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

GROSMONT. I THB Town HALL.-Last year His Grace the Duke of Beaufort most generously made a deed of gift of the Town Hall and tolls to the Parish of Grosmont. The Parish Council decided to com- memorate the gift in some substantial manner. During the past week a handsome granite tablet in gold letters has been affixed on the outside of the building facing the main street. It has the following int-criptioti:l' This Town Hall was presented to this Parish, together with the Tolls, by Henry, 9th Duke of Beaufort, in 1902, being ther Coronation year of King Edward VII." It is pleasing to note that since the property has come* into the hands of the Parish Council, the building has been very greatly improved. This must be most gratifying both to the noble donor and the inhabitants generally, who naturally take a special interest in their public place of entertainment. A

LLANTILIO-CROSSENNT, BRYNDERI HORTICULTURAL SOCIBTY.-The annual flower show, in connection with the Bryuderi Horticultural Society was held in the picturesque ruins of White Castle, on Thursday in last week, and turned out to be a most gratifying success. Not only were the exhibits above the average but the attendance numbered over 1,000. The fact that the gathering took place in an aucient fortress- one of the most interesting of the border castles in Monmouthshire, which wis purchased from His Grace the Duke of Beaufort by Sir Henry Mather- Jackson, Bart.. the present owner, by whom considerable improvements have been carried out- naturally proved a great factor in the matter of attendance. The ruins in these circumstances were seen at their best. The society has been in existence about four years and includes within the scope of its operations the following parishes- Llantilio-Crossenuy, L'auvihsngel-Yestern-Lewem and Llanvetherine. It was established to encourage and promote the cultivation of flowers, fruit, and vegetables among cottagers, by means of com- petitions at the annual flower show, of technical teaching by lectures or demonstrations, and of di-itribution of seeds, plants, and cuttiugs amongst the members. The president is Lady Jackson, the Lou. sees, being the Misses Jackson (who were indefatigable in making the gathering a success), Mr Ascott is the assistant see and Mr S. G. Johnson, hon treasurer. The great attraction of the show was blooms, flowers, &c. (not for competi- tion) from Lady Jackson and the Muses Jackson, Bryuderi; Lady Mather-Jackson, Llantilio Court; Lady Joyce, Messrs. Jones, Shrewsbury; Messrs. Toogood, Southampton and Mr Henry Pitt, Abergavenny. Mr S. G. Johnson, Treadam, also kindly exhibited a choice selection of up-to-date apples, which were greatly admired. A special feature of the show was the soft fruit bottled and preserved from last year. The cottagers' exhibits were excellent, especially the spring and autumn onions. The London and North Western Brass Band from Abergavenny was in attendance, and played a choice selection of operatic and dance music during the afternoon and evening.

MONMOU PH. ¡{(unt.-Mr. Cafrey, Bookseller, Sl>nrn?uth. INQUEST ON A BOY.—Mr Herbert Williams, deputy-corouer, on Wednesday, inquired into the circumstances of the death of Walter Higgs, aged eight, who was found drowned in the River Monnow on Tuesday evening. The evidence showed that the lad, who had no knowledge of swimming, attempted to swim in about 7ft of water.—A verdict of "Accidental death" was recorded. BOARD OF GUARDIAN- MEETING.—Mr S. C. Bosan- quet (chairman) presided at Friday's meeting.—The Board decided to join the Assoaiation of Poor Ltw Unions, paying a subscription of JE2 2s per year; it transpired that out of 649 unions, 259 already belonged to this Association.—A relieving officer reported that a pauper then in the house owned a quarter of an acre of land on the Wheatsheaf Estate, and asked instructions. The Clerk said the Guardians had no power to interfere with real estate, if the pauper were to sell it they could claim the purchase money, but they could not sell the land. It was alleged that no rent had been paid by the present occupier for eight years. The matter then dropped. R.D.C. MEETING.—This authority met on Friday under the presidency of Mr S. C. Bosanqupt.-Dr Wilson (Medical Officer), whose resignation was accepted at the last meeting, complained of some strong remarks made by Sir H. M. Jackson, relative to his (Dr Wilson's) absence when the diphtheria outbreak occurred at Trelleck. He had asked the chairman to mention hit; request for leave to the Council, and left his partner to act for him. Sir Henry, he said, before attacking an official, ought to have ascertained the fact" of the case. On the motion of Rev L. A. Rees, Dr Groves was appointed Medical Officer for one year.—The Chairman pro- duced a bill for L8 2s, hire of nurses in connection with the outbreak of diphtheria in Trelleck, ani a bill of £ 5 9s from Dr Miles for medical attendance. Both bills had been sent to Mrs Ashton, of Trelleck, who had employed both the doctor and the nurses without the authority of the Council. Several mem- bers referred to the prompt and praiseworthy action taken by this lady. The Clerk. however, said they had no authority to pay, and added that while that was the legal position, it was very possible that if they did pay they would hear no more about it. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Perkins. it was decided nem. con. to pay the bills.

