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

Births, Marriages, & Deaths. Announcements under this heading are inserted at a uniform charge of 1/- each, unless such words as "No Cards," II No Flowers," cJc., are added, when the charge will be 2/6. All Announcements must be authenticated. Postage Stamps may be sent in payment. Lists of Wedding Presents are inserted at the rate of 1/6 er inch in depth.

The British Squadron at Brest. Epoch-making events are taking place at Brest, where the Government, the corpora- tion, and the populace are devoting them- selves enthusiastically to the task of extending a cordial welcome to the British Squadron. It must surely be by the irony of fate that these festivities should take place at Brest, which was formerly a part of the dominions of the English Crown, and has several times changed hands between the English and French. The visit of the British Squadron to Brest will be followed by similar functions in this country, where we shall have the pleasure of entertaining the officers and men of a French Squadron, and shall do our bet to show that our neighbours have been mistaken in supposing that the average Briton is a person of cold and phlegmatic disposition. Of this occa- sion it has been happily remarked that that which Napoleon could never accomplish will have been brought about by the entente cordiale, viz., the presence in London of a force of French sailors, who, instead of finding themselves welcomed by bloody arms to hospitable graves," will meet the MOST CORDIAL OF RECEPTIONS I at the hands of a people who know how to appreciate their own bluejackets, and could scarcely receive more acceptable guests than the sailors of France. It is one of the most striking coincidences that these ameni- ties should take place in the centenary year of the battle of Trafalgar, where our French and Spanish foes quitted themselves like heroes, but had the misfortune to be opposed to a force directed by the greatest naval commander that the world ever saw. Villeneuve was a skilful seaman, stimu- lated to nervous anxiety by an apprehension that unless he engaged the enemy he would be superseded, but still not so feeble as to have been guilty of the folly, which some writers have attributed to him, of telling his officers before the battle began that all was lost." Nelson, on the other hand, was a genius vivified by the spark from Heaven," and genius flies round the world while plodding merit is putting on its boots. But, as Admiral Bridge said at the annual meeting of the Navy Records Society, the time has now come when we can SPECIALLY DO HONOUR I to Nelson's memory without wounding the feelings of other nations. There is no reason to exult over, or even to expatiate on, the defeats of others." This is the first time in nearly a hundred years that we are able to render full justice to the memory of Nelson without the apprehension of hurting the feelings of ultra-sensitive Frenchmen, and in that circumstance also we have cause for rejoicing.

I Newport's Incubus. Newport has an incubus. We gather this from its local journal, and quite a number of proverbs occur to the mind while reading its leading article on the Government's Redistribution Scheme, and its supposed bearing upon the constituency now called the Monmouth District Boroughs. The wish" we know "is father to the thought," but it is always unsafe to count your chicken before they are hatched," and you should "never prophesy until you know." That Monmouth and Usk should be said to be tacked on to a town with which they have nothing in common" is in itself a statement that requires explanation. What is the matter with Newport that other towns in the County have nothing in common with it ? Is it anathema ? If so, it is certainly unfair that such eminently respectable towns as Monmouth and Usk should ever have been in partnership with it. Possibly these two contributory boroughs may have acted as a wholesome check upon the principal partner in the firm, and that constitutes the incubus from which Newport suffers, and which it would gladly shake off.

[We do not necessarily endorse all our correspondent writes.-E-D. "C.-O."j. WANTED, A BAND. Something seems to have gone wrong with the Volunteer Band, for nothing has been heard of it for some time now, and I learn that the bandmaster has left the town perhaps that is the cause. & The subject of band music naturally comes to the front at this time of the year, with flower shows, parish fetes, &c., an- nounced in the district around us. A few years ago we had a plethora of organizations of instrumentalists, perform- ers on brass and reed and string, and we had some very enjoyable evenings listening to the music they provided, not forgetting the Sunday afternoon sacred concerts on the Island. I am sure there is plenty of good material in the town now to form a good brass band, either Volunteer or Town, and I feel equally certain that if such a band were started under a good leader, it would have the sup- port of the townspeople generally. Cannot someone qualified take the matter up?

