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

EMPIRE EDUCATION. I Mr Allen Stoneham, who stood at the last election for the Bosworth division of liincolnshire, reports that he was much ex- orcised in his mind upon finding that the people knew very little about the British JEmpire, and that after the contest-in which he was defeated-he sent to the tClubs and Schools a supply of maps and text-books on the subject. His gifts, he fldds, were welcomed with enthusiasm. It 40es not speak very highly for our system of elementary education that Mr Stoneham should have had this experience. It is not in the least surprising that in a division like that of Bosworth, which is wholly agri- cultural and mining, there should be a lack of information on this question, because, unless the information is acquired in the schools, there are very few opportunities of obtaining it. In these circumstances a large number of very influential gentlemen have asked the Lord Mayor of London to preside at a meeting at the Mansion House, with the object of promoting the cause of Empire education, and the Lord Mayor, in consenting, has appointed Tuesday next for the gathering. At present, while the objects of the requisitionists are clear enough, the means by which they seek to attain them appear to be a little indefinite, but, no doubt, they recognise that if they are to get people to take an interest in the Empire, the most effective way will be to induce the children to read and write about it.

The Resignation of Lord Cromer. The resignation of the Earl of Cromer, Agent and Consul-General of Egypt, de- prives the Empire of the services of one of the most remarkable men of our time, who las presented to the world an object lesson in the possibilities of good government and sound finance in a country which has suf- fered from all the worst developments of Oriental ineptitude. Lord Cromer had already spent nearly twenty years in the public service when he was appointed British Commissioner of the Egyptian Public Debt Office. It was not the first time that a comparatively untried Major of Artillery .had attained to the highest pinnacle of suc- cess, and as the young major of artillery who looked on at the French Revolution Jbecame the dictator of Continental Europe, so the Major Baring of 1877 was destined to create a new Egypt. It was said by Masaniello, when he began his revolt against the Spanish Viceroy of Naples, God sends us abundance, but bad govern- ment makes us perish of want." Lord Cromer, by his MASTERLY AND BENEFICENT ADMINISTRATION, entirely reversed that baneful process, for he made the desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose. The story of his work in Egypt may be described without exaggera- tion as wonderful, romantic, and inspiring, and it was truly said by Sir Edward Grey, in his happy tribute to Lord Cromer's public services, that the success achieved by him would have seemed incredible but for the fact that he accomplished it And the encomium pronounced by the Foreign Secretary, who declared that the Govern- ment would maintain his work and continue his policy, helps us to realise how excep- tionally fortunate Lord Cromer was in this respect that he enjoyed the confidence both of Conservative and Liberal Governments. And yet thirty years ago there was one man at least, who seems to have doubted the wisdom of the appointment. He was a friend of Lord Cromer, but he thought he observed in him the disposition of a not very conciliatory autocrat, and he wrote :— The virtues of Patience are known, But I think that when put to the touch, The people of Egypt will own with a groan, There's an Evil in Baring too much. It may be that the writer was unable to resist the temptation to perpetrate a pun on the name of Evelyn Baring, or it may be that the lines had a useful effect upon the character of their subject, bat, in any event, it was not very long before he was able to demonstrate that he was the strong man whom nature had qualified to deal with a position of the most exceptional difficulty. He found an incapable Government, a bank- rupt treasury, a discredited army, a people broken-spirited by oppression and miser- ably poor. Within a comparatively short period of time he effected A COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION. I He reorganised all the departments of the State, until it came to be recognised that the administration of Egypt would compare favourably with that of the civilised coun- tries of Europe; in a few years his budget shewed a surplus with the assistance of Sir Evelyn Wood, Sir Francis Grenfell, Colonel Francis Duncan, and other British officers, he converted into an efficient force the army which had shortly before evoked from Lord Kitchener the comment that it had covered itself with ridicule by its almost unexampled cowardice and inca- pacity." He is understood to have sub- scribed to the policy of temporarily with- drawing from the Soudan, in order that he might concentrate his attention and resources upon Egypt, but he was quick to perceive the psychological moment for re- conquest, and, in 1898, the victory of Omdurman brought the Soudan under the control of Britain.

