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

PANTEG. CRICKET CLUB.—Panteg Cricket Club are look- ;ing forward to another successful season. During -the winter months the grounds have been largely extended, and are now equal to any in Monmouth- -shire. At a meeting of the club the following officers were appointed for the coming season: Captain, Mr R. 1. R. Butler; vice-captain, Mr C. Williams; treasurer, Mr C. Jarrett; captain of the second eleven, Mr E. Thurtle, wirh Mr J. Evans as vice-captain of the Thursday team.

TREVETIN SCHOOL BOARD. I Trevethin School Board met on Tuesday, when -the charges brought against Mr G. Millard, head master of the Gardiffaith Board School, a teacher who has been in the employ of the Trevethin School Board for a period of over 20 years, was discussed at great length. At the March meeting of the Board, Mr W. C. Watkins, a member, and who is also a manager of the Garndiffaith School, com- plained that Mr Millard had insulted him in the playground of the school, and had further ridiculed, before the managers, his mode of walking and his manner of speaking when he afterwards complained. Further complaints were received that Mr Millard i jhad not sent to the Board the recommendations of the managers (he being their secretary) and that he did not support the managers and obtain from the pupil teachers an apology for their conduct to the managers, when the latter refused to grant them the use of the schools for a social. The Board at that meeting resolved that they considered Mr Millard's conduct "moat reprehensible" and demanded an explanation. There was a very long discussion, and Mr Millard was asked to send in his resignation in the course of a month, failing which he would be given three months notice. Q

RAGLAN. I Agent-Mr. W. Parker, Photographer. I THEFT BY A Gipsy.-At Monmouth Police Court on Friday, before Colonel Bradney and the Rev L. A. Rees. James Smith, a gipsy, camping out on Treworgan Common, near Raglan, was charged in custody with stealing an oak post, value Is, the property of Mr James Matthews, ironmonger, ,Raglan.-P.C. Daititon stated that be hid himself near a field where wood had been missed, and saw defendant drive up, and take the post which was leaning against the gate, he evidently having .-placed it there with the object of removing it. He admitted taking it when formally charged, but said he undersood Mr Matthews had given him permission to take wood. Being a first offence, "defendant was bound over to come up for judgment sif called upon.

Parliamentary. I In the House of Commons, on Wednesday, Mr Lloyd-George called attention to the speech recently made by the Prime Minister to a depu- tation of licensed victuallers, and charged the Prime Minister with having in that speech com- mitted a serious interference with the adminis- tration of the law by condemning the decisions of magistrates and appealing to Quarter Sessions courts to reverse the decisions of the magis- trates. Mr Balfour replied that be had made no com- ment on any case that was sub judice he had expressed a general opinion upon a general course of public affairs, and he was perfectly ,.entitled to do this. Sir H. Campbell-Baunerman supported Mr ,Xiloyd-George.

Important Discovery at Caerwent. An important discovery has been made at 'Caerwent. On the waste land-between the church and school an inscribed stone was found standing upright in the ground. There are eleven liues of lettering, most of which is quite decipherable. The two lower lines are remarkably clear, and are '■as follows: PVBL ciVIT, SILVRVM." The whole stone seems to have been a sort of epitaph to the memory of some Roman officer. The only tetters that appear on the first line are LEG, and en the next N G. The top of the stone is broken ff. This is believed to be the tir..t inscribel stone yet found in Caerwent. In addition, some very fine Roman masonry has been unearthed in the same spot, remains of au important building, ^probably the Forum.

