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

PANTEG. I RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION. I Mr J. O. Tyler, agent to the Pontypool Park Estate, presided at a largely attended meeting of ratepayers at Griffithstown Council Schools, and referred to the work the Executive of the Associa- tion had done during the last few months. He I said the Committee were considering the advisability of running all or some of the following persons at the forthcoming local elections :— Messrs. A. A. Williams, J. B. Jones, William Jones, Thomas Bennett, J. O. Tyler, for Pante-, H. Cook, A. J. Stock and J. Williams, for Griffithsstown: George Fisher, Edward Parker and Thomas Parker, for Llanvihangel-Pontymoile. Mr Harold Cook briefly explained the objects of the Association, and Mr A. J. Stock said the alterations made in the rating of various properties since the formation of the Association, had been made owing to the revelations by the Association. A new assessment list had recently been made, but that was still far from satisfactory. He referred to the large increase in the last four years, and said that Colonel Williams had promised to attend those meetings to give them some information, but had not done so. Mr Stock then compared the rating of various I properties, and pointed out that works were still rated at £140, despite the fact that the assistant overseers had long ago admitted that they were considerably under-rated. A Councillor had his house and stable assessed at £13. aud he let a portion of the stable for £ 18 4s per annum. (Laughter.) It was evident that the Council had mismanaged affairs and squandered money. Addresses were also delivered by Messrs. J. Drew, William Jones (Pontymoile), and S. Winsor.

Cricket. USK V. ST. MARY'S C.C. (CARDIFF.) This match was played at Usk, on Saturday last, in fine weather, and before a fair number of speotators. The visitors won the toss and elected to have first knock, Rending in Jones and Wathen to the trundling of Wallace and Hill. The former's first over yielded a boundary, and Hill's a single With the total at 16, Wathen sent a hard catch to Rees, which the batsman survived. Runs came very quickly, and Wallace was being punished severely. Marfell re-placed the latter at 25, and at 36 captured Wathen's wicket, with a splendid ball, after he had scored 11. The next partnership signalled the half-century, at which total Roberts relieved Hill, and Saunders went on vice Marfell. Jones got a nice two through the slips off the latter's third ball, and Hyde obtained a boundary off a possible chance to Wallace, at fine slip. Saunders, almost bowled Jones with the first ball of his second over, and directly after this batsman got him to the leg boundary. With the score rising so fast, Hill re-placed Saunders at the Pavilion end. and with the first ball of his second over disturbed Jones' wickets who had played splendidly for 45. 81.2-45. Slade) substituted Roberts, and off his first delivery Wellington was caught at third man by J. Jenkins. At 97. the same bowler obtained Hyde's wicket, although he bad sent down some very loose balls. Spencer brought up the century, but three runs later Harris was given out, l.b.w. to Hill, who averred he had played the ball with his bat previously. 103-5-1. Scoring slowed down after this, and at 114 Hill bowled Plater, after a contribution of 5. Carter followed, and at 120, Edmunds went on vice Hill, and sent down a maiden. Carter did most of the scoring off Wallace, and, Marfell relieved this trundler at 137. The next wicket fell at 154, and with 164 runs for seven wickets, the visiting captain declared. The Uskites started badly, J. Jenkins being bowled with only 5 runs registered. F. J. Edmunds followed, and started hitting freely, when at 19, he had the misfortune to play on, off a fast ball from Plater. 19-2-11. Hill partnered Wallace, and these two played very carefully, till 38 was reached, the former then falling to a catch by Plater off Wellington. Rees' stay was brief, for, after 3 singles and a couple he played on. 43-4-5. Saunders followed, and second ball scored a single, then with a good drive got the ball to the boundary. With the score at 58, he was smartly taken atmid- off by J. Harris. Time was now drawing close, and Roberts went in, and 12 runs later, Wallace, in hitting out to a ball from Jones, was caught by Haynes, after being in an hour and a half for 19. Slade and Roberts played out time, and the game ended in a draw. ST. MARY'S (CARDIFF). T. Jones, b F. Hill 45 E. W. Wathen, b J. H. Marfell. 12 H. Hyde, b E. Slade. 23 Rev W. Wellington, c J.Jenkina, b E. Slade I T. Spencer, b F. J. Edmunds. 27 J. Harris, l.b.w., b F. Hill 1 A. Plater, b F. Hill 4 F. Carter, not out 27 R.Haynes,notout. 4 W.^Watkins } Dld not bat Extras 20 Total for 7 wickets.164 USK. A. G. Wallace, c Haynes, b J. O. Jones 19 J. Jenkins, b A. Plater 1 F. J. Edmunds, b A. Plater. 11 F. Hill, c Plater, b Rev W. Wellington 16 T. Rees, b H. Hyde 5 E. Saunders, c J. Harris, b E. W. Wathen 7 W. F. Roberts, not out 8 E. Slade, not out 4 A. J Th'>mas C. Jenkins > Did not bat J. H. Marfell ) Extras 3 Total for 6 wiekets 74

