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

Births, Carriages, & Deaths. Announcements of Births, Marriages and Deaths are in- serted at a uniform charge of Is each, unless such words as "No cards,' No flowers' are added, when the charge will be 2s 6d. All announcements must be authenticated. Postage stamps may be sent in payment. Lists of Wedding Presents are inserted at the rate of Is 6d per inch in depth.

MRS. PROTHRRO AND FAMILY desire to sincerely THANK all those sympathising friends who attended the funeral of the late Mr. D. Prothero, on Sunday, and forwarded such beantiful wreaths, flowers, &c. Baron-street, Usk, June 10th, 1901.

MAJOR WYNDHAM QCIN H ONOUItED. Mlij or Wyndham-Quin, M.P., was accorded a public reception at Brigeod on Thursday in honour of his return from the war. He was presented with an address of congratulation, and a banquet followed.

[We do not necessarily endorse all our correspondent writes.—ED. (J.O."J S. AND S.F.A. Owing, probably, to the boisterous weather, on Wednesday, visitors to Cefu Tilla Court were not so numerous as was hoped, and the funds of 1 the S. and S.F.A. cannot be very considerably increased thereby. Nevertheless those who ran the risk" were rewarded by seeiug a fine show of rhododendrons, and were able to enjoy an excellent cup of tea, which Mrs Cozens, con- lectiouer, Usk, provided in the grounds. PICKINGS. Mr Sheriff Lawrence, M.P., and Mrs. Law- rence, were present on Tuesday evening at the second of the vast receptions given by the Corporation of the City of London to the mem- bers of the Metropolitan Borough Councils. It is reported that Mr Sheriff Lawrence. M.P., has. with his usual generosity, contributed a subscription to the Monmouth New Hosoital Fuud of £ 25. The Russian submarine boat designed by the engineer Sakovenko, which will be able to cross the Atlantic from England to America in two and a half days, is being built with the utmost secrecy, in a French port. The secret of the extraordinary speed of this boat lies in the peculiarly constructed screw. The boat is in the shape of a double pointed cigar. It is expected that she will be ready iu August next. The official returns shew that the vessels pass- ing through the Suez Canal last year numbered 3441 of which 1935 were British. The net ton- nage shows a decrease of 157,477 tons as com- pared with 1899, but an increase of over half a tons on 1898. The tonnage of British vesfwis was less than in 1899 or 1898, while the tonnaye of German vessels has increased from 969,597 tons in 1897 to 1,456,391 last year. The percentage of British vessels and their tonnage last year was 56 2 and 57.6 respectively, as against 64 and 66.6 in 1899, while the percen- tage of German vessels and their tonnage last yelir was 13.4 and 15.1 respectively, against 10.7 and 10.8 in the preceding year. There has been a slight increase in the percentage of French, Dutch, Austrian, Russian, and Japanese vessels. Two notable imaginative writers-of very variant temperament—were Sir Walter Besant and Robert Buchanan. They passed into the C, everlasting silence within a few hours of each other, and leave our land the poorer for the finishing of their earthly course. Neither was distinctly great in literature, perhap,, but in their special walks we could not to-day produce their superiors, all things considered. Both accomplished very good work, and both aimed heartfully at bettering the world they lived in. The surrender of Vau Rensburg and his com- mando to Lord Kitchener looks well, following on the vigorous "sweeping up" policy which during last month put some two-aud-a-half thousand Boer recalcitrants out of action in one way or tiiotlier. This,andthesternly inflexible front the Commander-in-Chief is now exhibiting an to Boers who break their oath after nominal submission, is telling, and before long we ought to be within sight of the end. At a meeting of the Unionist party of West Monmouth, held at Tredegar last week, Mr. lltyd Gardner, who unsuccessfully opposed Sir William Harcourt at the last electiou, was pre- sented with an illuminated address and a gold watch in recognition of his having reduced the majority of Sir William by over 1,700. The complimentary dinner which is to be given at the Newport Constitutional Club to Mr Sheriff Lawrence, M.P., and Dr. Rutherfoord Harris, on Tuesday next, promises to be a great success. There has been a great demand for tickets. Mr. J. Lawrence (U., Monmouth Boroughs) presented a petition from the inhabitants of Cardiff and places in Monmouth in favour of the establishment of educational authorities which should have control over elementary, secondary, and technical Schools in wide areas, etc. » Sir Alfred Hickman, M.P., presided at West- minster, on Friday in last week, over a meeting of the Council of the National Union of Conser- vative and Constitutional Associations. The Earl of Powis was elected vice-chairman, in the place of Colonel Chaloner, who has resigned and Dr. Rutherfoord Harris was chosen to fill a vacancy on the Council.

