Abergavenny Chronicle

Expert's Report. I WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I The following is the report of Mr. T. D. 1 shole, of Merthyr, on the Gas Works under- I taking To the Chairman and. Members of the Aber- gavenny Gas Committee. Gentlemen,—In accordance with your In- structions received through the Town Clerk I have i I a careful inspection of your Gas Works, and beg to submit the following report :— 1 The ?orks are not \vcU arranged and arc at present not in satisiac'ory condition. Prac- -a tically the wlioie of the plant is in need of over- overhauling, and good working results canuot be expected tuuil the necessary renewals and repairs have been carried out. This condition is fairly general in old works, and is due to a shortage of suitable labour and the difficulty in obtaining the necessary materials for upkeep during the period of the war. Retorts n Bad Repair. I r; Retort Houses The two retort houses con- tain nine settings of six retorts, 2iin. x 15111. and 10ft. long, and live settings were in action at the time of my visit. The heats were quite satis- factory, but several of the retorts were in a bad state of repair. At least three of the settings should be renewed before the next winter season. and the remaining settings overhauled and repaired. When this has been clone the weight of coal charged per retort should be increased to at least 3 cwts. per charge. The pressure on the retorts was heavier than it should be except when there was an excessive pull on the ex- hauster. This points to unnecessarily heavy seals 0:1 the hydraulic mains, due probably to an acaimulation of thick tarry matter. Oppor- tunity should be taken as soon as possible to clean out the hydraulic mains, check the levels, and overhaul the valves, so that liquor seal may be maintained in the dip pipes. Atmospheric Condenser This is of sufficient capacity for the present make of gas, and appears to be in fairly good condition. A few of the tubes are defective, and should be renewed this summer when the condenser is cleaned out. Boilers These appear to be in a satisfactory condition. Affects the Quality. Engines and Exhausters The two engines and exhausters are in fairly good condition, but require overhauling. No means are provided for automatically controlling the speed of the exhausters as the pressure of steam in the boiler rises or falls. Consequently when the pressure of steam is high the exhauster may travel too rapidly, and drawing furnace gases into the retorts, depreciate the quality of the gas, and at other times with a lower steam pressure the ex- hauster may travel too slowly. To obtain satisfactory results it is essential that the ex. hauster should matntain a regular speed not more than sufficient to draw off the gas as it is being made, and I would recommend that suit- able compensating governors be fixed for this purpose. Tar Washer There is no tar washer on the works. Tower Scrubber This apparatus is not of sufficient capacity and should be increased in height by ten feet. The board filling should be renewed, and a spreader fitted on top. A small pump should also be provided for circulating liquor through the scrubber. Rotary Washer The engine driving this machine is badly in need of repair and the washer should be overhauled, and if necessary a complete set of new brushes fitted. Purifiers These arc of ample capacity and appear to be in good condition. The covers require scraping and painting, and this, I vre- sume, will be done this season. Station Meter: This is at present out of action, and I understand recently broke down. It should be put in order without delay, as under existing conditions it is only possible to estimate the quantity of gas being manufactured. Gas-holders The gas-holder in the masonry tank, so far as can be seen, appears to be in good condition, but requires scraping and painting. The tank, however, is leaking, and the holder can, consequently, only be used to approxi- mately half its capacity. I would recommend that the tank should be clay puddled outside, as I am satisfied it would in this manner be made watertight and the holder be brought into full use. The gas-holder in steel tank Is in good con- dition, but also requires scraping and painting. Both holders will, I presume, be scraped and painted this season. District Governors The district governors in use do not work quite satisfactorily, due probably to a slight deposit on the cone valve. This should be dismantled and cleaned, when I have no doubt the trouble will cease. I would recommend that the valves on both governors should be examined and cleaned periodically, say once each year. I Gas Production. I Working Results The quantity of pro- duced per ton of coal carbonised during the past year amounted to 10,660 cubic feet, and taken over a period of ten years (1910 to 1919 inclusive) has averaged over 10,000 cubic feet. The lowest yield, in 1915, when 9,707 cubic feet were pro- duced, last year's 10,660 feet being the highest. The variation from year to year is doubtless largely due to the different coals purchased. Taking into consideration the present condition of the retorts and the quality of the coals car- bonised the quantity produced last year per ton of coal is somewhat