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

| Monmouthshire Constituencies. I NORTH MONMOUTHSHIRE. I PONTYPOOL. On Friday in last week, the executive committee of the North Monmouthshire Conservative Association met at the Town Hall, Pontypool, for the purpose of selecting a candidate to oppose Mr Reginald M'Kenna, the sitting member, at the forthcoming General Election. Lord Llangattock presided, and among others in attendance were the prospective candidate, Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Campbell, K.C.M.G.. C.B., D.S.O. Mr J. C. Hanbury. J.P., D.L., Pontypool Park; Mr Isaac Butler, J.P., Panteg; Mr A. A. Williams, J.P., Pontypool; Lieutenant- Colonel D. E. Williams, J.P., Panteg: Mr L. Llewellyn, J.P., Abersychan Mr R. W. Kennard, J.P., D.L., Abergavenny Lieutenant-Colonel Wheeley Colonel Mansel, Abergavenny; Mr James Straker, Abergavenny; Mr F. W. Harding, New Inn; Councillor Coles, Glascoed and Mr Henry Halliwell, Abergavenny, Conservative agent. Letters of apology for non- attendance were received from the Hon J. M. Rolls and others. The noble Chairman in introducing Sir Charles Campbell as the proposed candidate, referred to his brilliant career in the Navy, and invited him to express his political views. With such a stalwart to champion their cause, his lordship said, they ought to make a bold fight at the next election. (Applause). Sir Charles, then, in an able speech, dealt with the policy of their opponents, the position in our Navy, aud the education question. He declared himself to be a Free Trader, but favours a con- ference with the Colonies. He would not tax food, but is in favour of the head of the Government having power to bargain with foreign Govern- ments on tariff matters. In educational affairs he favours Mr Balfour's policy. At the close of the address questions were invited and satisfactorily answered, and on the motion of Mr R. W. Kennard, J.P., seconded by Mr Isaac Butler, J.P., it was unanimously decided to adopt Sir Charles Campbell as the Unionist candidate for North Monmouthshire, those present pledging themselves to do all in their power to secnre his return. A strong election committee was formed, with Mr A. A. Williams. J.P., as chairman, and they were empowered to map out a programme for a vigorous campaign. ABERGAVENNY. I Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Campbell addressed members of the Primrose League and a large number of other supporters of the Unionist cause at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny, on Wednesday evening, Lady Llangattock presided and was supported by Lady Campbell, Major Sanford, Messrs. R. W. Kennard, A A. Williams, Colonel Mansel, and other prominent members of the party, The president, in expressing her pleasure at iatroducing the Conservative and Unionist candi- date for North Monmouthshire referred to his having several times received the thanks of the Government, and to his recent honour in being decorated by the King. They need not sing the Campbell's were coming, for the Campbell's had come, and they must make every effort to keep them. (Loud applause.) In his address, Sir Charles said he was a follower and a great admirer of their leader, Mr. Balfour- (applause)—and at the same time, he had a great admiration for that energetic tariff reformer, Mr. Chamberlain. (Loud applause.) He was going with Mr. Balfour as far as Manchester, but if they found it necessary, or if Mr. Balfour and his party found it necessary, to go to Birmingham, he should solicit a passage in the train, (applause.) Few people would deny that the late Government had adopted a progressive educational policy, one to benefit the poor who could not afford to pay for their children's education. While the last Education Act had borne heavily on the rates, the high rates in that constituency, at any rate, might be attributed to the manner in which the Act had been administered by the Radical party, who, in his estimation, had tried to stultify it and to injure its objects. (Ap- plause-) In fiscal matters the competition in trade of foreigners must result in the stagnation of our own trade and the ruin of our own manufacturers and their workmen. Mr. Balfour's policy was to hold out a certain amount of threat with the idea of inducing foreign countries to allow a free pas- sage of our goods within their territories, and the plan should be tried before extreme measures were adopted, although those extreme measures must be taken if they become necessary for the benefit of the country. (Applause.) The one aim of the present Government was to root up and destroy all the good work done by the Unionists during the last ten years. They meant to demolish our educational system, to disregard existiug rights, TO DESTROY RELIGION, and to substitute anarchy, atheism, and starvation. Already they had done harm by stopping the importation of Chinese labour in the Transvaal (Hear, hear.) Their autocratic and unfair treat- ment of a hard-working community would cost this country a large sum for breach of contract and untold millions by the restriction of the out- put on the Rand. These sums might have been far more beneficially spent in the relief of the education rates and in relieving the distress of