The London Welsh Association.) The annual meeting of the London Welsh Conservative Association was held on Friday in last week, the Hon. C. E. Edwards presiding. The Earl of Plymouth was elected president for the coming year, and Sir John Puleston chairman of committee The other officers were re-elected, and the report and balance-sheet presented by the committee were carried. Both were satisfactory. Mr H. Gould gave an address on the House of Lords later in the day, and a discussion followed. In the course of their remarks the Committee say In conjunction with the National Union, arrangements have been made for the inauguration by this association of a supple- mentary organisation similar to that of the United Club, which, it is hoped, when com- plete, will enable this association to perform for Wales similar service to that which the United Club does in England. The hon. secretary will be glad to receive the names of any members, or any other gentlemen connected with the Prin- cipality or Monmouthshire, who would assist the association in this matter. It is hoped that this organisation will be of great service to the party in Wales, and that with the revival of party activity already existing much good will be done to the Unionist cause."

Conservatism in ftorih 000- mouihshire. The annual meeting of the Pontypool Con-1 stitutional Club was held on Tuesday evening, under the presidency of Mr Isaac Butler, J P. The report and balance sheet presented by the secretary, showed receifts X744, and ex- penditure £ 701. The membership has increased to 260 The officers were re-elected as follows:— President, Mr J. C. Hanbury, J P., D.L.; chairman, Mr I. Butler, J.P., C.C.; vice-chair- man, Colonel D. E. Williams, J.P.; treasurer, Mr A. H. Babbidge. NORTH MONMOUTHSHIRE CONSERVA- TIVE ASSOCIATION. Lord Llangattock, president of this organisa- tion, took the chair at a meeting of the execu- tive committee held at the Constitutional Club, Pontypool. The sub-agents present gave reports as to what had been done in their polling districts in putting into operation the scheme of re-organisation. Meetings had been held and well attended, and there were a number of cases where the rank and file had commenced sub- scribing to the association funds. Mr Henry H* lie we 11, chief agent, said he had been present at 46 meetings in the polling districts since December, explaining the new scheme, re-arranging the committees, &c. He found that there was a growing enthusiasm in the party generally. Colonel Mansel gave notice that he should move a resolution at the annual meeting, to be held at the Conservative Club, Abergavenny, on May 2nd, to rescind the resolution I I That all executive meetings be held at Pontypool," as he thought it would be fairer to have them movable. The Chairman of the Executive Committee (Councillor A. A. Williams) gave notice that he should at the annual meeting move a resolution as to the Parliamentary representation of North Monmouthshire. Lord Llangattock was thanked for presiding, and, in responding, expressed his pleasure at having such gratifying reports of the work going on in the division.

I NEWPORT. 1 I Alexts-Messrt Greenlo;xd and Co.. Biah Sire&. I I UNWHOLESOME LITERATURE. I On Mond ay, Mr Lyndon Moore held an inquiry into the death of Samuel Hall, (17) who had been employed at the Dock Extension works, and on Sunday night was found hanging from a beam in a disused stable at the back of his father's house, 25, Mill-parade, Newport. The mother could not give any reason for the boy's rash act. Deceased was very food of reading penny novels, detective tales, Buffalo Bill stories, and sensational newspapers. He got very nervous after reading this rubbish, and would put them down for the time. Last week he was working at the Alexandra Dock extension works, on the night shift. He had very little sleep during the week, and was continually up and down stairs in the day- time. These books had, no doubt, worried him. Witness had several times advised him to give them up. He took the novels to bed with him, and often fell asleep with them in his hand. She had found large bundles of them about the house. P.C. Jenkins said he had found from a newspaper agent in Pill that deceased was always buying 11 Deadwood Dick," Buffalo Bills," and tales of that kind, hnd was always asking when the next number would be out. These books were read a good deal by boys in Pill. He (witness) had often seen them being perused in the streets and under lamps. The Coroner said this was a pitiful case. The boy read these atrocious productions, which preyed on his mind to such an extent that he was not responsible for what he did. Literature of this kind, with its heroics, did a good deal of harm to the juvenile mind, and had probably affected this bright boy to such an extent that he was afraid to be upstairs alone. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind," and agreed with the coroner's remarks.

