MONDAY FEB 8, 1937

MONMOUTH MP OPTIMISTIC

SPECIAL AREAS WILL RECOVER

The effect of the Special Areas Bill to be introduced in the House of Commons was dealt with by Major J. A. Herbert, M.P., for Monmouth, when he paid his first visit to the newly-formed Malpas Unionist Church.

The time was arriving when some Special Areas were “being covered by the flood of prosperity, which meant that other special areas would gradually recover”, he said.

“For instance, Ebbw Vale a short time ago was one of the most distressed places in Great Britain. If, as we hope, Sir William Firth and his Company continue as they started there is no reason to suppose that Ebbw Vale will not become one of the most prosperous, instead of one of the most distressed, areas.

“Within Monmouthshire we have particular spots which are creating the enormously high rates. If some of the services, such as Public Assistance, are reduced, it will bring the rates to the level of a normal county.

“If the whole of Monmouthshire is scheduled, we shall see that every party of the county is given its due, and if the rates are brought down to the level of normal counties, it is up to us to see that the people in power – the people on local authorities – do not fritter away our money.”

If improvement were to be maintained, the National Government and the prime Minister and his ideals must be supported.

Speaking of the supply of free meals and free milk to schoolchildren of parents whose income was below a certain scale, Major Herbert said the government desired to help local authorities to help those children.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. C. Phillips, T.D., President of the Club and Chairman of Malpas Branch of Monmouthshire Conservatives’ Association, presided. He mentioned that plans were in hand for extensions at the club.

Mr. S Monks, Treasurer of the Branch, appealed for support of an effort to make the men’s section more successful.

Mr. H. G. Foster proposed thanks to Major Herbert and Mr. A Ball thanked the Chairman, artists and visitors. Mr. R. C. Bell, Chairman of the Club, replied to thanks to the Club proposed by Mr. W. T. Stephens.

BROTHER OF THE REV. A. T. JONES

DEATH OF RAGLAN PUBLIC WORKER

The death occurred at the Birches, Raglan, of Mr. S. W. Jones, J.P. A few months ago Mr. Jones, who was 84, slipped while trying to catch a bus and broke a small bone in his leg. After treatment at Monmouth Hospital he made good progress at home, and had practically recovered when it became necessary for him to be taken to hospital for an operation.

He returned home a fortnight ago, and died on Saturday. His death has made a gap that will be difficult to fill in the public life of Monmouth district.

He had been a member of Raglan Parish Council since the inauguration of parish councils in 1896. He represented Raglan on the Monmouth Rural District Council for almost as long a period.

He became a member of the Public Assistance Committee after the abolition of Monmouth Board of Guardians. Mr. Jones was senior deacon of Raglan Baptist Church, and was well-known throughout Baptist circles in the county.

He had been for many years a magistrate and was a manager for Raglan School. Mr Jones’s first wife died 12 years ago, and later he married Miss Crockett, who survives him. His only son is Mr. W. H. Hines, who recently took over his father’s business. The Rev. A. T. Jones, for many years a Baptist pastor in Newport, was a brother of Mr. Jones.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9

DEATH OF USK WOMAN JUSTICE

LOSS TO WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

All who are interested in the Women’s Institute movement in Monmouthshire, and many friends at Newport and Usk, will learn with regret of the death of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Jenkins, J.P., wife of Mr. Samuel Jenkins, Alcombe, Abergavenny-road, Usk.

Mrs. Jenkins was a native of Newport, a member of the Hill family, who were well-known in Maindee. She retained her interest in Newport, and periodically attended Duckpool Road Baptist Church.

Mrs. Jenkins’ husband, a retired traveller, is a member of an old Usk family. Mrs. Jenkins was keenly interested in the Women’s Institute movement, founded by Lady Mather Jackson, O.B.E., in Monmouthshire, and was President of Usk branch.

In recognition of her public and social work she was appointed a justice of the peace for the county in June, 1934, and occasionally sat on the Bench at Usk.

Mrs. Jenkins is survived by her husband, one son, Mr. Harry S Jenkins, of Edward VII Avenue, Newport, a prominent Freemason in Monmouthshire, and one daughter Mrs. Harold Mason, of Kensington Grove.