our unemployerl workmen. (Applause.) Such a de- cree as that of the new Liberal Government might have been expected from a Russian Emperor, but could be hardly justifiable from a newly-elected Prime Minister in a free country. It might be the first step towards another South African war, or towards the loss of South Africa to the Empire. (Hear, hear.) They said they would follow the foreign policy of the Unionist Government, but what was the first step they proposed to take in carrying out that promise ? The reduction of the Navy and Army, which would deprive the country of its power of enforcing the treaty obligations of other countries. Had this been done to please the people? No; its object was to please Germany, who wished to obtain command of the English Channel and the North Sea, and to dominate and terrorise Great Britain. The late Government carefully prepared a re-arrangement of our fleets, which caused much anxiety to a section of our foreign rivals, No wonder they were jubilant when they heard of the acceptance of office of the weakest Radical Government that had ever been in power. (Applause.) He (the speaker) would not have been so anxious for the future if Lord Rose- bery or the Duke of Devonshire, or others who represented true Liberalism, had accepted the res- ponsibilities of office. They, at least, had no axe to grind, but had proved themselves PATRIOTIC AND PRO-BRITISH. The return of such a Radical Government, the | Germans said, would mean the extinction of Cham- berlain and of his wicked schemes for stopping the flow of British gold into foreign pockets, and would secure the maintenance of Great Britain as a dumping-ground for goods made in Germany. (Applause.) They neither desired a policy of foreign adventure nor were they afraid of foreign aggressors. They were determined to pursue the line of advance in their commercial interests that they hoped would fill the pockets of their manu- facturers and their workmen out of the coffers of their foreign rivals. (Applause.) If they voted for the Radical candidate they voted for the dis- memberment of the Empire, the enriching of foreign conntries from the pockets of our own people, and the tearing in pieces of the Union Jack, the flag which for so many years had braved the battle and the breeze. (Applause.) On the motion of Mr Kennard, seconded by Major Sanford, and supported by Mr. A. A. Williams, a resolution in support of Sir Charles Campbell's candidature was unanimously carried. Sir Charles then proposed a vote of thanks to Lady Llangattock, which was also unanimously carried. REAR.ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES CAMPBELL'S DISTINGUISHED CAREER. Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Campbell, K.C.M.G., C.B., D S.O., the adopted Conservative candidate for North Monmouthshire in the General Election is the eldest sen of the late Mr John Campbell, of Saddell, Argyllshire. He studied at the Royall Naval Academy, Gosport. and entered the Navy in 1860, on the Britannia. He joined her Majesty's ship Magicienne under Prince Leiningen, and also served on the Marlborough, the Mediterranean flagship. After seeing service in the Amphion, Royal Oak, and Racer, he joined the Galatea, under the Duke of Edinburgh, and made the trip round the world He was flag lieutenant to Admirals Campbell and Lord John Haigh, was present at the insurrection in Crete and at the taking of Cyprus, and was transport-officer during Lord Wolseley's campaign against Arabi Pasha in 1882. He wAs appointed to the command of her Majesty's ship Lily and then to the Philomel, to command off the East Coast of Africa, where he suppressed the uprising at Lamur and Witu and seized the palace at, Zanzibar. In 1894 he was second iu command of the Benin Expedition, and successfully led the attack on Nana's town, heading the charge on the enemy's nine guns and capturing the key to the position. In 1897 he was again at Benin, sec -iid in com- mand to Admiral Rawson in the expedition against the King of Benin, when he commanded the flying column which captured the "City of Blood." Here he rescued 27 wounded from a burning hospital and was badlv burned as he carried the last man through the flames to a place of safety. This conflagration practically swept the town out of existence. He wears the life- saving medal for rescuing a drowning comrade at sea, and as captain of the Empress of India was second in comtaan i to Admirals Harris and Noel during operations in Crete from 1897 to 1899. He commanded the Medway Gunnery School from 1899 to 1902, and was aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria and his present Majesty. Under the lite Government, he was selected by Lord Lansdowne, the then Foreign Secretary, to represent this country in the arbitral tribunal appointed to deal with the fishing question of Newfoundland, and was successful in reducing a claim of X400,000 to £ 49,000, thus saving the country £ 350,000. For these services he received the thanks of Parliament. He is 58 years of age, and married in 1876, Florence Geraldine, daughter of Colonel A. E. Ross, late of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Sir Charles is a cricket enthusiast and still enjoys a game. SOUTH MONMOUTHSHIRE. MARSHFIELD. On