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

Government's Record in 1906. The year opened with the General Elec- tion, when a wave of Socialist-Radicalism swept over the country and the Conservative Party were badly beaten at the polls, the great Radical majority being mainly obtained by misrepresentations made to the electorate as to the conditions of Chinese labour in the Rand mines in South Africa. These untruths were sustained by the vilest pictorial posters placarded throughout the country, which did their work in the various constituencies although the state- ments were contradicted by every reliable authority on the spot. Of the great cities, however, London, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield stood out nobly and con- spicuously as Conservative. In Wales, although 56,000 Unionists votes were recorded, not a single Unionist was re- turned, and throughout the whole country the Radicals are ridiculously over-repre- sented. If they were represented propor- tionately to the votes polled for them they would not have one-third of the majority they now enjoy. The total turn-over of votes was 10 per cent., and two Conserva- tives represent as many votes as five Radicals in Great Britain. The present House of Commons is made up of about a score of groups or sections. The Socialism of the new Parliament soon became ap- parent. Ministerialists demanded free postage and free railway fares, but were refused. They, however, passed resolutions for free meals for school children, for payment of their own election expenses, and for salaries of l Y,300 A YEAR I to their noble selves. In the last-named motion they were so eager for the spoils that they inadvertently voted for the salaries to be paid to the Peers as well as themselves. They were also able to secure the boon of shaving and hair-cutting at half-price by the State barbers. A Vote of Censure on the Opposition was the next eccentricity of this composite Government, and, when the proceeding was ridiculed by Mr Balfour, the Prime Minister scolded like a virago, and closured the Vote just when the main debate was commencing. Undeterred by the ridicule they had excited in the country by censuring an Opposition, Mr Byles was then put up to move a Vote oi Uensure on Viscount Miiner, tor that while he, was High Commissioner in South Africa he had sanctioned flogging of Chinese labourers under illegal conditions in the Transvaal mines. Lord Milner, in the House of Lords, while stating that he did not remember having given the assent, accepted the responsibility, and in the most manly way expressed his regret for what was undoubtedly an illegality. This would have satisfied any ordinary men. But Ministerialists, intent on showing that they do not rise to the ordinary level, insisted on censuring Lord Milner. Ministers, sud- denly stricken with shame, attempted to minimise the motion by an amendment which pronounced Lord Milner worthy of censure without censuring him. Then they became ashamed of their own amendment, and tried to talk it ont. In this they were foiled by the closure. The disgust among the better-toned Radicals was shown by the absence of one hundred and fifty ef them from the division, while only thirty Conser- vatives were absent. Twice during the Session the Government was I SAVED PROM DEFEAT by the votes of Conservatives. The first occasion was on the Indian Budget, when the Government would have been defeated by four, but for the help of Conservatives. The second occasion was on the Trade Disputes Bill, in which the Government had given everything to the Labour party. Yet an August 3rd, the day before the House adjourned for the recess, the Labour party revolted and voted against the Government on an amendment by Sir Charles Dilke. Some extreme Radicals also voted against the Government. Twenty-two Conserva- tives voted for the Government, and seeured it a majority of five. Had the Conservatives abstained, Ministers w'uld have been defeated by seventeen; had they joined the Labourists, Ministers would have been beaten by thirty-nine. The most astounding surrender the Government made was over the Trade Disputes Bill. On March 28th, the Attorney-General introduced a Bill on behalf of the Government providing that Trades Unions should only be liable in law for acts authorised by their Committees or done by their authorised agent, tut should not be liable for an act done by an agent if the Committee repudiated it. The Attorney- General supported this in an eloquent no- surrender speech. Two days afterwards the Labour party brought in a Bill of their own which placed the Trades Unions above the law, providing that no legal action at all should be allowed against them. To the surprise of the House the Prime Minister rose and accepted the Labour Bill, giving away his own law officer. Sir John Lawson did not resign as expected, but, after an absence due to illness, returned to the House and took charge of the