higher than I should have expected. Coke The sale of coke per ton of coal car- bonised shows a serious falling off. For the year 1910, 9.0 cwts. were sold, an excellent result and considerably higher than is obtained in most works of this size. The quantity has, however, decreased year by year until 1915, when it amounted to 7.3 cwt. per ton of coal, and up to 1918 it has remained almost constant at this figure. It is notorious that the quantity of coal delivered from the collieries has deterioriated considerably during the past four years, and this probably accounts for part of the decrease. There is, however, no doubt that more coke is I being used as fuel iu the boilers and producers than should be necessary, or there is some other source of leakage which should be discovered and stopped. Tar The production of tar per ton is a fair average. Ammoniacal Liquor; The quantity of liquor produced is low, but it is quite as much as can be expected under existing conditions. By in- creasing the height, etc., of the tower scrubber, and the repair of the rotary washer better re- sults will be obtained, but until such time as a tar wasiier is iustall, d, and the plant on the works rearranged, maximum efficiency will not be achieved. Unaccounted For. Distribution The unaccounted-for gas is heavy, and cartful attention should be given to this as soon as possible. I have tc ken out the percentages for Lie past ten years, and find that for the year 1910 the loss was 11.2 per cent. This was reduced each year until 1913, when i' was down to 5.1 p^r cent. For the years 1914 and 1915 there were slight increases ia the per- centage of loss, w.i1 in 1916 aud 1917 the in- creases were heavy, amounting iu the latter year to 10.7 per cent. For the p. st two years there has been a reduction, the percentage of loss last year being 12.03 per ceut. Tne serious increase- in the unaccoimUd-for g.;s is undoubtedly due to the abiiorua, I conditions prevailing during the past four years witn regard o labour and mated 1, it being almost impossible to get d.fective meters rc-p .ired or to obtain new meters for the purpose of ri-pl -cement. T ie posi ion b these respects is rapidly improving, and I recommend as soon as circumstances pt rmf, a systematic search of the mains and services for leakages and the insp cting and checking of meters for defective rcgistn" ioa. I would .,1so recommend that all m; ins 1 id in future should have JP-I proximately two feet of cover to the top of the sockets. What Is Required. I Summary of Repairs, Rencwsls, etc., re- quired on Works :—T ree set ings of retorts to be renewed. Six settings to be overhauled and repaired. Hydraulic mains to be cleancd out and lew lied and v. Ives overhaul d. Condenser to be cleaned out, and new tubes fitted where required. New compensating governors to be filled to exiitister engines. Tower scrubber to be increased in heig i by ten feet, new board tilling, sprehder fi a d on top, and sm; ll pump provided to circulate liquor. Rotary washer engine to be r.p ind, washer overhauled, and new brushes h a d where required. Station meter to b" rcp.?rtd and put into action this should b done imnn dbtdv. Gas-holder tank made v.n.teriight. Gus-noltkrs, purifier covers, etc./ scraped and painted. Station governors to be overhauled, valves cleancd, etc. In putting forward the foregoing recommendations, most of which come under the heading of ordinary renewal* and repairs and would probably have been carried out during the/past four years had circumstances permitted, consideration of ex- pense alone prevents me from recommending that the existing retort houses be pulled down, new carbonizing plant erected, and the apparatus 0:1 the works rearranged. Labour-saving ap- pliances and plant of the highest efficiency are becoming more necessary even in small works to keep down the cost of production. The saving to be effected iu your works does not, I however, at present justify the heavy cost which I wouid be incurred. The probabilities are that I within the next few years the cost of new work will be considerably reduced, and it will then be advisable that this matter should have the I careful consideration of your Committee. lu concluding this report I would strongly recommend a working foreman be employed permanently at the wotÁ. They are of sufficient size; to keep him fully employed, and the assist- ance he would be to the Manager in conducting the works and maintaining the plant and appa- ratus iu good order would more than repay his wages. There is no doubt that Mr. ICylc has carried out his duties very satisfactorily in fact, the working results obtained under such disadvan- tageous conditions go to prove this, but with a foreman on the works he would be able to devote all lIb time to the more important work. I am. Gentlemen, yours faithfully, j AMI;S L,. I

Uanarth Farm Sold.—On Tuesday, at the Angel Hotel, Mr. Montague Harris, F.A.I., sold, by auction the freehold farm known as Tydu, Idanarth., containing 103 acres of meadow and arable laud, on wnich the vicarial tithe Is £ 4 os. tid. and the rectorial tithe [9 is. The property was sold to Mr. Geo. W. Davies, Upper Cwm- celyn, Three Cocks, for £ 5,250. Messrs. Gabb & Walford were the vendor's solicitors.