PONTNEWYDD. DISTRICT COUNCIL I)IEETrNG.-At the meeting of the Llanfrechfa District Council, held at Pont- newydd on Tuesday night, Mr F. F. Pilliner again wrote complaiuing of the inconvenience experienced by residents in Grange-road by the sewage outflow, and urging the Council to proceed with the con- templated drainage scheme. It was pointed out that the delay was on the part of the engineer, who had been instructed to deal with the matter. +

i'OXTYPOOL. I Agent, -.Il"T. Fftrdiu 7, H fleet 8.)g \{r Field ho use The Market, and MeHrs. Jones and Edwards. MESSRS. BALDWINS (LTD.)—This firm is about to erect eight new eheet mills and galvanising works at Panteg. I BOWLS.-A Keenly contested match between Hereford and Pontypool took place on the Herefor.i Bowling Club Grouud. Pontypool were beateu by 42 points, about half the number of points by which the home club won against Cardiff Mackintosh last season. Scores:—Hereford, 245 Pontypool, 204. THE KENNABD Cup.-The last of the six competi- tions for the Kennard Cup took place at the Blaeu- avon Ranges on Thursday in last week. The cup is given annually by Mr R. W. Kennard to the Blaenavon Volunteers, the winner of the greatest number of the six shoots to bo the winner. There was a rather choppy wind blowing from the riarht, which made shooting rather difficult. Private West was the winner of this shoot, with 61 points. He just beat Sergeant A. H. Pennymore, who gave six points, by one. The winners of the six shoots are as follows :—Captain Pennymore, Sergeant A. H. Pennymore, Sergeant James, Sergeant C. E. Penny- more, Sergeant James, and Private West. Sergeant James, having won two competitions, is the winner of the cup. FOOTBALL CLUB.—The annual meeting of the Pontypool Football Club was held" on Saturday at the Forge Hammer Hotel. Mr Oeorge Moxley, who presided, stated that, although the club started badly last season, they finished up in capital style, and with the same players again available for the ensuing seaocn they would, probably, make a bold bid for the Monmouthshire League championship.— The annual statement of accounts, submitted by Mr B. J. Williams, the secretary, showed that the finances of the club were in a satisfactory condition. There was a balance in hand of £1 Is lid. The officials were all re-elected. The committee, who were asked to meet monthly, were empowered to appoint the match committee. It was decided to form a second team in connection with the club and to invite Mr Jim Evans, Pontymoile, to accept the captaincy. CHAMBER OF TRADR.- Thi Chamber met on Tuesday evening under the presidency of Mr W. S. Fletcher.-The balance sheet of the Pontypool Park Fete showed a balance in hand of £ 447 15s 7d. A cheque for this amount was ordered to bp gen' t.) the funds of the Puntypool and District Hospi'al. It was also decided to give £ 15 towards the .11 .rantee fund of the Bedwelltv Show, at Pontypool in September.—Colonel Bradney wrote asking for a donation towards the cost of erecting the new Drill Hall. It was stated that this could not be done, as there were no funds in hand without touching the reserve, and that could not ba done without rescinding a resolution. Mr D. Reid gave notice of motion to rescind the resolution.—Mr W. H. Pitten, secretary, presented his resignation, stating that he could not continue the work, as it interfered with his own duties. The Chamber voted Mr Pitten E25 for his services in connection with the fete.—Mr W. H. Hughes drew attention to the necessity of establishing a passenger service between Llanhilleth and Ponty- pool, and the Secretary replied that the Pontypool Chamber of Trade and the Monmouthshire County Council were approaching the G.W.R. in the matter. Mr Hughes thought it would be a long time before anything could be brought about, and suggested that the town should subsidise a brake service between the districts mentioned.—The Chairman said that this was impracticable, as the grouud was very hilly. After discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Lewis Davies, to write to the G.W.R. Co., asking them to establish a motor-car service between Llanhilleth and Pontypool.

THE LIGHTER DIETARY OF THE TABLE HOW TO ENLARGE AND IMPROVE IT. Especially heathful and refreshing in the hot summer season is a Corn Flour Blancmange with cold stewed fruit. It is a delightful dish all the year round, but in the hot weather is particularly gratifying and appetising. By means of Brown and Poison's "Patent" Corn Flour, the lighter dietary of the table is greatly enlarged and improved, and it enables a pleasing variety of summer dishes to be easily and economically made. This is, indeed, a matter worthy of careful attention on health account alone, and those who are interested will do well to write to Brown and Poison, Paisley (enclosing penny stamp) for their booklet of "Summer Dishes" which is full of good things The question of substitution is much in the air just now, and very properly so, and in Corn Flour this evil is very pronounced, so that buyers have to insist on getting Brown and Poison's Patent'' or some inferior article, bearing a larger profit to the grocer, will often be substituted instead.

