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

NEWPORT. Avents-Ressrs Greenland and Co.. Ifetmaaenii. COURTS-MARTIAL.—The reaults of the courts. martial held at Newport on the 3rd and 5th of June respectively, for the trial of Gunner Horace Price and Gunner William Thompson, were made known at the Barracks on Wednesday mornine. Gunner Price, charged with fraudulent enlistment, was sentenced to be imprisoned with hard labour for 81 days. Gunner Tnompson, for stealing goods the property of a comrade, was sentenced to be im- prisoned with hard labour for 56 days.

PONTYPOOL. Agents—Mr. J. Harding, Market Bookstall, and Messrs Janes and Edwards THE LATE REV. H. B. ROBINSON.—The funeral of the lute Rev. H. B. Robinson, F.R.G.S., took place at Penygarn Burial Ground. A service was previously huld mt the Tabernacle Chapel, in which the Revs. J. Williams (Crane Street), W. E. ;Hobitison (Cwmbran), J. G. Watts (Pontnewynydd), and D. U. Jenkins (Trosuaut) took part. At Penygarn the burial service was performed by the Rev. J. D. Rhys (Pontrhydyrun). There was a large attendance, including members of the church and congregation, the School Board (of which deceased had been a member), and other public bodies. The undertaker was Mr. Pritchard, Ponty- pool. CHURCH PARADE. On Sunday a church parade of the Panteg Battery of the 1st lIlou. Artillery took place to St. James's. There was an excellent muster, between 90 and 1U0 officers and men being present. The officers were — MajorD. E. Williams, Captain Butler, Battery-Sergeant-Major Evans, Sergeant-Instructor Faulkner, R.A., Quarter Sergeant A. James, Sergeants S. Bateman, Harry Evans, T. Bateman, F. Newman, F. Richards, and C. Jarrett. The service was conducted by the Rev. Joshua Evans, vicar, and an appropriate sermon <was preached. A Long Service Medal was subsequently presented to Sergeant-Major S. Evans, Major Williams speaking highly of the srecipient's merits before pinning the medal on his vbreast. TREVETHIN SCHOOL BOARD.-The first meeting ,of the newly elected Board was held on Tuesday, when there were present. Rev. P. A. Degen, Messrs ,J. Daniel, J.P., T. H. Deakin, J.P., George Jenkins, A. James, J. Evans, W. C. Watkius, and W. H. V. Byrhway (clerk). Father Degen was voted to the chair, pro tern. Mr John Daniel was te-elected chairman for the ensuing three years, .and Mr T. H. Deakin, vice-chairman.—Eight applications were received for the appointment at Aber-ychan School. Mr James moved that the salary be £ 165. The motion was carried. It was resolved to advertise for a master for the Varteg "School at a salary of S120 per annum. Miss Annie Dickinson of Huddersfield was appointed mist.ress of Haf.)dyryiiys School. CWMBRAN DEMONSTRATION COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Demonstration Committee took place on Monday evening at, the St. Dial's Schools, Mr. John Mumford presiding. The whole of the liabilities in connection with the reception of the volunteers lately returned from the front, ,amounting to X-23 9s. 61. were settled in full. The next matter was a proposition standing in the name of Mr. M. E. Jacobs, that the demonstration and promised children's treat take place on the declaration of peace, whenever that. may be. Mr. Jarrett moved as an amendment, that seeing the steady progress now being made by our troops and the probability that the winter would accelerate the surrender of the B )ers, the matter be brought up for discussion two months hence if peace is not declared in the meantime. The amendment was carried with two dissentients. BOARD OF GUARDIANS. I The usual meeting was held on Thursday, when -there were present:—Mr. W. L. Pratt, J.P. (chairman), Mrs. Harding, Revs. P. A. Degen, and Morgan Jones, Messrs. J. Williams, T. M. Wintle, J. Jenkins, S. T. Griffin, H Newman, E. Probyn. A. H. Bailey, C. Knipe, Major D. E. Williams, and the officers. The Master reported that the number of inmates in the House was 155. a decrease of one on the number at the last meeting of the Board, and of 13 on the corresponding period of last year; number of vagrants relieved in the Casual Wards, 22; number of children in the Cottage Homes, 31. Upon the report of the Building Committee, the Board considered the question of the delay in the completion of the new buildings.—It was stated that the extensions should have been completed in February or March, but that according to the architect., they could not now be completed until Christmas.—It was resolved to write to the contractor and architect. Ic was resolved that particulars and estimates be obtained for the lighting of the Workhouse by electric light.