USK. Agent-Mrs. E. K Jones. Stationer I THE WBATHEB.—The range of atmospheric temperature locally has been extraordinary of late. on Thtirsda3 it was very cold all day, sittinsr-rooin fires having to be re-lit for comfort in many houses. USK BAND PA.RTY.-As will be seen by advertisement, a meeting of those interested in the local Band Fete will be held at the White Hart, on Wednesday evening. It is hoped there will be a good attendance. VOLUNTEER INSPECTION.—Saturday, the 6th of July, is appointed for the annual inspection of the 4th Batt. South Wales Borderers, and the function will take place on this occasion at Cwmlicky, near Pontypool. The men are to appear in field firing dress. On Saturday, the 22Dd June, there will be a Battalion rehearsal of the inspection at Cwmlicky. The Active Service Company just returned from South Africa will, under Captain Kemmie, take part in the inspection. DR. HARRIS ENTERTAINING CHILDREN.—To-day (Saturday) Dr and Mrs Rutherfoord Harris are giving a further instance of thfir interest in the welfare of the district by providing a munificeut entertainment in the grounds of Llangibby Castle, whereby 100<1 children and 500 adults from Newport will be able to enjoy a grand day's outing. We understand that dockers, their wives, and children are to be the guests on the occasion, and a full account of the proceedings will be given in our next issue. VOLUNTEER CHURCH PARADE.—On Sunday morning last II G" (Usk) Company of the 4th Vol. Batt. South Wales Borderers, attended Divine Service at St. Mary's Church, Usk. Captain Stanley Williams was in command, and there was a fair muster, nearly sixty rank and file parading. The Band (under Bandmaster Madley) accompanied the men from the Armoury, in Porthycarne-street, to the Church, and back again. The Rev. E. W. W. Pugh (curate) officiated in the Church, Mr. H. Humphreys, J.P., assisting by reading the Lessons. -is 11 TEA MHETING.-The annual tea meeting in connection with the Twyn Congregational Church was held in the Castle Grounds (by the kind permission of Mr Albert Addams-Williams) on Thursday afternoon. The weather, which, during the day was threatening, fortunately kept fine, though somewhat cold. The tea tables were presided over, or attended by Mrs J. Glyn Williams, Mrs W. Gibbon, Mrs Jeukins (Beech Hill Cottage), Mrs Jones (Beech Hill Farm), Mrs Jas. Thomas, Miss L. Thomas, Misa Eva Smith, Miss Mullett. Miss Blakemore, Miss Day, 3fre Gameson, Misses Davies (New Barn), Mrs Williams (Beech Hill). Mis Wm. Jones. Mrs Willetts, Mrs Mullett. Mrs Blakemore, Messrs. Davies (New Barn), E. Brown, and G. Selby. Mr Herbert, Twyn Shop, satisfactorily catered. There was a capital attendance, including a couple of breakloads from Newport, and a very enjoyable time was spent, various games being indulged in after the tea. FUNERAL OF MR. D. PR,TTLERO -The mortal remains of Mr. David Prothero, who, as reported in our last issue, died comparatively suddenly from blood poisoning last week, were interred in U r-k Churchyard on Sunday afternoon. The atteudauce was abnormally large, much sympathy being felt with the bereaved family in the town. Deceased, who WitS a warder in H.M. Prison, Usk, was in the 50th year of his age, and resided in Baron- street. His fellow-officers acted as bearers, and amongst those present to pay the last tribute of respect were Mr. F. W. Gibson (Governor of H.M. Prison, Usk), Dr. Boulton (Prison Surgeon). Mr. George Evans (Chief Warder), the Police, members of the local Court of Foresters (of which deceased wan a member), &c. At the Churchvard gate the cortege was net by the Rev. E. VV. W. Pugh, Mr. H Humphreys, J.P., and the surpliced choir. As the Church was entered the organist (Mr. W. R. Martin) played the Dead March in Saul. The choir chanted the special Psalm, and the hymn I commencing, Peace, perfect peace" was sung. Mr. Humphreys read the Lesson. At the graveside, at the conclusion of the Burial Service, the Funeral Address of the Foresters was read by Bro. T. Knight. The mournful event was most impressive, and was witnessed by a large number of people.