Monmouthshire Quarter Sessions. A LIGHT CALENDAR. The Easter Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Moumouth opened at the Sessions House, Usk, on Wednesday mo/niug, before Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, Bart, (in the chair). Lord Tredegar, Sir Arthur Mackworth, Bart., Captain Walters, R.N., Colonel Mansel, Major G. G. Griffin, Major Williams, Messrs. A. A. Williams, H. Humphreys, Raglan T. H. Somerset, C. W. Earle Marsh, G. R. Martyn, W. L. Pratt, T. E. Watson, T. Dutfield, 1. B. Nicholl, &c. I THE GRAND JURY. The following were sworn on the Grand Jury Mesarp. John P. Lewis (foreman), Walter Green- house, George Jones. I. Llewellin, Alfred S. Morgan (Newport), James Beach (Newbridge), W. Budding, W. Howell (Pontymister), W. H. Butt, Edgar James Pri.-e (Abergavenny), David Davies. David Roberts (Pontypool), David Evaus, David Jenkins (Pontnewynydd), Arthur May Finch (Abercarn), W. B. Harrison (Abertillery), Walter Jelf Risca), W. Lewis (Abersychan), W. Rosser (Langstone), Henry Scudamore (Trostrey), and Richard Waters (Goldcliff). THE CHAEGE. The Chairman, in charging the Grand Jury, said he was very glad to say that there were not many cases to come before them, and he did not think that any of them would present any difficulty to them. Having briefly dealt with the three cases on the calendar, Sir Henry dismissed them to their duties. The Grand Jury subsequently returned a true bill in each case. THE LICENSING QUESTION. The Chairman remarked that some of the magistrates had probably seen that Sir A. Littler, chairman of the Middlesex Quarter Sessions, had taken some action in regard to the licensing law, with reference, principally, to the question of compensation to those houses whose licences had been taken away from no fault of the licensees. Sir A. Littler had sent round to a considerable number of magistrates a form of petition to the Home Secretary asking that provision should be made for compensation for dispossessed interests out of a fund to be raised fr.)m those selling or consuming excisable liquors. The petition pointed out that it was only by such an arrangement that the inflic: ion of hardship could be avoided, and the burden of compensation be equitably adjusted between surviving houses. Those principles had the unanimous support of the L'censiug Commission. The Chairman said the two points in the petition were that out of a fund to be raised by some form of taxation upon existing houses compensation should be given to those public- houses which the magistrates might think it necessary, in the interests of law and order, to suppress, and that the magistrates should have the same power over the beerhouses in existence before the Act of 1869 as they now had over the full- licensed houses. There was a copy of the memorial, together with room for the signature of any magistrate who agreed with it, in the Chairman's room, and any magistrate Who desired to sign the memorial would there have an opportunity of doiug S'J. HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS. I Mr J. Corner, on behalf of the Magor R.D.C., applied for the sanction of the Court to the borrowing of E65) for the purpose of defraying the expenses of certain improvements in the highways within their jurisdiction, He said the application was made under Sec. 47 of the Highway Act of 1861. The suggested improvements were of two roads—one the road leading from Llanmartin to Magor, at Pwlhead Hill, and the other on the road leading from Hanwsrn to Biahtou, at Llauwern Hill. The es itnate;! cist was, respectively E350 and £ 260, with C-10 for incidentals, and the object of the improvements was to reduce the gradients. Mr Alex. Sutherland, C.E., Newport, gave professional evidence, stating that the improved gradients at the places in question would be one in twelve. The work ought to have been carried out years ago. He produced the plans, &o. The posting of the uecossa-y tioticee in the 18 parishes in the district was provad by Mr A. H. Rees (deputy clerk of the R.D.C.) and others. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Corner said no objection had been made to the proposed improve- ments. Mrs Perry Herrick, the owner of the land adjoining, approved of them. The necessary sanction was given. NEW MAGISTRATE. I The following gentleman took the oaths and I v qualified as a magistrate for the Cbunty — W. L. Thomas, Esq., Tredillion Park, Abergavenny. I TRIALS OF PRISONERS. i BREAKING INTO A RAILWAY WAREHOUSE. I William Nicholas, 25, labourer, was charged with feloniously breaking and entering the ware- house of the Breon and Merthyr Rtilway Company, on the 8th Much, at Peugain, and stealing therein Its lid and three penny postage stamps. Mr Corner appeared for the prosecution. Defendant pleaded guilty, aud acknowledged a pre-conviction of stealing clothes at Tiedegar for which he was sentenced to 6 months hard labour. The Chairman said there were several previous convictions against prisoner, the last one being as recently as December last. He seemed to be hardly out of prison before he got into trouble again, and had twice been sentenced to 6 months' hard labour. He would now be sentenced to nine calendar monthi' hard labour. A YOUNG MORAL DERELICT. Thomas Pringle, 20, painter, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the shop of Joshua Griffiths and others, at Newport, on the 16th February, and stealing therein one rolled gold watch, four white metal watches, one oxodieed watch, two pocket knives, and other articles, value £ 15. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and admitted a pre- conviction of felony at Swansea Assizes on the 15th November last. The Chairman said there was a long list of previous convictions against prisoner since 1891. He was only 20 years of age, yet there were 15 previous convictions against him. He was a strong man and ought to be able to earn his living in an honest way. He would go to hard labour for 9 calendar months. Prisoner (unmoved): Thank you, sir. KIDNAPPING AN UNUSUAL CASE. Hannah Yaughan, 38, apparently a wanderer, was charged with feloniously taking away one Charles James Fletcher, a cbild under the age of I 14 years, to wit of the age of one year and nine months, with intent thereby to deprive one Ernest Fletcher, the father of such child, of the possession of such child," on the 23rd March; further with forcibly taking away the said child with indent thereby feloniously to steal" the child's clothing. Prisoner said she took the child out of pity, and appealing to heaven avowed her innocence of It he charges. Mr Corner prosecuted. The evidence of the mother of the child went to show that he was playing outside the house in Piiory-road, Abergavenny, on the 23rd March, her dog being with him She missed the little fellow before dinner. In reply to the prisoner witness admitted that when he returned his clothes were as they were before he was lest Francis W. Thomas, a clerk, residing in the same road, sp ,ke to seeing prisoner with the child and the dog going at her at 12.30 p m. on the day in question. That was about 50 or 60 yards from Mr Fletcher's House. Elizabeth Morgan, who occupies the old toll house on the Hereford-road, said prisoner spoke to her as she was passing her house carrying the chil 1 wrapped up. William Price, labourer, Abergavenny, stated that the day was stormy and wet. He met prisoner with the child near the Crown and Sceptre Inn, and after speaking to her they both entered the Inn and shared a pint of beer which he paid for. While there witness understood the woman to tell someone there that the child was hers and was the youngest of eight or nine, but he didn't pay particular attention to what she said. Then Mr Fletcher came in and struck a blow at him and he cleared out of the way. (Laughter.) Prosecutor said to the woman, You have stolen my child." What diti she reply," asked Mr Corner. Witness answered that he could not say, as he cleared off (Renewed laughter.) Mr Fletcher, the father, a blacksmith, sooke to going in search of his boy, and finding him with the prisoner, as stated. Prisoner used filthy language towards him, and said the youngster was s'arving. The Crown and Sceptre was about a mile from his houge. P.O. Powell deposed that the woman told him that she found the child on a seat on the Hereford road, and said that her home was at Poutrilas, where her husband was at work on a farm. Prisoner now reiterated biiat aha took the child, out of pity, from the storm. She was found guilty, and then acknowledged previous convictions. The Chairman said prisoner appeared to have been constantly in trouble. She had been fourteen times convicted in addition to fifteen timos for wilful damage, drunkenness, -vagrancy, &c. This was a serious offence, and she would have to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for twelve calendar months. I AN APPEAL CASE. The Court was occupied for a long time in hearing the appeal of Sidney Brown v Supt Sinclair, of Newport, against the decision of the licensing justices of that town, who had refused to renew to him the licence of the Fishguard Arms Beerhouse, in Etnlyu-street, on the ground that the house had been frequented by loose women, thieves, and persons of bid character, and that to the knowledge of the previous licensee (Mrs Abbott). Those were the grounds upon which the licence was refused by the magistrates at Newport. But now upon appeal there was a further point taken against the character of the present appellant. Mr Corner (instructed by Mr Joseph Henry Jones) appeared for the appellant; Mr Amphlett, K.O., and Mr Bosauquet (instructed by the Town Clerk of Newport) appeared for respondent. The appeal was dismissed, with costs.

Pontypool Rural District Council. The monthly meeting of the above Council was held at the Sessions House, Usk, on Friday evening in last week, when there were preseat:—Messrs S. T. Griffin, J.P. (chairman), W. Marfell (vice- chairman). Rev W. W. Jones, Messre R. W. Spencer, J. T. Turnar, R. Williams, J. Williams, Jas. Jtmos, W. Newman, H. ü. Knipe, W. H. Charles, Jas. Bevan, T. Watkins (clerk), and R. Derrett (surveyor). REPORTS. I The Surveyor reported that he had carried out the work directed to be done on the Llancayo- road, the Pontpeilth-road, and the Nantybanuo- road. Through excessive traffic on the Coedcwnn wr-road he was requested by Councillor R. W. Spencer to get at least 60 tons of stone placed thereon. This he had done, as the road had become really dangerous, but to be really satisfactory the work should be done in the summer time. He asked for fifteen 12-inch sanitary pipes to put across the road just beyond Llangibby Schools as the old culvert was inadeqaate to carry off the surface water. There was also a spring in the road and he would require about twenty-live 3mch pipes to