I RAGLAN. I PARISH CO-UNCIL.-The first meeting of the newly elected Parish Council was held in the National Schoolroom, on Monday. There were present:— Rev. R. S. Plant, Messrs. S. W. Jones, J. Townsend, J. G. T, Morgan, F. Perkins, N. Crump, T. R. Jones, H. Haggett, and the Clerk (C. J. Saunders), —Mr J. G. T. Morgan proposed and Mr J. Towns- end seconded, that the Rev. R. S. Plant be chairman of the Council for the ensuing year. This was carried unanimously. Mr Plant briefly returned thanks.—Mr N. Crump proposed and Mr T. R. Jones seconded, that Mr S. W. Jones be vice-chair- man. Carried unanimously.—Mr Albert J. Herbert (Raglan) and Mr George Thomas (Cross Vale) were appointed overseers for the ensuing year. Messrs. J. Frost (The Orchard) and John Jeffreys (Peny- park) were nominated in reserve.—Messrs. John Jeffreys (Castle Vale) and J. Townsend were re- elected Trustees of the parochial Charities. The Charity accounts were read for the year ending December 1906-

HHI STORES ARE PROTECTED. I In many parts of the Continent storks are encouraged to build their nests in chimneys, steeples, and trees near dwellings. Indeed, as an mducement to them to pitch their quarters on the houses, boxes are sometimes erected on the roofs, and happy is the household which thus secures the patronage of a stork. Some of the people among whom they sojourn during the ^.arm summer days regard the presence of the bird as a kind of safeguard against fire. And as an illustration of their love for their young, a story is told of a stork which, rather than desert its helpless offspring during a conflagration in Delf, in, Holland, remained heroically by their side, and perished with them in the flames. In Morocco and in Eastern countries also storks are looked upon as sacred birds. And with good reason, for they render very useful service both as scavengers and as slayers of snakes and other reptiles. In most of the towns a storks' hospital will be found. it consists of an enclosure to which are sent all birds that have been injured. They are kept in this in. firmary-which is generally supported by volun- tary contributions until they have regained health and strength. To kill a stork is regarded as an offence. For the valuable offices which they perform in the removal of garbage they are, in some countries, protected by law. At one time the white stork was a pretty common bird in England, where it helped the farmers by clearing the soil of noxious insects. It disappeared, however, partly because it was subjected to a good deal of persecution, but mainly because an improved method of agricul- ture took away ite occupation. »

Animals to the number of nearly 70,000,000 Are killed yearly for the sake of their fur. January is the windiest month in the year, there being on an average five heavy galee m it Crocodiles, like ostriches, consume pebbles and small stones for the purpose of grinding up their food. Burnt sienna is really a paint manufactured from the natural earth obtained in the neigh- bourhood of Sienna, Italy. Extreme heat is more fatal to human life than extreme cold.

General Botha Interviewed. Paris, Friday. 1 General Botha in an interview with the Matin London representa- tive, said I assure you my govern- ment will treat the Boers and English on perfect equality.

The Austro-Hungarian Premier! and the German Emperor. Vienna, Friday. Baron Aerenthal, the Austro- Hungarian Premier, will have as audience of the German Emperort, at Berlin, on the 30th instant.

Primrose Day. Primrose Day was marked at Hughendea Church, to-day, by a large number of wreaths and tributes of Primroses placed on" Lord Beaconsfield's grave.

I Actors' Send-Off. I Friday. Berlin, Mr Beerbohm Tree and his company left this morning for London. There was a great demonstration at the station, and the actors had a splendid send- off. I

Mr Whiteley's Will. I The Globe says Mr Whiteley's 1 will has been sworn a* £ 1,312,535. ——»

Denmark's King to Visit Dover. It is understood that the King' of Denmark will visit Dover next month, and inspect the First Buffs, of which he is Honorary Colonel.

Weather Forecast. Fair weather, and rather milder" is predicted.

