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

LLANERECHFA LOWER. PARISH MEETING.—The annual meeting for the above parish was held on Monday, Mr G. W. Williams in the chair. The accounts of the Parish Council and also of the overseers for the past year were read.—The Chairman gave a short sketch of the work to which the Parish Council had given attention during the past year.—It was resolved that the clerk write the District Council asking for particulars of the precept of £ 9 10s called special Distiict Council expenses"'—Mr G. L. Hughes asked what the School prscept was at present.— Mr John M. Jones (overseer) said that the amount in 1900 was JE130 and in 1902 fc255. He had written to the clerk to the School Board some months ago asking why the calls had gone up so much, but had not yet received any acknowledg- ment of the lelter.-The Chairman, who is a member of the Board, stated he would go into the matter, and would be pleased to let anyone know the result.—Mr D. M. Evans asked if it were possible for the Parish Council to take up the repairs of the Garw-road, but it was stated that the road was a priva, e one and that it could not therefore be done.- Attention was also called to a ;path leading from The Wain to Llantarnam, and it was stated that the matter would shortly be attended to. -It was stated that 11 18s was in the iatids of the committee who gave a concert towards t raising funds to get a better supply of water at the Wain.—Mr G. L. Hughes moved that a recommendation be sent to the Parish Council askiug them to give this matter their attention.- A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman for -.presiding.-The assistant overseer thanked the oiietiring overseers for their help.

LLANGIBBY. Agent—Mrs Nash. Llanc/ibbi] Village. "DRAGONS AND SEA SERPENTS." On Monday last, Mr A. B. Badger, M.A., the director of the County Technical Instruction Com- iinittee, paid a visit to Llangibby, and gave his popular lecture, entitled "Dragons and Sea Ser- pents of Bygone Ages," to a crowded audience in .the Club Room. JBy the aid of a powerful lantern, he illustrated the simple and lowly forms of life to be met with in ,the primary rock, and thence the audience were taken in a most attractive manner to the wonderful products of the secondary formation-those huge eaurians, ichthyosaurus, brontosaurus, stegosaurus. plesiosaurus, and many others which have excited "ifihe wonder of many students of geology. All these are the remains of monsters which ex- basted on the earth when the world was young indeed, when the sweet song of a bird had never been heard, .and when man had not intruded his presence to 41 boss the show." Not the least interesting part of the lecture were -the maps showing the different areas of land and water in those early ages when what we now call "Britain was part of a great continent, and successive deposits, which now form the solid rocks, were laid idown as sediments in great inland seas or gulfs. A most instructive and enjoyable evening was ,spent, and at the close the wish was expressed that ,{the lecturer would, on some future occasion, pay another visit to the village.

MONMOUTH. Agent.-Vr. Caffrey. Bookseller. Monmouth. GIFT BY THE MAYOR—The Mayor of Monmouth, 3Ir Hamilton T. Baillie, has presented to the '(Permanent Staff of the Royal Monmouthshire Engineer Militia, a cricket bat which was formerly iysed by Gregory the great Australian cricketer aud fwhich is verified by his signature, etc. COMPANY MORTGAGES AND C HARGFS.-AL On mouth "racecourse Company (Limited).— £ 900 debentures, .-created and dated March 16th, 1903, charged on he company's undertaking and property present land future, except uncalled capital, have been ^registered. No trustees. BOAT RACE.—On Wednesday afternoon, crews representing Monmouth Grammar School and Here 'ford Cathedral School held their annual race, which "takes place alternately on the Wye at Hereford and 'Monmouth. Hereford having the advantage in -weight and form won easily by six lengths. MONMOUTHSHIRE MUSICAL SOCIETY.-Oti Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon the above 'Society rendered the "Elijah" at the Rolls Hall. They were assisted by Madame Siviter (moprano), Miss M. Stephens, L.R.A M. (contralto), Mr George Banks, A.R.C.M. (tenor), and Mr W. J. <Ineson (bass), both of Hereford Cathedral. Mr tC. H. Payne conducted. R.D.C. METING.-At Friday's meeting the "Surveyor reported that a tree had fallen and 'blocked a short bridle road leading from Mitchel "rroy road to Trelleck the owners of the adjoining land refused to have it removed, and he (the Purveyor) asked for instructions, as no highway •authority had done anything to the road in the past. As it appeared that a little feeling existed fin the matter, a committee residing outside the -district was appointed to inspect and report.—The ,expenditure for the last half-year was £1,094. against £ [,187 in the corresponding half of last ;:1ear. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The fortnightly meeting •of this authority wos held on Friday, when Colonel J. Davies presided over an average attendance.— The Master reported that the vagrant who was detained by the Guardians after being discharged "by the magistrates on the day of the last meeting, -absconded on the following morning before he could be taken before them on a second similar ^charge.—Attention was called by the Visiting 'Committee to the detention in the house of a number of inmates who were feeble-minded but "not insane, and the clerk advised that separate .-accommodation should be provided for these cases. The matter was, however, deferred. Another -committee raised the question of the inadequate ^provision for drying and disinfecting tramps' clothing, and this matter was also deferred until dihe annual meeting on April 24th.-Tbe County "CoUlwil notified the Board that the estimates --should provide for an extra 2d rate on account <of the Education Act.