I Oxford Local Exams. I The Division Lists with the results of the Oxford Local examination were issued on Monday. The plemier position in the first class of the seniors is gained by R. Petrie, Monmouth Grammar School, who for the second year in succession has dis- tinguished himself by coming out first among the senior candidates. This is the first time such an honour has been secured by any caudidate. The details are :-First Class in order of merit. —1st. R. Petrie, who gained distinctions in ■ English Literature (equal 2nd). History aud Geography (equal 12th), Poliiical Economy (3rd), Latin (equal 12th), Greek (equal 5th), French (equal 1st), and Mathematics (equal 4th) Petrie is awarded the 930 offered by the delegates to the boy who heads the list. Amongst the junior candidates who obtained honours are :—First class, in order of merit (151 cati,iidates),-20th. bracketed equal with five other candidates, G. W. Priestley, West Monmouthshire Scit ol 84th, bracketed equal with sixteen other <M didates, R. E. M. Haines, Monmouth G.S.; TITIrd class, A. C. Hiley, Monmouth G.S.; n. W. Croot, West MoHmouthshire School.

¿¿:= IfHTARCHER^lli ifGOLDEMRETQRHSltJ jjU; REG!STEREDgfcy- f| L^l tac-simile of One-Ounce Pachct- Archer's Golden Returns The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. COOL, SWEET, AKD FRAGRANT.

,1 4 I Markets. USH, CATTLE, Monday. — At the ordinary bi- monthly market to-d-v there was a large attendance, but business was not particularly brisk, and trade in beef was slow. Quotations-Best quality beef 6d to 7d per lb, seconds 61 to wether mutton 8d, ewe 6d to 7d lamb 8d to Sid vssal Sd per lb cows and calves Z 15 to £¡1, yearlings £ 6 to £ 10, two-year-olds £ 11 to X14 sows and pigs £ 7 to E10, strong stores 35s to 4.58 each, three months old 20s to 23s, weaners 16 to 20s, heavy weight porkers 98 6d a score, hht ditto lug f, l a score. NEWPORT, CORN, Wednesday.—Tne market to- day was very quiet. NEWPORT, CATTLE, Wednesday.—There was the average supply, a fair demand, and a good attendance. Quotations :-Best beef 6d to 7d, eeconds 6d to 6jd, cows 6d to 6Jd best wether mutton 8d, ewe,3 (ild to 7d lamb 81 to 811 veal 2' 7d to 8Jd. NEWPORT, CHEESE, Wednesday.—There was to- day a good supply, a slow demand, and a fair attendance. Quotations —Caerphillys 38s to 459, fancy dairies 4,Ss to 49s, doubles 563 to 58s, Derbys 58s to 60s, truckles 56s to 66s.

CYCLING ACCIDENT.—Frank Owen, of Nevada House, Rhymuey, met with a serious accident near House, Rhymuey, met with a serious accident near Crickhowell, on Friday. He was riding bis bicycle down the hill near the Old Factory, and, loeing control of the machine, ran into the wall, and was thrown into a stream. He was picked up in an unconscious state, and moved to Abergavenny Hospital.

The Most Nutritious.       I L;d s mi.- p ij Grateful-Comtorting. r% A COCOA Breakfastr—Supper._

ABEBGAVENNT. AIC)tfs.Vessrs Davies <k Co. Booksellers, ABERGAVENNY A.A.A.—A meeting of the Aber- gavenny Annteur Athletio Association was held at the Swau Hotel on Monday evening, under the chairmanship of Mr F. E. Lowe, supported by Mr Z. Wheatley.—It was decided to form a branch of the Association.—Mr H. M. Jeffreys was elected captain, with Mr C. E. Watkins vice-captain. HOUSE ROBBED AT MONMOUTH CAP.-On Thursday evening in list week it was discovered that goods to the estimated value of LIOO were missing from Monmouth Cap House, a beautiful country house, belonging to Colonel Lucas Scudamore, standing near the milin road about midway between Aber- gavenny and Hereford. The pllloe is temporarily occupied by a Mr and Mrs Snow, with their servants, and the lost property includes a gentle. man's gold watch and chain, Indian bracelet, five to six shillings in coin, and various articles of jewellery, the property of Mr and Mrs now. Several tramps passed through the village during the day, and the alleged theft is supposed to have taken place early in the evening, while some of the occupants of the house were playing tennis in an adjoining field. Information was immediately given to the police. MARRIAGE -At the Church of the Annunciation, Chislehurst, on Tuesday in last week, the Vicar, the Rev H. Lloyd Ruaeell, officiating, Mr John Price, son of Mr Daniel Price, of Abergavenny, was married to Miss Euphemia Jefford, daughter of Mr John Jefford, of Chislehurst. The bride was given away by her father, and wore a dress of silk voile, trimmed with chiffon bells and sprays of orange blossom, transparent yoke and sleeves of chiffou, silk Maltese lace collar and embroidered net veil, with wreaths of orange blossoms. She also wore a handsome gold necklet with pearls and turquoises, and carried a shower bouquet of lilies, carnations, and tuberoses, with satin ribbon streamers. The bridemaids, the Misses Minnie Day, G. Squires. D. Kettell, and D. Howse wore dresses of ecru silk muslin, with white Indian muslin fichus, ecru fancy straw hats with roses, two trimmed pink and two blue, with waist bands to match. They carried decorated baskets with a profusion of fljwers and chiffon bells, and each wore a gold and pearl brooch the gift of the bridegroom. Mr L. Jefford (brother of the bride) acted as best man. A reception was afterwards held at Florida, Albany-road, and later in the day Mr and Mrs John Price left for Eastbourne, where the honeymoon is being spent, the bride travelling in a cream cloth costume trimmed with blue French knots, a cream silk blouse aud black picture hat. A large number of presents were received.