Friday, a meeting in connection with the South Monmouthshire Conservative Association, was held at Marshfield, when Sir George Forestier- Walker presided, and Culonel Courtenay Morgan was the principal speaker. Amongst those also present were: —Messrs R. Stratton, G. P. Mitchell Innes, L. H. Hornby, J. Hillier, the Revs Watkin Davies, J. Evans, and W. S. G. Palmer, and Mr L. F. Stedman. COLONEL COURTENAY MORGAN was cordially received when he rose to address the meeting on the general issues at stake in the coming General Election. Mr Balfour, he said. bad been very unjus'ly criticised for having "hung on" to office, but bad done so in the interests of the nation. Amongst the delicate international questions that had to be carried through before he resigned was the agreement with Japan, which entirely altered the balance of power in the Far East in our favour, made India practically safe from foreign aggression, and, has given us an ally who had proved itself to be the most powerful nation in the East, and capable of advancing to the highest degree of civilisation. Mr Balfour placed the interest of the Empire first in his calculations, and their thanks were due to his pertinacity in sticking to office until these important matters were completed, in spite of all the difficulties he had to encounter. The Prime Minister's pronouncement at Stirling had made it clear that the danger of Home Rule was as much with them now as it ever was. The Conservative party had given local government to Ireland, and what the Prime Minister had said could only mean that when the time arrived Home Rule would be given to that country. In 1886 the country decided in no uncertain fashion AGAINST HOME RULE, and he (the speaker) would always resist the whittling away of their Empire. The local government which the Conservatives had given to Ireland had had the effect of improving the condition of the people, and had put a stop to the outrages which had formerly been so frequent there. A good deal of money had been given to Ireland, and it bad been advanced on the security of peace and order in the country. He was afraid that if Home Rule was given to Ireland it would not be conducive to good order. With regard to the fiscal question, he maintained that a system which might be applicable to the conditions which existed sixty years ago was not applicable to the conditions of to-day, and it was certain that a change was necessary in view of the progress of civilisation and the great struggle for commercial supremacy. If they were going to keep their place among the nations and to regain that which they had lost, then they must have some system of fiscal reform. Such a system of fiscal reform must be worked out on the most scientific basis, or else, by endeavouring to assist one portion of the community they might injure another. There were several articles which came into this country from abroad which they could not produce themselves, and which were a great benefit to the people of this country. There were also large quantities of raw materials entering the country which employed thousands of workmen in turning them into the .finished article. These he would not be in favour of taxing, nor would he vote for any measure which would have the effect of increasing the cost of food to the WORKING CLASSES, or of increasing the cost of living. Still there were many manufactured articles coming into the country which they could perfectly well produce themselves, and be wanted to see a tax placed upon them. They had only to go up the Valleys of Monmouthshire and they would see works severely affected by the bars and billets of steel which had been dumped down at Newport. A system of Retaliation would have many advantages. It would be the means of reviving many dead or decaying industries, it would preserve and secure markets to them abroad, would produce a revenue to the country, and would, to some extent solve the question of the unemployed by providing more work for the people at home. At the General Election they would have to fight against the disestablishment of the Church and against an alteration in the licensing laws, for Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman had said that the licensing trade was to be still further taxed. He thought that every fair-minded man would acknowledge that the licensing trade was already taxed as much as it could bear. They would also have to fight against the unfair treatment of their voluntary schools. and he hoped that they would tight, as th-ey had never fought before, for that policy of steady and sure progression that had always been the policy of the Conservative party. (Loud applause). Colonel Morgan was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his very able speech, and Mr Hornby and Mr L. F. Stedman then addressed the meeting.

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Sir Fortescue Flannery Adopted at Cardiff. Sir Forteseue Fiannery has been adopted by the Conservative and Liberal Unionist Associations of Cardiff as Parliamentary candidate in the coming General Election. On Thursday, in a vigorous speech, Sir Fortescue made a slashing attack on Mr Ivor Guest, exposing the inconsistencies in his recent speeches on publio affairs.

