Abergavenny Chronicle

Aborgavenny Farmers. I HAY AND WOOL PRICES. I j GOVERNMENT AND PROFITEERING. I The half-yearly meeting of the Abergavenny branch of the Farmers' Union was held at the Angel Hotel on Tuesday, Mr. David James (chairman) presiding, supported by Mr. Arthur Marfell, Pentwyn (vice-chairman). The Chairman said that the meeting was called because it was felt wise to have a clearing up before they started harvesting operations They had not been quite dead since they met before, for they had had about hali a dozen meetings of the Executive Committee dealing with different matters. I Hon. Membership. Mr. J. Merton Jones asked if there was any rule restricting membership, or were estate agv ents and landlords eligible for membership ? The Chairman said that matter cropped up at their last Executive Committee meeting at Newport. Somebody proposed that Mr. Fores- tier-Walker, M P should be made a member of the Farmers' Union, and the reply was made that it was the work of the branches to regulate the membership according to the rules. The matter was therefore referred back to the St. Mellons branch for them to ded with it If a person was a bona-fide farmer farming his own land, or paid rent, it did not matter. The Secretary (Mr. Philip Williams) said that they had a number of honorary members who were not bona-fide farmers in any way. They attended their general meetings. Most of their private business was transacted by the Execu- tive Committee, the members of which were bona-fide farmers. The Chairman said that they had better C011- suit the rales before they elected anyone who was not a bona-fide farmer. J I Jumble Sale Proceeds. I The Chairman referred to the question of the disposal of money raised by jumble sales organ- I ised by the Union. The Executive Committee in London had decided to hand this money over to a committee appointed by the Royal Agri- cultural Society. They were in close touch with the farmers on the other side of the water. and it was decided at a meeting at Newport that they should have a meeting for the county and sign cheques and hand them over to Col. Curre, who had been appointed to receive all the money I from the county of Monmouth. Mr. Stanley Rawlins (hon. treasurer) invited members to send him contributions of a guinea to make up the total to ^300. It was a gift by farmers to farmers and it was their duty to support this cause. Mr. Philip Williams stated that Mr Rawlins had nearly doubled the fund by subscription. Farmers and Cost) of Production. The Chairman said that the Royal Commission with regard to the costs of production would be sitting soon, and they had appointed as their representative Mr, J. Merton Jones, of the Hard- wick. and Mr. Warren Davies, from the Pandy district Originally the personnel of the Com- mission did not include a single representative of Wales or anyone who knew anything about agriculture in Wales, but as the result of protests sent from different unions to the authorities they had secured two representatives, one for South Wales and one for North Wales, the representa- tive for South Wales being Mr. Noah Morgan, chairman of the Glamorgan branch I The 1919 Hay Crop. The Chairman said that the position with regard to the 1919 hay crop was that it was being freed from control. They thought at Newport the other day that in view of the shortage of the hay crop it would be wise to appoint a com- mittee representing each branch who could meet and consult with one another and to give advice to farmers in their own locality about the price of hay. It would be wise for farmers to know I where they could get hay when they ran short, without being charged an excessive price for it. It leaked out that hay had been sold privately by one farmer to another at up to /15 pet ton. They thought that it was not quite fair for a farmer to charge a poorer farmer or smallholder so high a price for a little hay to carry him on to the spring. Thty suggested that their vice- chairman, Mr. Marfell, of Pentwyn, should be the representative for the Abergavenny district. Mr. Evan Griffiths proposed that Mr Marfell should be appointed, and this was carried. Mr. Phillip Williams (secretary) said that he attended a conference in London of representa- tives from all parts of the country with regard to the hay question. The views of farmers were asked, and, as usual, they differed considerably, and there were almost as many resolutions as members. Eventually a resolution was carried that the hay crop should be freed from control. It had become known that since the war the hay merchants