County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

CHEPSTOW. I Agent.-Miss Clark I ILLNESS OF COL. CultitE. -Colonel Curre, who is lying ill at Ittoa Court, is gradually regaining strength. SCHOOL BOARD IIFBTING.-At the monthly meet- ing of the Chepstow School Board on Tuesday, it was decided to pay the teaching staff, from January let next, a fixed salary instead of salary and half the grant as formerly, so that the salaries of the boys' master and girls' mistress will be £ 196 aud jEl)5 respeetively. The new act was considered, and it was decided to make new bye-laws increasing the fine upon parents neglecting to send their children to school to a sum not exceeding fl, but to retain the privilege of letting children leave school at thirteen years.

I LLANDENNY. I I Agent.—Mrs. Freece, The Shop. ENTERTAINMENT. — On Wednesday, November 7th, a highly successful entertainment organised by Mrs Fardell, took place in the Schoolroom, Llau- denny, when the little building was packed to irs utmost limit. Two theatrical performances, entitled Chalk and Cheese and 11 Our New Butler were amongst the evening's programme and were well gone through—the acting of Mr Ceoke, as Mr. Appleyard in the second piece, being especially good. The vocal and instrumental items given cy Miss Francis and the Misses Shenton and Huxlev were much appreciated, as was Miss Ada Francis' recitation. Mr. Julian Waugh on the gramaphone, and in the humorous song" She was" received, as usual, a rapturous encore. We are glad to hear that the entertainment proved a financial success also, and that £5 have been netted.

KAGLAN. Agent-Mr. W. Parker, Photographer. GAZETTE NEWS.—Joseph Blake, of the Ship Hotel, Raglan, innkeeper, has been adjudged a bankrupt. R.D.C. COMPENSATION.—At the monthly meeting of the Monmouth R.D.C., on Friday, the Chairman (Mr. S. C. Bosanquet) reported that Mr. Robert Jones, of Raglan, bad made a. claim agaiutit the Council for £2 10s., for damage to land in connectian with the drainage scheme. The committee bad investigated the matter, and decided to offer Mr. Jones £1 as ample compensation.—The Council accepted the committee's recommendation.

TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY. Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. All Druggists refund the money if it fails to cure. 1/lJ. The genuine is stamped L.B.Q,