USK. Agent-Mrs. E. K. Jones, Stationer FLOWER Siiow.-As will be seen by advt., a meeting of the members and subscribers of the Upk Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society is called for Monday evening next. OBITUARY.—It is with great regret we hear of the death of Mrs Hughes, the wife of Mr J. T. Hughes, the Monmouth Boroughs Conservative Agent, which occurred on Tuesday, at Newport, at the early age of 38 years. The sympathy of all who know Mr Hughes will go out to him in his very sad bereavement. THE CHOIR.-The adult members of the choir of St. Mary's Church, Usk, had a most enjoyable day's outing to Weston-super-Mare, on Saturday last. They drove to Newport, but were dis- appointed to find the boat there full, so they proceeded to Cardiff, whence they crossed the Channel in the "Bonnie Doon." The weather was brilliant, and the party had a most enjoyable time.

ANGLING. River low, weather bright, sport dull, a fresh badly wanted. flALMON KILLS. Monday, July 10th—Mrs Lister, one, llibs., in the Crows. Tuesday, July 11th—Mr Sword, a botcher, in Coedyprior.

URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Usk U.D.C. was held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday, when there were present :-Messrs. S. A. Hiley, J.P. (chairman), W. Marfell, Reuben Morgan, T. J. Smith, W. Workmau, J. Knight, G. Edmunds, Horatio Ault, A. F. Lucas (clerk), aud T. Rees, jr. (surveyor, &c.) THE NEW BATE. The general district rate of Is lid in the £ for the coming year was signed and sealed, on the proposition of Mr F. Jennings, seconded by Mr T. J. Smith. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. I The Surveyor reported that the dangerous state of the chimney stack at the Royal Hotel and of the roof at the King's Head had not been attended to, but the work had been, he was told, placed in the hands of the tradespeople. Something should be done with regard to the disposal of sewage and the pumping thereof. Nothing had been done since the new arrangement made by the Street Committee. Letters were read showing that the owners of the premises complained of would attend to the matters without delay. As to the sewage disposal, there was some discussion as to obtaining a new pump, and the Surveyor suggested one worked by means of a windlass. In reply to Mr Marfell, he said the tanks had not been cleaned out for more than a month- about six weeks. The Surveyor was ultimately instructed to purchase a suitable pump at a cost of from £ 7 to £ 10. The Chairman said it should not be too small. The Clerk was requested to call a meeting of the Street Committee when the new pump arrived, in order that they might consider other matters con- nected with the sewage field. FINANCE. I The following accounts weie ordered to be PAID ;james Symonds, quarter's clock winding, Xi 5s; T. Morgan, water cart haulage, £ 3 16S; Surveyor, on account of manual and team labour, Xii 13s 9d. The following payments to Treasurer were reported:— £ 2 9s 6d, hire of Town Hall; £ 7 7s 2d and E2 15s 2d market tolls a 149 fair tolls (after allowing occupiers on Twyn-square X,2 Is 6d). THE WATER CART. Mr Mundy, referring to the cost of street watering, said it was getting a serious item, amounting to XS or X9 for two months. What were the terms under which the Water Company supplied them with water for this purpose ? It seemed to him a waste of the ratepayers' money' for the cart to go empty from, say Castle-parade down to the Cattle Market for a supply instead of getting it from the street hydrants. The Chairman said the question had been raised before. The Surveyor suggested then that by taking the water from the hydrants it would cause a sediment and discolour the domestic water supply. A second reason was that it took a considerably longer time to fill the cart at the hydrants than at the tank in the Cattle Market. Mr Mundy said that he should have thought otherwise. He thought that something ought to be done to lessen the cost. Mr Ault: It doesn't last long. Mr Smith: It is money well spent. Mr Edmunds: I think so, too. Mr Jennings It is the beauty of having fine weather. Mr Morgan: The cost will not exceed our estimate of JB20. USK FARMERS' CLUB SHOW. I On the application of the Usk Farmers' Club, it was decided to grant the use of the Cattle Market for the Show on September 28th at the usual charge of two guineas. Mr Edmunds suggested that the wooden railings there should be tarred, but The Surveyor said he had been told that tar would ruin oak. The matter was referred to the Street Committee to see if anything could be done to the railings. ELECTRIC LIGHT. A communication with regard to the London and District Electric Power Bill was ordered to lie on the table after a short conversation. I STREET LIGHTING. The Clerk said that Mr F. Hill, the Usk Gas I Works manager, had asked him if the Council wished to vary the close time of street lighting this year. If no instructions to the contrary were given, lighting would not commence till the 18th August.. Mr Workman suggested that, unless there was a dark night, the lamps be not lit till that date. Mr Smith pointed out that the Gas Company would not accept discretionary responsibility. Mr Workman Then let it stand as it is. In reply to a question, thp Clerk said thpt in some years they had requested the lighting season to commence in the first week in August. Mr Mundy proposed that that be done now. Mr Smith remarked that as there was consider- able traffic through the town on August Bank Holiday, there should be street lighting then. It was ultimately resolved to start lighting on that day-August 7th. THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS. The Chairman said some alterations were to be carried out at the National Schools, and the plans had been sent in to be passed by the Council. So far as he could see, there was nothing in them that materially affected the Council. The Surveyor, appealed to, said he had seen the plans, and there was nothing to object to. He thought, however, that the playground should not have been encroached upiu; it was small euough already. The Chairman: That is a matter that does not concern us as a Council. The Surveyor: The building proposed is sub- stantial enough to last 500 years. Mr Edmunds: The streets are the playgrouud now. Mr Smith Yes and unfortunately we have to pay for it, too. The plans were passed. LORD TREDEGAR'S TRIBUTE. I The Chairman reported that the amount he had received towards the Lord Tredegar Tribute Fund was X20 Is. Od.