USK. Agent-Mrs. E. K. Jonet, Stationer INSTANTANEOUS DEATH OF A FORMER USE SERGEANT-INSTRUCTOR.—Thomas Murray, of 56, Drysiog-street, Ebbw Vale, an army pensioner and for some years sergeant-instructor at Usk, was, on Thursday afternoon, knocked down by a passing- train near the Ebbw Vale Steelworks, and killed instantaneously, his body being cut to pieces and his brains scattered. WEDDING.—At St. Madoc's Church, Llanbadoc, there was a very pretty wedding on Wednesday morning, the contracting parties being Miss Bessie Rowen, youngest daughter of Ex-Sergt, Rowen, of Usk, and Merrick I. Jenkins, eldest son of Mr Alfred Jenkins, of Pandy, near Abergavenny, and formerly of Prioress Mills, Usk. The Rev. H. Cockson (vicar) officiated, and a large congregation witnessed the ceremony. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in cream, crepe-de-chine, and carried a shower bouquet, supplied by Miss Hardy, florist, Bridge-street, Newport, consisting of lilies of the valley, white heather, and orchids. The bridesmaids (three) were attired in white silk, with picture hats. Mr. Charles Jenkins acted as best man to his brother. The presents were numerous.

LLANBADOC PARISH. Large congregations attended the Christmas Services at St, Madoc's, Llanbadoc, commencing with first evensong of the feast, with sermon by the Vicar, on Sunday evening, after which a short selection of Christmas carols was sung by the choir. On Christmas Day matins was said at 8.30 and was followed by the Choral Eucharist at 9 a.m., at which there was a large attendance. With the newly completed Reredos and the tasteful decorations of white flowers and ever- greens the appearance of the brilliantly lighted chancel was particularly beautiful. The annual Christmas treat for the Sunday School children and the boys of the choir took place at the Parish Room on Holy Innocents' eve, when the prizes were presented by Miss A. Phillips, and a capital tea was duly appreciated; after which the Christmas tree, kindly given by Mr. Radcliffe of Twyn Bell, was speedily cleared, and all departed home after a most enjoyable after- noon.

THE CHRISTMASTIDE. It is a long time since such a bright and mild Christmas Day, with gleams of sunshine, was ex- perienced. and Boxing Day was also fine. Rairt came on Thursday. The Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster E. B. Haynes, played seasonable music in various parts of the town, on each of those days, at different times, and acquitted themselves well. The Church bells also rang out merry peals. The Parish Cnurch was very effectively decorated, for the festival by several lady members of the congregation, under the superintendence of Mrs. A. H. Watkins. At Evensong on Sunday (Christ- mas Eve), there was a processional hymn and the choir sang the anthem, "Bethlehem." On Christ- mas morning there were three Celebrations of the Holy Communion, viz., at 7, 8.30 (choral), and after Matins, at which there were about 180 com- municants, the Rev. P. L. C. Nash (rector) and Rev. A. S. Morgan (curate) officiating. Barnby's Te Deum was sung at Matins, and the choir gave a capital rendering of the chorus from" The Mes- siah," "For unto us a Child is born." There was not a large congregation at Evensong, when the anthem was Glory to God," from the same grand work. The Curate was the preacher. Mr Theodore Seaton presided at the organ with his usual ability, and played the Halleluiah Chorus as a conclud- ing voluntary. Special services were also held in other places of worship in the town. A service of song, "No room in the inn. Er 11, wa effectively given in the Twyn Congregationa Church on Wednesday night.