I Simple (?) Bible Teaching. I. Simple Bible teaching-most misleading phrase, Impudent imposture, subterfuge and sham Simple British people—fogged and in a haze, Anything suffices down its throat to cram II. Is the Bible simple ? Those who know it best Say how much mistaken all who so maintain Its mysterious problems, for solution pressed, As the Church interprets one can best explain. III. But the Catechism, for the children framed, Drawing from the Scripures what is best to teach, This as simple teaching rightly may be claimed, Creed and conduct bringing well within their reach. IV. \Vi,li its aid the Bible gives a clearer light, While without its guidance much is most obscure For its definitions, sifting wrong from right, Change uncertain guessings into doctrine sure. V. If Dissenting parents ardently desire Creedless. f<>rmle.-s teaching for their children's health, Give them freely, fully what they may require, Nothing done by favour, nothing done by stealth. VI. In the name of Justice fling this fraud away Let the Churchman's children learn the Church- man's Creed, What shall be the teaching let the Parents say, From this gross delusion we shall then be freed May, 1906. H. C. I

Westminster Comedies. Amongst present-day comedies those exhibited on the boards of the House of Commons take first place. The best Club in the w.;rld has become the most noted of burlesque theatres, and the countryman, debarred from spectacular plays, can enjoy an infinity of cheap amuse- ment in the published Parliamentary reports, which afford ample scope for Gilbertian comedy. To take but a few illustrations. Before the General Election, Sir Henry Campbell-Banner- man and Co. led the country to believe that England at the bidding of Mr Balfour's Govern- ment was an incorrigible slave-driver; that the Chinamen employed in South Africa were manacled and shut up in compounds similar to the "Black Hole of Calcutta": and that 13,000,000 of persons in this country were on the verge of starvation-a most deplorable condition for a highly civilised country to be in. When the alternative Government came into power, they would "at once" put an end to "slavery under the British flay they would cancel all existing contracts with the Chinamen, and despatch them, at the Brit ishers' expense, back to their own country by the earliest possible boats. They would take the 13,000,000 English men, women, and children under their own special care and find them food and work, for the widow's cruise might again yield an increase of oil, and the alchemists' power might again be invoked. By mesmerisms such as these Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and Co. were returned by an almost unparalleled majority at the General Election. What has happened since ] By repudiations of the har- rowing election posters, by a series of subter- fuges, and by terminological inexactitudes, the slavery" hoax has been whittled away. Chinamen have not been given a free trip home, and it was only at the urgent request of the opposition that a Commission was sent to South Africa to report upon the condition of affairs "oil the spot." Autonomy, the home Government next decided, was the proper thing for the South African States they knew how to manage their internal affairs best and must settle the question of Chinese labour and all other troublesome matters. But if they took upon themselves to pass any measure of which the home Government disapproved it would, of course, be vetoed from Downinc Street. ° Rapid scene-shifting then took place on the Westminster stage, and, before the Commis- sion could reach South Africa, up jumped Mr Winston Churchill, the leading humorist of the caste, and read Lord Elgin's proclamation to the Chinamen urging them to go home, at their own expense if possible, but, in the event of their not having saved enough money for the journey out of their earnings in the mines, they might sit down and write to him (presumably in Chinese), stating their position, and he would consider each case on its own merits. The proclamation would take effect that day six months, and it must be clearly understood by the repatriated Chinamen that they would on no account be allowed to return to South Africa. Having once shaken off their shackles they must no longer hanker for them. Act II. opens with Mr John Burns-(" honest John of Hyde Park agitation fame, who in those days thought no man's services worth more than E500 a year, and now as President of the Local Government Board takes £2,000 uncomplainingly)—receiving a deputation of the unemployed. Somehow he is altogether different from what he was of yore, distantly polite, scarcely recognisable, although there does not appear to be any gold lace about. The woes of the 13,000,000 fail to impress him in the same way as formerly he is calm and guarded in his speech, and deeply sympathetic, but he must needs send the applicants away empty because neither he nor his colleagues can find the wherewithal to satisfy them. In the next scene Mr Herbert Gladstone announces, in a casual way to an astonished House, tha,t the Aliens' Act had been somewhat modified, and a close inspection reveals the fact that this Act which was passed by the previous Govern- ment entirely for British workmen's benefit, had been denuded of some of its most useful provisions, the result of which was apparent when the scenes were next shifted and the port of Amsterdam was portrayed. Many intending immigrants to England had arrived there by train from the ports of Libau, Bremen, Ham- burg, and Rotterdam because they had been rejected as unfit by the shipping companies at those places. Now there are many small boats at Amsterdam that carry a limited number of steerage passengers, and the rejected ones board these and proceed straight away to England. The "pauper" restriction is easily evaded by obliging agents lending immigrants £5 in gold (the necessary amount and for which they charge interest), to be given back to agents cn the English side as soon as the usual for- malities have been complied with. Those who claim an asylum in England, on the ground that they are fleeing from persecution or punish- ment on religious or political grounds, are, in the event of suspicion, to be given the benefit of the doubt by order of the Rome Secretary, and they are carefully coached on these lines by the foreign shipping agents- It appears, therefore, that the Aliens' Act has become a dead letter, and the immigration of undesir- ables may be expected to increase by leaps and bounds. But what matter? In topsy-turvydom the interests of foreigners must be safeguarded and Englishmen must turn the other cheek.