had formed a strong union in self- defence, and in view of that a resolution was passed that a farmers' committee should* be formed to look after the interests of farmers. I He thought they would be represented on that committee by Mr. Baker. I Opposed to Profiteering. -lir. Evan Griffiths said he felt very strongly that a committee should be appointed to look after their interests. He was strongly opposed to excessive prices for anything that the farmer produced. There should be a uniform policy. When there was a scarcity he did not believe in profiteering. He believed they should have control both when prices were high and when they were low. It was fair to protect the com- munity from high prices, and on the other hand it was only right that the farmer should be pro- tected when prices fell low. Air. Ilarfell They won't protect us much. We must look after ourselves and get the most we can. Mr. Evan Griffiths said that if they were charging excessive prices when prices were high they could not go to the Government with a very good grace when prices were low. They would throw it in their teeth that they would not have control when prices were high, and that they charged excessive prices. He did not agree with the policy. Every consideration should be given to the farmers, but he was strongly opposed to any kind of profiteering. For 20 or 30 years the prices had been too low, and directly the prices were high the Government controlled them. If they interfered when the prices were high it was their duty, and farmers should de- mand it, that they should see they were not allowed to go unreasonably low in the future. They could not ask for assistance when prices were low if they did not accept control when prices were high. The Chairman said that his individual opinion was that it would have been better for the farmer and the country if control had been kept on for another year. He should not be surprised if hay reached [20 or more per ton before next March. There was not more than enough old hay in the country to carry them to the second week in August, and then what were they going to do ? There was a three months shortage of hay in the country. Mr. Philip Williams And the cost of hay- making has to be borne in mind. Higher Price for Wool. A letter was read from Mr. Homfray Davies (county secretary) stating that in conversation with Mr. Griffin and other members it was decided to ask members not to part with their wool at a less price than 3s. 6d. per lb. Mr. Lewis It has come too late. The Chairman said that a lot of the wool in the district had been sold already. Mr. J. Merton Jones said he was in the un- fortunate position of having sold his wool at 2s. 2d. per lb. If they got 3s. Cd., well and good, but he did not think that they could expect to get such a price. Mr. Homfray Davies If you stick together you will get 3s. 6d. Mr. Jones said he httv had no lead in the matter. Mr. Homfray Davies said he should have followed the Mark Lane Express." They knew very well that people who required the wool had been paying the Government from 10s. to 12s. per lb. for it. Lincolnshire farmers, who had the best quality wool, were asking 4s. per lb., and they in Monmouthshire were not going to sell under 3s. 6d. The merchants had met and pledged themselves not to pay more than a certain price, but if farmers only stuck together they would stop that. Mr. Merton Jones In face of the heavy im- portation of Australian wool, is it possible that we can dictate terms ? Mr. Homlrav Davies We have private in- formation that the Government will not sell at a dead loss, and they will not be able to put it on the market under 4s. 4d. There is a demand for wool from all over the world. Our Executive in London are of opinion that the prices we are asking arc most reasonable and such as will allow the middleman to get a living out of it. Mr. Marfell: Why should the merchants combine together and dictate terms to us ? Mr. Homfray Davies said that the farmers could go so far as to advertise in the Yorkshire papers and have a sale of their own, if it was found necessary. The Chairman said that the Government had made huge profits on the wool. Mr. Marfell We get 2s., and they sell nothing less than 4s. 4d. Mr. Evan Griffiths said that they had expert advice from the National Executive, and lie thought they should hold back their wool until < they got the price they asked. He had made inquiries as to the price of wool and he found that it was from 23. 