CHRISTMAS TREE AND ENTERTAINMENT. On Thursday evening, in the National Schools Usk, a Christmas Tree, heavily laden with its usual fruit," was very generously given by Mr. and Mrs. R. St. John Beasley, of The Lawns, as a. seasonable treat to the children attending the- Church Sunday School, and everyone was the recipient of useful and entertaining presents, the older ones receiving handkerchiefs, gloves, &c., the younger ones dolls, toys, and games, and all oranges, sweets, and bon-bons. The successful scholars and the regular attend- ants were presented with the ordinary prizes by Mrs. Beasley, after which came an entertainment by the children, assisted by the teachers and other friends. The programme was a long one, and the items by the juveniles were most amusing, the way they acquitted themselves reflecting great credit upon their instructors. Before the conclusion, the Rector heartily thanked Mr. and Mrs. Beasley for their generosity, and all who had assisted in mak- ing the event so enjoyable. There was a large attendance of interested parents. Programme:— Welcome," six girls; song, "Sleigh bells," girls; pianoforte duet, Chorus of huntsmen," K. Haynes and M. Sweet; recitation, Sands of Dee," H. Stonier song, The Rover's grave," boys dialogue, The sewing lesson," D. Hoare and A. Fleming; duet. "Where are you going to, my pretty maid ?" B. Hoare and L. Bowen (encored) recitation, "Boadicea," C. Johnston; song, The winter is over," boys: song. The children's prayer," Miss Phillips dialogue, A practical in- quiry," Albert Williams and Vincent Winter; song, Under the linden tree," Miss Jessie Slade song, "Go away, good massa bee," Sir. Frank Morgan: fan drill, girls, recitation, Tommy Stoat," Frances Payne (encored) song, Where have you been, little biriHe 7" girls; dialogue, Kitties and dollies," J. Meredith, M. Sweet, and D. Davies recitation, A mistake." M. Woodlev song, Rising early in the morning," Mr, Harry G. Powell; recitation, Ask mamma," Miss F. Wil- liams song, Summer comes with cheer and glad- ness," boys; song, You do keep popping in and out," Mr. Frank Morgan; song, "Sleep and for- get," Miss Jessie Slade recitation, "Tripping into town," Tom Knight; song, 11 Home, dearie, homj,"r Miss Phillips song, Gallant deeds," Mr. H. G. Powell; sketch, "Five o'clock tea," the Misses Day, Phillips, V. Davies, F. Williams, M. George, and E. Meredith. It should be mentioned that Sergt,-Instructor Johnston decorated the stage most attractively.

USK V. CAERLEON. One of the first inter-league matches in connection with the National Society Miniature Rifle Clubs took place between the Usk and Caerleon District Rifle Clubs on the range of the former on Thursday week, and resulted in an easy win for the Uskites." The conditions were decimal scoring—$ for a ball, 50 yards range. Scorei; USK. E. B. Haynes 59 W. J. Sweet. 56 A. H. Marfell go G. Edmunds, jun 45 A. J. Thomas. 52 P. T. Clift 60 A. F. Lucas 61 A. G. Wallaee 57 Total 450 CAERLEON. G. R.Bennett. 44 J. Monk 58 A. E. More 53 W. H. Dean, 48 F. J. Evans 49 53 C. Talniage 53 E. Davies 23 1 Total. 381

26.84, which compared very favourably with previous \ears. A very successful Conser- vative smoking concert was held at the .Beaufort Arms Hotel, Raglan, on the 16th, Mr S. C. Bosanquet presiding, and Lieut.- Oolonel Courtenay Morgan giving an able address. On the 24th, following an accident in the hunting field on the 17th, the death took place at the Cedars, Llanbadoc, of Mr W. B. Gething, C.C. An enthusiastic Conservative meeting was held in the Rolls Hall, Monmouth, on the 25th, the Hon. J. M. Rolls in the chair, and the speakers including Lord Tredegar, Mr E. E Micholls, Mr Albert Addams Williams, Mr L. Foster Stedman, and Mr Reginald Herbert. Mr R. H. Marfell, of the Usk district, the newly elected president of the Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture, occupied the chair at a general meeting held at Pontypool, on the i5th, at which the questions of the sale of foreign-fed meat as British, the danger of sparks from engines, the lack of cottage accommodation in the rural districts, etc., were discussed. On the .same date the Lord Chief Justice of .England, Lord Alverstone, opened the Assizes at Monmouth, at which there were only three prisoners for trial. MARCH. To fill the vacancy on the Monmouthshire County Council, caused by the death of Mr Oething, the Conservatives of the Usk district, on the 2nd, decided to nominate Mr Stephen T. Griffin, of Coedypaen, Ponty- pool, the chairman of the Pontypool R.D.C. On the 27th, a meeting to further the candidature, in opposition to Mr S. A. Hiley, of Usk, was held in Usk Town Hall, and on the following day he was returned by 272 to 219 votes, On March 8th, Mrs