-401 shillings. I GRIEVANCE OF THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE, The Chairman said he wished to bring forward another matter, and that was in reference to the Local Technical Instruction Committee's Accounts. From the time the Council's Committee commenced work up to the present, there had been a balance in favour of the account amounting to something like £ 50 or £ 60. It had varied, but the amount had practically come to be that. Some little time since they received a communication from the Mon- mouthshire Technical Instruction Sub-Committee saying that for the future they would deduct the amount of the balance in their favour from the amount to which the local committee would other- wise be entitled from the County Committee. For instance, if there was £100 coming to them from the County and they, the local committee, had, say a credit balance of E60, the County would only pay over X40 of the £100 due. Well, directly the local committee heard of that they considered it mon- strously unfair; they did not see that the County Committee was entitled to do anything of the kind. All the money had not been found by the County. The Urban District Council bad helped to find it, and there were private subscriptions from the town besides. The local committee, therefore, at once wrote as strongly as they could to the County Committee, objecting to the proposal and saying that they could not see that the County Committee wera entitled to do anything of the kind. Still that Committee were persisting in the matter, stating that the order had been passed. On the morrow night a further meeting of the local committee would be held to deal with the question, and they would like to have the sense of the Council upon the point. They felt very strongly that the County Committee's proposal ought to be resisted, to what extent he did uot know, but it might be a matter for the County Court or something of the kind. They would, therefore, like to know from the Council whether or not. in their opinion, they ought to resist for all they were wo rth. Mr Smith said a great deal of the balance had accrued through Mr Hiley having for a number of years performed the duties of Sioretary gratui- tously, thereby saving the funds to the exteut of the salary. Mr Jennings: Can't you spend the balance ? The Chairman: The money we expected to re- ceive from the County Committee now would go to pay the salaries of last year. They won't send us the money to pay those salaries. Mr Marfell: Not so long as this amount is in hand. The Clerk (as secretary to the local Technical Instruction Committee) stated that since 1892 zC390 12s. had been received from the County, but f,574 Ss. Id had been expended on technical in- struction work, the difference having been made up out of the Usk district rate (£88) by private subscriptions, fees, and grants earned from the Science and Art Department. The Chairman: The County Committee, as a matter of fact, have not contributed much more than a half, and now they turn round and deal with the balance as they think fit. I think it is monstrous. Mr Knight To my mind it is very dishonest. Mr Jennings: The Secretary may do the work for nothing, and they will come and take the money. Mr Marfell: We are entirely in their hands unless we sue them. They are starving us out. Mr Mundy: The same as the schools. I propose that if the Committee do not get the money a County Court action be taken. It will show them up if nothing more. Ultimately the proposition to back up the Technical Instruction Committee took the form of empowering them to take whatever action they considered necessary in the matter, and this was carried unauimously. STILL NEBULOUS. I Mr Mundy asked the Chairman if he had heard any further news with regard to the promised agricultural college at Usk. The Chairman: No. I thiuk I am your repre- sentative, and I will make some inquiries on behalf of the Council if it is your wish. Mr Smith I think it will be as well to keep it before the public. THE FIRE ENGINE. I I Mr F. Williams, the captain of the Fire Brigade, waited on the Council with regard to one or two things in connection with the work. The question of providing accommodation for the drying of the hose was referred to Messrs Morgan and Marfell, with the Captain and Mr D. H. Lewis. Accounts amounting to £2 3s. were ordered to be paid. Mr W. Hickey, Church-street, was elected the twelfth member of the Fire Brigade. It was decided to draw up a scale of charges for the use of the fire engine and the services ot ne brigade, so that on application being made to trie captain for the same in respect of hay nres and country work he might give information as to the amount which applicants would be called upon to pay. Keys of the fire engine house are, it was stated, kept at the Police Station, Osk at the Captain s house, Chapel Cottage, Old Market-street; and at the office of the Surveyor to the U.D.C.