PONTNEWYDD. I Agent:-ilfr. Z. Lloyd, Butcher. I A RUNAWAY TRUCK.—One of the heavy iron ladle. mounted on an iron truck, and used for conveying the molten cinder from the blast furnace to the slag tip, at Messrs. Guest, Keen and Company's works, by some means ran wild down the steep incline near the back of the works, on Monday evening, and dashed along at a terrible rate for over half a mile—the sidings fortunately 'bing clear—until near the village, where a truck of sand barred its progress, and both wagons were completely wrecked by the impact. Fortunately the accident happened about half an hour after the men had left work, or there would have been some hundreds passing along the line over which the wagon dashed. LLANTARNAM SCHOOL BOARD-The monthly meeting of the Llantarnam School Board was held at the St. Dial's Schools, Cwmbran, on Tuesday evening, the Rev. W. E. Robinson (chairman) presiding.—It was intimated that after payment of the accounts there would be a balance due to the treasurer amounting to 241 10s.—Mr. W. T. Phillips moved that the resolution of the Board passed on the 23rd April last accepting Mr. Jenkins' (Newport) tender for the extension of the boys' and girls' schools, and all prior resolutions of the Board dealing with the proposed extension of the St. Dial's Schools, be rescinded."—Mr. E' A. Pryer seconded.—Mr. Powell (school attendance officer) presented a long list of statistics showing the number of children attending the schools in the out-lying districts: a total of 686. The total number attending school in the Cwmbraii (or Halfway) district was shown to be 361.—Mr. J. Mumford asked Mr. J. Lawrence, the architect, what would be the approximate cost of erecting a school to accommodate (say) 30U children.—Mr. Lawrence replied that aa near as he could say the cost would be at least £7 10s. per child, exclusive of the cost of the site.—Mr. Pryer remarked that when the new Forge Hammer-road was completed, there would doubtless be a large increase in the population, and a school erected in that neighbour- hood would necessarily have to be constructed to accommodate at least 300 children, there being at present over 200 attending school from that meigbbourhood. Mr. Phillips calculated that, •exclusive of the cost of the sites, the cost of erecting the proposed two neW schools (one in the Forge Hammer district sand one at Llautarnaml would be about £ 4,500. The Cierk added that the cost of educating each child was at the rate of £ 2 10s. per year.—Mr, M. Laughton contended that the proposed expenditure was altogether unnecessary.—The Rev. P. A. Degen said he was inclined t(. think that if fresh tenders were invited they would have to pay very much more than the amount of Mr. Jenkins' tender.—Mr. Pryer said he supported the motion because he had promised the rateptlyers that he would do so, atid because he knew what inconvenience the inhabitants of the outlying districts were put to in having to send their children such a great distance to school.-The resolution, on being put to the meeting, was lost, five voting against, and four in favour. The original resolution of the Board to extend the accommodation of the St. Dial's Schools therefore stands, and the Clerk walll instructed to request Mr. Jenkins to proceed with the work as early as possible.