ABERGAVENNY POLICE COURT. Wednesday—Before Mr. W. H. Routledgc (in I the chair) and Col. W. Williams, j An Indifferent Husband. I Elizabeth Harris, of School Cottage, Pandy, summoned her husband, Andrew Walter Harris, labourer, of Ledbury, for desertion. Mr. II. W. Ormc, of Ledbury, represented defendant. Complainant said they were married in 1006, at Kingston, Herefordshire and there was one, child. They had lived at Llanvihangel and Pandy for eight years. He worked at Abertillery as a pitwood unloader and he used to come home for only half an hour on Sundays. In September last he went to work at Penpergwm, timber hauling, and his employer sent her 30s. per week I for the three months. On the 27th of December he went away, leaving her ill in bed. He came back on the 27th of January and went away again the same day, and she did not know where or why he was going. There was no dispute and she forgave him everything in connection with his relations with a girl. She received a couple of letters from him enclosing money and twice she went to see him to try to get him back home. The last letter was one in which he said that she could apply for a separation order and then he would know what he had to pay and she would know what she had to receive. In reply to the Clerk, complainant said she had been receiving money up to the 1St of June, when she had £ 2. She could-not live with her husband again, as one had come between them and was influencing him. In reply to the Bench, complainant said she would like her husband to leave his employer and come home, as there was work in the neigh- bourhood for him at £ 3 per week. The Chairman You must bridle your tongue. You cannot expect your husband to stay with you if you use your tongue as you have used it here. There is apparently very little difference between you. You have forgiven him, and the question seems to be a money affair. Why can't you meet and bridle your tongues and try to live together again ? If there is any chance of making it up we will adjourn the case. Complainant On condition that he leaves Mr. Messain. The Chairman No. If you talk to your husband as you talk to the Bench and the solicitor, no wonder he will not stay with you. In reply to the Bench defendant said he was not willing to leave his employer. Mr. Messam had been a good friend to him, and he was going to stick to him. The Clerk Are you willing to live with her it you work in the district ?-No. Complainant: Can he give his reasons, sir ? Defendant, on oath, said that he had sent his wife 3os. regularly until this week. He had not deserted his wife that he knew of. He was not prepared to go b ck home if his work took him to the locality. He thought they had better go on as they had been going. Mr. Orme said that on the complainant's own evidence there could not be desertion on the 27th of January. Defendant had been away doing his work. The Chairman Does not the question of restitution come in ? She has come to the wrong Court. Mr. Onne said that complainant had come to the wrong Court entirely. Her remedy was in another Court, and probably in time the County Court might have power to deal with such cases. He contended that until defendant ceased to make any payment and complainant issued another summons on that ground, the Bench could not make an order, but if fresh facts arose they would be perfectly justified in making an order. The Chairman said that the Bench had come to the conclusion that there was no chance of the two people living together again, and they made an order that the 30s. a week be continued. If the man's wages went down or up, application could be made at any time for a variation of the order accordingly. Excellent Record Spoilt Edward Lowe, farm labourer, formerly em- ployed at the Red Barn Farm, was summoned for stealing three pints of milk, the property of A. Rogers. Dr. Grey, who prosecuted, said that the defendant was paid f.2 6s. 6d. per week, and hrd a cottage and potato garden, in addition to which he received his pension from the Army. He was allowed a pint of milk per day, so that there was no need for him to take any. He had no children to support, and one wondered how he found himself in that position that day. P.C. Calder spoke to meeting the defendant in U-inwenarth lane on the 22nd of last month. He had his coat on his arm and a can underneath, wnich he said contained a pint of skimmed milk; which he was allowed. Witness looked inside and found that there was about three pints of new milk. A boy named Marchant said he saw defendant take the milk from the cowshed and put it under his coat, and defendant eventually odinitttd that he stole it. Marchant said that this had been going on for five weeks. Dr. Grey said that Mr. Rogers did not wish to press the case, and he only brougnt it out of a sense of public duty and to support the police in endeavouring to prevent theft. This stealing had been going on for some time, and there was no excuse for the man. Defendant told the Bench that he had been iu the Army and suffered from shell-shock, as the result of which he became deaf and dumb, and he occasionally had bouts of this kind. The Chairman I have never heard of shell- shock m.king people dishonest. The Chairman said that the Bench would treat the case leniently in view of the excellent character borne by the man on his discharge from the Army. He had been mentioned in despatches for gallantry in the field, and was entitled to every consideration. They did not wish him to lose his pension, and there would therefore be no conviction. He would be bound over iu the sum of £ 10 to be of good behaviour and would have to pay fx towards the costs.