2d. to 2s. 4d. for the very best. He thought they should stick together in this matter and be loyal to their organisation. Mr. Marfell seconded. Farmers dealt with wool in a very haphazard manner. One farmer delivered wool to the merchant and made no arrangement with regard to price, and the con- sequence was that he was offered 6d. less than he was offered by another merchant at home. He did not know what the merchant was going to give him until he brought the wool iu. The following resolution was passed This Union feels that 3s. 6d. per !!•. for best quality wool is a fair price to ask for the 1919 clip, and also considers that it should be sold at nett weight without any deduction whatever." Mr. Homfray Davies said the Executive in London were determined to abolish the system of making the merchant an allowance on the weight. Nveight, Enm Griffiths said that he had heard complaints of unfair packing of wool by farmers. Unwashed and unclean wool was packed in with the clean wool inside the fleece. That was very detrimental to them as farmers, and it cast a reflection on the wl,-ole of the farmers as a clas.A. It was only right that the people who did these things should be exposed, in order that farmers generally should not suffer. It was decided to advertise in the "Chronicle requesting members not to sell their wool at less than 3s. 0d. per lb. and not to allow the draft of 2 lbs. per cwt. I Two Challenge Cups as Prizes. The question of giving prizes at the Aberga- venny Horse Show was discussed, and Mr, Marfell said lie should like to sec them give a challenge cup for the horse section and another one for the cattle section. Mr. Philip Williams suggested that they should give one money prize for the cattle section for this year, seeing that the time was so short, Several proposals were put forward, and it was eventually decided to give a challenge cup, value logs., for the best stock bull over 12 months old, to I of months old, to have been in the possession of the exhibitor at least three months, ai d a similar cup for the best mare and foal, cart 1 tfis 1, both cups to be won twice in succession, or three times, not in succession, before becoming the property of any winner, I The Circus and The Fair. The Chairman commented on the Town Council allowing a circus to occupy the Cattle Market on a fair day. It spoilt the horse fair it was a thing which should not be tolerated People were unable to trot their horses. They had to pay tolls for their animals to go in, and then nearly half of the space was let to the circus people. He moved that they send a strong protest to the Town Council on the matter. Mr. J. Merton Jones seconded, and remarked that he did not think it was right to take up the market for this purpose. I The Relaying of Grass Land. The following resolution, passed by the Execu- tive Committee, was submitted for adoption "That the Government should assist those farmers whose land was ploughed uuder com- pulsion to relay the laud to grass when desired." It was pointed out that many small farmers had sustained loss by reason of the expense of culti- vation, haviug no crops on account of the un- suitability and poorness of the soil and in many cases being unable to harvest the grain on accoiii.t of tne weather, Mr. J. Merton Jones said he saw very little prospect of help from the Government in this direction, because they wanted to keep the land under the plough and to increase the acreage of corn. Mr. Philip Williams said it could be shown that many acres sown with corn were utterly unfit for such a crop. The Chairman said that there had been great hardship on some people. The worst of it all was that the Agricultural Executive Committee sold the ploughs and harrows and did .not try this spring so help the farmers to go on putting the seed in the ground. 14ast year they sent teams to plough the land, but this year they left the farmers in the lurch. He knew some iields which had not been touched since the crop was taken off last year.. The resolution was adopted on the proposition of Mr. Pritchard, seconded by Mr. J. Williams.