CAERLEON. I Allent-Miss M, A. Eoans, Newsagent, Cross-street, CHORAL FESTIVAL.—A festival under the auspices of the Llandaff Diocesan Choral Association was held at St Cadoo's Church. Caerleon, on Thursday afternoon. The following choirs, numbering 250 voices, were present :-Blaen:ivon, Caerleon. Malpas, Nantyglo, Penrhos, Usk, Llanfrechfa, and Newtown (Ebbw Vale). Mr Theodore Seaton, diocesan choirmaster, conducted the singing of Lloyd's Service in E. The.anthem," From all that dwell," by Walmisley, was also rendered. The Rev A. A. Matthews (vicar of Blaenavoo, and Secretary of the Association) intoned the service, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. C. A. Green, viiar of Aberdare. Miss L. Williams presided at the organ.

1, CHEPSTOW. I Agent.—Miss Clark CHURCH RESTORATION FUND.—The third garden- party in aid of the Parish Church Restoration Fund was held iii Chepstow Castle on Wednesday afternoon and evening. In the first court, Mrs Bircham and Mrs Yockney presided t>ver the fancy stall, Mrs tlensley undertook the tea ani refresh- ment stall, Mr R. H. Whall a book'stall, Mrs W. C. Thomas a sweet stall, Mrs and the Misses Lewis sold useful articles, and Mr and Miss K. Proctor superintended the CyCOut shy and 4.1 Aunt Sally." In the second Clurt there were curious driving competitions, ladies being driven harnessed and blindfolded, and also doitka-y Polo. ■A. farce entitled ''The Virginian Mummy was performed in the banqueting hall.. Good music was given by the Pillowell Brass Band, and at night, when the Castle was illuminated, a costume dance took place by torchlight. DROWNED IN THE WYS.—An inquiry into the deacth of Annie Louisa Scrivens, 31,' wife of John Semens, a St. Briavel's Common woodcutter, was conducted by Mr M. F. Carter, at the Brockweir Parish Hall on Saturday afternoon.—Tne husband said that he and his wife retired to bed together about 10.30 on the night of the 7th inst. He woke up at 4.30, and, finding his wife was missing, he concluded that she was in the children's bedroom, and went to sleep again. He woke up at o.30, and as he could not find his wife, and as she had not put any clothes on, he became alarmed, and gave information to the police. Eleven years ago deceased was in the Fishponds Lunatic Asylum for eight months, as the result of a fright. During the five years that they had been married, however, deceased appeared to be in a sane state of mind up to three weeks ago, when she fell out of bed, since which she bad been very depressed and in low spirits, but witness did not think she was bad enough to be put away, as her sister was with her. The body was recovered from the River Wye at Brockweir on the 12th inst.-Tile jury returned a verdict uf Drowned in the River Wye whilst in an uusouad state of mind."

OWMBKAN. J PROPERTY SALK.—A large number of investors assembled at the Halfway Hotel, Cwmbran, on Monday evening, the occasion bainit a sale of property by Messrs C. E. Parsons and Jolliffe, of Newport and Chepstow. A freehold building site fronting Court Road, Llantarnam, and producing £ 5 per quarter, was sold to Mr W. J. Waters for LIOO. A freehold cottage and garden, No. 21, Court Road, was knocked down to Mr Tom Chappel for Y,87 10s. A freehold ground rent of ES per annum wast purchased by Messrs Guest, Keen and Co. for £190. Mr Frank Lewis, of Newport, acted as solicitor to the vendor. ♦