I St. ftlellon's Murder. j A BRUTAL AFFAIR. On Saturday afternoon a dastardly and shocking crime came to light at Mullen Cottage, a detached and lonely house in a lane between St. Mellon's and Cefn Mably, where a Mrs. Hannah Williams, a widow, 79 years of age, was found with her head battered in with a coal hammer, and her throat cut-the foul deed having evidently been done while her unmarried daughter, Elizabeth, aged 48, who lived with her, was absent at Cardiff market. Her husband had been employed on the Cefn Mably estate, but died about 18 months ago, having, however, received a pension of 8s. per week for some time prior to his decease. This pension was continued to the widow, and by dint of rearing a little poultry and growing vegetables, the widow and her daughter were able to eke out a fairly comfortable living. Apparently this led to the belief in the locality that Mrs. Williams was doing well, and hoarding a little money. However that may be, ROBBERY WAS EVIDENTLY THE MOTIVE of the poor old lady being done to death. On Saturday morning at about 9 o'clock Miss Williams weut to Cardiff, leaving her mother in the cottage. At 3.30 on that afternoon a man named Morris Evans, who is married to a niece of Mrs. Williams, and lives l miles away. paid a visit to her cottage, 2 and was horrified to find the old lady lying on the floor dead. Her body presented A SHOCKING SPECTACLE, the head having been battered apparently with some heavy instrument, and her throat cut. There was a pool of blood close to her head, and a bonnet which she generally wore in the house, and her spectacles, were lying on the floor. After he had recovered from the shock, Evans touched the old lady's cheek and found it was quite warm. and then, according to his statement, he rushed out and informed two men named Charles Rowlands and Tom Rodman, whom he had met on his way to the cottage near Began Village. The three of them returned to the cottage, and after a brief examination, one went for a Mrs. Ratcliffe, who lives in a cottage in the field above. Evans went to the St. Mellon's Police Station, and gave information of the discovery, and Rodman waited outside the cottage. Police-constables Norris and Cook promptly arrived on the scene, and took charge of everything in the cottage. They made a search, and on a heap of coal in the back kitchen, Norris found a blood-stained hammer. This had a handle about eighteen inches long, with a flat surface on one side of the head, and a point like a pick on the other. There was also some hair clotted with blood on The flat part of the head, and some blood ou the handle. Clearly, this was THE INSTRUMENT with which the poor woman's head was battered. As to the wound ih her throat, nothing was found in the house to indicate how that was done. but the doctor, who was aftetwards called to the scene and examined the body, was apparently of the belief that it had been done, with a knife. The two police constables were joined subsequently by Superintendent Porter (Risc)) and Inspector Lewis, of the Newport County Constabulary. The Chief Constable (Mr. V. Bosauquet) subsequently appeared on the scene. A close examination of the cottage and its surroundings was then made. That the motive of the terrible deed was robbery, was very plain, because the cottage had beeu ransacked, and a chest of (frawers which was in the same room as the deceased's body bad been pulled all about, The murderer, however, t rAIMB TO U"P TfiB nEWR of his terrible crime, for A sum of £$0 was afterwards found in a box in deceased's bedroom, while in a purse in her pocket were X3 in gold and some silver. It is probable, therefore, that the miserable wretch who committed the crime was either disturbed before he could make a thorough search, or else became frightened at the awful deed he had committed, and slunk away. OPENING OF THE INQUEST. The Deputy-coroner (Mr. W. Everett) opened the inquiry into the death of Mre. Hannah Williams, at St. Melion's, on Tuesday, but no apparent light has been thrown upon the tragedy. Only one witness was examined—Elizabeth Williams, (I augh ter of the deceased—and no further information was added to that already given. At 2.45 the jury, sixteen in all, accompanied by the Deputy-Coroner and Superintendent Porter, met in the kitchen at Mullen Cottage, to view the body, and then returned to the White Hart Hotel where the inquest was held. Replying to questions, Miss Williams said she was a spinster, and lived with her mother at Mullen Cottage, Began-road, in the parish of St. Mellon's. Witness was 48 years of age, and her mother was 78 years of age. Her father died in May, 1899. Deceased was paid 8s. per week by Mr. Kemeys-Tynte, for whom witness's father worked for many years. Witness often went out two or three days a week as charwoman. When she went to Caidiff market on Saturday morning her mother accompanied her as far as the gate because she had two baskets, contaiuing apples and a couple of eggs, to carry. That was the last occasion on which she saw her mother alive, j When she returned at about 4.30 she met Morris Evans not far from her house, and he informed her that something shocking had happened, and that he feared her mother was dead. She did not then enter the house, Mr. Radcliffe overtook her and she went to his house to have a cup of tea, as he told her she had better not go into her house then as an accident or something had happened. She stayed at Mr. Radcliffe's house for about au hour and then left accompanied by Mrs. Radcliffe. Witness entered her mother's cottage by the back door and saw a policeman there. She stayed in the back kitchen until ten o'clock that night, and when the doctor came she went into the living room where she saw her mother lying down. Morris Evans had visited the house very often during the past fortnight, but previous to that only once in four or six mouths. Her mother was on friendly terms with Mr. and Mrs. Morris Evans. With regard to the money found tied up in a loose pocket in the drawer, and counted by the police, it amounted to E30. The inquest was adjourned until 11 a.m. on Wednesday next.

AN ARREST. On Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a large number of relatives and sympathisers, the mortal remains of Mrs. Hannah Williams were laid at rest in the burial ground attached to the now closed Independent Chapel at St Mellon's, the service being held ill the Bethania Methodist Chapel. A couple of hours later when Morris Evans, his wife, and a number of other people were assembled in Mullen Cottage a sensational arrest was made. Five police officers-the Chief Constable of Monmouthshire (Mr. Victor Bosanquet), Superintendent James, of Pontypool, Superintendent Porter of Risca, Inspector Saunders and Police-constable Norris-quietly entered and arrested Morris Evans on the charge of wilfully murdering Hannah Williams at Mullen Cottage on Saturday afternoon, and marched him to the police-station. There he was charged, and taken to Marshfield Railway Station, to be conveyed to Newport for the night, and to be brought UP for preliminary examination on Thursday morning. Since the arrest of Morris Evans on Wednesday evening, there has been nothing in the shape of a material development in the mystery. All that could be expected on Thursday in the way of additional evidence was that the missing watch from Mullen Cottage and the knife with which the throat of the old lady was cut might possibly be found. Every yard of ground within a considerable area of the scene of the murder was minutely examined, but nothing was found up to a late hour at night. "Viti) impenetrable secrecy Morris Evans was brought before Mr. Thomas Goldsworthy, J.P., on Thursday morning. The authorities bad definitely stated that the time for hearing the official charge and reasons for a remand would be about eleven o'clock, and with that assurance the pressmen were content. But the whole case of charge, hearing, and remand was over completely by ten o'clock. Formal application for a remand for a week was made by Superintendent Porter. He informed his worship that there was sufficient evidence forth- coming to justify their request. Journalists were told that Morris Evans would be taken to Usk by the 1.30 train, but at 10.25 he was seen, accompanied by and handcuffed to Police-constable Robert Bird, being led out of the statiou and rapidly escorted to the railway station, only some 50 yards away. There he was quickly placed in a third-class compartment of the Usk train and the blinds were immediately lowered. A considerable crowd had gathered, and were doing all they could to obtain a glance at the prisoner. As he walked to the sta'ion he kept his eyes dejectedly on the ground in front of him, and even when he tried to raise the collar of his coat with his free left hand he did not lift his eyes.