JjC^tlKSavel^j Wood- inline Fatigue and Double th«S Revolv'no RASILY rlxzl  stMd t2   —z-lLte-'—t  Rone lIenuine Z unless -Wood-Wil.-t fiXoa^Soid eYery-M'LLlALQUALrp^w»: fa01a. Sold .¡ wb. í

NOTED BATTLESHIPS. The first-class battleship Sans Pareil, which has been condemned to be broken up, is one of several ships of that name which have served in the British and French navies. One of them captured in 1794 the British frigate Castor, but was herself taken by the Majestic in the battle which took place on the 1st June in the same year. The present battleship was only launched twenty years ago, and was a sister ship of the ill-fated Victoria. The Sans Pareil and Benbow were the only ships in the British navy carrying guns weighing 110 ■tona, each of them being provided with two of these monster weapons. It was early recognised that the advantages pos- sessed by these heavy guns did not com- pensate for the possibility of such a reduction in the ships armament as would be caused by an accident to one of them, and it was generally agreed that the type was not likely to be repeated.

i —— One little bottle of Norton's Pills rHHi Is not guaranteed to cure all ills, But one little bottle, beyond all question, Will thoroughly conquer Indigestion. ROxvION rjru and PILLS =r-~ | ™ CURE — I i iMSM INDIGESTION I HEADACHE I The Great Family Medicine* DYSPEPSIA I Invaluable for Ladle* LIVER COMPLAINTS I BILIOUSNESS ■ Sold In bottles, Wh 219, of all Chemists, or MMTOH'S, tM., M Spitat Sqnare, London. CONSTIPATION ) _——

THE CROYDON DISASTER. I The death of one of the victims of the Croydon tramway accident has necessitated a coroner's inquiry into the circumstances of the mishap, and has, at the same time, evoked renewed expressions of the general feeling that every possible precaution should be adopted in order to prevent such acci- dents in future. The Croydon fatality is only one of many such occurrences, which have taken place in the provinces, as well as in the neighbourhood, and while some of them must have been inevitable, it is diffi- cult to believe that none of them could have been avoided by compliance with such a set of regulations as could easily be pre- pared by experts. Almost invariably the accidents have been caused by the failure of the brakes, and with that information to our hands, it ought not to pass the wit of engineers to provide a remedy which would jreduce greatly the number of such mishaps.

— Markets. USK, APRIL FAIR, Monday.-The attendance and supply at this Stock and Peddlery Fair were larger than usual, and there were a number of buyers from a distance. The stock on offer found a ready sale at satisfactory prices. The pig trade was slow, however. Fat lambs were selling at 30s. each, fat tegs from 36s. up to 50s., Welsh couples up to 33s., English couples up to 67s.; best beef 6d. to 6jd. per lb., seconds õid. to 6d., wether mutton 8-Ld. to 9d., ewes, 7d. to 8d, veal, 8id. to 2 9d., cows and calves 912 to X16, yearling cattle £ 8 to 212, two-year-olds Xll to X16, sows and pigs £ 6 to Y,10, strong stores 35s. to 45s. each, three- months-old 20s. to 23s., weaners 16s. to 20s., heavy-weight porkers 9s. 6d. a score, light ditto 10s. to 10s. 6d. There was a mixed lot of horses on offer, and they sold at varying prices.

Monmouthshire Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. The quarterly meeting of the Committee of the Monmouthshire Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society was held on Thursday, in the Newport Town Hall, by the kind permission of the Mayor, when there were present :-Mr S. Courthope Bosanquet (chairman), Mr Humphrey Humphreys (hon. sec.), Rev P. L. C. Nash, Rev H. Abraham, Mr H. S. Lyne, Mr F. W. Gibson, Mr G. H. Cook, and Mrs Bear. Quarterly account to March 31st:— M. W. Prisoners assisted 96 14 Doing well 32 5 Doing indifferently 21 9 Lost sight of 43 0 96 14 Returned former employment 25 2 Returned to friends 12 10 Returned to sea 5 — Assisted with food- Tramps, bread and cheese. 43 Food given to men and women 22 5 Clothing. 4 0 Railway Fre. 7 1 Lodgings 6 — Agency only 4 —. Gratuities administered 21 3 The Hon. Secretary reported that the legacy of 2300 from the late Mr C. H. Bailey would shortly be paid, and the following resolution was passed: That a letter, expressing the appreciation by the Committee of the legacy by the late Mr C. H. Bailey, and their gratified remem- brance of the interest taken by him in this Society, be sent to Mrs Bailey by the Hon. Secretary.