ABERGAVENNY. POLICE COURT, WEDNESDAY. Before Councillor J. C. GWATKIN (Mayor), and Major W. WILLIAMS. CONCEALMENT OF BIRTH. Florence Lucy Annie Jenkins, single, of Castle- street, Abergavenny, was charged with concealing- the birth of her illegitimate male child, afr- Abergavenny. Mr Iltyd Gardner, solicitor, Abergavenny, appeared for the defence and pleaded not. guilty. P.S. Samuel Smith stated that on Sunday thfr 13th inet., in conseciuence of a rumonr in the town, he and Superintendent Davies visited 25, Castle- street, the residence of Mr Rk-hard Clement Jenkins, ostler. He brought his daughter to them- from another room, and said to b..r Flo, tell the Superintendent what you have told me." She- said, I did have a child, but it died. I did not tell father about it. I could not." The father said to her, "Flo, where is it., show us?" She went upstairs, and they all followed her. She went to a small boxroom, brought out a box, took it into a bedroom and unstrapped and opened it, when witness saw the body of a child dressed. She exclaimed, Oh, my dear child." The father then said to the Superintendent, Tell me. Superintendent, if anything has been done to the child; it will ease me." Florence replied, "I would not kill my own child." They took the box and child away, and about 5 p.m. again visited the house, and asked the girl whe, her anyone Wa present at the birth. She replied, No, I haven't told anyone." She was apprehended on Thursday last, and when the warrant was read over to her made no reply. Cross-examined by Mr Gardner The clothes on the box were some clothes which bad been placed there, although they might not have been put there to bide the box. Richard Clement Jenkins, father of the girl, of 25, Castle-s'reet, said his daughter Florence was a single woman, aged 18 labt birthday. He first became aware that his daughter had bad a child when the police officers came to his house. His daughter came home to keep house for him about September 1st, there being a son aud^dsughter living at home. She remuinw1 in bed after the birth until the Wednesday or Thursday following, and although she complained of pains in her back, she stated that she did not require- a doctor. Irene Maud Jenkins, 14, a sister of Florence, said that she occupied the same room as her siister, but on Friday, the 4th Mav. she slept in another room, as her sifter stated that she had pains in her back, and would probably disturb witness. About 7.30 the following morning witness remained at home from business as her sister said she was not well enough to get up. Florence Jenkins, on being formally charged, pleaded not guilty. She said the evidence given was quite correct. She had prepared baby clothes for this child, and after her c nifinrment she put the clothes on the child. She kept the child in bed with her for several days, and finally she put it in the hat box. She did not tell anyone, because she was ashamed to tell her father aud was afraid of what he would do. By Superintendent Davies In the presence of her father a Mrs Jones asked her what she had done with the baby, but even then she did not tell her father. She did not put the clothes on the box. She was fond of the child. At the moment of birth the child showed signs of life. Mr Gardner, addressing the Bench, said that many of the Elements of guilt common in these cases were absent in this case. If ever there was a. witness of innocence who told the truth it was the witness they had just heard. A case bad been decided by the High Courts on exactly the same lines as this one, and this case was not one for' conviction or for committal for trial. Even if they had any doubt as to what happened, they must give the prisoner the benefit. The prisoner was committed for trial to the Monmouth Assizes, bail being allowed in L30.