Bill, now altered fo suit the Labour party. After going through Grand Committee the Bill was forced through the Report stage in the last days of the Session by long sittings and closure. Mr Balfour assented to the third reading, and the Lords passed the Bill. The principle of the Bill had been accepted all along, and the opposition was of a non- party character. But the Conservative leaders in Iloth Houses protested against the danger, us extent to which it had been carried, and threw upon the Radicals all RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUTURE CONSEQUENCES. The same sort of thing was repeated on the Workmen's Compensation Bill. Mr Bir- rell's Education Bill was received with execration throughout the country. It contained forty clauses, and only a small portion of it was discussed, for it was closured after it had been six days in Committee, or eleven days before the House, and in this ill-considered condition was sent to the House of Lords, whose members examined it in detail, and after amending it so as to ensure justice all round returned it to the Commons, where Mr Birrell advised the House to reject the Lords' amendments "en bloc." When it was again sent to the Upper House, strenuous efforts were made to effect a compromise, but the action of the Govern- ment had made it impossible to find a basis of settlement, and the Lords adhered to their amendments. On the Bill going back to the Commons Mr Birrell made a violent and threatening speech against the Lords, and when the Prime Minister announced that the order be discharged few persous regretted its death. Out of about sixty Government measures passed during the Session, the Merchant Shipping Bill and the Workmen's Compensation Bill, both of which were due to the initiation of the late Government, rank as the best. The Plural Voting Bill was opposed by Conservatives in the House of Commons, and rejected by the Lords on the ground that any reform of the anomalies of plural voting should be accompanied by redistribution. Parliament was prorogued on December 21st until February 12th, f 1907.

Pontypool Board of Guardians. The fortnightly meeting of this body was held at the Workhouse, Griffithstown, on Thursday, in lallt week, when Mr W. P. James, J.P., C.C., presided. IXMATSS WHOSH BBLATIVBS HATS | PROPERTY. J The Clerk read the reports he had prepared, ie Henry J. Phillips and William E. Thomas, who are inmates of the House, as follows:— Re Henry Jones Phillips." I The above-named was first admitted into the Workhouse Infirmary on the 10th May, 1902. having been then brought in by a police sergeant and another person, he being unable to walk consequent upon loss of blood from a wound in the head, occasioned by, it was said, a fall whilst he was in an epileptic fit. He remained then in the Infirmary until the 20th of the same month, when he left and the cost of his maintenance was paid by Messrs. Bythway and Son. "Ou the 17th February, 1903, he was re- admitted on account of destitution and in a miserable condition, having been sleeping out for some time, and he has remained in the House ever since, at a cost to the Guardians up to the 28tb ult. for maintenance only, without establishment charges, of ESI 15s 9d, but if establishment charge,4 were added it would amount to £77 9 7d. After his re-admiesion, I was directed, to wit, in Match, 1903, to make enquiries as to whether he had any estate, or whether there was anyone liable for his maintenance, and I then ascertained th!lt the whole of his property had been mortgaged by him t • his family, and that he was subsequently made a bankrupt; and that the trustee in the bankruptcy had sold the equities of redemption in the properties to his brother, Mr William John Phillies, of Green Lawn. I was then requested to ascertain from the Medical Officer it he c-mid not take bill discharge, and to appeal, through his brother, Mr W. J. Phillips, to the family to pay the cont of his maintenance in the House, brothers being in no way legally liable, and received a reply from his solicitors declining, in effect, to contribute anything, one of the grounds for such refusal being that Mr C. J. Phillips another brother, and his late father kept him and maintained and educated the whole of his seven children, and that it was wholly on the ground of the vindictive litigation that they ceased to do ao. I alxo interviewed the Medical Officer, and he informed me that he was subject to epileptic fits, and that it would not be advisable for him to take his discharge." "Re Wm. Ernest Thomas, an inmate of the House." In pursuance of the direction given me, I beg to report that the above-named was admitted to 'he House on the first occasion on the 11th January, 1904, and was an inmate for the principal part of that year, he taking his discharge on three occasions only to be shortly afterwards re- admitted, He was re-admitted on the last occasion on the 2Uth February, 1905, and has remained in