;I CURRENT TOPICS. I THE LABOURS OF ROYALTY. I There are a good wany people who would like to take their chance of that uneasiness which is said to affect the head that wears a crown. particularly in Britain, where a constitutional monarch is assured of the loyalty and devotion of his subjects. But whatever may be the case with the monarch's head, it is evident that the hand of a sovereign ruler must occasionally become very tired. It is said, for instance, that the President of the United States on a recent, occasion under- went the ordeal of shaking hands with five thousand people and—not to speak of the experiences of the Duke of Cornwall and York in Australia—there appears to be every likelihood that King Edwaid will be provided with more than sufficient manual exercise if he undertakes to continue the task of which he kindly undertook a portion this week, when he presented three thousand medals to the troops. MR. CARNEGIE'S PESSIMISTIC VIEWS. I Mr. Andrew Carnegie's article in The Nineteenth Century" presents rather a doleful picture of the position and prospects of British industries and commerce. The primacy of Britain, he tells us, is lost in all except sea-going ships, and the danger signal is up with regard to British credit. Mr. Carnegie does not appear to Ibiok much of the value of our foreign trade, and he tells us that conquering new territory for markets abroad, is simply "chasing rainbows," which seems to be an equivalent for the unprofitable occupation of ploughing the sands." This is not a case of learning from the enemy, because Mr. Carnegie's sympathies must be very largely British, and, while we allow a liberal discount on the pessimistic tone of his article, and remember that he has long resi 'ed in a country whose fiscal policy is totally different from our own, at the same time it is desirable that his warnings should not pass altogether unheeded. We do not believe that British character has lost its old strength and vitality, but there are, no doubt, some respects in which we could improve our methods, and perhaps one of them is to be found in the direction of a consolidation of the resources of the Empire, both for purposes of defence and with regard to trade. USEFUL BIRDS. J France has approached the various Governments of Europe, with a view to affording international protection to birds that are useful to agriculturists. The vexed question as to what birds are useful, and what are harmful, has never yet seemed possible of solution. Some years ago, an indiscriminate attack was rn4de upon all birds in France, but the destructiveness of insects so enormously increased that a committee was appointed to investigate into the subject. The result was the decision that though birds could do without men, men could not do without birds." There has, however, always been a great diversity of opinion with regard to the usefulness, or otherwise, of certain birds. The rooks for instance are regarded in many parts of this country as enemies, and some farmers lay down poison for them, but in Germany the habits of the rooks have been made the subject of a searching inquiry, and the verdict of the agricultural authorities is altogether in their favour. Whether by international co-operation or otherwise, farmers will welcome any efforts to arrive at the real truth of these matters, but the use, for dress or ornamental purposes, of skins or feathers of birds, that are declared to be useful to agriculturists, should be strictly prohibited in all countries. LORD ROSEBERY AS AN AUTHOR. [ Lord Rosebery was Foreign Secretary before be was 40, and Prime Minister at 47. What he may be in the future it might not be easy to say, although it would not be a very bold thing to say that the majority of people expect to see him again at the head of the Government. But in any event, his fame is established by his books, the delightful little work 011 Pitt, which is worthy to rank among the supreme literature of the world, and the valuable contribution to the Napoleonic literature, wherein he describes the life of the Emperor from his surrender to the British until the memoiable evening at St. Helena, when that splendid prodigy yielded his last breath. A great storm was raging outside, which shook the frail huts of the soldiers as with an earthquake, tore up the trees, which the Emperor had plauted, and uprooted the willow under which he was accustomed to repose." Everybody who has read either or both of these books, must long for more from the same pen, and it is good news—if it be true—that Lord Roseberv will publish next year a larger work on the life of Napoleon. Of all the writers who have devoted themselves to this fascinating subject, not one is more admirably qualified to produce a com- prehensive work which would be acceptable to the British public. ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS OF AGRICULTURE. I ihere is a good deal of force in the contention submitted this week to the Foreign Office, by a J deputation from the Associated Chambers of Commerce, that, in the settlement following the recent hostilities in China, reparation should be sought in increased facilities for trade, rather than in a money indemnity. It is very easy to impose a money indemnity upon China, but it is not precisely the same thing as receiving the money. facilities for trade would be of advantage, not only to the European nations, but to China, whereas the payment of a large fine might result in renewed complications, as for example those which might arise from a secret treaty between China and some other Power, the latter providing the money wherewith to pay the indemuity, and China granting in return concessions which might be inimical to the interests of other States. ° FOREIGN HORSES PURCHASED. Jn reading reports on the debate on the Army j Estimates, one cannot fail to be struck by the very large number of horses that have been purchased U1 Austra.ia, Hungary, and the United States. It was stated by Mr. Brodrick that the horses purchased in Britain were the best, and those obtained from Canada appear to have been perfectly satisfactory. One can only suppose that there were not enough horses at home and in our Colonies to meet the demand, and, if it is so, the subject calls for some consideration from the Government. If we happened to be at war with a great Power we should not be able to count apon a foreign supply, although it is evident from our I experience m South Africa, that we might be in urgent need of a large number of horses.

For the Pipe I THREE NUNS. TOBACCO. NONE NICER -loz., 2oz., 4oz. Sold Everywhere. I J. and F. BELL, Ltd., GLASGOW. |

I The Hay Harvest. The London Daily Telegraph gives the harvest prospects in various Englioli couuties. From the I list we cull the following:- DEVONSHIRE. Drought has played sad havoc in this county. Most districts have suffered very severely from the absence of rain, and especially is this the case where sharp gravellv soils obtain. Grass was for a long time backward, and only recent thunder showers have saved thing". However, the fall has been local and very unequal, and the hay crop will, therefore, be light. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. I In consequence of the diought there is reason for fearing that the hay crops in many districts of Gloucestershire will be very poor indeed. Evidence as to this is especially strong on farms in the neighbourhood of the Cotswold Hills, where the soil is very thin and dry. In the vale of the Severn, however, the crop of young grass is much healthier. HEREFORDSHIRE. I Herefordshire is a much more favoured county than many others, inasmuch as it is well watered and enjoys a fairly good rainfall. During the past six weeks of excessively dry weather, there have been a few general downpours, and several local showers besides, but, notwithstanding this, the agricultural prospect is not cheering. Hay is exceedingly light, and much below the average, except in a few favoured localities.