I CHEPSTOW. PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY. RELEASING IMPOUNDED HORSES. Emanuel Burden, gipsy, was charged with unlawfully releasing three horses which had been impounded. —Thomas Williams, of Gaerllwyd, found the three horses in his field. and defendant released them, in spite of remonstrance.—Defendant was fined 50s. with Li 7s costs, including 10s damages. Boy BIRCHED EOR THEFT.—John Bartlett, 13, was charged with stealing a pruning-knife. the property of Charles Howells, gardener, at Caldicot. The knife was taken to a blacksmith's to have a rivet put in it, and defendant seeing it in a box on a bench took it. He was sentenced to receive twelve strokes with a birch-rod. A SAVAGE HUSBAND. James Price, farmer, was summoned for com- mitting an aggravated assault upon his wife, Ellen Price, at Earlswood, Shirenewton, on Saturday last. The parties occupy separate houses, but the wife goes to his house to do work for him in the day time. On Saturday he came to her and threatened to do for her, and struck her on the arm with a gun. A little dog took her part, and defendant struck the dog, stunning it, and after- wards killed it. Defendant had been twice previously summoned, but had been forgiven by his wife. The Bench said it was a bad case, and sentenced him to one month's hard labour, and ordered him to be bound over in £ 20 to ktep the peace for six months, and pay the costs. A separation order was given the wife, who did not want anything from her husband for the support of herself and five children.

The Hosiie Secretary and Vaccination Exemptions. I The Home Secretary has issued a circular to clerks to justices of petty sessions stating that he receives frequent complaints of the refusal of certificates of exemption under the Vaccination Act. He points out that the question for magistrates is not whether the applicants belief is well-founded or ill-founded, but solely whether they are satisfied that they conscientiously believe that vaccination will be prejudicial to the health of the child in question. The Act does not require that the belief should be reasonably founded. Y

(I^ARCfiERi&pfl pOUEKRETSSiS | | t_STEfj!-D { 'r; i ac-iiniiie of One-Ounce Packet. Archer's Golden Returns The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. t CfX'L, SWEET, ANP FRAGRANT.

f LLANGIBBY. Agent-Mrs Nash. Llangibby Village. THE EDUCATION BILL.-A well attended meeting was held in the Llangibby Club Room, on May 17th, when the Rev H. A. Williams gave an address on the Education Bill. He condemned the measure, and showed conclusively how it violated fandamental Liberal principles. Mr J. Lewis (Park), proposed Mr C. Arthur (Cefnllech), seconded and Mr W. Watkins (Pencarreg), sup- ported the following resolution which was carried unanimously:—"That this meeting regrets that there is no provision in the Bill to seeure that the Bible must be taught in the schools." A vote of thanks to the Rector, and the National Anthem, brought the meeting to a close.

MONMOUTH. I Agetit.-Ms,. J. G. Jonps. 24, Church Street. Manmouth. I H.M. CRUISER MONMOUTH, Captain J. A. Tuke, arrived at Singapore on Saturday, outward bound.

PROTEST AGAINST THE EDUCATION BILL. On Saturday evening a meeting of Churchpeople was held at the Working Men's Institute, Mon- mouth, to protest against the Education Bill. Cap'ain Walters, R.N., presided over a good attendance, which included many parents of school children. Mr W. S. de Winton was the principal speaker, and referred to the January meeting, when the Rev H. Abraham explained to a mixed audience of Church people and Nonconformists the education question from the Church and Free Church stand- points. He said he was not aware at the time that his opponent was a minister, or his replies would have been differently framed. Mr Abraham claimed that the Bible was its own interpreter, but if that was so what was the need of ministers and preachers? Simple Bible teaching was not sufficient in their schools. The speaker made frequent quotations from Mr Lloyd George's speeches, and said their bitterest opponents were the political Nonconformists, They were doing their level best to crush the Church. But the bitterness of the attack was really the Church's highest testimonial. It was said the present Bill was only a reprisal for the Aot, of 1902. but he claimed that under that Act the Nonconformists were very fairly treated. Dr Lachlan, of Trelleck, proposed the following resolution "That this meeting protests against the Bill of 1906, because, firstly, it will destroy 75 per cent. of the Church schools secondly. it disregards the rights of parents in the matter of their children's religion; and, thirdly, because it treats religious teaching as an extra,' and thus tends to eliminate religion from the national system of education." The resolution was unanimously carried. A meeting for man only was held on Sunday afternoon, when Mr de Winton dealt with the sacred aspect of the question.