remedy that evil. In his sanitary report, Mr Derrett stated that there had been an outbreak of measles in the parish of Llangibby, imported from the parish of Tredunnock. The cases had been visited by the M.O H. and himself, and the necessary precautions given. They hoped to disinfect the school on the following day (Saturday), and the assistance of a char-woman was asked for. The question of liability for the repair of the Llr.ngeviaw roads over which there had been ex- traordinary traffic was adjourned for a report from the Clerk. It was decided to get the pipes asked for by the Surveyor. LLANGIBBY TO THE FORE. I Mr W. H Kennett, schoolmaster at L!angibby, wrote under date March 27th, enclosing a copy of the School registrar for the previous four weeks, and pointing out that the cause of the deplorable state of aff tirs existing was an outbreak of measles which broke out at the extreme end of the parish. A second outbreak seemed to be following. He asked what was the meaning of an enclosed ex- tract from a memorandum of the L.G. B., of December, 1901. This memo. dealt with the clos- ing of schools. The Cierk said he had sent a copy of the letter to the Medical Officer, and Dr Jenkins had replied. In tho course of that reply the M.O.H. said he was much surprised at the contents of the letter from Mr Kennett. Although he did not ask straight out for the closing of the schools he (the doctor) took it that that was what he wanted judging by the quotation from the memo. Oo the last occasion Mr Kennett had a conversation with him about the measles epidemic Mr Kennett seemed perfectly satisfied with the way he was acting for the benefit of the School register under Art. 101 of the Code. He (Mr Kennett) also informed him that the Rector was quite agreeable to the School being kept open. However, as the closing of the school during that (the current) week would not have in his (the Medictl Officer's) opinion, checked tho measles, he did not consider it accessary to recommend it, and he did not think it necessary now as th,) children first taken ill should be able to attend school again. He did not know what Mr Kennett meant by a second outbreak. Commenting on the registrar, Dr Jenkins pointed out that children were absent from school from causes other than measles, so that measles were not altogether to blame for the very small attendance shown. Further he was als,' guided in his action in the matter by the remarks of a Government Inspector recently that, the Schools in this district were closed much too frequently, and he thought 6B of the Memo. favoured the course he took. The epidemic was now abtting. In the course of conversation which ensued it was suggested that Mr Iisnnett had probtbly quoted a portion of the Memo, to suit his case, and the Clerk advised the Council that they could onlv act upon the recommendations of their Medical Officer in the matter. The subject, consequently, dropped. In a subsequent communication Dr Jenkins stated, inter alia, that he had pointed out to Mr Kennett that his experience of closing the schools in such circumstances was that it did little if any real good in checking an outbreak. A PRIVATE MATTER. Mr John Moxon, solicitor, Newport', wrote on behalf of Dr Rutlierfoord Harris, whose name, he sairi, had been mentioned in connection with the dispute pending between Dr Boulton and the Rev H. A. Williams, arising out of the recent outbreak of diphtheria at Llangibby. Dr Harris knew nothing whatever about the dispute, and had never spoken to the Rev Williams about it nor expressed any opinion to him or anyone else upon it. If the Council wished it, he (Mr Moxou) would attend and read to them the only letter received and the copy of the reply sent to Mr Williams. Perhaps the Council would let him know if such a report as had been referred to had been circulated about his client. The Clerk said he had replied stating that it seemed to him to be a privaie dispu'e with which the Council had nothing to do. After s-,ine conver-ati ti it was decided that a reply should be sent pointing out that the Council were a ueutral body in the matter. I STEA.M ROLLING: The Rev W. W. Jones brought forward a recommendation from the Llantrissent Parish Meetiug that the Council should use steam rollers on the roads. The Chairman said the same subject was favourably discussed at the Llangibby meeting. It was decided to consider the matter again when the time came for metalling the roads. FONTNEYT^DD R )A.D. The Clerk dealt with the subject of the boundary line on the road the Council propose to widen, with reference to which the Llantarnam U.D.C had been written to. It appeared that for a great many years the Council and their predecessors had been repairing a portion of the road for which they were not liable. The question was deferred for a reply from the Llantarnam authority. PONTHIB WATER SUPPLY. I The Clerk reported the receipt of the plans, &c.. in connection with the scheme for the supply of water to Ponthir and the Wain, and he was reques- ted to send them to the Local Government Board for approval. IAu inquiry will probably be held by a L.G.B. inspector. I FOOTPATH DIVERSION. I Acting on the request of Mr L H. Hornby, solici- tor to the G.W.R. Company, the Council passed a resolution to proceed with the diversion of a foot- path at Pontnewydd, wheruby a dangerous level crossing would be obviated. The Railway Company will bear the cost.