PONTYPOOL. igenti-Mr Fieldhouse, and Mr G. H Churchill, The Market Mestrs. Edwards and Co., and Mr. Nickels, New Inn. COLLIERY ACCIDENT.-Arthur Gardner (21), a collier, of Pontypool, was buried underneath a large fall of roof at the Tirpentwys Colliery, and whilst his companion, William George, of Albion- road, Pontypool, was attempting to rescue him a second fall occurred, which buried both men. When they were extricated Gardner was found to have sustained a fractured hip, but George received only a few bruises. Gardner was conveyed to the Pontypool and District Hospital, where he is detained.

< rHYARCHER&ciSl GOLDENRETURNS I tac-simile of One-Ounce Packet. Archer's Golden Returns The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. COOL. SWKET, AND FRAGRANT.

The Budget. I In a crowded House of Commons, on Thursday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer made his Budget statement for the new financial year. After referring to the gratifying realised balance of nearly P,5,400,000 on the twelve months just closed, a sum which goes to the reduction of debt, Mr Asquith stated that, on the present basis of taxation, he esti- mated for a surplus in 1907-8 of 23,233,000. He resisted the temptation to remit any indirect taxation owing to the requirements for social reform, but he outlined the follow- ing proposals A differentiation between earned and un- earned incomes, accompanied by preferential treatment to the former when not exceeding £ 2,000. The tax on such income will be 9d in the P.1 only. Increased provision for reducing the National Debt, £ 1,500,000. Death Duties increased and graduated on a sliding scale. Provision of Old Age Pensions out of the nucleus remaining at the end of the finan- cial vear. FINANCIAL YEAR, 1906. Estimated Revenue, 1806-7 L112,755,000 „ Expenditure 142,421,000 „ Surplus 334,0»0 Actual Revenue, 1906-7 Y,144,814,000 „ Expenditure 139,415,000 Surplus 5,399,000 The essential feature of this Budget is that the direct taxpaxer alone is to be asked to find the increasing sums that will be re- 15 quired for carrying out all that is compre- hended under the name of Social Reform.

Baby Mystery at Liantarnam. Mr M. Roberts-Jones, coroner, conducted an inquiry at Cwmbran on Thursday into the death of an unknown female infant child, whose body was found in the Avon Llwyd, at Llantarnam a week ago. Police-constable Hughes stated that he found the body on a small island in the river opposite Llantarnam Abbey, and Dr W. E. C. Murphy, who had made a post-mortem examination, stated that the body was that of a healthy child, and that life must have existed for about seven days. There were no signs of violence, but the right side of the lower jaw had been eaten by rats or crows. There was nothing to show that the child was alive when put into the water. The Coroner suggested that possibly the child was an illegitimate one, and that it might have been thrown out of a passing train into the river. An open verdict was returned.

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CHEPSTOW. I Agent.-Hiss Clark C.D.C.—The outgoing Council held their last meeting on Monday, Mr J. E. G. Lawrence presid- ing.—The Gas Company wrote, offering to do the public lighting at the same price as last year (2180) and the tender was accepted.—Attention was called to the dangerous state of the fence at the Castle Yiew.—Exception was taken to the Surveyor acting as poll clerk at the recent election, and it was unani- mously resolved to forbid paid officers acting in a similar capacity at future elections.—Mr Horniblow, Rate Collector, applied for extra remuneration, on account of his having had to do the whole of the rate making and collecting, whereas his salary oaly covered a portion of the year. It was decided to give him a bonus of ;C7.-The Surveyor was ordered to write Messrs Smith and Son with respect to their small projecting sign, to which exception had been taken by an adjoining occupier.—A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman for his able conduct in the chair, and the expressed hope that he will be re-elected seems probable, especially as he headed the poll in the recent election.

IMPORTANT TO MOTHERS.—Every Mother JL who values the Health and Cleanliness of her Child should use Harrison"s I Reliable' Nursery Pomade. One application kills all Nits and Vermin, beau- tifies and Strengthens the Hair. In Tins, 4id. and 9d. Postage Id. Geo. W. Harrison, Chemist, 118, Broad Street, Reading. Agent for Usk :-P. AULT Chemist, Medical Hall.