THE COUNTY SALE. I Lady Raglan wishes to thank her many kind friends who have contributed to her stall for the county sale lit Earl's Court, on June 27th, 28th, and 29th. She thinks they will be interested to hear that, besides the money taken at its stall, Monmouthshire will also have a share of all the money taken at the gate, side-shows, refreshment otalls, etc., which is to be equally divided among the counties.

PONTYPOOL RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. The monthly meeting (,f the Pontypool Rural District Council was held at the Sessions House, Usk, on Friday evening in last week, when there were present:—Vlr. S. T. Griffin, J.P. (chairman), Mr. W. Marfell (vicp-chairman), Rev. W. W. Jones, Messrs. Rees W. Spencer, W. H. Charles, J. T. Turner, W. Newman, H. C. Knipe, James Bevan, James James, T. Watkins (clerk), R. Derrett. (surveyor and inspector). The balance in favour of the Council at the bank was reported to be iJ359 15s. 7d. SANITARY BUSINESS. The Inspector, in his report, stated that he had on the previous day met Mr. Harris, of Caerleon, agent for the property at Ponthir-row, Llaufrechfa Lower, aiici found that he had had the tank cleaned out and the drain stopped so as to prevent, any- thing running into the small stream. Mr. Harris said that the tank should be emptied whenever it, was full. Should this be carried out, and the tenant discontinue throwing slops, &c., into the diich, a more satisfactory state of attairs would exist there. He inspected the well at Glascoed School on the 1st June, and found about 2ft. 4in. of water in it. With difficulty he pumped some up. As it was anything but clear, he should certainly say that it was not fit for diiiikiug. He had received a complaint to the effect that the stream of water dividing the parishes of Goytre and Mamhilad was being contaminated by sheep washing. There was no epidemic in the district. WATER SUPPLIES. I The Hev. (J. lame Willams wrote under date May 8th, seating that the well complained of on his property- at Llandegveth, should be cleaned out and the pollution diverted so as to be made to cease to exist. The Inspector said nothing had yet been done there. The Clerk was instructed to ask for the early fulfilment of the promise made, a month having elapsed since its being penned. As to a well at Llantrissent supplying the School there, The Rev. W. W. Jones said the County Surveyor was going to visit the place soon for the purpose of seeing if the road surface water could not be diverted. As to Glascoed School water supply the Clerk was directed to carry out his instructions of the previous meeting, and lay the facts of the case before the Education Department. The Llanfrechfa Lower Parish Council wrote urging the Council to proceed at once with the Wain and Ponthir water supply question. The Clerk said they were waiting for the best time to engage an engineer to gauge the spring of water from which it was proposed to get the supply. HIGHWAY. The Surveyor reported that with reference to the footbridge in connection with the path leading from the Great House, Llangeview, to Llangeview Church, he had seen the late Surveyor to the Highway Board (Mr. Joseph Williams), who informed him tbac that Board had never repaired it. He had had a new footbridge put over the stream of water near the Farmers' Arms, LlanLhewy Vach. He had also adjusted the footbridge over the 01 way Brook on the path leading to Graigolway, and put in new posts for the handrails. A new handrail was required there, however, and that he would put up in the early part of the next week. With regard to a letter received from the Llanfrechfa Lower Parish Council, calling attention to the necessity of a f otbridge over the ditch, near Pantile-row, Pontrhydyrun, he had visited the place and found that it was the same bridge he reported on at last October meeting, when the Council denied any responsibility in the matter. It was decided not to do anything with regard to the footbridge at Ponthir-row. 0 A DANGEROUS DITCH. The County Surveyor (Mr. W. Tanner), writing 0 with reference to the dangerous ditch alongside the road at Croesyceilog, stated that his Committee would be shortly inspecting the spot, and would then decide upon their action in the matter. He pointed out that the question was a very com- plicated one, and required very careful con- sideration. LLANFRECHFA'S RYE LAWS. The Llaofrechfa Lower Parish Council wrote urging the necessity of the bye-laws being framed for their district. The Clerk quoted from a letter received from the Local Goverumeut Boarc1, for whose model bye- laws they were waiting, iu order to frame their own therefrom, from which it appeared that they were not yet ready, but that they would be sent as soon as they were. A committee was appointed to deal with the matter when the occasion arose. ROADS OVER G.W.R. BRIDGES. The Great Western Railway Company, having accepted the Council's terms for the repair of the road surface of thtee bridges in the parish of Goytre, forwarded a draft agreement for the consideration of the Council. The Clerk was instructed thereaneat. TENDERS. I Tenders for the supply of stone, hauling, &c., were then considered and dealt with. The Clerk was instructed to get a new cupboard to store the Council's growing stored of correspondence, &c.