the House ever since. He is slightly deformed in the hands, and not of strong intellect, but before such admission was able to earn a good living as a brewer's traveller until he gave way to drink. Whilst he was in the House on the second occasion a representative of his late employers, the Eastern Valleys Brewery Company visited him, and it was subsequently discovered that he had paid him a comparatively large sum of money, whereupon he was searched, and 95 were found secreted in the lining of his cap, and his main- tenance up to that time in the House was deducted, and the balance of 10s handed to him, when he took his discharge to be shortly after- wards, as before mentioned, re-admitted, being then not sober. "It having been ascertained that he was entitled to a life estate in a freehold house at Griffithstown, a resolution was passed by the Guardians on the 28th November, 1904:, for prosecuting him for having means aad failing to maintain himself. On his being apprised of this on the following day, he took the relieving officer to the tenant of the house, received two guineas rent from her, and handed it to such officer. On the 27th December, the officer applied to him for a further payment when he took him to the tenant again, received 28s, and handed the officer 14s. Failing to get any more money from him the resolution was put in force, and he was served with a summons to appear at the Police Court, but on receipt thereof he took his discharge, and did not appear on the return of the summons, when a warrant was issued for his apprehension, and on the 6th February, 1905, he was convicted and sentenced to seven days imprisonment. He is the son of the late Mr William Thomas, of Dorset House, New Inn, and under his will he took the iuterest in the house in question. The testator gave the house to his eldest son, Dr John Tubb Thomas, of the Halve, Trowbridge, Wilts, who holds, it is believed, the position of medical officer of that county, in the following words And as to my dwelling-house and premises known as Number 23, Broad.street, Griffithstown, and now in the occupation of Mr Evans upon trust to pay the net income thereof to my son, William Thomas, until he shall assign charge or otherwise dispose of the same income or any part thereof, or become bankrupt, or do or suffer something whereby the said income, if belonging to him absolutely or some part thereof, would become payable te or vested in some other person (which of the said events shall first happen), and if the trust hereinbefore declared shall determine in the lifetime of the said William Thomas upon trust during the remainder of the lifetime of the said William Thomas to pay and apply the said income for the maintenance and support of all or such one or more exclusively of the other or others of the said William Thomas and his brothers for the time being in such manner in all respect as my trustee shall in his uncontrolled discretion think fit.' Prior to the 18th February, 1905, the above- named William Ernest Thomas applied for re- admission to the House, when the Board desired that the rents of the house should be secured to them towards his maintenance, but were advised by me that, having regard to the peculiar terms of the will, this could not be effected, and that the only thing that could be done would be to trust to the pauper handing over any money he received, and on the 18th February, 1905, he appointed Relieving Officer Spencer his agent (not the Board's) to collect the rents, pay the rates and taxes, and account to him therefor, promising that on the receipt of same he would give as much as possible towards his maintenance, and during the quarter ended the 29th March, 1905, he paid three sums of 78 in that way, and a further sum of 10s immediately afterwards. In or about the month of April the tenant of the house was served with notice, dated the 8th, signed by Dr Thomas, instructing him In future to pay the rent to his agent, Mr J. J. Gwatkin, he having determined to take possession of the property, which he was within his rights in doing under the terms of the will. Before the notice was acted upon, the pauper's collector received another sum of lIs, which he paid towards the rates which were in arrear. Since then nothing has been received for the maintenance of such pauper, and at the end of the last quarter, after writing off a sum of 25 14s for the quarter ending 4th October, 1906, there were arrears due to the amount of .