NEWPORT. Agents—Greenland and Co.. Iligh Street. INQUEST. Mr Lyndon Moore held an inquest at Newport on Friday on Alfred James Jones, 29. a groom at Tredegar Park, who died at the Newport Hospital on May 11th. James Arthur David, 63. Chepstow-road, said he was walking along Cardiff Road on Wednesday, May 9th. about 9 10 p.m., and close by The Gaer, he beard a bicycle coming from the direction of Cardiff. He was walking in the direction of Newport, and just as the bicycle got close behind him he heard a crash. On looking round he saw a man lying on the path, and the bicycle a short distance from him in the road. Witness picked him up, and with the assistance of two other young men restored him to consciousness. When asked where he was from, the deceased replied Tredegar." He was afterwards taken away by two young men. The bank of the path was only two or three inches high, and he did not know what caused the accident. The front wheel of the bicycle was buckled. Mrs Elizabeth Wiiliams, wife of John Williams, timberman, 62. Commercial Street, said that de- ceased had been with a friend and herself on the evening of the day of his death. They left New- port and went to the Lighthouse, and on returning left deceased on Ebbw Vale bridge. This was about nine o'clock, and they did not see him again. He was perfectly sober when they left him. Dr. Arnold Thomas said that the deceased was admitted to the Hospital on Thursday, suffering from injuries to the head, etc. He died on Friday from the effects of the aceidcnt. A verdict of Accidental death was returned.

A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. I At about five o'clock on Wednesday morning, a horrible discovery was made by a navvy named Robert Sweetman, in a field which lies in the angle formed by the Great Western Railway and the Alexandra Docks Railway on the west side of Cardiff Road. He saw what he took to be a man asleep under a tree close to the fence at the bottom of the railway embankment, but, on examination with a man named Albert Gething, of Maesglas Cottage, who bad come to the field to fetch a pony, he found the man was dead, and that his throat was terribly cut. Lying near him was a blood-stained razor, and in his pocket an empty razor case. He was well-dressed, and inquiries showed that the deceased was Mr Alfred Oates, aged 511 of Pickwick House, 287, Caerleon-road, manager of the St. Julian's Brick and Tile Company's Works, a position he had held for about eight years. He was a Cornishman by birth, and was at one time a schoolmaster. He went to Caerleon in 1884, when his father-in-law, the late Mr David Grey, of Maesteg, started the tinworks there. Mr Oates was employed as cashier for a time at Caerleon, and subsequently became cashier, and afterwards manager at St. Julian's Brick and Tile Works. He was a well-known member of St. Matthew's Church, Maiudee, where be had also acted as sidesman. For some time be had suffered from an affection of the eyes, and he had also become depressed. He leaves a widow and three grown-up children. The body was removed to an outhouse at Maesglas to await an inquest. At the inquest, on Thursday, the jury returned aT verdict of "Suicide whilst of an unsound mind."

PONTYPOOL. Agent»—ifr Fieldhouse, and Mr G. H Churchill, The Market Aiettri, kaaarris and Co., and Mr. Nickels, Sew Inn. APPOINTMENT.—Mr Alfred Newland, of the firm of Messrs. NewJand, Davis and Hunt, Newport, has been appointed valuer to the Assessment Committee of the Pontypool Union to re-value the parish of Llanfrechfa Lower. DISTRICT HOSPITAL.—Mr B. Nicholas presided at the monthly meeting of the executive of the Pontypool and District Hospital.—T. W. Jones, porter, at Porth Hospital, and a native of Crumlin, was chollen out, of 19 applicants to a similar post at Pontypool Hospital. Lieutenant-Colonel Williams renorted- n ino.,imp for fchrt month of E129 9s lOd, and an expenditure of £ 157 is lid. After payment of bills there would be a credit balance of £751 Is Id. It was decided to place £260 in the deposit account, and to invest L300 (including Major Sloper's bequest of £250) in Consols. PROTEST MEETING AT GRIFFITHSTOWN.—A well- attended public meeting was held at St. Hilda's School, Griffithstown, on Monday, under the chairmanship of the Rev Herbert Addams-Williams, M.A., rector of Llangibby and rural dean, to protest against the Education Bill.-The Rev Lemuel James, M.A., Barry, was the principal speaker, and on the proposition of Mr W. H. Roberts, seconded by Mr T. Watkins, a resolution was unanimously passed protesting against the Bill, because it limits unfairly the rights of parents, children, and teachers, and does not secure full Bible teaching in any school.