War Telegrams. I Cape Town, Tuesday. The "Morning Leader" correspondent says Botha's surrender and that of his army are possible any day, and Delarey's repulse has contributed to the increasing hopefulness, com- bined with the Boer dread of the prospects of a winter campaign. It is confidently anticipated that Botha's surrender would mean the complete termination of effective guerilla warfare in the Transvaal, leaving the army free to deal with marauding bandits. In Cape Colony the situation excites no appre- hension. The railways are so strongly held that the enemy do not attempt train-wrecking, and the trains are running nightly over most of the lines in the disturbed districts. A further significant feature is the running of trains from the Transvaal containing the output of the mines. A Pretoria telegram says that Delarey will surrender the moment Botha throws up the sponge. Ben Viljoeu's force is in process 1f I dissipation. Durban, Wednesday. A petition, signed by a thousand Boer prisoners at Bellevue Camp, has been sent to Steyn, Schalk Burger, Botha, and De Wet, and the leading commandants, to the effect that the time has arrived when hostilities should cease, as the families of the country are only thrown into deeper miseries by the prolongation of a war, which will end in the moral destruction of the people.—Press Association War Special. Pretoria, Wednesday. On Sunday night six Boers who had taken the oath of neutrality on the occupation of Pretoria by the British troops, attempted to escape from the town to join one of the commandos still holding out. On being chal- lenged by the patrol they refused to stop, one of them firing at the sentry and wounding him. Three escaped, but the other three were finally captured. The latter were tried before a court- martial yesterday, and were all sentenced to be shot. The sentence on one of the condemned men was, however, remitted on account of his youth, but the sentence ou the other two was carried out. Summary action has become necessary in order to check the tendency of surrendered Boers to disregard their obligations. Both the men who were shot were carrying arms when captured.—Press Association War Special. THE GLAMORGAN YEOMANRY. I Durban, Wednesday. The 1st Battalion Imperial Yeomanry has left the Orange River Colony on its return to England.—Re u t er. The 1st Battalion includes the Glamorgan Company. Harrismith, Wednesday. The 1st Battalion Imperial Yeomanry entrained here this morning on their return to England. General Rundle and General Camp- bell were at the station to bid them good-bye, and the former paid the men a high compliment, lie thanked them for the service they had rendered since joining him at Thaba N'chu. When they joined," said General Rundle, he had no cavalry, and he did not know what he would have done without them." I The 11th Battalion leaves to-morrow.—Press Association War Special. CAPTURE OF A BOER LAAGER. I Cape Town, Thursday. The "Cape Argus" gives details of a daring exploit by Colonel Lukiu, of the Cape Mounted Rifles, who, accompanied by one man, surprised a Boer laager near Dordrecht. He dashed into the laager crying, Troop gallop." The Boers abandoned the laager and bolted. Twenty-five prisoners were taken when the troops came up. EXECUTION OF A TRAITOR. I Lance-corporal D. Thomas, Aberystwith, who is at the front with the South Wales Borderers, sends home an account of the execution of a British soldier who deserted his regiment and joined the enemy. He deserted from Ventersdorp in January and then joined Smuts' commando. He was also with Delarev. an fought against the South Wales Borderers at Moddersfontein, on January 27th, 28th, 29th, and February 2nd. The Boers had supplied him with a rifle and ammunition, and also a wife whilst in the Jaayer. He was captured in March, tried by court martial. and found guilty. He displayed the utmost indifference. Outside the prisou preparations were rapidly made for the execution, the place being an old stone quarry, where a chair was fastened to a stake in the ground. "About twelve paces away in front are twelve men picked from different regimeuts, and about twenty yards away are detachments of every corps in the garrison drawn up to witness the' execution. The staff officer loads the twelve rifles, some with ball and others with blank cartridge, and hands each man a rifle, no man knowing what his rifle contains. The prisoner passes along-walkiug to his doom more like a soldier going to church than anything else. They did not piuion him, but he was handcuffed with his hands behind, a haudkerchief being drawn over his eyes. As soon as the escort stepped on one side, the firing party came up to the present and fired, all the bullets entering the body. A doctor went for- ward to see if lie was dead, when the man uttered three piteous groans. The staff officer then stepped up with a loaded revolver and blew his brains out." The mode of execution by sitting in a chair is the death dealt out to a traitor. A soldier is generally shot standing up and not blindfolded or handcuffed.