Foreign (Competition. i The following letter appeared in The Times, of August 15th. Sir,—In June last I pointed out in your column* that the habit of lumping together the total volumes of British Imports and Exports-like a man lumping his income and exp-nditnre —and throwing these figures at those who believed Great Britain was losing its export trade with foreign countries, was an insufficient, if not a misleading, form of reply. I gave some specific instances of successful trade diversion, the seriousness of which could not. be measured by any Board of Trade statistics, as the manufactures went through channels not covered by our statistical returns. I can uow add, at first band, another instance of that kind of competition, the effect.. of which will not appear in any statistics of Imports or Exports affecting Great Britain. It is nevertheless a very real form of competition to-day, and still more real in its possible bearing on the future relative industrial position of this country to at least one of its competitors. An English industrial undertaking, owning works abroad, in which I am interested, recently invited tenders for Electrical Plant. Seventeen firms (fifteen being British) competed. The tenders ranged from £ 62,000 down to j £ 26,800r and the tender of a firm in Berlin for the last- named figure ( £ 26,800) was accepted. In addition to the fifteen British firms who competed for this work, one firm declined to tender for the reasons set forth in the following extract Re your inquiry for we regret "we are unable to quote for this work. -We "can assure you that we have uot come to this conclusion without first going very .1 exhaustively into the matter, but we are "convinced that no English firm bus any "reasonable prospect of securing the order. Taking the case of the Steel Castings alone, there is a difference of upwards of £ 5,000 between the cost of these as quoted by Continental makers and the cost as quoted "by several English firms. In addition to this, there is a matter of carriage on 750 tone of this material from the Continent, and oa 1,000 tons from this country and back again "abroad. There is, furthermore, the very great difference between the cost of labour "ill England and that iu Germany and Belgium and under these circumstances we feel that it would be useless our going iuto the matter further." This is the third contract within a year which has gone to Germany for work in connection with the same undertaking. I know of other instances of similar successful competition by Germany ia other undertakings. I cired a case in you-, columns recently where the Manchester Corporation let a contract to the Allgemeine Elektricitats Gesellschaft of Berlin, which came to £ 36pOOQ !e than the towest Eagiiih tender. One point, however, which I wish to pre- eminently bring out in connection with this contract for C26,800 let to the Berlin firm is this that the loss of this order, and the benefit it might have brought to English employers and empl^y6s, cannot be explained away by reference to any Board of Trade affecting Great Britain. because it could neither aopear as au import nor an export for this, or any, year of this country neither could the case be affected b- compari-ioa with statistics of the Board of Trade for past years, because the work executed is of an entirely new character relating to a new industrial process, consequently no machinery of the sam kinrf has ever been made before in Great Britain, or, in fact, any other European country, so far as I know. Board of Trade statistics cannot, therefore, possibly affect such a case but, all the same, the competition is none the lel3 real and effective, and means loss to this country. What, then, is the cause of this enormous difference in price between English and German tenderd British Electrical firms are amongst the best equipped and up-to-date in all their appliances and methods, and with the newest machinery. It can hardly be seriously alleged, therefore, that British methods of production, in this department, at least, ate behind the times. Is it because of the cheapness of labour ia Germany? If so, I a-a told that the successful arm in this case happens to work its emplo yé no longer hours than those which obtain in the best English factories, and pays to most of them, equally good wages. If it is not cheap labour, is it the Cartel system ? I am unable to state whether these consistently low prices from different firms in Germany are owing to the operations of any Cartel or Trust sy-tem. I do know, however, on the au'hority of Mr Posadowsky, one of the German Ministers of State, that at a conference of experts in November, 1902, on the subject of Cartels, he said there were then 450 Syndicates in Germany, mostly in the metal, mining, chemical, and textile industries; and Dr Raffalovich, from whose work I cull this statement, says that in February. 1902, a union of several of these Cartels decided to give to such of their customers as wished to export, bounties or premiums on exports (primes a I' exportation) equal to the difference between the price they could get in Germany and the lower price at which they sold to the foreigner. I also know that some of the most powerful electrical firms in Germany have in recent years formed combines and amalgamations. It is very difficult, however, for people engaged in English trade to say to what extent, if any, these great German combines of electrical companies have arranged amongst: themselves to control or regulate the prices of their exported manufactures. I do not think even a Royal Commission, inaugurated by the Kaiser himself, could get at the bottom of these facts. What is certain is that Germany is getting the contracts and we are getting the con- troversies. Yours faithfully, JOSEPH LAWRENCE. House of Commons, August 13tb, 1903

