... The annual tea meeting of the above place was held on Thursday week, when, notwithstanding the depres- sion in trade, the heavy and continuous rain, and the consequent gloom pervading society in general, and the farming portion in particular, a goodly number availed themselves of the outing, and for the nonce tried to be cheerful and happy, wisely shelving dull care till the party was over. ...

... ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. STROLLER ABOUT THE TOWN. Your letter on the early closing of drapers' shops is not accom- panied by the information respecting your own name which is required by our rules for corre- spondence. RATEPAYER.—Your letter on Unequal Rat- ing, as shown in the Jury List for the parish of Trevethin, is a subject of vital importance to ratepayers generally, and fair and ...

... THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGN. ABDICATION OF THE AMEER. GENERAL ROBERTS'S PROCLAMATION. THE FIGHTING AT ALI KHEYL. EXPLOSION IN THE BALA HISSAR. A Reuter's telegram dated Simla, says:—The Ameer, Yakoob Khan has announced his determina- tion to abdicate, stating that he intended taking this step earlier, but was then dissuaded from so doing. General Roberts has counselled the Ameer to recon- sider the ...

... Mr Sandbrook said he wished to call the atten- tion both of the Board and the public to the way in which the Monmouthshire Railway officials had arranged their service of trains in connection with Pontypool. It appeared that the Railway Com- pany considered the interests of the Newport peo- ple, to the injury of Pontypool. The trains were now so placed as to convey people to the former place ...

... A PUBLIC NUISANCE. Mr Fletcher drew the attention of the Board to the obstruction of certain parts of the public tho- roughfares in Pontypool caused by groups of men standing about. Especially was this noticeable at the Cross, & it had long been a positive nuisance. It was difficult to pass them, and particularly so if one had a friend with him, while at the same time insulting remarks were ...

... GENERAL BOOTH.—The Salvation Army have been holding crowded services at the Pavillion, and General Booth has preached. The effect upon the place is thus described The town appears to have undergone o -1-r,- s reigns now wiiere general disturbance and fights usually prevailed. The effect of the preaching upon some of the noted characters of the district is wonderful, the police having little or ...

... Sir Harry Parkes, British Minister in Japan, has .eft that country for England, returning by way of ;he United States. The reason assigned is Lady Parkes' illness. Several shocks of earthquake have been felt along the Valley of the Danube, extending as far as Bes- jarabia. Several towns on the military frontier have been seriously damaged. For attempting to smuggle a case containing 241b. of ...

... THE REVISION COURTS IN MON- MOUTHSHIRE. LIBERAL GAINS. We have received the following communication with respect to the work of revising the county register of voters :-In the districts of Usk, Rag- lan, Monmouth, Trelleck, Croesyceilog, Blaenavon, Abcrsychan, Pontypool, Cross Ash (including Llanvihangel-Crucorney, Kemeys Suspension Bridge, and a portion of Newchurch polling dis- tricts), ...

... The following proclamation, issued by General Roberts, will be read with interest:— Proclamation to the People of Cabul. Be it known to all that the British army is advancing on Cabul to take possession of that city. If it be allowed to do so peacefully, well and good if not, the city will be seized by force. Therefore, all well-disposed persons who have taken no part in the dastardly murder ...

... [BY TELEGRAPH. ] Since last Tuesday there has been considerable excitement in the trade, and values of foreign wheat are quoted at 3s to 4s higher. English in very bad condition, and the qualities so various that prices are not quoted. Barley 6d higher, maize Is dearer, and oats unaltered. A quantity of inferior Irish oats arrived, and sell at irregula-r rates. ...

... EISTEDDFOD.—An eisteddfod was held on Mon- day last, in the Wesley Hall. The adjudicators were :—For the music and impromptu speech, Mr Place; and for the writing, Mr Knowles and Dr Davison. Accompanist for the quartette, duets, and solo, Mr E. G. Morgan; and for the choruses, Mr T. H. Morgan. The room was crowded, and the audience were very greatly pleased with the various performances, all ...

... BY ARCHIBALD CAMERON, (Author OJ Musings in an Infirmary Ward, I do not soar to giddy heights to flatter prince or king, My theme is one of low degree—in Pussy's cause I sing; The sleek, fur-coated forager, sly tenant of the hearth, A target for mischievous youth, fond cause of childish mirth. What slanders, libels, cuffs, and kicks, thick on her shoulders fall; Things broken, stolen, or ...