ABERGAVENNY TANNERY INFORMATION i WANTED. I To the Editor of the 11 Abergavenny Chronicle. I SIR,—I should be most obliged to any reader of the Abergavenny Chronicle who can give me any news or information about the people who carried on the trades of tanners and curriers and glovers in the town and district of Aberga- venny from 1700 to 1S00, I Yours faithfully, LEWIS HUGHES. I 49 Emerald-street, Roath, Cardiff.

We hold a very large stock of Pads and Com- pendiums, which we are selling at the lowest possible price.—M. Morgan & Co., Chronicle Office.

CRICKET. I ABERGAVENNY v. GILWERN. I This return match was played at Gilwem on Saturday. Gilwern fielded a good side, as they again had the assistance of Jonathan, who is. already in great form, and Lt.-Col. Partridge turned out for the first time this season. Aber- gavenny batted first on a good wicket, but failed to get any mastery over the bowling, which was frequently changed with good judgment. Morgan batted very steadily and lie and Thurtle looked like laying the foundation of a good swre. while lil.ze tiie foundatiou of a good score. %vhile Ruther \?? out to a magtuuceut nmning catch by Partridge, the fielder taking the hall with one hand outstretched. Jones bowled elistmctly well for five or six overs aud James also kept a good length. W, Jones kept wicket in very promising style, Gilwern lost their first four wickets for 15 runs, aud on the slow scoring ground Aberga-. venny looked like winning. However, when Harris joined Jonathan the pair started stealing short nur.. They were favoured with some luck in not being run out, and with Jonathan playIng delightful cricket the Abergavenny total was reached before a separation was effected, Harris being bowled by Woodisou. Jonathan was out soon after for an extremely well-played 39, in which there was no semblance of a chance. The Gilwern tail wagged merrily, James playing well and Davies also finding his form in his well- played i t. For Abergavenny Lyne commenced bowling well, but soon lost his pace, and he and Griffiths should have been changed earlier. Woodisou kept a good length, as usual, and was difficult to get away. Considering the rough outfield, the fielding 011 both sides was very fair, though Abergavenny had a slack period when Jonathan and Harris were batting. Mrs. Pickering, of Auckland House, very kindly entertained players and visitors to tea on the ground, and her pleasant hospitality con- tributed very materially to the enjoyment of the I beautiful afternoon. Scores: ABERGAVENNY. W. R. Lewis, b G. Jones. 0 E. M. Morgan, tbw, b T. James 12 Thurtle, c Lewis, b Jonto 13 J. R. Jacob, b Joues. 3 Capt. Lyne, c and b James. Ruther, c Partridge, b James. 6 Woodison, b Lewis. I,. Gough, b J ouathlln IÓ A. Griffiths, c D. James, b Lewis. o M. Jones, b Harris. 7 J, Bishop, not out o Extras. 2 Total69 CIIAVERN. C. Jones, b Lyue. r D. James, run out. 3 Lt.-Col. Partridge, thw, b Griffiths. 3 J. R. Jonathan, c Griffiths, b Woodison.. 39 G. L. Hiley, b Lyne. 2 D. G. Harris, b Woodisou. 14 T. James, b Woodisou. 13 A. J. Thomas, run out 3 W. Davies, not out 14 A. Lewis, b Woodisou. 3 W. J ones, b Woodisou. 6 extras. 12 Total. 113 CRICKHOWELL v. MR. JOHN PHILLIPS' XI. Crickhowell lost their third successive game on Saturday, this time against Mr. Phillips' team. The scratch side included Evans, the Brecon fast bowler, and Phillips, the Brecon club wicket- keeper, while A. E. Davies, for once in a way, played against his old club. The attack proved too strong for Crickhowell, who were dismissed for 29 runs, Davies and Dr.ijones dividing the wickets. At one time Mr. Phillips' team looked like faring as badly as Crickhowell, Longman, the Crickhowell groundsman, bowling so well that five batsmen were disposed of for four runs. For the scratch side John Powell and Evans hit well. Scores I CRICKHOWELL. W. Townsend, b A. E. Davies. r C. T. Hudson, b Dr. Jones. I J. Salt, b Dr. Jones. 