I CAERLEON. t POLICE COURT, MONDAY. I Before T. PABRY, Esq. ALLEGED THEFT OF FOWLS.—Henry Reardon, painter. Newport, and Elijah Priest, collier, Newport, were charged with stealing and receiving seven fowls, the property of William Thomas, dairyman, Caerleon.—The prosecutor said he had 19 fowls in his fowl-house on Friday evening. When he went down on Saturday morning, there was a quantity of fowls' feathers and some f awl!s' heads 011 the ground, and he found that the fowl house had been broken into. On getting the fowls together, seven were missing.—P.C. Jones gave evidence to receiving the prisoners from the Newport 13orough Police. He also received the tleven fowls, which had had their heads twisted off.—The prisoners had nothing to say, and put no questions to the witnesses. They were remanded in custody till Thursday.

CWMBRAN. PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY. Before Sir A. MACKWORTH (in the chair), CLIFFORD (ORY, Esq., A. M. PILLINEK, Eq., B. PRATT, Esq., G. B. T. NICHOLL, Esq., ALFRED WILLIAMS, Esq., and J. H. TAYLOR, Esq. STOXE THROWING.—John Appleby, 14, and Philip Morgnu, 11, were summoned for throwing stones in Woodland-street, Cwmbran, on May 2oth, and ordered to pay 4s 6d each, the costs of the case.—Thomas Appleby, for throwing stones at some tin cans in Woodland-street, on May 21st, was fined 2s. 6d. GAMING WITH CARDS —Frederick Skinner, Stephen Skinner, and Bert Evans, youths, were summoned for gaming with clirds in Woodland- street, Cwmbran, on May 26th.—P.C. Tucker proved the case.—Frederick Skinner did not appear and was fined 7s. 6d. Stephen Skinner was fined 5s., and Evans 2s 6d. No LIGHTS.—William Drake was summoned for driving the Abergavenny mail cart without a light at Llantarnam, on the evening of May 14th. P.S. Norris stopped Drake, and requested him to light his lamps. He promised to do so. but drove away without complying with the request.—There was a previous conviction, and a fine of £ 1 was now imposed. To AVOID A T)ISTP.AINT.-Ilichard Thomas, a Cwmbran blacksmith, was charged with fraudulently removing his goods from a house at Woodside, Cwmbran, in order to avoid a distraint. —David Sutton, an engine driver, who owns the house, said it was let at 8s. per week. Thomas removed the goods without witness's knowledge, when. Cl 13:1 Gd was owing. All order was u for payment forthwith, A WIFE DESEE^ER.—Albert Lawrence Defriea, a cycle maker, was charged, ou a warrant, with neglecting to maintain his wife and two children.- Mr. H. S. Rees, assistant clerk to the Newport Guardians, stated that 30s was due to the Newport Union for the maintenance of Defries' wife, and it had cost 12 lis Id to bring him from London, where he was apprehended upon a warrant.—Superintendent James produced par- ticulars of previous convictions against Defries for wife desertion, and the Chairman remarked that he seemed to be in the habit of doing so.—Defries replied that his wife had told him she wanted no assistance, and did not wish to see him.-Lie was committed for a month, with hard labour. RAIDING A HEN-HOUSE.—Harry Reardon and Elijah Priest, dealers, of Newport, were brought up in custody, charged with stealing seven fowls, valued 21s., the property of William Thomas, at Caerleon, on the night of June 7th, and also receiving the said seven fowls knowing them to have been stolen on June th.-P.O. Jones traced prisoners by footmarks and feathers through grass towards Newport. The two men and the fowls were afterwards banded over to witness by the Newport police. -Charles Horton, keeper of a Newport lodging house, spoke of Priest wanting to sell him two of the fowls for 2s 6d, and said he had given a farmer 30s for the lot. He wanted witness to put one on one side for him for his Sunday dinner.—A married woman, named M'Carthy, of Merchant-street, Newport, said Priest came to her and said he had laid out S2 in fowls." She offered to buy two, but gave them up when she saw Priest being marched off to the Newport Police-station.—Evidence of arrest and identification of the fowls was given. When in custody prisoners tried to throw the blame on one another. Both were found guilty.—Reardon had been six times previously convicted, and was now sentenced to three months' hard labour. Priest was sentenced to ten weeks' hard lal)otir.-P.C. Jones was congratulated by the Bench.