THE MOST NUTRITIOUS. E P P S S Gr.ATErUL-COXFORTING. '7 A COCOA 3arAKFAST AND SUPPEK.

ABERGAVENNY. Agents,—Messrs Davies d Co. Bookosetter. A CLEAN SHEET. At the monthly meeting of the Abergavennv Corporation, on Tuesday, th& Medical Officer (Dr. T. G. Steele) said that no case of infectious diseatie had been notified to him nince the last meeting of the Council; there was a clean sheet for the district. INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Wednesday by Mr. Walford, respecting the death of Georg& Phil pott, retired miller, of 84, Nevill Street. Deceased fell and knocked hii; head airaiiiit a chair on Sunday afternoon, whilst bis daughter was taking him a cup of tea in his bedroom. A- verdict of "Accidental destli was returued.

ABERGAVENNY RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. I. The monthly meeting was held on Tue-dav last,. Mr J. Mertou Jones, J.P., chairman, prfsidittg" A letter was read from the Local Government; Board with regard to the Council's application for putting schemes 40 and 49 of the Public Health- Act in operari. n in the district. The LocaL Government Board asked for reasons why the: Council desired to adopt those provisions of thts Act. The Clerk was directed to reply that the one- was they wished to recover payment of the collector- of water rate, and the other was to prevent the; throwing of rubbish into streams. The Chairman said that their accounts: were ready fur the audit. During the past year they had received n,097 from the rating- authorities, and a balance in hand of £ 996 brought forward made a total of £ 2,073. They lmd now a balance of £ 323 in hand. Mr R Hudson Evans said that they had spent over JE600 more in the year than they had received.. A letter was read from the Clerk to the Grosmout Parish Council pointing out the danger- ous condition of Lower Tresenoy Bridge, Gros- mont. suggesting that it should be widened as t* recent accident had occurred thereat. Ultimately a Committee consisting of Mr R. Hudson Evans, Mr James Slierratt, and Mr George Sayce were appointed to meet Mr Gill on the subject, at such time within the month as h might find convenient.