I Mr. Hayes-Fisher's Resignation. I I A PERSONAL EXPLANATION. I On Tuesday, after question time in the House of Commons, Mr Hayes-Fisher rose from the first seat below the gangway, amidst loud general cheers, and, speaking with great emotion, said :— Mr Speaker, I desire, in accordance with precedent, to inform the House that I yesterday tendered to the Prime Minister my resignation of the post of Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and the right hon gentleman accepted it. As it is a matter which involves my personal character, I trust the House will give me the utmost indulgence while I shortly narrate the circumstances which have led to the termination, as I think, of my political career. (Cries of "No, no!") I will ask the House to bear with me if I do not give all the details of the case, because I am hampered by the consideration that the case is still sub judice, and from chivalrous and honourable motives, which will be understood, I am desirous not to say anything which will injure anyone else whose conduct may be the subject of criticism. (Hear, hear). I will first state the salient facts to the House, and as the defence of myself involves others, I am quite sure the House will see that it is difficulty for me to have sufficient control over myself not to be liable to say something which may injure somebody else who cannot state his case before the House, and so I have reduced my statement to writing. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) In 1896, that ia to say seven years ago, I was approached by Mr R. Wallace, ICO., a gentleman then in very large practice at the Bar in patent cases, and asked to contribute towards a fund of L5,000 required by A PRIVATE SYNDICATE I for the development of an exceedingly ingeuious invention in which he was personally interested. The invention interested me very much, especially as so great a scientific authority as the late respected Dr Hopkinson—(cheers)—whom I consulted, told me that he thought so well of it that he was himself going to contribute £ 1000 of E5,000 required, and that he intended to give it his personal attention. Unfortunately, be was killed shortly after in an Alpine accident. There were four persons who each contributed LI,000 towards the fund required, of whom I was one. One of the essential conditions upon which I con- sented to contribute was that the syndicate should continue to be a private one, that no shares should be issued to the public or parted with to them, no prospectus and no directors' fees, and under these conditions we considered ourselves at liberty to make such arrangements among ourselves as we thought right, and to allow the capital to be allotted accordingly. To show our bona fides, we were offered a largo sum for the patent, but refused to let the public in, as we considered the patent insufficiently developed. In order to determine our share in the said invention, the chairman (Mr Roger Wallace) transferred 2,000 shares to each of us—Professor Hopkinson, myself, and Sir J. Lawrence—and when this transfer was effected every member of the syndicate was fully aware of the fact, and approved of its being done. These shares were part of a number of shares to which Mr Wallace was entitled under some arrangement with the vendor, which was not disclosed to me. I do not understand that had the syndicate remained a private one there was anything in the least degree questionable, objectionable, or unbusinesslike in the course adopted. The vendor, however, parted with some of his shates against our wish, and IN BREACH OF THE ARRANGEMENT I I have mentioned. The shares which he sold had been deposited by him with a foreign banker as security for advances, and were sold by the banker. I did not know of the transfer until some tima after it took place, and immediately protested. It now appears that in the opinion of Mr Justice Buckley when the vendor so parted with some of his shares the distribution of shares by Mr Wallace-to which, when it was done, no one could obiect—assumed in law a different complexion. Other equally eminent judges talses an opposite view. If Mr Justice Buckley is right I can only say that I was totally unconscious of that fact, and that I have been the victim of a breach of the original arrangement; but I cannot, looking back upon the course which I followed, reproach myself with having acted in any way—I would not say unworthily, but even with want of business caution. There is a sec nd matter which his lordship laid to our charge, and that was that during the last few years Sir Joseph Lawrence and myself had left the entire management of the syndicate to the chairman, Mr R. Wallace. It is true that this was done, but I should like to emphasise the fact that the syndicate was not, and never had beeu, a trading concern, and that, apart from the development of the invention (for which I believed the chairman, Mr R. Wallace, K.C., had special qualifications), there was no business to manage, and in tnis connection I would also point out that the money for such development, and, indeed, the only money in this syndicate of any sort, kind, or description, was OUR OWN MONEY. In the result, the syndicate was wound up, being indebted to only a few creditors, and for no very considerable amount. Before the liquidation and since the liquidation, and, indeed, at all times, Sir Joseph Lawrence aud myself have told the creditors that we would pay them, and this we will do but further, Mr Justice Buckley, in his judg- ment last Tuesday, has suggested that we should re- purchase at par the shares which the vendor trans- ferred in breach of the arrangement that no shares should be sold to the public. For those shares, I need scarcely point out, he (the vendor) received the whole price. I cannot myself, under the cir- cumstances, see that there is the least moral claim against us on the part of the purchasers of these snares with whose introduction into the syndicate we were in no way concerned, and from whom neither we nor the syndicate derived any betiefr, and I am advised that there is no legal claim, s that his lordship's suggestion seems to me to !