CHEPSTOW. I PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY. PCELICAN AND His WIFE.—Richard Cumper, a Wye salmon, fisherman and landlord of the L'Jrd Nelson Inn, Chepstow, was summoned by his wife, Annie Jane Fussell Cumper, for persistent cruelty, and she also prayed for a judicial separation.— The Bench granted a separation, with the custody of the three children, to the wife, and ordered defendant to pay XI a week maintenance, and the costs— £ 1 19s 6d. BAD Boy BIKCHED.—Archibald Williams, 11, of Ilewelsfield, was charged with grealiiig XI (is. 6d. and a purse, the property of Mary Ann Davies, at Chapel Hill, from her bedroom. The sentence was that he should be imprisoned for one day and receive six strokes with a birch rod. AFTER THE ELOPEMENT.—John Harvey was charged with stealing a quantity of furniture aud household effects, the property of Alfred Richards, at Howick, and Mary Ann Richards, wife of Alfred Richards, was chaiged with receiving the same. The parties lived together at Little Cophill, and on the 20th of May last, Mrs. Richards left home, and 011 the following day Harvey cleared out also,' taking in a van not only his own chattels, but those in dispute as well. Prisoners were found living together at Kemys Inferior, near Caerleon. Mrs. Richards alleged that she was the owner of the things, which to some extent was borne out by prosecutor, who also admitted in answer to the Court that previous to the elopement he knew of improprieties between his wife and Harvey. Without any comment the Bench dismissed the case.

I MONMOUTH. I PETTY SESSIONS, THURSDAY. I A THOROUGH FRAUD.—James Allen, 29, was charged with fraudulently enlisting into the R.M.R.E. (Militia) on June 7th. The evidence showed that prisoner bad been discharged from the Royal Monmouth Mililia in 1894 for bad conduct. His offence then was destroying all his uniform. He enlisted ou the 7th, and when recognised care- fully cut up his equipments. Captain Reginald Price told the Bench that worthless characters like prisoner gave much trouble, apart from the value of the public property destroyed. Sentenced to two mouths' hard labour.

NEWPORT. COUNTY COURT, THURSDAY. i (Before His Honour Judge OWEN). I THE JUDGE AND MARITAL LAW. The case of Hook v. Hook arose out of a. matrimonial difference, in which a mason's labourer had entered into an agreement to separate from his wife, to take the custody of the four children of the marriage. and to pay his wife 4s. per week towards her mainten- ance. Hook had not paid the latter amount for 32 weeks, and now declared that the children were of more importance than his wife. His Honour pointed out that if the wife were living with defendant it would cost him more than 4s. per week to keep her, and continuing, his Honour said, "The law requires you to support her. The law is very peculiar in some things, but very sensible in that." Def-ndant was then ordered to pay at the rate of 6s. 6d. per week until the balance is wiped off."