-some of the servants' offices distempered and re- fcoloured Inferior papers had been placed over the original wall papers. One side of a bed had been covered with a mass of stains, and "he should aiot like to use it again. When witness made her inspection the bed was covered over. The stair- case was covered with uails, and felt was sticking into the varnish. There were numbers on the rwalls, Mr Hartmanti having had a sale there. The grounds were in a perfect state of cultivation when r £ he house was let. Mr Pillinger, a landscape gardener, had been over the estate and would speak as to the condition of the grounds. The shigh state of cultivation of the grounds and gardens was the result of years of careful attention by a proper staff of gardeners. Since Mr Hartmaun 'had left they had taken pains to get the lawns into good condition, and had tried to cultivate a part of the gardens. She did not think the croquet lawn had been touched for two years. She had tiad a good deal of rubbish remove 1 from around the house and the kitchen garden. Cross-examined by Mr Holman Gregory The "house was done throughout after her husband's •death. She WHS on friendly term* with Mr Hart- mann'for the first six months of the tenancy, and it -was with her consent that the drawing-room was 4ransformed into a billiard-room. Mr Hartmann had re-papered and re-painted the house, except two rooms and two passages. The bed was certainly not in the same condition as witness left it. She went np, by appointment with Mr Hartmann, to ,mark some trees with the intention of having them cut down. The trees were in the orchard, and she qmd said nothing to Mr Hartmann about it. This ■was the first time that any friction arose between -them. The woodward went over the property out- side Mr Hartmann's boundary to mark trees which should be felled.- Re- examined: She had been ,unable to let the premises in consequence of their .condition. Mr Henry Dunning, Photographer, Usk, gave evidence with regard to the photographs of the vpremises produced. The Misses Glynn, who formerly rented the house gave corroborative evidence as to the condi- tion of the place when it was taken over by Mr Hartmann, and also the bad state of the same when lie left it last March. Mr F. Hobbs, Crown office surveyor, Monmouth, described the condition of Cefn [Ia before and after Mr Hartmann's tenancy. The place looked as ^though it had been neglected. Mr J. W. Hunt, auctioneer and valuer, Newport, who acted for Mrs Lister, gave the result of his inspection of the property after Mr Hartmann had given up possession. He estimated the total damages at £574.. There were indications of con- siderable neglect in reference to the kitchen garden end grounds. The tennis and croquet lawns were absolutely unplayable unless they were re-laid, "owing to horses having been allowed to trample upon the grass.—Replying to Mr Gregory, the witness said the lawns close to the house had been Tahorn. The holly hedge had been allowed to grow -wild. -Re-exFkmined He could not conceive of a careful tenant taking the place in its present -condition. Mr M. Shepherd said he had had a large experience as a house decorator. He bad decorated a number of mansions. He had inspected Cefn Ila and found in some of the rooms that the paper on the, walls was hung upon paper of a superior quality. William Doyle, gardener, who lived at Cefn Ila Ijodee, said that he knew the grounds well. He could not say that the kitchen garden was in a first- rate condition when Mr Hartmann took possession, --but the grounds were. He had heard no complaints as to the water supply. He had heard a hydraulic ram for forcing water to the house being worked -when the tanks were full. The inquiry was then adjourned until Saturday, -when Mr Holman Gregory said that as the remarks -of the previous dxy with regard to the bedding had --been published in the press he thought it his duty, in fairness to his client, to go into the case thoroughly. With the umpire's permission he would ask that Mrs Lister might go into the box on Wednesday morning for cross-examination on the jpoint, in order that it might be cleared up. The Umpire assented to this course. Mr George Phillips, landscape gardener from Pillinger's Nurseries, Chepstow, gave evidence, the general effect of which was that the shrubs and gardens showed signs of gross neglect.—Cross- examined Nothing should be done in the way of cutting the turf under the trees in the belt facing the house. He saw the trees on August 5th, after an exceptionally wet summer. The channelling in the drive had apparently been stopped up.—Mr iHolman Gregory Someone told you it was stopped ,Up Witness: We judged of that from what we saw.-How recently had the washing been, so far as you could judge? In June or July. But when- ever that washing away must have taken place, the channels must have been stopped up P Yes.—How often ought those channels to be washed out ? Two or three times a year.—Replying to further ques- tions, Mr Phillips said if anyone said the kitchen garden was dug over in March it was not true. A piece of the garden had, however, been dug over. The garden paths were full of weeds, and it would "take a large amount of labour to get them out. The Oawn in front of the house and the terrace were in good condition, but the grass between the specimen conifers on the right and left of the drive had not i,been regularly mown. Mr J. W. Hunt, who inspected the property, was ,.examined at some length by Mr Gregory as to the ,estimates in his report. Mv Thomas Rees, surveyor to the Usk Urban 'District Council, said he knew Cefn Ila well. Some years ago the shrubberies and lawns were nicely Ikept. He went round the premises and grounds the day after Mr Hartmann gave up possession. There was much growth underneath the shrubs, and elder bushes here and there. The tennis court had not, -in his opinion, been attended to for two or three years. In March the channelling along the drive was filled up with grit from the surface of the road. The gradient was such that the road should be attended to after every storm. In March, 1901, he saw timber which was cut, and some portion was 'hauled over the road. He inspected the road, and ,the work was properly done. As the acting agent for Mrs Lister, he wrote to Mr Hartmann stating "that certain trees were marked for cutting down by 'mistake, and the timber was not felled. He went 'through the house, and the general impression be formed was that it required to be thoroughly done 'up. The ram was in working order when he "tested it. John Davies, who was formerly in the employ of Mrs Lister, said that during the three years he worked at Cefn