I ESCAPE OF ELECTRIC CURRENT. At the Pontypool U.D.C. meeting on Wednes- day, Captain J. M. Cope, of the Fire Brigade, referred in his report to the recent fire at a jeweller's shop, and said it was attributed to the fusing of electric wires. Mr G. Udell said this matter was becoming serious. The electric current was escaping, and practically the whole of the town was in danger of being blown up. He had that day seen a man who was using an iron bar in the street compelled to drop it on account of receiving an electric shock through the bar. Major W. H. Pitten said that if these state- ments were true the Electric Light Company were not conforming to the Board of Trade regulations. The Surveyor said it was a peculiar fact that several horses had recently shied in the street and reared upon their haunches, and this was supposed to be caused by the escaping current entering their shoes. Mr W. H, Hughes said the matter needed investigation, and if it were not speedily altered the Council would have no alternative but to inform the Board of Trade. Mr Udell said the Electric Light Company had used every endeavour to locate the leakage, and had recently opened the streets in about twenty different places between Osborne- road and Clarence-street. The Surveyor said that the escape was very dangerous, owing to the fact that it might eat away the gasnipes, and would probably eventually cause an explosion. The matter was left in the hands of the Clerk and the Surveyor, who were instructed to inform the Company.

PONTYPOOL. POLICE COURT, MONDAY. DRUNKENNESS.—Mary Jane Powell, of Cardiff, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Pontypool, 00 Sunday night.-P.S. Richards said that, in company with P.O. Bevan, he was called to Park Road. He there saw the defendant in a drunken condition and behaving in a most dis- orderly manner.—Defendant pleaded guilty, but asked for leniency as her husband had sent for her to go to him in Ctrdi,.f.Aupt James: You told me your husband was dead.—Defendant: Well, I mean the man I alll living with.—She was finect 20s, or 14 days'.