USK FOOTBALL CLUB: ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the members of the Usk Rugby Football Club was held at their headquarters, the Cardiff Arms, on Monday even- ing. Mr W. W. Gibbon presided, and amongst those present were:—Messrs F. M organ, C. R. Davies, A. Bowyer, F. Stratton, F. Stibbs, L. Greening, E. Thomas, F. J. Edmunds, G. Mundy, junr., A. G. Wallace, R. Etheridge, B. Weare. H. C. Davies, J. H. Salter, T. H. Wise, E. Saunders, A. Jones, F. M. Davies, E. Waters, F. Waters, J. H. Marfell, D. Prothero, F. Prothero, J. Stead, H. Marfell, R. Marfell, J. Morgan, H. Morgan, W. Stockham, A. Haggett, Frank Morgan (hon. sec.), and E. R. Powell (hon. treas.), The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said be was pleased to see so many present, as it showed that interest in the Club was being maintained. He very much regretted that Mr Frank Morgan had decided to resign the secretaryship. He had been a most energetic and capable official, whom they would be sorry to lose. (Hear, hear.) The Hon. Secretary, in bringing up the reports, &c., congratulated the team on having made another excellent record, although it did not equal that of the previous year stronger organizations had been met this year, however, and the public had had better football to witness as a conse- quence. The season's record was: Matches played, 26 (16 home, 10 away); won, 1.5 (11 h, 4 a.) lost, 7 (2h., 5a.); and drawn, 4 (3 h., 1 a.). Total scores For-26 converted, 3 dropped, and 2 penalty goals, and 40 tries, 268 points; against- 6 converted, 4 dropped, and 3 penalty goals, and 21 tries, 118 points. Try scorers: J. Jenkins (who played in every match), 14; D. Prothero, 13; Har- old Morgan, 6; Ern. Symonds, 5; P. L. Pugsley, 4; E. Timms, 3; E. Waters (who also turned out for every match), Harry Gibson, Roland Hiley. Arthur Hilev, Frank Prothero, Irvin Lewis, and W. Williams, 2 each R. Etheridge. D. M. Thomas, J. H. Marfell, J. Bowen, Eric Saunders, Frank M. Davies, and W. Rowlands, 1 each total, 66 tries. A. J. Thomas converted 12; Dai. Prothero, 10; J. Jenkins, 2; and W. Williams and W. Rowlands, I each. A. J. Thomas, Dai. Prothero, and J. Pem- bridge each dropped a goal. W. Rowlands and D. Prothero each kicked a penalty goal. The Hon. Secretary referred to the frequent difficulty of get- ting a team together, and said this would be appreciated when he told them that no less than 46 men had donned the Usk jersey during the sea- son. The position, of full back had been capably filled by Frank Davies, who only missed one match. Great difficulty had been experienced in- filling the threequarter line, and practically only two had been regular players there-J. Jenkins- and Harold Morgan. The centre positions had been filled by various players, and it was rarely the same four took the field. At half-back even greater difficulty was experienced to find a partner for Dai. Prothero, who again captained the team in a very able way, and who, of course, was always a tower of strength to his side. He thought it worth while mentioning that Fred Waters, who turned out when called upon in the early part of the season, when lie was far from fit, had done his best, but hardly realized expectations, and had, in consequence, suffered adverse criticism. Whenv towards the end of the season, however, the Club was in a difficulty, Fred again responded to a call. This sportsmanlike action would appeal to them all, and they were pleased to see that he had re- gained some of his form, and hoped that he would reproduce it during the coming year. As to the forwards, they had always been, no doubt, the mainstay of the team, and a good pack had always been available. With the young blood coming on, they had every reason to expect that they would again be well served in this department. With re- gard to the financial aspect it was a regrettable feature of the balance sheet that their