Death of the Hon. Arthur John Morgan. FUNERAL AT BASSALLEG. Lord Tredegar and Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P., have the sympathy of the County in the sad death of their brother, the Hon. Arthur John Morgan. The deceased gentleman, who had never been very robust, was taken ill about two months ago with a complication of lung troubles, and despite every care, passed peacefully away on Friday night at his residence, Gloucester Terrace, Lancaster Gate, London, at the age of 6", leaving a widow to mourn his death. He was born in 1840, and was the third son of the second Lord Tredegar and Rosamund, daughter of General Godfrey Basil Mundy. He was educated at Eton, was a J.P. and D.L. for the county of Monmouth, and also J.P. for Breconshire, for which county he unsuccessfully stood as Conservative candidate in 1880 and again in 1885. Though a ftequent visitor at Tredegar Park, he was seldom seen except when following the Tredegar Hounds. The deceased gentleman had in his youth been intended for the Church, but he never took Holy Orders. He had seen a good deal of foreign travel, and was a great devotee of the gun. Up to within a recent period he was also a prominent figure on the turf. He met with a serious accident, however, whilst at Epsom a couple of years ago, by the hustling of a very thick crowd leaving the course. The remains of the Hon. Arthur John Morgan reached Newport at 5.6 p.m. on Tuesday, in a specially retained van attached to the Great Western train. The body was enclosed in an elm shell, a leaden case, and an outer coffin of polished oak, with massive brass mountings. None of the mourners travelled in the same train, Lord Tredegar and the other members of the family having arrived at Tredegar Park on Monday. Mr. Alfred Morgan, the undertaker, Mr. Robinson, the Tredegar Estate Clerk of the Works, and eight bearers met the coffin at Newport station, and it was placed in a hearse, which was followed by mourning coaches, and conveyed to the entrance to Tredegar Park, where Lord Tredegar joined the mournful procession and accompanied it to Bassalleg Church, where the coffin was laid at the entrance to the Chancel until Wednesday. THE FUNERAL I took place at noon on Wednesday, and was very largely attended. The cortege from Tredegar Park included The Right Hon. Lord Tredegar, Colonel Henry Gore Lindsay (brother-in-law), the Hon. R. Devereux (nephew), Sir George Forestier- Walker (nephew), Mr. Ivor Walker, Mr. Leoline Walker, Mr. Devereux Walker, and Mr. Lionel Lindsay (nephews), and Mr. Rider, the London solicitor. Tbeae were followed by Messrs. Perrott (house steward), Sargeant (groom of chambers), and Petty (head coachman). Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P,, and his son, Captain Courtenay Morgan were already in the Church awaiting the arrival of his lordship and other relatives and friends from Tredepar Park. Amongst those also present in the Church were Mr. John Lawrence, M, F, H., Mr. Gwyn Holford, Colonel Justice, Mr. II. J. Davis, Ir. W. J. Lloyd, Mr. T. B. R. Wilson, Mr. Charles Lloyd, the Rev. Watkin Davies, Mr. L. H. Hornby, the Rev. J. Griffiths, curate of Machen Mr. R. Stratton, Mr. F. Stratton, Mr. L. Foster Stedman, Mr. Togarmah Rees, Dr. Reginald Brewer, Mr. Williams and Mr. B. C. Jones (from the Tredegar Estate Offices), Mr. Fawckner (architect), Mr. Robinson (clerk of the works), Mr. Greenaway (bailiff), and Mr. Hillier (Coedkernew). The vault is a spacious apartment opening oilt of the Church structure, on the same level as the chancel, in which already 16 members of the Morgan family have been immured. The last itiferftieiifc prior to that of the Hon. Arthur Morgan, took place in 1891, when the wife of Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan was laid to rest. A large number of beautiful wreaths were sent by friends, amongst them being those from Lord Tredegar and Colonel Morgan, Captain Morgan, Lady Hereford (deceased's sister), Lady Hereford's daughters, the Hon. Nellie Deveraux, the Hon. Lily Devereux, and the Hon. Rosamond Devereux, Sir George F. Walker, Ur. Leoline Walker, Mr. Arthur Lindsay (a godson), Colonel aud Mrs. McDonnell, Mr. and Mrs. Curre, &c. Upon the breast-plate the inscription was as follows Right Honourable Arthur John Morgan, Fourth Son of the First Lord Tredegar, Died November 9th, 1900.. Aged 60 Years. The Nineteenth Psalm-" Lord, Thou hat been our refuge from one generation to another" — was sung to Purcell's mournful minor chant, and the Rev. D. Bowen read the funeral Lesson. Then a hymn—"My God, my Father, while I stray was sung, and the Vicar read the 'latter part of the service. The coffin was carried into the vault by eight workmen of the estate, and at the close of the service the funeral hymn 499 (A. and M.) was BUUg, On the Resurrection morn, Soul and body meet again No more sorrow, no more weeping, No more pain." T'ae organist then played "The Dead March" in Saul. From the fl-ig-staff on the Bassalleg Church Tower, at the Newport Town Hall, and at the Constitutional Club the flag was hung at half- mast. At a meeting of the several Nonconformist and Jewish congregations attending the various places of worship at Tredegar, held at the English Congregational Chapel, Castle-street, Mr. John Evans, the secretary appointed for the occasion, was requested to forward the following resolution to the Right Hon. Lord Tredegar:— Tredegar, 12th November, 1900. "To the Right Honourable Godfrey Charles, Lord Tredegar, Baron Tredegar, of Tredegar Park, Newport, Mon. We, the Nonconformist and Jewish congre- gations attending the several places of worship of our respective denomination at Tredegar, beg to tender to your lordship our respectful and heartfelt sympathy in the sad bereavement you have sustained by the death of your much-esteemed brother, the Honourable Arthur Morgan, D.L., J.P. and we trust that your lordship, so full of kindness and consideration for others, as we can abundantly testify, may receive Divine solace in this your hour of trial. On behalf of the above congregations, I have the houour, my Lord, to subscribe myself, your lordship's obedient servant, JOHN EVANS."