attendance at the Committee meetings, and prob- ably it would not have been necessary for him to say that he would have to retire at the end of this term if the work had been more distributed, but he felt that he could not continue if ho could not give the full rime necessary to the services ex- pected of him as a guardian. He hoped that when the time came the same opinions would be ey pressed with regard to the present Chairman as had been expressed with regard to Col. Williams. (Applause.) Colonel D. E. Williams, in response, said he was grateful to the members of the Board for their goodness in arranging to place his portrait on the walls of the Board room as an ex-Chairman, and particularly to those who had spoken for the kind words they had used in reference to the poor services he had rendered as a member of the Board. He fully recognised that he wa.s not altogether worthy of all that had been said, but one thing he could say, and that was that the work of that Board had been congenial work to him. (Applause.) He had been connected with it now for a good many years, ;in, I he had en- deavoured to do all that lay in his power to discharge the duties that appertained to the office of a guardian of the poor. (Hear, hear.) If he bad fallen short of the ideal everyone should have before him it was due to the fact that one could never hope to attain to the highest standard, but only partially do so. Their work was the most honourable work anyone could be engaged in. Their title, Guardians of the Poor," was one they might well be proud of. They sometimes heard that they came there to look after the interests of the ratepayers, but that was only one side of their duties, and he trusted that they had attended to that side so far as it was compatible with their duties to the poor, but to him, saving the rate- payers' money was not their primary duty, although he bad always endeavoured to save unnecessary expense. Still, when the time of call for help for those who unfortunately needed their assistance came, his voice had always been raised to give the full extent of relief he felt they were justified in giving, and in doing that he felt he was doing rightly. (Applause.) When he first joined the Board the work was, no doubt, being carried on in an excellent manner, but he thought he might safely say that as the years had passed along, and new members had been elected, and year after year old faces had disappeared and new ones had taken their place, the Board had recognised to the full that the new members were imbued with an earnest desire to do their best in the posit on in which they were placed, and they might now -congratulate themselves upon the fact that many changes for the better had been effected. The old buildings had been wiped out and new ones put in their place. (Applause.) At that moment their buildings might be regarded as entirely satis- factory they were well equipped and well looked after in every sense of the word. (Applause.) And the inmates had as great a measure of comfort as they could afford to give them. (Hear, hear.) During the whole of the years he had been upon that Board he bad endeavoured to share its work to the full, and he recognised that that work bad been a progressive work, going on from year to year getting better and better, until now he would say. even in the presence of Mr Bircham, the Local Government Board Inspector, he thought they might lay claim to be in an equally good 'position as if not better than, most of the Boards of Guardians in South Wales and Monmouthshire. (Hear, hear.) And they had attained to this position at no great expense to the ratepayers. Their rates had not being going up by leaps and bounds as in other Poor Law Unions, but by the care exercised in administering relief they had been able to do all that they had done for the comfort and welfare of those committed to their charge without overburdening the rates of the district. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion he ten- dered them his heartfelt gratitude for the kindness they had invariably displayed towards him, for the unanimity with which they had voted him to the chair, and for the good words they had spoken regarding his poor services during the time he had been a member and acted as the Chairman of the Board. (Applause.) MR. F. T. BIROHAM'S FAREWELL, I A RETROSPECT. I C Chairman 8ai<i they were sorry that Mr i?. I. Bircham, the L.G.B. Inspector, wasre'iring, and they would be glad to hear a few observations from him before he left. I MR. F. T. BIRCHAM, in the course of his remarks, said the state of the Pontypool Union, as compared with other Unions in his district, was very satisfactory. He was «ble, foltl)Dattly-or unfortunately—to carry his memory bfick to January, 1874 -over 32 years— -and the history of the Pontypool Union had been written since then. Pontypool Workhouse and Union was quite a different place now to when he Srst knew it, both in and out. During those years the population had increased 33 per cent but the pauperism bad been reduced from 4 per cent to 2'7 per cent., taking the population of 1901, and there had probably been a considerable increase in the population since then, in which case the pauperism would be less still. The rateable value "bad increased 60 per cent., and expenditure had decreased 2 per cent. As compared with those of "Other Unions in the country these figures could tiot be other than satisfactory. He could not :tnake comparisons for the whole of his period of office, but he would give them A RETROSPECT I of the last ten years. In that period the population 'of England and Wales had increased 12 per cent.; of Wales and Monmouthshire, 13 per cent.; of outh Wales and Monmouthshire, 16 per cent.; of Pontypool district, 14 per cent. In England -and Wales the rate of pauperism had remained about stationary in Wales and Monmouthshire it had decreased 13 per cent. in South Wales and Monmouthshire. 7 per cent. and in the Pontypool district, 16 per cent. (Hear, hear.) The expenditure in England and Wales had increased 33 per cent., although the pauperism had not -increased; in Wales and Monmouthshire, 22 per cent. in South Wales and Monmouthshire 32 per cent.; in the Pontypool district, 8 per cent. (Applause.) In the latter they had had nearly all the expenses connected with the building and re- building of the workhouses, and the surroundings, and taking that into consideration they had special -cause for satisfaction. The increased expenditure had been due to two things. In the large Unions it was owing to the provision of large hospitals and infirmaries and the very great improvement in the treatment of the indoor poor. Public opinion -demanded this, and the guardians responded to it. The second cause was the higher amount of individual relief granted to out-duor paupers. Ten years ago they relieved practically the same number as now, but now it cost them £ 600 a year < £ Oore to do so, which demonstrated this fact. This was all right so long as those relieved were deserving of it, but if it were given to the thriftless and improvident he thought the ratepayers would )¡have cause to grumble. It was A PERFECT TREAT to him to come around that establishment, or visit any part of it. He always paid surprise visits, and he always found it scrupulously clean, with an air of brightness and humanity about the place that was exceedingly satisfactory. (Applause.) He lemembered the House as one of the most dismal and unsatisfactory buildings in the whole of his district, and if they could do what they had done -and have such statistical results they were a good example to other Unions who were behind in the work of providing suitable accommodatic-n. {Applause.) Now they might very well rest on their oars and be content with a very moderate increase of the rates, while they were able to'offer to the destitute poor indoor relief which was a "credit to the Board and which, it