> very much a counsel of perfection. However. ii> has thought right to make it, aud, although I am not a rich man, I will not have it said that anybody has lost money through me. This is a view that Sir Joseph Lawrence also shares, and we yesterday handed to our lawyer cheques for £ 5,0;X). which is more than sufficient to pay every creditor and the shareholders in question. (Cheers.) The judge was good enough to state that, in his opinion, there was no ground for attributing to either of us ANY LACK OF PERSONAL INTEGRITY, and, may I also point out, that we made no profit of any tiort or description, that we drew no directors' fees, that we issued no prospectus of any kind, that I took up and paid for in cash over 1,100 shares, and that I have advanced the company money which I have not been repaid, so that I have lost sums in connection with the matter which to me are heavy and considerable. Now, I think, people may say, Why did you not make this statement before? Well, I was advised by the highest legal authority that I ought not to address myself to the Press, and ought not to make any statement while the case was sub judice and until I had carried out the directions of the learned judge. My own sense of right and wrong told me that the one important matter for me was to pay everyone, so that no person could say that he had lost a penny through me. I have only had a few days-I am not a rich man-and I was not in a position to make a statement to do that until to- day. I can now say that Sir Joseph Lawrence and I have lodged the money, and that every share- holder, every contributor, and every creditor can have back every single penny that is due to him. (Cheers.) I have wronged no man I have myself been greatly wronged—(Cheers)—and I bow to the full force of THE TERRIFIC PUNISHMENT which has come upon me for this error of judgment committed seven years ago. (The hon, member spoke at this point with considerable emotion.) I have resigned, not because I think I am uufitted to hold the high position I held until a day ago in the Government, but because I accept the judgment of those in whose judgment I rely, for we are not always good j udges in our own causes. The censure of a certain judge, to which wide circulation has been given, renders me open to attack inside and outside this House that, in conducting the business of the Treasury, I have become, instead of a source of strength, a source of weak- ness to the Government-(cries of No, no ")—to which I am absolutely devoted, All I will ask from the Prime Minister, to whom I know these proceedings are more painful than perhaps they are to me, is to say that whatever I may have done in my private capacity, however remiss I may have been in my own private business, during the time I have conducted the financial business of this country entrusted to me, I have not been remiss or careless, I have not shown any want of prudence or want of caution, and I have not shown any want of capacity in that matter. (Cheers.) For nearly eighteen years I have been a member of this House, and eight years a member of the Government; and if I have neglected my private affairs it is because I DEVOTED MY WROLE TIME to the Government. For seven years I only missi-d three divisions, which will show that my time and my heart were devoted to this House. I have only to say how deeply touched I have been by the kiud messages that have come to me from my political opponents, who might have said something harsh about me, and how much I shall always treasure those messages. (Cheers.) MR BALPOTTR My hon friend has made an appeal to me to which I respond, not only readily, but gladly If anything could have increased the sympathy which, I am confident, has been felt since these unfortunate transactions were known—if anything could increase the sympathy which has been felt in all quarters of the House with my hon friend, it is the statement he has jut made. (Cheers.) Everyone will admit that ho has behaved under most trying and most difficult circumstances, not merely as we should all have anticipated as a man of high integrity and honour—(cheers)—but as a man who carries scrupu- losity in dealing with those who he thinks have suffered in the transactions to a degree which must, I think, MJVE THE ADMIRATION OF ALL OF U" and of those who will have the opportunity of reading what he has said. (Cheers.) My hon friend has asked me to bear testimony to the zeal and efficiency with which he has carried out his public duties in this House and in his office. That testimony I most gladly give. My hon friend and I have been closely associated together in political work fer many long years. I first came into close political and personal relations with him so fur back as 1887, when he gave me valuable assistance at a very trying and difficult period of my public administrative work. Since then he has been actively engaged in political work. He has, in and out of office, devoted himself with zeal and ability to the labours which this House throws upon the most zealous of its sons, and though he has, necessarily, and as a matter of course—being, as he is, a strong pirtv man—found himself divided by sharp differences from many of those with whom he has sat in ths House, and whom he has addressed to-day, I do not believe my hon friend HAS ONE SINGLE ENEMY I 1 in this Houss. (Cheers.) Few things more painful I have ever happened to me than the events of the last few days, in my political life, at all events, and I can only assure my hon friend that I am quite confident the course he has taken in this House, and outside, in connection with this unfortunate iiffair, all that he has done and all that he has said, will augment the esteem in which he is held by his opponents, and even increase, if that were possihle) the affectionate confidence of his friends. (Cheers.) SIR H. CÁ.lPBEIiL-BANEItYA.N: I It is no part of the duty, nor will it be the desire, of this House to pronounce any opinion upon the legal question which way be still pending in this matter, but there will be a universal feeling in this House of svmpathy with the hon. member— (clieers)-and sympathy increased by the fact that we believe that in the difficult, delicate, and un- fortunate situation he has done the right thing. (Cheers,) The hon. member has addressed us in terms which must engage for him an I INTCREAEE OF RESPECT from everyone who has heard him. (Hear, hear.) His conduct, not only previously in tendering the resignation of his office, but to-day in the recital he has made of the steps he has taken, I think, show us all that we were not mistaken in the belief that he was, in our experience, a man deserving of our respect, regard, and esteem. (Cheers.) I will not d well on the matter it is unnecessary to go further, but, while we deeply regret the circum- stances which have lad t) the interruption of his cueer-his official career—we still hope and feel that he will continue, at all events, to be a member of this House—(cheers)—in which he is so well calculated to do useful service. (Cheers.) Mr Hayes-Fisher at this point rose, bowed to the Speaker, and left the House. MR BLAKE, speaking for the Nationalist Party, echoed the expressions that had fallen from the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition. Me H lyes-Fisher, by his action, had vindicated his reputation and increased the hono r due to him as a member of the House. The subject then dropped.