I PONTYPOOL. I PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY- IiJetore ISAAC BUTLER, Esq. (chairman), A. A. WILLIAMS, Esq., W. L. PBATT, Esq., and E. I FOWLER, Esq. ASSAULTING A POI,ICEMAN.-Charlel Candy, engine driver, Griffithstown, was summoned for assaulting P.C. Maxfield whilst in the execution of his duty.-Alr. Parsons, barrister, defended.-P.C. Maxfield said that at 1.25 a.m. on the 3rd June, he was at Pontypool yard, and there saw a basket, jar, and coat at the bottom of the steps. He lifted the basket, and found it unusually heavy. He concealed himself behind the tender of an engine, and in a few minutes he saw Candy carry it off in the direction of Griffithstown. Witness called after him, and asked whether he was going off duty, to which Candy replied that he was going on the 3 a.m. train to Oxford. Witness asked him what he had in his basket and defendant replied that it was his food. Witness aked to see it, and he put it on the ground and said, All right, you shall see it now." At the same time he brandished hi", i ir. aud struck witness on the head, knocking and leaving him on the grouud in a l condition. \Vhen he got up he saw the i-(• ii hint coming towards him. He still had the jir in his hand, and once more struck him on the head. He said he would kill witness. Some railwaymen came up, and told the defendant to be quiet. Witness afterwards examined the basket, and found that it contained food and some jars. It was at least lOlbs. lighter in weight than when witness lifted it before.—Cross-examined He had not been authorised to go on the railway and examine the enginemen's baskets, but he had received complaints of things having been stolen from the yard.—William Henry Hales, call-boy. said that hearing a row at the yard, he went to the spot and saw Candy strike Maxfield on the head.—Candy, on being put in the box, said that he had been in the service of the G.W.R. Co. for 30 years. On the night in question, he was coming off duty, and laid his basket at the foot of the steps. In the basket were some tools, food, a jar, etc. He afterwards saw the constable standing by the basket, and said Good morning to him. Maxfield asked to see what was in the basket, and witness said that be should not as long as he was on the company's premises. He then got in front of witness and pushed him, upon which he retaliated with a blow on the chest. Maxfield then drew his staff, but before he could use it witness struck him on the head with the jar, felling him to the ground.— Mr. Simpson, assistant superintendent at Pontypool Road, gave Candy a first-rate character, saying that he was an excellent engine driver, an upright man, and had brought up his family well. Witness had never looked upon him as a violent man.—A fine of 40s. was imposed. COLLIERY OFFENCES,—William Parsons, collier, Wainfelitij was summoned for sleeping with a Lighted lamp in his possession at the Blaeusycban [Colliery, on June 4th.—Defendant pleaded i guilty, and the facts of the case having been given by William Penney, a fine of 40s. was inflicted.- George Burgoyne. for a similar offence committed 011 May 17th, was fined :!Os.- William Morgan stated that defendant was asleep in the stable with a. book lying by his side. ASSAULT AT GARNDIFl"AITH,-Frederick Jones, collier, was summoned for assaulting Gwen Jones, Harper&, r,,)afl.-C)m plaitiaiit said that a dispute arose over a water tap, and because witness persisted in turning on the water, defendant struck her to the ground. She afterwards called him a coward for striking a woman, and he struck her again, this time in the face.—Fined 20. BROTHER AND SI-OTSIL -Johii Hitchings, a butcher, was summoned for assaulting his sister, Martha Hitchings. Complainant stated that the defendant struck her in the face without any provocation being given. Defendant, who pleaded guilty, was fined 20s. DISGRACEFUL BRHAYIOUIL-John Tibb;, collier, was summoned for behaving indecently.—P.S. Edwards gave evidence which showed that the defendant had been guilty of disgraceful behaviour, and a fine of 20,; was imposed. PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS.—Martha Davies, landlady of the Rifleman's Arms, Abersychan, was summoned for permitting drutiketitiess.-Air. L. E. Webb defended.—P.S. Groves said that at 8 p.m. on the 21st May he visited the Rifleman's Arms. In the tap-room he saw John Phillips sitting on a form, and lying forward on the table, very drunk. On seeing witness, he pushed a pint towards him thus inviting him to have a drink. Witness spoke to the landlady, and she said, He isn't very drtitik I have only supplied him and Air, Drink water with one pint." He afterwards saw Phillips come staggering out of the house. In another room he found Henry Morgan, who was also under the influence of driiik.-P.C. Evans corrob.>rated. —Mrs. Davies said that Phillips came to the house about 8 o'clock with some other men. She met them at the door, and told Phillips that he had better go home as he had had enough. They pushed in, and knowing that her son would be in in a few moments, she allowed him to sit down until her son came to deal with him. She did not. supply Phillips with any beer.—William Drinkwater also slated that Phillips was not supplied with drink.—A fine of 20s. was imposed. UNPROVOKED ASSAULT.-Philip Williams, collier, Talywain, was summoned for assaulting Edmund Davies, in a hotel at Abersychan. Davies stated that the defendant struck him without any provocation, and a fine of 10s. was imposed. DRUNKENNESS.—A large number of cases of drunkenness were dealt with. COUNTY COURT, WEDNESDAY. I Before His Honour JUDGE OWEN. RUN DOWN.—Philip Roberts, a Blackwood news- agent, was sued by Mrs Squires for £50 damages sustained by being run down by defendant's trap.— Judgment was given for E25. A COLLIERY TEST CASE. Samuel Phillips, collier, Pontnewynydd, claimed £ 44 8s. lid. froln the Tirpentwys Colliery Company for various works done at the Colliery. Mr Arthur Liwis, instructed by Mr T. S. Edwards, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Bryn- mor Jones, instructed by Messrs Dauncey, Newport, for the defendants. Mr Lewis, in opening his case, said that the question in dispute was that Phillips was employed in cutting a stall, and when he had worked this out was placed on another stall, and afterwards on another, the first two having been worked out. For this he was paid the ordinary price. When he was engaged 011 the third stall, the Company turned the two worked-out stalls into a. road or heading. Now, the prices for cutting a heading were on a higher scale than those for cutting a stall, and the plaintiff claimed that, as his work, for which he was paid at stall prices, was used for the purpose of a heading, he had a rielit to be pad at the higher prices. The question was whether the circumstances were such as to make this stall a heading. Mr Biynmor Jones said that the man was employed to work at the stulis, and wis paid for doing so. After he left the stalls, the Corripauy came to a fault, and then decided to convert Phillips' old stalls into a heading. They employed the plaintiff and other men to do this, and spent JE45 in doing the work. Samuel Phillips then gave evidence as to the work he did, Mr A. Onions, miners' agent, Tredegar, said thit the general custom in the South Wales coillfie,,d was that where a stall, which had beeu paid for at stall rates, was afterwards converted into a heading, the man who worked the stall was paid the difference h«i^'eeu the stall rates already paid and the heading rates. Mr Brynmor Jones said that the Company admitted that the stall had been converted into a heading, but it had been done after considerable alterations, for which the Company had gone to considerable expense. His Honour pointed out that the action bad been brought for a decision upon the point whether when a man'8 stall was converted into a heading be had the right to be paid the difference between the two rates. This question, however, did not arise in this case, as the man had been paid, not only for the working of the stall, but afterwards for the conver- sion of the stall into a heading. Mr Lewis said that the defendant did not know for some time that the road was to be used as a heading. The action failed upon the special circumstances of the case. His Honour gave judgment against the plaintiff with costs on the ordinary scale.