credit bal- ance had been reduced from i6 6s. 9d. to 14s. 2d., but it could not well have been avoided, consider- ing the extraordinary expenses which had had to be incurred, some of which remained assets of the Club. The expenditure amounted to B52 9s. 5d., and the total membership was 118. He was pleased to say he had heard unofficially that the renewed application for membership of the Welsh Rugby Union had been favourably considered, and would be granted subject to the approval of their ground by a member of the Union Committee. He was sorry to have to resign the secretaryship, but the work during the past year had not allowed him—so he was told at home-proper time for his meals. He thought that with the new Secretary, however, the prospects of the Club would be as bright as ever. He wished to thank everyone who had assisted him in making the Club the success it had been, but he would say to the players, "Do not think the Club is being run for the secretary or committee, but in order to find sport and pleasure for you therefore be prepared to sacrifice your- selves a little." He knew that some of them had sacrificed a good bit, but others had not as much as he would like to see. He wanted them to real- ize that it was not for themselves the officials worked, but for the pleasure of those who played. Another little bit of advice he would offer to the members in conclusion, and that was to elect workers on the committees. The retiring Secretary then proposed Mr Fred Waters as his successor, and this was seconded by Mr Ben Weare. agreed to, and acknowledged. Mr E. Waters proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Frank Morgan, than whom no better nor more energetic and painstaking secretary could possibly be fo und. Mr D. Prothero, in seconding, said their late Secretary was an honest worker without a doubt; in fact, he had done more for the success of the Club than all the others. The vote was carried with acclamation, and suitably responded to. The following appointments were then m-ide:- President, Mr R. St. John Beasley, The Lawna, Usk; hon. treasurer, Mr E. R. Powell, L. and P. Bank, Usk; captain, E. W. Waters (who nomin- ated I-r. Gibson vice-captain), Dai. Prothero having resigned. A vote of thanks to the latter for his valuable services to the Club was passed. General Committee: Messrs C. R. Davies. F. M. Davies, A. Bowyer, R?g. Roberts, Francis Morgan, George Charles, J. Morgan, J. Stead, F. Hill, B- Weare, and E. Bowyer. Match Committee: Messrs C. R. Davies, T. H- Wise, R. Roberts, Francis Morgan, and G. Charles. Votes of thanks to the Press and the Chairman, terminated the meeting.

ABERGAVENNY. A.aents;-Meur., D(Zviex t Co. Booksellers. A LLANVETHEKINE SHOEING-SMITH.-At the Royal Show at Park Royal last week, W. D. Lane, R.S.S., of Llanvetherine, near Abergavenny, se- cured premier honours in the open class for shoeing nag horses.

THE MOTOR SERVICE TO BRECON. .L The G.W.R. Company started its motor-omnibus service to Brecon the beginning of July and have a. contract with the Post Office to convey the mail. The omnibus due out of Brecon at 6.50 in the evening met with a bad accident the first day and was stranded about a mile out of town. The officials were puzzled as to how to get out of the difficulty, when Captain Hughes Morgan and a party of officers drove up to the post-officer in his: Daimler car. He immediately volunteered to con- vey the mails to Abergavenny, and drove the car himself. He left Brecon half an hour after the. scheduled time for the departure of the omnibus,. had to drop down and pick up bags at various places on the way, and he also picked up a pas- senger for London, but despite the late start and the delays, he reached Abergavenny twenty minutes before the departure of the mail train.

«. LLANISHEN. THE County Observer can now be obtained weekly from Mr John Watkins, Newsagent^ Llanishen, near Chepstow.