I The Advantages of Poverty. When a man is sick and requires a surgical operation, poverty, paradoxical as it may seem, is to be envied, and wealth, so far at least as treatment is concerned, is a positive disadvantage. Now when the poor man falls sick, what does, or can, he do ? He goes to his club or other doctor, and if what he is suffering from is an ordinary medical illness it is duly treated If. however, it is something requiring speeial" treatment or is otherwise a little bit out of the doctor's daily routine, he is promptly advised to repair to the hospital of his choice, and commonly does so. Arrived there, he either patiently awaits his turn, or, if endowed with tact and a little current coin, may secure the porter's favour and early admission to the consulting room. But in either case he obtains that very same day the fullest attention of a consulting surgeon, and if need be is promptly admitted to a building which has been specially constructed for the reception of the sick, and wherein he will receive fiMtn surgeons and properly supervised nurses the very best treatment that the combined resources of money and science can secure for any man. Any arrangements that can possibly be made in a private house arc at the best merely makeshift, while it is doubtful if there is a single nursing home in existence in which conditions are not passed which, in a hospital, surgeons would absolutely condemn. The question of expense, though in some cases an absolute catastrophe to the patient, is not here dwelt on, since the only point it is desired to emphasise is that at present the rich man with all his wealth does 110% and practically cannot, obtain the scientific advantages that the poor man can, and does, obtain for nothing. — The Hospital.

LETTER FROM SIR JOSEPH LAWRENCE. M.P. J The following letter appeared in the Times on Wednesday morning: Sir,-I understood that, not being an official Member of the House, it was more becoming of me not to obtrude a personal explanation of my own after Mr Hayes Fisher's impressive state- ment this afternoon. But, having followed him in taking an inter- est in the Telesciiptor Syndicate seven years ago, I should like to repeat publicly7 that I have been proud of having been associated with him, in am prouder to adopt as my own every word i" the imnlv and honourable explanation which t • offered iu the Home to-day. Ü is, pernaps, superfluous for me to add any expressiou of admiration that he should have so quixotically inflicted upon himself a penalty to which no one could have made him submit. I am, Yours faithfully, J. LAWRENCE. House of Commons, April 7th. April 7th.

MR. HAYES FISHER AND SIR JOSEPH LAWRENCE. The following letter his been published from Mr Hayes Fisher — Buckingham Palace Gardens, April 8th, 1903. Sir,-In order to avoid any possibility of misapprehension, I desire to say that in my statement to the House of Commons yesterday, concerning the conditions which had been made to ensure the Telescriptor Syndicate being kept in private bands, and no prospectus issued or public money taken or directors' fees paid, I intended to include my friend Sir Joseph Lawrtnce, who joined the Syndicate on the same conditions as I pointed out. Sir Joseph Lawrence has contributed half the fund which he and I have deposited for the shareholders and creditors. Yours faithfully, (Signed) W. HAYES FISHER.