Fatal Colliery Accident. I On Sunday afternoon, an accident occurred at the No. 2 pit of the Clydach Vale Collieries, lihondda Valley, resulting in the death of a man named Edward Davies, a cleaner, and injuries to eight others. An enginesr, named Bradley, of Kilmar- nock, near Glasgow, accompanied by his workmen, named Wallace and Thompson, arrived at the collieries on Saturday afternoon to alter the cylin- ders in the engine house, and fix a new patent appliance to them. While they were in the act of doing so the steam pipe burst, killing Davies on the t'pot, and scalding Barkley, Wallace, and Thompson severely. Mr. Llewellyn, agent of the collieries, and five others were also scalded about the face and hands. Thomson was conveyed to the hospital, and is in a precarious condition, having received a scalp wound and burns all over the body. Barkly was conveyed to the manager's residence. His injuries were on the face and hands. Wallace was severely scalded on the legs only. DEATH OF TWO MORE OF THE INJURED. I William Henry Peace, mechanic, and Thomas Wilson, hitcher, who were severely scalded, suc- cumbed to their injuries on Monday. Both men were married, with families. Mr. Barclay, of Glasgow, and the two Scotch fitters who accom- panied him, are progressing favourably, but the local mechanic, who so pluckily turned off the steam, is in a critical condition. When asking for Cocoa, insist on having CADBURY'S -sold only in Packets and Tins-as other Cocoas are often substituted for the sake of extra profit,

Monmouthshire Mayoral I Elections. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. CORPORATIONS AT CHURCH. MONMOUTH. I The meeting of the Town Council for the election of Mayor took place at noon on Friday, when, at the outset, the retiring mayor (Councillor J. H. Howse) presided. Dr. J. G. Wilson proposed that Mr. Hamilton T. Baillie be elected Mayor for the coming year. Since he had been in the Council, Dr. Wilson said, Mr. Baillie had taken an active interest in the business of the Council. He had devoted a great deal of energy and time to public matters, and recently in a very marked way had shown his powers of organi- zation to be of no mean order, no secondary qualities in a Mayor, in view of the difficult year of office awaiting him. In the coming year they were likely to encounter serious difficulties, which would require from the Mayor energy, tact, and resource- fulness, more so than from any other member of the Corporation. Mr. Baillie had shown he possessed those qualities, and was prepared to devote more time to public business than any other member of the Council could spare. Captain C. C. Powell seconded the nomination, remarking that he felt sure Mr. Baillie's business capacities would enable him to steer the municipal barque safely through the storms of his year of office. The election was carried by a unanimous show of hands. The retiring Mayor then invested the newly- elected Mayor with the civic chain of office. The Mayor, in acknowledging the honour con- ferred upon him, said he should do his utmost to further the prosperity of the town, and his time would almost entirely be at their disposal. On the proposition of Alderman Vizard, a very cordial vote of thanks was passed to the retiring Mayor, who had bad an eventful and trying year of office, but through which he had conducted the affairs of the town with dignity and success. Mr. Breakwell seconded the vate, which was I carried with applause. The Mayor's salary was fixed at E20. Mr. Hamilton Treharna Baillie is descended from an old Scotch (originally French) family, which traces its lineage to beyond the Conquest. The family furnished two kings of Scotland, John de Baliol, proclaimed King by Edward II. of England, iri 1291, and his son, Edward de Baliol, who was iri 1291, and his son, Edward de Baliol, who was banished in 1339, and died without issue in 1363. The family afterwards became known as the Baillies, of Dookforn aud Dunain, and figure largely in Scotch history, and Mr. Baillie is but one removed from being the head of the family. Mr. Baillie was born at Cheltenham in 1859, and was educated at Wellington Military College, Berkshire. He has spent most of his life abroad in Ceylon aud the South Sea Islands. He is married, and has one son at-d two daughters. He was first elected to the Council oil April 18th,'1898, and is a Churchman and Conservative. The Mayor and Corporation of Monmouth con- formed to the ancient custom of attending the Parish Church op the first Sunday after the Mayoral election. The Corporation met at the Shire Hall at 10.15, and the civic pageant consisted of a body of police, followed by the Fire Brigade, in uniform, under Captain W. Love, with the Mayor and Cor- poration following, the Mayor being immediately preceded by the mace bearers carvyiug the ancient borough maces. The Vicar, the Rev. C. F. Reeks, preached a special sermon, from Phil. 1st chap., 9th and 10th verses. On leaving church the pro- cession returned to the Shire Hall, where the members of the Corporation partook of light refreshment with his Worship before dispersing.