£26 7a, charging the pauper 7s per week, being the rent of the house, but somewhat less than the full cost of maintenance, the amount having been fixed by the Guardians, and it was stated at the time that anything the rents did not cover through rates, taxes, and repairs, could be written off. A long correspondence has taken place between me and Dr Thomas, in which he has informed me that the house is subject to an encumbrance of L70 created by his father, and to a further sum of about 413, being the share of this property of the testator's deocs. tnere oetng lnsumcienc personal estate to pay same, but subject thereto and to the elearance of rates and taxes, he promised in effect that the balance of the rents should be devoted to the maintenance of the pauper. "In his last letter he intimated that he bad I received a notice from one of tho beaeflciaries under the will that the trust in favour of the pauper had been determined in consequence of hi" becoming chargeable to this Union, and thit he w»p taking couf\Møl'lI opinion upon it, and if therii were any doubt he would take out an originating aummons in the High Court and get a decision in the matter. "I fail to see how the fact that the pauper has become chargeable can affect the bequest in his favour, as he has not assigned, charged. or other- wise disposed of the income. Under these circumstances I recunmend that the matter should be allowed to rest for a few years until the arrears of rates and taxes, and the charges created by the testator and his pxecutor on the bou"e have been more or less cleared, when the matter should again be gone into. Dr Thomas being in no way liable personally for his brother's maintenance, but only as trustee of the property devised for the brother's benefit." Mr Wintle: So when that £83 has been cleared off we shall get something towards Thomas's maintenance ? The Clerk (Mr T. Watkins): You ouecht to do so. I have asked for an account, but I cannot get a, satisfactory reply. Mr Wintle: You don't mean to say Dr Thomas doesn't answer your letters ? The Clerk: Not till I have written him three or four. The Vice-Chairman (Mr S. T. Griffin, J.P., C.C.): Now, what is the position with regard to Phillips; is there any possibility of recovering anything from the relatives ? The Clerk: They are not legally liable. Lieut.-Col. D. E. Williams: Th-n if they take their stand upon that they are free ? The Clerk: Yes. Col. Williams: But upon moral grounds there is no question abtut its being a strong claim, and I was hoping, and I ventured to suggest it the time before, that if the Clerk approached Mr C. J. Phillips he would repay to this Board t'ie amount they had expanded on his brother's maintenance. That appea, was made, and the answer was in the negative. On legal grounds we have no claim, but on moral grounds we have a v.ry strong one. Un- no question abtut its being a strong claim, and I was hoping, and I ventured to suggest it the time before, that if the Clerk approached Mr C. J. Phillips he would repay to this Board t'ie amount they had expanded on his brother's maintenance. That appea' was made, and the answer was in negative. On legal grounds we have no claim, but on moral grounds we have a v-;ry strong one. Un- fortunately, that claim cannot be enforced in a court of law. Mr Griffin said he had been wondering why the subject should be brought before the Board again it was not long since it was before them pre- viously, and then they were told the relatives would give nothing. Mr Phillips felt annoyed that the subject should be again brought up, in these circumstances. He (Mr Griffin) u derstood that Mr Phillips and his father had taken over the maintenance of the children, for which they were not legally liable Mr Wintle: Query. Col. Willi tms I think you [Mr Griffin] are en- tirely wrong there. Mr Griffin said that what he suggested was the possibility of the maintenance of these seven children being thrown upon the Board by those now voluntarily supporting them. It was unfortu- nate that H. J. Phillips was in his present position, but, like many other inmates, he had himself to blame for it. and it was most annoying to his relatives, as well as to the relatives of Thomas in the other case-people who were large ratepayers and held responsible positions-to have the cases raked up ag1.in and again although they were not legally liable. The Clerk re-read the paragraph in his report. that "it was wholly on the ground of the vindic- tive litigation that they had ceased to maintain the children. Col. Williams said if Father Degen were there he could give information on that. The children were practically on the streets. Mr Griffin said Mr Phillips had told him that he was maintaining his brother's children. Col. Williams: He doesn't claim that he is do- ing it. The Clerk Father Degen has been called away to meet the Inspector of Schools at Abersychan, or he would have been here. Col. Williams It is unfortunate that he is not Mr Griffin: I cannot see any good to be gained by going into this business; that is all. Mr Wintle asked the Clerk to read a portion of a letter from the Belmont institution in which the children were. Was not the pith of it that Mr Phillips was not paying anything towards the sup- port of the children ? In reply, the Clerk said he understood that Mr Phillips and his father did support the children for some time, but all the payments they made before the bankruptcy of