was satisfactory to kuow, they could confidently insist upon. He thought that there were still many cases outside "hich ought to come in people who would he Very much better, looked after by the staff there than they were living in their homes which were llot fit for habitation, and where they could not be looked after with the skilled attention available itt the Workhouse or even be kept decently clean. If they saw any cases outside which ought to come "Into the House they ought not to hesitate to recommend their coming in by any mistaken xeeling of humanity. There could be no humanity in allowing people to live in filthy wretchedness, squalor, and dirt. He would be the last to break up any home which was in any way decant; rather would he stretch a point in its favour; but where the home was really bad and the surroundings vicious and insanitary he hoped they would see that it was to their interest to put their I WORKHOUSE TO THB FULL USE which it so well afforded. Referring to the report of the Departmental Committee on Vagrancy, Mr Bircham said he was very glad to see that the Pontypool Union showed a very good return, as compared with other Unions in Monmouthshire, and he thought it showed that their discipline was satisfactory and worked well. No doubt the dual authority system of treating vagrancy was not a success, and the Committee recommended that the power of dealing with vagrants should be handed over to the County police from the Boards of Guardians, and the area of chargeabiliiy be extended to the whole county. The Local Government Board would, no doubt, be the department entrusted with the work of framing any Bill necessary to carry out the recommenda- tions of the Committee, and their hands would be very much strengthened if they were given the opinions of Boards of Guardians on the subject. He had always been of the opinion that the matrer should be in the hands of the police entirely. He did not wish to bias the Board in any way, but if, after consideration of the Committee's report, they agreed with him, or if they had any other opinions, they should communicate them to the L.G.B. The Chairman said the members had each a copy of the report, but it had not yet been con- sidered by them as a body. Proceeding, Mr Bircbam favoured also the extended area of chargeability, thinking it very hard that one Poor Law Union should pay the full cost whilst another, and richer Union perhaps, escaped from paying. Then they had to bear in mind the fact that during the last few years the idea of boarding-out children had developed. He had taken the trouble to go round and see the homes, with their very energetic hon. secretary, and to inform himself generally on the matter, and he must. say that he was very much pleased with what he saw. (Applause.) But he would point out that everything depended upon the system, now so well managed, being continued as well managed. Boarding-out should not be adopted unles* they were prepared to take an infinite amount of trouble. They must be careful in the selection of the homes to which they sent the children, and watch over them very carefully without undue interference. It was a very difficult matter, but he was quite satisfied with the present condition of things. They, however, had accom- modation there for children in THE COTTAGE HOMES, I and he hoped they would not convert them to other purposes. Now that so much more interest was taken in children by the N.S.P.C.C., and other organizations the tendency was to have more to deal with, and they might not always be able to find sufficient boarding-out homes to send them to. He believed their cottage homes would always be useful They had one now filled with children, and the officer in charge did her work exceedingly well and the children were well looked after. (Applause.) He should keep the other available for similar use in fear of the boarding-out homes becoming limited in number. He regretted that that was the last official visit he should pay them. The age limit compelled his retirement at the end of next month. He could only say that he took that opportunity of thanking them-and, through them, their predecessors whose faces at that moment passed before him—for the kindness and courtesy they had always extended to him, and for the patience with which they had always listened to any suggestions he had had to make to them. He should leave perfectly satisfied as to the sufficiency of the acc >mmodation of the Union and as to the management of it by the officers aud themselves. From the Clerk down to the last official he had always experienced the greatest KINDNESS AND COURTESY. He had often applied to Mr Watkins for figures and information, of which the guardians knew nothing, and had put him to a great deal of trouble, but Mr Watkins had always kindly acquiesced to his requests. He knew some of the older officers of the House and a few of more recent date, and it seemed to him that all were animated by the desire to do their duty in the best possible manner, and all had always treated him with the greatest courtesy and respect. (Applause.) He regretted that that was his last official visit, but he should not be leaving the neighbourhood as a resident, and it might be that on some future occasion he should come round again and give them an unofficial call. (Hear, hear, and applause.) The Chairman said they were exceedingly obliged to Mr Bircham for the very kind remarks he had made with regard to the conduct of the business of the Board, and as to their buildings, as well as for the very satisfactory report he was able to make. His (the speaker's) memory went back to 1878, when he first became a guardian. The difference between the condition of the buildings then and now was very great. The Board's relationship with Mr Bircham had always been of the most happy character, and he had always been ready to help them in any difficulty. They all regretted very much that he was severing his official connection with them. (Hear, hear.) The Clerk said he should like to thank Mr Bircham, on behalf of the officers of the Union. for his very kind remarks respecting them, and, on their behalf, wish him a long life in retirement and every happiness. (Applause.) Mr Bircham briefly acknowledged the com- pliments paid him and withdrew. POOR LAW CONFERENCE. I The Chairman and Clerk were appointed delegates to the South Wales and Monmouthshire Poor Law Conference, to be held at Brecon in June. THE VAGRANCY QUESTION. I On this subject, the Chairman spoke in favour of its being made a national charge. It was decided to discuss the report of the Departmental Committee at the next meeting of the Board. MARRIED QUARTERS. I Four tenders were received for converting a cottage home into quarters for married couples, and that of Mr J. Hubert Leadbeter, at £ 194 10s was accepted, being the lowest. The other tenders were from Mr R. Mearer, Abersychan. £ 205 5s Messrs. William Jones and Sons, Abersychaii, 2235; and Mr E. Sainsbury, New Inn, X295. TEACHING THE BLIND. I The Rev J. Swinnerton, of Llandevaud, wrote asking if the Board would permit a County Council teacher to attend and give lessons to a blind inmate of the House, named Jane Fox, who, by the Braille system, would then have the benefit of books and magazines from the Newport Blind Agency and, he added, the organization would be glad to do any- thing they could for any other similarly afflicted: person in the district. The Clerk said there were several blind people in the Union in receipt of outdoor relief, and he had forwarded a Hst of these to the rev. gentleman. The Chairman said the Committee, of which the Rev. J. Swinnerton was the secretary, were doing a very great work indeed amongst the blind. ° The permission asked for was readily given. I PRECEPTS. The Clerk reported the receipts of two C.C. pre- cepts for JB351 15s. 8d. (for higher education) and X4,071 19s. 9d., to be paid on June 20th.