Nicholl, of the Ham, Glam., passed away in her '80th year. An adjourned Quarter Sessions was held on the 14th, when the County licensing Committee was appointed, and 4some rating appeals were further respited. Bertholey House, a fine old residence on the old Usk-Caerleon Road, was totally de- stroyed by fire during a gale on the morning of the 15th. It is supposed that the fire originated from a smouldering beam in a chimney. At a meeting at Usk on the 20th, the Chamber of Agriculture discussed the questions of weighbridges, motor and traction traffic, and restrictions on imported cattle. Mr J. A. Shepard, solicitor, Tre- degar passed away on the 22nd, at the age of 54; he was a nephew of the late Dr A. J. Shepard, of Usk, and held many public appointments. In connection with the Lord Tredegar Tribute movement, a. public meeting, convened by the Chairman of the Usk U.D.C. (Mr Frank Jennings), was held in the Town Hall, at which a Committee was formed to canvass the town. The Tesult, later in the year, was that close on .£20 was forwarded to the Executive Com- mittee. APRIL. I On the 3rd, at Llandaff Cathedral, the Dean and Chapter elected the Rev. Joshua Pritchard Hughes, M.A., Vicar of Llan- trisant, as Bishop of the Diocese. He was ,consecrated on the following Ascension Day at St Saviour's Cathedral, Southwark, and enthroned at Llandaff Cathedral on the 16th June by the Bishop of Dover, Archdeacon "of Canterbury, as representing the Primate. There were good entries for Usk Races on the 3rd, but a wet morning interfered with the attendance. At the annual meeting of the Usk Farmers' Club, on the 7th, Lord Tredegar was elected president, and a "Committee reported adversely on the sub- ject of enlarging the scope of operations on the ground of the extra expense not being "Warranted by the extra income which would Ibe received. In the week commencing April 8th, the "County Observer," in the "march of progress, and to mark its jubilee year, was reduced from lid to Id. per copy. There were ten prisoners for trial at the Easter Quarter Sessions (5th). Dr Lloyd, Bishop of Swansea, held a confirmation •service in Usk Church on the 11th, the ♦candidates numbering 42 males and 34 -females. A Conservative smoker was held at the Three Salmon's Hotel, Usk, on the 12th, when addresses were given by Lieut.- <Colonel Courtenay Morgan and Mr E. E. Micholls, Mr R. St John Beasley presiding. On the afternoon of Sunday, the 16th, "during a heavy thunderstorm, the tower of Llanishen Church was struck by lightning, and much damage was done. Mr S. A. Riley was elected chairman at the meeting of the Usk U.D.O. on the 18th, and there Was a discussion on the question of a fire brigade, which, later in the year, led to one being formed. The Usk Easter Vestry meeting was held on the 24th, the Rev P. Xi, C. Nash (rector) presiding, and Messrs <3. H. Clark and A. H. Watkins were re- ,elected Churchwardens. New "provided" ,schools at Cross Keys were burned down on the 25th. At Llanbadoc Vestry meeting, on the 27th, Mr H. S. Gustard intimated that he had a claim against the Church of £ 70 in respect of a mortgage on Church lands, and there was some discussion as to the feeling existing between the Vicar (Rev H. Cockson) and the Churchwarden (Mr Gustard). On May 11th, the Vicar tnade a full statement with regard to the matter at a meeting of parishioners. On April 27th, Abergavenny was en fete on the •occasion of the marriag0 of Miss Ada LI. Mansel, daughter of Colonel Mansel, of Maindiff Court, and Mr Charles Evelyn :Fore stier- Vl alker, nephew of Lord Tre- Idegar. At the annual meeting of the J'ontypool Board of Guardians on the same -date, Mr W. P. James, J.P., was elected chairman, and Mr. S. T. Griffin vice- chairman. In this month Mr James Win- stone came to the front as a probable Labour candidate for the Monmouth Boroughs. MAY. I On the opening day, the Ven. W, Conybeare-Fruce, Archdeacon of Monmouth, commenced his spring visitation at New- port. Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, Bart., was elected chairman of the Monmouthshire County Council, on the 3rd, and Alderman J, R. Jacob, vice-chairman. Birthday con- gratulations were extended to Lord Tredegar. The Council supported the I claims of Cardiff to the location there of the proposed national library and museum for Wales. The following rates were adopted:— County, lOd; elementary education, Is 2d; higher education, lil intermediate educa- tion, tel in the £ Two important rating appeals were heard at an adjourn e 1 Quarter Sessions on the 9th. One raised an important question as to deductions in respect of the rent-charges of the Com- missioners of Sewers, and the decision, against the Newport Assessment Committee, is being