I CWMBRAN. A FAREWELL.—A meeting was held at the Drill Hall, Cwmbran, to bid good-bye to the Rev Gomer Davies, B. A., who has been promoted to a curacy at Cardiff. The Rev J. W. Ward, M.A., vicar of Llantarnam, presided over a good attendance of parishioners, and expressed his regret on parting with so valued and efficient a colleague. Mr Davies was made the recipient of a roll-top desk from the parishioners, and a revolving book-case from the Sunday school scholars, and a silver cake-basket was presented to Mrs Davies from the Mothers' Union.

I LLANFRECHFA UPPER. DISTRICT COUNCIL MIgHTING--The annual meet- ing was held at Pontnewydd. when Mr William Waplington was elected chairman, with Mr H. Beese vice-chairman.—The Medical Officer of

Health (Dr W. C. Murphy) reported that no deaths were registered in the district during the month, and that nine births occurred, which gave a rate of 27.6. -The seal of the council was affixed to a general district rate of 2s in the I for the I ensuing year, being an increase of 3d on that of last year. — —

LLANFRECHFA LOWER. PARISH COUNCIL MEETING. The newly appointed Council held their first meeting at the County Schools, (iroesyceilog, on Monday. Mr D. M. Evans was apnointed chairman, and Mr J. M. Jones vice-chairman. Messrs. W. Baker Williams and Charles Critchley were elected over- seers. Mr F. J Mitchell and the Rev J. D. Rees, were re-appointed trustees. Meetings of the Council are to be held every two months, alternately at Croesyceilog and L'at frechfa.—It was resolved to make a precept of X20 to meet the expenses for the ensuing half-year,-The Clerk was instructed to write the Great Western Railway Company and endeavour to get an improved train service from Lower Pontnewydd Station to Newport.

MO NT MOUTH. I Agent.-M, J. G. Jon's, 24, Church Street, Mennouth. I NBW VICAR OF DINGESTow.-The Rev. W. A. Peters, ourate-in charge of St. Cadoe's Church, Cardiff, has accepted the living of Dingestow. WILLIAM JONES'S CHARITY.—At the Shire Hall, a conference was held of comtriittees from Glou- cestershire County Council, Monmouth Town Coun- cil, and Monmouth Board of Guardians, to consider what joint action should be taken to secure addi- tional grants towards local charities from the prospective increased income of the William Jones oharity. The proceedings were private. NATIONAL SOCIETY OF DAY NURSERIES.Lady Llangattook has lent South Lodge, Rutland-gate, for a meeting to be held on May 2nd for founding a National Society of Day Nurseries. The objects of the society are to get a Bill passed to prevent unlicensed persons opening a crecfce,, to insist upon Government inspection, and to have day nurseries registered. WBBDING IN LONDON.—At St Stephen's Church, South Kensington, London, S W., on Thursday, with full choral service and amid splendid floral decoration, the marriage took place of Mr Hugh Griffin Tyler, younger son of Mr George Griffin Griffin, of Newton Court, Monmouth, and Miss Muriel Baines, daughter of the late Mr W. Baines and Mrs Baines, of Woodhampton. near Stourport, Worcestershire.

Newfoundland, Premier 1. Arrives. Sir Robert Bond, the Newfound- land Premier landed at Liverpool to-day.

Fatal Fall of Earth at Newport. Thousands of tons of earth fell this morning at the Dock ExtensioIlJ Works, Newport, Mon. One labourer was killed. I

Only Seasick ? Rome, Friday. The Messagero states that the President of the Naples' Court of Appeal has been obliged to resign" owing to his strange behaviour at the Royal Luncheon on the yacht Tunarria. He declares he was,, only seasick

Cabinet Council. I A Cabinet Council was held this morning.

Stocks. Stocks quiet the tone # more generally steady, following Budget. Printed and Published by THB COUNTY OBSEBVBBI NEWSPAPBB and PRINTING COMPANY, lamited, by. JAMES HENRY CLABK, a their Offices, Bridg" Street, Usk, in the County of Monmouth, SaturdaY" April 20th, 1907.