I. NEWPORT. Afdnts-Uessrs Greenland and Co.. N-notaoetits. IMPORTED SMALL-POX.—A case of small-pox was -^discovered at Newport on Tuesdair-that of a .seaman belonging to the Royston Grange. The steamer arrived from Liverpool the end of last week, and signed on her crew there for a voyage, including -the seaman who was found to be suffering from ,-small. pox, He was removed to the Mendalgief 'Hospital, and 43 of the crew of the steamer were vaccinated. The steamer went on to Avonmouth to -complete her cargo, and will then proceed on her TOyage.

The Most Nutritious. ?* S p Grateful-Comior Ling. C C' Breakfast-Supper.

I PONTYPOOL. Agents—J. ffardim. Market Bookstall, Mr Fteldhouse The Market, and Messrs. Jones and Edwards. THE REV. W. E. PRINCE has been appointed minister of Penygarn English Baptist Chapel, Pontypool. OVERSEERs.-Messrs F. Probyn, J. Walker, W- H. Pitteu, and W. R. Williams have been re- appointed overseers by the Pontypool Urban District Council at Pontvmoile. Mr James Shiel, New Inn, and Mr E. Õ. Williams, Typoth, the retiring overseers, have been again re-elected. CATTLE FAIR.—The first April cattle fair was held at the Pontypool Cattle Market on Thursday, when a large number of stock were offered for sale. The quality of the bullocks was good. There was also a good supply of horses, but the quality on the whole was not up to a very high standard. The supply of sheep and pigs was limited. Where the quality was good, high prices were realised. ACCIDENT TO A FARMER.—Mr Joseph Balmond, it Pontypool farmer, was thrown from a cart belonging to a Cardiff hay and corn merchant near the Taff Yale Station, on Tuesday, and was taken in an unconscious condition to the infirmary. It appears that the horse attached to the cart took fright, and there was a violent collision with another vehicle. LLANERCH HAULIFRS.-A. mass meeting of the hauliers employed at the Llanerch Colliery was held at Pontnewynydd on Friday evening to consider the action of the management in seeking to reduce the number of over turns which the hauliers are allowed to work. The meeting was addressed by Mr Winstone, miner's agent, and as a result they determined to return to work on Monday, under protest.

I CHAMBER OF TRADE MEETING. Mr W. S. Fletcher presided at the meeting held in the Town Hall, on Wednesday. I THE WHIT MONDAY FETE. In accordance with notice of motion, Mr E. Fowler moved that the proceeds of the next fete in Pontypool Park on Whit. Monday be given to the funds of the Eastern Valleys Hospital. Mr F. James seconded. The Chairman said the use of the park for the fete had been granted for 1903, but Mr Hanbury had stated that after this year he thought the park would require a rest. They were entitled to one governor of the Hospital for every d6100 they contributed, and during last year the Chamber had contributed £ 300. After some discussion with regard to the funds being wholly or in part devoted to the Hospital. Mr W. H. Hughes, as secretary of the Hospital Committee, said that a strenuous effort was being made to launch the hospital on its career of usefulness without a debt. For this purpose the sum of X-2,300 would be required. Outside the general subscriptions, the bulk of the support of the hospital would fall upon the workmen and their employers, and as this was a manufacturing and mining district, and subject to strikes and other things, it was well thai they should have as much money as possible in band to cover the initial expenditure. Apart from this, he was satisfied that the ordinary annual income from the workmen, employers and subscribers would subsequently keep the institution out of debt. The subscriptions from the workmen alone would amount to £ 1/200 per annum. If they could open the hospital free of debt, they could carry it on afterwards without coming to the Chamb er again. Ultimately it was agreed that the Hospital should reap the whole benefit of the available funds. Dr Essex thanked the Chamber for their decision, and said that the whole of the medical men in the district wera giving their services to the Hospital fiee of charge. He was glad to say that the working men of the district were doing as much as the whole of the working men in Glamorganshire put together. (Applause.) THR SUBSCRIPTION. I Mr Harmston brought forward a motion that the annual subscription to the Chamber should be 7s 6d per annum instead of 2s 6d. Mr Hughes and Mr D. Reid both urged that the subscription should remain at the present figure, as the higher sum would debar working men from becoming members. Ultimately it was resolved that the subscription should be increased to 5s per annum.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS' MEETING. The fortnightly meeting was held on Thursday morning, when Major 1). E. Williams presided. The House and Visiting Committee reported that since the new labour master had been appointed, the number of tramps had decreased. They also reported that the Master had been ill in bed, and that Mrs Guest was very troublesome when she came to visit her children, using bad language and being very violent. It WitS resolved on the recommendation of the Medical Oiffcer that the Bo ird should suoscribe to the Royal Infirmary, Bristol, instead of to the Newport and Cardiff Hospitals. On the motion of Mr Wintle it was resolved that the Clerk should obtain a return showing the number of bed-ridden patients in the workhouse infirmaries in the County of Monmouth, the number of nurses employed at each, the salaries paid, and the arrangemen ts with regard to cooking. It was decided to advertise for an ind istrinl trainer at a salary of E20 per annum. A letter was read from the County Council asking the Board to make provision fpr a twopenny rate on account of the Education Act. The Guardians were again warned by the Local Government Board that several children of Church of England Creed in their charge were being boarded out in contravention of the reg ulations. The Rouse Committee were asked to report upon the matter at the next meeting.