appealed against. On the 17th, Mr T. Seaton gave an organ recital in Usk Church, and on the same date the Mon- mouthshire Committee in connection with the Lord Tredegar Tribute decided that its form should be a convalescent home. A Cardiff chauffeur was fined £ 5 at Usk Petty Sessions, on the 18th, for reckless driving. On the following day Usk Farmers' Club decided against extending the boundary of their operations from six to ten miles, and a motion that classes for ploughing, &c., should again be included in the prize schedule, was ruled out of order. The Pontypool R-D.C., the same day, re-elected Mr S. T. Griffin chairman, and Mr W. H. Charles vice-chairman. A very successful concert, organised by Miss Beryl Ferguson, L.R.A.M., in aid of the Soldiers and Sailors Families Association, was held in Usk Town Hall. Sunday, the 28th, was observed as Hospital Sunday in the town, the Friendly Societies attending service in Usk Church. Just over L15 was, as a result, sent to the Newport and County Hospital. JUNE. I On the 6th a principal meeting of the Monmouthshire Licensing Compensation Authority was held at Usk, and three cases came before them. On the 13th the Usk U D C. adopted a rate of Is. Ild. in the £ for the year. The annual meeting of the North Monmouthshire Conservative Asso- ciation was held on the 15th, when Lord Llangattock was re-elected president, Mr J. C. Hanbury, chairman, and Messrs. A. A. Williams and R. W. Kennard vice-chair- men. Trinity Monday fair at Usk (19th) was held in wet weather. A district meet- ing of the Loyal Order of Shepherds was held at Usk on the 24th. There were nine prisoners for trial at the Quarter Ses- sions on the 28th. JULY. I The sale of the W olvesnewton Estate I took place at Chepstow on the 15th, when Colonel Curre, of Itton, was the principal purchaser. Monmouthshire Assizes were held on the 6th, Aihen Mr Justice A. T. Lawrence, as a native of the County, was congratulated on his elevation to the Judi- cial Bench. There were three prisoners for trial. On the 11th a terrible explosion occurred in No. 2 Pit of the United National Colliery, at Wattstown, near Pontypridd, by which over 120 lives were lost. The local volunteers proceeded to Minehead for a week's training on the 15th, and spent ar. enjoyable time. The 26th was speech- day at Jones's W estMonmouthshire School, at Pontypool, when Mr Arthur Field, Master of the Haberdashers' Company, pre- sented the prizes, On the 29th a midnight police court was held at Usk after the arrest of a young man from Newport for drunken conduct, which led to his com- panions, out for the day, becoming threaten- ing. He was liberated on bail. AUGUST. I The question of moving the Assizes and Quarter Sessions to Newport came before the County Council, on the 2nd, on a letter from the Newport Chamber of Commerce, but the matter was shelved on account of the Chamber not being a representative body. Dr Redwood presented his annual Sanitary Review of the County. Chepstow Agricultural Show was held on the 8th. Usk Flower Show, held in the Cricket Field on the 17th, was in every way a success. On the 30th, Field Marshal Earl Roberts, V.C.. visited Abergavenuy to unveil a memorial tablet, in St Mary's Church, to the memory of the local volunteers who served in the South African campaign, and, speaking at the banquet which followed, his lordship spoke of the importance of en- couraging rifle shooting as a means of national defence. SEPTEMBER. I On the 7th, a meeting was held for the purpose of resuscitating the Usk Volunteer Band, and the outcome of the increased in- terest taken in the organisation has been not only its re-formation, under Mr E. B. Haynes as bandmaster, but the strengthen- ing of the Company generally. At Usk Petty Sessions, on that day, a fine of L 10 was imposed upon a Penarth motor-car owner for reckless driving in June. Aber- gavenny Horse Show and Monmouth Agri- cultural Show were held on the 7th and 8th respectively. A fire at the West Monmouth- shire School, on the 14th, did great damage to the gymnasium and swimming bath. On n the 19th, William Beavan cut his wife's throat, in a restaurant at Newport. While he was on active service in tiouth Africa, the deceased lived with another man. At the Assizes, in November, Beavan was found guilty of manslaughter, and was sen- tenced to penal servitude for life. Great interest was taken in a meeting, at Caerleon, arranged by the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, on the 23rd, when some crack shots competed, and Lord Tredegar planted a tree on Goldcroft Common in commemora- tion of the event. Usk Farmers' Club Show was held on the 28th, and Lieut.