Ila the place was in a good condi- tion. He bore out the testimony of previous -witnesses. Joseph Bennett Greening, gardener, spoke as to a man named King, employed as a gardener by Mr Hartmann, leaving Cefn Ila. The inquiry was further adjourned until Wednes- day morning. The adjourned inquiry was heard on Wednesday tsnorning when Mr E. Horley, solicitor, Cardiff, was the first ^-witness called on plaintiff's behalf. He said that he saw the grounds of Cefn Ila in the summer of 897. They were then in a good state of repair. He saw them again after Mr Hartmann had become tenant, and the contrast was very marked. The gardens and lawn had been allowed to go into a \state of disrepair. P Mrs Lister (re-called) was questioned by Mr 'Gregory as to the position and condition of the -bed which she had previously stated had been "badly stained. She admitted that her brother-iu- odaw had died on that bedstead, but said that the 'top bed on which lie had been lying had tbeeii destroyed- The bedding that she left there 'Subsequently was clean. Mr T. Parry, estate agent and auctioneer, New- port, said that in April and May, 1897, he went over the premises several times prior to preparing particulars of the sale by auction. The interior of ,the house was in a very excellent condition. He saw it again recently, when it was in a deplorable condition. He felt certain such a condition could -act have been brought about since March last. The grounds in May, 1897, were also in excellent order—drive, lawns, gardens and everything. L When he saw them again recently, they had t deteriorated badly. It was sad to see the place, p The rose garden'waa a wilderness. There was a pv ^ree yea*8' growth of uuderwood in some parts, -,three years growth of underwood in some parts. r The hedges, too, had apparently not been clipped [ for years. Other parts of the grounds hAd been ( .allowed to go to rack and ruin. He did not hesitate to say that if the property were offered for sale by auction to-day, it would not realise, by ;CI,001), what it would have realiaed in 1,1497. It was a pity to see such a beautiful place no neglected. They 11 y were offered 18,5uO for the place at the sale which he conducted in 1897.Crons- examined by Mr Gregory, witness said he had not given instructions to have the place cleaned up prior to the sale. The place was so beautifully kept that there was no necessity for that. A a matter of fact, he advised Mrs Lister to have the place kept in its then excellent condition, as the gentleman who had offered a,500 for h might be inclined to increase his offer. He admitted that Major Lister wrote in 1898 stating that he did not propose to keep the greenhouse in repair, as it was old. It was true that Major Lister sta. ed in a letter written in 1899 that he had spent a c msiderable sam on the green- house, but that did not alter witness's decided opinion that it was in good repair when he saw it. He was speaking from msraory, but he was so impressed with the condition of the place in 1897 that he was quite p )sitive that the facts were as stated by him. Mr E. Bowyer, formerly a roadman, said he knew the road at Cetn Ila when Mr Hartmann took it. it was then in good condition. When he saw it again after Mr Hartmauu's tenancy, it was in a bad condition, the channels and courses having been neglected, with the result that the road had been cut np. Mrs Lister was repairing it when he saw it afterwards. -Crops. examined: He could not say whether the r)ad was cut up through timber being hauled over it for Mrs Lister. This conc!uded Mr Moore's evidence on the claim, but he said he should have witnesses to call on the counter-claim. Mr Gregory then reminded the arbitrator that according to the terms of the lease, Mr Hartmann undertook to keep the property in as good a state of repair as it was at the time he went into possession, and he (Mr Gregory) would seek to show that the evidence called as to the state of the grounds when they took the house in 189S was grossly exaggerated. As a matter of fact Mr Hartmann spent £ 600 or E700 on the house and grounds, and brought them up to a much better state of repair than they were before. Mr Henry Hartmann said he rented the house in March 1898. Prior to entering into the lease, he went over the premises. There was some cor- respondence, through his solicitors, with Mrs Lister, as to the repair of the house. Speaking generally, the house was not in good condition. When he first saw it, the furniture was in the house, but after this had been removed, he discovered that the place was in need of repair. The hall, dining- room. billiard-room, and sitting-room had to be repaired. As to the grounds, the lawns were not so bad, but the gardens were in a very bad state. The hall bad to be re-papered and painted, and loose tiles had to be replaced. He bought the paper from one of the best London houses. The morning room also had to be re-papered and painted, while, in order to counteract a draught, he had to put down linoleum in addition to the carpet. The drawing- room, by Mrs Lister's consent, was altered into a billiard-room, and a room upstairs into a drawing- room. It was found necessary to repair both of these. The patches on the paper, due to damp, ware as bad when he entered the house as when he left, and they were pointed out to Mrs. Lister at the time. He knew nothing of the ceiling being damaged through water peroolating from the room above. That did not occur during his tenancy. All the woodwork was re-painted by him and varnished. Witness gave similar evidence with regard to other rooms. He reckoned he spent about X200 in renovating the interior of the house. This expense was incurred within the first two years of his tenancy, and after the work was done, he considered the house was in a better condition then when he entered into possession. With regard to the grounds, he had his own gardener, who was a oompetent man, and he gave him help when he first went there. He employed his gardener, a second gardener, and extra labourer. The grounds were put in a proper state of repair by them, and after- wards they were regularly attended to. The condition of the stables, yard, etc., was not altogether satisfactory, but it was "a identically the same condition when he went there as it was when he left. The kitchen garden when he went there was uncultivated, there were no plants in the asparagus or strawberry beds, and the fruit trees were neglected. His gardener put all these in order, with the help of extra labour. Asked as to what he meant when he wrote stating that he intended to advertise for an ex- convict," &c., witness replied that he did not mean the letter to