SKENFRITH. PARISH MEETING.—A meeting- of the Skenfrith Parish Council was held at the Norton Cross Board School on Friday evening. The water supply of the village was discussed at some length, and it was decided to increase the reservoir accommoda- tion to 1,000 gallons. The following overseers were appointed Messrs John Jones (Cross Ash), William Rosser (Norton), and George Lewis (Post I" Office). tI

I TRELLECK. PARISH MEETING.—The annual Parish Meeting was held in the Church School on Monday ovening. The Rev T. Davies was re-elected chairman, and Messrs W. HHII and T. Thomas overseers of the poor. The usual votes of thanks brought a very pleasaut meeting to a close.

PRINTING OF EVERY DESCRIPTION Executed at the "COUTr OBSERVEIt" OFFICE.

Conservative "Smoker" at Usk. MR. L. FOSTER STEDMAN ON CURRENT POLITICS. Under the auspices of the South Monmouthshire Conservative Association, a very successful smoking concert for the Usk Polling District was held at the Three Salmon's Hotel, Usk, on Friday evening last. under the presidency of Sir William Mar fell, with Mr L. Foster Stedman (the Conservative agent) as the speaker of the evening. Amongst I others present were :—Messrs J. MaHand Watkins (chairman of the Uk Conservative Association), A. E. Bowen. J. H. Clark, A. H. Watkins. A. G. Graham, G, S. Baillie (Raglan) J. Jeffreys (Raglan), T. Leech (Raglan), E. W. Waters (2), James Davies, G. Mundy. R. W. Spencer, R. H. Marfell, H. Dunning, A.G. Wallace, Powell, W. Lewis, T Lewis, J. Lewis, Job Thomas, J. Haggett, W. J, Sweet, T Jones (Bridge Street), C. J. Francis, T. Rees (Prioress), D. Rees, J. Hennessey, G. Davies, Arthur (Estavarney), H. C. Davies, W, Frost Roberts, J. B. Greening, G Edmunds, junr., F. Edmunds, F. Morgan, F. Waters, E. B. Haynes, F. Haynes, W, Workman, W. Billingham, B. Billingham, M. Parker, A. Leyshon, E. Wren, T. Thomas. E. Thomas, B. Thomas, D. H. Lewis, J. Lewis, W. R. Martin. E. Symonds, &c. The assembly room had been very nicely decorated and arranged for the occasion by Mr C. E. Wagstaff and his staff, a painting of Lord Beaconsfield, surrounded by bunches of primroses, being suspended on the wall at the back of the p Chairman. Mr F. Liles, Newport, was an efficient accom- panist, and the following contributed some capital items to the musical programme:—Messrs Morgan, J. Jeffreye, E. B. Haynes, Frank Morgan, Trevor Thomas, T. Jones, D. H. Lewis, W. Lewis, Godfrey Davies (Llangwm), W. J. Sweet, &c. In the course of an excellent address, I MR L. F. STEDMAN remarked that that was the first smoking concert of the kind ever held in Usk in his experience, and said that he was glad the local committee had decided to hold it, because at such a gathering they could combine a certain amount of conviv- iality with their politics and could show that they were all active force in the district. Passing on to deal with the political questions of tho day, Mr Stedman said it struck him very forcibly that THE POLITICAL SITUATION was not half so acute in the ranks of the Conserva- tive and Unionist party as in the ranks of their opponents, however much some people might endeavour to lead them to believe the contrary. However much the Party might be assailed from various points of criticism throughout the country Conservatives and Unionists, inside and outside the Houses of Parliament were absolutely united, They were as strong, as perfect, and as consolida- ted a whota as when the Conservatives returned to power at the last general election. Could they say the same of their opponents ? It was perfectly true the Liberal Party had offered the country an enormous amount of criticism of the Government. Now, criticism was the birth-right of an Opposition in the House of Commons. It was their absolute right, their only strength; it wis the part they played in the politics of the country, and fair criticism was valuable. However, when the Liberal Party talked, as some of their members were talking, of AN ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT, I then the public had a right to look for something more satisfactory than barren criticism. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman at Leeds the other day. said the negative policy was not a very firm foothold in politics. He (the speaker) for once agreed with him. It was nothing more than a negative policy that the Liberals had been carrying out for the last ten years, but if they appealed to the country to return them to power to carry on His Majesty's administration in the place of the present Govern- ment, the country would require something more than a negative policy from them. (Hear, hear.) What did the Liberal leader offer them in that speech? Did he-could he-go to the length of assuring them that if, perchance, the Liberal Party were returned to power, they could claim that adherence and support in Parliament necessary to carry on the Government ? Did he hold out any hopes of a programme by which they would be able to carrv on the admistration of affairs better than the present Government P No, not in the sligntest degree. The only thing Sir Heury said was that he adheted as strongly as pver to the policy of Home Rule for Ireland. That was not a very great thing to offer. It had been offered before by a far greater statesman than he, and rejected by the people from one end of the land to the other, Such were THE EXTREME DIFFERENCES I apparent in the ranks of the Libsral Party that Sir Henry's pronouncement brought down upon his head the vials of wrath of another section of his party. Lord Rosebery had declared that if the Liberal Party were returned to power Home Rtile was not a matter of practical polities, nor were the Nonconformists ready to swallow the Liberal leader's proposals. Mr R. W. Perks, who was called the Member for Methodism, had declared that if Home Rule were to be given first place, the support of the Nonconformists throughout the land would be lost. Why? Not because of H-ome Rule itself, but because of their