-Colonel 1 'ourtenay Morgan presided at the luncheon in the unavoidable absence of Lord Trede- gar. On the same day G (Usk) Company won the cup of the 4th V.B.S.W.B., on the Usk ranges, with a score of 429, A (Blaen- avon) and D (Newport) following with 393 and 391 points respectively. An Usk re- cruit also took first prize in tho Young Soldiers' Competition. I OCTOBER. I The Usk Volunteer prize shooting took place on the 9th a concert in aid of the Band funds resulted in £ 11 15s lid being netted on the 18th and on the 29th the Company had a Church parade. On the 10th, six of the Llangibby pack of hounds were poisoned in the Ringlets," Christ- church, and a reward of Y,50 was offered for the detection of the person who laid the poison down. At Quarter Sessions, on the 18th, there were 12 prisoners for trial, Lord Tredegar announced that the captain and officers of H.M.S. Monmouth, reciproca- ting the county gift of a piece of plate, had presented a painting of the cruiser to be hung in a county building. Seven miners were concerned in charges of intimidation the jury disagreed, and the men were liberated on bail to appear again at the next Sessions. At a special meeting of the U.D.C., on the 24th, a resolution was adopted protesting against the severance of Usk and Monmouth from the Monmouth Parliamentary Boroughs in any redistribu- tion scheme. The annual Diocesan Con- ference commenced at Cardiff on the 25th, and many Church topics were discussed. Two young women were suffocated in a fire at 122, Commercial-street, Newport, on the 26th. NOVEMBER. At the County Council meeting, on the 1st, after much discussion, the invitation of the Newport Town Council to appoint a committee to act with their committee in considering the advisability of removing the Assizes and Quarter Sessions to Newport was accepted. A bye-law was suggested to prevent Sunday trading on the part of children under 16. There was much dis- cussion on the subject of Kemeys Bridge extras." A special report of the County Surveyor (Mr W. Tanner) on the water supply of the County was referred to a Committee. A Committee was also appointed and endowed with powers to proceed further in the matter of cataloguing the ancient records of the County, the work to be done by Mr J. Hobson Matthews. The prizes in connection with the Usk Technical Instruction Classes were dis- tributed by Mr H. Humphreys, J.P., on the 1st. On the 9th, Councillor A. E. Jones became Mayor of Monmouth; Councillor John Lipscombe, of Newport; and Councillor J. C. Gwatkin, of Aber- gavenny. A successful smoker was held at The Castle," Usk, on the 1 7th, when Mr E. E. Micholls made a capital speech on current politics. Mr J. Maitland Watkins presided. Lord Tredegar's Show, at New- port, on the 21st and 22ud, was, as usual, a great success. Mr Justice Kennedy opened the Monmouth Assizes on the 25th. On the 26th, the Vicar of Llanbadoc dedicated a new reredos in the parish church. As the result of a concert, the Usk Cricket Club debt was reduced by £ 11 13s, on the 27th. Mrs Hopton A. Williams presented the prizes to the successful students at the Usk Dairy School on the 28th. DECEMBER. I On the 2nd Mr and Mrs Bosanquet, of Dingestow Court, were given a warm wel- come home after being detained in Russia, where they had been on a visit to their son. The 107th Show of the Smithfield Club opened at the Royal Agricultural Hall on the 4th, and the King paid it a visit in the afternoon, being welcomed by the president Lord Tredegar. Amongst the honours bestowed by His Majesty on the resignation of Mr Balfour's Govern- ment, none were received with more grati- fication than the elevation of Baron Tre- degar to a Viscounty, and his lordship was inundated with congratulations from Mon- mouthshire and other parts of the country. On the 18th the annual competitive exam- ination in connection with the Agricultural Department of tho Monmouthshire Educa- tion Committee was held at Abergavenny, and Mis Maggie James, of Llancayo, Usk, was awarded the coveted gold medal. Sir Thomas H. Elliott, K.C.B., distributed the prizes. The distribution of the prizes won at the Usk Volunteer shooting competitions were distributed at a "smoker" held at the Three Salmon's Hotel, Usk, on the 11th. 011 the following day, Mr Theodore Seaton gave a grand organ recital in the Parish Church. On the 20th, in Llanbadoc Parish Room, Mr W. Godfrey gave an in- structive address on Church Defence. About this time Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Campbell was adopted Conservative candidate for North Monmouthshire. Springlike, bright weather has charac- terised the Christmastide, and we trust our readers have experienced a bright and' happy time. In conclusion we would sin- cerely wish them one and all & Hang ani 3>rasj.!?mt5 iliefti llsar. ,¿- .>