llangennv, beirj* fatally injured by a steam tractor. The only 6 years old—a briglr, bor,:y boy and a general favourite—was picked up by a neighbour, and the local schoolmaster, Mr. J. Alleu. and" one of his teachers, Miss Phillies, were on the scene, the little chap beii g carried 10 a house near. The parents quick' -nimoned, and Dr. A. E. Jones, Crick- lionveli, -,s promptly in attendance, but the little '=w died while being conveyed her;?. Gem-rc-.? -mT)athy is felt for the parents. The Inquest. Mr. ri. :1". A. Davies, Coroner, held an enqu: into the circumstances at Millbrook House ;n Saturday afternoon without a jury. W. G. j^mes, father of the deceased, said that about 4. 0 to 5 p.m. the previous evening he was told the boy had been injured, and he v/tnt to Llangenny and there saw Dr. Jones. He re- turned home to prepare for the child, who w .s dead when he arrived there. The boy knew h:s voice when he first saw him, but was not capaT^e of explaining how the accident happened. Walter Edwards, son of John Edwards, steel- worker, Bell Cottage, Llangrwvnev, said ti: -t as they left school a traction engine with a Ioj g waggon attached and a big tree on the wagg» n stopped by their playground—to put the off. He and a number of other boys, including Wilfred (the deceased) and George (witness's brother) were there. The steerer of the engire told them to mind and not get hurt and not to get into any "danger or to fall off." He did net tell them to get off. Witness got 011 the end of the tree out beyond the end of the waggon. Wilfred ames got on the pole between the front and back wheels, under the timber. His brother George, aged seven, was with him. They wtre there when the engine started again. George got off and his other brother pulled him to ore side then Wilfred fell off, because of a jerk. He fell on the ground and the wheel went üv' him. Mrs. Stevens came and picked him up. He was shouting a bit and crying. Then the master, Mr. Allen, came and caught hold cf him. and took him away. He saw the wheel—the left back one—go over him. He was lying en his back at xhe time and it went over his stomach. He (witness) knew he did wrong in getting on the waggon. He had been warned about it by his fathEr. The deceased was out of sight of the engine driver, where he was under the timber. and he d:d not think they ever saw him fitting there. Dr. A. H. Jones, Crickhowell, said he saw de- ceased lying on a couch in a cottage ncm the Church. He was dying of injuries which might have been caused as described. He was dread- fully bruised and torn. Witness helped to re- move him home, but he died on the way, from shoek caused by the injuries. Gwynne Lewis, traction engine driver for Messrs. Robinson, David and Co., Ltd., Cardiff, timber importers, said he stopped by the foun- tain to take the brakes off. The school beys and -,ve.-e out and some of them got on tie pole of the carriage. They drove them off and told them not to get on. All was clear whcx they started off again. Below Llangenny tht 7 stopped again to take water from the river, and a small child told him they had hurt a child bal. k in the v ?; in the village. He thought the child was joking, and they went on. Then he met the doctor, wh o asked them if they had heard of an accident in Llangenry, and he (witness) told the doctor what a httle girl had told them; the doctor advised him to go back and see about it. He went straight back then. He saw the boy being carried home, but could not say whether he was one of the children he had warned, He was quite sure that all was clear when they started again at Llangenny. He could see the tail of the pole, and he and his mate were around the waggon just before they started. They generally came down the road sooner, when the children were in school, and they had not had trouble with them before. He saw no child on the pole under the timber—only on the end of the pble. Deceased must have got on after they started. He saw some children running after them. The Coroner Are you quite sure that all was .clear when you started again from Llangenny ?— Yes, The Coroner, in summing up, explained that this was the first inquest he had held without a jury. After hearing the evidence, he was of opinion that no blame was attached to anyone in the sad circumstances. He was satisfied that the children had been warned and that the mea in charge of the engine saw no one on the timber carriage when they started after taking the brakes di. Death was due to misadventure resulting from shock from injuries caused by :r falling vii a timber carriage and being run over by same. The funeral of Wilfred Butler James to^k place on Tuesday. The Rev. W. Evans, Curate of Llangenny, conducted a service at MiUbrook House, and afterwards the cortege wended its < way to Crickhowell, the Llangenny school chil- dren, in charge of their master, Mr. W. J. Allen, and the teachers, Miss Dobbs and Miss L. Phillips, joining the procession below Crick- howell. At the cemetery the Rev. E. Rowland, Pastor of Danycastell C.M. Church, officiated. There was a large attendance, many coming from, a distance to show their sympathy with the sorrowing parents and family. About 40 floral tributes were sent, including a harp with one broken string from Llangenny school children. A.

Extension of Trout Fishing.—The Board or Agriculture and Fisheries, under the Defence of tke Realm Regulations, have approved of the trout rod fishing season being extended to the 1st 01 October and the evening fishing being I extended by one hour. I -6.-

1st VOL. BATT. MONMOUTHSHIRE. REGT. Abergavenny Company. ORDERS r ;-R WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER IIth Monday, 7.30-9—Company drill (drill order). Wednesday, 7.30-g—Musketry (musketry order). Thursday, 7.30-8.30—Bayonet fighting (drill order). Acting .Orderly Sergeant Cpl. Beveridge. Acting Orderly Corporal L.-cpl. Cadle. F. HANBURY, Lt., O.C. Detachment.