extraordinary antipathy to the Irishmen in their attitude on the education question and a horror of tho fortunes of the Govern- ment being placed in the hands of the Roman Catholic Members who cart e from Ireland. It was quite true that if the Liberal Party were returned to power they would be extremely unlikely to get a majority which would make them INDEPENDENT OF THE IRISH VOTE, and if they required the assistance of the 80 Irish Members the fortunes of the Liberal Party would be in the hands of those members, who would undoubtedly force the Government and bring the Home Rule question to the front again. Then as to the extraordinary horror which Mr Perks seemed to have of Catholics getting the power, that had never affected the Unionist Party, who had attempted, as far as they could, to act impartially, making no difference between Nonconformists, Roman Catholics, or Churchmen, but bringing in and supporting measures on tke lines of justice and religious equality. As a party, Conservatives and Unionists could well afford to leave Liberals, to their quarrels, which had destroyed them before, and which, no doubt, would lead to their downfall again. Touching on the work of the present Session, Mr Stedman referred to what be considered a remarkable measure-the Irish Land Purchase Bill. For years they had been considering THE IRISH QUESTION, but it bad never before been taken hold of in the same statesmanlike way as it had now been done in this Bill, and if they could only rely, as he hoped they might, upon some amount of self-help, some energy, some co-operation on the part of the Irish peasants, the measure would prove a boon and alter the whole face of the country, where there had been so much poverty, squalor, and misery in the past. (Applause.) He noticed that public expenditure had been a great subject for criticism on the part of the opponents of the Government. While it could not be denied that public expenditure had gone up, they must remember that they had successfully gone through one of the greatest wars ever carried on by this country they had also made additions to the Navy and to the Army, and they were now attempting to place those services in a far better condition than ever before. (Applause.) Further, he argued, that although we hud had more money to find, the burden of taxation had been so imposed as to make it hardly felt by any particular individual. He hoped, however, that in the next Budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer would be able to reduce taxation. (Applause.) He pointed out the necessity of a strong Navy for our national protection, and asked for time to tpst the new- A.rmy system. Proceeding to deal with I THE LICENSING QUESTION, Mr Stedman said the new Licensing Act was welcomed by both political parties when it was introduced as a step in the right direction. The trade welcomed it because it enabled them to carry on their houset3 better than in the past, and teeto- tallers because it tended to increase temperance. The hands of the licensed victuallers were strengthened in dealing with habitual drunkards As regarded clubs, there had been a tremendous number of bogus clubs, and many of them had been practically shebeens. Concerning the question of the reduction of the number of licences, extra- ordinary actions had been taken by the magistrates in certain districts, but so far as the Act was con- cerned, there was nothing whatever in it to encour- age a wholesale reduction of licences in any particular neighbourhood. Certain power was placed in the hands of the magistrates, but the Government believed they would, in using that power, EXERCISE COMMON SENSE, I and would, before making wholesale reductions, take into consideration the individual oircumstances of the case. There was nothing in the Act to justify a magisterial abolitionist crusade, nor was there anything in it to show that they were called upon or expected to take up the part of the extreme section of the temperance party It seemed to him that in some districts-he was not speaking locally the magistrates had gone by a pre-conceived rule rather than by individual justice. Suddenly, without any apparent reason, they shut up some licensed houses and left others alone. This meant confiscation and robbery-the taking away from men of an honest means of livelihood—and he contended they were entitled to protection from the State. It was not the intention of the Government that any injustice should be done to the licensed victuallers. He spoke of the possibility of a reasonable arrangement for the reduction of licences in particular districts, and of I REASONABLE COMPENSATION. They wanted the best of men to take public-houses. but they would get the worst if there was no security in the trade and their licences were placed at the mercy of the whim of extremists. In conclu- sion, the speaker warned Unionists against the besetting sin of apathy, and urged each and all in their respective districts to do everything they could on behalf of the cause. If they did that, he said, he bad no reason to doubt that at the next election they would, as in the past, be able to give a very satisfactory account of themselves. (Applause.) Mr J. Maitland Watkins, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Stedman for his very able speech, specially referred to the impartial spirit which he had displayed, and expressed his pleasure at the way in which he had dealt with the critics of the Govern- ment. Mr A. E. Bowen, in seconding, referred to Mr Stedman's candidature for a seat on the Caerleon TT.D.C., and said he was sure all would join with him in wishing him success in the forthcoming election, and that he might be returned at the head of the poll. (Applause.) The vote was carried with acclamation and briefly replied to. A similar compliment was paid to the Chairman, on the motion of Mr A. H. Watkins, seconded by Mr J. Jeffreys. A very enjoyable evening concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. 0