MONMOUTH DISTRICT TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the above Association was held on Saturday afternoon last, in the Infant Board School, Glendower- street, Monmouth. There was a fair attendance of the teachers of the district, Ur. J. Cooper, Tregare Board School, occupied the chair. The minutes of the last meeting having; been read and confirmed, Mr. Cooper vacated the chair in favour of Mr. C. J. Saunders, of th& National Schools, Raglan, the president tor the ensuing year. Mr. W. J. Arnold, Tintern, was unanimously elected vice-president; Miss Harris,, Monmouth Infant Board School, acceded to jthe unanimous wish of those present to continue secretary; and last year's committee was re.elected en bloc. Tha new Education Bill was debated at some length. Tha Chairman remarked that ho

Proposed Government Pension Scheme. Before the Joint Committee of the Houses of Lords and Commons, Mr. Spring Rice, who audits the Civil List, has, with the approval of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made an authoritative statement on behalf of the Treasury as to the proposed PENSION SCHEME I of the Government to widows and orphans of soldiers and sailors. Mr. Rice explained that those to be assisted were the widows and orphans of non-commissioned officers or men killed in action, or who died from wounds or injury within twelve months of the receipt of such wounds or injury and also widows of those who died of disease incurred on active service within twelve months of removal from active service. These general qualifications would be sub- ject to a number of provisos. The amounts proposed to be given were divided into FIVE CLASSES OF PENSIONS. These are not retrospective-at least, not beyond the present South African campaign t3 —and the rates for widows, as now tenta- tively fixed, are as follow — Class 1, quartermaster-sergeant, 10s.; 2, colour-sergeant, 9s.; 3, sergeant, 7s. 6d.; 4, corporal, 6s.; and 5, privates, 5s. The children s rates for each of these classes are :-Classes 1, 2, and 3, 2s. each child and Classes 4 and 5. Is. 6d. each child. The pension shall not be paid to boys over the age uf fourteen, or girls over the age of sixteen, unless it is shewn to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State that, owing to mental or physical infirmity, the boy or girl is unable to maintain himself or herself. when the pension may be payable up to an age not exceeding twenty-one. Another 6 condition is that if the mother has died or has forfeited her pension through miscon- duct, the Secretary of State shall have power to issue the pension to the children, within the limits of age already mentioned, at twice the normal rates, provided that in cases of the mother's misconduct the children are removed from her control. The Secretary of State is also to have reserved to him the power, if he thinks fit, of INCREASING THE PENSIONS to an amount sufficient to enable the children to be placed in suitable benevolent institutions, this within a limit to be fixed by him. A very important addenda is that the Government are considering whether the scheme should apply to the Colonials who have so splendidly come to the aid of the Motherland. The national voice has already decided tiie issue in recognising as identical the claims of all those who have fought and fallen gloriously under one Bag. Here, at least, is a great Imperial question upon which there is no partisan difference.

MONMOUTHSHIRE GOLF CLUB. The Monmouthshire Golf Club held their eighth, annual meeting at Abergavenny, on Wednesday and Thursdav, and during the two days they experienced the extremes of weather. Wednesday was a splendid day, conditions for golf being perfect, as is evidenced by the scores, whilst OIL Thursday a very stiff gale blew, and judging by most of the scores nothing went right. This year- the conditions of the meeting have been altered- somewhat. Formerly the Monmouthshire annuaL meeting was a combined one, the programme; including several events in which ladies could! enter, but now there is a division, the present; meeting being confined to men, whilst a Ladies' Meeting will be held in July. The Llangattoek Cup on Wednesday drew a large entry, and in the- end there was a tie between E. J. Price aud W. Phillips, with 73 nett for the first, plmce.. Thtr holder of the cup, Rev. F. H. Aldrich-Blake, was not a competitor. W. Partridge, with a nett of 75, took the third prize. The open events did not- draw many members from outside clubs. The: single bogey was won by Dr. Murphy, who< returned a five up. Four up the second card was- It fine "core, bnt the mot. astonishill was a seveu- -core, but the tno.-t -.tstotiislii,i,, w-,Is a seveil, up returned by B. Watkins and O. Davis in thes- foursomes. The Kennard Cup was won wit an 8 nett by R. P. Gwynne. and the change in the» conditions between Wednesday nnd Thursday is shown by the one up with which E. G. Holtom won the single bogey on Thursday. This sco'e was st first-class one, seeing that a hard gale was blowing" all the day. For the Open Foursomes W. Phillips and P. M. Egan and C. Davies and E. G. Holtom.. tied with all square.