LOCAL PROPERTY SALE. 1 I BREWERY AND LICENSED PREMISES- IN I THE MARKET. At the Angel Hotel on Tuesday, Messrs. New- land, Hunt & Williams, of Newport, by instruc- tions of the executors of the late Mr. Thomas DelaSeld, who carried on the business at the King's Arms for over 50 years, offered for sale freehold brewery premises, licensed houses, off- licenses, malt house, freehold dwelling house., and cottages at Abergavenny, Crickhov. ell, Clydach, Longtown and Tintern, There were in all iS lots, and most of them remained unsold. The first nine lots, including the principal properties, were first put up and withdrawn at £ 11,300. These were as follows :—Freehold, old- established brewery premises (four quarter plant), wine and spirit stores, stables, buildings, etc., fully-licensed inn, known as the King's Arm. with the shop, warehouses and premises adjoining in Nevill-street and Tudor-street, No. 27, let to Mr. Hy. Walters at £ 15, tenant paying rates, also No. 5 Court A, let at £6 los., landlord paying rates; the freehold fully- licensed inn known as the Monmouthshire House, let to Mr. T. A. Delafield at £ 24 10s, per annum, with warehouse and garage, let at fQ 2S., land- lord paving rates, also two cottages, 3 and 5 Ross-road. let at £ j 16s. each, landlord paying rates freehold malting house in Lower Monk- street, in the occupation of the trustees free" hold dwelling-house and off beer licence, Aston House, 55 Union-road, let at /15, tenant paying rates freehold, fully-licensed premises known as the New Inu, Longtown. Herefordshire, let at iio, tenant paying rates, with 16 acres of land let at fl(-). tenant paying rates freehold fully.licensed premises at Tintern, known as the Cherry Tree Inn, let at ilo dwelling-house and grounds, Gwyn House, Tintern. let at irs, tenant paying rates freehold licensed premises known as the Plough Inn. Llangattock Crick- howell, let at £ &, tenant paying rates leasehold licensed premises known as the Queen's Head, Crickbowell, let at £ S and held on a lease at a rental of £18 per annum and the leasehold licensed premises known as the Belle Yue, Clydach, let at /15 (reduced to £ 10 during the war) and held 011 a lease at a rental of f16 i2s. Subsequently the King's Head property was offered separately and was withdrawn at £ 3,750. The following were the properties which were sold :—New Inn. Longtown, sold to the tenant, Mr. Geo. Jones, for £ 1,950 Cherry Tree Inn, Tintern, sold to Mrs. Emmeline Goodman, the tenant, for £ 640 Gwyn House, Tintern, sold to Mr. Albert Beard, Chapel House, Tintern, for £ 500 Plough Inn, Llangattock, sold to Mrs. M. A. Davies, the Lord Nelson, Pontlottyn, for £ 410: freehold dwelling-house, shop and off licence, 71 St. Helen's-road, let to Mr. Owen Roberts at £ 19, tenant paying rates, sold to the Hereford and Tredegar Brewery Co. for £ 750 Gwyn Cottage, Chapel Hill, Tiutern, let at £ 10, tenant paying rates, sold to Mr. Waiter Goodman, Cherry Tree, Tintern, for £ 410. Other properties withdrawn were -Shop and premises occupied by Mr. R J. Delafield, with outbuildings, stable and tailor's shop, the latter let to Messrs. Daniels at £ 0, landlord pay- ing rates the whole held on lease for 1000 years at a peppercorn rent, withdrawn at £ 500; freehold semi-detached dwelling-house, Albion House, 53 Union-road, let to Mr. C. Matthews at £ 18, landlord paying rates, withdrawn at £300; dwelling-house and freehold cottages, 7, 9 and II Tudor-street, and 1,23 and 4 Court B, let at a gross rental of £5 (.s" landlord paying rates, withdrawn at £ 300 freehold corner shop aud dwelling-house, Commerce House, 150 St. Helen's-road, with bakehouse and warehouse, also the dwelling-house, 148 St. Helen's-road, with bakehouse, let at a gross rental of -flo, land- lord paying rates, withdrawn at f575 three dwelling-houses, 142, 144 and 146 St. Helen's- road, let at a gross rent of £ 38, landlord paying rates, withdrawn at /6oo three freehold cottages 42, 4t and 46 Lower Monk-street, let at a gross rent of [28 4s., landlord paying rates, withdrawn at £ 350 freehold garden and building site ad- joining the Monmouthshire House, let at fro, II tenant paying rates, withdrawn at -fl,o, Mr. J. R. Jacob, Abergavcnny, was the vendors' solicitor. A.—

I Crickhowell Board of Guardians. Mr. W. G. James presided at the monthly I meeting of this Council on 1. Monday. I SHORTAGE OF WATER AT IXANICT,IA'. I Mr. Wm. Williams moved that the water supply scheme for the inhabitants of Twyn- wenallt, Gilwern, be carried out, remarking that the matter h d been delayed all too long. The water supply was far from efficient, and should have b 'en attended to years ago. We were sup- posed to be living in an enlightened age, but I when we looked around and found people sup- plied with water under present conditions, there was little, if any, evidence of it. It was quite time the work was put in hand. Further delay would mean a serious position. Mr. T. LI. Jones, in seconding, said he did so out of sympathy. There were other parts of the district quite as badly served, and the time had. arrived when the question should be seriously tackled as a whole. People had a right to be supplied