To intending Emigrants. I The Emigrants' Information Office publishes the following :— This is the best season of the year for emigration to Canada, and there is an excellent demaud for almost any kind of labour all over the Dominion. Emigrants should prepare to start at once. There is a very large demand for farm hands, especially in Ontario and the North West, and any able- bodied farm labourer or young man wishing to learn farming will have no difficulty in finding a place. At Sydney, in Nova Scotia, there is a good demand in the steel and iron works and in the coal mines for general labourer?, machinists. machinists' helpers and coal miners, especially those who can operate coal cutting machines. Both in Nova Scotia and Ontario men, skiiled and unskilled, are wanted for sanitary earthenware wotks and brickyards. The building trades are busy in all parts, and carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers and others are wanted. At Winuipeg. in Manitoba, there is also a demand for a number of harness makers. The metal trades are very busy in Ontario. In the Province of Quebec and in Ontario lumbermen have been very busy. In the Algoma district of Ontario good farriers are stated to be in great demand. In British Columbia the metal and building trades are fairly busy; eoal miners have been very slack at Nanaimo, and experienced men only can generally find work in East Kootenay, but recently there has been a strike of miners; the lumbering trade has been very busy many clerks are out of work. There is a brisk demand in all part of Canada for female servants both in towns and on farms. In New South Wales and other Australian Stages the reports are not favourable, and emigrants are advised not to go at the present time on the chance of procuring employment. The labouring classes generally are complaining of the increased cost of living owing to the drought and the federal tariff, bread and meat being especially dear. In New Zealand there is a good demand for men in the building and coachbuilding trades the clothing trade also is busy in most parts, and men in the engineering trade have been generally well employed. In country districts the farming, dairying, fruit, timber and fishing industries provide plenty of work, and female servants are wanted both in towns and on farms. In Cape Colony there is a demand for wheel- wrights, bodymakers, coachsmiths, trimmers, plasterers, bricklayers, carpenters and first class painters. There is no demand whatever for tailors unless they are first class hands. There is no demand for miners, fitters, general labourers or farm labourers. There is a good demand for female servants, but they should not go alone. Employers domiciled in the Colony can obtain cheap passages at JE3 a head for male or female servants engaged by them here. There is some demand for female teachers, but the pay is not good. The cost of living is high. In Natal, the Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony there is very little demand, and the cost of living is very high. Permits are still required for the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony.