H. J. Phillips were secured by a mortgage deed, and when the property was sold the family bought the equity of redemption back again. There was a settlement on Phillips's chil- dren, and the trustees had taken proceedings in Chancery to set the mortgages aside, &c, The Phillipses then persuaded the Lady Superior at Belmont to file a bankruptcy petition against H. J. Phillips, and they would pay for the children's maintenance., She did so. The settlement was set aside because Phillips was insolvent at the time he made it. The Phillipses contributed for a. time to the maintenance of the children at Bel- mont, but according to an account sent to Father Degp.n there were now arrears amounting to £ 217 19s. Id. s Mr Griffin thought that matter outside the business of the Board. The CWk said he did not introduce it in his report, but he was asked for it. The Chairman said a good many people outside were diasatisfied because they did not know why they were not getting something towards the maintenance of the two men. Colonel Williams: Yes; and it ia these things we can't go into. We know we have a very strong moral claim, but no legal claim, up n Mr Phillips, and most of the people in the district know the whole history with regard to the property. Mr Griffin thought it a great pity that persons known to be respectable citizens should be taunted with the fact that their brother was in that institution, and there, like many others, through his own negligence. He did not think it at all fair to the other members of the family. He was told that Dr Thomas was county medical officer for Wiltshire, and to hold that position he must be a man of good social position, intelligent, and respectable. It was not right that a man who tried to be h meet, paid hi taxes, and so iouo should be tauuted with his brother's position and advertised in the Press. Mr Wintle: A. very fine speech, indeed. Colonel Williams said he fully and freely took his share of responsibility in enquiring into Thomas's case. They were not saying a word against Dr Thomas, but he was in the position of a lrtistee aOling under the will of the father of W. E. Thomas. Under that will be was getting a share in the property at Griffithstown, and as Guardians they were perfectly justified in looking into a case of the sort, and in endeavouring to secure for the ratepayers the money that was due to Thomas, so that they might not have to pay unnecessarily for his keep. They were not appealing to Dr Thomas to maintain him. But in Phillips's case they did make an appeal, and they did it with their eyes wide open, and with the unanimous consent of the Board. He admitted they had no legal claim, bat- he would again assert that they had a very strong moral claim, and if Mr Griffiu knew the facs he would say so also. There was a big property at Griffithstown and New Inn formerly in H. J. Phillips's hands, and it got transferred in some manner from the son to the family. The Board knew 'he day it was transferred, and they presumed that every liability was discharged. That property had increased in value-he would not like to say h»w many times—and from its transfer there must have been a large accession of wealrh, which constituted a still greater moral clai," for them upon Mr Phillips to pay the few paltry shillings per week that were needed to keep his brother. But there was no legal claim. Mr Griffin said that being so there was no good in that. A man might be ooaxed to do anythiag which he would not do if compulsion were tried. Dr Thomas, holding the position he did, would be gentlemanly enough to do what was right. Mr Wintle: He is not gentlemanly enough to answer the Clerk's letters even. Colonel Williams (to Mr Griffin): Do you know Dr Thomas ? Mr Griffin: No. Colonel Williams: Well, I do; I have known, him all my life. The Chairman then ended the conversation therfiK being no motion before the Board.

Estd. tjttj 1634. Higher Grade School, Usk (Formerly Usk Grammar School.) Next Term Commences Monday, January 7 th, IOOI. Fees 9/ (12 Weeks at 9d. per Week.) A thoroughly sound and efficient secondary education given. Individual attention paid to each pupil. Pupils prepared for OXFORD LOCAL and other Examinations. Candidates for admission must be able to do Standard IV. work of the Elementary School. Scholarship Examination. AN EXAMINATION for one or more SCHOLARSHIPS in the Boys' and Girls' Schools will be held at the School on SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 5TH, 1907, at 10 a.m. Candidates for Scholarships will be examined in Reading, Composition, Arithmetic, Geography and History of Standard V. of the Elementary School Code. The Scholarship entitles the holder to free tuition in the School for 1 year, and may be fenewed if conduct and progress prove satis- factory. An Examination for r, -on will be held at the same time and placp. C: indidates for admis- sion will be examined ir iding, Dictation, and Arithmetic of Standard J For