1 TREDEGAR. I COUNTY COURT, TUESDAY. I COMPENSATION CASES. J The Powell Duffrjrn Company applied for « I review of the case of William Davies, who met with an injury in 1899. The case was adjourned, the company to offer the man more suitable employment than he was at present receiving. John Earl, a Brynmawr collier, claimed compen- sation from the Ebbw Vale Company for injuries received. There being a conflict of medical testi- mony, the case was referred to a medical reference. Noah Mason, a collier, was awarded 16s. 9d. per week against the Lancaster Steam Coal Compmy (Limited) in respect to seriout3 injuries to his legs.

The Imperial Yeomanry. RETURN OF MONMOUTHSHIRE MEN. Sergeant Major Hillier, son of Mr. James Hillier (Lord Tredegar's stud farm, Coedkernew), who has been in South Africa with the Imperial Yeomanry, has returned homo. During nearly the whole time he was at the front Mr? Hillier eojoyed good health, but lately he was down for a brief period. He is somewhat weak now, but there is every prospect of his recovering his health and strength again after a rest. Trooper Lang (son of Mr. W. S. Lang, Shire- newton) has also come home. He, too, escaped illness while in South Africa. For a time Lang was one of Lord Roberts' bodyguard. His eyes became affected latterly, while at the front, but the homeward sea journey had a beneficial effect upon them and tended to set him right. Trooper Lang has been to Shorncliffe since his return from South Africa. He formerly resided in Newport.

Parliamentary. Lord Milner took his seat in the House of Lords on Thursday evening, and was formally introduced as a peer by Lord Mauners and Lord Revelstoke. In the House of Commons, on Thursday, Lord Cranborne said that a force of 6,000 foreign troops would be retained in North China, ill addition to the Peking Legation guards. The quota to be furnished by each Power was unsettled. Mr. Balfour denied that peace negotiations are proceeding between the Boers and the British Government.

South African Finances Sir David Barbour's report on the finances of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony was issued as a Blue Book on Thursday. Sir David stys that the Orange River Colony will be unable for some years to meet the ordinary cost of administration, plus its share of the coat of the South African Constabulary that the securities belonging to the Colonies cannot advantageously be utilised for meeting a portion of the cost of the war that th e State lands are not likely to prove a valuable KSStet. and that the sale of mining rights should in future produce considerable sums. He rccommends altera- tions in the Customs tariff, and that the former 5 per cent. tax on gold-mining profits should be doubled. As regards contributions to the cost of the war. Sir David suggests that the Imperial Government should fix a maximum sum which, under any circumstances, they would require to be paid. If it is found they cannot pay the whole sum, the balance should be written off.

The Stratford Election. The polling for the Stratford-on-Avon Division, to fill the vacancy caused by Colonel Milward's death, hils been fixed for Tuesday, the 25th inst. A meeting in support of the candidature of Mr B. King (Radical) was held on Wednesday as Stratiord-on-Avon. The proceedings were some- what noisy, exception being taken to Mr King's views on the war as expressed in his election. address. The candidate was not present. Messrs Morton, M.P., and Rowlands endeavoured to speak, but, the audience raised cheers for Mr Chambsrlain and Lord Milner, and sang patriotic songs. Some chairs were smashed, and the mesting was brought to an abrupt conclusion.

believed Voluntary School Managers and teachers were greatlv disappointed at the limited scope of the Bill. They had been looking forward to the present Government putting Voluntary Schools more on an equality with the Board Schools, as regarded finance. The Voluntary Schools were doing the same work and should receive the same treatment. The resolution passed by the Executive of the N U.T. to oppose the further passage of the bill unless it were amended sons to include all Primary Schools within its scope, was unanimously supported, and measures to attain this object were considered.