Isk & Llatigibliy Steeplechases. The ninth meeiing was held on the Mardy Course on Monday last, and was favoured with fine weather. There was a good ,itteiidaiiee. A mongst those present were Lord Tredegar and Colonel the Hon F. C. Morgan, M.P. Mr R. St. John Beasley, of The Lawns, Usk, right royally entertained a very large number of friends at luncheon, and to refreshments during the afternoon in a tent on the ground. Colonel Morgan's successes were very popular, as also was Mr Hobbs' win. It was regrettable that there should have been a w.o. in the Olwav Hurdle Race, especially as there were eleven entries. STEWARDS:—Lord Tredegar, M: F H., Lord Raglan, Lord Llangattock, Sir A. Mackworth, Bart., Sir J. Lawrence, M.P., Colonel the Ron F. C. Morgan, M.P., Dr llutherfoord Harris, E. Windsor Richards, Esq., Colonel Curre, M.F.H., C. E. Lewis, Esq., Dr Boulton, Col R. H. Mansel, R. P. Jenkins, Esq., F. Phillips, Esq., C. F. Crawshay, Esq., C. H. Firbauk, Esq., R. St. John Beasley, Esq., E. Phillips, Esq., W. H. P. Jenkins, Esq., W. H. Partridge, Esq., R. L. Bsasley, E-'q., W. Pegler, Esq. OFFICIALS :—Judge—Mr John Pratt. Starter- C. F. Crawshay, Esq., Clerk of the Scales-IIIr A. E. Hancock. Clerk of the Course-Mr T. Rees, junr. Stakeholder—Mr A. llivers. Auctioneers—Messrs. W. Marfell and W. S. Poole. Yeterinary Surgeon, Mr Sidney Smith. Hon. Sees.—Messrs. A. Rivers and T. Rees, junr. 2,15-rre LLANDENNY STEEPLECHASE of 40 sovs; weight for age; winners extra; allowances. Three miles. a 12 0 Mr F. C. Morgan's Young Torpedo Mr Deer 1 5 12 6 Mr Partridge's Ferry Las-, 3fr Robers 2 a 12 0 Captain Barker's Chance It Mr C. Garuett 3 a 12 0 Mr E. Emmanuel's Electric F. Parker 0 Betting-13 to S on Ferry Lass, 5 to 2 agst Young Torpedo, 5 to 1 agst Chance It, and 10 to 1 agst Electric. Won by fifteen lengths; a bad third. Electric fell. 3.0-The MARDY SELLING HURDLE RACE of 3') sovs; weight for age winner to be eold for 50 sovs; allowances. Two miles. 4 10 7 Mr W. Hobbs' Felstead .F, Parker I all 3 Mr G. R, Lawrence's Peripatetic D. Davies 2 fi 11 2 Mr J. Lewis's Pride of Leightoll G. Peake -5 a 11 3 Mr Dowdall, jutiii Offertory Mr Happerfield 0 all 3 Mr H. D. Thomas's Lawn Sleeves Mr J. Anthony 0 6 11 3 Mr H. Jones's Dalmorton Owner 0 a 11 0 Mr F. Penn-father's Paysandu Grosvenor 0 6 11 3 Mr Cavill's Blantyre Mr Garnett 0 Batting—6 to 4 agst Felstead, 5 to 2 agst Pride of Leigh ton, 6 to 1 each agst Peripatetic, Dalmortou, and Paysandu, and 10 to 1 agst any other. Won by twenty lengths; a neck separated the second and third. Lawn Sleeves and Paysandu fell. 3.40-The OLWAY HURDLE RACE of 30 sovs. for horses that at the time of closing have not won under N.H. or Irish N.H. Rales weight for age; winners extra; allowances. Two miles. 10 0 Mr Greswolde Williams s Briudisi UrSrnith w.o. 4.20-The LLANGIBBY SELLING STEEPLE- OffASE of 30 sovs; weight for age winner to be sold for 50 sovs; allowances. Two miles.J all 7 Mr W. Horton s Missionary D. Davies 1 a 11 7 Mr W. Hobbs' Witch of the Hills Mr Anthony 2 5 10 7 Mr Hobba' Cadran F. Parker 3 a 11 3 Mr Dter'g Everleigh Owner 0 Betting-6 to 4 agst Missionary 7 to 4 agst Everleigh, 3 to I agst Cadran, and 10 to 1 agst Witch of the Hills. Won by two lengths; same distance between the second and third. Everleigh fell. 5.0—The USK STEEPLECHASE of 30 sovs; weight for age; winners extra; allowance. Two miles. 6 11 10 Mr F. C. Morgan's Prohibition Mr Deer 1 4: 10 3 Mr Dyke Dennis's General Jacoueminot.Mr I. Anthony 2 4 10 3 Capt R. W. Ethelson's The Duiker C, Waller 3 Betttog—C to 4 agst Prohibition. 7 to 4 agst General Jacqueminot, and 3 to 1 agst The Duiker. Won in a canter by twenty lengths; a bad third.

I Markets. USK, CATTLE, Monday.—Notwithstanding it being race day. there was a fair attendance aud supply, especially of sheep and lambs, at the ordinary monthly market to-day. The demand, too, was fairly pood. Quotations :-Be.st beef 6 to 7d per lb, second Quality 601 to 6fd lamb, I a wether mutton SH to 9J, ewe 7}d to 8d veal, 8d to Ql per It); cows and calves, £12 to C15 LT yearlings, £6 to £ 9 tv™-}'ear-olds, Li-O to fl3 sows and pigs, C7 to £10 strong store, 37s to 4of each; three months old, 21s to 23s weaners, 17* to 20s each; heavy-weight porkers, 9" a scorei light ditto, 9s 6d to 10s a score.