NEWPORT. I At the first meeting—on Friday—of the Newport Borough Council since the municipal elections, Aid. Lyue proposed, and Aid. Mordey seconded the motion, that Councillor W. H. Brown be Mayor, and this, on being put by the retiring Mayor (Councillor Greenland), was unanimously agreed to. The new Mayor, having been duly installed, returned thanks for his election, and dealt at some length with the municipal problems awaiting solu- tion at the Council's hands. He proposed a vote of thanks to the ex-Mayor, which was seconded by Ald. Davis, accorded, and responded to. Mr W. H. Brown is a native of the district. Early in his career he was engaged in railway work, but subsequently became a school attendance officer. After a short tenure of this office he became secretary and agent to the LiberaL Association, and has retained that office ever since. He has always been a prominent temperance worker, and has for many years also been a leading Co-operator. Born in 1847, he entered the Newport Corporation as a member for the South Ward in 1.89, and has retained the seat ever since. He is a member of the United Free Church, Hill-street, and has occa- sionally acted as a lay preacher. On Sunday morning the newlv-elected Mayor of Newport was, in pursuance of ancient custom, accompanied to his usual place of worship by a number of members of the Corporation, Borough officials representatives from other public bodies, tha Fire Brigade, and the Borough Police. The long procession was formed in Cottimercial- street, and was watched by many people as it wended its way to the United Free Methodist Church. It was headed by a local band, and preceding the Mayor and Corporation were the mace bearers. The church was crowded. Assisted by the Rev. E. Cook, the service was conducted by the Rev. \V. Vivian, F.R.G.S.. and before a collection was taken in aid of the Newport Infirmary, Miss Martha Davies, R.A.M., gave an admirable rendering of "I will extol Thee, 0 Lord" (Tosti). The Rev. Vivian preached a forcible sermon.

ABERGAVENNY. Alderman Foster presided at the Statutory meeting of the Abergavenny Town Council ou Friday, and proposed that Alderman William Williams be elected Mayor for the ensuing year. This was seconded by Councillor Wheatley and carried unanimously. Alderman Williams, having been installed, returned thanks for the confidence reposed in him.—Votes of sympathy with the retiring Mayor (Mr. Joseph Bishop) and Alderman H. C. Evans, in their illness, were passed. Major William Williams, of Marlborough House, Abergavenny, has spent all his life in the town, he being a native of the borough. It was in the year 1837 that he first saw the light, in High-street. He had reached the prime of life before he took a prominent public part in the place.. At the urgent request of a large number of the ratepayers, he contested the town for a seat on the Improvement Commissioners in 1881. This seat he retained, with the exception of two years, up to the transference of those powers to the Urban District Council, when he was elected on that body, and at the second contest, out of 21 candidates for 12 eeats, he was returned at the head of the poll. His chief ambition and desire was to see the town restored to its ancient dignity of a borough by the restoration of its charter, and the division of the town iuto wards. On no less than three occasions has the subject of the charter been discussed by the governing body of the town, and at length the interest of the Most Noble the Marquess of Abergavenny, K.G., was gained, and in 1899 Alderman Williams was able to see the old town of Bergaveuny restored to its ancient dignity. Z, y He was re-elected at the head of the poll in the ward he resides in, and his fellow council- lors unanimously elected him as one of the senior aldermen. In filling the chair during lIfr. I Bishop's absence through illness he has shown strong governing capabilities aud powers. For a number of years the new Mayor filled, with credit, the cliair-at the Board of Guardians. For a period of 13 years he served his Queen and country as Captain commanding G (Usk) Company, 4th V.B.S.W.B., subsequently rising to the rank of senior major. He retired under the old age clause, with permission to retain his rank and uniform- He is a dual alderman, being an. aldertnan of the Monmouthshire County Council as well as of Abergavenny Town Council. He is greatly interested in Church work and philan- thropic institutions. Following out the usual custom, His Worship the Mayor invited the public to accompany him to Divide Service on Sunday. He was preceded by H and I Cnupallies 4th V.B.S.W.B. (headed by the Bugle Band and the London and North- western SJver Band), under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. D. Steel. The members of various Friendly and other Societies, the Fire Brigade, and the officers of the Corporation also walked in the procession. The Mayor was accompanied by the members of the Council, and was preceded by his mace bearer, to the Parish Church, where the Rev. F. W. G Whitfield delivered a very impressive sermon, from Ephesians VI., 7. The line of route was thronged with people, both going and returning.