be taken in a literal sense-only conditional in the event of Mrs" Lister actually proceeding to cut down the trees. Mr Moore Yes a sort of thumb-screw. Mr D. T. Alexander, valuer,&c., Cardiff, said that in March, last year, accompanied by Mr W. Hitchcox and Mr Charles Parsons, of Newport, he inspected Cefn Ila. He found the condition of the interior in what he considered tenantable repair, but there were evidences of damp having in some places damaged the paper on the walls. There were some few minor matters which he thought it better should be put right, so as to avoid any question of leaving the place in perfect order when the tenancy expired. He saw two or three men digging up the kitchen garden. As to the grounds, his impression was that they were in better condition on the 25th March than when he was there a fortnight ago. Cross-examined: He should not describe the grounds as fairly tenantable. There was probably 18 months' or two years' undergrowth amongst the shrubs. Mr Hartmann, cross-examined by Mr Moore, said that prior to going to Cefn Ila, he lived at Crick House. He had no dispute there about dilapidations. There were some things he asked to have done. He first saw Messrs. Evans, of Chepstow, about Cefn Ila. He did not tell Mr Evans that there was only one room that required re-painting. He saw Messrs. Evans two or three times before seeing Mr Moxon. He went over the premises twice before he signed the lease. He did not go over the house; he left that to Mrs Hartmann. He did not make it a peremptory condition of the tenancy that no sale should take place before he went in. Mr Moore then read a letter, written by witness's solicitors, in which this condition was distinctly laid down, on the grounds that a sale would probably damage the paper and painting. Witness then admitted that the letter was written by his authority. It was true that be wrote to Mrs Lister, in October, 1902, stating that he failed to see the u-e of keeping a gardener. That was after Mrs Lister had complained that he had no gardener there. He had employed a roadman on one piece of the garden. There was no one looking after the shrubs or the kitchen garden from October, 1901. to July, 1902, nor were the lawns touched during that period. A man named Doyle had been attending to the garden before witness went there. Mr Moore Is it not a fact that you and Doyle soon got to cross purposes?—No, I did not want the man there. Witness admitted writing a letter to Mrs Lister, dated 8th June, 1898, in which he described Doyle as "cattle" and "cur." He said he first felt bitter towards Mrs Lister after she threatened to cut down the trees. Mr Moxon on one occasion wrote stating that he could not imagine what had been the cause of this intense bitterness." Witness had not then told him that the timber was the cause. He had seen a letter from Mrs Lister to Mr Moxon regretting that he (witness) had adopted so offensive a tone, stating that nothing was further irom her thoughts than to auuoy Mr and Mrs Hartmann in the slightest degree, and that a word or two from him would have stopped any unpleasantness. Perhaps Mrs Lister did say in the letter that she was not likely to do anything to injure her own property. Mr Moore read a letter which witness wrote to Mrs Lister, in April, 1893, describing Doyle as that fell,)w," and stating: I have assured my servants of my full support in case they wish to settle their differences with him, and, if necessary I shall take the matter into my own hands." How did he suggest his servants should settle their differences with Doyle?—Witness: Oh, I dou't know. Did you mean by fisticuffs? (Laughter) .-No. What did you mean by saying that if necessary you would t-ike the matter into your own hands? Did you mean fisticuffs ?-- No I meant to deal with him through my solicitor. I put it to you that you were in a chronic state of bad temper.—There was no chronic about) it. I was annoyed from time to time. Mrs Hartmann, wife of the last witness, said that at Mrs Lifter's request she allowed a c )tiple of bedsteads, which had been in the family a number of years, together with the bedding and mattress, to remain there. When she entered into possession she removed the bedding into an unused room, and there it remained during her tenancy. The bedding was in a filthy state. It was untrue that either witness's husband or children had ever slept on it. When witness left the house she replaced the bedding on the bedstead, ani it was in the same condition then as when they first went there. Cross-examined: Witness could not remember details of the defects in the house of which she complained when they went there. She knew the place was not fit to live in. She admitted that the furniture generally was in perfect condition, but could not tell Mr Moore why a lady like Mrs Lister should allow her beautiful furniture to remain in rooms which were damp or in need of repair. In conclusion Mr Moore elicited that witness and her husband sat opposite each other fanning the (lames of resentment." On Thursday, Mr Gregory called further expert evidence to show the condition of the house and grounds in 1898. 1899 and this year. One of the witnesses, replying to Mr Lyndon Moore, said that he had reason to remember the condition of the place in 1898, because the tyre of the cab in which he was driving came off as they were going along the drive. (Laughter.) Mrs Warren, who had acted as general help for Mr and Mrs Hartmann for some years, said that when she went to Cefn Ila to clean up in the first place, the paint and paper in most of the rooms were in poor condition. Tiles in the hall were loose, the blinds in most of the rooms were poor, and the floor of the butler's pantry was rotten. They were frequently short of water. Witness heard some talk about the failure of the ram to work. Mr Williams, formerly in the employ of Messrs Lavertons, Ltd., who removed Mr Hartmann's furniture from Crick to Cefu Ila, said he saw the house after Mrs Lister's furniture had been removed and before Mr Hartmann's was ttken in, and he did not consider the rooms fit for a lady and geutleman to move into. Renovations were carried out, and in March last witness was called in to superintend the removal of the furniture, and to put the place in fair wear-and-tear order. Mr Pullin, decorator, who did work for Messrs Lavertons, at Cefn Ila, in 1898, gave similat evi- dence. They did a lot of work there, an! put the place in good order. Witness had also done work there since. The coudition of the house in March last was far superior to what it was in 1898. Further evidence was called, and all the witnesses were closely questioned by Mr Moore.