13 Rev. R. M. Cole-Hamilton, b Jones. 3 H. Palmer, b Dr. Jones o G. Rowland, c Jones, b A. E. Davies. I S. Cox, b A. E. Davies. o A. Wallace, b A. E. Davies. o R. Whitney, b A. E. Davies. o W. Davies, c R. Phillips, b E. A. Davies 3 P. Longman, not out I Extras. 6 Total. 29 I MR. PHILLIPS' Xr. A. E. Davies, b Longman. I P. Evans, b Cole-Hamilton. 33 R. Phillips, b Longman. 3 R. Wilde Hughes c and b Longman. 2 Dr. Jones, b Hudson. o G. F. Loam, run out o J. Powell, c Salt, b Cole-Hamilton. 28 R. J. Thomas, st Salt, b Cole-Hamilton.. o J. Phillips, not out. 2 S. Davies, b Cole-Hamilton. o A. N. Other, b Cole-Hamilton. o Extras. 3 Total. 71 I CRICKHOWELL v. BLAINA. Loose fielding and dropped catches lost Crick- howell the match against Blaina on Whit- Monday at Crickhowell. At one time the visitors lost seven wickets for 35 runs, but the remaining batsmen, given several lives," scored rapidly and compiled 117 runs. A. E. Davies bowled effectively, but suffered from the fielding. Wilfred Townsend took three wickets. At first he was freely scored off, but later became almost unplayable. Blaina excelled in the field and Ivor Jones was the best of their bowlers. Crick- howell need coaching in fieldinc more than anv- 1 thing else. Scores Crickhowell, 66 Blaina, 117 I MARRIED v. SINGLE. I A match was played on the Abergaveuny ground on Thursday last week between teams representative of the married and single. The Benedicts were easily dismissed for 49, H. Jenkins taking four wickets for 13 runs and White five for 15. The bachelors quickly passed the half century, H. Jenkins in particular giving a good display, and won by 145 runs. Scores MARRIED. R. J. Harrliy, b W. White. o E. Woodhead, run Out 6 L. Morgan, b W. White. o P. Fraser, c A. Morris, b Jenkins. 10 R. H. Evans, b White. o W. J. White, not out 3 J. Bishop, c Morgan, b White. 12 A. E. Tonkin, b White. 3 G. Griffiths, b Jenkins. o H. Bullen, c and b Jenkins. 9 M. Jones, c Waller, b Jenkins. 4 Extras. 2 Total. 49 SINGLE. G. Hiley, c Fraser, b Woodhead. 8 L. Fine, ht wkt, b Wooduead. 2 A. Morgan c Harmy, b Bullen. 30 H. Jenkins, b Morris. 79 b ilforris 28 W. Waller, c M .Jones, b Morris. 28 J. Ruther, c and b Jones. 4 W. White, b Bishop. 5 W. Morris, b Bishop. 4 C. Williams, b Jonathan. 3 W. Shackleton, not out 2 V. Williams, not Out 2 Extras. II Total 194

V Eisteddfod Success.—Mrs. C. Powell, Victoria- street, took first prize at Gloucester Eisteddfod in fancy work for best shade and colours. Organist's Appointment—Mr. Edmund Heins has accepted tne appointment of organist and choirmaster of St. Peter's, Oldham, vacant by the lamentable death (in action in France) of the late organist, Mr. Butterworth, F.R.C.O. St. Peter's is noted for its beautiful interior, its magnificent organ and choir and library of music. Mr. Edmund Heins commenced his musical career (under the late Mr. Throne Biggs, organist of St. Mary's, Abergavenny) and wuile resident in Abergavenny held the appointment of organist of Llanwenarth, afterwards parsing to St. Clement's, Worcester, and St. Clement's, Salford, Manchester. Mr. Heins comes of a musical family, his father being a former organist of Bombay Cathedral. Mr. Heins is director of the well-known firm of Barker, Sou & Heins, Ltd., pianoforte manufacturers, Oldham.