CENTRAL NEWS to the COUNTY OBSERVER.] Cable Ship Overdue. BERLIN, Friday. Shnnghai telegram siys Cable Ship Podbreiski, is overdue, and German cruiser has beeti sent to look for her. It is feared she suffered in the typhoon. Boundary Dispute Settled. W ASHINGTON, Friday. Long-standing dispute between Nicaragua and and Costa liica h.as beeu settled by treaty, definiog frontiers. Mercenaries' Return NEW YORK, Friday. Fifty members of notorious Boers-Irish- Americau brigade arived yesterday in Fiirst Bismarck. NIcK Ïiiley's Opinion. PARIS, Friday. Mr. McKinley in interview with "Figaro" correspondent, said Democratic propaganda. attempted to undermine foundation of national existence. Fire at an Art Pottery. Fire caused much damage at Doulton's Art Pottery, Burslem, last night. A range of three- storeyed buildings was destroyed. Lord Sudiey's Application. Lord Sudlev,s application for discharge, came before bankruptcy court to-day. Official Receiver said there was uo chance of dividend. Stock steady.

War Telegrams. zn The following dispatch from Lord Roberts was issued by the War Office on Thursday — JOHANNESBURG, November 14th. On the 8th inst. a party of Steluaciaer's Horse, raised for service in the Komati Poort district, captured sixteen Boers trying to cross from Portuguese territory at Namuhash, a place by which the Boers have been trying to get ammunition brought into the Transvaal. Methuea came across body of Boers on the 10th iust. while on the march to Lichtenburg. They fled when his troops came to close quarters, and in pursuit we captured a pom-pom. Piet Lemmer, cousin of the commandant of of that name, died a.t Lichtenburg on the 10th. inst. from wounds received the previous dav. A police post near Vryburg, which was at- tacked on the 10th inst., succeeded in killing several Boers and capturing two woanded prisoners, one of whom is Field-cornet Da Plessis. The police had three men wounded, and one has since died. Two wounded prisoners, charged with. treachery in action near Frederickstadt on the 25th October, were tried yesterday by fielct general court-martial at Potchefstroom on being dismissed from the hospital. They were acquitted, much to the astonish- ment of their relations, who are reported to ba much impressed by our sense of justice. Hildyard reports that on the 8th inst., a convoy between Volksrust and Wakkerstroom was attacked by a few Boers. We had one man dangerously wounded.

Newport Hunt Races and Steepler liases. This event opened on Thursday at Caerleon, and the races weru largely attended. The entries were exceptionally good. In the Uskside Hurdle Race, Mr Foster's Sunbeam won easily. In the Caerleon. Steeplechase, Mr Sydney's Border Boaster won by four lengths. In the Round Table Steeplechase, Mr Sydney's Deerslayer won by five lengths. In the Ruperra Hurdie Rica, Mr Trigg's Everleigh came iu first. There was an objection to the winner on the ground of running at an unregistered meeting. The winner was awarded the race, but the stewards allowed Mr Sydney to appeal, the winner not to be put up for auction until the appeal is decided. In the Newport Hurdle, Mr J. Widger's Old Bess won by three lengths, and Mr Stop's Disturb- ance won the Liangibby Castle Steeplechase.

Sir George White on School Cadet Corps. Sir George White, the defender of Ladysmith, in a letter to Mr. F. H. Sikes, of Manor Park House, Sutton, who started a cadet corps at his schoolin commemoration of the siege, says — I consider the formation of cadet corps a most patriotic and practical outcome of the grand feeling lately called out throughout the Empire, which has brought our country so well through what would otherwise have been a most dangeroas national crisis. It commends itself to me also as a capital way of sowing the seeds of patriotism in the hearts of the future manhood of England. To the cadets I would say, Remember, as you stand shoulder to shoulder in the ranks of your companions, that the parade is but the symbol of a higher class of comradeship, involving the subordination of individual desire aud ease to the interests of the company at large; in fact, esprit de corps.'7 I cannot imagine a finer watchword than Honos (referring to a motto oil his correspondent's paper.) It contains the self-respect and control which are the fines, Qualities the boy can. possess, and in the after-time it will carry the man, at the call of duty, to the front in. danger.