further parties please apply to the READ MASTER, Mr A. J. (Smart; or to the under- aigned, A. H. WATKINS, Clerk to the Managers, Ty Newydd, Usk. It is always a question and often an important one as to where the buyers' interests will best be served ? in the matter of m ■ the purchase of m Furniture. This can only be g decided satisfactorily and finally by a careful comparison by the purchaser of the actual goods and prices of various firms. So many claim to be the Biggest, Cheapest, and ( m Best, while only C333LO t can really be so. ■ We are always glad to afford every facility for such comparison, and to allow our goods and prices to speak for themselves. Catalogues Free. GANE, THe F urnislxer, Cominercial-st., NEWPORT. Children's EDM, January 2nd, 1907, USK BOYS' SCHOOLROOM, AT 7 P.M. Tickets 1s.; Admission 6d. F GO TO C. WILKINSON For Best Value in General Drapery. CARPETS & FLOORCLOTHS LAID FREE OF CHARGE. Millinery Sf Dressmaking (Practical Hands, on receipt of. message, sent Free of Charge, to any part, with Patterns) BLANKETS, FLANNELS, QUILTS, &c- Holders of Club and Charity Tickets supplied at Lowest Rates. Special Discount of a Shilling in the £ allowed. Best Quality. Lowest Prices. tHHN, Commercial at., PONTYPOOL. For Printing of all kinds try the "County Observer" Office. JOHN H. RENNIE Member of the Auctioneers Institute by Exam ination.) AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL AUC- TIONEER, TENANT RIGHT k TIMBER VALUER, SURVEYOR, LAND AGENT, HOTEL AND INSURANCE BROKER Newport. Usk, Sf Chepstow Districts. Sates of Fat and Store Stock in NEWPORT, gSK, and CHEPSTOW CATTLE MAKKETS on Market Days. Horses in NEWPORT MARKET monthly. Chief Offices and Saleroom:- 6 and 12, SKINNER STREET, NEWPORT. Nat. Telephone, 339. Telegtams, Rennie Auction Fixtures. Jan. 1907.-Meadow Hay at Newport. —Important Sals of valuable Residential and other Property, at Newport, by Order of the Court. Particulars and ( atalogues to be obtained from the AUCTIONEER, 6 Skiuner Street, Newport. Established 1849. NEW LAND, DAVIS, & HUNT, Auctioneers, Valuers, Surveyors, Sf Land Agents. Sales of Fat and Store Stock at NEWPORT Cattle Market every Wednesday; CHEPSTOW, SEVERN TUNNEL, and LYDNEY, fortnightly. Offices: 19, COMMERCIAL STREET, NEWPORT, and WELSH STREET, CHEPSTOW. ippoivrwms, &c.. FOR WEEK Ending January 5th, 1907. Dec. Sat. 29-Pontypool Petty Sessions Football—Usk v. Pontypool Reserves, at Pontypool. Raglan Petty Sessions. Sun. 30-Sunday after Christmas, Mon 31- Jan. Tues. I-Aberleavenny Market. New Year's Day. Wed. 2-Newport Cattle, Corn, and Cheese Markets. Abergavenny Petty Sessions. Monmouthshire Quarte'r Sessions. Entertainment, Boys' Schoolroom, Usk. (See Advt.) Thurs 3—Caerleon Petty Sessions. Pontypool Board of Guardians. Sat. 5-Pontypool Petty Sessions. Football-Usk v. Abergavenny, at Usk. Cyclists, Light Up! Saturday, Dec. 29th. 4.56 Sunday, 30th 4.87 Monday, „ 31st. 4.57 Tuesday, Jan. Ist o 4.58 Wednesday, 2nd. 5. 0 Thursday, 3rd. 5. 1 Friday, 4th 5. 2 Saturday, H 5th. 5.3 Being One hour after Sunset. ¿ 4th Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers. G COMPANY, USK. Recruits may now be enrolled at the Armoury on Friday between the hours of 7 and 8 p.m. By order, H. J. WILLCOX, Captain, Commanding G Company. Hunting Appointments. THE LLANGIBBY HOUNDS will meet on Tuesday, Jan 1st Hall Inn, Gwehelog At 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4th Penycoed Castle At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8th .The Mardy, near Usk > At 11 a.m. MR. CURRE'S HOUNDS will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 2nd.Model Farm At 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5th.The Gocket At 11 a.m. THE MONMOUTHSHIRE HOUNDS will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 1st Agincourt Sq., Monmouth At 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4th -Llantilio Court At 11 a.m. b.. Usk Castle Estate, TO BE SOLD BY TENDER, the FALLAGE JL of the BARN WOOD, situate in the PARISH OF GWEHELOG, containing about 10 Acres, together with 97 Oak Timber Trees, and 11 Ash Trees, numbered in white paint; also 33 Larch Trees dotted white and standing therein. All other Trees and Stores, and those ringed or dotted .with red are reserved. MB. HENRY WILLIAMS, of Cwmcayo Farm, will show the wood. Tenders tô be sent in on or before the 15TH day of JANDABY, 1907, to MR. E. WADDINGTON, Solicitor, VBii Village of Llandenny. TO BE LET, with early possession, BRICK COTTAGE.—Apply, E. WADDINGTON, Usk. HIGH CLASS Artificial Teeth, IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. Personal Attention. Moderate Charges. Advice Free. Old Sets or Misfits Re-made. Teeth Stopped, Scaled and Extracted. WM. SPENCER JONES, A.I.S.E.A.T. Fourteen years with Messrs. White and Little, Newport, Mon. ADDRESS: Llan Walli," 46, Chepstow Road. Newport. Mon. Attends MB. SWEET'S, Bridge Street, Usk, every 1st Sf 3rd Monday in the month, from 11 to 5.