with water. At Darrenfelen the position wai critical. On Sunday there was a queueiof tiu jacks (over 35 in number) at a spring or well there, and the water carriers were waiting patiently in turn for water which trickled down in a thin stream* Such a state of things could not continue. Mr. John Thomas Why not refer the matter to the Llanelly Water Committee ? Mr. T. Lt. Jones I am content, but there must be no delay. The Chairman I think it would be well for Mr. Williams to adjourn his resolution and let the whole question be tackled by the Llanelly Water Committee. Mr. Wm. Williams My idea was to make a start. We do not appear to get any further than talk. It was eventually decided that the Committee shall carefully consider the question and meet the end of this week. Regarding the Crickhowell Water supply, Mr. Hurley, surveyor, stated that he had curtailed this, in view of the drought. There were still a number of leakages, although some had been located, and he hoped the former would be re- ported to him immediately to prevent waste, as the people generally suffered through this. The leakages had b.en f r too many. THE HOUSING QUESTION. I The Surveyor, Mr. F. J. Hurley, in a long I report, submitted recommendations as to sites for building in various parts of the district. Thirty-six houses were required to be built in the parish of LLw lly alone, 12 at Llanelly Hill, 12 at Clydach, and 12 at Gilwern. At Clydach there was some difficulty in selecting a site which would lend i sdf to cconomicd building, as the area of flat land was very limited. In- spection of the suggested sites had been made in the company of me loc 1 Councillors, and he now suggested that the Housing Commissioner be invited to conn down and inspect the sites. Meanwhile he hop d to visit Cwindu and Bwlch in conjunction whh the local representatives and report as to sites. It was unanimously decided to ask the Housing Commi.^sioner to inspect the site suggested. SLOW PAYS. I Attention was drawn to the dilatory way in j which various Government de partments are paying the Council amounts due in respect of maintenance of ro. ds, coal and food control. Sums have been p id out by the Council and application m.dc for repayment, but the ill- vari ble reply is the matter is in the hands of Lie Treasury." Mr. A. J. Thomas thought a strong protest should be made. Public authorities were called upon to finance undertakings on behalf of the Government, who paid at leisure. It was im- possible for a Council like theirs to find the money. (Hear, hear). It was agrccdo press for payment. INCREASED REMUNERATION. Mr. A. J. Thorn,.s proposed that the salary of the Sanitary Inspector at Llanelly, Mr: E. R. Morgan—at pro:, nt paid £ 90 a year-be in- creased by payment of a war bonus of £60, bringing the tot, 1 remuneration to £ 150 a year. Mr. Thomas thought this was a substantial in- crease, and said they must not forget the rate- payer, whose burdni was almost too heavy to bear. Things h. d come to such a pass that by and by they wo?Id even take his property.. I Mr. Wm. Willi-.?s seconded. Mr. T. Ll. Jo?.h, who spoke in high terms of Mr. Morgan's serves, said the full Civil service scale should be granted, and moved an amend- ment to this e1Iü: I Mr. McIntosÚ ?. c. ndcd, but the resolution of I Mr. Thomas was ( irticd. <4

I Treasury Note cases; all prices.—Morgan & jj Co., Chronicle" Office. YOUR weekly savings will grow into a smaL *• fortune if you invest them regularly in Savings Certificates. Not only will your savings increase as week by week you add to them, but the money itself will grow. Each 15/6 you save up and put into Certificates grows into 15/9 after you've kept it in one year. Then it grows at the rate of I d. per month during the next four years, so that at the end of the fifth year it is worth £ I. That is a clear profit of 4/6 on every 15/6-and it costs you nothing-not even trouble. You can buy Savings Certificates from any Bank, Post Office or Official Agent, but your best plan is to JOIN A SAVINGS ASSOCIATION IF you datet- lknow of an Association near you, write at once to the Socretary of your Local War Savings Committee and ask him to put you in touch with one. Don't bother about finding out the address. Just write on the envelope, Secretary. Local War Savings Committee," and then put merely the name of your town or district. Or if you wish, write direct to The Controller, NATIONAL WAR SAVINGS COMMITTEE, 9 Salisbury Square, London, E.C. 4. C. POWELL & SON. ? I. 0 I MXMMtrs I UDIES' 1 and 1 -J 00 CHILDREN'S 0 ? *ml™1 omn.? ? g 45 46 —! 