THE LEOXIDS. — A telegram from Northfield, Minnesota, states that over 70 meteors were noted all Wednesday night at Goodsell Observatory. During the early morning a number of leouids were observed, together with a considerable shower from the constellation Gemiui, the latter being unexpected. There were five distinct groups or showers.—Renter,

love for Church music throughout the Diocese. But its associations, as I recall them, are of a more persona! ,character still- I think of the great men, of the saints of God, whose own inner lives have been com- forted and encouraged, whose devotions have been stimulated, whose worship has been aided, who<o influence on others has been deepened, hy the soul- ^stirrins, heart-moving tones of this instrument, as it furnished fitting music for Psalm and chant and -spiritual song. The spirits of just men made perfect" add their testimony to the helpful and uplifting MINISTRY OF THIS VERT ORGAN, I which has aided them in their efforts to draw nigh to -their God in supplication and thanksgiving, in eliciting ,from their inward spirits the sighs, the prayers, the -hopes they felt but could scarcely express, expressing them in their behalf, and wafting them in fitting strains ■to the car that bends over them. I invite you to recall -to-day with reverence such names as those of Bishop Ollivant, Dean Williams,and Dean Vaughan, men whose praie is in the Church, whose works follows them "to reflect with the earnest prayer that so it should be with you-that Sunday by Sunday, day by day, through long years, their souls found comfoit in sorrow, rest and peace in trouble, aid and encouragement in praise, in the strains of this organ, which henceforward will =inister to the comfort and encouragement of your •own spiritual life. It is, then, no mere idle sentiment "which inspires many of us with real, sincere thank- ifnlness that the tones of this organ will be still heard 'within this ancient Diocese, and will speak to those not ^■unmindful of its sacred connections and associations. May it speak to each of you here in the voice which from day to day each separately needs. We should Tightly call it desecration if this instrument should -.ever be profaned by the touch of levity, awaking ■only inane or frivolous music from its unwilling pipes. JBut how is it with us? What if God hears more 'Christian melody, more religious aspiration, more ot the phrasings of humility, more of the moanings of spiritual contrition, more of the soarings of devout joy from this instrument than from you ? What if we -consent to be LOWER THAN IT, I and to be condemned by it? Wnat if it if our souls that are desecrated by trivial thoughts, by vain imaginings, by levity and frivolity. by impure patsions ? What, if when the finger of God plays on the keyboard •of our lives, seeking to make sweet harmonious music, nothing comes from us but jangling chords which vex and fret the ears and grieve the Holy Spirit ? What if mo music comparable with that from this organ ascends from our lives to that throne where harmony finds her tome ? Would you bring your lives into accord with that great eternal harmony, then strive and pray to bring your souls into living, abiding union with Christ, attune them to His life and will. There is the source of that true harmony wtrcb is here the heaven- ':?bora echo of the life above. May this celestial music be in part repeated through you as chosen instruments Slaved upon by God, and through you widened and spread abroad until you have helped the world about you to know heaven's music for what it is, and to attune itself to its true and pure tones. Then, when the heaven-born music has risen over the world and swelled and swept over -the din of war and crime aud •drftwned the discords of human passion, of human rivalry, of human hatred, and of human wrong, then, "when the very mountains shall break forth into singing, ;nd all th,, valleys be filled with joy then-and Dot itill then-shall the misjion of heaven's music teachers m.ase., In tht great day of festival they shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. The altar, chancel, pulpit, lectern, and font had been very effectively decorated, principally with choice chrysanthemums, from the gardens of Deaconess Eleanor and Mr Freeman, Miss Charles and Miss Davies did the font. At Evensong, the service was taken by the Vicar, Curate, and the Rev. Duckett, the Rev. Canon ^fififith Roberts being the preacher. Mr. Martin ^psWded at the organ. The anthem was again ireand the hymns sung were Nos. 391, 166, and The special Psalms were exxxiii, cxlvli., i and oxlix. The Te Daum was sung at the conclu- sion as a special !wt of thanksgiving. The preacher v based an appropriate discourse on the words And all the congregation jyorshippad, and the singers sang, and the trumpeteri s:>ned, and all this coo ktintied until the burnt oSariuJi was finished ,(2 Chron., xxix., 28). THE ORGAN RECITAL. I An organ recital such as that given by air. G. G, Seale, organist of Llandaff Cathedral, in Usk Parish Church, on Wednesday afternoon last, was, for obvious reasons, the first event of the kind in the history of the town. A musical treat was thus furnished, which must have satisfied the most eanguiue expectations