I" ?-?  ":0 ç- ,( c. ''Å'-ý d mm ? \??S?''t3??????J?? &-?? \v.  AfL. "5i. -,if:' ,> ( j/- ..iWS\" rf, I /). "< .C-/ !d-IJ:l'v:J: \k ./} \}:i" :c;¡f,tp (}ooo -s¡ _s:.¡1; ,il,J v —  The Children's Future EDL CATION 13 one of the things on which it WtH not pay you to I economise. When \our!:ttte ones reach school age you will be gad E to be able to give them the best possible start in life. Then again, as they grow older the time may come when the posses- I sion of two or three hun Ired pounds may make all the difference to their future. It may decide whether your boy can continue his training for one o the great prole?sions—whether your girl shall enter for an advanced course, or go abroad for a year or two to study languages. Without the money you will net be aUe to give the children the chance th-y deservs and which pu will want them to have. Make sure that you WILL have the raonty. Begin now to buy %?c?y?wvy?y???f? CL?C??77??C4ZEy and buy them week by week. If you make a habit of buying Certificates REGULARLY, you wi!1 not feel the immediate los fA th(- in ,ney. Invest it in Savings Certificates and your savings will increase at the rate of 5 L>) Compound Interest. There is no safer, more profitable, or more convenient way of laying up a fund for the future. 49 C. POWELL & SON. C. POWELL & SON GENTLEMEN'S I OUTFITTING, .I 45 LADIES' and CHILDREN'S OUTFITTING, 46 I FROGMORE ST., I ABERGAVENNY C. POWELL & SON C. POW ELL & SON. PLANTS PLANTS PLANTS BUY YOUR PLANTS FROM THE GROWER. f Early Cabbage, Early Cauliflower, Tomatocs, Cuoumbers, Vegetable Marrow. Mangel, Swede and Turnip direct from the Growers. ALL KINDS OF BEDDING PLANTS. Stocks and Astcis, gd. per dozen. PLANTS have been MY SPECIALITY for the past EIGHT YEARS. j?T?i?i??? I\  ABERCAVENNY SEED STORES, t j <? ?/?t?AS\ ir?t?? FROGMORE STREET. I H i\ A(\ \l -<|/)■ ? ABERGAVENNY. —f ?*'? ?FLORi5T ANO/? FRASER'S ALWAYS! ^seEPSMAtj^ ALWAYS ERASER'S: ?Ntt? Telephone 1 No. 4. I. GREAT REDUCTION IN PRICES GALVANISED SHEETS, TIMBER, MATCHBOARDS, FLOORBOARDS, etc. etc. All Sizes in Stock Baths and Lavatories. Grates and Ranges. Cement, Pipes, Bricks, and all Building Material at Lowest Prices. District Agents for the Celebrated Oakeley Slates. ROBERT PRICE & SONS, adjoining cattle market. OPPOSITE. BANK HOUSE -—————————————— J. ————— 700 PAIRS of GIRLS' & BOYS' RUBBER SHOES, just arrived. 215 prs. in half-sizes of the NEW SHADE IN TONEY SHOES. Every Pair SOLID LEATHER Soles, Lining and Heels.  2 HIGH ST., "? jN???.j?b.?? X 9 Abergavenny I..1 rluted and Published by Morgan & Co. (H. Morgan and E. Ü. btiakttin, at t6, Fr 04 more Street. Aber* venny, in the County of Monmouth, FRIDAY JUNE 13, 1919.