45 46 S- FR0GM0REST., ? ABERGAVENNY I 01 -Z ?08 ? ??3A\OJ 0 P1ANTS PLANTS ??AJ?TS BUY YOUR PLANTS FROM THE GROWER. Early Cabbage, Early Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Vegetable Marrow. Mangel, Swede and Turnip direct from the Growers ALL KINDS OF BEDDING PLANTS. Stocks and Aster-, gd. per dozen. PLANTS have been MY SPECIALITY for the past EIGHT YEARS. j far !)!!))m)   j ???t? I\? ABERGAVENNY SEED STORES? ? C ?/T?r?A(\ir?r?? FRCGMOR? STREET. I phr[)\ y1V|\ A H[/)^_jri^ER ENNY* —j VFLORIST AND/V* FRASER'S ALWAYS! ^EEDSMW^V ALWAYS FRASER'S! 1 I M 0 'rc?cpho?e s No.4. 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 —-— 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 I Soles, Lining and Heels. Ji't-????L?T?mJC?? LtJEE?? L ?c?ca 2 H?GH sT, ■ X BS? Aberg"enimy Ira ed and Published by Mo^an & Co. (H. otgan atiii E. C. bstftfcei j, at 28, Frosmore Street, Abet. gavcuny, in the County of Monmoath. FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1919. j

I ABERGAVENNY POLICE COURT. I Wednesday—Before Mr. J. O. Marsh (in the chair), Mr. W. H. Routledge, Col. W. Williams and Mr. W. Gower Andrews. I Couldn't Recollect. I John Elsom, of Beaufort, was summoned for driving a motor without a white light 011 the off side and also with failing to stop when requested I to do so, on the 1st of June. Defendant pleaded not guilty. P.C. Birch said that defendant had only one light on the near side of the car. Witness got 011 the road in front and shouted to him to stop. Defendant swerved to the left, and the men in the car shouted to him Go oil, go on The light he had was a very poor one. When seen later defendant said he could not recollect the incident, but afterwards said the men in the car had important business to attend to. Defendant I did net recollect it because it was a fortnight previously, and I had been a thousand miles since then. There was a long list of previous convictions against defendant, who was fined 10s. for the first offence and /1 for the second. Improvements at the Vine Tree. I Mr. J. G. Bishop applied on behalf of the Chas Edwards Brewery Co. Ltd the owners, for per- mission to carry out alterations to the Vine Tree Inn, whereby the old premises known as the fianhel shop, next door, would be absorbed with a view to improving in particular the living accommodation Qf the house. I Supt Thomas said he had been instructed by the Cnief Constable to apply for an adjournment until the next transfer day. Mr. Lyne had been 'I instructed in the matter, but could not attend that day. Mr. Bishop opposed an adjournment, because | any building operations which might be neces- sary would be delayed until August. The Chairman said that if an adjournment was granted it must be on condition that the | costs of the day were borne by the police. The Chief Constable w.S communicated with, and intimated that lie accepted an adjournment on these conditions. Mr. Bishop pointed out the great inconveiuence of an adjournment, as he might have a difficulty in getting his principal witness, who 3u d not yet been demobilised, j The Bench decided to hear the 1 pplication. )1r. Bishop submitted plans pre pared by Mr. B. J. Francis, and expl ined that the sanitary arrangements were very peculiar and needed a considerable improvement. THe tenant had no scullery, pantry or bathroom. It Nv..s suggested [ to sweep ;.v;y tne snuggery, wnich was objee- tionablc from the point of vkw of the police, and to throw the space into the open bAr. From the police point of view these were great improve- ments and they would sweep aw. y the present objectionable sanitary arrangements. The premises would be set back so that about 18 incnes of ground would be tnrowxt into the public footp..ti., .n d a refr^shmci.; room would be provided, which w.-s a thing to b encouraged in licensed houses. The Cnairman si id the Bench agreed to pass the plans. Oaly a f. w days ago he p. ssed these premises, and iL struck him that tnese tumble- down places were a disgrace to the town at the present time. He thought that the LIterations would be a great improvement so far as the town was concerned, as Well as being an advantage to the owners. Hidden Number. Ivor Edward Rees, of Blaenavon, was sum- inoned fur riding a motor cycle with the rear index plate obscured, on the loth L.st. P.C. Birch s. id defendant was riding a motor- cycle with a ir. iler attached cont. h.ing a young 1. dy, and a man was riding on die back of the carrier, whose co, t was covering .he number. Witness called to defend nt to stop, and he did so. A fine of 3s. including costs was imposed.