of all, both as to the powers of the organist and the quality of the instrument. The recital opened with the Organ Prelude and Fugue in F Minor of J. S. Bach. the greatest master of polyphony, whose works for the instrument, although produced at a period when its resources were scarcely fully developed, remain ,to this day unsurpassed. The first phrase of the Prelude, which at the second bar takes the form of a two part canon, at once showed Mr. Beale's skill in rendering music of this kind, and as the graceful melody progressed through the various modulations and inversions the • true effect of fine playing of good music on a first .rate instrument was realised. The cadenza-like -passage towards the close of the movement was given with special clearness and brilliancy. The subject of tho .Fugue being somewhat sombre in character, and the tempo not too rapid, is more easily followed than many other works of the kind by the same composer, and the rich harmony in the various parts, as they enter, is readily dis- > tinguished. The singing by Mr. Miller of Gounod's Naza- reth" followed. The ideally beautiful and truly devotional character of the melody in this song must ..ever make it a favourite with all musicians, and .serve to protect it from consequences too often .attendant on a popularity which involves constant repetition. The smooth passages in the song were -> well delivered by Mr. Miller, and the compass, which to many singers is trying, seemed well suited to his voice-a baritone of exceptionally good • .quality. The beautiful and varied accompaniment, played in a manner that produced the fullest effect without once obtruding on the province of the singer, formed one of the most enjoyable features of the recital. In the piece entitled "At Evening" (Buck), opportunities were afforded to the organist of showing his taste in registering and his skill in the use of the manuals, some remarkable effscts being produced in the 8oft passages, particularly at the end of the piece where the melody seemed to die ,:away in a close of calm repose, making it difficult to :fix the precise moment when the music ceased. In No 4, a Minuet and Trio, by the renowned .English musician, Sterndale Bennett, Mr Beale .bowe(I his thorough mastery of the somewhat difficult art of playing staccato chords and runs, the jileasing melody of the Minuet, heard first in the Major and then in the Minor Key, was followed by 4he trio consisting of passages announced first with ,the full force of the trumpet stop, and echoed in the -softest diapason, with results which would not perhaps appeal to all hearers alike, but which, at all events, served to emphasize the quieter beauty of -the Minuet on its return in the usual D.C. The instrument's fiue volume of tone, and Tarticularly the splendid quality of the pedal stops, -were well displayed in the performance of Elgar's Imperial March," as also in the fiual piece -,Fautasia" (Silas), in which a stirring effect was ..obtained from a passage played with full organ to a barely audible pp. No organ recital could be considered to be quite ..complete without some example from the works of Handel, and the songs How willing my Paternal Love," and" Honour and Arms," both from the oratorio Samson," and sung by Mr. Miller, were wost welcome. The supplicating air of the first- ,mentioned, written in the Master's most religious .style, certainly formed a contrast to the martial ,spirit and fierce text of the famous Honour and Arms." Whether or not the expressions, "Would ,scorii such a foe," and "I could end thee at a blow." which constantly recur in the song, are such as must necessarily command the sympathy of a ,Cougregatioa assembled in Church, is a question .on which opinions may be divided, but, be this as it may, the music, both vocal and instrumental, was most enjoyable, and Mr. Miller's skill in .delivering the florid and defiant passages in Honour and Arms was as remarkable as his rendering of the more devotional phrases in the first Handelian air. The programme of the recital was no doubt .designedly varied so as to produce many styles of music, and to display to the fullest advantage the many admirable qualities of the beautiful instru- ment which has been now so fortunately acquired for Usk. It is hoped that other recitals may follow. Asa .means of education in high class music, which the town itself has been hitherto unable to offer its inhabitants, is now available it may well be used to the utmost advantage. The following was the full programme of the organ recital, at which there was a large and appreciative congregation 1, Prelude and Fugue in F Minor (Bach) 2, "Nultreth" (Gounod), Mr. Miller 3, At Even- ing" (Buek); 4, Minuet and Trio (Bennett); 5. Duett (Hoffman); 6, (a) How willing my paternal love," (b) Honour and Arms" (Handel), Mr. Miller 7, Imperial Mareh (Elgar): 8, Priere et Berceuse (Guilmant); 9, Fantasia (Silas). The following were the amounts collected Celebration, Y,3 17s 0 .1d.; Matins, Y,12 19s 5 £ d.; Recital, £7 12s 2 £ d.; Evensong, E2 6s 4d. Total, L26 15s old. The Choir were entertained at the Yicarage to breakfast and lunch, and the Sunday School Children had the event impressed upon their memory by a tea given in the National School. I