Monmonihshire Cricket Club. The annual meeting was held at the King's Head Hotel, Newp )rt, on Saturday afternoon. Mr Edward Phillips occupied the chair, and there were also present Major Clifford Phillips, Mr L. Foster Stedman, and Mr W. E. C. Hudden, with Mr Aubrey Butler (hon. secretary). The secretarial report showed that last season Monmouthshire came out thirteenth in the minor counties championship. The gate receipts had suffered considerably in consequence of bad weather interfering with the home matches, and the club's financial position was still far from satisfactory. Still, thanks to a share of the, receipts from the test matches-248 Os 3d—the position had improved since the former year. The county club and the Newport club had worked together most amicably, and the thanks of the former club were due to the general hon. secretary (Mr G. Ll. Lloyd) and the cricket hon secretary (Mr A. J. Gould) of the Newport club for thei, kiudness. Mr Foster Stedman was also thank' for undertaking the secretarial duties during r Butler's absence in May, June, and July.—Lor.. Tredegar was re-elected president, Mr Fred Phillips hon treasurer, and Mr Aubrey Butler hon secretary. Dr Griffiths (Abercarn) and Mossrs. W. E. C. Hudden aud G. Jowett were added to the committee.

Markets. 1 NEWPORT, CORN, Wednesday.—The market to. day was very slow, and the only change in grain was maize, which was 6d cheaoer.—Fines 23s 6d. NEWPORT, CATTLE, Wednesday.—There was to-day a large supply, a large attendance, and a brisk trade. Quotations:—Best beef 6id to 7d, seconds 6!d to 6d, cows 6d to 6d, best wether y 2 I mutton 9^d to lOd, lamb Is, ewes 8d to 8id, veal gid to lOd, porker pigs-light lOa to 10s 3d, tt heavy 98 to 9a 6d, bacon, 9a.

Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture. INTERESTING MEETING AT PONTYPOOL. A meeting of the Monmouthshire Chamber of Aricultur was held at the Crown Hotel, Pontypool, on Saturday afternoon, when there were present:—Messrs. John Jeffreys (Castle Vale, Raglan, president), C. D. Phillips (hon. sec. and delegate), Henry Williams (delegate to the Central Chamber). T. Morris Prosser (secretary), A. A. Williams, J.P.. J. R. Essex, J.P., E. J. Williams. J. P., E. L. Lyue, A. H. Watkins, W. Davies (Usk). M. R. Dawe, D. Phillips, J. H. Rennie, J. Blennerhassett, Arthur Davies, J. Rosser, E. C. Williams, G. Spencer, J. Stevens, F. Sanders, &c. NEW MEMBERS. The following were elected members of the Chamber :-D.. I. R. Essex, Pontypool Mr A. G. Burchardt Ashtou, Trelleck; Mr G. P. Mitchell- lUlls, Castleton (agent to Lord Tredear); Mr A. Elmsmore Morgan, Blackwood; Mr Arthur Burgham, Redbrook Mr W. Jones, Raglau Mr Thomas Parker, Pontypool; and Mr W. Coles, Trostrey Farm, Pontypool. LETTERS OF APOLOGY. Letters of apology for non-attendauce were read from Sir Arthur Mackworth, Bart., Messrs. L. C. Wrigley, G. B. T. Nicholl, W. J. Grant, and T. J. Davies. OUR FOOD SUPPLY. The Secretary ( lfr Prosser) stated that he had written to I,he Members of Parliament for the County asking If they could attend the deputation which was to wait upon the Prime Minister on the subject of our food supply in time of war. Sir Joseph Lawrence replied that he had already promised to attend the deputation. He was a member of the Executive Committee which had arranged the deputation. LETTER OF CONDOLENCE. On the proposition of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr Henry Williams, and suppor!ed by Mr C. D. Phillips, in sympathetic speeches, a vote of condolence with the relatives of the late Mr Philip Price, of Howick, was carried silently, the members upstanding. It was further decided to re-print at the end of the annual report of the Chamber An Apprecia- tion," which had been written with regard to the late Mr Valentine Parsons and Mr Philip Price. Mr Henry Price was appointed the Chepstow District Hon. Secretary. THE COMPENSATION SCALE. I Mr L. C. Wrigley, last year's presileot, and Chairman of the Compensation Scale Committee of the Chamber, wrote saying that he feared the Chamber would be disappointed at the barrenness of their report, but he trusted they would content themselves by merely confirming it, leaving the discussion on the important subject until the Committee had had time to consider the final scheme approved by the Central Chamber and submit their own. Mr J. Thomas Davies (Newport), writing on the question, pointed out that in the pari-h s of Mynvddislwyn and Bedwellty, and, be thought, Machen and Bedwas, there were old curtoms whereby the outgoing tenants claimed compensa- tion for all the manure produced on the holding. It would be manifestly unfair to expect the incoming tenant to pay for the manure by the custom and again pay for the p irt of the manure which had been produced by the consumption of purchased foods. For that reason he hoped the Chamber would, in their recommendations, limit the application of the schedule to places where manure was not allowed for by the custom, or where by the agreement the custom did not operate. It was reported that the Special Committee which hadlbeen appointed to draw up a Scale of compensation for unexhausted improvements for the approval of the Chamber had held a number of meetings, and gone very fully into the matter. The Central Chamber also appointed a Committee, who have heard the evidence of numerous witnesses, taken into consideeatioti the results of some important experiments, and gone most exhaustively into the subject. This Chamber's Committee now recommended that they should support the principle of manurial value, as adopted by the Central Chamber Committee, instead of that of cost price, but they considered two years should be the limit of time for c impensation. They asked for the instruction of the Chamber's delegates accordingly so that they might support the principle at the April meeting of the Central Chamber, at which the suggested scale might be altered, after whioh the Committee would again meet to consider the matter further. Mr Henry Williams, as a member of the Committee, explained what had been done. As they were aware, he said, since the passing of the Act of 1883 they had had a rough and ready scale of compensation which had been fairly satisfactory and generally accepted, and which had been asked for as a guide to other counties. Now, however, in the light of the results of manurial experiments, and in the face of the reduced prices of manurial ingredientf, they had come to the conclusion that the cost of the material did not accurately show the manurial value left behind, fur which the incoming tenant er the landlord was asked to pay. Prices varied with the supply and demand, but the manurial value must rem tin the same, regardless of prices, therefore they supported the principle of mauurial value being the basis for compensation instead of the old basis of cost ptice. Mr C. D. Phillips deprecated wasting time on discussion at this stage, and Mr E. L. Lyne proposed that Messrs. Williams and Phillips, as delegates to the Central Chamber, be empowered to support the Monmouthshire Committee's recommendations. Mr E. J. Williams seconded, and the proposition was agreed to. Mr Henry Williams further dealt at some length with the question of the limitation of the time of compensation, and upon this Mr Arthur Da vies and Mr Lyne made some observations. ADULTERATED BUTTER BILL. The next subject on the agenda was the con- sideration of the Sale of Adulterated Butter Bill. which Mr Hanbury, the President of the Board of Agriculture was bringing in. Mr Henry Williams complained that while the British producer (except in the case of Irish Firkin butter) rendered himself liable to prosecution and fine under the Food and Drugs Act if his butter contained over 16 per cent. of water, by the provisions of this Bll the maximum amount of water allowed the foreigner was 20 per cent. Mr A. A. Williams said they should ask the Central Chamber to defend their interests by adopting the view of the Monmouthshire Chamber that imported butter should' in this matter be placed on the same footing as the home produce. The delegates to the Central Chamber were H"cordiugly instructed. R.S.P.C.A. The Fareham (Hants) Farmers' Club in a circular letter, drew attention to a resolution they had passed protesting against a couvictiou of cruelty in that district in the case of a farmer who was taking sheep four miles to market, one of the sheep, affected with foot rot, going lame on the j nirney. If that were to be a test case on the part of R.S.P.C.A. it would affect agriculturists generally and render the keeping of sheep almost impossible, as foot rot was unavoidable. I No action was taken in the matter, the circular being taken as of a warning nature. SUGGESTIONS FOR PAPERS. The desirability of inviting members to read papers on matters of interest to agriculturists was next discussed. Mr J. Thomas Davies wrote stating that he thought the Chamber might with advantage I encourage the reading of papers by members at its meetings, and he suggested the following subjects as interesting ones Fruit-growing, Cider-makiug, and How to reduce the labour bill on farma.

NOTICE To Advertisers, Correspondents, and Readers, "The County Observer WILL BE PUBLISHED On Thursday next week, On account of Good Friday. -=