Births, larriages, & Deaths. Announcements under t. hie heading are inserted at a uniform charge of I/- each, unless such words as "No Cards," No F,!oicers (te., are added, when the charge will be 2/6. All Announcements must be authenticated. PostageStamps may be sent in payment. Lists of Wedding Presents are inserted at the rate of 1/6 per inch in depth.

USK. AtteiK—Afrt. 8. K. Jones, Stationer FOOTBALL.-Newport Extras played a very close game at Usk on isaturday, winning by a goal (5 points) to nil. OBITUARY.—We regret to record the death, at her residence at Clifton, on Christmas Eve, of Mrs Elizabeth Walkinshaw, daughter of the late Mr John Waters, of Llandenny, sister of Mr David Waters, of Glen Hailog, and widow of Mr Dtvid Walkinshaw, founder of the Pontypool Free Press, to perpetuate whose memory the deceased lady only a few years ago gave a handsomely stained window to Llantihangel Pontymoile Church. The fuaeral takes place there to-day (Friday). ENTERTAINMENT AT THE TOWN HALL.-In aid of the fund for a heating apparatus for U k Church, Colonel and 51ra Godfrey Addatns- Williams gave a couple of their charming drawing- room entertainments before a large and apprecia- tive audience at the Town Hall, on Thursday evening. Amongst the other contributors to the evening's amusement were Miss A. W. Brooke who sweetly rendered two violin solos, Mrs Redwood who gave two songs, and Miss Traylor and Mr Frank Morgan, whose duets from the Country Girl" and the "Cingalee" elicited long-continued applause and an encore.

LLANGIBBY HOUNDS. The St. Stephen's Day meet was in Llangibby village. The field suffered in numbers through the wintry weather, the grcund being covered with snow, but some very good sport was pro- Tided for the many who turned out. Hounds found in the Park close to the old castle, and after some good hunting Reynard broke cover went down through the enclosure clearing the wire netting, crossed the road, and went down the bottoms close to Newbridge where the river was crossed, and the varmint was left for another day. Hounds found again in Coed-y-fern, and there was more good sport, capital hunting continuing to the finish, which was bloodless.

THE CHRISTMASTIDE. I The festive season has passed off quietly in the district in quite good old-fashioned Christmas weather—frost and snow. There were the usual services in the Churches and Chapels, the Parish Church of St. Mary. and the Roman Catholic Church of St. Francis Xavier being very prettily decorated for the occasion, and the congregations large. The Church bells have rung out merry carillons, and the Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster E. B. Haynes, although deprived of the services of some of the members through family bereavement, bravely did their best in- the renderiUg of season- able music. On Boxing Day, the Old Monktonians met Usk at football and provided for the many spectators the prettiest match seen on the ground during the season, and one which ended in a pointless draw while, on the following day Mr W. Morgan's XV. from Llanhilleth beat Mr J. Morgan's team from Uak by a goal and two tries (11 points) to nil.

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