CHEPSTOW. Agent.-Miss Clark TT HONOURING THE VOLUNTEERS. -The Chepstow members of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers were en t ertained to dinner at the> Beaufort Anns Hotel, on Tuesday together with a. number of the local Imperial Yeomanry. Th dinner was inaugurated by the Chepstow Urban :1 w District Council in honour of Sergeant H. Quinton, Corporal E. Lewis, and Privates S. Baker, J, Ellis, R. Reeves, H. Jones, and J. Flower, Chep- stow contingent of the Active Service Company of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion outh Wales Borderers, and Lance-corporal S. Morgan, and Troopers J. Talbot, £ B. Whalley, A. V. Lang, and T- Jones, of the Imperial Yeomanry, all of whom bad' returned recently from South Africa. Mr. C. H. Clarke, chairman of the Urban District Council, presided, and a hearty and enthusiastic reception* was given the guests. Before drill, on Wednesday evening, the Battalion marched to Beaufort Square, where Mr. C. H. Clarke testified to the town's appreciation of the gallantry of the Volunteers and Yeomen who had. been to the Front. Silver lever watches and gold w.itch-chain pendants were then presented to tha men by illre. C. H. Clarke.

MONMOUTH. -1 Agent.—Mr. Caff rey. Bookseller, Monmouth LOCAL COMMISSION.—The London Gazette of Tuesday night announces that, Captain and Honorary Major C. C. E. Morgan, R.M.R E. (M.)„ is made Major, aud to remain seconded; dated the 12th of June. DEPARTURE OF THE REV. G. C. MORGAN.—The Rev. G. Campbell Morgan left Monmouth on. Wednesday for Liverpool, where he embarks for- New York. He proceeds then to North field to- continue the religious work carried on by the late Mr Moody. PIRATES OF PENZANCR.—We are glad to leara that the recent perfotmances given by the Mon- mouth Amateur Operatic Company, under the 1.1MB- management of Mr. C. H. Payne, resulted in the sum of £25 12s. being handed over to the Soldiers* and Sailors' Families' Association. A GRAMMAR SCHOOL "OLD BOY."—Mr. Walter H. Roseveare, of St. John's College, Cambridge, youngest son of the late Mr. William Roseveare,, has been bracketed 25th Senior Optima in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos. Mr. Roseveare was for some years a Foundation Scholar in tha Grammar School, and gained a Sizarship at St- John's College, Cambridge. BURNED TO DEATH. Mr. Herbert William*, deputy-ooroner, and a jury of which Mr. J. Taylor was foreman, held an inquiry at the Shira Hall, Monmouth, on Wednesday, touching the* death of James Henry Baker, 4| years, the adopted child of Mr. Pembridge, Chippenham Gate Street who died on the previous day from the effects of burns. The evidence showed that between 9 and 10 a.m., on the 10th inst., the deceased took a few- matches from a chair in his foster-mother's house and went into Chippenham Meadow to play at- making a bon-fire. Shortly afterwards he was seen running home screaming, and with his clothing all in flames. His body and arms were badly- burned, and he died during the night. A verdicfr of "Death from burning, accidentally cauøed: was returned. 0