Mr Prosser said the difficulty was not so much the question of the subject as of getting a member to prepare and read a oaper. Titles had been further suggested as follows The improvement of grass land by the use of basic slag, Sheep scab, The law of trespass and how it should be amended, The feeding of beasts, &c. He pointed out that a few years ago Mr James Cocker, at a meeting of that Chamber in Pontypool, dealt with the question of sheep-worrying. Mr Williams said that question was afterwards taken to the Central Chamber, and now they were promised a Parliamentary Bill dealing with tbet evil. Mr C. D. Phillips said if members would only provide the material they could, if they so desired, dictate it to the Secretary, who would take down their remarks in shorthand, and write the paper for them. They wanted practical papers frorm practical men. Mr R. H. Williams pointed out tha- very often the best men on a farm were men who could neither read nor wri'e. Their life's interest was in their work, and their experiences related woald be valuable. (Hear, hear.) Mr Lyne said a man might be able to read ancL write but yet require help in writing a paper upon a subject. Ultimately, on the proposition of Mr A. A. Williams, it was resolved That in the opinion of this Chamber it is desirable that papers should be, from time to time, lead by practical farmers relative to the management of the land and the rearing and feeding of stock, and that Mr J. Boulton and Mr R. H. Williams be asked to prepare such a paper, the services of the Secretary of the Chamber being placed at their disposal." Mr Williams said he only suggested these names because they were well known to him. He hoped others would take up the suggestion. SELF-SACRIFICE. An appeal from the Central Chamber for support for a proposed memorial to the late Mr H. StopelJc was read. Mr Henry Williams explained that Mr Stopea began life a brewer's chemist, but his professional career was ruined by his exposure, in agriculturists* interest, of the methods adopted in the manufacture of beer. He proposed that the Chamber give a donation of two guineas Mr C. D. Phillips seconded, and the proposition was agreed to. FEDERATION OF IMPLEMENT MAKERS. The Fareham Farmers' Club wrote suggesting that the Chamber should pass a resolution in favour of members withholding support from rbe Federation of Implement Makers and Dealers. Mr C. D. Phillips explained that all makers and dealers were practically bound to join the combination, or they would be unable to get the best makes. It would not affect the farmers injuriously. After some conversation the subject dropped. THE PUBLIC ANALYSTS OF MILK. Mr R. H. Williams brought forward the suggestion that when the County Council Inspector under the Food and Drugs Act took a sample of milk from milk-vendors for analysis, the result of that analysis should be reported to the milk- vendors. That was now done only when the milk was below the standard quality and a prosecution. followed. He referred to various reasons for a varying quality in milk and said it would be valuable as a guide to feeding to be furnished with the analysis of samples taken from time to time by the public officials. Besides, having to bear the blame when the milk was poor, he thought that it would be nothing but fair that they should have the credit when the milk was good. A resolution asking the County Council to carry out this suggestion was passed, and Mr A. A. Williams, as a County Councillor, said he should be most happy to support it at the proper time and place. A vote of thanks to the Chaiimaa concluded the proceedings.

RAGLAN. Agent-Mr. TV. Parker, Photographer. A FARM BAILIFF'S FAILURE.—The Official Receiver in Bankruptcy for the County Court District of Herefordshire has issued a statement of the affairs of Albert William Thomas, formerly of the Duke of York Inn, Grosmont, but now of the Crown Cottage, Raglan, under a receiving order dated 13th March, 1903, on debtor's petition. The gross liabilities to unsecured creditors amount to S108 28 4cl, the assets from furniture are estimated to produce 25, the deficiency being set down as X103 2s 4d. Causes of failure as stated by bank. rupt: "LOBS in carrying on business at the Duke of York Inn, Grosmont."

Lord Tredegar and the Wesleyans. On Tuesday, Lord Tredegar opened a three days' bazaar—styled the Seven Royal Edwards* Bazaar—at the Tredegar Hall, Newport, the object of which is to raise, if possible, £ 1,000 in. aid of the Wesleyan extension movement in the Newport circuit. The Mayor kN-lr J. H. Duun), presided, and there was a large attendance. After a few introductory remarks from the Mayor, Mr J. W. Huut presented a satisfactory financial statement, aud Lord Tredegar was then asked to declare the bazaar open. His lordship said it was always a subject of great anxiety to a large landowner like himself to see districts being gradually covered wich long rows of streets, and very little preparation made for any places of worship. That was one of the great difficulties of a land owner who owned land in the neighbourhood of an increasing population, because he could not give pieces of land to every denomination for their particular places of worship, for the reason that they were so many, but he had always endeavoured, if he possibly could wheu occasion required it. to reserve a piece of land for places of worship, so that those drawn to the district by the necessity of work or habitation mijht have some places where they might worship in the way in which they bad beeif taught in their youth. (Rear, hear.) He was glad to help the Wesleyan Society because they bad been carrying out, their work without any bitterness of feeling towards any other sect. It is not the tirst time I have opeued a bazaar said his lordship amid laughter. A gentleman. remarked to me the other dav, You have laid yourself open to it a great deal Lord Tredegar by the remarks you mads some time ago.' I was obliged to say I thought I had a few letters which led to that conclusion. (Laughter.) In fact I felt that every minister of religion who was presented by his congregation with a new umbrella—(laughter)—would at. once ask me to open it. (Renewed laughter.)

GOLD/MEDAU \SM9L dubbin j^p Waterproofs, softens, and pre- serves the life of BOOTS and V^B HARNESS. Allows polish. ■ £ iR Pleasant aroma. 22 Exhibition H M it highest awards. Tins, 2d., 6d., fl 1 Hf t \jj 1/- & 2/6 of Bootmakers, Sadd- AHvl/ffl lers, Ironmongers, &c, Manu- 1$H i Ml factory, East Dulwich, S.E. tsjEBs^aKlljal